POLITICAL.

Major Atkinson at Auokland.

.Pursuant to notice, the Hon. Major Atkin ssn addressed a crowded meeting in the Theatre Royal on May 19 upon the political of the hour. The dress circle €id been reserved for ladies and their «icorts, and the privilego was very largely a mailed of, as the considerable proportion of the fair sex present fully attested. On the stage were the members of the Traxles and Labour Council (who were ■'present at the Premier's own invitation), «ir Frederick Whitaker, M.L.C., Monsig moru Fynes, V.G., the Very Rev. Father Walter Macdonald, Messrs W. H. Moat, J. Howard, A. Boardman, P. Dignan, M.L.C., D. H. McKcnzie, Thos. Peacock, M.H.R., S. Vaiie, W. Gorrie, P. A. Philips, Town Clerk, John Lundon, J. A. Tole, M.H.R., W. Burton, W. F. Buckland, J. Newman, J. M. Clark, F. A. Whitaker, M.H.R., G. W. Griffin, L. D. Nathan, B. Tonks, J. La-nb, D. Goldie, Crs. La Roche, Thompson, Marshall, Garratt, Dr. Purchas, and Rev. T. Hamer. Shortly after S o'clock His Worship the Mayor appeared upon tho stage, in com p my with Major Atkinson and the Hon, E. Mitchelson.

His Worship the Mayor, in introducing the speaker of the evening to his audience, bjspoke for him an attentive and orderly ■h.oring. Major Atkisson said: — They had "heard a great deal stated about the _de •prcssion which tho colony was suffering «' dof the deficit in the revenue. He did U ,t pretend to make a financial statement — IV. voice : "Because you can't," and laugh t;r]—but from the position he occupied, tiey would probably expect a few par ticulars on th 3 position of affairs. There was n J doubt that the colony had for years been stimulated by large public and private borrowings. They had been living at a 8 ite ot too high pressure, and had now ar ri /ed at that stage that if they were prudent ■nun they would limit their public and p ivato expenditure of borrowed money. 'f !jey should insist on the new Parliament limiting borrowing—if it did borrow. They must see that tlie money borrowed was ap plied to particular works necessary, which wore determined on beforehand. Now, there had been a deficit during the past year of £152,000. They might think, as some people appeared to do, that there was something rotten in the state o: our finances when such a thing could occur. But it was not so. He would point out to them one or two things that we must do. In a small colony like this, when more taxation was imposed than wns necessary we occasionally ran the chance of a deficit. His own ex garience at financing for a colony like New ealand had taught him that we should take no more out of the pockets of the people than would balance the expenditure. Now they all knew that in calculating their 'own income for a coming year, even after the most careful consideration, they were bound to be out in tho end as much as 4 or 5 per cent., and that was exactly what had happened in calculating the revenue for the colony. In this case it had been a deficit due chiefly to a large falling off in our great staple industries of wool and grain. No doubt if wool had maintained its price, we should not have had the falling off at tho Customs that had occurred. A de ficit occurring in the Customs was not necessarily to be regarded with disappoint ment and regret, although that seemed on ■tbe first blush a rather curious statement. If we could say that the deficit occurred t.rough a falling off in the duties paid v.ion wines and spirits, that would surely be matter for rejoicing. There had been no s ich falling off, however, during the post yaar, but he was pleased to be able to tell them that during the past ten years the con sumption of wines and spirits in this colony had fallen off to the extent of nearly £1 per bead. (Applause.) Now, their deficit really arose through a falling off in the C jstoms and through not obtaining as much as they expected on the railways. It might also bo pointed out that for some years past part of the charge for the Armed Constabulary was borne out of borrowed money, but two years ago, and 'when the Government thought the revenue s ifficicntly elastic, they proposed that the w'.iole of the cost for the Constabulary should b borne by the revenue. Now if, during I .eso last two years, the £74,000 per year expended upon the Constabulary had con tinued to be charged upon loan Instead of upon revenue, we should not have had any deficit at all. So that they could see there "was very little to make us uneasy on that head, but jußt enough to make us per- Ciive that if wise men we would endeavour "tTprnctie~economy ttrthe-ptrtmcrservice and, if prudent men, that we would deal i!C.refully with our borrowed money. There was nothing, however, to make us be "l evo, as some would have it, that the country «w.;s rotten and going to the bad. The country was thoroughly sound at bottom, (oud applause) and we were perfectly able to bear our burdens with even greater ease now than when our policy of borrowing began, for the taxation per head—if we left out of the calculation the cost of education, which at the period he had indicated was paid by direct taxation—was now 2s lOd psrhead less than it was in 1870, before the public works began.

native land policy,

Anothor question of the greatest import ance to this Island, and particularly to this province, was tho proper system of dealing with native lands, and the promotion of set t .ment thereby. So far as the general 8 inject of Maori tenure was con cerned, it was quite certain that the Government would have to take a decided stand, seeing that the proposed railway lines would pass through large areas of native land.—[A voice: "What about the Taranaki breakwater J"]—Well, she would speak about that if his friend so desired, and any other subject he liked after tho address was finished. Reverting to the native land question, what the Government wero going to propose was this: That all private dealing either by purchase or lease should cease with the Maorw. They would propose that the Maoris should have the riAt of placing their land undor the Crown°Lands Boards of the various district^ for sale or lease, as they might think best, and it would be proposed, no doubt, if that were done, that one or two natives should be placed upon each of these Boards. The Government would also retain to itself the right of purchase of any native lands it deermed desirable. All who knew Maori habits and customs would see that matters would be greatly expedited if the Crown nirchased directly. (Hear, hear.) It was proposed also to allow a fair majority of t io natives who owned any block of land to I isist on its propr disposal,—reserves, of CO irse, being made for roads, publio pur no'jes Maoris, etc. Payment would not be made all in cash. As they were aware, fte state of things at present was such that the whole of the money disappeared almost as soon as received, leaving no good behind. The Government would only pay a small sum in cash, and give the rest in an nuities extending over a number of years. Provision would also be made for small ad vances in the way of cash, if they were ret quired, upon the land placed in the custody of the Land Boards for sale. Now that was a rough sketch of the Govern ment's proposals upon this question. It was of enormous importance to this district and to the colony at large, and it required careful attention in order to see if it would achiyve the object tho Government had in view—the opening up of the country for the "ettlement of a thriving population. If it would not do this, it ought to be rejected and replaced with something better. At any rate, the present condition of things could not be continued, It was a scandal to civilisation, and as they now proposed to open up publio works there would be still furthor scandal if private individuals were to be allowed to reap the benefits which the State was entitled to obtain, federation and annexation. The question of federation and annexation was also of groat importance to the colony, and notwithstanding the opposition offered to it in many quarters he was convinced, after careful consideration, that it was of immense importance. H New Zealand neglected to take her proper share in deal ins with it, great disasters would fall upon her Ho only asked them to give the ques tion their serious consideration, for they would be most powerfully affected by it, and if thoy did not act wisely they would have to bear the liability. He re minded them that people in Great Britain were already beginning to talk of throwing the whole cost of naval defence upon the colonies, and he pointed outhow Francewosmenacing their peace and security by proposing to transport her criminals to our very doors. This restless nation was also extending her colonial possession in these seas, and at present we were debarred from active pre cautionary measures by the tedious circum locutory process of getting authority from Englandorconvinclnsherof thenecessityfor action. The Imperial Government declared that it could not grant the desired powers to individual colonies, but it was favourable to transferring such authority to a federation of the colonies. That was a great step in advance, and it was for the purpose of appropriating this boon that the conference of colonial delegates at Sydney recommended federation. I they wished a larger measure of freedom,

a great opportunity of protecting them selves, and the nocessary means ofmould ing their own future, thoy should vote right on this question when the election time came around.

COLOURED LABOUR.

