RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamikl.l

florae write, n nclstincurn nnmo In lash. Homo writo—vain thou ..-lit!-f'-m-cdiill cash Home write to ploase tin- country dash, Aii'.i r_i_-.-sa liiii. lror m 9, en aim 1 never fash— _ J twite for fun.

The Colonial Treasurer once acknowledged that during his former administration a million sterling had been wasted on ncn paying political railways, or, in other words, for bribes to purchase political support, It Is appalling to think whut his present term | Of office- may cost tho taxpayers, Ever}' measure of the Cabinet is an instrument of corruption—bribes to local bodies, vast com pany schemes in which the credit of the long suffering taxpayer is pledged for interest on millions, and well-paid billots. In every measuro that bears tho impress of the treasurer's baud—m Local Government Sihemes, Forest. Conservation Bills, Rail way Reforms, Harbour Bills, and Mail Subsidies, soma special sop or pieco of pitronage has been unearthed, until tho wholo administration is becoming saturated with political impurities. No part of tho policy of tho Government, oxcopt thoso pro posals which have beon thus baited, havo pissed the Houso, and tho Government keep so many schemes dangling, and make ore so dependent upon another, that mem bers having a log to roll are induced to | as fist in rolling all the other logs. Those who do this, however, incur a vory serious responsibility, for which I hope their con stituents will call them to strict account.

"No homo without gas " is tho laconic announcement, made in tho Tramway adver tising epacos by the Company which under takes to purvey that particular article. Very true, but unluckily this superfluity of the gaseous element cannot bo applied to illuminating purposes, or there would bo a wonderful reduction in gas-bills. Thccom pany'saccount?|shavo generated boat enough to produce no small quantity of gas in the houses of choleric customers, and now the secretary am! manager complain of being blown up. There is that about tho tone of their remonstrances, however, that shows tkem to bo masters of tho situation ; thoy evidently rely upon the homemado gns proving of too explosive a quality to servo ai a substitute for the article thoy vend ; and until tho cheapest and best of all illu minators comes in, with tho long su tumor days, the suffering consumer whose purse is unequal to tho recent expansion must make a virtue of necessity, and act upon Poor Richard's proverb, "Early to bod."

The fire-eaters aro singularly quiet just now. No longor do we hear their mighty thuds upon their manly bosoms, their thirst for Russian bo-lood ; no longer do they vow their ghanio at being called by the nameof Britons. Tho onco fiery spines who waved tho capacious pewter in wild defi ance of that " old woman " Gladstono and his ontiro crew, havo now buried their oagle beaks in the favourite fluid. When tho Gladstone Government hinted at a cession of Ponjdeh, tho cup of national humiliation, so said the ramping Jingo;?, was filled to overflowing; and, lo the ap proved organ of the mighty Salisbury coolly talks of giving up Mariichak, 26 miles farther south, which the Gladstono Governmenthad firmly refused to surrender. Because it is a Tory and not a Liberal Government that has done this, England is not humiliated in the eyes of Europe ! Exactly so. Tho nss of the fable which covered its carcase with the lion's skin was suroly the fruitful ancestor of that hybrid creature—the colonial Jingo.

Looking down the columns of a con temporary the other day I noticed that two different advertisers offered a bonus each to any person securing them employment. The premium heldout- in one case was 20 per cent of the salary earned during tho first four weeks. Now, this sort of announcement, though tolerably common in some English papers, islbelievonew to Auckland. It shows that employment is difficult to got. The two advertisers in question, we may safely infer, had tried in vain various means to obtain situations before resorting to the offering of a bribe. For that is what it amounts to ; and it is this point which I wish to insist on. It indicates a dishonour able state of affairs when ono mati is pre pared to tako a bribe, or a bonus, or a Premium, (tho thing ia one and the same), fcofore he secures work for some other man iess fortunate than himself. We must have sunk very low, what little kindness and fellow-feeling we ever possessed must have .quite dried up, if we cannot put a poor workman in the way of earning his bread without fir3t levying black-mail upon him. To take money from a man just at the end of a long spell of enforced idleness is rob binc him ai the worst time. To rob him at any time is of course bad enough, but 4o take away his last half-sovereign is infinitely worse. But there are not many amongst us who would do such a shameless act, but that there are some, 5-ecent correspondence in tho Star af ords ample proof. I hopo the two adver tisers in question did not fall among thieves, but mot the good Samaritan loeforo being relieved of their slendor purses.

- God bless our dear sisters," vociferated pule*faced young unmarried miaisterat the close of his speech tho other evening. " Brethren, were it notfor the exertions of the ladies, I foar the walls of sonic of our churches, liko the walls of Jericho, would fall to the ground. I say therefore God bless our dear sisters." Amen 1 was faintly uttered by several voices in the assemblage. The examplo of the energetic pastor of tho Tabernacle has evidently inspirited several other pastors, especially among the Angli cans, to go and do likewise. New churchea at Parnell, Mount Koakill, and westward of Newton, arealready looming in the imagina tionof priesteandpsople, andfundsare being eathered in all directions by the "dear Haters " who generally evince a wonderful aptitude for the work. Ono lady subscriber, having a scantily-filled purse, was good enough to drop her gold ring, valued at .30, into the treasury.

Numerous inducements aro bold out to vouok persons who may appear rathor back ward incoming forward to assist in church work and tbo latest promise in thia line 'is of a novel kind. The pastor, a kindly disposed man with a knowledge of human nature, called the young ladies of his congregation togethor —some of them very attractive in feature and gentle of speech-and mado this pro position :-"Dear Ladies,-As you are al aware, we want a larger and more beautiful church, and I want you to assist in raising the means. I have a proposition to make.' (The minister being single, the ladies listened with deep attention to hear what wascoming.) "I propose," said he. Iro oose," whispered ono young lady to her nearest neighbour; "to whom V I will not keep you in suspense,' said the rev. gentleman. "I propose that you, ladies, lake collecting cards and canvass the city for subscriptions for our new church, and the lady that brings in the largest sum ehall receive at tho needful time a gratui tous marriage license." I hoar that tho sisters who are engaged are working most energetically " for the cause which lacks assistance," viz, tho new church of the ■district.

"She Spiritualists made a bad investment when they imported Mrs Ballou. Hor twaddle about coming to mako tho people Of Auckland purer and better than they are was badly capped by her miserable failure in attempting to fasten spirit attendants upon different members of her scant audi ences. The poorest guesses, if couched to sufficiently guarded terms, must come near the mark sometimes, and it takes a very small amount of evidence to satisfy the gobsmoticho believer who goes there ready to palliate, extenuate, and explain every religious blunder, and to accept as startling phenomena the most trifling coincidences. The propensity to exaggerate is common to all credulous people, and this quality is the prominent characteristic of all tho stories of avowed spiritualists. If Mrs Ballou really possessed the power she pretends to, of seeing things.. clairvoyantly that are happening far away, and even predicting their occurrence, sho might by one good evidence of her power, have utterly annihilated the scoffers. In the pufia put out by her claquers it was in- Sißuated that some such evidence, as I sug oested, would be forthcoming. Of course the whole thing was fudge, yet 111 warrant the faithful are just as firm in their faith as before, and as blindly incensed against people wbe simply refuse to doubt tjje ey»

denco of (heir souses and permit themselves to bo cajoled by every humbug who seeks to impose upon their credulity. But if wo are to bo humbugged they might, pay us the compliment of offering something for our bewildorment better than tho puerilities of tho recent exhibitions in the Cook-street Hall.

The arrival of the Revised Old Testament in Auckland does not appear to havo evoked much enthusiasm ; not so much as when the Revised New Testament came to hand four years ago. But in certain little Bethels there has apparently boon a flutter. Those ingenious gentlemen who give such interest ing religious lectures every week, and some how manage to get them regularly reported in the Star, have been turningoverthe pages with some apprehension to see how their pet theories and doctrines fare, to discover how hades, and hell, and shcol, and tho pit, and the gravo havo been treated at the hands of the Revisers, For my own part Ido not care a Pg how thoso doctrines como out; but I am quite sure that tho parties who are concerned will find nothing but satis faction in tho amended translation. They will porcoivo abundant reason to indulge in the "I-told-you-so " sort of argument, and will proceed to annihilate tho wicked with greater unction than ever. I know the danger to which my devoted head is liable, but I really mußt protest against the carica ture of Christianity which makes the misty horeaftor tho one important consideration, and nogleets what is of infinitely greater moment, tho conduct of this present life. Tho Founder of Christianity left on record so few observations about the future life, that there is room for groat diversity of opinion on the subject; but certain sects seem, to judgo from their reported dis courses, to do nothing but haggle ami wrangle about the state of the doad. This barking at the moon givos tho professional Freethinkers all the opportunity they want of sneering at those unpractical so-called Christians, who are so busily occupied with what is uncertain that thoy totally isrnore what is very certain, viz., conduct, three fourths of life.

