SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTURES.

New Zealand.

Hawke's Bay J.C. Steeplechases ...... -. June 20 Ooraldine K.C. Steepl<»hase'Meeting —I"" 6,?? Bouth Canterbury J.D. Steeplechases.... July n Australia. „ V.R.O. Steeplechase Meeting July 18

To Correspondents.

W.M. - Clarence carried 12st 121b when ho won the Hawke's Bay Steeplechaso last year. Chandler's weight waß list. liANKRCOSt; -The only three-year-olds that won the C. J.C. Handicap were Mate and Weloome Jack. Tbo former carried Cat 31b, and the latter 6st 51b. A.O.—Mr B. De Mestre headed the list of win " nine owners for tho Australian racing season of 1882-83. His winnings totted ud to £5,718. the Hon. W. Pearson coming next with £1,001. ■\VAGBB.-Warwick is tho highest-priced pear ling ever sold in Australia. He brought 2,000 guineas. Captain Haimcs, Archie's original owner, bought him for £65, and sold him to Mr A. F. Smart, when a two-year-old, for 1,850 guineas..- J.M.T. (Drake-street).—Last year eleven horses wenttothepontfortheKpsomperby.fonrteen in 1882, fifteen in 1881, and nineteen in 1880. During the "seventies" there was a big fall ing off from the average number of starters seen during the " sixties," for in 1867 Hermit beat a field ot SO, with resrectlvely 29, 30, 01, and 31 starting in 1865,1861,1863,>na 1862.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

On Thursday next, the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club Steeplechase Meeting comes up for decision, and so far as this part of the colony is concerned, it will be the last gathering to claim ' attention this season. Although the Club ■ have been liberal enough to increase the money of the big event to 400 soys (200,govs more than last year) they will not have such a large field, for only eleven paid the " , acceptance, while last year the splendid . field of fifteen went to the post. The names of those engaged in the two principal races are as follow:— . HAWSE'S BAY STBEPLECHASE, about Si Jl'lilOß. stlb. bUd. Clarancs .. .. 13 2 Tho Druid '.. 10 6 Chandler .. .. 11 7 Diomedea.. .. 10 3 | Batcmau ..... 11 3 Pastime .. .. 10 0 Borbary .. .. 11 0 Morning Btar .. 10 0 Somtinoer ..11 0 Wild Dayrell ..10 0 GrejMomus .. 10 7

I MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE, about 2 llltlos, W.f.O. Mr F. W. Hoklor's Skylark Mr Win. Douglas's Coacher Mr H.Lunn'a King Arthur ',:■■ MrttO-Canlton'sWUdDayroU ; . Mr K.Gilpin's Pastime Mr Watone Hapuku'a Mangold i Mr F. Peacock's Assegai Mr W. G. Nloholson'B Parnell Mr Chapman's Home Rule ' Mr D. Scott's Scrutineer Mr D. Scott's Abolition Mr J, Stevorw's Diomcdca For the big steeplechase, I like Clarence, Chandler, and The Druid in the order named, and to make a "pick in the dark," commend me to Scrutineer's chance for the Maiden.

From Christohurch I- learn that there . have been no alterations of any note in the betting on the Now Zealand Cup. Johnny Faulkner, however, has been supported for a bit, one metallician having laid 500 to 25 in one hand. The taker was willing to go on at the price, but layers declined, the ■ boat offer being 100 to 7 to a considerable ' amount. A desire has been evinced to back Sir Bedivere and Tim Whifflsr, but the ' prices asked were too absurd to allow . o£ business being done. Trenton still re mains first favourite for the Derby, but ■ . there is little to choose between him and Liverpool. :i ■ ■ Mr W. Percival has decided upon the fol ' lowing names for the yearlings owned by ■ him.!— FaiybjrMusketr-AllSteel....Steel All. Filly by Anteros—Lady Mary.. Lady Lonsdalk I am glad to hear that the Auckland ■ Racing Club intend starting a Benevolent Fund to assist trainers and jockeys in case of accident, etc. Several gentlemen have already signified their willingness to sub scribe, and when .the thing is fairly afloat, | I have no doubt that many others will follow •ait. , ■ ■ By the Sydney mail this week we have papers containing the correct list of Mel .. bourne Cup nominations, and on looking •>over;them the eye misses such familiar names as JTryingpan, Coriolanua, Colstoun, King of the Vafii Aide de Camp, Royal Irishman, Lesbia, Uting, Santa Claus, Pollio, Prometheus, David, Archie, Kavigator, Segenhoe and Salvo. The last-named de fection is a sad blow to those individuals who backed the double, Bargo and Salvo. The Hon. J, White is the largest nomina ' tor, no less than seven, appearing in his name, viz: Martini-Henry, Despot, Bargo, Tempe, Tremando, Phil Athol and lolanthe. , Christohurch papers chronicle the tact that Welcome Jack is now an occupant of one of the boxes at Grip Lodge, Mr Pil .'- brow having disposed of him to the Hon. i .'".■ W. Robinson. .Perhaps the whole fact of the matter is that the champion is really jj .owned by Bob Ray, whs it will be remem bered purchased him when a yearling for 100 guineas, • • . •'•■ ' ~• .Since the-publication of the nominations •■'.■■ lor the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups, the I pencillers over the water have opened books ' ai thousands to two. For the Caulfield Cup ' backers select Malua, Calma, Despot, . Arohie, Claptrap, Colstoun, Hurricane, and Martini-Henry; for the Melbourne Cup, First Demon, Despot, King cf the Gipsies, Plausible, Warwick, King's Own, Martini .' Henry, Le Grand, and Off Colour. For the § .Derby and Cup the quotations are—ljOOo to 20 the two Bargos or Garfield, 1,000 to 15 ' the two Tremandos or King's Own; 1,000 to 10 the two King of the Gipsies; 1,000 to •. 5 any two different horses. .., {■■ ■ MrA. Snider, the well-known metallician, was the subject, of a disagreeable mi sad ■ venture shortly after he arrived in Sydney. : ; Getting up in the dark to take his physic, he got hold of a bottle of liniment, and be fore ho found out his'mistake he drunk-so .much of the lotion that he had to be re ■ moved at once to the infirmary. ■\ At latest advices he was about again. Thunderbolt, whose name appeared amongst thn Melbourne Cup entries, turns . : put as I anticipated to be Mr J. Marshall's : yearling colt by Musket—Locket, and, of course, was never meant to be nominated ■ for the two mile event. His name correctly appears among the nominations for:the ■ V.R.C. Derby of 1885, along with Mr P. j Butler's colt by CadoganT-Waterwitcb, the Hon. W. Robinson's colt by St. George— Miss Flat, and filly by'Cadogan—Malice. - The steeplechase meeting under the auspices of the recently-formed Wellington Jockey Club will oe held at Island Bay on the 12th of July;' There will be five events, viz j — Handicap Steeplechase, £125; Maiden Steeplechase, £50 j Selling Steeple chase, £20; Hack Steeplechase, £25; Sessions Flat Race,; £50. The course will include one or two water jumps. . '.-., : It is not unlikely, that one of Musket's * progeny will sport ailk in the next Mari : byrnong Plate. Among the 108 nomina tions are Mr! W. A. Long's Discord, by Musket—Hannah, MrC. H. T. Hart's Bner, by Muskets-Lyra, and Mr. W. Gannon's Maori Queen.by Musket—Rangi. The Hon. 3. White has entered five, but as neither the names Of Nordenfeldt or Matchlock ap ;!"' pear, it' may be that he "intends to try and 1 repeat the Martini-Henry covp in 1885 with one or other of the pair. ' : 'From all accounts, the Canterbury Jockey •'■ Club's programme for next season is to be on an unusually liberal scale. About £1000 more added money will -bo given than lost : I Benson, and a new. weight-for-age race will probably be added to the Autumn Meet- Ing. •'.. .' ■. ■; ■ •"■' "■ ; . ' ■ Tho entries received this year for the Hawkesbury Handicap and Great Metro politan Stakes show a falling off, there being only 72 nominations for the former against 92 in 1883, and 81 in the "Metrop " 1 aaainat 90 last year. The decrease in these races is accounted for by the smallnees of .. the Victorian: nominations, . the Melbourne trainers evidently thinking it better to re main at home and have a cut in for the big prize at Caulfield. In the Metropolitan, the Hon. J. White has Martini-Henry, Despot and Tempe engaged. There were ton t, starters for the Two Thousand Guineas,, won by Mr Foy's colt Scot Free, and the story of the race, says our London correspondent, can, be told in a dozen words, Before half the dis tance had been covered Scot Free took a Commanding lead, and though as they Beared homo he was challenged both by Harvester and St. Medard, neither held him for a moment, and he romped home five : lengths in front of. St. Medard, who beat ' HarVesterbyXhead for the second place. Time for the 1 mile 17 yards, lmin. 48secs., ■ which is the fastest: for many years. W, y Platt rode the winner, Archer bekig on St. *' Medard, and IT. Webb had the mount on .Harvester. '•■'-.■ ...; .■,;•'■;'•• X The "entries" for 'tHe Victoria Racing Club events j. which closocjon the 2nd June, show that ; Maribyrnong Plate has 110, . ;«Ig;bi> more than last ttrear,; the, Melbourne Cup,, 133 against. 150; the Ascotl Vale Stakes, 127, being ant increase of 17; the Champion Stakes, 46, or a decrease of 13; fcta Derby, 126;; an incroa£e of 24; the Oaks Stakes, 60, a stecfease of 11; the St. Leger, 1.15, an increase of 7; the Sires' Produce' Stakes, 140, an increase of IS; Mares' Pro duce Stake"*, 189, an increase of 31,

The sale of Lord Falmouth's horses in training (writes our London correspondent) waa a most (sensational affair, the twenty-five lots realising the unheard-of grand total of £36,420. Tom Cannon, the jockey (acting for a Mr Baird) secured the crack three-year old filly Busybody (by Petrarch—Spinaway) for £8,800, and Sir John Willoughby (owner of Queen Adelaide) gave £8,000 tor Harvester. This, in the opinion of good judges, was just £4,000 too much. Of the two-year-olds (all untried) Louisbourg (by Hampton out of Chevis aunce) fetched £4,000; Armida, a half gister to Galliard (by Childeric—Mavis), £3,200; Esther—Faa, a filly by Skylark- Wheel of Fortune,£2,2oo; and tho superbly bred Jael (by Silvio Out of Jannette) £,1150; The other lots went comparatively reason ably. For breeding purposes alone Grand master, 4yrs. (by Kingcraft—Queen Bertha-), was fully worth £650, and the same remark applies to Prince Maurice, 4yrs, an own brother, to Dutch Oven, who realised £500.

