SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTURES.

New 2oalanO.

Auoltlmd BuramerMeottng. .Deo.2fi. Jan. 11 and.2 Thames J.C. Summer December *O and il Canterbury- J.O, Summer. ■ •. • •!• ;*?•,£ Northern J.C. Summer Meeting... .Jan. 9 and 10

Dates of Nominations, Entries and Accep tances.

NomlnaOpns Northern J.C. Sumnfer DeOi ig Areeptau°oe8 < fof i)u>edin Cup.../.".....V.Dec: 27 Nominations Takapuna J.C. Summer Meeting uec.^j

To Correspondents.

U«3BIB«r.-Yo». They ar» the same. ( i Ouj SyoET.-Will hunt up the Information. !-" S«TLOOE.-St. Loger was got in England, but Vai foaled in Auckland.and Is by Dorfcaster- Atlanti». 1. H.-Black Roso carried 7st. 101b. in thoJTol ' Jiutrton Jockey Club Handicap; Leonoras ■weight wns 9st. 31b. ' ■■OvEßtricaA.-When The Agent won tMStecpln ~ rh&se inlS7O, he carried 123t 71b. -Perfume's weight was Hit. 101b. •' J.A.-Nemeeis was got by St. George (full brother t» Chester) out of Flmronge. She -waibred by the Christchurch Middle Park Htud Company. 7 Anxious <Cambrtdge).-We cannot say when the new rules ot the Auokland Hoeing Club »r« to bo Issued. Mr Percival will no doubt i :■. 1e abl» to inform you. r ' IhunsMAH'e Bay. — Billingsgate ran 17 times ' ' Triien a four - year - old, winning 11 races, libeller at the same ago ran In 23 races and ■won wren.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

■ Tflß Takapuna Spring Meeting on Saturday was notable for two things—acci "denta and the extraordinary bad lack of the gentleman who races under the assumed ; nt,m« of Mr B. Thompson. Yuba Bill broke down so badly in the Spring Handi cap that.lt is probablo we may not see him figure on a race-course again, and old .Anglsr had to bo shot, owing to the in iurits he sustained in the Steeplochase. Added to this, Mr Thompson's representa tive Bull's Eye could get no nearer than wcond In both the Hack Race and Flat gelling Race,while his much talked-of mare Pipi ran very indifferently in the big event of the afternoon. She was certainly not in •onditiou, but a cr«at improvement will have to tak» place before »ke can have any »l»ow of winning the Auckland Cup. There v «n» matter ia connection with the meet ing that I cannot allow to pass over, and that !• tho way Otara and Topthorn shaped in the races thsy started for. The Club, I knew, are always ready to do their best to protect tba public and they would do well to hold an investigation into tho running of the horses mentioned. The- New Zealand Stud Company have issued a catalogue giving full partioulais of the twenty-five yearlings that tire to bo put under the hammer on Monday, the sth of January. Messrs Hunter and Nolan, in conjunction with Mr A. Buckland, aro the auctioneers, and the sale takes place on tho Ellsrslio Show Grounds. ~ I* would seem that Mr D. O'Brien's luok ias not altogether deserted him this season, for by the aid of Johnny Faulkner anc ; JUtbirm, ha secured tho two big events of the Dunedln Spring Meeting, viz., the St. Andrew* Handicap of SOOsovs., and Presi- V dent's Handicap of 200sovs. From the de tails to hand, it appears that the St. * Andrew's Handicap furnished a splendid contest, Johnny Faulkner only beating TaiarJa on the post by "a noso," the mile and a half being got over in tho fine time 'of Jminß. 42seos. At Sylvia Park, Hannah has produced a filly to Musket, and Rftngl a colt to Loo liou«. •. Mr G, Bate a horses, Tlift Poet, Minerva, ■ Tho Painter, The Jilt, and Patrician hn've been disposed of to Mr H. Horsford. The Jilt has Dsen put to Cadogan. She Auckland Racing Club havo made arrangements with Mr Byron Moore, secre tary of the V.R.C., to receive nominations for the Groat Northern St. Leger of 750 " boy». Entries nloge on the 10th or January. .In noticing the Auckland Cup weights, "Senei" sees nothing to choose between i Welcome Jack, Vanguard, Black Rose, liWerpool, Fusilier, and Necklace ; nor can Tigredia be out of the race, judging her through her running with Pearl at Napier. The same writer states that when out §} at Riocarton a few days back he saw

pain, and walks sound. The seat of tho V« welling seems to be on the inner side of the back of the knee joint, and the injury : i>! vory probably the effect of an over-reach. Its has not been thought necessary to blister the limb, but it is Mr O'Brien's in tention to restrict him to walking exercise £ for the next two or three months.

'■':-■ Mr E. Blaikie intimates in our advertising i colntiiUH that lie has S' books'' open on all "forthcoming events, including the next . MolbOurso Derby and Cup.

. ' ,Mr Allan McLean has lost his mure Midge. Sho was own sister to Merlin, being out of Malice by Blue Boy, abd con "' I ■eqttently half "sister to Mischief on tho '■"■ dam'« side. She was found bast in a wire ■ ' fonc«, and in her struggles to got free she - . had strained herself internally and ruptured ft blood vessel. M* G; G- Stead has disposed of Carl ton lor 100 guineas. ■ : Books have been opened in Melbourne on I next seaiion'i V.R.C. Derby and Cup! For I th« former outright Newstead has received support ats about 7 to 1, and 1,000 to 20 has ■; been taken that he wins tho double, and at

1 1,000 to 10 Manchester, Monte Christo, and j£| othsra hava been backed to win the "two. ' A three-y«ar-old filly called Impulse, fiwned by Mr W; J- Thorogood, was the fcaroof the Wagga Wagga Meeting.- On P th« first day, »h« secured the Gold Cop, b«a^n«j !Favo, Brown -and Rose, and six .others, mi ob the «»cond day, proved victorious in the Grand Stand Handicap S ftnd Selling "Plate. Impulse was |sred by ;- Mr A. Town, and was got by old-Sylvia's '- ;• ;*on Goldeborongh. The Sires'- Produce Stekes fall to Corday, who is one of the

■■'*■ progeny of the unbeaten Grand Flaneur. '•■• At Wangansi _a few days back, Black / .. Base's dam (Who was got by Albany from ' Red -Rose) dropped a colt foal to Somnus. M She goes to Natator this year. Maid of the '■"*:■ Miit,' dam of Foam, and Fame, both ■ Wanganul Darby winners, has dropped' a If filly foal to Natator, and has been sent to ; Patriarch. »-; • yiyro ' bookmakers named Fleming and Vance have been expelled, from the Vie & iorian Betting Club, Melbourne, for alleged malpractice at the late Hawkesbury Meet m ing. -L. Barnard and A. Summers liave '■ also been, censured and fined £50 each: for I bftjnff involved in the matter.' v , - • The profits of the late Victoria Racing Club Spring Meeting exceeded those of last -' year byJE3,0(30.. I The turf Is certainly doomed in Adelaide, '.for at a meeting of the South Australian Jockey Club it was rosolyod to wind up tho Club and-discontinu'e racing. , Mr Mondy haa sold Bristol to Mr Haines, ■""nf Melbourne, and has purchased Prodigal (full brother to Tasman) in his stead. Lawson, who trains for Mr Mondy, has this 1 latest addition to his string under his charge, '•'and Sir Modred has also returned to the

same static. , .■•'.■,■ - ' It is stated that the St. Albans train ins and breeding establishment has :fcoen purehawd by Mr J. Crozier. Mr y C. L. McDonald, the trainer of Sir Garnet, Helens and others, it is also said, has been selected to take possession of the stables, *etc., and train for the Adelaide gentle-

Mr A. F. Smart contradicts the rumour ;'tha* ho has" purchased the Maribyrnong -Plate winner Newstead. The settling over the late Caulueld and Spring Meetings has been the worst ' that has ever been held. Several layers of odds have hardly received 10 per cent, of their money, and Mr J. Thompson, jbho-. leviathan, avers that on Bottling day■■ over ■ *HeV.R.C. Meeting he took £12,000 into Victorian Boom, and paid away" over '"''•£ 8,000 before ho received £1,000. - Thoroughbred horseflesh, like other ./marketable commodities, frequently do- Vteriorates in value, as instance^ by Harvester and Queen Adelaide, who were supposed to be tho two crack 3-year-olds at the commencement of the present English season. Queen Adelaide, who as a yearling .cost Sir John Willoughby 3,600 guineas, and Harvester, who at the sale of Lord i'almouth'a stud last April was purchased 'for 3,600 guineas, were offered at auction -'daring the Caesarewitch week, but in neither cose was the reserve of 3,000 guineas ;teached. . '

