JENKINS & CO.; OR, THE EGOTIST.

A NOVEL, BY K. WKItXKR,

(Specially Translated for tho Auckland Star from tho German by E. Nicholson),

Author of "Student's Manual of German Literature," " Chronological Guide to English Literature," &c.

CHAPTER 11,

JESSIE CLIFFORD OPKKS HER MINI),

Sandow did not appear to be in the least elated at again seeing a brother from whom he had been separated so many years. His behaviour was as unembarrassed, his voice as cold as usual as he introduced Mr Gustav Sandow to Miss Jessio Clifford. The new arrival advanced toward the young lady with a polito bow.

"May I count on a friendly reception from you Miss, Clifford ? I como here os a foreigner indoed, but I bring you the greet iags of your mother's native land. Let that bo my recommendation."

This address was not only polito, but warm, almost hearty. Jessio looked up at him in surprise, but the clear, penetrating glance that met hers repulsed her, for it rocallcd to her mind the cause of tho ac quaintanceship. She therefore roplied with cold politeness: — " I hope you have had a good passage, Mr Sandow." "An excellent ono. We had the calmest of seas, and the most agreeable voyage, and on my further journey hero we have been favoured with tho most beautiful weather." "Is that why you wero so long in coming ?" said Sandow, joining in tho con versation. "You have gone hither and thither oror the country like a tourist. Wo expected you a fortnight ago." "I must study the land and its people," replied Gustav. '' Did you wish me to come soonor?" "No, I know you would visit the larger towns. It is always advisable to become personally acquaintod with tho resident business agents of the firm. I have not had tho time to d» it, but I provided you with the necessary introductions. What is that ? A telegram t" The last words were addressed to a servant who had entered behind the gentle men, and brought a telegram newly arrived. While Gustav Sandow exchangod the ordin ary polite speeches with his hostess, Miss Clifford, his elder brother oponed tho de spatch, and having glanced through it, turned to them, saying :— " I must leave you for half an hour. A bueiness matter must be attended to." "To-day, on Sunday?" asked Gustav, " Do you never give yourself any rest 7" "Why should I? Somothing might be neglected. On Sunday, when tho office is closed, I have the most pressing papers sent out to me here. You went to Jenkins and Co. in New York, Gustav ? This telegram U from them. I will talk to you about it later, meanwhile I leave you in Jessie's company. Good-bye till later." He folded the telegram and went out. The younger brother looked after him in astonishment. " Well, I shall not be spoilt by too much family affeotion," he drily remarked, as ho turned to Miss Clifford. " But you must have known your brother in some measure at least," replied she, by long familiarity, accustomed to see her guardian attend to business before any thing. " Certainly, but he was slightly more con siderate when in Europe. I expected at least to have a claim on him during the first few hours after my arrival." " You are perhaps tired with your journey," said Jessie, seeking for an excuse to ovoid this unexpected Ute-a-tUe "Your room will be ready if you would like " 11 Thank you," said Gustav, " I am not in the least tired, and indeed I have every reason to be much obliged to Jenkins and Co. for giving me this opportunity to mako your acquaintance." Thus saying, he drew a chair forward, and seated himself near her. But neither bis gay, unaffected manner nor his attrac tive appearance could conquer the young girl's cold reserve. She was not surprised to jjnd her new guost so much younger than her guardian, for she knew that he was the son of a second marriage. The elder j, r j>ther, indeed, had alreday passed middle B g e while the younger one was little more than th/I**^ Moreover, in appearance he ■was exacth' like the portrait which hung in Sandow's siuJy-* powerful, manly figure, with pleasant, .intelligent features, dark hair aM beard, atiu quick, sparkling, dark eves, which wero motO ™an ordinarily ex pressire and fine. But it was just these ayes which did not ple.aeG Jessie, for she felt Instinctively that it wss ffjth them she bad to converse. The name bright, pene trating look she had met on the firsfc moment of their acquaintance now rested inquir ingly on her features. Mr Sandow, junior, ■waa evideutly examining hor as a clause in the deed of partnership, and that was quite enough to awake the opposition of the young lady. "As yet, unfortunately, I know nothing of your home,"said he.openingltheconversa "■Mon. "I come as an ignorant European, gno-wed from the skies Into the New World, and n-'ust oount on your kind help in ex nlainine'mv B^ango surroundings. P "On m/help 1 1 think your brotMr can »ive you beti-vand more complete explana tions than any 2 car. offer yon, 1' "Doubtless, as far as business Is con turned In every other respesfc, however, he seems to me very uninterested, and there are some other interest* with which I should wish to make myself equally familiar. Equally! Yes indeed, equally with a marriagef a bond for life, which other men CkuponastUe highest and holiest thing In it This ignorant European seemed auiteto agree with his American brother b view., »? *« look "P on the two thingß "#^S» was exclusively business Hiafc brought you over here," «axd Jessie Smewhat IronWly, "I believe you con- -de that tm indispensable condJtj.Q.a-" — A Edition ? Were you «wfc mdepend «,*, Mr Wow T Bnt I fan* pv refer to r^^S^tt^Oj upended on the chance of any hesitation on mj' !»«• Mv brother was quite capable of devoti^F hiif whole fortune to philantbropical object*, if I had not agreed to his wishes. Jessie hardly knew whether to be most pl« Till now I did not ktICV that you made Buch deep calculations in (Jerulanv> " Yes, I am happy to say we hart." Pecom^ practical," said Gustav, with undlsfcurtC" equanimity. "We were long in learning to be so, but now we make progress. You seem to considar it a reproach, Miss "No, bufc I learned to know the land from which my mother came, and which I have always regarded aa^ my second home, ~._ nuite another side." 1 ™From the ideal probably. But I will v t-Aenv that it may still exist. On the It- the ideal is not much cultivated whole- w" but there are a few who B till among ,"' i ves to it in word and deed." d6. V. So" muTh more should that few close roundl £* banner, and spend their life P f ?vo«a«<riri. but it was evidently ttndflr-Stooa. * sw joncealed surprise. articles! journals "It was ono Pt «£ „ ga £ j OSEd6 . •' My that you wrote /» • And j ugt b eca use parents always *«* J*' j m disappointed Sknow youi;/rtlG^;kAv^Qrow off all the that you could so a»«*J £2ta» land-" -You nean my «*g» I>y ? j }gre L.^^obeenreplWby^^

" I had no idea that I had such an in telligent reader on this side of the ocean," Gustav went on in tho calmest manner. " But as I am now somewhat bettor in formed, I must cntroat your criticism. You say you look upon my native land as a second home. So I may count upon your sympathy for all that I put my pen to." " You have given up your career as a journalist for a more profitable one," re plied Jessie. "Yes, I gave in to the force of circum stances. It seems I have not been favour ably criticised for it, but perhaps the writer found more favour in your eyes than the future partner in Clifford and Co."

"At least I am surprised at the ease with which the ono can change into the other."

Tho look with which these words wero accompanied should have annihilated Gus tav Sandow, but ho was apparently not easy to annihilate. Ho bore the look calmly, and there was a tinge of humour in his reply which aggravated the young girl still more.

"The critic is evidently not favourably inclined, so I must learn to know her better. You cannot withhold your bad opinion of mo, Miss Clifford, I insist on hearing my condemnation."

" Unreservedly?" "Unreservedly."

"Then, Mr Sandow, I confess I read all that camo from your pen with the fullost sympathy and admiration until the moment when you accepted your brother's offer. I thought it impos sible. I thought one so devoted to hi 3 native land as you wero, insisting so energetically on its rights, so porsistont in reminding others of their duty, would suroly remain by tho banner to which he had sworn allegiance, and could not loavo it for mere interest. I could not boliovo that tho pen from which (lowed such in spired words should in futuro write only figures above figures; that the fearless warrior should of his own free will throw down his arms and leave tho field to take a comfortable seat in an office. I doubted it up to tho moment of your arrival, and now that I must finally believe it, I find it tho bitterest disillusion of my life."

Though Jessie was so carried away by hor excitement, yet sho felt that sho was insult ing tho limn who snt before hor, but for tho moment she disregarded all considerations. Sho only sow in him tho foe, the unwolcome wocr whom sho wished at any prico to keep at a distance. If sho could convince him at first how much she despised his egotism, ho could at least have no doubt of what sho thought of tho marriage plan, and she would be safe from his wooing. But he seemed to be very little sensitive to in sult, for ho retained his perfect equanimity.

" Miss Clifford, fora merchant's daughter, and tho sleoping partner of a busineas house, you havo very disrespectful views of accounts and offices," ho said, with most annoying calmness. "My brother would be shocked. I feel, myself, inexpressibly flattered that my pen should havo so roused your interest; and as to tho disillusion, I do not resign the hopo that I may win a yet better opinion of my effort* at an office desk."

