— inMars oi the Thames Gas The sbare^we" d(mation of ten Cpmpany liavy?ne funds of the Thames %£> *$£. Zd the expenses of test- School of i»ne-' _, he C b a i rm an explained in? operation- h ta were 0 { great ?*ta "Sftf rf ew Zealand fcad DunD? J Sopte, including many ex nnmberß of F P examine d the speci perie«f i S r( ; U 3 and argentiferous ore nens of aurnei Hikufca j a now on view I^/rfirfs office, Shortland »* ill Those acquainted with goM-mimng £treet -fh the statement of our special re agree th; 7 ree f at Hikutaia is a con rter that tne re c thaJ . gfcrikes rTtt w'Sauri. Mr Witheford through we n brouf? i, t from Waite £sSS?t; :S P are i? with that from Hikufcaia. have to annoU nce "^■iKtial performance of the the- fArS immatic Society The «"v;f v f e Sted and under active rehearsa the Opera House, the pro -5% devoted to the Kindergarten ?! i Fund and we are pleased to S^ the Soc'ietybas chosen such a worthy \ OIC Id trust the performance will re- If th support /the general public. ff ?Ji only add that when the cast con ■ Emmies of Mrs D. Cooper and Mr Si McEalandsomeoftheleadin, Sure, the piece must be an assured ""we are requested to draw the attention O f oar readers to the advertisement post- S? the entertainment m aid of St J3ct'» Church from this evening till Tuesday next. The following tenders have been received for the fe Kuiti station buildings, North Bland Trunk Railway :-Accepted : A. A. X Auckland, £968. Declined: M. 55, Cambridge, £1,085; G. J. Worth r<7tofl Taupiri, £1,173; Nelson and W ll )Lt' Auckland, £1,179; Rencowe and TLonUiJ, Kibikihi, £1,272; E. Monis, Auck land £1,436; Ferguson and Madigan, Cam bridee £1.499 ;■ Jollnston and Holman, Auckland, £1,544; -W. Cameron, Auckland, £1594; Sharp and Coraoii, Auckland, £1698 / Jones and O'Connor, Auckland, £1730; I Malcolm, Auckland, £2,169; Wriglev and Hancock, Auckland, £2,287

The usual meeting of St. John's Musical Literary Society was held on Monday evening when the audience was considerably W than the average. The programme for the niehfc consisted of readings, recitations #& Piano solo, Mr Prime; solo. Miss Shep herd; reading,- Miss Mabel Harris; solo, Mrs Johnson, for which she received an encore; piano duet, Mrs Prime and Miss.Goodacre ; solo Mr Clem. Bartley; recitation, Mr Cole; solo, Mrs Prime. There were nlso given bya visitor, tworeadings, viz., '' Billy's Rose,"and "Geoffrey Grubb'e Courtship." both being enthusiastically received and the latter encored. A vote of thanks was tendered to the chairman (Mr J. Gittos) and to those who had been responsible for the evening's amusement.

■ The following will represent the Butchers F.C. against the Beer F.C. :—Full-back, Rout; three quarter backs, Parsons and Garratt; half backs, Woods, Lindsay, Curtis; wirigmen, Shove (2); forwards, Davidson, Briggs, Reyner, Sandall, Salvin, Tomber and Carter. Emergencies: J. Me Keoira, Binns. Beer: Full back, Tay or ; three-quarter backs : Halstread, C. Stone ; half back?, Beamish, Coils, Harrison; wings, Leech, Ross; forwards, Keats (apt.), Huntsman, W. Sutclifl'e, Grey, E. Sutcliife, W. Brown, Woods. Emergen cies: Moore, Butler, Mills.

The qvangelist'e service at St. Luke's ■Pfesbyterian Church, Remuera, was con ducted by Miss Malcolm, the lady evange list, who gave an excellent address upon vthev Atonement, when there was a large audience. The Key. .P. Kiddle will conduct the ser vices fhis- evening and Miss Malcolm to morrow (Wednesday) evening, and will give an address to-ladies on Thursday >afternoon at 3 p.m.

THE PARCEL POST.

