SPORTING.

Hawkksbuk* Guineas -Bept«nb<ir JO. HAWKKhBUHY II ANl>.C>l\—-epielnUt r 12. A.J (!. Dehby. S,ut-".li, i-19. Great Alktuopoutan stakks. -Sept. 2i. CAULFtttLO HUINKAS.-Oortiber 10. Caulfield Our.—October 17. V.R.C. Derby.- OBober 31. Melbourne our. —No vein bnr 3. Napikr Sl'Uino HANDiCAi'.-October 8. N.Z CUP.—November 10. Cantehisu ry Bunny.—No vonVber la.

Te Correspondents.

Ekwi (Cambridge).-WM answer your quoation next week. F.G.—Both Foul Shot and Derrlntrer aro en- Kaged in the next Auokland Derby. BAP (1) St. John lH croditcd with havlnf? run tho fastoßt mile in Australia, viz., 2mlns SJ^ecs (2) Mirtini-Honry'a time for the Melbourne tiup lms never been beaten.

Fanny Fisrißw (Whanirorai).-In tho £.J.C. Haiidlo.il. of 183), Le L .up defeated Pisa torimia «y two !cn*th». Foul PI >y bein; a fair third. Pisuiitori <v- wn ridden by N«l«n. und (iWrtnd witu too odds of I'JJo 1 Again-t him.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

The Auckland Kacing C.ub havo got over the handioappinsc difficulty by appointing Mr J. O. Evutt to fill the position. This now makes Mr Evett weight apportioner for the principal Clubs in the North Island, and by travelling to the several meetings, and witnessing the running, otc., of the horses, he should be able to give a fair amount of satisfaction at least.

The negotiations which havo been pending between Mr W Proffifct and Mr I. Martin for the purcha^eof MaOironi and Scrutineer wero concluded in tha early part of tho week, and tho puir are now the property of the Napier trainer. Tho price p*id was iiOi) guineas. J. Rae informs mo that during the past season he rode in 28 races, of which ho won five, was second seven times, third six times, and ten times unplaced. It may perhaps be interesting to know that during the two eeasons Rao Had Chandler under his charge, ho started in 38 races, of which ho won six teen, was nine times second, and seven times third. The last event Chandler won previous to his death ww the Cambridge Spring Stoepleclia»e. I loam from Sydney that among the largo number of horses in work at Rand wick, nono aro looking or going better than the Hon W. tlobinmin'n Stviug. One of tha scril>o.-' .-says that Vanguard looks very well,and should bu very handy in the Spring events. Thundeibalt is abouo an woll as his most sanguine friends could deaire, while Liverpool, Oudeis, and Winchester should bo hoard of at Fleming ton.

The contractor for the new grand stand at Ellerslie is making good progress with the work, and the concrete fonm'ation was completed in the early part of the week. There has been some extensive wagering lately on the big Spring events of the Australian turf. For the V.R.C. Derby, a commission has been executed by a Sydney raetallician, who has backed Newstead to win about £10,000 at sevens, sixes, and fives to ono, the be3t offer about the un beaten son of Neckersgat being now four thousand to a thousand. Dunlop and Monte Christo have each been backed at ten to one, and Nordenfeldt and Thunderbolt have been befriended at 1.000 to 80, with tho takers willing to go on at that price. For the Melbourne Cup, Liverpool has been supported to win £20,000, and Coronet is in great demand at 100 to 5, but with no layers. The "Sportsman" of the sth gives the following quotations: — "V.B.C. Derby. 1 000 to 250 Newstead (off) 1.000 to 100 Dunlop (tk aud wtd) 1 000 to 100 Mocte Christo (tk) 1,000 to 80 Uralla (off) Melbourne Cup. l,oooto6oUoronet(wta) 1,000 to 60 Commotion (tk) 1,000 to 30 July (tk nnd off) 1.000 to 30 St. John (tk and off* 1,000 10 ») Ht'Kinuld (tk) !,OHO to 80 Liverpool (tk and wtd) 1,000 to 30 Mnnr.bcater (tki 1,000 to*' w^nillum Papers to hand show that Turquoise Ima coinfiin fora lot oi attention in thoSouth for j the Now Zonland Cup. In Christclmreh, I the son nf Tubal O.iin ims heon befriomlod to win cloao on £'5,00*1. at pi iocs %'myitig from 100 to 7 to 100 to IA uhilo hi Dmiuiin ho h .8 also been backer! for n good amount. Take Miss (;ue hitlf-i-Lsler to Welcome Jack) has ulso been weil supported at 100 to 6, and nearly 1,000 hns been written against Ike at 100 to 7 and 8. The following are tho latest quotations : — N.Z. Ct7P. 100 to lOagjt Captain Webster (off) ing _ io TurquoUu {lk ti) £00 _ 8 Lo^hlel <tk) 100 - 8 Iko (off) 100 - 7 Ta'<o Mis (off) 100 _ 6 Nelson. Lady Kmma, Hanlan, and 3 m'-wester (oft) *> 100-5 Wapiti (off. 100 _ S Fn iln-ic UK and off) 100-5 — July (off) 100 —■ i fcoudan (tk and off) The local " eport," Mr .r. Keane, i 3 having new and commodious stables erected at Ellerslie. The team in charge of B. Kelly, consisting of Mystery. Revengo, and Luck penny, will be shifted there when t.ue stables are completed. The following interesting table showing ■the past form of the horses left hi the jN.Z. Cup, compiled by "Miizeppa." wilidoubtless be parused with interest by my readers : — " ~ Huntm ig Turquoise .. - « 12 5 3 6 £1700 Mlai>lr Rrwfi * * A — luia XtlOt'.rL LWiav. •• I\ 1 I 4 Bfl Johnny Faulkner .7 j I 1 | M 0 a2Kt«:: :: « » v j « u» Kelson .. •• 22 J f 4 5 Neokla-se .. ■■ » & ,} ~. „< °™ Administrator ~ 58 20 11 1 -> 1h37 Forerunner.. "• I-f _ ? _ g" gr^ma- -Tj I- » U 2 « B*7o CaPtf Webster:: 20 10 * _3 " J Jgg •• oi r ft t 7 in 7 Charmer .. ■■ S "7 i i ?S Alpine Koso .. 8 i_B - 1 2 0 Take Miss . .. J z . * $* ■ BvrertonLad .. » 1 \ ± \ *f Mtaer^ " "71 H 13 17 31 1100 IffeToT :: :: 9* » l g Jj « # Moana •• •• ~< ~ _ _ _ Archduke .. -■ - - - ~ - _ Hanlan .. - \ \ ~ i % lTusilade •• •• ? J ~ "7 i , Derwenter .. •• l - - i — Mlsfoctuno fllly .. - - - - - - Q Spade Guinea .. 7 — 1 * * j- v Hollywood .. .. — — — „ ~ Rubezihl •• •• ? J J 1 3 S g«- " ::l 3-111 15 I notice that Sunray's name appears amonp the nominations for the Northern Hunt Club Cup, run at Randwick on Satur day next. , , , Welcome Jack isreported to be doing good work at Flemington.and it is (said will take nart in the Hawkesbury and A.J.C. ' Meetings. The erstwhile New Zealand crack has been backod for tho Caulfield Cup to win £11,000, and ia now quoted for the event at 100 to 3 (tk and off). The Sydney correspondent of the "Aus tralasian," in the course of hie remarks on the horses in training at Randwick, has the following anent the Hon. J. White's team ;— ilexham, the own brother to Morpeth, was accompanied by Despot, both looking well. Kordenfeldt, with Matchlock for a com panion, ran a strong mile, the pair giving every Bign of having done Bound work. The son of Muskec haa a etylc of getting over the ground something like his celebrated relation, Martini-Henry, but whether ho will ever'turn out such a ilyer ia another question ; however pieEeat appearances are all in his favour. Uralla ia simply a picture ; her style of going is something to remember, while she ia more forward than others of the etring. Lennox is a colt I have a great • fancy for; this' morning he worked with Percussion, and Mon'e Chrieto, Abner, and Clarendon are doing nicely. Mr Andrew Young haa purchased The Poet and Minerva right out, and it ia probable that the pair will undergo their Stew Zealand Cup preparation under Mr X H. Hill'a supervision. The Wellington Racing Club made a profit of over £200 upon their Steeplechase Meeting, and intend holding their Spring Meeting at the end tf November. Mr H. Redwood's colt Sprit, by Rama jann—Spritsail, has come into notice in Dunedin for the C.J.C. Derby, a few centuries being written down about him at prices ranging from 100 to 8 to 100 to 12. The nominations for the next Geraldine Handicap, which the last three years has civen the key to the winner of the big event of the Canterbury JC. Spring Meeting, are as follows: —Ironsides, Fußillade, Ike, Lochiel, Take Miss. Tim Whiffler, Fusilier, Charmer, Billy, Vinco, Grand Duke, Soul- -; ' wester, July, Rooket, and Puck. One of the local sweep promoter- inform* me that he haß information to the effect that » Mr Hobbs's Gaming and Lotteries Bill jgWSk cornea into ioreo on tho Ist of November,

The Committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club have adopted (ho programmes for I heir Spring1 »nd Anlninn Meetings. Tlio November Meeting is to bo held on Nov 28 and "0, £i,;~iO hoing fiiu amount

iwn in stake". The principal events are Ui'jSi. And row's Handicipot SOOaovs, ami the President's Handicap of 200stivs At the February Meeting the added money amounts to £3,775. The principal race, tlio Dunedin Cup, remains at l.OOOsovs; the Jockey Club Handicap at 40030vb; the Forbury Handicap at 300sovs; the Cham pagne at 250sovs ; the City Stakes Handi cap, for two-year-olds, at 200sovg; the Marshall Memorial Stakes at 150aovs ; and the Stesplechase at 150sova. Silver King lias been heavily backed to win the Great Metropolitan Stakes, and is quoted first favourite at 100 to 7 (taken), while Vanguard has been supported at 100's to 5. Kingsdale is favourite for the Hawkosbury Handicap For two or three days previous to the first forfeit for the Melbourne Cup, a rumour got abroad that as Commotion had betid heavily backed for the groat evoat by persnns outside his own stable, he would be withdrawn. The rumour caused a great amount, of excitement in Molbourno turf circles. The "Sportsman" devotes a leader to the subject, and states tliat it i* whispered Mr Pearson hat bucknd Arsenal, a three year-old son of Goldsborough and Powder, lor the Cup. .There may be some truth in the statement, too, for a com mission was thrown in the market lately on behalf of the colt, and bo was backed to win £20,000. What weeping there will be among backers throughout the length and breadth of Australia and New Zealand should anything go wrong with Commotion before the day. " Sir Launcolot " states that Tasman has been scratched for tho Melbourne Cup. His scratching was receivoH by theSecrotary of the Christchurch Jockey Club, but not cabled to Melbourno. Trenton and July stili remain in.

At the annual meeting of the Victoria Racing Club, the Secretary, Mr Byron Moorot explained that it had not been attempted to put down cash botting, tho club having only abolished the numbered postson the Hill used as bookmakers' stands, ("a^h betting was not illegal, except nt places constructed to mean business establishments. Mr K. S. Wakoloy was nppoiiifod to the position of judge, vice Mr J. Johnston, deceased.

Buckingham, tho son of Chandoa and Lady Chester, who was so highly thought of a couple of snuaons back, lately succumbed to an attack uf strangles.

The nrinuril meeting of the Otahuhu P-ncing Club takes place tonight (Satur day) Mr W. Stock, of Napier, who has been on a visit here this week, has purchased Randwick for stud purposes. He was shipped for his hew homo yesterday. Mr A. Halinbourg's St. Lawrence, who hns been supported to win the Caulfield Cup to the extent of £20,000, was among tho starters for the Winter Handicap at tho Geelong Meeting, but ha had to be contont with running second to Don caster, an aged horse, by Angler or Piscater out of- Badinage. Donoaster at one time was owned by Mr H, Haines, and will be remembered by the brilliant dash of foot he displayed in Morpeth's Australian Cup, when with Ost 101b in the saddle he led his field for over a mile and three quarters. From "Augur's" notes I take the fol lowing : —Amontr the visitors to Flemington on Saturday was the Hon. W. Robinson, of Now Zealand. He took a lively interest in the proceedings, and seemed to be well pleased with Flemington. In conversation with the Hon. James White, who also was present, the .New South Wales sportsman informed me that Martini-Henry was growing into a very grand horse, which I can easily imagine, for when I saw him only a few months ago the son of Musket had improved considerably With such mares as he will have at Kirkham I don't think there need be any fear respecting hia future as a stud horse. Mr White spoke very hnpnfully of hi=< three-year-olds, and didn't, seem to fearannthti mco'ing nithNewstead. Rn( whinh i* the boot of rim lot thut will carry tho blne-ftnrf-whitc bininnr? Thi« is ,i ij'.iiwtioti whlnb rmamvincithorMr White j nor his (-minor can uji.-wcr. Sinca iticii^ i was firar iHf:ihii-lii:'i. in Australia nu racing I man hr-s ever po-sesr^d stic-li :» !"O'l i>; I s.hroe-ywr-oM rai«nr, f.iid it will bo h clever

man indeed whoiuui, within Mm next month, discover which i- uutiUed to the premier position. I'm jrl"l' '<> hear that (he fears respecting Nordenfeldt's legs have vanished. Percussion is doing so well that her owner regrets she was not more freely entered for tho good things of the Victorian Racing Club. If all goea well with thia Maori lndy, tho visitors to the V.R.C. Spring meeting will see a very fine filly when she walks out on to the Flemington track. T.ennox, Mr White also speaks hopefully of j and with euch a reserve force as Monte Christo, Uralla, Matchlock, and Morpeth's brother, it will be hard, indeed, if the cam paign is not a successful one. I may mention that Percussion is a daughter of Musket and Sister Agnes, and was pur chr.st'd for 230 guineas at tho first sale the N.Z Stud Company held in Sydney. Ladies " wear the breeches " occasionally at home in Australia, but up to the present womeuV right? have scarcely extended in this country us far as wearing the un mentionables on racecourses. A novol application has been made to tho Belginn Jockey Clul> by a l.iugß lady (Madam Siroo bant") for permission to ride in gentlcmeuV races. She declares that, in tho event of her application not being entertained, she will go to the scales and insist on her right to be weighed as a jockey in the ordinary course. She has entered a horse of her own in the Prix dea Dames at Louvain, and declares her intention of riding! No indication is given of how sho intends to overcome the breeches and boots difficulty, or what she will do about coloura.

At the annual meeting of the Victorian Club, a proposal that members ehould b» divided into private members and book makers caused a warm discussion, and the rule was eventually struck out.

It may be interesting to my readers to know that the number of ways in which it is possible for the 165 horses entered for the Melbourne Cup to be " placed "-that is, first, second, and third—is 4,410,780.

Parachute (the dam" of Mr P. Butler's Tim Whiffler and tho well-performed Jessie), met with her death in a New South Wales country town lately. She was chased by dogs into a waterhole, breaking her ehoulder, and in that helpless condition was drowned before assistance arrived. Para chute was the property of Mr W. Dargin.

Fred Archer is reported to have won a treble event bet of £30,000 over this year's Two Thousand, Derby, and Oaks.

" Nemo " thinks the winner of the Great Metropolitan Stakes will come from one of the following:—Prince Imperial, Sheet Anchor, Moonshee, Welcome Jack, Reg inald, Anchorite, Despot, Caliban, Honey dew, and First Demon.

Mr Robert Peck's two-year-old The Bard continues his victorious career in the old country, for at the Ascotmeeti.ig ho won the Biennial Stakes, this being his twelfth sue ceasivo triumph. Ho hus proved a perfect mine of wealth to Robert Peck, this success having brought the value of his winnings up to £6,908 12s, a nice little sum to win with a youngster in throe months.

THE GARDEN.

[By Homes.]

Calendar of Operations, August 15,

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Palms (P-t Plants, Auckland). -Most of the vurieties of tho pain; will grow well In the greenhouse, and no bettor plunt can be u-od for occwi mal table decoration while tbe plants ate young. A few planu, therefore, should always be grown for tjie purpose. They display a splendid foliage, look well moßt pan o( the year, and are very easily grown. The soil used should consist of equal pirta of loam, peat, leafmuld, with plenty of cani. They require p'.euty of waterandgood drdictaze, and grow fesc in comparatively small pot>.

Colkus Cuttings (Amateur).—lf you have artificial heot joumight strike a few puttings but as you have only v uold frame, it would be bettor to let them stand for a few weeks jot. Sjmeiimes, when they are taken off too early, they simply die off, and theoid plant at tho same time dies from blending. The best mixture to Btrike the cuttings in U of - k'oud rutted turf, well-rotted i> anuie, and plenty of sand, or have halt the mixture rand. Afterwards pot off into a strongei mixture. Dessert Apples (T. P., jun.) Duohess of O den burgh 1b classified us an early cm ma y or dessert apple of the lirst quality; Coxa Orm.go Pippin, dessert apple only; Lady Hennikor, oliioflu valuaale as a cooking variety, but useful also in dessert; King of Tonipkina Courny Am«ii-andeßs«t! American Golden liusaet, va liable deis-rt: Peasgoods None men, cullniry or dessert; Domino, culinary. Robioaon'o Superb and 1 e.3y'a Sweet nttmeii" Honed in "Hogg's Fruit Manual"of IBBt or 1875 Perhaps buhu' of myreaders canolassify tLe two last mentioned varieties.