CONDENSED ITEMS.

Nonsense and Siesta are to be put to Cadogan next season. The Gem, recently owned by the Sydney sportsman, Mr J. Mayo, goes to the stud. Jamaica, FoxhalFfl dam, recently foaled a bay filly, which unfortunately died the same day. Malua has been backed to win the Caul field Cup for £3000 or £4000, at 1000's to 30.

Judging from all that "Mazeppa" can hear, Y^guard >3 the Dunedin favourite for the New Zealand Cup. TheV.R.C. I>erhy candidate, King's Own, has been put in work at Randwick for next season's campaign. The totalisator is now a thing of the past in Adelaide, the Repeal Act having been in force since the Ist of June.

Mr R. ET. Shakespear, who at one time owned Yuba Bill and Harkaway, returned from his visit to England this week. It is said that the yearlings now being taught the first lessons of racing at Fleming ton are tho best lot ever located there.

Rumour has it in Christchurch that Messrs Robinson and Lance contemplate taking all their horses over to Australia before the spring. Mr Matthow Bryant has placed Guess work and Conjecture in the hands of J. Wilson, jun., to train, and the two chestnuts will go to St. Alban's. The Champion Stallion Stakes of 50sovs., with l.OOOsovs. added by the Monmouth Racing Association of America, has re ceived 17 nominations.

The Hon. William Pearson has christened his colt by. Goldsbrough from Powder— Arsenal, and the filly by Goldsbrough from Maritana— D&nseuse.

While Tom Cannon was riding a couple of winners at the late Newmarket meeting, he received a telegram during the interval that his horse had wen the Great Lanca shire Steeplechase. The big wager of 5,000 to 10 was laid in Melbourne the other week against the double, Capri for the Caulfield Cup and Le Grand for the Melbourne Cup. The Hon. G. McLean's Matanaka, who was served up" so warm for some months previous to the last New Zealand Cup, has again gone into Koan's hinds. Commotion's half-brother Exminster, who is entered for the Caulfield and Mel bourne Cups, is supposed to have an outside show of winning the V.R.C. Derby. The GeraßHne Racing Club have already issued the programme" for their annual meeting, which is fixed f«r the '25th and 26th of September. £840 will be given in added money

Mr Sydney Jame§, the Secretary of the Dunedin Jockey Club, wishes all N.Z. racing clubs to forward half-a-dozen of their programmes when issued, together with the secretaries, addresses in full.

From a Hobart paper I gather that the value of this year's Epsom Derby was £5,925. A private, cablegram received in Melbourne tipped Harvester as the probable vkiner, and added Archer " rides him."

A few days before the race for the Two Thousand Guineas,. Walton, the American plunger, laid 6,000 to 4,000, and 7,000 to 4,000 on the three favourites (Scot Free, Harvester, and Royal Fern) beating the field.

Derritt has left Christchurch on a visit to Australia. He has had a splendid record this season, for out of 116 rides he has been victorious 56 times, and has the honour of having ridden Tasmun, the first N.Z. Cup winner. " Sir 1 launcelot" ,hae concludedl, his N .Z. , Cup reviow, and selects the following ten to furnish the. winner:—Oudeis, "Vanguard, Turquoise, Sou-wester, Nelson. Minerva, Tim Whiffler, Captain Webster, Talebearer, and Carlton. . *

During the voyage of the City of Mel bourne to Brisbane two of the Bundoora Park youngsters met with their death. Several yearlings and two-year-olds were on board, and Little Quam and Alone, both by Quamboneson, were killed. Nominations for, the Tauranga Jockey Club Produce Stakes (for two-year-olds) close with Mr David. Asher the Secretary, on the 30th June. The race is only open to colts and fillies foaled in the Bay of Plenty. ■• ..• : . , At the annual sale of horses from Mr Alexander Smith's Lindenow atud, all the animals submitted were quitted with but three. exceptions. The sires represented, were Smuggler, Don Giovanni, and Silence, and the total sum realised for the 36 horses sold amounted to 1,293 guineas. As I ("Augur ") have seen various state ments respecting the richest stake ever won by a horse in Australia, it may be as well to mention that the first Champion Stakes, won by Flying Buck, was the biggest prize ever won in a single event in these colonies. For that race, Mr W. C. Yuille, who was the owner of the colt, received 2,650 soys. " Senex " says that King Arthur, who is entered for the Maiden Steeplechase and Ladies' Bracelet at the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase Meeting, was got by Anteros. He damaged himself in a wire fence when a youngster, and was sold by Mr Lance to Captain Cotton for a mere song. He has since been doing good/ work under Horry Lunn's guidance, and was sold last week to Mr Laing, of Napier, at, a good figure.

THE CRUISE OF THE WAIRARAPA.

[By 6ub Special Correspondent.]

(Continued 'frmti"Star" of Junc-2Q.)

; ~ Levuka, June 12, Progress of tho Colony.—The Sugar ?'■■'.-. Industry. ,

"Catsteeth's" dismal predictions, have not been ■ verified, for the colony con tinues to progress •in spite of all draw backs. Sugar has taken the place of cotton as the hope of the planters, crushing mills are increasing in number, and vindicate tho confidence of foreign capitalists in the per manence of this industry in Fiji. There are several large crashing mills in the islands. The Colonial .Sugar Refining Company of Sydney have built their mill at the junction of the Suva and Rewa.rivers. This Com pany has large and extensive mills and plan tations in Queensland, besides its refineries, at Sydney and Melbourne. Another mill on this river, called the Rewa Sugar Refining Mill, has. been established. A.new mill is in course of erection forStanlake, Lee & Co. on the Navua river; and the crushing mill connected with the New Zealand Sugar Company, has been commenced at their plan tation at Ba. Mr Leicester Smith has just completed a Pioneer Mill on Mr J. B. Sim monds's property at Dreketi, and the Mango Island Company's mill was recently opened amid great rejoicings on the plantation. There ia also': a large mill belonging to Messrs. Billyard Brothers at Taviuna. It is indispensable to".-sugar" growing that crushing power shall dxist in close proximity to the plantations, because fermentation sets in rapidly after the cane is cut. The want of mills prevents1 the [more rapid spread of this industry iin other parts of the islands where the land is fully as well adapted for it as the districts in which the industry has been established. Land which is now worth only about £5 an acre Would fetoh from £10 to £20 if crushing power in the vicinity were available. • These, however, involve a heavy outlay of capital, and the vastness of the operations of the companies may be gathered from some statistics, that have been compiled of last season's operations of th, c oldest of them—the Colonial Sugar Refining Com pany. Itß,employeJ3 in Fiji number 1,748, of whom 165 are Europeans, 895 coolies, 560 Polynesians, and .198. Fijians. Daring the crushing season (from May to December) . two steam tug-boats, four steam launches, and 40 iron punts, capable of carrying from 50 to 100 tons each, were continuously em ployed, and 40 additional punts have been constructed for this "season's work. The mill is also being increased from a capacity of 50 tons a day to 100 tons/.-'' V ; Governor pcgIVcßux i having on a recent •occasion} claimed ,the : repent'depression in the'sugar market as a sign of oyer-produc tion it has-been pomted•■put that his fears on-.that^eore tire groundless, Uie coiisump tion-oFsugar^bemg-'constantly on the in - 9.;^ En Sland'':»i:' iiow- afabunta. to 1,572,705 cwt. per annum; arid-has risen from 16-54 lbs, per caput in 1843 to 62-30

1 per caput in 1882. In America the con sumption haa been more remarkably pro gressive, representing an increase of no less than sixty per cent, in ten yeare, & growth that is attributable, no doubt, to the greater cheapness of the product and the great variety of new articles of manufacture in which it is an ingredient. Dr. MacGregor, the Acting-Colonial Sec retary, has courteously placed at my dis posal tke very latest statistics (up to the present moment of writing these are not in print), which show that sugar has now taken the lead in the exports of the colony, exceeding copra (the former chief export) by £93,907. The rapid growth of the sugar industry may be seen by a glance at the following return of the three years' ex port:—

