THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Timoer Company.

The New Zealand Timber Company's city mill and factories are splendidly situated in Customs-street West, in close proximity to Queen-street Wharf, tho site being at the foot of Nelson-street, opposite the Gas Works. .

The frontage to tho harbour is of a most valuable character, there being 200 feet, with depth of 12 feet of water, enabling tho Company's vessels to load and unload with despatch, tho convenience of transporting timber being increased by the admirable arrangements of the yard, which are worthy o£ notice. In many timber yards a great staff of men has to be kept to bring for ward supplies of timber from various stacks before it is available for tho carter, much time being lost in trucking material to the drays, besides encumbering the yard. At this mill the colossal stacks of timber are approachable not only by trucks but also by drays, which can bo taken to any part of tho property, as the top of the tramway rails are made ilush with the roadways which intersect tho yard, and so thoroughly complete is the system tnat vessels can un load direct into tho carts when re quired. The roving to tho Company which this economical arrangement repre sents can better be appreciated when it is known that upwards of 2.10,000 feet of timber is handled weekly, ana u» <jo.^u Uush handling adds about 3d per hundred feet to tho cost, it will be seen that tho saving thus effected would in itself represent a small dividend, while the advantageous method enables the business to bo carried on with about half the number of hands which would otherwise be required. It is not an uncommon thing to see a dray backed up to a saw bench, the saw cutting the boards as fast as the carter can take them. It is this and various other economical arrangements which materially add to the prosperity of the Company, and reflect credit on the high business ability of the managing director, Mr Frank Jagger, whose untiring efforts to promote the wel fare of the Company have done so much to raise it to its present influential position.

Motive Power and Machinery. The engineers' department is under Mr A. Hossacks. The various machines are driven by a higli pressure, 120 hp engine, single cylinder, steam for which is supplied by three huge Cornish boilers. The Com pany has found it necessary to make ex tensive alterations to increase the driving power, which has recently been done by the addition of a large spur wheel of iron on wood cog pinion. This improvement has been successfully carried out by Messrs Masefield and Co., at whose foundry the wheel was produced, the work having been completed in a style which reflects credit on the engineering capabilities of this firm. Our attention was drawn to the system of rope-gearing in use at this mill, an agree able feature of which is its silent action. This is a somewhat recent but popular in troduction in connection with mill opera tions and the transmission of motive power. In this case its introduction was not favoured by several engineers, who were of opinion that it would not prove so effective as the old method of cog gear. One thing most certainly in its favour is the entire absence of the noise and rattle so conspicuous in the old style, everything working smoothly and satisfactorily without the slightest vibration. This system is being •adopted by many large factories at Home and in various parts of New Zealand, as for instance, in the Mosgiel and Kaiapoi Woollen factories. In looking over the machinery on the ground floor we notice the following in full swing :—A very power ful Scotch flooring and moulding machine, said to be tho best of its kind ever imported from the "Land o' Cakes," so famous for products of this kind. There is a large four side moulding machine and one medium size, three American planing machines, three push saw benches, one American ro-cutting saw bench, through which a surprising quantity of timber is pat, proving the machine to be a most valuable auxiliary to the manufacturing operations of the Company. There is a large sizo equilibrium deal frame, four swing cut-off saws, one picket header, with an extraordinary working capacity, which makes it one of the marvels of the day, four thousand pickets having been turned out in one day of e'.ght hours by a workman unaccustomed to its use, and finished ready for nailing on. It will thus be evident that very pretty material for front fences can be obtained at a moderate price. A new emery grinding machine on this floor is used in the manipu lation of circular saws, etc. On descending to the basement, we find various specimens of modern machinery ; the first noticed is kept very busy in the manufacture of pack ing cases and gum boxes (of tho latter upwards of GOO aro made weekly), besides biscuitandotherboxes; heroalsoanenormous quantity of timber is kept stacked with a view to have on hand an ever available supply of soasoned wood; thero is also o great quantity of glass stored here. The chief lines of shafting and belting are to be seen in this department, connecting with the plant on tho ground floor, and driving the machinery above referred to. Another instance of economy is noticeable in con nee tion with the disposal of the sawdust and shavings, which, instead of being allowed to accumulate in endless and obstructive heaps, aro conveyed by an ingenious method from under each machine, and forwarded by means of a series of endless belts to the stoke-hole, where they aro used to keep the fire going. These endless belts are kept travelling from one extremity of the mill to the other, and silently convey to the furnace tho shavings, &c, which fall like snow around the various machines; by this moans a great advantage is gained, as in addition to having the rubbish cleared so promptly away and in .=o simple a manner, it is utilised for fuel, its delivery to tho furnace clearing the mill of what would otherwise prove a source of danger, and obstruct the workmen. By the present admirable system the shavings, <&c, fall into shoots under the machines, .and pass away at once ; this is referred to as bearing favourable comparison with the time-honoured shovel and barrow, while its <real practical bonefit is shown by tho fact that about £300 per year h»s been saved by its introduction, besides removing from the floor one of tho chief sources of danger in aninstitution of this kind. Although the ■care exercised makes an outbreak of fire next to an impossibility, still the Company fcas provided every means of extinguishing flames should such at any time arise. Lengths of hose are stretched along the floor and attached to the various fire plugs, -and ac there Is sufficient pressure to throw water over ,th.c entire buildings, any ordinary fire would be immediately ex tinguished. Offices and Retail Yard. On the Customs-stiieet front are the offices of the Company, tho sceno of busy operations the whole day long. Tho Com pany employ their own horses and drays to ensure prompt delivery. As the trade has outgrown the accommodation of the yard, the Company is now extending its front age into the harbour, which will give a much-required area for stacking-, in addition to the largo space already used for fhe purpose. Another splendid stacking

