THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1892.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8881, 18 May 1892, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1892.

The federation of England and her colonies, and the question of the defence of her widely-scattered colonial empire, including India, are topics exciting lively attention just now in the old country. But Cord Rosebery's remark, in a recent discussion, that England nowadays and henceforth can only enter upon wars having direct relation to her colonies, and the oftrepeated reply that this was always the case since she acquired any considerable colonial realm, are statements much too sweeping to be supported by precedent. As matter of fact, the only great wars between England and any other European Power which were started about colonies or colonial dependencies, were the wars with France, waged in India in the middle of the last century, and those in America at the same period, terminating in Wolfe's capture of Quebec in 1759. As for tho long series of wars between 1790 and 1816—in which Britain played so conspicuous a part, and ran up so huge a national debt, no colonial question had anything to do with their origin, although while the storm raged such possessions of our adversary often underwent a change of hands, and the British over sea empire was widely augmented. Our next war with any other European power did not occur until 1854, and it is difficult to suppose that the two years' struggle with Russia which then ensued was undertaken on behalf of some outlying portion of the empire, for the Muscovite, then only a remote danger to India, was, although beaten, transformed into a near and real danger by the peculiar manner in which the war was conducted. Anybody can now see what the acquisition of the Caucasus did for Russia—that mountain mass from whence she has stretched a conquering hand and lines of rail over Central Asia ; a mighty citadel, where, hidden from observation, she can assemble troops and stores, perhaps' for the invasion of Asiatic Turkey on the one hand, or for transport through Tartary, in the direction of India. Little Lord John Russell, then Foreign

Secretary, and his colleague Lord Palmerston, of high repute for illumination in such matters, could not see that to help the tribes of the Caucasus, then in arms, might hinder Russia from seizing what lias since proved to be the key of much of Asia. And His Majesty Napoleon 111., who was likewise in Council, did not see it either— or did not 'care to see it.

To maintain a balance of power in Europe must always be an object with England, even if she had no colonies. Again, as before, she would fight for that object as well as for the preservation or extension of her colonies, and there is no use in dogmatising about the particular line in which the sword might have to be drawn anew. As for the defence of the colonies, that is a question of magnitude, about which it certainly cannot be said that they have shown unwillingness to do their duty to the best of their ability. Rome was not built in a day, and these communities of the far South are still in the juvenile stage. But they have already shared in providing an Anglo-Austra-lasian squadron to sentinel these seas, in conjunction with the fleet of the Royal Navy, which the Admiralty

has always appointed to the station. Moreover, with much outlay of rnoiey, what are yet crude attempts have btjjn made to fortify the ports. Big gun* an( i particular modes of fortification are things which now change fashion so frequently that they might be obsolete when wanted. And New Zealand,at any rate, cannot maintain a standing army, even in miniature ; _ and altogether, to put these islands in a different and more defensible position, ve have from time to time in this journal urged the gradual creation of a coatt militia by halffarming, half-fishing settlementssuch as on various.shores of the old country furnish a coast militia or naval reserve. These islands, from their exposed mid-sea situation, peculiarly need such a system of defence. And the arrangement, besides answering this service, would utilise one of the finest but most neglected of our resources. Indeed, the surrounding fisheries are so rich, that if New Zealand had no other resources, she would long since have been known abroad as a Newfoundland. Along with this seaside arrangement, the admirable Swiss plan of drilling boys at school should be carried out in all the schools of the colonies, as it now is in some. Boys thus drilled, when they grow up and are trained to the use of arms, are easily made an effective infantry. The Canadian Dominionmuch older as a group of colonies than the Australasian—is far ahead of us in naval and military matters. The Canadians boast

