NEWS OF THE MONTH.

AUCKLAND, N.Z.,

February 1, 18S4,

Tin; postal, telegraphic, money order, and

savings bank returns for tho past quarter afford, as usual, an indication of the com mercial and industrial condition of the ■colony. For the three months ending 31st December last,tho telegraphic revenue of tho colony was 1.22,164 19s !)d, against L 23.573 Ss lid for the corresponding quarter of 18S2. Tho decrease in tins department is counter-balanced by an increased postal revenue, which is 1.38,181 Ss Sd, against _37,477 9s in the last quarter of ISS2. An increase of 1.20,000 in the amount paid on Post-office orders, as compared with tho .same period of last year, is a gratifying symptom of increasing interchange, but the Post - oflicc Savings Bank returns show that money has been scat-cer of late, as there was a falling off last quarter of about 1.54,000 from tho deposits as compared with Iho same quarter of the preceding year. The deposits last quarter wore t__67,200 12s Gd, nnd tho withdrawals were 1.280,105 Is 2d, showing that the latter exceeded tho former by about L.2,000. In tho corresponding quarter of ISS2, both deposits d with-nn drawals were heavier, but tho deposits wore LI ,O'JO in excess of the withdrawals, so that the Post-office Savings Bank transactions last quarter show L 13.000 less laid past than in the same period of the preceding year. 'This applies to the whole colony; but as \vc show further on, when noticing tho Auckland returns, it does not apply to this district. Last quarter tho deposits at Auckland Mere L-18,500 7s lid, while tho withdrawals Mere L45.1G7 Gs 4d; but at most of the offices throughout tho colony the" balance was the other way, and Itenco tho result which comes out in tho total, tin the matter of telegraphic revenue Auckland occupies tho highest poßition,,be.ng LSOO ahead of Dunedin, but Sn postal revenue tho latter city tops tho list by about L4OQ in advance of Auckland. Tho money orders issued in this city during tho quarter reached a total of L 26,697 9s lid, whilo thoso paid hero amounted to L 24,759 lis lid. Dunedin comes next, with L 21.922 lGs Id issued, and L2(i,754 Us 2d paid. Thus the Northern and Southern cities run close for the honour of being tho leading town of the colony, though in point of population Auckland undoubtedly is tho premier city, the estimated number of in habitants at 31st December last being:, Auckland 27,315, Dunedin 25.504. We hope' the year now entered upon will show- a xnoro decided rise in each of the branches sf revenue included in theso statistics— symptomatic of growing prosperity and advancement, and commercial and indus trial activity. The valuations of City proporty for tho present year have just been completed, and show a gratifying increase of about L 20,000 upon those of last year, the largest advances being made in the East and Korth Wards and in Ponsonby. We append a comparative table of the "valuations for 1883 and 1884 in each ward :— „ . W,l__ 1884. 1883. Increase Grafton AVard .. £13,502 £12.094 £808 EastU'ard .. ~ 91,113 80,219 4,894 -North Ward.. .. 72,23-2 07,133 4,71)9 Southward.. .. 51,500 45,19 3351 Ponsonby \\ ftrd .. 39/75 31,757 4.31S I-arangahP.po Ward 21,103 19,331 1,772 Totals.. .. £288,525 £268,583 £19,912 The City Valuator reports to the Town Clerk the following large additions in the city during tho year :—Grafton AVard, 27 new buildings; Karangahape, 52; Pon sonby, 127 ; North AVard, 35 ; South AVard, 122 ; East Ward, 31. Total, 394. Last month we referred to the celebrity attaching to the blood horses bred at the farm of the New Zealand Stud and Pedigree Company, Sylvia Park, Auckland, and now wo have pleasure in mentioning that a number of five yearlings by Musket out of various mares have boon sold nt high prices in Sydney. Twelve yearlings were taken over, and on 28th January were offered for sale, nine being sold nnd three with drawn. The total realised was 2,500 guineas. The highest price paid was 1,200 guineas, by tho Hon. James AA hito, for the Musket —Onyx colt. The principal buyors were Messrs White, Fennelly, Long, nnd Kelso. The average obtained for tho nine horses sold was 277 guineas. Tho following is a 1 st of the horses sent:—

Brown colt by Musket out of Onyx, foaled 17th

September. Black or brown colt by Musket out of BorgtSrc,

foaled 7th September. Brown colt by Musket out of Lyra, foaled

loth October. Bay or brown colt by Musket out of Realisation, foaled 27th September. Bay or brown colt by Musket out of Punga werewere, foaled Kith September. Bay or brown Ally by Musket out of Sister Agnes, foaletl 30th September. Bay or brown filly by Musket out of Pearl Ash, foaled 13th SeDteniber. Bay or brown filly by Musket out of Hannah, foaled 18th September. Bay filly by Musket out of Rangi, foaled 23rd of

August. Bay or brown filly by Musket out of Erycina, foaled 10th October. In addition to the above there wero also shipped three two-year-old Clydesdale colts, including tho Duke of Abercorn, who took the Champion Prizo at the last Agricultural Show. They were offered for Jsale in Sydney, by Mr T. S. Clibborn, on the 28th January.

Over the whole colony weather of pheno menal severity is the order of the day. January, usually our warmest nnd most settled month, has this year been cold and stormy, to a degree almost unprecedented. Whether tho peculiar "aftor-glow" observ able in tho sky at sunset is the cause of tho exceptional weather, scorns not vory clear ; but tho effect of tho unseasonable cold, it is feared, will be only too palpably seen and felt. Storms of sleet, hall, and snow, havo fallen in the South Island. Tho wind and rain storms in tho North, however, havo not been so severe as to damage the growing grain crops, which promise to be vory good ; and if favourable harvest weather is obtained, of which there is a fair prospect, tho season should prove a very good ono. In Nelson, the hop crop is c pirtial failure, whilo generally throughout tho colony the yield of fruit is the poorest known for many years. The storms hitherto have hithorto inflicted littlo or no damage upon property ou sea or land, if we except tli. terrible disaster at Rarotonga, which, thwgh distant from the colony, involved tho loss of three Anckland-owned vessels and their cargoes, besides soven valuable lives. Though still unsettled, tho weather has moderated to a groat extent, and hopes of a fairly plentiful grain crop are still enter tained.

A very lenient view of tho Triumph catastrophe has been taken by the Nautical Court, which, on January 7, suspended Captain Brotherton. certificate for three years, and that of Thomas Owens, chief officer for six months. Many people thought that nothing short of cancelling the captain s certificate, and dealing very strictly with the chief officer, would satisfy the ends of justice ; but after hear ing tho able defence which Mr Hesketh offered on behalf of the captain, it was evident that at least a strong case had been made out in extenuation of that gentleman. The facts of over-fatigue and loss of sleep were clearly established, and if the Captain had contributed to thedrowsiness which over took him by a slight indulgence in spirituous beverages, it was shown that he had not in any way drank so as to incapacitate him for his duties, Tho offence of the chief officer has, perhaps, got its full punishment, for it was oy no means clear that he had neg lected any specific duty, or contributed in any way to the stranding of the steamer. Tho inquiry has fully vindicated the reputation of Auckland harbour for safety, and the judgment of the Court, if discriminately lenient, is still sufficiently severe to act as a caution to the officers of vessels to guard against want of watchfulness when negotiating the channels by which entrance and exit to the harbour aro obtained. Captain Brotherton is still in Auckland. He paid the chief officer's share of tho expenses, expressing tho opinion that the mato was in no way to blame.

The immigration and emigration returns for 18S3 show that the total arrivals in New Zealand during the year were 19,215, and tho depart ires 9,150, leaving a balance of 10,029 in favour of the colony. Of that number Auckland gained 2,248. ; - ■

A valuablo contribution to the publio knowledge of the transactions of the recent Federation Conference at Sydney was given in an address delivered by the Hon. F. Whitaker, ox-Premier of tho colony, to an Auckland audience on Bth January. Tho lion, gentleman was ono of tho New Zealand representatives at tho Conference, and be sides being thoroughly conversant with the whole course of its deliberations, he was quite en rapport with the objects which it aimed at accomplishing. His utterances wero read with deep interest throughout the colony, bringing out into bold relief as they did the need whicli o.vists for a British protectorate of >.ew Guinea, for tho federation of tho Australasian colonies, fordefensive and other important purposes, and for putting an cllective check on the French policy of liberating hordes of violent criminals among the islands of the South Pacific. Though New Zealand was admitted to be less affected by threatening evils, and more suited for independent national existonco than the continental colonies, the speaker contended that tho peoplo of this colony should abandon all selfish ideas, and stand forward as one of those colonies which •would be banded together in a great fed eration in tlio meantime, and a Grand Empire in the future.

" Eight hours' work," whatever may bo thought of the method of employing" tho other sixteen, is a popular ny; and the large turn-out at the Eight IToura Demon stration on 291h January proved that colonists aro in earnest in seeking to uphold the privileges which they enjoy. The pro cession embraced representatives of all the principal trades, the members of which, though in many cases receiving more than the " eight shillings a day " of the hack neyed rhyme, are none the less strenuous in their determination to limit the hours of labour to eight daily. Favoured with fine weather, the athletic sports held on the Cricket Ground at tho Domain passed off most successfully in presence of over 3,000 spectators, including Sir Geo. Groy, Mr S. T. George, M.H.R., His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. R. Waddol), Sec.

