Our Wellington reporter wires that there ro quite a number of familiar faces in the football field in the Empire City at present, including the following Auckland players : Ttfcl'ntyre and Darnells (late Ponsonby), Tohnson (Nelson), Brabazon and Gage ■/Athlefci .. Hard wick (Albert), McKenzie /Oxford), Crowed and Adcock (Grafton). Tt is reported in football circles thero that Leckie and Braund will bo in Wellington joy the ensuing sea.on. A t-olejft-am states that Mr H. M. Hasleit, . .. me vly"of Auckland, who" has passed tlie h i-ristcr's and solicitor's examination, was the only Marlborough candidate. A meeting of the Plasterers' Society was , ~ j as tnight at Brodie's Hotel, Newton, hi the business being of a private nature reporter was not allowed to be present. - The Secretary of the Society, Mr Groves, A some two dozen members were pre sent. ■ ■ Yesterday afternoon a public trial of •Kiino-enßtein's patent fire-extinguishing fl.id'V»s nn^° on ie reclflmation near " . rth's "ew nour mil1 ' in Pve3enco of Mr I t Hughes, of Auckland Fire Brigade. , mu; s Went fluid, which is manufactured at rhmtchurch, is claimed to be of great fflficv in arresting incipient con,fla__ra- Tm and it can either be used in hand rtwodes or applied with an ordinary r_n»e- wlllle " aPPbed with ZL° and pumP to tho fiercest Sri it would speedily extinguish it. The '♦Is. which was made yesterday after _ wa s most satisfactory, the- liquid "Tier equal to all that was claimed ? its.favour. It is said to bo much i _.iMT'tton "similar preparations, and v-iffa colonial industry it deserves every ' hnirement. Some of it was sent to the ;e oTrolom'aland Indian Exhibition, and S&i-SW and diploma. A horse and cart belonging to Messrs t p. Nathan and Co. were proceeding down'Shortland-street yesterday afternoon, when the horse, having had a drink at the I. ..ai*r.ti'Ougli opposite the Post Oflice, got Ho bit out of his mouth. Finding his mouth free ho started at a hand-gallop down into Queen-street, and after careering in a ser- Mnfcinc course and knocking down the Boarding of a building in course of erection, the driver pulled the horse up. The driver (S. Feldman) showed great pluck in sticking . to'his animal. He explains that tho bridle .'doesnot belong to the. horse but to another, ; a nd i» too large for it, thus causing the accident.'

: A short timo ago a paragraph appeared in these columns stating that the Rev. J. • P. Dickson, who officiated for some time at i St. David's, had received a call to a very i larire and influential congregation in San , Francisco. ' Some people expressed sur > prise at the time that a call should have ' been given in any part of the Presbyterian fwld without inquiry being made. It now seems that tlie Americans were a little more .methodical in their action than was sup posed. A letter of inquiry was forwarded to the' Moderator of the Auckland Presby tery, but miscarried, and the last mail has brought another such letter from Saii Fran cisco to a member of the Presbytery, asking if Mr Dickson " is in good standing," and stating that " he has received a call to :6ne of our churches."

The Salvation Army Brigade Captain's report on the Prison Brigade Home at -Scotia Place, on Monday, May 2nd, ISB7 : - Jhimber of meals given, 210; beds sup plied,.-; persons admitted, 8;. discharged, 7; still in the Home, 5. Articles received : Meat, Messrs E. Wood, Hulme, Garrett, Hellaby,Scpirrell,H. Garrett, Knight, Bad ,ley, and Tisdale; bread : Robley, Howie, '."Brown,Stillv. ell, Crowe, Buchanan and Les ter, and Phillips ; potatoes, one bag, from a ' irieni.; milk and butter, Auckland and DevorisHre Dairies ; clothing, Mr Wright and lliln. and Choyce. Requisites: Tea ai<l,iug&r._:. General Remarks : The Home M|jw discipline. By the goodness of . file people we have been able this week to relieve 17 starving familie_,yet the requests ior.relief are larger than we can supply.. ' Do help us..

- it the annual meeting of the members of the Australian Mutual Provident Society -.held at Sydney on 25th. ult., Mr J. H. . Goodiet, Chairman of. Directors, stated that -the income of the Society had increased ,-from £1,025,000 in • 1884 to. £1,274,000 in ISB6. The percentage additions .to the accumulated funds had increased ■ bylo. per cent, in the last two years, .and the percentage of receipts spent to dis bursements was less. The percentage on risk had decreased, and,. all round, the position o. the Society was vastly improved. ,He directed, special attention to the value of tho properties held by the Society for 'business purposes! He contended that the policy pursued by the directors was -fully justified by'the results, and that the properties they possessed were the .best assets of the Society, as they were 'of ever-increasing value. Referring to the question of pensions, he stated'that the pension scheme for officers recom mended -itself- to the Board as merely a < system of deferred payments, and lie held ,;that it would prove to be economical in its results. This statement was received with marked expressions of dissent. The report was approved of, with an amend ' Kent inserting a" record of the resolutions disapproving of the principle of granting gratuities; and- pensions to ' the officers, .■.which passed the special meeting held in February last.

