RANDOM SHOTS.

{By Zamiei,.]

■iSS§3htopto«taC^l^a_h.. Wrme/analmlneve^fash- .^

Two hundred guineas for three weeks' work is rather a handsomo pay for the rank and file of oiirarmy of politicians. A Cabinet Minister gets £2,500 for hisyear'sresponsible and arduous labours, but at the rate of £70 a week our common "five-eight" members would be paid £3,540 per annum. Well did you say, Sir George, that you wished to •-tempt" men—even the poorest of the down-trodden masses—to enter Parliament. ■She very thought of £3,540 a year is tempt ing, and could not be resisted even by men • who are"supposfidto be free from the fear "of want; and an*_frated by pure and patriotic i considerations. When our present high toned representatives display such grasping avariciousness, I tremble to think what would be the result of placing poor men in -political positions. I fear we should ace a I regular scramble after the "sponduHcs,' . and the greater the depression prevailing : the more desperate would be the struggle ■to get a big share of the spoil. " Zamiei,' .as one of the " poor men " of the colony, • does not quite approve of barefaced venality I in politics, nor does he relish having his interests looked after with an affectionate, ■fatherly solicitude at such a dear price. Though he has pinned his faith to the I "grand old man," he is not so dazzled but • that he eon discern spots upon the sun, and ; he must record his protest against that : vote on Monday night. He has t hot yet exhausted the list of more generous weaknesses, and come to the resolution | foreshadowed by Byron when he wrote.: — '.* So, for a good old-gentlemanly vice, I think I will go in for avarice." :. He thinks fairplay to be a jewel, and if ho ; had been M.H.R. at the present juncture ] he would have blushed to take good money H out of the impoverisbed Treasury for three -Weeks' political recreation, with a marine ■ picnic in the middle of it and a football jollification at the ond. Atthe supper on : Tuesday night the appended song was not sung, but it might have been, and would ; have secured a good chorus :— I yBE MERCENARY MEMBER 9* SONG.

"That LOVELY HONORARIUM"

* Letpoets sing of Woman's charms i '*-. And Love's perennial delights; I I Let patriots sound the call to arms f ■' . To win their country's dearest rights; Far higher themes engage my pen ' • And bid Inspiring verses come— X I sing tho song of Self and Pelf, And that sweet honorarium! ' Chorus—Hey, the honorarium, Ho, tho honorarium- Economy. Is grand, by Gum ; ' But spare that honorarium! We are the noble Liberal band— . Retrenchment and Reform our aim; The serfs and slaves we take In hand— . ~~. And gammon them—yes, that's our game! The bloated land-sharks we denounce; ■ But that is simply fee-faw-fum, ; For like Toraotoussharkß wo pounce . Upon that honorarium 1: , ,*; Chobt/S—That blessed honorarium; That lovely honorarium; It would have madeus look quite glum "'- To lose the honorarium ! * They.thought that we would-io such calves ' ■ As let ono hundred guineas go: '.- . - But then, the gods do nought by halves, -■ And we aro nigh divine, you know. . The "unemployed" may starve for bread, Sir Julius talk of loans to como, •'--'' The public purse must still bo bled . i To pay that honorarium! OHOnos—Pay down that honorarium; We want that honorarium: . "Twill win our seats, and back we'll r" ' '-:■■ come ■. For another honorarium i

,;- "\ -'■; - :_/' _ x - '■■ We havo. heard a great deal of Sunday '; trading of late, and certain publicans have C justly fallen under the lash of public indig nation, but if there is much beer sold on 1 Snriday we must not lose sight of the fact _ that much more is brewed on that day. - I '",. '/give tbis'as'a hint to bur temperance friends, ... who appear, while straining at the gnat, to j be swallowing the proyerbial camel. The '; proper'woy to fell a tree is not by lopping -/..off two or three branches. I once saw a L curious epitaph on a publican —it ran %thus :—:. ■ ...,-.

' John Drake lies buried here, Though once he was both hale ond stout, ' Death stretched him on his bitter bier; In another world he hops about. ■

*. ■:- ..''-'':. * , .'.' " •* : x ' ,V ' -', 'Tho doctors are having a rest, and now it _ ia the" "devil's own" who are engaging E ublic attention. The charge against Mr eth Smith, R.M., of giving awrOng and '::unduly narrow decision in the notorious ■'" lambing 'down" case has brought into - prominence tbe tortuous ways of litigation, ;- and the many slips that may take place be- S tween the lip. of transgression ond tho cup ."of punishment. The morning Solon and pothers who''ought to know" cay that the Magistrate's decision was. wrong, while the • great Theo. Cooper declares authoritatively Ithat there is but one opinion among the .1 profession on the subject, and that is, that ;;the-judgment was a righteous one. ; Not. -..the least amusing feature in the affair is the r: injured tone adopted, by Superintendent Some kindly people suggested

that it. was unfair to expect a common .bobby to be learned in the law, and offered excuses for his little slip j but J.B.T. was i 'not inclined to be patronised, in that way. He assured the Bench that an educated and 1 experienced police officer wasquite asgood as | a lawyer at conducting a prosecution. Bonus ■ ]Somervs aHquando dormiiat, and even Mr ! Cooper had once on a time forgotten to put c -in a." Gazette"; bo, having proved that he .._ was as good as Mr Cooper, the Superinten i 'dent gracefully withdrew, evidently for no -,_other reason thanito oblige his ''learned i' brother." As lam no lawyer, but a plain _ honest man,! refrain from expressing any .opinion on the case, but leave it as it .. j stands, V without prejudice."-' ..''- -. - JC X : - X ;',■'■' By the ;w^ I "notice that the Rev.. Mr. >J''gto__«*d.*«.-UOTt_ißii, has carried out his ?-; i&tehtioii of ta_wming a lawyer; but I find ''ti_ ".record of-',His Lordship the Bishop '-Jjaviiigtiken steps to carry out his threat r-'i»f , '^piublip -degradation." I would fain ' believe1 -that "p__ liunedin " has repented . of his rash intention, and resolved to leave the flagitious delinquent to bis own remorse '■ ~b_ conscience. It is a ticklish job to tackle l::0 lawyer, and probably the Bishop has been .ffpjwßp that if: he publicly degraded his •-Wdrend friend he would render himself f.-Eable in-damages and expenses. The law ': courts would not look leniently upon such .;an aotJof ecclesiastical arrogance, and I 1 opine Mr Stanford would very readily ' -invoke their.aid if he suffered in charncter," feelings.or pocket by the Bishop's "degrad ing " policy. - '.- X } _ X- . ; ■ If we may judge "from the recent suicides, " the pall of despair seems to be hanging over I the commercial quarters of the city, and is -to a great extent typical of the times. In V passing through the Exchange ono is struck ' With the famished and anxious looks of the 'brokers; tor is the cause far to. seek. 'Nothing of importance has been unearthed - at the Thames lately, and Te Aroha has proved rather disappointing ; the knowing '!*ori*Ss-have quitted their scrip, leaving their dupes to draw on their bank - ing accounts for thoir calls; and, in 'tho 'remote future, for their dividends. Still, generally speaking, bulls and bears have alike had a bad time of it, and several of the notables have been hard hit A con •'"• sideration of the aforegoing will, I believe, give the primary cause which led to Mr Pickett's sad suicide. Like many others, :* he seems to have Staked his chances on the 1 hazard-of n-die, and to have lost, preferring rather to meet death than disgrace. Had i his ventures proved fortunate, he would f have been lauded, as a clever man, so true is it that nothing succeeds like success. If "'I err hot, several prominent Auckland men havo enriched themselves by the use of like questionable means. - This caso points a good moral against over-speculation and its - 'evils* -' :.'::,.* ;.'''•. '■"; -.'. -.

In the case of Captain Lilewall's suicide, we See two causes operating, viz., strait * ened circumstances and domestic diffdr •**pceg. Byron says, truly enough— ' ; '-•'•. «i'rvo seen your stormy seas ond stormy women, i But pity lovers more than seamen." . ; Speaking about Byron brings to my mind the quaint remark made by an old man I 'was chatting with, who, on my remarking that Byron was considered very immoral, said " Ah, the fact is he comes too near tho i = bone".'' Oat* temperance friends will doubt less set both-these cases down to drink—a •false deduction, certainly. Men's- minds are like a bow s which wfll bear a certain ■ ' , ampuhb of tension anjl no more; when they :'--„„ go i beyond this they snap, and, like an overcharged gun, recoil. The old saying i, is,: ''Death pays all debts," but inquires ... 'desiperate courage to take, tho fatal 'leap Muio the great unknpwr, . " , ; It has been tho custom for creditors In nsolvent. estates, which promise but'few '■ assets1 «to; absent themselves from, the meetings - and-,-, give no \concern' to lie • baukAptey proceedings.'. In some cases the result of this supincness has been that _' tho petty debtor ban found an unappro

penses, which has served to start him gladly on his way again. A case was recently brought under my notice by a friend, wherein, as the effect of the creditors omit ting to prove their claims, there remained a balance of £16 after winding-up the estate. Of this sum £6 paid the Official Assignee's expenses, and tho £10 balance, which, under ordinary circunistances, would have been divided amongst the creditors, was handed over to the bankrupt, very much to that worthy's astonishment. And truly he might feel surprised, for by tho magic of going through the Court, while he had entered hampered with liabilities, ho left it £10 to the good.

