SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTURES,

New Zealand.

Mercury Bay Races May 23 and 25 Duneilin J.C Winter Meeting .May 23. 2S 'J'akapnna J.C. Birthday Meeting May *> Nttarwawahia Birthday Meeting May .'.) WuDKanni .7.C. Steeplechase May 25 N.Z. Urunrt National Steeplechases May 2< Auckland K.C. Steeplechase Medina ......luiiol; I-iawkfi'H liny J.C. Steeplechases J nun .'a

To Correspondents.

W.M. (Cambridge)-It is reckoned that when fully oxtonded, a racehorse covers about 2i [eat in a stride.

I.VQtnKßit.—All placo bets aro 1, 2, 3. A horso may bo placed fourth by tho .judge, but a backer ot tho same would not be entitled to receivo unless ono ot tho other throo wore disqualified.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

N.KXT Monday will bo a busy day for turlitos throughout New Zealand, and so far as (tat racing is concerned, I ho curtain will then be rung down. Tho tliroo mo»t important gatherings arc thoso of tho Danfldin, Wauganui, and Takapuna lockoy Clubs, but thore is scarcely a province throughout both Islands that has not a race gathering of some kind. Of courso the fixture of most interest to local " sports " will bo that of the Takapuna Club, and if wo can judge by tho large number of acceptances and entries received for tho different events, it should be ono of the moet successful yet held on the suburban course. Tho follow ing are the names of those engaged in tho principal races: —

Hukdles.—NlKgor, lOst 121b: Seagull, 9st 101b; New Year, !>3t 71b : Shotover. 9st 71b; Alfred. !fet; Tim. 9st; Pipi. !>st; Hello. 9st. Uiutitoav HANDICAP,—KowI, Sat 121b; Mystory. Bst SU>; Nigccr. Sst 41b; Buz surd. Sat; Kalo, 7st, 121b ; Victory, 7st 121b ; Hevonifo, "st (jib; Sir Bevidore, "st 21b; Pipi, list 12lb ; Vortex, fist 101b ; Nannie, Bst 7lb ; Barb, Gst; Baraey, Gst; Cinderella, sst 121b ; Cust-ashore, ost 71b.

Stebi'LKCiusk. — New Year. I2at; 'Whale bone, Ust 21b; Quilp. lOst 71b: Julia Ann, 10<t; Shotover, 9st 101b ; Tim, 9.it 71b; Seagull, 9at 71b; Plni, flat 71b ; Lily Lanqtry. Oil 71b. Winter Oats Handicap.—Rewi, Bst Bib; Ka'.o. Sat; NixKor, Sat; Victory, 7at l'.'lb; Mystery, "at 101b; Buzzard, 7st 41b; Pipi, G3t 121b; Vortex, 6-rt 71b; Little Dainty, B-itllb; Nannie, fi.t llo; Cinderella, Gst; Cast ashore. Cut; A.8., Cat.

The first race is to start at twelve o'clock sharp, and as tho Ferry Company will despatch steamers at short intervals, theio should bo no ovorcrowding. For the Wanganui Steeplechase, which is tho big event of the bill of faro, the follow ing lot have paid up:—

St. lb. St. lb. Macaroni.. .. 12 3 Tho Druiil ..10 ti Director .. .. 13 8 Caoutchouc .10 5 New Year.. ..HO Glencoe .. .. 10 0 Hilly-go-by-em .. 10 10 Diomcdes .. 10 0 Totara .. .. 10 8 Awaroa .. ..10 1 l'athlinder .. 10 G Speculation .. 10 0 My fancy for this event is Director, and should he have the support of his party, he must tako a lot of beating, despite his im post. Among the light division, Totara stands out as a good thing, for last season it will bo remembered he ran a great horse in tho event, and Clarence only succeeded in defeating him by half-a-length. The Druid also ia entitled to a deal of respect, and ho should be among the loading division when tho final question is being fought out. At the Ngaruawahia Meeting, the names of thoso engaged in tho leading events are as under : — RIRTIIDAY HANDICAP. Bt. lb. at. lb. JJrossmaker .. S " Alnhn .. .. S 4 Orakaiv .. .. !) 0 Kahikatca ..SO Kenilworth .. Si) I'eiatu .. ..7 0 HANDICAP HURDLES. 3t. lb. St. lb. Kahikatea .. 11 7 Nancy .. .. 10 0 Orakau .. .. 11 7 Pciatn .. .. 10 0 Bob Sawyer ..11 2 Owing to various causes, the Grand National Meeting will not be decided till Wednesday, and it looks as it the gathering will be a poor one. The names of thoso engaged in the two leading events are as follows :— QRAND NATIOXAr. STKKI'LKCHASK. St. lb. St. lb. Kavcnswood .. 12 7 Linwood .. 11 I King Arthnr ..12 1 Moody .. ..110 Scrutineer .. .. 12 2 Berrington .. 10 11 HUHDLE RACE. St. lb. St. lb. Master Agnes ..12 7 Scrutineer .. 12 0 Kaveaswood .. 12 7 Secretary .. 10 0 Tho s.s. Tarawora, which sailed for Syd ney on Tuesday afternoon, had on board the well-known 'chaser Sunray, Rosebud (the two-year-old daughter of Musket and Ro3arina), tho i'iscatorious—Yatterinayoar ling colt, and Musket—Fanny Fisher year ling filly. Thore is a certain amount of mystery as to what is to ba done with two of the quartette, but Sunray is to bo used for hunting purposes by Mr John Bonnotfc (a brother of Mr Joseph Bennett, of this city), and tho Pi-catorious colt, I under stand, has been leased by Mr F. Went worth, and will be prepared by J. Mona ghan. I had a look over tho lot beforo they were put on board, and was greatly pleased with the yearling colt, but tho filly is a weedy-looking thing. Both have anumber of valuable engagements in Australia.

The Committee of the Auckland Racing Club came to a definite decision during the week with regard to the new grand etand which is to bo erected at Ellerslie. It has been decided to adopt the design of Mossrs Grainger and D'Ebro, but the plan is to bo altered and modified to suit requirements. With this end in view, Mr Graingor is to be brought over from Melbourno, and whon he has completed his work tenders will bo called for tho erection of tho structure.

Tho weights for tho Groat Northern Steeplechase and Hurdle Raco may be ex pected to make their appearanco about tho middle of the forthcoming week. To us New Zealanders, it is a bit amusing to read the many little dovices that are being resortod to in Australia with Wel come Jack. Tho latest wo have to hand is that the crack was offered for sale by auction in Melbourne after the Adelaide Cup was decided, but he was passed in at a reserve of £1,500, the best bid being 1,350 euineas. I notice that just previous to the start for the race above mentioned, the son of Traducer was supported to win about £10,000 at 100's to 6 and 7, but notwith standing this he fell back almost last when real racing commenced. All of the scribes in their comments on the racing state that Welcome Jack lacked the appearance of a horse that had been wound up for a Cup contest, and waa devoid of muscle. He was ridden by Ivimy. Tho well-known Canterbury sportsman, Mr H. P. Lance, has been on a visit to Auckland this week, and one day he in spected tho Ellerslie course and thorough bred stock at Sylvia Park. We are in formed by telegram that the Hon. W. Robinson (Mr Lance's partner) has secured twelve months' leave of absence from his Parliamentary duties, so that he will, no doubt, take his departure for the othor side at once. At the suggestion of Mr Percival, the Committee of the Auckland Racing Club at a meeting on Tuesday afternoon, de cided to lessen the width of the water jump in front of the grand stand. There have been a number of complaints from horse owners with regard to the jump ever since it was made, and several of their number intended petitioning the Committee on the matter. The alteration will therefore be hailed with pleasure. ' From Napier comes news of the death of theaged gelding Heretaunga.who duringhis career has placed several races to his credit in the Hawke'a Bay district. The horeo had been turned out for a spell for some months past, and his owner Mr Mason, in riding vound his run several days back, found him hangin" in a wire fence dead. Heretaunga ■was one of Kakapo's progeny. The unbeaten colt Nowstead is favourite in Melbourne for tho V.X.C. Derby. Daring the S.A.J.C. Meeting he was sup ported to win the great threa-yoar-old ©vent at 6's to 1. Old Clarenco figures among those entered fo- the Grand National Steeplechase at the Sydney Turf Club Mooting on thoGth .rune, a Mr D. Fountain being his nominator. Although ho only had list 01b in tho •' big stick" race at the S.A.J.C. Meeting, he failed to start, but by the time tho V.R.C. cross-country fixture takesplaconext month, we may sco him at his best. The Victoria RacingClubhavoissuod their programme for next season, and a number of alterations have been made, tho most notable being the increase of the added money for the Perby of 1880 to 650sovs. The Melbourne Cup and Champion Stakes remain the same as last year,viz., l,ooosovs, and entries closo on tho Ist of June. Mr Penfold, the Secretary ot the Canterbury Jockey Club,is instructed to receive nomina tors up to 12 o'clock noon. At the Victoria Amateur Turf Club Meeting a few weeks back, it will be re membered a fiasco occurred in the Steeple chase similar to that which took place hore in January last. A dispute, of course, took place with regard to the wagers on the race, and on being put before the Com mittee of the "Victorian Club, that body decided that all bets, except those scratched |>y mutual consent, should stand,

The Hawke'a Bay Jockey Club have receivod tho splendid nomination of SI for their big Steeplechase next month, which is largoly in oxcoss of previous years. At the meeting of tho Committee of the Club last week, it was resolved that the old steeple chase course should be used for the ensuing season, and that tho water jump should be opposite the grand stand if possible Lord Wilton's timo for tho Adelaide Cup was faster than Malua made twelve months ago, but tho going was particularly heavy at Morphottville. Dnnalil Nicholson rode the son of Countryman, It is said Lord Wilton's owner was not a largo winner by tho horse's victory, but it suited the ring, a number of whom made books for him.

