FIRE AT SEAFIELD VIEW.

„nd 9 o'clock on Saturday even- Bfl^ 8 aDd f 1 W as given. The glare a\ altvelfdtLtthefire W asinthe in the sky rev eal« Pags branCl lo ely followed by the Salvage atten dance clo ' Latei . on , the Corp3Ufr B tade under Mr,Superin 'AucklandFirc Brigade, rrived . The fire tendent Hugh'SjJ^. the residence field View, «flgj£ f the Brigade was narrow the woik ding f urt her. ardUOUS the Si ™ S evident that from the firs* f savulg the there was no hop d house in wmen three-storied Beloff this was » .^g B Lush . This itur" 1p they succeeded in checking the 6trUg! fthefire in this direction, but not e * Tn the firs house had been gutted nntfl the fl»o iture had been cleared iHeantiuie theJumw j and w ? lltO e t by he members of the Salvage h safefcy T liey o7Wn of the fire has not yet Corps- Ihe ,oiy that lfc been ascertained. 1 q{ Mr ff enSo wenb to Helensville last ; H itn look for work. His wife i^d four chMren occupied the house. i« went to the butchers on Satur ftv KS She took one child with her, 't y It being at the Temperance Hall. ipf nT she discovered that the STkitch en was in flames Mrs ffiS promptly gave the alarm, but was £ edited to attempt to save any oi he iumiture. Mr Grierson, who lives close hand, and Mr George Cornish, who hap *\ to be passing, were the first to come & tanee The former entered thehouse, dStes that the flames were then running p th! scrim. Mr Corn sh confirms this, S also states that the flames were in the Serbythe cupboard and were creeping She wall from that point. As nothing could be done for war.tof water, the two men listed to remove the furniture from the Wthouse, which wasoccupiedby Mrs NeaL The flames soon spread to the next house of the two-storied block.whichwas occupied by iMrLowe but Ins furniture and that in the adjacent houses had all been safely removed. 'A large crowd speedily congregated, and it required all the efforts of the pome of :™]ice in attendance to keep them from hampering the movements of the Fire Bri gade Mr Holt's house and furniture were Insured for L 250 in the South British. ijlrs Neal's husband was also from 'home he being an engineer on the 'Frisco mail boat. She thinks that the furni ture is insured for L2O and the house 'for LIOO in the New Zealand Company. The block of three-story buildings was ■insured by Mr Lush for LSOO in the Royal. khssvs Lowe, Grierson, and Brighton had 'not insured any of their effects. It is ithoughb that one of the blazing fir cones may have rolled out on to the floor, and jthen have fired the building.

SPORTING NEWS.

ipAPEES by the s.s. Mai'aroa show that tout ing the .training is in full swing at Rand- Iwick. The Sydney " Evening News" of the '^chronicling the work that morning,says: '-■•The greatest amount of interest was tofred in the doings of Abercorn and Tri- JM When he put in an appearance Aber^ jcora moved very short, but improved when pc got moving, and shaped in first-class jltyle over six furlongs of a mile at a strong (race, and kepfc the champion moving the last half-mile all he knew. When the ;Derby colt pulled up, however, he ™ not so well as could be wished, and limped when he walked away. The :Rip and Carlyon had a spin over six furlongs, both coming home together, Cran ibrook, Aberdeen, and Perfume going a mile and a quarter. They were not fully extended, though the pace was very sound, iCranbrook moving along in capital style. Useful work was done by jibe New Zealanders, Vinaigrette, Rocket, :Spade Guinea, Teddy Yuille, and ■Pasha, the lot going twice round with a flight increase of pace in the second turn. jKeith, who went in company with Arsenal, w fully extended in the last five furlongs, when the pace was very merry, the Mel .bopneCup winner going off to his box in a satisfactory manner. Peabody, the Aus tralian Peer, and Pontifex were ao-ain put together for a mile and a quarter. ~ All the ; wy they were almost at their top, and finished well together, and there is little .doubt but that the three are pretty well. 'lolcano and JJorok were put to»ether for «c round, the former having all the .better of the finish. The tan was patron t*& by Silver Prince, Thunderbolt, Dis ced, and Enfilade, who worked in pairs. The tasks, however, were set at a ' moderate pace." , Silver Prince holds the place of honour w the Melbourne Cup betting at 100 to 7, ™ Indent next, a point less. Morok is :« ac head of affairs in the Hawkeabury *ndicap; but there has been nothing ■«»g about the V. R. C. Derby or A.J. C. Stakes. The latest Pnces are :-Melbourne Cup : 100 to 7 v. »erPrince; 100 to ov. Trident; 100 to each v Cairo and Matador; 100 to 4 each Lk °?' Brayo> Thunderbolt, and .Uubrookf 00 t0.3 each v. Hortense, ,r^ nd 100 to 2 to 100 to 1 to K \r Hawke^«rv Handicap : 100 VTiW? V l - n nlorok and Rosebud ; 1.0 to 0 :; v j» tallowing anent two Auckland-bred interest 5 caif dateß will be read with \&L f v>' oof. the finest Derby horses ?swtoff f lemi"f on !ffom IW ' the fon"er bein S by Musket C t,el lm Lure' T an mvn sisfc<* to the » Sll T °f the bigeest 3-year-olds :»iK"H 1C *>ands 2 i^hes, ha,, tr 1?1 uon is within an wch of W£ I* 8 much insrLS Ctod in * colb of his and Pr°vided he ■5* *nder<S 5 ? e P re Parati°n he is E.Dakin h°e™ g " the>nd 8 of Mr W. 13? 3 *° wo^ily carry Mr

?lh^ub£ o^Tl^ ni Sht> at 7.30 \^ lecture hi 3^lene and Health." 1 *»* »£S at -nusfc be h aVon In t}ie «d! J^Pepticse P ec?aflvf C°lumn he invites ' th e ytocomoand hear. S^fe e th«Y.KC.A. and other !freven in r" d a.Boc^l gathering to •weßev. j (jVfa tea at 6.30 A( 7qn feß^" Sn af°rfniefcaisf^ -~ °clock, n i ltutethis evemno- of

DETERMINED SUICIDE.

