OUR LOCAL STEAMSIP COMPANY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10133, 16 May 1896, Page 4

OUR LOCAL STEAMSIP COMPANY.

It must be gratifying to all to oWve that oar principal ideal steamsnipWipady, ihe Northern, have had diling the past year a fair share of the 1 tier state of afiaijeilthat has prevailed Is sly. The 1 Northern Steamship Compan; lias how 1 the conduct of the coastal immunisation with all oiit-districn as 'Well as having a large' Wade With Ikriaki,aiid with All the porta the Ist year's commerce has been an improve one, The company have fulfilled 111 reasonable requirements, and h»e entered into which wtl keep their fleet thoroughly Up to dai The. greatest accession of goods am passenge.r traffic lias pbeen to thy Upper Thames, and for that the com\ pafiy have tnadfe full provision by the 1 Waimarie arid W&katere. The growth and success of this company means the growth and success of Auckland, because its business is chiefly with the harbours of this provincei The directors have declared a int. dividend, aid we understand have made such ampe provision by writing down the valjes of the steamers as to place the .cohpany in a thoroughly good ppSition.\Th fl chairman in the course of hisreuirfes referred to the condition of the wWf at the Thames. It has been siitedW to such an extent that the steamW can sometimes scarcely get to it at a and it is often difficult to get aw«J from it, This is, of course, a great in\ convenience to the public. There are many difficulties in the way. The Thames Harbour Board are already deeply in debt, and the natural obstacles to improvement are serious. But if the Thames is to maintain itself as a port, something 'must be done soon. The Northern Company have every prospect that the next year will be even more successful than the last.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. We do not suppose that very many of our readers attempted to sift out the deeper meanings of the defeat of the Italians at Adowa, or that, had they dona so, they would have discovered that the battle is "a bib of weighty evidence as to the coming change in the struggle between the white and the coloured races." That is the coadtusion which a thoughtful and interesting writer in the Spectator has

come to after pondering long and seriously over the subject. He makes out a very plausible eases—The popular notion in Europe is that any white army once landed in Asia or Africa can go anywhere and do anything, that it can out through a coloured army as a knife cuts through cheese: that, in truth, the coloured races, when seriously tackled, have no permanent resisting power. That conclusion, now fully adopted, so that it is one of the common bases of thought, and is scarcely discu seed even by statesmen, is absolutely contrary to the teaching of the world's history. The white men have struggled to subjugate their darker brethren" for 4000 years, and up to the middle of the last century had effected absolutely nothing beyond a small lodgment on the nearly uninhabited extremity of Southern Africa. The dark men, after a short period of humiliation, defeated or absorbed the Greeks ; they first stopped and then conquered the Romans; and in the wonderful protracted battle which we call the Crusades, and which lasted 170 years, they defeated the picked chivalry of Europe, sustained though the white men were by a lavish expenditure of life and by the deepest intensity of religious conviction and excitement. So complete was their defeat that the white men, though always supreme at sea, actually lost Syria, Egypt, and the whole of Northern Africa, once as civilised as Italy and as completely a white possession. Even the tradition of their dominance died out,, so that, even of those who will read these lines, not one in fifty remembers that the nearly unknown Pashalik, now called Barca, was once Cyrenaioa, and one of the richest and most fertile of European possessions, In Black Africa—a vast region of unequalled fertility—a hundred efforts at conquest all failed; And it is only to-day that white' men have even explored the vast and fertile valleys of the Blue Nile, the Niger, the Congo,, and the Zambesi. For the last Eve generations, it is true, experience has been of a different kind, but even within that period its evidence has, to discerning eyes, not been wholly uninterrupted. The plain truth is that the natural fighting power of Asiatics and Africans is very nearly equal to thab of Europeans, so nearly equal that whenever the dark men are even decently organised and armed, or led by a man of capacity, the white men's advantage disappears, and they have to Sght with all the care and generalship, and even numbers, which they would require in Europe.