Mr O. O'Brien, tho well-known Christ church sportsman, was a passenger to Sydnoy lasr. week. Ho intonds to spend sovoral weeks ou tho other sido of tho water, and intondH if possible to bring back a lirst-cliiss horsoman with him,

At » shlo of blood stock in Molbourno, I notice that Mr Montague Smith pur chased tho crack steeplechaser Blackthorn for -HO guineas, but ho subsequently ro sold him to Mr W. E. Power. Tho erst whilo Now Zoaland luitito also had a four year-old bay gelding by St. Albans out of v Castle Hill mare knocked down to him for 120 guineas, whilo at tho annual sale from tho lion. W. Pearson's Kilmany I'ark Stud, he secured a bay gelding called Recall, by Vagabond—Queen of Trumps, for 70 guineas. Moore, the rider of Conjecture in tho Adelaide Cup, was reported by the starter for disobodience at tho post, and subse quently recoived a sentonce of three months' suspension from riding, tho most offectivo reprimand it was possiblo for tho stewards to administer. Conjecture started favourite for the race at 3 to 1, but she proved herself a thorough jade. \\ rites "Augur ": — " While Australians are congratulating themselves upon the possession of Musket's sons, Nordonfoldt and Matchlock, and flattering themsolvos that they havo in thesoor others tho winner of noxt year's V.R.C. Derby, thoy must not forget that there ia another New Zealandor or two engaged. Mr P. Butler has a colt by Cadogan, from Lurline's relative Water witch ; the Hon. W. Robinson has a colt by St. George, from Miss Flat (dam of Welcome Jack), and a filly by Cadogan, from Malice (sister to Lurlino); and Mr J Marshall Thunderbolt, acoltbyMuskot,fioinLockot. Thundorbolt possesses nn unboaton record, and ho is pronounced by good judges ono of tho best two-year-olds over socn in Now Zealand, as ho should bo by his breeding. His dam, Locket, was importod from Eng land, and is by tho Stockwoll horse Thunder bolt, from Koopsako, by Daniel O'Rourko. This colt, with Turquoise and others of Mr Marshall's, was trained by J. Chaafo, who years ago was in the employ of Judge Cheeke. Ihopo to see Chaafo and Thunder bolt at Flemingtou before next November. Sir Thomas Elder's Juanna, Remus, and The Teacher were the only starters for the S. A. J. C. Sires' Produce Stakes, and they finished in the order written, One of the Melbourne papers, describing the race, says The Teacher was a bad third, which his rider apparently made no effort to improve. This is the colt that was so heavily backed for the Melbourne Derby and Cup some weeks ago. At tho sale of Mr Bryant's Cairn Curran stud held in Melbourne, the bidding was very languid. Bosworth, full brother to Richmond, Segenhoe, and Palmyra, was passed in at 1,000 guineas ; whilst Lothair, a full brother to Le Grand, was knocked down to Mr J. Cripps for SCO guineas. The majority of the brood mares- went choap, tho highest price obtained being for Star of Love, by Irish King—Ktoile dv Soir, who had a filly foal by Bosworth at her side. She was knocked down to Mr J, Wilaon for 230 guineas. Consignments of stock from the studs of Messrs John Whittingham, C. B. Fisher, W. Blacker, and W. Field were also disposed of, but poor prices were obtained. Aspen, the dual Newmarket Handicap winner, with colt foal it foot by Larpent, went to a Mr Elliott for 175 guineas.

CONDENSED ITEMS.

Tho Broker won tho S.A.J.C. St Leger. Tho Hon. W. Robinson's horses arrived in Sydney without a scratch.

The Hon. J. White is offering Bargo and Tremando for private sale.

Fred Archer has had three winning mounts since his return to England.

Ironmaster, the winner of last year's Goodwood Handicap, has been added to the list.

Sydney Tattersall's Club hold a Steeple chase Meeting on th« (Jth of June. The loading event is worth £300.

Roddy Mclvor, who was injured while riding at the A.J.C. Autumn Meeting, has now thoroughly rocovered.

The Victoria Racing Club contemplate instituting a race for two-year-old geld ings, to be contested in the autumn. On the opening dayof the Liverpool (Eng land) Spring Meeting every favourite won. What a time tho books must have had !

i' 2,400 was put through tho totaliantor on the last day of the Wellington R. C. Aut umn meeting, making .I'S,OOO in the three days.

Mr A. R. Robertson has rotained the Sydnoy jockoy Martin Gallagher to ride Tho Teacher and Dunlop for thoir three year-old engagements. Lord Curington, who is to saoceed Lord Augustus Lottua as Governor of New South Wales, is a most enthusiastic sportsman and lover of the turf.

Mr F. Dakin's string has been strength ened by the addition of the Tasmaman bred horse, Monatteh, a full brother to Mr D. O'Brien's Johnny Faulkner.

The Wanganui Jockey Club only received one entry for the Ladies' Bracelet at their Steeplechase Meeting, and a Consolation Handicap has been substituted. Mr H. D. Bradloy's Puck, a three-year old son of Leolinus and Titania, won the principal event at tho New Brighton Christ church Racing Club Autumn Sleeting. The members of tho Adelaide Hunt Club have offered their services to the South Australian Government in the event of war being declared, and propose to act as scouts.

Royal Consort, who gave promise during his early career of turning out a "clinker," waa recently sold in Melbourne for 125 guineas. Mr J. Cripps was the purchaser. Luck still sticks to the English turfite, Mr J. Hammond. On the second day at Lincoln his horse Strathlane started first at 11 to 4 in a field of eleven, and won in a canter by four lengths.

The good sum of £4,029 was paid away in prizes over the South Australian Jockey Club Meeting at Flemington, the biggest winner being Mr E. W. Ellis, the owner of Lord Wilton, with £950.

While Chifney was schooling the steeple chaser Mars at Flemington recently, he fell at a fence and broke his back. The horse died in a few minutes. His rider fortunately escaped withoutreceiving any serious injury. The Australian Jockey Club have once more made public the conditions of their great Spring Handicap, the Metropolitan Stakes. As usual, it is a sweepstake of 20aovs, with 500sov8 added.

Mr W. Blackler (the breeder of Lord Wilton and Sardius, and many other good one?) has had the bad luck to lose all of his yearling colts except one, a brown coit by Conrad from Miss Harriet, the dam of Henrietta.

The Tasmanian bred two-year-old filly, Bonnie Doon, by Manuka from Medea, tho dam of Blink Bonny, has been purchased by a Victorian racing man. The filly, who will bo brought out by Ike Foulsham, is said to bo a most promising young lady. On the last day of tho S.A..T.C. Meeting, St. John (a full brother to Trump Yoss) did a big performance. He ran a milo and-a-quarter in 2min. BJsec, which is the best time on record for Australia, and beat a strong field.

Mr Andrew Town, tho Hobartville etud master, has purchased Fergus the First, the sire of tho speedy filly Astrcoa. Fergus the First is a remarkably well-bred animal, boing by Irish King from The Roe by Stock owner.

Tho Australian horse Transferred, who wont to India some 18 months ago, is dead. He was by Maribyrnong from Lady Eliza beth, and was at one time a pretty fair per former, but had the uncomfortable knack of disappointing his friends with the silk up. The stewards of the Victoria Amateur Turf Club are evidently determined to put a stop to the late scratching of horses. At a recent meeting they inflicted one fineof £20 on an owner, and several of £5. The horses are disqualified from running pending the payment of the fine.

Shortly after Lantern had romped home in front of the remainder of tho Goodwood Handicap field, one of tho principal backers of Topaz offered to make a match for five hundred or a thousand a-side to run the winner over the Goodwood Handicap dis tanco at the same weights. The offer was not accepted.

The time occupied in running the Lincoln shire Handicap as taken by Benson's chronograph is given as one minute and thirty six and four-fifths Beconds, this distance being one mile. This seems al together toogood to be true, andif authentic, not only eclipses all previous records, but throws into the shade Buccaneer's doubtful performance of a mile in lmin SSsecs,

FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS.

(BY ACTION.)

AQUATIC FIXTURES. May 26. Regatta at Oamaru. June 30, CV A. MMnenger and N. Mattorson over Paramatta Course, for .tIOO.

WAIIiAOR Ross, the well-known sculler, has left New Brunswick (St. John's), and lias taken some wine vaults in Now York.

Noil Mattorson and Charles Mossongei' are in active training for thoir match over the shampton courso on May .SO, and Thomas Clifford will join thorn in a fow days, as ho ia going to havo a fortnight, just to keop himsolf in good order for any ovont that may ariso. Thomas Clifford, through Alderman J. D, Young, has issuod a challenge to row any one in Australia over tho Champion Course (except liottch and Lay cock), for any rensonablo amount from i" 100 upwards. To anyone coming from a distanco he will allow a fair amount for oxponsos.

There has been somo talk in Sydnoy of a boxinginatch boingarranged between Millor and Jackson. Millor ollorod to put up a sub stantial doposit to box tho darky in Auck land in four months for from i. r)0 to £500 it-side.