•: The- following paragraph occurs in tho "Free Methodist" of February 10th, tho «g. -. of,,the United Methodist Free .Churches. in England, which shows the - .inion formed there of the secession «. the Rev. C. Worboys, who recently left that communion for the Presbyterian tmtsh :—" AVo were at first unwilling to j*ive that the Rev. C. Worboys, of .-% Zealand, had withdrawn from 'ow ministry, but our latest information Reg the matter beyond dispute. When in togland Mr Worboys was regarded as ■?* of our most devoted, success '".Jvand intelligent ministers. While lB london he not only laboured with JIS devotion at our Metropolitan chapel _f Rnsbury, but he did much to lay ' j«B future foundations of success in con ation with the London Chapel Extension ■*nncl. W e s i nce rely regrtt he has with in from our fellowship.and trust he may im a, congenial sphere of labour." It is pleasing to find so kindly and Christiana 'Wt existing on a subject which-is so pain- Wtothem. •T]ie newly-appointed City Schoob Com mittee held their first meeting in the Wel lesley-street school last evening. Present: •*'essrsGorrie(inthe chair), Blades. Crow 'ner> McMaster Ussher, Beatty and Far eu- A request for a new supply of _™ipjf.om I\fr Y\ orthino-ton was considered TO ordered to be forwarded to the Board, ntj sundry requests for repairs to schools TO Playgrounds were referred to Mr Jack *n- A gentleman interested in educational |»*f», who desire that his name should r ■ -to mentioned, wrote, urging upon the n_T ttee the necessity of establisuing r"'6". .clioqls in the city and charging a fee, and offering to contribute £25 Per.annum towards tlie project. It was r' I(l«i.to forwiu-d the letter to the W" With the Committee's recommenda , n and promises of assistance in order '^'n^y-out the proposal. A vote .wanks was also accorded tlio writer for 'hr_.? nerous offer. The early closing of dis. - 0n wefc day 3 next gave rise to some 'wsion, and it was resolved tp post er v on tiU next' meeting night. Mr tliif movecli and it was agreed, bet A 'Q- ofscl'olars attending each school _tfcufi^__r to tllc committee, giving par d.n.» n"e ' classification and resi the r and ifc was also decided to forward -in-*1. 3 furnislied by headmasters on liJ, of the Temperance Lesson °°* w the Board of Education,

Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas McDonnell has received from General Sir Duncan Cameron a letter, dated Blackheath, Kith , March, acknowledging the receipt of papers containing the account of the presentation of the New Zealand Cross to Lieutenant- Colonel McDonnell. General Cameron says: —"I read with great interest the account ot the presentation to you of the silver cross by Sir VVilhatn Jervois,'and I assure you that it is no small satisfaction to me that an ofneer who served so zealously under my command, and volunteered for the peril ous duty you did, should have at last receiveu the honourable reward to which he is so fully entitled; and I repeat most cordially the good wishes expressed by Sir VI m. Jervois, that you may long live to wear it, and enjoy tlie admiration of your coun trymen."

_W e have been requested to direct the attention of mining companies to the lining ot Air R, McDonald Scott for a technical breach of "The Mining Companies' Act" of last session by neglecting to publish a statement of the affairs of tho Cambria Goldmining Company. The Act, provides •' that such statement shall be published in the." Government Gazette," and in the local . newspapers; and the maximum penalty is £5 per diem for each day tlie statement remains unpublished after the appointed date for such publication." Legal managerg of mining companies should make a note of this.

The members of "A" Battery are noti fied in another column that an inspection parade will be held to-morrow evening at 7.30 in tho Drill-shed.

The Presbyterian Choral Association give their third recital in St. Luke's Church to morrow evening. The admission is free, so that any person can avail themselves of the night* entertainment, a collection being taken for tlie expenses.

Dr. Home, who was formerly for many years practising his profession at Parnell, but who has since 18S5 been an inmate of tlie Lunatic Asylum, died at that institution this morning at 9 o'clock.

Amongst tho jewellery stolen from Mrs Anson, under circumstances stated in yes terday's issue, were a pearl necklace with diamond clasp, valued at J.SO.

MOOT EDEN RIFLE RANGE.

A meeting of the Bide Range Committeo was held last night, in tho Drill-shed, at which representatives of all the Volunteer corp3 were present. Captain White explained that, in consequence of numerous-"and ap. parently well-authenticated reports, the Government were about to close the rifle range at Mount Eden. He considered it was imperative that Volunteers should pro test against this, and do all in their power to retain the range. Lieutenant-Colonel Dignan was then voted to tho chair, and stated that concerning the matter at issue he could inform the meeting that when mon eys were voted last year for the purchase of sites for shooting ranges in various parts to the colony, MrT. Thompson, M.H.R had got a sum set apart for Auckland for tnat. purpose. Major-General Whitmore had, when in Auckland, .given instructions to

Colonel Lyon to look about for a suitable site, and this matter had in addition been referred to some of our. local land agents. These facts give an indication that some action re.the present range was intended, and this now strengthened by the rumours current, and the fact that Mr Thompson in his capacity of Chairman of the Mount Eden Road Board, had presented a petition praying that the range be elo.ed ; and no doubt the granting of this petition would be pushed forward during the fire sent session. Colonel Lyon had told him that he had seen Messrs. Firth, Aitken, and others who were directly interested in tho matter, and they had all disclaimed any intention or wish to have the range closed. It was their duty to represent to the com manding officer tho necessity for keeping the range as at present. Sergeant Haul tain then explained tho tenure by which the range was held. In 1871 a proclamation was issued by Superin tendent Gillies, under the Waste Lands Act of ISO 7, declaring a strip of land in the Stockade Reserve at Mount Eden to be set apart as a rifle range, and it was under this proclamation that the range was now held. Colonel Dignan said that both Colonel Shep herd and Major Pirie had expressed the. opinion that the present range was both suitable and safe. Major Dcrron stated that during the 18 years the range had been used for shooting there had been no accidents. A letter from Mr J. C. Firth to Major Derrom was read, in which the former geneleman dis tinctly stated that so far from having any objectipns to the site of the range he upheld it rather than otherwise, and considered it eminently suitable if ordinary precautions were used. It was resolved "That a petition be drawn up for.the presentation to Parliament, praying that the range be not closed. , The following sub-com mittee wero then appointed to draft the potition, Lieutenant-Colonel Dig nan, Major Derrom, Captain White, Lieu tenant Dormer, mid Sergeant-Haultain. A second resolution to ;the. effect that a mass meeting of Volunteers and others interested in shooting should be ■ called next Monday at eight o'clock, in the Drill-shed, to consider the question of the c-Josing of the rang.;. Colonel Dignan to be convener, was carried unanimously. It was resolved to forward a copy of the fore going resolutions to the Auckland members at Wellington, and ask for their assistance. The meeting then concluded.

