THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1891.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8500, 26 February 1891, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1891.

How strangely things have turned out in Germany and Italy ! Just the reverse of what the world anticipated. Prince Bismarck, the most conspicuous . political figure in the Europe of his day, , and Signor Crispi, his great outside . coadjutor and ally, both now in private life—no longer playing their part in . European politics, influencing the attitude of other nations as well as their . own ! We need not accept all the telegraphic reports every morning to . plainly see that the late German Chancellor and his Emperor are in bitter quarrel, each considering that the other has brought about an untoward state of things 3 while the late Italian Premier, who has been forced from office, not by his Sovereign but by the Legislature, is so disgusted with what he regards as public ingratitude that he has refused all honours, and returns to his original profession as a lawyer. It may be that he and the bigger recluse from Berlin more or less botched the situation, but it must be remembered that each was in the first instance propelled into it by a strong tide of national sentiment in his country. There were few, if any, parts of the civilised world where the public feeling was not one of delight at the uprise both of Germany and Italy to their natural position among the nations, and . as great Powers. Long divided, mainly . .-among petty Princes, their weakness had exposed them to grievous injury by 1 invasion and annexation. The national spirit which Goethe inspired was well followed, up by his successors—a3 in Arndt's magnificent poem, enumerating the many German lands, and calling for their cohesion in a real national league : — Where is the Gentian's Fatherland ? Is't Prussia? Swabia? Is't the strand Where grows the vine, where flows the Rhine? Is't where the gull skims Baltic's brine ? No! yet more great, aud far more grand Must be the German's Fatherland. Where'er resounds the German's tongue, Where German hymns to God are .sung, ' ' That is the German's Fatherland. In Italy, Mazzini was the most potent modern reviver of the national sentiment. But both in Italy and Germany, the national object having been mainly effected, the acquisition of outlying provinces of their people or which they regard as of right belonging to them, has been contemplated or attempted in the most , arbitrary fashion, without consulting the wish of the inhabitants themselves. The Holsteiners did invite their kinsmen of Germany to take them from Denmark ; but Alsace refused to be separated from France, and was only taken by force. Then the desire for their annexation, exhibited by German statesmen as well as poets, greatly alarmed the German-speaking cantons of Switzerland, unwilling to be parted from their historical republic, and also the Netherlanders, unwilling to share their rich colonies with the whole Teutonic Empire. So too the Irridentist party in Italy want back Savoy and Nice from France, which went as the price of French help in establishing the. Italian Kingdom, and which, as the plebiscitum proved, , went willingly, and have since ! made no sign of a change of mind, i And the Austrian province of Dalmatia, chiefly inhabited by the Sclavic j race, is likewise included in the Irridentist programme for no better reason ] than that it once belonged to Venice, and ' has some scattered Italian settlements \ on the coast. Of course, to maintain such preten- . sions and their present stand, Germany I and Italy had to enormously enlarge 1 : their fighting forces. France did the , same thing in order so recover what i she lostand certainly a high-spirited 1 people could not do less, after the Ger- \ man population of Alsace and adjoin- \ ing Lorraine had paid them the com- ' pliment of refusing to be torn from them. The consequence of all this ] arming by the three great Powers con- j cerned has been an increased arming ? over Europe at large, where the land 5 forces alone can now bring out no less ( than eleven millions of fighting men, J fully trained and equipped. The bur- i den thus experienced is terrible, and f nowhere is it so intensely felt as in ! Germany and Italy, the two great j nations who started, the present 1 complications — because, having at last attained their national uprise £ as great Powers, they chose to overdo > the ambition, to the alarm of their 1 neighbours big and little. The sweep- 1 ing conscriptions and taxation are . quite as rigidly carried out in France, \ but there they do not tell so severely, i the country people being much better 1 off. This fact was evidenced when the 1 war indemnity required of France in ( 1871 was subscribed among the country ,

