THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1891.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8487, 11 February 1891, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1891.

The delegates who meet at Sydney within a few days are to constitute a " National Australasian Convention," empowered to consider and report upon an adequate scheme for a Federal Constitution for the colonies of Australia. This is not simply a meeting to discuss the abstract question of Federation. It is not a conference. It is a Convention having a specific task set before it. All the colonies of Australia will be fully represented, and it will be seen by our cable messages that the Attor-ney-General of Tasmania, Mr. Clark, is preparing, a constitution to be submitted to the Convention. Any constitution to be adopted is to provide for the formation of a Dominion —a nation within the empire, and under the Crown. If the Constitution which Mr. Clark is to propose, or any other, be adopted, it will as soon as possible be submitted to the various Legislatures. If the Constitution is approved of by these bodies, then it would be remitted to Great Britain. In all probability it would be placed on the Imperial statute book without alteration, for all the leading statesmen of England are agreed that it is desirable to promote federation amongst the colonies, even as a first step to an Imperial Federation which would greatly strengthen the Empire.

This is the programme of the body which is about to meet at Sydney. Hub Now Zealand, although it is to be represented at the Convention, can scarcely be considered a party, as it has been definitely resolved that for the present at all events, this colony shall stand aside, although regarding the proposal to federate the Australian colonies with all eoodwill and good wishes. We are to be represented by Sir George Grey, Sir Harry Atkinson, and the Hon. Captain Russell, and we could scarcely iind better men. Sir George Grey, we are sure, will be regarded by the statesmen who sit at the Convention from the Australian colonies as giving prestige to the proceedings. He will be the only man there who took part in founding any of the Australian colonies. Many years before any of the delegates took any part in public affairs his mind was occupied in speculating on what would be the future destiny of these lands. His work as an early explorer of a large portion of the Continent is good and useful to this day. He governed South Australia with singular success before it had a constitution. He was Governor of the Cape and High Commissioner of South Africa, and while in that position he laid the foundations of the policy which will ultimately complete a powerful federation there. He was the familiar friend of Sir W. Molesworth, Edward Gibbon Wakefield,, and the knot of philosophic men who fifty years ago pondered over all the problems of the colonies, and some of whose ideas are only now coming up for practical settlement. All these things will cause Sir George to be looked up to while attending the Convention, and although our' delegates are not empowered in any way to pledge New Zealand, it may be expected that Sir ; George Grey may largely contribute to the moulding of the constitution to be placed before the Colonial Parliaments. We need not recall any points of the Federation movement in Australia, or go any further back than the Federation Conference which was held about a year aeo. On that occasion this colony was represented by the Hon. Sir J. Hall and the Hon. Captain Russell. It was presided over by Hon. I>. Gillies, then Premier of Victoria.

Sir Henry Parkes Premift e w South. Wales, , proposed . resolution ' ' blowing ; ■ ■ ■ V' I That in the opinion of bVia finnfi. , best interests and the present and fiift co th< < peri of the tasSffSffiw promoted by ai> early union under the* ancl k while fully recognising the vHV'' 1 iftS IC?3 °J the " lcinb .ers of the Convener IBS 3 in founding the Federal CounJ^ declares its opinion that'the seven yl„ which have since elapsed have developed " a^ l ! ) ', lft •! lf ? I . of Australasia in population,* wft&lth, in, the discovery of resources, and \ self-governing capacity to .an extent Whic justifies the higher act, at ail times contem. plated, of the union of these colonies, under one legislative ulijfl executive Government, on' principles just tQ.tlife several colonies.

