RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamiel.l

jjnme write, a neighbours name to lash, Borao writo—vain thought I—for needful oaah, Some writo to ploaae the country clash, And raise a din, for dm, an aim I never fash— I write for fun.

A WAIL has gone through tho country be cause tho Vogclian Budget crushing has panned out taxes instead of guineas; what did pooplo expect ? There is no humbug, political or otherwise, who ii not a humbug becauso tho many-headed insist upon making him so. Sir Julius Vogol is rather an ill-ueed individual. He found the poople like a crowd of country bumpkins round a wizard at a fair—clamouring to have thoir pennies turned into sovereigns, and ho has done his best to confirm them in the boliof that ho had power to do the trick ; but the bumpkin might as justly growl at getting back his penny instead of a sovereign, and donounco an excellent ontertainment be cause thoy woro fools enough to be self deluded.

The popular mind is never perfectly happy without a hr nbug. One day it is somoono who promises to make everybody rich by giving thorn political privileges or Homo wonderful law : at another, it is a great financier, who comes along crying that tho last hero is a fraud, and ho will show them how to turn pewtor into gold, give tbcra Ml plenty of work at good wages, and fine houseß tn live in. They hail him with louder hosanna9 than the last, and if he makes the money fly as fast as ho can get hold of it, hia popularity may last a longer time than that of his prede cessor. But the day of rockoning comes, or the peoplo become tired of their idol and want a neiv ono, or hia poor tricks get ox posed, and then they brand him as an im postor, and kettle drum him out of tho public service. And all because ho cannot by his jugglery reverse the laws of trade, raise tho prices of wheat, and wool, and meat, and work miracles generally. When tho Colonial Treasurer promised those "assured revenues," where was it supposed they wore coming from—the heavens or the aoa, or tho bottomless pit? Governments have just ono way of getting money, i.c, extracting it out of tho taxpayer, and tho less tho people allow thomselves to be squeezed by the Central Government, even in order that tho money may be handed back, the wealthier they will find them selves. Some of it always sticks in transit. If taxes must bo paid, aa no doubt thoy must, let those who pay the money keep tho spending of it in thoir own hands if they can,

Sir Julius Vogel, however, has shifted his ground more recklessly that) is tho wont of the political trickster. He seems now to lay down this doctrine :—Thesis No. 1: Man is an animal made to bo taxed. Thesis 2 —Man is an animal made to be tixed by moana of Customs dutio3. The Treasurer has nailed them both, in defiance, on tho doors of Parliament House, Welling ton. He is prepared to prove that Customs duties aro a law of nature, which it is our highest calling and election to pay not only without criticism but with alacrity. It is a delightful doctrine for Colonial Treasurers —so easy, such a saving of trouble and anxious calculation. Any idiot can increase tho tariff and screw more out of tho con sumer. Out of the consumer? But no: tho great Sir Julius saith that one beauty of Customs duties is that the foreign pro ducer pays part of thorn. Happy arrange ment ; but if tho foreign producer can thus be made to pay our taxes, why on earth has the tariff not been increased before? why havo not tho nations of tho world who studied politi cal economy before New Zealand was known to exist, used this beautiful method of making their neighbours pay their taxes? It is too good to be true, and Sir Julius knows it as well as anyone. But ho must put some sugar round the nasty pill, and an old fallacy will serve his turn as well as a new one. The intelligent working man who finds that his hard-oarned wages won't go so far each week as they used to, that boots nnd clothes, and blankets, tea and other groceries, are dearer than they were—the thoughtful working man, I say, will not bo deceived. Ho will see that the sugar on tho pill is no sugar at all, and that he and the rest of tho consumers havo to pay all Customs duties, and more besides. For there is the importer's profit on tho duty to be paid as well. It is not to be supposed that the shopkeeper will pay ready money for duty and not get a return on the capital bo expended. As it used to be, so it must continue: the classes least able to pay tho tax aro burdened tho most. Floreat Julius! We made him our idol, and he falls down and crushes us.

But the human mind will evor revel in dreatn3 of an unknown and impossible good, which no reformer can ever realise for them. Mr Gladstone has been toppled over because, although enfranchising two millions of voters, he has not gone fast enough for Irish and Hadical notions. And these grateful people have set up a rule of the arißtocracy, acting probably upon the assumption that it will suit their game better to go to the elections with a Tory Ministry in ofliee, against which they are diabolically arrayed, than fall in with the ruck of moderate reformers holding the reins of power. From a Radical standpoint possibly it is a good move, and perhaps again it isn't. If the Marquis of Salisbury lets loose the war dogs before the election, and tana the Jingo and Ruesophobist passions, which are so easily set ablaze, he will send the Radicals and their schemes kite-high, and throw back the necessary work of home reform twenty years. Men, and women, and little children may starve, and battle in hopeless despair against the over-poworing force of circumstances—may suffer, and sicken, and die, with curses on their lips ; but what of that if the British lions is fed to satiety on blood, and idiots can shriek "Kule, Britannia!"

Those estimable gentlemen, the Pro fessors, have afforded us another delightful lesson in the art of finesse ovor tho proposod examination of the Grammar School. First we had Professors Tucker and Aldis declaring as Governors that they could not think of undertaking tho work without a substantial fee. Then Professor Ald:s, who bad conscientious scruples about accepting a fee from a Board of which he was a member, vowed ho had already too much work to tackle this , duty ; while Professor Tucker, who has tho largest of the University classes, probably finding that his remarks about big fees did not improve the recent impressions caused by hi 3 action in deserting the Col lege, discovered that he had time and could do the work withoutpay. But the Governors still found it necessary to pay Professor Brown £75, and send to Dunedin for Pro fessor Shand at a larger expense to do work which might have been performed by the Profossonial gentlemen in the city. Are Professor Shand's duties in Otago so much less than i those of our budding College?

Thiafamily arrangement having.however, been so happily concluded, would it not be ;a judicious thing to appoint Messrs Bourne arid Coi to inquire into the conduct of tho University College? It ia a puzzle to many people to know how the gentlemen on the staff of that institution employ their time, and what return the public receive for those comfortable salaries of £700 a-year. The story runs that tho Professors, in order to maintain tho dignity of their position and assist them through their arduous toil, have set up a mes-enger apiece at the public expense, of course—and that the superlative talents of the occupant of the Biological chair, with his man-in-waiting, are expended in teaching one student. A little in vo.-tigation into the internal economy of the College might not be amiss, and it would be just" tit for tat if Mr Bourne got the job of doing it.

A fresh and mysterious ghost etory has jußt been imported to Auckland from the backwoods of the Northern Wairoa, and is going the ruuudti of admiring circled of tho

Psychological confraternity. The hero and narrator is the aon of a Boniface whoso face and name are well-known on tho Wealeyan side of the city, and he declares that he is as innocent of Spiritualistic philosophy and fancies as a child in its swaddling clothes. According to his statement, he was stand ing outside his whp.ro on tho VVp.iroa about noon some weeks ago, when a atranger, who boro a remarkable likeness to a mate who was then at work in the neighbouring bush, made his appearance, and inquired the whereabouts of his brother. Boniface jun., knowing that his mate had a brother at Christchurch, at onco jumped to tho conclusion that this was he, and con sequently gave him tho necessary direc tions to the bush. In the evoning tho brother, who had been inquired for, re turned alone, and on boing told of tho arrival of his relative, expressed great astonishment, as ho had not seen him. He was waited and searched for, but did not turn up. Next day, however, a telegram came to hand convoying intelligence of the death at Christchurch of the brother who is reported to havo been soon, and, of course, tho hour of death coincided exactly with that at which the occurrence mentioned above took place in tho Wairoa. I offer no comment; the field of speculation ia open. As the showman saya, ' You pays your money and you takes your chico,'"

For wretched caddishness, commend me to the conduct of some members of a ro contly-formed Volunteer company, who aro making things sultry for thoir drill instructor because, forsooth, he presumes to address them as "men "when putting them through their exdrcises. Thoy insist that he shall say "Now, gontlomon," instead of the—to them —objectionablo " Now, men." The poor follow has been accustomed hitherto to instruct only men, and this association with a parcel of snobs ia not by any moana congenial to his tastes. Per sonally, I have never considered it lowering to tho dignity of anyono to be callod a "man." In these dayft tho title of "gentloman " is applied to anything, from a politician to a sneak-thief, and in itsolf is not much of a recommendation.

