<"'number of distinguished visitors O^ 8 t s.B. Te Anau bins moininjr irri v6 _ _Lv deluding the Marquis and from Sydney, . Droghoda> Mr and jlarcb' 000 ! Wi »«_ Mrt Fairfax, wife 0 i ;_i Fd.^' ax > commandant of of SflSiU- Squadron, and Mrs the A" 8 " W if e of Captain Bosanquefc, Bosa?f,g' opa L The Marquis and of "\ pL 0 i Drogheada and Air and Mrs jjjrchione» a stiiyin _ afc Cairna Btai . Hotol Jeave ear j y ro .___ 01TOV/ * lber for the lake district. They havo ol0r "-_l special conveyances at Hayr's ;D " • .A_ency and now intend visiting the j" 00 ftßotomahana, and the wondrous craters a y a |j e y which has just been ffai fun for tourists. .Irs Fairfax, who ope mDanied by a staff of servants, pro &■ __■. ,lirecb from the steamer to Govern- which had been prepared for I ' reC eptwn. i consequence of the arrival of Lady .___ this morning a constable was _t the irate of Government House &.to warn off intruders. __ Friday evening next an amateur Opera ._v possessing an eflioienb chorus, C ° .S up by a f"H orchestra, and with Herr _*_ itb as conductor, will produce at E___ Offenbach's single-act operettas, Kin-' of the Spell" and " The Rose of S. The solo parts have been Xd as' follows:-" Breaking: of the 5 1" Jenny Wood (maid oi" the inn), Mrs ?___• /soprano); Peter Bloom (gardener), 2TI Edwards (tenor); Old Matthew (a X" pensioner), Mr T. C. Stanley (bad- C l.!.>'j.ose of Auvergne, : ' Fleurette !? P „_l__. of the village cabaret), Mrs tSf' Alphonse (a shoemaker), Mr A. L. ffis; iWre), Mr Percy Sinclair (2nd if or) An « nusual fcreat may confidently Anticipated by the denizens of Onehunga. 2" uerfonnances -will subsequently be Sen in Auckland. Mr J. R. Gil-Ulan ac.s J, business manager. The weekly meeting of the " Progressive Teaeue " was held at Kobson's Rooms on Monday evening. Various matters of de toiltfere gone into, and three new members after which Mr Frankham introduced the question of " Bible Reading L State Schools "in an able address. He dealt with the compilation, completeness, and beauty of the Bible, and pointed to the fact that whereas other books, famous in their day, have fallen into disuse, the Bible Lheld ia h'S n esteem by fche learned of all lands at the present day. Mr Frankham moke very earnestly on its proven divine .ntrin, and its suitability as a guide through life in fact, it was the: Book of all books which should be read in State schools. Various members took part in the discussion which followed, and ib was decided to con thmeitat the next meeting. In view of the approaching holiday time the League re solved to adjourn till Monday, January 9th, at. p.m. The President (Mr West) occu pied the chair. The annual soiree of the Franklin Road church was celebrated lasb evening. There was a good attendance, and the Rev. C. E. Ward presided over the public meeting. Spirited addresses were delivered by the Beys. Smith, Woollass, and Ward, and the choirrenderedsomegood music, Mrl)innings _4_g leader and Miss Booth organist. A Christmas tree and sale will be held in the Protestant Hall, Newton, on Friday and Saturday, from 2 to 10 p.m.. when the Ssffton Band will bo in attendance. The ladies will ha. c a large assortment of useful and ornamental articles to dispose of ab Tery moderate prices.

The Marquis of Drogeda, who arrived here per sa. Te Anau bhis morning, ac companied by the Marchioness, is tb.ej._ird of the title. He was born in 1825, and married in 1847 to the Hon. Mary Caroline Stuart-Wortley, eldest daughter of Lord ,Yharnoli-fe. The Marquis is also a baron IB _ie peerage of England, his title being Barolii'Moore, of Moore Place, County Kent. The Drogheda family spring from !£.s. glish soldier of fortune named Moore, who went over to Ireland in the reign of EOiabeth.

the manager for Mr James Pain, the pyrotechnist of world:wide repute, has arrived with a staff of skilled mechanics tod an immense quantity of material, to enable Mr Pain to fulfil his promise to delight the public of Auckland tod districts with some of his well-known firework' displays and illuminations at Christmas and the New Year. We need hardly remind our readers thab Mr Pain, «hois the pyrotechnist by appointment bo the Queta "and Prince of Wales, has Wt With enormous success in Mel s_u_e, Sydney, Brisbane, and obber parts of the colonies, and we feel cori-deh. he will keep up his high name as acaterer for public amusement. Full par ticulars will be shortly published.

The members of tho Auckland Liedertafel held their last practice for this year on Monday evening ab Robson's Rooms, Mr W. E. Baxter acting as leader. Consider ing the number of musical societies in Auckland, this club has made fair progress, haying a roll of about 20. It is to be hoped Ut next year Ib will take a more prominent position."

A very distressing case of drowning occurred on Monday last ab Karekare near Manukau Heads, bhe victim being Florence % Murdoch, a child of 19 months old and daughter of Mr Charles Murdoch, sawmill manager. The father states that he *ad returning xrom his work on Monday about five o'clock, and when about a hundred yards from his residence he heard his wife scream. He ran to the place, »udsawthe deceased lying in the bed of a «ree_ which flows past hisresidence, in about • loot of water. He immediately lifted her out, and with the aid of his wile tried every Beans in his power to restore animation, Jut without success. Mrs Murdoch told tanthatghe had seen the children playing ttfelyin front of the house about ten min xes previously, and had just gone oub bo bell t-emto come inside, when she saw bhe child 9*. in the creek. The child could not W. been long in the waber when dis covered by her mother, as bhe body was OjUite.wann when Mi- Murdoch picked ib up. An,,!.quest on the body of the child will Pobably be held by Mr A. Beetham, Coroner.

