RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamiee...

(Some write, a neighbours namo to lnsh, I. mc write —vn in thought! --for needful cash, Souie write to plcuue tho country clash, Anil raise n din, i*or m., an aim I never fash— I write for ten.

Ij-Oktukati.lv, that littlo ecclesiastical quarrel between tho local Baptists and Anglicans, which somo peoplo seemed in clined to elovato into a si-amialum mmjmm, has beon smoothed ovor by the cool breath of public indifference, moro than by any overflow of Christian charity, and all again is peace. Apparently so, at loast; but who knows what doubts havo boon aroused, and what " obstinate questionings " may havo been suggested, in minds hithorto roving placidly in tho special groove of religious belief in which thoy have beon trained '! To "Zamiol" this question of tho "Apostoli cal Succession " is about as silly and vain as thoso which usod to employ tho intellects of mighty theologians in mediicval timos, such ns, " How many angels can dance on tho point of a needle." I should say, if it pleases the Yen. Archdeacon Dudloy to tieklo himsolt with such a straw, by all means lot him do so : and if, on tho other hand, it amuses tho Baptist and Woslcyan brethren to fight such a thing of straw, lot no one hinder tho harmless recreation. But when it comes to having a public discussion, dragging tho business into a newspaper, and asking tho public to tako sides in the childish sport, it is carry ing the joko too far.

Children of all ages can enjoy a real pantomime, in which tho Harle quin and Clown combino to play tricks upon poor old Pantaloon : but whon the Tabernacle rostrum is made tho stago, with respectable clergymen filling the parts named, and whon tho missiles thrown at Pantaloon metheologicalargumontsminglod with vory coarse ridicule, it is high time to stop the show, and recall tho reverend and venorablo actors to a souse of thoir true position. For, seriously speaking, it is surely a sad prostitution of tnlont andenergy to waste words over such a paltry question. Are thero not nniplo grounds for agreement and common action among clorgymon of all denominations? Is there not rampant Free thought, and more rampant and objection able immorality, in our midst, and requiring tho best efforts of tho best Christians to grapple with thorn? Yen, reverend fathers: "a wayfaring man, though a fool " (that's me), may givo you sound advice in this matter, and that is — Let alone this miserable light for priority, in such violent contrast with tho spirit and teaching of your Master : turn your atten tion to tho great work of combatting the evil that is in tho Church and in tho world ; nnd while you pitch to the winds these " claims to long descent," try to show by your zeal and devotion that you have received that true Apostolic unction which comes not by tho mere laying on of hands —remembering that Christian charity is more than any creed, and simple faith than the most unsullied lino of "Apostolical Succession."

A good deal has been mado lately out of the fact that the Kov. Mr Fitchott, M.A., of Dunedin, now entertains opinions upon episcopal ordination ditl'eront from thoso he advocated a fow- years ago. Mr Fitchott was then a Wesloyan minister, and natur ally defended the mode of ordination practised by the body ho was thon connected with. Hia viows changed, and now he is found supporting what once he donied and attacked. Here is tho head and front of his offending. It amounts to this, that a man is to be maligned because a change has come over his opinions ; because, as somo put it, he is so inconsistent. But the condem nation is altogether unjust. Tho judges manifestaeulpabloignoranco of tho workings of tho human intellect. A man must necessarily bo constantly changing his opinions, modifying old ones, acquiring new ones, so long as his mind is in good working order, so long as ho is sano and not a lit candidate for an asylum When a man ceases to get fresh ideas, and trim and shapo his ancient stock, ho is intellectually a corpse, and may not unreasonably bo likened to a fossil. And any thinker may alter his opinions on tho most vital points quito rapidly. Mental processes vary in duration, according to circumstances, und thore is no forecasting tho result. For my own part, I prefer to have to do with the man whose mind is always growing, whoso ideas are living things, constantly sprouting out in fresh directions. Ho is of some use in the world, though bigotry brands him as changeable and inconsistent.

Mr Gladstone is a tine example of this inconsistency. He was, when Macaulay reviewed his book on " Church and State," the hope of the High Tory party -, and what is ho now? Mr Gladstone is also a lino example of the thinker with tho vigorous living intellect, always open to receive and weigh evidence, and to modify former con clusions if such a courso should seem neces sary. Inconsistency, then, is sometimes a virtue, and not tho hideous vico that certain praters would doseribo it to bo. It is always bettor to bo true to-day than consistent with yesterday ; indood, tho word " consistent" is sadly misappliod when it is used to defino that condition of montal stagnation which is begotten of narrow bigotry, contented ignoranco. or concoitod obstinacy. Iby no means wish to mako out Mr Fitchett's case to bo a parallel ono to Mr Gladstone's; for while the latter is clearly progressive, I am not sure but Mr Fitchott has made a sadly retrograde stop. But even so, that fact does not hinder his change of conviction being thorough ond conscientious, nor does it alter tho fact that he has shown true consistency (which is faith to one's convictions) in oponly avow ing his altered attitude.

A striking illustration of the truth of tho Shakesperian aphorism to be found in Hamlet, " Conscience doth make cowards of us all," occurred on Sunday in the Auck land Tabernacle. The Rev. Tommy has tho power, it seems, of drawing smiles or tears, but in his discourse on " Abstain from all appearance of evil," he was eloquent, and particularly hard upon thoso of the fair sox who are foolish enough to imagine that paint on the face has a magnetic influeneo on young men. The rev. gentleman in veighed against many feminine and mascu line evils, and in denouncing painted faces as things horrible and unnatural, pointed straight to Miss M with his taporing linger, and exclaimed : " See that painted face ! ah ! foolish young woman, that arti ficial mask shall bo scratched off by tho lingers of time, and thy real features on posed, clay-cold to tho devouring worm. Away with your tlimsy doceit! wash your faco, dear girl, riso early in tho morning, do honest work, and rosy nature will do for your cheeks what tho porfumor's vilo mix ture can never do." "It is mo ho means," whispered tho blushing listener to hor com panion." See his impudent linger pointing straight to me." The conscienceatrickon girl stole out from the crowd, avowing sho would never again enter the Tabornacle to be pointed at and exposed by the preacher in that way.

A manuscript poem confided to my care many years ago by a friend of my youth was on the rather unpoetical subject of "The Collier's Wedding." In his graphic if not elegant description of the attendant festivities, the writer makes a special point of the dancing in the following lines :— " .Ann when tho minister hail ta'en his leave. The tiddler took his Beat, and Bhrill auU clear ' (The Gl iweru of l'diuliureh' caught the ear; And the faint glimmer of each greasy wick At every turning. eemed to disappear. _s round about the room they tripped it quick. While every no'" »nd then was heard 'the collier'B kick!'" These lines of my buried friend loom up distinctly before me as I poruso a letter just to hand from a lady (who conceals her identity under the signature of "Incognita") descriptive of a typical " collier's kick " at which she had the pleasure of being present lately. My fair correspondent writes :— " Not long ago I accepted an invitation to a ball in a coai district, and found myself in tho midst of a crowd of smiling, bustling young people. Some of the \ onuses had arms fit to wiold the hammer of Vulcan i vigorous graces, whose dominion would be alarming were they indisposed to kindness, and who seemed bursting their bodices with t'ulnoss, like overgrown carnations breaking •out of their green calyxes. The Adonises -wore kid gloves, evidently a size too ■small, and black cloth coats, in which -tho crosses showed how carefully they had been kept for the occasion; but when the dancing began, then came tbe fun 10, for a modern Raphael to de

pict tho scono ! Alas for tho arts, and for this most thrilling of Bubjocts, ho is no where to be found. Ono young lady managed lo disturb half-u-dozon eouplos by continuous bobbing niovcmotits which she vainly thought represented the waltz; her partnor, a tall man, with a top-heavy sort of stoop, bout ovor hor liko a great hon taking a chiekon under hor wing. An othor hold his partner with a vico liko grasp, foarful lost sho should tako wing and lly. Ono young man with an unintelligent east of countenance waltzed with his Autinous-liko head in tho air anil much tho expression worn by a dog baying at tho moon or howling at the Bound of music. An oven moro dungorous porformor workod his loft baud up and down with tho fu-ility of a pump handlo ; whilo another bont his kneos at ovory turn, and slipped out ono of his foot ns if to trip up rival dancers.

