NEWS OF THE MONTH.

AUCKLAND, N.Z., March 1, ISS4,

The great event of the month has been the •contest between the temperance party and Jicensod victuallers over the election of Licensing Committees. Home read ers will doubtless be aware that the Colonial Legislature during the session ol ISSI made some important altera tions in the law regulating the liquor traffic ; indeed, the Licensing Ordinance then passed carried with it local option in a modified form. It gave the ratepayers of tho licen sing district power to say whether new licenses should be granted in the district, and also of regulating the hours of closing, etc., For two years the Licensed Victual lers, Association all over the colony generally succeeded in returned as mem bers *f the Licensing Bench persons favourable to their intsrests. Of lnte, however, a great chango has come over the public mind with respect to the liquor traffic, and it has boon evident that a con sensus of public opinion favours an incroase in tho stringency of tho licensing laws rather than relaxation. Whether this is duo to the exertions of tho Temperance organisation or to the laches of the* publicans, would bo hard to decide. It was believed by tho Licensed Victuallers that they would have a hard battle to get men returned favourable to their cause, but they were not prepared for tho crushing defeats Inflicted on them in tho licensing elections that have taken place this month. In Auckland city and suburbs the Temper ance tickets were successful in five districts out of seven, and many popular citizens, in cluding quite a number of City Councillors, were amongst the defeated ones. Tho Temperance candidates, knowing by past reverses that an extreme policy would not bo popular, tried issue on a very moderate programme, viz., the closing of hotels at 10 p.m., strict suppression of Sunday trading, and the abolition of up stairs bars. Delighted with their success, the advocates of temperance have already drafted a programme for noxt year, in which reforms of a sweeping character are proposed. It is intended to take a plebis cite to test the foeling of the ratepayers on the desirability of cancelling tho licenses of houses which do not givo the full accommo dation prescribed by tiic Act; aad also whether it is desirable that publicans should be required to dispense with their barmaids after six months' notice, on pain of losing their licenses. Tho great impetus that was given to ex port of frozen meat from this colony ts Great Britain by the success of the earlier shipments has received a check through a decrease in the poor prices obtained for some recent shipments. These prices are de' acribed here ns "ruinously low," and there appears to be a pretty general belief amongst those colonists interested in the trade that our mutton does not receive fair play at the hands of English retail tradesmen. Be that as it may, there is some talk of the several meat companies appointing an agont to go Ilome to look after their interests and Eiish the sale of the meat more widely in ngland. From this part of tho colony it ia expected that frequent and regular shipments will be exported as soon as tho Now Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Company get their works here under way. The next shipment of mutton from Auckland will take place some time in May. It is stated in Napier that an attempt will be mado to Bccure the services of the s.s. Triumph to convey a cargo from thence to the old country. At the date of writing tenders aro being called for the New Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Com pany's establishment here. When com pleted the buildings will cover an area of about three-quarters of an acre, and will have a frontage of 100 feet to the Railway Wharf. The block, which will bo nearly a quadrangle, will be divided into two equal portions by a line of railway. The portion nearest the Railway Wharf will be dovoted to shops, etc., and the roar portion will contain the freezing and principalatqrage premises. The building will be four stories high, and the fanado will be very handsome, the numerous windows giving it an airy and elegant ap pearance. The ground floor will be divided into milk and iish shops with stores at tached. These latter will be kept con stantly at a low temperature by rmeans of cold-airpipes supplied from the refrigerator. This floor will also contain an ice-house 60ft x COft, freezing-room, engine, and boiler-rooms, &c. The railway line which, as already stated, will run through this floor, will be flanked on either side by spacious platforms. Tho opening for the line will not extend above the ground floor. On the first floor there will bo a cheese and butter store 100 ft. x 70ft., tinsmith 8 shop, tinning and meat-preserving wom-the dimensions of tho latter being /Oft. by 60ft. —and a store for the storage of frozen meat. Thiii latter will contain 10,000 carcases of mutton, equal to 300 tons dead weight. Tha second and third floor will be used for wool stores, etc. Communication between the different floors has been pro vided for by means of two elevators. Ine tinning apparatus and other machinery has already arrived from America. Though scarcely coming under the heading " The Frozen Meat Trade," it may interest English readers to learn that a quantity of frozen fish, caught in English gators, and brought to Wellington in the British Queen, realised good prices. Whiting were Bold at Is each, and cod at 7s 6d. Church unions aro a sign of the times in New Zealand. Some months ago all eectiong of Methodists reaolved upon amal gamation, and now the united committees o"f tho Congregational Church at the annual meetings held at Wellington during the month, havo agreed to bo united so far aa their disintegrating prin ciples will admit. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand has also been in session during the month, and tho question of the union of the Pres byterian Church of New Zealand with the Church of Otaco was discussed, but so far nothin" tangible has resulted. Both bodies E.ro desirous of union, but are unable to a.TCO as to tho terms of amalgamation. The main objection seems to emanate from tho Ota™ Church, she apparently be ng afraid of weakening hewelf oy lengthening her^coids without a proportionate strength et?w°e writttht annual, meeting of the Now Zealand Rifle Association is taking placo in Auckland. There are some lhO competitors from all parts of the colony. The principal trophies arc the champion belts-ouc ior riflemen, tho other foi car Enters Of recent years tho South Island, has cenerally succeeded in winning the rite championship, but such is the prowess for labour is steady, and this is especially so as far as the country districts are concerned Batches of immigrants by recent vessels have been quickly absorbed, and evidence is afforded of the pleatifulness of work by the fact that there has not been a. single disappointed caller at the office since the appointment of Mr Mays as InWation Officer. Nominations are principally from the country districts, ancf this upon as a most satisfactory sign. In fact, the Government is anxious to encourage country nominations rather than those from tho town, the reason for this being obvious. About 130 immigrants have just arrived by the Ruapeha, 160 more a« expected: bythe Northumberland, and 341 by the Rangitikei In addition to these, about 300 were nomi nated prior to last November, and advices of their departure are now awaited, vvh.le since that month tho nominations sent away from Auckland have been as ««to«-^; November, 7*j December, 114-.Jammy, 135 • February, 111. There la no fear what ever'that tee people will find difficulty m obtaining workon arrival. The I««jgratoon Officer -U i constantly ia receipt of letters twm