A fancy fair a nd bazaar in aid of the wilding fund of bhe Roman Cabholic Church B w in course of erection ab Onehunga was openedinSt. Mary's HaUon Monday lasb by oishop Luck. There is a large assorbmenb "articles for sale, and probably the pro ***<»will be "of a substantial description.

We: are asked to announce that the Praen party which the Bishop of Auckland «ia Mrs Cowie proposed to give bo-morrow ™we St. Thomas branch nf the Church of I «w» Temperance Society, is unaVoid f'y postponed. The Bishop is debained ab iaSs bfisfc Btock of Chrisbmas drapery and ff»ing in Auckland is to be found ab Mora, late T. Short, Queen-street, —[advt. ]

' branch of the house of H. ft Warner a nd Co., manufacturers of Safe Remedies, have been apprised ?__!.- desfcr «ction by fire of the extensive ■SJn warehouses of bhe firm wibh alltheir rw involving a loss of about £50,000. *gm TO of this, the great painting _S ra in Winter," by Cameron, the JfiSPWiHon.; H. H Warner, and for i2r_ 4rt gentleman in 1884 paid £6,000, Ss«Nyed. The painting had been ?«Md';for exhibition ab bhe fortecommg : jgwtwl International Exhibition, and ' fa preparatory for shipment "the colonies. The destruction of this E?,- 18 a £"»<> toss to art, as it cannot Wd »plieatedr ujf members of the A Battery are warned g| a special daylight parade will be he a Jj* 0 «W. evening%b oTsO, near .hePrdl-

_________________!_§

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

.Per s.s. Te Anau.)

DOOMED BY A SHARK

A. Horrible Sight

Another warning against the practice of bathing in the Paramatta River occurred ab the Ryde Wharf, near Sydney, on Novem ber 4th, at about half-past 11 o'clock in the morning, when a young man named William Cochrane, 26 years of age, who was in the employment of Mr T. Small, of Ryde, meb wibh a horrible death right before the eyes of his companions. It seems that Cochrane and several other young men had been sending a dog into the water, and it was bhen pro posed that they should have a swira. Three of the young fellows ab once divested themselves of their clothing and entered the water. After returning to the wharf, two of them sab clown on bhe . edge with their feet dangling in the water, while Cochrane made another plunge into the river. One of his comrades then sang out that he saw a shark, and tho swimmer at once made for bhe landing, bub just as he had his hands on bhe wood work bhe monster, which was aboub 15ft. long, made a dash at him and caught him in the side, completely disembowelling him. This sickenin_r sight was witnessed by those on the wharf, two of. whom were knocked over by the tail of the shark as it rushed towards its victim. As soon as the shark had seized Cochrane his body sank and rose again in a few seconds, but only -o sink again, and though the Water Police. dragged the river till dark they did not recover ib. Several times while the men were at work bhe shark was seen oub in midsbream. Some bwo years ago a young man named Lysaghb was seized by a shark whilsb babh ing in the river, and a few weeks ago a dog was also devoured. This is the place where the Victorian eight-oar crew, when over here last, used to go in bathing every day. The " Evening News " says : "It was a berrible scene for bhose who witnessed it. A wild agonising cry was the firsb bhing that called attention to Cochrane. It was then seen that he had been seized on the right side by the man - murdering demon. Those standing on the wharf were electrified into a state of.almost speechless stupefaction, and then the disembowelled man disappeared—dragged oub of sight. The waber bhen became tinged with blood. A few seconds' silence, and then could be seen the terrible struggles of the doomed man. He seemed to be making a fight wibh bhe cayed moubh gaping mon ster. Then, as if by a supreme effort, the youth wrested his lacerated body from the veritable jaws of death and rose to the sur face of the water. But ib was a respite of bub a momenb, for bhe shark made another plunge and the shark and Cochrane disap peared forever. Deceased was 25 years of age, and was well-known at Ryde, where he had lately been in the employ of Mr T. SmalL He was unmarried.

Two days later the body of the young man Cochrane was recovered by Captain Mance, of the steamer Swan. The body was noticed by Captain Mance floating in the river some half-mile from the place where the bragedy occurred, and when baken from the water presented a horrible sight. The flesh had been botally eaten away from both the shoulders and legs, and the greater part of the body had also been devoured, the only portion not showing signs of terrible mutilation being the hv a and face. — _.

New Zealand Frozen Meat Trade.

A STEAMER SPECIALLY CHARTERED.

The s.B. Fifeshire, a new ship built at Wallsend, near Newcastle-on-Tyne, for Messrs Turnbull, Martin and Co., of Glas gow, has arrived from London at Hobart, this being her first voyage. She is a capacious ship of 3,070 bons burthen, and expressly designed for the frozen meat brade. She is capable of carrying 35,000 carcases, and is specially charbered for bhe conveyance of a cargo of meab from Oamaru, New Zealand. Tho passage oub occupied 52 days, owing to a slight mishap which occurred bo bho machinery. She brings aboub 80 passengers, mosb of bhem for Melbourne and Sydney porbs, and 600 tons of cargo for this port.

Attempt to Wreck a Train.

