THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 1892.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9331, 23 January 1892, Page 2

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 1892.

As the general election draws nearer, the leaders and wirepullers of both the great political parties iv England display a natural anxiety as to the electoral attitude of the working'classes. Itinerant politicians are busy, Auto-lycus-like, crying their wares and striving to persuade the workers, urban and agricultural, that Oodlin is their friend, not Short. Gladstoniau speakers have been especially active in this direction, and the party's bid for the industrial support has been formulated in the J?ewcastlo programme. Conservatives and Liberal Unionists, moreover, have not been idle; Sir John Gorst, perhaps the most able and open - minded of the

subordinate Ministers, seems to have been told off as a sort of inquiry agent and lecturer on matters relating to -labour j while Mr Chamberlain, who can at least claim to have been a Radical whea Radicalism' was a less easy piofession thah at present, has been counselling the workers in a series of brilliant speeches to cast in their lot with the present Government. Of course, in each constituency there is tho^ possiblo alternative of nominating a Labour candidate, but, as Mr Champion observes in the " Nineteenth Cenlury" for December, "the number of available candidates of their own farcy, with the essential

qualifications of energy, ability, and reputation, is nftessarily small, and these can only succeed in constituencies where workmen voters outnumber the

other classes, and have, thoroughly learnt the necessity for resolute and independent political action." It must be borne in mind that party ties are exceedingly strong in the old country ; the majority of workers call themselves

either Liberals or Conservatives (and Conservative workingmen are much more numerous in English towns than some people imagine) ; so that the concentration of the Labour vote in a nonparty direction constitutes a much more serious wrench of habit than would be the case, for instance, in the colonies. Mr Champion thinks, however, that in i very constituency it should be made known that the vote "goes solid " for the candidate who most thoroughly pledges himself to support the "five points of the Labour Charter," and from him a promise must be extracted that, if necessary, he will vote in the House " against his own party to further the Labour platform." Mr Champion adds, "If this be done, no Ministry will be able to carry on the government for six weeks without giving security fora substantial instalment of the reforms which workmen are determined to have." However reasonable these reforms may be—aud we consider some of them to be eminently so—it is sincerely to be trusted that no Ministry will find itself entirely at the mercy .of the Labour party. Perhaps there is nob much dangev of this undesirable contingency. It may be doubted whether tho pledge to vote against his§ own party in order to further the. Labour platform would be given by a single Conservative candidate, and certainly a large number of Liberals would refuse to take a step so seriously compromising (heir independence, if not involving a distinct disloyalty to (heir leader. Supposing, however, that a large majorily of Liberals were to be returned owing to the wholesale swallowirjg of Mr Champion's proposed pledge, what then 1 Has not Mr Gladstone said : "As to the question of ihe title of Ire'aud to the precedence there is no question at all about it 1"? Would the Liberal members, mindful of their pledge, turn round and tell the new Premier he must attend to.Labour matters first,? And if so, what of the Irish vote? And if the Irish problem were taken first, invpjvitig, as it almost certainly would, a fierce combat and another dissolution, Heaven knows how long Labour might have to wai'. Mr Chamberlain said in Wales las' October : "For some years to come, if Mr Gladstone succeeds, these great constitutional questions (Home Rule and a controversy with tLo House of Lords) must be occup)ing all our time, and while they are being fought out on the floor of the ilouso of Commons and the House of Lords other reforms must wait disconsolately in the lobby." Mr Chamberlain's moral, of course, is

that those electors who desire domestic reform would do well to support the present Government.

The five points of Mr Champion's Labour Charter were mentioned in the s;ec'al letttr from him which we j ub-

l:shed on the I6'.h of this month, and they are elaborated in his " Century " article. The first demand is a shorter working day—"the fixing of a maximum labour day of eight hours

by law." Perhaps the chief motive of this demand was never more boliiy declared than by Mr Champion in th:-. following words:—"lt will so reduce tho proportion of unemployed compctitois for work as to enable th« employed to successfully el:iim (ha highest wa c lie necessities of the employers will allow.'