The resolution was proposed by Sir ; Henry Parkes in a very grand speech, ana his -motion was seconded by Mr. Dt&kin, then '.Chief'.'Secretary of Victoria. Towards the conclusion of the discussion Captain Russell defined the position of New Zealand. He said that at the present time this colony could not submit itself to* a Government in which it would necessarily have an unimportant part. For instance, New Zealand could not consent to hand over the native administration to a federal Parliament, mostly Australians, who cared nothing and knew nothing about the subject. In- regard to defence, also, New Zealand could not benefit by a federal army. Captain ■Russell concluded by moving

That to the union of the Australian colonies contemplated by the foregoing resolution, the remoter Australasian colonies shall be entitled to admission at such times and 011 such conditions as may hereafter be agreed upon.

Sir John Hall supported this proposal, and pointed out with great force the difficulties that there would be in New Zealand entering into a federation composed of the colonies on the Australian Continent. Both of our delegates, however, showed carefully that they spoke in 110 hostile spirit; on the contrary, they desired to see a federation accomplished. It was agreed, on the motion of Sir Henry Parkes, in view of the sentiments expressed by the New Zealand representatives, that the words " Australian " and "Australia" should be substituted for the words "Australasian" and "Australasia," as they occurred in his resolution, and his motion, thus amended, was adopted. Captain Russell then moved :

That to the union of the Australian colonies contemplated by the foregoing resotion, the remoter Australasian colonies shall be entitled to admission at such times and on such conditions as may be hereafter agreed upon.

It was then also agreed that the members of the Conference should take such steps as may be necessary to induce the Legislatures of their respective colonies to appoint delegates to a National Australasian Convention, empowered to consider and report upon an adequate scheme for a Federal constitution. The motion to this effect was seconded by Sir John Hall. In the session of our own Parliament in 1890, the subject was brought up, when the action of the delegates was approved, nd it was decided to appoint two delegates from the House of Representatives to attend the Convention. This proviso was, however, added to the resolution :—" It being understood that, while New Zealand sympathises with the aspirations of the sister colonies of Australia for a Federal Union, such delegates are not authorised to bind this colony to come under any Federal Constitution which may be adopted by such Convention." Such is the position of the Federation question, so far as New Zealand is concerned, and there is no question that although it is not our intention at present to join in any union, we are deeply interested in what may be done. But on the many important questions raised, we have not at present left ourselves space to speak.

We are not disposed to criticise in a hostile spirit the actions of the present Government. We are inclined rather to give them the fairest of fairplay, and to avoid anything like a harsh construction of their actions. But we do think-we have great reason for complaint, on behalf not only of Auckland but of the whole colony, on account of the course they have taken in regard to the San Francisco mail service. The announcement was made regarding the acceleration of the service, and Mr. Mitchelson, before he left oiEce, completed all the necessary arrangements, and stated that he had done so. The new dates of sailing were advertised for several days. Then they are altered back again. We know that Ministers have received telegrams from Auckland remonstrating against the Government stopping the speedier service. But the Postmaster-General adheres ■ to his determination that the Mariposa shall sail on her old date, the 23rd, and that the mail shall not be accelerated. The pretext is, we —although the Government, apparently, do not think it necessary even to assign any pretext that arrangements must be made for a change of the dates of sailing of the direct boats. That might have been settled hereafter ; but the shortening of time of the "San Francisco service should have been allowed to come into force at once. No adjustment of time can do much as between a thirty-two days' service and a forty-five days' service. Suppose the owners of the direct steamers decline in any way to alter their present time-table, will the Post-master-General then declare that the San Francisco service muse stand as it is, although all the arrangements have been made to hasten it ? Such an act would surely mark Mr. Ward as an original Postnlaster-General.

