NEWS OF THE MONTH.

AtCKLAXD, N.Z.-, Cth October, 1833,

r£nv topic of the month in New Zealand, as Sn the othei- Australasian Colonies, has been 'ihc question & the annexation of the I'adfic -Islands. T'',e fresh representations made to the Sectary for the Colonies by the ■A<WYits-(Jencml in London, and the brusque tuid almost contemptuous rebuff adminis tered by Lord Derby, have re-awakened artd intensified the interest which is felt on the . subject all over the colonies, and Lxivo, beyond doubt, ovily served to strengthen tho determination of the various Colonial Governments to accomplish the cad in view. In this matter the New Zealand Government arc a decided step in advance of all the others, since by an Act of the General Assembly passed during last session they assert their constUntW'niU. right to receive and accept 6? overtures made by the chiefs or recognised rulers of Wanda in tho Pacific Tor union with this colony. This Act,, though introduced by the leader <•{ the Opposition, received the support of Government, and was all bat ana'iimoualy adopted by both Souses. As a constitutional right is^rWolved, tho mcasuro lias been reserved for tho Royal assent; but tlrenj Is reason to hope that Her Majesty's advisers will approve of it It must be borne in mind that the procedure under this Act v widely different from a forcible seizure or conquest of alien lands ; but only refers to amicable proposals for incorporation or confederation ■with this Golony m\ the part of the popula tions of surrounding islands. Thero is no contemplated usurpation of Imperial prero gatives, as in the plucky but somewhat hasty action of Queensland with reference to New Guinea; and when these arc siot trenched upon, it is fair to assume that the powers of the Colonial Legislature havo not been exceeded. Already tho provisions of the Act havo been «hown to be not in tho least premature or uncalled for. The people of the kingdom of Samoa (formerly known as tht Narlga tor Islands) are intensely dissatish'od with the existing form of rule to which thoy are subject, and a strong movement has been sot on foot for union with Now Zealand. This agitation, commenced by themselves, is boing encouraged by Sir George Groy, ■who introduced the Federation and An nexation Act,; and a form of potition under that moasure, praying for union with New Zealand, is being signed by tho inhabitants of Samoa. Tho kingdom of Tonga is also reported to be ripe for a similar movement, while a spoeial correspondent reports that ho finds tho natives of New Hebrides bit terly opposed to the French, but decidedly favourable to British annexation. The doportation of French convicts to tho Facifio ■will probably bo the means of forcing this •annexation question to a solution ; and though tho protest of^the Hawaiian Govern ment against any European colonisation whatever in the Pacific Islands is rather in opportune, it cannot hinder the progress of a great national movement, involving the futiiro peace and security of Australasia. Next month a Convention of the Australa sian Colonies is to meet at Sydnoy to dis cuss tho question of annexation, and it is expected that tho first step will bo an attempt to lay tho basis of a federal union. This Convention, therefore, will mark an important epoch in colonial history, especially if it should succeed in its primary object and ovcrcomo tlun scruples of tho Imperial Government to. assuming ox tended responsibilities in tho Southern Hemisphere. ' Two representatives go from this colony, viz., Mr Whitaker, lato Premier, and Major Atkinson, his successor, and thej go backed up not only by tho Parlia ment of tho colony, but by tho unanimoun voico of the l'ress and tho people. In other Colonies, and in Victoria especially, a liko unanimity and enthusiasm aro to bo found, a fact which gives tho best promise of a successful issuo to the labours of tho Con vention. Wo havo spoken of Mr Whitaker as the lato Premier of tho colony, and of his being succeeded in tho Premiership by Major Atkinson. Although it was well known that the first-named gentleman was anxious to retire from public life, it camo as a kind of surprise when, on tho 23rd September, shortly after the close of the Parliamentary session, ho tendered bis resignation to the Governor. It was no surprise, however, to learn thatthe Colonial Treasurer had beon en trusted with tho formation of a new Ministry, thats he had accepted the commission, and that the reconstruction of the Cabinet had beon very speedily achieved. But it came both as a surprise and disappointment when it was announced that the vacancy had been filled by the appointment of Mr Oliver to the portfolio of Postmaster - General and Commissioner of Telegraphs. It had been confidently anticipated that on tho retire ment of Mr Whitakor, who was the only Auckland man in tho Cabinet, ono of our local representatives would have been chosen by Ministers to assume chargo of a vacant portfolio ; but by the action resolved upon, Auckland has been left entirely un represented. Ever since tho abolition of the provinces it has been the rule to dis tribute Ministerial posts according to the relative importance of the districts. Now this' has bcon departed from, and at a juncture when tho interests of Auckland district specially demand attention in the Executive, on account of Wellington influence being powerfully exerted to con trol the route- of tho North Island Trunk Railway In a way most wasteful for the colony and unjust to this district. Tho Ministry is decidedly weakened by the recon struction, and an adverse popular agitation has been started in this city, which is cer tain to extend to the country districts, and i tD strengthen the Opposition cause over the j W A numbTof vague and contradictory r, pjrtß have been afloat for some time as to the Vent-Generalship of the colony. Sir tio/s have been made that ho was about to b3 recalled and elevated to the Legislative Council. Hon. Mr Oliver and flon Mr Johnston (Minister of Public Works) have bath been mentioned as the probable suc cessor of Sir Dillon Bell; and though the reception of the former into the Cabinet disposes of the rumour as far as he is con- . cemed, it is re-asserted that Mr Johnston j will go Home shortly and assume charge _of the Agent-General's office. This, again, I has been contradicted with some show ot , authority, though the fact remains that Mr Johnston intends going to England. , It is also expected that ho will resign his Ministerial office, in which event the portfolio of Public AVorks would bo offered to an Auckland man as a sop to the con stituencies. It is believed that Sir F. D. Bell is desirous of returning to the colony on private business, but in tho meantime nothing whatever is known as to Ins suc cessor in the office. •' ~ It would be idle to conceal tho fact that intense disappointment was felt here on re ceipt of the news that the cargo of trozen mutton by the ship Mataura had turoedout a total failure,' This being the firet. Bhip-

