POLITICAL GOSSIP.

(B?^ J " PORTER.)

Wellington, this day. t0 te Elected by the Councils proposal in the Municipaj f ons Amendment Act (introduced COfP the Legislative Council by the Hon. iDt ° Stevens) is a provision that the shall in future bo elected by of every borough instead fb! the ratepayers. The elections 0 he held on the last Wednesday of • I * to hp'r and the installation takes place third Wednesday in December. ■ hanee in the mode of the election of % is made in consequence of cbl Emendation by the Municipal Con a e which recently sat in Wellington. ' SienC Volunteer Regulations ' Minister of Defenco has expressed if in favour of provisions in the Steer Begulations providing for If retirement of all, officers on at ■■ g the age of sixty years. He f°H a simple majority would not be frient to permit any battalion of rifles Son a femental system. cjj. Walter Buller Vindicated. There was laid on the table of the Legis • Council yesterday afternoon a letter ■*_, T. Warren, in which the writer de & that from personal knowledge and Son ho that the charges ■s t Sir W. Buller in portions of the Soka-Kaimanawa evidence that had in printed were absolutely untrue. l e also said it appeared to him £ J nnlv such portions of the evidence Luld tend to blacken Sir W. Bullcr's Werhad been selected, and that other rfdence favourable to him had been sup pressed

Railway Construction. fyme instructive figures with respect to jhrays, comparing those in New Zealand A other places, were given by Captain Jassell last night. He very rightly pointed „at that this colony was over-railwayed, Id hence there was no probability of the nthorised lines being constructed. He mentioned that there were 300 miles j completed railways to every 100.00 I the population in tho United States, thich comes next. There are 210 miles to nery 100,000 persons, and, in the United Kingdom, which has more railways than m other European country, there are 52 J_ to every 100,000 of the population. Considering the number of authorised lines, there will "soon be 400 miles of railway in this colony to every 100,000 persons, unless ihepopulation increases more rapidly than been the case hitherto. He further ftated that a computation of the railways invarious parts of the world showed that toy only paid a dividend of three and a yf per cent on the nominal value of the capital outlayed.

Our Naval Defoncos.

The Governor sent down a message yester day asking the House to make provision for the maintenance of additional naval fortresses for defence of the colony, and the Premier introduced a bill in Committee for thepurpose. Mr Turnbull asked what our Hpendifcure ior defence had amounted to so jjr.ThePremiersaidthatincluding liabilities fii,ooO, lie believed itamounted to £360,000. SlrTnrnbull then took occasion to comment oa these figures, and expressed his opinion that this enormous expenditure had been brought upon us by our misfortune to have liflitary Governor, and our own timidity. leasked what amount the bill would ask lor, and the Premier replied that on the basis of population our contribution would te«ljbut £20,000. On the suggestion of the Premier, discussion on the bill was deferred i Tuesday next, when it comes on for consideration. The Premier said so far iron previous expenditure being unneces jary the earth works constructed are the to on "which the navy acts.

Tne Otago Central Railway. The construction of this line has been a mrkon which Mr V. Pyke has long set his hart, and onmore than one occasion has the loose affirmed the principle of the railway being' gone with from Taieri Lake to _?ea (a distance of 110 miles, and to do which atthe cost of the colony would re quire an expenditure of £75,000) on the land grant system; but while the second reading tithe Otago Central Construction Extension Bill has been carried by overwhelming majorities, the measure has never got farther, owing to the prorogation of Parlia oe&t intervening. Mr Pyke's persistency in the Matter is, however, likely to bear Wt, for it has been arranged between the Gorerament and the speaker that the Pre mier .shall move that the question have pre cedent on a certain day (probably Tuesday neit). In order to satisfy Major Atkinson to there is a strong probability of the measure passing through its remaining luges, Mr Pyke has made a canvass of the Home, and fifty-six members outside the Ministry have pledged themselves to sup pa* the bill.

Mr Eiddeley. ilrMcGregor put a question to Govern °ttt in the House yesterday with refer ence to the manner in which Mrßaddeley, K.M. at Auckland, conducts the business of the Court. The Minister of Justice said the ittention of Government had been directed *?certain decisions, and it was their inten ta to inquire into the matter.

Cuvlor bland Lighthouse The Minister of Marine has promised Mr Peacock that he will inquire into the Present position of the Cuvier Island light «ise, which should have been completed time ago. The plant is win the colony. Mr Peacock reminded ministers that the work had been on the ft as first to be proceeded with for the «2years. .

Sir James Fergusson'a Purchass. lie Minister of Public Works says Sir was not in the colony Wen he purchased the native lands in Wai- but was acting as Governor of at the time. The purchase was by Mr Maclean, between whom Wthe Native Department there was an werstanding that the law relating to the MtfWofl larid should be altered.

