j. by mbor, , 12) Ho SdSv -ling tp tlio W?m9 to ne o£ hi 3 tioraos cox. nW W (Ho. answered tlio uaoUlon last \. flaneur had not to carry any'hit. Jolbourno CHip for wln'nlnpr tho V.H.v thy. In that rear there was no condltiu <n tho Cup stipulating thnt the. winner ot tho V.K.O. Dorby should ri>\TF Gat. 121b., but for the Melbourne Out) of l'sn it wan provided that tho winner ol tho A J C. or \ r.K.C. Derby should carry Cat. 121b, i; handicappud bolow that weight.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

The Victoria Amateur Turf Club Mooting commences at GanlfioM this afternoon, when ThoOninoaa is to bo decided. On Saturday next tho Cup will come up for decision, and tho results of both events will, as usual, be anxiously looked forward to by turfite?, as they invariably tend to shod some light on tho big events of tho V.X.C. Meeting—tho Derby and Melbourne Cup.

Tho causo of Nowstoad's scratching for tlio V.R..C. Dorby and Melbourne Cup this woolc was on account of tho colt having strained tho back sinow of his noar foro le>', and which immediately began to nil. JI" H withdrawal will bo a sevoro blow to tho public, who havo supported Mm heavily in connection with both events. Another bit of bad news for backers is tho accident which haa befallen Commotion, and it is quito likely ho will also bo withdrawn from "iliavcTto acknowledge tho receipt of a copy of tho "N.Z Turf Kecord" for last season. Tho volumo contains 'MO puges, ami is got up in a manner somowhat similar to last year, but povoral new features havo boon introduced. The work has been complied by Mr F. G. Whotham, and it certainly reflects tho greatest credit on him. The prico of tho volumo ia (is Cv < pont free), and I shall bo glad to hear of tho compiler being handsomely repaid for the amount of labour and trouble it has cost him. Local turfites can obtain copies of tho "Record" next week from Messrs Upton and Co. Tho nominations received for tho prin cipal events of tho Spring and Summer ifoetings of the Auckland Racing Club are very satisfactory, showing a good increase on all previous yeara. With tho exception of Mr P. Cutler and Mr J. Stephenson, of Ounodin, nil the New Zealand owners of note are represented in tho Auckland Cup list, and if present appearances go for any thing.our first " thousand pounder " should produce the best contest wo havo yot wit nessed for tho race. Tho following table shows tho numbor of entries recoivo.d for tho several events since ISB2 : — Summer Meeting. 1882 18S3 R'l 1885 Auckland Cup .. .. « »3 3!) 52 KG. Handioap .. .. 41 ■« $ Steailoohaao lv _l*_ *Jj -^_ To t a l TO3 86 101 126 Spring Meeting. 1882 18S3 ISSI ISSS Prince of Wales Handicap 17 \$ '-« |S Hurdle Race _7 __ __ _-. Total *i w 3'J 3t

Since his victory at Goraldino, tho Musket colt Fusilade has come ;n for a_lot of attention in Auckland for tho New Zoa land Cup Altogether he has been backed to win fully £1200 at 100' ato 7 and 10, and the beat price now obtainable is 100 to 12. The colt, I underßtand, is jointly o\vned by Messrs Pilbrow and Ray, and tho last-named wily trainer is preparing him for his en gagements. Mr P. Martin haa scratched the Napier owned three-year-old colt Gordon, by Cap th'e Auckland Summer Meeting.

Mr W. Bobbott's pair, Libeller and Tetford, were brought up from tho Thames during the week, and havo gone into B. Kelly's stablea. Both havo wintered well, and appear to bo in excellent health. In an account of a recent morning's work at Flemington, "Augur " has the following anent the Now Zealanders :—"lhad a good opportunity of seeing tho Hon, William Robinson's team, and there can be no tw.i opinions respecting them. They look like racehorses, and have ovidontly done plenty of good, sound work somewhere. On Tuesday morning Derrett sent most of them serviceable work on the SJ^Qi and, if I wore to venture an oplMofi respecting their Gup chances, I should say that I preferred Liverpool, and, not withstanding the groat character Thundor bolt brings as a flyer, I fancy Winchester better. Tho former strikes me as a colt that has grown upwards a bit since he ran us a two year-old, but ho is a beautiful mover. Oudeb, who doesn't seem to bo doing a great amountof work, boars favourable com parison with most of our racehorses, though, good-looking as ho is, he is not so perfoct a gentleman as Dan O'Brien's Trenton, who iB a son of Musket. Exception has been taken to Trenton because he is rather light ot bone below the kneo, but the quality of the bone is of the beat description, and tho suspensory ligament stands out like a piano string. With size and quality combined, and excellent action, he is my beau ideal of a thoroughbred racehorse." I notice that Foul Shot's namo does not appear among the nominations for the prin cipal events of the Auckland Spring Meeting, so it is to be presumed that he is to bo carefully nurtured with a view to tho Auckland Cup and Derby. During tho week, one of tho local pencillors laid 200 to 20 in one hand against the son of Musket and Slander for the Cup. Tho Hon. James White's forraidableteam, consisting of Nordenfoldt, Despot, Uralla, Monte Cbristo, Lennox, Tempo, and the two-year-olds Phillip Augustus and Acmo, loft Sydney for Melbourne in tho early part of last week. Monte Christo was very sore a short time back, but he is said to have thrown all this away, and is now looking very well. Mr Parcival requests mo to state that A. Miller having left Major George's employ without duo notice, owners and trainers are cautioned against employing him. Writea the Dunedin correspondent of the "Canterbury Times" in last week's j ßßue . "Captain Webster and Taiaroa had a two-mile spin at somothing loss than top speed on Tuesday morning. Captain Webster beat Taiaroa at the finish, but there was not much to choose between them. This morning Lady Emma, Mata naka, and Rubezahl did long steady work on the tan ; tho mare goes very nicely. Two fancy bets, a thousand to one each, have been made about Mayboy for the Dunedii Cup." At the settling over the A.J.C. Spring Meeting, £8,297 was paid away. The Hon. J. White was tho largest winner, his cheque totting up to £2,972, and Mr A. Hallingbourg came noxt with £1,210. Tho Derby, won by Nordonfeldt, was worth £1,050, of which £950 was tho winnor's Bhare. Granville, who appears among tho list of nominations for tho Steeplechase at the Auckland Summer Meeting, is the Aus tralian jumper of that name. AMr Hunt, of Sydney, is his nominator, but I have heard it stated that he lias been purchasod by two Aucklanders. While exercising with Acolyte at Rand wick, The Broker foil and injured his shoulderrather seriously. Ithasnecossitattd his being scratched for his Spring engage ments. ... W. Huxley, who came into some notoriety in respect of his riding Archio in the V.R.C. Derby, died in Sydnoy a few days llgO. Welcome Jack, with 9st 31b, and ridden by Williamson, started first favourito for the Sydney Handicap at the A.J.C. Meet ing, won by Wing, but ho could gst no nearer than sixth. The mile-and-a-half was run in 2min. 38sec.

"Nemo," in reviewing Nordenfeklt's victories at the A.J.C. Meeting, has the following :—" Nordenfeldt had his work cut out to beat Honeydew by half-a-length in tlio Craven Plate, wherein the latter had 9st and the colt 7st 91b. As the winner of the A J C. Derby, Nordenfeldt will carry 7st 51b in the Melbourne Cup, against Honey dew's 7st 91b, so that in the Melbourne Cup Honeydew will meet the son of Musket on 151b better terms, which, allowing 41b for n<?G, improvement on the part of Norden i. • ".'ill make the rlilT. icnce 111b, and as buueydew can be muuu pounds better than he was at the late meeting, he must stand in need of a great deal of beating for tho big bettlDg event."