ground has been prepared near the old mill site, which will hold a couple of million feet; it will thus be seen that no expense is being spared to keep on hand a very large available stock of seasoned wood for factory and general purposes. These extensive yards are under the able superintendence of Mr W. J. Parker. W ro must not omit to mention the valuable mill property situated at the Freeman's Bay end of Customs-street, known as Jagger and Parker's old mill, in charge of Mr \V. B. Leyland, who has had great experience in the trade, and is universally liked. Here timber is cut up to GO feet in length, by 6 feet in diameter, the mill being kept constantly going on special orders for customers, viz., in cut ting long lengths, which is a specialty of the Company, borne logs of extraordinary size have been manipulated, one of which gave as much timber as would have built a moderato-sized villa residence. The ma chinery consists of a high pressure horizontal engine, driving one breakdown saw, travel ling circular saw bench, two deal frames, and one push bench ; the average output is 50,000 to 00,000 per week. Before leaving the subject of the timber department we should stato that Mr E. Carr has charge of the retail yard in Customs-street, which is probably tho most profitable department of the Company's operations, and Mr Carr has used every exertion to satisfy customers and increase the business. The Factory. This is the highest branch of the Com pany's operations, not merely because it is situated in the upper story of the mill, but involving, as it does, the erection of costly machinery and the employment of the most skilled labour, while rigid and constant care is required to keep the plant profitably employed. The manufacturing depart ment occupies an extensive and well-lighted section of tho building, the material supply being obtained by a very powerful eleva tion. Here are a larger number of splen did machines, among which we notice one carving machine, a variety mould ing machine, shaping, morticing, ten noning, moulding and mitreing, door and sash cramping machines, amongst which are several quite new to the trade, and probably not in use in any other factory in the colony. In the lathe department is a very large faceplate lathe, capable of turning circles to 10 feet in diameter, a large and powerful wood-turners' lathe capable of turning the largest columns up to 18 inches in diameter, and two small lathes for lighter work suitable for ordinary builders' turnery. The class of wsrk produced here is excellent, judging from the specimens noticeable at the time of our visit; one of the largest pieces of circular work turned in Auckland was in course of construction, being a cedar architrave ordered by Mr Philcox for the Bank of New South Wales. The Company had also just completed some very elaborate joinery work for the Imperial Hotel, consisting o£ counters and bar fittings of excellent workmanship, and newly designed mouldings, which latter give a charming and unique finish to the whole. One cannot fail to notice the ex cellent finish and superior character of the work turned out of this factory, which speaks eloquently of the high class of machinery and skilfulness o£ artisans em ployed. All this is rendered absolutely necessary by the advancement in architec tural designs prepared for the embellish ment of the numberless villa residences which adorn the heights and slopes of the beautiful city of Auckland, and lend such a charm to the scene.

