UNKNOWN

[By Zajueii.]

P'«r,c write, a ndtfli'wur's name to Inch, «• .no write—vain tiioutfhtl—for nuuiiCul cash, Some write to please tlio country clash, And r0:33 a din. , For mt, an aim I never fasli— I writoforfun.

TIH-: political horizon is very much overcast; that little cloud no bigger than a man's hand which appeared after tho defeat of the Government—the cloud of ambitious dreams and struggles fur place and power—has spread till it hasovored the firmament, and no bit of bluo sky is to be seen—not even that "bit o' blue" which tho great Pro- Consul donned for King Tawhiao's sako ! No fixed star or wandering planet can bo discerned through tho general gloom, and tho political astrologers and sootbsayore are at a loss to predict probable "conjunc tions." To drop motaphor, tho Honso is dissolved, tho flimsy party ties that prevailed have all been snapped, and each politician is preparing to fight his own battle boforo his constituents. Tho game has been opened in oarnost by tho speeches of Sir George Grey and Major Atkinson, who are tho two leading politicians in the North Island. Thorb Booms now no hope of a coalition being elfectod between them, though their political viows are practically idontical; and I fear the Northern Oppositionists who may bo returned to the next Parliament will prove to bo tho veriest jackals to the roaring lions of the South. I need not say I believo tho province of Auckland will send none but Government supporters, for I believe nothing of tho sort. Wo shall send down as motley a crowd ns over, with tho result that tho South will got thing? all its own way. When (ho clouds break (to re sume the imagery) I may bo less pessimistic; but meantimo my mind" reflects the sombre tints of the political sky.

To a contemplative philosopher such ns I, it is highly amusing to watch the struggles for place in the Big House at Wellington. Tho needlo is continually shifting to nil points of the political compass, and the weathercock is now the best emblem of politics. All political lethargy was, how ever, shaken oft' with most dexterous celerity immediately the honorarium ques tion appeared on tho tapis. Behold how powerful is the argument to tho purso ! Tho virtuous professions of both parties as to patriotism, delaying tho business of the country, drawing of a double honorarium, and the like, will bo re ceived with sundry smiles of incredulity by tho initiated. Fielding's ironical definitions apply hero with poculiar force, viz., patriot, a candidate forplace ; politics, tho art of getting one. The Opposition programmo is a long time in labour, but it is sincerely to be hoped that something better than a " ridiculous moss" will be brought forth ; let them tako for thoir motto "union is strength." At pre sent they are in the Cave of Adullam. Whatevor bo the upshot of the elections, each party will have a solace to fall back upon. Iho victorious in tho sweots of office, and tho vanquished can indulgo to their hearts content in that hare-brained chatter of irresponsible frivolity so poculiar to a New Zealand Opposition, and to tho Irish section of the British Houso of Commons ■That honorarium vote still sticks in the gizMrds of the electors, and I should not be surprised to find it deciding tho fate of one or two shaky candidates. On this subject I have been handed the undemoted humour ous versa* by' kEtTu Brute," which are too good to be relegated to the limbo of re jected poems :— THE GUINKAS. On Nowinnrkit heath, on a l>y{, rht June morn, How wolconic tho roar nf tlio "Ring"is, " Six to otrn, brrono. that none o£ you name The borso that will win tho Guhieas." Onr political nags we are saddling out now, And on wbinh to " put on" our tin is The question for us. but the question for them Is who witl "bull oft" the Guineas? I heard ono of them say, t'other night at the play. "I don't know what my political sin is; My partr was told to "so for the gold," And stick cut for Two Hundred Guinoas." The Premier was rough: said, "One hundred's enough." It a downright scandalous thing is. ■With my Eudset behind, to expect me to find. Each of you two hundred guineas. Then W. J. Hurst, by Opposition accurst (Flow-ir in button hole in ia). Said, " I nn stand a good deal, but I cannot re veal My love for these two hundred guineas. To say a paltry ono hundred enough, Hurst and Peacock your argument thin is, Representing tho country is all very fine, But wo must collar this two hundred guinea 3. To make taxes aid laws, and talk railway lines, Stuff about what we diui't care a pin is, Tho lino that wo want i.s Ijie want of the times, Thii cheque for tlio two hundred guineas. Our numbers wore right, ao we stood up to fight; Every man of us meant for to win his. Moss sent us a pair: Da''gavil!e was not there; And we cleverly landed the Guineas. Possossion is now nine points of the law. And the law we must mako again is To make honorariuni3 perfectly safe, And keop them at two hundred guineas. We must trot out Sir Goorgo with bia beautiful speech. And gull them again, for tho thing is To bamboozlo the voters while we do the leech, And draw quietly two hundred guineas. Hore he ceased, as the beautiful music started, Soft us a night wind's sigh. My faith in the Greyites is all departed, And this is the reason why. I perceive, with a sigh of relief, that the Domain Board has at last auccumbed to that inexorable law which regulates the survival of the fittest in the progressive evolution of higher organisations. Although only 22 years and some months old it has gone down to oblivion with all the decrepi tude of age upon it. Inheriting a weekly conititutton It has struggled through life feebly, contending against that chronic tightness of the chest which had always * crippled its efforts and circumscribed its usefulness. The malady was intensified by severe internal disturbances which occurred from time to time at irregular intervals, one peculiarly severe spasm, which resulted from an (esthetic outburst on the part of a legal limb, having even arrested public attention. Still, if it haa through life been rathor an object for commiseration than the incenso of eulogy it honestly conserved a great public truat, and handed it down un impaired if not greatly improved. It made its advent in October, 1861, Henry Sewell, Sir Francis Dillon Bell, Dr. Knight and Dr. Pollen being its sponsors, and of these gentlemen not one had the melancholy pleasure of closing ita dying eyes. Mr Barstow presided over that last financial duty. The minutes of all its meetings are containod in one ordinary sized volume in scribed respectfully in the handwriting of the late Mr Joseph Brown and MrH. N. Garland, and by a notablo coincidence there wag just sufficient space left in the volume for tho insertion of a record of the closing meeting, liequiescat in puce!

I have received tho following com munication from tho Official Assignee in Baukruf'tv in relation to a " shot " at care lees creditors which I delivered last week: — "To Zumiel : Kef erring to a .paragraph in to-day's ' liaudo-n Shots.' Whilst quite agreeing with your remarks about the < supißWioM1 of creditors in certain cases, your reference to an instance where ' a bal ance of £10 was handed over to a bankrupt' is without the slightest foundation. In fact, such a thingispossible, but you canrely upon my positive assurance that nothing of the kind has happened in the Auckland District since the new Act came into operation.—T. LaWSON. June 28, 1884." I have made further inquiry into the matter, and now find that with one exception my original statement was substantially correct. The exception is that, while the debtor's assets amount to £16, and a balance of about £10 will remain, after paying all expenses no creditors having proved—this balance has not yet been handed_ over to the debtor, but, as Mr Lawson admits, possibly will be. X X X

There is weeping and wailing among the habitues of tho "pubs;" the "mashers" and the " chappies " are disconsolate; fora Puritanic public has conspired to rob a poor man of hi 3 beer after 10 p.m., and to cut short those charming tete-a-lcle which Our youthful "bloods" were wont to hold with fair barmaids in our city hotels. On Tuesday last the edict came into force, and since then disciples of Bacchus wear a look of settled melancholy, premonitory of in tended suicide and incipient " blues." The cad effects of prohibiting "cakes and ale," because some folksare virtuous, are'most ap parent at the Opera House, where by the help of Appleby's ''onion " the thirsty souls ■who take seats near the door are ready to weep tears of vocation. On Monday even ing (the last night of the old hours of closing) it was amusing to notice the eager haste with whick tho house was temporarily " depopulated at ths interval between the second and third acts. I did not follow the crowd to do evil, but I could in imagina tion see each devoteo as-he.took an in spuing draught of his favourite tippl.;. \PJ6h true thoughtful consideration the

management mado tho intorval of double tho usual duration, so that the thirsty souls might onjoy tho "linked sweetness long drawn out" of a long-sleever, or linger over the delightful aroma of their cognac or schnapps, or haply of " A honker full of the warm south- Full of tho true, the blushful Hipppcrcno. With beaded bubbles winking lit the brim And purple-stained month!" It was with many a sigh that thoy obeyed the call of tho electric bell and hastened back to witness the closing scenos of " Manola"; and no doubt many a time and oft in future, "when the crocus gently croak*," they will think of that last fond drink enjoyed after 10 p.m. before 1 hoy wcro relegated to the tender mercies of thecofleo stall man, or the oyster-dealer for much needed evening "refreshment."