that they already rank fourth among the maritime nations of the world, in the number of their seamen and the registered tonnage of their shipping. They have a numerous militia and a military school for instructing the officers. Then their trans-continental railroad renders to England a service, in regard to India, which it is impossible to exaggerate. By this line an army of 50,000 men with all appliances can be transferred in a single week from the shores of the Atlantic to the Pacific—at the rate of 8000 men, etc., a-day. The importance of this is manifest when we consider that the Suez route could scarcely be availed of in wartime. In requital for this grand federal service, England might well render to Canada—as well as to herself and the empire at large— another grand service, in leading the way for an international company to resume the cutting at Panama. The Panama Canal would reduce by from 10,000 to 12,000 milesor half the present voyage — the marine distance between England and the North Pacific ports of Canada, Japan, and China. Yes, if instead of unconsidered trifling —in vague guesses as to the precise nature of England's wars henceforward —able and popular friends of the colonies, like Lord Rosebery, would stir the Home public about the Panama opportunity, it would make a big step towards practical federation, drawing every way closer the parent nation and her widely-scattered offspring.

Our cable messages this morning state that the Staleybridge strikers have resumed work. The Queensland Agent-General has written a letter to the London Times in defence of the policy of his Government, in deciding to resume the Kanaka traffic. The

Times, in referring to his communication, while regarding as improbable a recurrence of the abuses which formerly existed, points out that Queensland has incurred a very grave responsibility, and that she will be bound to fulfil her promises of providing safeguards against a repetition of the evils which at one time were associated with the employment of coloured labour. Although the question has aroused an extraordinary amount of interest in England, it is after all one which concerns the colonists of Queensland alone, and it is one for them to decide, whatever may be the opinions of the writers on the London press. It is, of course, always interesting to know what the views of the conductors of the great English newspapers are on colonial legislation, but we fancy that hitherto too much importance has been attached in the coloI nies to their opinions. They are often based on very superficial knowledge, and meagre information. General Booth is reported to be negotiating with the shipping companies for conveying a contingent of 50,000 of the submerged tenth to New Zealand. This is somewhat alarming news. The colony would, no doubt, he greatly benefited by an increase of population; but ati influx of what is known as the submerged tenth is scarcely the class of immigrants we desire. Stephens, the ex-Fenian head centre, has been presented with a house in Dublin. The plot to blow up the Czar's palace at Gatschina was divulged to the Russian authorities by informers in Paris.

We publish in our present impression a report of the judgment in the Wharepuhunga block, lately given by Judge Gudgeon. The judgment is of interest, as deciding the ownership of 133,7*20 acres in the Upper Waikato district, and it embraces many interesting points of Maori history. The Hon. R. Seddon in reply to Mr. J. M. Shera's telegram re wages of surface men on Ivaihu Valley Railway, states that he has authorised the payment in future of 6s 6d per day to them, the rate ruling on the other railway lines of the colony.

A telegram from Wellington •announces the death of the Hon. John Martin, M.L.C., a resident of that city. Mr. Martin came to the colony when a young man of 20 years of age. landing at Wellington 52 years ago ; and, entering into business, and undertaking successful speculations, he eventually accumulated wealth. Fifteen years ago, when Sir George Grey's Ministry was in power, he was called to the Upper House. He was the owner of a large station of 35,000 acres, Martinborough, in the Wellington provincial district (having bought it fiom Mr. Waterhouse), and also of the Otaraia station, ten miles from Martinborough, while he was proprietor of a good deal of property in Wellington. He lived at Te Aro, near Wellington city. He and the late Mr. Thomas- Henderson ran boats under the name of the Circular Saw line, afterward establishing the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company, which was supplanted by the Union S.S. Company. About a month ago he came to Auckland, visiting the Hot Lakes district for the benefit of his health. One of his sons is a resident of Auckland.

The young Northern chief, Mr. Hone Heke, was in town yesterday. He came up at the request of the Hon. Mr. Cadman, but his visit was for the purpose of settling a matter of no public interest. In the course of an interview with a representative of this journal, he expressed the greatest satisfaction at Tawhiao's acceptance of the pension, as he considered the acceptance meant Tawhiao's determination to become amenable to European law, and to induce his tribe to copy his example. He also expressed regret that Tawhiao had been so long in coming to peaceable terms with the Europeans, as the natives in the North had,long seen that the position he had, taken up was quite untenable. Mr. Hone Heke speaks English fluently, and is an accomplished musician.

