„-„ri=:—*■ Wellington, 1. heavy, gale soon =„ ..Every ™ m . „"r) north and west, now rivers flooded. ** Tsundayeveningmeetingofthe The usual S™' s ion was held fn the Chapel on Sunday rjnion-streetJJJ 1 * c tical addresses were last, when _ R m an(l W . deli vered by * lose gevei 'al persons Ujlia-ddonned the blue nb m [ f4 20 this morning a water pipe East. Thi- was burst w/g s team roller passing over a Ldiant fire-plug. Turncock £ summoned and he ab once gS^watei, well-known sencultu- Mr a? d-hVer his lecture to-morrow nst, «JJ^i ndus trial Exhibition, not to oSfas erroneously stated by our morning Co SnTto a letter from « Humanitas " B f? in cactivity, in our issue of last S^t_*-_T-f"_ rh p?s known, and to save everyone con- Sd trouble we would advise the person ttfrefcunnt. .

FIRE IN FORT - STREET.

SHO„m-'after one o'clock this morning Constable' Martyn, who was on duty in Qneen-stieetj discovered that a fire was in Lies-in Scherffs Buildings, Fort-street. He promptly gave the alarm and in a very short space of time the Fire Brigade and Salvage Corps were in attendance. The c_ e appeared to have started in the B pper storey, in the portion occupied by the "Owl" printing office. The fire hid sot a good* hold when first clis- Seld, and consequently by the time that the water was turned on and the femes suppressed the office in which aT fire commenced was completely lutted Of course all the other offices on the ground floor were damaged by water As the building is built of brick, the brigade had little trouble in confining the foe to the block in which it started. An examination of the premises this morning discloses that great damage has resulted to thegoodsstoredin other portions of the build jn-s. The Owl printing office was owned by MrEdm-ndA/Farrington.. He states thab bit night he, in company with Mr W. H. Cooper, was mi the office from 8 till 10 o'clock. Before they left they put oub all the lights, and everything appeared right. _s there was no fire in the office he is at a loss to assign a cause for the origin of the fire. His plant was insured for L 25- in the South British Company. Mr G. H. Wood will be rather a heavy loser by the fire. It appears that Mr Wood travels round the country with drapery, etc.' ; When in town he stores his goods in Mr Rainey's sample rooms. He ret-med to town last Friday and left goods by Mm at about L6ooin the build ings, As he intended to leave town again nest Friday Mr Wood did not insure his rfbek.-'?'.The result is that his stock has fceW greatly'damaged by water, and of course he is to bear the whole loss, Mr Eainey used his office as a sample room.; He estimates that he had about LlOO" worth -.of stock in- hand, and the greater part of that is also damaged by water..: "Both these gentlemen have hired -".room 1 of M r G. W. Binney in which |()-tdr_f_iei? goods until further arrange ments have been made. The. other occu pants pf r the ; offices are also nob insured, WlSithey were merely offices containing books' and papers their loss will not be great. Mr-' Scherffs office has, strange to say, "escaped injury, and that is ap parently ; the only one.- The following are' toother "occupant-of the premises:—Mr .111. White, accountant, and also the office : ot~e AppleFarmVC-o.; Messrs Baber and Rawlings, commission agents, Smith and iilner. law,stationers, Mr A. Stenhouse, C_ptai_'' ; Worsp" (marine'surveyor), Mr R. -.Davis, T. 3. J. ~Allen, Waymouth and Son, .also the Fitzroy Timber Co., Auckland Native Lands Colonization Co., Taupiri Extended Coal Company, Waikato peal and Shipping Company, Waikato IhnbeeCompany, and the Oamaru Woollen Company. ' ■ This "morning: members of the Salvage Corps wjere still engaged" sweeping out the waterarid clearing-away the (Mm.' De tectives; .Tnohy and Doolan were early and Bade the usual enquiries, but failed to ellicit any Information that would throw light upon the origin of .the fire.'

RESIDENT MEDICAL OFFICES AT TE AROHA THERMAL SPRINGS.

(by t_leg___ h—own CORESPONDENT.)

£*& Ii! '7 ;.".;:'! Te Akoha, this day. Dh. A-fred Wright, late of London, who ftently paid a visit toi Te Aroha extend ing over several weeks, but afterwards pro «wded to; Auckland, has now definitely to come to Te Aroha to re ade-".''permanently. Being a - medical practitioner. of high ' qualifications, this » wtisfactory news to residents at Te and- surrounding "wots, the absence of a duly qualified wctor-having' been- long muchfelt. I ™erstand that Dr. Wright has formed, a _?■ kgh,opmio'n indeed of Te Arona ill , bpnn £ s and the future prospects ™ we place as a sanatorium.

WAIKATO NEWS.

(B- IE-EQEAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

__r y * -HAiiiLToN,rthis-,day. Ameeto. of the Hospital Board was held at whicli several alterations Motions .to the Hospital' were resolved ¥>n.' The Board paid a visit of inspec. w tolhe Hospital, and expressed "them selves thoroughly. satisfied with its condi kL J^ c P^ent capacity of the Hospital _S, to ut most, and the question of Silered WMd wiU Soon have to he £?l m l ho ? Smith » who was badly in- Kew2 0a Y ome . da y sa S o » and whose nowllnti a J on S time despaired of, is getting better. Htol & CS n c has offered the Waikato ag-Sfe™ oyer _ m ? nfc as P ublic build " "aye the Borough Council i1 e tt f0 c r o furt f c r particulars - The on, __i .■ ■' C _™ eil "" l » much commented d Wed-'f ? d hf f 6al ° f fe ?i in S is bein S Wta&rl b ? fore any decisive steps taken the burgesses will be consulted.

