, Hti of dogs took place to-day fennels. Four dogs B t the tlty Y aaers and the remainder eecured K?£CB > ten( j er mercies of the f&ißkSnSS^. Garrard, That j_ord High J» first . c i ass cattle dog on offiCer wf UgthL morning. The owner had the wbaif ,m i for his dogf otherwise betg'fJS with the next batch on Thursday. „. T f ..nwrver" writes : — , bu'7: ln rcier ■ X remarks on the cablegram re nn£ v IZra for Canada, you do not ap- WiSre that the province of P 6-^ , • A.„ t-lic Verse of open rebellion, "WKSfiS 'She Government at owng toWJg: any ra aroad building in ° r ttor h f to connect with the railways of th e umreui trnftc to centre Sdian Pacific Railroad. °, of Manitoba object to JS«S£t» hence the proposal to locate *S_rf English soldiers at Winnipeg. iS you wilf find that later news will «S this view of the case. TbeS^tTSSS^stSi Sr'fsuccesSul^. .Some excellent %£, duets and recitations were given Saturday eveßing by Mrs. Johnson, Mrs SZn Hiss Shepherd, Miss Ethel Owen, KM.- Barnes, Mr Robertson, and Mr Moran, and a stirring address was given X Whitelaw. Mr George Rhodes oc cupied the chair, and Mr Forbes was ac companist. Nothing has been heard lately about the Waikato saurian monster. It is therefore thought that it has changed its quarters. This idea may be strengthened if any per son trill take the trouble to look at the large preen lizard now on view at Mr W. Mears s Istablishment. it is really a good speci men, nearly eight inches long, and is poised of a blue tongue. These blue ton-med reptiles are generally considered poisonous, but as this is a point upon which Mr Hears is nofc quite satisfied, he is will incr in the interests of science, to allow any person who feels that way inclined to step jnsids and be bitten by the lizard. Of course the first person who died would get all the honour. This lizard was caught yesterday at Mount Eden sunning itself on the branch of a tree.

A movement is afloat to induce Mr Stan ford, the popular proprietor of the Ponsonby Arms Hotel, to stand for a councillor-ship of tho Ponsonby Ward in the next municipal election.

Mr E. Church, of Eden Terrace, captured a strange animal on his premises the other evening. Noticing a brute liko an opossum prowling about, he captured it by throwing a blanket over it, but found afterwards that it was quite tame. It eats frail) and vegetables. Mr Church, who at first thought a sensational " saurian mon ster" had paid him a visit, wonders if ho has got hold of somebody's pet Kangaroo, or if a wallabi has taken a leap over from tho Kawau to the mainland, and has Bought shelter among the hospitable hearths of Eden Terrace district.

What proved to be one of the best Rugby games played in New South Wales took place between the rival teams Gordon and Wallaroo, in Sydney, early in the month. Until time was announced neither side had sewed a single point. The captains then agreed to play 10 minutes longer each way to .decide the match, and the game was fought out bitterly to within five minutes of time, when C. Wade pulled the match out of the fire by drop-kicking two excel lent goals from the field, and Hungerford obtained a try, from which a kick by J. Wade was unsuccessful, the Wallaroos thus ■winning by 10 points to nil, after one of the best matches witnessed for some seasons past.

A novel wager is advertised in another column. The advertiser undertakes by a process of his own to clean six dozen knives in fiT6 minutes or forfeit £100.

! Messrs Cockrane and Son sole body front age at 70ft 3in to Wynyard Road Mount Eden, with residence coiitaing- 9 rooms for L3BO.

.The annual match between Eton and Winchester Colleges was played at Eton on June 25 and 26, when the home team won by nine wickets. Scores:—Eton 275 arid 74 for one wicket: Winchester 189 and 158. W D. Llewelyn. 124 and 41 not out, was the principal contributor for the winners.

OUR GOLDFIELDS

Thames, this day. .SAX-K-lOlbs of specimens and 201bs picked stone were obtained to-day from the Mnjragwall portion of the reef, on No. 3

CA_BMA.-Another breaking down of the seventh leader in the drive at No. 3 level, w« place to-day, when lOlbs of specimens tore obtained.

CiimE l A._. The drive on No.-7 leader, at Btone % i P? nefc?- Ati, ng a sPlendid sand- Z* ™ader is about 4 inches thick, Ml there is now several feet stripped, S-Sft? 1° W? havin?taken P^ce since M S 1 0f 10Ib specimens w-isre- JgJ Colours of gold are seen in the BS kT! to. hand from the °&OT .g^butthere-M no change to report. £-_&£ - hapin" fairly> and the fort bSht^f Upon Wednesday should Jjyable. There is 701b of specimens on

mm t0 c °ae to hand from this mine.

