£ > '""""~Tj t , a j s by the* direct steamer P by'the e.& Huwea fee»_ay, P* ettl V f .'j rt and Barnes, director, of Company, pro. fit <*ffflEi *« company with Mr J, been convened to eon* m&iti** of tho Fisk £ üb i-, 00 m l a through passenger by tho M$ 7 g an iVansoisGO. After a short OT**» Llrtu ehe returns to Australia jtf* gSSrrtad to ono of tho Jubilee hOJ** w M .]. t 0 accompany the troupe to triflwissenffei'sby the Manapouri A»H „_?fco-dav, was Mr G. P. Piorco N*AS "™i m aW? the T South i nr' Ogston and Mr Justice W* ( nnnfldin also arrived by this BBS visit to Auckland. named Mrs O'Connell fell on A irom Ti, in Cook-street, near Patter- H»-*_»Sa about noon to-day, and sus ss%&* wand on the forehead. A tji^ a wof people collected, and Con- were called. The 0$ cwhietl were of a rather serious iKrfSd" Constable Carroll had the $* »v,veved to tho Hospital in a

•*'" i'iiimr Gifford of the Auckland llr . (Sere has been offered by the of the Napier Boys' High School c "Tf!!"«Rce»**«* the position of second institution. Mr .Wood, *_ji second master becomes head- „ Air Neil Heath (formerly of the fSSw Wlgh Sobool) resi s^- ed -• m.l treat in connection with the WSs■Sunday School, Devonport, s?|Sa*ti the East Tamaki, on the 0 instant.

SPORTING NEWS.

~. second day's racing of the Dunedin v Club on Saturday was somewhat 2d by * c weather, bub all things the attendance was satis- The President's Handicap fell ffi Hon. 0. McLean's St Ives who ikhv Eavens'craig and four other,-. __£_619-- 6d and £5 10s. Apropos Sed the Grand Stand Handicap, fll Mokoia filling the other places, fclneil "Qt home first in tho Criterion iSSSbe Free Handicap, Wild dinner, paid dividends of £24 9s JfilS The Consolation fell to fJLfc During the two days of the 3J*i1,063 was passed through the Kehorse Nelson was brought up from south to-day.

( B IE_GBArH.-OWX CORRESPONDENT.)

An Arbitrary Official.

DuNEDIN, this day. fa heavy fines that were inflicted on .Lfl,, Wednesday, and again on Satur bythe starter Mr Driver, has given rise I jalofadverse comment. In the Hurdles Uurecedented affair occurred. When itass were ranged at the starting ullßey broke away before the flag "hrtted and the starter (Mr Driver) Jgely ordered the horse back M paddock with an intimation ,„effect that he would not start him __ another rider taking the place of t ..tremendous amount of dissatis- M was expressed at this, and it is hard latitat the outcome would have been ili* the starter taken it into his head to „jnd*sendfor Allen to take the horse Mie 'starting post. Trapper's re- Mfom of the first day was the cause unpleasant comment, and m was: generally expressed that the tuib did not hold some inquiry into natter. In the Grand Stand Handi- and Dodd were disqualified i„ starter until after the Dunedin Cup i„» in ' February, on account of dis fae of his orders. This proceeding .'Mot's has created intense indig irimahis arbitrary action is not likely iVopheld.

ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE.

I JB LIGHTS" COMPANY. lirrcH, the well-known author e-opens Abbott's Opera House night with the nautica. Pe.' Harbour Lights." Th e reciation of Mr Leitch's histri 5, coupled with the facts of his fees to introduce, a good com jjport him, and a low tariff of t the times, should ensure a suc •on. As the play to be pro everbefore been played in Auek ollpwing sketch of the plot tlrest:—The heroine Dora V ane cdi daughter of Captain Nelson, § him and his own daughter, fiffe. FrankMorland, the Squire, j Miss Linn morally and himself desires to marry Dora Vane, y,OOO, and thus retrieve himself. ~*ever, given her heart to Lieu gsleyj and Tom Dossister, the teif on the same vessel that the belongs, is in love with dliegh, whose mother keeps a tse. Nicholas Morland is a '-5e squire. He has been dis n.the Navy by the evidence int Kingsley, and in conse ' a great hatred for the Lieu jpider to vent his spleen, he per cousin to write to Dora asking Ho the. Hall and see him. satthehall, and is taxing Frank "kli his villainy when Dora is «mng,and Lina is forced by Mor fe into another room. Dora comes rad endeavours to forcibly do 'tKingsley comes to the rescue 1 Dora away. Mark Hel ralbi-er of Lina's, the nconfronts and after some words shoots him '8% marries Dora the next (Ordered; away to sea the same I#M J taking leave of her on .vessel when Nicholas Mor- W and accuses the Lieuten- SM murdered his cousin, *no\ The Captain refuses wngsley to remain and refute /w."Iu 8t then an order arrives to another vessel and adeave of absence. Tho next | M aii Helstone's cottage where ,?K "'• Mrs Helstone denounces of the squire to |jCome ; in, when to her horror mW. 80n is the guilty one, g falls from the cliff. Kings- and, with the assist- S. ; ,»ftßiter and a crew in a life- IWlSly back. On reaching |^oias v Morland again accuses M murder, but the mystery WS$ Nicholas is arrested for MW 'ah ends happily for the Igneand their friends.

