THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY MAY 24, 1892.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8886, 24 May 1892, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY MAY 24, 1892.

A proclamation appeared in the NewZealand Gazette of April 14, and we think that when we state the effect of it, the teetotal party, and a good many others who aid the cause of temperance, will be somewhat surprised and grieved.

To give the history properly we must go back to the year 1881, when there was a Licensing Bill before the General Assembly. At that time there was a good deal of sentiment evoked about the Maoris, and how they could be saved from the terrible evils of intemperance. A great many who would not give up their moderate enjoyment of stimulants, were yet eager that the natives, who could not govern themselves so well, should be rigorously prevented from having any access to intoxicating liquors. By consent of all parties the following clause was inserted in the Licensing Bill:—

The Governor, on the application of the owners of any block or area of native land on which no publican's license has been hitherto granted, may, by proclamation in the Gazette, declare that no license shall be granted within such block or area, and it shall not be lawful for the licensing committee to issue any license to take effect within any block or area so proclaimed.

The rubric to the clause is " Governor, on application of owners, may prohibit licenses on certain areas of native land/' The object was to prevent for all time the issue of licenses in the King Country, and there was much jubilation on the subject. It will be observed that although the Governor has power, on the application of the owners, to prohibit licenses on certain areas of native land, nothing at all is said as to his having power, on the application of any owners, to restore the power of granting licenses. The teetotal party took an immense amount of trouble on the matter. A deputation, accompanied by the late Mr. C. O. Davis as interpreter, went up to the King Country and saw all the principal chiefs, includ ing Tawhiao, who was much less approachable then than he is now. They all signed a petition asking the Governor to issue a proclamation prohibiting for ever the issue of licenses in the King Country. In 1884, a proclamation was issued reciting the section above given, and declaring:

Now, therefore I, William Francis Drummond Jervois, the Governor of the colony of New Zealand, do in pursuance and exercise of the power and authority vested in me by the said Act, hereby proclaim and declare that no license shall be granted within the area of native land described in the said schedule.

Then follows the schedule Since that time there have been various troubles. In that district there have been a considerable number of men engaged on the railway works, just those men who are patrons of a hotel, and who want to be supplied with liquor occasionally. There have been accusations that sly grog-selling existed. Further, it has been averred that hop-beer ,of altogether unnatural strength for that tipple has been sold. Indeed, there have been several prosecutions for having hopbeer of more than the regulation power.

But now comes a new development. In the Gazette of April 14 there is a proclamation setting forth that "I, James Prendergast, the administrator of

the Government of the colony of New Zealand," and so on, " m pursuance and exercise of the power and authority conferred by the Licensing Act, 1881, and of all other powers and authorities enabling me in this behalf, and acting with the consent and at the request of the owners of the lands described," etc. The proclamation is thereupon revoked, and another schedule proclaimed with this alteration—" from the abovedescribed area, subdivision C of the Orahiri block, containing by admeasurement one acre." This acre is at Otorohanga, and the owners, we are informed, are Mr. John Ormsby and Mr. John Hettit, two half-castes of considerable influence. It is believed that it is intended to make a licensing* district of this one acre, and to issue a

license for a house standing on the ground.

It is stated in the proclamation now issued that the former proclamation is revoked at the desire of all the owners of the King Country, but we have

never heard of any petition from them on the subject. The whole thing appears to have been done by the owners of the acre. We believe that if the opinion of the whole of the native owners of the King Country were taken, it would still be in favour of keeping out any licensed house. If the Government has power to proclaim any acre in any part of the King Country a licensing district, and to license a house on it, then the former proclamation and the clause in the Act may be swept away altogether. The whole country had better, to save jobbery and corruption, come under the ordinary provisions of the Licensing Act.