(W KtEGKAI-H - OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, this day. "he regulations in connection with the New Zealand inland parcel post, shortly to 1b inaugurated, have been published by thefPostal Department. ■ The following is a summary of the conditions under which parcels will be accepted for transmission-" ---h order that a parcel may go by parcel post it :must be handed in ™ a post-office counter or delivery wmow, and the postage due prepaid*. ■m words" parcel post" should be written on the parcel or on a label provided for the purpose at the post office. The rates of postage range from, 7d for a parcel not ex- J*m - Ub in weight to 3s Id for a parcel O'er 101b and not exceeding 111b. In other words, there is a! uniform charge of Per lb. after the first pound weight up »UU>,-which is the maximum-weio-ht receivable under the system. The dimen- S! f owed for a Par°el sent to paces by railway, coach, or steamer wG* length, 3:t 6in, greatest Jgjwd-gir h combined, 6ft. 'Ihatis a sarem^ -3ft-. 6in- in length m^ JJW" w* «Brved by railway, coach or 25f'°Jy Parcels not exceeding 51b in kSt\l *dMeasuring more than 2ft. 1 2 \f m in breadth or depth, may SC£?Y provided they are ot such a math of off • containing writing or toWil ensiT eor lndecent.character, or HL . or. ofl^ive substances likely iSToiT 7 to * ofcher parcels or to HdSrmJ^' post -°ffic e> are prohibited. orW or "^ ParCd contain letter Wat L aP P*"*l intended for de by2mSpS?d.'es? e other than that borne 4 m£T ltSelf' Parcel 3 containing *«P inS \ kmves> forks or other wS T^l °r lic luid8' or semi" ■fMkelastoS unless so otkXete ve?, fc allrisk of iniury to Vffini ' rt° the officers of fc«e Postal rffit, wtur s, e> at f rate of lcl ■* 4t tE 71 cl >arged on parcels s* «S'Si2ftf mo-re than seven -there ls no h°«se-to- perfOns aboard-ship. %**> tS* 16,' ating to unclaimed S4 ?K |° f C 6h ' registra addl^addreSS S? of a Pavcel sh°"ld de^S wher, also be special IKS wf TOd> fay cx Press r ver Parcel S they are ™able to J^S'de^ry..m use be taken t mia«»Wtii CaslOnal damage if the

CABLEGRAMS.

(iV ELECTRIC TELEGRAFH—COPTEIGHT.)

THE SUGAR WAR,

FRANCE ADHERES TO BOUN-

TIES,

A SWEET " CORNER " IN GER-

MANY.

(special to association.)

London, August 29.

The French beet-root sugar manufac turers are strenuously opposing any proposition to repeal the sugar boun ties, believing that the effect of doing so would be to benefit the German manufacturers and . extinguish the French trade.

A Magdeburg syndicate have, it is reported, purchased the whole of the sugar warehouse in Germany" during the month of June, and have raised the price to 17s Gd per cwt. As the result of these tactics, the price of sugar is still advancing in Germany ; but Herr Czarnikow, an authority on the subject declares that the actual value of the article is only 12s Gd per cwt.

(EECTER'S TELEGFwAM.)

QUEENSLAND POLITICS.

Brisbane, August 29.

It is announced that Mr Dutton, Minister of Public Lands, has been ap pointed Minister of Public Works and Mines, rendered vacant by the death of Mr Miles. It is at present uncertain whether . the Colonial Treasurership, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr Dickson, will be filled. Political parties are bestirring themselves for the forthcoming election, and the con tests are likely to be keen.

SUDDEN DEATH AT DUNEDIN.

(BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Ddnedin, this day. Mr Joitn Cuddy, who has for over 24 years held a prominent position in the Registrar of Deeds' Office, and who retired on a pen sion only twelve months ago, died suddenly. Deceased was well-known to Dunedin resi dents, and though somewhat eccentric a* times, had made many friends through his sterling good qualities. He was taken ill at his lodging's yesterday morning, tind had barely time to exclaim that he felt a severe pain in his side? when ho fell dead, doubt less from disease of the heart. Mr Cuddy was 62 years of age, and had no relatives here.

THE RIFLE CONTROVERSY.

(BY TELEGKAPH. — OWS CORRESPO.S'OK.VT.)

