RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamie-,.1

. wuo write, a neighbours name to lash, Homo write—vain thought.-for ncodful cash, Somo write to please tho country clash, And raiso a uiu. Vor m., _- aim I novor fash— I write for fun.

When* is nmnn insane? Mr Justico Gillies, whilo summing up the ovidenco against tho Pokono wifo murderer, was confronted with tho old difficulty—a lack of clear definition. Ho thought tho nearest approach to an ans.vor was that givon by tho writer who described insanity as «' thinking differently from tho rest of tho world.'' But if that definition furnished logal warranty for consigning a man to the a«ylutn, lovers would havo a bad timo ; any etorn parent who disapproved of Angelina's insane passion for Snooks, ..follow universally voted an insulTorablo cad and advonturor, would merely havo to call in two modical men and get his erring child constrainod to roason by tho discipline of a .strait-waist coat. Tho definition won't do :no man thinks exactly tho samo as tho rest of the world, and hence ono high authority holds that ovory man is mad on somo point. Genius always transcends tho raontal (light of tho avcrago of human-kind, thorefoi _ tho lines :—

Great wits aro sure to madness near allied And thin portitions do thoir bounds divide,

But logal refining of phrases has con founded the confusion. Chitty says it is a criminal and indictable act to publish that any porson is affected with insanity, although it is not libellous to say that a man is not of sound mind, bccauso no being is of porfoctly sound mind but tho Doity. Yet lunatics aro constantly consigned to asylums on certificates merely alleging that they aro of " unsound mind." Angor is an unquestionable disturbance of mental balance, and somo mon absolutely lose control of themsolvea whon thoy aro in a passion. Coloridgo expresses it in a couplot:

And to bo wroth with ono wo love Doth work like madness In tho brain,

But anger is not, in law, a mitigation of any criminal act, nor does it seom very evident why a delusion on ono or two sub jects should relieve a man of tho ponalty iiue to a crime which he has perpetrated with a full knowledge of its consequences. No man of perfectly sound mind would commit a murder. Pendorgrast not only fully understood that the law imposed a death sentence for murder, but ho calcu lated beforehand upon the chances_ of saving his own lifo by a plea of insanity. "Though this be niadnoss, yet there's method in it."

Sheridan, who ought _ to have known something about both, said that

Conscience has no moro to do with gallantry than it has with politics.

Mr Stout tried to persuade his audience at tho Theatre Royal that conscience plays, or ought to play, quite " a show part" in politics, and he has illustrated tho proposi tion by entering into a league, for tbe pur pose of obtaining office, with a party in whoso political principles and aims be pro fesses no sympathy, and from whom he differs upon the most vital questions of public policy. Now Zeailand is thus favoured with the spectacle of tho Radical lion with teeth drawn. Were tho gains worth the sacrifice? Although a bit of a Radical mysolf, and holding something of .he creed of the Irishman who wa* always "agin the Government," Ij cannot pretend to understand the Liberal ism except in a Pickwickian simso, of o _c or two of Mr Stout's propositions. Tho suggestion that existing proper-ly owners should bo endowed by law with a 1 porpetual charter as a privileged class to Whom alone in New Jiraland freeholds vrilJ be granted is a phase of Liberalism of which Conservative landowners will, I opine, en- ] ti rely approve. Such a law would bo as good as a gift of a hundred per cent, upon tho current valuo of thoir lands. If Mr Stout had prefaced his schemo with a proposal that tho present valuo should bo ta .en as tho permanent valuo of land, all fr.turo increment., to be appropriated by the State, the proposition might havo boon compr. hcnsiblo. But Ido not discover from )!_ definition of tho difference between a land tax and a property tax that ho harbour any such ideas. If ho' does, his expressions of surprise that the f_rr__-s throughout tho country proferred th 3 latter to tho former are rather amaz!-*.' The farmer is not such a fool as some folk' take him to be. If all capital is doomed to taxation,- ho cannot object to his own coming under tho general assessment, but he may vory naturally object to vote for a special tax upon the nocessary material of his calling, white all othor forms of industiy escape, henry George, in his " Social Problems," acknew- tho difficulty of convincing tho larg. numb.r of freehold sottlers in America that thoir' ihdlrect gains from mitigation of other forms* of .axation through n State ap propriation of tjie rent value of land by v special tax will make good to him tho loss the freeholder Would' suffer directly from the imposition-of sucha'.a:*. This is apart from the intrinsic justice of _ land tax, in which I fully believe.

I percoivo that, so far a. that highly select artillery corps for gentlemen onk/ is concerned, my remarks of last week havo drawn tho badger. Mr (i. G, Gilmore is pleased to accept tho full credit for initiating that gonteel little schema and1 he has so far ta_eri the public into his confidence as to indicate that Parnell—probably on ac count of the shreds of caste-feeling which still cling to it—was the recruiting ground ho had pitched upon. Ho had _so an eye toi securing for his corps the battery at Point Resolution, which, indeed, would bo a most convenient parade ground for the romantic young ladies andsusceptible young nursemaids of the once-aristocratic eastern suburb to feast their eyes upon the gorgeous uniforms of the warlike defenders of their common country. Howover, as Mr Gilmore has now considerably moderated his tone, he may be oonsigned again to his native oblivion and left severely alone.

That Militia Act, which has been sprung on us this weok like a mine is not the supporter and encourager of early mar riaee. as was generally supposed. The young husbands complacently thought that tho possession of a wife at home eliminated them from the ranks of the first class Militia and relegated them to the second. They therefore stroked their nascent beards with satisfaction, twirled their moustachios, cocked their hats, and condescendingly pitied the celibates between 17 and 30 who might be called on any hour to fight for their country. But the brutal truth is out. Nobody was watching when that Militia Act was being passed; nobody cared, for who gave a thou-'ht to the Russians then ? The fatal ehango was made as it wore in secret; it slumbered its predestined time ; and now has guiltily emerged from the Statute Book to spread dismay in hundreds of pleasant little homes. The father of three, of four, or five, and even six thriving New Zealanders must to the wars. The facts of weeping Wife and interesting family wont shield him The law, that hideous abstraction, i 8 as bad as Falstaff, who " inquired out contracted bachelors, such as had been asked twice on the banns." When I got down to Wellington- among tho legislators (look out for "Zamiel's" manifesto next election) I shall get the law altered, en courage early marriages, and earn the blessings of troops of young wives and mothers.

xxx

When Mr Waymouth resolved to " put his foot" upon the " silver » cup won by his boat he used no metaphor, but literally per formed the operation, remarking that he would explain how ho valued such "electro plated leadon things." Up to this stage he had made a very neat little speech, and had been frequently applauded, so that the climax came upon those present like a thunderclap. There was a good deal of hissing and a littlo cheering, and Mr VVay mouth left the room with the battered c. P tucked undor his arm, confident that he had only done his duty to the public. Well, every body does not appear to agree with him, and he has been the subject of very strong and uncomplimentary remarks, some even going so far as to suggest that he should be prevented from competing at future regattas. Now, this is even worse than "jumping on the cup," and I hope the Commi-teo will have good sense enough to i decline any encb proposal.

Mr Waymouth may not havo boon right in his estimate of this particular cup, but ho know, as hundreds of others know, ths.. many of thoso presentation cups aro terrible frauds. Some are not worth a quarter of what they aro valued at, and they are a frequent sourco of soroness to thoso whoso good fortune, or bad fortune it may bo to win them. I nm assured that often when contributions towards sports aro canvassed for, guineas aro wonderfully scarce, and cups, if not plentiful, much moro so than would be expected, considering tho valuo plocod upon them. Theso are almost in variably only " plated " articlos, and yot they aro advertised as "silver," so that who can blame Mr Waymouth for calling thorn " shams _ ' He wont a very strango way about it certainly, nnd this is much :to be regrotrtcd, but ho noverthole.s mado such a " splash " that tho effects ot it will bo folt for somo considerable time to como. x x x Mr Lowif-on a ays that ono result will be that ho will neve r givo another cup to any regatta, and this is unfortunate, for no mnn has boon more liberal in this -way thin he lias boon, and Mi' Waymouth mado a great mistake in callinig upon Ma- Lowiseoti at all. IE tho cup was not what it was adver tised to be.his griovanco w.-is with tho Com mittoo, and ho coi tld havo proceeded against thorn in a quieter mnnn ar, and ono which would probably 'havo carrioil with it tho sympathy of man;/ who Iknow that, ovon ii Mi- Lowis son's cup was u.-p to tho advertised valuo, hosts of otlt ors are not, nnd are well deserving tho name of ■" shams."

I am told that ono person in Auckland; has a collection of somo twenty-five cups,' won at sports, and that ho is willing to dispovso of them at what ho considers thoir i real valuo, about £25. This rominds mo of something olso which vory lately lenkod out. ;By are cent stoamer a large collection of pltttod cups—l suppose they will bo "silver " very .shortly—arrived hero. Thoy wero handsome articles, and wero suitable for Drives at all kinds of sports, such as running, boating, etc. ; in fact, thoy wore, in appof.vranco, just tho vory articles we usually B*io amongst a collection of " prr/.es for sports," and yot tho invoico price was " four dollars apioco." So much for " pre sentation cups," and so much for Yaukco notions. "No wonder, thon, that our sport ing mon fight shy of them, nnd prefer the guineas. XXX A correspondent addresses mo as fol lows:— ' 'Dear'Zamiol,'—Thioolaboratopull's j of a certain gentloman in tho medical pro- ■ fession ha\7o been so often paraded before the public in the nowspajpers undor tho guiso of m.-rvellous cures, <fee., that it is quite time _*0 had a respite -.. This is a dish to which we .have been served ad nanseum, and it would be well to r.nnind this orring son of Esculapius that "'Good wine needs no bush." It h* said thab Now Zealand is a trying country for tho dye; be that as it may on all sides optical delusions abound, and Ido not doubt that my worthy disciple of Galen could a talo or two unfold, which, instead of curdli-ig tho blood, would pleasantly tickle tlie risible faculties of his auditors."