" Ho accomplished tho maw euvro so suc cessfully that prosontly a heavy thud was heard, and v stout young matron rose from tho Hoor with vermilion cheeks, and oyes Hashing with annoyanco and wounded vanity. Not ono of the cavaliers presont came to hor assistance, and perhaps more irritutiug than the fall itsolf was the barely suppressed titter from thoso around. Evory. one's attention was again roused by an ad ditional occompanimont to tho music, a voico considerably abovo eoncort pitch. Plaintively and persistently, that indefatig able infant wailed through a mazurka, polka and schottische, until tho MC. camo to tho rescue, and talked to its parent, entreating as a personal favour that it should be taken to mourn outside. Refreshments wore brought into the room, iucluding lomon ado, cukes, and sandwiches, which con tained a layor of gonuineunadultoratod mus tard, if ono may judgobysomowt _ faces made. ' Fingers were mado before iorks,' and in deed, boforo wine-glasses, for tho youths grasped the bottlos and drank therefrom with a gusto quito refreshing to seo. After wards soveral went homo, but a fow couples stayed to tost each other's skill. Then on sued the most furious dancing surely mortal ever behold sinco tho days of our ape like ancestors, ' when « ild in woods tho noble monkey ran,'—-moro liko gymnastic or athlotic feats than daticos. If Auckland's nymphs and swains, fond of the art, were only "initiated into tho mysteries of a fow rural ' hops,' tho sorvico.. of Professor Bernard would not bo required."

This stirring description makes mo (and I am sure many of my reader., also) wish that when they noxt hold a ball in that locality wo " may bo thoro to soo." Hut I havo a word to say to tho fair unknown authoress. In a very prettily-worded com plimentary noto (meant for my private eyo only) sho-ays : " 1 liko your ' Shots ;' but notwithstanding the frequent introduction ol littlo _'s and Mrs Z, I do not, believe yon aro married at all ; married men aro nover witty. For myself, I am safely married, and so cun only 'worship you at a dis tanco;' that you may prefer." Was thore ever a more charming combination of feminine logic, adroit complimont, nnd delicate flattery '.' For a blissful moment or two I dream myself witty, admired, and singlo; but tho illusion won't last. A loud burst of juvonile wailing oven now reachos mo from tho nursery, followed by .ho exclamation in a well-known treble voice—"There you go, you stupid ; you're just liko your father !" I am sorry to disagroo with tho ladios, but I fancy that married men are not all stupid. Was not Tom Hood married'; However that may bo, tho foregoing description of that lively colliers' ball proves that somo married women are witty. This isa perfectly harmless interchange of complimontary phraso; for, my dour " Ineognit i," your humblo slave is just as " safely married " as you are yoursolf; and from what I know of tho sentiments of Mrs _~ tho more distant our mutual worship is, tho bettor she will liko it:

Of ull tho methods resorted to by tho im pecunious for the purposo of "raising tho wind," an Auckland man, now in tho Bank ruptcy Court, is ontitlcd to tho distinction of having fallen upon the mcanost aid most reprohonsiblo. "Thoweary want o'sillor" is no doubt a sorious thing, and rojieatod summonses for debt are decidedly un comfortable ; but theso do not supply justi fication of such contemptiblo praeticos as 1 purposo revealing. This enterprising though insolvent individual kept a fomnlo domostic, nnd lonrning that tho prudent damsel had £15 deposited in tho Savings Bank, ho induced hor to withdraw it by promising to invest it for hor to advantage This money gone, ho next made an appeal to a friend just aftor bo had returned from tho funeral of his son ; but tho prcsonco of tho lady of tho house prevented tho busi ness being consummated. Next day, how over, the suit was renewed in business hours, and Mr Bankrupt, by working on tho harrowed feelings of tho bereaved parent, nnd telling him how much ho sympathised wi _i him, got him to put his namo to a tidy bill, which in due courso he had tomeot. Apart from the honesty of tho next transaction, tho perpetrator of tho dodgodeservessomocredit for his smartness, which successfully out goneralled onoof outmost acuto land agonts. Ho placed in tho hands of tho agont a houso and land to sell, and on tho strength of this got a loan of £10. After tho dobtor had filod his schodulo, tint too-confiding agont discovered that tho houso was mort gaged fully up to its value; indeed, if placed in tho mnrkot at present, tlio mort gagee would have a ditliculty in realising his investment. Vorily, tho Bankruptcy Court is not a bad placo to got a wrinklo or two in tho way of human nature.

Mr Archibald Campbell's latest t-"lo is that of champion of tho dumb creation in gonoral, and hares in particular, against the cruelty of tho so-callcd^Huporioi-animal, man In tho oyes of this gontloliuol, it is shocking barbarism to hunt hares, as tho members of our local Coursing Club did on Monday and Tuesday last. Wo will next be told, I suppose, that it is inhuman and un-Christian to poison or suffocate the multitudinous "bunny," whilo to hunt him with ferrets will bo tho vory relinomont of cruelty. lam no champion of "aristocratic sports," ovon though they ombraco tho slaughtering of such noblo gamo us tame deer; but I ask, where is this sickly sentimentalism to stop? In a short timo the services of tho Socioty for tho Preven tion of Cruelty to Animals will bo invoked against him who " needlessly sots foot upon a worm," and wo shall havo an eloquent lawyer enlarging on tho onormity of the offence, and reminding tho Court and sym pathetic public that

"T_o noor worm wo tread upon, In corporal RUderancc feels a pang aa great As wlicn a giant dies;"

which may be poetry, but is unmitigated rot. all the same. Tho worm feels nothing of the sort, nor does the huro ; though the statement that sevoral of tho latter died of fright on Monday complotcly disproves the ingeniuus argument that used to bo uigod lo tho oft'ect that "I he hare onjoyod boing hunted." Scionco teaches iib that with doseont in tho scalo of boing comes increasing callousness to puin, untfl in somo forma of life complete in sensibility would Boom to be roachod. So long as " legal murders " are committed in such a bungling fashion as at presont, and so long as a vast amount of unneces sary torture is inflicted on human boings in tho strugglo for existence, as well as in tho horrible pastime of war, it is worse than useless to rail against cruolty to hares. Sir George Grey has been described as "tho representative of tho human race"; if Mr Campbell does not wish to be dubbed " tbo representative of the lower animals," let him stick to his denunciations of war, and let the Coursing Club alone,

A Case for Anti Smokers.

Anti -tobacconists will not be able to ovolve a very strong cuso out of the melancholy end of James Freeman, tailor, of Newark, It is true thut Freeman hanged himself; that he was of a melancholy temperament; and that he was " an inveterate smoker of vory strong tobacco." But v nfortunately for the argument of the non-smokers, ho delayed his private despatch until he had attained the ripe age of threescore years and thirteen, thereby exciting the reasonable conclusion that if he had not cheered his pilgrimage through life with a plentiful emission of the soothing smoke of tobacco, ho would have ruu himself aground long before he did. The ingenuity and care he displayed in working himsolf oO with tho aid of a ropo adjusted in regard to tho knob of tho door and his oh v neck in such a manner that as he elided along the floor ho Blided comfortably into eternity, justifies the assumption that he had long brooded on the ways and means of sudden extinction, and that it was only the dear delight of his daily pipe that withheld his hand.

SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTURES,

New Zealand.

Auckland K.C. Steoplcohaso Mooting... .Juno 0 HawUo'sHay J.C. Stooplochasea Juno2o

TO Correspondents.

