RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Z.vm.kl.l

Some write, a neighbours uiiino uila-.li. Some writc-rain thnnijlit for ncoufu cash jsorne write to plonso th« oounlvy clash. And raise it dm. For Tiv fin aim I nover tali - I write for fun.

Now that social purity has become the shibboleth of the hour, and that a Society has beon established for its furthoranco, it

is pertinent to inquire what good is likely to bo the result of all this moral ouVveseence.

At. present the auspices are by no moans too promising. This largely proceed.') from un certainty as to what it is intended to do. Very few people will bo found to disymto tho praise worthiness of tho Society's ob jects, but many will unquestionably ro main profoundly sceptical as to tho valuo of Borne of the moans they .seem disposed to uao. Lectures and literature ot a purely sentimental character—if such ».ro contem plated— will accomplish nothing, but tho dissemination of physiological facts may assist tho movement. Girls and women are already kopt too ignorant of knowledge of this character fi-omafalsoseiiw of delicacy. Tho liolil wherein tho Society will bo most dreaded by thoso who are tho mainstays of tho social evil and tho inilnccra of fomalo immorality i?, however, that of detection. If its promoters talso steps to establish and make public the parentage of illegitimate children, then they will oxposo ft" good many whited sepulchres, and unmask numerous respoctablo frauds. They will hold in tcrromn such individuals as tho " aristocratic scoundrel " to whom Dr. Ivondordino roforrod tho othor night. They wilt render it impossiblo to hush up a case liko that which is so generally woll knovrn, and which has oxcited so much sympathy for tho victims of the outrage. ilns fa a class of ofl'onco with which tho Society may woll cope in order to discour age as far as possible tho dishonourable and insidious attempts which are so shamelessly niado upon tho virtue of young, heedless, but innocent girls.

li, in addition to pursuing and exposing tho reducer, and' promulgating sound physiological data, tho .Society will insist upon prostitutes dwelling together in a par ticular street where their commerce will not obtrude itself upon the notice of the young and virtuous, and will alsoseok to make mon as woll as women subject to tlio operation of tho CD. Act, then they will have established thoir raison d'etre, and made out a strong case for public support,. If, however, thoy mean to.conSne their efforts to tho circula tion of namby-pamby literature, and the dolivery of semi-evangelical lectures, intor spersod with sporadic efforts to enforce legialutive nostrums, they may as well throw up the sponge at onco. Such moans Will avail naught.

Mrs Aldis, who writes with tlio force and dignity of an archbishop, and the grace and fooling of a woman, has uttored some noble sentiments, which it would be well if tho clergy of Auckland wore to receive as a "pastoral" addressed to them on tho subject of their duty in relation to those evils which this Society seeks to cor rect. The Scriptural aspect of "pledget has. seldom beon more clearly stated, and her whole communication forms a splendid vindication of those who, with tho highost claims to personal purity, and tho strongest sympathy with tho objects aimed at by tho Socioty, yet dissent altogether from the &1 our clergy seem to bo blind to-tho inconsistency of seoking to apply a doubt ful and empirical remedy while at tho name time professing to hold an infallible and heaven-appointed cure for ovary form of evil. Tho fair mathematician, however, champions a rathor dangerous doctrine. Carriod to its logical conclusion her argu ment would destroy alliy special organised .effort against ovil, and produco n laisaez fair? spirit moro in consonance with tho fatalism of Mohammedanism than tho r,g groasivoand progressivenesaof Christianity, xx x

My curiosity having boon oxcitod by the paragraph referring to an objectionablo lottor from T. B. llannaford, which City Councillors would not havo read before tho reporters, 1 took the troublo to inquire into the natnreof its offending. It has been stated that ti/i.s was because of tha " scurrilous " character of the lottor; but lam assured that tho real roason was tho innate 'Dodesty of our civic rulers, who felt thomfelvos un worthy of tho delicate flattery bestowed upon them. For instance, tho writer com pares himself to Nestor, and the Auckland Corporation to " tho wise King of Ithaca," who listened with "reverence" to the teachings of the aged sage. Tkero is nothing strikingly original in this ; for has it not been somowhero stated that T.B.H. is an elderly individual ? And is it not well known that our civic fathers are patterns ot wisdom '! As for their modesty, it is nowhere by com parison with that of tho modern Nestor, who doolare? that certain of Auckland's Councillors are perhaps adepts at " mixing a cocktail or concocting a bill of costs ;" but ho adds:—"On all questions that I take U upon mysolf to addre=s the City Council upon, 1 claim superior practical ability I genuinely feel 1 can with all truth go further, and say that, on «ome quoations, I have personal ability to afford safe guidance to tho whole boiling of this oity'seivic rulers !" It, is gonerally be lieved that no wiser man than Solomon has ever appeared, and there is a verse in Exodus which declares that " Moses was tho most modest man that ever lived ;" but popular belief as well as tho Old Testament must be revised, and the palm ffor wisdom and modesty must bo accorded to the Nestor of Auckland, who is wiser than " the whole boiling " of our wisest, and has the genuine modesty to admit it!

Talking about public bodies reminds me of a queer affair that happened at the Auckland Hospital last v/oek. An old resident of this_ city, who had been for some time an inmate, died very suddenly, and wishing to know the cause of his deatii I telephoned to the institution. The reason that I did so was because tho obituary notice in^ the newspaper mentioned, in parenthesis, that the deceased had died very suddenly. In answer to my question at tho Hospital, I waa courteously informed by tho attendant that he could nofc toll what fiad been the cause of death- Of course, I understood that to moan that he had been instructed not to give any information, i because it is evident that the porter of the institution must be as ■ well acquainted with the causes of death of the various unfortunates as any person in the building. I also undor- Btood that tho man, in refusing tho information, was merely acting in accord ance with orders from "headquarters." Under these circumstances, the most natural conclusion to arrive at was that 4hera was something in connection with tho demise of that particular pationt that required suppressing. I therefore waited until the next sitting of the Hospital Com mittee, when the House Surgeon's report returned the cause of death as "obstruction of tho bowels," Very probably the patient did succumb to that disease ; but if so, why should it be noticod as " very suddenly ?" and why, also, should Buch great care be taken to prevent the public from knowing that an old reaidont had died from the cause above stated ? I have always •understood that thoro is no need of secrecy, Einloss there ia something to be kept secret.

In speaking of tho causes of " lar rikiniam" in tho Australasian colonies, <i. A. Sala agrees with Bumblo in hh judgment of a like phenomenon—"lt's the meat as doo3 it I" Moat throe times a day is, ho thinks, largely responsible for thnt exuberance of mischief-making which dis tinguishes our colonial youth. I have a ratlior different theory, and that 13, that black puddings are the real cause. I havo been told by a respectable tradesman in this lino, who is not too proud to tuck up his sleeres and earn an honest penny, that black puddings have a fiery, frisky influenco, and aro tho proper food for larrikins. It was only tho other day that Con stable McConncll was called upon—much against his will—to birch a jiavenilo larrikin in the proserice of adult spectators, and when he had finished his unplensant task the little nino-year-old exclaimed, "He did not hurt me much. I'll now treat my noble self to a black pudding." lam told that this luxury is very exhilarating, atirs the young blood, makes the hairs to otand on end, imparts an activo power for wrenching off door-knockers, find fits a colonial boy for tho execution of those terriblo deeds described by Avon!a bard,

There must bo a poorest propelling powor in nimnine black puddings, and no doubt tho laiu'iiago of quackism is true, because .Scriptural—" The blood is the life."

Talking of black puddings with an ox pausagc-inakcr the other day, ho reminded me of the fact that thero are many calum niated little animals, besides rabbits, that might bo turned into dolicacios. A friend of mine Slipped at a neighbour's hous.o by invitation in the district of Mount Eden, and among other things set boforo him was a dish of something white, and duly graviod. Ho concluded that it was boiled"fowl, not suspecting foul play. It was slightly ovordono, it was tender, and swimming in pnrsloy and butter. Ho rolished it immensely, and consequently ate heartily. Ho was not accustomed to suppers, but ho had a considerable walk be fore him, and good digestion ; honce, there could bo no harm in ministering liberally for oncoto his appotito. Tho guest was desirous of knowing tho character of tho food ho had beon taking, but his generous friend only amilod and "nothing more." My friend prossod his question until, at length, his friend ex claimed, " Rats, my friend, rats, 1 hope you enjoyod thorn ; they make a splondid dish." Tho young man rushed out of the house, and what followod may bo imagined but not described.

An instance of tho over-dnring tvoublos of sorvant-galism, which Gus Mayhow describes as " tho greatest plaguo of lifo, was recently brought boforo our rcspoctod Resident Magistrate The story may bo briefly told: Annie, for that was tho innooont namo ot tho maiden, lived with liof parents in tho bush, near Waipu, and had nover Boon a populous city. Sho wished to soo Auckland, and hor aunt vosponded very kindly to Aunio'a expressed wish, and oll'orod hor a homo utulor hor own roof. Annie camo to this city, and received a fair wage in roturn for hor domestic service Tho lady was careful of hor nieco, and acted a mother's part towards her, although tho relying aunt was rather "loo?o," a* sho said, in " keeping accounts." At longth, by Annie's wish, Anntio bocnino Annio'a banker, wbich was tho cause of half tho trouble. Things went on " fair and square "lor many months until that L'tiro somo young man " crossed the girl's path, and followed her homo from church. Annio talked, and tho young man wickedly suggested that hor aunt was. taking ndvantago of hor. He made out tho account for wages. Aunt avowed that she had paid all savo the balanco of a few shillings. The caso dame into Court, and such looks wero exchanged as conviucod tho spectators that aunt and Annio wore very bail friends. Aunt lost tho caao, and tho moral of tho incidoot is— Don't keop " looso accounts," or if you do, don't lot the girl havo a beau.