If people cannot bo made moral by Act of Parliament, there aro tho.-o among our legislators who think they can, and ivho, at any rate, mean to try it. Jlr Hobbs's Bill prohibiting- tho ndverth-ing of racing sweeps is going through both Mouses fly ing ; tho temperance benches are removing temptations out of tho weak young man's way ; and the other day a local clergyman waxed righteously indignant over the exhi bition of some pleasant-faced and by no means indecontly-drcssod actresses' por traits which adorned tho studio of a local photographer. Another purist makes a touching appeal on behalf of the good young mon who fall into wicked ways on steamers : and so sedulous ia Parliament in passing laws to deliver the weak-kneed from theso sore temptationa, that ono need hardly be surprised if somo legislator in petticoats should one of these days intro duce a bill to provide all the sweet, inno cent creaturo3 of the male sex, under 30 years of age, with wet nurses, or to punish them for being out after nine o'clock at night unless they can provo that they havo either boon at a teetotal lecture or a church soiree. Would it not be moro to the pur pose to appeal to tho moral manhood of the youth of the colony instead of attempting to placo them in legislative leading-strings, which will give no support at all to the unco quid. Tlio profligate youth vill laugh such restraining to scorn, and if denied sweeps, will just fall back upon "poker," dice, or other .enticements that the good Richard Hobbs little dreams of.

The genus " growler " is a numerous and very widely-distributed branch of the human family. Individually, ho is a most objec tionable person ; collectivoly, an un mitigated public nuisance. The "growler " is the sort of man who stands with hands in pockets and pipe in mouth, when you arc in the thick of a troublesomo job, aud tells you what a duller you are. Publicly, he gives neither his timo nor his monoy for tho common good—ho knows quite too much for that —but his advice and his criticism are just in inverse ratio to hia personal sacrifices. Tho Devonport Domain Board are having a taste of this gentleman's quality, Having, in default of other funds, pledged thoir own credit for the improve ment of the ground, thoy aro coolly told how very much they ought to have dona for "growler's" particular benefit, upon his very liberal allowance of nothing, payable Cjuarterly. Thoy are further warned that Mr Growler wholly disapproves of the Board's action in allowing a section of tho public to improve a portion of the ground at their own expense, in order to piake it available for those very purposes of recrea tion for which it has been sot apart. Tho suggestion of "A Resident" that Growler and Co. should give proof of their sincerity by putting their hands into their own poekota and taking the unpleasant respon sibility off the shoulders of the Board is very much to the point—and then people would see exactly what his public spirit and advice were worth.

The medicos on the Auckland Hospital staff have made a bad shot in appealing to tho Colonial Secretary to sustain them in their protest against the right claimed by the local Committee, tc order the admission of patients if they deem it desirable. Mr Buckley, it appears, is now in the vory thick of a fight with the Wellington Medical Association, because ho has challenged the right of tho medical staff to admit patienl3 under any circumstances, and rolegated tho task entirely to the Committeo. In tho wranglo that ensued upon tho issue of thia mandate, the Colonial Secretary turned tho table rather neatly on the medicos by pro ducing a list of 29 cases which had been ad mitteditDproperly upon the ordors of medical men. The position taken upbythe Auckland staff smacked of the high and mighty, and thoy wero very poor judges of human naturo if they supposed thattheHospitalCommittce, having the controlling power in their own bonds, would accept the position of under scullionaior second stewards into which the medical staff proposed to thrust them. It would have been time enough to raise this question when tho Committee had de monstrated their unfitness by improperly thruating into the institution cases which, for hygienic reasons, tho medical staff objected to have admitted into association with the patients. Then they would have had a good case. ■ But if their objection is urged on grounds which are purely adminis trative, 'they are clearly at fault—tho general management, apart from medical treatment, boine within the functions of tlio Committee. With less of starch and frills, and professional arrogance and more of a cordial recognition that both Medical Staff and Committee are engaged in a voluntary public work, matters would run much more smoothly in connection with the big build ing on the hill. |

The score or so of mollusean invertebrates who constitute the Auckland City Council have now wasted two nights and expended gas unlimited in trying to effect a solution of the retrenchment problom. Mutual re criminations, purposeless and flabby small talk, and general abuse of the officials, who may not answor back, seem to form the staple of discussion. Everyone admits tho necessity for reduced expenditure, but no one can muster up resolution enough to take the initiative. The "young mem bers" egg on thoir elders to adopt tho action from which they themselves shrink, and the elders respond by reviling the youngsters for a moral cowardice for which both old and young alike are conspicuous. Meanwhilethe headsofdepartments, already depressed in spirit by that 15 per cent, re duction, aro harried and hectored for sins for which they have nevor been placed on trial. If they aro co incapable, why in heaven's name aro they retained ? and if th 3 Councillors are'eonvinced—as they pro fess to bo—of the thorough-going lazi ness of their army of day labourer?, then theirs is all tho blame for not disbanding such pitiful mercenaries. Any action is preferable to this base and un manly vilification. And then the glorious equality of that 15 per cent reduction—to which tho poor clerk on a starvation wage of £100 per annum has to submit in common with the Engineor at £600! Tli6 whole thing is calculated to bring municipal in stitutions into public contempt. Although not a betting man, I am willing to lay odds that the salaries of the leading functionaries will be subjected to no reduction whatever. Retrenchment will go the length of weeding1 out ono or two poorly-paid sub ordinates and the dismissal of a few friend less labourers, but not one step further.

Newmarket has at length been incorpo rated into a Borough, possessing its own Mayor and Corporation. It is an old saying, "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown," and even so in a lesser sphere the civic kings find that there is something more than honaur in the position. One pregnant cause of trouble is that others have also aspired to the Mayorial chair, and failing, resolve

to causo the successful candidate aa much distress as possible. Tho nowly-olccted Mayor of Newmarket lias, like others, dis covered that whorovor two or three men join together there is bound to bo ono, at least, of a cantankerous disposition. This was instanced by tho fact that the whole of ono ovening's proceedings were rendered void because one member choso to raise an objec tion, nnd this merely because he had been verbally notified that the meeting would bo held on a certain ovoning, instead of receiving such notice in writing as speci fied by tho Act. A Councillor had boen vaunting that ho would show the Mayor up, but unfortunately for his projects, tho Mayor, hearing of the matter, quiotly stated tho faet3 of tho case to the Council, and thon proceeded to go over tho business al ready transacted, thus cutting the ground from under tho feot of the law-abiding Councillor, who found that ho had nothing to grumble about, and accordingly collapsed.

It is not often that a coroner discovers any humour when presiding at an inquest, still at times this does occur. At the in quiry into the (iro in I'rinces-streot, which commenced last Tuesday,Mr R. C. Barstow caused a laugh by a dry 'reply which ho made to tho foreman of the jury. That gentleman appeared much impressed with tho dignity of his position and alwaysat tho conclusion of tho witness's examination rose to his feot and informed tho coroner that everything was quite cleared up to his mind, and 'repeatedly suggested cer tain evidence that he should like to hoar given. When it. was found neces sary to adjourn, this gentleman at once requested to be informed if there was any remuneration for their services, but ho sat down with a roar of laughter upon being quiotly told by tho coroner that although he thought thatsomo remuneration would only bo just, yet his powers extended merely to fining any juror £50 who was not in attondeticoal the timo specified.

Lord Wolseley: The Story of His Life.