'■"' tho English correspondent of the '^Melbourne *' Leader ": —The newest hero is always the grottteat, and it may therefore ";l)Oxpnßidorßaa.ni<i*e.iionnalitv to Bay that St. Gatien'a victory, fetha greateat that haa •vcr been accomplished within fha memory 'ef racing men. I saw Julius in 1867,r0mp to with the then nnprecedented sof Srt. JSu 1880 I likewise saw Robert'the iJßril carry, 8«t. 61b.;, and now lam DOTileged t» sen both these thrown into the i^adeßy^t.o ■ ".;*. ■";" -«c

won by four lengths each, but the fields of '67 and 'SO were not to be compared in quality with that of 'S<t. I foar to say how much St. Gation had in hand, but to jny mind 71b. more would not have stopped him. He was disappointed in coming through his horses, but he nevertheless ran round them, camo away when asked, and loft Archidue, Polemic, and Florence as if they had been standing still. The pace also from start t5 finish was a cracker, and everything en hances the greatness and the truth of the performance. Stockholm, Highland Chief, Studley, Ben More, and all the heavily backed ones ran well, and every .favourite was in it till it came to racing. Polemic's second i« perhaps puzzling to those who did not sco his ignominious defoat at Edinburgh by the moderate Lady Adelaide. I saw it, and his defeat I am quite able to understand. Morgan was not in a fit condition to ride him, and the Scottish race, so far as a test of merit is concerned, may bo entirely ignored, and his Ascot deeds taken as his true form. At the royal meeting he ran a good horse, and St. Gatien's giving him a year, 2st. 101b., and a handsome beating, still further adds to his reputation. There are mar.y now who would stand the winner against oven tho other saint, St. Simon, and a match be tween the two would throw into the shade eren tho grent encounter between the Flying Dutchman and Voltigour at York, upwards of thirty years ago. Mi- Hammond and his immediate friends have again won a good stake, tho lucky owner's share alono being put down nt £60,000. Truly it never rains but it pours, and Jack Hammond's cup this year has beon filled to overflowing. He backed tho horse openly, and told everyone it was sure to win, but the majority of tho talent, like myself, could not believe in his giving woights to old ones that had been readied for the oc casion.

THE GARDEN.

.YW. [By Hortus.]

Calendar of Operations, Dcoembor 6,

[Hortus is willing to answer any queries. Cor respondents must glvo their full mimes and addresses, though not for publication.]

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Metrosidercs Tomkntosa (H. 8., North Shore). —Theso trees will not crow out in the open at Dunedln. Tho cold winters would kill them. Neither will they grow in Canterbury in the air; but thero aro a good number whioh will grow in pots as greenhouse plants. It would not do to lift young plants in tho ■winter. They can bo obtained by the thousand on some of tho cliffe along the coast, especially ■whore thoro has been a landslip. You could obtain any quantity of seed at any time during the end of naxt month. Tho trees will soon bo in flower. Alter the flower has gono, simply cut a fow branches for a few weoks, then shako the brauches over a shoetot paper. Tho seed is very small. It should carry to any part of the world, if sent away in oiled paper. Gardener (Now Chum).—You hold nearly tho same opinions that I held when 1 arrived In the colony—that there aro no good gardeners here. Almost everyono gets out with that, idoa; but when you understand the difficulties tho gardenor labours under here, you will considerably alter your opinion. Upon be coming acquainted with the different gar denors you will find in them men who would tako a good place amongst the British gar doncrs. I found that a great deal that I had learned in Britain was of no use to mo horo, and that I had to begin and learn my trade over again. Men with good recom mendations from Home are of very little use in the colony till they havo acquired a fow years' practical experience in Now Zealand Tako my advice—if you intond to fullow gar dening here, begin to study the climate, soils, "and the different classes of plants, vegetables, and flowers that grow here, and how to grow them to porf eotion; and if you have the ability in you, in a few years you will be able to show what you can do. A fow years ago a gav dener, with unexceptional roforences from Britain, got appointed to a publio park here. He utterly failed for the want of knowledge of the trees and shrubs, and their habits ot growth here, consequently his planting was unsuccessful. Thoße subjecte require tirceto, learn. Toll talk and assuranoo will not help. I am sorry to speak so plainly, but Slain speaking will do most good in tho end. o matter what branch of the trade you bo. long to. until you understand climatic condi tions you cannot bo of much use, SußsoiLiNa (Subscriber).—Tho usual depth that is obtained in BUbsoiling on soils that have been ploughed before is from seven to eight Inches. A good deal always depends on the naturo of tho ground. If stiff and hard, v. leaser depth; if free, open, and pliable go dfeeper. For obtaining a good depth put three horses to each plough; three to font inches increased depth is a consideration. Tho cost of subsoiiing with two-horao teams will to about £2 per aero; it you nso three-horeo teams, about 12s more per acre. A good number prefer the old swing plough with the mould board taken off for lifting the bottom furrow. I would advise you stronglj to use three-horse teams for both top and bot tom furrow,-as tho greater depth you attain the greater the benefit to tho soil—that is to say, if it is well-drained also. R.S.—(l) Lnyerings of" camellias had better bo loft till March before rcmovai...^a&teaS&

wood ashes are meant. Clapped manuro is manure which has been in heap for a long time,'and rotted to the consistency of soil.

Kltclien Garden.

Plant out all the different crops of vege tables, such aa cabbages, cauliflowers, &c., and earth up those that are advancing— pumpkins, melons, and marrows; also iinisli the planting as sosn as possible. In another month tho soil will be getting very dry, and it is best to get crops well established before this takes place. Water copiously after planting,.aud shade from tho sun for a few days. Mako successional sowings o£ peas, French and running beans, and earth up and stake those that are advancing in growth and require the above attention. Celery: Commence planting out main crop in specially-pre pared trenches, watering liberally when planted. Celery likes a deep, rich, moist soil. Leeks also plant out main crop. To obtain fine leeks, they ought to be planted in trenches the same as celery, giving them plenty of room to develop, and earth up. in the came manner. Potatoes: As the late crops advance in growth earth up; as the early crops are taken out of the ground make trenches for celery and. leeks, or manure and dig, plant some other crops so as to keep the ground occupied during tho summer. Continue thinning out the advancing crops of vegetables, giving each plenty of space, as the quality of your vegetables will very much depend on the space allowed. Slugs and snails will be very troublesome; lime during the evening, so'as to. keep them under. Keep walks clean and free from weeds.

Flower -Garden,

AH sowing and planting in the flower garden ought to be at an end now for this season, unless plants that are established in pot; and these/ when planted out, should be watered and shaded' sc as to protect them from the hot rays of the sun till they get well established. Thin out all late sown annuals, giving plenty of room for each plant to grow, hoeing and stirring the surface soil. Bedding plants will now require, constant attention by pegging down and pinching back shoots so as to give tho plants a bushy compact habit. In light dry soils a little mulching would greatly assist the giwvth of those plants, as well as frequent waterings with liquid manure; above "all, incite the plants to make a healthy growth at present. Pay attention to the staking and tying of all plants that want support. Climbers: Train and regulate. Roses: Give frequent waterings with liquid manure, picking off all blossoms as they begin to fade. Nevor allow seed pods to form, as they simply rob the plant of strength. Dahlias : Still plant out thin, and stake and water those planted earlier. Recollect this flower requires any quantity of manure either in a liquid Btate or other wise. Lift all early spring-flowering bulbs as they ripen their foliage. Lawn: Keep the grasß short; roll frequently. Walks : Rake weekly so as to Tteep weeds under. AVhero the slugs are troublesome, give frequent dustings of lime in the evening after dark. •

Greenhouse.

Give liberal supplies of water to all quick growing plants. Continuo re-potting all quick-growing plants such as coleus, etc., whenever the state of the plant demands more "pot room. Asa good number of the pot plants will now require frequent i»p. flications of manure water, it is better to eep a box or barrel for the purpose. Into this put a few shovelfuls of animal manure ; fill'up with water; stir up; lot it settle for a few hours; then strain it off for use as wanted. The above both supplies moisturo and food. This mixturo will also be found useful in the kitchen and flower gardens. Give plenty of air during the day, shading during the hottest part of the day.

. Josiah Hooper, the well-known nursery man of Eastern Pennsylvania, says that ex periments with . many leading fertilisers havo established the fact that nothing can compete with the best animal manure for producing vigorous growth in young trees and shrubs. Applications of wood ashes, ground bone, phosphates, etc., answer an excellent purpose, in connection with stable manure, hut alone they ore less successful. The best way unquestionably to apply ground bone is to mix it through heaps of fermenting manure in thin, successive lay-' era; or in compost heaps. Liquid Manuro for Cucumbers. axanvas bag, or «c it up closely in ahy aW •pwoe of canvas, or any -material of rather

open toxturo, and place it in a tub of soft water holding from thirty to forty gallons. Allow it to stand twonty-four hours, stirring it occasionally. Add seven pounds of guano; stir again, and leave a short time to settle. This may be used twice a week. If it appears too strong, dilute it with water. — "8.," in "Garden Illustrated.")