Zealand v. W. B. Edwards. The case ■was brought before the Supreme Court of Mew Zealand in May, 1891, there being on the Bench the Chief Justice, Justices Richmond, Williams, Denniston, and Conolly. Sir Robert Stout and Mr. H. B. Vogel appeared for the plaintiff Mr. G. Harper, Mr. M. Chapman, and Mr. T. Cooper for defendant. The point was, whether Mr. Edwards's appointment was good, seeing that his salary had not been provided by Parliament. The Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Conolly were of opinion that as there was no authority in law for making the appointment, the judgment of the Court ought to be for cancelling the letters patent. Mr. Justice Richmond, Mr. Justice Williams, and Mr. Justice Denniston were, however, for the defendant. The Government determined to appeal against the decision of the majority, with the result that the appeal has been successful. We have always been of opinion that the appointment ought not to have been made as it was by Sir Harry Atkinson, but that, in the circumstances, the Government ought to have compromised the matter with Mr. Edwards, and have compensated him for giving up his practice at the request of the Government to become a Judge. The appointment was made by the Government of New Zealand, and Mr. Edwards himself, and many other distinguished lawyers, were of opinion that it was good and valid. Mr. Edwards, in a memorandum to the Government 011 the subject, said, "My appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court, was strictly in accordance with every existins precedent in the colony, and even if it should prove that my commission could be avoided upon technical grounds, the public faith of the colony requires that the terms of the contract entered into with me by the late Premier of the colony should be strictly adhered to." An attempt was made on behalf of a man sentenced to imprisonment by Mr. Edwards to effect release from gaol on the ground that the judge sat illegally, but it was found that that would not do. The only thing gained by all this litigation is that it is demonstrated that Sir Harry Atkinson did an illegal act, and that certain lawyers in the colony were ail wrong' Mr. Edwards will now have a claim for compensation which it will be impossible to withstand.

Our cable messages to-day contain intelligence of the wreck of a Brazilian ironclad, and the loss of I'JO lives. No particulars are given. Tho Privy Council has decided that the appointment of Mr. Edwards as judge of the New Zealand Supreme Court is illegal and invalid. The London Times, in commenting on this decision, says that had they come to any other opinion they would have struck a severe blow at the independence of the judiciary in the colony. The civil war in Venezuela still rages. The rebels are reported to have gained another victory. Deeming, the Windsor and Rainhill murderer—a criminal whose career has occupied so much prominence latelyyesterday suffered the extreme penalty of the law in the Melbourne Gaol. The condemned man appeared to fully realise his position, and the enormity of his crimes, and to die penitent. He has left a written statement behind, but it is doubtful whether the authorities will permit its publication. We hope they will not. It would be a relief to know that we had heard the last of Deeming and his atrocious deeds. A terrible boating fatality is reported from Melbourne. While a football team were crossing the harbour in a boat their craft was struck by a squall and capsized, all the occupants, lifteen, being drowned.

Some of the Auckland shippers of apples for the London market aregreatly exercised over the fate of their consignments. One shipperof about, 180 cases will get less than a total of 10s, when he has paid freight and London charges. He thus loses his fruit and trouble, and about £20 to boot. Messrs. White and Co., of London, say:—"There is one thing we may tell you, they came in the cool chamber with the meat that was

frozen. This ought not to be. They should nob be frozen. Fruit after being frozen spoils after being turned out, and becomes rotten. They should be carried where the temperature is about 45 degrees, then they will travel all right, but they must be away from the meat. The sorts you have sent seem all right, except the last three named —the Cellini Pippin, Whitestone ditto, and Ohinemuri, but the apples must be wrapped in a rather stiffer paper than you have got them, and have a little piece of newspaper under the wood, and each case must be

packed tight." A further letter by the San Francisco mail states : " Enclosing account of apples by another steamer. Those were all in bad condition, even those that made the highest prices were rotten. They appeared as if they had got frozen on board the steamer, and then afterwards cooked. They are in a most frightful condition."

