THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1893.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9197, 11 May 1893, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1893.

"The Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies, and India.," was opened in London yesterday by Her Majesty the Queen, and according to the programme the ceremonial was invested with every accompaniment which could give it dignity and impressiveness, as an event of import - ance to the mother country, and to the communities all over the world which have sprung from the centre of the Empire. Her Majesty was accompanied by the Prince of Wales (who indeed has been the leader of the project from its inception), and by the Dukes of York, Edinburgh, Connaught, Fife, and Albany, the Princes Christian and Battenberg, and the Marquis of Lome. They in turn were accompanied by their families, and thus an unprece dented demonstration was made of tie favour and patronage of the Royd Family to an Institute which is to gather together a representation of tie whole Empire, and to promote a feeling of unity amongst all its widely-*x-tended parts. It is quite «videot that Her Majesty and the Prince of Wales are impressed with the Imperial unity of the British race, and are determined that as far as in them lies, the Empire shall be kept together by all the bonds which can unite a people. The official programme of the ceremonial was drawn up fry the Lord Chamberlain, was submitted to the Prince of Wales by Lord Carriigton, and was afterwards approved ly Her Majesty. The Queen was to drive from Buckingham Palace to the Institute in a full-dress carriage drawn by creamcoloured ponies, and attended by a cavalry escort. When the Prince of Wales heard that the Indian Court were sending home a troop of native cavalry to form part of the personal escort of Her Majesty, he suggested that the teams of New South Wales and Victorian Horse Artillery, who are now at Home, should also form part of the escort. It was understood that Her Majesty had expressed pleasure at the idea of being escorted by Indian and colonial military contingents. The great interest excited by the Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886, led the Prince of Wales to suggest ' that a permanent institution affording a representation of the progress made in the development of the resources of the Empire, would constitute a fitting national memorial of the jubilee of Her Majesty's reign. On the 13th of September, 1886, the Prince of Wales addressed the Lord Mayor of London, setting forth that it appeared to him that there could be no more suitable memorial of the Jubilee of Her Majesty than an Institute which should repre- I sent the Arts, Manufacture, and Commerce of the Empire. The objects of the Institute were thus formulated :— "To illustrate the great commercial and industrial resources of the colonies and India, and to spread a knowledge of their progress and social condition ; to exhibit the development during Her Majesty's reign, and the present condition, of the natural and manufactured products of the United Kingdom, and to afford such stimulus and knowledge as will lead to still further development, and thus increase the industrial prosperity of the country.'' To carry out these objects, there was to be a display of the best natural and manufactured products of the colonies and India ; a hall for discussion of colonial and Indian subjects, and for receptions connected with the colonies and India ; the formation of Indian and colonial libraries ; the collection and diffusion of the fullest information in regard to the industrial and material conditio of the colonies. The government of the Institute is vested in a chartered body, which was approved by a Royal warrant dated April 21, 1891. THe governors are 125 in number, 12 being nominated by the Sovereign, 6 by the Presidents, 36 by colonial Governments, 15 by the Government of India, 21 by county and municipal authorities of the United Kingdom, and 26 by the various learned and technical societies and institutions of the Empire. The full complement is made up with certain ex officio governors who are principally high officials of the State. Both the Queen and the Prince of Wales gave large subscriptions, and the Indian Princes followed. The, private donations from the United Kingdom amounted to £236,862 ; India gave £101,500 ; Canada, £20,000 ; Victoria, a grant of £5922, and private donations £5397 ; New South Wales, Government grant, £5915 ; New Zealand, private donations, £2853. The lowest amount is from the island of Ascension, which sent £1 10s. A permanent endowment fund has been appropriated from the public subscriptions, and is vested in three trustees —the Duke of Fife, the Earl of Rosebery, and Lord Herschell. This now stands at £141,520, and produces an annual income of £4000. ,

On July 4, 1887, Her Majesty laid the foundation stone, which was a huge block of granite from Cape Colony, with an imposing ceremony. A pavilion was erected in the grounds, capable of holding 10,000 persons. The architect of the building is Mr. Colcutt. A great quadrangular tower with a domed roof rises from the centre of the building, there being smaller towers of similar design at each end. The style is Renaissance, and the main front is 650 feet, with an elevation of 80 feet. Groups of figures and friezes adorn the entire front, the figure of Britannia standing in strong relief. The estimated •sost of the building, which covers eight acres of ground, is £300,000. Amongst the Governors nominated by the Sovereign are: The Duke of Fife, the Marquis of Salisbury, the Earl of Rosebery ; the islands of the British seas are represented by the Marquis of Lome. Amongst the ex-officio Governors are: The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the Lord Mayor v of Dublin, the Governor of the Bank of England.