[A voice: "What about coloured labour?"] As his unknown friend bad broached the sub ject of coloured labour, he would take the op portunity to say a few words on it presently. What would happen was that if a strict police was not soon established in these sens, those islands would be depopulated, and there would be no cultivating them. What they wanted was a protectorate over them, cultivating them, and fos tering and establishing trade. —[A voice :" What about life insurance? J— The Bpeaker retorted that he would speak about that presently. Ho could not tako up their time by proving that whito people could not livo in theso islands. It was a fact that there were many islands which wero of immenso value to us whoro white men could nover livo, or flourish, and whore tho coloured races should be con served. He agreed a great deal with the report by the Commission of which Sir Arthur Gordon (hisses) was a member, which said that the Polynesian labour trade should not bo carried on by irresponsible agents. Hedidnotbelieveinallthestatements at Exeter Hall. They knew there had been exaggerated stories about the Maoris, and also about the Polynesians. But that trade should be regulated by an outside country, and not one which required tho labour. When in Australia, he found that the feoling was strongly opposed to tho introduction of coloured labour. There were portions of that coun try that could be cultivated by white men, and he did not think coloured labour should be introduced whore white men could work. But he theught the coloured races should bo protected, and not allowed to bo run ovor. (Cheers.) They should consider that we had duties and responsibilities in connec tion with the policy in those sens which thoy could not escape from. Tho European races must dominate in these seas. It was certain that Australia would federate ere long, and then, ho asked, where would we be ? And he believed it was not the in tention hero to give up the trade in the South Seas. land tenure. From tho property tax returns, there appeared to be a largo number of persons in the colony holding freeholds. He was surprised to see that there wero more than 71,240 freeholders in the colony out of a total maleadultpopulationofl")'2,ooo. That meant that every second man they met was a free holder. He must confess that ho wished the other 71,000 were also freeholders.— [Cries of "No! No!"] He would explain what he meant. He thought the people should have some permanent tenure, al though he was not prepared to say that free hold tenure was the best. What he desired was to see every man with a family having a piece of land on which he might build a house. That.inacolonylike this, was at what they should aim. It would undoubtedly take a long time to arrive at a state of things like that. It was satisfactory that 71,000 persons out of 150,000 were free holders, and more satisfactory still that out of the number in question 31,000 wero owners of five acres of land and upwards ; that is, that 31,000 persons Mere what they might call agriculturlists. The Government had in course of preparation— but it would not be ready for two or three months—a Doomsday Book.—[A voice: "Another idea of Sir George Grey's."] (Ap plause. )—This would contain the actual holdings of every man .throughout the colony, with the name, ex tent and value of the land, and stating the borough or town in which it is situated.—[A voice: " What would bo the cost ?"]—Oh, the cost was very great. It would, he might say, be more perfect and more complete than any book of the class he had known of. Looking at the facts nnd at the number of people interested in land, they might congratulate themsolves on their favourable position for making progress in the onward race.

THE 'FRISCO MAIL SERVICE

There was ono question of immediate im portance and peculiar interest to this portion of the colony, where it was at present creating some uneasiness. Ho re ferred to tho continuance of the San Francisco mail service. It was a very difficult question for the Government to deal with. The United States Government refused to contribute to the son-ice, and the Imperial Government at Home had determined to send all letters not specially addressed by the first mail that left, while the Sydney Government had agreed with the Melbourne Government to have their own letters taken by the Orient service, and in return to despatch Melbourne letters by the 'Frisco service, so that very great com plications would arise and thus necessitate the careful consideration of the whole matter. At present the service was costing us very littlo, but if letters were to bo sent as proposed by the Imperial Government there would bo a loss of not less than £20,000 to make up. Un less, therefore, we were able to como to a fresh . greement, the continuance of the 'Fri; _o service would bo a great burden upon the colony. Although this service had not done all that could bo wished, still it was of great use to tho colony, and he thought that we ought to do our utmost to maintain it. (Loucf applause.)

THE NEXT SESSION.

Now he would tako the opportunity of saying a fow words about the next session. He was not going to prophesy, for it would require a much better prophet than he was to say what the members would do during next session. He • would have no difficulty in saying what he should like thorn to do. He was quite clear about that, but then, like all practical men, he was often obliged to submit to a great deal that he did not like. What he wanted to say, however, was this: That the situation was very diffioult in this respect—that no Go vernment, without placing itself in a false position, could resist the desire of the House for a dissolution in order to go to the people for a fresh commission. If they did so, they would be accused of clinging to office, and if the House unfortunately should determine upon doing no business this session, but of having a dissolution im mediately, then the country wouid be put to the expense of two sessions during one year, which would amount to something like £40,000.—[A voice: " Salaries."] —No, not salaries ; it was called payment of expenses. (Loud laughter). He would just say one word in regard to the statement which was often made and laughed at, viz., that the members got a great deal and gave very little in return for it. (Laughtef). Ho took an entirely different view of the matter, and he ventured to say that if in the bottom of their hearts they believed that their mem bers went into the Houso simply for personal objects, thon it would serve them perfectly right if dishonest service wero rendered them. As the people wero, so were their representatives. If they re turned a member' from personal motives— [Avoice: "Wehaveonlyoneratnow!"]—and without due consideration to the responsi bilities imposed upon them, they had no reason to grumble if they were badly served. But after an experience extending over 25 years he would say that we wero admirably served, and that members did not gain, but on the contrary lost largely through the services which they rendered to the country. —[Cries of " Oh, Oh !" and a voice : '' How much did you tip Billy Swanson?"] —If he could believe that this senti ment expressed the feeling of the people here, or of New Zealand, he would say that he was ashamed of New Zealand, but he did not believe it. (Ap plause). They were simply having a joke upon the matter, which was very common. What it seemed to him reasonable to do was this: Looking at the state of parties, the House should endeavour to get through some of the necessary work that was re quired. There was necessary legislation required in certain directions. There were reasons why they should not, in a closing session, attend to matters of great concern, for that was unwise. Having had a moderate session, then they might get the elections over as early as possible, have a new session at the beginning of the year, and then, if there was a change of Government, the House would be able to go on with the business, and there need not be any session at the usual time of the year, for theyc;uld go over that till the next session. By that means they would do much useful work, and at the same time avoid the expense of having twoßessionsof Parliament in oneyear. But this was a matter which was entirely in the hands of tho House. It was his de sire, however, that tho electors of the colony should know the view the Government took of it. It was impossible for the Govern ment to take a strong stand upon it, for Parliament must be left free to deter mine the matter for itself, but he did hope that they would see their way clear to this course, seeing that they had only been two years away from their constituents, and that during a short session much necessary legislation would be effected and great ex pense avoided. •

Amid great interruption and cries of " sit down," Mr D. H. McKenzie proposed, and Mr Lundon seconded, a cordial vote of thanks to the Premier for his very interest ing address.

Mr G. W; -JELeslop ,then came for ■ward-.andi.^poSedMas.'vftp >;amendment,

" That, whilo cordially thanking the Premier for his very able address, this mooting has no confidence in the present I Government." (Loud applause.) Ho hed . been struck with tho way in which the Premier had been able to make a bad case a good one. The Government had had a long innings, and it was high time that ■ they now gave place to better men. Mr Neylon seconded the resolution, and . amid counter demonstrations of approval j and dissent, proceeded to speak in support j of it. He met, however, with persistent uprear, during which ho maintained his | position. He attacked the Premier's immi gration policy, and accused him of grave inconsistency on this as on other matters. Tho speaker, however, was not allowed to complete his remarks. The resolution and amendment wore then put, when tho former was carried by a large majority.

Sir Georgo Grey's Addross.—The Promior Criticised.

Sir Georgo Grey, agreeably to advertised notice, addressed a crowded mooting of citizens on May 22 in tho Thcatro Royal. The attendance was considerably moro numorous than on the occasion of tho Premier's address, all parts of tho building being crammed fully half-an-hour beforo the timo for opening the proceedings. In accordance with the now approved custom, the dress circlo was reserved foi ladies nnd their malo escorts, and ns usual the fairer portion of humanity signified their apprecia tion of the privilege by attending in ex ceedingly large numbers. Amongst thoso seated upon the platform were the lion. P. Dignan, (M.L.C.), Major Harris (M.H.R.), Messrs J. A. Tolo (M.H.R.), Chas. Bright, F. L. Prime, A. H. Nathan, J- H. Upton, W. Buchanan, J. M. Brigham, A Stewart, D. Goldie, P. Comiskey, James All Kew, F. J. Moss (M.H.R.), Alexander McArthur, J. M. Shorn, Rev. T. Hamor, Superintendent Thomson, Crs. Thompson, Holland, La Roche, Devoro, Garratt, Mackechnio, Mar shall, Fleming, Crowthcr, Field, Burns, and Stevenson, and tho-never-to-bo-mis taken W. G. Garrard. At eight o'clock precisely His Worship the Mayor entered, in company with Sir George Grey, and at once assumed the choir. Sir George received an ovation marked by the utmost fervour of onthusiasm. The audience sprang to thoir feet, and cheered and waved their hats or handkerchiefs for fully five minutes. Sir George Grey, in rising to commenco his address, was received with enthusiastic and prolonged cheering. After giving a lengthy retrospect of past political achieve ments, he went on to criticise TUB I'REMIBR'S speech. The Premier had told them that there wero no broad party lines in tho country, and to that he (Sir George Grey) replied that tho gentleman was wrong. There were very broad party lines upon such questions as the Legislative Council—that of lands, and that of offices held in tho colony. ONE I'ARTY DISTINCTION. For instance, Major Atkinson was asked the othor night if it were right to take a candidate rejected by a constituency, placo him in tho Legislative Assembly, and ulti mately make him Premier,.and his answer was that it was quito right to thus save for tho colony the services of an able man. That was tanta mount to saying that Major Atkinson considered his opinion, superior to that oi a constituency, and that if they did not do his wishes and elect his friend he would elect him himself. (Applause). It was to be remembered that tfiis Legislative Council was elected for life, so that in appointing hun Major Atkinson was arrogating to him .■•olf the privilege belonging to the Queen. It was a case of a dead man being restored to lifo again. (Applause). What would tho re sult bo of a similar proceeding in tho case of a peer of England ? Why, the country would rise in revolt, but the people here sot under it like beaten hounds. (Tremendous applause). In the days of Roman dominance a parallel thing was perpetrated at Byzantium, and it was pronounced to be dishonourable, a wrong to the Republic and to the people.