The Antarctic whaling question seems to have taken quite a hold on those interested in such matters in Dundee and Peterhead, as from news received by the last mail it is stated that three vessels are to be despatched to try what sort of fortune they will have in the venture. They are all fitted with steam-power, which is becoming quite a feature in whaling operations of these days, it being found almost absolutely necessary in the case of the whalers who prosecute the industry in the Arctic Ocean. There the whales have been pursued so unceasingly that ships have been forced to proceed further north nowadays than they would have dreamt of a few years ago, and the chances of being caught in the ice are thus intensified. As a result steam has come to the fore, and there are quite a number of steam whalers hailing out of New Bedford and San Francisco, who go to the Arctic each year, returning to the latter port about October or November. These steamers, it has been found, can run greater risks in the pursuit of their calling than sailing vessels, as they can go where it would not be safe for a sailing vessel to venture. Years ago whaling in these waters was a very important industry, there being a large number of vessels sailing out of Sydney and Hobart, besides those from America. To-day there is not a single American whaler in these waters, and the last of the Hobart whalers was withdrawn from the business a few months since. A writer in a Sydney paper says : — "It is a far cry to Peterhead; but should this trio of blubber-hunters find sport plentiful, it will probably give an impetus to speculation in the colonies. Now that freights are at ruinous figures, an inducement to hunt in the Antarctic would the easier find favour amongst colonial shipowners. The idea of employing steam in the business is a new departure, and it will be the more interesting to note how it pays."

The P. and 0. R.M.s. Paramatta was the last of the mail steamers to call at Hobart for fruit this season. During the visits to Hobart the mail steamers of both the P. and 0. and Orient lines have secured large cargoes of fruit, ranging from 2800 to 24,000 cases, three vessels having taken upwards of 20,000 cases each. In all nearly 116,000 cases of fruit have been taken by these two lines. Some other large shipments, such as 31,000 cases by the s.s. Elderslie, 20,000 by the e.s. Port Pirie, 14,000 by the s.s. Port Victor, and smaller consignments, bring this year's exports of fruit from Hobart to London to upwards of 170,000 cases. As showing the growth of this trade, it may be mentioned that three years since the import of apples into England from Hobart was some 30,000 bushels; in the year following (1890) the figures had risen to 40,000. Last year the importation rose to 140,000 bushels, and year it is over 170,000. Ib has been estimated in Hobart that, next year's total will be close on 300,000 cases.

The well-known barque Acacia arrived at Dunedin on the 16th inst- from Hobart with her ensign and house flag flying at half-mast. Captain Herbert reported that on the morning of the 15th a fine young man named H. W. Dosseter, a native of Hobart, and one of the ship's apprentices, fel from aloft whilst engaged in loosening the foretopsail, and struck the vessel's side in his descent, falling into the sea, and sinking almost immediately. The vessel was at once brought up to the wind, but nothing could be done for the unfortunate young fellow. Dosseter was only 18 years of age, and was greatly respected by all on board, i