V. Waitekauri, Friday. sSSßff* tri-buters in tlie Waite- CS^'B?? succeeded in get d them ?Z °l golden stone wh*h *ai waiter when sub-

n - . Karaxgahaxe, Friday. bSL iIIU,i n _the ewly part of pu.u c Ut fcT „s have ™t yet been mine hS 6 r!i buters in %Cl_?^ 0 arr»ngements for HWW- S 31gn,menfc of *eir ore «4a_ will? n l 6 Work of sampling and S «»l££S de?? tlie earthworks shoull LtTi °! ? ailey's tram "'ay. Dext^k, iHi etf d ab°, ut tbe end oi next w the order of things.

THE SUPPOSED CASE OF FOUL PLAY.

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*™ GT0*> this day. akt^flS;nTv Auckland 'whodied *H^ tt^* tt»,f«««ytohoid s** «* that t r ulted from intemperance &^inattono iln °i he Hospital, 815^ any h6r ft f Ce deati; m* a?--% in a '«1 »efore her death £.^5 iwl f° W > a house in fcot . of tl% L? *c. cr> not in -4 3!* h°aVl eed 'does the *BJt\ldeDt that tt ,i .Ch was so ?»&J c«a«ion tc Ifr was able -ttei^. 111--! was „P c fche necessary IMmh?**- »»,_. necessity

MONGOLIAN V. CAUCASIAN.

A Fight in Queen-street

About 11 o'clock on Saturday night a Jracas occurred in Queen-street, near the corner of Rutland-street, between an Anglo- Saxon named Alfred Doble and a Chinaman named Ah Chong. The trouble arose from the almond-eyed citizen being called •- Paddy." A fight resulted, and Constable Carroll'ended the matter by securing both men, who were ultimately bailed out. The couple appeared in the dock this morn ing at the Police Court. Mr Napier ap peared on behalf of the accused Doble, and admitted the fighdng, but alleged that there were extenuating circum stances. Mr Baddeley, the .assistant li. M., was on the Bench. Mr Thomas Quoi acted as interpreter for Ah Chong, who pleaded nofc guilty. Constable Carroll de posed to Peeing the men lighting at the corner of Queen and Rutland-street. He went between to separate the men, but the Chinaman rushed at Doble a second time. Thomas Broadwood deposed to being at the corner of Rutland-street. He saw Doble following the Chinaman up the street, He overtook him near the corner of Rutland street, aud knocked off his hat. The Chinaman got excited, and a regular set-to resulted. He heard Doble repeatedly ask Ah Chong to stop fighting', and go home. Alfred Dob:e deposed that, he was looking at the photographs in Redforn's studio, when he heard somebody call out "Paddy." The Chinaman then came up and struck him on tho ear. Witness did not call out "Paddy." He followed the Chinaman up to the corner of Rutland street, and asked him what he hit him for. Witness shoved Ah Chong, and his hat fell oil. A struggle ensued, and witness asked him to knock off and go home. The Chinaman wanted him to come up Wakeficld-strcet and have it out, but he declined. John Mills, who was in com pany with Doble at the time, gave corrobo rative evidence. Ah Chong, having been sworn by blowing out a match, deposed that he vras standing near the corner of Rutland-street, when tho prisoner, Doble, camo up to him and said, " Tv nab mah," which had a filthy meaning when translated into English. Doble then struck Kirn, and he only defended himself. The Bench in formed the Chinaman that he must not tako tho law into his own hands Under no cir cumstances could fighting in the streets be permitted. He fined each prisoner 20s and costs, or 48 hours' hard labour.

SPORTING NEWS.

At Sydney, TattersalPs Club held their Spring Meeting at Randwick on Saturday. The Tramway Handicap, a handicap sweep stakes of 3sova eacli for starters, witli 200sovs added, distance three-quarters of a mile, was won by Mr Johnston's b g Glen Elgin, by Sir Arthur—Distant, aged, the Hon. W. A. Long's b c Moorbank, 3yrs, being second. Time, lmin lOsec. The Spring Handicap, a handicap sweep stakes .of 3sovs each for starters, with 2oosovs added, one mile and a quarter, fell to Mr G. Osborne's b h Algerian, oyrs, by Goldsborough—Algeria, who won by three lengths, Elsa beiug socond, and Toronto third. Time, 2min 13sec.

CONCERT AT ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, TAMAKI.