It is also interesting to note that the four-roomed cottage of the present day is embellished in a much superior style to the houses of great men some years ago, when the moulding used was of the most primitive character, and looked as if it had been scraped out with a claw hammer. This Company is determined to keep pace with the advanced ideas of our local architects, and with the educated taste of the public ; the consequence is that at the New Zealand Timber Company a man with limited means can get choice mouldings at the same price paid in former days for mere strips of wood. Take, for instance, the fretwork for verandah ornamentation, or the large boards and trusses, or cantilevers, for eaves ; these, as produced at the above factory, are ex ceedingly choice, and as there are hundreds of various designs, customers have no diffi culty in making a selection. Arrangements are now being made for a novelty in the shape of superb mantelpieces, and judging from the designs shown (over 120) great success should attend this department of the Com pany's operations. A considerable number of massive gates, posts, and wickets for railroad purposes, is being constructed to the order of Messrs Hunt and White, who have the Waihou contract for the Waikato- Thames Railway. The sash and door de partment is in itself an important feature of the factory, here are engaged a large num ber of the best workmen in the colony, who carry on operations in a quiet, systematic style, which shows their hearts are in their work. As showing the rapid growth of the Company's business, it may be stated that in the manu facturing department alone the out put for the last six months of 18S3 was more than double the first six, while at the present time there is the greatest pressure of work, a large number of orders received last year still remaining unfulfilled, not withstanding the fact of so great an increase having marked the half year's output. The producing power of the factory received a good test, the increased output having been produced at little additional outlay in wages or accommodation. Tho successful development of this nourishing branch of tho Company's business is, with out doubt, due ta the tact and ability of Mr T. Horbert, the manager, who is one of the oldest artisans, and probably the most experienced man in the - trade, and identified with the first establish ment of the timber industry in Auckland. Old colonists will remember the first Auck land-made doors and sashes which were ex hibited at tho Dunedin Exhibition about 20 years ago. They received the only medal given, and it may be of interest to mention that Mr Herbort made them with his own hands at the old Grey-street factory, owned by Messrs Monk and Morgan, these latter gentlemen being the pioneers of the Auck land manufacturing sash and door trade. General Remarks. We learn from Mr Jagger that the aim of the Company is to keep working ex penses down to the lowest possible per centage, consistent with efficiency, and also to minimise interest on the capital rep resented by stock, avoiding the error many inflated companies fall into of having piles of surplus stock remaining on hand year after year. The Company's endeavour is to keep up the supply of well-seasoned material, to be ready for turning out ex tensive orders, such as the 6,000 feet of sashes, &c, for the Newmarket railway workshops, a big order which was completed in six weeks ; but special care is taken to avoid maintaining an excessive stock of made goods, which only represents a continual loss of interest on the labour involved in the production of the same. In this and other ways referred to it will be seen that every effort is being made to conduct the business of the Company in the most economical manner, ana for the benefit of shareholders. The Company own splendid saw mills and extensive forests at Wbangapoua, a description f>i which will be given on another occasion.

HORRIBLE LONDON.

Tbe Curse of Drink,

Tub following extracts are from one of George R. Sims's articles, entitled " Hor rible London," in the "[Daily News." After a few general remarks the writer goes on to say:—OnaSaturday night in agreatEastEnd thoroughfare there are three comer public houses which take as much money as the whole of the other shops on both sides of the way put together. Butchers, bakers, greengrocers, clothiers, furniture dealers, caterers for the wants of the populace, are open till a late hour ; there are hundreds of them trading round and about, but the whole lot do not take as much money as three publicans—that is a fact ghastly enough in all conscience. Enter the public houses, and you will see them crammed. Here are artisans and labourers drinking away the wages that ought to clothe their little ones. Here are the women squander ing the money that would purchase food for the lack of which their children arc dying. One group rivets the eye of an observer at once. It consists of an old grey-haired dame, a woman of forty, and a girl of about nineteen with a baby in her arms. All these are in a state which is best described as "maudlin"—they have finished one lot of gin, and the youngest woman is ordering another round. It is :i great-grandmother, grandmother, and a mother and her baby —four generations together—and they are all diity, and dishevelled, and drunk, except the baby, and even that poor little mite may have its first taste of alcohol presently. It is no uncommon sight in these places to see a mother wet a baby's lips with gin and water. The process is called "giving the young 'un a taste," and the baby's father will look on sometimes and enjoy the joke immensely.