Railway to Port Albert. Government decline to change the pro- Wroute of the North Auckland Rail _TJ° ;t hat it'shall pass through Port 7®*} neither do they propose to extend E me ,to that place at present, as they mm money available for the purpose. •mm has been urging the desire of the J* on the attention of the Govern-

Hallway Carriages for Ladies. J.*suggestion that carriages should be few ■? ladiesj onl V on long distance ftela! L Way does not commend itself to | " oUr »ble consideration of Government. cwi pe " menfc was tried on the Christ »fafl nr Dun edin line, and proved to be tou. ', an d the result is not considered hasshould wan-ant a trial else-

I t . Roa * to the Wairoa. ™SI&I intention of the Government feirV , *° ad between Rotorua and %»n 5* Was destroyed by the Tara- Hh?f T l ' bufc ifc ia pi-o posed to make terra! ad 7 ia Kaiteriria to the site of the SmfiSrS vafce win be P laced on the Estimates for the amount. TheY^ 8 f ° r Eallwa y Officers. Wv™^ of Public Woi ' ks was very '^mlt sl * r % to give the House to %G o £; Q th at in asking them to adopt ( menb Railway Bill he did not reflection on the officers of Si nce h e had taken office

he had received every assistance from Mr Hannay, who was acting in the General Manager's absence. He might also say that when he had the pleasure of holding his pre sent portfolio in 1884, he found Mr Maxwell to be an able and efficient officer, but one who in the conscientious performance of his duty had been unfortunate in having had to offend a large section of the public. The Hon. E. Richardson, Ex-Minister of Public Works, also said our railway officers were of a very high class, and very far superior to those employed till quite recently on the railways, in the adjoining colonies. Sir J. Vogel does not share the public estimate of Mr Maxwell, and he boldly defended him. Sir Julius said that, though very unpopular, Mr Max well was a man of very great ability. He was not one who made himself personally popular, but as re garded railway matters he had made him self thoroughly acquainted with the sub ject, and his decisions of which people com plained, were probably sound in themselves, and more annoyance had been caused in consequence of the way in which the de cisions were announced, than owing to their purpDrt. This tribute to an absent officer was received with apparent indifference by the House. Street Lighting by Electricity. In the amended Municipal Corporations Act a deal of attention is given to the question of street lighting by electricity. The principal section on this point provides if the council of every borough may do all things necessary to light the streets and public places of the boroughs with electricity and to supply electricity for lighting purposes and for motive power to the inhabitants thereof or such of them as the council may agree so to supply. With regard to such electric lighting councils are entrusted with the same powers as they have received as to lighting by gas, and are at liberty to use water from the waterworks for motive power. Electric lighting may be by either arc or incandes cent lamps. Country Telegraph Offices. The Premier has promised Mr Moat that the Government are prepared to consent to the closing between 7 and 8 o'clock in the evening of those small country telegraph offices where little or no business is done at that hour, provided that they are requested to do so by the residents in the neighbour hood. The Newton Caning Case. Sir Julius Vogel is collecting subscrip tions from members to enable Mrs Sheard, mother of the girl caned in Newton East School to take legal proceedings against the Head-master of the school. Mr Goldie, M.H.R. for Auckland West, yesterday re ceived the following telegram from Mr W. Crowther, an Auckland City Councillor and member of Auckland City Schools Com mittee : "Tell Vogel we challenge him and will subscribe to defend the Head-master. Waste of time is shameful." The Scaclifib Asylum. A petition signed by several settlers in the Seacliffe district was presented to the House by John McKenzie, yesterday after noon. The petitioners consider that by an inexperienced man being appointed farm manager for Seacliffe asylum, an acknow ledged gross injustice has been done to the colony, and therefore ask for inquiry into the circumstances attending the appoint ment. Auckland Demands. It is a notorious fact that Auckland sends three times as many petitions to th<\ House as any other place, and in reference to this last night, Mr Levestam remarked that Auckland had actually got up a petition to save the murderer Caffrey from the gal lows, and wanted to know whether people who would be guilty of making such a request deserved any consideration. Valles's Railway System. An allusion to this system of working our railways was made by tho Minister of Public Works yesterday when he was moving the second reading of the Government Railways Bill. He said applications had been made from various parts of the colony for a trial of the scheme. He had no doubt that if this, system were adopted the mere of the railways would bo very largely benefited at the expense of the general taxpayer. In the present position of the country he would not be in favour of recommending a trial of the system, but it would be for the Board, which would be appointed, to con sider whether it should have a trial. Mr Cowan said if the Vaile system were ap plied to freight only it would be productive of great good because, it placed the settler one hundred miles from port in the same position with regard to freight as a man ten miles from poit. His passeneer proposals failed only because of the smallness of our population. Mr J. B. Why te said the Vaile system was almost a religion with his con stituents. He could not see his way to go the whole length of the scheme but he ap proved of certain lines of his policy. He thought Mr Vaile began at the wrong end by dealing with passengers instead of freight. Mr J. Thompson (Auckland North) regretted that no provision was made in the bill making it imperative that the system of railway manage ment known as Vaile's system should have a trial. For some years a con siderable portion of the people of the colony had been in favour of such a trial being given. A committee of the House reported in favour of doing so, but handi capped their recommendation with con ditions which practically made the report useless. Healsoaddedthatpetitionshadbeen presented, signed by at least 20,000 persons from all parts of the colony, and also from local bodies asking that this scheme have a trial. He trusted the Minister of Public Works would afford him facilities' for intro ducing a clause in committee, by which it would be compulsory on the commissioners should the bill become law to give Vaile's scheme a trial, at all events. It is his intention to move in that direction. Several other members spoke on the same subject during the debate. Sir Julius Vogel's Panacea. Sir Julius Vogel has supplied to his or gan an official explanation of his scheme whereby borrowing in London markets mHit be avoided. He proposes to make the'property-tax lessheavythan itisnowpro posed. One great relief he thinks the people should have is the adoption of minimum rates of railway carriage on agricultural and dairy produce, on wool and coal and timber, and on articles manufactured in the colony, the rates to represent little more than the actual cost of carriage to the De partment. Similarly, he would give ad vantages in the way of carrying raw material to enable manufactures to be carried on. Were the taxation settled as he proposes and new loans not brought forward, confidence in the colony would be restored, and immigration would be induced on a very large scale Instead of the Crown Lands being sacrificed they would be bought by those who wanted the actual use of them, and not for specula tive purposes. He would, instead of authorising a new loan, abstain from put tine the North Island Trunk loan upon the market. He next would have recourse to loss taxation, and make provision for re duced railway tariff immediately upon effect being given to his plans. There is the fear in the meanwhile that the colony will be in a less healthy position to carry out the plan then than it is at present, and there is of course the disadvantage of some _7,000 people being called upon to pay the pro posed high property, tax and the current expenditure being carried on out of borrowed money. Sir Julius Vogel says he will try to give effect to his panacea next session. The scheme was announced the other daywithsuchaflourish of trumpets t at now the details are given the whole affair is ridiculed in the lobbies The members ask why Sir Julius. Vogel waited till he left office before be ttoughfc of. the