The events of tho las. fow weeks havo | developed a new disease among us—a fl disease which is makiii| * alarming strides, I and will probably do> unoro to make the J undertakers busy than tho conjoint efforts j of the doctors, and tho various ills arising J from defective sanitary .arrangements. Tho j ill I allude to is Russopfnobia. I regard war as a dreadful scourgo, but outraged honour must be avenged. It it* an invidious task to cry havoc ! and let slip tho dogs of war, but it is the only way to combat a treacher ous foe. England has; now the moral support of tho civilised world in her quarrel, and if only a firm and undaunted front can be maintained, I venture to predict that Russia will retire into hor sholl like a startled snail. For i

" Nausht shall make uaruo If IBngland to herself do provo but true,

¥ The attendance at tho various race —_oot- , j ings this year, notwithstanding tho beauti- j {I ful weathor, was not fo great as at previous meetings); nevertheless, tho interest In tho national sport keeps unabated. One cannot i but marvel at tho facility with which, large gums are raised for racing purposes. Every place of any pretension throughout tho colony has its race meeting, viz., Hender son's Mill, Rangiri, tho Wado, &c Tho lucky investors on Kalo landed a big haul. It is not often that ono pound produces two' hundied and fifty. I heard of ono of tho lucky recipients wooing Bacchus with no ' bashiul forehead. Tho apologists for racing -taintaJn that it improves the breed of barses. "Wynkon do Worde, nearly 400 years 0,-30, quaintly described tho "pro pryteos " of a good horso as followa:—" A good horiw should havo fifteen good pro prytees and condycions, that is to wyte, throe of a man, threo of a woman, throe of a foxe, three of a haare, and threo of an asso Of a man, boldo, proude, and hardye ; of a woman, fs-.yre breasted, fayro of hecre, and easy to i-ove; of a foxo, a fayre taylo, short 1 oors, with a good trotto ; of a haare, a grate ■ oycj a dry hoad, and well ronnynge ; of an aaso, a byggo chynn, a flut legge, and a gaodhoof." Lay those conditions and pro pr--Oes to heart, yo patrons of tho turf, and yo"u_ breed of horses will bo no worse for it. XXX A lifttte- incident which occurred fihis week raises a very big question—the question, namely, of tho Tightness of- philanthropic effort ia dealing with the criminal and do praved. classes. A man bearing the res pectable if prosaic name of John Wilson, who is .an old gaol-bird and vagrant, was taken in tow by tho Salvationists, and for somo time wa_ carofully nourished at tho Home. 'The other day, he left tihe institu tion, taki_g with him such articles as he could pick up. He was arrested, tried, and found g.uilty of the crime, and sent six months to prison. Now, the fun ny thing is that when Jiis cix months have expired he will be met .by the Prison Gate .Brigade, taken to tho same oil Home, "coddled" and petted for a time, un- \ til he has gat up his constitution, I and is ready to go forth to his old carreer of ■: thieving and vagroncy. In all likelUhood he will once moro provo too cunning for "Captain" Little, and will tako with him any portable things that he may f.incy, and tho self-samo routine of conviction, j sentence, release, and attempted reclama tion will keep going on. Is not all philan- I thropy worse than thrdwn away on .euch. cases ? And would it not bo bettor to .send, such men to penal servitude for life, and. compel them to earn a livelihood under .con ditions which would debar the exercise off their idle and predatory instincts? .'I would answer both these questions in tb c affirmative, and would add that ruffians:«if he Wilson stamp do much to queue h altogether those philanthropic feeling 3 which are the stamp of the highest mai I hood. But if we are to forgive our broth* .r up to seventy times seven, and if Wilson iia a brother, thon I ieor there will bo a larg ;e increase to tho family of lazy, dissolubj, and dishonest characters.

I do not know whether Shelley was a reader of old Herrick, but when reading fcho " Hesporidos " of the latter not long ago I came across what I thought to be the sug gestion of Shelley's wonderful littlo poem called "Tho Cloud." Herrick has four stanzas under the hoading "The Hag,", from which I will quote the last :— • The storm will arise And trouble the skies This night; and, more for tho wondtsr. Tho ghost from the tomb Affrighted shall come. Called out by tho clap of tho thundoir. Now road with this theso few lines from Shelley's "Cloud".— I wield the flail of the lashing hail, And whiten tho preen plains under. And then attain I dissolve it in rain. And laugh as I pass in thunder. For after tho rain when never a stain, Tho naviiinn of heaven Is bare. And the winds and sunbeams with their convex gleams, Build up tho blue dome of air, I silently laugh at my own cenotaph. And out of tho caverns of rain, Like a child from tho womb, like a ghost from the tomb. I arise und unbuild it again. It will be noticed that the metres of the two poems are strikingly similar; and there will be observed the recurrence of one or two identical expressions. If Shel ley never saw Herrick'a production, the poiocidence ia notsworthy. XX X j Thd Anglo-Israelites—who, by-the way, have kept themselves well in check of late _a_e now threatened with determined rivalry in th« realm of fanciful theory. No longer are they to have a monopoly of the bttSness ol CWSfc-ucting national genealo

gics and rocovoring tho lost relationships of races. In fact, Anglo-Israolism has had its day, is palling upon tho public taste, and groator marvels in tho domain of tho purely imaginative mo called fir. To meet tho doraand tho iilou has beon started — and mirabila dictlll among the hard-hoaded Scotchmen of Dun edin—that tho Gnolic and Maori pooplos are portion!, of thosatiio race—in lino, "brithore too, an'a'that." Tho proof mainly roliod upon, of courso, is philological, but suroly tho aboriginal's love for usquobuugh might also bo .itod as irrofragablo ovidonco of doscont from tho samo stock us thoso North P.titons who colour thoir nosos with ,'" Wco Donal's o' Glonlivet" and sips of " Mountain Dow." Kovo.ting, however, to tho bearing philology has upon the matter. Mr .1. Blair (tho Assistant-En gincor-in-Chiof), on Saturday ventilated tho theory to tho gontlomon who accompaniod tho Promior on his drive, and backed him self to give Gaelic meanings for all Maori names, adding that ho and I'rofossor Macgregor had performed tho feat recently at a parly in Dunedin. Ho was taken at his word, and at first proved equal to the omorgoncy. Otahuhu 'van set down as signifying "tho two dogs," but Onehunga was a stumbling-block. The philological Gael, after wrestling with tho word for some timo, at lust relaxed his pre occupied features into a gnitiliod sniilc,nnd, exclaiming, "I havo it!" proceeded to ex pound. Ho said that the ancient (laolo- Maoris residing on tho banks of tho Manukau must have boon surprised by a marauding party of tho primitive clan of Finlay, and havo rushed forth to tho cry of " Oh ! tho Finlays," thus suggesting a name for the place. Of course, only thoso I who can get their tongues round tho knotted vertebra' of a (lallic word, and who have mastered tho secret of its torriblo orthtepy, can appreciate tho ingenuity of this explanation. It is but just to say that Mr Blair has taken up tho task of identifi cation as a means of diversion, but with this theory ho professes his ability to givo tho Anglo-Israelites points, and boat thorn upon thoir own peculiar grounds.

