Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9028, 5 November 1892, Page 4

Additional particulars of the dreadful railway accident near Thirsk, are supplied this morning in our cable messages. The disaster, it now transpires, was due to the signalman going to sleep at his post. Bub there is some excuse for the man. He had been tho night before watching ab the deathbed of his child, and when the time came for him to go on duty, he was utterly worn-out by his long and anxious vigil. He applied to be relieved from duty, bub his request was refused, and the result was that he fell asleep, unable to withstand exhausted nature. When the Scotch express or the goods train arrived at his station, the lever which would have averted the catastrophe remained untouched, and the two trains ( met. A London paper ' very properly throws the blame of the disaster upon those who refused to grant the signalman leave of absence; and it is to be hoped thab those who were responsible for - permitting him to go on duty when he was manifestly unfit, will be brought to book. Among the killed and injured were several who were on their way to Australia; and one very distressing incident is recorded, that of a woman who, pinned undor the engine, was burned to death in tho presence of her injured husband. The claim which Russia lias set up to be permitted passage for her war vessels through the Dardanelles is denounced by the German press, but is supported by the French newspapers. A report from St. Petersburg states that Colonel Yanoff 1 is on his way to that city to receive a reprimand for his action in bringing about a conflict with the Afghans. It is also stated thab the Chinese troops in the Pamirs are disbanding. Serious rioting occurred at Granada, owing to the disappointment of tho populace ab the young King and his mother not visiting their city, elaborate preparations having been made for their reception. In their rage the mob destroyed the triumphal arches which had been erected in anticipation of the Royal visit, burned the tax offices, and stoned the houses of the Tory leaders. The civic guard had to be called out, and charged the rioters, many of whom were wounded. The reason why the Royal party did not visit the town was because of the weak state of health of the infant King. The natives of Dahomey I are stated to be suing for peace, but the French commander declines to enter into negotiations with them until the whole country is thoroughly subdued. The French have succeeded in arranging a commercial treaty with Morocco. Cholera has re appeared at Hamburg, and has also broken out in Servia. One of the steamers of the Mesi sageries line which has arrived at Mel- ' bourne, the Armand Behic, has been quarantined, owing to what is described as cases of cholerine having been discovered ! among the passengers. The warship Howe is fast on a reef, and her position is considered critical. The mail steamer Monowai, Captain M. Carey, arrived in harbour last night from Sydney with the outward English and American mails. Fine weather was experienced during the, run across, though the steamer's progress was much retarded by a strong easterly swell. The team of riflemen who left here as the representatives of the city at the late New South Wales Rifle Association meeting returned by the steamer. The Monowai brings as cargo a large shipment of w001—2353 bales — which has been purchased at Sydney during the recent wool sales there, and is under i consignment to Boston. There is also a considerable shipment of specie for the United States, consisting of £375,000 in sovereigns for San Francisco. Shortly after the steamer was berthed work was started ab taking in her outward freight from here of flax, etc. The Monowai leaves for Samoa, Honolulu, and San Francisco at two p.m. to-day. The mail steamer Alameda had not arrived from San Francisco up to the time of our going to press. She may be expected early to-day, and will leave for Sydney shortly after her arrival. The large cargo steamer Rangatira, of the Shaw, Savill, and. Albion Company's fleet, which has been here for the past two months, leit for Newcastle yesterday evening, to load frozen meat and wool for London. She returns to Wellington to complete her loading. Captain Burton, of the steamer, desires to thank the friends of himself and the officers and crew for the many courtesies that have been extended to them during their stay in port, the kindness shown by all having made their visit a meat pleasant one. Last night Sir Robert Stout arrived at Onehunga, by the steamer Takapuna. He is to leave for Samoa, to appear'in the Supreme Court there, for McArthur and Co., in the case of Cornwall v. McArthur Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs : —" Sir Robert Stout was to have appeared for the Licensing Bench, in the Sydenham licensing cases, coming on before the Court of Appeal, during its present sittings, Mr. Theo. Cooper, of Auckland, being his junior. Under the new arrangement, Mr. Cooper will appear for the Licensing Bench, as leading