the country districts of this province, and even from Taranaki, asking him to send bands at once. The demand for female domestic servants 13 quite as great, if not greater, than ever, and high wages still rule in the market. The immigration and emigration returns for the month of January are:—lmmigra tion: Auckland, G43 ; Wellington, 515 ; Napier, 3; Greymouth, 17 ; Hokitika, 3; Lyttelton, 373; Dunedin, 410 ; Invcrcargill, G(U. Total, 2,028. Emigra tion : Auckland, 295; Wellington, 109; Napier, 17; Greymouth, 10; Lyttel ton, SI ; Dunedin, 5; Invercareill, 340. Total, SliO. The above returns do not in clude Timaru and Westport, the gui-ec for which are not yet to hand. The number of Chinese who arrived in the colony \mi month was three, while those who Uft tho colony numbered 31. Building operations in Auckland continue brisk, but notwithstanding the fact that dwelling-house 3 nre going up in all direc tions, there is a Scarcity of empty houses, while rents are ruling high. Since last month, handsome new premises in Queen-nt. iortli.eßankofNewSouthWalesandSavings Bank have been completed, and the former is already occupied. A large four-story block of buildings in Lower Queen street for Hon. Thomas Russell, and which will be occupied by Mr A. H. Nathan, h also receiving the finishing touthe*, and will be occupied within a week or two. Several days ajro a contract was lot by the New Zealand Insurance Company for the con struction of a five-story block of shops and offices in Queen street, to be known as the Victoria Arcade, and to cost £3(5,000, while the local Baptists have since accepted a tender at £S,OOO for the erection of the new Tabernacle. These and other works should impart even greater activity to the building trade, while each in itself may bo considered important city improvement. Tho construe tion of the city tramways, which extend in'i the suburbs, have also been commenced since last month. The demand for city and euburban property continn&3 with unabated vigoux. The large number of land auctions hold recently gave rise to the impression in the minds of some tl.at the sale of building allotments at St. Helier's Bay on sth Feb. would not be a success. Their fears wero however, not realised, the results of the sale being highly satisfactory and most encouraging. Every lot offered found a purchaser, prices varying from £100 to £600 per acre. Only a limited number of sections was put up, and the total proceeds of the sale exceeded £1,200. At a sale of land at Calliope Point, North Shore, on February 21, the prices wero also remark ably high. Nearly all tho allotments offered were sold, and an aggregate of about £2,700 wero realised. The following are the prices:—Lots 1, 58s per foot; 2, 55s ;3, 60s; 4, 87s 6d; 5, 57s 6d; 6, 555; 7, 50s; 8, 50s; 9, '15s; 10, 40s; 11, 40s ; 12, 40s ; 13, 50 ; 16, 45s ; 18, 80s ; 19, 60s; 21, 655; 30, £10; 31, £10. The other lots were passed. The sections varied from 33 feet to 50 feet in width, and 100 to 150 feet in depth. Londoners will shortly have the pleasure of witnessing a band of " noble savages" in their midst, led by no less illustrious a per sonage than Potatau 11., the aoi-dUant Maori King (mare generally knawn by the name of King Tawniao). Two weeks ago he visited Auckland to make arrangements for his tour, and it was then ascertained that several thousands of pounds had been collected among the nrtives to cover the expenses of the journey. His Maori Ma jesty is to be accompanied by Major To Whero, an intelligent native, member of the Legislature, and by several chiefs of more or less influence and intelligence. Lastly, the party i 3 to be chaperoned by that arrant humbug, Sydney Taiwhang.i, who formed one of the last party of Maoris who visited the metropolis. It is not very clear what the objects of this " Maori mis sion" are ; one probably is that Tawhia may be presented to Her Majesty, to whom ho graciously concedes the position of a ior> of joint interest in ruling tho Maoris; b»t the chief idea (and that a vory hazy one) seems to be that they will be able to get laws passed to prevont their lands passing out of their hands or being intersected ky roads and railways. Tawhiao's chances of "seeing the Queen"are about as slendor as are his prospects of preserving tho isalatlon of the native country ; but it is hoped the trip will have tho effect of instructing him, whilo it cannot fail to amuse tho Cocknoys. It ia not thought he will take any of his wives with him to London—not that thoy are subject to Oriental seclusion, but rather because) his tattooed highnoss is con siderably "henpecked," and will enjoy himself better without them. In undor taking this journey tho " king" and party do so entirely on their own account, with neither the sanction nor the disapproval of the Colonial Government. Sir George Grey, whose influence among the natives used to be very great, is said to have distinctly counselled Tawhiao not to go to England at the present time. Tawhiao and tho chiefs with him were entertained at dinner at tho Auckland Hotel, on February 13, by the Rev. \V. Pomare and Te Hemara, the Mahurangi chief. The healths of "Her Majesty tho Queen, and the King," werediily honoured. Tawhiao, in responding, urged that Maoris and Europeans should be equal, and stated that his desire in all his actions was to ad here to great principles. There vas nothing of any special interest in his remarks. If we might judge by tho various references made to the " wreck of the steamship Triumph " by English publica tions, it would appear that outside of the colony an impression prevails that * her day i 3 clone." Those, however, who hive had an opportunity of viewing her asihonow lie 3 snugly at anchor in our harbour have formed a vastly different opinion. The vessel has been lightened of her cargo, and thus placed on an even keel. Shehi3 also bean thoroughly cleaned, and her fittings which were considerably damaged whin she lay ashoro at Tiritiri, have been repaired arid replaced jis found necessary. The engines too, have had a thorough ovethaul and are in good working order, so that all that remains to make ncr almost as good as new is the replacing of o portion 01 the fore compartment which was torn avay while she lay upon the rocks. The hole in the vessel's bow is by no means an tisiß nificant affair. It forms in fact a daily attraction for curious sight-aeers, and boating parties, during fine weathei are cortinualiy paying visits to the vessel the greatest novelty apparently being a, trip inside th« vessel through the openire in her bows. As many as three partieahave found tho way by this means into the vessel at one time. The owner oi the vessel, Mr Fraser, with the object of iom pleting repairs, has sent Home for the necessary plates to re-build the fore Jart of the steamer. This work will be don) in the Auckland dock, which is to bespecLlly prepared to accommodate the Triumih. The whole cost of repairs is estimaledat about £6,000, which added to tho coatof purchase, will bring the owners expenditure up to between £S,K)O and £9000. Besides the lago profit which ho will derive from a satisfac tory disposal of the hull, which, no domt, can be effected, the proceeds of tho car?o saved i 3 no mean item. Mr Frasor pad Mr Hawkeswood £SOO for his right to b move tho cargo, and tho result has ben that both have receivod handsome returs in reward of their speculation. In tfe vessel herself, when sold, there was aboit throe times as much cargo as was aafcie pated, while a large quantity left on th rocks under water at Tiritiri ha? also fees; secured with the aid of divoi s. The sacce* that has attended tho effort* of Auckkinders in floating this Triumph off the rooks after 1 her abandonment by the owners naturally led to a feeling of dissatisfaction amongst other interested parties, who would have been better pleased had she bsen got off tho rocks before. Tho underwriters have definitely refused to piy the risks held on tho etcanniup Triumph. Tho policies on the hull amount to t'40,000, and on the Home freight (tho insurance being effected on the round voyau'o) £10,000, making £50,000. Mr Vino Hall is now in Auckland, making inquiries on behalf of the under writers with reference to the stranding of the vessel and subsequent proceedings. The probability is that if the evidence ad duced, when submitted to the underwrite^ appears to justify them in resisting the claim, they will do so, leaving the owners to sue for the amount, and to settlothe question of the sale as they please. The present Parliament of New Zealand enters oa its closing session in the course of two months or so, and already there are signs of a re-awakening interest in matters political such as always precede a general election. Rumours of probable candidates and of possible party combinations are al ready circulated in some quarters ; but the cooler-headed of the community confine their attentions chiefly to the prospects of the coming session. Besides the question of Federation, there are several i«"P«*«* matters being agitated which may toadta & Ministerial defeat and consequent dilu tion. It is stated that two of the principal entrees on tho Ministerial bill of fare will be measures for the Amendment of the Licen sing and Education Acts. Taking the present feeling in this district as a criterion of the state of public opinion in the colony, there does not seem to be the slightest' possible doubt that a poUcy embodying the placing of additional restne tioDja on tfie liquor traffic would B«t mtti