DtJXEDi.v, this clay. Saturday night's meeting of tho local Volunteers lasted over two hours, and it was

unanimously resolved that the next meet ing of -the New Zealand Rifle Association should be held d»ring the . second week of January. Captain Milne proposed, " That in the opinion of this meeting the proposed adoption of the Reming ton-Lee riilo for next Rifle Association meeting is prejudicial to the interests of rifle shooting in the colony, inasmuch as it practically prohibits numerous intending members from the possibility of competing. That the Association should use the weapon with which the Volunteers ' are armed." He said the position he had taken up with regard to the proposal to adopt the Remington-Lee ritle was that it was not conducive to the welfare ot shooting in the colony that they should adopt a rifle which the Volunteers a3 a whole were not armed with. Ho held that the number of rifles was so small that the Association would be very largely reduced if the rifle was adopted. It would cut off entirely all young shots. The old corps would get the rifles, but not the new corps or new members of old corps. He believed the evil of using the Remington- Lee would be greater than that of using Kynock ammunition.

Major Burns, while admitting that; the Snider riiie and Kynock ammunition were not satisfactory, said it was an absurdity to gd to Oamaru and practise with a Rem ington rifle and then come back and fire with the Snider and Kynock; he would like to see Volunteers armed with the Remington, but with the present depression it was not likely that this would be accom plished. Captain Wilkinson and Sergeant Mc- Carthy pointed out that Snider rifles had ■been found to be untrustworthy, and he was of opinion that the interest of the Association could not be better forwarded than by the introduction of a good weapon. Captain Somerville, they urged, would not have asked them to accept the Kemington rifle without there being very weighty con sideration iufavour of a change. Eventually Air Milne's motion was carried by twenty-four to seventeen. The question of the programme was deferred till definite information was received as to the rifle to be usud..

TELEGRAMS.

Thames, this day,

Messrs James Me Andrew and Robert Comer were to-day nominated for vacant seats in South Ward of the Borough Council. The election takes place on Bth Septem ber.

Tauranga, this day.

Mrs C. S. Hill, of the London " Morn ing Post," arrived here on Saturday from Rotorua, and intends visiting the Gate Pah, Te Rangi, and all places of interest in the district in her capacity as correspon dent. Mrs Hill, after doing Tauranga dis trict, will proceed to Katikati, thence to the Thames, via Owharoa and Paerca.

At a special meeting of the Borough Council yesterday afternoon it was decided to give the engineer three months' notice,and do without one. The clerk's salary is to be reduced by £20, arid all other officers are to be proportionately reduced. Tauranga will then be one of the cheapest conducted and least taxed boroughs in the colony.

Giseoene, this day.

Times are now so dull in regard to litiga tion here that three lawyers are about to quit, and two more will probably follow. Their withdrawal will be Dome with com plete fortitude.

ELECTION NOTES.

Mr Goldie will meet his committee this (Tuesday) evening, in the Lodge room (up stairs) of the Foresters' Hall, Karangahape Road, at 7.30 sharp.

\ Mr Morrison's general committee meb in the Burns Club Room last everting. Satisfactory reports were received from the working committee and others. Ifc wa3 decided that Mr Morrison should address the electors of Auckland West at an early date. The committee will meet again on Wednesday evening at the same place.

Eden.

Mr J. A. Cornell is to address the electors of Eden at Titirangi to-night.

Last night Mr Connell addressed the electors at Mount Albert Hall, when there was a large attendance, Mr J. R. Raader son in the chair. Mr Connell, who was well received, stated that if he were elected he would endeavour to the utmost of his ability to do the best he could for his con stituents in an honest, straightforward manner. In the present depression of New Zealand,.he did not think it would be advis able to go in for heavyprotectiveduties. He considered the present tariff imposed a heavy enough burden upon the people. He was strongly desirous of protecting and promoting such local industries and manu factures as were suited to the colony. He thought that before the North Island Trunk Railway had been started the question of the right of the natives to the valuable lands through which the line must pass should have been defi nitely settled. The Maoris should be treated justly in this matter, but no absurd concessions should be made to them. A number of questions being put and answered, a vote of. .thanks and confidence was accorded Mr Connell by a large majority.

Mr Mitchelson at the Three Kings.