Now that tho prosocutions of tho unfortu nate inmates of the houses of ill-famo havo concluded, it may fairly bo asked what good object has boon aehiovod. Tho girls have been lined, but tho evil has not boon sup pressed. Tho probability is that they will bo brought up again and lined a socond and a third time, and so on. But if so, shall wo bo any noaror a solution of the problem ? I imagino not. Tho girls will be harassed and driven from place to placo, and yet, strango anomaly, they am recognised, and in a sense licensed by tho law of the country. Is it fair, thorefore, that tho Corporation funds should bo augmented by thoso frequently recurring penalties, while at the samo timo tho existenco of women of ill famo is rocognised and tolerated ? If tho girls are to be permitted to exist in Auckland at all, why should not somo special part of mo city dr suDnrDS oo indicated wnorotnoy may live in peace ? It 13 really pitiable that they should bo permitted to spend their monoy in furnishing houses from which they are driven after a few ttccka' sojourn, mid that by their unprotected condition, they should bo placed ot the morey of human vultures who nevor fail (o profit by tho misfor tunes of their fellows. Of course it may he askod, What sympathy do such people deserve? but surely tho condition of tlio poor girls is bad enough already without having it unnoccssarily made worso. Thoy are at least entitled to somo credit if thoy keep thomsolves abovo tho lovel to which so many of thoir class sink, and it is worse than un-Christiau to add persecution to contumely.

A Trench Poisoning Case

As extraordinary attempt undo by a French doctor to poison a rival practitioner was brought before tho Assize Court of Vaucluse on Wednesday, July 29. In the course of the proceedings tho ftccusod asserted that ho had boon advised by tho magistrates to confess his guilt, as if ho did so he would cs cape trial by jury. Tho accused, Dr. Estachy. is a practitionur at Portuis, -10 years of ago, and a member of the Lotion of Jlonour. Ho had tho reputation of being a ablo but not very temperate man. Some years ago another medical man, Dr. Tourn atoiro, settled at Portui3. lioth doctors wore candidates for tho post of assistant to tho Jugo do Paix, and tho appointmont was jnven to Tournaioiro. This irritated Dr. Estachy, and ho inserted articles in a local newspaper which led to an opon quarrel. At a political dinnor at Pertuis ho made the remark that if ho g.ivo vont to his foelings ho would kick Tournatoiro out of tho room. In nevf-paper paragraphs he subsequently spoke of a certain porson, known to thi? rival, na a "Jesuit scamp, coward, and drunkard." Ho was accordingly brought in Novombor last beforo the Correctional Tribunal on a charge of defamation, and was sentenced to pay a fine ot 25 francs and 25 fratica as damages. Some of his patients then loft him, and called in hia rival. This seems to have excited him very much. He ordered M. Zureau, a druggist, to prepare an ointment, the chiof ingredient of which was atropine, which he said he meant to use upon his shoulder to remove a pain. Tho ointment contained 25 centigrammes of tho neutral sulphate of atropine in 25 grammes of vase lino, The druggist said he would not have consented to prepare a salve containing so much atropino for anyone but a medical man. Tho medicine was sent to Estachy on tho 9th of January. On the following day he bought four tarts. On the 15th of January there was found in an omnibus a packet bearing a visiting card with the words, "To bo sent to M. Tournatoire, doctor at Portuis, Vaucluso." Tho packet was sent to this address and was found to contain four tarts. Go the following even ing Mdme. Tournatoiro ato ono of tho tarts. Sho immediately afterwards felt vory ill. Tho pupils of her eyes bocamojdilatod, and she could net road. Then she had,spasms and hallucinations, which continued all night. She thought that her child was dead and that her husband was going to fight a duel, Sho recovored on tho following day. The next day Claire Sazio, a maidservant, began to oat anothor of tho tarts for break fast, but it was so bitter that sho did not finish it. She suffered as her mistress had suffered, but rocovored her sonses on the following day. The two tarts which had not been eaten were submitted to chomical analysis, and found to contain tho noutral sulphate of atropino. Suspicion fell on Estachy, who was takon into custody. At first he protested indignantly, then ho aaid that ho sent the tarts, but only as a joko. It was shown that 46 milligrammes at least of the poison had been introduced into each of the tnrta—a quantity sufficient to cause death, and that there had beon a narrow es cape for thoso who had. eaten them. In order that tho magistrate who advised tho prieonor to plead guilty might bo present, tho Court ordered tho trial to bo dolayed until Octobor.

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SPORTING.

HACINS WXTUBKB.

Ifawku'a Bay J.C. Sprinel October 6, S1 OnolmoKa H.U. Hiring October 21 I'likuraimn Huut. Club Annual October3l. Micklend H.C. Spring 11). Gautcrlniry .1.0 SprinK Novomher II1,12, 13. Taitapiina J.t'. Spring' Novembcir2S ininodin .IC. Hprin.: Novumber 25.2i),311.

DATES OF PRINCIPAL AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND RACKS.

A..1 O. llfc-.nuv.-Scvitombcrlil. (Jukat Mktkol'oi.itan htvkks.—Hopt. 'ii. UAUi.KiKi.n Uuinkas.—October 10. CauLPIKLI) Cvt1.-October 17. V.X.c. Derby.—Oß'ober3l. MKLHOi'nNßOtrp.—Novembers. NAI'IEH ai'KiNO Handiu.u'.—Octobers. I'ltiNi-.u of Walks Stakks (A.IS.C).—Nov 10. N.H. Cur.—Novcnibor IU. OA.VTERnnRV Dkury.—November 12. At'CKLAND CmI.—Ueeombi'i1 '2D.

DATES OF NOMINATIONS AND ACCEPT ANCES.

Nominations for l'akurar.Ka Huut Cap, Unlit Weinht St-!cplt!chti»o, and Mi'iubora' Hurdle Unoo.—Soptcmbor 'J5. Nominations for Uunedin Cup, D..1.C. end For bury Hainlicaps.—Si-ptombor 'M. Nominations for principal nvents Auckland Racing Club Spring and Summer Meetings.— October i.

Nominations for OnohmiKa Sprltiß Mooting.— October 2.

To Correspondents.

11.—The lion. James White rhvo 1,120 Kiunoas for Lonuox, win-n a yearling. .1, (UambrlilgW. Kolpic, the siro of Prlnoo Im perial, died in 1882. Ho was 27 years of ago. T.H.Y.—During tho timo >a olcointt Jack was racintr in New Zealand ho Btartod in 'Jl races, wlnniuß 11. Nk.mo.—W'upili'atimo for tho ChriatchurchMid riumnim1 Hanrlicap was ;trnin. Hiaee. lie carried Git 7tb. 8.M.-J. Wllllameon rodo Martini-Henry In both the V.X.C. Derby and Melbourne Cup, lint 'I', llalo.i liml tho mount in tho V.X.C. St. Li'Ker, and also in the Champion Kace. Shout.—l. "P.lY'moaus play or pay, and not Ili'st past tho post. 2. In all casts whore ono horao Is baoked apjninst anothor without v Biipulation, the waxoa are oil' if neither of ilium wins.

NOTES BY HIPPONA. Tin; Australian .Jockoy Club Spring Mooting commences at Randwick this aftornoon, ivhen the contest for tho Bluo Riband will bo fought out. Old Musket

has six of his sons and daughtors to do battlo on Ins behalf, and tho fact that ono of them, viz., tho Hon. J. White's colt Nor-

donfoldt, has already shown a bit of good form this season will havo the ofleet of tho roault being looked forward to this evening

with considerable interost. On Tuesday

next, tho Great Metropolitan Stakes will bo decided, tho mooting boing continued on the following Thursday and Saturday. While at Green Lai o ono day this wook, I dropped in to .1. Williamson's to have a look over tho toam under his chargo, and found them all looking healthy and well. Sir Bedivore is just in nice condition to commence strong work, and if ho will only forgot liis old habits, his trainer should win a handicap or two with bilii this season. Tho steeplechasor Ngata has also evidently boon well cared for during tho winter, and is looking very big mid woll, whilo tho " log " which gavo his party so much troublo at tho Hawko's Bay Stooplechase Mooting in Juno last appears to be quite sound a;;ain. Of tho two juveniles that Williamson has under his charge, Musk Roso, tho colt by Musket -Rosotto, boars off tho palm. Although short in tho neck and a bit light bolow the kneo, ho is in other respocts a well-put-togothor colt, but ho is so very big at tho presont time, that I do not expect to soo him at his bost till tho Summor Mooting comos round. Tho colt by Cailogan—Miss Laura lias many good points to recommend him, and is pretty well forward in condition, but judging by the way he shaped when taken out of his box. l, u In i.ul l/lcoirell Wlttl tho SWOOtest of