ANOTHER I'ARTY DISTINCTION,

Again, ho ventured to say that thero wero broad party distinctions between the Premier and himself on the question of land. A certain residue of land had been set asido for the natives, and their children after them, so that they might not be pauperised. This land had been rendered inalienable, and yet by means of the power reserved to themselves by the Government they could overturn nil this and possess themselves of this land. It really meant that tho groat - body of tho citizens of tho country wero to bo prohibited from tho purchase of native lands, while a smaller nnd more fuvoured section might bo allowed tho privilege. It wns open for the Premier to take off tho prohibition as against his own family, and thus render them wealthy men They should insist upon gettinc back all tho lands so disposed of, in order that they might be resold undor circumstances of equal compe tition, leaving Parliament to determine what compensation should bo awarded the expropriated holders. The samo thing hold good in reference to members of Parliament, AVas it right that it should bo possible for a member of Parlia ment to go to a Minister and persuado him by the use of a vote upon which his tenure of office might depend to remove tho pro-1 hibition so far as he was concerned from some largo block or other that he was anxious to acquire ? [A female voice: "You can try legal proceedings. Another voice: "Dry up, old woman."] In 1863, and years later, ho had brought in bills to prevent this sort of thing. Tho Premior had said that the present state of things in this colony in regard to land was a scandal to our civilisation, whioh was exactly what he (the speaker) had said again and again before him. He had further declared that now thatthe Government were going toopen up the land by publio works this scandal could not be allowed to continue, and that private individuals could not be allowed to reap the benefits which the State was entitled to obtain. Now, how was it.that he did not find that out last I session ? [A voice : " Because he didn't want to."] AVhy should he so suddenly turn round and shut the door upon free cony petition ? To him the whole thing was in comprehensible. THE PREMIER DETERMINED ON THE CENTRAL ROUTE OF RAILWAY. Had the Premier told them whore he in tended to construct the main trunk line of railway? [A voice: "No." Another voice: "He doesn't intend to make it at all."] He would, howevor, tell them that the Premier intended to adopt tho central route inprcfcrcnco to tho proper route by way of Taranaki, as tho former one would run through properties hold in great part by influential friends of his. Ho declared that the Premier ought to havo told them whero tho railway was to go, and to havo discussed the question with them, and to have given them his reasons for it. [A voice : " lie's too wily for that."] But he had vanished like a conjuror (Laughter and applause) who had deceived his audience and turned out the lights, leaving them in total darkness. (Renewed laughter and applause). THE LAND FOR THE PEOPLE. Then, to return to the question of lands. He asked them to look at Australia, which was peopled from England, Ireland, and Scotland. The people there had foracentury been compelled to pay taxes to defray the military convict expenditure. Conse quently he considered that all the lands in the country should belong to the people at large. The people of Great Britain, and he might soy of the Empire, had an equal right to those lands at the present time. Now, when federation and great public works were attracting so much attention, was a time above all other when hidden dealings in land should not bo carried on without fair warning.

O IGANTIC LAND MONOPOLY.

Only the other dayan Association which he believed was called the Eucla Land Pastoral Association got a claim over 16,566,540 acres of land for a certain number of years. None of those present could form any idea at once what sixteen millions of land really meant. It was nearly as large an area as the provincial districtof Auckland, from the North Cape to the boundaries of Hawke's Bay. It was 25,800 and odd square miles. The other day a map had been lent to him, and he found amongst the names upon it that theEarlof Carnarvon was sotdown for 64,000 acres, calculated to carry 21,000 sheep. All England was rising at the present moment against these large holdings, and now the great people were coming to Australia. We out here were subject to the rule of a Colonial Department in England. This was a great Department, the actions of which were acknowledged in Parliament. At its head was the Permanent Under-Secre tary of State, under whose control were all the other Under-Secre taries. He had the power of recom mending all governors, of writing de spatches, of snubbing hostile prime ministers, &c. Yet he found that the name of this Under-Secretary, Sir R. AY. Herbert, was down for 64,000 acres. This was an im portant question. There was a wide differ ence between parties here and in England. There were.those who favoured small jjold

ingsy and others who strove for large ones. Therefore, if the Secretary of State gave countenance to these things and identified himself with a party who were hostile to the great body of tho people, if there was such a power which prevented thorn from managing their own institutions, then thero was but one hopn left for the people at last, and that was the formation of ono community untrammelled by the inter ference of Great Britain. The other names on the list to which ho had referred were : —Sir A. Stepney, 64,000 acres; Mr McKinnon, 04,000 ; Mr J. R. Hall, acreage not stated; Sir Julius Vogel, 155,000 acres (Groans); Colonel Warde, 04,000 acres; A. Forrest and Company, 400,000 acres. But he believed that ono of tho partners in that firm was ono of tho original explorers of the country. But it was impossible for them to contend against great influences like this without diffi culty, and he would point out that thero was n party in tho colony in favour of keep ing up largo holdings, THE DOOMSDAY ROOK. Major Atkinson told them a groat deal about a Doomsday Book, but they had been waiting a long time for that book. Ho might tell them that whon his Government went out of ollico, materials had beon col lected, But tho Premier took some of tho most important information to himself. One thing which Major Atkinson had not told them, and which ho knew, was that 250 porsons in this colony owned over eoveii million acres of land. If no more land was sold, and if no poor man was to acquire a freehold, thoy must remember tho enormous possessions of these 250 persons, and also who would bo their slaves in a few years.

THE 71,000 FREEHOLDERS,

Thore was another fact to which ho wished to draw their attention. Major Atkinson had told them that wo had 71,000 odd poi sons who owned freeholds out of an adult malo population of 152,000, and that of theso 31,000 persons owned five acres and upwards. Ho warned them that thoy wero being led astray altogether on this point. AVhen Major Atkinson said thoro woro 71,000 freeholders, he assumed that thoy all formed part of tho adult malo population; but ho forgot to mention the hundreds of freeholders amongst the children of wealthy parents who had boen left orphans, and ho said no thing about tho freeholds hold by un married ladioa nnd by widows. If all theso wero added togothor, what would becomo of tho supposed working mon who hold free holds . They would dwindle down to perfect insignificance Thoso woro all broad lines of party politics. THE DEFICIT AND ITS ASSIGNED CAUSE.

The Premier had also enchained the minds of tho groat mon of tho placo with tho plausible explanation that if tho Go vernment had not suddled tho rovenuo with tho £74,000 necessary for tho maintenance of the Armed Constabulary thoro would have boen no deficit, which just amounted to saying that if tho amount had continued to bo charged to loan account instead of to tho revenue, thoro would have been no deficit. (Loud laughter.) Juggling with figures after this fashion, he had told them many other remarkable things equally fallacious. After touching on other topics, Sir Georgo sat down amid tremendous cheoring, which lasted for some timo. Mr T. Gee then proposod, " That this meeting thanks Sir Georgo Groy for his elo quent address, and desires to express its thorough confidence in him as a representa tive of Auckland East." (Hear, hear, and loud cheers). The resolution was seconded by Mr Joseph Craig, and carried with tremendous acclamation followed by three lusty cheers. Mr D. H. McKenzik moved " That this meeting has undiminished trust in Sir Georgo Grey as tho leader of the Liberal party." Mr Jons Lunoon seconded tho motion, whic wins thon put and carried with enthusi astic cheers. Mr T. B. Hill put it to tho meeting whother the main trunk lino of railway should be carried through tho central route or by tho western route to Taranaki. Tho meeting unanimously, and with groat vigour, pronounced in favour of the western route to Taranaki. Tho large nssemblngo then dissolved, after giving threo or four hearty rounds of cheering for Sir George Grey.

Mr J. E. Brown, M.H.R., spoko nt St. Alban's on tho 22nd May, and got a vote ol confidence

Captain Morris, M.H.R., nddrossed his constituents at Tauranga, and received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.

Captain Morris, M.H.R., has gono over to the Opposition, and his constituents do clino to pass a vote of confidence in him.

Mr White, M.H.R., addressing his con stituents nt Sydenham on Mny 14, said ho would support cithor Sir George Groy or Mr Montgomery in opposing Hie Govern ment.

(iond progress is being made with tho work of tho Civil Service Re Organisation Board nt AVellington. They expect to be able to make large reductions in expenso and sweeping reforms in the By stem. MrJohnHolmes,M.H.R.for South Christ church, addressed a meeting on April 29, opposing tho Government, and advocating a return to Provincialism, abolition of the Legislative Council, and tho establishment of Government banking. He got a vote of thanks and confidence.

