"HAND AND RING."

By Anna Katherine Gbben, Author of "The Leavonworth Murder," "Tho Sword of Damodes," "The Defence of tho Prude," etc.

CHAPTER VIII,

TIIE THICK-SET MAN,

Springs to catch woodcock_^ IAS , LKTi

Iltho pause that followed, Miss Firman ,-toppod aside, and Mr Byrd, finding his at tention released, stole a glance toward the hall-way and its nearly concealed occupant. Ho found the elbow in agitated movement, and, os he looked at it, sow it disappear and a hand project into view, groping for the handkerchief which was, doubtless, hidden in the hat which he now perceived standing on the floor in tho corner of tho doorway. Ho looked at that hand woll. It was large, white, and elegantly formed, and wore a seol ring of conspicuous size up on the little finger. He had scarcely noticed this ring, and wandered if others had seen it too, when the hand plunged in to the hat, and drawing out the kerchief, vanished with it behind the jamb that had already hidden so much from his view. " A fine gentleman's hand, and a fine gentleman's ring," wos Mr Byrd's mental comment; and he was about to glance aside, when, to his great astonishment, he saw the hand appear once more with the handkerchief in it, but without the ring which a moment since had mado it such a conspicuous mark for his eyes. " Our fino gentleman is becoming fright ened," he thought, watching the hand un til it dropped the handkerchief back into the hat. " One does not take off a ring in a company like this without a good reason." And he threw a quick glance at the man he considered his rival in the detective busi ness. But that worthy was busily engaged in stroking his chin in a feeling way, strongly suggestive of a Fledgerby-Hke interest in his absent whisker; and well versed as was Mr Byrd in the ways of hiß fellow detec tcives, he found it impossible to tell whether the significant action he had just remarked had escaped the attention of. this man or not. Confused if not confounded, he turned back to the coroner, in a maze of new sensa tions, among which a growing hope that his own former suspicions had been of a wholly presumptuous character rose predominant. He found that functionary preparing to make a remark. • " Gentlemen," said he ; " you have list ened to the testimony of Mrs Clemmens's most confidential friend, and heard such ex planations as she had to give of the special fears which Mrs Clemmens acknowledges herself to have entertained in regard to her personal safety. Now, while duly impress ing upon you the necessity of not layingtoo much stress upon the secret apprehensions of a woman living a life of loneliness and se clusion, I still consider it my duty to lay be fore you another bit of the widow's writing, in which "

Here he was interrupted by the appear ance at h_3 side of a man with a telegram in his hand. In the pause which followed hie reading of the same, Mr Byrd, with -that sudden impulse of interference which comes upon us all at certain junctures, tore out a leaf from his memorandum-book, and wrote upon it some half dozen or so words indicative of the advisability of examining the proprietor of the Eastern Hotel as to the name and quality of the several guests entertained by him on the day _ of the murder; and having signed this com munication with his initials, H. 8., looked about for a messenger to carry it to the coroner. He found one in the person of a small boy, who was pressing with all his might against his back, and having despatched him with the note, re gained his old position at the window, and proceeded to watch, with a growing interest in the drama before him, the result, of his interference upon the coroner. He had not long to wait. The boy had no sooner shown himself at the door with the note, than Dr. Tredwell laid down the telegram he was perusing and took this new communication. With a slight smile Mr Byrd was not slow in attributing to its true source, ho read tho note through, then turned to the officer at his side and gove him snnii. command-that sent him from the room. Ho then took up the slip he woS" On the point of presenting to the jury at the time he was first interrupted, and continu ing his rt marks in roference to it, said quietly: " Gentlemen, this paper whioh I here pass over to you was found by mo in the recess of Mrs Clemmens's desk at the time I ex amined itior the address of Miss Firman. It was in an envelope that had never been sealed, and was, if I may use the expression, tucked away under a pile of old receipts. The writing is similar to that used in the letter you have just read, and the signature attached to it is 'Mary Ann Clemmens.' Will Mr Block of the jury read aloud the words he will there find written ?" Mr Black, in whose hand the paper then rested, looked up with a flush, and slowly, if not painfully, complied: "I desire" —such was tho language of the writing before him—"that in case of any sudden or violent death on my part, the authorities should inquire into the possible culpability of a gentleman living in Toledo, Ohio, known by the name of Gouverneur Hildreth. He is a man of no principle, and my distinct conviction is, that if such a death should occur to me, it will be entirely due to his efforts to gain possession of pro perty which cannot be at Mb full disposal until my death. "Mary Ann Clemmens, Sibley, N.Y."

" A serious charge I " quoth a juryman, breaking the universal silence occasioned by this communication from the dead.

"I should think so," echoed the burly man in front of Mr Byrd. But Mr Byrd- himself and the quiet man jNhrho leaned so stiffly and abstractedly '" against the wall, said nothing. Perhaps they found themselves sufficiently engaged in watching that half-seen elbow, which since the reading of this last slip of paper had ceased all movement and remained as stationary as though it had been paralysed. "A uharge which, as yet, is nothing but a charge," observed the coroner. "But evidence is not wanting," he went on, " that Mr Hildreth is not at home at this present time, but is somewhere in this region, as will be seen by the following, telegram from the superintendent of the Toledo police." And he held up_ to view, not tho telegram he had just received, but another which he had taken from among the papers on the table before him : " Party mentioned not in Toledo. Left for the East on midnight train of Wednes day, the 27th inst. When lost heard from was in Albany. He has been living fast, ond is well-known to be in pecuniary diffi culties, necessitating a large and immediate amount of money. Further particulars by letter." "That, gentleman, I received last night. To day," ho continued, taking up the tele gram that had just come in, " the following arrives: "Freshadvices. Man you are in search of talked of suicide at hi. club the other night. Seemed in a desperate way, and said that if something did not soon happen ho should be a lost man. Horse-flesh and unfortunate speculations have ruined him. Thoy say it will take all he will ultimately receivo to pay his debts. "And below:

"Suspected that he has been in your town." A crisis was approaching round the corner. This, to the skilled eyes of Mr Byrd, was no longer doubtful. Even if he * had not observed the wondering glances cast iv that direction by persons who could ccc the owner of that now immovable elbow, he would have been assured that all was not right, by the alert expression which hod now taken the_ place of the stolid and indifferent look which had hitherto charac terised tho face of tho man ho believed to be a detective. A panther about to spring could not have looted more threatening, and the wonder was that there were no more to observe this exciting by-play. Yet the panther did not spring, and the inquiry went on. " The witness I now propose to call," an nounced the coroner, after a somewhat try ing delay, "is the proprietor of the East ern Hotel. Ah, here he is. Mr Symonds, have you brought your register for the past "Yes, sir," answered the newcomer, with a good deal of flurry in his manner and an embarrassed look|i about him, which con vinced Mr Byrd-that the words in regard to whose origin he had been so doubtful that morning .had. bpen-'real words and no dream. ° •'!,-';* "Very submit it, if you please, to tho ju^y, 'and tell Us in the meantime whether you nave entertained at your house this week any guest-who professed to come from Toledo?" "I don't know I don't remember any such," began the witness, in a stammering sort of way. "We have always a great many men from the. West stopping at our hineeii b'tlk'l&6a't recollect any special one who registered himself as coining from . Toledo,'.' '■ ~A ~. t Mmmm^b~.,.-**uM*.*. ___... ».-,.,<■■■. :.■____,...___., .

"You, however, always expect your guests to put their names in your book ?" "Yes, sir." ..__.. Thero was something in the troubled look of tho man which aroused the suspicion of the coroner, and he was about to address him with another question when one of tho jury, who was looking over the register, spoke up and asked : "Who is this Clement Smith who writes himself down hero os coming from Toledo .' "Smith?— Smith?" repeated Symonds, going up to the juryman and looking over his shoulder nt the book. " Oh, yes, the gentleman who came yesterday. He— — But ot this moment a slight disturbance occurring in the othor room, the witness poußed and looked about him with that same embarrassed look before noted. "Ho is at the hotel now," he added, with an at tempt at ease, transparent as it was futile. The disturbance to which 1 havo alluded was of a peculiar kind. It was occasioned by the tnick-sot man making tho spring which, for some minutes, he had evidently been meditating. It was not a tragic leap, however, but; a decidedly comic ono, and had for its ond and aim the re covery of a handkerchief which he had taken from his pocket at the moment when the witness uttered tho name of Smith, and, by a useless flourish in open ing it, flirted from his hand to the floor. At least, so the amused throng interpreted the sudden dive which ho made, and the heedless haste that caused him to trip over the gentleman's hat that stood on tho iloor, causing it to fall and another hand kerchief to tumble out. But Mr Byrd, who had a detective's insight into the whole matter, saw something more than appeared in the profuse apolo gies which the thick-set man made, and the hurried manner in which he gathered up the handkerchiefs and stood looking at them before retUrnino; ono to his pocket and the other to its placo in tho gentleman's hot. Nor was Mr Byrd ot all astonished to observe that tho stand which his fellow-detective took upon resettling himself was much nearer the unseen gentle man than before, or that in replacing tho hat he had taken pains to put it so far to one side that the gentleman would be obliged to rise and come around the corner in order to obtain it. Tho drift of the ques tions propounded to the witness at this moment opened his eyes too clearly for him to foil any longer to understand the situa tion.