Agricultural Instruction.

It seems almost unaccountable that the leading agriculturists of this country are so hard to be made to realise tho import ance of agricultural instruction. Much has been written in favour of compelling teachers to give instruction in our common schools that would givo the young, male and female, better means of making a live lihood and at the snmo timo cause them_ to form inoro favourable opinions of rural life. How much more pleasant and profitable would rural school life be if there was con nected with every school-house a vegetable and flower garden, in which all would bo como interested and do a part in keeping in shape. The immediate school-yard should bo woll filled with various kinds of shade and ornamental trees and adjacent should be tho vegetablo and flower garden, and tho teacher should bo competent to enter tho garden and give instruction' in all that is therein contained. How pleasantly all would unite to keop tho grounds clean and the gardens frco from weeds, and this would afford the most ploasant pastime for all ■when not engaged at their regular lessons. Tho great want of our agricultural interests today is this instruction in our public schools, which, taking tho boy from tho timo he enters, will impart to him instruc tion in nil things relating to rural life, and which will awnkon in him an interest and enthusiasm which will bind him to tho soil. Let tliis be done, and the common school will become a feeder for the agricultural colleges, and wo shall see thorn thronged with atudonts whoso desire for a thorough agricultural education has been awakened by tho elementary instruction received in the common school.

REVIEWS

"HANDBOOK OP THE DOMINION OP

CANADA,

The mooting of tho British Association for tho advancement of Scionco at Montreal is an event that will be chronicled in largo typo on the records of the Dominion. The fact of being so far advanced in civilisation and rational development that the repre" sentaoives of the scientific world thought it worth their while to croea the Atlantic for the purpose of holding their deliberations on Canadian soil ia better than the voice of many emigration touts. The Canadians, liko all true colonists, aro a practical people, and they do not mean that this advertise ment shall be lost. Speaking in clerical phrase, they have resolved to "improve the )ccasion." Among the best efforts under ;his head is the very handsomo and com plete Handbook which has been published by Dawson Brothers, booksellers and pub lishers of St. James's-street, Montreal, the matter for which was prepared by Mr S. E. Dawson, one of tho local Secretaries of tho Association. The work—excellent in ar-. rangement, typographical execution, and general completeness—is a credit to the Dominion, and will probably do even more than the occasion that gave it birth to spread abroad, a knowledge of that vast and little known country whichrequires a railway of 2,108 miles to cross it, and has ha 3 the en terprise to obtain, what it wants; a. country which, as tho writer says, " contains by far the largost portion of fresh water upon the globe ; where 2,000 miles from tho ocean, the traveller may lose sight of land and be prostrated by sea-sicknoss ; " whore goods can be carried by water 2,384 miles into tho interior, 1,500 miles of the distance being borne on fresh water; with one river giving 1,500 miles and another 2,000 miles of steam boat navigation. Tho area of the Dominion is 3,470,392 squaro milos ; tho area of New Zealand, just about 100,000 square miles. It muat be confessed, therefore that Canada is a country in which the traveller and settlor have a largo choice of routes. Tho land fit for whoat-gTowing is computed at 640,000,000 acres, and tho total aroa under crop of ail kinds loss than 22| million acres,, so that there aro still a few acres on which the immigrant may squat it he hurries along. Bur, giving all credit .to Canada for its bulky proportions, wo can readily under stand, even taking tho coleur-de-rose picture of its attractions given in this clover Handbook, why;^_o t-^|™ljttojj,a^ftora(u cloes"oftakekindly to 20 degrees below zero; and, paint tho joys of six months intense winter as brilliantly as may be, thero is still enough of the disagreeable about it to make the common-sonso Briton discount tho pleasuresof sleighing with silver bells, and other Canadian high jinks, in favour of the substantial advantage of lands where Nature is more genial. That any one lives in Canada, is because lie either does not know New Zealand and Australia, or has not the means of gotting thero. We cannot understand any man who fully understands tho relative claims of each colony resigning tho perpetual summer of these Southern lands, where sheep and cattle gme in their paddocks all the year round, for the hard ships of a farmer's life in the Dominion. We say this with no disrespect towards the compilers of the Handbook under notice; they make out the best case possible, but are too honest and truthful in their repre sentations of fact to deceive. Indeed, we do not know any work which gives more reliable information about Canada and its people than this little book. Its accounts of the public institutions of the country, the railway and canal enterprises, the native in dustries, and the public-buildings, excite our admiration for the energy of the Canadians ; they would make a less f ortile country pros perous. Accompanying the Handbook are elaborate topographical and geological maps, which aro of great assistance in forming a clear conception of the country; and though, ;knowing New Zealand, with its genial climate, cheap lands, and abundant food supply, Dawson Brothers' Handbook has failed to convert us to the opinion that Canada is a good country for Englishmen, we can yot honestly recommend the book to anyone who wishesto become thoroughly acquainted with the Dominion, its territorial divisions, public works, institutions, and resources.

'THE KING COUNTRY," BY J. KERRY NICHOLLS.

When anyone publishes a well-printed and freely illustrated book about New Zealand, and is possessed of the requisite push to force it upon the notice of persons who knew nothing about the country before, the colonist is predisposed to turn a blind eye to his mistakes. But there are degrees of inaccuracy and effrontory for which a gratuitous advertisement for the colony will not atone. The book lately published by Mr J. Kerry-Nicholls transgresses those bounds. It has never been our fortune to find so much, of outrageous exaggeration and gross egotism compressed between two cloth covers. The book per fectly bristles with the letter I, and the narratives of adventure are so ludicrous to anyone acquainted with the line of country through which he and another travelled that one scarcely knows whether to laugh or blaspheme at the impudence of the whole thing. Mr Nicholls, afiar defining the boundaries of the "King Country," painta the most dreadful picture of its dangers. " All who had hitherto attempted to make even a short journey into it (ho says) had been ruthlessly plundered by the natives, and sent back across tho frontier stripped even to their clothes." "To Kooti, who had carried out the Poverty Bay massacre after his marvellous escape from the Chatham Islands, and who had more than once played the part of a New Zealand Napoleon during the war, was hiding,'with a price set on his head, in his stronghold in the Kuiti, ready, it was believed, to take up arms at any moment. This was the state of the country which I then and there volunteered to ex plore." Thenhefortifieshimaelffortheterrible journey with a few encouraging reflections, " I had penetrated into some of the wildest parts of Australia, explored the principal islands of the Coral Sea, been into the in terior of China and Japan, crossed the United States, visited Mexico," and co on. Finally he engages an interpreter, who ex claims melodramatically, "Wherever you go, I'll follow," and the two set out like babes in the wood with their innocent- lives in theirhands. Be it remembered that the jour ney forwhichall theseextraordinary prepara tions were made took place in New Zealand and in Anno Domini 1383! that Mr Kerry- Nicholls's first introduction to Tawhiao was at the Whatiwbatihoe feast of that year— just twelve months after Tawhiao had invited all the butchers and bakers and tinkers of Auckland to his settlement in return for the hospitalities he had enjoyed in this city; that it was four "years after Sir George Grey* Mr J. Sheehan, the Auck land newspaper reporters, and others had held a friendly korero with Tawhiao and his followers at Te Kuiti, the so-called .^Btrpjaghold^of Te, Kooti; that fourteen monthsbefore'Mr'KerryrNichdlls "then and there volunteered)to explore,"Mr Reisheck, Jlt« natoralist, starting out- in February, 1882, had wa • , - • t _ J *S y

