.At the inquest on the body of William Miller, who "was accidentally killed at Te. f Jianfctu. last Friday through his horse bolting, the coroner, after returning a ver dict of accidental death said he wished to draw the attention of all boys to the fact that it was far more dangerous to ride with the feet in the leathers than , n the stirrups. Boys' porhaps did not think of this, and he thought it was a fact that could not be U generally known. A Christmas tree in aid of St. Bamabas's Sunday school was held at Waite's Hall, Mount Eden, last night, when the hall was " cr owded with hundreds of bright and happy children and their friends. The tree, kindly" provided by Mr Ucly, Chairman of t jie Mount Eden Domain Boaijd, completely filled the centre of the hall and was laden with prizes, some of considerable value and im ■ jnense variety, which took nearly two hours to distribute. During the evening Misses Rice, Cooper, Armstrong and others gave duets and solos on the piano. Tables'were - j a jd out with Christmas cards (given by Mr T. H. Webb of Oak House), photos, etc., and a liberal supply of refreshments, con tributed by the ladies of the "congregation. The committee; consisting of the following young ladies—Misses Bice (2), Armstrong (2), Jourdain, Hill, Cooper and Davis—were indefatigable in their exertions, under the able superintendence of Mrs Dnfttts, and their weeks of labour were well rewarded by the si&ht of the bands of delighted children. Messrs Shirley Hill, Cooper, Webb, Udy, Duffus, Jourdain and Woodward assisted during'the evening. The pecuniary result also was very satisfactory, loaving a hand some balance for the school funds. , MrW. G." Garrard is hard at work on the preliminary steps for taking legal action against the Government of New Zealand for recovery of his naval land grant. .Heholds that his claim is clear and in defeasible, and that the law courts will iertainly uphold it. i ' The Mohawk Minstrels repeated their, programme to a good house last evening. Aa apology had to be ma.de for Miss Laura Roberts, who was too unwell to appear, and ber items were successfully taken by Miss Bella Perman. It is expected that Miss Roberts will be sufficiently recovered to appear to-morrow evening, when a grand double programme is promised. We have received from Mr Wm. Tait, the Auckland manager of the National Insur ance Companj of New Zealand, a copy of that Company's pictorial calendar for 1888. It is very neatly got up,; and exceedingly handy for office use. Attention is requested to the advertise ment in another column by the Queen gtreet drapers announcing that they close on Monday and Tuesday, 26th and ,27th December, -and Monday and Tuesday, 2nd and 3rd January, 1888, in observance of the usual Christmas and New Year holidays. '•The feasibility of growing cherries of first-rate quality in Auckland has just been demonstrated by Mr S. Danneford, of City Hall buildings, who shows in his window two samples of large, well-ripened fruit grown in his orchard at Lincolntstreet, Pon sonby. Mr Danneford imported several trees from Denmark two years ago, and this fruit is part of their produce. There are two Kinds, red and black respectively, . and their juicy lusciousness is such that a large and profitable market could be readily found for them at this season of the year 1 . Few people have any idea of the number of straw hats manufactured in Auckland. Not on}y do the retail makers do a little in that line, but there is. one firm which has this Season turned out somo thousands for the wholesale trade. These hats, whioh compare very favourably for make and finish with the English-made hats, have a ready sale here, and their market extends right down the colony as far, as Christ church. A goodly number of hands are tmj»l6y«d in the trade, but if the mimu l&otttrei'-Wfi* protected from foreign com petition, the value of this local industry Vould be considerably enhanced. -<" ','Slr Robert Thompson, member for Marsden, arrived from "Vv ellington yester day, and was in town to-day en route for home. He leaves by the steamer tor Whangarei this evening. The other Auck land members left Wellington this morning. They should reach New Plymouth to-night, and Onehunga to-morrow afternoon. Parliament was prorogued to-day, and is expected to meet again on or about the 6tb April. -..' ..:<■; : An concert took? place last evening in the: Wellesley-street schoolroom. It was-in. aid of the sports of the school. Mr Vincent E. Bice took the chair, while a Bmnber of friends were accommodated with seats on the platform. The school-room presented a gay appearance, being taste fully decorated with flowers, ferns, and Japanese lanterns. - The attendance was large", and many of the items on the programme were enthusias tically applauded. The following pro- presented :—Pianoforte duet, Misses "Goldwater; recitation, " Flod den Hill, or the Death ofrMarmion ;" song. Miss Bedlington ; duet, '' Hunting Song,' I Misses Lye; song, Miss Mendelssohn ; reci tation, " The Railway Train," Primer chil ; dren; song, Miss Slator; pianoforte solo, Miss Trenwith; song, Miss Scbrofl ; song, " The Midshipmite," Master Arthur Hould ; "Hammer Song," V. and VI Standards; recitation, Miss Eva Keesing; song, Miss Hooker; duet, '"Friendship," Misses Copmbes aad Clarkspn ; recitation, Master Holdawortb; song, Miss Crowther; duet, Misses Hooker and Westwood; dialogue, Misses Baxter and Williams; pianoforte solo, Miss Byrne; song, "Where is Heaven?" Miss T. Townley ; song, "home Day I'll Wander Back Again," Master P. Howden ; recitation, Master Jones; song, "The Gipsy's Warning," Miss L. Newell. The proceedings terminated by all present joining in the National Anthem, lhe sports take place to-day in the Domain. The "Saurian Monster" has been resur rected, and those of the Auckland public . who'did not take the opportunity of view ing his carcase before the catastrophe ot the kerosene lamp will be enabled to do so this evening. The " monster" after his accident was placed in theskilful l* ands ° f Mrs Yandle, the taxidermist, and as the " head was But sHghtly mjuriedall hischarms have'been renewed.: The "monster vyili be on view next to; Tuttle's Photographic Studio this afternoon in conjunction witn a dioramaof the Tarawera'eriiption. . ' A teleeram jußt received from Wellington states that New Zealand-war medals have beenissued to tbe Allowing individiials:- . William Harrison, private No. 2 Company Saranaki Rifle Volunteers; John Ahem, private Taranaki Bifle Volunteers; John tt Doolev. Sergeant No. 4 Division Armed LsSulary;SdmundUarr, Hawke's Bay Militia;. WkmMcCata, private No. 2 Company Taranaki Militia, William Black, private No. 4 Company Hawke's Bay Militia. < ' The "Musical Tubes" j«st imported by ? Messrs Garlick and Cranwe 1 seem to be ; v|ry suitable for the colonial churches, as their Ughtness and compactness will enable tm to be fixed in an ordinary wooden . and the ,P« C V ** jf of one-tenth ofan old-fashioned .peal ot bells.. They are being utilised -i^ ' in the Old and H.R.H. the Prince of Wales ordered a-peal- for the new tyurch at Copenhagen. . If as "««■£*£ cfoch bell trade We are .s¥&%s£ Messrs Garlick and Cramjjell *}?!£' the public an opportunity of hearing them played on Christmas Eve. of these tubes (Mr Harrington) Itrueted a new easy chair spring, which «iwn the upholsterers'handywork is aaaeo SSsTpS&ect chair for ease and Aipecimen U aW on v>ew at Garljck ana Cronwell'o.

