RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamie-,.1

____« write a nclifhboura name to lush, ?™ vS'S-vain'thouKhll-Tor needful cash, aouio wslte to please the coumry clash, And raise a dm. For me, an aim I nover fash— '• ' 4 write for fun.

A tccimo Christendom is stHl vory far from realisation when even the Northern and Southern ae.tions of tJie Presbyterian Church in How Zealand cannot find com mon standing ground. Four delogatos from the North havo just gone down to at tend theGoneral Assembly at Christehuroli, and take part iv dolibetations on tho long talkod-of union. Tho Synod of Otago and Southland lately appointed a committee to attend tho Genornl Assembly and arrange tho basis of union ; but it appears question able whethor tho Committoo will even show face. Just two days after the Synod passed tho resolution in favour of «nion, tho mover of the resolution, Dr. Salmond, got up in his placo and movod that it bo rescinded. And rescinded it was, lam told ; so that tho position is just as it was twenty years ago. Tho Northern Church is anxious for union, and it does not appear that it nttne.es any •*>_- qua noil conditions to tho plea; tho Southern Chine, makes equal professions of n burning desire for unity, but always with a certain hankering hoaitatiou, until at last, like tho ooy maiden in the Scottish song, sho seems to havo cast tho suitor over altogether :

" Jocky said to .Tonny— Jonny. will ye dot.l Ne'er a hit. quo' Jenny For my tocher's gniil."

A Caledonian bard has sung of "tho weary want o' sillor," but in this otiso it is the vory abundanco of tho "tocher" or marriogo portion that hinders tho union. Ovor and ovor again has tho ceremony Beemed on tho point of boing consummated.: but the high contracting parties havo nover got nearer than " Within a Milo o' Edin burgh Toon." To alter tho words of that song and view the Northorn Church still as the "Jocky" and tho Southern as tho "Jenny " of the transaction, I may say- Northern Jooky. blj-tho and freo. Wooed sweot Jenny lovlimlv; The lassie blushed, ana frowning cried— "Na.na; ltwluna. dao; I wuina. alumna, darai-., maunna, wlnna buoklo tasl" Now, I think the whole soerot of tho refuaal lies, not in Southom Conservatism, >ut in tho rioh endowments which the Church of Otago and Southland po. sossos. But Buroly the time has come for even that obstacle to disappear. Cannot "Jenny" tako ad vantage of tho Married Women's Property Aot, and keep her " tocher " in her own right ? I commend this suggestion to the revorend fathors, and shall bo only too glad, if tbey act upon it, to accept •of a vote of thanks from the General Assembly as pay ment in full for the idea.

" My son," the modem American gentlo man is represented as saying to hia hopeful progeny, " the whole world ia before you. Take your chotoo of professions: the church, the army, or the coachman's box !" This is a neat hint at tho faculty whioh coach men hove of getting heiresses to elooe with them, and is a fair specimen of American wit. Mothinks, however, that wore tho Auc_land^_tf«. togiveasimilar injunction to his s»n, ho would include among tho eligiblo openings the profession of dentistry. 1 happened the other day, in a certain fashion able street, to pick up a printed card,which opened my eyes and inado my teeth wator. '_She card was nn appointment made by a certain Misa 0. to coll upon "Mr P. (_}., surgeon-dentist," at a cortain hour of a certain day. What particularly struck mo was tho following footnote :—

" Patients aro requested to come punctual to a minute and present this oard to attend ant., as tho time allotted to each is limited. If ui.nble to keep tho appoilitinent, 24 hours' notico is requested, otherwise the time lost '.rill bo charged for at the rate of 2 yuinetts per hour."

And what particularly struck me in the font-noto was tha. stipulation that "two gnineaaper hour" would bo charged forovery minute of the dentist's precious timo that .-night bo wasted in waiting for his patient. -Thus in this iicd-denial way do I learn that an Auckland dentist calculates his income at the rate of £4,576 a year. The result is achieved by a simple calculation of tho dentist', hours-seven daily—at two guineas each. I almost tremble when I fliink that by losing the card in question, and forgetting the appointed hour, tho lady may have lost a few guineas in addition to itke doubtless heavy foe which the artist in iteeth would claim.

XXX After all, however, dentists' remunera tion does not seom extravagant when I learn that a teetotal lecturer earns at the rate Of £3,900 a yoar, with board and resid ence, washing and dressing, travelling ex panses, and pocket money thrown in to the .arsain. No doubt, "the labourer 13 worthy of Ida hire," and it would bo decidedly sinful to " muzzle tho mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn "; but is it not possible that the labourer may over estimate his services, and that the ox may open his mouth just a little too wide? "Zamiel" is an advocate of temperance, but he likes to see people trying to be tompeiato in all things, and not— •' Compound for sand they aro inclined to By damning those thsy have no mind to. The vico of selfish greed ia at loast as ob iectionablo as that of drunkenness, if it ia not happily of such common occurrence; and to cWgo a fair year's salary for a fort night's work looks moro liko a piece of Jewish ex.tor_.o_ than a mere bit of Yankee "smartness." Vet, if I had a dozen sons I would not ndviso ono to bocoine a teetotal lecturer ; tho dentist's method, of making a Wtune might recommend itself as the ho_X- **-*<- lat^ r Ca° Sh. W or,- hiß wages new masticating apparatus, leading to improved digestion, greater health, and enhanced happiness; but the fruits of a so nified "tomperaneo" campa^n consist . hiailv of a lot of blue rags stitched on the «_Zt_ of people, who fancy thoy are thus "howfcc a noWe example ot self-sacrifice for tie good of others. Poor fools ! When all tho timotvkey aro for the most part making a _ri_. isb -ex hibition of their Pharisaic self-riEhteousne es. Considering that it ia the wearers of theso ribbons who contribute Xt princely salary of £3,900, ou^t not ithe colour rather to bava been green ?

xxx AWkfllos' wrath was not tfc. -.source of rasro usnumbered woes to Greece tkm are the wUvm of singers to the carrying-OB o| divine w^hip. ta tho Scotch " kist o', whustlea" tc the gorgeous paraphernalia! _f full - blown ritualism, these discordant wuabbles show tkeir hydra-headed front, ,md aro the cause o£ more heartburnings, fealousioa, and pangs tbp war and women !___ been. " Zaro iol" has ft. late had hia rttentioa called to the pleasant Jittlo socia Amenities listing between the members o the choir of a certain suburban church of this city, where f*o music indeed l*.s been I of a high character 'tkough the par-onm a y be said to havo play«d second fiddle). This fact does not appear to have been overlooked by tire members of the choir themselves, somo of whom, doubtless, are "ravished with the enchanting harmony of their own voices." ! •• swans Bing before they die; L'tweio no bad ShouW obtain persons die before rfe.y sing.' The upshot of all tho aforejoiued is that several of these choristers, like swans, have j nealed forth their dying notes, and the; Church which know them once is to know; them no more, and to crown all. the (that'pillar of the State) has eeeigped. Aa poor Tom Hood would say, ~ AUa for the rarity o£ Christian charity." _< x x _. ._ ;

_* _~•;_,.._ nro^eedings of a Good Tem lf fheimiwpro. *£ h sisterhood tflar lodge, °B£-*^? h A^ny an d peace, I preserve silence,.aro han-. J,s . am oonvinced from what 1 say the other evening by * white fe »» «?« Good Tomplars, when let loose upon *nB. world without, becomo exceedingly noisy. There is a lodgo of water-loving worthies •westward of the city, which lias obtamod •some notoriety in tho Order for want of •ordor and that equanimity of tempera ■meats bo essential to good neighbourhood. This lodge would seem, from its title, taken "from Longfellow's poom, to be harmonious, •consistent, progressive and Chrietinrflike, _t is, moreover, illuminated by a Rainbow. Another singularity of this veritable breath ing lodge ia tiie variety of names within its limits, such as Rule, Cork, Whetstone, Bucket, Cann, Hammer, and Walker. .Jlence the imaginative mind may easily conceive what a general rumpus there would lie in its inner eirclo wore the representa tives sot in motion; nnd some of these members are as noisy cs those things would i

bo in an ocean swell. A heavy, warlike j discussion on the removal of this lodge to a more central position took place last lodgo nic-lit, which was afterwards resumed in the open air, and to which " Zamiel " had the satisfaction of listening. I XXX

Tho light of the moon was struggling through the passing clouds, and it fell in fitful gleams upou the thin, caro-seamed faces of tho debaters. A few stragglors had gathered around tho wordy combatant-. When tho " Bucket" vowed that his motion should be carried, Sister A declared that it should not. It was an absurd pro position. The "Rule" declared that oat meal oakoß should not be tolerated, only Grubb's hot Scotch pios, in a lodge whose motto was " Upward and Onward." The irate sister said thoy might have a " Rule" in thoir lodgo, and so might a carpenter's shop, but neither -he nor her Scotch laddie were ts ho overruled while there was a chance of keeping square. Tho language occaiionaHy used by tho disputant* was not quite polite. One brother, whose shoulder 1 pooped over, and who had given a patient ear to the talk, suddenly ox elaimed " My name is Walker," and hopped away into tho darkness. Sistor Point said it was not woll to lot the outside world iuto the Lodgo socrots. Sho would, at tho next meeting, propose a conciliatory motion. _St-ter A said whatever Sister Point brought forward would bo pointless. Brother A coaxed his sweetheart as of auld, and bogged her toquieton hor tongue. She replied that i-ho viyinld uot, sho was bos*, Whereupon hor quid moll warbled a stavo trom a Scottish poet—

O, baud your tongue, my foirie nulcl wlf., O. hand your tongue now, Nansle, 0! I'vo seen the day, and sau ha'e ye, Ya wadnn been sac donsio 0! I'vo seen tho day ye buttered my brose, An. cuddled mo lato and early O! Hut doarna do's come o'er mo now. And oh, 1 fool it sairly, O! "Tluvt'a Robbie Burns's," rapturoualy ex oiaimed Brother McLcod ; " horo goes for " Auld Lnng Sync," and a mellowing in tluonco fell with the words of tho song, liko tho moonbeams upon thoir upturned faces.