New Zealand is -represented by Mr Perceval, Agent-General, and Sir Walter Buller. ' r || The name of Prince Albert i 8 i ndi _ solubly associated with the Great E hibition of 1851, which inaugurated series of such displays, and marked the Commencement of an era of commercial Hid industrial progress. It is quil( , evident that the Prince of Wales desires that he shall be connected in all" future time with the foundation and establishment of the Imperial Institute which shall remain as a monument to the 'jubilee of Queen Victoria, and which he shall bequeath to future generations as an earnest of the spirit in which Her Majesty and himself conceive that the affairs of the Empire should be conducted. The reception of the proposal, and the erection of this splendid edifice, are pledges on the part of the empire in all its parts, that they are in agreement with Her Majesty on this subject, and that it is the desire that the British Empire shall remain one and 'indivisible while the earth endures. This is the voice which j has come from the millions of India I and the remotest East, from the colonies of America, from Australasia from the West Indies and all the islands of the seas. At the laying of the foundation stone Her Majesty said •— "I concur with you in thinking that the counsels and exertions of my beloved husband initiated a movement which gave increased vigour to commercial activity, and produced marked and lasting improvements in industrial efforts. . , . I believe and hope that ihe Imperial Institute will play a useful part in combining those resources for the common advantage of all my subjects, and in conducing towards the welding of the colonies, India, and the mother country, into one harmonious and united community." The whole population of the Empire expressed their satisfaction that Her Majesty Lad been spared to complete fifty years ol a brilliant and successful reign. All her subjects will concur in a further expression of joy that she has lived to lay the foundation stone of this grand memorial of the event, and to preside at the ceremony of its opening.

The last published Gazette contains th» figures relative to tho imports and exports for the quarter ending the 31st of March last. We find that the imports show a decrease as compared with the corresponding quarter of last year. The total for the March quarter of 1892 was £1,939,841, while for the same quarter of this year the amount was £1,786,790. The fall is, we believe, owing mainly to accidental causes, and to the fact that last year the period followed upon a time of exhaustion o; stocks. The figures for Auckland were, —1892, £465,219 1893, £385,847. Weilington : 1892, £408,407 : 1893, £349.911. Lyttelton : 1892, £312.813; 1893, £350,557. Dunedin : 1892, £498,708; 1893, £434,103. In respect to exports there is also a decrease. The total of exports for 1892 was £3,956,293 ; 1893, £3,636,990. The figures for the principal ports were:—Auckland: 1892, £394,074 ; 1893, £413,085. Wellington : 1892, £656,955; 1893, £512,282. l.utelton : 1892, £633,163 ; 1893, £720,438. Dunedin: 1892, £411.294; 1893, £406,767. The ports show lug increases are Auckland and Lyttelton — the former being £19,011 above the corresponding quarter of last year, and the latter £87,275.