If there is one thing which I detest above all other detestable things it is the practice indulged in by some people of making " religion "a cloak for all kinds of meanness and baseness. At tho present moment I have in recollection a character of this des cription. He is a petti-fogging retailer of cheap clothing, and professes to carry on his business in a very righteous manner. He is a most regular church goer, and compels his family to assume a sanctimonious air which is exceedingly ill fitting. He professes to be very just in dealing with his employes, but his so-called justice is the very opposite of that which is understood by the term as ordinarily accepted. lam told that if one of his employes should go to the Theatre or Opera House_ they are on the following morning called into the office and treated to a regular sermon, in which the awful doom of tho wicked is portrayed something after the street-preaching style of " Do this and you'll be damned j you'll go to the burning fire, where thore will be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth." The most trivial offences are fol io wed by similar religious(?)outbursts, "(two minutes late" being a safe assurance of a passionate outburst of abuse, in which things whicb should be spoken of with re verence are made to inspire terror and turned into imprecations. The young lady employ.sare almost afraidtobe seen walking with their brothers for fear of being assailed directly afterwardswith disgustingtalkabout the frivolity and giddiness of girls who go out with young men unless they belong to a certain church, and all this is done, they are informod, for the good of their "im mortal souls." This individual upon one occasion cametoayoung lady employe, with whom ho was not very well, acquainted, and suggested that she would find it profit able to marry a man who was working atthe shop,and whose special recommendation was that he belonged to a particular church, of which the matrimonial advocate was a member. It is almost needless to say such interference was resented. If this man's employe's ask for a holiday, or an in creased wage, they get instead sermons, in which they are made to appear the most dreadful sinners on the face of the earth, and all for having made reasonable requests. Everybody can respect religion anditsrefining influences, butfewindeed can tolerate to have it mado ono everlasting weapon by which they are to .be argued out of their deserts by hypocritical masters, who find that tho church is a good business" agent, and abuse its otherwise good influences.

Occasionally may be seen in a snug corner of tho City Buffet, bending over » plate of smoking soup, more from necessity than for any Epicurean gratification, an elderly, careworn man with a slight stoop in the shoulders. Ho is usually silent and uncommunicative, with his thoughts ap parently bept upon his nearest duties, and wondering in what shadowy retreat he will be permitted to take his next solitary meal, He invariably walks with a polished bailiff (walking stick), with his searching eyes turned earthward. He is generally known as the man in possession, or "Tim, the silent." It is amusing to listen to him when he speaks, which is but seldom, and to trace the twistings and manoeuvres through which his sentences are evolved. He woars a grim smile, and to'the unfortunate under a warrant of distress the " man in posses sion" is full of human sympathy, if his words are to be taken as a faithful reflex of his emotions. His song is ever the some: —

Don't meet trouble half-way: lot jour mind be

at rest. We'll be happy together, and hope for the best The "man in possession" is not a wel come visitor in any house, but is regarded as a twilight intruder, indicative of bad luck, and in the latter guise this stealthy old soldier was, during the late stormy weather, ensconed in a stricken tenement not one hundred miles from Newmarket. The tall, " old man of many years' experience entered the little dwelling and dropped into "grandfather's chair," made himself quite at home, his wonted custom, and commenced to read his favour ite-treatise, "The Journey of Life." When in a brown study he was suddenly dis turbed by tho opening of the street door, and the presence of two tall ladies. " Angels unaware," muttered the "man in posses sion " as ho rose majestically from hie hair lined cushion. It was a rainy ovoning, and by the glimmer of a ten dip the ladies were dimly seen, like ono of Turner's pictures in a haze. He was about to apologise when the tallest of the angels said, ' 'Don't disturb yourself, friend. How is the rheumatism ?" but before the old man could reply, he was caught by tho arms—a lady on either side— and hoisted into the street. "Monsters, rogues, wolves in sheep's clothing," cried tbe expelled citiuen; "you have broken the law," and replied mole voices in women's clothing, "turned the key upon the man no longer in possession."

A singular case of baffled medical skill and successful private treatment has just been related to me. An elderly lady resi dent in the. community suffered for a con siderable time past from distressing pains on one of her cheeks, which were coincident with the appearance of foul sores upon it, and a gradual eating away of the internal flesh. Her husband secured for her the best professional advice, and the doc tors one and all agreed that she was the subject of an acute form of can cer, ' and that the disease could not possibly be arrested. Despite this opinion, one or two of them were anxious to perform a surgical operation, but tho others humanely thought that the best thing would be to make the poor woman's latter end as comfortable as possible. Con sequently they opposed the idea of an operation, and the husband. only too gladly resolved to abide by their suggestion. The poor woman wasnowregarded asbeyond all hope of recovery, and her friends were bent solely upon alleviating her pain and ministering to her comfort. At this con juncture the husband quite casually heard of a remarkable cure, in a case similar to his wife's which had been effected by the . use of herbs. The treatment was quite simple and painless, and. there fore, as no harm could ensue, he de termined to try it. Recourse was ac cordingly had to the herbalist. He saw and spoke hopefully of the patient, and finally recommended the application of certain simples. These were tried, and to the astonishment of all,* they proved effectual in dislodging from the diseased cheek a fat black worm about'an inch in length. Here then was tbe cause of the supposed cancer, but how it got there is as dark a mystery as ever. Possibly in the egg state it may havo floated in water 'with which the lady washed herself, and thus have been de posited upon some abrasion of the skin or superficial sore. At any rate with its re moval the wasted flesh began to gather proper colour and natural consistency, ana the cheek is now well advanced to its normal smoothness and health.

Very Simple Simons.

Huitan nature being fhueh. the same as when " Sir Roger" delivered his famous aphorism about men, money, and brains, there is nothing remarkable in the frequency of gross imposture. But it is a little odd that tho victims very often appear to find pleasure in giving publicity to their simplicity. We do not speak of the" " confidence trick" cases, because these are generally brought into Court in the hope of recover ing the vanished deposit. But no motive of that sort can prompt those who write to the papers, telling the modus operandi by which Jeremy Diddler took them in. Here, for instance, we have a Liverpoolhotelkeeper entering into the most minute details of how he was, swindled out of several days' board and lodging by "a most lady-like person." Her appearance and a powerful imagina tion composed' her whole stock-in-trade; not even a hand-bag did she bring with her. -Yet mine host, believed that she hod quite a fleet of rich argosies on the ocean, and thousands of fat acres in Holland, and many other sources of wealth. .; She told him so, and /also that (she had determined to bestow:most Of her riches bn the Church. Another beautiful trait in her character was that she so hated idleness aa to be willing to darn stockings for the landlord's family.; And yet this good lady vanished, after living on the fat of. the land for a week, without going -through the'.for^ molityiOf paying her bul. That: does not look so odd, -howevei^, as that her victiitf should come forward publicyl to show what a very Simple Simon he was to be taken ip by a common -place impostor. ■•...■< - ..-■•■' ■- 1'; •■■■--. Kv'.'i-■■-■. ■ ■',

THE GARDEN.

Calendar of Operations, June 28.

TO CORRKSFONDENTS. Old Seakale Plants (D.8., North Shore).—ln tho spring, after the produce has been cut, dig up the roots, cut them into pieces about four inches long, and plant thorn in rows eighteen inches apart, and twelve inches from plant to plant in row. Keep tho thick end of the set uppermost, and cover it with about an inch of soil. Another way is to plant in patches, three seta in a patch, so as to bo able to cover with pots or boxos for blanching the kale. Soakale plantations require renewing oc casionally, when making fresh beds uso Jilenty of well-rotted manure, as the seakale ikes rich and deeply wrought soil. Propagating Figs (W.s„ Mongonui).—The fig can be raised from outtings. Take from 6 to 12 inches of well-ripened wood, and cutout all tho oyes or buds, with the exception of two or threo at the too of cutting. Place these cut tings in sandy soil, only leaving tho buds abovo the surface. Tho most certain way to propagatoisfromlayers. Whenlayeringcutout all the buds which would bo placed under the ground. The cutting out of theso buda or eyes is imperative if you want your future trees to bo free of sucker growth. I believe, in the future, tho fig will bo one of the most profitable fruit trees to plant towards the north of Auckland. Root and Branch Prcnino op Fruit Trees (Fruit).—lf you give the branches of your trees a severe pruning this wintor, you must mako a corresponding reduction of the roots so as to balance matters. It is efforts wasted to permit fruit trees in summer to mako wood to any extent so as to be cut off In winter. It disorganises the system. The more you cut in wintor tho greater tho growth tho following Boason makes Bevere root pruning a necessity. Most pruning should be doncduringtheßumraer. Whenever a shoot makes its appearance which is not wantod for the permanent structure of tho tree, it should be pinched back to make a spur. By pursuing tho abovo system noxt season, you will soon give your trees a nice compact habit instead of your long, lanky spurleas branches. Tho proper management of tho top of a tree gives cultivator as good a command of the roots as if he could roach them, if tho top is not allowed to mako timber. The roots cannot be too luxurant. Taking off foliage reduces root power, and ivice versa.