Cleaning and Fainting Vinea. All plants grown under glaaa are more or less subject to the attacks of insect life, and the vine is one of these. I have seen vines covered with red spiders, mealy bug, etc.. Now, by a little attention towards the

cleaning of the cane during the winter, and a thorough repaiutiog r.nd cleaning of tho Loire, with n-.kljfato uttaniion during tlio

■."owitip period, vinci may bo kept iilriiiwt | free of insert iifo. After (iruiHiitf r-ho vine, take and scrape all tha rough bark nil, miking ijio bark smooth Then paint all the cane with a solution of Gishurst com pound, in the proportion of Costs, to the gallon of water. Renew this painting two or three times before the vine starts into growth. There is another method which is practised a good deal, namely, the old method of Buffouating by a mixture of clay, cow-manure, sulphur, soft soap, and to bacco-water, mixed into the consistency of thin paste. The above mixture is put on with a brush, filling up all crevices and the hole of the cane of vine. The above ia an old and effective method. I will give another, which is highly recommended. Stop all holes and cracks in the stems and spurs of the vine with pure Gishurst com pound and paint with thefollowing mixture : —To three quarts of finely-silted clay of a tenacious character add half-a-pint of gas tar ; work these into a paste, then reduce with boiling water to tho consistency of thin paste, and paint tho vines with this whon cold. After tho vines break in the spring, examine them once a week, and if any insect life appear, apply methylated spirits with a small brush before they bavo time to breed. <woid all mineral-oils - thore is great danger in using them. I have known vines spoiled for a season by using them. There havo been, from timeto time, strong discussions about tha practice of taking a portion of bark off the vinos every season. Some say that it is detrimental. I havo never heard any good reasons proving it does in jury. In fact, all has simply be unsup ported assertion, not in any way borne out by results. At one period I was a journey man gardener in a largo place at Home, and tho practice of partially barking and paint ing was carried out every winter. During three seasons tho grapes from those vines wero taking fir^t and second prizes at all the principal shows in Scotland, and all over Britain there are as fine grapes grown by tho gardeners who porsietently practise it as by those who oppose tho system. And anyoue acquainted with insect life on plants will know how easy it is to get rid of those insects on smooth bark, and how difficult a process it sometimes is when the bark is rough. I would therefoto recom mend all l'uiigli bark to tie taken off every season. After the vinos aro cleaned and painted, the house should receive a thorough overhaul, wood-wcrk and glass washed with warm water and soap, cltaning out every irevice, brick-work a good coat of lime wash, even the wires wash. If tho surface inside the house be soiled, and the vines planted outaide, give tho floor a good heavy watering with salt and water, then tie the canes in bows at tho front of the house till they begin to break, giving all the possible air you can.

SOUTH SEA LETTERS.

(By our Special Rkpoktkk with the

Janet Nicoll )

The Religious Difficulty in Tonßa,

Tonga has neither grog-shops nor lawyers, and is thus saved an ir Unity of evils; but it has parsons, and through the lattor the little kingdom is threatened with a trouble big enough to cause anarchy and internecine war. Though the readers of the Star have hoard a good deal about the present religious "secession" and "persecution" in Tonga, they may care to hear still a little more from one who has examined for him polf into the causes of the difficulty and come to independent conclusions on the subject. Tho statements which have been made to mo have been most conflicting, and instead of reproducing them and leaving the reader in as great a fog as before as to tho rights of the question, I will simply give my conclusions from a careful sifting of the evidence. Let me only say that I was at piains to interview the Key. Mr Moulton. Chuirmnn of the Wteleyan Mission; Uev. ohir'ey W. Baker, Premier of Tonga ; seven I T.njrlifh j<entlumcn on both siiles, besi'lus a Ihw native.", and the opinions I inivi- formed, whether irronoous or other v. ln>. are the honest OHtcomo of enquiries miiiie without prejudice or prepoui^ession. Whit, then i* 'ho trouble, and how did it originutt) ? The trouble is simply this : M he Premior has c»)led into existence the Free Church of Tonga, and has urged all natives who love the King to come out of tho Wesleyan Church and join this new creation. Ihe great majority of the natives, especially at tho Haapai and Vavau Islunds, have obeyed the summons, and are now using a variety of coarcive measures to per suade the minority to do likewiso. The " persecutions," which the Premier is either unable or unwilling to stoy, chiefly take the form of fearful threats to clay, burn, Qr drive into the sea; but occasionally they take the form of actual violence, and many churches belonging to the Wesleyan de nomination have, it is said, been forcibly seized by the minions of the Free Church, whoso methods would appoar to be more free than welcome. It is not easy to fix the initial stage in the rupture botween Mr Baker and the Wosleyans, which is the direct cause of tho present trouble ; it may, however, «afoly be taken back to 18SQ, the year in which Mr Baker resigned his con nection with the Wesleyan Conference. Prior to this, he had applied for five years' release from hia missionary duties in order to act as Premier of the Kingdom, but the Conference declined to grant his request. Those who givo to Tongan affairs a high international significance maintain that tho attitude of the Conference was instiga ted by Sir Arthur Gordon, thon High Com missioner of the South Pacific, who wished to annex Tonga to the British Crown, and therefore strenuously opposed Mr Buker's labours in tho direction of (strengthening tho Tonga Government The Conference ordered Mr Baker to remove from Tonga, but that gentleman declined to obey,und re signed his position. While I cannot bring mysolfto believe that British designs on Tonga had anything to do with the matter, it ia an undeniable fact that at tho present day the Wesleyan ov Moulton faction is closely identified with the English influence in tho islands, while the State Church or Baker party poae as patriotic upholders of the independence of Tonga. History hns repeated itself, with a long interval of time and space, in the mattor of the attitude of YVesleyans towards the secular power. The founder of Wesleyanism was accused in England of being a revolu tionary with sinister designs on the State; a similar charge ia now made against Key. Mr Moulton in Tonga; and there is probably an much truth in the one accusation as in the other.

When ho severed his connection with tho Wesleyan Conference, Mr Baker became Premier of Tonga, and it was but natural in the circumstances that he should feel a little resentment towards his former supeiiors in the Wesleyan communion. Tho Conference had ordered him out of Tonga, but instead of going he established himself more firmly, and endowed himself with the power of an absolute monarch. He now proceeded to use his power, and giving the Conference a Roland for their. Oliver, he virtually ordered them to with draw from Tonga. His first proposal, made in tho name of the King of course, waa that the Wesleyan Ghurcli in Tonga should be placed on the same footing as that of Now Zealand—self-supporting and self-eovern inj;, under the auspice of thq Conference. The Conference declined to mako the con cession ; King George insisted upon it; and then Mr Moulton is said to have expressed himself bo strongly that the king took offence and withdrew to Vavau. Up to that time tho king had b.eon on cordial and intimate terms with Mr Moulton : but he has since declined to hold '. any communication with him ; and tho; breach has been steadily widening. Mpro than a year ago Mr Baker made a lengthy statement on the subject of the dispute to the Conference Committee on 'tongan affairs, in which he admitted great personal animosity between Mr Moulton and himself and warned tbe Conference that if they re appointed Mr Moulton to the Tonga circuit after he had been three years there, secession would take place. " which woujd not be a seoeßsion frora Methodism, but from Mr Moulton." Still the Conference would not be warned. In August of 18fj4, Tubou Malolii, the king's aide-de-camp, addressed a letter to the Rev. l)r. Wangh, President of the Wesleyan General Conference, -pre ferring, on behalf of the king, a request that the Tonga Wesleyan Church should be attached to the New Zealand Conference. This desire wo? then most importunately urged, and failing co npliance with it, it was suggested that the Wesleyan Church, " should retire altogether from Tonga, and so prevent that secession which must take place should tbe General Conference not interfere in the matter." Two months later, Mr Baker, in a letter to Dr Waugh, made substantially the same request and hinted at the same alternative. Again the Conference chose to be both blind and deaf, and the secession so long threatened, and seemingly so reluctantly resolved upon, at last took place.

The real moving cause of (,ho secession I v.nv.id e^prrsn in throo wordo—" dntnin.Viinn

aru! -lollara '" Multitude* of other iwikpih'| art> nllogcxi, snej) an bronchos of Methodist .liiiCiplint) by Mr Moultou and fclio By»lu#y Continence, personal quarrel between Ml' Monllon anfl the King, or bet.weon tho first named and Air Baker, BritiHh annexa tion schemes, and most wonderful of all, an ambition on Mr Baker's part to be a Bishop and wield the supremo power in spiritual as well as in temporal matters i These and other reasons may be set aside as either unfounded or frivolous, and the true reasons may be gathored from a letter addressed in February of this year by Mr Baker to Mr Moulton. In this document, printed in tho " Tonga White Book," the writer points outthat theprinciples.services, and doctrinos of tho Free Church of Tonga remain pure Wosleyan, and the only points in which there is any difference are :— "1. Tbo Church of Tonga is independent of tho colonies.

2. It has the management of its own funds."

There is, I conceive, the whole question in a nutshell - domination and dollars, and as some irreverent friend at my elbow remarks—particularly tho dollars. An in telligent Tongan, who was rathor proud of his ability to express himself in JBoglUh, put it thus to mo: —" Mitla Baka, ho good man; want to keep money in Tonga ; Mitta Mot ton want to send money to Sydney—he bad man !" My private opinion is that the question of domination had more to do with tho secession than tho dollars. Mr Baker could not fail to perceive that ho who was tho religious head of the Tongans was the real wiolder of political power, and as he was forced to exchange tho religious for tho civil ascendancy, ho saw tho necessity for crushing out tho rival ecclosiastical power, which he alleged was continually inciting tho peoplo to sedition. Had it simply been a quostion of dollars, all Mr Baker's attempts at compromise aud conciliation would not have saved him from being convicted of black ingrati tudo in taking tho final step which severed the connection with the Wes leyan Church. He admitted to me that the Wosleyan Church had oxpended from £1,200 t0£2,000 a year in Tonga for 20 yoars before tho native ohurch became sell supporting, and this represents a dobt of from £30,000 to £40,000 which Tonga owes to Wesleyan missionary zoal. Ido not ignore tho fact that tbo native Tongans havo of lato yoars contributed most liborally to the Church funds, some jears giving the magnifieont total of £17,000 ; but the most of thisvins expanded in Tonga, and very little went to other missions. If tho rationale of the Tnntja Secession is simply to retain tho few

thousand pounds per annum which tho native church contributed to tho Sydnoy Conforonco, I should not hesitate to do nounco the movement ac tho most des pioablo and unworthy that had ovor boon prginated in tho name of religion. But such a theory is on the face of it absurd, for it tho Tongans only wished to retain their money, nothing was easier for them than to limit their contributions to tho self supporting point. The Free Church is, however, a distinctly political move, and is well-conceived in tho interests of Tongan unity and indopondenco. Tho unity may not bo attained without more trouble, but it is certain to como, as already the Wes leyans, who formerly claitood the whole population (with tho oxception of a Roman : Catholic fraction) as their adherents, admit that their flock does not now exceed four thousand. This beneficial political chango,

I am prepared to grant, has been to a great extent brought about by private quarrels and grudgo*, in accordance with tho proverb which says " Tho steed of friendship goes all the better for having the thistle of hatred under h s tail!"

