The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1880.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5826, 9 October 1880, Page 2

The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1880.

There Beems to be a supineness in the public opinion of the Colony on the Native question in the North. Sooner or later the Parihaka difficulty and the the fanatical pretensions of Te Whiti 1 will have to be met in a more practical spirit than the wholesale deportation of batches of industrious fencers to the gaols and quarantine stations of the South Island, which seems destined to bear both the material and abstract burdens of the difficulty in more than its proportionate share. The spirit which prompted the Maoris to plough up the fields in Taranaki was easily intelligible: they simply were unable to understand the majestically conclusive process called confiscation; the land had belonged to their ancestors since they came from Hawaiki, had probably been taken and retaken in tribal wars, and soaked with the blood of their internecine feuds: these facts only made it more sacred in their eyes as a tribal possession; they had never sold it, noteven for a hundredweight of beads or some gaudy petticoats for their women, much less for hard Pakeha money ; and they were unable to understand how it could be irrecoverably alienated from them by the simple word of the white Governor at Wellington. Nevertheless, it was manifestly incumbent upon the Government to interfere with a strong arm against such acts on the part of the Maoris, and the arrest and imprisonment of the offenders met with the just approbation of all thoughtful men. But no -one ever conceived that such a policy, indubitably wise in one instance, would have been carried out in the lame imitation of ordinary occurrence. We have been accustomed to hear until lately of the arrival of batches of prisoners in the Hinemoa at Lyttelton as regularly as of the movements of the Union Company's steamers. And how are these prisoners treated 1 One is reminded of the account of Mr Bradlaugh's condition when under arrest recently by order of the Speaker of the House of Commons. " Mr Bradlaugh was discovered seated in a comfortable armchair in the Clock Tower, enjoying the champagne and hospitality of the Sergeant-at-Arms," we are told. We do not suppose the GoTernment supply the Maoris with armchairs and champagne, but in all other respects they are luxuriously treated. They do no work, they bask in the sun or indulge in athletic games on the reclaimed ground, and smoke undeniable tobacco duty free. At Ripa Island the Armed Constabulary has to hew wood and draw water for these victims of State cruelty. Can anything be more ridiculous ? No wonder the Constabulary resigned. Did Mr Bryc c issue an order that the Maori prisoners were not even to fetch their own provisions ; or is it a standing regulation of the A. C. force that they are to give themselves most martial airs before the Natives in the field, but to become their domestic servants when the contumacious fencer is converted into the State prisoner ? It is time the Government were called upon to alter the state of things. They have been accorded patiently ample time for the reasonable elaboration of any policy, and the country is beginning to demand some tangible results.

The true state of the fencing question is this. When the roadmaking Constabulary (who, by-the-bye, are Jvery much better employed at roadwork than in carrying food and water to unnecessary prisoners), were drawing near to Parihaka and to the Maori cornfields, Colonel Roberts sent to Te Whiti to say that while the Constabulary _.. fenced one side the Natives must fence the other. Te Whiti replied that owing to his recent large-handed hospitality in feasts and festivals at Parihaka, he had no money, left to do the work ; but he very civilly requested Colonel Roberts to do the fencing for him, and he would pay him afterwards in money or in kind. This knotty problem was referred to Wellington and the collective wisdom of the Cabinet, and it was decided that Te Whiti must do the work himself; so the Constabulary continued the roadway through the fields, and they were left open to the inroads of men and animals. To prevent this disastrous destruction of their crops the Natives endeavoured to fence off the new roadway, with the now painfully familiar results. Ifc was the Native way of recording a formal protest, and we cannot help thinking that they were not without some right on their side, and that it would have been well had the Government listened with a little more patience to what seems to have been a real request, and ;not a sham and pretence, on the part of Te Whiti as to his inability to fence his side of the road. A little judicious of the stiff back of Pakeha [dignity might have saved all this unpleasantness, complication, and uncertainty. But the Government determined .to go on with what may be called a " policy of arrest," with the result that our gaols are overflowing with Maori prisoners of State. It is true that the supply seems likely to cease; but this is solely owing to the ;dread entertained by the Natives of penal servitude under the new Act, a feeling quite different to the