counsel, with Mr. Cargill as his junior. This is regarded as a marked recognition of Mr. Cooper's professional status and ability." Yesterday's issue of the New Zealand Herald, including the Monthly Summary for transmission by tho outgoing San Francisco mail, which closes for newspapers at half-past eleven #this forenoon, consists of fourteen pages, comprising one hundred and twelve columns. The Summary this month contains, in addition to the usual selection of local, general, political, commercial, statistical, shipping, and mining news, a full and carefully-compiled history of the arrival of the Scottish pioneer settlers, who came to the colony in the Duchess of Argyle and Jane Gilford, together with an interesting account of the various celebrations in connection therewith, and the great Jnbilee Gathering 1 of the survivors of those early settlers and of old colonists in general. A roll of their names is appended, and in the list will be found those of many who have played a prominent part in the history of the Auckland Province. A narrative is given of the early colonisation by the settlers who arrived by the Brilliant in 1841, and also a series of valuable articles showing the progress and position of the colony as disclosed in the last census returns. The Summary, ib will thus be seen, is exceptionally interesting as a record of the early days of colonisation and the advancement of the colony. A peculiar poisoning case has occurred at Horsham, Victoria. A family named Carmichael, comprising a mother and seven children and a young lady visitor from Ballarat, made their midday meal on bread and cream. Shortly afterwards two children became ill with, violent stomachic pains. Two other children had been sent to school, and one was afterwards found in the street apparently dead. A doctor who was called in found the entire family in various stages of poisoning; but all are now out of danger. The milk had been "set " in a new tin overnight, and placed on a stove to heat. It is supposed that the heat had drawn out some acid poison in the solder. The awards for the medals presented by the Countess of Onslow, to be competed for by students attending the music classes of the Auckland University College, have been decided. Herr Carl Schmitt having selected the two papers he considered best) out of each division, with the consent of Sir Maurice O'Rorke, chairman of the Auckland University College Council, submitted them to Mr. Thomas Wood for his decision. Mr. Wood reports that of the two in the senior division Miss Harper's is the better, though there is not much to choose between it and Miss Harding's. Of the two in the junior division Mr. Davis's is decidedly the better, though Miss Reeves' answers are good. Mr. Davis and Miss Harper .were both privately prepared for this exaamination by Mr. S. Jackson, the well-known clarionet player.

10-day Mr. t ßoh*. the patentee of most of the rights of the English company With which he is connejted, and who recently returned from Queensland, where he has had plants erected :or the celebrated Mount Morgan Company leaves lor America by the 6.5. Monowai. Mr. Bolun, who intro-?",-J? 18 P roce 4 of gold saving at the Waihi Company's mine, showed a Herald representative yesterday the resuli i of tots conducted by MrTßeynolds of ore from the Martha reef. Thd highest return was 82 per cent, of gold abd 42 per cent, of silver This was dry-cruihed through a fine sieve of 60 mesh, but lie. Boh in says that It ha* been proved by texperiment that eqial results can be obtained from ore crusted through a 25-mesl. Twenty-one da/s' treatment in a percolating vat gave oily 61 per cent, of t\ie bullion. Mr. Boltn claims to have proved at Waihi tlat all the gold was soluble in from live to seven hours with cyanide. This he hid proved by a system of pressure not carried to a great extent, and with average ores ill can be washed clean in two or three hour?, although with some ores it is found tint two or throe days are required. This is duj to improper samples having been sent ti the London works on the strength of which tho plants vere designed Mr. Bohrn ha; plans of vale, etc,, intended for a plant U be erected in Queensland, and which hi has designer since ins return to Auckland Ho has also plans of a chlorination plan] designed for Queensland, a chlorine pro ducer and essimilator for saturating the water with jhlorine. It is said to hav< been proved by actual tests and experiments that by this process ores have been treated under a cost of 4s per ton. He it to superintend the erection of a plant at Montana, America. Mr. Reynolds, whe represented Mr. Bohm ab Waili during his absence, will proceed to Queensland today by the mail steamer to ere<b twelve percolation plains in different parts of Australia. f A meeting of the committee of {he Auckland' Provincial Agricultural A'sociatiou was held yesterday afternoon, 1 le object being to make final arrangement for the annual show next week. There kas a full attendance of members, and the Mr. Massey, occupied the