Coleus CcTTrNQs (Amateur).—lt will not do to attempt.Btriklng coleus cuttings now, unless you can procure artlfloial heat; thoy would simply damp, oft Koep your old plants till spring; wator sparingly, so that they may not damp off. About tho end of August you will bo able to strip your cuttings frooly, if you havo a composition of half sand and good soil, Prunino YOONO Fkuit Treks (Planter).— When planting out young troos I would out severely back all lanky shoots. When out ting back cut to a bud or group of buds, so that thoy will break in tho direction which you wish the branches to take; recollect that it is in tho fhvttwo or thrco seasons'growth and pruning that thu habit uf the tree is formed, and special attention must be givon to make tho trco assume, while young, tho shape you wish It to attain in future. After the first pruning you ought to train and pinoh the shoots wliilo growing, so us not to havo much knife-work to do in wintor. Halt tho fruit trees are spoiled with too much knife work in winter, and little or uo summer pruning.

Rockeries.

Tliore are a great number of plants which grow admirably and mako a fine show in rock work. A rockery, whether natural or artificial, will always bo an attractive object in any garden. When a rockery is contemplated it should always be placed in some coo!, well sheltered nook. In building place the stones in a wild rugged natural manner, leaving little recesses here and thero, and sometimes a rock jutting out in a natural manner. Avoid anything like a wall or regular appearance. In volcanic districts there ouglit to be no difficulty in getting stone or rocks admirably fitted for this kind of work. They often assume all sons of fantastic shapes, and stones of that description are the best that can be pro cured. Sometimes they can be got covered with all manner of vegetation, such as mossos, lycopods, forns, etc. Stones thus dressed by nature, orranged with old stumps of trees, and here and thero n pieco of quartz, cannot be equalled for this purpose; Eoil being placed in tho interstices for the re ception of such plants as will grow in those situations. In building the above try and get a supply of water, for rockepes always look best in summer when you can retire into the cool, moist shade which these places ought to afford to make them pleasant.

Training Fruit Trees.

Mark your fruit trees : break low. Tho branches ought to break away from tho stem about a foot from the ground. The odvnntngesaremnnifold. Firstly,low-headed trees aro easy to train; secondly, it is easy to gather tho fruit; thirdly, fruit which follsis very little injured ; fourthly, the branches will be "short, strong, and stumpy—thus, being very sturdy, they will not be so liable to be strained by over bearing or over-weight of fruit; fifthly, the low' branches will keop tho sun's rays from reaching th-3 soil immedi ately surrounding the base of the tree, con sequently tho soil will be cooler and moister; sixthly, the trunk and branches will not be so liable to get scorched by the sun; seventhly, upon low trees infested by vege table parasites or insect life it will then bo easier to use the different applications to get rid of these. Bear in mind, always train low ; begin training when the tneo is one year old from bud or graft.

Ground Vineries.

The growing of grape-vinos in the small grown vinery lias been dealt with occasion ally in tbese columns. I new intend to givo another article upon the subject. I will here mention that in the future of Auck land this will prove a vory profitable means of raising grapes for tho market, and in tho wintor time tho frames will also bo extensively used for the growing of small saladings, as well as some of the larger vegetables. These frames will answer for the bell glasses, or, rather, what is called tho clouch in France, under which all the finest vegetables are grown to supply tho French markets during the winter months. In somo of the French market gardens noar Paris acres of ground are covered with them, thus enabling those gardeners to excel all others in the produc tion of winter and spring vegetables. Now, I would urge those who have a ground vinery to try growing a few vegetables under them ; it only wants a single trial to make it popular. In New Zealand, all that is necessary for growing grape vines with success is a slight protection over them during the summer months, and the ground vinery answers the purpose admirably. In grow ing grapes under this plan, where first-class fruit is wanted, a border should be made. Say that the reader has a border fifteen feet broad; let him take out a trench tbe full width of the border, and from six to eight feet broad, and to the depth of two feet six inches. The top soil, if good, will do to go back into the border again. After the trench is taken out drain six inches deeper than the bottom of trench. Fill up drain and trench to a depth of six inches with rough gravel or broken bricks, which will then give you two feet of border to fill up with good soil. That soil should consist of the top already taken off, and tho balance good turf mixed with rough bones and lime rubbish. Make the border in the autumn March or April. In June plant the vines four feet apart. During the following spring have one frame made for each plant; such frames about seven feet long. When the vinos commence to grow, place one frame over the top of the cane, leaving about six inches at the base or root uncovered, and letting the frame rest on bricks. Train the vines along the ground under.the frames which should be- placed north and south. Do not train the canes over the top of the border, but away from it, so as to allow the rays of the sun to strike full on the border. Train the canes from north to south. In April or May, or after the canes have stopped growing, take the frames off the canes, which will allow the colder air a much better opportunity to assist in ripening off the wood. When the canes'are thoroughly ripe prune them back to two or three eyes. Whenever the vines show signs of growing, place the frames over them again, allowing only one bunch of grapes the first season of fruiting. Train the cane along under the frame, and when it is about six feet long have another frame ready to placo at the end of the first, making in all fourteen feet, which will be ample for the second year. Tho following winter prune the canes back to seven feet. The second season of fsuiting, take only n spare crop of about five or six bunches, and in the fourth season of their growth you might add another frame, covering in all twenty-one feet of cane. In the fourth autumn take out another trench, the full length of the border and six feet wide, draining and filling in with good soil as at first, which will then give the roots ample room. After fruiting the canes for about four years, train another cane from the base of the vine, and when this new cane is strong enough to carry fruit, cut out the old one.

(To bi Continued.)

EXPLORATION OF NEW GUINEA.

(Extract from the "Melbourne Age," June 13, 1883.) .

..." In connection with .the WaEtham Watch Company It may be stated that when tho proprietors of " The Age" desired to present :Mb G. E. Morrison (the Explorer, to New Guinea) with a reliable Chronometer, acting upon the advice of Mr R. L, J. Ellery, the Government Astronomer, two Waltliam Watches were,- however, procured for Mb Morrison ° instead. These were kept at the Melbourne Observatory for a fortnight, and thoroughlyi and carefully tested, and' were pronounced by Mr Ellery. at the end of that time, to be better suited fOr Mr Morrison's requirements jhau any Chronemeter."-f AdVt.J

GOSSIP FROM STAGE AND STUDIO.

[By Euterpe.]

Conquest and Merritt's new nightmare is called " Tho King of Diamonds."

Miss Jennie Nyo, tho charming scmbrelte, is about to take an hotel in Ballarat.

"lago," Verdi's new opera, with libretto by Boito, is finished. The painter, Domenico Morelli, will design the costumes.

It is said that Signor de Vivo will shortly bring nn English opera company to Aus tralia.

Gounod is said to be writing a work on Wagner—the man, the artist, and his works.

Mr J. J. Pollard, senr., manager of Pol lard's Juveniles, died at Townsville, Queens land, in the early part of the present month,

Lord Lytton is said to be writing a play in blank verse which Miss Mary Anderson intends to produce at tho Lyceum in the autumn.

The Victoria Loftus Company are at Hong Kong playing two or three nights a week, assisting stage-struck amateurs to put on various dramas, operettas, &c.

W. B. Warner and Fred Dark's " Merry Thoughts" Company are at Melbourne, assisted by Miss Addie Cappor and Miss Grace Archer.

Miss Louise Pomeroy sprained her ankle while playing in "Romeo ond Juliet" at Portland, Oregon, on May 10, and had to cancel her engagement.

A celebrated firm of Regent-street costu miers recently received from Mrs Langtry a cheque for £1,219 in payment of dresses sup plied her during the year.

Frank W. Green's name must be added to the death list of English pantomime writers. He was the author of about eighty success ful pantomimes. Messrs Regan Paul, Trench, and Co. will publish immediately a volume entitled " Scenes jji the House of Commons," by Mr David Anderson. Tho author is a journal ist. "Monty" Browne is retiring shortly from tho management of Signor Mujeroni's busi ness, and will represent Mr Jas. Allißon at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, during the Marie de Grey season.

Signor Susini, tho well-known Italian baßso, who haß died in London from thfi injuries roeeivod in a street accident, was here somo eight years ago with lima di Mur.ka.

Miss Thompson's well-known picture of Quatro Bras, which has hitherto hung in tho gallery of a Manchester collector, has been sold to go to Australia, where it is to find a borne in the Melbourne Museum.

A Playgoers' Club is shortly to bo started in London, England, in order to "afford members facilities for critical and thoatrical discussion by holding weekly meetings in the form of a debate."

Minnie Hauck, tho American prima donna has queer ideas upon the subject of gifts. Amongst tho curiosities she recently pur chased for distribution to her friends were thirty or forty little livo alligators.

A marvel of mechanical genius in the shape of a reduced model of the celebrated clock of Strasburg Cathedral is now on ex hibition at tho Apello Hall, Melbourne. The exhibitor is meditating nn early descent upon New Zealand.

Tho newly discovered work by De Quincey, " Confessions of an English Hasheesh Eater," was found upon the backs of the plates illustrating a copy of Marco Polo that was for many years in De Quincey's possession.

Signora Majoroni as Marie Antoinette nightly crowded tho Melbourne Opera House, and tho press says that such sublime acting has rarely boon witnessed on the Australian stago. It is a marvellous imper sonation.

George Rignold and James Allison have become lessees of tho Royal Holborn Theatre, London, which opened on _pril 12 with " Calender's Consolidation of Calen der and Haverly's American Coloured Minstrels,-" numboring 50 native born black men, women, and children.

