SPORTING NEWS.

cur. A TJSTBALIAN TIPS. (spK^^_l SSOCIATIOK - ) Melbourne, October 27. • a very little doing in the betting Silver Price's case is nofc so fo t anticipated. It appears **'t and pulled up decidedly "**""*'„_; walked away all right Al «|Sncedto3tol,and9to eenan ■» " -~ p r i n ee at one time ■foffS'iW to 10, but quickly receded to Q klei h 100 to 15 raHied uitoor ha been backed for |pa^itefori:3,oooatloo 4, the Derby, betting is even on . Tranter 5 to l. A Lord r WilHam has been scratched for the Melbourne Cup.

THE V.R.C. DERBY AND MEL BOURNE CUP.

_.» i n the "Australasian,' •IS following tips for the coming p Derby: Abercorn, 1 ; Tranter, C rr^ Sheplumps for Algerian, witn OakleighanclDunlopnext.

AUCKLAND TATTERSALL'S CLUB.

fee was another large attendance at JElls Club last night, when a good Shusiness on the Derby and Cup iSted. D urin g the Oakleigh, came, in _B SSnch support, 400 to 62 being "Bin one hand about his Cup chance. (tk„), JJSTb-S'pAiS 100 to 20 (off); ___i 100 to 16 (tkn), 100 to 17 (off); B 100 to 10 off); Meteor, 100 to 9; ■ffi?i«Lto 8 ; Thunderbolt, 100 to 8 ; iSto Peer, 100 to 7; Cranbrook, ICO ftfi W5kW 200 to 13 ; Silvermine, S_6?Do_op, 100 to 6; Niagara, 100 W 6 Recall, 100 to 5; Frisco 100 to 5; Made 100 to 5; Remus, 100 to o; Srlootos;Jebusite, 100to5;Sar. Sto4; Affluence, 100 to 4; Escut £,ioo n to l > Chamer ' 10 ° t0 3; Pakeha, 100 to 2. _ Wr -Abercorn, sto 4 on ; Tranter, lMto2sagsb; Niagara, 7to 1; Australian Peer 6tol; Enfilade, 6 to 1; Cranbrook, lOOtolO; Pakeha, 100 to 8; Escutcheon, lOOtos. '* _ ,_ Dobbixs-Derby and Cur.—Abercorn _ anything, 10 to 15.

fis interesting to note in reference to 4a Cambridgeshire-Stakes, the result of thich appeared in last night's paper, that Badigo, the second horse, won the handi ap as a three-year-old, and ran second the test two years in succession, so this will mkethe. third second for him. He was unplaced last year. -

(ST TEIEGEAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Hamilton, this day. taikato Hunt Club Races. Hie following race 3 were decided afte r Isentmylast telegram yesterday : — Hint Cmb Hi'edles Handicap of 15 m (tffoihiles.)— Three horses started, Mc- WsDaybreak being the favourite but flroatßider, Perretb's Don, won easily; Qt Coral, second. Totalisator dividend flk" ••

Jovelßacb of £15.—Five horses started, __"a_ : Sheet Anchor were favourites. -bra won,.- Sheet Anchor being second. h winner was sold for £12 7s 6d, the __ being the purchaser. '•W_kato-__st Club Handicap of £25. _ horses.faced the starter. Don, was %htly; the favourite, but Monitor was __-by many. Monitor won after a race, Don being second. 69 Atotalisator; dividend, 275. turns' Bracelet of £10.—Only two _«s started—Coral and Nipper. It was mo easily by Coral. Tam-ho Hahdicap Steeplechase of fcThere were five starters. Joe and M«totwere most fancied. Joe was frac ■fim at the" start. Monitor won easily, jtaisecond. No accidents of any account. Well in the Hunt Handicap or would Jitty have won.

(WIffiEOEAPH.—PBESS ASSOCIATION.)

..,,.• Chkistchukch, Thursday. NORTH CANTERBURY RACES.