Amongst the passengers ~ ~~~ the steamer Te Kapo from Th* gPlf* h 7 terday was Lord Maasereen? wU yesthe colony. from AustraliaV "u 10 back, and hag since been eni?a^ t -"? 8 ing the various points ° int - res^K North and South Idands. est in At a meeting of the Auckland !>;«. ■ ? nci i* y egt «day, Mug \i - v L. F. Edger, who was elects rn the college graduates, took her was welcomed by the chairman Sm-' \ Bd 0 Korke, who remarked that another ' '• ber of the same family wag the fir-' 03 in the British Empire who had r>,-. Wcrriaa University degree. H 0 a action, in this respeot, of th« N„ ? th « University and its affiliated" co'V y alar " the position still maintained bv'T' uh Universities of England. It Wa - r r% : consistent to admit women to thJ^r 1 1) in ' eity examination- and yet refuse ,"niv-r----tioni of their merit by admitting graduates, however successful iLv V be in competition. In the Univ* Cambridge two ladies had attaine-W highest possible places in the X V he Miss Fawcett and .Miss Ramsav it fmer was above the So-called Senior \V r of the year, and was thus fi r < ■' i? • mathematics, and the other ladv u't • 13 larly successful in classics. 'HpV-V""' doubt that Miss Edger would be n- ';'i ! a member of the College Counc'i "'m' v Edger suitably replied. ' : The weather yesterday was of a boisterous character, the wi- i Vl ? r -' hard from the south-east, aro^r° W '": with a perfect deluge of rain VX" 1 * 1 tinued throughout th- div 1' COn ' impeding general business, more e^r y amongst, the shipping. The £lea^ la ''); Kapo did not arrive in harbour from , South until the afternoon, she h'ivi perienced very thick, rainy weatlJr ,I Cuvier Island. The departure of Clansman for Russell and the Sort), ? delayed until about half-pant eitrh^" last night, and the Waiotahi, fori u and Opotiki, has been postponed utuiUHi" evening. Towards night the rain c ea -' the wind going more to the *outhv-~!' with occasional squalls of rain, South state the weather there' was of a somewhat similar charpV--/!'-that experienced here. "~ r !: Our Aratapu correspondent wri'c-= '—a painful accident befel Captain Wednesday, May 18, at Aratapu.' painting a house on a wharf near V- p rison's, and, for the purpose,w waul;Vul ; long ladder which overtopped the (only an office). The foot of the laj'd'f had been placed about two feet iron: + edge of the wharf, and it is supposed th'a Captain Francis must have placed "h weight on the part which overtopped tS building, thereby causing the foot to s'"'i over the edge of the wharf. The cap-V-', fell over with the ladder, and wa? found ian insensible condition by one who wi-. nessed the fall, and was partly in thews'"between a log and some rocks. He w?l bleeding from the nose, and had a bruise ovethe eye. He was carried home, but never rallied, and died about nine o'clock the same evening. Deceased was a member c the Masonic body, and his brethren took over the funeral arrangements. Captain Francis was born in Berwick on Tweed in 1822, and came out to the colonies in i 5.37. For some time he traded in Victoria, but later he came to New Zealand, and fur'some years was lighthouse-keeper at Kaipar? Heads. From there he came to Aratapa and his life since was a hard one. He wa.really too feeble for work, but from necessity had to do something. He leave; i wife and one daughter.

The rain which set in early yesterday morning lasted all day, and begin to clear off at seven o'clock last night" It was the most unintermittent downpour we ha\« had this season, and must have accomplished a great deal of good in cleansing the gutters and watercourses of stagnant sewage and surface drainage It i- slated that the city water supply ha? not been sc low for years past, and the rain oi yester day will, therefore, be doubly welcome.

The following circular has been issued by Mr. L. Hanlon, Government pomologist, to all Fruit-growers' Associations known to the Agricultural Department:—" With a view of ascertaining what I\e\v Zealari orchardiats have done in the way of fighting the codlin moth (Carpocap<a fjomond'a) and the mussel scale (Slylilapsis pomorum\ I shall feel obliged if you will submit the following questions to two or more fruitgrowers in your district who have had experience with either or both of these pests: ]. Codlin moth," what means have teen

taken to light this pest, and the result;, favourable or otherwise? 2. If sprayed with arsenites, in what proportions, and with what kind of prayer, how often, and was the foliage damaged ? 3. Were bondages used, how often removed, and grubs killed ? 4. Mussel scale, what means were taken to fight this pest, and the result favourable or otherwise ? 5. State proportions of remedies used, and whether the trees and fruit were damaged by then cr not