approval. We question, however, whether the House of Representatives is equally favourable ; and should the Premier intend to embody in an Act his recently-declared opinions in favour of a more pronounced form of Local Option, with the enfranchise ment of women, he will encounter a good doal of opposition. It might, however, not be an unpopular cry to go to the country upon ; and the Ministerial programme this session will be framed with a view te that eventuality. In any proposed amendments of the Education Act, the Cabinet enter upon an extremely delicate task. A party, representing the monied classes, has grown up of late years in favour of using the education vote to relieve the necessity for An increase in the property tax. Now, nothing is more certain than that the people will neverconsent to this. Retrench ment to save taxation must be made in other directions. The only safety of the country under universal suffrage is an j educated population. An opinion prevails pretty widely that the education law is, as nearly as anything mundane may be, in a state of crystallised excellence, that it is one harmonious whole, and that any attempt to remove minor defects would be attended with risks to the whole system, Wo believe, however, that several changes are necessary ; the elimination of the system of cumulative voting being one of them. Tho election of Mr Wakefield by a large majority for Sclwyn is the worst electoral defeat the Ministry have had since they came into office. The scat was formerly represented by Sir John Hall, and has been reputed one of the most strongly Min isterial of the Canterbury electo rates. Mr Wakefield came to it with out local friends or influence, and contested it as a pronounced Oppositionist against a highly respected local resident. His election confirms the report that a change of feeling has taken place in Canter bury towards the Government. We shall not be surprised to find a considerable diminution in the 6trong support which has hithorto been given by the Canterbury party to the members of the present Administration. On the subject of the proposed Federal Union of Australasia, it is unlikely that Government will take any decided stand— simply reporting the proceedings ef the Sydney Conference to tho House, and leaving it to take whatever action may bo thought proper. The Premier, Major Atkinson, has not yet given an address on Federation, though publicly invited to do so ; but he is shortly to appear before his constituents, when he will find it impossible to avoid declaring his views on the subject. Thoro is a growing feeling in this colony that it would be impolitic in the highest degree, and inimical to the interests of Now Zealand, to enter into such a federation with tho Australian colonies as is contemplated by tho Federation Act drafted by the recent Conference; and it is with a view to trim his sails to the popular breeze that the Premier's policy of reticence on this impor tant subject ha 3 been adopted. Lord Derby's despatch, intimating that Her Majesty's assent had been temporarily withheld from Sir George Grey's Confedera tion and Annexation Bill passed last session, pending tho dooision to be arrived at on tho matters dealt with by the Conference, has caused loss astonishment tlmn disgust. The attitude of Her Majesty's advisers in relation to the measuro referred to is of a temporising and shilly-shallying character. We were prepared to bo told that tho Act claimod powers outsido of the constitution of tho colony, and could not therefore roceive the seal of Royal approval (a view which, if not correct, is certainly dobateable); but to bo told in effect that tho measure is unobjectionable, but that it will only receive tho Queen's assent on certain conditions being complied with, seems oither the very olimax of childish pettishness, or an objectionable method of pressing on the federation "fad" of tho Colonial Office. If the law Is unconstitu tional, we should havo been told so ; and if it ia not objected to on that or other suffi cient ground, it should bo assented to and not be mixed up with tho question of Aus tralasian Federation, with which it has no connection. Tho practical result of this bungling treatment is that a year at least will be lost, which promised to be rich in movements for extending Hor Majesty's rale in tho Pacific and uniting a number of isolated and misgoverned croups of islands under tho Government of Now Zealand. Tho directors of tho Thames Valloy and Rotorua Railway Company aro excessively chagrined at the very discouraging treat ment they aro receiving at tho hands of tho Government Ministers. Having themselves lost the confidence; of the natives, and being consequently unablo to obtain freo cessions of land from them yt. will nnt oitlmr nlluw the Company to approach tho dusky owners of the soil on the subject. On the 7th of January the directors ad dressed a memorandum to the Government: —(1) That Government should enter into a contract with the Company for tho construc tion of tho second section of the railway, i.e., Lichfield to Rotorua, on the basis of the Company receiving from Government land equal to 30 per cent, of the cost of tho construction, in accordance with tho Railway Construction and Land Act. (2) Suggesting that inasmuch as the second 3ection passes almost entirely through native territory which cannot bo rated, and such rate being lost to the Company, tho Government therefore to endeavour to ac quire from the natives a froo cession of land by way of endowment in lieu of rates. And in tho event of the natives declining to grant such endowments without some payment, the Company to provide tho funds necessary to fulfil the conditions undor which the natives aro willing to cede. No answer was vouchsafed to this communi cation until February 25, when the Hon. W. Rolleston (Minister of Lands) and tho Hon. J. Bryco (Native Minister) being in iown, they despatched a short note stating ihat they could make no definite reply until iheir return to Wellington. In tho mean lime, however, a deputation had been ap pointed to wait upon them, and as they had ust returned from tho Rotorua country, ;he opportunity was too good to be missed, iccordingly, they were interviewed on Vlonday mat by Dr. Campbell, Messrs T. Peacock, M.H.R., J. M. Clark, T. Vlorrin, J. Stewart, J. Batger, and Mr Times Stewart, C.E., Managing En 'ineer. The Hon. Mr Rolleston assured ;he deputation that the Government yere quite aa anxious as the Company :ould bo to see the railway carried through. [n reply to their first question, he might iay that they had been trying to obtain a :ession of land from the natives, and ilthough unsuccessful no far, they still sntertained hopes of a satisfactory issue ;o their negotiations. They were also :ndeavouring to promote the construction )f the railway by obtaining lands by pur chase. Five thousand acres close to the me had been acquired, as well as a further slock of 6,000 acres in tho neighbourhood, rhese would bo available when the Com pany were in a position to make a contract. As for the second clauso of the memorandum, :ho Government knew of no power which 3nnblcd the Government to deal with tbo Company in the way proposed therein, rhe Hon. Mr Bryce expressed himself to a similar effect. He said that assuming the 3overnment would g^rant the full 30 per :ent. towards the line, and not a less imoitnt, they had still a deficiency ot t'19,000 worth of land to make up. They jould enter into ne contract, however. Endeavours were made to persuade the Ministers to allow the Company through an igent associated with a Government agent, 3r for a Government asrent alone, to move the natives to grant endowments, but with out effect. They were inexorable. Mr 31ark pointed out that unless endowments were obtained in lieu of rating, the Company vould not be justified in entering into a Ontract. Here, then, the matter rests for te present. Within six months the Com pny have to face a liability of £130,000, to met which it is proposed to call up 10s per pund share of subscribed capital. Vfter considerable discussion and ample votilation through the press of the claims foiand against the various competitive de sigs for our Free Public Library and Art Gaery, the City Council, on February 13, cars to a definite decision by awarding the firs' prize to " Literre, Scientis, et Artes" (Mesrs Grainger & D'Ebro, architects, of Colitis-street East, Melbourne), and the secod prize to "Tataria" (Mr N. Y. A. Wai?, architect, ofDunedin), safeguard ing temselves, however, by the provision that \e awards are to be contingent upon the aoeptance of a tender within stipu lated ost, viz., £21,000. Tenders are now being dvertised for. The design selected for firshonours shows a three-storey build ing wit white facings, in the style of the Renaistnce. It affords a space of 105 feet by 32 fst for the Art Gallery, and assigns 78 feet)y 34 feet to the Library, but the tempenf the Council indicates that this apportiament will just be reversed. The estimati cost is £21,600. " Tataria" is a strikinglesign, with a colonnade of Corin thian ctumns at the corner where the main en-ance is placed, and inside it a spacious val vestibule. The Art Gallery measureajO feet by 61 feet 6 inches ; the Lecture ill 64 feet by 34 feet; and the Library £11 65 feet 6 inches by 3G feet. The latterontains on each side a number of convenienfclcoves. Estimate cost,£2o,ooo. The Sub-Qnmittee of experts upon whose judgment i<} selection was based reported of the de»» B»»k«d- (A '*i!^"~'*«eßti«»

et Artea " that they considered the externc appearance of this building admirabl suited for the purpose's in view; that i wa3 adapted to the site in every sense general arrangement of the plan was ver good, that the suitability of the rooms fo library and art purposes was satisfactory and that the lighting was excellent in a! parts. Singularly enough in every cos the Sub-Committee's estimate of cost wa 50 per cent higher than that of th designer. The edifice, of course, is to b erected at the corner of Coburg-3treet am Wellesley Street East. The typhoid fever is still prostrating th native people in the North. At Whangare the Parawhaos are suffering severely Taurau's wife, Taparoto.is now ill; his son in-law, and several of his near relatives ar also down. Taurau came to Whangare lately to obtain medical aid, and whe; asked to send a noise for the doctor, hi answer was that he had not a messengei all being ill except himself. In a diseas like typhoid, where nursing and care an< every precaution is required to pull ther through and prevent the spread of th poison, the result of leaving a lot of sic! people under the care of an old, ignoran native chief may be imagined. Mr John Marie Grace, at the specis request of Mrs Hardiman (the late Judg Maning's daughter), interviewed th Native Minister at the Star Hotel on Satui day, Feb. 23, for the purpose of urging th despatch of medical aid to the typhoid stricken natives of Waitapu and Herekin (Hokianga district). Mr Grace pointed ou that the natives wore neglected, that th disease was attended by great mortality and that the kaingas attacked would b completely decimated unless a doctor wer> speedily sent to their relief. The Nativ Minister said he had inquired, and was in structed thnt no medical aid or medicine would be of any avail until a better sanitar; stato of the villages was obtained. Ho alsi said Government had always spent,_ am were now spending, largo sums on medicine: and medicul aid. Mr Grace admitted thi unsatisfactory sanitation of the kaingas and attributed to ignorance and apathy thi bulk of the disease from which tho Maoris suffered, 110 thought the first could be re moved by school instruction, and the lattei by proper management and the enforcement of sanitary lawn. The Native Ministei then requested Mr Grace to suggest ir writing a scheme by which this could bt done. He said that meanwhile the resi dent doctor of Mangonui, who is in the paj of Government, would bo instructed to at tend on these natives at Waitapu, Pukepoto, and Herekino. This terminated the inter viow. MrGraeo forwarded a feasible schome for tho curing of tho evil referred to. He recommended that tho " Laws of Health '' should be mado a compulsory branch of in struction in native schools ; that explana tory papers in Maori on infectious and con tagious diseases should bo circulated among the teachers and chiefs, that Srized should bo offered yearly for the bost rainedand most cleanly kainga or village, tho best^built, tho most roomy, and the moat cleanly whare ; and for new kaingoa on healthy sites ; and aleo for tho cleanest child on tho year's average attendance : that tho ordinary " sanitary laws " should with pru dence be enforced against the Maori; that a Board of Health for each kainga bo nom inated or elected, and a Maori Sanitary Inspector appointed, or, in default 3f thoso latter provisions, that tho work mentioned should bo dono by tho resident magistrates ; and that a building to servo ns an hospital should bo erected in ovory villago half a mile from any wharo. At an interview which the "Waikato Times" correspondent had with Rewi at Kihikihi, Rewi stated that his reason for going ovor to Tawhiao, was that by so doing, he might be successful in gaining over the King and party to his viows ; also, that ho thus prevented violence to the surveyor* and quarreling among the natives. Ho desires to see the work of the survey proceed, and ho is afraid that any marked leaning to tho pakehas would give offence to the natives. Tho Premier of this colony, replying to the petition of Fijian colonists for annexa tion to] New Zealand, has promised to lay tho petition before his colleagues, and further to communicate with the representatives of tho colonists concerning its subject matter. Albert Karaitiana, tho nine-year-old son of tho late Karaitiana Tokomoana, will be one of the richest land-owners in tho colony. Not half of tho lad's interests in land have been individualised,and he is now in receipt of £15,000 per annum. His landed property, when it has all passed into the hands of hu trustee, will bo good valuo for half a million of money. The desirability rf tho establishment of public fresh-water baths is now gonerally eWoosUnl. rX*U« <JLt*y Ouwu^u l**w» *«jXutruU to its Finance Committee tho matter of selecting the sito for tho proposed baths. At the meeting of tho Council on Feb. 14, Cr. Crowther endeavoured to have several of the Cook and Albert-street allot ments selected as the site, hut somo of the suburban ward members strongly opposed the placing of tho baths in tho centre of the city, and advocated their establishment in moro thickly-populated places—Newton and Hopetoun-streetß being mentioned as suitable centres for the site. Eventually, the choice of position waa left to tho Finance Committee. Plans and estimates for a high and low lovel wire bridgo across the Cemetery gully are now being prepared by tho City Engineer. Tho following are the terms on which the Cemetery trustees have consented to tho structure:—(l) That if a bridge is jrectcd by tho City Council, the trustees illow it to" connect only with a path on the northern boundary of the Cemetery. (2) That the City Council be recommended to 3rect a wire suspension bridgo in preference to any wooden structure. (3) That if a wire suspension bridgo is erected, tho trustees agree to grant perpetual access to tho public from the bridge to tho right-of way into Symondß-street. (4) That should the City Council erect a cart bridge, the trustees will grant a fifteen-feet road from 3ymonds-street to Gilfillan's gate, and then thirty foet down the entire length of their ground. Mr Carkeek, surveyor, who has been in Auckland for a short time, left on February 19 for the Waikato, In order to finish his portion of the railway survey. He proposes io go over the Mokau route from Te Awa nutu to New Plymouth, and hopes to com- Dlete his labours before tho meeting of Par lament. Messrs. Larkins and O'Brien, the con ;ractors for constructing the first section o f ;he Auckland city tramways, made a start >n February 18, the point selected being Hobson-street, near its intersection by iVellesley-street. The amountof Messrs Lar dns and O'Brien'stender was £3,906 los.nnd . :he work te be done includes the formation md permanent way of the tramway line Torn Hobson-street, along Pitt-street, Kar ingahape and Ponsonby Roads, to tho { Three Lamps, and down Wellesley-street; :o Queen and Custom-House streets, to Freeman's Bay. The only gap this contract rri\\ leave in tho Ponsonby circuit of the tramway system will be College Hill Road, i between Freeman's Bay and tho Three Lamps. The total length of the contract » about four miles. That the brewers, wine and spirit mer :hants, and publicans will immediately feel ;he result of the late licensing election is ; ;ertain ; indeed, ono large brewer has al ready received an unpleasant reminder of the change in public sentiment with re spect to the liquor traffic. The landlord of me of his most profitable houses intimated to the brewer in question to-day that he in tends giving up the house when his license axpires in June, unless the owner agree to i reduction in the rent of £200 per annum. At 7 per cent, this means a reduction of nearly £3000 in the capital value of one hotel alone. We have heard it stated by pub licans that they have tho brewers to thank for losing the election. Thoso worthies being quite confident that tho Licensed Victuallers would carry tho day, did not feel that there was any call for them to exercise their influence It appears to be generally believed that the houses that will suffer most from the 10 o'clock closing and strict suppression of Sunday trading, will be the mere "drinking shops," and that the houses that have all along most strictly adhered to the provisions of the Act will be in some cases gainers. Houses at which bushmen and country people generally stop will be benefitted, as the habitues will be compelled to have their "sprees" within their own hotels instead of ranging round the city. At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the New Zealand Insurance Company held on Feb. 22, the tenders for the erection of the Victoria Arcade were considered. They were as follows :— £ 8. d A.Matruire • 36,162 8 0 R. Jenkinßon 36.496 10 0 Price and Malcolm 10,203 0 0 J.J.Holland 10,410 0 0 Bartldon and Stephenson .. .. 40,550 0 0 It was decided to accept Mr Allan Magnirc's tender. The building is to be erected on Mr Smith's prize design, and the time allowed for the completion of the block is eighteen months. Tho concrete foundations for the building have just been completed by Mr Jenkinson. They are of a very substantial character. The building when comjpleto will cost £40,000. The land on which it v erected is the property af the City Council, and the rental paid for it by the "Inwrance Company is £2,81010s