There is nothing congenial between a dance and a prayer-meoting, and tho enter prising individual who thought thero was, and let a hall to the promoters of two such gatherings on a recent SVodnesday night, lias since discovered his mistake. Tho " goody-goodies" got possession, and ono of the brethren was giving utterance to his views on tho points of theology under dis cussion, whon tho votaries of the terpsi chorean art began to put in an appearanco. Ono would suppose that they made the best of the circumstances and joined in the devotions, but such a supposition would not be warranted by tho actual facts. They called a council of war, tho result of which was that while the discourse and prayors were proceeding in the main hall, tho anto room was devoted to the purposes of a series of nigger step-dances and break downs. Negotiations took place with a view to the settlement of hostilities, but neither side would give way. Tho up roarious conduct of the dancers was accord ingly resumed, and eventually tho prayer meeting people capitulated unconditionally and lied the scono. The seats were quickly cleared away, and in a very few moments dancing was in full swing. The chango from " gravo to gay, from lively to severe " was cortainly a very sudden one.

Meditating in a railway carriage a fow mornings ago on the " hard timos " preva lent, and the difficulty some people had in gaining a livelihood, I was awalsonsil from my roverie by a sound of female voices hold ing an indignation meeting in an opposite corner of the saloon. It appeared that an entertainment had taken place not twenty miles from Auckland, at which a hos"; of good things had been provided to supply the wants of tho "inner man." But the appetising power of tho audionco had been misjudged, and at tho conclusion it was found that there had been " enough and to spare." A solomn conclave was at onco called to discuss tho quostioh of the disposal of the fragments that remained. Of courso, as is usual in New Zealand, all thought of tho poor. Parson, clerk, church warden, and ladieß all solemnly deliberated as to where the most deserving person was to be found, and after due consideration one and all camo to tho conclusion that "of the poor thoro was none with them." Such was tho recital of my fair orator in the rail way carriage, whoso breast swelled with in dignation at the terrible thought that thoro was not one poor person to be found in their midst. Poor lady ! how sad to have no one to pity, no ono to look down upon. Ono gentleman looked at tho matter from a common s-ense (?) point of view, and sug gested that as far as ho was concerned ho hoped it would save his subscription to the Benevolent Committeo next year.

Ono plan having failed, an auction took place, and Mrs Brown and Mr Smith woro enabled to carry to their own homo what they had so generously proposed to bestow upon the poor of tho neighbourhood. Surely we ought to pride ourselves upon having a place where no " onohungas," and where there is a prospect of " enough for eaoh, enough for all, enough for ovormoro."

I had occasion not many weeks iigo to complain that tho Militia Act (of ovil memory) was a great discourager of early marriageß, and now feel it incumbent upon mo to denounce tho new tariff as exerting a maleficent influence in the same direction. An insidious plot has been arranged, a secret intrigue has been dishonourably planned by the Ministers down at Welling ton ; for.not content with putting tho afore said Act into operation, as they were basely minded to do—not content either with stopping nominated immigration, and thua doing all they could to prevent tho increase of population by that mejn"i, they surpassed themselves, and determined on a greater enormity still. My hand trembles as I write tho words-they are going to tax perambulators. Without the faintest show of compunction, they clap a duty of 15 per cent, ad valorem, on to those little carriages in which at some period more or less re mote we each of us spent many sleepy hours. It is an infamous act, which alone ought to ensure the defeat of the Ministry. A strong - hearted bachelor friend of mine thinks that the Cabinet hnve done quite right, and urges in their excuse that ho has broken his shins against, tind been driven oil' tho pavement into the mud by, the " wheeled abominations " in quos tion. Tho expression is not mine, please to remark ;ho usod it. I only repeat it—not without protest. If he broke his shins, it was because he was ogling tho nurcery maid propelling the tiny vehicle, and there fore clearly his own fault. I declare myself on tho side of the angels—l mean tho mothers of New Zealand, and call on them to rise ip their might and decline to pay the obnetxious duty, and to demand of their husbands the ignominious defeat of the Ministry who are cowardly enough to seek to impose it

Salvation Army in Melbourne.

The "Argus" says: — " Unimpeachable testimony to the good work being dono by the Prison-gate Brigade branch of tho Army is borne by the Chief Commissioner of Police, whose ofticors are naturally fully acquainted with the operations of this reforming agoncy. Mr Chomley says that the Prison-gate Brigado is rendering very satisfactory service to the community, and that though some apparently reformed characters lapso into evil courses, there is a large number lof cases of permanent reclamation. Tho Salvation Army's method is not a vory scientific ono, but it ie based on sound practical sonso. Tho discharged prisoners are met at the prison gate, and are induced to go to tho Army's homes by officers who have themselves been criminals, ami who can apeak from personal experience of the advantages of the treatment they are offering. Placed in a position which leads to respectable employment, and removed from the danger of having to resort to crime to support life, tho discharged prisoner in whom the criminal taint is not hopelessly ingrained has every chance of making a new start in life. It seems that during the last two years the Salvation Army has thus helped 1,500 men, and found good situations for a fair proportion of them. This class of outcast, there is little reason to doubt, could not be_ bo successfully reached by any other orgauißalitJu,"

SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTURES.

Now Zealand. Wellington R.C. Stooplochaso Mooting. .July 18

Ta Correspondents. Wagkk (Parnell).—Commotion has novor won a race at Randwick. SuuaCKiHßß.—Hanlan is by CadOKan—Water witoh; Dorwontor by Manuka—Miss Jack eon.

F.G.—Navigator -won six racoa aa a three-year old namely, two Derbies, two St. Lexers, tho A.J.G. Maros' Produce ytukus. and tho Aub trulian Cup. He only Buffered dofout once that season, viz., in the Champion Stakes, when all amiss.

THE NEW ZEALAND STUD COMPANY'S SIRES.

[By Himona.J

Now that the curtain has been rung down on tho Now Zealand racing soason of 1884-85, it will doubtless provo interesting to my roadors to learn how tho stallions of tho Now Zoaland Stud Company, viz., Musket, Antoros, and Leolinua, have come out as winner-producing parents during tho past season. Looking over tho different mootings that have taken place all over tho Colony, I find that seventeen of Musket's sons and daughters havo won approximately lor him tho good sum of .£3,615. Out of this amount, £019 was won by hia unbeaten two-year-old aon Thundor bolt, tho useful Mitraillouso accurod £6'H (including two Cups), and tho brilliant 'fronton, out of his only two oesays, £500. This, I think, must bo put down as highly satisfactory, and proves to tho son ot Toxopholite's early traducers that, if only givon a chance with well brod mares, ho is capablo of getting racohorsos that can hold tlioirown with tho best in tho land. When

Martini- lionry showed such wondorful form in tho V.XC. Derby and Melbourne Cup, thoso who cried Musket down showered almost all tho honour on his dam Sylvia, and expressed tho opinion that the colt's brilliancy was simply duo to his mother. This aspersion, 1 think, has also beeln cant back in his detractors' teeth, as a proof of which wo havo only toinstnnco him getting Trenton out of Frailty, and thunderbolt and Necklaco out of Lockut, not to mention sover;*l others. Although Muskot's progeny havo won for him during tho season x;i,Gls, it will bo found that whon tho returns aro made up, tho mighty Traducer ia far and away at tho head of tho list, his two doughty sons Welcomo .lack and Vanguard alone having won between thorn £3,544. With the many promising young sons and daughters of Musket now growing up in various parts of tho Colony, however, wo may expect to sco him occupy tho top of tho tree whon the end of noxt season rolls round.