'Worth Canterbury races at Rangiora 'erelargely attended to-day. The prinei ; Wferlsulted as follows:— - " moctohpst Stakes of 50sovs ; 4 fur- W-Goodman's' Somneil, Bst 51b, 1; fwAdolation, Bat, 2; D. O'Brien's ffWSb, 3. Time, 53isec. Divi jNQttimuw Cup of 12Csovs; 1\ f» O'Brien's Gipsy King, Bst 51b, i Webbaßuby, Bst, 2; Stead's Beresford, Ruby, and Beresford are » a the.New Zealand Cup, where SIBSN weights are 7st, 6st 121b, "? win. th e or der named. Ist; Golden Butter- C - ? t f !ckman . 3rd. Won by a nose. JMmiii. 56iaec. Dividends, £2 13s- Handicap.-Laßose, Ist; Webster, 3rd. A grand ta!S b l ahead - Time, 2min. 14isec.

toy lv V^ l fa sti 'l at Waiwera, and by the ittu iam Morgan has been asked to WfcJSiSWty of Newmarket, and tkjZ* 1 ™ to> dp so. Mr Morgan was fc»IX. . c old Newmarket Road years. iol ? Witl J the m «sical and elocu- H&.Hli l!^ 0 * 1 commences in the fltff 1 *wfon f on Monday next, $«& ° ffered a Prize of £2 2s for ISe It ? n ü ßight of aShakesperian - seen b y advertisement cl ose on Tuesday "testers' Hall. !jn r^ ond ay, Messrs Smith and Si| , 7 their first delivery of **Wx onehuil Sa Woollen Mills, SbcS? Gentle ?^lll* 6d< ; Thes e are the new S?*fi T 9 ' and can <"»ly b- eob 2SS% c elothin R at the above 2?**Wl .» , C - hold the largest and SSfett . of Vs', youths', and SiH,ff d >Ported clothing and >i 3 'th [At)VT<] 'iSw W^ k that c«stomers can their repairs IIN W at ? h Cam » an y> Market &^w n ?- aha P e Road. Frize, 2**s £ n *f n 8 Watch. Watches *iWJ eßei 7 repaired equally as

SHOAL BAY IMPROVEMENTS.

THE SHOAL BAY SCHEME.

PROPOSED SALT - WATER LAKE

PROMENADE FROM DEVONPORT

TO NORTHCOTE.

REPORT BY MESSRS BOYLAN AND

LUNDON.

Ax '"mportant and novel scheme in connec tion with the proposals for opening up the Lake District through Shoal Bay has been submitted to the committee by Messrs Boylan and Lundon. Their proposals are as follow :

October 26th.

Gentlemen, — In accordance with your instructions we have carefully examined and exhaustively investigated Captain Webster's and other schemes for making a canal to Shoal Bay. We find, however, that there would be so many objections raised to its construction, and so many difficulties would occur in working it, that the object in view, namely, the opening up of the Shoal Bay district, would be better attained by other means, and we have accordingly projected a scheme of works which we consider in finitely preferable in every respect to a canal. . .

The principal objections and difficulties in connection with a canal are: First: Interference with riparian rights of the land owners. Secondly : The difficulty of navi gation in a narrow channel. Thirdly : The loss of speed caused by tho restricted area of the channel. Fourthly : The difficulty of maintaining the channel in working order.

The scheme which we propose is not open to any of the foregoing objections, and it has in its favour innumerable other features not possessed by a canal. It consists in transforming Shoal Bay, by means of a water tight dam extending from Point Stanley to Northcote, into a lake, with bhe water always maintained at the level of high water ; access will be provided through a lock for communication with the outer har bour. Any person acquainted with the locality knows that Shoal Bay at high water is a very paradise compared to Shoal Bay at low water; and quite independently of its being a means of improved communication, it would be a desirable undertaking to cover the mud flats of Shoal Boy with a perpetual sheet of water, instead of allowing their fcetid exhalations to poison the air as at present. The positions of the works proposed to effect this are shown on the accompanying drawing ; the result would be a land-locked basin of over 2,000 acres in extent, or more than ten times the area of Lake Takapuna ; the embankment forming the outer side of the lake would be so constructed as to form a wide roadway, or ornamental avenue, and a glance at the drawing shows how greatly it would shorten the distance between Devonport and Northcote. When a bridge spans the Waitemata from Ponsonby to Northcote, this avenue would complete the communication by land with Devonport. It would at present confer an immense benefit on Northcote and neighbourhood by bring ing it into closer contact with Devonport, and its superior facilities for reaching the city; with, of course, a corresponding benefit to Devonport on account of the increased traffic through it. The proposed salt-water lake would offer attractions equal, at least, to those of Lake Takapuna, and it would pos sess the additional merit of greater accessibility both by land and by water. Its beaches and waters would offer un rivalled facilities for boating, fishing, pic nics, regattas, and aquatic sports, and the surrounSing slopeß would no doubt become favourite and fashionable pleasure grounds and holiday reSorbs, as well as affording charming villa sibes. • The advantages of access offered by a broad sheet of water over those of a canal are considerable, as every point having a j water frontage would be accessible to boats and steamers, and not only one or two points, as would be the case with a canal. Greater speed could also'be maintained, as there would be an unrestricted width of waterway. A slight delay would necessarily, of course, occur at the lock, but in any case, even with a canal, there would be a stoppage at Point Stanley for the purpose of baking and discharging passengers and cargo, and it is not anticipated that much more time will on the average be required for lockino-. Considered from a Harbour Board point of view, it is also far pieferable to any canal scheme, and that for several reasons. The dam would be constructed principally of dredgings from obher parts of the harbour, and the site would be vastly more convenient as a depositing ground than the present «ne outside Rangitoto, which is nearly ten miles disbant, and thus, while all theßoard's dredgingplant could be occupied in excavating the various works projected on the southern side of the harbour, the ex cavated material could be deposited on the site and this, as we believe, without any expense to the Board beyond their present rate of expenditure per cubic yard dredged ; secondly, the effect on the waterway and currents of the Waitemata Harbour would, in our opinion, be highly beneficial, as it would concentrate the tidal waters within a line parallel with the jetties and training walls projected on the southern side, and by increasing the rate of the flow of the flood and ebbtides would largely reduce the dredg ing necessary in the future to maintain an efficient depth el water. Even if the Har