France, it is said, has yet another Pretender. The son of the Duo do Chartres, Prince Henry of Orleans, has recently attracted much attention among Monarchists as the ablest, or at least the most attractive, among the Bourbon Princes. He has achieved a reputation as an explorer in Indochina and Thibet, and recently was presented with the gold medal of the French Geographical Society. He was thereupon, as is customary, offered the Cross of the Legion of Honour, which, to i the surprise of ; many frenchmen, he accepted, calling at the same time, as etiquette demands, upon the President of the Republic, At a dinner given .in his honour, the Prince observed that he remembered two counsels given by his grandfather, the Due d'Orleans, ip his will— be " the passionate servant of the revolution, and to manage to get forgiven for being a Prince.' 1 He thought be had achieved that forgiveness. It is said that ail that remains of Boulangism, gathers round the Prince, that he is rapidly forming a party, and that his idea is to be elected President of the Republic, and then what fate shall decree, Of his political ideal,' nothing is yet exactly known, except that he professes to believe strongly in colonial expansion for France, and to be unusually hostile to Great Britain. There is no evidence yet that he is a strong man, though be is a brave and enterprising one but his desire to play the part of" Philippe Egalite"'' seems to be unmistakable. The House of Orleans, say the Legitimists, with 'a smile and ft' sneer/ naturally produces traitors* r;..... ,

The. Most Bon Miohael yardpn, D.D., who was; recently conMprated second Bishop of Panedin, was bprn'oo the 15th December, 1838, of Irish parents, hie father being a native of Louth, and his mother a native of Rildare. At of twelve Ini was sent

to the Vincent! College, at Castleknock, County.Dublinlnd spent four years then itih\iprt\ivrtmiinsi& for the rirolsfcry. After this he wb to Some and continued bis studies, an took -hit coarse in philo* sophy, tbedlogj afldcadob law at the Irish College there.but before his studies ab Rome were oUe completed his health Woke down, a? he was obliged to return to Ireland whereon the 28th December, 1861, he was* ofdaina by Cardinal Gullen. He was attached to til diocese of Dublin as priest and became irofessor and subsequently reijtdrof Hoiy/ross College, Clonliffe, where he was for l&ears. At the request of the archbishops f Ireland he went to Rome fa ; January, 1& to assist Dn Kirby, Arch- . ."' bishop of Rhesus, in the management of ... the Irish Olege, and his connection with that iostitwort Was maintained until, abtbi ; iftvifetiop Cardinal Culled, he proceeded ' -\ to Sydnf in May, 1888, to be the first ~. rector op- Patrick's Ecclesiastical Seminary, $icb had just been erected by v CafdW Motan at Manly, at a cost of \ - faetfftt *60,006 and £70.000. Every- •: "■■; wheref-ln Ireland, in Rome, and in f f : > AustrSa-Bishop Verdon's adravnistra- • ;■■■ $ . feion p been conspicuously successful ■;. The follege at Manly was opened with = fiye jbclesiastical students in 1888, boy. theriare noW over 60 studying for the? priejhood, among whom are several from 1 ' New Zealand, including three from the;. ■'. '■;, dioie of Dunedin, and the first ordination., £. of indents to the priesthood took place ■.<■; % lasttean After the Second Pletfary Council : ';.' i,l btralia the Cardinal Archbishop and. " ■ ■ theKustralian prelates, desiring to have. , accredited representative in Rome, and ■;->.■■: being in mind Dr. Vetdon's large expert-;' ;; . .■ | ], requested him to proceed in that; /'■■ p: cecity, and he was actually at Melbourne)* '-;■ , iMi Way to Italy when be received the, - ■•. '■■-'■: !WS Of his appointment as Dr. Moran's; >.■■,-.. Accessor in the bishopric of Uuoedin.. ■'.' shop Verdoii is a nephew of the late. I Ordinal Chilen and first cousin of Cardinal, ; ; I Anratti