Before leaving for 'Frisco, Mr J. G. Doeblo, on behalf of William Beech, gave Edward Hanlan a commission to the effect that he could toll Teotnor or any othor ecullev in Amei'iea that Beach would row Toeraer ovor tlio champion course of Aus tralia for the sum of .£I,OOO and the Cham pionship of tho World, and that Booch would allow Toemer £1200 for expenses. Tho Melbourne "Age "says:—" MrF. K. Spafl'orth, the celebrated New South Wnlcs crickyigj,-is in Molbourno, and is likely to Sol I i Wt'M'O. Should this bo the caso, tho teams will probably present a jijcoTtfcißr appoaranco noxt Christmas, with McDonnell playing for Now South Wales and Spofforth for Victoria. Tho doparturo of Another equally prominent Victorian cricketer for Sydney is also spoken of as likely to take place." Oil Saturday, March 21 (said "Bell's Lifo"), a pedestrian named McKenzio was credited with accomplishing tho following feats at tho Black Arms Inn, Soghill, within an hour, vi/.., walking 4J milos, picking up 20 stones a yard apart, walking backwards 100 yds, whooling a barrow 100 yds, carrying it 71b weight in each hand 100 yds, carrying a 301b weight on his back 100 yds, pick ing up 10 potatoes ono yard apart with his mouth, hopping 100 yds, carrying an ogg in a teaspoon 100 yds, jumping in v sack 100 yds, running IOliyd«, rolling n barrel 100 yds, and drinking a Kill of ale through a pipe shank. The walking occupied 34min 20seo, the stono picking .Smin, walking backward 2Ssec, tho hopping 40sec, the egg and ladle perform ance 50sec, and tho whole IS were accom plished in aamin JiSsec. Mr John Nutler, of Seghill, is responsible for the timing. The Sydney " Mail " says :— " The members of our yachting, sailing, and row ing clubs have, with true patriotic spirit, expressed a desire to take part in tho move ments for securing the defence of the port and city. It is easy to see how valuable the services of such men may become. Thoir recreation hours have naturally titted them for active servico on the water. They have, in their aquatic contests, had to observe a certain amount of discipline, which will toll in their favour when on gaged in defensive duties. With a splendid fleet, including all manner of craft, they may bo of use in a great variety of ways ; if in nothing else, in carrying to and fro men and material, or as an auxiliary servico to tho Naval Brigade. It is believed that, in case of necessity, something like 700 or 800 effective young men would bo available) for any duty which might bo required of thorn."

With references to tho ehnllengo issued by Professor .Jackson to box I'rofossor Miller for £500 a-eido, tho latter has written tho following letter:—"ln nnswor to Jackson's friends thoy wero fully aware that the challenge issued would not bo acceptod. I have reaeona of a private nature which pre vont me from engaging in a glove contest (one to win) in any part of Australia. I hereby deposit £i>o with tho proprietors of the ' Evening New* ' and the ' Town and Country Journal,' and will stake £300 againat Jackson> £250, tho contest to tako placo in New Zealand. If this inducement is suflicicnt, a bona tide match can be made at once, to take place four months from the date of signing tho articles of agroo ment. If this will not suit, when my hand in well I shall be prepared to meet Jackson in an exhibition of boxing the samo as Saturday last in Sydney." A Melbourne telegram says:—"Much talk is occasioned in boxing circles over Miller having re fused to meet Jackson anywhere but in New Zealand. His friends believe the Professor should retire or make a match. Thoy can find plenty to keep him going for six months."

Roforring to yacht ■ racing in Sydnoy during tho past season, tho Sydney "Mail " saya:—" As far as racing amongst tho yachts is concerned, it is true that only one of our lirst-class yachts, tho Waitangi, haa com peted. The Magic han rostod on her laurels, and has not deignod to don her racing suit and once moro prove that " ago cannot wither nor custom stalo" hor in linito capacity for speed. But what racing there has beon was full' of interest. Waitangi, ably handled by hor ownor and crew, and perhaps not altogether unbonefited by tho presence on board of n votoran yachtsman, showed a marked improvement on her lost yoar's form. Though unsuc cessful in tho raco with Sirocco for tho commodore's prize, sho succocded twice afterwards in lowering tho colours of that formidable ton-tonnor. But on each oc casion it is worthy of noto that tho Waitangi pasued the post first. Sirocco's record is not as brilliant as for tho past year ; but, considering that in every raco she has had to bear tho brunt of tho handicapping, and oven tJtoa has mado a fair struggle for the prize, her owner, though not as triumphant as ho perhaps expected to bo, can lay the flattering unction to his soul that in Ford's latest he has the smartest of her class."

Tho greatest aquatic season in the history of the colony, says the "Town and Country Journal " of May 9th, may now be said to have drawn tea close—that is, if there is any closing at all. There has been a long series of amateur and professional events, all of which have been got off' successfully. In the professional programme the past events have been most interesting, and very pleasing to Australians, and several new men have come forward that will in tim« make their namos familiar as first-class oarsmen. All the young clubs are progress ing favourably, and have produced several prominent oarsmen. The numerous re gattas have been successful, and competition keeninthevariousracesheld. Boatbuilders have had a very busy time, and thoir pros pects for tho future are good. Tho oight oar race was the grandost yet hold in Aus tralia, and has taken a wider range than was anticipated even at tho boginning of the year. Taken altogether, tho season 1884-5 stands out as tno best on record. And the "off season" promises to be pretty lively, for we have the Matterson -Messenger race on hand, and Clifford is anxious to get a race on with anyone excepting Beach or Laycock. He will protably be accom modated without having to wait very long.

THE GARDEN.

[By Hojitus.]

TO CORRESPONDENTS,

Passion Fruit (A.J.M.)—These easily grow from seeds, but as you are just going to start growing them.l would advise you to purohaso your plants from anurserjman; they only cost a mere trifle each. There is any quantity of them In stock in the different nurseries in Auckland. They will transplant any time from now up till the spring of the year. Manures (J.K.J., Parnell.)—lt ig almost useless for yon to use guano as a manure at this season of the year. Guano would be soon dis solved by tho heavy rains, and the sub stance would be lost bofore your plants had any root action in the spring so as to absorb. Guano is only Rood to use where you want rapid growth at the time of use. Your soils are cold and wet, and the manure for you to use now would be plenty from the stable, well rotted if possible. Cow manure is too cold for winter ueo on stilf soils. It is hotter suited for warm soils for summer use. If you have purchased guano, keep it till next summer, and when watering your flowers in the warm weather add a little to the water, and it will then be of benefit. Tomato Cuttings (Amateur).—Tomatoes will strike easily from cuttings. Now is the best time to take tho outtings off. Take about three or four inches off the end of the strongest Bhoots. put them in pnts with somo sandy soil, place them in a box with a pane of glass over them, and water occasionally; they will soon strike. When struck, pot off and keep till the soring, then plant one; about a dozen cutting ought to be enough for you. Tomato plants grown from outtings will give more fruit and loss wood next season than seedlings, if plantod in good soils, and properly taken care of. Dahlias and 6i.adioi.us fCottager).—Yes. it is time to lift both, that is to Pay, if haulm is properly ripened off. In some situations they are ripe, in some not. You must recol leot as long as there is any life in the haulm it is still conveying strength to the tubers or bulbs, which strength will materially asaist in Kiving good or bad flowers next year. When lifted, place in the sun to dry for a wee!? or so before storing past for the winter,

BRAZIL.

A Visit to Rio Janeiro.

A Remarkable and Little - Known Country.

(SPEOFAL CORRESPONDENT AUCKLAND STAR.)

The Eni])eior of Brn2il

I cannot omit to mnko a low observations about the romnrkablo Emporor of Brazil. Called to tho t Uronc more than half-n-contury ago, whon but six years of ago, it is to him that Brazil owes hor freedom from thoso revolutions which form tho chief occupation of tho other South American people. Eithor intellectually or physically con sidered, tho Emperor is surpassod by vory few of his subjects, ilo spoaks English porfoctly, and has a knowlodgo of all tho Europoun languages ; ho i.n an activo student of geology, astronomy, minoralogy, and sovoral other sciences. Among his visits to England, one has been incognito, and lie is an admiror of both English customs and character. Over six foot in height, ho .stands like a veritable Saul among his subjects. His position is no sinecure. At his lovoos, he denies access to nono, receives petitions, and listens courteously to any request or communications made by a subjoct or stranger. Any who fancy themselves de nied justico do not hositato to go at once and lay their caso boforo tho Emporor. An attentive hoaring ia always accorded, notes aretakon by tho secretary, and tho case for warded for tho Minister's attention. Whon tho British emigrants arrived in Urny.il, thoy woro wolcomod by tho Emporor in person.