The well - known booksellers, Messrs. Wil 'man and Lyell, announce elsewhere that they have now on sale the " Life and Times of Sir (George Grey, K.C.8.," by Mr. W. L. Rees and Miss Lily Rees. It is illustrated by portraits of Sir George, and sketches of the Grey Free Library Buildings, Somerset Hospital, Capetown, Sir George's residence, Kawau, Auckland Free Library, etc,

Speaking 0 f Mr. Joh^ Ohiremun on Mav 10 . L 'di«H t Gazette says •11 was ! OhI S.K typical frontiersman— one th eS3en ti«l|y Ur ' bo in the van of civihi mus t al\L a axe in hand, in the ,1, and ei W2| ! pionering. He has h;» teful W ! the refs of Bendigo, Ballard r Carve <* c° Gippdand, Gabriel's Gully h eeph *orth Ohmenuri. He took „£ f hara <*. and miners right fight than th e T hn a b > ?sL bW,n A- that °, BHllarat in K® 6 " 1854, .-nd he was chums with r' Q u°. Vei ab e 7 the Gairiel of the Gully i n oi el Heid* distric he was one of the Si 1" t£ men, bang among the fi Mt to k"' er cat to the Thames in the old £'"».» ■»£ ranga cer the terra incoanita\tl as Ohmmuri." J a D °w know a Our atention has been drawn t„ „ that on the co-operative labour fact \\ aikatt there is hardly room for ~ tks '» at presnfc and that people ploy men there are liable 0 S ln » eminent. Peter Holmes, an old ! appoil settler otained a railway pass tn Ckian( l kato, buon arrival there, J he gangs e.ployed could find no room''"is. so he ha. to tramp back to AurkU ni ? l 'K sore andweary, after having sum ' ' Oot " in searclof an opening. \V«. .f,'" a to publh this 'fact, in order needlesaiost and distress to men to find ploy ment on these co-on! ope works irthe W'aikato. 'co °P®«ive

The Mlbourne Herald states that a . the trmlof the murderer Deemin! the latte after vainly importuning" Kounsefe to visit him in prison. th 1 ' s? to sue h. for the £20 which he h | vanced to,er to defray the expend of ?d----journey tcPerth, " Mr. Q f nn *° fc er Melbourncpttpers, who had 'been £' so generon and so thoughtful, pr omi .1' would fin< the money if Miss p m ,° , he would agnto pretend that the attach? between lr and the creature in the r?" ' cell had ten „ M| and „ , h ?? could set lid Of the prisoner's co£S which was* be sold to the new, paDei 1 ' presented y Mr. for a re ' sum. Forauie days this proposition 0 " d laid befordier, and then it beLneiL? that one c her advisers was in the*! service of ie journal referred to. Th* • no necessitto mention names, because? do not for moment suppose the jourmu! refer to wald countenance suchS, practices. At any rate, Mia, H 01n ? tell, presse into a corner, consented go and se Deeming, but, no f urt J but here rain we have the truth „i the old adi;e, 'The best-laid schema J mice and «n are apt to gang at'ley ' T the prison tat morning the lady met th! Rev. Mr. feott. and, pending inq u j she was tolt to call on another occasion' By this tin* the rev. gentleman had « to the bottoi of the scheme, which would benefit somejersons, but sadly cotniiromis. the girl. Sh was warned of Iter position and advisednot to follow the bad advice' She then savher position very clearly and consented nc to go near Deeming or We anything tolo with his biography. However, inasmuh as the prisoner was rsstlw and disturbd, it was suggested by .Mr" Scott that i letter should be written through hitr. to Deeming, which would have the effet of quietening him. The rev. gentlemai was asked by a reporter of the MelbourntHerald what was the object of this letter. 'Itwa3 merely to quieten him, I told her tokeei any thing like sentiment out of it.' She inteided to convey to the prisoner that she had net cast him off altogether. The letter was torr up five minutes after I read it to the prisoier, and that was the intention, so that Mss Rounsefell's name would not be dragged before the public unnecessarily. The etter would not have been written but for my advice, and it was only written to qiieten the prisoner.' 'It is stated that 3'cu told Deeming not to tell Mr. Lyle anything about the letter 'Ye;, that is true, and the object was the same as that in which the letter was torn up. 1 wanted to save the girl from further annoyance. After this letter she received one of an insulting character from Deeming, and then advised her to send one declining to hold any further communication with him. This communication Miss Rounsefell sent in due course, and na further communication has taken place. My sole object was to prevent the girl fallowing bad advice and becoming the dipe of any unscrupulous persons.' This, practically, is all Mr. Scott has to tell. Since the arrival of her sister in Melbourne Miss Rounsefell has nor, beet subject to the annoyance put upon her before, but even yet those concerned have no: despaired of obtaining her adherence to a scheme whereby Williams is to be informed that she will "love him for ever if he will give her the history of his life, which in turn is to be used as others may direct, At the Police Court yesterday morning, before Dr. Giles, R. M., the details of a sad case of wife desertion were touched upon. It appears that a man named James Arthur Stitch bury, who was holding a good position here in the employ of Messrs. Ehrenfried Bros., eloped by the Mariposa on the 23rd of April last with a certain woman, leaving an invalid wife and live children behind him, in utterly destitute circumstances. Fortunately, however, this man has left some property behind to which lie is entitled under his father's will, and Dr. Giles was able to make an order that the executors should set aside a sum amounting to £1 a week for the maintenance of the wife and her family. Dr. Giles stigmatised the case as a gross and scandalous one.