"Now ot the hotel?" the coroner was repeating. " And came yesterday 1 Why, then, did you look so embarrassed when I mentioned his. name ?" " Oh—well—ah," stammored the man, " because he was there onco bofore, though his name is not registered but once in tho book."

" He was ? And on what day ?" "On Tuesday," asserted the man, with the sudden decision of one who sees it is useless to attempt to keep silence. " The day of the murder?"

"Yes, sir." " And why is his name not on the book at that time if he camo to your house and put up?" " Because he did not put up ; ho merely called in, ns it were, and did not take a meal or hire a room."

" How did yob know, then, that ho was there ? Did you see him or talk to him ?" " Yes, sir." " And what did you say ?" " He asked me for directions to a certain house, nnd I gave them." "Whose house?"

"The Widow Clemmens's, sir." Ah, light ot lust ! The long-sought-for witness had been found I Coroner nnd jury brightened visibly, while the assembled crowd gove vent to a deep murmur that must have sounded like a knell of doom—in one pair of oars, at least. " He asked you for directions to tho house of Widow Clemmens. At what timo was this?"

" At about half -post cloven in the morn ing." Tho very hour ! " And did he leave then?" " Yes, sir; after taking a gln.is of brandy." " And did you not see him again !" "Not till yesterday, sir." "Ah, and at what time did you see him yesterday ?" "At bedtime, sir. Ho came with other arrivals on the five o'clock train ; but I wns away all tho afternoon, and did not see him; till I went into the bar-room in the even ing." "Well, and what passed between you then ?"

"Isot much, sir. I asked if he was going to utcy with v«, quel --wKoto. -Ho- anir. '"Yog,*! inquired if he had registered his' tjame. He replied' No.' At which I pointed to the book, and he wrote his name down and then went up-stairs with me to his room." "And is that all? Did you say nothing beyond what you have mentioned ? ask him no questions or moke no allusions to the murder ?"

" Well, sir, I did moke some attempt that w ray, for I was curious to know what took him to the Widow Clemmens's house, but he snubbed me so quickly I concluded to hold my tongue and not trouble myself any further about the matter." "And do you mean to say you haven't told any one that an unknown man hod been at your house on the morning of the murder inquiring after the widow ?" " Yes, sir. lam a poor man, and belie vo in keeping out of all sorts of messes. Policy demands that much of me, gentle men."

The look he received from the coroner may have convinced him that policy can be carried too far.

" And now," said Dr. Tredwell, "what sort of a man is this Clement Smith ?"

"He is a gentleman, sir, and not at all the sort of person with whom you would be likely to connect any unpleasant suspicion." The coroner surveyed the hotelkeeper somewhat sternly. " We are not talking about suspicions I" he cried; then, in a different tone, re peated : " This gentleman, you say, is still at your heuse ?" "Yes, sir, or was at breakfast timo. I have not seen him since."

"We will have to call Mr Smith as a witness," declared the coroner, turning to the officer at his side, "Go and see if you cannot bring him as' soon as you did Mr Symonds." But here a voice spoke up full and loud from the other room.

"It is not necessary, sir. A witness you will consider more desirable than he is in the building." And the thick-set man showed himself for an instant to the coroner, then walking back, deliberately laid his hand on the elbow which for so long a time had been the centre of Mr Byrd's wondering conjectures. In an instant the fine, gentlemanly figure of the stranger whom no had seen the night before in the bar-room appeared with a bound from beyond tho jamb, and pausing excitedly before the man, now fully discovered to all around as a detective, asked him, in shaking tones of suppressed terror or rage, what it was he meant. "I will tell yon," was tho ready assur ance, "if you will step out hero in view of the coroner and jury." With a glance that for some reason dis turbed Mr Byrd in his newly acquired com placency, the gentleman stalked hurriedly forward and took his stand in tho doorway loading into the room occupied by the por sons mentioned.

"Now," he cried, "what have you to

say ?" But the detective who hod advanced be hind him still refrained from replying, though he gave a quick look at the coroner, which led that functionary to glance at the hotelkeeper and instantly ask : ' " You know this gentleman ?" " It is Mr Clement Smith."

A flush so violent and profuso that even Mr Byrd could see it from his stand outside tho window inundated for an instant the face and neck of the gentleman, but was followed by no words, though the detective at his side waited for an instant bofore say ing : " I think you are mistaken ; I should call him now Mr Gouverneur Hildreth I"

With a start and a face grown as sud: denly white as it had but an instant before been red, the gentleman turned and six veyed the detective from head to foot, say ing, in a tone of mock politeness : " And why, if yon please ? I have never beon introduced to you that I remember ?"

"No," rejoined the detective, taking from his'pocket the handkerchief which he had previously put there, and presenting it to the ether with a bow. " But I have read the monogram upon your handkerchief, and it happens to be " " Enough !" interrupted the other, in a stern if not disdainful voice. "I see I have been the victim of espionage." And stepping into the other room, he walked haughtily up.to the coroner and ex claimed : "I am Gouverneur Hildreth, and I come from Toledo.': Now, what is it you have to say to me?" (To be Continued.)

That was a very natural but a very lu dicrous remark of a,venerable lady, now in her one hundreth year; on the death of her daughter, who had attained the good old oge of eighty. Tho mother's grief was great; and to a friend who came to condole with hershe could only say, " Oh, dear! oh dear I I'kn'eiv" P never should be able to bntyg up that child !"

EXPLORATION IN NEW GUINEA.

[SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE TO TUB

Auckland "Star."]

Murray Island, March 10, 18841

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PRODUCTS.

Before writing about the natives of New Guinea, which is to mo by far tho most interesting topic, I may refer more especially to tho physical features of the country ond its products, which will pro bably bo a more interesting subject to many of your readers. Tho portion of New Guinea to which my remarks will apply, and about which I can spoak from personal observation, is that occupied by the London Missionary Society, which lies between tho Baxter River and East Capo—that is to say, between latitude fldcg 2tnin S., longitudo 142deg ISmin E., and latitudo lOdeg 45min S., longitude loOdog 40min E. It is along this coast that our voyages and discoveries have been made sinco 1871 ; and as it is now divided into three districts for missionary purposes—the Western, Middle, and Eastern—l had better follow that order in writing about that portion of New Guinea.