for three months collecting skins, with tho friendly help of tho natives; that

he habitually left his portmanteau, con taining money and other valuables, at different villages among those torrible natives for a fortnight at a time, and never lost sixpence ; that Mr Rochfort, a Govern ment surveyor, was at that very time pushing northwards his survey of the trunk line of railway, which passes through the centre of the "King Country," which Mr Kerry-Nicholls only skirted ; and that, in 1883, by the request of the natives, the Government sent' out survey parties to triangulate the whole of this territory. This "King Country," which, according to Mr Nicholls, no ono had beon through for 25 years before he conceived the droadful! enterprise, was oxamined from end to end geologically by Dr Hector, Government Geologist, three or four years previously, tinder directions from Sir George Grey, than Premior of the colony. Giving evidence before tho North Island Trunk Railway Committee, last session of Parliament, Dr Hector deposed : " I know the whole of the country, excepting the upper head of the Wanganui, and I have never been on what is known aa the Tuhua country. I havo been all about Ruapehu and Tongariro, and to tho eastward from there, and between that and the coast, and through from Mokau up to the Waikato." Dr Hector then gave a detailed geological outline of parts of tho country into which Mr Kerry- Nicholls never penetrated. Boforo tho same Committee, Mr Frazor, a Rangatikei farmer, Mr Barry, a gold prospector and others, besides tho Govornmont surveyors, gave ovidenco of having travelled through different parts of this country. A map of the whole territory, its forests, opon lands, and cuttings and grades on tho pro posed railway lino, was attached to tho report. The moat amusing part of tho book, however, ia that in which Mr Nicholls des cribes his own and his guido's torrors when ascending Tongariro. Ho omitted to mon tion that the year boforo, Mr D. Mauson, tho Australian representative •of tho American Waltham Watch Company, coming a perfect stranger to the country and natives, had done tho ascent, and wrote a graphic account of it for this journal; that other tourists had accomplished the same thing. In his journoy from Auckland to Taupo Mr Nicholls followed the ordinary track which thousands of tourists traverse every year; a coach runs on a good Govorn ment road all the way. If tourists chose to cross Taupo thero has been nothing to stop them at any timo during tho last ton years; Tokano, on the south sido of tho Lake, was as opon to visitors as Rotorua. From thence southwards, by Tongariro and Ruapeha, to Murimotu, the journoy has boon made by many Auckland citizens—Mr T. Moirin, Mr J. Bonnett, Mr A. Walker, may be mentioned among tho number. But the wholecountry had beengeologically oxamined and mapped by Dr Hoehstetter 25 years before. In his return journey Mr Nieholls seems to havo followed pretty nearly tho lino of the old mail track from Auckland to Napier, which is clearly marked on Hochstetter's map ; he appropriates that eminent geologist's discoveries with a cool ness that is perfectly staggoring. Mr Nicholls claims to have discovered tho rivers, Kuratao, Whareroa, and Wanganui, flowing into Taupo, all of which, with their courses clearly defined, nro marked on Hochstettor's map, published in 1859. Professing to be scientific, tho book bristles with gross blunders. Upwards of thirty references to Now Zealand birds are scientifically inaccurate Wo find him oating a bird (Apteryx Australia), that does not exist in tho North Island. Tho only North Island kiwi is the Ap teryx Mantelli. Ho also describes the habits of the bird inaccurately. Kiwis do not live in pairs, excopt in the breeding sea son, and thon, curiously enough, the female is rarely seen near the nest: the male sits on the eggs. In liko manner he "ate with avidity "lialii.i Amtralis, which ho describes as a species of weka; Ochydromus earli is tho only species found in tho North Island. lie speaks of the kea, a bird about tho size of a cuckoo, as "a largo parrot," and mentions eight specios of guils, whilo thero nro only five specios known in Now Zealand. Tho tuatnra, which has been caught at tho lion and Chickons and other coastal islands, ho assures his readers, is ono found on Kurewa Island. It would bo wosto of time ami opaco to cnumernto tho wholo of theso flagrant blunders. Mr NiohoUs's book con tains very little that is worth know ing about tho country, or that has not been more reliably told by others ; but it does flay a great deal about Mr Kerry-Nicholls. Everything it touches is tinged with exaggeration and extravagant phraseology:—tho Gate Pali affair, Jn .wjuch ever recoivod by British arms." Occasion ally tho descriptions lapso into grandiloquent nonsense. Take this description of tho pretty little bush between Ohinemutu and Tarawern as a sample: " Countless orchids and lichens, and creeping plants, struggled to tho top of the tallest trees, which spread their giant branches over tho roadway in an arched canopy of vivid green, and soomed to touch the sky as they mounted upwards to the v6ry summit of the mountains, which roso on every side, benoath tho thick impene trable growth which covered their slopes without a single break." Tho author has evidently lost none of those ancient " blow hard " propensities with which tho share holders of the "Martha" mine were so fami liar ; and, possessing good presence and plausible address, with such stories "of moving accidents by flood and field, of hairbreadth "scapes," we can easily con ceive of the writer of "The King Country " becoming, for a very brief season, quite a small lion at the tea parties of the Jellabys; and, professing as he does great admiration for tho guileless savage, he should not lack warm admirers at Exeter Hall and the Aborigines' Pro tection Society. We sincerely trust, how ever, that persons who are seeking reliable information about New Zealand will turn to some other book.

"I wonder" (asks a correspondent of the "Waikato Times ") "whether Mr Moss, M.H.R., for Parnell, has road the book of that wonderful and veracious explorer, Kerry-Nicholls, and if so, what ho thinks of it? I have not read the book myself, but am informed that somehow or another he quite forgot to mention one of his most exciting adventures and escapes from being lost ia his bush explorations. Mr Moss could tell all about it. I refer to his ex ploration and ascent of Pirongia mountain here. Mr Moss and another gentleman having faith in that renowned discoverer, as their guide, accompanied him on that occasion. It was the time of the groat meeting at Whatiwhatihoe. The party left Alexandra early one morning, and arrived safely at the top, but alas, the experienced traveller, not having hisguide Turner with him, could not find the way down again, and the party were bushed for the night, without food.-. or blankets. Some alarm being felt for their safety, a search party of the A.C. force went out next day, with a bugler, and found the party safe, and able to enjoy exceedingly the refreshments they had considerately taken with them. As Pirongia is frequently ascended by. parties of picnickers from-all parts of the district, without guides, it seems strange that the great discoverer of unknown territory should manage to get lost in sight of a township like Alexandra. What a cheek tho man must have !"

SERIOUS MINING ACCIDENT.

A serious mining accident occurred on November 22 in the Canadian Low Level Co.'s workings, Thames, resulting in tho severe injury of three miners, namod Samuel Howard, Alfred James, and NicholasPearce, The men . had charged three holes with blasting powdor, which they proceeded to explode by " spitting " the fuse, or igniting the powder in the notch at its end. One of the charges exploded instantaneously, throwing tho three unfortunates down in the drive, but the earth displaced by the other two shots fortunately washed over their prostrate bodies. James and Howard were burned badly, but luckily their eyes escaped injury. Howard suffered most seriously, hss thumb and tho index finger of his left hand boing shattered to such an extent as to necessitate amputation. Pearce escaped with severo contusions.

PATENTS.

J. D. McKean, of l'anmure, has invented an "insect-repelling scrim." Letters patent for horse-power machinery are applied for by David Miller, of Thames.

Two applications for letters patent from Auckland aro of importance to the building trade, viz., that of Christopher Wood for Mahurangi cement, and that of Robert Baker for a colonial concrete machine.

Good Resowtions.—At the commencement of every new year hundreds and thousands of our young men-and old as well—form reßolu-' tlons for their guidance for the coming year. Many keen them, while others break them. To aucn we wish to give a word of advice. In order to BUBtain your determination of leading a better life in ■ the futura, you should use Hop Bitters. The judicious use of Hop Bittera strengthens, cleanses, and purifies the stomach, bowels, blood, liver, nerves, and kidneys, and ia Just what you want to build up and invigorate yourself. -Greenbush Dm. Read.

NEWS OF THE MONTH.

SUMMARY FOR HOME READERS.

AUCKLAND, N.Z., November 8, 1884,

PoliticauA', tho month has not been eventful. After tho oxcitement of the ses sion has come tho lull of a quiet recess. Tho Native Minister (Hon. J. Ballance) has ■ been feted by his constituents atWanganui, ' and in the course of an address he an nounced that tho Government havo re . solved to inaugurate a system of special settlements, undor which any association lof persons may obtain a block of not less | than 1,000 nor more than 10,000 acres of 1 land, to bo set apart for them on settle ment and improvement conditions; tho land is to bo subdivided into areas of not more than 100 acres. Further dotails of this sohemo are published in another column, and it seems to afford most en couraging torms for parties who wish to obtain agricultui'al holdings in ono locality. The advantage of tho system is that it dis penses with tho middlo-man, who, ns promoter ot a special settlement, buys a largo block from tho Government and retail;) it at a considerable advanco to ijinall fannora. Tho extended terms of payment will onablo settlers to apply nearly tho whole, of thoir capital to tho im provement of tho land. Mr Ballanco also stated that tho Govornmont havo a com prohonsivo echemo of local government under consideration, tho nature of which would bo roinounced by tho Premier, who left for Dunedin on tho 2nd inst. Tho Colonial Troasuror (Sir Julius Vogol) comos up to Auokland to take tho bonofit of tho Waiwera Hot Springs.

Tho Government have lost no timo in pushing on tho North Island trunk rail way. Survey parties are out at both ends, and it is expected that a contract for about fifteen miles southward from To Awamutu will bo let within the next three months. Tho survey of the trunk line from Marton northwards was commenced on Nov. 2" by Mr Blackott, Engineer-in- Chief. Tho junction with tho presont line ia fixed three quarters of a mile from the borough of Marton boundary.