Mr T. H. Biggs Shoots Himself

Through the Head

The usual Sabbath tranquillity of Parnell was rudely disturbed yesterday morning by the report that Mr Thos. Herbert Biggs, an elderly man who carried on the business of a bootmaker in the Manukau Road, a few doors from the Windsor Castle Hotel, had deliberately blown his brains out. It ap- I pears that Biggs, who age is o9 years, had been low-spirited for some days pre viously, a sum of LIOO which ho owed to William Richard Lloyd, of York-street, Parnell, weighing especially on his mind, although Mr Lloyd had not been pressing him Lloyd is manager of the Auckland Brush Factory, in which Biggs recently in vested. Mrs Biggs states t hat for the pre vious three or four days her husband had taken no food, and yesterday morning he remained in bed. William Biggs, the eldest son (18 years of age), saw Ins father at 9 o'clock, and invited him to get up and go with him for a walk, but lie appeared very nervous, and declined. Mrs Biggs was with her husband until about 10 o clock, and had just gone down stairs when her son Alfred (8 years of age) said he heard the report of a gun upstairs. Mrs Bir/n-a hurried back to the. bedroom, andlound her husband lying upon his back on the bed with a smoking revolver oi British bulldog pattern resting upon his breast, the muzzle pointing towards his mouth and blood trickling from a wound on the top of the head. He appeared to be quite deac. The poor woman at once sent off for Drs. Wright and Erson, and both these gentlemen instantly obeyed the sum mons. Their services, however, were not needed. Biggs was past earthly help, arid a slight examination sufficed to show that lie had fired through the roof of his mouth, the bullet penetrating to the roof of the skull. The latter was fractured, a small piece of bone about an inch square being broken out, and the bullet was plainly visible. When, however, the doctors tried to remove it, it dropped back into the brain. Deceased formerly, served in the 158 th Regiment, and was a man of quiet and regular habits, and a consistent teetotaller for the pastlG years. He leaves a family of 12 sons and daughters, four of whom are married, and have families of their own, and only the younger ones lived with him. One son is at Te.Aroha, another is employed at Mr Martin's bakery, William worked in the shop with his father, and the younger chil dren are attending school. Some three or four years ago Mr B. went to England for a legacy of Llsoowhich waslelthim.and when about to return' to New Zealand he pur chased the fatal revolver and some cart ridges. The weapon had never been loaded or hred out of, and some time ago Mr Biggs either disposed of or gave away all the cart ridges except; three or four ■which were in the drawer with the revolver. It would seem that when Mrs Biggs left the room de ceased got out of bed and went to the cup board for the revolver, and loading one chamber only, he went back to bed, where he put the muzzle of the weapon into his mouth, and fired the fatal shot. . Coroner's Inquest At eleven o'clock this morning Dr. Philson (District Coroner) opened an inquest at the Windsor Castle Hotel, into the circum stances surrounding the melancholy affair. The jury consisted of John Rowbottom (foreman), "Wm. Haresnipp, Henry Smith, Francis Geldart, Robert Pulk and Charles Kennedy. Sergeant MacMahon represented the police. The jury having viewed the body, the following evidence was taken : —

