RANDOM SHOTS

[By Zamel.l

tlrwno write, a nclKlibonrs name to lash, f.nijic writo—vain tliou,:!it !•- fur nrril fill cash, borne writo to please I ho couun-.v Hash, Antl raise a tliu. __r me, on aim I never fash— I writo for fun.

So our teetotal Licensing Committees aro bogiuning to show, thoir tooth and to provo to tho public and tho publican alike that Local Option is not a more ompty form, nor tho Licensing Act a dead lottor. It is tho old story. With tho consciousness of powor there conies tho dosiro to oxcrcise it, and human nature is too woak to resist tho

temptation to uso tho power in an arbitrary and tyrannical manner, The Licensing Bomhos havo been endowed with almost unlimited authority in tho regulation of tho liiiuor traffic, and, what is moro important, havo bocomo conscious of their possession of it. Teototallcrs at tho best arc ordinary mortals ; tho London "Thundoror" lately douounccd thorn as boing " tooblo in body and mind :" and the stamp of popular olec tion by ballot, to carry out tho will of the "many-headed beast," does not confer any supernatural vittuo. Honco, pooplo may remark and complain of tho action of our city committees in refusing several licenses and holding a threat over othors, but thoy can scarcely wonder at it. There is such a small modicum of wisdom shown in the go vernment of nations that even a slipshod philosopher liko "Zamiol'' has ceased to expect any great display of the commodity in tho working of tho local government machinery. No doubt, however, tho Licensing Committees will yet temper their zeal with moderation and their justice with mercy. No ono will growl at thorn for sotting tho seal of thoir condemnation upon those low grogcorics whoro tho law is sys tematically brokon, aud physical and moral ilogenoracy aro actively promoted: but when it comes to holding a throat over a largo, elegantly appointed, and irreproach ably conducted city hold, because of some infinitesimal shortcoming from tho strict requirements of tho Act, it is time to bid the delegates of the public pause and con sider whether thoy are not exceeding their instructions. "Fair play is bonnio play," Messieurs les Commissioners, and il would bo a thousand pities if you showed your selves deticiont in appreciation of that admirable quality.

"But wo must administer tho Act," nvothinks I hoar somo sapient committee man retort. I bog to assure him there is no such necessity, if ho moans thereby that tbo Coinmittco must insist upon the most rigid adherence to every jot and tittle. How did former committees tolerate thoso establishments? Aro you moro conscien tious than thoy wore! It would bo the height of Pharisaic priggory to pretend to a superior Rift, and it cannot be urged that one or two of tho " marked " houses are in any way behind the requirements of the timos. " But thoy arc moro drinking shops; thoy havo no bedding accommodation," This 1. tho noxt objection, and it is as woak as tho first. AVhy should thoro not bo public houses for tho accommodation of pooplo intent on business, social intercourse, or a light refreshment ? Thero is a tinge of melancholy in Shonstone's reflection—

•' Whoo'cr lus travellod life's dull round, Whato'cr his stages mas' havo boon. Must sish to thiak ho still has found liis warmest welcome lit an inn." But the fact is undoubted that, to many people, tho public hou.o and tho " happy companionship experienced thoro constitute veritablo oases amid tho barren desert of incessant toil—real havens of rest from the stormy seas of domestic discomfort. The present Licensing Com mittee floated into position on a great wavo of temperance agitation ; but unless they employ their power with prudenco and moderation, thoy must expect to be loft high and dry by tho receding tide, in which case tho second condition of the liquor traffic might bo worse than the lirst.

Let not tho reader suppose that I am at all deeply enamoured of hotel lifo. lam sufficiently domesticated to know some thing of warmer welcomes and moro solid enjoyments than even tho best-regulated hotel can supply. It might bo well if all married men woro almost or altogether such as I am, and that all bachelors were content to bask in the smiles of boarding-house misses, instead of fluttering, moth-like, round thoso bewitching barmaids. But then, unfortunately, tho supply of Mrs Z.s is somewhat limited (this delicate compli ment is not written under coercion), and boarding-house misses (gonerally of uncer tain age) aro too barefaced anglers to tickle long the gilded youth of Auckland. And so to the "pub." many will go, for beer, billiards, flirtation, and gossip. Our zealous Licensing Commissioners will doubtless plead that thoy are striving to raiso tho character of the hotels, and that no harm can result from such a course. That is open to serious question. As tho French poot says—(now, what does the French poot say? I can't rcmembor his words, but thoy mean) "Excess in all things is a fault." To refine the public houses past the standard of public morality to drive the " lower orders " into brothels and disroputablo back shops, whoro vil lainous stuff can be had ot all hours and amid conyonial surroundings. It is cer tainly easier to control low licensed houses than shobeon shanties, aud tho adminis trators of tho law, having tho choice of two _vils, should cbooso tho lesser.

The publicaus who cater to tho wants of thethirsty souls in IheArchHill district have yot the " straight tip." They uro promised one year of graco by tho present Licensing Committee, tho members of which promise if rc-electod to abolish all licenses at the noxt annual meet ing. This is no doubt very fair and straightforward on the part of the Com mittee. But have thoy not been quite too kind? Ia that tho way to encourage publicans to improvo thoir hotels at great oxpenso'i Or will a throat to take away U man's license induco him to lose a. rich harvest which may be reaped by Sunday trading, when ho expects only to run till noxt licensing day ! Of course he is amenable to the law in the meantime, but tho police can hardly ever obtain a con viction. Giving twelve months' notice is very laudable from ono point of view, but I foar at the same timo it may prove a con siderable inducement for the publicans interested to "mako hay while the sun shines."

This reminds me of an argument which took place at a committee meeting the other day. One membor was speaking strongly about Sunday trading at a certain public house. He related how one Sunday afternoon he was passing and saw ten persons enter and leavo the promises within fifteen minutes. He scarcely boliovcd that the publican's friends came to pay him a visit at tho rate of 40 per hour. The legal gentleman present, however, put a new faco on tho matter when he asked the blue ribbonito if he thought all those men were supplied with liquor. On the contrary, ho assured tho committeo that hosts might cuter the hotel expecting to be served, and bo under the painful necessity of leaving without satisfaction. This, he admitted, looked bad, but did not prove Sunday trad ing by any moans ! Ob, dear, no I Still, I should commend the serpent wisdom of Dunedin South Committee, which means to forbid all visitors to licensed houses on Sundays, suve resideuts und bona JiJc travellers,

" Set a thiol to catch a thief,: i. one of those recpoctablo old adages too seldom acted upon in these degenerate days. But there are notable exceptions to the rule. In Melbourne, when 8 Chinaman is eus peoted of being up to any " ways that are dark and tricks that are vain," the police, acting on the proverb quoted, call in another "heathen Chinee to act as " nose." The Official Assignee ill Bankruptcy at Dunedin has adopted a similar method. Two insolvent nativee of the Flowery Land being bus lieeted of working a little fraud upon their creditors, Uio Assignee has ou

gaged a well-known Chinese tradesman in Dunedin to work up tho caso against ihe suspoct3. Tho latest news is that tho Licensing Committoo of fiunodin South havo offorod to pay tho law-abiding publi cans for information of Sunday trading, &c, on the part of thoir less scrupu lous brethren. That is a " wrinkle" which our local committees might profit by, for I not only beliovo in tho adage aforesaid, but also bappon to know that certain Auckland publicansof good standing could " a talo unfold " which would open tho oyos of tho committeos and tho community.