Jessio could not answor; sho could not understand this method of changing an inßult into a compliment, and the smiling ease with which the manoeuvre was executed. Fortunately for her, tho door opened, and Sandow entered. " Tho telegrams are sent," ho said, " and lam now at your disposal. Shall we soon have dinner, Jessie ?"

Tho young lady rose hastily. "I have some directions to give; it will be ready directly," and she hurried nway as if flying from tho new guest, but not without casting an angry glance at him as sho passed.

"Well, how do you like Jessio?" in quired Sandow, when they wero alone; " and how do you goton'with her ?" " How do 1 get on with hor ? Why, Frank, you do not expect mo to make her an offer within an hour of my arrival ?"

" You could lead up to it." "We havo led up to it well," roplied Gustav. "Wo have quarrolled finely." Sandow, who had seated himself near his brother, looked up as if he could not trust his ears.

" Quarrelled I What about 1 What a way of beginning a courtship I" " Why not? At least excludes tho possi bility of indifference I need not fear that from Miss Clifford. She is much prejudiced against me, and thinks my obedience to your orders a sort of treason to my native land "

" Yes, the girl has her head full of ideas out of novels," said Sandow impatiently. "Thoßentimentaleducationhermothergavo her caused that. Clifford would never in terfere, though he had plenty of common sense himself. He idolised his only daughter, and thought everything sho did was good and pretty. You will havo to deal with this exaggeration when Jessie is your wife." An ironical smile played round Gustav's mouth as he replied, " Are you so certain that she ever will be? It seems to me my most brilliant prospect is that she will give me the mitten."

"A girl's foolishness, nothing more. She has got it into her head that marriage must be preceded by romance and love making." JTor you, though," and Sandow scanned his brother's handsome figure, " it ought not to be difficult to win her favour in 3pite of whims, and my authority will do the reft. Jessie is not independent enough to stand out long." " I have seen no lack of independence," remarked Gustav, drily.J" Miss Clifford was energetic enough when Bhe made me the flattering revelation that my acquaintance ship was the bitterest disillusion of her life."

Sandow frowned. " She told you that ?" " Plainly, and with appropriate indigna tion and contempt. She is a singular mixture of maidenly reserve and true American Independence. At home a young girl would hardly have dared to read a stranger such a lecture on his first arrival." "Yet Jessie is thoroughly German," said jSandow. " She is the image of her mother, apd has not a feature of her Ameri can father. But let us come to the prin cipal point. JL had no doubt th^t you would accept my ofFe?, that you did it so promptly J am very pleased at, for it Bhows ma that, in spite of aU your ideal istic scribbling, you have a coel head on your shoulders, and kpow how to calculate chances, which is the most needful thing here. Jessie is in every regpect a brilliant match, much better than you would other wisehave won. To me it is important that the very considerable fortune of the Cliffords should remain in the business. So our in terests are similar, and I hope we shall be content with each other." "I hope so," was Gustav'slaconic answer. The purely business light in which his brother regarded the projected marriage seemed as repulsive to him as the criticism on his scribbling was annoying. <• Then as to our correspondence, con tinued Sandow. "You will enter as a volunteer £o learn tho business. It will not be difficult tQ anyone with the education and intelligence ypu l»ve: tho rest will come with practice and familiarity. When V6 ur engagement to Jessie is declared you Vv»[ he a partner in tho firm; so dp not dawdleoi'sr your declaration. As anhoiress, j£dW.4«° ™f sought after and eho will be of age next year. Moreover, I have some considerable speculations in hand, and must be free to employ the whole *tsssZwAj» Cli£ord f and I must cot married J" added .Hustav. "It is evident you know how to,combine elements VSJtIS characterised *« conversation W r^oned" 2 like figures-that is tho eepvet & *f f,BB^ any pase, you have reason po fee t*a"™» fo/the opportunity. It secures you aUtfre advances of this marriage, and my fortune too. You know I have ( no heir, and no nearer relation than you. , "Noothei-reallyf asked Gustav• to a significant tone, wbfo he looked intently .at hisErother, , , .. " Mo." There was a cold severity m the i monosyllable. „ T "So you have not altered your views 7 } thought, as years passed, you might admit other consideration and at last give your

" Silence !" interrupted Sandow, "Do not cay that word! the past exists no longer for me, shall never exist. I bunea it when I left Europe." " And the memory of it ?" "ThattQo; and I will not be reminded of it You have tried to do so several times in your letters, and my displeasure should have been plain enough. Why do you re turn to the subject ? Do you wish to annoy "or—" here he turned a piercing look S his brother, "have you perhaps any other

heavily for this knowledge, for it has made you quite another man, I find no trace of tho man you were in Europo." Sandow smiled bitterly. "No, thank God ! there is nothing left of the soft fool who wished well to all the world, and trusted everyone, to the end that ho might repent of it for ever. He ■whose blind confidence in mankind cost him honour, happiness, and life as mine did, will seek another way of being even with the world. But no more of the past. I threw it away; let it rest 1"

" Miss Clifford is waiting," said the foot man as lie opened the door of the next room. The brothers rose. The turn the conversation had taken appeared to make the interruption a welcome one to both of them. They went into the adjoining dining room, where Jessie was waiting for them. In a few minutes Gustuv had quite regained his gaiety. He approached the young lady and offered her his arm, as if nothing had occurred between them. " Miss Clifford, I have the honour of formally introducing myself to you as a volunteer of the house of Clifford and Co.; I look upon you as my second head, and recommend myself to your favour." And without noticing the cold behaviour of his "second head," ho took the arm Jessie hardly offered, and led her to tlio tablo. CHAPTER 111. CUSTAV MAKES A STKANOK REQUEST. The house of Clifford was, as we have said, one of the first in the town. Tho numerous omployfe, tho spacious offices, and the busy movement of tho place, all evinced to strangers tho importance of tho great house of business whoso head really took an ox coptional position in the commercial world of that part. Gustav Sandow, who was to have a share in all this, though ho at first contented himself with tho modest position of a volun teor, had now entered on his vocations, but showed little enthusiasm for them. His brother remarked with displeasure that ho looked upon tho wholo thing as a sort of entertainment with which ho was amused, and of which only tho now and unfamiliar aspocts attracted him. Ho showed nono of tho gravity and dignity of a futuro master, and used his liberty as a volunteer to tho utmost. Tho sights of the city, its surroundings and society appoared much more attractive to him than his brother's ottico. That brother warned him with his usual sovority, and demandod groator at tention to tho intorosts of the business. Gustav invariably confessed ho was right, but ns invariably pleasod himsolf, and to all reproaches rophod ho was as yot only a guest, and must familiarise himsolf with his new surroundings. Between him and Miss Clifford had arisen a relationship half quarrelsome, half con fidential. They were in truth on a war footing, and Jossio did hor best to keep their relations on this basis. But ehe found it difficult, for her opponent showed hor such periect amiability and friendliness that nothing could overcome it. The by no means flattering criticism of his character which ho had heard on his first arrival had evidently not shocked him in the least, On :he contrary.he showed hor every attention, with which ho managed to mingle the familiarity of daily companionship, and Jessie saw with horror the wooing sho had so strenuously rejected, and aa she thought finally, develop formally boforo her eyes. One morning, about a week aftor the arrival of tho now guost, when broakfast was finished, Gustav remained to describe »omo of his experiences of travel for Miss Clifford, and he did it with Buch sparkling vivacity and glowing colour that Jossio was intoresteu and attracted against hor will. Sandow, however, who was looking up some business notes in his pocket-book, listoned with one ear only, and said, in a jesting tono, whon his brother had finished :

" One would think you had only undor taken tho journey to find material for your former political and artistic articles. Land scapos, architecture, popular lifo—you have studied them all, but you say hardly a word of tho business affairs which you ought to have attended to. You have beon overy whero that my introductions carried you to, but you seomed only to have dined with the gentlemen and talked politics." "\Vom» not going to talk business at tablo," said Gustav. "That is a pleasure only you would offer your guests. I bo liove you would think it a most profitable invention if sleeping and eating could bo dispensed with. What a gain in business hours for much-plagued humanity !" Je3sie,half shocked,lookedatherguardian. Sho knew ho was vory sensitive on this point, and Gustav knew it too; but he went on saying such things to his face day after day. Ho knew how in masterly fashion to turn off his brother's somewhat disdainful and superior manner, so that he never seemed to bo the inferior or dependont one of the two. Sandow, whoso strength did not lie in readiness of speech, generally left the field before his jests. So now ho closed his note-book and rose, saying sarcastic ally: " You at least do not belong to tho much plagued ones, you make your vocation easy enough. But I wish to speak to you in my room before we go to tho office about the New York affair.