But tho time to see the result of a Satur day night's heavy drinking in a low neigh bourhood is after tho houses are closed. Then you meet dozens of poor wretches reeling home to their miserable dens ; some of them roll across the roadway and fall, cutting themselves till the blood flows. Every penny in some instances has gone in drink.

One dilapidated ragged wretch whom I met last Saturday night was gnawing a baked potato. By his side stood a thinly clad woman bearing a baby in her arms, and in hideous language she reproached him for his selfishness. Khe had fetched him out of a public-house with his last half penny in his pocket. With that halfpenny he had bought the patato which he refused to share with her. At every corner the police are ordering or coaxing men and women to "move on." Between twelve and one it is a long procession of drunken men and women, and tho most drunken seem to be those whose outward appearance betokens the most abject poverty.

Turn out of the main thoroughfare and into the dimly-lighted back streets, and you come upon scene after scene to the grim grotesque horror of which only the pencil of a Dore could do justice. Women with hideous distorted faces are rolling from side to side shrieking aloud snatches of popular songs plentifully interlarded with the vilest expressions. Men as drunk as themselves meet them, there is a short inter change of ribald jest and foul oaths, then a quarrel and a shower of blows. Down from one dark court rings a cry of murder, and a woman, her face hideously gashed, makes across the narrow road pursued by a howling madman. It is only a drunken husband having a row with his wife. Far into the small hours such cries will ring here, now that of an injured wife, now that of a drunken fool trapped into a den of infamy to be robbed and hurled into the street «> by the professional bully who rasides on the premises. As you pass the open doors of some of the houses you may here a heavy thud and a groan, and then stillness. It ia only a drunken man who, staggering up the stair case to his attic, has missed his footing and fallen heavily.

Spend any Saturday night you like in a slum, and then say if one-tenth of the habitual horrors of the " drunken night" have been catalogued here. And all these people who have spent so much in drink are undoubtedly among the class included in the description " the abject poor." "Come with me," Mr Sims continues, "to a common lodging-house, and see what class of people fill the bods at 4d a night. Poor labourers ? Yes. Loafers and criminals ? Yes. But hundreds of men who have once been in first-clasri positions, and who have had every chance of doing well, are to be found there also.

For my purpose I will merely take the cases which have drifted to the slum lodg ing-house through drink. The following have all passed recently through one common lodging-house in one of the most notorious slums of London :—

A paymaster of the Ruyal Navy. Two men who had been college chums at Cambridge, and met accidentally here one night, both in the last stage of poverty. One had kept a pack of hounds, and suc ceeded to a large fortune. A physician's son, himself a doctor, when lodging he?e sold fuses on the Strand. A clergyman who had taken high honours. Last soen in the Borough, drunk, followed by jeering boys. A commercial traveller and superintend ent of a Sunday-school.

A member of the Stock Exchange—found to be suffering from delirium tremens—re moved to workhouse.

The brother of a clergyman and scholar of European repute died eventually in this slum. Friends had exhausted every effort to reclaim him. Left wife and three beauti ful children living in a miserable den in the neighbourhood. Wife drinking herself to death. Children rescued by friends and provided for. Brother of a vicar of large London parish —died in the slum.

These are all cases which have passed through one common lodging-house. What would the others show had we the same opportunity of knowing their customers? These people have all been forced back on a rookery through drink—sober, they need never have sunk so low as that. Now come from the lodging-house into the hovels, the places where men, women, and children herd together like animals. To one fearful court we trace a master in a celebrated college, a Fellow of the Royal Society. To another a lieutenant in the army, who ekea out a miserable drunken existence as a begging-letter impostor. Among the tenants of houses that are in the last stage of dilapidation and dirt we find the sons of officers in the army and navy, of contractors, and wealthy tradesmen, Some of them are waterside labourers, and one is the potman of a low beershop. Per haps the most terrible case that has drifted to this slum is the wife of a West End physician, who became one of the lowest outcasts of the neighbourhood, and died in the workhouse.