According to a private cable message ... received in Berlin, the Boer Executive have ; finally resolved that the punishment of the %" political prisoners shall be in the case o! ft Shades, Phillips, Hammond, and Farrar 1 | five years' imprisonment, and in the caa» of .: *. :

be others one year. It seems strange, ?j owever, and requires explanation chat ~ ~. ; : tig intelligence, if true, was not ■; fi\t communicated to the Suzerain PoW, The Sultan of Turkey tear- -■ : ; " ; - ing a plot against his Hie has ■■> caußd some >wo hundred Armenians t0..,--be wrested in Constantinople. The ,■■-, medital boycott .against the Adelaide;;.;... Hoapfcal,, in England, has been powerful' ',<■% enough to inluce the doctor selected as « resident phyician to decline the appoint-■: ,'yi ment. Howler, another has been ap-' '; \;-fi pointed in If. place. It remains to be ;! ■~-.fi. seen whether 6, too, will sucoumb to pro *~> ;<■& fessional pros; re. The Congregatiooalists are aghast at to Irish members voting {or [ , ... the Voluntary Schools Bill, aid threaten to ■>;. ■■'■ ,g retaliate by Home Rule to a f'-. back seat in tfeir programme. "... ~ >u. LOCAL ABD GENERAL NEWS. ■ i ♦ It is understoji that the vice-regal party K will attend thi meet of the Pakuranga ■ ' : Hounds to-day. Yesterday Captain Feilden, A.D.O.,return9d'ron»liisTistfctotheliiorth. 7 J The mail eteamir Alameda arrived from .; Sydney last nigit, having made very ~~ good time in the tip across. The steamer did not meet the trong easterly gale whioh <<■;;' prevailed along tlb New Zealand coast from -;;';.;>,: Monday to Thursday, although a very high swell prevailed, the steamor has a fair number of through passengers from Australia; and will here's very full complement from this port, \tyjludihg Messrs, L. D. Nathan, James ani W. Russell, C. A.

Harris, James Stewart, C. E., Douglas -■% : McLean (of Napier), Mr. and Mrs. Nigel ':}'■:. Markham, and Mr, Robins, of the New Zealand Government Produce Department. The Alameda leave; for Apia, Honolulu,. ■,■«■'■ and San Francisco &\ two o'clock this afternoon, ';

It ie - stated that Mr. Douglas McLean will contest the Nspier seat agaiust the .•;;"..:'■ sitting member, Mr. Carnall, a supporter of • ',' the Government. ■■"-' The Northern Steamship Company has '?■,. been obliged to offices, Queen- '■■<■■■:■ .■■ street Wharf, to meet the requirements oi , ; :' jp their steadily-increasing business, and they . '■■' v '. have accordingly taken in the shop lately occupied by Mr. Campbell, tailor. This ■■.;•■ has been made into the manager's room, at the back oi which is the room for stationery .''..;■ ,and stores. The whole of the old offices '/.. *? with old entrance blocked up) is thrown . into one general office for the use of the staff, and also giving the public increased accommodation and facilities for making . enquiries and doing business. - A new entrance has been provided to the offices, whichisiaoreaccessiblsand convenient. The offices as now subdivided have been refur- . "'.' nished and repainted throughout. Mr. A. P. Wilson was the architect, and the contractor Mr. Julian. The contract has been faithfully cm i led out, and given great satisfaction to the Company. It may be said of the new offices that they are complete in every respect tu, their size, are a , credit to the Company and to the city, and typical of the enterprising local institution to which they belong, In the Cambridge boat, at the recent race on the Thames, between Oxford and Cambridge, five of the crew belonged to Trinity Hall, the Law College of the University. Many of our readers will ba interested to read the names of the crew ol the Trinity Hall boat in the year 1854 :- Bow, James Hay Campbell; afterwards a captain in M.M. 71st Highlanders; No. 2, Fitzroy Stephen, editor of the National Biography; No. 3, Edward Carter, afterwards a captain in H.M. 90th regiment; No. 4, William Palliser, afterwards Sir W. Palliser, M.P., inventor of chilled shot; No. 5, William G. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland; No, 6, Henry Fawcett, afterwards the Bight Hon, H. Fawcett, M.P., Post- • master-General ; Wo, 7, Edward H. Farrie, barrister at law; No. 8, Whitaker Mattland, Rector of Lough ton; coxswain, Edmund Jenner, Rector of Catton.

Some two or three years ago, Mr. 1. Lawry, M.H.R., reported on the success of ChewinVFescue!grass on the pumice lands at Patetere. Some doubt having been expressed as to the utility of the grasses, Mr. Lawry leaves to-day to make a further inspection. His report) will appear .■■■.";: on his return.