"I will como directly," replied Gustav, but he remained quietly seated while the other left the room, then turned to his neighbour. "Have you ever seen such a mania for work as my brother has, Miss Clifford ? At breakfast ho makes business notes, at dinner he studies the stock market, and I am positive ho speculates in his dreams."

" Yes, he is restlessly active," answered Jessie. "But he demands the Bamo from others ; you should not keep him waiting, since important business depends on it." Gustav took not the least notice of this very plain hint to go. "It is about Jen Kins & Co. That amiable firm is besieging us with letters and tele grams about a speculation we have under taken in common. I am in no hurry for the interview.and my brother is very lenient when he leaves me in your company." This was indeed th« case. Sandow, for his own immediate reasons, was glad to leave his brother in Jessie's company in any way, and pardoned him much unpunetual ity on that account. The insinuation, how ever, was very unfavourably received by the young lady, who could find nothing to reply to it, "Moreover, I v«ry much wish to speak to you alone," continued Gustav. " I have sought for an opportunity for some days in vain."

A cold, reserved " Yes " was the only en couragement that fell from Jessie's lips. So, in hardly a week, this man dared to come to her with his offer, in spite of her wilfully discouraging behaviour, and plainly expressed dislike. He sought it in spito of her to fulfil the partnership deed which as signed him the hand of tho heiress, and did it with as calm an equanimity as if he had been claiming a right. "I have a request to make you," he began again. " A request which if you grant it will bind me to you for ever." Miss Clifford sat as if made of stono, and her looks expressed without a doubt that sho was not prepared to grant the request. She summoned all her energy to reject the coming offer with sufficient decision. Gustav, however, took no notice, but said with a pleaeant smile :— "It is about a young countrywoman of mine."

"A country woman !" repeated Jessie in the highest degree astonished at this new turn of affairs. " Yes, a young German girl, whose ac quaintance I made on the passago. We crossed 'on tho same boat. She was going alone to a relation in New York who had sent for this orphan, and with whom she was to live in the future. But ori landing it was found that the relation had been dead a week, and the jwor child was left alone and desolate in a new wpi'ld." « go you took charge of her ?" Jessie re marked in rather a gharp tono. >' Certainly;' I took hpj: to a German family I knew of, where jthey peeejve.fi her for a time. J}»f) she cannot remain there long, an/} for a gjr) of sixteen, with no re commendations, ft will be dittipult, indeed almost jmposaible, Jn ah overcrowded plaeo like New York, to find ft eituatjon as governess or pompanion. In tjjls plafle it would perhaps be easier, especially if she were recommended by the reopected house of Ch'ffbrd, The favour I ask is that you would receive the young lady as a guest for a week or two, until she can find a situa tion." Jessie was always ready to help when she had the power, and a countrywoman of her mother's hadspecialclaimson her sympathy, but the quarter from whence the suggestion came filled her with distrust. In her eyes Gustav Sandow was not the man to take up a fellow-creature out of pure philanthropy. Such an egotist must surely have another motive for his actions; so her answer was somewhat reserved. "I am startled at the idea. How could I receive a perfect stranger into the house who, as you say yourself, has no introduc tions whatever V "I will be surety for her," interrupted Gustav warmly, '' Anything you wish." f' Oh!" An idea began to dawn on Jessie. She efts' ths dreaded offer vanish in the dis tance, and a way out of the difficulty which she bad never thought of t

" You seem to know yonr protege very well, and to be extraordinarily interested in her?"

"Enough to do this for hor. It is a mere Christian duty to an orphan."

" I did not know you were so good a Christian, Mr Sandow," said Jessie ironi cally.

" Then you havo misjudged me in that as in so many other respects, Miss Clifford," replied Gustav lightly. " Where common humanity is concerned I am thoroughly Christian."

The young girl's lips smiled somewhat sarcastically at the word "humanity,"but the affair began to interest her, and she in quired farther. "So you wish for an in vitation to this house for ?"

"Miss Frieda Palm, that is her name." " I will speak of it to my guardian, and if he co»sents "

" Excuse me, no, that is just what I wish to avoid," interrupted Gustav. "I do not wish my brother to know that she comes on my introduction. Would it not be possible to present Miss Palm as your protege, recommended to you by a friend in New York, and whom you mean to recommend. The suggestion is an extraordinary one, I perceive it by your face, but I throw myself on your tender mercies." Jessio's face indeed showed how much she was surprised ; sho measured the speaker with a long, searching look. " It is in fact a very strange suggestion. You request, in short, that I" should play a trick upon my guardian. For what motive ?" "For no bad motive—though it must for the present remain my secret." " Your secret is not difficult to guess, at least not to me," said Jessie mockingly, but with a great feeling of relief at the turn affairs wero taking. " Confess now that your interest in this young lady is much deeper and more oanient than you profess, and that you have a certain end to gain in introducing hor hero." Gustav bowed his head as if ashamed. " I confess it is." "And you are afraid for more reasons that one that yonr brother will regard this interest with unfavourable oyes?" " I confess that too." "So Miss Palm- is to romain unrecog nised in our house until her good qualities may win sympathy and acquiescence, and till you dare to tell tho truth." "Miss Clifford, yourpenetration is beyond belief!" said Gustav in a tone of tho groat ost admiration. "It is impossible to con ceal anything frem you. Since you have so thoroughly understood me, may I count on your holp 1" Tho young lady drew horsolf up haughtily. " I have novov had anything to do with deception of any kind, and I would have nothing to do with this, if it woro not " Here she stopped short, and flushed slightly. " If it wero not for a certain schomo of my brother 'c," added Gustav. " You do not agroo with him in that; I Baw it whon I first arrived. So much tho loss nood you fear that I should be in doubt as te the grounds of our allianco. They aro not llattoring to mo, but in this caso thoy aro convenient." "Convenient!" repeutod Jeasio with contempt. " That is tho measure of every thing with you. You aro afruid of a breach with your brothor if you choose your wifo without his con sont, and I know that would happen, since yonr choico happens to be a poor de serted orphan. It is, moreover, convenient to attain your end by undorhand means. It would bo moro manly in you to go to your brothor and confess your love to him at all risks. But on such points wo think differently, Let Miss ?alm know that I ox pect hor. Sho can sot out on roceipt of your letter."

"That is unnecessary," said Gustav quietly. "I havo alroady written to hor. Sho ia alroady on her way, and will arrive by tho afternoon express train."

This was too much for Jessie; sho looked full at hor bold guest.

"So it was decided, was it? You aro vory considorato, Mr Sandow !"

"1 counted on your kindness of heart," ho roplied with a low bow.

" You counted much more on that scheme of my guardian's; I have unconsciously made myself your confederate. Well, lot it be. I will do my best, for your convenience, to come to an agreement with your brothor. As soon as your betrothed arrives ploase bring her to me. Sho shall meanwhile re main in tho houso as if in my charge." And with a cold bow sho rose and left tiie room. Gustav looked after her with a singular Hiuilo on his lipg.

"Every inch scorn. But it suits her wonderfully. I am playing a very poor part in the pieco, but it does not matter if Frieda can only make her footing in tho house suro."

(To he Continual.)

SPOUTS AND PASTIMES.

(From Ovu London Cobkkspondext.)

Tun third international meoti»g botweon the Manhatten A.C. and tho Moseley Har riers was held at Birmingham on Saturday, 19th July. There wore throe international races, and In two of these the Americans succeeded in carrying off first prizo. The most intorestingcompotition of theafternoon was a 1,000 yds. handicap. Aftor a magni ficent raco this was won by Snook (32 yds. start), who defeated L. E. Myers, of the Manhatten A.C. (scratch), by 2 yards. Myers gradually worked through his men, and passed Snook in the straight 100 yds. from homo ; in the last 20 yds., however, Snook rushed in front again, and won by two yardi; Cox, of the Birchfield Harriers, third. Myers succeeded in reducing the English record lor the distance, 2 mm. 16 l-sth sec, by two seconds.

The Half Mile Scratch Race resulted in an easy victory for H. E. Fredricks (Man hattan A.C.), who ran away from his op ponents, and won by 10 yds., in 2 mm. 1 2-sth seog.; J. E. Hickman, Becond; G. Slynn, third. The Walking Race, as usual, turned out very uneventful. The distance was three miles, and the following competed :—F. P. Murray (Williamsburgh A.C.), J. Jervis (Liverpool), and J. W. Grovos (Edgbaston Harriers). Tho race was very uninteresting, Murray led all the way, Jervis second, and Groves last, the Amorican ultimately winning by fifty yards, in 21 mm. 48 sees.