Nkmo.—Nonioniß waa purchased by Mr Bato when it yoarling for So guineas. Hor sire St. Uoorgo ia a lull brother to Choater. C.K.R.—Thoro are two bloho walla in tho V.X.C., stcculcchaso course, ono in front ot tho stand, and the other ovor by tho abat toirs. S.A.H.—In tho last Melbourne Cup, Oudois wnß liunilicappcd at Sat till), and Liverpool at Bat .lb. Welcome Jack had list 21b. being 1011) less than iho top-weight, Commotion. W'Aiii-'i' (Whangarei). — £38,-09 was passed through tlio totalisatorat the Dunedin Jockey Club Mi'oting in February. Thia is thelareest, sum OTorlnvoßtod at any race mooting in Now Zoaland. L.M. (Ponsonby).—Newatond la a bnycolt, anil was foaled on September 2llrd, 1882. Ho is by Ncrkor. gat nut of Ada. by l-ucil'or (imported) out of Zcnobla (imporlod), by Kingston out of l'alma, by Plenipotentiary.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

Satukhav noxt is set down for tho docision of the inaugural Stoeplochaso Meeting of tho Auckland Racing Club, and if there is a tine day, I think wo can conlidontly look forward to somo excollont sport, Tho bill of faro consists of tivo events, tho two principal being the Great Northorn Stoople chaso and Hurdlo Race, for which tho weights appeared on Thursday last. Tho " big stick " raco looks a real good thing for Director with list 71b, and should ho sco tho post lit and woll, must tako a powor of boating. Tho Hurdles, on tho othor hand, boar a vory open aspect, but in my opinion King roads almost as well as anything. Acceptances and gonoral on trios for tho moetiiig aro duo on Monday noxt. Tho Takapuna Jockoy Club Meeting on Monday was a fitting wind-up to a suceosa fut season. Although fupitor Pluvius was not so kind us ho might havo been, the attendance was good, and tho racing throughout tho aftornoon of a most inter esting character. Tho big stoeplochaso undoubtedly wiih the best yot scon on tho course, and tho way Quilp shapod proved that ho can both stny and go faßt, but his victory was due in no small measure to the oxeollont way in which ho was handlod by (ioorgo Hope. _-,700 was passed through thu totalisator during tho aftornoon. 1 hopo that boforo noxt soason comos round, the Club will mako an offort to havo tho course enlarged, for thoro is no doubt that it would mako tho gatherings far more popular, and also onubio thorn to havo a raco for two-yenr-olds on tho programmo.

Our Wanganui friends as usual teem lo havo scored a succoss with their Stooplochaso Mooting. For tho big event,tho good field of ton went to tho post, and tho 'i-iniior turned up in Mr F. Harrison's Druid, who ran third for tho sumo event last year, and Inter on in tho afternoon appropiatod tho Maiden Steeplechase, Tho winnor is a live-year-old son of Don Juan and Norma, and ho was riddon by F, Hodgo, who also piloted old Cluronco to victory last year. Tho llrand National Stccplochaso was do cidod on Thursday—Linwood, who wo aro informed by telegraph was a moiul for tho raco, having to go down boforo Moody. Six wont to tho post, being two in excess of hist year. Tim Whilller sooms lo bo gotling in fo> m again, for on tho first day of tho Dunedin .loekey Club Wintor Mooting, ho got homo tirst in tho Provincial Handicap—tho principal ovont of tho afternoon- with Lady Emma and Taiaroa as his immediate atten dants. On Monday,howovor, in the Birth day Handieup, he had to bo content with acting as luimer-up to Captain Webster, who by-tho-by seoms to be greatly im proving of lato. Next soason tho son of St. Albans should bo well worth watching for some of the big ovonts. By Cast Ashoio's victory in tho Taka puna Birthday Handieup, Mr D. McKinnon treated us to a similar surpriso to that ho cll'ectod on tho samo courso two sousons ago by tho aid of 'lilderoy. So littlo did Mr McKinnon think of Cast Ashore'schanco on Monday that, being interrogated if ho thought it was good enough to put a pound on tho colt, ho replied iv ctl'eet that the horse had no show, not having been in work, and .--o littlo was ho impressed with his chanco of winning that ho only intended taking ono ticket on tho totalisator, and that was for tho jockoy. This ho did, so that tho honosl "Mac" had the grim satisfaction ef seeing tho colt score his tiist win without having v singlo shilling on him.

llonoydow, who won tho Queen's Birth day Cup at tho Sydney Turf Club Mooting, is a son of Goldsborough and Queen 800. As a two-year-old ho gavo promise of turning out somothing abovo thoaverago.und during the wintor was thought to havo a show in the A.,1.C. and Y.R.C. Derbies, but ho wont all to piecos oarly in tho spring, Tho colt has beon in lavender until of Into, but whon tho handicap for tho race undor notico mado its nppoaranco a couple of weeks buck, it was then admitted that with Gst he was " pitchforked " into it, und so the rcsult.kas proved. It scorns that tho yoarling colt by Piscatoiious—Yattorina shipped to Sydnoy lust weok has not been purchased by Mr F. Wontworth. Tho colt is conjointly owned by two Auckland "sports,'' and ho will bo raced in Australia in tho namo of Mr .1. Stockton. J. Monughan will prepare tho youngsters for his engagements, and with his polish on him, he should reiidor a good uccount of himself. I ioorgo Williams tells mo that ho has ac cepted a rotainor from MrC. 11. Lushington. Should all go woll, this gontlomun will havo a big team iv training noxt soason, for besides Lionel and Liouess, ho has four yoarlings now boing taught tho rudimonts of thoir profession. Tho Epsom Derby eumos uji for docision on Wednesday next, and the result will uppour in tho Stak of tho following day. At last advicos, Lord Hasting'a colt Molten was hold in high estoem for tho ovont, and in all probability tho honours of favouritism ore dividod botween him and Paradox, tho winner of tho Two Thousand Guinoas.

Tho weights for tho Now Zealand Cup uio duo on Monday noxt. With Wolcomo Jack and tho Hon. W, Robinson's team out of tho list, Tasraan will now occupy tho post of honour. Tho handirapping committeo con sists of Messrs Brabazon, Cotton, P. Camp bell, Grosson, and G. P. Williams.

I am glad to be ablo to state that The Dauphin still continuos lo improve, and it is expected that ho will bo ablo to bo taken out of tho slings at tho end of noxt wook. Mr T, Halstead has boon unremitting in his attontion to tho horso, and should ho get him on his legs again, it will bo a groat foather in his cap.

A correspondent undor tho signature of "North Shore " writes usking mo if I can supply him with any particulars concerning Tho Barb, who was scratched at tho post for tbo Takapuna Jockoy Club Birthday llaudicup. Looking ovor my records, I find that in the Otago provinco last soason ho started sovcn timos in tho colours of Mr 1). Biunchloy, winniug tho Lumsden Handicap and two hack races. During tho presont soason, this form has boon much improvod on, for in January last ho oasily won tho Tuu|>oku Joekoy Club Hundicap, two milos, with Sst 21b up, getting ovor the distance in tho good time of ,'jmin. •15soc. He also got homo lirst in the Lumsden Handicap on tho 30th Docomber, carrying Sst. 121b., whilo among sovoial othor performances he ran second with Bst to Garibaldi (7st 41b) in tho Arrow Handi cap at the Lake County Jockey Club Moot ing (Queonstown). The well-known owner and trainer, Mr H. Goodman, of Dunedin, bought Barb from Mr Brenchley in Decembor last, and according to the " New Zealand Referee " Mr Goodman in turn disposed of him to a North Island " sport" in March for 42 guineas. Barb is a son of Nigger and Prairie Flower, and if the handicapper again lets him in at any timo noxt soason with list, I should certainly adviso my cor respondent and readers to put a mark opposite his name. Mr Thompson informs me that Buzzard cracked up after a stronggallop on Saturday morning last, and on Monday tho horso was so bad that he was unable to leave his box. With a spell, however, and the attention he is sure to receive from his owner during tho winter, we will no doubt sco him again iv his old form by the time the noxt racing season comes round.

The much-talked-of July must have some very infatuated admirers in Christchurch. I notice tlie best price now obtainable about the son of Truducer for tho next Now Zealand Cup is 100 lo 15, and it is said there aro plouty of takers at the prico. Trenton is noxt iv domaud at 100 to 5. aud, with the exception of these two, 100 to 6 is offered against any other. Mr H. Kedwood hold a salo of blood stock at Spring Creek several days back, but it did not provo a success. The only lot dis posed of was a yearling colt by Leolinus— Spritsail, who was knocked down to Mr D. Fraser, of Rangitikei, for 125 guineas. The youngster has a number of valuable engage ments, including the Auckland Derby of ISS6-S7.