tempers. After n look at tho old 'ehusor To Whetu, Tlio Dauphin camo under my inspection, and right well ho is looking, considering what ho has gono through A moro compact and ovonshaped horse perhaps it would bo ditlicult to gaze at, and I hope that hia owner will bo amply re warded for tho great oxponso and troublo ho has gono to in saving tho lifo of such n nno-looking spceimon of tho thoroughbred. It is hardly nocessary to say that tho news from Australia stating that Thunder bolt ia suffering from a crackod heel has been ono of tho principal topicj of con-

versation among turfites this wook. That some

truth is in tho statement thero is no doubt, but I think tho matter has been greatly exaggerated, for latest papers to hand record that tlio colt was nn attendant on tho Kandnrick course, nnd doint: slow work along with Vanguard. Koliablo accounts stato that Oudois is in Qucer-stroct, but both Liverpool and Winchester nrodoing a* woll as their bost friends could wish Tho team were booked to lcavo for Melbourne by tho oxpress train on tho 10th inst. With tho defection of Mason from tho stablo, tho change of trainers may probably havo Homo little effect on tho preparation of tlio team, but I am of opinion that if they are only given fair play wo will yet soo tho Hon. \V. Robinson's " white jacket and black and gold Bash " moro than once to tho

front at tho Caulliold nnd V.R.C. Spring Meetings. I may montion,|in connection with the toam going amiss, that Mason has gainod an unenviable notoriety forgiving horsos under his chargo "popper"in their work, and the mattor was thus reforrod to by " Warrior " in tho " Sydney Tribuno " a couplo of weeks back :—Mason, who super intends tho training of tho Hon. W.

Kobin.'on'd horse?, is evidently a great believor in giving his charges tho benefit of a heavy preparation, and tho long strong work tho various Now Zonlandors aro treated to almost every morning promises to wind them up thoroughly for their valuablo spring engagements. Tho policy of driving tho throo-ycar-old Thunderbolt along, as visitors to Randwick must have noticed, rcay perhaps be taken exception to

as beiiij^- too sovoro for an early throo-yonr old, but it's evident that the son of Muekot and Locket ia a great glutton, and requires tho troatmont ho receives to fit him for a ran in tho V R.C. Derby. There is hardly any fear of Mason's dangorous string boing short of work if tho prosont Bystem of preparing thorn is adhered to. The rumours published in this journal to the effect that Commotion has been with drawn from the Melbourne Cup havo naturally caused no small amount of excitement among Auckland turfites. Whether the statement is true, I am not in a position to say, but it is certain that privato advices have been received in Wellington to that effect. If it should turn out to be the case, there- will be no small amount of wailing among the public horo, for tlio son of Panic has boen hoavily supported by them ever since tho weights appoared. Tho matter will be eet at rest early during the incoming week, whon one of tho Union Company's ateamora is due. AH the doubts and fears about Trenton being taken ovor to compete for the Mol bourno Cup aro now set tit rest, tho colt boing shipped by tho s.s. Hauroto laat weok, and by this timo ho will probably bo on Victorian soil. His owner, Mr I). O'Brion, personally necompanied Musket's son, and I understand ho is to bo located at Ivimy's stable at Fleraington, whoro we shall soon probnbly hoar of him Bkimming over tho turf. Major George's two-year olds Caribou and Antelope, did not accompany Nelson and and Wapiti to Christnhurch on Thursday, as wag anticipated. The youngstors aro to bo prepared by Harry Harrison, and will be soon out in tho Welcome Stakes at tho Auckland Spring Meeting. The programme of tho Auckland Racing Club Spring Meeting appears on our first page. Horse-ownors should boar in mind that nominations for the principal events of t!ie Spring Mooting, and also Summer Meeting (including the Cup), close on Fri day, tho 2nd of October. Although Nordonfoldt's debut on the turf waa marked by the worst of bad luck, being loft at tho post in tho Hawkesbury Guineas, he fully made up for it in his second effort in the I'roduco Stakes, on Saturday last. The porformanco was a roally creditablo ono too, tho son of Muskot defeating hisoppononts easily by two lengths. According to the conditions of the race, the New Zealand Stud Company will receive' 50 soys. for brooding the winner, and it is pleasing to note that among tho yearlings to be ollbred at tlioir salo in January next is a full brother to Nordonfeldt. From tho " Refereo " of last woek I learn that Take Miss luis been bofrionded for the Now Zealand Cup for substantial amounts at 100 toO, and 100 to 8 is now tho best offor, while Ike- is now as good a favourite as 'Turquoise or Captain Webster, tho two being quoted at 100 to 12 (off). During tho Wellington Exhibition Meeting, Adminis trator and Necklace wore backed at 100 to !, and the owner of Tho Poet accepted 1,000 ilO about him winning. For tho Derby, Stonyhurst maintains tho position of favourito at 3 to 1, Hanlan boing held next in esteem at 5 to 1. Mr W. Robertson has leased Hippo damia's full sister Satanella for racing pur poses. The mare has been served by The Dauphin this season. I

At: Kllcrslie, a few days back, Iliad tho pleasure of looking over what aro un doubtedly the most commodious training .Mtublcs in Auckland, and which have just been completed. The building it crocted in two tiers 44ft. in length, with a 12ft. concrolo passage running through the centre, while on each Bide are in all eight lofty boxes 10 x 10. Each has a sliding 1 door, and in addition thoro is a boys' room, ' feed and harness room, concreted tank, and ii Imy and straw loft,, with several novel conveniences nttanlied for lowering the feed, otc., in tho various boxos. Every at tontion has also beon paid to light and ven tilation, and tho whole reflects great credit on tho enterprise of Mr J. Keano, the owner. Tho stablos aro to be occupied by E. Kelly's Btrong toam, and this deserving trainer shifted into his new quaiters this weok.

Tho Two-^car-Old Flutter at the Christ chureh Plumpton Park Meeting on Tuesday last saw tho first of Apromont's progeny ecoro a victory. This was gainod by Mr E. Cutt's unnamed filly out of Nautilus, and tho French-bred sire also had tho honour of getting Mr <i. O. Stead's filly Vinagrotto,

the runner up. Major Ooorgo'6 maro Tonambra dropped a colt foal to Cop-aplo thia week, and visits [ngomar. Floronco is also boing served by tho same firo. I'oarl and Pasha are favourites for tho ITawko's Bay Spring Handicap, run on tho Bt,h of Octobor. Acceptances and goneral entries for tho meeting aro due on Tuosday noxt.

T am told on good authority (says tho Christchurch correspondent of tho " Otago Witness") that July has at last beon sup portod by his owner (who 1 beliovo to bo n Sir Talbot, of this city) for sevoral hundreds at 100 to 10 to win the Now Zealand Cup, and all I know at prosont ia that

this price haa beon laid about him, evidently a commission by someono on bohalf of his owner.

At tho Now South Walos Agricultural Show, tho New Zealand bred Merlin, by Blue Boy—Malico, and who was rocently takon ovor to the order of Mr J, Bennett, was successful in gaining second honours in the thoroughbrod class, tho judges placing Monmouth first. Among tho others ox hibitod woro Swootmoat, Bargo, Tromando, and Adamant, tho Dunodin Cup wiunor of 1883. Tho latter was subsequently pur chased for £150 by Mr E. Knight, and it ia said he is to bo put in training again under tho charge of Keys.

I havo to acknowlodgo from Sydney tho receipt of n copy of Oxenlmm's Turf Regis ter for Soptomber. It is, as usual, replete with information itidisponsablo to racing men, niul is published at tho lowprico of If. From Christchureh 1 loam that Rubina ia heavily in foal to Ingomar, and that Mr P. Butler's old favourite Luna has. dropped a filly foal to Apromonl. Tho V.R.C. Derby favourito Nowstoad has arrived at Flomlngton, and put in an appearance on tho training track. Of courso there lias boon quite a flutter of excitement among tho early risers at hia advont, and tho "tout" omployod by tho " Molbourno Sportsman" thus dolivors himself:—" Mr C L. Macdonald had his formidable contingent at exorciso, and Nowstoad was at onco voted tho lean 'ideal of a Dorby colt. Until ho gota thoroughly into work it would, of courso, bo promaturo to express an opinion aa to his sustaining any stronger prepara tion ; but this much may bo statod, that cortain rumours which havo been buzzing about— to wit, ho had grown up, and was too much on tho log—wore rudely shattered, for tho Maribyrnong Plato winner, aa ho slowly oantcrod round tho sand track, looked just tho gentleman to break tho spoil that scorns to exist against tho winner of tlio great two-year-old event annexing the V.tt C. Dorby." "Vigilant," in noticing Newetoad'a arrival, remarks :—" Newstead looks as likoly a Dorby winner as anything at Flemington, which is not saying much, as a colt who aspires to I'.luo Kibbon honours should bo hard as a nail and sound as a boll. A Derby horse, in fact, liko Cwsar's wife, should bo abovo suspicion. Whon I havo seen tho Adolaido crack a month honco fully extended, thon pullsd up after a mile and a half gallop imdißtrOssed, r.nd with his under standings as linn tin his position in the hot ting market should be, I shnll perhaps liko him better than I do now, for at piesent I am still scoptical aa to his being ft moral for the Derby." After tho conclusion of thoroeont Adelaide Nfootingj somo gonuipo wagurijig took place on tho I'aultiold Cup. Hclono was backed. on behalf of tho stiiblo to win ttf.OOO at 100 to 5, thon another f "),OiM3 was'taken at tho B«mo prico, and finally £5,000 to i'UOO. After Holono, tho Moron Crozier come upon tho scone with Lantern, and their commissioner having socured JL'IS.OOO in Molbourno and Sydney ;it 100 to X, thU business wa.H supple mented by tho aocoptancoof £"> 000 to £150 and £">,oooto f •.'OOfrom tho Leviathan. Tho stable aro strong in tho belief that tho big horse's defeat in tho Adolaido Cup was a fluko. Gratitude was borr;onded to win .(.'■.'o,ooo, and tho owner of Dirk Hfttterniek took tho nice wager of £10,000 to £400 that ho wins.