It is admitted that an increase in " the leisure and the real freedom" of the worker is regarded as a secondary consideration. According to Mr Champion it is " intended" (sic) by the eight hour men that; " the next Parliament's first business shall be to establish an eight hour day in Government workshops and factories ; in specially hazardous and unhealthy occupations; in those in which overwork is dangerous to the* public; and in enterprises which enj >y a monopoly granted by the legislature." This proposal certainly cannot bo regarded as immoderate, and it is observable that Sir John Gorst, speaking at Wolverhampton on October 30, though deprecating Legislative compulsion, suggested the advisability of making an experiment in the workshops of the Government and the great municipalities. The second clause of the charter relates to the demand for access to the land on the part of the agricultural labourer, a demand backed up by* the urban worker in the hope of staying the rush of hbour citywards. We quoted some words of the Prime Minister on this point ouly the other day, and Mr Champion, who also quotes them as noteworthy, thinks that the best " rendering of the cry of ' the land for the people' would be on? which, by facilitating the compulsory purchase of laud for such objects, would allow co-operative cultivation on a large scale to be carried on with the capital and science which alone can make labour on the land really re-, muuerative." In the present condition of agriculture peasant proprietors would htiYe to pay for access to the land " by an expenditure of labour out of all proportion to the result."- These are the two chief points of the charter—the points which "have be hind them that practical enthusiasm of. the electorate without which in a democratic country no change is possible." Mr Champion adds an ominous comment: both of these reforms, he think?, would swell the ranks of Protectionists. The third point is that matter of old-age pensions to which Mr Chamberlain has been giving so much attention, and to which wo alluded last month; the fourth relates to the incidence of taxation, and the rate of the death duties ; and the sixth to employers' liability, and the general protection of the worker. " When the moderate nature' of the programme here set forth is considered," says Mr Champion, "it seems probable thatthere will be no great difficulty in carrying it through the House." It is certainly noteworthy that the Conservative party appears williug to go a certain way ia regard to all the five points, perhaps with the exception of the fourth; and it is equally noteworthy that Mr Champion deprecates as unnecessary that " tinkering with the machinery of elections " which is involved in the schemes of one-man-oat-vote and payment of members, and which forms so conspicuous a feature iv the Liberal programme.

Notwithstanding all the bluster in which members of the Government upon occasion are apt to indulge, signs are not wanting that they nave taken-much to heart criticisms that have been from time to time bestowed upon them. We should say, indeed, that they are a little alarmed at the precarious position in which they find themselves. It is all very well to appeal to the unthinking for sympathy by denouncing the newspapers, but it puts too much strain even upon the blindest credulity to pretend that the newspapers of this colony would deliberately band themselves together in hostility against any particular set of men who happened to be in power. There must always be differences of opinion in this world, and to suppose that newspapers form an exception to the rule is to pretend that they are conducted by men who are differently constituted to the rest of mankind. If there is anything approaching to unanimous hostility to a Government, a system, or an individual among newspapers, it is safer as well as wiser to look for the faults in the Government or the individual rather than in their critics. To put the matter on the very lowest footing, it does not pay to oppose those in power except in the interests of a community. Mr Seddon evidently begins to perceive this important fact, though he is not disposed to admit it in so many words. He would like to silently correct the errors of the past without admitting that he has been wrong m the past. At the Lawrence banquet the other day he declared that the Government " were not going to legislate particularly m the interest of the small farmer or the labouring man. They were going fairly and evenly to legislate so that they might promote the happiness and well-being of all." No one ever accused the Government of legislating in the interest of the small farmer, or in the real interests of the working man. But if the general opinion has been formed that their aim was to promote class differences, to trade upon ignorance, and truckle to mere numbers, they have to thank their own speeches and actions tor the fact. But it is never too late to mend. ho long as it seemed to the interest of the Government to be mere tools in the hands of one section of the community they were apparently willing to be so. It now begins to dawn upon them that owiug to the essential tairness of a people, popularity does not lie in that direction. If the desire for popularity will do what public integrity and the general sense of responsibility fail to do,"there is at leasb something gained. Better to have the right thing done from a wrong motive than to persistently do the wrong thing.