Who does not know Tompkins, tho masher? Whero is tho woman whoso heart has not palpitated a little faster undor his ardont gaze? Whoro, "/amid" asks, is the damsel who has not longed to run hor dainty lingors through his luxuriant masses of straw-coloured hair, and lin^or within earshot of tho musical cailonces of his voice? Of course, girls, you all know him ! Draw round nnd " Zamicl " will whisper a funny littlostoryabout him. Miss MariaFlannigan, who was marriod a fow Wodnosdays ago at St. Patrick's, invited Tompkins to tho post-nuptial jubilations. The invitation roachod T. sovoral weeks boforo tho happy event, and with customary negligonco ho mistook tho date On tho Tuesday night before tho " widdin " all was bustlo and preparation by thoehatcau-lannigan. Maria Anne, the bride inprospectit, was engagod in tho somowhat unpootic task of putting her hair en papilotte, whilo with hor mouth full of hairpins.shognvoordors regarding tho polishing of hor " trotter cases." Bridget and Juanitar Jano, two other daughters of tho house, wore preparing littlo bags of rico and marshalling together all tho old shoos, dusty and worn,from tho rocessos of sunloss cupboards and othor domestic nooks and crannios whoro old boots generally drug out thoconcludingyoars of their oxistonco. A few chosen female frionds of tho family wero decorating tho tablo on which tho wedding breakfast was spread, and red-faced oboso MrsFlanniganwassuporintondingoporations generally, ovory now and then going bohind tho door to "pquoozo hor lemon " surrepti tiously. Poor old thing ! Sho would miss Maria 6afily, but sho did not want tho " gurls "to soe hor griof. In a cornor of tho supper-room tho bridegroom-elect wax seated, studying alternately, as though his lifo depended on it, a " marriage sorvico " and " tho Rules and Regulations of Polite Society." XXX In tho midst of all this bustlo " rat-tat l_t" went the knockor of tho shop door. Mrs P., bolioving that none but a vory dear friend of tho family would intrude at such a time, sent Johnny to thodoor. Muriacontin uod her hair-curling operations unabashed, and tho old boot-hunting and shuo-polish ing p.ocecdod -with undiminished ardour. In a fow moments tho door flew open, and Tompkins.attired in a faultless suit of dross clothes, and wearing a charming magenta tio,g<i_ed beneficently ou tho scone. Thoro was a muflled female shriek, a kaleidoscopic view of a winsey petticoat, undarnod stock ings, curl papers, and the slamming of n door marked Miss Maria's speedy exit. Tompkins did not grasp tho situation. Ho smiled one of thoso inano smiles so well known to httbituoß of Queen-shoot on Saturday night, and, stroking his magenta tie with an air of solf-satisfaction, asked Juanitar .lano if sho could toll him what thoy wore playing, postman's knock or hunt tho slipper. Juanitar giggled a gigglo of womanish gloo, and tied incontinently after Maria. Bridget was apjiealod to, but she, shaking tho dust from her eurmonts, anr-lblushing furiously.hadmudo a doxtorous llnnk raovoment to a flight of stairs loading to tho regions abovo. Maria, in Itor exit, h»id cut tho bridge of hor noso against tho door-post, and was moaning pitoously. This roused tho ire of Flannigan mere and p. re, and beforo tho unfortunate Tompkins could explain that ho had beon invited to tho party, ho was uncoromoniously hustled into tho Btreot, sulphurous Doric innuon dcios rending tho air meanwhile And that's how Maria Flannigan was married with a picco of sticking plaster on hor noso, how Tompkins did not go to tho party, and it is also his wholo and solo reason for joining tho Orangomon.

It would almost appour as if Mr I). H. MoKonzio would novor bocomo reconciled to tho construction of the now Calliopo Dock. He never fails to givo it a passing shot whon the opportunity offers, nnd it is only to bo regretted that such persistent consistency is not devoted to a hotter cause. Soveral days ago, tho Harbour Hoard wore discuss ing tho advisability of drafting mon from the various public works in progress for tho purposes of constructing fortifications. Mr McKenzie seized this opportunity, and suggested the Calliopo Dock as tho work which they could bost afford to dolay. Tlt-o suggestion was recoivod with laughter by tho mombors, but thoy did not look _pon tho matter in tho samo light.

1 My attention has boon drawn to a matter which might woll rocoivo somo attention at i tho hands of tho polico. Numbers of young i couplos aro, it appoars, in tho habit of strolling for thoir ovoning walk over towards the Domain or Parnoll, and in tho neigh bourhood of Stanloy-stroot. Occasionally, they are tempted by tho ploasantness of tho night to rest themsolves on somo " green and mossy bank" where thoy may more quietly exchange their confidences and pour sweet tales of love into each other's ears. While thus engaged, they are frequently annoyed by being subjected to the surveillance of wretched members of tho loafing fraternity, who, it appears, watch tho couples to the girl's house. Returning on the following or subsequent nights, those loafers intercopt tho girls if they can moot them alono, re prosont themselves as privato dotectivos, and, accusing tho almost invariably inno cent young creatures of impropriety, threaten a complete expose" if thoy do not pay over a cortain amount of hush money. The girl tears to run tho risk of raising the breath of scandal, and foolishly submits to the extortion. lam told that this frame is extensiyoly practised, and, if so, I would advise those who are sought to be victim ised to givo immediate information to tho police. It is really to be hoped that one of these contomptiblo scoundrels will bo de tected at his villainy, and will moot with the punishment he so richly deserves.

Thearistocraticdistrictof Grafton'has been roused during the last weok by a queer little scandal. One of tho leading residents had a difference with his grown-up daughter the other evening because, forsooth, she would not wear the dress provided for her in which to appear at confirmation. The young lady, indeed, was so persistent in nor obstinancy that the stern parent found it neceßsarv to chastiso her somewhat severely. Unfortunately for himself, he neglected to follow the approved method of locking her in her room until her angor had abated, and before he knew whore he wan standing she had taken up a position on the front verandah, and, in wild and shrill accents, was ex posing the family "skeletons in the cup board," to the utter astonishment of tho neighbours and passers-by. Nor was this all. A friend expostulated with the maiden, but was promptly recommended to betake herself to a region remarkable chiefly for its heat and select character of its inhabi tants. The peacemaker fled, but for nearly an hour afterwards the promising young lady, who moves in the " hupper suckles " of society, made night hideous by her sobs, and the frequent torrents of abuse levollcd at the heads of her offending parents.

SPORTIN G.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTURES,.

Now Zoaland,

I'upitkura JtootinK April 23 Auckland Polo Club Uaco Mooting April 25 Wellington H.C. Autumn May 1 and 2 Otahuhu Autumn Mooting May 2 Takapuna J.C..Winter May 21

Auckland 1..( J. Steeplechase Mooting ..Juno (i N.Z. tirand National Stouplochaso May 25 DunodinJ.O. Winter Meeting May '_!, 2.1 Wangamii .1.0. Steeplechase .....May 25 Ha wile's Bay .I.C. Stcoplechasca Juno"-

Australia. South Australian J.U. (at .'luiningtoii).. May 2.7, !> Dates or Nominations, Entrlos ami Acceptances.

Nominations Otahuhu Mooting April 18 Nominations (.real, Northern Steeplechase

and Hurdle Kaco May 1 Nominations Wanganui ,I.C Steeple cluisi'H May 1 Nominations Hawkc'sHay -looplecliaso..May 111

To Correspondents.

[M-uii-i.ii (North Shore), l'ipi wan (jot by .Southern Ohiof from a Sir Watkln mare. Wo holiovo sho was bred in tho Wnirurapa district H.W.H.—It wus at tho Takiipuna Suininor Mooting hint season when Nigger won tho Sl.nvm-ds Plain. Ho boat l"lim woman, Mil. raillouse, Kulo, and Yuba Bill. Uackkh.—Mr J. Man-hall- colt Thunderbolt i« not nominated for the nest, Clu-islehuroli Derby, but bis iininu ligurcs in Hie list of V.X.C. Derby entries. Maitlan ii, -The placed horses in the Champion Raco of IS7S were First, Kin.; flrst, Cho-tor second, ami Kobinson Oruyoo third, tho timo for tho throe miles licinp; taiiln. -liscc. C.N.—(Holonsvillo).-(l) _It- S. U. Caullon llrst brought Barry Mount, to Auokland. Ho dis posed of him lo Mr M. Gallagher, who in turn sold himtoMr Gnugh, of l.ho liny of Inlands. (-.') Tho Hclonsvillo Maiden Plato was won in 1882 by Mr D. White's mart! The. bark. Tnos. J. Hoi.t (Holensvilloh—(l) Twilight won tho Novel hnco °t 2Qrov.. at. tho Onohnngo Kacing Olub -lectin),' in March 1831 (_!) Tho Maiden Plate al llelonsville was won in ISS.'i by Mi- D. Milan's Wild Idyll, Vertex being second, and Tatters third.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

Nkxt Thursday (St. Geoi-go's Day) is sol down for tho decision of tho Papakura meeting, and should the weather prove lino, I havo no doubt, a good number of "sports " will journey up the lino to a., i. at it. As usual, tho gat boring will bo bold on Mr W. Waltors's private course, aud tho train will drop passongors a few minutes' walk from it. Tho gentlemen who own Nigger arc famed for thoir cleverness in matters "turfy," but 1 don't think (hoy ovor planned a bettor coup than that cll'outed in tho Takapuna Autumn Handicap. To thoso who havo attendod tho many mootings in , and about Auckland of Into, it was patent thoy wero only biding their timo, but fow, I think, dreamt that thoy would lly at a big lint nico, especially when tho fiold was a bit abovo tho average. Even up till the timo tho raco was started on Saturday, tho suspicions of tho knowing ones wero not arousod, for his owners only backed tho son of Manglo in tho paddock to win about t'Bo, and it was not taken with that characteristic spirit invariably shown whon thoy have a "good thing." in tho faco of this, and their being ,i decont fiold, tho bookmakers would not stand tlie horso, and ho loft the paddock with tho odds of Sto 1 going begging. Dospito this, howovor, it was easily seen after trio raco had boon docidod that Niggor's owners hud won a good stake out of tlie totalisator by his victory, for vory fow of tho public were to bo scon about that part of tho machine devoted to paying out. Nigger's perform ance in tho raco goes to provo "that his capabilities have boon undor-ostimatod in tho past, for considering the many turns on tho course, it was not a bad performance on his part to get to the ond of a mile and a half in -mm. .*iscc.

I am glad to hoar that M. Carmody, a trainer woll-known in Christchurch. has do cidod to remain among us. Mr W. Lyons has alreudy given him a start, having put his yearling colt by Cadogan—Potrolouso into his bunds, and Woodpecker is also to bo taken up and placed under his euro. Curmtdy is a steady, painstaking man, and with a bit of luck, I don't think it will bo long boforo ho makes a name for himself hero. During tho weok Mr Lyons honoured his oolt with tho namo of .otrolcum.