Mr T. P. O'Connor has received an offer to publish tho series of nrtiolos on "Tho Making and the Mon of the Irish Pnrty" which he contributed to tho press lost year. Ho has resolved to expand the articles, so as to make a book that will bo complete, and of somo historical value.

The now play which Mr Irving is to produce at the Lyceum on his return from America is a version of Goetho's "Faust," by Mr Wills. Mr Irving will take the part of Mephiatopheles, Miss Ellen Terry that of Marguerite, and Mr Goorgo Alex ander Faust.

A letter lately received from Mr Bland Holt, tho favourite comedian, states: "It is my intention, as far as present appear ances go, to be in Melbourne again in July next. I shall, however, go direct from Melbourne to New Zealand, and will take with me several first-class novelties."

Frascuelo, tho famous bull-fighter, is going to Paris with six or seven bulls and a whole company of picadores, capeadors, banderilleros, chulos, matadors, cacheteron, &c, and at the beginning of May the Parisians were to have had a regular Spanish bull-fight at the Hippodrome, for the benefit of tho poor.

Miss Alice Reos, tho charming prima donna, having recovered from her late alarming illness, was to havo a complimen tary benofit tendered her at tho Town Hall, Melbourne, on June 26. She will then be married to the well-known pianist, Max Vogricb, and, with her husband, will deport for Europe. A printer's error may prove expensive. A pianist and composer of New York has brought a suit against Chickoring and Son, tbe piano makers, to recover £2,000 dam ages, because in a concert programme be was described as "the milkman pianist," the word "milkman " being a misprint for "well-known."

Miss Jeffreys Lewis's edition of "Fedora ■roved a perfect fizzle at Melbourne. Her Mercy Merrick in "The New Magdalen" was also non-successful. In consequence o objectionable remarks from the gallery, tho actress appealed to the audience for pro tection, and, bursting into tears, left the stage. The disturbers were expelled.

Patti created quite a furore at 'Frisco. At her entree upon the stage she had to wait fully five minutes to allow the thick ahower of bouquets to pass. When at last she thought there was a lull, four men carried a huge bouquet of twelve feet in length on to the stage, representing the ladder of fame, with a ball and an eagle of nearly life-size on the top.

While the Majerouis were playing "Fedora " up in Brisbane not long ago the solemn scene came or, and the give-you the-mumps doctor strode slowly up and declared: "Nothing can save her now," when a shrill voice from the "gods" squealed out: '"Old up 'er 'cad, young man, an' give 'or a dose o' St. Jacob's lie. That'll fetch a kick out o' a bloomin' mummy."

Among the novelties which Mr Bland Holt brings out with him is " The Ruling Passion," m which cabs, omnibuses, &c, figure prominently on the stage, in one por tion of the piece the audience seeing real rain descend, while in another a full-sized balloon, with car and people attached, is sent up from the stage. "Flint and Steel" (a burlesque comedy), and the sensational drama entitled " Odds," are other pieces in his repertoire.

Noting the demise of the " Greenock Advertiser," a paper started in 1802, the "Christian Leader says the most notable in cident in its history, next to the fact the t it died twice, was its rejection of ono of tbe finest poems of Campbell, sent by the youthful author of the "Tho Pleasures of Hope " for insertion in the poet's corner. The editor put in a notice to the poet that his attempt was not "up to the mark " of the -" Advertiser."

The following extraordinary but charac teristic notice appeared in tho Melbourne journals lately:—" Valedictory.—To the gentlemen who have Ruggested a presenta tion and farewell performance.—With due appreciation, I decline. I have no desire to fleece my friends, no reason to seek the assistance gratis—of my professional bre thren, nor wish to deceive the public by announcing a final farewell. I return to Europe aS much on pleasure bent as for business purposes, and trust ere long to resume my pleasant associations with tbe playgoers of Australasia.—Georoe Bar bell."

Dr. Carver, the celebrated "shootist," has a formidable rival in a young Californian girl, aged only 12 years, by name Lilian Smith. In this young lady's "original rotatory ball feat the ball travels a dis tance of 3,000 feet in one minute, and is broken by shooting straight forward and backwards from the shoulder, using a small hsind mirror for sighting. Miss Smith also broke at Vacaville, with the same rifle, 300 swinging glass balls in 14 minutes 33 seconds. She missed 14 balls out of tho 300, but made up for it by breaking 14 more f'ontim,e." ; '.''.-'.:'■'.. *_

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

THE -DYNAMITE PLOTS.

London, May 9.

Moro Important Arrests.

On Good Friday last the Birmingham detectives apprehended a Fenian named Egan, and on the same day a man known as Daly or Denman was arrested at Birkenhead on suspicion of having been connected with the recent explosion nt Victoria Station. The former of these pri soners was examined at Birmingham on Saturday, the 20th April, and now stands charged with treason felony.

John Daly was again brought up bofore Mr Preston, the Birkenhead stipendiary, on May Ist. The first witness was Sergeant James Bon*, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, who deposed to arresting Daly on April 11th, and finding upon him four parcels, three of which, wero very heavy, and to handing these parcels over to Colonel Ma jendio, on April 12th, at the Home Offieo.

Colonel Majendio was then sworn, and said : On the morning of April 12th, 1 re ceived from tho last witness four paper parcols, three of them heavy, and ono light. Parcel No. 1 (produced) contained, on boiug opened by mo, tho following articles. On it aro the words, "Glass—don't break." Inside wero two boxes, one, that now produced (a cardboard box), bearing the label, "EBter, Brook, and Co , Falkner, Pen. Philadelphia," and another on tho back. The othor box contained six thin. glass bottles, containing a dark-coloured liquid. In tho samo parcol I also found a white paper box (produced), slightly burnt apparently in one part, and markod "Loads and spare corks." It contained fivo small indiurubber corks, similar to those of tho bottles in the i former box, and three small lead cylinders about one inch long and a quarter of an inch ■in diameter. These wore wrapped in a ! pioco of paper on which' wus written, in writing somewhat like print, " In case the corks in the phials aro spoiled by"—then follows tho word "tho*" partially orasod — " or noid becomos black by tho time you receive it, refill tho phials from tho one with tho glass stopper." This box also con tained two common corks. Then in the samo parcel was another of papor, enclosing two small rolls of paper. One of thorn I found to contain this small glass bottle (producod), with somo red powder hi it, corked with nn indiarubbor cork similar to tho ono producod. The othor paper con tained this brass cylinder (producod), about three inches long and half an inch in diameter, and having a small copper tube projooting from ono ond, From tho other end projected this indiarubbor cork (pro duced), which was marked or flecked in places with some red powder, similar in ap pearance to that in tho bottle. This cork was fixed into the mouth of this empty gloss bottlo, which is the same In character as those in the first box. It was ompty. On reversing tho tube a quantity of red powder, similar in appear ance to that in ono of the bottlos which I havo described, fell out. I tested a small quantity by applying to it somo of tho liquid from one of tho bottles in the first describod pen-box. Tho rod powder ignited instantly, and with considerable energy. Ono other small parcel in tho original No. 1 packet contained tho glass bottlo now produood, it having boon secured by a glass stopper tied on with twino. I handed the whole of the articles now discovered to Dr. Dupre in person. A copper tube which had the appearanco of a detonator projected from ono ond of tho brass cylinder. Parcel No. 2 contained, wrapped in tho samo description of paper, a brass oylindor identical with tho one now produced. It had projecting from ono end of it a cork. Tho top of the cylinder was screwed, and it was filled with a whitish substance, which I ascertained by subsequent experiment was a poworful oxplosive. The cap of tho cylin der had screwed it into a tubo exactly similar to that already doscribed as found in No. 1 parcel, and having also tho detonator-like cylinder projecting from tho lowor end of it—that is to say, embedded in tho centre of tho explosive. Thero was, however, no bottle in this tubo, as in tho former caso, but the tubo did contain a small charge of tho red powder similar to that I hud found in tho first parcel. The mouth of tho tubo was closed with a cork. On tho top of tho cap of the brass cylinder is a movonblo metal disc, which is suitable for closing tho whole when the cork is re moved. Parcel No. 2 I did not hand to Dr. Dupr_. Parcel No. J. was identical with No. 2. It contained also a cylinder, and was fitted in tho samo way as tho ono I havo already described. Parcel No. 4 was tho same as Nos. 2 and 3. On April 17th, having previously arranged with Sir Jrcdorick Abel for carrying out somo ox perimonts from tho parcol No. 2, I wont to Woolwich. I procoeded to nscortnin experimentally whether tho application of sulphuric acid to tho tube containing tho rod powder would explodo the detonator, or perhaps I.should say, whethor tho application of tho liquid found in one of tho bottles in the first parcel would have tho effect of explosion. I found that it did so kißtantly. The second part of tho experiment consisted in explod ing tho cylinder No. 2 with its original charge—less a very small quantity which had been rcsorved for examination—in a oliambor used at Woolwich for testing the power of shells. I had caused twelve wooden dummies, representing the human figure lifo-sko, to bo arranged round the walls of this chambor, which was about 6ft by Bft, at intervals of about lft and upwards, the four walls being lined with calico. I placed tho shell on an iron plate about an inch thick, in the centre of the chamber, and distant 3 feet to '4 feet from any of thodummies. Thero was about throe-sevenths of a pound of dynamite in the shell. That was practically the charge. The dynamite was tired by means of an ordinary detonator. The result was a very violent explosion, and* the iron plate was split through, and pieces of tho brass driven into it. The canvas lining of the chamber was very much cut about, rent, and per forated ; the wood lining of the chamber being considerably injured by impacted fragments, but the building itself sustained no apparent structural injury. The dum mies had received, as far as I could count, at least 168 wounds, Borne of a very slight and some of a very serious character. Each of the dummies had received some wounds—from three to forty-nine In many cases thoy wero perforated, somo of the pieces having passed through them. Other pieces had stuck in and some fallen from them. Tho average number of hits was fourteen per dummy. The original weight of the cylinder when empty was about 21b. Wo were only able to recover 3ozs. 10 drachms, which I produce here. Tho cylinders aro not articles used in cbm merco for any purpose I am acquainted with.