Pursuing the new and improved line of tactics Mr Seddon said in reference to the taxation proposals that " there must be finality with them— without it disaster would follow; and the Government had determined that there should be finality—that the tax would not be raised from Id to. 6d as their opponents prophesied, but that it should remain at Id." All very well; Mr Seddon, as the mouthpiece of the Government, has evidently an uneasy eye upon the English capitalist who lends us money to promote the work of settlement and colonisation. But on whom does the responsibility rest for the fear that there was no finality in our fiscal policy? What of the Premier's vapourings about the " thin edge of the.wedge," and the dark threats of what was to follow this first instalment of a new policy ? And how can Mr Seddon guarantee finality in a public policy that must remain subject to the varying influences of the times and the condition of the colony? The property tax, like the English income tax, had to fluctuate with the needs of the revenue. In a deficiency it had to be increased and in aredundancy reduced. Are there to be no deficiencies for the future ? And if there are, where is the revenue to come from ? Is the Treasurer of the future to come down to the House and say, "There is a deficiency in the revenue that must be made up from the customs, the beer or the income tax, for it is absolutely necessary that there should be finality in the land tax" ? We suspect that such a Treasurer would get a short shrift. Mr Seddon may endeavour to hoodwink the farmers as much as he chooses ; but it is as certain as anything can bo that the co-existence of finality in the land tax and a deficiency in the revenue means the abolition of the exemption of L3OOO. And it can mean nothing else.

The Minister of Lands and Land Taxes in his speech at Lawrence the other clay summed up our capabilities for judging of his official sayings and doings by stating that we compared him, when on the stump, to a bull in a china shop. >So he should be surprised to find how ready we are to give him praise where praise is due. In illustration of this, we frankly confess that nothing could be more worthy of commendation than certain of the statements expressed by him in the speech in question—for example, that "ho believed every landowner who improved his property should be allowed to go free of taxation on improvements ;" that the Government had "no intention of increasing the taxation on land, or of" making laud alone bear taxation;" and further, that "he had no doubt large areas had come into possession of people in a manner that would not bear investigation if gone into. But these areas had been acquired in some shape or form under the laws in existence, ai:d he would be the last man in the colony to repudiate any bargain made under the law." We confess that for once he has given utterance to words of truth and soberness, of justice and fair play. It should bo noted, however, that although giving practical effect to these sentiments would be a step in the right direction if done at once, yit doing so lit some future and indefinite peiiod would bu little consolation to tho.si! men who may in the meantime l.c embarrassed or ruined. It is a well known fact that the Home financial companies have already

withdrawn money to a harmful extent, and that more is to follow, and tho sufferers from this are tho very men who, in order to improve their properties, have had this facility from these companies. However, now that the Government have had time coolly to weigh the several planks of their policy, they will, no doubt, havp ere this discovered the injurious effects of, and injustice inflicted upon, Homo financial companies by their oppressive and exceptional taxation. The Government could even at this the eleventh hour so far stay this evil, until Parliament meets, by giving official expression to the course they propose to adopt in the light of tho experience they have gained of the harmful effects of taxing improvements and financial companies upon a compound ratio.

We notice with satisfaction that on the occasion of Mr Walter Bentley's iinal appearance at the theatre this evening he is to be the recipient of a presentation at the hands of the Mayor of Dunediu. The motive for this somewhat unusual step is obvious and adequate. Not only is Mr Bentley a highly accomplished actor, whose mastery of his profession suggests a future of really groat renown, he is also an old Dunedinite. Indeed, it was in this city that he made his first histrionic bow, and though that earliest essay, as he himself has observed, was not n brilliant success, Dunedin people will now remember the fact with gratification, and he is. not likely _to miss honour in what was once his own country. And iv honouring this old fellow townsman we honour a follower of that school of conscientious and nspiring artists who have done so much to raise the actor's profession to its present worthy status. To have been the trusted henchman of Henry Irving for a number of years is itself an eloquent testimony; to have satisfied such a master, and to have learnt eagerly and reverently what he has to teach, assuredly means much. Wo do not know whether Mr Beutley would wish it to be said that, in regard to Irving, ho had "learnt his great language, caught his clear accents, made him a pattern to live and to die " (and Mr Irving can die most effectively upon the stage), but that he feels his debt to the great tragedian of the Lyceum we make no doubt. At the same time no actor could display more marked originality or a more adequate and essentially' intellectual conception of the famous dramatic creations which he takes upon himself to represent. We cordially wish him the most far-reaching success to which his aspirations may point, and are glad to think that in such success the people of Dunedin would be ablo to claim a special interest. In days to come—the days of the unborn millions—the cities of New Zealand will doubtless be the nurseries of many a famous actor; at present it is something that Dunedin was the home of one so likely to achieve abiding greatness as Mr Bentley.