Ab about dusk, near a culvert of aboub a quarbe;: of a mile from the Bulli sbabion, Locan and Co.'s ballasb brain ran over a heiTvy slab placed across the rails. The train must have fallen with its freight of about ninety navvies into the creek below, had it not been that bhe break-van preceded bhe waggons, and by ibs weighb prevenbed the labber from being capsized and dragging over bhe engine which propelled bhem. A youbh who was seen sibting on an adjacenb fence made off after the accident. The train officials gave chase, bub failed to capture him. A lad answering his descrip tion was subsequently arrested on sus picion.

A Miner Sets Fire to His Wife.

SHOCKING ALLEGATIONS.

A miner at Neweasble is accused of set tine fire bo his wife. The wife has been un willing to prosecute, but the police took up the case, and W. Howarth was charged. It was elicited from his wife and from James Powell a neighbour, that Howarth, while partly drunk and in an ill-humour, set his wife's clobhing alighb wibh a candel because she did nob "clear oub" when ordered Howarbh now expressed sorrow, and pleaded he had blistered his hands in trying to extinguish tho flames, bub bhis sbabemenb was denied by James Po-eIL The Bench commibbed Howarbh for bnal.

Newcastle Mines Mot Working Full Time.

The Charleston miners, who are develop ing- a new mine for the Waratah Company, have decided to make application for enrol ment into the Miners' Association. The general secretary attended a meeting ab the pib bop, and completed the formalities. Most of the miners con tinue working short time The demand fir coal, is nob less on bhe whole, bub the opening of new mines during bhe lasb two years has more bhan kept pace with in line requirements, so that latterly the Ss Have not been sufficient to keep all ?ufiremploved. Some of the oldest mines averse, and the whole community suffers from consequent scarcity of money in pro portion bo bhe mining population.

The Sculling Championship.

Th_ " Evening News " says : — " It is ifiv to be reerebted that the unblemished Sreer of William Beach So Ja"ta Voluntary termination, be 8 vSa with the suspicion that he is SU - U 2? uo in what appears to be one of the TOI t_? P and most UscreditaWe arrange m *?"*h__. haT-W characterised what is meDtß nSv caUed the sporting world. Ii S£Sei» of Beach him .. thab whether he lost or won the late se "' SX f ____SE be would not row again, 23 ftftS t_ken for granted that his and » ■ w»a , fch he waß Ticbonous or refc,re ,? fi hed wonldTeav. the championship «SOO not possessed by. the

Ib would have belonged bo him. He did nob win, bub he had a right to expect' that after his straightforward and manly conduct in coming to Australia to measure oars wibh Beach for the third time, he would have been treated in an equally sportsmanlike manner. Instead of this he finds himself ' tiddly-winked' out of even an opportunity of competing- for the championship until two men — neither of whom dare meet him — have sebtled bheir claims bo an honour which neither of them could obtain while Hanlan remained in the colony, except by a hocus pocus or hole-and-corner arrangement, such as that by which Kemp has become bhe nominal champion sculler of the world — and this while Hanlan, Gaudaur, and Teenier are in existence; and one of them on the spob bo do babble for bhe position. Hanlan has offered to row any man in Australia for £500 a side ; but instead of meeting him, the man who has had the championship made a present to him by Beach accepts a challenge from Clifford, and if those who are conspiring to wear Hanlan clown by making him waste hia time and incur expenses by waiting in Australia for a chance to regain his lost laurels, play their cards in the same dis creditable way that they have commenced the game, Hanlan will have to wait twelve months before he can get the opportunity to prove Kemp's inferiority, and his pre sumption in accepting the championship, or make a public exhibition of Clifford for the second time. Tho friends of Kemp and Cliflord meeb to-day to make final arrange ments for the contemptible spectacle of two third or fourth-class men meeting to row for the championship of the world; and, unfor tunately for himself, the retired champion is in the triangular arrangement which is so unpleasantly suggestive of the adroit per formance with three thimbles and a pea. Tlie reputation of William Beach is not, however, the only thing concerned ; for in the estimation of all fair-dealing sporting men throughout the world, the treatment Hanlan has received will be a reproach to the sporting community of Sydney, and tend to displace New South Wales."

The Sydney " Telegraph " says: "After the announcement of the Kemp-Clifford match was made an informal discussion en sued. Hanlan, who justly felt aggrieved ab the way he had been shelved, claimed as ex-champion to have the prior right of challenging, when Mr Deeble replied : 'We were sharp" enough to challenge first;' and then a long and somewhat heated discussion followed, Hanlan offering to row Clifford for £1,000 or either Clifford or Kemp for £500 a side, match to be made then and there. This offer of the Canadian's was an uncalled-for one, but it was met in a most sportsman like way by Mr F. Punch, who offered at once to close a mabch bebween Hanlan and Clifford, whether the latter Won or lost his race with Kemp. Hanlan then asked Mr Deeble, who was acting for Peter Kemp, whether he would also then and there close a match with him for £500 if Kemp either won or lost the Clifford race. Mr J. Deeble declined to do this, saying; it would be no use rowing if his mau was beaten. So far Hanlan had decidedly the best of bhe argumenb, bub ho some whab forfeited his position when, on Mr Punch again offering to make a match \. ith Clifford, win or lose in the Kemp race, the Canadian repeated his previous offer to row, naming £500 as the stake. He added that it cost him £10 a week at least for ex penses, and that £200 a side was nob suf. cienb bo recoup him. " Later on, during a friendly chat at tho bar of the billiard room, Mr Punch was asked outright by our aquatic reporter if he would name a date when Tom Clifford (no matter what the result of his match with Kemp) would meet Hanlan on bho Parramatta River for £200 a side and the championship, provided, of course, the Illawarra man had gained it from Kemp. Mr Punch afc once replied that ho would say defi nitely that Clifford wouldrow Hanlan within two months from February 11th. The same question was then pub to Mr Deeble with the option being given him of making the race £500 should Kemp beat Clifford, and after a littlo hesitation he agreed to the same date and amount. So far, therefore, the Canadian has nothing to complain of, for had Beach held the championship six months, and then retired, Hanlan would not have been able to get a match on nearly as soon as he now can.