ARRIVAL OF AN ENGLISH M.P.

REPORTER.) Sved-,)i El '" XGTON ' thisday - hedirecfc steamer Kai- M* Mr E. W. Beckett \fMC*■■ mem °er of Parliament of the North Hiding Velds' »r ecketfc ' who is accom- Vt"*» ; , a »d intends staying H*Be__i co l on y' is a member of \ and Co., bankers, Leeds,

AUCKLAND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

fttt usual WW.!? MteUag ci btavo A*so= elation was held i„ the Association's ftsenw, " on Friday Zoning, Uv George Frasev, the President, occupied the chair, „„„ fehoro waa also & good attendance of tho Committee. Tho following letter, from Moasra J. Wilson and Co., was then road :_" Auckland, November 30, JSB7. ( Tho Secretary, Auckland In clustri.il Association : Hoar Sir,—Wo trust tho various Associations will in sist- on tho rebate on imported cement Doing cancollod this session, no matter for what purpose used. To encourage tho Production of cement, the Government reduced tho tensil value to 2001bs. Over a year ago they gave us an order for 100 tons at about 10 per cent, below the then market value.. The first eight tons supplied was slightly below the standard, the next 20 tons about 80 to 100 per cent, over. As yet only 40 tans have been taken ; though huge quantities have been used in various parts of the colony, and several railway and other contracts let in Auckland, in none of which our cement was specified or referred to. Government indifference and opposition lias nearly crushed this industry, ' and now, Major Atkinson proposes to subject it to a lingering death by shelving the tariff for another year.—Yours respectfully, '

J. Wilson &Co.

It was resolved that a copy of the fore going be sent to each of the members or the Ministry. A communication was also re ceived from the Protection Association of Canterbury as follows :'—

" Christchurch, November 28, 1887. Edward S. V. Mowbray, Esq., Secretary of Auckland Industrial Association.

DearS™,—l wrote to you on the 9A\ h, and on the 26th I wired as follows:—' Protec tion Association holding indignation meet ing at Chiistcnnrch on Wednesday next to protest against Government delay in revis ing tariff. Kindly join in similar meeting without delay.' It is of the greatest import ance that the Premier is given to under stand that the country means to have pro tection, and no half measures such as he proposes, that will satisfy and be acceptable to both Freetraders and Protectionists ; and I hope pressure will be brought to bear upon tho Auckland Protectionist members, so that next session they will support "measures " which are for the good of the colony, and not "men" for the sake of keeping them on the Treasury benches.—l remain, dear sir, yours faithfully,

David B-L_house."

After some discussion the following reso lution was unanimously carried, "That a general meeting of the members of this Association, and also the general public, be held in the Association's Rooms, Wynd ham-street, on Tuesday next, the 6th inst., for the purpose of taking into consideration the action taken by several of the Auckland members in voting? against the revision of the tariff this session ; while, at the same time being aware that thousands of mon were out of employment, and consequently knowing that the -revision of tho tariff was urgently required this session." The secre tary was instructed to send a wire to tho Protection Association of Canterbury in forming them as to above. After making arrangements for re-opening of the Exhibi tion, and dealing with some ordinary busi ness the meeting adjourned.

REV. GEORGE JOHNSTON ON "TEMPERANCE."

Owixo to a slight illness Pastor Thos. Bray was unable to take the service at Mount Eden Baptist Church as advertised last evening. The Rev. G. Johnson, who is on a visit •to Auckland, took the subject advertised. He took for his text Judges' 13th chapter, 4th verse ; Daniel, Ist chapter, Bth verse ; Luke Ist chapter, 15th verse. The speaker said that these different portions of Scripture represented three distinguished characters, viz., Samson, DanieT, and John the Baptist, all of whom wero strictly enjoined not to taste strong drink. He believed that Samson was a very favourite character in Scripture with chil dren, because of his giant strength and the very many wonderful deeds he accom plished. God made Samson the strongest man, but he stipulated that he should not touch wine or strong drink. 2nd, Daniel was a true hero--he was a sample of moral courage. He was surrounded not only by thone'who indulged in it, but had to go in direct opposition to the command of the king and his wise mon. It was thought in those clays that none could be wise unless they took wilier but Daniel had the courage to come forward in the face of "all opposition and put it to the test. The speaker said that he knew of plenty of young men.who would not be afraid to go right up to the cannon s mouth or do some other great deed, but they were utter cowards when in company ; they could not say " No " to the glass that was placed before them. 3rd. John the Baptist represented the Spiritual side, ho was not to take strong drink but to be filled with the Holy Ghrsfc. The fact was that when he had tho true spirit there was not room for any other. The question was had the time come when we can do without strong drink? This had been proved beyond doubt in all coun tries, and in temperance institutions the death percentage was far less than in others. In New Zealand we had about 2000 hotels and the number cf deaths traceable to drink amounted to 2000, or at the rate of one for each hotel per annum. Let who may be held accountable for this, the iact still remains, \etwe blindly shut our eyes and soothe our conscience to such a crying evil He maintained that if the Church and' country did its duty they'would rise up as one man and banish this terrible curse from our land, and save these 2000 souls that annually go down to a drunk ard's grave. He urged his hearers to rise in the name of their Lord and master to give their protestation against Sis traffic? After giving many thnJhng incidents of the ruin that-drink had caused he urged the parents to think of tho great responsibility that rested upon them in their posEn in the family circle : he also warned the young that they should give up the companionship of those that indulged in Kmatter- £ they would soon find better ones in the of temperance and truth Fo? Physical, moral and spiritual strength he commended the three characters ho had nameu. ;

THAMES NOTES.