Sir Georgo Grey's address in the Choral Hall on the 29th January, though apropos of the Eight Hours Demonstration, really resolved itself into an important political utterance. Government having committed the colony so far to tlio policy of Federation, it has boeomo necessary to inquire closely into tho effects which would follow its realisation. As the result of such examina tion, Sir George Grey has reach.d tho con clusion that Federation is fraught with danger to this colony, which, having no community of intorost with the Australian colonies, would certainly find herself out voted on the Federal Council, and placed in a most disadvantageous position.' The recont address on tho Federation Conference by the Hon. Mr Whitaker, ox-Premier, is on many hands considered to have been an apology for tho Government policy, nnd his utterances, placed in juxtaposition to those of Sir Geo. Groy, have dono much to incroaso tho interest of New Zealand colonists in the important question, Messrs Dargaville nnd Moss, two influential mem bers of tho Opposition, havo echoed the sentiments of Sir George Grey on tlio subject; and there can bo no doubt, when Government lay their report from the Con ference before the House of Representatives, it will be sharply criticised. It may, to many people at a distance, seem strange that New Zealand should wish to disturb what has been called "tho Australasian concert;" but those who know the relative positions of the colonies, and aro ablo to appreciate the weighty reasons adduced by the speakers of the other evening, will not be surprised to learn that thero is here a strong and growing feeling against barter ing the independent existence of the colony for an ideal union whibli cannot show countervailing advantages, while it is big with latent dangers.

One of the most important events during the past month was the Auckland Annual Regatta, which was held on January 29th, in celebration of the forty-fourth anniversary of the colony. The weather was every thing that could be desired, affording every opportunity for a test of the quality of sailing vessels entered in the various com petitions. Tho annual Regatta, the objects of which are to encourage ship, yacht, and boat building, has the effect of stimulating our builders every year to increased exertion in the construction of fast vessels, and upon the last occasion a very large number of new cratt took part. The entries wcro unusually numerous, and the contests keen. The interest which Aucklanders take in these competitions was evinced by the fact that the flagship, Tura kina, was crowded all day, whilo the various coigns of vantage around the har bour were largely patronised with interested spectators. Every year the importance of the Regatta increases. Tho scale upon which the IS-f-1 event was carried out may bo judged from tho fact nearly L7OO in money and trophies wero offered for com petion in seventeen ovents, sixteen of which took place, and ono (a Rob Roy canoe race) fell through for want of sutlicient ontrics. Auckland in tho past has won an enviable reputation for her ship and boat building all over tho colonies, and this is, no doubt, due to the stimulus given to builders by those interesting and animated contests botween locallyjconstructed vessels and any strange craft that may drop in and take part in the races.

New Zealand is bidding fair to offor to tho rest of tho world the example of religious union and co-operation. For some time past movements towards amalgamation have been maturing, and will ere long have the result of reducing tho number of religious sects in the colony to half-a dozen or so. The various sections of Methodists have now agreed to form a united church—tho Wesleyan, Primitive, Free mid Bible Christian branches sinking their special differences for tho sake of the benefits accruing from union. Tho Con ferences of theso churches have endorsed the principle, and it only requires tho working out of details to consummate the union. Tho Presbyterian Church, though here divided by no doctrinal differences, is still in two sections—the larger known as tho Presbyterian Church of Now Zealand, and tho smaller as tho Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland.'The Synod of tho latter body, at its meeting in Dunedin last month, adopted a resolution to open negotiations for union with the Northern Church; and though former negotiations to that end have fallen through, it is hoped that the fresh advances will prove successful.

Tho first sections of land in tho now town ship of Kawhia wero put up to auction on January 23, at the Crown Lands Office, and commanded spirited competition and good prices. The total amount realised was no less than £4,49S or just £3,113 in advance of tho upset price, a result that exceeded all anticipation. In somo instances the bidding was very keen, one section indeed fetching £400, although put up at £40. The land formerly belonged to the Charlton family, and was sold by auction, at tho suit of the mortgagee, when the Govern ment became the purchaser for £350, and they havo now derived a handsome profit from their lucky investment. Mr 1). A. Tole, Crown Lands Commissioner, acted as auctioneer.

Furthor delay has occurred ill connection with the construction of the proposed largo graving dock in Auckland harbour. Ten ders were to havo boon opened three weeks ago, but when the Harbour Board assembled for the purpose, a report was received from tho Engineer to tho effect that his first estimate of cost of £120,000 was given in absence of tho full quantities of material and labour required for tho work. He pointed out that the dock originally pro posed, and for the erection of which the sum of £120,000 was provided in the schedule of the Loan Bill, was to have only 26 feet of water over the sill. This depth of water would have required an inexpensive coffer dam, and he intended to use our local hydraulic limes very freely in the work. Before the plans were finished, the Board decided that the dock should have 33 feet of water on tho sill at ordinary spring tides. This necessitated the work being placed in deep water, which not only added to the cost of the dock, but very materially added to the expense of erecting a coffer dam in the bold deep water. Besides this he had substituted Portland cement instead of lime concrete, while extra work added subsequent to his estimate involved an additional estimate of Ll 1,500. Having the full quantities before him, he had now to state that the estimated cost of con structing the dock in accordance with the plans and specifications submitted was L 164.700, exclusive of the caisson, engine, and pumps, the cost of which he estimated at L 12,000, making a total estimated cost of L17(i,700 for the whole work. He suggested a saving of L 44.000 by leav ing out a portion of heavy retaining wall, and. using timber face work, utilising lime concrete instead of cement Tenders were opened for the work as follows:—Hunt and White, L!S3,4S(i; Cameron, Britton, and Co., L 179.103; Daniel Fallon, L15S,000; John Taylor, L 190.979. The whole subject was roforred to the Dock Committee, on the recommendation of which it was subsequently agreed :—(1) "That Mr Fallon's tender be declined, and his deposit returned. (2) That Mr McDonald be relieved of all further duties in connec tion with the Calliope Dock. (3) That tn* Board advertise for an engineer to

prepare plans, specifications, and to superintend tho construction of the Cal liopo Dock." Tho Board further decided that these advertisements should be inserted in the newspapers of Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington, to bo returnable on February 19, and tho applicant engineers to state their terms for drawing up terms and specifications for the dock, and for superin tending its construction.

t To become satislied of tho steady increase [ in tho trade and shipping of Auckland, it , is only necessary to glance at tho rcvenuo f roturns of our Harbour Board, Four years , ago, in ISSO, tho net revenue of the year . from ordinary sources was £23,102; and for '_ the year just ended it was £3->3.5. Tho f increase on the goods wharfage alone was \ nearly i' 5,000; the export wharfage lia.s doubled, and tho shipping wharfage . increased by £010. Tho Treasurer's report . shows that tho net revenue, exclusive of , refunds, for ISS3 amounted to £42,558 15s, . an increase over 1882 of £11,865155; doduct ng interest from both the years under com parison, the increase for 1883 is .13,5,._ 1 Is Bd. Under the heading of assets and lia bilities for last year, the revenue for ISS3 was estimated at £33,000 ; the rcvenuo actually received exceeded tho estimate by £1,3!).") 7s lid. This is very gratifying; and it is still more gratifying to know that, notwithstanding the responsibilities in curred ou account of the big dock and other works, the Board feels its financial position sound enough to relinquish two source., of revenue, which aro estimated as worth £.1,000. In resolving to abandon tho wharf tolls, and to charge wharfage on the registered instead of tho gross tonnage, the Board not only affords a substantive pecuniary relief to the mercan tile interests of tho port, but gets rid of two of the most irritating taxes in the tariff. The statement of accounts more than jusli lies tho conlidenco of English investors who purchased the last issue of £1,.0,000 of the Board's debentures at £101 12s 2d in Lon don, realising to the Board £100 5s Id net in Auckland. Tho reduction in port charges, after reckoning for interest on this sum, is the best answer to thoso who questioned the wisdom of tho Board in undertaking so large v liability on account of v dock which, although indispensable, cannot pay interest on its cost. Tho growing revenue from rents, which last year yielded the sum of £9,242, will mitigate very materially tho burden laid upon the resourcos of tho trust by tho charge for interest; and if tho revenues of the port maintain their present ratio of increase, further reductions will, in all probability, soon become possible. The Board's accounts aro, us usual, rendered in a clear aud explicit manner by tho Treasurer, Mr J. M. Brigham. Gratifying testimony to tho thrift and foresight of tho industrial classes of Auck land is borne by tho statistics of savings bank transactions in the city. Tho Post Office Savings Bank returns for tho year ended 31st December last aro just com pleted, and from them wo toko tho follow ing particulars:— _ s. d. Balance at credit, of depositors Ist January, 1883 211,289 10 1 , Deposits— £ s. d. March quarter ..13,(120 18 7 June do .. 13,5.1 8 11 .Sept. do .. 11.710 12 1 Dec. do .. 18,501! 7 11 — 180,132 7 !) Interest for year 7,80. 15 2 £390,591 19 0 Withdrawals— c s, d. fi s. d. March quarter ..57,913 5 5 ' ' June do .. 17,7-3 3 _ Sept do .. 43,303 15 10 Dec. do .. 15,167 0 1 191,257 10 9 Balance at credit of depositors, 3ist Dccomber, 18S3 205,331 8 3 £399,591 19 0 From these figures it will bo seen that the ! deposits for eacli quarter are wonderfully regular, but that they show a steady in crease towards the close of tho year. For .he March and June quarters tho with drawals ivcrc in excess of the deposits, a fact doubtless due to the temporary pressure of hard times. Now, however, theso have passed away, as testitied by the record of the latter half of tho year. In tho December quarter, when many people were probably with drawing from their little hoards for holiday purposes, the deposits yet ex ceeded the withdrawals by over £3,000. The balance at credit of depositors is on the whole, however, rather less than it was a year previously ; but with a con tinuance of busy times the balance will soon turn the other way. As it is, £205,000 is a tidy nest-egg, and when it is re membered that a still larger sum is in the hands of the Auckland Savings Bank (a locally controlled institution), it is clear that our working population aro in com fortable circumstances, and well equipped for any " rainy day " that may como.