bour Board should decide, which is, how ever, an improbable contingency, that it would be more to their interests to reclaim Shoal Bay, then it could be urged with pro priety that the proposed dam, or seawall, would be the first and most important part of any reclamation. It is, indeed, highly improbable that Shoal Bay will ever be re claimed, as the cost of doing so would be enormous and out of all proportion to the value of the land so reclaimed. Its ultimate utilisation will probably be in the form of a site for wet docks, and we do not look too far ahead in predicting that when the Main Trunk Railway line is extended North as far as, or further than, the Bay of Islands, the traffic will not go round the present circuit ous way via Helensville, but will require a direct outlet on the Waitemata harbour, and in such case Shoal Bay would form an excellent site for a wet dock for the require ments of such traffic.

To. arrive at an estimate of the cost of the proposed dam and the accom panying works is a matter of some difficulty, inasmuch as the dredging of the harbour is in the hands of the Harbonr Board. We do not consider it too much to say that, with E roper plant and appliances, such as the ;oard should have for the general purposes of the harbour, there should be a saving in depositing their dredgingson tho site of tho dam instead of carrying them some ten miles away, there to bo wasted. If tho Board find that their existing plant is insufficient, or ill adapted, for the purpose, it should cer tainly be to their advantage to procure tho necessary additions and to effect the modifications required, so as bo utilise the dredgings in some manner On the assumption, then, that the stuff required to construct the main body of the dam would cost the Board nothing more than they are at present paying for running it to waste, the remaining items would be as follows :—Approximate estimate : Pro tection of the outside slopo with a rough sandstone wall and stone pitch ing laid on a backing of sandstone blocks, £5,060; lock and gates and swing bridge over same, £2,000; pro tection of inside slope with sandstone pitch ing, £800 : total, £7,860 ; allow for contin gencies, say, 15 per cent., £1,179 ; leaving £9,039.—We are, etc.,

Boylan and Lundon, Assoc. M. M. Inst., C.E.

INSPECTION OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Superintendent Hughes's Beport

The following report from Superintendent Hughes upon the public halls of the city was laid beforethe City Council lastnight :— P. A. Philips, Esq., Town Clerk, Auck land. Sir, —In reply to your memo, of 7th inst., I have the honour to 'report that I have visited the fol lowing halls, viz. :—Foresters' Hall: The Secretary has promised to see that the re commendations are carried out. V.M.C.A. Rooniß : Still one meter. Choral Hall: Hose saddle has not been altered yet. Olympia Hall: Bolt has been fixed, but nothing else has been done. License ex piresJuly next. Agricultural Hall: The egress has been considerably improved. City Hall: Suggestions have been carried out, except reel for hose. Opera House: The egress from stalls im proved, but on my visiting the house last night I found that a screen had been fixed on the side partition of stall entrance. It is intended to swing out into the passage, so as to obsbrucb the view of persons stand ing in the corridor, and when the house is being emptied it is to be bolted back to the partition. This is very objectionable. During the alterations I was informed by one of Mr Abbott's men that it was in tended to have something to obstruct people standing in the corridor having a view of the stage. I told him to tell Mr Abbott that it would not be allowed, that there were other ways of preventing people from viewing the stage from the corridor than placing a screen in the stall entrance. Hose saddle has not been altered yet.— I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, ,'ohn Hughes, Building Inspector. The following memo was also submitted by the Town Clerk, and it was agreed to adopt the recommendations contained in it:— Be public buildings. In reference bo the report of the Building .Surveyor, I would recommend that 14 days' final notice be given to proprietors of public halls to make the alterations required by the Build ing Surveyor, and failing compliance the licenses be suspended or cancelled.