Year. Sugar Export. Value. 1880 .. 593 tons .. £20,920 1831 .. 681 ~ .. 23,251 1882 .. 1,731 „ .. 58,857 1883 .. 5,163 „ .. 175,555 When the new mills now in course of con struction are working the export will be immensely increased. The molasses exported in 1883 amounted to £29,220, against £5,433 in the preceding year. Copra.—The next item of export in order of importance is copra—i.e., dried cocoanut. The ordinary process of preparation in all the islands is to split the nut in two and dry the meat in the sun. Commercially it is used to some extent in confectionery, but chiefly for the manufacture of oil, the chief ingredient of palm oil soap. It is ordinarily estimated that 5,500 nuts go to a ton. The export from Fiji last year (1S83) was 0,281 tons, value £81,772. Of this 1,389 tons were raised elsewhere than in the Fiji Group. It is a fact which manufacturers of this article should observe, that the quantity of copra raised in Fiji last year was 588 tons less compared with the pro duct of 18S2, probably due to the attention of the native population being directed to more profitable industries. Cotton is also a deolining export. It was 214 tons, value £25,240, in 1883, against 271 tons, value £31,920 in 1882; only 141 tons was raised in the colony, being 11 tons less than during the previous year. ' Fruit contributes in an annually^increas ing degree to the wealth of tho 'country. The total value of the exports in 1883 was £15,428, against £9,139 in 1882. Bananas constituted the principal item, numboring 171,237 bunches. The value is estimated at Is 6d per bunch. Sydney is the best customer.

Co wee.—lt is most gratifying to see that the decline in this export through the disease which broko out on the coffee plan tations has been arrested by tho prompt measures of the Government, and last year the export rose to 210,204 lbs., being an in crease of 147,876 lbs. over the preceding twelve months, and 39,460 lbs. greater than in any single year since the colony was founded.

Beche-dk-mer (tripang) is a term familiar to all Australasian colonists, but only a small number of people have any clear idea of what it is. The peculiar tastes of the epicures of the Floweryland are responsible for the raking of the seas for this singular delicacy, as also for the collection of fungus. They use it in soups and stews, the flavour resembling the rind of pork. Beche-de-mer (scientifically termed nalthuria) looks like an enormous marine slug. |It buries its body in the sand or under the shelter of i-eefs, just leaving the head projecting, ex hibiting in this matter most excellent taste, the head being the only presentable part of the animal owing to its pretty feathery looking rosette. The ordinary size of the animal when contracted is about nine inches, but it -can stretch its flexible body out to two feet. The mode of preparation for ex port consists merely in splitting, boiling, and drying, and they then present the ap pearance of smoked sausages. In Fiji the export has fallen into a dormant condition ; the natives do not prosecute it, and the whites hesitate to again embark in the ven ture owing to native opposition. Tho reefs have had a rest for several years, and the temptation of a good harvest may lead to an early revival of the industry. The export from Fiji last year was only twelve tons, valued at £744.

Maize.—This export shows a slight in crease. It amounted in 1883 to 20,380 bushels, value £4,076.

Various Akticlbs.—Among the other items of export in 1883 were:—Peanuts, 122 tons, value £1833; fibre, 168 tons, value £1,676; pearl-shells, 100 tons, value £298; wool, s'tons, value £811 (this export iB de creasing, sheep having proved unprofitable in the colony); candle-nuts, 22 tons, value £141 .this also, it is anticipated, will soon disappear from the exports unless better crushing machinery is invented). Gknebal Summary ov Imports and Ex ports.—TKe total value of the imports of Fiji last year (swelled by tho import sugar mill machinery) was £450,594, against £303,329 in 1882 ; the exports amounted to £351,995, as compared with £190,517 in ISB2. The total foreign trade, therefore, was £802,592, against £493,846 in tho pre vious year (a most extraordinary incroase). • Shipping.—The vessels entered inwards numbered 45 steamers of a tonnage of 362,294; and there were 153 Bailing vessels, the tonnage being 32,236. First Impressions of Suva. I broke off my noarative of the Waira rapa's cruUe at the point where we cast an chor in Suva harbour. Picture to yourself the settling of evergreon hills in front, with con spicuous wavy cocoa-nut trees along the shore; or. the slopes an irregularly-built, new-looking colonial town of incongruous and very mixed buildings, perched in most awkward positions to the seaward, the foam of the reef breaking for many miles along the outer circle of the bay, and several boats filled with natives, decked with bright-coloured calico cloths round their loins, approaching the ship. As soon as the pilot boarded us a notice was posted warning passengers that a penalty of £50 was enforced against any person supplying a native with grog. The most wonderful thing about a Fijian is his hair; it is a marvel to behold, and the time spont in fatting it up is something astonishing, he hair is a coarse dark wool, naturally, like that of any true African nigger, but the Fijian covers it with quick-lime until he bleaches it to a yellowish colour; he allows it to grow long, combs it in waves or makes plaits—for there are many modes of dressing, and gets his wool into all sorts of shapes and sizes, from a respectable judge's wig to a plethoric mop. Even in his house he fixes wooden rests on which he reclines his head in order that he may not crush his hair, preferring, with true fashionable in stinct, the sacrifice of ease to his regard for personal appearance. These fantastically decorated oarsmen soon convey the passen gers to the shore, and we are strolling through its narrow streets. A more badly laid-out town does not exist outside of Turkey, and whoever in these days is re sponsible for its crooked, ill-devised by ways ought to be put in gaol for the balance of his life. Many men have been so con fined for doing very much less injury to their fellow-creatures. It is about two years since the seat of Government, was removed here from Levuka, and the white popula tion now numbers about 600. But whites are a mere accident in the case—for one that is seen on the streets there are a dozen blacks—natives of many races—Fijian, Indian, coolies and imported labourers from all the islands of the Pacific. It is quite interesting to examine their several modes of personal adornment—some with tattoo (these all imported), others, the native Fijians, with the charcoal of burnt wood smudged over their faces, or dabs of red ochre. This is the most primitive and bar barous idea of decoration practised by any savages ; there is no art about it. You see Fijians simply with a dirty black shape less patch covering the nose and an unde fined area of the face, and leap with astonishment that it has been deliberately put on as-a decoration. As we wander along the business street a resident men tions -that Mr Sturt, of the great hotel, has the finest collection of island curios and shells in the Fiji. We enter, and the pro prietor courteously shows his museum. The curios cover the walls of large billiard and dining rooms. Examination of the native carving discloses the wretchedness of their character—rough, jagged, dispro portionate lines, not to be mentioned in the same breath with the artistic curves of Maori carving. A tyro could tell these were.wrought by a low race from their very primitive conceptions of art. These Fijians are of Papuan origin, they have no affinity with the Malayans. .Physically they area fine, well-built people; many of them look intelligent and prove so in service. Ratu Abel, Cakabau's eon, ■ dined aboard the steamer, and is an intelligent, well-educated man. The skin of the Fijian is of an agreeable copper hue, and the scarcity of dress never impresses one, it does not even occur to white ladies who have come straight from countries where there are no blacks. To describe the buildings of Suva would be perfectly idle. Anyone who has seen a new colonial town knows all about it. There are so many hotels, so many general stores; the very names of Australasian banks, loan agencies, and firms figure upon the sign-boards. The only peculiarity-is! the entire absence of chimneys. With all the houses there is a little cook-house apart —this for the heat. The temperature of the group, has a mean of 93 deg. in the shade in the Wannest month rand.- ,77 deg. in the coldest. The mean for, June (this month) is'7B"deg. ■ Haying walked the streets, which are very muddy from recent rain, in

spite of tho loads of broken coral rock which have been thrown upon them, we wander along in tho direction of the bush, which borders the town. A party of sea men from one of the ships is seen coming along with a handkerchief full of large citrons, gathered from the wild trees. The few cocoanut and orange trees scattered about are regarded as untouchable, tho finest being saleable, and the land all in private hands. We knock off some shad docks, however, which In appearance re semble oranges as big as water-melons. They look tempting, but prove a fraud. On examination we find the skin about half an-inch thick; then comes a layer of worth less pith, and finally a small orange-like centre, which is bitter. The common mode of eating them is by cutting off the top, placing some sugar on the pulp, and taking it out with a spoon. The abundant wild flowers everywhere do not disappoint us, and our hands are soon full of them—the vau, a bright, tulip-shaped yellow flower, growing on a large timber-tree, and the scarlet hibiscus being most conspicuous, Coleus of many very beautiful varieties are indigonous, and are a very common plant among the thick undergrowth. Ferns and beautiful creepers are specially noticeable. The Tahitian chestnut with its large green fruit, tho wild chili, and tho sago-palm also catch the eye. There are very few bread fruit trees about Suva.