.nor, by Mu.«kot ,y unction in Syd iid knocked dov.'n to tineas. White has dotormincd oils by Chester from tho h stud in order to sond them oontojt for tho Bjiaom Derby. jrpriso if deserving of all praiao, ifinrts of Australians and New :rs will go with tho lion, gentleman tho "bluo and whito" banner is .led to do battle for the " blue ribbon " Jio English turf. After tho contest for the Craven Plate at tho A.J.C. Mooting, Honoydow, who ran eocond to Nordenfeldt, was purchased by ■ Mr W. A. Long for t'2,000. Strange to : say, 1-lonoydew was ridden by Hales, while ; Ellis rode Nordonfeldt. :i Tiio Hon. J. 'Whito placod tho Richmond > Stakes to his credit at the A.J.O. Meeting .1 by tho aid of Acme, a daughter of Chostcr and l'rincoss Maud. Among tho other 11 ! starters was Ivinglisli, tho two-year-old colt by l'iscatorius —I'attorina, but ho failed to liniu a place. Waitiri, tho daughter of Muskot and Uira, who proved triumphant in tho Hawke's Bay Guineas on Tuesday, would appeal" to bo a speedy young lady, for sho won as she liked, and got over tho milo in lmin. 45Jsccs. Theavent under notice was tho first Waitiri has been stripped for in public. A betting ense of great interest to backers was lately submitted to Mr Olilto, tho Chairman of Sydney TattorsaU's. A resi dont of Now Zealand had backed a treblo at tho last Chrintehurch (Irand National Mooting, vir.., Moody, Secretary.and Donald, for the big Steeplechnse, Maiden Steeple chase, and 'Hurdle Raco respectively. The first two ovents ho won, and the third re sulted in a walk over. The question wsis, how much was tho backer to receive '! After inatui'O consideration, Mr Olillb decided that tho backer was entitled to tho whole of tho money. I think tho verdict was correct, says "Augur," for this reason: The layer would, in all probability, havo laid against many other horses in tho treble, and would receive from all other backers in fall, and it would bo only ciiuitablo that tho successful backor should recoivo in a liko marmot.

Mr (J. (1. Stead's Dorby candidate Moann pulled up slightly lamo ono morning last week, and Lochiol has also had to bo eased

Tho Princo of Wales is said to havo offered Fred Archer a retainer to ride for him next season. "Tho Tinman," how evor, declined tho honour, on tho grounds that it was not his intention to accept any retainers in future ; but that if Lord Falmouth's colours wore again peon on tho

turf, ho should consider his lordship hit first and only mastor.

THE GARDEN

[By Homos.]

Calendar of Operations, Ootobor 10.

[Huktus is willing to answer any queries. Cor respondents must Rivn thoir full mimes anil addrossea, though not for publication.!

TO CORRESPONDENTS,

Cineraria (Cineraria. Romnora).— They suc ceed well out in the oiun air. but if planted out now thoy should bo pretty strong plants to Co much good, but from tho tenor of your letter they nro just through the ground. They will bo too late. Cinerarias should cither bo in flower or just coming into flower. Thoy uro curly spring flowering plants. Tho feed Bhould always be sown in the autumn. Still plant yours out in a shady place and see that tho soil ahout the roots'ia kopt sufficiently moist. You might (lower thorn. Roses (Float, Surrey Hills).—l suppoao it ia tho fly that is tnfosting your rosoa. If ao, mix loz of soft soap in a gallon of watrr. strain the liquid through a cloth, syringe tho j'lanta affected with this in the evening, continuing tho operation for soinn three or four evenings running. 2nd. Worms in numbers iv the soil donoto rich, fat soil, or wet retentive soil. To got rid ot them, draining RPsUts, also lime in quantities ; but 1 would advise you to drain about 16ft. apart, and also uao quantities of litiio. Lime assists in making stilt soils more friable aud workablo, but it will takosomo timo. Your best plan will be to uso plonty of stublo manurti; also mix with the soil all tho ashes you can procure. Thoso will soon bring it into good worldlier order. I could not answer a communication tho day after being written to, ns lam not resides in town, nnd only communicate with the publlßhiug ofilco once in tho beginning of each week. Tar on Fkuit Theks (Orchard).—Yos; far is a very bad thing to upply at any timo to tho stems or branches of any trees. It is vory in jurious, no inat'er though it keeps hares nnd rj)Ji)uipJj""»[hfttly-X'UieacioifS: If Uialuirat compound bo dissolved in water at tho rate of Soz. to a gallon of soft water, add sufficient clay to niako tho mixture into a thick paint. Apply this to tho stoms of the trees, or uso soot, butter milk, wator, and a little fat. Heat tho liquid to molt tho fat. Mix in a thick paint with clay, and apply to tho tree. Another mixture: Mix haft a pint of petroleum to tbe gallon of wutr r. Mix with cow-dung to make a thick paste. Apply all tho übove mixtures to tho limbs and branches as far aa the vermin can reach. It will only prove eßlcacious for one season, and will need <o ho renewed r.t the beginning of each winter. Tho only thing which I could adviso you now to do, whoro you have used tar, would bo to paint with a mixture of clay, lime, and water. It would partly remedy tho effects of tho tar, and keep tho hot pun from burning tho places whore tho bark is cut through. Br.ionx o.v Api'lk Tubes (Apple).—l know of no certain euro for 'his. As you have only a fow trees, you could easily koop it undor by applying an oily or greasy matter, or turpon tino.to tho parts of tho trees that are affected. Apply with a brush, rubbing it woll into tho insect, and as thoy appear repeat tho applica tion. You may not bo ablo to set rid of it en tirely, but you can kosp it under so that it will not do much injury.

SOUTH SEA LETTERS

(By Our Reporter with the Janet

NIC'COL.)

RAROTONGA.

Last to bo visited, und loast in importance of the island groups ombraced in the round ttip of tho Janet Nicoll, the Cook Islands are nevertheless deserving of more than passing notice, as much by virtue of thoir commercial valuo in relation to New Zea land, as of their beauty and salubrity, and tho interesting character of thoir inhabi tants. Volcanic and coral in formation, like the other islands visited, and inhabited by the same Mahori people, there are still distinguishing features about tho country and tho natives which are worthy of note. The Cook Islands, named aftor their illus trious discovorer, Capt. Cook, consist of the following :-- Mangaia, Rarotonga, Atiu, Aitutaki, Mitiero, Miiuko, and Manauai — the latter somotimes called Hervey, consisting of thrco islets enclosd within ono largo reof. What I have to say chiefly concerns Karotonga, which, though second in size, is the most populous and important of tho group, being tho busi noss centre and entrepot for all those islands. Rarotonga is a bold volcanic island, some 24 rnilos in circumference, and surrounded by a narrow circling reef, three small open ings in which constitute tho only harbours. Inadequate though these harbours aro, thoy aro the only ones in tho whole of tho Cook Group, and it is on account of thorn that Rarotonga is made the trading head quarters. Tho population of Karotonga is 2,000; of tho whole group 7,800. Of tho foroign residents on Rarotonga, 25 aro Europeans rind about an equal number Chinese. Those islands lie between 18° and 21° South latitudo, and have theroforo a more temperate clime than either Tonga, Samoa, or Tahiti. Tho vegetation, indigenous and oxotic, is, however, of the same stamp, tho cocoanut palm boing tho most conspicuous foaturo in tho land scape, while on tho plantations coffee, cotton, tobacco, etc., aro cultivated. In proportion to their area and population, theso islands do a larger trade than any others in tho Pacific. From Rarotonga last year four millions of oranges woro cent to Auckland, besides largo quantities of limo juico, bananas, pinoapplos, copra, cotton, coileo, etc. The valuo of the imports and exports in 18S4 was about £60,000. Nearly tho whole of this trado is with New Zea land. Inaugurated many years ago by Messrs Owen and Graham, the business has been largely developed of late years by the enterprise and onergy of Mossrs Donald and Edenborough, of this city, who aro tho contractors for tho Island Mail Service by the Janet Nicoll. Captain Trayto, of Auckland, also shares in tho trade of Cook Islands, while at Rarotonga there ia a branch store of the Societe" Commercial do l'Oceanio, but tho groat bulk of tho trado is in the