.There was a large amount of business be W? tlie Police Court .this morning, but most' Of the cases dealt with were of an ordinary character, including several by law cases. A charge against George Mcßride 'under the Employment of Females Act was also dealt with. The weekly meeting of the Burns Club took place last night, Mr John Parker in the chair, when the following formed part %t i v enfcfe rtainment :—Song, " Here's a Health, Bonny Scotland," Mr Carter ; reci tation, " Animosity," by the Chairman ; song, "A Hundred Pipers an a'," Mrs Goldie; song, "The Bonnie Hills of Scotland," Mrs Goldie; reading, "The bridge of.' Sighs," Mr , Blackman ; song, ««Mary of Argyle, Miss McMillan ; song, "0, Why Left I my Hame," Miss McMillan; song, "Prince Charlie," Miss femifch. The Secretary intimated tnat'Dr. Wallis had kindly consented to read a paper shortly, and had also contributed to the hall building fund the sum of 20s. It was also announced that Mr Blackmail's lecture on the poet Tanahill will take place next Thursday week, January sth, and on the succeeding Thursday a,discus sion will take place on the question of the " Hooch" cry indulged in at certain High land dances. On Thursday next, the 29th insUnt, the hall will be open to the crews of the men-o'-war now in harbour, at least that portion of them who may be partial to the songs of old Scotland. This invitation will be communicated to the Admiral. The proceedings closed with "Auld Lang Syne." To the Editor: Sir,—A short time ago you inserted a letter of mine about dead fish in Lake Takapuna, and I there stated that I had sent some of the dead fish to, the Mayor, of Devonport and some to Mr Cheeeeman. I have since received a letter from Mr Cheese man, saying the fish were not fresh enough for him to make a thorough examination, but he thinks it is the Saprolequia fungus so woll known as the cause of some diseases in salmon and.trout. I have received no communication from the Mayor of Devon port, but lam told ho was so anxious to show the people of Devonport that there was no harm in the fungus, that he swallowed several of the fish, and is waiting until sufficient time has elapsed to enable him to prove that there is nothing to fear before writing to me. Should he fall a martyr to tho course of humanity, I trust tho Devonport people will put up a monu ment to his memory.—Yours etc., Edwin Harrow, Buona Vista, Lake. Takapuna. A very successful entertainment was given by Mr J. H. Edmondes's juvenile singing class in St. James's Hall last evening. Several choruses were sung in a pleasing and correct manner, the round, " Old Chairs to Mend," being especially good. Songs were given as follows :—" The Robin," Ettie Evans ; " The Useful Little Girl," Violet Ballyntine ; "Sorinie," Lena Smith; "Let -Your Tears," Mary Deveron ; " To.Him Shall Nations Render," Janeßallyntine; "Mother, SihgMetoßest," Eva Ballyntine; "The Brigade," Elsie Booth; "He will Not Always Chide," Lizzie Evans; "Somebody Whispers," Gertrude Kean ; "Some Day ; I'll Wander Back Again," Percy Howden;" Poor Little Johnny," .Mary Reid; "Murmur of the Shelly E'sfiel Owen; " Kissing Goes -.by . Favour," • Annie, Sinclau-; " Mamma, Kiss Me," Maggie Brown; "The-Bridge," Beatrice Harvie. Several trios were also, well sung. The Misses Farrell and Harvey, .played a piano forte duet, entitled " Shepherd's Even ing Song," and ; a piano jSplo, "Les Cloches aii Moriastere, was given by Miss Farrell. The accompanists were Misses Harvey, M. .Eeid, G. Farrell, Dickey and Scott. The entertainment concluded 'with tho National Anthem. H.M. ships Nelson and Diamond were, by the courtesy of the Admiral* thrown open to the sight-seeing public during yes terday afternoon, but owing to the rain coming ddwn but a comparatively small number patronised the steamers the Devon port -Ferry Company had running to the warships. This afternoon the Nelson" was again open, and as the weather was beauti ful a large number availed themselves of the opportunity to see over her, the Devonport Ferry Company running special steamers at short intervals. One of the coal hulks was, taken alongside ffiM.S. Diamond this morning, for the purpose of supplying her with coal, so that the vessel was not thrown open to the public to-day. The arrangements for the experimental lighting of the city to-morrow, evening are now complete. There will be five lamps, each of 2,000 candle power, in .Queen-street, placed at regular intervals from tlio Wellesley-street junction to the wharf. The lamps will, bo supplied by one of the Jenney Electric Company's dynamos, capable of supplying a lighting power equal to 20,000 candles. There is a second dynamo in Mr Firth's possession which will bo utilised in connection with tho incan descent light service with which it is pro posed to light the now mill. An experi mental lighting of the lamps took place this morning, and everything is now ready with the exception of the hanging 'Of the lamps, which will be done to-morrow morning.. Two of the most promising and pro gressive of our local industries are the culture of strawberries and grapes, and the production from the latter of a light and non-intoxicating wine. Operations in this latter direction are. carried : on in such ah unpretentious way that one as apt to underrate the magnitude and importance of this industry. Yet it has developed to considerable proportions. Mr I. W endel, who is the oldest and largest manufacturer of Auckland wines, has Won in the South such a reputation/for his various brands that last year he sold no less thau 400 gallons to Southern -customers, and about 800 gallons, tp customers in the- Auckland district, . While during the/last three months he has disposed pf no less than 300 gals. in this district alone. Dunedin, Wellington and Nelson'this wine is regularly used for sacramental purposes. As indicating the stimulus which this indus try irives to the growth of grapes, it may be mentioned that last year Mr Wendel purchased no less then 20 tonsof theluScious fruit from farmers and others living. Within this provincial' district. His operations, have now attained to such proportions that he lias had to procure further machinery, amongst the latest being a grape-crushing machine, which Messrs McCqskrie and Sou have just made to his order and fitted up To the Editor: Sir,— My attention-has been called to a little paragraph that appeared in your Saturdayfs issue to the effect that the Newton East -School Com mittee had resolved- to accept the apology tendered byMrGeqrge Staines for his recent action in'interfering with the managementof Newton East School. - I beg respectfully to assure you that you have been misled m tha matter. I have never tendered an apology to the school committee, nor dol.considerl have done aught that demands an apology from me.-Yours, etc., Georgk Staines. A number of citizens met the Mayor by invitation yesterday afternoon doy the pur- S)Ve o taking into consideration the pro- S to entertain the Admiral and .officers of the squadron, ' It' -was unanimously decided that they,should be entertained and several suggestions to the form which the entertainment should take were made. One was a citizens' ball, and another a picnic, and the latter proposal is ?he one most likely to be given effect to The approaching Cbmtmas t holidays felt to be. .a difficulty, and ifis not improbable that if a picnic is de cided upon it will" take place pn the,o£ Son&'the opening-of .the dock in February. The form of entertainment will Sweverfbe agreed upon at, an adjourned meeting this afternoon. , : , > " Onehunga -tweed suits at 6dy at Smith and Caughoy's.-(A»V?.)

