TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1887.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7927, 19 July 1887, Page 2

TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1887.

We published yesterday two letters from the Hon. W. H. Reynolds on the subject of the real or supposed retrenchment effected by the Government of which he is a member. The contention of Mr Reynolds is that between the last year of Major Atkinson and the current one his Government has effected.retrenchment to the extent of L 127.000. Mr Reynolds is a little late-in entering the controversial arena, and his method is one which in truth can be easily disposed of. It can hardly be. necessary for us to tell Mr Reynolds that the question, at issue is whether the retrenchment, pledge given by the head of what is now his Government has been fulfilled, or whether it has not. Addressing Mr Reynolds as a perfectly ! honest'and straightforward man, va I must ask him, as sucb, whether lie is ! not bound to admit that the comparison must be made between the years 1883-4 and the year which has just closed—namely, 31st March ISB7. Surely Mr Reynolds, enshrined as ho is in in's native honesty, could hardly look this journal in the face and without winking contend that a retrenchment pledge made in 1884 is to lie tested not by what the Government did during;three years ot otiice, but by.what they intended to do at some future time had they remained, there. With what they intended to do we arc perfectly willing to deal, and to show tliat these intentions ace quite as unsatisfactory as are past actions, and that they fall very 'far short indeed of the retrenchment requiremtnte .of the Oolony. In the ' meantime Ictus confine ourselves to what has been promised and what has been done. The promise was that upon taking office (otherwise office would not be accepted) the expenditure would be reduced by from LSO,OOO to LIOO,OOO. Now then for facts and actions. Office was taken in 1884. At the end of the first year there was, excluding interest and sinking fund, an increase of expenditure of L 108.755; at the end of the next year there was a further increase upon that of LG7,629 ; and at the end of the third year a still further increase of L 77,589 ;— in all L 254,273. To this has to be added expenditure of which the Government relieved themselves by throwing it upon loan and upon localities, which makes the total considerably over L 300,000. If, therefore, Mr Reynolds wishes to prove his case so that the public can understand him, he lias to tike that sum, together with the £80,000 of promised retrenchment, and show that it can be wiped out by deductions and. allowances made to him for inevitable increases in the expenditure of a growing colony. In other words, to prove his case he has to claim deductions to the amount of L 400,000. Can he do sol He cannot honestly attempt it. Neither education, nor defence, nor working railways will help him out of the difficulty, nor postal increase, nor anything else will help him out of the difficulty. But Mr Reynolds gives his own statement of the allowances that arc to be made to him for necessary increases, and as we have had claims on the same items from Sir Robert Stout, we can best show the value of those put forward by Mr Reynolds by placing the two together : —

Mr 'Reynold?? Ldla: Sir Robert. Stout at I i-hen (rive credit to Jorth-lua.it I'allei/. the KslimalusoflSß7-8 Tile fact was tha for "the uwessary the iiicre?-?e.i mileage extra apwcopiistion tor was 831 miles, and the the" '.'--orkiilg of 3.31 increased expenditure mil*s ov railway onened (hiring that period fur traffic since'lß34, ■ £43,1.100.

which o.inou.nls to

J.-115,56G." JNTosv, really this is-too much of a good thing. We arc very willing to allow a necessary increase of expenditure for these ;!31 miles of railway. But Sir Robert 'Stout, strolciiing 'his claim to the utuipst, demands L-13,000, and Mr Reynolds for the self-Siiins mileage demands LI 12,000. And to crown all, the Minister for PuLlic Works, in his Statement laid before Parliament, tells us that 250 miles of railway out, of the 331 increased the expenditure \>y only L9OOO. Of course at this rate Mr Eeynokls can very soon wipe avay an increased expenditure of L 400,000, or for that matter of four millions. But surely he had better revise his figures before he invites the accountants up to certify to them as correct. Apart from the astounding difference between himself and the Premier, is it not a little too much to expect us to believe that while 250 miles of railway can be worked for L9OOO, the remaining 81 miles.require L 103,000 1 Mr Reynolds means excellently beyond doubt, and has probably triod his best to keep down expenditure; but the decrease still remains in the intention, and has not yet taken place.

