BRIEF MENTION

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 46, 30 July 1881, Page 522

BRIEF MENTION

—A Winter Habit.— The ulster. — There will be a dance at Onehunga tonight (Friday.) — The " Pinafore" troupe attended the Rink on Friday night last in force. Boyd's Hotel is the only musical hotel in Coromandel. So Green says. — The children's ball, at Ponsonby, will not be given out of the "At Home " funds. — The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Auckland Gas Company will be held today (Friday) at 2 p.m. — The Grafton ratepayers appear to be determined to have some fun out of their annual meeting. — Young Osmond's Baillie in "Les Cloches" ?romises to be a bigger success even than his )ick Deadeye. — Herr Schmitt, who seems determined to galvanise the musical public into activity, is promoting an amateur opera company. — Harry Le Blair, writing from 'Frisco to a friend in Auckland, announces his intention of returning to the colonies next year. —Old Devlin did his level best to raise a shindy at the Ponsonby meeting. He was not given a show, however. —The members of the French Club are subscribing for a flag to hoist outside their meeting place. — Herr Carl Schmitt has purchased a house in Graf ton Road, and will take up his residence there on the arrival of Frau Schmitt and the children. — Water-policeman Sampson is awfully pleased at having the Sergeant's duties to perform during the absence of the latter at Timaru Sampson woxild make a good sergeant. — The young man who vainly attempted to unlock the front door with his pocket-knife the other morning has now reformed and ioined the Y. M. C. A. —We understand that in consequence of the decision in the case Heighton v. Purchas, the rev. gentleman is about to preach an entirely new version of Naboth and his vineyard. — A correspondent writes : — Would the editor of the Observer kindly inform an iqnoraimis how many figures there are in a billion, and how to express such a number ? [Shortly thus : I,ooo,ooo,ooo,ooo— vide Enclycopredia Britannica, p. 583.] — The gentleman with the red hair and thickset figure who threatens to come up to the Observer office and "kick up a row," if he is included in the papers on " Auckland Beaux," may calm his perturbed spirit. There is not the remotest chance of such a contingency. — Barnsley and his assistants fumigated 18 bags of mails in five hours on Saturday ! ! B. says he is well up in the business, but "that, owing to the statements made by the Star and Herald, he has been compelled to write and put himself straight with the Government. " Better leave things alone, Barney. — The production of the "Les Cloches des Corneville " will bring prominently before the public several members of the Pollard troupe, who have hitherto vegetated in the chorus only. The most important of these is little Julia Simmons, who plays the heroine of the opera Germaine, and if she doesn't make a pronounced hit in the part we shall be both surprised and disappointed. —Mr Driver succeeded in driving half the Baptist congregation of Wellesley-street to sleep on Sunday night week. The young ladies spent the time in yawning, their swains in sneezing and ogling, and the old people in dozing when they were not engaged in defending themselves against the assaults of a host of predatory flies. —The first order from the Board of Health, under its new constitution, was "that Mr Edward Brophy should superintend the transhipment of the Auckland cargo into the mail steamer." Mr B. discussed within himself whether it would be better to give one more kick before "giving in," but eventually came to consider discretion the better part of valour, and went about his business. Hoav much better it would have been for Mr B. to have acknoAvledged the poAvers of the Board in the first instance. — The Newmarket baker avlio Avas joined in the holy bonds of matrimony to the lady of his choice last week Avas the subject of the greatest and most horrible ' ' tin-canning " ever Avitnessed in that quiet and unostentatious district for many years. The only way in Avhich he could fet rid of the young larrikins Avas by opening is shop-door and giving them liberty to assist themselves from the biscuit tins. He says he is glad that before opening his door he removed the silver from the till. —In order to honorably sustain its part in the debate to AA r hich it challenged St. James's Association, the Mutual Improvement Association attached to St. AndreAv's Church lias been obliged to have recourse to the assistance of tAvo of its rival's prominent members, viz., Messrs. Burton and Oliphant, Avhile the emergency men, Messrs. Haslett and Chambers also belong to St. James's. The debate has therefore virtually assumed the character of one between two sections of the older association designed for the special behoof of the Symondsstreet debaters. — There Avas an impromptu meeting of old identities in a Avell-knoAvn hotel in Queenstreet, the other day, when they beguiled aAvay afeAvhours in talking over old times. The meeting numbered four persons Avho had resided continuously in Auckland for nearly fortytwo years. # Someone suggested that a list should be written doAvn of the persons now surviving Avho could date back their arrival to the same period, but, after much cogitation, the number Avas found not to exceed nine, Avliich included Messrs Dihvorth, Pollen, Whitaker' Kelly, Daldy, and four others Avhose names Aye have not heard. The idea Avas mooted of assembling these nine ancient men at a dinner before the inexorable hand of death shall have beckoned them away.