hands of Messrs Donald and Edonborough, whose resident partner, Mr K. Exhara, is the English Consular Agent. Tho Rarotongans, in physique, language, and manners, more closely resemble tho Maoris of New Zealand than the natives of any of the other groups visited. These facts would seem to show that, whother the migrations of the aboriginal race were from the Islands to iNew Zealand or from .New Zealand to the Islands, Rarotonga was tho next "port of call" to this colony. Against this theory there is the distance, which is 1,658 miles againetl,l29fromTongatoAuck land, but probably 500 miles more or less would be but a small matter to people so accustomed to long sea voyages as the early Maoris must havo been. Next to tho Tahitians, the Rarotongans are the boat dressed of the Islanders ; but in cleanliness

ami dignity thoy rathor suitor !■„■ Ihonnm jmii.i.n. On tho olhor hand, Ihcy nro pat- I, nm of industry to nil tho others', while in point of kindno=H and lio»jiitivlity and advancement in thu civilising arts they boar the palm, Educationally, religiously, and morally considered, (hoy nroabont on a par wil li I lie Samomw and f ahitiai.s. Whether It. irt duA to the climuto nr othev circum stances I cannot say, but tlio Knvoton^atM aro the only native* whom we saw who had that look of gloom, pain, or settled molan cholv which one ■•as so often on tho faces of tho New Zealand natives. In tlio caso of tho lattorono is ready toconcludo itistho rellox of thoir hopjlepsfeelingsniisingfrom tho know ledge that thoyaro aconqnorodand decaying '■ raoo ; but tlio tirst of theso causos cloch ' not fit all oporato nt Knrotonga, for tlio natives havo never been subdued in war, i and still livo undor thoir ancient laws and i customs, tempered by tlio inllnoncos of ( Christianity and education. Tho popula tion of tho Cook Islands is paid to bo nearly stationary; but I could not help being struck by soveral signs of decadence. Tho dead seem more in numbor than tlio living, po that thoso who ai-o doparted nro really "tho groat majority." Rarotonga is, in ono aspect, A Land of Graves and Living Tombstones! I saw threo largo woll-stockod gravo yards, in connection with churchoa, at dilVornnt sottlemonts, and travelling along tho road from Awarua to Ngatangihia, tho visitor comes across graves at noarly ovory stop. Thcao gonorally havo no inscrip tion, consisting simply oi a barrow or mound for mod of concroto mado from coral. At ono placo tho road has been carried right through a place of graves, and drays and buggies daily rattlo over the silent tonant beneath, who might exclaim with the hero of Tennyson's " Mnnri :"—

" I load, loiir dead, Ami tho whools co over my liuail And tho hoofs of Iliu horses bent—boat!'

In tlio churchyards thoro aro many tomb stones in European stylo, with inscriptions giving tho name, ago, and timo of death of thodecoaacd, with" many a!iolytoxt"strown around to toach tho nativo moralist to dio. Thcso aro not tho living tombstones to which 1 havo roferrod. Thoro is a curious custom among tho llarotongans that, whon a friend dios or leaves, tho island, tho relatives left get tho namo of tho departed ono tattooed on tlioir persons. Some young pooplo in thin way nro ro^uliir \\ alkin^ tomb stonc.s—ono girl in particular having all her broast and both arms covered ovor with tho nanios of detir ones gono boforo. Another significant symptom to bo obsorvod is tho comparatively largo numbor of ompty and deserted houses. * (Most of tho old nativo houses, I should remark, aro built of substan tial coral concrete, but tho newer onos aro timber-built, with vorandahs in European stylo. Tho old houses aro quite equal to tho cotters' houses in Scotland, and far suporior to many of tho dwellings of tho Irish peasantry.) Talking with an aged nativo who understood English fairly, I asked why a certain houso was ompty. "Oh," was tho reply, "that man dead." "Is ho long doad?" "Yes; long time." " Why docs nobody live in tho house : it is all falling down !" " Oh, by'm-by, man como live thero !" Tho wandering instinct remains stronger in the Liurotongana than in any other branch of tho raco, and scores of ablo men annually loavo a.s sailors on board tho trading schooners that visit the port. Several who had boon engaged on board the Janet Nicoll wore discharged at U aro tonga, and 1 visited one of them named "Jimmy " at his houso — a new two roomed verandah cottage with iron roof, as comfortably furnished as any Now Zoaland

eottler could desire. Tho Rarotongana in deed are prosperous mid happy, and so well do they appreciate tho benefits tlioy otijoy that that they have prohibited tho importa tion of cheap labour ho that they may bo ablo to koop up their trade rules, which fully realise tho ideal of

Wight hours' work, ldght hours'plav. Kißlit hours's-ItMM), AndeightanHlinKHaday. A further sign of doctidcnca is to lio found in the fact that tho youngor natives are not nearly co industrious as the aged mon and wotnon. Still, whon work has to bo dono, all tho natives " buckle to " with most commendable energy, and for eevornl days will oxort themselves to good purpose, for instances, whon a vessel lias to bo loadod, tlioy will gather fruit, pack it, anil put it on board an speedily as any European labourers possibly could. Thoy

the water as tolfo ahnosThniphibious. Tho following facts will show in what high osti mation industry is held among them : —

Among tho mon employed loading tho.lnhot Nicoll, one was pointed out who was as conspicuous for his truculent aspect n» for his energy and smartness .it his work. This man, we wcro told, had some timo ago killed his wife in a lit of drunken fury ; but in consideration of his being ablo to do tho work of two men his lifo was sp.ired, hie punishment being ;i proclamation that my one may go scatheless who kills him whon ho is intoxicated 1 Tho Throe Oueens. (iynocracy is tho rulo in Karotonga, the Island boing governed by three Queens — Makca, More I'aa, andTouuomiina,uacli hav ing jurisdiction overawoll-cletincd portionof tho territory. The reason assignod for the choice of " petticoat Government " is that tho womon havo more mental and physical vigour than tho men-another point of re semblanco to tho Now Zealand nativos. Tho reigning monarch has tho powor to nominate his or hoi' successor, and tho previous rulors. having seen that tho females woro possessed of moro ability than tho males, choso that tho regal mantlu should fall on feminino shoulders. During our visit wo saw tho two principal Quoons — Afakoa and More Paa—who each gavo us a right royal recaption. Queen Mukea was the first to bo visited. In rosponeo to her invitation, our company, about a do/.un strong, marched to tho royal abodo. As wo approached, three deafening salutes, as of big guns, woro fired in our honour; wo afterwards learned thoy were pro duced by chargos of dynamite. At tho residential wooden cottage, which adjoins tho stone-built palaco, wo woro received by