The Newton Schools Committee held their monthly meeting in the Newton East School, on Monday evening last. Present: Mr. J. M. White (chairman), Mr. G. Knight (treasurer), Messrs. T. McMaster, H. Thompson, J. D. Gow, T. H. Martyn, A. Williams, and T. W. Freeman. Mr.'W. J. Macdermott, who was unavoidably absent, forwarded an apology. The principal business with which the committee had to deal was the proposed site for the new school in the Eden Terrace district. This matter had been deferred by the previous committee to this meeting. A letter was read offering a property, but the committee did not approve of it as being suitable for a school site. A member of the committee spokeot a piece of ground which he believed could be obtained, and would be much preferable to the one now under consideration. It vu ultimately decided to further defer the matter until the next meeting of the committee, in the meantime the members to visit the different sites.

Anent the Labour Bureau system the Kumara Times relates the following incident :—" Just when the frost was beginning to bite hard on the cold damp flat# near the Kapitea last night, an old man, of some tw years, might have been seen tying a ragged fly to a telegraph pole and making re " parations to spend the night in a shakedown, which boasted little more covering than that afforded by an old sack. On the edge of the road he had lighted a small fire. This was the only sign of coin " fort in a cheerless landscape. A traveller who came riding swiftly up on a bicycle slowed down and stopped by the side the rude tent. It seemed an anomaly that an old man, of so many yew experience in the science of camping ou should select so exposed a camping ground. ' You don't mean to say you are going W spend the night on this bleak flat in such tent,' said the bicyclist. 4 Why not. asked the old man, proceeding wit. £ l tying of the fly. ' Well, there are tnenew tickets issued by the Labour $ urea which provide a cheery shelter for tin* who are on the wallabi.' A glance ot i effable scorn shot through the bushy £ r . eyebrows of the old hand as he = round suddenly and said, ' D'ye l ' take _ for a d d loafer. Think an ole dig* like m 's goin beggin for a soup tic" ■ • I'd die first'—and the old man wen with his preparations for the night.

The city authorities have got he 1 = executed for the morgue site, unci the / engineer is now preparing plans tor a morgue. These will be submitted to - City Council for approval and a jytian and tenders invited for the work. this project is carried out one ot 1 proaches of the city will be removed. - present mortuary arrangements are less than a scandal.