Thcro is no aristocracy in Brazil, but tho titles are non-hereditary, and die with those on whom they are lirst bestowed. In some —butquito n minority—of cases, they are bostowod on tho son. Tit Icm, however, are not well supported by thuir owners, and aro easily bought, although at present tho num'bor does not oxeeod ">UO of all ranks ; 2;">0 aro Barons, and there mo but SO holding higher titles. There is, besides, tho ordorof " Commendador " or " Knight," and this title is owned by about 50. Tho aristocracy of Brazil includes sovcral Englishmen. A Brazilian Carnival During tho many public holidays that occurred. I hud many opportunities of ob serving the character of a Brazilian mob, but especially during tho Carnival, which, as all acquainted with Catholic countries arc aware, is a festival allowed very groat latitude, Tho pooplo wore well behaved and ordorly to a striking degree. I'lonty of wator-squirting, lomonthrowing and laugh ter, but no pushing, lighting or swearing. Tho disorder of tho whole time would not bo approaching that which may bo observed in any one of tho London parks on a public holiday, Tho simple explanation of this lies in tho fact that tho Brazilians are not addicted to drink. No long list of oflondors appear before tho magistrates tho day fol lowing a holiday, and tho intimacy botwoen drink and crime is horo strikingly apparent, whore a people of lower and less onlightoned instincts exhibit a far bettor character than the more onlightenod but drink-ad dictod lowor classos of England. Both tho Brazilians and Portuguese dosorvo a much bettor character than thoy aro credited with. With regard to tho formor lot mo quoto tho testimony of an eighteen yoars' resident in Brazil:— " Puritans of ovory do scription would find amongst tho clergy (?) and peoplo of this country many virtues worthy of imitation. Vices undoubtedly they havo, but aro not considered as such, or at best aro hold to be very venial one.-'. Owing to the bonovolont disposition of tho peoplo, pauperism is unknown. . , . Drunk ennessisalsounknown.aswellasdijhonosty." These remarks, by Mr Wm. Scully (author of "Brazil: its Cities and Provinces ") can be more or less endorsod by all who havo lived among tho Brazilians. Brazil is tho paradise of the Portuguese, and tho thou sands that yearly tlock into tho country havo oarned tho reputation of being^ an industrious and law-abiding peoplo. Tho Portujjuoso, howovor, aro densely ignorant, and ontortain tho most infatuated ideas concerning tho importanco of that most backward and stick-in-the-mud of all European kingdoms -Portugal.

Slavory and Work on Plantations,

Although slavery baa been nominally abolished in Brazil, moro than a million slaves are still existing, Undor pranuro of the common indignation of all civilised nations, the Brazilian Senate passed a bill in IS7I gratuitously froaingthonoxt generation of slavos whon they should arrivo at tho ago of 21. Those illustrious legislators, care fully conserving slavery during their own time, claim tho honour of having abolished slavery in Brar.il by saddling tho whole dillicultyof tho question upon posterity. The work of emancipation, however, is rapidly going on by other moans. Tho Emperor directly oncouruges thoso who gratuitously emancipate thoir slaves by the bestowal of titles and marks of favour. Numbers are ouabloil to purchase thoir own froodom, and thus tho slave population is yearly decreasing. Lut it not bo supposed, however, that tho slaves of Brazil aro ill treated ;on tho contrary, they receive tho mosthumano treatmont. In tho plantations they aro niado to work generally for live days in tho wook only, for about twelvo hours a day. Sunday they aro allowed for rost, and Saturday is given them cithor to work for their master and bo paid, or, what is moro gonoral, to work on a pioco of land given them by thoir master.* for themselves, the products of which thoy aro allowed to noil whoro and how thoy pleaso. Many are thus enabled to purchaso their own freedom, but tho majority transform their monoy into articles of personal adornmont for display on tho Sunday. Chapols aro attached to most of the planters' losidoncos, which tho slaves havo touttondon appointed occasions, and in many places short services of prayer and song aro hold daily, either in tho morn ing or evening. Tho Latin prayer nerves to instil a little awe into the simple mind of the untaught nogro, but tho singing, though terribly loud, is far from unpleasant. Tho vesper boll is tolled at six o'clock, morning and evoning. During the ovonings nopro women somotimos attend tho chapel singing and chanting for hours. Tho signs, symbols, motions, and mystic character of tho Roinnn Catholicservicoshavetho greatesteiToct upon the negro mind, and it is chiefly owing to priestly influence that implicit obedience to their masters is insurod. It is surprising in what a varioty of ways the sorvice.s of the nogro aro used in tho plantation. A Brazilian baron, while showing me over his large sugar plantation, pointed out a dozen different occupations ho had taught his blacks. His excellont residonce was built entirely by negro labour undor a Portuguoso master, and among his slave mechanical artisans were: carpenters, brick and tilo makers.blucksmitha, wheelmakers, sawyers, and masons. The slavos, as a rnlo, are very well fod, and ar6 allowed two suits of clothes a year for their clothing, but no ono suffers from the cold in Brazil. In tho towns slave-owners let out their slaves for hiro. Tho man goes to work ns a labouror, and generally earns from £G to £8 a month, out of which he has to keep himself, and usually pays his owner £3 of it. Female slaves in ii io occupy tho samo position as the maid of all-work in England. They live in tho houso and oarn^from £3 to £3 10s a month. Out of this they are allowed 10», and tho owner finds tho clothing. Until education becomes gonoral in Brazil, the slaves thom selves will seldom understand how thoy aro bettered by emancipation, and those already freed in the plantations work on, undor the same master, precisely as before. Civilisation in Brazil is of a superficial character; while all thojextornal polish lias been eagorly embraced, there is a groat lack of foundation and material progress. No attempt is made to enlighten the masses, and social morality, owing to tho mixture of races, is at a veiy low ebb. Tho following tables will convoy to tho reader somo con ception of the actual condition of affairs. Population of Brazil. Race. Race. Male. | Female. Free. Slave. White .. 1,933.957 ! 1,780,562 3,710.519 - Mulatto 1,853,809 ,' 1,825.197 3,232.1152 4-1G,05J Black .. 1,018,172 j 906,0'.1l 891,100 1,030,513 Indian.. 197,30(5 | 182,673 379,979 - Civil and Social. Civil State. j Religion. Married. Single. Cath'lics. Others Free .. 2,191,271 0,042,310 8,195,81)7 27,723~ Slavs.. 131.241 1.315.32H Clas3ed as Catholics. Educational. ible to From Able to' Read Illito- Gto 15 Read : Illite and rate, y'rs of and I rate. Write. age. Write. I Free 1,560,7G8 G.CC2.802 Boys 133,165 i 753.2)2 lave 1.335J 1,475,229 Girls _9<i,B!» !_76B,m_ ■ The total civilised population as given by the Central Directory of Statistics in 1875 numbered 9,700,187. At the present time, however, the total population of Brazil cannot be less than 14,000,000. In addition to the natural increase of nine years, and. the arrival during that time of near a KliUipn emigrants, there arp a million and

a half of untamed Indians to be added, with numbers of others in tho backwoods and places where no statistics can reach. It will be observed that not 20 per cent of tho entire population can road or write, and that a lees proportion of the rising generation are eubjoct to instruction. Bra y.iliiin morality is not mucli worse thtin most Catholic countries, but tho country ia no ■ torious for a priesthood of tho most ignorant and licentious typo. Mr Scully thus attempts, to oxplaii: their condition :— " a Brazilian priont is such aa ho is made : a» long as he performs a cortain sot; of eei\ monies, ho considers he has done his duty!" . , . "so it can bo said that tho vicos of the clergy proceed from hearts too allectionate, matured with a ripeness too excessive for the inhabitants of colder climates to understand, or duly estimate" Thcso remarks, aimod at their protection, Hulliciontly roveal their degraded character. So oppressive aro their exactions for tho performance of tho marriago coromony, that the majority of the poorer olassos are deprived from over undergoing this rite. The Commerce of Brazil. Lot mo now say n few words about com merce and tho general prospects of things iii Brazil. It will be remembered that bodios of emigrants loft England in ISO.'*, 1871, and IST'- for tho southern provinces of the Em pire. Owing to tho unreliable and impotent character of tho Brazilian Government — which I may horo ."ay if the great rock upon which all progress stumbles in Brazil- successive shiploads of emigrants woro shipped into a desolate forest whero nono of the provisions, utensils, and accom modation awaited their urrival (is promised. The most disastrous consoquonces followed. Tho emigrants snllored great privation ; somo woro carried oil' by fevers, and cases of actual starvation occurred. Severe remonstrances woro made to the Brazilian Administration by the British Ambassador. None of tho obligations, however, ontorcd into with the emigrants wore ever fullillud, and the latter, with very few exceptions, embraced the first opportunity of leaving tlm country. It should he said, however, that Brazil i.s not a suitablo fiold for British emigration. Two causes strongly operate against it. One ia the abundance of both cheap free and slave labour. The other : tho land is all wooded, and a man could not cloar single-handed a comfortable settlement in a lifetime. Tho " llanos "or grassy plains of tho Argentine Republic aro tho only placos where British settlors havo really done woll in .South Amorica. As tho educated class in Brazil, howovor, in a small one, good and lucrative nponirgs ofton occur in all the largo cities for such as well-educated clerks, engineers, and skilled mechanics.

Tho Cultivation of Tropical Products, to which noiuiy tho wholo of Brazil is do voted, is .such for which tho European has noither aptitudo nor experionco. In tho Amazonian or equatorial district, the chief product is india-rubber. The export of this articlo shows an annual incroaso of .'!0 per cent., and has a promising future, but tho district is unhoalthy to Europeans. The centre and by far tho greatest of the culti vated portions of Brazil aro laid out in coffee plantations, which aro tho largest in the world. Out of tho (iuO.OOO'tons of eotl'uo annually consumed in tho world, Brazil supplies -100,000 tons. This is tho great staplo produce of tho country, and forms four-fifths of tho viiluo of tko total exports of tho Empire. Although Brazil trades moro with England than with all other nations combined, the English, it would appear, are among tho least of eolloo drinking peoples. The Status consumes tho most, whom about 180,000 tone are ann ually imported. Germany takes 110,01)0 tons, Franco 00,000 tons," Turkoy 20,000 tons, and Groat Britain L'S.OOO ! This con sumption is not of Brazilian codec alone, but from all sources. Tho cultivation of cotton and sugar, e?pocially tho lattor, is rapidly increasing in Brazil, whilo that of coll'eo has probably reached its maximum. In the southern provinces, coroals and tho products of tho tomporato zono aro raised, but tko chiof item of export is " xarquo," or driod beef. This dried beef callod " carno socca " is exported to every part of Brazil, and with " feijao»,"or black boans, forms tho national food of the Brazilians, and in many parts of tho interior littlo olso is eaten. Within tho last 50 years a nourishing colony of 100,000 Gormans has grown up in tho lino province of Rio (Jrando do Sul. Those aro tho only colonists out of scores of various attempts that have .succoeded in Brazil. Thoy wero selected from tho poorest of Gorman pea sants.