XXX Although aneiont Roman precedent may bo claimed for tho method in which tho local shipowners and payors of duea elect bionniully their trinity of representatives to tho Harbour Board, yot it is assuredly, in these advanced modern times, ono of thoso customs which should bo relegated to tho limbo of desuetude. Could anything have been more primitivo than tho election of Monday last? Those of the electors who arrived the earliest wero penned liko a flock of sheep within the contracted and by no moaus woll ventilated area of tho Board-room ; whilo those who waited out sido for the time to strike were mot with the Scriptural intimation to tardy soula, "Yo cannot enter now " Pour qttoi'f — Because my gentlo friend thero was not evon standing room to bo had within tho privileged precincts. Some of the fortu nate eloetora wore compassionate enough to auggest means whereby all might vote. Thus, ono individual advised the Chairman to inatruot the voters to file out of tho room as with uplifted hands they recorded thoir votes. Another of more impotent mind capped thia auggostion by remarking that the electors could be gently passed out of the window and dropped on the pavemont beneath as they filed paat in voting order.

However, tho Chairman's determination to fulfil the lotter of tho law by having a aliow of hands defeated tho execution of this exciting littlo experiment. Professor Hugo ought to havo been present to havo scon tho show of hands. It would have atl'orded him material sufficient for half a dozon lectured. Somo of thoso present did not at all rogard tho exhibition from a scientific point of viow. Such a ono, for instance, was tho unknown person who cruelly hurt the feelings of Mr Patrick lilooson by leading him blindly into a colloquy, ono to wound him whore his foel ings aro tonderest. Thua went the dialogue: U. P.—Say, Giecsan, is that your hand up thero for Aickin ? Mr Q.—Yes; bedad, it is. U. P.—Then why the devil didn't you wash it before bringing it hero ?

Mr G. (after an inell'ectual effort to put himself in sympathetic accord with tho guflaw of laughter which enaued), "Bo jabers, if I had yo hero for a minute I'd save ye tho troublo of washing your face for some timo to ooma." Tho unknown per son, of oourso, did not nccopt tho invita tion, and tho election proceeded without further ado, tho electors doubtless exercis ing tho privilege of voting both early and olten. X XX

I have often boon am(used nt the manner in which some self-made public men boast of thoir own ignorance, and urge their suc cess in life, nnaidod by oven tho orthodox schooling represented by tho threo R's, as an argument against the imparting of n sound education to the children of this colony. An auecdote related by Mr Booth in the course of one of his lectures the other night bore strongly upon thia point, and is certainly worth repeating. He re lated how in America an individual ot this class waa thanking God in a public as semblage that ho had never been to college, and consequently had nevor been crammed, and so on. The speaker, who followed him said that so far as he could understand, his friend was thanking God for what ho did not know ; and, if s., ho hod an almighty lot to thank God for. X XX Perhaps there is no virtue that ia moro conerally abused than that of hospitality, and so frequent are the instances of imposi tion that I often wonder that tho good quality in question, does not cease to oxist. An oxcellent story, which may serve to " point a moral,'.' was related to me tho other day. There is in the immediate neighbour hood of Auckland a spot of entrancing beauty, where delightful scenery, lovely ferns, and a laagniticont waterfall form bucli remarkable attractions that crowds , of people go from town to inspect thorn. ; Tho district so wonderfully blest by these charms has not yot displayed sufficient enterprise to establish a house of entertain ment for man and beast ; but whatever i deficiency exists in this respect is amply i atoned for by tho warm-hearted hospitality i of oome of the settlers on the way to the ■ falls. Repeatedly and oft havo they wel comed and entertained the footsore and weary tourist, and tho pages of the Dooms day Book would scarcely contain the record of the many kindnesseß which they have performed. Perhaps it is not to bo won dered at that instanoos of imposition have occurred under these circumstances, but the facts which I have related only make tho fraud more reprehensible. And now for my story. On a recent Sunday, a young follow of masher-like appearance delighted his lady-love with a trip to the falls. They came, they aaw, and I suppoao thoy ivere conquered. But unfortunately for th«r_, the proviaion which they had made for thoi. journey waa slight, and ere they had left tho ranges thoy wero fatigued and hungry. They ro-bwed tho usual custom, antl called at tho homestead of one of tho settlerß, where they wero c;ado thoroughly welcome, and wore supplied > with the bast which the house could afford. Before tie visitors loft, the young man spoke, cf poyment, but his host assured him that he desired no recompense what ever, and that ke was only too glad that he was able to bo of service to his visitors. But, with a generosity a*d munificence which subsequent events did not justify, the young fellow protested that he could not think of accepting such warm hoapital- j ity without boing allowed to make a hand some present in return. Ho persistently inquired by what ii-Cans the settler obtained his goods from town, and having at last i being informed, he protested that the I warmth of the reception accorded him ■ would only be equalled by the present that he would send.

IMy friend the settler, although in comfortable circumstances, does not Altogether rerol in riches, nor can he boost the possession of untold wealth, —and if visions of a new silk dress for his better-half and a pair of gold spurs for himself floated across faia Kind, then I do not think thore is much reason for sur prise. Before the party left, rain had oom me_ y& t0 a"> ant* aeemS that the young man di no'i Possess an overcoat; the host lent _.',_ &'« own- T^ c,,?? vu P1?. le -.> protesting their tha_*»i andfillmg the air with promises of a m ;_atfcettt reward. The overcoat was te have been lei. _*t W*J railway station .some fou_ miles distant, an. next day tho host B_.dd.e9l hjs horse and rode there expecting to find ihis garment. It was not there, but a note, left ;in its place, informed the good-natured .farmer, that, as the rain had continued toiall, the! writer had taken the coat to town, and would send it by tho noon train on the following day. Our friend was slightly an noyed at the loss of time entailed, and tho following day found him again at tho Btation. Tho overcoat camo to hand safely

this time, and hidden inside tho folds woa a parcol suggestive of tho splendid presents respecting which tho promises had been so profuso. Congratulating him self upon tho possession of a gift of exceptional value, ho hurriedly rode homo and placed tho precious package in the hands of his wifo. Sho too wns over come by tho generosity of tho donors, ond was convinced that hor share was at least a silk dress. With trembling lingers sho unrolled tho package, and thero was dis closed to view-simply an illustrated shoot almanac, representing Whittington and his cat, with tho name and business of tho magnanimous sender in tho corner. If the indignation of the worthy couple nt what they considered to be a gratuitous insult rose to boiling point, one need scarcely bo surprised. Thoy had not dosired any return or payment for thoir hospitality, but that they should bo utilised ns adver tising mediums after all that had hap ponod wua galling to thoir self-respect. For my part, I only regret that thoir considera tion for tho feelings of their Into lamented guest prevents mo from publishing both his nanio and buslnoss address. Tho story should liud a place amongst tho records of unparalleled meanness. xxx

A young lady correspondent el "Zamiel," who writes over tho signature, "Sally Smith," doubtless actuated by a thirst for information, sonds a letter written on pink paper with scalloped edgos ; and though Sally's questions nro somewhat dilliciilt to answer, "Zutniol "_ has boon so touched by tho charming inquisitivenoss of the writer that ho has felt constrainod to spend an hour or so hunting in a grout big directory for the purposo of making hor happy. Sally ia burning with a dosiro to know which name of tho proverbial patrony mics, Brown, Jones, and Robinaon, is tho most common iv tho colony. It is impos sible to answer Miss Sally's question with mathematical accuracy, as tho census collectors do not supply us with tho information, but a perusal of tho post-office directory will givo tho information approximately. Tho Browns, according to tho Direutory, num ber 5-18, tho Joneses -'70, nnd tho Robinsons are a bad third with 181. But thoso sur names pale into uttor insignificance besido tho groat Smith family (tbo plain, genuine Smith unadulterated with a " y " instead of the " i," orundofncod with tho unnecessary final "o"), No fewer than SM persons are returned as bearingtliistime-honourodnamo. Of Scotch names, the most common is Mc- Donald, which ia borno by 296 individuals. •.__•_ porsons sign theuiaelvos McKay, while 1!K) McKonzies and 100 McLeans sin and sutler undor tho Now Zealand sun. Tho great Irish surnamoa O'Brion and O'Connor aro not so numerous as might have boon expected. Tho O'Briens muster loss than 100, whilo tho O'Connors aro said to num ber SO souls.

STRONG DRINK AND CRIME IN MAINE.

An Extraordinary Rooord-A Movement to Abolish tho Doath Ponalty Again.

(Fbom tub "Nkw York Sun.")

Portland, Jan. 4.—Tho Maino Legislature of 1882 restored tho death penalty for tho crimo of murdor in the first degree. Two yoars havo passed, and already thoro aro Hiuttorings of dissatisfaction and consider able talk in favour of a return to tho old ordor of things. The prospect of doath on the scaffold does not seem to havo had the intended effect, and it is likely that thoso who believe that hanging is a relic of somi barbarism will make n united ctl'ort to havo the old law restored and punishmont by death abolished.