A grand vocal and instrumental concort in aid of the Diocesan Home Mission Fund was given in the hall of St. John's College on Thursday evening. This school has quite a reputation for musical entertain ments of a superior order, but the concert on Thursday evening surpassed all that have yet been, given. Bishop Cowie at the re- quest of the I lev. T. F. King said a few words in reference to the object of the concert,and thanked Mr King for his kind endeavours on behalf of the Home Mission, The pro gramme was then commenced, all the items of which were excellently rendered and warmly applauded. The quartette from Mozart performed by young ladies (the Misses Chew and Miss C. Wright) was, perhaps, the gem of the evening, and was enthusiastically encored, as wero also the violin solo by Miss Otjo Chew, and the songs by Mrs Dacro, Mrs Ching, Miss Corbett, and Mr T. Jackson. The vocal duets were most carefully and correctly interpreted, and a pianoforte solo was played by air G. Clutsam with his customary felicity. Air S. Jackson's clarionet solo was greatly appreciated, as was also the pianoforte solo by Miss C. Wright, who plays with increasing confidence and delicacy each time shear" pears in public. The accompaniments played by Mrs McCosh Clark and Miss C, Wright, left nothing to be desired i« this respect, and the items performed by the orchestra showed manifest care and able handling en the part of the conductor, Herr Tutschka, Tho College Hall was most artistically decorated and lighted, and tho audience, which was a very fashionable, one included the Bishop and jjjf CpAv-ie, At tho close of the conoer. tho Rev. T F King thanked all the performers for their Valuable cissistance, and Bishop Cowie spoke in terms of high commendation of the whole performance and added his own thanks on behalf of the Home Mission,

BANKRUPTCY NEWS.

The first meeting of James Forgie'a credi tors, which was to have been held to-day, lapsed for want cf a quorum. It appears that the bankrupt filed under the misappre hension that his doing so would have the effect of ousting from his premises Mr D. H. McKenzie's bailiff, who had entered into possession under a bill of sale, Tho debtor, discovering his mistake, has done nothing since to follow up tho petition for adjudi cation, ■

A meeting of Browne and Co.'s creditors is being held as we go to press for the novel purpose of considering whether the Bank ruptcy Act should not be abolished on the ground that it affords no adequate pro tection to the public.

A WELLINGTON ELOPEMENT CASE.

(by telegraph—own correspondent.)

Wellington, this day. An interesting elopement case will shortly come before the Magistrate's Court. A gay Lothario will be charged with the larceny of a quantity of goods which he is charged with taking along With his wife from the premises of the man with whom he lodged. He left a letter indicating that the wife being provoked by cruelty had started for home via Australia, and that he was himself on the way to Taranaki. A day or two afterwards the injured husband ascertained that the guilty pair were living in .another part of the city, and obtaining a search warrant he recovered possession of his goods which the eloper will now be charged with appropriating.

THE OPERA HOUSE.

The reproduction of the great historical play "Elizabeth, Queen of England," by Signor and Signora Majeroni, on Saturday evening, was, like the first performance, an unqualified success. The audience was largo and appreciative, and at times evi dently carried away by the many telling and admirably-conceived incidents in the great drama. Such a treat is afforded the people of Auckland very rarely indeed, and those who omitted to seethe "Elizabeth" of Signora Majeroni havo much to regret.

"Fedora."

Another great masterpiece is announcec for this evening, when Sardou's "Fedora' will be produced. There is a fascinatior about the story of "Fedora " which is partly due to the materials upon which the authoi has worked. The author has cemented the foundation of his story with blood, the whole fabric of the fiction being built up on the murder of the Count Vladimir, son oi the Inspector-General of Police, and beloved by Fedora. Upon this man's apartments the curtain rises, and shortly after, Desire, Vladimir's valet, admits Fedora, who has an appointment there with his master. Suddenly the door opens, and the police enter, carrying the senseless body of Vladimir in their midst, assassinated, and at the point of death. An inquiry is held in tho room. The story is learned that Vladimir had beon driven, as was his cus tom, to an empty house in a deserted part of the town ; that, as usual, the coachman waited for him a few yards from the house, that he heard shots fired, entered the place in alarm and found in it only his master's body. The polico learn from the ser vants that a woman called on their master that morning with a letter, and that he read it and threw it down in an open drawer in the room. The drawer is opened during the most intense excite ment of all present, and is found to be empty. The letter then has been stolen, and probably by the assassin to whose de tection it might have led. But one person has been in the room since the morning, and ifc is Loris, Count Ipanoff. The second act shows the grand saloon of the Countess SoukarefF in Paris, where tho Countess, who is a leader of fashion and gay society, is entertaining her friends. Loris enters, and is introduced to an intimate friend of Fedora's, Do Siriex, who recognises his name as that of the supposed Nihilist who assassinated Vladimir. He says nothing until he hears that the Princess Fedora is living in Paris, and is expected by the countess. For her he determines to 'wait, and they have an interview, in which Fedora tells him that "Loris has but one dream, but one ambition—herself." Ho loves hor, and she will uso this love as a means of extorting a confession from him, which will enable her to hand him over to the police. De Siriex leaves, and Loris takes hi'- place. She entraps Loris at once into an avowal of his love and of his guilt. She affects an ardent lovo, and lures him to her by granting an in terview in her private apartments for the following night between 12 and 1 o'clock. During the interview she gives him letters implicating the brother of Lori3 in a Nihilist plot. Loris then enters nnd tells her his history, showing that he had tracked Vladimir and his (Loris's) wife to a lonely house, and had there confronted them and shot his rival in his mistress's arms. He gives Fedora proof of her lover's faithless ness, and turns her horror into gratitude and love. The curtain falls at last upon the lovers in each other's embrace, and Loris is safe. The last act shows Fedora and Loris together and happy, the latter pardoned through Fedora's influence, both uncon scious of the evil that is to befal them. Loris's brother Is seized by the police and drowned in a dungeon, and his mother, oii hearing the news, dies of grief, The samo mail that brings the tidings to Loris, tells him that his brothor was betrayed by a Russian lady of rank, living iv Paris, and the writer announces his intention of telling him hor-name shortly after his arrival by 'the same, train which carries the letter. The scene which follows is the most powerful in tho play. Fedora sues for rmdon for the betrayer .and is savagely spurned by Loris. "By tlio living God, I will hunt her down," he"cries ; and Fedora, seeing pardon and explana tion alike impossible, takes poison, and dies in his arms confessing her guilt.