Tho election for tho Thorndon (near AVellington) seat in the House of Represen tatives of New Zealand took placo on tho 13th of May and resulted ns follows: —Dr. Newman, 636 ; Mr Bunny, 379 ; Mr Dwun, 121. There was great excitement through out.

Addressing his constituents at Dilman town on the evening of May 6, Mr Seddon,1 M.H.R., made some cogent remarks on tho present aondition of the Opposition party in the Houso of Representatives. Ho was afraid the majority of tho North Island members in Opposition would not follow Mr Montgomery. Sir George Grey was the fighting chief and natural leader under whom the Opposition would be successful, and as Premier would be acceptable to both islandß. Sir George Grey, Mr Montgomery, Mr Macandrew, and tho leading members of the Opposition would no doubt settle their little differences amicably. As one of the rank and file, his place woe to look on and vote straight.

WHOLESALE POISONING.

One Man Killed and Others Prostrated

by a Draught of Whisky.

Christchurch, May 17. The reported case of poisoning at Urral, noar Rokaia, is confirmed. It appeors that the party, seven in number, loft Tiverton on 15th May on a shooting excursion, and before starting woro supplied with a bottlo of whisky by Mr Mant. On reaching Urral thoy stopped to have a drink, and immediately after were all seized with con vulsions. One of the party, who was not so bad as the others, drove off to Ashburton for the doctor, and in the meantime three settlors in the vicinity administered emetics. When Dr. Ross arrived from Ashburton one of the men, Thomas Fahoy, was dead, but the others were soon out of danger. It appears that a jug which had contained strychnine and had not been washed out, was used by Mr Mant to pour tho whißky into the bottle. Had the party reached their destination before partoking of the whisky, they would most probably all have died, as they would have been too far from assistance.

May 18. At the inquest on Fahey, John Mant, the hotelkeeper who supplied the drink, refused, by the advice of his lawyer, to give evi dence, but other witnesses showed! that he had acknowledged having mixed strychnine with vinegar in a jug some time ago for the purpose of killing rats or birds. Subse quently he hod thrown the contents of the jug awuy, but had not washed it. AVhon taking tho whisky from a jar to put it in the bottles, he used the some jug. The medical evidence wos to the effect that if the vinegar was weak it would not dissolve the crystals of strychnine, which would adhere to the jug, but strong spirit would dissolve them. The opinion of the men who drank the whisky was at first that Mant had played a practical joke upon them. The jury re turned an open verdict. May 20. Another case of accidental poisoning has occurred. A man named Foster purchased some beer at the Carlton Hotel, the beer being put into a bottle provided by the bar man. After partaking of the beer, Foster became very ill, and for some days was in a critical state. He is now able to get about, and will probably recover modeiate health, but will always be more or less a sufferer. It appears the bottle in which the beer was put had previously contained oxalic acid. It had been obtained in the usual way from v dealer in old bottles.

The Maoris in the Upper Wanganui dis trict have arrested two Europeans named Barry and McDonald who were prospecting for gold on native land. The prisoners were cent by the natives on to Alexandra, and liberated with a caution, against fnture trespassing. . ..,..,_'.,■ '

ACCIDENTS AND INQUESTS.

A child named James Young died at Herd's Point, Hokianga, on April 2S, from the effects of a severe burn.

Mr Smalo, member of a firm of engineers, has had his leg completely smashed by an engine falling on it.

A man unknown has boon washed from his horso while crossing tho Tukituki River, in AVuipawn district, and drowned.

G. Moyle was killed on May 0 at Goat Valley, near AA'anganni, by a tree falling on him. He was engaged with another man foiling tho tree. Edward Wilcocks, a labourer on tho rail way at Lyttelton, had his leer run over and badly crushed by a truck on May 20, and died from his injuries shortly after.

At the Peninsula races, Canterbury, on May 2, Joseph Nutt, riding Mischiof in the Hack Race, had sovcral bones broken through the mare falling. Ou May 4 Mr Stubbing, overseer of tho Taupo-A\ anganui Road party, accidentally fell intoa boiling ntyawha ntTokano,Taupo. He ia not oxpectcd to reeovor.

A little boy named Fergusson was thrown from a horse in the Domain on May B,and had his arm broken at tho elbow. Ho was taken to the Hospital and attended by Dr. Bond. H. Hicks, a settler at Mosgiel bush, Otago, died on tho 18th of May from the effects of a kick from a horso sustained by him the previous night. He leaves a widow and nine children.

F. W. Brooke, employed at Kaiapoi AA'oollon Factory, Christchurch, committed suicide on May 18 by cutting his throat. He had been Buffering from ill-health and low spirits for somo timo. On May .'i, T. D. Pulham met with a serious accident at tho Aratapu mill by gotting his left arm crushed by the Com pany's winch, necessitating amputation. This operation was successfully done by Dr. Norton.

Daniel O'Neill, fireman on board tho Knwahere, which was lying at AVostport, fell off tho gangwuy on Mny 8, and was drowned. Doccasod was drunk at tho tiino, and also his companion, nnd tho latter was thoroforo unable to ronder any assistance. An old woman mimed Pyke committed Biiicido by drowning at Upper Hutt, Wel lington on May 17. Sho throw herself into tho rivor, and was Seen by her husband, who sprang in nftor her, but was unablo to savo hor. Mrs Pyke is believed to have boon of weak intellect.

Mr Superintendent Thomson received n telegram staling that a bushmati named Henry King, in tho employ of To Kopura Sawmill Company, und working in tho Mauugakahia Bush, thirty miles from Whangarei, was accidentally killed on May 8, at 11.30 a.m., through Doing jammed botwoon two logs. In tho Provincial Salo Yards, in a gaso meter for workinglime-lights at the Thoatre, Dunedin, on May 17, AA'illiam AValkor, gas fitter, was repairing a look, when mi explo sion occurred, by which he sustained serious injuries. Ho had been warnod by James Peak, mechanist, not to proceod with repairs till the latter was present. Mrs AA'alloco, aged 73, on April 25, was Btanding ovor the kitchen firo at her resi dence nt Petnno, near Napior, when her dross caught lire. She ran outside en veloped in ihinies, and her screams brought assistance, but not boforo her clothes wero burnt oil. Sho died next day from the ell'octs of the injuries.

At Dunedin on May lo a boy named M array was accidentally killed while riding on a railway truck. At tho inquest tho following day tho jury returned a verdict of " Accidental Death," with tho suggestion that tho only effectual means of stopping boys from trespassing on tho rail ways was to bring them up at tho Police Court and have them flogged. Information has reached Cambridge to tho effect that a per-ionongagedbyMr Hcaney.of tbo Lichfield Hotel, was drowned whilst driving across a crook between Lichfield ami Unotu. Tho buggy and horses wero found stuck iv tho creek, but no traces of tho driver could bo found. Tho man was subsequently found alive closo by, but in a state of intoxication.

An accident of a painful character happened on May 19 to a man named Camp bell, who is employed as fireman at Bycroft's mill. Ho wns removing ,tho belt from the shaft, when his arm was swung round by the revolving rod, and ho was drawn round about a dozen times. It was found at tho Hospital, where he was taken, that ho had sustained a compound fracture of tho arm, while one of his ribs was broken. Cainp boll, who is married, aud a member of tho Salvation Army, is in a fair May towards rocovery. It appears that tho unexpected death of Edward Bovoy, butchor, of Upper Symonds-street, which happened on tho 18th May, was tho result of an accident which happened to him in his own shop. He was lifting a sheep from a ho.k with the aid of a polo used for tho pur- Eobo, when tho end of tho polo struck im in tho abdomen. It was subsequently found that he had sustained a rupture, which evontually caused his death. Tho funeral took place on Mny 19. Mr Bovoy was formerly a farmer at Mangaro. A carpenter named Pritchard met with a total accident on the 22nd May on the Morrinsville section of the railway contraot. Ho should havo got ot! at Eureka station/ where ho was employed by Mr Price, con-: tractor for the station buildings, but did not, do so. When tho train moved on, Mr Brett, contractor, asked him if ho cught not to have got oil', and ho immediately proceeded to do so before Mr Brett could stop the train. Ho foil betwoen the trucks, and two trucks and the engine went over him, amputating his loft log and com-: plotoly crushing his loft shoulder* Ho was brought into Hamilton and attended to by Dr. Morice. He died within an hour. He has a wife and two children in Auckland.

A vory serious accident occurred at the battery, AVaiorongomai, on May 16 about eight o'clock, to a youth named Benjamin Kilian, son of the proprietor of the Premier: Hotel, of that place, who is employed in the! battery. ■ It appears that ho was sent with another lad . a short distance across - the creek at tho back of the battery to turn on more water for motive power, and on their way bock crossing a narrow foot bridge ever the crook he fell over a distance of twenty feet, landing on the back of his head on a boulder. He was at onco taken up and earriod into a retort ing-house, and a messenger despatched for the doctor. Dr. Cooper was soon out with him and ordered him to be taken home,' six mon carrying him on a sofa. The skull was badly fractured, and the doctor had very little hopes of his recovery. The lad died on the following day.