I mont of refrigerated meat from Auckland, , great interest was felt in its success, as the j meat-freezing industry is looked upon as jove of great promise for the development of the resources of the district; end therefore the tiding 3 that the whole had been consigned ti Uie soap-boiler 3 caused a feeling skin to. consternation. This, however, speedily passed away, and an inquKy was instituted into the causes of t!».<s failure, with a view to preventing a repetition of tho disaster, In the absence of any authoritative finding as to thft causes of the failure, we may state the various theories that have been, advanced. In ad-, dition to the reason assigned by London ex- ' pevts—that the meat was subjected to the refrigerating process before its natural heat had left it—it is «lso ascertained tlipt' a quantity was packed without Mx'Ao the kidneys removed, a praotic** which has been found to interfere with the preservation of frozen moftt, another circumstance which may have powerfully contributed to the dc j ranomtion of the meat, and which was probably unknown to the London experts, is that while the Mataura was loading, a vessel alongside was discharging a cargo <<A bonedust which emitted a eieKoning effluvium, and doubtless deposited many floating insect germs in tho meat. The effect of this, coupled with the repeated opening and closing of the refrigerating chamber to prevent fionediist being blown j in, must have becii very prejudicial. In future aH these contributing causes to |.*Wt will be carefully avoided, and when .tiie 1; reozing Company's works are in opera tion failure in refrigating will be well-nigh an impossibility. The visit of Mr Iloliin P. Saxe, Ameri can importer, breeder, and exporter of thorough-bred live stock, for the purpose 6f examining the herds of Hereford cattle, ( has resulted most satisfactorily. Mr j Saxe has inspected the herds of the New j Sialand Pedigree and Stock Company at ! Cranstone, and found thero cattle which j cannot be excelled in any part j of tho world. Ho believes that! pure-bred stock of this class can be shipped from Auckland to supply tho American market more cheaply than from England, and can be landed in better condition. Mr Saxo takes by the outgoing mail j 'steamer a first shipmont, and on his I return to America will mako arrango ments for regular shipments if the ex periment equals expectations, An extra ordinary demand has arisen recently in the Pacific States for Herefords, and thero is every prospect of a steady and remunerative trade being opened up. The partiality entertained by Messrs MoLean foi% Here ford cattle induced thorn to breed largely from absolutely pure strains ; and the com pany to whom their stock was transferred hare now on their station as fine a herd of pedigree stock of this olass as any breeder could wish to see. Mr Saxe, in a letter describing tho results of hie visit, saya:--"I have selectod from tho New Zea land Stud and Pedigree Stock Company 44 Hereford cattle, 10 Leioestor and 10 Lincoln sheep, which I tak« to America por City of Sydney. Having travelled oror parts of Now Zealand since my arrival, I must eon foss an agreeablo surprise. We Americans hare always considered Nsw Zealand as a small ialand down in the south-west part of tho world, where savages abound and no Saxons. I cannot understand why you have not thousands of young men from England hero to invest capital, also the labouring class, who aan get treble and quad ruple tho wages they do at .Home. Surely tho resources of Now Zealand warrant it. Your climate cannot be ex celled, your soil is rich, your cereals of the be3t, your wool and mutton superior, and oven the manufacture of flax would mako a fortuno to any enterprising go-shead man. I hare never seen a more beautiful harbour than Auckland, and Nature has done every thing for location of beautiful homes. The beauty of your country, yourgreat resources, and the hospitality of your people, I shall never forget ; and were it not that we Yankees havo plenty of land to tho acre (and a lion on Mexico), with plenty of push and perseverance, I could bo pleased to becomo a New Zealander. In short, I like your country and your pooplo." During the month tho first three volumes of statistics of tho colony for the year 18S2 havo bcon issued by Government. A few of the principal totals, us marking the wonderful progress of tho colony, will not bo uninteresting" to Home readers. At the end of IStW tho population of tho colony was estimated at 517,707. At the date of last census, 1881, the population was 484,81i4. The population of the I'ro vincial District of Auckland is 105,004—more than one-fifth of tho entire population of the colony. 10,945 arrived in the colony in ISB2, and 7,40(5 left it. The births num bered 10,00!), marriages .",,000, and deaths 5,701. Tho number of births to every 1,000 of tho population was 37.32, and deaths 11.19. During the year, 705 vessels arrived at Now Zealand from foroign ports ; 218 of thcrfo came to Auckland. Tho tonnage of vessels arriving has doubled in 10 years. Tho colony possesses 447 sailing vessels of gross tonnage of 57,850 tons, and 137 steamers of 18,340 tons burthen. Our im ports woro valued at i'5,G09,270; ex ports, i'0,0")8,008. Five million and a half pounds worth of our imports came from tho United Kingdom, and the Old Country in return took nearly lire millions worth of our exports. During tho year 30,000,000 letters, 1,000,000 post cards, 2,500,000 books and parcels, and 13,000,000 newspapers wero posted and de liverod in tho colony, tho postal rovonuo being C 232.075. During tho samo period ono million and a half telegrams wero despatched, tho rovonuo boing L"102,378. The total roronuo of tho colony for tho year was £3,017,100, and tho expondituro f3,824,735. In 1873 our revenue was £2,770,388. Of tho expendi ture, one million and a half was for interest and sinking fund on loans, and £600,000 for railways. We now possess 1,370 miles of railways, producing a revonuo in ISS2 • of £953,347. Tho assets of banks carrying on business in the colony are stated at £17,102,234, and the liabilities at £10,015,273. Tho amoun* at tho credit of depositors In the Govern ment Savings Banks was £1,470,950. The area of the colony is estimated at 66,000,000 acres ;of this seventeen millions hare been disposed of. During 1882, 138,000 acres were sold for £210,615. Tho whea* crop for 1883 was estimated at 10,270",591 bushols from 390,818 acres, 10,520,428 bushels of oats, 737,163 bushels of barley, 75,704 tons hay, and 104.551 tons of potatoes, were expected. Tho following is an estimate of tho live stock in the colony :—12,500,597 sheep, 098,637 cattle, 161,730 horses, 200.053 pigs. It is esti mated that 17,000 porsons are. engaged in manufactures in tho colony, and the ap proximate value of manufactories is sot down at two and a half millions. We have mado this summary of tho statistics as full as tho limits of a letter will permit. Tho last month has been a bnsy ono in tho Auckland district so far as tho building trade is concerned, and in evory direction ( evidence may boseon of this briskness. Ihe effect i 3 shewn in an increasing and decidedly marked improvement in tho architectural appo'irauco of tho city, j Small single or two-story building* which | hare done duty for the last twenty or thirty years are now steadily disappearing, and civina place to edifices of a more imposing [ character, and certainly in bettor keopinp I w.'t'i tho improved surrounding.*. Tho stand taken by the Licensing Committee in refug ing to continue licenses to certain houses un less bottcr accommodation wqro provided has resulted in the reconstruction of some six or seven hotels, while others have boon improved to such extent as to bo no longer reco^nisablo as the old buildings. Further improvements in this direction are alsc.con templated by a number of owners. W ltnm a very recent period two handsome stone three-story bank premises have boon erected in tho main thoroughfare, and are now approaching completion. Uno j of these is for the Auckland Savings | Bank, and the other for tho Bank of New j South Wales. Two of the most extensive and costly warehouses which have yet been built in Auckland havo also been com pleted and occupied within the last month. They are both four-story buildings With ..ndcrgroundfloors. One is in Victoria-street, 1 and has a large depth to the etroet in the ! rear, besides considerable frontage, it was : built for Messrs Sargood, Son, and Co., a, IDunedin soft-goods firm, and has been occupied by them. The other, which is in Customs-street facing the harbour, was erected by Mr George Holdship, and is occu- Sued by Messrs Hayman and Co. and Messrs' Wingate, Burns and Co , merchants. 1 Extensive additions have also been made to the Bank of New Zealand premises. Other arge buildings, including a four-story one 1 for Hon. Thomas Russell and a new JEvEMN-o Stak offics, are in course 'of construction, while tendon. »ill • shortly b° opened for new Harbour Baud office' Art Gallery, and tho Victoria Arcade. The lastoUhese will be the.most extensive structure m Auckland. Leasing \ he sites of a block of sixteen shops m Fort, Oueen and Shortland-streets, tho New ffid Insurance Company, as a flnancU ! .peculation is about to have them covered l,v theTcade, which will be of five stones in yhefght and will cost. £30,000, exclusive of foundations. A suggesrtion has been made that this space should not be butt | upon, but reserved as a public