Among the visitors to Auckland at present is Mr, Duncan, chief inspector of machinery for the colony. Yesterday, accompanied by Messrs. Jobson and Blackwood, he paid a visit to the Herald office, and was shown over the whole. of the departments. The visitors expressed themselves as greatly pleased with all that they saw and the completeness of the arrangements, more especially as regards the machinery and the electric lighting plant.

There were nob many applicants this week before the committee of the Charitable Aid Board, and none of the oases oat of the ordinary type. Yesterday six Maori prisoners war* broughi up from Mangonui, who had been committed on charges of sheep-stealing. They were unable to procure the necessary bail, and were accordingly committed to Mount Eden Gaol to await their trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court. The Freshwater Baths, Albert-street, an again being supplied with fresh water instead of sea water, now that the increase in the city water supply at the Western Springs will permit of this being done. The whole front of the brickwork is being cemented, fapmg Albert-street, which will greatly improve the appearance of tht paths and of the block of shops attached. As a sign of improved times it may be stated that all the shops in the block, after standing -idle for years, are now all let and occupied ' {*<"*-'■; ..;.„,.,.

Mr.' C. B. Ewen, manage? of I a Bank of New Zealand 'at New Plymoutl will succeed Mr. Hanna in the manager up of the Wellington branch of the N< Zealand Insurance Company. A telegram was received -esterday stating that in filling in parb '. 3. 4, west adit level at the Waihi Gold Mi ng Company's mine, the dead body of man had been found. The level had not sen used for months, and was covered <er. The Auckland police authorities have eceived a telegram stating that a man m led Meill bos been missing for about three eeks. At a recent meeting held jn regtd to the nuisance caused by the Mechwics' Bay intake a deputation was appoinfcd from Parnell to wait on the City Coufeil, bub nothing more has been heard of theWtter, If anything is to'be done it is tJcesSary that it should be done at once, or\at all events before the meeting of Parliament, for if the Government is to be asfedl to contribute, plans, etc., should be forwaded, in order that provision may be made o\ the estimates. \ A largely attended meeting of membra of the New Zealand Natives Associulon was held at the Mutual Life Associate Buildings, Queen-street, la?t evening, St, E. Ford (president) in the chair. A mat interesting paper on the "Fair Wage Bill' which the Minister of Labour purposi introducing with a view to stamping oil the sweating evil was read by Mr. William son, in which that gentleman set out J number of objections to its introduction

and questioned its practicability. _ A brie discussion followed, and the remainder 0; the evening was devoted to vocal anc instrumental items by various members o the Society, a very pleasant couple of bouri being spent by those present.

At the Police Court yesterday an elderly man named Kenneth Maclean Black was remanded to Paeroa on a charge of forging the name of one J. L. Tole to a cheque for £14 15s 6d, and he was also remanded to the Thames on a charge of the larceny of a silver watch valued at £8, the property of W. T. Tebrill. A cab driver called William Winser was charged with failing on May 5, to account for 2s of a fare he had received J to his employer, R. H. Keenan. The justices considered the charge proved with respect to one shilling at least, but dismissed the case as being trivial. Alexander Augustus Jones pleaded guilty to having stolen Is 6d worth of oranges, the property of Messrs. Donald and Edenborough, and the accused was remanded until this morning so that Mr. Northcroft might deal with him, there being an adjourned case of assault against his name as we'd. Several drunkards were fined, and three defendants who had committed breaches of the Dog Registration Act were also fined.

A native constable, Arama Karaka, yesterday brought down from Rotorua two prisoner?, namely, Patrick Kelly, santenoed to two months' imprisonment for obscene language, and Thomas Trecnain, committed on a charge of breaking and entering the store of Mr. Thomas Williams, c{ Rotorua.

Quite a number of new students have been enrolled during the past week at the Auckland Technical School. Yielding to a request for a cookery class for mej engaged in surveying and other outdoor pursuits necessitating them doing their owj cooking, it has been decided to establish suth a class. Miss Millington, who has had considerable Home and colonial experience, i) the instructor in charge of the cookery department. The instruction to be givjn will be arranged to suit the particular requirements of those attending the class. The secretary requests that intending' students enrol before midday on Monday next, so that the necessary arrangements may be made. Already several hav« applied. Young men desirous of joining the carpentry and joinery class should make application at once. It is understood that some of the young men engaged in the building trade are prepared to join a class in hand-railing and stair-building which it is proposed to start. We are asked to state that 90 soon as the required number have enrolled, the class will be formed. A notice re. this subject appears in our advertising columns.