The crisis in Germany is raising apprehensions of war. The Emperor in a speech to the troops, after a review at Berlin, declared that if tho new Reichstag rejected the Army Bill he was prepared to enforce it, being convinced of its necessity. It « stnted that the Governments of Austria, Belgium, and Spain have consented to discuss the question of disarmament. The discussion, however, is not likely to lead to anything being done. Desertions from the British warships attending the Columbus festival at New York are very numerous, one ship losing as many as seventy men. Her Majesty the Queen reviewed the colonial troops at present in England, at Buckingham Palace, and afterwards expressed herself pleased at the manner in which the men had acquitted themselves. The Home Rule Bill is being discussed in committee in the House of Commons, but so far all attempts of the Opposition to amend it. have been unsuccessful. An amendment proposing that the Irish Parliament should be subordinate to the Imperial Parliament was rejected by a majority of 35. Mr. ward Terry.thewell-known English comodlaa, who is on his way out to the colonies under engagement to Messrs. Williamson and Musgrove, was at one time a member of the Gaiety Company. He has been connected with the theatrical profession for 30 years, and has been more successful financially than the majority of actors who have achieved fame. Out of " Sweet Lavender" he is stated to have cleared a fortune of £20,000. The Scotch Disestablishment Bill lias been read a second time in the House of Commons. The London City Aldermen have passed a resolution condemning tho Lord Mayer's toast of the Pope at the banquet to Cardinal Vaughan. Tho Lord Mayor denied that he had exalted the Pope above the Queen, and said that ho had been misunderstood. The financial crisis in Australia is now concerned principally with the re-construction schemes of the various suspended banks. In the colonies there appears to be a strong feeling in favour of the adoption of tut) schemes, but opinion at home is less unanimous. In the case of the Standard Bank, tho Scottish depositors have rejected the re-construction scheme, on the ground that it is unjust and one sided. The suspension of the Bank of Victoria caused great surprise to the London directors, who were quite prepared to meet all deposits maturing in May. It is estimated that the suspension of the six large banks has locked up forty millions sterling, of which nineteen millions are in Victoria, eleven millions in England, and the rest in the other colonies in Australia.

About a year ago the second volume °' Dicken'a novel "Edwin Drood," belonging to the Grey collection, was reported "9 stolen from the Free Public Library, by the librarian. Yesterday it was recovered in 11 very singular manner. Some unclaimed luggage was sold from an establishment, and the purchaser on overhauling his purchase found a book among the luggage, a book bearing the stamp of the Auckland Free Public Library. With considerable though tfillness he at once brought it to the librarian, Mr. Shillington, who forsnd it to be the missing volume above referred to. There are fewer undo tec tea thefts in our Free Public Library than in any similar institution in the Australasian colonies. Owing to the vigilance of Mi". Shillington and his subordinates, aided ny the police authorities, there have been no fewer than eleven convictions for theftBefore the commencement of tho I> earl . n of the charges of manslaughter at thoioncu Court yesterday, Mr. McAlistor PO) ote *?JJ to the presiding magistrate, Dr. Giles, u there wore three informations laid under en Factories Act. , He suggested that under the circumstances the hearing of these case should be adjourned. Mr. Cotter and » Mahony, who were engaged for th««W assented, and the latter suggested that «w should bet adjourned until Tuesday, a Worship said that probably he wouw j*° unable to sit on Tuesday. It was finauy agreed that the cases should ■tWKi a . journed until Saturday. Mr. McAlwtjr, in answer to His Worship, said he did w think the oases would last more tha a hour, for one case would decide the olhenj and he and counsel for the defence won arrange which case they should ta*e.

An Aucklander who has recently made the round trip to Australia and back states that New Zealand was never held in such high esteem in the Australian colonies as ib la to-day, and the people say that if they had our liberal land laws the present) depressed state of affairs there would soon pass away, lie states that wo may expect a considerable influx of old Mew Xealanders back to the colony again. While in Melbourne he went and paid ft visit to the famous Tyson Sanatorium for treating inebriates, as he has for thirtyfive years taken an interest in the curative treatment of, dipsomaniacs. On inquiring as to the charges, he states ha was told thai the charges were £30 for three weeks' treatment, or at the rate of £10 per week, but. patients will not lie taken for a less period than that above named. He expresses himself as not particularly impressed with the mode of treatment adopted, and as not presenting, in his opinion, any advantages over other modes at curative treatment or specifics for the sureof drunkenness which he was acquainted with.