A sorious accident has occurred to Mr Lockwood, who was out shooting with a friond. It appears that whilst in the net of holding the barrel of the gun in, a. downward position, the trigger . caught in ; some undor - growth, causing tho-woapon to explode. The charge of shot, ploughed up the muscles of both thighs in several directions, ~ and the sufforer was taken on a sleigh to his father's house, the rough roads causing consderoble pain. A messenger was at once despatched to Messrs Erson and Stallard, surgeons, of Otahuhu, and the latter gentleman was promptly in attendance,. Upon arrival he removed a nuujbor of shots from the lower part of the body and dressed the wounds.l We aro glad to hoar that, considering the severities of the injuries, Mr; Lockwood is progressing favourably, his medical at tendants having every hope of complete recovery. ;

During the passage of the brigantine Lapwing between Newcastle and this port, a seaman named George Wilmott fell over board and wos drowned. At 1.55 a.m. on April 23 AVilmott was aloft, engaged in etowingtho topgallant sail. Theweatherwas dirty with a highsea running. Captain AVatt, who was below, wos brought up on deck by a voice as if in distress, crying something like " Oh !" and then he found that Wilmott had fallen into the water. Captain Watt ordered the man at the wheel to throw the end of the main sheet overboard, and he himself threw a lifebuoy over in the hopes that tho man might reach either, but owing to the; darkness these, efforts to render assistance proved, unsuccessful. Owing to tho state of. the weather, it was impossible to-launch the boat, and the vessel hove-to and, remained so till day light, but no trace of Mi' Wilmott could be found, and it was apparent that he had found a watery grave. . An inquest was opened on the Ist May at the Hospital, before Dr. Tennent and a jury, on the body of an old pensioner named Patrick Moran, who died suddenly on April 29. A post mortem examination was held, and it was discovered that four of Moran's ribs were broken and one had entered the lung. At the request of the jury the inquiry into the matter was ad journed until next day," at two o'olook, in order that the arresting constables and the Hospital authorities may be examined. The old man! was found by Constable Bern at a late hour on the night of April 26, lying at the corner of Queen and Victoria streets. He appeared quite drunk, and smelt very strongly of liquor. Constable Bern, with the assistance of Constable Solp, raised tho old man, and assisted him to the station. In tho morning lie seemed quite cheerful, and made no complaint about his ribs. Moran stated before his death that the broken ribs were the result of an acci dent,,,,, ~ 'W ol.J!i.*i"s-iT ;.:.,.' ~..._..'

I Anothor it aocident ocourred on the 10th May in the Kyber Pass Road, nearly opposite the shop of Mr Robertson, baker. Several settlors from- Otahuhu had been in attendance at the funeral of tho lato Mr E. Bovey, butcher, Symonds-stieet, and were returning from tho scene when tho accident happened. The first trap was driven by Mr Rogers, and the second was in tho care of Mr Chapman. The occupants of tho traps woro Messrs Bailey, Scholos, Hereford, and Willis, besides tho drivers. The last trap was unfortunately without a break, and in going down the incline towards tho railway bridge, it camo in contact with a heavy dray and was overturned. It was dis covered that Mr A^'illis hud received a sovero shock to his system, and it was feared that one or moro of his ribs were broken. Throo of tho othors received bruises and cuts ; Mr Rogers being the only person who escaped unhurt. It was suggested that Mr Willis should bo taken to tho Hospital. The injured man, howovor, proforrod liiH home, and Mrßogors, fastening tho biokon vehiclo to his own, drove tho party to Otahuhu. An inmate of Humo's Private Lunatic Asylum, at Waikari, has made an attempt to cut tho throat of another pationt. Par ticulars which have comb to hand show that tho maniac who did the deed was very dangerous. The man, who is a religious manioc, had a razor concealed in a hat-box with a false bottom, and no loss than sevon other razors have been found in his trunks. Ho slipped downstairs from his own room to the other patient's, and some persons at dinner noticing the door open, went in to see what was tho matter. Whon thoy got into the room the maniac wns kneeling at the sido of the bed of tho other. Ho had a razor in his hand, but ho had simply given the man's throat a slight scratch. Ho had his hands folded as if he was praying. The man at tacked was weak, and had beon in bed a length of timo. It would appoai- that tho suicide of tho nativo Ilami Hohipi Tuporn at Knikoho lately was the result of a trifling dis pute with his wife, Deceased was married, and tho fathor of one child, although his ago was only 21 years. At tho inquest, docoased's father said ho was a man of un govornnblo tempor, and on a previous occa sion witness had taken a knife from him whon ho wnsdot'laringthntho would stab him self with it. It appeared from the evidence thnt tho deceased left his own houso after breakfast, and procoeded to an empty whare belonging to a friend of his, where ho must, havo known thore wns a gun. Whether it was left loaded or not does not appear. This wliaro was about a hundred yards from whore ho had loft his wifo, and not far from other whares. His wifo hearing the report of a gun, ran out with other natives around, nnd wont in tho direction whence tho report camo. AVhen close to this whare, in some scrub near, thoy found the body of deceased quito dead. AA'hon they reached him, the butt end of tho gun was fastened to the ground, nnd it was supposed he had struck the trigger with his foot. Death was in stantaneous, tho ball passing through the heart. Tho verdict was to tho offect that deceased dostroyed himself during tempor ary insanity. By arrival of tho brigantine Camillo from Dunedin on May 11 wo learnt of the drown ing at sea of tho boatswain of that vessel, undor rather singular circumstances. Captain Helgeson states that tho boot swnin, nn Irishman named William Boljor, had boon drinking heavily at Dunedin, and that on tho Tuesday previous ho appeared to bo suffering from nn attack of the horrors. Boljer asked Captain Helge son on that day to load his gun and shoot . him, because there were Mum-is coming on board to kill him, and he would rather bo shot than fall into theii hands. It is almost needless to say that his request was not complied with. Boljer then pleaded with tho captain to cut his (Boljor's) arms oil with a knife, and then tho former considered it necessary for the man's Biifoty to put him in irors. When in irons, tho boatewain managed to get hold of a looking-glass, which ho broko into atoms; and cut his faco most fearfully with tlie pieces, under tho impression that he was tatooing himself. A watchman wns then placed over tho unfortunate man, and rcmainod with him until AA rednesday night Inst. At 2"> minutes past 12 the boatswain asked tho watchman to get him n drink of water, and the latter went in the direction of tho pantry for that purpose. No sooner had he turned, however, than Boljer leaped overboard. Tho alarm was nt once given, and the boat was cut away within the space of two minutes. She wns speedily manned and pulled towards Boljer, who was seen struggling in tho water, but beforo he could bo reached ho sank, nnd was seen nn moro

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE ANNIVERSARY.

The first anniversary of tho Auckland University Collogo was celebrated on the 21st May by a public gathering in the Choral Hall, under tho presidency of His Excellency tho Governor. Thero were also present: Sir G. M. O'Rorko (Chairman of tho Uni versity Collego Council), Sir F. AA'hitakor, His Worship tho Mayor, Professors Thomas, Aldis, Tuckor, and Brown, Monsignore Fynes, V.G., Hon. J. AA'illiamson, M.L.C., Mr C. F. Bourne (Head-master of Grammar School), Major Eccles, A.D.C., Mr F. AA'. Ponnefather (Governor's Private Secretary), Bishop Cowie, Mr H. G. Seth-Smith, R.M., Mr A. McArthur (Principal of Training College), Revs. AY. E. Mulgan, D. Bruce, A. Roid, and Dr. Ptirchos, Colonel Haul tain, Dr. Kidd (Registrar of Collogo), Rev. T. Thistlo, Mr Sloninu, Dr. Campbell, aud Mr Mackechnio. Tho hall was rather moro than half full.