The Christadelphiau body, one of the minutest "isms" in this country of multi tudinous denominations, has announced its intention of petitioning Parliament for exemption from military service on con scientious grounds. " Zamiol " has always ontortainod tho highest respect for tho right of liborty of conscionco, and beliovos it to bo ono of tho most important palladia of our modern social system. In deed, who will deny that its retention as ono of tho lirst principles in our code of social ethics is moro consequential than freedom of spooch itself? No doubt thoso good pooplo aro acting from oxcollont motivos : thoir sonso is not tho sonso of tho majority; but so imbued aro thoy with the opinion that thoir boliof is a meritorious ono, that thoy would, no doubt, suffor con siderable persecution rathor than permit thoir, judgmont to bo swayod by tbo rest of thoir fellow-colonists. With all " Zamiol's" liboral sentiments, he does not consider tho Christadelphiano' roquost cntitlod to con sideration at tho hands of our legislators, and ho has been brought to tako this negative viow by drawing a nico distinc tion between tbo (1) right of personal liborty of conscionco inasmuch as it affocts (l)the in dividual poss6sor of tho conscience, and (2) their right of such liberty whon its aspira tions aro so perverted as to bo inimical to tho commonwealth.

Let us tako us an illustration tho caso of boliovors in somo outlandish rolipion, with tlib tonots of which nono of "Zamiol-" readors are likoly to havo sympathy. Tho worship of tiro, as practised by tho Persians, will do. Now', supposo a citizen of Auck land, Mr Snmuol Joombcs wo'll say, were a worshippor of tiro. That olouionl is to him tho ombodiuiont of all that is omnipotent and holy—so sacred, in fact, that tho tread ing on a cinder or tho extinction of v match is an insult to his deity. A mighty con tlagration breaks out in our city, and Mr Coombos's hoso (which by tho way ho is so fond of trotting out on all occasions) is tbo only apparatus cauublo of doaling with tho destroying element. Mr Coombes re fuses to oouptouauce tbo uso of his hoso for tho suppression of his deity, and what does common sonso dictate should bo tho treatmont of Mr Coombos's conscionco by his fellow citizens? Of courso, his conscientious scruples aro at onco trampled under foot for the common good, and tho (ire is sup pressed. Tho pooplo who assistod in ex tinguishing the fire, and who did not hesitate to interfere with Mr Coombos's right of conscionco when it was exorcised in a manner inimical to tho commonwealth, would be the vory last to force Mr Coombes to blow out a match or tread on a cinder. Tbo unauthorised use of his hoso would, no doubt, do great violence to his feelings, but what right has such a trilling matter to consideration whon interests so vital aro at stake ?

This is the logical train of reasoning that induced " Zamiol" to put forth tho premise that the right of liborty of con science should not always bo allowod, and ho claims that the suppositious caso of Mr Coombes is a parallel to that of the Christa delpbiuns. Mr Coombes, from conscien tious motives, did not want his hoso to bo used ; the Christadolphiuns, from similar motives, do not wish thoir arms to be used. But the public havo need of both Mr Coombcs's hosoand tho Christadolphians' arms, and, despite their scruples, thoy must both be used. Such boing " Zamiol's" opinion, he would feel that no was doing a patriotic, meritorious, and not an illiborai act were ho te placo tho Christadelphians in tho front runk of tho fiold of battlo, and, if necessary, keep them there at tho point of the bayonet. So long as Force continues to bo the basis of our civilisation, war will bo an inevitable incident. Beforo war can be abolished, wo must cooso to be govorned by fear; law courts, policemen, and prisons must disappear, and thoonly other legitimate governing power, universal lovo, must roign supremo. Till that day arrivos, Christadel phians must bo satisfied with society as it is, and take their fair share of itsrosponsibilitios and duties.

That little Oriental "Vanity" has not boon allowed to pass ovor without tho policy of tho Church in encouraging gambling and play-acting being severely criticised. IJdo not intend acting tho part of censor, for as my readers know, I am rather partial to a well-acted play, and fail to ccc the shocking immorality of a quiot "sweep." Howover, were I an immaculate Freethinker or a pure and blameless Agnostic, I would doubtless bold up my bands in righteous horror at tho " abominable hypocrisy " which makes tho end justify thomeans, whon theond has a close connection with " ways and moans." But, though looking not unkindly on the Oriental enterprise of tho wise men of the Eastern suburb, I cannot refrain from a quiet chuckle over an ingenious piece of casuistry which they have employed in order to justify thoso very carnal "high jinks" that havo boen going on in the Choral Hall of lato. A con scientious member of tho congregation put it to ono of tho high diginlaries if it was not rathor inconsistent to have such muunuoi ic.i, whon thoir beloved incumbont was iv the habit of railing from the pulpit against tho immorality of tho stage. " Oh, no," was the calm reply, " not at all, for you soo tho money derived from tho theatricals is not to go to the church building fund, but is to heir, to build tho manse 1" Which story, it nun. vcro, is at any rate bt'u Irocalo.

The one paramount question which has recently been of special speculation in tho mind of tho pooplo of Nowmarkot was, " Who's to be the first Mayor of our newly constituted Borough 1" and many by-words and funny phrases havo boen scattered to the winds in respect thereof. At a meeting of one of tho candidates, two mon of mark kept tho fun alive and set tho bull rolling. j One of these, who occasionally vents his wit in ono of our courts of law, was exceedingly humorous on the bravo brewer. Although ho (tho speaker) was a bluoribbon-man, and uti exponent of total abstinence principles, ho would go in for tho barley crusher, becauso the brewer was a sanitury reforme1', and would not have an unsavoury drain in tho model borough which he intended to represent in the Mayoral chair. The amusement was enhanced by the appearance of a venorable politician, who attacked the pre vious speaker as "Towßer," who, in the boyß' story book, was Baid to attack the preacher Ball for defending Wat Tyler. " Call that man a sanitary reformer !" he said, "why his grain gutter is a perpetual nuisance." " Hold," replied tho candi date. "If my gutter is a nuisance, what shall be said of our friend's defective apples ? I saw him selecting bad fruit for the Nowmarkot ragamuffins, and one of his pennyworths gave my nephew the stomach ache for twenty-four hours." This retort was followed by a heart-lightening burst of laughter, and the old man eloquent im mediately retired from the hall. I cannot say that I have a very marked preference for either of the three candidates; but I don't believe in applying tho Latin proverb in this case—-Ye sutor ultra trepidant, and translating it—" Let Suiter stick to his beer vats I" j

The Wellington police have been sharper or more fortunate than those of Auckland, as they have two persons in charge in con nection with thoir "great jewel robbery," while the Auckland robbers are still at large. Yet we are accustomed to think that our detectives are the most astute, and our policemen the most energetic of any in the colony—conclujions which are justified by past achievements rather than by present performances. Can it be possible that the robbery at Qoodson - Arcade was committed by tho same gang that robbed tho Welling ton jeweller's bhop? The "clue" thus suggested »uy he vvflfo fvlluwicg ujj, iwjt

is somewhat remarkable that siuco tho doprodation at the Arcade not a single burg lary has taken placo in Auklaud, while thero was ample timo for tho gang to shift to Wellington before tho robbory took placo there. Whilo on this subject I may mention a rather ugly insinuation which was made by the correspondent of a country paper to tho ofl'oct that possibly thero had boon no robbory at all from Goodson's. Had it boen anothorQueon-streot tradesman, well-known for his ingenious methods of advertising, this thoory might have beon ontertained, and would'have pulled off our "foorco " with credit; but Mr Goedson is a most " correct,' advertiser and I feol sure would do nothing of tho kind hinted at for tho sake of giving " bold advertismont" to his wares.