Ib will be seen by advertisement elsewhere that the Rev. G. C. 9 : f V "his who may be expected to arrive w party to-day by the s.s. Manaponi , open his mission in the City H« g evening, at 7.30. The mission mill , jj n g a brief one, namely, five days, tliere Sunday, and among other feature j n will be free admission and .°. c °''^ bour ed the various places Mr. Grubb has la all his services have been _ at W»dea <n n0 denominations, and to-night th doubt be a representative audience.

Air. John Williams the following particulars regarding Jlr A. Kettan for £ murder 01 whom. £?£ awaiting trial:- a ine late Mr. Kettan was a person >: a well-culttod nd he having received 1 classical tfun- " at one of the Fren: colleges iv the nifv of Paris. He spoke Ger.narland French fluently, and Iv was a first-lass mathematician. It seem-' always a witter of' pleasure to him to ice the beiatit of hi ■u-ciuirements to thi advantago 61 his fellow settlors, and this, coupled with his (Toni.il manners, renders him a welcome visitor at the homes of al the settled. Mr. Kottan was the premier sot-tier at Helena K-iv being the first up 6|Section 0 f "land. under the hor.e*tead sygtem, in th , Mimilia Valley. Th:- start inflife had to 1)!' undertaken withou: means, me had, therefore, to encounter many Hardships an ,l privations during t'e first fhv years of his endeavour to establish for liimself a home. And having achieved thfe right to hi- Crow grant for his faction at land, ho wisely determined to sell dife greater portion of it and to concentrate his efforts [.•ion his vines and other fruit trees. This determination seems to have brought Mr. Kettan to the turning pout l >t his success, durin ' the past three seasons he has L cn blessed with good crops ot grapes, which have enabled him to make considerb!, quantities of good claret, be!iiVs some nice white wi»c- He has also Ki erected noon a pre:t> «te, amidst his i ~i , P fruit fee-, a comfortable vines ami other mm i • • „ , . • ■ , . > nxi'i*'" M'. Kettan s loss ana picturesque cottar- every settler \erv sincerely depioreo -y every se_t tier «• Helena Bay, and it "iiu-nt be truthfully "riiion of him that not one amongst us was held in greater regard than he.

An accident which nvpt have been at (...l with serious consequences took . '~ v ve-terd-iy afternoon no the Devon port. Office. The driver •<: the mail coach ~>11" between Waiwera and Devonport, v-" Thomas Butler, had just delivered the pnils, and his son, !-' v'tirs of age, was holding the " leaders" by the head, when, ■he 'was about, to catch the reins, and jnrcp up, the horses plunged, got out of the tvv s grasp and bolted. Butler held on to the rein-', but was thrown .down and his h'-a.l slightly cut-, and hinwflf bruised but jui: otherwise seriously hurt, Mr. 1.5. Blandi ;,i, son of the postmaster,snd Mr. Patterson,'succeeded in stopping the horses on the Beach Road, after the leaders had broken lease and come in contact with the post at the corner. Mr. Butler's wife and child, an.i Mrs. Collier, were in the coach at the time, but fortunately escaped unhurt. There does not seem to have)been blame at taxable to anyone, the a flair being purely a.vi letital. s

The general secretary of the New Zealand Tailcresses' Federation, Miss H. K. Morrison, of Dunedin, is busily engaged in carry'.dl: out the objects oi her mission to Auckland, an 1 intends to remain here till she has done so. These ari to obtain ad heretics to the specified log and to bring about a belter feeling between the masters an.i the girls, and remove .the little misur. kr>:andimrs which havjj arisen. Miss >!-ni-en state* that Wellington, Christcharch, and Dunedin are paving the log, bur that in Auckland it has never, practically speaking, been 'done. She is in favour of piecework as being more sari*' ictorv in every way, foe employers and employed, and ability and competency would win. Ir is her hope to bring about ? > good a feeling in Auckland between ...'Vers andempbyed, in the branches of tni'ii she represents, as is ai present existing in |>,me din. She believe* that there is a general spirit of fairness abroad, and that th- general public will support fair play, til i resent sweating and ( oppression in respect to women wage-earners. Yesterday Mi-s Morrison, accompanied by Miss B.r'.ev, secretary of the Auckland Union, watted upon Sir George (.Jfey at his residence. and explained the objects of the '.••rition, and solicited his valued cooperation. by becoming vice-president of the Auckland Union, Sir George consented, and promised his aid in every legitimate wav in Parliament and out of it.