The postal authorities draw tlio attention of persona having correspondents in Great Britain to the importance of directing them not to send correspondence by way of Brin disi or Suez, as oxtra postago will have to bo collected on arrival in New Zealand. Letters should bo inscribed, "Via Snn Francisco or direct mail steamor." The Government are determined to enforco those ponalties, notwithstanding that the Imporial Post-office refuses to rocogniso tho increased rates. There will conse quontly bo great confusion, irritation, and delay, but no other moans presented itsolf for checking tho loss to which this colony was subjected by tho Imperial postal authorities in sending a large portion of the English mail for this colony via Orient steamers to Australia, despito the repeated remonstrances of the Agont-Gonoral of Now Zealand. Tho action of the English Post otllco put Now Zealand to a loss at the rate of £S,OOO per annum last year, besides do laying tho arrival of letters till a much later date than they had been kept for the San Francisco mail. English correspon dents who do not wish to subject their friends to loss and. annoyanoe should bo careful to post only for tho San Francisco mail and direct stoamors, and to bo mark all their letters. By those routes they will have a fortnightly mail service. Government havo shown grout energy in negotiating for tho commencement of tho direct mail service, Tho arrangements, it is roportej, havo now boon satisfactorily settled, and tho iirst steamer will leava Groat Britain and Now Zealand respectively on the 20th mat. Tho postal difficulty which existed with tho Homo authorities respecting tho despatch of letters lias also beeujwljufjitod. . Sea Islands, havo detcrminnd to offer a sub sidy for a two-monthly steam sorviee to Tonga, Samoa and Tahiti. It is suggested that members of tho colonial Chambers of Commerce should go by the pioneer steamer in ordor to find out tho commercial wants of the islands. Sir John Hall arrived on a visit to New Zealand by tho City of Sydney on tho 15th November, continuing his journey by the s.s. Uawca from Onehunga noxt day. Sir John, who has greatly improved in health, has only eomo out to attend to some busir ness matter?, and intends rot.Urni.ng to England in tho course of several months. While in Auckland, Sir John Hall paid a visit to Sir Frederick Whitaker. On arrival at hia homo in Canterbury, ho was rccoived with cordial public demonstrations of wol coma. Great attention ia boing paid to the frozen moat industry; wo report at length in another column tho pro ceedings at the annual meeting of shareholder? in the Auckland Company. It is frequently assorted by tho Southern press that whon tho Auckland Frozen Meat Company commences active operations it will not bon.blo to ship from Auckland any sheep beyond those brought overland from Hawke's Bay and Taranaki. The Chairman of the Harbour Board tho other day took occasion to correct tho impression that pre vailed on this point. He had been informed by the Chairman of the Frozen Meat Co. that they would be able to send away four or five cargoes a year from Auckland. The

trade, too, would rapidly develop, as people were not at present devoting that attention to sheoproaring which they would do if they had the means of freozing here.. At the second annual meeting of tho South Canter bury Grazing and Refrigerating Company the report of tho directors was ftfldhimously adopted, containing a resolution to erect tho building and freezing plant without further, delay. Orders for machinery will probably bo cabled Home. The Company have a site of 611 acres near town fronting on tho railway and on tho sea. Single carcases of frozen mutton are sent Home by a Wellington freezing firm, and delivered to any address at6d per lb. The New Zealand Refrigerating Company's works at Burnside, Otago, turn out from SOO to 400 frozon carcases per day. There are now 5,500 carcases ready for shipment by tho Victory, At Christchurch on tho 19th November, a public meeting, convened to discuss the present position of the frozen moat trado in England, was • held, the principal subject being to hear statements from the Hon. W. S. and Mr 6. Clifford, who have just returned from Europe. Both these gentlemen spoke at some length on the unfair treatment which the Frozon meat receives at the hands of salesmen in England, and strongly urged the necessity for exporters combining ip orier to effect an alteration. After con siderable discussion a committee was ap pointed to consider the matter and report to an adjourned meeting, and tho com mitteo was specially requested to consider the feasibility of securing a depOt in London for the soparato sale and storage of New Zealand meat alone, and to confer with the Frozen Meat Companies through out New Zealand with tho view of carrying out that object. A gentleman in Auckland who haß lately written to tho Hon. the Premier making suggestions as to the contemplated intro duction of crofters from the Highlands of Scotland has just received the following reply from Mr Stout:—" Premier's Office, Wellington, 14th November, 1884. Sir,—l have your letter of the Bth instant, and thank you for your suggestiens relative to crofters from the Highlands, which are well worthy of consideration. I will bring the matter under the notice of the" Hon. the Minister of Lands, who has charge of tho Immigration Department.—Yours, &c, Robert Stout."

Thermal district of Albortland, in tho northern part of the province of Auckland, has during the past week or so been tho scene of a most extraordinary phase of epidemic religious mania. Two American rovivaliste have been holding a series of " holiness camp meetings " in the provinco, and in every place visited a good deal of emotional excitement was produced. The frenzy has reached its culmi nating point at Port Albert, where continuous meetings, lasting all day, have been held in a large tent erected for the purpose, in or near which the wor shippers partook of food, &c. On Sun day, Nov. 30, the meeting lasted from five in the morning till midnight. The scene on Saturday and Sunday was of the wildest and most exciting character. Five or six people were raving in a religious frenzy, and. the wife of an Auckland citizen was led out of the tent, in a state of wild, excite ment, Women were rolling about the teD* -I '--.'. — ' "f»" down in

a faint. A woman, in her raving, cried out, that " Jesus was in a blue-gum tree ! The scene on the Tuesday following waß eyon more outrageous in character. "Brethren and siaters" in very scanty clothing were rolling about in wild contor tions on the ground, while others declaimed or prayed in a violent manner, and one ot the evangelists shouted "Glory! Glory! at the top of his voice. It is feared that one or more of the worshippers, among whom are moral and respected residents of Auck land will bo rendered permanently insane as the result of this unhealthy excitement. A number of people, unaffected by the sfrange symptoms of frenzy, were present on Friday and Saturday, but the large majority left disgusted or amazed, and the meeting gradually quietened down, and Inally dispersed. An ecclesiastical event of considerable importance has been the sitting during November of the General Conference of the Wesleyan Church of Australasia at Christ church. After the Anglicans and Presby terians, the Methodists are the most numerous body of Christians in these colonies, and the gathering togother in Now Zealand of clerical and lay representatives from all the colonies to discuss questions of general moment, was justly recognisedas an occurrence of more than ordinary in terest. The subjects of deliberation were also of undoubted importance, some of them not only to Wesloyans and other Method ists, but also to the whole body of Christians. Such was the debate on Methodist union, which ended in a resolution being arrived at affirming tho desirability of union ot tho Methodist Churches throughout Aus tralia on tho basis adopted in Canada. So far as Now Zealand is concerned, Methodist union is already accom plished, the Wosleyan Conference of this colony having agreed to it a good fow months aero, whilo tho Primitivo and Froo Methodist Conferences also resolved to amalgamate. Another matter beforo the General Conference was the question of making the Now Zealand Conference in dependont and self-governing. Although, much was advanced in favour of this change it was felt that it would bo in the direction' of disintegration and loosoning of discipline, and therefore a debate conducted with much good feoling and ability ended by the proposal being negativod by a substantial majority. The Wesleyans havo always boon warm upholders of tho unsoctarian State education system in vogue in all the colonies of Australasia, and though a motion was submitted in favour of tho introduction of Bible-roading in the State schools, the Conference consistently declined to sanction a proposal which would probably cause dissension. After disposing of a vast amount of routino business, the Conference rose, to moot again at Melbourne in May,