ATHLETIC NOTES.

The challenge thrown out by Mr W. L. Walsh, in last evening's issue, to walk S. Goodman for two hours- on...the. boards'-for £•20 aside, has this day been accepted. Arrangements are to be mado on Friday evening at the Park Hotel, Wclicsley street-

A DYNAMITE FIEND.

Attempts to Blow Up the Salvation

Army In Quebec.

The '.' Chicago .Times'" Quebec, special says : Great excitement prevails hero over a fiendish attempt at wholesale assassina tion made on March 22nd. While the French-portion of the Salvation Army were at prayer in their hall, a bomb was ex ploded outside.of the building, completely wrecking the front of it and seriously in juring several members of the Army. It is believed that the dastard who handled the bomb intended it to explode inside of the building, but dropped it outside while at tempting to pub it through a broken win dow-pane. Had the explosion occurred inside all would have been killed and tho building completely wrecked. As it was, everything insido the building was turned upside down and the timbers were all started from their place. Tho force of the explosion was such that people two blocks away rushed-from-their housos, thinking an earthquake had occurred. The perpetra tors of this horrible crime are believed to be young men belonging to the higher circles of society, who made themselves conspicu ous in the riots waged-against these defence less people when they first arrived here.".

• -At the N.Z. Insurance Buildings' to-'d_iy Mr Lindsay Brown delivered the address to business n}en, . .... . ....

RECEPTION OF THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF ABERDEEN.

Presentation of Complimentary Addresses.

A large and representative ajsemblago' of the people of Auckland took pla'co in tha Art Gallery at noon to-day for tlie purpose of suitably receiving and *■ welcoming the Earl and Countess of Aberdeen. In the Gallery, which was still garnished with the pictures of the Society qf'Arts' Ex hibition, all the available seats were given up to tho ladies, of whom a considerable number were present, while the bulk of the gentlemen remained standing at the ends of the hall and at the back of ttio seats. * The platform had been reserved for the guests and deputation-. Aiuimerousbodyof peoplo remained out in. tlie street and -thronged the vestibule and corridors of the Corpora tion Offices for the purpose of witnessing the arrival of tho distinguished visitors. Amongst those present in the/* hall itself were Mr James Stewart, Superintendent Thomson, D. B. McDonald, Dr. Wilkins, F. Larking, W. J. Speight, J. Cover, Hud son Williamson, .V. Anderson," IT. Pos- seniskie, Rev. P. Mason,ll^ev, W. Glttds, Rev. B. F. .Macnicol, Rev. R. Somerville, Bishop Luck,, Father Hackett, Father Egan, Messrs r'O. • Mays, D. -Courtney, J, M. McLachlan.

The Earl and Countess were waited upon at tho Star Hotel at noon by representa tives of the various organisations who intended to present addresses to him, and were escorted by several carriages to the Art Gallery. Tlie Mayor, Town Clerk, and several Councillors wore waiting at tho entrance to receive the visitors, and tho band struck up the " Auckland Dragoons' March," composed by Dr. Erson. • At a quarter past twelvo the strains of the approaching music were heard'in the Gallery, and a few moments later the Earl and Countess, accompanied by His Worship tlio Mayor (Mr Devore), mado their appearance. As tlie visitors mounted the platform the entire audience rose to their feet and gave ex pression'to their feelings in loud and cordial applause. After Lord and Lady Aber deen had taken theit seats, two little <gii Is arrayed in white dresses adorned with sashes of the Cordon tartan, advanced to the Countess and presented her with two pretty bouquets. Her Ladyship re ceived the present? with evident pleasure, and graciously kissed the little girls. .' Mr Albert Devcre (the Mayor), came for ward amid.t applause and said : Ladies and gentlemen, I have tlie honor to introduce to you the Earl and Countess of Aberdeen, who are present here to-day by invitation, and are prepared to receive the addresses whicli it is intended to present. In tho name of the citizens I heartily welcome our distinguished visitors. (Applause), f am sure that while they remain in the city, it will,, bo a pleasureable duty to me to show them round. To point out tlie beauties of the place and the great- resources -of dur harbour, so that when His Lordship returns to Eng land he will bo able, to 4 spgak^authorativ_ly upon the reserves of the colony, and also on tho event ofji any- scheme1 * being pro pounded for the defence of the Aus tralian colonies. I make these re marks because so*, fewjmen outside of tho Colonies really know anything abqiut them. Therefore it is advisable when opportudity is afforded that i£ should be taken advan tage of. Your visitors aro now prepared to receive the addf-e.^es. The first will be presented by the Burns Club, by whom Mr D. 13. McDonald has been selected as spokesman. . * . .£,*., | 7 Address from flnck-auii Burns

Club

Mr D. B. McDonald said : May it please Your Lordship,' in the "absence of Mr.Jus tice Gillies, tho President of theßurn's Club, T have been requested to present this ad dress to you on behalf of the members of the Club. It is not my intehtien upon this occasion to indict upon you a long address, for in this case no doubt you will think that "Brevity is tho soul of wit." Tho object of the address which I shall now present is to show you the esteem and re spect in which you are held by your fellow Scotchmen in this colony.