A friend of mine, who is never tired of trying to urge the people of this district to temperance, not long since found a. man sitting up naked on a heap of rags shivering with the death throes on him, and crying for water for his parched throat. His wife, in a maudlin state of intoxication, was staring helplessly at her dying husband.

A coat was given to wrap round the poor fellow. At night, when my^friend returned, ho found the man cold and dead and naked, and tho woman in a state of mad intoxica tion. She had torn the coat from the body of the dying man and pawned it for drink. In these districts men and women who are starving will get grants of bread, and some of them ask for the bread to be wrapped in clean paper. Do you know why ? That they may sell the loaf to some one for a copper or two, and get drunk with the money. Men will come to buy a pair of boots in the morning out of their earnings, and pay seven shillings for them. At night they will return to the same shop and offer to sell them back for four shillings. They have started drinking, and want the money to finish the carouse with.

Thero are drunkards, there are criminals, there are poor labourers in these districts who will never be "improved." No one who knows them ha 3 the slightest hope for them. But Sodom was to be spared for tho sake of ten just persons; in the City of Dreadful Night where our poor hord together there are hundreds of just persons. For their sakes the city must be saved.

The Average Boy.

A's the green apple with bitea ull around.

B is the ball that is lost on the ground. C is the 3 cigar ette mak I ing him pale. D. | i§ the dog with a can on its tail. Eis the er rand that makes him look wry. Fis the fish ing and Fourth of July. Gis the games that make happy his days. H is the waggy from school that he plays. I is the Indian he's going to slay. Jis the jack-knife he's trading away. K. is the knife, in the sky scarce discern cd. L is the licking 3 for lessons unlearn cd. M is for marbles and melons sublime. N is the novels that cost him a coin. Os his old man with a strap by the gate. P's his toy pistol which settles his fate. Qis the quarrel which swells up his nose. JR. is the ruin he makes to his clothes. S is the swimming, skates, snowballs and sled. Tis his tops and his toys painted red. U is the uproar he makes when he's tann'd. V's his vim when he's leading the band. W's his whi s- tie so happ- y and shrill. X his X penses when- ever he's ill. V istheyellshe emitsalltheday. Z is his zeal that he shows at his play

Cricket Versus Duty.

Tife old lesson that a man cannot serve two masters was brought home (says the "Pall Mall Gazette") in a novel manner before the Gloucestershire quarter sessions on Saturday, when Dr. E. M. Grace, who ia better known as a cricketer than a coroner, appeared to answer certain allegations brought against him in the latter capacity. It appeared that during the last few months Dr. Grace had received thirty-two informa tions from the police, but had held only sixteen inquests ; and it was naturally re marked as "significant" that the omissions to hold inquests occurred chiefly in the months of July and August. I* is at any rate a good thing for Gloucestershire that Dr. Grace's cricket average is higher than his average in inquests ; and it is satisfac tory to learn that the cricketer's power of defence did not fail him on Saturday, and that in the end the magistrates " modified their opinion " and agreed to let the matter drop. One must hope that their further requirement that Dr. Grace should "in future adhere more closely to the Lord Chancellor's directions as to the duties of the county coroners " will not too seriously interfere next year with county cricket. If people must die under suspicious circum stances, they might surely be patriotic enough to wait till the end of the cricket season.

A Millionaire in Prison.