• tr r '/."-' : Gisborne, this day. «.^g£ s h " use ™s burned at Ormohd LSOO * Was msured the Union f ° r ?« har bour-.works will fQW da y s - »Three monilith

FLOODS IN THE SOUTH.

Great _>amag.e To Property.

(BT TELEGRAPH.—-PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

j • Westpoet, Wednesday. The Buller River today is in the heaviest flood seen for years. The stream is running bank high, and the rain still continues. Tho other creeks ann rivers in the district aro also in flood. All the land traffic and ship ping movements are suspended. No damage so far is reported, except that the derrick, belonging to the McLean Bridge was washed away, and the wreck of the Oceola during the night, which has been stranded on the -bar a fortnight past, was. driven seaward, and is supposed to be broken up. A strong current was running oub of the river at the time, and a heavy sea breaking. CnRiSTCHURcn, Wednesday. There is a heavy flood in tho Ashley, Waimakariri, and Selwyn Rivers,caused by the warm rain last night and yesberday meltinc the snow on the ranges. At Bealey _a inches rain fell in 24 hours, ending this morning: In the Rangiora district a large area was flooded by the Ashley, but tho town escaped. A man named Bannon at Coldstream had to pass the night in a tree, 5 feet of water being in his house. He was rescued at ten this morning. The Northern Railway Was" blocked at Weka Pass by a landslip. The Oxford lines were also inter rupted. Communication has now been re stored." At Raiapoi the Waimakariri broke through the protective works on tho north' side of the river. The Woollen Factory had to stop operations, and the greater portion of. the town- is flooded, in • some places 4'feet deep. • Boats- had to be used in rescuing the people from their houses. •-A quantity of stock was drowned near .Kaiapoi, bub there was no loss of'human life. The railway was inter rupted at Stewart's Gully, south of Kaia poi but is now restored. The works on bhe' south of the Waimakariri, protecting Christchurch, was slightly damaged. No damage is apprehended, as the river is re porteo? to be falling.' At nine p.m. the Selwyn flooded the hotel and railway-station 3 feet deep. Rakaia was slighbly flooded, but has not done serious damage. Rain is still falling heavily, though nob continu ously.

THE GREYMOUTH FLOODS.

Water Six Feet in the Tele graph Office.

.; < j Wellington, this day. Official information received here statos that the flood&iGreymoubh reached a height of six feet' in the telegraph office, cover ing the instruments. The embank ment held, and no damage was done to the town„Beyond being covered with water. The water is now subsiding.

R.M. COURT.

(Before H. G. Seth Smith, Esq., R.M.)

Undefended Cases. Judgment went by defaulb for the plaintiffs in the following cases : -J. Sperrey v." J. T. Torrens and H,,E. Torrens, ISs 3d and 8s costs ; G. Bailejr v. P. Weisheimer, 30s and lis costs; J. A. Beale v. T. Shortt, L 2 7s.ld and lis costs; C. S. Trenwith v. Jj C. Westfield, 26s and 16s 6d costs; G. Bailey v. G. Sawkins, LI and lis costs; C. S. S. George v. J. Moore, LSO 3s 8d and L 2 12s costs; <R. Rew v. M. Moriarty, L 3 9s 6d and LI Is 6d costs ; A. Hemingway v. F. Rosser, L 4 4s 6daho! lis Washer v..Mills/Ll '7s 5d and Ils'c&ts ; 'J. Cromble v. C. Olive, L4,15s lQdjand LI Is6d costs; F. Forster v. Osborn?, L 2 and LI lis 6d cos.ts_; A. Plaisted v. Alderton, LI 2s and LI Is 6*d costs ; same v. win. Suiter, LI 6s 3d and LI Is 6d costs; Hoffman and Co. v. L. T. Munro, L 6 and LI 16s costs; Winstone Bros. v. Street,-|6s (3d and LI 2s 6d costs. E. Hesketh'v. D. Macindoe, £60, and £2 8s costs. ADJOURNED. . . I j Native Land Coipany v. F. J. Jones.— Claim, LlB 15s.4Some evidence having been taken,,, adjourned.till the . 21st inst. • -, DEFENDED j CASES. The Liability of Shipmasters and Consignees- Brown, Campbell and Co. v. Wm. Widdicombe.—Claim.L29 16s, damage for injury to goods.—Mr C. E. Button ap peared for the plaintiffs, and Mr Hugh Campbell for the 'defendant.— Mr Button, in opening the case, said that the claim was not of much- consequence in ibself, bub bhe case was possessed of con siderable importance to the mercantile com munity, inasmuch as it involved the ques tion of how far merchants' consignees hold ing a clean bill of lading are protected by the terms of that billof lading against any loss and damage which occurred to the goods beforo came into the consignees' possession.-; The facts of this particular case were very simple. The plaintiffs held a bill of lading for certain ale and porter, which was shipped by the ship Centurion,of which defendant was the cap tain. He signed the clean bill of lading, when he _ acknowledged receipt of the goods, with the usual exception, and when the goods arrived at this port they were found not to be in good order. They were damaged outside, which was the first notice of bhe injury.' \ They were "then examined, and- the*straw in which the bottles were packed wa* found to be quite wet, and damaged by fresh water. The consequence was that labels had been destroyed, and the ale,'aa'ale bearing such labels, had less value,-and could not- be sold to the usual advantage. This was really the plaintiffs'. easel The damaged goods were sold by auction, and a loss of L 26 19s was the resulb. This in cluded a survey fee of a guinea. The onus of proof lay upon his learned friend, for ib would be incumbenb upo_.fi m to show bhab the damage was done : Without any negli gence on bhe part of and bhat ib came within the exceptions mentioned in tho - bill- .0f lading. Evidence was then called;J$ 8 _ 0W that the goods were landedin a damaged state, and that the defendant's attentioh was called to the factthattheywere-lana&iriclry goods, and that the damaged portfnHVas sold by auction and produced a loss|f L 29 16s lOd upon bhe neb value, which wag L14116s lOd. There were 250 cases __ a __; a nd 109 of them: had ten m sold.— The defence was-'that theret;_ a <j Deen n0 negligence on the part of. (_ e defendant, and thab bhe elements of 'danfee mi i S t have been within the cases of ale fad porter be fore they wereshipped.--WfiSWiddicon^be; , the defendant, gave eyidenceto this effect. Otherevidence having been ! <f erec i learned counsel were heard upon the'pase 'and His Honor then delivered judgment He'accepted the clear bill of lading as evidence that the goods were shipped m wfo cond itlon; ,and said.that it was for d«ei% n _, to show that the damage alleged 5% . admitted had nob occurred through .h__ negligence As this had not been shownje gJ fve judg ment for plaintiff tor the amount claimed wibh L 6 14s costs. ' Mrs Lindsay v. GiN_!V-v?_ciaim 30s ff S°od supplied.-MrThf c:6 6r to _ bhe plaintiff, Mr Cotter f»e f 4ndant.-- Mr Cooper asked that plaintiffs name should be replaced by that of ter husband Mr Cotter held that this couldi ob De - one _ 'and His Worship taking a sfii4 rvfew of -t^J^ 6 ' on - sulfced tho " Pontiff-with ,Ll/6d.6dcosts. • ■-■ -*/§,'. .;.,.:,.•■•

POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL REFORM ASSOCIATION.

The Piroposed Platform.

A meeting of the Political and Finan cial Reform Association was held at Robson's Rooms last evening. There was an attendance of about forty. Mr Jno. Buchanan occupied the chair. He expressed regret that the meeting was small, but as the meeting was evidently an influential one the results would no doubt be good; He also regretted that .owing to illness Mr Boardman was unable to be present. The Political Platform. Mr Buchanan addressed the meeting. He hoped that they would enter upon the work with a determination to accomplish that which they undertook. Sir Robert Stout had stated that his Government had effected a saving of £92,000, but he was of opinion that the Government had not taken in the gravity of the situation, and had really only been tinkering with retrench ment. He also took exception to Sir Robt. i Stout's views on educational retrenchment. Education, he was sure, was at the heart of every true citizen in this country ; but when Sir Robert Stout said that he would not consent to any reduction on tho enor mous sum of £500,000 •on educa tion, he spoke' very rashly in deed. Mr Buchanan also referred to the looseness of the transactions of tho Govern ment, and instanced tile Stark purchase. The Committee had prepared a report to bo submitted at that meeting; and they had proposed to undertake only that which they thought could bo accomplished rather than to aim at something high and with which they could not succeed. Minis ters should at once address themselves to retrenchment, and put an end to the infernal misgovernment of the past. The Programme. The Committee's "political platform," as published in Monday's Star, was then read, and considered seriatim. Each clause gave rise to consider able discussion, but the whole pro gramme, excepting clause 13, was adopted. It declared: (1) That however the Customs tariff is varied, the total taxation shall not be increased. (2) That borrowing shall cease as soon as possible. (3) That the total expenditure on Governor's salary shall not exceed £5,000. (4) That the honorarium of Legislative Councillors shall be reduced to £10U, and its number shall be fixed at 30 ; the official expenditure con nected therewith to be reduced. (5) That the House of Representatives shall be reduced to 50 European and 4 native members, and the honorarium- fixed at £150. (6) That the number of Ministers be five, the Premier to receive £1,000 a year, and his colleagues £800 ; travelling allbwahces,a guinea a day. (7) The running of special trains and steamers for con venience of Ministers not to be tolerated. (8) That, the cost of education bo reduced by £100,000 a year, the school age be raised to seven years, nnd that tho cost of high schools and univei.ites be reduced. (9) That a saving of £160,000 a year be effected in the civil service by lessening the number of officials, decreasing the salaries now paid, and fully employing aU officers, especially members of Hansard staff. ■ (10). That a reduction of £10,000 be made in the 'Nativeand Marine vote; the Hinemoa to be sold. (11) That the cost of defence be considerably reduced. (12) That £90,000 a year for contingencies is unreasonably excessive. In the course of the discussion, Mr Buttle said the programme of the Committee was too full altogether ; they should have con fined themselves to a statement of what amount of taxation we could forego. He did- hob agree -with the sending of mem bers to Parliament, as a rule, pledged to any particular, course, but in- this instance they should pledge their members to set their minds to the fact that there must be a considerable retrenchment. Mr McManus and Mr Lundoh endea voured to get on motions dealing with the property tax, but their amendments were ruled out of order. Dr. Wallis spoke of the way in which evei - y Ministry promised to resist.further borrowing, and it was useless. He wished to move, as a substitute, '' That borrowing be immediately stopped as soon as the pre sent loans are exhausted." This amend ment was not seconded,'and the original motion was carried. Dr. Wallis also objected to the presence of Maori members in the House. The fact of the matter was,that parties in the House were usually so evenly divided that the native vote would turn a decision either way. The natives consequently waited until there was aclose division, when they gave their votes on certain conditions. As for reducing the number of members, he was not in favour of doing so, because the more they were reduced in numbers the greater became the chances for corruption. He moved an amendment to that effect. Mr J. T, Smith seconded the amendment. He agreed with Dr. Wallis thab the reduc tion of the number of members increased the liability to corruption. ' The clause was then put to the meeting, and was carried by 26 against 7. Mr Hodge and others again took objection to tho course pursued by the Committee in relation to the salaries of the higher officials, and Mr Cherry and other members explained that several details, such as the Speaker's salary, had not been referred to. Referring to the expenditure on educa tion, Mr Crowther said that the cost of the whole of the Education Boards in the 'colony was only £10,000, and was' bub a small item compared to the retrenchment proposed. Dr. Wallis proposed as an amendment to substitute 6 years for 7 as minimum school age,,and Mr Hodge seconded. The amend ment was lost and the motion carried.

