8s 7d, which included L 8 spent on books for tho library and a donation of L 2 2s to the Dayspring, The stipend promised to tho minister at the beginning, viz, L3OO and a suitable allowance for a manse, had ntjt been carried out sinco the grant of LIOO per annum from the Clmv-h of Scotland ceased, two yean ugo. Mr B •••h :ai proposed that a ttpcnl of L3OO should be paid to tho luiui.-tcr, exclusivo of the manse allowance. Mr Grey seconded.—Mr Barton pointed out that as thoy wero now going on the sum of L3OO would easily bo raised.—Tlio Chair man considered it better to realise tho model ate expectations stated in the report than to set to themselves a more ambitious effort and fail to achieve it. Mr Runciman's deserts entitled him to a far greater sum, but as a matter of practical wisdom ho con sidered that they should pledge themsolvcs to what they were likely to accomplish.— Messrs Oliphant and Nelson having also spoken in support of the motion, it was put and carried unanimously.

St. James' Presbyterian Church.

The annual meeting of the congregation of St. James' Presbyterian Church was held on Jan. 30, Key. R. F. Macnicol, pastor, presiding. The attendance was not so largo as might have boon expected.—The Chair man, in a brief speech, introduced the business of the evening, and mentioned that it was exactly fifteen years that night since ho was inducted to the charge of the Church.—Mr Thomas Maoky, sen., session clerk, read the report of tho Kirk Session. It was of an encouraging character. Wo mako the following extracts:—Tho Sabbath services had boon well attended. Thero was an increase of 31 on the com munion roll in excess of withdrawals from various causes. The average attendance at, communion was about 180. The SaDbath school had continued in prosperity under its faithful and devoted superintendent, Mr Peter Mackie, and his deputy, Mr Richard son. Thore were now 400 scholars on the roll, with an average attendance of 303. Messrs Drinkwater, McCoskrie, Sinton, Carter, J. C. Maoky, and McGibbon, retired from ofiice as committee men, and their places would require to be filled. From the Treasurer's report, submitted by Mr Thomas Mncky, senr., it appeared that the receipts amounted to LI.IIS lis 2d, including bal anco from previous year of L 29 ISsfld; collec tions, L5Ol 5s 9d ; pew rents, L 261 15s 3d ; collections Sustentation Fund, L3413s Sd ; collected for debt, LISG 9s Gd; proceeds of soiree, L 26 4s Gd ; Christmas tree, L9S 12s 9d ; balance from credit of hall account, Lll 10s. The expenditure included LI9G for monso repairs, LIS7 5s sd, Watson's ac count and interest, leaving a credit balanco of L 123 3s Gd. From the hall account, it appeared that about LIOO had been received for root, and L3B 10s as proceeds of loetures and entertainments, tho total proceeds being LI4S odd. Against this, L7O had boon paid for interest, L 25 for gas, and lesser amounts for sundry expenses, leaving a credit balanco of Lll lO*, so that tlio hall had moro than paid exponses. Tho ballot for committee resulted in the election of Messrs A. C. Steele, S. McCos krie, T. Macky (jun.), John Hanna, Mc- Pherson, and Robertson, while Messrs W. J. Rcca and J. C. Macky wero chosen audi tors.

Anglican Church, Avondale.

The annual meeting of the congre gation of tho abovo church was field on Friday, Jan. 25, at S p.m. The minis ter of the district, the Rev. J. Haselden, presided. The Secretary of the vestry, Mr J. Leac_, read tho minutes of the last annual meeting, which wero confirmed. The Chairman read tho report of the vostry and the balanco-sheet, which showed that the receipts wero L 74 ls 2d, and the ex penditure L 79 14s Od. The Chairman nom inated Mr Bollard as clergyman's church warden, and Mr N. A. Howell was elected people's churchwarden. The following gen tlemen were elected vestrymen:—Jlessrs Al thorpe, Garrett, Leach, E. J. Matthews, and Peck.

THE LABOUR TRADE

Fighting at the Gilbert Group.

By arrival of the schooner Kate McGregor wo learn of serious disturbances which havo recently taken place in the Gilbert Group. A vessel called the Julia, belong ing to Honolulu, landed between twenty and thirty returned labourers on the Island of Nanouti. Theso natives belonged to Apinng and Tarawa, in the same group, but the people of which were at constant war fare with the inhabitants of Nanouti. The result was that tho returned labourers, who wore armed with Winchester re peaters, commenced a sories of outrages upon the natives of the island, whoso only weapons were clubs and spears. Tho first action of the unwelcome visitors was the ravishing of ten young girls, while two old men who expostulated with them were brutally Bhot. A regular fight then ensued botween the two parties, and women and children belonging to tho island took to tho water in canoes rather than face the foes. The Apiang and Tarawa natives being possessed of firearms, secured a speedy victory, after having killed about twenty and wounded many more of the Nanoutis. Those who escaped succeeded ir. reaching Apamnma, a short distance off, where they related to Tembinoka, their king, what terrible bloodshed had taken place, and what trials they had endured. Tho king immediately chartered a vessel and went with her to Nanouti. A message was sent ashore to the effect that ho did not como to mako war, but to succour his people and disarm the murderers. Shortly afterwards, however, threo boats belonging to the vessel, whilo going ashoro, wero fired at, and two occupants were killed and one wounded. Tho crews then landed, and fight ensued. Soveral were killed on each side, and soveral prisoners were taken on board of tho vessel and conveyed to Apamama. Tho whole trouble is said to have been caused by the master of the Julia putting these returned labourers on other than thoir own islands, which neglect and carelessness generally leads to bloodshed.

ATHLETICS, SPORTING, &c.

It is reported that Donald Dinnio, the athlete, moans to settle in Dunedin. Donald Dinnie was defeated in the high cap at Invercargill. Donald Dinne won £28 in prizes at the Caledonian Games. Dunedin, besides get ting £50 "retaining fee." The gate money was £1063. Rain again favoured the Caledonian games at Dunedin on Jan. 5. The great Donald Dinnie was presented to tho Governor. Donald Dinnie goes to Australia under engagement to Josh Pickersgill, of "pan tascopo" fame, and is to wrestle with "Miller at Melbourne. AY. J. Spiers, of Dargaville, Auckland, formerly a first prize-taker for dancing at tho Dunedin games, telegraphs his willing ness to dance the Highland Fling with Donald Dinnio for £100. On Jan. 24, at Dunedin, the New Zealand bowlers defeated tho Victorian team by 90 points against '• 0. In only one rink out of live had Victoria a majority of points. Mr J. Fitton (of Service and Fitton), the bicyclist, arrived at Tarawera, Hot Lakes, on New Year. Day, having accomplished tho whole distance on a 52 inch No. 1 rudgc bicycle, leaving town on the morning of Xmas Day. This is tho first attempt to tour ova bicycle to the Hot Lakes. A remarkable instance of success under dillicultics occurred at Aratapu on Boxing Day, when a mannnamed Arm. Brunnor, who had been acting as trainer for Captain Seymour, having received a kick from a

horse, which broke two of his ribs, suc ceeded in carrying off two races within twenty-four hours after the accident. In a wrestling match at Dunedin, on 15th Jan., between Hudson and Donald Dinnie, the combatants woro pretty equally matched. Ultimately, however, tho big Highlander throw Hudson so heavily that he was unable to continue tho contest, on account of his injuries. Mr Fitton, of Fitton and Service, Auck-

land, rode from Auckland to Masterton on a bicycle. He intended riding to Wel lington, but on reaching Masterton two of the spokes gave out, and he had to come to Wellington by train to have it repaired, as he did not think the machine would stand going over Kimatiiki. He left Auckland un Christmas Day, aud camo into Welling ton on Monday night, 7th January. At the Theatre on Jan. 7, a farewell benefit w.is given to Edwaids, the long-distance walker, who left for San Francisco by the mail steamer the following afternoon. The various events wore well contested, and ro-

i< dted as fellows : —Half-hour go-as-you plei.e, Dyer, 4 miles 30 laps, 1; Cosson, 4 mile; 23 laps, 2 ; Cutler, 4 miles 16 laps, 3. Boy;.' mile rsice : This was contested by tho two Mason Brothers, and resulted in a vic tory for tho younger. Mile walkingmatch : . Goodman gave McKinlny 4 laps start.and the latter won by 3 yards. A boxing exhi bition was given by Metsra-^fontaguo and Davis, anil McAnally /y[ _*jns. A. Hendry, th?*«£al comrtfe mile of New#v^-rX^m >/<*/'''_. Garden and T,<_n paddoe_^ &j,,fi><£ **__r**> wres. * -*fr_i°%' d y. l . »-, Hans Ready.

MERCANTILE

Ciirtstchurcii Corn Exchango Company, at its annual meeting on Saturday, was shown to have a small credit balance.

Tho liquidators of tho Now Zealand Pottery nnd Glass Company, Dunedin, report that tlio loss to shareholders will bo about Ids per share.

The half-yearly report of thoColoninlßaiik shows that the net profits aro L1G,241 4s lOd. The amount available is L 17,497 lis, which is recommended to be appropriated as follows: —Payment of dividend at 7 pol ecat., Lll,ooo ;to the reserve fund, Ll,000; anil balance carried forward, L 2.497 Ms.

At Russell, Bay of Islands, a company is being started to carry on the industry of fish preservation. Mr T. l\ Moody, who takes a large interest in the Company, has purchased the island of Moturon, whicli ho will icaso to the Company, it being most suitable for carrying on their operations. He has had experience in Queensland in fish tinning, and is to make inquiries in Auck land as to whether the requisite machinery can be supplied here. At a meeting of the directors of the New ZealandTobaccoGrowingandManufneturing Company on January 17—Major Georgo in tho chair—reports were given in by tho manager, Mr Vollbracht, of the prospects of growing throughout Auckland Provincial district. From these it appeared that 28 farmers had plants under cultivation, which would yield 340 tons of good sound leaf. In the King Country, lately visited by Mr Vollbracht, tobacco culture had proved highly successful ; but tho Victoria Valley, Mongonui, was reported to surpass every other part of the colony in suitability and splendid promise. It was also reported that the balance of machinery required for the manufactory had been ordered by the last mail. Mr Vollbracht, we believe, shortly goes to visit Hawke's Bay, Tara naki, and Poverty Bay districts, where a considerable quantity of the leaf is also being grown, and his reports from these places are expected to prove as satisfactory as arc those from tho more northerly dis tricts. Tho crops are reported good in all parts of Auckland, and the manufacture of cigars will bo commenced within the next month or two.