passive content with which they were willing to go into the dolce Jar niente captivity of their more fortunate predecessors, and in no wise to the development of any new and masterly policy on the part of the Government. Even if we take so more prisoners, what is to be done with the large number we now have, and how long are they to be maintained in luxurious idleness at the cost of the State ?;, It ;is imperatively necessary that something decisive be done. Either the recommendations and suggestions of the West Coast Commissioners must be fully carried out—in which case we should probably see all the prisoners after, a decent intervalrestorgd to their own country, and an amicable arrangement speedily made, which would be perfectly satisfactory to'the Natives,—or the Government must decide, and that quickly, on some definite alternative course of action. They have taken ono step in this directbn by releasing a parf: of the prisonerg, but they muse not stop there.

Now that wages* and profits are gradually nettling down to rates more in proportion to the circumstances of the times, and to the cost of the necessaries and ordinary conveniences of life, we think' thai in this city there is urgent heed for reform in another direction— namely, in the rents of ordinary business premises and dwelling-houses. It is tme that in one sense of the expression " the worth of everything is exactly what it will fetch," and no doubt people wio are obliged to lease shops and resile within the borough must perforce piy what is demanded ; but there is such a thing as " killing the goose that lays tie golden eggs," and the high rentals rulijg are not only driving householders beyoid the Town Belt, but are such a heavy tax upon the retail tradesmen, especially th«se in a small way of business, that we are not surprised to see many shops in sone of our thoroughfares standing empty, or frequently changing their tenants. House proprietors would act wisely in taking time by the forelock and lowering the rents somewhat in proportion to the reduction in the rate of wages—a reduction which, [from the necessity of the caie, reacts upon trade in all its various ramifications. If some reasonable step in thif direction is not taken, no doubt the matter will adjust itself eventually ; bat the working out of "supply and demand" may not be altogether in a way satisfactory to the house owners, who may possibly find themselves put out of the market by suburban proprietors who have had the sense to cater for the popular requirements. A sudden drop of cottage rents by some 25 per cent, would be very awkward for people who hold a geod deal of this class of property. The City Council have in some degree a duty in connection with this subject, although we apprehend they would regard the suggestion rather in the light of a tooth-drawing operation. The present valuation of city property—which, though doubtless based on current rentals, cannot be considered otherwise than excessively high in proportion to profits—should be cut down at the earliest possible opportunity, and thus part of the ground would be cut away from under the landlords' feet if they insisted upon maintaining rents at the present high figures. We merely ventilate this subject in the public interest, and necessarily leave the working-out of the problem to the tenants and proprietors. If we could by a stroke of the pen reduce the rentals all round by 10 per cent., as the Government reduce the salaries of their employe's, we should, we think, be performing a public service by issuing a fiat to that effect. Not possessing any such power, we can only point out the evil and its- probable consequences. The rapid growth of the townships of the North-Bast Valley and Bavensbourne is an evidence of the desire which exists, for one reason or other, to escape from the city, and there can be little doubt that high rents and heavy taxes have something to do with producing this hegira.