Wliilo Rpouldng of Brazilian produco, I pliimlil montion that sncli produce is in no way raisod by thu onorgios and o.vortionaof tho Brazilians thotnsolves. A Brazilinn works not, nor will ho work, nnd is almost entirely devoid of tho spirit of ontorpriso. Tho india-rubber of tho north is collortod from tho trees by tho Indiana: tho cofl'oo, cotton, ami .sugar of tho contro is planted, picked and prepared by the negroes; and tho produce of tho south is raised l>y (.ionium colonists and Spanish vdnnwo* mill /units. Tho retail trade of tho cities in in tho hands of tho l'ortugupso, and tho wholesale mer chants tiro chiefly Kngiish. Commorco is burdened by a paper currency, always Huctnat intf, and generally-ij por cent below par, and which acts very oppressively on tho tnulo of tho country. Want of an Activo People, Brazil in boynnd doubt it rich country, hut until tlio indolent though goner OUH Brazilian can bo aroused, tho C'}inmoruinl|^dillicultiott of tho country, groat already, are bound to increase. Thus, while tho .yearly value of Brazilian e\ ports is not more than 20 millions starling, Australia, for instance, with one-fourth tho population, exports double tho value of this sum. Tho Brazilian budget yearly shows a delicit, and rocourso is made to loan?. About a third of tho rovonuogoos to support a swarm of unnecessary (iovornmont ollicials—connections of presont, nnd past ministers, Tho liuancial position of privato individuals is in much tho same condition as that of the Government Tho estates of .tlio planters, as arulo.arohoavily mortgaged. Thoso that possoss regular or stated incomes moro ofton try to live over than under their moans, whilo the poorer classos invost most of thoir savings in lottories. Under Much circumstances prosperity is impossible, and unless early roform (unfortunately very improbablo) takes place, the country is likoly to sink still deoporin the mire. A word about lottories. Whilo, during tho last 10 years, £1,200,000 has been deposited by tho pooplo in saving banks, moro than six timosthissum, or £7,500,000, lias boon spont in lotteries. Thousands in Brnzil invest all thoir savings in lotteries, in tho hopo of one day getting ono of tho prizes of fortuno. 25 por cent of tho amount subscribed is absorbed in oxponsos and tax on tho lottery; this amonnt is thoroforo a doad loss to tho people. Tho fortunate one.", on rocoiving their prizes, usually mako for Europe, to spond or invost their newly-acquired for tuno—whichever way, it is a loss to Brazil But notwithstanding tho gigantic scale of this public impoverishment of tho country and demoralisation of the people, tho Go vernment, by its very act of imposing a tax (inntoad of a prohibition) legalises such proceedings.

The Government of Brazil

is on much the samo !basis as that of England before tho pawing of tho Reform Bill of 1832. Tho franchise, in many docto ral districts, dooa not extend to 1 por cent, of the population ! Therois a lower house of 133 deputies elected overy 4 years, and an upper house of 08 Sonators olocted for life. The administration of tho country if), how over, carried on most unfortunately. Tho Emporor, liko most constitutional mon archs, " can do no wrong." Ministerial crises occur every few months. Now a minister gets in who think it of great im pmrtanco to keep up tho fortification of tho ports. Hence, quantities of guns are or dered from England. By the time of thoir arrival, another minister is in power, whose hobby will bo tho paying of assisted passages for Italian emigrants. On the arrival of these, a third party is in office whoso cry is econ omy. Hence, tho aforesaid guns aro shipped off at about the price of old iron, the emigrant businoss repudiated, and the amount duo to tho contractors for bringing tho emigrants refused payment. Remon strance ultimately brings this Ministry to its senses, which then gives place to another ; and so on. These crises, how over, are a degreo abovo revolutions, which would bo tho caso in many of the neigh bouring countries of Brazil. In one department of science-that of medi cine—Brazil has achieved some distinc tion. Specifics have been found for tho bites of many kinds of Brazilian snakes But the latest aud most interest ing discovery is a process of vaccina tion for the prevention of yellow fevor, which is now being largely experimented upon the people of Rio. A parasite termed "microbio zanthogenico " is found to inhabit tho systom as soon as fever-strioken, against which inoculation has proved successful in tho case of fowls and animals. The result on the human body, however, cannot be fully estimated till the close of the present unhealthy season. Yellow fever, however, has greatly deereasod in Brazil during late years. During the first half of 1883, the mortality of Eio comprised 7,741 deaths. Yellow fever carried 01T1,163, "otherfevers"

736, and consumption with other diseases of the respiratory organs 1622 The males were double the females, a third were under 7, another third from 7 to 35 years of ago, and the remainder over 35. Tho climate of Brazil iB generally healthy, while very pleasant in the south ; at times it in hot,and at places subject to fever within the tropics. In Rio, tho thermometer frequently rises in tho hot season to 05 Fahr. at mid-day in the shade.

To conclude, whatever the failings of tho Brazilians may bo as a commercial or industrious peoplo, (horo is no country in tho world whore an Englishman can bo rocoived with groater cordiality and hos pitality than in Brazil. Everyone seems delighted to be able to render you a service, f travelling in the intorior, though quite unknown, you will receive from thofazen doiros tho most cordial welcome. You will bo prossed to stay as long as you can, und on rosuming "your journey, will bo rendered every possible assistance Any attempt at remuneration will immediately give offonco. Tho country i« froe from both robbers and cut-hroats,and the peoplo everywhere will be found,to be uniformly gonorous, gay, polio, and oblig ing. To the tourist or student, a richor field of interest than Brazil could not bo found, The scenery is of the most beauti ful that nature can render. Both the flora and fauna are of the most interest ing and varied type. Although, internal communications aro bad, railroads aro now open to several parts of the intorior. The surroundings of Kin do Janeiro alone, whereovory civilised comfort can boobtained, form somo of tho most beautiful spota that can bo !-een, and enjoy a climate oqual to anything that can bo experienced in Italy. Very low travellers indeed who would give Brazil a visit could return without being inteiestpd and charmed in a high degree. Robkkt 11. Abbott.

MINING SUMMARY

Thames, Tuesday. Fhom a variety nf causes, low level opera tions have been wholly, but it is hoped only temporarily, suspended. Tho Queen of Boauty Company has boon crippled by tho occurrence of a serious accident to tho pumping machinery, arising from the breaking of the crank-shaft, necessitating repairs ostimatod to cost about £500. In tho present state of financial affairs the shareholders are not prepared tor such hoavy expenditure, and it has consequently been docidod to wind-up the Company and dismantle the pumping machinery. The Caledonian Low Lovel mine is also at a standstill ponding tho decision of a general mooting of shareholders whether or not further expenditure shall be incurred in prospecting. It cannot be said that the general prospects of the field are nearly so choorful as in the past, but it would re quiro little to again turn tho scale in tho direction of prosperity. The gold return from tho Cambria mine, at present tho chiof producor, mani fests depreciation, but the manager is nowxlrivingupon the lode at No. 3 level towards the point at which ho expects to moot with the descent of tho rich shot of gold. At the same lovol tho Darwin Com pany havo intoreected the reef, which they aro proceeding to open up for working, colours of gold having been observed in the hanging-wall portion. The Hod Queen leader, in tho Caledonian mine, has been woll opened up at No. .'i level, and a leading stone startod. The reef skows gold freely, ami a trial crushing of eight loads of quartz yielded 18ozs. gold. An im provoinont has likewise taken place in a winze recontly Btarted bolow No, '2 lovel, whoro the manager is prospecting underneath the famous run of gold. Tho lode horo averages 3ft. in width, and shows gold so plentifully that a trial parcel is boing taken out for troatmont. I'ho Thamos Golden Crown shaft has been sunk as far as No. 2 lovel, and a lode has been passed through which corresponds with tho Cambria roof. Colours of gold woro obsorved whon treating it, and driving will shortly bo startod on its course. Numerous privatoly-ownod claims situated in tho Hape and Karaka Creeks aro at present >iolding woll, and the somo remark upplios to sovoral mines at Tapu. Tho New Eureka Company, Otanui, is now crushing rogularly, and its return of 'Jlloi*. gold for throe weoka' operations affords tho (shareholders a fair margin of profit. (Juito a cra/.o has arison for the dospatch of parcels of quartz to Sydney for troatmont by the melting process now in favour. Trial lots havo boon shipped by tho Cambria and Doop Lovol Cross Com panies, Thamos : Now Find, Inverness, and Phu'iiix, To Aroha ; Ivanhoe and Golden Crown, Karangahako. AnSTKACT OK OOI.I) RKTURNS, From April 'J'2 to May 111, luolustvo. OZ3 (IVtJ) Adelaide 21 3 Albumin tributes MX CiUi'ilotiiiui 7H 7 Oiunbrin. 712 loads 178 fl City of Muiidiesttfr 92 11 Dart ttibutoa A3 10 Darwin. 83 loads 18 13 UoeplASvel t'robs, Xl loads _ .. I'J 14 do. tributes .. .. 13 4 Hope Claim IS 1« Kummii Hill tributes Xl 'i IjitUoKdilli('l'apu). Mtons .. .. HUM Little I)aninl(HnpcCrnok), 7 loads .. W 0 Moimataiari, 12 tons 42 10 Moaiiittniarl tributes 2111 8 New Whim tributes :">' 1 Now Kuroka (Olamii) 211 I Now Prlnco Imperial. 2391n.nU .. ISS 0 Kctibon Parr tributes, 4* loa'lr.. .. 74 , r> Saxon. 11l loads 72 0 Sundries .. - fiOO 0 Small l'arcols 05 0 Thames Goldon Crown tributes .. 3t 12 Waiotalii,2lotonß 259 0 Total 2,8.19 !) WAIOKONGOMAI DISTRICT. Now Kind 230 0 Canadian ~ :» 0 May Queen 2!l ID Diamond Chilly SB 11 Premier 17 10 Total 3Kt 11 OHINEMUKI DISTRICT. Woodstock (KaratiKahape), B.) tons .. )(>" 4 Ivanhoo fKarangahake), 88 tons ~ M 0 5 Sir W. Scott tribute (Karangnhape).. 7 8 j Total 274 17 Total for Goldflolds .. .. 3,537 17