"In accordance with his firsb challenge Hanlan was at Mr R. A Watson's Hobel lasb nigbb ab 8 o'clock waiting for some body to turn up. However, no one ar rived, and the Canadian has accordingly empowered Mr Watson to put up two £25 notes tomorrow with Mr Punch and Mr Deeble respectively to bind the matches proposed yesterday with Clifford and Kemp. Hanlan is further prepared, to in crease the Clifford match to £500. "On Sunday night Hanlan wired to Trickett at Rockhampton saying he ac cepted the hitter's challenge to row on the Fitzroy River, but so far he has heard no thing of his offer."

The New Hebrides.

THE UNION COMPANY OPENING

UP THE TRADE.

Wribing of bhe arrival of bhe Union Com pany's steamer Taupo at Havannah Har bour, the New Hebrides correspondent of the Melbourne " Argus," under date of Nov. 17th, says :—" To-day the Taupo arrived in Havannah harbour with all her flags flying, notwithstanding that while she was steaming up the harbour there was a thunderstorm and heavy rain. She re ceived a cordial welcome, and her coming caused joy to bhe British subjeebs here. Mr Macleod, of bhis harbour, has pub about 700 bags copra as cargo on board. This is nob bad for a beginning, and if Victoria will only persevere, the result, whether political or commercial, cannot be doubtful. Let the Ausbralasian or Vicborian New Hebrides Company be at once formed, and leb ib sbarb operations by bhe nexb voyage of bhe Taupo, or as soon as possible. We hope now bo have a monbhly mail from Melbourne."

The Croydon Goldfields.

FEARS OF A WATER FAMINE.

A late despatch from Croydon goldfield say 3 : " The latesb crushings ab Croydon are as follows:—Eureka, P.C., 60 bona, 153 ozs. ; Eureka, No. 1 soubh, 30 bons, 53 ozs. The weabher is very hot, and bho whole country almosb in a waberless condition. Owing bo the general drought, carriage from Normanton has gone up to over £30 per ton. Water for cattle and horses has almosb dis appeared, and bhab for domestic purposes has become so scarce bhab ib i. now sold ab 4s the cask and 6d a bucket. Should the expected breaking up of the weather not come soon, grave fears are entertained of a waber famine. Owing bo bhe rise in the price of carriage, flour has gone up bo £55 per ton. The want of water has hung up nearly all the machines, and thrown a large number of men oub of employment. The out look for the coming hot season is anything bub a brighb one, and I have nob the slightest doubb bub aobual wanb and severe privation will be the lot of a good many. it is sheer madness for working men to come here just now, as the place is »uitable 1 for bhe capitalisb only. The Bobby Dazzler mine has now aboub 1,000 tons of sbone ab grass, estimated to go aboub Boz to the ton."

Arrival of a French Frigate.

The Fabert, a French frigate attached to bhe South Pacific sbabion, has arrived ab Sydney. The Fabert is from Tahiti via Noumea, and .omes for an overhaul rendered nece**ry afber several years' acbive service in the South Pacific. Her headquarters are Tahiti, and as soon as the repairs, &c, have been completed,

probably in a month hence, she will re turn thither to join the fleet cruising in bhe Pacific. The Faberb rates as a second - class frigate. She is a wooden vessel, is barque-rigged, and has a project ing ram entrance. The Fabert was built at Rocheforb in 1874, and has since done good service. She has been three years away from France on bhe presenb commission, and before joining the Pacific squadron was cruising in China water.. The Faberb is 204 feet long and her beam is 33 feet, giving a displacemenb of 2,400 bons. Thab bhe Faberb i. a formidable cruiser may be inferred from her armamenb. Her guns, eighb in all, aro on deck. They had ranged three on each side, and there is a bow-chaser and a stern-chaser. Their calibre is 14 centimetres, but bhe berm 62 ---pounders will better convoy an idea as to their size. The guns are all breech-loading, and are very destructive weapons, even at a distance of 6 miles. In addition to the heavy artillery, the Fabert carries five machine guns—four revolving and one fieldpiece. In the matter of small arms the vessel is fully equipped. There are 88 rifles and 40 re volvers, besides carbines, cutlasses, &c. The Fabert is also supplied with tor pedoes, and she carries a launch expressly for them.

ARRIVAL OF H.M.S. DIAMOND.

INTERVIEW WITH THE CAPTAIN.