The Parliament of Queensland la asked by the Executive to endorse a scheme of railway construction of a somewhat novel description so far as the experience of the Australian Colonies is concerned, though well enough known in America. So far as we are informed by recent telegrams the scheme seems to be as follows : —A syndicate is to be formed in London, to whom a concession is to be given of 8000 acres of land for every mile of railway constructed. This land is to be in blocks alternated by reserves for future sale on the part of the Government. The constructors are further to be allowed { to issue debentures to the amount of £1500 per mile, with a Government guarantee of three per cent, interest for 21 years. Whenever 40 miles of .the line is completed, the fee-simple of the stipulated blocks of land along its course— i.e., 320,000 acres for each 40 miles—will be granted to the company, who will then hold both the land and the line, as well as the above-mentioned guarantee. Oh the surface of the matter it looks as if a very liberal concession was being granted, which English capitalists may well be disposed to take |up ; but without knowing | the country through, which the line will pass it is impossible to say what the value of the land will be when opened up to civilisation by means of the railway. The line will commence at Roma, about 150 miles from Brisbane, the farthest point which the Government lines have reached, and traverse the north-eastern part of the Australian Continent in an oblique direction to the Gulf of Carpentaria. We may roughly estimate the distance at 750 miles, and recent maps show the country to be fairly well: watered — towards the north by the Flinders.River, and towards the south by ' the tributaries of the Burdekin and Mackenzie Rivers. The tropics are entered about half-way along the course of the line, and it will end about 16 degrees south of the equator. It is reasonable to infer.that a large part of the land will be available for the growth of tropical or semi-tropical products, such as sugar, coffee, and spices; and if this should be the case, even to the extent of only a fifth part "of the area, the company which makes the line will have a magnificent estate. Eight thousand acres to every mile means a block of more than six miles wide on each side of the line ; if taken alternately, a block of 16,000 acres every second mile would have to be given to make up the stipulated quantity. This area would stretch to 12 miles on each side of the line. Taking the length of the line at 750 miles, the total area of the land acquired by the company would aggregate six million acres. This looks like a prize worth fighting for, especially as it would be partly acquired when the first 40 miles was finished and. as each successive 40 miles was completed, so that sale and settlement could go on simultaneously with the work of making the railway. The Government takes power to purchase the line, after five years, but, no doubt, on terms that will secure the interests of the company. It isan experiment that*will be watched throughout the Australian Colonies with a good deal of curiosity. The country may not improbably be rich in minerals, and as a speculation the scheme looks feasible enough: but will it not lock up too large an area of land ? The ultimate paying character of the line would depend partly on the extent to which it would be used aa a mode of travel between India and Australia. .It would shorten the route from Brisbane, and ultimately, no doubt, from Sydney, by several days, but would not much affect New Zealand. Our great hope of future improvements in our con-

nection with the rest of the world is the Isthmus of Panama Canal, which would bring us within something like 30 days of England without transhipment. But we cannot be indifferent to the peopling of Northern Australia, aa our climate and productions are such aa will probably lead to a future extension of commerce between New Zealand and that part of Australia, we taking in return semitropical products such as our climate cannot raise. We have often been surprised that so little interchange at present goes on between New Zealand and Queensland. The Queensland people seem likely, if this scheme is carried out, to steal a march on the South Australians, who have long talked of a railway line across the Continent,- but have practically done nothing to realise their dream of the future. ■'■■' ■''•:' -'•

In our supplement to-day will be found a report of the trial of Ah Lee and Lee Guy, for the Kyebum murder; a review of " Paddy Murphy's Budget," Passing Notes, Sporting Intelligence, and a short sketch of the career of Offenbach^ the musician and composer.

The City of Sydney, with the September Colonial mails, arrived at San Francisco on the sth fast,, two days in advance of contract date.

At a meeting of the owners and occupiers of property in the Peninsula, held yesterday, a resolution was passed unanimously to go on immediately with the construction of the Ocean Beach railway to Portobello. There is, therefore, now a fair prospect of having [this most desirable work carried out.

In our leading artiole yesterday, in speaking of the alteration in the parcels rates, the words "raised and carried" should have read "revised and carried."

: Charles King, nine years old, was committed to the Industrial School by the Police Bench yesterday for six years.

For fighting in the Provincial Yards, two young men, named .Donald Black wood and Joseph Allan, were each fined LI, in default 14 days' imprisonment, at the Police Court yesterday. Allan, who. had resisted the arresting constable and destroyed his uniform hat, was further ordered to pay the cost of a new one (12i 6d), or in default go to gaol for seven days.

The sixteenth anniversary in connection with the Court Pride of the Lsith, No. 3992, A.0.F., was celebrated last evening, at the North Dunedin Drillshed, by a soiree, concert, and dance. A large number of persons attended, and the proceedings passed off most pleasantly. Mr Moss presided at the piano, and a number of songs were welt rendered by several wellknown amateurs. - .