INVENTIONS

Sinct. attention was drawn in our columns to Mr T. B. Hannaford's invention of a "skoloton circular boll-tower lighthouse," the subject has been looked into by a local engineer of lirst-class ability, and he has reported most favourably of the idea. The structure, it is proposed, shall stand on sight dwarf piers, built on tho rocks or roofs, against which the mariner is to be warned. The tower is to be of iron, and in three tiers — each tier 20 feot in height, or from baso to crown GO feet. Tho top tier is the machine-rooml and would bo floored with iron. The machine-room would be reached by a spiral iron and railed stairway on the inside of the tower, ending in a tuati hole. As each tier is composed of eight ribs, and as the whole structure is put together with nuts and bolts, it will he seen that should it be neces sary (say in war time) to take it down, the work could bo carried out at three different points of its altitude at one and the same tirno, and eight dwarf piers being con structed on another reef or rock, the entire tower, less the machinery, could be re orected in a day. Tho chance that a hoatile cruiser would have of escape from wreck, if it steered by the tower after it was moved from its former position, would be slight. The special feature of the invention, how ever, in the windmill arrangement at top, which is to servo the triple purpose of at tracting^the attention of mariners in day time, ringing the lighthouse bell in fogs, and generating electricity for the light.

The Bad and Worthless.

aro never imitated or counterfeited. This to especially true of a family medicine, and it in positive proof that the-romedy imitated is. of the highest valiio. As noon as it had heen tested and proved by the whole world lhat Hop Bitters was the purest, best, and most valuablo family medicine on eaith, many imitations sprung up, >md began to steal the notices in which the Press and the people of the country had expressed the merits of H. 8., and in every way trying to induce suffering invalids to use their stuff Instead, expecting to make money on the credit and good name of H. B. Many othors started nostrums put up in similar style to H. 8,, with variously devised names, in which the word " Hop or "Hops" were used in a way to induce people'to believe they were tho same as Hop Bitters. All such pretended remedies or cures, so matter what their style or name is, and ospecially those with the word "Hop1 or *• Hops " in their name, t>x in any way connected with them or their name, are imitations or counterfeits. Beware of them. Touch none of them. Use nothing but genuine American Hop Bitters, with a bunch or cluuter of green Hops en the white label, and Dr. Soule's name blown In the glass. Trust nothing else. Druggists and Chemists are warned against dedJinK Id

NEWS OF THE MOTNH.

_{■■•}- SUMMARY FOR HOME READERS.

AUCKLAND. N.Z.. MAY 23, JSBS,

Turc Parliament nf New /.oaland in tn bo called togother for t.lio doapatch of business on tho 1 lth ot .fune noxfc, In the meantime Ministers nro reported to be busily engaged in preparing their measures, and generally making arrangements for carrying through the businoss of the approaching sosaion. During the recess Ministers havo perambu lated pretty noarly the whole of tho colony. Tho Hon. Mr Stout, Sir Julius Vogel, and the Hon. Messrs Richardson and Larnach in particular, have visited nearly every centre of population, at different times. The last-named gentle man, who is Minister of Mines, is .it present on a visit to the Thames mid Ooromandel goldfields in this neighbourhood. While very littlo interest is shown in political matters, signs nro not want ing of prepara tion for active campaigning when Parlia ment mocl.H. In an address delivered to an audience of over 1,200 people hero on Mon day evening, tlth inst., Sir George Grey, the leader of the advanced Liberals, Hounded a preliminary trumpet blast. He arraigned Mio Government lor their soiKsli policy in making no oiler of military assistance to l.ho Mofchor Country, as w;ic ilono by the other leading colonies of Australasia, though he agroed with their policy on the subject of Australasian Federation. Tho gravamen of his charge against the present Government, and to all appearance the rallying cry which ho will employ during tlie session, in tho hackneyed one of "Corruption." It is unfortunate that the absence of clearly-defined party lines in colonial politics should lead our statesmen to adopt tho objection ablo American method of bringing charges of jobbery and personal aggrandisement against, their opponents ; for, though the cry of "Turn the rascals out!" is raised in all earnest, it must be conceded that our politicians as a rulo have clean hands, and do their duty to the colony justly and honestly. As a side issue the land policy of the Government will also be assailed ; but we incline to think Ministers will not venturo on any but the slenderest legisla tion in that direction, as the leading mem bers of the Government are lit hopeless loggerheads on tho question of how to deal with the Grown lands. Amongst the first matters which will ongage the attention of Parliament will bo the heavy expenditure incurred by the Government on defence measures : but it is expected that there will be complete unanimity manifested in ap proving of the prompt and commendable action taken for the protection of the colony against any possible attack by hostile cruisers,

Sir Julius Vogel, on behalf of the Premier, has signed a memorandum by the Now Zealand Ministry on the proposed Im perial Act for constituting an Australian Federal Council. C4ovornment asks tho Secretary of State for the Colonios and the Australian Governments to re-consider the Federal Council Hill, so far as to provide that no legislation of the Federal Council shall have effect in any colony without the approval of tho Legislature of such colony. The danger of allowing two representatives to finally legislate for any ono colony is pointed out and dilated upon at somolength, and it is also urged that the amendments proposed by the Imperial Government donot moetthepoint, as tho withdrawal of a colony is not important, sooing that tho laws which have been passed will not lio repealed by Huoh withdrawal. If tho powors of the Council w)ro limited, as suggested, tho Go vernment aro of opinion it might bo very useful as assisting to framo laws of common intorcßt to all tho colonies, whilst it would stroiigthon tho ties botwoon them. This memorandum, it is gonorally admitted, correctly expresses tho views of the Now Zealand public on tho quostion of Federa tion with Australia—such n union being viowod with suspicion, becauso of tho belief that Now Zoalund's intorosts would fre quently bo fouud to clash with those of the continental colonies, when sho would, of courso, be outvoted on the Council, and probably havo objectionable laws thru»t upon hor. The Public Accounts of tho Colony are now ready, and though they hdvo not yot been published in full, a few particulars havo boeu allowed to transpire. Tho year's balnnco on ordinary rovonuo and ex penditure account shows a surplus of C'J'2,ool! \(.U. Last year's dolicioucy was C 15*2,111 18a 7d, and £150,000 remains in doiicioncy bills. Tho balance of £2,111 lSs 7d has boon written oil', reducing the sur plus to £l!l,S!U ~* lid. Tho figures on tho .'list March stand as follows :—Cn;<h in pub lic account, £18(1,307 lls KM ; advances in hands of Government officers in England and colony, £3.'l,'l*'S lls Id. Total, C-219,801 2s lid. Deducting £-210,000, amount of deficiency bills outstanding, ir respective of last year's dolicit, the balance is £19.891 2s lid.

Sir Goorgo Groy has addressed a vory oloquont lottor to tho King of Samoa, in roply to the request rocoivod from that group soliciting advico and assistance for the deputation of chiefs who meditated coming over to advance annexation. Sir Goorgo assures tho King that he " will ad viso and act with any deputation that may bo sont horo, and, in compliance with their wishes, deal with thorn as a father with his children. IE nocossary, they shall bo cared for in my own house.' He thon reviews the reasons that induced him to introduce tho Confederation and Annexation Act which passed the House of Representatives in ISS.'i, and he points out that "this Act virtually affirmed that tho people of all such islands wore free men, who had the undoubted right of disposing of their own future. Tho machinery provided to accomplish this object plainly showed that Now Zealand would not recognise the forcible soisure of any island or islands, or parts thereof, as a legitimate or just pro ceeding." Sir (!eorge thon alludes to tho report communicated by the Agont-Goneral of New Zealand to his Government to tho ellect that " proposals are to be made by Germany to surrender what sho had taken of Now Guinea if Samoa were given up to har." He avows his disbelief that this report can be true in terms of tho strongest indignation :—" I do not yot credit this. Who could ventnro to say that England or any other nation had such claims on or over Samoa as would entitle it to give up that country and its friendly people as a pay ment for territories to be yielded, in some other placo, over which no moral right of disposal of the land or people had been ac quired? To do this would be to treat you as mere chattels, without rights or feelings, I cannot believe that any British or German statesman would propose or carry out such a transaction. Nor do I think that either of those great and generous nations would givo their assent to it."