The recent trouble between the Hospital staff and the police authorities over th admission to the institution of persons who had tempted suicide, unless the police regarded them as prisoners, and furnished constables to look after them, has led, to another phase of the controversy between the Gaol authorities and the Hospital staff. Paring the regime of Dr. Collins as medical superintendent of the Hospital, it was the custom of the gaol authorities to send a prisoner who was seriously ill to the Hospital to secure bettor medical treatment and accessories for him, as there is but a poor gaol infirmary, and only a fellowprisoner as nurse. One prisoner undergoing an eight years sentence was so sent, and one prisoner actually died at the District Hospital. There is at present in the gaol infirmary a prisoner who is very ill, continually vomiting, and can keep no food on his stomach, spitting blood, Ac, and believed to be suffering from ulceration of the bowels. Last evening he was put in a waggon and taken to the District Hospital, in charge of a warder, in order that he might secure the comforts and nursing which could not be accorded at the gaol, but the Hospital authorities refused to receive the patient, on the ground that he was a prisoner, but Dr. Somerville stated that he would report the matter to the Hospital Board. The warder took the patient back to the gaol again.

It is Interesting to note as showing the attention Auckland is attracting as a port and commercial centre, that several applications have been received from the homo country, especially from Glasgow, for reprint* of the report on the progress of Auckland particularly and the colony generally, made by Mr. Adam Porter at the last annual mooting of the Chamber of Commerce.

Considerable comment has been caused by the statement made at Tuesday's meeting of the Harbour Board that the docking of H.M.S. Kutoomba cost nearly £100 mote at Auckland than at Lyttelton. The statement wis generally discredited, seeing that the actual docking charges at the Calliope Dock only amounted to £84 for 11 days. It is slated now that for the five day* the vessel was in Lyttelton Dock the charge was but between £1- and £13.

At the Police Court, yesterday, Dr. Giles was occupied hearing the charge of homicide against John Nicholson, one of the principals in the glove tight which resulted in the death of Richard Campbell Forgie, and of ten others who had acted as Dificials at the tight, and who were charged with aiding and abetting Nicholson. Mr. McAlister prosecuted on behalf of the Crown ; Mr, Bauiue appeared for Mr. Lindsay Cooke, who had acted a* referee; Mr. Then. Cooper for Mr. Wakefield, who had acted as one of the timekeepers ; and Mr. Cotter for Nicholson and all the other defendants. The evidence of Constables Hutchison and Lamb, also that of Dr. Lindsay and William Forgie (the brother of deceased), was taken ; but as there were three other witnesses to be examined, and no chance of completing the case that night, tho further hearing of the case was postponed until ten o'clock this morning. Dr. Idles stated that, as he thought it desirable to go through with this chub, ho would get justices to take the undefended cases in the It.M. Court to-day, and continue the hearing of these charges at least for a few hours. Tho Court, which was crowded throughout the whole day by interested spectators, was adjourned at five o'clock.

The annua! meeting of ratepayers in tho Eden Terrace road district was held eaterdoy evening in the Waterworks' building adjoining the Board's otlice, New North Road. Mr. Adam Porter presided. The report and balance-sheet for tho year ended March 31st last showed under the heading of general account that the balance in hand at the beginning of the year was £132 15s l|d ; rates had yielded £260 1$ 2Jd ; Government subsidy amounted to £150 3s Id ; fees, fines, etc., were £42 8s lid ; refunds, £28; miscellaneous. £13 lis 2d; making a total receipt of £027 Us 6d. On the expenditure side there were : Administration, £85 18s 3d; Hospital and Charitable Aid Boa.-d, £52 17s ; and public works, £236 9s lOd, leaving a balance in hand of £252 4s 6d,> The assets, including £455 Os 7d cash in hand and in bank, totalled £1167 0s 7d, and the liabilities £74 14s Id. The report and balance-sheet having been adopted, the chairman gave an account of tho year's work and that proposed for the coming year, the meeting expressing pleasure thereat.

There was a very crowded house at the City Hall last night, and at one stage of the performance considerable confusion was caused by tho conduct of a man in the stalls. There is a door leading out of the stalls to the general staircase, and this was barred. A woman in the vicinity became faint, and the man insisted on having the door opened under threat of kicking it open. Mr. Ashton was not present, and tho disturbance disarranged the proceedings ; but finally after a few minutes del iy, tho obnoxious door was opened, although the fainting lady was not carried out. It is probable, we understand, that the matter may become the subject of a Police Court proceeding.