Our cable messages this morning state that the German Government are likely to abandon their intention of establishing an institution for the treatment of patients by the Koch cure, an announcement which may be accepted as indicating a waning ' in the faith of,'the"; Professor's discovery as an efficacious remedy for consumption. The labour disputes at Cardiff are assuming an alarming aspect, and it lias been found necessary to despatch troops to the locality to preserve order. The natives in the Soudan are again becoming aggressive, and it has been deemed prudent to erect additional fortifications at Tokar. It is expected that the vessels which are to form the Australian auxiliary squadron ,will all arrive in Australian waters at about the same time, and the occasion will be .marked by a naval demonstration of some kind. The squadron consists of five fast cruisers and two torpedo gunboats of the most approved type. In accordance with the arrangements that have been made, two of the cruisers will be " laid up" during peace, and it has been decided that these shall be stationed at Sydney. Messrs. W. and J. Kelly, M.H.R.'s for the East Coast and Invercargill respectively, arrived at Rotorua yesterday. They had (telegraphs our correspondent) a long interview with their old chief aud leader, Sir George Grey. j

. The Hon. W. Copley, CotnmU • Lands in South Australia, may Iv" 1081 °> fexpedted id Auckland." He i B J^'I[Y1 [ Y be Wellington this week. The obieo^? 1 in Copley's journey to this colony i,tn • i,rinto the working of the special %« settlement scheme, introduced h,» tt » 9 sent Premier (Mr, Balln'nec) when J}? Preof Lands in the Stout-Vogel Admini ■ ter and also to personally visit some S f rat '°> settlements in Canterbury and a , ,^'a The nearest approach to the villi™ ndmenfc system which has been tried in ttl "' Australiaiscalledthehomesteadblopts under which a person can take un ■ m of land, limited in area to 20 acres & eca petual lease—the lease beini»mada^- 0 " Per--1 'or a term of 21 years with a riirhf " f ally •ewal-or lie can take it on lease wit! a" ■ glib of purchase after six years it- • e °ed at the time of the purchase ' c; e 0 the perpetual lease there Ration every 14 years of the land wit! re ' , Movements. No surrender of the i ut , 13 ?.°wcd, but a perpetual lea«P i. •* realty perpetual. The rentals and J" • chase price under ■ • the system P ' fixed bv .the Land Board nrim. arc the I; nd being , opened for ? e lectin The latfefc system of the disposal of . ° n : adopted i x South Australia is one which J 1 been in vo fU e for about two years, and , • sembles in uany respeets the system a ' obtains m Nw Zealand. Mr. CouW J $ it the Land Board system. The iL ! are em powered to receive applied land under lease, wrth tie right to nurdl or under perpetual V»e; and as ? 6 valuation, if a holder thnks that his J-' too dear, the Boards lave the POwpr s recommend reductions, and the Com ■ sioner is practically guiced by the advice the Boards. The foWoino- donrlA • apply to agricultural lard, and the p aß tS leases are, Mr. Copley Kates, submitted?,, public auction, as in 'this colony 4? upsets placed upon then. u An old resident of -Auckland a n ot a century ago, Mr. Y\. Wright has in!! returned to this district to settle havir disposed of his draper,* business in Tan, naki. He was a member of the Taranaki Bowling Club, and one. of the members of the bowling team which took parting interprovincial bowling match, Auckland Taranaki, on the Auckland Bowling Gtkn He states that it is very improbable thi'.' Taranaki team will visit Auckland lis season, owing to the festivities on the £ a sion of Taranaki celebrating her jubilej" " The growing dimensions of the tlrist traffic and its importance to RotoruTand the colony in general is (writes our R, Qrua correspondent) of considerable valu and capable of still further expansion, a 1, as such, worthy of gome attention. ' ii's jj evidently fully recognised by the well, known firm of Thos. Cook and So who have just opened a neat little office h re, in a central part of the township, urn® the able management of Mr. R. Ang , who has had a good training in the ' A kland office, and therefore well fitted for t; position he now occupies. The relation Which the firm of Thos. Cook and S n have acquired in successfully organising excursion parties makes their office in.a listrict like this of much importance, g inn- as they do advice and information gra; to all Visitors. The perplexed tourist ed not now go abegging—as was the cafe some time ago—from one hotel to anothei trying to form a party to visit some of the>ights! Already a fair amount of business h 3 "been done here, but the firm must not alt gether look to the volume in that directin, but rather to the convenience of theii clients booked from other places, and who form a large proportion of those who now \ sit this district. 1

