RANDOM SHOTS.

[3Y ZAMIEI.

Snme write, a neislibour's name- to lash, i-mc writ, -vain tho.,;. t-for needful cash. Some write to please the country.^.^

For me an aim I never <**-_ .^ {m fun

Fbee Tkade has been compared to the Golden Rule-inasmuch as tho underlying principle is to do unto others as you would bave others do to you. Free Trade, which comprises Reciprocity and Retaliation, pro ceeds upon the plan of doing unto other aa tbey do unto yon ; while Protection consists of pure solfis-hneis, and " doing '' everybody as often as you can and to the greatest ex tent possible. The world is not ripo for the introduction of the Golden Rule, ar.d to act

on tha principle of noc-rf-taUation as ex pounded in the New Testament would render ono liable to be arrested for lunacy. I believe, however, that we have advanced

from the gross darkness of Protective tariffs, imposed for the purpose of shutting out the foreign trader, or with the view to building up lucrative monopolies, without the slightest regard to ths interests of tho con sumer. I havo every sympathy with the aims of the Industrial Association that has been formed in Auckland, and every faith io the capacity ana earnestness of its lead in" men ; bat it seems to me they injure the ciuse they mean to servo by placing their views forward in tho name of Protection. The economist who defends Protection on principle is as far astray as tho Christian who would deny tho truth of the Golden Rule »s the highest guide to conduct. But while the Ereo Trade theory is unassailable, there are ciicumstancss in which it would be nothing short of imbecility to try and act up to it. England is just beginning to lind this out; for, despite the fact that the Royal Commission aDpointed to eoquire int. the trade depression have refrained from condemning the Free Trade principle, the people at large are being convinced that it is necessary for self-preservation to alter the economic policy of the country.

In New Zealand, too, the people's eyes are opening to the fact thai tariffs mustbe readjusted so as to encourage the prosecution of native industries ; in brief, the national instinct of self-preservation is beginning to assert itself ; and it is fortunate that here we have not to contend against the pro iudice'? of people who have been per euacled to believe that all the blessings which they enjoy have resulted from Free Trade, for the simple reason tbat it has never beon tho rule here ; and if we wish to prevent it becoming the rule to our de triment, we must give up rushing to the other extreme of Protection. It was too much Protection that last century reduced En .and to such dire straits, and led to the groat revulsion to Free Trade -, it is only now that it is dawning upon people that the middle course is the safe one—that the truth lies between two extremes-that Reci procity is the truebaaisofalltraderegulation.s modifying the operation of naturallaws. New Zealand tariffs have hitherto been levied m a haphazard style, with the sole view of raising revenue : but we no. find it neces sary to introduce a regulating principle. While Victoria and Now South Wales are fighting out the old question of Free Trade rersns Protection, it will be well for us if we gather the lesson of moderation, and avoiding eithor ext erne, have our Customs tariffs so arranged that they shall be truly reciprocal, and at the same, time fitted to encourage aud foster every kind of Colonial industry and manufacture.

The need for a healthy public sentiment on the subject of encouraging local indus tries is curiously shown by the preparations for the doublo execution on Monday morn i_<r_ext. The " imported article carries the day, and local products and local talent are completely ignored. The gibbet baa been sent at great expense from Welling _ta__]__a_a Wellington man in charge,^and bourne " expert" has beon imported-O eTo the swinging off; and a deputy hangman from the South i_ also on haua to assist, if necessary. It is a deadly alight and insult to Auckland that such things should be Are not our kauri and purin Btr'one enough to hang any number of murderers ? Cannot our ropo factories produce a hempen cord good enough for the iob ' And is not our own Abel quite able to act the part of Cain-killer V (There is poetic appropriateness in his Christian name, while his surname, Fletcher, is prob ably a synonym for " ilesher " or butcher !) It may turn out tbat ths Government thought they could not trust tender-hearted and merciful Aucklanuers to carry out the law ; but wha_-ver the reason may be, their action is utterly indefensible on economic grounds.

It is curious to observe from the report of tbeCommiasion to which I havo referred that a hoary Malthusran fiction is completely ex posed. The whole foundation of the philos ophising. of the good Mr Malthus was what he called the constant tendency of popu lation to outgrow the means of subsistence. The Commission, so far from finding that the trade depression and distress were due to that tendency, atate that over-production is the chief cause of the low prices and general stagnation 1 So, in New Zealand, the Irvianot forfewermouths tofill.butfor more, so that we may have a market for our bread stuffs ! The "over-population "bogey need not frighten any one, if the wealth and food were only more equally divided !

How email theworld is becoming, and how closely interwoven the various portions nf the British Empire now are by com parison with the olden days, are truths that £c constantly being exemplified. The latest inatance of note is the fact that.a 'ormer Auckland citizen—Major Speedy is the best English authority on Abyssinian Affairs. England —Abyssinia—New Zea land-the earth is girdled in less time than old Puck undertook to do it ! By the way, Major Speedy, in a letter to a friend in Auckland, givea some "Resting par ticulars regarding Ras A onla, who has struck terror into the Italian garrison at llassowah. Baa Aloula was of humble _:r.h but had obtained such a reputation £_? wisdom and probity that His Sable Maiesty King Jobanneß of Abyssinia sent for him in order to see if he were worthy of promotion to the service of the State. He Btood all preliminary tests admirably, but ,_etracial trial consisted of the King order inir him to go out and have three men whom he named beheaded at once. Baa Aloula did not hesitate any more ♦ _«_ Herod did when he was asked te bring in the head of John the Baptist as an "entree,' but went out and executed tbe king's command, and the three wretches at tho same time. Johannes de clared that a man who could render Buch prompt and unquestioning obedience was worth, of every confidence, and Has Aloula promoted to the highest position Thatis theman who has caused a Ministerial crisis and a war panic in Italy, and though he may not be in some ways a man to ad mire bis career seems fittea to accentuate the lesßon—" He who does not know how to obey is not fit to command.

The Harbour Hoard Election is over and gone ; the best men have been elected, of bourse; and there can be no harm in me relating a little of what took place behind the scenes with regard to certain of the candidates. It was considered desirable on all hands. that ex-Mayor U-ddell ehould ba re-elected to the board, and much surprise was therefore felt when his name did not appear in the Ust of candidates to be oleceod by the trading public Tb_ was explained, how ever, when it became known that the Government had intimated to Mr Yt added that he would be nominated by Ministers as one of the Government representatives on the Board. But after the time for roceiving popular nominations waa exhausted Mr Waddell received a telegram from a leading member of tho Government expressing pro found regret for what had happened, but intimating that thoy could not nominate him to the Harbour Board, aa another had been preferred beforo him. This waa most scurvy treatment of o supporter, but the City Council came promptly to the rescue and not only nominated Mr Waddel, but returned him at tbe top of the poll as one of ' their representatives. The upshot is that the Government, I fancy, have lost a warm-supporter, and one. whom Sir Julius ' hopS toPb_v. with M.H.R. to hia name in the next Parliament; they have also got a decided dap in'the .face from the City .Council.

II M.S. Nelson has come and gone, and without any fear of cyclones I may give a littlo sketch of the gallant gallant Admiral's style. To call him a "bluff sco-dog" would be a mild way of describing the terrible ferocity of his "stand-off" manner of treatiDg people who attempt to approach him in a common-sense way. lam told that New Zealand's own and only Major- General, who never quailed before the savage foe, actually trembled whon ho en tered tbe august presence of this mighty Rear-Admiral, and* I fancy "Rah Stout" must have felt rather small when he got such a snub in reply to his suggestion about sending a war ship to Tonga. George Tryon, believe me, is not such a donkey as to believe that, there was any danger of evclor.es to bo apprehended ; but he seems to havo thought that any excuse would do for a colonial Premier, and so he bluffed off a lawyer and ex-schoolmaster with what the average " wharf rat " knows to be a trans parent bit of humbug. Still more cavalier in his style was the " ruler of the Queen's naveo " towards the eelitor of a local paper who waited upon his Serene Mightiness in person, after the mannor of the Press inter viewers, to ascertain what the Admiral in tended to do with regard to Tonga. Of course tbo paper stated that " ono of our representatives had a brief interview with admiral Tryon," &c, &c. ; but readers have no idea how brief and to the point the interview was. The editor had waited about two hours, danc ing attendance on Mr Tryon, and was at last rewarded with a sight of the great dignitary emeiging from his Btate-room, and moving towards the vessel's side with a view to entering the steam launch. For tho man of letters to intercept the Admiral and put a point-blank question or two was the work of half-a minute, but tbe reply only occupied a few seconds. It was some thing to this effect.—"D nonsense I No need for a war ship !" and with an im patient nave of the hand, and an imperious toss of his head, the great man passed on. Let us do the same.