We have to acknowledge receipt of the Monthly Record (Y.M.i.A.) for May. It state*" the work of tho Association in all its brandies has been well sustained during the past month. During the absence of Mr. Button, on a visit to Tasmania, his place on Sunday afternoon, in the lectureroom has been filled by various friends. The leading article is condemnatory of tho recent glove fiorhc, and a hope is expressed that "by the necessary legislation a stop may be put to such heathenish g-ime«« once for all." "Lex" continues his " Notes on tho Union Parliament." Tho Rev. (J. Carter continues his " Notes on Theosophy," the subject being " Karma," or re-incarna-tion. fitly five volumes have been added to the library. Among the books of travel is Tanganyika," by Captain flore, who visited Auckland some two or three years since. The miscellaneous matter is also very readable.

On Tuesday afternoon one of those pleasing events which break the monotony of every-day life took place at Messrs. Pond and Co. factory, Freeman's Bay, when Mr. E. (;. Diddam*, on the occasion of hi* approaching marriage, was presented by Mr. Haszard, on behalf of the employes, with a handsome marble clock, coupled with best wishes for Mr. Diddams and hi* bride. Mr. Diddams briefly responded, thanking his fellotf-omployes for their kind thoughtfulness and good wishes, after which hearty cheers were given for both him and his bride. Wo may add the clock was purchased from Messrs. T. anil S. Mori in and (Jo.

The adjourned monthly meeting of the Auckland Ladies' Now Hebrides Missionary Association was held in the Young Men s Christian Association rooms on Wednesday afternoon, beginning at half-past two p.m. There was a largo attendance of ladies. Tho early part of the mooting was devoted to special prayer for the missionaries and their wives, at the present time suffering privation and discomfort in the midst of their labours. A lotter was read from Mrs. Watt, missionary's wife at Tauna, exprosling her appreciation of the large box sent to her by the Association at the end of last year. A letter from Dr. Cosh, Sydney, to the Association, expressing his thanks for the help sent by the Association, was also '"ead. No further news has been received from Dr. Lamb, hut the amount subscribed for the assistance of the missionaries has already reached the : sum of " £278. After other business had been transacted sewing was proceeded with, and a considerable amount of work was done.

The Christohuroh Press states that on the Resident Magistrate, Mr. Bishop, taking his seat on the Bench at Kaiapoi on May 1, he was informed that His Worship the Mayor, who had an engagement, could not be present, and Mr. R. Moore, another of the local Bench, was attending the Hon. J. Ballance's funeral. Mr. Marshall Nalder, on behalf of the Bar, said that for the profession practising at that Court he had much pleasure in welcoming His Worship. There had been many changes sinco the lamented death of Mr. Whitefoord, but ho •hoped the present appointment was permanent He trusted and felt sure that the cordial relations of the Magisterial Bench and the profession would bo continued as they had existed in the past. Mr. Hoban briefly endorsed the remarks made. Mr. H. VV. Bishop stated he believed his appointment was to be permanent, and already ho had formed a pleasant opinion of the district, though, of oourso, he regretted for many reasons leaving his former district. One of tho things he should remember on leaving Auckland was the testimonial presented by the members of the learned profession. He could only hope that in the discharge of their business the bar and the Bench would preserve kindly relations, however much in the hearing of the cases they might perhaps differ in opinions.

Yesterday afternoon In-pector Hickson, and a detachment of the Permanent Artil lory, under Sergeant Webb, arrived by the s.s. Ohinomuri from the East Coast. Tho latter returned to their quarters at Fort Cautloy. They are little the worse for tho wear for their roughing it in tents or in wharcs. A considerable portion of the time they were in tho field the weather was wet, which made matters uncomfortable. Owing to the survey of the disputed block having been carried through by tho Government, there is not likely to be any future trouble, and it will bo the means of opening up some fine land ultimately for European settlement.

At a meeting of the Auckland Shorthand Writers' Association at St. George's Hall yesterday evening, Mr. A. W. Kicson gave a' very interesting lecture to the members, of whom there was a good attendance. The lecturer urged the necessity of shorthand writers enlarging their knowledge of tho English language and grammar as much as possible, and getting a wide range of knowledge of different subjects, maintaining that the depth of knowledge was not so important as tho ability to apply it to the matters in hand. Messrs. Jarrett, Maclean, Heath, and Nichols took part in the discussion that followed.