■ Mr Proctor arrived in town last evening from InvercargilL jThe subjects of the lectures which |he will deliver in Dunedin are published in another column, with full particulars of the admission arrangements. The sale of tickets will commence this morning, and Messrs Wiee itxd Co. announce that instead of closing at 2' o'clock as usual on Saturdays, their establishment will remain open until 6 o'clock this evening for the sale of- tickets. In fact the Proctor lecture excitement has fairly commenced in Dunedin. Amongst other indicai tions is the notification that the annual concert of the .Early Closing Association, which was to be given next Friday in the Princess Theatre, h«s been postponed so as not to clash with Mr Proctor's second lecture. <

The adjourned preliminary meeting for the 'ormation of a Druid Lodge Tat the Water-of-lieith was held last evening at Wain's Royal lotel, King street. There was a largo attendance of members, and considerable business vas done. The meeting adjourned till Friday, tie 15th, at 8 p.m.

Mr W. H. Quick yesterday received the follewing telegram respecting the United Alpine Qiartz-mining Company, Lyell: — " Esturn torn top plate, 4400z froml6s tons."

| As a specimen of extravagance in the Government service, we may instance a letter recently received about a trifling matter of dday from a Government department at Wellington. It might have easily been compressed into a sheet of ordinary letter-paper, bat was writttn with wide margins on three sheets of foolscap of the most expensive handniade quality . procurable', " We commend this point to whoever ha* charge of ihe Stationery Department. If all the correspondence of the different departments is carried on upon paper of similar quality and irith a similar disregard to the quantity used, tbe cost to the Colony must be many hundreds a year more than it need be.

; The concert and ball given by the North Dunedin Rifle* on September 24th in their drillahed seems to have been a lively affair. - What took place on the occasion formed the subject of several charges at the Police Court yesterday. It appeared that during the night's proceedings some of the sterner sex present, alleging that female partners were scarce, began coupling off amongst themselves, with the result that disorder supervened. The masters of the ceremonies were Messrs T. Hutchinson and Hunter, who tried to stop the men from dancing in this way. .This was the 1 beginning of a somewhat severe tntlte, in which I blows were struck and so forth. The defendants who were summoned admitted having struck the respective complainants, but did so, they said, because someone first struck them, and not '.knowing where the blow came from, they struck tbe first man they saw. The cases were:—Hutchinson v.-Dempsey, abusive language ; same v. Flynn and M'Laren, assault; Shepherd v. Dempsey, amult; Gabble vHarris, assault. Mr Denniston appeared for the complainants, Mr Kettle for the defendants. The latter were each fined LI and costs (including L 2 2s professional expenses), or in default seven days' imprisonment, and Dempsey was also bound over to keep the peace for six months.

■ Towns, like individuals, have their peculiar characteristics. The Wyndham township, for butanes, bears an unenviable reputation for larrikinism, whilst Mataura (says the Ensign) has been remarkable for the number and diversity of its religious institutions. The people of the Utter placs, however, are not always the austere and solemn individuals they are popularly supposed to be; they sometimes commit acts of rather a funny description. Not long ago the membars 'of the Mataura Cavalry contingent elected a, -live piper to head their very creditable corps when out at drill, or, perhaps to cheer them on when called out for active service. But the piper'a election has been " teetotally. " eclipsed. Quite recently a select few of Mataura's peaceful inhabitants, anxious to do honour to a respected fellowcitizen, decided that the order of knighthood should be conferred upon him. They conferred it, and the ceremony v« unique, interesting, and impressive. The gentleman now woars hishonours with becoming yet dignified modesty and rejoices in the title just as much as if it had been obtained by a 16,000 mile trip t° Europe.

Amongst the drunkards before the Police Court yesterday were a conple of women, whose cases were somewhat out "of the ordinary run. One 'was Eliza Hardie. She came out of gaol after serving three months on Thursday, and almost as soon aa possible got drunk again. She pleaded hard for a chance, and the Bench (Messrs Logan and Koss.-J.P.'s) agreed to discharge her with a caution. The other was Bridget Kane, who, as Mr Mallard observed, could now claim to be " dux of her class," referring to number ol convictions. Bridget pleaded hard, .too, but the Bench were obdurate in her case, and sent her to gaol for 14 days.