A rather good story, with as many " morals " as an Ingoldsby legond, has just reached ray oars. Whon tho "burglar season" was at its height, a certain Romuora household was put on tho alort by somo suspicious visitors calling ostensibly to solicit charity, and tho inmates woro in niclitly expectation of a visit from an enter prising burglar. Truo onough, ono morn ing, in tho small hours, tho husband ami wifo awoke to hoar a poculiar rasping sound, not unliko that of a burglar's steel saw boing cautiously used on tho door fastenings. Tho critical hour had evidently como, With a hurried whispor to his bettor-half, tho gontloman slid noiselessly out ot bod and began groping his way to tho hull, as tho suspicious sounds unmistak ably camofrom tho direction of tho hall door. Tho night was intensely dark—just ono of tho Bort doscribod by Tonnyson, whon " tho villainous eontro-bits grind on tho wakofuleur"—and progress wasslow towards tho point of attack. At last he roachod tho wide hall, and groping about bocamo con science of tho prosenco of somo person, nnd thrusting out his hand ho clutched tho in truder by the wrist. Ho was just about to sok'.o tho villain by tho throat and pound his laco in tho moat approved fashion, when a littlo scream of alarm informod him that tho burglar was his own wifo! Whon ho slippod out at tho far ond of tho bod, tho couragooitß lady slippod out at tho othor, aud had noisolessly reached tho hall before him. What might havo happoncd had tho gontloman boon armed with a rovolvor is too harrowing to contemplate Of courso all ondod woll; tho supposed Bawing was found to bo cnusod by tho watchdog scrap ing at tho door for shelter from tho rain ; and tho burglar has not yot mado bis appear ance. Tho lessons from this incidont aro to obvious to nood stating. Lot mo montion just a fow :—(I) chain up your watchdog ; (2) havo matches and candle by your bed sido; (.'!) before starting on a burglar-hunt in tho dark, consult with your stooping partner and arrango a plan of operations !

Gambling at London Clubs

One who has evidently acquired considerable knowledgo of club gambling and card sharping from ruoful o.xporionco writes : To listen to tho conversation of a gamblor you would think ho novor won. This is tho kind of thing : " Vos, just my luck ; hero I am losing attain ; but it servos mo right, for I swore after my loss on Tuosday night I'd never touch a card again. I nover win! Other follows havo a turn of bad luck, and thon tho fickle goddess shines on thorn ; but with mo nover. Upon my honour, last yoar I lost more than £(3,000; I dare say you won't believe it, but 1 did."

Then, to any ono replying, "Oh ! como now, I heard of your winning last night two or throe hundred," ho willrojoin. "ByJovo ! it's too bad. Of courso that's got all ovor tho placo. Vos, cortainly I did win that; but of course you nevor hoard of my losing oloven hundred only throo nights boforo, I do win soiuotimcs, I admit; but it is invariably whon I havo piled up tho agony and am playing fuiriy high, I lose." That is a protty faithful report of tho usual conversation of a professional gamblor. Thero is ono man of this sort whoso income, to my cortuin knowledge, is exactly X-'.OOO a your ; and he has a lino houso, carriagos, horses—everything simply porfect. Ho entertains magnificently• lives nt tho rate of quite £11,000 a yoar ; and ho has no dobts. How does ho do it ? The reply is, this man —who wishos you to boliovo he's so dospo rately unlucky—is a card playor. He will bogin playing .carte a pony a game, and a pony on the rub—not a baa etako for an in como of £'.2,000 a yoar ! Later on ho will got into big figures ; it will bo £100 a gamo and .100 tho rub ; and thon " tho host out of throe gamos for a thou, and wo stop." Lastly, it is " doublo or quits," and he risos winnor on tho night of somo thousands, This man lias too a splonded zero. It is this. Early in tho evoning ho announces that ho must go homo early: his wifo is ill, and ho has promised to bo homo soon. If ho is a winner at two o'clock ho risos, looks at his watch, is astounded to see tho hour bo must go at onco. If tho losor wishos him to remain on and give him a chanco, ho replies, "No II really san't to-night; I'll give you your rovongo any othor night, old fellow ; but to-night I must go home. I warned you beforo wo began that, win or loso, I must not stop, as my wifo is ill."

All this looks straight enough ; but is it so 1 No. For if at two o'clock this man is a losor ho not only sticks on till ho has got back bis losings, but waits till he has put on a fow hundreds to the good. It may be thought this game cculdonly bo played a few times. 1 myself have soon it success fully performed fifty times. Quito tho princo of sharpers is a man who has boon at tho work for about fifteen years, and is a past master in tho art. Ho is a member of lots of clubs, and 1 have hoard it computed that ho must havo landed ovor £60,000 at tho loaßt. He is assisted by a moro or less attractive wifo, and it wus chiefly through falling in lovo with hor that one poor follow, some tivo years ago, lost moro thun £~000 at ocarto at ono sitting at his rooms ut Brighten. Tho lucky winner of this sum began with no iucomo ut all -, and yet up to the timo ho married he lived ut the rate of quito £3,000 a yoar. His wifo has an incomo of a fow hundreds, and ho now manogou to livo quito cv luitlwiiuairc. At Paris ho is woll known ; hie wife's arrival and hor droshos aro described iv " Le Boulu \ard," "Uilßlas," and similar papers, He bus mado various paying trips to gam bling placosabroad, where, whon no haspick od up mon who won at the tables, his wifo would invite thorn in "to suppor and a smoko," and thon ho nnd his confederates skinned thorn.—" St. James Gazette."

Railways on the Continent of Europe.

An American correspondent, writing from Paris, says :—"lt is absurd for foreigners who have visited the United States to say that our railway tariff rates are much highor than those in Europe. It takes two nights and a day, or two days aud a night—that is to say, thirty-six hours—to go from Paris to Vienna. The fare is £7 Bs, and if you ride in a sleeper it will cost you 32s more. The dis tance from Paris to Berlin is twenty-four hours ; tho passenger fare is £5 and tho sleep ing car £1 extra. Tho fare to London—dis tance, nine hours—is £2 lGs. From Paris to Br ussols is about l-lOrniles; tho express uiakos it in five hours, and tho faro is 28s. Taking ono road with another, the faros on French linos are about doublo what they are in tho United States. Take tho line from Paris to Bordeaux, one of the best, and on which the trains aro altogether the faster; the distance—about 358 miles—is traversed in nine and one-half hours, and the faro is £3 with £1 moro for the sleeper. Passenger coaches in use on the Continent are practi cally identical with the kind in England. Exceptions occur in Switzerland and one or two lines in Germany, where two-storied cars are also in use sometimes. Certain compartments, labelled " Dames|seules," are reserved exclusively for ladies on every train, and thora is a very general reserva tion"'- (jrtain cars for non-smokers. Tho system oi'tommuuication by cord between pus.engers and the engineer do not exist, but in almost every eompaitmeut there is , an arrangement by which you can signal the "guard," as the brakeman is called. When you have been stowed away in tho almost air-tight box called a compartment, if you will take trouble to examine your rolling prison, you will notice on some of the linos a little triangular piece of glass let into the partition and accompanied by a notice in French, German and English to the effect that if you should really need as sistance you must break the glass, touch a button, or pull a ring, and then wave your handkerchief out of the right-b»nd window, It looks very simple, but yhai you would do if attacked by 3 murstar U. W-'KrID"" L> m m Urn Icw **/• '

SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIX-URKS,

New Zealand.

Hawke-Bay J.C. Steeplechases Juno 2.

To Correspondents.