Margaret Denison Biggs, widow of de ceased, deposed that her husband was a shoemaker, and was aged 59 years He had been very melancholy for a week past, caused, so far a9 She knew, by business matters. He was a very quiet, deep-thinking man, having not much to say to anyone. His habits were perfectly sober, and he had never touched liquor for 16 years past. \Vhen in good health he was of a cheerful disposition. Witness last saw him alive yesterday morning about nine o'clock, when she took up to him, as he lay in bed, a cup- of tea and some toast. The toast he did not eat. In fact, he had eaten nothing for the previous three day.?. She waited while he drank the tea, and observed that his hand trembled very much. He did not seem in full possession of' his senses, and his nights had been restless. After taking the tea deceased asked her to sit down and remain in the room with him. She stayed a short time and then left to prepare the dinner, saying that she would return shortly. She had hardly been gone two minutes when her son William,l7 years of acre told her that while in the back yard he had heard the report of a gun up stairs. Witness hastened back upstairs to the bedroom, and saw a sight that she would never forget. The body of deceased was lying in the bed under the bedclothes, arid running forward she touched him and ex claimed, "My darling, you've killed your self." Blood was issuing copiously froni his mouth and flowing down on to the floor. It was her daughter who perceived the revolver. She felt satisfied he was dead. Her daughter's name was Mary Biggs, and she entered the bedroom the same time ,ajs witness herself. She sent for medical assis tance, and Drs. Wright and Erson"at tended immediately and examined ' the body. They said that death mlist have; been instantaneous. V The revolver (pro duced) was brought by deceased from America four or five years ago, and 'was kept along with some ammunition in a box in a little closet off the 'bedroom. It was never used before. She never saw her husband handle it. It was the only fire arm in the house. She last saw it last week, wliile tidying the cupboard.. She hap never heai'd deceased threaten to take his life. Her husband did not. work very, much in the shop, as he had business to do in connection with the Brush factory. He had never had a day's sickness in his life since she had been his wife and he had not been taking medicine at the time of his death; To the best of her be lief deceased sesved for 15 years in the sSth Regiment. He was not a pensioner.-. Dr. Edward George Le<jer Er.son deposed that he had not been acquainted with de ceased through life. Yesterday he was summoned to Bigg's about 10 a.m.:to see a mair who was stated to have shot himself. He hastened thither,' and on arrival found deceased lying upon his back in bed' in an upper room., He examined him, and, found life extinct. The body was warm, and deatli Had taken place within a few minutes previously. The lips were swollen and black, as if from a discbarge of gunpowder, of which however, there was no smell in the room. The mouth was partly open and blood was pouring from it. jTtiere was also a quantity of blood upon" the side of the bed, and on the floor. The bedclothes were thrown off' the upper part of the body. The hands were lying supine by the side, the left arm being bent partly across towards the chest. There was bipod n the right hand. Witness passed his finger up the mouth and found a large gaping wound through the bony palate. There was no other external wound. Upon examination of the skull he found that the scalp protruded at the top of the head, and that the bone underneath was fractured. He cut open the scalp and found a star-shaped fracture while the brain membrame was torn through, exposing the brain substance to view. About an inch down, he felt witli his finger a round metallic substance which he felt assured was a bullet, but on being touched it receded into the brain. He was assisted in his exami nation by Dr, Wright who arrived some.

ten minutes after him. He was satis fied that death had "been caused by a bullet discharged from a; pistol into.the mouth. The pistol was shewn to him'by the constable. The shot must have been fired by deceased while he was in a recum bent posture and death was almost instan taneous.

William Biggs deposed that he was a son of the deceased, and nearly 19 years of age. Deposed that yesterday morn ing about 'J..15 o'clock he. was out in. the back yard chopping, wood when he heard something like the report of a gun, but thinking it might have been the noise of a rdoor slamming he wa3 going on with his work when his little brother ran out and told him that their father had shot himself. He hurried upstairs to his father's bedroom and found his mother and sister already there. Blood was pouring from his father's mouth, and a revolver was lying upon the bed near his left hand, but his sister told him she had removed it from deceased's breast. He had seen his father in bed twice previously that morning. The first occasion was about 9 o'clock, when he asked deceased to go for a Avalk. He declined, saying that a walk would do him no good. His eyes seemed to be rolling about, and witness did not think he was quite in his mind. The last occasion on which witness saw him was just about five minutes before the shot was fired. He then lay in bed with his hands clasped . behind his head but he did not see the revolver about. His father had been downhearted for a week past, but he never apprehended that anything serious was going to happen. Witness worked with his father in his shop in Manukau Road, where also they lived.

This was all the evidence. Constable Hobson (to Avhom the suicide was first re ported) being engaged in an assault case at the Police Court.

The jury, after a brief deliberation, re turned a verdict of " Suicide while in a state of temporary insanity."

ARRIVAL OF THE CANTER BUSY FOOTBALL TEAM.

The members of the Canterbury Football Team arrived in Manakau Harbour early this morning by the s.s. Rotorua. They came to down by the 8.20 train, and at once proceeded up Queen-street in a body to the Albert Hotel, where they were made comfortable by Host Montague. Helmore is not with the team, and his place will most probably be filled by Donnelly. The team look as if they have had rather a rough time of it. One of their num ber requires the assistance of a walking stick owing to injuries sustained to his ankle. Two others are also a little the worse for wear. Generally speaking, the men seem lithe, active fellows, but there are a few square men who should prove rough opponents in the scrums for Wednesday. The team is not finally selected yet. During the morning the visitor; wandered about the streets, wearing their colours at the buttonhole. At 2*30 this afternoon they proceeded in a dray to Potter's Paddock, in order to have a practice match on theground. Judging from the appearance of the men, the Aucklanders may prepare for sharp work and swift rushes. The Canterbury men say that they had a fine time of it coining up. Afc first the sea was rather rough, but later on it calmed down, and the remainder of the voyage was virtually a pleasure trip. The Canterbury representatives falso visited Sylvia Park during the afternoon. Their banner—red and black —was floating throughout the day from the top story of the Albert Hotel.

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

(BY TELEORArH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Thames, this day.

Cambria,—The drive started a day or two ago afc No. 3 level on the leader upon which the winze was sunk from No. 2 level has been extended about 8 feet. The country is a splendid sandstone, with nice stringers of quartz. running through it, while the leader is 3 or 4 inches wide, and shows good dabs of gold. About 201b of picked stone has been obtained from the small portion broken down, which would tend to show that the leader will prove payable, as it will be remembered that at No. 2 level an excellent haul of specimens was bagged when driving. Cleaning up takes place on Wednesday. Maktha Exte?7ded. — McDonough and party, tributors in this mine, obtained 9 ounces of retorted gold from the treatment of a large parcel of general dirt. Waihi, this day. Silverton.—The cleaning up for this miiie at the Martha battery resulted in a return of one hundred and one ounces re torted gold, being the product of 80 tons of general crushing dirt. ■ ♦ ■ ■ ■ (BY TELEGRAPH—PKESB ASSOCIATION.) Hokitika, this day. Gold has been struck at Acre Creek, half a-mile south of the prospecting claim. There arc payable prospects worked by a tunnel. The wash-dirt is two feet thick, and improving. The yield is two grains to the dish. .