At Albany State prison, on November 3, a telegram was received, signed " Ulrich, Vanseller, and Ulrich," and addressed to "Baron Robert Herman, Albany Peniten tiary " : —" Deceived cablegram informing us that you have fallen heir to the estates of Baron Bernstein, valued at §2,000,000. Particulars when your sen tence expires." The prisoner for whom the despatch was intended was busy at the time pegging shoes. His career, as re vealed by himself, is very romantic. He graduated from Heidelberg University at the age of twenty-four as a surgeon, in which profession he gained reputation. Coming to the United States, in 1861, he enlisted in the army of the Union, and served professionally with success and honour throughout the war. At the close of the Rebellion he was attached to the staff of Bellevue Hospital, New York, for some years. He says he never drank a glass of liquor in his life, nor used tobacco ; but the passion for gambling caused his ruin. Some years ago he fell heir to $65,000. He went to Germany and secured his legacy, and, returning to this country, lost it all in a few months at faro. He speaks seven languages with fluency. He has been a "New York Herald" correspondent from China, a court interpreter in San Francisco, and a successful politician in Chicago, where he served a term as coroner. Owing to the penalties awaiting him on the expiration of his sentence for various forgeries, he wishes to deny that he is the person for whom the above despatch is intended ; but the penitentiary officials know that his real name is Bernstein, and that he is the man.

The Bad and Worthless

are never imitated or counterfeited. This is especially true of a family medicine, and it is positive proof that the remedy imitated is of the highest value. As soon as it had been tasted and prored by the whole world that Hop Bitters was the purest, best, and most valuable family medicine on earth, many imitations sprung up, and began to steal the notices in which thePresp and the people of the country had expressed the merits of H. 8., and in every way trying to induce snffering invalids to use their stufl instead, expecting to make money on the credit and good name of H. B. Many others started nostrums put up in similar Btyle to H. 8., with variously devised names in which the word Hop or ' Hops " were used in a way to induce Seople to believe they were the same as Hop ittcrs. All such pretended remedies or cures, no matter what their style or name is, and especially those with the word "Hop" or ' Hops " in their name or in any way connected with i them or their name, are imitations or counterfeits. Beware of them. Touch none of them. Use nothing but genuine American Hop Bitters, with a bunch or cluster of green Hops on the white label, and Dr. SouJe's name blown m the glass. Trust nothing else. Druggists and Chemists are warned against dealing in imita tions or counterfeits.

MISS MARY ANDERSON AT HOME.

A lo.su, low room in a rambling country house on tho shores of New Jersey, its wide bay-windows commanding the pretty wooded scenery of Long Branch. Tho golden rays pour in through tho open win dows, and fill the room with splendour. The walls are covered with portraits of eminent actors and actresses, living and dead ; here and there a bust or sta tuette, a stage dagger on a velvet stand which once belonged to Sarah Siddons ; while on chairs and sofas are lying editions of Shakespeare, and of the works of many another playwright. Seated at an organ is a young woman in the bloom of a singular beauty. She is dressed in a soft white cashmere robe, whose clinging folds display tho graceful outlines of her full, supple form. She wears no ornament, and the simplicity of her attire is only relieved by the broad sash of pale blue silk which en circles her yielding waist. The sun beams fall upon a face of singular loveliness, features exquisitely chiselled, a small finely shaped head carried with a queenly graco and lit up with deep gray eyes full of mingled genius and passion. Thi= '■ —•? is crowned with a wvaHli oi i!i.u i--eldom-BQeti hair—"Golden in thu fniiL-liiiKt, in the shadow brown." Piv-.c-i:'k Mm l;nly commences to sing in a scarcely uttered a few notes when a large English deerhound who has been dozing quietly at her feet starts up, and after a long, preliminary stretch commences a doleful accompaniment. She leaves the organ, and administering to Uno a reproachful slap, bids him be quiet. The spell is broken. In a moment we are in the nineteenth century, at a country house at one of America's most fashionablo watering places ; and the beautiful young woman before us is Mary Anderson, the glory of the American stage, and one of the fairest daughters of that fair land. This is the home to which she retires now and then for a few weeks' rest and quiat from the exact ing life of a successful actress, whose days are spent in nomadic pursuit of her profes sion.—"The World."

An Actor's Device.

" Figauo " is responbible for the following

amusing story

Two American actors, unable to get an engagement, and having at last been driven hard by necessity, resolved to go into the hair - restoring business. So one market day the people at Little Rock were invited by a fluent and comical street lecturer to come and try his valuable hair wash, warranted to restore the baldest head. Or, rather, he only asked the public to watch an experiment. with his wash. " I will wait," said he, "until some perfectly bald man applies to me, and him I will present with enough of my preparation to make his hair grow."

