THE The New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1891.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8681, 25 September 1891, Page 4

THE The New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1891.

The Salisbury Government, which has held power now for five years, has been a splendid success. Its foreign policy has been that which England ought to follow. No entangling alliances have been entered into. If two European Powers chose to declare war to-morrow, England can well content herself with a position of neutrality. She is well disposed towards the Triple Alliance, but that is "a League of Peace," and notwithstanding the French fleet can cordially be received both by the people and the Government. The administra« tion in England has been careful and sound, and no conspicuous blunder can be pointed at. Education has been promoted, the army and« navy, have been kept fully efficient, and many measures have been adopted for the wellbeing of the mass of the people. No single act can be indicated for the benefit of a class, nothing- that indicates mere Tory rule. In respect to Ireland, the administration of the Salisbury Government has been a splendid success. For this the credit is chiefly due to Mr. Balfour, whom every Irishman ought to worship. And, indeed, something like a transformation has really taken place. The Irish Secretary was once, the "base, brutal, and bloody Balfour j" but a few nights ago, after lie had stated what lie had done in the way of relief works, the Irish members united in a chorus of praise. Ireland is now a quiet country. Outrages have almost ceased.

Tlie power of the Land League has been broken, not by mere force, but by the gradual removal of grievances, and the consistent., steady administration of the law. The contributions from America, ill aid of illegal action, have almost disappeared, and this being withdrawn, the Irish people get leave to settle down to steady industry. We are not at all afraid that Australia and New Zealand will supply the place from which America has withdrawn, and we anticipate that in the future the genuine opinion of Ireland will not be overriden by agitators supplied with funds by ; deluded people in other countries. Mr. Balfour has lately had to contend with a famine in Ireland, and so marvellous was his prescience, so well calculated were the means he adopted, that the crisis passed over with but little suffering. When the first rumour of' impending dearth reached him, he took means fully to inform himself, and then came to Parliament with means fully matured He did nob'merely buy food and give it to the people. He provided work chiefly in the construction of light railways at which men were to be employed at the season when their work on their allotments was of little value. Besides, this, a considerable sum was lent to the local authorities for the purchase of good potato seed, and it is gratifying to say that almost the whole of the money has been repaid by the impoverished peasants, although there was, no legal liability for its repayment. The deposition of the leadership of Mr. Parnell has made a great change in the Home .Rule party. The leaders now are the Irish Bishops. Archbishop Walsh and Archbishop Uroke are not now very zealous about Home Rule, and indeed have virtually declared the cause to be dead. As a fact, the clergy never cared very much about Home Rule, and would probably be content, in certain circumstances, quietly to drop it.

Looking, however, at the by-elections that have lately taken place in England, it is impossible to avoid the conclusion that the Gladstonian Liberals are gaining ground. The "Wisbeach division of Cambridgeshire has lately returned Mr. Brand, a Gladstonian, by 3979 votes, as against Mr. Duncan, a Unionist. Contests in Stowmarket, Harborough, South Dorset, and North Bucks have also resulted in the defeat of Unionists. The progress of the Gladstonian party is particularly marked, strange to say, in the rural constituencies. No doubt, when a Ministry has been for a long time in office, there comes a disposition for a new set of men, so that, perhaps, we need scarcely wonder at. the change that has been manifested without any apparent cause. It may be that when the general election comes, and when petty and subsidiary considerations are swept away, 'the nation may still adhere to the determination it came to before the Salisbury Ministry came into powernamely, that the demand for Home Rule could not be conceded. It maybe too that if Mr. Gladstone did succeed in attaining power, the leaders of the Irish party would compound for Home Rule by asking for the complete control of Irish education,:with a grant from the Imperial Exchequer. Whatever may happen, we do not. think that it will be denied that the Salisbury administration has been one of the best we have ever had, and that Mr.'' Balfour has surpassed all his predecessors in office in dealing with Ireland. It may be permitted us to hope that the days of Ireland's sorrow are ended. The burden of landlordism has been lifted, and those who cultivate the soil have now an interest in it. A rack-rented tenantry are now of the past, and we may now expect to find progress in wealth and population. What difference of policy a change of Government may bring to England we do not know, for the Gladstonian Liberals have not now even a good cry.