Another of the warships on the Australian station arrived in port bhis morning, and will stay here until the arrival of the othe 1, vessels of bhe squadron. H.M.S' Diamond came round bhe North Head at 11 o'clock this morning from Sydney. Of the passage across we learn that with a fair wind the Diamond sailed from Port Jackson on bhe 4bh insb. The fair wind lasbed bill bhe Bbh, when head winds and moderate weather were ex perienced. North Cape was sighted early on the morning of the 12th, and Rangibobo reached last night, when the Diamond an chored and came up harbour this morning a3 above. Before coming up, however, the ship's company wero pub .through their big gun drill with firing. On the passage across a sharp lookout was kept for any signs of bhe derelicb vessel, bhe Nancy Holb, orders having been given bo either destroy her or tow her into port, but nothing was seen of her. The Diamond is a screw cor vette of 1,970 tons, and 2,140 horse power. She carries an armament of 12 guns, and her complement is 230 men and 20 officers. The following is a complete list of her officers :—Commander, Capbain T. S. Clay bon ; Lieubenanbs : W. P. Shakespeare, J. S. Brennen, F. T. Barr, Aylmer G. Wil liams, H. V. Simpson ; Chaplain and Naval Insbructor, Rev. J. Brabazon, M.A. Staff surgeon, H. E. F. Cross. Paymasber, J. R. Mosse ; Sbaff Engineer, J. Murdoch ; As sistant Paymaster, C. Vivian ; Engineer, James D. Stuart; Gunner, R. P. George ; Boatswain, J. Dodge ; Carpenter, J. Hal lam ; Midshipmen, T. H Foster, Willough by, B. Cowper, Coles, C. J. R. L. Lear mouth, B. S. Guiness, 0. Clifton ; Assistant Clerk, A. E. B. Hosken.

A Star reporter visited the Diamond this morning,"and was courteously received by the captain. In the course of conversation Captain Clayton remarked that nearly eighteen years had elapsed since his last visib bo Auckland. He arrived here with the Flying Squadron on Regatta Day, 1870, as first lieutenant of H.M.S. Phoebe, tho largest vessel of bhab squadron. His sbay bhen was of such brief duration bhab he had nob retained a very clear recollection of the place, but he was quite prepared to hear and to see that it had made wonderful advances since those days. The captain inquired particularly as to the condition of mining affairs at bhe Thames and bhe sbate of bhe Hob Lakes dis trict. Asked as to the object of the Admiral in ordering the five war-ships of the Australian squadron to rendezvous at Auckland, Captain Clayton said that he was quite in the dark. He only knew that he had been ordered to proceed hither, and that the fleet would probably return to Sydney in time for the Centenary celebration at tho end of January. As he had for a long time been on duty off the coast of Northern Queensland, he supposed bhab bhe trip was as much in the interests of the health of officers and crew as anything else. He had nob heard bhab bhere were bo bo any naval monceuvres, nor did he know whobher bhe visib had anything bo do with the selection of a naval depot. He was nob prepared to say off-hand what he bhoughb of bhe adapbabiliby of either port or Calliope Dock for naval purposes, but he suggested that it would be a good idea for the harbour authorities to bake advantage of bhe Erescnce of bhe squadron bo dock bhe alliope. He was also curious to know whether the General Assembly had passed the Naval Defences Bill, as upon thab would depend to a large extent the fixing of a naval depOt in this colony. He considered it probable bhab bhe Admiral might proceed to Wellington, but he did not think that the whole fleet would do so. As for the Diamond, her three years' service on the Australian station would be up in January next, and she would then most likely be ordered home. The captain was also anxious to know if anything had been heard of the derelict vessel the Nancy Holt, for which the Diamond had searched in vain.

THE MISSING TORPEDO MINE.

DISCOVERED AT THE HEADS.

(by telegraph.—own correspondent.)

Wellington, bhis day. Some time ago I mentioned thab during borpedo practice in Wellingbon harbour, a mine, which forbunabely was nob loaded, had gone asbray, and bhab search for ib had proved fruibless. The losb mine has now burned up, and lies ab bhe Heads. Ib was laid as a means of giving bhe torpedo corps some knowledge of the sbrengbh of bhe currenb.

OUR GOLDFIELDS

(by telegraph—own correspondent.)

Coromandel, bhis day. Rob Roy Claim.—The yield of gold for

bhe crushing is 103 ozs. Halpin _ Tokabea tribute yield 178 ozs.

SPORTING NEWS.

At Ellerslie bhis morning, Nelson accom plished a sbrong gallop of bwo miles, and appeared none bhe worse when he returned to his box. Sextant pub in a couple of rounds at half-pace. The programme of bhe Pukekohe Races appears in anobher column of bo-day's issue. At the Hawkesbury Racing Club Meeting on the 3rd inßt., the Summer Cup of 200sovs. was won by Mr W. J. Forresber's Resolve, a son of Albury and Florine, Whisper Low being second, and Mr W, Lyonß's Figtree third. The Selling Plabe fell bo Teddy Yuille, who started the favourite.

THE POOR TEACHERS.

HOW THE WELLINGTON EDUCATION BOARD PROPOSES

TO RETRENCH.

REDUCTION OF TEACHERS'

SALARIES.

(BY TELEGKAPH—OWN KEFOIITEE.)

Wellington, this day. As a consequence of bhe reduction of the education vote, the following circular has been forwarded bo bhe head-teachers in bhe service of bhe Wellington Board of Educa tion :—" I am directed to inform you thab in consequence of bhe reduction by the Government of the grant for edu cation, bhe Board will be compelled bo make considerable reductions in all items of expenditure. •_ am to express the regret of the Board bhab this course is forced upon ib, for ib now becomes necessary to reduce salaries. Under these circumstances, pay ments cannot be mainbained ab existing rates beyond the presenb monbh. Imme diately 1 can do so, I will advise you whab rabe of salary you will receive from Ist January next. Will you communicate this to every teaciier and pupil teacher ab your school '!— A. DoitSETT, Secretary."

DEATH OF MR F. H. LEWISSON.