people. In Italy, high-paying crops, like wine, and oil, arid silk, can also be grovyxi, but . the . land arrangements, are generally bad compared with the French; and few parts: of " Germany have such good climate and soil as France in most parts. There is a great deal of poverty in Germany and Italy, and it has been frightfully aggravated by all this war preparation, with its huge taxes, and a conscription thattakes all able-bodied young men away, from their industry for five years of military training. Then, to prevent the loss of their services, the Government in Germany prohibit their emigration. No wonder there is public disgust, and that people at last ask what is it all about; what are the monstrous sacrifices to do for us ? In Germany and Italy the question now is, how to amend the present state of things? To precipitate the war would not answer, when it seems that the public discontent is also exhibited in the army. ' It is not a probable story that the German Emperor is about to propose a general European disarming, for France would certainly reply, " Give back Alsace first" arid she can better afford than Germany to bear the pinch of waiting. There is also a report that lie is willing/to give a certain autonomy to Alsace, under a prince of his own family ; but it appears from an article in the Westminster Review, that the Alsatians are as indignant as they were 1 twenty years ago of being pushed; about from Berlin. Prince Bismarck has always blamed the young Emperor, j but lie is much indebted to the Emperor for saving him from the humiliation of having to stand at the head of his own failure, for his was the rough and ready leadership to the present situation. And when so long-headed a statesman failed to foresee, no marvelSignorCrispishould have blundered. The latter, to please the Irridentists about Savoy and Nice, joined the Triple Alliance; and it at once put him in the anomalous position of offending Austria, also a member of the Triple Alliance, who is threatened by the Irridenta programme. England is similarly threatened through her possession of Malta, and Signor Crispiat last thought it wise to curb the Irridentists he previously favoured, and they and opposite parties, and the general discontent over war burdens, have forced him from office.

The deputation appointed by the Newton Electoral Committee to wait upon Sir George Grey to obtain his consent to be nominated for Newton in the place of Mr. Goldie, performed their task in a straightforward manner. Mr S. C. Brown informed Sir George that the proposal to ask him to be nominated had been agreed to with only one dissentient voice, although all those present had not been his political adherents. Mr. McMaster said that Mr. Goldie's late committee were strong on three points — local option without compensation, retrenchment, and no furtner borrowing. These points were mentioned, and it was added that the district did not wish anything for itself. Sir George Grey gladly took up this point, that the constituency had no interest but. the general good. He said he had always worked with . Mr. Withy and Mr. Goldie in endeavouring to obtain reduction of public expenditure. As to borrowing, Sir George explained his abstract ideas on the subject, but concluded by saying that he agreed that New* Zealand" had borrowed too much, and that there could be "no further borrowing "for four or five or six or seven sessions." Probably the most "anxious opponent of . borrowing will be quite content with this declaration. Mr. Ambury said the deputation were quite satisfied on that point. We suppose it may be considered certain that there will be no contest for Newton. Mr. A. Porter was the only candidate announced, although several other names were mentioned by public report. .

Our cable messages this morning state that the shipping strike at the London docks is leading to very serious inconvenience. Although free labour is plentiful there appears to be a reluctance to resort to measures which would precipitate a general strike, and in all likelihood partially paralyse the trade of the port of London. The situation at present is critical, and unless the basis of a compromise is found soon it seems probable that a strike on a very extensive scale will ensue. The British Government have consented to the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire'into the relations between employers and employes, but not much is to be expected from the labours of such a body. These relations are well enough known, and can only be bettered by ..mutual concessions and the cultivation of a friendly and sympathetic feeling between the : two. classes. Legislation can do little in this direction. The delegates which the McCarthyites propose to send oat' to Australia expect to raise £20,000. The word " impossible" is evidently not to be found in their vocabulary, but we should say it is likely to be found there at the termination of the mission. Mr. Parnell, it is said, is taking measures to render the mission fruit-. less. Four miners, after being entombed in a mine in Pennsylvania for nineteen days, ■ have been rescued alive. The Herald Monthly Summary, for transmission per R.M.9.8. Mariposa, will be published to-morrow (Friday) morning, 27 th instant. The mail for newspapers will close on Saturday next, at half-past eleven a.m. In another column we publish a letter from Mr. Rees, detailing the interviews he has had with W&hanui and other Maori chiefs in regard to the settlement of their land. Mr. Bees also makes' an important statement regarding the scope and objects of the Commission on Native Lands, of which he has been appointed a member. It has been suggested that it would be a very graceful compliment to His Excellency the Governor to have the citizens' ball in the Municipal buildings. The Art Gallery could be used a3 a ball-room, and the Council Chamber, Mayors' and Committee-room, utilised for the convenience and comfort of the guests. This seems an idea which will meet with general approval, namely, that the citizens of Auckland should entertain the Queen's representative in their own Town Hall., A cable message in a Melbourne evening paper sayslt is reported that H.R.H. the Prince of Wales has been prevailed upon by Her Majesty the Queen, who is greatly distressed by ,the card-sharping scandal which is now a, prominent topic of conversation, in which the Prince of Wales played the part of a victim, to abjure gaming practice?. Under strong pressure, it is alleged that: the Prince of Wales has signed a document undertaking to abstain from card-playing for the rest of his life. The gambling mania has much increased of late, and 'it is asserted that the pace has been very hot in most of the large West End Clubs. The fact that it - has been under the patronage of the Prince of Wales and other influential gentlemen has induced many to play for sums beyond their means, and there have been cases of great hardship reported. It appears that the motion which Mr. John Chambers tabled at the church meeting of the Tabernacle, re the pastorate, was riot carried, but simply tabled. The motion will be dealt with at next Church meeting. The wellknown Government electrician, of Wellington, Mr. J. Gell, is at present in Auckland on official business. - - -

(M? e w c u ary .° f m Mayorof il portion of the Free -°u r the «£?' 11 past twelve to- d ay, forth 6 n ry afc half I V ..n«Og an u ddr6Bß to Sir'? poK « pre! I ! Mr. Upton has sent the #11 1 "I do not think it desirable [IT"® *Plv /1 V cedent by a owing the 09 1 J? ap£ 'I \ for any public gatlering, bu f f( the fl much pleasure to place th o v Z fl ? y^ r d fJ >oßal for th purno^ or 8 r °oa fl ing the address." The adS ° f J»*en™ B been illuminated, will be n, ' *° lc hs* I George Grey by' the Sir 1 I Liberal Association, i D th« m from the 9 at half-past twelve p.m. tod„ ay °' s ro °*. 8 Band will - play appropnat?' R ®Pe£ 1 "• CiSsfg I b/firs? Sasrs 'r .h SMth I old colonist Captain Jacksoj J kn »«n fl has just completed a tour of all tu"?' wh <> 9 lian colonies and New Zealand £ Ustra - ■ Barry boasts that he has been 62 ptain I the colonies, and that he is 72 v » years ' Q ■ ' and that quite recently he J !"/ ?e, m foot race it Blenheim. Cant 3 " Won 4 ft showed with gome pride the Ban 7 H the railways of all the principali 16 * for If He has now a new idea. He ni • on fe«. fif he is about todevelop a mine nf?'® 8 Hi north island cf New Zealand eoS £ the I famous Bischeff, He further In? the I that he has almdy sent home to p rm f 08 If 1875 foolscap sleets of bis new work ft d i Australian Colojies and Men of th« -r- he » Captain Barry proposes to give a J'® 63 '" I! lectures on his olonial °' if his stay in Auckand. Ceß dur ">g II Dr. Philson, tie coroner, held an M yesterday afterroon at Glenn's ffi I Lower Hobson-tfcreet, into the ' Si stances of the death of Alice Maud T^.r Um ' « who was drowned off Motutapu on a/ 1 "' day last. Mr. -V. Thome 2*2^ ■ behalf, of Mr. Edksen, the captain n? Maori, and Mr. 0. M. Calder nw . the relatives of tie deceased. Jam« rv? ings, R. H. Moon, James Maxwell firvn Hildich, E. G. Vood, John Andlei? Captain Eriksen, aid Sergeant Clarke «?' evidence, from which it appeared that th immediate cause of the accident was th shifting of some of fie passengers when I little water was slipped. None 0 th witnesses, except Mi Wood, thought that the boat was overirowded, considering the fine day and tie smooth water To show the roliance tc be placed upon eati i mates of distance, on» witnessed that the K Maori was 200 yards rom the shore, whii* ■ another considered tie