TELEGRAMS.

Paeroa, this day.

Mr Thos. Jackson, blacksmith, who was one of the pioneers of Otago, West Coast, Thames and Ohinemuri Ooldiields, died very suddenly here on Saturday, leaving1 a wife and large family to mourn their los 3.

ELECTION NOTES.

Waiteinata

Mn Reader G. Wood is definitely out for Waitemata in opposition to Mr R. Monk- Messrs Gascoigne, F. W.Wood, and Robt. Salter, waited upon him at the Northern Club at 1.30 this afternoon to receive his answer to the requisition with which he was presented last week. Mr YVood intimated that he had resolved to comply with the requisitionV arid he wished this deputation clearly to understand that he would not spend a single penny ■ more than the legitimate expenses of the election. Mr Wood ahnonncemeht to the electors appears elsewhere, and he will speak at Devonport on Monday next if the hall is ob tainable.

Mr James Mackay addressed the Thames portion of the Coromandel electors in Parawai schoolroom on Saturday night'— there being about fifty persons "pre sent. Mr J, E. Banks occupied the chair. At the conclusion of his speech Mr Maciay received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. He expressed his intention of delivering an address in the Academy of Music at an early date.

A meeting of the Ponsonby electors favourable to the candidature of Mr E- Cooper will be held at the premises adjoin ing Mr Clarke's, Cabinetmaker, Jervois Road, this evening, for the purpose of electing a committee.

Tattbanga, this day. Mr Grace, the late member, has retired in favour of Mr Kelly;

Gkeymotjth, Sunday. 4 Mr Joseph Petrie opened his electioneer ing campaign at Ptieroa on Saturday even ing. He declared himself a supporter of the Stout-Vogel Government, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. ,

THE LATE GALES.

S S. MACGREGOR MISSING,

GAIRLOCH AND STAFFA IN

SEARCH.

No small amount of excitement was occa sioned in town to-day by the circulation of the intelligence that the steamer Mac gregor, which met with an accident when leaving Whanganui on Thursday last, is still at sea in a disabled condition, without the services of either propeller or rudder. The weather during the last few days has been of such a stormy nature as to inspire uneasiness on the vessels safety, but it is a.t all events reassuring to become that one was all right up till Saturday forenoon. The Gairloch sighted her after leaving Waitara on Friday and took her in tow, but the attempt to bring her to port was not successful, and she was left under canvas about forty miles from the Manu kau bar. The Stafl'a and Gairloch have since been out in search of her, but their errands were barren of result. The Maejjrearor's Accident. The accident to the Macgregor happened when she was leaving Wanganui on Thurs day. She broke her stern pose and pro peller in crossing the bar, but proceeded on her course northward. The next news of her is from New Plymouth, and is con tained in the following paragraph published in the "Taranaki Herald" of Friday evening :—The s.s. Macgregor was off the breakwater this morning about ten o'clock, flying signals, but the signalman ati Moturoa was unable to read what the top flaw was, consequently the exact signal couls not be made out. The steamer continued on under sail towards Waitara, where the Gairloch was anchored. The latter steamer went to the assistance of the Macgregor, and towed her to anchorge outside the Waitara. The Macgregor will, we under stand, remain at the anchorage till to-night, when the Gairloch will, after embarking the passengers by the express train, tow her on to Onehunga. Subsequently, a wire from Waitara to the same paper stated that the Gairloch had taken her in tow to One hunga. THE ATTEMPT UNSUCCESSFUL. Captain Me Arthur, of the s.s. Gair loch, states that after leaving the Waitara on Friday, he saw a vessel under canvas flying signals of distress, and the Gairloch immediately bore down to her. The vessel proved to be the Macgregor, which had earned away her rudder, stern post, and propeller, and consequently, was in a disabled condition. Hawsers were got aboard the Macgregor, and she was then taken in tow, and brought as far as Woody Head—a distance of about 40 miles from the Manukau Bar ; but, owing to the continual sheering about of the Macgregor, through having no steering gear, the haw sers carried away, and Captain McArthur had to abandon the task of further toying.as a portion of the broken hawser had fouled one of the Gairloch's propellors, and so partially disabled that vessel also. This occurred at about eleven o'clock on Friday night, and the Gairloch then stood by the Macgregor until eleven o'clock on Saturday morning, when Captain McArthur, finding the Mac gregor wag quite safe under her canvas, left for the Manukau for new hawsers and a fresh supply of coal. VESSELS IN SEARCH. Immediately these facts were reported to the manager of "the Company, instructions were given to the Gairloch and Staffa to proceed out in search of the Macgregor as early as possible yesterday morning. The weather was very boisterous, and the Staffa had a bad time of it getting out. She was too hours iv getting clear of the bar, and the signals from the station in structed Captain Norbury to como to an anchor. He, however, persisted in his attempt, and succeeded in getting out to sea. The vessels teamed about 30 miles in a westerly direction, but did not discover any trace of the Macgregor. The Gairloch took a different course, and expecting that the missing steamer would have drifted in a northerly direction, she steamed as far as the south head of the Kai para. Her search was also fruitless. Neither steamer returned to the Manukau until after midnight. The Staffa lost no time in coaling, and the weather having moderated, she started off again the first thing this morning. The Gairloch also left about noon, taking with her Captain McGregor, the Managing Director of the Northern Steamship Company. THE MACGREGOK'S PASSENGERS. Owing to the strong S.E. wind and heavy sea that was prevailing, the Gairloch was unable to take off from the Macgregor her passengers, consequently they were forced to remain on the disabled steamer. It is believed that the Macgregor would drift up towards the Kaipara. The steamers with the Macgregor should arrive at the Manukau this morning. Our correspondent at Wanganui telegraphs to-day that the Macgregor's passengers consisted of Miss Aylton, Thomas Donovan, and nine Armed Constabulary for Opunake.. She has also on boaxd a quantity of cargo from Wellington. PROBABILITIES OF THE SEARCH. The Macgregor is tinder the command of Captain Johnson, who has been in the com pany's service for many years. He is a capable officer of considerable skill and judgment. It is considered probable that the steamer would be headed off the land, and that although driven gradually northward by the prevailing wind that she would keep some way and hold well off the land. If this expectation should be realised, there is but little doubt that Bhewillbe picked up to-day by either the Staffa or Gairloch, and towed into the Manukau to-night. THE ORETI TO THE RESCUE. Mr. Waller's steamer Oreti was to have left Hokianga for the Manukau early this morning, and it was considered almost certain that she would fall in with the disabled Macgregor, the latter going along the coast northward whilst the. Oreti was coining south. In order to provide as far as possible against the chances of the steamers missing each other, the owner of the Oreti telegraphed to Captain Robertson to keep a good lookout for the Macgregor, and render her all possible assistance. In the event of the Oreti being the first steamer to pick up the Macgregor, it is most likely that the latter vessel will accept her aid and be towed into Manukau. THE CLANSMAN TO BE DESPATCHED Failing the receipt of any satisfactory in telligence respecting the missing vessel be fore to-morrow morning, the Northern Com pany intend to send the Clansman on as far as the North Cape, in the hope of pick ing her up thereabouts, or to render assistance to other steamers which may have picked her up betweon the Manukau and that point. The Clansman leaves for Russell at 7 p.m. to-day, and will arrive at Russell about 7 to-morrow morning. If necessary she can therefore be sent further north at very short notice.