On 29th January (Anniversary Day), the Tempcrnnco Societies of Auckland united in holding a grand demonstration, in which about 2,000 poople took part. Tho mem bers of tho Bluo Ribbon, Good Templar, Rochabito, and othor kindred organisations formed in procession, and witli banners streaming and music playing marched through tho streets of tho city to tho Do main, whero sports of various kinds wcro engaged in. Sir Wm. Fox, an inlluential and veteran advocate of temperance, ad dressed tho assemblage in tho open air, and again addressod a largo gathering in tho Theatre Royal at night. A dotachmont of tho Salvation Army also took part in the demonstration, a religious meeting boing conducted by them in tho Domain. The cause of Temperance in tho city nnd dis trict lias mado great progress, and the as sertion of tho principle can lose nothing by such an imposing display as that of tho 29th ult. In moral and social reforms there is a powerful influence in numbers, and in mutual sympathy and encourage ment. The local temperance societies are to be commended for tho unity of pur pose by which they aro actuated, and the harmonious way in which thoy co-operate for tho attainment of a common end.

The annual meotings of the local school committees in the several educational dis tricts havo excited a good deal of interest. The ontire cost of education is borno by the Colonial Govornment ; and tho schools, which are free, are commonly used by all classes of the population. Tho control of school buildings is vested in local com mittees elected by the househo'ders, who act in conjunction with Boards of Educa tion, which have jurisdiction over districts whose boundaries are mostly identical with tho old provinces. The local committees have the appointment of teachers, subject to the approval of the Board, and oxorciso other important functions. Tho members elected each year aro largely composed of householders who havo children in attend ance at the schools.

The fame of Now Zealand as a tobacco producing country has spread rapidly, and tho industry which has just been established 1 promises to be even more lucrative than its < promoters have hitherto hoped. Through out nearly the whole of tho North Island, tobacco of tho very finest quality can be j grown ; and as we learn, a large crop of the leaf will bo ready for manufacture in the _ course of two or three month.s Tobacco , importers and manufacturers in the Austra- , Han Colonies, and even in England, havo learned of tho operations of tho Now Zealand Tobacco Growing and Manufacturing Com pany and aro negotiating for tho purchaso of any surplus stock of leaf which they may have. An extensive Sydney and Melbourne firm offer a satisfactory price for alot of 300 to ' 400 tons, and a gentleman representing a • largo Liverpool firm is also negotiating for I the purchase of a quantity of the New Zealand leaf. This is most gratifying testi mony to the superiority of the quality of New Zealand-grown tobacco ; it is well known indeed that tho culture of tobacco ' in Australia has been abandoned because of the poorness of the product. It also opens up a vast field for enterprise on tho part of settlors, who are assured of a practically unlimited market being found for tho tobacco grown by them. At the meeting of the Harbour Board on tho 22nd January, the following tenders were received for the construction of the Hobson-street Wharf:— £ W. and G. AV'instoue 6,263 William Foughey 7,175 C.H.Seymour 7,561 Allen Macguire _.**o_ Alexander Sutherland .. .. 8,750 Engineer's estimate .. .. 7,010 On the motion of Mr J. M. Clark, seconded by Mr Aickin, Messrs Winstono's tender was accepted. The New Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Company has written to the Waste Lands Board abandoning the idea of purchasing blocks of land on the overland route from Hawke's Bay to Waikato, which were previously applied for as cattle driving stations. The latter proceeds to ask the Board to recommend the Minister of Lands to have these blocks set apart as permanent reserves for stock driving purposes, and requests the Government to have the said sections fenced in and sown in grass, and further applies that monies paid by the Company for surveys of sections be i*eim bursed. This communication was read at a meeting of the Waste Lands Board on the 81st January, and it was decided to refer it on tg the Minister- for Lands. - i £ 1(

In the North Island, the question of the trunk line of railway has been occupying a share of public attention—a lively contro versy raging ns to tho route which shall be followed in making the connecting part of tho line which will havo the effect of joining Auckland and Wellington. Tho West Coast route, which taps the valuable lauds of the Mokau district, rich in all kinds of minerals, has not yot been fully explored ; but that fact does not prevent it being con demned as impracticable by tho advocates of the alternative route, which passes through a level but almost worthless stretch of country. Government are deter mined to fully explore the Mokau route (it being by far the shortest and most likely to prove reproductive), and 10 days ago three separate survey parties started to thor oughly prospect tho route. Another import ant work—the making of a railway through the Manawatu (Jorge to connect tho East and West Coasts of the North Island—is also likely to go on shortly, tho Minister of Public Works having undertaken to start the survey of tho route at onco and to place a sum on the Estimates for the construc tion of the lino. The loan of L 1,000,000, so successfully floated in London last month, is to be expended on tho North Island trunk line, and the prosperous condition of this part of the colony gives evory assurance that tho expenditure is wanted—not for tho sake of providing employment to workmon anil distributing cash among trades;people, but to further tho development of the resources of tho country and to facilitate industrial and commercial operations.

The survey of tho "King Country," so long closed against European exploration and occupation, has been commenced, and is now proceeding under most favourable auspices. The survey parties have pene trated the recesses of the interior, being hospitably entertained at Te Kuiti, the sceno of former determined opposition on the part of tho natives. No opposition whatever has, on tho present occasion, beon made to the surveyors, who aro now' in tho heart of tho country, encamped within a mile of the spot where Mod'att was mur dered by Maoris several years ngo. An unexpected turn was given to ovents a fow days ago by the intimation that the power ful chief Rewi Maniapoto had written to tho Native Minister, withdrawing from tho agreement he entered into as to the opening up of tho country, unless on condition that the Maoris aro granted a complete system of .self-government. This chango of front will in no way affect the progress of the survoys. Tho Hon. Mr Bryco will push for ward the surveys as if nothing had occurred, and tho natives will not bo greatly influenced by the notion of Rewi, who is so old as to be almost in his dotage, and is easily persuaded to any view, lie is consciousof his own weakness, for in conversation he owns . that his present conduct is treacherous, that it can bring nothing but troublo to him, and that his name henceforth should bo Kopikopiko, or " backward nnd forward." To explain tho altered attitude of Howl is a simple matter- -tho principal agents in tho transformation being two gontlomen whoso names are moro or less familiar to Homo readers. These aro — Sydney Taiwhangu (tho spokesman of tho Maori deputation that visited London a year or more since), and a Mr Mcßoth from Wellington (the same gentleman who con cocted the recent letter from tho Maori member of the Legislative to tho Aborigines Protection Society). Professedly actuated by a desire to further the interests of the natives, though moro than suspected of acting on behalf of designing European speculators Fullering from an aggravated form of "earth-hunger," theso parties have, visited Rowi, and with specious talk about Home Rule for the Maoris, have cozoned tho vacillating old chief into withdrawing from his solemn compact. It. is notorious that Taiwhanga was lately the paid agent of a big Native Land Company, and Mcßeth is an unknown adventurer. It is from such advisors ns those, and not from bona fide European settlement, that the natives arc in danger; but in their unsophisticated nature they have not yet learned tho truth of the ejaculation—" Save us from our friends !"

Various meetings of commercial com panies have been held during the month, reports of which appear in another column. Among them is that of the New Zealand Insurance Company, at which a dividend of 15 per cei..t. was declared ; Ll 5,000 carried to the investment fluctuation account, and L.'! 0,00 ito the reserve fund. The various local and foreign insurance companies doing business in Auckland havo adopted a common tariff which makes considerable advances on the former rates, which the companies assert were uiiremuncrative.

Mr Justice Gillies had a pleasant duty to perform on Jan. 7, in commenting upon the exceedingly light calendar which comes beforo the criminal sessions of tho Supremo Court. Only thirteen cases, and most of these moro ]>etty larcenies, is a criminal record which by its lightness speaks well for tho peoplo of tho dis trict. Thero was no crimo of violonco ox ecpt a trilling stabbing case, and thero was indeed an utter absonco of all sensational interest in the criminal sittings. This is as it should bo. It has boon said "Happy is tho nation that has no history ;" and wc might say also, Happy is tlio district where crime is rare, and por son and property aro aliko secure. A prosecution under tho Fraudulent Debtors Act of 1878 was, perhaps, tho most ox citing caso on tho list for trial, the rarity of such chargoß adding to tho interest felt in tho trial.