In tho current number of the "English Illustrated Magazino," Mr Archibald Forbes gives tho following interesting account of England's "only General":-Lord Wolseley joined the SOth Kegiment in 1852, whilo yot a lnd of 10. The old family con nection was manifest on his choice of regi ment, for tho 80th was a Staffordshire corps. Ho did not soldier long with tlto Staffordshire knot on his coat collar; but his first regiment cp.mo under Ins command when ho was sent out to Zultilatid, whore also ho found under him tho 90th, tlio regi ment, in which ho had won promotion and glory in the Crimea and India. When ho was "gazetted to tho SOth it was on service in Burmah, whero Sir John Cheapo was conducting what is known as the "Second Burmese War." Sir John was operating against a certain Burmese chief tain who owned the euphonious name of Myat-Loon, and also tho reputedly itn pr.'irnablo stronghold of Kyoulii Azein, situated in tho heart of a dense jnnglo. Tho outworks of this stronghold had to bo taken by storm, and Wolseley, only just joined, volunteered to lead tho storming detachment. His hand full of tho SOtb was conjoined in tho operations with a littlo band of Madras Infantry, under the com mand of Lieutenant Taylor. Taylor and Wolseley raced for the honour of being first inside tho enemy'a works. Neither won, owing to circumstances over which neither had any eotitrol, Both wero simul taneously wounded, and strangely enough in tho same place. A gingal ball struck Wolseloy on the left thigh, tearing away a mass of muscle and ilosli. Taylor suffered similarly, but with the more lethal audition that his femoral artery was sovercd. Ho bled to death on tlio spot. Wolseley slowly recovered, but ho will bear to his grave the furrow of the gingal ball. When at homo convalescent, ho was promoted to a lieutenancy in tho HOth, then in the Crimea, After a short spell of trench service with his regiment, Wolseley was selected for duty as acting-engineer of our right attack, and filled this post through the long, cruel winter Ho was gazetted a captain in the end of 1851, but the promotion was cancel led. And for what reason it would not Lo easy to guess. Becauso of Wolsoley's youth ! lio had not been too young to cam the promotion, but tho authorities thought a lad of twenty one and a half too young for a captaincy ! Wolseley, juatly incensed, threatened to resign if de prived of the promotion ho had won, and tho authorities cancelled tho cancellation. Ho was thanked in despatches for his ser vices in tho capturo of the Quarries, and took part in the first unsuccessful assault of tho ltediin. When engaged in his ensineer work in tho trenches in August, 1855, Wolseley was all but shattered by a shell that killed the two sappers who were assisting him. The shell burst iv a gabion that had been paokod with gravel, and the explosion simply "stuck Wolseley full of stones." Jagged bits of pebbles wero im bedded in him all over from head to foot. There was not a square inch of his face that, had not its stono ; his loft cheek was all but torn away, his eyes woro closed (to this day ho is blind of one oyo), and part of the bone of his left shin was carried away bodily. Fortunately, ho has boon abo to keep tho eye left to him pretty wide open. Ho was picked up for dead, but astonished tho surgeons who were speaking of him as quite gone by cheerily mumbling that ho was "worth a dozen dead men yet." This wound, or rather this broadcast area of wounds, temporarily invalided him, and so ho missed being present at tho capturo of tho groat fortress of tho Euxitio. He had got mended, howevor, by 1557, and started with hia regiment for service in China. I travel led out from home with Wolseley and his staff, The latter had been gathered together hurriedly, but its membors met, blended, and set to work in tho saloon between Dover and Calais as if they had stepped into it out of a department in which they had been co operating for years. Whilo thoy totted minor points of detail their chief meanwhile slept serenely, easy in the perfect assurance, based on experience, that hi.3 subordinates would deal with these as ho would desire thoy should be dealt with. It was clear to mo thus early, and tho impression but grew in distinctness, that Wolseley was tho man who decided, who decreed, the Centurion who said, " Do this ;" and that ho had re cruited for the fulfilment of his behests a sot of men or whom ho could rely as intelligent and devoted executants, and to whom there fore he could and did confide tho functions assigned to each, reserving himself ns tho chief, unhampered by a multiplicity of details, for tho big work of resolving and dirocting. In all this he was making no experiment. He was sure of his "machine;" it wa3 of his construction ; he had solected every cog and pinion of it; and had tested its efficiency, both in parts and as a whole. The key-note to tho constitution of that group of devoted adhoronts who havo comotobedesignatedasthe "Wolseley Gang" I take to be its completeness for tho func tions which it has to perform as a composite whole, In each of its constituent elements, its compounder, if I may use the expression, has discerned some specific attribute, of which, when the occasion calk it into requisition, ho shall take astute and pur poseful avail. The individual units of that whole do not strike one as by any means, one and all, men of exceptional general military ability. Some of them, indeed, may bo called dull mon. But never a one of them but has his speciality. Ono has a gonius for prompt organisation ; another a rare faculty for administration ; a third has a winning manner and n good address ; a fourth is the scout of scouts. You may wonder what Wolseley can sco in so-and-so that ho has them always with him. Watch events long enough, and timo will furnish you with the answer. This man, perhaps of no groat account for ordinary purposes, has a strange gift, when there is doubt in regard to some line of action, of defining tho right course in a single rugged, tren chant, pithy sentence that carries con viction.

The Bad and Worthless.

are never imitated or counterfeited. This Is ospeoialiy true of a family modicino, and it is positive proof that the remedy imitated is of tha highest value. As soon as it had been tested and proved 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 the Press and the people of the country had expressed the merits of H. B„ and in every way trying to Induce suffering invalids to use their stall instead, oxpecting to make money on the credit and good name of H. B. Many others started nostrums put up in similar style to H. 8., with variously devised names, in which tho word " Hop or "Hops" were used in a way to induce peoplo to believe they wero tho same as H,op Bitters. All such pretended remedies or euros, no matter what their Btyle or name Is, and especially those with tha word "Hop' or "Hops " in their name, or in any way connected with them or their name, are Imitations 01 counterfeits. Boware of them. Touch none ol thorn. Uso nothing but genuino American Hop Bitters, with a bunch or cluster of green Hops on the whito label, and Dr. Soule's name blown in the glass. Trust nothing else. Druggists and Chemists are warned against dealing in imitations or counterfeits.

SPORTING.

DATES OF I'Ul.VniPAf. AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND UAOJSS. llawkksbury Guineas.—September 10. HAWKEStuuiiY Handicap.—September 12. A..1 C. Di.uHY.-.September lfl. Great Metropolitan t TAKHS.-Sept. 22. Caulfielb Guineas.—October 10. Cauli'lki.d Cm*.—October 17. V.X.C. Dii_iil_Y.-iliTober3l. Melbourne Cui*.—November 3. N.Z Cup.-November 10. Canterbury Dkruy.—November 12._

To Correspondents.

F. A.—The fastest timo recorded in tho colonios for one milo was made by Stookdaleat Wapga Wugga, Now South Wales, viz , lmin. lljacca W. H -The only home that ever won both the Metropolitan and Melbourne Cup in the one season was Tim Whilllor. The Barb won both races, but in ditl'ercut years Nemo (Newmarket).—Warwick wan purchased by Mr W. Gannon in January last for .108 guineas Ho oust 2,000 guineas ao a yearling, which is tho highest prico pjld iv Australia. Subscriber. — Tho conditions of the forth coming Caulfleld Cup mipulalo that the winner of any handicap of tho value of 500 sovereigns after the declaration of tho weights shall carry a stone over and above the weight originally allottod him by the h uuiieapper. Inquisitive (Newton).—Tho Messrs D&kin ore Kngliihtuou. Doth werecjiiimuslonod oflicers in tho ilrlti.h Army, W. K. in the Uch Dragoon Guards, and F. P. in tho 2.'.nl Foot. Mr F F. Da.in traiued Xewminst-r when ho won tho Muribyrnong Plato, awd VV. IS. Dakiu Lupine when sho won tho Australian Cup.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

By cable wo learn that tho Grand National Steeplechase, run at the Victoria Racing Club Winter Meeting on Saturday last, re sulted in a victory for Mr Lotighlin's four year-oid gelding Wy-nlet, with Sailor second, and Denmark third, Tho winner is an occupant pf tho clover Dowling Forest stable, and as I notice by late files ho was a good deal fanciod for tho groat cross-country ovont, it is pretty certain tho bookmakers would not havo had a good time of it. That great horseman Corrigan, isalinostcortaintohavoriddon Wymlet, who claims King Tom as his siro, and who promises to become as colobrated as Horatio in the production of steeplechasers. King Tom is credited with putting plenty of size into his stock, and thoy all inherit the gift of gallop ing which ho possessed when on tho turf. No mention is made in tho cablegram to hand whether Clarence was among the twelvo who started, but I am inclined to think he was not, Wymlot hailing from the same stable in which the Now Xeulander occupies a box. Tho Hurdle Ruco fell to The Agent, who was got by old Traduccr's soti Slanderer, Guardlish acting 09 runner up, with Cockboat third. In connection with Guardlish, I may nioiition that the sporting folk of Mount Gambier (Victoria), from where tho horso hails, wero co enamoured with hia chance of win ning that one of thoir uunibor lately took £20,(100to .t.2,500 from Mr.l. Thompson that ho would win. Subsequontly.tho taker evidently thought tho wager was too big, and had it reduced, taking 2,C0 to 500. Whon tho " leviathian" wit nessed Guardlish in the straight, quite probably ho congratulated himself that ho did not have tho sensational wagor going against him.

I learn that Foul Shot, tho son of Musket and Slandor, who promised to develop into such a great horse in the spring of last season, but unfortunately somo months later went all to pieces, is himself again, and ia doing serviceable work. Among those French has under charge at Papa kura is a rising three-year old full sister to Marion, who has only lately been broken in. Tho rising two year : old full siater to Mitrailleuse that Mr Robertson purchased privately after the last New Zealand Stud Company sale, I am informed, has grown into a very racing looking young lady, and ia ono.of tho kii.d that will come to hand early.

The youngsters at Sylvia Park aro re ported to bo looking wonderfully well just now, ami taken altogether aro said to bo a tine-looking lot. This ia in somo measure due to the splendid weather wo have had, and thu absence of sickness from amongst their number. Both Sylvia nnd Onyx aro in foal to Musket, but among tho somo half a-dozen mares who aro empty is Fancy, tho dam of Foul l'lay and Tho I'oot.

From Sydney I learn that Thunderbolt bag como in for a lot of attention there for tlio V.R.C. Derby. Tho Leviathan, Mr E. E. Jonos, laid -1000 to 100 in one hand lo

a commissioner, and several smaller sums woro alto booked. For tlio same event, 10*9 to SO was pencilled against tho Hon. J. White's colt Nordenfe'dt, and 1000 to 00 offered.

Judging from tho largo number of juveniles that Auckland trainers have in hand, wo should have somo splendid two year-old racing next season. I can count nt tho present time no less than sixteen youngsters that are being put through regular work, and this is not counting Mr J. Enko's colt Jamaica, by Cadofjan — Luro, Mr J. Lennard's Auriga, by Ran I wiek —Xantippe, The Boot's full brother Tennyson, owned by Mr C. 11. Lushiug ton, and a couple belonging to Mr C. Hewitt.

Mr Poniold, the Secretary of tho Canter bury Jockey Club, has aent mo a copy of the Club's programme for tho forthcoming season. It is published in tho usual handy book form.

Tho Wel'ingteii Racing Club Steeplocha o Meoting on Saturday was tho means of bringing forth an evidently promising cross country horse in the shapo of Faugh a ballagh, To place two s.eopleclußj-a to hia creuit in ono afternoon was by no means a bad performance, but from all accounts ho was greatly served by heavy ground. Pre vious to winning tho Maidon Steeplechaso at Napier in March last, Faugh-a-ballngh had little in tho way of performances to recommend him.