.John Mahurangi (tho Chiof Justice), Tapou, (a leading chioftain), and other dignitaries, and wore prosonted with a miscellaneous hoap of victuuls, which were sent on board the steamer. Adjourning to the recoption room of tho "palaco"—a two-story stone building with earthen lloor—Queen Makea was introduced. This lady is apparently about 40 yoars of age, is vory stout (as our own Queen Victoria is—God bloss her), and has an expression of quiot dignity and keen intelligence. Having been solectod to make tho presentation to the Quson of i splendidly illustrated workon New Zealand, I did so in ,\ short speech, which was in terpreted by Mr Honry Nicholas, tho lead ing planter on the Island, who is an Anglo- Maori from Now Zaaland, nnd stands very high in the royal favour. In concluding, I recited the following versos, which I had composed on LOVELY RAROTONGA. Of all t'; o Islands, east or west, Ono charming spot I lovo the best— A land of loveliness and rest Ib beautoous Kurotonga! Liko mermaid from hor uu^an cavo This inland riß;s o'er tho wavo, Where bluest waters gtmtly lavo Tho shores of Rarotonua! How robly grr.ncl tlin hill appear Ascloth'd with venluro a 1 tboyear Their bol i and striking peaks thoy rear In lovf ly Karotonga :•— How rich und fragrant urc tht) fclados— J-low fresh and cool tho forest shades— How brave I ho men—how fair llu maids Of happy Rarotonga! And she who rul^s this fairy sceno— Makca—loved and loving Quoon— Peaceful and just hor reign has boen Jn lovoly Rarotonga! May aho bo sparod lor many a day To reign iv Awarua Bay, Whilo Commerco thrivos bar oath her sway In fertile Karotonga! And Tenuomana—More Paa— Who in thoir districts mako tho law- May they protoct from blot or flsw This islo of Rarotonga ; May Industry onri useful Arts Soud wealth to many busy marts, Whilo Joy and Pence rule all tho.hoarta Iv lovely ltarotonga! May Maori and Papa unite In friendship firm and Honour bright, Whilo soft Religion sheds hor light On beauteous Rarotonga! Pafc may you dwell from War's alarm, Whilo strangers fiod an added charm In hospitable welcome warm To lovely Rarotonga!

For far Now Zealand, whence wo como We conn must loavo this Inland Home, But oft in f.incy we will roam The wooils of Rarotonga. Thou lovoly Island, fiirc-ihco-wcll, But henceforth, when suu'er wh dwell, Bright sun and sky a talo shall tell Of radiant llarotonga The Queon bowod her thanks, and thon oonducted us into tho banquetting hall, where was a long table literally groaning beneath the weight of roust piga, turkeys, fowls, &c, with potatoes, taro,yams, bread fruit, biscuits, pastry, &c. It was quite a European feast, with tho difference that the viands wore all cold—there wero plates, knives and forks, smart waiters, and a cup of tea or coffee handed round after the solids. Before leaving,the Queen presented each of us with a nativo mat. The mode of presentation was peculiar, reminding

mo of eodain school prize presentation ceremonies in tlio dayH of my youth. Tho Ouoeu and her suits remained in the dining hall while tho visitors wore in tho reception room. Suddenly a name was culled out aloud from the entry—say 'Moiies I"—it was repeated by a nutivo who oponod tho door, and tlio boarer of tho iiuino was led nut to receive his gift. In this way the whole compony wore gone through, tho only hitch boinK in the case of one gentle man whoso mime hud not been obtained ; but, tlio native ushers, not to bo bullied, called him by tho town which lie ropro eonted by bawling out lustily, "Onmaru!" Thus loaded with benefit?,wo left tho abodo of Quoon Mnkou.

Tho following day founi us en route for Ngatangihia, tho settlomont of Queen More L'ua. ''"his ludy had sont a written invitu tution to our wliolo company through Mr Henry Nicholas, and that gentleman pro vidod u.h with conveyances which quickly transported us over tho five or six miles which had to bo traversed. Tho royal welcomo and fount I nood not doHCribo ; tlioy were in tho main a repetition of tlioso of tho pro-1 vioua day, but a pleasing feature hore was tho turning out of a largo concourse of natives—tho entire sottlomont, I believo — who gathored on tho broad lovol lawn in front of the Qucon'shouso, a handsome vcran dah cottage of ono story. When dinner wan ovor wo stoppod on to tho verandah, when bands of natives came forward and presontod us with groat hoaps of fruits, vege tables, fowls, coffee, mate, &c. Then fol lowod a long "korero " on trailo matters, tho commercial delegates explaining tho objoct of their visit, and urging certain im provomonta on the native mode of preparing the products for tho market. Several spokesmen among tho natives argued tho points raised with considerable skill, and ono stalwart follow played tho part of "cornerman" by interjecting humorous

romarka as tho spoeches of tho delegatos woro translated. Again was "Lovely Karotonga" recited, and in response to tho vorso which praiso3 tho beauty of tho maidens tho irroprossiblo "corner man " bawled out that if any of tho visi tors wished a wife ho was froo to choose ono from tho assomblod crowd. This sally caused much merriment atnjng natives and visitors. Then came tho ceremony of handshaking—all tho crowd, especially tho women, pressing forward and in turn simians' tho hand of oach delegate More Paa is younger and handsomer than Makoa, but ahoalso has a decided queenly tondency o embonpoint. I hud tho good fortuno to be tho boarer to Moro l'ua of a prcsont from an Auckland gontleman who is related to her by marriago, as well as of loktors from him and from l'aul Tuhaoro, of Orakoi. l'aul visited Karotonga a good few years ago, and still koops up a regular corres pondence with soino of tho rulers of that lovely Wand—tho Maori and Rarotongan languages boing so closely allied that thoy can bo mutually undorsttod. Aftor giving thrco rousing British choors wo bado adieu to More I'au and her happy and iutoroating people, and drove back to Awarua. Dinners by Europe/n Rosldents. At the risk of making this letter a 0. A.S. tronomicl ono describing nothing but eating and drinking, I must say something of tho two dinners givon in our honour by tho European residents of Karotonga. First came a sumptuous repast at tho residonco of Mr Exham, British Consul. The host presided, whilo Mr Brown occupied tho vice-chair, and alter tbo tables woro cleared, champigno and sherry Howed as freely as at an Auckland municipal feast, and song, toast, and sontinent made tho hours pu>s lightly. The native chief Tapou, who was among tho guo.-ts, proposed tho toast of " Queon Victoria," which was followed by the toast of " Queon Makoa " —both boint.' most enthusiastically received. Tapou made several speeches in his nativo tongue, which he uses with tho oaso and grace of a born orator. Two of tho stortos which lu told in illustrating his romarka are worth quoting for the light thoy throw on nntivi customs and modes of thought. Long ago, ho said, a «hip visited Atiu, and tho people, nftor thoy had seen it, debated amoi)|> thomsolves whoHior thoy should kill all tho crow and seize tho vessel. But a wise old chief said, "What good would it bring us to do so? Tho stranger has brought this vumdorful ship—this mass of sailiiij. land—tho like of which wo never saw before : and it would bo madness to destroy those who can make such wonders.'1 Tho other story, told to illustrate his unlitncsH to _;.-- ... ..Unuah outurtjiinmnnt. i," votiiru for this toast, was as lollows: — l'nere wn> once a man who was invited to a feast, to which ho went and enjoyed himself, and tilled himself with tlio good things so freely provided. Hut whon it came his turn to give a feast ho found that ho had nothing to oiler. In his despair ho wont to his wife and said, " 1 must givo a feast in roturn for that 1 enjoyed ; and as I have nothing but you, 1 shall have to kill you and cool; you for tlioguosts." So ho mado her preparo tho oven, and when all was ready he killed her and cooked her, and sot tho delicious feast before tho company," Tapou said he had no wife ; but it' he had ho would require to kill her, like tho man in tho story, in ordor to requite tho kindness of MrExham. Tho other dinner, which was tendered us by old IScw Zealand colonists resident in Kaiotonga, took place at tho residence of Mr Henry Nicholas, and was on a scalo of magnilieonce qnitoequal tc tho other. The host, with unduo modesty, "took a back "Cat," and tho chair was tilled by Horr Ziorig,—the head of tho Gorman linn at Rarotonga, whilo Mr I'oarco occupied tho vice chair. Among our entertainers woro livo gontlotren who were natives of Now Zealand, and two ladios, sistors of Mr Nicholas, woro also present, worthy ropro sentativos of Maoriland. A foaturo of this gathering was tho introduction of a crowd of nativos lato in tho ovoning, who pang a varioty of hymns ai.d othor songs of a loss spiritual character with much swootness and accuracy. At both thoso dinners with tho European residents thoro was a regular Polyglot Entertainment. English, Scotch, French, Gorman, and Karotongan songs woro sung, and not always by tlioso from whom they might have boon oxpected. Tho English songs were chiefly givon by a German and a brawny son of Caledonia ; another forrid Scot gavo "My Lovo is Liko a Rod, RodKoBo" in Gorman ; Mr Nicholas, Maori half-casto though ho is, sang " Ye Banks and Braea " in vory corroct Scottish speech ; and an Englishman sang "La Marseillaieo" and a rollicking French student song, whilo a Gorman and a Scot joined lustily in tho chorus !