A number of parents were brought before the Police Court yesterday, charged with having neglected to comply with the compulsory clauses of the Education Act, by failing to send their children to school. One poor woman said that her son had no; a suit to go in at present. He was a great help to her in carrying home washing. His father was paralysed, but his mother sent him whenever she could. The Bench considered this no excuse, and made the usual order. One father excused himself on the ground that he sent his boy to school, bur the latter played truant. "He had often taken him to school personally, and he could do no more. A number of other excuses of various natures were heard, but in almost every case an order was made. The Bench said that some of the cases were very hard, but they had no option but to make the order. In addition to the above a rather serious charge of trespassing was brought by Daniel Arkell, of Newton, against a man named Thomas Lamb. It appears that the man resented being discharged by Mr. Arkell, and made some threats against him. Mr. Arkell thought the matter so serious that he carried a revolver about with him, and on Saturday night, when the man came to his hou-e using abusive language, lie fired off the weapon to scare him. Lamb was lined 10s, with the option of twenty-four hours' imprisonment. At the Thames Police Court, yesterday, before Mr. H. W. Northcroft. Resident Magistrate, Herbert Cooper, of V arahoe, pleaded guilty to a chaige of on the Lth instant offering for sale certain loaves oi bread which were deficient in weight, ana was fined 40s and 14s costs. W. Thompson, of Thames, was charged with a similar offence. Mr. Miller appeared for the defendant, and pleaded not guilty.. The detenec was that the bread had not been offered lor sale, it having been brought into the shop from the bakehouse by defendant's wife at the request of Constable Stapleton. lie Resident Magistrate said that under the circumstances he would have to dismiss trie charge, as the bread had nob been oe^ e , for sale, although it had been clearly prove that it was light in weight. i Another very old colonist Mr. Fatric* Heath of iSorthcote died yesterday at J - ago of about 90 years. He arrived in Zealand from Sydney 50 years a<:o, am was in the employ of Captain Hobson, ti first Governor of New Zealand, for jouk time, both at the Bay of Islands anc •' Auckland. His wife is still alive, and « leaves a grown-up family of four so " fe 'V two daughters. He has resided at -Nor. cote for the last 40 years. , We (Otago Daily Times) understand Uia before the representative in this cow . ; . the Alliance Fire and Alliance - ' nJ Insurance Companies opened negotia with the Union Insurance Company i transfer of its business, the National surance Company were a PP roac ,„ 5 a the object of ascertaining if there . J'for probability of an offer being a . cc men 6 that company's business. As now" . - s was held out to continue negotiate ■ , understood no formal offer was ms e. Yesterday afternoon an old sett ei< * Edward Barry, of Takapuna, met i frotl) painful accident. He was euffer ' « nn j a asthma, and had got off the p-s. ' t j m , in order to rest himself on sortie } r ' non «on. ber, when he slipped, struck the . p _ b] . and fell into the sea. _ A son of - - ljfe _ Collis and Mr. John Wells threw ni l a3 j«ted buoy, which he caught, D^'rpS c Tye, upon the vessel by Messrs. " "attended and Hendry, where Dr. Orpen atw to him. He was removed by w .. Collis to the Flagstaff Hotel, Barr y is attended by Dr. Roberts. Mr. * . >cl about 74 years of age, and recci buD on the bead, also a shock to his-y the doctor believes that by . 1>» 8' r few days he will soon be all right at,

Auckland University College Council Sd. yesterday, a report from a Com- •. p appointed to consider an offer from " Agricultural and Pastoral Association ! he t >,Please of the property of the Sinclair i Allies Scholarship Trust at Green sn This report recommended that the k" ie ' tv be leased for ten years, at the ffiinV rentals First year, £50 ; second, -s tbfrd fourth, and fifth, £100 ; sixth, £ im- seventh. £120; eighth, £130; ninth, *liii' tenth, £150 ; the Association to put , . building in thorough repair, and keep , so durin |T their tenancy, and to have £option of purchasing the property for Sou at any tune during the ten years. \\e hive to hand Baby," an Illustrated \i,k' magazine for mothers and those D \°" li lve lie care of children, edited by m Ada S. Hallin. and is printed by the u »Vir<l Publishing Union, Limited, Great " .inret London, W.C. It contains Article 'on "The Nursery," by the • others are on "Infantile Convul. efll n , %ml their Management," by Dr. o!Ln*- Outlines of Physiology and iki'iene/ hv Mrs. Seharles. M.D. ; "Songs f Children," "Children's Fashions." " lie- . u and Punishments," " Nursery rt'Lerv," " Unhappy Children," arid " The it ion of a Kindergarten Teacher." In • lU ' bitter ease the writer says the first % tv to be looked for in a teacher is I't'li 'moral principle, next a bright and i,,;ful nature, and thirdly the sense and i 'liiv of method and order. Another tint 'i- culture, for it is partly a mistaken JXuv.iof the lines of Kindergarten teachv". - hut has given rise to the absurd idea \" r bt'i' ui-e a student is not tit for teach• •,u' in the higher or older classes of a high ' hvl that, she may take her limited faculties into the Kindergarten. \ow that the income tax is in operation :) :hi» colony the following extract from a "..-cut home" paper will be of interest:— '• Imlizmciit was given in the House of Lords „i Monday in the appeal by Mr. Tennant, V :ILL .,',t, Montrose, against a judgment *,i the Court of Session in favour of the surveyor of taxes in Dundee, who main■lined that he was intitled to include, in I'i'imatiii'- r - Tennant's income, the nlue'of the house which he occupied rent f-ee above the bank premises. The appel- : contended that the house rent formed ' i'Jiart of his income, as the occupation of it' was compulsory ; and the rent, which 1-ii il-scssed at £«">(). was much more than be won! 1 have paid for a houso had he been .-'. v to take a house on his own account. Tne Lord Chancellor moved that the appeal he sustained with costs, and said that under ..... Income Tax Act nothing was income ii'n'ess it. could be turned into money, and t'"l« the appellant could not do, the i ji. iva? not his, and he could not even sib'.:' it The appeal was sustained with