Antoros's progeny havo won .t'2,(37S,which is indeed wondorful considering tho amount of negloct that was shown towards him in days jrone by. This amount of success is in tho main duo to the show tho son of Loitorer got when located at Mr Rodwood's breeding establishment at .Spring Crock, Black Kose and Fay, who lirst saw tho light of day there winning botwoon them £1,563 out of tho total amount.

Had it not boon for Tigredia, it will bo admittsd that Loolinus would have cut rather a sorry figuro in tho list, for out of tho £1,999 won by tho sovon representatives named below, Tigredia hua won no less than £1,057 of tho amount. Despite this, howevor.thoro isnoquestionabout Loolinus's ability to got stock that can raco and carry weight, as boon amply proved by tho doings of Leos, Leonora and Leonata in past seasons, and Tigredia and Clogs during tho ono just concluded.

Apponded aro tho list of viotorios gained during tho soason by tho stock of tho three above mentionod sires and Capa-pio, together with tho approximate amounts won sot opposito to oach :—

Muskets Progeny. Mmt.uu.KusE. I yearn.—Auckland K.C. Spring: Won Epsom Plate, XIM; Second Trinl stakes, C; 5. OnohuiiL-a K.O.Sprinf-: Won Stewards' Handicap, £20 and Cup, valued at lgsora. Taka puna J.C. Spiv«: Won hprinj; Handi cap, £10 ana S-e.wanls' Handicap £!0. Auckland HC. Summer: secoud Publicans' Purse tn; Won Newimir ket Handicap, £IJO. Takapuna JC. Summer: Won Kerry I'lato Handicap, £10 Auckland XC Autumn: Secoud Publics b' Purse CIS; Second FlyiDg Stakes, £2. TaLapuna J.O. Autumn : Tiralisalor Handicap. £10 and Cup, valuednt CIO. Cambridge J.C. Autumn: Won Autumn Handicap. £ii!i. Papa kura Annual: Won Railway Handicap, £50. Total : .42631 Thunderiiolt. :t years.—Auckland H.C. Summer: Won Midsummer Stakes, £200; won New Yeur'B Gift. £11:0. Auckland X.C Au'umn : Won Alares' Produco Piskoß, £UU; won Flying St»kes, £100; Won Kllorslic Plate. £100. Total feu TiiK.NTON-.3yearu.—Dunedln,T.C Autunin -Becond Dunedin Cup, &!00 Canter bury J.C. Autumn: Won Challeniro Stakes, £300. Total £500 Fusilikb, 3 yoars.- Canterbury J-C. Spring: Second Doiby. £30. Wa nxanul J.C. Autumn: Wou Derby, £100; won WanKanut Stakes. £150. Hawko's Bay J.O. Autumn: Second Grand Staud Handicap. £20. E«mont Autumn: Won Maiden Plate, £50. Total (£370 Rkvoi.vki:. 3 yeare—Auckland X.C, Hummer: Second Maiden Plato £13; Won Selling llace, £100; Won Second Sidling haoe, £100. Dar gavlllo Annual: Won Free Handi cap, £30. Auckland R.C. Autumn: Won Froo Handicap, £50. Total. £298 N'KCKLACK, 3 years.—Auckland K.O. Summer: Second Derby, £.'5. Auck land R.C. Autumn: Won Tradesmen's Pl»te, £100. Won Puollcans' Purse £100. Total , jfW's TETFOKD,3yetirß.—Auckland X.C Seoond KpßOm Plate, £15. Thames J.C. Summer: Won Froo Handicap, £35; won Thames Plate, £100 ; won Flying Stakes £10. Total jjhk) Foil Shot, 2 yenrs.-Auckland H.C. Spring: Won Woloome Stakes. £100. Auckland K.O. Summer: Second in Midsummer stakes, £35; Second New- Year's U ift, £18. Total £153 Woodnymmi, 3 years.—Auckland H.C Summer: Third Auckland Cup, £50 Second Newmarket Handicap. £39 Auckland K.C. Autumn: Second Kaster Handlcap,£3o: tnird in Autumn. Handicap, £10. Total Dkkuingkr, 2 years.-Auckland li'c,. Summer: Won Nursery Handicap*. £100. Auckland R.C. Autumn: Second! Marcs' Produco .Stakes, Mil : Sccoudi Ellorslio Plate, £12. Total £120 Linda, 1 years.—Auckland R.C. Summer* Won Maiden l'lato, £100. HolensviUo R.C. Annual: Won Publicans' Purao £15. Toial ' -ens Snider, 4 years.-Mangawhare Annual: Won four raoos, value £*5. Totak £X!j CARBINEER, a years.-Auckland l't.c£ Summor: Second Christmas Handi cap, £30. Sucond A.X.C. Handicap^ £50. Total l OBEnuD,2 ycarß.-Auukland H C. Springl , Second Welcome Stokes, £>g. Auck- ', R.C. Summer: Second Nursory Handi- ' cap,£lß Total gnu Fubilade (Wni iti colt), 2yeara— Plump'- ( ton Park (Christchurch) Sprin«: Won Two-Year-Old Fluttor, £25. Total £->5 ' A,8., 1 years.—Takapuna J.C. Snminor- ' " J Won Haok Raco &iO. Total * c"0 ) Rifleman, 1 years. — Tauranga J.C. ' " i Annual: won Consolation, £i 0 , Total— .-CIO j Total - ££ijl£ i

Antcros's Progeny.

.BLACK KOBE, 3,joars.—Canterbury JO Spring: Won Derby, £718; Second Canterbury Derby. £95. WelliDKton J.C. Slicing: Won J. C. Handicap, &iOO. Total „ jit o*» Tiik Poet, a^cd. — Auckland "*RO. Summer: Won Auckland Cui> CfJOO* Third in A.X.C. Handicap S lOtal „ £(Xi Fay. 3 years. — Mai'lborough Aiinuai': Won Cup, £200; won Blouueiim Plate £50. Wani?anui J.C. Autumn: Won Consolation. £10. Taraeaki JC Annual: Won Derby, £100. Yielding J.C. Autumn: Won Molding Handi cap, £100; won Winter Outa Hundi cap, £30. Total £.;tm Kino Arthur, 6 years. - Christoh'uroh Hunt Club Stcopleuhases : Won Oiien Handicap Steeplechase, £iro Otauo Hunt Chid Steeplochaßee : Won Tally Ho Handicap Steeplechase. £75. Total

Rockkt, I yoars—Poplnsulii (Christ church) Mooting : Won Consolation. £10. Plumpton Park (Chriatohnrch) Meeting;: Won Consolation, Wo Hunedin J.C.Winter: Won Maiden [Mate, £00. Plumpton Park (Christ ohurch) Winter : Won Autumn Stakes. £10, and Sprint Handicap, £25. SKDmENiVi^eaw/—Hurunui(Cantorbm-V) £U°' races: Won District Kaco. £10: won ' Second District raco, £10. Now Brighton Heaeh (Christohurch) JC Annual: Won Ladies' Bracelet, £to. Total — ...._ £.i(ii I Amazon. 5 years.-Petano Birthday Moot- I ing: Won Maidon Plale, £'.'5. Hawkes' I Bay fatcepluchaso Mooting : Won Ladiea' Bracelet, value £SO. Total nOi bPEO, 5 years.-Ainborley (ChristchurchY pocemosr Mootinf?: Wou Northern Handicap, £30. Total £;(> ■ Total •