Tho fact of Reginald lowering tho colours of Commotion in tho (hrco weight-for-ago races in which thoy met at tho Australian .lockoy Club Autumn .Meeting stamps him an tho best throo-yoar-old seen out this season. Whon wo consider tho blaze of triumph amid which Mr Pearson's horso retired to his box aftor tho contest for tho Champion Raco, it is cortainly a thousand pities that his owner over took him lo Sydnoy. Tho hard work tho gallant old son of Panic has done during the season has told its tnlo.whiloontho otborhnnil Ucgiimld would appear to bo in his vory best form. So far as racing is concerned, wo havo seen tho last of The Dauphin. Tho sharp turns of tho Takapuna course proved too much for Iho "log of Mm Canterbury Derby winner of 1881, for when holding a irood position in tho big raco on Saturday, ho suddenly camo to a standstill whon tho fiold wore racing past the stand. It was immediately soon that ho had broken his fetlock, and an examination biter on also showod that ho had dislocated the pastern joint. His owner gave instruct ions to shoot him, but on socotui thoughts ho deemed it ndvisablo if Mr Holstoad could possibly savo him to do so. Tho horso was removed to tho Flagstaff Hotel, whoro ho has since beon undor tho woll-known vot.'s care, and is doing us woll as can ho expected.

It will doubtless bo pleasing news lo M

J. Gallaghor's clionts to know that imme diately tho Committoo of Tattorsall's gavo tho rehearing of tho Vanguard caso against him,ho paid ovor tho choquo of £-200 to Mr Duder. As an outcomo of tho affair, the wholo of tho local knighlfl of tho pencil havo sent in a potition to tho Soerofcnry of Tattorsall's, calling on tho Committee to resign, thoy not boing satisfied with tho docision against thoir brother poncillor. Tho jumping horso Claudo has pat-sod into tho hands of Mr A. Barron and W. Edwards (Captain Russoll's trainer). From what I can hoar, his purchaso came about in a way that does not altogether rolloct credit on thoso concerned. It seems that tho parties bohind Macaroni, Scrutinoor,and Director combined togothor, and backod tho doublo Director and Scrutinoor for tho Hurdles and Stcoplo chaso on Saturday last. Being afraid of Claudo upsetting tho groy in tho Hurdlo Raco, thoy purchased him, but not withstanding this, thoy got dono, Now Yoar upsetting tho pot by dofoating Scrutinoor in tho Stocplochaso. Thoro was groat onthusiasm shown among tho public when Mr Chadwick's horso passed tho post, for by tho timo tho "big stick" raco was run it" had been woll noised abroad that tho foreigners had endeavoured to "hash" if up. Davo Munn rodo a splondid race throughout, and the son of Ravens worth's victory was, in a great measure, duo to the splendid way in which he wus piloted. The Wanganui Jockey Club havo fixed their Steeplechase Meeting to take place on Monday, tho 25th May. Tho programmo which has boon issued, comprisos six ovents, viz. -. Wanganui Steeplechase, of loflsov., about throo miles ; Ladios' Bracolot, of tho valuo of 20sov , about 2 miles; Maidon Steoplechaso, of 7550 v., ~\ miles ; Hack Steeplechase, of 1550 v., U milos ; Grand StandSteeplochaso Handicap, of (SOsov., 2 miles ; and Handicap Hack Steeplechase, of 2550 v., li mile. Nominations for all handicaps closo on tho Ist of May, at 9 o'clock.

Mr C. Hewitt's fivo-yoar-old maro Merry Katic,broko a blood vossel a fow days back, and immediately dropped down doad. Sho was got by Fovo from Dundocs Katio, and was in foal to Cap-a-pio. Mr Prank Hill became so disgusted at the way Sir Bedivoro had sha-ed since being his property that aftor tho Totalisa tor Cup was decided at tho North Shore on Saturday he expressed his determination that ho would get rid of him at any price, lie had not to wait long, for before the afternoon's sport was concluded Mr Brimblecombe camo to terms for his pur chase, and ho became his property at £40. Sir Bedivera is a cast-off from Air G. G. Stead's stable, and during his two-year-old careor gavo promise of turning out a clinker. In pluco of this, he turned savage the following season, and was added to tho list. This had tho dosirnd effect on him, and groat hopes were entertained that the hoi-so would como back to his early form,but since then he has developed a new vice, for when the colours are up he invariably refuses to try a yard. Since Mr Hill owned Sir Bedivere he has failed to win a single raco with him, his best effort being when he ran Fusilier to a head in the Wanganui Stakes.

Mr J. Dore, the backer who supported Mignonette nnd Alitrailleuse to win the double—Hurdles and Handicap—at the recent Onohunsra Meeting, has written to the Secretary of Tattereall's Club demand ing that the bookmakers with whom ho took the wagers be brought before the Com mittee to show cause why thoy should not pay. I understand tho matter will como up for consideration next woek,

Tho nominations for tho Canterbury ,I'ockoy Club Doiby and Champagne Stakes of ISSG camo to hand during tho weok, IT or tho " bluo riband " thero aro 46 ontrios, and tho Club havo to thank Auckland owners for supplying no less than twenty of tho number dividod amongst thirtoon owners. Compared with the 78 onirics i-icoivod by tho Auck'atid .Racing Club for Uio Groat Northern Dot-by, tho nominations must only bo considorod fair, and it is no ■small satisfaction for us to be ablo to " top tho list " against tho powerful Christchurch racing institution. The Champagne Stakes lias received ,-in entry of 3S, against -10 last year, and 21 tlie yoar provious. Mr .1. Enko has placed his yearling coll, by Cadogan — Luro in Tommy Clark's hands for tho purpose of receiving his early education.

The programme of tho Otahuhu Racing Club Mooting, which takes place on Satur day, tho "Jiid of Muy, appears in an advertis ing columns. Nominations for tho three principal events aro duo to-night (Satur day).

It, is two years ago this month (writes "Sir Launoolol"), since the N".Z. Stud Com pany purchased twenty brood marcs from Mi- Stead. Ono of thoso, Deviation, died, and Lino has not had any progeny old enough to nice : but out of tho remaining eighteen, ten have boon credited with winners since tlioy changed hands. Thus Steppe has had Leeds and Kussloy winning ; Fairyland, Soo Soo; 1,'0.i0n1., Radamcs; Fancy, The I'oot ; Naiad. Nca.a; Nelly Monro, l.ochiol; Titnnia, I'uck and Bonny Blink -, l'ulchra, Lady Evolyn ; Tros I'ouco, Sir Bedivcro: and Ainohiu, Tigrodia, This is a wonderful rocord.

The sottling on the Christchurch Autumn Mooting was attended by some vory brisk watering ovor tho New Zealand Cup, tho following prico.. being taken to goodly amounts :—IOO to 10 against .July ; 100 to 8 against Trenton and Oudois ; 100 to 7 against Vanguard and Liverpool; 100 to (i against f.ochiol ; 100 lo 5 against Man chester and Capt. Webster ; 100 to -1 against; Wapiti. The doublo of Stonyhurst for tho Dorbyand .Inly for tho Now Zealand Cup was backed by a well-known bookmaker at 100 to Sfor all tho money obtainable, and othor doubles bofrionded for substantial amounts wore, Stonyhurst and Trenton, Manchester and Oudois, andStonyhurst and Oudois-.

The short " bur-t" tho Takapuna Jockey Club havo on their programmes always turns out to bo a benefit for Mitrailleuse, and hor victory in tho Totalisator Cup on Saturday makes tlio seventh consoctltivo will she lias scored in tho event. Several of tho Commit too, in order to stop tho daughter of Musket, had tho distance altered to ono mile, but this has had no oll'eol. Her best, performance in tho event was rocordod on Saturday, whon she boat a decent field with list in tho saddlo.

From Wanganui I learn that the pro mising jumping horso Jim is to bo turned out till noxt season. The horse's log, it is said, has been giving his Irainor v lot of trouble lately.

At, tho Poverty Bay Turf Club Mooting on Master Monday, ilorculuneum (a full brother to Fit/.horcttles), got homo lirst in Uio Flying Handicap. Ho was pulled out lutor on in tho afternoon for tho big event, but could only get third, Tho Cat and Lizotto occupying first and second places, Ilorculanoutn was bred by .Mr \V. Walters, aud has beon .ioin^j .tud duty in tho Poverty l»ay district until lately.

" Fetlock," a Napior scribo.in comment ing on tho Hawko's Hay Steeplechase Mooting, slates that the Jockey Club thero will this season havo given considerably ovor lOOOsovs for the illegitimate sport, a sum considerably in oxcoss of that pro vided by other racing institutions of tho colony. This is not, correct, for if ho takes tho trouble to look ovor tho programmo of tho Auckland Pacing Club, ho will find that they givo away this season £1,450 in addod monoy alouo to hurdle races and cross-country ovonts. Mr _. B. Gentry's Fay, ono of Anteros's progeny, won tho two principal ovonts at the Fielding Races on Banter Monday, while on tho samo day at Manawatau, tho Sydncy-brod Ascot, by Kolpio Tho Thorn, got homo first in tho I'almoi-ton Guineas (handicap) of lOOsovs. At tho settling on tho C.J.C. Autumn Mooting tho following amounts wore paid ovor:—Mr D. O'Brien, -700; Mr G. G. Stead, i->OS: G. Clifford, £~01 ; Mr T. Shoenan, j__-i7 ; Major George, i-14 -. iJr I. Buttor, £ISI : Mr It. 11. Vullunco, IT__ ; and smaller amounts, making a total of ,C'_,sl9.