Shipbuilding, for which Auckland justly has a great reputation, is at present in a very bad way. Very little work Ib in the hands of builders, and what there is consists prin cipally of vessels commenced on " spec,"and in tho prospect of a demand for them arising later on, along with better times. Tho dull ness may be accounted for by one of two reasons, or by both. The first is that there is vory littlo call for new vessels, and tho second, that recent additions to the fleet of locally-owned craft havo either been con structed at the groat shipbuilding yards at Home, or are American built vessels, which are usually well adapted for the colonial trado, and cost little. Whether they will eventually pay so woll as the staunch local built vessels, is very doubtful indeed, and remains to be seen. During the year Auck land companies have laid out thousands of pounds for shipbuilding outside of the colony, and not always, it must be con fessed, with satisfactory results. Thus we have had introduced into our coastal trade tho s.s. Clansman, built at Glasgow for the Northern Steamship Company, and the s.s. Thomas Russell, built at Glasgow for the VVaikoto Coal Company. The latter, it should to well known, was intended for the West Coast coal trado, but id was considered safor and generally moro advisable to keep her on this side of the island, where the harbours arc bo vory much /safer. There was also tho s.s. Ilorald, bailt at Dundee for Messrs Stonp Bros., of Auckland, and Kennedy Broß^7 of Greymouth—a pretty vossol, and promises in every respect to suit tho requirements of her owners in the Uroymouth coal trade. Besides this, the Northern StoaAiship Company havo an other new screw steamer called the Gair loeh on tho way ont ixoih Scotland. It iji this sort o£ thing which tolls against the continued prosperity of local shipbuilding, which, however, may take an impotu^very .shortly frcSn requirements in a variety of We repairing ol thoTteamshipTnumpii, which was undoubtedly a great achieve ment under the circumstances*, speaks volumes for what can be done here in that way, and the only misfortune is, that her owner (Mr Frasor), had not up to the time of writing found a market for her. Old steamships of largo tonnage appear to be going a-begging everywhere, almost every r.gont having soveral vesiels ,of about 3,000 tons for gale ; so it appears most probable that, for lack of any botter opening, the Triumph will be run on her owner's account cither between Australia and New Zealand or larger voyages, as freights muy offer. Another largo contract in ironwork has been taken by Mr Seagor, of Auckland, to convert tho iron 'barque I'elham, owned by Messrs Kennedy Bros,, of Greymouth, into' a screw steamer, Tho work is to be done hero, and is to bo completed within three months of date. The vessel will be em ployed in the coal trade between Grey mouth and othor coastal ports. ',:! The introduction of so many new steamers into the coal' trade through out the colony shows that there must be a rapidly increasing demand for black diamonds, and also that there is keen competition between tho various companies which derive thoir revenues, or, porad venture, sustain their losses in this traffic. Tlie consumption is nevertheless almost ex clusively colonial, and at the same time by no moans meagre. New Zealand coal is slowly but surely lessoning the imports from Newcastle, and this, of course, will continue just so long as the former can bo delivered at comparatively cheap rates. Tho vast expenditure of capital in tho erection of a refinery in this port for the New Zealand Sugar Company is already giving good results, which prophesy a groat trade in the near future. The Company's chartered vessels arrive from Java and Fiji with great regularity about one every month, and they bring, on an average, about 1,000 tons of raw material. These arrivals, at tho same time, form a great in crease to the shipping of the port, which is moat gratifying to all interested in its pro gress. The refined sugar turned out from the works is of good quality, and equal to tho imported article, so that the local de mand is already great, while several hundred tons are shipped to Southern ports every week. The supply and demand in crease perceptibly, and there is already evidence that the great outlay in plant will ere long be made good by an extensive and lucrative business.

Out-door sports of all descriptions which pertain to tho summer season in tho colonies are in full swing. While a team of English cricketers are battling with the Australians with varied success, in the sister colony interprovincial matches have been arranged amongst the clubs in these islands. They will take place during the holiday season, and each contest will have considerable intorest for the1 increasing ' number who make the willow and. the leather their favourite amusement,' :The. anniversary of the colony is approaching, and with that day—the 29th of January comes the Auckland annual regatta',: a festival tho increasing importance of which may be judged from the fact that the prizes to be competed for ■ re-, present between £COO and £700. Inoreaaed interest in rowing has led to the formation, of various new boating clubs, and'the suc cess of the new racing whaleboats has in duced the-Regatta Committee not only to make a race for them, but to offer very large prizes/on condition' that ten or more boats shall take part. The first prizo is fixed at. £100, to wliich is added tho Union Com pany's Challenge Cup valued at £25, and the second, third, and other prizes are com paratively largo. This race will probably provo the most exciting ever rowed on the Waitemata, and will most likely in the future include not only many Southern crews, but crows from Australia.

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

Thekp. is but little to notice, in either of

these departments of public amusement. Since the issue of our last. Summary

the Opera House has been kept ppen to moderate business by a kind of scratch dramatic combination under the name and leadership of Miss Louise Crawford, and a succession of melodramas has been presented with varying success. "London by Night" was on the boards when the mail left, and it was not with drawn until a week afterwards. The subsequent productions havebeen " Arrah Na Pogue," "Miriam, the Woman of-' Mystery," "Our Boys," "Life, or the Castaway," "The Corsican Brothers," " The Shipon Fire," and " Bast Lynne," while "Green-Bushes" is to. be'

played to-night. Tho feature of the season was Miss Crawford's assumption of the title rCle in ■ " The Coraican Brothers." She disguised her sex very effectively, and achieved a decided success, securing a nightly recall tor her performance in the duel scene. She is a fair average actress, but the rank and file of the Company are rather weak in point of ability. The most notable musical event of tho month, was the performance of Handel's " Israel in Egypt" by the Choral Society, Mr James Knox conducting, in the absence of flerr Carl Schmitt, who has been stretched upon a sick-bed for some time past. Some sensatisn was caused on tho eve of the performance by an imbroglio between the Executivo Committeo and the orchestra, which threatened to lead to tho withdrawal of the instrumental members. The orchestra, considering that the Society was not ready for the performance, ob jected to the date fixed by the Committee, and as the latter proved inflexible, they de termined to hold aloof from the performance. At the last moment the mediation of a few friends, coupled with the resignation of two members of Committee, proved effectual in healing the breach ; the orchestra gave their assistance, and tho concert was a great success. It was hold on the loth alt., and the performing forces consisted of 46 Bopranos, 34 contraltos, 40 basses and bari tones, 30 tenors, 30 instrumentalists, and 5 soloists, viz., Miss Stephenson (soprano), Miss Corbett (contralto), Dr. Cobbott (tenor), and Messrs Taylor and Osborne (basses). "The Messiah" is now in ro hearsal, and a benefit to Herr Schmitt by tho Orchestral Society ia also pending.

OPENING OF THE NEW "STAR" OFFICES.

Tim final removal of the staff and machinery employed in the production of the Star from the building occupied for so many years in Wyndham-street Into the now and commodious premisosfrontlngShortland and Fort-streets took place on Dec. 1, and is an event about which a few congratulatory words are pardonable. With tho issuo of N0v.29 wo presentedour readers witli a litho graph of the new building, and in our Supplement of the same date appeared a long letter-press description that is well worth perusal. In the in creased business which has not merely justified but compelled tho change is we | think, fairly reflected the growth of the city of Auckland. Nearly fifteen years ago, when the first number of the Stab floated out for the apprsval or condemnation of a discorning public, the paper was a small sheet, considerably less than half the size of the present pages. Tho average of reading matter was rarely more than throe of our present columns. In the first proprietary printing office at which the business was carried on, the total number of persons en gaged was 35 ; tho hands at present kopt in constant employment in producing the Star and carrying on. tho general printing businoes connected with it number 108. The circulation of the early days wo should be afraid to mention, even if tliero were any record of it procurable; of the present circulation we have decided to let two of the leading ac countants in the city testify, after a searchj ing examination of our books. Their certificate sj:eiks for itself:—

Auckland,

17th November, 1884.

We hereby jeertify that wo have examined the* Books ana Vouchers of the " Evening Star " Newspaper, and find the Weekly JSale averages 59,197 Copies, and 'theHDally issue 9,866* aiid that it -isian increase of 4.I'QS Capita *JB^iY TtiV^fWfr * >^TO>n^a— tion In November, 1883.;- I:. JNO. MILNE V Public J. WAYMOUTH J Accountants These figures, we are in a position to prove, represent by many thousands nightly the largest circulation of any news pupor published in New Zealand. One pioco of ovidonco in support of this asser tion will suffice Tho "Lyttolton Times," which is recognised as one of the two lead ing papers published in the Middle Island, recently moved into new premises, and in describing its business, made the following announcement: " To-day, the issues every week from tho publishing oflice, taking ac count of the three papers wo have mentioned, amount to 56,000." That is to to say, the weekly issue of the Auckland Stab, as certified by accountants of un questionable skill and reputation, exceeds the combined issues of the "Times,"

"Star," and "Weekly Times," the three leading morning, evening, and_ weekly newspapers of Canterbury. This is a fact which we are justified in regarding with

very considerable satisfaction. . It is now . somp ■ twelve months since the proprietor decided on the erec tion of a building which would accommodate under one roof the many departments of the large and daily increasing business that, has grown up, Hitherto some of these branches have been carried on in buildings detached from tho principal office in Wyndham-street. For. many months past workmen have bpen busily engaged evolving a handsome edifice from chaotic piles of brick' and heaps of mortar.. Promi nent Southern and Australian journalists who have gone over the building pronounce it the largest and best appointed printing office in the Australasian colonies. The designing of .the plans for the building was entrusted to Mr W. H. Skinner, architect, of Vulcan Lane. In preparing his design Mr Skinner had to keep steadily in view the peculiar requirements of tho case,' the essentials being great solidity and strength, in order that the various floors might sustain the immense weight of printing machines and the heavy apparatus inciden tal to the printing business; abundance of light, and "good ventilation. In a word, the instructions to Mr Skinner were to make ■ the building perfect in a utilitarian sense, and afterwards of such a design jtliat its architecture could be pointed to as a credit to the city. By a reference to the lithographic design accompanying this issue, it will bo seen that from an aesthetic point of view, the architect has achieved a genuine success, whilo the other requirements have been faithfully achieved.