I shall begin with tho Western, which ex tends from the Baxter River to Bald Head, comprising tho Papuan Gulf. It wns in this district that our mission was com menced ; here our most valuable discoveries have been mado ; and this, I firmly believe, will be tho centre ere long of active commer cial enterprise. Here lie tho water ways into the interior of this great country, along whoso fertile banks tho finest sugar-cane may bo cultivated, and on whose bosom the im menso logs of valuable timber from the magnificont forosts and produce from the in terior may bo floated down to the sea nt comparatively little expense. This is the great delta of the country, and tho easiest way of reaching the interior. That it should have been so long neglected by those who profess to be anxious to oxploro the country is as much a matter of sur prise to somo aa it will be of regret to others. The unhoalthiness of the climate nnd tho warlike character of tho natives, combined with their cannibal proponsitios, have doubtless preserved this part of New Guinea from tho intrusion of the white man. The fact that tho natives came out to attack the boats of H.M.S. Fly when cruising off tho mouth of the river, to which they gave tho name of thoir ship, and that years after wards, when wo made the first ascent of that river in our mission steamer Ellcn gowin, tho natives mado determined and repeated attempts to capture our vessel, may have led thoso who are evidently anxious to have thoir nnmos associated with the exploration of New Guinea to feel that the chances of being ablo to keep their heads on their shoulders are much greater on the peninsula, especially amongst tho quiet tribes in tho vicinity of Port Moresby, than amongst the skull-hunters and cannibals on the main body of tho island. And yet, knowing both, I would rather havo to do with the latter, eithor for trading or religious purposes. At first we aro certainly in greater danger of losing our hoods amongst them, but after becoming known they more readily yield theirs and their hearts too, and become vory anxious to learn, also to trade aud acquire European articles, both of clothing and useful utensils, and generally to improve their surroundings. In my voyages and travels amongst the Gulf tribes (and I am not only tho only missionary who has travelled in that part of New Guinea, but almost the only white man, except those who accompanied me) I have invariably mado it a rule never to make use less journoys or run unnecessary risks. A rule of this kind is of tho very lost import ance to a pioneer missionary. Much valu ablo timo, and evou valuablo life, may be lost by its non-observance. Speaking for myself, I can say that the rule has served me well. Wherever tho interests of the mission required me to mako a difficult and j unpleasant journey, or to visit a savage ; tribe, I have not hesitated, and the result has so far been most satisfactory. With kindness and forbearance, and on one or two critical occasions a little judicious intimida tion, I have been ablo not only to visit but to «,. tt-Mtol. uiiioun etotiouo iv tho Fly River and in Alexander Milne Bay, amongst those who were generally admitted to be the most savage, and warlike tribes known in New Guiuea. And it should bo remembered that these two dangerous places, nt the opposite ends of our mission, were considered unsafe for our mission vessel, so that I hod to go with my native assistants in the mission boat. The Land in tbo Gulf District. The country of the Gulf district is all low I land as far os wo know, with tho exception of a hill at the mouth of the Mnbidauan River, 100 ft high, on which we are erecting a mission houso, and a similar one about twenty miles up tho Fly River, on the west ern side. Inm acquainted with four of the Gulf rivers, which I have the honour of being the first European to ascend—the Baxter, Babidouon, Katau, and Fly—from the banks of which I hove made journeys inland, varying in distance up to six miles, visiting villages and forming mission stations. The land though generally low (a large portion of it being under water during the rainy season), is a rich alluvial, in some places 10ft deep. About eight miles up the Baxter and Ply Rivers I noticed the banks in some places 20ft high, the country un dulating, patches well wooded, others being covered with merely a thick scrub, all good land, and no signs of population near; in deed, for several hundreds of miles along the banks of the Fly River no trace of natives can be seen, although we found them very numerous for the first hundred miles up the river. The country abounds in the sago palm, wild nutmeg, betel nut, banana, and cocoanut trees. Immense logs of timber are obtained from the eastern side of the Fly River, from which .the large war canoes are made. In my last trip up the Fly I proved what was hitherto only conjecture—that is, that one of the mouths of that great river empties itself into the gulf to the eastward of Kiwai, making what wos supposed to be the eastern side of the river an island thirty miles long, and the mouth of the Fly Biver as many miles wide, with an island in the middle. We have not yet visited the places and people in the gulf to the east of the Fly River, but ore working in that direction as well as into the interior. This district is by far the most important part of New Guinea not claimed by the Dutch either for govern mental, commercial, or religious purposes. The interior is easily reached from this point. A depOt should be formed on one of the islands in Torres Strait near the Fly River—say Bramble Cay or Darnley Island. The latter we find most convenient for mis sionary operations. It is central, healthy, has good water, good anchorage, and is un questionably the most fertile and beautiful island in Torres Strait. A Government station hero would command the strait and be an excellent dep6t and sanatorium for operations in the gulf. The South-East Peninsula, We now come to the S.E. Peninsula, the central district of our mission, which extends from Bald Head to Orangerie Bay, and is now under the superintendence of Messrs Lawes and Chalmers, who are settled at Port Moresby. I have not yet visited the Great Bight of Now Guinea, or, as it is more generally called, the Papuan Gulf, east of the Fly River ; nor yot the Peninsula west of Freshwater Bay ; and at the latter place I did not land, a? I was merely look ing for a safe harbour as a base for mission work west of Yule Island, not finding which I established a mission there. But the east side of tho gulf is said to have " a bold ond rocky shore, witli extensive coral reefs." The Peninsula is exceedingly mountainous. When visiting tho hill tribes about Munikaili, twenty-_jvo or thirty miles in land from port Moresby, I was surprised and disappointed to find, from the summit of a mountain 3,000 ft high, the country looking so mountainous. We were then supposed to be about twenty-five miles from Mount Owen Stanley, and as far as we could see in every direction the bills seemed to rise tier upon tier in the wildest con fusion. The highest mountains on the Peninsula are Mount Owen Stanley, which is 13,205 ft; Mount Suckling, 11,226 ft; and Mount Yule, 10,046 ft. There are also numerous others of great altitude. '' There is a back range of very lofty mountains not . shown on the chart, running east and west |on the other side of the Owen Stanley Range, with a great deep gorge dividing the two ranges. The Owen Stanley Range runs out about ten miles to the west of Mount Yule, the back range continuing to the west as far as the eye can reach, right into tho heart of New Guinea, with i numerous lofty mountains hitherto not_ observed by travellers." The ; healthiest part of the Peninsula is doubt j less the vicinity of Port Moresby, which is a dry, barren locality compared with the country to the east and west. In the latter districts thero is more rain, richer land, and altogether much finer and more fruitful country,

Probably the finest tracts of land on the whole peninsula are to be found in the vicinity of Yule Island ; and tho splendid harbour thero betwoon that island and tho main land makes Hall Sound tho most valuable port on tho peninsula, it being tho one nearest tho rich country of the Gulf. Yule Island itself is a boautiful and fertilo country. I have been thore many times and travelled nil over it. M. D'Albertis has lived on it fer about a year ; and we both, as well as others, consider that Hall Sound is tho best place on the peninsula for a settle ment, with a view to govern or open up the country. If the Government—lmperial or Colonial—is going to form a few stations on tho New Guinea Const, ono should bo on Dnrnley Island, for tho west side of tho Gulf, and another on Yule Island, for the east sido. Communication between these two points is easily accomplished, their being a foil- wind both ways during both monsoons ; and this is a very important point, as Thursday Island (whero tho moil steamers call) is within boating distance from Dornley, to which port there will Boon bo telegraphic communication- Abortive Attompts nt Exploration. The fact of our having a mission station at Port Morosby has lod to several fruitless and disastrous attompts to oxplore tho country. Being situated about 200 miles from tho main body of the island, thore has been, and always will bo, trouble about carriers. No ono has crossed tho peninsula yet, although it is only ninety miles broad; nor even reached Mount Owen Stanloy, which is but fifty miles from tho coast. So thut to attempt to explore the interior of tlie country from Port Moresby is a useloss waste of timo, energy, money, and even life. A party might take their tout and sup plies in a boat, and going with the tide up tho Fly River, reach, with comparative oaso, safety, and littlo oxponse, tho very heart of New Guinoa, and thero form a depOt and commence their travels. Missionary Diseoverlos. In tho earlior years of tho mission Mr Liwes and I mado somo important dis coveries of harbours, rivers, and islands along thesouthorn side of tho poninsuln, the most valuable of which ore the fine harbours on the eastern sido of Hood and Orangoiio Bays, and tho ono botween Stacoy Island (supposod to bo South Capo) and tho main land. About Hood Bay thore is somo good land. In a wolk round that largo hoy, from Huln to Kerepuuu, I sow tho most ex tensive and best-made plantations I have Boon in Now Guinoa. Up the rivers on each sido of tho bay I havo also seen good country, although wo had to pasß through a nasty mangrove swamp beforo reaching that at tho head of Hood Lagoon. Aroma is a thickly-populated, sandy peninsula. Entering McFarlane Harbour, sailing across Marshall Lngoon, ond up tho Dovitt River, we passed through many miles of low country, but thero appeared to bo vory good land boyond. Cloudy Bay is true to its namo, for, nlthough I havo passed it many times, I have novor seen it clear. The high mountains which are near the coast aro generally enveloped In clouds, and the country thereabouts has tho appearance of getting far more than its sharo of rain. From Orangerie Bay to Eost Capo is tho eastern branch of our mission, to which two missionaries nro about to be appointed from England. When Mr Chnlmors joined our mission ho chose os his distriot that portion of tho peninsula botween Orangerie Boy and tho Leocadie Islands, sottling at a small villago on Stacey Island on account of tho harbour there, tlie only placo whore thero is now a mission station in that district. I, at the somo timo, established mission . stations on both sides of Alexander Milno j Bay, on two of tho islands in China Straits, ' and on Teste Island. Theso stations aro I stall occupied, and our Loyalty Island j teachers have been wonderfully successful in thoir work amongst tho natives. All around Milno Bay, and nloiig both sides of East Cape, tho natives are anxious to ob tain teachers to instruct them. During my last visit I formed several now stations in that district. Thero is not much, however, to tempt a foroigner (unless he be a mission ary) in this eastern branch. The only piece of good country nnything liko level lies bo tween Mullens Harbour and Milno Bay. Tho natives aro numorous, and roquiro nearly tho whole of the land for their plun tn tions. Mineral Woalth. There may be, and probobly is, minorol woalth amongst tho mountains of tho penin sula ; but the oro must bo very rich to make it payablo, as tho oxponses would bo great. That gold exists in Now Guinea has boon long known. I mysolf obtained from tho bed of the Baxter River amplo proof of this fact two yoars boforo traces of it woro dis covered on tho peninsula. Tho fact is that notwithstanding all the writing about it and searching for it nothing more has yet boon discovered that might not be obtained in almost any river in Quoonslond. Tho locale of payablo gold has yet to be discov ered in New Guinoa. That it is found amongst the sand and mud of rivors in al most imperceptible quantities is a fact of little value, seoing that gold is tho most widely distributed of all metals, and that these small grains may have travelled hundreds of miles from the parent stock.

Fine Sugar Growing Country. Although we may not know -where payable gold exists in New Guinea, we do know where thore is plenty of fine sugar-growing country and plenty of splendid timber, ana with these valuable birds in the hand, the others had better for a time bo loft in tho bush. Our recent discovery of Port Spicer, in the Fly River, which con bo reached at all seasons by vessels of 200 or 300 tons bur den, and the establishment of mission stations on both sides of tho river, will greatly facilitate tho acquisition of both land and timber, of which thero is on abundance not required by the natives. Vessels of any size can always find shelter at any season in the Missionary Passage, under tho Warrior Reef, near Bristow Island, whence the Fly can be reached in comparatively smooth water, even in the S.E. season, by what I call the back entrance, viz., behind Bristow and Bampton Islands, which is the way I fenerally go in our small craft, the Venture, ut is only suitable for boats of ten or fifteen tons. The proximity of Thursday Island, where supplies of every kind can be got at the extensive stores of Burns, Philp, and Co., seems to point to the Fly Riveras decidedly the best point from which to reach tho treasures of the country. Nature has made it the Thameß of New Guinea.

In Memoriam OF THE FIRST SOUTH SEA ISLAND PIONEER TEACHER TO NEW GUINEA.

Between my letters about New Guinea and its people it may be interesting to many of your readers to send you one which has special referenco to a faithful nativo teacher who has just been removed by death from his post at our central station in the Fly River, than whom there is no teacher in the missioii who has been more devoted, whose experience has been more varied, and whose labours hove been more successful.