The occurrence of St. Benedict's athletic fete to-day reminds me of a somewhat notable scheme propounded by a membor of that church to raise funds to clear the debt. The plan is suited to aay church, and it ia so good, that I give a sketch of it for the benefit of the many Bethels that aro, financially considered, in the swelling waters of Jordan. Firstly, there waa to be a grand oratorio performance by combined choirs in come large building granted for tho purpose; secondly, literary competi tions for the best poem, play, novel, and leading article, with a lanrol cross for the victor in each ; thirdly, athletic, gymnastic and calisthonic displays; fourthly, a gigantic spelling " bee;" and fifthly an Industrial Exhibition for juveniles, with certiScatrs and prizes fer those who ex celled. Mr Grace was the author of this attractive and comprehensive scheme; but for some reason or other its merits woro overlooked and his claims ignored ; for thi church authorities took one of hia suggestions only—that ot the athletic dem onstration. There is an old saying—" The nearer the church the further from grace ;" it seems to me that this may explain the un graceful action of St. Benedict's people.

A friend has sent me a copy _ last week's "Leader"—not the respectable Melbourne newspaper, but a local organ of diminutive proportions—and from it I see that the editor is graciously pleased to notice, very ungraciously, the few remarks which I made about the Auckland Bluo Ribbonites and their projected mission to Queen Victoria. I pas 3 over without notice the remarks about "scurrility, vile innuendo, and epithets from the gutter," and the noble and elevating insinuation that I am in the pay of the publicans and brewers ; it is sufficient for me to note that the organ of the Blue Ribbon Army form ally repudiates the responsibility of orieio atfng the idea of converting the Queen. "It was suggested to them," says tbe edi tor apologetically, " and was adopted, pro vided that it would on further inquiry be found practicable ; but we regret io say that it was not considered so by thoso to whom it was referred, and it will now lapse." That ia satisfactory, and if I helped in any way to show tho im practicability of the idea I have not wielded my pen in vain. It may interest the editor of Jhe " Leader" to know that " Zamial" ideas--has in .act been a teetotaller from the hour of his birth, which latter fact may explain why he is not quite in sympathetic accord with those reformed tipplers who fly to the extreme ot intemperate speech and action.

That seekers after righteousness, as re presented by the Salvation " Barmy," should be careful to distinguish between the uniforms of the Hallelujah lads and those of other combatants, the following "true story" may be related as affording useful pro-f. The other day in the street 1 noticed a coloured sailor, a kanaka from the islands apparently, with a cargo of spirits aboard, steering an erratic course down towardß Victoria-street. Every now and then he was brought up short by running foul of someone going in a contrary direc tion ; of these persons he invsriably asked to be directed to the Salvation (hiccough) barracks. There he evidently hoped to find a harbour where he could ride out in in safety the storm raging within him. Presently he came opposite the Eire Brigade station. Hia glazed eyes bright ened. He thought he waa at his journey's end. He waa the more easily deceived in that some fireman were standing in uniform at the door. Attaching himself to one of the "fire-eaters," by placing his two hands upon his shoulders, he asked, " Is the Captain cf Salvation Armies bin?" The fireman saw a chance for a joke, and open ing the awing door, pointed out a gallant Salamander reclining on one of the benchea. Our coloured 'friend went in and the door swung shnt: but I hod not proceeded far along the road when I saw that the inquir ing sailor had discovered that others beside the Salvation Eoldiers wore uniforms, for he came flying through the door, and after him his hat rose like a rocket and "fell to earth I know not where."

The evils of " mixed marriages " are fre quently expatiated upon by Soman Catho lics ; but it ib not often that a genuine in stance of domestic differences, from such cause, ia heard of among the smaller sects. Some daya ago. however, such a aad in stance occurred in Auckland. The husband was a "Christian Brother" and the wife a Methodist; and when a " little responsi bility " appeared as the fruit of their union, a dispute arose as to whether tho youthful scion should be "sprinkled" like its mother, or wait to be dipped in mature yeara like its father. The debate waxed warm, considering that it waa a purely cold-water question, but feminine persis tency, and ingenuity carried the day._ The mother found a clergyman sufficiently pliable to do the sprinkling without the knowledge, consent, or presence of the father; the infant was secretly smuggled into the clergyman's houso, where tbe mysterious rite was per formed ; and the hoodwinked husband, seeing he cannot •' unsprinkle " the child, has perforce to console himself with the re flection that when the youngster comes to years of discretion tho complete ceremony will be porformed.

Speaking on church matters, I have been much struck by the movement that is going on in the direction of " Presbyterianising " Auckland. At the recent sitting of the General Assembly there were two applica tions from ministera of other denomin ations to be admitted to the Presbyterian Cburch-oneof them a Methodist and the other a Congregationalism What can this turning of coats on the part of the shepherds of the fold portend ? I incline to think it is a sign of tha gregarious instinct extend ing from the flocks to their guardians. The last statistics showed that the Presbyterian faith had mado the greatest proportional in creases^) cothepreviousconsus, and somehow my niiod reverts to that passage in the book of Esther which says that " many of the peo ple of that land became Jews, for tbo fear of the Jews was great upon thorn." Whether that is the caso with the Presby terians of Auckland I cannot say, but they evidently feel that they bave the whip band for tjioy have declined to admit either clergyman without a year's probation. Both are men of outstanding ability, earnestness, and conscientiousness, and I can only imagiue tbat their cool reception haa its root in that distrust which people in stinctively feel towards men who have chanced their viewß without a cause that is evident and lies on the surface.

Mankind and Others!—Colonel Morberton Topp, making a speech at Memphis, Ten nessee, oracularly observed, " Truths make but slow progress with numlind, however obvious they may appear to others j" mean ing, we fluppoae womankind.

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES.

Maroh 5 Onehunga Racing Club Meeting March 17—Henderson's Mill Turf Club AEnu il

February 23, 21. 26. — Donelin Jockey Club Autumn Meeting. , _~.,. Marohßand9-Wanganui Jockey Club a Autumn

March.'and 10-Napler Park Racing Club's Autumn Me ting. _~,___ March IS. 16. 17—fuwke'a Bay Jockey Clubs

Autumn Mealing. . _v„'_ ' March 19 and 21—Northern Wairoa Turf Club Maroh 31 'and April 1 -Taranaki Jockey Club's Anniversary Meeting. _>!__•_ April 11 and 12 — Canterbury Jockey Clubs Apr7n--_n- 9i_^Auc_and Racing Club's ApA°_l.-__SJn__ Jockey Club Autumn Mesting. Dates of Australian Races. February 26 Newmarket Handicap. March . Australian Cup. _._rch _:::::::::: ___p_n Race.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

M.H.—The matter llesentirely with the option

" of the stewards. In'qui(_R.—ln the Australian Cup Trident and Nelson cariy 71b ami ?«b over weight for ago, and Aracnal ana Lochiel 81b aud _id under weight lor age respectively. W.M.—William T_l carried Bst Clbs ill the last Newmarket Handicap The bet ting at tie post was 5 to l against \\ ilham Tell. C io 1 eilvermine, 8 to 1 Mozart.

THE DUNEDIN CUP.

[By Hippona.]

The Dunedin Cup comes up for decision on Wednesday next, but I never romember, so far as Auckland is concerned, there being so little interest takon in tho race. Whether it iB the issue being looked upon as almost a certainty for Spade Guinea or the fact of three of the best horses that

were engaged in the race in the shape of Nelson, Disowned, and Lochiel being with drawn, I cannot say, but yet it must bo confessed that such is the case. This is no fault, however, of the powers that be of the Dunedin Jockey Club, but is tho result of circumstances. In Christchurch it would even appear that the interest in the raco is nothing like that of former years, and in his last week's notes "Senex" makes allusion to the matter. Tho remarks are so appropriate and contain such a deal ot truth that I cannot do better than re produce them. My confrere says : —