chai. It was arranged that the Northern Steamship Company should bring the from Waitara, and also run excurcons from Tauranga, the Thamos, Whamirei, and Opotiki, while the railway department will also offer special facilities for com try residents visiting the town. Letter were received intimating that two of thi Wolseley sheep-shearing machines would be sent from Napier, accompanied by elperts, and one of the new Murchland milking machines will also be on view at the exhibition. A special partion of the paddock willbe reserved for horses and traps, and no taps will be : allowed to drive among the exhibits without special permission. An iivitation to visit the show will be sent to thi Governor's family. An effort will be madato have the usual Friday sales in the citr postponed till the following Monday, in] order that they may not clash with the exhibition. Eight new members were elect*!. It wa« decided to hold a conference pf delegates from the various Agricultural' Societies in the Auckland district on Monday, the 14th instant, to consider the quettion of consolidation.' The entries for the show closed last night, the secretary and his staff of assistants being busily engaged in receiving them throughout the day. r>o numerous are they that the totals have nob yet been calculated, but it may safely be predicted that the exhibition will be grettly superior ill every respect to that of last year. Even in the horse classes the actual entries are likely to be greater in number, and this in spite of the fact that this year each horse can be entered in one class only. The members of the executive are doing all that in them lies to ensure a gigantic success, and the response which pastoralists, farmers, and breeders have made to the Association's claims upon their support must produce the desired effect. At noon yesterday Messrs. D. Tonks and Co. held a sale of the privileges connected with the forthcoming Auckland Provincial Agricultural Association's annual show. The right for publicans' booths was purchased by Mr. P. Purceli, Railway Terminus Hotel, for £31 ; and the right for refreshment stalls (three) by Mrs. Macintosh for £6. Our Whangaroa correspondent writes as follows:"On the -3rd of October, at Kaeo, Mrs. Snowdon died from the effects of a cold. Her death and funeral were particularly interesting, on account of her being the daughter of Uruft>a,\who was the brother of Heke, the renowned "Napoleon of the Maoris." She was born sixty-three years ago, and married Mr. Davis Snowdon, who is one of Kaeo's earliest settlers. She was held in much esteem by the first settlers, whom she assisted by gifts of food, and by providing shelter, and generally taking them under her protection during those disquiot times. Mr. Snowdon died about twenty-nine years ago, and they leave behind a large family of sons and daughters. Mrs. Snowdon's high rank among the Maoris caused them to assemble in large numbers to do honour to her remains in the usual native manner, the obsequies lasting threo days. The funeral ceremony, was performed by the Rev. Mr. Uerine and the Rev. H. Pearson, the service being in Maori and in English—the former, with the chanting of the natives, striking one hearing it for the first time as being quaint and impressive, and recalling to the mind of many a white-haired old man standing by the open grave of the first religious services which were held in Mrs. Snowdon's house. The recollection of her unswerving friendship to the Europeans, and the respect for her family, caused an exceedingly large assemblage of people from near and far to pay a last tribute to her memory." In our yesterday's impression appeared a telegram stating that the Government had decided to remit the duty on cyanide of potassium when required for gold saving purposes. It would seem as if this material would be in large request for use in the process of gold saving. It is the chief ingredient in the chemical material used by the Cassel's process company, amounting to about 70 per cent., but'our tariff is so constructed that although cyanide of potassium was liable to a duty of 15 per cent., amounting to about 4d per lb., the Cassel process material came in duty free. Of late, a considerable amount of cyanide of potassium has been imported, the Sylvia company having imported seven tons within the last year. Mr. Seymour George having represented the matter to the Ministry, received the following telegram:—"Cabinet decided to-day that duty chargoable on cyanide of potassium, but when imported for use in gold saving, that duty be remitted. This, , I hope, will give general satisfaction, for I feel sure it will greatly aid mining industry. R. J. Seddon, Wellington." The use of the chemical will no doubt be considerably extended by this remission of duty. We understand that His Excellency the Governor in response to a request from the Old Colonists Jubilee Committee, has consented to his photo being placed in the supplementary shield. The idea is to have at the top of tho shield on one side.a likeness of Governor