Gucheng was a native of Uvea, one of the Loyalty Group, near New Caledonia. His mother being a Lifu woman, and his father dying whilst he was young, led to bis being removed to Lifu and taken to his mother's family in Wide Bay. Here we found him in 1859, a youth about seventeen years of age. Ho was the first to offer himself to us as a servant, on offer which we gladly ac cepted, as we liked the appearance of the lad. He sorved us faithfully in ihot capacity for four or five years. He was never very bright, but always a quiet, plodding, reliable, and conscientious man. During nis term of service he crossed the pons asinorttm of reading, writing, and arithmetic, and become somewhat proficient in the use of tools. An Interesting Incident. One of his chief works during that time was to sink a well sixty feet deep on the mission premises, a task that required considerable faith and perseverance at that time, as the idea was a perfectly new one to the natives, and seemed to them quite Utopian, there being no signs of fresh water anywhere near. However, Gucheng, with two others to assist him, worked away week after week and month after month at the well. It was an experiment which provcdagreatblessing, not only to Gucheng's future station at Lifu, but to many of the villages through out the island. In visiting caverns at different parts of the island, some of them many miles from the coast, I observed that the fresh water in them rese and fell with the tide, which led me to conjecture that probably the sen-water percolates through these coral islands, and, being heavier than the fresh water, doe. not mix with it, so that the rain-water percolating from the surface would, when it descended to the sea level, simply float on the top of the salt water ; and, according to this theory, fresh water might be found anywhere on a coral island—except near the coast—by digging to the sea level. It was to prove this that I had the well made near the mission house, in whnt appeared a most unlikely place to find water. From the first the natives laughed at the idea, although for a while they worked away merrily. During the last 20vt, however, it was evidently becoming a serious matter to them, and they several times endeavoured to persuade me to abandon the idea of getting water in such a place. I knew exactly how for they had to go to reach the sea level, beyond which I Felt it would be useless to dig. When they wero near that depth I happened to be stand

ing at the top of tho well, whero I heard o conversation by tho two ot the bottom, which clearly revealed their estimate of my intelligence. I was politely designated as a foreign fool, who knew nothing about their country, Shortly afterwards, whon a fow natives had assembled at the mouth of tho well, who facetiously said that they had come to drink the water, I called Gucheng and his mate up, and informed them that I was going clown to get somo water. Thoy wore mightily amused at this idea, and I was lowered down amidst a good deal of banter. lat once sot to work vigorously digging a small deep holo in tho middlo of tho well, the natives in tho moantimo de claring that thoy were very thirsty. To my groat joy 1 soon found tho point of my stool bar wet, and oro long wns able to send up a pint of water. The change in tho minds of tho natives was about as rapid and com plete ns amongst the barbarians of Melita ill the days of tho Apostlo Paul. I niontion this circumstance because tho discovery of fresh water in this woll lod to tho formation of a plan for improving tho villages through out tho island, which were to be built after a model, with a church ond woll in tho centre.

A Model Village.

Guchong, after four yoars' special train ing in our Teachers' Seminary, wos ap pointed to a villago about six inilos from the mission-houso, which 1 determined should become, under his cure, a modol villago for tho island. I laid tho schemo boforo tho peoplo at tho time of Gucheng's appoint ment, pointing out o site about a milo dis tant for tho now village, which was centrul, fertilo, near the public rood, and altogether a much better place than whero thoy were then living. Botli Gucheng and his people ontored enthusiastically into the work, Mid in tho course of two years or so a vory pretty nativo villago sprang up, with a wide road down tho middlo, boundud on each sido by a substantial coral wall, from which were prettily foncod paths covered with grovel leading to noatly-built detached houses, with gardens in front. In tho centro of the village stood a wolMmilt coral church and a draw-well. Many a timo havo I ridden through that villago on a Saturday afternoon on my way to an out station for the Sunday, with a glad heart at tbo ovidonces of ordor, peace, and plonty, cleanliness, comfort, and hnppinoss, com bined with tho growing intelligonco of tho peoplo. This wns Gucheng's first chargo, in which ho showod his capocity for pioneer work.

Ouehong's First Call.

Whon I was requested by the directors of tho London Missionary Society to under take tho establishment of a mission in Now Guinea, Guchong was tho first choson nativo teacher I solocted for this great work. Ho readily consontcd to leave his pleasant homo and friends for tho dork, sickly, savage country of New Guinea—a sooriiico equal to that mado by many a European missionary. How woll I romom ber the valedictory sorvico just boforo wo started, and Gucheng's oamost words to tho nativo pastors, students, and Church tnom bors of Lifu. On our arrival in Torres Straits, Guchong was located at the ilrst mission station that wo formod, which was ot Dnrnloy Island, that being the most suitablo placo for tho contro and sanatorium of our mission. I witnessed a very touching scene his location, which I must mention. Wo hod somo difficulty in persuading the chief (who is now an active, dovotod deacon of tho Church) to allow tho teacher to settle amongst his peoplo, and ho only gavo his consent ultimately on condition that wo should romovo him nt tho end of tho first i yoar if ho nnd his people desired it. Tho i natives wero at thattimo a wild, thiovingeet, who had not long before massacred a boot's crow sent to get water —hence tho namo of tho anchorage "Treachery Bay." Wo hod landed tho teacher's boxes and bundles, purchased a nativo houso, and made the best arrangements wo could for their safety, and woro about to bid thorn good-bye. Guchong had arranged to accom pany us to tho boat, about a milo distant, whilst hi.s wifo remained with tho other couplo to protect their goods from tho pil foring crowd of naked sovngos who sur rounded them. Sho was ovidontly greatly distressed at the thought of their being left amongst the.«o people. I overheard a fow sentence.! of a tearful conversation which it would havo taken a stronger mnn thnn I am to Hston to unmoved. Wife :"I told you that I did not want to como ; Oh, that wo were back in Lifu," etc. Guchong: "Think what wo havo como for. Wo havo not coino to seek richos. Jesus will bo with us, nnd i think what Ho has dono for us," etc. I could listen to no moro, arid walked to the boat with a sod heart, yet wishing that wo < had twenty Gucheng;. for New Guinea. A little pcop liko this into the inner life of one of our native pioneers shows tho character of tho men who havo dono nnd nro doing such a noblo work in Now Guinea. For Gucheng and his wifo to leavo thoir comfort able homo and attached pooplo (who, by the way, woreoxcoodingly reluctant to give him up) at tho model village, was quito os groat a sacrifico to thorn as that mado by many missionaries leaving England. Sueoess of Bin Teaching. I returned to Lifu, thence to England, to get'a small steamer and tho necessary appli ances for working the Now Guinea mission, Mr Murray taking chargo of tho infant mission during my absence. The noxt time I visited Gucheng's station I was welcomed on the beach by him and his wife, the chief Imani, and a number of smiling natives, neatly dressed looking quite civilised and happy. I was conducted to a commodious mission-house on tho hill, where the table was spread in truo South Sea fashion with an abundance of tho best thnt the island could produce. The change wos remark able. It was evident that Gucheng had gained the confidence and affootion of the people. Then 1 heard tho story of littlo Martha. How that whon tho teachers wore sawing a log for their house, they heard of a baby girl about to be strangled on tho othor sido of the island. Gucheng immedi ately left the saw, ran to the place, and rescued the child, which, under his foster ing care and that of his wife, had become a tall, intelligent, affectionate girl, regarding them as her father and mother, A Deadly Climate. > During the first few years of the mission our Loyalty Island teachers tried hard to maintain tho two first mission stations, whioh we established on the mainland of New Guinea at large villages situated on the main body of the great island, near the Katau River. One after another tried to live thore, but were compelled by fever to retire. Beforo deciding to abandon the idea of working the mission in that part of New Guinea with South Sea Island teachers, I talked tho matter over with Gucheng and Waunaea, my two most competent and devoted assistants, who offered to give tho placo a fair trial, hoping that by a careful observance of tho conditions of health in such placos, which cannot be violated with impunity, they might succeed. Waunaea settled on an island ot the mouth of the Baxter River, where we built a house for him ; whilst Gucheng settled at our first station, Katau. Both, however, were obliged to leavo ere long, and their lives were only saved by our having a sanatorium, where they wore nursed and prepared for further Ferviee, I now determined to leave the main body of New Guinea till we had natives trained as pioneers from Saibai and adjacent villages on the coast who are ac customed to the climate, and turn my at tention to the eastern and western portions of the S.E. Peninsula, leaving my colleague, Mr Lowes, to attend to the middle district, which we arranged should extend from Yule Island to Orangerie Bay. I hoped that amongst tho high lands and promon tories of the Peninsula tolerably healthy sites might be found for mission stations. Guchong headed a party of six Lifu and Mare teachers for East Cape and China Strait from this part of the mission, where they very wisely left their wives till they got settled at their new stations ; and Now Stations. Waunaea commenced a mission at the western end of tho peninsula, settling on Yule Island. We were perfect strangers to the nativees of these places, knew nothing of their language, and hod no introduction except at Yule Island, where we were ac companied by an Eastern Polynesian teacher from the Port Moresby dis trict, the language of which place was understood by. some of the natives of Yule Island. The massacre of Dr. James and Mr Thorngren, about.' year after the establish ment of this mission, led me to withdraw the teachers for the time, as the natives were in a very excited state, and they considered their lives in imminent danger. Since the settlement of Mr Chalmers at Port Moresby he and Mr Lawes havo extended the Middle district to the westward as far as Bald Head, and| reestablished the .mission in Hall Sound. Gucheng and his colleagues soon gained the confidence of the natives in China Strait, Milne Bay. East Cape, and Teste Island, where Lifu teachers are still at work, and both they and the natives anxiously awaiting the arrival of Euro pean missionaries to superintend and carry on the work so successfully begun. Gu cheng having to return to Murray Island on account of a severe attack of fever— from which he soon reeoverod at our sana torium —he resumed his old station at Darnley, with aview of assisting in the new mission about to bo commenced in the fly

River, which is immediately opposite, with in boating distance. Training Teachers.— Gucheng's Donth.