What a change haa como over tho spirit of our racing since the time when the un ravelling of tho Dunedin Cup problem was the absorbing topic, from tho day the weights wero published till tho juuge s bat was pronounced, whon largo books were open, and word .as eagerly sought of tho work the different horses were putting in. There can be no doubt that whon the con vincing day arrives, there will be as much excitement over the great Southorn Cup as io previous years, and as large a subscrip tion aa over to the totalisator; but year by year, as the number of meetings havo in creased, arid post betting in the machine become more and more fashionable, so has tho prior interest declined, and this season it has been impossible as yet to work up any excitement over it. The totalisator has indeed had an extraordinary effect on racing, and it is only that the revolution has come gradually year by year that we so little note the change. The old Dunedin Cup of 300 soys. haa now 1,000 added to 11, and the payments required from owners are considerably less than they used to oe, which is a good thing tor those who raco for stakes alone ; but in the olden time an owner could subsidise his win to the tune of ten or twelve thousand pomnds with bookmakers and Calcutta /weeps, and ho would bo pitied as wonderfully unlucky or profoundly foolish if he won a Dunedin Gup without annexing come of these spare thou.auda knocking around. The Duuedin Cup was the greatest betting race in New Zealand then, and good horses havo boen attracted from Australia in the hops of romroing with foreign capital, but the bare stake, although a handsome sum, has no attrition now ; and not only that, but on the eve of this once great race, we, this year, lose the two best horses and tinst favourites from among the acceptors gone to Australia to run for less valuable stakes. ____bwrhere-16^ l«w l'^i^"ft'"» no longer possible to back a horso for any large amount with bookmakers, for the totalisator has almost wiped them out, and the better the horse the less money is thero to be got about him, and unless an owner gets a real dark one into a handicap, and keeps his knowledge to himself, bo can get but a very small dividend out of ihe totali sator. Disappointment has been expressed by backers at the withdrawal of NeUon and Lochiel from the Dunedin Cup, but they should remember that as things are at present it is never safe to back a high class horse in a New Zealand raco when also engaged in an Australian event of importance. Backers are safe in investing en aecond-claaa goods o? horses the pro perty of men who cannot afford the risk and expense of sending them across the water ; but New Zealand, with the totali sator, iB no place for high class horses in the bands of an owner with the means and the will to back them. The records of tbo turf prove incontestably that we have a climate here capable of breeding a Btouter class of horses than in Australia, for although we have not in New Zealand probably more than one head of the thoroughbred stock for every fifty or a hundred in Australia, the best of ours have at leas* held their own with the best of theirs ; but while we race under totalisator conditions we must be satisfied to hear of their successes elsewhere, for tbey aro too valuable to race in New Zealand.

With regard to Wednesday's race t twelve horses remain in at the time of writing, but a final payment of lOsovs. on Monday night will, no doubt, see the number reduced to ten. Looking book at Spade Guinea's easy victory in the New Zealand Cup, and the excellent field ahe left behind hor in the race, it certainly appears to me that she must be dreadfully hard to beat. This is of course if the maro strips dressed in her best. Taken altogether those that are opposed to her aro a rather poor lot, and undoubtedly tho best of them on public form ia Rubina. If I was certain that ahe could Btay to the end of the dis tance, and had tbe support of her owner, I should certainly be inclined te stand her against Spado Guinea, but there is a doubt in my mind about her living it out, there fore I must pa _ her over. The horse that I have heard noised abroad ac the one that will bring about tbe downfall of the favourite in Derwenter, and his connections lately make no secret of tbe fact that they have a really good thing. Until lately Derwenter's form waa of the most moderate character, and the only thing to recommend him for the raco (except that he has been in a winning vein of late) is his running a dead heat with Patrician in the C.J.C. Midsummer Stakes, in which the 1} mile waa compassed in 3min. G_see. However, those behind the colt are a " clever party," and it may be that he is a bit better than we are yet aware of. The only re presentative the Hon. W. Kobinson has to do battle for bim ia Itepo, who it is stated has come on wonderfully of late, but he has done nothing bo far to warrant me giving him my support, aod I think that when the judge gives his verdict it will be in favour of Spaob Guinea.

'• Mazeppa" gives the following past form of the Cup horses, compiled to February 1: —

" Including one dead heat.

TURF GOSSIP.

[By Hippona] It has occurred to me at different times that it is strange the leading Auckland suburban racing clubs do not have a two year-old handicap race inserted in some of their programmea during the season- That there is plenty of room for their so doing, I think everyone will readily admit. Besides giving an owner who has a second or third raje youngster a chance of earning hia oats, it would show that these outside meetings are pot got up solely f»r money making, but that they also aim at assisting breeders and racing in general.

Far better to see a hold of youngsters racing (no matter how small) than to see the great number of hack races, e-tc, in the programmes which aro compoted for by brutes that aro scarcely fit to carry a saddle. All of tho suburban racing clubs outs:,de Sydnoy and Melbourne, ami one at. least in Christchurch, that held periodical me'otings favour two-year-old racing, and so far as I can .o there is no valid reason why the Auckland clubs should not follow tho example.

With TroLton, Commotion, and Malua out of the way, and Nolson not engaged, the approaching Champion Race looks un mistakably like falling to tho bid^ of tho Hen. Jamos White's champion, Trident, and unless something unexpected happens, tho great weight-for-age event cannot but excite comparatively littlo interest, and ba tho medium of less .peculation than any previous ono Tho only rulb.blo guide—public form—paints to the starters coming from among the following : —Isonomy, Sheet Anchor, ':he I 'lunger. Recall, Silvermme, Little .lohn, Grace Darling, -My Lont, Maddeliaa, Bravo, Arterial, Trident, Crossfire, Volcano, Gentility, Reginald, Blairgowrie and Chat ham, and a wklo stretch of immugination is necessary before any of the number cm be regarded as having a show of lowering Trident's colonrs. Isonomy and My Lord are notorious as non-stayors, and, raking away Sheet Anchor, Grace Darling, Arsenal and Reginald, none of the others above three years old appear to bo capsblo of holding their own atweight-for-agn. Crossfire's elim ination from tho othor races gives tho key to her absence from "the Champion," and should tho Hon. W. Long bo represented it will bo by Maddolina. One of tho most improving colts of his year is Bravo, and it is not unlikely ihat ho may run forward ; so might Vol cano, and if sho bo improved on her Bandwick form it is possible for Gentility to give trouble ; hut all things going woll, tho raco looks only a question oi health for Trident to win.

Colonel Fra_r has hail Hie misfortune to lose tho filly by Musket— Florence McCarthy that he purchased at tho recent Now Xoahitia Stud Company Mile. It nppoars that the youngster was rolling in her box, and when getting up she by somo mc-an3 slipped and injured horse . >o badly that she died soon after.artis. Colonel Fraser gavo 200 guineas for the lilly, and strango to say, a full brother that ho k night a couple of yours back met with his death in a somewhat similar manner, but ho was being handled at tho timo.

Mr \V. Wallers intends giving the stallion Somnus a great chance tv distinguish him self, as this season ho has mated thai good old mare Yatterinn (the. darn of Matchlock, Fusilior. and Übellor) with him. In ad dition Fanny Fi-shor, 1 .-hwi ui'iii, Fishgiil, Venus Transit, impress, llippoiina and a three-year-old till, by Anioros — Crand Duchess have been served by Somiitici, \vhilo Claud Duchess has visited Leolinus Slan der (tho dam of Billingsgate and Foul Shot) and tho promising young matron Rosirina paid n visit to Nor.(enfoldt's harem.

Friendship is to lid shipped to Wanganui during the forthcoming woek to lake part In tbe Autumn Meeting thero on tho Sth

and !)th March. Tho daughter of Reprieve has tho nice handy impost of 7=t 31b in the Cup. and as racing iiDiler light weight! was her forto whon in Australia, wo may s_o_hor mako somo amends for past disappoint ments Personally 1 have not altogether given up hopes of "her, and sho is about tho most likely Auckland animal in training that I know to pay a substantial dividend some day when she is least expected.

From Sydney files I glean that Mitrail leuse's arrival thero caused quite a buzz of excitement, and ono seribo altar seeing hor cantering liubbrd hor one of the handsomest marcs that ever stepped un tho Randwick eour=o. Th" maro was located at -I. Monag han - during hor stay in Sydney, and son had Soldier's Wind (winner of thcSydnoy Amii versary Handicap) for a compinion ovor to Melbourne. Anent tho mare, " Vigilant" has the following in last week's "Sports man" :—Mitrailleuse has, up to the timo of writing, been backed straight out tv win moro money than anything in tho raco. If I wero backing her I would havo li_od her to have been in Australia at least a month earlier,, as t'.io difference in tha water, climate, etc.. is vory marK.d, and certainly affects New Zealand horses. c-_-Bfßl .S-. nr.a_?°£_»..:■,.'.'»■« '«=" rG"

Waitiri ..... SIJ Friendship .. 7 :: Arco'. .. ..So Drills . Lion .. 7 :i -t-relia ■- o tl Humour .. .. 7 tl Titbit .. .. 7 11 Armourer.. ..7 0 Stem- .. •• 711 Lnlv-N'oii-h .. Hid Cinderella .. 7 6 Uoih .. ..0 7 When the weights first appeared, I op pressed tho opinion that U'niliii looked tho most likely to supply tho winner, and if she is lit, and woll on the day, whatever beats her must win So it has turned out that after all thosD two groat horses Trenton and Nelson aie not to mea-uro strides ag.iinst each other at the V.R.C. Autumn Meeting, Ever since Trenton wont to Caulfiofd from Raudwick it appears that ho has shown signs of lameness, and it has turned out in his completely going amiss. No othor courso was thereforo left than to put tho pen through his name for his autumn engagements, which is indeed a loss to both his oivnor and tho public alike.