The Devonport Steam Ferry Company's Annual Meeting.

The second annual general meeting of shareholders in the Devonport Steam Ferry Company was held on Jan. 10, Mr Bwcn W. Alison, Chairman of Directors, presiding Mr Benjamin Tanner, secretary, read the annual report of the directors, which was as follows: —In presenting the balance sheet for tho year ending 31st December, 1883, your directors have much pleasure in congratulating tho shareholders on the general progress made by the Company during the past year. The reduction in tlio fares and tho improved service organised by the Company have been tho means of making Dovonport the most popular of tho suburbs of Auckland ; and it has beon the aim of tho directors to keep the steamers well up to the mark, and to foster and increase tho businoss of the Company in every posslblo way. Up in referenco to tho balance-sheet it will be soon that, with the exception of £163 owing for lost month's accounts, the Com pany is quite freo from debt; and, after writing £077 5s 2d off the steamers and plant for depreciation, shows a balance in the Company's favour of £SIJ4 lis Id, out of whicli your director? recommend the pay ment of a dividend of S per cent., which will absorb tSOO, and leave £64 lis Id to be carried forward to profit and loss new account. Assets.—By steamers and plant as per schedule, £10,652 12s lid ; sundry debtors, £261 14s 4d, less 10 per cent, written oil', £26 2s 10d—£235 lis Od ; cash in bank, £106 4s Sd : cash in hand, £23 4s. Total, £11,017 13s Id. Liabilities.—To capital account—lo,ooo shares at £1, £10,000, less unpaid calls, £10 10s—£9,'JS9 10s ; sundry creditors, £163 12s ; balance, £SG4 lis Id Total, £11,017 13s Id. The adoption of tho report was agreed to. Messrs 11. Brett and Alison were nominated to tho vacancies on tho directorate, and duly elected. Mr T. L. White was re-elected auditor. Mr M. Niccol moved that tho sum of £150 be voted to Mr Stark for his services as Managing Director. The motion was seconded nnd duly carried.

The New Zealand Insurance Company's Annual Meeting.

The annual meeting of tho shareholders of the above Company was held on January 9, in the offices, Queen-street, the Hon. James Williamson presiding. Fourteen share holders wero present. Mr G. P. Pierce, General Manager, read the report and balance - sheet as follows: — "The directors have now the pleasure to lay before the shareholders a statement of accounts for the year terminated 30th November last. In a cordanco with reso lutions passed at an extraordinary general meeting held on the 10th January last, and subsequently confirmed on tho 2Cih January, it was resolved that nn annual instead of a half-yearly statement of accounts should be presented to you. The business of tho Company, after settlement of oli claims, making ample provision for losses and averages, and paying an interim dividend of 3s per share in July last, has resulted in a balance of profit amounting to £67,445 Ss sd. Of this a sum of £15,000 has been carried to investment fluctuation account, and £30,000 to the reserve fund. After payment of a dividend of 3s per share (making a total of 6s per share for the year), the sum of £7,445 8s 5d is carried forward to next year's account. Instead of setting aside a sum annually, to provide for liabilities on cur rent policies, as is the custom of some com panies, your directors, in May, 1870, devoted the sum of £10,000 to the formation of a re-insurance fund, whicli has been added to from time to time, and now amounts to £100,000; this, and the rcservo fund, now stand at £200,000. In August last, Sir J. McCosh Clark took a seat at the Board. It will devolve on this meeting to elect three Directors in the roomofMossrsßrowning,Campbell, and Rus sell, who retire by rotatien, but are eligible for re-election. Two Auditors will have to be appointed in room of Messrs W. S. Laurie and G. Fraser, who retire, but ofler themselves for re election. Tho Dividend will be payable at the Head Ofiice to-mor row, and at Branches and Agencies on re ceipt of advice.—For tho Board of Directors.—James Williamson-, Chairman.

Profit and Loss. Dr.:—To dividend for the half-year ending 30th November, 1882, £15,000; dividend (interim) May 31,1883,15,000; commissions, salaries, and other expenses, £16,551 17s 8d; Government taxes and payments to fire and marine associa tions, £3,122 os ss; Are and marino losses, and appropriation for unpaid losses, £123,f 09 12s 7d; reservo fund, £30,000; investment fluctuation account, £15,000; balance, £2 ',415 8s 6d. Total, £27u,992 Is Id.

BALANCE-SHEET. Cn.—By balance at 30th November, 18S2, £10,187 Is Id; by fire and marine premiums, less returns and re-inßurances. £200,180 His 8d; by interest rents, and profit on investment, £51,3.1 3s Id: total, £270 392 la Id. Dn.—To capitablo, £200,' 00; to re-insurance fund, £100,000; to reserve fund, £ 00,000: to ap propriation for unpaid losses, £23,751; deposits and other liabilities, -10.90! 1 Is 3d ; investment fluctuation account, -15,000; balance, £22,115 8s od: total, £50..1Gl 2sßd. Or.: By investments—Mortgages and shires, £210.G.'5 7s Sd ; Company's freehold olitcc pre mises, and other real CBtate, £122,830 Is Id; United States bonds, £10,500; debentures, -li!,02'l; loans at call, shorr. periods, and fixed bank deposits, -57,201 Is (kl; accrued interest and rents. A ,092 Us oil; bills receivable, .2,001 13s Sd; suudry debtors, £1,793 8s lOd ; branch and asrency balances, £27,230 2s 2d: ensh in bank and in hand, £1.550 ISs 7d ; total, £502,161 2d Kl. The auditors have examined the hooks and account, of the Company, for the year ended 30th November, ISS3, and havo to report that the balance-sheet now presented to the shareholders is a full and fair balance-sheet, and exhibits a true and correct statement of the affairs of the Company.—George Fraser, W. S. Laurie, , Auditors. Auckland, Januury Sth, 1881.

The Ciiaikmak, in moving tho adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said :— Gentlemen,—This year, like its predecessor, has been signalised by a large numbor of casualties, in which wo, in common with other insurance companies engao-od in marine underwriting, have suffcrc-soverely Having regard to the exceptional number of marine losses which have occurred by collisions and otherwise during the past year all over the world and to tho experi-

ence of other companies, I cannot but re gard the result of our last year's business as satisfactory. Past years of profitable business have had the effect of increasing the number of companies competing for fire insurance, some of whom have found that the profits to be derived from the business have not met their expectation and who, in trying to make up in quantity, have reduced the premiums below tho rate which experience proves is sufficient to yiold a reasonable profit. Wo have, therefore, found it inexpedient to throw up business so affected, and our premium income has had

I somewhat to suffer. At the same time, we have been avoiding as far as possible, ques tionable business at unprofitable rates, and rejecting everything of a.dpubtf ul character. We have striven to do a safe and sound business and push it only when it could bo dono with safety. There appears to be some grounds for hoping that the unhealthy com petition for fire insurance business which has for some time past prevailed here and else where is being checked, and that the atten tion of head officers have been directed to ,-tJn._utijeot, i it may lead to more adequate /•£*. f Premium being obtL', andSKINa r *.<-,**_> spslln this branch, thj 1- excesdiLAN.

fire. Prudont management, constant and careful inspection in the selections of risks, and extending our business in all legi tiniato channels will, wo hope, continuo to afford the security wo desire, and yiold also profitablo results. We can, I think, satisfactorily point to this company during its twenty-four years' history as one of steady and solid progress. We have sought security rather than display, and consider ing the difficulty of getting business, tho great opposition we have now to contend against, it is with no littlo pleasure that we can point to a not premium income of up wards of £200,000 in tho year, tho largest we have had since tho formation of the company. As you havo already learnt in the report, it has been determined to carry £30,000 to tho reserve fund, which is applicable to meet losses of an extraordinary character, or if necessary to equalise dividends. Tho reserve fund now stands at £100,000, and the re-in surance fund at a like amount. The securities have been carefully oxamined, and from the profit on investments £15,000 has been carried to an investment fluctuation fund. It will be satis factory for you to know that the values of our securities stand in the accounts nt a considerably less sum than they would realise if placed in the market. I would conclildo by urging the shareholders to assist (he ollicials in their efforts to extend our business. We shall take caro only to accept such extensions as we think safe and profitable. I move that the report and balance-sheet for tho year ISS3 be received and adopted.

The motion was seconded by Mr C. J, Stonk, and carried,

Captain R.vri'it.iY proposed tho re-election of the retiring directors, Messrs Browning, Campbell, and Russell.

Mr Cai.i.x.vx, in seconding tho motion, said that tho shareholders had every reason to feel gratified at the manner in which the financial operations of the Company had been carried on during tho past twelve months, and he had no doubt that this suc cess was duo in largo measure to tho efforts of the directors.

The motion was passed nem, con. On the proposition of Mr Thomas Hill, seconded by Mr P. Ediliston, the retiring auditors, Messrs W. S. Laurie and Geo. Fraser, were also re-appointed.

The Union Steam Saw, Moulding, Sash and Door Co.'s Annual Meeting.