In the meantime I hod got the Papuan Industrial School and Teachers' Seminary fairly established at our headquarters, and in tolerably good working order, containing about seventy iino young men and boys, moro than half of whom came from Saibai, Dauan, Katau, Turcturo, and the mouth of the Ely River, tho rest being from islands in Torres Strait. At this institution not only were the pioneer teachers trained for the Fly River mission, but tho boat was built to tako them thoro, and tho frame of a house prepared to bo erected on their arrival. Gucheng threw himself very heartily into this now work, ond was delighted with tho placo which I selected for our headquarters on the Fly River—an island near the middle of the river, which, with two others, forms a fine harbour named Port Spicor—whero we orectod the mission-house and hoisted the mission ling. Largo vessels can visit this port and bo porfectly safe at all times. On my second visit I remained with the teachers a week oi ten days visiting the sur rounding villages and forming new stations. Gucheng intended remaining with the new teachers until tho rainy season sot in, said ho nover felt so woll at Darnley as ho had done thoro, and declared Mibu moro healthy than any place he had boon to in Now Guinea. I could only hope all this, but dared not beliovo it until wo hod proved theplaco. Being: sufficiently far up the river to bo clear of tho mangrovo swamps about the entrance, and being oxposed to both mon soons, I havo reason to hopo that Port Spicer is the healthiest point in that locality; but that it can bo what Gucheng pronounced it, considering tho low charac ter of tho country, is most improbable. During Gucheng's short rosidonco on tho Fly River ho rendered tho mission good service, and became known by the natives in all directions, by whom he was greatly rospected. Indeed, ho was a teacher greatly respected by all who know him, both Euro peans and natives, and no ono in our large stall' will be more missed or moro deeply lamented, I loft him at Port Spicor about a wock boforo his death. Ho had beon with mo visiting villages thirty miles up tho rivor, and whon I loft seemed as well as I ovor know him. I bought a pig at ono of tho villages bofore leaving, which I handed ovor to Guchong ; and from letters to hand from toachors in tho Fly Rivor I'm afraid that pig wos tho death of him. Theso South Sea Islanders will porsist, whenever they get a chance, in eating largo quantities of fat pork in Now Guinoa, notwithstanding all we say against it. There aro many indissrotions which may bo committed in othor countries with comparative impunity which in New Guinoa provo fatal. Whatever may be tho cnuse, thore is no doubt that we have lost a good man. Long will the name of Gucheng bo romomborod in tho eastern and western branches of our mission, but long after he is forgotten his works will livo. S. McFarlane,

THE GARDEN.

Calendar of Operations, May 24.

iHon-rus 1b willing to onswor any quorles. Cor respondents must givo thoir fall names and iddroescs, though not for publication.)

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Boxb Asmcs KOR VINK HoiIDERS (Grape).—Of

courno burnt lionets would bo beneficial in a vino border, but I would much rather put the bones in unhurried. The charring of tho bono extracts a good deal of its substance. The best bones of all for llin vine borders aro thoso to bo purchased from tho butcher with the meat simply cleaned oil'them, uncooked. Tho parings of horse.' hoofs from a black smith's shop uro also a good material, not only for tho vino border, but all over the garden. Procure all you can of it. To Thicken a ilkdiik ([fence) — Laying the fenco would make tho best job of it. or half cutting through of each plant near tho ground and Bloping the top would havo tho olfect of making tho plants break a number of shoots at tho bottom. These in about two years would grow up through tho old plants, but while thoy uro growing tho old plants must not bo allowod to grow much. Allowing a hedgo to grow too much at top deprives tho bottom of light and moisture. Kill on* tho young growth, and leavo tho bottom nakod and bare. A woll kopt fence should always bo trimmed in tho shape of tho lettor A, thus giving the best shape, so that tbo Unlit and moisture can get most equally at all tho brauches. Tbe best timo to layer a fence Is during the winter or early spring, immediately beforo tho sap bo gins to rise. Liquin kroji Fowl Manure (Amateur).—A bushel of the übove takes about twelve gallons of water to mako a liquid suited for plants. If for pot plants the liquid should bestrained, aa tho solid matter will look very unpleasant in tho pots. If for out of door plants no straining will bo required. To retain tho smell, a tub with a close-tlttlng lid should bo used for mixing and keeping. To attempt to destroy tbo small would only spoil tho liquid, as any deodorising materials would destroy its stimulating properties. Do not mako the inanuro Into liquid at this Beacon. Simply spread ovor tho surface: tho rains will soon dissolve it. Noxt season you can uso it in tho manner above described.

Kitchen Garden.

We have received tho first of tho wintor rains, which has cooled the air arid soil to some considerable extent. Have all the rough digging iinishod os soon os possible. Tomatoes will bo nearly finished for the season; pick off all tho green and unripened fruit; place it in some situation where it will receive all the rays of the sun—it will ripen. Toko tho ends of the shoots; moke cuttings ns directed last week. Clear away the haulm ; take down the trellis, ond put in a dry place, so as to use it next season. Pumpkins, pie-melons, and marrows collect and storo in a dry place. Clear away the debris, and have tho ground dug and manured. Sow a few rows of broad beans—} they will como in for early spring ueo ; soW in rows 2 feet 6 inches apart. Plant a fow more cabbage and cauliflower; earth up those that are advancing. All lato sown crops should bo gono over whenever tho state of tho soil will admit, so as to cloar thorn of weeds; thin out and earth up as they require it. Prick out a few lottuces; tie up some of tho more advanced plants so that they may become! blanched. Rhuburb: Have all the old plants lifted ; transfer tho plants to an open shade for a month or so before planting. Flower Garden. All the digging, forking, and manuring of the flower, beds should be completed as soon. as possible. Lift dahlia roots; put them in some sunny place to dry before storing past for tho winter. First-class gladiola bulbs whichhave thoroughlyripened off the haulm,; lift and dry in the sun for a few days and store past. These bulbs, to keep them fully up to the mark, should only be flowered once a year ; only use the commoner varieties for planting out for early spring flowers. Plant out the balance of early spring-flowering bulbs as soon as possible now. Dahlia tubers : Lift and place in the sun for a week' or so, and store part. Sco that their propor names are at* taohedtoeaoh root. All top-dressing of lawns should bo finished if possible this month, grass edgings should now receive their winter paring. With edgings which have been reduced too much by frequent parings, preparations should be made for re-turfing so as to bring them to their proper dimensions. Continue the re gravelling of walks. Apply the now roller as the new gravel is put down, so as to bind it and make it pleasanter to walk on. Orchard Planting. In selecting a piece of land for an orchard, appropriate the best of level land within convenient distance of the dwelling. If possible, when staking off your ground havo the lines to run direct north and south and oast and west, also calcu lating upon planting trees at least twenty feet apart both ways and twenty feet from the fence all round. Now pre pare the ground by ploughing it into lands twenty feet wide and two feet deep, and so the furrow will be just where the row of trees will be planted after wards ; also plough it a little beyond where the fence is to run. After this ploughing spread a liberal quantity of rotten manuro or bones over the ground, and cross-plough again as deep or deeper than before, if possible, and have the furrows to come again where tho row of trees will intersect each other. Care must be taken not to plough the ground when it is too wet or too dry. If it is too wot it will bake hard when the dry weather comes, and if ploughed too dry it will turn up in clods almost' impossible to break up fine. Now, when the land is well pulverised, har rowed and rolled with a heavy roller, the next Btep is to build a fence that will, if possible, prevent cattle, horses, hogs, hood lums and other mischievous animals from trespassing on your orchard. The fence built, we line and stake off the ground, driving a stake every twenty feet where the centre of the hole is to be and in the very spot where the tree will stand when planted. When your stakes are all driven in straight lineeboth ways, take a rope two feet long, with a loop on each end; place one loop over the stake thatis driven in the groundand put a stick through the other loop and draw it around the stake so as to form a circle, the diameter of which will be 4 feet and form the rim of the hole which is to bo dug 3 feet 6 inches deep and a little wider at the bot tom than at the top, throwing the earth well back from the hole and to the north west and south-east, so that it will not interfere with the view in looking along to plant your trees in straight lines both wye,

WRECK AT FIJI.

TOTAL LOSS OF THE SHIP SYMRA,

Seventy Coolio Immigrants Missing.