The Customs revenue for the month of January for the oolony was £122,193 12s, as against £123,050 8s for tha cor responding month of last year. All the returns show an increase on the amounts collected in December. For last month the principal amounts were—Auckland, £26,710 3s 3d ; Wellington, £19,93014s 2d; Dunedin, £37,263 15s 4d; Chriatchurch, £19,411 Is sd. The beer duty last month was £4,335 2s lOd; corresponding month 1883, £6,227 Is Bd. The following are the amounts collected at the principal ports last month:—Auckland, £1,079 10s 5d ; Christchurch, £901 3s 2d ; Dunedin, £1,058 16s 9d; Wellington, £352 10s.

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL.

Since the publication of our last Summary in February the boards of the Opera fiouse have been occupied by Hegarty's Court Minstrels, Payne, the champion fancy lightning shot of the world; and they are now held by Messrs Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove's Comic Opera Company. The Minstrels proved somewhat of a frost, and Payne, whose principal feat was the shooting of an apple placed on his brother's head, also failed to draw, despite the fact of a sensational episode at a private test of his skill, whereat Mr W. S. Pulford (manager of the Intercolonial News Agency) in al lowing the apple to be shot from his head had his scalp laid open for an inch or so and the skull splintered ; he is new recovering. The Opera Troupe, consisting of 64 per formers, and having Miss Nellie Stewart as prima donna, Mr W. H. Woodfield as leading tenor, opened on Saturday, the 16th ult., with "Mascotto." They pro duced it with unusual gntndeur of stage effect, and the piece at once took the popu lar taste, drawing crowded houses for ten nights. It was replaced on Wednesday night last with " Olivette," which also pro mises to have a good "run." Tha only other musical events of any note during the month wore threo popular concerts given in the Theatre Royal and Choral Hall by Mr W. H. Webb, tho 'performers comprising good local talent, assisted as chief attraction by Mr R. Warwick Gainor, recently first baritone of the Montagu- Turner Opera Troupe. They wero fairly patronised.

Australasian Agriculture

The best testimony to the value of the work which Consul Griffin is doing for New Zea land is the frequency with which tho press of the colony find facts that aro new and interesting even to New Zealanders. In a paper on "Australasian Agriculture " pub lished in the " Consular Reports " for Sep tember, theagricultureof New Zealandis com pared with that of other colonies. These statistica, as we have before shown, bring out results that are most favourable to New Zealand. In 1883, the average produce per acre of wheat was: Victoria, 9.40 bushels; New South Wales, 14.69 buihela; Queens land, 8.41 bushel*; Sooth Australia, 4.57 bushels; Western Australia, 7 bushels ; total Australia, 6.06 busholi; Tasmania, 18.88 bushels; New Zealand, 22.69 bushels ; total Australasia, 8.84 bushels. In England the average U 26J bushels per acre. Mr Griffin, in commenting upon tho above fact, «ay« :—" Thu produc tion of wheat in France ia 16.2 bushels per aero; in Saxony, 22.5; Belgium, 26.2; whilo in RiihsU ll in as low as 5.5 bushels. Tho figurci I bays givon are sufficient to show the proud position New Zealand occu pies in wheat production per acre: still I must mention that farming is done hero on the rotation plan so universally practised in England. Besides changing tne crops overy year or allowing the land to rest, the farmers of New Zealand import annually about 5,000 tons of koneduit and 2,000 tons of guano for the purpoeo of enriching the soil In all the cropi th«tnperiority of New Zealand to the other Auifcralasian colonies is conspicuous. Tht mean average of the geTcn years in New Zealand for oats was ; 33.42 bushels to th« acr», while Victoria garo 19.57 bushel*, New South Wales, 16.44, and South Australia 13.07. The average of potatoes to the acre was: in New Zealand, 5.13 tons; in Victoria, 3.27 tona ; in New South Wales, 2.96 tons ; in Queensland, 2.45 tons ; in South Australia, 3.35 tons. In this connection I will mention that Now Zealand oats have won great reputation in European markets on account of thoir superior quality. It is perhaps not generally known that there is a very great Sitlerenco in the quality of this kind of grain, and that much depends on the weight per bushel. While oho uu«iiui ffi oata will weigh only 24 pounds, another bushel will weigh 48 pounds. It is seldom that New Zealand oate, and especially those grown in the North Island and in the northern part of the South Island, weigh less than from 40 to 48 pounds per bushel. It will be well enough for the New Zealand fanner not to lose sight of the extra weight of his oats, for it is tho custom in European markets to buy by the quantity and to aell by weight. The quantity of wheat grown in New Zealand is also worthy of praise. There are several varieties peculiar to the colony, and which havo boen successfully introduced into Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia, among which I shall mention tho celebrated New Zealand Sharman wheat. This variety is a bearded wheat, freo from red rust and smut, and yields a small but plump grain. It has a thin, hard, wiry straw ot a peculiar bright ness, about 3 feet 4 inches in height, bearing heads from 3 inches to 4 inches in longth, and containing from 50 to 60 grains each. Dr. Schomburgh, irho is an authority on agriculture- in Australasia, daises the Shar man wheat along with the celebrated American brands, ths Defiance and Cham plain."