Years ago in England it was considered the propei: thing by the dear, dimpled, rosy clioeked young ladydom of the tight little island to got furiously in love with every young curato who camo in tho way, and tho sight of a bachelor parson without a bovy of" helplossly-sinitten damsels in his train, would have struck ono as being as incon gruous as a society journal with a sober editor, or Mr W. J. Hurst without a bunch of violets. But alas ! tho fashion has changed, and tho shock-headed poet who writes lugubrious sixteen-metre stanzas on nothing in particular has supplanted tho curato in the ticklo feminino fancy, and drags tho femalo world at his chariot wheels. " Zamiol" has lately given much earnest study to tho characteristics of his female fellow-colonists, and tho conclusion ho has arrived at is, that though as yot tho Auck land girls have displayed no disposition to worship lean, lank poets of tho greenery yallcry typo—possibly from a scarcity of poets- they havo a chronic penchant for curates. Every means that ingenuity could iiij'fest, or science devise, had been adopted fortno purpose of keeping smallpox, cholera, curate fever, and othor infectious diseases from gaining a footing in this fair young country, but though stringent quarantine regulations havo so far socured us immunity from smallpox and cholera, they proved in effectual in preventing the introduction of the insiduous enrato lover.

This form of disease was introduced into Auckland four years ago in tho person of ti youthful Boanerges, who was engaged ns deputy-assistant Boul-sayer in n city parish So contagious was the disorder, that within a month of tho young gentleman's arrival, DO por cent, of tho girls hud it very bad, and the bank clorksand drapers' assistants, el hoc genus omnc, pined at tho alarming defoctidn of tho fair onos. Domestic econo mists toll mo that it is impossible to imagine what tho tho consequences would have been had not this particular curato takon unto himself a wifo Tho bank dorks, Sc, came smiling to the fore again, and fondly imagined that they would again bask in the smiles of the fair ones. How ovojs ju3t whon the lovesick maidens were approaching convalescence!, Tommy Spurgeon, clad in youthful comeliness and a black surtout, burst upon us, and woo's mo, tho girls caught it again in a much more malignant form. My pen would fail to describo the damage done to yearning hearts by the youthful Tommy, and indeed t'would be superfluous. Suffice to say that, after he hud carried on Ms depredations for nearly threo years, his papa took pity on this long-sufforing city and called him away. The patient mashers again became Id mo(k x but thoir hour of triumph has been short. For why, another bachelor parson, more handsome- than his pre decessors, has arrived, and his career might bo summarised by hlmmlf with Cmsarian brevity, Vent, vidi, viri. Where hia grey-haired predecessor had a bare dozen at tho weekly Bible class, <mr young Iriontl lias now GO searchers alter Divine truth, and petticoated reinforcements ore coming in squadrons and platoons from every Betliul —from Newmarket to Cox's Creek. A per fect avalanche of tea cosies, cushions, ami slippers has commenced to pour upon him, and ho promises to bo ore long tho most Berlin-woollcd man in existence. Mean while the ciders look complacently on, and predict an appreciable increase in the revenues of tho church.

" Zamiol," for onco in his life, is in tho position of ono who wants to know, you know. Some months ago, there was such a nice appeal made in tho paper for a great street improvement which it \v;i3 could be effected at the corner of Symonds-street and Karangahapo Koad, by the City Coun cil purchasing a piece of the Jewish ceme tery, and making a curved turn at tlio junc tion of the thoroughfares named. This was followed, in due course, by an application to tho City Council from the trustees ■of said cemetery, in which tho slice of land waa offered in consideration of some £3 0 towards the erection of new boundary wall. lam not quite sure if that was the correct sum of money, but at all events, the Coun cil smiJed upon the project, the money wag voted, and tho "public improvement" went ahead.* Now it is about finished, and I am bound to confess that I fail to see wher» the public advantage comes in. I can Bee that about three square yards of tho ceme tery have been given to the public, and that the burying-ground has got a splendid concrete wall to the street frontage instead of the " rickle o' Btanes " that formerly did duty as a fence. What I want to know is—Were £300 of public money given for those three yards of ground ? Is it " public improvement" to build walls for tho Jewish cemetery? And does it not seem (to use an expressive provincialism) that the rato payers have been cleverly "jewed" in this matter ? If the facts be as I have been lid to believe, the long-suffering ratepayers of this city may well say of the Jewish grave yard as the Psalmist of old sang of Zion— "Her very dust to me is dear!" X X X

Injuvenescence I have read with raptur ous delight of Robinson Crusoe's goat, and at a riper age some of us have been amused with the metamorphosis of Mr Hurst's renowned pig, Bertie Saverna. Mr Josiah Firth's milch cow (calves in Juturo) has been recently to the fore, again and again. We have also read of a Pope's bull (so often used to cow the refactory), to say nothing of the conversational powers of Balaam's ass, and the carrying capacity of Jonah's whale, but that which has hitherto " whopped creation" is Barnum's white elephant. This gentleman has, however, now been compelled to take a back seat, having been altogether superseded by " The Abbott's Cardinal." Johnny's uniqus experience when empaled on the shaft, on a dark night, must have been of a most-ex traordinary character, and in the minutes that subsequently transpired when he was " careering in space" on the Cardinal, whoso neck was "clothed with thunder," and who not only did the skyscrap ing, but " pawed the stones of the valley," must have boon ut loast for him slightly exciting. I can imagine, moreover, his journey home by tho sido of his drooping steed, tho last moments of which were graphically described, but lam of opinion that he should also have includod the burial sceno, when tliero would have been ample scope for bin graphic powers of description and of poetical embellishment. It would be wellnow if newspaper scribes would lot the noble animal ft. I. P.

The respectable larrikins -of Farnell and Newmarket are well - organised bodies, under their respective captains, are in beau tiful harmony, and, of course, bent on mischief. Hitherto they have had no bands, only such mock instruments as kerosene tins for an occassional wedding, but weddings have become so numerous in these districts that even the discordant tins have been abandoned to the neighbour ing gullies. lam informed, however, that a band of tha whistles and drums i 3 con templated in order to warn young ladies to get out of the way, and the dis trict constable to be on the alert (not in disguise). Tradespeople and young persons who take, physical exercise in Parnell Hall complain loudly of the needless intrusion of these exuberant youths who find their way into the hall without tickets, in a most mysterious manner,and,it is said, use improper language. These effervescent lads have had several narrow escapes of getting into trouble, but thanks to their legs, which are more pliable than those of Abraham, whoso presence frequently had the effect of scattering the members of the larrikin ranks, Cousin George made sure of a catch the other evening, but the evi dence given in the Police Court showed that the two youths who had boen caught were innocent of tho great offence, and conse quently were discharged by the Bench on a promise of good behaviour in the future. The solicitor made a moving appeal in favour of these respectable lads, and saved them by his sympathetic eloquence from further disgrace. It is to be hoped that these uprising darlings will benefit by magisterial indulgence, and learn the sweot and protective lessor, of filial obedionco.

In these days of "realistic" acting, an experiment made on the dramatic stage in this fair city of Auckland deserves to bo chronicled on account of tlia light which it throws on the old question of Nature v. Art. The play was " Drink." and the actor who was to take the part of tho drunkard nhad, perhaps, in view the case of the ter

poranco lecturer, who was always accom panied by a proporly-intoxicated individual, whom he oxhibited, in order to show the frightful effects of alcohol. Anyway, thi3 actor ono afternoon devoted his snare time to getting into lit condition to depict the victim of mink. Along with an old "crony" from tho Land o' Cakes (and something stronger than alo) ho lingered over tho national beverage till tho hour arrived for going on tho stage It might bo supposed that in his condition ho would have been able without effort to porferm tho part of a debauched and bomuddled porson ; but ho found, on the contrary, that he could not produce those maudlin ell'octs which on former evenings had "fetched" the gods by their realism. It was only by a great and strenuous effort, indeed, that ho saved his part that night from being a complete fiasco ; and while fow of the audience hud any idea of the true state ot affairs, he himself will not forgot in a hurry the trying experiences of that night. Ho is convinced that it is much easier to " hold thp mirror up to nature" than to lot nature take her course, especially in acting the part of a drunken man. In vino velitas may bo true in a general sense, but it does not apply to acting, since a man requires all his wits about him when ho sots out to delineate any character, even that of a drunken sot. Tcmporanco advocates who wish for a fresh test upon which to dtlato aro welcome to tho foregoing incident, which is strictly true.