•' To tho Right Honourable the Earl of Aberdeen,—As representatives of a Scottish organisation—the Auckland Burns Club and Literary Society -we beg to tender your Lordship and your noble lady a hearty welcome to this colony. Rejoicing, as we do, that we live inn land so beautiful, so prosperous, and so freo as this, wo yet cherish feelings of the fondest regard to wards 'Caledonia stern and wild,' and aro deeply attached to her history, tradi tions and associations; and as the distinguished head of one of the most renowned and ancient families of our illustrious country, we offer you a cordial welcome, to this the land of our adoption. The reputation which has preceded you here as a high - minded, publio - spirited nobleman of liberal ideas and philanthropic disposition, has moved us to express our pride in viewing you as a representative son of the ' Land of brown heath and shaggy wood.' Our sense of tho high services you have rendered the British Empire and tlie cause of humanity generally Will, we trust, be to you a sufficient warrant for our thus publicly expressing our warmest wishes for the health and happi ness of yourself and lady. Hoping that your Lordship's stay in New Zealand may prove beneficial and pleasant. —We have tho honour to be, your Lord ship's obedient, humble servants. (Signed), William Anderson, D. B. McDonald, W.R. Waddel, Vice-Presidents ; Robert Peace, Secretary ; John Robertson, James Stewart, J. L. Kelly, J. G. Harper, members of the Committee.

Lord Aberdeen was received with loud applause.as he stepped forward to reply. He said, J.lr Mayor, Mayor, Mr McDonald, and ladies and gentlemen, nn old Latin poet, who must have been a student of nature, has written that when people have crossed the ocean, though they have lived under another sky they still re tain the same feelings— caelum non aiiimwni mutual gui (runs mare currant. If that poet, ladies and gentlemen, had been ac quainted with the English and Scotch people he might have repeated it with ad vantage. As a Scotchman, I might say that one of tho advantages of being a Scotch man is that who ever one goes, one meets with his fellow- countrymen, and although it may not always be true that men were brothers anywhere. Still Scotchmen meet in"- in various parts of the globe aro brothers still for a' that. A distinguished relative of mine said that he had found in various parts of' the world, Scotchman doino- well, and being a credit to them selve. and also to their country. My experiences have been similar. In Egypt I-found fraternising at Cairo a physician who came from near the estate over which I preside. In Calcutta I came across a com missioner who was the son of a respected tradesman in tho village at Home. I also found that the sheriff came from near by. At Ceylon a largo tea merchant I dis covered to be tho sou of a forester on my estate, and in Sydney a member of the Legislative Council proved to bo the son. of an honoured resident in an ad ioinhio- village. I have not yet beon lono- "enough in New Zealand to find outany who had come from Aberdeen, but ho expected that he should yet do so. It was once said that if the North Pole was discovered a Scotchman-perhaps an Aber deen man-would bo found sitting upon the top of it It has also been suggested that it might be an Irishman ; but 1 am of opinion

that neither of them would stay there long, but would go to some other place were more was to be made (laughter). However, I must ■ not linger, but will say that it is peculiarly gratifying to myself and Lady Aberdeen to be welcomed by our schools friends. As to the organisations, I must congratulate you upon having a Burns Club. It is well that you should have such things to bend you together. I doubt not that this Society will find practical work to do. Ido allude to elcinosynary or charitable matters bub to work that might be done among young Scotchmen coming to tho colony Who will be glad to receive advice and information. I again thank you, and wish to express my Hearty good wishes for your kind sympathy.

Address from Y.MU..A. and

Sunday School Union

Tho Rev. Mr Hill next came forward, and said that it was his privelego on behalf of the You tig Men's Christian 7lssociation and Auckland Sunday School Union to present to his Lordship the following ad dress : —

' " To tho Right Honourable the Earl and Countess of Aberdeen.—As representing the Auckland Young Men's Christian Associa tion and tho Auckland Sunday School Union we desire to express our sincere pleasure at the presence in this distant part of Her Majesty's dominions of your Lordship and the Countess of Aberdeen. We remember the valued services rendered by your Lordship's noble ancestors and yourself to thecauseof progress, philanthropy and religion in Great Britain and Ireland. Your Lordship has a special claim upon the gratitude of tlio Association wo represent, having been in active co-operation with the parent society of the Young Men's Christian Association in London, and having filled the position of President of the Sunday-school Union in that city. It is our pleasure to welcome you to New Zealand and to share ill the warm regard with which you are received by the representatives in this city of England, Scotland and Ireland. Wo trust and pray that the health and pleasure whicli our climate and scenery are calculated to produce, may be fully realised and enjoyed by the Countess and by your Lordship, so that your lives may be lengthened, and that you may receive strength for long and vigorous service in tho cause ot justice, philanthropy and religion. —Dated at Auckland, May 4th, 1887.

"(Signed) J. S. Hilt,, President of V.M.C.A. ; FiiEDic. La-.kix., Vice-Presi dent of V.M.C.A. ; Tlio?. Buddle, Hon. Secretary of V.M.C.A.; F..l.l.l;kick Batt lkv, President ol S.S.U. ; T. E. Co_.Kii.-_, Hon. Secretary ol S.S.U."

The Earl of Aberdeen in reply expressed hit gratification at rccoivingsucli an address. He spoke at some length upon the manner in which both Lady Aberdeen and himself had been identified with the various Chris tian organisations in the old country both in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney he had the advantage of securing the V.M.C.A. Institution and he looked forward ton similar pleasure in thiseity. It had been said that it was a grand thfng to bo a young man in this 19th century but ho thought it was grander still to be a Christian young man. He had been struck with the vigour that characterised the work done in these colonies. They heard a good deal about the favour of unbelief in these days, but they should also remember that there had also been a growth in Christian life. He exhorted young men to cultivate manliness in their Christianity, and con cluded by a warm expression of sympathy with tlie objects of the Association.