— Mr L. Konig is leaving Katikati. He has j appointed Mr T. Mulvaney his agent. — Mr Wheeler succeeds Mr David Mills as manager of the Union Company at Wellington. — The Sybil gave the Sovereign "beans " on the run up from the islands, while the Sovereign was too much for the Mazeppa. — Albert White's failure to beat Hearn has been a severe financial blow to the family. They risked nearly all they had on the event. — Little Mr Gilfillan is married to a widow of considerable proportions. The neighbours facetiously call mm " the widow's mite." — On their last run from Auckland to Rarotonga the schooner Sybil beat the Sovereign by six days. How is that for high, Captain Hayward ?" — The Saturday Afternoon Recreation Club are importing large supplies of bows and arrows from Melbourne and London. The season commences in November. — The Grafton Trustees appeared to be exceedingly desirous of getting back into office. Perhaps they anticipated having plenty of money to spend. — Atkins crew are banking all their spare cash for the purpose of providing those hats. "The bank wouldn't stand it" a week ago, but the "roofing takes place a week hence. — The Karangahape ratepayers did not appear to fully comprehend the patriotic or philanthropic motives of the gentlemen who lent the trustees £150 at 8 per cent. But then, people are always ungrateful. — The service of the libel writ ivoon J. H. Field on Monday last, was an effective move. It qiiite crushed his soaring spirit, and at the meeting in the evening lie fought shy of libellous or defamatory matter. — At the Theatre on Wednesday week a young married woman was weeping most pitifully over the prison scene, much to the apparent annoyance of her companion — a " dead head"— who might just as well have let her have the cry out. — Amongst the amusements contrived to while away the time on board the quarantined Albion was one which several gentlemen tried on, viz. , who could tell the best yarn. The result was something startling. Mr X's story about a certain young lady proved quite too awfully awful. — Rumours were current in town on Thursday last to the effect that the "Pinafore " ball was a subscription one, and not in reality Mrs Hamley's. We have the best possible authority for stating that Mrs Hamley bore the entire expense of the affair, and gave the children a very great treat. —A Parnell young lady has discarded her lover because she was told by a friend that he had paid some slight attention to the former mistress of his heart at a party the other evening. Gossip's consider it to be a choice morsel for their special delectation.- The youth is not disconsolate, and lias no intention of committing suicide. — The " Relief of Lucknow," which has been played to fair houses for several evenings, but was withdrawn last night, is an ultra-improb-able drama of the absurdest kind. It was, however, splendidly mounted (for so short a run), and the acting of Miss Marston Leigh and Messrs Carden, Sefton, O'Brien, and Elliot would have redeemed even a greater monstrosity. — The latest from Mercury Bay is that a brother of the noted sculler, Albert White, is already in training with the object of tackling the defeated oarsman on his return from Wellington. We have not the slightest doubt that he will succeed. There is more in it than appears at first sight. Albert has been whipped by Hearn, but if his brother shows up Avell against him, it will be in the family — a jolly good idea. — One day last week a gentleman met a friend from the Thames, and began to speak about the destructive flood and the large amount of property destroyed. Presently the Thames man said, "The worst part of the business is that there is no insurance against loss by flood. I wish it had been fire instead." "No doubt you do, but I certainly do not," replied his friend, who is a director of a local insurance company. — There was some trouble in College Road one day last Aveek about the possession of a house in that thoroughfare. " Scenes " are usually enjoyed by those not concerned, and in this instance the passers by were not loth to avail themselves of the opportunity afforded of hearing something of other people's affairs. Sympathy inclined towards the woman, who was screaming at the top of her voice that she had been robbed of her house. It Avas, however, subsequently stated that she had sold the house to the man, but would not give him the deeds, and consequently he took possession. He is