] square, which would relieve Queen street of the obstruction caused by cabstands, etc. Nothing has, however, been done in tho matter. City endowments are i being brought into the market to meet tho j demand for residence sites, while a Jargo ! block of land at the foot of Cook am! Grey ■ streets, and extending from Albert to Queen strouts has been cleared of the houses which formerlystood upon it. Theintention is to [ill in the Whole block to street levels and oiler it for lease by auction almost immediately. The extensive Surrey Hills Estate, of about j 400 acres, recently purchased by a conipany iFroi" t!io Hon. James Williamson, was to have been broilght into tho market and sold |by auction for residence sites during the | present Siiontli. When the plans were . iSSued", however, it was found that no pro vision had been made for breathing spaces or recreation ground, and public feeling ex pressed itself so' strongly that tho sale was postponed to permit of on altera tion in the plans in the desired direction, This alteration will con sist in the rights-of-way for back entrance being omitted, thus affording room for tho suggested breathing spaces, Various works are proceeding In the harbour. It is expected that the construe- . Won of a new wharf at the foot of Hobson-street will be completed this season, and a large spaco between Hobson and Queen-street Wharves will then be filled in. The second reclama tion contract for the Calliope Dock has jtisfc been completed, and it is expected that within tho next month tho dock plans will be approved, the Ordel'-in-Council issued, and tenders for the whole work, costing something like £100,000, invited at once. The Sugar Refinery Works, on the opposite side of the harbour, are now in an advanced stage. i ; The arrival of the Doric on September 15 - with GOO passengers—nearly all of the I lab Hiring class—has not had an appreciable I effect on the labour market. Over 30 of the j single girls got situations tho day after they ! arrived fit wages varying from 8s to 10s per week, cooks, los; and before a week had elapsod, nearly all had obtained situations. . Some few who held out for places as " house- j maids" and "parlour maids" had some) ! difficulty in getting suited, th« groat de- ■ mand being for general servants. A very | considerable proportion of tho male paa nongors havo secured employment, while others have wisely gone into the country looking for work. Mr Brophy, the Govern mont Immigration Officer, states that, with the exception of one man and his wife, all the passengers who wanted work obtained it at current rates. The Doric had on board I a number of saloon and iteorage passenger* from London for the South, but almost all of the immigrants who arrived by her still re inainhere. They woresowellsatiislied with tho beauties of Auckland and the employment which can bo obtained hold that many who intended to go South remained behind, while BCToral of tho saloon passengers booked for tiie South were heard to express regret that they could not also change their plans and settle down here. The beautiful weather which htus been experienced in I Auckland during the §t»y of tin Doric in port ha* givon all who arriTixl by her O must, favourable impression of tho place. Mr Humphrey Kawlm^n, of Mount Edon, Auckland, died two month* ago, und left his whole estate to two trustees, Messrs Joseph Newman and James Buttle, for the purpose of providing scholarships in tho public schooln of Auckland. The bulk of the property wan sold on September "27th, at Mr Arthur's mart. Thore was a largo attendance) of pojsiblo buyers, and com petition was keen. The land, comprising nearly five acros, is woll situated, just off tho main road, and commands ex tensive views. Theso facts, together with oasy conditions of sale, brought large pricM. The total sum realised is about i' 2,801), which is consider ably in cicws of expectations formed a few wouks ago. Tho price* for the loU— nino in all—ar» as under :—No. 1, 84 feet, £3 per foot; No. 2, 04ft. Cm., £4 us; No. 3, 94ft. Gin., i' 3 12a 6d ; No. 4, 94fs. Cm., £3 7s Gd; No. 5, 150 ft., £2 17s Od ; No. C\ lOSft, Gin., dlfis; No. 7, lOSft. Gin., £3 15s; No. 8, £250; and No. tt, 1210. Tho result must be considered by the trustees as eminently satisfactory. Tho remainder of tho lato Mr Rawliirgs'n estato consists of a farm of GOO ueres in tho Kuipsra district, which is at present unsaleable Native affairs during tho month havo not beim in a satisfactory state. At the Govern ment township of Kawhia, on tho west coast of the North Island, a section of the natives havo taken down the beacons erected in tho harbour, and ordered the few Europeans to leave tho district. This was done under tho eye and, it is said, with tho approval of Tawniao, tho Maori "King," who is the leader of tho non-progressive' and anti-European natives. As that class is Ktill very numerous, tho action assumes a gravity which would not at all pertain to a oaso of individual or tribal obstruction. Tho Government have shown commendable promptitude and firmness in dealing with tho matter; the Nutivo Minister, with a foroo of Armed Constabulary, has gono to tho scene of the outrage, and is now onj{«f:«d dealing with the offenders; A constabulary force in to bo permanently stationed in tho diß trict, and will giro n guarantee against a recurrence of such offcncon. In Murimotu district, a railway lurToying party has boon obstructed and robbed by Maoris, and two constables hi.ro boon son!: to arrest tho chiof of the offending tribo. A rup that hog occurred between Tawhiao and tho Ngatimnnuipotos under Wahanui. Thin occurrence is most favourable to tho early nettling of 'thoKing Country. Wahanui is now engaged in risking tho different centres of Maori population for tho pur pose of obtaining signatures to an enlarged and extended cony of hi* petition, which was presented to Parlia mont during tho lato session. It would appear that doubt was thrown on tho hona Jida of many of the four hundred and odd signatures by certain interested parties who were in Wellington on tho presentation of tho petition, and the remark was mado that many of tho names wero those of dogs and tho remainder rubbish. To provo tho falsity of this assertion the above-named chiof is risiting tho various tribos in terested in tho block and obtaining the signatures of those willing to place themselres under his influence. At present 700 hare signed, and our correspondent who writes from Mokau has witnessed the signatures of many. Another incentiro to action is tho counter-potition of Tawhiao, lately forwarded to the two Houses, and Wahanui intends to provo indubitably that his mana is more extended, and his influence greater than that of Tawhiao. The relations between tho latter potontato .and his erstwhilo councillor are, to say tho least of it, strained, and Wahanui, it is said, has givon Tawhiao notico to quit JNgntimaniapoto territory. A disturbance bebwecn two aeotions of natives, which illustrates the difficulties attending the settlement of titles to native lands, lias broken out at Waotsu. Piripiri Whatuaio, head of Ngatingaronga tribe, against whom tho decision in the Waotu caso boforo tho recent Land Court was cjiven, hjiYing failed to obtain a ro-hcarinff Of tho case, has gono on to tho block with his followers with the object of ousting Harry Simmonds and his people, who are at present in possession. They commenced by digging trenches across Simmonds's private roads through the block, and felling trees across tho road through tho bush, bringing tho timber-cutting operations to a standstill. Simmonds being a Tory in telligent, law-abiding native, though his fol lowers far out-number the aggressors, has resorted to tho civil law for settlement of the question, and applied for writ of eject ment. One of those ovents that enliven Now ! Zoaland villages at times has occurred ; during tho mouth at Kawakawa. The place has been kept busy owing to a number: of natives being in to receive their pay in connection with Puhipuhi. Eru Ngahu and his tribe received 12s per aero for; 14,150 acres, while Marsh Brown's block i was paid for at the rate of 10s per acre. So | far, £10,000 has passed from the Govern- I ment into the hands of tho natives, and many of the latter have been known to pay : back store accounts that were given up for lost. Tho Labour Market. So many conflicting accounts reach Great Britain regarding the state of the labour market in this and other New Zealand cities that we have felt con strained to- (devote a paragraph) this important subject, giving as nearly as obtainable a correct view of the ruling rates of wages and demand for labour. As our facts °havo been obtained from reliable sources, Home readers can rely on their correctness. Engineers (fitters): The supply of this class of labour is in excess of tho domand. Wages range from 6s (for inferior hands) to 12s per diem, but 10s is tho average rate. Patternmakers receive from 10s to 12a per day, but thero are no openings. Moulders: There is plenty of work for mechanics of this class ; wages vary, from 10s to 12s. Good blacksmiths are in de mand at from 10s Gd lto 12s, Engino drivors: The market is completely over stcoksd, and men are glad to work for any« fbing they can get. Current wages range from 6s to 8a per day. .TJie .wages of mechanics of all ]&& fgf bush, ei }lg fc

somewhat higher than town rates, but living is considerably dearer, workmen being compelled to purchase all necessaries —food, clothing, eto.—from the stores at tached to the works. The market for car penters is quite overstocked owing to the inliux of tradesmen from the Southern provinces. Wages average 10s per day. Despite the vast amount of building going Oil) the supply of bricklayers, plasterers, etc., is about equal to the demand. Wages 12a per day. This class of labour has to contend wffch much broken time, in consequence of frequent delays in obtain ing bricks. Our brinks are all sun-dried, and in wet weather the demand always ex ccedsthesupply. Masons arepaidatthesame rate, but the supply is slightly in excess of the demand. Printers receive from £2 10s to £'i per week " stab" wages; and Is per thousand is the price paid for piece-work. At this particular season of the year, Par liament being just over, there are a good number of hands searching for employment. General farm labourers and ploughmen re ceive'2osper week. There is absolutely no de mand for reapers, mmvorn, or threshers in this part of the colony, all the work being done by machinery, Shepherds receive £50 per annum ; aheepwashers 10s per day ; shearers, 20s per 100 sheep ; gar cteners, £00 per annum ; shipwrights, 10s per day ; but with tendency to. rise. Ship building is an increasing industry in Auckland. General labourers receive 7s per diem, but bricklayers' labourers re- COivo Ss, and sometimes as much as 9s< per day for really good men. There is a largo demand for female labour of all kinds. Cooks receivo from 2ns per week ; general servants, 8s to 15s. nursemaids, (is to 8s ; milliners, about 30s ; dressmakers, 15s. The greatest demand is for general servants able to cook and act as laundresses. The classes of male labour we would advise to emigrate are wheelwrights, blacksmiths, and agri cultural labourers. There are doz oi)8 of country villages in this Provincial district in which tradesmen of the two classes just named could locate themselves. The demand for agricultural labourers is constantly increasing as fresh areas of land are brought under the domin ion of the plough. Ono employer of labour in the l'iako district would tako 40 or 00 now, ut 0 to 7s per day, if ho could get them. Shipbuilding, for which the port of Auck land has earned an enviable reputation both in the Australasian Colonies and in foreign ports, in at present employing about the usual number of workmen at the various to the yards. Work is principally confined construction of small craft and extensive ro pairs to old vessel*. For small locally-built vessels there U at present a great demand, especially in thu Australian Colonies, and every vessel now building has been spoken for. Tho only lar<;o vessel underway iy a 300-tou schoonor, which will probably lind n placo in tho Auckland and Mauritius trade. She is in Mr K. McKay's yard, and, like tho Defiance and other v«««ls by tho game builder, promises to be » credit t« the port. Auckland shipbuilders eompUin that nomu largo local inur pautilo firms during tho punt few years have uant thousands of pound* out of tho colony for tho purchase of largo American built vessel*, which, it is nuid by good authorities, iiro found in the long run to be much "dearer" than vessels built hore, for the reason that although there nuiy bo somo difference in the prices paid for llio two tilassoa of vessels, the imported craft seldom stands tho wear and tear which can be got from those built of kauri mid pohutukawa. Such being tho case, it iluua soeni unfortunate that in many in- Btunces the local builders havo been ovor looked, and they have evidently some causo fur dissatisfaction. Great indignation prevails in shipping iiirole* owing to an unfair and unfavourabio report concerning tho timbers of the North liiiand of New Zealand which appears in tho annual report of the Otago Marina Underwriters' Association for 1882-3. One portion of the report, which is written by James Uro Russell, marina nurruyor, reads jj follows :—" Now Zualand Timber.—From lung experience it lias been patent to mo that the timber of this island w guile un suitable for the coustruotion of vessels, and lam now under tho impression that tho Lmii-i mid pohutukawu of the North Island, UlOUgll much Buporior to our timber, arc t not entitled to rank as_ highly as they do I fur shipbuilding purposed, or to hold the ; insition assigned to them in table A of : .loyd's Rules, where pohiltukawa is classed ivitll blue gum, rod gmu, jamih, and other Limbers known to be almost imperishable ; mil tho kauri with pitch pine, Oregon pine, liid other timber.-*, with which, in the point )£ durability, kauri w not to be compared. [ except JI noil pine, of which I havo had no jxperienco. I have been led to mako thrt.se vmarks chiefly by tho condition in which I found the timbers find planking of tho I'auranga and Jessie Niccol before either rossol was ten years old, and I can sea no reason why they should bo exceptional Msos. I havo boon requested to report on ihia subject to tho Committoo of Lloyd's kegister.—(Signed) Jauks Ukk RusaHii, Marine Surveyor." Tin shipbuilders of :-hi.i ]>ort mot to consider tho slanderous -uport on Wednesday afternoon la»t, whoa ;ho following resolution was passed : Wo iavo read with regret » copy of Captain [lusseH'a report on thu timber of tho North Island, New Zealand, *n applied to ship milding purposos. Captain Kusscll thinks Jiat tho qualities of pohutakawa and tatu-i'havo been over-estimated ,at Lloyd'B. The report cites two instances to show tho inauitability of our timber, viz., the schoo lors Jossio Niccol and Tauranga. In refor >nco to tho last-named vessol, tho report s at fault, inasmuch n» tho Tauranga is 20 'ears old, not 10, a« stated. With tho irsfc case, wo are not Hufilciontly acquainted a s[>oak, but wo aro prepared to proro that ho gonoral condition of vomols built in tho j Korth Island affords nhunrlftnt proof of tho ■ uiitability for shipbuilding purposes of tho ■ umber in question. Wo append ft list j if vessels built of pohutakawa framo ' mcl kauri planking that aro in a goodstato of «t thoprosonttimo:—Moa,brig, !t yours of ago :Columbia, schooner, 11 | ,'ears of age j Com, sehoonor, 18 years; J Juoen, schoonor, 18 years; Wator Lily, j :uttor, 18 years; Gazelle, mifcter, I IS years; Saucy Lass, schoonor, 20 ; roars j Swallow, schooner, 25 years; Mary, I ichoonor, 30 yoars, and Triad, cuttor, 30 poare. Tho framoof tho koteh Tirittra,thirty ' rears of age, is yot perfectly sound. | Numerous othor instances of tho remark- j iblo preservation of Auckland-built vossolb | iroro quoted. Mr McKay, shipbuilder, said 10 saw tho brig Moa, which is 34 yoars old; stripped in dock about oightcon months ago, Then sho was "as sound as a boll." Air Sims said that some blue gum built ii tho 3rig M»a was found to havo docayed, while ;he kauri and pohutakawa was quite sound. Id was finally agreed to draw up a stato nont of facts as above, and, after obtaining signatures of all builders, forward it to Llyod's Register of Shipping. Sixtoen yoars ago Auckland was in a nost deplorable condition ' eommercinlly. I'hc Maori War had completely pnraly.'od Hjjricultural and pastoral pursuits in most >f the country districts, tho Imporial troops !ind been ordered Home, and hostili ties having practically censed, business pooplo missed severely tho heavy oxpotidi tui'o engendered by tho war. Tho newa napors filled with columns of bank ruptcy advertisements, and our fair ?ity seemed to be tottering on tho verge of ruin. Just at this critical period tho Thames Golclfields wcro opened, gold was produced by tho thousand ounces, money became plentiful, nnd confidence was re stored. That fillip was a turning point in Auckland's history. It was the beginning of our great wavo )f prosperity. And now, when our necessities aro not pressing, we are apparently on tho eve of tho development of another goldfield of great richness. For three yoars past hardy pioneers havo been engaged in prospecting tho To Aroha mountain near, tho Lincolnshire Farmers' Special Settlement, and now it would seom they are on tho evo of reaping the reward of their labours. Two flourishing townships have been estab lished, a powerful crushing machine nnd othor appliances have boon erected, and somo twenty, or thirty mines are working— many with excellent prospects. Three years ago tho Te Aroha district was a howl ing wilderness ; now its plains are covered with smiling homesteads, and everywhere there arc tokens of a high state of pros perity.