Leolinns's Progeny, TiGmtDlA, 3 years.—Hawke's Bay .T.C. Spring: Won Flying Handicap. £100, and Spring Handicap £200. Hawke'a ! Bay J.O. Summor; Won Clnistmas Handicap, .-6100. Auckland K.C. Bummer: WonDorby.£l32. Welling ton J.C. Summor: Won J.C. Handi cap, £200. Wellineton R.C. Summer: Second VVellinetiin Cup, £25. I'otal.. £1,057 Leonora, 5 years —Hawko's Bay JC. Spring: Won Free Handicap. fi(H). Canterbury JC Spring: deoond Now Zodlaad Cup, £190 ; second Metro politan Handicap. £J7. Total £21)7 CLOOa, 3 yoiira.—Hawke'a Bay J.C. Autumn: Socond Napier Handicap, £50. Marlliorough Annual: Won Con solation, £30. Nolaon J.C. Summer: Wun J.C. Handicap, £UO, T0ta1.... R'2M Puck. 3 years.—Canterbury J.C. Summer: I Won Now Yeai-Wclter Handicap, £100. I ABhburton II C. Autumn: Won Con [ solution. £20. New Brighton Bench (Ohrifltchurehi It C. Autumn: Won K.C. Handicap, «;)5. Pluinpton Park iChriatchuroh) Winter: Won Welter Klat; Uaco Handicap. £l! 0. Total .CIBD Lkon, 3 yours.—Dunodin J.C. Autumn : Won Maiden Plato. £1(10. Total £100 Leon ata, 0 yoara.—Hawko'H Bay J.C. Autumn: Won Welter Handicap, £100, Total £100 ConitiK Vicrc, 1 years.—Now Brighton Beach (Christchnrch) J.C. Annual: Won J.C. Handicap, £30. Total .{"SO Total £1,099 Cap-a-pio's Progony, CArrcr.lA, 2 yeara.— Houdcrson'a Mill Annual: Won Maid-n Plato, X3S. Auckland K.C. Autumn : Third Mares' Produ ■•« Stakon. £7. I'npakura Annual: Won Selling ]Uco. 435. Total £77 Makiri. 3 years.—Otahuhu Autumn: Won Pouy Kace, £10. Total £10

NOTES BY HIPPONA,

By carrying his heavy impost of 12afc lib to victory in the llawko's Bay Steeplechase on Thursday, Macuioni covorod himself with glory. It wa? certainly a groat performance on hia part, and judging from tho way tho creamy has shaped throughout tho season, it would soem that wo have at last found ono worthy to (ill tho place of old Ularonco and Tho Agent at tho cross-country gamo. Tho race must have been run at a groat paco, for tho time recorded,viz., Bmin 4.,' sec, is lmiii. 24.)scc. faster than when Claronco carried home his steadier of 13st 21b last yoar. Nono of tho Auckland horses showed up prominently in tho contost, but I notice that Ngata succeeded in running into fourth place. Liko the majority of our jumping horses, Macaroni hails from the Wansjanui district, and his sire Gladiator is a full brother to Messenger, who at ono time was a crack atoeplocbasor in England. With roferonceto thoappointmontofanow handicappor for tho Auckland Racing Club, 1 learn that Mr F. V. Dnkin, of Mel bourno, has sent a lottor to tho Club intimating that ho is dosirous of retiring from activo turf pursuits there, and if sulliciont inducement is oHored, ho would bo willing to accopt tho handicapping duties. The matlor was put boforo tho Racing Club Committoo on Thursday last, and thoy rosolvcd to communicate by tele graph with tho Canterbury and Dunodin Clubs, asking if thoy would co-oporato in tho matter. MrDaUin'sappointmontto tho position would bo a boon to tho turf throughout tho colony if tho various Clubs can see their way to secure his services. Thoro can be no doubt about his ability to till tho position, for ho is known as a man of wido oxporionco and one of tho author itios on horsoilosh in Australia. It is with a great amount of regrot that I havo to chronicle tho death of Mr J. Bal maiu'a yoarling colt Muskotoon, who suc cumbed to an attack of inflammation of tho lungs in the early part of the weok. Tho youngster was got by Musket from Atlantis, and it will bo remombored was ono of tho yoarlings ehippod to Sydnoy by tho N.Z. Stud Company, where Mr Balmain sont a commission to purchaso him, and tho colt again returned horc. Tho loss is indood a serious ono, and I fool miro that Mr Balmain will havo tho sympathy of turlitus gonorally. An Auckland gontloman hag rocoivod a letter from Mr E. E. Jonos fully explaining tho causo of Welcome Jack's omission from tho Molbourno Cup ontrios, and which lias kindly boon placed at my disposal. In rho couraoof tho lottor, M r Jones says :—"Tho omission was one of thoso peculiar things which might never again happen in tho world. Mr Pilbrow asked mo to nominate his horsoshould ho boaway inNow Zealand, and on entry day 1 called at tho AJ.U. otneo in Sydnoy to do to. I mado all tho entries on ono sheet, but was afterwards ueked to put thorn on separate forms, which I did, H8 I was also entering horsos for othor people at thosamo timo. In handing in thoi<o forms to Mr Clibborn, it socniH that I loft Jack's MelbournoCupontry form on tho desk in tho A.J.C. ollice. Tho non entry of tho horso was noticed that afternoon by Mr Clibborn when tho list had been mado oat, and as ho was porfoctly aivaro from mo that I had intended to ontor tho horso, he had all tho papers gone ovor soveral times, but without success. When

ho spoko to mo tho same night I wns so positivo about tho mntter that ho wont to the office enrly next morning boforo any body else arrived, and after a little further search tho entry was found lying on tho desk in tho oilico. Mr Clibborn at onco in tho most kind tnannor possible wroto all tho particulars to tho V.R.C., also enclosing original form, showing tho entry had boon properly made, plan of oilico with place where form wns lying, otc. Tho V.R.C., however, decided tho ontry could not bo recoived. This silly blunder has given mo no end of anxioty, and I would have sooner lost .Cl,ooo than it should havo happoncd." Mr D. O'Brien roturnod from his trip to Australia last week. In a conversation with " Beacon " ho stated that ho feels un pleasantly (Uttered at tho weights put on Trenton and Tasman for tho Now Zealand Cup, and cays that tho natives over the other sido like tho look of the Hon. W. Robinson's continent of horses immonsoly. 1 ho seat on tho Commitoo of tlio Auckland Racing Club rendorod vacant by tho resig nation of Mr R. W. Hammond, has been tilled by tho oloction of Mr J, M. Clark to the position. ThoChristohurch Middle Park Stud Com pany havo bad tho misfortune to lose their irood maro En Avant (tho dam of Vanguard and Fororunner). As tho mothor of the tirstnamod Bho has mado hor namo famous among New Zealand turfites, and hor loss will bo a seriou.s one for tho Company, as Bho was just in tho prime of life, boing foaled in 1873. En Avant was a vory fashionably bred mare, boing by Lord Lyon out of Lady Mary (dam of Sir Thomas Eldor's stallion Gang Forward).

Captain Wobdtor is quoted in Christ church for tho tiow Zealand Cup at 100 to 12, but his followors stand out for 100 to 10, at which prico it is said a good sum would bo token. Ike is supported at 100'b to 5 and (i, and Lochiel and Wapiti havo also friends at tho snmo prico.