Having now dealt with fcho actions of the past a few lines will sv.ffico us for the prop sals of the future. We admit again what we have said all along, that the proposed savings for "the current year were not all sham

that indeed there was, within a narrow compass, a solid effort at economy made. But docs Mr Kcynolds really wish us to believe that the Colony should, or will rest satisfied with these dibrfcs so far us they wont? If tic proposed retrenchment is so very complete and satisfactory, will Mr Reynolds explain how it is that Kir Robert Stout can now sue his way to economise to the extent of LIOO,OOO more? If Sir .Robert Stout can see his way to do that now, could not Mr Reynolds have seen it before'! And if lie failed to see it, oan tl.iu proposed, retrenchment of which lie talks so much be so satisfactory Ife is quite idle to discuss the matter any further. The retrenchment required and demanded by the Colony is of a land not even contemplated, much loss attempted, by Mr lleynolds or by his Government. Indeed, throughout all this business •« mucn prefer the honest, straightforward statement of Sir Julius Vogel last year that retrenchment war, a Tin mbug and a sham ; and the equally honest avowal in the last Financial Statement. that the retrenchment, such as it was, was forced upon fciie 'Goyorn'meiib by the House.

As to the recommendation of Mr Reynolds that no Canterbury or Otago constituency should " elect anyone as " their representative who will support " any Ministry with Major Atkinson "in it," it can stand for what it is worth. Mr Reynolds is entitled to his own views on such matters, but he really must not suppose that all Iris individual prejudices are to be caught up and adopted by the constituencies of this Colony, North or South. Wo care nothing about Major Atkinson, but we do care a great deal for the manly courage, good sense, and independence of the candidates who are now coming forward. And we do not hesitate to say that the candidate who pledges himself not to support a Ministry containing any man of character and ability, whomsoever he may be, is unworthy of a seat in any Legislature in the world.

It is much to be regretted that the Pates, impersonated by the Representation Commissioners, should have chosen for annihilation a constituency which was so well represented as Waikouaiti, forcing Mr J. CBuckland to throw himself upon the tender mercies of a new electorate, half of which has comparatively little knowledge of. him. At a time when retrenchment is the order of the day, Mr Buckland has special claims upon the electors. For his vote has been consistently given in favonr of economy throughout his Parliamentary career, and he has been faithful to the object of reI ducing the public expenditure in the very smallest as in the most important mattecs. Modest and unassuming in manner, few who met Mr Buckland upon his entrance into the political world imagined that he would be the tirst'of. the baud of new member? who went ny to Wellington under the banner of " Vogel with the break on '" to have ths courage of his convictions, and leave: a party which could uot be trusted to carry them out. Whilst Mr Mackenzie, Mr Richardson, and the rest still faltered, Mr Buckland crossed the Rubicon. And though he never loft it in doubt as to which party he belonged to, no member showed himself more independent in liis votes, pursuing economy before if, acquired its recent popularity and in the face of Sir Robert Stout and Major Atkinson alike. Mr Bnckland j certainly cannot show the electors of j Wailiemo such a record of loaves ami fishes as Jfr John M'Kcime. They need not expect from him another Palmerston school palace or payment, by the. Government for faithful support in Mi extra supply of roads and bridges. But if they want a member why is intent upon retrenchment and will have the courage to pursue it, they cannot do better than choose one who has given such good tokens in the ■ p:isfc of Ills earnestness and judgment in. the matter. How exceedingly painstaking and conscientious Mr r.ucklaud is may be seen from his address, in which ho rakes the electors into the details of past extravagance and possible reductions, and puts-before them the course he intends to pursue without the slightest reserve. . Waihemo might be able to get a more brilliant and showy repre--1 sentativc than Mr Buckland, but it could not easily obtain one so thoroughly to be trusted.