The respectfully sorrowful attitude of the English people towards the Royal Family on the occasion of the death of the Duke of Clarence recalls an incident which shows that events of the kind are not without political significance. Even in stolid England politics are in a large measure dominated by sentiment, and it is upon occasions like this that sentiment is allowed full play. In 1871, when France was crushed by military disasters, a special emissary was sent round to all the European courts to enlist the sympathy and possible support of some of the powers in favour of. France. By this time the strong feeling in favour of Germany had to some extent worn off, and much sympathy was expressed for the French. A republican demonstration was held in Trafalgar square, at which a number of volunteers attended in uniform. This was contrary either to regulations or to an express order, and led to several dismissals. Then an attempt was made to form a republican party in London. It was a very small"" affair, but it had a distinct existence and continued in a state of agitation for some months. When the civil war broke out in France the republican party was joined by more advanced spirits, who favoured the aspirations of the Commune. Towards the end of that year serious illness overtook the Prince of Wales, and for some days his life was despaired of. This, as will be well remembered, led to an almost unprecedented outburst of expressions of loyalty to the Throne, and from being rather unpopular the Prince suddenly became popular to a degree which has never failed him since, though perhaps diminished by recent events. Curiously enough, from that day the republican party ceased to attract any attention and died of neglect. We should not be surprised if the outburst of loyal sentiment on the occasion of the recent death, backed as it is by similar expressions of sympathy from all parts of the Empire and from abroad, had a visible effect on English politics ; and in this way, though in itself the young Prince's death has singularly little significance, the future historian of the nineteenth century will not be able to neglect it. .. ' •

If the wisdom or the! prudence of the. methods adopted by the Temperance Alliance is not to be admired, their hopeful persistency certainly is. It is difficult to refuse sympathy to men who work so laboriously at the rather thankless task of grappling with a prodigious evil like the' drink traffic; and the sympathy is, perhaps, all the keener when we hear from them an almost despairing cry like that which broke from Sir William Fox the other clay. " They had been fighting the battle of. humanity," he said, '' for many years, and they must win in a Christian country. He was, however, sometimes induced to exclaim with the Scripture, ' Oh, Lord, how long?'" That the temperance advocates are fighting the battle of[humanity there can he no doubt; but the question still remains whether they are fighting it in the best way. To rigidly control the liquor traffic and reduce the temptations of the weak to within a comparatively small compass is clearly a possible task. To altogether deprive the strong—who, after all, are the great majority of mankind—of their right to take an occasional stimulant is a task of prodigious difficulty, if not an absolutely impossible one. The Alliance has had some success in a few licensing districts, but we are not aware that the effect of their success within those districts is noticeable. The fact is that even a prohibitionist licensing committee cannot travel aha :ul of public opinion—it dare not prohibit. Nu one can answer for the long future, but clearly the time is not ripe for prohibition. . Would it not be wise for the Alliance to drop the heroic task and concentrate every effort upon that which is possible—reasonable and satisfactory control ?

Mr Chew Ghong, of Taranaki, as we suspected from the first, was not destined to take his place beside Pasteur and Koch as one of the great discoverers in the domain of medical science. For some time back he has been industriously'picking "thread-like parasites" from out the noses of the good people of Taranaki. The parasites, upon examination under the microscope, turned out to be portions of mucous membrane, or cuticle as it is called in the report which has reached us. Mr Chew Chong bade fair to have a very large clientele, since it was clearly impossible for anyone (having a nose at all) to be brought before him from whom a thread-like parasite could not be extracted. The fact that many of Mr Chew Chong's patients were much improved after the extraction of the thread-like parasite is not at all surprising. Mr Chew Chong's surgery was every whit as potent as Mr Milner Stephen's magnetised water. They both beneficially affected the imaginations of the credulous and the weak. Given the belief that a man is suffering from the effects of a parasite" in the nose, and the extraction of that parasite is bound to reduce the suffering. That the parasite should turn out to be a piece of cuticle makes no difference—so long as the patient does not know it. What has destroyed Mr Chew Chong's sphere of usefulness—for he does not appear to have been mercenary—is not the fact that there were no thread-like parasites in the nose, but that everyone now knows the fact.