Tho Rarotongans, I have said, are noted for their industry, and this is apparent to

anyono visiting tho various Islands of the

Pacific, Judging by appearances, I should say that tho two thousand nativos on Raro tonga do as much work as tho 35,000 of Samoa, or the wholo of tho Tongans and

TahitiaiiHCombinod. Nor are thoir labours confined to the primitive prooosses of fitful cultivation and languid in-gather ing of tho fruits which grow in luxuriance Rarotonga workmon woro to bo scon at work erecting houses, building boats, and mak ing drays and buggies, and they also do a lot of hard work in loading ships with fruit—all tho casos of orangos, etc., being lifted from hand to hand, passed on board and packed in tho holds of tho vossols by nativos. Then in point of cultivation, Rarotonga is a vast improvement on othor placos, especially as rogards extent of operations. Tho Wholo Island Is a Garden, and tho visitor may walk for miles through orango and banana groves, with occasional collbo and cotton plantations; swamp patches devoted to yam and taro culturo ; sunny slopes whoro tho luscious pino-applo is growing amid its short cactus-like leavos j whilo on tho highor lands the goldon papao, or mummy apple.hangs in clusters from tho graceful stem of tho tree. King of tho forest ho/O, as clsowhore, is tho cocoa-nut

tree,which lifts its foathory vegotation high over all, and gives an added glory to tho seeno. Despito tho largo export trade, it is evident that prodigal Naturo is committing hero tho mistako which mon are falling into all over tho world—that of over-production ; for thousands of orangos and limos, and largo quantities of cofl'oo lio on tho ground rotting away, whilo the cotton plantations show signs of neglect. To tho stranger thoro is a delicious eonso of fulness and freo dom in walking through this mighty orchard, plucking an orango or banana, as his taste may direct, knowing that thoro is more than enough of everything to supply the wants of tho peoplo. A curious dark brown coloured orango is to bo soon horo, which is sure to attract attontion. On tasting it,we find it to be fully swooter than tho ordinary fruit.and superior in quantity of juico. I beliove there is a prejudice against these orangos in the Auckland market because of their colour, it being assumed that thoy must bo diseased or defective. That is an entire fallacy ; tho change is probably duo to climatic influ ence, but thn peculiar thing is that the "Maori orange, " as I may call it, is seen growing on the same branch with the bright yellow fruit. At tho ginning mill of Messrs Donald and Edonborcugh we found native boys attending to tlio machinery, and there we witnessed the curious spectacle of cotton seed (worth £7 a ton for its oil) being used as fuel for the steam boiler,

Religious, Educational, &o. Being favoured with a letter of intro uction to Rev, Mr Hutchin, tho Lon ion Society's missionary at Rarotonga, visitod the mission house, only to find lim absent on a visit to othor islands

of the group. Mrs Hutchin, however, veceivod me cordially, showed me ovor tho J school-room and college, and explained I to me tho various mission operations, In all of which she not only tabes a deep interest, but, renders valuablo assistance. Tho mission grounds occupy a lovely sito behind Makea's palaco, and at the foot of an abrupt hill clothed with tropical vege tation. In tho college thoro are at present 26 students with their wives and 20 chil dren. Tho branches taught comprise roading, writing, Bible, dictation, spoiling, arithmetic. Tho womon also learn to sow and cut out, whilo tho men are educated in goography, grammar, theology, church his tory, homiletics, and essay writing. Tho missionary's usual routino is :—Teach ing on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and f ridayß, loronoon and afternoon ; religious sorvicoon Wodnosday ovonings and Friday mornings; andpreaohingonSundaysatAwa •ua or another of the five villagos on the Is and. In addition he has to act as medicalad viser and disponser of drugs t» tho native population. Tbo nativos of this group woro Christianised in 1823, tho colebrated .lohn Williams being tho first English mis sionary. I hnvo alluded in a former letter to tho activity of the converted Samoans in carrying the Gospol to other Islands; it is interesting to be able to add that it was Christian Karotonga natives who first taught the Gospel tidings in Samoa. Two Karotonga toachcrs wcroalso the first to go to Now Guinea, and thoy earned Christianity thoro bofore European mis sionaries set foot on that Island. Ibo peoplo are now all nominally Chriatians.tho great majority boing in full church enm , munion. Having a fow hours to spare, 1 in dulged in a solitary podostnan ramblo. After penetrating some three miles along a nativo road, I entered a plantation on tho slopo of the hills, climbed tho ascent as far as I could, carved my name on a big tree with truo British egotism, and then de 3 condod by another route in tho direction of a houso which I had seen from tho elevated standpoint. I rather surprised a nativo woman and a group of children by bursting upon thorn from the rear of the premises ; they retreated, and immediately a white man came out of tho houso holding out his hand and wishing mo "good morning I" This gentlo man, I found, was Captain Goorgo Kelly, an old Yankoo whaler, who, after settling a whilo in North Now Zoaland, had gone to Rarotonga, takon unto himself a nativo wifo, and (ottlod down to tho life of a planter. Ho of course quieted tho fears of his family, and assured thorn that the stranger (''papalangi") meant no harm. Ho joked me, howovor, about " dropping from tho ikies" upon them—such boing _ the moaning ef tlio term papulangi, sometimes contracted to papa, which tho nativos em ploy to describe white men. It was with genuino rogrot that wo bado good-bye to tho warm-bourtod Bottlers and gonial natives of Rarotonga, whoso com bined hospitality will long remain a pleasant memory with tho Janot Nicoll's passengers. Boforo leaving, eovoral hundreds of tho natives visitod us on board tho Btoamer, their behaviour being all that could bo desired. Many of tho young girls and boys arc very handsome, and some of thorn hava ii decidedly European cut cf countenance- Roman nosos and thin lips boing frequently mot with among thorn. Noarly all tho sottlors on tho Island have nativo wives, and thoro is a largo class of half-castes springing up, who are oasily distinguished by their lighter complexion, suporior dress, and English speech. This loMor closes tho sorios of South Soa ekotchos, an.l my toadors who have followed me in my ramblosmuet now bid good byo to thoso funny isles of tho Pacific -with the expectation, lot mo hopo, of visiting them in person some day and Booing for thcmsolyos tho attractions of civilised Tonga, primitive Samon, enchanting Tahiti, and " lovely Rarotonga."

A HORRIBLE DEATH

A WOMAN COOKED IN A BOILING

CAULDRON.