THE DIRECT AND SAN FRAN CISCO MAILS.

(Reutek's.)

London, August 27.

The E.M.S. Eimutaki left Plymouth to-day for New Zealand, via Madiera Cape Town, and Hobart.

San Francisco, August 27. The R.M.S. Zealandia sailed to-day at 4 p.m. for Auckland and Sydney.

ETHICS AND ATHLETICS.

Pedestrianfsm, Boxing, and

Bicycling:.

(BY tELEGRAFH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Dunedin, this day.

Captain Cotton's action in reference to the walking match is adversely criticised. Austin, Cotton's trainer, gives the follow ing account of the affair: — "The follow ing are the facts regarding my interview with McGrath this afternoon. Owing to the fact of Cotton becoming unwell to-day, and showing signs of getting so much worse as to be quite unable to at tempt the performance of the match, I de cided that it was advisable to seek a meetino with McGrath. In the course of converse? tion with Captain Cotton I told him that the match must take place, as the other side objected to a postponement. His physi cian, after careful consideration, put a veto on anything of the sort, and supplied the certificate which was read at the Garrison Hall at 10 p.m." Mr D. Keys adds the fol lowing :— _\ As I was present with Austin during the interview with McGrath, I have to corroborate the above statement in every detail." Scott's trainer persists that Austin asked him to let Cotton win.

Christchurcit, Saturday.

In reference to the remarks made by Scott's trainer, reflecting on Captain Cot ton's bona fides in the walking match, Cap tain Cotton wires to a friend here to-day :— " Statement utterly unfounded. Have been very seedy for 48 hours. Had every intention of walking, but doctor prohibited at the last minute, giving certificate." Captain Cotton has expressed his willing ness to walk Scott next week.

The bicycle fifty miles road record was lowered to-day by W. G. Carl, of the Pion eer Club, time 4 hours 3 minutes. A rider named Pillow accomplished the distance in 3 hours 57 minutes, but being unattended it is doubtful whether his performance will be accepted as a record.

Dunedin, Saturday. • Faddis again challenges Murphy to a boxing match. He alleges that it was arranged that they should fight five rounds, and that he should ultimately be declared the winner, but that Murphy took him unawares and knocked him out in the second round.

CABLEGRAMS.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEQRAPH«-OCinrEIGHT.)

THE CZAR SHOT AT AGAIN.

TWO BULLETS PIERCE HIS

CLOTHING.

(special.)

London, August 28.

An attempt to assassinate the Czar of Russia is reported to have been made on the 20th inst. A Nihilist, disguised as an officer of the Russian army ob tained access to the Czar's presence, and fired two shots at him. The bullets perforated the coat worn by the Czar, one hole being made in the sleeve • but his Imperial Highness was

not injured,

WAR PREPARATIONS.

MOBILISING IN FRANCE.

LARGE RUSSIAN LOAN.

• SPECIAL to press association.)

London, August 28. The Toulouse Army Corps is to be mobilised on the 13th September next. It is announced that this is being done

as an experiment.

It is rumoured that a Russian loan of six million of roubles is being floated in Paris.

YACHTING ACCIDENT.

FIFTEEN PERSONS DROWNED,

(SrECIAL.)

London, August 28. A yacht has been capsized by a squall off Ilfracombe, and fifteen persons who were on board have been drowned.

DROUGHT IN ENGLAND.

WATER FAMINE THREATENED,

(SrECIAL.)

•LONDON, AugUßt '28. A water famine is imminent through out Great Britain.

NEW ZEALAND ELECTIONS.

THE PREMIER ANTICIPATES

DEFEAT.