General Flan.of tbe Building.

The general form of the ground plan of the building is like the letter. L, the shorter limbiof the letter being the Short land-street frontage, while the end of the , longer limb represents the frontage to Fort 'street. The building, speaking generally, follows the sjiape of the allotment, which has a superficial area of 11,380 square feet, and runs through, from Shortland-street to "Jort-street.^ The width of the Fort-street frontageJß 39;ieet 6. inches', and the Short land:strset frontagei3B feet, the depth of the allotment being 157 feet. It would be impossible to find a more suitable site in Auckland for such a business, as it almost adjoins the Chief Post and Telegraph Offices, Customs and other Goyermhent offices,' and is within two hundred yards of the railway a'taiion, principal wharves, shipping, and tramway terminus. Advantages of ljght and air, so difficult' to obtain in the crowded part of the city, are also perfectly secured to the great' health and comfort of' the employ^. The build ing occupies the whblo of this ex tensive and valuable site, with the ex ception of a very small portion which forms a' quadrangular courtyard. The main business entrance is from Shortlnnd-streot. On the Fort-street frontage is situated the publishing office and the entrance to tho Lithographic Department, By a passage through the yard and stairs access may also be gained to the Shortland-streot end of the building from Fort-street without passing through any of the work-rooms.

Exterior Design.

Before proceeding to deal with the internal economy of the. building, we ad dress ourselves to describing the architec ture of the two facades. The largest arid consequently most imposing frontage is to Fort-street, although the main public entrance and Commercial Department are at the Shortland-Btreet end. In designing the Fort-street facade, the architect did not adhere closely to the recognised canons of architecture, but evolved a very masterly composite design containing in its constituents some of the best features of the Italian and Grecian orders The front

is four stories high, and is surmounted with an observatory or tower pierced by four bullseye windows, each 6 feet 9 inches in diameter, and topped, with a ™ne °f elaborate and appropnato design. Ihe width ot the facade is close on DO feet. Jh« altitude of the parapet is 01 feet and ot the vane above the observatory 92 feet. In the front there are 18 single and seven double windows, while the centre of the basement story is pierced by a covered arch way giving vehicles access to the quadrangle or vsd. There are also four circular-Wed doors affording entrance to the publishing department and other departments facing Fort-street. The windows of the basement story are square-headed, and of rusticated Roman pattern. The architecture of the first story much resembles that of the basement, tho main point of difference being the occurrence of Corinthian columns and pilastere, surmounted with a rich entablature. The windows are circular headed, and of an ornamental character. Tho centre portion of tho basement and first stories have a uniform projection of J or 10 inches, which has the effect of bolden ing the general design, and increasing tho effective appearanco of tho whole facade. The ornamental piers flanking this portion of the building also add con siderably to the general eflect. The win dows of the second floor are segment-headed, with ornate pilasters and stilted archi travos, merging into a plainer fa^de. Tho third floor is of somewhat plainer design, tho windows boing squaro-hoaded. Tho second and third stories are divided by a rich band of cablo work. The piers flanking tho outer portions and centre of tho front are nicely rusticated, and aro sot off with Grecian ornamented panels. Iho whole is surmounted with a heavy brackoted cornice, on which rests a balustrado ol Orecian character. Prom tho central por tion of tliia balustrado the observatory springs in the form of a turret— a tower of puroly Romanesquo do sign. Tho circular pediment is supported by square rusticated cornices and small columns, the same appearanco being shown by tho four sides of the turret; each eide beinc lighted by a large circular window of platl glas9. From this point of vantage a splendid view of tho city and harbour is obtainable, the observer being far above the other buildings in the vicinity.

The Shortland-strect front consists of a cellarage basement and three stories, the nutural slope of the ground from Shortland street to Fort-street precluding the archi tect from providing for tho eamo number of above-ground floors on both fronts. Leaving the basement, wo will proceed to describe this front from tlia first floor at street level. Tho architec ture- of tho story is rusticated composite, in keeping with the corres ponding portion of the Fort-street facade. The centre of the story is pierced by the business entrance—a fino doorway Bet-in an alcove, each eido of tho entrance being flanked by Corinthian pillars supporting an arch of unique design, on the keystone of which is the carved heal of a satyr. The doorway is approached by a flight of three stops. At each side of tho alcove are large , windows, each 10 feet by 6 feet. Over tho doorhangs aglobular streetlamp glazed with coloured glass, and on a band round it the name "Star" appears. In tho socund floor tho alcove referred to in the descrip tion of the first floor is continued, and takes the form of a recessed balcony, with ornamental iron railings. At either side of tho balcony, and at the back of the recess, are large windows glazed with heavy plate glass. These windows light the quarters of the literary staff. The cen tral window is hung on hinges, and through it access is obtained to the balcony. Tho quoins on the story resemble panelled pilasters with ornamental capi tals, and are surmounted by a rich Corin thian entablature. The circular top of the balcony on this atory has an excellent effect on the general appearance of the facade. Tho third or upper story is of a. plainer character than the others. It is pieiced by three windows, the central ono being flanked with two side lights. The quoins aro panelled with Grecian ornament, and tmrmount ing tho whole is a largo Corinthian entablature, above which is a segmented pediment. Tlio central ornament of the pediment is a skeleton "star," tho words Bvenino Stah, appearing in gold letters at the baso. On either side of the central pedi ment is a balustrading with pedestals, tho latter being capped with tastefully-designed finials. Tho general effect of tho front is rich and unique, and from aniarcliitectural point 6f view i 8 ono of the fincßt in the city. Both fronts are of comented brick. Tho Public Office.

the external appearance of the building,

we come to describe its internal economy For the public, the large commercial office and editorial rooms fronting Shortland-st. are the place of chief importance. It is here that advertisements and printing orders will be received, accounts settled, and from this part of the building the whole es tablishment is most easily accessible. The whole of the ce.; iin£s are panelled and fluted, and the cornices picked out with deli cate tints. The doora are of dark cedar with circular tops, and are hung on Smith's patent hinges, and have handsome handles of ebony and brass. The counter, which runs from near tho doorway to the partition wall of the job printing room, is very handsome. The top is of polished kauri, whilo the framing of the front is of cedar with kauri panels. Supporting tho .counter are four heavy carved Kauri trusses. The top of the counter is divided into three compartments — for tho receipt of advertisements, printing, and transactions with the cashier. The dividing screens are of cedar and frosted plate glass. At the end of the counter is a panelled screen with door leading into the accountants' office. Close to the advertisement-receiver's desk is a small hand lift, by means of which adver tisements, telegrams, etc., are sent to the regions above, and "sich agettin'upstairs" is avoided. Opposite to the counter is the proprietor's room, 14 feet by 11 feet. The screen framing of the proprietor's room is of cedar, and the. panels of rosewood, highly polished. The upper portion of the walls of the room are glazed with embossed glass. From this room speaking tubes and.electric bells communicate with the editor's room, the acceuntania' offices, and with the quarters of the heads of the several mechanical departments.

Editorial Booms,

From the public room an exceedingly handsome geometrical staircase leads to the quarters of thelitorary staffabove. Thehand rail is of moulded cedar, and the balustrad ing in cast iron of airy design. The right hand side of the second floor is occupied by the stair landing and the editor's room, a handeomely-finished and comfortable room screened off with panels, glazed with ground glass. To the left-hand side of the passage are the quarters of the rank and file of the literary staff, including the room for the subeditor—where all copy undergoes supervision, where unintelligible telegrams are made intelligable, and sucking poets and. embryo litterateurs have their hopes dashed to the ground daily. Three ele gantly appointed and excellently-lighted reporters' rooms complete the suite.

Accommodation ia also found here for tho editor of the "New Zealand Farmer, Bee, and Poultry Journal," with which is incor porated the "North New Zealand Settler."

The Newspaper Composing Room.

On the same floor with the editorial rooms is situated the. news composing room, where the " matter " for the Stak is " set up in type." The room is S8 feot by 29 feet, and has " frames " for about 30 cony positors. The constantly-moving hands'of the workmen and the cheerful rattle of the type give animation to the scene, and an idea of the work done in this depart ment may be gained by the knowledge of the fact that for a complete edition of the Star upwards of 120,000 words have to bo put together, to say nothing of com mas, colons, and other points. Tlie room is well lighted and.cheerful-looking, and to it, as to all other departments in the building, is attached a lavatory and othor necessary offices. A short flight of steps from the news printing-room loads to the quarters of tho female compositors—a large, comfort able room overlooking Shortland-street, and occupying the whole of the upper part of the Shortland-street front.