It is a popular delusion which is associated with these Pacific Islands that they are wonderful places for fruit, but except the banana, which is always cut green and ripened off the tree, and is therefore quite as good in the colonies as in its native home, the orange, the cocoanut, the guava, and the grendilla (a melon-like fruit, about the size of an ostrich egg, which crows on a vine), thore is no fruit worth talking about, Europeans generally speak with weariness of tho native fruit, and speak longingly of the variety in flavour of the fruit of more temperate zones. Even grapes have to bo imported into Fiji. Tho local fruit is cheap enough; bananas about eighteenpence a bunch; oranges, two dozen lor sixpence in the abundant season ; pine-apples, two shil lings a dozon. Bananas and oranges last the year through, though there aro seasons of abundance and scarcity j pino-applos only ripon at ono season. Another feature in the streets-of Suva on week days is tho native fish-sellers. The fish are of all colours—red and bluo and green being often intermixed. Tho quality generally is very poor ; the mullet, the best, more oily than the Now Zealand mullet, and of poorer flavour. There are also poisonous fishes, but the natives know these thoroughly and may be trusted. Fishing, however, is poor sport in Fiji; the water is so cloar that the fish sco tho line and won't bite. Most of them are caught by wicker work traps and weirs j they aro sold in shilling bundles. Colonists run against many old acquaint ances among tho white inhabitants, espe cially New Zealanders. Tho town is governed by a Board eiected by tho rate payers, and presided over by a warden. Tl\e present warden is Mr. Macgregor, for merly of Auckland, New Zealand, and Mr. J. Niccol of Auckland is Sanitary Inspector. His duties will bo considerable if only in clearing off the swarms of natives who make or domicile of tho verandahs of stores, ren dering pedestrian exercise at night a matter requiring caution, for fear of stumbling over the prostrate bodies.

Some of the party on Sunday wont over in the ship's boats to the native town on tho other side of the bay. Tho houses are of thatch, and ore very clean, tho floor covered with mats, and mosquito nets of calico aro spread over the resting places. There are no divisions in the dwollings. Some of the chiefs' houses are very richly furnished with mats. Altogether the dwellings are much superior in comfort and cleanliness to those common in Maori villages. Tho visitors were regaled with a decoction from the famous kava bowl, tho fluid being made in this instance by grating instead of chew ing, the favourite mode with the natives, and approved as the best. Many of tho white residents drink the liquor commonly, and procure root for its manufacture in tho local stores.

Excursion up tho Rewa River,

Returning to tho steamer for dinner, wo learned the programme for tho following day—a trip to the big sugar-mill up tho Rewa river, the boats to start at six o clock in tho morning; breakfast at five. At four o'clock a.m. the stewards began to rouse the poople out of their berths, and we were soon discussing sundry grills at a most unaccustomed hour. The steam launch alongside was being stored with suspicious looking cases and hampers, and all tbe ship's boats—somo very fine ones—were ready at the gangways. By six all the excursionists had taken their seats in these; tow-lines wore attached, and a procession of six boats astern of the launch filed away from the ship, the two end boats having powerful crews of Fijian oarsmen for service in case of omergency. . The route to the river, a distance of about thirteen miles, is all inside the reef. The bay was beautifully calm, a pleasant broezo blowing, and tho sun rose above the hills behind Suva in colours that gave promise of the lovely day which followed. When fairly into the Rewa river, one is amazed at its breadth and the extraordinary volume of water in an island of such small area as Viti Levu. The banks ore low and liable to floods ; the vegetation of almost impenetrable den sity. We make a stoppage on the way to procure a few groon cocoanuts. The occu pants of a passing canoe on being asked for some, with that perception of a tourist as fair game for fleecing which is discovered in the most primitive societies, made the modest demand of sixpence apiece. Our boats' crew were sent ashore to thro w down a lot, which they did rapidly enough, stripping the green husks off and presenting the milky contents, with which tho nut is fully charged, for our delectation. The flavour is very agreeable, and thirst-quenching. To the islander this tree is a sort of uni versal providence. Our crew showed their own appreciation of it by disappearing in tho bush to discus* a number of nuts on their own account, and they were only recalled to duty with difficulty.

The Rowa river has several mouths, and at their junction stands a large native and a half-caste village (the two always being kept perfectly separate). Our boat having by the aid of its stalwart oarsmen got ahead of the launch and its train, we went ashore to investigate a bungalow bearing the sign of the Uewa Hotel. Here wo found not so much as a bottle of ginger beer or a biscuit. The house was not licensed to sell alcoholic liquor, the pre cautions against the supply of grog in native districts being very rigidly enforced. Like all picnics, this one met with its mishaps. The launch got aground; it hac all the provisions aboard. The mill, which is twelve miles up the river, making about 25 from Suva, was not reached until half past two, when many of the passengers were very hungry, very thirsty, and in" not the most amiable of moods. A tremendous onslaught on the provisions ensued; then followed an examination of the mill. It is the property of the Colonial Sugar Company of Sydney, and is said to be the second largest in the world. I have already given some statistics of its operations last season. The machinery is of a ponderous descrip tion. The sugar-cane is lifted out of the punts on the river, and placed directly into a travelling elevator, which conveys it to an enormous crushing cylinder. Here the juice is expressed, and it is moistened with steam from a pipe. Travelling up another plane", it undergoes a second crushing, and the waste woody fibre then comes forth Hku dry pith. The expressed juice, flowing out below the cylinders, is' forced to vats on the upper floor, and then commence a series of processes, the first being to cleanse it thoroughly of all dirt and fibre, and the second, by boiling in vacuum, under a series of diminishing atmospheric pressures, to throw off the water, and reduce tho liquid to granulated saccharine matter. Finally, the raolassss is pressed out, and the raw sugar is ready for bagging and export, to be worked up in the Company's refineries in Australia. The mill works day and night, and manufactures its own gaa for lighting. The electric light is now being introduced. The Company employ several large .flat-bottomed tugs on the river to draw the punts from the river plantations to the mill. Mr Robertson, the manager, kindly placed one of these at the disposal of the party to convey the boats down the river, and we went home by moonlight at the rate of seven miles an hour, arriving about nine o'clock at the ship, which was illuminated from the water-line to rigging, and presented a splendid appearance. After dinner, everybody repaired aiihore to witness a raecca, or native dance, got up by the chiefs for their amusement. The posturing and rythmical motions of the dancers, performed to a monotonous music of singing and beating on a wooden tom-tom, were remarkably good. On Tuesday, the party scattered themselves in various ex mrsions over the bay. Some accepted the nvitation of I)r McGregor, Acting Colonial Secretary, to a lawn tennis contest at his residence, and at night the whole of the passengers were entertained at a grand ball given in their honour, by the inhabitants of Suva. Getting aboard in the "wee sma'" .hours,.many were in the land of dreams when the Wairarapa steamed out'of Suva, harbour: at'seven o'clodk- on' Wednesday morning, en route for Levuka. ~ j (To be Continued,) ,

NEWS OF THE MONTH.

SUMMARY FOR HOME.

AUCKLAND, N.Z., Juno 21, ISS-1.

Since last mail left, Parliament lias met, lias passed a voto of want-of-confidonco in the Ministry, and ha 3 been dissolved. His Excellency's speech, delivered at the open ing of the Legislature on the sth inst., was a carefully-prepared document, and dealt very ably with the political, industrial, and .commercial condition of the colony, while it gave due prominence to the question of Colonial Federation and other measures which Ministers intended to lay beforo tho House. There was nothing disclosed, how ever, which could be laid hold of as a handle for a no-confidence motion, as tho measures were generally popu lar with the country. The Oppo sition therefore resolved upon moving an amendment to the Addressin-Roply, declaring in general terms that His Excel lency's presont advisers did not possess tho confidence of tho House. On account of irreconcilable differences between the rival claimants to the leadership of the Opposi tion, the task of moving this amendment was entrusted to Mr Steward, M.H.R. for Waimato, and after a discussion lasting only two days it was carried by a majority of nino votes. Ministers, after consulta tion, resolved upon advising His Excellency to dissolve Parliament, and this, request having been acceded to, Major Atkinson, tho Premier, intimated tho fact to tho House on tho 17th inst. So stated that unless obstacles wore thrown in tho way by the Opposition, tho House would be dis solved within a wook, and as tho goneral election would proceod without delay, ho hoped that tho now Parliament would be able to meet by 28th of August next. Opinion is divided throughout the colony as to tho wisdom of dissolving Parliament before any business had been transacted, but there is a general feeling of satisfaction that the "Continuous Ministry" havo sus tained a dofoat, and have boon forced to submit their policy to tho electors. llemarkablo facts in connection with tho Ministerial crisis are that tho Government foil, not through their faults, but their virtues, and that their defeat was in no way due to tho strength or unity of tho Opposi tion, but was solely owing to defections from their own ranks—defections resulting from thoso very matters of policy and administration which the colony at large approvod as just and right. The action of tho Cabinet in raising the grain tariff on tho Stato railways had alienated tho support of Canter bury Ministerialists, who withdraw their support on local and selfish grounds, though all tho colony outside of Canterbury (tho greatest grain-growing province) recog nised th« alteration of rates m just and necessary. Then tho declared policy of tho Government in reference to native lands— a policy framed with tho viow of preventing certain flagrant abuses in connection with dealings in those lands, which abuses were condomned by tho Promior as " a disgrace toour civilisation"—had tho effect of driving some North Island adherents of tho Ministry into opposition, and in that way a majority was obtained against the Government. In appealing to the couutry, Ministers will no doubt majio a strong point of these itoms in their policy and administration, while the Civil Service reforms which they havo been vigorously prosecuting for soino timo back will also bo relied upon as vindicating their general conduct of the affairs of tho colony. Tho ofleet of tho gonoral election upon tho position of parties is, very problemati cal. It is an open secret that tho Cabinet lias been coquetting with Sir Georgo Groy with a viow to getting his assistance and that of his party to form a Coalition Ministry, but the leader of tho Liberal section of the Opposition resisted all advances. No com mon basis of action beyond that of ousting the Ministry can, it is believed, be found for the co-operation of Sir George Grey with the Southern Oppositionists led by Mr Montgomery, aud the only hopo of a majority boing secured for any of the three parties lies in tho chanco of securing the aid of Sir Julius Vogel, who has determined to re-enter colonial politics, and is now a candidate for tho Ashburton constituency in Canterbury, Sir Julius cannot be expected to act with Sir- Goorgo Grey, but ho certainly might enlist Mr Montgomery under his banner, and form a Ministry backed by a South Island party. ■ The pro babilities, how over, uro that Vogel will rather be drawn . towards the retiring Ministry, and that the elections will result in their being once more placed in a majority. Two bye olootions which have recently taken place favour this view. :At Thorndon, Wellington, Dr. Newman, a staunch Ministerialiot, obtained an easy victory over his opponent, an old and tried politician. This seat was formerly hold by a Ministeralist, so it did not constitute a gain. The East- Coast seat, which was formerly held by Mr A. McDonald, has, howover, been secured by a Ministerialist. This election will now. require to be fought ovor again, but tho result is not expected to be altered. Mean while, it ie a significant sign of returning confidence in the present Government that the seat formerly held by an ardent GTeyite should have been gained by a warm Minis terialist like Mr Locke. Mr Bees, for whom Sir George Grey worked hard, was at tho bottom of thepoll; bat his rejection may bo partly due to the disgust felt by the electors at the treatment they received from their late membor in the sarao interest. Still, the fact of this election, like the Thorndon ono, resulting in favour of th<> present Government is a promising augury of their return to power and place by tho will of the electors of the colony. Tbo Ash burton election, now pending, is expected to result in the return of Sir Julius vogel.