Frotn Napier I loam that tho Hawke's Bay Jockey Club havo this year drawn up tlio programmo for tho whplo of tho forth coming season, and when comptotcd it will be published in book form. Tho stako for the Hawko's Bay Steeplechase has been in creased to OOOsovs , so that it is ovident tho Club are dototmined not to bo bohi*id hand.

At tho opening of tho Cumberland .Hunt Club in Sydnoy, I notice that our old friend Hunray was among thoso who followed the " spotted beauties," and ho made himself conspicuous by being in tho first flight. Sunray was ridden by Mr H. Bennott,

Mr T. W. Hickaon publicly oxhibited his new " Triumph " totalisator at Eraser and Tinne's foundry on Wednesday afternoon. Among tho spectators present wore Mr W. Porcival and Air W. Adams.

" Sir Launcelot " heara on the most ro liablo authority that the much-talked of July will be taken to Melbourne to compete in tho Melbourne Cup, and will go into tho Dowling Porost stablo. Commotion is progressing most satisfac torily with his training, and.is reported to be looking tho picture of health. In the Sydnoy papers ho is now quoted at 100 to 4 for the Melbourne Cup, and in that city several days ago, £5000 to £200 was ac cepted that he places the great Spring evont to his credit.

Tho other night in Wanganui, Mrs Bald win, in answer to a question during hor exhibition of socallod elairvoyancy, said tho coming Melbourne Cup would bo won by a bay horse with a white star or blaze in his face, whoso name commenced with the letter N. There are four animals engaged in that event whose names commenco with that lettor, viz., Newstead, Ndrmanby, Nor denfeldt, and Nopicallina.

St. John (a full brother to Trump Yoss) has come into notice for tho Melbourne Cup, and he has been supported to win £20,000 at 100'sto2. The "Sportsman" of tlio loth givo." the following as a fow of the biggest bona fide bets actually laid :— Caulfield Cur, 3,OOOto6oClaDtrnp 2.000 to 10 Luck* Hit 2,000 to 5i Anchorite 1.000 to 20 King of tho Gipslca s.Ofio to 50 Videtto 1,000 to 20 Vcrpy l,oooto2oHunicano Mbluouknis Cup. 5,000 to 150 Coronet 3,000 to CO Warwick 3.000 to 00 Sardius 3,000 to flil Norrteufoldt 3.W0 to 51 Mozart 5,000 to 100 Prnnieilieus 5,000 to 100 St Joha 2 000 to 20 Willoroo 2 000 to 30 Impulse 2.000 to 30 Honoydow 2,000 !o 10 Velocipede Douei.es. 5,000 to 20 Nowstead and Plausiblo 5 fOO to 20 Nowstead and Coronet 5,000 to 25 Nowstead and Velocipede 5,0"0 to 25 Nowstead and Reginald 5.000 to 25 No ivstend and Prometheus 5,000 to 15 Monte Christo and Commotion 5,000 to 15 Monte ChriFto and Kit Nubbles 5,000 to 20 Monte Christo and Anchorite 5,000 to 7.5 Matchlock and Matchlock lit.ooo to 10 Matchlock and Stornaway 2.000 to 10 Nordcnfeldt and Nordenfcldt 10,000 to 10 Uralli and Sardius 2 001 to 40 Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 5.000 to 20 Thunderbolt and Commotion V.R.C. Debby, 1,000 to 120 on the fleld (off) 1.000 to 100 Dunlop (off) 1,000 to 60 Isonomy (wd)

I have to ncknowledgo tho receipt of a copy of Oxenham's "Turf Register" for July. It contains a mass of useful informa tions, including the entries and weights for all of the principal forthcoming events to be decided on the Australian turf. In a noto that I have received from the publisher ho states that the book is becoming a gradual but certain success, and already a large number of the wealthiest and most prominent of the Australian racehorse owners and sporting gontlemen aro upon the list of yearly subscribers. Mr Pilbrow informs " Sir Launcelot" that it is moro than likely he will soon dispose of Mata—Mr 11. Haines, wollknowu n this colony, and one of the most respected members of the Melbouruo " ring,".having expressed a wish to become possessed of him again. It will be remembered that while he was " under the ban " Mr Haines hacked Mata about tho streets of Melbourne, and perhaps ho will again uso tho veteran at the same work.

Summarising the performances of Tim WhiUler during his career, " Maxeppa " says that he has started in 03 races. Of these he has won 10, been placed socond 22 times, third 9 timos, unplaced 22 timos. Winnings in st.ikes,i;l ) 743. Ugly Buck has started in 27 races. Of those he has won four, been five times second, and nine times unplaced. Winnings in stakes, £484. Tho Adelaide scribe "Trumpa tor" recently interviewed Newstoad in hia box, nnd the genuine information he gives concerning tho colt will provo interesting to his Auckland admirers. Tho writer says ;—" To sco the Derby favourite is to admire. No horso could bo truer made or possess greater power and substanco, his muscular develop ment being something extraordinary. His victory over Malua in tho Flying Stakes ut Flomington, when tho pair ran tho dis tance in lmin. 14sec, stands out as a won dorful achievement, and fit and well ut the postit will require a clinkor to put him down at Flemington on tho last day of Octobor. Now comes tho reverse sido of the picture as far as the colt's Derby prospects aro con cerned. Nowstoad is decidedly on tho big sido after his long spoil, and his fore-legs do not look to bo of tho " sorviceable kind " necessary for a horso who must go through unoxcoptionally heavy preparation. Molten, it is true, was always under suspicion on account ofa weak leg, and yet his trainer was onublod to got him fit enough to fight out a very severe race at Ep°om. The scare aboutNowsteadmay proveno bettcrfounded than were tho objections to tho English Derby favourite ; but without wishing to discount tho colt's Dorby chance in any way, I shall unhesitatingly express my opinion that Mr McDonald has a vory anxious and troublosomo timo before him in preparing the present favourite for tho V -R C. Dorby ; und if ho succeeds in landing him at tho post lit to nit),ho will havo performed a tusk which many persons just now regard as vory dillicult of accomplishment. In writing this 1 do not for a moment wish people to understand that I am one of those croakers who suy " Nowstead cannot win the Derby," but tho colt has all his trouble before him, ni'd until he gets into fast work and is going on satisfactorily backers will be using a wise discretion if they forget his brilliant form last year und let him alono for the Derby.

Referring to tho Caulfiold Cup weights, "Augur" says:—" rt here so many aro nicely handicapped, it is difficult to select any thing that stands out prominently, but if Commotion, The Plunger, Fryingpan, Pro inetlious, Archie, and Anchorite bo brought lit to tho post, I don't think tho others will have much tho best of thoni when tho judge gives his verdict."

Won by a head, is what the English papers to hand tell us was tho result ol the English Derby, and nothing but desperate horsemanship on tlio part of Archer enabled Melton to turn tho tables on Paradox, who looked all over a winner a fow yards from tho post. There wero 12 starters fur the great raco, but Dame Agnes, who has been run ning in the linmo of Mr W. A. Long, was not of tho number. Tho winner started at tho short prico of 7 to -1, the French ro'.t Xaintrailles holding the next best position at 4 to 1, in front of I'iradox, who receded to 6to 1. Melton's time for tho important race under not'eo has only beer, beaten twice during the Inst 10 years, viz , by Gulupiti, 2uiin. -12*oc. in 1875, mid Kisbor,2uiiu l-lscc. in IS7O, and the value of the stake, £4,525, is considerably lower than any previous Derby for tho same term. Archer had the mount on Melton, which makes hia fourth victory, having steered other three winners in Silvio, Bend Or, and Iroquois. It is a singular coincidence that tho first four in tho Middlo Park Plato furnished tho lending quartette in the Dorby, with tho positions slightly altorod. It is stated that thu ring was hit to tho tune of £150,000 by Molten's victory. Although several of tho otl . notably Xaintrailles and I'aindox, were up ported for a heap of niouoy, many «.' .ho mutnllicians are now said to bo nski- _ for timo.

CONDENSED ITEMS.

Captain Webster is said to bo looking in first class form.

Acceptances for tho New Zoaland Cup aro due or, Saturday next. "Caspian " picks Acolyte or Anglesey to win tho Hawkesbury Handicap. The Hon. J. White's filly Uralla ii first favourite for tho A.J.C. Derby. Adamant, tho Dunodin Cup winner of ISS3, has beon shipped to Sydney for dis posal. King's Own was submitted by auction in Sydney, and knocked down to a Mr Kinsolo for 105 guineas. It is universally agreed in Australia that Silver King ia the worst treated horse in tho Melbourne Cup. Tho last issuo of the " Sydrey Sports man " contains a loading article denouncing tho totalisator. Nnnnio has passed into tho hands of Messrs Lyons and Blaikie, and will in future bo in charge of M. Carmody. Mr McDonald, of First Water fame, is training a full brother to Creswick, who has novor started in public. Tho Christchurch sportsman, Mr H. Wostmacott, has christened his yearling filly by Loojinus—Wni i-ti, Wairuna. Dunlop, who was reported to bo in Qucer streot, is all right again, and it is said that his buekers have no cause for alarm. Littlo Alf. Woods has erected training stables at Kaikora (Hawko's Bay), and J. Munn will act aa public trainer there.