' It will be scarcely necessarj' to remind bur readers of the intended pyrotechnic display in Government House reserve to morrow evening and on Boxing night.' The displays and illuminations will be given by Mr James Pain, pyrotechnist to the Queen, and will be under the patronage of Rear Admiral Fairfax, C.B. The displays that have been given elsewhere by Mr Pain are described by the newspaper reports as being wonders of beauty and grandeur. Mr Daw's property at Ellerslie offered by Mr Evans for sale by auction on Wednesday was withdrawn at £850, Which was just a little under the reserve price. . We notice that Milne and Choyce will keep open their premises Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve until ten o'clock. Judging by the beautifully dressed win dows, their goods should be well worthy the attention" of the public. It was generally admitted that Stewart Dawson and Co.'s great English watch ex hibition at 94, Queen-street, was perfect in all its arrangements; still there wasfelt his want by customers who did nobwish tomake their purchases with, a crowd of visitors surrounding them. To remedy this, they have just fitted out in their usual hrst-class style a small showroom at the end of tho shop, and.purchasevs wishing to avoid the crush are invited to walk into the showroom, where they will receive the best attention. In reference to their Christmas advertisement, we would refer you to another column of this issue. — (AI>VT.) The beautiful display of boots and shoes at Brosser's Newton Boob Warehouse is greatly admired. The prices are lower than ever attained in Auckland before. Ari inspection is urgently and respectfully invited. (Advt.) ; If a working man earns only thirty shill ings a week and gets his supplies at" Earle and Montgomery's, he places himself on a footing with those who earn two pounds and spend it elsewhere. Splendid bargains this week of real Christmas cheer. If you get a £2 parcel of groceries from this establish ment you can then invite your friends from the country to come and spend a fortnight with you. Note the address, Earle and Montgomery the People's Co-operative Stores, Karangahape Road, and at 265 Queen-streeb.—(Advt). Could anything be more foolish than to throw money away ? Yet a great many of the public are doing it by purchasing from dealers instead of going direct to the manufacturers, Stewart Dawson and Co., for first-class watches, jewellery, and electro plated ware. Secure the guarantee of a celebrated firm instead of the production of Swiss cheap houses, Yankee notions, or clock-watch toys, fit only for children to play with. Stewart Dawson and Co., the celebrated and well-known Liverpool watch manufacturers, are still selling daily at their' English watch exhibition, Queen-street, Auckland, large quantities of their world famed English lover watches, at from £3 to £30 each. Stewart Dawson and Co. can thoroughly recommend andgive a guarantee with. each of their Defiance watches (ail sterling silver cases),, open face 27s od ; hunting cases, 35s each. Open till 9 p.m. —[Advt.] ■. ... The executors of T. Short are selling men's and boys' straw hats at ridiculously low prices. Hundreds to choose from. • (Advt. ) Onehunga tweed tronses to-measure, at' 21s; Smith and Caughey's.—(Advt) The premises pf Mosprs R. Hannah and Co., the Auckland Cash Boot Palace, will be closed on Monday and Tuesday next, the 26th and 27th inst.—(Advt. ) The Auckland Cash Boot Palace will open this evening till 9 o'clock, for the purpose of allowing those to get served who do not wish to be in the Saturday night's crush.—R. Hannah and Co., 172, Queen street.—(Advt). Suits to measure at 59s 6d from twenty five of the choicest patterns produced at the Onehunga Woollen Mills. Perfect fit guaranteed. — Smith and Caughey. ■ — (Advt.) ' . . i Ladies' Gloves.—Special. At Smith and Caughey's, a large lot of Dent's best "Gant de Suede, in 6, 8 and 10 button lengths; Is lid, 2s 6d, 2s lid—usual prices 2s 6d to 3s lid.—(Advt.)

THE END OF THE SESSION.

AUCKLAND MEMBERS HOMEWARD BOUND.'

(BY TELEGRAPH —OWN REPORTER.)

Wjellington, this day. The House finally rose at ten minutes, to five this morning, and northern members left overland two hours later. The Appro priation Bill passed without any discussion- The Governor hadto be roused up at 3.30 fo^, his assent. .- *" The following members Of the Legisla ture left this morning by the Wellington- Manawatu train :—Sir G. M. O'Rorke, Sir F. Whitaker, Col, Fraser, Major Jackson, Hons. Dr. Grace, Mitchelson, Taiaroa, and Dignan, Messrs Kelly, Cadman, Whyte, Goldie, Lawry, Withy, Monk, Hamlin, Marchant, Peacock, Wilson, McArthur, Moat, Hutchison, Bruce, Lance and Moss.

EXTENSIVE FIRE IN WELLINGTON.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION,)

/ ■, 'Wellington, this day. A fire broke out in Cuba-street North at 3.30 this morning, and was not subdued till the upper floor of three double-storied buildings had been completely' gutted. The block is owhed,by Mr G. Dixon, and the buildings were occupied by Mr Levy, grocer; Mr Mawson, baker;, and Mr Zitnan, pawnbroker. The fire broke out in the bakehouse at the rear of Mr Mawson's premises/the flames speedily communicating with the upper portion of Ziman's premises, from which they rapidly spread along the upper floor of the block. There was a copious supply of water and the flames were subdued before they reached the lower floor of the buildings; but the stock in all the shops was considerable damaged by water. The buildings'wer; insured for £2,000 in the Victoria office; Levy's stock for £500 in the Victoria; Mawson's stock for £100 in the Victoria; and Ziman's for £400 in the Colonial.

MR W.H. WEBBE'S CONCERT.

The thirty-eighth musical melange in con nection with Mr W. H. Webbe's Mugic Rooms, Hobson-street, was held last even ing. There was a good attendance of the public; andthe proceedings were veryinter-; esting owing! to the fact that there was a competition in ' pianoforte playing, M George Glutsam acting as judge. The piece selected was Mendelssohn's " Andante, tind Rondo Capriccibso;" arid the com petitors were Misses , Cottingham,' Eas dowh," Streeter and Wright." Miss Wright (a pripil. of (Herr 1 Tutschka) was awarded the' prize of two guineas. .Mr Wobb . announced that' thero' would; be further competitions in a months.'-stime;for vocalists, and St. James's Hall would pro bably be secured for the evening.

COLONIAL DEFENCE.

MAJOR-GENERAL SC HAW'S REPORT. "

DEFENCE WORKS IMPERATIVE.