" But we must give it time to grow, say a fortnight, and raeanwhilo I will remain in the town, but a fortnight hence I will ask the man whom I anoint to come back and remove his hat in the presence of the whole town." Well, in due course a very bald man came forward. His head was like a billiard ball, and, though professing the rudest scepticism, he nevertheless consented to have his scalp well washed with the magic fluid, nnd went away ridiculing the proprietor, having agreed, however, to come back in a fortnight and show himself and his head.

Every day the hair-wagh man appeared on the scene, but sold no wash ; the bald men were waiting. At last, on the expira tion of the two weeks, in the presence of hundreds of people, the bald man put in an appearance. " Well," said the hair-wash proprietor, '' I will now remove this gentle man's hat, and I have no doubt as to the result; my remedy never fails." So he removed the hat, and displayed on the once bald head a really line and healthy growth of hair. There was no doubt about it. The bald man jeered no longer, and all the other bald men in the crowd hastened to purchase large bottles of the wash in two dollar bottles. Before the day was out he had sold 973 of them.

It was not until long after the hair-wash man left that it became known that the bald man upon whom he had experimented was hip comrade, the actor, who had had his head closely shaved for the purpose that morning-. The hair-wash, on analysis,, was found to be nothing but swamp water.

Our Athlete's Verdict.

BICYCLING.

John IIOM-ic, Ks.|.. cliumpion bicyclist ef Eng land and Australia, who at present is open &>• run alontf-disUuice race with any bicyclist for the championship of the world, gives his per sonal experience of the valuable properties of St. Jacob's Oil, as used by him in his recent contest with Jno. Watson for the championship . of Australia 2CS, Elizabeth-street North, Melbourne, Victoria. 23rd November, 1883. To the Editor Auckland Evening Star. Dear Sir,—l desire to add my cheorful endorse ment of the good effects I have at all times re ceived from the use of St. Jacob's Oil when in active training and racing. During my recent 6 days' conte3t hejd in the Melbourne Exhibi tion liuildiiiK for £500 and the championship of the Australian and adjacent colonies, it was my boon companion. I continually used it before and after each day's performance, and the re sults simply astonished me. After riding for 8. consecutive hours each day, viz., from half-past 2 until half-past 10, my limbs would become sore and stiff from over-exertion, but after beini; well-rubbed with the oil all muscular pain immediately vanished and I felt as fresh aa ever. As proof positive.after the contest was over, I rode 101 miles against time before a pub lic audience and accomplished it tn 6 hours 11 minutes 46i seconds: Another application of St. Jacob's Oil was made, and it removed all feel ings of fatigue and I felt perfectly fit for another race. Am positivo it aided mo to win thematch,. and I shall never enter a similar contest without a bicycle and St. Jacob's Oil. I strongly ad viso all "wheelmen" and other athletes to givo it a trial, and feel fully con vinced their experiences will compare favour ably with my own. I remain, dear Sir. Yours truly, John Rolfs. cricket. DAVID SCOTT, Esq.. of the firm of Messrs Boyle and Scott, Cricket and Football Depot, Melbourne, Victoria.—" St. Jacob's Oil re lieved meat once of pain. I commend it to all footballers and cricketers." AQUATICS. EDWARD TRICKETT. Esq., one ot the world's, greatest oarsmen.—" I have found St. Jacob 8 Oil a sure and certain cure."

GENUINENESS GUARANTEED.

ST. JACOBS OIL CONQUERS PAIN,

IT CURES RHEUMATISM, NEURALGIA, HEADACHE, TOOTHACHE, BACK ACHE, AND ALL SIMILAR AILMENTS.

A cash reward of £100 will bo paid by the CHARLES A. VOGELER COMPANY of BAL TIMORE, MARYLAND. UNITED STATES OK AMERICA, Proprietors of St Jacob's Oil, or by their accredited local representatives, to any person producing proof to the effect that the testimonials published by them in regard to* St. Jacob s Oil are not strictly genuine.

Wholesale Depot: M. LEVY AND COMPANY. AUCKLAND

STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT, JANUARY 2G. ISB4.