At tho Dargaviile Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday before Dr. Norton and Mr. J. M. Dargaville, J. P.'e, the following cases were disposed of :—Police v. John Heron, disorderly conduct on Dargaviile racecourse. Defendant pleaded guilty and was fined 5s and costs. Police v. Joseph Pallet!, charge of being drunk and disorderly in a railway carriage. Mr. MoLeod appeared for the accused, and objected that the information was defective, as two offences were charged and the acts of disorder were not stated. Case dismissed. Police v. Palletti, charge of having endangered life by placing a sleeper across the line of Kaihu Valley Railway. Mr. McLeod defended, and objected to the proceedings as the summons had been served by tho informant. Case dismissed. Inspector of Factories v. Smith employing boys under IS in Kopuru sawmill on Good Friday. Mr. McLeod who dofonded raised a number of technical objections which were over-ruled by the Bench. The evidence went to prove that defendant was chief manager of the mill, and had under him a sub-manager, Mr. Forsdiek. Defendant had ordered Mr. Forsdick to discharge the boys on Good Friday, but the latter had neglected to do so. The defence contended that Mr. Forsdick should have been prosecuted instead of Mr. Smith. Defendant was lined £4 and costs. Mr. Mcl.eod gave notice of appeal on a number of law points and costs of appeal were fixed at £20. Cooke v. Hoi ford, claim £6 for wages ; Mr. McLeod for plaintiff. Judgment for plaintiff for £5 lis and £1 Gs costs. Moore v. Nolan, judgment summons ; Mr McLeod for plaintiff. Ordered to pay within five months or in default two mouths' imprisonment. A number of civil cases were adjourned till 6th June. On Sunday last the Right Rev. Dr. Luck, Bishop of Auckland, made his usual pastoral visit to the districtsof Pa urn lire and Howick. The reception accorded to lis Lordship in both places was of a most cordial and gratifying nature. Monsignor McDonald celebrated mass nt nine a.m. at Howick, and a second at Panmure, in the presence of the Bishop and a large congregation, at eleven. The holy sacrifice having concluded, His Lordship, assisted by the Monsignor, conferred the holy sacrament of confirmation on 34 candidates, addressing them before and after the reception of the sacrament, in a most paternal manner. At the conclusion of tho ceremony he gave to each a very pretty picture, which, it is needless to say, was gladly accepted. The members of the choir, under the direction of Mrs. J. Fleming (organist), rendered the music of tho mass in a devotional and effective manner, and received at the hands of His Lordship no small share of well-metited praise. The procession of the children to and from the presbytery to the church was pretty in the extreme. As a compliment to the Bishop Father Walter had his fife and drum band, under the conductorship of Mr. J. Smith, posted on the well kept lawn opposite tho ball door, and the youthful members discoursed some excellent selections to the great delight of his Lordship and numerous friends. In the afternoon, at three, the Bishop visited Howick, attended by Father Walter, and confirmed 30 children and adults. The church there, as well as at Panmure, looked the very picture of neatness, and was quite tilled with a most attentive congregation, many friends of other denominations being present. The Bishop addressed the congregation in very feeling terms, and in the course of his remarks he referred particularly to the great obligation parents were under to send their children regularly to the excellent Catholic school established in their midst. His Lordship took his departure for Auckland at five, appearing much pleased with the cordial reception accorded him, as well as with the gratifying results of the day's work. The church grounds, and especially the cemeteries in both places, were greatly admired, and formed subjects of much commendation by the numerous friends who came to witness the very interesting and impressive ceremonies in connection with the pretty and homely villages of I'anmure and Howick on Sunday lust.