A visitor of distinction, in tho porson of Count Bologna Strickland, a young Maltcso nobleman, arrived by tho Rotoma hana from Sydney on January 7th, and since then has been busily engagod in ac quiring as much information as possible about the city and colony. Ho left his card at the Corporation offices, and His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. R. Waddol) mot him by appointmont, and showed him round tho city and its onvirons, taking him first through tho Albert Park, thenco to Parnoll and Rcmuora, and from there across country to the Manukau, returning by way of Mount Eden. The Count was delighted with tho trip, and appeared vory grateful for tho in formation given him. The following day, His Worship having had the Customs' launch placed at his disposal, convoyed the distinguished visitor round tho harbour,

accompanying him first of all to tho Sugar Co.'s works, then to the Cailiopo dock, and filially to tho Triumph. Ho has also had specially bound for him copies of Brett's "Almanac " and "Settlers' Guide." Count Strickland is highly impressed with the resources, progressive character and importance of tho city, besides the geniality of tho climate, and intends to mako uso of tho information ho has ob tained when he returns to assume his seat in tho Maltcso Council of Nobles. He has made a tour of Australia.

The directors of tho New Zealand Ship ping Company (Limited) declared an interim dividend for tho hnlf-yearpast at the rate of 10 por cent, per annum on January 7.

At tho Harbour Board meeting, on tho Bth January, it was agreed, on the motion of Mr L. D. Nathan, seconded by Mr O. Mays, to appoint another pilot, in view of the in creased duties attached to tho prcsout pilot service.

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL.

A four weeks' season of high-class drama by Miss Louise Pomeroy and Company closed at Abbott's Opera House on 21th January. The plays produced wero mostly Shakesperian, embracing "Hamlet," "Romeo and Juliet," "Cymbeline," "The Winter's Tale," &c. —the repertoire, which was most varied, embracing several pieces which had never before been pro duced in this city. Miss Pomeroy took tho male parts of Romeo and Hamlet, and earned high encomiums for her scholarly assumption of the roles. Tho special feature of the season, however, was tho debut of Miss Mariebel Greenwood, a native of Auckland, and only 13 years of age, who has evinced an almost marvellous talent for a stage career. Having been brought under the notice of Miss Pomeroy, that lady was so struck with the youthful aspirant's capabilities that she undertook to givo her a short course of tuition and superintend her debut in tho character of Juliet. Beforo a crowded house Miss Greenwood made a "first appearance," which is entitled to rank among dramatic triumphs, even though her future career should not justify tho high promise which the present gives. Her natural histrionic powers were proved to be of the highest order, and with proper attention to modulation of voice, study of elocution, and mental development, she should win her way to a premier position j on the stage like the American actress — Mary Anderson. Miss Greenwood appeared on a second evening in "Romeo and Juliet," and on the closing night of the season played Ophelia to Miss Pomeroy's Hamlet. With scarcely any preparation, her acting in this role was marked by naturalness and caso —the " mad scene," usually tho hardest to realise, being that in which she most ex celled. —Both the Opera House and Theatre P.oyal have, since the close of the Pomeroy season, been occupied by minstrel troupes— the Court Minstrels performing in the -Jprmer, and, in 0.200l a"*r ' .......,,...,

RELIGIOUS.

It is proposed to erect an Episcopalian Church at Pakurangn.

Tho Primitive Methodist Conferonco ai Dunedin closed on January 16.

Salvation Army head-quartors for the colony aro to bo at Christchurch.

Otago Biblo Society has during the last 20 years distributed over 20,000 copies of the Scriptures. Roy. J. Cairns lias been appointed Moderator of the Christchurch Presbytery for the ensuing year. Last yoar Wesloyanism increased to a greater extent in Now Zealand than in any previous year of its history. Rev. Joseph Long, Primitive Methodist minister, is superannuated, and intends taking up his residence in Auckland.

Obituary notices of tho Revs. John Hobbs, T. Buddie, and J, Warren, wero road at the Wesleyan Conferenco at Wellington on January2l.

Tho Conferenco re-assembled on Satur day morning, January 19, at 0.30, and at their rising adjourned till Monday morn ing, January 21. The Wesleyan Conference sitting at Wellington have made a grant to enable Rev. Mr Gittos to travel among tho Maoris in tho Northern districts. Reports laid before tho Wesleyan Confer ence at Wellington show tho Wesleyan statistics of tho colony to be :—Members, 5,022 ; Sunday scholars, 15,866 ; total at tendants on public worship, 46,122. The annual meeting of St. Matthew's Church, Dunedin, was held on January 22, Bishop Novillo presiding. Tho revenue for the year was £930, and the expenditure £1,260, showing a deficiency of £330. A Dunedin telegram states that the equal dividend for tho year declared to Presbyte rian ministers from the sustentation fund is L 224 4s 3d, which is the largest yot attained. The Wesleyan Conferenco at Wellington closed its sittings on tho 31st January. It was announced that tho late Roy. John Warren had bequeathed £100 to tho Super iiuinorar.yEund. The officers of tho Primitive Methodist Conference for this year aro—President, Roy. Ghnrlcß Ward, Dunedin ; Vico Presi dent, Mr G. P. Roggan, Invercargill j Secretary, Roy. C. C. Bailey, Thames. A meeting was also held in oonnection with the Conference in Mount Eden Freo Methodist Schoolroom on Jan. 18, when addresses were given by several ministers and friends attending tho distriot meetings. Whilo Rationalism is making a fresh start in Auckland, tbe " Echo," tho organ of Dunedin Freethinkers, has died, in con sequence of it* publisher withdrawing from the local Society, and ranging himself on tlio side of the Churches. A hard-boaded Scot proposed ot tho Pres byterian Synod in Dunedin, on Januury 16, that probationers should not be allowed to marry till tha ago of 30 or 35. Tho reverend fathers, who had boen that way themselves, did not see it.

Wesleyan missions in New Zealand con tinue to bo octivoly prosecuted. During the last year the income has boen L 2,452 Gs lOd, and tho expenditure L 2.553 17s Bd. A sum of L3OO has beon bequeathed to tho fund, and is payable next year. In opening tho Presbyterian Synod at Dunedin on January 15th, tho Moderator (Rev. Mr Groig) deplored tho falling-off in the attendance at church, which was due to infidelity, indifforenco, and dissatisfaction with churches as ot present existing. Liout. Innes, addressing « Salvation Army meeting in Duncdiu, said that "in answer to prayer a young woman in Auck land had been restored to health after four doctors hud givon her up, and had left her on what thoy believed to bo her deathbed."

At the Wesleyan Conferenco at Welling ton on Jan. 21, tho papers of tho following probationers were deonied satisfactory, and they were passed in thoir several years : - Revs. Messrs Parsons, Penfold, Slndo, Gar land, Griffiths, Jones, Wills, Marshall, and Matthew. On January IS, a Gospel Temperance meeting was held, presided over by Mr Wm. Flesher, of Christchurch. The Rev. J. White first addressed the mooting, taking for his subject tho temperance question in relation to the home, and advocated the making of homos happy and bright, and the introduction of good books into them.

Six young ladies took tho "black veil]" on the morning of Jan. 5, at tho church attached to St. Mary's Convent. A number of persons attended to witness tho imposing ceremony. Bishop Luck officiated, dressed in his pontifical robes, assisted by Revs. Fathers Walter Macdonald, Downey, and Lcnihan.

The Primitive Methodist Conference, nt Dunedin, on Jan. 12, considered the pro posed basis for tho union of Methodist Churches in New Zealand, and a resolution was carried by 22 to 3 adopting heartily tho basis of union agreed to by the committee in Christchurch last July, as embodying a fair and workable constitution, meeting tho needs of Methodism in Now Zealand.

Dr. Redwood laid the foundation stone of tho Now Plymouth Convent on January 13. Thero was a large concourse of persona present. He said tho building would bo a credit to tlio Catholics, and ho hoped tho children of tho placo would attend to tho school. Tho Bishop gave a subscription of £21, and a largo amount was also placod on tho stono.

Tho principal business transacted by the Presbyterian Synod of Otago held in Dunedin on January 18 was the dis cussion of a roport from the committee on union rocemmonding that immediate steps be takon to offect a union with the Northern Church. After a spirited dobnto, a by Professor Salmond affirming that tho union should be effected without dolay was carried by 30 to 24.

Tho Auckland Presbytery having resolved to romovo Mr Forguson, studont evan gelist, from Paeroa to Tauranga, the peoplo of tho former district have (says the " Te Aroha News") written to tho Church Extension Committee requiring that Mr Forguson should bo allowed to remain in the district, and threatening if he was removed that they would sorer their connec tion with the Church.