By arrival of tho steamor Penguin from Fiji wo have files to date of tho 10th May, from which wo learn of tho total loss of the ship Symra, a largo vessel of 1,040 tons, with 480 coolio immigrants from Calcutta, bound for Suva. Information reached Suva on the night of tho 12th May that a little bofore dusk a large vessol was on the reef at Nasilai, and tho master of tho Government steamer Clydo was directed to got up steam and be pre pared to immediately proceed to Nasilai. Soon afterwords, Dr. Shaw, tho sur geon superintendent of tho Symra, arrived in an open boat, and reported the ship on tho reef between Naisali Point and ICobo, dismasted and badly bilged; that the water was running through her lower hold, stay ing all means of getting at the immigrants' stores. All available boots wero despatched to the scene as quickly as possible, Mr Cockburn, manager for Messrs James McEwan and Co., tho ogonts for the ship, boing the first to moke a start in his gig. Tho Chief Officer's Aooount. Mr Henson, chief officer of tho Symra, who was despatched for assistance in one of tho ship's boats, arrived at Levuka about the same time, and from him it was learned that tho vessol sighted the Island of Kadavu ot about 9 a.m. on Sunday last, ond after sighting the land she wns kept on her •courso with a fair wind (S.E.) for the port of Suva, keeping an offing from the Solo Reef of ten to fifteen miles, weather thick and hazy. At about 5 pm. high land wos siglited on the port bow and right ahead, which was supposed to bo Viti Lovu. At about sundown the vessel was hauled to the wind on the star board tack, heading N.E.; and at 8.30 p.m. breakers were reported in sight to leeward ; an endeavour was made immediately to put tho vessel on the other tack, but without success, and tho unfortunate vessok when in stays, was thrown on to the reef with her living freight, the seas making clean bronchos ovor hor. Destruction rapidly followed, tho masts going by tho board, and all hor boats save ono smashed to pieces. Tho Penguin Visits tho Wreck. Tho s.s. Penguin was discharging at Loyuko at tho timo, and wos soon des patched to tho scene of wreckage. Capt. Cromarty has furnished us with tho follow ing particulars respecting what he observed of tho wreck : — "We passed tho neighbourhood of tho wreck at night, but could see nothing of her. Rockets wero sent up and port fires burned, in tho hopo of obtaining some answer which would help to determine the position of tho Symra, but as all proved un availing, tbe Penguin ran on to Suva, and arrived thoro about midnight, It was thon soon known that the news had reached before us. The doctor of the vessel, who had swam ashore through the surf, had come on to Suva in a boot, and upon his making the authorities acquainted with the mishap which had occurred, the Govern ment steamor and a number of small boats wero got ready to proceed to the wreck. The Penguin left Suva again ot 12.30 the same night, and at 8 o'clock in the morning found the stranded vessel at Nasilai Point, on the extremo corner of the reef, about midway between Suva and Levuka. Her foremost and top mast wore standing, but the main and mizzen masts were both gone. The vessel lay on tho edge of the reef, and a fearful sea was breaking clean over her. A number of people could be seen clinging to the weather side of the wreck, but unfortunately it wns quite im possible to render them any assistance. It was utterly impossible for the steamer to approach her, and oven to go close in was to incur risk which no hopo of effecting any good would justify. It would have been certain death for any boat's crew to have got into the break churned to white angry foam by the jugged-edged coral reef at times visible ns the surf receded. From tho outside tho wreck wns unapproachable by anything except a rocket and life line ap paratus, and that could only have been effectively used from the shoreward side. Tho boots hod not then arrived from Suva, but a number of canoes and ono white boat coultl be seen inside of tho reef, but it was plainly evident that they wero quite helpless to render aid to tho unfortunate immigrants, who at this timo wero in im minent danger of being washed off the vessol at any moment. At 9 a,m. the fore mast wont over the side, ond on hour later The Wreck Farted Amidships, and not a soul could bo seen about the vessel. Finding it impossible to render as sistance, Captain Cromarty reluctantly took the Penguin on to Levuka. The steamer Clyde, which was expected from Suva along with a numberof boats, although due, had not then put in an appearance, and the canoes which were previously seen had disappeared from tho shore. It was concluded on the Penguin that when she left thero was no ono on the wreck, and that those saved wero on shore, and it wns hoped, in 6pite of tho most grave misgivings, that all have reached there in safety. The Symra then lay about 20 miles from Suva and 30 miles from Levuka, on a dangerous reef off the island of Viti Lovu. It was blowing hard from the S.E. with rain, and the Symra bore every indication of becoming speedily a total wreck. Seventy Coolies and Most of the Crew Missing. An extra issued by tho Polynesian " Gazette " nt Suva on the morning of May 14th states that the Clyde had just; returned from the wreck. Her master, Captain Cnllaghan, reported that all but three of the Symra'a Lascar crew were missing, and that also between 60 and 70 of the Coolie immigrants could not be ac counted for, and it was feared thot all hod perished. The vessol had broken in two, ond everything was washing out of her. Her cargo was.a large one, and inoluded 300 tens of nee.

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Annual Meeting.

The annual meetingof the above Association was held the 9th of May in the office of the Secretary,(Mr W. Percival), there being present :-Messrs Joseph May (in the chair), J. Dilworth, J. Bainbridge, Jas. Wallace, A. Anderson, W. F. Buckland, F. Lawry, J. W. Wallace, W. Dunwoodie, D. Nolan, J, Wills, A. Buckland, and J. Len nord. The Secretary submitted the follow ing report, balance-sheet, and profit and loss account: —

Your Committee have to report that the operations of your Association, in a financial point of viow, havo not boon much more suo oossful than in thoprovious year in consequence ot the heavy burden for interest and othor charges. Tho ploughing match held in June last as rogards ploughing was a great success, also as far as tho attendance was concerned, but it lacks that intorest amorgst those that should take.a part in it for sorao unaccountable cause. The sth horse parade was a great suc cess, both in the attendance and tho quality of tho horses shown, and your Committee have every reason to bo proud of tho lost parade. The ontrios for tho Annual. Show show favour able to those of previous yeai-B, as tlie following table will show :—

Tho attendance, too, was much larger than the previous yoar, tho gato money totting up to £128, against £266 in ISB2. Thero is a slight in crease in tho number of subscribers, but not so much as you would like to soe. Your Com mittee recommend thot thero be no ploughing match this yoar. That all prizes to bo offered at the forthcoming Show be in the form of medals. The gentlemen retiring are Messrs Joseph May (President), Tliob. Morrin (Vice- President), Wm. McLaughlan, James Wallace, T. Short. J. Wills, J. Dilworth, J. Phillips, John Lamb, W. Dunwoodie, J. P. A. Philson, and J. W.Walloco. Balance sheet.--Dr.: To Wm. Adams, £15; A. Buoklond, £-10; Wilsons and Horton, £101 2s 6d; H. Brett, £14 3s 6d ;J.T. K. Eogan, 1,500; DUworth and others, £651 12s 7d ; Bank over draft, £529 17s 7d; balance 3lst March, 1883. £1,171 0s 3d; balonce 31st Maroh, 1881, 5s sd: total, £1,023 Is 7d. Cr.: By Land, £638 4s lid; buildings, £3,111 is 8d; fencing, £52 0s 6d; stock, £107 ss; W. Percival, £23 8s 6d; unpaid subscriptions, £78 16s; cash, £9 2s: total, £4,023 Is 7d.

Puokit and Loss.—Dr.: To loss by Ploughing Match, £11 Is Gd; loss by Poultry Show, £4 18s: Secretary's commission, £55 13s 6d; Secretary's salary, £25; Bundry expenses, £160 9s 7d; in terest, £207 12b Od ; balance, fs 2d; total, £191 17s 6d. Cr.: By surplus by Annual Show, £199 Os 6d ; surplus by Horse Parade, £6 lis; rent of cottage, £50; members' subscriptions, *203 12s; unpaid do., £35 lis: total, £191 17s 6d.

The following officers were elected: — President, Mr Thos. Morrin; Vice-Presi dent, Mr W. F. Buckland; Treasurer, Mr Alfred Buckland. The retiring officers of the Committee were re-elected, and Messrs C. Atkin, John Bycroft, and Wise] man were added to it.

Stand.viid PmtPAnATi6j.B Just received al Aici.iN's, Tho Pharmacy, Qucen-6tro«t.— Kapler's Extract, of Mult, two sizes; Kepler's K-.tract of Malt, with Cod Liver Oil; Kepler's I.*tract of Malt, with lodide of Iron; Kepler's l-xtract of Male, with Parrish's Jfood; Haze u.vk ; Borrough'a Beef and Iron Wine; Fellow's Syrup of the llypophosphites, for Consumption; Fragrant S-O/.odont for the Toeth (3s Cd por ■boi-lo); l-.no'a Fruit, Salt; Bishop's Effervescing. Carlsbad Salts, Vioby Saltf, -and.Qijrato of

MEETINGS.

At a meeting of those interested in the formation of a Mercantile Marine Associa tion hold on tho 17th of May, Mr D. H. McKenzie presiding, tho Committees re port was received. A society was formed to bo called the " Morcantile Marine As sociation of New Zealand."