On the same afternoon the Fifty Miles Amateur Bicycle Championship wasdecided on the Crystal Palace track. Eleven riders started, but only the following three com pleted the distance:—F. R. Fry (Clifton B. C), C. S. Wtdey (Eastbourne 8.C.), and F. J. Nicholas (Beckenham 8.C.). Early in the race the last-named lost a treadle, and the others left him far behind; but he started again, and gradually crept up till, at the end of tho forty-ninth mile, all three were in close company. And now began a splendid struggle : for the whole of the last mile the throe wero almost level; 200 yds. from home, Nicholas was leading by two yards, but in tho straight, Fry and Wadey both passed him, the Clifton man winning by a yard, Nicholas seven yards behind. Time: 2 hrs. 51 mm. 16 and 3-sth sees.

Some interesting cricket matches have been played during the last few days. Nottinghamshire beat Yorkshire by 7 wickets. Score : Yorks, 95 and 199 (Bates, 116); Notte, 114 and 181 for three wickets (Shrewsbury 61, Flowers, not out, 53). After an exciting match Sussex succeeded in beating a fair eleven of Kent by 113 runs. Score : Sussex, 98 and 294 (Tester 137); Kent, 116 and 163. The victory of Sussex was mainly due to the fine batting of Tester, who made 137 in splendid form.

In their match against Lancashire, Surrey gained a very creditable victory. The play throughout was extremely brilliant, and the finish very exciting, the Southern county ultimately winning by 29 runs. Score: Surrey, 103 (Shuter 56, Wood, not out, 34) and 95 (Diver 33, M. Read 32); Lancashire, 126 (A. G. Steel 39) and 103 (Barlow 22, A. d. Steel 20). The Gentfemon of Philadelphia defeated the Gentlemen of Surrey by three wickets, after a pleasant but unevenjiful game. Score: Philadelphia, 151 and 229 for seven wickets; Gentlemen of Surrey, 190 and 18!),

Surrey gained an ea3y victory over Hamp shire, defeating them by 10 wickets. Surrey scored 324 (J, Shuter 125 and W. E. Rolicr 09) and 1 for no wicket; while Hampshire made 127 and 197 (Long man 78, Armstrong 48).

A correspondent of a London paper says that the number of country houses where lawn tennis is played on Sunday afternoons is large, and is growing larger. Ho tells of a house that could not be let last season because the owner wished to make it a con dition of the lease that the tennis courts should not be used on Sundays. Even billiards are played on Sundays, he says, and almost everything except cards games. But notwithstanding this relaxation of the rules of Sunday observance, it would be regarded as something unpardonable not to appear in a black coat on Sunday morning. "ROUGH ON RATS."-Clean out rati, viM, roMhll, files. anU, tacMnip, beetles, iuaeota, eknula,Jsck-r»6blt», eoidun. At Urugglnti, Mi-i.

DOUGHTOWN SCRIP.

A New Zealand Mining Experience,

[By Archibald Forbes in the "English

Illustrated Magazine."]

Perhaps I ought to begin by mentioning that this is not a "City Article." Nor am I either a broker or a jobber, although I do propound the question—Does any reader ardently burn to possess himself of some Doughtown scrip ? If go, lam prepared to supply a considerable parcel of the same.

It behoves me to explain, first, what " Dough town scrip" is, and secondly, how I camo to be a holder of it. It is necessary to begin by being geographical.

Nearly the whole of the west coast of the Middle Island of New Zealand is auriferous. Fifteen yearn ago the diggings there were perhaps the richest in the world. It seemed as if you could hardly go wrong. A ship's boat disembarked you on tho black sand of the sea-shore. You need have gone no further, but simply have shovelled theblack sand into your dish, washed in the sea water, and lo I there was a rich golden residuum. Ton thousand diggers—you could not call them miners—were delving in the black sand of a long strip of beach sixty miles south of Hokitika. On the low ridge behind the sand was a long row of canvas drinking-shopa and canvas dance houses. It was the same on the beach between Hokitika and Greymouth. Inland for miles the valleys of every creek swarmed with toiling diggers. Hokitika to-day mouldero along with a population of some 2,000 souls, and a digger on the " bend " in its quiet decorous public-houses would be regarded as a strange curiosity. Fifteen or sixteen years sgo there waß gathered in and about it a population of some 30,000 able-bodied adults, with no thought in any mind but of gold. Teeming steamers arrived twice a week from Melbourne, and discharged their living cargoes to increase the busy, light-hearted throng. These were the halcyon dayß of " the Speckled Hen," the "Murrumbidgee Barge," "Topping Annie," and other gay allegorical persons of light heart and lighter manners, who looked scornfully at little nuggots, and thought poorly of tho economist who callod fora single bottle of champagne after a couple of circuits in the waltz's giddy maze, The region had something amazingly Hk« a civil war all to itself, when a small army of gentlemen of the Irish persuasion broke open the gates of the cemetery, and when a serried battalion of six hundred Scotch Highland miners marched into the town with pick handle on each brawny shoulder, and in a quiet business-like fashion tendered their services to tho warden, " to drive the Feniana into tho sea." A strong, wise, masterfully discrent man, Mr Bonner, ruled the storm and assuaged it, but not until he had locked up a revolutionary priest, and exorcised martial law carried out at the pistol muzzle by Volunteers who bad rallied to his support, It was a great triumph for him to bo sblo to decline the offer tho the ooloninl Government made him of a battalion of regulars to help him keep the peace. Ho know the men ho had to deal with, and to have had the soldiers would have been to draw tho sword and throw away the scabbard. Gold-mining is still an industry of this remote, isolated coast-line. But there is hardly any "surface" work now. A " rush " occurs occasionally, but it is a very mild "rush," with no feature of the old buoyant, rockleu, wicked rushes. "Kentuck," after a brief acquaintance with tho " Luck " for whom and with whom ho died witli so tondor a manhood, know moro about baby-ways than the mass of tho New Zealand minors of the old days. A decent woman in a mining camp was a phenomenon in pottiooats; Now gold mining is a settled industry. The miner is married, has a wonderful genius for a large small family, and, as liko as not, owne his cottage. When lie migrates to a new rush, he takes liis life belongings with him. The track through the tree-stumps among which are dotted about the tents and the shingle huts, swarms with children. There is a school in gear boforo the temporary settlemont is a fortnight old. Mrs Miner brings her man his dinner in a basin out to tno hole in which he is at work, or sends it by one of the bairns; when ho drops work for the day he comes homo to the domestic tea, and to his own firosido if it bo winter time—to tho family mosquitoes in the sum mer. Thoro is no danco-houso now on all tho west coast. " Tho Specklod Hen " as tho wife of a mining manager, is tho " leader of Society " in an outlying mining township. " Topping Annie " is the sedate widow of a local government functionary, and han the reputation of devoutsess and considerable woalth. Altogether the region has long since ranged itself, abjured sack—l won't say whisky—and taken to live in a cleanly decorous fashion.

I suppose that this "Westland," as tho province is called, is the most universally gold-impregnated region in the world. You may "wash" anywhere you please within ton or twelve miles of the sea, and you will not fail to get " colour," only the proportion of ?old to solid U not everjrwere sufficient to raako gold getting profitable; nor is an adequate supply of water uniformly pro curable. But there is gold everywhere. The region is overlooked by Mount Cook, a huge snow-capped mountain some 17,000 feet high. A soaring genius proposed to assail Mount Cook bodily on the hydraulic principle, by directing on it vast compressed jets of water raised from out old Ocean's bed. He had not yet carried out his neat little project; but if he ever does he will have locally stolen a march on the day speci fied by prophecy as that on which the mountain tops shall be overwhelmed in the great deep. But although Mount Cook stands yet scatheless, the jet of water from the nozzle of the gold-miner's simple hydraulic apparatus is eating shrewdly into banks and ridges of a more humble altitude. The process is simple enough. The water must be plentoously forthcoming. The stream from the nozzle of a huge hose is di rected dead on the auriferous "face." Everything comes away under the remorse less play of this fierce douche—soil, boulders, the spreading root-stools of felled trees. The chnotic torrent rushes downward, along a compressed channel, in the bottom of which are tho long narrow boxes wherein the particles of gold fall and lio, partly because of their weight, partly because intercepted by roughnesses and hole* that act us traps. Some of these hydraulic .enterprises are on a large scale, and pay steady and increasing dividends.

It was not as a gold-miner that I visited Westland in a recent March—that in the autumn season in New Zealand—but as a lecturer. With all its roughness, there is hardly any more intelligent chance aggre gation of humanity in the world than a gold-mining community. It is sure to pos sess in its curious mixture that would per haps be metro accurately defined as a jumble, an exceptional number ot educated men who retain their taste for reading. Out of the world by force of their conditions, gold-miners retain a keen interest in the world, especially the world of action. They follow the story of a campaign with engrossed interest. They take sides while Britain is not in the arena; in that case they are all on one side with a grand fervour. They stand with Chard and Bromhead in side the frail stronghold of Rorke's Drift, and in fancy, with flushed faces and spark ling eyes, they charge home with the big troopers at Kassassin. It was, as I suppose, because the plain, blunt stories I tried to tell on the lecturing platform were tales of campaign and battle-field that they sent to tell me they wanted me to go among them.