The children of St. Mary's Sabbath-school, Parnoll, had their annual treat on Jan. 15. About 300 children, Including the children of tho Orphan Homo, wore conveyed by steamer to Northcote, there being 30 teachers in charge, besides Rev. H. v. S. Walpole, Captain Clayton, and Mrs Kiss ling. Tho weather was not of the bost, and rain fell during tho homeward voyage, but the party enjoyed themselves thoroughly. At the Wesleyan Conference in Welling ton on Jan. 24, it was reported that build

ton on Jan. 24, it was reported that build ings costing L 8,500 have been erected dur ing the year, and debts amounting to L.2,400 have been removed. The following amounts have beon promised to the Church Building and Loan Fund :—Auckland, L 2.217 9s ; Wanganui, L7SO 10s ; Welling ton, L7S4 4s; Canterbury, L 2.378 Is; Otago, L 555 3s. The districts of Nolson nnd Wostland havo yet to be visited. Twelve gifts of church sites were reported. The Primitive Mothodist Conference, now sitting at Dunedin, havo made the following settlement of stations for the coming year:— Now Plymouth—J. Guy and J. Long ; Wel lington—A. J. Smith, P. N. Hunter, and AY. J. Dean ; Auckland—W. S. Potter and J. Boothroyd ; Invcrcargill—D. Dutton and Laycock ; Timaru— Joseph Sharp; Thames —C. E. Barley, Greondale, and AY. Jones; Ashburton —J. Nixon ; Christchurch —J. Ward; Dunedin—C. C. Ward and J. Dum bell; Manawatn—J. Clover; Oamaru—T. Sadler; Goraldine and AA'aimate—Vacant. On Jan. 22 the Synod carried by a largo majority tho overture of Dunedin Presbytery to memorialise Parliament to amend the Education Act so as to allow of daily Bible-reading during school hours. Mr Lothian's amendment for the appointment of a committee to co-operato with any other branches of the reformed churches, in order to ascertain whether it was possible for tho churches by united action to organise a staff of trained, efficient, and paid Bible instructors who shall dovote themsolves to giving Bible instruction periodically at stated hours in public shools, found no seconder. At the annual meeting of St. Mark's Church, Remuera, on Jan. 30, Rev. Arch deacon Pritt presiding, the accounts showed a balance carried down of £350. Mr McMillan was appointed clergyman's warden, Mr Alexander people's warden, and Messrs George, J. Baber, R. Baber, Morgan, Taite, Cochrane, Gamble, Lodder, Pickmore, and Tonks members of vestry, and Mr Lewis auditor. The Diocesan Trust was requested to remove the old school building, which had become an eyesore. Thanks were passed to the organist, sexton, &c, and the meeting terminated. A well-attended meeting of the parishion ers of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Otahuhu, took place on Monday, Jan. 21, Rev. Frank Gould in the chair. The churchwardens' report was favourably re ceived, which showed the receipts for the year to be £231 9s 3d; expenditure, £215 Is lOd, leaving a balance of £16 7s sd. Messrs Fairburn and Duffus were re-elected churchwardens, and Messrs Box, Shep pard, Luke, Dr. Erson, W. R. Wills, Kympton, Brown, Plumley, C. A. Bowden, and G. Willis were elected vestrymen. Messrs Sheppard, Box, Luke and For sbawe were appointed to intro-I1"^ strangers tn seats at Chusafe- agreed to vf Sunday week's .^"Eonsf _ « set apart as Hojgital cye^^^fM_^

A largo gathering of scholars of the Weliesley-street Baptist Sunday school was hold on Jan. 15, in tho school-room, Chapel street. Mr Spurgeon presided, and with encouraging remarks, presented 22 certifi cates and two special prizes to the success ful competitors, Misses Matthews and Hoycs. A vocal and musical hour was passed harmoniously, and with credit to all concerned. The programme was as fol lows :—Pianoforte solo, Mr Martin McDor mott; vocal duet, Miss Augustus and Miss Fowlcs; recitation, Mr White ; pianoforte solo, Miss Mabel Battlcy ; pianoforte duet, Misses Culpan and Main; vocal duet, Misses M. Battlcy and C. Pearson ; readings Mr C, Brown, Mr Shaldcrs, and Mr Spurgeon. A vote of thanks closed tho proceedings.

There was a largo attendance at tho garden party at Bishop Luck's residence, Ponsonby, ou January 10th, the object being to ofler congratulations to the Vory Rev. Monsignor Fynes on his first appear ance in public since receiving tho insignia of the title of Monsignor, conferred upon him by His Holiness the Pope. Amongst thoso present were : The Very Roy. Father Walter Macdonald, Fathers Paul, O'Gaia, Lenihan, and Vaggioli; the lion. P. Dignan, Captain Fitzgerald; Mosrrs Boylan, Darby, Mahonoy, Eyre, Riordan, Green, Regan, E, F. Miller, etc. In the course of somo remarks which ho mado on the occasion, Bishop Luck said that Mon signor Fynes was now one of the Chamber lains of His Holiness, whilo the distinction conferred upon him entitled him to a seat in the Pontifical Court at Rome, although it was unfortunate that he should have to commence his Courtship in the latter years of his life. Refreshments were supplied for those present.

Tho dwellers at Waiwera and surround ing settlers arc likely soon to have an English Church in their midst, a desidcra tim which the people have long striven for, and which will possibly be realised in tho course of a few months. BishopCowie also has moved in the proper direction, and Mr Robert Graham, with his wonted liber ality, has given a suitable site, and trustees have been appointed for tho purpose of carrying out the proposition. The church is to bo erected on a little hill near tho bridge which crosses the Waiwera and Puhoi rivers. Tho need of a church has long been felt at this popular watering place, whore the invalid finds gonial refresh ment, and where the traveller may take rest from his wanderings through these islands Hitherto, Miss Graham has done her best to securo Sunday evening services in the large room a few paces from the hotel, but not always could a preacher bo found to conduct, owing to tho impeding influences of timo and weather. Now, however, tho period approaches when disappointments shall cease, as a minister will ho near at hand to iindertako tho duties of tho cure. A considerable number of visitors aro always at tho hotel, and it is calculated that v congregation of nearly one hundred persons may always bo in attendance. ThcltomanCatholic residentsof Ponsonby have resolved upon erecting a now church in that district. With this object in view a meeting was held in St. Mary's Convent on Jan. 17. His Lordship Bishop Luck presided, and tho Key. Father AValter Mac donald was also present. His Lordship, in his opening remarks, explained that a sum of £1,000 would be required to erect the church. Towards this ho would give £100 on condition that four others gave a similar sum. Mr Lynch suggested that tho money should bo raised by means of subscription list. His Lordship again expressed a desire that four others would follow his example, when Mr P. Darby said ho would con tribute £100, £50 if the church was started within 12 months, and £50 upon its com pletion. At tho suggestion of the Key. Father Walter, a subscription list was then opened, and headed with the sums named. Father Walter gave £10 towards tho new church, and £5 towards shingling the old building. Tho latter was, he said, a very necessary work, Other donations in behalf of the new church fund were received from every member of the congregation present. Mr Mahonoy gave £50, and|__r Macdonnell £20; while numerous other promises from £10 downwards brought tho total up to £377 2s. Fathor Walter agreed to take tho matter in hand himself, and solicit sub scriptions, and has done so with such suc cess that tho greater part of tho sum required has now been subscribed.

St. Matthew's.

The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Matthew's was held on Jan. 14, tho Roy. Wm. Tobbs, M.A., in the chair. Present: Dr. Dawson and Mr Doonin (churchwarden?), Colonel Haultnin, Drs. Evans, Hooper, and Walker, Messrs Brig ham, Short., Morrin, Saunders, Shailer, Woods, Taylor, Wells, ITowdon, Pooloy, and a number of ladies. The reports were read, nnd showod a satisfactory state of things. The congregations have been steadily increasing, and there had beon 10G confirmations during the year. Tho finance was equally satisfactory ; tho parish being £150 better than at tho end of last year (tbe offertories we notice amounting to about £040, and tho pew rents about £235, in addition to which there is tho endowment as well as certain smaller receipts). A well-doserved tribute was paid to the late Mr Joseph Brown, who had beeu the organist of tho church for many years. Tho following officers were appointed:—Minis ter's warden, Dr. Dawson ; parish wardon, Mr Doonin; vestry: Colonel Haultain, Drs. Hooper and AValkcr, and Messrs Wright, Motrin, Shailer, Shortt, Webb, Saunders, and Kingsford. Messrs Brighamand Laeon were then unanimously re-elected as audi tors of the parish and stono church building accounts for tho ensuing year. Votes of thanks woro passed by acclamation to the retiring auditors, churchwardens, vestry men, and a special vote of thanks was noxt passed to Mr Alisoun Tebbs for services which ho had rendered the parish in the past year. Tho proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the Rev. Wm, Tebbs as chairman of the meeting.

Auokland Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. A meeting of gentlemen convened for tho purposo of forming a society having for its object the diffusion of information on the evidences of Christianity was held in tho social room of the Young Men's Christian Association building on Jan. 17. Between 20 and 30 gentlemen responded to the advertisement calling tho meeting. The Yen. Archdeacon Maunsell having been voted to the chair, called upon Mr F. G. Ewington, tho convener of the meeting, to state his proposals. Mr John Buchanan moved, " That a society bo formed with tlio object of dis seminating knowledge with regard to tho ovidonces of Christianity, to bo called tho Auckland Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge." This was duly seconded and carried, and the constitution of tho Society, involving a distinct acceptanco of Christianity and a belief in the Biblo as tho inspired word of God, was adopted. The election of officors resulted as fol lows :—President, Mr F. Battlcy ; Treasurer, Mr J. L. Wilson ;, Secretary, Mr F. G. Ewington ; Committee —Rev. VV, Calder, and Messrs T. Buddie, J. Cham bers, Theo. Cooper, jun., and J. Buchanan. The Rev. J. Bates engaged in prayer, and tho meeting separated,after a number of those present had subscribed their names to the constitution and rules.

Epiphany Church Annual Parish Meeting.