The news that Mr F. H. Lewisson, the well-known Queen-street jeweller, expired at his residence, Wood-street, Ponsonby, a b an early hour this morning will be received throughoub bhe ciby and province wibh sincere regreb. For fully a quarter of a cenbury his name has been associabed wibh bhe ciby—unofficially, of course, for he never aspired bo a share in bhe regulation of public affairs — bub none bhe less inbimabely on bhab accounb. His good-humoured face and his charac teristic bonhomie won for him hosts. of friends, and his popularity was very great. Most of the sporting movements which have been started in the city during the last 25 years have received willing assistance from the deceased, in the form of presents of trophies for competition, and indeed it was a well-recognised facb thab an appeal to him for a cup, a medal, or some other article of jewellery as a prize was sure to succeed. He was about bhe firsb in Auckland; bo abtempt operations on an extensive scale as a lapidist, and his green stone and quartz jeweller' had a consider able sale. He took a .e.y interest in floriculture and for many 'ears he has been a regular and prominent, inhibitor at horti cultural shows. Hi.j death has been mosb unexpecbod. Up to a few days ago Mr Lewisson was in hia usuail health. On Satur day he was baken ill wibh dysentery, bub on Sunday was much better, and bhere bhen appeared no cause for uneasiness. On Mon day, however, he grew worse, and, in spibe of all bhab medical skill could do, continued bo sink rapidly until early bhis morning, when he quietly passed away at the com parative early age of 57. , He leaves a wife, but no family.

THAT COSTLY RAILWAY BOARD.

£2,000 a Year Salary!

(by telegraph.— press association.)

I hear thab bhe Government recognise bhab £1,500 a year is insufficient for a firsb clas a railway experband will bringdown a message from the Governor authorising ah increase of the salary of the Chairman of bhe Railway Board bo ab leasb bwo thousand.

SIR F. D. BELL'S VISIT TO PARIS

FROZEN MEAT.

(by telegraph.—own correspondent.)

Wellington, this day.

The Premier says the Government have no information of the result of Sir F. D. Bell's visib bo Paris aboub May lasb, bo dis cuss wibh bhe French customs authorities

certain reciprocal trade advantages, especi ally the question of the New Zealand Frozen Meat trade, for which a demand has sprung up in France, and is said bo be capable of large exbension bub for the heavy duty recently imposed by the French Govern ment. The Premier, at bhe same time, promised to make enquiries into the matter.

AUCKLAND METHODIST LOCAL PREACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

The bhird anniversary of bhe above organisa tion was celebrabed on Monday lasb in bh e Pitb-sbreeb Wesleyan Schoolroom. Repre senbabives were presenb from bhe Manukau, Devonporb, Grafton Road, Pitt-street, Franklin Road, and the Free Church circuits. The Revs. Bull, Bavin, Taylor, Carr, and Garland were also present, but no ministers of the Primitive or Free Church had ac cepted the invitation of the Association. A preachers' convention was held at 3.30. The Rev. H. Bull presided over a sacra menbal service, and bhen inbroduced bhe Rev. R. Bavin, who delivered a stimulating address on "Elements of Pulpit Power." This was followed by an interesting general conversation which lasted until 5.30, the brethren bhen proceeding bo bhe elecbion of officers and other business. The reporb showed that, nobwibhsbanding a special efforb bo aid a brobher in need, bhe accounbs of bhe Association were in a more favourable condition ab bhe end of bhe year bhan ab the beginning. Ib had been resolved bo abolish all financial test of membership, members being re ceived on the nomination of bhe Presidenb. A local preachers' library was being formed, and valuable donations of books had been already received. Vobes of bhanks were accorded bo bhe Rev. R. Bavin for his address bo bhe Pibb-sbreeb trusbees, for bhe use of premises bo meet in, and bo Mrs Whewell for the gift of books. The elecbion of officers and commibbee resulbed as follows: —Presidenb, W. Beau monb; Vice-Presidenbs, W. Hogg and T. Boobh; Treasurer, A. C. Caughey; Secrebary, H. Field j Commibbee, Messrs Marshall, Roberbs, A. C. Brown, G. Knighb and J. W. Shackelford. The brebhren book tea bogebher at 6.30, and ab 7.30 bhe evening meebing com menced. The Presidenb occupied bhe chair. Afber some remarks aboub the value of bhe local preachers' labours bo bhe Church to-day in New Zealand, bhe Secretary re ferred to bhe library question, urging the friends to take ib up heartily. Bro. G. Brown spoke wibh much feeling and power on the duby of training the children for Chrisb. Bro. Foster followed with an ad dress on doctrine. Bro. Hoggrelabed some of bhe experiences of local preachers twenty five years ago in the Auckland district. The audience was fairly en wrapt, as he graphically described the difficulties of getting bo bhe appointments, the pioneer work done, and the kind of buildings, con f rogations, and choirs bhen. The hymn of robherhood was mosb enbhusiasbically sung ab bhis juncbure. A few impromptu ad dresses closed the most enjoyable and pro fitable anniversary yet Ueld,

SUPREME COURT.

Yesterday.

Criminal Sittings.