| The greater portion of the last sitting of the House of Representatives yesterday was occupied in a discussion of Mr. Cad man's second Native Land Court Bill for the session. The first was a very good Bill, and effected a considerable reform in procedure. But Mr. Cadman had not the strength to force it through. He allowed it to be sat upon by all and sundry. Natives were called from various parts to advise as to its provisions. They delayed from day to day and week to week, and the "taihoa" came into full operation. Then it was suddenly discovered that nothing like unanimity could be secured, and that it was too late this session to do anything at all. So Mr. Cadman brought in another Bill, a kind of emergency Bill, to enable the Native Land Court to deal with a number of eases in which Europeans -have embarked a large amount of capital, have acted with fairness and with a desire to fullil the law, but in which, owing to technicalities, they cannot complete their titles. This Bill, however, did not meet with a kindly reception yesterday, and an amendment, moved by Mr.' George Hutchison, was carried against the Government by 28 to 19.> Ultimately the Bill was whittled away till it consists of little more than a clause suspending all transactions in native lands, and we presume all litigation on incomplete titles, till after next session. This is a very makeshift fashion of dealing with a difficulty. Improvement and progress cannot be expected on lands which are hung up, and respecting which the occupiers can scarcely tell what is to be the upshot. The Government have declined to bring down a Bill in accordance with the recommendation Mr. Bees' commission. .It seems to be assumed that that is not to serve any purpose whatever. The last day's business was an appropriate conclusion to the session.

Russian explorers in Central Asia are gradually extending the influence and authority of Russia in the region of the upper Hindoo Koosh. As these explorers are rightly regarded as the "scouts of the Russian army," and not merely, as might be supposed by anyone unacquainted with Russian methods, a band of adventurous spirits animated by a love of geographical research,it is highly desirable that the Indian authorities should pay the closest attention to their movements. Judging from a cablegram which we published yesterday they are, apparently, doing this, for we are informed that these " explorers" are claiming Russian supremacy on the Little Pamir, and have excluded Indian officers sent there to acquire ' exact information as to their doings. Although very little has been allowed to transpire in the public prints regarding the steady arid stealthy advance of Russia in that little known region of

until now she can stand on tit Ward » tain peaks and view the land of t °? n " winch is her real objective point Aft"' the annexation of Foro-liJ... • After General Abramoff fcfr 1,1 "M, nor of the newlv acquitS SOverbegan '-to. display extreme activTtv the direction of the upper waters oft)" Oxus. His explorers lwl +i., t,le followed, after a time by his t Wa * V ' i he dignities in their course wcr«°uni allowed to retard their S I heir passage v a few years X i 16 great Alar range by the ~V Kazik Pass—over fLtel thousand feet —with guns, was -l ' Ui>ar « able feat. . Since then their advance has been continued until now !ls w! learn they have reached the ljttL 1 amir and no doubt hold Sarhad. Vi key of the .Barogl.il and | S passes a position of great strateSS importance. We are likely to if more about this matter before long.