"Glimpses of New Zealand" is now beiug published by the Glimpses of New Zealand Publishing Company, Limited, Christchurcb, complete in tjwelve parts. It comprises all the cities, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, fiords, sounds, and .bush ecenery forming the gems of New Zealand. Each part contains sixteen splendid photos, the largest size ever published in the colony, and forms the most complete collection of Tiews of " the Britain of the South." The Government have taken a considerable number of copies in order' to advertise the scenery of the colony. In is one of the most suitable and pleasing gifts which could be sent to friends in the old country. Applications should be made to the local agents, Mr. H. J. Ross, Queen-street, and Mr. Fleming.

The first of St. Mark's Guild entertainments for this winter was held last night in the Remuera Hall, when the musical comedy, " My Sweetheart," was produced by the members of St. Thomas' Dramatic Society. The piece has been produced before large audiences on several occasions with complete success, and it mot with a most enthusiastic reception at the hands of the crowded attendance present yesterday evening. Tho hall was mere suitable for the production of the comedy than those in which it has been staged previously, consequently Mr. W. Hutchinson's attractive scenery was better displayed, and the stage effects were better than usual.' Without exception the characters were well played, and the acting was decidedly above the average. The following took part in the performance:—Misses S. McGeehan, K. McGeehan, I). Dunningham, A. Alpress, M. Dunninghnm, N. Alpress, E. Arnold, Messrs. F. C. Sherbourne, V. E. Slyfield, P. J. Blackman, H. H. Vin.ce, and L. M. Morrio.

The pupils of the sixth and seventh standards of the Parnell public school went over tho Herald Printing Works yesterday. They were in charge of Mr. Scott, headmaHter, and Miss Bell, assistant. The young people took an intelligent interest in all they saw.

A meeting of old Oxford and Cambridge men was held yesterday afternoon for the purpose of considering the advisability of holding an annual dinner. Some fifteen 'varsity men were present, and a committee being formed and a secretary appointed, it was resolved to hold the initial dinner on the 21st insfc. at the Northern Club. The committee has endeavoured, as far as possible, to ascertain the names of all the Oxford and Cambridge men resident in Auckland, but in case there are some old university men who have nob been communicated with, and who may wish to attend the dinner, their attention is drawn to the advertisement appearing in our columns.

We have received a new season's catalogue from C. S. McDonald and Bon, nurserymen, of Ep?om. This firm make a specialty of new fruits, and their catalogue gives full particulars of the same, 16 pages being devoted to this branch of their business. An illustration of a Burbank plum tree, three years old, and laden with fruit, is given, the engraving being reproduced direct from a photograph •of the tree. Ornamental shrubs and flowering plants, etc., help to rill up 44 pages of useful information to anyone contemplating planting or gardening, whether on a large or small scale. The nurseries are on the Manukau Road, nearer town than Potter's Paddock, and Messrs. McDonald and Son are always pleased to see visitors and intending buyers and show them over the grounds, and assist them in any way. The catalogues have been printed at the Herald Works,, and do the office credit. They may be had post free on application to Messrs. C. 8. McDonald and Son, or obtained from Messrs. C. E. Pilkington and Co., aud Messrs. Hesketh and Aitkon. Queen-street.

In reference to the publication "Glimpses of New Zealand," Messrs. Cook and Gray inform us that they are the sole agents in Auckland. In our notice of the book we inadvertently mentioned the name of another firm.

A reunion of the trustees of the. Pittstreet Wesleyau Church, and members of the choir, was held laab evening in ttie church parlour. . There were about 50 present, the Rev. H. Bull occupying the ohair. Addresses were Riven by .the. Rev. W. J. Williams and several of. the trustees.. A good musical programme was given by the choir. Mr, Forbes, choirmaster; returned thanks. Light refreshments' were.served during the evening and the meeting Closed with the benediction. ' - ' ,w

A '■; mbsb ' ehbhtoattio meeting of ;those; Interested in "the fot'matjdn of* bowling green for the .Mount Eden district, was held iiviWaitVa-Hall last' night, His Worship the Mayor,. Mr. J. J. Holland, president* of the Aiiokland District Bowling Association, in the chair. Several visitors from the local clubs were present), And after some, discission lb was decided to adjourn the meeting-" until Friday evening next, a small committee being meanwhile, appointed to take steps to secure a suitable ground, and report at the meeting. All present announced their intention of becoming members.