A MARQUIS MATRIMONIALLY INTENT.

(FEOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

' Wellington, this day. A Wellington paper is responsible for th e following: "It is stated that a lady resident in this city is shortly to be married to the Marquis of Normanby, who is now in Sydney, era route to this city."

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

(by telegeaph—special reporter.)

Wellington - , this day.

The Midland Railway,

The negotiations re the Midland Bailway difficulty have- been satisfactorily arranged, and Mr Alan Scott, Chairman of the Rail way Company, has returned to Christchurch.

Maintenance of Main Roads.

The Minister for Public Works yesterday informed a deputation that roads which have been maintained out of revenue for years past will have now to be thrown entirely on the County Councils. Local bodies should not lose sight of this intimation. The Fort Resolution Matter. No further action has yet been taken with regard to the Kissling land trans fer business. Sir George Grey, who considers that the afiair looks worse now than it did at first sight, has read the account of the interviews pub lished in the Star, and says Mr Upton and Bishop Cowie have put the matter very fairly. He is satisfied that the action of the Government in taking more land than they actually required for defence purposes was illegal, and must be upset. Sir George will bring the matber before the House. The St. Heller's Hotel License. It transpires that the license which was refused to the St. Helier's Hotel, on the ground that it was not in any licensing district, cannot be granted until legislation is introduced to overcome the difficulty. An Elective Governor. Sir George Grey appears to be very sanguine respecting the passage of his bill providing for the election of the Governor by the people themselves. He has gone into the matter fully, and is still confident that the constitution gives us this power. Such a measure is a just and necessary step towards the reduction of the Governor's salary. A bill was passed away back in the sixties reducing the Governor's salary to £4,000, and the Queen disallowed it, and it is suggested that she would do the same now unless the people took into their bands the power they have always possessed, and elected their own Governor, when the Colonial Office would no longer hava any interest in the amount paid him, and would not be.likely to interfere Land Settlement Facilities. Oneof theincreasedfacilitios to landsettle ment promised by the Government is the giving of power to any intending settler to choose and settle on any block of Crown land he chooses without waiting to have it surveyed. This is done in consequence of complaints that when a man has chosen a piece of land he is put to great loss through having to wait to get it surveyed before he can go upon it. Groy'a Settlement Bill Sir George Grey is doing his best to promote his Land Settlement Bill, which has been altered in several respects. Power is now given to advance to the settler money for the purchase of his holding, agricultural implements, etc. The whole amount is capitalised and he is charged fivo per cent, upon it until he chooses to pay it off. KnmoKawakuwn Hallway. Mr Hobbs gives notice to-night of the Kawakawa and Kamo Railway Connection and Construction Bill, which is on the hind grant principle.

ABOLITION OF WASTE LANDS BOARDS.

Education Boards Retained.

1 have authority for saying that tho Government have now not the slightest in tention of doing away with Education bub Waste Lands Boards are to go-

WAITOTARA ELECTION.

What Mr Bryce's Evidence Is.