Tho European situation is somewhat n , ploxing. While the German Press is nio testing strongly against Russia au<r lUull [ in( ] her forces on her western frontier it, f announced that tho Kaiser and the (j z will meet on the 14th of next month. Fro? Rome we have the news that the Marc, di Rudini, the Premier, has despatched a special messenger to Lord Salisbury hearimthe full, text of the new Triple Alliance What lies behind all this ib is impo—ible to guess. International diplomacy works in dark and hidden ways. For instance in May, 1875, the military par in Ger man, with or without Prince Bismarck's sanction, determined upon attacking France, without any pretext but that she was becoming too strong. It was intended to demand the reduction of the French army to 200,000 men, and the immediate suspension of tho reconstruction 0 fortresses. The ultimatum being rejected France was to be invaded, dismembered' and destroyed., Russia, supported by Eno' land, interfered, and vetoed the projected' war. Russia, says M. de Laveleye, was ottered Constantinople by Germany as the price of her neutrality. The bribe was refused Prince GortschakofF insisted that France must be left alone. The Austro-German alliance was the. result. Who knows but somo similar surprise is likely to be spruit upon Europe. Only the other day Si>mor Oris pi shov ed that France was secretly preparing to attack Italy. The recent change which has come over the European situation affords ample grounds for believing that.some design is premeditated of which only those behind the scenes can have any knowledge. According to tho .Moscow Gazette Russia lias guaranteed Turkey against British aggression. The meaning of this can only be that in the event of Britain occupying any position to secure the Dardanelles without the consent of the Porte, Russia wilt make it a cam* belli conjointly with Turkey. The situation in China is growing serious. A revolt against the present dynasty is on the eve of break ing out. A terrible struggle is impending, and the Europeans in China are naturally becoming alarmed. Fortunately there is a powerful European naval force in Chinese waters. That will afford those within reach of it some protection.

A cable message from America states thfib a rowing match has taken place between Edward Hanliin and McLean, of New South Wales, in which the latter was victorious. There is some error as to the Australian's identity, as McLean is at present in Sydney. Charles Dtrich and Charles Stephenson are, however, in the States, and possibly the former is the oarsman referred to.

An inquest was held at the Asylum on Thursday, before Dr. Philson, coroner, on the body of a patient named John Brown. A verdict of " Death from natural causes" was returned. 'Deceased, who was* a 'cook, and in middle t life, was admitted to the Asylum over three, years ago. lie was a native of the United States, and had nc friends in the colony.

Private letters have been received in town from Mr. Longland, commercial traveller for Messrs. E. Porter and Co., and who had so narrow an escape from drowning in the recent unfortunate boat accident at Waipiro Bay, that he bus quite recovered from the effects of the accident. We have received complaints respecting the manner in which gorse has been allowed to grow on the Great South head, especially about Pokeno and Drury. At some spots in these localities a man standing in the centre of the road can touch impenetrable gorse on either side. Great trouble, is thus caused to persons driving down cattle from Waikato. A few day* ago ,a mob was coming through and were stopped by a vehicle which occupied .tin,' whole clear space of the road. Either the vehicle or the cattle must go back, and the difficulty was solved by the driver of the vehicle going back at considerable inconvenience. Such neglect of the principal road in the province is not creditable to the local bodies. The gorse is certainly a terrific nuisance to contend with, spreading so rapidly as it does. The law empowers local bodies to compel the owners of lan abutting on the road to keep clear to th centre of the road, but in the cases we refei to it is supposed that the owners of the land are members of the local bodies, and therefore do not enforce the law. But the nuisance has become intolerable, and almost amounts to a closing up of the read.

About 50 of the bootmakers who were out on strike have cot back into employment, 'the flower of the strikers being selected, and the local manufacturers are again beginning to compete with the South in the finer classes of work. It is anticipated that 20 more men will be taken on within a month. As to the balance of the ex-strikers after that, they will have to go elsewhere, or turn their attention to some other occupation, as their old situations will have been permanently occupied by non-unionists

Id is said the American manufacturers are pushing their productions with success in this colony and in Australia, and, in some cases, receiving, the preference to the English manufacturer. It can scarcely be wondered at if many of them act us in the following case, which occurred locally:— An Auckland gentlemen sent specification, homo for the manufacture of a certaiu machine. In due time he received it. (having first to advance the money). Altai being at some loss in endeavouring to the machine to work satisfactorily, he had at last to give up the task as a bad job. He sent the Same specification and order to Isew York, and by the following mail after receipt of the order, received the machine, with extra duplicate parts, for which nc extra charge was made, and an accompanying letter to the firm concerned, that when the machine had worked to their satisfaction they (tho Is'ew York firm) would be happy to receive remittance at their convenience. The machine proved a perfect beauty, doing its work admirably, and the lop l , tradesmrn is delighted with tho importation, ana equally so with the courtesy and promptitude of the American firm referred to.