Mr .1. Pilbrow has disposed of E»rly Bird, winner of tho first Wellington Steeplcchaso, to Mr Bidwoll, of Wairarapa, who intends using the son of D.»y Dawn for stud purposes on hia own station. Early Bird stood sevo \;\\ seasons in Wangnnui, and his stock are highly spoken of in that district. "Mazoppa" has compilod somo inter esting statistics of winning sires whoso progeny havo won ovor 10 'sove. in Now Zealand. Tho statement is carofully com piled, but necessarily of an npprnximato character. Tho following aro tho figures: — Boys soya Traducer .. Hll Manßl" .. .. 51S Musket .. .. H7ISO Uuntnoa.. .. Al'J Antoron .. •■ 2!)« Hucephuhia .. 11.1 Tiibul Cain .. 21!*! Ft. George .. HO (^sslvohiuniis .. 2.!!> i Kelpie .. .. SSO KinßOfClubj .. 2280 Harwon .. .. .'«0 Leoflmia .. .. 210! Fove .. .. ifio Diiydnvvn .. .. 1777 YouneGnwnsTnn 363 Kinuslioroiißh .. lti.iO Tim Wbilll )r (3l :«l St. Albans .. 1615 Hero .. .. 315 Tnn Premier .. IM3 Pertobo .. .. ffl'.' Torara .. .. L'jlO Ht-ioliitl n .. 3 0 Albiny .. .. 13M Ham .. .. ;iOO ulartiii'or .. .. 1:110 ICainnramu .. 280 Kingfoln.. .. 127(1 Don Juan.. .. 27" tVrkin Worbock 12130 Sator .. .. 2ii Pupapa .. .. 120"i Plscator .. .. 210 Hippocampus .. 110j Ca-toway.. .. 2:io Holton Green .. 1075 St. A lbans (>.'. Z.| 225 Pttlmor .. .. 1075 Korarl .. .. 225 Jnv'lin .. .. 1030 Python .. .. 215 Uold-brough .. !)s'i 111 no Hoy .. _ 215 Tho Mil to.. .. 757 Tokoa .. .. 1M) Patriarch.. .. 757 Trump Card .. Jfio Yattondon ■■ "II Daniel O'Rorko IliO Maribyniong .. 700 Aroiltoot .. .. 1(10 Deadshot .. .. 605 Hnulliurn Chiof.. 152 Marmlon .. .. (Ki7 Forotop .. .. US Cadoßan .. .. n!>s Honnio Carllalo .. ISS Ravonsworth .. 58.') Batlriat .. .. 125 Mi'BsmiKor .. 575 Malton .. .. U'i Doncißtor .. 55! Trip Mis .. .. 120 Dainty Ariel .. 5J15 Knottin^loy .. 115 Opawa .. .. 534 Rapid Hay .. 115 Tho Bard, at tho Manchester mooting, won tho July Plate, and this was his 14th consecutive victory—a record altogether unparalleled for a two-year-old. The amount of monoy in stakes alone that this flyer has won for Mr Peck is £7,994—an astonishing sum for a two-year-old, and tho racing season only as yot a littlo moro than half ovor. In the 14 racos Tho Bard has won, ho has had Archor as his pilot in 12 of them, whilst Wood has twico Btoored him to victory.

Coronet, the Molbourno Cup favourite, is thus roforred to by " Augur :"—'• Coronet, who has been established first favourite for the Molbourno Cup, has caused some of his frionds a little anxiety through being absent from the track for a fow days, but, as ho was morely in physic, thoro was no cause for alarm. Many of the visitors to Plemington imagine that this horso is full big, but ho is shaped so that whenever ho is really fit ho will always presont a jolly appearance. His barrol is as round and cask like as The Barb's, and, with such power as ho possosses ovor the back and loins, I don't see why ho should not bo capable of taking his part in a weight-for-ago raco. He underwent blistoring a few months ago, pnd his logs seem all the better for the process. Sinco ho recovered from the accident that befell him in the Australian Cup, ho has done as well as could be desired, and if nothing should happen to him in the meantime, I should not bo sur prised to see his owner throw down the gauntlet to tho cracks in the Molbourno Stakes on the first day of tho V.R.C. Spring Meeting." In the course of an interesting article from the pen of "Sir Launcelot "headed "A Day among tho Thoroughbreds," I clip the following with reference to two Auckland brod 'uns:—Fusilier looked particularly blooming in bis coat, and has furnished into a nice horso, but I hoar that he suffers from a

kind of " roaring" complaint I liked very much Artillery, who ia a two year-old son of Muskot and tha Vattendon mare Ouida, and was purchased in Auckland by Mr Butler for 330gs. lie is a slashing upstanding colt of great substance, with a capitnl pot of legs under him, and taking aftor his siro a good deal about the back and loins. Perchance he may not come early enough to carry the "green and white hoops" with credit in the Wolcomo Stakes, but if he keeps right I should back him to mako a better show for the Derby than did even his stablocompanion, Fusilier, in running second to Black Rose. On the dam's side he comos of a great family, for hia granddam, Gnlnaro, was half-sister to the dam of the " black demon," The Barb, "

HORSES IN TRAINING.

Tho following is a list of Auckland-owned horsns in training for tho forthcoming soaßon :— J. CIIAAPK. Turquoise. 6yra. King, aged Necklace, lyrs. Howltzor, 2yrs. Radamos flyra. Cannon IJall. 2ys. j Derringer, Hyr.s. Brigadier, 2yra. \ K. Kelly. Foul Shot, 3yra. Cinderella, 4 yra. Revenge, aged Filly by Musket—Krj- Mystery,(iyrs. etna, Syrs. ljUfikpoimy, iiged ICint! Dun, «*ted J. FIIF.NCII, Mltralllouso, fiyre. Torpedo, lyrs. Filly by Maribyrnonß— Torori, 2yi'fl. Peereßß, 3yrs. Heproich. liytfl. M. Cakmodv. Woodpecker, aROd Nannlo, 6yra» I KnlluUt, ;tyrs. Hotrolonm, 2yrß. I Qkowir Winanr. Rovolver, lyra. Qullp, a«od Woodnymph, lyrs. Tamona, 2yra. Alfred, agod Ophelia, 2yra. Uduntchouo, a*od Fair Play, agea 11, Harhison. Caribou, 2yrs. Antelope, 2yra. .1. Rak. Capella, 3jn. Sli -tovor, Oyra. .1. TiioiwrnN, Llonol, 3yrs, Lady Norah, L'yrs. Ijionosa. Syrs. (JononilThoruton.iiyrfl. Urcon Mount, 2yra. T, Ci.auk. St. Midiaol, .'iyrs. JuinaVn, Syra. Julia Ann, aged .1. Williamson. Sir Bodlvoro. Syrs. Musk Rose, 2yra. Nfiata, Oyra. Colt by Cadogan—Miss To Whetu, agod Laura, 2yrs. Georok Hopk. Cdrl)ineer.4yrs. SatanelU, lyra. T. Taylor. Colt by Muskot—Pru- Fevorolo, 2>rs. iiclln, 2yra.

J. Mh.lison. Nomcsls, 3yrs. In addition to the above, thero are sevoral hor-08 located at the North Shore, Including Tho Barb, Hello, and Nigger, wnile Mr B. Thompson has located at Brown's Island- Buzzard, "Yulra Bill, Pearl, Pipl. and Tim. There aro also several la tho VVaikuto, not to nioDtion Ltbollor und Tatford, who have not 5 ot arrived from the Thames.

CONDENSED ITEMS.

Helono and Lord Wilton woro favouritos for tho Cuultiold Cup at last advices. Kingadalo has shown signs of lamonoss, and has had to bo ensed in his work.

Anchorite, who ran socond for tho last Adelaide Cup, has lately beon attacked by rheumatism.

The Island Bay Kacing Club (Welling ton) netted close on £300 by tho Exhibition Mooting. Tho Caulfield Cup candidate Vision, by St. Albans —Booswing, has arrived in Mel bourno from Adolaido.

Ada (tho dam of New-stead) has this season foalod another colt to Nockorsgat, thorofore full brother to tho crack.

Tho yearling colt by Le Loup from Jessica that was lately shipped from Dunedin to Sydnoy was sold by auction thero for 30 guineas. Mr P. F. Tancred is reported to have sold to a sport in Wellington his two well known racing mares Gabble and First Water.

Tho two-year-old colt by Lockleya from Hoydon, purchased by Mr J. Thompson in Adolaido, tins been placed in J. Look's hands to bo trained.