Two Ex Ministers Implicated,

The chief evidence in support of the petition to unseat Mr Hutchison will be memos, found in one of the Government Departments. These will have the effect of implicating two members of the late Ministry. The evidence is said to be very strong, and Mr Bryce's friends are sanguine of upsetting the election. Some interesting disclosures are promised in the inquiry into the legality of the Waito tara election. Respecting this matter, the " Evening Press " says : "We are assured that Mr Bryce by no means shares the commonly - expressed opinion that the Waitotara electors disgraced them selves by rejecting him. in favour of Mr Hutchison. He fully recognises the right of every constituency to elect whom they please for their representative ; indeed, he has set a noble example by the equanamity and good grace with which he has borne his defeat. He would be the last man in the country to dispute a lawful elec tion or to put a successful opponent to ex pense and annoyance out of any vindictive feeling. Mr Bryce, however, is actuated above all things by a strong sense of justice, and certain facts which came to his knowledge shortly after the election have convinced him that he would be shirking his public duty if he were to allow _r Hutchison to retain the seat with out an effort to displace him. Mr Bryce believed that Mr Hutchison has not been legally returned, and for the sake of Wai totara electors, who are entitled to be locally represented in Parliament, as well as°for the sake of example and admoni tion, he is determined to have the matter tested in the manner provided by law. The result will be awaited with the deepest interest by tho coun try. It would be most unfair to Mr Hutchison to say that we hope Mr Bryce will succeed in unseating him. If Mr Bryce's information should prove to be ill-founded we hope his petition will be rejected and Mr Hutchison will be declared to have fairly gained his seat. But if, on the con trary t_e allegations made in the petition are supported by Credible evidence, then we shall rejoice in Mr Bryce's success, both because it will probably restore to Parlia ment one of the very best public men the colony possesses, and because it will visit a great wrong with jußtand signal retribu tion." " _

THE FINANCIAL STATE MENT.

A FORECAST OF ITS RE TRENCHMENT PROPOSALS.

(BY TELEGRAPH —OWN REPORTER.)

Wellington, this day. j In the Speech from the throne, Ministers promised to make considerable reduction in the Education vote without impairing the efficiency of the system, and this they pro fess to have done, but will nob disclose the why and wherefore or give any information respecting their estimabes. When the Financial Statement comes to be made I expect that the school age has been raised to six years, that the capitation allowance, which now stands at £3 19s per head, has been reduced.and that other reductions in Education Department have been effected so that a saving of from sixty to seventy thousand will be shown. In the Defence Department the pruning knife has been freely applied, and the re trenchment shadowed forth in all Depart ments will probably aggregate three hun dred thousand. -

CABLEGRAMS.

READY FOR WAR

MOBISISING THE RUSSIAN ARMY.

(SPECIAL to press association.)

London, October 27.

The " Moscow Gazette," referring to the success attending the experiment of mobilising the Russian army, says that Russia, like France, is ready for war, and prepared for any emergency that may arise.

A BEQUEST REFUSED.

A FRENCH INSULT TO POOR GERMANY.

(Special.)

London, October 27.

The Crown Prince of Germany has refused to accept a legacy of several millions of francs bequeathed to him by a Frenchman.

FIGHTING IN EGYPT

ATTACK ON WADY HALF A,

(SPECIAL TO ASSOCIATION.)

London, October 27,

A force of nine hundred dervishes attacked Wady Haifa, but they were repulsed with heavy loss.

ANOTHER SOCIAL SCANDAL.

MRS TREVANNION SEEKS

DIVORCE,

(SPECIAL TO PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

London, October 27.

Mrs Trevannion has lodged a petition for divorce from her husband on the ground of cruelty and adultery The respondent denies the allegations. The Court has allowed Mrs Trevannion to have charge of the children.

ALMOST REVOLUTION.

THE STATE OF IRELAND

OMNIPOTENT AGITATORS,

(special to press association. )

London, October 27. The County of Clare is almost in a state of open revolution, and the authorities find themselves powerless to stop the holding of Nationalist

meetings.

Mr Dillon is organising a great meeting to be held at Middleton on Monday, the evident object being to intimidate the Recorder of Cork in reviewing the sentence passed upon Mr Wm. O'BrieD, M.P. It is probable that this meeting will be proclaimed.

CONTROL OF THE SUEZ CANAL.

(special association.)

London, October 27.

The Anglo-French Convention on the Suez Canal question requires the ratification of the Great Powers o Europe. All are favourable to the Convention with the exception of

Turkey.

BULGARIA'S FUTURE.

EFFECTS OF THE TPJPLE ALLIANCE.

(SPECIAL TO PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

London, October 27.

The speech delivered by the Italian Premier at Turin has produced a strong impression at St. Petersburg, that the Powers of Central Europe have agreed to take concerted measures for securing load automony to the Balkan States. Prince Ferdinand, of Bulgaria, has given ;£ _0,000 from his private means to complete the railways of the princi pality.

THE DEWHURST PLATE.

London, Ocbober 27.

(special cable.)