• lb is stated that the Rotorua people are greatly pleased even with the partial concession granted by the Government carryin" the Rotorua Railway on to the point of its' : section with the Oxford-Rotorua road. The bridle-track from Rotorua to old Wairoa has stood all the winter, and funds will bo forthcoming for making a buggy toad between the -so two points early in the coming summer, so that tourists will be able to go to Wairoa and make the journey via Tarawera Lake to Tarawera Mountain and the adjoining-places. The other day Mr. McDonald, the well-known Lake country guide, was. over at the Rotomalr.na basin and the rift, and he states that in the rift southward of Hape-o-toroa ni>" about two miles from Lake Okoroa, a new lake has formed of considerable dimensions, the temperature of which is somewhat like -. that of the old Rotomahana Lake, lake appears to have hundreds of not. springs bubbling in it, and runs over a cliff in a waterfall of 20 feet, the clay facing the falls • being of many coloured hue... In the face of a bluff a rent is to be see from whence issues volumes of steam great force, after the fashion of Karapu at) Wnirakei.

Mr. T. W. Taylor, assistant olerk in the Auckland R.M." Court,fas been appointed Clerk of the Court, arl receiver of gold revenue at WhangareN- Mr. Taylor was formerly In the Suprore Court office, and during the few years b has been in the public servico his urbnity, courtesy, and obliging disposition [as won him tho esteem of all with wbm he has come in contact. His many fiends in Auckland will bo glad to learn tilt the change means for him thoroughly ieserved promotion. He will bo succeeded ii Uio Auckland office by Mr. Moresby., a gertlomau well known in local athletic circles. \ At the Inst meeting of till Mount. Albert School Committee, Mr. Ajar tin in the chair, the secretary was instructed to write to the Mount Albert Road/Board on the fcubject of better communication with the eastern portion of the sehdil district, and particularly by the formation of Onslow Road, between tho Meetly House on the New North Road and th Mount Roskill Road. Tho chairman slid hat tho road by Mr. Baker's was nob safe when' a mob of cuttle was driven along, as :hc foot passengers had no means of esCpe. The secretary said the new road wo Id be better for heavy traffic, and other i embers said it would shorten the distance oOnehunga by a mile or more. Onslow load is CO foot wide, has been conveyed trtthe public, and is registered in the Deeds Office since 1879. One half the road was grimed by the trustees of tho late Mrs. Horn, the other by Mr. J. Walters, the' pre'si it chairman of the Mount Albert Highway District. The Bruco Herald says —"Last season the farmers on the plain scved an unusual quantity of wheat. They ,vera richly rewarded by the enhanced value of that grain in tho market. We hear that very much moro will be sown th? year. Wheat has been a very much ne/lected crop for years in Tokomairiro. Ttjb farmers seem to have an idea that the »lain would only grow oats and turnips. Possibly it would at one time, but tho paMocks have been more thoroughly tilled sinco, with tho result that now it will jroduco crops of a moro remunerative description. Would it not pay somo of tho Southland farmers much bettor to grow what than oats ?"