(special to press association.)

London, August 28. In a letter just received by Sir F, Dillon Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand, Sir Robert Stout, writing on the subject of the general election, states that he expects that the Govern ment will sustain a defeat.

LORD CARNARVON'S COLONIAL TOUR.

(special to association. )

London, August 28. The Earl of Carnarvon has taken his departure for South Africa. It is his intention to take passage from Cape Town by the direct steamer Coptic for New Zealand.

THE BULGARIAN TROUBLE.

THICKENING OF THE PLOT.

RUSSIA'S SCHEME SUCCEED-

ING,

(SPECIAL.)

London, August 28. A Political deadlock is impending in Bulgaria. Prince Ferdinand's haughty isolation of manner is causing great dissatisfaction. The Czar has written violently reproaching the Prince with violating the Treaty of Berlin, and the Sultan in a despatch also upbraided the Prince but in a more moderate

manner.

There are indications that the Porte is yielding to the wishes of Russia with regard to Bulgaria, and Germany and France are considered likely to agree to the proposal of the Russian Govern" ment that a Russian general, w,ith full powers, shall accompany Artea! Pasha on his mission to Bulgaria.

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

TERMS OF SETTLEMENT,

(special to press association.)

London, August 28. The Paris newspaper "Le Pays " an nounces that an agreement has been ar rived at by the Governments of France and Great Britain with reference to the control of the New Hebrides. By the terms of this agreement the Islands are to be placed under a combined marine force. The flag will be the tricolour under a red ensign—this being a con. cessioD to *• Australian yelping "*on the

subject.

(special to press association.)

London, August 20. ANOTHER MINING COMPANY.

The Queensland Reduction Mining Company, for working Baugh and Henksman's patent, is announced with a capital of £100,000. .. V:i^_

GERMAN PRESIDENT FOR MOROCCO.

It is expected that Mr Travers of Sydney, will be designated as the German President in Morocco.

COMMERCIAL NEWS.

Sugar is 14s 9s per cwt. Off coast wheat cargoes are quoted at 31s 6d. Hop picking is now general in Eng land.

A DARING TRAVELLER.

Mr Jas. Campbell, who travelled from Vladivostock across Siberia, is to sail for Victoria by the s.s. Thames.

HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.

WIFE AND FAMILY MUR-

DERED.

(iiEUTEIt'S TELEGRAM.)

Sydney, this day. Mr Wadham Dalwood, a squatter near Inverell, has murdered his wife and three children while in a fit of

religious insanity,

THE IRISH LEAGUE.

MEETING OF LIBERALS.

[special.]

London, August 28. A MEETING of leading Liberals has been held here to discuss the question of the proclamation of the Irish National League. There was a large attendance, but a number of prominent men were absent. A resolution was proposed stating that the actions of the League had been wholly unimpeachable that its efforts had tended to tho ex tinction of the abnormal prevalence of crime in Ireland, and offering the League moral and practical support; The resolution was carried, with the omission of tho clause referring to the " wholly unimpeachable" charac ter of the League's operations.

FOOTBALL MATCHES

Kiigby.

No senior matches wore played last Satur day in connection with the Rugby Union. The following junior matches were played :—-

Ponsonby 11. v. North Shore ll.—This match was played at Devonport in the fresence of a large number of spectators, fc resulted in a draw.

•* Hek_ld " Employees,—A match was played on Saturday at the Metropolitan ground between rival toams from the