The message came to me at Christchurch just as I was making ready to make a re luctant departure from beautiful, hospitable New Zealand. I took it as among the best compliments that over had been paid me, and postponing my departure, pro ceeded to obey the summons. Then came the question how to get from Christchurch to Westland. Christchurch is cleso to the east coast of tho island, the capital of the province of Canterbury, the most fertile and the most socially charming region of all New Zealand. Westland lies on the op posito coast of the same island. But be tween the inhabitated portions of the two provinces there stretches a lofty range of rugged, precipitous mountains, with snow covored summits and glacier-clad sides. Through the ravines of these there has been made a road, oompared with which, in dizzy boldress of engineering, any roacl.making of which I have had experience, whether in tha Alps, the Carpathians, the Balkans, or the Himalayas, is tamo and prosaic. A coach traverses this road three times a week. On this coach I booked myself for a box-seat. My Christchurch friends cheer fully asked me where my will was, in case of accidents, warned me to sit tight, and if I got nervous to shut my eyes; and away I went by train across the fertile Canterbury plains to Springfield, the village at the foot of the mountains where the railway ends and the coach begins. It was a staring red vehicle—was the coach—hung in the American plan on long leather bands from front to rear. The team consisted of a pair of wheelers, and three leaders harnesßed abreast. The coachman

companion, and apparently not bothered with any nerves. It was a pleasant ride until the gloaming. There had been awkward descents done at a hand-galop, that suggested unpleasant Speculations as to the vehicle's, not to say the passengers' ultimate destination if a wheel should come off. But there had beon nothing very trying, and much that had been very beautiful. The gaunt moun tain topi all around, the lovely lakes down in the basins, whose deep blue waters we had skirted; the long pale green stretches of upland ; the romantic wooded valleys in to which we had plunged so abruptly and emerged with equal abruptness ; the cheery wayside taverns, lonely in the midst of the solitude, whose succulent mountain mutton we had eaten with appetite whetted by the pure keen mountain air—all went to make up an exceptionally pleasant and indeed memorable experience. Wo had lost time somewhero, and tho short southern gloam ing was about us, when the driver quietly muttered, as we turned sharp round a corner, "I don't like the Waimakariri gorge after sundown." It is with every emphasis that I record my assent to this expression ; and yet when it was all over, I was not sorrj' that the experience had be fallen ua. We went at a hand-gallop on a track just wide enough and no more, for our three leaders abreast. About five hun dred feet sheer below—sheer oxcept in places where the cruel, jagged crags roared their horrid heads—roared and boiled the furious torrent of tho Waimakariri River. One could just discern through tbe gathering gloom the deep blackness of sullen gloomy pool alternating with the dingy white of the tortured rapids writhing their vexed course through the rocks that impeded the river bed. Above us towered a beetling crag-wall as high, where theeyocouldcatch itssky line, as the drop on the side next the river was deep. But this was only in places ; for the most part it actually overhung us, and the narrow road was notched out of its looming faoo. It overhung worst at tho sharp bonds of tho road, as it followod the curves, the projections, and the indentations of that serrated precipice. Not once, but often, the leaders as they galloped round a turn were clean out of our sight, and there was but the point of the pole projecting over the profound, ere as yet the wheelers, urged close to the yergo that the wheels might clear the projecting buttrosß, complied with the sharp bend, borne round on their haunches by the driver's strong left arm. His attention was concentrated on his work, but once he spoke, and I would rather he had held his tongue. "Do you see those dim white specks on the flat top of that crag below us? Those are the bleached bones of some horses. They were pasturing on tho upland above us, when a sudden scare sent them over the precipice. They fell clear outside the road without touching it, and brought up where you see their bones down there."

It was full dark ere we got through the gorge. Then tho moon rose as we galloped across tho upland flat, and drew up in front of "The Bealey" Hotel, the half-way house. "The Bealey "is a sort of hospico soveral thousand feet above the soa level. All around it hang tho everlasting glaciers. From their smooth, cruel, cold blue faces, we saw tho moonbeams refracted inhospitably. But thoro was no inhospitality inside "Tho Bealey." A great log fire blazed in the ample chimney of the old fashioned panelled parlour, and how good was that juicy slice of mountain mutton oaten with the great floury potatoes ! The landlord gave me a posy of edelweiss that he had culled tho same day on the glacier edge behind the house; ho had tried the plant i i his garden, but it would not thrive. The thin ice was on tho bath-tub next morning, and it was cruel cold when, long before sun-up, the coach ronowed its iourney. A long heavy stage in the shingle led of the Bcaloy river, whero wo saw the wreck of a coach that had been caught in a freshet and whirled down a few miles ere it had brought up, led to a stoop climb on to a bare saddle whoso summit was the highest point of tho journey. Then followed tho abrupt, tortuous descent into the dismal Gehenna of the Otara corge.

I remember nothing so ■weird. What ever lay before us beyond the summit of the saddle lay unrevealed and mys terious in a veil of dense white mist. Into this vaguoness we plunged at a gallop, whirling with startlingly sharp twists down a etoep zigzag. From out the hidden mist wrapped depths rose an omin ous roaring turmoil. There were fleeting glimpses of sheer precipice, its lip just grazed by the coach-wheels. Down and yet down, till in a sudden wheel, ono looked dizzily over the edge to see whito water tearing and struggling far below. Then cataracts dashed from the rocks above us sheer down into the water below us, leaving road and the wayfarers on it dry behind their feathery spray that sparkled in the early sun which was fighting with the fog. Stretched of road down in the gorge here were laid on tree trunks that bridged the spaces from projection to projection. I'laces were worn to a slant by the torrents that battled and foamed their way across the track, and here and there the outer edge of the road crumbled and gave under the coacli wheels. One final sharp wriggle, we had darted across a wooden bridge hanging above the foaming torrent, and then the Otara gorge was behind us, and we were pulling up outside the lonely breakfast house. We wore in Westland.

A few miles further, and we were in the " twelvo mile avenue." Surely there is no avenue under the sun to compare with this wondrous natural arcade ! High overhead the tall pines interlace their dark green branches, their sombre stiffness diversified by the tenderer tint of beech leaves, and by the long graceful pendulous sprays ot the weeping birches. This is the roof of this glorious aisle of Nature's cathedral; but of Ft, and of the sunlight struggling down through it, you catch mere glimpses. For the aisle has a lower roofing of green lace. The avenue is lined by the boles of tree ferns, up whose brown bark the delicate ivy and the flowering creepers twine ; and the arching fern fronds, springing gracefully in wide curves from each stem-top, meet and interweave droopingly overhead. In this fairy avenue it is always cool and shady. There is ever the sound of lazily dripping water from some hidden rill percolating through the lavish tangled undergrowth. The greenery oppresses you with no sense of monotony ; for clambering out on every branch, and clinging to every frond stem, tho creeping rata expands its wild wealth of crimson blossoms. If there be a break in the avenue for an instant, there is a glimpse of the mountain face opposite, its lower slopes hazily purple with the flush of rhodo dendron blossom; higher up, the cold bine glaoior, and above everything, towering into the azure sky, the fantastic snowy peaks. This avenue is simply a dream of beauty twelve miles long. Were there no pink terraces in New Zealand, were there no Sydney Harbour, with its lovely picturesque indentations, were there no Mount Macedon in Victoria, no Blue Mountains in New South Wales, no Mount Lofty in South Australia, no Hawkesbury, no Fitzroy, no water-sheen from Rangitoto, no Sounds between Nelson and Picton more picturesque than any Norwegian fjord, were there no more scrap of scenery in all the Australasias, the soft mystic beauty of this avenue would repay the pains of a journey across the world. But it is not yet—at the end of the "twelve miles avenue " where Doughtown is to be found. Emerging from the avenue the coach has to ford the Takamakow River. Even in the quietest time this is no easy feat, for the boulders in the river bed are big and shifting, and the deep current flows swiftly. This river comes down in the most strangely sudden freshlets. It is told of a flock of Bheep that it was driven from Can terbury to Westland without crossing the Takamakow. That happened thus. At night the shepherd drove his flock across an old dry bed of the stream on to a grassy patch that had once been an island. There was rain during the night up in the moun tains. In the morning when the shepherd went on with intent to ford the river, he found no river to ford, only a bed in which some pools still lingered. While he slept the river had come down in flood, and carved its way back into the old bed ! From the Takamakow the coach whirls on through the Kumara mining township, and beyond through others till it roaches its destination, in moist, quiet, aleepy Hokitika.