(BY TELEGRAPH. -OWN CORKESrOSDEST.)

. Thames, this day. It has beenuecided to canvas this district for'subscrip -ons in aid of the widow and family of the late Mr Richard Bawden, accidently killed a few days ago m.the Saxon mine. _ At the last meeting of the Borough pencil Mr T W. Coulthard, of Papakura, n nnlvin_ for a lease of the Borough wrote apply l "? ™ t] Waiho u river en trSow n? conditions :-The term to bo g? twSl ear. For the first tree referred to the Finance Committee,

THE DYNAMITE DISCLOSURES.

■£Hfi JUBILEE PEOaRAMME

thwarted by tee po_ige.

London (via Albany), October 28. TnH inquest on an Irishman named Cohen, alius Brown, who died suddenly in South London, lad to the publication of particular,, of nn extensive dynamite plot, which was intended to bo carried out during the Jubi lee rejoicings. The persons implicated in tho plot by tho police evidence'during tho inquest wero three Americans named General Millen, Melville, and Michael Hawkins. After the inquest the as sistant Commissioner of Police furnished the papers with a statement respecting the supposed emissaries of the Clan-na-Gael, whom the authorities believe to have been until recently in London, with the object of effecting outrages. The commissioner as serts that the head of the gang, whose operations began in the spring, was Millen, whoso antecedents were Fenians. He was a member of the Clan-na-gael, and was well known to the police. This man arrived in EuropeinApril last withinstruetionsfrom the Clan-na-gael to bring off the outrage at the time of the Jubilee. He took up his quarters in Paris, and moved to Boulogne, with the object, no doubt, of being near England, and was under close though unsuspected observa tion all (.his time by the metropolitan police. He never set foot on English soil, Had he done so, a policeman would have arrested •him; but before the Jubilee the police paralysed operations by sending an officer to him at Boulogne, warning him that they knew wliat he was about. The General accepted ■_ this warning apparently with out serious resentment, but' with drew from Boulogne and returned to Paris, where he has been until within the last few days. After the death of Cohen,, alias Brown, the General left Paris for America, travelling via Brussels and Rotterdam to Amsterdam. On the 23rd October he sailed in the steamer Edai with his wife and daughter. This warning by the police completely upset Millen's ar rangements, and his mission as regards the outrage at the time of the Jubilee, much to the disgust of his employers. Then, it is said, there was a further scheme of outrage in which Melville came to London as the agent of Millen. Nothing, however, could be done, as Millen had spent much money, and his employers were reluctant to part with more until it was arranged what the positions which Millen, who had failed, and Melville, who was to be tried, were respectively to lill in the future plan of operations. Meanwhile Melville was discovered by the police whilst visiting on two occasions at the House of Commons, where he called upon Air Joseph Nolan, M.P., by whom ho was shown over tho House. His companion on those visits was a man named Harlan or Hawkins, who was examined at the inquest. Both had been in the company of the third man, who has been identified'as the dead man Cohen, alias Brown. It is be lieved the plotters intended to dynamite Mr Balfour, or to assassinate him by other means. The pccount which Melville gave of himself, that he had been, on a business visit on behalf of Mr Phillips, in Philadel phia, was found to bcentirelyfal.se. [Mean while, Melville went to Paris under obser vation. Here he met a man named Den riechy, who was connected with the Clan na-Gaol.' Melville returned to London, and on this . occasion took up his quarters at the Hotel Metropolcs. He spent money freely, and took a tour in Ireland,."and finally, not appreciating the constant observation of the police, he abandoned his fictitious commercial enter prise oh behalf of tho mythical Phillips, and hurriedly left for Paris ; but he was still under the observation of tho police, although not aware of it. In Paris he called on Millen at the Hotel Dv Palais, and was also seen in a cab with a man strikingly resembling Cohen. Melville was finally seen to sail for America from Havre on September 17th. On the arrival of the vessel at New York Melville and Miss Kennedy, who accompanied him, attempted to smuggle a largo quantity of goods ashore, but failed in the attempt to defraud the revenue, and were detected by tho Customs. The action of the police and Melville's hurried departure left his Lon don agents in a lurch. They had been awaiting instructions. Meanwhile one of them, tho man Cohen, died under suspicious circumstances, and the inquest brought matters to a crisis. Harkings, alias Scott, alias Brown, admitted that ho knew Mel ville, and that he called with him at the Houso of Commons. Harkings also admits that he wrote, a fesv days ago, for money to A. P. Burchcll, of Philadelphia, Melville's employer. Burchell, of course, denies all connection with Harkings or Melville.

PRESENTATION OF SCHOLAR SHIPS.