The annual meeting of tho parishioners of tho above church was held on A\'ednesday, January 23, immediately after the regular AA*cdnesday evening service. The Rev. J. Haseldcn presided, and read tho report of the vestry and the balance-sheet. Tho statement of accounts showed that the receipts wore £117 3s lOd, and that the ex penditure was the same, and there was a liability of £17 Us 9d on tho church.— The report and accounts were adopted. Churchwardens.— Tho Chairman ap pointed Mr George Stanton as clergyman's churchwarden, and Mr Tucker was elected people's churchwarden. Vestry.—The following gentlemen were duly elected:—Messrs Sharp, Hjirvev, Inman, Lightfoot, Newbegin, McCul ough, and Osborne. Mr J. Taylor was re-elected auditor. It was resolved that the ministers stipend should be LSO, and the organists salary Ll7. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Sloman for his valuable ser vices as lay reader. It was agreed that the vestry should arrange for a social gathering to be held in March, to bid fare well to the present incumbent and to wel come the new one. After some general con versation relative to the work of the church, the Evening Hymn was sung, and the meet ing was closed by the Chairman pronouncing the Benediction. St. Paul's. The annual meeting of St. Paul's parishioners was held on January 21, there being about eighteen gentlemen present. Rev. C. M. Nelson presided. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Messrs Hatswell, Hcllaby, and C. Burton. Annual Report —This report was sub mitted by the Chairman.and showed :—Tho total receipts for the year, including a balance of £15 15s 5d from 1882, amounted tp £1,021 10s 7d, and the .exneurliture to .......*l. *.<."--.*•-,* — m'■_ v iCuli welt, v-.- qa ; nd out letters patent and _was .*jv*3 \r 4ect two gentlemen from &tt&Ay\>£?sy ____________________

the assets being estimated at fsl 2s 3d. i The vestry regretted tint fc income ! from the parochial endowment fund appeared to be growing less and less year by year. The oflertories for the year amounted to £574 10s Id, of which the general offertories produced £463 19.5 3d—a weekly average of £0 14s Sd. The special offertories amounted to £110 10s Sd, or slightly loss than in 1882. Tho seat rents yielded £251 19s fid, or £30 less than last year. Thcro was still due under this head £77 10s Gd, of which the vestry hoped tore cover £36. The parsonage debt was boing steadily paid off at tho rate of t'7o p'.u annum. —On tho motion of Mr E. W. Burton, seconded by Mr S. Y. Collins, the report and balance-sheet were adopted.— The Chairman requested that those indebted for arrears of £35 odd should pay the amounts against their names promptly.— The report and accounts were ordered to be printed for distribution. Officers.—The appointments and elec tions were as follow: —Clergyman's warden, Mr James Mackie; parishioners' warden, Mr William Wildman ; vestry—wardens, and Messrs Ingram, Paton, Davis, Rev. 11. Collins, Whitley, Rawlings, 11. Brett, C. Burton, W. V. Stevens, and MajorTisdal); auditors—Messrs E. W. Burton and Potter Clark.—A grant of £10 was made to the Sunday-school,

St. Benedict's Church, Newton.

The annual meeting of subscribers to St. Benedict's Church Building Fund was held on Jan. 27, under the presidency of the Very Rev. Monsignor Fyncs. The Revs. Father O'Gara, Vaggioli, and Lenihan were also present. The attendance of subscribers was large. The report and balance-sheet were submitted to the meeting. The latter showed receipts and expenditure as fol lows :—

Receipts: In hand on tho 12th January, 1883, L 39 10s lOd ; balance of soiree, October, 1882, Lll 16s 6d; collected on October, 18S2, for the crypt, L 7 ISs; collections and subscriptions at St. Bene dict's for the year, L 703 13s Cd ; St. Bene dict's seat rents, LlO5 13s; St. Benedict's Church children subscription, L 53 0s l_d; St. Benedict's Church Offertory for Church Fund, L3O sslld; St. Patrick's Cathedral subscriptions received, L 229 16s 5d ; Pon sonby subscriptions received, L 99 8s Gd; Parnell subscriptions received, L 39 Cs; dramatic entertainment on the 21st April, 18S3, Ll4 19s ; six concerts in the Newton Athenteum, L 123 6s 4d ; grand concert on the 9th November, 1883, L 56 16s ; art union on the 15th November, L 37 ; bazaar, clear proceeds, L 399 14s Sd : total receipts, L 1,952 4s9_d.

Expenditure Advertisements, &c, Oct., ISB2, L 22 12s ; music performers at sacred concert and opening of the church, June and-July, 18S2, Ll6 5s (id ; Boylan and Co. for china at soiree, L 5 3s ; linoleum of the sanctuary, LlO 3s 4d ; Colonial Insurance Company, on principal, L 450 ;do., interest, L 255 ; Bauk of Now Zealand, on overdraft, LBI9 9s lOd ; do., interest, Lll9 15s 7d ; architect on account, LIOO 18s; MrW. G. Connolly, bill, LG9 13s Id; re-insuranco church building, L 55 10s; repairs in the church, <fee., L2l 10s Sd : total expenditure, L 1,946 Is. In hand on 12th January, 1884, L 6 3s 9sd. Grand total, L 1.952 4s 9id. Liabilities on 12th January, 1883, L£>, 508 8s 9d.

Statement of actual liabilities on 12th January, 1884: To Colonial Insurance Company, L 2,900 ; to Bank of New Zea land, L 1.050; to architect's commission, balance due, LO4: total, L 4.014.

The report and balanco sheet were unanimously adopted, and Ll3O collected from those present towards the fund.

It was agreed to form a Ladies' Collect ing Committee on behalf of the fund for liquidating the liabilities on the building. Votes of thanks were accorded to the sub- Committees of St. Patrick's Cathedral and Parnell and Ponsonby Churches for their assistance ; also, to the Newton Committeo and the ladies who presided at tho bazaar. The Rev. Father Vaggioli signified his in tention of resigning the Chairmanship of Committee, owing to ill-health.

St. Thomas's Annual Parish Meeting.

Tho annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Thomas's was held on Jan. 17 in the school-room, Rev. Lloyd Keating, M.A., in the chair. The meeting was well attended and Mas opened by the singing of a hymn, (215). Tho report presented to the parishioners was somewhat lengthy, from which wo gather that the report and balance sheet were so far satisfactory, in asmuch as, in addition to providing for every liability, incurred up to the 31st December, with the exception of a small balance due on the school-room pianoforte, tho remainder of the debt on the school building, which at tho beginning of the yoar was £70 17s Bd, has been liquidated within tho last three months Tho roport went on to stato that " tlio Rev. Humfrey Davis resigned the incumbency of St. Thomas's in September last, and that tho Rev. Lloyd Keating, M.A., has been appointed to tho vacant care. Carefully reviewing the events of the past year, and noting the present signs of activity and life in the parish, the vestry feel that thero is much to call forth feelings of gratitude on tho part of our people. Most noticeable is the progress to be seen in the Sunday school, which is increasing rapidly week by week." The thanks of tho vestry were given to the Rev. W. Ta\ lor and Mr Neil Heath lor services rendered, also to Miss Hamilton, as organist, and tho ladies and gcntlemon of the choir. Tho vestry also thanked tho Rev. Joseph Hill, Rev. W. J. Alloway, and Roy. J. Palmer (Melanesian Mission) for their services to the church.

Balance-sheet.—Receipts for year end ing Dec. 31, ISB3 :—Balanco in hand, £44 17s ; offertories, £194 Is 7d ; weekly col lections and donations, £86 0b 9d ; enter tainments, £65 14s 7d : total, £390 13s 1 Id. Expenditure for year ending Dec. 31, ISS3 :—Minister's stipend, £232 3s 4d; Melanesian and Home Mission, £8 ; school debt, £70 17s 8d ; pianoforte, £19 3s Gd ; school feast, £10 2s 6d ; gas, £12 ISs 6d j miscellaneous, £35 5s Id ; bank balance, £2 3s 4d : total, £390 13s lid. These documents were unanimously adopted.

Election of Ciiukch Officers. — Minister's Warden, Mr H. Hamilton; Parish Warden, Mr T. Soddon Evans; Vestrymen, Messrs Wallington, Cornish, Laing, Olive, John, Percy Ward, Fisher, Bain, Slyfield, and Wright. Social Gathering. —It was announced that a social gathering would be held early in February for the purpose of giving a welcome to the Rev. Lloyd Keating to the incumbency of St. Thomas's parish. Tho proceedings were very harmonious, and brought to a close in the usual way.

All Saints's Annual Parish Mooting. The annual meeting of tho parishoncrs of All Saints', Ponsonby, was held on Jan. 25, in the schoolToom, tho Rev. AY. Caldei (incumbent) presiding. There was a good attendance of ladies and gentlemen. Retort and Balance-sheet.—Mr R. A. Lusher (Minister's Churchwarden) then rend the report and balance-sheet: — " The total income for the year, including ■-. '^alance of £13 7s 7d from last year, amounts to £751 18s sd. This includes special votes and for shingling the church, amounting to £105 15s. The debt on the parsonage has been reduced by £20, and the debt on the organ by £7 10s, leaving a credit balanco £9 16s sd. The most important event in our year of office was tho lamented death of the Rev. E. N. Brco, who, for 16 years had been minister of this church, and on tho Sth June his remains were followed to their last resting-placo by a goodly number of his sorrowing people. The Rev. AVilliam Caldor was instituted on August 31. Tho vestry havee very reason to believe that tho parish is prospering in all ways. Election oi' <3i<t ici--i>earkk.s — Tho Chairman nominated Mr B. Bailey as his churchwarden for tho year,, and Mr Lusher was elected people's churchwarden.—On the proposition of Mr Dutton, tho number of the vestry was increased from seven to j, on _The ifollowing gentlemen were then elected as a vestry -.—Messrs D. F. Evans, S. E. Hughes, sen., J. Henderson, F. Quick, Grainger, Gregory, C. Macindoe, Dutton, R. AVarnock, and Dr. Baynton. A vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring officers. Salary of Incumbent.—The incumbent having retired, the minister's churchwarden (Mr Bailey) assumed the chair, and the subject of the incumbent's salary was intro duced. On the motion of Mr Lewis, the salary was raised from £250 to £400, an amendment of Mr Dutton's, seconded by Mr R. J. Payne, that tho salary be £300, being withdrawn in deference to the wish of the meet ing. On the incumbent re-entering tho room he was received with loud applause. —The Chairman then reported the decision of the meeting —The incumbent merely answered: "'You do not expect a speech from me. All I can say is, I will cfo my duty." (Applause.) Thanks.—-Votes of thanks were passed to the church choir, Sunday-school teachers, and church decorators. Enlargement of Church. —Tho Chair man, in opening up this question, stated that he had paid 561 visits in the drstrict, finding 429 Church families^ If, therefor^. onl__£iS-"Pte^iW _tts»g_ 1^ \ .V_. people, nd'i«r* 60b .' . , p ". Alo* Xlu^oMainI', me imperial Parlia- di JV c o« oMain*A-aidit on the ground C<