K.-Porfumo boat Tho Agont in a Hurdlo Raco at Gisborno in 1877. G.N.-Tho year that Hailstorm won tho Wan ganui Cup, Virginia Wator and Tho Dauphin respectively finished socondand third. A.H.—Dunlop was purchasod as a yearling for .8 guineaß. Ho was yot by Nockersgat from Etta, and is the property of Mr K. Itobortson. Dispute.—Tho number at the English Dorby is generally o-timatod at about 100,000, thou_h In one year it was thought nearly _(W,OOO wcro prosont.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

What a charm the Molbourne Cup pos sesses for horso-ownors ! Tho nominations for this year's contest, which came to hand by cable on Monday, show that the record has beon beaten, thoro boing 1(3. nomina tions, which is fourteen more than havo been rocoivod in tiny previous yoar. As usual, Nov Zoaland is woll represented in tho list, wo having Vanguard, Oudois, Liverpool, Manchester, Thundorbolt, .luly, Trenton, and Tasman to " do baltlo " for us, not mentioning tho Auckland-bred trio --Nordonfoldt, Matchlock, and Percussion. Tho namo of Wolcomo Jack, however, is missing from the list cablod bore, and wo aro loft to conjecture whothor it has been mutilated in transmission, or if Mr Pilbrow has not soon fit to ontoi tho crack. Should tho latter turn out to bo the caso, thoro will be great lamenting among an army of local backers,who havo supported tho great son of Traducor vory frooly for tho raco sinco ho left thoso shores. Tho weights, which will bo anxiously looked forward to, are duo on tho 2l)th of Juno. [Since tho abovo was written, 1 learn from v private telegram that there is somo hitch in connection with tho nomination of Welcome Jack, and tho Committee of tho \ ictoria Racing Club hold v mooting to in quire into tho facts of tho matter. At tho present timo, tho champion is not among thoso ongagod in tho raco. J Tho Now Zoaland Cup weights mado thoir appoaranco punctually to date on Monday last, but tho compilers cannot by any means bo complimontcd on thoir work. Tho first thing that cutches the eyo on looking at tho list is tho unfair way Tronton bus boen treated. In awarding him 'Jst 71b, it sooms te mo that the handicappors havo weighted tho owner instead of tho horse, and although it cannot bo suid that Mr O'Brien is tho most scrupulous of owners, ho will certainly havo public sympathy with him in boing troatod tho way ho has. Anothor badly usod ono is Black Roso, for I fail to soo any thing in his porformancos to warrant him boiug allotted list lib, and tho mysterious July is woll looked after with 31b loss. I tako Sou'wester to be nicoly handicapped nt SstVlb, and tho samo remarks will equally apply to Nocklaco (Sst -lib). I don't know why Lady Evolyn should recoivo Bst, but if hor stable companion, Lady Emma, should como back to anything liko hor old form, 7st 121b will not atop her from winning. On papor, tho handsomo daughter of Yat tondon certainly looks ono of tho picks of tho handicap. Iko has nothing to com plain of at 7st 91b, and Captain Webster at the samo woight also looks what our Ameri can cousins would term " real good." In my opinion, ho is ono of tho most improv ing horsos now in training, and if things go well with him up to noxt November, ho must havo a groat say iv tho raco. Amo'ig the light division, Mr D. O'Brien has Dorwontor, a rising three-year-old son of Manuka und Miss Jackson, and ho may probably turn out to bo woll worth tho at tention of backers.

I wont down to soo Thundorbolt shipped to Sydnoy on Tuesday, and it was ploasing to soo his now owner, tho Hon. VV. Robin son, had spared no oxponso in making tho colt safe and comfortable for tbo passago across. Ho was quartered in a specially made apartmont 13 x 10, thickly paddod all round, whilo thoro was a cover of matting and abundanco of straw under him. Pains taking Sam Higgott was in charge, and after dolivoring tho colt in Sydnoy, ho ro turns homo to Christchurch. Whilo deplor ing that Thunderbolt's owner has scon lit to disposo of him, it will bo somo consola tion to know that ho has got into such good hands, and with health, wo ncod havo littlo four ho will worthily uphold tho ropututiou of his birthplace among tho oquino kings and queens of tho Australian turf. At this juncturo, a fow particulars concerning Thundorbolt's past history may not prove uninteresting. Ho was ono of tho batch of yoarlings retorted for shipmont to Sydney by tbo New Zoaland Stud Company in January, 1881, but at tho last moment Mr J. Marshall, somewhat imbued with tho suc cess of his full sister Neckluco, stopped in und socurod him for _00 guinous. Tho colt was put in Chaafo's bands, and in tbo Midsummer Stakes on tho first day of tho Auckland Racing Club Summer Mooting ho mado his first uppoaranco. On the strength of tho public form shown by Foul Shot (tho Musket—Slander colt), odds of 7 to -I woro laid on his ability to win, but Thundorbolt oasily disposod of him and five othors, gotting ovor the six furlongs in lmin. 19soc. On tho socond day of the gathering ho again triumphed ovor Foul Shot and lour othors iv tho Now Yoar _ Gift, and ho was thon net soon out till tho first day of tho Auckland Autumn Mooting. Tho Mares' l'roduco Slakos, in which ho was op posed by Dorringor und Capollu, was muroly au exercise cantor fur him, and ou tho socond day ho wus saddled up for the Flying Stukos, j milo, weight foi-ugo. Mitrailleuse Rusobud, and Sutanolla wore his opponents, but despite his gotting two lougtus tho worst of tho start, ho caught tho loadors boforo a quarter of a milo had been travelled uud won oasily by a clour longtb, tho timo recorded boing lmin. 18isoc. Thundorbolt was again saddlod up lator in tbo afternoon for the Ellorslio Plate, in which ho put up a 101b penalty. This, addod to a start of which ho had two longths disadvantage, was quito sufficient to provo bis truo worth, and ho camo out of tho ordoal by catching tho loadors after traversing quarter of a milo,und never after wards leaving tho issue in doubt, won easily by half-a-lengtb.

In my opinion, Mr Evett has been most successful in apportioning tho woights for the Huwko's Bay Steoplecnaso, aud the luce at tho prosout time will require a lot of picking. Tho Auckland division ore all well trooted,and I shall bo quito prepared to soe King and New Year go down to contest the raoo, if all goes well with thorn. Accept ances are duo on the 16th Juno.

Mr W, Profitt tells me the reason Macaroni was not shipped to Melbourne was solely on account of Mr Montague Smith making a proviso that ho was personally to accompany tho horse to the Victorian capital. This scarcely suited Mr Profitt, and ho not being anxious at the time to dieposo of the Auckland Autumn Steople chaso winnorjtho negotiations woro dropped, Mr Grainger will arrive from Melbourne in about a week's time for the purpose of amending his design for tho Auckland Racing Club new grand stand. Tendors will then soon afterwards be called for its construction, and overy effort be put for ward to havo it completed by November. Auckland owners aro represented in the list of entries for the V.R.C. Dorby of 18S6, which closed on Monday last. Mr J. Marshall has entered bis colt by Musket— -.tenia, and Mr Balmain his pair of colts Mußk Rose, by Musket—Rosette, and Musketoon, by Musket—Atlantis. Tho opening meet of tho Pakuranga Hunt Club took placo on Saturday last at the Scotch Church, Otahuhu. There were a good uumborof members out. Tho hounds broke off on Mr Laxou's farm, but there was not much sport, the dogs only scenting the hare once or twice during the whole day. Consequently, there was little or no , jumping, and after pottering about for some time, Mr T. Brown, the huntsman, called the hounds off, and proceeded to Mr Goodfellow'a farm, where they met with the ' same result, Tbe fol lowing ladies and gentlemen were out:—The Master, Mr w! McLachlan, on Cardinal; Mr W. Percival,on a black mare ; Mr Dunnett, The Ghost; Mr Shepherd, Whalebone; Mr perry, Plunger; Mr Water house, bay mare; Mrs Stevenson, Awahou; Mr iushington, Fly; Mrs Eaton,'Tear-

Chieftain ; Mr R. E. Isaacs, King Don ; Mr Carrick, Volunteer ; Mr H. W. Henderson, Hovel Chief; Mr Chadwick, chestnut mare ; Mr H. 11. Hayr, Tourist ; Mr F. Yonge, Antifat ; Mr J. Gray, Bare bones ; and several othors. All of the horses were looking in tip-top trim, I am sorry to hoar that a number of farmers who havo for yoars genorously allowed the Club to hunt ovor their properties are com plaining about tho way in which thoir fences, etc., aro knocked about. This is much to bo deplored, but from what 1 can gather, it is not tho members of tho Club who do tho damage, but outsiders who go out from town (who havo no right whatever) on all sorts of crocks that can't jump a bit, and theso outsiders not only damage the property, but even forget the hat whon it is passed round. The Club , would do woll to take tho matter in hand, i and provont those mentioned from joining in tho moots.