FniDATf's cablegrams announced the intention of the Victorian Premier to request a reply from our Government to his invitation to New Zealand to take part in the Mel. bourne Centennial Exhibition. Greatly as we regret it, the reply must be to decline the invitation —with many thanks and expressions of goodwill aud regret, but still to decline. We are fully alive to the desirability of New Zealand taking her place alongside of the Australian Colonies on such an auspicious occasion as the celebration of the centenary of the settlement of Australia. We wish New Zealand to take every opportunity of associating herself with the growing Australasian sentiment which this Exhibition will stimulate and help to consolidate. We feel that there will be a certain disadvantage in our absence from a gathering to which the eyes of Europe will be turned by means of newspaper correspondence and reports — that unfavourable, conclusions will be drawn from our absence. But tho truth is that we cannot afford to keep up appearances any longer. There is little or no intercolonial trade adTantage to be hoped for by our representation at Melbourne, which could not be becomingly carried out under £5000. At this time we cannot afford to spend such a sum upon sentiment—a sentiment, indeed, which has grown slack by reason of the depression. Victoria is just now reaching' the end of one of. those happy periods of achievement and self-satisfaction when men's minds have leisure for national aspirations and wide ■views. Our public spirit is narrowed by our necessities to the one task of placing the Colony upon a sound financial basis. We trust that Victoria will not take it ill from its that we are obliged to refuse an invitation

which we should like very ranch to liavo accepted. But we are obliged to look askance at all proposals for expenditure just now, and wo can accept none which ire can-

not be cure will prove practically rcvavmera-

3'jetters to the editor (including one from the Hon. W. H, Reynolds) ami other matter appear on our fourth page.

The English mail brought by the S.M.S. Kaikoura reached Dunedrn by special train dboui 2.30 o'clock this morning.

The replies of t)ji> various Parliamentary candidates for Hiincdin and suburbs will be read at a general meeting of Uio Financial Reform Assocmtio2i this evening.

A sitting of the Supreme Court in Bankruptcy was held yesterday, when a considerable number of motions, principally unopposed, were dealt with. In throe eases ftfi bankruptcies were closed, and 12 debtors obtained final orders of discharge. The ai^e.ivour ii compel the (lubtor John Prentice to come before the court hr; public semination wa* abandoned, and it was intimated that other m-ocecdhigs would be taken. The civil sittings of the Supreme Court will be resumed at 10 o'clock this morning, when the special jury case Worsdell v. the United Insurance Company will be taken. The works at the overbridge have reached a point which has brought the structure very near completion. Yesterday the last section of the two massive girders which are the mainstay of the bridge was put in position. Comparatively little remaius to be done, and a very clear idea may now be formed of the appearance of tho bridge when completed. There was a delay of about four hours in the running of the cays on the Moruington line last night. The cause of the stoppage waa the wearing away of the boss of a wheel, which had to bo repaired, and this was done with all expedition possible.

A curious natural cave has been discovered in a spur of solid bluestone rock at Musselburgh. Tho St. Kilda Council havo for some time been quarrying this point for their supply of road metal, and one of the recent blasts disclosed a small tunnel-like opening on the level of the

nund, extending back into the hill in an oblique •eefcion. The men explored this passage, tak- ■; candles with them and crawling on all-fours,

an.l found that it continued for a distance of some Haft, dipping slightly. At this point the

tunnel opened out into a cave, measuring some 14ft by I:2ft and about 10ft or 12ft in height, a singular apartment to find in the heart of an otherwise solid rock. This cave, being oonsider-

ably below tho ground level, was at that time Hooded, Hie explorers standing up to their waists in water, and the wet weather that has occurred niueo has also flooded the outer passage, so that the cave is at present inaccessible to sightseers.

A meeting of those interested in the forma' tion of a new horticultural society was held al

tlio Colonial Advertising Agency's rooms on Saturday, when the report of the committee appointed to draw up the basis of a constitution — a summary of which has already appeared in our columns—was discussed and adopted. It was subsequently resolved that the society should be formed and called the Jubilee "Horticultural Society ; also, that the first monthly meeting be held that night fortnight. The committee were requested to draft rules and regulations in tho meantime, to be submitted at the

next meeting for discussion. Most of .those present recorded their names and undertook to canvass for members. One or two gentlemen expressed their sympathy with the object and constitution of the society, but were not pre" pared to sever their connection with the old society until a further effort was made to have the grievances complained of with regard to it rectified.