The day after a lecture night in Hokitika, on which occasion necessity compelled the use of a " property " monument as a reading desk, the cover of which of course fell off at the most enthralling passage, and disclosed, amid the cheers of the audience, an inscrip tion which described the monument as " sacred to the memory of the sainted Maria," some friends were kind enough to drive me out to look at the " Humphrey's Gully." gold-mining claim. It was a plea sant drive, through picturesque country, in which nestled quaint mining hamlets that already had taken on a strangely old world aspect. Everywhere ware ferns such as would have given ecstasies to a British fancier; and over the fern-verdure waved the tall sombre pines. A broad placid river flowed gently down to the sea, margined by paddockswhosograsshadthegreennessofthe old country. And above the flowing water, ', clineine on tho slopes between the river meadows and the ferns, there were pretty picturesque cottages over whose porches and gables trailed the roses and honeysuckles. About ten miles from Hokitika we pulled up at a lona public house, where we were to leave the vehicle: for the rest of the wav to

where Humphrey's nozzle played on the " face " of his Gully was to be done only on foot, and not very easily thus, as I had occasion to discover.

As we halted, there emerged from t!ie bar of the public-house a man. He wore the long boots and the woollen jumper of a miner, but he had accentuated his mission by accoutring himself with a tall hat con siderably the worse for wear. This article of attiro he took off, and deliberately set down on the stoop under the public-house verandah. From its depths he produced a voluminous blue pocket handkerchief which he used with effußion and replaced. Then he accosted the inmates of the vehicle.

He set forth, using grotesquely the longest words he could unearth, that he was a dele gate from Doughtown, which he explained was across the swamp and beyond the ridge. Doughtown had heard that I was being brought out to visit Humphrey's Gully, and had sent its representative to beg with all respect, but with vehement urgency, that I should pay a visit to Doughtown, and favour the inhabitants of that camp with a lecture. It was a young and sequestered place, was Doughtown, he explained; still ch:e.ly in the canvas stage of development. He had been appointed town clerk in advance of tho town ; and he spoke therefore with some official position. If I consented, he would immediately return to Doughtown with the news, whereupon a deputation should betake itself to where we now were, to await our return from Humphrey's Gully, and escort me across to Doughtown in worthy and seemly fashion.

There was only one reply possible to so flattering a request. The delegate rein stated his hat, and diffidently offered to " shout" for drinks round ;he was told, he explained, to spare no expense, only he wished to avoid seeming presumptuous. We walked on into the Gully; he started across the swamp for Doughtown. Of the Gully I will onlysay that it was very rugged, very slippery, and not a little damp. But even in the remote recesses of Humphrey's Gully civilisation was justified of her children. We had " afternoon tea " with a miner's wife in a shanty whose canvas walls were lined with pictures from the " Illustrated News" and "Graphic." The good lady had some children, but professed concern about hsr eldest son, a live youth of twelve. She could not get him to mind his books, for there was no minute of any day that he did not spend in assiduous pros pecting. The young gentleman took me aside later on, and tried to open a negotia tion in relation to a claim which he averred would beat the Humphrey's Gully into tits.

As we approached "Webster's Corner," on the return journey, the Doughtown de putation were visible, lounging under the verandah. We were greeted with a cheer as we drove up, and every member of it duly introduced by the "town clerk," who by this time was himself rather limp, although his tall hat retained its agressive stiffness, solemnly shook hands. They were a fine manly set of follows, thoße Doughtown men ; strapping, upright, bearded, with heads well up, and frank honest eyes. The speech bewrayed that most of them were Scots. They had a final drink round, and then we set out for the two miles' trudge to Doughtown. There was no cart road to that place, and no wheeled vehicle had ever been nearer it than "Webster's." The " town clerk " hilariously led the way; we followed in a posse; and a lone man in the rear trudged with a big stone jar slung by a strap over his shoulder. When we got in the swamp, the miners insisted on carry ing me on a " king's cushion." With inter olaaped hands two abreast theymade a sort of seat on which I sat with an arm round the neck of each of my bearers. I was not in robust health, and they had somehow come to know this : they all but resorted to physical force to ensconce me in the living chair in which I sat. Then we climbed a low green-ridge, and lo! Doughtown lay at our feet.

As regards looks, Doughtown had no great pretensions. There was a higgledy-pip geldy of tents and shanties among the stumps, and all around was the oozy stunted sour-looking forest. Some holes there were, and hillocks of sweaty soil, and here and there a " whim," and yonder a windlass with a bucket close up to the cross-bar. The population, numbering about 200 able bodied men, a good many women and a large assortment of children, had clustered In the foreground, and welcomed our ap psaranco in the distance with vehement cheering and a desultory gun-fire. A few flags waved in the damp languid wind. As we drew near, Doughtown came out to meet us. A grey-bearded man was in ad vance ; him the " town clerk " introduced under the high-sounding title of " the reeve 01 Doughtown." Then with indiscriminate hand-shaking we passed on, until the reeve halted in front of a central shanty which I assumed was the Guildhall and Mansion House of Doughtown all in one. We—my Hokitika friends had accompanied me — were invited inside, where the brown jar made good its appearance, and where, after formal introduction to the conscript fathers, the health was enthusiastically drunk of the person whom the worthy reeve was so good aa to call " our distinguished visitor." After those preliminaries, the formal busi ness commenced on the stoop outside.

Modesty needs that I bury in oblivion the flattering expressions which his worship permitted himself in introducing me to the Doughtown audience. It was necessary for me to explain that having been taken by surprise, I could only speak from memory. But the excellent folks of Doughtown Mere not exacting. Any pause that occurred from a lapse in ready words they filled up with applause. One longer interval than usual they melodiously utilised by singing "For he's a jolly good fellow," right through to tho bitter end. When I had made an end of speaking, " God save the Queen " was sung, partly as a finale, partly as introduc tion to the speeches in which a vote of thanks was proposed. Then it became time for us to go. But I must not go empty handed as it seemed.

I had noticed the " town clerk " with his hat in his hand, dodging about among the audience, standing there out in the open. Presently he came up on to the stoop and whispered to the reeve. That civic chief spread his red cotton handkerchief on the table which had been brought •utsido, and the "town clerk" emptied into the handkerchief the contents of his hat. It was a curiou3 collection. There was a sovereign, stveral half sovereigns, one three pnny piece at least, and quite a number of little nuggets. And this miscellaneous as sortment of metal the reeve announced was Doughtown's contribution in requital of my lecture. He wished, said he, he was sure all wished, that the collection had been four times as lavish, but " thingß," he explained, " are just now rather quiet with us." Of course I could not take the offering—that was out of the question. I declined with gome expression of full satisfaction in the compliment that had been paid to me, the pleasant memory of which any recompence would utterly mar. I picked out a small nugget which I would have set in a ghirt pin as a souvenir, and concluded by wishing success to Doughtown. But theauthorities wereobviously not fully satisfied with this arrangement. There was a consultation between the reeve and the " town clerk." The latter went inside, and camo back with a small packet which he handed to his worship. Then his wor ship commanded silence, and spoke thus : ■ " Sir, to-day will bemetnorable in Dough town annals. It marks the first step in Doughtown's intellectual career. You, sir, have come among us. We are a remote community, but we have energy, persever ance, and industry. You can tell the old country when you go back to it, that in be coming New Zealand colonists, we have not ceased to be Britons. You have heard us, sir, sing 'God Save the Queen,'and that with us, sir, was no unmeaning chant; it came from out our very hearts. We are a peaceful folk. You have described battles to us, and I am sure you had no listener who was not glad that his lot has not been cast in such scenes. But there is no man of us who would not brave all dangers and horrors you told us of on behalf of Queen and country. You will do us a good turn if you will let that be known at home. And, sir, you decline to take any recompense for the trouble you have given yourself this day on our account. But we may beg of you to take away with you such a souvenir as may give you an interest in the fortunes of Doughtown. Some of our citizens have just united their mining interests into a company, the prospects of which, it is true, are still in embryo, but in which we allow ourselves firmly to believe. I hold iii my hand, sir, the scrip of two hundred shares in the 'Doughtown United Gold Mining Company, Limited,' and of that scrip, eir, in the name of the community of pougn town, I respectfully request youraccoptance. For the present you will find it unsaleable at any price; but the time may come, sir, when in the words of Dr. Johnson, it may 'enrich you beyond the dreams of avarice. Your acceptance, sir, will give Doughtown a fresh incentive to make the enterprise a success." : ■' I took the scrip. One share I have pasted into my album aßa souvenir. The rest Ido not care particularly about holding. The rumour of an imminent call has reached me. Perhaps I should mention that there is a liability of fifteen shillings on each share. The worthy reev? did not mention this petty circumstance, aiil of course I could not look the gift-horse isfthe mouth. Are there any applicants then for 109 shares of the "Deugh town United" H, ■ -

ARCTIC OBSERVATIONS.