Noxt Monday nominations are duo for the Melbourne Cup, Caultiold Cup, Great Metropolitan Stakes, Hawkesbury Handi cap, V.R.C. Derby 1881), and Maribyrnong Plato. Mr Pen fold, tho Socrotary of the Canterbury Jockey Club, iB authorised to receivo Now Zoaland nominations for tho Victoria Racing Club up till 12 noon, but for tho othor ovonts entrios must bo sent to the respective socrotarios. While running in tho Birthday Handicap at Takapuna on Monday, Kalo by some means put ono of his logs into a hole.and it troubled him the next day to such an extent that French was unablo to take him home. Nigger has also strained tho susponsory ligamont of both his fore-logs, and he will have to undergo a severe blistering. Derritt, who is in Sydney with tho Hon. W. Robinson's team, has mado n great record during tho now almost doad souson. Out of 122 mounts helms proved successful in no loss than 51 racos. Ho has ridden the winner of moßt all tho big ovonts, viz., N. _. Cup, Canterbury Cup, Dunedin Cup, D.J.C. Handicap, Wellington Cup, and Great Autumn Handicap, This is somothing to bo proud of, and I havo no doubt before ho again returns to Now Zealand ho will also givo Australian raco-goors a tasto of hi? ability in tho pigskin. Mr Vallancc oxporioncod a pioco of hard luck in Wellington (says "Sonox.") In the Horot.-iunga Handicap Sou'-wostor ran second to Speculation, but ho was closo to tho rails undor tho judgo's box, which is rathor high, and missed tho judgo's oyo. Consequently Pasha got tho sooond money, Cl 5; but the handicappor noticed where tho horso finishod, and punished him ac cordingly, so Mr Vallanco got slated both ways. Referring to tho submitting of Wolcomo Jack for salo by auction, "Vigilant" has the following:—"As far as looks go, Jack can certainly givo a fow points to most of our Australian cattlo; but, in spito of tho big reputation tho Maoriland champion en joys in his own country, I think I could loavo Commotion and Malua out of my cal culations and thon pick threo or four Aus tralian nags who could boat him at level woights ovor any distanco, cither Sardius, Moriin, or Riugwood boing, in my opinion, fully equal to tho task. Under thoso cir cumstances, Mr Pilbrow complains very justly of tlio weight allotted his horse. Sardius, for oxamplc, who, on his Koynl Park Stakes running, proved himsolf to bo within a pound "of Lo Grand, was handicapped in tho Adolnido Cup at nino pounds loss than Wolcomo Jack, whoso best performances would novor justify such a concession. It is manifestly to tho in terest of tho turf that ownors from distant eolonioH should be oncourngod to visit us and pit thoir cattlo against our own, but tho weight metod out to Mr Pilbrow's repre sentative as compared with thoso allotted somo of our own horses, scarcely savours of tho fairest of lair play." In connection with Welcome Jack, I may montion that Mr Pilbrow was oxpected to arrivo in Christchurch this weok, on business bent.

Apropos of consultation drawings, tho sporting contributor to tho " Nnpior Tolc graph " tolls tho following :—" Tho Chair man at a drawing expressed himself to tho effect that ho would liko to draw a certain horso in u'J.OOOtickotsweopon tho Molbourno Cup, ns tho horso was a great fancy of his. Ho drew tho animal; it was a wonderful coincidence, if it wore nothing moro. A man who had repeatedly invested monoy in cortain swoops wroto to tho promoter that it was tho last pound ho would ever sond, as ho had novor yot won a prizo. That last pound was a good investment, ns ho drew tho second pri^o, and thon to show his gratitude published tho loiter ho had for warded to tho promoter." Tho subjoined description of the courso ovor which tho Livorpool Grand National Steoplochaso is run will doubtless bo road with interest by lovers of tho illegitimate gamo. 1 may montion that a considerable portion of tho "Mat" going is over nowly ploughed ground, and that tho ovont lakes placo in what may iairly be termed tho rainy soason : — l end IU.-An ordinary hurdle 3ft. tiin, high, and bushed with gorso. 2and 17.—A Ihorn fence ."■ft. high, with a rail ou tho take oh"aide 3ft. high. This rail isolosc up against the fence. I and IS.—A thorn fence, Ift. -in. high with a ditch on the take oil'side lift. .in. wide and 3ft deep, and n rail in front of said ditch '.'ft. high. 3 and l'A-A rail and fence, tho rail being -it. ilin. high, and the fence sft. high, and a space of ISie. lo '.'ft. separating said rail und feneo. p and 'JO.—Sh-io as No. 1. a and 21.—-Known as "11-coher's'Tlrook." which is v thick thorn fence Ift. liiu. high, with a rait 2ft. liln. in front, and a natural brook about Oft. to ..ft. wide on the far Bide, and Bft. deep 7 and 22.—A thorn fence -"'ft. high with a rail in front 2ft high. S and 23 —A thorn fence, standing -Jft- high, wiih ditch on tako oil sirto between ,'ift. nnd lift. wide, and a rail in front 'Jft. high. D and 21.—Known as " V.dentine's llrook." beingathorn tenco-ft- high, with a rail in front 2ft. high, nnd brook on far side. 10 and 2.1. -Fame as No. I. Hand 20.- A rail 2ft. high a ditch about lift. wide and 3ft. deep, and a thorn fence on far side Ift. llln. high. 12 and 27.-A rail 2ft.high.il fence 6ft. high, and ditch on far side 6ft. wido. 13.—Same aa No, I. 11. -A thorn fence Ift. Ilin. high and 2ft. in width, ditch on tako oil' side lift, wido, and a rail in front 2ft, high. IS The "Water Jump," the water part of which Is 12ft 3ln. wide and 2ft. deep, with a per pendicular thorn fence in front a foot thick anil 2ft. In height. 2S. 20, and 30 nro hurdles, 3ft.iiin. high, and bushed with goree same as No. I.

CONDENSED ITEMS.

The Hon. W. Robinson's tcum aro located at Randwick.

Mr Pilbrow has named tho two-yoor-old Musket—Wniiti colt, Fusiludo.

Tho Victoria Racing Club Stooplechaso Mooting has boon fixod for Saturday, July 18th.

Tho South Australian Jockoy Club netlod a profit of £200 by thoir recent mooting at Floniington. Whon'tho last mail loft England Paradox, tho winner of tho Two Thousand tluinoas, was nuotod at 7 to 4. July's brother Idalium, who wus a great fraud at thorncing gnmo, has been purchased by Mr A. Lodor, of Now South Wales,

Tho Poot and Minorvaaro quartered at Wellington, and it is rumoured Hint Mr Bate intends disposing of tho pair to a local "[sport." Tho Canterbury Jockoy Club intend putting down a tan gallop at Riecaiton, and tenders havo already boon called for its construction.

It is probable that the Wellington Racing Club will hold a stooplechaso moot ing at tho Hutt about tho second weok in July.

Tho Christchurch Tattorsall's Club havo romovod from thoir old quarters iv High street to moro commodious promises in Hobbs's Buildings, Cathedral Square. Tho total amount of added money for tho various events to bo run for at Flotnington during next soason will bo .CI7,SS,"i. Tho addod money last soason was £I_,B_o. Mambrino Patchen, tho great American trotting sire, died in Loxington, Ky., in March last. No sicknoss was apparent. Ho was twonty-three years old.

Mr W. S. Cox lias announced his inten tion of udding HOOsovs to tho next Mooneo Valloy Cup ; 200 to go to tho first horse ; 7,"> to tho second, and 25 to tho third.

Lady jockoys tiro tho latest novolty in Indian racos. At a recent meeting at Akyub, British Burmuh, lady ownors con tested two pony racos-a Hat and a hurdle raco.

Clareneo has been allotted l'-'st in tho Grand National Steeplechase, to be run at Sydnoy Tattorsall's Meotimr on Saturday next. The top weight is Echo, with 12st 91b.

I notice in an Adelaide paper that tho V.R.C. Derby favourite Newetead is now being treated- to slow work on tho race course there. He is looking stout and hearty. Admiral Tysuu, who is iv command of tho Australasian Squadron, is a patron of the turf. He figures as the owner of Asil, an Arab horse that won a couple of races last season.

Sheet Anchor, who ran so well at the last V.R.C. Autumn Meeting, but was utterle disgraced at Rundwick, has again changed owners, and hoe returned to Mr J. Wilson's stables at Ballarat.