Tho littlo brother who has an annoying habit of putting in an appearance just when and where his big sister i.« having a quiet Ule a Me with her young man, is universally voted a perfect nuisance, and from what I can learn, little sisters have a •imilarly inquiring turn. If the notablo little brother nor tho famous little sister happens to see tho big nistor kissed, thoy will probably either scream or rush homewards at top spocd to convoy tho news. A very littlo girl of my acquaintance is not entirely free from this rather awkward talent, but yet sho has a dogreo of caution a long way beyond her years. Hor pa keep? n drapery store and omploys soverul assistants, also a servant, and tho lit tic sister has ulso a big sister. Tho !iilie sister and tho big sister go to church regularly, and ono of pa's young gontlcman eiuployea having been converted into a true Christian, was permitted on special oc casions to bring thorn homo in thu evenings. .Now for the rest, I urn dependant on tho story of tho notablo littlo sister. Ono Mon day morning she oaino down to hor \in'i shop in a terrible stato of agitation, bho seemed ready to cry, and vary much por ploxod about something. At last nho appeared to muster up courago to perform some torriblo tusk, and golnp to ono of tho young lady assistant! sho said, " Oh, Mias, Mr "is naughty. He told Polly (thli will answer for tho big sister's name) whon wo wcro coming homo from Church that ho had no sister to kiss, and ho must kiss hor. Oh ! and ho kissed her all tho way down tho street." Tlio young lady assistant did not care to interfere, but sympathised with tho littlo girl, and suggostod that she might toll her trouble to tho servant. Tho child did so, and tho servant spoko to Tolly about it. But Tolly only laughed ; in fast, sho scorned to consider tho kissing a rathor good tiling, but tho little sister would Hi..t be comforted, so sho told her ma, and ma told pa, and pa was furious. Ho treated Mr to a longthy discourse on the sinfulncss of kissing, and threatened that if he even wont near his daughter again he would bo dismissed. Thou the little sHter folt comforted, for sho had done what sho thought to bo hor duty, and was satis fied with tho result.

UNKNOWN

-(:■:) - [\j\ EUTKUPK.]

This Rev. Lloyd Keating, of St. Thomas's ' j.nararitcoi thy entii'u oxpongco of the Ama tour Ojioni Company, who aro goim; to ' produce " Tho Sorcerer," and ths proceeds of tha performances aro to bo equally divided hotween St. Thomas's Church Fund and tho Bunorolont Socioty. The rev, gentleman ha» n priratu income. Amongst tho passengers by tho last mail steamer for 'Frisco ngn Mr and Mr» J. B. j I'olk Hnd Air U. E. Walton, lately a member »f tha " Youth and Lights o' London" ! Company. Mr Walton intends to settle in I America. i Mr Frank Cate», jenne premier of the same dramatic combination, took his depar : turo on Saturday last by tho AuHtralia for Sydney, conveniently forgetting, however, 1 to pay his printing aad advertising bills. This is the more ungrateful on his part as ' tho press bad be«n v«ry Indulgent to him, and h* had done wollbere. | "Williamson, Garner, and Mußgrove Comic ■ Opora Company after a New Zealand tour of unprecedented success, opened in Bris • bane on Thursday week with " Tambour Major." ; Mi«» Alice Rees has had a farowell con i cert in Melboarne, and has now gone to i i tike up ker r«iid«DCO in Sydney. George Rignold begins his season at the Holborn Theatre with' a dramatic version of "Adamßede." There seem» to be quito an epidemic of " Bleak House" among tho English theatres just now. Some twenty lively young women at least are practising to start through Australia as Jo. The BatiTo Indian theatre-goers look on a play with disfaTour unless at come point an Englishman or Englishwoman its repre sented as getting soaked through—exter nally, of couree. Charles Wyndham, ameng pther Ameri can notions, introduces a whistle in place of the customary boll for signalling from behind the curtain, and Criterion audieaccs are objecting that their nerves are getting shattered. Mr Owen Dove's " Not a Word," is voted an outrageously vulgar and Irredeemably stupid failure at the Avenuo. It is com pounded of touohes of l'alais Koyal farcea and Boccaccioan reminiscences. "0, fond dove! Oh, foolish dove " is the critical re frain. Mary Anderson is touring through Scot land. The Edinburgh people declare that they know her great-grandfather—" John Anderson, my Jo." A Hungarian lady recently wrote to the editor of a paper to know if, when reciting Poe's "Raven," tho "Never more !" should bo spoken or croaked ! It may seem a molancholy paradox, but in professional circles the matter is lookod on as a fact that the shock of his wife's death has had tho effect on Frederick Mar shall of bringing about docided symptoms of improvement in his montal condition. Comploto recovery is now confidently spoken of as only a matter of time. Tho Sydney Opora House has been re opened under Signor Majoroni's lesseeship with an English version. of the tragic drama of " Marie Antoinette." Signora Majeroni is nieco to the great Ristori. In Rangoon at present there is a Russian Theatrical Company who hold out threats of appearing in "India, Australasia, America, and every part of the recognised universe." In order to give to local theatregoers an opportunity for some preliminary jaw practice, I subjoin portions of a playbill just issued by the Company :—A dissipated young painter, Mr Bambookopewshtcky ; an old gentle man, Mr Simpampomtchits ; a bold cavalry officer, Mr Vsemikabakah Niw*" shenky; a young wife, Miss Zprootenke vetcs; a wrinkled matron, Mrs Creme d e Cacahchouva; alovelace, Mr Sopelotchki n ; the heroine, Miss Panißerrjpshebendovitch! The onco celebrated Pasta is still living. Madame Alboni discovered her living od scuroly in a villa on the shores of Lake Como. Tho door was opened by a dirty, unkempt, old woman, who showed the visitor in, saying " The Signora Pasta will bo here directly." Madamo Pasta presently appeared, and Alboni saw her to be the venerable person who had opened the door, but with her negligent toilette slightly re paired. After some conversation she opened her piano ; her fingers strayed over the keys as though she were seeking some forgotten melody, and then her voice suddenly broke forth in the magnificent cavotinafrom "Tnncredi," '.'Ditantipalpiti." It was liko theovocationof ?.magic world from the past. The aged lady had become trans figured; she had recovered her youth, and belonged again to the era of her triumphs."

DON'T DIE IN THE HOUSE.

" Kouprh on Hum" eieaiM out rata. mice, beetles roaches; bed-hugs, flipn. ants, inseots, moles jack-rabbits, gophers.—Kempthorte, Prosser & Co., Agents, Auckland.

SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTURES.

Now Zealand. South Canterbury J.C. Stcopleehascß.....luly 11 Wellington J.O. Steeplechases July 12 Australia. V.H.C. Steeplechase Meeting July l'J

To Correspondents.

Van Amihjkgii (Wellington).—Think Necklapo lias only an outside show of winning Iho IN./ Cup. Ukmukhaitk.—Glndiatcur.uFi'cnrh-liri'iHiorse: IClsbur, Hungnrian-luTd, and ironuofs. mi American-bred horse, won tho ICughbh Derby ill ISlia, 1870, and 18S1 respectively. D. T.-In tho Steeplechase at tho A. 11.0. Sum mer Meeting, Chandler's weight wat 10st 121b, but I understand ho carried some L'lb or alb over. Clarence's weight whs I'M 121b. WAaicu.-I.ord Falmontli has won two Dorbioa wilh Silvio and Kingcraft, throe Oaka with Splimway, Jannette, and Wheel of Fortune throe St. Legora with Silvio, Jannotte, and Dutch Oven, threo Ono Thousand Ouincu Stakes with Spinnway, Cecilia, nml Wheel of Fortune and three Two Thousand Ouinca Stakea with Atlantic, Galliard, and Charibert.

AN AFTERNOON AT CHAAFE'S.

[By Hii'FOHA.]