Address From tha Radical Xc

form jJ.ens-H'

The deputation from the Radical Reform League next came forward, and the presi dent, Mr \V. Duncan, read the following address : -

" New Zealand Radical Reform League. Auckland, 'Ith May, ISS7. To the Right Hon: tho Earl of Aberdeen. My Lord,— We havo tho honour, as members of the Radical Reform League,, and on behalf of our fellow colonists residing hero and elsewhere in New Zealand, holding similar opinions, and cherishing active sympathies towards youraolf and the statesmen of the English Liberal Party, to tender to yourself and the Countess of Aberdeen, on tho occasion of your visit to this colony, our hearty congratulations. Wo rejoice that the opportunity is thus af forded us of offering our sincere respects and to express our warmest thanks to one like yourself and your amiable Countess, who have rendered such eminent and valued services to the cause of freedom and of wise and enlightened government in the Councils of tho British Empire, to which we arc all proud to belong Your career as a statesman and philanthropist has been of such a character as to commend itself to tho approval of all true Liberals, lovers of freedom, and good government. In doing this we cannot avoid expressing our deep and fervent admiration of the acts, and of our unabated conlidonco in the Bight Hon. W. E. Gladstone (cheers), under whose wise a beneficent adminis tration you ceu pied so prominent and highly sponsible an office as the Viceroy of Ireland. Neither this nor any of the colonies can ever expect to be favoured with the pre sence ot that great and noble Englishman, but wo venture to ask that yon will, on your return to England, convey to him this our message — that his eminent services to the cause of Liberalism will never be forgotten by large number., of his fellow subjects in New Zealand. We gladly recognise that he has imperishably impressed his name on the legislation of Great Britain and her dependencies, and he has also influenced • thereby for good other nations in tho path of pro gress, good government nnd pros perity ; and also that his efforts have ever tended to promote the sacred cause of peace among the people of Europe and of the world generally. We trust that your brief visit te. New Zealand may be one of much pleasure and benefit to yourself and lady, and that on your return to the Old Home you will romember that the great bulk of the colonists of New Zealand cherish with pride the constitution of Great Britain and the glorious traditions of the beloved land from which they came. They will also watch with interest the doings of the statosmon of their Fatherland, and believe that their tendency will be in the future, as in the past, a steady onward march to wards Liberal measures, which in the very nature of things must ultimately triumph. On your return to England wo hope you may long continue to further Liberal prin ciples, and that long life and much happi *nc..s may be the portion of yourself and the Countess is the silicon, wish of your obedient servants."

" (Signed) William Duncan, J.P., Chairman; Frederick Jeitnk, Treasurer ; James Batty, Secretary ; R. J. Duncan, Harrissonßotherham, George Warhur to,., Frederick W. Watkins, Members of tho League." The address had been nicely engrossed by Mr H. Roth'erham.

The Earl of Aberdeen, in reply, expressed warmest sympathy with the objects of the League, if »ot exactly a Radical himself he was at least a Libera), which term was comprehensive enough, He promised to convey to Mr Gladstone the allusion made to him in the address.

The Home Rule Address

A deputation, consisting of Dr. Erson, Messrs J. O'Meagher, T. W. Leys, G. M. Keed, Crofts and Monsignor Macdonald, ap pointed at a public meeting for the purpose of presenting an address expressive of sym pathy with tho cause of Homo Rule for Ireland, was then introduced by the Mayor,

Dr Erson who acted as spokesman ad dressed the Earl of Aberdeen as follows : My Lord, I have the honour to present an address from the residents of this city, who are in sympathetic accord with the freat political movement iv giving to reland the right of self-government and in the promotion of which your Lordship has taken so distinguished a part. But imperfectly would I represent the' sentiments of these gentlemen were I to fail to express our profound gratitude for the interest which you have taken in a matter so dear to their hearts, and their earnest desire that you, my lord, will carry to the grand old political chieftain, Mr Gladstone, _our unabated confidence and support, coupled with the hope that the Giver of All Good will spare him to see the reward of his efforts, and Ireland restored to her place amongst the Nations of the Earth."

Dr. Erson thon read the following ad dress, remarking, as he did so, that it was signed by Sir George Grey, former Go vernor of New Zealand, Mr J. M. Darga villc, M.H.R., aud others : —

'' To the Right Hon. the Earl of Aberdeen. —We desire to give your Lordship cordial greeting and welcome to New Zealand. Although so remote from the great centres of political movement, the statements and the acts of British statesmen are by tho telegraph daily brought to our knowledge, so that our feelings are respon sive to tlie great, movements that are pro ceeding at the centre of tho Empire for the amelioration of tho condition of humanity. Wo have thus been enabled to observe with deep interest the career of your Lordship as a statesman, more especially in. your lnimane and sympathetic government of Ireland ; and we desire, in the name and on behalf of a large number of influential citi zens of Auckland, to express our sincere admiration for your Lordship, as well as for hor Ladyship, your Countess, whose pontic sympathy has endeared her in tlio memory of thousands of our fellow subjects in every portion of the British Empire. That you may long be spared to fulfil the high-and honourable duties to which we feel assured you will yet be called in tho administration of the Government of the British Empire, and that you and your estimable wife, who have pro moted the happiness of so many millions, may yourselves, lour; enjoy the happiness you have so well deserved, is the earnest prayer of your obedient servants.

" (Signed.)"