A HOSTILE FLEET PREPABED TO

-ATTACK THE COLONIES. ...„; ,i (BY OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.) Wellington, this day. Major-General Schaw, in his defence report says: Since .1 arrived in New Zealand.in March, I have had opportunities of visiting most of the works of defence in course of construction or in progress at the principal harbours, and with the aid of the plans and the very full information sup plied to me by Major General Sir George Whitmore and his staff,* I have-been able to form an opinion as to the number of troops now required, and as to a suitable position for them. Present Position of tho Defences. Tlie comparatively hasty inspection of works which I have hitherto made have nob enabled me to state, with absolute confidence what is necessary for com pleting them, but judging from what I have seen, and from plans and, estimates shown to me I have reason ,-to, believe that if the designs of the works .remaining to bo executed are slightly modified, it will not be found neces sary to exceed those estimates. The permanent force I have recommended is absolutely needed for, the due caro and proper use of the guns, and war material provided or ordered, but until the whole of the material ordered has,been supplied and the guns mounted a portion of the perma nent force may still be profitably employed in building the defence/works, a corres ponding saving being made in the cost of the works. A further saving in the Volunteer portion of. the defence force may be effected temporarily by allowing capita tion to only two-thirds;,of the numbers given, in the estimates. , This will suffice for the. ensuing year, and possibly the full numbers required may nob at once, bo ob tainable at the points where they are needed, more especially at Wellington, where I observe.the Volunteers-are not.so numer ous as. at the three other ports. I can not refrain from, congratulating ~.] the. colony on the good . progress which has. been made in providing.the needful fortifi cations and war materials, "and on opportunity which is. nj/\y being embraced of .so organising its defence forces as .to, make full use of the material and defences provided. .. ; ~. ■■■:■■ .It is specially .satisfactory that all the new, guns which have been received in the colony up to ; date are already mounted in stead of being: left uselessly in store. In this essential particular of mounted modern guns, New Zealand holds tho , first placo amongst the. Australasian .colonies. The Military Requirements of New.Zealand which Were obtained during the early stages of the history of the colony in the struggles with the Maori tribes, which taxed sohoavilytheenergieSand resources of the colony in its commencement have now happily ceased. The military or ganisation which'was necessary during this period of internal warfare is required no longer. The improved" conditions Which have gradually but surely grown up, and the maintenance of good order throughout ; these islands, ! has become practically a matter for the Civil magistrate and the police' This being the case, it is evidently ' advisable to reconsider the military situation and to reorgiihise the defence system of the colony in accordance with its altered circumstances. "Briefly, these are' as follows : Peace wit liin its own borders; prosperity vastly increased upon the whble. notwithstanding the depression . which New Zealand, like the rest of the civilised world, is feelin* at the present time ; the country opened up by roads, railways and telegraphs ; and a considerable trade established, both in the cblony and with other parts of the world, chiefly through the aid of a magni ficent fleet ot steamers and suiling vessels ; the population and wealth concentrated mainly on the shores of the chief harbours, Auckland] Wellington, LytteltOri ' .(for Christ church), and Port Chalmers'' for Dunedin. . . ' , L , The Dattger of Attack. , Concomitantly,, however,, with. .this. material progress, a h<V}y danger; has, inevitably appeared, to .guard against, which thosp responsible ,for. t,hs t safety, and well- being of the ..colpny have felt it!.necessary to ; make preparations in view" of the cupidity of. foreign nations and their'possible hostility to the-British Empire, .which render New Zealand liable at a very sb 6r p t. notice, to an attack by hos tile vessels with, the double , object of obtaining money,,, coal, and .stores of all kinds by.force, and of inflicting injury and humiliation on a portion of. the British Empire. It, ( is. well,. known , that a fully'equipped naval force prepared and on the eve of starting on itstour of spolia* tioh and destructipn throughout th§ polls of Australia and New Zealand a fwyears ago, when war with a po'.verful European nation was imminent, and when tho.payfcs in these waters were Undefended, , Since that 'time, recognisiug the serious danger to which they are exposed,,,the Australian colonies have all,earnestly taken up the question of defence against external aggression both by: naval mean's, and also by the local dofence of their chief harbours. New geaiand- has not been behind, hand.,,, in., the necessary pre cautions,' and when the vvholo schema of defence now in hand is oomplete, it will be so Very dangerous fpr an enemy's vessel to attack any' of .the'ehief; harbours <of the colony, or to levy contributions on the towns connected /with' those harbours by threat of bombardment,/ that it ~may be Confidently asserted..that no awb,. at-- tempt would be.,made. WfaQb owe the four principal and are made safe there will,;foe .09 j temptation for, an enemy's squadron tp. Wake any serious.-at tempt on. New Zealand.. The. prizes. to be obtained pr the injiiry, which! fe in fliotod at any of the'-minpr twte would be too small to make ib WQTth while to come into these waters for ; snch a purpose. To give, however, some means .$.. self. defence to these small tbwris that they may not be at the mercy of any cruiser that .might send a boat's crew ashore a subsidy, is bub reasonable, and ithjsmay be well supplied by issuing arms' and ammuni tion to a small body of .volunteer riflemen at each of these coast towns, supplemented it may be in some cases by a few field gnhs suffioient to cope with the' naval; guns carried by- steam launches. Any threat of bombarding in such case must be met by defiance, the.women and children being removed to a place of safety. The fire brigades assisted by the householders will bs able, ab little rea| : risk. to prevent any serious damage to property by such a barbarous mode of warfare, if it "be adopted. It has long bepn recognised in England, as in other countries with an extended seaboard and numerous*"seaport tp,\Ysis, that no nation can afford to provide all such towns with effective defences against a strong naval attack. The national de-, fences must in all cases bo concentrated! at the vital points.; Probably' the patriotic feeling of people of those minor towns Will lead them to organise, honcSrary volunteer corps for'self defence, "If this be done the revenue derived from : |the taxation of the, whole'colohy will not have to meet Slhy further charge Pn account of I_hese local defences beyondthe issyQ di"arms and the cost of annual inspection. , Rifle Clubs would not alone be considered soldiers, .tns -Would be dealt with like the "Franc Tireurs " in the last war betYfeen, France