Steps are being taken in the Waikato by a few leading sports to resuscitate the Cambridge Jockey Club, and efforts aro to bo put forth for holding races in April. One meeting of the promoters has already taken place, whon tho pros and cons wero discussod, and tonight (Saturday ) a second meeting i 3 to tako place.

Tho Mew Zealand-owned horses have been freely entered for tho minor events of the Y.R.C. Autumn Meeting. I find Nelson's name in the Essondon Stakes (ono mile nnd a half), Brunswick Stakes (ono and a quarter milo), Bourke Handicap (seven fur longs), Autumn Handicap (ono mile nnd hvo furlongs), All Aged Stakes (ono mile), and Free Handicap (ono milo and a quarter). In addition to the Newmarket Handicap, Metrailleuso is engaged in tho Brunswick Stakes, Bourko Handicap, and All Aged Stakes. Lochiei's name also apponrs in one or two miner races.

William Tel' met with an accident lately, and'it has been the means of stopping him io his work. One morning while at: oxer eise he cannoned with another horse1, throw his rider, and bolted, and when caught it was found that he had cut his near hind leg rather severely. Benson, the lad who was riding William Tell, died from tho effects of tho fall he received.

Training notes in the last (1 Sport-man " to band stato that up to that, time Lochiel had boon restricted tomedium pace exercise. but by the manner in which the son of the defunct Princa Charlie moved, it was plainly evident that ho hud acquired the gift of galloping?, anil that in a very taking stylo. Mr l',. Mitchelson s horses, Tranter, Escutcheon. Whakawai, Mana, and Musk Kose were boing restricted to light work.

From Now Plymouth I learn that Moka Moka, the dam of Gay Fawkes, Omata and Silvio, has this season been put to The Dauphin.

There will be quito a email crowd of Mow Zealanders presont to witness tho V.R.C. Autumn Meeting. In addition to the Aucklandera that have left, Mr E. W. Ropar and several others havo gone over from the South.

Latest advices from Melbourne state that, Trident is in great buckle, aud from all accounts ho is lookine much better than he did in tho spring. Tho son of Kobinson Crusoe has only three engagements at tho forthcoming meoting, viz.,Leger,Australian Cup, and Champion, and it i.< quito on the cards that ho will appropriate all throe. Trident's stable companion, Volcano, is also stated te havo never looked better, and notwithstanding that Sst, 81b seems a great weight for a three-year-old gelding, the horso with the fastest record for the dis tance over mado in Australia is sure to take a good deal of doing in the Newmarket Handicap, if he go's woll away.

According to a Wairarapa paper a divi dend drawn by a Maori at the Wairarapa raca? on Smooth, amounting to £26 Ss, was transferred from his coat pocket to that of one of the talent on tho ncecourso before ho get to tbe grand stand refreshment booth, where he was going to stand treat on the strength of his winnings. Anothor paper says that the cutenoss of tho female Maori was more than a match for the wholo army of spoolers on the Greyfoivn race course. An unsuspecting wuhhic had a ticket on Smooth, and, wilh ths pro?pec . of a good dividend in her mind's eyo, sho was rather jubilant, Sho was soon bss.-by tho sharpers, and all lends of ruses wero adopted to get her to show the magic paste board, but they were of no avail, for she laughingly slapped her pocket, and offered to bet thorn 10 to 1 she had got if, Finding that the gamo was too chary, the " boys ' left the maiden, and pocketed the tickets they had ready to palm off if they had only got possession of tho right one.

A curious caso came on at tho New Ply mouth Kosident Magistrate's Court recently. The keeper of tho totalisator at the Opunake ra':es sued ono Bead for £4, said to havo beon given to dofondant in mistake. It ap peared from Bead's ovideuce that one Newsham had his horse saddled up for racing, and gave dofondant his money, ask ing him to take out two tickets in tho total isator. This he did, and tha dividends camo to ono pound fourteen shillings. Tho keeper of tho totalisator gave defendant, us he thought, two pound notes, but his a., is- I tant sivnre he gave Bead ono pound_ and one tivo pound note. Defendant deuied (his, and taking tho money our, of his pocket there proved to bo a live pound note anion" the ones. That note Read swears belonged to Newsham, being part of tho money given him to keep. Newsham swore ho gavo de fendant a five pound note. The IV M. gavo his decision in favour of tlw plaintiff, as the nvidoiicfi for him was so positive. Previous to leaving Sydney for Mel bourne! the Newmarket Handicap candi date First Game is reported to have done a big gallop ovor six furlongs. Tho first live were registered in lmin o^sec, and the ivhole journey, though ho wa. pulling off in the last furlong, in lmin. 21saes. It is stated that it could not be flc-un whether First Game's shoeo woro nn or off.but if tho formor the gallop was ono of tho best ever witnessed on the Sydney training track. A paperchnso club has just been formed in Sydnov. Tho first meeting took placo over a course of tivo miles, on which fre quent jumps were built, varying from tho slender brush feneo to mud banks and water-jumps. The rendezvous is a secret known only to members of tho club, and it is not dirnlged. The club intend to hold monthly amateur steeplechase meetings for horses and ponios with a viow of encourag ing the brooding of jumping horses, and also to improve tho riding of amateurs.

Tho season of 1SS1) in America will bo ono of remarkable interest to our sporting frionds "across the millpond," inasmuch as tho Louisville (Kentucky) Jockey Club will propose a great event for decision, to ho cilled tho Croat Kentucky Sla-os. Tno stakes aro to lit coupled with a guar antee that it will amount to i'lo,ooo. Tho starting feo is fixed at £100, and tho stake is open to tho produce of ISSI, ISS.i, and ISS6. Othor foalures of tho event aro that tho distance will ho 14 miles, and ad to carry weight for ago. Fully 300 entries an; expected.

Two of the most experienced trainers in England have i/iveu their opinions respect ing the raising of tho weights. Matthew Dawson says : - " If tho woightswero rained m lOst do you not think you would find lift men try to got at that weight . Wo hail a melancholy example tho other day in p-ior f. Archer, whnso lowest possible weight should hay.i been S-t. 121b, hilling bim .If to rido S.c t'.lb. If ie _ considered not-.- _ry to raise the weights to meet, the requirements of two or three jockeys ot tho present timo, by all means do so, but as a matter ot jM-i.ii.iplo. i hardly think it -.vonld do any good. Tho Chifneys, Buckle, Robinson, Scott, Aldcroft, J. Osborne, (tc, rude under the present scaio of weights." Tom Jennings, the trainer of Gladia teur, differs somewhat in his idea of the question, for ho writes :-" With respect, to raising tho scale of weights in all pur races, I am of opinion it can bo dono with out slightest injury to our racing, especially tho w'oight-foT-age races. During a long period 1 have been in tho habit, of trying my horses—two year old and upivatds— carrying ever Ost, very often !»._ 711), and I novel' detected any harm from so doing. Of cour.-e, I do not" mean to say I think any horso could carry 0-. 71b in tho same timo that ho could carry Sst 71b, but that does not signify. "S wo do not go by the time test. You can soo by what I havo v/ritten I certaiuly advocate the raising of weights in all woight-fornga races." When two much eminent professors of iho art ul tram in.' dili'or. who..hall decile I Tlio following is a description nt tho first favourite for the next English Derby:—

"Tho Karon is a bay colt, standing lei hands ljjin. in height,his girth is Oft. lOin. full, tho circumioreii.o round tho muscles of

tlio aim boing l'.lin., whilst below tho knee this beautiful colt spans 7".in., and from tho ground to tho brisket i_ _Ir. 11 in. Such aro ?ho grand proportions of Mr Mat!how Dawson's roll. Tiio Baron has _ bla_:i ex i-iidin-' fr.u.i tho eontro of tho forehead to „i_ .'._^.-.;!'_'-. _ ~"__' __?„. 2_£_?__k '?S ab .vo both fetlocks "

CONDENSED ITEMS.

Tho Newmarket Handicap is run next Saturday.

Mitrailleuse's yearling brother has been named Barema.