" Why,"SirGeorgeGroycontinues, "groat nations, each having many millions of sub jects, and vast possessions in many parts of the world, should prevont two groups of islands in the remote Pacific from uniting to work out in their own way then1 common wolfaro and happiness, is difficult to understand. Tho mutual jealousies of those nations aro tho probable cause; but if they definitely refuse to allow tho union of Nov.' Zealand and Samoa, then in thoir mutual jealousies lies Samoa's best hopo of safety." In a subsequent part of the letter Sir George Grey explains more fully that in tho event of a groat war it would be im possible to provide immediately for tho safety of Samoa as a British possession, and therefore ho thinks that Earl Derby's agreement with Germany for tlio inter nationalisation of those islands is " at this juncture the best measure for Samoan interests." The letter enters somewhat fully into tho fitness of the Samoan raco for self-government. Sir George Grey states that as far back as 1847 and 184S, when he was brought into intimato relations with the Polynesian race, he "soon recognised in them many high qualities, and believed that amongst them were men who could soon be rendered capable of conducting, with the aid of somo Europeans, the civilisation of the islands of the Pacific, especially of those tropical islands which cannot bo peopled by a European race." He still believes that "tho limited extent of Samoa and ita small population will render the task of establishing and main taining an efficient government one of small cost and of no great difficulty," He urges them to attempt the task, and to exert themselves, as in former days, to "spread civilisation and Christianity throughout the Pacific." '

Tho import and export returns for the|first quarter of the present year oxhibit very littln improvement ovor the return* for tho samo period of IS*:. Tfct' imports arc

£70,00J higher, totalling up i-'.i7'-:.?.73 ; but t!w export* exhibit, a 'flitting ofi, boing £123,861 less than in the corresponding quarter of last year. Tho quarter's exports exceeded the imports by £364,311. The March quarter, embracing the harvest, is, hawevev, always a heavy export quarter, and tho £2,!>:iii,GSl value represents moro than ;i throo-months' average for tho whole year. The return displays snino curious contrasts. Auckland imported more and oxportec! less than in the same period of tho previous yoar, and so also Dunedin. At Lyttelion, the im ports were about tho same as in ISB4, and the exports £116,000 groutor. If an excess of exports over imports betokens prosperity, Canterbury should bo tho most prosperous province of New Zealand. The imports at Lyttolton wore £352,4!)!, and tho exports £722,497, yet Canterbury is moro depressed than any other district in tho colony. May not an explanation bo found in the large amount of produce required to pay in terest on hor heavy debt to foreign mort gagees? In' Auckland, the imports were £.044,072 ; the exports, only £174,502; Dunedin, imports, £042,000: exports, £558,321; Wellington, imports, £384,241 ; exports, £501,511. Auckland still heads the shipping ports of tho colony with CO vessels entered inwards, grossing 40,842 tons; Wellington, 24 vessels, of 24,559 tons ; Lyttelton, 22 vessels, of 13,104 tons; and OuneiJin, 41! vessels, of;! 2,10:) tons.

Anothor important local industry has oom meuccd operations', and may bo ex[>if:tod shortly to provide largo contributions to wards our export trade. We rofer to the works of the N./,. Frozen Meat and Storage Company. The wholeof the Company'sbuild inye havti not been iinished yet, but t.he portion devoted to t,he freezing works has been imshed on to completion in order that an early "tart might be made. The machinery was set t.o work on Monday morning, May 11, for the purpose of cooling the chamber.", and the freezing of mutton was commenced the following morning, and lias ainno boon continued at the rate of .".00 carciees per diem. The direct steamer Aorungi has boon engaged to arrive here in .1 uno, and convey the Brat shipment to Eng land. Operations will be continued night and day, including Sundoys, tho working shifts being eight hours each. The storage ca pacity of the worka is 10,000 carcases, so that the Company can have the cargo ready for shipment beforo th» veßsel which takea it fionce is ready to ro ceivo it. Tho refrigerating machinery was supplied by Haslam, and ie said to be the largest yet in use in the colony. Mr Kiven is the chief engineer of the works, his assistants being Messrs Stodart and Hanna. The contractor for the works was Mr J'hilcox, the price being £17.042. A largemeat-presorvingand canning factory has just been erected by tho same Company at Waitam, a town on the West Coast. There operations will be prosecuted on an extensive ecale, the Company employing over a hundred men in their work. Auck land, which has hitherto not been an exporter of frozen mutton, will henceforward take an important position among tho districts from which .supplies of first-class mutton for tho London market are drawn. Rumours having heen very industri-

ously circulated that the natives of Parihaka were again threatening trouble, the Hon. Mr Ballance, tho Native Minister, visited Opunake on May 14, und was met by Colonel Roberts, Mr Pardy, Inspector of Police at Now Plymouth, and Mr Kennell, native agent, who informed him that tho reports which hail recently been circulated with reforenoo to tho Maoris on that coast were entirely without foundation, and wcro origi nated principally by persons who have settled on small sections of land near Pungurohu, and who made a living out of the constabulary while they were camped tlicro, and whoso living was {.'one when the force w.ir removed, Mr Balluuco went to Oeo to interviow Titokowaru and Te Wlriti's people, and mot with a most cordial rccoption, a poi dance and .1 haka being given in bin honour. Tho feeling of the natives is said to be moro friendly to wards Europeans than evor. The Government schemo for sottling the

Skyo crofters upon coastal lands in New

Zoaland haw beon Joforred for the prosont. Replying to a lottcr from a gentleman in Auckland, the Premier stated that owing to the disturbed condition of affairs in Groat Britain, consequent on the war

rumours, no furthor stops would be taken

until after the meeting of Parliament. If Mr Macandrew has agreed to go Uoino, as

is reported, tho Governmont would desiro

to keep him in the colony until after the next session, und ho would, no doubt, him self refuse to forfeit his so.it. Thcso con-

sidornfcions oiler a moro intelligible ex

planation than tho one which ha? licon given. Tho delay, however, may not bo wholly a lo?s of timo, for we

learn by tho latest newspapers from Scotland that tho schemo has been taken u)i vory warmly in tho Hebrides, and tho crot'tera will bo prepared for the roccp tio.i of tho New Zealand delegate. Tho way to provide for the transport of the crofters may also havo boon cleaved bofore that time. Herein really lios tho chief ditliculty. Tho Now Zealand Government having censed to convoy free immigrants, can scarcely bo expected to provide land grants and defray tho cost of passages as woll. Somo scheme for interesting land lonls and philanthropists, and also for onlisting tho aid of tho Imperial Oovern mont, has been mooted, and possibly tho Ministry may havo definite proposals on tho subject to submit to Parliament. Tho local Frozen Meat Company's now freezing works at Waitara havo now boon completed, and will commence operations about a week hence. Mr S. D. Hanna, who has been assisting Mr IVevin in the erection

of the machinery in tho Auckland works, loft here on the ISth inst. to take charge ai Waitara.

ARREST OF A FUGITIVE MURDERER.

Ox the arrival from San Francisco of the mail steamer City of Sydney, about one o'clock on tho morning of the Gth inst,, Detective Twohoy and Sergeant Clarke arrested a passenger on the charge of murder. Tho prisoner is a young man named Walter H. Lennox Maxwell, alias Theodore Cecil.D'Anguier, and is charged with unlawfully killing one Charles E. Parroler, of St Louis, U.S. America. The circumstances that led up to tho arrest are these: —About a month ago Mr Gamble, the United States Consul here, received cable grams from his Government requesting him to take measures to secure the arrest of Maxwell, whose name and alias were given, and who was fully described. Mr Gamble placed himself iv communication with In spector Thomson, and application was made to the Colonial Secretary for an extradition warrant for thearrost of theaccused. When tho pilot boat boarded tho mail steamer late at night, the ofiicors informed Captain Dearborn of the object of thoir search, and gavo him a letter from Consul Gainblo, con taining a description of tho man. Inquiries elicited tho fact that thcro was a steerage pas?engor on board known as Lennox Max well, who anstt'ored the description givon. He was sent for, and all doubt respecting his identity being Rot at rost by his appear" anro ho was taken into custody, and hand culled.

frisonor was chorged at tho Police Court on May 11 with tho wilful murdor of Charles E. Parrelor, at St. Louis. Mr H. G. Seth Smith occupied tho bench. 'Prisoner, who was represented by Mr Napier.did not plead. Mr H. Williamson, Crown Prosecutor, detailed tho circuuistanccn of tlie ar rest of prisoner. Cuffs, fta, were found in_ tlio prisoner's portmanteau, and in the big trunk were a pair of drawers, white shirt, and under-shirt. Each of those was marked with tho initials C.E.P., care fully worked on the material. One peculiarity was that theso wore tho only articles in tho trunk which boro those initials, and another strange thing about them was that they wero cut with some instrument sucli as scissors, as if thoy had been taken oft a bndy. Tho next mail steamer oxpected hero eft Frisco last, Saturday, and arrives hero on .June 1. lie WO uld therefore ask for a remand until the' day after her arrival. Possibly an officer would coino from St. Louis by her to take cliargo of the prisoner, but if not he would ask tor a further remand until the noxt steamer came. The prisoner was re manded.