plan to relieve the colony from its difficul ties. Minos Amendment Act. The second reading of this measure was moved at 12.30 a.m. by. Hon. G. F. Richard son. He explained that it allowed land to be taken under the Public Works Act for depositing tailings and mining debris, pre vented the parting with of riparian rights in the disposal of lands in mining districts, and power is proposed to be given to legalise the position of the Thames Drainage Board which is at present acting without power. Other clauses remedy technical defects in the existing Mines Act. Messrs Seddon, Allen, and Cadman, were the only speakers and the bill was read a second time on the voices. Foreign Vessels In the Coastal Trade. Inspired by a telegram from Auckland ship owners whose vessels are lying idle Mr T. Thompson intends to ask Government if their attention has been drawn to the fact that the coastal trade of our local ship owners is being seriously interfered with by foreign vessels and if so, is it the intention of the Government to take the matter into consideration with a view to granting them relief. Government Railways Bill. The second reading of the Government Railways Bill was carried last night by 51 to 6. Hon. Mr Mitchelson, in moving the second reading, received quite an ovation. He made a good practical speech in support of the measure, the most important point being that if it were possible for the Minister of Public Works to continue the manage ment of railways for a definite period we might continue the railways under the present system, but this could not be accomplished under our system of responsible Government. Considerable time elapsed before a Minister became versed in the intricacies of the railway system, and then he retired from office when his experience was be coming of value to him. The system of nonpolitical Boards of Management had worked so well in Victoria that New South Wales had now under consideration a some what similar bill to this. The Hon. E. Richardson ex-Minister of Public Works, promised to assist to get tho bill through committee. Midland Railway Contract. The Legislative Council were engaged during the greater part of yesterday's sitting in considering the Midland Railway Company's contract, and clause 3 which has been the bone of contention was considerably amended so as to provide for a valuation of the Company's property one year after the completion of the railway, and if is not then worth £1,250,000, the Company will be allowed to select further land out of the land remaining unselected. Jottings. Government will not amend the law to compel rate collectors of local bodies to make reasonable efforts to recover from occupiers of rated properties before making demands on the owners. A return is to be furnished to Mr Turn bull of the number of Government officials absent from the colony, and the salaries paid to them. The Bill to prevent tho spread of Califor nian thistle has been read a first time. The Municipal Amendment Act allows tho City Councils to make votes to free libraries or to Athemeums that havo a free iding-ioom open to the public. Sir John Hall is to be furnished with a return showing the securities in which several trust funds of tho colony are in vested. As showing tho present disposition to get onwithbusinessitmaybomentionodthatfour policy bills have already passed their second readings this week. Prorogation of Parliament will almost certainly take place in three weeks' time. _ It is proposed that City Councils shall in future elect their osvn mayors. Some of the members of tho Waste Lands Committee are blocking the Land Bill in order that Mr Ballance may return from Wanganui before the measure get 3 through. The widow of Col. Lyon is petitioning for n allowance in consideration of her late husband's services. An inquiry into the management of Sea cl i(lb Asylum, and the causes which cul minated in Dr. Ncill's resignation, will be heard at Seaclifl'e next week, before a Royal Commission.

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

FORECAST OF ITS PROPOSALS.

NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY LOAN.

(BY TELEGRAPH.— PARLIAMENTARY

REPORTER.)

Wellington, this day. The Public Works Statement will positively be delivered on Tuesday. Statements have been made that the loan proposals will b e considerably modified in deference to the wishes of Mr Scobie Mackenzie and others, and that the raising of the North Island Railway million will be delayed for the present

I have the authority of the Ministers for denying that there is any foundation for such reports. As a matter of fact the Government will ask for the million loan as indicated in the Financial Statement and extra loan of a million for the North Island Trunk line. The principal works will be the Mana watu Gorge construction, for which £130,000 will be required, and the Otago Central for which £120,000 will be asked for carry ing the line to Middlemarch. Only £590 is now available of the Otago Central votes—the balance having been al located to the unemployed or hypothecated to other works. It is proposed to carry the Riversdale Switzers line to Mataura so as to make it available for traffic. Votes for the Rotorua line and the Hclensville northwardf will also be provided for, but the amounts which will not be large, are not yet fixed. ' ' The vote for Auckland deparmental buildings (Custom House) also appears. There is no intention of proposing altera tion in tho routli of the Northern Trunk line, but in any event works which would take a couple of years to complete can be commenced at that end of the line. The principle feature of the Statement will be the proposal to throw the whole cost of new works such as building roads, bridges, etc., on the consoli dated fund after the lapse of three years and thus gradually wipe out that part of the works estimates winch consists of these votes. This is con sidered to be a great step towards retrench ment and economy, as the works are all charged to loan now. It is understood that the Statement will be shorter than usual. LATER. Mr Hobbs has got a half promise that a vote of £30,000 will be given for the Helens ville railway extension. The amount pre viously promised was only £15,000 and North Auckland objected to it as insuffi cient. _,

The Remuera Minstrels give one of their high class entertainments at the Mount Hobson Hall this evening. Captain Edwin advises at 12.10 p.m. : North to west and south-west gale with rain soon. Glass further fall but rise after U hours. • "• '

ELECTRIC LIGHTING OF THE CITY.