JUDICIAL.

Thk quarterly criminal sessions of the Supremo Court were opened on Monday, October 1, His Honor taking his seat upon the Bench at 11 o'clock. The following gentlemen were empanelled as the Grand Jury :—Neil ßrycc Alexander, Henry AUright, John Batger, Andrew Bell, .Tosiah Box, Thomas Francig Bbylan, John Buchanan, John Buchanan (Avondale), Edward John pox, Alexan der Dewar, William Errington, John Fail-burn, William Flood, Evan Bailey Eraser, John Gordon, Alfred Howard, Geo. Edward Ireland, Robert Edward Isaacs, Jo.m Lawford, Edward Lewis. Mr Law* ford was chosen foreman.; .The calendar was, ljght, jjnjl com^acl no ijfences of a jrery Berious Qbar|gtgr, :. ~ '

OBITUARY NOTICES.

Mete Kinoi, a well-known Maori chief, and formerly ILH.R., has just died in the Wanganui district, of hernia, aged 70 years.

The military funeral accorded tho lato Mete King', the loyal Maori chief of AVhnn gamtl district, took placS at the Mission cemetery, Patiki, on tho Ist October, in tho presence of 5,000 spectators and 1,100 Maoris from all parts of the North Island. The pall-beavers were twelve chiefs of high rank, including Major Kemp, Wi Parata, and Renata, of Hawke's Bay. The Native Minister, the Mayor of Whan ganui (Mr Gilbert Carson), Mr Watt, 51.H.R,, Mr Lewis (Under-Secretary, Native Office), and other officials, with a crowd of Europeans and Maoris, fol lowed tho coffin from the pah to the grave. About 230 Volunteers were present, under tho command of Major Stapp, and fired three volleys over the grave. The burial service—that of the Church of England was read by the Roy. T. S. Grace and three Maori clergymen. The day was fine and warm, and was observed as a close public holiday. Mr Grace delivered a short ad dross at tho grave, first in Maori and then in English, referring to Mete Kingi's friend ship and services to the pakeha, and his loyal support of the Government. The Rev, Benjamin Yates Ashwell died on Sunday evening, Sept. 30, at his resi dence, Remuera, in the 73rd year of his age. Mr Ashwell's life has been devoted entirely to missionary work, and on his arrival in New Zealand many years ago he was employed as a cateehist, and subse quently he was ordained a minister of the Anglican Church ; he continued to labour na a missionary among the Maoris in the Lower Waikato districts for many years, his station being at Taupiri. Later on Mr Aahwell removed to Auckland, and was appointed minister of Holy Trinity Church, Devonport, and since he ro signed that charge ha has laboured in the suburbs, and devoted himself chiefly to ministering to the in niatos of the Auckland Hospital and Gaol. Mr Ashwell's long and honourable course of living won the esteem aud goodwill of all who knew him, and his memory will bo cherished both by sottlert and natives.

The remains of tile late Rev. B. Y. Ashwell were committed to the gravo on the Ist Ootober, in St. Stephen's Cemotery, Tho procession left the lato residence of doceased at half-past threo o'clock, and reached the cemetery about four. The procession was a large ouo, which evidenced the respect in which Mr Aihwcll was held br churchmen and missionaries. Among those who stood round the open jjravs were the Venerable Archdeacons Dudley, Maunsoll and Pritt, the Revs. Drs. Kidd and Kinder, and Revi. Messrs Burrows Csvldor, Brans, Gould, Houel den, Hill, Mulgan, Nelson, I'urchins, Tobbs, and Walpole j also, the Rev. G. B. llonro, minister of St. Lukt'i Presbyterian ChtircU ; the R«vg. A. Reid and J. \Vallis ; Wealerun tulnicUri; alto, Messrs (J. P. Pierce, V. IS. Rie«, W. 8. Coehrane, J. L. Wilson, C«wi«, H. I. B»bor, V. Larkius, Major llookts, aud a uambar of other load ill <J oitiwru ; also, liwdames J. L. Wilson and Tilly. The proee«»ion was brought up by the native children of St. Stopheu'i native school, conducted by MrDarisand MrSmith. The coffin was deuoratcd with iminortollea, ami the impressive funeral servico was audibly ruad by tho liar. Mr Walpolo, Incumbent of St. Mary's, Parnoll. Tho hymns, "Brief life in hero our portion" and "O, God, our holp in ages past," were uun<? by the mturnorg and children. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland, was un avoidably absent through indisposition.

RELIGIOUS.