Papers containing dotails of tho running for the Sydnoy Turf Club Meeting show that in addition to tho Birthday Handicap, Honoydow also succoodod in easily winning tbo Royal Stakes, decided before tho big ovont, and boat a Hold of 15. For the Birth day Handicap ho was thought to havo littlo show, and ho started with the odds of 12 to 1 against him, but ho again won without an ollbrt. Honoydow,it appears started at tho Rosohill Meeting a fow days bofoto tho do cision of tho Turf Club gathering, and was mado a groat favourite for a seven-furlong raco, but ho did not appear to bo able tv stay, and failed to live to the end of it. Tho extraordinary inconsistency in tho run ning of tho colt was tho subject of an inquiry by tho Rosohill stewards, but it onded in tbo authorities deciding that thoro was not any ovidonco to justify thorn in instituting furthor inquiry. Tho local scribo " Flaneur " thus refers to the contest for the Wangunui Steeplechase: —"Nothing looked within pounds as fit as The Druid, whoso splondid musclos stood . out in groat bosses undor a coat as sleek as satin, snowing that Fred Hcdgo had timed his charge to tho day, and had tbo hand somo son of Don Juan and Norman as tit as hands could mako him. Tho race was a chapter of accidents from start to finish, and I fairly lost count of tho ditforent falls before it was all ovor. Anaroa was tho first to como down and smash her rider's collar bono and shouldor-blado. Macaroni got rid of Lyford in tho cricket ground, und then Diouicdos who was going us strong as a lion, misjudged his disttinco and took oil' too far from the post and rail jump at tho quarter milo post whon he had covered two miles of his journey in good stylo. Young •lanios Hull was undor tho horse for somo moments, but got free with a sprained wrist. Ono by ono tho field thinned until thero woro only tho 'hoarso horso' and Tho Druid loft to fight it out. Young Edge combo rodo desperately to win, but Heago had him safo half a mile from homo, and stayed with tho Taranaki horso for fear he'd got lonely and lose his way, Mr Russell brought Billy along vory fast after gotting him going again, but it was no uso, t lie raco was a gift to Tho Druid, who I firmly boliove could have won it in lio seconds less timo had he boon asked to. Hed;'e rodo with his usual good judgment, and was loudly cheered for tho way ho had brought tho horso to a post and pilottod him homo a winner."

From Sydnoy papers to hand I gather that Vanguard, Livorpool, Oudois, and Manchester are being oxercisod on tho sand track at Randwick, All four are said to bo looking woll.

An Adolaido paper states that Mr L. Watson, tho ownor of the Y.R.C. Dorby favourite Nowstead, having decided to chango trainers, went to Glonolg for tho purpose of taking possession of riis horso and dolivoring him ovor to Mr Leslio McDonald, who has boon soloctod to pro pare Nowstead for his spring ongagomonts. On boing acquainted with tho owner's in tentions, I. 11. Hill, tho present trainer of tho colt, requested Mr Watson to wait whilo ho prepared his account for training ex penses, which he demanded should bo paid beforo the horso was delivered. Hill then retired to mako up his bill, and in tho meantime his brother lockod tbe door of Newstead's box. Aftor waiting an hour an account was produced. It contained an item ol £.50, said to havo beon promised as compensation in tho event of tho colt being tukon away from St. Loonards bofore tho V.R.C. Dorby was run, Watson donied having mado any Bucb promise, and in sisted upon boing placed in possession of his property. Hill refused to dolivor, and Mr Watson loft without Nowstead, On re turning to town tho matter was at onco placed in tho hands of a solicitor, and tho following day Mr Watson wont to the stablo armed with a logal warrant to procure tho colt. The ownor adds that in March lust, whilo in Melbourne, ho and his trainor fell out about gotting tho colt's nomination for tho Derby transferred. It was this at tempt on tho part of Hill to koop tho horso in his natuo, so as to havo solo control over him, which induced Mr Watson to send him to Lockloy's. Boforo ho could transfor the horso to "His own namo in Molbourne, Mr Watson had to invoke the sorvicos of a solicitor and the authorities of tho Y.R.C. On Friday tho ownor of tho colt thought it was nocossary to procure ajudgo's order for his delivery ; but Hill at onco gavo up tho colt on Mr Watson visiting tho stablo the socond timo. Tho horso is now at Lockley'«. Mr Watson talks about bringing an action for illogal detention of his horso, but per haps this will bo dropped now that Now stead has boon delivered.

A stallion named Clan Stuart has been imported from England to tho ordorof Mr W. J. Danger, of Sydney, Ho is by Prince Gharios from Annie, by Tomuhawk (a sou of King Tom) from Jowoss, by Lord of tho Islos from Queen Esther, by Warlock from Tho Thane, by Slockwell from Terrona, by Toucbsteno. I'riuco Charlos is by Ulair Athul from Eastern Princess, by Surprise (son ol Touchstone). Lord of the Isles is by Touchstone. He has three straitiß of Touch stone and two of Stock well, and may be said to be steeped in tho boat blood of the Btud book,

CONDENSED ITEMS

Tho Hon. J, White intends relegating his maro Mascotte to stud duties.

Mr 11, E, Whitakor has purchased Rikorangi for hunting during the present soason.

Mossrs J, l'ilbrow, R, Kay, and C, O'Connor arrived in Chrischurch from Aus tralia last week.

Gasconade, a colt by Talk o' the Hills from Iloydon, has boen backed to win the V.R.C. Derby at 100 to 5.

At a meeting of Sydney Tattorsall's Club, the motion on the paper to admit no more bookmakers was withdrawn.

Mr J. Enko's yearling colt Jamaica severely injured one of his -hocks several days back, but I hear he is now recovering again.

Sir William Clarke has purchased the yearling colt by Piseator from Melanie, a very fino youngster that was bought recently by Mr W, E, Dakin.

Tho totalisator investments during the Dunedin Jockey Club Birthday Meeting amounted to £9,972, against £13,165 for the throe days' meeting laßt season.

" Augur " says old Commotion is enjoy ing himsolf in a well-grassed paddock, and the short spell he has been treated to seems to havo had a marvellous effect on him.

Mr C. H.T. Hart's two-year-old colt Ener, a son of Musket and Lyra, ran third in the Limited Handicap, 11 milo, at the Rosehill (Sydnoy) Meeting the othor week.

Denmark, who has boen twice returned the winner of the V.R.C, Steeplechase, was sold in Molbourne lately for 400 guineas, Mr H. Chifney was tho purchaser. I notice that Claude started for the Ladies' Bracelet at the Petane (Napier) Birthday Meeting, but was not able to get nearer than third to Faugh-a-Ballagh and Wallaby, It is said that just before the race for the Maiden Steeplechase at Wanganui Mr A. Bayley disposed of his herse Caout chouc, for £10. Caoutchouc won the race easily. Mr J. G. Reid's mare, Grace Darling, a daughter of The Diver, won the Birthday Handicap at the Melbourne Hunt Club Meeting, after running a dead heat with Mentmore.