The Newmarket Houghton Meeting con cluded to-day when the Dewhurst Plate was won by Sir F. Johnstone's unbeaten colt Friar's Balsam, who annexed the Middle Park Plabe a fortnight back.

The Dewhurst Plate of 300 soys added to a sweepstake of 25 soys each ; for two year-olds. Seven furlongs. Sir F. John stone's colt, Friar's Balsan, by Hermib— Flower of Dorset, 1; Mrs Chalmer's eh c' Blanton, by Mask—Mountain Maid, 2; Sky Plot, 3.

CHAMPION SCULLING MATCH.

London, October 27.

A sculling match for the champion ship of America is being rowed to-day between Gaudaur and Teemer.

WOOL SALES.

The Antwerp series of wool sales will open on the 7th of November next. There are 28,000 bales catalogued, including 2,300 Australian.

SUGAR BOUNTIES.

Barom de Worms, in the course of an address at Liverpool, expressed the hope that the Sugar Bounties Conference would result in a more equitable system of trade being introduced.

THE CABLE RATES.

London, October 27.

The Eastern Extension Telegraph Com pany decline to make any final agreement pending the Telegraphic Conference at Adelaide, ~

SHOCKING SUICIDE.

A WOMAN SHOOTS HERSELF.

(BY TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Dunedin, this day. Mrs Eliza Jerram, who resided with her husband at Northeast Valley, committed suicide by shooting herself with a revolve at about 5 o'clock yesterday evening. Just before that time there was a little girl in the house with her, and Mrs Jerram sent the girl out to call on a neighbour, telling her not to come back to the house. When Mr Jerram, who is a retired clerk, reached home, he found his wife lying dead in the bedroom. An inquest will be held.

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS.

FRESH CONCESSIONS ASKED FOR

BY THE COMPANY.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, this day. The position of the Midland Railway is a very critical one. It is not intended to make any statement in the House this evening, but important papers and a draft of a new agreement sent out from England on behalf of the company will be laid on the table. The Company now require a guarantee from the Government, but they do not intend to grant it. The Company requires the right in event of lands failing to realise £1,250,000 to select other lands outside the prescribed area to complete the amount. Under the original agreement mountain tops were included in lands to be given, but the Company will not take these. Go vernment are willing to meet them so far as to allow them to take lands to a specified value within the prescribed area. The Company also wish to take part of tho lands set apart for mining purposes. They say that unless concessions are granted it is impossible to raise the money necessary for the work in England.

FIRE AT DEVONPORT.

THREE DWELLING-HOUSES BURNT DOWN.