The funeral of the late Sirs Elmer took place at Port Chalmers on Sunday, in

the presence of her family and a very large number of her friends, amongst whom were Mr Inspector Wcldon, Dr Drysdale, and other prominent persons. The first part of the ceremony was conducted in Holy Trinity Church, a fall choir being present. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. Mr Brown, o£ Falmcrston.

It is reported that Mr C. Napier Bi engineer to the Westport Harbour Board,

tends resigning in consequence of the antagonism of Mr E. J. O'Conor, a member of the board.

The Auckland papers state that the Premier, in a private letter to a friend in Wellington, states that the popular cry for retrenchment in Dunedin " amounted to a perfect roar!"

Mr J. Aitken Connell prides himself on being a tactician, and his method so far of conducting the contest for Eden seat has somewhat surprised Aucklanders. He has discovered that there is a purely " colonial" branch of electoral work, and in inviting those willing to assist in this work, he stipulates that applicants must have one or other of the following qualifications« (I) They must have been accustomed to a country life ; (2) or, they must be members of football, cricket, lawn tennis, or other club for outdoor sport or amusement; (3) or, they must be, or have bseu, members of the volunteer force |of the colony; (4) or, they must have been born in the colony. This committee will have nothing to do with the working committee, but Mr Connell says :—" I have work to do for the colony which I cannot do unless the young colonial hands will aid and assist me."

A chess match by telegraph was commenced on Saturday between Wellington and Christohureb, but was not concluded. So far (says the Press) the Christchurch players seem to have a little the best of the match, as they have almost won games at two boards and have a decided advantage at threa others, whilst the Wellington men have slightly the best of two games only, and one of these is doubtful. The following were the players, the Canterbury being first; Board 1, H. Hookham v. C. W. Benbow; board 2, A. M. Ollivier v. W. F. Barraud; board 3 A. 11. Todd v. W. Whitten; board 4, R. T. Snarcll v. A. J. M'Tavish; board 5, A. L. Smith v. VV. Brown; board 6, W. M'William v. A. J. j Litt'.ejohu ; board 7, H. Gilbert-Stringer v. G. Wright; board 8, J. Wood v. C. Wilson Duret; heart! 9, W. Acton-Adams v. W.Lambert; board 10, A. Cant v. — Hamilton; board 11, J. G. L. Scott v. — Francis; board 12, J. J. Milner v. K. J. Barnes.

Messrs Peter Black and George Leslie, of Duiiediii, A. G. Wiggins, of Wellington, and C. S. Wright, of Auckland, are appointed public valuators under the Friendly Societies Act until 30th June 1888.

A leading citizen in Sydney writes to the Evening Press thus, under date sth July:—" We are looking forward to your forthcoming election with very keen interest. If Freetrade wins in New Zealand, the Freetraders in this colony will be greatly strengthened. What we chiefly desire to see is the removal of the duties which seriously affect the agricultural interests of your colony."

The following patents have been applied for:—-Automatic horseshoe and horseshoeing, by Gustav Dillberg, of Christchurcb, electrician; a washing machine, termed "The Boss Washer," by John Watt, of Port Chalmers, tinsmith; improvements in machinery for the manufacture of paper bags, by Henry Hughes, of Wellington; a combined wire strainer and fastener, by Robert Benjamin Williams, of Invercargill; for heating water for ci'culation, to bo called " The Acorn Circulating Boiler," by William drivers Wilkins, of luvercargill, ironmonger; an improvement in piston and other glands, by James Godfrey Warner and John James Woolgar, both of Christchurch, mechanical engineers; an improved manufacture of medicated candles and night lights, by Alfred Wright, of Te Aroha, physician; improvements in hansom cabs, by George Cameron Banks, of Edinburgh, solicitor ; a vulcanised rubber die or stamp, by Thomas Begg, of Dunedin, implement maker; improvements in the manufacture of printing roller composition, by John Rutherford Blair, of Wellington.