Tho annual meeting of tho shareholders of the above-named Company was held on ,Inn. 31, in the ofiice, Mechanics' Bay, Mr Joseph Howard (Chairman of Directors) presiding. Between twenty and thirty gentlemen woro present. Mr Murdoch (Secretary) read tho 3Sth report and balance-sheet, which were as follow :—

'"Tho directors submit tho balance-sheet and Profit and Loss Account for the year ending 31st December, 1883 : Tho amount avaflablo for appropriation is L 25.214 2s 2d, of which has teen distributed in* interim dividend at 30th July last L 7.508 5s Id, leaving a balance of L 20.705 17s Id, from which it is proposed to write off loss through destruction of Mechanics' Bay fac tory, L8.G51 4s Sd, giving a not bnlanco available for dividend of El 2,054 12s sd. Tho directors recommend a dividend at tho rate of Gs per fully paid-up share for tho six months onding 31st De coinber, 18S3, L 7,759 10a Od, nnd carrying forward to current year, L4.2G5 2s sd. Total 1.12,054 12s sd. Mr AVm. \A*aro, tho director who retires is oligible, and is a candidate for re-election. Messrs Mnc- Donnell and Buchanan, thoretiring auditors, are also eligible, and seek re-election. Tho dividend is payablo on and from February 4th, 1884:—By order of the Board, Josu. Howauo, Chairman. Auckland, 22nd January, 1884." n.VLANCE SHEET. Dll.: December 31, 138.1.—T0 Capital—2o,ooo shares fully paid. £100,000: 9,775 shares. £3 paid up, _.jU,_:!5; reserve fund. £12,600; creditors, £78,820 is 3d; profit and loss account, £12,081 12s rd; total, £__,708 13s lOd. Cn.: Decembor 31, 1883.—8y mills, plants, machinery, wharves, boom., dams, freeholds, leaseholds. Sec, Xc, £110.781 t»s 3d: less deprecia tions. £2.777 2s Id ; vessels, £3,25- 5s _d; debtors, £-_5 7:n) 7s Id ; stocks, £125,23-: bills receivable, £->!) Us Id; cash in hand, £185 19s 9d ; total, £_1,2,708 I3s led. Profit and Loss Account.—December 31, IS_: To bad dolus, £511 l.s lid ; depreciations. £-,0.1 (is 2d ; balance profit curried down, £2.-i,2U 2s 2d. Total. £,10.7.7 is 3d.—January 1. 1.53. liy balance from last year, t9,9.2 7sld. December 31, 15.3: Vessels' Profits, k&U 7s 3<l; amount recovered from bad debts, £31 7s (id; transfer fees, £27 10s; gross profits, f2'.2Sl i 3 3d. Total, £30,787 3s 3<l.- Jiily 31, 1?8'|: To interim dividend at the rate of 6s per fully paid-up share, £7.508 5s Id; loss made tnrou^h destruction of Mechanics' Bay factory by tire, on 23th July, ISB3, £5.851 fsßd. —December :_, 1883: Net balance, £12,05112s 3d. Total, £28,211 2s 2d.-I)ecenibcr 31, 18S3: By balanco brought down, £2_,21l 2s 2d. Total, £28,211 2s 2d ; by net balance, £12,05112s sd. The Chairman moved tho adoption of tho report and balance-sheet, MrG. S. Kissling seconded. Mr Boardman moved as an amendment, " That the dividend bo at tho rate of 9s per fully paid-up share, for the six months ond ing the 31st December, 1883." His reasons wero that the money had boon earned during the half-year, and that tho directors' pro posal to wipe out an abnormal loss through tho year's earnings was radically wrong in principle, and opposed to the practice of companies in gonoral. They should rather meet the loss nut of tho Rcservo Fund, which was the accumulated rosult of their absten tion during years of prosperity. Major Ti.sdall seconded the amendmont, and in doing so attributed tho decline in value of the shares to tho irregularity of the dividends.

The amendment was negatived, an 1 tho report and balance-sheet wcro then adopted. On the motion of Mr Skymour Georijk, M.H.R., seconded by Mr J. L. Wilson, Mr William Ware was ro-electod a diroctor.

Messrs John Buchanan and D, G. Mac- Donncll wero re-appointed auditors at the same remuneration as last year, viz., £50 each.

Colonial Bank of New Zealand,- Half yearly Meeting.

The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of tho Colonial Bank of New Zealand was held on January 30. Mr E. B. Cargill, Chairman of Directors, occupied the chair! and about fifty shareholders were present. The Chairman said that the report was very short, and he did not know that thero was much in it which called for discussion. It would be noticed amongst the items on tho credit side that thero was a sum of f61,911 invested in Government securities, consols, and colonial debentures. This was intended to meet any emergency that might arise, and ho might mention that since these figures had boen mado up the amount had been increased to £100,000. It would bo noted that there was a very considerable in crease in the amount of deposits bearing interest. The deposits had increased sinco last June to the amount of £321,600, and since last year to £127,000. The amount available for distribution hardly came up to tho amount of last year. The general account business of the bank was very good, and he thought the position of the bank wus strengthening. Of course, bad times had led to a good many failures, but nothing had occurred of a distressing character. Ho trusted they were entering upon better times. There had been a feeling of alarm created lately in banking circles by tho lan'o amount of sovereigns which had beon sent out to tho colonies from London, but it ap peared that for the ono million which had been sent out one million and a-half had been sent away from the colony, and ho did not sco why there should be any uneasiness in the matter. He concluded by moviiiu the adoption of the report and balance^ sheet. ilr James Smith seconded tiie motion, which was carried unanimously, tho report recommending a dividend at the rate of 7 p°r cent- The Hon. G. Maclean was olected to tho directorate, in tho placo of the Hon. W. Reynolds.

Now Zealand Accident Insurance Com pany's Annual Mooting.

The annual mooting of tho New Zealand Accident Insurance Company was held on Jan. 31, in tho large room of tho New Zea land Insurance Company's building, Mr D. B. Cruickshank (Chairman of Directors) presiding. Eight other shareholders were present. Mr W. A. Thomson (general manager) read the balance-sheet, which showed that the Company had extended its operations ;in all the colonies during tho year. After setting aside £4,oootowardsthecompilation of a reserve fund, the amount to credit of profit and loss now stands at L 1.498 3s sd. Out of this it is proposed to pay a dividend at the rate of 6d per share of which 3d had already been paid for the half-year ending 30th June, 1883. b The profit and loss statement showed tho amount paid for compensation to be L 6,833 ; the net premiums were L 10.722; interest and transfer fees, L 671 ; balance from last year, L 4.057. Total receipts, L 15.451. Tho Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, said the increase in business proved that the benefits of the Society wero appreciated. Accidents, moreover, also seomed lo be on tho increase, for tho Society had paid moro olaims in 1883 than during its three years' previous oxistenco altogether. The motion was seconded by Mr R. Walker and carried. On the motion of Mr Callnan, the retiring .directors,, MesM-sJinddle and Tonks, were BUG____ . .. W,*W_,.Jl_ at the ' W. H. PEARG-,.«__„ 7,1' li

ACCIDENTS AND INQUESTS

A max named Thomas Keefo, who was injured by a fall of earth at Whangnroa, died on the 24th January,

A body supposed to bo that of G. W. Goodgors" was found in tho Clutha, Otago. near Roxburgh, on January 9.

At Patca, on January 11, a man named Stephen Wilson was killed in a ballast pit on the railway by a fall of earth.

A man named dubbins got his breast bone broken at llokianga sawmills by a heavy piece of timber striking him.

A man named Alex. Mcintosh was found on Portobello Road, Dunedin, on January sth, lying quite dead, with the wheel of a buggy resting on his neck,

Mrs Whitely, for overlying her child while drunk, has been sentenced to a year's imprisonment at tho Supremo Court criminal sessions, Dunedin.

Wm. Dryden, a patient in Wellington Lunatic Asylum, has been sculded to death iv a hot batli in that institution. The oc currence is pronounced accidental.

A boy named Meccham, aged ten years, and son of a settler, was drowned in a stream at WoodviUe, on January 22, while bathing, having gone out of his depth.

Lewis Stewart, a fisherman, of Akaroa, is missing. Ho is supposed to havo bees drowned by the upsetting of his boat in crossing tho Akaroa harbour on Jan. 12.

A young man named Bernard Farley, an immigrant by the Doric, was severely injured in a quarry at I'arawai, Thames, by a fall of earth on January 16, having a portion ol the muscle turn from his left arm.

A man named Andrew Hughes died ni Ohinemutu on .Saturday, January l'J, undei

curioiiscircuinstaiicos. He was apprehcndci as being insane and lodged in a police coll but was found to bo su tiering from typhoii fever.

Tho wife of Mr I. McDonald, M.H.R., narrowly escaped death by poisoning nt Dunedin on Jan. 25. Taking a remedy for sick headache, she by mistake swallowed somo strychnine mixture, but recovered under medical treatment. A man named ,lames Mclnistcr, alias Morton, a gumdiggor at Kuiliu llaxmill, committed suicide by cutting his throat and then drowning himself on January 111. Tho body was recovered. Deceased was '.'7 years of age, and was formeily an inmate of the Asylum. At Aratapu, on January 5, a gumdiggor named Pearson fell from a horse which ho was riding, and the animal trampled over his faco ami neck, causing soveral severe wounds. Dr. Norton was sent for, and dressed the wounds of tho sufferer, who he expects will be laid up for about three weeks.

James Hollison, alias Sydnoy Join, em ployed in cutting limber for the Now Find Company, was killed on Jan. 28. He was working in a saw-pit, whan a log rolled down tho hill, striking him and causing him to turn a somersault. His neck was broken, his head being found buried six inches in tho siding. Another man was slightly injured. Mr W. 11. Potts, well-known in volunteer ing circles, ut the Thames, had a quantity of flesh torn from his right side, just abovo the hip, by tlic accidental discharge of a fowling-piece on January 20, when disembarking from a boat at Miranda, He is now in tho local hospital, and the surgeons have extracted about (JO grains of shut, besides wadding and fragments of clothing from tho wound. No danger is at present apprehended.