"iTerald" staff, married v. single. This game caused an amount of fun, as many of the players wercevidently unacquainted with the rules of the game. The game resulted in favour of the single men by 27 to 2. Albany 111 v. Marlborough. —The former won by six points to nil. The tries were obtained by Martin, Craig- and Bushel. Association Game. Rangers v. Beresfoud. —This match was played at Remuera, and resulted in a win for the former by 3 go als. Wanderers v. Rangers. ll.—This match was brought to a conclusion before the team had been playing ten minutes through the ball bursting. The "Wanderers had scored one goal to nil. Ellerslie 11. beat Links H,. by 4 goals to nil. The Ellerslie had the best of the game all through. Links v. Devonport.—Thaie two teams met on the ground of the latter and en gaged in one of the stiffest contests, which has yet taken place between Association Club 6. From start to finish th»3 play was of the most cxiciting nature. Devonport having won the toss, decided to play with what little wind there was at their back, and the Links 6et ihe ball in motion. The visitors' forwards secured the leather, and by some splendid cc-mbined Bassing brought it well down towards the tevonport goal. They looked like scoring ; but Harvey's shot was defective*, and the ball went behind. From the kick out the local players completely re versed matters, and for some time time kept up a vigorous assault on tho Links' citadel, R. Logan and! Sibbin es pecially shining. Several hot shots were sent in; but Matthie was there every time, and punted well out. Even tually Newcomb had to kick behind in self-defence, thus giving the local team a "corner." The ball was sent well into the mouth of the goal, but- Heather headed it out, relieving the pressure, and Naylor and Whitehead improved.matters still farther, by a rush down field, bringing the play into Devonport territory once more. Chamberlain at back stopped their progress very pluckily, and1, re turned the ball. Shortly afterwards another corner kick fell to Devonport. This time the ball went clean through the goal; but as it was not touched by any of the opposing team, counted, for nothing". Matthie kicked out, and Douglas anc,l Mcllwraith did some good work for the Links dribbling well down the left eventu ally centring to Harvey, who put in a splendid shot; Glendinning at back just managed to reach the ball, which cannoned off his foot hit the goal post and bounded behind, giving a corner kick to the Links. Nothing resulted from it, and when the whistle blew for half time no goals had been registered. In the second spell both teams worked like Trojans, making determined efforts to score. The Links backs, especially Heather and Newcomb, were playing in good form, and kept play in Devonport territory till sent in a high shot which Whitaker failed to reach, and the visitors were awarded a goal. The leather was kicked off from the centre and secured by the local forwards, C. Williams, and Hodges who centred to Goudie; but al though he tried hard to equalise matters, Mercer came to the rescue and passed on to Mcllwaith and Douglas. Mason stopped their swift career by a well judged kick and Heather returned the ball into touch at the centre before the Devonport forwards could reach him. The remainder of the spell was very hotly contested, neither team obtaining any advantage./

DISCOVERY OF GOLD AT HIKUTAIA.

(From Our Special Reporter.)

Hikutaia is a rural village settlement between Grahamstown and Te Aroha. It seems destined ere long to become an im portant centre of traffic. There is a land ing place for steamers, the railroad ter minus has been fixed here, and there is a good hotel, owned and conducted by Mr Corbett. There is also a public school. Several new settlers are likely soon to take up their residence in the district. Major Peel is now having a house erected on land recently purchased from Mr Alley. The valley of Hikutaia consists of some two or three thousand acres of rich alluvial soil, encircled by what are now proved to be argentiferous and auriferous ranges. Its central position and facilities of communi cation with the outside world will ensure Hikutaia being one of the most important of our goldfield centres. It only required the discovery of payable gold to establish a prosperous township here, and that appears to have been accomplished by Mr Mc- Brinn, an old Coromandel prospector. The worst feature in connection with a visit tothenew "find" is the disgraceful state of the main road. This is a great and increas ing highway, not only for miners and settlers, but for the stream of tourists from tho South and Australia visiting Te Aroha baths, and it may not be out of place to suggest that Government should make this

a colonial work as much as the Rotorua roads, upon which such enormous sums have annually been expended. There is a triple reason why this main road should be specially attended to. It is bordered by agricultural lands of the greatest value; it connects with our most accessible Hot Springs district; and it is the only gold field road, and one which should be carried through as a main trunk road, fit for driving a buggy along, from Te Aroha to Coromandel, thereby enabling English and other tourists to ride from the hot baths through one of the richest goldfields in the world, and, ere taking their departure, visit tho Kapanga and other mines worked by English capital. The im portance of these goldheld roads being constructed and maintained is so great that it would be excusable if every local and governing body in the province contributed either men or money towards opening up the field. The exigencies of the colony de mand that its greatest industry should re ceive every possible support, and roads must be made—whether by public money, constabulary, or other labour, it matters not. A very small proportion of the money expended on the Rotorua road would not only complete themain road from Puriri past Hikutaia, but would form a road through the valley, and cut a sledge track irom the flat to the summit of the range past the prospectors claim. Material and machinery will have to be transported, and delay in forming ap proaches means delay in developing the field, and a loss to the country.