The afternoon of Saturday last was not ono of tho most ploasant to .solect for an outing, but liavinjr mado an appointment with Chnafo to havo a look over his chargon, I' dotermined to keep it, dospito tlio frowns of Jupiter Pluvius. Although not twolvo months a resident amongst us, Chaafo can boast of having a team that any trainer might bo proud of, but lie has proved him self deserving of it, for ho is ono of tho few hero that succeed in landing their horses " tit" at tho post. Added to this, Trenton, Krupp, and Necklaco (three of tho best two year-olds Now Zealand producod last sonson) havo boon prepared at his hands, and it was tho latter that I wus lirst intro duced to on Saturday. Tho gallant little daughter of Musket and Lockot ia winter ing on woll, and although so far cho hus not grown upwards to any extent, hliu Ims thickened out a great deal. Chaufo tells mo that »he w a wondorfully-con etitutioned lilly, and a glance at hor clear oye and bright and hoalthy coat was quite eutliciont to provo thig. Thoro aro hoiiio who havo expressed tho opinion that Neck lace will not got a distanco, but bred the stout way sho iB, I don't think there can bo much doubt about tho matter. Krupp was tho next intorriowed, and ho also is wintering on aH well as his boat friuuds could wish. From his appoaranco, it could Tory easily bo seen that though tho CJ.C. Derby is some months away, his custodian haa not been idle with him. llu is looking the picture of health, and Chaafo has never known him to be "sick, boio or BOrry." And thii means a great deal, for he has received some very severe gruellings with tho colours up. Chaafo feels quite eon tidont of Krupp winning tho Chriat church Blue Riband if ho winter* on all right, and avert that in their work ho was always master of Trenton. Should his prophecy come true, what a popular victory it will bo lice, and what rejoicing thoro will lie on tho p:irt of his popular owner, the Stud Company, and friondc Then shall his name—

•■ PuinilUr In ihnir mouths ub houauhoM words. ]lo In ihdrllovrlnK cujia frenlily romumborcd,' and further lustre bo uddcl to Musket a» a «ru. But Krnpp has a trying onloiil to go through ero thi* can bo recorded, and there can be little doubt ho will find foonicu worthy of his stcol in Trenton, Livorpool, and tho Watorgprito nott,not to monticm Eskntos and Hoveral othor.-t. And by-tho-by what a pity it la Necklace is noli nominated, for to Auckland*™ it would increaso tho interest iti the roe« ton fold. Aftor ft glnuco at tho thrue-yoarold colt PrincoGeorgo, by Muskot—Uoorifia, we wondod our way to Mr J. MaraboH's pro perty near tho ontranco to tho rncecourso. Herethu now »tal)lo.in»drosidonco forChaafo are boingoroctod.andjudging by tho progress mado with tho former, it will not bo long before the whole of bin team are comfortably housed there. The announcement " Hero comes four of tho yearlings " caua«d mo to look in tho direction thoy wero approaching uo, and tho first to catch my eyo was Thunderbolt (a full brothor to Nocklaco). lie is a rich brown in colour, and stands nearly 15.2, and ho far as shape (joes, is a* unlike his sistor na it is poseibfe to bo. For moat people's liking ho stand 3 too straight in front, but he shows a heap of quality, and in a beautifully-furnished youngster. More to my liking is Derringsr, tho colt bj Musket—Rosalie, who has a lengthy rein, well-formed quarters, and o Bplendid back and loin. Ho is close on IS hands, and in a short cantor that he was treated to moved like a gentleman. If appearances go for anything, I think ho should bo the trades man of tho four in tho two-year-old races noxtseason. Musk, tho colt by Muekot- Porfume, stands about 14.3, in a long lengthy younga tor cloao to the ground, taking a deal aftor his dam, and Entiold, by Musket—Toi, is a cobby-looking littlo fellow, that wants time. Deapito this, lie shows a lot of quality, and lik« all tho Muskets, is well up in" the withor. Aftor the four youngsters "came along" for about a furlong, fo walked up to tho show grounds at Green Lane, where Chaafe has the remainder of his team located. In the first box th«t wo camo to I had no difficulty in recognising Radamcs, who has been a great trouble to his trainer since the I'apakura Meeting, he haying broken the Vars of his for«-feot while run ning in the Cup. They are greatly on the improve now, but for all that are not por fectly sound, aad will yet require care and attention. The disappointiig Carbineer, looking much improved, occupied tho noxt box, while next to him was Ilevolver, who . has not grown to any noticoable extent, but has thickened out a good deal. Mr Percival's yearling filly Steal All, by Muakot —All Steel, next claimed attention. She is a long lengthy younglady,standing about 15.1, beautifully furnished.and just the sort that ought to come very soon. When Chaafo nr»t commenced to break her in aho 1 showed great temper, but now is as quiot as possible. Her next door neighbonr was Lady Lonsdale, by Anteroa—Lady Mary, who stands fully 15 hands high. She is particularly -well grown, with good back and loins, and splendid shoulders, whilo her hocks and knees are well let down. A more intelligent head ono could not wish to sco, and sho has a good set of legs under her. In the adjoining box was a colt foal by Musket—Prunolla (own brothor in blood to Trenton). Ho is a most promising-looking youngster in appoaranco, being particularly well put together, and from all accounts greatly resembles Tronton when ho was a foal. A look at the youngster's dam, who is in foaHoStorlingworthtnisyear, the brood mare Evorgreon, and Envious, brought my afternoon's visit to a clone, and aftor wish ing Chaafo all kinds of luck with his equine friends. I retraced my stops homewards— and not too soon it may be mentioned, for Sol by this time had his watering can in full swing, and was making things most un pleasant for all and sundry.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

The weights for the noxt Melbourne Cup reached us by cable on Tuesday last, and their appearance has caused ample food for discussion among turfites this week. Mr Barnard, I am glad to see, has acted with some consideration towards the New Zea land horses, this year, and so far as the Grip Lodge party are concerned thero is little cause for complaint. But on what ground could Mr Barnard hare apportioned the weight to the Auckland representative? He must have had Martini-Henry's brilliant double victory in his mind's eye, and is determined that we, at any rate, shall not swoop down on Flemington with a dark 'un. The leniency shown towards the three-year olds also is very marked, and although the race is yet a long way off, I will not be the least surprised to again see the winner found in their ranks.

With the exception of Krupp's dam Maid of Athol, I learn that all of Messrs T. and S. Morrin's brood mares are in foal; Punga werewere and Ouida were served Dy Musket, and Gannefc (late Lady), the Leo linus mare Aida, and Frailty (dam of Tren ton) by Anteros. Last season's colt foal by Musket out of Frailty unfortunately died from a sovere attack of tho strangles, but Messrs Morrin are the proud possessors of a full brother to Krupp, who promises to grow into a goo:l one. The gem of tho collection, howover, from all accounts is the colt by Musket Gut of the Yattendon mare Ouida.

The s.s. To Anau on Monday last brought back the local pencillers who visited the Napier Steeplechase Meeting, and their number was strengthened by the well known Southerners Mr X H. Vallance and

Mr J. G. Harris. The latter both leave again for Christchurch on Tuesday next, but intend remaining at Wellington to assist at tho cross meeting thoro on tho 12th July. Chandler and Uroy Momus, in charge of J. Kaoand Farroll, wore aba brought up by tho To Aniui. j\.-i tho Christohuroh Derby is exciting so much attention in Auckland thlH year, it will doubtloes prove of mtovost to my readers to jot down the most prominent, candidates cngiurcd. Their names and brooding are as follows :— TniBiTON, 1)5- Musket-Frailty Kui-I'i>, by Muskul-MaicUif Athol t'usiUKii, liy Musket - Vuttcriiiii LivKiil'ooi,, by KinKof (tiuhs-liUilia KdiiKiirysHi:. ky Kins; ol' clubs--Kn Availt Ciil.v Hick, liv ICin;,' of Clubs .-.Hammock Cn.\i;.MKii, by lCliii? ol' Ulubsi- Uluirni Colt by K.iiw'ul('luhs-V\'alc'i-.'>i'"l>' (unnamed) Tai.kiikaukh, by Albany --'('oil Talc Oaui.ton, by Albany- No Name Kskatos, by Korufi—Merinaiil IjAHV Kviu.Vn, by Porkin V:»r!>ixk—Pulohra I'iAin. llute Orelra (Ircen), by liollon Urcon— Pearl Ash. The many Auckland friends of Mr A. Snidor will doubtless be glad to hoar that he hns been mado a member of all the Tattorsall's (Hubs and betting rings in Sydney and Melbourne By advertisement on our lirst page to-dny, ho notifies that ho has books o'pon on oach of the forthcoming races in Australia, and will bo glad to hoar from his Now Zealand clients. His address is Victorian Tatter sail's Club, Bourko-street, Melbourne. From those who were present at tho Kawke'x Hay Steeplechase Meeting, 1 loam that Mr L'ilbrow prolitled to a good oxttmt by Clarence's victory in the big event. Tho Druid's clmnco was very highly thought of, but ho baulked in tho early part of tho race, and Chandlor unfortunately fell in botli events that lie started for.