We have been asked t> draw the attention of tho harbour authorities to the great necessity which exists-fora low-water landing stage at. the ftorthcoti wharf. At prosent tho only inoana whicl is provided for passengers to either eAbaib.on or land from tho ferry steamers is a lacder, which at. low water is almost verticu, and which in rough weather is not inly disagreeable bur dangerous. This was very noticeable on Wednesday, when a petty stiff southerly wind was blowing, and several ladies experienced great difficult/ in getting on board tho .steamer, for tiny were obliged to hold on with both hands b tho ladder, and therefore unable to prevent their dresses from catching on projections. ■

•Referring to Mr. Roes'* appointment as Chairman of Committees the Christchurch Press says Mr. W. L. tees is one of the most fortunate of New Zealand politicians. Although a person of 110 mark in public affairs, ho has in ono way and another been more than usually successful from one point of view. No one, we imagine, till the-.other day thought of associating his name with the Chairmanship of Committees. Many candidates were mentioned, and more than one was believed at one time or another to be favoured by the Government. But the bitter rivalry for the coveted position between Messrs. Fish, Joyce, and Smith at length led the (Government to the conclusion that, they would be placing themselves in a position of extreme difficulty if they ventured to make a selection from the list of candidates. This was Mr! Rees's opportunity, and the result is that he has succeeded to a comfortable £400 a-year salary in the most unexpected manner.

A company team's match will be fired by the City Guards on Saturday next at tho usual three distances, 200, 300, and 500 yds, 5 shots at each distance, with two sighting shots ; score made with fighters to count at option of firer. Teams composed as under :—Combined team : Captain Kohn, Lieutenant Dormer, Sergeants Soall, Taylor, Craig, Oakes, Maxwell, Coleman, and Busier Dormer. Privates'team : Osborne, Stirling, Fletcher, Walker, Arthur, Parker, Eady, Reynell, Jaggs, A. Dunn. Emergencies : Healy, C. iMmn, Probine.

The Otago Daily Times thus refers to the discontent in the police force, arc! the dissatisfaction occasioned by tho capricious transferring about of married constables with families —"The rank and file is composed of young men who have passed, or are prepared to pass, an examination in the statutes under which they work. These men now regard with impatience otticers whose claim to rank is based on long year 3 of service, and who, probably, could not, and never could, pass the examinations, but are, nevertheless, good policemen ; while the veterans look upon the smart young fellows, drafted from the Permanent Force, as inferior material—the feeling being returned with interest, because the 'old fogies' block the way to promotion. Hence it is ' that the police force has never been understood, and hence, also, the frequonfc and irritating re-organisations and changes which have taken place. And, frankly speaking, wo do not think Colonel Hume understands it, Mere his ability to do so only to be judged by the following paragraph from his report: — 'There is always a certain amount of hardship in moving constables with families from ono station to another ; but in every police service it has been found that to keep men thoroughly efficient, energetic, active, unci impartial in tho discharge of their luties, they must be periodically transerred.' This principle may to some extent to true, but we are strongly of opinion that ar too much stress is laid upon it, and that ■he capricious way in which these transfers ire carried out is responsible for a lot of lownright hardship and consequent disconlent, while it is of 110 corresponding benefit >o the force or to the public."

The New Zealand Craftsman of tho IGth instant contains a very good portrait of Brother William Henry Cooper, of Auckland, P.G.S. W. of tho New Zealand Constitution, and the first Assistant Grand Secretary elected on tho appointment of officers of the Constitution, and it gives a. brief biographical sketch of his Masonic career. Jfis mother lodge ia Kverton No. 823, English Constitution, and ho filled the chair of Heskett Lodge, No. 1350, Liverpool, in 1577, and afterwards installed his brother, his father being present. For five years ho was secretary and treasurer of Lodge Retnuera, and on the establishment of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand he resigned tho position of D.G.W. in order to devote more of his timo to furthering the amalgamation of the three constitutions. Brother Cooper is ono of the very fow Masons living in New Zealand who were present at tho first installation of H.R.H. the I'rinco of Wales as Grand Master of England.

A meeting of subscribers to the fund in aid of tho family of Mr. T. G. Sibbin was :onvonod to bo hold yesterday afternoon at tho Chamber of Commerce, but as tho attendance was small, it was agreed to postpone tho meeting until Tuesday evening at half-past seven o'clock, when it'will ha held in the Devonport Council Chambers.