A young man named Kimpernan, a rocent arrival by the Lady Jocclyn, on January 22, while in a state of intoxi cation, fell through a bedroom window in the third story of the Star Hotel, Wel lington, on to the footpath bolow, n distance of fully 40 reet. Ho broko bin left thigh, injured his left ankle, and received some severe cuts on tho head. His injuries are not likely to prove fatal. A melancholy fatality occurred at Wel lington on Jan. 7. Mr Jacob Monteith, a well-known and highly-respected chemist carrying on business in this city, was supplying some medicine to a customer, when he complained of being seized M'ith sudden pain. He retired for a moment, and not re-appearing, search was made, and he was found in the yard vomiting and in great pain. He was removed, and medical aid sent for, but ho died in a few minutes. Mr Seymour Thorne George, M.H.R., met with a nasty accident at the Onehunga races on Jan. 19. While walking past a shooting gallery with three other friends, ho was invited by Evans, the man inchargo, to try his skill, to which ho consented. No sooner, however, had he pulled tho trigger than the gun exploded, shattering tho top of his forefinger, and causing two gashes on the ball of the hand closo to the thumb. Dr. Walker, who was on tho course, attended to Mr George's injuries, and he was driven homo to tho Northern Club, Dr. Haines subsequently dressing tho hand. A young man named Frank Silva was sailing in Mongonui Harbour on the after noon of December 20, when a sudden squall capsized his boat, which almost immediately filled and sunk. Silva struck out for the shore, and after struggling bravely for some time against wind and tide, he was picked up by a small boat which put off to his assistance. Silva, in company with another young man, had a similar narrow

scape on tho previous Thursday, whon a

boat in which thoy woro sailing was struck by a squall and went stern under and out of sight within a fow soconds. The oc cupants, being near tho shoro, reached it in safety.

Injuries of a most serious character wero caused to a man named Thomas Gavan on January 11, through the foolish conduct of an acquaintance named Mills. Gavan was on horseback talking to a friend at the corner of Quoen and Customs-streets, when Mills got up behind. Tho horso becamo restive, and Mills jumped off, whilo somo bystanders caught tho animal's bridle. Rearing suddenly on its hind legs, tho horse fell back and rolled over the unfortu nate man, who was at once placed in a cab and taken to tho Hospital. It is bolieved that his spine has been injured, but it is not considered likely that his injuries will prove fatal.

An accidont of a most painful character happened on Jan. 30 to a man named Mark Messenger, who was assisting in tho con struction of a new two-story houso in Symonds-street. Ho was working on tho ground floor, when a narrow chisel fell from tho upper part of the building, and cutting clean through tho leather of his boot, buried the point for some distance in tho centre of his foot. When the tool was withdrawn tho blood spurted up into tho unfortunate man's face. Mr Horsely was passing in a trap at the time, and kindly conveyed him to the Hospital, where ho is now doing very well.

A man named Robert McKay mot with a rather serious accidont at the Lake on Jan. 17. He had taken charge of a colt from Master William Quick, and was holding it by means of a rope. Several other horses suddenly ran past, and the colt, bocoming frightened, bolted. McKay's feet were caught in a noose, whicli was round the animal's neck.and ho was dragged around a paddock for nearly a mile. Tlio colt liaving stopped its mad career, McKay extricated himself, and although badly bruised on his back and one side, reached homo, when the services of Dr. Parkinson wcro scoured. The medical gentleman said that no bones were broken, but that his patient will re quire to lay-up for a short time. A sad case of drowning occurred near Cranston, about 10 miles from Cambridge, Waikato, on Saturday, January 12. Throe ladies, among whom was Mrs Sharp, Cam bridge, went to bathe in tlio Pokaiwhonua Creek, near its junction with the Waikato river, tho latter lady bringing two children with her. Ono of the children, a little girl of about four years, liaving boen stripped, was called upon by tho mother who was in the water, to como in and be bathed. The child went in nt the wrong place unobserved, and was immediately carried away by the current. The mother attempted to rescue her, but the child never again appeared on the surface. Search was immediately instituted for the body, but as yet it has not been found.

On the 30th January a sad drowning fatality occurred at Shelly Beach, Ponsonby. It appears that a number of boys between 11 and 12 years of ago were amusing themselves on the beach, when the hat of ono of them blew off into the water and was drifting to sea. A boy named John Herbert Mason, aged 11 years, tho son of Mr John Mason, hairdresser, Duko-street, Ponsonby, leaped in to bring the hat to land ; but, though ho was able to swim a little, the plucky ad found that the task was beyond Ins strength. He secured the hat, but.becomingexhausted, wasunable to swim back toshore. He sank in presence of his com panions, who wero unable to render him any assistance, as nono of them were swim mers. The deceased was a fine, promisin" boy, and it is much to be regretted that his over-daring attempt should have cost him his life.

While out shouting at the Bluff, -Intra ti__, . Ha tt vlif_J,'v°" :,f"-"" r>' ~~'< Uyo Inen fielj Af W^ING, Gaol Itoad, Kyber Pass i t0-

Onehunga thoy gavo information to (lie police, and by them the body was at onco brought in to Odium's Manukau Hotel, where Dr. Scott made an examination. Thcro wero no external marks of violonco upon it, nor any appearance of drowning, but thoro was a slight effusion of blood from tho nose. Life had nut been long extinct. The pockets were searched, and a piece of paper discovered bearing tho following significant words :—" 1 am troubled about myself, and almost mad with delirium,' If seems evident, therefore, that the deceased committed suicide, and a post mortem examination is now boing made. Deceased is a young man of about, 25 years of ago, of slight build and fair complexion, with a small light beard and moustache. In his pockets Ll in money and a silver watch were found (tho latter having stopped at 4 minutes past 5), and by his side a small bottlo containing somo fluid. The body wOs subsequently identified as that of Frederick Dunkloy, lato of Tasmania.

A caso of sudden death, which is beliovcd to have been the result of accidental poison ing, occurred at a gumliold about two miles distant from Heiulcr.-iun on tho Oth .January. News of the uciiurronco was brought to Superintendent Thomson by a comrade of deceased's named James Foster. Only very meagre detail arc to hand, but tho nniiio of deceased is David Lusee. The deat.li was very sudden, and from tho symptoms poisoning is assigned as the cause, although there is no suspicion whatever of foul play. Lusee has been on the field about eighteen months. An in quest on the body was hold at Henderson on the 11th January, and resulted in a ver dict of " Doath from Natural Causes." Evidence was to tho effect that deceased had been drinking heavily, and that on Wednesday he was working till ovening, when ho partook of a hearty dinner of bread and butter, cheese, uncooked onions, apples, &a, and copious draughts of swamp water. Two hours afterwards ho com plained of feeling queer, looked pallid, ami began to shiver. Medical assistance could not bo obtained, and a vehicle was brought, for the purpose of taking Lusco to the Hospital, but by that timo lie was dead.

An Italian named Antonio Tornclli has been brought down from Dargaville and is now in charge, as a lunatic. It appears that on Jan. 15, he was discovered in an insensible state on tho banks of the Kaihu creek at a spot called the Old Spur by somo natives. lie had frequently ox pressed tho determination tv drown him self, and it is .surmised that ho jumped into tho water but subsequently tried to save himself, and reached the bank in an exhausted condition. Two men, named llumpboll and Foster put the man in a boat and proceeded to row him home. On tho way Tornclli suddenly jumped out of the boat, and mado a determined attempt to drown himself. They .succeeded in obtaining a hold of him, but he struggled and tried to keop himself under water, lie was, however, with difficulty dragged into the boat and convoyed to Dargaville, where he was placed under the care of the policeman, lie was subsequently charged before Mr Darga ville with attempting to com mit suicide, and was remanded to Auckland for medical examination previous to com mittal to the Lunatic Asylum. It is stated that Tornclli is a steady hard-working man and in no way addicted to drinking. He is said to have a considerable sum of money invested in the Savings Hank. Ho was committed to the Asylum, on the testimony of Drs. Walker and McCallum.

Tho body of Jas. Gilford was found on the road at Maori Creek, Dungnnvillo, Grey mouth, on tho moaning of January sth, stabbed te death. Thero were two deep stubs on the chest, ono bad one on the neck, besides two smaller ones, and stabs also in a number of other places. Cries oi v human being were heard in the direc tion of tho murder about 11.30 tho previous night. Gilford was a witness against Morton in a notorious case of steuling _olil at Maori Creek. A man's lint and knife wcro found closo to tho body, as if the murderer ran away in a hurry. An in quest on tho body was held ut Duognnvillc on January 7. A number of witnesses were oxnminod. John Donoglmo, who has been arrested on suspicion of being thu murderer, was not present at tho in quest. The evidence of Dr. Morko went te show that thero were twenty-two seven wounds on the body of tho deceased, three being in the throat, any one of which would cause almost instantaneous death. One wound in the breast cut through a rib and penetrated the left lung ,'!J inches. Deceased left McKcrchinc's store about a quarter past cloven on Saturday night to go in the direction of New- River Terrace. The accused left about the same time to go in tho same direction. Both wore quite sober. Veils or shouts of a human being as if in agony wcro heard some littlo time after. Between the legs of tho corpse was found an umbrella, identified as that of Donoghue's. Gilford also hud nn umbrella whon ho left the store, but that has not been found. Closo to tho body a now billycock lint and a sheath knife with three brass rivets in the hnndlo, were picked up, and it is said theso can bo iden tified as the property of Donnghuo. The jury returned a verdict of wilful and mali cious murder against some poison unknown. Tho accused's body and apparel wero minutely examined. A mark was found over tho left eye, on the cheek and fore head, while the hands wero scratched. Some bruires wore found on his back, whilst his wearing apparel boro signs as if an attempt had bcorf mado to wash out somo stains. At the request of Sorgcant O'Oriidy v remand was granted for eight days.

OBITUARY NOTICES.