and Germany, and would be shot if taken prisoners. What is Required. Having thus briefly summarised the military situation as. it now exists, ib will be evident that-to maintain military forces in the interior of the colony is now a useless and needless expense to the colony. What is required to meet the present danger is a sufficient garrison at each of the four princi pal harbours to man the defences at those places. The .garrisons should consist in each case of a small body of permanent troops to keep the"guns,torpedos,minesandother war like stores in effective order at all bimes, to perfect themselves in their use by constant practice, and to assist also in training the main body of defenders who would be volun teers residing in the immediate vicinity of the harbour to be defended. In addition to these volunteers, someorganisationis needed tor expanding and replenishing the garri sons in case of war, and further, the small bodies of volunteers before referred to, are needed at each of the minor ports for their protection against insult. Ib is, however, unquesbionably of great impottance that every encouragement should be given to the young men of New Zealand to prac tice rifle shooting — tho most essential and by far the most difficult part of tho training of the infantry soldier. With a large body of young men so trained, past experience shows bhab in times of urgency the military forces of New Zea land might be rapidly increased to any extent that might be required. The forma tion of Rifle Clubs throughout the colony should therefore be encouraged by the supply of riiies and-ammunition, and by prizes for shooting, Which latter should be mainly for squad firing rather than for in dividual shooting, as the former is of far greater military value ''than the latter.' The existing military organ isation of New Zealand ha.3 grown up by degrees under the stress of former military necessities. ' It is unsuited to the present needs of the colony, and the absolute necessity for retrenchment of ex penditure in all departments of tbe Govern ment which has been unanimously ex pressed, makes ib imperative that the re quired military reorganisation should be at once undertaken, with the double object of making the defence effectivei and of re ducing expenditure to the lowest pos sible point. A large proportion of tlie volunteers are country corps, far removed from the harbours to be defended, and who, therefore, are not now required except under the remote contingency of an invasion abovo referred to. Under the pre sent financial condition of the colony it is out of the question that.these corps should be'maintairiedv »,;<,,. ...^ After- studying carefully the system of defence which has beeri decided upon at each Of'the four "principal harbours; and having had the advantage of consulting wibh the officer Commanding ■■"■the""' forces and his staff', I have come to the con clusion that the. existihg ' permanent' force cannot advantageously be reduced in numbers at present. When dill the guns and war material now ordered shall have beon mounted and placed in position, as will now shortly be the case/a per manent forco consisting of 250 non-com missioned officers and men wjll bo required to keep them in good order, and to form the nucleus of the elefehee force. I should pro pose to unite them in one body, called tho "Coast Brigade" and embracing within its ranks a duo proportion of artillerymen, torpedo men, submarine miners, signal men, testers, electricians, engineers, and other artificers,and that they should be divided into four detachments, andlbcalised at the four ports in about the following proportion, exclusive of officers :— Artilleiy. Torpedo Total. Auokland .. 68 .. 19' ' .. 87 Wellington ... 68 ..21 ... 79 Lyttulton .. 32 .. 6 .. -38. ~ Dunedin '„•. . 48* .. , 8 .. 48 Totals ~ ■ i ! 198 • 54 ' 252 The men to form this coast brigade may be obtained chiefly by transfers from the existing permanent mjjitia, I should advise a simple blu§ uniform for,. all the brigade with red badges distinguish ing men trained to special duties in the permanent corps, and white badges in the, vPlunteer cprps. It is not |.q d» away With the" rifle militia, wMch, consists mainly of men formerly pf thfeAj.C,, but to reduce it by £ran.sferg tp the Coast Brigade or by not filling vacancies as they occur tq 80 non-oommissioned officers and nj.en. This body is still useful in many ways, but it will be for consideration, whQther it be permanently kept up. Affiliated to the i'ermaherit Ccftg* Bngade, ' there should, he a Volunteer Coast Brigade to work with' the Permanent ByigjE.de< tike the Permanent Corps, the Volunteer Coast Brigadei would consist in due prppprtion.« of artillerymen, submarine miners, and boatmenJ'ftnd would be drawn frofii Vplun toevs atthe ditteren.t. jHwrts iv .the following including pmeejp '{— , ', Aftilievy. Torpod'o. Total Auckland : .".'.' ~..,. ,270 ■ , 45 .315' Lyttelton ; .. '124' 11 S Dunedin- ~„..,.; VJ, ».., § {f T ;■!•*;;!! ' !. ,"| .jjjjj^ J7i "Kddition to these,' there should bea "field,force' at each port, consisting of a battalion of .infantry, a' troop of mounted infantry, and a battery. of position artillery, to,guard against landing parties. The total strenpfbh of the .field, force required.for each place*, including all three arms, would be about.: Auckland, 698; Wellington, 610 ; Lyttelton, 610; Dunedin, '610 ; total, ,2520. -~,.: ~.',. '-,;,/ •:•■> • ,'■■.-. !-.. In: addition to the '< above, about 560 volunteor infantry and artillery ; would be needed for Nelson,. Westport, Greymouth, Bluff, Oamaru, Timara, Napier, Gisborne New Plymouth and Wanganui. ' The whole defence force now' recorii mended would ibe as follows :~Permanent (exclusive ofoffioers).: ! Coast Brigade; 252 ; Bifles, 80, Volunteers (including officerej: Coast Brigade*. 902 !;i; held force, 2,520.; honorary Volunteers,.s6o ; t0ta1.i4,314. / The .adoption of \ this revised establish ment would.result in the reduction of about 4,980. paid Volunteers in addition ,to the cadets,. ."', ...,! '.. b-.oih ■•> ■ ■■■ As regards the cadets, the cost to the country is about. £1,500 per annum for •papitation in addition to. the : cost for ammunition. Thpy cannot be regarded as efficient soldiers to. contend in battle with grpwn men, and consequently it appears to. me that this charge should,not. fall, on the yote for defence. It may no doubt be advantageous to the community. frppiuthe , point of view, of educational training that lads should be drilled at school, but it is mainly an educational question, and beyond the loan of arms andthe issue of ammunition, to mastors' of schools when desired, no payment in the shape ; of capitation should follow the defence vote for;the seiv vices of theso big boys, who could nob be employed in the defence of the country. , t The reduction of £4,980 paid volunteers with all the expenses connected with them, implies a very material saving in annual ex penditure. It must be observed, however, that the Coast Brigade volunteers will be called on to give more of their time for, training than ordinary volunteers. On the Coast Brigade, would fall the: chief responsibility for the defence of the four principal harbours, and. so essential, isi it that they should be. : thoroughly trained and practised iri their duties, and that all their appliances should be in goad working orders that I! would recommend that the • perma nent part of. the i wee should normally be employed,solely, in their special duties, and that, allguards orderly, duties, should be taken by the permanent. Rifles,: and even further I should recommend that the officers of bhe Cpasb ByHsade i should be given an ah lowance in lieu, of servants, so that none of the. m.eti shouldi bfe taken efftheh- duties;: t , .the estimates rejit ysar I have noticed that store establishment at -^hich