General Printing Department,

Passing out of tho public room through a pair of glass doore, a" short flight of stairs loads down into the machine-room on the ground floor, and threo or four steps up givo entrance to tho general printing de partment. A floor opening to tho right discloses a flight of st mo steps loading down into the yard, giving a through passage out to Fort-street. We will describe the ma chine-room first. It is one of tho largest printing-rooms in tho colonies ; there is cer tainly not a larger in Melbourne or Sydney Its dimensions aro 88 feet by 29 feet, and it occupies the whole of the transept portion of the floor. Tho machinery comprises a largo four-feeder Dawson's Wharfdale machine, capable of striking off 6,000 copies an hour; a double-feeder by the same maker that will Erint 3,500 impressions in ■ the our; a double royal by Dawson double demy Wharfdale by- Payne' double crown by IngUs, double demy by Main, a quadruple newa machine by Main, and one "Sun" and two "Universal" platona. Space has - been loft and every

preparation boon made for the fixing of a Web machine on its arrival from the makers. The motive power for this array of machinory is a large tubular boiler constructed by Mr Yeoman, _of Albert street, and 15 horse power engine, capablo of working upto3oh.p., with latest im-. provements, by Messrs A. and G. Price, tho well-known engineers of the Thames. The machine room is well lighted from the quadrangle by a row of windows,. As already stated the basementundertho Short land-street levelisusedforstorage. Here also is "situated a brick strong room with iron doors. Partitioned off. from the general machine-room is the lithographic machine: department, which will be noticed later on. Returning now to the Shortland-street level, and ascending tho few steps leading from the public room into the general printing-room, the eye scans extensive shelves of wooden letters of every shape and size. The room is exactly the same size as the news composing-room above it. It la occupied by some 25 to 30 composi tors, and "from early morn till dewy eve ' tho sharp " click-click" of the type goea on. It is from this department that the many beautiful and chaste specimens of fine art printing emanate, the appliances at hand being of the most modern description, the newest "notions," being obtained three or four times a year from England, Germany, and America. Invoices, bill heads, circulars, programmes, maga zines, and a great variety of other printing work, or "composition," as it is technically called, goes on here. For con venience the room, although not partitioned off has been arranged in three divisions— the poster and bill typo being placed near the door, the book and general publishing in tho contro of the room, and the fancy typo near the other end. This department and tho machine room are under the general direction of Mr Barton, who occupies an oflice near the" on trance..

The Lithographic Department, eto.

Passing out. of the jobbing-room on the Port-street side, access is gained to the' lithographic department, but this may be the more readily described by entering from Fort-street, which will be the entrance commonly used by persons wishing to see Mr Schmidt, who lias the management of this department. Opening a door in the archway from .Fort-street, wo enter a passago which leads directly into the lithographic machine-room. Out of this hall n broad staircase rises, in a series of (lights, straight up to tho fourth story, giving access to all the work-rooms. Along this channel all tho omployes in the mechanical departments will enter and leave work. In tho lithographic machine room, No. 1, on the basement floor, are a royal crown litho. machine and a quadruple crown machine. These machines are of the newest and finest description j and capable of performing any litographic print ing from the plainest plan to the most gorgeous chromo-lithographs, with clouds of cerulean azure and sunsets like a toper's nose.

Asconding tho staircases to the first floor, we find it divided into a press-room for the Lithographic Department, designing rooms for lithographers and copper plate en gravers and embossers, being occupied by the large job printing-room al ready described. In the lithographic press-room are the following machines :— Large demi-folio steam press capable of printing from a stone 4ft. by 2^ft., two hand presses, copper-plate press, ink grind ing mill, two platens. Connected with this department also is an embossing machine. The designing rooms of Mr Schmidt and his staff are commodious and well appointed apartments. Many interesting processes are carried on here, including drawing on stone for lithography, either in monotint or in the most elaborate combination of colours; transfers for photo-lithography, copper plates engraving in all its branches, from door-plates to visiting cards; orna mental engraving on precious metals.

Ascending the second flight, of the main staircase, we reach the western wing of the third story, which is occupied by tho Stationery and Book-binding Depart ments. Here is a large guillotine cutting machine, driven by the engine below ; also ruling, numbering, perforating, and other machines. As several thousands of pounds worth of printing paper, &c, is always kept m stock, the space required for storage is considerable. Going up tho third flight of stairs, we enter tho stereo, and oleetro-typ. ing room, and another large stationery room. Tho process of stereotyping is highly interostine.'and the art is of great utility in connection with the printing trade. A " forme," or page of type, is sent to the Btereotypor who. Ttrem —re; —rakes" ~ mouras. "Into these moulds molten metal is poured, and, presto ! the stereotyper has before him seven or eight counterfeit presentments of tho one page, of type. Thi3 multiplying process, of course, saves'a great deal of time in machine printing, and also effects a saving ia wear and tear of type. Access to the Observatory is obtained by means of a Rmall staircase leading from this floor. On the eastern side of the building is a large hydraulic lift capable of raising a ton to any of the floors of the building. It was constructed by Messrs A. and G. Pri6s, of the Thames, and performs its work admirably. There arq two small hydraulic lifts in other portions ol the building—ono for the lithographic department, and-another for the job print ing and news departments. Built separate from the main building, are brick stores for news-paper wetting arid folding-rooms. In tho quadrangle is the engine-room, paper and wetting-room, and other offices cod nected with the establishment. The large steam engine is' supplemented by a gas engine as a reserve. Every floor is fur nished with lavatories and other con veniences for tho men. Publishing Room.

We have now described the general plan of the building with only one jOinission— the publishing, or. issuing room. This is n commodious apartment,, entering direct from Fort-strebt—tho door for the public^ and having a second entrance from the archway for the runners.. From this room the publisher will issue nightly an average of 10,000 copies of. the Stab, or as muny more as a discerning arid appreciative public are prepared to Buy., The publishing department ot a paper with the circulation of the Stab is a busy hive of industry.. Ifc is one of the sights of Auckland to see tho crowds around the office at publishing timo. Then the bustle inside, getting away papers for steamers, 'buses, trains, ..and tram-cars, which have to be " caught"— that ia, im mense bundles of papera must be forwarcfed to their destinations at fixed times j and as the "hours" of these vehicular transmitter^ of our broadsheet followjtast on one'another^ there is no time to be wasted. Then run ners muet be served, hundreds of pennies taken for separate copies, copies for sub scribers addressed and folded ; and so the

work of the publication goes on", from half-past three in the afternoon till tho town clock chimes the witching hour of 8 p.m., whilo the great machine immediately behind the publishing room, crashing and quivering, and laying out the broad sheets with its four arms, plays an appropriate accompaniment of monotonous music to the bustle and whirl. " :' ' '"

The Contractors.

The contractors for the building were Messrs W. Philcox and Son. Mr Philcox may add the new Star offices to the long list of successes which have marked his career as a builder in Auckland. Some of tho handsomest edifices in the city have risen under hia hands. The' decorations ware executed by Mr J. Henderson, and are models of artistic elegance and skill; the gas fittings, speaking tubes, efc., 'were' supplied by Messrs" Branston and Foster .and the Auckland Gas' Company. ■ Messrs McCoskrie and Son carried out the work of removing and re-erecting' tho machinery, and it 'is by their skill ar.d energy in keeping 'the "engineers and fitters working -night aHd 'day that we have been able to effect 'the transfer with so little inconvenience to our readers and the work of the office. Some little delay may yet be caused until the whole of the machinery is transferred, and" we shall have to claim the indulgence of our oustomers for a week or two longer. The shafting was supplied' by Messrs ' Fraser and Tinne, and Price Brothers, of the Thames. ' The plans" for the boiler and engines, and tho arrangements of the machino-room, wore designed by- Mr J. Edwards and carried out under his per sonal supervision. All the contracts have besn executed in a manner that reflects credit upon everybody engaged in the work. ■ .

Captain Short, of the brigantino Night ingale, which arrived from Dunedin re cently, reportod that the mate of the ves sel, Francis Henry Fenton, 43 years of age, and a native of Stockwell, was found dead in his bed on Thursday, 13th Nov. On the preceding ■ day Fenton complained of being unwell. At midnight, Captain Short spoko to him, and told him it was his watch on deck. Deceased replied that he was jiot well enough to keep it, upon which the captain recommended him to go to sleep when he would feel better in the morning In: the morning,' however, the man waa dead. Op Friday, tho 14th, the body was buried &i sea.

HowTb; Get Wetu-Whioh Is answered ia ttree words-Take Hop Bitterel Bead, *

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATTJKDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1884.

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