Ve-terday afternoon a young lad named nantel John Freestone got accidentally run ov-r : v a spring cart, driven by Mr. Thos. Crow, .i fanner redding as Otahuhu. It apneas that Mr. Crow was driving out of bymonds-stre?" to the Kybef Pass, and was pjiug di.wn t.■ ■.! thoroughfare at a middling pace, when the lads, who were playing on the road, cleared off. Freestone was rather t.u ly in getting away, and was knocked down and run over before Crow, who is said to be an old and feeble mm, could pull up. Th-' lad was taken to the Hospital for treatment by Constable Howell, Mr. Crow accompanying him. On examination it was ft..-': f t 1 1a: the lad had three of his ribs -ken. and lie was place l in the accident ward fur treatment.

Owing to the prominence now being given ta matters connected with the early history or Auckland by the press, several of the early settlers have communicated with Mr. J. J. 1 raie, of Fort-street, with a view of making preliminary arrargements to Celebris in due course this year the jubilee of the arrival of the Seottis'i pioneer settlers by the Duchess of Arpyloand Jane Clifford, in Hl:'. These settlers celebrated the 25th anniversary of their arri'al in the province, v. i ha also another -eunion some years ft. r bist since the death of the late Mr. •U-:t Graham, who took an active i'l v."';-: in this matter, no one has arisen to till in- place. .Such a jubilee reunion would !•; very interesting, .is gome of the contingent still survive, though far advanced in ait,-, but the descendants of the original bo iy of settlers, nunbering several hunched-, would make a goodly company. Mr. Iraiij would be happy to meet those who are favourable to tlie project of having a jubilee reunion.

The minutes of tie quarterly meeting (the 77th) of the AucU md District A.0.F., which was held on lie '29 th ultimo, have been printed in pamphlet, form for circulation. According .n the balance-sheet the faa is appear to bi in a flourishing concision, and the prospects of the Order in Auckland appear to be very encouraging. Iv-ietenee is made in the minutes to the ?i:t of Mr. Louis Khrenfried to the Court 1. :i:i Hood, Parunure, for the use of the hall there for ~/J nights in the year for 999 years. A minute i- recorded conveying V 1;-' thanks of lie Foresters to Mr. Ehrenfried for his munificent gift.

In the advertisements of the new series f'f "Sketch*, at the Antipodes," by Mr. i.U'.vaid Wakefield, that gentleman is iie-eiihed as formerly "Native Minister and Minister of Defence of New Zealand." Mr. Wakefield held these distinguished offices for about 30 hours prior to the Ministry of which he was a member being turned out.

Residents of Newmarket and adjacent districts are reminded of the public meetl!l - in connection with the Knights of Labour, which will be- held in the >ew"jjfKet Hall this evening, at eight o'clock.

-i \ i-itor to the Free Public Library" rite.-, complaining that while reading an iritere-ain;; article in the Weekly News in tiie Free Public Library, bis attention was t"tiacti:(l by the none made by those who P"iv g.itvie.. < jI draughts and chess, both in -norkin » about the pieces or men, and in iscunitig the play of the games. He conchies by saying, '• A few noisy individuals d ''' an intolerable nuisance to the great majority of the readers, and it is high time Ui i - such nuisance should be suppressed." On opening a hapuka, caught in Fitzroy ay about two weeks ago, the upper por--1011 o! a pearl shirt stud was found. It is ' a pointed oval shape, and several persons Pi']?. //. u ° M - e " it are almost certain that '■ J '^ IIIIS '-' lQ was drowned through his »> f.MjHizjng about three years ago, wore !' - ot a similar pattern at the time of the Cita.vt toplie. he usual meeting of the City Schools w 't MinttL-e was held yesterday evening, y en there were present Messrs. J. Blades J airman), R. Farrell, Sherson, J. A. , Ulrs * and A ' Burn«. Mrs - Burnet, (V,m,°l' mai ' e personal application to the Vc-ir"' f 6O t0 ' lave a boy hers, of 12 onlt- 5 ? a "i°' exfcmte d from school, in mitt ° T ie u,) a situation. The Combov T '^ s ve /' V mt they would allow the that ,i' m :nai " in l ' le situation provided child '■ - ailt . Officer is satisfied that the Private* ,r;' Jlvin " sufficient education Was ' y ' l" u other business transacted Pa-sin, ° a lv,utino nature, and after the mppf- current accounts for payment ne mewing terminated. telli'l. authoi ' ities have received in.M:,,!! 0 ' 1 ■°. tlle destruction by fire on Pri'tH'rtvnf Vl' °l'. a four roomcd house > the Dear \vL •' J,e °« e Ford, of Parihaki, North R P ?r a i iei ' , Il was insured in the The uri-H, of ti ai U Mercantile for £100. hln of th fire was unknown,