Another cruelty to cam© before tho Police Court yesterday morning, a young man being charged with having driven a horse in a milk cart while the animal was suffering from a soro shoulder, It appeared from the evidence that the owner of the horse had instructed that it ■should be worked, although aware of the bad state it was in. Tho Bench adjourned the case so that an information might bo laid against the owner..

A most ingenious invention has boon patented by Mr. .'John White, tho wollknown Queen-street tailor. Ib is a patent multiple and graduated cutting rule, which completely dispenses with all the old fashioned methods for cutting out. By incans of his rule—a number of which have been turned out at the HiiiiALu Office — Mr. White claims that two cutters can do the work of three under the old stylo. It is adaptable for all classes of work, and for garments of either sex. Once the primary principle is understood, the art of cuttingout can bo rnastored in a short course of lessons. Many young girls who have had a twelvemonth's training at a dressmakers' establishment are unable to cut out their own dresses, bub could easily do so after a few lessons on the patent multiple and graduated cutting rule. As the system has a niathematieal basis, absoluto accuracy of lit is ensured. Mr. White has already enrolled a number of young persons who "'re to become acquainted with tho new ■•yistein of cutting-out.

Mr. Arthur Clayden, in a letter to an English paper, says."Tho valuable practical results of the recent visit to Canada of representative farmers induced me to write to the Now Zealand Government to ascertain what facilities would be offered to a delegation of British farmers that might bo induced to visit tho colony, with a view of reporting on its openings for practical men. I havo received from the Hon. John Ballance (the Premier) a very cordial response. He assures me that I may rely on his' rendering them every assistance, and free passes will be provided them on the railways. Of coupso this is 011 the assumption that tho delegates mean business, and therefore only such gentlemen are eligible as are contemplating settlement on tho land either for themselves or their sons. I shall be glad if any British farmer thus qualified will communicate with me. I cannot offer the tempting terms of the High Commissioner for the Dominion. The utmost that I can hope for is that the steamship companies will offer us specially low terms for passage to and fro. I think about six good representative men should suffice, of whom two at least should be Scotch. Just now, owing to the vast land endowment of tho New Zealand Midland Railway Company, and the throwing open of much native land, the openings for agricultural enterprise appear to me exceptionally good. I would, however, subject the question to tho rigid investigation of practical men."

A mysterious jewellery robbery took place at Devonport on Saturday last, some £20 worth, consisting of bracelets, brooches, and a diamond ring, being abstracted in open day from a bedroom in the residence of Mr. Peyton. At the tiino of the robbery Mrs. Peyton was engaged in somo domestic duties at the back of the dwelling. The police and detectives kept the matter quiet in the hope of detecting the offender, but so far they liavo been unsuccessful.

It may be interesting ab the present moment to give some [particulars of the history of tho Gospel Temperance Mission. This mission was started hero in ISS3, and its president was the energetic Rev. Chas. Worboys. Around him gathered tho work ing members of the churches, and its sendoff was most promising. Its receipts from that dato till now have been £2021, and its expenditure £'2074. leaving a present balance deficit of £53. Fifteen thousand pledges have been taken during its career, and it is reported that 75 per cent, of these remain true to their obligation. The largest income of any one year was in 1884, when Mr. Booth was here, when it ran up to £636 0s lid, while the smallest income was in 183S, when it only touched £73 14s lOd. The largest annual expenditure was in 18S4 when it was £612 12s 9d, and tho smallest was in 18SS, when ib was Is 2d over the income, being £73 16s. These figures show that the mission has endeavoured to "cub its coat according to its cloth," and that it has fairly succeeded also. The leaders of the mission are anxious to keep the work going, and tho recurring .query whenever they meet is, " What is tne best thing to be done?" The last practical idea that camo before them was, the desirability of interesting tho bona fide working men in the mission, and the asking them to take a seat on its Council Board. Mr. Albert Koebol, the eminent American entomologist, who is touring the colony studying insect pests, was introduced to the members of the Wellington Philosophical Society last night.