" Ada Mantua " has supplied tho names and addresses of principal winners in hor last consultation, First prize, £360 (Great Autumn Handicap) wont to a station hand at Ida Valley Station, Otago ; second, JCISO, tii a woll known fanner, Milton, Otago; third, £120, to awoU known cunsullatiotii-t in ('hrietchnrch. Tho gontlomon who wero on tho committee comprised press represen tatives and tradespeople of good standing and repute. Tho programmo on the Pro vincial Handicap (({neon's Birthday Meet ing), at Forbury, Dunedin, is advortisod as now opon : 0,000 members. Sir Julius Vogol was among tho visitors at tho Christclmrch Autumn Meeting, and it is ovidont that ho is fond of having his " littlo bit on." Sir I.uiincolot says tho appearance of his bath chair in tho saddling paddock always sooms lo bo the signal for several wioldorsof thcpuuc.il togalhorround. Tho Colonial Treasurer won a bit Iho first day, but he did not faro so well on tho socond.

In our advertising columns, Mr G. S. Graham invites applications for tho post of secretary to Iho Island Bay Park Racing and Coursing Company. Tho salary is £'2_o [tor annum, and -!_, por cent, commis sion on tho annual profits.

Tho report of the raco for tho Groat Au tumn Handicap, telegraphed horo by tho Press Association agont, stated that July, Trenton, and Tuiaroa woro among thoso that started. This is incorrect, all throe horses boing scratched.

It is said that July is to bo takon ovor to Sydney.

Bob Ray tolls " Beacon " that ho has given tho namo of Beach to his colt by Muskot —Wai-ili, in token of his intention to tako the shino out of Mr Butler's colt Hanlan. Tho samo writer hoars from a private letter from Mr Pilbrow that Wol como .luck is progressing vory well, and is in steady work again,

Tho jockey Brown was fined for dis obodionco at tho starting-post prior to tho Selling Raco boing run at tho Christchurch Autumn Mooting, and on tho stewards intimating this to him, ho wont away, muttering, " That won't hurt mo !" Upon tliis ho was called back, linod £~, and suspended from riding for a month.

At a salo of thoroughbred stock in Christ church lost wook, tho following lots wore disposed of: —

0.1 ACCOUNT 01-' S. NOSWOftTItV, i-:s_. Gs.

Malice, brown maro. foaled 18117, by Tradu cor, dam Mermaid, full sister to Lurlino, and sorvoil by Aproment (lion. G. Mcljoan) • 05 Colt foal by Cadogan—Malico (Mr P. Camp holl) 50 Toll-talc, brown mare, foaled 1871, by Tradu cer, dam (Brunette Middlepark Stud Coin- Filly Jnal.'by Albany-Toll Tale'(Middiopar_ Stud Company) ..20 Tara. bay maro. foaled 187:', by Towtoo. dam Hurakoko, by St. Aubyn, dam Wainioa. by Slrllerculus; served by Albany (Mr J. Uondorson) 1- NcUlorash, with (Illy foal by Albany, served by Cadoßan (Mr W. J. fl. Hluett) . ... 18 MiKnon, brown maro. bred inlB7S. byKorari, nut of Malico (dam of Mischief), by Tiuducor. out of Mermaid), slinted to Aoroniont, (Mr 11. Westmnoott) .. .. SO Foal, by Albany-Mi..non (Mr 11. West inacott) •• 8 Wator Colour, bay filly, bred in 1880. by Albany, out of Waterwitch (dnm of Nata tor, and eranddam of Stonyhurst). by Camden—Mermaid, imp. (Mr Jfi. Walker) 13 Brown filly, 1 yoia-, by Aprcmont, out of Mim Kate (imp.), by Adventurer (Major (loom. .. Ii •■ 60 Bay colt. 2yrs. by Kins of Clubs out of 1 or- KOt-mo-not (imp.), by KinK Lurt— Myosotis by Nowminster—in training (Mr Soilness) 10

ON ACCOUNT OF U. AI.KXANDKII, ESQ.

Cramm .r, 3yrs, by King of Clubs, out of Martyr (passedin)at .. .. .. ..125 Olive Branch, lyre, by Porkin Warbeck out of Chut toris, passed in at "1 Chestnut ll'ly. syrs by Pokin Warbeck out of Minnohaha (Mr S. Higgot) >J

At a recent meeting down Taranaki way a labouring man, who was much the worse for liquor, staggered up to the totalisator, and, pulling out £20, callod the person who ran tho machine to " como hero and stick this on something for us." The totalisator man, probablj to givo him a show of win ning a lot of money, placed the whole sum on a rank outsider. Tho unexpected hap pened, and tho inebrated speculator was shortly afterwards told that he was wanted to take his winnings. Hardly knowing what it all meant, ho again staggered to the totalisator and stuffed bundle after bundle of notes into his pockets till, when he had received considerably over £300, ha was informed that was all. The police, who had watched the affair all the time, at Mice arrested the man on the charge of being drunk and disorderly. Next morn ing, when ho had recovered from tho effects ofliis intemperance, he was brought up at the Magistrate's Court and fined ss, and had all his money restored to him The polico said ft was the first time they had been thanked by a man for running him in.

FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS.

(BY ACT__-ON.)

CKICKET FIXTURES.

April 11.-.West End v. Alpha, Nowton v. Auckland 2nd, United v. Our Boys, Auckland v. Gordon „ , , „ , April 18.—Alpha v. West Knd Ist Gordon v. Auckland Ist, United v. Our Boys. April 2.1.-Alpha v. West, Knd Ist, Gordon v. Auckland 2nd, United v. Out Boys Ist v. Auck land Ist v. Warehousemen. May 2,— Alphu v. Warehousemen, Gordon v. Auckland 2nd, Our Boys v. Olalmliu, Auckland let v. Warehousemen.

AQUATIC FIXTURES.

In Wellington thoy have an insane idoa of Hearn's abilities as a scullor. I havo novor soon Hoarn row, but numbors who havo seen tho now Zealand champion at work havo told mo that ho is a good enough man for Now Zealand, but that thero arc several on tho other side who could row away from him. Tho latest absurd notion is publishod in tho columns of tho Wellington " Post," which says :— "1 loam's admirers aro convinced that if thoir man wero pitted nguinst Beach ho would stand a vory good chanco of winning, nnd it is not at all unlikely that an effort will bo mado lo bring tho two together. Should a match bo arranged it is most im probable that it will take place in Australia. Hearn's health has always suffered whon ho has gono to any of tho neighbouring Colonios, and should a raco como off be tween him and Beach, it will havo to bo rowed in Now Zealand waters. It was only a short timo ago that Hearn's admirers were frantic to havo him matchod against Han lan ; but it now appears that nothing loss than tho scalp of tho Champion of tho World will satisfy thorn. My own opinion is that either Boach or Hanlan could pick up a Hoarn at each milo in a three-mile raco, and boat the bunch of thorn oasily. Hitherto, I havo always had a good word to say of Hoarn, and I shoulcl rogrot to hear that ho was a party to tho bombastic ideas that his infatuated admirers havo from timo to timo givon utterance or pub lication to. Thoro is not tho slightest nocd for Hoarn'b backers to throw out a chal longo to tho presont Champion of tho World, for I think that Laycock, Clifford, Mattorson, R. Edwards, Kemp, or ovon Messenger himsolf would bo only too glad to tako on tho Now _eftlander for a fair stake. —" Canterbury Times."

Boll's Lifo of Fob. 7 states that John Toomor, tho American oarsman, is pre pared to uiako n match with any man in England, and failing a response in this direction, ho is prepared fo^row Hanlan, Bench, Clifford, or Laycock in England. Tcomor's agont in England asked tho oditor of Boll's Life to becomo stakoholdor, and communications may bo addressed to tho ollico of that paper.

REVIEW.

Grif: a Story of Australian Lite," by B, L. Fnrjoon.— George Robertson & Co.

Mk.ssus G, Roi.__KT.soN &Co. havo published a cheap edition for tho Australian colonies of Mr Furjoon's novel, "Grif," which is considered by tlio admirers of that writer as ono of his best efforts. Tho story of tho Molbourno larrikin is ono of groat interest, nnd if it can boast of no striking originality, there aro at least no dull pages between tho two covers. The characters aro taken principally from low Molbourno lifo, and with the alteration of a few allusions and somo of tho slung expressions, the story might be ono of London stroet Arabs. Between Grif and one of tho latter thoro is no difference in kind, only of locality. And this is true of a town not half-a century old yot. The samo conditions which disgrace so ancient a city as London, whoso site has boon marked by housos for nearly a thousand yoars, obtain at tho antipodes, whoro n fow decude- ago tho travollor found a sandy waste, a reedy swamp, or ii. euca lyptus bush. It ia true that tho colonies of tho Australian continent did not havo a fair chanco to begin with. Tnoy wore founded with tho o-scourings of tho British isle?, und woro hotbeds ot vico and misery from their vory start. Perhaps, after all, tho wonder is not that thoy are so low down in thoscalo, that tho slums of Sydney and Molbourno emulate Whitcchupol, Sovondials and Ratclill'o Highway, but that thoy aro no worse Out of such scod how could good fruit bo expected to grow? And Iho colonios started not only with more than their share of British iniquity, but with all tho antiquated traditions, all tho social and political mistakes, which thoir forefathers had handed down to them. The unlucky horitago has borne an abc.nd unt crop in bad govornmont, unjust land laws, and jobbory and corruption generally. So that, viowmg tho matter from various stand points, ono cun hardly bo surprised that such characters as Grif, and littlo I'oter, and Milly, und old Flick, inhabit the foul alloys of our antipodean cities. But the caso of Now Zoaland is different, Its beginnings woro much more fortunate. Its first colonists woro noithor angels nor dis interested philanthropists, but at loast thoy were not abandonod criminals. Somo of thorn, indeed, wero num bered among thoso orders of mon who would do honour to any nation, who woro a distinct loss to tho countries whence thoy camo, But with all ad vantages, aro thoro not indications that Now /.oaland is drifting into tho samo unhappy conditions which form tho bane of tho colonios "on Hie othor side"? Doos it not soom likoly that as our towns approach tho dimensions of Sydney and Molbourno, thoy will suffer from tho samo horrors, povorty, acriminnlclass, rookories inhabited by human species whero noithor hoalth, de cency, norhonosty ispossiblo ? Tho rapacity of unscrupulous capitalists, aidod by tho in difforonco of ovoryono besides, including ovon thoso who think, will assuredly bring about the unhappy results which may seem to somo visionary now, but which will provo roal and horriblo onough not many years honco. This is drawing a moral with a vongoance out of a volume of light reading, in which tho purposo is cortainly not thrust prominently forward. If anyone thinks .hut Mr Farjeon deals with tho momentous sub jects of urban povorty and its surroundings in dull nnd deterrent fashion, let him or her tako up " Grif" and bo spoodily undoceivod.