In our supplement this morning will be found local reports, letters to the editor, our Melbourne letter, Passing Notes by "Civis," and other matter.

A special meeting of the Land Board was held yesterday for the purpose of considering the question of the classification of runs. All the members of the board were present, viz.: Mr J. P. Maitland (chief commissioner) and Messrs Dallas, M'Kerrow, Clark, and Duncan. The board went into committee and sat until late in the afternoon, after which the further consideration of the question was adjourned for a week. The result of the deliberations of the board will not be made known until all the runs have been dealt with.

Large quantities of dairy produce are being shipped at Port Chalmers for London. The Middle Island Dairy Association are sending Home 74 tons of cheese by the s.s. Forfarshire and 150 tons by the s.s. Otarama, and will

despatch a similar quantity next month. In addition to this a large quantity of butter has also been shipped from this district.

A young man who, with two others, was rowing on the harbour iv a waterman's boat on Wednesday evening had a narrow escape from drowning. The boat in which he was almost collided at a corner of the wharf with a boat belonging to the Dunediu Amateur Rowing Club, in which the captain (Mr W. J. MacLaughlin) was stroke. The oar wielded by No. 2 of the racing boat struck the young man referred to on the chest, with the result that he was thrown into the water. It was the act of a, moment for Mr MacLaughlin to jump in after him. The young man had sunk twice before ho could be got into his boat again, and as he was

unable to swim it may be that it is to the promptness of Mr MacLaughlin and the club crow that he owes his life.

There \vas-;i clean charge sheet at the Police Court yesterday morning.

There have been no fresh cases of smallpox among the crew of the barque Umvoti, who were removed to Quarantine Island on tho

vessel's arrival,

The body of tho seaman named Alexander M'Donald, who fell off the steamer Manapouri and was drowned in the upper harbour on the 14th inst., was recovered yesterday by some lads.at Blanket Bay. Information was given to Sergeant Neil, who had the body removed to Port Chalmers.

The following sections of Crown lands were disposed of during the week: —Section 20, block VIII, Tuapeka West, 199 acres, cash price 20s—Catherine Bolton, on perpetual lease; section 3, block IV, Tautuku, 20 acres, cash price 20s—William Heath, under the village homestead system.

The Hon. Mr Seddon, as Minister for Mines, paid an official visit to Kaitangata on Thursday, and was there entertained at lunch by the mayor and councillors of the borough. Subsequently the Minister visited and examined the mines, and expressed himself satisfied with the way in which they were working, and especially with the progress made at the Castle Hill mine, where they have a very complete plant, and expect to strike coal in about three months from the present time. The Hon. Mr Seddon was requested to deliver an address at Kaitangata, but time would not permit of compliance with the request. He, however, promised to visit Kaitangata again at an early dato and to then deliver a public address. The date of the departure of the Minister is not yet fixed, and it is probable he will visit the Otago Central railway before going north.

It will be remembered that the assets of the Dunedin Musical Association were taken over by Messrs C. Begg and Co., when their representative, Mr Wishart, intimated that he would probably form a new society. The musically inclined will be glad to learn that the constitution and rules of the new society are about to be printed and circulated. It is to be called the Dunedin Gesang-Verein, Mr W. E. Taylor, F.C.0., organist of St. Paul's pro-Cathedral, has been appointed conductor, and Mr J. B. Ferguson secretary, thus combining the old and new notations. There is reason to believe the new musical union will be well supported.

At the request of the Dunedin Regatta Committee a meeting of yaehtowners was held last evening at Philp's Hotel to discuss the regulations under which yachts are to be sailed in the forthcoming regatta, and to draw up a report on the matter. Dr Macdonald was elected chairman, and the meeting which was a very representative one drew up the following suggestions :—(1) That the classification of the yachts be—first-class, five tons and over; second class, five tons and under; third class, under three tons. (2) That the rules of the British Yacht Racing Association for reckoning tonnage and time allowances be adopted, as in the Exhibition Regatta. It was also decided that an effort be made to form a Yacht Club for Otago Harbour, and that Messrs Bell, Sligo, Hutchison, E. Knewstubb, Myers, Brent, Purdie, and Dr. Jno. Macdonald, be a committee to sketch out a constitution and rules for the proposed club, and report to a general meeting of yachtsmen to be held shortly after the Dunedin regatta.