A very interesting ceremony took place in Wellesley-street School on Friday after noon, when Mr W. Gorrie, the able and popular Chairman of the City Schools Com mittee, attended to present to the success, ful candidates the scholarships they had obtained at the late, examination. Miss Annie McPherson and Miss Florence Max well were called to the front, and presented by the headmaster to the Chairman, who most heartily congratulated the youngpupils who had so higldy distinguished them selves. He said this was the second time the girls had beaten the boys in the scholar ship competition, and both he and the other members of the Committee regretted that tho boys were not more persevering and energetic in qualifying themselves. He was quite sure the fault did not rest with the teachers, but with the boys, and he hoped they would exert themselves, and keep up the reputation of the city schools. He also heartily congratulated Miss Jerram on the result of her labours, Mr Worthington thanked Mr Gorrie for his attendance and. reminded the pupils, and hoped that they would convey his warn ing to the parents that regularity of atten dance is the first element of success in any school. The two. girls who had been • rewarded that day had been most exemplary in ■ that respect. Mr Worthington also referred to the fact that in days gone by the boys of this school had been remarkably successful, and pre sent members of the teaching staff were gentlemen who had been a few years ago pupils on these benches, and were now able and honoured teachers. He was glad to learn that the Committee had authorised the usual charge for obtaining school re quisites, and he took this opportunity of notifying the fact to the pupils in the pre sence of the Chairman. The two scholarships awarded makeup the roll of scholarships obtained by the pupils of Wellesley-street School to 54.

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINA TIONS.

(BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, this day. A telegram fr° m Wellington states that the following is the number of candidates entered for tho annual examination Con ducted by the Education Departments- Senior Civil Service, 41 } junior Civil Service, 154} tutor's examination, 8621 total, 11,057,

POLICE COURT.-THIS DAY.

(Before Messrs D: G : Maedonaid and "B.

Wilding, j:P:''s;) Drunkenness. — John Desenfe Was fined 10s and costs for a second offence, and two other persons were fined 6s and costs fo r ' first offences.

StkAlino Iron,—John Robertson was charged with stealing one truck wheel, the property of Allan McGuire, and valued at 30s.—Sergeant Pratt stated that the ac cused was charged with stealinga truck wheel, for which offence two other boys wore noW in prison.—Robertson had been sleeping out, and had beon brought to Court by his fathet' this morning. He asked for a remand until Thursday to procure witnesses, and this Was granted. Riding on the Footpath.— Alexander Pearman was charged with riding a horse on the footpath in Kent-street, Surrey Hills.—He guilty, and 1 Constable Christie having given evidence of the offence, a fine of 10s and costs was im posed.

Hob.sk Unattended.—Robert Burton was charged with leaving a horse and trap un attended in Kent-street.—He admitted the offence, and was fined 10s and costs. Joseph Edye was charged with permitting a. mare to wander in Cracroft-street, Surrey Hills.—The summons not- having been served, the hearing of the charge was ad journed till to-morrow.

ExriosiVKS by Rail.—W, Dean, store man for John Buchanan, was" charged with sending upon the "Kaipara-Punui Railway explosive goods, namely, cartridges, not marked outside "explosives."—Defendant pleaded guilty. He-was ignorant of having committed any oflehce.—Mr Theo. Cooper, who appeared for the prosecution, stated that under these circumstances the Rail way Department would not press for a heavy penalty.—A fine of £2 and costs was inflicted.

ALLEGED FRAUDS.

SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST

THREE GIRLS.

Tub three young women named Fenton, Munro, and Best, recently arrested by Detective Herbert on charges of fraud, were before the Police Court this morning.

Mary Fehton was charged that she did, on the 15th November, obtain from one Jennie Letham, by certain false pretence, to wit, by' sending one Rosanna Brown with an order purporting to be signed by one Sarah O'Meara, for goods, namely, one pair of corsets and one jersey, valued at 18s 6d, with intent to defraud.

Mr'Theo. Cooper appeared for the defence and pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Pratt stated, the facts of this case which havo already appeared in the Stab!. '.' '.'. i

Jennie Letham deposed that she was a milliner and dressmaker, carrying on business in Victoria-street. She knew a customer named Sarah O'Meara, residing at Avondale. On the 15th November last, a girl namedßosannaßrowri called attheshop, and presented an order for.goods which hud since been lost. The order said, "Be kind enough to give bearer a pair of corsets and a jersey" for' myself and I will pay you when I call." It was signed "Harriet George." Tho goods wero supplied to bearer' On the 'following week the prisoner, Mary Fen ton, called at the shop in reference to another charge of obtaining goods by false pretences. A young girl named Miss Malono accompanied prisoner on that occasion.

In answer to Mr Cooper, witness stated that she was offered payment for the goods on the same clay that accused was arrested, but declined it as the matter was in the hands of tho police. ' Sarah O'Meara, servant, at Avondale, had dealt with Miss Lethau for three weeks. Had known prisoner by sight for eight or nine months. Never authorised her to get any goods, and did not give hera written order on Miss Letham for a corset and jersey. Did not receive the articles named. Rosanna Brown, 11 years of age, deposed that sho resided with her parents in Victoria-street. She saw prisoner on Tuesday evening about three weeks ago in company with Kitty Munro. The prisoner asked witness to go to Miss Lctham's with a note and told lier to say that she was going out to Avondale by the 7 o'clock bus, and that Miss O'Meara gavo her the note. She did as requested, and Miss Letham gave her the stays and jersey produced in court. Witness handed these articles over to the prisoner, who said,." When I see you again I'll give you something." That was the last she saw of the prisoner.