now " holding the fort." — A treble marriage is on the tapis. A very venerable widow and her two daughters, residin the most respectable suburb of Lane, all within the last month received offers of marriage, and there is no reason to doubt but they all accepted them. The old lady's partner will be a rich old gentleman who (according to his own statement) owns considerable property. The elder daughter will fall to the lot of a jolly Volunteer officer, and the younger only awaits the arrival of a young farmer, whose acquaintance was made in a country district recently. May they all be happy. —The telegram notifying Mr Hobbs' acceptance of the requisition to stand for the Bay of Islands at next election added he was game. Game for what is the query. The present member, J. Lundon, was game to contest and win, but afterwards sold the electors by literally doing nothing but pocket his honorarium. Moreover, he called them a lot of old women, or rather said that any old woman would do them for their M.H.R. — The Queen has communicated, through Lord Rowton, her desire to undertake the charge of young Coningsby Disraeli's education. She will defray his expenses at Eton, and send him to whatever university his father may desire him to enter. It is also stated that she intends to confer a peerage upon him, in order that the title of Beaconsfield may remain upon the roll of English barons, and tliat the peerage may be transmitted to posterity l

—James Gordon Bennett, the millionaire proprietor of the Ncio York Herald is going to marry a datighter of Pierre Bonaparte. —On Tuesday next, an entertainment in aid of the organ fund of St Luke's Church will be held at Mount Albert Hall. —Who was the gentleman with the cabba»eplant outside a certain kirk in Ponsonby last Sunday, and what did he do with it. —The people of the Thames are solacing themselves with the reflection that unlike the rest of New Zealand humanity, they are antedeluvians now as well as postdeluvians. —It may not be generally known that Herr CarljSchmitt is the titled head of a noble German family, and could assume the prefix of "Chevalier," had he a mind to. — Before the new version of the New Testament was ready for publication, the orders received for it at the Oxford warehouses alone were in excess of a million. —Heard in Queen-street :— First man : " See the Observer's enlarged." Second man : ''Oh ! that's nothing. Had both my observers enlarged once. Time I called that 17 stone man a liar, you know." — The young man at Whangaroa who cannot resist looking at the object of his affections through the church window, is requested to take a seat inside, and not interrupt people at worship by his vagaries. —One of the items in the expenditure of the Ponsonby Board for the past year was 15s for burying dead dogs. I suppose the expenses attendant upon the interment of the hatchet between Jones and Field will be a trfle heavier than this. —Dear Observer : In last issue you had something about "the best dressed man in Auckland " going back to Bond-street or Piccadilly ! When you penned that par you missed a golden opportunity of making a joke about sending Cole to Newcastle." — The latest item of fashion intelligence is that the masters of the Auckland College and Grammar School wear gowns and "mortarboards," while engaged in their duties. Mr Morrison, the latest addition to their ranks, introduced the fashion. —The proverb about going from home to hear news has. received yet another exemplification. The Federal Australian, a Melbourne journal, contains the information that Herr August Wilhelmj, the renowned violinist, is performing Atickland. — E. W. Burton has bounded by one daring acrobatic feat to the pinnacle of fame. His lecture on "The Political Destiny of Australasia " has found admittance into the Victorian Review. Let us hope he will descend a little nearer the earth. — The Star concluded its report of the case of Costley v. Lewis and wife by informing its readers that the case would probably be taken at the next criminal sessions of the Supreme Court. Is that so ? Who is to be tried, and what is the offence ? —Concerning those tramways. We have heard nothing about them lately. The City Council had better hurry up, as there are not twenty years of this century left. Why should Auckland lag behind the rest of the world in this respect, most grave and reverend seigneurs? — The demand for the new version of the New Testament is enormous. It