On Wednesday last a very pretty weeding eventuated at Bast. Taraaki, the contracting parties being Mr. J. Bruce, of the Hkraiid Printing Works, and Miss Bevarstock, daughter of the well-known and highly-respected settler of the district. The Rev. Boler, of Howiok, officiated, and a goodly number of friends were present in the church to witness the ceremony.. The presents wero both numerous and costly. On the eve of the marriage, Mr, Bruce was the recipient of a handsome silver cruet from his fellow-workmen. Mr. Cobb made the presentation, and in a few well-chosen words wished Mr. Bruce and his bride much happiness, and long life to enjoy it. Mr. Bruce suitably responded;

ThePitUstreet Wesleyan Literary Society held its usual meeting in the schoolroom on Thursday evening last. The president, Rev. W. J. Williams, ocoupied the chair. A considerable amount of routine business was transacted, and the Rev. A. Peters elected a vice-president, alter which a parliamentary debate took place upon the subjoot, " Should Women be admitted into Parliament." The Rev. W. J. Williams acted as speaker, and Messrs. Preston, Parkinson, and Wilding the Government, the Opposition consisting of Messrs. Preiser, Arthur, and Millington. The debate was I very interesting indeed, and was vigorously ' continued by Messrs. Shackelford, Birtles, I bail, Rev. A. Peters, and others, after j which the opener replied, and upon a vote being taken the motion was defeated by an i overwhelming majority. '

In another column appears the announcement of the re-opening of King's College, on June 2. The college breaking up took place last Friday, and though it has only been in existence for one term, it dosed the term with no less than 86 bbys on the roll, of whom 26 are boarders. The principal is, we understand, making arrangements for the accommodation of more boarders, is he expects to start with a further inI crease next term,

Ou Thursday evening, at the St. Alban's Literary Society, Mount Roakill, Mr. long in the chair,. Mrs. McKinßtry read in able and interesting paper on " Demoiracy." The lady evidenced a good knowledge of her subject) which she treated with an ability and a lucidity .above the average. Mrs. McKioStrr passed in review the principles and fruits of democracy, and scathingly criticised some of the weaknesses of that system of government as seen in Australasia and America. Messrs. Long, Bradstreet, Edwards, Ewington, Held, Mrs. Bradstreet, and Miss Rose Ewington spoke upon the question. The Agricultural Hall was again well patronised yesterday evening to witness the Klaer-St. Leon Bernard Circus Combination's Derformance, and the excellent bill submitted afforded two hours' genuine amusement. A change of programme takes place this evening, and an afternoon performance will be held for children.

Mr. John Fuller has an intellectual treat in store for the patrons of Mb tenth limelight concert, which eventuates on Tuesday evening next at the City Hall. "Slum Life and Street Life in London" is tho title of the entertainment, and the curious modes of living and the unhappy condition of the "submerged tenth" will be graphically depicted by tho aid r Mr. 0. E. Mackie's bl-unial lantern. x " U an array of musioal talent has been engaged, including Messrs. Howard Chambers, Archdale Tayler, Misses Marion Sampson, B. L. Featon, Lvdia Fuller, and Mr. John Fuller. Mr. Albert Lucas will recite (by request) " The Dream of Eugene Aram."

The full programme for the first of the people's national and patriotic concerts appears in another column. The programme is a really first class one, and the views and scenic effects showing the history of the BritiEtti navy are themselves worth seeing. No doubt a crowded audience will be present on Monday, and a riot) treat is certainly in store for those who attend.