Lord Marcus Beresford haa been ap pointed starter to tho English Jockey Club in tho place of the late Mr T. McGeorgo. T. Lyford, who was soveroly hurt while riding Silver King in tho Maiden Steeple chase at Napier, is still in a feeble condi tion.

First Demon is still boing trained by Lawson, the rumour relating to his having gono into Monaghan's stublo boing un founded.

Tho well-known Sussex, a son of Grand master and acknowledged to be tho best all round performer Australia has over seen, has beon placed in Mr W. C. Yuillo's hands for private sale. Mr R. Ray's colt Pusilado, by Musket— Wai-i-ti, is now an inmate of W. Milne's stablo, whero ho will bo trained for his spring engagements. Othello, the winner of the Hack Steople chaso at Napier, is a son of Gladiator—ll air Ellen, winnerof so many races in Wangantti in the good old days, and was bred by Mr J. E. Stent.

Venetia, the little black, who scored a flukey victory over Helone in the V.X.C. Oaks, has been turned out of training, her owner being disgusted with her lato porfor-

I notice among thoso engaged in the Mel bourne Cup is a five-year-old full brother to Captain VVebster in the s'ape of Duko of Athol, and a full brother to Ilubina named Courtier, 3 years.

Mr D. O'Brien, while in Melbourne, hinted to " Augur " that if the woights put on Trenton andTasman for the Melbourne Cup wero satisfactory he might send ono or the othor over.

Amongst the members of the new Con servative Ministry in England is Lord Harris, who ia well Uoowri to oricktt supporters as the leader of tho mixed team who visited tho colonies a few years ago.

Mr P. P. Tancred intends relegating The Consul to stud duties. It is stated that tho colt has nevor thoroughly recovered from an injury to his leg that ho received at tho Cambridge Autumn Mett.ng of 158-1.

The Australian Jockey Club has pasced a rule providing " that to bring a raco meet ing within tho operation of tho rulo as lo registration the suid meeting must have been advertised in fome newspaper."

The Victoria Racing Club havo decided to give SOOsovs. for a Special Juveni'o Stakes, to be run during tho Spring Moot ing of 1880, for geldings two years old ; weights, Bst 51b ; distance 5 furlongs.

Mr William Bladder, tho well-known South Australian bleeder of blood stock,

bad the ill-luck to lose his imported mare Cameo, the dam of Topaz, recently, s! o having died very shortly after foaling twin;,.

Farewell, by Beauclerc from Adiou, is a colt that Sydney backers are speculating pretty freely on fo the Hawkesbury and Metropolitan. It is whispered that he has been tried, and proved better) than Hast togs.

Melton mado his appearance in public n fortnight before ho won tho Derby-viz, in the Payne Stakes at, Newmarket. Ho started with 5 to 2 on him, and beat Kings wood and Lonely (subsequently winner of tho Oaks) with great ease. Imperial, tho Sydney Cup hero of 1875, competed in a race at Elsternwick Park (Melbourne) lately, but the old follow dropped astern as soon ns his oppononts wero set going.and he finished last but one— a long way oil'

News comes from Adelaide that there is every prospect of racing being resuscitated in that goody-goody town, a company, with Mr VV. B. Rounsovell at its held having been formed for tho purpose of amalgam ating tho two rival Clubs. It is said that Royal Hampton, who ran tiird in tho Epsom Derby, is owned by an illustrious personage. It is moreover said that his Royal Highness, tho heir apparent, landed nearly £50,000 by backing tho horse t« got. a place. Thoro wus somo close racing at Caulficld recently. The Steoplcchase was only won by a head, with tho same distanco botwoen second and third, and in tho Ladies' Bracelet the Judge's verdict waa a head, with a dead-heat for second place.

Mr Gerard has been second in tho Two Thousand in two successive years. Last year St. Modard carried tho pink and white stripes a head in front of Harvester, and five lengths behind Scot Free in tho Rowloy Milo race. On that occasion Archer rode St. Modard.

The best two-year-old in England is The Bard, who up to tho time the last mail loft England had won oight races in succession, value £4,810. In all of these except one ho was ridden by Fred Archer. Tho Bard is by Proto-Martyr's half-brother Petrarch, from Magdalene by Syrian.

Mr D. M. Robertson has purchased a block of ground ut Flemington, where ho intends to erect stabling upon the most improved principles, and with Coronet, Moonsheo, Claudian, Cincinnatus, and others, ho will havo a nice little string to commenco noxt season with.

In tho Melbourne Cup Signor was wrongly nominated, his age having been given at fivo instead of four years, and in the Caul liold Cup Sister Teresa was incorrectly nominated U3 being by Goldsborough from Sister Teresa instead of Lady Superior. Both entries havo been amended.

Commenting on Commotion's chance for tho Melbouruo Cup, the "Sydney Sports man " says: —" It is safe to assume that if the last Champion Stakes winner only trains on to Mr Uakin's satisfaction, he will havo such .a following at Flemington as was never boforo known, and tlio run on him for a place will bo altogether unprecedented "

The NowmurUet Handicap winner, Coronet (says " The Loader "), presents a blooming appoaranco on tho training ground which augurs well for his undergoing sue oeucfully tho ordeal of hia preparation for tho groat spring campaign, and vi-itors to Flemington aro also favourably impressed with the appoaranco of his stablo com panion, Moonsheo.

THE GARDEN

[By llobtus.]

Calendar oi Operations, July 25,

[HoitTUS is willing to answer any qucrlos. Cor respondents must givo their full names and addresses, though not for publication.!

TO COHItJSSPONDKNTS. Salvia Splrnuens (Ainiiteui).- You can easily propagate the aiiovo fioin cuttings. Tuke off a few of tho young shoots with a pieco of old weoil, if p.ibfiliUi. and pluco in a pot with plenty ot mind. They will stiiko freely if put in v warm plana with a rlicet ot glutß over them. The young pints will give tlio n.ost and best Ho .vers next an umn, but if your old plains will survive tho wimer thoy will givo yuii early sprli g Holers. As the young plants grow hi thu UO!tiers thoy should be frequently pinched back, so us to givo them a nice comp act habit.

Cyci.amkns (flower),—lt would boas welluot to move tin in at present,as thoy will eilhor tio iv full iljwur or dining into flower. Tho moving would curtail a great ileal of their llo.senng oapa'oill'iea, though, about a fo.t night «ko. I planted a few out from pots, and they seem not to bo tho si ghtest clucked by trunnplaui^ jr. One 1 iif od from tho op -n 1) .rJer lms received a severe i hoc*, but I ex

pu.it to gut sumo II iwi r» from it in tho early sprint:. Your eat nations I would move at om'.e no ns togetlhum outablit-lied before the spring, 'ihey will then llnver early. Only put out a few cf your gladioli bulbs ai present, and not your best varieties. Alwuys tuc tho eoin.uon vuiielied for ear.y flowering. GoosKllKtiuv (If. 11, Auckland).—Yes. A good nuinb-.r of varior,;es suece'il here now pretty wtlt. la tlio different nurtiorieu thoy keep a good »to_k, hut early every winter they uro the botterof a goj.l rout-pruning, so ua to give them a check, and that tlio wood may g.-t property ripened oil'mi well lis to givo a goed rest Id the plants. 1 cannot u.y that over 1 have tasted «lnit.l nould cull all'.st-cluss fruit he:e jet, but fir pies they are capital.

Pruning

(I.ONTJNI.'KI) mClil LAST WIiKK.)

Next I would foreshorten all tho branches that aro left, culling about one-third back, and cutting to a bud pointing in the direc tion I wished the branch to tako next year. Of eourso trees dealt with in thia manner will need special attontion next season, so that an effort may bo mado to develop all

buds which aro not wanted for tho prodttc

tioti of wood into fruit spurs. Again with treos that havo not mado any thing but short-jointed, healthy wood, very little pruning will bo required, only soo that all useless twigs in tlio COtitro aro cut out, and slightly redtico tho etuis of those that aro loft. Here, I would strongly urgo that on trees of this class, a freo u=o of the knife during any winter will do moro injury than you might be ablo to repair for two or threo seasons after. To cut back trees of thia class severely will havo the result of causing them to rush away with a si ray rank growth next season, and this, abovo anything, must bo avoided. Fruit trees, again, that aro making no growth at all, and it is desirable to get some now wood, cut back pretty freely and dig the surface soil for somo distance round them, and put plenty of well-rotted manuro into the soil whilo digging. T.ho abovo treatment will have, on most treos, the effect of starting them into fresh vigour; and season after season, if you want to renew tho wholo of tho wood on tho troe, keep cutting out the old limbs by degrees. Now wo will turn to tho pruning of ever greens and shrubs. Largo evorgreons are sometimos kept on the lawns and