The usual tranquillity of Devonport was rudely disturbed at aboub 3.30 yesterday afternoon by an outbreak of fire in Rattray street, and before the conflagration could be stayed, three fine dwelling-houses were burnt to the ground and a fourth was con-1 siderably injured. The fire broke out in a two-story eleven-roomed house owned and occupied by Mrs Mary Scott, and situated not more than 30 or 40 yards from the! Victoria Road. Mrs Scott and family were out at the time, and so too were Mrs Vosper and family, who reside next door. A lad named Wm. Baker, who lives with! his parents at the corner of Rattray-street aud Victoria Road, appears to have been I the first to give the alarm. At 3.30 ho was leaving home when he noticed clouds of smoke issuing from Mrs Scott's house. He ran thither and finding both front and back doors locked he called out "Fire," and threw a stone through the front window to alarm the inmates if they chanced to be inside. Meanwhile Mr V\. Philcoxand Mr Edwin Carr had perceived the smoke and hastened to the scene while young Baker called a passing carter named Jas. North. Mrs Scott's house was seen to be doomed, inasmuch, as smoke in dense clouds was issuing from the whole extent of the roof and it was momentarily expected to become enswathed in flame. In fact, it was burning fiercely a few minutes later. North says that when he arrived the seat of the fire appeared to be at the.back portion of Mrs Scott's house and in the upper story. How ever, Messrs Philcox, Baker, Carr and j North concentrated their attention upon! Mr Samuel Vosper's nine-roomed one storey residence adjoining, and both front and back doors being locked, they were ob liged to force the front door. They lost no time in removing the furniture and were speedily joined by scores of willing hands, while a contingent of the Per manent Force, assisted by the ship car penters from Quick's yard, and by people from far and near, exerbed them selves mosb bravely and indefatigably to arrest the progress of bhe flames. Where all did bheir level besb ib would be invidious to particularise, but still it is only fair to mention that Messrs Robert and Fred Duder, Fish and Lilewall gave most valu able service. Even the ladies of the neigh bourhood afforded material help in the salvage of goods. The chief thing lacking wa3 organisation. Mr Vosper's furniture was safely removed but tho fire could not be prevented from extending to his house. It soon effected a firm liold 'and re doubled efforts were then put forth to save the adjoining house of Alexander Harvey from which the furniture had; been tirae ously removed. The fact 'that* this dwell ing and those of Mr Thomas Jones and Mrs Briggs further along had galvanised iron roofs held out promise of success to their en deavours. After a very determined struggle the flames proved victorious and Harvey's house became their prey. With unflag ging zeal the host of volunteers now de voted their energies to confining the fire to this building and as the iron roof prevented the flames from breaking out at the top, the progress of fire was so retarded that the side wait next Jones's was successfully pushed in. This proved the turning point of the battle and as Dr. Parkinson had now arrived with his garden engine and others were brought to the scene the fire was grrdually got under control and although the side of Jone's house was very extensively charred yet it was saved wilh very great difficulty. The fire ignited the side of it, but a hole having been cut through the roof a bucket gang kept the ceiling deluged with water. Another brigade of workers kept the blankets hung over the side well saturated. Of the block of five buildings Mr Jones's and Mrs Brigg's are still stand ing intact, but the need of a disciplined force and of a directing head is forcibly attested by the fact that these two build ings have been dismantled to an altogether unnecessary extent. The doors and win dows have been rudely chopped dowd and removed, the gas fittings torn off, and even a part of the weather-boarding on the side of Jones's house, furthest from the fire has been foolishly hacked away ; for the effect would only have been to create a draught through the building that would have fiercely fanned the flames. All the furniture was also removed from these houses. As to the cause of the outbreak there is only the vaguest conjecture. Mrs Scott states that in com pany with Mrs Taylor, who has been stop ping with her, she left home tt 10 a.m. care fully locking the doors and came over to town. She returned aUne by the 1.15 boat, and after making her lunch off bread and milk, 6he left again at 2 in order to visit her sister Mrs Mclsaac, and she was at her sister's house when the fire broke out. For months past all her cooking has been done by means of a gas stove and she did not even light that ye3berday afternoon. Mrs Vosper left home at 2.30. p.m. for the purpose of taking her children down to the beach and as she leeked up the deora every-

thing appeared safe in the neighbourhood. The fire had considerably advanced before she was apprised of it. Mrs Seotb bought her house two years ago for £775 and she had it insured for £500, the furniture for £250 and a piano for £50, all in the New Zealand office. She states thab she would nob have taken £500 for what was in her house. There was a mortgage of £400 on the building Mr Vosper had his house insured for £350 in the South British but a wash-house which cost him £25 was uninsured. His furniture was likewise uninsured but the great bulk of it was saved. He estimates his loss at about £50. The dwellings of Messrs Harvie and Jones and Mrs Briggs are the property of Mr C. G. Quick and he had them insured in the Victoria for £400 each. As they were comparatively new and cost him over £500 each to erect he sets down his loss at about £250. The furniture of Mr Jones and Mrs Briggs was not insured but it was all saved. Mr Harvey who carries on the busi ness of a tinsmith in Albert-street had no insurance on his furniture. Mrs Scott, Mr Vosper and Mr Harvey are very deeply sensible of the kindness of the neighbours and others in exerting themselves so nobly on their behalf and we are requested to tender their heartfelt thanks to all who as sisted at the fire.

A Sufferer's Thanks.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Will you kindly find room in your widely circulated paper to insert these few lines, kindly thanking the engineers con nected with the North Shore and Auckland Ferry Company for their kindness in help ing to save the property from the disastrous fire here yesterday. If it had not been for their hard labour in helping, the whole block would have been destroyed, and many thanks to Mr McCall and his staff.— Yours &c, A Great Sufferer.

FIRE AT MAKETU.

Inspector Shearman received a telegraphic message from Constable McKnight, at Papakura, informing him that at 4 o'clock this morning a five-roomed houseat Maketu, occupied by Mrs Guiniven and family, was burnt down. Some bedding was saved, The house was insured.

A CITY COUNCIL BREEZE.

Councillor Garratt Lets Off

Steam.