Hobson, our first Governoi (1842), and on the opposite side one of out present Governor, Lord Glasgow (1892). The Wellington Press, in noticing the recent rise in the price of New Zealand flax in London, says"lt is estimated by competent authorities that £20 per ton in London would be a sufficient price to enable the hemp industry to be carried on remuneratively, and hence it will be seen that £26 10s would leave a splendid margin for profit. The causes which have led to this largo advance are said by those wellqualified to judge to be twofold. In the first place, there has been a very great improvement made in the quality of New Zealand hemp during the past three years, and buyers of fibre are, consequently, able to purchase it with confidence, in the second place, owing to the very low prices which had ruled for a considerable time, the exportation of hemp had greatly diminished; indeed, very little of tbab commodity had been sent home of late, and there was, consequently, only a very small stock available. Doubtless the many mills which have been idle for months past will at once resume operations, and bustle and cheerfulness will prevail' where dulness and gloom have ruled supreme. We hope, however, that nothing like a boom will set in. The bitter experience of the past has shown that the market for Now Zealand hemp is ' exceedingly fickle, and anything in the nature of a rush might end in an overstocking of the market, and a collapse in the prices." Vi , n ..• ■■■ \ "

A full del jgabes from tl rarious friendly socifcies ir this city, met i Kidd's Hotel last evoing, for the purpoi of making arrangemeijsfoi bheforthcomin Hospital Sunday to ie laid on Sunday November 13th. Ml V ebb, presiden occupied the chair. ?he [programme wi arranged mainly on fcb lidos of that of la< year, that is, a procesion if the societies i regalia, with four bane, who have kind! volunteered their semcesior the occasiot The service will be bid fi the City Hall where several publicspetvkers will delivt addresses suitable to he occasion. A choi of trained singers wl render appropriat music during the poceedings, as well a solo selections by well-known vocalist! Everything points t» the second Hospitt Sunday gathering tfcing more juccessfi than that held last yev. i A meeting of the general committee c the Old Colonists Dommstratioif took plac last evening in the Youig Mens Christiai Association rooms. Air. Jamffl Ednaistoi presided. The objecl was jo pass th accounts, which were of a/satisfactory character. It was decided to erect ai obelisk, with tablets, 01 whfch should b inscribed the names of the Jiips in whicl tho pioneer settlers of tie prwiuce arrived and that permission should ie obtained t< place it in tho Albert Pa*. When th< requisite amount is in haul, steps will b< taken to carry out tho ibov<j project. The committee desire that all Jiose interested will forward any donation! to Mr. J. J, Craig, who will duly acknowledge the same. lb is also contemplated to publish, in pamphlet form, the intonation contained in the Old Colonists' parclment roll to be placed in the Free Public Library, and, by way of appendix, the iifl account published in the New Zeala*> Herald of the Jubilee Demonstration, /'0 Story of the Brilliant and the Manutau Land Association, and other incident of Old Auckland history. Mr. Craig lys got letters from Christchurch, DunedP, and the West Coast from old Auc/landers, expressing their desire to join the proposed Old Colonists' and Nativi Association. Amateur athletic /trcles throughout New Zealand will suffer* a severe loss by the departure of Mr. If. W. Batger, the wellknown hurdler, whir leaves for San Francisco by the 8.8. Monowii this afternoon. It is only a few veeks a/o since he returned to the colony, after hav.iig represented New Zealand in England * one of the team of athletes which left Auckland in March last. Mr. Bather has ever been very popular, and a wide circle of friends will wish him every success in tie future and a pleasant voyage. Our Te iroba correspondent writes :—A lad named James Whitten unfortunately lost three c his fingers on Thursday afternoon through his hand being drawn through the scutcbr at Ay 1 ward's flaxmill, Te Aroha. Tie boy was immediately taken to Mr. Robun, chemist, and was afterwards attended toby Dr. Cooper. Much sympathy is felt here or the lad, and for his parents, and the qtestion as to the advisability of mere boys leing allowed to work amongst such machiiery is again bejng discussed, and it is thcught that the provisions of the Factory Ac should be so amended as to prevent boj labour being used for such often dangecus employment. The montily meeting of the Birkenhead Borough Coined was held on Thursday evening. lenders were received for the widening aid improvement of the main road and footpaths between Northcote Terrace am Kauri Point Road, and for delivery of Sugar Works ash for various sections of road. Those of Messrs. S. Greaves and Co. (£l3 10s) and W. Low (£25) were accepted for the former and Mr. W. Low's foe the