We are informed onfrery reliable authority (says the Mataura Ensign), that Mr Fergus, railway and bridge contractor, is prepared to erect a traffic bridge over the Mataura River, at Gore, free of charge, upon condition that the Government will permit him to charge toll when the bridge is open, and close the railway bridge for all but railway traffic. This is an offer that should be carefully considered by the inhabitants of Gore and the extensive district which surrounds it. Numerous advantages would be gained were a traffic bridge erected on a suitable site, but the toll will doubtless seem to many a fatal objection to the project However, it gives us pleasure to place, the liberal offer before the public, and we trust it will receive dua attention from those concerned.

The Daily News states that for tome years past there has been an influx into England of spurious sovereigns, which it is believed are manufactured in the United States. Each coin is true in weight, and so perfect in its ring as to deceive any but the most skilled ear >' while the workmanship and execution are such as to make it morally certain that the offenders have discarded electrotypy as a clumsy process and possessed themselves of coining-presse, and dies of hardened steel, such as are actually in use at the Mint itself. The "New York" sovereigns, as they are [termed, consist |of gold alloyed with aluminium, and there is enough of the precious metal in each to give it an intrinsic value of some fourteen shillings. They pass the ordinary tests, of ocular inspection, ringing, weight, and bending. Nitric acid seldom discovers their true character, and the best practical method of distinguishing them from good coin is by measurement. They are of [precisely the same diatner as a genuine sovereign, but considerably thicker, and it was by the appreciable difference they effected in the height of rouleaux that their existence first became known to the authorities of the Bank. It is a strange thing that the factory from which they issue ehonld still remain undiscovered, in spite of all that the police have done to unravel the secret. The truth, however, is that the police are more or less powerless against crime when it assumes the proportions of a scientific craft.

Dr Heath, president of the American Farmew' Clnb, recently read a very important paper before that Society on the subject of tuberculosis in domestic animals and same of its effects on human health. He Bays that this disease prevails extensively among such animals all over the world, and especially in populous and crowded localities. Cows which are kept shut up in close, foul air, as is the case with large numbers in and about London, are very liable to it. He says that observations in Mexico led to the conclusion that 34 per cent. of all beasts slaughtered there showed them to be more or less affected with this disease, and he is of opinion that 60 per cent, of the cows kept in large towns are thus diseased. The fact that this is not more generally recognised is, of course, owing to the animals being slaughtered before the disorder has attained any very noticeable development. According to Dr Heath, if cows, like human beings, were allowed to die from natural causes, the proportion succumbing to tuberculosis would be quite as great, and probably much greater. Not only is the milk of tuberculosis cows very poor in quality, but it seems to have been sufficiently demonstrative to be capable of imparting the disease to those who drink it uncooked. Klebs, Garlach, and other authorities have put the matter to the test by giving the milk of diseased cowa to rabbits, guinea pigs, and dogs, with the result of developing tubercles in then). What has been done with the inferior animals may undoubtedly be done in the caee of young children, large numbers of whom, it is believed, contract this dire disorder from the milk with which they are supplied. The flesh of affected animals would be equally pernicious but that it is cooked, and those who are compelled to use milk from, doubtful sources would do well to scald it beforejdoing so, more especially during warm weather, when, as past experience has demonstrated, phthisis is not the only evil that may be lurking in the milk-can.

Still another source of employment for those who lack it has been brought tinder oar notice (says the New Zealand Times). Bound the beach by Terawhiti, Makara, and Porirna, some 30 persons are said to be at present en gaged in collecting pawa shells. The occupation would appear to be a very profitable one, aa about 5j a hundred is stated to be given for these ' shells, and some of the gatherers have been - known to get as far as 1000, and in one case even 1800 in one day. The industry is perhaps not likely to be a permanent one, but our informant states that it would afford occupation to a considerable number more than are engaged in it at preseDt for ■ some time to come. The shells to be of marketable value must! be recovered while still adhering to the rocks, but this condition so far presents no great difficulties to the searcher. As tbe supply on the foreshore becomes exhausted, however, the occupation would become more arduous. The shell? are used in the manufacture of buttons at Horns.

Th« Sr-i».y Bulletin say- "P-— • New Zealand Prospecting Party' (Forrest and Co.) have taken up an area two miles below Maloney's, Temora. The party in question represent the first contingent of New Zealand miners who have arrived on the goldfield."