USEFUL INFORMATION.

Romombor.

1. That infectious diseases aro duo to filth in somo form—most of thorn directly to divers kind of microscopic plants (bacterica) which gain entrance into the systen through the lungs or the stomach. Invading tho wonderful laboratories of life— the infinitesimal cells—they disorganise these just ns the yeast-plants, multiplying to countless millions, disorganize every particle of the dough—or would do so, if not themselves killed by tho heat of the oven.

2. Romembor that the best preservative against thorn is high health, which either digosts thorn in tho stomach, or repels them from gaining a foothold, and eliminates thorn fiom tho system.

3. Remember that the noxt best prosorvativo against infectious diseases is a froo and strong circulation of pure air through tho house, from cellar to attic. Tho danger is whon large numbers of bacteria gain admittance. Thero is slight probability that a foothold will be gained by these invadors whon their number is comparatively few. 4. Remember that in our cities and largo towns tho sewers, constantly receiving tho excreta of the sick, are never free from infectious bacteria ,- that theso readily pass up into dwellings through every open con necting point; that these pipes should be kept closed when not in use ; and that they should, in no case, enter a sleeping-room, but only into a well-vontilated water-closet. 5. Remombor that, in the country, wells aro dangerous when they arc within one hundred feet of a privy or cesspool. 6. Remember that while boiling may purify infected water, mere filtering never renders it safe.

7. That all water-closets, cesspools, etc., should be frequently disinfected, copperas (sulphate of iron) being a good and cheap disinfectant for the purpose.

8. That a deodoriser is not necessarily a disinfoctant, We may kill a bad smell and not kill the bacteria.

There are 16,000 cigar factories in the United States.

Last year thero were 3,377 murders in tho United States, of which 315 remain " mysteries ,*" and for the lot only 103 per sons were legally hanged, while 219 were "lynched."

DECLINE OF MAN.—-terMM Weak-en, Dyi-pepett Impotence, BeXU-l De-lUty, cured by " Wells'i Health E_b-mi. M. ._!___. _•_«-«-•. FtMIU - 00. -tUti. AW-M- i

THE GARDEN.

[By Hortcb.]

Calendar of Operations, April 18.

[Hoirrus is willing te answer any queries. Cor respondents must givo their full namco and uddreasos, though not for publication.!

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Vini-S (Vinery). — Whenever the crop is cut givo an much uir aa possible, SO that Hie canes will ripen oil' early, llio earlier the canes aro rip.-n-d tho lomror will the vino yield, thereby increasing your chances o£ getting a good crop of fruit noxt year. T havo always thought, bore, that, if possible it would bo hotter l» construct the vinery so that tho canes could be ta_.cn out, or tho houso during tho winter months. 1 In wood would get ripened ell' much better 11 this could bo ell beted.

Top Drkksing Lawns (Tennis).—Now is the boat lime to got your top dressing on. 1 ho earlier It is pui on the bettor. It will l*ivo tho grass a much holler chanco 01. got tinK well established boforo tho cold wealhor Hots in. Tho quantify of dress ing will in a great measure depend on the state of tho lawn and tho quality of soil you arc using for tho dressing. If the sod is com posed of a poor still'clay, and the gra:;i is not doing woll, give about an inch of good rich soil. It tho lawn is in lair or der, about one - fourth of an inch i_ depth will do. No matter what, gross you havo got in tho lawn, you will do woll to sow some fresh rye-Rraus ovon if 1110 other comes tlirotif_li. Ii will give: a better soil lor next vcar-tho thicker tho hotter, hoc that tho dressing is properly rolled down boforo sowing. Give a heavy rolling alter sowing.

BKKS (Frame Hives). — T know nothing about, boos, nnlcßS it is thati I like to eat Kood houoy occasionally. Send ia your query to tho Kuitor of tho "Farmer, Bee and Poultry Journal," and ho will bo ablo lo Klvo you a satisfactory answer; or obtain a copy of -roll's Colonists' Uuitlc. Tbcrcis valuablo information in it for all those who keep bees, beoiUes a vast amount 01 ollior usoful information.

Kitchen Garden.

Continue the digging, trenching, and manuring of nil vacant pieces of ground. Tho late dry weather suits splendidly for this purposo. Nothing could bo hotter than this season for getting soil woll pulverised. Although all growth in vegetables is almost at a standstill, sow small patches of cabbage and cauliflower, water tho bed woll after sowing and kcop watering occusionaly till wet sets in. Also plant out a fow of tbe above. Before doing so make a thick puddle of cow monuro und water, insert tho loots of tho young plants in this boforo dibbling thorn out; the puddlo will adhere to tho roots and kcop thorn moist for a long ported ; also water after planting ; earth up thoso that aro growing. Tomatoes.—Strip off a good deal of tho foliago so that the sun will got a much better chanco to ripen off tho fruit that has formed ; also pinch back all shoots us they appear now. As it is usoloss to oxpoct fruit to form and ripen at this lato period of tho season, rather try and cause the strength of tho plant to go into the part already formed. Harvest all crops, on ions otc, und as they aro fit take into tho houso. Mako anothor sowing of prickly spinago for winter use. Sow protty extensively now. Prick out a fresh batch of lottuce, applying water froely. Whilo doing so, tie up tho loaves of tho older plants, so that they may bo blanched. Lato planted potatoes should now all be lifted and housed. Pumpkins anil piomolons when ripe should bo stored in a dry place for winter use. All haulm clear off tho ground and mix with tho other rub bish, adding salt and litno, so as to kill ull vegetable and animal life. Every piece of ground that is not required growing vegetables for winter uso should be put down in green stuff, ovon if it has to bo dug into the ground ;it is better for the soil to bo in crop, and if dug down it will act as manure for tho spring crops, Tho Flowor Gardon. Now is tho time for making improve ments or alterations in tho flower garden. Tho soil is dry, and tho turning it o--er or shifting it aboiit will lot tho sun and air into it, thoreby increasing and storing up moro plant food in it. At tho same time it is not soliubloto become mucky as whon handled in thowintor timo. Oftonlhaveseengocdsoils spoiled for years simply by handling them in winter. Thoy get run into a pasto, and it takes a few years labour and lots of manure to bring thorn back into a free state again. Those remarks especially apply to still", wot, retentive soils. Sandy or light vol canic soils are improved by boing wrought in wet woathor, but wot soils deteriorate. Tho late dry weather will havo in. do sad havoc with most of tho border flowers ; havo all tho debris of such taken away to , the rubbish heap. Herbaceous plants cut back, roduco the dimensions of thoso which are beginning to got 100 largo. All dead flowor steins and dead wood should bo cut ' out. As you aro clearing away tho debris mark all places whero bulbs or tubors aro allowed to stay in tho ground for the winter. Lift all tho gladiolus bulbs which aro ripe ' ami store past for tho winter. Cot some woll-rottod stublo manure (or manuro from ' tho rot heap); havo this sproad till over tho surfaco botwoon tho plants, and fork into tho ground, liecolloct whilo manuring that you can scarcoly givo too much. Dahlias, ' chrysanthemums, bouvurdias, and othor 1 lato autumn flowering plants will givo ' much butter flowers, nndjjt-0.0 of thorn, if liberally supplied with liquid ma ' mire. All grass lawns should recoivo ;i good top drossing of good soil, as soon as possible Lawns which aro frequently cut and tho grass taken away soon got exhausted, and to keep them up to tho mark an annual topdrossing of good soil is tho best material to use. Sow a littlo fresh grass seed after dressing, roll hoavily, koop all grass short. Walks : Look ' for all woak spots, and havo samo rcgruvolled boforo the winter sots in. Continuo tho striking of cuttings of all border und bod ing plants. Greenhouse. Shading might almost bo disponsod with now. Form* will havo almost complotod thoir growth, and can bo kept n littlo drier. Loss wator will also bo required for tho other plants. Bulbs, tubers, otc, goin<r to rost should bo watered vory sparingly. Keep up n good circulation of air. Now is tho best timo of tho year to lay i. a fresh stock of potting soil; tako about two inchos of tho top of a good grass paddock—good loam is tho best—place this on aheap.dress hoavily with salt, givo a good soaking of water so that it may sweat, let it lie all tho winter to rot, and in tho spring it will make, with tho othor compost, capital potting soil tor tho usual spring potting. Dryness in tho Frulthouso. After a low and ovon tomporaturo is so cured, tho othor essentials in preserving fruit aro darkness, an air-tight room to re tain tho carbonic acid givon off by tho fruit, and a dry atmosphere. Fruit in ripening gives off both carbonic acid and water or moisture. The carbonic acid, by excluding tho oxygen of the air, aids in preserving the fruit. Moisture is undesirable, as it hastens decay. The only effective method of re moving it is by exposing in the room some substance that will absorb it. The French use ch'oroide of calcium, which is a very different substance from chloride of lime. This salt has such an avidity for moisture that it takes it from the air of tho room and bocomes liquefied. Tho objection to this is its expense. An American experimenter has found a substitute in the bittern, or waste material of tho salt works, which is thrown away. This is mainly a vory impure chloridoof calcium,andanswers tho purposo. The bittern, in a largo iron pan, is exposed in tho fruitroom. When it lias bocomo liquefied by the moisture absorbed, tho pan is set ovor a fire, and tho salt dried by driving off the water it has obsorbed, whon it is again ready for uso. This process may be repeated indefinitely.—American Agri culturist. Trenching. Next after drainage comes tho preparation of the soil necessary for gardon work of every description, To givo trees and crops a fair chance of doing woll during tho dry summer months, the soil must be laboured to a considerable depth. By this means tho roots will penetrate deoper arid moisture will be longor retained in the soils, thoreby enabling the plants to drawn more abundant supply of an clemont indisponsable for thoir existence. But other all-important advan tages are gained by pulverising the soil to a considerable depth. Jethro Tull (says Mr DrysdaleDempsey) has tho honour of having first directed attention forcibly to this subject, and so deeply impressed was ho with its infinite importance that ho believed the use of manure could be entirely super seded were this pulverising carried to a sufficient extent. The whole success of the drill husbandry is owing, in a great measure, to its enabling you to stir up the soil well during the progress of your crop, which stirring up is of no valuo beyond its effect in more minutely pulverising the soil, in- ' creaeing, as far as possible, tho _ zo and number of the interstitial canals. Lest any ! should.supposo that tbe contents of those I interstitial canals must bo so ruinuto that ' their whole amount can be of but little • consequence, I may here notice the fact ' that in moderately-well pulverised soil they amount to no less than ono-iourth of tho whole bulk of tho soil itself: for example, I s