There has beeu a good deal of controversy of late as to the merits of Auckland aud Wellington harbours, aud the facilities afforded at each place. This has now taken a new form.the suggestion made by the Auckland papers thab that port should be the naval station for New Zealand not meeting/with favour in Wellington. The Wellington Post urges that if stationed in Auckland the war vessels would be three or four days' sail at the least from the Southern ports, where their services might be required in a hurry. From Wellington, they would command both eofstf. of both islands from the centre, and be within easy reach of every part of the colony. Wellington also offers unrivalled advantages as a coaling station, being the depot ot the West Coast'coalfields, the product of which is so infinitely superior for steam purposes to the brown coals of the North. The colony would certainly not consent to pay a large annual subsidy to gratify Auckland by keeping two men-of-war stationed in the extreme north, where they would be practically useless as a protection to any other of the chief ports. The assertion that there are larger shipping and commercial interests to conserve at Auckland than at any other place in the colony is quite unfounded, and inconsistent with facts. The only real ground for the claim advanced is that Auckland possesses docking aercrainodation. Until this is supplied in Wellington, the warships will probably have to go to Auckland when they require docking. Beyond this Auckland has no valid claim to their more froquent presence than other ports have. A number of suggestions are made for alter-

mg the name of New South Wales on the occa-

skin of the centennial of the colony, but it is scarcely likely that any alteration will be made. A woman named Mrs Pike, aged 65, a resident of Docker's Plains, near Wangaratta, Victoria, was discovered murdered on ths Bth July. She was lying on the ground with her head battered in, and a bottle covered with blood and hairs was lying alongside, this evidently being the weapon with which the deed was done. Suspicion atji taches to deceased's sister, Mrs Mepham, aged 50, a woman of violent temper, from whom the deceased had to apply to the police for protection.

Great excitement recently prevailed at Bodyke and Tate, ia Ireland, where a number of evictions are to bo carried out. An effort was made to execute a legal process upon some defaulting tenants on May 27, when it was necessary for a large force of soldiers and coustabulary, provided with an ambulance and commissariat train, to advance in battle array through the disaffected districts to the scene of operations. When they did arrive opposite the farm house, which had been converted by the teuants to be evicted into what was practically a fortress, the sub-sheriff was seized with au epileptic fit. As the officer lay on the ground a mob danced round him, yelling, and inquiring derisively whether ha were not dead, while the parish priest described the sheriff's seizure as a judgment from Heaven. Owing to this episode the evictions wore abandoned for that day. Two evictions were carried out a day or two afterwards, amid a scene of great excitement, though, owing to the presence of an overwhelming police force, there w»s n.o actual breach of the peace,

An English contemporary states that thii work of revising tho Bible which is going on in Germany does not appear to be making the desired progress. This is partly owing to the diminution which has taken place in the membership of the commission, but more to the

failure of members to attend the conferences. A. ulenary meeting of the commission held it Cologne lately was only attended by eight persons. Tho revisers began the third and last reading of tho Old Testament. The former book was finished, and the latter half completed. It has been found expedient that a commission of schohirH well acquainted with the language of Luther and the requirements of the present age should be appointed to decide on various questions affecting the diction (.£ the sample Bible which is being prepared, and the Minister of Public Worship has agreed to defray all inciden-