timo that night to discuss tho plan 3 (pro duced), by the Messrs Reals, architeits, but ttic parishioners might givo the vestry an instruction. The vestry had now applications for 40 sittings.— After somo discussion, it was resolved, ou themotionofMr S. E. Hughessen.,seconded by Mr Jakins, "That the vestry bo in structed to report, at their earliest con venience to the parishoners, the best plan for enlarging tho Church, thereby increasing the sitting accommodation." The proceedings closed with the Doxology.

St. Sepulchre's Annual Parish Meeting.

The annual meeting of tho parishioner i of St. Sepulchre's was held on Jan. IS iv tho school-room, Symonds-street, Veil. Archdeacon Dudley in tho chair, who called upon Mr George to read the minutes of the last meeting, which were confirmed. The annual report showed that the school house had been repaired at a cost of £100 7s lOd, of which £43 10s 7d was raised by the annual social gathering, £20 by tho school building fund, and the balance, £102 17s 3d, had been advanced from ordinary income. The Rev. J. IC. Davis, M.A., had been appointed assistant clergyman since October, and half his stipend was contri buted by St. Barnabas's local committee. The Rev. H. D. D. Sparling was appointed Cemetery Chaplain. In regard to the movement set on foot for memorial windows to Bishop Sclwyn and Bishop Patteson, estimated to cost £100, £60 had so far been promised, of which £48 had been paid, and Bishop Patteson's memorial window had been ordered, as well as memorial windows to be given gratui tously by Messrs J. BatgerandL. A. Durrieu. and it was much to be desired that the Selwyn memorial window should be ordered shortly. In regard to finance, the report stated :—The contributions to the Home Mission, £110 4s Gd, have been larger than in any previous year. Those to the other extra parochial objects have also been fairly sustained. The collections at offertory for general purposes have realised i 651 7s Id ; but the seat rent income has amounted to £244 3s 4d only, being £60 ISs Sd less than in tho preceding year. No less than £91 of rents due last year remain unpaid. The report concluded with congratulations for progress made in the Sunday School Im provement Society, and other institutions connected with the parish. Financial Statement —This statement, copies of which were distributed round the room, showed total receipts for the year £1,547 lis Gd, viz.:—Collections at offer tory, £824 8s Id ; Bpecial collection for liquidation of parish debt, £105 10s 6d; seat rents, £214 3s 4d. The expenditure left a balanco of £48 2s in hand, and tho fol lowing are the principal items:—Special offertories paid over, £193 13s 5d ; incum bont's stipend, £400; assistant clergyman, £50; salaries, £191 5s lid; charges, £105, sinking fund on loan, £150 j interest, £124 15s; bank interest, £2 16s 7d ; repairs to school, £166 7a lOd ; repairs, Sec, £31 12s ; Synod reports, £3 3s ; balance in hand stained glass window, £48 2s: total, £1,547 lis 6d. Accompanying this were the financial statements of the Sunday-school, St. Barnabas's Church, " St. Sepulchre's Magazine," and the school trust account.— On the motion of Yen. Archdeacon Dudley, seconded by Mr Ewington, the report was adopted. Elections,—Minister's warden, Mr John Batger; people's warden, Mr F. Kissling. Committee: Messrs E. Harker, Q. P. Pierce, E. Hammond, Stoney, Ewington, Cooper, George, Heather, Choyce, Seth Smith, La Roche, and Shirley W. Hill. Auditors : Messrs Ryan and Henry Gilfillan were elected auditors for the ensuing year.

St. Mary's Annual Parish Meeting.

The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Mary's, Parnell, took place on Jan. 28, and as there was important business to be considered, involving perhaps the abolition of the parish, in order to pave the way for tho commencement of the cathedral, there was a full attendance; the Rev. S. Walpole presided. A lengthy reporthadbeen prepared by the vestry for submission to the meeting. The population of the parish is roughly estimated at 3,500, and measured by this, the following statistics are regarded as en couraging :—On Christmas Day in 18S1 there were 94 communicants, and on Now Year's Day, 18S2, 33; On Christmas Day in 1882 there were 133, and on New l.ar's Day, 18S3, 55 ; on Christmas Day in 1883 there were 134, and an New Year's Day, ISB4, 79. The average weekly attendance has risen from 20 to 42. The number of those confirmed had in creased from 13 in ISS2 to G7 in ISB3 ; 9 ot these, however, were from St. Stephen's Native School, which made the increase from the parish 45. Tho baptisms were 46 in 1882, and 75 in 1883. Tho total number of the congregation was very difficult to ascertain. Now that the new aisle had been added to tho church thero were 601 sittings, 150 of which, according to statute, were free. It was, how ever, much to be wished that the number of free seats might be increased. There were now only seven sittings in the church which could be let, and yet the morning congregation was not what it ought to be. The children of the parish were this year their highest encouragement. In the Central School, in Scarborough Terrace, there had been an average attendance of from 250 to 300. The branch schools begun during the past year at Newmarket and in Conquest Place had also met with a lar^o measure of success, the averago weekly i attendance at the Newmarket School being 75, and at Conquest Place 60. The usual attendance at the children's services on Sunday morning, at 9.45, ranged from 150 to 200. Tho receipts for tho year had been L 938 5s Id, being an increase of L2ll 14s on those of 1882. The lease of tho parsonage expired in October last, and new arrangements would have to be made, whilo repairs were urgently needed. In conclusion,the A r estry thanked the district visitors for their services, and also recorded with regret the decease of Mr David Hay. The balance-sheet showed the following: — To credit: Offertory, L 420 7s 9d; do. at opening of new aisle, LB6 7s lOd; seat rents, etc., L31515s 2d ; special funds, Lll7 5s lOd. Total, L93916s 7d. Balance, L 9 2s lid. To debit:—Overdraft from last year, L 3 17s lOd ; parish funds (in cluding incumbent's salary, L4OO, and new aisle to Church, L 165 lis), LBO9 10s; special funds, Lll7 5s lOd. Balance in Bank of New Zealand, L92s lid. T0ta1,L9391657d. Tho Chairman said that with reference to tho new church Mr Hesketh had raised an apparently insurmountable legal difficulty. Mr Hesketh believed it would be difficult for the Trust Board to put up a composite parish church on the cathedral site. If j that were really the case, then the idea of I their building a parish and cathedral church on the site selected by Bishop Selw'yn would seem to be out of the question. Ho (Rev. Mr AValpolo) was anxious the meeting should discuss whether they really wanted a new church ; it was quite apparent they could not go on much longer as they were owing to the want of accommodation. The vestry submitted the following proposal:—" The vestry recognising — 1. The immediate necessity of having a house of God more convenient and better adapted to the needs of the parish than tho present. 2. The fact that were a cathedral built on tho si: c chosen by Bishop Selwyn, tho money, time, and labour expended in building a new parish church would bo in vain. 3. ilio special difficulties, legal and other, both to tho diocese and parish of a composite parish and cathedral church ; recommends that the parish should consider whether it should not submit forthe consideration of the Cathe dral Commission tho following proposal : —This parish pledges itself to use its most earnest efforts to start at once a Cathedral Building Fund, provided that the cathedral take over the spiritual care of tho parish of St. Mary's Parnell, satisfying its needs and requirements in a manner no less efficient than at present, and that part of such fund bo devoted to building a temporary cathc dral tsmeet tho pressing needs of St. Mary's congregation.—MrClarkmovcdtheadoption of the report. It was agreed to consider the clauses seriatim.—Mr Norman Giblin moved the adoption of the recommendation of the vestry.—Mr Percy Smith seconded the motion,—Mr AVorthington proposed, as an amendment, the following :—" Tho vestry, recognising the immediate neces sity of having a house of God more convenient and better adapted to tho needs of the parish than tho present, and the special difficulties (legal and other) both to the diocese and parish of a composite parish and Cathedral Church, recommends: That this parish pledges itself to use its most earnest efforts to start at once a fund for building a parish church for St. Mary's, Parnell." The discussion was finally adjourned, the vestry to call a meeting to further consider the matter when it seems proper." Wesleyan Conference. The Wesleyan Conference was opened at AA rellington on the evening of January 18th, in the Wesley Church. Thero was a large congregation. The Rev. R. Bavin t delivered the retiring address. The Rev. JLrT« ; "■ ' '"■" _ elected President, and 1' ©.iioXuu mqjJSA-uii Secretary, by lare. 'snojsunid tiSnoldresses were delivered by -9.itv..njwi poinweid, Taylor, Kirk, Rish • b°utlte&d Oliver. The following toner °^°»« of the .a^go'Vj