Some of the Hon. W, Robinson's team have been backed in Dunodin to win decent sums in the V.R.C. Spring races. Ono wager that has been accepted isi'l.OOOto 15 against the two Winchester:; (Cup and Derby). Mr VV. A. Long has named his three year ling fillies as follows:—Filly by Golds brough—Powder, Crossfire. Filly, by The Drummer — Paradigm, Dame Eleanor. Filly, by Maribyrnong—Paresscuse, Jeuiic Premiere,

Before the next spring meeting ol the Victoriu Racing Club come.' round thore will bo a grout alteration in the railway arrangements ut Fleminglou. e5 strip of ground over 1,100 feet long has been added to the station yard, along which several new lines are to be laid.

A petition is being drawn up by some of tho metallicians belonging to Sydney Tattor sall's Club to the committee of that institu tion protesting against any increase in the number of bookmakers. Several of the leading members, however, have declined to have apything to do with the proposition in any shape or form.

FIELD SPOUTS AND AQUATICS.

(BY ACT-EON.)

AQUATIC FIXTURES. June 30, -. A. Mosscngor and N. Mattcrson over Paramatta Courso, for _100.

Tun subscriptions towards the aquatic testimonials amount to nearly £1,800 for Beach, £055 for Hunlun, £410 for Messen ger, and £47 for Laycock.

Tho yacht Tawora, built last year by Mr R. Logan for Messrs White and C. B. Stono, and subsequently sold to I). li. McKonzie, has again ehangod hands. Her present owner is Mr Wiseman, who has also an intorest in tho Jessie Logan. Thomas Clifford has issued a challenge through his old supporter, Aldorman J. 1). Young, to row anyono in Australia, except Beach or Laycock, over the champion course, "for any reasonable amount from £100 upwards," and oft'ors to allow oxponses to anyono coming from a distanco. Tho colobrated demon bowlor f_ Spofforth is now permanently located in Melbourne. Ho has received an appointment in tho National Bank of Australasia, and is at presont employed as tellor in tlio Port Mel bourne branch. The demon will play for M.C.C. noxtseason

Tho ladios have frequently appeared in tho cricket field. Southcy notes a match botwoen tho matrons and the maids of Bury, in which the matrons wore victorious. In KSI I a fomale olovon of Surrey lost a match for 500 guinoaß aside to olovon womon of Hants. Similar matches have since boen played.

Fifty Miles Walking Championship of New Zealand.

Tho lifty-milo walking race for tho championship of Now Zoaland took place at Christchurch on Saturday, May 16, and oxcitod a good deal of interest. Tho com petitors wero A. Hancock, the English champion ; F. MorshoadandG. Muhleisen, local mon ; and John Kaynor, champion of Australia. Tho torms provided that tho first man should receivo CSO. and that tho gate money, less oxponses, should bo divi ded as follows:—First man ,")0 per cont, soeond man 3. por cent, third man 10 cent. At tho ond of tho first mile, which ho did in Smin. "isoc., Hanco.k was nearly a lap ahead of Iho others, who wore all pretty closo to ono nnotlior. U.foro tho first hour was concluded Morshoud and Muhleisen had begun to drop to tho rear, and the lattor, whoso shoos apparently hurt him, rotired at tho ond of tho second hour, to change thorn for a pair of boots. Ho could not mako much huadwuv, howover, and at •1.35 p m. retired from tho contest, having covored 11 miles 1 lap. Tho match soon rosolvod itself into a atrugglo between tho English and Australian champions, for Mors head steadily lost ground. Tho task ho had undertaken was ovidontly too much for his presont powors, a fact which ho scoraod to porcoivo, as ho left the track moro than onco, apparently going morely for third money. Meanwhile Hancock kept on at a steady paco, ono lap ahoad of tho Australian, who was unablo to cut down his opponent's load. Noithor man left tho truck or rested forati instant, oach, howovor, takingan occasional drink of wator. In tho evening somo 400 persons, including many promi nent mombers of tho Bporting fraternity, woro presont, and manifested tho livoliest interest in tho contest. Tho Englishman was tho favourite, tho gonoral opinion, which tho event proved lo bo correct, being that Rayner, who was apparently going at his best paco, would be unablo tv mako up tho lap which sopaiutod him from Hancock, who ovidontly haa a bit in hand all tho timo. 110 complotod his 10th milo at S. 10 p.m., lluynor being still a lap behind, and Moi-hoad in tho iniddlo of his 315 th milo A spaco of about a yard sopuralcd tho two men, Huneoek being in front, und overy effort of Rayner to pass him was met by a slight inciouso of speed, which foiled the attempt. So matters eontinuod until tho fiftieth milo was begun, when tho English chainoion quickened his paco.und by t ho time the eightoonth round was complotod ho was two hips ahead. Tho enthusiasm now became intense, and found vent in a storm of cheering whon Hancock, going at v ttomondous rate, added another lap to his load, and at IS minutes and four seconds past ton finished the milo threo laps in front of llaynoi-, who had responded gamely to his challenges, but could not put tho steam on sulliciontly. Ho has no reason to feel ashamed of his performance, for ho walked a game raco throughout. Hancock's timo was 8 hours 10 minutes and •1 seconds, and at tlio closo of tho match ho showed no signs of distress. Neithor, in deed, did Rayner : but Morshoad, who linishod t'J miles 10 laps, was completely exhausted. Hancock's and Raynor'a nvor ngo pace was a littlo ovor six miles an hour.

THE BATTLE OF THE BLUES.

Intcr-Uiilvcrsity Sports and Boat Race,

(l-llliM Ol'K LONDON COUK-S-OS HKNT.)

London, April 0.

That public interest in tho groat annual boat raco between our two great Univer sities has wanod, there can now bono doubt, Tho densocrowds lining the banks all tho way from Putney to Mortlako, tho choked railway tratlic, tho übiquitous rosottos, tho heavy wagoring, and, abovo all, tho con tagious enthusiasm which marked Iho eras oflloldioand Darbishiro, nro thing.-of the past. Last yoar, the timo of rowing, and tho year boforo the oxocrablo weather, woro put forward as reasons for Iho slackonod at tendance This anniversary, noithor oxcuso could be oM'orcd. Tho woathor was-simply perfect, mild und spring-like, tho timo noon (whon ovon the busiest mnn can spare an hour), and tho day Saturday. Circum stances seemed lo conspire to attract a "largest on record," but tho boom didn't como off.

At Putney, half-nn hour bofore tho start, thero woro baroly five or six hundred pooplo ussomblcd, and the majority appeared far moro interested in a niggor minstrol yolling tho dolectable " What Choor ! ' Ria '," than in tho possiblo doings of the rival crows. Towards noon, however, things bogau to look livelier, and with tho arrival of tho "press" stoamor tcoling ovor with her crowd of " spocials," business bogan. Opinion amongst exports was pretty ovonly divided as to tlio chances of the rival blues till Oxford won tho toss, and obtained tho much-covotod " Surrey station." Tho pre vious ovening Cambridge (notwithstanding her new man) was distinctly favourite, owing to Oxford having " caught a crab " at exorcise. That both crows wero poor class and indill'orently trained was on all sides admitted) but it was thought the balance of credit lay with Oxford. Prior to the " toss,'; ovon monoy was taken about either Utiivorsity winning, but wbon the crews camo out, the betting settled down at 13 to 8 on Oxford.

For ono reason or anothor tho men were kopt waiting v long timo at the post. Whon thoy did start, tho Oxford stroko was 40 to the minute, tho Cambridge 42, Both crew., at onco strained evory nervo to get the lead, but for some minutes tho boats Noouied to kcop oxactly lovel. This uugurcd oxciteiiiont, and it deepened pre sently when Cambridgo drew about half a longth to tho front, but could obviously got no " forwarder." Tho Oxford crew thon began rowing in splendid style. Time, awing, and recovery were almost per fect, and tho dark blue oars entered the water precisoly togothor. The crisis came at Grass Wharf, Oxford rapidly mado up the bulf-longtb, and pussed Crab Troo with something to the good, which, at tho Soap works, increasod to v lull length. From ibi.i point the raco was a litem chase as far as Cambridge was concerned. At Hammersmith the Light Blues were all to pieceß, and from thence to Mortlake there wus nothing to admire in their row ing but its pluck. Humphries, the Oxford " cox," twice forgot the stake boats and besides losing ground, narrowly escaped fouling Cambridgo. The Dark Blues bad, however, too strong an advantage for those errors to materially affect their chance. They rolled about like a ship in distress towards the last, but kept increasing their lead, and won eventually by 3 V lengths, time 21mii!. __sec. Approaching Barnes Bridge a little boat shot out from the side, .vhich Oxford all but fouled. Had she done so, Cambridge must have won. This incident created some excitement, and for a few- minutes suspicion of premeditation were entertained. Fortunately, the delin quent proved to be a small boy whose boat a mischievous friend had pushed out " for fun."