A writer in an English exchange says:— "How mannerß and customs have changed since the times known as' the good old days.' When that Halcyon period commenced is U> my mind quite uncertain, but it is generally supposed to have existed during the latter part of the Georgian era. On the other hand it might have begun, in a sporting sense, with the Imperial Caesars when chariot racing, and tights to a finish with short swords, the net, and trident, took place in thii hippodrome when Rome was mistresu of the world. It matters little, however, when the good old days commenced,.as the? seem destined with some people to"go on to the end of things, as men of each succeeding generation speak of the present in a less genial manner than they talk of the sporting events that happened in their youth, be it racing, hunting, coursing, or boxing. Personally, I look upon the "good old days' as more or less a fraud, as I consider that sport generally is much in advance of what it was even 30 or 40 years ago. It is true we theu had good racehorses, good 'chasers, good hunters, good hounds, good greyhounds, good cricketers, good athletes, and good billiard players. 'Hut had we in those days an Ormonde, a Cornea way, or Cloister, a Master Magrath, a W. G. Graco, » John Roberts, jun., or a man that could sprint 100 yds under level time, or one that could jump 6ft 3in iu height ? Emphatically no I

The" Distingue" is a reliable, fashionable, and well-finished waterproof coat. A large stock, in newest colours,* extra light, from 255, ab J, W. Shackelford's, 262, Queenstreet. .

Dress materials, grand value; a full dress of tweed for os 6d and upwards. Hats, bonnets, umbrellas, and clothing.—J. H. Hannan, importer, Victoria-street. A wrestling match is announced elsewhere as having been arranged to take place between Donald Dinnie and J. W. Sutherland, in the Agricultural Hall on the 3rd instant. Foot wear of every description from the best Euglish, Continental and cplonial inanufactuiets. including the popular American boots and shoes, for which we are sole agents in Auckland, at. our well-known low cash prices.-Smith aud Uaughoy.— The installation ball of the Lodge United Service will he held in St. George's Hall on the 3rd July. . Smith and Caughey hold a large and wellassorted stock of reliable makes in mens waterproof coats, from 25s 6d to 655. Each garmeut guaranteed for two years.—[Advt] A social gathering of parishioners of St. Mary's Church; Parnell, will take place on the2lst instant, when the Rev. W. OurionSiggers will speak on his" Adventures in the Transvaal." There will be musio and refreshments. A beautiful selection of gents' ties, collars, shirts, hats, and hankerohiefs, natural wool underclothing, etc., etc., at Smith and Caughey's.-fAdvt.] A united missionary meeting will be held in the Y.MC.A. rooms this evening at eight o'clock, when the Rev. F. 0. Chatterton and Mr. Hollowav, of the C.M.S., will speak. The Rev. L. Fitzgerald will preside. Dent, Allcroft. arid Co.'s 4-dome fastener Trilby kid glove in all colours at 2s 6d (eaoh pair guaranteed), at Smith and Caughey's.The new church, Central MangerewiH be opened by the Primate, on Tuesday evening next. A collection will bo takon up in aid of the building fund. ' ." Smith' and "Caughey-s establishment Is closed on Saturday at 1 am. and open all day Wedneadftys.-{Advt.J A saored concert will be given in the Grafton Road Wesleyan Church on Wednesday evening, when Mr./ Arthur Towsey will preside at the organ. He will be assisted by an array of musical talent, under conductorship of Mr. E. J.-Gatland. ' A collection will be taken up in aid of church repairs. Smith and Caughey arc, now howtag an extensive stock of floorcloths and linoleums, newest floral designs prices the very lowest. Inspection invited.-lAdvt.l The house steward of the Dlsfcrfot Hospital, desires (through our columns) to thank Mr. J. 'Won Garlick, for a parcel of illustrated papers, for the Use of the patients. . Variety, excellence and cheapness oharaoteriso the stock of boys' and youths dotting at Smith ' and Caughey's. Sailorjftlts from 3s 6d. Kaiapoi tweed suitsftt'bow from 7s lid, reefer coats from 4s lid, boys overcoats and mackintoshes.-iAdvl;.].. > . < , Buy your hosiery from the Importer direct; Our well-known makes are noted, for good 1 wearing qualities combined with reasonable-, ness of price.-rßuahbrook and Co. »ii hi- . -.. Winter Underwear cf all kinds, the. best . aud the cheapest, at IjvUihbrQokVQwoustreet. .«.#->».»■," •.«,,..■ &.»;■■■ *