may be very much reduced. The bulk of the military stores may be kept at Welling ton. A number of' other items evidently admit of reduction to meet the, revised or ganisation share proposed. This organisa tion, with its probable cost, is given in the annexed approximate estimate, from which it will be seen that the normal annual expenditure may safely be reduced from its present amount £99,748 to about £72,332, showing - a saving of about £27,416. I would observe tbab it is very important that tbe four officers in command of the coast brigade at the principal ports should be thoroughly instructed technically, and I would recom mend that eventually they should be Im perial officers selected either from the Ar tillery engineers or the Navy—in any _ case trained both in artillery, submarine mining and torpedo service. Probably ib would be necessary to give higher salaries to secure the services of really competent and thoroughly trained men, for upon their knowledge and energy will depend the safety of the ports. Precautions Against Surprise. With the view of avoiding surprise and of obtaining as early notice as possible of ap proach of an enemy, and also for protection of mine fields and to, avoid danger to friendly vessels in war time, it will be neces sary to adopt and enforce certain regula tions and to make certain arrangements without which the defence system would be dangerous to friends and would lose a great part of iti value as a protection to the ports. After consulting with Captain Johnson, nautical adviser to the Marine Department, and Lieutenant Douglas, R.N., I should recommend theadoptionof tliefollowingsys tem : The points onthecoastwhereanenemy wouil probably be first sighted should be placed in telegraphic communication with headquarters, and signalmen should bo there on watch to give notice of suspicious vessels passing. There are some twenty of these points, of which about half are now in telegraphic communication with the general telegraphic system, and most of the others could readily be connected. These points are as follows : —Those now connected with the. telegraph system being denoted by the letter T. North Island : Cape Maria Van Dieman, Cape Egmonb (T), Penearrow Lighthouse, Cape Palliser, Portland Island Lighthouse, East Cape, Tiritiri Lighthouse (T), Bay of Islands (T), Mokchino Lighthouse. South Island: Cape Farewell Lighthouse [T), CapeFoulwind Lighthouse, Puysegur Point Lighthouse, Bluff Signal Station, Waipapa Point, Nugget Point Lighthouse (T), Cape Saunders Lighthouse (T). Akaroa Heads Lighthouse (T), Tairoa Head Lighthouse (T), Godley Head Lighthouse (T),Ca.pe Campbell Lighthouse, if: : At each of the four principal ports there should be a pilot on duty to conduct vessels through the, ''friendly channel," and no, vessel should be allowed to come in (jjj • m out without a pilot, and under fls eircurri stances between sunset a.n.d. sunrise under the penalty of being fired on or blown up. While waiting for a pilot, vessels should anchor : at Wellington inside Steeple Bock, within a. radius of 4 cables if row'the rock. At Auckland they should anohor under Rangitoto Reef, ! A% Lyttelton they should anchor ©P.lay to, according to the weather, outside a line drawn between the extremities of Godley and Totoa Heads.' At Port Chalmers they should' lay to outside the - bar, ,or< if "at-their own risk they prefer to cross- the bar, they must anchor' aa soon asi they across it outside of a line between Howletb Point and the first red buoy. Guard vessels will be required at each >o|:;lhe four 'ports ; tQ: control it the. traffic,, and protect $$ mine fields. The submarine minihjr -vessels must be supplemented in war by small local steamers, from ,30 to iOO" tons ' terii porarily ar med with a machine, and .fi.V o ed with a musket-probf breastwork, 0 f i ron or stee i. These guard vessels tvould be commanded' by the Coast k Sylaade officer (permanent or volunteer), w-itlivt-av.v crew of fifteen or twenty Coast Brigade men; one engineer arid Phe j stoker. One'guard vessel witira 'pilot on board \ravdd be required by day. ' All must be en duty at night.' 1 -The commanding officer of the day guard vessel shpuld board' every ship arriving at the port, and, and if he ie satisfied : himself as to her! friendly oharacter, he should 1 put a pilOti on botw-fj and signal to the" commanding 1 officer en shore that she ia permitted to eater, or he would lead her ih l himself"./ or more- ships arrive together' it be necessary to4ead in only one,p>it a pilot on' board of one; directing the o'chers to follow accurately in her wake.- In addition to'the submarine mining • steamers at eaph' station, ie would ' De 'necessary to have at leasti two stealers 1 at Wellington, two afe ' A 3 u °kland, i one at Lyttelton, and brie' at fJvorfc 1 Chalmers. "'These' might |jje supplemented largely, it is. 'presumed, 1 ' in war-tiirW by local steariver's. if Wcessary. f Itwouldalsobe advantageous to Wellington' and Auckland if a swift.-steamer could be employed as a scout to .cruise off the port and ; to rim in and give notice of the ap proach of an enemy ; but unless these 1 steamers, are so swif.b as to be secure against capture' they might be'injurious to to the defence by affording -an! eriefriy an opportunity '.'of " information 'which could not otherwise be gained. A system 'of ■ signals must be established to give riotice.bf the approach of an enemy and also to notify at night when all tho guard vessels Have re tired within the defences arid the'-'guns' aripV mines are free to act. -"■>'"■:■: ••■ ' When'war regulations are" in force, it should be notified at each of the four ports, by hoisting a red flag at the; signal stations and* lighthouses by day, and at night'by extinguishing the leading lights. The in formation should be widely diffused. Concluding Recommendations. Iri conclusion, I would; advert to the paramount importance of frequent practice in the use | of each of the elements of coast defence separately and in combination; that practices should take place day and night, ,sp that-men! and officers may be .accustomed to work the. guns, mines electric lights, guard! .vessels and, torpedo boats together!,under all 'conditions of weather and light. The volunteer instruc tional camps should have for their, object the accustoming.'of the officers ..and! men. to the performance/of /the actual-, duties tney would have to undertake' at the ports', they' f '"" t a»e charged to.. .defend under the, varying, conditions ,of pps sible! attack, ; J would also advise that: in all cases officers . of ,the: volun teer force should actt under the orders of the, officers of,the perms.nent-forces,, as the latter must be - more thoroughly trained arid acquainted with their, duties.,, , Estimate of Cost. ;; Thoapproximate estimate bf defence forces is as follows: Staff £3,069; Coast Brigade 1 £28,790; Rifles £7,506 ; other charges £5,625. , Total staff and permanent forces £44,991.,., •','... Volunteer forces, Auckland 631; Wel lington 942; Canterbury 651; Dunedin.6sl; Capitation £10/646; other charges £10,150. Total £24,055. „! ." Summary: Permanent., force £44,991-; Volunteers'£24,oss ; Stores and Magazines £3,286; total £72,332. , ~ 7 , ■ y ; . y , Note, -w, .',■ .-...-: ' is ~■! i"l During; the ensuing year and until the Completion of the defence works, about 80 men of the permanent Forceniayj for ecbri omical' reasons, be employed ! on the I works,• and £44,991'; the value of nltheir labour ■' about'\ £8,000 ! '' per annum, Would be chargeable to the vote for works, pending also thecompletibribfthe works. It Will riot be necessaryto make up the deferipe foirces to their full strength arid the redubtion in tlie foregbirig es tabfe^ment"''"may be in force during 1 the "M! 1888-89. "RJeductiori inpermanent |Tots^.i-^'4ttbalte^* t - : . l aV^^/ , ' f jt^? IfK i sergeant majors at 8s 6d a day, £310 ss; I 8 corporals at 7s a day, £1,022-; 8 second

class corporals at 6s 6d a day, £949 4s ; 4 artificers ab 6s 6d a day £474 10s^; : 4 Major-General privates, first-class, at 6s a day, £438 ; 26 privates, second-class, at 5s a day, £2,372 10s: Total, £6,066 ss, Rifles—2o privates, at 4s 6d a day, £1.642 10s. Reduction in volunteer one-third of capitation £4,458. Total temporary re duction of establishment, £12,155155. Total reduction, £8,000; charged to vote for de fence works, *12,158155. Temporary total £20,158 15s. The normal cost of the estab lishment. £72,332 2s 6d, would thus be re duced during the year 1888-89 to £52,173 756 d." "' ' :'. ', r'r. - ■:-.;

THE A.R.C. SUMMER MEETING.