lf#

OHAU JOINS IN THE SEARCH.

The Union Company have instructed the captain of the sis. Ohau, which leaves for Greymouth at 5 p.m. to-day to keep a'good look-out for the Macgregor, and render her any assistance in his power. The IHacgregor's Crew. The Macgregor is manned as follows: Captain Johnston, master : Mr De Wolfe, chief mate; Mr Jamicson, second mate; Mr W. McGregor, chief engineer f Mr Holmbrechti assistahtengiheer; Mr W. Mil ler, steward ; Miss Bush, stewardess ; Mr J. Russell,, junr., second steward. There are two firemen, viz., J. Adams and F. Williams, and four A.B's viz., Ruthford, Steine, Petersen, Potter; also a cook J. Russel and a boy named Murdock.

NO SIGN OF THE MCGREGOR

Onehunga, 8.30 a.m. The s.s. Rotorua lias just arrived. The captain did not see anything of the missing steamer. j;^;.^\. £l|is' V Onehunga, 3 p.m. There is no appearance of the Macgregor.

(from our own cokrespondekt.)

Hokianga, this day.

The steamer 6reti, which has been bar bound here for some days, sailed this morn ing for the Manukau. Her master has re ceived instructions to keep a good look-out for the Macgregor, and he will go out of his ordinary route in the hopes of pick ing up, the missing vessel. The weather is very fine here with a southerly wind. The Harbour Master states that there is no vessel in sight from the Heads.

THE ALLEGED INDECENT AS SAULT CASE.

At the Police Court this morning, before Mr H. G. Seth Smith, R.M., Joseph Edy, a baker carrying on business in Parnell, and his two apprentices, William O'Hanlon, aged 14, and John Campbell, aged 14, were charged with indecently assaulting a little girl, named Clara Potford at Parnell on August 7th. Mr Napier appeared for Edy, Mr O'Meagher for O'Hanlon, and Mr Cotter for Campbell. Sergeant Pratfc conducted the perosecution.

On the request of Sergeant Pratt, His Worship directed that the Court be cleared.

Sergeant Pratt having stated the case, called Clara Petford, a pretty, modest look ing child, aged 13, who deposed that she resided with her grandfather and grand motbar in. Parnell. Last Sunday week she was sent to get some milk. It was about 2 a vclock when she left her home. She went to Mr Edys for the milk, and entered the back bedroom. She first saw the prisoners in the yard, and spoke to John Campbell. She said " Please I want a pint of milk." Campbell replied that he had none, but that if she would come down at 5.30 he would give me some. She re turned at 5.30, and saw Edy, O'Hanlon and Campbell in the yard, and a lad named Hodson by the gate. She asked Campbell for the inilkJ whereupon he took the jug from her hand and gave it to O'Hanlon. Campbell then pulled her irnto a room. Witness did not go willingly, but held on to the wheels of a cart. [Witness then described the circximstancos attending the alleged assaults.] After* she came out of the yard she met Constable Hobson, who to1 ok her home. "While she was standing with Conatable Hob&on at the door her grandfather came home, and she complained of the assault to both Tier grandfather ar4i her grandmother. In con sequence of wlirich she told her grandfather Dr. Wright examined her. She had not been willing that' the prisoners shouild assault her.