shrubberies', and thoy sometimes get

unsightly through tho want of propor attention. They should be fraquontly

cut back, not clipped, but pruned in such a manner that they may still retain their habits. Koep them as compact as possible. Any shrubs that have attained too largo a size for tho place or situation should bo cut back to within a few feet of tho ground. Tho best timo to porform this is in the spring of the year, as cutting back then thoy will soonor bo covered with foliago again. All thinning out of shrubs should take plnco at the same timo, as the blank spaces will sooner get partially fillod up by tho new spring growth. All ever greens which are grown forthefino or varie gated foliage should also be cut back in tho oarly spring, as at that period the sap will soon cause them to rush away with a strong vigorous growth, thus giving much better foliago. Single specimen trees, or pines, which are planted out in the open, must also receive more or lcs3 attention every winter, so as to givo them a symmetrical ap pearance, no matter what their habit of growth. Pines will sometimes throw out a doublo head. This must not bo allowed. Whonover such makos its appearance ono of the heads (tho weakest) must be cut out Sometimes ono of tlio sido branches will be ino'.insd to draw moro than its fair share off sap—consequently it will soon assumo the part of another leador if allowed. When ever this tendency is observed the tip of the shoot muat bo cut off, so as to Etop it, and if any of its literal branches try to assumo the fame position they also must bo stepped, so that tho due symetry of tho. treo may be maiiitnmed. x havo often scon coniforas with two, threo. and on some six different h-.ads all towering up and all struggling for tho leadership. That, I have been told, was a specimen tree. My teaching would call it an ugly abortion. Again, with single do. ciduous tress planted out as specimens thoso also must lookel to. Tako for instance

whofc would bo called ayipecimon oak. It would bo a troo with a single stem growing B'rnight up. with its branches ccming out almost horizontally from tho stem, and it should bo well found with thoso branches fuom .top to bottom and conical in shape. Singlo specimen trees of tlio above class -hould bo pruned so as to attain the abovo shape.

Forest trees, or treos planted in a rra;s or group, want of another system pr nhig, These must be trimmed up with boro stems for a con_<iderab'o distanco, from fifteen to fifty feet, as would need to be the case if the trees are wanted for timber Of course trees of this class are usually planted close together so that they may assist in drawing one another up with tall slender Btems at first. Then aa the trees advance in growth some arg from

time to time thinned out so as to give more room for the beat to moro fully de volop. But oven with ibis syKtcm.it is found necessary to prune some of tho jo*'"' branches every soason, leaving the head, About one-third of the tree is about the usual proportion to observe till tho stem of the tree has attained the height you want it then all pruning shculd cease, so as to allow the head to get much larger, ?o that the twigs will dovolop more leaf, and elaborate sufficient quantities of sap and send downwards to increase -the bulk of timber. In growing trees of this class while they aro young the consideration should be to dovelop a tall, straight stem without many branches. No matter though it is like a fishing rod in appearance at first, whenever you can afford to allow it to attain a head it will soon send down suffi cient sap to swell out its girth. Fre quently wo have heard the quonlion dis cussed whether pruning will or will not in crease the entire quantity of wood which a tree would grow. I have never heard a satis factory answor given to the above question, but. there is ono part of tho question that is generally admitted, and that is, by pruning you throw tho bulk of tho timber in any given direction. If you wish for plonty of branches, all you have to do is to pruno back all shoots, and you can increase the branches manifold. If bulk timber is wanted, tho system then is to prune back a few of tho lower limbs every year so as to get longth of stem. When such is attained allow the head to spread, and tbis_ will in timo cause the stem to attain considerable dimensions.

Shrubs and Trees.—Planting,

In planting trees and shrubs there are generally far too many good permanent varieties planted for the space of ground at disposal, no regard being paid to tho space these trees or shrubs will occupy when they attain their full growth. A vory good rule is to think over what will be the permanent t'reos or shrubs ; then try und estimate what spaco a full-grown sptoimen will occupy. If it be an oak, it will need a diameter of from eighty to one hundred feet. Oaks have been known to occupy o to hundred and forty feot. If it bo a pine, about sixty to eighty feet. If, however, only specimen trees are wanted, they never will look well if thoy do not stand boldly by themselves. Tho best places to have good specimen trees aro out in the open park or in an avenue. Whore trees are simply planted for the shado they may give, whether in belts or in clumps or massed plantations, they should at first bo planted pretty thick, so that they may assist or nurse onp another hy shelter ing and drawing each otl\er tip with straight stems. And to assist ip farming tall straight stems quickly, pruning must bo resorted to. This consists In removing eomo of the lower branches every year, cutting them clean into tho quick or bole of the tree. Tho proportion of top or branches to be observed is always to leave one third of the height of tho tree ; that is if the tree be twenty-four feet high tho stem ought to bo sixteen feot without branches, and the head of tho tree eight feot. If this work is not performed while the treos nro young it can never bo properly done afterwards. When tho trees are old such pruning always leaves ugly wounds and marks which it takes years to efface. Moreover, this treatment depreciates tho future market valuo of tho timber, which should always bo kept in view oven in public or private plantations; but. in any ovent the pruning must take place if you want to produce largo shade treos. As soon as tho trco has reached tho height of stem which you wish to attain all pruning ought to ceaeo. It*, somo of tho well kept private parks at Home, about thirty to fifty foot is tho usual height for large shade tree?. Then commenco thinning out all tho trees which aro interfering with ono another, so that the bond may spread out. How often do wo seo'a clump all growing up together, one treo spoiling (.lie other, arid when the thin ning out oommonces leaving a lor of trees nil one sided, from which deformity it takos a great number of years for the treo to re cover if it over does. Now this could have been easily prevented by timely cutting down of the treo or branches which wore causing all the mischief. The thinning out allows more light around tho tree, and the noxt season, aftor the admission of this light, tho tree tikes advantage of it by pushing out its loaves nnd branches in that direction. It is the same in a gootl number of shrub berries : they aro planted too much at fiisi and novcr thinned out afterwards. Conse quently they only make a series of big tall branches trying to push out thoir leaves to the light, and in fact turning all tho?o leaves up to tho sky. Now it is for the beauty of thoir foliago that shrubs are planted, and for a pleasing variety of colours; both of which objects are lost by keeping them too thick. I bolievo ifl thick planting, so that trees and shrubs may nurse and support b;io another till they have attained a good sizo; then tho thinning out musttako place unless you want to form what is called a wilderness, which is vory pretty when there is plonty of epaco or tho character of tho place will admit of it. Hero I would nslc thoso who have seen the magnificent kauris in our forests, with a height of from 50 up to 100 feet without a branch, Would those trees look any thing if thoy had only about ten feot of a stem and then branched away with huge limbs—in fact, only making a huge bush instead of a noble treo ? Some will say that thoso trees received no prun ing to assist them in attaining thoso mag nificent proportions. But Nature provides means for itself which could never bo allowed in any park, whothor it be public or private. Tho seal of these largo trees are self-sown along with other trees, una they all spring up together in a dense mass, drawing ono another up, soon making it a race for existeneo ; for which ever treo can sustain its head above tho others, thereby roeeiving most sun, light:, and air, will cvontually boat t|yj vest. But tho race becomes sc severe that all the lower branches got killed in the struggle, and afterwards all the othor trees which have not been able to maintain tho struggle die out by dogreos. You some times sco largo masses of magnificent forest trees, with very little or no under scrub, unless such as gro\y best in tho shade of other tress. It is not because tho soil is incapablo of supporting both ; it is tho large troes which take away from the undergrowth all the sun, light, and air, so nocessary for its existence. Immediately you cut down the largo trees tho othors will spring again into existeneo from seed, and the same raco will bo gone over again with the same results. Now if wo want to imilate Nature iv producing those largo and magnificent troes^wo must resort to artificial means, and these; are simply pruning and thinning as thoy^may be required, and by not growing one useless branch or ono tree which is not required.

GOSSIP FROM STAGE AND STUDIO.

(By Euterpe.)

Dion Bouuicault has a br&ther in Austra lia, a plodding oditor, whoso hand he has not grasped for many a long day.

Mr Georgo Lingard is exhibiting his diorama of Scottish scenery and the Soudan war in Dunodin.

Miss Boso Herseo has beon playing with success in lolantho at tho Empiro Theatre, London.

Offers aro being made to Mr B. Fairclough for a Hobart soason. Ho should pay a visit to New Zealanr 1, where he is so popular.

Mr Charles Warner, whose Corepeau, in " Drink," wa3 tlio talk of Loi don, sails for an Australian tour in September next.

The Crown l'rinco Rudolph of Austria will publish almost immediately his volume describing the countries over which ho is one day to rulo.

Herr B. Scberek has resigned the position of conductor of the Dunodin Choral Society, and is to bo succeeded by Mr A. J. Barth. J

No les« than 1,026 new operas were written and performel in Italy from 1554 to 1884, that is to say a period of thirty years.

Donald Dinnie has beon sued for £6 in tho District Court, Molbourne, by a fiddler who supplied tho music for hh Highland flings.

" A comedy," said the late H. J. Byron, the well-known actor and dramatist, "is like a cigar. If it's good, everyone wants a box ; if it'a bad, no amount of puffing will make it draw,' »■ "

Edward Solomon, the composer, and Miss Lilian Russell, tho opera boufle urtiste, whose mutual relationsliavebecn the subject of gossip for a year or two past, have just been married in America.