Kate Muiifo deposed that she resided in Wakefield-street with her father. On the lfith November last prisoner and Carrie Best were at the house. The prisoner asked Carrie Best to write an order for a pair of stays and jersey on Miss O'Meara, to be given to Miss Letham. Carrie Best vvrpte the order and gave it to the prisoner. Witness was with prisoner when she gave the order to a little girl named Brown. Prisoner received the articles named and afterwards wore them at a ball in the Eden Hall.

In answer to Mr Cooper witness ad mitted that she was charged with attempt ing to obtain goods on two other occasions by false pretences. [ She_ also admitted that she gave this evidence in con sideration of the charges against herself being withdrawn. Carrie Best stayed with witness and her father. Witness did not receive the note from Carrie Best. Did not ask prisoner to pawn the corset and jersey. Witness got Carrie Best to. write a note for a pair of. shoes. Witness was 17 years of age, Carrie Best 18 years. Did not knew that Mary Fenton was under 16 years, and that she could not write. Saw the prisoner write a note to Tom Fairburn.

Detective Herbert deposed that he charged prisoner with obtaining goods from Miss Letham by false pretences on the 26th November and she admitted having done bo. He arrested prisoner on the 30th when she stated that she got the goods as Carrie Best and Kitty Munro had' told her to do so.

Mr Cooper stated that the accused was under 16 years of age and the Bench had the power to deal with the case summarily. In the event of a conviction their Worships could fine up to £10, imprison for three monthp, or discharge with a caution, under the Probation Act. He did not intend to ask for a report from the Probation Office, because the accused had been before the Court charged with larceny when a mere child. He did . not palliate the offence. The accused was not so bad as the-two other girls; and he made a special appeal that she should not be sent to gaol, which under the present system was not likely to have any reformatory influences. The Bench regarded the offence as a serious one, but was not disposed to send the accused for trial Or to gaol. She would be required to come up for sentence when called for, and two sureties of £25 each re quired. Kitty Mtfnro and Carrie Best wore then charged with having on the 18th November attempted by a certain false pretence to ob tain from Jennie Letham a pair of corsets with intent'to defraud. Kitty Munro and Carrie Best were also charged with attempting to obtain from John Budge by false pretences one pair of boots, with intent to defraud. Charge Against Kitty Munro Withdrawn. The Court adjourned from! till 2 P.m., and after the adjournment, Sergeant P-att asked leave to withdraw the charge against Kitty Munro as he was not in possession of sufficient evidenoe to eQnviet,

Charge of Forgery:

In reference td tfie accused, Carrie Best} he askpd leave to amend the information id make ib a charge of .forgery: ~ The Bench Consisted td the hearing of the charge, as amended, wasproceeded with; The prisoner Was informed bf . the serious ness of the charge and asked if she wished for an adjournment to enable her 4o procure Counsel foF her defence: She replied in the negative:

Evidence was then taken* and ib W nearly similar te thafcgiven in previous eases; Tc was alleged that the accused wrote orders for goods obtained frotrt Miss Letham ahd Mr Budge and signed the orders With the names " Harries George'- and •' Mrs Malone."

(Left Sitting)

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(P_n a.s. Mariposa.)

Barbaric Brutality.

Murder of a ship* Crew.

The Government Resident at Thursday Island received a telegram from Mr Frank Jardine, at Somerset, as follows:—The blacks report the capture of a sharp-sterned schooner-rigged boat, and the murder of her crew in Margaret Bay, near Grenville- The description suggests that it was Steve Clark and party. The Government Resi dent has ordered the steamer Albatross to proceed to the scene, with all the available police. They have started in pursuit. Steve Clark left Thursday Island recently in a craft of a "similar description named the " Black-fish," and had one Manilla man and two Pascoe River boys as a crew.

Simultaneously a report was received of another depredation which occurred at Friday Island, where five natives employed on a neighbouring pearling station paddled across during the night, and stole a valuable cutter, the property of Collis and Molloy, and made oft' with her, presumably for Mayland. Both affairs have produced strong indignation.

A Dreadful Accident.

THE FOLLY OF LOADED WEAPONS.

A dreadful accident through the careless use of firearms, and resulting in loss of life, has occurred at Greta, West Maitland. It appeared from the evidence adduced at the inquest that Evan Thomas, a miner kept loaded firearms in his house on account of being troubled with hawks, and on the day named one of his children went into a room where the gun was kept, and played with it. Shortly afterwards a report was heard, and a little girl named Eliza Ann Thoma3, 4 years old, ran out of the room and dropped dead, the back of the skull being shattered. There was no clear evidence elicited as to how the accident happened. Her brother thought the deceased trailed the gun along the floor. The jury found death was caused by a gun shot wound accidentally received; and strongly censured her father, Evan Thomas, for his cnrelcss conduct, and also recom mended that the gun be taken from his cus tody. ■ ...

Gas Explosion in Brisbane.

A serious ga3 explosion occurred in the strong-room of the A.M.P. Society's new offices, Brisbane. It appears that a gas jet had beefl left -'burning oft" Saturday, and having exhausted tho atmosphere it must have gone out. On opening the doors in tho morning the room ivas found to be full of gas and the tap full on. About ten minutes wero allowed to elapse, and the clerk then went in with a lighted match to get some books. A loud explosion ensued. He was thrown down, and a large flame burst out to the row of desks opposite, where several clerks were seated, setting fire to documents and singe ing their hair. Not much damage was done. Three employees received such a shock as to render them temporarily unfit for work.