Presentation by Irish Ladies to

the tf-onntess

Dr. Erson then introduced a deputation of Irish ladies Mrs Dully, Misses Shanaghan, Danahor, Mrs Gleeson, and others- and in their names said": My Lord, I have also the honour, on behalf of tho Irish ladies of Auckland, and of friends in sympathy with them, to offer, for the acceptance of her Ladyship, thcCountess of Aberdeen, atoken of esteem and a souvenir of her visit to this city. It is, as your Ladyship will observe, a table, made of New Zealand woods, beautifully designed and deftly ar ranged by a New Zealand artist; and in its construction will servo to illustrate one of tho most, important sources of the wealth of this Colony, as well as to afford evidence in addition to that already shown on these walls, that the fine arts have already found a place in our midst. But, my Lord, abovo and beyond all is it desired by the fair donors tnat her ladyship will accept this memento as a token of their profound respect for her person ; also, as a symbol of their gratitude for those many noble acts of kindness, which endeared her to the people of Ireland, during your Lordship's distin guished tenure of oflice as representative of Her Most Gidcious Majesty in that country. Thoy desire to oiler to your Lord.hip a most cordial welcome, and, since their native land is a land of song, I will in verse express tho present predominant sentiments of thoir hearts."

Dr. Erson then recited in really lirst-class style the following poetical address com posed by himself, and beautifully engrossed and illuminated on satin by Mr J. Slator, "A Souvenir from Auckland. To the Earl and Countess of Aberdeen-From the ladios of Auckland :—

Welcome to fair Zealandia's shore, Thrice welcome to our Southern home-; Your fame proceeded you galore, Blessings will come where'er you roam.

In Irish hearts there is a place Which memory keeps for ever «reen For those who serve their land and raco Like you, my Lord of Aberdeen.

Behold us in this newer land, We freedom havo to'make our laws ; Peace and contentment on each hand Have won from all the world applause.

We labour still for tho good of State ; We're loyal to our glorious Queen ; Nought can for freedom compensate, Most noble Lord of Aberdeen.

Caed Mille Failthe—Countess fair ! Old Ireland owes great debt to you ; Cood, kind and true -such virtues rare Forge link on link of love anew.

Though from our native land apart, And sundered by great oeeajis wild ; Yet every throb within our heart Tell us that we are still her child.

God bless you both, where'er you roam, May loving care shield you from harm ; And when you reach yoiu English home, Tell kindred there our hearts are warm.

At ono with yours in Erin's causo ; At one with yours for better laws ; So crown and harp in glorious sheen, Shall reign at peace in College Green

Tho table which accompanied this address is beautifully constructed of inlaid Now Zealand woods, andcomesfrom Mr Seuflert's establishment. Mr Seud'ert has executed many elaborate specimens of artistic cabinet-making in his time, but none to excel this table. It is a marvel of in genuity and taste, and tho ladies of Auck land could have presented no handsomer gift to Lady; Aberdeen, nor one more thoroughly characteristic of New Zealand. It is said that over 40,000 separate pieces of wood enter into the composition of the table. On its surface, forming a beauti ful floral design, are to be found mottled Kauri, mapau, whairangipii-o, mangiao, toi, manuka, hohoka, rimii, kahikatea, totara, rowarewa, pohutukawa, orata, kohekohe, wairangi, rata, kohu tuhutu, akeake, tritre, wheowheo, matai, kauware, puriri, and black maire. The ferns shown upon it are constructed of pukatea : the native clematis flowers and buds of kohutuhutu ; the central ground work of matai; the whito border round the centre of orata ; the dark lines of puriri ; the basket-work of rowarewa, and the red border of kohekohe, or Now Zealand cedar. The carved pillar is of totara, and the stand is of rimii (for the ground work), rewarewa, kohekohe, orata, and puriri.

Lord Aberdeen madealengthyandeloquent address in acknowledgement of these last two presentations. Ho begin by saying that it was very difficult to speak with this beautiful and elocpient poem sound ing in one's ears and placed before one's eyes. It made prose - and his was very ordinary prose seem perfectly prosaic. Still, he hoped it might act as a stimulus to him in endeavouring in very inadequate language to express how deeply he valued these words that had been used towards them and how deeply he and tho Countess would treasure them. It was nothing new that Irishmen should display their warm-hearted and generous feelings. But one could not too often ob serve — for it was really a very B-gnificaofc as well aS a very beauti

ful thing — the earnestness and the fervour with which Irishmen in whatever part of the world they were shewed a disinterested "devotion to whatever con cerned tho welfare of their country. He had been very much struck .with this in the colonies. He had also found that Irishmen in the colonies made good citizens and rational British subjects, and he was pleased with the temperate manner in which great public questions were discussed in the colonies. He wished there was more of this feeling abroad at Home for if so Mr Gladstone would not be assailed so violently and abusively as he had been. As regarded the ques tion of Home Rule for Ireland, the feeling was growing among its opponents that it would come. He therefore said if it is to come, in God's name let it come quickly." (Loud cheers). There was nothing to gain but much to lose by delay. Tho grace, power and gener osity of a gift were often lost by delay. This was no question of sacrificing aught of the moral law, and as it was likely to prove beneficial he thought the desired boon should be granted heartily, generously and quickly. (Cheers.) The noble earl patised to refer to the appropriateness of Dr. Erson being selected to present the address, seeing that his father was Sir Isaac Butt's co-adjutor in launching the scheme of Horne1 Rule. After advising a calm treatment of tho question, and refer ring to Scotland's sympathy with Ireland in the matter of Home Rule Lord Aber deen made a graceful acknowledgement for the Countess of the bodies present and in this connexion he referred to Lady Aberdeen's love for tho Irish people and her efforts to encourage local industries among thorn. He concluded by praising the exhibition of pictures the ceremonial concluded by the passing of a vote of thanks to the Mayor on the motion of Lord Aberdeen secondad by Dr. Erson.