■ Dr. Wallis said they came to the meeting to ascertain how far retrenchment could be carried out. Three-fourths of the platform was entirely without backbone, and was such as any member would subscribe to at once. The whole thing Was useless. Mr Waddel regretted that so much time had been taken up in preparing a lengthy platform instead of laying down one wide plank by making members pledge them selves to thorough retrenchment. Mr McLachlan said that although he was on the Committee he did not agree Avith the programme as a whole, but he con sented that it should go before the meet ing. ' '■-' Articles of Association. Mr Burton gave notice of motion as fol lows : — To substitute for article 2 of tho Association the following :—"That the ob jects of the Association be bo endeavour bo secure a substantial reduction in the taxa tion of the colony and a very large reduc tion in the" expenses of the Government, and such an alteration in the incidence of taxation as may best conduce to agricul tural settlement, to the encouragement of manufactures, and to discourage the present abnormal growth of large cities." . Funds Wanted. The Chairman stated that the subscrip tiop' fee was Only Is, and it was necessary that funds should be raised in addition to carry- on the operations of the Society.— Mr Waddel moved,'"That copies of the report be nenb bo candidabes, and their opinion solicited, and that in order to have bhis earned out this meeting now subscribe for the purpose."—Mr T. B. Hill spoke in support of this motion. He had been dis appointed in bhe Association. He bnought that instead of having some 10 members - they! would Thavo" _ had a thousand banded together for the purpose of selecting honest men to the House of Representatives. Now it was but

a handful of men,and already in debt.. He was not reflecting on the Committee, bub upon bho Association. . > Mr Duncan, senior, moved, " That' the question of finance' be deferred till next meeting." The meeting then adjourned.

ALLEGED INDECENT ASSAULT.

A man named D. W. Adamson was arrested by Debecbive Tuohy yesberday evening on a charge of committing an indecent ass'aulb on a child, aged four years, named Mabel Varney, and whose parents reside in Symonds-street. The, assault, it is alleged, was committed on the 20th of last month, and though the evidence connecting the accused with the assault is of a very slender character, there is unquestionable medical evidence that the child was tam pered with. Adamson was formally"charged Avith tho offence at the Police Court this morning and remanded.

BANKRUPTCY.

The adjourned meeting of R. H. Bartlett's creditors took placo yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of receiving a reply to the decision "That Mrs Bartlett should havo the offer of tho stock-in-trado and business for bho sum of L 300." The Assignee intimated that he had received no offer from Mrs Barb lett. Mr Choyce said that Mrs Bartlett had told him she had arranged to see Mr Abbot to-morrow, and probably after that inter view sho would do enabled to mako an offer. The Assignee read, a telegram from tho Dunedin Assignee, stating that Downes, of Dunedin, offered L3OO for the stock-in trade, etc. Ib was decided, on tho sug gestion of Messrs Choyce and J. Coatcs, that in order to accommodate Mrs Bartlett no action should bo taken until Friday, at 2 p.m., when, if Mrs Bartlett's offer be not satisfactory fresh tenders sluvll be called, returnable at noon on Monday.

SHOP-CLOSING BILL.

There was a good attendance at the meet ing of shop assistants held in the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms last evening, in furtherance of the proposed Shop Hours Bill.' Mr E. Wood presided, and in his opening remarks urged that the assistants should use their best endeavours to get the bill passed into law. Mr Stewart read a draft of the bill, which provides that all rebail shops in the colony, excepb bhose exempt in the schedule to the bill, shall not remain open after six o'clock on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The exceptions in theschedule are houses licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquors, refreshment houses, and newspaper offices. Ib was agreed on bhe motion of Mr Cobbe, seconded by Mr Long bottom, '' That this meeting tenders its hearty thanks to tho promoters of the pro posed Shop Hours Bill, and expresses its thorough approval of the principle of the bill." Tho second resolution, which was moved by Mr French, , seconded by. Mr Lindsay, and unanimously carried, was as follows : —" Thab bho assistanbs pre sent pledge themselves to aid the promoters of the proposed bill in having it made law." He thought they should secure the co operation of bho Trades and Labour Council and Friendly Societies. The other resolu tions agreed to were as follow :—Moved by Mr Stewart and seconded by Mr Roberts :, " Thab bhis meeting urges upon the Early Closing Association Committee the de sirability of ascertaining whab candidabes for the ciby eleeborates will, promise, if elected, to support the bill' in Parliament." Moved by Mr Ambury and' seconded by Mr Roberts : " Thab ib is desirable that every assistanb who is entitled to vote at the forthcoming election of members of the House of Representatives should' register his claim to vote, and support only those candidates who are known to be favourable to tho measure." jMoyed by Mr Lindsay and seconded by Mr Jones : "That the shop assistants do hero and now form themselves into a society for the furtherance of tho Shop Hours Bill, and such other business as they may deem proper." 'Mr Ogilvio stated that 5,000 copies of the bill had been printed, and over 1,000 circulars distributed among bhe shopkeepers. Ll6 had been collected, which had been absorbed in various expenses and printing, so thab it was necessary to make arrangements for current expenses. .; ... ~ s]

POLICE COURT-THIS DAY.