Mr Pollard.: In your opinion what are they ? —Powerful percussion shells or bombs of a formidable character. They could be of no practical use against material, but would be vei*y formidable against human beings. I have considered the matter care fully, and can come to no other conclusion than that thoy were to bo used against human beings for killing or injuring. Dr. Auguste Dupr_, Doctor of Philosophy and Chemical Adviser of Explosives to the Homo Office, gave corroborative evidence as to the nature of the explosives. The depositions were then read over, after whicb the prisoner was asked in the usual way if he had anything to say in answer to the charge. Daly, who reserved his de fence, was committed for trial to the Chester summer assizes.

The Health Exhibition,

The International Health Exhibition at SouthKensingtonwasopened yesterday with a fair amount of . iclaf, but without the superb ceremonies and processions which signalised the initiation of the Fisheries Show. The placo is still in a somewhat unfinished condition, but pro ■ ■ mises well, and should the anticipations of those who are responsible for the ar rangements prove well-founded, it will be at least as successful as its im mediate predecossor. Preparations have been made for receiving vast crowds of sight-seers, and there are some special and novel features, which will probably cause a great sensation as soon as the exhibition is well in swing. Wild inhabitants of the steppesof Siberia rnanufacturingtheir native "koumiss" aro there to startle the timid "cockney" with their uncouth manners an dCentral Asian accent. Th ose whosespecial hobby it is to know how everything is mode ,can inspect the process by which jams and candles, soaps and hats, sodawater, mus tard, and lace are respectively created from the appropriate materials. What may be called the Ladies' Department comprises a display of dres. such as has never yet been collected on this small planet of ours before. Modern male and female habiliments shine forth in all their natural pre-eminence side by side with the.strange attire of our forefathers even so far back -vf tbe early Saxon period. In one portion of the gigantic area eggs are ripening under the fostering care .of patent incubators,' and in another • a Haslam's engine is busily at work keeping fresn and hard the Canterbury mutton for- the New

Zealand Silver Grill. I missed seeing what tho section devoted to practical illustra tions of healthy und unhealthy domiciles is like, but spent a delightful hour amidst the wonderful reproduction of old Cheapsido. But to givo one's first impres sionsof this vast .howinthelimited space now at my command woi 11 be hopeless. Dress, food, the dwelling, the school, tho work shop, bakeries, restaurants, choap dinners, excellent cookery, Chinoso tea gardens, gymnasia, wines, delightful music by some of the finest European bands—all theso fas cinations are offered to Londoners, who must be hard indeed to pleaso if such a pro gramme, in return for tho modest sum of ono shilling, fails to givo satisfaction.

Whiteley's Firo,

A portion of the Queen's Road, Bays water, promises of tho great Mr Whiteloy (tho Universal Provider) wero burnt down on Friday morning, and goods to the value of £500,01:0 destroyed. There was nothing special about the conflagration (whioh broke out in the early morning and raged for about five hours); indeed, tho most remark able feature of the affair seems to be that despite the vast extent of tho damage, only the merest fractional portion of Whiteley's establishment has been in terfered with. I was porfeetly amazed when I passod tho building tho day before yesterday. Prior to the tiro, you walked along about a quarter of a mile of shop windows all inscribed with the name of Whiteloy, but this gave you no idea of tho depth of the building. Now you can sco what an immense area of ground tho block covers. Even the Magosin do Louvre in Paris ond tho Army and Navy Co-opera tive storeß in London are nowhere besido it. No wonder Whitoley declares it takes a full day to penetrate all the mysteries of his establishment. I certainly shouldn't care to undertake tho job without a guide. Those who care to know tho auto biography of one of the most remarkable self-made men of the ago should certainly read wbat Whitoley says about himself and his shop in the " Pall Mall Gazette," which I enclose herewith. The whole businoes has boon built up in 20 years, or during the Prince of WoWe married lifo. On tho day | after tho Princess Alexandra of Denmark became wife of the heir to the throno, Mr William Whiteley, then the energetic linen drapers' assistant, sot up for himself in what had hitherto boon a most unlucky little shop in Westbourne Grove. He had only a ten-pound note in his pocket, but limitless pluck and enterprise, and now he is a tradesman millionaire, a universal pro vider. Give him tho order and ho will, within 24 hours, supply you with a wifo, a newly • furnishod houso, sorvants, horsos, carriages—in fact, a complete menage Once upon a timo a joker wrote to White ley and ordered him to doliver " a second hand coffin " at his (tho joker's) Club next evening at seven, When the timo camo tho coffin was duly announced, together with the bill and a messenger from Whiteloy. " This is not a second-hand coffin," observed the aghast funny man. " Oh, yes, it is," said the messenger. "We made the article for Mrs , but when we tried to get hor husband in ho wouldn't fit, so wo were obliged to take it back. On my word of honour, sir, the coffin has contained a corps—at least, the bost part of ono." The joker paid for tho socond-hand coffin, I and then resold it to Whitoley at half price. He now looks rather glum whenever the " universal provider's" name is mentioned.

Deat— or Six- Mlclin-ol Costa.

The most notable* doparturo for the " ejlent land " I havo to chronicle is that of Sir Michaol Costa, tho famous musician, who died rothor suddenly at Brighton on Tuosday lust. Costa was emphatically a self-made man, and his life-stoi-y is ono from which much may be learnt. It would be hard to match tho caroor of tho Neapolitan artist who camo to this country fifty-five years ago—poor, unrecognised, and almost unknown, who then took up a totally false position, and was made tho butt of cruel criticism, yet who has just gono from amongst us rich, honoured, and world famous. Costa began his musical career in Italy, nnd would probably havo remainod there always but for tho fact that tho man agers of tho Birmingham Musical Festival in 1829 solectod a work of his master, Zingnrolli, for performance in the Mid lands. Zingarelli was too old to make tho (at that timo) long and difficult journey to Birmingham, so ho sent his clevor young pupil, Signor Costa, to look after and con duct his cantata. The English performers, however, wero rampantly jealous of the poor young Italian, who was not allowed to conduct Zingarelli's work, but made to sing the tonor music. Like many of his country men, Costa had a mediocre tenor, but to ask him te perform nt Birmingham was cruel, and of course ho failed utterly and disastrously. Tho wholo affair in fact proved a fiasco. The groat musical paper of tho day pronounced Zingnrelli's cantata "a heap of commonplace trash," and declared that Costa was vory nearly being mobbod by the audience, who justly resented hearing a feoblo voice and still feebler music foisted upon them. Costa never sang ngain in public, but accepted thojwsition of pianist at tho King's Theatre in London, then conducted by Laporto. Thus began a connection with Italian opera in London which lasted upwards of fifty years. From thia period Costa's career was uni formly successful. He bocome in timo the most renowned chef U'orchestre in Europe; indeed, thero are many who declare he was the first to bring an English orchestra into a condition of order and discipline. As a composer, Costa will probably be remem bered best by his oratorios "Eli" and "Naaman," which aro oven moro popular in America than in England. The " Times " sums up an obituary notice of tho deceased musician thus:—"Better composers bave lived and still livo, but as a chef cforchestre Costa stood like Saul, the son of Kish, head and shoulders above his fellows. We shall both miss him and want him in the years to come as wo mark the absence of the devotedness with which he did his work, the personal ascendancy which made each of his subordinates a reflex of himself, and the highmindedness which stooped to nothing mean and vulgar, but was consecrated to the elevation of his profession:"

The Picture Galleries.

The private views at tho Grosvenor Gallery and Royal Academy wero mpre exclusive than usual this year; indeed, at tbe former I found it possible to sco the pictures in moderate comfort. The pride of tbe Grosvenor is Mr Burne-Jones's mas sive "King Caphetna and the Beggar Maid." The king, a very brigand-like Italian, with burning, sensuous oyes, sits at the feet of the boggar girl, a pale, washed out, testhetic.-looking damsel, who seems overcome, rathe* than gratified, by her royal lover's condescension. Anything less like what the reality must have been I can scarcely imagine. The " Times " went into a column of ecstacies over the picture, but I wouldn't have it hung up in my dining room on any consideration whatever. With Burne-Jones 'twos ever thus, He founded a Dantesque school of lovers who adore each other passionately, intensely, sombrely, almost morosely. In his pictures love and death seem always noarer than love and life. Swinburne, who by many is supposed to belong to the Burne-Jones clique, I can understand. His poetry stirs tho pulses, and gives you a distinctly pleasurable sensation. The lines

" Twain halvos of a porfect heart made fast, Soul to soul while the years fall past,"

ought surely to have inspired any imagina tive artist with a beautiful picture. I must say to find them inscribed under a semi savage sensualist and a tallow-facod girl was rather a shock.