MR J. C. FIRTH AND THE CITY COUNCIL.

MESSRS ASHCROFT AND CO. CLAIM £50 FOR DAMAGES.

A meeting of the Streets Committee of the City Council was held last night in the Corporation office, when Mr J. G. Firth attended in order to explain his proposals. Cr. Crowther occupied the chair, and all the members were present.

Prior to commencing the discussion re electric light the chairman informed Mr Firth that the committee had decided to recommend the granting of his request to connect, his fire sprinklers direct with the city mains.

Mr Firth thanked the committee, and explained the working of the fire sprinkler. A three-inch pipe is placed along the ceil ing of each room with branch pipes every 12 feet. Patent sprinklers were attached at intervals of 12 feet. The valve admitting the water was kept shut by a lever fastened by bismuth solder, which melted at a tem perature of 150 degrees. This released the valve, and a deluge of rain descended from the sprinkler. Theadvantage of the system was that water was only applied where fire actually existed. Mr Firth said that he in tended in the course of two or three weeks to erect a small wooden building filled with one of the sprinklers, and invite persons connected with Insurance Companies and others interested to witness the action of the invention. The Ele- trie Li* lit The meeting then proceeded to discuss the question of electrically lighting the city.

Mr Deyore asked what arrangement had been made with regard to tho poles and wires which would be required to light the main street at Christinas as suggested in Mr Firth's letter.

Mr Firth said he understood that the Council had a concession for tho erection of the necessary wires and arms. The lights he proposed to erect were equivalent to a lighting power of 2,000 candles. That was the regulation light in the United States.

Some discussion then ensued as to the position of tho arc lamps. It was stated that Messrs Ashcroft and Co. had proposed to placo lamps as follows : —At the junction of (1) Customs and Queen streets, adjoining the. office of the Union Steamship Company : (2) at the junction of Victoria and Queen streets, near tho Greyhound Hotel ; (3) at the firebell at tho junction of Queen and Grey streets ; (4) at the junction of Queen-street and Karanga hape Road.

Mr Firth said that he was prepared to fix seven arc lights at the intersections of Queen and the various side streets. He did not propose to at present touch the incan descent light. He did not contemplate carrying the wires as far as Karangahapo Road.

The Chairman asked if it was necessary to have such powerful lamps as those proposed by Mr Firth.

Mr Dcvoro produced the condition re quired by Cr Lennox, and stated that tho Government would not allow the Council to attach tho lights to the telephone poles. Mr Firth considered that there could bo no real objection to utilisation of the tele phone posts, and it would bo foolish to en cumber the streets with more poles. The lights would be suspended at least six feet below the telephone wires, and there would bo an arm projecting about 12 feet from which tho lamp would be suspended.

Mr Devoro suggested that they should ask permission of the Government to use the telegraph posts for the experiment. Mr Firth said they would be ready by Christmas Eve to light up the town, and would continue it free'of cost to the Council right through the holiday season. In the United States tho lighting of towns was dono by private companies for so much a year. The work would bo done by his two sons, who were experts in electric lighting matters, and whom he would support and guarantee. He proposed to make certain alterations in his old mill, where there was already abundant steam power, and establish a central station for electric lighting. He would then be in a position to carry out any agreement the committee might recommend to the Council. To light the town properly would require 100-horse power, and a spare engine in case of accidents. In reply to a question by Mr Devore, he explained that it would be possible to utilise the Waitakerei water supply, and bring the electricity to town. Then their power would cost them nothing, but it would bo impossible to use the city water supply for such a purpose. If tho Christmas experiment was success ful his first step then would be to arrange with the Council as to terms and a conces sion for a number of years. He was entirely in the hands of the Council, and if they were satisfied he wonld light the city on reasonable terms. The installation would not cost the Council a shilling, and they would simply pay so much a year for the lights. If it was a failure they could go back to gas, and he would not charge any thing for compensation. Of course he could not go to this expense without a con cession for a term of years. The Chairman asked what would be done if there happened to be a difference of opinion as to the success of the experi ment.

Mr Firth said that he would carry on the experiment as- long as they liked and for two weeks free of cost. This would give them ample time to decide about the matter.