Judge Goddard of Portland, to whom more than to any fifty others in tho State tho ro-estoblishment of tho doath penalty is duo, contends that thore is no call for any chango, and he doos not expect any serious movo by the "sentimentalists," as ho calls hia oppononts, in that direction. The criminal reoord of the Stato for tho paat year ia not an agreoablo one to contemplate. Thoro havo been 1,145 criminal proaocutions such aa havo required the attention of county attorneys. Exclusive of all prosecu tions for violation of tho liquor laws, and not counting any prosecutions in local courts, thoro nas boon ono criminal proaocu tion to 6.ich 1,000 inhabitants of tho Stato. Elovon persona havo been prosecuted for killing follow beings, and four men and ono woman havo boon sentenced to death.

Tho following is a recapitulation of tho capital crimes of the yoar:—

Daniel Wilkinson, for shooting and killlnf Policeman Lawrenco at Bath. Sontonccc to death.

Mary E. Barrows, for complicity In tho killing of her huaban 1, Thomas E. Barrows, at Kittory. Sontenced to death. Oscar E. Blaney, for killing Thomas E. Barrows at Kittory. Sentenced to death. Carmen Santora and Rnffaoll Capono, for killing Pasqualo Coscio at Dedham. Both sentenced to death.

Lorenzo H. Turner and Lowia E. Hop kins, for manslaughter in killing Joseph Donney at Richmond. Both sentenced tc eight years' imprisonment at hard labour. Donnis Kelloy, for killing Francis A. Smith at Fort Popham. Case removed to tho United States Court.

J. F. Walker, for killing Albort R. Dag gett. Jury disagreed. Robort Grindlo, for killing a person in Hancock County. Sont to insano asylum for examination and observation.

Charles Morgan Wallace, for killing Thomas Malloy at Tagus. Sentenced to imprisonment and hard labour for lifo. John F. Bakor, for killing Julia F. Tuck, of Albion. Sentenced to imprisonment for lifo at hard labour.

Harry Burns, for killing Policeman Lie. nosa at Augusta. Sentenced to 7 yoara' imprisonment at hard labour. Thomas J. Libbey, for killing Lydia S. Snow at Portland. Trial to take placo this month.

Six of tho sixteen counties of tho State share in this bloody record. Of tho cloven murders three wore committed in Sagada., hoc, three in Ifenneboc, two in Hancock, one in Somersot, ono in York, and ono in Cumberland. Some of thoso wero cold blooded, premodltated killings, as brutal and revolting as any in the annals of crime. The worst was tho chopping to pieces and shooting of Thomas Barrows, an old farmer, invalid and crippled. The actual murdorer was Oscar E. Blaney, tho old man's son-in law. The crime was planned and directed by Mrs Barrows. A movement to have young Blaney's sentence commuted to im prisonment for life is likely to be successful, but there is no likelihood of any Executive clemency for Mrs Barrows. Sho will, no doubt, bo hanged, unless the death penalty is abolished by tho present Legislature. It is a fact worth noticing that, although Maine is tho leading prohibitory stato of the Union, most of tho murders committed in tho Btato within the past 10 years may bo fairly charged to tho excessive use of in toxicating liquors. Five of the murderers before mentioned were under tho influonce of liquor when their crimes were com mitted. Liquor it is called in Maine, but in fact it is a v;le, poisonous concoction of wet damnation, that ccsts from a dollar to a dollar and a quarter a gallon, ,_ nil is sold to the consumer for from six to eight dol lars a gallon. It doesn't take a great quan- j tity ofit tomako a sane man crazy,

Maine is picking up in several ways. She is gaining in popu lation and wealth, thanks, not to tho 'prohibition fanatics, but, strange to say, to tho o'ntornriging management of her greatest monopoly, the Maine Central Rail road, and to the renewed energy of her capitalists and go-ahead men generally. But the increase m crime more than keeps pace with that in population and wealth. It £s sad to find in a newspaper printed in the little town of Machias a request signed by one thousand earnest men and women which reads as,fpllowas— This request is made in behalf of the boys and young men of Machias, e?mo of whom pre resorting to strpng drink, greatly to their personal injury as well as to the deep sorrow of parents and friends. Very many pf the "sly sellers" pre known; whether they Appear on the streets with spavined hprse and rtekety waggon, or with a threadbare grip sack, or with flasks in their coat pockets, the misery they introduce is ail the s?.me.

They aro respectfully asked to keep out of the limits of Machias.

Machias is a quiet town of about 2,000 in habitants, half rural and half maritime. Jhe prohibitory law has been on the statute books T^oie than thirty years, and during all that time -i?re Jw« been an attempt to enforce it in Machi'aS. Still drunkenness increßßoa and worse crimes follow. Tbo modc'rnrbuilt gaol, one of the architectural ornaments'Qf .he town, draws nearly all its occupants from the over-increasing army of drunken men and'w&raen. And what is true of Machias is true of scores of other towns in Maine.

SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTURES.

Now Zoaland,

Dunedin J.C. Autumn Feb. 2G, 27, and 28 Wunganui J.C. Autumn March 5 and I! North Aucklund (Dargaville) Races..March 0. 7 Oanmru J.C. Autumn March 17 and IS Hawko's Hay J.C. Autumn .. ..March 17 and 19 Utahubu Racing Club February 21 Henderson's Mill Turf Club March 17 Northorn Jockey Club Autumn Mnrch 21 Toi-anakrAnn Ivorsary Mooting March 27. 28 Auokland tt.C. Autumn April 4 and II Canterbury J.C. Autumn Meeting April 0. 7 Papukura Meeting April 23 Auckland lt.C. Steepleohaso Mooting.... June 6" Australia. V.R.O. Autumn February 28, March 5, 7 HuwKCsbury IT C. Autumn Mnroh vij, 28 A.J.O. Autumn April t), 8,10,11 Datos of Nominations, Entries and Aoooptanoos, Nominations Henderson's Mill Cup and Hurdles February 'JU Final Payment, Dunedin Cup February 2_ Nominations A.lt C. Raster Handicap. Autumn Handicap, and Steeplechase February 27

To Correspondents.

I'oxkv.—Jim wlna tho wager 1C there was no proviso made that both horses wero to suirt. F. J. t-TKAUNY.—Thoro la only one rule In tho matter. Unless a proviso is made beforehand, all sweops go with tho horso who receives tho stakes, C.J.—1.0 Oraud won the last Champion Raco, 01. Colour being aeeond, nnd Commotion third. Navigator. jMartinl-lluii'y, Sting, ami lronhand wore tho other starle. '. J_A_i:a.—MrV!utlcr gave 185 guineas for Fuslllor when he wits a yearllntr. lie purchased him nt. Mr Walters'- sale hi 188_. Marlon was also boughtat the same time by Mr-P llbrow for 180 guineas. W.H.—Matanaka has only npnoarcd twleo In public. Ho ran nocond to The Jilt In the Maiden Plate at the Dunedin Autumn Mooting of ISB3, nnd wna unplaced In the Suburban Handicap, won by Looj.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

Now that tho Wellington Moorings havo bccomo tilings of the paat, all interest is boing centred in the Dunedin Cup, which | comes up for decision on tho 26th of tho present month. Somo days back, every thing pointed to Vanguard bocoming a "rod-hot" favourite for tho race, but during the weok ho has gone back in tho market. At all oven! a good horso though he undoubtedly is, I can't mako mysolf boliovo that ho is capable of winning on tho Forbury courso with 9st Hlb on his back. It would certainly scorn from what has taken place lately that his owners havo supported him, but to what oxtont no reliable information can bo obtained. Thoro aro not a fow who think Livorpool will yot turn out to bo tho trump curd, but on this point wo nro in tho dark at tho present timo. With Sst 91b I havo a liking for Lady Emma, and although it sooma too much of a good thing for tho maro to repeat her victory of last yoar, It will not do to undor-estimato hor chunco. On the stroneth of tho support accorded Wapiti ho now holds tho position of first favourite, but should Major Goorgo also oloct to start Nelson, I will not bo surprised in tho loast to boo him boat tho Midsummer Handicap winner. lam informed by a Christchurch friond that Nolson hns im proved a great donl since New Yoar's Day, and it is no socrot that whon both woro well, ho was always master of Wapiti. Sou'-wostor proved conclusively at Welling ton that ho i- an unreliable gentleman whon tho pinch coinos, but in Bpito of this, I think ho is master of 8-t 21b, and in my oyos ho looks ono of tho good things of tho handicap. It is stated that Mr P. Butlor has n clinker in tho throo-year-old colt Charmer, but 1 think it would bo just as woll for backers to know a littlo more about hira, for hia party ac notorious for making mistakes Rumour hath it that Trenton is to bo ontrustod with the enre of Mr 1). O'Brion's coloura, and if aucb is the case, I Bhall ooitainly havo him on ray sido, for wo Aucklandors all know how goal ho is. At the present time thoro are "4 left in tho raco, but tho final pay ment of lOsovs on tho 2.'! rd will no doubt considerably reduce tho list. Major \Vnlm. _ey returned from Sydnoy by tho 8.8. Waihora on Wednosdny after noon, bringing with him the Rosette and Atlantis colts purchasod by Mr E. Mitchol son at tho Stud Company's solo. Tho youngatora aro located at their owner's residence, Rcmuora.