The ride from Hikutaia towards the Prospectors' claim on so fine a day as Satur day was delightful, and galloping over the grassy lands of Mr Alley was easy and pleasant enough ; but on following the creek up the ravine leading towards that portion of the range where the Prospectors' claim is situated, the rough and tumble character of the country made it less agreeable, and they were fortunate who rode sure footed nags accustomed to creeks and bush •roads. Your representative rode an aged fig horse, which, in its day and generation, ad, no doubt, been a first-class steed, still useful on a level road, but, as the owner afterwards explained, had not travelled a creek before, and it was so in capable of carrying anyone over the boulders in the creeks, that, after accomplishing the journey the one way, it was knocked up, and on starting to return fell heavily over the first obstruction, and the rider had to wade through the creeks, pulling the horse after. If the Hon. Mr Larnach were to visit the new find, and this animal were secured for him to ride, he would be impressed as well as the horse with the difficulties of the road to the claim. There is excuse for a horse falling, but there can be ' no excuse for a Government allowing such a roadway as now exists to remain a day longer than necessary as the only route to a gold discovery of importance. Referring now to the closing part of the trip while era route to the claim, we may say that the last hour's toiling along was characteristic of the event, and as Mcßrinn, the great prospector, went smartly from rock to rock, or scrambled up the slippery sand stone slopes like a deer, others of the party paused for breath, and contemplated some of the ascents anddescentsbeforemakingthem. A friend of Mr Mcßrinn's had, during the week, fallen down one of the precipitous places into a cold and deep pool; but beyond a slight cut with the tomahawk in hi 3 hand, did not suffer injury, and being a swimmer was in no danger of drowning. Mr Mc- Laren, the Mining Inspector of the Auck land goldfields, was of our party, and re ceived a partial immersion, taking it very coolly, used no doubt to roughing it in the service of his country. The climb up to the Prospectors' was stiff throughout, and all this is mentioned to evoke sympathy with the pioneers who have in lonely soli tude to carry their tucker and equipments over such a route. These are men whom the country should delight to honour, as much as the highly-paid kid-gloved officer of State, who lives on the fat of the land, in ease and luxury, and at the close of a life spent in taking care of himself, receives from his beloved Sovereign recognition of the services he has rendered to the country ! . The Rich Discovery made by Mcßrinn is at an altitude of 800 feet above tho plain ; the reef is 8 feet wide, and has the same characteristics as the Waitekauri reefs. Mr Morgan, formerly manager in the Waitekauri, seeing this find on Saturday, at once said the lode was identical in nature to the Waitekauri stone, and the rich black vein 18 inches to 2 feet wide on the hanging-wall side resembled the patch obtained in the mine referred to, and which is mentioned in the Government Handbook as giving a return of £4,000 in dividends in a very short time. The stone which has been assayed at the Thames School of Mines, and at the banks at Grahamstown, was not any richer look ing than what we took from the face. There is no doubt whatever as to the rich ness of the ore which is being taken from the wide black vein in the reef, which is of a loose mullocky character. A dish of stuff washed gave an astonishing show of gold and silver, the expression of glad surprise on the part of beholders being varied according to their creeds and customs, but the verdict was unanimous, and to the effect that it was the most important dis covery of the day. Sceptical persons have hinted their opinion that if the lode is so rich the prospectors would have taken a ton down. In reply it may be mentioned that there is alreadya ton " broken down," but after the brief reference made to the rough and rugged route would our scepti cal friends take the contract to convey this "ton" from the mine for a distance of three miles only at £10 per ton ?

(To be Continued.)

(From our Thames Correspondent.)

A miner of considerable experience, who arrived from the new " find " in the vicinity of Hikutaia this afternoon, informs me that there is no cause whatever for any excite ment regarding the - * find." Comparatively nothing has yet been done on the reef which is to be seen outcropping on the surface, and it would be premature, from its appear ance, toeven hazard an opinion as to whether the lode will continue downwards. During his visit ho was shown several pieces of stone in

which colours of gold could be plainly seen, but it would take rich dirt to pay at> present, owing to the difficulties which must be encountered in getting the quartz to a battery.

Another reel has been found outcropping on the surface, and five claims consisting of about 150 acres have been marked out. A large party left here late on Saturday afternoon for the scene of the " find." Mr Cadman has telegraphed to th© Minister of Mines stating that the Thames County Council have agreed to vote £100 towards cutting a track to the ** find," pro vided the Government grant a subsidy of £ for £, while the Ohinemuri County Coun cil will probably make a similar applica tion. * c

(from our ohinemuri correspondent.) Paeroa Friday.

The 'find near Hikutaia has attracted a good deal of attention during the week, and all the practical men who have visited the place are unanimously of the opinion that an important discovery has been made. The information which I wired to you on Wednesday laat was the outcome of a visit to the Prospector's Claim, where I made a personal examination of the reef, which has been exposed to view in quite a number of places partly by nature and partly by trenching along the surface line of its outcrops. At the time of my visit it had been traced for a distance of 10 chains within the boundaries of the Prospectors mine, which embraces an area of 30 acres, and proved to be gold bearing wherever ib was tested. The only work of importance done upon it is that accomplished by means of a trench, which has been carried along the hanging-wall side for a distance of about 6ft,and the lode.which averages Bft, in thickness, has been broken down to a width of 4ft gold, permeating the whole mass. A fair proportion of the stone on the extreme hanging-wall shows gold freely, and indications of the presence of silver in highly remunerative quantities are nob wanting. There are quite a number of reefs varying from 2ft in thick ness running close to and parallel with the one above-mentioned ; bub as yet none of these have been sufficiently prospected to enable one to form an opinion as to their value. In places where disclosed by the wash of the water the country on the banks of the Prospectors' gully is com posed of that mottled tufaceous rock which never fails to indicate the presence of the precious metal in the Upper Thames districts and I feel confident that the scene of the new find will add another to the list of established mining centres.