Mr Edwin Mitchclson delivered an ad dress to the electors of Eden last night in the Three Kings schoolroom. There was a fair attendance. Mr J. W, Carr presided. Mr MifcchcLson referred to tho present de pression, and expressed himself in favour of a cessation of the borrowing policy until they could borrow without in creasing the burdens of the people. Taxation should not be increased, and every possible means should bo taken to place people on the. lands. Local industries should also be fostered and retrenchment be carried out both in the number of mem bers and the amount of their honorarium, and also in the Civil Service Department. He believed in giving the Special Settle ments a chance, but did not agree with paying money to . support settlers on tho land. He thought that free trade was a mistake unless it was universal. He advocated a differential duty in favour of the members of the British Empire. For about six months in the year, while their own fruit was in season, they should protect it against the imported article. The rest of the year he would lot in foreign fruit free.

In answer to questions, Mr Mitchelson stated (1) That he'would vote against the property tax a3 soon as ever it could be abolished, and if more taxation was neces sary he thought it should be raised on land and incomes. (2) He was not in favour of any special tax. (3) If the railways were his own property, and he found that ho was working them at a loss, he would dis continue tho non-paying lines, and regulate his rates according to circumstances. (4) Although he favoured the 'Frisco service, he would support the cheapest and best, whatever it was.

Mr Walters proposed, and Mr Lennard seconded, a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Mitchclson. Mr Tiplady moved, and Mr Connolly seconded, a vote of thanks only. The motion was carried by a large majority. In reply to ft .statement made by one of the electors, the Hon. James Williamson said that' there was very little chance of England going back to protection ; but out here, unless they supported their factories, it would be impossible for the rising genera tion to learn habits of industry, and the power of turning their education to account, it was not the best thing to do, but it would enable their children to compete with tho rest of tho world. A vote of thanks was then accorded the Chairman, and the meet ing separated. '

Franklin North.

Mr F. Lawry addressed the electors of Franklin North in the West Taniaki School room yesterday evening. There was a good attendance, all parts of the district being fairly represented. Mr Alfred VYintle was voted to the chair. Mr Lawry was well re ceived, and during his address was fre quently applauded. A number of questions were submitted, and satisfactorily replied to. A vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Lawry was passed without dissent—amotion of thanks only not finding a seconder.

Mr Monk at Swanson.

On Friday,August6th,Mr Monk addressed about fifty electors of Waitemata at Swan son, Mr Freeman was voted to the chair and introduced the candidate. Mr Monk commenced his address by condemning the financial scheme of the present Govern ment a3 introduced last session. He also strongly animadverted on the action of the Premier in connection with the Re presentation Bill, stating that the number of members would have been reduced to 71 had it not been for the action of the Premier. He stated that he would like to see the old form of provincial councils, substituted for the present expensive form!.of Government. He thought that his claim to the electors' support, which ho based on his long residence in the dis trict ;. coupled with his intimate knowledge of its requirements were stronger than any claim the opposing candidate could put for ward/ However he hoped they would choose the best man. He drew attention to the unequal expenditure of public money in the northern and southern portions of the colony instancing the fact that during the last three years the sum of £106,000 was spent in Westland, while during the same . period only £51,000 was spent in Waitemata. He quoted a number of figures to show that the colony had not advanced in anything like the manner it should have done during the last ten years. He stated thatthe public expenditure for 1877 was £6,300,000, while for 1887 it was only £6,600,000, and that the receipts during the same period were equally low in proportion^. Altogether he took a very gloomy view of the financial position of the colony, and gave it as his opinion that matter's would be still worse in the near future. Speaking on retrenchment he would be in favour of reducing the salaries of all highly paid Public officials commencing at the top of the tree, the members honorarium should be reduced to £150 and the Upper House should be elective. He was in favour of maintaining the defence force, but would do away with all ornamental officials who were paid high salaries without giving an adequate return in services rendered. .He was in favour of free education up to the 6th standard but the higher education he thought should be paid for by those whom it benefited, and not by the general taxpayer ; he was also in favour of taxing native lands in a similar manner to European landa after giving the natives reasonable notice. He declared him self in favour of protecting local industries. At the close of his address a large number of questions were put, and were answered in a fairly satisfactory manner. A good deal of discussion resulted from the replies re village setslcment, the Eight Hours' Bill, and the establishment of a State bank oi issue, all of which he was opposed to.