THIS MORNING'S TRAINING NOTES

[By Hippona. )

There was a good muster of onlookers at Ellerslie this morning to watch the work* but nothing of an important character was done. . The plough ; track was in good order, and the majority of the trainer s worked their horses on it. Chaafe had Bangle out at half-past three. He sent her. a fast once round, Howitzer picking her up about four furlongs from home. Nelson was tx-eated to a couple 'of circuits at ' a nice medium pace, Raglan bringing him home. The Cup : favourite bowled over the ground in excellent style, Isaac put in a couple of miles at half pace, and the .two; year-old filly Hilda performed a light task once round. Tamora and Balista.iri com-! pany) were sent twice round at'Jthr.ee-, quarter pace, the pair being picked'rip at the six furlong post by Briesis, a daughter of Ghillio Galium. • Mason sent. Sextant twice round ab half, pace, arid some distance in the rear ' Maxim put. in similar work. For' the first circuit' both colts were very thick in the wind, but ib wore off by the time they were pullad up. , Ante lope did medium pace work, and Sir, Walter and Lioness accomplished onco round in company, when Catesby joined!,in, and the trio rattled along for a'fast mile. Ban galore covered little over two mi'.es in nice style, and his stable Companion Shillelaghs (in sweaters) put in strong wovk three times round. Lady Norah, who in looking exceed-: mgly well, strode along twice round at medium pace, and Tetiord did half'pace work, finishing with a*ushhorrie almost «b top. The son Of Pungawerewereis on fee stout sid©, Cinderella performed steady work, and Paddy put in. ovte round on> the tan, the time, This colt is looking and geinjr. well. .'■ Peter Osbeck was treated tosW pace over three miles. • o dd small line, there is no being done on the meeting. It was announced that the,prices were to be called over.at Tatbersalrs" last night, but thb.M books.' considered that they yere riot justified in . quoting, sb.no/businessi was done. j [ , $$ Percival has received intimation that the brass band belonging, to HvM.S, Nelson will play on the luivh atEUerslie next Monday.,' linpey's.&and will also be. present. •-.',,,. i ,- ; - ... - , ,',-,-. . Mr E W." Roper cume up fiom" Christ church by the yesterday. . Mr Stead arrives by Monday's steamer. , I '-.•• iMrf S and Sh'Jtover are to be shipped to the, Thames to-morrow, to take part in., the races there..hext week. . I hr-n s;j h -':,

Sale of Racehorses.

Mr P. Buxtoms horses were submitted to auction at Thorpe's,Hotel, Ellerslie, yester day, and were almost given; away. Mali Friday was. knocked down toMr D. i O'Brien at 185 guineas, andthe same'buyer took: thevearling s colb Helmsman at 50 guineas. Fpul Shot was. purchased by Mr W. Adams for 65guineas. „• \m<>s» ■.!."■".' s bMM ?«** Nominations for- theVtprincipal' events :bf the Onebfurifa' Summer Meeting: close to night at Mr Adams's office, Durham-street. '_. St. Michael's name was omittedjfrom the list of entries for the Drury Maiden Plate.

THE "MESSIAH."

Tmefavourite oratorio, 1 Handera •' Messiah,', vv.as perfbrmedjlast,evening in Beresfordr street Congregational!sChurch ■'< to' an an usually large audience. 1 "The. eh orris coiri prised oyer 60, voices,., conducted by Mr Knox. The various .parts , appeared well : balanced, though at. tinies .there wasnot tbe body of sound that might n have been expected from the riumber!"of sopranos, pre sent. An efficient in- at tendance, under the leadership oJTMr Clias. Hemus, arid Mr" J;' P. Hootbri 1 presided at. the organ. Generally considered, the per formance was a,success. At the same time, there'was' a l lack', of precision iri !the commencement of "Several of the'ehorusesV This was particularly noticeable.in •"'Arid the Glory' r arid"His Yoke is Easy.?'. Cjfu the other hand, the' " Hallelujah' Chorus "' "For Unto Us," "All We Like Shefep " "Lift Up Your .Heads " " Their found is.; Gone' Out," and . ," Worfcljy is the' Lamb," were all rendered '} in excellent style, arid.great /credit! is.-due to Mr Knox ; for having' worked up ! -the chorus into such; efficiency in. - the limited time at his disposal.' In: the chorus "The Lord Gave the Word,' >; a;mariifest tendency was exhibited byvarious!',vocalists,',to "rush thrbugh the runs, and it required' all the energies of the conductor to 'keep! thena within bounds. Mr Barrie Taylor rendered the recitative " Comfort Ye," and the air "Every Valley," with pleasing correctness.' , Mr G. Peace' took the difficult recitative '•Thy' Rebuke, "aridthe accoiripanyirig air > < ' Beho ld ( arid See." The. bass solps were all well rendered, Mr Hookey taking "For Behold Darkness," andtheair " The People' that Walked," arid Mr Hdlloway the recita-' tive " Behold ITell You a Mystery," S tiieair "The Truriipet Shall Mr R." Abel was deservedly applauded for his excellent renditions of the solo " WbyDb' the Nations." This vocalist'has seiapmjap-' peered to better advantage than, he 'didVin this trying sold. . The quartette*":Sirice W. Man panic Death," and "For as in Adam -all Die,, were takeri by 'MM Hayles, "M*s :Bartlett, and Messrs Peace arid,Bartlett. This can scarcely be called a successful per formance, sufficient care nob having been! taken to select voices, in sympathy .with' each other. Amongst the lady, soloists' Miss.Walker must, be accorded the: premier position, the beautiful contralto solo, ■?,' He Was Despised," being tendered by ber with considerable effect. The audience recog nised the meritorious character of the per formance and applauded with great vigour Mrs Bartlett showed'taste in the feeling manner in which she sangrihb of the gems of the oratorio', " He ShalfFeed His Flock." The anterior recitative was omitted/. Miss, Edmonds exhibited great power! in the do-' companying air, V Come Miss Davis took the other .contralto' recitative^ "Behold a Virgin,»arid the air," Ob, Thou That Tellest," while Miss": Blackburn took the recitatives,." There. Were Shepherds," ' f 5* T r he , £ *&$* " And Suddenly!'*' iVliss Hayles clear soprario voice Was heaid to good effect in. the recitative, " He W&s Cub Off," and the air, "But Thou Diflst \N6t'Leave," clearness of enunciation, beine a markbd featurb of this ' performance Mrs W ebb, sang the fine solo?' yffbw Beanti fal'are the Feet.". It was uriforturia'te'thaii the Pastoral' Symphony arid tbe favourite air "I That My Redeemer; were Omitted.frbna "thp; prograiriinei ' At'am interval during ; 'the evening the' the Rev. James Chew—took occasion to tender the thanks of the church, to Messrs

Krior collection was also made for Stood Debenture fund,

LATE CABLES.