IjATK on Saturday nitflit Mrs Soddon, of the Comet store here, rushed out of her bedroom in her nightdress. An energetic search was made for her tiy Mr Seddon. Alurmr.il at not Itiidini,' her, he called in tins assistance of the police, who, aided by several residents, kept up an active search during the whole night without success. Kariy yesterday morning some natives lent a hand, anil one of them reported ueeiiiK a quantity of fully matter limiting on the surface of v hot Bpriiiß near Mrs Morrison's butli-lumso. Cunstnlilu Abranis pi-ouurinir a lonpr pole with a hook, succeeded. nfW several futile attempts, in hooking something whielvmboiiiK hauled to the surface, left no dodbt as to what it whs. The body presented a horrible si^bt lieint? partly cooked. Both bands were clenched and full of cuticle torn from her breast in the aK'oiiy of ileaih, Uukc pieces of llesh limit; from her limbs. The whole body had lost a third oC its original size. The unfortunate woman lias shown symptoms of being a UlUo queer lately. One <>f her sisters is an inmate of a lunalic asylum. The inquest takes place this after noon.

At the inquest the verdict was—" That do ceased committed suicide while ill an unsound state of mind."

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

Tiik Buffalo Minstrels, who woro perform ing at the Opeia Houso when tho last mail left, completed a prosperous soason in tho middle of last week, and aro now at Wel lington. Their places hero have been taken by Lingard's Dioramas of Scotland and the Soudan, which, with tho aid of competont vocalists anddancors.muko up a vory onjoy able entertainment. During tho lattor part of tho month tvo havo boon quito surfeited with circus attractions, no loss than three separate combinations contriving to make a dofcent upon us at tho same timo. First camo Fryor's Circus Company by tho last mail sto'itnor from San Francisco. Unfor tunately for them,a prohibition touching tho importation ot stock from Araoricu was stupidly enforced against tho landing of their stud of trick ponies, dogs, and goats, so that thoy had to bo put and kept on baard a coal hulk in tho harbour. Tho propriotor was almost ruined. At longth, howovor, his ttock was sent on to Australia, and tho mombors of his company aro now playing a short season at tho Thoacro Koyal in conjunction with tho clovor Faust Family, who formerly bolongod to Chinrini's Circus. About tho eamo time Sharman and Stoodloy'a International Circus arrived, and pitched their tent on tho Market Roeorvo, whore thoy aro still performing. On Wednesday last, tho s.B. Te Anati put in an appearance with St. Leon's Royal I'alaco Circus and Monagorio on board, and they oponod on tho Reclamation Ground tho following night to a crowded house. We havo also in our midst tho ingenious model of tho Strasburg Clock, whilo Mr Lachlan Mc- Gowan has just returned from Sydney aftor arranging for tho advent of Wilson and Majeroni's Comic Opera Company on tho 22nd instant. Mr Boucicault and Mr Goorgo Durroll will in turn succoed them, and early next year Signor and Signora Majoroni aro expected. Mean, whilo, "Trial by Jury" is in activo re hearsal, and will shortly bo produced on a very completo scalo for tho benefit of Madame Rita, who, with her accomplished husband (Mr J. R. Radcliff), still sojourns in our midst. Both lady and gontloman have rendered thomsolves highly popular. Mr Georgo Clutpam is also arranging for a pianoforte recital at Hoffman's Music Ware house. Tho Ponsonby Choral Society gave a concert this weok, and last wook "Tho Sorceror " was produced for a couplo of nights. Euterpe.

EDUCATIONAL

The report of tho scholarship oxaminors as submitted to tho Board of Governors on September 30, showed that B. N. Tebbs and E. A. Robertson are tho winners of the promier foundation scholarships. Tho examiners specially commend A. 0. Anderson and W. C. Davis. Tho Board rosolved that tho junior scholar ships, in accordance with the examiners' report, be awarded to Tobbs and Roberteon. Tho oxaminors reported that D. H. Jackson had obtained tbo highest number of marks in the examination for the senior scholarships ; and they specially commended R. C. McLaurin and A. Wif-hy. Tho Board awarded the senior scholarship to Jackson, in accordance with examiners' report. The scholarship curries £40 a year. Another victim to the Bystem of " cram " which obtains in our public schools I The Chairman of the Education Board, at a

meeting of that body ro-ently, reported the death of District Scholar Miss A. M. Browning, oged lai year«. It seems that the young lady was a pupil of the Girls' High School (having won a scholar ship lust year) and that immediately after passiig her annual examination this year blio was attacked by brain fever and carried off. How many more unfortunates are to suffer before tho stringency of the examina tions is relaxed ?

NEWS OF THE MONTH.

SUMMARY FOR HOME READERS.

AUCKLAND. N.Z..

OctobkhlCth, ISBS,

Parliament is prorogued, and tlio Stout Vpgel Ministry still iet:iin otlice, and posaopf, nominally at leapt, the confidence of the country. Tho closing days of thfi session were not marked by any violent party struggles, nor indeed by any inci dents of an excitine character. The moat notablo foaturo of tho proceedings of the House of Representatives wa9 the sudden dovolopmont of economical tendencies on tho .part of tho Cantorbury and Westland memborß. Those gontlomon had been for months straining overy nerve to got the colony committed to an expenditure of several millions of pounds in tho formation of tho East and v\ oat Coast Railway, and had been supported by tho Governmont.who asked tho Houao to sanction a preliminary vote of £100,000, The House rejected the Government proposals, but passed a nominal vote for the railway, thinking to appease the clamour of "tho Railway Party " by that formal recognition of its claims. This proved an erroneous hope. The railway members were furious, and at first spoko of overthrow ing the Government, but thought better of it, and resolved to retaliate on the whole House and colony by " widening the circle of mourners," as they tormed it. They adoptod the "dog in-themanger" policy of opposing public works in ovory other part of tho country, and under tiie pretext of ocomony, passed a rosolution to reduce the Estimates by half-a-million sterling. The most regrettable roduction was probably that of £50.000 from tho vote for harbour defencos. The following are the reductions made: —Roads north of Auckland, .£15,000 ; Miscellaneous Roads and Bridge.?, £10,000 ; Giants in aid, £25,000 ; Roads on Goldfields, £5,000; Waterworks on the goldfielde, £15,000 ; Public Buildings Judicial, £.4000 : Now Custom-house, Auckland, on? third cost (£4,000); Lithographic machinery and printing offices, £4,000 ; Lighthouses, £2,000; Harbour defences, £50,000; Rail ways, £378,500 : Total, £512,500.

Tho prorogation of Parliamonttook place on 22nd September, and on the evening of tho 21st, Major Atkinson, as leader of tho Opposition, took occasion to review the session. He euid tho Government had sub mitted to rebuffs and defeats such as ho had never coon equalled while he had had the honourof sittingin Parliatnont. He thought tho other members of the Cabinet had treated the Minister of Justico (Mr Tole) badly by not allowing him to speak moro, and by withholding their support from his bill*. " Tho Minister of Mines (Mr Larnaeh) had been equally badly served. With re gard to tbo Minister of Public Wotks, thcro had never at any time been so many complaints about the mismanagement of railways. Then tho Native Minister, who thoroughly believed in himself, was yet led about like a tame lamb, and allowed his bills to meet the fate of all the policy bills of the Government. Ho thought some credit was duo to Mr Ballaneo for his Land Bill. Ho twitted the Treasurer with utter fuilurs to realiso his great promises, and with failing to grasp the condition of the country. Ho bad heaped taxation on tho country, and was not tho man to relieve the depres sion. Tho Local Government proposal?, which consisted merely of borrow ing, were utterly vicious, but had broken down with tho rost. The Go vcrnmont had shown their insincerity by rofusing to mako tho East and Wo^t Coast "Railway a Ministerial measure. Coming to tbo Premier, ho maintained that Mr etout had accomplished nothing. By the course he had taken in going into a coalition government, he had done himself an injury from which ho would not recover for many years. There was no political sympathy between the Premier and Trea surer. Ie was roported that tho Premier in tended resigning during tho recess. He hoped tho report was true, and that the Treasurer would go with him. If they sur vived till noxt session, ho ventured to pre diet that thoy would meot the just reward of their misdeeds. In reply to this arraignment, both Sir Julius Vogel and Mr Stout gave able speeches. Tho former twittod Major Atkinson on his con doinnation of a coalition Government by showing that tho member for Egmout had been willing to go into coalition with any possiblo combiuaticn, but had failed. Mr Stout replied moro in detail, defending tho actions of tho Government, and extolling theiriogislation, Amongbeneli !Witmeasures ho instanced the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Bill—a measure which Major Atkinson had trio 1 in vain for six years to pas?.