One of the most delightful pictures at the Grosvenor is a landscape by Keelv Hals welleof a bed of water lilies in a quiet nook of old Father Thames near beautiful Clieve den. The eye gazes upon this gratefully. It is emphatically a restful picture. At the Academy, Sir Frederick Leighton's " Cymon and Iphigenia " holds the place of honour in the large room. The story is out of "Boccaccio." Iphigenia lies on the ground asleep, hor voluptuous lovolinoes swatbed in a creamy garment, with her head resting upon a pink cushion, and hor hip raised very high under a muoh Idealised beech tree, Cymon, the shepherd boy, comes upon her sleeping, and gazes on her, wondering, wrapped in his rich red gar ment. The moon is rising in a livid sky over a dark purple sea and a stretch of vague land; we see a pink town clustering on a pale rosy promontory far below us. It is a composition possessing great beauty, but scarcely the beauty of nature. It is like a vision, not like the life itself.

Mr Millais' chief picture has been called "An Idyll, 1745." A stiff little drummer boy, dressed in the quaint uniform of the period, sits with his back against a tree and his legs stretched out straight before him, playing the flute to three Highland lassies. A youth belonging to another regiment 'grins from behind the tree. It is an exceed ingly fantastic composition, full of clever parte, but scaroely up to the artist's usual form..

- The picture round which the greatest crowds collect-is, however, Mr Hubert Her komer's "Pressing to the West," a scene at the Emigrants' Home,, Castle Garden, New York.'*. ;.-:' : .. -; ".b'''b'".b

SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTURES.

Now Zealand,

South Canterbury J.C. Steeplechases July 11 Wellington J.C. Steeplechases July 12 j Australia. V.l .C. Steeplechase Meeting July 19

To Correspondents.

J.G.—Tho Hon. W. Robinson's Eakatos was. got by Korari from Mermaid. Inquire*. (Onehunga).—"Centaur's Index" is published as soon as possiblo after tho Mel bourne Cup weights are issued. Constant SUBSCRimsii (Northcote).—A. wins tho wager. The Railway Plato which Wel como Jack won on Boxing Day was a weight for-age raco. J.K.—Probably the bost performance Turquoise has to his credit is the North Canterbury Publicans' Handicap. In that event ho car ried list, and ran tho mile and a-half in 2min. _2Jsee.

Vincent.—Necklace's timo for the Marcs' Pro duce Stakes, (i furlongs, at the A.R.C. Autumn. Meeting was lmin. 175 sec. When Mr Mar shall's Ally and Krupp ran tho dead heat in tho Kllorslic Plate the following day, it took lmin. lfeoc. to cover tho distance. Trenton's timo for tho C.J.C. Champagno Stakes was lmin. iiOscc., and when Liverpool ran second to Lady Evelyn in the Middle Park Plate at the Christchureh Summer Meeting, the 6 fur longs was run in lmin. l'J.ecc.

A CHAT ABOUT THE V.R.C. DERBY CANDIDATES.

[By Hipro. a.]

It is generally admitted that up to the present tho forthcoming V.R.C. Derby is the most open that has engaged attention for years past, so that under the circum stances it may not prove uninteresting to my readers to throw a littlo light on tho most prominent candidates in the event. Out of the 106 nominated, Mr W. R. Hall's Garfield, by Julian Avenel —Young Gossamer is tho first worthy of attention—that is on public form. For the last Maribyrnong Plate he waslooked upon as " real jam " on account of his good looks, and tho work he was doing on the . Elemington training track, but on tho day ho failed to justify the good opinion formed of him. The last A. J.C. Autumn Meeting, however, saw him in his true colours, for ho won tho First Foal Stakes with 9st in tho saddle, and ran the six furlongs in lmin. 16socs. King's Own by Goldsbrough —Princess Alice, owned by Mr T. L. Baker, is another brilliant colt, and from all ac counts ho has plenty of size and substance to rocommond him. Ho won the. Sydney Tattorsall . Two Year Old Stake from a field of fourteen, after throwing his rider and bolting away for nearly a mile and three quarters, while he got second in the Maribyrnong Plate. Until a couple of weeks back ho has been treated to a rest, but is now undergoing his preparation for next season's campaign at Randwiek. Tho Hon. J. White has no less than seven repre sentatives opposite his name, viz., Salvo, by Somnus—Stella; Bargo, by Maribyrnong —Guelder Rose ; Bando, by Goldsbrough —Lady Jotte ; Phil Athol, by Blair Athol —Phillina ; Tremando, 4>y Tester—Agita tion ; lolantho, by Maribyrnong—Rosedale, nnd Superba, by Maribyrnong—Tho Fawn, so that tho bold backer has any amount of food for relloction. Public form certainly points to Bargo and Salvo, but if I am not greatly mistaken, the " blue and white " stable haveadark 'un in storo. Bargoclaims some of the bost two-year-old races of the season, hnving won the Ascot Vale Stakes, and All-Aged Stakes atthe V.R.C. Autumn Meeting, the Claret Stakes and Maiden Plato at the Hawkesbury Meeting, and Champagne Stakes at tho A.J.C. Autumn Meeting. Tho Soutli Australian colt The Broker, by Goldsbrough—Melody, is on other that must bo ranked in the dangerous division. He is ownod by Mr S. Barnard, and his victories in the V.R.C. Sires' Pro duce Stakes, Normanby and Kensington Stakos, and second in tho Ascot Vale Stakes, wero all performances of very high merit Since King of tho Gipsies, by Gang For ward—Black Gipsy, passed into Mr J. 0. lnglis's hands, not a few are beginning to pin their faith to him, and his records show that ho won the Fleinington Stakes at the V.R.C. Spring Meeting, and Sires' Produce Stakes at tho recent S.A.J C. gathering. Added to this, he has first-class breeding to recommend him, for his dam Black Gipsy is by Fisherman, and she can lay claim to a first-class racehorse in Pride of the Hills, who won the V.R.C. Champion Stakes. "Augur" when looking over King of the Gipsien as a yearling, spoke very highly of him, and perhaps I cannot do better than reproduce Ids words, which were as follows :—" If ho is not a Derby horse, then there is no virtue in make and shape. In colour he is a rich brown, nnd he has the Fisherman head well set on to a symmetri cal nock, backed up by strong shoulders and a middlo-pieco as round as Tho Barb's. To my mind, no is just tho sort of colt to stay as long as John Woods on the brake question,and with luck,the V.R.C. Derby of 1884 may go to Morphotville." Opposite Mr Do Mestre's name are seven entries, but the majority of theni are now in other hands, and the best I take to be Coir, by Piscator—Cocoanut (half-brother to Navigator), and owned by Mr A. F. Smart. This gentleman also lays claim to owning Tho Bohemian, by Maribyrnong—Nina, said to be handsome as paint, but who so far has not fully justified his good looks and breeding. Tho Hon. J. Eales's Honeydew, by Goldsbrough—Queen Bee", is a colt that has proved ho is no duffer, and from what I have heard, there is no two-year-old more likoly to improve, and he is said to bo the beau ideal of a Derby horse. Lord Exeter, by Julian Avenel—Tiara,the secondrepresenta tive of Mr W. R. Hall, may be another hard nut to crack, for he also has shown a doal of form, but a candidate that I have a groat liking for is Mr S. Martin's Reginald, lie is by Grandmaster—Aye Maria, and at the V.A.T.C. Summer Meeting.he from all accounts, won the Juvenile Stakes and Criterion Stakes like a racehorse, while at thoMurrumbidgeo Turf Club Meeting in May he won the three events that he started for. Mr G. Davis's David, by Tbe Gondolier from Alice Drew, has established himself as a good one by winning the V.A.T.C. Foal Stakes, and getting third to lolantho and King's Own in the Maribyrnong Plate, and it may be the St. Albans stoble will prove to us that Second King is capable of better things than he has shown us in the past. And what a highly-bred colt be is.being got by King of the Ring from Mischief (the famous dam of Maid of all Wor^, First King, and Petrea). The stable have also a beautifully-bred representative ir\ Silver King, by First King—Spporita. Mr W, Cooper's Buckingham, who was got by Chandos.from* Chester's dam, Is one that cannot be overlooked while in the hands of tho careful Tom Lamond, and Commotion's half-brother Exminster is supposed to have a good outsido show of placing the race to the credit of Mr H. Phillips. Peroival, by Grandmaster from Keopsake, I have heard spoken of as a promising young gentloraan, and he is in tho hands of Mr J. Red foam (owner of Tho Plunger). Those backers who have a liking for fillies can put their "little bit" on Mr A. F. Smart's Brown and Rose, by Somnus—Giggler, stated to be one of tho handsomest and gamest little animals that oyer looked through a bridlo, while tj^ere is the South Australian fljera Holem. and Grati tude. It will therefore be ndmited thatsel dom has there been so many good ones en. gnged, and baokers havo all their work out out at the present time to pick the V.R.C, Derby winner of 1884.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