FIJI NEWS.

Hot* Lalrour Outrages.

A. M. B. Rose, Government Labour Agent of tha Auckland sohooner Talrlis, was mur dered on Decamb«r 16th by the natives of a small Island to tho eantward of Matthias. It would appear that one of the New Ire land men, who had joined tha ship to come to Fiji, deserted in a few dayt by jumping overboard, and was sought after with boate up to midnight in rain. Another man, recruited at New Hanover, bade them good-bye again In a similarly uncere monious manner. A week after, three more New Irishman levanted. On the 15th the Fairlie came to St. Matthias, and two boats were despatched to an islet |to the eastward of that plac». A number lof natives crowded down to the S.E. point. In the course of an Interview a native stole some biscuits. The second mate, to mark , his eenso of this, fired his revolver in the water. This had the effect of scattering the natives in abject fear into the bush, to ro turn with spears. With those they made an onslaught, and injured two of the crew in the head, pierced Mr Rose under the heart, and studded the body of the second mate with their horrible javelins. Tho "cover ing boat" backed in, but could not recover the body of the last-mentioned, nor his boat with its ammunition and trade. The rest of the unfortunates wero rescued, but when the boat reached the ship's side Mr Rose was a corpse. The vessel has arrived in Sura with 66 recruits. Fiji Dloooae and tho Bishop of Auckland. The Anglicans of Sura having written to the Bishop of London asking him to under tako the Episcopal charge of Fiji, a reply has boen recoived, in the courso of which Hi 3 Lordship says:—"lt is impossible for the Bishop of London to exercise any real superintendence, still less to perform any Episcopal offices in Fiji. I propose, there fore, to ask the Bishop of Auckland, from whose diocese there is not infrequent com munication with the islands, with the con sent of his Synod, to include Fiji within its jurisdiction. I am informed by the Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel that Mr Floyd is pro posing to pay a visit to England. If so, it may be possible in conference with him to put the above suggestions into a more definite form. Meanwhile let me assure you of my interest in the welfare of the English Church in Fiji, and of my readiness to do_ what little may be in my power to assist it." Meetings at Leruka and Suva concurred with the Bishop's suggestion, and it was decided to write to theßishop of Auckland on the matter. Miscellaneous Items. The rifle match, Fiji v. Auckland, has resulted in favour of the Fiji team, who fired at Lavuka on February 2nd. It will be remembered that the Auckland team, which fired here on the game day, made 640. The total made by the Levuka marksmen was 660. It was reported in Lovuka on February 14 that the Auckland cutter Wave, belong ing to Messrs Hunt and Cerbett, of Suva, and on her way down from Udo with cattle, is on shore at Koro. No particulars are to hand. The mission schooner John Hunt was wrecked at Vane Pointy Al— °^t : ~ : ' j Her paM'^^o*"^" , r"" r*'~~-- ■.„'.'■'-?-' -f- . Sunift j," ■_... ,-r ' '""■- j

RELIGIOUS.

The sitting of the Congregational Union at Wellington closed on Feb. 25. Presbyterian General Assembly at Wel lington closed its sittings on February 26th. There are nine Freethought associations in the colony. One has been formed at the little township of Woodville, Hawke's Bay. A Wanganui clergyman has started a crusade against "immoral" conversation lozenges. The Presbyterian Synod of Otago are in quiring into the religious requirements of South Island Maoris.

The Rev. Mr Wills, of East Taieri, has

been presented with a purse of 100 soys. and an address, on the completion of the thirtieth year of his ministry there. The religious classes in Dunedin State Schools are but thinly attended, and the

clergymen who conduct them talk of dis continuing. According to the "War Cry," the total amount collected in Auckland for the fund for erecting the Auckland Salvation Arms Barracks amounts to £555 4s Id.

A panic took place at a Salvation Army tea-meeting in Dunedin on the night of February 14, caused by a false alarm of fire. Several women fainted, but no one was in jured. On the motion of Rev. James Paterson, the Presbyterian Assembly at Wellington, on February 20, resolved to get the opinion of a competent actuary as to the Ministers' Widows and Orphans Fund. There are in New Zealand 235 officiating ministers of the Anglican Church, 138 Presbyterian, 123 Methodist, and 86 Roman Catholic. Other sects havo in all 56 min sters. At St. Mark's Church, Remuera, on 24th February, Bishop Cowie held an ordination service, when Messrs Percival and Hewlett wero admitted to holy orders. There was a largo congregation, and the ordination sermon was preached from Isaiah ix., 7. Rev. Mr Hewlett preached at the evening service.

Mr Neville Gcorgo Barnett, organist of St. Luke's, Christchurch, and who was re cently in thin city on it visit, Im-s wo learn, accepted the position of organist of St. Matthow's Church. Ho it ill be n great acquisition to the musical power of the city, and intends, wo understand, to accept pupils, lie will enter on his duties about April next.

On Wodnesday, 6th February, the annual meeting of Drury Presbyterian congrega tion was held in the church—Rev. T. Norrio in tho chair. The report was adopted, and Mr Blake was re-appointed secretary and treasurer. Messrs John Macpherson, L. O. Roy, G. Godkin and Nobbs wero appointed Committee of Management for the ensuing year. The Cathedral Commission met on Mon day, Feb. 4 at Bishopscourt, when there woro present:—Tho Right Rev. Bishop Cowie (presiding), Archdeacon Clarke, Rev. H. G. S. Walpole, and several lay members. After conversation on the subject ot the projected cathedral, it was resolved that a geological survey of the site should bo made in order to obtain reliable data as to what kind of foundation would be necessary for different kinds of buildings.

Spocial interest attached to the service at the Jowish Synagogue on 9th Feb., on account of tho admission ot the son of Mr John Keeping to the state known as Bar Mitzvach ("Son of the Covenant"), the law of the Church declaring that at the age of 13 years every Hebrew enters upon the responsibilities of manhood. There was a largo attendance, the young novice recited the prayers in Hebrew very satisfactorily, and tho Rabbi, Mr Goldstein, preached a discourse appropriate to the occasion.

The congregation of the Franklin-street Primitive Methodist Church entertained Rev. J. Guy, their late pastor, at a valedic tory soiree on February 5, on the eve of his departure for a new sphere of duty at New Plymouth. Tea was provided by the ladies of the Church at £30 p.m., and subsequently an adjournment was made to the church, where addresses were delivered by clergymen and laymen. General regret was expressed at the necessity for tho severance between Mr Guy nnd his charge.

At a meeting of the Building Committeo of the Wellesley-street Baptist Church on Feb. 25, Mr J. J. Holland's tender (£8,239), being the lowest, was accepted for the erec tion in brick of the proposed Tabernacle at tho corner of Upper Queen-street and Karangahape Road. The job is to be en tered upon at once, and the foundation etone will be laid on Easter Monday, sth April. The front will be executed in Port land cement, and will have a return of 20 feet. Presaod white bricks will be used ornamentally at tho window panes.

Festival services, in, thant«rJ"!-e' *? harvest, took place on February 25th m Holy Trinity Church, Devonport. Rev. J. Bates, incumbent, conducted tho services morning and evening, nnd the choir, which was present in full force, sang the music for tho occasion in excellent stylo. Tho offertories reached a total of £10 10s Id. The fruits and vegetables, which, with evergreens, wore used in decorating the church building, woro aftorwards handed to the Auckland Hospital authorities. At the close of the usual monthly Sabbath evening sorvice in the school-room at Turanga Creek on the 10th Feb., the annual meeting of tho Presbyterian congregation was held, tho Rev. T. Norrie in the chair. The following wero appointed the Committee for tho present year:— Messrs N. M. Frater (Secretary and Treasurer), J. Perkins, A. Larbalcstier, and A. Trust. On the Monday following the Rev. T. Norrio, after being, as usual, hospitably entertained at Mr Nathan's house, attended tho day-school at the early hour of 8.30 a.m., and imparted religious instruction to 22 scholars.

Tho Salvationists, whilo marching out as usual with thoir banner and band, on tho evening of February 18, were assailed at the corner of Queon and Customs-streets by a howling mob of hoodlums, who mudo several rushes at them with tho object of capturing the colours. The standard bearer of the Army is cortainly not a for midable specimen of humanity, but ho behaved with pluck, and sticking gallantly to his colours, proved too much for hi 3 cowardly assailants. Finding thsir efforts to capture the flag unavailable, the horde of larrikins contented themselves with breaking the line of march, and then fol lowing their victims up Queen and Wel lesley street, shouting and yelling mean while in a disgraceful manner. The whole affair was discreditable in the extreme.