(Before Messrs T. Thompson and H. G. Wade.J.P's.)

Drunkenness.— (Catherine Cummin, Fanny Greening and : Annie Hamilton were fined for this offence. Jessie Wingate, charged with drunkenness and with being an habi tual drunkard, was sent to prison for three months. Alleged Indecent Assault.—John Wm. Adamson was charged with indecently as saulting a little girl named Mabel Verney. - Sergeant Pratt applied for a remand until Wednesday, as the police were nob ready to go on with the case.—Mr O'Meagher, who appeared for the accused, concurred in this, and applied, for. bail.—The remand was granted, bail being allowed, tho accused in one surety of LIOO, and two others of LSO each. Alleged Perjury. ;—- Hariata Mimiha, Hoera Mimiha, Hone Koronoko, Maraeiti and Tita were charged with committing perjury in the case of Regina versus Chas. Wight.—Mr O'Meagher appeared for the accused, Mr Cotter for the prosecution. — Mr O'Meagher applied for a remand until Saturday, when bhe formal evidence would be taken.—Remanded accordingly. Malicious Injury to Property Act.— John Paul was charged with a breach of this ordinance by smashing the pane of a door in tho house of ono William Herbert, thereby doing damage to the extent of 255. —Defendant pleaded not guilty.—Ad journed bill Monday. The Lucas's Creek Assault Case.—The hearing of this case, which has already oc cupied two days, was proceeden with. — Sergeant Gillies gave evidence regarding the arrest of the accused.—Hamo Hamo stated that he assaulted Frost because he had struck him over the, head with, his "whip. This concluded, the caso for the prosecution.—Mr Dufaur submitted that there "was no direcb evidence of reliable character connecting tho prisoners Hamo Hamo and Charlie with bhe assaulb, and 'asked if bhe Bench considered ib neces sary bo proceed with the defence. — The Bench . decided .; to I discharge Hamo Hamo and Charlie, but intimated that they would like to hear evidence for the defence of Bob.—Waitari and others were then called for the defence, and gave a very different version of the affray to that given by the witnesses for the pro secution. The gist of their evidence was that Frost swore at Hamo Hamo, who returned the compliment. Frost then struck. Hamo Hamo, and a free fight ensued, in which Frost struck the accused, Bob, on the head with a whip and knocked him down. There was then a general fight between bhe Europeans and the natives. The proceedings had not terminated when we wetat'to pre-s. ,1 > ■■■■ -.-

ELECTION NOTES.

"■ r'-.- Eden.'" ; ■■;. V Mr'J; A. Tole arrived in?town this morn ing. He has nob ..yet: declared 'for which constituency he will stand. Some of his supporters favour Ponsonby, while others think thab Newbon would be the surest, line. It is understood that Mr Tolo still, bhinks of brying Eden. ~ City North.'.' ' Mr T. Thompson will, address the elecbors of bhis disbricb. nexb week, date not yet fixed.. " The cry is stili bhey come !" Some of bhe electors of the'above disbricb are brying to get Mr J. M. Clark to enter the field. - Mr Samuel Vaile stated at his meeting last night on railway reform that it had been pointed out to him that it was almost a duty for him to contest a seat in Parlia menb, for bhe reason bhab during bhe nexb session tho question of railway reform was bound to come up for consideration ; and it was absolutely necessary thab he should bo at hand bo give whab information he had upon the subject, as he had devobed bhe mosb time bo bhe collection of information upon the matter. Personally it did nob' suit him to enter political life, but ho had decided to contest City North. Newton A requisition -was in course of circula tion for signatures this morning, asking Mr E. Withy to allow himself to be nominated for Newton. Ponsouby. A deputation'waited on Mr J.'M.Shera this afternoon, and presented him- with an address from thoPonsonby electors, request ing him to stand for that seat. After some remarks from the gentleman composing the deputation, Mr Shcra made a suitable reply thanking his friends for their pro mised support, but having already an nounced himself as a candidate for Auckland West he said that he must with groat reluctance decline the proffered honour. During the'morning Mr Shera also received from Mr Wright, one of the candidates for Auckland West, a communi cation in which he unreservedly retired from tho contest of the Constituency in favour of Mr Shera. Both MrJ Wright's retirement and Mr Shera's reply will be found in out advertising columns, i, Parnell Electorate- In reply to the Committee who are busy getting up a requisition to Mr Bennet to stand for this seat he has sent word asking them not to proceed farther, as he is con fined to his bed in consequence of an acci dent. ....... Rodney. A report of an address delivered by Mr Jackson Palmer to the electors of Rodney appears on .our seventh page to-day. Mr Palmer spoke ab some length upon the in teresting question of bi-metallism as a cause of bhe depression in the value of products.

(BY TELEORAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Whangarei, this day.

Marsden.

Great dissatisfaction is expressed by people interested at the manner in which the Electorate ofMarsden'has been altered by the Commissioners. Hikurangl and Ngungura should not have been "cut off nor Aratapu added. Neibher the geographical position nor commonalty of interest have been considered. ,

Te Aroha, this day. Regret is expressed bhab by bhe new elec toral boundaries Te Aroha will lose bhe ser vices of Mr J. B. Whyte as representative.

(BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) . Gisborne, this day. Mr James' Carroll is canvassing for the Eastern Maori seat. <

NAriER, Wednesday.