The progress of business at the meeting of the City Council last night was somewhab impeded and the feelings of Councillors were rather excited by a passage-at-arms which ab one sbage appeared likely bo result in Cr. Garratt's expulsion. When tenders came to be opened for the decoration of the Art Gallery, the Mayor, in the qourse of correcting some published statements made by Mr J. L. Holland,men tioned that the Legal Committee had ap pointed two of their number, Crs. La Roche and J. J. Holland, to wait upon Mr J. \L. Holland with reference to the matter. Cr. Garratt called out, '* Who appointed them?" The Mayor : " The Legal Committee." Cr, Garratt: "The Legal Committee did nob appoint them." The Mayor proceeded to substantiate his assertion by reference to the minutes, when Cr. Phillipps rose to a point of order. Cr Garratt had flatly contradicted the Mayor, and the Council, for the protection of its own dignity, should not allow such conduct to pass, unchal lenged. The obnoxious words were accord ingly ruled out of order, and Cr. Garratt) declined to withdraw them on the singular plea that' 1 'he' did nob know that Crs. La Roche and Holland were appointed, as stated. He ad mitted, however, that he had neglected to attend the Committee meeting. Accord ing to regulation he had to be asked thrice to withdraw the objectionable words. When the question was put the second time he left the Chamber, but could be seen with bis face flattened against the glass window of the corridor to watch the course of events.

The Mayor: Well, gentlemen, Councillor Garratt admits that he is not fit to sit here, and he therefore withdraws.

Cr. Crowther asked what action would be taken.

Cr. Phillipps referred to the gravity of the offence, and while he was speaking Cr Garratb again entered the room and re sumed his seat. He shortly afterwards rose and said that he would apologise to every Councillor present if he had been offensive. He did not wish to give offence, especially to the present Mayor. He would not apologise for the words complained of.

The Mayor, who had stated that he was anxious to avoid any rupture during his term of office, accepted this apology, but Crs. Atkin and Crowther. maintained thab ib was not sufficient, since Cr. Garratt still refused to withdraw the words he had-_sed. The Mayor, however, pointed out that the Councillor had withdrawn anything offen sive, and he ruled that that was sufficient. So ended a dispute that, but for His Wor ship's lenity, might have ended with a »,* scene "

The property at Devon-streb Eden Terrace which sold by auction at Coch rade and Son's mart the other day, realise £170, not £70 as erroneously reported.

MrF. Kummer, who attempted suicide at the Governor Browne Hotel yesterday morning, is reported as doing well at the Hospital and likely to recoyer from his in jurils very shortly.

The second concert given by Miss Love, and her pupils came off last evening at the Odd Fellows' Hall, before a very full house. The Rev. A. J. Smith occupied the chair in his usual good style, and a lengthy programme was gone through consisting of songs, piano solos and trios, etc., a very enjoyable evening being spent by all. Con sidering the extreme youth of some of the pupils, with the short time they have been learning, Miss Love deserves great credit for their proficiency.

The adjourned meeting of yachtownera anxious to form a new club is to be held in the Waitemata Hotel at 8 o'clock this evening. A very large attendance is ex pected.

The annual meeting of the Ponsonby Lawn Tennis Club will take place on Satur day, November sth. The ground will, however, be open for practice to-morrow afternoon, and we are pleased to notice the great improvement in the sward that has taken place since last season.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &c., To-night.

Abbott's Opera House—"Uncle Tom's Cabin," 8 Agricultural Hall—Mohawk Minstrelß, 8. Art Gallery—Auckland Society of Arts Exhibi tion, 7.30. City Hall- Grand Masquerade Ball, 8. Catholic Institute-Entertainment, 8. .. - ■» Waite's Mt. Eden Hall Concert, 8. Freemasons' Hall — Provincial Grand Lodge, 5.C.,8. St. Luke's Churchy Remuera—Lecture, "Much Ado About Nothing, etc.," by Rev. J. Chew, 8. St. George's Hall—Caledonian Ball, 8.

Kota of Justices at Police Court.

October '29—Messrs G. C. McMillan and R, W. Moody. ■'•■■,•■

Auction Sales To-morrow.

_>. F. Evans, Grafton Road-Household Furni ture and Effects, 10.30.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28. 1887.

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Many people have seen and admired the prizes in Mrs Powne _ Art Union, and astne drawing takes place shortly, all are advised to secure tickets from Mrs Farrow, Queen treet, without delay, (See Advt.) • ,