During tho weok thore havo beon in quiries for Trenton for tho Dunedin Cup, and the local pcncillora have written 300 ugpinst his name at 100's to 8. At Wel lington Tattorsall's on Monday night last, I am informed tho stable backed Johnny Faulkner to win .4,000 at 100. to f>. Captain Webster was also bofrionded to win £1,000, at 100's to 10, and ~00 to 100 was accepted about Wapiti and Vanguard.

Tho two days' racing of tho Tatiranga Jockoy Club last woek woro largoly at tended, and tho woathor was all that could bo desired. Tho Jockey Club Handi cap of 40sovg, 2 milos, was won by Mr S Moody's Revenge, The Clown being second, and Rifleman third. Naughty Boy appro priated the Hurdles, Wolcotno Davy tho Ladies' Purse, Rovengo tho Publicans' Pjrse, and Uno tho Produco Plate (for two-year-olds). Rifleman got homo first in the Conaolation.

Mr B. Coylo has purchased tho jumping horso Chevalior, and ho is expected to arrive from Wanganui to-morrow. Mr D O'Brien's winnings in stokes ot tho Wellington Moorings totted up to tho tidy Bum of £920 odd. For this nmotint ho has to thank Rubina for the boet part, for sho placod to his credit each of tho five rncoe sho started for. Tasman secured tho Wellington Racing Club Cup of 400sovs with 9st 61b up, while in tho Handicap ho ran Administrator to a neck with tho crusher of lOst in the saddle. Tho gallant son of St. Albans was withdrawn from tho Dunodin Cup this weok, his impost having been increasod to 9.t 111b by his Wel lington victory. Out of tho 22 nominated for tho Wan ganui Cup 14 havo criod content with the imposts allotted thorn by Mr Evott. Tho majority of those loft in aro a vory modorate lot; and I think either Leonora or Tigredia should bo ablo to placo tho race to tho credit of Captain Russell. Tho first forfoit for tho Australian Cup and Nowmarkot Handicap foil duo last week. I notico that Welcome Jack has accepted for both races.

Mr W. Kelao, who purchased tho colt by Musket from Realisation for 80 guineas, has hod a bit of bad luck with him. Tho colt was being addod to tho list, when he received such injurios that ho novor roao.

The Northern Jockoy Club have fixed thoir Autumn Mooting to take placo on Saturday, 21st March. From a copy of the programmo forwarded me, I find that £220 will bo given away in stakes, divided among eight events, the principal of which are tho Autumn Handicap of 65sova, Hurdle Race of 30sovs- and Freo Handicap of 45sova. I don't suppose Auckland.owners will troublo the Meeting, for the Autumn -handicap pnd Hurdles aro only opoh for horses or. nod by and in tho possession pf persons residing in eithor of tho counties of Rodney, Hobson, Whangaroi, Bay of Islands, Mcingonui, qr Hokianga, such horses to havo boon owned in said district not less than three months prior to tho meeting. Nominations for the three principal events close on the 27th February.

Among tho Hon. J. White's team at Flemington ia the Auckland-bred colt Matchlock. His debut will be anxiously looked forward to.

l'ho liojpinations for tho Christchurch Great Autumn Handicap, which wero re ceived on Saturday night last,niimber eight less than last year.

The Auckland Racing Club havo endorsed tho disqualification of T. Bailey by the Povorty Bay Turf Club, for using abusive language to the officials, and removed the disqualification from tho mare Sylvia, her owner (E. Smith), and the jockoy. The brown colt by Musket from Onyx, purchased at the recent sale of the New Zealand Stud Company by Mr Hamilton Osborne for 800 guineas, has been entrusted to the care of the well known Sydney trainer, W, Duggan. The following horse? have been scratched for the two principal events of the V.R.C. Autumn Meeting.-—Newmarket Handicap .* Colsteun, . Warwick, Countryman, The Jewel, Chloe, Paganini, Kingship, Chuck ster,Nedo' the Hilla, Rqcket, Umborto, Sarabana, Emilius, Sutton, Iralee, Royal Irishman, Little Sister, Too Too, Scara mouch, Warbler, and Premature. Aus trian Cup: Madcap, Warwick,, Blink Bonny, Precious Stone, Prime Minister, Desjs_t, Anglesey, Pi(pt, Colstoun, Dirk Hatteraick, Tha Broker, R.ufus, King's; Own, and Wallangra, From Napier I learn that Pe*cy Martin I has now in training Leonato, Forerunner, Pearl, Deceiver, Mangahone, Smeorach, and the Musket—Maid of Athol colt. The two last named have improved a good deal since they have been in his hands.

The betting on the Newmarket Handicap is as under:—Sir Garnet, 100 to 8, wanted; Coningsby, 100 to 7 ; Velocipede, 100 to 3; Malua, 25 to 1; Prometheus and King of theGipaies, 1,000 to 20.

Says tho "New Zealand Times":—'A totalisator invostor on Administrator In tho Gold Cup raco ot Island Bay did not present tho tickot on tho day of tho race, and ho brought tho matter before tho stewards, opining that a dividond of £2!) lus was not a clianco to bo lost without effort. Tho stewards hold a mooting,', and decided that tho money should bo paid ovor to tho lucky invostor. A strange feature in connection with the affair is that tho manager of tho machine paid out dividonda to the number of tickot.. registered on Ad ministrator.; on Wednesday. However, tho last tickot presented was clearly a gonu.no ono. , Nominations for tho Hondorson'i Mill Cup and Hurdle Raco clsso on Friday noxt. Mr Chubbins'a Wilbcrforco has boon scratched for all engagements at tho VVnnga nui Mooting in March, and July has boon withdrawn from tho evonta he was entered for at Hawko's Buy. Dorritt rodo Tigiodia iv tho Wellington I Cold Cup, and Goorgo Williams was on I Fusilier.

Ono of old Loch Lomond's hoofs has boon handsomoly mounted, and now doos duty as a matchbox at tho aaloon of a Napier to bacconist.

Sir Garnet has boon bnekod to win tho Newmarket Handicap at 20 to 1 to tho oxtont of £19,000. Sir Garnot and Lo Grand havo also boon supported to win tho double—Handicap and Australian Cup—at I,ooo's to 5. llnlos is rapidly improving, and will soon bo nblo to don tho " bluo and white " ngain.

Commotion still rules first favourite for tho Champion Stakes. 500 to 20U was ac cepted about hia chance last weok in Melbourne.

Tho South Australian Jookoy Club havo beon granted tho uao of tho Flemington courso to hold a threo days' mooting in May next. Tho Adelaide Cup, which last yoar was a handicap of 2,oooaova will in all likolihood bo included in tbo programme. The much-talked-of Silvor King won tho Groat Foal Stnkos at tho Goolong Summer Meeting, boating two modorates. Tho Dunedin Jock.-y Club have ordainod that all employes of tho club, gntomen, tickot-sollors, and others shall woar a badge with a number on it, us is dono on the Molbourno courso.

Mr 1). O'Brien has sold his liurdlo-rncor Bordorman to Messrs M, and C. Hobbs, of Timaru,

Misfortune who ran a dead boat with Tambourini for tho Dunodin Jockoy Club Handicap of 1877, was sold for a mere song in Christcliureh a fow daya back. Sho is now stinted to Cadogan.

South Australia ia sending a long string of horses to bo trained at Flemington for the Autumn campaign. Very general public satisfaction was felt iv tho Empire City at the decided and prompt manner in which tho stewards of tho Wellington Jockoy Club doalt with tho Macaroni case, aa tho horse's tiamo hud beon written in almost all the doubles.

Tho Irish siro,Xonophon,who has beon so successful in bogottlng jumping horaoa lately, is closoly related to Nowstoad, the hitter's dam boing by Lucifer out of Zenobia by Kiwrstono out of Pulrao, while Xono phon's aire, Canary, was by Orlando out of Palmn.

"Augur," of tho "Australaßian,"conclude» a long articlo on tho Nowmarkot Handicap tlius :—To conclude, if Commotion should start ho will probably run into a placo, for ho ia a groat racehorse, and will bo ridden out; but I think ho will bo beaten, nnd those moat likoly to offoct his ovorthrow aro Off Colour, Coriolanus, Warwick, Kit Nubbles, and Lo Grand. A thoroughbred sold for a farthing! Thia (says "Tarn O'Shuntor," in tho Tos mam_.ii " Mail") may Boom incredible, but tho inoidont, aa related to mo by a votoran "sport" of tho district of Brighten, ia atated to havo occurred. Many years ago a mare was fount! wandering about one of tho then wild-looking streets of an up country township, and taken to tho public pound. Tho animal not having beon claimed during "tho period allowed by law," it was put up for sale. Old ago and a minimum of feed had cuuaod tho lot to bo anything but an inviting one, and conse quently tho muro was not Bold at tho salo proper, Ono ol tho gentlomon present at tho bidding had in his possession a farthing of an anciont date, which tho poundkeepor or auctioneer (I am not certain which) long wished to own. " Look horo, P ," said tho wieldcr of the hammer, "you're not vory Hush cf cash. I'll tell you what I'll do ; tho mare must bo sold, ao you can tako hor for that old farthing." Mr P , loath to part with what was apparently a relic handod down through two or throo generations, looked first at tho coin and then at tho oquino in front of him, and exclaimed, " It's a bargain, boss!" Tho maro in question was tho dam of Lady Rowcnu, and tho granddam of Mislead. Tho purchaser never had occasion to foel sorry for his deal, for tho mare turned out an exceedingly woll-bred ono.