distance to 'be 100 ® yards. Constable Mickay reckoned the £ distance at 60 yards. The verdict of the ■ jury was "That the 3eath was from acci I dental drowning through the upsetting of fl the boat, and that no Uarae was attachable ■ to the captain or any of his officers; and I also that Robert H. .loon did all i' his m power to save the deceased." m ■ A very warm discusion took place yes- §fl terday morning at the lolice Court relative to to the action of. Sir Wiliam Fox in insist- I ing upon sitting on the Bench and dealing ■ with a case brought aganst the licensee of ■ the Clarendon Hotel fo* selling liquor after £ the hour of closing. Mr. Cotter, who appeared fl for the defendant, stronjly objected on the ■ grounds that Sir Willian's well-known sen- ra timents on these matteri could not fail to H give his client the impression that he would n not receive justice. Sir William Fox, how- B ever, said that he would bit, and did sit. I He said if he was not qualified to sit his B name should be, struck iff the roll. The case was eventually dismissed. Yesterday at midday a man named Andrew Williamson, a seaman, burst a varicose vein while walking in Queenstreet. He was taken to Mr. Grave? Aickin's pharmacy, where Dr. Davy hound up the man's leg, as there was apprehension that the loss of blood would prove serious. On the doctor's recommendation the man was removed to the Hospital by Constable Addison, where Dr. Collins at once attended to the patient. Last evening Captain Logan, of the s.s. Manapouri, delivered an evangelistic address at the Mission Church, Lower Remuera. A passenger from Auckland by the Manapouri to Sydney in a note to a ] friend in Auckland, refers in grateful terms to the services held on board ship by Captain Logan : — "On Sunday morning, the day on which we arrived here, the captain conducted Church of England service in the saloon, Which was 1 greatly blessed to some. After lunch we sighted the land, but long before this we had been made aware of its .proximity by the furnace like heat. The Sydney people on board were talking about the beautiful cool breeze, but to a New Zealander it felt more like the heat from a burning house than anything else." A telegram was received last evening from Wairoa South, by Dr. Kenderdine, stating that the body of Mr. Gordon. Hale had been found during the day. This is the last of the bodies to be recovered, the bodies of the other three young men who perished with him in the late boating accident oS the mouth of the Wairoa River having been already recovered and buried. The interment of deceased will take place to-day. A party of men are at present gravelling the paths in the Albert Park, and otherwise improving its appearance. The prosecution against.Mr, Collins, the manager of Ralph's mine, opened atHuntly on Monday, but at the request of Mr. Tole, who appeared for the defence, was adjourned until Tuesday, when the evidence of Mr. Searancke, coroner, was taken, and the depositions taken at the inquest were read over. Mr. Hay, for the prosecution, has some 16 witnesses to call, and there are about six expert witnesses to be heard for the defence, so that the case is likely to last into the middle of next week. A correspondent from Rotorua writes In order to dissipate any feeling of alarm which may have been caused re the recent shocks of earthquake I wish to say that Dr. Cinders, who has seismotic instruments to measure' the strength of movements, informed the residents of the district that the shakes were of a very slight character and entirely local, and that they were caused by the excessive downpour of rain on Mount Tarawera; the mountain being still in a heated state the cold water created the spasmodic puffs and shakes. I may say that a party, along with the writer, came past the district, en route from Wairakei, and did not feel the slightest shake. Visitors will find the principal sights and scenery at Wairakei of great beauty, and there is no native trouble. - A visit there en route for Napier would well repay the tourist Yesterday morning the boys of the Marist Brothers' school, Pitt and Wellington streets,, gave a testimony of the love and respect in which they hold their head teacher, the Rev. Brother Augustine, when they presented him with a neat little writing desk. The presentation was made on behalf of the other pupils by master John Bowerman. ; • Brother Augustine, thanking the boys, congratulated them on the progress they had shown in their studies, ana hopod they would persevere in that direction. The following are from Lloyd's Weekly of January 18Mrs. William McPdul (Mary Webb), late of Peckham, last wrot« from P. 0., Arrowtown, Otago, New Zealand, in 1883. Brother William. ° ra^ Mead, sailor, last wrote to his sister fro America. His son awaits news. Jona | Alfred Moth went to