Tlioro lifts just been published a return giving the results of the collection of agri cultural statistics in tho polony made during February and March last, and this is deserving of attention oven by those uncon nected with farming pursuits, on account of the bearing of tho facts on the general wel fare. From this return we learn that the total number of hnldings of ovor one acre is 28,557, of which 19,417 are freehold and the balance rented, or part freehold and routed. As compared with laßt yoar, the number of holdings has increased by 1,235, which shows that tho process of settlement, if not so rapid as wo could desiro, is proceeding steadily. " Of tho increase only about one half, or 659, arc freeholds ; and as the pro portion of freeholds over the colony is about two-thirds of the whole, the falling-off in new freeholds acquired may be accepted as the first result of tho non-alienation policy of Government with reference to certain Crown lands. Taking the different districts, it is noticeable that Auck land has tho largest proportion! °f holdings possessed under freehold tenure. Of a total number of 6,379 holdings, 5,166 are freehold, while Otago, with 6,778, has but 4,542 freeholds, and Canterbury only 4,113 freeholds out of a total of 6,363 hold ings. This peculiarity we have formerly' observed, and it proves the suitability of the Northern clime and soil for the prosecu tion of. small farming industries, and for the' settlement of a large and thriving popula tion on the land. .

. Turning to the columns which refer to the state of cultivation, several noteworthy. facts at once appear. There is shown to be a great decrease in the acreage under each of tho principal grain crops—wheat and oate—and a corresponding decline in tho estimated produce. As compared with 1883, the acreage under wheat has de creased by 13,112 acres, and the acreage under oats by 39,350 acres. Against this there is a slight increase in the acreage under barley and potatoes, while the acre age under turnips and rape has increased by 67,130 acres. The increase under the heading "sown grasses" for the present year shows no less an increase than 412,084 acres. Oats grown for green food also show an increase amounting to 17,554 acres. These figures tell forcibly of the change which has been effected by the sudden rise and growth of the frozen meat trade, which will in time transform the character of colonial farming, should, the prices received for'meat continue more remunerative than those obtained for grain. To show the growth of the export trade in j frozen meat, we quote the following par ticulars.of the exports for 1882-3 and part of the pre3ent year: — " -'~"-. ■','.• " • Quantity. Value. ■■•■■-..-:■■ "■■ ' ■ owt. -- eft-'- Yearlßß2 .. .. .. 15,2«. 19,339 ~r,1883 ..', .. ;V. 87*975 ; 118.328 March quartor, 1881 .. 57.332.;■ 77.108

The trade will be seen to'have fiuintupied • in one year,: and if the Trate of increase' shown far 1884i«-kept up," ill wilt liave'' multiplied fifteen times in the course of two

years. Despite the enormous drain upon our flocks by the export of frozen mutton, the number of sheep in the colony, we believe, will be found to bo still increasing. In 1883, at any rate, thenumbor had grown by 883,478 aa compared with 1882, and when the estimate for the present year -in ready we expect to find the natural increase more than keeping pace with the wholesale slaughter. To maintain these flocks, the grazing lands of the colony and those devoted to raising green food must be still further added to, and we may expect to find for some years a decline in the acreage under grain. While this may bo the case, it is satisfactory to observo that the colony is in no danger of losing its reputation as a prolific producer of grain crops. This year the average yield of wheat, por acre, was 20 02 buehels, and of oats, 35*11 bushels. This, contrasted with the miserablo Australian yield of 5 to 12 bushels per acre, ought to show up the character of New Zealand to intending im migrants as the best field for the farmer of intelligence, enterprise, and moderates capital. A most important proposal has been undor discussion for the past two weeks, viz., the placing of the control of the Manu kau Harbour in the hands of the Auck land Harbour Board. At present, the Manukau—which forms the western as the Wnitemata is tho eastern harbour of Auckland city—is directly managed by Government, and tho control has been proved most ineffective and unsatisfactory. The- commercial public of Onehunga lately began an agitation to have the control of the harbour transferred to a" local board, and Sir 6. M. O'Rorke drafted a bill pro posing to constitute an Onehunga Har bour Board. For obvious reasons, it was felt in Auckland that it would bo wrong to allow a new and probably conflicting authority to be created, and tho Harbour Board at once took steps to have the con trol of tho westorn harbour vested in tlierii. At a meeting held on tho 10th inst., Mr Qravos Aickin (Chairman) tabled the following resolutions :—(l) That it is de s'rablo that tho western and eastern har bours of tho Auckland isthmus, should be under ono control and manage ment. (2) That tho Auckland Har bour Board is the moßt suitable Corpora tion to undortake such control, and this Board now declares its willingness to accept the administration of the Manukau Harbour togethorwiththoforeßhore, endowments,and Railway Wharf. (3) That tho resolutions bo forwarded to tho Government with o respect ful request that thoy may bo given effect to by inserting tho nocoseary clauses in tho bill beforo Parliament, vosting in tho Auckland Harbour B«ard all endowments, foreshores, wharves, buoys, and boaeons, &c. Also that due provision be made for the repre sentation of the inhabitants of Onehunga. At a special adjourned meeting held on 17th inst., those resolutions were adopted by the Board. It is averred that tho Go vernment, while opposod to tho creation of an Onehunga Harbour Board, would not ob ject to handing over tho control of tho Manukau Harbour to a capablo and im portant body liko tho Auckland Harbour Board, and tho project is therefore in a fair way to realisation.

The total customs rovenuo collected in tho colony last month was £106,301 as ngainst £118,6?9 for the corresponding month of last yoar. Tho principal amounts collected woro :—Auckland, £24,44(i j. Wellington, £18,185; Lyttelton, £13,409; Dunedin, £20,516. All those four places »how a dec rease on tho corresponding month except Wellington. Tho beer duty last month wus t'4,219, while in tho corresponding nionth of last yoar it was £4,470. Last month Auckland contributed i'B7t>; Wellington, £3312; Christchurch, £875 ; Dunedin, £987.

The depression in tho labour market which has, during tho past year, seriously affected the southern portions of tho colony, has at length been felt in Auckland, and wo have in this district now cot used to tho ominous word "unemployed/1 A deputa tion from idle men waited upon the Mayor on tho llthinst., when His Worshiprequosted them to forward to tho City Council a state ment of facts, mentioning whether the men are marriod or single, giving their trade or occupation, stating how long thoy had been out of work, and where they were last employed. A meeting was h»ld on Juno 12, when tho Mayor's request was read aud acted upon. It was pointed out by somo of the speakers that tho cix shillings per day which they asked for was for tomporary relief work, and that thoy' would only bo satinfied with it as a temporary wage. Acting upon the Mayor's suggestion, a list of unemployed was sent in to the City Council containing 134 signatures—9o being single men and 44 married. The schedule show«d that 77 woro labourers, 7 bushmen, 4 carters, 4 fireman, 4 oach painter*, storemßn, boot maker*, engineers, miners, and navvies, 2 each blacksmiths, farm labourers, and plasterers, 1 each shipping clerk, draper, gasworks hand, horse dealer, tinsmith, groom, fish-dealer, butcher, sawyer, grooer, platelayer, iron moulder, driver, chainman, miller, gardener, bricklayer, collier, carpenter, sailor, printer, barman, baker. Mr Fauldur, contractor, intimated to tho Mayor hit willingness to find employment for 50 or 60 good labourers at 8s per day; while Mr Kirby also stated his willingness to take 20 of 30 at 7s or 8». The latter employer also said he was ready to put on a number of men at - motil breaking at 4a 6d per yardl Tho result of these and other steps has boon that the wliolo of the men able and willing to work have been employed. It is also right to add that tho scarcity of work was only temporary, being caused chiefly by the advent of winter and partly also by the exodus hither of a number of workmon from other parts of tho colony. It may bo pointed out that last winter thore was about an equal niimbor of unemployed men at ono time in this district.