Lieut. Greely's Story of the Lady Franklin

Bay Expedition.

Two Years of Happy Life Spent at Fort Conger.

Tie Tides—Tho Auroras—Explorations— Temperature—Final Sufferings.

Portsmouth, N.H., August 17.—Lieut. Greely stated to a reporter to-day that the object of the Lady Franklin Bay expedi tion was to establish a polar station, one of the thirteen suggested by Lieut. Weyprecht, of Austria, who discovered Franz Josef Land. The expedition was fitted out under the authority of the United States Congress, and wag composed of three officers of the army and one acting surgeon, besides nine teen enlisted men from the army. Stores for twenty-seven months were put on the Proteus, which left St. Johns July 7, 1881, with the party. Two Esquimaux were added to the party at Proven. A landing was made at Carey Island, in the north water, and provisions were cached, and those left by Nares in 1871 in the Alert were found in good condition. At Littleon Island Greely personally covered the Eng lish Arctic mail left by Sir Allen Young, which was left at Pandora in 1876. At Care Ritter Bay in Kennedy's Channel a cache of provisions for use on the retreat was made. Moving to Discovery Harbour, the station was there established on the site occupied by the English expedition of 1875. On August 26th came the parting between the Greely party and the men of the Pro teus. On the evening of the same day the temperature sank below freezing point, and the icy Arctic winter was on them in earnest. At Fort Conger later on in December the temperature sank from COdeg. tj 65deg. below zero, and so remained days at a time. Butevon in that weather thecook's favourite amusement was dancing bare-headed, bare armed, and with slippered feet, on top of a snow-drift. Duringtnadaythemendressedin ordinary outside clothing, but their flannels were vary heavy. Five men were generally for a part of the day engaged in scientific work, under Greely's direction, and in the duties of the camp. The remainder were generally engaged about one hour a day. They devoted the rest of the time to amuse ment. All slept in bunks, Their quarters were heated by large coal stoves, the average heat maintained being SOdeg. above zero. Checkers, cards, and chess were the amusements of the evening. The life, Greely said, was far from being a lonely one, and many of the men said that they never passed two happier years than they spent at Fort Conger.

THE ARCTIC NIGHT AND DAT. On the 15th of October the sun left them for 135 days, and twilight varying from half an hour to twenty-four hours succeeded for two months. It was so dim that the dial of a watch could not be read by it. On April 11th the sun came above the horizon, and re mained there for 135 days, giving the party a great sufficiency of midnight sun. During three mouths the stars were visible, con stantly. The constellations of Orion's Belt and Great Bear, the brightest North Star, looked pown from almost overhead. Stand ing ' along outside the fort on one of the snowdrifts, these night scenes were weirdly grand. To the north flamed the aurora borealis, and bright constellations were Bet like jewels round the glowing moon. Over everything was a dead silence so horribly oppressive that the man alone is almost tempted to kill himself, so lonely docs he feel. The astronomer of the party said that with a naked eye a star of one degree smaller magnitude than can be seen here in the same way might be discerned there. The moon would remain in sight for eleven or twelve days at a time. The thermometer registered on June 13th the highest temperature at Lady Franklin Bay which we knew during our stay. It was o'ideg. above zero. The lowest tempera ture was in February, 1883, when it was 66deg. below zero. ACTION OF THE TIDES, In the course of the tidal observations made, a very interesting fact discovered waa that the tidep at Lady Franklin Bay came from the north, while those of Melville Bay and Cape Sabine came from the south. The temperature of the north tide is 2deg. warmer than that of the south tide at Cape Sabine. Why this was, Greely would not venture to state. The average rise of the spring tides at Lady Franklin Bay was was found to be eight feet. At Cape Sabine the highest tides rise 12 feet. Surf was only abserved twice during the two years. At Lady Franklin Bay the average temperature of the water was 29deg. above zero. Wolves weighing 901bs. were killed around Fort Conger. There are foxes and other animals there. Fish are wonderfully scarce. Perhaps the great est surprise of the expedition was | the taking from Lake Alexander, a fresh-water lake fifteen feet above tea level, of a four-pound salmon. From the bay or sea one or two very small fish were taken during the entire two years, and few are found north of Cape Sabine. The vegetation about Lady Franklin Bay is about the same as at Cape Sabine, and comprises mosses, ichens, willows, and saxifrage. The highest velocity of the wind was registered during a «rrific snowstorm, being 70 miles per hour. lockwood's trip. Lockwood's trip to the North in 1882 and 1883 was productive of the most valuable results. Standing on the 19th May in each year where Dr. Hayes had formerly stood at about the same time of day, Lockwood, from an elevation of 2,000 feet, using his glass on Hall's Basin and Robeson's Chan nel, could discern nothing but ice-packs. Here it was Dr. Hayes claimed to have seen his open Polar Sea. On the trip of 1882 Lockwood reached the highest latitude ever attained, 83deg. 25min. north. This was about 500 miles directly north of Lady Franklin Bay, but to get there he travelled over 1,000 miles of open water and broken packs that frequently caused him to retrace lis steps fifty miles. Lockwood found at his farthest point north about the same vegetation as at Lady Franklin Bay, but no signs of a polar current, nor an open Polar Sea. In 1883 he was stopped near Cape Bryant, 125 miles from Lady Frank lin Bay, by an open channel extending west to the coast of Grinnell Land. The width of this channel varied from 200 yards to five miles, but on the north the ice-packs extended as far as could be seen with a glass. With his supply of provisions, the failure of which had caused his return the year before, Lockwood was confident he could have reached 85deg. north if this open channel had not barred his way. No fossil remains were discovered on the trip, and the only ones found were trunks of trees on the south-west coast of Grinnell Land. The only eea animals seen by Lockwood at this point, 83deg. 25min., were the walrus and seal, and, strange to cay, the walrus is not to be found at Lady Franklin Fay. At 83deg. 25min. the de flection of the magnetic needle was 104deg. west, more than a quarter of the circle. As far as Lockwood went north the eastern end of the Greenland coast continued. All through the two years at Lady Franklin Bay tne magnetic needle was never quiet excepting in storms. PREPARATIONS FOR RETREAT. In February, 1883, preparations for the retreat were made by establishing a dep6t at Cape Baird, twelve miles to the south. Day after day the anxious men looked off over Lady Franklin Bay, expecting the ice to open so that they might commence the journey. At last on August 19, 1883, the welcome news that the ice was open was brought. All had been made ready, anc that very day the party embarked in the little steam launch. Lady Franklin Bay waa crossed to Cape Baird, a distance of thirteen miles, and then the western coast of Grinnell Land was followed south as far as Cape Hawkes, Several times the boats were last. The suffering of the men was great. They were now within nicy miles of Cape Sabine. Striking from Cape Hawkes for Bates Island, the party was caught in an ice-pack and frozen in. DRIFTING QX AN ICE FLOE. They drifted to within 11 miles of Cape Sabine, and were obliged to abandon the steam launch on September 10. The pack now remained motionless for three days, and several timeß the party got within two or three miles of Cape Sabine, only to be drifted back by north-west gales. Five seals were killed and eaten while the party was drifting about. Eventually a heavy north-west gale drove them by Cape Sabine, within a mile of Brevoort Island,, but they could not land. September 22 there arose the most terrible gale they had yet seen on the Arctic Ocean. Their ice floe was driven hither and thither by the tempest, and the waves washed over them again and again, the spray freezing to them, and causing them intense suffering. Night came on, one of inky blackness ; the wind threw the heavy floes together, and crash after crash over the ice breaking from their own floe warned the men that: death was near to them. No man knew what minute the floe, might break upr ._jiwr£.WMKHiU them. "The flrat faint I

■■ light of dWn showed that little remain^ i of the floe on which they were. The seal ft washed another <Jose to them; closer ifcj fi came, and at last, at a word, the mejisujiif J ceeded in getting upon it. The stoJitti If slowly subsided, and they gained land at j j| Esquimau* Point, near Baird's Inlet, SdjpSj S tember 29th. Here winter quarters \ferM ■& built, and scouts were sent to Cape Isabella s and Cape Sabine. In a few days thoy'.'KJS | turned. Their report sent a thrßl of horror! gi to every heart. At Cape Isabella and Gajfi ' J Sabine were found only 1,800 rations, aniK •*; from Garlington's records they leaMßeal the fate of the Proteus. Everyone knevjfj — death must come to nearly all of the partjbi :. long before the ship of rescue could forc«|| .j its way into Melville Bay. Efforts werej jj^ made to sustain the spirits of the mon by 5 lectures and light readings. October 10th,., part removed to Cape Sabine. January • 18th, Cross died of scurvy. In April, tl.e--;; rations issued daily had dwindled to fonjgj o ounces of meat and six ounces of bread, > Man after man died, and all hope had flettl i when, on the last day, the blast of &~\ whistle roused the survivors from th'gjg Nj lethargy of approaching death. >V - RESULT OF THE EXPLORATION. !H

RESULT OF THE EXPLORATION. Lieut. Greely, when aßked to give his - ideas upon the probable results of Arctic . explorations, said: "I do not think the i] North Pole can be reached unless every cir-Hj; cumstance hitherto found to bo unfavour-1 ■_; able shall prove favourable to the pariyg attempting to reach the Pole. If it is to ,ji be done at all, it will be dono ' by way of Franz Josef Land. 1f..; could never be reached by tho Jeannetto g route. That there is an open Polar Seajfe am well-nigh certain. This is proved 1 y ice drifting out of Mussel Bay and Spits.- •!' bergen in midwinter, and the northern _ drift of the polar pack experienced by J'avy \ and Lockwood in 82deg. Bmin. Themettj can stand two winters very weir at Lidy Franklin Bay, but the physical strength rapidly deteriorates. If we had had eveiy . supply and the necessary food,wo could perhaps have lived for ten years at Lady.'?. Franklin Bay." > <-J:&.

THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS

On July 24th, 25th, and 26th the Auatra- r | liana played the twenty-first match of their,-; tour, against the Sussex County eleven. -. The contest took place at Brighton, and.: proved a most exciting one.

The home team won the toss, and com- 'if menoed batting wish Ellie and Tester to the-flf bowling of Cooper and Giffen. The stait.KSj was very bad, Ellis being caught at slip, 3\ and No wham, his successor, stumped, both :| off Cooper's bowling, before the score SMi reached 5. Whitfield, the Sussex captain, .'Mj now joined Tester, and both bit so well that :f j the score was quickly taken to 70, when rj Whitfield was bowled by Palmer for 34; 1 and directly after this, Tester mas caught -,31 at the wicket for 31. Humphreys and Jess ©l'*g j Hide were now together, and by steady •'§' Elay they raised the total to 126, when the.Vff: itterwas bowled by Spoffortfor 29. " G. ; >|! N. Wyatt followed, and the Bcore rose/ cjfl gradually to 161, when Humphreys was out. =i| lbw. Biackman, who came next, Btayed-3|: while 30 runs were scored ; but at 191 Jies||L was well caught in the long-field by s| McDonnell. And now came the remark- j able part of the game. Sussex had seven wickets down for 191, and every one ex- -j pected the innings to close for a .little over ■^Jf 200. But Wyatt was now joined by^tg Phillips, and these batsmen at once put a very different appearance on the game.- 'j*| Wyatt and Phillips at once began to hity.^ and they gave the Australians a rarej.^ "leather-hunt." All bowlers seemed alike-"|| to them, and they hit all over the field. .?¥; Runs came rapidly, and after the pair hadvjfjj been batting 70 minutes, 300 went up. All 31 the Australian?, except Murdoch, Scott, and ;: Bannerniann, were tried with the ball, but \ft none of them could effect the desired separa-: sii tion, until, with the total at 373, Wyatt was ~rs clean bowled by " the demon " for 112. His' ;,;| innings was really a magnificent one, as he, ',< had only given one chance to^Murdoch at * the wicket, when he had made 81. Juniper, .-' the next man in, was immediately bow lid, but Hide and Phillips played out time, the'w score being 387 for nine wickets—Phillip?, '"' 109 (not out), and Hide 4 (not out). Nest * i morning the innings soon came to a rlo'-o. Nine runs were added, and then Phillips I was easily caught at third man, for a 5 splendid 111. His hitting was occasionally .;1J faulty, but he batted very pluckily and ran|i| with great judgment. The Sussex men | must be congratulated on the large score * they made against the fine bowling of the ■T;! Australians. Their total is the largest ever '""; made by any county against the colonialfS] team. ' ,J The Australians commenced batting with '*. ; !i McDonnell and Bannerman, and runs camo ] quickly. Rain somewhat interfered with;q|JH the game, and caused the players to retire :"!'?M now and then ; but the score rose steadily'''ij to 45, when Bannerman was bowled by J.'-'-S Hide for 20. Murdoch came in, and played £j| with great confidence. At 60 McDonnell ;.; was caught at cover-point for 30. Giffen ' " followed, and the score was raised ,to 100, \ when he was clean bowled in attempting to ■ \t drive one of Humphrey's "lobs." Scott SS came next, but at 101 was out lbw .to '* Humphreys, and, in the some over, Bonnor i was bowled by a ball from the same bowler. J Midwinter now joined his captain, and tho play improved vastly. Both batsmen "■'■ played brilliantly, and soon put on 100 runs ' between them. At 220, however, Murdoch was caught at slip for a splendid innings of !W' 87. Palmer followed, and he and Mid- , winter played out time. On Saturday ' $ morning the game was resumed; but, with ' 19 runs added, Midwinter was caught at ': mid-on for a first-rate 67. Spofforth fol- -■; lowed; but, after making 1, was easily *S stumped. Boylo came in, but at 2fufiH Palmer was ako stumped. Cooper followed, .Hm and played steadily, while Boyle knocked up no less than 48 runs before he was bowled ;v .*; by J. Hide, and the innings closed for 309. Sjg Being 87 runs to the bad, the colonials had -■; to follow on, and Bannerman and MoDon- i. Nell commenced batting. After scoring 3, ': Bannerman was easily c and b by Hum- * phreys; and at 10, McDonnell was out in the same way. Giffen now joined Murdoch, htx. but with the score at 13, he too was caught '' offthelobber, and Scott, who followed, was ij out first ball, lbw to the same bowler. Humphreys had thuß performed the "hat- | trick," taking 3 wickets with consecutive ;;• 5 balls. Bonnor and Murdoch were now - partners, and these two improved tho state -'^ of the game considerably, as the score had ■: < risen to 82 before Bonnor was caught at the - wicket for a useful and hard-hit 42. Only ,f two runs later Murdoch was bowled by J. , Hide for 37, put together in his usual care- i^ ful stylo, and Palmer and Midwinter were if; now associated. At 110 Palmer was caught ■ at slip, and at 133 Midwinter was caught at B point for 27, and Cooper was out in the same ><3| manner for S. Spofforth and Boyle each Vi^ put on a fssr runs, but the innings closed; mm, for 144, leaving Sussex 58 runs to get to .J win. The county men had only 55 minutes. :!j; to do this in, and the splendid bowling of:;.^' Spofforth and Midwinter prevented their' vs: obtaining more than 25 of these runs, io.^;"^ doing which they lost four wickets; Tho . batsmen got excited, and in trying impoß-'Sjf sible runs no less than threo of them wereß'S run out. The game thus ended in a draw'tjS' greatly in favour of Sussex.

The Thames Diminishing in Volume.

■ . -"ivM In a communication a few days ago Mr La- jff bouchere drew attention to one important 1 point. He warned lovers of the Thames m that, if they left things to take their course, i ' they might one day have no river to admire >| or enjoy. It is fast disappearing. The I level has sunk several fest in twenty yearj.j|g At certain points a narrow stream mefln"^fiii between shoals and mud banks. Thetrojjfsljg cal heat of these days bas made'thißg«M worse than they ever were. Between Kow^ & and Twickenham the river has dwindled away into a thread-like streak, so that chil dren not long ago were playing in the bed and crossing .'on foot from one side to an other. Writing from Richmond some days ' ago. Mr Bevan endeavoured to convince our 1 readers, by citing startling 'figures, that , I this diminution of volume is sure to bo more marked as time goes on. The Thames which was adequate to the demands made I upon it by a city of one or two millions of inhabitants, is too small for the require ments of a community of the dimensions which London begins to assume. We al ready draw from it more than 70,000,000 gal- ■ lons a day for the daily wants of the me tropolis, and we shall soon want much more ( if London expands at its present rate.—r^iiijl " London Times."

EXPLORATION OF NEW GUINEA.

(Extract Irom the "Melbourne Age," June 13, 1883.) . . . "In connection with the Waltham Watch Company it may be staled that when|Sßgj the pioprietorsof "The Age" desired to present :><• Mb G. E. Mobkison (the Kxplorer to New- '<-'£■& Guinea) with a reliable Chronometer, acting ;■>.'•; upon the advice of Mr R. L, J. Ellery, tha ,'»!-S Government Astronomer, two Waltham Watches were, however, procured tor Mr ■ :Sffl Mokbison iistoad. These were kept at:J&gi|§H Me'hourae Observatory for a fortnight,'i*SSmjS thoiuughl'y and carefully tested, JMid wawyaMiJ pronouoced by Mr J^I t^f^o Bti£ l o^S^BjHK^|

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1884.