Last week's issuo of tho"Sydney Tribuno" thus rofors to Thunderbolt:—"Tlio Now Zealand colt Thunderbolt is located at Kandwick with the others bolonging to the Hon. W. Robinson. Although ho has been i backed to win a lot of monoy for the V.R.C. Derby, many of tho clever trainers at Randwick will not have him as a Derby horse; but it's quite possible when he begins to extend himself ho will be considered a worthy opponent of Uralla, Novratead and Co." "Nemo," of tho "Sydney Mail," speaks of Thunderbolt as " a well-bred but rather undersized son of Musket." The woights for the Melbourne Cup are due on Monday aftornoon next, and will be publißhod hero on the following day. Tho " Sydney Sportsman " of the 17th gives the following as a fair return of tho business transaoted on the two big Spring ovents : — v.u.e. derby, 100 to 15 agst Nowsteud <tkn) ICO to 10 agat Thunderbolt (tkn) I 100 to 10 ogst Novdenfeldt (tkn) 100 to 8 at?st Uralla (tkn) MELHOUBNK CUl>. 1000 lo 25 agst Nnwsiead (tkn) 1000 to 20 agat Reginald (tkn) 1000 to 20 »KBt Uralla (tltn 1000 to 20 agat Off Colour (tkn) 10.i() to 20 agat Oudeis (tkn) 1800 to 20 agst Tasman (tkn) 1000 to 20 agst Sardius (tkn) 1000 to IS iwst Coronet (tkn) 1000 to IS agst Lord Exeter (Ikn) 1000 to 15 aget Liverpool (tkn) 1000 to 10 agot any other (off) The proprietors of the "New Zealand Referee," published at Christchurch, offer a prize of £50 to the first person who succeeds between this and October next in spotting tho respective winners of tho Now Zealand Cup, V.R.C. Derby and Melbourne Cup. As usual, the " tips " aro to be sout in on coupons. Mr T. Hill, tho well-known Wairarapa sport, is stated to bo the new owner of The Poet, and Minerva bolongs to a gontloman who takes an activo part in the butsinead attaint of the Wellington Eating Club, '

Accounts to hand of the race for the Two I Thousand Guineas show that Fred Archer rodo Paradox, tho winner, who started with the odds of three to one on him. The field was tho smallest that has stripped for the raco since West Australian won two and thirty years ago, only soven sporting silk for the first classic event of tho season. The raco was very nearly ending in a surprise, as tho greatest jockey of tho day had to do all he knew to got home a bare head in front of the Chopette colt, who was first in the noxt stride after passing the post.and only boaten through Paradox boring him out at the finish. The set-to between Archer and Tom Cannon is stated to have been a great one. Paradox is tho fourth Two Thousand winner steered by Fred Archer—Atlantic, Charibet, and Galliard having previously carried him first past the post.

Tho Victoria Racing Club have received the good ontry of 36 for tho Grand National Steeplechase, which takes place on tho 18th July. Clarence's name appears in the list.

According to "Flaneur," Alfred, tho winner of tho Handicap Hurdle Race at tho Auckland R. C. Winter Meeting, was brod by Messrs Owen and Lclhbridgo, of Wanganni, and sold at thoir sale some time back to Mr Stont. Alfred is a son of Don Juan from a well-bred mare, and ono of the few of that Htout old sire's progeny now alive. The same writer says that Julia Ann, the well-known chaser, is another Wanganui bred animal. She was bred by the Laird of Kaitoko (Mr Thomas Greig), and is by Duncan (irey(trotter) from a well bred Don Juan marc. Mr Greig has two youngor aspirants to cross-cojntry honours from the Bamo maro, and is open to part with them at a reasonable figure. About this time last year (writes " Vigi lant") I re nember predicting that, in my opinion, Bavgo, tho Derby favorrite, would not win the V.X.C. Blue Riband, and the result justified my prophocy. At tho moment of writing—fivo months before tho race Newsteod, whoso performances and timos are certainly equal to those of Bargo, is at 100 to 15, and although tho prediction is rather a bold one, I havo little hositation in writing now that thoro aro at lead hvo colls in the Derby whom T consider bound to beat him, oven if he comes to the post fit and will, which I consider very doubtful. More of this anon.

The name of Mr W. A. Long's colt Man chester was omitted from tho lirst list of Melbourne Cup entries published. The addition of this colt brings the total u.p to 105.

The Sydney correspondent of the " Aus tralasian " recently paid a visit to the Rand wick training ground, and this is what ho says anont two Auckland-bred 'uns: Match lock is ono of tho useful and improving so? t At present ho does all that is asked of l'im, and looks well enough. Nordonfeldt is a nico lengthy brown colt, with great powor across tho back and loin, and a good set of logs, with clean flat bone. Ho canters in almost perfect style. Tho writer, howover, much preforsthe daehiner stylo that Lennox by Maribyrnong—Lady Kingston possesses. Ho is a grandly-topped colt, with plenty of longth and substanco, and should all go woll with him during his training, ho expects him to make a name for himsolf. Uralla is stated to bo the most forward of the lion. .1 White's Btring, and Monto Christo is look ing excoodinerly well.

Another fiasco occurred in a Steoplochaso at tho Wyndham (Molbourno) Mooting the othor week. Tho first time of asking, fivo horses started, and Docciver, ridden by Batty, after a desperate raco succeeded in boating Midnight by half-a-length, Sir Samuel boing third. When tho horses wore pulled up it was discovered that tho full courso had not been gono, and Midnight and Sir Samuel treated tho spectators to another contost, but tho stewards declarod it "no race," and orderod that it must bo run off again aftor tho last race on the card, thus making a third struggle ovor tho jumps for two of tho horses. After a domur on the part of Mr Miller, tho owner of Oecoivor (tho first winner), and McLood, on behalf of Midnight (who passed tho post first on tho second occasion), Deceiver, Duchess, Sii Samuel, and Midnight woro saddled up again, and, although tho courso was by this timo so enshrouded by darkness that tho jumps could scarcoly bo seen, tho flag was dropped once moro, tho raco run ovor again, nnd won this timo by another horso—Sir Samuol. It is stated that claims to tho stakos aro likely to bo lodged by both tho owners of Doooivor and Midnight.

THE GARDEN.

[By Hortus.]

Calendar of Operations, Juno 2V.

(Houtus ia willim? to answer any queries. Cor respondents must Rivo thoir full nnmes and addresses, though not lor publication. |

TO COBUKSPONDENTS,

Cai'loic—Capiiarls apinosa (caper sauce). Tho bush rtows here, and lives through tuo winter, but it dooa not flourish vigorously. I havo boon witching it (or the last three years, and it has only attained a holnht ot about fifteen inches, and inst autumn it made an attempt to lluwor. Tho buda formed wnro Only uuout half tho sizo ol the usual eapor of commerce 1 wouM Uko to watoh It for anothor year be fore saying what I thiuk about it, lam woll awaro it lives in Britain, but it Rots out to the ground every winter with frost. The places where it nourishes moat successful? aro south Kuropu, North Africa, and Souih Abia, but you must recollect thatthoso places have a much higher moan temperature than wu havo in tho north of Now Zealand. Batvm A ron Muoller says it also nourishes in North Aus tralia. It yrows in almost arid deserts.

Planting Tunics m HxrosttJ) Situations (Plantor).—Tho trcos you ou«ht to procure from the nurserioa should be tho email, hardy grnwn trees, nntthe lartfo, (?enerously>rown ouo3—these will only roceivo such a sevore chock in the situation you describe that it may take thorn some years to recover. Small trees will take sooner to tho situation, Rut Boonor established, and grow quiokor. i'ou must plant vory think-say six loot apart. Use plenty ot pines for nurses. J know that pines arc tabooed at nrcsont, but no matter—whore plantations are wanted the pine must bo usod exionßivcJy for nursing the other trees for tho first few years, then tnin them out. I would requiroatabloand twoorthro.- columnsofthis paper to oroperly answer your questions. Consult "Brett's Colonists' Guide." Mr .1. B. Armstrong has writton thorein a capital paper on "Practical Arboriculture," well suited for New Zealand,

Purchasing Fruit Trcos.