THAMES NOTES.

(BY TE_.ECIRAI>II. - OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Thames, this day. During the consideration of the voting of Mr Dean's salary of £20 per annum for the office of Secretary at the meeting of the cemetery trustees yesterday afternoon, a very stormy altercation took place be tween Mr Dean and Mr Mac Andrew. After considerable discussion of an acrimonious nature it was ultimately de cided to give Mr Dean a salary of £20 a year as Secretary.

THE DISTRICT COURT.

In the District Court yesterday, before Judge Seth Smith, applications for dis charge were granted in the case of the fol lowing bankrupts :—R. McDonald, John Osborne, and Henry T. Rowo, Robert Carrick, and Henry Gallagher. The Court was occupied nntil a late hour last evening hearing the civil action of H. F. Anderson v. H. E. Johnstone, claim £100, breach of agreement in connection with the loading of the schooner Glencairn at Bagnall's Miv in December, 188G, with a cargo of white pine for Gisborne. There was also a cross action between the parties,being a claim for £.o damages ; Mr Theo. Cooper for the plaintiff and Mr Campbell for defendant. The case is still proceeding.

WHARF KATES,

Tho Harbour Board has decided to increase wharfage rates by about twenty five per cent., in order to meet the expenditure. At a meeting of the Har bour Board last evening a proposal of Ohinemurito constitute a River Board was referred to the committee, to report on the matter to tho Board within fourteen days.

THE "ADVERTISER."

Messrs Armit and Lyes,late manager and foreman at "Advertiser" office.liave taken over publication of "Advertiser" from the Thames Printing and Publishing Company, late Fraser and Company, and it will in future bo issued under their auspices. Mr Carrick, late editor, has severed his connec tion with the paper.and left for Wellington yesterday afternoon.

WAIKATO NOTES.

(NY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Hamilton, this day. WEATHER AND CROPS.

The weather has been exceptionally favour able to the growth of gross, etc.—plenty of rain, and so ftp- an absence of cold. The fine house and . estate known as the Lake, Hamilton, the property of Messrs Bullock and Webster, has been leased for a period of three years to Colonel Forbes, a retired Indian official, who, with his wife, two sons and a daughter, will enter into occupation at once. The house was built by Mr Alfred Cox, formerly mem ber for Waipa.

WHANGAROA HOT SPRINGS

I understand that it is the intention of Mr Wilson, who leased the Whangaroa Hot Springs on Saturday at the upset price, to forthwith erect a com fortable accommodation house, -which, when the new road now being rapidly pushed for ward is completed, will be easily accessible from Ngaruawahia. The settlers up Fire wood Creek arc making good progress with the road and with their own cultivations, and the face of the country in that locality will soon be changed entirely.

BRUTAL ASSAULT ON A CHINA MAN.

About ten o'clock last evening a brutal and apparently unprovoked assault was com mitted on a Chinaman by seme hoodlums whose only grievance against the Mongolian appears to have been that he was one of a despised race. The Chinamaai, whose name is Peter Hong Hoy, is exployed as a cook at tho Star Hotel. Last evening, whilst he was proceeding homewards -from his work, he was beset by two young men, apparently of the larrikin class, who, without much ado, upset him and kicked him. so severely that his collar-bone was broken. The in jured man managed to escape from his assailants and reached the Star Hotel, where his hurts were attended to by Dr. Walker and another medical gentleman residing at the hotel. The police have re ceived information of the occurrence, and hope to run to earth the perpetrators of this dastardly outrage.

The Czars Brother to he Married.

A marriage is in process, of arrangement between the Grand Dukes Paul, youngest brother of the Czar, and the Princess Alex andra, eldest daughter of King George of Greece. The eccentric nroceedings of the proposed bridegroom during his recent visit to Athens nearly led to the breaking off of the match. The young Princess, who is in her seventeenth year, might take warning from the fate' of Princess Elizabeth of Hesse, who married the Grand Duke Sergius, from whom . she would long ago have been separated but for-the interference of the Emperor.and Empress. The two young brothers of the Czar are barbarians of the pure Russian type of the last cen tury*

POLICE COURT. THIS DAY.

(Before Messrs F. G. Clayton and H. Brett,

Justices.) A Hard Cask. - Margaret Barstow, against whom there were 22 previous cohvic'tio'ns'for drunkenness, eleven for vagrancy" and four for larceny, was charged with drunkenness, with being an habitual drunkard, and also with vagrancy. Margaret hung her wrinkled old face coyly and pleaded guilty, and said, "If ye do be lanyint this toime oil nivvei- appear agin."—The Bench sentenced her to one months' imprisonment.—Mar garet : Thank ye, your Worships; God bless you !

Boy Burglars. —C. H. Mooney and John Heenan, two lads, were charged with burglariously entering ■ a storeroom at Kohimarama, and stealing therefrom some clothing and food.—Mr Hogan, master of the school, applied for a remand until Saturday, when the accused might be brought before the Resident Magistrate and dealt with summarily under the in dustrial Schools Act.—Granted.

Breach ok- the Mining Companies Act. —Roderick McD. Scott, manager of the Cambria Gold Mining Company, was charged with a breach of the Mining Com panies Act by neglecting to forward a statement of the Company's affairs within the first fourteen days of the month of January last.—Mr Hudson Williamson ap» peared for the Mining Inspector; Mr Mc- Laren, and Mr Button for the defendant.— Mr Button said that he had advised the de fendant to plead guilty, and would ask the Bench to inflict a nominal penalty of say Id per day. Mr Williamson would not press for more than a nominal penalty, as the offence seemed to have been committed from inadvertence. This was intended as a warning to mining managers to publish the statements required by the law in tlio "Gazette" and the newspapers. Fined 9s 2d (one penny per day for 110 days) and costs.