Mr J. B. Zcrbini, conductor of the Mon day Popular Concerts in Londor, is just now on a visit to Australia. Be is a splendid violinist, andh as acted as musical " coach " to such well-known stars as Santley. Tho latest issues of Harp r's Franklin Square Library aro "Captain Brand of the Centipede," a novel by H. 4, Wise, United States navy, and " Russia Under the Czars," by Stepniak,

Mr Sydney Warner, of the Federal Minstrels, makes a big hit when he comes 0 - in a Khakec suit and informs the audience in rich . brogue that "Ho hadn't bano to the Sowdan, buthadshtruck a now dodge fur gettin chape dhrinks !" Tho last completed work of F. J. Fargus —otherwise "Hugh Conway," the author of " Called Back "—is a novelette under the title of " Carriston's Gift." It was to ap pear in threo nunbers of "Harper's Bazar," beginning with the issue of Ju»e 12th.

' One of the London booksellers possesses a volumo in which the words "William Shakespeare" are written in two places, and it is said that the British Museum au thorities aro of opinion that the signatures are gonuino autographs of the poet.

The ages at which some of the most noted lyric composers commenced their careers as such have recently been given as follow :— Handel, 20; Mozart, 12; Rossini, 18; Aubor, 30 ; Meyerbeer, 21 ; Donizetti, 20 ; Bellini, 22 ; Wagner, 23 ; Vordi, 20 ; and Gounod, 33.

Tho Hugo Buffalo Minstrels have opened in Dunedin. Mr Chas. Hu<jo, who was hero with the Bent and Batchcldor Minstrels, has direction of the troupe, and Miss Pris cilia Vorne leads tho choruses, acts as inter locutress, and is generally the bright par ticular star of tho Company.

Tho latest freak of the King of Bavaria is to have a series of theatrical performances given byMdme, Wolter, a celebrated Vienna actress, before him as sole audience. Among the repertoire are to be "Narcisse," "Theo dora," and a translation of the English play "Cromwell."

The London Comic, Opera Company, which have travelled thorough this colony under the management of Mr A. T. Dunning, is now in the hands of Messrs Albert Nor man and Howard Vernon. They opened at Sandhurst with "Les Mantoux Noirs," lately. The principal members of the Com- pany are still retained, and Miss Fanny Liddiard" has been added as second leading lady,

Houghton, Milllin and Co. (US > were to publish last month " The Russian .Revolt," by Edmond Noble, of London. It gives the origin and history of this revolt, which is now known as nihilism, and is based on ten years' careful study of Russian subjects and two years' travel and residence in Russia. One chapter treats of the relation of tho roYolt to Europe, and is therefore peculiarly timely just now.

George Darrell's new Australian drama, " Tho Squatter," is very severely criticised by the Melbourne press. The "Argus" calls it a conglommeration of incredible übsurdities, and then goes on to say that it might havo been easily composed by ono of tho gallery boys, with the assistanoo of a dictionary and a volume of the "Family Herald." In conclusion it is said to be a farrago of pretentious inanities, dreary platitudes, and silly slang. Professor Sample, the horse-tamer, is now at Hengler's Grand Cirque, London, where he is demonstrating how nicely horses can be driven with tin cans tied to their tails and fireworks exploding at their very hoofs. In London the Professor's price for tuition is fivo guineas instead of two. The only complaint pupils have to make, so far, is that thoro is too much oratory and too little horsetaming. Messrs Appleton will soon publish a work entitled "An Inglorious Columbus," by E. I. Vining—an a tt<mpt to show that America was discovered in the fifth century by a party of Buddhist monks from Afghan istan, ono of whom, named Ilwui Shay, returned to Asia after an absence of forty one years. A short f\ccuunt of the land which ho visited, which is supposed to bo Mexico, was included in the official history of China, and a translation of the account is given in Mr Vining's work.

On May 3, a remarkable orpheanic fete was held in the Tuileries Gardens, Paris. 4SO societies, aggregating tho onornftovts number of 15,000 porformers, were ranged round the orchestra. Tho performance of the "Marseillaise" by such a band was describe! as something marvellous. 25,000 franca were to be distributed in prizes, and no fewer than 52 halls and concert rooms had been hired for sections of the competi tors, who were to be heard by a jury, of which MM. Ambroiso Thomas,"Gounod, and othor musicians formed part. A Melbourne correspondent writes to a Sydnoy paper :—" STou will have ' lolantho' in Sydney shortly. I envy you. It is the greatest hit against the aristocracy I have over seen, and tho author has made the curious discovery that arms (mairsjy fominino) are moro beautiful ari,d eloquent than legs. In the piece arms aro used in every station with wonderful effect —of course tha oritios hero haven't twigged it, Wo have gono mad on ' lolantho.' Hard Scotchmen of my acquaintance go every night." Miss Louise Davenport and Mr W. E. Sheridan, who aro well known to colGnial playgoers, have been successfully touring New York. Thesenson was abruptly ended, and tho company disbanded because of the sudden and serious illness of Mrs Sheridan. Immediately upon their arrival in Now York sho was placed in ono of the beat medical institutions for treatment, fler malady is a peculiar one; it heguvt with blood poisoning, and no>y tho patient is suffering from a cotaplioatian of troubles, principal ftrficngwhich are spinal menengetis t\nd partial blindness.

Tho production of Gilbetr and Sullivan's " Sorcerer" by the Auckland Amateur Opera Club, under Herr Schmitt, promises to bo a huge success. Of the total number of dress circle seats (2GO) no less than SOO luivo already been reserved for tho first night, 50 fo:: the second, aud 20 for the third, The caas of parts is as follows : - Alino (soprano), MisXilgcu. ; Mrs Partlett (contralto), Mrs E. Brasstiy ; Lady Satiga zttvo (tnezno soprano), Mrs Waters; Con stance (soprano) Miss Stephenson ; Alexis (lenor), Mr Joseph Hanna ; Dr.Daly (bass), Mr Percy Dufaur ; John Wellington Wells (baritone), Mr A. Taylor; Sir Manna. tike (baritone), Mr P. 4. Edsiteto'n ; Notary, Mr ■J. Charts, Sne position w h;ch Shakespeire occupies in universal literature is suggested by the number of editions of his works which havo been collected at the Free Library at Birmingham. At the end of 1884 it con tained 6,734 volumes. Of these volumes, tho Fnglish, including 1368 editions of tbo complete works of Shakespeare, formed 3.887 volumes ; tho German, 1,847 ; French, 102 ; Italian, 147 ; Russian, 62; Dutch, So ; Hungarian, 45; Spanish, 31 ; Swedish, 33 ; Danish, 29 ; Polish, 22; Bohemian, 20 ; Greek, 14; Icelandic, 5 ; Portuguese, 5 ; Croatian, 2 ; Frisian, 2; Hebrew, 2 ; Latin, 2 ; Flemish, 1 ; Roumanian, 1 ; Roumelian, 1; Ukraine, 1 ] Wallaehian, 1; and Welsh, I,

Mdmo, Putti's just-concluded American tour seems to have been full of sensations. On the farewell night in San Prancisco" the diva broke down into speechless sobbing, the ladies wore all weeping wildly into their pocket-handkerchiefs, dozens of men were sniffing suspiciously, and there was not a dry oyo in tho houso except that of the ' Buttons'at the front door." These Mr Burnnnd in the London Punch, traves tying Ternyson, terms " idol" tears '..—

Crass as the snivellings of a siokly boy, Hilly as .hose by fiction's fancy feigned, Wrung from a smut-nosed slal ey; hallow asrot. As lonimi -rot, or tippler's maudlin woe: Idol-drawn tears, the Age's bario and borol

Frederick Fargus, author of "Called Back," whoso death has been, announced and contradicted, is really dead. Hedied ou May 14, on thq. Continent, whoro he w;ap travelling in search of health and new ideas. His age was only 30, The rcgrot mith. which tho news was received in London was universal and genuine. Hero are a few lines from one of several in Memoriam poems : —

" Hugh Con,way died I" it seems but yosterday That ho awakonod to his new-born fame Arose, and found he' 1 won himself a name And norved himself fresh triumphs to essay, Modest 'neath praise, he strove to worthy be Of liii'liergninlon, and wit .bravo resolve Bo_?an fresh pi >n» of conquest tn roonlve— Aud now fco'd slooping by tho tidcless sea.

This ifl the way thoy criticise in America : —"Janish deserves to havo her name handed down to history, if only for one thing, and that thing i 9 her hug. It is sublime ; tlio most comprehensive, all per vading thing in the way of an embra'e that has over been perpetrated on the stage. Bernhardt can hug with considerable abandon, and there is a certain complete ness of self-surrender about Lydia Thomp son's stf_2o caresses. But the hug of Janish —well, it deserves to rank with Emma Abbott's kiss, Fanny Davonport's fall in 'Fedora,' Lord Dundreary's shufth, Lord Burleigh's nod, Cromwoll's part, Washing ton's truthfulness, Kapoloon's love for snuff-boxes, or any of the other great monu montal traits of historical personages. It does not matter who it is that Janish it

hugging (I mean on the stage, of crurse), bo it her father, her lover, her husband, her lady friend, or >>hosoover it may be, she on velopos the earth. There is no prevarica tion about it; no escape from it—any more than there is from the embrace of a boa-con strictor. It covers the case as completely a3 a congressional record. It is soul-absorb-

ing, übiquitous, all unfolding—but there ! Webster'B dictionary has not words to des cribe it,"

The Wreck of the Mars.