Mr J. N. MITKDOCH, lato R.M. at I'alnicrstim South, died suddenly at tho breakfast tablo on January 9.

Mr Thomas Rawdon, Borough Foreman of Works, nnd ono of the pioneers of tho Thames goldlields, was found dead in his ollico on January 22.

Captain Kenneth Kerr, of Oisborno, who was of noble blood and a rolativo of tho Duko of Bucclerch, died on January 8, of cancer.

At tho Lunatic Asylum on Jan. 18, tho death took placo of Mr Philip Callan, at tho ago of 90 years. Docoased, who was an old settlor of Northcote district, had becomo im becile, and about six months ago, boing in a sad condition from neglect, tho authorities had him removed tp the Asylum.

Mr Wm.BartleetLangbridgo, advertising agont, was discovered dead in his bodrooni at the Clarendon Hotel on the morning of January 19 by tho night waiter. Mr Lang bridgo, it appears, had boen in ill-health for some timo past, and was under the medical treatment of llr. Coomb. An in quest, hold over the body, resulted in a verdict of death from serious apoplexy.

Mr J. W. Robinson, an old settlor in the Wanganui district, died on the 24th January. Ho came here in ISOS, and was a prominent citizen for many years, having been tho originator and captain of tho Fire Brigade for several years, till he disabled his hand at a fire, and had to retire from the position. Deceased was an old member of one cf tho old lodges of Freemasons. Ho was about 60 years of ago.

In the hurry of preparation for Ihoßegattii on January 29, Capt. John Bruce strained one of his internal organs, and had to bo removed to the Hospital. An oporation had to be performed, and the sulForer never recovered. He died from strangulated hernia. Captain Bruce was a singio man, about 25 years of ago, who had beon a master mariner for several yoars. Tho funeral took placo on tho afternoon of February 2, and was largoly attended.

William Henry Fleming died on Jan. 16, at his lodgings, Nelson-street, after a long and painful illness. Deceased had been for many years in the employ of Messrs Whitaker and Russell, and previous to coming to this colony ho was occupied ns an engrossing clerk under tho well-known firm of Mossrs Cotton Bros., solicitors, Lothbury, London. Deceased was a member of a highly respectable family in London, and was born at Hoxton in 1819. His father and elder brother were connected with an old established wine merchant's office in King William-street, London Bridge, tho service of the two extending over a century. Mr Fleming was a quiet, inoffensive man, was secretary to the lato Rev. S. Edgor's congregation, and was a person of benevolont but eccentric habits.

MINING.

Mokau coal is reported to bo good for steam purposes. Tho miners' strike at Te Aroha is at an end.

Westport colliery, where 50 men are em ployed, has temporarily suspended opera tions.

The Government is expected to give £500, which, added to tho private reward offered, will make £1,000, for the discovory of a payablo goldfiold in Tauranga district. A meeting was held at Russell on the Bth January, at which it was decided to form a prospecting company to test the reefs at Rawhiti for gold. A number of shares were taken up in the room.

Settlers in Tauranga district have y-.'"-">_i!i.l_..i_oo as a reward- iov tho dis- f ct- 7. .':"■•- "'Afield in that die- AUC_i_-_. -'■_;_..'.■.. Vi.'.j ■-.:■■«-, ■_■

FIRES.

Till! house nnd contents belonging to Chris- , topher Nolan, I'uhoi, were totally destroyed by lire on Jan. (i. lloportod to be insured for £150 in the Imporial Oflico. A cottngo nt Byrototi) Cmtterlniry, occu pied by Kobt. Miller, was destioycd by lire on January 7. Insurance, £200. A four-roomed house at Balclutha, bo longing to Mcßride, carpenter, was burned down on January JI. It was insured for £10(J in the Victoria Company. A lire occurred early on the morning of Januarys, by which Hare's corn store in Maiichestcr-st.,Cliristcliurcli, was damaged, but not heavily. The loss is covered by insurance. On Wednesday morning, IGth January, Mr Hankin's store and bakery at Woolstou, Christchurch, were burned down. Insured for £300 in the South British. Tho promises of Mr A. It. Ilomorshnm, wool-scourer, at Balcairn, with a quantity of wool and skins, wore destroyed by lire on January 19, Insurances: Now Zealand, £400 ; South British, £110; At Oani.iru a house and stable (tho pro perty of v cab proprietor named Greenfield) were burnt down on January 10. The pro perty was insured for £210 in the North British Office. A six-roomod cottage, owned by C. Oif ford, of Napier, was burned with all its contents at Mn-terton, on January 18. The origin of the lire is unknown. Tho furni ture was uninsured, but the house was in sured in the New Zealand Ollice for L 125. A house at Porangahati, Napier, occupied as a dwelling and tailor's shop was totally destroyed by lire on January 22. Nothing was saved. The house was insured in t.e Union Ullico for £200, and tbe stock aud furniture for iJOO iv the South British. A houso belonging to Win. Jas. Ridden, at I'etone, Wellington, was destroyed by tire on January 25. The origin of the lire is unknown. The building was insured in the Royal Ollice lor LISO, and the furniture in tliosame ollice for LIOO, A small portion of tho furniture was saved. Wo regret to (Announce that the Junction Hotel, Tiki, tho property of Mr M. Kelly, was totally destroyed by lire on January 21. Nothing was saved, and thero is no insurance so far as known. Tho origin of the lire is at present shrouded in mystery. A house in tho occupation of Mr T. Arthur, shoemaker, at W'airoa (South), was destroyed by lire on January 11th. Mr Arthur., furniture and tools were insured for£so, but that sum will not nearly cover his lobs. The house was an old building, and said to be insured lor £100. Information has been received in Welling of a lire having occurred on Messrs Ruddi ford and Son's station, on tho East Coast, resulting iv the total destruction of tho shearing shed, stable, cowhouses and yard, and liftcen bales of wool. The lire occurred about 2 a.m. on Thursday, January 10. Tho following aro the insurances : Imporial, .1,000 on building; the New Zealand Com puny will loso about 1200 on tho liftcen oales of wool burned A six-roomed house near tho railway station, Nclsun, ownod and occupied by Mr August, second mate of tho steamer Kennedy, was burned down on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 13. Mrs Corbett, August's mother-in-law, was iv tho building confined to bed, and was saved with difficulty, insurances: National, £100 and £1,.() on the house and the furniture in the Norwich Union. Nothing was saved, as owing to tho strong wind the lire spread rapidly. A fire occurred in Bnrbadoc.-street,North Belt, Christchurch, on the afternoon of January 15, by which three wooden build ings were destroyed. They were: A shop, belonging to Mr Christie, confectioner, and occupied by Mr Stewart, storekeeper,— the building was insured for £I<JO ; a six roomed house, owned by Mrs Raphael, and occupied by Mr Hill, general dealer,—the houso was insured for £150 in tho Liverpool, London, and Globe, nnd Hill's stock for £100 (it was valued at £400) ; a two-roomed cottage, owned by Mrs Hobbs, aud occu pied by Mrs Johnson. On Saturday, January 19, at eight o'clock there was a lire in High-street, Christ church, by which wore destroyed the premises occupied by Mr Alfred Simpson, bookBsllor; Mr Church, draper; Mr Dolman, grocer; and Mr Smith, boot and shoemaker. Tho line new building of the Empire Hotel prevented the spread of tho llames in onu direction, the brick wall of Peterson, jeweller, in the other. The heavy rain also assisted by extin guishing the largo masses of burning material which fell on neighbouring roofs. Tho Fire Brigade worked hard for three hours. The damage is estimated at. about £10,000. A lire occurred in William-street on the morning of January 15, and resulted in the total destruction of a two-story houso owned and occupied by Mr Thomas Kelly, ironmoulder. Mrs Kelly was the first to discover the outbreak. She was awakened by a sonso of oppression, and found tho room full of smoke, while the apartment was lighted by flames in the other part of tho building. Mr and Mrs Kelly and eight children made their escape with some dilliculty, nnd not n moment too soon. Practically, nothing of any value was saved, the houso and its contents being in ashes within a very short timo of tho discovery. An adjoining houso owned by.

Mr I. Forguson and occupied by Mr Alfred

Ellis, was also on lire, but tho names were extinguished by the Firo Brigade.

Kelly's houso was insured for £275, and tho furniture for .L'7s, in tho

Imperial, whilo Ferguson's was insured in tho Now Zonlnnd for £150.

A large ten-roomed houso at Epsom, in the occupation of General Stoddard, and well-known as tho Epsom House Seminary,

was totally destroyed by lire on January

13. The outbreak was discovered in one of the back rooms by Mrs Stoddard shortly

beforo midnight, but the (lames had then obtained such a hold that tho inmates had seurcoly moro than time to escape in thoir

night clothes. Hollis's 'bus, en route from Auckland to Onehunga, was passing at tho timo, and a number of tho passongers lont assistance in saving furniture, a small por tion of which was rescued. The building was purchased several years .go by Genoral Stoddard from -Irs Lewis. Nothing is known of tho origin of tho outbreak. Mrs Stoddard was awakoncd by tho smoll of firo, and then found tho place in flames. Thoro aro no suspicious circumstances con noctcd with the occurronco. Tho insur ances are as follow :—South British—House,

f 200; furniture, £700 ; pianos (which wore saved), £100. National — House, £300; schoolroom, £150. General Stoddard lost tho whole of his clothing and certain valuablo books and maps.

An outbreak of firo occurred immediately before daybreak on January 14, in tho marine suburb of North Shore, and re sulted in the total destruction of the residenco formerly known as Mr J. B. Russell's, but which was recently purchased for £3,000 by Mr D. J. McLeod, local manager of tho Australian Mutual Provi dent Assurance Company, and has since been occupied by that gentleman. Tho firo was discovered the servant girl. She immediately raised the alarm, and tho family mado their oscapo without delay. Very little furniture was saved, but thoso present succeeded in gctlintr out a piano valued at L'CO. Mr McLeod valued his fur nituro, jewellery, plate, Sec , at £1,000, out. of which barely £100 worth is saved. Tho furnituro was insured in tho Norwich Union Ollico for £700, and the building iv the Sun Ollico for f 1,000. Mr McLeod had only been living in tlio house about six weoks. Tho cause of the fire is not known, but the outbreak is believed to have originated in tho wash-house or kitchen Mrs McLeod says the servant was washing clothes in the former apartment during tho day, but that before retiring to res at midnight she inspected both kitchen and wash-house, when everything was right Tho residence was ono of 15 rooms.