Owing to tho withdrawal of Uralla, First Chester was a strong tip in Sydnoy for the Hawkoßbury Guineas the day previous to its decision.

Three big Caulfield Cup bots havo boon laid rocently by Mr.loo Thompson:—£lo,ooo to 1-300 Britithor, £10,000 to £300 Blink Bonny, and £10,000 to £300 Lo*bia. The victory of Maddeliua in tho Fulham Park Pluto at tho Adolaido Racing Club's meeting was achieved so oaeily, despito hor 71b punalty, that tho filly promiecn to utart a vory warm fuvoutito for tho Maribyrnong Plato.

Captain Wobstor's friotids having ovinccd some anxiety to get on for v bit more in connection with tho Now Zealand Cup («ayn " Mazeppa'), have had to pay dearly for it. I havo" hoard of ono brickor taking t'HOO to £45.

During last season St. Albuns was tho fire of 2."i horce-t which won fl!) races, tho vuluo of which was over JCIO.OOO. IHs descendants who scored the principal vic tories woro Malua, Blink liunny, Ring vpood, Taxman, and Coronet. Mr J. Cook's colt Boon, by Robinson Crusoe—Maid Marian, was tho horo of tho last Cantorbury Park Mooting (Sydney). Ho annoxod tho Flying Stakes and the Ladies' Bracelet. Boori is amongst these engaged in the V.R.C. Derby. Anteros's four year old ilaughtor Main boom, the winner of the liurdlo Raco at tho Wollington Exhibition Mooting, is de^cribod a^ a very quiuk jumper, and po.-sei-sing sullieient speed to tuako hor danger, ova in any company over tho stnull sticks. OlTeid woro mado for her, but without nuccosa.

The entries for tho English Durby and Oaks of 1887 havo just closed. Tlio Dorby has securod 19(i subscribers, and the Ouka 153. Tho Dorby of 188.1 closed with 189 entries, and for next year tho number is 205, bo that ISS7 does not show much fulling off The Oaks ontry, too, U just about an average of tho past six yemv. American tiles convoy tho intolligonno that Maud S., who is justly et-ylca tho Queon of the betting trnck, hus succeeded in beating hor own wonderful record of 2.9 i, and now holds a cortiticato for 2 SJ, which was trottod thus:-First quarter in lii.J sees. ; socond quarter in 32-ec. ; third quarter in ,'llsccs. ; and tho lnstiu Unseed,

A TEMPESTUOUS VOYAGE.

Tho Sblp Ben Volrllch in a Hurricane.

Memsourkk, Sopt. 9. Tub iron clippor ship Bon Voirlidi, from London, with a general cargo, arrivod in tho bay this aftornoon. On tho voyage she passed through ono of the most stormy periods that eho ever mot with in her career, and it was owing in no email degree- to the prc;cnco of mind of Captuin Martin and Scott, one of tho men at tho wheel, that tho ship was saved from bting dismadtod, if not entirely lost. Tho Bon Voirlich loft London on Juno 11th, and on August Oth tho rough woathor commenced. Tho ship was then inlat. 40 degrees 28 minutes, long. 19 degrees. At 1 a.m. tho wind increased in forco, tho barometer foil rapidly, and tho canvas was reduced to tho lower mum foro topsails, fore sails and foresail. At 8 a.m. a frightful squall from tho VV.N.W. burst over tho vessel, and blow away the fore sail. Tho truss band of tho I'oreyard was ulfo carried away in tho squall, and somo troublo was experienced in socuring it. At 10 a.m. tho gale raged with groater violence than before, with a high sea all round. The seas camo crashing on board on every side, and tho wator was flush from rail to rail. Tho devico of pouring oil on tliOßurging waters was triod, but. tho seas wero of such forco and volume that tho benefit of tho application was not apparent. At 11 a.m , whllo tho ship was sailing boforo the hurricane undor hor lowpr fore and main-topsails, ehe shippod a fearful sea, which washed away tho tvyq men from the wheel, and Captain Martin, who was at tho aftor tat Trail, was nearly swept overboard. Both he and Scott,one of the men along with him, were driven against a hnncoop at the break of tho poop with such force as to smash it to pieces. On recovering thomselves thoy inado a dash for tho wheel, which un fortunately wop found smashed in two, and hanging by the brass rim which bound it. Scott held tho wheel whilo Captain Martin wrenched tho broken half away, and tho nhip was prevented from broaching to. Had this occurrod, nothing could have prevented the masts from being wrung out of lie-, and thoro would have been loss of lifa as well aa destruction of property. The other sailor, a foreigner, who was at tho wheel, rushed into the mizzon i-igging and secured himsolf there. Tho soas continued to break ovor the ship, and tho poop ladders, hencoop?, and harness cask?, full of moat, wore washed away. The port life boat which was on tho skids aft, was smashed, and the standard compass, as well as the bridge, wero all carried away. Tho topgallant bulwarks suffered con siderably, and aU tho braces had to bo workod from tho poop or from tho fore castlehoad. At 2 p.m. the lower foretopsail was stowo3, and the ship was brought to tfie wind on the p)rt tack under the lee clew of the lo«"er maintopaail. Tho hurri cane gave no indications of abatinsr.and the ship lay-to all night, lurching andl&bouring heavily. At daylight next morning the wheel was fixed with lashings, and was repaired as well as it could bo under the circumstances j tho wind in the meantime shifted to S.W., and the weather had moderated. At 10 am. tho lower foro and maintopsails wero fet, and a new foresail was bent, and at 11 a.m. the ship was kept away on her course. The barometer during this galo was down to 29-20 at mid night on August 8. On the following day the ship was again exposed to the fury of a heavy galo from tho westward, ■which was attended with a high flowing sea.

THE GARDEN.

[By Hortus.]

Calendar of Operation, September in.

[Hohtub ia willing to answer any queries. Cor respondents must givn their full namea and addra»dcs. though not for publication.!

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Sunflower (MM.G., Auckland )-lou nan sow them the end of this rnon'li, They like good rich soil we.l wrought. For a crop tho usual distance is to pinnt, your seeds about, twelvo Indian apart every way, but it you are only growing a fuw. give them a much greater dißUuoe. The seedsare capital feed for fowls, and if you koep bees they will supply them with a larKoaniount ot food fjr making honey. Every buo-keener should g.ow a large quantity. Acorn-s.Nots. etc. (Amateur.Auckland.) -All aoonm and nuts should bo sown immediately after they are properly ripened, If pos sible. As a rule, they do not carry their vitality long nicer they aro ripe. It pos«u|° they should be planted wheru tho troos ore to Brow if you want to mnko largo trees of thorn. Tho lifting and transplanting ulwuyß curtails their irrowinij powsrd, especially oaks and walnut™ lthoulh the sowing in seed bed and transplanting afterwards is unavoidable ill a number of ensea 1 would how what you havo got now If sound, but procure! a fresh lot noU season, and sow lininadiatoly they come from tho true.

BOWINO ANNUAr. BULIIS (A.nmtmir.)-IL Lino use vousowinK any »oull ll" Ju" lul border dug. Havo It dm? at oino If the weather U Tine, I.ot Itllo fora wook to pill voriso and sweeten. As you havo no inter mauuro, uso lino b meduat in Uio bordci. Spread It all over the Burfuce of the bordor.aml sightly work it into the surface boforo sow ing tho Bceds (not with them). You will atlil bo In plenty of time with hardy seeds if you hurry up.

Gi.Ai>loi.A(l!ullj.)-Havo thorn planted out at once They like good lich slightly rotuntivo soils, and if you havo tiny wood aslios Kivo ouch bulb about ono shovelful while planting, put underneath and mix with tho Boil, mo above will rlvo you better and brlghtorcol oumd flowers, besides onauriiig you fur better bulbs foi planting out nuxt Benson. I always make a practise of taring all tho wood ashes and adding to it one box of mght-BOil.. A ehovtl of this under euch bulb always gives mo first-class flowers every season.

New Made of Treating Tomatoes.

Mv practico is to oxcnvate in the early spring time as many flat turnips aa are neoded, and having filled the cavity with earth.plant two or three seeds in it, selecting the bost plants, whon 2 inches or 3 inches high, to remain, and pulling out tho others : when it ia time to sot them in the garden, plant tho turnip with its contonta undia. turbod in a holo doop onough to cover the turnip 2 inchos or 3 inches. Sotting out in this way, thoro is no cutting away of the roots and little need of water, as tho plant haa not boon in tho least disturbed, especially if used to tho air out of doors for a week or two before boing eot in tho garden, 1 have startod tomatoes out so early that tho plants were in bloesom several days boforo being sot out, not boing at all checked or retarded in growth thereby. Cucumbers started in the same way i have had in bloom when sot out with the same result. After being put into the ground the turnip Boon decays, furnishing a little food for tho plant. 11 tho turnips aro to be kept long in the house before setting out, it will be well to put them in boxes, filling tho intorstices with mose, sand, or earth, kept moist, as too long oxposuro to tho hot air of a warm placo will cauao tho turnips to wilt-tho oarth must be kopt moiot, whother tho turnip is in or out of a box. Anothor point is that instead of being at tho trouble of procuring.sharponing, .^nd sotting stakes, and pulling und taking caro of them at the c.id of tho season, J started into growth somo sunflower foods. To prevent too muchshado I cut oil' tho leavos of tho-sun lloworaa fur above tho tomato plant aa is nocoseary to give it all tho air and sunlight desirable. Tho Russian sunllowor, because of its vory tall growth, i« tho boat for thie purpose The Minitower makes the bost and most profitable stake, becauso it it) so easily obtained—no loosening in tho ground or broakingofstakcHthrough boingloaded fruit, und th i seods of tho ilowors, which are with butter than corn for poultry, abundantly ppy for ull tho time and lubouriu curing for thorn The leaves of tho Bunflower a.Uo inako good foddor. ThoKusfian Buntlower also mako? an oxcollont boan polo, though it is not necessary to start thorn so early as for to matoes, as a growth of 1 \ foot by the end of .Juno (bean-planting time) is all that is ncedod. —'■ Country Gentleman."