An interesting ceremony took place last evening at All Saints' Schoolroom, namely, the presentation of the prizes to the children of the Sunday-school as the result of the examinations in catechism, scriptural knowledge, and on the year's work. There was a crowded attendance of the children and their friends. Mr. balliwell presided, and in a.neat speech exhorted the boys to study more earnestly, and not allow the girls to carry off the majority of tho prizes. After a few remarks from the incumbent (the Rev. W. Calder) to tho children on the desirability of obtaining a good name and keeping it, the prizes were distributed to the prizewinners. There were about eighty prizes, consisting of books suitable for the varying ages of the scholars. At this stage Bishop Cowie arrived, and presented to the successful competitors the prizes which he gives annually to those who attain a certain number of marks in the Bishop's prize examination in Scripture history : — Senior grade, class I. (minimum 600) : Ada Gregory, Nellie Ponsford, Lottie Merritt, Class 11. (minimum 450): Lily Gregory, Lottie Smith, Mary Smith. Class 111. (minimum 300): Louisa Stewart, Henry Foster. Honourable mention: Amy Gregory, Lily Mcllveen, Ellen Nixon, Rose Hetnus, Hazlett Adams. Junior gradehonourable mention : Basil Calder, Edith Wright, Bessie Nixon, Alice Taylor, Jasper Calder,- Lilian Young, Ermine Dnnsford, Richard Matthews. His Lordship congratulated the incumbent and the scholars on the high position, as regards his prize examination, which All Saints' Sunday — school had attained. In previous years All Saints' had carried off the largest number of prizes, and this year they had increased the proportion. The prizes were valuable books procured specially from England by the Bishop and -selected by himself. After a collection had been taken, up for the Melanesia!) mission, the proceedings closed by the singing of the doxology, and the benediction by His Lordship. During the evening the Sundayschool orchestra gave some instrumental selections. , ,'',> , . ~'.;:"..,'. Mr. W. C. Smith, M.H.R., is understood to have stated to the representative of a Napier journal that the moment the House opens he will bring up his motion for tho , abolition of the totalisator.

The result of tie ballot for a small area of land in the Ginborne district, for which there were one hundred and twenty-two applicants, has fortunately turned out in favour of the Hawke's Bay Land Board, who have succeeded In securing a bona fide settler, and not a mere speculator. Among those who applied for the land were lawyers, bank clerks, commission agents, storekeepers, el hoc genua omne. The section fell to a Danevirke labouring man. Tho block of land for which there was such an oagor demand, comprises sixty acres, of which about twenty acres is level grass land, the remainder hilly, covered with fern and scrub, with a few acres of mixed forest, about thirteen miles from Gisborno, on the main road to Wairoa. Probably tho person who would have benefited the most by securing the section is the neighbouring seleotor, and it is just possible that the cause of the phenomenal rush for the land was the fact that there was a prospective fifty pounds in view by soiling to the said neighbour.

Shortly before his death Rev. C. H. Spurgeon handed over to his son Charles the apparatus originally used in the delivery of the famous candle lecture, charging him to repeat it as opportunity offered. In obedience to this behest Mr. C. Spurgeon has been giving the lecture lately in Australia to crowded audiences. Pastor Thos. Spurgeon is in possession of 50 photographs of the candles, lantern, etc, which his father used, and is to illustrate tho lecture with these limelight views on Monday evening next, showing also the latest portrait of the famous London preacher. Tho lecture is entitled "Sermons in Candles," or illustrations (moral and religious) to be found in candles.

The secretary of the newly-formed New Zealand Society for the Protection of Women and Children (Mr. Culver, of Auckland) has received a letter from His Excellency Lord Glasgow, stating that he will with pleasure become president aud patron of the society.

Yesterday tho Rev. Mr. Robinson, of New South Wales, cavo the usual address to business men, taking as tho basis of his remarks the passage, "The Power of God Unto Salvation." He contrasted tho power of the empires of the Old World, which have long passed away, with that of Christianity, and pointed out what constituted the weakness of the one and the strength of tho other.

Yesterday Joseph Scott, who had been brought to Auckland by Constable Rist, was medically examined as being of unsound mind, and committed to the Avondale Asylum.

The usual weekly meeting of the Ponsonby Baptist Mutual Improvement Society was held last night in the schoolroom. Mr. Decsley presided. The business for the evening was a paper by Mr. B. Crawford, entitled, Is Country Life Preferable to Town Life I" The essayist handled his subject with ability, pointing out the many advantages that residence In the country afforded. An interesting discussion followed, in which Messrs. Bell, Robinson, sen., Robinson, jun., Evans, Sydney, Sansome, Sheppard, May, 1-ong, and others, took part. On being put to the vote it was decided that country life was most acceptable to the majority present.