DUNEDIN SPORTING NOTES.

[By Tf.leora. h.]

[From Our Own Correspondent.]

DUNEDIN, Thursday. Tun plot thiokonß in connection with tho DunoUin Cup, and sovoral horsea aro boiog woll backed. Wapiti has mot with such strong support that ho has passed Vanguard in the betting, and is now first favourite at 4 to 1, tho Hon. W. Robinson's horso meanwhile retiring to 11 to 2. Lady Emma remains firm at 100 to 15, whilo Captain Webster, who was backed at Wellington to win .3,000, comes noxt at 100 to 12. Johnny Faulknor b) also In demand ainoe Mr D. O'Brion backed him ot Wellington, and anything ovor 10 to 1 is readily takon up. Other horaos backed freely are Adamant nnd Matanaka, but thoy aro both at longiah prices, and aro only invoetod on as likoly outsiders. Quotations aro as under: —

4 to 1 against Wapiti 11 to _ — Vanguard 100 to IS — Lady Knima 100 to 12 — Captain Wobster 100 to 10 — Johnny Faulkner and Liverpool 100 to 8 — Oudols, July, Sou' wester, and Nolson lOOto fl — Trenton and Fusil lor 100 to fi — Adamant, Matanaka, Salvage. Taiuroa and Tho Poet 100 to 2 - Tho rest

Cutt'a lot wero expected down on Mon day, but thoy havo not yot put in an ap poarance.

Tho Scott v. Hancock 12 hours' walking match,which comosofT on the 21st,is causing great interest, both men being vory fit and confident, and about equally fancied. A big rocord ia fully oxpoctod. £50 a-aide has already boen deposited, and tho balanco is due on Saturday weok. After it cornea tho 38 hours' goas-you-ploaso, for which Rayner and Swan are most fanciod.

FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS.

(§J ACT-BON.)

CRICKET FIXTURE.

CLUE MATCHES.

February 14.-Gordon v. Woat End, Our Boys v. Warohoueomon (continued!, Auckland v. West End, Alpha v. Nowton (continued), United v. Otahunu.

February 21—Gordon v. West Knd (contlnuod), Our Uoya v. Nowton, Auokland v. Vafrabouda, Alpha v United 2nd, United v, Otahuhu (con tinued). February 28—Gordon v. Auokland 2nd, Our Boya v. Otahuhu, Auokland Ist v. United, Alpha v. Gordon 2nd, Newton v. Unitod 2nd.

March 7—Gordon v. Newton, Auckland v. United (continued), Alpha v. Anckland 2nd, Woat End v. Otahuhu.

AQUATIC FIXTURES.

February 28—Clifford v. Boach, fisooa-alde March 28-Hanlan v. Beach, £500 a-elde and championship ot tho world, on tho Paramatta KlvOr. April 18-CUffo.d v. Hanlan (If the former Is vlotorlouß in his match with Beach). —Clifford v. Teemer, £500 a-Blde. February 11—Auokland Rowing Association Regatta.

F. Pakhei has built a . ton pleasure yacht,

There will bo several new open sailing boats built for the Ponsonby Regatta.

The twenty-foot opon boat Ethel waii sold by R. Arthur, auctioneer, on Tuesday for j.9. Thomas 'Wilson was the purchaser.

Wellington Regatta, is to tako place on March if, and a double scytllihg raco wiß be included in the programme.

Gleare is building a new whaleboat for the St. George's Rowing Club, t<> replacb the one which was recently destroyed try by fire, '

Dr. H. L. Cortts, who held the positiop of amateur bicycle champion of England prior to his emigration to Australia, is at present on a visit to Christchurch,

C. Bailey, junior, having disposed of the 16 foot open boat Lad will probably replace her with another open boat previous to the Ponsonby Regatta.

The Regatta Club has a credit balance of lis. Had the schooner race and __o w race not fallen through, thoro would havo boon a very different results -a debit balanco of £170, which would havo boon a hotivy burden on tho now Committee.

Canada offers C2sodols for Bench and Hanlan to settle their littlo affair thore, and some other offers aro up to 0700dol for a race in tho States. 0* own littlo Nepoan affair (Hanlan v. Laycock) resulted in tho wiunor gotting hold of 92G0dols gate money and stakes,

Nogotiationß for a second walking match botwoen Scott and Hancock haYo.now.been concluded. It will bo for £100 a side, the diatanco boing SO milos, and is to como ofi on Saturday, 21st inst. Fifty miles is understood to bo Hancock's distance, and thoro is ovory prospect of an oxoiting con tost.

Charles Swan, tho long ■ distance po doatrian who intonda challenging J. Scott for the forty-eight houra championship of Now Zoaland, was bom at Gothonburg, Sweden, and is now twonty-nino yoara of age. He stands sft 4iin. in height, and woigha lOst 31b when in condition Sinco ho took to podestrianiam ho hna competed in forty-four events, tho shortest of which was fifty miles, and ho Ima always gained first, _econd, or third placo. Ho Ib in grand condition, and Bhould do a good parformanco in tho approaching forty-oight-hours con test, ia which all the crack longdiatanco mon now in Dunedin will take part.

Thomas Clifford, who was easily beaten by Haulan on Saturdoy last, is a native of the lUawarra district, and was born at Diebo, in 1854. Ho is married, and has Uvo children. Ho is barely 6 foot in height, and measures 43 inchea round tho chest. From early childhood ho took to sculling, and was always a competitor in tho local re gattas on tho lUawarra Lake. He has won six racoa in heavy boats. Ho rowed Beach threo times in hoavy boats. On the first oc casion his scat broko down, nnd ho had to retire, and Reach won ; throo months after word thoy rowed in tho same boats, and Clifford won, but as in rounding the tlngboat Boaeh's scull carried away, and not being satisfied, they exchanged boats and rowed the raco over again. No acoi donts happoning this timo, Clifford defeated Beach pretty comfortably, and Beach acknowledged his dofeat as being fair and above board. On January 20. 1882, ho ontered at tho Shoalhavon liogatta in light skill's, for tho South Coast championship, for which eight men started, and ho won it oasily. His first appoaranco in Sydney was at tho Balmain Regatta, on November 9, 1882, whon he entered for tho light skiff raco and received a handicap of 451b., and was on that occasion boaten by McDonald. Shortly afterwards Clifford rowod Edward Trickott in heavy boats, and defeated him. On Docomber 23rd, 1882, Clifford again met Beach in light akiffs, and waa defeated. In February, 1883, ho rowed Poarce in heavy boata, and defeated him. Jn December, 1883, Clifford entered for tbo Punch and Doeblo Trophy in outriggers, ho having only nine weeks previously taken to this description of boat. He won tho first heat, boating Reynolds, and thinks ho would havo won the final heat if he had not beon fouled by N. McDonald. In February, 1884, he rowed H. Poarco in outriggors and defeated hira, and since thon ho has beon in almost constant work in outriggors. In tbo curly partoflastyearClifford wont into atron" training, aa it was thought that ho would firat meet Hanlan on the Nepoan River. However, tho result of tho first raco with Eliaa Loyoock thoro was not sufficiently encouraging to qontinuo on that oourso, and tho circumstances which led up to hia match with Hanlan for £-00 are already well known to tho public. It sufficea to say that hia backers have alwayß shown him the greatest support, which has not diminished one iota since ho wont into active train ing on tho I'arramatta. Tho general public lias certainly not horetoforo seen him do foat work, but trials of groat speed havo beau given boforo a favoured fow at early dawn.

SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

(»V OCR 1,0.D0N POBnEyI'OND.NT.)

London, January 1

Ciiristvas festivitios have had a very depressing offect on all kinds of outdoor sports, and I have not very much to chronicle this mail. I think, howovor, I havo one or two interesting items to discuss. North v. South, tho only really big Rugby match pioyod in London this Benson, took placo ot Blackhoath on Docomber 20th Tho gamo was most evenly contested throughout, and victory eventually rested with tho South by tho narrow majority of a try to nil. Court obtained the winning point for tho South. Tho play was very fast, ond tho three-quarters on both Bides showed to great advantage, Haworidgo and Bolton being tho most conspicuous. Thia is tho only notable Rugby uritob which has beeu played lately, but Aasocia tion tean.B hayo boon vory busy. Tho Corinthians, a club cpipposed of first-rate players, havo just completed a tour in tho North of England. They playod seven inatehos, of whioh two woro won, one drawn, and four lost. The Corinthians wero not olwoys ablo to play their boat team, or olso tboy would not huve lost such a largo proportion of their games. A team of Londoners played Glasgow on December 20, nnd rocoived" a severe beating by six goals to two. The third round of the London Associa tion Cup was concluded on Docomber 20th. The Ola Foreetora beat Excolsior by four goals to two ; Hanover United beat the Old Huret Johniatis by four to ono; Champion Hill boat Woodford Bridgo by two to ono; and Wost End defeated United London Scottish by ono to nil. On tho samo after noon tho Old Carthusians met a very weak team of Old Etonians, wljom thpy had no difficulty in booting by six goals to pil. A six days' biayclo race has just boen concluded at the Westminster Aquarium. Tho whole affair turned out a ghastly failure. Ton competitors wero selected by the oxocutivo, and on the first day thoy all appeared boforo the starter, who got them off all right. From the first, however, falls wero numerous, and several of the riders wore badly hurt, three of thorn retiring during tho first day. Ultimately, after six days' monotonous whooling round a narrow track, ton laps to tho mile, J. Birt, of Northampton, won by 13J miles from E. Woston, also of Northampton. Birt had complotod 630 miles 5 laps, while Woston had dono 017 milos.