Turning to a consideration of tho so called " persecutions" which have marked tho inauguration of the Freo Church of Tonga, it does not appear that thero is any gravo cause for complaint. Coitainly every thing has not b"en quito oi regie, or accord ing to the Constitution, which somewhat

inflatedly declares that "tho people of Tonga shall bo for ever freo," and that " all men aro freo to porform their worship and to worship God as thuy may doom fit in accordance with the

ilicta'es of their own consciences." Thus it is undoubted that many churches, which wore uiado over by deed to the Wosleyan Conference, hays been forcibly aoi/ad ; natives have been banished from their native villages and subjected to in dignities ; and threats have buon made by some of tho chiefa und officials belonging to tho Froe Church that thoy would hang, shoot, burn, and drive into tho eea such natives as would not loavo tho U'esloyan Church. A number of rocont instances of theso threats by chiofs were narrated to me by Mr Moulton and Mr Crosby. In one case they said two women wero taken to a place on tho coast where tho surf breaks with tremendous force, .and wore

told that if thoy did not join tho Froe Church they would bo thrown into the sea. Under the influence of terror thoy promised to do so, but when they wore froo from their persecutors they attached themselves again to tho VVosleyan Church. Gor.erally speaking, however, the persecution takes the shape of a mild form of coeroion, no strouger than social picture would be uccounted in a European commu nity. As for the ohurch buildings alleged to hove been illegally seized, that resolves itself into a civil dispute, This disputa Mr Baker wished to have roferrcd to the Tonga Courts, but Mr Moulton was too wise to adopt such a course, and has placed tho mattor before the High Commissioner of tho South Pacific In tho mattor of " persecu tion," tho Tonga Christians have indeed shown a great advance on tho methods of our European ancestors, with whom tho rack, tho stake, and the dungeon were among tho merciful meanß employed to turn horeticw into the right way. Soruo anxioty will bo felt until new.-! roiicho< us of tho ry suit of the King's visit to Tonuatabuf ac companied by aru)O.i band.4 of tho loyal men of Vavau ; but from tho now peaceful character of the people it is safe to conclude that no disturbance will

take placo unless the disaffected eoction of tho natives offer pome ranrked plight or direct insult to the king. For tho rest, most people will agroo that tho quarrel, as it stands, ia but another exemplification of how modern Christians " love " each othor,

besides showing how readily tho untutored savage londs himself to intolerance and potty persecution.

THE "EARLY DAYS" OF NEW ZEALAND JOURNALISM.

Tiirough the courtesy of Mr Cheeseman, the learned curator of the Auckland Museum, the writer has been enabled to examine the collection of old l»ew Zealand newspapers therein preserved, and to prepare the following account of thorn. The docu ments in question are not now re placonblc should they unfortunately be loet or destroyed, and are consequently extremely precious. Their appe.iraiice, however, is not much in their favour; their looks, liko Dick Doadeyw's, are "uyiu Vm." Glanced at cursorily, they aro a tattered, torn, and—not dirty - but decidedly dis coloured lot, with cuch en uttor absenco of the bloom of youth that their antiquity might be judged to be several timo? greater than it really ia. A3 to fiize, they consist mostly, with the exceptions noted further on, of a demy eheet once folded,thus making four pngoa. Thooldest local newspaper in the Museum collection is a copy of " The Now Zealand Advertisor and Bay of Islands Gazette," which was published at Kor'orareka on Thursday, Doc. 10th, 1840. This was the twenty seventh number. An older issue, viz., the sixteonth, is exhibited in a glazud frame in the Free Public Library, and for colour would do credit to an Egyptian papyrus of thb date of Joseph's Hharoah. Tho one before us, No. 27, is interesting as containing un advertisement signed by Willoughby Shortland, Colonial Seerotary, announcing that sections numbered 3, 4, 7, 8,: 16, and 17 of the town of Auckland, each containing half an acre more or less, would be sold by auction on the spot by the Colonial Treasurer, on the Bth of March, 1841. Dr. Thomson, in his "Story of New Zealand," tells us that forty-one .town acrea brought the respectable average price of £595 each, a, sum which not unnaturally excited the surprise Qf the Wellington settlers. No 27 of the "Advertiser" also furnishes sailing direc tions foy vessels entering the port ot Auck land. Mr Gibbs, CJerk of Kororareka Church, intimates that' he will open a schpo) on the 14th task, and that references are permitted to the Rev. Mr Burrows. The paper comprises' twelve columns, of which about five and a-half are advertisements

The publication of the " Government Gazette" originated accidentally out of a dispute, for in the first number issued (dated December 80th, 1840) it is an nounced that aa the editors of the "New Zealand Advertiser" had deolined to publish Government advertisements, the present mode of making them public was adopted. If New Zealand were canvassed to day, it ia probable that not oneeditoreo inde

pendent as tn refuro Government ad vertise menf-f! would bo found. No. 1, which cnnfi."t3 of four |)fi;»w» (|>i.iilo, is exceptionally w.JI

printed, mid i< ni.T.icnpenriruly ofudvtjHisi* lneui- i^iufinr in hui'J claims, irt M'hich tho uamu of Busby appear* frequently, Tlm imprint runt- Inu*:-" Paihia: Friutod at the press of the Church Missionary Society."

There are two other antique copies of the Government Gazette hero, both brown with age, fragile as to texturo, and in sizo rather longer than tho last namod. Thoy do not consist merely of official advertisements, but news is introduced, and tho remaining apaco filled up with auction and other trade announcements. No, 12, dated May 6th, 1841, givet an account of tho Declara tion of the Independence of Now Zealand, i.e., its separation from New South Wales, aud doacribes the festivities, which om bracod an illumination and a banquet given Ly Henry Thompson, Esq. The names ot his guests will prove an interesting morceau to a number of " old idontitios," calculated to rovivo memories of the antediluvian times of Auckland:—Captains Beokham, Anwyl and 1'oil; Dr. Daniel Pollen, and Messrs Robert Fitzgerald, Frederick Whitaker, John Scott, A. S. Grahamo, Alex. Kennedy, Eugeno Cafler, and John Hoggard. Tho imprint of this number ot tho Gazette discloses tho name AC. A. Eager as tho printer. The nine teenth issue, dated Kororareka, July 15th, 18-11, is a fellow of tho last named. Tho most noteworthy advortisemsnt of this number is tho Prospectus of " Tho New Zealand Herald and Auckland Gazette," which was to bo published weekly at Auck land. Tbo subscription was set down at 10s per quarter, payable in advance, or Is for a singlo copy. It is evident that peoplo who wanted to know what news was stirring had to pay for tho privilege in those days. This 19th number of the "Government Gazette" must have boon ono of tho last publishod at Kororareka, for after July, 1841, the paper came out at tho eeat of Government, Auckland.

The " Bay of Island* Observer " next on gages tho attention This is No. 20, and was published on 7th July, 1842, atKorora reka. The ' Observer " made its appear ance ovory Thursday morning, and the cost {or a single number was one shilling. The charge for advertisements was 3s 6d for twelve lines and under, and 3d for every lino after. Tho imprint announces it to have buon edited, printed, and published by J. Norman. In tho adver tisement columns tho nnmo of Mt>s?rs Nathan and Jopepli appears frequently. Mr Robert Hughe* taki-s tho opportunity in approved form of d.iiiu whut i- popularly known as "stepping hi« wife's credit." T 3picer gives noticu of removal, and ufilln a'toTition to liia wares, whilothcNuv. Zealand Banking Company announce thiiir half yearly 'meeting. Thtro must have beon a dearth of local iiowh during tho tirst week in July, 1842, for what information tho "Ob server" contains ia extracted chiefly from English or Sydney pupors. There are two other oopius of the '' Observer " in tho collec tion, viz., No. C.March 31st, 1842; and No.B, April 14th. In tho tirst column of tho latter is printed, a good Many days behind tho fact, Her Majopty'a totters patent erecting New Zoniand into a separate colony, and appointing Captain Hobaon Lioutenant- Oovornor. This important historical document boars dato 24th November, 1840.