SUPREME COURT.

This Day.

In Bankruptcy.

{Before His Honor Mr Justice Ward.) Bankruptcies Closed.—-On the motion of Mr C. W. Cave (whoappeared for the Official Assignee) the bankruptcies of James Philip Alexander and James Forbes Mclntyro were declared closed. A similar ap plication in re John Wm. Clareborough was deferred at the request of Mr Cave, who said something fresh had transpired. Costs of Bankrupts' Solicitors.—ln re David Dunningham and George William King, Mr W. Dignan applied to have the costs of bankrupts' solicitor fixed at £10 Bs. —Mr Cave stated that the estatehadrealised upwards of £100.—His Honor intimated that he would defer the application till to morrow's Chamber sitting in order to admit of the filing of an affidavit declaring that, no legal costß had, iso far, been paid. In re Ernest George Robert Ford and William Samuel Collins, Mr E. Mahony applied to have the costs of bankrupts' solicitor fixed at £10 and payments.—His Honor similarly postponed this application.

Orders of Discharge.—Orders of dis charge from bankruptcy were granted as follows : —To Peter Shaughnessy, upon Mr H. Campbell's application; and to Annie Sarah Moore, upon Mr James Russell's application.—ln the latter case an affidavit had been filed stating that wages claims had been fully paid and satisfied.—His Honor asked Mr Cave to impress upon the Assignee the necessity of stating in each case whether claims for wages had been fully met and satisfied. The Court then rose.

POLICE COURT—THIS DAY.

(Before Mr Baddeley, Assistant R.M.) Sabbath Soakers. — Robert Cenderon, William Dent, George Thomson, James Austin, and Michael Sheehan, were each fined 5s and costs, or 24 hours' hard labour for having been drunk. Donald McKinnon, Kate Cummings, and Patrick Sheedy were each fined 20s and costs, or 48 hours' hard labour, for having been twice con victed. John Morgan was fined £2 and costs, or four days in default, for having been thrice convicted. This prisoner said that ho had only been four days in Auckland, and had been already " run in " three times. A, E. Bawtree was further remanded for medical treatment.

Drunk and Disorderly.—Susan Mat. thison pleaded guilty to having been drunk and disorderly, and was fined £3 and costs, or ten days in default. Annie Dunn re ceived a similar sentence for a like offence, with seven additional days for using obscene language. _^

Remember This.

If you are sick Hop Bitters will surely aid Nature In making you well when all else fails. If you aro costive or dyspeptic, or are suffer ing from any other of the numerous diseases of the stomach or bowels, it is your own fault if you remain hi, for Hop Bitters is a sovereign remedy in all such complaints. If you are nervous use Hop Bitter 3. If you have rough, pimply, or sallow skin, had breath, pains and aches, and feel miserable generally. Hop Bitters will give you fair skin, rich blood, and sweetest breath and health. That poor, bedridden, invalid, wife, sister, mother, or daughter can be made the picture of health, by American Co.'s Hop Bitters, cost ing but a trifle. WiU you let them sutler ? In short, they cure all diseases of the stomach, bowels, blood, liver, nerves, kidneys, Bright'a disease. £500 will be paid for a case they will not cure or help. Druggists and chemists keep it.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &0.. To-night.

Abbott's Opera House—Majeroni Company In " Fedora," 8 Bell's Buildings. Wyndham-street — Industrial

Association's Exhibition, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Olympia Ball, Grey-street-Skating Rink, 7.30 to 10. St. Luke's and Onehunga Presbyterian Churches —Evangelistic Services, 7.30 West Taniaki School-room Mr F. Lawry and the Electors of Franklin North, 7.30 Museum—Members of Auckland Institute, 8 Choral Hall—Auckland Choral Society, 7.30 Mount Albert Public Hall — Mr J. A. Connell

and the Electors of Eden, 8 Town Hall, Helensville—Address to Electors of Waitemata, by Mr R Wood, 8 Three Kings School-house — Mr E. Mitchelson and Electors of Eden, 8 Eden Hall-Mr E. Withy's Central Committee, 7.30 St. David's Mutual Improvement Sooloty— Paper by M:ss Jowitt on "Mission Work in China," 7.30

Auction Sales To-morrow,,

G. Lewis—Boots, Shoes, eta. II B. Tonks and Co—.-sugars, Teas, Butter, etc., 11 Arthur and Buddie — Household Furniture, China. Earthenware, etc., Jl T. M. Jackson, Ponsonby Road — Household Furniture and Effects, Il G. W. Binney—Produce, etp.. UA&_ f<

Bota of Justices at Police Court.

August 30— Messrs

THE AUCKLAND _VEMNG STAR, MONDAY,' AUGUST 29. 1887,

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