ml expenses,

A correspondent of tbe Straits Times informs that journal that tho Spaniards have marched across Sulu and put tho youthful Sultau of that island to ilight. The casualties on both sides appear to have been considerable, and the Sulus made a determined stand for some time at Main" bun or Membong. The Spanish attack was completely successful, although the Moros succeeded in inflicting heavy losses, both in officers and men, on the Spanish troops. The entire success of the Governor of Sulu's attack was due to the superiority over the Sulu chiefs in strategical operations. 'He sont six; men-of-war and gunboatn:to simulate en: attack by■ sea; .the Moros fell into the trap and immediately prepared to oppose a vigorous resistance to the landing of troops from the fleet. In the meantime the Governor of Sulu was marchimg overland from Viangi at the head of 900 troops, and took the Sulu forces in tho rear. The Sultan's men evidently made the best of a bad job, but they "wore out-manouvred. Their positions were carried, and all their artillery, and a mittraillense, any quantity of small arms and ammunition, fell into the hand of the Spaniard. Tho Sultan of Sulu escaped to the hills with the remainder of his forces, but nothing is known as to what has become of his splendid collection of pearls. The Sultan may have succeeded in carrying them off with him, but it is just possible that they were "looted." The Spaniards, after firing and totally destroying the town, marched back to Tiangi.

While King Kalakaua, of Hawaii, is compelled to barricade his palace against his own subjects, he is pursuing his ambitious project in the South Seas of seeking to become the head of a confederation embracing the whole of the islands of the South Pacific. He has ambassadors at the court of King Malietoa, of Samoa, and recently a man-of-war arrived; of which a correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald says:—" Only the bther day a Hawaiian man-of-war arrived, and as this is probably the longest cruise she has yet made, under her present flag at any rate, the event is looked upon with interest, and just a little suspicion. The stranger is a screw: stcamer, barque rigged, but is considered anything but a formidable vessel. The other day a salute in honour of

the Queen's jubilee was fired, but before it was half-finished the crew had to postpone a further expenditure of powder until they' got

the guns straight' again. This accomplished,

they went on firing. The whole thing is said to have been very funay. The commander of the ship is an American, but the crew are mostly coloured gentlemen. The officers arewell, I think I'll leave off right here !"

A new discovery in: mechanics, says the Financial and Mining Record of New York, was investigated in Montreal by a party,of New Yorkers, who went there for this special object. The result accomplished by the discovery is the pulverisation or grinding of the hardest substance by the action of air set in motion, resembling that of a cyclone. The air is confined in an iron chamber not larger than an ordinary house furnace. At a test given in the paint factory of M'Dougal), Logic, and Co., where the machine has been in operation for six months past, nails, iron, slag, and flint rock were reduced to an impalpable powder, while the operation was equally effective, with phosphates, mica, asbestos, rice hulls, and other pulpy and soft substances. The device is very inexpensive, and, so far a? the investigations showed, accomplishes results so important as to point to a revolution in pulverising and grinding operations in numerous departments of trade.

Mr Macdonald Cameron, the member of the House of Commons who has just received the handsome fee of £500 for reporting on Mount Morgan as an expert, expresses a very high opinion of the mine, which must not be confounded with the Mount Morgan West Company, which has been received so badly in London. The Austral .sian says he does not agree with Mr Jack, the Queensland geologist, or with local practical miners, that Mount Morgan is the solidified residue of an extinct thermal spring, but the theories which have been formed respecting the origin of the lode do not affect the credit of the mine as a going concern. Mr Cameron estimates Mount Morgan as capable of yielding 234,0000z of gold per annum, worth, say, £932,000, or, after paying workiDg expenses, a net profit of £795,000. The profits at present appear to average £200,000 per annum; the yield during the half-year ending 31st May having been a little under 40,0000z. Mount Morgan is beyond doubt the richest gold mine in the world, and they are lucky men who hold original shares. , ;

Instructions have been given by Sir Henry Parkes that all the records of New South Wales which are stored in the Colonial Secretary's department should be collected and arranged so that they, may be deposited in the proposed State House. Search had been made amongst the records for the commission of Governor Phillip, but so far without, success. It is surmised, says the Daily Telegraph, that Governor Phillip, may have retained' bis own commission, as in those days the practice of handing over Government records to the Colonial Secretary was not rigidly observed. From about the year 1820 there is a fairly complete list of the records of the colony. The commissions held by Governors Gipps, Macquaric, and others who exercised vice-regal sway are obtainable, and also a number of other ancient and interesting documents, which will be duly deposited in the building to be erected to mark the centenary of the colony.