By Mr O'jVTeagher: She had lived in Parnell for 12 months. Previous to that? she lived in Wellington. While there she did not lay a charge of indecent assault against anyone, though it was true that she had been assaulted", there. When she was assaulted in Wellington she did not tell her grandfather or any other person. She did not tell, because she was ashamed. She had told Walter jfibts, in Auckland, that she had been assaulted in Wellington. She also told John Cajnpell, the prisoner now before the Courb, and Dick Forgie. The language that ehe used to Forgie in describing the offence it was so undecent that she was ashamed to repeat it in Court- She told Forgie because she wanted "him to do the same thing. She did nofc tell her grandmother of these occurencse. Witness was cross examined at great le nrth as to her reason for not calling out while the assnlfcs were proceeding. In ans'.ver to one question she said she could give no reason why she did nob call out when she heard her grand father's voice IShe never heard of a Supremo Court case wherein some of her relatives were sued for L2OO for defamation of character in (connection with the assault that had been (jommitted on her. She had not heard of money being paid to settle the Wellington ca 6e. Mr Cotter; then proceeded to cross examine the t»irl. In answer to his ques tions she arifriitted that she had been very friendly wifcfc. the prisoner Campbell prior to the assault. She did not tell Fitts about the Wellington assault—Forgie had told him. On being pressed on this point she that she had told Fitts. She also -told Campbell the same thing about three months ago. She would not repeat what she said to Campbell, as she was ashamed to speak of it in Court. She would riot have complained of the assault if she had not thought her grandfather would have inquired where she had been. She did not complain because of what had been done*to her.

In reply to the Bench, Sergeant Pratt stated that, he had no other direct evidence of the assault.

Mr Cotter then asked His Worship if he thought it was any use going on. His Worship : No ; I do not think I could commit on the evidence. It dis closes a very scandalous state of things. The prisoners are discharged.

THE ASSISTANT MAGISTRATE FOR AUCKLAND.

(BY TELEGKAPH—OWN COKRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, this day. Mr H. C. S. Baddeley, who has recently resigned the position of R.M. at Ashburton to accept the position of sheriff, and second R.M. at Auckland, was in Wellington on Saturday on hiH way North. Mr Baddeley received very complimentary valedictory addresses from the bar at the different centres where he had been in the habit of holding courts, which express fully the opinion formed of his abilities as a magistrate. In acknow ledging the compliments paid to him by the BaratAkaroa Mr Baddeley said he was going to the place he liked best in New Zealand the place he had always wished to reside in as it was entwined with his earliest recol lections ; bat in spite of that he could say In all sincerity that it was with great sorrow he left a district where he had re ".".'3d. sq much kindness.

THE DIRECT MAIL.

, (Per It. M.S. Tongariro.)

% ..,, Anglo Colonial Notes.

(FEOM OUK LONDON CORRESPONDENT),

London, July 1. There is not a great deal to report since I wrote the other day.

Sir William Fibzherbert made a most in teresting speech on colonisation, federation, and New Zealand generally at the Oxford branch of the Imperial Federation League last week. The text of it appears in to day's " Anglo-New Zealander."

The success of the Colonial Conference is to be appropriately celebrated by a com plimentary banquet to Mr Edward Stan hope and Sir Henry Holland. Max O'Rell will be the next lecturer to visit your part of the world. He. takes America ere route.

The "Anglo-New Zealander," now a most influential weekly, will publish a special 'Jubilee Supplement in corinection with the Imperial Institute ceremonies on Monday next.

A number of distinguished colonists have been invited to the annual dinner of the Savage Club on July 9th at Willis's Rooms. Lord Dunraven takes the chair.