Our Waipu correspondent writes bn the Bth instant as follows :— " Dith is gradually but surely diminishing th| number of the older members of our community. On the night of the sth instant, Ml, Kenneth William McKenzie passed awaj to bis eternal home, having attained theageof'7. The deceased was born in the parish of Gairloch, Roesshire, Scotland, bub in the days of boyhood emigrated with his friends to Cape Breton, which forms a portion of the province of Nova Scotia, and aitei spending some years there himself am friends again cast themselves into the tid of emigration, finally settling in the Xortt River Valley, Waipu, .where he lived in pious and peaceful contentment, in cmpany with his brother and two sisterl-the whole of them being unmarried." j Dr. Giles made the ' remark yeserday, while an affiliation case was proceeding, that he always noticed on such occasions that the part of the Court set aparffor the general public was generally cjowded, principally with young men. . He lad frequently expressed his opinion «i this matter, and was sorry to see people come simply to gratify themselves. The visitors thereupon withdrew with' one exception, such exception being an old man. j An incipient fire tookplaceathalf-pasfc ten o'clock yesterday forenoon in the premises of Mr. John Brown (storeman at Mackj,Logan Steen and Co.'s), Mount Eden Vale Road. The fire was discovered by a yowg lad named Bernard Clist, residing next door. He gave the alarm, and the neighbours gathering put it out with a few buckets of water. The fire originated in a small workshop underneath the kitchen. There was no person in the house at the time, Mr. Brown's housekeeper having gone out about an hour previously, leaving everything; apparently all safe, in order to go to the railway station. It appears that Mr. Brown was doing a job in the workshop on the previous evening, and it is just possible that a spark may have dropped in among the rubbish in the place, and smouldered till the morning. The damage is estimated at £5. The dwelling was insured in tho Is ew Zealand Insurance Company's office for £130.

In yesterday's issue we pave some particulars, from the San Francisco Chronicle, ol the method adopted there by the municipal dog-catchers of catching dogs, namely, with a scoop net instead of the customary lariat. The scoop net is spoken of as a new invention. Mr. W. G. Garrard, the Auckland dog-catcher, says it was in vogue here many years ago, but in practice is found to be not so effective as the lariat, besides exposing the official to the risk of being bitten by an infuriated dog when he is got into the net and attempted to be afterwards secured by the rope. He contends that the use of the lariat is a humane and safe method, and he has now 40 dogs in the city kennels who have been captured in this manner without any trouble. Mr. Garrard is. not in favour of disposing of the dogs doomed to death by the use of a narcotic— carbonous oxide gas, and cremating the bodies, as is done in San Francisco, but prefers the method adopted here of drowning them by the iron cage process. It H prompt, effective, noiseless, and causes the least possible suffering to the animal.

Our Towai (Hukerenui North) correspondent writes :—lt is with feelings of regret that I have to record the death of Isabella, second daughter of Mr. William Alexander, settler, of this district, at the early age of 17 years. Deceased was engaged in her usual duties at the Towai hotel until quite recently, and on the first symptoms of indisposition was remeved home by her mother. Fortunately, the distance is very short, and Dr. Hall, of Kawakawa, was immediately called in, but, notwithstanding that everything was done that human ski or a mother's care could suggest, deceased gradually sank, and expired on the morning of Tuesday, the 3rd February, after a short illness of nine days. The cause ° death is attributed to low fever. The fun - ral took place on Wednesday, at the cemetery, Hukerenui North, and was followed y a large number of friends. In the absenc of a clergyman, the burial service w - read by a neighbouring settler. A®° pleasing spectacle, and one gratifying the feelings of the bereaved parents, w the presence at the grave of a number female friends and companions, who uy such tastefully'arranged floral tributes . were procurable, took this last opportun y of testifying to the affection and esteem which deceased was held.