The Government survey of the nativo territory in the centre of the North Island • continues, but is subject to fitful interrup tion at the hands of sections of the Maoris, though nothing like serious opposition is offered. The .Ngatiraukawa tribo, who are large lnnd-owners in tho King country, feel that they have boon slighted to some extent in the negotiations for the trig Burvey, and have addressed to us the fol lowing letter through their chief s—" Tutu towa, June Brd, 1884.— To the Auckland Newspaper,—This is my word, that all the Europeans of the Island may hear it. lam stopping the big survey of tho Govern ment in my district. I have already written to Bryco j he has not replied. I will not allow my district to come undor Wahanui's jurisdiction, as neither I nor my people signed his petition. Although wo all heard Bryco's word at tke beginning, to the effect that we should have tho control ovor our lands, and that the law for us should bo the samo as for the Europeans, the' Govorrimont aro now making a new law about our lands, and are taking the solo controT and the solo dis posal into their own haftds. Wo cannot understand this action of tBo Government. —Na Wnin Potato, from all Ngatirau kawa."

The month has been rondered memorable in this part of the colony by the annual sittings of the various Licensing Com mittees elected on the Temperance ticket. They were returned pledged to the rigorous abolition of Sunday trading, the closing of upstairs bars and the restriction of the hours of sale till 10 p.m. Most of the public houses are in the hands of the brewers, and strenuous oxertions were made beforo the dreaded day of rockoning to put tho best face on matters by removing suspected or convicted publicans, making oxtonsive alterations and improvements, and in many caseß inviting tendors for new and handsomu premises. The report had got abroad that the Committees were determined to weed but the hotels, and Boniface was on his best behaviour. So far tho result is highly satisfactory to the public. Tho Committees have been wonderfully tolerant in their decisions, considering their strongly-marked personnel. While readily renewing licenses to respectable publicans and com mending good houses, they have insisted in Bomo cases upon the removal of untrusfc worthy men, and in others upon the erec tion of better premises. At present the Eed Lion, Aurora, and Occidental Hotels, are being replaced with handsome structures, and the Shamrock is to be similarly served, while an imposing four-story hotel at the entrance to the Queen-street Wharf is ad vancing towards completion for the purpoie of carrying the license of the Exchange. In City South, tho Army and Navy, and Crown have been absolutely closed ;in City East, the Notting ham Castle, Exchange, and Custom Houeo have been doomed to extinction, and the case of the Swan, in Mechanics' Bay, is atill under consideration, while the City North Bench have expressed a determination to «lose the Albion, Scotia, and Alexandra, but have consented to an adjournment for the production of evidence in their favour. The Karangahape Benoh have placed the York Hotel undera similar ban, and the case of the three hotels of Newmarket has been adjourned for further consideration. With the exception of tie Grafton Committee, who granted their (single hotel,- at the corner of Ky ber Pass Road s anil o'clock license, every public boirie throughout the city and suburbs will regularly ckwe its doors, after :this month, at 10 p.m.', aUupstaiijs bars are ■interdicted, anil Sunday,trading canMuly be fcarried* on tinder the-risk of summary for feiture of license. The Committees have

deserved well of the public and may be trusted still further to faithfully conserve their interests. , The vagaries of jurors at Uowners , Quests" and in Court have formed the material for many a good story in the past, and despite the progress of civilisation, tno ancient repute of those extra-judicial bodies is well sustained. An Auckland Jury of Four, selected for tho determination of a civil suit in the District Court, have drawn upon themselves, since tho issue of our last summary, tho attention, as well as the derision of the genorul public, by a most singular finding. A Greek sailor named Georgo Eggs, belonging to the St. Law rence, an American barque which put in here on her way from Sydney to Puget Sound (British Columbia), brought an action against the master (John Webster) for the recovery of £100 damages in rospectof injuries to his left arm alleged to have re sulted from tho course of treatment pursued by the master for the purpose of reducing a supposed dislocation. It appeared in evi dence that during the voyage the seaman felt and complained to the master that he had dislocated his arm. The latter had no surgeon on board, and so, after examining the injured limb, ho consulted a work winch had been supplied to him, entitled " The Ship Captain's Medical Guide" by Dr. Harry Leach, of London, and followed thodirections therein contained, viz., to place the patient upon his back and get a strong man to pull steadily at his arm until it slipped back into the socket. The operation resulted with apparent satisfaction at the time, but on arrival in port the seaman appears to have found his arm as bad as ever. A conflict of medical testimony arose as to whether or not the arm had been dislocated at all, Drs. Wilkins and Honeyman affirm ing that it had not, and that the pulling must therefore havo injured it, while Dr. Richardson and Dr. Bond (Hospital House Surgeon) as poaitivelymaintainedthat it had been dislocated, and that the shipmaster hod done tho right thing under tho circum stances. Tho balance of testimony was strongly on tho side of the skippor, and yet in dofiance of the judge's clear direction that (1) if there was no negligence or breach of duty tho captain was not responsible, aud (2) if there was no dislocation, the captain's mistako was to some extent at loast condoned by tho man's own state ment that his arm was dislocated, the jury returned a verdict for the full amount claimed, £100. The announcement was roceived with laughter in the Court, as woll as it might. As we renrarked at the timo : " On the evidence, and even on the summing up of tho judge, the verdict of the jury appears preposterous, and opposed in law and common sense. ..... There

is no doubt in any sane mind that the captain did what he was bound to do by every consideration of humanity and right; and on the question of dislocation or no dislocation, ' who shall decide when doctors disagree?'" A noiv trial is .to bo moved for o» Monday next. The New Zealand representative football team is now on its way back from New South Wales after a most successful tour. Eight matches were played, of which threo were intercolonial, and in every contest! the New Zealanders achieved a brilliant victory. The aggregate points scored by our men amounted to between 100 »nd 200, while their opponents' points did not amount to 20. The Now Zealanders are said to have been vastly superior in every department of the game, and results have fully confirmed this opinion. Our men wero most hospitably entertained on the other bide.

The events of the past fortnight would ulinoßt appear to indicate the existence of v suicidal mania in Auckland. Within the coinpnss of scarcely more than a week, three suicides and two determined attempts at self - destruction have occurred. On Monday night of last week, Captaiu Lile wall shot himself through the heart at the North Shore, the causos being financial embarrassment and domestic troubles. Three nights later, Mr William Pickett, a well-known sharebroker, also shot himself through tho heart, and it is now ascertained that his financial affairs were embarrassed to a considerable extent. He had received shares for sale, disposed of them, and failed to account forthemoney. OnSaturday morn ing, a gum-digger namedC'ogan^while suffer ing from the effects of excessive drinking cut his throat and stabbed himself in several places. He U now in a most precarious state. Another gumdigger named Hardy haa since improved on this method of self-destruction by opening an artery in his arm, but his attempt to take his own lifo has not been successful so far. The third shocking suicide occurred last Monday evoning, when a young man named Bernard Jones, a member of the Naval Artillery force, shot himself because Mary Ann McKenna, a girl to whom he had proposed, would not marry him, she being already engaged. He was only 21 years of age, and is said to have been of a jovial, good - natured disposition. The fatalities of the month have on the whole been most phenomenal. Two flagrant charges have been made ugainat John Adams, licensee of the Swan Hotel; one for card - sharping, or " cut cards" as it was termed, in whioh an elderly man professed to have been done out of £10. The evidence showed that the landlord was a consenting party, and that tho game was permitted at unseasonable hours. The statement of complainant, however, was so confused, and lacking coherence, that Judge Smith, the presiding magistrate, dismissed the case on the ground that Nicholson's testimony was unreliable. The second charge against ddams was far more serious in its nature, viz., a case of "lambing down," in which a man named, Franks, who had inherited' a legacy from a deceased uncle, was deprived of a very considerable sum of money. The man Franks, it ap peared, came up from Wanganui and got on the epree. He intended to have sought accommodation at Gloeson's hotel, feeling that there he would be in safe hands, but he was too late, the hotel being closed for the night. Not in the clearest mood Franks found his way to theNevadaina half-drunken state. He wanted a " roost "for the night, and a courteous cabman, John Clarke,offered to drive him to a very nice retired hotel, where his every wish would be gratifiedon eapy terms. He was forthwith driven to Adams's hotel. He had two £5 notes in his possession, one of which he changed to pay the cabman's fee. The other note and the small change he believed'he transferred to his pocket. He remained at the hotel for 12 days. Having incautiously displayed a deposit receipt for £250, which Adams considered should be in better hands. He easily persuaded Franks to endorse the re ceipt, and was then driven to the Swan Hotel. While there Franks was kept continually in a aemi - drunken state, and when he got his bill found, to his astonishment, that it amounted to £147 10s, and Adams coolly handed him £2 10s. The bill was a most remarkable ono, £22 10a being for shares in a cheese factory, and sundries £68. The case was fully gone into, and foil through because because the police had failed to put in the' necessary documents to provo that Adams was an innkeeper, and that the Licensing Act was in operation in tho dis trict. This was a gross omission, but the charge will, it is expected, be shortly brought forward in another form. The failure of the latter case has caused great dissatisfaction in the community, as the public regard it »sa miscarriage of justice. It is not likely, however, that the Licensing Bench will grant a renewal of the license to Adams.