For some timo past negotiations have been in progress for the purchase of Krupp, and this week tho bargain was finally con cluded. The name of the colt's new owner is the popular local gentleman who races under tho nam de course of "Mr A. E. Harris," and I understand the price paid was 800 guineas. Now that he has passed into Mr Harris's hands ho will be taken to Christchureh next November to oppose Trenton, Liverpool rnidCo, in the Derby, and should the " black and white check " prove successful, the victory will be hailed with the greatest satisfaction hero. Chaafe will prepare tho son of Musket and Maid of Athol for the event, so that it will not be his fault if tho colt is not landed at tho post in the best of condition, while that astute general, Jimmy Wattie, will have the mount. Mr Harris stands to win about £1,400 on Krupp, he having got it on at the nice price of 10's to 1 when the Southerners were here at Christmas time.*

In my notes last week I mentioned there was a rumour current that Mr Pilbrow's steeplechaser Clarence had been disqualified for six months owing to something which occurred at the recent Wanganui Steeple chase Meeting. From Christchureh papers to hand I gather that tbere were grounds for the rumour. According to the statements 'jiublished, Clarence went up to Wanganui in charge of Mr Pilbrow, junr., with Fred Hedge as groom and jockey. After winning the big event, he was naturally made a great favourite for the Grand Stand Steeplechase, a \veigbt-for age racebf'7s,sovs, in wbifc^ be would meet his - horses oil better teyms, than in the previous one, and the other owners were, not

inclined to accept the challenge. It is a rule of the Wanganui Club th_f in case of a walk-over only half the stakes are paid to tho winner, and Mr Pilbrow, junr., gave the owner of Billy-go-by-em £10 to run his horse for this ovont. Going up to tho post, Hedge told tho rider of Billy to look out how he rode, for he would be well watched, and if ho did not ride his horse out he would catch it hot from the stewards, and at last Hedgo instilled such a funk into him that as soon as ho reached the starting Hag ho went back to the paddock. Clarenco then went round the course by himself, and as the fact of Billy-go-by -'em going to the post constituted a start, Mr Pilbrow's horse claimed the full stake. The stewards not being satisfied, held an investigation, and forwarded the evidence taken to the Grand Natiohal Club at Timaru, and they, without allowing Mr Pilbrow to havo any say in the matter, dis qualified the horse and both jockeys. Mr Pilbrow has applied for a re-hearing of the case, and the fact of the Hawke s Bay Club not taking any steps to prevent Clarence running on Thursday last, shows that he has not altogether been fairly dealt with andihas right on his side. The popular horseman J. Wattie has had thirty-two winning mounts this season, but strange to say.he has not been successful in any of the big events. He rode Trenton in two out of the three events that he won, and among the othor races that he was suc cessful in was the Auckland Derby_ on Nelson, and Napier Tradesmen's Handicap on Leonora, while he bestrode Nonsense in the ever-memorable struggle between her and Taeman for the N.Z. Cup.

Mr G. Bate, who is at present on a visit here, has removed last year's foals out of his mares Jenny Lind and Zealandia from Sylvia Park to Major George's at Epsom. Both are well grown, and promise to develop into first-class fillies. According to a Christchureh writer, Grip, the hero of the Canterbury Jockey Club Meeting of ISBI, has been purchased by Harry Hickton on behalf of two sportsmen in the Bay of Islands. He will serve _ a limited number of mares in that district in the spring, after which Hickton will take him in hand, and if all goes well, will race him during next Beason. I am glad to be able to state that tbe Auckland Racing Club are to have a new set of rules to race under, and Mr Peroivol is now busy engaged compiling them. When completed they will be put before the Committee for their approval and adop tion, and afterwards printed. At Christchureh last week, Sou-wester was supported very freely for the N.Z. Cup, commencing at 1,000 to 60 laid in one lino; 1,500 to 150 was then booked, after which 700 to 84 was also taken, and the backer wished to go on at that price, but 100 to 14 was then the best offer. Sou-wester was also sup ported about the same in Dunedln to win £1500. Eskatos was backed to win the Derby to the extent of 800 at 100's to 10 and 12, and 1000 ,to 20 and 1000 to 10 was also pencilled against him winning the double and treble. Charmer was backed for the Derby for 500 or 600, and also for the double.

At a meoting of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club last week, the new rules which the Club have had under consideration for some time past were brought up and finally passed. Tho main alterations between the new and old rules are as follow:—In future a "maiden horse" will be one which has never won an advertised raoe ex ceeding 25 soys. in value at the time of starling, instead of at the time of entry, as heretofore. Two-year-olds will not be allowed to start in races exceeding a mile and a quarter. All horses must be named before 11 o'clock on the day preceding any race for which they may be entered or nomi nated, under a penalty of £5. An alteration in the name of a horse must be registered and a fee of £5 paid. The Btarter will in future be empowered to fine a disobedient jockey an amount not exceeding £10. An owner running more than one horse In a race will not oe allowed to declare to win with one; he must run them all on his merits. In the event of a division of stakes it will not be necessary for a horse to walk over. Any horse in a selling race must be put up to auction if a demand is made to that effect. The old rules as to produce races were all struck out. The rule defining " gentleman riders" was after some discus sion passed as follows: — "No persons having received payment in consideration of work performed in connection with the training or riding of horses, shall be eligible to ride as gentlemen riders, unless specially sanctioned by the stewards." A motion to amend the rules relating to weight-for-age hurdle races so as to admit three-year-olds was proposed, but was lost. Writes " M azeppa :"—Mokoia, the black son of Korari and Malice, has been added to the Hon. G. McLean's string at the For bury. Gorton has been sent Dack to the farm. I understand that the Cadogan—No Name filly is to be known henceforth as Lady Gertrude. Kean has now six horses in his bands, viz., Lady Emma, Lady Evelyn, Lady Gertrude, Matanako, Mokoia, and Rubezahl.

The following are the nominations for tho two principal events of the Victoria Racing Club Steeplechase Meeting, to be hold on the 19th July :—

Granp National Hubdlb Each ; about S miles. West Coast, aged Ontario, Syrs Star, aged Yately, aged Lady Teazle, lyrs. Musidora, 6yrs Insolvent, Syrs ' Basilisk, agod Prospect, aged The Joker, Syrs Tantaliser, syrs Dunstan. Syrs lirenda, 6yrs Boroondara, aged Stifford. iyrs Blaze Away, 6yrs or Sundowner, agod aged Malua, 4yrs Equity, aged Sir Patrick, Syrs Discount, aged Merryman, syrs ■ Omadbaun, $yrs Don Quixote, Syrs Paddy Melon, 4yrs f Jingwood, Syrs Shoot Anchor, SJTS Western Sinking Fund, 4yw Tattlor, Syrs Last Try Nutlad, aged Flamborough Yarree, 6yrs Tho Agent Grand National Ktkepleohasb ; about 3 miles.

Katunga, oyrs Chippenham, aged Fame, 6yrs The Baron, Syrs Bryan O'Lynn, aged Lizetto. aged Adsum, aged General Jackson, aged Hope, aged Kestrel, 6yrs or aged Pride, aged Tanco. Syrs Moonlight, aged All Serene, aged Sundowner, aged Aust. Court, Syrs Union, aged Blaokthom, aged Friendless, Syrs Fickle, fiyrs Kulkyne, aged Revolver, af ed Hands Down, Syrs Governor Great Westorn. aged The Squatter Stampede, aged Chester' Tandstlokor, agod The weights are due on the 80th Jfune.

CONDENSED ITEMS.

Weights fescthe Melbourne Cup are due o.ext Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The V.R.C. Derby candidate Bucking bam has gone into work at Randwick.

Mr J. 0. Evott has been appointed handi capper to the new Wellington Jockey Club.

Messrs Whetham and Walker will issue their New Zealand Turf Record at the end of next month.

It is unlikely that Fordham, the Englsih Jockey, will ever ride again, his health hav ing broken up. Commotion has gone into Mr F. F. Dakin's hands to be prepared for no ,t sea son's engagements. The Hawkosbury Racing Club will give away £1,837 in added; money at their Spring Meeting, divided amongst eleven races,

J,. W(*,ttie has accepted. a retaining fee from Mr A, E. Harris, and this gentleman will have first oall on his services for the next twelve months.

Mr M. Jacobs has placed his late pur chases Ned o' the Hills and Dutchman, in Mr J. Redfearn's stable, to be. trained for th eir future engagements.

Sometime has been scratohed for the Melbourne Cup. Itappears'that the owner, after entering the colt and sending persons 30 miles to get him, found that he was un sound.

"Senex" regrets to hear _w_Mr. Hors ford has had more bad luols Maritana Last year she missed to, Hpmby, and this week she slipped twinfoale to him. Cadogan will be her mate next season. Mr- Foy did'not baok Soot Free, who won the Two Thousand Guineas, for a shilling until after the horses had gone down to the starting-post, when he put on a thousand at a fraction over 3 to 1.

. The two-year-old colt Remington ,by Musket—Rangi, that Mr P. F. Toncred purchasod at the New Zealand Stud Com pany sale, is to bo put to stud duties in the Wairarapa district. What unlimited monoy there seems to be in tho Southern market for Trenton' "_4azeppa" aays that on *h. evening of the Oamaru race day bo was backed to win £500 in % C.JC.Derby at fives to one. Steady work is being done at Randwick irt the mornings by the horses that aro beine prepared for the .Spring campaign (writes Nemo, ) and most of the candidates for turf honours are looking hearty and wellibr the time.