A real prizo-fight took placo in London the other day, without the intorfoionco of tho police. The combatants woro Carney and Jacobs. Tho former is woll-known, but tho Jew ia only a novice. Tho fight took place in a room in tho heart of London, fifty-five rounds boing got through in an hour ond threo quarters. For the firat hour and a half tbo fight waa very equal, but in tho last quarter of an hour Carney improved rapidly, ond ultimately tho Jew rocoived his coup de grace when Carney delivered an upper-cut with tho left hand, lifting him clean off the ground. The Sheffield Christmas Handicap camo off as usual this year, and proved a great success. It will belong remembered through its winner, Abe Williamson, who Ima boen ■boforo the public us a notable sprinter for oyer twonty years. This is Williamson's fourth victory jn these handicaps, and it may bo added that ho hao run second four times, and third soveral times. His age is 46, and he won his first victory in IS6B.

In Scotland und tho north of England the weather ia froaty, and skating ia being vigorously carried on. Tho speed skating championship of the National Skating As sociation will probably be hold very shortly.

The following story is vouched for as a fact by tho narrator, a gentleman who lately spent some wee|fs at a fashionable watering-place : —" I had taken a furnished houae next' door to a family which had a superfluity of unmarried daughters. The ladies, with thoir escorts, would come home to strum on the piano, and carol •On—lee -n—lee er pansee bloz—sum I' or similar affecting ditty, until nearly 2 a.m. I stormed to my wife'a maid, with the know ledge that she would tell the servants in the other houae, and that, through them, my neighbours would hear of my wrath, As a result, on the succeeding night the revel was prolonged until 230 a.to. Rendered desperate, I went down town, after breakfast, and hired the largest organett'e that I could find, and stored with a" full asrortmont' of popular tunes. I bought ah'ala.ln-elock, iwarrahted to wake the doad. Beforo retiring I carefully set the alarm for four p'clock, and promptly at that hour arose. I ground away at the organet,te until six. Ifixed the alarm to go off at three on the next morning. Again I arose, and took _ severe practice until sun rise. A few houra later—as I learnt—there was an indignation meeting next door; but since that time," concludes the narrator, "the stillness of death broods over both domiciles after midnight, and I sleep the sleep of the righteous."

THE GARDEN.

[By Horto...]

Calendar of Operations, Fobruary II

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Liktino Ai'l.K Tkkks (Hibaton).-It will bo Impossible to lift your trees with any <ei;reo of success before tho end of May or probably the middle of Juno, accord ng as the Benson ia oarlj- or lato. You will have to make special arrangements about your trees with tho purchaaor of your place, ana 1 would ndviso you to have it in writing, ao aa to be secure. Pears and plums you can move in April by taking a largo ball of eartn with them and giving them a thorough wok lug with water immediately after planting. \Vhcn you lift tho applos it will bo as well to take a largo ball with them also. I hoy are too large to lift without It; they would receive too groat a chock. BtACKiiiitDß(W.Aubroyhor,Onehunga).-Thcro is no doubt thoso aro a great pest where fruit Is growing. Would sny that the beat way to get rid of thorn is by shooting or by, poison. Tho latter method has many objections, as fowls might got to the poison. I havo never hero been overtroubled with them myseir. Perhaps somo of my readers could give mora Information as to tho beat way to get rid of the blackbirds without injury to anything else. Caboii Turns (Wuiltato).-l am afraid that it would not succeed wlm you. A correspondent In tho Waikato informed me that lie tried some last noaBOn; the seed germinated, but tho frosts killed them. 1 have grown a con siderable number of young plants near Auckland, but they don't seem to do well. lr tho tree la to bo aucco.aful it must be intro duced north of Auckland. Thore ia not the slightest doubt that if tho tree could be made a success, It would give laree commercial returns. It auo-joeds best on calcareous or dry aollß, but not ao well on swampy ground. By applying to tho Auckland City Council thia winter you will bo utile to obtain a few plants, as I understand thoy have a few in the flomaln for diatribution for experimental pur poses. Thoy are largely grown on the shores of tho Mediterranean and In America for horso feed Thero are over 180,000 tons annually ex ported from Creto alone every year. POTAI _E3 (Ouori).—lt ia quite possihlo for one person to havo 500 varietlea of potato In tho Samo garden, but I do not think that it ia pos- Blblo to grow 500 varieties in tho sumo garden lit for ata?lng at a Horticultural dhow. 1-tatoos, liko everything else where there are varletioa, succeed bettor on some soda than on others. From twolve to twenty varietlea aro quite sullleient for any person to grow, but I think tho garden 1 referred to has 500 growing. Hia object U i to Introduce now Borts to distribute (it paid for tn.m) to others, and ao thnt the cropping capabilities of each vurioty may bo tested in different aoils to find out their valuo for crop ping in thia colony.

Olive Planting.

For somo yoars back there has been a good deal said about the planting out of olivo trees, the object in view boing tho making of olivo oil for commercial purposes. 1 hero givo a short extract, dealing with tho average annual value of tho fruit taken off trees in France. Of course, in taking those figures, I recogniso that somo would givo abovo tho nvorago and others leaa. The extract is takon from a work that gives a groat deal of prac tical information respecting olivo cul ture. At ten years of ago an olivo tree gives, on an avorage year, 5 kilos (11 lbs) of olives, which yield 240 grammes (8_ ozs avoir.) of oil, at 105 franca (£0 17s Gd) the 100 kiloa (lewt 3qr 24'71bs^. An olivo tree, aged 20 yoar*, la 3d ; 30 years, 2s lsd ; 50 years, 3s 2d ; 100 years, 8s 3_d.—Reynard do L'Olivior. Fruit Boom.

Where there are oxtensivo orchards planted for fruit-growing to supply the markot, a proporly constructed building must bo provided for tho storing of such fruit. Great numbers of apples and pears whon pulled are not ready for markot, and must bo stored until such timo as thoy bo come so, if the orchardist wishes to reap the full benofit by getting a good price for the fully matured fruit. This can only bo effected by having a building constructed for the purpose. Its site should always bo choson in tlio coldest and best shaded part of tho garden ; in fact, it should bo partly sunk about threo to four foot beneath tho ground, liko a collar, and drained ; or it could be partly dugout of the face of a hill. Tho main consideration is to obtain a moißt temperature in the building. The building should also bo constructed in such a mannor as to command a com plete system of ventilation, so that whon wanted a regular circulation of air muy bo brought to boor on every shelf. Long perpendicular apertures should bo made in the outside walls, ho fitted and arranged aa to allow of thoir boing closed when nocessary. As darkness is one of the conditions which fruit requires while maturing, only one window should be constructed, and that should bo so placed aa to admit sufficient light to carry on any work which may have to bo done. When tho light ia not required close up tho build ing. Tho building should bo about 16 feet broad, so as to admit of a tier of shelves to run nil round tho walls and anothor tier of shelves in tho centre with a passago round them. Tho supports for the shelves must be strong enough to boar the weight of fruit which may be placed thereon, and tho Bhelves should bo placed ono above anothor from tho floor of tho houso to the roof. The shelves should bomado of inch battens, placed one inch apart, with tho edges Devilled off so as not to cut the fruit. As tho fruit is picked, bring it into the ; houso and place it in a heap till all that variety is picked. Lot it stand for a few days, and then place it upon tho shelves, about two or throe layers doep for long keeping varieties, do^por for tnoso which have to go to market first. Air should bo admitted whon the fruit is newly pulled, but afterwards very sparingly. PlciUN.d Fr.uiT.—lp picking the fruit for storing it should be handled vory carefully. Lato varieties and most of the intermediate ones ripon best in tho houso, not qii tho tree. In picking theso varieties groat caro must bo taken not to injure or bruise tho fruit, as fruit so injured is sure to rot not only itsolf, but also all the rest of the fruit touching it. Groat quantities of fruit are thus lost overy year through careless handl n j while picking and storing. In picking, therefore, pluck ono fruit at a timo and carefully placo it in a baskot, which should be-liiied with a pieco of thick soft cloth. While tho fruit ia in thobasktji move it abqut as littlo as possible; also take the fruit out carefully and placo it in a hoap or on a shelf. Any slightly damaged or bpuisod fruit should bo placed by itself and used first or sept to market at onco. Do not placo it with othor fruit, as whon rotting it is Burp to contaminate the rest. Lftrgo quantities of fruit may be kept in a satisfactory manner by qdopting the following plan. As tho fruit is pulled put it into casee such ea are used for exporting fruit, only partially filling them, T«ko out ono or two battens from the sides of thocasos, and leave tho lid off as well. Take them into a dark room and pilo thorn in tiers ono on top of tho other, putting battens betwoon each tier of casos to allow of a freo oiroula tion of air. Tho fruit will keep in this mannor, but it is not so cono iviontiy got at or so easily attended to as on the regular shelves of a fruit room.

Kbefinu Gbapi_.—lf tho fruit-room is largo onough for a small loft on tho top of it and thore ia a vinery attached to the orchard, such a rocoptaclo would be ad mirably suited for kooping somo of tho bost of tho good keeping variotios of the grapo. Colloct them when dry and hang them up to tho rafters, admitting a slight circulation of air. Wo havo seen Lady Down's Seedling keop by this means till the middlo of the winter.