A public debate of some intorost was bPgun in the Theatre Poyal on the 3rd inst., between Mr George A. Brown and Mr Charles Bright, on the question " la the Christianity of tho New Testament detrimental to human progress?" The debate was carried on with much spirit, and occupied two nights. The combatants were both .nen of ability and pretty equally matched. Mr Brown represents the "Con ditional Immortality" Church, and Mr Bright it a well-known Freethinker. The chair was occupied by Mr Wm. Cooper, Chairman of the Rationalistic Association, supported °y Messrs Campbell and Coup land. On. the second night's debate, Mr Edwin! Carr, a well-known tem perance advocate, presided in accordance with the \v'B'' °*\ *ne friends of Mr Brown. The debate was' conducted in the most courteous manner on both sides, and concluded with votes' of thanks to the Chairman. ' ..... With referslloß to assisted immigration the working man's opinion generally is that it has gone quite far enough, and that further BhipiQenta will ovorstock the labour market. This may be accepted as tho real state of affaU'B) ifvve except farm labourers and domestic servant*, l^uople in the country continue to nominate friends, and they purely ought themselves to be the best judges as to whether' or not; they can provide sufficient work for the new comers, . The Victory's im migrants who came here found employ ment withii> a week, almost the whole hundred and odd going to the country, to Waikato; TaV'rari}?a, Avhangarei, &c. TUe Doric's *totaV-of seventy for all ports, as might, have bsen expected, had no percep tible effect-upP" the market,, and the few who refiifntrl hero-hove got employment. Now and then «c (hear an outcry against •assisted immigration; wJiioh shows that the mansT hundred^ of newcomers who have •been giyon employment recently have pr^ty,' nearly filled ;fs>«ll' vacancies, and future -■'■ ■- * ■ ';*">X;-' •■ ~- v ' ■ ■ - *

nomtnatioßß undoubtedly shoflldbeoOTfln^ *%££"*» end of last "**£,» difficulty ar6se between tho "*Bpe» Union and Captflifl Scotland, wort*^ « .such being disallowed by one of their ifllfflj venienco. At a crowded meeting 01 imnperß held subsequently the objection able rule was discussed at length, and a modification was agreed to, so that in future a cretain number of sailors will be allowed to take part in the work of discharging and assisting the lumpers. Captan bcottand and the local stevedore attended the meet ing, and were courteously treated. A good deal of public attention was be stowid on a recent court case, in which Captain Scotland, of tho ship.Crusader figured conspicuously, he having being broueht before the bar to answer a charge that he had during the voyage between London and Auckland indecently assaulted a lady passenger named Miss Mary i>uß°y- Miss Busby, in course of her evidence, stated that on one occasion she found, on entering tho saloon, that Captain Scotland was in Miss Oaksford's cabin, and he called her in. She did not go in, as she was fright ened to go near him, because he had in sulted her before by putting his hand under her clothes in the saloon. She subsequently went in, for Mrs Syers, a fellow passenger, had gone into the cabin, and told her that the captain wanted her very particularly. Miss Oaksford was lying in her bunk. Miss Oaksford was in the lower bunk, about 18 inches from the deck. It was a single bunk, but the two of them had slept in it one nicht, as it was rather larger than the other bunks. Miss Oaksford was very ill. When witness went into the cabin the captain was sitting by the side of Miss Oaksford, at her head, and she asked him what he wanted her for. He said nothing, but got up and pushed her into the bunk in which Miss Oaksford was lying. Witness's head Went to the bottom of the bunk to Miss Oaks f erd's feet. The captain put his hand under witness's clothes, and pulled them up above her knees. [Witness then described the assault.] She pushed him off, and rushed out of the cabin, and went on to the poop. Corroborative evidence was given by Miss Oaksford, and both were cross-examined at great length, after which counsel for dofend ant addressed the Court, and the Resident Magistrate announced that it was unneces sary to hear any defence, and dismissed the case.

Tho seventh annual report of the Minister of Education has been laid on the table of tho House of Repre sentatives, and the dry-looking figures of which it is for the most part made up tell a tale of educational progress and work such as may well cause every New Zealand colonist'sbreasttoglow with pride. The chief facts brought out in this report are as under s —The total number of scholars on the rolls of the several education districts at the end of the year was 92,476, as against 87,179 in the previous year. The average attendance during the year was 72,214. The school roll strength of the several education dis tricts is as follows :—Auckland, 17,120; Taranaki, 2,050; Wanganui, 5,446 ; Wel lington, 6,840 ; Hawke's Bay, 3,697 ; Marl borough, 1.456 ; Nelson, 4,550 ; North Canterbury, 17,797 ; South Canterbury, 3,920; Westland, 3,040 ; Otago, 20,545; Southland, 5,975. Otago has the highest attendance, 81-3; Auckland next, 77 "6. In the three largest districts the in crease is an follows :—Auckland, 12,223 to 13,079; North Canterbury, 12.156 to 12,753 ; Otago, 16,163 to 16,659, or 856, 567, and 496 respectively. During the year 761 Maoris and half-castes attended public schools, 343 being in Auckland. Statistics concerning the ages of scholars show 20,526 of five years and under seven ; 34,016, 7 and under 10; 26,810, 10 and under 13; 9,314, 13 and under 15, while 1,820 were over 15. Of the 44,772 girls attending the schools, 32,275 are taught needlework. Auckland still heads the list for number of schools, viz., 192 ; Otago has 159 ; and North Canterbury 144. The total number of teachers is 2,291, the average of pupils per teacher being 31 '5. The ordi nary income of boards during the year is set down at £379,240, tho principal heads of expenditure being: Maintenance of schools, £272,474 ; management of boards, £9,C62; buildings, £86,748; inspection and examination, £9,866. Allusion is* made to the disproportionate amounts of allowances to members of boards. For example, the amount paid to the Auckland board was £7 ss; while for the com paratively small districts of Westltmd and VVanganui the payments were respectively £237 and £160. Hawke's Bay and Marl borough are the only districts in-which no payments are made to members of board. The cost per scholar in the several districts is as follows:—Auckland, £4 2s 7d; Tara naki, £3 18a; Wanganui, £4 3s; Wel lington, £4 9s 3d; Hawke's Bay, £4 0s 3d ; Marlboroagh, £4 6s 2d ; Nelson, £4 6s lOd ; North Canterbury, £4 6s 4d; South Canter bury, £3 19s lid; Westland, £3 14s lid ; Otago, £4 3s 9d; Southland, £3 18s lid. The costs of boards' management per scholar in the principal districts were:—Auckland, 2s 6d; Otago, Is 9d; Wellington?P2B 9d; North Canterbury, 2s 3d; Southland, 2s sd. Inspection in Auckland cost 3s per head; in Wellington, 2s 9d; North Canterbury, 2s 3d; Otago, Is fld ; and Southland, 2s sd. The salaries to teachers totalled £239,241. Auckland, £45,405; Otago, £56,611; North Canter bury, £43,875; Southland, £15,534. Of the £86,748 expended on school buildings during the year, Auokland had £17,988; North Canterbury, £16,685; Otago, £16,293; Southland, £5,803. Statistics of school inspections show that 50 per cent, of scholars were presented for examination, and 37 per cent, passed. There were 144 holders of Govern ment scholarships, 39 of the holders being girls. At the close of the year there were 1,319 children in the industrial schools of the colony, 320 having been admitted during the year. At the close of the year there \yere 1,326 boys and 826 girls on the rolls of the secondary schools of the colony.

Orange culture in the North promises ere long to be an industry of considerable importance. Mr Alderton, editor of the " Northern Advocate," who is now in town en route for Sydney to report on the industry in New South Wales oh behalf of the New Zealand Government, informs us there are planted in the Whangarei district alone over 3,000 trees, most of which will come into bearing next soason. In from two to three years' time those trees will be sufficient to supply the Auckland market, as orange trees are calculated to.yield 200 dozen each, so that 3,000 trees would yield annually 600,000 dozen. But the settlers in tho North need not only look to Auckland for a market, but to the whole of the colonies, not excluding even New South Wales, for, although the mean temperature at Para matta and the Hunter is similar to that of many districts north of Auckland, yet the fruit is not ripe in this colony till a month to six weeks later than in the neighbouring colony. This is a fact not generally known, but its importance is at once apparent, showing, as it does, that we shall not be in competition with New South Wales, but will; be able to send a supply over there when that colony is exhausted. Mr Alderton's visit to Sydney is fer the pur pose of inquiring fully into the cultivation of the tree, the best kinds to plant, whero the best trees can be obtained, and their general treatment as to manure, shelter, soil, pruning, grafting, and the method of treating lie scale and borer insects ; and lastly, but not least, the amount of profit that is derivable from the industry. ]He will also, while in N.S.W.; make inquiries into the treatment of the vine. In the North the difficulty to contend with is the humidity of the climate, as when the mildew comes upon the vine the rain prevents the effective use of sulphur, in that it washes the corrective off tha leaf, and thus nullifies its effect. We may explain that Mr Alderton was tho first to commence the cultivation of the orange in the north on anything like a large scale, he having laid down two acres three years ago, and has made a special study of the sub ject, publishing his experiences from time to time in his own journal. He may be considered an expert on the subject, and his report will no doubt be of great general utility. He has promised to furnish the Stab with an epitome of his report im mediately upon his return from Sydney, the Hon. Mr Rolleston desiring that the information should be made available for thisseason. :

On June 16 a public meeting of North Shore residents was held in the Devonport Hall to consider the propriety of securing a water supply for that beautiful and rising suburb. There was a large attendance, and Mr Malcolm Kicool was called to -the chair. Mr Glenny, in a short speech, moved:—" That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable to obtain a per manent water supply for the Devonport district from Lake Takapuna." In the course of his remarks, he said that a competent engineer had taken the levels and particulars, and calculated that the whole work of procuring an efficient supply could--be. done- for £5,000. Mr E. W. Alison challenged the" statement, but offered ■ to" find" the money if «n efficient" water

supply could be provided for the amount ' named. He expressed his conviction that an ' efficient water supply for Devonport could not be secured under £10,000. Mr Hubbard, ■* •; who claimed to be a hydraulic engineer of some experience, also questioned Mr Glenny'a statement, and in an able speech went into details to show the erroneous nature of the estimate. To secure a sup- • ply with 8-inch mains—which he considered-#-i was the correct size to use here—he showed that tho total cost would be about £8,500. - Mr Knox, engineer, replied to Mr Hub- , bard and some furthordiscussion took place. Mr Glenny'e motion was seconded by Mr . Devereux, and unanimously carried. .' M Last month 1,609 souls arrived in the, colony and 9G6 left it> n net Btt!n8 tt! n being, 643. Of the arrivals, 1,042 were from the United Kingdom, and of tfcp departures 697 . were for Australia.-

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL.