Mr Devore said that he supposed Mr Firth meant by a concession, really a mono poly. Mr Firth replied that it was just so. He could not do it any other way. The Council would not be put to a shilling ex pense. Mr Firth further said that it was better for corporations to leave the risk of electric lighting to private individuals and just pay for the lights. He also intimated that if the Harbour Board wished he was prepared to light the wharf also. After some desultory discussion Mr Devore moved, " That Mr Firth's offer be accepted, subject to the necessary consent being obtained from the Government to use the telephone poles. If this consent is not obtained, the Council will erect the three necessary poles at the places marked in red on the plan (by Union Co.'s office, Grey hound Hotel, and Grey-street firebel)), Mr Firth to give the light free for a fortnight." The Chairman then moved, "That if the Government do not allow the use of the telephone posts, we make an effort to borrow three 40-foot telephone poles from the Government for the purpose of making the test." • ■'. , This was also adopted, and it was de cided to forward a copy of the plan to Mr "Firth to-day in order that he might com mence operations forthwith. Claim for IS>ainage?. As mio-ht have been anticipated, Messrs Ashcroft'and Co. are not satisfied with the manner in which their engagement has been terminated by the City Council, and have written the following letter :- "With reference to yourtelegrams of <!4tn and 25th instant, I am instructed to inform you that the contract between this com pany and your Council for the temporary fio-hting, as appears from the letters and telegrams which have passed between us, was complete. We have been put to con siderable expense in preparing for the in stalments, and have ordered a large amount of machinery, and our arrangements are now ready for completion. We must insist, therefore, on the contract existing between us being carried out, and my directors de cline to consent to rescind it unless you send the sum of £50, which represents the

I expenses to which we have been already put, as per statement herewith. We greatly regret that there should have been so long a delay, but we must-point out that this wa3 inthefiret place caused by tho non-obtaining of the permission of the Telegraph Depart ment, which, it appears from my letter of 11th May last, it was for you to obtain, but which we did not receive until 12th October. Had we received this earlier, we could have proceeded without a moment's further delay, but unfortunately the delay which had thus taken place upset our ar rangements, and just at the time when Messrs Crompton and Co. received the cablegram, the serious fire at their works occurred which we have referred to in our letter of 11th inst." The following claim was forwarded with the letter.-— Memorandum of outlays incurred on behalf of the Auckland City Council upon their contract with us. namely- Cutting cable into lengths; loss in curred by depreciation thereby ..£SOO Manufacturing five special lantemß at 40s each 10 0 0 Manufacturing one special main Switch Board to suit contract.. .. 10 0 0 Loss sustained by ordering machinery specially for your contract, and freight on same, etc 25 0 0 Total .£SO 0 0 With reference to Messrs Ashcroft and Co.'s statement that the City Council were responsible for the delay caused by the action of the Telegraph Department, Dr. Lemon stated in a telegram forwarded to the City Council some months ago, that "he would remark that the firm are quite cognisant of the way to set about getting the matter in trim." The firm referred to were Messrs Ashcroft, and it would appear as though the Council will not be in a hurry to pay the £50 claimed.

SCULLING CHAMPION SHIP.

KEMP CHALLENGED.

(keuter's telegkam.)

Sydney, this day.

Peter Kemp, who now hold the sculling championship of the world, has accepted a challenge to row against Clifford. It is probable that Hanlan will also challenge Kemp.

OUT OF SEASON.

At the Police yesterday afternoon, before Mr H. C. Uaddeley, R.M., August Eckenberg was charged with taking oysters from Waiheke Island on the 25th inst. during the close season.

Mr Hudson Williamson appeared for the prosecution and Mr T. Cotter for the de fendant.

Evidence was given by Henry Parker, tid* master of H.M. Customs, who de posed that he found Eckenberg at Man ganese Bay, Waiheke, with eleven bags of oysters on board the cutter Antelope. Eckenberg said he got the oysters from Great Barrier, but witness did not believe he had been away from port sufficiently long to get that far.

The defence was that there was no proof that the oysters had not been obtained at U) t Barrier, and Mr Cotter having ad <J issed the Court His Worship dismissed the case. He declined, however, to allow costs.

Another case of this character was heard at the Police Court this morning, before I>.\ Kenderdino and Mr H. Wilding, TVs. 'Ernest Peel was charged with _mg rock oysters from Rangitoto Reef on ' vcmber 22nd during the close season. _Ir H. Williamson appeared for the pro secution and Mr Tylden for the defence.

Henry Parker, tide surveyor of H.M. Customs, deposed that he was at Rangitoto Reef on the 30th inst. He saw a boat lying close to a reef under a rock. He got from his launch into a dingy, and then the de fendant also got into his dingy and pulled for the mainland. Thero were oysters in Peel's dingy, and three bottles of oysters in a basket on the rock at which Peel was first seen. Peel stated that he was fish ing. The oysters in the bottles had been opened that morning. There was nobody else on the island. In answer to Mr Tylden witness said it was possible that the oysters might have been picked on the previous evening, and Mr Tylden in addressing the court submitted that there was no evidence to show that the defendant had picked the oysters. Ernest Peel deposed that he reached Rangitoto about 11.30 a.m. He was looking for some young cranes. He knew nothing about tho oysters found by Parker. Some oysters were in his boat amongst mussels used for bait. He had not been on Rangi toto for a month prior to the 22nd. Was previously convicted of taking oysters from this rock.

Henry Middleton, chief officer of the Bangitikei disposed that he was out with a boating party on the day prior to the 22nd. He used Peel's dingy to land some persons at Rangitoto,knocked offa bunch of oysters and left them in the boat.

James R. Gascoigne deposed that he was at Rangitoto at 9.45 on the 22nd. There was nothing very strange about a kit of oysters being found there. It was customary for tourists to carrying oyster bottles to Rangitoto with them and if they saw the gentleman in blue they would probably hide them. (Laughter.) The Bench decided that there was not sufficient evidence to convict the defendant and dismissed the case, warning him to be more careful in future.

"THE DAUGHTER OF MOAB."