Manures.

lii growing all manner of garden or farm produce tho question of mnnuros must always be cropping up, und moro especially ut this period ot tho year, when bo many of tho Rprintr crops aro yetting planted or sown. Andit is only juat when it is wanted that most cultivators think about it. Now, tho question its ono that should always bo uppermost ill all gardonora' mind?, as it ia upon tho quantity and quality of tho manure used that most all garden produce succeeds. Timo aftor timo wo boor of artificial manures being tho boat, and I know from oxpovionco that in some discs thoy do a vast deal of good, but when you oomo to crop tho same pieooof ground yoaraf tor year, and onlyusoartilicial manures, the ground coon gots exhausted of some of its properties, and a failure in some of tho crops results. When a continual cropping of tho same piece of ground from I yoar to year goos on, as in gardens, ovory endeavour should l>o made to obtain manure that will return to the ground all the sub stances abstracted by thocrop.', and nothing will do so as woll a^ manure mado from lit(ov, or what is generally termed barnyard manure. It contains nil tho materials which plants delight to foed upen lam woll awaro where m animaU aro kept that it is sometimoa hard togotsulli uontof tho above manuro to crop tho wholo gardot), but a littlo management would ovorcomo this. Every scrap Of vogetablo dehrit about tho gurdou that will rot oasily should be kopt and placed in a heap to rot. Whonovor a rospectablo heap of those matters ac cumulato, get a cartload of stable manure from some stablo, mix these two together on luyera, and over every layer put a good thick layer of soil; all soaps or other materials with inunure ingredients theroin should bo placed on tho top of such hoap «o aa to soak downwards, so that the whole honp miy got thoroughly saturated. Tho above will soon rot, and when properly rottod, no better manure can bo applied to the ground for growing either vegetables, (lowers, or for placing about tho roots of fruit trees. In mixing up a hoap such us 1 havo tried to doscribo, oncl whore it is to bo u.»ed on light or sandy soils, it would be bottor to cover and mix it up with olay. Tho soil or clay mixud up in such heaps arrests and retains a groat deal of ammonia that would otherwise escape in tho air, and when put into tho ground acts as woll as the other portions of tho hoap. In making up a hoap always put up plonty of soil with it, so as to in crease tho quantity. How to Van Manures.—This is a ques tion that is often asked and answered in a number of ways. Some say, put it im mediately underneath whore tho crop is to bo; others say, dig it down doop into the groun i. Now, if it is put only irameJiately iindornenth whoro tho crop is, I would grant that tho plant at first will got all tho nourishment, an 4 would llourish splendidly ; but what is to becomo of tho plant when the roots push past whoro tho manuro has beon applied ? Thoso roots will not bo able to supply the same class of food as formerly, and as consequonco, moro or less stagnation of growth sets in. Again, if dug deeply into the ground, tho only beneijt to bo derived in this caso would bo to encourage roots to go downwards, which would be a benefit during tho hot summers, but I would not think it was tho best way of utilising tho manure so as to givo the soil tho greatest benefit from it. All tho nutritive properties of manuro work down into tho soil, carried there by the action of tho rains. As a rule, thoy seldom work upwards to any groat extent Now the best way, in my estimation, to apply manures is to slightly work it under the whole surface of the ground; then tho whole body of soil gets n fair share of tho fertilising materials. Seods sown on tho surfaco come in contact with it immediately aftor they germinate, and as thoy become stronger they aro able to follow down after euch portions as have boon washod down by the rain?. Also, when manuro has boon distributed all over the ground the roots of the plants or crops will get more evenly distributed over the ground, and as they spread they will always bo provided with some fresh fertilising material, thus providing a con tinual succession of food for tho roots of the crops to feed upon. In dealing with manures I would only ask all cultivators to use largo quantities so as to let the soil be as fertile ob you could wish it to be. You must recollect that it is only by using quantitios that such fertility can bo kept up. A great number of people are always saj ing that the Chinamen can beat Europeans growing vegetables. Now this is quito humbug Thero are no Chinamen now in Auckland able to grow vegetables of the same quality as we see staged at our different Horticultural Society's Shows. Thoso vegetables, as a rule, aro grown by

the best growers in Auckland, and they use eood seed and plenty of manure. But the general run of growers here seom to think no manure is wanted, and as a result no crop worth speaking of w obtained. Let those people who talk about Chinamen go and see the quantities of manure the Chinamen use to every crop they put in the ground. They would at once see that if they were to use, or allow those in their employ to use, the same quan tities, the Chinamen could easily be equalled and beaten in growing vegetables.

GOSSIP FROM STAGE AND STUDIO.

(By Euterpe.)

A Shakesvkrian season, with Mr Boothroyd Fairolough as the bright particular star, is in anticipation at Melbourne, as woU as a revival of the evergreen " Struck Oil."

" Witture Graplin," a posthumous opera by Flotow, is caW to havo been very suc cessfully produced in Buda-Pesth. A monument has been erected in front of tho house of tho late song-composer Kuclcon, H Erik M. tfolmund hag completed a comic opora, of which ho lias written tho words as woll as tho muslo. Its title is » Fraequita. Madamo Kita and Mr.lohn Radcliil have roturnod from Wellington, and propaiations uro now being made for the production ot "Trial by Jury." , Tlio issue of a musical journal is projected in Auckland. In fact, it is already in (wane, Tho promoters and prospective owners aro two well-known musician?. More anon. Madamo do Lotowbki, "tho eminent pianist," is at Port Louis (Mauritius) giving a sories of concerts, and will shortly visit Australia on a professional tour. The Melbourne "Bulletin" gives the latest thing in dramatic titles, asserting that Mr Dan Barry has just finished a sensational play christened "Called Back from Hell" A. subscription-list ia being formed in England with a view to presenting a free will offering to the American poet, Walt VVhiteman. Mr Hnrry Furniss is engaged upon a sories of drawings for" Harper's Magazine" illustratvio of our amateur Parliaments and Debating Societies. Miss Bmolie Melvillo and Signor Verdi were, when last hoard of, at Rangoon. Mr B. Farley hae takon the Shanghai Theatre for tho wintorseason, after which he intends to return to Australia with hia company. Mr D'Orsay Ogdon's managerial venture at tho Nugget Theatre, Melbourne, has from the commencement been financially success ful—the "million prices,' from Od to 2s, ovidently doing tho trick. M. Audran, the composer of "La Maa cotto," is said to have adandoned fora time the light genre, and to bo at work on a libretto furnished him by M. 11. Irancois Coppeo and Paul Ferrior. In tho musical competition of the town of Paris, a prize of 10,000 francos was adjudged to M. Vincent d'Judy for bis " Chant de la Cloche," and an honourable mention was awarded to Georges Hue for his " Riibezahl." Ttia not unlikely that Princess Lidi Dolgourouki, daughter of the morganatic widow of the late Czar Alexender, may make her debut in London shovtly as a violinist, Great pressure is, howover, being brought to boar to prevent it Our old friend Miss Clara Stophenson is doing tho Victorian country towns at the head of a dramatic combination, which in cludes Misses Austin Elliott, Addio Thynne, Hill and Clara Stephenson, Messrs Willif, Hosford, Norman, Liyfollo and others. It is stated that tho King of Bavaria has written to Mary Anderson, asking for the terms upon which sho will consent to play " Pygmalion and Galatea" in his theatre for a short season for his sole benefit, him self to be the only spoetator. A correspondent writes to the Wellington " Post," suggesting that Miss Maggio Knight, as a New Zealand-born actress of acknowledged ability, should be aeked to lay the first brick of tho now Wellington Opera House. The Committee appointed some time ago to draw up a code for the transliteration ct tho Japanese characters into thp Roman letter is reported to havo concluded its task, and to have commoncod tho publica tion of a dictionary and various school books in tho nowly adopted alphabet. On Oct, Bth Mr Boucicault intends to leave by tho ck. Zealandia for America, whore ho has soveral engagements to fulfil, but somo of those may bo put off to later dates than tho»o originally fuod, in order to allow Mr Boucicault to play in New Zealand for about n month. Under the title of ■' Urbana Seriptn," Mr Arthur Galton is about to publish a now volumo cf essays on five living poots— namoly, Tonnyson, Browning, Matthow Arnold, Swinburne, and William Morris. The work will shortly bo issued by Mr Elliott Stock. Ths Choral Society* last conceit of tho Beaton takes place in November, tho works selectod for performance being GadeV " Comak" and Beethoven's " Engodi." In the former the solos aro allotted to soprano and baritone, and in the latter to soprano, contralto, and tenor. A good joke has transpired with rospect to the pastoral play at Coombe House. A certain Miss Fulton, whose talent tho critics unanimously recognised, was brought into tho cast at tho last minuro to replaco an amateur, and is said to he Lady Archibald Campbell's cook. She is now likely to per manently onrol herself in the ranks of the profession. More new op9raa :—" Die Goldmacher yon Strassburg," by Muhldorfer (to be por formed at Frankfort); "Donna Inos," by

Luigi Ricci, jun. (performed at Milan); "II Conto di Rysoor," by Kiocardo Rasori (per formed at Milan); " Oiuditta, " by Count

Domenico Silvori (performed at Catania) " Uoizadea Epaminonda," by Gaudolla (pot formed at Bucharest).