Taßman's own brother, Prodigal, has again been victorious. At the Tasmanian Racing Winter Meeting, after running second to Sheet Anchor In the Elwick Handicap, he e^ly jpj.%l p]fif ft, Flying j^**"^ ■*•*#s. Cur *.*,*ophy Is valued at 200 guineas, & consfats ofa silver dee f|ei*t serrice ■ Qj[l2 pieces each, of which is mp_st beautifully worked in the richest de sign, which have been selected in place of the usual cup or vase, Th 9 weight of silver _260ou_ces, > -..-■-■ .-;

FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS.

(BY ACT-ICON.)

FOOTBALL FIXTURES,

Auckland Rugby Union Programme,

. £"5 _-<_' af*'o V* North Shore. Ponsonby v. Albert, Gordon v. Newton. _> •»_ t. July s—Now Zealand v. World. July 12 —Auckland v. Albert. Newton . Grafton, North Shore v. Pongonoy "emon r* July 19—Auckland v. Newton, Albert v Grafton, North Shore v. Gordon. July 26-AucklaDd v. North Shore, Newton v. Albert, Ponsonby v. Gordon. »•>_,_,. August 2 — Auckland v. Ponßonby. North Shore v. Albert, Grafton v. Gordon August 9-Auckland v. Gordon, Ponsonby v. Grafton, Morth Shore v. Newton. Augustlß-Auckland v. Grafton, Ponsonby v Newton, Gordon v. Albert. A .5 US£ 23-Graf ton v. North Shore, Ponsonby v. Albert, Gordon v. Albert. August 30— Sept. 6-Club ties.

CRICKET FIXTURES.

The Australian Eleven,

June SO—Sheffield, Australians v. Players July 10-Manchester, Australians v. AH Ene land. fa . uJr J?—ford's, Australians v. Middlesex. i, y il~k°? A B- Australians v. All England, July 21-Brighton, Australians v. Sussex. July 31—Oval, Australians v. Players. August 4-Canterbury. Australians v. Kent. August 7—Clifton, Australians v. Gloucester- August 11-Oval. Australians v. All England. August 18—Cheltenham, Australians v. Glou cestershire. August 21-Nottingham, Australians v. Notts. August 25-Bnghton, Australians v. Past and Present of Cambridge. August 28—Gravesend, Australians v. South of England. September 1 — Nottingham, Australians v. North of England. September 4—Scarborough, Australians v. I Zlngarl. September 11-Oval, Australians v. All Eng land.

To Correspondents.

Eton.—Our correspondent asks—"Sir: Would you favour me with an answer to the follow ing:—A certain cricket club had decided to give a bat to its highest average scorer. In one match-but two men had an innings, win ning tho match themselves. Would their scoreß count In the average, or should that match be omitted? In a word, is It the rule that when an Innings is commenced all scores countf—All scores upon whlah the decision of the match depends would count; conse quently, in making up the averages, the scores of both men named would be, up till the win ning of the match, included In their agereirat^B. —act_bon. . "Tsar

The disputed try in the Ponsonby and Newton match has been disallowed, and the match will be considered a draw.

The new gig for the North Shore Naval Brigade was launched last week. She appears to give satisfaction.

Little Sammy Goodman played one of the pluckiest games of football on the Domain Ground last Saturday that I have seen for sometime.

The temperance people have n praotica. exponent of their principles on the football field. We refer to Graham Tawhai, who plays an excellent forward game for Gordon.

Walter Jones has sold the yacht Minx to Lind, the commission agent, who intends to forward her to a gentleman in the South Island.

A Waitara paper recently to hand speaka in complimentary terms of an open boat reoently forwarded there from Bailey's Auckland shed.

Clare has launched a 4 ton yacht for Beei of the Thames, and has now orders for two yachts for Lomy—one. 20ft long and the other to measure 4 tons—and also for a 4-ton yacht for Cato, of the Thames. " Logan has undertaken to build for F Williams, owner of the Christina, a.new yacht, to measure about 8 tons, which, I believe, he guarantees to beat anything of her size yet turned out here. The yacht Merry Duohess, owned by Mr Brooke?, of Waiwera, which went ashore there during a reoent gale, has been brought up to Logan's North Shore yard, where her damages, which are not extensive, will ba repaired. Tbe Auckland contingent of the football team will be met at the Queen-street Wharf and formally welcomed by the representa tives of the local Rugby Onion on their arrival by the Te Anau, on Monday fore noon,

Another large yacht for an Auckland gentleman is in course of construction at Bailey's shed. This vessel is to be a fast sailer, and will probably be heard more about in a few weeks' time. Her dimensions are to be • Length of keel, 28ft. ; beam, 9ft. ; depth of hold, sft. She is to have a lead keel, and will be otherwise well fitted out for racing purposes.

South End Cricket Club.

The Secretary of the above sends me tho following averages for the past season :-. BATTINS AVERAGES. i Nae*. . >'■ Brookr_ld.H. .. **$»- _f- Avf|f"• Brown. G 12 {3? -Hi Sutherland,». .. 4 « ■ m*S Howard A. .. n og ,-■».?,, BrenuaS. M, 7 _g Si 0 LeaSy^Jas, .. J g ' ■«* Brennan, Jas, io 38 55 BOWHNO ANALYSIS. t . Balls. Runs. Wits. A_kl Leshy.. ~ ..407 176 87 til* Brennan, Jas. ..50 19 4 ,i Brennan, M. .... 81 3S I 6.1 Brown, Ot. _-.-,_. 85 l_ 1 74 Howard .. .. 301 ua IB InV Sutherland .. .. I.Q 37 g fif

Gordon Cricket Club.

I have to acknowledge a printed copy of the annual report of this club for the post season. It congraiulates member* on the success achieved during the past year, which stuggw k attributed to Con stant practice. The is the third year of the Club's existence, and during that time it h_,s played 58 matches, winning 32 am* losing 9, the remaining 17 Seine. drawn. Duringthepast seasofi, 21 matches were played, 01 which 15 were won, 2 lost, and 1 drawn. The second eleven played IS matches, winnfcin 4 and losinc. 4, the re maining 6 bah\g drawn.

BATTING AVBRAOBS-. First Eleven, No.of Svkes.J.B... ;,U^ *$"• W HoldSitp. W. . ii tl? " fff McCausland.B, _ 17 J« JJ-* Ansenne,J,.. " 17 ?£ &2 ■toburnTji.Nv, 20 sif " }„*i Wood.R. ■„* ..-. 17 $2 «•£ Meldnuu.L. ".g Jg »;J Second Elovon. No. of

Stevens, F. .. .. tangsa» *{£<*- *™V- Clendon.E... ~ _» JSf }2*? Kenderdlne.W, 1 15 'as . X2*i MoCausland, M. .. 8 U «*? Hamlin, W.:. /. g % \ §•« BOWHNO ANALYSIS.

MeldrumW. ...sß.' R_^ ."s*■ *&- Gould, C. H. ..810 277 *, ._. Moldrum.L. V. 001 lie g -H Williams. N. _, 474 153 17 81

What is a Picture?

Now that exhibitions of paintuiers ar« .„« order of the day in London S&T& may not be amiss to hove an an?-h_„_! definition of the word ni. t,,« j * ntic the world what _^l_Sß&fflgSS« meaning of that term. Such »A% •? th- a shortly to be provided hi °efin 't><>n v an authority than C«& Tribunal^.* Seine, which has, been Sled ™to „ ye 'its opinion in a curin,i» »««„».. - , jagainst the Lu,Shc?. t -1£ ; that some years n.n +C £ appears artist entered into % £&_ flu»c» contract with a furni..,™ _! i s Porfc,n? Sequin to be s .pS^lhtte™ and other fui-piture worth about ifowtft The coloration for these articles S. lobe gryen m money, but in the swJJ P„ painting, to be exhibited by the Und handed to the deal/r. s?Cte r SwT less enoueh' or «^wd eno a u S r \rtaWA S omV ears hefore claiming f& ; rights under the ag. eenaent f and _I th» meantime Herr Munkocsy had ncqtfred£ world-wide reputation. M. Sog«^X„ came to hun. with a demand for th«^iJ_^ ; agreed to be delivered, and hi & ;w_s not absolutely refused. "IffiSSS sent to him a framed eanvm. * 'which, appeared what las fflLi.s2 accepted as a picture Th_ w * be :ovei{declaresfW !»» o^ a-Ki-?^ which the outlines are vae-iL ar.,l *T _. and there is »o?afe^_^ Hu wants* to comnnl M_ \ tmisb to set to* work S and *. V6mry plete the sketch until ir*h_, to com of the name ol ["_ °. Jl„*^P«V™&? therefore, " B F B Ih^ 1-5* **" orderof thiCouS 'r__h«^_ "!_* Bet ** of Mr Belt in the Que^sf *el tb9 maQDW

A short time ago Dr. yon Billow ._*■ ' performance of aßeethoven SB&2P-5 " ; foro the Court at Berlin S??. b 1 a oudien^ Wh'en^t ended SW °f tha royal audience and _Sd " Yo^T^I 0 the heard that fi„ 8 igfr mS^T^ Halsen Circus, and I thono-w. - *. tba hear it as if-ought to be£#<_. »y°« $ ,u2d CW is a n4-name for .he Odurf^ lßea 2tl_^l^S_

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURI.AY, JUNE 28, 1884,

4