Fight Between Foley and Burke.

A match has been arranged between Foley and Burke, in Sydney. Mr Allison, with Mr Jack Burke called at the " Evening News" office, and announced the anticipated event that will place all sporting men on ' the tiptoe of expectation. Burke says that he came to Australia for the express purpose of meeting Foley, and he is delighted a t the prospect. In America he had heard so much about the prowess of Foley that he longed to get an opportunity to measure muscles with him. Mace, Burke says, told him much about Foley. He re marked to Mace, "Then why does not Foley come to America, where he will find plenty of money ?" Mace replied : "You go to Australia; you will find Foley will accommodate you." Burke took the advice, and now he is to be accom modated. The two men will at once go into training. Burke thinks he will go to Frank Smith's, at Botany. The conditions of the match are to be six rounds, the winner to take all the gate money and a £200 trophy. Burke wants to box for eight rounds : Foley fancies six. The matcli will take place in about five weeks from date.

SUPREME COURT SESSIONS.

The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court will be opened at 11 a.m. to-morrow by Mr Justice Gillies and jurors, and wit nesses summoned to attend will do well to bear this fact in mind. The criminal calendar comprises 24 cases, and the bulk of this list was pub lished by us on the 29th ult. Since then the following have been added: — Ellen Francis Brown, alias Ellen Francis Perrott, perjury; James Marsh, aliasPelly,larceny as abailee ; Walter JamesKenealy, alias Herd, horse-stealing; John Claud, breaking and entering; Charles Brown, William Henry Bariield, breaking and entering ; Samuel Clegg, manslaughter. With jury : James Carle ton v. Albert M. Shepherd and others, an action for £500. Civil Sessions. The cases 6et down for hearing at the Civil Sessions, which follow at the close of the criminal business, are as follows: — Without jury: James Rae, as executor in the will of George Wesley Bishop v. Faith Bishop, an action for probate in the will of G. W. Bishop. Samuel Jackson, junior, v. Alice Maud Foley, an action for probate in the will of Frank Wm. Foley, damages for illegal distraint. Edward Clay v. Robert Wigmore, action for £1,250 damages for libel. On Chee and Chin Coomb v. Yen War and Mang Kan, an action for £500 damages for slander. Rosa DeLias v. William Henry Dallen, an action for £130, rent due. Divorce and V! matrimonial causes: William Henry Moulden (petitioner), Grace Moul den (respondent), and Edward Corbett and James Young (co-respondents): Motion to make decree absolute. Druoilla Annie Gordon (petitioner, James Gordon (respon dent) : Motion to make decree absolute.

Property continues a drug on the market, To-day Messrs Cochrane and Son offered for sale a number of oity and country properties, including shops and dwellings at the corner of Queen and East-ptreeta, and a shop in JSybe* Posi, but m bußio?BS recited,

LATE CABLES.

NEW GOVERNOR OF FIJI.

Lonbctn jDeemeber 3:

Thd appointment of Sir *fi B: Thut ston, as Ooverhor of Fiji and Higli Oemmissionei- ior the Westerb PacifiCj is officially announced;

WAR SHIP FOR NEW ZEALAND.

SUBSET, this dftj^i H.M.S, Diamond left this port last eveniag for New Zealand.

THE IMPRISONED LORD MAYOR.

(SFKOIAL.)

Londok, December 3.

Mr. Sullivan, tho late Lord Mayor of Dublin who was imprisoned for publishing a report of the suppressed Branches of the National League, will be treated as a first-class misdemean. ant. Mr Sullivan does not intend to appeal against his conviction.

ELECTORAL REFORM IN ENGLAND.

Lord Hartington, speaking at Ros sendale, objected to the one" man one vote principle, and said that the Unionists would only rejoin the Liberal party when the latter aban doned their Home Rule policy.

MR GLADESTONE AND THE UNIONISTS.

Mr Gladstone has astonished his followers by writing to Lard Edmund Fitzmaurice urging Whig treatment of Ireland, and 'point ing out that the present rajpture in the Liberal party is calculateci to limit the breadth of their policy. The members of Gladstone's party construe the overtures to mean a desire for re union, and that section is consequently angry.

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

(BT TELEGRAPH.—OWK REPORTER.)