As showing to what a pitch tbe anti-German feeling has reached in Paiis, the correspondent of a contemporary says:—" A number of young men having learned that the musicians of Pexon's Menagerie, at Clermont-Ferrand, were Germans, got together a crowd of ' manifestants,' who assembled outside the menagerie, hooted the owner, and caused such disturbance that the police were only able to prevent a riot by announcing that Pezon had dismissed his orchestra, and that the music was to be supplied by some orpheonists of the town. Similar outbreaks are occurring all over the country, where a general effort is being made to get rid of all the Germans that popular ill-will can deprive of the means of gaining their living. During the recent excitement over the ' introduction of 1 Lohengrin,' M. Lamoureux received numbers of abominable anonymous letters threatening him with every species of outrage. He has a charming and very pretty daughter, aged 18. One of the outrageous missives alluded to contained the following threat:—'lf you continue to play ' Lohengrin,' we will spoil your daughter's face with vitriol.'"

New York during the month of May (says the correspondent of the Melbourne Argus) has been experiencing a series of " dry " Sabbaths quite unknown in ibs annals. This has not been due to the premature arrival of the summer heats— though it has happened that all the Sundays of the month have been very hot—but to the fact that the newly-elected mayor made up his mind that the law against liquor selling on tho Sabbath should be enforced. As he has the power to remove the commissioners of police, the announce" ment of his purpose produced a great effect. Tho law is an old one, passed 30 years ago, but it has always been openly and generally evaded. That is to say, while the main entrances of the liquor shops, or "saloons" as they are called here, have beeu closed, there has always been free entry by a side door. Now, however, these also have been closed, and even the innkeepers and restaurateurs have been prevented from serving liquors with the meals to their " guests." The excitement li&s been great, but the mayor is nrm, and the police have discovered that they could do what for a quarter of a century they have insisted was impossible. The law is too strict, and will have to be modified, but its enforcement has had the effect of showing what can be done in the way of regulating the traffic in liquor. I am sorry to say, however, that there has been no decrease in the amount of drunkenness. The wayward have laid in their supplies on Saturday night, or have gone across the river into the cities of New Jersey and got what they wished.

The typhoid fever epidemic in Victoria is now considered to be at an end. The complete returns for the six mouths ended June 30 show that uo fewer than 1726 cases were reported, of which 398 terminated fatally. It is believed that all the fatal cases were reported to the board of health by the medical attendants of the patients. The disease has been almost general throughout the colony.

Thb Melbourne Argus gives the following description of an ingenious contrivance to be used

in case of shipwreck. It consists of the mattress of a ship's bunk, which can be instantaneously converted into a email boat. The mattress, which is the invention of Mr Martin, of Dayles-

ford, is made of canvas and cork shavings, is the length of a ship's bunk—6ft by 19in—and is sin in thickness. When opened it forms into a small boat, with oars, rowlocks, seat, and every other necessary appliance complete. The hull is so contrived as to hold a couple of gallons of water, which can be drawn off at will. The sides can be filled up with air, thus avoiding the possibility of overturning when the boat is put out to sea. Although constructed to hold only oue person, a couple could easily crowd iuto it, whilst half-a-dozen could cling to the sides without fear of it sinking. Rings are attached to the sides, the bow, and stern, so that, should occasion require, a number of the boats can be

lashed together to form a raft.

Sir G. Berry and Sir S. Samuel have had a conference with the Director of the French

Postal department on the question of transil

rates for Australian mails. It was arranged that the latter should report on the matter to the Minister of Finance, whose decision will be given a week hence. The Agents-general have modified their plans, and will await the reply

of the French Government before returning to

England. The suggestion of the Ostend route, made by the Agents-general at the first interview, was used as ft means of bringing pressure to bear, and if is now expected that the concession asked for will be granted. The French Government do not object to the division of the mail matter providing tho traffic is guaranteed ou the basis of the Convention of 1880.

Mr T. W. Dunn will give a lecture this evoning, in which bo will describe the characteristics of the candidates for Parliamentary honours in Dunedin and suburbs. To assist him in the task Mr Dann has had crayon drawings made of the features of the various candidates, and these wil be exhibited.