At a meeting of shipowners and masters held in tho Waitemata Hotel on Saturday, May 3, it was decided to form a Mercan tile Marine Association, and the following wore appointed a committee to draw up rules, &c, to be submitted at another meet ing to be held on the 17th inst: Captains D. H. McKenzie, A. Forquhar, J. McKenzie, M. V. Hurley, H. Elliott, J. Neoring, ond Messrs W. H. Brown, M. Niccol, H. W. Henderson, and H. Ellis. There was o large attendance ot the annual public meeting on May 9th to inaugurate tho winter course of lectures in connection with the Young Men's Christian Association. His Excellency the Go vernor presided, while amongst those present i^ere His Lordship Bishop Cowie, a number of tho clergy, and mony of our leoding citizens. Addresses were de livered by Bishop Cowie on " Progressive Christianity " and by Professor Aldis on "Every-Day Mathematics." A vote of thanks was passod to His Excellency on the motion of Mr F. Larkins, seconded l?y Mr F. Battley. Thursday evening, Ist May, being the first session, the Newmarket Lodge (the Victoria) mustered in fair foroe for the purpose of electing officers and hearing the reports for the post quartor. These reports ; showed considerable vitality, an increase of nine members, and a fair amount of work dono, principal amongst which was the working of the district during tho lato election of tlie Licensing Committee. The Lodge is fully determined to assist that Co mmittee in carrying out the Licensing Act. The election resulted as follows :—W.C.T., Bro. Edgerly; W.V.T., Sis. Schiska; W.S., Bro. Speakman; W.F.S., Bro. Carroll: W.T., Sis. Jenkins ; W.C.. Bro. Kent; W.M., Sis. A. Campbell; W.1.G., Sis. F. Campbell; W.S., Bro. Tozer; Orp-anist, Sis. L. Bruce; Librarian, Bro. Carroll; W.D.M., Bro. Maguiro; W.A.S., Sis. Kennedy. Immediately after election the above wore duly installed by Bro. John Robertson, D.G.W.C.T., assisted by Bro. Adam Brock as 1.M,, and Bro. George Kennedy, I. D.M. A meeting of the Board of Governors of the College and Grammar School was held on the afternoon of Moy 5, there being present: Sir G. M. O'Rorke (Cheirmnn), the Mayor, and Messrs J. A Tole and Mackechnio, and the Rev. C. M. Nelson. The Chairman presented a report from Mr Tole and himself upon the question of erecting additional class-rooms, and Mr E. Mahoney, architect, in accordance with it, submitted plans for three class-rooms, to cost about £1,500, and an alternative and more complete plan for five class-rooms, to cost about £2,000. This plan would include a basement story available for a luncheon room. After some discussion as to ways and means, it wos agreed that the architect should prepare working plans for alterna tive works of three or five additional class rooms, and that the Finance Committee should inquire into the question of ways and means to meet thp expenditure. Mr Tyler's resignation having been received, Messrs Tole and Nelson (Senate members) electod in his placo Col. Haultain, whose name was also added to the Financo Com mittee.

Theannual business meeting in connection with the Auckland Band of Hope Union was held on May 13 in the Alexandra street Church. Tea was provided at six o'clock, and the public meeting commenced about an hour later, Mr D. Goldie presid ing. There wos a good attendance of both sexes. Mr Macdermott, one of the joint secretaries, submitted a lengthy annual report; which stated : — Last year we reported 25 societies affil iated, 19 of whom sent in returns showing a membership of 2,089, and allow ing the six unreturned societies to average a little over 50 members, we should bring our total to 3,000. Since last report we have added five societies, making a total of 30. Twenty-four have sent in returns, showing a total membership of 3,448. Add in allowance of 50 for unreturned societies, and we get a total of 3,750, being an increase of 750 for the year. —Tho report and balance-sheet were adopted, and ordered to be printed. Mr D. Goldie was reelected President (unopposed), AH Battye Secretary, Mr F. Cherry Trea surer, and Messrs Bell and Hodson auditors. A lengthy list of Vice-Presidents was also appointed. The members of the Auckland Institute of Architects held their general meeting in the Council-room of the Museum, Princes street, on April 28, Mr W. F. Hammond, Vice-President, in the chair. The Hon. Sec, Mr F. W. Grey, read the minutes of the last annual meeting, which were con firmed, after which he read the report of the Council's proceedings during the quarter; then followed five notices of motion on vorious subjects, touching the interests of the profession generally, and for the further promotion of this Institute in parti cular : —1. Designing Club. 2. Encourage ment of local manufacture. 3. Forming Technical Class. 4. The disregard of the conditions on the part of the N. Z. Insurance Company and thecompetitorsin the selection of a design for their new buildings. 5. Affiliation with the Royal Institute of British Architects. There being no nomi nations, Mr Frank Hammond was called upon to read a paper on "Professional Practice," upon which each member spoke in turn. The meeting terminated by a dis cussion on several subjects of interest, amd the appointment of a committee to arrange for conversazione.

Society for Prevention of Crnelty to Animals.—Annual Meeting.

The first annual meeting of the above named society was held on the afternoon of April 30, in the Theatre Royal, Queen street. His Excellency the Governor was in the chair. A considerable number of ladies and gentlemen were present. After the usual opening formula had been gone through, Mr G. N. Brassey (Hon Secretary) reed the report, which showed that at the present time, the members number 191, of a qualification of 10s nnd upwards; and out of the funds the Society have been paying their In spector a salary of £150 per annum. When the Society first started, cruelty to animals was very prevalent in Auckland, and it is a matter of congratulation that now the offence has greatly diminished, owing to the exertions put forth by members of the Committee and the In spector ; but nevertheless there is a great lack of assistance by the outside public that possibly may be accounted for by the numerous charitable institutions at present supported by private subscription. Mr George Mocatta (Hon. Treasurer) read the following statement of accounts :— Treasurer's Statement.—Dr: Subscription by members of abovo (10s). £13145; small debts, £10 lis 3d; fees, costs, £12 7s: total. £157 2s 3d.— Cr: Petty cash expenditure, £i 9s Id ; deed box, £2; printing and stationery, £20 7s; tablets, £3 ss; Inspector's salary, £62 10s; rent, £12 9s: £105 03 Id.

THE AUCKLAND E^tflNG M£^.. iMSM^V3^f3d,i JjjffiE?

6



loises Jattle.. Sheep iwine.. ioiry Produce 'oultry Jogs .. )ther exhibits

1001. .. 113 .. 101 .. 77 .. 29 .. 49 .. 72 .. 81 .. 136 ~m

1002. 115 85 79 19 38 95 102 164 ~703

117 116 88 28 16 131 105 188



Public Notices. Land Mart— Queen-street, next Bank of Australasia. EVERYONE who wishes t3 have the best article that can bo procured should acoept none but GOODWIN'S ELEPHANT BRAND BAKING POWDER. ELEPHANT BRAND BAKING POWDER, No longor pay 3s por lb. for cornflour when jou can get tho Pure Article at the Bamo price. One trial will convince you of its Buperior quality. Ask fob it. SOLD BY ALL STOREKEEPERS. Half-Lbs. , is 6d Pounds, 2s 6d It can be ordered through any Wholesale Grocery in Auckland. A supply is keptat Mr Canham's, High-street. Manufactured by F. Goodwin & Co., Onehunga A UCKLAND HOSPITAL. • COMMITTEE: Elected: Appointed. His WorsMp W. R, Wad- Hon. Col. Haultain del, Esq. (Chairman) Arthur Bull, Esq. J. M. Clark, Eeq. Captain Daldy E. A. Maokoohnie, Esq. Sydney Dando, Esq. T. Peacock, Esq., M.H.R. Applications for admission by persons suffer Ing from Slaeases and requiring medical treat ment will be received at the Hospital on any day between the hours of 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. In cases of accident or emergency, patients will be received iijto the Hospital without delay, beds being kept ready tor urgent cases. Patients able to do so will be required to pay for thoir support at the Hospital according to their position and circumstances. Subscriptions will be thankfully reoeived by any member of the Committee and by the under signed* H. N. GARLAND, Seoretary, Wyndham-street. DEVONPORT I DEVONPORT !- IRONMONGERY, C__tlNA, GLASS, AND EARTHENWARE IN ALL IT__- BRANCHES.—E. BLUCK, having opened in the above line, begs respeotfully fo draw tho attention of the inhabitants to the fact that he intends, to trade on the principle of "Small profits and quick returns, and trusts thus to Beonre the patronage of the residents. S. B. begs to solicit inspection of his new and varied stook. Orders promptly attended to.—Note ad droßS-KDGAR BLUCK, Ohurclj-street, Devon port, I