The fourth performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's famous opera "Princess Ida " drew another overflowing house at Abbott's Opera House last night, the lower part of the building being filled very soon after tho doors were opened. On each occasion the performers have shown signs of increasing confidence in themselves, and they are becoming more and more at home on the

boards. As a consequence, any rough corners which may have been noticeable at the initial performances are fast being rounded off. Last night everything went off beautifully, the lady soloists each receiving quite a shower of bouquets, and the gentlemen the heartiest applause. A large number of encores had to be responded to, and in many other cases the recipients simply bowed their acknowledgments. The Amazon March was a really brilliant scene, and was received with such enthusiasm that it had to be repeated. The company have certainly shown that they are not only capable of drawing large audiences, but also of delighting them when they get them. The performance will be repeated this evening.

The first united literary competition in conuectiou with the societies in affiliation with the Auckland Young Men's Christian Association will take place this evening at a quarter to eight o'clock, in the rooms of the institution, the programme consisting of competitive elocution, extempore speeches, glees, solo singing, and impromptu essays. A prize poem and articles from the manuscript magazine will be read by the authors, bix manuscript journals have been sent in for competition by societies affiliated to tho Young Men's Christian Association, each containing about twelve contributions. Theso arc chiefly prose, but each journal contains one or two contributions in verse. The journals are distinguished by mottoes, so that the judges —Professor Thomas and Messrs. JL'heo. Cooper and William Berry— not know from what societies they emanate. The judges have agreed as to which journal possesses the highest merit as a whole, and their decision will be announced to night. A subject will also bo stated by them at the meeting, upon which competitors will be allowed fifteen minutes to write, and the judges will decide which is the best of the compositions produced under those circumstances. The Monthly (Young Men's Christian Association) Record is to bo published to-day, and contains the programme for this evening's literary competition. The judges' decisions, etc., will be on sale at the hall

The production of the " Princess Ida" at the Opera House has led to a good deal of money being spent before it was staged, which has filtered into the hands of various tradesmen. For instance, Mr. C. E. Mackie, of High-street, constructed the two gasometers placed in the basement, which are used for the limelight effects. They are the largest, privately owned, in tho colony. Mr. Cole, basket maker, of Wellesley-street East, has had the contract for constructing tho large wicker baskets in which a quantity of wardrobe materials are stored ; while another tradesman was entrusted with the manufacture of the glittering armour which encased the graceful forms of the warlike Amazons.

The City Hall was again crowded to oxce33 last night, when the talented Payne Family presented the second concert of their present. Auckland season. The programme was almost entirely different to the one given on the previous evening, but in every respect it was equally excellent, and won, if possible, more hearty demonstrations of approval. Nearly every item was encored, and although the company responded most generously, it would have been impossible for them to comply with all the demands of the , audience without protracting the concert to an unconscionably late hour. The items consisted, as before, of part songs, choruses, solos, and handbell, instrumental and musical glass selections, each being rendered with the accuracy and tho beautiful delicacy of melody for which the Pi:yno Family have gained a reputation throughout Australasia. The young ladies, tho Misses Lizzie, Maud, and Alice acquitted themselves in their numerous and varied efforts admirably, creating a favourable impression at the very beginning of the evening, which was only strengthened as the concert proceeded. Mr. Payne, senr., Mr. W. J. Payne, und Mr. Steele were also highly successful, their humorous songs and choruscs being particularly appreciated. The selections upon the hand-bells wore very cleverly played, and Mr. Steele's manipulation of the musical glasses gained an enthusiastic encore. At the close of the concert, Mr. Payne announced that the company would give another concert in the City Hall next Wednesday evening. During the interval they appear in the suburban municipalities, in accordance with arrangements that are duly advertised. This evening they give one of their concerts in the Newmarket Hall.