Wellington, this day. Deferred Payment Regulations. Unber existing law, holders of deferred payment special settlements are restricted, to 100 acres, and during the present session petitions had been prea_tr. ted from settlers in Woodville and Karth Auckland settlements, pointing crnt that with bucli restricted areas it tis impossible for them to make a liveli hood in rough bush country. The Minister for Lands having gone most cm te fully into the question recognises that settlers under special settlement systetm have a grievance and wIH place them on t he same footing as all. other deferred payme nt holders by allowing them to have holdings up to 320 acres. Ko legislati »n will be necessary to effect this th. can be done by a mere -stroke of the Minis terial pen. Tho Hlnemoa. . I hear on, good authority that new boilccrs\ are to be placed in the Hmemoa,. ancL that she will be again put in tot requisition, while the Stella will bet sold or laid up, as she is found fco-< be unsuitable for the work required, save as regards coastal service. Tine- Marine Department have determined th at) a deal of lighthouse work can be do ne locally, instead of necessitating periodic »1 calls by a Government steamerj and t be probabilities are that in the near- futu re the requirements of the Dog Island ligl it house will be attended to by tug frc tm Bluff, and that Moeraki lighthouse will be served by land instead of by water. The Kamo Kawakawa -Railway. Mr Hobbs is confident that if a day is jbvj apart for Mr Pyke's Otagro Central Railw ay Bill, an opportunity will also be given ibr* his Bill providing for a railway to conne bti Kamo and Kawakawa lines coming on. I I&i is not sanguine of getting the measures: through this session, but in order that i»o time shall be lost, he has sent copies: of the measure Home to various fina ra cial agents in England who might Ibe disposed to form syndicates to undertal te the work. Too Honest. A peculiar case has been tmder-the-con sideration of the Petitions Committee in: connection with the petition of John. Hudson, Thames. The petitioner- i» trustee for a property owned by the family, and after deducting the air(o»ant of £500 exemption be regularly paid, the property tax on the balance. Eventually he found be was entitled to £600 exemption for each member of the family-,, and-now prays for a return of the amounts Which he paid in excess of the sums law/fully due. The committee decided to recom mend his request to the favourable con sideration of the Government. The End of the Session.. It is the general opinion that the-w}ork of the session will be finished by t_e<end of next week, and that the procbgaiaosri will take place on the Monday foHowihff, but seeing the amount of work still. fx> be: got through, I do not think members?will.get away quite so soon as that. The Cabinet have virtually dctcwied to dispose of the Premier's residence in TJna kori Boad, but to retain the others.. The probabilities are that so soon as Sir Julius Vogel vacates tlje Premier's residence, and he is expected to tto next week,, instruction will be given 'to have the property cut up into smalt allotments. The present residence will be,sold with, one of these. Provision for Cq&tetways As part of the retrenchment e>cheme-of' the Government it has been decided tjhat instead of the Stella going- efcrom to re-pro-, vision depots at the Auckland. Islands the late Government schooner. I_<&kiho,. which was handed over to the BlufljNaval's,. will, make the visit in her place* Seaward Bush Railway. In addition to works mentioned on-. Friday provision will be made in the Public "Works, Department for tfte Seaward Bush Railway, but the amouttt of the voW has not definitely been, determined. Railway Tariff Anomalies. It seems that railway rates on werchan-. disc from Invercargill to Dunedin is' 50 per cent, lower than from. Dunedin toln-vercar-. gill, Mr Ward has b/rought the matter under the notice of the, Minister for Works, who has promised to reduce the Invercargill, and ma_e it the Dunedin southwards.. General Post, Office Although tenders ha#e been, oallßd for. re-building the General Posb Office bere.it is untfkoly that Govr/irnmen.- will ask any vote for the purpose, this. year. is not yet determined whether the matter, shall be> dealt with in the BubKo Works State ment,

OUR GOLDFIELDS

far TELfecsArir; —own" toRRESi-ox bent:) ,i 'FitA-MES, this day: J' ' MeANATAmt.-—There, is.a large )"*<& &( marks id the drive at. No. 3 level Of thd.l CaiecWiari,- Wt.hd gold has been ; in the stone j which; however,' is of a kindly ' deserlption: . - Saxon.—The stcpes 6ver No; 4 level are ; producing payable qnarfcz,- and Occasiormlry a few pott nds of picked- jbfcone are selected from the general dirt: The drive at No: 4 level is flow jssfe about up to the Trenton boundary.- - , > Five tons of ore from Mekaae s mine Jdarototo arrived here fchi-iS morning and will be treated at the Herald battery.-

LICENSING COURTS.

The quarter!?' meeimg oi the" Auckland City Licensing" G&Uit-s was heM- at- noon to-day in the %l4t Gisß*M>»s*_i,. Mr' J.- B. ; «toney officiaiin-g as Lteensfeg: Clerk.-

Auckland East.

(Before Messrs Gha*fe H«sfeth (chairman)' Jonathan Wintey J.- M.- feber-a-,. i»M Cap-- Applfc-?-t.fca Sot . Transfe-s.