New Zealand-- or - years since, and was last heard of 10 ye - ago. His youngest brother (Frank) as -■ Eliza Rump in 1880 lived at " TemhKa, Canterbury, New Zealand. Her mothe* asks. Robert Fuller, Smith, bricklayer. j left Williamstown, Melbourne, about ju -. years since to go to Birchmore. iElizabeth. George Smith arrived at Auckland from Islington at Christmas, IS/4,' ten years since had his letters sent to r. •« Thames Goldfields, New Zealand. father, mother, brothers, and sisters 01 „ for' news. Fred Symonds left Batters. about 17 years since ; was last heard 0 Hillside, Dunedin, New Zealand. mother is anxious. A rowing race has been arranged to tak< place in the harbour on Saturday aftfl' - next between a crew from H.M.s. C and one from the Auckland Naval lery. The race will be rowed in two to oared cutters belonging to tne C ' The man-of-war cutter's crew will be enter tained by the Navals in the evening. The Rev. A, J. , Smith gave a very interesting lecture in the Franklin _ Road . itive Methodist Church, last night, entitled "My Trip to the South Sea Islands. _ I lecturer throughout kept the at l ten .. his audience, and on concluding was h applauded. A collection was take . upi aid of the funds of the Ladies Sewing Guild.,. _ .•'

_ „„Hce from the Sydney papers that a n ; was recently held. in the Centene®ee wall to inaugurate a fund to perpe&y %, memory of the late Rev. Joseph tu3 r,jiherPrincipal of Newton College, 5- Flo S er ' be called the Fletcher Fund. The Rev. J. Oram prefT „ n d amongst those present were— sided vV onrt J 0 Keillv. Ml . Henry Gor . Pr " Rev John Gardiner, and Messrs. D3ftn ' „ nd Warden. The meeting was Pressed by the chairman, Dr. O'Reilly, 81 a Mr Gorman, the speakers, referring in iff hiebest terms to the qualities of the ntleman vhose memory it was thus pro- ? „' lto honour. A resolution was unanipassed that a Fletcher Memorial Fund bo inaugurated, and that Dr. WW. i O'Reilly and Messrs. Da vies and Wari', should act in carrying out this object. foro which the memorial will take— hflthera monument or scholarship in one f the ccnnexional institutions—will depend „nn thi amount contributed, which it is £ 0 d rill total to £1000. Old students !nd othca at the meeting gave from two to Ln uir;as. For the space of 43 years Mr. Fletche devoted himself to the interests !f coloial Methodism, nine years he was 'resides and headmaster of Wesley Cole(TC , Ackland, then after a term of circuit cork i[Queensland he became president of s T ewin*>n College, where for 22 years he [ ev -ot«his rare abilities to the instruction if the mng. For three years he filled the Ace theological tutor. Twice he was Idled' the chair of his own Conference, L,d co to the presidency of the General fonfence. In short, as a wise adminisl fl to J s a prince of preachers, as a fresh Li tughtful writer, as a finished scholar, lid ft friend and counsellor of young and Id,) rendered a willing and successful t-v to the Church. It is intended that 43 id shall be contributed to solely by d wington pupils, and it is hoped that J.'letcher's many friends throughout felonies may be induced to contribute. aubt some of Mr. Fletcher's old schojJ; Auckland Wesley College would like tive the opportunity of contributing fds this memorial. jarade of tho Engineers and the "0" £rv was held last night. There was a (muster of the former, under Major and Lieutenant Palmer, but it •sad, indeed, to see only a dozen men •represented that once fine corps, the ' Battery. Captain Reed and Lieut, >ster were present, but- there was only non-commissioned officer out of six in ndance, and few of the old members in an appearance. The attendance was .eartenina to the officers and the men > attended, but it certainly pointed to necessity for some re-organisation of tho nicer corps. After an inspection, the j companies were formed into one and j through a course of instruction by tg^nt-Major Grant. n he show window's of the well-known lecilmporting Company's drapery estabihiint, Queen-street, the first exhibition otwivr goods was made -yesterday, and th gkt variety of material displayed, as wil f he tasteful manner in which it was araiyt, caused quite a little flutter of ex.'it/mit amongst the feminine portion of to psers-by. Some made-up costumes j wer/ paicularly elegant and attractive. One wasa very handsome gown of amber devdropdle over a net skirt, with ribbons erased ifront, and caught at the bottom wih whi carnations, the bodies being or «ik and ille. Another, equally piquant, ws of lite tinsel' striped cotise net, frilled athe bottom with white ribbons, streamer; a silk faille bodice, with very handsomeather boa completing the dress". The thi} was a toilette of black and cardinal 'herman's net, laced with cardinal ribns, fastening with small loops and.entving flowers, and