As tho planting .season is now on, a few words to thoso who ore purchasing troea may bo of value. If tho orchard is small, and tho fruit to bo grown therein ia for tho consumption of tho family, tho trees pur chased should bo those which will range from tho carlioat to tho latest varieties, so as to give a continual succession in fruit ripening. By a judicious selection of fruit treos a continual succession of fruit may be obtainod from January till May. Even in vory small orchards, where only a few trees can be kept, a system of grafting or budding two, three, or more varieties on one tree would considerably augment the number of varieties which can be grown in small orchards. I have seen twenty-four varieties of pears grown on the same tree in tho Old Country, and the same ayatem might be adopted to our profit here, especially in orchards where only a dozen or so of fruit trees can be kept. Again, planters of fruit tree.s who may intend planting to supply the markets with fruit should choose varietiea which will fruit very early and very late. Early fruit is sure always to command a high price in the market, whereas if a large number of the varietiea are intermediate, these will ripen their fruit at tho very time that almost every person has plenty, thus causing a lower price to bo obtainod. Again, varieties which bring their fruit to maturity at a late period, and especially those that are good keeping varieties, will always obtain good prices for such fruit. Try also and obtain strong, hardy, well-grown trees—these will succeed better in all situations.

Arrowroot,

I I'or the last few years 1 have believed ! that arrowroot would thrive well here, and a good sample of arrowroot. This year Mr 0. M. Walker has given what I would call ■ a very good test as far as the quality of tubers and his appliances for manufacturing would allow him. Next season ho intends to give it a more extensive trial. He means to plant somewhat extensively, and erect better appliances for the manufacturing. In a few years Auckland should be in a position to grow sufficient arrowroot to supply the rest of New Zealand. I will hero give a few directions for its cultiva tion:—The bulbs or tubqrs tshould be planted out in August, eighteen iu'ehea

apart in the row, the rows three feet apart. Plant about four inches deep. The after cultivation for a few months would simply be to keep weeds under. Whenever the foliage attains a height of about a foot to eighteen inches, earth the same as potatoes, leave till the end of May, then commence lifting the tubers for manufacturing. The ! tubes should bo manufactured as soon as lifted, as they get broken in the process of lifting, and from every broken part they bleed very considerably. This bleeding will causo a considerable loss of both quantity and quality of the manu factured article. While lifting the crop re- I tain the small bulbs for planting out for the next season's crop, or rather plant them oat at once. The best soils for growing a good crop of arrowroot are deep, rich, well wrought, pliable soils, and it is a crop that will be all the better for roceiving plenty of manure. The situation of the land where it is to be grown should, if possible, be one with a northerly aspect, as it likea plenty of heat. Mr Walker has sent me a small sample of his manufactured arrowroot, which to all appearance, as far as I could test it, is fully better than that which we import from the islands. But I believe there is a small sample sent away to Wel linton so as to get it properly tested. He says in his letter, which 1 also print, that ho obtained his tubers from the Auck land Domain Board last year. This season I am led to understand that tho Auckland City Council have grown a considerable numbor of arrowroot bulbs for gratuitous distribution to any horticulturists in the province of Auckland who may send in an application, and also take them away from tho gardens, Early application (person ally) is best, as I believe they have only a limited number for distribution. " Dean Hohtus, —Last year I received from the Auckland Domain Board thirteen bulbs or tubes of the arrowroot plant, from which I had a return of one hundred and fifty two bulbs. Of these I manufactured thirty bulbs, which weighed, when washed and prepared lor grinding, lOlbs These produced 17 ounces of pure arrowroot by a very clumsy method of manufacturing, which simply consisted of a sheet of perforated zinc on which the buibs or tubers was reduced to a pulp by rubbing the tubers over the rough part; the pulp was washed twice. Of course, with better appliances for manufac turing and washing, a much higher percentage could be obtained. The wholo operation of manufacturing the above quantity was conducted by my wife in twenty minutes. Next season I hopo to be ablo to give tho exact quantity of land under cultivation, the weight of tubers produced, the general cost of culti vation, tho quantity of manufactured arrowroot produced, and a general idea of the cost of manuf acturing.-Giioiii ;e Millard Walkeu." Groen Potatoes. Everybody knows what a " green potato " is, and that this is caused oy the tuber being exposed to the sunlight for some timo. But not everyone is aware of the fact that this " green is an active poieon— ! solanine-and that potatoes so affected should never be eaten by man or beast. Great caro should be exercised in digging potatoes not to expose them too long to the Bunlight, else thoy will be ruined in this way. The common practice of ottering them for sale where the sun can strike upon them ia also a fruitful source of this trouble Thoy should be kept covered up or in a dark room or collar."

Kitchen Gardens on Farms.

No farm should be without a small or large kitchen garden according to the num bor of inmates of tho homostead. Farmors as a rulo think that v vegetable garden would iako more labour than any profit that thoy might get out of it would repay. Now, this is not tho case. Look what a continual change of food can bo obtained where a variety of vegetables are grown, and these luxuries are within tho grasp of every farmer at tho coat of very little labour. Every year, when brooking up ground, loavo a long strip for the culture 'of vege tables, and before breaking it up have the part marked and givo an extra lot of manure from the stock-yard, ana while ploughing sub-plough as well--only let the strip bo about thirty feet broad j this is quite broad enough to givo nice short rows across it for tho rows of vegetables. After tho ground is thoroughly ploughed all that will be re quirod is a slight forking over whenever you want to plant or sow vegetables. In fact, cabbage, cauliflowers, potatoes, etc., oan be planted on it at any time without farther labour. If possiblo, always chooso apiocoof ground with a northerly aspect, as vegetables will be earlier and flourish much better on this aspect than on any other. After seed or plants are fairly established, keep the hoe going pretty freoly so as to keep weeds under. It is easier to keep them undorby frequent hoeing than to eradicate them aftor they get fairly established. Another gieat assistance towards success is to properly thin out all vegetables. While the seedlings are small never allow them to get crowded. When they are not early they are apt to get drawn up, and sis a result it costs more to thin them, and the crop never attains that perfection that it would have under timely care. Neglect them at the proper time, and the difforenco between a good crop and a bad one is at once determined. The size of the garden should be in accordance with the demands of the family, bearing in mind, however, that one-fourth cf an acre well manured and well cultivated will produce more superior vegetables than an acre in ditl'orently attended to. half an acre in good condition and well attended to will produce sufficent vegetables and small fruitß for a largo family. The aest manure for oither vegetables or fruits is well decomposed barnyard manure. It is not advisible to use fresh manure, as in such a condition it is unfit for plant food, and if it is pnt into the soil dry and fresh it is a long time before it gets into condition so that the roots of plants derive nourish ment from it; better place in a heap and allow it to ferment and rot before putting into tho ground. All vegetables require well-manured soil—some, of course, much more than others. Cabbages, celery, and cauliflowers, especially, require rich soil. For peas, beans,and tomatoes, if the soil is in tolerably good condition, a top-dressing of wood ashes applied after ploughing and well harrowed in, is excellent in most kinds of soil. I have often raisod better crops of these vegetables when an application of wood as'hoe was given than when barnyard manure was used; there was loss vino and more fruit. Working the ground at the proper time is another essential to be attondcid to. Clayey land has to be care fully m 'orked, especially when ploughed in tho spi ing. If wot when ploughed, it re mains in a lumpy condition all the summer, and as a consequence only poor crops can be oxr iected. Thorough cultivation before the so ods aro put into the ground greatly accelerates tho work during the ontire { season. I

New Guinea Expedition.

DeSCMBINu the departure oi the expedition to New Guinea fitted out by the Geo graphical Society of Australasia the " Argus " namarks:—"A body of capable scientists, furnished with a serviceable steam launch, ought to have a very interesting story to toll on their return, as well as valuable information to communicate in regard to the comn nercial value and natural produc tiveness t)f the land. On this latter subject extreme c ipposite views have been taken by D'Albertii i and the Rev. Mr Lawes. The former, ca tried away by the glory of the tropical f srest, and the gorgeously plum agedPapm in birds, hadbis ideas tinged by his keen eye foir the picturesque. He figured to himself a la ni of boundless capabilities wast ing itself i a magnificent but useless vegeta tion. Th a missionary formed his opinions undor moi « prosaic circumstances, and be lieves tha' i the bulk of the land is compara tively poo r,and thatthe area suited to profit ablesettlc jmentissmall. Therewillalsoarrive in New G ,uinea, about the same time as this explorin; r party, Mr H. 0. Forbee's expedi tion froi m England. If those two parties can worl t industriously and sympathetically in diffe rent tracks, highly interesting con tributio as to the world's knowledge may be soked for. Their operations will un doubted lly expedite the opening up of a now co untry which geographically belongs to Aus( .Talia, no matter how much of it may be apj mrtioned to foreign Powers on the map, ; md which is destined to be peopled from tfceae chorea, notwithstanding ita nUtuiu at divisions."