Complaints are made in many ca» against the city valuations this year, increases are not so large in individua stances, but in the aggregate tell i'* Many persons prefer submitting to a crease, .however unreasonable, rather lose the time or endure the annoyance dangling about an Assessment Courtlate, landlords have had a bad timeout, with low rents (sometimes never paw) the vandalism perpetrated 011 props ■ ~ left unoccupied for a few days. APP , against the valuations must be lodgea, dressed to the Assessment Court, a Municipal Buildings, 011 or before Satur next. . ■ . .. :

o fprrin£T to the recent scholarship examiHm, the Waikato Times has the follow- ? a The passage-at-arms between the 'airman of the Tamahere School Comittee and the Auckland Education Board, '"or the junior scholarships examination, ?, brought to the front a state of affairs f t-erv considerable importance in connection with the teaching staffs in our public - olmols. The chairman has, no donbt, ® n( i ground for making the charge, that 1 pertain schools are over-staffed. Were i further enquiry made, in all probability it 1!i mild be found that this applies much \ more generally than the public have any Wei of, and to those who think our system Lf education is too costly, it opens up a field for investigation that might not be ytocether barren of results. This, however" is not the point we have to deal fvith at present, The reply from the j Hoard was to the effect that they could not grant a scholarship, as it would be contrary to regulations. This may be perfectly true. Why should the Board shield themselves behind the regulation in the aCt? of a breach of their regulations in 'another direction, to which their attention V!l called, and which had the effect of dealing out a very palpable injustice to the scholars of the Tamahere and other schools similarly situated. The conditions under ivliich the competition for the said scholarship took place are so manifestly unfair, that we are surprised the Board did nob hake some special provision to meet the case under discussion. We believe we are (iirrecfc in stating that the late examination!-- were the first conducted under the amended regulations, and it is quite possible that the question of the actual staff, aid what that staff should be under the reflation, was overlooked when allotting the scholarships. It is, however, so manifestly unfair that a school with only its proper regulation staff should bo asked to compete apinst another over-staffed, that it, is unnecessary to further discuss the question. An injustice has certainly been done to a veiy largo number of scholars by the infringement of this regulation,. and the Tanahere School Committee will have the I sympathy of the public with them in appealing to tho Minister of Education on the subject."

A man named Young, a baker, employed in the city, is said to be missing from his homo since Thursday last. There _is a rumour that he was last seen fishing in the vicinity of the breakwater by a lad. Airs. Young communicated her fears to Sergeant Clarke, of the water police, that some accident, may have befallen him.

The Auckland Catholic Literary Society have received the following reply to a letter pf condolence which they sent to the Fathers of the Oratory, Birmingham, on (the death of Cardinal Newman :—"The Oratory, Edgbaston, November 14, IS9O. Gentlemen, —In the name of tho Fathers of the Oratory of Birmingham, I beg to thank you heartily for your kind letter of condolence, on the death of our dear father, Cardinal Newman. The interest he always took in literary movements within the Church, such as your society, is well known. Nothing was nearer his heart than the development, in their fuller measure, of the literary and intellectual resources at the disposal of intelligent Catholics. Wo may be confident that his prayers will be ever with you in your efforts to promote the victory of the Cross in a land which is so rich in promise. With best wishes for your welfare, I remain, gentlemen, your faithful servant in Christ.—H. I. I). Ryi>kr, Superior. The president, officers, and members of the Auckland Catholic Literary Society." The Very Rev. Father Ryder was appointed Superior of the Oratory to succeed the late Cardinal Newman.