T. Lsmond. the trainer, ha? been elected un Alderman for Waterloo, a suburb in Syd-

Tho general opinion of thr. horses nomin ated for the next English Derby is that they The Hon. VV, Robinson has leased from Mr H. Westmacott tho two-year-old iilly Fillina, by Albany— Mipjnon. Mr li. .1. Mason has presented Christchurch Tatter.aU. Club with a painting of Spade Guinoa I learn from Sydney this woek tint Kingfi-h is to be turned out for a su.il bofora being asked to race again. Cinderella was shipped on -Monday last to tako part in tho Egmont Meeting, anil Yietrry an 1 Tigar left on Thursday. The entries for tho V.R.C. Autumn Meeting compare unfavourably with thoso of last year. The number this year is .".74, against 441! last year. Tho stallion Chilperic. purchased at Lord Falmouth's sale by tho lato Fred Archer for 1.000 guineas when, put up at Taltersall's only brought 740 guineas. Tha two-year-old coit Lorraino split his hoof whilo running for tho Two-year-old Stakes at tho Hutt Meeting (Wellington), and will havo to ho spelled for a bit. Steersman, the jumping horso, tlio pro perty of Mr Glasscock, broke his leg whiN running in tho Hurdle Knee, at Mooi.ee Valley, and had to ha destroyed Martini-Homy and Otideis (full brother to Disowned) appear among the names of tho sires nominated for tho Murrmnbi.igeo Turf Club 1 _oduno ..takes of 18S9-90. Tho Dukn of Westminster, who in known on the English turf ;h tho owner of tho nhampion Ormond . donated .i'fiOO as a Christmas gift to tho Chester Infirmary. Tho "Sportsman" states that Hunting toivor has not, improved since the Spring, and does not seem to havo grown at all. Moreover, tho .on of Darebin is very fret ful.

Tho Committeo of tho Canterbury Jockey Club havo decided to nonsuit with the Dunn din Club rr the circular issued hy tho Wan ganui Jockey Club on tho uso and abuse of the totalisator. Cruchfield's victory at Wellington has in curred him a 10!b penalty for tho Dunedin Ohampsgne, and Mr Clifford has therefore decided not to run him, but to resorve him for the Canterbury Cbampagno. " Sir Launoelot" has been looking over Artillery, and ho states that the colt is carry ing a deal of ilesh. 110 looks woll enough in his coat, but. his feet havo beon an oodles, sourco of troublo to his trainer of late.

General W. O. Hardin?, tho founder of Bello Meade Stud Farm, is dead. Tho deceased gentleman wao 7S years old, and had spent nearly nil his lit. on tho turf both as an active owner oi racehorses and as a breeder. The latest compliment to Now Zealand from Australiais tho fact that Mr A. Harvey has namod his chestnut colt by the English man from True Blue, Pakehti. A very ap propriate appellation too, seeing that Pakeha is tho Moori for a white man. There is a Tasmanian breel mare in the Newmarket Handicap called Pomona, by St.. Albans, out ef Edella (full sister to Malua), and Tosmnniun turfites who are "in t_e know," it is said,swear by her. Pomona is being trained by T. Wilson at Ballarat. The total value of stakes won on tho British turf during ISS6, exclusive of matches and privates sweepstakes (which amounted to £."!,..SO), was-in England, £3.6,486 lis ; "in Scotland, 15,005 10s ; aud in Ireland, £10.501,7 . Tho Prince of Wales expressed a desire to have the pair of .puis worn by Fred Archor whon ho rode Ormonde in his hist raco at Newmarket, and the executors havo sent them to his Royal Highness together with tho saddle uaedon tho occasion. It is stated that Liberator, who was for somo years a " stmuliogdi-h " in connection with the Liverpool ft rand National Steeple chase, and who, in addition to winning that evont in 1879, ran third in 1577 and second in ISSO, has receill/been relegated to the shafts of a farm cait. Tha American mare's (Mi-s Woodford's) career covered five' seasons nn the turf. during which time sho r.n 'IS rac.is, of which she won :57- Parole's career covered eight seasons, during which time ha won 59 races. Hindoo's races wore at 2, 3, and 4 years old, during which he won 30. General Jackson, of tho Bello Meade Stud Farm, Tennessee, who purchased tho Eng lish Derby winner Iroquois at tho disposal of Mr Lorillard's stud, has had an offer from England for the great son of Leamington. The offer was refused.

ATHLETIC NOTES.

(By ACT/BON.)

FIXTURES.

SENIOR CUP. Feb. _. and March o -Aucklnnd V. United. Hoi March*?.-nd lu'-Gordon v. Auckland, Hollnnde March's. nmlA.il "-Hollands v. AucMand. Gordon V. United.

SECOND JUNIOR CUR.

Feb. 11l ami 2fl -Domsin O.S. v. Kden, A.C ena G S. V. Albany. Rosoberry v. Auckland J_. Richnioaii v. Alpha.

AQUATICS.

F übrnr.ry 10-Judge's Bay Kegatta. Murclil2-A.K.A. Reßatts. _,„,__ July ISS'-Haulan v. Teenier. Umt__ States.

ATHLETICS.

February 21—150 yds match between Gocdlltt Kebruary 28-Half-milematch between S. Good _»_ and Callaghan. , _, . ~_. Match 5-A.A.A.C. Sports, Domain Orioket Ground.

CRICKET.

Th_r_ is perhaps no point in cricket that has caused such bitter feeling and often times unseemly rows as that relating to leg before-wicket. Season after season in Eng land and Australia it has been talked and written about, and now the Victorian Crioket Association has called a meeting to consider the advisability of changing tha rule But at present that does not concern us, and what I wish to speak about is somo decisions iv l.b.w. that havo caused a groat deal of dis satisfaction omong senior playors during thia season. I rotor to the long list of bats men that tho Holland. C.C. havo got rid ot for leg beforo wicket in their matches. Now the rule concerning l.b.w. is very plain, and thoro should be no real difficulty in its working, it plainly states that a batsman can only bo 'out l.b.w. to a ball that is " pitched in a straight lino from tho bowler's v tcket to the striker's wicket, and would havo hit it." Now this is obviously doad against a bowler who breaks getting a man leg boforo unless ho pitches in a straight line and breaks but, little, and that on the wicket. Both the Holland* bowlers break vory considerably, and to givo a man out "leg boforo" to some of their balls is very oviclontly contrary to the spirit and reading of the rulo. A batsman is not out it he stop.s wilh any part of his person a ball that was going straight for his wicket and would havo hit it if that ball was pitched a foot outside the leg stump. The ball must be pitched in a straight line from wicker, to wicket. It is to bo hoped that there will not be occasion for any mora to ba said on this subject. A- regaril.. senior cricket on Saturday, it was uu afternoon of surprises. Decidedly tho inns." exciting game was that botween the Auckland and Hollands Cricket Clubs. Groat, interest was taken in the match, as Auckland wore leading by a win, and if Hollands win this match thoy will be levelfor tho Chip. Beard won the to.=s, and of course elocted to bat on tho splendid wicket that had been pispared. His aide, however, did not trouble the Auckland bowlers very long. Beaul aad Thompson started, but the 1 utter was soon run out, anei Wallace, who filled his place, retired after running 2. E. Mills and Thomas did well for a time, and tho scoro wont, up, but Millß was smartly taken by Arneil in the slips, and a tine length ono from Boalo beat Thomas, Arnnil was also responsible for getting rid of Board in tho slips off Beale, The other wickets fell in quick successiwn, and the total reached 40 Tho bowling analysis showed :Benle,Us balle, 24 runs, ii wickets : Arneil, lit balls, 20 runs, 3 wicker . Tho Auckland Captain sent the Key. I.Richards aud Tomlin to the stumps, and a sensational procession occurred. The last-named was woll taken at shortstop, and his ptrtnor was out logbofore-wickot to a leg break—two wickots for no runs. Arneil and Barton woro now at tho stumps, but a beauty from G. Mills beat tho latter all tho way after he had mado chf'o — threo wiekcti for three runs. The excite ment was now intense, and tho Hollands were very jubilant. O'Brien was tho noxt batsman, but after running one ho ivas out l.b.w. to G. Mills—another break, four for four.—Ueid came next; E.Mills was too good for him—five wickets for six. Tne Auck supporter, cheored their mon hc-artily. Dowes and Arneil mado a break in tho pro cession, and the total was 18 before the next wicket fell. Jack Arneil was playing a fine steady game, putting tho wood ou when hn got tbo chance, and he made sonic splondid strokes, though tho good fielding ot tho Hollands prevented bim scoring much by them. Baard and Barry wero particu larly noticeable, und it was a eplendidly taken chance by the latter that gave Dowos his quietus. W. W. Kobinson and Hawkins brought the total .up to 05, when A. Beale faced tho bowlor. Excitement was vory groat, as thoro was a very good chanco of the Auckland total not reaching that of tho Hollands. Arneil ran a cjuplo of close ones, and Baalo rapidly put up 7 by some very lucky play, and mado the winniug hit with v lucky slip for three. Arneil had a docided life off G Mills, tho ball going through E. Mills's tingors. Beale spooned one up, and Thomas hold it Morcy came in and Arneil started to ploy a bit freer, anil for n timo tho Holders had some work to do. When tho score bad reached fill, or 20 ahead. Arneil retired, smartly taken by E. Mills in tho slips. Ho had played a splendid innings for his 3C, and without doubt proved his Clubs saving. His catting was very fine, and his dofenco excellent. Tho match will bo finished this afternoon. While these smull i-coros were homer mado on ono part of the ground, United were giving Cordon a rare leathor hunt. Tho blue and gods put a weak team in thotield, being handicapped by the abs-nce of Kissling and \\"illiams. They, however, started woll, and rapidly got rid of Dufaur atitl McPherson, when Mumford showed a strong partiality for Gould's long hops, and ho tr.ated two or throe of Meldrum . that wore rather full in a very harsh manner, rapidly running up IS He seemod in for a scoro whon ho was given out. I.b. w. Lynch played a fine free innings for 23, whon .Moresby caught him. Charlie Bowdon's faco was a sight to see ns a beauty from Gould fairly bent him first ball. Yates and Te?ti'o got together and had a merry time of it. The score gradually mounted and the bowling wns knocked all ever the field, and it wa« not till tho telegraph showed ISO that Yates retired, caught at point. Harvio hit up 21 very quickly, and was then run out, and Sterapaon faced the bowling, only to see Te. -tro cloan bowled by a low leg break from Moresby. Ho had compiled 64 by rather freer cricket than usual. Tho United's total now stands at lfl!) for eight wickets, uud tho blue and golds will havo their work cut out to top it. Thoir fielding was the samo as usual—another way of saying it was very good, but tho bowling was by no means up to par. Could was decidedly a lump off, though ho got .1 wickets for 42, whilo W. Meldrum showed ono for GS. The following table shoivs the positions of tho clubs in tho various cup contests : — Club Matches Won Lost