An Old Thief. — John Wilson, whose previous convictions for larceny numbered twenty, was charged with stealing a chest of tea, the property of one Robert Row. — Sergeant Gamble having stateed the case, called William Probine, manager for Mr Rew, grocer, who deposed that on the morning of April 27 he opened the shop and placed outside the chest of tea, along with fourteen others. From information received he subsequently went outside tho shop and saw the chest of tea lying in the roadway 15 or 20 yards from where he placed it, while the accused was sitting on the doorstep. Witness ordered accused to take the tea back at once. Accused at tempted to run away, and witness gave him into custody.—By the accused : You wero not sober. I am sure you are the person.—William Hart, a lad whose father resides opposite Mr Rew's store, deposed to seeing a man take a chest of tea from a stack in front of Mr Rew's shop, and carry it to wards Albert-street. He did not recognise the accused as the man. He subsequently saw a man with the constable in Rew's yard. The man he saw there was something like the accused.—At this stago the Bench asked the accused if he would elect to be dealt with summarily. — The ac cused acquiesced. Constable Cotter de posed to arresting the accused on informa tion received from Probine. This was in the hearing of the accused. Accused neither admitted nor denied the charge.—Tho Bench, found the prisoner guilty, and sen tenced him to six months' imprisonment, with hard labour, expressing the hope thao this lenient treatment would induce the pri soner to reform.

LAKE ROAD BOARD.

The annual meeting of ratepayers was he\l in the Lake-Schoolroom yesterday, the_£ being only eleven ratepayers present.

Mr Hungerford, the Chairman, presided, and the minutes having been read, the Clerk presented the balance-sheet as fol lows, the same having been certified as cor rect by the Auditor :—Beceipts : Balance in hand, March 31, 1886, £48 12s lid ; general rates, £191 3s 7d ; Government subsidy, 1885-0, £98 2s Od ; 18S6-7, on ac count, £77 Os 7d ; contractors' deposits, £8 ; Total, £422 19s 7d. Expenditure: Lake Road, £95 9s 7d ; Swamp Road, £1S 5s 4d ; Sea View Road, £21 5s ; Eversleigh Road, £19 lis 4d ; O'Neill's Point Road, £32 17s 9d ; Lake Town Road, £13 12s ; road be tween Messrs Bull and James, farmers, £G Beach Road, £1 15s; cattle approach to Lake, £12 19sr; and on roads north of Wai raio Creek, £59 3s 8d; pipes on various roads, £15 18s Gd ; making a total expendi ture on road works of £296 7s 5d ; rent, two years, £4; printing and adrertising, £8 2s ' 9d; legal expenses, £2 2s; electoral expenses, £4 7s1; recovery' of rates, £9 6s 6d ; deposit returned, £IT'; salary (2 years), £10; collectors com mission (2 years), £20 _ 9d ; medical fee, 2s 6d ; stationery, stamps, etc, £2 0s 5d ; balance in bank March 31, ISB7, £55 6s 3d. Total, £422 19s 7d. Assets, balance in hand, £55 6s 3d ; unpaid rates, £S9 13s 9d; crown and native rates, £13 Ss. Total, £158 Bs. Liabilities, sundry accounts, £29 lis 6d ;

The Clerk explained that owing to the non-receipt of Government subsidy during the previous year payment of sundry ac counts was left over, which accounted for tha double payments for rent, salary, com mission' etc., while having received 75 per cent, of last year's subsidy, the Board had been enabled to discharge all liabilities and yet leave a good balance, while nearly half the rates unpaid at balancing had since been received.

After sundry questions had been asked by ratepayers and answered by the Board the balance-sheet as read was adopted by the meeting, Mr Harrow being the only dissentient, on the ground that moneys had been improperly spent, and for the benefit of members of the Board rather than the ratepayers at large. The meeting then terminated.

Woodville, this day.

Drowning Case.

Timothy King, employed on the Gorge Railway contract, was ' drowned while crossing the Manawatu River last night.

Thames, this day.

The District Court sat until 11.30 last night. Jn the case of Anderson v. John ston, His Honor reserved judgment for a month, while in the case of John Hope "v. John Townsend, claim £50 damages caused by a fire for clearing scrub from defendant's land spreading to that of plaintiffs adjoining and destroying 40 Kahi kahea trees ; judgment was given for £25 with costs £13.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &c, To-night.

Agricultural Hall—London Circus Company, s. V.M.C.A.—Public Meeting re International and Maritime Exhibition, 7.30. Masonic Hotel—Meeting of those desirous of Joining the North Shore 111. Football Club. 8. Oddfellows' Hull, Ponsonby—Lodge Ponsonby. No. 738, E.C., 7.30. Remuera Hall—Extravaganza, Beunstalk," 8. Imperial Hotel-Ponsonby Football Club, 8 V.M.C.A. Rooms—Meeting of Association Foot ball Club, 8

" Jack and the

Rota of Justices at Police Court.

May s—Messrs S. Y. Collins and P. Comiskey.

Auction Sales Tomorrow.

S. Cochrane and Son, Hobson-strcet—House hold Furniture, etc., 11. G. Lewis—Bootmakers' Machinery, etc., 10.30; Fancy Work, Stationery, etc., 11, A. B. Grifflth's-Drapery, 1.80,

THE AUCKLANm^ETENING STAB, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1881

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