When the new Factories Act was brought into operation at the beginning of the year, ample notice was given by the then inspector (Sergeant Gamble) to proprietors of factories as to the information required from them, and the necessity for their being registered and paying the fees prescribed by law. A number of these persons have still evaded the provisions of the Act, bub the new inspector (Mr. Ferguson) is not disposed to permit this state of things to exist much longer. Notices have been duly served upon the recusants, and failing attention thereto, as a last resource they will be asked to make their bow in the Police Court.

A copy of the " Manual of New Zealand Entomology" has been sent by the Educational Department at Wellington to the Auckland Free Public Library. This work is illustrated with coloured plates. Copies of it are being sent to members of the Legislature and the work lias reached some of the Auckland members.

The special missionary meeting held in the Ponsonby Baptist Church last flight was well attended. The Rev. J. D. Gilmore presided, and in the course of his opening remarks,introduced to the audience Miss Arnold, a lady missionary from India, who had been in Auckland on a previous occasion, about seven years ago. He urged upon those present not to rest content with earnestly desiring the extension of Christ's Kingdom, but also to labour earnestly to have their desire accomplished. Miss Arnold then gave a very interesting lecture on "Missionary Work in India," pointing out at the outset that she wculd confine herself almost exclusively to tho work carried on by the Australasian Societies, which only dealt with about ten millions out of the total population of about .'100,000,000. In order to illustrate the costumes peculiar to the female portion of the population, Miss Arnold had with her on the platform a number of young people attired in the different styles, each of which was lucidly explained. Appropriate hymns were sung during the evening, and the chairman closed the meeting by pronouncing the Benediction.

It will be remembered that in the final cricket match for the Junior Cup, which took place last Saturday week, between the Gordon 11. and the Auckland 11., the former team protested against their opponents being awarded the trophy, inasmuch as one of their men, Howard, who played on that occasion, was a senior, the protest, was considered by the Association Committee, who admitted that the protest ought to be upheld, but suggested that, if possible, the difficulty should be overcome by playing the match over again, if teams could be got together. However, it appears that a match cannot be arranged, and the cup will, therefore, in all probability, fall into the hands of the Gordon 11.

Subscribers to the "lending branch" of the Free Public Library will be glad to learn that the fourth order of new books for the institution is to hand, the volumes numbering nearly 600, and costing close on £200. Every department of literature is represented, so that the tastes of all classes of visitors should be satisfied.

The question of school truancy, which is being so vigorously dealt with here, is also occupying the attention of Southern school committees, who have been watching the action of the Auckland Truant Inspector and the City Schools Committee. It is agreed that nothing but official action and the terrors of the law will keep some neglectful parents up to their duty. As showing the dislike of restraint which is evinced by the colonial youth and the desire to rove about, the police the other night found some lads sleeping in a stable at a late hour, who had all comfortable homes to go to, but preferred the Bohemian life they were resorting to.