An alarm of fire was raised in town lato on Sunday night, the 13th January, the causo being an outbreak in Messrs Hollnby's slaughterhouse, situate at foint Ciiovalior. Several persons proceeded out from town, but owing to the extreme distance, tho Firo Brigade, Salvage Corps, Sec, did not proceed further than Ponsonby. The lire was discovered by John Bradley, carter for the firm, who resided in an ad joining cottage. Thoy aroused Mr Pike, foreman, and others, but nothing could bo done to save the buildings or the cottage occupied by Bradley and another workman named Hughes. There were 100 hides in the slaughter house, and a goodly number of these were got out. Bradley lost in the ccttago £2 10s in monoy and £4 worth of clothing, and Hughes £2 in monoy and t'2 worth of clothing. Tho whole of the plant of the slaughterhouse was destroyed, and 40 live sheep burned to death. The dead meat on the promises at tho time, which was also consumed, consisted of the carcases of 10 bullocks, 38 sheep, 6 lambs, 2 calves, and 3 pigs. Pike was in tho slaughter house without a light at 9 o'clock, and he is quite certain that "there was then no sign or smell of fire. It is believed that tlio fire was the work of an incendiary. The build ing was insured for 1300 in Uie New Zealand Insurance Company. Another destructive firo broke out on the morning of January 25, the scene on this occasion boing in View Road, off Mount Eden Road. I' —'" ~ '"hinted man etaptyhou-eia*6".-;? *. Vs _ ierinthe,Mt. Eden Gaol v*- <*TRICTLTT <-~:3

served by his son. This was very shortly beforo threo o'clock, Nothing could be done then to arrest the progress of the (lames nt that time, but steps were taken to give the alarm iv town. Tho fire ex tended to an adjoining two - storied house, owned and occupied by Mr Mcl 1011, a third house occupied 1))' Mr Matthews and owned by Mr Avery, and a fourth belonging to Mr Cooper, were also soon on fire, and when the Brigade arrived there was no prospect of saving any of thoso. McSHfs Stevens, Martin and Heed's houses wcro in great danger, but the uso of rt small engine and water from MfPeaco'S reservoir secured their safety, the other buildings being soon reduced to ashes. Nearly nil tho furniture was srtvo'd through the energetic exertion* of volun teers from the crowd of spectator., and tho Salvage Corps. Nothing was known of the cause of the outbreak, but as the liouHu in whicli tlio fire originated was an enlpty one, it was believed that somo vagrant had ittU"n shelter there, and had set lire to it acciden tally or otherwise. (in February I a fire broke out ir. a stable ni Campb«llvil!e, Wholly Bench, l'onsonby, nnd bdfur'H it could bo extinguished the building,-mil all its contents were destroyed, The adjoining dwelling-house, occupied by Mrs Graham and family, wad duly sated, from burning by the most strenuous efforts: The stable was fully insured, lift £10. worth of furniture and other goods stored in it, were not, and Mr James Cargo (brother of Mi's i.irtiham) is a considerable loser.

The privato house of Salvadoro Lezza, con fectioner, at Christchurch, was destroyed by lire on tho afternoon of January 27. The house, which stood in Kilmore-strect fjiist, near tho belt, was insured in the Victoria ofiice fur £300. The stock, furni ture, plant, etc. wore insured in tho same ollicc for £700. The house and its contents are nearly a total loss. Tho adjoining houso of Mr Harvey U dairiaged to tlio C.tent of about £20, It Is insured lot £200 ill tile London and Liverpool ollicc. Lezr.rt has b'ceri arrested on the chrirgo of arson. When arrested ho had on him two receipts for insurance premiums and £21 in cash.

On Sunday morning, January 2(i, a fire broke out on the premises occupied by Messrs Rankin and Akroyd, at Blenheim. Tho lire, for which no origin has been as certained, started in tho corner abutting on the bridge, and with the exception of about £20 worth of books, nothing was saved. The adjoining building in which nearly £2000 worth of furniture for the Criterion Hotel, now in process of erection, was stored, hud a narrow escape. Tho side of tho building and roof caught firo at ono time, but the Brigade succeeded iv quenching the flames. The insurance on the furnituro is said lo be £1,800 ; insur ances on Kankin and Ackroyd's stock aro unknown ; £400 iv the New Zealand, £250 in tho Australian Mutual. The building is insured for £250 in the Now Zealand. Messrs Rankin and Ackroyde's stock, valued at £3,300, arid thoy estimate their loss, irrespective of shop furniture and fixings, on which they have an insurance, at £2,300. Tho books und somo £60 in cash wore found in tho safe noxt morning, and although tho books arc scorched they are legible.

At 9.30 p.m. on January 28 tho fire bolls once moro proclaimed that the fire fiend was at his destructive work, his placo of operations being at a block of buildings in Mount Eden Koud, about 500 yards from the scenes of two previous fires. In a very short timo hundreds of persons were on tho spot, while shortly after tho numbers had increased to thousands. The fire broke out in a grocery shop occupied by Mr ntiil Mrs Junes, and spread rapidly right and left, taking in succession the fol lowing buildings : To the right of Jones's

--the cottages of Mrs Allies, occupied by herself and two daughters, who were out at the time ; Mrs l'urdie's residence, Mr Glad ding's grocery shop and residence, Mr Cladding's (Junr.) bootshop next door. To the loft of Jones's—the residences of Mr MeAdams, Hatfield, and Larkins (con tractor). The houses on the opposite side of the road had a very narrow escape, and it was only by the greatest exertions thoy wcro saved. Tho Fire Brigade arrived about 20 minutes after the alarm, but as on several previous occasions, somo difficulty in connection with the tiro-plugs prevented them from using thu hose, other Hse they would probably have saved ono or two of the buildings; but as the next best thing the water was turned on at the reservoir a few hundred yards away, and allowed to run down the gutters towards the fire, where it was utilised by buckets and baby-engines. The Brigade, assisted by ma.iy others, worked bravely, and through their efforts the lire was prevented from spreading be yond Cladding's, the bootmaker, although the next shop was aliro several times. The method employed by the brigadomen for cooling one another, viz., by throwing buckets of water over each othor in turn, or turning on the baby-engines, provoked the cheers of tho crowd, which were well deserved. At the other end of the block the devouring element spent itself nt. Mr Larkins's—the noxt house liaving a narrow escape. Tho origin of the firo appears to havo been accidental. It is stated that Mrs Jones was boiling a pudding for to-day ; that long pieces of wood were employed as firing; and theso are supposed to have burnt closo to tho outer ends and then upset on tho lloor, Tho pot with tho pud ding in was still in its place this morning. Tho insurances, so far as wo have been able to ascertain, are as follow :—Jones's premises wero owned by Mr Pillengor, and insured in tho Firo Association, London. Mr Pillongcr's residenco Mas insured in the Firo Association, London, for L 200; Mrs l'urdie's dwelling is said to be insured in the Now Zonlnnd for L2OO ; Cladding's, son., shop 1,100, stock L 250, and furniture, L 75, ; H. F. Cladding's shop, 1.150 in Union, and stock LIOO in tho same ollico ; Hatfield's residence, L2OO in South British, nnd LIOO on furnituro in snmo ollicc; McAdums's residenco was unin sured ; Mr Larkins, on house and furni turo, had L 550 in tlio Royal, nnd L 250 in the Union ; Short's drapery premises woro insured, building LIOO, and stock LSO in Colonial ; L2OO on building in Norwich Union. Shop only partly damaged. The two shops abovo belonged to Mrs Jack, but leased by Mr Thomas, chemist. The tenants—Mr J. H. Smith, drapor, nnd Mr Aldorton, grocor — wcro uninsured, and havo lost through the goods being knockod about, but othorwiso tho promises aro un injured. Mrs Jack is believed to bo insured for L3r>o,bntthe office is not known. Atthe southern end of tho block Mr Cary, up holsterer, has sustained somo little damage, fencing being destroyed, and tho grounds damaged. Ho is insured for L4OO In the Norwich Union on houso and workshops, and L 270 on the furnituro in tho New Zoa land.

It is our painful duty to chroniclo a serious firo at Helensvillo, resulting not only in tho loss of valuable proporty, but also of tho lives of two men, John Harris, tho cook, and his assistant, named Mooncy. The fire broko out at the Kaipara Hotel, Helensville, about ten o'clock on Tuc day night, tho 29th January. The two men had retired to resting an upstairs bedroom over the kitchen, and it is believed that tho woodwork near tho kitchen stove must have ignited, as when first observed the flames had obtained such a hold that it was impossible lo get into the room, and tho greatest haste was made with a viow to savo a few articles of furniture and wearing apparel. On learn ing that Harris was missing, Constable N.uighton at onco had water thrown over ' the portion of t ho fire whore the body should be found. The commotion at this time was heightened by McLeod's stores burst ing into flames, and also by shouts of " Whero is Mooney?" Tho scene now became appalling, and the shrieks of women and children, mingled with tho shouts of men, crackling of flames, falling of timber, smashing-in of doors, the howling of dogs, and shouts of a small tribe of Maoris who had gathered up, were most distressing, and as kerosene, oils, and other inflammable material in Mc- Leod's warehouse began to burn, the flames shot upwards, casting an angry glare over tho western sky, which led to the Auck and firebolls being rung, and engines being got out, though at so great a distance. By great exertions the flames wero pre vented from spreading beyond McLeod's stores. Among tho debris wero found portions of the charred remains of tho un fortunate cooks. Harris's body was the mostcomplete, but only disjointed'fragments of the other have been rescued, which are hardly discornible as being any part of a human body. It is impossible to speak too highly in praise of the manner in which resi dents worked to save their neighbours' pro perties.