RUSSIA DESIGN.

THE UPPER HAND Bf /'BULGARIA. '

:WILL' ABDICATE?

, *> in ;': . - spiral).

London, December %2> Articles published in the Russian; newspapers declare that Russia will not desist from the military prepara tions now going on in Poland,"Until the powers recognise her claim to re cover the paramount influence in tful garu*. ; ''.'.-. !■,- ; :..-. .-■: -j fe It is rumoured that Pnnc# .ber! dinand will, abdicate the Bulganaa throite. ; '!:' ~,.-,_______. ".. (SPECIAD.);'"!' !,'.._'..!', ,-,;,

GREAT SCULLING MATCH.

|/, V'; L : London, December 2£

Ross'and Buhear have agreed to row a match on the Thames in February| next. ','!;,"' ; ;... ~JL '■ ..

(SPECIAIi.)

LORD CARNARVON'S UTTERNACES.

; , " London, jDecember 22, , The "Times"! speaks eulogistically of the address delivereal by the Earl o£ Carnarvon at the Mayors banquet in lo ■■;. i"- : ~--. j .'■■< .' V ' ■•■■■.l 'i . ■:.''■■'■ '.•' ■Melbourne..,!, ! i; !,/!':..',;•.• ;' •--: -:rui

GOLD IN WALES.

,! ; ilr. Morgan,.. in a fetter' td ' th™ " Times "■ pledges himself to. devote td riatiorial .'purposes the! whole -pi the wealth derived from the Welsh mines*■! after! making proyision if or his family.!

(REUTEB.)

MAURITIUS SUGAR.

! 6 -.j.,!(j _••:-!,,-,/. ~'•'': -AriELAiDJE, this day.,.-. ..Arrived: , Messageries; Mantimes, s.s.f- Aalagie,-'frbm.Marsei|gt > via Mauritius- She, .brings Mariritids 'HPieeVto Deceriaber Bth,; under. which date .. Messrs rireland,. Eraser arid Co. ' report as. follows.:-—The,/ weather, has been favourable, bub the seasori's crop will riot 'exceed' 95,000' ! tons.:,- . The j j market ißr active,, and/the engagements' driring the month include 250'" " jtons fot'Christchrirch.,,.-, Clearances incbide' 496, tons for Christchurch and 505 tonWfo r 'Dunedin. Freights to Australia are 18s to, 235, ito/NeW JZealariid', 265: tol 27s' 6di. : Ex change, on "New Zealaridj 'banS:" r ~"i| credit at 33| per! cent. The stock •of sugar! oh hand is '38,000. tons. sfeasoritd New Zealand to : date amount to- -2;72?o? '*' '' \* ~."';: G '. v '," '. . I], V Minx's.! ...»•> Melbohbue, this day.- I - At the weekly wool sale of the New Zeav j land Loan and MercantileAgencyCoiripany" ; {Limited), 1 hefd' to-day, 3500 bales,, were.; r offered," the bulk .of which, were soldatjsatis fabtory prices. 1 Competition was animated, and ; th"e!mark ; et"very firm, prices being fully m& equal!j.p rates. Greasy merino! realised. Ild -per lb lambs,<; llj crossbreed r lOd, washedil4i, e ecoriredl6d. ■>''■•< n-Wtfc

>f.

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

.(BZ: IELEaBAPH.rrr.pW '

i -,jj£, , :',!' ~,<, -/ Thames, this day, r Trenton - . —- There are now 15 loacls ofJ ■quartz .on hand. :T In the face of the drive the footwall ibemg about 9indhes! thick* while a mass.of stringers. 2 feeb > wide.,-Colours of, gold are, seen, in. the i quartZ. ■..-;-.:'; •, oviut :-f-.rt :•;;-. I-/- ;:. ; 'i:' !'::•-;•„:-. I Saxon.^—Cleaning up and retorting takes: place.-fco-morxowy. when-a-gooi!• return niay-.' be expected. ;n\ ■■, v : ">ai • •.', :.;ltj>ld - h;.'j,. Cambkia.-—Your reade|||vill be interested to learn that during »'tne past year: the.; Cambria minebas produced6,s94bzsJ 17dwt. ' retorted gold, the, amount being toade up, loads of quartz,. '4,0730z5.• 2,203; lbs ipicked stone, .2,6390z5..; ] arid.2s9 bops of taiUngs,242ozsV l2dwfc. ;> __L. L Caledonian, r- Gas ihae; rn"ii"inii''i«i tiroublesomefduring' the, last few days. ; iPBiNOE .to report. '__

News was received in' town to-day of trhe- r death!: sat: Wellington:; ,'■ 'of- i Mrs Afosd#'j Boardman. at the age of 41 yearri. The? deceasedfclady w«a! fdrmbr repjdeni of Aucklaria,.and pfflP to her'marriage- with Mr Bourdmarij.whpuVa.son of.MrAbrabaihri". ishot was > thewidow|| ofuMr.sßuch'olz,Wormerljt an Auckland* resident; »tah: >yy: ■.:■•'■ ■*. !.,.'• . .->{■_:.-.. "... ■'~... L :-,'l? ; grocer; "Pbnsonby," stillt intends giving his emplbyees'ttie " or l ' early closirigf on Wedribsday and-be is offering every inducbnWrifc to tho = pribhb to purchase by sbllirig tiew anljßst-r class goods' at lowest pfoslslble priced tTOeefe #ie preseritdepressiori-—(Advt.)*"'' ■ 1 :^& 9 \ •&' ißinripy arid. Company's • second \vqol sale of the season tcpk place yesterday, afternoon.'! There was afafr'at- ' buyers arid the, prices obtained ' w^ 1 ' 0 ! Satisfactory,- the "ruling rate of lasti sales peing fully maintained; The print£ bipal buyers were Messrs Colbeck, VYalker Burttoand Rayrier. . '

COMING EVENTS.

■\ Meetings, &a. To-night, '•'•: - r AgriculturalHaU-Mbhawklffiristrels 8 J "" ■ • Government House, , y playhy 8.30 - ( ■ - <■ S^^?e^^^^^^^TO^s-- 1| B £hbpscourt Grounds, Parneil—S* ''iurnm> a n V Fair. 2.30 told p.m.' ■'S*Wl l r*WJ;B GaJw.v Artffierv *>o " ■ : ' Barracks,. v,^ 4 " night.Meeting pf Prayer. IB , ISPta ol Juatloea at ' \

THE AUCKLAND EYENIIG STAR, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23. 1887.

5