Another claimant to popular support wan "Tho Bay of Islands Advocate," repre sented hero by its 3rd member, which was printed on November 18th, 1843 Tho price was tho usual shilling. Mr Benjamin Isaaci is ;mt down in tho imprint as tho propriotor. Of advortiseraonts in tho issue in question there are not many, and tho following

" over-leader " announcement is tho most curious :—" Return of Thanks. The Float ing Pedlar begs leave to return his sincoro thanks to the public of Kororarcka Boaoh for their high bida at tho sale, and begs to inform thorn that his pack closed yeatoiday, tho 17th mat." Before going furthor, a short quotation from Dr. Thomson respecting Now Zealand nowspapors will come in opportunely at this point. "There were niue news papers published in tho colony in 1842 - 1, The 'New Zealand Gazette and Wel lington Spoctator ;' 2, tho ' Now Zoalond Coioni.-t;' :i, tho 'Nelson Examiner;' 4, tliu 'Bay of Islands Observer;' 5, tho 'Now Zealand Herald and Auckland Gnzette ;' l>, ' The Auckland Time 3;' 7, tho 'Auckland Chronicle;' 8, the 'Now Zealand Government Gazette;' 9, tho ■ Native Newspaper.' Two of these papers wore published at Wellington, two at tho Bay of Islands, four at Auckland, and one at Nelson. . . Tho'Kelson Examiner' und tho ' Wellington Spectator' wore tho only survivors in 1859." Of the nine newspapers horo onumoratod six, as will be found stated in this article, a are represented in tho Museum collection; tho tliroo missing ones aro numbered 2, 6, and 9. The no.xt piper to bo mentioned is among tho moat singular of all, " Tho Auckland Times." No. 6, dated September 22nd, 1842, is a domy shcot, foldod into four pages, and is decently printed, ovidently on a press. Tho solo editor and propriotor was H.-nry Falwassor, and tho printer John Mooro. Up to this point the relations between Messrs Falwaeser and Mooro had presumbly been friendly, but vpry Boon a change occurred, and dUcord took tho place o( amity. Mr Mooro will no longer print Mr Falwassor's papor. and tho latter is driven to great oxtreraity—driven, in fact, to a mangle, on which by sonio moans or other he manages to got an impression on to papsr. His type, liko FatsUffs regiment, is a very miscellaneous collection, of various sizes, mostly large, and wanting in "sorts." Mr Fulwasser's achievement deserves to bo per manently remembered, and should hoquoted as an instance of whatonorgy and ingenuity willaccompli-hinopitdoftjroat.obntn.elos No 11 Ha small single i-heol, printed on one side only " in a mangle," as tho imprint it« careful to inontio i, and it. announce*" that tho proprietor is shortly oxpocUng press and plant from Sydney by the schooner Shamrock, whereof Captain Daldy was master. There ii only one advorti-e tnent, and that rolls how Mosers Brown and Cambell [sic) will soil pnrt of tho village of Taraaki. But Mr Fal wasser's hopes wore not doomed to speedy fulfilment, for No. 30 of tho "Times," dated January 19th, 1543, was still manglod. This wusa four paged affair, and wae distri buted to the public gratia. tflr Falwasser was now oxecrating tho " Chroniclo," which he withers with an epithet, and denomin ates " T!io Adminititorial Thing." It is evident that the "Chronicle" was sunning itself in tho beams of official favour, while the mangled " Timeß " languished in the cold shades of opposition. But palmier days camo for the ingenious Mr Falwassor, for Nos. 113 and 114 (March 18th, 1845) of the "Times" lie here to witness that he even-, tually obtained a roal pross and respectable type. Tho last-named issue contains a three-columned account of tlio burning of Kororaveka, with ii.it of the killed and wounded. J. D. D

(To be. Concluded )

Remember This.

It yon uro eiok Hop Bitters will surely aid iiftiure tn making you well whun all else fails.

U you aro oostiv.i or dyspeptic, or are aufloi ins from any other of the numerous diseases of Iho stomach or bowols, It 1b your own fault if rou romaln 111. for Hop Bitters lsaeovoreign remedy In all such complaints.

If you ore wasting away with any form of Kiluiy dtsuaso, stop toini'timj Death this moment, a;:<! turn for a cwT's to IJop Blttera.

If you are Norv■ us tiau Hop Hitlers. II you are a frequonler, or areni'ontof amia» matic disirlo . barricade jour svstom against the BOourKe of a>) countries—malarial, opldemio, bil oils and iiitorraitti-nt foyers—by the use of Auicßicau L'o h Hop Hittera. If you have roiij?n, pimply, orsallow skin, bad breath, paina and aches, and teel miserable gunornlly. Hop Biltera w.H (five you fair skin, ri'ih blood, and sweutoat breath, and health.

Thai, poor, bediiddun, inva id. wife. Bi3tor, mother. i,r daughter, can be made the pioturc of health, by American Co,'a Hop Hitter*, ouat ini? but a trifle. Will you lot them sulfur) In short they cure all Uiaeaseßof thuStomach, Ho«-i 1,1, Blood. Liver, Norv.is, Kidneys, Bright'e Iliaoußu. £:tQO will bn paid for a caso th. y wi:l not euro or help. Draggißt'iaad ChouiiatH Icecp. Nouo genulno without a bunch or grconJiop*. In whUo lahol, and Or. Soulo's nnm« blown in bottle Shun all other* an vfla. Doiaounus otulf

Every country and suburban settler should send for the August number of the "New Zealand Farmer, Bee and Poultry Jour nal," whloh 1* replete with Information on every department of rural life. The very full Instruc tions on farming operations for August end September are given separately for tbe Northern and fcouthern districts, and a glance at the Üble of oonten's, published e'sewhoro in this issue, wld give an lden ' r 'he variety and practical character o[ ouo information supplied by "Thu Fat-mor." The present num bar contains, amongst ilo many good illustra tions, a beautiful engraving of a pure hrod Jersey cow. Under the head'ng of the "Timber Gazette," there is an arilolo on the timber mills of Auckland, giving mo«t interesting s^HatlnsooncerDing the several timber oorarani^B, h <i tlii trade eenerUly, Kvorvone ioUSresteri in t « timber trade Bhould read it. The Home and Hou>bhold pages are as full and interesting as uaual, com prising Pootry. Taleß, Articles, and Beoipes, entertaining, «.• s'fuot.'vo, anduipfu'. Gardeners, fruit-ijro wern, aoiarlsta, and pou try-keep-rs willflad the paze^ oJ Uhb phriodloal full of Interest and proctioal instruction fir them, and wo believe will re loliy ailiult that tli-r< i> no hing 60 good of its kind published In -Ms colony. The publisher is H. Brett. Shortlaud and Fort streeU, Auckland.

THE "STAR'S" CIRCULATION.

Accountants1 Certificate.

Auckland, Ist July, 1885,

We hereby certify thai we have examined J the Books and Vouchers of the Evening Star Newspaper, with the following results: — Number of Copies issued from January Ist, 1885, to Juno 80th, 1885, was 1,587,856 (ONE MILLION FtVE HUN DRED AND EIGHTY-SEVEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY - SIX), averaging per diem, 10,378. The number of Copies issued for the month o/JUNE ALONE was 270,800 (Two hundred and seventy thousand eight hundred), AVERAGING PER DIEM, 10,415, which shows an increase in June of 549 conns daily on the circulation in November, 1884, when our last examination was made. Jno. Milne, ) Public J. Waymouth, J Accountants.

NEWS OF THE MONTH.

SUMMARY FOR HOME READERS,

AUCKLAND, N.Z., Saturday, August 15.