The Bryee v. Kusdon Commission aat at vvanganui on Tuesday, May 1° and several succeeding days. Hon. Mossrs Buckley and Tole woro Commissioners, and Mr Button, of Auckland, appeared for Mr Bryce, Mr Izard (Wellington) and Mr Barmpoat (Wanganm) for Mr Rufdon. The sitting was not open to I ho press.

lUJruKjflftU, "' <aa *"' 'l ""*'t<ft"kull's"'' lw:lt" r*bl'|l<'ilf"l'l >«ra "••"""■""*. I'iniMl A Do,, Iftvu. AucUpUL

DEFENCE

r;™ rt? ; M t f OW dan th ' Minuta- bos received offers 0 , ."*•«»'•-.,. The medical students at n arranging to form an omLi Dedin to open to all members of th^TT^** 6 <*4? The Militia returns for o^ mTerßity -7000 available. Of aZ &>* *« nrbs supply 23G5, and PoTf r,? and «ub TaeirUUO, Oainaru 727 Chaln w»8 280 • The manufacture of' carti-w big gune is now in proerees t ges fot the ofthoAX;.forceanst w Bofra8 ofram t T B rmbß« being engaged in this work 6Atni°iiry Major Cautley's term of «««,- Government of New Zealand £ th(l and he a now succeeded by > ham, who has arrived from T pteui W- The Defence MtaUte£7^. accept the sorvices of a large TnZh m*° nd cavalry corps on the f rounfe'^e • stock of arms in stocks H** *• - equal to unning those corps^iS *nd **. ■ irerequthem. i" wmen Urgently Captain Wildman, of th« Ti, Artillery has received iiJS Na^ DefenceDepartmenttOßelectlol rmth» : company for inetructian htSS?*** and sub-marine warfare aC°P r«K« probably be Bent to Auckland for t«M M" : The Government propose, *> operation of the medical pS 9 ? e * organise an effective ambuC* °°n> te each chief centre of populati™ ]>*8t '■"■■'■ hoped that the ladies will ,?„'Mditl» ■ form a Red Cross Society OpMßt« »"<l His Excellency the Governor hasmW v ' ' the Secretary for War requS^'o supply of one million cartridges I1 *1 a'" araiß be sent without dX 8 t T all ■ are being made throughout HowjS,** ' as to facilities for manu%cta r u7caS lld in the colony. ™B°«Wdgei. It has been resolved to form aM n »..' Infantry Corpsand Rifle Cor™ atlfr* Canterbury. There are 977 on tiTSS?"I' ' Roll for Christchurch; St Albl Sydenham, 014 ; and in a radit of 8$! fromthenentreoftheelty.raa Amongst the passengers b y tim ft."""'? Mont s.s. Hinemoa wlich arrved »TT ' Manukau on Sunday, May 17 l er «M^ Cautloy, Major Bodham and nf!? M Douglaiß.Nl These offi'cewiavS" uponbus.nes S inconneo««nwiththede2 . of Aucklond harbour. Maior f'»T inspected the defence works, and we S*7 stand that he is well satisfied withft' : gress that has been madesince hisCtS to this city. "w'rait , The undermentioned appointment. !„ tu . • New Zealand^ Militia are Sj,nthe Bieyet-Major Charles Stapp, tobgLfeJr : ant-Colonel; Major Albert: Pitt NelT," land Volunteers, to be Lieutenant-Cotai Captain Walter Edward Gudgeon <S • • Major from 20th April; Stuart Wu be Major from 21st April; gSwTB& t Gordon, to be Major from 21st Anril-S tain William Holden Webb to b B M » ' from 21st April. ' "8 MaJ(*:> , The military enthusiasm prevnte fa ? Auckland burns not less steadily sHi Thames, though there is less oc4 on fo ■ ' its display. The two Volunteer comMfcl a have been rocruited to their mS strength, and the Rifle Rangers hwt£ phed to Government to increwe »■ numbei-H to 100 or 150 men. The nutiven who boasted a fine body of Vblirateto previous to the Bryce regime, ara^tcS' the progress of defensive moveinenta tHffi :i ---great interest, and have expressed a deiirs ' to again enrol themselves in the service op" ■ the country. The militia rolls are i£ course'of preparation, and about 450 mon of the first class will be available for-' service in case of necessity. «'. A few days ago we mentioned that Hii Excellency the Governor had been makiim inquiries regarding tho coal afloat in iuck-- land harbour and in the other leading porto of tho colony. It now t tranapireS that the cause of those inquiries was an inrtrae- - tion from the Imperial authorities, who propose establishing^ coal depot for ?,000 tons at Penrose. Already orders have bwi received by the Collector of Customs to have 100 tons sent to Penroae. and to Btei 500 tons on a hulk in the harbour, ' Mr Thomas Hill, the Collector of Gmtpmj ■ has given an order for 1500 tons-half (ij amount required —to the Bay of" lala&d Coal Company, and thai corporation ■ hi. already commenced to Bend their "bladU. dinraonilrt" to the Penrote depot. Ac, W sides this order, the Company" ha» itmstial coal supply for steamers to keep up,itii oxpocted that it will take fully oii weeb bofore all the noal is at the * depot. Nothing is known in town as to where the other 1,500 tons is to come from ; iioes of thu other local companies have receives in"; > ' order. It is surmised that the coal will be" supplied from Newcastle or Greymouth, • Colonol the Hon. Sir George. JJ. Whitmore has just concluded, on beialf ol the Government, a contract with Capteis Whitney, of this city, forthe manafactore of 500,000 rounds of Snider ammunition, " Yes," said Sir George, in' reply to tho query of our representative,• "tie,,' Government has just concluded a contact: for tho manufacture of Snidor ball amman!-:' tion. Tho arrangement has been maSe' ' with Mr Whitney, Captain of the Auck- ' land Garrison Artillery, who is able to supply cartridges of muntz metal, and of ' nti excellent type. Ho has people in Mis employ acquainted with the manufactnreol ■ V ammunition. Tho contract just concluded ■ is for tho manufacture of 500,000 round!, and the price is not a very serious advance . on tho cost of tho imported article; Tho contract with the Government i« fa the spaco of three years—that is tin Government bind themselves to purehsse riflo anvminition only from the contractor! The arrangement is only just to the con- ; tractors, who will require to inwefc COS' t siderable capital in plant, etc. Thegwafer portion of the machinery for the maim* .„ factory will be made in the colony, it being the intention of the1 promote; to^ ' encourago local industry as muchMPM' siblo. The consumption of snider toll ammunition in tho colony for Volunteers for practice is 1,000,000 rounds. It tended to usepowdormanufaoturedatDM6- f din Powder Mill. There are many W" monials to the excellence of this powder, and should it prove as good as represented, the Cartridge Company Will übb many thon and pounds weight of it yearly;

POLITICAL.

The Parliament of New Zealand is tobe called together for tho despatch of basinea;..;., on llth Juno next. • A uew lands biil to be introduced sort ■ session by Mr Ballance will consolidated: , fewer than 26 Acts, besides raveralprow cial ordinances, : 'V*' The Presbyterian Synod of Otago « taking steps to petition Parliament » amend the Education Act to allow the IW ing of tho Bible in schools. , lion. Mr Richardson is injavouroi running light trains over short hoes ol WU way, and hopes soon to see noiHXMtK* Railway Boards in operation ; ,•„.]' An act to incorporate the Congregation" " Union of New Zealand will be «tw*i»a , during next sitting of Parliament. ,-f* »■ H. QSipk, Wellington, is solicitor for tae b'Tho Hon. W. ,T. M. Larnacli, Minjitw of Mines, arrived at Onehunga inthoHinen m • ] on Sunday, May 17, and came on tomu, ■ immediately. He was accompanied bj <w son and private sacrotary. H!f. lß™^ ■~ < town was short, as ho left again this nwra - ing for tho Thames. After visiting «« district ho will procoed to CoromanW. J" ■ is expected back in the latter part Oi »», week.

CRIMES AND SUICIDES.

At Goraldino, Canterbury, a blacken^ named Charles TroDgrove has been com mitted for trial for wife-murder.; Thos. Belgrave, a labourer atAiidington* committed suicide by hanging on Sonny- M Thebody of a f nlly-developcd, Mjjgj infant has boon discovered in Fitzbe™ Avenue, Wellington, with the side 01 "» head knocked. , ~ „ ;t« A man named John Reed, f brother M • Canterbury farmer, has been found »«DB » to a tree near Timaru. Deceased had m missing for over three months. An extensive burglary was P«P°T in [, on Sunday, May 10, Goodson's Arcsae i ■ Queen - streot being entered _ J»» » ' night or oarly in the morning.. » goods to tho value of upwards of ■- taken. It is evident that to «*WJ , efl'ected an entrance by means 0t bbc keys, or was hidden on the P™™™^. they were cloaed at 10.30 p.m. on bw day. At all events they mM*™^ , ; accomplish the object of their without leaving any waef . fo o them. Tho robbery was discovered w^ tho shop was opened this «%°»sfrti shutters were observed , be disturbed, and it wsa found th»t a m^ quantity of watches and jeweuery miaaing. Only gold jewellery **£££ '-•■■ the silver articles being W*""£?: ' The matter Is in the h»n3s o/ tt«P JWI

THK AUCKLAND EVENING STAK, SATURDAY, MAY 23, 18S8.

4