In my article la.st wook about tho V.R.C. Derby, "it was stated that Reginald and Brown and Hose were among the candidates for tho event. This is a mistake, as 1 since find from a correct list that neither of the pair are nominated, The Sydney correspondent of tho " Aus tralasian" gives tho following interesting particulars concerning some of tho candi dates for noxt sea-on's turf honours:—

Fot.nolley's string all look well. Martini llenry is in great buckle for tho coming campaign, while tho Derby colts Tromando and Bargo havo thickened out wonderfully, but I fancy Salvo has grown a littlo " up." Despot looks well, and the samo npplied to I'hil Athol. Aluopp has King's Own look ing (us well as a Derby colt could look, and not tho least sign of a splint is now visible, am', with care, and no rushing alone in his work, ho will bo hard to beat. Sir Modrod is again in work, and his legs appear as clean as the day ho was fouled. Quoon'v Own, a sister to tho Derby colt, is a nico cut of a youngster, and should raco. Bristol and First Demon look woll under Dim Law son's caro. Zetland-lodge has an immense string under Tom Lamond'a charge, and it will bo hard linos if ho does not mako tho Maribyrnong Plato drop en thisuidoof tho Murray. Buckingham lihh quito recovered from his blistering on tho near foro fetlock, nothing remaining now but a callous lump, which his trainer states will not Intorforo with his work, but 1 do not fancy his under standings will over stand a Hovero'prepara tion.

Tho foreigners have recently made an other important purcliiwo in tho English thoroughbred market, the animal in ques tion boini! none othor than tho Derby winner of 1ST;!, Ooiictwtor, by Htockwoll from Marigold, a daughter of Teddington, Until rccoutly ho was tho pro]>orty of tho Duko of W«ntmiiiHlor, who sold him to tho Hungarian Uovermnout for £f>,ooo. Don castor was Icaled in 1870, and was broil by Sir Tat ton Sykex, who sold him to tlio lato Mr Jamas Murrv. Aftur his racing career, during which ho appropriated such rich stakes as tho Derby, Ascot, Gold Cup, and Alexandra I'hvtu, he pawed into Iho posao ..ion of Mr K. Pock, who sub.-equontly dis posed of him to tho Uuko of Westminster for j: 14,000. Ho lias not boon a great Buc rcw at the stud, for, with thn rxceptlon of Bend Or, who won tho Derby in Ih'HO, his progeny hnvo not nH a whole been remark able for their successes on tho turf.

Our London correspondent, under date May 9, writes :--"Tho victory of Busybody in t'ho Ono Thousand Guineas showed that Tom Cannon know what, ho was about wlion hondvUed Mr Baild to pay nearly £9,<i00 for Lord Falmouth's Hying (illy. Within throe days of Mr TattorHftlls hammer descending on tliu rostrum £7,000 of tho purchase money was got bnck in slakes and boU, and tho (illy seems to havo tho Oaks (worth £4,000 more) lit hor mercy, not to mention a chance second to nono for mich richly endowed events v tlio St. Lc^m (about £5,000), Iho Prince of Wales's Stakes nt Ascot (L'2,l7"i lust year), Coronation Btnki'B(C2,2so), Hardwicko Stukeut £2,701), Croat Ycrksliii-o Stake*, and Great Foal Stakes. Of eoario Busybody was sold under Lord Exeter's conditions, but oven with this drawback Mr Baird will bo unlucky if ho doom't uiako twice £!1,000 out of" her between now and November next."

Theru was noin«lhins! of a coincidonco in connection with tho Ladies' Trophy, run at tho Y.A.T.C. .Juno Mooting. Last year a horso named Tho Ghost, won, Mr Pear son's horso ran second, and O'Briuu rodo tho third. This yua- % dilTcront animal, but also named The Ghoul, won ; a hope of Pearson's was Bocond, and M. O'Brien rode tho third.

"Nemo" thus refers to Malua's namo appearing nunngst the entries for tho iluidlo Kacu at the V.li.C. Stooplcchano Mooting: -"Surely it must cither bo n mis take or a desporato attompt at a joke, for he would be just about as appropriately placed in a cab or a Chinese) gardonor's cart nsahurdlo race. Tho joke, if such it bo, i3 a most lamcntablo ono, for wo shall Inve to "wait awhilo" boforo tho son of St. Albans will bo asked to nogotiato tho tim ber."

CONDENSED ITEMS.

Tho Caulficld Cup woights aro duo on Monday nort. Previous to leaving for his Australian holiday trip, W. Clifford took to himself a wife.

Mr "W. A. Long and tho Hon. J. White are having privato training grounds formed for thoir horsos. Barcaldino, who was about tho best horso in England a short timo ago, has turnod " savago." The nominations for tho Hawkesbury Guinona of 1885 mimborfil, tho Hon. J. White having seven to his namo, A Melbourne) friend of mino informs mo by lottor this wcok that Garfiold is a great favourito thoro for tho V.1i.0. Derby.

Tho woll-porforraed steeplechase horse Rory O'More was recently passed in at public auction in Melbourne for £38. "Tout Cola," who edited tho Melboumo "Sportsman" for sometime, has established a paper devoted to sport in Sydney. The jockey Power, who mot with an. Ac eidont whilo riding in tho last Sydnoy Cup, has so far recovered that ho is ablo now to rido oxorcito woik.

A consignment of tho Grange yoarlings from tho Queensland breeding establishment that produced Lo Grand, are to bo sold in Sydney on tho Ist of Soptombor. The committee of Bowos'e Tattorsall's, Melbourne, have bceomo alivo to thoir im portance and intend charging bookmakers who may in future join tho Club an ontranco feo of £10.

The " Fodornl Australian " montions that after his arrival at Brighton, King of the Gipsies bocaino bo fractions that it was found nccossary to rcmovo him to Mr Inglis's station. " Augur " says tho most improved colt at Flemington is Tho Brokor, who promises to boat all tho Derby horses at "head quarters." Dirk Hattoraick is also spoken of as looking very well. Mr John Lee, of Sydney, has lost tho thoroughbred stallion Scamp, who was recently imported to the colony, and for which ho gave tho largo sum of 1,500 guineas in April last. Mr W. Douglas, of Napier, has purchased the thoroughbred entire Mute from Mr Allan McLean. He has been standing in the Poverty Bay district for some time paat. Mr W. Gannon, tho ownor of Sweot William, has publishod a card hoadod " An 111-used Horse," in which ho gives tho whole of the performances of the son of Yattondon, and shows that he has started 35 times, won only once, ran second and third six times respectively, and nowhere 22 times.

St. Gatien, who ran a dead heat with Harvester for tho English Derby, was a rank outsider until a few days before the last mail left, when ho was backed to win a good deal of money at 1,000 to 30. On the day before tho departure of tho mail ho was befriended at 1,000 to 40. It is said that the eecontrio old Duchess who races in England under the name of "Mr Manton" has given Fred Archer a lump sum of £6,000 to have the fourth call upon his services as a jockey, his first three masters being tho Duko of Portland, Lord Hastings, and the Duko of Westminster. What pickings tho " tinman " must have. _ Tho winners of the Lincolnshire Handi cap, City and Suvburban and Chester Cups, tho threo most important handicaps decided up to the date of the last mail, were all ridden by C. Wood. Fred Archer won nine races at Chester: but Wood hns an ad vantage, over him in tho matter of weight that cnabloß him to beat his great rival in handicaps.

FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS.

(BY ACTION.)

FOOTBALL FIXTURES.

Auckland Kugby Union Programme,

July 8-Now Zealand v. World. July 12-Auckland v. Alb'.rt, Newton v. Graft'on, North Shore v. Ponsonby. July 19—Auckland V. Newton, Albert V, Grufion, Worth Shore v. Goidcm. July 2ii-Auc,klat)d v. North .Shore, Newton v. Albert, Ponaonbyv. Cordon. August '1 — Auckland v. Ponsonby, North Whore v. Albert, Grafton v. Gordon. ' August il-Auckland v. tioidon, J'onaonby v. Grnfton, North Shore v. Ncwlon. ,\ugust. Hi-.Auckland v. Cralton, Ponsonby v. NcwUn, Gordon v. Albert. August 2:(-Urafton v. Nortl) Shore, l'onsonby v. Albort, Gordon v. Albert. August :»- SepLO—Club lie?.

CRICKET FIXTURES.

Tko Australian Eleven,

July 10—Manchester, Australians v. All Kng land.