CO-'..-. 1; was intended to have finished up the Auckland bowling season to day with a series inarches on the* oaf ton Road green, which w t uM have lasted the whole day. Arrangements were also made for luncheon. Qttf ni T to the downpour of yesterday it is i,- : ira-iv nrobable that the green will be in r eJaaition for play, and the interesting . reunion may almost be regarded as

A- to? weather was so unfavourable last li.-ht, the lecture to have been given before he i.rat'ton Read Mutual Improvement Jiiciety, by the Rev. S. J. Serpell, on ■'Bu-h Life in Australia," was postponed.

List nijht Constable Abrams arrived from Waipti by the s.s. Wellington in ch..".'? of a lunatic named Henry Duperry, vn.\ it i- said, was only released from the A-viu:u three weeks ago, and has been twice in the Asylum.

The following motion has been tabled by Mr. Hews on fur next meeting of the City Council" That the penalty due to the City Council by the Tramway Company for tn-non completion of the tramlines be enfreed."

The area thrown open for selection to naval and military settlers in Auckland, un:cr the Act of last session, is about 5000 sc.-;.-. It is to be cut into sections of from 50 to 100 acres, to those whose age will not preclude their settling on the land. The applicants in this district are said range i:u!D 3d to close upon 100. Some of them would prefer a cash grant for their remission certificates rather than go on the land at their time of lite.

The following intimations as to missing friends are from Lloyd's Weekly of April 10 and 17:— J. M- Vezey sailed from Gravesend for Auckland, New Zealand, in the Queen of the North, February, ISCI In 1*67 lie left his brother Tom in Sydney. Torn i- now in England, and is anxious for news. .Mr. If origan was living at Mersey • street. New York, about ten years ago. His daughter Mary longs to hear of him, in 1 also of Iter sister Bridget, married Mr. Bancroft. and last wrote from Picton Cott.e.'e, Star Hotel, Whitley-street, Auckland, \ew Zealand, eight years since. E-rh-i-r Howard left England in 1574, last 1-trer twelve years ago from Willow Lodge, 20. Maclagati street, Dunedin, New Zealand. Her daughter Emma seeks her. Robert Anderson left Coatbridge, Scotland, about eleven years ago, last wrote to brother Robert from Mullocky Gulley, near New Zealand. Maria B.ake, Tire smith, native of Oxford, left Kilburn about :17 years ago ; last address, care of Rev. Hrr-.vn, The Bush, New Plymouth, New Zealand. Her sister Jane seeks news. John i ollin loft Sutherland 3S years ago ; lav heard of in New Zealand about August, N'T. His daughter is anxious for news. Ta iinas Chambers, shoemaker, and his wife Sepr.ie, v. ere last heard of in ISS4 from Tirnaru, New Zealand, he was then workin'.' for Messrs. Wade and Shea, bootmaker-. Sister* Rebecca and Mary would like to hear of them. John Thomas Couts left Mile-end about 1575; when last heard w H.i- at Wyndham, New Zealand. iJiiughter Agnes asks. (Father and mother are dead.l Mary Ann Dixon left Brighton for New Zealand '20 years since ; last heard of in Auckland three years ago, married to John Brown. Her aged mother longs for news Mrs. W. Haydon, since remarried (Mrs. H. (>. Williams) in 1576 was addre—ed " I'o-t (Jtliee, Wellington, New Zealand." She left Greenwich for New Zealand, July, 1*74. Her sister Jarre i ances asks.