Tuuitli wan great •xviUunent on tha arriral In Dunedin of Major and Mrs Burlier, ef tho Salvation Army, from Melbourne on Tuesday night, 11th September. An ini mantra erovrd assembled at tin Railway SluViuu, hum whioh tho visitors wts'u drir«u to Uiw barruuku be<idod by a leas* band witli terehes bUuiing. Thi» procession was accompanied by & large number of larrikins, hooting and yellmg. As the btu'rncks ir»r# approuuhv), rotten eggs woro produced and thrown at tha SalrationUtj, mid for about an hour thuid was a tromen cioiiai commotion. Somo women fainted in the crush, and others were crying from tho rough usa<ju they received. Tho police eventually managed to cluar tlie streets. Tho no\r church erected at Watcrviow for the Primitive Methodists was opened on Sept. 13, by a public soiree; tho build ing was tastefully decorated fortlio occasion. A goodly number of tho residents of tho neighbourhood sat down to toa, mid were joined by a 'bus-load of friouda from (own. Tho tables wore presided over by Mesdames Major, Pearson, Folgate, Cox, Stnllard, Miss Thomas, and tho Misaoa Sanson. Mr J. Tattersall presided over the public meet ing. Tho foundation stono of the now Wesloyan Church at Catnbridga, Waikato, was laid on Tuuwlay, Soptombor 11th, by MrJ. C Firth, in tJia presence of a large assem blage of jxjoplo from all p«rts of the dis trict. Tho woather w*i beautifully fina Mr Firth made a lengthy and appropriate si>uoch, dwelling at considerable length on tho importance of tho coromony whioh thoy had assembled to perform. Tho stability of thoir Utos, liko the stability of nil structures, dopanded greatly on tho manner in which the foundation was laid, for if tho foundation Troro not laid proporly, tho ontiro structure would Soon tumble to ruins. Parents should always be careful how they laid the foundation of tho Htc« of their children. He deprecated tho exclusion of tho Bible from tho day schools, and hojied that tho time was not far distant when tho pcoplo of Now Zealand would rooonsidor this Important mattor. He congratulated the people of Cambridge on the marroUous pro gress tho town nad mado in its rapid transit from dosolation to cirilisatlon and eottlemont. Rot. Mr Morley, of Christ churab., »lso addressed the assembly. An offertory wa« taken up on the ground, and tho handsome snm of .6117 vai recoired. Twenty two candidates wore confirmed by th» Bishop at St. Matthew's Church on September SI. The quarterly meeting of the Graf ton Road W«i»leyan Circuit, o« Sept. 26, was satisfactory in eTory sense of the term. The roports showed that financially and numerically progress had been made. Tho Rer. W. (t. Parsonson, of tho Parnoll Church, w«« inntod to csntinue in tho eirouit for another year, his services having proved of much benefit to the oommunity. Much rogret was expreswed in riew of tho approaching closo of ths conncctional term of the Rer. W. O. Olirer at Grafton Road, that gentleman having performed his duties with enorgy and ability, and won tho con fidonco of the body generally. At Timaru on September 21, leaders of the Hrdratton and Skeleton Annies were each fined 10s and costs for obstructing tho sbreetfl. In both cases notice was gircn of appeal to the Supremo Court. The Bishop of Auokland has appointed tho Ret. Lloyd Keating, M.A., -formerly ourate of Brighton, England, and late «f St. Martin's, Dunedin, to the charge of St. Thomas's pitrioh in this city. . This appoint ment is moroly temporary. Tho anniversary of the Union-street Wcsloyan Sunday School wna celebrated on Sept. 11, by a tea meeting and cntcrtain mont. There was a good attendaneo, and tea was provided under the supervision of tho following ladies : —Mesdames Caradus, Yonrbury, Policy, Parker, Forsyfch, Misses Caradus (2), Streeter, Martin, Purdio, Blackburn. Tho public meeting wan hold subsequently, Mr S. Parker presiding. Ad droisof? wore delivered by Revs. T. Ceirr and A. Read, and Messrs W. Smith and W- Clifton. At Timaru on October 1, Captain Smith (Salvationist), and Captain Graham (Skeleton), were each fined £1 and costs for a broach of tho peace committed on Sunday, by fighting for possession of a chariot belonging to the Salvation Army. On 12th Sopt. tho scholars attending tho Union-street Wosloyan Sunday-school had their usual anniversary tea. Moro than 100 sat down, ample justice being done to the good things set before them. Tho integloctualpart of tho meeting commenced; tho Superintendent, Mr W. W, Simons, presiding. TheCongregationalists of Beresford-street Church commenced their Sunday evening services in Waite's new Eden Hall on Sept. 30, under very favourable circumstances. The hall was well filled, and the service conducted by the Rev. J. Robertson, who expressed his pleasure on seeing such a large congregation, and trusted that it was but the beginning of a long course of use fulness. There was a large attendance at the twenty-eighth anniversary soiree in connec tion -with the Wellesley-street Baptist Church held September IS. Tea was pro vided in the Young Men's Christian Asso ciation Rooms, tho tables beinw presided over by the following ladies :—Mosdames Bramo, Batts, Bell, Chambors, Dewar, Gaze, Holloway, Kolsoy, Lambourno, Lovo rock, Philßon, Pearaon, J. W. Prime); Yeo man, and Misses Gazo and Wells. The subsequent mooting in tho ohurch was presided over by Mr Thomas Spurgeon, pastor of the congregation. Mr Seering H. Matthews read the annual report. . The y.M.O.A. of Christchurch are about to erect ney tidings,

Rev. W. P. "Fail-dough, AVesleyan clergy man, saved a child from drowning at Inver cargill on September 20. The Baptist Union is to hold a series of meetings shortly at Nelson, and tho Auck land representatives, Her. Mr Spurgeon, Rev. C. Carter, and Messrs John Chambers and S. H. Matthews, loft on Tuesday, 2nd October, to attend.

At a public school in Milton, Otago, the Head-master agreed to conduct a Bible class before school hours in the morning, and of 253 pupils able to join, 251 are at tending.

At Timaru, Henry Graham, leader of the "Skeleton" host, has lr.id an information against the Salvationist captain for assault and battery. Tho public feeling there is strong against the Salvation Army.

INVENTIONS.

Messrs Bird and Ueegan, formerly of the Telegraph Department, have applied for letters patent for " secondary battery cell for storing or conserving electricity." They claim to have discovered means by which they obtain far greater capacity in a given space than has been obtained in other 1 storage batteries in use, as the great objection to storage batteries is their weight. The invention of Messrs Bird and Geegan, if it can be economically wcrked, will help, so far as electric lighting is concerned, to remove a great diiticulty which now stands in the way. The ex perimental cells wore charged by Gumming ton and Kent's dynamo, and are, so far aa is known, the first made in New Zealand. It is proposed to exhibit the battery in work at tho coining exhibtiion. Dr. Monekton, of the North Shore, has invented a convenient hospital bed, which has met with the approval of Dr. Grabham, the Inspector, Dr. Philson, and otherhos pkal surgeons, as the bust thing of tho kind extant. Dr. I'hilson haa written a letter to tho Colonial Secretary strongly recom mending its goneral adoption. The inven tion has been patented in Now Zealand and Great Britain. Its peculiarity consists in the adaptation of a balanced lever, suspended from the ceiling, m a powerful medium to raise a can va.ssed frame supporting- the patient from off tho bed, the horizontal position being governed by parallel [nudes as in a parallel ruler. The raising the patient on tho frame enables bedding to be ehauo-ed, and, by appropriate apertures in tho can vas, allows invalid ware to be used without' disturbing or altering the position of the patient other than by the act of elevation a tow inches. This humane device has been wanply approved in tho English hospitals, and is likely to oomo fcnto general use. Mr Dick promised to mako imuiediutu In quiries as to tho oost of introducing this improvement, and if it should not prove ei oossivo, to have tho various hospitals sup plied with some bods of this pattern for tho accident wards, at any rate;"

SPORTS.

Thh »nn»»l meeting of tho West Hnd Cricket Club wa» held in th« Y.M.O.A. Rooms on Wednesday evening, September 2d, Mr A. Davere presiding. The Secretary's report shewed that during the season the First Eleven had played 11 msttchos, won 7, lost 2, and drawn 2 ; while tJis .Second Eleven had played 19 matches, wonS, lost 7, anddrawn4. The Chairman pre tunted to Mr J. Arneil a bat and ball for tho highest batting and bowling averages in the First Eleven ; to Mr D. Berry a bat, and to Air Vernoy a ball for the highest batting and bowling averages in the Second Eleven. Tho . following officers were elected : — President, Mr P. Battley | Vice-Presidents, Messrs T. Macky, sen., and A. Devore;