A sacred cantata entitled " The Daughter of Moab" was performed at Pitt-street Wesleyan Church last evening. There was a good attendance, and the choir included about 30 voices. Mr W. E. Baxter con ducted and Professor Lambert was organist, assisted by a large and efficient orchestra. The orchestral introduction, "In Exile," was an excellent performance, and the later efforts, including a pastorale and wedding march, were rendered with pre cision and taste. The choruses were well rendered, and some of the semi-choruses were given in very pleasing style. The principal parts were allotted as follows :— Naomi, Mrs Taylor ; Orpah, Mrs Johnson ; Ruth, Miss Blackburn; and in each instance the solos were well rendered, amongst the best items being " Entreat Me Not to Leave Thee," by Miss Blackburn. The chorus immediately following this item I was also given in a creditable style. Other items deserving of special mention are the solo and chorus, " There Was a Man of Bethlehem," by Mr Ambury and choir; solo, "0,1 am Uudone," by Mrs Taylor j solo, "I Will Tend the Graves," by Mrs Johnson ; duet, " Hearest Thou not, my Daughter ;" Miss Blackburn and Mrs John son T solo and chorus, " The Shades of Evening," by Mr Shackleton and choir; solo and chorus " Hear My Prayer," Miss Marbrook and choir. The reapers' chorus by tenor and basses and the chorus of maidens were both good items, and the duet, "God Giveth Rest to the Weary," by Mrs Ambury and Miss Marbrook was nicely rendered. At the con clusion of the cantata the Rev. H. Bull thanked the choir, and particularly the strangers in the orchestra, who had contributecl towards the success of the cantata,

"ROB ROY" TO-NIGHT.

*• Here's a haund, ma canty chiel." We would remind all theatregoers, an especially admirers of Scotch drama, that " Rob Roy " will be repeated at the Opera House to-night for the last time, this per formance being for the benefit of Mr Lachlan McGowan. We confidently ex pect to see a full house for so deserving a cause.

POLICE COURT.-THIS DAY.

(Before Dr. Kenderdine and Mr H. Wild

ing, J.P.'s.) Drunkenness. — Margaret Ryan ' was fined £5 and, costs with the alternative of 14 days' imprisonment, for a third offence, and one other prisonerss and costs fora first offence. r! -A Assault. — Robert Chesterman was charged with drunkenness, and with un lawfully assaulting Sergeant McMahon whilst in the execution of his.- duty.— Sergeant McMahon stated that he was con-, veying the prisoner to the Police; Station, when he unexpectedly lifted his left hand and struck witness in the mouth!'—Water man Griffiths gave corroborative testimony. —Fined 5s and costs for drunkenness and 20s and costs for the assault. ' ■ .■■ Larceny. — John Cousins, who was ar rested at Tauranga, was charged with the latceny of a silver watch, valued at £5 ss, the property of James McLeay, on the 30th October last. The prosecutor consented to a reduction in the value of the watch to £5 to enable the case to be dealt with summarily.—Mr W. J. Napier ap peared on behalf of the accused, and Sergeant Pratt conducted the prosecution. —James McLeay, labourer at the Sugar Works, deposed that he knew a man named Robert Shaw, residing at Newmarket. On the 29th October last he spent the evening, with Shaw in Auckland, and Shaw at Newmarket all night. They, were joined by the prisoner, Cousins, on tne Sun-' day morning following. They ; .»ha|l* been drinking, and were refused admission Newmarket Hotel. Shaw went an outhouse, and witness and prisoner** sat down on the green behind the hotel..* Wi tness fell asleep, and on being awakened -he found prisoner was gone and that .his watch was missing. The watch producecLwas the same, and he did not give prisoner'per mission to take it. .Js'*" 4 *

In answer to Mr Napier prisoner would not swear that he did not give the witch to prisoner, asking- him to take care v of it.— Robert Shaw, baker, of Newmarket, de posed to being in the company of McLeay and prisoner on the 29th. They were all the worse for liquor. Witness left the others about 3 a.m., and went to sleep in an outhouse. On waking he found McLeay asleep on the grass. Asked him for the time, and he replied that his watch was gone. Witness complained to the police. On the Tuesday following prisoner came into the bakehouse and handed over the watch. Prisoner stated that he had got the watch from McLeay to take care of.— In answer to Mr Napier witness stated that accused went with him to the police station about the watch.—Mr Napier submitted that the facts produced by the prosecution negatived any felonious intent whatever and that the prisoner dealt with the matter innocently. -The Bench agreed with thi s view of the matter and" dismissed the case.

ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER.

Clegs Before the Court.

Samuel Clegg appeared before the Police Court again to-day charged with that h e did on the 26th November, 1887, at Auck land feloniously kill and slay one Arthur Dewson. Owing to a large amount of other business the prisoner was not called until 12.30 p.m. He then appeared in the dock and was undefended. Sergeant Pratt con ducted the prosecution on behalf of the Solice, and the case was heard before Dr. kenderdine and Mr H. Wilding, justices. Sergeant Pratt stated that it would not be necessary for him to go into the facts of the case, which had been made well-known through the newspapers, and he would pro ceed with the evidence at once. The only fresh evidence he would produce would be given by Detective Walker, who had pre pared a plan of the premises where the al leged assault had taken place. Detective Walker was here called, and gave evidence and produced the plan as in dicated. The plan showed the situation of Clegg's house, and also the position of tho adjoining premises.