is selling by the cart load. It is said that a prominent Irish bank clerk, who had never heard of the work before, sat up all night till he finished it, and then laid the book down with the remark, "Well, I'll bed— d!" — Two of the' horny-handed were walking down towards the railway station, and met the passengers who had come to town by the nine o'clock train. " There's a rare lot of 'em," said one. " Who, or what are they ?" "Lawyers' clerks and things of that sort," was the reply. Pretty rough on Remuera aristocrats, wasn't it? — Ladies of Auckland have now a good opportunity to learn how to do fancy Avork. Mrs Powne, a very clever lady, recently from home, announces in this issue her capabilities to teach floral designing, velvet painting, crewel work and old lace making, all favourite amusements with ladies in the old country. —Says an exchange : " A remarkable story is going the rounds about a Californian printer who is peralysed in legs and arms and sets type with his teeth." This is remarkable for a man, We know a woman, however, who can put up more matter with her tongue in five minutes than any printer can set, tooth and nail, in an hour. — The father-in-law has done the handsome. The doctor agreed to give £2000 towards buying his son a partnership if the bank director would give the same amount. He was spoken to on the subject by a mutual friend, and said that if the doctor gave £2000 he would give £3000, so the son gets a good start with a capital of £5000, and a partnership in a business doing a first-rate trade. Not so bad. —Herr Schmitt knocked musical " spots" out of the old organ-harmonium at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday evening at Vespers. The way he manipulated the instrument was a treat. The Herr, however, found a difficulty in stowing away his legs, the place being too small for him. He complimented Miss Shanaghan very highly on the efficient state of the choir. The Herr thinks, however, it is about time they got a new organ. — So much has been said and written about Dr Pollen's pension that he has become the most notorious pensioner in the Colony. A correspondent suggests that Onehunga, Otahuhu, Panmure, and Howick (the military pensioner settlements) should be formed into one constituency, and that Dr Pollen should resign his seat in the Upper House and be elected the first representative of the constituency. —Mat. Vaiighan, the jolly proprietor of the Queen's Hotel at the Thames, relates an amusing story of the deluge at Quartzopolis. The water rose so fast in his hostelry that everyone in the house got a wetting before they had time to go up stairs, so it was determined to have a night of it. In one room a party might have been seen playing joker up to their waists in water, while in the bar a table was converted into a raft, the crew of which report that they had a high old time, " saving " (save the mark) the grog that had been swept from the lower shelves.

— " Fatinitza " was a failure in Chiistchurch. — When is the Austrian Band coming to New Zealand ? — Blenldnsop is the longest, but by no manner of means the laziest, miner on the Tiki. — Georgie Grey is not at all well since he returned from town. — Wiggins is fast recovering from the shock received at the wake. — Canavan, of the Telegraph Office, is seriously ill with scarlet fever. — We are the proud possessors of the score of "Patience," Gilbert and Sullivan's new opera. —The widow has married ; and G. P. T. is still a bachelor. — Miss Coupland and Mr Green lead the singing at Christ church, Coromandel. — Alexander, what about the merry maiden of the Maiiku ? Has she steeled her heart against everyone else ? — Mrs S., of Ponsonby, complains that since Harry D. bought that air pistol, her fowls and ducks are all getting quite lame. — The s.s. Southern Cross is to call at Norfolk Island on her way to New Caledonia to land Mr G. S. Kissling and his son, who are passengers by her. — On dit that "the nephew of the Lord Mayor of London " has his eye on the Mayoral chair, and that he intends to contest the seat on the retirement of Mr J. M. Clark. —Mr Barnes did the amiable on board the Albion when in quarantine, playing the cornet, while the officers and passengers danced and enjoyed themselves. — Georgie- Staines is apparently very anxious to have the Regulation of Election's Act brought into force in the various highway districts. We wonder if there is anything "hanging to it." — C. C. McMillan