A Balclutha telegram states that Messrs James W. Wilson and Co. offered the Manuka Island Estate for sale yesterday in suitable sized farms. There was a large attendance. For one or two farms there was good competition, but in fourteen lots out of the 22 offered the price' did not reach the owner's reserves. In all eight farms were sold, the acreage being 2371. The prices realised ranged from 35s to 105s per acre, the average being L - 2s 6d. It is believed most of the unsold farms will be sold privately. The farms sold are considered good value at the pi'ice. Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs that at a meeting of the Diocesan Standing Committee reference was made to the health of Archdeacon Mules, Bishop designate of Nelson, which it was stated was very poor, his strength having failed so seriously that grave doubts existed as to the possibility of his being able to discharge the duties of the office of bishop, which involves a great deal of travelling. The question of approving the nomination was left to the general synod which meets next month. ■ ' ■ ■■■;

On Wednesday; at Naseby, Thomas Healey^, a settler on the Kyeburn Hundreds, was charged before the Resident Magistrate, on the information of Sergeant Green with stealing 29 slieep, the property of Alexander Anthony and Ronald M'Master, of Oamaru district. AJnumber of witnesses gave evidence, and after a hearing lasting two days the accused was committed to take his trial at the Supreme Court, Dunedin, on the 7th March. Mr Kerr conducted the prosecution, and Mr M'Carthy represented the accused. Bail was fixed at Lsoo—accused in L2OO, and two sureties in Ll5O.

The Oamaru Harbour Board has received an offer to purchase L4OOO worth of the board's debentures held by the bank against overdraft. It was decided that the intending purchaser be referred to the bank.

Harvesting operations commenced ■on the Waimea Plains last week (says the Gore Standard), when the New Zealand Agricultural Company started cutting a 270-acre paddock of sparrowbill oats. The crop is an exceptionally fine one. This paddock, and one of Mr Wilson Hall's, have ripened early; but harvesting will not be general in that district for at least another fortnight yet.

A lecture was given in old Knox Church last evening by Mr J. Corrie Johnston, ou the subject of "The Larger Hope." The lecturer dealt with the question entirely on Scriptural grounds, and contended that not only isolated texts, but the whole trend of Scripture was opposed to the teaching that there could be any salvation after death. Frequent references was made to Canon Farrar's works, and also to the pamphlet published in Dunedin under the title of "The Reign of Grace," and the lecturer maintained that the doctrine of the "final restitution of all things" was distinctly unscriptural.

A lecture was delivered in the City Hall last night on "Scottish Characteristics" by Mr Angus Macgregor, M.A., who was for many years a resident of Dunedin, where he was, as the Rev. Dr Stuart, who occupied the chair, remarked, in introducing him, the "tutor-in-chief of most of our learned men." The lecturer stated that it was his desire to pointout some of the characteristic features which by their high development in Scotchmen differentiated them from other nations. The first and strongest feature of Scottish character was, he said, its intense nationality—a love for the country, a pride in it, and an earnest desire to do something for it. Next to his country that which was dearest to the typical Scotchman's heart was, the lecturer stated, his church. Numerous other features of Scotch character were dealt with, each point being enlarged upon and graphically illustrated by Mr Macgregor, who succeeded in thoroughly interesting a sympathetic audience. Considering that the lecture was under the auspices of the Caledonian and Gaelic Societies the attendance was not satisfactory.

At the last meeting of the Strath-Taieri School Committee, Mr Robert Neill (the chairman) and Mr J. J. Ramsay were nomiuated as candidates for scats on the Education Board of

Otago:

Another large and enthusiastic meeting greeted Mr Selby at the Tabernacle last evening, when he lectured on " Charles Spurgeon and Charles Bradlaugh." Mr J. F. Floyd presided. At the close there was the usual fusillade of questions, which the lecturer disposed of in his characteristic style. On Monday evening he lectures in the same place, under the auspices of the Orange Institution, on " Martin Luther," and on Sunday evening he speaks on the " Progress of Revelation."

The members of the Amy Vaughan Burlesque and Pantomime Company reached Dunedin yesterday by the Penguin and open on Monday evening. The whole of the scenery used is quite new, having been specially painted by Mr Neville Thornton.