Gordon 11. made 30 and 37 for five wickets ngninst Parnell, who mado 58 in their first innings. Kelly obtained 7 wickets for Cordon at a cost of 27 runs. The Midland C.C. havo beaten tho Lan caster Park C.C. by 130 runs. In a match botween the Addington and Stanmore Bauds on Saturday, the sth, a player on the former side made a clean hit for 0.

The "Sydnoy Morning Herald" has the following on tbe recant match between Combined Australia and Shaw's Eleven. After contending that the real cricketing strongl h of Auitr. La did not play, it says : — But, taking tbe season's play altogether, most people, we think, will come to the conclusion that the English professionals selected by Shaw constitute a more power ful team than any combination that could be brought against them in Australia at the present time. That is to say, if a number of matches were played between our strong est eleven and our English visitors, we should lo=e moro games than we should whi. Wo have individual players in the different depattments'of the gameas good, if not better, than any individual players on the other

buux^us^_^ r=r.f be said. ,diat there is any nlavs a a great advantage-it v never beaten until its last wicket has alien. It !X_ an uphill game with confidence and Sat.he. victory from the very jaws of defea. The match which wm »™«£**. different ending wis expected muc au ; » somodisapoointmont, no nne v.nl letitu.o to say that tho best team did not. win. Waitemata and National played a one 1 innings game last Saturday, when tho ..me. won by one run ana lour wickots. N_t_nal batted first 61 when the Waite mata followed with 62 for .» wiokete. Maokie ran up 26 for Waitemata, ana _.. Nicholson 27 for the National Stitchbury bow Hug medium paced underhand creeper, against the latter took 7 wickets foi A Tb. fact of Percy M'Donnell being .■iven out le" before wicket in tho recent; |_t_h with tbe Englishmen «c.thereby virtually losing the game for the Ana tralians, has caused a great deal of u. nUi-antness, and the umpires ruiinc, i. freely canvassed. The difficulty culminated o_J_n 81 in afraea,, during which Barnes whileendeavouringtoannihilateHiddleetone a New South Wales player, dislocated a fin.»er Ho will he unablo to play for three wcoka Ifeavy \ .igoring took place on tho B_m P _.nd this intensified tho bitterness.

ATHLETICS.

Pettengoll and Murphy, both of__ey. Zealand have takon a saloon at BO'JCII, N.S.W., and aro prepared to givo le?eons in tho nohle art, , A half-mile footrace has been arranged betvoen tho well known psdestriun Goodman and Callagban, who won tho 2 mile handi cap at Professor Carollo'.i tournament. Tne race starts at 0 p.m. on February 28. and is °A match has been mado for £10 botween J Goodlih., tho winner of the Eight Hours Demonstration Handicap, and Luke, iho winner of (he Hamilton Handicap, to run a 150 yds race on Monday next at 3 p.m. in tlio Domain. ~,.., _, It is reported that .100 Wnrbnek, the well known footballer, intends to contest tho Eastern Maori Electorate at the noxt general election. .Toe stands: a very good show, and I wi^-h him luck. He has mado speeches beforo now, ns witness that at the smoke concert given to tho Sydnoy foot ballers . , _ The National Cyclists' Union carried two vory important motions at a meeting re cently held in England. The first refers to fl._ v.,ln. of oriz-s. and was as follows:—

tho value of prizes, and was as fo.lort. :— " That in future no prize for an open haridi cap, or for scratch races (other than cha • longe cup-) hold under N.C.U. rules shall be, or bo advertised to be, of greater valuo than A. fia nott." The other resolution was to tho effect that a special committee be appointed to consider the best means of en couraging professional racing. These, two resolutions together, it is hopsa, will do something toward? solving the "amateur problem _y discouraging tbe veiled profes sionalism foslered by big pri_ee,andencour aging riders who cannot afford to remain amateurs to enter the professional ranks. It will, however, clash vory much with the action nf the Victorian ami N.B.W. Unions, for they seem determined to mako their prizes as valuable and as sensational as pos sible. Arthur Hancock walked his first match in England since be left this colony, when ho competed on Boxing Day against .1. Hibberd in n twelve hours' match for ioO aside. Tno mon kept, together for too first hour, after which Hancock took tho lead, and, increasing it. every lap, held command. When ho had completed fifty miies he was leading by over a milo On entering tho last hour tho would bo NT. 7. champion had a 1,400 yards lead of Hibberd. A little later Hibberd went in pursuit of Hancock, who was now going very etilily, and soon gained a lap. Hib berd, continuing to walk wed, passed Han cock a quarter of an hour before timo, and. going on at a _o «.l bat, at tho ond nf the 12 hours he had covered 60 miles 510 yards against 00 miles 80 yards by Hancock. Loan, a Vi.r'orian. has challenged Petten gell to box for flit aside.

UNKNOWN

Mr W. 3. Ged-lis has purchased tho yacht Bluo Kibbon, late the properly of Mr Stono.

A suggestion was mado last year that an eight-oar ciew should bo sent over from New Zealand to take part in tho annual Intercolonial Race at the other side but tho matter was allowed to drop This year the struggle is to bo on tho Parraroatta, and will come off early in May. Now be foro, all e_'jrt=, or what thoro was, were made with the idea of Ponding over a manual-labour crew ; but they could not compete in the Eight oar Race. All Inter colonial races are for bona fide umatours only, so if evor a move is mado in the matter again notice will have to ho taken of this. This year all the Australasian colonies will bo represented save New ..aland. Victoria, Tasmania, Now South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia all intend to try their luck, and I do not sco why New Zealand should tako a back seat. 1 would suggest to our local Association the plan of opening the matter by sending a circular to the Rowing Associations at Wellington, Wanganui, Ch-istchurch, and Dunedin, asking them to co operate and sco what could be done The expenses of tho undertaking would amount to about i'4oo (tho_ of the Sdyney crew last year when thoy jour neyed to Melbourne were i_f)o), and surely tho colony could subscribe that. Thore arc a great many difficulties in the way, but 1 am sure the subject should bo woll vontilated, and once, public interest is aroused 1 am certain the scheme v...! not drofi in a Lurry. Our bona fide amateurs here are as good a stamp of men ns are to bo met anywhere, and taking all in all. would make a game struggle with tho Cornstalks for the championship.

The half-decker lately built by Bailey, and purchased by Messrs Smith and McCausland, has been named the Astnea, and sho turns out to bs a regular hummer. She has been entered for tho yacht race at tho Judge's Bay Amateur Regatta, to bo sailed on Saturday.

C. Bailey is building a new IS-footev to contest the sailing race for that class at the Judge's Bay Regatta next week.

THE SIZE OF THE EARTH.

Measurements of tho Dimensions of the World.