latter. The treasurer reported Cr. balance, 30th September, £41 5s 2d ; rates received to October 31, £30 Is fid ; accounts paid, £18 17s ; leaving present credit balance, £52 9s Sd. A vote of thanks was accorded to the member for Waitemata for his action in the House of Representatives re proposed alteration in the constitution of tho Auckland Harbour Board, whereby Birkenhead and other Boroughs were sought to be disfranchised. A short f irewell season of three nights is announced by Professor Archibald, M.A., at the City Hall, commencing on Monday evening next with Edison's Latest Exhibition Phonograph. We are to hear from the phonograph instrumental solos played in various parts of the world, and under various conditions, selections by orchestras and brass bands, including the band of the Coldstream Guards, a band at Meerut, and American, Australian, and New Zealand bands, songs of vocalists of many races and peoples, and speeches by the great statesmen and orators of the day. A feature in the entertainment is the Professor's terse and instructive lecture, and an important address by His Excellency the Governor to the people of New Zealand, spoken into the phonograph at Wellington. A large and fashionable audience assembled in the Mount Albert Hall on Thursday evening, when a capital concert and theatrical performance was given in aid of the funds of St. Luke's Sunday-school. The concert part of the programme was one of the best that has been given in the district for some time, and in consequence encores were the order of the evening: Especial praise is due to Miss L. Chambers Taylor, Miss Kerr Taylor, and Mr. McLean, for the pleasing manner in which they sang ; also to Miss Scherff, for playing the accompaniments. The comedy, given by members of the Dramatic Club, was well deserving of praise, the characters being sustained by Mrs. and Misses M. and V. Kerr Taylor, Messrs. Gilmore, Dawson, Haigh, and Kerr Taylor. The whole concluded with a dance. Yesterday morning the dead body of a man was found at Black's wharf, near Hobsonville, by Mr. J. Richards, of Harkins' Point. St. Mary's parish, Parnell, has a little difficulty of its own, similar in some respects to that of St. Paul's, but it does not affect the site of their church, only the site of their Sunday-school. It has been felt for som« time that the Sunday-school in a back street-in Scarboro' Terrace, and in a very inconvenient old building, did not tend to attract children, or further the interests of the school. The matter has recently been under consideration, and the necessity for a change was recognised. There is now a proposition to erect a Sunday-school on a vacant allotment adjacent to the church. It is to be let on lease for 60 years by the General Trust Board, and the object of a meeting to bo held on Thursday next, is to obtain the opinion of the parishioners on the subject. The attendance at tho City Hall last evening to witness the Edison phonograph entertainment was nob so large as it was worthy of. The various items were very clearly delivered by the "machine,"severalof theselectiona, especially that of the Salvation Army Bund, being cordially appreciated by the audience. Mr. Kelly, just before the first interval, gave a recitation in a pleasing manner. Tonight the entertainment will be repeated, several new selections being introduced. On every hand there are signs of confidence in the future prosperity of the colony, and an increasing hopefulness in the business outlook. This is more especially shown in improvements being made in the business premises of our chief thoroughfares. The latest exemplification of this is to be found in the china, glass, and artware showrooms of Mr. John L. Wilson, Quten-street (near the Queen-street entrance of the Market). For some time the requirements of his increasing trade have demanded an enlargement of his premises. This has now been accomplished, and Mr. Wilson announces elsewhere that he will hold a grand opening show of new goods next week. The new building consists of three storeys, and a large concreted cellar, with every convenience for storage and packing, from which a lift ascends to both floors above. The groat feature of the showrooms, which are conveniently and artistically arranged and decorated, and replete with all classes of goods from those of every day household "use to the latest and most charming production of the ceramic art. At the further end of the new show-room is a very handsome double staircase leading to the wholesale department above, and on the landing of this staircase is a stained-glass window, of large size, which affords abundant light for both floors. Wo must not omit to notice, amongst so much that is novel in idea and style of arrangement,- the new departure made in the dressing of the show windows. They have been enlarged and the oldfashioned step3-and-stairs method of shelving discarded in favour of large floor space with handsome whatnots at back and sides. The effect is surprisingly pretty, and much more convenient than the old plan.