Tiik past month has been an eventful one politically. The defeats sustained by the Cabinet on tlio tariff proposals were only a proludo to other disaators which amounted to tho total rejection of their financial pro posals. With their Lical Government Lund, and >iutive Bills, they have been niure ."ueeesefui, but liie House of Repre tuntutive.H hus steadily set its tace against; tho speculative policy of tho Colonial Treasurer, nud tho feeling againßt him has culminated in a movement to compel ft ro conHtruction of the Ministry. Owing to the defection of supporters, it is very doubtful now whether tho Cabinet will carry through the Boseion. Tho most serious blow sus tained by tho Ministry was tho rsjection of their proposals for the construction of the railway from Christchurch to tho West Coast of tho Middlo Island and Nelson. During last session of Parliament an Act was passed authorising the Government to contract for the construction of this work upon tho land grant system, about two million acres of land in altornate blocks along the route being offered to any company which would construct the lines. A strong Christchurch Hyndicate was formed to promoto the work, and dole gates were despatched to England. Advices were recently received from these gentle man that Messrs Meiggs and Son, con tractors, who are now largely engaged in carrying out railways in Peru, had oti'orod to take up tho New Zealand scheino, provided that the Government, in addition to the laud grant, would guaran tee £97,000 per annum for twenty years, being 2J por cent, on a capital of £3,8G0,000. tho amount which the contractors estimated the railways and the financing operations would reprosont. Sir Julius Vogel sub mitted a resolution to the Houso accepting thio offer, but providing that ono-half of tho subsidy should bo charged upon tho districts benotitod by therailway. A storm of indignation then broko out through tho press from ono end of the colony to tho other, the torms being denounced as preposterous, one item of £.130,000, ex penses of under-writing, becoming tho Bpocial object of adverse criticism. It was broadly insinuated inside and outsido the House that this huge sum was to bo divided among tho promoters. The Government after vigorous " whipping " found that they had no chance of carrying this motion, and then they ondoavoured to get out by a side door, by withdrawing their original proposal in favour of a motion for the appointmont of a Select Committee to consider the scheme. This proposal, how ever, received as little favour as the first, membors seeing in it only a device for cheating the House into sanctioning a proposal obnoxious to a majority of the members and tq the' country. Strenuous efforts woro made to " onginoer " the Com mittee through, the Auckland members boing threatened with the discontinuance of thoSan Francisco service unless they lent their aid to tho railway scheme, and other districts being cajoled or threatened ; but it was all in vain. On the motion for the appoint n-ont of the Special Committee going to tho vote, it was lost by 3i to 27. The Cabinet had refrainod from making it a party ques tion, but tho effect was none the less damaging to their stability, and the feeling that a Ministry which held office in the face of so many defeats on mopientous questions of palioy could nut sit with honour op the Treasury Benche?, wax inton^tied. After" the failure of thu propjual for the appo'iit: munt, of v committee, MrOrmom) olicttcd, by a qiioifcion to the Treasurer, that tele grams had bemi received from the delegates in London showing that tho demands of Metgi/s and Son wore actually more un^ favourable to tho colony than the Cabinet had disclosed to the Houso. Besides the guarantee of £07,000 a year, they required the colony to guarantee the payment of any deficit incurred in working tho line, and also to permit the contractors to carry out tho work in throe or moro ports, by separate issues of capital, tho failure of any on- part not to invalidate their claim to subsidy on tho sections carried out. T|io colony was in fact to undertake all the risk of the work, guarantee 2A per cent, interest upon a capital cost amounting to some £800,000 more than the lines could be con structed for by the Government, and give these very benevolent gentlemen a landed estate equal, as Sir George Groy showed, to three times the size of the county of Corn wall, and four times tho size of the county of Dorbyehire. Tho wrenching of this important piece of information from tho Treasurer created a feeling of distrust, and led to the fir3t i-erious move for preventing tho Government, as constituted, from carry ing on the administration of the country during the n?cess. fotwithstundii-K a strong and organ ised movement in the South to pre vent the ronewal of'the San Francisco mail service, which expires next November, the resolution authorising the offer of a subsidy of £30,000 for the conveyance of mails betwoeh Auckland and t*an Francisco was carried in the House of Representatives (July 31) by the substantial majority of 53 to 25. This gratifying result may be token as a 6ign that the service is ap preciated, and that there is a disposi tion in the House of Representatives to recognise the claims of Auckland in con nection with this service. The Postmaster- General's proposals provide for shortening the delirery between Auckland and San Francisco to oighteen days, and for the performance of the terrice with steamers of not less than 2,500 tons. This arrange ment will give a very fast and satisfactory service,' which will command the trade that has already been built up. Advertisements are now appearing in the colonial papers inviting tenders, and it is believed that the Union Company of New Zealand will be among the competitors for the performance of the service. The conditions provide that all colonial subsidies shall be taken by the Government, and any American subsidy by the contractors, It was show, in the course of the debate, that the postage received by New Zealand and the contribution of £7,000 from New South Wales for the carriage of correeporidanco since the, withdrawal cf that colony had last year almost made the line self-supporting to the New Zealand Jfostal Department. The service can be performed between Auck land and San Francisco easily with two si earners, and there is already such a splendid steam service between Auckland and Sydney that nothing oan: be gained by the man steamers continuing the journey to Australia. The action' of New South Waleß with regard to the setvioe has de prived that colony of any claim to the terminus, the Government having refused anything like adequate subaidy for tie main tenance of the line, notwithstanding that strong expressions of regret from commercial men in Sydney and Melbourne

have been evoked by the anticipated discon tinuance of the service; and with a singular inconnbtency these regrets were echoed! by ths Gpvernmont, through whoso selfish notion alone tho service was placed in pern. Areeenb issue of the " Sydney Morning Herald," the chief exponent »f public opinion in New South Wales, after com menting upon the action of the New Zea land Government in assuming tho privileges of sole contractors upon the withdrawal of thatcolony last year from thocsntractsays:— "Chiefly in consequence of this loss it is announced that it is the intention of the Pacific Mail Company to withdraw their steamers from tho trade when their contract with the New Zealand Government expires. Evidently New Zealand has overreached herself in this matter, and it will be a pity if in consequence of nor attitude this useful service should be lost to Australia." The impudence of the last sentence is simply superb. New Zealand under the laßt joint contract -raa paying £32 250 for the support of the service to £18,750 paid by New South Wales, which enjoyed all the advantages of terminus, ana yet at that figure our greedy co-partner was dieeatisfied, and endeavoured to mate better terms for herself and leare tnis colony in the lurch. New South Wales, however, over-reached herself, and nei merchants will find that whila New Zealand is enterprising enough to keep open the Pacific line of travel, her public men are not such fools as to do bo for the exclusive benefit of New South Wales, and to swell the commerce and shipping of Sydney by subsidising steamers to competo with our efficient local companies now engaged in the Australian trade. Native matters are very quiet. The North Island trunk railway is proceeding steadily in the so-called King Couutry, and the little stir which was made a while txgo in the Fun haka district has subsided. The alarmist reports were traced to persons interested in keeping the Armed Constabulary in the district. From t'ukearuke to Opunake, a dis tance of 50 miles, a region once the dark and bloody ground of the colony, there are now 70 Constabulary, and these include the garrison at Pakearuke. His small force will gradually be reduced, and the reduc tion will include the total withdrawal of the garrison at Pukearuke, the nearest port to aggressive Maoridom. While these reductions are being made, Mr lialloiiOO will continue tho " one-policeman policy, and he nays that in nine mont-cu the Armed Constabulary, «o far as a defence against nativo u^roaaton is. concerned, wi be abolished. Four hundred Jien only will bo retained, and thwe will bo converted into I bo gariiwin* lvi tho lour principal port*. lti«! Intended to ti»d (.-lane* for v* many of ihu discharge] AC. mon in the Civil pilicu us possible, or in othor occup.l tionsunder the Government, while, a- oppor tunity ollois.thoofficers will be placed in posi tions under tho Government. Mr Ballance grates that there is not a veitigo of trouble at Pnrihaka now. ' • The u»ual winter dulnesa superadded to a stoppage of large works of tho City Counoil in consequence of shortness of funds, and some littlo business stringency, has led to an agitation among the labouring classes who were thus thrown out of employment. While the labour market for city occupa tions is thus fully stocked, there is every reason to believe that business on the whole is in a sound condition, and that there U no cause to apprehend any serious depression in tho North. Tho Auckland Harbour Baard carried a resolution in favour of racing anothor £200 000 for harbour improvements. While tho funds of the Board would fully warrant this loan, many members wore avorso to recurring any further debt until the scheme of proposed works had been ful!y considered and approved. The application to Parlia ment for further borrowing powers has therefore been postponed for a year. The work of constructing tho big dock at Cal liope is being pushed forward rapidly. The resolution of tho National Bank to write off £100,000 from capital amount and carry it to a special reserve fund, for the purpose of extinguishing the bad debts which havoformanymanyyearshun{,'adead weight upon the Company's resources, is generally approved hero. It was well known that a very hrge amount of tho Bank's capital had been looted up in unroalisablo securities ever sinoe the Bank took ovor tho business of the Bank of Otngo, and that, although tho bank is now doing a very profitable business in tho colony, its dividends are discounted by tho unreproductive character of this dead capital. The resolution of the diroctors is recognised as an honest attempt to face the position, and bh such, should tend to in creased confidence in the Bank. We be liove its business has suffered nothing, or only to a very trilling exteot.if at all, by the announcement of this operation. The capital written off is represented by a large number of securities which may yet turn out valuable. Messrs Seogner, Lnngguth, and Co., an enterprising mercantile firm, with business premises at Firth's Bond, Albert-street, have been appointed Auckland agents for a direct line of sailing vessels between Ham burg and this port. The first ship is the barque Lovuka, an iron vessel of 636 tons, which left Hamburg on Juno 15th. She brings an assorted cargo of Austrian and German goods, such as bentwood furniture, hardware, china, glassware, cement, matches, lagor beer, wines, soeds, &c, all of which are expected to find a good market at this port. The present arrangement is that the veEseltf, upon discharge of their inward cargoes, shall proceed to the Islands and there load copra for Home. Later on, however, it is probable that they will be able to load here for London and other ports with gum, wool, and other of our principal exports. Tho Levukn may be ex pected to arrive here about tho end of September. The Island mail steamer Janst Nicoll, which left h uckland on 20th June last for Tonfra, Samoa. Tahiti, and Rurotungu •on her first official trip, returned on sth inst., 'iftoramost successful though rather pro tracted vaymie Tliu «ervice ie to be came:) on two monthly, and i.- gub*idi»ed by tho New Zealmid Government to the amount of £700 each trip — th« avowed object being to encouragt) Iho oxlonsion of trade between thi3 colony and the Island groups namod. On this occasion delegates representing the Auckland, Napier, Christchurch, and Qamaru Cham bers of Commerce accompanied tho steamer, and made inquiries as to the openings for Now Zealand produce et the diuoreot islands. The reports of the .delegates, which will be published in pamphlet form for general information, are understood to bo favourable to tho formation of a large New Zealand Trading Company as the best means of scouring a larger share of the Island trade, but whetherthis will lead toare vival of Sir Julius Vogel's big politico commercial scheme is very doubtful. There was no fighting at any of the islands, although at Samoa a rebel was in the field, and at Tonga there were threats of a " holy war " between the natives who adhere to the Wesleyan Church and those who' have joined the new State Churoh. At Tahiti tho great Republioin ffltes were being observed with tho usual rejoicings. An outcome of the experience gained alrendy if that the mail contractors contomplato fitting uj) refrigerating apparatus on board the Janet Nicoll. for tho conveyance of fresh beef, game, &c , to the Island*, with a cool chamber for butter, cheese, &c. Tho length of tho round trip is over 6,000 miles, and the steamer accomplishes the run without requiring to coal at any of the Islands. Hopes are entertained of Tonga and Tahiti assisting to pay the subsidy of the service.