Sir William Fitzhcrbert was the " guest of the evening " at the Fishmongers' Jubilee Banquet, on Tuesday evening last, and made a capital speech. Opening of the Imperial In stitute. The ceremonies in connection with the founding of the Imperial Institute on Mon day next will not be either as elaborate >or as magnificent as was at first intended. 'Tis probable, indeed, the function will compare but indifferently with the open-. ing of the " Colindies." Sir Frede rick Abel is ill, so all the arrange ments in connection with the affair are being made by that "intolerably blowsy" person, Sir Soiners Vine. This in itself is unfortunate. Sir George Chubb gives a casket full of Jubilee coins to the Institute, which will be enshrined in the foundation stone of Australian granite. The casket contains, amongst other things; a complete list of all the subscribers. Qaick's Ferry Boats. Mr George Quick returns to Auckland to day by the Tongariro, after rather less than ] three weeks' stay in England. His visit, 1 understand, bore reference to the steamers which he had built for the North Shore Ferry trade last year, and which have turned out a failure in the matter of speed. Ex perts were not much surprised to hear of the disaster, as Clyde shipbuilders are a "tricky" class. Mr Quick was quite a novice to the business. Had ib been a case of buying horses, the result would probably have been different. The Company would undoubtedly have saved much . money, time, and trouble if instead of going to the expense of sending their Chairman home, they had employed an experienced old sea dog like Captain Ashby to superintend their interests. The two steamers, the latter ordered for Sydney harbour trade, turned out most gratifying successes ; in fact_, Captain Ashby has just received information that the last of them steams a knot an hour faster than the contractors guaranteed. Lady Bosebery's Ball. Lady Rosebery's ball at Lansdowne House on Tuesday was a most magnificent function, well-nigh every Royalty in London being present. The colonists (Antipodeans I mean) were naturally in great force. Lord Rosebery remembered everyone who had a right to be remembered, and the de light of the Australains at being present on such an occasion showed itself most ingen uously. N.Z. Apples for the English Market. Mr J. C. Browne, M.H.R., tells me he thinks New Zealand could very well com pete with Tasmania and South Australia in supplying apples to the English market during this time of the year. So called Australian apples (which really come principally from Tasmania, are to be seen ais Covent Gardens and at all first-class fruiterers in abundance just now, and realise high prices. The demand for them during May, June, and July would indeed be practically unlimited, if only a better mode of carriage could be advised. None but hig.h-class fruiterers whose customers can afford to pay tip-top prices care to touch them now. The wholesale rate for a case is moderate enough, but oftener than not two ouft of every five apples are so badly bruisect as to be useless for dessert purposes. ThO retailer consequently finds himself obliged" to charge high prices for the good ones or vfo lose money. Mr Charles Dv Val, the well-known en tertainer and elocut/pnist, will leave Eng land on a lengthened' four of the Australa sian Colonies early this month. A capital Parliamentary photograph of Sir John Gorst appeared'in the " Observer " of Sunday last. Sir Jo.Ws New Zealand experiences are duly referred to, and the writer does not forget to recall the pitiful figure the late SolicitorHfieneral cut in '' Bryce v. R usden.'' The Robertson "Caste" Company, which has been touring in the 'provinces for more than 20 years, will probably visit Aus tralia in 1888.

The Frozen Rlutton Tra vde. — A

Suggestion

In the intervals of " Jubileeing,"\Mr J. C. Browne, M.H.R., has been continuing his investigations into the working q£ the frozen meat trade, and made some '.raidier valuable discoveries.- One conclusi& m he has come to, he tells me, is that if the\ sale of frozen mutton is to be successfully pusihed in the norbh and west of England, it will .be necessary to send cargoes direct to othai" ports than London. The expense of trans-j mitting the meat to the country by rail is enormous, and, eats up all the profit, It costs, in point of fact, more to send a car case from London to Manchester than to bring it from New Zealand. Mr Browne means to visit Bristol before his return, and hopes to arrange for the reception of a trial cargo of frozen mutton. There can be'no queston, meat should also be sent to Liverpool direct. The good old town (or " city," I suppose, it must now be called) is within easy reach of countless manufac turing centres which would jump at good and cheap mutton. Unfortunately, New Zealand mutton is not particularly cheap retail even in London now. The middle men's charges are so high that even try dealers, like the Leadenhall market folks, seldom care co sell under, about lOd a Ib. Others get rid of the difficulty by calling other kinds New Zealand mutton and vending it as such.

Mv Browne-will have much to tell you on his return re this and other matters. I am, myself, quite convinced of one thing;. The salvation of the frozen meat trade lies in the unlocking of other ports than London, Bristol, Liverpool and Hull especi ally.

An Interesting Autobiography

Quite the most sensational autobiography of the autumn publishing1 season will be that of the poor old Tichborne claimant, who is just putting the final touches to his work in New York. It is thought some difficulty may be found in securing a London publisher. If so it will be brought out first in America.

The Imperial Institute Building.

The following is descriptive of the selected design for the Imperial Institute. The entire length of the main front will be about 650 feet, and the elevation will rise

to a height of about 80 feet. The general style McCollay designates as Renaissance, bub the main features suggest some of the best specimens of Dutch and Belgian archi tecture. Rising from the centime of the building is a tall quadrangulam tower, with doused roof, surmounted by a winged figure. (This tower will probably be lowered.) A smaller tower flanks each end of the building1, and graceful turrets here and there break the outline of the roof. The entrance hall is brought well forward in front of the main building, arid is reached by broad flights of stairs, from which the staircase brandies right and leffa to the upper floors. On pedestals flanking, the entrance stairs are four lions at rest;. over the doorway is a large group of sculp tured figures,representing Empire receiving tribute from all her children. On each side of the main doorway are figures represent ing the four continents, While statuettes and friezes of boys and flowers adorn the whole length of the front. The long panel between the principal and first-floors will illustrate various incidents in the growth of; the empire, one, for example, representing the "Landing of Raleigh in Virginia.". Balustrated balconies will run all along the first-floor, while handsome arches on the principal floor will form the front of a, spacious central gallery, on to which the; windows will look. In the central; tower will be arranged the great tanks; for the hydraulic lifts, and below them ! are large cisterns for the general j water supply. Arched entrances on both! sides admit to the Exhibition galleries be- j hind, while flanking them are iron gateways j admitting vehicles and exhibits. The front will be of stone, and bricks will be used1 elsewhere. Internally, the building is. divided into four floors. On the ground are laid out three exhibition galleries, run ning nearly the whole length from east to west, flanked by side galleries and refresh ment rooms, and separated by quadrangles and corridors. These quadrangles, 60 feeb, wide, can be covered with glass roofs and • be converted into special exhibit galleries, j In the centre of this floor the engines and ! dynamos, etc., will be placed. A conspicu- \ ous object on the principal floor will be the j great staircase, 77 feet by 58 feet, behind | ■which is the reception hall, :128 feet 'by 60 feet. The centre of this floor will be occupied by the offices of the staff, including the secretary and librarian,; as well as the intelligence department, the i mercantile, industrial, and general reading j rooms. The offices will each be about 25, feet square, and the reading rooms 40 x 77 i feet. Along the right hand side of this | floor we find a gallery, on the south of-j which is a library 65 feet square. On the] left hand is a similar gcillery, beside which is the general conference room 54 x 46 feet, j Here also are the postal and telegraph' offices. Galleries are arranged on each aide: of the reception hall. On the first floor in j the left wing is the general conference hall ' and music gallery continued to the floor above. Alongside these rooms is another-; refreshment department, the emigration: office, and book gallery. Here also is an other general conference room, etc. The second or top floor £s devoted to lavatories, kitchens, etc. The estimated cost of carry ing out this plan is L 250,000, *«^