100 cubic inches of moist soil (that is, of soil in which tho pores tiro filled with water whilo the canals are filled with air) contain no le:_ than 25 cubic inches of air. Accord ing to this calculation, in a fiold pulverised to tho depth of 8 inches, a depth perfectly attainable on most soils by careful tillago, every imperial acre will retain beneath its surfaco no less than 12,545,281' cubic indies of air. A familiar illustration of the space occupied by tho spaces between tho particles of loosened soil is "afforded by tho fact that when soil is disturbed it moro than (ills tho space it previously occupied. Taking into calculation the weight of soil, WO shall find that with every additional inch which you reduce to powder (by ploughing, for example, !) inches in place of _), you call into activity 235 tons of soil, and render it capable of retaining beneath its surface 1,508,1(10 additional cubic inches of air. And, to tako one more element into the calculation, supposing tho soil wore not properly drained, tho sttfliccnt pulverising of and additional inch in depth would incrcaso tho escape cf water from the surfaco by upwards of 101) gallons a day per acre. Assuming the abovo calculations to bo cor rect, sa> that instead of 8 inches the ground is trenched to a depth of sixteen-a depth readily attained on most soils, that is 8 in dies of good soil and 8 inches of subsoil —tho results will be just doubled. Each imperial aero will then retain 25,000,5(10 inches of air, and ;?,7<io tons of soil will be brought into activity. The above figures demonstrate tho immenso advantages to bo derived from decp-ttonching. There aro several modes of performing this operation, but in all now soils tho bastard or half-trenching is the best. By this method the ground is regularly and exhaustively worked over, a good depth is obtained, aiid tho original soil is preserved on the surface instead of tho dry subsoil being substituted.

(To he Continued.)

ROYAL COLONIAL INSTITUTE

Arthur Claydon on " Now Zealand In 1831,

(FliOM OUK LONDON COKUKS I'ONUBNI.)

Tins announcement that Mr Arthur Clayden would road a paper on "New Zealand in ISB4 " at tho fourth meeting this session of tho Royal Colonial Institute was quite sufficient to attract almost all Anglo-New Zealanders now in London to tho AVcst Palaco Hotel on Tuoeday ovoning. Thc.-e Institute reunions are far from lively. Thero is not, as you may perhaps imagino, any opportunity for colonists to gossip with ono another now and again. Tbe "Follows" of course (at least thoso who like) dine together beforehand, but persons who drop in during the evening with tho idea of meeting old friends and enjoying a chat find themselves dolefully deluded, .'ou tako any chair you arc lucky enough to discover vacant when you enter, and plant)-, la, have to stop throughout a long evening's prating. Tho atmosphero is ominently respectable, desperately dull, and commonplace. MrF. 1). Bell—mindful possibly of certain amenities betwocn himsolf and tho lecturer —did not honour the Institute meeting on Tuesday with his presence His absence was naturally commented on, and so was that of Sir William Fox, who, however, it subsequently transpired, had beeu suddenly called from town on business. Lord Nor manby, but for Lady Normanby's death, would havo been in the chair. His place was lilled by tho ever genial Sir Charles Cliilbrd, who received efficient support from the Hon. J. B. Thurston, C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary for Fiji), whose first public ap pearance in England this was, the Hon. T. C. Bray (lute Premier South Australia), Mr Thomas Earp, M.1., Captain Colomb, and othor notables.

Glancing round the room for a moment prior to tho commencement of the proceed ings, my eyes lit on quite a number of familiar faces : Mr J. Kerry Nicholls, as usual,caressing his board with a lean,brown hand ; Mr G. W. Rusden, a trifle worn and sorious; Mr Thomas Russell, C.M.G., suivc and courtly ; Mr David Hean (of the National Bank of Now Zealand),genial and smiling ; Mr' W. J. Steele (also of the National Ban!:), seriously attentive ; and Mr Edward Hopkins, whoso visit to Auck land somo years ago Mr Abbott will,l daro say, remombcr. Prominent in the front row- of chairs =its Mr William Westirartb, tho leviathan speculator in colonial .locks; Mrs \Y'ost_art,h accompanies him, and not far offis Mrs Julius Angcrstein, looking ex ceedingly woll; tho gallant Captain I couldn't soo. Mr aud Mrs tlisborno wore present, with young Lionel Gisborne and Miss Gisborno, and so wero Mr.Moncrieff Paul (of tho Now Zealand Loan und Mercantile): Mr Robert Porter, hearty as over ; Captain Scott, just returned homo by tho Kuikoura; Mr W ,1. Allsup, Mr Labillioro, Mr and Mrs A. Donne, MrG, E. Sainsbury, Mr Donald McLean, Mr S. B. Browning, Mr Richard Maxwell, and many others.

Mr Claydon is quite at homo on tho plat form. Ho road his lecture—which occu pied upwards of an hour and a quarter— in a level, audible voice, using considerable hand uction.

I can't say there scouted to mo to be much that was now in tho discourso. Consul Griffin's and Dr. Hector's roports, tho New Handbook, nnd Brett's Almanac, nil appoar to have been requisitioned and pretty freely tapped. The audienco were apathetic. A round of clapping greeted Mr Claydon''* attack on Henry George and his theories, but that was tho solo demonstra tion during tho evening.

The discussion which followed tho read ing of this paper was unusually interesting, as soveral well-known Anglo-Colonials took part in it. Mr William Gisborne was the first speaker. He approved of tho lecturer's views about the Public Debt of Now Zea land, and said that the colony was perfectly justified in borrowing largely, forthey could borrow at a low rate of interest; thoy had boundloss natural rosources ; the colonists themselves wero a fino raco, sprung from the tinost nation in tho world ; and lastly, they spent tho money thoy borrowed, not in wars or unprofitable ventures, but in in creasing colonisation, in extending indus tries, and in facilitating and augmenting trado.

Captain Scott, 11. N., who rocontly re turned from New Zoaland in tho Kaikourn, said that one thing that had struck him in tho colony was the Dunedin tramway, which was, ho bolioved, tho steepest in the world. It was so famous that American engineers had conic to New Zoalanci specially to see it. With rogard to tho " Gcorgo " scheme, Captain Scott said ho was sure tho labourers in New Zealand had no more intention of boing nationalised than the landowners had of being robbod. Ho then gave an instance of tho security of property in tho colony by ptating that the Superintendent of Police in Dunedin had assured him ho need not be frightened of leaving his houso with only ladies in it, and that there was no fear of burglars. Captain Scott concluded by making an extraordinary statement about the superiority of the West-port coal over our best Welsh.

Mr Douglas McLean was tho noxt to ventilate his views, and in introducing him Sir Charles Clifford paid a graceful com pliment to the memory of the late Donald McLean by saying that as long as New Zealand existed the name of Donald Mc- Lean would bo a household word in the colony.