A correspondent " Comme il faut," thus comments on "official etiquette"' in local public bodies:—"Mr. Wilheford's notion that the members of the Harbour Board mi;entitled to obtain information respectin-' the affairs of the Board from any of its officials is not- so much a question of right ii is one of office rule and courtesy, Till.' y;i.aie question once arose in another local Hoard, and they decided that it was not desirable the subordinate officials should interfered wjth while at their respective ''"ties, find that any information wanted shjuici he obtained through either the chairman at meeting" or through the clerk "' other times. Of course it greatly <».-|itri<ls on the class of work done, or K-ition that an official occupies, but it is '"■' I 'lit that if subordinate officials have ,- ert:.in work to do which the head of the d'-'Mrtment i- responsible for seeint: done, " ,ir ' ,i, time is otherwise occupied in proHiring private information or returns, the official cannot know how the r -l" r - time is occupied, and it must lead to "resit irregularities. Should there at any ,I; ne be any disposition to prevent members Ruining all the information they require, ' -.V have only to give notice of motion to en "i're being at once supplied."

At din usual Lodge of Instruction of the "iteil Service Lodge(N.Z.C.) last evening, e was .'in unusually large number of bi-fciJuew, principally to wish Brother K. 11. Lir.fjii, 1(, y-by, en the eve of his ' f -parture for hi- native country, Denmark. , the lodge was closed the brethren adjourned hi thy Albert Hotel, where Brother 'k«_* li.nl provided a supper. The wast of . ' evening was "The Health of Brother •"■ir-on,' which was heartily drunk. A pliant evening was spent, and the company broke up by wishing brother Larson '3d speed" and a pleasant passage to his n:< live land.

The formation of "circles" in connection Wlt 'i the Australasian Home Reading Union f-'oinir on rapidly in the Southern pro"'cos. The movement commenced in this j ol «ny at Wellington. "Croups" are oriaed in country districts, and " circles " " <•'« centres of population and their üburb*. The method adopted is to prepare syllabus of reading, the course being »*en up by associated groups of friends, or 110 may unite with others in studying j '-me of the specified sections. No attempt been made in Auckland, so far as we in«r» Ware ' 10 form a branch cf this useful p* nation. No more instructive method J' <1 be adopted of passing away the w "iter evenings.

Considering the unfavourable state of the weather, a very fair audience assembled at the Opera House last night to witness the performaace of "Dr. Bill" by the Myra kemble Company. The continuous and hearty laughter and unstinted applause demonstrated that the audience were more than satisfied with the entertainment provided Dr. Bill will be repeated for the last tune to night, and on Wednesday evening it will be replaced by " Sunlight and Shadow," which should prove a very interesting comedy-drama. Speaking of Sunlight and Shadow" a Dunedin exchange has the following "lb was something more than a nominal change of programme that was presented to playgoers last night. 'Sunlight and Shadow'isscarcely even a comedy, much less a farce. It is a pretty and simple tale of English domestic life, which enforces admiration positively on account of its naturalness, its pure teaching of the attainable virtues, alid its artistic construction from a playwright's point of view; and negatively, because its little gespel is delivered without affectation or snivel, and because the author has not gone outside the confines of the workaday world for his dramatis per.tome. Miss Myra Kemble finds a peculiarly charming sub ject for pourtrayal in the character of the uuseltish and lovable Helen Latimer. The requirements of the character were fulfilled in such a way as to raise this capable actress to a high position in the estimation of the audience." w e understand that to day the box plan—on account of the holiday—will be opened from ten to four, in the vestibule of the Opera House.

The tennis dance, a new measure for the ballroom, has been composed by Mr. \V. H. Spiller, Wellington, and published. It is similar to the barn dance, and should be popular. The rhythm is pleasant, in polka tempo. With each copy there are instructions for the dance. Mr. A. Eady is the local agent.