" The Second Gough," Mr. E. T. Smith, has been very successful in his tour at the Thames and his recitals of Gough's orations. He was engaged for two nights only, but although there was a charge to all parts of St. George's Hall, it was well filled on both evenings, and the recitals so much appreciated that arrangements were made for four more recitals, and a larger hall (the Academy of Music) secured for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. On Sunday afternoon the hall was filled, and in the evening packed in every available corner and behind the stage, and some unable to obtain admission. The whole course of recitals was successful. Mr. and Mrs. Smith return from the Thames to-day, and leave tomorrow for Wanganui and the South. He has received more applications for his services than he can accept, and will have to leave many towns unvisited, as he has to return to Sydney at the end of March, to fulfil his engagements there.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Club was held yesterday, when a very satisfactory balance-sheet was submitted to the members. The gentlemen retiring from the committee were re-elected, as was also the auditor.

Yesterday by the s.s. Manapouri Lieut. Eales, the Victorian shooting " rep," who performed so well at the recent Napier meeting, left for Sydney. The New South Waled athletes, Messrs. E. E. Corner, K. J. White, and 0. Bailey, with their friends, Messrs. Campbell, Miller, and Hughes, also went by the steamer. All received a most enthusiastic "send-off" from ' the large assemblage of friends who had congregated on the quay.

The ordinary meeting of the City Schools Committee was held at the Wellesley-street School yesterday evening. Present: Messrs. Blades (chairman), Farrell, Ussher, and Dr. Walker. An application was received from Mr. Robinson for the use of room in Wel-lesley-street School, for classes, on Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday mornings ; the first evening for drawing, the second for practical mechanics, and Saturday for a class for teachers. The application was granted" Mr. Luks wrote asking permission for his daughter to be allowed to attend Professor Pannell's swimming classes at ten a.m. on certain days. Permission was refused, as a bad precedent would be formed if it were allowed. A letter was received from Mr. H. M. Smeaton, teacher of the Sunday mission school held in the Temperance Hall, requesting the use of the school furniture for the purposes of a night school. Permission was granted on condition that Mr. Smeaton be held responsible for damages. Accounts to the amount of £7 lis 4d were passed for payment, after which the meeting dispersed.

The fine steamer Clansman, belonging to the Northern Steamship Company, is advertised to make an excursion trip to the Russell regatta. She will leave Auckland for Russell on Monday evening next at seven o'clock. Return saloon tickets are issued for HQs and steerage for £1, available for return on the following Thursday. Owing to Wednesday, the ISth instant being the Bay of Islands Regatta Day, notice is given elsewhere that it has been appointed a special bank holiday at the Russell and Kawakawa offices of the Bank of New Zealand. No doubt a goodly number of Auckland citizens will take the opportunity of making tho trip by the Clansman, seeing the aquatic event of the year at the Bay, and of seeing the scenery In the district.

At the last meeting of the Wanganui Education Board, the chairman of a committee, when comparing a previous quarrel with one he was then referring to, said that " that was a disreputable chawed-up sort of pencil-case quarrel," and when impressing the board with an idea of how general the recriminations became between •members of his committee, he said, " There is a baffling element in the triangularity of the quarrel," and further on, in order to show his appreciation of the difference between the exalted position of a chairman of a school committee when compared with that of the teacher, he said : " When I came to prefacing my letter, after ' Madam'l never would make it ' Dear Madam';l asked myself, Is it proper tor a chairman to use this phrase, 'I beg,' to a toucher?" In all there were about sixty pages of similar stuff for the sub-committee to wade through and report upon. The same chairman again wrote : "So far as my jurisdiction extends I would faithfully exercise the function of controlling and supervising ' the regulation period of company-keeping on the part of young lady teachers,' if such a regulation be adopted by the Board." He suggested that one month should be the limit with one beau, bub forgot to limit the number of beaus.

A man named William Harrison, 74 years of age, who hails from Pahiatua, was arrested in Master ton on a charge of The old man had a quarrel with his wife and left home. Rather than go back he threatened to commit suicide. He was sentenced to one month's hard labour in the Wellington Terrace Gaol.