Mr Tanner, who at the last election unsuccessfully contested Waipawa against Mr Smith, is the only candidate who has yet formally announced himself. Ho stands for the new Waipawa constituency. It is also understood thab Mr Sutton, formerly member-for Hawke's Bay, will contest the same seat. Messrs Shiith and Horace Baker, late Commissioner of Crown Lands, will contest the Woodville seat. Mr Smith may also be nominated for Waipawa. If nob he will run a Captain Rus sell will pirbbably have a walk over for Hawke's Bay, and so far no one' has been found to oppose Mr Ormond for Napier.

Wanganui, Wednesday.

Mr Gilbert Carson addressed the electors to-night in the Princess Theatre building, which was crammed. I A vote of confidence was passed with few dissentients.

Wellington, this day.

Messrs Menteath and Wakefield are probable candidates for Wellington ! con sbibuency, ' '"•"•

OPENING OF MASONIC HALL AT OTAHUHU.

The new Masonic Hall at Otahuhu was formally opened on Tuesday evening lasb, when there was a large turnout of the members of Lodge Harmony, 2,180, E.C., and of Sister lodges. "Among the visitors Eresenb were : — Bros. William Lodder, i.D.P.G.M. ; Henry Wade, :D. G. Secretary; James Pirie, D.G. Organist; Rev. E. H. Gulliver, D.G. Chaplain ;" Chas. Nelson. P.D.G.S.W. ; T. Hewson, D.G.P., E.C. ; W. A. Fenton, D.G.S.D., E.C. ; W. H. Cooper, D.G:S.D., E.C. ; J. P. Clarke, D.G.D.C.; Malcolm Niccol, D.P.G.M., S.C. ; Dr. Walker;' Donald Kempt, W.M., and officers, Lodge Reniuera;, Auger, W.M., and officers, W T aitemaba, E.C. ; Ellison and officers, Lodge St. Andrew, S.C. ; Walker, and officers, Lodge Wairoa 709, S.C. ; Frank Lawry, and officers, Star in the Far South, S.C. The-officers and brethren of Lodge Albion, Devonport. The Irish Grand Lodge was represented by Brothers Suitors, P.G.'S.W.; GeorgoPowley, G.S.P.D. ; Alfred Kidd, 1.P.M..; 3451.C. Brother Trafford, and officers, Lodge United SerEice. Brothers Dr. W. R. Erson, Rev. Mulgan, and officers, Lodge Manukau, S.C. ; and others, wero also"present. , The ceremony of consecrating bho hall was impressively performed by Brobher W. Lodder, D.D;P.G.M.. assisbed by bhe other' officers of the Grand Lodge, an an them written and composed for tho oc casion by Dr Erson being sung. Bro. Gulliver was thereafter installed as W.M., and he appointed the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year :—Brother Dr. Leger Erson, I.P.M. ; Brother Rev. Erank Gould, Chaplain;' Brother Robert son, Senior Warden; Brother W. R. Frank lin, Junior Warden ;. Brother Hunt, Senior Deacon ; Brother Sturges, Junior Deacon ; Brother Todd,* Inner : Guard; Brother Kidd, Tyler; Brother-Robert Garrett,. Treasurer ; and Brother Wallace, Secretary. The Lodgohaviiigbeeri called from labour to refreshment, the brethren sat,down bo, an excellenb repasb, provided by the ladies <o£ the! district, and alter the usual ■ Masonic . toasts had been honoured, the room was cleared for dancing. The whole proceed ings were very successful, and as was but meet, were of the most " harmonious" description.

FIRE AT MOUNT EDEN.

This morning, at a little before three o'clock, the oldesb house upon the Mounb Eden road fell a victim to the flames, from which its , inhabitants narrowly escaped with their lives, but little or nothing else. The building was a six-roomed one-story building, with a shop in front, in which a small retail busi ness in groceries was carried bn. Next to the shop was tho dining or sitting-room, in which stood a piano and an harmonium. It appears that the weather lately hav ing had, a deleterious effect upon these musical instruments, a fire had been kept up in the room. It would seem probable thab this was the (source of the conflagration. Mr and Mrs Crockett, who lived in and owned the house, were, perhaps, the "oldest inhabitants" in the district, and were sleeping in a back room lasb nighb, opposibe which, across the pas sage, was the room of the only other per sons in the house, the two Misses Crockebts. All four, of the family had been out driving during the evening to a concert at the Epsom Hall, and returned home about 10 o'clock, when Mr Crockebb is said bo have pub out the fire in the sitting room with water,.and properly turned off tho gas at the meter. About 2.15 this morning Mrs Crockett was alarmed by hearing something drop in the sitting-room, and lay awake listening, when she shortly after wards saw a glare of firo rapidly advancing towards her sleeping apartment. So fast did the flames advance that nothing was saved, and all the furniture, the piano, the harmonium, and two valuable ■oil paintings were destroyed. The building was insured for L2OO in the Royal Office, the policy on tho shop having run.out three weeks since ; the other policies in the same office, LSO upon the furniture and LSO upon the musical instruments, etc., how over, were current at the time of the fire, making L3OO in all. Mr Crockett puts his loss down ab L2OO or L3OO above bhab covered by bhe policies. A stiff breeze from bhe nor'-wesb sprang up shortly after the fire, which if ib had put in' an appearance earlier, would have caused the botal destruction of the whole block of houses adjoining. As it was, Mrs Green's house, adjoining, had a narrow escape, and ib was only owing to the energy and pluck of Messrs Woolley (and sons), vincenb, and Waite, who des troyed thedangerousconnecting link formed by the summer-house belonging to the late sheriff's house, that the fire did not spread. <

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

(FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.)