Tin-: earlier attempts of calculating the size of the globo wore based on astronomical observations. It would bo difficult to day to say within what dogree of ac curacy tha figures then obtained could have been relied upon, as the units of measurement used by those pioneers have beon lost and could not be compared with tho units now in use. Ono of tho earlier attempts at, obtaining the actual length of the earth's meridian by direct measurement of a portion of the samo was made in the sixteenth century by a French doctor. Tho means employed, although very ingenious, would bo cotiside'ed per fectly clumsy and inadequate by the modern scientist. There was in this oarly measure ment no attempt at mathematical preci sion as understood iv tho present century and considering the simplicity of the method employed by tho doctor, it is only to be wondered that no greater error was ob tained in its final result. The measurement consisted simply in driving from Paris to Amiens, aud counting the revolutions of tho wheel of the carriage, and from the number of revolutions of the wheel obtaining the distance between the two cities, which could serve as a basis for calculating the length of the meridian. Of courso, this cal culation could not by any means be con sidered accurate, but, taking into account the means employed, tho result obtained has been subsequently found to bo wonder fully precise. The most curious thing about it is that what would now be con sidored gi-avo errors and inoxactitudo woro so distributed that thoy almost com pensated each other, and dimensions then obtained show only slight differences with the dimensions given by tho most recent measurements. Thus chance (and no better name could be found) permitted of the same results, with only a email final error, being obtained with that crude method thatare now obtained with the most pre cise instruments and with the most com plicated calculations.

A retired cheesemonger, who hated any allusions to the business that had enriched him, said to Charles Lamb, in the course of a discussion on the Poor Laws—"You must bear in mind, sir, that I have got rid of that sort of stuff which you poets call the 'milk of human kindness.'" Lamb looked at him steadily, and gave acquies cence in these pithy words—" Yes, I am aware of that—you turned it all into cheese several years ago,"

THE GARDEN.

[By Hortus.]

Calendar for weeli ending February 13.

[Uortdbls Willing to answer any quorles. Cor, respondents mnst <rf_> their full names and addresses, tbollKhnot for publication.l

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Castor On. Plant (" So'tlor," lloUiaiiK-i) ---^'1^ „>._vc pKut urows very v.-,.jl in N» > N * Z -bum hut. wn. .bur I-. wouo . r>o • <_viu i ; r.u- cr.mmi-reiul nui-noso-1 think n- >> '- »> "'• ri- _£; without b,ii_ able to k;.ve P Wbaneurai should have tested this mjw Incnoiher part of this column .. SiTTtJoSioal oxiractfrom K. J. Haldane in. Sub-tro.itai Cultivation and Climates.

Ke'your c'uwln. s now. Make amUeplo o* (ZTOU-td in n. coal pft^t <* _ If and mix a little f-id with the soy. r--__ la _« c_tt(!,.a should b3 i-c.ectea. ~v sSly « » ioi.it and insert m ._"._„,.. v .-witci-inu- should bt) avoided. only n v. r allow the soil to get dust dry. I h*v_ often urruok p_areoni,im3 by simply r«_ln_?.f_ s braich about 6 to 8 inches Itok. ._ .l.t'.Jn. s.. ..in the open border where _ V Y.ar U_e ' ._.. wo_i. __k° & ?___„£■ th? followine season Only cut

. % .V^ ___t.ho*- are in full bloom a.a in. Ot _£_d in &?___£ WrtO.th. season You Sj'ke^^£t£i%S Try anethe? ye_; sou might have better luck. TBI IPS ANEMONES, ETC. (RO ) - When ever •-..v o .tat ■ »ny bnlb> Lorn Home. pur. th m J. once, is if i.e. t they are aptto go elf£ Ith lir -'' .'' ." ... i,. a a conlidi-rab.. n _n_Tr than by Wef r^s^^^^H stiff. After Plwtto s - -"«£ a oSt ter _ -virtue-?„«_,-_ «^*M;^ ,te. of^ilb" f_n,°E.iglar.r!. ard the?' were treated as above. Tin percentage of loss is going to be very sin-il.

Kitchen Garden.

Noiv i. the best season of the year for drain

ing, trenching, and manuring any now o r old cropping ground. The soil being in a dry state, it breaks into large pieces, which will soon be reducad to a fine state for cropping immediately wo recoive the first heavy rains. All vacant pieces of ground should also bo dug over, leaving it quite rough, so that tho sun and atmosphere have

as much surface to act on as possible. Be fore either the digging or trenching takes plane, all the manure to be applied to the ground should be wheeled all over it in small convenient heaps, so that it may b. put under the surface with as little troublo a. n .-ib! . Where the garden requires drairiiu" it shouidbedon.iatot.ee, or boforo any late autumn K .o P pii)e take-place. Tho tiles cucht to ba put 2. to ?. feet deep. I ift dry and store onion' as they ripen. They keep best if tied io bunches and hung up to the rafters of a dry airy shed. Sow a fow rows of French bean . Continue earthii." up the growing crops, and stake tho ru_ring varieties. Pick fruit as soon as ready. Plant out tbo main crop of broccoli and ksic, also cabbage and cauli flower. Uso puddle and water as recom mended a few weeks a_o. M.-.ko another Bowii)" oi eaoh of tho two litter for late autumn planting. Celery : Givo plenty of water and liquid manuro Tie and earth up as they require it. The late crop should be planted out now. Tomatoes : Since the lato welcome rain theso should bo making a goon treat "I gr_wt.li. Tloup tbo fruiting shoots, pinching off all superfluous growth. Thin such old leaves as may be debarring tho free acc_3 of tho sun's rays to fruit ripening. Give plenty of liquid manure to each plant. Cucumbers, marrows, pump kins, etc : Thin superfluous shoots ; give plenty of water. Musk molons: Keep pretty dry; thin out shoot . The fruit should be lilted out of tho ground. Take a G inch pot, D.ace a slate on top of it, then tho fruit on the slato, so that it may get all tho force of tho sun's rays. AU pieces of ground bad with weeds should be forked over frequently so a? to got rid of them during tho hot weather. Tho dirtiest piece of ground can be thoroughly ridded it) one season if proper attention be given to hoeing and foiking as soon as ever the foliage of the weeds makes its appearance. Tho roots of wecls cannot live long if the foliage is continually cut off. Flower Garden. All improvements or alterations in the flower garden should bo made during the dry weather where possible. If made now, tho ground would get well sweetened and be in splendid order for planting early in tho autumn, which is a great consideration. Where graaa ha* to b.. sown, it is better, if possible, to get the ground ready for it in timo for sowing early, so as to got it well established before tho winter sets in. The different border plants should now be gone over and all debris cleared away. Cut back pelargoniums aud such others ss may require it, so that they may mako as early a growth as possible. Chrysanthemums : Stake and tie up ; give plenty of water ; a little liquid manure will help them greatly. Dahlias will also re quire considerable attention. Pinch back shGOts and tie up as they grow to their stakes : water freely with liquid manure. Carnations, pinks, and picotees should now be layered. Place about two shovelfuls of sand arour.el each plant, and layer on the sand. Give a good supply of water to each plant when layered. Gladiolus bulbs v, Inch were planted early should be lifted as they ripen oft. All good varieties should be dried and put past for planting early next spring. Those of inferior quality should be placed in the sun for .bout a week, and replanted so as to give early flowers. Late-planted bulbs should not be lifted for some time yet. Cockscombs, balsams, and other strong-feeding plants will require a good deal of wator during the rest of the season, also occasionally liquid manure. Whon giving water try and keep it oil'the Honor., as this will cause them to decay rapidly. See that all debris is cleared off tho borders as _oop as it accumulates. Try and makelthiogs look as tidy as possible. Lawn : Where water can be procured apply it heavily and roll frequently. Wherever tho lawns want top-dressing, the materials should now bo procured, so as to get it in good order for use. Nothing but good rich coil should bo obtained. Tha richer the better. Poor, hungry soil is of very little

Greenhouse,

Give plenty of air and water. Seeds of cinerarias, calceolarias, and primula should now be sown in shallow pans, using a light rich compost. All hardy plants done flowering place out of doors, choosing a cool Bbady place. Uso liquid manure freely to growiug plants, especially to those growing in small pots.

Castor Oil Plant.