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

MacMahon and Leitch's extended tenure of the Opera House is just drawing to its close. Immediately after the departure of the last mail, "The Two Orphans" was staged and ran for five nights. It was fol lowed by " Uncle Zic," which had an equally long run. Then "Sitliors to Grind " was reproduced for one night, and the season closed with " Queen's Evidence" and "The Pearl Divers," which held the boards for four and eight nights respectively. The latter p'ece was played yesternight for the last time, and this evening a supple mentary eeason of three performances will be commenctd with the presenta tion of "Jo"— a dramatisation of "Bleak House," Miss Edith Appleton (a clever child) sustaining the part of Jo. On Wednesday the Amateur Opera Company under Herr Carl Schmitt, make their debut in "TheSoroerer,"and a pronouncedsuccess is anticipated, Musical'y, the chief event of the month was the ativent of Mr J. R. Radcliff, flautist. In conjunction with his wife (Madame Pauline Rita), and Me srs. Clutsam (pianist) aDd Grantham (baritone), he gave seven concerts, but was only moderately patronised. The Company are now doing the Thames and Waikato and when they return a complimentary benefit conoert will be tendered to Mr Radoliff and Madame Rita. A company °L?5 a. t. cV r8 B«>ve several performances of " H.M.'e Pinafore" in the Theatre Royal with a tolerable degree of credit, and one of the Choral Society's orchestral concerts took place in the Choral Hall, passing off very agreeably indeed. Herr Schmitt con ducted.

MINING SUMMARY.

Thames, Tuesday. The nro>pcore of the Hauraki goldfiolds ut the pie-wit moment are certainly mote hope ful than has been the easo for many years. The revival is chiefly due to tba encourage ment derived from the anticipated introduc tion of the La Monte smelting furnace, which ia expected to enable the profitable , working of lodes which have hitherto been worthless, by the extraction of the silver and baser minerals which they contain, and quantities of fine gold which prove refrac tory in the system of battery treatment. The buildings for tho reception of the furnaces intended for the Thamos district are in course of erection, and the share holders of the Woodstock Company, Kerangahake, have moat of their plant at the scone of operations. It is expected that the furnaces will be in full blast early m October, and meanwhilo all is expectation, and pegging-out and tho testing of ores, I arethoorderforthoday.Preparationsarewell advanced in the trial of the electro-amalgama tor of which the London Gold Amalgamator Syndicate hold the patent rights, and it has already been clearly shown that by its use economy can be effected in the treatment of quartz, while tho process may prove service able in saving more gold than is cow re tained. Several foroshore allotments, con taining valuable deposits of auriferous tail iDgs, have been leased from the Harbour Board, in the belief that this process can be brought to bear upon tho tailings with pro fitable results. Tho Cambria mine still stands foremost amongst the gold-produ cers of the district, the last two fortnightly retortings having produced 532£0z3. and 399fozs. of gold respectively. The direc tors have a consilerable Bum in accumula ted profits on hand, and another dividend will probably bo declared ere long. In the mine the prospects have undergone a marked improvement, and speculating ex citement is now rife in the Thames and AuckUnd sbaremarkßts. Specimens are comine to hand from three widely-separa ted points—the western stopes above the intermediate level, and two distinct runs in tho workings above No. 3 level. The manager has obtained about 4751bs of rich specimens within the last week. Tho most interesting point in the winze bo neath No. 3 level, in whick the main run of gold has been followed downward* for about 10 feet, isan excellent showof preciuu.- metHl which can be discerned in the hanging wall leader, along the sides and in the bottom. The reef is dipping at the rate of threo feet in one towards the Moanataiari boundary, which is 120 feet distant, and tbe share holders of the lut.ter Company consequently hope t.o have tiiuir .-hare of the tied depneit. Tiiu Caledonian Company's oru:-hisig frf.m tlie workings on tließedQueonlearlcrvielded moro thun 2ozs, per loud, and a trial lot from the winze on No. 1 lode below No. 3 level prc duced '28dwts per load, which is decidedly encouraging. The Thames Golden Crown mine is becoming well opened up, and crushing operations are being carried on with five stampers. A trial parcel of 8 loads quartz from the supposed Cambria lodos in the Caledonian Low Level mine gave loza. 19dwts gold. The New Prince Imperial Mine has again sprung into prominence, payable gold having been found in No. 1 lode at an intermediate drive belrw No. 1 level, where the manager ia opening an extensive block of ground. The New Manukau, too, has received its share of attention, as operations are about to be commenced on an auriferoue leader striking into the claim from the Waiotahi workings. Tho Waiotahi Company has paid another dividend of 2s 6d per share, amounting in the gross to £750. At the time of writing, crushingß are in progress for the Deep Level Cross Company and the proprietors of the Queen of Beauty claim. Abstract of Gold Returns From July 14 to August 11, Inclusive. oxs dwts. Adelaide and tributes 11118 Albnmia tributes 51 3 Caledonian, 82 loads 182 16 Caledonian Low Level (trial lots) .. 2 8 Cambria. 732 loads 93. 10 Darwin, 421oaas • 26 10 Dlxon's oliiim 32 10 Kuramii Hill tributes 122 17 Moauataiari (tributes) 147 5 NcivManukaii 50 5 New North Star, 8 loads 22 10 New Prince Imoarlal, 226 loads .. 113 10 Reuben Parr trlbute3 H2 17 Rooky Point, 30 loads 15 0 Saxon. 78 loads 52 7 Sundries 500 0 - Thames Golden Crown tributes .. 12 G Waiotahi, 202 tons 251 0 Total 2,701 12 TK AROHA DIBTRICT. New Find - 209 8 Colonist I*9 0 Premier IS 2 Te Aroha Proapociiag Association, 31oads - .. 21 7 Total 37M7 OHINBMURI DISTRICT. Martha Extended (Waihi) .. .. 314 0 Waitekaurl tribate 18 3 Total .. .. 332 3 Total for Goldflelds .. .. 3,11112 TIHG REBELLION AT SAMOA.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Apia, July 4. Tke rebellion headed by Tamasese, the Vice-King, does not make much progress, and we are hopeful that it may subside, and war be yet averted. Only a concatenation of favourable circumstances, however, can produce this desirable result. The revolt may not have been directly instigated by Germany, but it is undoubted that tho rebeU have been greatly en couraged by the "action of the German Consul in hoisting the Imperial Ger man flag, and keoping it hoisted over the guardroom in spite of every protest, ami the plain intimation of tho Kaiser's Go vernment that the action was unauthori-ed Tamasese, with some 500 armed natives, still remains in camp some six miles from Apia, and *p long as he peen this flag float ing he will continue to menace ihe town; while, should a German man o'-^varput into the harbour, it is considered almost a dead • certainty that ho will make a descent on the town with his warriois, and engage in promiscuous murder and loot. The Municipal Board have lately had an anxious time of it, in discharging their duty of preserving life and property in the town of Apia. In ac cordance with their powers, they lately made a raid upon the stores in the place, and seized nil firearms and ammunition they could find, They got some 900 stand of arms, and 78,000 rounds of ball ammuni tion quite a respectable armament for a native force.

The natives take a very unooncerned view of the matter They profess to believe that there is no danger of fighting taking plane, but if it is to be, they will enter it with all their old zest1. More than three-fourths are loyal to Malietoa, and there can ba no doubt as to the result of the per.ding conflict, Jot it break out when it may. Americans and English are aliko bitter in their denunciations of Germany's political intrigues ; and c\ ren Mr Kuge, the head of a German trading firm in opposition to the big politico-commercial trading com pany in which Princa Bismarck is alleged to hold shares (though the latter idea is_ scouted by many), is very loud in his condemnation of the Company's tactics, and most friendly in his expressions to wards England. The Americans would welcome British annexation as a great relief from the present unsettled state of things. For the King and natives, all their cry is for union with Now Zealand—a desire which has been firmly implanted in them, and which the present visit of commercial delegates by tho Junei Mcoll will do much to strengthen, though the delegates have been careful to impress that their business is purely non-political. It is a positive certainty that no good will come out of Samoa till there is a strong settled Govern ment established.

I would strongly impress upon the Ad miral of the' Pacific Station the importance of having a British man-o'-war in close proximity to Apia. The settlers apprehend at any moment a descent of the rebels, who they say are abetted by the German Consul, who wishes to create a disturbance as a pretext for annexation. If, as I have said, a German man-o'-war should appear in the harbour, war would almost certainly result, whereas the presence of a British war-ship would be a sure guarantee of peace. I regret to hear that Mr Churohward, the British Consul here (who as an old four teenth man was through the Taranaki War in New Zealand), is leaving here. "May his successor be a strong and able man I" is the wish of every Englishman and American here.