The session just, closed, though by no means conspicuous for "heroic " legislation, has certainly not been barren of useful results. Tho measures passed embrace many of great practical utility, though an unduo proportion are "amending acts." Tho following record of business done will give an idea of the legislative labours: Select committees, 15 Public bills—Re ceived Royal assent, S.; re orved for Her Mojesty, 1 ; dropped, 72. Private bills —passed, 1. Petitions presented—From Europeans, 331 ; from Maoris, 101. Divi sions, 2SS; days of meeting, C 9; hours of sitting, 305 ; daily average, shrs. 43mini>, ; quastions asked of Ministers, 431 ; orders tor papars, 73 ; papers laid up n the table, 251 ; reports from Select Committees, 419.

Among the lmt acts of the Parliament was tho approval of a motion empowering tho Oovornmont to negotiate a now con tract for tho carriago of mails via San Francisco between this colony and England. Thero was no little opposition manifested to tho renewal of this excellent mail service, the retrenchment fit boing strong upon hon. members ; but its indubitable morite as the fnetoct and most punctual means of communication saved it, though only by the narrow majority of "29 against 25 votes. Since the prorogation tho Government have been engaged in negotiations on the sub ject with the Governments of Now South Wales and tho United Statos and with tho representatives of the different companies desirous of sccurinir the contract. The upshot of those negotiations isthat tho Union Steam Shipping Company of Now Zoaland, and the Oceanic Company of San Francisco, havo decided to under tako the service. The Union Company will bo tho principals in tho contract, and carry tho mailii from Sydney to Auckland, and thence to Honolulu, where Iht-y will bo transhipped into I lie lino steamers.under the flag of tho Oceanic Company. The advantage to passengors i.itder tho new con tract is that, should Umy wish to stay for a few days in Honolulu, they couM do so and go on by the next steamer of tho Oceanic Company, which has a fortnightly sorvice between Honolulu and San Francisco. Tlui contract commences from S»n Francisco in November, and Sydney in December. It is expectod that the Union Company's now stoamor tho Ma/iroa, which left tho Ciyde for Now Zealand tho other day, will be placed on tho Pacific Mail Scrvico. A satisfactory feature of tho now contract is that tho Government of the United States contributo a sum of £4.000 per annum towards the subsidy, while Now South Wales givo3 £10,000.

Ministers evidently do not well know what to do in regard to the urgent and re peated petitions they have received from the King and Parliamout of Samoa praying them to extend their authority to the Navi gator Islands and put an end to the condi tion of inoipiontanarchy which prevails thoro. By privato adviceß received from Famoa, we learn of a crisis which has arisen at Apia, which seems to create New Zealand's opportunity. Mr Kelsall, the Muntcipil Magistrate, appointed to administer law in the noutral territory of Apia, has died sud denly, and the Municipal Board, consisting of tho English, German, and Ainericnn Con suls and their nominees, nro at hopeless loggerheads over the appointment of his successor. The Germans ore said to be insisting that the new Magistmto shall bo of their nationality, while the English and American members are equally determined that Mr Kelsall's Buccessor shall be an Anglo Saxon In this state of deadlock, our Minister?, if inclined for heroic action, could oasily step in and eolvo tho problem by appointing a New Zoaland Be?ident to manage tho affairs of Apia for King Maliotoa. The Con vention under which the present Municipal Government exists comes to a close whenovi r the Samoan Government is able by other means to guarantee the security of life

awl property, am! ;. What ß Uhhd£"«l^ r6 B pon d i ngtotl nd«New^S MaJietoa and helping '? viC h In hh kingdom? g mtot»aS^ On September 2) sl i *$ Government would V,, n-o!llti''R*U poi»t a Commtatand^B & dents at Samoa and To** Wi * Mißu*,■, whored J?^ and watched over S^W pearedtohimthatthe^lll^? Zealand could do tmSP o**}* fear of any comnlient- H W 1- Of one thing ho P^.4os> wa ß thati t V 8 of Bth q e l>'o to the colony'to sw^ti^ bonds of union with ft tl«> but also all tho il j^'Cll England could notift'o^ and as a young nation ft >< duty to see that our t ?2*^ were extended, and Dn.lt f, 8l" %/ Tho Premi w /in n?e»^ member for bringingV "keii *? S hape before the it was juit pwbabb fIS% «< yernment would have toV* B5 the matter, by reasnLt °* »»*! with the o^C&S Islands, but the question gSrd attention O f theorist At the base of v '"Hi* there has been he ld *& & month an i mpott^ t *ftO mg. Over 1,200 nTtil h representing all the S, 6tt h •"tenor of the Uland T 6^^ meeting was to cement ft. V« aabve race by the «£>* common platform iSSftfl QueenandKingnatives'yMl following resolutions w^i1* recognition of the Kine .W:-lli! natives (2) The onll f *|N, and maintenance of fr 6nd "'^* Europeans. (3) %, ,l^al ! Native Lands Court. («SNi apocial representation fa >S Assembly. (5) The wiftdl,^ from sale, lease, and iZ *Ui K arrival o f Mr Oo« CjSh The support of the tern™™ ™ 1 (7)Thoughn Q obstruS;;> to tho construction of taZ k* should not be given to (S, '''^ taker, for railways itaftjgfi small section of natives \{Jrki Tongamutu was the SMUT*, 1* with all the above J&& so small a minority, the oEr no weight. The nativVSfc? up he hotel at TokanoTm, « total abstinence pledm m.*1! chiefs present were Te Hen h"? Turoa, Hori Eopeha, MiS iP1' Kere. The latter ™J£N ing tho King. ""P I*"*^ Another large native mcefci, held m the neighbourhood 011 l'1 about a month,at whichtheKS 11 expects to be preaent. %Zp connection with the land «2 King natives and othefa wltlj immediate, stop to the mm,J landa through the Court, aodtheC also averse to the pron™ .f?1 Other_ tribes (and the Mii(l( majority of the native pominff pressed their desire in q a | te '** direction, and are advocattDe fc site course. The Minister mm J next meeting at Taupo will U favourable to tho wMes ofHeC (^ Whilst all tho native! «p» deepest loyalty to the fa the Oovomment, there ii i. that include ia their creed loj*. Kinp, and who say they want to i», the new Government hij |» »;„! ject, the new Government beiigftt M.P., and the Solicitor-Geoirj] iife' sent English Cabinet.