Clarendon: K^Et,—Mi*' Buddte. applied-; on behalf of M# Ba*ry Betfiietfc ..to- have the-; license »Hbis laoteitransferi-ed to-George--; BosweU Howa*dlV—=€&a„tedv ; Pbo-istc3X_ Hots*.--- Mr' Baume- applied j on behalf of Mr' SdVard" Bradford. to haw the licence of this hotel- JHogarv—Gssasfced, ... j Greyhoxjkd SoTEti—Mr' Baume applied! lon behalf of. John-Darby to having tholicense-i I of this house-feansfered to Patrick Lynch.—-j i Sergeant Pratt stated that sinoo the-appli-, ! cant had. possessed the temporar-y transfer' the house had been visited after hours, and the police had found a large number' of men playing;, cards. The Sergeant said there- was no' liquour vwibfe,, and. Uhe men said that they' i were lodgeiia, Th©police-had-subsequently ■ ! been complained too by a father-' that his: -son.had been kept gambling'in the-bouse' after hourF..—Mr- Baunre objected to- euolv cv parte statements being; mad'o- when ncv notice had been given to the applicant t*oJ defend himself:.—The Chairman said that' they-feK justified ih-gefcting any ihfbnntttioni they could from the police as to how house had been constructed in the past.—- Mr Baume contended tliat in such cases-' t"be police should lay an information.—- SeT-geant Piatt, said that hitherto- the police' haa* failed to obtain convictions in- oases' brought under the Licensing Act.- The', meuVound in the houses seemed-to- it a matter of honour to save the boteL keeper- wlien brought before the-Court.— - Mr BaunXe explained that Mrs Lynch had j young'chiW-which required consfcant-stten i tion,theref c>i-elights werekeptbuiTiingatlate: hours.. The-applicant w-as prepared to com ply with the terms of the Licensing Act.—; The Bencii-atW some-consideratioiideciclecl: to grant tha lhjiense,but warned him that ih\ the event of.' ;<my further- complaint- he*, would-haveto-wtdkiont.. ■ Aucl-Ilond South. Captain: HT. F.. Anderson,. (Chair- ; : ' man)', and.Messrs* Charles Hesketh and- 1 Jonathan Winks..) Rising- Sun* Hotel.,—Mr Alexander-.-ap-i plied on. behalf of Mr John Morrison to.-! have the license of this hotel" to William,., Hallins.. He stated that this was merely, a formal matter as the license would b«. transferred to Mr John Darby,.—Granted Auckland North. (Before Messrs Jonathan Winks (chairman),, C Hesketh,. and Captain Anderson).. Thistee Hotel. —On the application of' Mr Baume this license of this hotel was: transferred, from William. Butler-to Mary I Chyle.. , Governor Brown: Hotel. —Mr ■ Edward j, Cooper-appeared on behalf of 'Mr William. .Hallens to have the license of this hotel, ''transferred to Francis Bloulihan.r—Granted.. j Pier Hotel.— Mr Hugh Campbell on be ! half of Mr George Thompson applied tahave license.of tliis hotel transferred to Harry Ben net,, and Sergeant Pratt objected.cm behalf of' the Police.. He produced the records of the:; previous convictions of the applicant-Harry' Bennett.—Mr Campbell objected to the- telegram regarding previous convictions: being read as it related to facts that Had; occurred over five years ago.—Sergeant! Pratt stated that since Mr Bennett BadJ been in possession of the Pier Hotel j complaints had been received. Two girls; were found in a house at the rear of the-: hotel one Sunday in a drunken condition,: and they stated that they had got the drink from the Pier Hotel. Two girls had': : also taken a drunken man from the hotel tcrj a house at the back where he bad heen; 1 robbed, but the man was so confnsedi j that they were unable totake action in.thai \ matter..—Mr Campbell said that, it was-: utterly impossible for the hotel-keepers, to i prevent men leaving their houses.--Her promised that the Bench should not have; cttuse to complain in the future against; "V> Bennett's conduct. — The Chair-- Imiux said that the Bench were aware: jthafc there are several complaints against. IMwßeniiett. They would grant the licensee |in the present instance, but would caution: Ihimtto take care in the future.

Wcfchave to call attention to an announce- ment In our advertising columns, from the i Auckland Industrial Association, calling, a publ.lc meeting to be held in their rooms,, Wyndl. tern-street, to-morrow (Tuesday), to consi Vler the action of the Government, in delaying the revision of the tariff. As ; this all ii toportant question is now agitating; the mind, *of tho general public, we would' strongly urge all those who support the patri otic efforts of the Industrial; Associatioi i in their endeavours to obtain; an adjustn lent of the tariff in the interests ; of colonial i Industries, to attend the meeting \ and give thitir assistance to the Association, by pointing ..out to the Government the dn-: justice beinjfydone to the colony in conse--' • quence of thiriVpresent action.

The MelanesVan Mission schooner South ern Cross anjrii'ed in port from Norfolk Island at a this afternoon.

Dr.. Murray Moore leaves by. the mail steamerthis epen>ing,.oii a welbearned holi day- trip to Homoijalu. Hei-eturns.hereby the January m tail .steamer. In his absence Dr.. Purchas,. Bc*mr.i,.has consented .to attend to his clients.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings. &c, To-night.

A-bbott's Op^ra-House—• Leitch Company-in '* Harbour Lights,'' 8 Agricultural .Halle Mohawk 8. No 1, A.M,P..BniMdngs, Victoria-street.—_sxhi-. : bition of the "Vftsakato-Sanrian. " daily. J (Corner of Yuloam Lane and Queen-strees—. Annual Meetingiotßuildingand Investment Society. 8 [Freemason's Hall—SiOdprevAra, No. 348,: IvC, 7,30' | Ponsonby Hall—Hacved Heart£oncert,'B • T _.M.C.A..ltcoin3— A 1 of Divine.Hoalihg,' 4 7j30 -

Rota of Justices at Police-Court.

ilDeoember. 6—MesSr%iJ.. Macfarlane and W_ f McCullough

Auction Sales-To-morrow.

and Buddie-— Household Furniture, CamerA, etc.; Newmarket—Groceries, Scales,' v_,etc., 11 - W. J. Jones—lronmongery:, etc- 11 • S. Cochrane and Son, Parnell -'—Household-! an<"i Effects, 11 jG. Lewis—."English Furniture, 11 3L_I. Jackson. Park Euml- JTfcire.anaiEffects', 1,30, -■-~-*,

THE AUCKLAND EftiSMQ " STAft* MOJfBAr, UEQEMSms, 5, 1881,

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