From ita hardy nature the castor oil plant is easily acclimatised in any country where the mean annual temperature is over BGdeg., especially in insular climates, where it ia not liable to be killed with frost in winter, ana consequently becomes perennial (it is grown as an anuual in England). But it must be remembered that this plant is naturally a tropical one, and in temperate climates cannot be expected to tttain tho sumo size ov to produce aa many seeds as it would whero the heat is great and constant. Consequently in cool climates it is nearly a herba- Ccou. plant wilh a soft stem, boar ing seeds which yield a mild oil; but in warm cauntries t ie stem is ligneous and strong. Tho plant grows to a" height of over oighteon feet, and the oil is powerful and drastic. A candy loam is the best soil for this plant; clay does not suit it. There are several varieties of tho castor oil plant, of which the Ricmus spectahilis is said to be tho most valuable. I'hose varieties may bo divided into tho large-seeded and small seeded, the latter yielding most oil of a superior quality. Tbo oiffrom the large seeded varieties i 3 unfit for uso in medicine, and_ is generally used for purposes of illumi nation, etc. The cultivation is simple. In Illinois (America) the soil is prepared as if for maize, laid off seven feet apart each way. The seeds are soaked for from twelve to twenty-four hours in warm water, and two seeds are put into each hole a id sown like maize April is the planting month (corresponding to our October). When the

plants are three inches high the land is ploughed, tho plough going first closa to tho plants so as to put soc_e fresh earth round tlein, after which the middle of the row is cleaned by either tho plough or cul tivator. When tho plants aro eight to ten inches high, thin them so as to leave one plant to oach hill. Whon from a foot to eighteen inches high, the plants can tafe e oaro of themselves if the weeds are kept from the middle spaco between the rows, The see.! ripens in August (February i n ft| /.) .Sixteen to twenty bushels is a fair crop, though in California and Texas thirty to fifty bushels is usual, the bushel weigh, ing forty six pounds. Where the climate is warm, tho plants must be farther apart as thoy grow larger. Tho seecjs are gathered when they turn from a reddish colour to a green brown. A cart goes be. tweon tho rows with the pickers bj it, who Eelect the ripo seed. This is done every other day. The see. aro thinly spread on a barbecu, or level piece of beaten ground, and frequently turned. When well dried thoy are fanned. The »ceds aro shelled and pressed in hemp bags by hydraulic presses, the pressure being gradually applied. The shelling, crushing and pressing must be performed as quickly as possible, for exposure to the air discolours the oil at this stage. Whan the oil is expressed it is heated with water in tinned vessels until the water boils and the albumen and gum separate aa a .cum, which is removed. The oil ig filtered through Canton flannel and put in canisters. One bushel of beans yields rive to six quartß oi oil. Mr Haldane also gives a number of other methods of extract ing the oil. From all tbe data which I can <_ther of the castor oil plant, the hotter The climate the greater the yield of seed and oil. X cannot procure any data whereit is in cultivation for producing oil io climates where thoy have such low summer tempera tures as we possess, and would like to hear of a good practical test as to the weight of seed per acre, quantity of oil extracted, and value of such oil in the market, also cost of cultivation.

STAGE AND STUDIO

(By Euterpe.)

Tin: Musical Society have decided to put Cor. en's " Sleeping Beauty "in rehearsal ; " Joe Brown," who was here with (ieorra Darrell, has forsaken theatrical manage. ment. Ho has re joined the staff of the Melbourne "Age." Fred Millis, the Australian ventriloquist, lately appeared in Chicago, and_ waa pro nounced ono of the most extraordinary per- , formers in his Hoe ever seen in America. W. E. Sheridan, who underwent a seven operation some weeks since, is now fully restored to health, and during the next few . week? he intends giving lessons in elocution in Sydney. The daughter of Herr Bandmann, Millie ir Bandmann Palmer, will shortly make her debut at Dresden, playing Lady Eagle in "Tbe German Chamberlain," and will after P. wards go to Berlin. Signorina Marchetti, a soprano vocalist ' of exceptional skill, has arrived in Sydney | aftor a successful tour in Japan and China, partly in company with the great violinist i Edonard Remenyi. She intends giving » few concerts in Sydney. Mr Frederick Pitman, the musical and shorthand publisher of London, died on November 21. in his sSth year. He wis • one of a family of eleven, tbe eldest son of which ha 3 gained renown as the inventor of-| ' phonography. George Kehogb, the business manager of ' Mrs Langtry, haa the American rights ton ' comedy called " Curiosity," which ho will probably produce at a special matinee at V.attack's. The piece is by Derrick, tha author of "Confusion," and is said to ba fully as funny as the latter. Miss Maude Digby, whom New Zealand i playgoers will remember aa Solange Navato, : has been appearing at the Grand Theatre,. Islington, with Misa Marie de Grey, in a . new' piece by Frank Harvey, entitled; • " Lore! Napier's Daughter." The acting of . both ladies was highly praised, "--' Mossra Williamson, Garner, and Mos- ' 1 grove aro re-organising their Opera Com-; i pany for a New Zealand tour, dnringjg > which they will produce "The Mikado,"-' '. "lolanthe," and numerous other operas " f quite now to this colony. --They _i_ iewro ;- Melbourne immediately oh the close ot, ! thoir present season. J Those who have read Lady Brasaey'j j " Voyage in the Sunbeam " will be intir-S ested that the same lady's latest volume of ! travel, entitled "SunEhine and Storm ins . the East, or Cruises to Cyprus and Cpn-?| ' .tantinople," is now procurable in Auck t land, printed with clear type on good , paper, and profusely illustrated, for tlie re markably low price of sixpence. Cupica j may be obtained at Mr Mears's establish ment, near the Savings Bank. - , -v: i Acting en tho advice of the professor of : mueic under whom Master Alfred Hill I ; (formerly of Auokland) has for tho last year or t.vo been studying the violin, Ift.;§ i Charles Hill, father of the youth, hrt.§ i determined to send his son to Loipsie witii :i a view to enabling him to still further pro- | secute his musical studies for a period of « three years. Mast, r Hill will be accotn- I ' panied to Europe by his brother, Mr J. W, ' Hiil, who intends studying vocalisation for I twelve months at. any rate. The last weeks of the Italian Opera _. Company have now been reached in . Melbourne-. " Norma " and " Uu Bai rn Maschera" were given during tha first weok of Eebruary, and were i followed by " The Barber of Seville." When the mail left a new opera was to be produced for the first time in Melbourne, viz., "I PromossiSposi." Martin Siminaon may well congratulate himself upon the, splendid success of his Italian Opera Com-' pany. Each night since the opening hai • the large Alexandra Theatre been packed,. . They opsn in Sydney for a 12 weeks' season ' during the first week in March. Au important book on the history of the : v reign of Queen Victoria is announced „ being in the press. It is entitled "Thefl Reign of Queen Victoria, a Survey of Fifty Years of Progress," and it Will deal iat'i a series of chapters with the various depart- j: ments of the national lifo of England, the whole boing edited by Humphrey Ward. Somo of the principal chapters and their ,■ writers aro as follows : The Army, Lord Woleely; The Navy, Lord Brassey; The Administration of the Law, Lord Justice , Bowen ; National Finance, Leonard Court ney ; India, Sir H. S. Maine; Industrial Organisation, Mr Mundella; 'Schools, p Marthew Arnold; Science, Professor Huxley ; Literature, Dr Garnet, and The;; Theatre, W. Archer. ',' The latest Yankee notion ia the "liumani- , phone," and churches in debt are finding rt , a very profitable source of income.!, t ■* thus described:—Upon entering the roof. tho heads and ehouldors of nine young; ladies were visible above a screen extend ing the length of the room. All t_e;y. "»_ ladies wore masks, and from their necks hung suspended a cord, on which; w_ printed a musical note. It did not'_ke~ tho audience long to discover that.the " ha maniphone " was simply a human; P Boo' It was played by Miss Nellie Schoyer. With a wand she "walked back andfbrthi and each young lady uttered a';d._e_n» note as she touched them with a visai. in this novel manner Miss Schoyer p^I*} "Home, Sweet homo," "Yankee poodle, and a number of pleasing melodies., Miss Clarice Brabazou, tho infant pianirt who used to delight and astonish Auckland audiences by hor remarkable. moSMI • aptitude and skill, is now commanding the unqualified praise of the Sydney public""* press. Reviewing a pianoforte tew. which the talented child recently gave in the New South Wales metropolis,. »•' : " Echo " says :— " The latest wonder a v . years of age, her name is Clarice Brabazo . and she comes from New Zealand, v! 4"06 v received a cordial welcome, and her TBtf first performance, tbat of Stephen B#erjj fantasia on Schubert's delicious "Trout song, showed that she doserved it. . person she is rather tall and slender, witha leiioed and intellectual f ace, set ??°J thick brown hair—altogether a decide*", interesting-looking girl. She has W*n p trained solely by her sister, Miss Brabszon, who must, feel extremely pr oao <g ■ , the success her little sister has acbra™i The child successfully went through »aim cult programme, and "the critic, referring . her "complete mastery of the shake,: «•"■ marks : " When the fingers are properly trained from the start, as Clarice's have evi dently boen. they can be made to da any thing, and this accounts forhereomP»» mastery of one of the most; orUJj?i ' and at the same time one of therop. ?™' cult ornamouts which the piano player £"° to attack. Clarice was rewarded J"*™" performance by a perfect deluge of .PSJJJ and. of course by an almost qnlU»n*» amount of applause." A writer,™ *=* " " Tribune " suggests that the chM.W?™ ' be sent home tp;co_.plete her Btudiev;. 8?" I certainly think the suggestion; __» r" • acted upon.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1887

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