Mi Richard Dowling is the author ol " A Stroke of luck," tho first number of the " Illustrated Blue Ribbon Novolette." The oiginators of this new entorpriso havo hit upon a very ingenious idea. There must be a thousand of total abstainers who will spend a penny a week on a complete, graphic, and well-written story illustrating the evils of intemperance.

" BUCHU PAIBA."-quick, complete ouia, _U __uojl_j ___________ B-uIJk: will VrimrY Ola__-_ At Dr_M._j.t_. - '. ___ i_B_ t-UJU -__*» * 0.- ___ _, ______ _

THE GARDEN.

[B_ Homus.]

Calendar of Operations, May 30,

[llortus is willing to answer any queries. Cor respondents must givo their full namos and addresses, though not for publication.!

TO COREKSPONDKNTS,

ClnitvsANTi i kmums (Amateur).—Whenoverthoy are dune flowering they can be cut back closo to the ground. You can easily propagate by cuttings, but in my estimation tho bcM, way lor you would bo simply to lift an i divide the old plants in the aprirg. In foot, every yoar it would b_ belter to lift tho whole of those plants and only take a small part and replant in a Iroßh plai-e. Chrysanthemums standing year aftor year In the same place in the garden are sure to exhaust the soil which surrounds them. Shifting them about two foet will get ovi-i-.thc dilliculty, giving a bettor npporf unit y to manure tlio site tlicy last occupied. If they were treated more generally from year to year as above, tbey would givo better Mowers thsn it loft to stand year after year in the same place.

Kitchen Garden.

The lato wet woathor has ushered in tho first of the usual wet weather. Wo usually receive it at this period of the year ; still, whonover a chance of a few dry days occurs, havo all vacant pieces of ground not pre viously attended to manured and dug, and if possiblo sow in oats. Tomatoes will be ovor for tho soason. Any green fruit pick and placo where tho full rays of tho sun may get at them, so that they may still ripen : tako a fow points of the shoots so as to make cuttings for striking and planting out next soason. Clear away tho haulm to the rot hoap; put tho stakes and trellis work in a dry place so that it may come into use noxt season. Dig tho ground, sow a fow more broad beans, plant out cabbage and cauliflower, earth up those crops that are advancing, pick out a f_\v mora lettuce plants, tie up those that are ready for use so that thoy may get blanchod. Pumpkins, piomclons, marrows, collect and store in a dry place for winter use. Clear away tho ilnns, and havo Iho ground dug and manured, Celery earth up its it may re quire it; don't bury tho foliage 100 much ; tho earliest planted crop should bo ready for uso now. The kumera or sweet potato Bhould bo lifted and stored past. Tho best way to store these is to gut boxes. Put in each box a supply for a fortnight and fill up with sand. Thoy keep splendidly in this manner. Spinago, as it becomes large enough for thinning, thin, using at. present only tho foliage of thoso plants you thin out. Earth up nil growing crops as thoy may require it. Koop the soil well stirred about others that are advancing, doing the work only when the soil is comparatively dry. All weeds must bo dcslroyod by taking them to tho rot heap, putting thorn in a layor and giving a heavy dusting of Bait and lime, so as to kill animal and vogotablo lifo. 'A'hcro slugs aro troublo sotnogivo frequent dustings of lime in tho evening aftor dark. Soot, if it can bo ob tained, will be equally efficacious. Kcop everything in as neat and trim v condition as possiblo. The Flowor Garden. Most of the autumn flowors will be ovor now. Every endeavour should bo mado so as to complete tho digging and manuring of tho flower border. Nothing but littor manure should bo put in at this season of tho year. Dahlias: Lift tubers and place in the sun to dry for a week or so, thon store past for wintor. See that the proper name is attached to oach tuber when lifting. Gladiola bulbs should now bo proporly ripened oil. Lift, place tho bulbs in pots with thoir labels, dry anil store past. Plant out a few of tho inferior varieties for early spring floworing, also plant out tho balanco of early spring llouor bulbs and tubers. Herbaceous plants can now bo lifted, subdivided,rearranged and replanted, putting tho tall growing varieties at the back of tho border. All evergreen shrubs can now be moved and planted with safoty— in fact, tho sooner they get into their now quarters tho better they will succeed. All tho doad loaves from the trees and shrubs should be collocted onco a weok, and taken to tho rot hoap. Tho top dressing of lawns should be completed now as booh as possible. Soo that all hollows are proporly tilled up ; sow a littlo fresh grass seed, and apply tho rollor. Koop grass vory short now and roll frequently. The grass odgings should receivo tho usual wintor paring now. Re turf thoso that from frequent parings aro leaving tho walk too broad. Walks that are beginning to show signs ol weakness should bo rogravclled, applying tbo roller so that the now gravel may bo bound to tho old at once. Camellia plants coming into Howor will bo tho better for a littlo woak liquid manure. Any plants showing too many buds, removo a numbor. This will givo moro strength to those remaining. Greenhouse. Wash and repaint woodwork in houso if required. Give the plants a general over haul so as to kill any insects which may bo upon thorn. Azaleas, camellias and other hardy Dowering winter and oorly spring How ors in pots should now bo removed from summer quarters into the house. Water occasionally with weak liquid manure. Re very sparing with tho wator on the genoral stock plants. Caleoolaria, cinerarias, i.e., shift into larger pots as thoy may require it, Placo near tho glass and givo them plonty of room, so that thoy may expand their foliage Givo plonty of airou evory favour able occasion. Water only in tho morning.

Transplanting Trees.

Tho soason for lifting and planting treos is now in, and a fow lines on tho subject may be of use to intending plantors. In lifting and planting trees or shrubs thevo aro ono or two essentials which in a measure help to mako tho planting a success, and ono of tho most important of those is a judicious pruning and foreshortening of the branches aftor the planting is over. Some timos in tho caso of largo treos nearly tho wholo of tho branches will require to be pretty considerably doalt with. This prun ing is noeossary in consoquonco of theloss of roots in digging up tho plants. Even whero thorootsaro nearly sll retained, it is as woll to do a littlo pruning of tho bronchos, in order that whon the sap bogins to rise again the roots will not bo called upon to furnish more sapthunisabsolutely necessary until they are inaproporp_sition to furnish a proporsupply. Tho parts of the roots that have been cut do not extract any moisture or nutriment from the earth : it is only the little fibres and tho extreme points of hair that suck up the nutriment required for the nourish ment of the tree, and it is not till the roots have again made a sufficient number of those small fibres that they are able to fur nish sufficient nutriment to sustain a good strong healthy growth. Wheu pruning it is always a safe plan to reduce pretty con siderably in such trees or plants as you want to make a rapid growth next season Again,on treos that you do not wunt to grow fast, let the pruning be only moderate, as you will therefore leave moro outlets for sap to generate wood and leaves, consequently the flow of sap into thoso parts will not bo so strong as it will be in the caso of trees that have received heavy prunings, so that tho sap is confined to a few outlets. Hence tho rapid generation of wood and leaves at those parts. The inexperenced horticul turist sometimes objects to pruning trans planted trees, fearing that by making wounds tho tree will lose a quantity of sap. This, howovor, never follows pruning of transplanted trees or shrubs, for just as soon as the roots are cut all action of the sap is stopped at onco. Tho mouths that supplied it aro severed from tho tieo. Iv fact, auother action rapidly sets in, and that iv v faster downward flow of sap lo the roots, which have bocn this causes a calax to take place at the cut part of the roots, and from this a number of small fibres soon make their appearance, and if not too much wood has been left in tho spring, will Boon make a vigorous growth. Somo people like to prune imme diately after planting, but I would prefoi to wait for a month or six weeks after planting, for by that time any sap which might have been in the branches will have gone to the roots, thus giving to the roots the benefit of all the sap that was in the tree. Thon, by pruning before tbe sap bo gius to rise iv the spring, y uu get rid of all superfluous mouths. The earlier you pro cure jour trees from the nursery now and plant, the better they will do next year Late planting is very objectionable through a great number of causes.