The Victorian metallician, Mr A. Halin bourg, scored another win with St. Law rence at Rosehill recently. Ths son of Glorious beat a field of 14, Merlin and Archie being his immediate attendants. At the Adelaide Racing Club Birthday Meeting, there was the usual amount jjf betting transacted, the only perceptible difference being that the bookmakers were W< W w&| tfl ey t o*ie.

At the Sydney Turf Club Meeting, threo jockeys named Nicholson, English, and Harris were disqualified for a month, and Davis, McDonald, and Steeper for the mooting, for disobedience to the starter's orders. Mr Montague Smith continues to purchase in Melbourne. At a Bide thero the other I week, he became the possessor of Scoboloff, a six-yoar-old son of Slanderer, for 80 guineas. Tho horse has placed several hurdle races to his credit. The Czar, who ran second to Zulu for tho Melbourne Cup in 1881, after having had all sorts of " ups and downs," has finally returned to his old quarters at Morrison's, where he will be carefully nursed, and may yet do more than earn his oats. . In Melbourne, the two Nordonfoldts, the two Dunlops, Nowstead and First Demon, Monte Christo and Anchorite, and Dunlop and Anchorite havo been backed for the noxt V.R.C. Derby and Cup at prices rang ing from a thousand to twenty to a thousand to five. Tho Queen's Birthday Cup, decided at Adolaido, drow a field of six starters, and Sordius with Dst 41b in tho saddle had not tho slightest ditiiculty in disposing of his oppononts, cutting out tho milo and three quarters in 3min. !J_sec. Tho City Handi cap, 1 mile, was won by Lord Wilton, Writes " Augur" : They say Nowstead has grown to over l(j hands. If this bo truo, thon he has 6hot up too quickly and ho 11 not! win tho Derby. I must confoss that I don't i fancy the Derby chances of colts that have ' raced and then had a long spell. Asa rule | thoy got gross insido, and it takes many months to mako thorn thoroughly fit. Nowstead may bo an exception, _ut I am sceptical, and as ho has not tho best forelegs in tho world, his trainer may havo somo trouble to prepare him.

GOSSIP FROM STAGE AND STUDIO.

{Bt Etmßi-,)

Hkwi Max Youiticu has accepted the post of conductor of the Sydnoy Philharmonic Socioty, Mis Murk Twain has taken to literature. Shu is dramatising" Prince and Pauper" in collaboration with Mrs Gcorgo "Warner, , M. Lorcdau, who was ono of tho principal ] members of Dunning. Opera Company, has just had a complimentary benefit at Sydney. Mr J, W. Davison, for many years musical critic of tho "Times," has just died.

Tho first concert of tho Auckland Glee Club will bo given about the end of this month.

An illustrated history of the recent cam paigns of the British army in the Soudan is announcod by Cassell & Co. The author is James Grant.

A now cantata, " Tho Rival Seasons," written by H. J. Stark, Mus. Bac, was givon among other items at tho Students' Concert, atTrinity Collogo, London, on tho 17th of March.

Mr Carl Rosa began his operatic season on Eastor Monday at Drury Lano. The now works promisod were " Mofistofele," in Eng lish, "Manon," and Mr Goring Thomas's "Nadisha."

Monroe Fabian, a piano player from San Francicso, is concertising throughout Ger many with Mrs Amelia Joachim, the divorced wife of the violin virtuoso, Dr Jo soph Joachim. Tho late " Orion " Home once Baid, in talking of novels, says tbe New York "Tri bune" " I think ' Wuthoring Heights' tho greatest novel over written, ' Romola ' the most beautiful, and ' Vanity Fair' tho clev erest."

Two composers havo simultaneously com pleted operas on tho same subject—namely Merlin, Carl Goldmark, of Yieana, com poser ot tho " Tho Queen of Shoba,"had his librotto prepared by S.oj»fried Lipiuer. l'hilipp Rufer, of Berlin, adapted his music to words by Dr. Holl'man,

Miss Mario Do Grey, Miss Cowell, Miss Goddard (Mrs lingham), Mr and Mrs King horn (Miss Currio Stewart), and Miss Ginx Kinghorn, Mossrs A. T. Hilton, Matthew Brodio, Morion, Solton, Lingham, and Webster left Melbourno for London on May 19th by tho P. and 0. Company's steamer Thibot.

Anothor old timo actor has gone to join tho groat majority. In the "Ago" tho other morning tho following appeared :—" Harry Softon, tho well known comedian, is dead ; aged 42 years." Ho had boon connected with the Melbourne stage for nearly twenty yoars, and was in Auckland a your or so sinco.

Tho two most distinguished composers of English opora— Balfo_ and Wallace — wore Irisiimcn, and au Irishman to-day stands unrivalled in tho domain of opera bouffo, viz , Sir Arthur Sullivan. It may not be gonorally known that Yiuoont Wallace, the eomposor of " Maritana" (most tuneful of operas), "Matilda of Hungary," " Lurlino," and "Tbo Maid of Zinch," was born in ISIS ot Dublin, his father being a bandmaster. Hoovinced extraordinary talent at an oarly ago for music, und at 15 he could play tho violin, pianoforte, clarionet, and guitar with remarkable skill. After appearing with tho greatest success at various concerts in the Irish metropolis during tho noxt three years, his health bocamo impaired by his devotion to musi cul studies, and having been recommended to take a soa voyage, ho sailed at the age'of 18 for Sydnoy. From Sydnoy he took pas sage for Now Zealand, and from this colony he procoedod on a whaling expedition to the South Seas. Tho ship was wrecked on a coral roof, and tho survivors, including tho future composer, were picked up by a pas sing vesseland curried to Otago. Thence ho took ship to tho East Indies, passed on to South America, visited tho West Indies, made his way to Mexico aud the United Stutes, and eventually returned to Europe, where he composed his loading operus. Ho went back to America and lived there for some years, but returned eventually to Europe, and diod at London in 18G9, at the age of 51.

WILL THE SEE THE POPE ?

THO Proposed Visit of the Prince of Wales to the Vatican.

The " Herald's " Paris cable of May 8 says : —"We are now able to supplement the nows cabled last weok with regard to the proposed visit of the Prince of Wales to the Vatican by the following information obtained from the highest and most direct sources The British onvoy lately sent to Rome with a semi-official mission had two audiences with the Pope during hie stay there and repeated interviews with many eminent priestß. The chief, or at least the ostensible, object of his mission was to con voy the thanks of the English Government to the Propaganda for the goodwill and cordiality which it had shown in appoint ing a British subject to the auxiliary See of Malta and in limiting the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Goa to the Portuguese pos sessions in India. Shortly after reaching Rome the envoy was requested by the British Government, etill semi-officially, to sound the Vatican and leading Catholic dignitaries as to the possibility of the Prince of Wales obtaining an audience of the Pope, and to ascertain what impression tho Prince's visit would make should it be resolved on. The subject was approached by the envoy at a private audience with the Pope, who, without pledging himself, expressed the great joy which it would give him to receive the Prince's visit under certain circum stances, Gladstone attaches considerable importance to the journey, and trusts that the Prince may counteract the influence of the Irish Bishops. Among other matters now before the Irish Congress, educational ques tions have a conspicuous place. The icheme includes questions of higher educa tion, the Queen's colleges, the collation of degrees, and the universities, the latter being the most serious of all. The majority ol the Bishops favour an open rupture with the Government, and at the Vatican this attitude is to some extent thought natural enough. Neither in Ireland nor Poland can the Holy See altogether disregard the moral and political aspects of the questions at issue. The* Herald' correspondent to day interviewed a distinguished Catholic lately at Rome, and ascertained that the Pope has decided to send privately the Golden Rose to the Empress of Germany, who, though not a Catholic, has quietly used her influence on many occasions to protect Catholic German subjects from persecution, and to smooth away the difficulties divyiog tie tajpfre from the Boly gee,"

THE GARDEN.