(Before Mr Jusbice Gillies.) The Cattle-Shooting Case.—ln bho ca3e of Charles Donald, John Brown, Edward Simpkin, John Christmas, and Ricnard Hackett, charged with killing a calf, the jury took considerable time to consider their verdict. Afber being in rebiremenb aboub half-an-hour bhe foreman reburned inbo Courb wibh a requesb bhab bhe jury mighb be supplied wibh somebhing bo cab. •He said bhab, unforbunabely, bhe jury could nob agree.—His Honor: "Thab is singular, for bhe case seems simple enough."— Foreman : " Yes, Your Honor, ibs only bwo bhab are holding oub." — His Honor said bhab the only effecb of dis agreement would be bhab bhe whole case would require to be gone through again. He then directed the Sheriff to attend to the wants of the jury.—Shortly before four o clock the jury brought in a verdieb of " Guilty of shooting the beast" against Hackebb, with a recommendation bo mercy. The four obher prisoners were declared nob guilty. — Senbence was de ferred.—All bhe prisoners bub Hackebb will now be charged on bhe second count of stealing and carrying away. Concealment of Birth.—Mary O'Connor was charged with concealing the birth of a child on the 24th of Sepbember, in bhab she endeavoured bo conceal bhe body of bhe child. — Mr Hudson Williamson prose cubed on behalf of the Crown. —Mr W. J. Napier appeared for bhe accused. He said bhab he had a preliminary objec tion bo make againsb bhe indiebmenb. The accused was indicted under secbion 57 of bhe Offences Againsb Persons Act, 1886. He pointed oub bhab in bhe presenb insbance bhere was no sbabemenb that the accused made a " secret disposition of the body." That, he contended, was the essence of bhe charge, and ibs absence was fatal to the indiebmenb.—Mr Williamson conbended thab bhe indictment sufficiently disclosed the nature of the offence. The endeavour to conceal the bhth he con sidered was the essence of the offence, and not bhe mere disposition of bhe body.— His Honor said bhab there was no allegation thab bhe body had been secretly disposed of. The Acb seemed faulby in bhab it was the secret disposition of the body which consbibubed bhe offence, and nob bhe concealmenb of birbh. Thab was laid down clearly in Sbephen. In bhe present instance there was nothing bo show bhab bhe girl did nob deposit the body in bhe al obmenb in broad daylight Afber furbher argumenb and due consideration His Honor said that bhe difficulby aboub the indiebmenb was bhat no secrecy was men tioned. He was under bhe impression bhab bhe indiebmenb was bad; bhe only doubb was whebher or nob he should leb bhe case go bo bhe jury and reserve bhe question for bhe Court of Appeal. He decided bo bake until this morning bo consider bhe poinb. Meanwhile, bail was enlarged. Ab this stage the Courb adjourned until 10 o'clock bhis morning.

This Day.

At 10.30 o'clock bhis morning His Honor resumed his scab upon bhe Bench. — Mr Hudson Williamson said bhab he had booked authorities wibh regard to the objecbions taken by Mr Napier to the indictment againsb Mary O'Connor for alleged concealmenb of birbh. He found bhab secreb disposibion was an imporbanb ibem in bhe indiebmenb, bherefore he had nobhing furbher bo urge in bhe matter. — His Honor said bhab he had looked _p previous indictments of bhis kind, and .blind bhab in all cases, bhe secreb disposibion of bhe body was lodged againsb those accused. He was bherefore clearly of opinion bhab bhe in diobmenb was bad and musb be quashed.— His Honor bhen addressed bhe accused, saying: " Mary O'Connor, bhe Grand Jury having found no bill againsb you in bhe charge of manslaughter, and bhe indieb menb againsb you for concealmenb of birbh having proved bo be bechnically bad, you are now discharged from custody." Mary O'Connor bhen lefb bhe dock.

The Cattle Killing Case.—Richard Hackebb was bhen placed in bhe dock bo re ceive sentence for killing a ox, the pro perty of William Hellier ab bhe Kaukapa kapa. In passing senbence His Honor said thab the prisoner had been found guilby of bhe crime of killing an ox wibh intent bo sbeal upon the ciearesb possible evidence. Albhough bhe jury had recommended the prisoner to bhe mercy of bhe Courb, bhey had no doubb done so without knowing as much aboub bhe previous characber of bhe prisoner as he did himself. He found bhab the prisoner had previously been five times convicbed of larceny and once of forging and übbering, besides having also abbempted bo escape from cusbody. Under such circumsbances he felb justified in ignoring bhe recommendation of the jury and sentencing the prisoner to three years' penal servitude. Cattle Stealing.—Charles Donald, John Brown, Edward Simpkin and John Christ mas were next charged wibh sbealing, taking and carrying away the carcase of one ox, the property of William Hellier, at Kaukapakapa. — The Crown Prosecubor, Mr H. Williamson, said bhab wibh regard bo this case he bhoughb ib was clear from the evidence in bhe former case bhab Hackebb was the ring leader in the whole affair. The evidence of the Crown witness showed thab bhe prisoner tried bo dissuade Hackebb from kill ing bhe beasb, and bhab when he had done so bhey merely assisbed under his instigation. In facb anybhing he did was evidently done entirely ab bhe insbigabion of Hackebb. Therefore he did nob bnink ib necessary bo go on wibh the ease and would enter a nolle prosequi. His Honor said bo bhe prisoners bhab bhey had been found nob guilby of killing bhe ox in bhe previous case and the Crown having elecbed bo enber a nolle prosequi againsb bhem in bho charge of sbealing the ox, they were therefore dis charged. He warned them bo avoid bad company in fubure and also bo bake care and nob bo interfere with the property of their neighbours.