In planting fruit trees, such as pear, apple, plum, cherry, etc., the branches should be cut for the same reasons as those already given. Tho pruning of these tree.. .ill, in it great measure, depend on tho condition of the route at planting. No ii-edor e.uict ruloa can be laid down, as overy tree will need to be dealt, with as the circumstances of e&ph will demand at the time of planting. But it is better to cut away more than is necessary than to leave too much wood. The roots should also be examined, and the ends of all roush ragged ones pared with the knife. In ___--_"_ th- th° Spade' y°u ***•<• almost \ZV IT* a °°"«derablo number of roots, and the cutting of those jagged-ends

is almost imperative, and more especially bo in the caso of stono fruits, for these aro moro liable to canker than somo of the others, and canker often commences at a bruiso on tho roots or branches. In selecting fruit trees where large orchards are being planted, it is hotter always to purchase what arc called one year-old trees ; that is, trees; one year old from tho 1 bud or graft, and more especially so in re spect to peaches and cherries. Young tree., are much the better for transplanting, and the sido shoots, if any, should be cut eon siderably back to within a fow buds of the main stem, and the stems themsolves cut down to wherever you want tho trees to branch out. In respert to apples, poars, plums, whore a few trees only are wanted, it is perhaps better to purchase hrgo established trees. Most nurserymen keep a stock of thorn in hand, so as to suit the claes of custom. If I only wanted say six trees of tho above, I Mould prepare to gettrees two, threo, or even four years from the bud or graft, Of courso, in purchasing theso I would expect to pay considerably more for them than young trees, as the nurseryman must bo paid for the timo thoy are in stook, also for the amount of training thoy ought to have re ceived. (To be Continued.)

STAGE AND STUDIO.

Theatrical and Literary Gossip.

(From Ouk Lo_ no:* C-_be.si'OKD_n_.)

London, April 6, Recu-iAK "first-nighters" are promised a busy timo during the coming Easter holi days. Between now and next Tuesday, upwards of a dozon now plays, not to montion several important revivals, will be produced. The most interesting novelties are fixed for Saturday. First and foremost comesSimß'B long-promised drama of London life at the Adelphi, now finally christenod " The Last Chance " ; then there is a now comedy by tho elevor author of "The Candidate " at tho Opera Uomique entitled "The Excursion Train," and Miss Kate Santley's opera bouffe "Francois the Radical "at tho Royalty. The same even ing tho overgroon Toole returns to his theatre in "Tho Uppor Crust;" Mrs l.angtry plays Lady Ormond in "Peril" for tlio lirst timo in London at tho Princes', and tho Surrey management will revive "Drink." On Monday there is sure to be a mammoth houso at Drury Lane to wel come Carl R-osa and " Maritana," and tho Kendal's frionds will muster in force at tho St. Jumes's to witness tho revivals of "A Quiet Rubber" and "The Queen's Shil ling." "Nemesis" is a failure at tho Comedy Theatre, so tho always safe " Mascotto " takes its placo, pretty Violet Cameron returning to the stage after a year's absence to play tho heroine. Last night Dr. Westland Murston, whom we seldom hear of nowadays, produced a comedy-drama called "Under Fire'at the Vaudeville. I have not, of course, seen it, but judging from theaccounts in the daily papers, I should say the piece will not at tain any very striking measure of success. It seems probablo tho astute Henry Young knew pretty well what he was about whon ho so generously resigned tho right of pro ducing Lord Lytton's "Tunnis" to Mr Wilson Barrett. The piece is—despite favourable press notices—a complete failure, and tho manager of the Princesses', who spont ovor t'lo,ooo in scenery and costumes, finds himself obliged to withdraw it after barely a month's run. The "Silver King " will bo temporarily revived, but a now domestic drama by Mr H. A. Jones is in rehearsal.

The Court Theatre management havo at last scored a genuine and unmistakeable success, "Tho Magistrate," by A. W. Piuero, will be played all over tho world in tho course ot the next two years, and is so innately funny, and so thoroughly coherent, that any overage travelling company must mako a hit with it. The plot of the coined j' is based on tho fact that Mr Poskott, the stipendiary of Mulberry-street Police Court, has married an elderly widow, who wishos to bo thought young. Her looks favour her desires, but, unfortunately, she has a son, a smoothfaced lad of 19. When the good lady weds Poskett, she takes fiyearsoff this young fellow's, agemakingbiui a boy of fourtocn in an Eton jacket, big collars, etc., otc. Ho consents to the decep tion, which naturally carries with it sundry agreeable privileges, such as kiss ing tho girls, sitting on the knees of pretty married women, etc., but stipulates for private rooms at a West End Hotel, whore ho can meet his chums and occasionally dress up to his real age. What sort of embroglio this social lraud leads to, I leavo you to imagine ; eulhce to say that eventually poor Mr Poskett, R.M., after being caught at a disreputable restaurant at two in tho morning, jumps out of a win dow', gets chased by the police, and only escapes just in time to reach Mul berry-street Court, where he accidentally sentences his wife (whom he mistakes when veiled for someone else) to 14 days' imprison ment without option of a fine.

A very strong feeling prevails in musical circles about the disgraceful way in which Mdllo. Van/Candt, theyoungAmerican prima donna, has been driven out of Paris by her rivals. I daresay you remember reading of v strange scene which occurred at tho Opora Comiquc in Paris several months ago. Mdllo. Van Zandt, then a popular idol, was singing for the last timo in "Lukm.,"an opera with which her name had long been famously connected, and the houso was full to overflowing. All went well till the entrance of tho prima donna. She was grootod, as usual, with a storm of applause, but almost immediately it ceased, for everybody at once became aware that the horoine of tho evening was not herself. The young llady first swayed from sido to side, then advanced, as though in a franco, towards tho footlights, opened hor mouth in a vain endeavour to sing, and finally fell heavily to tho ground. Tho curtain was at onco lowored, and tho audience dispersed, charitably attributing tho singer's illness to " Bourbon whisky." Noxt morning the Parisian papers, well nigh with one accord, talked of the "dis graceful seeno "at the Opera, and warned Mdlle. Van Zandt never to appear again in Paris. One journal alone espoused her cause, and took tho trouble to inquire iuto tho circumstances of the catastrophe, with the result that, in a few days, the young prima donna's charaoter was completely cleared, It appoared her illness was caused by tin overdose of a strong vocal restorative which she took prior to stepping on the stage, and that stimulants had nothing whatever to do with it. The evidence on this point proved so overwhelming and conclusive that oven Mdlle. Van Zandt's enemies could not affect to disbelieve it. They persisted, however, in warning hor not to attempt to appear ugain iii Paris, and prophesied-or rather threatened disaster if sho did.

After leaving Paris, Mdlle. Van Zundt went to Russia, and played a brilliant en gagement at the grand opera, her " Lukme" creating a perfect furore. Hor reappearance in Paris was fixed for the Mi-Careme (mid-Lont), but owing to the hostilo attitude of the press, she at first proposed cancelling this contract. M. Carvalto (tho impressario of tho Opera comique), would not, however, assent. He pooh-poohed the threats of the papers, and held Mdlle, Van Zanilt otrictly to her en gagement. It was a foolish thing to do, for everybody knows what trifles suffice to rouso tho Parisian mob. On tho present occasion Mdlle. A'an Zandt'a professional rivals did thoir utmost to work up the popu lace to the idea that public opinion was being defied and outraged. They were well seconded by most of the papers, so that whon the young prima donna stepped on to the stage on tho Wednesday of the Mi Caremc, she had literally scarcely v French friend. Fortunately, the Americans iv 1 uris mustered iv force, and their applause partially drowned tho hooting of tho deque ; moreover, the prima donna was in such glorious voico that even her enemies at length grew silont. Outsido tho theatre, however, was very bad. A furious mob assembled crying " Van Zaiull aPcau,' and the police with difficulty smuggled th . un happy young aingor away through a side door. Of course, there could be but one end to a series of riots such us theso. Mdlle. Van -andt fought valiantly through four stormy performances, then sho again resigned. Each night she sang a mob of 0.000 to 0,000 ruffians lay in wait io* her carriage for hours, und ran ado;- every yohiclo liko so many wild leasts. What they would huvodono Ua,d they caught her uiio shudders to think.