Mr James Oldridge, of Lj Bon's Bay, who has suffered from an affection of the left eye for nearly 25 years, hu met with a remarkable cure (says the Christcburctt Press). The sight was injured by coal dust baing blown into it, and to snoh an extent that only a faint perception of light was left to that organ. In June last Mr Oldridge lost the sight of the other eye through a gone spike. In this extremity he placed himself under the care of Dr Wilkins, of this city, who opsrated on both eyes threa times, removing growths attaching to those organs. The rssalt has been that Mr Oldridge has not only regained his sight, but can see objects at a long distance very distinctly, and also read small type without difficulty, the cure being complete with both eyas alike.

! The following information with regard to the Channel|tunnel is an extract from the report of the direotors of the South-Eastern Railway, dated July 22nd, 1880:—" The experiments made by the French engineers, after great pains and trouble, tend to show that the geological measures are not only in the same position, but

are of the same thickness on each side of the Channel, and that the stratum known as ' old grey chalk' in England, and ' craie de Ronen > in France, is impervious to water, and is without fissures. These are the foundation facts ia this interesting question, for if a tunnel can be made without pumping or timbering, and entirely, from side to side, through the grey chalk,tthen an apparently formidable and even hopeless work becomes matter of close calculation. As the researches of the French engineers

confirm the view for years past taken on your

behalf—viz., that the proper point of departure for any future tunnel ia at the outcrop of the

grey chalk on the South-Eastera line, between

Folkestonejand Dover, and^not at St. Margaret'a Bay to the east of Dover, where the grey chalk, 'dipping to the northward, does not crop out, — your directors have deemed it advisable to make

arrangements for a aeries of important expert

mante, which, so far, have shown favourable results,' and further proceedings will from time to time be reported to you."

The practice of medicine is combined by many missionaries with their spiritual func tions (says "Social Notes"). A power over the ■'■ afflicted bodies of men has necessarily a great influence upon their hearts. At Sawyer-

puram, not only has the Rev. Dr Strachan's

house been besieged by suffering applicants for his aid, bnt the acquaintance thus made with the heathen, who have come from all parts, has commended to them tbe arguments of the Christian teacher whose good offices they had

previously experienced. Obviously, the practice of medicine may be made a valuable in-

strument'in forming the Native Church. It will perhaps be remembered that Bishop Cotton stated it to be his opinion that the Medical Mission of the Church Missionary Society at Casbmir was " tbe only door that had any chance of being opened." In the missions of that Society several of the native clergy are qualified to practise in medicine. Women also may do a 'great work in the same field. The dispensary of a medical woman is like an idol's shrine, with such amazsd and adoring thankfulness do the people of India [receive her help. Many women have deliberately chosen to die rather than be seen by a man, and in cases of lingering sickness the numbers of those poisoned off by wearied-out relatives will only be known at the day of judgment. In reeking, undrained Indian cities, in the biasing sun or in the chills of night, the (medical missionary is" Christ to the poor and needy." But instead of putting medical women at stations one thousand miles apart, they ought to be placed in stated areas, like a line of forts ; |they would thus, in epidemics of cholera or fever, be able to join forces and to relieve each other. There are millions of women in entire districts of the East who

are quite untouched1 by Zenana teaching, but the most bigoted among them are sometimes driven by stress of illnetsto call in the medical woman, and thus, for the first time, to realise the power and the value of English and Christian sympathy.