Sir G. M. O'Korke (Chairman of tho Uni versity Collogo Council) briefly opened tho proceedings, after which Ilia Excbllency THE Govkp.nor delivered an introductory address, in the courso of which he mentioned that just a year almost to tho minute had elapsed sinco, in the same hall, he had stood up to formally open the University. He also stated thot during tho yoar nolens than eighty persons had attended tho lectures, and that, besides assisting the V.M.C.A. in its winter courso of lectures, tho professors were now arranging for a popular courso of lectures, which could hardly fail to be of great public advantage, The College work bad so far been of a highly satisfactory character. Eleven students bad passed the examinations, viz,, two in tho first class, three in the second class, and six in the third class, all of them being now in the second year of tho Col lege courso. In addition to these twenty students' had matriculated and woro now in tho first year of their course, one of thorn—a pupil of the Training Col lege—having taken tho Senior Scholarship in classics. After paying a tribute to tho memory of tho lato Mr Tanored, whoso doath he recognisod ns a sorious loss to tho cause of higher education in this colony, His Excolloncy passed on to eulogise the efficiency and high attainments of the professors,, making special reference to Professor Aldis, who as a senior wranglor of Cambridge in 1861, and the Smith prize man in that year, as well as moro recently principal of the Durham College of Physical Science at Newcastlo, occupiod a deservedly high position in the educational world. Allusion was also made to the engage ment of Judge Smith as law lectnror. His Excellency then went on to express his satisfaction at learning that there was an intention to establish a School of Music at no distant date, which might ere long be followed by Schools of Engineering, Medi cine, and Mental Science. All these, how over, excepting the School of Music, had yet to be determined upon. After speaking -with gratification at the prospect of a University College being opened at AVellington, and paying a high eulo gium to Sir G. M. O'Rorke for his unwearied efforts for the promo tion of higher oducation, His Excellency concluded by doploring the want of a suit able college building in Auckland, und by exhorting men of means to servo a good cause and at the same time perpetuate their names to a grateful posterity by liberal contributions of their affluence to this young and struggling institution, Sir G. M. O'Rorke proposed a hearty vote of thanks to His Excellency the Governor for having presided that evening, and for the sympathy he had always mani fested with the progress of the University College. Ho hoped at no distant day to see him lay tho foundation etono of the new Collego building. The speaker wont on to eulogise the invaluable assistance rendered by Sir Frederick Whitaker in the establish ment of the College, and then to speak of the necessity for the Auckland members—2l strong,including the three Maoris—to band themselves together in order to onforce just treatment from the Government towards the infant college. ■ We had only £4,000 a-year for its support, as against Otago's £12,000 a-year and Canterbury's £10,000 a-year, and Otago had spent £30,000 and Canterbury £20,000 upon college build ings, while ours had no settled habitation. The speaker went on to refer in terms of high laudation to the generous bounty of Mrs Gillies, and the liberal manner in which her wishes had been carried out by Mr Justice, Gillies.

The vote of thanks was passed by ac clamation, and His Excellency in acknow lodging it expressed tho satisfaction it would give him to have the privilege of laying tlie foundation stone of the Univer sity College building. He hoped the ev.ent would eoofl <#»« *?**?%, :.i iv i.jo,- n lUiw '

FIRES.

On April 27 a three-stalled ctablc nt Kamo, belonging to Mr Cleary, butcher, was burned down. A lot of haystacks belonging to Mr Waters, Papatoltol, were destroyed by fire on April 27. . Tho cottage oocupiod by Sergeant-Major O'Grady nt Groymouth was burned down on May 10, at 3 o'clock. Two houses were burned down in Canter bury on May 22—one at Addington and the othor ut St. Albans.

The houso ot a settler named Vospor at Pukekura, near Cambridge, was burned down on Sunday night, April 27, while the occupants were absent at church. Early on May 20 the houso occupied by Rev. Saul Slocombo, Christchurch, was destroyed by firo, and tho church had a narrow escape. Mr AA'. Robin's threshing mill at Tuapeka Mouth, Otago, wns destroyed by firo on May 18, along with a largo lot of wheat. Incendiarism suspected, On May 10 an unoccupied boarding-house of 22 rooms, next to Gladstone Hotel, Peter boro-strect, Christchurch, was destroyed by fire. It was evidently tho work of an incendiary. Tlie insurances are unknown. *■ Another fire occurred at AA'ellington at 2.30 on tho morning of tho 12th of May, the houses occupied by Mr Preston, wino merchant, and Captain Steele, of tho steamer Manawatu, being destroyed.

Mr J. Hodson's residence and its contents, Blenheim, were destroyed by lire on May 1. The tiro originated in the dining-room, where tlie inmates left a few cinders in the grate whon they retired to rest. Two houses wero destroyed by fire at Wellington on the morning of May 12—one occupied by Mr Preston, wine merchant, and one by Captain Steelo, of the Manawatu. Insurances—£loo in National and £100 in South British offices.

Mi- D. H. Williamson's house at Moema haki, near Patea, was destroyed by fire at 2 a.m. on'lOth Mny, it is supposed through the embers igniting the floor. Insurances :— house, £300 ; furniture, £100 ; both in the New Zealand olliee. The loss is consder nbly more than tho amount insured.

An inquiry was held on May 14 into tho fire which destroyed the Theatre Royal, Pro vincial Hotel, and other buildings at Inver cargill. Evidence was taken at considerable length, and tho jury after deliberation re turned a verdict, " That tho theatre was wilfully and feloniously set on fire by some person unknown." Another disastrous lire occurred at Inver cargill on May 10, the premises known as the Leviathan Gift Depot, in Dee-street,occu i.icd by Rodgers and Co., booksellers and fancy goods warehousemen, being destroyed. Tho building was of brick, and had on oneside the Imporial Hotel and on the other Hayr's chemist shop, both of brick. A tire broke out in Hayr's,, chemißt, Dee street, Invercargill, during the evening of the 12th of Mny, causing a total loss. The insurances are as follows:—Colonial, LI,000; North British and Mercantile, LI,000; Liverpool, London, and Globe, LI,OOO ; Equitablo, LSOO ; Victoria, LSOO ; Australian Mercantile and New Zealand, L3OO each.

Tho Masonic Hotel, Coromandol, was totally destroyed by fire at 1 o'clock on May 7, nothing beingsaved. The inmates escaped from the window. The firo is supposed to hove broken out in tho kitchen. The Oddfellows have lost regalia worth £")0 The insurances are : Building, 1000 ; and furniture, £200 ; in tho Norwich Union Office.

A great firo took place nt Coromandel on Friday morning, May 2, nnd resulted in the complete destruction of three houses. Bnrrbtt's hotel, Faulkner's store, and an empty house wero all totally des troyed, and Colebrook's store narrowly es caped. A small quantity of furniture was savod. The fire originated in Faulkner's store No ono wns on tho premises at tho time.

Three wooden shops in George-street, Dunedin, were burned down early on tho morning of May 5. Thebuildings werooccu gied by T. Scott, fruiterer ; Alexander and hepherd, butchers; and David Miller, grocor. Scott's stock was insured in tho Equitable Offico for £100; Shepherd's, for t'2so, in the London and Lancashire; and Miller's, for £000, in tho Hamburg and Madgeburg. The latter is a partial loss. lhe buildings were insured by the owner (Mr James Gnlbraith) in the London and Lancashire Office for t'dOO. An extensive fire occurred at Opokon guro, about seven miles from AVanganui, on May 10, tho residence of Mr Spencer Peel being burned to the ground. Nothing was saved except a valuable diamond in a gold bracelet, which was afterwards recovered from tho debris, and a gun which cost sixty guineos at Home. The origin of the fire is unknown, as Mr and Mrs Peel were absent for the even ing, having taken every precaution before leaving. The house is insured in the Colonial for £700, £200 being on the house, £300 on the furniture, and £200 on the other contents.

At five o'clock on the morning of May 5 an outbreak of flfro was discovered in a ten roomed two-story house situated on the Manukau Road, near Mason's Gardens, and occupied by an image-maker named Paul Pouche and his family. The Parnell Fire Brigodo were present, and worked well, but were unable to save the building.

Pouche had his stock and furniture insured in the North British for £500. The build ing belonged to a Mrs Bridgen, who resides in AA rellington, and for whom Mr Shirley W. Hill acts ns agent. It was insured in, the Now Zealand offico for £200.

A firo occurred on May 15 in some shops attached to the Terminus Hotel, Christ church Three ompty shops and a number of bedrooms above them were gutted. The total loss is probably not much under £1,000. Tho attached shops belonged to Mr G. S. Marshall, who had insured the build ings in the Standard for £6,000, and the fur. niture in the National for £2,000. Carpen ters had been working in the shop where the fire broke out until twenty minutes past five p.m., and it is supposed they might have accidentally set fire to some shavings. The fire began at twenty minutes past seven p.m., and though it was soon- under control, the engines had to play till ten to render all safe. ■

At a quarter to four o'clock on May 15 a coach-house and stable attached to the resi dence of Mr James Philson/ Avenue Road,; Parnell, was discovered to be on fire. Mr! Philson was awakened by Walter Breach, liis stableman, calling out " Fire!" When ho got outside he found the edifice in flames. Breach was able to save the horses and buggies, but the harness was lost. The bunding was completely de stroyed. Broach, who had been in tho habit of sleeping in the stable, states that he came home from Newmarket at mid night, and wont to'bed in the stable. He used a lamp, but is not certain whether he extinguished it or not before going to bod. He was awakened by a foeling of suffoca tion, and found the stable on fire near the bed. The loss is covered by insuranco. Tho building was insured in the New Zea land office for £70.