Presbyterian Aseembly. The General Assembly of the Presby terian Church opened in Wellington on Tuesday night, February 19. After public worship and dispensation of the Lord's Supper, the retiring Moderator, Rev. R. Som ervifle, of Auckland, constituted the As sembly. Owing to the death of tho Secre tary, tho Roy. J. Paterson was asked to act as clerk until one was appointed. The

changes that had takon place in the various Presbyteries were then read. The retiring Moderator thanked the Assembly for the kindness and forbearance ho had recoived at their hands during his term of offico, and then nominated the Rev. MrDoull, of Bulls, as his suoeossor. Mr Doull thanked them for the high honour conferred upon him, and dolivered'an address on "Some phases of thought in relation to Revelations and les sons to be derived therefrom." The Rev. Mr Patterson read tho report of the Church Extension Committee which showed that the Presbyterian Church was steadily increasing in the colony. The re port states that it was desirable to raise tho stipends; of all ministers to £250, and for that purposo congregations should bo urged to contribute liberally to this scheme. Mr Patterson stated that there wore several districts requiring student evangelists, but the Church has none to sond. Mr Ogg (Treasurer, of the Committee) read the balauco-sheet, which showed that the funds were a littlo short this year. The adoption of tho raport was moved by the Rev. Jlr Calder, seconded by the Rev. W. Douglas (West Coast), and agreed to. Tho Rev. Mr McKenzio Fraser read a report on tho now hymn-book called " Church Praise." Mr Fraser spoko highly aa to tho excellence of tho work, and strongly recommended the Assembly to adopt it. The motion was seconded by Rev. J. Patterson, who also spoke in ad miration of the hymn book. * lengthened conversation on the subject, the Assembly came to the following finding : "The Assembly receives the report thanks the Committee, and especially the Rev. Mr McKenzie Fraser, who prepared the rerjort and adopts the edition of psalms and hymns styled.' Church Praise,'{.which gives a full number of psalms and hymns as suitable for U6e in tho service of praise in the church, and asagreatimrjrovementinevery resp: cton the book now in use, cordially recommends its introduction whenever practicable, and enjoins congregations to be careful in introducing the book so as to combine harmony and avoid pressing un duly on the circumstances of individuals and congregations. The Assembly further instructs the clerk to ask Messrs Wisher and Co., publishers, to issue a complete edition, having a title page suitable to tula church." , There was a general increase of Sabbatu schools reported as compared with last year, there being Bt> schools, 742 teachers (322 males, and 420 females), and 6,091 icnojais,- with an average attendance of PnUff,. sjabbatb whwiiibrerißs crotaiij

1,243 volumes. 683 schools attend the week-night Bible class, and there are 4 pre paration classes for teachers. Rev. Mr Treadwell, speaking on the Education Act, thought there were several

points requiring amendment, and especially in its non-religious character. He thought there was great need for religious teaching in day schools, and lie would therefore like the Assembly to take into consider ation such measures as would bring about a chango in our purely secular Education Act. Ho believed that the present Act was adopted simply as a con cession to a small party of Freethinkers of the colony.—Rev. W.'Calder expressed the opinion that it was unworthy of this Church to remain in a negative position when other denominations were considering this important question. — Rev. Mr Ogg objected to the present system of education because it was free. He believed that few children in Scotland received any good from Bible teaching in day schools, and he thought it was impracticable in our schools. —Rev. Mr McKenzie Fraser considered free education a mistake, but thought the State should provide moral as well as intellectual training. After further dis cussion a motion was carried :—" That the re-introduction of denominationalism would be disastrous to the interests of education in general, but the present Education Act should be amended so that the clause re lative to the purely secular character of the education should bo expunged, and that a provision be made to give committees power to allow religious instruction under a conscience clause."

A committee was appointed to co-operate with other bodies in securing the objects of the resolution.

At the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand on Feb. 25, representatives were received from the Church of Otago and Southland. The Rev. J. Stevens convoyed the fraternal greetings of the Church in tho South Island Such deputations, ho said, helped to bring tho churches closer, and to give information regarding the work carried on in each. In Otago[they had 50 ordained ministers, wlu'lo in the North there were 75. Otago member ship was about 10,000 ; in the North it was only 5,000. In Sabbath-schools the attend ance was about equal. In Otago they col lectedabout three tiniesnsnnichastheNortli, Their general income last year was £33,000, showing an increase over the_ former year. Professor Salmond, in speaking of union with Otago, said that the Synod had always been in favour of such, although there had always been a majority against union. He believed that the endowments in the Otago Church had nothing to do with the question, and that geographical difficulties had also been put aside. The great difficulty lay in the fact that the Otago Church was com plete, and that they, a large unit, would be impossible to maintain such. At tho last Otago Synod, it was decided by a majority of six to keep the Union Com mittee in existence; and to hand the union question down to the Presbyteries and sessions fortheirearnest consideration. The matter must be settled this year one way or another. The Rev. Mr Cameron joined with the other members in conveying their fraternal greetings. The Otago deputies.on the motion of the Rev. jMr Treaduell, re ceived the hearty thanks of the Assembly for their excellent addresses. The report of the Church Trustees was given in and adopted. The report of Committee on Union was called for, and re-affirmed the decision of last As sembly. Rev. J. Paterson (the Moderator) and Mr James Smith wero appointed de puties to Otago next year.

Congregational Union of New Zealand.

At the preliminary meeting of the united Committees of the Congregational Church of New Zealand, the Rev. Dr. Roseby, of Dunedin, was proposed as Chairman by Rev. J. Robertson, of Auckland, and the motion was seconded by Rev. W. H West, of Wellington, and carried unanimously. Rev. T. Tonkinson, of Dunedin, and Mr Milne, of Auckland,were then elected Secretaries pro tern. After prayer for the welfare of the Union Captain Daldy, of Auckland, proposed the creation of the Congregational Union of New Zealand, and after some discussion as to the desirability of procuring an Act of Incorporation, the meeting agreed to the following resolution, which was seconded by the Rev. W. H. West, of Wellington :— "That the united committees of the Con gregational Unions of South New Zealand and of the Provincial Dis trict of Auckland agree to amalgamate; secondly, that the united bodies do now proceed to form a constitution of New Zealand." The Constitution of the new Union was then discussed, and regula tions selected- iy"-« y from the Constitution «r tiic union of SoutK at a i —<a 7 —* partly from the schedules of the New South Wales Act of Incorporation. At tho meeting of tho Union on Thursday night, February 21, the Trea surer presented his balance-sheet, which was adopted. It was decided to hold the next annual meeting at Auckland. The following officers were appointed:— Chairman for 1884, Rev. W. H. West; Secretaries, Rev. E. Wilder, and Mr J. Milne ; Treasurer, Mr Coote. The Rev. Mr West introduced the matter of the Educa tion Act and the present assaults made upon it by denominatiorialists. The motion gave rise to an animated debate, which was even tually adjourned.

Prosbyterial Conference.

The regular periodical Conference of the Presbytery of Auckland took place on 7th Feb., in St. James's Church, the Rev. T. McKenzie Frasor (Moderator) presiding. There were also present—tho Revs. John Maeky, T. Norrio, U. F. Macnicol, G. B. Monro, A. McCallum, T. W. Dunn, P. Mason, and Mr D. L. Steole, B. A. (student). Tho attendance of tho laity was disappoint ingly meagre. After devotional exercises had been en gaged in, tho MouKIiATOH announced that the subject of discussion was "The Best Means of Promoting tho Temperance Reforraation,"and ho called an MrMcCallum to opon it. The Roy. A. McCalmjm then read a care fully-prepared paper. Ho said that he had solocted the subject because of ijts practical importance and its special claims on their consideration at this timo. After an able review of the evils of drunkenness, he concluded by saying that personal example, too, was potent for good or evil, and with the experience of 35 years' total abstinence, he pleaded, ho urged both ministers and office-bearers to cast in their influence, heart, and soul with the total abstainers. He concluded by eulogising the Blue Ribbon Gospel Temperance Mis sion, which, he said, rested upon the only sure basis —the grace of Almighty God. The Moderator said that ho for one was prepared to give practical effect to the dis cussion. He had become a total abstainer, and joined the Blue Ribbon Axmy, and he meant to resuscitate St. David's Band of Hope. Ho also spoke upon the importance of trying to restrict the extension of licences. , Tho Rev. P. Mason nnd other ministers also spoke. Tho meoting concluded in the usual way.

St. Peter's, Takapuna.