Arrival of Tho *_$&■ '

Ashipwreok is usually the moßt , :.,:;, of all disasters, but the descripti on >'»B the survivors of the wreck of £*** barque Mars is particularly distress" The Pact.. -SBlllß, On Tuesday morning, iGth „■« T Mars was trying to round A J,»*e, «,. and althougi tie wSr^S squally, it was not as rough as \____m or, the previous day. The li^'ii of danger came from Peterson?t ha S&M Going on duty at 4p m Q "£*«*!{g bis post till about 10 minuteVtoT?. « At about this timo he fe£&\ o**. a dark shadow on the Z-h ho _» This belief he communicated t.? ">«»! swain, who agreed that the shaded, bo»- ---l.kelaud. Captain Adie, CfcSi was also informed of the eirouw B*V he did not think tho land couldT^ l «t Peterson however, reiterated hlf<:^ r' statement with respect to thoLjL '""ft the starboard bow.^ For fully fi n p dbei ?g o, the vessel kept on her course n"DDt<a moment the wholo of the men ' v \ ""* roused as Peterson leudly° e!llf "Breakers on tho port bow» r H plainly see the white surf bpiti„ ""W reef closo to the ship. 3,%! came on deck immediately, and aft. "^ ingtbemen of their danger, cXA^' to assist, i he chief officer next ? ""«> on the . scene, and was followp^?6B^ hands The captain was self-pb^M gave his orders with great calS^ ordered the men to let go the an_Z Be a view of keeping the vessel off*! ** but as it was lashed for rourfi »..♦!. m could not be shifted. Then he told her' !t to haul in the port main brace Viu 6* sprang forward to obey. Bradl .? yards up brought the vessel's head v 7 wind, aud the next moment the W k crashed on a rock with her keel a "'° mendous sea struck her, and _« f tte" broadside on to the rocks. Anotw""B struck her at once and drovo her 11,I l, her beam-ends with her deck seaward in was now confusion, and each man tri»J . Bave. himself. The crew took to theri^ as tho vessel went on her beam-ends W loss of life commenced at once the fijif ' to find a watery grave being Captain J? (acting-pilot), Joseph Rennie (shMI ter), and William Moncrieff llffi,1 Captain Pringle was next loat. Hag one of the two lifebuoys on the vessel lowered himself down to the water's!*. and was at once caught by a tn.n_ Jjß^ wave and gashed out of eight. 'Sffi first officer, tried to persuade his "aStS! not to leave the vessel, urgin S that M not yet over; that they might do ««wtfi with the barque, and that it would be t»2 to wait for daylight before makin»7! attempt to land. To this the^eapW £ plied, " It is impossible to do anything her; let me alone ; I must try to gel WR Still the mate pleaded, asking thoenntl to wait for daylight before trying toX| It was of no avail, and the unfonW captain at once lowered himself down __ water. It was a rash adventure, audit! poor fellow lost his life without bchu>\u to mako the least struggle for it, AslefZ stated, when the vessel turned on her tan ends, the men took to the rigging.' Wejte man, one of the seamen, was clincbftn the mizen rigging, and a little be%|fa was Moncrieif the boatswain. A gZ wavp struck; the ship, and MonodsT™ aeon to let go and fall on deck on flu port side. The unfortunate mah dm. to the ship's rail, and seemed all right.%S next moment tho boom spanker fle* oiomj with a loud crash and caught MoncrieffM in tho middle of tho body, and pinioned hia against the vessel'? fide. He cried out " Oh, my God !' x Tho. boom swung M ogam, and Moncrieff, whose back It Ii thought, was broken by the blow h»«ceiv. fell backwards into the sea, a»d was Seen _ more. Captain Adie was a friend of Ciroito Pringle's The lattw, finding him-«ito| an engagement i* Melbourne, engaged hia to pilot hia vessel to Port Pirie, Aftetttt vessel got on the rock, Captain Adiewad! tho rigging close to n, lad named Heela, All this time tho foundered baraiie n being lashed by the waves, and it y/ua* being struck by such force m to make hw quiver from bow.to stern that Captaijiis was noticed by his companion toAlMnl the rigging into, the alleyway, jffb men was seen o| him, aad it is supposed ttatttj next wave carried him over the YcisTl si.de. ■'■'"..

Getting Ashore. There wero now nine men clinginglotto rigging for their lives. With on<>.eJ» Hon, they determined to hold on $&; light dawned. Tho exception woj'Jto Castel.a Castilian, from Buenos Ay^s,%» stood in the foro rigging Boras fita minutes. Whilst gazing towardßtieita he espied what seemed to be a dry rat He took hold of tho fore-sheet, and let the end of it fall into the soa. He caHedtobls shipmates, "Como hoys, if you want to save yourselves, hero's a dry rat_. :fc ceivinij _ao reply, he lowered himself em the aide by moans of the sheet to 'wMStflt ■ hung, waiting till the waves swm|!fUn' close enough to jump on to tKteiwi,' Seising an opportunity, he jumped for tits rock, but missed it and fell into tieijik However, after a severe struggle, hegtiid the rock and afterwards the shore. -Mm daylight dawned, he climbed to Mtop of a rock some SO or 40 feet fronijgrl^ his companious hung in the fore-riggiia Thoy hajled his advent with cbrtre,fi_3 after several ineffectual attempts he^liiJ a line thrown to him, and made it fast tot rock. By this means the other eightjia were safely got on shoro. Tho boy.Spa nearly losthislife comingalongthe rope.'.* was weak and cold, und after gettiijt certain distance, ho thought he couldfjtsf on to the rock, but missing it was djptf a wavo and carried back into m. H With great presence of mind, Westfe. f bounded through the breakers, andlto* ing a rope around the lad, pulled him wt Castel slid down the rook to his shipfflttlk assistance, md the pair safely pW Hughes on shore.

Wandering on the. Island;' k& The exertions of the men had cotanattJ h to tell on them,, so they determined %pH m by the wreck for a little time,. Aftstie* IK itig, some boards of a boat whichiadlx* H dashed to pieces were washed ashore); H» V] were secured, and the shipwrecked i* |B erected a small rough hut, into whiii&J H orept for shelter from the bleak winds! ft Mp 2$ hours they remained at the scenaofwj BJj wreck, living on a few biscuits and ti«i» jf} hutter which woro washed ashorq^fiit* ijJ a rest the party started out te loot fa Bfl assistance Por three days tho men t»w Hi and reached Remarkable Rock,.tdwW HS miles from Cape Coudio, where: thew to' Kg largecave. This happened on Friday oifm i| 10th Juno. Tho cave afforded goodsh^ I and tho men managed to secure *W Mr. night's sleep. Hunger, however,,be|»ii» Hy creep upon them, and having nothing" I| eat in the cave, it was decided to ireti" H to the wreck. Tha return jpurfafiy o«*j My pied two days High and dry tbe.bW" ffl Captain Prjngle was found;. But niMjjty: H ; weary, and footsore as the men weWfeaJ R buried it and placed a piece of wood tf<™ ■ . head of the grave, on which was, yrttfo,* \\f_\ ' pencil the name of the dcecasedandolW ■.; particulars. Tho body was in such.a «* If v dition as hardly to be recognised}:,J" Hi ekujl wa3 completely, gone,, and ibe W* I | and arms were little more than bare. Ml* Hy Whilst the body generally was {WW R| bruised. The survivors next Bear^^^ By coast for two miles on each sl&'..»■" I..»: wreck, of which by twelve *aHHK A this day little more than ffieiffiß' could be seen. No more bodie^fWr MB found, and as all tho food had been g BS| another start was made to look foraseietu* m Tho party moved along slowly, as aw M thorn suffered from.sone feet.. One C!** ■ number, Peter Nugent, had an ext«OT X soro foot. Whilst loading stone bali«£ ly> Melbourne a man accidentally threw"W? MM stone on hia foot, a.nd the injury . _?>.Bl ceived debarred Nugent from ratting: _Mm thotinembc-r. On.Tucsd.*i3^.23i-dJnnftnWW.«-.'. became extremely critical. Ne -*■* J'?%__£\\m. men were faith uredupaud footsore. Acs* n ingly, threo of tho strongest men W "' H * pitted to goon ahead and seek I Tho chief mate murmured a brief PW? ■ and the party started off. Next day l»* HI nesday, 24th'.) tine) tin y startled the tW W of the Capo Borda lighthouse by bheirv m pearance. They wero quickly taken wt^ m cart was sent to thoir niate.-V.s--istaD(*, || then people in Adelaide learned l>>' teWL, H%. that nine days previously the b*$ uVJ,, 18$ had been wrecked near West Bay, i*aD^, R Island. All the party speak in g'°*lDK}, §| ' of the hospitality bestowed on them BTjjj;^* lighthouse keepers and their wives." "r £? Australian Advertiser," June 29th. ■■■;.. H

A Wise DiucoN.-"Dcaeon WUaMi Wj B you to tell mo how you kept yoursoUaMwjjj M so well tho past season, when all MS re» „ m havo been sick so much, and have ■ tors running to ua so often." ,'BjoUlSiffi» Mm tho answer is vory easy. I used MpP^jjMiMMt timo, and kept my family well, and &\%m __Mi doctor's hills. Four shillings' worthol »™ H us all well and ablo to work all the M will warrant it has cost you and ffIOM" A MM ncighbeurs £10 to £100 apiece to' «Mil Mm the a-iino time. I fanoy you'll take my?*"^ H \r___aft_pi. Sun, T,' ■

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, JULY <lb, 1885,

4