Anothor fire occurred soon after one o'clock on May 8, and resulted in the total destruction of Messrs. Johnston and Harcourt's brewery, at tho foot of Oxford street, Arch Hill. The outbreak was dis covered by a resident in the vicenity, named Patrick Carr, and ho gave the alarm by calling " firo " ; A crowdof neighbours nssemblod, but nothing could be dono to save the brewery, although the flomos wero prevonted from extending toa detatched building where some three hundred dozen bottled, beer were .stored. The brewery was only erected something like eighteen months ago, and it is said tho cost was £600. I'; was a two-story struc ture,1 and built of wood. Tho premises were locked up about sovcn o'clock on May 7 by a man named Macintosh, who resides in a cottago at the rear of tho browory. He said that preparations had been mado for a brow on May 'B, arid that the boiler fires were banked up last night in readiness. The plant and about thirty or forty bushels of malt were des troyed with the building. The place was insured in the National Office for ESOO, £300 being on the building and £200 on the stock and plant. '

At a quarter to 12,0 n May 15 the firebells once more rang out their alarming notes, and the lurid glare in the heavens showed that it was in the neighbourhood of New. market. Rain was foiling, heavily at the time, which deterred many1 persons from setting out for the scene; there-was also a strong wind, and this, of course, greatly as sisted the flames in their work' of destruc tion. The Fire Brigade mustered at their station, but. the? fire being beyond" city limits they did not go to it; but the Salvage Corps, under Captain Field, lost no time in making for the scene, and on approaching Newmarket it was seen that the Royal George Hotel was the starting, point of the fire. Shortly after the outbreak the Par nell Fire Brigade were at work with their hose reel, but all they could do was to con fine their efforts to protecting adjacent buildings. The Royal George Hotel, a structure of obout 14 rooms, was soon re duced to the ground, and in the meantime the flames had caiight the bakery and dwelling,of Mr Hamilton, ,and_ : the,Police Station, occupiod by Constable Graham and family, also speedily took firo. 'There was now a danger that the woodyard and stables .of Messrs Hammond,.and Byron would shwa,

the samo fatei,but owing to-tho exertions of tho Brigade, and the removal of a small office and other woodwork between, this wds averted. Had the etablos taken, nothing could have saved the Newmarket Hall. At half-past one all danger of the flames spreading was at an end, and conse quently the fire Boon burnt, itself out. Owing to the suddenness of the outbreak, tho inmates of the hotel had a narrow escape. Mr AY. H. Corbott woo the first to givo tho alarm, ond ho nt onco ruohed upstairs to arouse those there. These were: Mrs Corbett, jun., Miss Corbett, Agnes Brown, and Messrs Pyke, Feather ston, ond Perm, and tho bailiff, Thomas Hoywood. Most of the men, as also Mrs Corbett, jun., and Miss Corbett, had to get out of the windows on to the verandah with out waiting to dress. Mr Corbett, in helping Miss Brown out of her bedroom, got burned about the hands and faco ; and the girl herself received several burns. Nothing can bo determined as to the origin of the lire. The total insurances amount to about £2,250. Smithy and stables, with pony and cow, were destroyed by fire on May 18th at ! Taieri, Otago. Loss, £500, and no mi i surance.

OBITUARY NOTICES.

Telegraphic information received from Akaroa states that Mr Naldef, sen., solici tor, dropped dead in the street on May 2,

On the 12th May, Robert Leather wood, aged 24 years, dropped dead of heart disease at Richmond, near Nelson, while washing himself. Ho leaves a widow and child. Major Nixon, an old resident of AAranga- nui, died on the morning of May 8. He arrived in the AVellington ship from London in IS4O, holding an order for the sale of land from the New Zealand Company. He came hero in February, 1841, and took an active part in the AA'nr, being made a captain at tho outbreak. He was made a J.P. by Governor Hobson. He leaves 3 sons and 4 daughters, all grown up. Considerable surprise was occasioned in the Homo Bay district on May 20 by the news of the rather sudden, and certainly unexpected death of Mr J. B. Adnam, a well-known resident there. The melan choly nature of the circumstances is deepened by the fact that, for some few weeks past, the family have been actively engaged in making preparations for departure to Sydney, in consequence of Mrs Adnam's delicate state of health, and that they wero to have sailed this evening by the AYaihora, the eldest son having already preceded them. Wo understand that, the cause'of death was stated to be tetanus, though it is not clear frotn, what it results. The deceased had been some 15 or 16 years in .'Auckland,.having ccmehere originally from Sydney, where his friends reside. For .many years he was manager of Messrs L. D. 'Nathan and Co.'a Manchester Department, ond for the last three years he occupied a similar position in Messrs Owen and Graham's warehouse. He leaves a wife and a family of six children—four sons and two daughters. .. AA'e regret to announce the death of Mr E. K. Tyler, the well-known barrister and solicitor, which took place at Gisborne on May 5. The sad intelligence was tele graphed to Mr Joseph Blades and very soon spread throughout the city, producing a feeling of tudnees in the deceased gentleman's wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr Tyler was a brother in-law of Mr W. L. Kees by marriage with tbe laiter's sister, and this this union brought the gentlemen into close business relationship with each other. They were admitted to the bar in Victoria, and entered into partnership there. On the discovery of gold at Hokitika, they took part in the rush to tho AA rest Coast, and when tlie fortunes of the field declined, they joined in the exodus to the new El Dorado at the •Thames. Shortly afterwards, viz., in 1870, Mr Rees opened a branch office of the firm in Auckland, whither, after a year or so of good service at Quartzopoiis.Mr Tyler followed him, and took over the bulk of the Court business. He proved himself to be an able and fluent advocate, a skilful debater and a clever lawyer, sc that his popularity became very soon established, lie was unwearied in the practice of his profession until the steady progress of the complaint from which -he suffered, viz., Bright's disease of thekidneys, obliged him to lay by the wig and gown altogether, and seek relief in leisure and retirement. The deceased gentleman is survived by his wife who is a confirmed invalid. There is no family.

Another old coloni_t has passed away— Captain Cable, of AA raikomiti. He was an old sea captain, commanding for thirty years large merchantmen trading between Glas gow and the Baltic. He came to the colony with money, and after living for a time in Parnell, bought the farm at Waikomiti, but having no experience in farming, soon lost his money. For a great many years he earned a livelihood by carting provisions to the residents, and his house became a place of accommodation for travellers. Up till about four years ago the old man—then SO years of age—drove his own trap with a pair of horses into town every week, and took out supplies for the settlers. Since then he. has been failing in health, and recently his mind showed signs of weaken ing. On May 16 he told his attendants that he was going to be flogged by some person, and he would go into the water so that they could not get at him so easily. Labouring under this hallucination, he went and laid down in the creek, immersing the whole of his body except his head, which he rested on a stone. A short time, pro bably not a quarter of an hour, elapsed beforo he was discovered. When taken out of the water he was quite numb and stiff. Under kind treatment he revived a little, but only for a few hours, and has since gradually sunk until he passed quietly away at 2 o'clock on the 22nd inst. The captain was a widower when he arrived in the colony, and never married. He had no re latives. He came from Arbroath, Scotland, and for many years the services of the Pres byterian Church were held in his house.

SOCIAL ITEMS.

The Ponsonby Social Union inaugurated tho season with a most successful gathering in the Ponsonby Oddfellows' Hall on May

1. There were about twenty couples present, and the evening was most pleas antly passed. Mr W. J. Rees officiated as M.C.^ arid Hanncken's band supplied the dance music. The arrangements for the season have been carried out by the Com mittee, consisting of Messrs AY. J. Rees, A. H. Jones, AY. J. Geddis, T. Macky, C. Culpan (Secretary), Lilly, and Goudie. Tho Art Exhibition in the Choral Hall on Ist May, was visited by the largest number of persons who have been present on any day sinco the opening. About 600 people paid for admission at the door, besides the large number who entered on season tickets; and this shows a growing interest in the Exhibition, and appreciation of art by the public. In addition to these visitors, the inmates of St. Stephen's Orphanage were shown through the Exhi bition in the course of the, afternoon. In the evening, a promenade concert took place, which was much appreciated by the large number present. Songs were given in excellent style by Mrs S. R. Keesing, Miss Tapper, and Messrs Charters, Knox, Edwards, Burnham, and Hanna, while Miss Brown rendered pianoforte solos beautifully. On May 2 the .Exhibition was visited by about 350 pupils from the Ponsonby, Bereßford-street, Nelson-street, and Newton West publio schools, in addi tion to a large number of the general public. The proceedings were rendered additionally attractive oy a promenade concert, in which a number of well-known amateurs took part. The following programme was gone through very effectively: — Pianoforte selections, Miss Brown ; song, " The Village Blacksmith," Mr Charters; song, "Ye Gallants of England," Mr Knox; duet, Miss Tapper and Mr Burnham ; song, "NoTongue Can Tell," Mr Edwards ; song, " Never More," Mr Burnham ; song, "The Storrii King," Mr S. R. Keesing. Two of Mr Albin Martin's pictures have been. purchased by the Hon. James Williamson, and Mr Gantfs picture entitled V Moonlight," has been sold to Mr Osmond.. A large number of other works have been profitably disposed of;' i" ■ ,'■■'.'