Commenting on the recent Ministerial junkettings at Wintgn, the Dunedin Star says : —" Previously to the funeral banquet over the buried hopes of Bruce the Hon. Mr. Ward addressed his constituents, and, so far as can be judged from the telegraphic report, he made a sensible, practical speech, studiously moderate in tone. It is much to be regretted that a man of his character and capacity should be associated with colleagues whose ways we can hardly conceive can be his ways, and with several of whom he can hardly have an idea in common."

On Nardoo Flat (says the Kumara Times) there is a claim which has once or twice suffered from a peculiar and wholly unaccountable shrinkage in its returns. The claimholdera were at their wits end to discover the cause. One day, however, one of the party chanced upon a singular theory. His mates were incredulous when he averred that the gold had been stolen by the rats which swarm in the localiry. One day, however, when the theory had become more familiar by repetition, a rat was caught. The party proceeded carefully to pan off the rodent, with the result that they obtained the good prospect of two grains. The result of this prospecting completely opened the eyes o' the shareholders. who, we presume, no longer suspect midnight prowlers, or duffer bars We shall not feel surprised now to see a general raid on the rat tribe, and a rattling good washing up for Christmas.

The regular monthly meeting of the St. Andrew's Lodge, No. S, N.Z.C., was held at the Masonic Hall, Princes-street, last night. Brother T. Thomas, the W.M., was in the chair, supported by a full list of officers and members of the lodge, and with a good attendance of visitors, among them being Brother the Rev. \». Konaldson, Grand Secretary. The business of the lodge was the initiation of a candidate into the craft. Before the lodge closed three candidates were proposed for initiation and three brethren for affiliation to the lodge.

The Board of Review for Ohinemuri County, Messrs. McGowan, Brodie, and Douglas, have returned to Thames. On Thursday the adjourned business for the Thames County will be taken, and afterwards all objections re assessments within the borough of Thames will be dealt with.

The statement of values of land proposed by the Government for the three years commencing the Ist April, 189-2, is now open for inspection by ratepayers at the City Council offices.

Tin# subject of Professor Golledge 3 lecture in the Y. MX. A. Rooms, last night, was "Palmistry," a science, if science it be, that ha 3 lately been attracting considerable attention. The professor treated his theme in an interesting manner, and argued that, while there might be a great deal in the principles of palmistry generally, some of them were merely theoretical. He read a letter from Mr. C.J. Parr, solicitor, in which that gentleman stated that his doubts as to phreno-physiognomy had been practically dispelled by the professor, whom he considered had " exceptional power for the delineation of character." At the close of the lecture, the professor examined the heads of two gentlemen, each of whom stated thao he had been previously examined by celebrated exponents of the science, and added that Mr Golledges readings were even more complete unci accurate. The lecture this evening will be on " Physiognomy."

The monthly meeting: of Ara Lodge, N.'Z.C., will be held in the Freemasons Hall, Princes-street, at 7.30 to-night. To-day. at noon, Messrs. S. Cochrane and Son will hold, at their mart, an important sale of valuable town, suburban and countty properties. Blondin gives his farewell performances in the open air. to-night and to-morrow opposite the ferry tee, Queen-street wharf when the Newton Band will be "' attendance. He leaves for America on Saturday next. All intending patrons of the Band of Hope, gathering in the City Hall next Mond t V Tuesday, are elsewhere notified where tickets may be obtained. Seats may be reserved at Messrs. Wild man unci Lyell 8 stdt "'' et J depot, Victoria Arcade. here is already an active demand for reserved seats. The annual general meeting of the Auckland Permanent Co-operative Luildinf, ana Investment Society, for receiving the annual report and accounts, and electing a c 0 1" mitteeof management and auditors for th ensuing year, will be held at the othces Society on Tuesday, the 7th prox. tions of candidates for office must be md je with the secretary, on or before the aist instant. The Auckland Rowing Club will hold a smoke concert to-night, at the Bi o ow ; n i when the New Zealand Amateur Rownig Association's colours will be presente ( , M. Keefe, amateur champion scul er_of New Zealand. The President a and other medals will also be presented to successful com g ])etitors during the past seas " n,i q q > 3 are to be seen in Messrs. Upton and 00. 8 | window.