STAGE AND STUDIO.

A Cbat About Theatres, Pictures, and Books.

(KUOM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.)

The Vao akiks of Theatrical Management— Stkangk Cases-A Recent Blunokr— Bykon's Posthumous Comkdy—ThoknkM Opinion — Produced at Last — " Open Jlousu" — Extraordinary Success — An oitieh "Oun Boys"—Jennie Lee's Season Collapses—Some oi- the Colonial Coin Dkopi'KD—Bancroft's Fahkwell Pkodic tion—" Ours" O.xcs Again-luvino Back Home—Reserved Pit and Gallkry Seats.

London, May 3. J There is no accounting for the vagaries of] theatrical management. Even the shrewdest' men are constantly making the queerest mistakes. Bancroft declined to produce "The Colonel," which subsequently made Edgar Bruce's fortune; "Confusion" was offered fruitlessly alike to provincial and metropolitan managers, and eventually sold to Thome, of the Vaudeville, for a modest " tenner," It ran two years, and has literally realised the lucky speculator tens of thousands. Sims could get no one to believe in " The Lights of London" till Wilson Barrett consented to read it. Similar instances might be multiplied in definitely. The quaintest error of all has, howover, quite rocently been made by the last man whom anyone would have suspected of such a blunder. The whole world knows what a prodigious run " Our Boys " had at the Vaudeville* Byron's bubbling wit and clever characterisation just suited this little house, and Mrs Swanborough's theatre hieher up the Strand. " Weak Women," "Old Soldiers," "The Girls," and several other comedies from the same facile pen paid thoroughly well atone or the other. When poor Byron diod Thorne was known to have a new play of his in hand, and of course people fully expected it would be produced at once. The manager, however, made no move. The piece, he told his friends, would not do. It was a weak, ex piring effort on the part of the poor played out author. Witty in places, oh ! yes, but a feeble plot, slovenly drawn characters, etc., etc. So the subject dropped, and what with the success of " Conf us on " first and "Saints and Sinners" afterwards, Byron's "Open House" remained in a drawer forgotten. Now comes the amusing part of the story. When the run of "Saints and Sinners " came to an end, a play by Dr. Weatland Marston was produced called " Under Fire," and failed miserably. Thorne had to find a new piece in a hurry. He determined to put a farcical comedy by Hurst called "Loose Tiles," which had achieved a succe.s d'estime at matinees in the evening bill, and give " Open House " a chance at a morning per formance " just to see if there was any thing in it, don't yer know '!"

Byron'B name proved quite sufficient to draw a large an^ curious audience (in which the profession was prominently represented) to tho Vaudeville to see "Open House." The comedy had scarcely a fair chance, for it was indifferently rehearsed. Neverthe less, Thorne became awaro before half the first act was over that he had stumbled on a theatrical nugget of the first quality, The house simply roared out at the innumer able word twistings and jeux d'esprit that kept popping off like a lire of champagne corks. Thorne, as Jack Alabaster, the smooth, good-looking, hypocritical friend of the family, who takes endless liberties with his host on the strength of having saved him (a lie) from drowning, had a part that suited him perfectly. Old Farren, as a quarrelsome old beau, for ever bickering with a sour virgin of sixty, was dryly funny. " I shall breakfast in my bedroom to morrow," says he, angrily, after one of their quarreU. "So shall I," replies the spinster, with dignity. "No, you won't, mann, for 1 shall lock my door," retorts the old man, chuckling, and, of course, the audience are delighted. The piece went better and better as it progressed, and at the close there was quite a little scene. The press unanimously pronounce "Open House" one of Byron's lightest and brightest efforts. It has no plot to speak of, but it mokes people laugh. That more and more is becoming a riiie qua non with theatre-goers. They don't want instruc tion ; they want amusement. " Open House " is row in the evening bill at the Vaudeville, and will run many a month.

Poor Jonnio Lee and her husband have, I fear, lost some of the money they made iD Australia at the Strand Theatre. It was an unlucky season. "Jo" is played-out in so far as West End London is concerned, and " Good Luck " was shocking rot. Success in America and Australia very often leads a "star" to under-rate the critical acumen of London audiences. Miss Lingard and Mrs Langtry, not to mention many lesser lights, failed at first through this. Miss Lingard aspired to take London by storm in rftles associated with the names of Bornhardt, Desclde, Modjeska, and Adelaide Neileon. She practically, "won her spurs " after many disappointments in comedy-drama, to wit, " Breaking a Butter fly" and "Called Back" The Bancrofts' farewell season at the Haymai-ket closes with "Ours," which has now taken the place of "Masks and Faces." Of all Robertson's comedies this is the best and most difficult to do real justice to. The colonies havo never seen it as it can be played. There is no Hugh Chalcot but Bancroft, no Mary Notley save Marie Wilton (Mrs Bancroft). I remember once witnessing " Ours " at the Theatre Royal, Auckland. It was several years ago, during a Lingard season, I fancy. 1 am i not sure, but I believe Miss Lingard was Blanche Haye, and Lingard General Shendryn. The players knew their parts, and acted to the best of their several abilities, but a more dismal perform ance I never sat through. Going out, I heard a young masher wonder how it was Londoners talked so much about that rotten piece !

Haymarket successes arc made by per severing rehearsal, gonerous mounting, and a thousand and one little touches that the art of an experienced actor and cultured manager can suggest. In his own line, Bancroft iafaeile princcps. Irving can do justice to "The Uorsican Brothers," " Tho Courier of Lyons," and such pieens, but would be astray if called upon to pro duce a Eobertsonian comedy. Irving is back at the Lyceum running a brief season of revivals prior to the produc tion of " Olivia," in which he will play the Vicar of Waterfiold, and Miss Terry the title role. He has introduced a welcome innovation by enabling pit and gallery eeats to be booked beforehand. It would simply havo the effect of emptying the upper box people into the pit of most houses, but Ir ving can run risks.

The Pay of Authors

Poor General Grant is receiving something like eight guineas a page for his contribu tions to "The Century." This means 2Ad for every word he puts on paper. Lord Tennyson, it would also appear, is not under paid. Years ago he received from Moxon £1,500 a year in royalties. Later, when Messrs Strachan and Co. printed his poesies, he received £5,000 a year for works then in existence, and a separate payment for any _ncr matter. Under this arrange ment his lordship garnered in five years £!!1,000. King and Co. followed with rather a better bargain, paying the poet £4,000 a year, with a separate account for new books. His lordship was certainly more fortunate than a fellow singer at Leipzig. The story goes that of a certain wooing of the muses " Bpithalamium "went astray. The writer demanded an indemnity of 33 marks, this being the honorarium which he was to have received for his verses if they had arrived in time to be of use. The German p_oatal authorities, on the other hand, will only allow the injured poet indemnity at the rate of 3 marks per kilograme this being the fixed price for spoiled wares. Hence, under this decision, poetry in Germany may be sold, liko grocery, by weight, and not, as heretofore, by metre.

CHILE THIRTY YEARS GO.