Secretary, Mr F. Mitchell; Treasurer, Mr W. Baker; Secrotary Second Eleven, Mr 8. Baker; Committee: Messrs Thoo. Cooper, Dr. Dawson, T. Macky, J. Arneil, and C. B. Kiug. Tho annual meeting of tho Auckland United Cricket Club was held at the United Service Hotel on Soptambgr 26, Mr Mumford presiding. Twelve matches wore played, of which five war* -won, two lost, ud two drawn, four out of th» fire draws being greatly in favour of the Club. In batting, lostxo had the best averago, both he and Yates haTiuj gont< up with a raah at tho end of the season. In Dowling, A. MncCormick had takon most wickets, U'.id L. Mcldrum came next. A bat was presented by Mr A. E. Whitoker for the highest aggregate during the season, and a b:ul for tho greatest number of wickets taken. C. MacCormick won tho bat T.itli an aggregate of 222, and A. i'acCormick tho ball with 19 wickets. ho following officers vrevo elected: —President, Judge Fonton; Vico-Vrosi ents, Captain Lambert, Messrs A. E. Wbitaker, and C. A. Harris ; Secrotary and Treasurer, Air C. E. MacCormick ; Com mittee, Messrs Mumford, Teatro, Yates, F. Uufaur, Buckle, and McKinney. An athletic club has been successfully formed in Dunedin. Auckland now possesses throo full-blown Bicycle Clubs, and it is oipectod that during the ensuing season upwards of 50 wheelmen will muster to the buglers'calls. Edwards, tho well-known Australian pedestrian, arrived in Uunodin on Septem ber 20, in ordor to tako part in ths twenty four hours' conto«t with young Scott of Otago. It hu bo«n arranged that th« match shall como off on tho sth and 6th of Ottobor nox*. A mooting of tho South End Cricket Glub was held on Thursday, 27th «Bopfc., Mr G. M. Brown in tho chair, whon tho annual re port waa read and adopted. Mr G. M. Brownwaaro-eloctod Captain. Mr J. Leahy having resigned as Socrotary and Treasurer, Mr G. M. Brown was appointed to tho , post. Tho followng were olecte<l a« a Com mitrtce:—Messrs -J. Leahy, D. Sutlicvland, ,A. Howard, and H. Brookfield. It was agreed to ask His Honor Judge Brookfleld to become Prcsidont, and J. D. Jackson, Esq., Vice-President. Tho wroatling match, at Dunedin, be tween George Robertson (the present champion in the Bordor style) and Joseph Strong took placo At tno Caledonian Socioty'fl Grounds on Saturday aftornoon, Sept. 29. A stake of £100 and the Society's championship bolt depended upon the issue. Strong stripped a little orer 14st., while Robertson, tho -half-caste, nearly turned the scalo at 17st>. The first fall occupied a lot of time, as the men were Tory , cautious about getting a hold. The first time thoy locked after an obstinate , tusslo Strong wriggled out of his opponent's grip, and claimed a fall on the ground that the latter had broken his hold. , Tho judges, howevor, disallowed it, and on closing again Robertson got the best grip, and after a few moments of intense excite ment cross-buttocked his antagonist. After a long interval for rost, the men Again meb, nnd enco more tho superior strength of tho half-caste provod too much for his more ssientifio opponent, and he thus iron the first two falls, and wan declared the winner. '■ A good deal of amusement was caused by i Captain Jackson Barry, who, at the closo of 1 tho match, stripped and tried a fall with tho gigantic champion. Tho latter literally sit down after a fictitious strugglo, B,nd , allowed tho gallant captain the honour of a i Tho" first annual meeting of the Auckland I' Bowing Association was held on Oct. 1 in tho club-room of the Waitomata Hotel. i Mr M. Niccol presided. Mr W. Sibbin, • Tlio following gentlemen wore elected to i ' fill tho vacancies caused by retirement of ! the officers of last year :—Patron, tho Chair- I : man of tho Auckland Harbour Board; , Vice-Patron, His Worship tho Mayor; I President Captain 11. F. Anderson ; Vico- President! Mr T. T. MnsoOold; Hon. Sccro -1 tary, Mr W. Sibbin ; Hon. Treasurer, Mr T llendorson, jnn. Committee: Messrs M Niccol W. Buchanan, C. C. Dacro, J. , McKenrie! J. H. Laing, and J. B. Morpcth. i Tho annual meeting of the Auckland , Cricket Club was held on Sept. 25, Mr i Robinson presiding. Tho report submitted t by Mr W. V. Bindon shows that in the Club matches Mr O'Brien heads tho list of | j batting averages with 2S runs for 7 innings, 1 once not out, and 107 rung. Mr Barton is i next with 24 for 0 innings, and then follow 3 Mr Dewes, 11.8; Mr Leader, 10.9 ; and Mr 3 Coxon, 1". In the bowling, Mr Robinson's ; analysis roads very -well—3o wickets for 113 , runs, GO overs, 21 maidens—average, 5.7; also Mr Bealo's, 41 wickets, 284 runs, 21 b maidens, H7 overs—average, 6.9. Mr r O'Brien and Mr Robinson thus take tho bat ! and ball presented by Mr Osmond and Mr . Dowes respectively for the best batting 3 average and.best" bowling analysis for the 3 season and Club matches. Mr 11. Hall x takes the bat in tho second eleven with an a average of 12 for eleven innings, and 120 ■ runs, once not out, and 00 most in an innings. Mr Webster takes the ball with 0 an analysis of 8.8, having taken 29 wickets !• for 240 runs, 38 maidens, 123 overs. The t following now members were elected:— i. Messrs D'Arcy, Gardner, Byng, Simpson, - Martin, and Hall. Mr Bindon was re-elected 1 Secretary of the first eleven, and Mr Buttle s of the second. Committee: Messrs Robm , son, Boale, Barton, Coxon, Dewes, Osmond, i and Blair. Mr Osmond offered a silver medal " to the bateman who shall make the.greatest 1 !,1,0 shall have the best average, and Mr U Robinson offered a medal tc the player # who ■wakes, the J»ost catches during the

MERCANTILE.

The "Daily Times," Dunedin, has de clared a dividend of 8 per cent., and tiio Kaitangata Railway Company of ten per cent., carrying forward i'3,'2li!. Hawko's Bay can export 10,000 sheop per month, andstoek-owners are negotiating for one of Shaw, Savill, and Co.'t steamers to call monthly for a cargo of frozen car oases.

Dull times in Dunedin—Four publicans declared bankrupt within a week ! Refrigerating works are in process of erection at '.T/omoann,, Napier, for tho export meat trade.

Oamaru Frozen Meat Company have resolved to start operations with vigour. Dunedin Chamber of Commerce resolved to co-operate with the other Chambers of the colonies and the Chamber of Commerce, London, in devising means lo secure the adoption of nn equitnbleform of bill of lading. It is currently reported in town that serious defalcations have been discovered in the accounts of a clerk named Smith, wliar was some time ago employed in one of the local benks. He has recently been in Melbourne, and immediately on the discovery in question being made,cable grams were sent to the' Victorian police authorities, resulting in his arrest. Ser geant Bulford loft by the mail steamor this week, with tho object of bringing Smith back to Auckland.

Experiments made at Chri.stchurch with tho distilled oil of the Southern Cross Petroleum- Company showed a specific gravity of S '00, and the flashing point 145 degrees Fahr. The rapidly increasing value of reclama tion property on the harbour foreshore was conclusively shown by the sale held on Ist October. About ten allotments were leased, and these were recently bringing a rental of £102 per annum. A committee of the Harbour Board met the other day and . fixed the upset price at fc'iy.i, which was an increase of £43 per annum. The rentals realised at tho sale yesterday were, however, £i>7o per annum, or something like three time 3 the amount of tho upset. At the meeting of the Chamber of Com merce, held September 19 tho Chairman (Mr L. D. Nathan) introduced the subject !of the forfeiture of the barque Gazolle because tho captain had been con victed of smuggling tobaoco. He inveighed upon the oharaoter of the law which permitted such a thing. He said that on the face of it this looked to be a case of monstrous injustice., and he oould conceive nothing more likely to alarm ship owners from using New Zealand ports than that this state of oar law should be gonerally known. He did not know who Mr Ellis was, and he was entirely disin terested, except in to far that he wag in terested in the creditof the colony, a« h« felt assured suoli a scandalous legal wrong to an innocent stranger m ist be very prejudicial to us, and the sooner a bill was passed en abling tho Government to restore tho ship or the value of It to the lake owner, the bettor it would In to the «redit of tho Parliament. Ha just asked th»in to fancy the uproar and discredit that would enaue if the Govern mmi dared to seize and forfeit the Done if o;i« of hw crew sold a few sticks of tobaooo, oi- a broken package of cigars was found 10 be on board I The law of New Zealand would b» the laughing stock of tha whole commercial world. Mr McMillan considered the state of the law on this sabjeet was simply outrageous, and calculated to cast n stigma upon the whole colony. Mr Stevenson referred to tho erratic way in which the law -wan ocforood, in soira oosea the culprite alone being panishod, while in a much less flagrant one like the preutmt the vessel wa« seized. Mr D. 11. MeKonzio xnovod, " That the Committee of the Chamber be a committee of inquiry into the law in force in the Australian and other colonies with respect to the seizure of ships in consequence of the master failing to comply with the provisions of the various Customs Acts of the said eolouies, such committee to report as soon a* possible." In seconding the proposition, Mr Aickin denounced vi* existing law on the subject under notice dm most infamouH. Mr Andrew Stewart said the law was a terror to evil-doors, and the injustice in this cose was due to narrow-mindedness on the part of the officials. The motion then passed.