Dr Hooper repeated the evidence given by him at the inquest held re Dewson's death. In his opinion the injury sustained by deceased's head was the cause of death. He did not think the buckle of the strap produced would be likely to causeithe in jury. A lumper's hook, also produced, would be more likely to have been .the in strument used. Dr. Leger Erson was the next He deposed to being called to", see the deceased at the Police Station in a dying condition, and to his almost immediate decease, also to the post mortem made on the following Monday, in conjunction with Dr. Hooper. They found no external marks of violence beyond the wound referred to.' The skull was depressed and slightly fractured. The cause of death in his opinion was ex travasation of blood on the brain, causing coma and collapse. Several instruments would have caused the wound on the head of deceased—a sword cane, a hook, or the side a hammer.

Constables Addison and Sheehan gave evidence similar to that given at the in quest, and the hearing of the case was pro ceeding at a late hour this afternoon..

FIRE AT PANMURE.

Constable Walker has reported to In. spector Shearman that on the 29th ult., at about 1 a.m. a fire broke out in a small four-roomed house at Panmure, the pro perty of William Rolleston. The building and its contents were totally destroyed, and the inmates barely escaped with their lives. It appears that on the previous evening the chimney had been on fire, and it was sup posed that the fire had been extinguished, but it had evidently extended to the roof, and there seemed to be little doubt that it had been caused by the defective chimney. The building was insured for £75 in the Union, and the furniture and effects for £75 in the same office.

CEMETERY FEES.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Another injustice to Waikomiti has been instituted this month. The Anglican body are now making a charge (chaplain's fee) of 10s for every interment on common days and £1 for Sundays. I enclose my receipt for the amount I have paid re Joseph Boulter. I send you this as I think the public ought to know it.—l am, &c, Geo. H. Leaning, Undertaker, Wellesley-street.

A hoy named John Johnston, who recently absconded from the Costley Institute, Rich mond Road, has been arrested at Coro mandel, and will be sent back here to morrow.

CRICKET.

The following are the teams picked represent the various clubs in their matchek to-morrow :— Senior Cup. Auckland A v, United.— Auckland \ J. Arneil, A. Atkinson, W. E. Barton, Ai M. Beale, A. Howard, A. Morrison,. R Neill, A. O'Brien, C. F. Reid, Rev. L Richards, A. C. Stewart. United : Yates; Testro, Mumford, Lynch, MacCormick Harvie (2), Bowden, Stemson, Clayton* Hawkins. Auckland " B v. Holland.—Auckland i E. C. Beale, W. A. E. Clendinnen, Dr Davy, J. Gill, F. Earl, F. H. Harrison, M H. Laird, D. M. Martin, H. A. Morey, J. J Roach, W. W. Robinson. Holland: W Beard, D. Berry, F. Brighton, H. Dunkley, Holle, C. B. King, E. Mills, G. Mills, H. Thomas, G. Walker, R. Whiteside. Junior Cup. United v. Waitemata. —United: Cotton- Gleeson, Fripp, MacCormick, Braund, Lankham, Newcomb, Kenward, Hatton, Sprsckley, Naylor. Waitemata : Andrews, Johnson, Service, Sheddon, Stitchbury, Mackie, Ross, Leatham, Potter, Pritchard, Tattersall. Holland v. Onehunoa. — Holland : J. Hobson, E. Mell, J. B. Mell, J. Mills, C. Morgan, A. Rowe, W. Bowe, G. Sexton, W. Verney, F. Willsted, E. Wright. National v Alpha (No. 6 wicket). — National: Ambury, Baker, Colebourne, Drummond, Gilmour, Kelly, Nicholson (2), Pilcher, Spence, Wilkinson. Auckland v. Gordon.—Gordon : An senne, Cato, Hogan, Kenderdine, Kelly, Lusk (2), McLeod, McCausland, NielL, Ryburn. Emergency : Macky. Second Junior Cup. Holland v. Wanderers. — Holland ! G. Austin, H. Beard, H. Henn, S. Holt, J* Murphy, Payne, Robertson, J. Wakerly* E. l Waring, W. Watson, J. Wheeler- Wanderers : J. W T helan (captain), E» Fricker, E. Johnson, J. Stanton, W- Whelan, P. White, E. White, L. Sanderson. R. Bleakley, I. Clarke and A. Edmonds- Emergnncies : W. Farrell and M. ChappelL s* Standard v. Onehunga.—Standard: Perman, Lynch, Clarke, Walton, Pillinger, Chatfield, Way, Stevens, White, Howe, Corbett. Emergencies; Murray, McKinlay. Grammar School v. Gordon.—Gordon: Ball, Goudie, Cox, Short, Goldie, Bartley, Kissling, Lusk, G. Gould, Howard and Pollen. Other Matches. Albert v. Britannia.—Albert: Jaggs, Ramsey (Captain), Holland, Bead, Burns, Walker, Cheshire, Johnson, Brown, Hays, Crabtree. Emergencies: Blewden, Baird, Watts. Home Bay v. Ponsonby School. - Home Bay: H. Constable (capt.), E. Bradnam, A. Fielder, P. McElwain, G. Constable, H. Kane, R. Carder, W. Butler, B. Scott, G. Green, Foster. Emergencies: Gittos, R. McElwain, Johnston. Ponsonby School: E. Oswald (capt.), J. Peacock, R. Dacre, E. Fielder, G. Main, W. Woolams, C. Merritt, A. Beale, J. Caldwell, G. Leighton, Harris. Emergencies : O'Hara, Harris, Marlow, Burns, Adams. The Holland and Gordon finished their match for the Senior Cup last evening, when Holland won by 20 runs. E. Milla (run out) 17, Thomas 13, were the prin cipal contributors. The match for the Junior Cup between Holland and Alpha was played out on Monday afternoon, and resulted in a vic tory for the Alphas by 3 runs. In the Second Junior Cup competition, Holland v. Gordon finished their match* begun last Saturday, on Tuesday afternoon when Holland won by 44 runs.