Mr E. Trcgear, of Wellington, has issued, through Messrs Lyon and Blair, a series of stories, entitled " Fairy Tales and Folk Lore of New Zealand and the South Seas," intended

as a National Header for schools. The stories, which have been carefully prepared from the legpuds preserved by Maoris and handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth, are very interesting ; and as they arc told "in simple and homely Saxon," there appears to be no reason why they should not largely replace "the better known Teutonic legends so dear to the hrsirts of British children,"

The Dunedin Burns Club will celebrate the anniversary of the bard on Monday evening by a reunion at the Garrison Hall. The speakers will include Mr A. J. Burns, Hon. T. Fergus, Rev. Dr Stuart, and Mr Thornton. Scottish music will be interpreted by a choir of 40 voices and 20 instrumentalists.

Mr W. H. Jude, who has gained a name as an organist, composer, and vocalist will be introduced to the New Zealand public next month by Mr H. J. Pollard. Many of the songs of Mr Jude, such as " Plymouth Sound" are well-known to the public. His success as an entertainer in England should be a sufficient guarantee that we may expect a musical treat. We have received a souvenir of Mr Jude's concerts in the form of a collection of songs set to music which he sings at his concerts.

The first exhibition in Dunedin of Mr George Kelly's new and improved phonograph takes place this evening in the City Hall. '

The programme is published in our advertising columns of the swimming tournament which is to be held at St. Clair on the (sth of February. Entries close at 2 p.m. on the 3rd prox. A meeting of shareholders in the Big River Gold Mining Company will bo held at Watson's Hotel on Monday.

Mcssrß ■W. E. Reynolds and Co. will sell bag wool on Monday at their stores. Messrs E. C. Reynolds and Co. will sell on the 2nd prox. the mining claims, water rights, &c. of the Upper Shotover Gold Dredging Company. Miss Rehberg resumes pianoforte teaching on the Ist February. According to the Sydney Morning Herald palmistry in the hands of Madame Nordska, who is at present in Dunedin, is something more than o merely quaint and amusing pastime. Miss A. H. Wilson resumes the teaching of the pianoforte. She does not intend leaving for England as was lately reported. Miss Jennie West resumes teaching singing and the pianoforte on the Ist prox. ' Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sell crosscountry horses and trotting pony, &c, to-day. The Mutual Agency Company will hold a sale of bag wool on Monday. Mr D. M. Spedding will sell apples to-day. On the 28th inst. he will sell a consignment of overmantels and an invoice of American buggies Practices of the oratorio " Elijah" will be commenced on the 2nd prox. at St. Paul's Schoolroom.

Messrs James A. Park and Co. will sell to-day building sites adjoining the residence of Mr J. Rattray, Eghnton. On Monday they will sell household turmture, oil and water colour paintings, &c. On the Bth prox. they will offer the freehold property at Wakari known as Woodlands, with cottage and gardfn, and afterwards 50 shares in the Naseby Pastoral Investment Company J Mr Hay, dental surgeon, desires to announce that he has secured and equipped, with the most approved appliances in high-class dentistry, suitable offices at 112 Princes street, immediately opposite Cargill s monument.—lAdvt.] We understand that Frank A. Coxhead, assisted by Mr John Beauchamp, is now taking enamelled cabinet portraits at the small price of 10s 6d per dozen, for one month only. A free invite to all to inspect his magnificent premises in Princes street, opposite Colonial Bank. Take the elevator.—[Advt.] Eden George and Co. (Limited), the leading photographers of Dunedin, who produce by far the best work in New Zealand, take one dozen beautifully enamelled cabinets in any position or style for 15s. One price list adopted, and no extra charges are made to visitors from the country.— [Advt.]

John Hislop, Watchmaker and Jeweller, 74 Princes street. The oldest established house in town. Repairs of all kinds. Good assortment Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles to suit all sights.— Advt

Christmas and New Year presents. Latest novelties in gold brooches set with turquoise and pearls, splendid assortment of gold brooches bangles, rings, pins, studs, alberts, &c, leather purses, fitted bags, and dressing cases at G. and t Young's, 88 Princes street.—[Advt.] Established over a quarter of a century. Of other sodawaters that have come under our notice and take a very high place in Australasia, we would be remiss if we did not mention that of Messrs Thomson and Co. Dunedin—Brewers Journal, 1890.—{Advt.]