In tho Juljr number of " The Monthly Musical Kecor'd" appears tho following ad vertisement :—" Wanted to buy, Libretto for a Comic Opera, in two acts.—Apply Herr Carl Schmitt, Conductor Choral Society, Auckland,* Now Zealand," Tho libretto is doubtless intended for "The Contraban dista," which will bo produced about Christmas.

The following works are in proparatiou for publication I — 1. " Harmonic et Mdlodio," by Camille Saint-Satins; this is a collection of newspaper articles in two volumes. 2. " Verdi: Histoire anecdo tique de sa Vie ot de ses (Euvres," by Arthur Pougin. 3 " A Wagner Corros pondence," by Emmerich Kastner, of Vienna. The publisher of the'first two of the above-mentioned works is Calmann Levy.

Miss Gonevieve Ward has made arrange monts for a Victorian up country tour ex tending from Monday, Sept] 7, to the endof October. On her rohirn to Melbourne, Miss Ward will give a benefit in aid of the funds of the Lying in Hospital at tho Town Hall, Melbourne on Cup night, Nov. 6. The prices of admission will bo reserved seats -El, and already two ladies of position in Society have guaranteed to poll £100 worth of tickets each before the night o,f the •benefit.

In conversation with tho übiquitous inter viewer, Sir Arthur Sullivan has just said that the opera of tho future will be a oom promieo between French, German, and Italian opera—a sort of eclectic school, a selection of the merit 3of each one. He then goes on to remark :—"I myself will make an attempt to produce a grand opera of this now school. Yes,' it will be an historical work, and it is the dream of my Jjfe. Ido not believo in operas based on gods and n yths. That is the fault of the Gorman s-hool. It is metaphysical music-it is philosophy. What wo want aro plots that give rise to characters of llosli and blood, with human emotions and human passions. Music should speak to the heart, and not to the head. Such a work as I contomplato will take sotno time."

At a largely-attet.cled meeting under tho presidency of Sic George Macfurron, tho Principal of the Boynl Academy of Music, to consider (ho desirability of establish ing a standard musical pitch for the United Ringdqm, it was agreed, on tho motion of Mr Santley, that it was desirnble to fix a standard for musical pitch which may accord with that of other countries It was also resojved—" That, in ordor to annul the great inconvenience consequent on the dißqrqpancy of pitch in this nnd other countries, it is deeirabloto adopt the French normal diupason of 518 double vibrations' tor C in tho treblo clef;" and "that steps be at once taken for securing the adoption of the standard pitch in the principal orchestras and also, if practicable, by the regimental and other bands of tho British Army."

llr Dlon Boucicault having finished hia Melbourne- season,- has gone on to Sydney. In his farewell speoch at Melbourne he said;—" Seven weeks ago we met here for theifirat time-not 88 strangers-for I had visited you in the spirit many times when my pieces wore presented hero. Wo had passed many evenings together, and that they wore plea ant ones I feel assured by the hearty reception you gavo mo and mine. You came with both hands extended to give

ail old friend wolcome. (Cheers.) But I bad to pass a eevero ordeal as an aotor. I was handicapped by your favours, heaped on the author, and had to race aguinst my solf. (Laughter.) May 1 trust the result has not disappointed you ? (Cheer*.) lean only judgo by the ontluißiasm of crowded houses. I learned with pride from the management that the receiptsof this theatre during this engagement have been such that, should Sydney equal Melbourne, the result will exceed any receipts over taken in the colonies during a corresponding period of twelve weeks. (Cheers.) . . , 1 must not forget those I have been associ ated with during these performances, and when I speak of my son and daughter, I confess that of all ray works they are the two of which I am most proud. (Much laughter.) It is very hard to say good-bye, and the harder still when it may be the last time I shall be able to say it. I take away with me more than the reward of my ser vices. I take the memories of some of the happiest days of the long and successful life with which it has pleased God to bless me. In bidding farewell to Melbourne, I would say to you collectively--and oh, so sincerely— in the words of Rip Van Winkle —"I wish you all good health and your families, and may they live long and prosper." (Loud cheers.) At the close of Miss Genevieve Ward's season in Sydney recently, Mr G. VV. (Jrifiin, U.S. Consul, on behalf of the com mittee for the celebration of tho 4th of, July, prosonted Miss Genevicve Ward with a mag nificent laurel wreath, and in doing bo, eaid : —" Miss Ward, I have been asked by the committee for the celebration of the 4th of July to express to you on the occasion of your bonefit their deep sense of gratitude for your kindness in reading at our latt national celebration the Declaration of tho Independence of tho United States. _ We thon had an opportunity of_ admiring that wonderful power of elocution which is one of your distinguishing _ character istics ns a great artiste. Uis now my pleasing duty to present to you this wreath of laurels as a token of admiration of your genius. It is a proud day for me to be able to stand in the presence of this vast audience and state, after having seen all the great queens of tragedy who have adorned the Btage during the last 30 years, that not one of them, in my calm and deliberate opinion, ever surpassed you in power and brilliancy, or in truth, beauty, grace, and naturalness; but in expressing my admiration for your gifts as an actress, I am not unmindful of the still more lofty attributes you have displayed in tho sphere of true womanhood. I rejoice to think that at the time when another fair countrywoman of ours, Miss Mary Anderson, was receiving the enthusiastic plaudits of the vast audiences of London, you were welcomed with the same tokens of appreciation by the people of tho foremost metropolitan city of Aus tralasia. I have now much pleasure in presenting to you, on behalf of our com mittee, this wreath of laurels." (Cheers.) In reply, Miss Ward expressed herself unable to thank Mr Griffin as she would like for the very kind and flattering manner in which ho had spoken of herself. She, however, could assure him that if she had given him ar the committee any pleasure by her reading of the Declaration of Inde pendence, she had had her full share of the pleasure herself, for she was an American, and proud of her nation ality. Art, however, belonged to no particular country. While thanking her countrymon for tho great honour they had dono her, she could not let the opportunity pass without expressing the great gratifica tion and pleasuro she had experienced during her tour of these great colonies. Wherever she had been she had met with the most cordial welcome and appreciation that would live in her memory till she died. She had no words with which to thank them as ohe would wish, and would only utter one laßt word—Fare well. Miss Ward thon retired, amid the prolonged cheering of the large audieuce which had assembled to witness Miss Ward'a final appearance on the Sydney boards.

REVIEW.

THE ARYAN MAORI. By Edward Tregear. Wellington

Dipsborv; 1855,

This small volume is another evidence of the interest at present taken in the history of the Maori. Now that he is a fading figure in the panorama of national life, a few dwellers in the land which was once solely his are anxious to ascertain hit origin; and a cynic might perhaps remark that more curiosity is being manifested as to whence he came thanastowhitherhoisgoing. Buttheenquiry is a useful one, though the results in every case may not have turned out particularly promising. A fow weeks ago we noticed in these columns Judgo FentoVs recent brochure in which lie formulated his thoory respecting tlio origin of the Maoris and arranged many interesting pieces of evidence in support thereof. Withit. a few weeks Mr Tregoar puts forward in the book whoso title heads this article another hypothesis of quite a different character, lie himself considers his conduct " bold," and well he may when he undertakes to prove —not to suggest merely—that the Maori is an Aryan, and that his language is a member of the Indo-European family of human speech. In othor words Mr Tregear maintains that the Maoris originally inhabited the high table land north of the Himalaya range, whenco migrated no one knows how many centuries ago, the ancestors of tho Iveltic, Teutoiiic, Latin and Greek races. The relationship of Maori then to Sanskrit, Latin, German, etc., is that of sister. Mr Tregearis pleased tooall thishls"discovery " whioh he has hastened to make known to tho public ; but Mr Tregoar is mistakon in thinkiug himself to be the first in this field. Other and far more competent labourers havo occupied the ground before him. Bopp himself, the father of Comparative Philology, as long ago as IS4I, published a book wherein ho sought to include the Polynesian dialects in his Indo-European family (see Prof. Sayce's "Science of Language," vol. I. pp. 49.—5,0); and his failure has over since boon pointed to as a beacon to warn other investigators off the rocks of futile effort and wasted energies. Mr Tvegoar has rushed boldly on to thorn, as if would appear, out of ignorance. "I havo boon the first," says he, " to apply the scientific method to the Maori language " ; and if his treatment hero is scientific what, wo ask, must the unscientific be ?