e f A meeting of the Auckland Liberal Asso,b elation was held, last night for the purpose 6 of meeting and welcoming Mr. W. L. Rees, g M.H.R., and forming a committee, to ', arrange for his address to his constituents ;, in St. James's Hall on Tuesday evening 3 next. There was a fair attendance, and b the president (Mr. W. Beehan), in opening n the proceedings, expressed the pleasure they y all felt at meeting Mr. Rees, and thanked . him on behalf of the Association for his , presentation copy of a handsomely bound r copy of " The Life and Times of Sir George r Grey,'' the joinb work of himself and Miss a Rees. Mr. Rees then addressed the moets ing, and mentioned that the book he had . been so happy to present to the Association 1 had beon received with great favour, and as 1 the record of the life of a great and a good man. He did not intend to enter at length c into the general topics he would have to : deal with at his meeting on Tuesday night, : but he wished to deal with one or two points particularly affecting the Liberal Association and the labour interests. He , referred to the failure of negotiations between the Auckland tailoresses and their J employers as a proof of the necessity for the Conciliation Bill being made com--1 pulsory ; to the recent appointments to the ; Legislative Council; to the Socialistic ten- | dencies of the age; and, after indicating ' what the nature of his address would be on Tuesday, he concluded by emphatically denying that it was his intention to reside away from Auckland. After some questions had been asked and answered, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Rees, and most of those present went into committee to arrange for his meeting. The appeal that will be made to-morrow in the various Wesleyan Churches of the city and suburbs for special contributions toward the " Home Mission and Church Extension Fund" should be warmly responded to. This fund has for its object tho support of Maori Missions, the employment and support of Home Missionaries who are now labouring in outlying districts and among the scattered pioneer settlors right through the colony, to aid weak circuits that are at present unable to support their own ministers, and to provide some portion of the amount necessary for the training of candidates for the ministry. At present there are three European ministers engaged in the Maori work, and these are assisted by a number of able and dovoted Maori ministers and Maori teachers. There are 14 stations at present occupied by home missionaries, and about twenty circuits that are receiving grants in aid for various amounts towards tho support of their ministers. The total recsipts for the New Zealand Wesleyan Homo Mission and Church Extension Fund, last year, were £2131 19s 9d, of which amount about £000 were raised in the Auckland district. It is somewhat difficult for a city resident to realise the hardships and deprivations which the settlers in many country districts labour under, and when on the Sabbath day there is no minister to conduct public worship tho drawbacks and disadvantages of country life are made far more apparent than they really are or should be. For this reason the Home Mission fund has a special claim on the residents of our cities and suburbs, the majority of whom lire within an easy distance of church and Sunday-school. It is, therefore, hoped that the appeal now made will be liberally met by increased contributions. There was a large attendance of the ' Mahlstick Club last night, when the first lot of sketches in illustration of the first canto from " Ranolf and Amohia" were shown, and the new departure proved a success. The canto is full of descriptive writing, which lends itself to successful illustrations, and no better book than this can be mentioned for an artistic presentment of native life and New Zealand scenery. Oil sketches by \\. Wright, J. Yearbury, and R. Drummond, and charcoal sketches by Messrs. Gregory, Trenwith, Bollard, and others, showed the various bents of the members. Two or three attempted figure subjects, and though not as successful as the landscapes, they were an improvement on previous work. Mr. C. Holland had a good design for a panel, and a portrait by Mr. D. Robertson evinced good perception of tone and skilful handling. A total eclipse of the moon occurred at an early hour this morning. Owing to the cloudy weather, with drizzling rain, the , eclipse could nob be observed with ad- , vantage. Owing to the City Hall having been pre- i viously engaged, W. H. Jude's fifth lecture, " The Psalm of Life," will be deli- , vered to-morrow afternoon, in the Opera House. A specially good selection will be given of sacred songs and organ solos. A new paper is to be started at Apia, Samoa, to be called the Samoan Weekly Herald. It is to be published by Mr J. R. Macfarlane (formerly on the companionship of the New Zealand Herald), and will be run in opposition to the Samoa Times. Mr. Macfarlane leaves for Samoa, to-day, by the R.M.s. Monowai. It will be seen elsewhere that Mr. E. Dawson King, of Manchester, who has won a good degree as a temperance worker, will conduct a series of meetings in this city, commencing in the City Hall, to-morrow afternoon. On account of engagements in the South, he will only bo able to lecture on two other evenings, namely, Monday and Tuesday, and these meetings will bo held in St. James' Hall. Mr. King is highly spoken of by both the temperance and the general press. A gentleman who has been at the head of the Good Templar Order, the Rev. William Ross, is also expected to take part in Mr. King's meetings. At the next meeting of the Auckland City Council Mr. Hewson intends to move, "That Burleigh - street be kerbed and channelled, and that the work be done by the ward workmen." At the Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr. S. Y. Collins, J.P., one first offending inebriate was fined 5s and costs, or in default twenty-four hours' imprisonment. This was all tho business transacted. At the Opera House last night the Will's Surprise Party gave their third change of programme to a large and appreciative audience. The programme presented included new songs and dances, and the performers had to respond to frequent encores. Mons v Provo, the juggler and equilibrist, accomplished some clever feats, and the performance concluded with a screaming farce entitled "The Lunatic Asylum." The same programme is to be repeated this evening. The Band of Hope Union announce elsewhere a grand holiday programme for Wednesday next in the Foresters' Hall, Newton, when some of the choicest items of the recent successful musical and elocutionary contest will be repeated. An additional attraction will be the spelling bee contest, and as this may settle the question of the shield no doubt considerable interest will be taken in the result. The police have received instructions to prosecute any person letting off crackers in the city this evening (Guy Fawkes' Day).