INVENTIONS.

___ktt__bjs • patent for a high-speed water motoriare applied for by Mr J. C. Fraser, Cproiriandel.

,'Mr,-A.,S, Ford, of Coromandel, has ap :p]ie4 for a patent for " the Eureka beer-re ceiyer,"ana,the following other patents are applied for from other parts of the colony : —F. A. Anson, of Peraki, Akaroa, for an in vention for connecting, wires in wire fence ; Price and Crump,. St. Albans, for high pressure, doubleraction force-pump ;. H. J. 'Smith,.Dunedin,"for invention for saving life and-property from fire ; AY. E. Richard son, of .Outram, for "improved Archimedjan j*_rri_l-^j»ck" ;,and §hqrt.,and, Pearce, Dun edin, M Banged, lsfigii^^dj^fjiag^ile, |

PRESENTATION TO MR G. W. GRIFFIN, UNITED STATES CONSUL.

A meeting of influential business men was> held this afternoon in the Chamber of Commerce rooms under the presidency of His Worship the Mayor. There were present:—Dr. Campbell, Messrs L. D. Nathan, A. H. Nathan, P. A. Philips (Town Clerk), C. C. McMillan, P. Darby, G. AY. Owen, T, B. Hill, G. P. Pierce, AY. Burton, J. Dilwortn, H. B. Morton, J. C. Firth, G. Holdship, and Captain AA'ebb.

His AVorshii', in opening the proceed ings, said that the business men of the city hod taken advantage of Mr Griffin's ap proaching visit to his nativo land to recog gise in a small way the literaay ability o£ the gentleman, nnd the advantage which this colony had derived from the exercise of that ability in the preparation of valuable reports upon New Zealand pro ducts, which report the Government had printed and bound up in a handy volume. A testimonial had been prepared for presentation to Mr Griffin, but as there was not sufficient time for its illumination before the gentleman's departure it would be sent after him. The text of the draft testimonial was as follows :—

"ToG. W. Griffin, Esq., U.S. Consul in New Zealand. Sir,—AVe avail ourselves of your departure from the colony to express our sense of the important services you have rendered to New /Zealand in the valuable papers on the varied resources of this colony whioh from time to time you have furnished to the Government of the United States! Everything that patient research, un wearied industry, and acquired knowledge could do to make your great nation ac quainted with the capabilities of the British colsny of New Zealand has been done by you with distinguished ability. The Parliament of this colony, in printing your valuable papers in a collected form, has marked its high appreciation of your valuable contributions to the industrial progress of this young nation. In the im portant work wliich you have conducted and completed with so much patience and ability, you have not only laid this colony under great obligations, but you havepower fully aided the greater work of showing how much the English colonies of Australasia have in common with the United States of America. Above all, as the representative of your great nation you have played no mean part in helping to develop and deepen that bond of sympathy which, more potent than written treaties,. will one day bind together the various sections of the English-speaking" race. In wishing you good-bye we wish you that prosperity and success which your distinguished attain? ments and services so well deserve." -.- ,

Mr L. D. Nathan (Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce) thfen said: —"Mr Griffin, —The Mayor has left it for me, to a great extent, to convey to you the feelings of this community on your departure from our midst. I may be excused for adding a word or two expressive of the high opinions of the regard we all have for you. Indeed, I could scarcely be silent as representing the associated Chambers of Commerce of the colony. I have been instructed by telegraph from the Presidents of all the chief towns in the South to sign the address to you on their behalf, and to convey their sense of tho importance of your Consular labours. I speak to you in your dual capacity as a private gentleman, and as a representative of the Great Republic, you can understand how difficult it is to say to your face what I would wish, in praiseof your deportment as one of our moßt honoured citizens during a sojourn amongst us of several years. AYe have found you courtious in all ways. Your industry, is beyond all praise. Your valuable cqmprei hensive and statistical reports alone tend to prove your ability. The compilation of those reports, the immense amount of valuable information contained in them must have cost you more weary hours of toil and labour than many have an idea of. We are satisfied that bringing our progress so prominently before the people of the U.S. and I may say the world will prove of incal culable service to New Zealand. True, tbia was yourofficialduty, butit is easy to discern the difference between a profunctory ad: herence to routine, and doing the same con amore. We rejoice at the extension of trade and social intercourse with the peoplp of tlie United States, from whose mechanical genius we have received immense advan tages, indeed, many oi our greatest indus .tries could scarcely be prosecuted with out the : aid of these labour-saving appliances which are a feature of the land of the stars and stripes. In conclusion, I hope and trust you, Jfe Griffin, may have a far higher appointment conferred upon you by your Government than that now enjoyed by you, a wish,,l feel convinced, all here will heartily recipro cate. I wish you God speed, and hope your life may be spared for many years of brillianoy and usefulness." His AYorship then presented the testi monial, expressing the hope as he did so that Mr Griffin's services would be recog nised with a- more important post, or else that he would return as Conßul-General. ■

Mr Griffin acknowledged the presenta tion in an eloquent speech, and the pro ceedings ended with the usual compliment to the Chairman. ~'■'■■ n

PROSPECTING OF THE KING COUNTRY.

Two prospectors named Barry and Mc- Donald, who started from Wanganui on a prospecting tour to the King Country during March last, arrived in town some what unexpectedly on May 10. It appears that these prospectors started from AVan ganui on March 24 th, and travelling northward by Field's track, in eight days struckinto tho bushneartheTuhuo country. Great pains were taken to avoid coming-in contact with the natives, and during the greater portion: of their journeyings the party, avoided .., the native 7 tr«^p, constructing paths for '■■.'_ themselves ! along. - the ridges- of the , mountains. ;, Jsr McDonald speaks very bitterly . iflf Captain McDonnell, . the leader ~,,,',0f the prospecting party organised: by-,th*e citizens ot Wanganui. Prior to their cap ture by the natives they met Captain .Mc- Donnell, and when they were cap tured, the natives did not offer .any violence,but merely contented themselves with searching the prospectors' swags. McDonald had in his possession a small phial containing some reef gold, arid this he handed.over to Captain McDonnell—who has considerable influence with the Wan ganui natives—for greater security. Ac cording to McDonald's statement, Mc- Donnell handed this phial over to their captors. Mr McDonald of course declines to state where this gold camo from, but. he assures us that. it was not found in the Pungapunga Creek, as has been stated elsewhere. Ho, however, does not deny the existence of gold in this stream. The Pungapunga is a tributary of the Wan ganui, and it is said to have been prospected by the ill-fated Moffat. The, hardships endured by the two men appear to have been very great. For two months they lived entirely on damper and tea, and wero preclude!! from shooting game by the fear that the reports might be heard by the natives; On some occasions they were compelled to travel 40 miles a day with their provisions on their backs. Once they were very nearly discovered by a party of natives returning from the Koriniki meeting. They saw the natives coming along a track, and were compelled to run into the : bush for security. McDonald states that after their capture the natives procured horses and brought them to AYahanui's settlement, on the Waipa. After some talk, AVahonui advised the Maoris to let tho men go, and thoy were liberated near Alexandra. '_,'i.'

ADDITION TO LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Tm new wing of the auxiliary of the Auckland Lunatic Asylum, some half-a -mile beyond the original building, and pleasantly situated on an eminence in the centre of a farm, was opened on May 9 by His Excellency the Governor in' the presence of a large gathering of ladies and gentlemen. A beautifully-wrought archway was formed of flowers and ever greens, and on the arrival of His Excellency at three o'clock the Asylum band, under the superintendence of the founder (Mr AVhite), played the National Anthem. The after noan was remarkably fine, and the sun shine diffused an air of cheerfulness over the whole scene. Immediately on his arrival, His Excellency was conducted through the various departments ot the building by Major Eccles, A.D.C., Dr. Young (Medical Superintendent), Mr T. Macffarlane (Inspector), and Messrs R. C. Barstow and A. K. Taylor (visiting officiuls.) We noticed among those present His Worship the Mayor and Mrs AVaddel, Dr. Hooper, Inspector Thomson, Rev. Mr Haselden (Chaplain), Mr G Aickin, Mr E. A. Mackechnie, and the Hem. H. Chamber .hn, M.L.C M,* (;:.., ui [.e,!in, Mr.and Mrs Hudson Wilbiaiißon,- and .'most of the EfißWS^S e t «SSSif '<o_i district. ~',;}

UPIIIHHJ), . I.ll'l Tji'i " "|". | ' ' ___■—,H|,1..._.1 ~1 , _, ■_~-, ..-iT.^rwi ___^_— THE AUCKJUAND E^BNIISa ST&fl? $o^9ffi&MM>l&sA l$g&1

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