:-—. May 18th. The Jubilee. At bhe present moment we are in bhe midsb of bhe Jubilee excibemenb, and no doubb as bhe weather gets warmer there will be more interest shown in the few oubdoor celebra tions which are forthcoming. As yet, the whole thing has fallen very flat; all the proposed schemes have been too prosy and commonplace. There ought to be a little more barbaric splendour about it all in order to appeal to the imagination. But perhaps the best suggestion has come from Lord Hampden, tho Lord Lieutenant of Sussex, better known as the late Speaker of bho House of Commons. In his county all the old beacon fires that flashed the news of the . arrival oi the Spanish Armada three hundred years ago, are to be revived on the night of June 20th. Other counties have now taken up the pro posal, and all along whab used to be the Kcobch and Welsh borders the crests of the lulls are to be illuminated in the ancient way. Probably as the time draws nearer the greater part of England will follow suit, and, at a trifling cost a brilliant, romantic and memorable display will be provided for the whole of the population. Last week the Corporation of London pre sented an address to the Queen upon her throne. The Queen wished to receive only a small deputation, but it appears thab by immemorial cusbom bhey are entitled to appear before Her' Majesty in person and nob by a small number of representatives. ,To this privilege they steadily clung, so that at,last the Queen had to give way.' I understand on the best authority that had 'their sovereign proved obstinate they would hot have presented an address at-all. The Jubilee rejoicing is drawing her out of re tirement in a" wonderful way. . For instance, the day after receiving the Corporation she held one of the biggest Drawing-rooms on record,; and followed, it up on the nexb morning, by superintending the Jubilee pre parations in Westminster Abbey, and in bhe afternoon by patronising Buffalo Bill's American Exhibition, whilst at the end of the same-week she and the greater part of the Royal Family went down bo bhe East End, of London to open tho Tho Queen and Buffalo BUI. Altogether tho Queen has done a good day's work on behalf of the royal, family, and. coming as it did, just after the Parlia-, mentary opposition to the bill legalising •the return of the Duke of Connaught for the Jubilee, and bo bhe vobe of L 17,000 for the Jubilee service ab Westminster, it has done a lot of good. People say that ibis Lord Salisbury's influence on'H'er Majesby bhab is working the change. There is a like grumbling about the privacy she still requires when she goes out; for instance, when she visited the performance of the wild West' Indians under Buffalo' Bill last week, - she had, the public excluded from the building , whilst she was there, and had the pleasure of gazing on tier upon tier of empty seats. Her interview with "Red Shirt," the chief of the Sioux, was rather, funny. Ogila-Sa, for that is his real name, had shown his sternest integrity in dealing with Mr Gladstone a few days before, and when the Great White Chief asked him—as a representative of the whole civilised world—what he thought of the relations between England and America, he declined to b'e'drawn ; but' the glamour of Royalty was too much for this republican of tho woods, and, without any compunction, he told the " great mother" that he had come all across the ocean from his wigwam in order to see her, and above all that bhey liked her face so much, which was lay ing it on pretty bhickly, considering that she is no great beauty. After thab ib was nob surprising bhab he " sbrodo abrupbly away." | Then Her Majesby summoned the squaws, who, in a moment came racing across the arena with their little brown papooses on their backs. They were not so dignified as bheir chief, but stretched out .their hands in an excited* fashion, and dismounted the babies, arid pressed them upon the attend tion of the Queen. When < ,the petting was over the papooses were gathered up, the squaws'fled, arid the Queen retired.

EXTRAORDINARY CASE AT WELLINGTON.

A Promisi-iK Career Cut Short.

(by telegraph—own correspondent),

Wellington, this day. An extraordinary and clever imposbure wt'j. exposed yesterday by the arrest by Detec tive Campbell of a youth of about 2? summers, named L. Tyler, alias Fairfax, for having broken into a commercial travel ler s sample room. The prisoner presented himself at the Empire Hotel about a monbh ago, bearing a letter of introduction which purported to have been signed by Mr C. A. DeLautour, solicitor, of Gisborue, who formerly represented Mount Ida in the House of Representatives. In this letter Mr DeLautour was represented as making himself responsible for the young man's ex penses unbil (bhe supposed writer's) arrival in Wellington. The prisoner gave the name of A. Florid Tyler, and commenced to live in a style of magnificence, which, so far as expenses were concerned, was fully in keeping with his assumed rank. He in dulged rather lavishly in wines and cigars, but after a time the good sense of the land lord caused him to inquire and stop supply. ing any further clareb bo his lordship's order. Further credib for billiards was also discon tinued, on bhe principle bhab though Mr DeLautour might have undertaken to pay the supposed lord ling's actual expenses, he was hardly likely to encourage such ex travagance. Ab length, however, his sus picions became aroused, and he telegraphed to Mr DeLautour, inquiring whether he had given any such authority as was made to appear. Yesterday morning a reply was received, absolutely denying that he had given any person permission to use his name. The landlord reported to Detective Campbell tjie way in which he had been duped, and Campbell at once asked that he might be brought face to face with the impostor. The sitting-room in which Tyler would be found was pointed oub. Campbell sauntered carelessly into the parlour, found the young man dressed in the. approved "masher" fashion, his feet encased iv patenb leabher slippers, and coolly smoking a cigar as he lolled back in one of bhe easy chairs reading a newspaper. Campbell's nexb step was to pay a visit to the bed room occupied by bhe unsuspecting youth, and here a portmanteau was found containing articles of plunder and the implements with which a burglarious career had evidently been carried on. One compartment was filled with an interesting collection of silk handkerchiefs, white shirts, gentlemen's underclothing, collars, ties, etc., all quite new, most of the articles having never been worn. The other divi sion was devoted to three or four pieces of thin iron, such as would be extremely use ful in removing a lock, a candle, and several old babbered and mud-sbained gar men bs, a pair of patent leather slippers, from which the heels had been removed, and. which would make an impression somewhat similar to that of a naked foot, besides enabling the wearer to walk noiselessly. Footprints of this kind were found on the floor of at least one hotel which was broken into last week. Mr Wemyss, owner of the sample-room, was brought to the hotel, and identified nearly all the new goods as having been sbolen from his premises. The detective then returned to the parlour, and found the young dandy still enjoy ing: his otium cum dignitate. He expressed, virtuous indignation when told that ha was in cusbody, and did hob cease to threaten the officers with lordly contempt until the lock-up was reached. Th« curious part of the whole affair is that Tyler has been convicted four times for larceny wibhin the last few months. Before assuming his tible, however, ha took the precaution, of shaving cleanly, and >vhile in the hotel he was careful to spend all his days indoors and to-root, onlv;at) nighb. '" -