«<munisoenc es ot * Visit by m, »T

Some very interesting i nforma ,. ing Chile anditsi.i^-*! m the paper read by Mr Burtu? 19! Matthew's Literary and dZ "I on Monday evening I^, and "J S°f reproduce as follows -_ Th of my visit to Chile aietJJ^l i3O years ag°. bat although the »T I infusion of foreigners may U* ¥M a great extent the circuit °difiel in this paper, still IC^! [4*£ identlcalat the presenttimft 'thel similarly influenced a? t ?dlßttictil greatest intolerance Wa t \ V^ ti Be 1 Government towards forLi, ited by I tant could possess af^T 8'no*«! Protestant residents wer e^ Old' to havoa church. The nl en aUoi church of England who nff^ yniatl of foreign residents was nornS 8t\ d for the British Charge, and r'J^plai! native to a Protestant invni, i 01"^, cation to the ofFen de &°^ Roman Catholic brethren 32 b" « c injustice in educational »„« COlI*i» idea of thedisabUiifaTof Jw* 8 W t where the Roman Cathol» nt*i nant; and as an instance I i'° fl is d «> that Protestants were Bomsui ay tteDti by force to go down 2 , • T C01»Pell the streets wlfen the HoT»s* *« glance at a map of Sonrt i^ m l show you that the Repubfefl* * over 30° of latitude. The deoxt« that there is a great wrf2L?s"Sw*i tween the parallels of 25°« j .lniate « - extreme north veryiittWi , 7° ■ In M only during a few^J^Wta, and J „ in the far south in the St r »l ■ , year>*4» and in Tierra del Cro if! of %lli cease raining. In' v.v ,MBIB tevH " in about the same lltfe*' 80' ,wU* 1 1 Cape,of New Zealand^ t^M about eight months, but dmlH nun V ing four months it makes J^At^W ' One of the first objects S ■** ost 4' attract the attention' of'a n ° «l - poncho or cape worn by wwLt /l 1u 41 and farmers. The speciS t1 hhm *m - fine quality,and waiffi*"!"! brated for the manufacture J^ doa'Mll' This city was almost £KT t!icll an earthquake some yesTs L %tf ycd « cloth is manufactured in IJ j LPon4B who can afford it alwaviS A "''HB made article. The one ttat f i^Hi cost about £3. The next!V v? 9 eHi to a foreigner is tte ffiS1 «*«i will doubtless think it a ferfh spl r' VI torture, but it is in fact no? °blect! it appears to be, as theSo?^™! are blunt, and'th*-''ffi (rf£H|" accuse us of. cruelty in ulfo, fl which willmak,va'L£2kVal whenittoucheahisCks itl plain that a 'very long fpur ,J ™ Jl necessary by the peculiar'! conKS of the native saddle, EndbvlSSi gear by which it is surmounted WJ of the saddle is of wood~S:£Si requires a good deal of padding «£3H Upon the saddle are tfon puSfflS of sheepskins with the woo!f 0D ,• Ih^ffl counted as many as 18. .Wh?nthesA, B fl in positioned firmly gittied^oriH looks as if he were sitting o f a tni of hay and an ordmary spurwouldno tojffl the horse. You will probably'wmZ « ■ the use of all this parapbernalia,: %* !■ are used as bedding, and O n arrival al country residence the traveller Spreads ffl half of them on the floor of the corridl or verandah, and cows himself M the remainder. Another: nordty toH new arrival is the deztetojia me of M toso, which is, asmiiiy-ofvoumavlH aware, made of plaM peei'hlda. Itffl truly astonishing to'witaeisß the dexterill with which this istbrotrai'Atyickmanwili when in full gallop after a herd of catui after a few preliminary "moldings over m head.drop the noose over theheMorhorosll any particular animal lie ma^ w!^to Becuffl The horse being'ueed to til1 Work, ifl mediately stops and poses hiinSl to resll the shock. The wonder at {he acourall with which the lasso.is thrbW^ BomewkH lessened when you' see little urchiM of tffl years old commencing practice;by lassoiH the cocks and henß and do^s ouMde tH ranchos. Brit the uieoffe kso^ not confined to such pnrpdfies. It it alffl utilised as a means of highway mbbrfj The unwary a* oigbt mjM joggingion iis journey in the middledttiS road when he Bees two hovsemeu ApproAcfl ing, one on either . side ; df;!,t^e roafflj suddenly, just as they ar^'lpasaiDg^S finds himself unhoreed, partly stunnedßf his horse free, and himself aithjj mercy (B the two rascals, whoj under cijver of tbß night, were riding with a lasso across tbfl road between them. A, case of thu kion occurred to a friend of mine, wlio utidel similarcircumstanceSjfoundhimßelfsudderjljl on the broad of his back in the'toad, For tunately for him.'he had retained his hold of the bridle, and his would-be wbbera were disappointed. The cause loiha sadden fall did not at the time oticta W]b)iii, and il was only on the following morning in find ing a scar upon his neck from the lasso that the whole truth flatbed upoii him. Speak ing of the lasso reminds me of the number of uses to which green hide is Applied in Chile. Country carts with wboJenwteels tnero disks cut out of the solid-are bound together with hide, not a particle of iron in the wholo machine ; bridles,. lashings for loads on mules or drays, and oven the shoes worn by the peasantry.'"Thei' manufsctare ot tho shoos is a very simple process. A piece of green hide of the requisite em well softened with water, with a piece cat out fore and aft to allow of its being brought together,is gathered up upon the foot of the wearer,-to get it the right eize^and the front and back haying been sown op (iko with green hide), it is crammed fill of moist clay, put in the sun to dry", and in a few days is ready for the wearer. Green hide is also used for making ftolsasi or bags for dollars. The bags are filled while the hide is wet, sewn up and put in the sail to dry, and in some respects are safer than a wooden box.

(To he concluded next week,)

A Woman Charged With Murder ing Her Husband.

The police received information of the death of a man named William Adam,» labourer, of 5, Cuba-street, MillwalL «» stated that quarrelling was heard in the de ceased man's room, and that blows were struck. A doctor was sent. for,taud an examination of the body showed that tte deceased had been stabbed in the chest m several places. The wife of the deceased was questioned, and she ..made eererai statements. As it was believed that me had stabbed her huebaod, Bhe wu faien into custody, and charged with causing pa death. "When at the Poplar police station the prisoner was examined, »nd itv.w touna that she had been violently assaulted, there wasaWge bruise on her head, jmdeptly caused by a kick, and Bhe had W> a blacK oye. The accused, who made n 9 answer to the charge, was romanded. <: ■:■:'&

Alleged Poisoning by a Wife.

At the Stratford Petty Sessions Charlotte Johnson, U, living at 6,Norfolk* Grovo Road, Walthamstow,. was chargM with unlawfully and maliciously causingto be administered to Charles Johnson, ncr husband, at various times during w .""" 12 months, certain poisonous., or noxious drugs, with intent to injure, aggrieve, ana annoy him. The prisoner, it teems, has uvw apart from her husband for about 12month*, whilst her husband is living, with a woman named Walker. At various times Johnson and Walker had been ill,;,and j flushing something was wrong, the .children to we parties were questioned, and,: the po«» making investigations, Mary Anne wai«w> aged 10, made a statement to ■torn, ,<*°r the son of the prisoner, a lwi°J,. 1A !„ latter stated that when he visited b»«g» about a year ago she gave him ;"*Jf i T rt ° wrrraped up in a paper, wbfeh.i"? t» word "poison "outside^ B*.** *** put it in something his f»rf>er ieaing: or Srinking.. Hoputitiafo father/S His father drank tba tea, and it made W ill. His mother tad givon nearly a dozen powders, and Jib had given them to n» athor during the past 12 months. "» ! prisoner denied the statementa of we "fj, whom Bbc called a wicked lad, andassew that she had given the children nwnej tor food to keep fliem from starving. J&*£l point the prisdner \>'aa temtinWi ■«*" WWK iWustf,

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1885.

4



BON!T DIE IN THE HOUSE.-"nou-i ou siul •1 > i <<< . . l il :uitliw.tyi.lni il ,,ait»,V«,b.^, K«uijtE>nw,Waßin*c3,,^Aft».Xu>klu«,