'.'•'"»' =B=!is v. ■ Land and Estate Agents. -. % D. IT. Evans, ESTATE, HOUSE. AND LAND AGENT, AUCTIONEER, &c. mO CAPITALISTS AND OTHERS. FIRST-CLASS INVESTMENT IN THIS CITY FOR SALE. All that Valuable and Centrally Situated Pro porty, consisting of FREEHOLD ALLOTMENT, together with Commodious Double Shop, Store room, and 5 Rooms upstairs, built, of brick on Btone foundation, in first-class position, and well adapted for Solicitor's Chambers, being situated in Shortland-streot, near those handsome and extensive new premisos in courso of construc tion for the Evening Stab ; and also near the Post-offlce, banks, and those magnificent new block ot buildings (tho Arcade) now aiiout to be erected for tho New Zealand Insurance Com pany. This is a real flrst-olass investment, and well worthy the attention of capitalists. I is, with; out doubt, tho most valuablo and safest invest ment now in the Market, with undeniable pros pective value, second to none in Auckland. Full particulars from D. F. EVANS, 857 Estate Agent, Queen-street, AUCKLAND-City Property: valuable busi ness premises, situate in Shortland-Btreet, near Post-office; grand position. (875) AVONDALE-22 acres splendid land, mostly in grass; a large portion in orchard, and shelter trees; good creek. (851) BABYLON—A very nice little Farm of 100 acres; new house of 7 rooms, cowshed, stockyard, pigsty, &c.; 2 good grass pad docks. The land on this farm is really good, and can confidently be recommended as a very desirable little homestead. (1050) BOMBAY— i>9i acres improved farm Land very cheap. Only £30 cash, and £70 can remain for 5 years. (9.8) OHURCH-STRKET- Villa Residence of 5 rooms, iltted with cupboards, dresser register grate, oven, &c.; good well and tank, well-stocked garden. Price. £380. (728) COLLEGE ROAD-Good Building Allotmen in a Splendid Position for Business, being on tlie main western outlet from the city. (1136) DAIRY FLAT—2SS acres good Land, part vol canic, bush, nice homestead of 4 rooms, Price. 32. 6d per acre (970) EAST TAMAKI—Nice Littlo Farm of 51 acres; good grass; plenty of water; valuable bush; good alluvial soil; £350. (1144) - EDWIN-STREET, ROCKY NOOK-Very nice little Cottage of 5 rooms: goor volcanic al lotment. Prico, only £250. ELLERSLIE—IIJ acres Volcanic Soil; good road frontage, near Racecourse. (954) ELLERSLIE (on Panmure Road) — Freehold Building Allotment, ornamental trees beautiful situation for building, main road' Land 198x198 feet. £400. (107(9 EPSOM—T ilia Residence and Grounds Also, splendid Building Allotments, near resi dence of E Hesketh. Esa. (175) FERNLEIGH-STREET—3 Verandah Cottagee of 3, 4, and 5 rooms respectively. In good order. City water laid in. Price, for the three, £560. A good investment. (1102) FRANKLIN ROAD-Two Good Villa Real dences, almost new—one of C rooms and the Other of 5; gas and water. Allotments 33 z 100 each; magnificent view of harbour. Price, only £1,400. (1069) GEORGE AND WILLIAM STREETS, PON SONBY—Brick House of four rooms and Bcullery, outhouse, &c; allotment 33 __ 132; £400. GLENBURN, PONSONBY—Three magnificent Sites for Marine Villa Residences. Mice for the three, £650. Superb view of Queen street Wharf, North Shore and Harbour, i (1089 GREAT NORTH ROAD-About 5 miles from Auckland —A new and well-fini.hed House of 6 rtoms, stable, c_e„ and 3 acres splendid lnnd, in cultivation: boonded by a grand stream of water; more land if lequired. (3191 HOWICK—Good Cottage of 8 rooms and 2 acres land well fenced. Good well. Price £200. (11101 INKERMANN-STREET — New Cottage of 5 rooms in a good position, close to Freeman's Bay. Only £330. JOHN-STREET —First-class Building Allot ment, quite new, and good view. Price, 30s por foot. (1067) LEAMINGTON ROAD—New Villa Residence of 4 large rooms and scullery, American stove, register grate,; allotment, 50 x 100. Price, £270; £150 can remain on mortgage. (1106) LITTLE MUDDY CREEK-Grand Little Farm of 88 acres of good alluvial soil; dwelling house and outbuildings; all in grass 'ami cultivation; good deep water frontage:to Manukau Harbour; price only £550. (HID) LITCHFIELD - STREET, off Newton Road, close to Karangahape Road.—Two Good Cottages; each let at 12s per week :■ close to tram line. Price for the two, only £500. . (1125) MANGARE—Ono of the best little Grazing Farms in the province of Auoklsnd., (6421 MELFORD-STREET—Two good Villa Sites, each 50 __: 150. Price, 50s and 55s per foot., (1099) MONTAGUE-STREET, NEWTON-New Six. roomed Verandah Cottage, fitted with register grates, colonial oven, cupboards, &c. Price. £280. (719) MOUNT EDEN ROAD-Very nice Villa, Res idence of 7 rooms; tank, outhouses, gopd garden; allotment, 49J x 198; best part of Mount Eden Road. (lMg) MOUNT ROSKILL ROAD.—Villa Residence (6 rooms', bath, range and shed. £500. d_i_4) NAPIER-STREKT-Good House of 5 rooms; allotment 30 x ICO. Price, only £300., (1145). NEL-.ON-B'REBT, CITY.-A very nice and commodious Hou.e of 8 rooms, having.a erand view of harbour Price, £650 (979) NEW MARKET.—New-Etreet: New Verandah House of 5 rooms; good well, tank, &o; nice garden; allotment 48 x 120. Price only £350. . (815) NEWTON (near Ponsonby Reservoir).—Two Houses (5 and 4 rooms), corner allotment; for both. £500. (1127) ONEHUNGA.—Cottage and Allotmont (free hold). £85. (1127) ONEHUNGA—Grand Villa Sites, ranging ftom 3to 8 acres; magniflcont views; close to Pah Estate. (1143) PAPAKURA VALLEY - 426 acres good alluvial land; partly fenced, and a npntion improved; a splendid creek throuSh the grope.rty; about 3 miles from Railway ration. (8 2) PARK ROAD—Good House of 7 rooms, pleas antly situated; splendid view; large allot ment Price £650. (1121) PARNELL.—SeveraI cheap properties. POKKNO 189 aores Volcanic Laud, nearly all level; 26 acres cleared an n in good grass and fenced' Price *2 per acre; a bargain. (94) PO'iENO-Nice Little Farm of 21 acres in crops, grass, &c.; good five roomed Cottage and outhouses, which, with 4 cows, dairy utensils. &c, &c , is now offered for £300; situate just nt Pokeno Station. (803) POMPALIERTERRACE-First-classßuilding Allotments, 45 x 100. Price, £310s per foot 1 RAMA RAMA-160 acres good mixed Land a Bho t distance from Drury. Cheap, at £310a per aero. (761) RAZORBACK-48 Acres Good Land, 28 aoies in grass; Cottage of three rooms, cow-shed, piggery, &o.; nevor-failing supply of water. Price, only £250. (6ft. RICHMOND ROAD-Two nicely-finished Houses of 6 rooms eaoh, fitted with every convenience. Let well. Price, for the two, £700; or would be sold separately. (1103) RICHMOND ROAD-2 good Building Allot ments; quitolevol; 40x99 each; good view. Must be sold. (1046) , RYLE-STREET-Pretty Verandah Villa of; 5 rooms, &c; allotment 66 x 120; a very desirable residence. (1039) SALE-STREET — Nice Littlo Cottage of 4 rooms; oorner allotment; very cheap; only £210. (1135)' ST. MARY'S ROAD, corner of Dublin-Btreet- House of 5 rooms nnd scullery, and 2 rooms detached; gas, tanks. tfc Price *565.: (784) TAMAKI EAST—Snug little Farm of 60 acres. Good House of 6 rooms, and usual out buildings ; all new; stock, &c. Price, only £480. (1090) TE PAPA-48 aores good arable Land. Price, only 15s per aero. (1107) VIEW AVENUE, MOUNT EDEN-New Villa Residence of 6 rooms, and outbuild- & ings; scoria soil, and good position. Only £3-iO. VIIW ROAO AND THE TERRACE. MOUNT tDEV—A First class Residence of 7roon)fl. completo with every convenience: welllaid out grounds about 1 acre : fruit ond floWer gnrdi-n. Mnßniflcent view (915) WAITANGI BLOCK, MAKARAU-60 acresof land, supposed to contain valuablo bush. Prico, £60. (1028) WAIPU-Grand Farm of 260 acres—tho very best in the distriot; good house and out buildings ;to bo sold very cheap. (1116) WARKWiRTH-Old Established Boarding hou?e Rusiness for sale. First-class oppor tunity to seem c a really good paying eon- : corn. Price only £500. ''- . WHANGAREI—I2i acres Improved Land I email piece kauri bush; Lot 51, Tauraroa. (95U WH >G ♦ RM-Improved Farm of 143 acres m atMaogapai: 4<i aores in grass, and 6 in orchard.; dwelling house. Cheap, £600- '___ '. (884) WHANG ' Rfl HflMD'-Paruaßsy-eOacres, part in ftrass and kanri ; homestead farm; good road. Price. £22 06'] . WHATAWHATA—Waipa River-Beautiful Homeßtcad of 200 Acros; house, stables, sheds, and outhouses ; splendid oherry grovo; steamer Btops at landing four times a week; plenty of wood and water; good run for cattle. (1055). WILLIAM-STREET-New and Well-finished House of 8 rooms; large cellar; central position; every convenience. Price, £750. (1130) D. F. EVANS, HOUSE, LAND, AND ESTATE AGENT, AUCTIONEER, &c. Hotels. SETTLERS HOTEL, WALTON: STREET, WHANGAREL MRS S. H. FULLER, ProprjktresS. This Old-established Hostelry occupies the Most Central Position of any House in Whan garei, being within 2 minutes' walk from either Railway Station, Wharf, or Post-office.rpossess ing Excellent Accommodation for Visitors and Tourists. NONE BUT FIRST-CLASS BRANDS OF WINES AND SPIRITS KEPT. MACNAB AND HANCOCK'S SPARKLING ALES ON DRAUGHT. _ ___ BRILLIANTLY-LIGHTED BILLIARD- ROOM „ AND GOOD STABLING. EVERY CIVIUTyTnD ATTENTION . PAID TO VISITORS. ORDIN ARY DAILY AT ONE O'OLOCK. 7 The Cuisine iB under the Personal Superin tendence of the Hostess Herself.•/', .', tERMS MODERATE,