SUPREME COURT.

Civil Sessions.

(Before His Honor Mr Justice Ward.)

Yesterday Concluded. Emelet Divxani v. Herbert Charles Hanchard and Others.—This case, which was a claim that a certain promissory note should be declared void, resulted in a non suit against the plaintiff, after we went to press yesterday. Mr Rochfort appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Theo. Cooper,and Mr Brassey for the defendants.

Tills Day.

William Denny' Veale v. John Petes Jones.—Claim, L 23 14s 4d, amount of a promissory note and interest. Mr Keatley appeared for the plaintiff: the defendant put in no appearance.—The judgment went, by default for the amount claimed, with costs upon the lower scale.—The plaintiff produced the promissory note, which he swore he saw defendant sign. • In present ing same at the bank he was refused pay ment upon it. Kelly v. Bennet.—This case, judgment having been entered up for plaintiff, should not have been upon the list for to-day. The business of the Court therefore" closed at 10.30. : :-7

RETRENCHMENT AT THAMES.

(by telegraph—own correspondent.)

Thames, this day. At a meeting of the County Council last) night a committee was appointed to draw up a report for presentation at next meeting as to the best means of reducing the ex penditure, and placing it on a basis in ac cordance: with the revenue.,-;.,;

The demand for the great American remedy, Hop Bitters, in this part of the world has become so great that the Hop Bitters Com pany, whoso headquarters are at Rochester, New York,- U.S.A., have been compelled to open a laboratory in Melbourne. It is in charge of Mr M. H. Van Bergh, a gentleman of several years', experience with this Company and the trade may bo assured of receiving goods equal to the parent house, and the most courteous treatment. The Hop Bitters Com pany have establishments at London, Pans, Antwerp, Belgium, Breda, Holland, and Toronto, and their American Bittera are pro bably the best known medicine in the world.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &c. To-night.

Abbott's Opera House—Foley's " Festivities," 8. Agricultural Hall—Eoyal Jubilee Burlesque and Pantomime Company, 8. Bell's Buildings,' Wyndham-street — Industrial Association's Exhibition, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. 7 to 10 p.m *".i. ••!-.» City Hall—Addreas by Sir George Grey, 8. St. Georges-Hall—Jubilee Social, 8. Mt. Albert Public Hall—Entertainment, 7.30. Drill-shed—A Battery N<Z. Regiment Artillery. 7.30.

Rota of Justices at Police Court.

July 8-Me.srs R. C. Barstow and F. BattJey.

Auction Soles To-morrow.

Arthur and Buddie-Weekly Poultry and Pro duce Sale, 11. ; •■'; , I Hunter and Nolan, Durham Yards—Horses, etc., ■ W. J. Dowden—Weekly Produce Sale, 11. S. Cochrane and Son--Household Furniture and • Effects.lh: vi .<•!' {,:,,- . - ! Paget, and. Ralston—Produce, Furniture, 10.30. _ f A. Buckland, Haymarket—Horses, etd, 12, ■ : B. Tonks and Co.—Merchandise, etc., li. i E. Leydon—Produce. Furniture, etc., 11.' * ' D. F. Evans-Trees, Plants, etc., 2 p.m. Hesketh, Aitken. and Co.-Sund.ies, 11; Poul try, Produce, Fruit, etc, 12,- •

-'THE AHCKtAND ""EVENING 'STAR, THURSDAt, JULY 'SLiMSI

5



Lady Beauti. iers. —Ladies, you cannot make fair skin, roßy cheeks, and sparkling eyes with all the cosmetics of France, or beautiflers o£ the world, while in poor health, and nothing will give you such rich blooij,, good.-. health, strength, and beauty as Hop Bitters; American Cob make. A trial ib certain proof, ■ See.»



j Freezing Company's butter in half-pound pats is branded with'<the words -•' Freezing Company." on .the margin around the-shell. —[Advt.] ..; ; Meat Exhibition.—Grand display, Friday and Saturday, the only 'one ; prices low. Come, early and see the fun.—-G. Hume, Butcher, Queen-street.—[Advt]. ' : Easily Proven!—lt is easily proven that malarial fevers,; constipation, torpidity of the liver and kidneys, general. debility, nervous ness,'and'neuralgic ailments-yield readily to this great disease-conqueror, Ainericap Com pany's Hop Bitters. It repairs' the ravages of disease by converting the food I into rich blood, and it gives new life and vigour to the aged and always in-tan .See, - -•< <>-'':'• • ,>•,.-