[By Hobtos.]

Calendar of Operations, June C

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

for certain whether it is a first-class grass or not. I have seen it, and to all appearance it looks liko one that would produco a largo quantity of material for cutting. I under stand tho lato Domain Board distributed a <iuan titylastycar; surelysomoof those settlers who recoivod it should now be ablo to give some information on the question. Anything on tho subject would bo gladly received by intending sowers. Pumpkins ("Plo").—You are quito right—thero aro several ways of preserving pumpkins in Amorica, of which I oxtract two:-Pumpkins may be put up in tho old-fashioned mode of cutting them into rings, paring and drying upon poloa; or thoy may be cut up into small piecos and dried on plates In the sun and ovon. A better plan, howevor, ia to paro, stow, and strain them, just as if for pies; theu spread tho pulp on earthen dishes, and dry quickly in a hot sun or par tially healed oven. If dried slowly thorn is danger of souring. Store in a dry room. Kept in this manner thoy retain much of their fresh ness and flavour ot newly gathered fruit. Tho dried pulp should bo soaked in milk a fow hours boforo using. In making pios thoy aro greatly improved by stirring tho pumpkins in Bcalding milk, oapooially if eggs bo not used; but without eggs thoy always fall short of tho " true pumpkiu pie." l'Hu.viNii Fncir Tn_E_ (Amatour).—ll Is too early to prune your trees yet: tho wood is not nearly ripe, lly pruning now you would lose a largo portion of sap, which has still to go down tho tree. When thoso actions have almost ceased, theu is the proper timo. The ■luestion of how to prune is one often asked, but a satlsfactoryi'ttiiswor can never be given on paper. Ido not know two mon who would do exactly the same on any trees that would como under their hands- You must got somo experienced person to show you what to do. In a week or two, I propose to deal only with the general principles. Poli/ikv MANunii {WXi ).—Yes, it makes a capital nianu'e. especially when spread on the ground about growing crops. Mix with ashes or sand and spread on tho ground, but tho spring is iho propor time to use It. Col lect all you can, placo in a heap, and keep till tho spring. If used now Iho substance will be washed out before next spring. Then spread it between tho rows of vegetables, or dußt a littlo round tho flowers in tho burder.

Root Pruning.

I 11..v_ )oftou dealt with the question of root pruning of fruit trees during tho autumn, and as it is still time to perform tho operation, a fow more linos on tho sub ject may bo of use. To many, at first sight, it does appear absurd to root-prune a treo •« ith tbo object of making that tree moro fruitful, and in the same breath advocate the application of manures or rich soil, so as to encourage Uio tree to recover its strength again. In outting of the roots, only the long thick roots should be cut. These, in most instances, send their extremities down deep into the soil, extracting materials which cause an undue luxuriance in the branches and foliage. In the case of trees with a limited fruit-bearing surface, this is not desirable, and therefore their removal is a necessity. After these have been removed, nnd the soil rocoives a dressing of some rich material, the formation of small fibrous roots takes place at once ; and any system of culture which will promote the for mation of fibrous roots within a reason able distance of the trees is sure to produce hotter conditions for the E reduction of fruit. For this purpose many aye found that when dealing with trees 1 that have boen planted on a naturally poor soil, it was necessary to give a liberal dres sing of manure on the surface after pruning. But I consider it better (when practicable) to take out the original soil and put in its placo some other which is, perhaps, sweeter and richer, and, if possiblo, tho turf taken oil' the surface of a good grass paddock is tho best. Tho new roots, which will begin to form at onco after the old ones ore cut, will food nieoly on this, and the above soil is the best for producing material for the production of fruit, Tho root pruning of all fruit trees should always tako place somo timo prowouu to tho annual rest or winter-pruning, and always, if pos sible, beforo all tho sap is down. The reason for this is that nature in the vegetable kingdom, as well as iv the animal, always hastens with all its powers to heal any wound mado in the limbs or roots. When the roots are cut tho liquid sap in the treo which might go towards the formation uf more wood is at once sent onward to heal the wounds made in the root, not only to heal thorn, but causo a froeh production of email fibres at those parte. This work is essential so that tho treo may have sufficient mouths the following soasou to supply nutriment for carrying on the usual fui.ctions of tho tree. If tho trees are too late in being root-pruned this downward How of sap is stoppod, and the wounds will not get healed beforo the spring, thus losing a deal of root action. Tho winter pruning of the branches should not take placo till quite anothor month, so aa to allow nil sap to properly gel away to tho main limbs of the tree; afterwards take them out. The question of pruning tho branches will bo dealt with in a week or so.

(Coidinwdfrom ku>t wed;).

Before planting trees of all sorts, the holes should be dug at least for a few days (and it would bo better if for a fow weeks) before planting, so that the air may sweeten thorn. The holes for small trees should at least be dug four foet in diameter and eighteen inches deep; for large trees, of course, the sire of the hole must be regu lated by tho size of the roots, but in all cases tho holes should be considerably larger than the roots of the trees to be planted therein. If possible, all the clay taken out of the bottom of the hole should bo taken away, and good, well-pulverised soil put in its place. This is what we used to call making a good site for the tree. Up to the prosont, this has not been sufficiently practised in New Zealund. Nowlha\-helped (when planting particular trees in Britain) to lake' out all the original soil from the Bile of the tree to a doplh of two feet, und a diameter of twenty feet, and soils thor oughly suited to the plant put into tbe holo made. The abovo is cortaiuly putting on labour, and would be expensive here, but if only the half of that was dono, look what an immense advantage tho trees would have. In a few years the appearance of the trees would amply repay the original cost. Now the choice of young trees I havo often dealt with, but it is worth repeating. When obtaining trees for planting, always get well-grown, hardy trees of about two to four feet in height; if larger, see that the tree is properly found with branches and roots in proportion to the height of the tree Never obtain treos that have been planted too close together, and have got drawn up. Trees of this class have usually a bark of yellow tinge colour, and unripe, unhealthy appearance. Trees of this class when taken from their sheltered position and planted out in exposed parts will never succeed so well as small, hard trees which are properly ripened off. Now, I do not want to infer that all tall trees are unhealthy, as some of the nurserymen grow specially tall trees for standards, so as to suit the taste of some of their customers. Another matter to be lookod to in the selecting of trees and plants of all kinds is the quantity and quality of the roots they possess, Trees which have long, stringy, whipcord-like roots I have never fancied, nor never will. I always like to see roots with a multitude of Bmall fibrous roots. If trees possess these whon plantedout they invariably flourish, especially when planted on suitable soil, whereas trees which only possess roots of a long, stringy nature must make the small fibrous ones before thoy can find nourish ment for the tree. For these reasons I have frequently advocated, when using stocks for grafting, that nothing should be used if possible for that purpose but varieties that naturally grew fine fibrous roots. This more especially in trees which are ex pected to grow fruit, When moving trees from one place to another, and whon planting them, always keep the roots covered. The extreme tips of the feeding roots are very tender, and exposure for any length of time to the sun or air does a vast deal of injury, Frequently, when extensive planting is going on, I have seen hundreds of trees taken from the bundles and thrown into the holes, to as to be ready and save, perhaps, a little trouble in going backwards and for wards. These trees will perhaps lie for a few hours with their roots exposed to the sun and air before planting. A vast amount of injury is done to the tree in those few hours. When extensive plant ing is goinr* on have the trees distributed over the planting ground in small con. venient bundles, heel them in, then cover up the roots with soil, ipd when planting ooly t_ku out a few at a time.''

f?0 6$ Qo!iimt4.J

A LADY'S LETTER FROM LONDON.