July 17—lord's, Australians v. Middlesex. July '.'!-- Lord's, Australians v. All Knxluml. July L'l-ld-lK'lilon, Australians v. Sussex. July Sl— Oval, AuslmliaiiH v. Players. AuKU.st I—Canterbury, Australians v. Kent. AtiKust 7—Clifton, AuHtraliuna v. Gloucester- August 11— Oval, Australians v. All England. Augmt 18-Cheltenliam, Australians v. Ulou ccfltcrsbiro. AiiKiistlil—Nottingham, Australians v. Notts. AuKual'.'fl—DrlKliton, Auijlrallans v. Paal and I'rescntor Cambrirtgn. \ugust 28-Uraveiieiiil, AustraliaiiH v. .South of Kngland. 1 — Nottingham, Australians V. N.mh of Knglaml. September I—Soarborou|;li, Australians v. I 'September 11—Oval, Austniliaiis v. All Kng laud.

"ONLOOKFIl" writes :—During tho match botivoon Albert and Ponsonby Clubs last weok, sevoral remarks wore mado by com putont judges regarding tliu loose play in dulged in by many of tho Ponsonby for ward* in rogurd to tho careless manner in which thoy got onsido whom tho oval had been sent back by their opponents. Instead of getting onsido at once and supporting their backs, thoy left ono or two to stop tho combined rush of the forwards of tho other nide, when a mintuko by the backs would havo boon a score for their opponents. The moHtnoticcablo offenders in this respect were W. Skeen, McConnell, WhitCKido and Woollcr, and 1 hope they will take those re marks in tho same spirit in which they are intended, for it in by nogluct of this depart ment that matches arc ho often lost.

Tho yacht which Bailoy Ih building to which I referred la.»t wcok, in a (mliing boat to ordor of Carrol. JJailoy in ulno building n oedar half-decked yacht for Mr Butlor, of Wellington.

Sj^oaklH^ of lloarn, tlio "Town and Country" journal says ; "Ho ih probably tlio bent Hcullcr in Maoriland, but would bo ablo to (^ot on a do/on matches horo (Sydney) if bo came over intent on conrjiicHt. So far as can bo dHCortainod, lloarn would tnako a good raco with Mat turaon or Moiuionfror. Tho latter ho mot somo timo aj^o, and tnan agod to get homo In front; but Charlie (tarter for tho occasion) had been lowing for hoiiio montliH previously, mowing down all before, and wiih certainly a littlo oil when they mot."

Tho xocond lfunlaii exhibition at Albort I'tirk Lake, Melbourne, wa.s attended by about 5,000 porannn. Tlio champion tnic cooded in rowing lialf-ii-mila with turn under iitaitiH. ISboim., anil finished without nhowing any ci^'nn of ili^troHa.

After fulfilling an ongagotnont at Bris bane on Junu -Slh, iianlan intended to return to Sydney and go into tmining for hia match with W. Buuch for 4. r)0(t a-itido, to take place, on tho I'arumatta llivor on August 1(1. Klado has boon matched to wraith) 11. Dunn, Cumberland style, best livo out of nino falls, stakes £100 u-i-ide. Tho match was to come oil'at tho Recreation Grounds, San Francisco. A six duyH go-aH-you-ple-ftSo at Now York resulted in a victory for Pit/geniM, Kowcll being second. Fitzguruld (.'tits I'J,OOO dol lars, and Kowoll 500 dollar*, out of tho total proceeds, viz., 25,000 dollars.

LETTER FROM WILLIAM EDWARDS

Uo Dcfcatu Hart, of Boston, by Over Nine Kilos. Pbivatk Utters have been received here from William Edwards, tho Australian long distance walking champion, who left Auck land for America Hovcral months ago. 'His incarceration prior to hi* departure does not appear to hava affected his walk ing form, noeing that ho defeated Frank ii. lfnrt, of Boston, in ii nix days contest at Denver, Col., by (I miles nud '.) laps. Writing to Mr M. Gallagher, Edwards says:—"l know that you will bo glad to learn that I havo walked nud won my first race in America. 1 endows a newspaper clipping giving an account of tho finish. No doubt you will bo surprised nt the smnll distance accomplished, but that is accounted for by the fact of Donver beinj; situated at an altitude of 5,. r>oo feot above tho nen level. Neither horses or men can perform hure tho same as tfioy can (ilscwlieru, and in fact before wo started bolfl wero mado that neither of us would do 400 miloß, whilo many thought wo would not do the week at all. Tho attendance was vory largo, ho that I got a nico littlo bit out of it, beeidos a roally handsome gold medal surmounted on tho cross bar with tho American oagle. I won with tho greatest enso, and could have won by ■10 miles more. I walk horo again in 10 days' timo, and henco I go to Chicago, Now York, and London. Remember mo to nil the boys." Tho newspaper cutting re forrod to gives an interesting description of the rnro. Hart gnvo up after finishing 416 miles 10 laps. Tho following is tho scoro for tho six days:— VIHRT DAY. Miles. Laps. Edwards 11l l> Hart 104 9 SECOND DAY. Miles. Laps. Edwards 17 0 Hart 77 0 TItlltl) DAY. Miles. Laps. Kd wards ffl 8 Hart 67 0 FOUKTH DAY. Miles. Laps. Krtwards 615 8 Hart 80 11 FIFTH DAY, Jlilos. Laps. Kdwardß 60 Hi Hart 61 3} SIXTH DAY. Miles. Laps. Kdwurda 17 1* Hart 13 J TOTAL HOB SIX DAYS Miles. Laps. Edwards It'll 5 Hurt, JHi 10

SKINNY MEN.

"Wells's Health Ronowcr" restores hoalthand rigour, cures Dyspepsia, Impotonco, nobility. At Dniprpista'.—Kompthorno, Prosscr & Co., Agents, Auckland.

Swiss Commissioner's Speech.

Extract from a speech delivered at the Aiiipliui.cwtru of ihn I'rlmnry C'oHhro of La '.Jlmux-rlu-Koinls. Tucbilny. tlio Hill day of N'oruiubcr, lSTti, hy M. Kdtmard Favre-Perrcl, Swiss Coniniißßi"nor uml juror to the Phila dolphia Kxliihili n :— On tho VValtham " Diverido" Watch. .... "Tho W'ultham Company make tho entire watch — from thu llrst, screw to the case and dial. It. would even be difficult for UiiiH t.n use our products, so uretit is tho regularity, bo minute the precision, with which lliulr machines work. They arrive at n regulation of tho watch-so to Pay— without hnvinir Been it When tlio watch is Kj»on to the adjuster, the foreman delivers to him the corresponding hair-spring, and Uio \vati:h is regulated. (Sensation among tlio nuriicnco.l Hero is what, I have scon, Kentlo inr.nl I askeu from the director of tlio Wullhnm Company a watch of tho fifth grade. A large safe woa opened before me; at random I took a watch out of it and fastened it to my chain. Tim director having asked mo to let hint havo tlio watch for two or three days ao as to observe the motion I answered, 'On the contrary, 1 per sist in wearing it just as it is, to obtain an exact idea of your mnntifnnturn.' At, Paris I sot my watch by a regulator on the Boulevard, and on the sixth day 1 observed ihat it had varied 32seconds. And ihis watch isofthoufth American grade: it. r.osf ';'i francs (movement without case). At mv arrival at I,ocle Ishowcd tho watch to one of nur Hist adjusters, who askod pennlssion to 'take it, down'—in other words, to takt: it lo pieces. I. hosvever. wished first to obsiuvc It. ami horn i.s the result which t noted: hui'giiiK. daily variation li seconds1 vanaiion 111 different positions, from i to 8 seconds, in the 'heated room' the variation was but. vrry slight. Having thus observed it, I liaimed tho watch to tho adjuster, who took it down. Aft-.Tthulupaoof a fotv days he came tome and said, word for word: '1 am com pletely overwhelmed : the result is incredible ■ one would not find one such watch amour SO 0 0 of our manufacture.' '

"Tlilh vviitch, gentlemen, I repent to you. 1 took at hazard—out of a heap as wo say You understand, from Lhia example, that tho VValtham w-toh may bo preferred. I have (hushed, gentlemen, ( ui<l I hate told you of Lhimts Mich asl h.iyo mwn Ih m. ltruinuinu for uh to p.ollt,from tins »d expe. ;,. n cc, and to im prove our manufacture. Uoniimtont rnni are n«r \viuiiiiigainoMjj us; they tuuk.tfo to work a

I a r-nna of unnlaiu-c followed the sneaker as lus deluded the tnbune.J-[AIiVT,

THE GARDEN.