Personal and General. || Mr C. H. Houghton sails for New York' next Saturday en route for San Francisco '■ and Dunedin.

'Tis possible Lady Colin Campbell may; visit the Australian Colonies shortly, in the '< hope of forming a connection with some of the Australian newspapers.

Prior to leaving Balmoral the Queen in spected the picture of Queen Margaret reading the Bible to Malcolm Canmore, which Sir Noel Paton has painted for an Australian collector.

Lord Onslow entertained a large party of colonials at Clandon on Jubilee night to witness his great bonfire at Newlanda Corner. ' «"T .*• ;i '■

Mr. Spiers (of Spiers and Pond) was pre sented to the Prince of Wales at- the chil dren's fete in Hyde Park, and warmly complimented by H.R.H. on his Jubilee cake and lemonade.

On (lit that a well-known colonist, who arrived on the scene too late to obtain a seat in Westminster Abbey on Jubilee Day by legitimate means, purchased one from an impecunious baronet for LBO.

One of the most notable articles in the : July magazines is, " Why our People are, Unwilling to Emigrate," by Cardinal Man- * ning. ; Mrs Campbell Praed is very unwell, and has been unable to undertake any literary . work for the past six months. Miss Nellie Stewart, the popular young' Australian actress, has arrived in London j and is busy " doing" the theatres. She '■ doesn't care for " Ruddygore," but thinks "Dorothy" will be a great success at the Antipodes. A "Society" weekly reminds English ladies who are making much of the Mahar- > jah Holkar and other dusky Eastern: potentates that Nana Sahib, the fiend of j the Mutiny, was one of the lions of the I London season only 2 short years before the well at Cawnpore was choked with the bodies of the monster's victims.

All the notable antipodeans in London i were atthe Lord Mayor's Mammoth Jubilee : Ball on Tuesday evening. The Prince of : Wales I hear gave great offence by insis ting on having a large portion of the ball room railed off and reserved exclusively for his own set.

The Queen's garden party on Tuesday afternoon at Buckingham Castle was a terrific crush, about 6,000 persons in all being asked. The Agents-General were there, atid a very select Anglo colonial con tingent. The Canadians (as per usual now) largely out-numbered the antipodeans. The Spalding election took place yester day, and resulted in accordance with anti cipation in the return of Admiral Tyron, the late Commodore of the Australian station.

Members of the Ponsonby Choral Society are reminded that a full rehearsal will be held at the Choral Hall this evening, at 7.39. Special trams leave Three Lamps for Choral Hall at 7.0 p.m.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &c, To-night.

AboottV. Opera House—Hugo's Buffalo MJa« strels, &» Bell's Buil.flings. Wyndham-street — Industrial Association's Exhibition, 7.30 to 10 p.m Olympiaßall, Grcy-streot— Skating Rink, open daily. St. David's (TiureJi—Evangelistic Service, 7.30. Museum-Me.'nbei.s of Auckland Institute, 8, Auckland Tabernacle—Reception to Mixm Jetfsr-

combo, 6.30. ' Drill-shed-Roy.il Irish\Rifles, 7.30. School-room, Richmond "Road-Hon. J. A; Tola and Electors of Newton, S. Temperance Hall—Auckland Operative Boot makers' Union, 8a Mount Roskill School-house—Address to Eleo-

tors of Eden by Mr J. A. Conn6.ll. 8. Room adjoining Clark's Shop,'Ponv?onby Road- Gentlemen wishing to form a committee to secure Mr Cooper's return, 8. Members of U.A.O. Druids, Auckland Lodge, No. 158, 7.30. Pitt>street Wesleyan Church—Rev. R. B&yln on "Music," 8.

SI; James'B Hall—Cantata, "The Fairy RingV"& Choral Hall—Members of Ponsonby Chortjl Society, 7.30.

Rota of Justices at Police Court.

August 16—Messrs T. M. Haultain and A. G. Horton. . n oh 1

Auction Sales To-morrow.

E. Leydon, Wellesley-street—Produce, etc, 10} Household Furniture and Effects, 11. G. Lewis—New Season Teas, Swiss Milk, Hops,

etc.. 11. Arthur and Buddie—Household Furniture and

Effects, 11. T. M. Jackson—Furniture, Japanese Ware, eta,

S. Cochrane and Son—Drapery, Books, Boots, Fancy Goods, etc., 11,

THE AUCKLAND fiVMlffG STAft, MONDAY^ AUeiJgT 15, 188?.

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