THE DUNEDIN MURDER CASE

Dunedin, January 21. The second trial of William Pcarce for the murder of the woman 1 [uncock was held to day beforo Judgo Williamsandajury. The samo witnesses wore examined. Prisoner was again defended by Mr D. M. Stuart. The jury retired at twenty-six minutes past four p.m., and after an hour returned into Court with a verdict of guilty, accompanied by a strong recommendation to mercy. His Honor said he would forward the recom mendation to .the advisers of (he Crown, V'l. passed sentence of death on the

MEETINGS.

TW-N-y-tfltft-fi meotlng? of creditors com prised a day's proceedings in Christchurch, all anxious to slip through before the new Act came into force. Tho A Battery Artillery hold n meeting on Jan. 31. Over 40 officers and men wero present. After some discussion it was de cided to keep tho battery up to its full strength, and after attaining the required number, tlio Volunteer Regulations in re gard to fines for non-attendance nt drill* Be strictly enforced, At tho "meeting of the numbers of tho Reliance Lodge,- No, 1, Loyal United Friends' Benefit Society, held in the Lodge room on the evening of Bth January, tho following members wcro installed to ofiice by Bro. Uoorge Wnrbufton, sen. )—Bro. W, Bilnednn, 1.M.; Bro. James Cox, W.M.. j Bro. J. T. .Mtolton, D.M.J Bro. John 0/ Dav'son, Secretary; Pro. W. L Ncdrio, Treasurer (re-elected); Bro, Josiah Dell, Steward; Bro. If.McDonald, Deputy Stewart; Bro, J. Tyo, 1.0. ; Bro. W. Jarvis, O.T. The first meeting of the Pharmacy Boards since its removal to Auckland was held on Jan. 17. There were present: Messrs G. Aickin (in the chair) J. Kdson, J. A. J'ond, mid J. I. King. Mr Aickin was elected l'i'c"d<lont, and Mr 11. N. Garland Registrar. A vote of than Us was accorded to tho lato President, (MrC. D, Barraud) and Mr J. A. Allen (Registrar), it wns decided to at Citce take into consideration th<: new syllabus of studies for candidates' examinations under the now Ant. At a meeting of the' Wallace arid-ord Hospital Committee, held in Rivefton, it was reported that a Chinaman sulfering from leprosy was living in a house about two miles from town. The sufferer is said to have come from Round Hill diggings. Further inquiries will be made by the medical officer as to the truth of the state ment made, but in tho meantime the Com mittee have decided not to receive the patient into tho hospital. Thl annual meeting of the Port Albert Co-operative Society was held in tho Society's store'or/Jan. 19. Thero-froretwelve shareholders present; A resolution condemn ing thepfacticeof selling goodson credit Was passed. Messrs Pcttet, Gritntj and W, Hefibrd wofo oleetcd members of the Managing Comfnlttee. The cash taking* during tlio past half-j'ear had exceeded iti amount that of any previews half-year. The shareholders expressed their confidence' in the general management of the Society'; At a meeting of master mariners held at the Waitemata Hotel on January 30, it was agreed to form a Mercantile Marino Asso ciation, under regulations to bo hereafter adapted. It was decided to auk His Excel lency the Governor to be Patron, and Mr C. J. Stone was elected Frc-ldsnt, Captains D. 11. McKenzie, 11. F; Andefson, and A. Mucgrogor, Vice - presidents ? ahd Mr Bennett, Secretary pro, tcnu Captains Thwaites, Jones, Morrison, nnd Haddock wero appointed to draw up rulos, to bo sub' mitted at a future meeting. A very enthusiastic meeting of Welsil people was held on Jan. 9, in the Young Men's Christian Association rooms, Welies ley-street, Mr John Jenkins in the chair. The principal business of tho meeting com prised the consideration of the question, " How shall we, the Welsh people of Auck land, celebrate St. David's Day ?" and it was resolved, as the Ist March falls on a Saturday this year, that the celoßration take place on tho evening of the 3rd, at some suitable hall in tho city. The old spirit of the mountains seemed to revive, and all present were unanimous in desiring to honour "Taffy's Day"' in a manner worthy of patriotic Welshmen, The annual conference of delegates from tho Fire Brigades forming the United Association was held at Nelson on Jan. 17. Captain Lightfoot (Nelson) was president. After discusion it was resolved to adhere to annual instead of triennial meetings. It was stated there were 1,200 firemen in tho colony. The election of officers resulted as follows: — President, Captain Amos, Timaru; Vice-presidents, Captain Cum niings, Wanganui, and Captain Hughes, Auckland. W. Robinson, Dunedin, was re-elected Secretary. It was resolved to hold tho next conference in Christchurch, and havo a brigade demonstration there next year ; it was also resolved to apply to the Government for assistance. The con ference then closed with tho usual votes of thanks.

The inaugural meeting of tho Auckland Rationalistic Association was successfully held on Sunday evening, 13th January, in tho LorncstrcetHall, which was crowded te the doors; indeed, so great was the throng that extra forms had to be placed along the passages. Mr A. Campbell, President, occupied the chair, and delivered the inaugural address, and several other gentlemen also spoke. Alternating with the speeches various musical selections nnd recitations were rendered, viz., n pianoforte duet from "Tho Poet nnd Poasant," by Miss K. Campbell and Mr W. H. Webb ; as a pianoforte solo, fantasia on airs from '' La Traviata ;" read ing, "Tho Bad Boy Tries to Convert tho Infidel Boy," Mr Gerald Dillon ; as n duet for piano and violin, Bocchorini's pretty little Minuet, the Misses Cailliau ; recitation, " Shamus O'Brien," Mr J. J. Kennedy. The usual half-yearly meeting of the United Ancient Order of Druids was held in the Lodge-room, on the 7th January. Arch Druid Bro. Flannaghan presided. After some routine business liad been trans acted, the election of officers for the onsuing term was proceeded with, and resulted as follows :—Arch Druid, Bro. G. Leaning; Vice-Arch Druid, Bro. W. Jennings; Secre tary, Bro. E. Mace (re-elected); Minute Secretary, Bro. James Clarke; Treasurer, P. A. Bro. A. Kidd (re-elected); Arch Bards, Bros. I). McPherson and R. Kirk; Vice-Arch Bards, Bros. W. Staunton and Tapp ; Inner Guard, Bro. R. L. Somers; Outer Guard, Bro. J. Jessop; Auditors, Bros. Paul, Jennings, and Clarke. Bio. Dr. Walker was re-elected surgeon to the Lodge. The installation ceremony was vory impressively gono through by P. A. Bro. A. Kidd. The balance sheet read showed the Lodge to be steadily progressing in numbers and finances.

The annual meeting in connection with the Auckland Working Men's Club was held on January 31, Mr Peter Dignan presiding. There wore about 30 members present. Balance - sheet. — The statement of account for tho half-year showed that the expenses had amounted to L6S4, while the receipts—including L 607 13s 7d from bar takings, LSB 8s 6d from billiards, L4O 6s from subscriptions, Lll 2s 6d from rents, and L2O 7d from previous half-year—totalled L 717 10s 7d, leaving a cretiit balanco of L 53 Bs. Capital Account. —This statement showed :—Assets : Cash balance, L 53 Ss ; valuo of stock, L 72 17s 3d; furniture, L 330 15s 6d; lease and improvements, L3OO ; subscriptions, LlO 8s: Total, L 667 8s 9d.—Liabilities: Amount of loan, L 100; current accounts, L 306 16s; rent due, L 52 : Total, L45816s 6d. Thus leaving a balance of assets over liabilities of L 667 8s 9d. Officers. — Theso wero elected as follows: —President, Mr P. Dignan (re elected) ; Vice-President, Mrll. G. Payne ; Treasurer, Mr H. Ridings (re-elected); Committee, Messrs G. Wishart, G. Cook, D. Macdonald, W. D. Dallen, I. Moses, T. M. Harvey, and Fisher; Auditors, Messrs T. C. Self and C. S. Wright,

A meeting of tho Benevolent Society was hold on January 9, in tho Chamber of Com merce, Bishop Cowie in the chair. Mon signor Fyncs, Rev. A. Reid, and Colonel Haultaiu were present. Tho latter gentle man brought up the resolutions of the Sub-committee, whicli have already been published, as to the best means of carry ing out successfully the objects of the Society. The resolutions wero carried unanimously. The following gentlemen were the elected officers for the coming year : —President: His Worship the Mayor; Vice-Presidents: Mr J. M. Clark and Colonel Haultain ; members: Mesdames Bramo, Cosgrave, Cowie, John Hay, Judd, T. Macfiarlano, D. Nathan, and A. White ; Messrs John Buchanan, T. Buddie, T. Cooper, W. C. Daldy, R. C. Greenwood, R. Keesing, T. Macffarlune, C. C. McMillan, Dr. J. Murray Moore, Messrs L. D. Nathan, T. Peacock, and W. Thorne. The appoint ment of a secretary and treasurer was deferred until suitable gentlemen could bo found to fill these important offices. The following resolution closed the meeting: — " The General Committee shall fill up any vacancies that may occur in their numbers during the year, and shall havo full power to take such steps and make such regula tions as may be necessary for the proper working of the Society." At a meeting of the Society held on Jan. 22, in the City Council Chambers, Mr W. R. Waddel (Mayor) in the chair, the following gentle men were appointed members of the Executive Committee :—Messrs W. Thome, J. Buchanan, Dando, Ralph, Keesing, F. G. Ewington and Theo. Cooper ; Mr C. C. McMillan was elected treasurer. It was further resolved that tho President, Vice- President and Treasurer be members of oxecutive ex officio. Thirty-eight applica tions were received for the post of Secretary to the Society, and it was resolved to re duce tho number to six. At tho adjourned meeting tho number of applicants for the offico was reduced to three, viz., Messrs Alfred Cox, Walter^ Bertrand, and Thomas Duppuy. Tho latter gentleman was ap pointed at a salary at £52, Executive Com mittee to provide office.