On Feb. 6th the annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Peter's, Takapuna, was held in the church. Rev. J. Bates pre siding. From the report of the vestry for the year ending the 31st December, ISS3, we extract the following :—The schoolroom in which Divino service has for some years been conducted being found too small, and inconveniently situated for the requirements of the district, it was determined to mako a strenuous effort to provide a commodious church building; ana, havine secured a suitablo and central site, n a neat and elegant structure, capable of accommodating a congregation of nearly 200, being opened by the Bishop of the diocese on tho Ist of March, 1883. Sinco the opening, morning and evening services have been regularly maintained by the Rev. F. G. Evans, minister of this Church and that of St. John's, Nortbcote, ably assisted by Mr Percival, of St. John's College, with occasional help from the Rev, Joseph Bates, incumbent of tho Takapuna parish, the Venerable Archdeacon Maun sell, and several neighbouring clergy. A Sunday-school, numbering from 30 to 40 children, has been regularly conducted at St. Peter's by an efficient staff of teachers, and also a weekly Bible class by Mr Evans. The Treasurer's account showed a balance from 1882 of £43 2s; proceeds of four enter tainments, £24 5s ; donations, £275 18s ; offertories for the year, £110 6s Sd; seat rents, £21 ss. The total receipts, including a loan of £200 at 7 per cent,, amount to £697 19s 2d. The expenditure side of the account showed £500 5s for building, £80 for share of minister's stipend, £33 15s 8d for church furniture, etc., and £43 14s lid ior clearing, fencing, end planting. These, with other minor items of expense, absorbed the whole of the income and left a balance due to the Treasurer of £14 3s Bd. The report and balance-sheet, as read, were unanimously adopted. The election of officers for the^en:jung year then took place. .Mr Black was ap

man people's warden. The following were chosen as vestrymen, viz., Messrs J. Robert son, H. Brett, Menar>, W. J. Hurst, Meat yard, T. H. Seaman, and Lily wall. Messrs Porter and Harrow were elected auditors.

St. Luke's, Remuera.

The annual meeting of St. Luke's Pres byterian Church, Remuera, was held on Feb. 7, Rev. G. B. Monro, pastor of tho Church, presiding. The various reports from Session, Committee of Management, and Sabbath-school were read and adopted by the meeting, from all of which it ap ? eared the Church is steadily progressing, he Treasurer read the balance-sheet, show ing receipts from collection, £369 16s 3d; pew rents, £132 Is ; sundries, £30 18s : total, including balanco of Ss Id from last account, £533 3s 4d. The expenditure amounted to £535 6s lOd, which very nearly squares accounts. Besides this there was raised by the congregation £333 15s 6d to pay price of the organ; in short, altogether the amount raised is very little less than £ 1,000. Messrs Gray, Sommerville, and Doug las, were unanimously elected members of Committeoof Management, Messrs Kidd and McKinney being elected auditors. During the evening the choir rendered several anthems with much acceptance. In the Committee's report the choir was compli mented on the great improvement in the service of praise during the past year, and a vote of thanks was very cordially passed to them, A unanimous vote of thanks was also passed to the retiring members of Committee — Messrs Gray, Rhodes., and McDonald—as also to tho Chairman., and to Mrs Monro for her great exertions in collecting money for the organ.

St. John's, Tuakau.

The annual meeting was held in the Church on January 16, Rev. Percy S. Smallfiold (in the chair), when the usual reports wore submitted. The statement of the Treasurer showed that for the past year the result of operations was a credit balanco of £2 7s lid. Messrs Geo. lirown, Joseph Wallis, and C. L. Perry wero chosen as vestrymen; Mr A. Brown was appointed minister's churchwarden, and Mr J. Collins peoples' churchwarden. Votes of thanks were unanimously passed to those who had filled ollico during the past year. It was resolved that if the Bishop of Auckland should lessen the size of tho Bombay tlis trict, £5 per annum would bo added to the clergyman's stipend.

St. Bride's, Mauku.

On the 25th January the annual meeting was held, tho Rev. C. C. Frith presiding. The finances of the church were reported to be in a satisfactory condition,andtne report showed that the Sunday-school had been in a flourishing state during last year. Tho following were chosen as committee: —Messrs Johnson, Worth Walker, Page, Crawford, Gregory, and Hog wood. It was resolved to proceed at once with the work of restoring the Church, and for that purpose a cub-committee was elected. This was all tho business of im portance.

Pukekohe Presbyterian Church.

The annual meeting of the above church has juat been held. The Rev. T. W. Dunn (pastor) occupied the chair. Delegates were present from the various parts of tho charge except Tuakau. The report showed a prosperous year. About £100 have been promised towards building a new church at Mauku. The following were elected as General Committee for the year:— Chairman, Rev. T. W. Dunn; Vice-Chair man, Mr Win. H. Madill; Secretary, Mr Marcus Madill; Treasurer, Mr A. McDonald; with the Chairmen, Secretaries, and Treasurers of the various districts as mem bers. Messrs Galloway, Madill, and Dunn, were appointed auditors, and to prepare the report for the printer.

St. Lake's Church, Mount Albert.

The annual meeting of the parishioners was held in the parsonage on January 31, at 8 p.m. The incumbent, the Key. J. Haselden. presided. The Secretary and Treasurer of the Vestry, Mr A. K. Taylor, read the minutes of the last annual meeting, which were confirmed. The Chairman read the report of the "Vestry, which was adopted. The part of the report which referred particularly to St. Luke's Churoh stated that the great event to record in the history of this church for the past year has been the enlargement of the church and its consecra tion by theßishoponMayS, Itfcnowahandoome and complete building, and the old part having been re-sninglcd and re-lined, it is quite as good as if the whole church had been erected at the same time. The total cost of enlargement, &(■„, was £515. The generous offer of Mr A. K. Taylor to give £100. if the parishioners raised £200, has been met, mainly owing to the untiring zeal of Mr Beck, the treasurer of the fund The present debt on the church is £150; £100 of which is owing to Mr Taylor, and £50 to Mr Beck. The Ladies' Working Party has con ftMf&A%lß£ iD /W4tuftß*rWßßnffla\-8 on the roll is 45, and there are 6 teachers. The thanks of the congregation are due to Mr White and the choir for their willing and efficient Bar vices. , « Cnußcn wardens.—TheChairmannominated Mr A. K. Taylor as clergyman's churchwarden, and Mr W. H. Martin was elected people's churchwarden. Vestry. — The following gentlemen were elected to serve as the vestry for the current year:—Messrs Waterhouse, Beck, Danebcrry, Kensington, Thomson, Melvillo and Prince. Mr Henry white was re-elected auditor.—lt was resolved that the contribution to the minister's stipend Bhall be £80 for this year.— On the motion of Mr Waterhouse, seconded by Mr Martin, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr K. Beck for his valu able services as treasurer of the Church enlargement account Votes of thanks were also passed to the organist (Mr H. White) and the choir, and also to the late superinten dent of the Sunday-school, Mr A. K. Taylor, and to the teachers. A very pleasant meeting was concluded by the Chairman pronouncing the Benediction.

St Peter's, Onehunga.

On Friday oveninft, Ut Feb., the annual moot ing oE the parishioners of St. Peter's, Onehunga, was held. Rev. W. E. Mulgan presiding. Tho rev. Chairman ga»c a statement of tho spiritual aifairs of tho parish. Tho financial statement showed receipts from all sources amounting to £303 15s 3d, which did not quite cover the ex penditure and liabilities on current account. The Sunday-school receipts amounted (in addi tion) to £11 9s sd. Tho outgoing church wardens wore re-appointed. Tho peoples warden wished to retire, but no ono could bo induced to accept the post. Sir J. D. Jackson movod, " That, in ordor to Increaso tho interest in pariah matters, ladies should in future bo lnvltod to attend these meetings, as used for merly to be tho custom." This was agreed to. as waa also another motion by Mr Jackson to add £25 to the minister's stipend.—The usual rotee of thankß dosed the meeting.

Anniversary services were held on Feb. 17 In the Primitive Methodist School room, Upper Pitt-street. The weather was not specially favourable, but tho sen-ices were well attended. The morning service was conducted by Rev. H. W. J. Miller, who preached from the Book of Exodus, chap. 2, verse 9. Rev. W. G. Parsonson preached in the afternoon from Jeremiah, chap. 3, verso 4; and in the evening tho Rev. W. S. Potter delivered an excellent discourse from St. Matthew, chap. 6, verses 43 and 44. The collections at the three services amounted to £9 8a 4d. The anni versary eoiree will be held to-morrow even ing, tea at 6.30, public meeting at 7.30; addresses by R«va. Messrs Hill and Potter, and Graham Tawhai; special selections of music by tho choir. The anniversary soiree was held on February 19. Thomas Buddie, Esq., occupied the chair, and in troduced the proceedings in a neat and forcible address. Mrßuddlenext called upon the Secretary, Mr Nesbitt, who read a con densed account of the proceedings of the past year. The report stated that the library, consisting of moral and religious works for the young, had been well patronised. The entire profit of the annual picnic of the combined schools of Atoagdw and Upper Pitt-street Schools had been handedT'er to tfie Treasurer of the latter school for the purpose of reducing the debt on the bufidingY The roll showed 102 scholars and 11 .teachers. Mr Turley had been appointed to tno office of Superintendent in the place of Mr D. Goldio, allowing the latter gentleman to devote his undivided energies to the Alexandra-street School. The financial re port of Mr Goldie was satisfactory, showing that some extra expense had been incurred for a gas boiler and staircase. Interesting addresses were delivered by Rev. Joseph Hill, Mr Graham Tawhai, Rev. W. S. Potter (Alexandra-street), and the- R«v. J. Boothroyd (Franklin Road).

TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICA TION WITH TIRI.

Complete Success of the •aWe-layJag Operations.