Bills of Lading. I £ A special meeting of the Chamber was Jj liald on. Wednesday afternoon, September j. 19, for tho consideration of two subjects raised by correspondence. Presont: Messrs ( L. D. Nathan (Chairman), G. Aickin, A. i f Stewart, T. Peacock, H. B. Morton, R. H. i Stevenson, C. C. McMillan, A. H. Nathan, ! W. R, Waddel, and Captain Webb. j °_ Bills of Ladixo.—The following letter f was received .-—Sydney Chamber of Com- l merca, 27th August, 18S3. The Seoretary «' Chamber of Commerce, Auckland, Sir, — J The serious evils that hare arisen by tho a introduction of special clauses in bill* of " lading issued by steam companies engaged in D tho Australian'trade have been under tha fc ooiuidor&tion of this Chamber, and it has n been rosolved to invite tho co-operation of , 8 th* London Chamber in ventilating the ° question and to assist in devising means to * secure the adoption of an equitable form of \ bill of lading. I l»aV« tho honour to enclose '•> copy of latter addressed to the London 8 Chamber ou the subject, and hare b«en in- £ struuted to invite the assistance of your ); Chamber in the effort now being made to '■ > rtmoTe the eril» complained of, by similar ° aoWon on yonr part, or by any other means " wliicli yo»r oommiktoe may deem advisable. " —I have, eto., Ciias. 11. Hatks, Secretary." ; I The following resolution,passed at. a Con- . * ferenb* »f the Marine Underwriters of the , * Australian Colonies held at Melbourne, wm ■ • also reeeivecl from E. S. Watson, the Chair- I f man:—" That the Chairman bo requested to ; nommnnioato with the various Chambers of J f Commerce in Anstralia and New Zealand, t informing them of the desire of the mem bars of this conference .to assist in any way I , they can in obtaining more equitable clauses j in bills of lading, and in requiring also the ' I signatures of masters of ships only to all j ( such documenta." _ | Tho Committee having considered the , matter, recommended the Chamber J f to co-eperato with the Association re- j J ferred to in obtaining a more equitable jl form ef bill of lading.—The Chairman moved " That this Chamber consider* that 1 1 the clauses introdnced into the bills of i ladingi new in uso by the loading steam I shipping companies trading with the Australasian Colonies practically relievos ] them from liability, and that immediate , steps should be taken to secure an equitable . , amendment of tho same in the interests of , shippers." Ho said that as present , drawn out the provisions of these bills were ( I most arbitrary, affording no protection ) whatever to importers. He had seen how , goods were hurriodly transhipped at Mel ourne, and ho had found by experience t that no rolief was to be obtained while the • present system obtained. In allusion to , this manifest injustice. Lord Chief Justice i Brett had recently declared in giving judg ment in the case of the Chartered Mer cantile Bank of India against tho Nether lands India St«*m Navigation Company i— " If shipowners In general, or shipowners in a particular trade, were to venture to draw up bills of lading that would absolve them from responsibility for thoir own per .ional negligence or for their own personal want of° reasonable care and skill, on the application of shippers of goods, an Act of Parliament would probably bo pass:d suoh as that which was passed by the legis lature to put down a similar attempt on tho part of the railway companies to escape from liability." Mr Peacock soconded the motion, and, in doing so, endowed tho Chairman's remarks. At lus request, too, the Secretary road out the terms of the obnoxious bills of lading. Messrs McMillan, Aickin, and Stevenson also spoke in support of tho. resolution. The last-named gentleman said that the Orient Company were tho most to blame in the matter under consideration, and as the Union Co.'s bills of lading were modelled upon those of the Orient Co. it was of vital interest in this colony.—Mr McMillan followed in a similar strain, characterising the Union Co.'s bills of lading as exceedingly arbitrary. The motion was then p'aßsed. Mr Peacock thsn moved, "That this Chamber consider that Imperial legislation is necessary to remedy the defects in tho existing law referred in the foregoing reso lution, and that copies of the above be sent to the London Chamber of Commerce, Sir Wm. McArthur, M.P., A J. Mumlella, Esq., M.P., Thomas Russell, Esq., M.P., C.M.G., requesting their co-operation in the direction indicated." ~m,,.f t i. a It was further :-"Tlmt the Chambers of Commerce in Sydney *™*™[ N Alm"Ga*rttc" notice dated 10th Sept notifies tho establishment of exchange of money ordera between this colony and Canada. Order* may now be obtained in ( New Zealand for payment in Canada at IS j Gd for sums not exceeding £2, and bo on— ! English money being converted into Canadian value at the rate of 4 dote. 87 ■_ cents to the pound sterling. This, will be of considerable convenience for commercial and other purpose^ ,

ACCIDENTS AND INQUESTS.

A naiirow escape from a fatal accident occurred to a survey party at Hawera, on Thursday, the 13th September. Mr Alfred Atkinson (eon of the member for Bgmont) was in charge of the party in the bush, when a dead limb fell from a tree, knocking off Mr Atkinson's hat, stunning and bruising a man named Downey, and breaking the thigh of a man named Thomas Harrison. On account of tho accident happening,they did not reach here till past midnight. A boiler used for the purpose of driving a wood-cutting machine at S. Brown's wood and coal yard, Tory-street, Wellington, exploded on September 10. Tho concussion ivaa felt over the greater portion of the town. The shed in which the boiler was situated was completely wrecked, and large sheets of corrugated iron were, carried into neighbouring yards some distance away. A horso standing within five yards of the explosion escaped injury, but a cart was twisted about considerably, one wheel wrenched off, and other damage in flicted, which rendei3 it unfit for use. The boiler itself is a mass of broken iron, the ordinary parts being torn as if they were brown paper. Some of the heavy parts were lifted to the opposite side of the yard, but, fortunately, no person was hurt. A woman was in the yard picking up wood at tho time, but beyond a fright received no injury. Tho manager and one of the workmen was in a shed adjoining taking dinner when the accident occurred, and they in no way can account for the ex plosion. A large number of windows were smashed by tho concussion. A lad named McCarr was drowned in the river at Kelso, Dunedin, on Friday night, Sept. 14. His elder brother, who jumped after him, was rescued with difficulty. Charles Fletcher, a butcher, carrying on business at Mercer, Waikato, committed suicide on Saturday morning, Septem bor 15th, by drowning himself in the Mangatawhiri Creek, about half -a - mile from the Mercer township. It appears he left his house at Pokeno about 8 for his place of business. A few hours after wards his horse was found (saddled and bridled) graaing near the creek mentioned, and on tho bank of the oroek were his hat and boots, beside which stood his dog, barking towards the water. Suicide was at onco suspected, and a Constable Graham started immediately to search for the body, whioh, however, was not recovered till Sunday morning. There is not the slightest doubt but that deceased committed suicide, but there are various rumours as to the probable cause. He has been drinking heavily for some time past, and has been suffering very severely from rheumatics. It is also known that he was in pecuniary difficulties with his creditors, from one of whom he received a threatening letter last week. An inquest was held on the body, at which the above facts were allotted. Captain Haaltain, of the ketoh Helianoo, wilting to a friend in Auckland under date of September 11, says i—We loft Thames for Whangarei on Monday forenoon. On Tiesday morning just outoide of Whanga r#i Heads, when jibing, I was knocked over board. I swain round for about half an hour, oooeing in hope that they (the crew) would piok me up, but seeing no signs of the boat, I stripped all my clothes on and started for the beach, about three miles off. I saw a light on the beach, which I swam for, and as soon as it was daylight I saw that it was the Reliance. I managed to get on the bench, very nearly dead. I had to be carried on board. Was very- bad all yesterday and could not move, but am rather better now. I was 3£ hours swimming with a heavy sea on. The men ou the ketch state that when I was knocked overboard they rounded the vessel to put the boat out, and pulled roundfor two hours looking for me, without success. They got among the breakers, when the boat filled, but they managed to get her on the beach; the ketoh also went ashore on the beach. She in now lying about two miles from Monro's Point. I do not think she will float until spring tide. As Mr John Thrclfall Beyd, son of the proprietor of the Coromandol Hotel, work ing in the Cerby mine, Coromandel, was leaving work at i p.m. on Tuesday, 11th

September, an empty truck was rung up. Some little delay took pkc» in the start, and Boyd thought there was time to get in, but was caught by the cap piece of the chamber, and crushed to death instantly. Great sympathy is felt for hi* bereaved family. An accident occurred about 11 o'clock on Thursday morning, September 20, at Messrs McArthur and Co.'a new store in Elliott-street, whereby a married man named Samuel M. Smith (foreman for Mr J. J. Holland, bricklayer) had hia left fore arm extensively fractured. It seems that ha hod been engaged in fixing a block to a new iron crana that hod been let into the briokwork, and this having been acoompliahod, he prepared to take down the scaffolding. For the purpose of knocking out the supporting wedges he stepped from the ladder oh to the top of the scaffold ing and began to ply his hammer. Sud denly the wedge flow out and the whole staging (jaro way, precipitating Smith upon the rough scoria beneath. He fell heavily upon his left side, and when assistance tra< rendered him it was ascertained that he had sustained some Revere injury to the left arm. He was (tQcordingly token with all possible ex pedition to Dr. Tennent's chemist shop, »nd after being attended to by Dr. Bayn tnn was conTeyed to the Hospital, where the broken limb was »«*. He subsequently died of tetanus. A Maori haa been badly injured by falling from a passenger train while passing through the tunnel near Christehurch. Mr Blackwell, master of Starborough School, Blenheim, had his loft thumb com pletely blown off on Sept. 28, owing to the explosion of his gnn while he was glass-ball (hooting. Thomas Campbell, a sailor just arrived at Port Chalmers, had been kept 30 days In irons for Insubordination ; the Bench says it served Urn right. David Patersen, a labourer, who had beem indnlgimg in drink, was found dead on the roadside new Tlimaru on the 24th September. An inquest was held on Sept. 27, at the Hospital, before Dr. Goldsbro', Coroner, and n jury on the body of Michael Costello, who was found by Constable Ryan on the 25th near Seccombe's Brewery, in a state of unconsoiousness. The jury found that deceased died through exposure, accelerated by drink. Deceased was an old soldier of the 58th Regiment. A nasty accident occurred to a young man named T. Fleming on September 26. He was on his way down Parnell to work, when he was thrown from his bioycle on to the pavement, and had three of his fingors on the right hand broken. Telegrams have been received by Sergt. White, stating that the dead body of Mien JTesnoy was found in the Priest's Bath at Rotorua on Sept. 20. The young lady in question was employed as a cook at the Hotorua Hotel, but left her employment in oonsoquence of 111-health. She proceeded to the bath yesterday morning with the object of bathing, and her body was sub sequently found floating on the surface of tho water. A man named F. Martin, who resides at ! tho corner of Wellesley and Nelson-streots, met with a serious accident onSeptcmbor 26. He was working at Mr Lamb's quarry, Mount Roskill, and was engaged in assisting to lead a dray with stones, when one of the pieces of metal crushed the index finger of his right hand. He was brougbt into town, and the injured merabor was dressed at Dr. Tonnant's surgery. It is probable that the finger will bo saved, and amputation avoided. A plucky rescue from drowning was effected on September 21 by a young man named Thomas Macdonald. He was engaged in stacking timber at the rear of the New Zealand Timber Company's Office on tho Customs-street West Reclamation, when ho heard a splash only a few yards distant. Proceeding to the edge, he was surprised to see a young woman and a child struggling in the water, and without \ A lare-e crowd collected, and res toratives having been applied, the woman soon recovered. She explained that "it was not her fault, that the child fell in, and that she jumped in after it." Her name . is said to be Goodson and she is believed to be a resident of Nelson-street. A man named Alexander McMillan, while placing a flag in front of Robson's Com mercial Dining-rooms on the 10th Sept., stepped on to the glass sky-light of Mr W. Rattray's verandah, and fell throngh on td the pavement beneath. Serious injuries were sustained, and the man, after being attended by Dr. Evans, was taken to the ! Hospital. Benjamin Hoakin and' Walter » Davis were also admitted to the Hospital on the 11th September, the former having ;been crushed between a van and railway embankment on the Kaipara line, and the . latter having been thrown from his horse