' BY ELISE.) ' ci Fadrics - BTim_ri _~*"W W.15 Gloves - Success - ? IUTI«* -> la„d-«Dw:, ER3 Co°^a. ,„ „^l H'^'h-ASe R mo N on_„^" ES"~V. It Potato! Irs M-S^CJ Tomatoes. Rus^'.4_r

Dam Mb Aptil23' LordMayorNotta ge , o£Lo 6^^ !oi poor Lady Selborne, all from ' Snd of the lungs, and all within afew af*»» oi another, painf u l ly bri J!***»**_ dangers of living i n «.,, , to°bo t. e capricious climate. £ „***i__ not boen an exceptionally J^ »<'«„ fi the reverse, in fact X frightful snowstorms 3? h 'vo ft no weeks of delugi"*: £_>« black JS? not much of "ti,„? ln' ana untilt,,' the eastwhich shafts tt tho temper, anil Kl* * noV_?. of tho skin and hS CS at 0o«! tb Vet it ha S "been _ n gate? °f V___? 'There is J^flgfcjg every house, and l_l *• «rtt rampant You const nt| _*«"a friend "catching a eh|-H"C means only temporary L^'V now and agamJ^ 1 of Lord Mayor Notta to the * Brighton Review on the MoS° »•« « his. grave the following &. »»d fa aonous consequences super^rfe-^t so, you can quite i__ag__.P^^bl now sprue costumes* h ave _Li ew °"l yet. While the last wind H n „ , *»» mt only too glad to wjjffi*-? long winter mantles, _&«&,'.<& o wearing a smart'n ew dr_s 6 l°? dS However, our ««,<&_ T *****< attractive novelties ready J*** i weather—when it eomos k. ""to mg fabrics are Idelifffi" 0" ** Mw tufts and Whgg-, Iftk pa c grounds are quite ml ,oVf< quite unlike- the «dK_i a"J ■«* gown. These admit <&*•*. their make. " The Ladv^W ai! ctJ » an illustration of a drJC^Pv. effective combination of.rZ!?, m bread-striped cotton skS&'k of plain material to match tho IfX bodlce on the skirt. These skirtte^ g'» in "The Lady") are m_f e V,, ''V colours, the prettiest vet sw™ w *mm blue and choeolatef l_M*_*£* tobacco brown and biscurf ,I"*' «f effective. Some d tffife _■¥ plain tops with waisCHSB^ 8 stripe pleated finely: ;«_S?2 olthe coats and stay-belte T-. '«„?'''; draperies of plain material rimlLt Here is a tiny hint. Silk gl ovea . become bo conmon that they »«„ ? quite out of fashion. Only ll JB« shopgirls wear them. now t? especially the finest qaalitv _?S fashiona.le, but with S'M costumes young ladies affect the r. w Z dogskin, which can be had either h ft six and eight buttons, or m'th gaJC'1 Do you remember my .me.ri.aL 12 or 14 months ago that one of 1,77 fr°« the School of Coek^at! sington had started on a tour of the™ and would, in the course of time, give W teres m New Zealand! Well, ha_r_„i»,, to be at South Kensington last _fiT a*«d the deaMMtator for the _f ter _; what had become of hie friend. " Oh" t, said, " M. Julos went to Calcutta fiut __ he is still thoro. Hia classes have crsatol quite a furore. AU the'EngM Ufa attend, and] he also gives ieasons to t.c native servants. From Calcutta Jules m to Madras for a time,"

This being so, I'm afraid -hechefmayncvei reach your part of the world, lam eorrj for it, as a few lessons in'cookery mil materially improve the happiness of a goo. many colonial homes, Fish, flesh, foil fruits and vegetables are alike so cheap it New Zealand that it seems a dreadful pit) tho higher arts of cooking should be _ known or comparatively unknown, By tho-bye housewives who are not ibon taking a well-meant hint about usual!) unconsidered trifles ought to ej»m half-a-crown on a little book all. "Dinners and Dishes" by *'Wanderer, It is not a volume of recipes, as you my infer from the title, but a very readabk gossip about various styles of Europe_ cookery by an epicure who has travellec everywhere, and understands living toft wisely and well. A chapter on ''Brit- Atrocities " will be foand particulary am_ ing. I cannot refrain from quoting ale» lines on that familiarvegetable dish"boil_ cabbage" as invariably served up by a "good plain cook," " What?" criesthe outraged "Wanderer' "is that fearful, sickly, sodden, heap of greenstuff, really the beautiful crisp cubbigt we saw in the garden two hours ago! WW horrors has tho cook committed to reduce it to this shapeless mass of hideous pulp! What vile black arts have produced such results! And why? Less fcoUinig—that_ in other words less coal and less expew would have saved it, Straining wi ■ havo improved it. A little salt would havf preserved its crispaess. And some (re butter would have made it quite nice. But of course the cook cannot _c_i;t quarters of an hour, though half ln-iits ■ are of importance; she' doesn't measure tho coals because her master pays for to; ehe thinks' there is ealt enough in the alt collars upstairs ; and as to fiosh butter, why, sho is not frying, only boiling, ami therefore butter is not wanted." On the subject of potatoes" Wantot is equally eloquent. '«Old or new, hamffl soft, white or black, the potato n sB servod up boiled, aud boiled only, m tuber, which, when quite young andanll, is palatoable when Bimply boded w» it then possesses a real flavour of i- own, is tasteless when it groirs older _J» it is cooked with something te bring ou its hidden flavour, or impart, to it«» one. There are twenty ways of cwK potato, of which three only aro extort practised in England, Many of to* methods involve nothing but care aid > little butter." , .. „-, I wish I had space to quote all TO derer's" apposite remarks about m- An English salad, as ordinary m * turod, he considers an abomination. » beautiful lettuce is #cW? PJJ shreds; its curly leaves have disaPP* its sap has-been absorbed to■ tta« knife, its flavour hasgone, anWto*«« any left it would be mothered y ■ strong morsels of celery ag* SU The sauce, however well-made, b •*• in beet-root juice, *»ea*»W the'bowl in carmine ah^«gg one, r alas!too vividly of **■« fields; and, finally, he jM»«ff has one overpowering flavour-wat 'IKe course of his book, «*£ provides recipes «■'•«;■?&£ % made yet most succulent dWW, ' HJJ « About What GoesrAp,« have found specially «*^*ffi w otto" forms a capitaJ»g» ** Tom is continually • "beef salad"or ~<Wgrt?hJV Here is the t**W?J*X# you will find it a wiWJg W the theatre at night, **flM| couple of lettuces &°™sV<^i in one or more uapki.s, and^"JJ the leaves «M f^fiff^SSS' bowl. Add slices of e^fKfi* boiled, and cold roast kd-JfiU Mk well, aud pour sauce overy *# -J •'Tliumajenn^e sauceV*JJ{ beef salad, but if _w_«* eg trusted so far, oU and mega''WJJJ portion of two spooDfula of oil i»' ■ vinegar, with a littleeait, &** °m* and v dash of mustard, 0'_i bo | coH In Russia a popular aIU M*> chiekeu and tpngut choPf«.^pJ morsels of white fift, • HgdHß* potatoes, or any cold WJ*ffi£ 0» from the P»vious nights T^c* sliced potatoes with »Wffl< fully boned and ««^J?tsfl?'B onion, also does capitally .»■ tfsi lettuce cannot be got, and g _ with a little omon and a JttOT m ture of oil, tarragon vinegWJE't.jf, and sugar, WO, £ .JfWJW*" delicious.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 1885.

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