Kumoura have been Mrmfemlj JJI ted in Wellington to the ifa P | ternal dissensions in iheSlid-toiliß will lead to a disruption and ttJH tion during tho recess, It, | have a considerable amount of ntdi about them. It is well bom d| Stout's position is a maet mgsifei besides being unprofitable toMu it, the neglect of his private bminc entails; and it is quit© on the carj;;; Premier may retire from a Ck Ministry which his best /tfeiis, he should never, lara entered, l] : otherh&ndJtisalkgedthtSirfoliolmm is desirous of retiring\U good mill■■.', : post under Government cotld kSt for him, cay the Agent-GenetslikijtH Chairmanship of the Ooveroment IcsJffi Association. Time must to ilkH decide which of 'hese ttatmcii^ilsflj is true. '

t Hon. MrßaUnnce.wkhasprorsii , active and painstaking Minister,bi! I consideration the question ol deify 5 faotorily with the teal-fishitE iiiiij full importance of it hich ka , thoroughly recognise. 11s peiisi I the present system is itijnrtati , dustry, inasmuch as thoseiioup . care nothing for tho coiwemtWl j cry so long as they can take tttb , outof itforpresentneedf.Tbjcw; j is that tbe close season is notobwi , and female seals ore killed till ij , and the industry ie beiog i: M i can vessels also come d i i , giounds, and steal all they en t lance proposes to pnttbe'^ttnitfl I in America in force here, aod , hopes to dispose of* ho Muling {Mf;>. I , private company on a tog Mil • 21 years, the operations1 ol rflfj [ pany to be guidedL by; KgoiitoHM ba issued by tbe GovhdiwlhJ plan would probably bin is 8a . of much improving the [ndiist7,sJ|| j on a sound financial basis,'andlllnHj , tors would havo fiich iotnetiri«H| ness speculation thttitvMMhiiHj j and it is hoped would thrive, iluflj , sealing ground would be oispalP ! public tender. ■ An important coDcessioßtaWWß ' by the Auckland HarboutßMitl»»J| . tion of the arbitrary remlifai* ', compulsory upon all ™p,l *! 1 harbour to employ the Bourn f safety and simplicity of mi W 1 trance required no such ™»t0*1: in the interests of shipping, »J simply constituteiataiipii* Tho Collector of GutaM to* , a lottor to the Aockland H* • assuring them of tho P**" 9, Government on leftrnita Bn.ej pilotage had been *b«wd|l.? which course the Min«ter»l« moiit considers will doubtlw s-1 prosperity of the port : Our Governmeutßre tonne*?' tho colony fairly ««« «gg forthcoming IndiannndCcW^ in London. A Central Coin*' appointed in Wellington,a»JW™ lets in all tho centres of Pf "JJH after the procuring w^JB proper exhibits, totaketho«ood3toandfwft™ loss.an.iiof.upervwthedl^j™ hibits that may be ofiered l«. J| and indus-rial oondm™<f»™ cultural produste, ««• ._U. JH thero will be on ln^'tp made up of {!*■«&■ harbour works, docks, M»» M at the difterent ports««!TdW land's new large graving w^, , fast approaching COl°P' et',L,ifll brought uAderthenoticsol" 18 | all over the world. ..ju.^M MrG A. SalabMß#; : plans, so as to f*«sfi* "Britain of the Soott, » Ott favourably >«IP rf M" ta , r rftleifli for Melbourne, after» V" of tW&

CUSTOMS REVENUE UNKNOWN.

The total Customs reveno»*£jp £125,020 7, SJ- Tho'oll^lg amounts collected ottbeF -Auckland, &&\ "J. (■ lirjrton, £23,500 ISj, 9 afl' *j,.M| : and Chrtotchnwk. |*s|-M boin^ a surplus of $».'" w #H1 estimate Tho %ff*M reached a total of 10-ingsmountswew^ jgW pnl towns: — f "^t, lj ■ <KWB \Vellingron, £** I * iVM f(i!)s. 2. 6iDDnrf'».*ci"' total for m beingadeficitonthee^. H

kSl^£2^l

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, *885,



ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE. LESSEE AND MANAGER ... <-lEO. LINUAUD. PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT LJ R % imklMm 4 immmp # CD ' ' ' lJ at n B LONDON POPULAR PRICES, g H __ _ I [> " SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL <| j> C 0 DRESS CIRCLE, STALLS, PIT, Q H 2s. Is. Ji> 3 THE COMING BOOM. § hi — S> FOR ONE WEEK ONLY. tiff m COMMENCING MONDAY, OCTOBER 12. qt| The Management beg to announce that SPECIAL - C\l ARRANGEMENTS have been made with Mr. R, W- 0 FRYER, for the re-appearance of those talented fj j2 artistes, r] Hi Messrs. DURAND, SAMWELLS, 3 KARL, Miss DURAND, and }> H LEN SHILLITO, fej U Who have lately arrived from America,1 in an hj ffl ENTIRE CHANGE OF PROGRAMME, 2 n INTRODUCING AN fj fi OLIO of FROTH &WONDERFUL NOVELTIES jj p AND AN [i) |j EXTRAVAGANZA I v S PANTOMIME. I g bj IN CONJUNCTION WITH LINGARD'S NOVEL, STUPEN- L~ £j DOUS AND COSTLY |> £j AND THE Tj j Grand Sjwttlelt €@n€©ff €©• 5 [H 50,000 FEET OF MOVING CANVASS, illus- lj <j trating Scenes Strange, Wonderful and Sublime. LJ M /J Glorious Tiiumph of Genius & Enterprise v M " AT LONDON POPULAR PRICES. lj A , . gl H 2s. Is. 6d. B DRESS CIRCLE. STALLS. PIT. PIT. (fi 0 I -J 1 ffl r\ THE WHOLE FORMING ONE GRAND COMBINATION OF g1 1 LADY AND GENTLEMEN 1\ £ l~j XJL ARTISTES -1-Jl lj "^ IN SPARKS OF WIT AND FLASHES OF HUMOUR. C^ Q, EVERYTHING ENTIRELY NEW AND REFINED. Q In which tlio following talented artistes will appear :— LJ |- MADAME HAYWARD, MADAME LINGARD, L L~l Tlio Beautiful Soprano Vocalist, Musical Diroctoresa and Vocalist. IT] fH MISS DURAND, MISS MAGGIE McLEOD, fV| Tho Eraminont Cornetist and late of Queen of Scottish Song. k-j H the OdM^-ta. Tyrolean fflgg -g 4 MISS LILY HENDERSON, Th° Wo"dwful C°ntralt°- * ■ H The Tretty Scotch Danseuse. MR FRED HAYWARD, «! MR DAVID McANDREW, Th° M Ten- [jQ W Descriptive Lecturor, Jacobite Vocal- MR A. LESLIE, Ljj ist and Funny Scotcli Humorist. Instrumentalist. ■-' . MR W. F. BARLOW, MR GEO. LINGARD, r Tho Scotch Danco Comedian &c. In Musical Specialties. H N p § MR. LEN SHILLITO, 0 AMERICA'S GREATEST MUSICAL CLOWN. p Uj This Artist jilays on Beef Cans, Bottles, Musical Bells, Pieces of Stone?, 77) i Solo on tho Violin Without a Bow, find dancing at tho same time, Tin ~* Whistle, Jumbo Violin, English Concertina, Imitation of Scotch Bag Pipes, \j i l Mountain Sheep Herder, Sclialamie Occorina, Guitar and many other Instru f>. ments too immerous to mention. Everything this Gentleman does is Original. Something Wrong H <jj Scotch. U _^ Also tho World-renowned and only "IJ \ 3 MAEYELS s PEEU 3 $ LJ MR. L. DURAND. MR. LEON SAMWELLS. MR. W. KARL. Q) 1 1 Late of Adam Foro- Lato of tho celebrated Late of P T Bar- H frj paugh'a Circus. Len ton Troupe. num's Circus. U ** The Greatest Living Acrobatic Performers, Tumblers, and Pantomimiflts ever seen in the Arena of Amusement, and acknowledged by the Press and Public the Pre-eminent of Premiers in their wonderful evolutions. Conclud ing each evening with a laughable EXTRAVAGANZA BALLET PANTOMIME AT TIIE LONDON POPULAR PRICES. DRESS CIRCLE, STALLS, PIT, 2s- Is. Cd. Doors open at 7.15, commence at 8. Box office at Lennox's, Stationer,