a black Mcrveilleux K bodice, A mee'-g of the members of the Orange Institute was held last evening, to receive the trusts' report, and to elect trustees to fill the vancies. The accounts were not ready fesubmission, but the auditors furnished ainterim report. It was decided to adjou the matter for two months. A pleasingicident. took place in the presentation by rand Secretary Thorne, on behalf of the Gnge Picnic Committee, of a sunshade I Miss Gardiner, who had greatly exertedierself in collecting, and in other excelled service. The presentation proved a very jpropriate one, and precisely what the faiipcipienfr herself would have chosen. In Ti;day's issue we published an extract f;n the Temuka Leader, giving dime isi'S, etc., of a sunflower grown by -Mr. A. 'hite, of Geraldine. The flower in questia the only one grown on the tree, was lynches in diameter, the seed part beinc : inches, and the height of the tree eight et. The paragraph has attracted some Mention, and comparisons have been made Mr. John Cornish, Randolph-street, Newtn, has now growing in his garden 14 sunflvers. One of these is a magnificent gian 11 feet 10 inches in height, and bearing ) flowers of large size, and it is seven feetn circumfetence at the base of the ster Another is 10 feet 7 inches high, and a tlrd 9 feet 6 inches, and the others vary froi that height down to four feet. These plats are now in full flower, and can be see by any person curious enough to go to Mi Cornish's place. Some years ago there we a good deal of interest taken in the sutivatioa of the sunflower, not only for ouamentf.l purposes, but for their inunsic value, the seeds being found to be of geat use to poultry-breeders for fattening jurposes, and Messrs. Garlick and Cranvell having imported some seeds, offered frizes for the biggest growths from seeds applied by them. We cannot from memory speak as to the exact sizes of the flowers produced, but they were very large, and ittracted a great deal of attention at the ;ime. When the R.M.s. Aorangi left London for New Zealand, there were shipped to the' order of the Government 135 polecat ferrets, 93 stoats, and 28 weasels, but out of this shipment of 306 only 15 have arrived alive, these being two polecats and 13 stoats, the remainder having died on the voyage. The polecat ferrets were intended for the South island. On Tuesday the Birkenhead and Northiobe Temperance Society held their annual picnic at Motutapu, the steamer Britannia being chartered for the occasion. Sports of every kind were provided, and a very pleasant day was spent. It is in contemplation to secure a suitable piece of ground as a recreation ground for Northcote, to be held in trust for the residents of the district. There is at present no public reserve where cricket, football, or lawn tennis could be played. The public reserve at Birkenhead is nearly four miles inland, and contains so little flat land that it can never be utilised for such purposes. The Rev. A. Mac Lean, Presbyterian minister, late of Hawera, is at present in Auckland, on his way to Washington, America, to continue ministerial work there. Before he lefts Ha wera his congregation presented him with a farewell address. Mr. Mac Lean is well known at Waipu, where he formerly lived. The Northern Steamship Company Limited) invite tenders for the construction ind completion of a light-draught screw j steamer for the Upper Thames trade. The Auckland branch of the Peace Society, the object of which is arbitration versus war, in our advertising columns solicits subscriptions for the outgoing mail. The membership of the society is Is, or threepence annually, and one penny for juniors. This nominal tariff should bring the general public within the radius of membership of the society. Professor Pannell notifies elsewhere that he is giving lessons daily at the Albertstreet Baths in the art of swimming. At the ladies' classes he is assisted by Mrs. Pannell. As the season is advanced pupils joining these classes will be. entitled to tuition for half fee, so that no one need demur at the cost of tuition. The membership of these classes is increasing daily, and the young girls in the ladies' classes are making splendid progress. The numerous boating and bathing fatalities lately show the necessity for all classes to have a knowledge of the art of swimming. • The following entries have been received for the third-clats yacht race, which is to be held on Saturday afternoon next, under the auspices of *„he Auckland Yacht Club : —Tangaroa (Kilfoyle), 3.09 rating ; Manola o" Holden), 2.75) rating; Millie (R. Little), n'o? ting ; LaMascotte(W. MacCormick), 2.95 rating. The course will probably be a triangular one, so us to afford a fair test of the relative capabilities of the craft; and, the start will bo made at half-past two p.m. sharp.