On Saturday morning, SeptembOrJ boy named George Clarke discovera dead body of a man floating undej j Railway Wharf. The water j|| were informed of the circumsfll Sergeant Clai'ke proceeded to thejl indicated, and found the body °^an *]j man, which had evidently been in] water for seveml days. The body wajl voyed to the Morgue, and there ideal I as that of a man named George MjJ ( about fifty years of age, a draper by Ij| but who had lately been employed bjj[j: Wright, agent for several steamers. II |' Wright states that Morley has been nil! I since the middle of last week. Morleaß| a widower. He leaves two sons, at Mm Porter and Co.'s, and a brother, empjffl by Mr Edson, chemist. . m On Sunday afternoon, 30th Septenj Thomas Carkhill, an old sailor, inaln . on having a dip in the sea near lj| Canterbury. There was a modenj| heavy Bea on at the time, and Caijj | was soon in trouble. His mate, McPhejU bravely plunged in to try save MmjH Carkhill threatened to drown ]J if he came near, and McPhjjf had to struggle back to shore; ||| making a second attempt to savo the lffi his mote he became so exhausted iij||: heavy breakers that he was only reaKr with great difficulty from drowning | j third person who was present. (saij| fi was thus left to his fate, and disappejj jji His body was washed up on the tip on Tuesday, October 2.' 1 An accident of a painful though nottS I serious nature happened to a carter ii| X Cornelius Lynch on Oct. 2. He was woiu with the harness of his horse, on tho j way AVbarf, when the fingers of his IS hand were crushed between the shaft q| vehicle and the harness collar. The ij| was attended to by Dr. Tennant. j;i! An accident of a most painful natur]| fell Mr Matthew Moore, proprietor H boot and shoe manufactory, in the Thill Buildings on Sept. 20. He was worlajfi leather-cuttinc press, when it bec&mfjl cessary to readjusttheknife. Ho attenffl to do this without stopping tho mao.|jlj but was not quick enough, and tho i | finger of his right hand was caughn|j badly crushed. The sufferer was takjlj the surgery of Dr. Tennant, and byl|| gentleraans directions he was removqjjj the Hospital, where the injured me']| j was dressed by Dr. Bond! and placo|j splints. Fortunately amputation, ■h|| was at first feared, lias not been fj|| necessary. jlij Shortly after one o'clock oh Mojij afternoon, September 24, a little ||j named George Honry Busby, son oj|t Busby, vunotian blind manufacturer, 11 run over by a spring trap at tho ca|| of Durham-street. According to the Jj| ments of several eye-witnesses off accident, youngßusby was croseingDur. I street just opposite the British Hotel,' suddeply a spring-trap owned by William U. Smith, earner, of Brig! and driren by a youth about 16 yoa age, came sharply round the corner Queen-street The horse knocked y Busby down, and one wheel went cm chest before the conveyance runic stopped. From examination, Dr. A came to tha conclusion that at least of the boy's ribs on the right side^ broken. He considered the case of a serious nature. \ An inquest on the body of R. Wills; expired somewhat suddenly at his resic Chapel Square, on October 3, was holi following day at the Clanricarde Hotel, jury, after hearing the evidence of the of deceased and a JVlrs Trueman, rsti: a verdict of "Death from Natural Can Dr. Philson, Coroner, presided, andl|| geant Kiely represented the police. j|jh

MEETINGS.

The quarterly meeting of the Auck Branch of the H.A.C.B. Society (81] held on Sept. 12, in St. Patrick's Hall. J. Patterson, President, in the c About 100 members were present." receipts for the last quarter amount to; than £120. It was resolved that the S tary write to the corresponding Seen in Melbourne, asking for information regard to the banner ordered for the A land Branch. The, banner,' whkh shortly arrive, will cost i' 6. £3 was gra from the benevolent fund for a new ma who was not entitled to participate ii fund for sick pay. It was resolved to a the Press at future meetings of this vaneing benevolent society. There were about two hundred' pej present at the Theatre Royal on Oc when the first of Mr Pooley's musical petitions took place. The audience 4 the judges, each individual who enters Theatre was presented with a progri) and another printed slip; At conclusi the concert three of the audience wei vited to count the votes, which were dfi as follows :—Menzies, 67 j Sceata, 36.-J Robinson, 19. There being three p) they were awarded to the three gentli named. The next competition wilil soprano voices. ':'. ,">; The regular monthly meeting of Acclimatisation Society was held ott: 2, there being present, Messrs R. H (in the chair), T. Morrin, and J. Burtt. was shewn tb'.h there was a oreditba of £425 8s sc/,-; A letter was received the Treasurer. ■at Wellington, asking Society to refund a sum of £67 10s, received under "The Animals Prott Act," which had been madvertt paid to them instead of to the Taut Society. The Secretary stated tha receipt of the letter he had paicj money as requested. In answer tc Chairman, the Secretary stated tha the distributed parcels of the trout o** cently received from Otago,had afi safely at their destination except' Opotiki batch, and were being-hatehecl well. Mr Ead was the only person-' had not been heard from. It Tras ag to construct a fish-pond at Waitiketf being reported that there were 3,00 4,000 young trout there. It was also ded to obtain 25,000 Californian brook i from San Francisco: A letter wai ceived from the Colonial Secret Office asking the Board's opinion iipp application from the Mongonui Cp Council to be exempted from the open of the game laws. It was resolved n recommend the igranting of the reg Mr Burtt mentioned that he had receh letter from a friend at Komata inviting to go there with his fishing-rod as there fine trout to be had. The information great satisfaction. The usual hcco were passed for payment, and the mo* dissolved. Mr J. M. Dargaville, M.H.R, for West, addressed a crowded meetii electors on October 3 in tho Tfi Royal, rtnd at the close received a vo thanks and confidence.

UNKNOWN

At the Hokitika Borough Council's 1 ing, held on September 20, an applic by Messrs Redmond and Walsh forth' of tho Town Hall was refused. The prietors of tho Theatre also refuseiij: it to thorn. Mr W. R. Redmond, member for !' ford, and his secretary.Mr J. \V. Wt a delegate of the Irish National j League, arrived here from -Sydney B B.s. Zealandia on 19th Sept. '.Mr* mond, who is on a mission to tho coi in connection with Irish affairs, ronS in Auckland for a few days, and tlienS his departure for tho West Const,;-<i Middle Island, where a series of p meetings were commenced. Mr JV E.;; mond, M.P. for New Ross, arrived here Sydney on October 4, and commence lecturing tour of the colony with an ad in Auckland. Mr Walshe informedai reporter that he has aeen in the c< before as a delegate in connection: Irish affairs. A groafc " oohyto j which will be attended by represent^ ! from all the Australasian colonies is i '■ held in Melbourne towards tho «» i tober. Sinco tho Messrs Bedjaoird. a* in tho ooloniee, £11,000; )heeD I I While Meosre Eedmond and Walsh« ■in Wellington they were prese with £300 by an anonymous admirer. i Mr W. Bedmond delivered an addrcf : Irish matters, at Grey mouth, on ; i5 evening, September 28, when the.i1 Hall was filled, about 400 beingprp very many (men and women alike) CO! from outlying districts. Mr Redmond with an enthusiastic reception, and name of Parnell or Davitt whenever tioned evoked loud applause. Mr \W called for, delivered a short vigorous speech. A subscription lisj opened in the room, and -' the money taken at./tho door, * wore collected. Mr Redmond Ice again to-nighton '•Re'ioUection Forster and the Working cl thoCptj Act in-Ireland." 'At a banquofciield'|s same hall, seats were not. taken befur# uight. Mr J. E. Redmond, whose lactureS't) Irish land question have attraotec siderable attention' in Australia, ,■ T^he has been travelling for some tiinejsiflj here by the Manapouri from Sydni October 4. He was met on arajM large committee of Auoklandy^lfi J who gave him a hearty wel^iaf.

THJE AUCKLAND ftVBRING STAR, SATURDAY. OCTOBER 6, 1883,

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