The Tapanul correspondent of the Clutha Leader writes :—" During the week > tenons accident happened in one of the rock cuttings on the Tapanni-Kelso line. A man named Ryan had been charging a hole for a blait on a face of rock. He had the powder in a bag by his Bide. Having lit the fuse, which hung downwards, some sparks, it is believed, ipouled into the bag beneath, causing a great explosion, which severely burned the unfortunate man, and left him stunned and alone. When Bran's companions came to his relief a short time after, they narrowly escaped being killed by the blast, which then went off. Ryan was conveyed to the nearest station on a trolly, and thence despatched to Tapanui,{where he is doing as well as can be expected. Ue was recently married. " There swims no gooee so grey," says the poet, " but soon or late she finds some fitting gander for her mate," and the same thing, it seems, may be said of the gander. A mail without arms was brought before the magistrate last week for bigamy (says the writer of London Town Talk in the Melbourne Argue) : the defence was that there conld have been no pntting on of the ring by the husband (as en. joined in the Church Service), and also that he could not have given the wife his hand. This was admitted, but the father of the first wife testified that she put the ring on her knuckle and that the bridegroom " shoved it on with his teeth." " That," observed the Judge, "is cot according to the Rubric." The; bigamist, however, was acquitted en other grounds, the first wife having deserted him for seven years. Even this does not equal the once famous case of Miss Biffin, who found a husband albeit she had neither arms nor legs. It is perhaps unnecessary to add that she had property. Indeed ehe moved —or rather was carried about—in good society. There is a story of her being left by accident in the assembly-rooms at Cheltenham after a ball. When the lights were all put put she began to scream, and the night porter came up to know what was the matter. " I hay» been left behind and forgotten," Bhe cried ; " it's most shameful." —" Then step this way, ma'am."— "I can't; I've got no legs." This frightened the man, for he had never heard of Miss Biffin and of her fondness (like Dickens' dwarf) for " going into society." However, he mustered courage, and approached her with " Put out your hand, ma'am."—" I have got neither hands nor arms," was the astounding reply, at which he fled, exclaiming very illogicaliy that she must be the devil. The Star Combination Troupe repeated their entertainment last night in the Princess Theatre. A feature in it is the performance of a number of sleight-of-hand tricks, which are really cleverly performed. The dancing and singing are also very good. " The Christinas Mystery " was repeated at the Queen's Theatre last evening to a good house, and passed off most satisfactorily. Tonight a representation of " Spritsaun," another production of Mr Reynolds',|will be given.

A concert in aid of the St. Joseph's Cathedral Building Fund, under the patronage of the Most Rev. Bishop Moran, will be given in the Garrison Hall on Monday evening. The programme is an excellent one, and among those who will take part in the concert are Miss Bessie Hume, Miss Mary Hume, Signor Morley, and Messrs Scherek, Norman, and Waud.

A match, President v. Vice-president, will open the Albion Cricket Club's season to-day. The names of the teams have been published previously, and no alteration has been made. After the match the election of a captain and deputy-captain takes place. If the weather proves favourable, the Northern ground will be well attended.

Mr Robert Stout, president of the Freethought Association, will lecture at the Princess Theatre to-mor-row night at 8 o'clock, on " The Resurrection."

A concert in aid of AH Saints' Parochial Guild Fund will bo given in the Temperance Hall on the 29th inst.

The annual concert in aid of the funds of the Early Closing movement, announced for Friday, the 15th, is postponed, to avoid clashing with Mr Proctor's second lecture.

The Committee of the Benevolent Institution desire to acknowledge the receipt of the following amounts: —Further payment from Carnival Committee, £97 4s Id ; proceeds of concert and ball at Warepa, per J. Crawford, £31.

Messrs Whitelaw and Co. will hold a sale of shares, at their rooms, at noon this day.

A resident surgeon is wanted for the Timaru Hospital.

Madame Lotti Wilmot -will lecture on "Courtship and Marriage" at the Queen's Theatre on Sunday night.

At 2 p.m. on the 25th o! November, Messrß H'Ardell and Co, of Invercargill, -Hill offer for Bale the Avondale Station In Southland. Full particulars will he found in our advertising columns.

A pigeon-shooting match for a sweepstake, open to all comers, will take place at Waikouaiti on Saturday,

A cricket match -Rill take place on the Rectory groiiDd this afternoon between elevens oi the Union C.C. and the Albert C.C. Sides as follows:—U.C.C.: A. Leask (captain), W. M'Farlane, M. Smeaton, N. Binnie, E. Eaidaley, J. Smith, T. Hay, W. Tiacey, — Thomson, G. Arthur, G. Hope. Albert C.C. :J. Darling (captain), E. Jarris, R. Lees, A. Aitken, W. Doudle, J. Lawrry, J. Russell, W. Pietersen, F. Dow, T. Hendry, J. Pitsford. Play will commence at 2.30 sharp.