An entertainment was given in the South Dunrdin Wesleyau Ctiurch on Friday by the Trinity Wesleyan Choir, entitled " An Evening : with Sankey's Hymns." Selections from these and one or two others were given in excellent style and greatly appreciated by the numerous audience. The soloists were Misses Coventry and Bell and Mr Marsden, while the same two ladies with Mr Marsden and Mr Fa} no gave a quartette. Mr Faulkner acted as organist, and from the success with which the selections were given Mr Marsden and his choir will no doubt receive invitations to repeat the entertainment.

A good deal of interest w«s excited yesterday evening by the first appearance at tho Lyceum 'df Mr Newton; the travelling auctioneer; who has been doing such an extraordinary business in New South Wales, and recently in one or two Otago towns. The floor of the hall was densely packed, and the salesman; who proved a shrewd' genial fellow, knowing well how to keep his audience in a buying humour, drove a roaring

There was a good attendance at the Princess Theatre last night. The new programme was again well received, and several of the performers who during the season distinguished themselves were recalled. The proceedings concludedwith a long shoe competition, which was won by Charles Wadley. There were four competitors) and the ' judges gavo an immediate decision. To-night's performance will be tho last of the season, and a special prepared programme is to be presented. There is also to be an amateur clog dance competition, for which a large number of entries have been received.

Messrs Keid, Maclean, and Co. will sell five shares in the Mountain Baoe Gold Mining Company on the 2Sthinst; ■■.•: . . ■. ■ - ' . - Tenders are invited for the erection of All Saints parsonage. At the Oamaru Poultry Show Messrs Webster, of Dunediu, took some first prizes in the poultry classes, canying off the honours in the blackbreasted red game. : ■ The Grand Hotel, Dunedin. To families nnd others. Special tariff during the winter and Bpnng months, 'l'erms according to rooms, length of residence, &G.—[*T»VT.] Interesting to Oentlemen.—Carter and Co. have purchased from the official assignee the entire stock of hats, ties, collars, shirts, braces, handkerchiefs, &c, of George Bertinshaw, valued at wholesale price at £169 14s 2d... Carter and Co. paid £75 cash for the lot, and will offer to-day extraordinary bargains. Deer-stalker hats 3s lid, formerly 4s Gd, gents' hard hats, newest shape and perfect goods, Is lid, formerly Is 6<l; gents', hard hats, formerly 8s 6d, now: 4s 6d; gents very best quality rabbit fur, formerly 12s 6d, now 6s 6d." A few belltopers, 2s 6d, 4s 6d, and the very best 10s 6d, worth £1 Is. Gents'ties, we shall offer 1000 at 9d, formerly Is Ud, and 2s 6d ties for Is; genta' linen collars, very best, 6s a dozen. Thousands of other bargains too numerous to mention.—Cabteb and Co., the cheapest drapers and clothiers in the colony.—[ADVi.] . . The cheapest ready-money establishment in Dunedin. Try The London, in George street. 1000 pairs mitts, #d,6^d,7§d;blaok,silk mitts, fid pair; evening silk gloves, Is 6d; good shape corsets, Is lid,2s 6d, 3s 6d; stylish jeraejs, 4s lid, 5s lid; long boas, 2s 6d, 3s 9d, 5s 6d; ladies' nights (trimmed) 2s 6d, 2a lid, 3s 6d; chemises, Is 9d, 2s3d, 2s lid ; drawers, Is 9d, 2s 6d, 3s 6d. Try our noted umbrellas, stylish handles, 2s, 2s 9d, 3s 6d, 4s Od. Wonderful cheap blankets. Strangers to Dunedin can make a big saving by purchasing from The London, in George street. Pbice and Bulleid. — TAdYT 1 ■' ' ■ ■ ■ ■ ' ■ The Best Lunch in Town.—The Coffee Palace, for visitors and boarders, unsurpassed in comfort and economy.—[Advt.]