We wish' to put the case as'clearly as possible before the public, and hence will state the different steps of the argument with more than ordinary caro. To bogin with, then, the Indo-European family oi languages, which our own belongs, is inflectional, as also are every one of its numerous and famous kindred. This stage of development had bi-en reached hy the paront language spokon in the central Asian tabloland before mentionod, prior to the great migrations westward and south ward. On this point there ia not the shqdqw of a doubt; overy intelligent student of philology sees such must have been the case. We cite two authorities ou tho point, however, to make oe'tainty more sure. Rrofossor Sayco remarks; "The parent speech was spoken by men who stood on a relatively high level of culture, and was as fully developed, as inflectional in short, as Sanskrit or Latin thomaelvos" ("Science of Languago," vol. I. p SG). The testi mony of. Max Miiller is to precisely fhe same ell'ect:—" Tho whole framework of grammar—the elements of derivation, declension, and conjugation—bad become settled before the separation of the Aryan family "(" Lectures on Language," vol. I p. 272). Now Maori belongs' to quite another and distinct classification of language?. It has not reached the infloc tionul stage (tho highest) yet, but is still '. agglutinative," as tho term is. That is to say, in word formation two unaltered roo's a-o joined together, as in "man-kind,' which is an agglutinative compound. Differences of moaning aro not indicated by tho ndlition to tho ropt-worJs of prefixes and milhos whoso independence as words has been lost. Hare also wo wou'd make assurance doubly sure by one or two quota tions from Dr. Maunsoll's Maori Grammar. "Compound words [in Mrou] aro always formed by two words placed in immediate juxtapot-^tion, without any elision of either' (p. 17,3 rd edition), "Maori admits of no such thing of declension by inflection, i.e. by a Variation ofthe ground from'1 (p. 19) "Mnoij verbs are notdoclined by inflection " (p. 35) But this is more than enough, Aryan 1 languages are all inflectional, and had reached this highest stage boforo they branched off from tho parent stem. Maori has not been attained so high a level of development, but remains agglutinativo, like Finnish, Hungarian, and Turkish. Mr Tregear must bridgo this wide gulf before hia theory is worth, investigating. He. must show one oi two things. Either, that the Polynesian races loft the primal Aryan home long centuries in advance of the Keltic, Teutonic, etc, races, whili yet the family speech was in the agglutinative stage. Or, that the Maori language has retrogaded;

that though it wmT^^Si, selects; but hi ß Vk'l^S occupy him tho rest o!hl" ln %"* But our attention l««< ."'Wfi? -\ ently evades i n hU book,l^'^ lies with hia pri nc i n T > ""loutfiN to take some to^*mfo give a list of Maori ZT^ PnS* out the Sanskrit woV?*.k> heart or mind, and diJ'^V bS m Maori to be m^ fc^jS petoj fondling; A^ this sort>ofThin P e nl o 'nil'^^ must be delightfallj "±.***& not surprised that i^N> up heaps of identttiea f Q these etymological Cti lHi take as proved tiro «»?*»« j! which, being knocked a™, "SC structure without found. !*!s«2 assumption is, that in Maori r : b operating no such W«! tfr^W much labour as he has ,J IS C nocessavtodescribei^i? of Consonantal Transition iP** *t i Philology it will CfSfenS regularity of its oporZlrl'.* { Rtrated by Jacob^rfe, % been found that the Serf',S eluding Hebrew, cZiTt Hfe follows the BamepatStS^ To quote a couple of fiffij* from the Aryan branch i-b&A for brother, appears as P^3M frater m tatin, and H S German. Sanskrit dantS^l^ sented in Greek by odous i.T 7 "«» m Gothic by tvn ytht\fe| German by zan d. BatMtjS.l! nates in Sanskrit and M W ri3?i that no such law has \mkMl ;he cases under notice. %,™^ have kept their places' w'th tenacity, with/nn. absence fi?*i makes even Mr WM amawment, But elymoloiriSi^ as he has now become heSeaiT* in connectini! Sanskrit Maori ra, rama, rangi, tiri feP,' Sanskrit pat, to fall, withwtiS* and so on,althoagh thetefidSfl tibnbetweenthetwolangqjgtt^.jS forty centuries. During thatiiS?! has there been no greater 2 change than this! itissiniiijG to the ordinary student'rf':S Its unbelievableness is ERatlviS bythefaot thatamoDitlßW nesian dialects the law' diS, TransitionhasbeenactivelfatiiS gear himself shows this,forDiii|iL these among othei variatl»M^2l! (leaf), Samoan lan; Maoii%iLr' Samoan fitu, HawauanWkfM (arm), Caroline Islands Him. 'in? of such word?, convenient [ L . r: -U; be found at the end of Jad»H recent book on tie "orfch 7 Maoris). With these ej&A our eyee it is imposeibblj J that Maori has escaped tlim of tlie law in questionrbnl'MrC when be Bees affinities SefwW cur; po (night) and bt^yiHiU tide; koti and ciiti Sri !ljS tarry; has eh,bwn, himaelf to w * organ of credulity abnomallydS ${o. notice of Mr Tregwi1 * I^3 complete withoat a wokl wfif, treatment of' tte. oow ud if i the author fairly exoeUMaalt'ii, etymologist shouts hfanielfi'einjhi Swift, who derived,-Alfaift Hill from a Scotcn way of e»ytt>|U under-the-grate." '■ TteMwriiWiS quainted with cattle is USonfeW had in fact been separated ImaipiH many long coatnriei till the ininldiS peanß. But away in Cental iabffi delighted in flocka and htrdi, «&«|| constituted their chief walt^citaß vocabulary mußt have bwatiiaJj connected with the pnrscij; oisiffi ing. Are there no rem:wt)i)ttiitij bo discovered inMiorif: [fe are, says Mr Tregeat, Heht^ta! were; set out on the'eeiniriSi ness, and found wntthaltffe// et ueq.). Of course he diillisre4 expected. Get enamoured li ilia you will discover no hoki)!mttlii port it. Mr Tregear giiftljiDßM kou- is the Maori for cot, udtsit queationably a great phoiae^io^aaiijt tivoen thetwovotds. Anidiottisiiit it. Kahui, kahurangi (6l)*^ (cow-friond, i.e., a litter), % bridge, i.e., flat-cow)are m<Lk into which the cow-idaa eaten, v (smoke), ha reiaarks, reallyews which used to bo used for fufWs go .further and annbtt'iicemiaii syllable ruki i» tfce Enpl: risk 1 1 gear is quiti welcome to the a^k we require no thanks. TotrmiS! (a kind of weapon,withitoijijii/* with cow-titty! Bravo, Xifypi oould not rise higher tharttWjti; Once on the track tiieanftorW ling plain enough. TpsboPlW* naturally made a great fen," out in tara, tararau, taraceti.-r«.i and plenty ol othorwonk "' • wade an even greater «bi)w;W»' is not wantiig in tbiiotW But if the Maori eke maa^fewjj then the Maoria were batw* was boliovcd-they owfl,'*' (equus, a horse). BaUlriV*"" imply that they actually *A If*)1 connects all sorts of '.mwu'*" Latin word cAtus, anwleoit., .v Our readers will proWjttw' have Bpenfc quite »nougb tiaooma and though we had ia»rkßdi» passages for comment we aw» selves tho pleasure. less submitted, to much » piling his funny little volume, MWBj| fiave been expended, «w»<»gß| to show, in a wrongdirWW;!gjKj seem to haye struck b' mW\T^p at-sumptions givehiiithßorJu-^, i a house of cards, ; |i§

FATAL FIGHT IN ME

'W was reported on fe: .{* murder had beon eomn* *JE, street, Sydney. Sub/*q«»'« Rhowed that a, place in that neighbourhood, H^jßii : appear to bp a case of m* JHi makers, named MiohseUHf TRj 35 and 40 years, and Chafo^^l had been lodging f°?^*SiS| Cappevy, at Ko and came to blows. 4gojmH to go to a «W"^>Hp whilst their landl* a meal for thpm .f^Jf-jM] than was good *»r ;fs™£H|i ensued, in whfcft.ttj^jggljßff Allan-i» said t°- M-'Hi^B Tho mo;i fought iat™tl?j;iSljß^ quently in a backya«l* „**■& : Latter pla^o Allan u.*°fl« knocked down,and f «W|^»:] almost instantaneous. ( om amined the body, b?f.*£(?*■[' circumstancea to wm°W4*!tM death. Asbton B^jW&lfc police. a,t Nc. 1 «tntlo«gSSHv 0,, panting M^'SgM'j I ton; " I hear there «V£s«B-' nome to give myM» bemuchcastdo^natw" ||;

Terrible UNKNOWN

Particulars hw> torribje »«^ toJfgtSj! appears that tho "^j 'W:»alli with 10 poreODBOB bS:i;t» Lake Mi^toU, 2:S»**HP terrific utirro barst ~!&>»" , steamer had got * ffift*M- Ofor6 sSew^iSl«Bi v; shehad gone. d^^ ( fw'^gf bpon 'w^^^d'S'^B* InTn in*4*"'*tt,lSSNßß''? turbulent, «ndh'?i JheifM? wards like a ng&afiffM previously seen the "™SSWW Rarid, his wif%^wrt4^^fij» was subsequently or*** jfe,, bodies recovered, . &-;. j

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1885.

4