The spread of leprosy among the Pacific islanders seems, to be going on steadily, judging from the following report, which we take from the Samoa Times of January •list:—We hear (says that journal) that leprosy has ' established itself at Fenrhyn Island, and that , there'are no less than ten fully-developed cases there. The doctor of H.M.S. Cordelia, which has lately been cruising in that quarter of the Pacific, confirms the statement, »nd is of opinion that the disease has been, brought to Penrhyn from the Hawaiian Islands by a number of refugees from the latter place. The same authority also states there is a case of undoubted leprosy at Manaheko Island. These facts strengthen the arguments we have used in our columns, as to . the urgent desirability of steps being taken to prevent leprosy becoming an established institution in our midst. What the effect of the loathsome disease gaining a footing in Samoa would be no one can doubt. In addition to inflicting the natives with an incurable malady it would also prevent the introduction of fresh capital and commerce, and of a very necessity would almost isolate us from the world as the different steamers now trading here would be subjected to so many restrictions and annoyances through quarantine regulations in the colonies, that in all probability they would not consider the gams worth the candle, and would simply content themsolves with landing mails and proceeding on their voyages. We earnestly hope that the municipal council will, as on® of their first duties, take some active steps to have vessels coming from suspected places boarded immediately on arrival by a health officer, and if necessary have them quarantined. ' ' At the seed warehouse of Mr. Steadman yesterday Mr. Nottlinghara, gardener for Mr. F. Jogger, Remuera, had on view some fine samples of onions. There were in all six tubers, and they aggregated a weight of nearly Illbs, the largest weighing 2lb. The species are what is known as the Giant Rocca, and they are splendid specimens, being not only well grown, but hard and well formed. The season has not been by any means a good one for onions, but these are really fine specimens. Mr. Nettlingham informs us that they were grown i in the ordinary soil, and the manure used was fish manure. Our Thames correspondent telegraphed I last night:—"The moonlight excursion around the harbour to-night per s.s. Rotomahana in aid of the hospital funds was a most pronounced success. About 300 people were on board, and proceedings were enlivened by the Naval Band playing a number of selections." Last evening Constable Haslett arrested Agnes Gerlick on a charge of being of unsound mind. It appears she resides in the Mount Eden district, and owing to her strange conduct Dr. Robertondid not think it was well that she should be left in charge of her children. ■ Slle will be further medically examined to-day. In the year 1850 a girl, still at school, planted five pips of a good apple, sort unknown, in a garden at Grantham, in Lincolnshire. They all at first grew, but four of them died ; the fifth continued to grow. Seven years afterwards the erstwhile school, girl became a wife, and moved to Stamford. Saving a sort of affection for the tree she had watched seven yearsthough it had never had a flower on —she took it with her, and it. was planted in a garden on the banks of the River Wellond, a low-lying garden partly flooded every winter. Here for seven years more the tree grew without, flowering, and then it did flower, and bore seven apples, which were shown in IST- in the Marquis of Exeter's Park, the famous " Burghley Park by Stamford Town" of Lord Tennyson's "Lord of Burghley." Here they attracted so much attention that five of them were sent up to the apple committee of the Royal Horticultural Society ; and Dr. Hogg gave an illustration in the Journal of Horticulture. Mr. Brown, nurseryman, of Stamford, gave £20 for the right to cut grafts, out of which £20 was bought a gold watch chain, which those who remember the splendid apple at the recent Guildhall Fruit Show may be interested to know Mrs. Peasgood wears to this day— long may she live to do so— for the girl gardener married a Mr. Peasgood, of Stamford; and the now famous apple is known throughout the length and breadth of the land as " Peasgood's Nonsuch.' j " Fun on the Bristol" waif repeated at the Opera House last night with all its pristine success and eclat, and there was again a large audience to witness the performance, and enjoy the fun. To-night it will be produced for the last time, as a new programme, "Black-eyed Susan," has to take its place. William Healey, a very old resident of Nelson, while on a visit to his son at Blenheim, died suddenly of heart disease. John Bryant Lane, convicted of arson at Gisborne, was sentenced to 12 months. With one exception, all the speakers at yesterday's meeting to consider the project of a bridge over the Waitemata, were lawyers. • . A young man named Withers was drowned while crossing thePohangina River on Tuesday. A Wellington telegram says : — The body of Mrs. Bailey, wife of a coach driver at Otaki, was found in a creek near Otaki on Saturday. She has been missing for the last few days, and it is supposed to be a case of suicide. The City Council invite tenders for a supply of coal to waterworks pumping station. The house steward of the District Hospital desires : through our columns to thank the 1 vestries of St. Sepulchre's and St. Barnabas' Churches for a gift of fruit (proceeds of harvest festival) for use of the patients. We beg to acknowledge the receipt of the sum of £2 14s 6d from Captain Logan, being the amount collected by him from passengers per s.s. Manapouri in aid of the Huutly disaster fund.