Manslaughter. — Samuel Clegg was charged with thab he did on bhe 26bh of November, 1887, feloneously kill and slay one Arbhur Dewson.—Prisoner pleaded nob guilby.—Mr Hudson Williamson prosecubed on behalf of the Crown and Mr F. Baume appeared for bhe accused.—-Detective Walker produced a plan of thehouse prepared by him. Dr. John Henry Hooper deposed bo Arthur Dewson being broughb bo his house on bhe morning of bhe 26bh of lasb November, shortly after 2 o'clock, by Constable Addi son. The man was suffering from a small punctured wound on the side of the head. Witness attended to the wound and ordered his removal to the Hospital.— Dr. Leger Erson deposed to being called to abbend Dewson in bhe cell aboub 10 o'clock the same morning. The man was then dying bub respiration had nob entirely ceased. Wibness bhen described bhe wound and bhe results of bhe post mortem held by himself in company wibh Dr. Hooper. He bhoughb bhab the wound could nob have been infliebed by the belt produced bub would very probably be caused by a weapon similar to the lumper's hook pro duced.—Harriett Martha Dewson, -rife of bhe deceased, deposed to the assault. She only saw blows sbruck wibh bhe belb pro duced. Did nob see the hook used.

Evidence was also given in this case by Patrick o'Keano. Mrs Elizabebh Kelly, De tective Hughe* and others, bub no new faobs transpir_«L—George Clyde, a new wibness. (nob produced in bhe Lower Court), deposit that he had been in the

habib of supplying milk to Clegg. On bhe morning of the 26th of November Wibness noticed bhe blood stains ab bhe back door. He braced ib righb down bo bhe Queen's Head Hotel. Witness asked Mr Clegg what was bho matter. He replied, "My nose has been bleeding and I have had a job to sbop ib." He also saw blood on Mrs Kelly's verandah.

(Lefb sibbing).

CABLEGRAMS.

NEW FRENCH MINISTRY.

(eeutek.)

Paris, December 13. After renewed efforts M. Tirard ha 3 finally succeeded in forming a Ministry in which the following portfolios are allotted:—Premier and Minister of Finance, Tirard; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Flourens ; Minister of the In terior, Sargien; Minister of Justice, Fallieres; Minister of War, General Lorgerot; Minister of Marine, De Mahy.

(REUTER.)

SUGAR BOUNTIES CONFER ENCE.

London, December 12.

The Sugar Bounties Conference had under discussion the report of the sub" committee charged to consider the technical questions. In their report the sub-committee express the opinion that it is possible to arrange for a settlement of the fiscal difficulty touch ing refining in bond, and recommend taking refined sugar as gross consump tion. The Conference has referred the report to the various Cabinets, and ifc is hoped that an agreement will bo arrived at.

(SPECIAL*)

NEW CONSUL AT SAMOA.

London, December 13<

Mr Harold Sewallha. been appointed the United States Consul at Apia,

Samoa.

(special. )

'i.OTS AT MOSCOW:

London, December 13*

The University at Moscow has been closed on account of the students

causing riots.

(special. )

THE SHOOTING OF JULES FERRY.

London, December 13.

M. Jules Ferry is -recovering from thewonnds inflicted uporfhim by his would-be assassin,

GOLD EXTRACTION IN NEW ZEALAND.

London, December 13.

The prospectus has been issued of the New Zealand Gold j Extraction Company. The object of this Com pany is to work the Newberry-Vautin process of gold extraction in New Zealand. ..

MORTGAGE COMPANY.

The Scottish. Queensland Mortgage Company offer 5,000 shares to the public, calling up ,jQ\ per share.

DISORDERLY LEGIS LATORS.

MOTION OF CENSURE IN NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT.

FOURTEEN

MEMBERS

SUSPENDED.

NEW METHOD OP SECURING A

MAJOEITY.

Sydney, this day. The Assembly has sab all nighb on Mr Dibbs's motion of censure on bhe Govern menb. The proceedings have been very disorderly fourteen members, including several members of bhe Opposition, having been suspended from bhe sibbing. The motion bhab the question be now pub was carried wibhoub a division. Mr Dibb's mobion wa 3 also rejecbed wibhoub a division—so many -upporbers of bhe vobe of censure having been suspended. The House is now (10 a.m.) still sitting.

THE BRIBERY SCANDAL.

The judges have dismissed the charge preferred ag_insb M. Daniel Wilson, bhe son-in-law of ex-Presideiib Grevy, on bhe ground bhab he held no legal office.

WAR-SHIP FOR AUSTRALIA.

It is expected thab H.M.S. Orlando witf be ready for commission in January nexb.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &c, To-night.

Abbott's Opera House — Leitch Comnanv i n "Human Nature," 8 JT!* Lodge-room, Pompallier Terrace—Lodge Pon sonby, No. 708, S.C., 7.30 Franklin Road P.M. Church-Annual Soiree, St. Mary's Hall, Onehunga—Fancy Fair and J_. u,z_t_ir_ 7

Rote of Justices; at Police Court.

December 15—Messrs H. Wilding and H F Anderson * ,

Auction Sales To-morrow.

B. Tonks & Co-Portland Cement, 11 'H^Y- 1 - s _P uad _ c .^ J ,__ ve ' ler y- &c -. v: Mount Rpskill, Household Furniture and Effects 12 • e *"%33__. Short-street—Household Furniture. ana Effects, 11 B. Leydon-Stock of _ Jeweller, li F. J. Jones—Drapery, Clothing, etc., ll : > S, Cochrane __ Son - Electro-platted Ware. Crockery, etc., 11 .»__«_,. &^_|ct- M ll^ moera ~^ 0B) ' el>(t,l d ? nmit l u »,i G. W. Binn'ey & Sons-Currants, Bacon. &_. ll T. M. Jackson-Books, 11 ' ""* con » «*»•• ** A & J_. Isaacs—Japanese Hoods. 11

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14. 1887,

5



Before making your purchases inspect Smibh and Caughej's immense stock of clothing and gent's mercery, [AdvtJ.