thinks that the Harbour Board elections as at present conducted are a disgrace to the Colony. But there are other things connected with the Harbour Board more disgraceful than their elections. — Dr. Sands, while rowing between the Albion and Barnsley's residence last week, caught a " crab " and turned a first-class somersault over the boat's bows, falling into water up to his knees. — Dick Feltus sent a strange letter to the Herald on Saturday last. The effect of it was, "I have petitioned Parliament for cash; Parliament wouldn't give it me. I didn't care whether I got it or not — but revenge, ha ! ha !" — Mr Adnam, late shipping clerk to the firm of L. D. N. & Co., was a passenger per " Arawata "to Sydney. Some of the gallants of No. 3 Company, in which he was an energetic noncommissioned officer, did him the honour of accompanying him to the steamer and wishing him bon voyage. — The Secretary of the French Club (Mr Peltzer) is developing a taste for punning. At the last meeting he proposed that a carafe should be purchased a mettre de I'eau dedans, glancing significantly at the chair as he made the proposition. Mr de L'Eau acknowledged the sally, and said that he was quite willing to be put in for it (the carafe). _ — He was an elderly gentleman of serious mien. He went into a drapery store and told one of the clerks that he wanted a pair of — well, men wear them under their unmentionables, and women under their petticoats. The cleric thought that he wanted them for his wife or his daughter, so he showed him a suitable pair, with embroidery around them. The old gentleman looked at them, examined the embroidery, "smole a kind of sickly smile," and said, " That is not the sort that I wear." — A very sad event occurred at Ipswich the other day. Lady Dii Cane, (wife of the late Governor of Tasmania) whose eldest son is in the militia, and has been drilling there since Easter, went down to nurse him through a very severe lingering attack of congestion of the lunsjs. On being told by his medical advisers that the case must eventually prove hopeless, and but a matter of time, the poor lady said : " I cannot live, I shall die too ;" sank into a state of collapse, and actually expired without any apparent or immediate cause for death, except a broken heart. — Rather than pay the £2 costs, incurred through his malicious prosecution of the manager of the Observer, Mr T. B. Hannaford has betaken himself to Mount Eden gaol where he at present lies in durance vile. Well, if he is satisfied, so are we. To tell the truth, Aye would readily have sacrificed a larger sum than £2 to see him safely locked up ; indeed, a fiver would not have seemed an out of the way price to pay_ for such a greatly -to-be-wished-for consummation. Ta, ta, Hanny, old boy, and keep your coppers cool ; there isn?t much whiskey to be had in Mount Eden. — The rage for private theatricals has extended even to the benighted regions of Parihaka, the Constabulary 'at Major Goring's camp at Rahotu having established an amateur company, and fitted up an excellent stage in one of the large mess-whares. On Saturday week they produced with great success, "A Kiss in the Dark" and "The Irish Tutor." The scenery, the work of the gallant Major, is, we are told, really artistic, and the orchestra, composed of members of the Rahotu Musical Association, played several excellent selections during the evening. " Good for Nothing " and " The Blighted Being " are underlined. —The dance given in the Lome-street Hall last Tlrarsday evening was a great success. About 150 business people, mostly friends of the hostess, assembled to do honour to the occasion, and we have no hesitation in sayingenjoyed themselves muchly. The young lady "Pinafores" were dressed in their "Cloches de Corneville " costumes, and looked quite too attorly utter. When all are boauties it is difficultto indicate the belle, but if there had been a prize for the prettiest girl in the room, we think the judges would have found it a difficult task to decide between Miss Tiny Pollard, MissMaria Wallen, and Miss Julia Simmons. Mr Dallen provided the supper in his well-known style, and there was any amount of cake, lollies and fruit, such as children love. The sole drawback to the evening's pleasure was the absence of Mrs Pollard, whom indisposition kept at home. Finally, we must not forget to say a word about Mr Harry Pollard, who played nearly the whole evening without 'as. sistance.