Light and -"-arknoss. Cultivators have been so fully a'.ivo to tho importance of light to vegetation and pro duce that they havo too gonerally over looked the placo and power of darkness. Undor certain circumstances Naturo herself teaches the importance of darkness, as, in the germination of seeds, by covering them as a rulo with the stimulating and protect ing covering of rotten leaves. A good many soeda will germinate in the light, but they do so sooner and to better effect in dark ness ; still, oven thia fact is not taken full advantage of in practice, as whole ranges of seod pots and pans placed in the light abundantly show. These not only occupy valuable space that might; as a rule, be filled with growing plants, but labour in watering, shading, etc., as well as time, ape lost hy sowing seeds in the light. There is also another source of Ipss by the general practioe, The seeds are covered too deeply for their safety, in order to exclude tho lfght, and numbers of them are thus rotted and ruined. All these risks would be avoided by simply sowing seeds in a dark shed or closet. Many seeds will hardly need covering; all would need less if placed in total darkness. Of course they would require pretty close watching and prompt remoml to light as soon as fairly vegetated The transition from total darkness to abso lute light also needs to be vory gradual, but this period is of vory Bhort duration, for it is astonishing how soon healthy and vigorous embryo plantlets get used to the light" But what may be called dark oulture has a far wider field than the mere raising o' seeds. Its importance has long been recognised in the rooting of Dutch and other bulbs. With the compound object of developing roots and holding the stems in check till these are formed, bulbs are blunged in total darkness. In thia also we are but following example of nature ; whence the succesß that has attended the practice of keeping bulbs in the dark through thoir preliminary stages;

The noxt groat stop in dark culture consists in tho treating of buds and root stocks in tho samo way us seeds and bulbs. Corres ponding as thoy do to tho latter to a great extent, in structure and functions, they muy bo treated in a similiar manner, and with equally successful roaults. Growth in darkness is no longor a matter of theory, but is vory widely practised, and has proved a striking commercial success. Most of tho earlier white lilacs that fill tho Parisian, and to a. certain extant furnish tho English markets eirly in tho spring, are grown in the dark,

A WOMAN WRECKS A TRAIN.

Two Innocent Porso/ia the Victims of hor Rcvcngo.

Sho Throws tho Caro from tho Track Bo cause the Company Locks hor Hus band Op for Stealing-Confessing Hor Crime

ClniFTON*, W. Va., Jan. ...—Tho Bnltimoro und Ohio St. Louis express train was wrecked on last Wednesday night, ono mile east of the city, causing two deaths and tho destruction of -$r>o,ooo worth of proportv. When the officials investigated .hcall-i', they found an iroi bar wedged into the frog of the switch. A freight train had passed tho same spot twenty minutes before, showing that the person who did tho do;d was waiting for the particular train which was wrecked, and had every thing in readiness. It was evident that robbery was not the object, for the point where the wreck occurred is but 100 yards from threo or four houses. The only motive for the wrecking Ot the train, it was believed, was revenge. Every clue possible was followed. The only thing found about tho wreck was a large clasp knifo of peculiar pattern. Tho detective in tho course of a fow day-, nnd quite by acci dent, l.arned that Mike Burke, who was in gaol for stealing goods from the Baltimore and Ohio cars, had owned such a knife. Ho was visited, and said his knifo was in tho possession of his wife. Tho detectives now believed thoy had a clue. Mrs Burke was not suspected, although she was some what notorious. But a man with whom she was alleged to bo intimate was at once put under watch. An effort was made to ascer tain if Mrs Burke had the knife. She said sho had given it to the son of v neighbour. The boy denied receiving the gift. Another visit resulted in Mrs Burke saying sho had lost it. , . It was determined to arrest the suspected person. On Friday night, as the officers wore going to Mrs Burkes to look for him, a man was seen to leave tho rear of the house and start up the railroad toward where the wreck occurred. He was fol lowed. At tho spot whore the catastrophe occurred tho man stopped, and with a lantern searched the ground about the switch. After watching for some time the officers concluded to arrest tho man. They wore very much surprised to discover that their prisoner was a woman, and Mrs Burke. Sho broke down nt once, and confessed that it was sho who derailod the train. Sho said that it was dono for revongo against the Baltimore and Ohio Company, because of tho arrest of hor husband. Burke had beon discharged some months before from the omploy of the Company, and imme diately began to steal from the freight cars His thefts amounted to large sums. He was at last caught and looked up. Mrs Burke determined on revenge. She suspected tho engineer and fireman of the wrecked train of giving information that implicated her husband, as they were wit nesses. She made up her mind to kill them and to put tho ralroad company to great trouble* and expense. She had selected that particular spot because of the steep tank over which tho cars would fall, and because of the ease with which the train could be derailed.

On the night of tho wreck sho had hidden near the switch with a bar of iron, which sho previously fitted to tho frog. As soon as the freighttrain passed she ran out and fastened down the wougeand immediately wenthome, where she took off hor husband's clothes and put on her own. Sl|o had lost the knifo whije whittling to amuse herself as she was waiting for the train. Tho woman is a rather good-looking brunette, 28 years old. Shg has been regarded as a little faat. Sho tells her story without any sign of sorrow for tho awful crime that cost two livos and left two families fatherless. She has one chid, a pretty, bluo-eyed girl of i, to whom alio is devotedly attached,

Tho feeling again _ her is very strong, but will not result in violence. Burke himself is overwhelmed ovor his wifo's deed, and says lie does not want to see hor. Sho says she will mako no defence when put on trial for the deed, but will make a full con fession.

How the Crofters Live.

I I will describe a typical Idrigil house, which is occupied by the aged daughter and three grown-up grandchildren, a fisher man named John Macdonald, who has been dead fcr many years. The croft upon which it stands slopes southward toward tho bay of Uig, and is one of some 350 that belong to Maj. Fraeer, of Kilmuir. It ia . about two nnd a half acres in extent, nnd pays a nominnl rental of rather more than £5; a temporary reduction of 25 per cent off that sum having, however, been conceded j during the last two or throo years by tho proprietor. Npnr tl)o centre of the croft is a so-, of sticky mud ; nnd amid tho slough , aro two very small atneks of corn, each about nine feet high by six in diameter, ' carefully thatched, and covered with old nots to prevent their being scattered to tho winds. Close at hand ia the houso—a ' building of rough, unmortarod stono, mea suring perhaps ton feet by twenty, and 1 vory thickly roofed, first with " divits " of ', turf, then with a closo thatch of heather, , and finally with frqgmeuts of course netting ' weighted with lumps of grey trap. The door ia broken, ond will not shut properly ; thoro is no chimney ; and tho sole window, consisting of a single pane of glass, has an , area of not moro than threo squarp feet. ! From the doorway, and from a small hpto in ', tho low roof, volumes of peat smoke oscapo ; i and whon I ontpred tho hut I p.qujd not for _ sovoral minutes distinguish anything within, ' owing to the dense fumes that rose from n scanty tiro smouldering on tho floor in tho mjidle of tho gloomy roon. At last my ' pyes became accustomed to tho semi-dark ness, Qnd I was able to make out the forms | of tho inmates of the hovel. They sat hud ! died togethor on a low black settle, warm ' ing themselves and greedily watching a 1 buttered pot that, suspended from an itn ' provised tripod above tho fire, containod a ' quantity of thin broth ; tho main ingrodi _ cuts of which woro, as 1 afterwards discov '_ orod, potatoes and fish. I shared the poor ; people's moal of broth and oaten cake, \ while the smoko curled upward and hung beneath tho roof in an impenetrable cloud ; tho whole making with tho festooned fish ■ ing- nets, and the tattered oilskins on the ' walls, an interior whioh Teniers would havo delighted to paint, if thero had been any jollity in the scene. There was no table ; but at ono end of tho room there was a shaky dresser, on which was arranged a poor display of cracked crockery and rusty tins. The inside of the house was divided, by means of rotten partitions about six feot in height, into throe small chambers ; one being tho living-room, a second a bedroom, and the third or lumber a store-room. In tho bedroom the clothes wore simply old rage and sacking, barely sufficient to cover poor humanity ; and tho floor throughout was formed, so far as I could see, of the hard earth. Yet this house of tho Macdon nld's was a palace in comparison with some of _ the huts I visited elsewhere. One had neither door nor window. I crawled into it through an irregular aperture losa than throe feet high, and found myself among somo ducks that wero picking up scraps from amid tho garbago with which the damp floor was littered. The sole tenant of this hovel was an old woman who had a hacking cough. In another hut tho rain water dripped from the broken roof, and flooded the only room in which seven people sat crouching. One might reasonably expect to find that the people who live in such wretchedness ore stunted and evil.looking. But they are not. They are a thick-cot, intelligent race, and some Of tho girle are models of buxom ness, although before middle-age all the women become withered. They are long lived, too. Their faults aro that thoy are idle and saturated with superstition and prejudice. In only one out of at least a score of crofters' houses which I entered, did I see any sign that tho inmates regu larly devoted themselves to remunerative home employment. In that one, two women were weaving hoinca pun tweed, and capital cloth they mado on their awkward loom. lam glad to bo able to soy that most of the Skye landlords wear this tweed when they oan got it; but if there were a widor demand Qiero would be a larger supply, and the islanders would be proportionately benefitted. Until quite recently there were weavers in almost every township, and the art might bo easily re vived. The crofters can now get cheaper material for themselves from Manchester, and it is almost exclusively the richer classes who use tweed of the island.—"St. James s Gazotto."