Mr McLean said ho had noticod with satisfaction tho omission of all roferonco to tho Maoris in Mr Claydon's paper. Wo had heard rather too much about tho Maori quostion lately. Ho noxt instanced the difficulty private individuals in the colony had in getting capital to won. with, as it was all locked up in tho big com panies. There wore two things Now Zea land wanted, English capital and small farmers.

Mr Moncriefi" Paul, of tho New Zealand Loan and Mercantilo Agency, then got on his legs and made a few remarks about the development of tho wool trade in Now Zea land, He next ventured to state that a timo might como whon Australia would havo to look to Now Zoaland for wheat. This, I need scarcely say, was rccoived with ironical chcors. As a proof of the quality of Now Zealand compressed beef, ho montionod that the Government had ordered it to bo supplied to tho troops in tho Soudan in place of the American beof hitherto issued, By the holp of figures Mr Paul noxt proved that Now Zealand was better oft'than oilher America or England as regards railways.

The Hon. J. B. Thurston, of Fiji, then called the attention of the meeting to tho rapid development of the trade between the South Sea Islands and the colony, and tho benefit accruing to New Zealand from this trade, especially to the parts of Auckland and Dunedin.

Sir Charles Clifford then proposed ;i vote of thanks to Mr Claydon, who replied in felicitotiG terms, and the proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, proposed by Wr Arthur Hodgson, C.M.G., of New South Wales.

A shoo manufacturing company is not a soleless corporation.

Revelations Concerning the Lon don City Guilds.

Tiik report on the City €om ... T^f^t., eße ::;K' former age have property W J * € .Cl,.,ooo,ooo l andani„ comeofab "hJ''t: per annum. Of this, Some S' 000 spent in charity, and thoM^ b ' easting and keeping up theKj^g*, the feasting takes $&__ ff^_M4 oughttobc sold, and the feas___ fy**, suppressed, an d the amount no g w °Ughtt»^ in chanties ought to be ov &, n .* then aro many iteins-^ f^ W A as an anuual sum given to nre__, ___*& •»' m commemoration of the -rmal 8*. 01-? ' am mere waste. Allowing forth? *hich ' am,, of all proper charitable iC^' ! should, by the suppression of th__.' ■■- establishments, obtain nearly SHB** annum. Having caught tbehare T_. ' that we shall find nodifficullvin- i.4*" The Mercers' Company wft °? k -git (_j .(30,000, put £10,431 into their own°° m. °* ' as "court fees," pay their rtaff-?s*.< gorge to tho amount of £. 371 _?", **7> 185, .C0,7«6 in managing their citato?£_s had somo experience of this Pn__ olll*' liarl bought a long tee on p oSS' * ' ing te it. The late Sir _fi_2T1- 1 °_• .. quested mc to call upon hk__?j.»f:' ho thought that the BSSi*B an excellent police ecu" and Z _ , ? A« '■" if 1 wouw s-n the 1 se d ek!i»r: that would on an e.timat. 'ft • value by some independent survevn t_. that he would probably find that_,___?'* have trouble with the MeS *&%&& which was the groond-landlord «fl__-fi he said ; "I will speak to tho Lord C___, 1 lor, who is a Mercer, and hew__T3__ it." This he did, andlbdlvetSl Chancellor b^ghttheSSC'' at a court ot the Company. They 2_ to listen to the proposal/ OCT why, they replied that their tenants _.? - neighbourhood objected to affiS The tenants then signed a iBSS there should be apolio- court,E&S Company refused again, without S ' any reason. I endeavoured to _K1 why they were so obstinately pig head 7, and, so far as I could make It out, £ 1 members of the Court-or rather of on ffl the two families that have Z _! Company into their hands-felt BfcJ.l that the Lord Chancellor, andnot «_. should have been first consultei ■ %,' lawyer was one of the family, themttisl another, and altogether the'f__jJS ' to be making very decent pickings, W_7. ever any new lease was to be signed, a M '-" mittee was appointed to inspect, andeteh I committee-man received a fee. iS. penetrated into the Company's- dtMam is usual in City offices, I kept my hat on-A venerable gentleman touched me,find', pointed to my hat when I addressed tin I could not make out what he meant'ft6 said : "Your hat." Still I did not under.,,' stand, M-ljeii he said, "You must take v_. ; hat off." T replied "With pleasure; Mt if you wish it, Iwilltakeallmyclot_«2".i Poat-bly this readiness to comply w_m regulations intended to do honour to M . Company may have been one of the reasftr : why the Court declined to agree to the sale'V of my lease to the Government. . •_•'■.'■'

Office holders in the United- States

Tut-: ollice-holdere in the United -tata ' form a vast army, numbering 112,000 per' r sons, exclusive of those empbyed on con-". tracts, except mail contractors. Thdyitt^ of all grades from the Cabinet Secretary, . holding office really at the pleasure of j_\ . President, down to the large body of offiijali I who hold for four years, and t_ence'do_.'"; to the subordinates of each of these cffidik appointed by them during their own pleasure. Postmasters hsld for the fonri years' term, but, being responsible for tlr conduct of their respective offices, eachip points and removes his own assistants and, clerks, except in the large offices, So, tec, ? with Marshals and Customß collectors,e's cept in the large offices, which come trader ' tho regulations of the Civil Service Act '' Bub Internal Revenue ' collectors re-' tain office u.itil _ death, resignation,:..-• or removal, While the Senate 'ii in recess the President's ippoin. ■ ments only hold till the closeof the nei.' session if the Senate refuses its'assent, The Po_t-c_tic_ Department has iieaity,; two-thirds of the Civil Serraty or7o,oW;' of these nearly 50,000 arel|oSfc__*tors) 5,000 mail contractors, 525 _e"w tie Wash' ington Department, l'oisi U\uriowjy other offices, 3,300 are letoK-ri-ra, i.KW ;] railway postal clerks; _i_ 1,50. route, ; agents. There are six ctea *__ix*,.;'. masters, with salaries _a.npon' djto out and complicated •: epmpatatton. The lowest receive 2,ooodols"••__#(■' including rent, lighting, statoery,;(to The higher classes are appointed by tie Presidont, the rest by the cral, and about 1,500 appointacn«a» mado annually. These will probably In filled by Democrats as the vacancies <w» ; Tho letter-carrier; and raUwaym_is»»:, aro really permanent. TheTreasarymdJe,; ; Interior Departments have the a"*"**. bodies The Customs number 4,000! •« thoso places were opened by tht fcdjto Act for competitive examination, yfM. distinction of race, politics or rehgm , But that Act only covers sofle m places. Democrats have| wrf«W"J: [nents under it as well-*;*•*«„■. and it is stated that President CleveW, . would bo the last man to ;nWJ»"b its working. Reforms a^eiWW , probable v_th regard [+JWEL Revenue collectors. tofi&Miu plomatic Service, all UirfhifWjjft tors abroad resign on the iff* of a now Administration, jt^;.: custom which admits of no excepS .* . on tho ro-election of a President » , whole body of foreign wpre«nte*7 ™ . thus resign on the 4th of March, B g have not resigned before, ««.»K,« await the pleasure of the Pw^-jJ believed that in this t*£f3. changes will not ho many, tto# BP important ones must take pto^.,, this does not apply, to * *ffi sular service, which is &&**!%:_ from politics than almost <W^S( of tho service, and it is saidgjßSj President will take he.ffi-gS severing it entirely, sothatthert* m H£ changes. Mr Cleveland M«i«Jgffi port of tho Independentson *^g£j condemnation of the spoils «*J, are looking to him for *i&s£S&_ abuses in this direction.-'-London iip» ; _

Free Schools in German.

It is now fifteen years sinceth^rtoCjj mon Council resolved to ff«'{"3fl the Berlin schools to every chudoi |gfl citizens for gratuitous tfZ&EM ■ sired. A resume of the las f^ that in 1872, 53 783 f*sjgk gratuitous instruction, «*s£»#. fn 1883, while the number of ff^__U paid for schoo ing was against 34,646 in 1883. W^ that during eleven yeawthenu-uw^ ing children has only . that of children instructed aHhee mv tho city had a«Kmen^ B by?th e "iaC_*M» words, nearly the whole dV» children during that period gratuitous instruction, wh»*'is. U per cent, has entered P^^off, the close of 1873 as many*** * children paid school money. M of ISSIUhe percentage had B^^l 22. At present more then tnree „ all Berlin children <*> F*£f ß bo A 1 their education in the cotnnnmat

How the Shell Acted.

I. going over tho battle-field^,- Hill we came across one 01 shells thrown from gunboats <g bend. An hour later, mrtgg num Road wo met four colour* gW a mulo and cart, and *" 2stf tog£* tion of the relic. TheyburrWJ fcgg and wo went into to BJg» „*»*, Just as the party werel reaw £WV Richmond tho «'»to'*fthl*{', ourcd gang came clatW^«.Bß_ thills dragging behind^Jegroft* closely followed by.on s.f^ vo mf' wentbyusata2.4ogat,andff fi .^|| £_ffi»h#g*_„* ..Pow-powful times, boss out. __.fthefflenTh : "Aren't you one oftne after the shell J" , ob de "Deod lis, )] an, Iz9on-1 _ found it, too!" , .j,' '• What happened ? ._ up tf« "We dun out to brO»» j_W.mi axo. DemowlhasKone^^l has gone by, an 'heab I* U iu otK'. do crowd am making f^ * W^J', and pickin'out P^J'Xiii«s&.., Dat shell up an'went an SP' . -"Detroit Free Press-' -

THE AUCKLAND EVENIJNU STA At. SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1886

4