— Kauri gum has started a pony. — The offertory solo (vocal) at St Patrick's on Sunday, was a musical treat. — Mr W. McCullough, the popular proprietor -of the Thames Star, was in town on Monday. — The Reception Committee are hard at work rehearsing their parts as "toadies to royalty." — The Lingards advertise that all their dates . are filled for the present season in America. — It is stated that a juvenile troupe in Melbourne are rehearsing " La Kile dv Tambour Major." — Charlie Weightman is in luck again. He acts as .agent for Carey's "Pirates" Company, and Avill doubtless be seen in Auckland shortly. — All the "Churton" boys are married now, Jack and Dick being the two last to become Benedicts. — Mr D. Wallis, a gentleman well known in cricketing and other circles, proceeds to Adelaide next week. What will the fair ones of St. James's do without thee, Donald ? — Mr Dixon is not going to leave St. Mark's ; in fact, the present referred to last week was .given him partly as a wedding gift and partly in honour of the reunion. — Simonsen's benefit atDunedin was a success financially, but not musically. "Puck" walks in the programme, which was a regular olla podrickc properly. i — Martin Simonsen, whose tour through New Zealand has on the whole been a success, he netting about £3000, purposes revisiting us -within a year. i — Lizzie Morgan appears to be a great favourite with the Hokitika people. She has had several benefits lately, and on the diggings ; townships she has been very well received. J —An organ recital was held at St. Mary's on Wednesday evening. Miss Bessie Black and Miss Corbett were the lady soloists, Mr Gooch and Mr Forth representing the male portion. Mr Forrest was immense on the organ. —Poor old Charles Dillon is dead. Theatregoers will remember Ms tour through the colonies years ago, and the subsequent advent of his son, who was a most melancholy " frost." — So the poor unfortunate Princes are not even to dance with ■whom they like. Query : Was it feared that his Worship's sister-in-law might be overlooked if they were allowed to select their own partners ? — Whilst practising his famous "drop kick" on Friday afternoon, Percy Butler sustained a severe fracture of the leg. He is, however, progressing favourably. — Herr Schmitt gave out at the Choral Hall, on Tuesday last, that no more new members would be allowed to join until after the performance, of "Elijah." This is a step in the right direction. —The loss of her youngest child' has been a very severe blow to Mrs Pollard who was devotedly attached to ,the little one. All avlio know the family sympathize deeply with the poor lady, and trust that the prolonged watching and nursing may not have seriously undermined her by no means over-strong constitution. — A little bird whispers that another unsavoury scandal has been sniffed out by a few of the Auckland matrons. No names are mentioned, but it is hinted that a -wealthy Auckland family are directly interested in the affair, disclosures concerning which will no doubt publicly transpire in a few weeks. —Mr Pierre Lorillard, of New -York, who won the English Derby with Iroquois, aims at excelling in most things he takes in hand, besides the manufacture of tobacco and snuff. In addition to the fastest steam yacht afloat, Mr Lorillard owns a wonderful team of trotters, the wheelers sixteen and the leaders seventeen hands high, which do the mile in three minutes with a loaded coach behind them. —The New Zealand Times announces a probable visit by Mr Henry Irving to this colony, which we should say is highly improbable. It says that Mr Irving, still suffering from illhealth, his medical advisers insist upon his taking a period of rest and perfect quietude at a distance from all scenes of present excitement. He has relatives in Nelson, and it is not improbable that he will visit them, and find in the healthy climate and perfect tranquility there pervading the rest and restoration lie so much needs. — The Reception Committe are making the most absurd preparations for the advent of the Princes. What does anyone suppose the two boys will care about a concert and ball. They have heard, in London and elsewhere, fifty times better concerts than we can give them here, and as for balls, they have been surfeited with them in Australia. What might really interest them would be a large assemblage of natives (headed, if possible, by Tawhiao) who would dance hakas, Avar dances, etc.,. and show them what they really can not see elsewhere. In addition to this there might be a procession of war canoes on the Waitemata. — The H. '.C.B. Society's social gathering was really a very nice affair on Friday last, and all expressed themselves satisfied with the evening's amusement. Messrs John Patterson and M. Kirby proved efficient M.C.'s. The representative of the Carpenters and Joiners spoke truly when he said it would be hard to get a gathering of pretty young ladies to eclipse those present at the H.A.C.B. Society's Ball. It is difficult to say who Avas belle on the occasion. Miss H. looked as she always does, very pretty, as also did Miss R. The tall lady, dressed in light lavender, was admired by many present. —The statement that Mr Colbeck, through certain legal technicalities, had dispossessed Mr Rye of his Te Ihu Estate, Otameatea, is contradicted by a correspondent. It is' said that Mr Rye had mortgaged the property to Mr Colbeck for £2600, and that Avhen the time for repayment came round, Mr Rye being unable to find the money, the estate was put, up for sale by the Registrar, and bought in by Colbeck for £2100. Mr Colbeck, having thus bought the property, , allowed Mr Rye a further period of six months to pay the principal and interest, and recover the property. Failing repayment at the end of the six months, Mr Rye Avas allowed a further period of two months to remove his stock, and then finally relinquished the property. Our informant makes no reference to the existence of any legal technicalities.