By the steamer Janet Nicoll, which arrived here on August 5, we have further details r*u Rarding the position of affairs in Samoa Our correspondent, writing from Apia on 4th July, states:-"In my last letter I omitted to inform you that Tamasese, the Vice-King, hoisted his rebel flag on the game day as the Imperial flag dt Germany was erected over the so-called "German fort on land to the westward of the munipi paltty belonging to King Malietoa The •fort -a two-roomed chanty enclosed by a stout plank fence and surrounded

by a dry ditch three feet deep-i s l7T^ of one or two Roturaah islanders i^.ol^ the flag every molriing BBd t^ffi* aiglit. There are dozens of EnS* 8' .'.iinencans, and Samoans ready tn en"" pull down the obnoxioua rag but «iiß<i *"*' tluence .of King Malietoa Consul is exerted towardi prev«nt- such step. They, in fact, g ua ?^ fj more jealously than the German*i «.**' selves, for they are convinced that. 6.8 ---dignity offered to it would be mads H? J IB text for the annexation of tha i»l S'"*' Germany. ""Watty; It is for a similar reason.and not frnm fooling of weakness, that Kiag Mali«Z My frains from formally deposing. TV?* 18" from the position of W K ingV d 8& ing war against him. Acting Un l ;. counsel, King Malietoa is desirou o f serving peace in Samoa, lest the yen ■ r3~ show of force which would be reo? Jj ■ "smash up " Tamasese and his craW.v 1° bringdown the German man-o'-tZ . sibly to restore order, but in realS!^' ' seize the kingdom. The statement *L r appeared in tha Stab some two m™!? ago to the effect that there had been fi i ng here was erroneous; but for mo™ «, two months there has been a o^h to menace of w.ar, which is very di« ■ to everybody and hu tful to trade & Although the Imperial Government » Germany have informed Lord fi» ■» that they havo repudiated the a Z ! thoir Consul in hoisting the flag at Ad ' orders have been given to haul down*? 0 disturbing emblem. Dr. Sttiebel, CoT man Consul, stated yesterday in theL of a conversation with a New ZmTS delegate, that he had received norn^ 1 from his Government to hanl j the flag Being asked why it had & hoisted, he replied that it was done by * of reprisal, and as a means of asserth,? 1 claim for indemnity. He Btaterttt numerous thefts by natives have taV place on the plantations of the "DeaW, Plantation - und - Handels -GesellschafS Sud-See Inseln- zu-Hamburg" ( a u c jj ffi jaw-breaking name 4f the Company that?" got Goddefroi'a business), and as Kr Maliotoa had refused to punish the thX or compel the restoration ofthe'ifoK' goods, they had resolved to aiezs uponS house and land belonging to the KiW tri' claim it by hoisting the German flag 0 «.; ( This story sounds plausible, but it does tot deceive thosa upon tho spot who are closS observant of tho course of events M Weber, the punager of tho Gemj!' Company, and f.irmer'y Consul ii^\ couiss, at the bottom of it all, and it a •.veil known Hint- tie is striving mightanrf main for German supremacy here. Br Stiiebtl, the new ConpuUs spoken of hTtEe-' native? as ''Wr Weber'e walking-sHet ° nhir.h ncutly hits off their re™ctivo mi tiona. i"™- I have conversed on the subject of the rebellion with a number of Amerioanujj"■ intelligent natives, so as to got an opinion free from English bias, and all unite in declaring it to be a German intrigue ta obtain possession of tke country. Gatnaa insolence and tyranny are most beartily hated by all classes here, and »bjj» the autocratic Mr Weber is the mortiin popular man on tha island, Malietoa it Hit most popular, and at the game time tbj most commiserated, as it is well-know W is almost worried to death by Germaoiij.': portunities on the one hand, and studett" for the integrity of his kingdom and tl» good of his people on the other, Itj present crisis may pass over without blind-' shed, but it will ba liable to recur it any time, unless a stable European GpTem mentis set up If the natives would h«w it on any terms, I should say that even i German Protectorate would bo prefensbleto the present state of things; but any pro posal to establish such a rule wouldbeflu ! ; certain signal lor a general rising of them- j porters of Malietoa, who would fight toaj^i death for liberty from German thraldom, ■ j

The Timber Industry.

The annual report of the Auckland Timber Company, presented to the ehareboldea on August 3, shows a satisfactory 'sliM affairs, and is a proof of the profitablsoee of the timber trade when well conducted After the sum of £10,636 2a 6d hadbees distributed in a 10 per cent. dfrMejid, there remained £24,701 10s 7d to te cariied forward to new account, i»« Auckland Timber Company's factors b no doubt one of the best appointed aid; complete south of the equator,'and-if iSj' same prudent management continues,it i characterise its operations in the fatmu f in the past, a long-career of success is before it. It is not often realised how important (It timber industry is to this part of Set Zealand. But a careful perueal of tiefol- . lowing extract from the " Timber Grate," i published in the current number M'fa "Kew Zealand Farmer," will giti .it reader eouio fresh ideas on tho subject, til probably open, his oyea. The attiola'ii question, we may mention, is compiled by) gentleman engaged in the timber trass®, to whom many sources of informationcM to outsiders are open. Ilia facts asdigon, may therefore be taken to'be,M,iw;, accurate as it is possible to get then, The following list will show the ammmt I of capital invested: — . ', •» • I Union Sash & Door Co., paid Up nm I capital' .. .. •'■.. ' ..: »'li ■ Auckland Timber C 0... .. ;; • w'lWi |g New Zealand Timber Co. .. ..; •• T SB B Mercury Bay Timber Co. .. .. •■■««:■ Helensvillc Timber Co. .. .. -1 H Waikato Timber Co.,taVMtedintimter'- P Fort Albert Sawmills .. ..'..;>;v jfl ';■ Thames River .. .. .. •• ••/"lIHw! Ohinowai V. .. .. .. .: •■ M <;. Shortland Sawmill Co. .. •■•■■*?!■! Gibbons .. .. .'• ' ■:< sjSj* Hokianga.. ' "SSg* M. H.Ttoe, Onehunga •'aS'} Waikaro v.s&k Itikurangi • ■ •■ v* Ngururu (Lanigan) exclusive pi op .„ Bid cut timber " rffl'ii Wanguroa (two millsj "';4a;i« Okaihau .. .. :: is ffi Karikari .. .; J. jW'li Soluvppo &.Ansenno .. *. •- ■ - i'^Safiiflj Qthernnlls .. .. : . ,•■ ' 'i^2-.ffi|w Invested inbii'sh work, gkangOiUtantt'ty-j :H squared, about _3; | The productive capaoity of th6in|^^W working I estimate as followa :— :'-:ij1i:-ffi Port Albert ..• .. ..•' -. SS-K'fl Thames Rivor ■ ■■ -K-^jH Shortland ■■ jS-'-lMll Mongonui .. .. ■• •■ fffijj1 ■X Hokianga .. .. ■■ , ""Joffl iS Whangapoua, two mills .. ■■■-'Xffi H| Kauri Point ■ ™™;£fis Mercury Bay, worked nightana .Aftj^^OT Tainrn '.'. ". '.'. " ' ••' Sl|H Waikare .. ■■ ""Si^^H Hikurangi 'jSS'"4K Ngururu •• jS(MB?|I Whangaroa 'SjS ' Ink Okaihau ' •• muhK'-H Aratapu ■ .. .. ■■ " Karikari ■■^ifflO^!*! Whatipu" .'.' .. •• •■ 3% Ij|ii Kopuru - 'S,« ,|S Heienavillo .. .. ■• .■• !|j^p Auckland Timber Co., Au'cktend -fg Unioii Sash ami Door Co., Auck |S Now' Zealand Timticr Co., Auck- ||fl Total output, per week '...■, ■'•^"^i'JE Allowing two weeks for holidays «■ tiplying this weekly output »^S|W deducting 30 per cent, for of logs, etc., the total output per«SffiM| 82 million feet of sawn timbw>'7Sßlß! centage for stoppages may Beem_BWgsjjßß I don't think it is too high, Mff^^Bl of the above mills did very little '"JS'flil The above ainountof!sawntimbor,«jig|B|™ tho average loss in conversion «)l»(|jn-J«| cent., represents 102 milUeffl-W»4ggW| logs. Add to this the-shipment■"-TLfflHI baulk, aboutso yen million feetjatK&WßSSM^ grand total of 109 million feßf,< '*;^^Bl kauri timber consumed annually. -sl||§|B» Tho actual export of for 1884, according to ihe.,' liVmg^U returns, was 25millions,and °riW>£ffij|M| so that if my estimate be c"f lti,3i:f| lieve it is, the timber must W' <wu . »• Jj about, as follows :— '•■'' *iiw*™S i Value, about '.. •• •• jufSraK^ Tho above 40 millions would efffi**^ 53,000 tons of shipping to carry't» y ■ ||«| destinations. -,j il^SiMfei The number of men e«»plojWapWß'| and mills is about 2,200. W- - m& estimate at ' ' r[ <^ For bush work about.. •• -?I^M'" %* The value of tho3o miWon f«e|«*a^^ v| declared at £152,737, and »%&■ V| mainderof the timb«r used t»^(j f,; ,| scale, the value of the whole P^SlßHsi bo about £450,000. Truly out tl*%mm I mine of wealth to us.- ? T efo'S>^^H « this section of the article^f, B%TM<ES 2 our export New South WalCftaWJ^M eleven million, Victoria fa&oJm-* million, and Queensland eixanOM million feet. j ~Jj L

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAK, SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1885.

4