- *_ e m an ''-andt a PPears _. the London Caiety Theatre noxt month in " Lakme," when an attempt will bo made tn recognise her pluckyconduct in somo practical manner -possibly a bcuefit performance .under the Pnncesß of Wales's pat-ronap-o. Tho book of the 'season is "Society in London,' by a "Foreign Resident," which {-as just been issued, at six shillings, by Chatto_ aud Windus. It givos a personal, acute, interesting and, on tho whole, fair

description of tlrdT^9^^ 2r_^*ffi**£fc__ ~T!«.»»»» -J,: >"«. «P. Indeed amoX&«Ws think, on the ___ ?etectiv.T-"-Jfe Griffith* %>il^«l cleverest novlf of ??\U>S' recently. The i5_T **4 I _**. of a Poisoner" uc f ,ineide»t«iA . are just out. ft&.*^4-._. . Annie Thomas?"p;C°»»C< Spender's <«M. vl"?* wi__. ;:OnlyanAetr ß^/.;4M l>"g's "Duke's S^ h ***W been published , Thiti" h».l,'- Nobod>» is the esU f SlliS . Buchanan* ?.*&. able novelette, o ri«_, i.latt>" , ' the . "Graph! e?** ,% r. i* mediately at 3s 6d J* M _ are promised of «M <_?J Alices Memoir.," __ oi' I ..ff ' •'Royal Favour!" AU^^fe gloating ov er JbA____^hS -pronounced by ''T f T- B''V foresting recollection.'?' O and at Mudie'a Mrffi&_*S« of a Crime," Mi«. p.iV^wW \Veird,"anhlXlSt' 0n' s''& in most demand. ,9? °«<_B^. The _ag._i n e S f ot An ,. ** average amount of good ii , hll,'' *tm infinitely® t ». -T* illustrated afcpMnlM ** «C novel by the anC'of»^ "John Herring" (b 0 0 \ h f;W^ very able works) entiUrf.^C Mr Christie Murray',, _.?"'M Cold," is seems to be iff "fi, short tale he pubU^H Magazine" some time LoNer." ltcanboobtai_M7j.i»S^ the first volume of Sfi___>s bors's," M *««» Cluj A capital paper on the « _ ' at Sandringham" makes <<_r*---H buying, but the '< _,»!»!>. deserves little more than_T« nsttat «i' " Longman's " contains tlw„l_j. «l Robert Louis Stevenson'sb_SsSN but is otherwise dull _. d %"* te' man's" und *--_£#-*•'-* numbers. The latter Z _„__'*. Allen's short stories/« pi? t!« Dilemma," which should 2r^ All London rirge at nt2_^ frainofaterribly Kpopiffi _&_k% " What Cheer, Wffij__M Maria). That "talent2H__'« Miss Bessie BeUwoodZ'T^' nightly at different music hi''1. *** Farren hasintroduceditinS.B burlesque with franticS 9» night the critics ware BSSft pit, gallery andevenbdooS chorus. Another comic L H 4 vogue just now has gggfj Brave - olomal Brothers," »JL J* "Too Late,''toGeneMl£L et-f c' the chastest lyrics SSSfeS coherent chorus, sung toil?? tune:— .. TJ :' ™*|

Hoke. Pokey, tiiaS? ffi»* what I mean, . ■ ■ .'otPwi Oh! what a huppy landißEnglm

HUMOROUS GLEANINGS.

An egg in the cup is worth two in tk naL Tears are mustard plaster fo fc to Be good--and jouwiUbeact-ioat," A word in mind is worth tiro in ti fc tionary. -_.: •■

" Who is that across the street?' "ft that is a very close friend of mine.*" «J deed.' " Yes. .Never lendiscent- Edmund _ ates, thedistfafliMedi^i, journalist, who thought goingtogaolint joke, has come to realise tint it in jtfc '' Yes, sir," said Mrs Partington, ««.__£( of ono who had drank himself fo _i " yes, sir ; dissolution his brought ns. man to his grave.1' ,; . : ■

It is said that a bee'__'draw hra times the weight ol its body.. Batitii | by a pull that a 6ee gets tha best ai I victim; it's h_B push, i. "There," said the young husbunj i; Is' placed the paregoric handy Mmpigio bed, "I'm like the prudent Bailor, n_k{ ready for squalls."

Young ladles ata certain WeeternooHtgi are taught howto make bread. White graduate they are known as coDtji-tal women, and are in great demand ititik. keepers. ■ ■ ;--_

" What makes you think yon b.jw husband's ghost last night, '"lit an into ray room and I called bn bin toity but he passed on as if he didn't hac' '' Perhaps it was really your hu-bßad." "Kti I am sure it wasn't. John, poor Join, rail not have dared to go on withoutftojjfe.1 Scene: Unter de Linden, Beik 1 countryman applies to a student 6. fe hitn the shortest way to the police (tifja '•Just step into the jeweller's shop li the road, pick up a diamond bracelet, tia walk straight out, and you rilgelfa iv a few minutes," " Do you know," _aid ia ely youth tobs sweetheart, "do yon know Hut Jfojtt men believe that American giile do rf know what to do with their ins. 6 don't they, eh?" she said,,-'.'"MP show you." And, suiting tie acta W word, she made him think he«_ ins *

press. # ■'■ A now item gives an account otljw man attempting to commit suidd*«™ corkscrew. No doubt he found til t* before he got hold of the corksmU great many men succied in -mm suicide with a corkscrew, by «-«-»« insomecasesyearselapsebeioredMUKi 1 A man called on ataggistfaf*; to cure headache, The fr»*>»' promptly clapped theaminonisWW nose and nearly stifled bWmm his forces ho made a wicked pi-flj1" clerk's head. " Hold on," lefW» individual, " wasn't I q#»! : didlnotcuroyourheadache. W# be hanged," exclaimed t!». an. »» ' wife's got the headache." [, . , ~l Heresis an'incident that fIHgS Oak-street public school: A|f «T sent up to Professor CMnb te «g tion. "Spellchioke D ," S? .th,g "Do you mean a little ohickeaf»» boy. "Well-any chicken,I WgZ Professor, amused at the lad's j»J boy reflected a moment, « " Wouldn't hen do!" He *ftP ,*, and he knew a hen was a c_c_i. wouldn't "do "in this ewe, ■ The milkman never >MR wateris cheap. HenewWS -he is a well man. He has i Kft his stop is always springy. MRJ in the Sumps-he-kiiwWlK His sole is nrtbewrtSSX He is not loud-his patrons «"** bothered with his cream. '~. "

Sonic New Geography.

Or what is tho surfaco of ,»|># posed '! o«i -)Jg iv l 1 Of corner lots, m.ghtvFj^ road tracks, cricket fields, m "wkitportianoftliogto^ii; About three-fourths. S*W» add a littlo gin aud nuttnegw "• What is a town? a, nolktico' A town is a ebiHHbnl* |^ tf {• houses and tohabitoi* W^^ menwho"rinthep«rty »»»'. at lo per cent, interest, WliatisaUrty? o M |{,! A city is an incorporated WJ Mayor who believes "* ;Vfot(»' shakes when he happens to,^" cross-walk. What is counaerce. Borrowing £5 for a day or W ingtholenderforayearof.W*' Kamelbe different race,. Uor.e-race, boat-race, bl racing around to find a bib .* ---n- -__« fe Into how many clas6eß .. divided? . , .-iW, ii»f S e^-Bnhgbtened,««^,^ Used, savage, too utter, not wr and Indian agents, en y g htes»o- What nations are WMgfcrf Those which have the mc^^ worst laws, a^ H ll Wfiffl,, [low many uiotion^MW^j., That's according to wy boß » drinfes and which way yong, What causes day »? dJSi&if 2 Dayiscaus^bynigh^jw^ Night is caused by WW, '^o street cars and going home. 1 What is a map! ' MRii Amapisa^SygaW 1*8' where Smith stood MM"*'. lift under tho eyo. _^^ Whatisamarmertc^»».

THB AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1885.

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n.-!^ 0_?? 9 _ CORNS."-__. (orWeII.VR.UBI, ._ c,rni Quick relief, complete, pero—Ueut cure. Coma, war _, - —_siUums, fr.-uj t Do.. Am., A-_j_____.