The watchmakers and jewellers are determined to make their annual picnic, tomorrow, at Mottlihi, a great success. The programme of athletic sports includes 'a 150 yards apprentices' handicap, a 50 yards bucket race, trade handicap, potato race, quarter-mile apprentices' handicap, girls, married men's, and boys' races, quartermile trade handicap, obstacle races, 250 yards open handicap, and a steeplechase handicap. The entries were made last evening. It was determined last evening to add a special boat race, also to have a case of toys for races for the juveniles!. The excursion sfceatner will call at the North Shore eft route, to Motuihi, and passengers will be landed at the Wharf or the island.

The Westport Times says Several artists from Auckland have been taking sketches of 9cenery around the Junction lately. There is a possibility of some of the outside world becoming acquainted with the fact that magnificent scenery exists in the Buller Valley. Within the last three months tho Long Beach Road Board in Canterbury have paid away £126, and the Wakanui Road Board £116, to the youth of those two districts, who have collected and taken to the Road Board officers no less than 241,000 eggs and heads of small birds. The Catholic clergy and laity of Auckland intend to present His Lordship Bishop Luck with a testimonial before he leaves next month on his visit to Rome. The Bishop left last night for Opotiki, accompanied by the Rev. Father O'Neill, who is to conduct a mission there.

The Rev. Father Kehoe, who is in charge of the Gisbarno parish, arrived in Auckland on Monday, and has left for Rotorua. He is, unfortunately, in a bad state of health. Father Plunkett, who has returned from (iisborne, where a mission was given under his direction, also finds that the climate of that district has a prejudicial effect upon his health.

An Oamaru contemporary says :—According to the passenger lists of the steamers leaving Wellington within the past few daj'a, a member of the Legislature appears as having left the capital by two different steamers. As this sort of disability is an impossibility in this matter-of-fact age, it is highly probable that the member took his passage by one steamer, and his honorarium was booked by another. Sergeant Finnegan, connected with the police force in Otago for thirty years, died yesterday afternoon. A farewell benefit performance was given last, night in tho City Hall to Mr. Travers Vale prior to his departure for Australia by a number of amateurs and professionals. The attendance was only moderate. The performance was of a varied type, and the principal feature was the amusing duologue comedietta " Billing and Cooing," produced for the first time in and played excellently by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Vivian.

Tenders invited for refreshment _ booths and catering for bandsmen by committee of butchers' annual picnic. The Knights of Labour will meet this evening, at seven, instead of quarter to eight p.m. The delegates to the Auckland District Assembly will meet at eight. Members of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce desirous of becoming members of the Council for the ensuing year should notify the secretary before Monday next. The annual general meeting of the Devonport Steam Ferry Company (Limited) will be held at the Borough Council Chambers, Devonport, on Wednesday next, at half-past two p.m. Messrs. J. Me'Nicol and Co. announce that their annual sheep fair will be held at Ohanpo cm Wednesday, the 25th instant, particulars of which will be found in an advertisement appearing in another column.

At a meeting of the teachers of St. Matthew's Sunday-school, held last evening, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to all those "who had subscribed to the fund for the annual treat, and also to the friends who aided in carrying out the arrangements on Saturday last. The half-mile distance event for the Mar-shall-Ehrenfried challenge trophy will be swum in the Albert-street Baths on Monday, '23rd inst., at half-past five p.m. Members of the Auckland Swimming Club are notified elsewhere that entries close at six p.m. on Saturday next, and can be left at the Albertstreet Baths.

From our advertising columns it will bo seen that Mr. Walter I. Robinson's technical classes in drawing, mechanics, &c. % will be resumed,, commencing to-morrow, February 12, at Wellesley-street, at 7 in. The scope of the classwork includes all branches of mechanical and geometrical drawing and their application to practical work ; also applied mechanics. Mechanism, including engineering, specially referred to in the Board of Trade examinations. .Some time since the Minister of Education visited and inspected this class and the appliances, and publicly commended it. On Saturday morning there is a teachers' class for model and solid geometry specially, as required in the schools.