land District: Pitt - street, Revs. Reid and Can'; Wesley College, Roy. Mr Watkin; North Sh ire, Rev. Mr Spenco; Grafton ' Raul, Key. Mr Bavin and Rev. Mr Griffith; Thames, Rev. Mr Bull; Upper Thames, R-v Mr Wills; Coromandel, Rev. Mr Mnshall; Manukau, Rev. Mr Taylor; Waiuku, Roy. Mr Worker; Cambridge, Roy. Mr Dewsbury ; Hamilton, Roy. Mr Dukes j Te Awamutu, Rev. Mr Barber ; Raglan, Rev. Mr Slade; Kaipara. Roy. Mr dittos ; Paparoa, Roy. Mr T. N. Griffin ; Wairoa, Roy. Mr Brooke; Hokianga, Rev. Mr Hammond ; Bay of Islands, Rev. Mr Dean ; Whangarei, Rev. Mr Dellow ; lau ranga, Rev. Mr Parson; Gisborne, Key. Mr Pinfold. Wanganui District:—New Plymouth, Rev. Mr Oliver ; Waitara, Rev. Mr Fee and Rev. Mr Watcrhouse; Opunako, Rev. Mr Mather; Wanganui, Roy. Mr Bond ; Rangitikei, Rev. Mr Law, Roy. Mr Sand, and Rev. Mr Smith; Pahnerston, Rev. Mr Luxford. \\ olling ton District: Wellington, Roy. Mr Lee and Rev. Mr Banber; Hutt, Rev. Mi- Garlic ; Masterton, Rev. Mr Isitt ; Napier, Rev. Mr Lewis and Rev. Mr Jones; Nelson District: Nelson, Rev. Mr Keck ; Richmond, Rev. Mr Kirk ; Blenheim, Rev. Mr McNiccol; Hokitika; Rev. Mr Abernethy; Greymouth, Rev. Lawry. Canterbury District: Christchurch, Key. Mr Best and Rev. Mr Tinsley ; Colombo roads, Rev. Mr Crump; St. Albans, Rev. Mr Morley and Key. Mr Garland ; Lyttel ton, Rev. Mr Williams; Springston, Rev. Mi Connell; Leeston, Rev Mr Keall; Kaia poi, Rev. Mr Marten; Rangiora, Roy. Mi- Gray; Woodend, Key. Mr Hudson ; Timaru, Roy. Mr Fail-dough : Waimato, Rev. Mr Bunn ; Temuka, Rev. Mr Wills; Ashburton, Rov.MrStandage. OtagoDistrict: Dunedin, Rev. Mr Berry and Rev. Mr Smalley ; Mornington, Rev. Mr Murray; Port Chalmers, Rev. Mr Thomas; Balclutha, Roy. Mr Salter ; Lawrence, Rev. C. Griffon ; Invercargill, Roy. Mr Simmonds ; Oamaru, Rev. Mr Rishworth ; Gore, Rev. Mr Buttle. The following percentages of increase during the past 10 years were reported by the Secretary : Ministers, 55 per cent; Church members, 91; Sunday scholars, S4; churches and other preaching places, 65 ; attendants, 101. . . According to the final reading of minis terial appointments for 1884, which took place at the Wesleyan Conference in Wel lington on Jan. £8, tho following changes take place in tho Auckland circuit:—Rev. Messrs Bavin and Griffiths, Grafton Road ; Roy. Mr Parsonsen, Takapuna; Rer. Mr Oliver, Wellington.

Annual Conference of United Methodist Free Churches.

At tho above assombly, which has been hold in Auckland during the month, several important matters were discussed, on the afternoon of 16th January, the first draft of stations was read. The next question for consideration was the Dunedin mission. It was reported that owing to tho unwillingness of the people to multiply Methodist Churches in that city, and in view of Methodist Union taking place, it was found impossible to establish a Free Methodist cause there, and it was recommended to this meeting that the mission be abandoned, and the minister transferred to other more congenial spheres of labour. After a lengthy and animated discussion it was finally resolved that tho mission be given up forthwith. Tho names of the ministers in full connection were next read over, and then the Assembly went on to consider where the next annual meet ing should be held. An invitation having been received to hold it in Christchurch, it was resolved so to do. Tho rep resentative to the next Annual Assembly at Home was then elected. The gentleman selected was Mr Alderman Green, of North Shields, a gentleman who is well known in tho Homo Conference, and hasfilledmany of its impor tant offices. Tho Key. 11. Taylor next presented tho report of tho i'roachers' Children's Fund. Ho was thanked lor his past services as treasurer to this fund, and then re-appointed. After a few preliminary matters had been disposed of, the Assembly pa.sed to the most important business of the session, namely, tho consideration of the question of Methodist Union. The Committeo's report on the proposed basis of Union was then brought forward, and all the correspondence relative to tho same was read.—Mr Macfarlane then proposed the following resolution : —"This meeting, whilst concurring in the distinetivo principles of Church government which havo been maintained by tho United Methodist Free Churches, fully appreciates the liberal concessions of tho basis of Union, and believing that the difference between the Church government of tho United Methodist Free Church and tho policy indicated in tho basis of union to bo inconsiderable in comparison with the advantages that union would afford in carrying out tho work of God, cordially engages to onter tho proposed Methodist Church of Now Zea land, and hereby recommends the Annual Assembly to give sanction to the said union. It would, however, suggest Buch alterations in the basis as would not affect the fundamental principles sad as might appear desirable to this meeting." Onre-assemblingafterlunch on Jan. 17, tho subject of Methodist Union was re-oponcd, Tho Rev. M. Baxter moving the following amendment: "This meeting, while fully appreciating tho kindly feeling which has moved the various parties representing the Methodist Churches in Now Zealand in tho formulating of the basis of union now laid before it, regrets to observe tho absence of several of our most cherished principles ; while it moreover learns from documents placed before it that some of the most im portant principles laid down in tho docu ment aro not favourably regarded by several of the circuits, some of which are among tho most important of them, and therefore can not recommend to our colonial churches tho adoption of the said basis, nor to tho approbation of the Home authorities." - Having moved the amendment, he reserved his speech to later on in the meeting, as he, being an old man, felt tired with the effort he had already put forth. The Key. H. B. Redstone, of Wellington, seconded the amendment, remarking that ho would bo no agent in any movement that would tend to curtail the liberties of their members; he would take no steps that would lessen the liberties they at present enjoyed. Mr Flesukb spoke against the terms of the proposed basis. Messrs. Saunders, Cope land, and Tatteksall spoke in favour of union, and then Mr MacFaklane made his roply, and the votes on the amendment o Mr Baxter taken(which amendment is givcu above), the result being four for the amend ment and thirteen aguinst it. Tho original motion was carried. The Rev. J. AA r. AVorboys, of Woodville, next followed with a speech, pointing tho fearful evils arising out of intemperance, and the awful amount of waste connocted with the same. Tho Rev. E. 0. Perry also spoke of tho accounts he had heard of tho work dono in Auckland by tho Bluo Ribbon movement, and of what they in Napier had accomplished by the same movement. Ho also spoke of tho training of the young in principles of tcm]icranco and the duty of Christians in relation to total abstinence. The mooting was brought to a close by sincing and prayer. Committee on Union. —Tho Revs. S. Macfarlane, C. Worboys, J. White, and Mr Georgo Booth were appointed to confer with committees of other Methodist bodies on union. Stations of Ministers. — Addington, Robert Taylor ; Auckland, Samuel Macfar lane ; Bingsland (Richmond), Joseph White ; Christchurch, Charles AA'orboys. ; Malvern, ; Napier and Waipawa, E. Ovonden Perry ; Oxford, Alfred Potors ; Rangiora, John Taekin ; Reef ton, Charles Penny ; WoodviUe, John AVcsloy AA'orboys; AA'ellington, H. B. Redstone; AVestport and Charleston, J. J. Pendray. The sittings of tho Assembly wcro . brought to a close at 5 p.m. on Monday, January 21.

St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church. Tho annual meeting of St. Stephen's Presbyterian congregation was held on Jan. 30, in the Church after the usual weekly service, the Rev. D. AY. Runciman presiding. The attendance was small.— Mr Horsley (Secretary) and Mr H. Barton ('i.-easurer) submitted tho report and balance-sheet, which had been printed and circulated among tho seat-holders. Tho report stated that there had been a steady increase of tho congregation. Thoy began the year with 53 scat-holders occupying IGO sittings, and at the commencement of this year they had 69 seat-holders occupy ing 204 sittings, while as there were just 236 sittings in the Church, there were only 36 available for letting. The anniversary in February last took the form of a fruit soiree, and realised Ll2 14s. A concert in November also realised L 6 The monthly prayer-meetings were resumed in June, and had been satisfactorily attended. Sewing meetings had also been held, resulting in tho raising of LlO lis 2d and the formation of a Ladies' Association, which now numbered 30 ladies. The weekly prayer meeting had been resumed in October, and the attend ance thereat had been encouraging. Tho Sunday-school during thsT"ast year had proved highly successful -P"I.^ --«■■•''«"■!-_,. were :-Df_embar- -SWncJ^vailablo fa teachers _>- -**11 reformatory. 9_»_9 atf ,_^_ud to be the proceeds of the sale land at Mount Eden, .and .also a >om of _00 ; held in trugt^b^Mrit. H. Lusk from

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1884

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