BINNEY AND SONS' WOOL SALE.

At this sale yesterday afternoon there was a fair attendance of buyers and bidding was good throughout. Longwool sold at 6d to 6 3-4 d; cross-bred, 7d to 7 l-2d ; and merino at 7 l-2d to 8 l-2d. The principal lots passed at auction have since been sold privately. The following are the details of the sale :—FBN in diamond brand, 2 bales, cross-bred, 6 , l-4d, Colbeck ; M over TD brand, 2 bales, cross-bred, 7d, Laybourne; O brand, 7 bales, cross-bred, 7d, Laybourne; A brand, 10 bales, cross-bred, 7d, Laybourne; A brand, 4 bales, cross-bred, 7d, Colbeck ; A brand, 2 bales, cross-bred, 7 l-4d, Woollen Company; A brand, 4 bales, cross-bred, passed; A brand, 1 bale, lambs, 7d, Walker; McKinnon brand, 1 bale, cross bred, 6 l-2d, Laybourne; D in circle brand, 1 bale, cross-bred, 6 l-2d, Laybourne; TB brand, 2 bales, cross-bred, 6 5-Bd, Lay bourne ; WE in square brand, 3 bales, cross-bred, 5 5-Bd, Laybourne ; CW in square brand, 3 bales, cross-bred and HB, 7d, Colbeck ; CWB brand, 1 bale, mixed, sd, Walker; V brand, 1 bale, cross-bred, 6 3-4 d, Laybourne ; HN brand, 5 bales, cross-bred, 7d, Laybourne; WD brand, 1 bale, longwool, 6 l-4d, Laybourne; dia mond brand, 1 bale, longwool, 6 l-2d, Lay bourne ; half circle over S brand, 1 bale, merino, Bd, Woollen Company ; I. brand, 1 bale, longwool, 6 l-2d, Colbeck ; 11. brand, 1 bale, longwool, 6 l-2d ; Colbeck; 111. brand, 1 bale, longwool, 6 l-2d, Colbeck • IV. brand, 1 bale, longwool, 6 l-2d, Colbeck; V. brand, 1 bale, crossbred, 6 l-2d, Colbeck; VI. brand, 1 bale, crossbred, 61-2 d, Colbeck ; VII. brand, 1 bale, cross-bred, 6 l-2d, Col beck ; VIII. brand, 1 bale, cross-bred, 6 l-2d, Colbeck; IX. brand, 1 bale, long wool, 6 l-2d, Colbeck; Ruatina brand, 3 bales, hoggets, 7d, Laybourne; Ruatina brand, 5 bales, cross-bred, 7d, Laybourne; four diamond brand, 1 bale, longwool, 6 l-2d, Laybourne ; Din diamond brand, 4 bales, cross-bred, 6 3-Bd, Laybourne; JALH brand, 3 bales, cross-bred, 6 l-2d, Laybourne; MX brand, 1 bale, longwool, 6d, Colbeck; AA over W brand, 1 bale, longwool, 6 3-4 d, Colbeck ; WT between parallel brand, 1 bale, cross-bred, 6 3-4 d, Laybourne ; JM in diamond brand, 1 bale, merino, 8 l-4d, Woollen Company ; JM in diamond brand, 4 bales, cross-bred ewes ; JM-in-diamond brand, 2 bales, cross-bred hoggets, 7d, Laybourne ; JB brand, 1 bale, pieces, 4d, Walker; JB brand, 45 bales, cross-bred, 6 l-2d, passed; Am diamond brand, 1 bale, longwool, 6 3-4 d, Laybourne ; WFG over W brand, 1 bale, longwool, 6 3-4 d, Laybourne; 99 in square brand, 2 bales, cross-bred, 6 3-4 d, Colbeck; 99 in square brand, 1 bale, cross-bred, 6 3-4 d, Colbeck; JBK brand, 2 bales, merino, 8 l-2d, Woollen Company ; JBK brand, 34 bales, cross-bred, 7 l-2d, Colbeck; JBK brand, 1 bale, cotted, sd, Walker; JBK brand, 1 bale, mixed, sd, Walker; Loose brand, 1 bale, half-bred, Bd, Woollen Com pany ; Loose brand, 1 bale, longwool, 6 7-Bd, Laybourne ; lot merino, Bd, Woollen Company; lot longwool, 6 7-Bd, Laybourne; JB brand, 1 bale, cross-bred, 7d, Lay bourne ; GWB brand, 1 bale, cross-bred, 6d» Colbeck.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &co., To-night,

Abbott's Opera House—" Rob Roy," 8 Agricultural Hall Mohawk Minstrels, 8. Mount Hobscn Hall—Remuera Minstrels. 8 Drill-shed—Auckland, Ponsonby, and Walta! mata Naval Artillery, 6.30 Masonic Hall, Newton—Eden Lodge, No. 1,530^

E.C ,8 All Saints' Schoolroom, Ponsonby—Entertain* ment, 8

Rota of Justices at Police Court.

December 3-JMossrjs G, La Roche and D. B*

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9. 1887.

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