Captain Gray, of the Government steamer Stella, which arrived in harbour on Feb. 20, reports that the laying of the cable from the island of Tiritiri to the mainland at Whangaparoa.bas been successfully com pleted. The cable is the balance of the new Cook Strait's cable laid a few years ago from Wanganui to Pippin Island, and it is four and a-half miles long. The welf htJ?! the cable is 22* tons-about five.tonsto the mile. Thisroutebadbeen carefullysurveyed by Captain Gray, the greatest depth of The length of this line is 131 mitos.. The telephone will be used between Tin and Waivvera, and the telegraph from tbence to Auckland. Dr. Lemon tested the cable before leaving, and found that it U working well,

AGRICULTURAL.

Tk Kooti proposes to start farming near Kihikihi.

Meat-freezing works aro in operation at Toinoana, ncai Napier. Tauranga Cheese and Butter Factory was commenced operations on Feb. 14. In Wanganui la per head is offered for hawks ; in Napier a reward of £5 is offered for the conviction of any person destroying a hawk.

A number of Dunedin grainbuyera met on Fob. 15, and signed the following agree ment :—" We pledge ourselves to.puvcbn.-<n grain, etc., from those who only sell produce with b,:ge included on and after Ist of March, 1884."

Oregon oats in Waikato district are yield ing this year 80 bushels to the aero. Wheat and oats in parts of Canterbury promise an enormous crop. According tothe " TatuangaTelegraph," peaches are selling in Auckland at 6d per dozen—in Tauranga at 6d per kit, contain ing perhaps a gross. A gentleman in the vicinity of Wanganui has shot or poisoned 200 dogs within tho last three months. He suffered much from the brutes worrying his sheep. At a trial of reapers and binders on 6th February, at Oamaru, the champion prize was won by the Osbomo, and the society's silver medal by the same machine, the Reid Gray being second, and the McConnack third. At the Reaper and Binder trial, under the auspices of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the McCormick was first and the Buckeye second. The Howard wa3 very highly commended. The farmers and settlers at To Puke aro showing a hearty interest in the tobacco growing movement, and have applied for a considerable number of shares in tho Now Zealand Tobacco Company.

The Auckland Tobacco Co. have just ro alised from their first planting on their pro pared farm .it L'alii, Kaip.ua, a magnificent harvest, which is estimated to yield enough leaf for the manufacture of half-a-million cigars of the bast quality. The manufacture will be commenced at once, and the directors art now looking out for a suitablo silo in the city for their factory. In tho meantime Swisp workmen arc to bo sont for without delay. We have received a batch of the first cigar.", and in finish there is no thing to distinguish them frcm the choicest imported brands, while excepting their necessarily moist condition, they are Quito as agreeable to tho smoker's taste. Their quality, when properly dried, must bo very fane indeed. We cordially wish the under taking every success, and bospeak for it tho generous support of the local lovers of the fragrant weed. The New Zealand Tobacco Growing and Manufacturing Company havo some splendid samples of leaf on view at their office, Mercantile Chambers, proving incontestibly the adaptability of tho climate for the growth of this plant. We hear that the Company have now secured Messrs Henderson and Hac farlane's store, on tho beach road to Parnell, opposite the railway station. . There is accommodation enough in this building for 150 workers, and it is now being fitted up on tho purely American system, making, when complete, tho first manufactory on the American plan estab lished in New Zealand. An ample supply of the leaf is forthcoming, and a good demand for the cigars is also assured, tho quality of the samples having created an anticipatory demand. By the s.s. Doric a peculiar consignment of live stock has arrived in Auckland, and a lot of common huniblo bees, which Mr J. C. Firth had ordered for Ms Mata mata estate. The nests were, during transmission from England, kept in tho chilled room ot the steamer, which had tho effect of reducing the bees to a dormant condition. On reaching this port the nests were transferred to the s.s. Kotuku, and cooveysd to the Thames packed in ico; and on reaching Matamata they wero opened, but to the great disappointment of the importer only two were fould alive. On his estate Mr Firth cultivates large areas of red clover; and as this cannot be naturally fertilised without the humble bee, he is put to about £1,000 expense every year in purchasing fresh clover seed ; and that sum would be saved to him if he could succeed in ac climatising this variety of bee. Put all together, the sums spent by New Zealand farmers for red clover seed must reach an immense total, and when humble bees are spread over the country they 'will effect a considerable saving to the colony. Tho bees imported by Mr Firth were bought from Messrs. Neighbour and Sons, Lon don. The failure of the present firrjeri- j in .-fK-ei-smi luroner attempted

OBITUARY NOTICES.

The funeral of the late Rev. H. D. D. Sparling, 8.A., took place on February 22. The procession, includingahearse, mourning carriage, and followers on foot, left the late residence of deceased at 7.45, and reached St. Sepulchre's Church at 8 o'clock, where the first portion of the Church of England burial service was read by Yen. Archdeacon Dudley, and Dr. Neales's impressive hymn, "Light's Abode, Celestial Salem," was sung by tho choir, Mr V. E. Rice at the organ. A l&ifq number of friondsandneighbours ofdeoea^d stood around the grave, including ladiest torn thochurchesof St. Paul's.Sfe.Sepulchre's.and St. Barnabas'e, also Revs. Dr. Purchas and J. K. Davis. Tho latter portion of the service at the grave was performed by Bishop Cowie, assisted by Archdeacon Dudley and Rev. C. M. Nebon, M.A.

Last iisuc of tho " Northorn Luminary' has the following notice : — " Captain Homy, J.P., passed away to his long homo early on the morning of tho 14th of February, ISS4. Captain Henry arrived in Auckland some 19 yonrs ago, having re tired from the T7th Regiment a few months previous. About two years after arrival in Auckland, he took up land at Whangae, Bay of Islands, which was formed as a special settlement under the 40 aero system, and for years took an active part in the progress of the district. Deceased waa brother-in-law to tho Rev. R: A. Hall, who was until two years ago stationed at Howick (and now cf Kervey i Parsonage, County Cavan, Ireland), to which place no used to go on a visit. After the, departure of tlie Rev. and Mrs Hall, he residod por mancntly with his nephews, Messrs J. A. L. ami R. A. Hall, atKawakawa. Ho was a native of County Down, Ireland, and at time of death 47 years of age. Deceased had been ailing for tho past 12 months. Ho was greatly respected by all who knew him. The funeral took place on Friday, 15th inst., Quite 150 settlers followed the remains to the grave."

INVENTIONS.

Abiokg patents lately applied for in the colony are the following:—By Marmaduke Clarke, of Tomoana, Hawke's Bay, fora machine to press tho tops into moat tins or other tins; and by Wm. McLaughlin, Puhinui, and V?m. Dunwoodie, Onehunga, for " twin horse hay-forks." Inventive genius keeps active in tho colony, as evidenced by tho increasing number of patents applied for. In tho "Gazette" the following appear:—James Simpson, Auckland, for a hook-pin ; F. H. A. Whitcombe, Auckland, for universal heat-holdor ; Albert; Potter, Auckland, for removing hair, wool, or other teguments ofl hides, skins, or pelts; Peter and David Duncan, Christchurch, for improved centra for skeith or circular conlter for ploughs; and James Hughes, printer, Wellington, for an invontion to print and lithograph from photographic negatives, to be called " Hughes's phototype and photo litographic combination process

New Zealand patents have been applied for as follows : — Archibald Donald, of Palmerston,' Otago, for a machine to poison grain with phosphorus for tho destruction of rabbits; John Duthie, Wellington, for improvements in harvesting machines; Wm. Sproule, Dunedin, for caiil (Jvsminoes ; C. T. Cooko, Linwood, Canterbury, for " emancipation soap;" Nicholas Gibhom, Whatipu, Auckland, for improved crws--;iit and vertical saws; John Kinjs;, Deyoniiorf; and S. H. Harrod, Cox's Creek, Anckhncl, patent for removing wool from sheepskins and preparing the skin for tanning; C. 1.. Wheeler, Christchurch, machine for cutting gorse and other hedges; W. B. Bust, Wel lington, for a " doir-drop weather dofier; " and Robert Taylor, of Oi-ikia, Otago, for shifting gear for double-furrow ploughs.

MUSIC AND DRAMA.

Tiik foreign decorations havo just been conferr jd upon Herr Carl Schmitt, con ductor of the Auckland Orchestral Society and of the Auckland Choral Society, by the Governments of Italy and Belgium re spectively. By the last San Francisco mail, Herr Scbmitt received the White Cross of Italy, conferred upon him by King Humbert, as Protectorate of the Kealo Institute Umborto Primo, in recogni tion of his abilities as a composer and con jjjj ductor, and for promoting tho cnltnreof music in foreign lands. Ih»i patent and insignia of the Red Cross of Belgium, conferred for the same reasons as the above, have also been received by Herr Schmitt at this time. '"• "': ■ y-: . .. ii-T-.r ■■■■>■:.- ■ -.:-:^-::i:"^«i

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1884

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