At a meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society held in March last, a paper, propared by Mr. J. Wills, was read by Mr. Weathers, assistant secretary, tho subject being "Plants for House Decoration." In his paper Mr. Wills called attention to the fact that previous to twenty years ago little in the way of floral decoration had been accomplished, but since then enormous strides had taken place. In JS7I Sir Kdward Scott set the ball rolling by placing his house in the hands of the florists for three days. This was followed by elaborate decorations at the town residence of the Marquis of Bristol, at which, among other things no less than six tons of ivy were used. Rivalry in floral decoration ensued amongst the aristocracy during the next few years, and to such an extent was the fashion carried that Lady Sutton spent £1000 in one month with the florist; and on another occasion a gentleman had his mansion in Belgravin decorated with flowers at the cost of £1400. Referring to the matter commercially, Mr. Wills in his paper stated, on good authority, that there were at the present time at least 300 homegrowers for Covent Garden Market alone, whereas twenty years ago there were not more than thirty. It was also asserted that '20,000 vanloads of plants for decorative purposes were sent into the flower market, Covent Market, last year, and that Mr. Wills' firm purchased an enormous quantity of plants from that source. Lists of tho most suitable plants for house decoration were included in the paper, palms being specially mentioned. Of these Latania borbonica, Corypha australis, Kenti:i Belmoreana, and Cocos Weddeliana were, amongst others, considered admirably adapted for the purpose, and the last-named was specially mentioned owing to its graceful habit, and Mr. Wills asserted that it may be kept in a cold room for several months without injury, but this does not concur with our experience. Other plants mentioned included Asparagus plutnosus, dracamas of kinds, aspidistras, Hydrangea variegata, ferns, crotons, and others. Stress was laid on the fact that crotons, dracsenas, palms, and similar foliage plants might be used for the embellishment of window- boxes, and to illustrate the remarks photographs of boxes containing such plants were shown. Mr. Wills said that by adopting this plan window-boxes, in addition to affording relief to those containing ordinary flowering plants, could be kept fresh from July till October, but admitted that the plants would require renewing occasionally.

Provided the weather proves fine to-day, Professor Pannell will take a header from the Norlhcote Wharf at half-past three o'clock. This professional swimmer is one of the best, if not the best, in Auckland, and his feats of skill in the water are graceful and artistic.

At the Academy of Music, Lome-street, to-night (Queen's Birthday), will be produced, by special desire of Miss Amy Vaughan's patrons, the spectacular nautical burlesque, " Black-eyed Susan," which met with such ereat success throughout New Zealand. New songs, dances, business, and effects have been introduced. Harry Cowan will appear in his great character the " Demon ])o<rgrass," and Misses Amy Vaughan and Daisy Thornton are to dance a "Tarantella." The bur lesque will be produced, under the management of Miss Amy Vaughan, at popular prices. The manager of the Columbia Skating Kink, Parneli Hall, Mr. J. C. Pelham, announces that the inaugural opening takes place and that it will be open for skating three nights a week. There will be a good band in attendance. The floor is well adapted for rinking, and the hall has been thoroughly renovated. Two or three seasons ago all Auckland was on rolling skates, and as the amusement is a healthful and pleasant one, under good management it should regain its old popularity during the winter months. The following is the state of Her Majesty's Prison, Auckland, for the week ending May '21 :— On remand, 2 males, 1 female ; awaiting trial, 7 males; boy 1; penal servitude, 47 males ; hard labour. 00 males, 15 females; imprisonment, 3 males; default of bail, 2 males, 1 female ; debtor, 1 male ; received during the week 27 males, 0 females ; discharged, 21 males, 5 females. Total in prison, 123 males, 17 females.

The s.s. Waitoa will make an excursion to Tiritiri to-day, leaving the Ferry tee at halfpast seven a.m., weather and circumstances permitting. Professor Artemns Golledge. the phrenophysiognomist, will not lecture to-night as announced, but will give the first of his 20urse of four lectures to-morrow evening in the Y M C A., and continue them on Thursday. Monday. and Wednesday. On Wednesday, Ist June, he will deal with Courtship, Marriage," etc.