— An engagement is announced between Ranger Goldie and Miss Catchup, of Newmarket. — The Collector of Customs for Wanganui is continually in Auckland, on leave. What is the attraction ? — The capital comedy, "Extremes," which the Carden Company plays so admirably, is to be given at the Theatre to-night. —Mr W. E. Woodward, late teller of the Union Bank, Auckland, has been appointed local agent at Hamilton. — "Monty " Browne is on a tour in Australia with fair, fat, and forty Clara Stephenson, for ! whom he acts as agent. ; — Jimmy Smith had a nasty toss off the Ghost on Saturday last. The horse slipped just "when taking off, and rolled completely over Smith, who complains of being crushed internally. He is still very stiff. — Lieutenant Home, Sergeant -at-arms to the House of Representatives, who, in consequence of an attack of inflammation, has been unable to attend to his duties at Wellington and was ordered by his physician to Auckland, -was about on Tuesday apparently well and jolly. — The extraordinary severity with which the writer of "City Gossip" in the Lance pitches into Mr Barstow on every pretext, almost leads one to the conclusion that lie must have interviewed that gentleman in his judicial capacity on some occasion. — Mr H. H. Smith's entertainment at the Devonport Hall on Monday next will be a rare treat, as he intends producing a real waterfall with lime light illustrations. If properly managed, this alone will be worth the price of admission. —Mr Mitchelson, of Dargaville, will run Mr Alderton, of the Northern Advocate, rather hard for Marsden. There is an impression, however, that Mr Mitchelson will only clear the ! course for Mr Dargaville, in case the latter should not succeed in City West. — " W. H. W." of the Lyttelton Times, announces that J, B. Howe, G. H. Harkiss, an American "legitimate" actor now playing in the English provinces, and Mr F. Duck, the well-known comedian, and company, visit the colonies shortly. — The season being now half over, and to meet the wishes of a number of persons desiring to become members, the committee of the Auckland Skating Club have decided to issue tickets at half the old price. This is decidedly a wise step and will doubtless add greatly to the funds of the Club. — Judge Macdonald is an athlete. In his younger days lie -was a champion short distance runner, and even now can do a creditable spurt. As a cricketer he is above mediocrity, and we are surprised that Tom Henderson or some other of the "boys" have not drawn him out of his judicial shell ere now. The woolsacks and the willow are not incompatible, though a judge trundling the leather would be something of a novelty. — The ever pleasing and imposing ceremony to Masons, that of installation of officers, took place, last Tuesday, at the Eden Lodge (E.C.), when, for the second time since the formation of the Lodge, P.M. Bro. Joseph Warren was installed Worshipful Master. In the absence of Bro. W. Lodder, D.D.G.M., from whom an apology was read, Bro. P. W. Moat officiated as Installing Master. Amongst those present were Bro. H. G. Wade, D.G., secretary ; Bro. Rev. C. M. Nelson, D.G., chaplain ; liro. Dr. Dawson, D.G.J.W. ; Bro. Leers, D.G., director of Board of Works ; Bro. Hesketh, 'D.G., organist ; Bro. Cole, D.G., director of ceremonies ; Bro. liattray, D.G., asssistaut director of ceremonies ; Bros. Chapman, P.M., Eden ; Wright, W.M., Waitemata ; Morrow, P.M., Cawnpore ; Rattray, P.M., Prince of Wales; Suiter, W.M., United Service ; S. Young, P.M., Waitemata; E. Jones, W.M., Northern Light; and Bro. Rev. W. Tebbs, P.G., chaplain Somerset. The proceedings finished with a sumptuous banquet provided by the Worshipful Master, Bro. Joseph Warren, to which ample justice was done, and those assembled parted in peace and harmony.