After being closed for 8 week, the Opera- Housewasre-opened on Saturday, the 31st of May, by a scratch dramatic cowpany, hav ing Miss Carry Nelson at their head*" Sine© then they nave besn further reinforced by - the engagfctnfi'nt of Mr 3. R. Greville and Mr Frank Cates, late of the " Youth" Company. Such plays as "ThsCfiild of tho Regiment,'*. 1' Peep o'Day," a version' of Zola's " L'Assora moir" entitled "Drink," "The Lan cashire Lass," and "Hand am Glove" have, been produced, but the business: done has only been moderate. A benefit will be taken shortly by Mr Cates, and on that occasion he will appear as Matthias in " The Bfclis." Mr Greville also takes a benefit on Monday next, when a local sketch entitled " Tbf Irish Volunteer" will be produced. On the 28th inst., however, the drama will defi nitely prive place to comicopera, as Dunning's Troupe, who have been "touring" the South during the last couple of months, are due on' that date. They number 30 artistes, and their repertoire includes "Les Manteanx Noirs," " Rip Van Winkle," " Boccaccio," "Manola," ''The King's Dragoons,'! and "Blue Beard." Professor Anderasro, the '■*.'.: Wizard of the North, and his wife opened ■ at the Theatre Royal .on Friday woek, and as they are drawing well they intend playing until Saturday next. The.wneic.; of the month has been contributed solely • by local amateurs, Spohr's "Last Judg ment" was given with fair success by the : Choral Society on the 3rd inst., and the: Philharmonic. Society earned commenda tion for their performance of Van' Bree's V cantata, "St. Cecilia's Day." In addition to these concerts, tho Devonport Musical . Union gave their ninth and last concert of the season; a complimentary benefit .wag tendered to Mr R. W. Sceats, the programme I at which was repeated for the benefit of St. Benedict's Building Fund; and, finally, a Leap-Year Reunion was successfully held in the Choral Hall on June 5. Amongst the events of the immediate future will be the annual consorts of Mies Donovan arid Mrs Kevitt respectively, and the advent of Frank M. Willmott's Dramatic Troupe, air well aa of the Comic Opera Company already referred to. .

GOLDFIELDS SUMMARY.

Thames, Wednesday. The drainage question, which was seriouslyj agitating mining circles here when last summary was penned, and which threatened to paralyse all prospecting efforts, has been settled by the interested companies com plying with the demand of the Deep Level Cross directors, and increas- ' ing their several monthly contributions. The arrangement is, however, understood to be of a temporary nature, ani the feeling of uneasiness will prevail as long as it remains within the power of any 1 individual company to dictate terms to the others, and enforce its demands by threaten ing the field with the stoppage of the pump ing operations. This is the position A*. : present held by the Cross directors,-who, while compelling the owners of the adjacent mines to submit to their dictates, allow .; them no voice in the expenditure of the r money they furnish. The consequence of the increase of contributions falls heavily upon the working classes, for the companies have determined to ease themselves of the1' extra burden by reducing theminers' wages from 8s to 7s Gd per diem. The latter now f becomes, the prevailing wage in almost all y parts of the district, the companies pra- ;; specting beyond the drainage area being U quite ready to seize the opportunity _of | decreasing their expenses by following the example of retrenchments thuß; set them. ' Deep level prospecting is • now confined to the Caledonian Low Level Company, the manager of which is vigorously pushing forward the tunnel afthe 640 feet level. A distance of 420 feet has now been driven, and it is estimated that the Moanataiari main slide* will be met with about 300 feet ahead. ■ Tough sandstone country is being 'con tended with, and numerous stringers have lately been intersected. The No. 6 level of, the New Prince Imperial shaft is expected to strike the No, 2 reef about three weeks hence, when there will; be every likelihood of opening - another remunerative block upon this splendid lode, with the possi bility of the rich shots of gold des cending. The past few months' operations/ have been highly profitable, and the directors have accumulated a substantial reserve fund. A dividend of 2s per share . has just been paid, and it is understood that a balance of about £4,000 is still on hand. . :

Ca£Kdon un. —The winze on the Bed Queen leader has followed gold for a depth of 75 feet from No. 2 level, and gives an excel lent prospect for deeper operations. The reef averages 10 inches in thickness, and lies in workable country, and a trial parcel taken from it yielded l.jozs gold per load. The .stopes above No. 2 level have nob• lately been payable, and the operations are therefore limited in extent. - :

Cambria.—The reef has .been intersected: at the 230 feet level, and has been driven upon for about 40 feet, but, though its consists of promising quartz, no gold has been seen, a fact almost unaccountable, seeing that every tiny string_er met with in the crosscut carried the precious metal. The manager is driving on a network of veins which show gold freely whenever broken down. ■ •...-•'.

■ Moanataiari Extended.—The winding machinery has been erected, and prepara tions are being made for placing the pump ing columns'and rods in the shaft. ... ■ : Queen of BEAunrs-^-Thelong-lopfied-for Vanguard lode has at length been struck in the crosscut at No. 8. level. It Is a compact body of stone averaging 6 feet in width, ans carrying p. nr ;■'•':•.;: ilesorip tion of mineui. t» ;>«■ .; ; .. btnlet a contraot for driving 100 --icoc uj.on its course. In prospecting at No. 7 level, two parallel leaders have been discover; d in a promising locality, near the boundary of the Piako section. One is about i inches in thickness, and contain blotches of: gold, and the two promise to junction shortly and form a solid body. A trial parcel from the leaders and another from the Vanguard lode will be crushed next week. RooKr Point.—The Adelaide reef, as de veloped by this company, is quite justify ing the sanguine expectations formed con cerning it. It has already proved gold bearing for a lingth of 120 feet, and a block of stopes is being opened, from which about lOOlbs of picked stone have been accumu lated. Crushing operations will be resumed immediately, and it is probable that a force of stampers will shortly be kept in continu ous employment. ' ".. Dabt.—The driving of No. 4.level Has been commenced, and the crosscut is being directed towards the No. 2 reef, which should be found about 170 feet from the shaft. A winze was sunk a few feet below the floor of N 0..3 level, and at the firifc breaking down the manager secured a parcel of picked stone, but was compelled by influx of water to abandon the winze until the lower level taps the reef. Waitekaebi.—ln this district the Waite kauri No. 3 Company has found payable gold considerably deeper than anything of the kind previously discovered—a parcel of 19 tons from a winzo on Butler's reef it) a depth of 70 feet below the Queen' of Beauty level, having yielded- at the rate of neaily an ounce per ton.

Summary of Gold Returns, From M»y 21st to June 17th, 1884, inolttsive,

Adelaide and tributes .. .. °« dW3' AJburnia tributes .. .. ' 127 10 Bright Smile, 19 loads /. "-33 0 Caledonian, 70 loads ... 52 1 Caledonian tributes .. " " is 9 &g®B&ssr?. :■■:;; si i (Waihi). 600 tons.. 125 0 Moanatalari, lOtons .. 90 17 Moanatalari tributes .-. ' "ire 7 New Mncelmperial, 686 loads ■'.'.■ 770 1 ;> New Manukau, 18 loads .. 8 it New Whan tribute .. •_ 5 0 f^ore tribute .. .. .. .; . 10 15 ; Sundries .... .. -520 0 ThamoßGoiaen Crown, 100 tons I! 11l 0 Thames tributes .. .. -T. 22 18 Waiotahi .. - " 2« i Waitekauri,No.2,l9tonß !' " 18 10 Waitekanri tributes .. , " ~ .71 5 ~ . Total., .. .. ... 2,773 16 WAIORONGOMAI RETUBNa New Find, 257 tons .. '•'.-.' su i{ Coloniat,i«otonß rr . " sns 10 Diamond Gully, 10 tonß . " ."fa 4' Inverness, 2i tons.. ... " ■"' 42 9* - _Phoenbt,l2lton3 ... ;•-,.. . X ,i» 11 : :''■ - Total'; ■ = ;.",'.■£•.;- ■■•';:;,.- »» . $■"■&:

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR. SATURBAY, JUNE 21> M4.

4