GOSSIP FROM STAGE AND STUDIO.

(By Eotebkb.)

The Bcston "Globe" devotd ■'_ •'•■ columns to Path's farewell _>,•_,».- S_ that city. i, Miss Mario Van Zandt, thoAtiw-' prima donna, will not accent annth "^ gatroment in Paris at any price ffl History-writing is alow work n H Bancroft, began collecting material i*!? history at twenty-threo and at eirfi'lai he is just finishing it. snv-fottr The critics say that the only _ effotft^; gooil tlimg in Tonnyson'a latest .T^ "Bcckot"istheßentiment: "Men aw (J. treos, and women are God's flowers » ' Tho Crown Princeaa of Gertnanvi' ' aitistof no mean merit. U er Ch present to her husband wu M mwZ pictures of two Sarnen peasants 3 native Tyrolean costumes, 3 Alma Tadcma. newest picture U^ " Beading Horace." It represents am»? of lads and lassies pondering tbowiaewT_ of the ancient poet under the shado _\M wide-spreading oak. ™«i Mr.l. W. Muckay(wifoof oneofw/ millionaires) has paid 3,000 dollars for ay' canvas of Gerome, the size of »S described as " almost as big as a JL? handkerchief.'' ~ rKB*. Mrs Keely, the famous English iH dienne, aged 78, lately appeared in l 2 at: Ada Swan borough's benefit. It _sb««£ sixty years since she sang the "MenS song at the first production of v___ "Oboron." ™|| Sara Bernhardt's popularity fa p,^'. mains unrivalled. At. the first prodnciu of the new play "Theodora" she 2 young and fresh, and won hearty apiZ Seats for the first night of " Thffl' brought us much as GO dollars each.^1:. Rome is to have another fine collect^ aculptur.. Prince Torlonia is formiw splendid museum of easts from thenmL'j pieces of Greek statuary scattered tS out the world, and will present the colkSj to the city. *i The " Pall Mall Gazette" says £70(ibaiS a stupendous price to pay for apictuk J this is the sum the Duke of Marlboijp asks from the English Government & Tl "Blenheim Raphael." No picture thiM ovor yet sold fetched half the sum, ;;7| The Berlin theatrical censor is at L|i again. A translation of the French tail viile, "L'All'aire de Viroflay"acoepJt tho Residence Theatre, and a Clffi novelty for the Belle Alliance l 2 translated from the English, have bo 2 prohibited by the police. W. E. Sheridan has left San Prauduji join his wifo and her company _m Angeles. They were to play on Fetal 12th, 13th and 14th in SaerameaiSl ceeding thence to Salt Lake and m__ Then tliey do the Colorado circuit aid st trip in the South. . ..._...''§ Dr. Schliomann's new work, girinjjjj account ol his excavations at T_tjiii|J«il in the press, and will be published]^! March simultaneously in England, ffijm ca, Germany, and France. WhenHutJl is more advanced the learned doctor ill proceed to Crete. "jjtj The forthcoming Grosvenor exhibjfjjifl London will comprise about 190 porta)* and landscapes by, Gainsborough, titi_ ture box, and othet psrsonal relics, mm fewer than 150 works of various.kindibS Richard Doyle. Some of the latter m delightful faivv romances. |f When the 'Friaco mail left, Ed_jßjffli was paying in New York, Clara Mtttiil New Orleans, Dion Boueieault ia fij&ij Fanny Davenport in Philadelphis,.i]j(,ffl Irvo. in Chicago, John T, liajmniJig Boston, Lawrence Barrett in Newlttwi Restori in New Haven. T« The New York '< Journal" WMrtiJß preaching marriages between Milkiii'S and the Vicompte De Senlis; httatM Alfred Bronson, of Canning, Hants, StR land ; Miss Sara Jewett, of theUcionHH Theatre, and a New York tatej)|K Georgia Cayvan and Daniel IVohai JM Jewett denies her part of the niroij, Tffi Tho collection of pictures, o.b.at|. J| articles of virtu left bj tha lata GuMiM B. Dcnison qf London will be Bold altitUn in J'ina nest, the salo occupyin&JtiH believed, twenty-one days. MrdSjiH during the last years of his life,'YD A known in all tho leading aucti._-W_W London. Ho is known to bava ffifb £200,000 in art riictures. 'fig The following is said to have beeoiajE by Mr Heraca Waters, the gnat \i3m tionist of the music trade, fl-Mfeji warning against the vice^^nS " Little drops of largiar, ' W_al Little sips ot frin, : .SB Hake the red probWM ___\ And consftma the tin?! ____. Whon George C! Miln, the clericalisf was playing '* Hamlet" in Texas _Ut an odd incident took place, A .CMjfl began, and the combative canines «§li on t_e stage just as "-I_jnle«im soliloquising on suieido. "One ofttjjj says the local papor, " fastened __BB into Mr Miln's leg, causing-a |bBB wound, from which' the sawdnitSffl upon the stage. It was a pitifuhWit^M Mr Miln shrinking from his usual jfaJWi to a decided lankno.s." lal. "Very Little Hamlet,"theneweiUM ganzi at tho London Gaiety, seems ■H fikoly to run than "Called Thenjw| Back," and that ia about all that _H» said. Some of the characters try io_f__ their prototypes in the Princess's ".WIM but they r.ro not very mirnnrnfnl''[ _fflWt burlesquo " Very Little HamletWjHl compare with "Stage Dora '_vm\ Claudian." Mi's Langtry took.'P^ffß of tho Princes Theatre early in lv_W when "Called Back" was moved s^m Olympic, Mr Kyrle Bellew a_nfflif||(||,: management. This theatre has. wjBH exception of the Imperial, tho repnlsWMl being tho unluckiost house in Londq.jW.. The history of "The Private Bea^Hl should bo encouraging to, youngdrsuMK Tho author, Charles Hawtrey, toakiwßfe to nearly overy manager in loii^ij_mwi ing: with universal refusal. Edgaf ftHR who had just taken the Princes, ifK adventurous spirit., tried it, and, owing to the acting of Mr Tree; i.MMI| successful. But it was not good Mfl||Bfifo stand in tho way of "Called BaAjfflf^ when that pieco wag ready, "'WjR.'J Secretery " disappeared, nenM"!y§isi, the Globa, whore it suddenly M^SK?.; into irresistible attractiveness. JbJß^ trey's gains by the piece "P'-^JSrSL time aro estimated at between £3HwflSp! A'capital littlo farce, entitled|Mpj side Hamlet," supplemented "&WHkS. at tho Princes Theatre. journeyman baker in love with _£M(& daughter. Driven madly iea,o--Mi' ; ;i. adored Bella's praises of Warner (whom she has seen PWfcHUty hero of "In tho Ranks" attKrjß|_j tho linker goes off oiieevoningbytosKiij see Mr Wileon Barrett as Haml*p|| , effect is startling. He comes back JR. rc ; let mad," mouths ShakespeareUlWJßt with Whitechapelcse, struts >?»B lionso a la Wilson Barrott, *'J^« cabman Polonius (" Slowed if pPslct— be called Polony or any Af aJZfflm sausage," says the Jehu), and kW9SSjJMi out " pet thee to a nunnery " to PjHW The best Christmas annuals W.JBK are "A Dead Man's i'ace," by **ffifflß way, in "Harper's;" "o'Sani__B"^* Husband," by J. Arbuthnot .^fj^^i " Belgravia Annual;" and :_/;.*■ . Beleaguered," by Percy ,(. r6?',£Hlf ..' " Contlemnn's Annual." T.hlß^M.:' as I was at first told, a fightj'fffffJfiß.. thrilling tale of shipwreck. *w3j__W of its kind has for a long time WW J^R1 than tho description of the *offel*fjffllK shipwrecked passengers and cW,J|3BK meralda, cast away on asmall MESWH? tho tropics and day hi day "flofflH.1 spring tides which will their refuge and ;make' then. sha.ks, rise higher arid higher.; /i.JBBB|f , of the story during the doomed men and women arQ rising water would be but for the appearance of *^_mKHSR. and a spirited description <"j £«!&£, fight between the all-bu£»^fflßE; the hungry sharks. HughCoß»yM^^ appears elsewhere in this __m^..__^M Tw "Fast and Loose," *Sffl& . _ Such romance by the Governor of '"'S^mSm fl Major Arthur Griffiths,« » «!$, tmr oqual to any of the works o""Jsf_si s Boisgobey. Tho mystery W^lffiipd is "Who committed _ .^a^-^hcr. robbery ?" Part of the *f%yi M hou found in possession of iw,- 0 .TCo.nl . and, or. tho -strength of !**„ tl||d „ stantial evidence so M|ff»°' seemingly unshakeable, ""%*%-. His v ; man gets sevbn years F-r.fy^fflßn ; reader, however, knows he js'_%__4___m> t follows with breathless a?^jji_Wmw of an amateur detective, m^Vrf^teles mate patience, unravels wl6;"^*, And t plot. MajorGriffitbs'sintifflfl^Afcer■ r -i. convicts, convict prisons, *»dd detective force, enables h!B)«^MMffi a ; of realism into his story. .*:offlgSi?«P certain-he has no P^ lf^dmW.b reputed shrewdness and ffJJ^m tht detectives, and be puta do? njp^Se6n thieves as the originators w " "isgglc beries. _ 'uHI

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAK. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1885.

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