Calendar of Operations, July G,

IIIOHTUH is willliiK' to aimwcr uny queries. Cor ruapoudunu must give tlicir full niuuca and ■I'MruHUfn, t!iou«li not for publicution,]

TO UOUKK.-iPONDKNTa

Plioi'.UiAN.VO VI.VKH l<;rii|it:, -Mount Kdcn).— 'Ilio host way to uicruiißC Ibu ifrauu -vine in to ].niiw:::r-e from i-ye.i. When pruninK thu vi:>« nave tli.- bc-;t ripened wood, and heal them ill a heap of Bund Boil. lv the apriiiK nmke mi a hot-bel, then cut out the best of the oyun from the cuttings, leaving about liii ' an inch or ho of wood on ouch Hide of ths cje, uutiing n allcu of tho whole len^lli at the back of the oye. Place these eyes singly in three or four inch pots, slightly covering the eye, in mood rich loam, and plucu in tho hoi bed. They will soon start. When tkoy have attained a height of from 6 to 8 inches harden oil. When unite hardy, plant out in the open rnrdon In kockl soil; water nnd .shade for a fi>w weeks. Those will make good planU for planting in Uie vine border the following Hii.-won. They run also bo easily raised from cutting!. Take the best of the ripened wood wliilv pruning, cutting oil'all the bottom eye.l). li'u\lng two ill the ton of tho cutting. Plant these out In good rich soil in thy spring; If both eyes burst, rub out ono of the shoots.

rNKKriTFin.TKKKMVruit).—You say tliat your trees mmle ii K«od <l<;ul of wood last season. I would root-|>rune them, keeping a Rood dis tance out from tliu bawl of tho tree—nearly four iv.a. s w ii-inttly prune tlic upper branches. The above will circcnmlly check the tendency tv superabundant (,'rowih. While doint; the iihove put. In some fresh noil around the bawl. Next .season, while tho tree is growing, all Mim-rllon? aiuii'is should be spurred hack, so uh to muko Bpnrs This treatment will a'-ist in bringing your trees inio v fruit-bcarinh- con dition.'

Dkviko Fkrn Lkavks (Fern, Ponsonby).—The fern fronds, when naihced. should be fairly matured. You will know Huh by the seed on the back of the frond being ripe. It will then assume (i duly-brown appearance. Gather when the fronds arc dry : expose to tho air for n short period to thurmurhly dry. Then place between di.ublo sheets of paper, or better, tn blotting paper; pr.ss and put nway in a cool room to dry.

Plants in Mali. (Pot Plant, \\ elloaley-streetl.- With iilmits growing in a hall or room the leaves (jut-covered with dust, completely Illlinr up the porea, soon bring them into an unln-hlihy condition. Pot plant* in the above .liiiiuii.uiH should have their leaves sponged wiih n wot sponge two or three times a. week, or belter dike them iuio theyard, tilt thorn on one Midu, and give the foliage a thorough tn-rlniririK once a week. If tho above treat ment ia'continued, plants in the übovo situa tions would keep in a he.ilthy condition much lon;;cr than they ucually do. Plnnts or trees out in tho open, alomr dusty roada, especially in the city, usually suiter a good deal from the sumo cause during the summer. Frequent :>\ ringing in Iho evening would also modify tho evil, and keep them moro healthy.

Kitchen Garden.

In this dcpartmont, like last month, work will nearly bo at « standstill, nnloss in light warm soils. In cold wot clays it is bettor to defer operations till the season becomes more genornl for work. Continue keeping weeds down whenovor they mako their ~»ppoaranco. Thin out advancing crops, and whenever & favourftblo opportunity occurs earth up thoso that may requiro it. Whenovor you can obtain a few dry days havo all the pioces of ground that have bocomo baro of crop during last month dug up, giving it plenty of manure during the oporation. Tho strawberry bods will noed attontion ; koop the weeds down, fill up any blanks that may have occurred. Gooso borrios may now bo pruned and root prunod by insorting the spado perpendicularly down all round tlio plant at a moderate distance from each. Raspberries pruno during the month, cutting out all the old canes, leaving only a fow of tho best of last season's growth, Mako sucoessional sow ings of beans and poas. Koop tho .soil well stirred about potato onions ; earth them up. Whcro slugs aro troublosomo, givo frequent dustings with limo during tho evening, and keep tho garden from all rubbish. Flower Garden. There cannot bo much done in this de partment during this month. All herba ceous and evergreen shrubs should now bo planted or removed to other situations ns soon as convoniont. Thcso, if possible, sliould always bo planted at tho end of May or throughout Juno. They ought never to bo deferred to tho spring, as late planted shrubs, as a ruin, do not succood so woll as tho earlier planted ones. Never plant in wot weathor or when tho soil is very wot. Always wait so as to got a fow tine days. Seil that is wrought whilo in a wet state, usually gets into a puddle, which takes nearly tho whole of next soa\ son to recover, especially still' retentive soils. Koses may now be planted. In the bottom of each hole, put a largo quantity of manure. Defer the pruning till tho buds are beginning to burst in tho spring. Keep tho soil about all spring llowering bulbs continually stirred ; plant a few moregla diolus for early spring flowering ; only the common sorts should bo used for this pur pose. Look after slugs. Throughout tho wholo of this month tho grass on the lawns should be kept short and receive frequent rollings with a hoavy rollor. The soil dur ing wet weather swells to a considerable extent, and the roller compresses it again into its place. Groonhouse. Camelias in bloom, and azaleas coming into bloom, will bo all tho better of a little manure-water occasionally while watering, Pelargoniums for early flowering should bo kopt near the glass. (Shift cinerarias and colccolarias into their llowering pots, and after they got established water occasionally with liquid tiianuro : cyclamens in flower should receive v liko attention. Early potted hyacinth and tulips should now be coming into bloom. Encourage the growth as much ac po^siblo of all early SDring floworing plants. lot a few amaryllis and different varieties o^ liliums for early spring llowering. Give plenty of air on fine, bright days. Syringe occasionally, Tick off all dead leaves. Look aftor insects ; poo that they are not allowed to increase ; try to eradicate. Plants of Economic Value. At tho last meeting of tlio Auckland Domain Board a report was laid on the table announcing that during the last month the Uoard had distributed over 3,000 plants of economic value to country settlers,

and they had the following plants in hand for freo distribution to settlors who will make application, and take the plant? away from tho gardona : — 800 Cinchona plants (varieties) 100 Kucalyplus plants (varieties) 50 Acacias (varieties) SO Celtia Australia !2W Arrowroot 50 OliveH 5-j Molia Australia 100 Fraxinus Americana :Yi Acer Nogundo ,')0 iialoghla Qucida 60 Date Palms

Somo of tho above plant* can bo obtained by any Bottler making an application to the •Secretary of tho Domain Board, Mr Gar laiid, who will bo happy to givo an order to obtain them from tlie gardens in the Domain.

Vine Cultoro. (Continuedfrom hi.sl week),

Dr. Saundors, of Karaka Lodgo, I'arncll, Auckland, lias already made a marked suc ceed with the ground vinery. Mot only a marked success in growing the grapes, but also in simplifying the construction of the vinery, which he reduces to a merely nominal cost. Having recently inspected thcf>e vineries we shall now endeavour to give in detail gome account of what we saw and what was told us by the courteous pro prietor. In tho beginning of tho present season there were fourgrapd vines with ]2ffc. canes covered by eight ground vineries. Two of those vines were bowood muscats, one of j which produced 35 bunches of grapes of i from one to two pounds weight per bunch. | Tho other bowood produced twenty-eight ! bunches of from j to 3 pounds weight. j The other two vinos were Snow's muscats, j each of which carried 20 and 32 bunches of ! from Ito 1J pounds per bunch. These i vines wore only in their second yoar :of fruiting, being 4£ year old plants. ! The bunches were good, but not quite so largo, nor the berries swelled to such a largo size as can bo grown under the proper glass-houso ; but they wero excellently well flavoured, of good colour, and with a splendid bloom on them. Dr. Sanders ex pects to have a much better crop next yoar. lie is also making preparations for planting a considerable number of freah vines under this system next winter; Wo may mention hero that the fruit would be worth about two shillings a pound. Tho construction of tho vineries reflects great and well deserved credit oh their designer. They aro very cheap, handy to work ; in fact, everything which could be desired in the way of simplicity and economy. The idea, which is entirely the doctor's own, wo will try and convey to tho reader in his own words. The frames are seven feet long, and to make five tho following quan tities of timber were used :—Forty feet of 3x2 cut into 2 feet lengths ; ten 14 feet lengths of 0 x 1, tongued and grooved, cut into 7 feet lengths. Take two pieces of 3 x 2 stuff, 2-foot lengths, lay them at right angles, join them by halving them in fas tenings with three or four nails; these will form tho end pieces. Take two 7-foot lengths of 6 x 1, rip one to 4 inches, the other to 5 inches in width removing tho tongue. Thoso two pieces are then nailed to the two end pieces with the grooved edges downwards, forming a ridge roof; 15j inches below these two other lengths are nailed on, grooved edge upwards; now you have a spaco in which you can slide glass 16 x 12, fourteen of which will nil both sides of your frames. The ends can be fixed in or left open as required. One box of sixteen by twelve-inch glass, costing about £1, is sufficient to cover five frames of the above dimensions, and any person constructing the above can purchase tho materials complete for about 7s 6d per frame. Thoro is an important consideration attachod to such frames in which tho glass slides backwards and forwards in the grooves. It is the easo with which you can train tho vines ; simply moving tho glass backwards and forwards as you require. Any person who thinks of trying those ground vineries should pay Dr. Sanders a visit. Ho would bo happy to give every explanation which lay in his power. Ho has oleven othor varieties, planted last yoar, which ho hopes to soe good results from noxtseason.

AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE.

Protracted Persecution of Two Medical I Men. [From our London Correspondent.] London, May 23. A case of great importance to the medical profession, and of considerable interest to the general public, has recently been brought to a satisfactory issue in the Queen's Bench Division. The action, "Wood versus Bower and another," was not a new oiio. It had been tried before Justice Field and a special jury several months pre viously, when the "twelve good men and true " failed to agree and were discharged Thus the ground of action and cvi donee may be within the recollection of some of your readers, though I scarcely think it likely. The plaintiff (says the • Daily Telegraph " in its summary of the circumstances) is a manufacturing chemist of East Dulwich, whose child, between four and five years old, was attacked, in boptembcr, 1882, with vhat was at first supposed to be ordinary croup The do fondants, medical men in the neighbour hood, were called in, and prescribed at farst the visual remedies. The disorder however developed so rapidly that in" the night of the day on which they were summoned it appeared necessary to per form the operation of tracheotomy, which consists in the opening of the throat and tho insertion of a tubo to prevont auffoca tion. Tins was performed, both the de fendants assisting in it, a»d there is no reason to believo that it was not properly and skilfully accomplished. In tho course of the operation an iucident occurred which formed the basis of the action, the surgeons desiring the father to euck the tube in order to remove tho matter—which he'did —not warning him of what they did not at

ho time themselves fully realise, that the nalady was diphtheria, or membranous ■roiip, and so might bo infectious and langerous. The doctors discovered, after :lio operation, that it was indeed membranous iron,,), and therefore catching. The child iunk rapidly and died, the cause of death being stated in tho certiiicate na "mem branous croup." Soo'i after the decease of the patient tho father became ill, it was said, of diphtheria, which he had probably oanght from tho matter sucked out of the tube. The plaintiff stated these particular*, and furthor alleged against the medical men that they knew, though he did not know, that the matter was infectious, tho result being that he caught the disease, was laid up for somo time, and put to expense a/id peril. The parents, we should remark, had originally applied to the Public Prosecutor for hia assistance towards a criminal prosecution of tho medical men for causing tho death of tho child by culpable negligenco; but that official did not think there was a case, yet so far enter tained it as to allow of a preliminary ap plication to a magistrate, which was accord ingly made. Tho magistrate, without call ing upon the medical men for any defence, declared that there was no evidence to sus tain the charge against them, and dismissed it, observing at tbe same time that if it were persisted in after that "it would amount to persecution."

Such is an outline of tbe case -which ti S prosecutor himself developed in court by evi dence as well as personal statement. His ground of action, therefore, was that the medical men had failed to warn him against the dangers which he would incur in per forming the service required by the state of his own child. We may pass over the ques tion whether tbe fathers subsequent illness —which proved slight—was or was not due to the act which he performed. This was not admitted by the defendants, but could hardly have been successfully disputed. Everybody knows how perilous is the mat ter of a diphtheritic throat, and, as a chemist, Mr Wood must have been familiar in a general way with that risk. Yet, »up posing he had known, and the doctorß had known, the case to be of such a nature, v'e will not do him the injustice to assume that he would have hesitated to open the silver tube by suction. In such mortal crises it is necessary that the air passage should be instantly restored by clearing the tube, and it is to be restored in that and no other manner. Even if a father had many other . offspring dependent on him, he would 1 surely seldom or never refuse to • . cave the life of his suffocating ' child, einco who could be called - npon to run the chance except himself? In such coses, however, » prudent doctor could doubtless wash the mouth and lips of the operator with diluted carbolic acid or : some other disinfectant, if he had time and appliances. We do not gather that any thing of the sort was done in the present - ■ instance, and the reason appears to be that the medical attendants did not suspect an j til too late that the disease was "mem branoua croup," and therefore infectious. ' The operation itself and the resulting ■ course of the disease taught them this; but i their error was apparently natural, and, as 1 Lord Coleridge pointed out, not a ground i of action, since everybody may make mis takes. The wif eof Mr Wood gave testi mony which tended to show that the doc tors entertained just euch suspicions as educated practitioners would have, order ing the other child to be kept away from the sick room. The symptoms of ordinary croup, however, are admittedly difficult to distinguish from the infectioui variety, which is akin to diphtheria j and nothing was made out in this part of the action to fasten upon the doctors a graver charge than that of error In diagnosis. Tho plaintiff's own medical witness, Dr. Stoker, allowed that the defendants were quite justified professionally in asking the father to clear the tube by suction, adding, "he had himself done it once, but would rather - not do it again." Tho defence offered by Sir Hardinge Giffard was that until tho Sunday following the Friday, on which day the operation took place, there were no diphtheritic patches observable, and no thing to prove the malady to be diphtheria, or its simulant membranous croup. In ordinary croup there would be no risk in curred by any ,one who should clear the silver tube with his mouth, supposing tracheotomy to have been rendered neces sary ; but in diphtheria, on the contrary, the act once performed could not be de- ''■''' prived by subsequent treatment of ita perils, for the poison would be in the mucous membrane of the performer beyond any palliatives. These were the main fea tures of the action, and the jury at its . close manifested their opinion by interven ing. The foreman said, on behalf of his ' colleagues, "We have carefully followed § this case and attended to the evidence, of the plaintiff and his witnesses, and, as we understand, tho action is for telling the plaintiff to suck the tube ; but ho was the child's father, and what father in the world would not have done it?" The Lord ?M Chief Justice agreed with those remarks, ;h and, without calling the defendants, Sir -S Hardinge Giffard left the case for a verdict 1 upon the facts as stated, making no speech himself. Lord Coleridge thus briefly '-■'.' summed up: "You must bear in mind that the action is for an injury to the plain tiff himself, not to his child ; the action is -1 for having been told to suck the tube, m tho case being one of diphtheria, and that in consequonco of it ho had an attack 11 of diphtheria—not very serious, it should §§| seem—but he wae the child's father, and ''■:. the evidence of one of his medical witnesses was that when orice the Jube was sucked 1 and the poison imbibed it would be too, i late to prerent it. This is his whole case 1 upon the plaintiffs own evidence, and that - being so, it is for you to cay whether you desiro the case to go further." The jury,/-is after a few moments' consultation, un~" * animously agreed on a verdict for ths m defendants.

"ROUGH ON CORNS."

Ask for AVells's "Konr:h on Corn?." Quick <Ji relief, complete, i cviup.iu-nt cure. Coras, warts; i> bunionß.-Kemi>t>:i>rn-.', P.osser & Co., ABMltfti| Auckland. ,; ,V

THE AUCKLAiNTV EVENING STAR/SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1884,

4



GREAT GLEAIUNG_SALE NOW ON. Would again remind their friends, and the Public generally, that having disposed of their Clothing Factory Premises, they are compelled to clear the entire Stock of CLOTHING, MERCERY, & GENERAL DRAPERY Amounting to £30,000, within TWO WEEKS! Their well-earned reputation for selling FIRST-RATE GOODS at Moderate Prices enables S. COOMBES & CO. to confidently recommend their friends to embrace this opportunity for securing REALLY GENUINE BARGAINS. The Entire Stock is being Sold at Cost Price and under! The Unparalleled Success which has attended this Sale during the past fortnight is the best guarantee of its genuine character. Note the Address I ™~ Note the Address! S. COOMBES & CO., QUEEN STREET, AUCKLAND, N.Z.