The installation and ball in connection with St. Andrew's Masonic Lodge were held

on the 11th January, in the Masonic Hall, and largclyattendod. Among those preseni from other lodges were Bro. Austin' B.W.M. Manukau Lodge ; Bro. Seabrooke, W.M. Lodge United Service; and Bro, W. J, Suiter, P.M. nnd Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge ; Bro. Laßoche, W.M. Remuora, and officers; Bros, Colo ai d Hatswell, P.M.'s Lodge Waitemata. Th. Prince of Wales Lodge was represented by the W.M. Bro. Clark, and Bro. Moat, Presi dent of the Board of General Purposes, with other officers of the Grand Lodge. Bro. Slator, 1.M., officiated at the installation, and installed tho following brethren :— It.W.M., Robert Kayo ; 1.P.M., Bro Slator; D.M., Bro. R. B. Symonds; S.M., Bro. James Anderson; S.W., Bro. Dr. Henry Walker ; J.W., Bro. T. W. Robson ; Chaplain, Bro. Rev. F. Gould ; S.D., A. J. Lawrio ; Steward, G. B. Jones ; Director of Ceremonies, MrH. 11. Hitchens ; 1.0., Mr T. \V, Briggs ; and Captain Tongc, Tyler. The proceedings wcro thorough, pleasant, and successful.

The Sailor's Home.

Tub first annual meeting of tho subscribers to this iio*ly-organised institution was held on the 24th January in the ollices of tho Diocesan Synod, Bishop Cowic in the chair. There were also present: Revs. Messrs. Haseldcn, Tebbs, Bates, Vcn. Archdeacons Mauiisoll and Dudley, Captains Clayton, Tilly, ahd Anderson, Messrs. T. L. White, F. G. Ewington, Fell (Sailors' missionary), Battlcy, Elkin, McMaster, Clark, Heath! Committee.—A committee of seven gentlemen was elected to act with the threo trustees of tho Costlcy bequest, viz., Cap tain Tilly, Archdeacon Maunsell, Dr. Ken -erdine, Mr Ewington, Mr Larkins, Mr F. Battlcy, and Mr T. Buddie. Ort'icKKS E-KCT-ii.—President, His Lord ship Bishop Cowie ; Secretary, Mr F. G. Ewington J Treasurer, Mr F. Larkins. Mr J. Waymouth was elected to audit the accounts.

Abundant evidence of the success which has attended tho labours of the workers in tho causo of the Sailors' Rest and Homo was afforded on the evening of January 30, when the first anniversary of the institution was celebrated by a soiree and public gather ing in Mr Dilworth's new store in Customs street, The tables wero presided over by the following ladies : —Mesdanras Murray Moore, Fell, Edgecombe, Lewis, and Rollin son, Misses Fell, Maunsell, Kempthornc, Crisp, Anderson, Fairburn, White, X, White, Olive, nnd Walsh. After tea a thanksgiving meeting was held, the motto of tho evening being "Jehovah Jirah." Messrs Honncken's string band ployed several musical selections, after which His Lordship Bishop Cowie addressed tlio meet ing. Later in the evening addresses wero given by Professor Aldis on "The Rest and Home," and Mr Ewington on " Determina tion," and by Mr Fell, while DrKenderdine presented an elegantly painted temperance pledge given by Miss Ridings to the Rest lo be hung up in tho assembly-room. Tho programme of tho evening also including: D-et( " O Magnify the Lord;" quartette, " Cafit thy Burden;" song, by Mrflillycar; duet, ttotn " The Ancient Mariuer; " read ing, "The Jtevengo," by Mr L. White; and song, " Q'AS Jock's Come Homo from Sea." Altogether- very pleasant evening was spent.

EDUCATIONAL.

Public Schools Scholarship Examination/ It was announced at the Board of Educa tion on January 18 that Misses Snell, (90(5 marks), and Gorrie (874 marks), were only candidates at the Girls High School Examination were awarded scholarships. The highest possible number of marks were 1,400. The list of successful pupils in the Scholarships Examinations is as follows (the figures after tiie name signify the age, and the figures after the place, tho number of marks obtained): —

Winners ok Seno-Ansmrs. — Hugh Poland, aged 16, Tuakau school, 537 marks; Wm. Robert Cooper Walker, 15, Otahuhu, 800; Jane Donaldson Grant, 14_, One hunga (Girls), 795 ; Richard C. Maclaurin, 13J, Hautapu, 794; Annie Moses, 15J, Wollesley - street, 753; Emma Helen Carter, 16, Ponsonby, 773; Caspar Alex ander Semadeni, 15, Ponsonby, 772; Robert John Gwynne, 15t, Hamilton West, 754 ; Agnes McEean Browning, 14, Puriri, 751 ; Martha Crooks, 17, Ponsonby, 747; David Hamilton Jackson, 14, Weliesley street, 745 ; Catherine Elizabeth Barry, 15, Weliesley-street, 743.

Certificates of Proficikxcy. — Arthur Gittos Cooke, 1.5, Ponsonby, 735; Ellen Robb, 16, Onehunga Boys', 733; Mary Ellen Dempsy, 16J, Newton East, 725; John Pollock Elliott, 15.',, Puriri, 718; Geo. McGibbon, 14, Newton East, 689 ; Walter Robert Beaver, 17, Onehunga Boys', 6.6; Albert Fuller Ellis, 14, Cambridge District High School, 083 ; Margaret Bell, 14, Wairoa South School, GS2; Edward Birtchnell Gillfillan, 13, Weliesley-street School, 672 ; William Collins, 16, Nelson street, 668 ; Frances Elizabeth Picken, 15, Onehunga Boys', 663; Agnes Hawkins, 15_, Wellesley - street, 056 ; James Morris Scott, 15, Newton East, 656; Lily Maude Thompson, 15, Newton East School, 651; John Hogg, 14, Mount Hobson School (Boys'), 637; Annie Elizabeth Morgan, 16_, Cambridge District High School, 646 ; William Somerville, 13, Onehunga Boys' School, 644; Mary Ann Heighway, 15, Parawai School, 641 ; Mary Ethel Owen, 18J, Ponsonby School, 636; Bertha Faith Picken, 12J,, Onehunga Girls School, 634; Henry Gill, 15*, Otahuhu School, 617.

Now Zealand University Examination.

The results of the Now Zealand University Examinations, held in December last, have just been published. We observe that though the other districts of the colony aro well represented, no junior scholarships hav6 been taken by Auckland pupils. Preliminary medical examinations passed by W.G. Trotter, Invercargill; W. Dermer, W. Chappel, J. G. A. Copeland, Dunedin; and G. Grant, Wanganui. Of 112 who passed matriculation 35 were from Otago, 19 from Canterbury, 20 from Auckland, 13 from Wellington, 11 from Nelson, 6 from Invercargill, and 8 from Timaru. The fol lowing were from Auckland:—J. W. Stew art, D. Meldrum, E. H. Cox. T. P. Burton, D. E. Fraser, S. Mulgan, C. F. Reid, C. Cockerton, R. McPherson, A. Currie, H. B. Mackay, C. Wcstwood, A. Lawry, R. G. Ryburn, L. Durrieu, M. Hill, and H. Schnackenbcrg; C. Grant and C. Frost, from Onehunga, and M. Lippiatt from Otahuhu. Of these, the following were from tho Auckland Training College :— Annie Currio, Constance Frost, Helen B. Macky, Clara Wostwood, Frank P. Burton, Goorge Lippiatt, and Robort McPherson. It may also be mentioned that James M. French passed tho annual examination of the Auckland University College for the year ISB3, and succeeded in obtaining a first class in Latin and a third-class in chemistry.

The Dunedin Board of Education, which this year applied for £43,000 from Govern ment on building grant, aro to receive only £10,675. Last year they applied for a liko sum, and got £17,000.

Mr A. DeLisle Hammond. 8.A.,F.R,H.5., till recently Head-master, and Mr A. F. T. Ansley, lately an assistant master in the Church of England Crammer School, at Parnell, have been appointed to important posts in tho Sydney Grammar School.

The University College Council, through insufficiency of funds, have decided not to establish a medical school at present. As for Hebrew, although instruction is offered gratis, only one porson has signified his willingness to commence the study.

The Home Government telegraphs that a supplementary charter has been issued declaring that degrees in science conferred by the University of New Zealand shall be recognised as academical distinction, and that rewards of merit are entitled to rank in precedence and consideration in tho United Kingdom and British colonies and possessions.

INVENTIONS.

Mn James Isoram, Auckland, applies for letters patent for a patent rocking cheese vat.

MrT. R. Rosier, Christchurch, seeks a patent for a new fanning mill and grain separator.

Mr Thos. Kolly, Auckland, has applied for a patent for hydraulic lime-pressed bricks.

The following patents have recently been applied for in New Zealand :•—W. Edwards, Christchcrch, patent for straining or tighten ing wires on fences; Donald Donald, Master ton, for an improved clothes mangle ; and Christian Julius Toxward, Wellington, for improvements in tents and temporary houses for military and other purposes. In the "Gazette" of the 24th January aro notifications of applications made for a number of patents, tho following being those applied for by New Zealand col.nists: Frederick F'ivcn, Christchurch, for an im proved spring-liar for saddles ; Joshua Rutland, Marlborough, fur an invention for fastening the handles of knobs into the axles of door locks ; Walter Booth and George Booth, Oamaru, for two inventions, one Being a dripstone filter. i>sid the other apparatus for drilling .tone for the parpoao 01 making these filters.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1884.

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