The advocate of the first and last of those was Mr Percy, while the Eight Hours' Bill found a warm champion in Mr Brown. In answer to some of the questions asked the candidate stated that ho was in favour of abolishing the property tax and substi tuting a land and income tax, also that he thought every settler should receive fehe Crown grant for his land. A vote of con fidence was proposed by Mr Sinclair, seconded by Mr Smyth. Mr Nicliol's propesed as an amendment that a vote of thanks only be accorded, this was seconded by Mr Brown. Onbeingput tothe meeting, the motion was carried by a small majority. About a dozen of those present formed themselves into a committee to ensure the return of Mr Monk.

Gisborne, this day.

Election matters are getting more lively now that polling day is in sight. All the candidates are working hard, as also are their supporters. Mr Macdonald has not, so far, addresssed the town electors, though he has spoken in some of the out-districts. Mr Graham has the support of most of those who supported Mr Locke. A good deal of interest ia being taken in the Maori election, and tho contest between Wi Pere and Mr Carroll will be very keen. The result is extremely doubtful, but ap eearances seem rather in favour of Mr arroll. Mr Warbrick will probably be nowhere.

THE PREMIER AND AGENT GENERAL.

Sir K. Stout's Prognostications

of Defeat

(BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, this day. The news cabled from Home about Sir R. Stout's anticipation of defeat at the elec tions has caused more than a flutter in the political dovecots of Wellington. The Ministers who are in town at first denied any knowiedjp of the letter, but on com municating with the Premier it was ascer tained that that gentleman had in a private letter to Sir F. Dillon Bell intimated that it was impossible to anticipate what would be tho results of the elections, but that if people listened to the abuse of the Opposi tion press the Government would be defeated. Sir U. Stout professes great in dignation and astonishment ab the con tents of this letter being divulged.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington', this day,

On receipt of the cable despatch stating that the Premier had written to Sir F. D. Bell expecting defect, the Press Association communicated with the Government, and received a reply from Sir R. Stout. He denies the truth of the telegram, and states that he never wroto to tho Agont-General odicially on the subject. He sent Sir Dillon Bell a private letter informing him of the events of the session, and of the appeal to the country, when he told him it was im possible to predict what would happen ; that both Bides were confident of success, but that the Governmont would be de feated if the people listened to the abuso of the Opposition Press. Sir R. Stoub is amazed that the contents of a private letter, even in a garbled form and utterly in correct, should be made public.

FIRE AT PONSONBY.

Insurances, £730.

Shortly before 4 o'clock this morning a seven-roomed house in Wood-street, Pon sonby, owned and occupied by Mr K. Wool' field, was totally destroyed by firo. Messrs Gouk, jun., Ivil, and others were returning homeward from a (social gathering at Messrs Adams Bros., Pon son by Road, when they discovered Mr Woolfield'a residence in flames at the rear. They knocked loudly at a side door, and Mr Woolfield made his ap pearance at the front door. The firo had then a good hold of the building, and only a few pictures were saved by the owner. The Ponsonby Fire Brigade was speedily on the scene, and was followed by the Auck land Brigade. A good supply of water was available, but the building was doomed before ife could be brought into play, and in a very short space of time was reduced to ashes. A stable belonging to Mr Woolfield was partly burned, but the adjoining property escaped without damage. The house des troyed was a seven - roomed two - storied building built four or five years ago. When tho fire broke out only Mr Woolfield was on the premises. He states that he cannot imagine how tb efire originated. Yesterday afternoon there was a lire in the kitchen, and he was la?t there at 10 p.m. yesterday, when everything appeared to be secure. An hour later he retired, and about 4 a.m. he fancied that something heavy fell in the house and awoke him. About the same time he heard a knocking at the door and calls of "Fire !" He dressed hurriedly.and opened the door leading to the kitchen. He was almost overpowered with smoke, and was forced to make his exit at the front door. He tried to get out some furni ture, but was advised by someone to keep the door shut, and acted accordingly. The houso was insured for £500 in tho Norwich Union ; the furniture for £200, and stable for £30 in the Equitable.

POLICE COURT—THIS DAY.

(Before Mr Baddeley, R.M.)

Drunkenness. —Ann Connor and James Rae were each fined 5s and costs.or 24 hours' hard labour in default. Alfred Edward Bawtree was ordered to pay £1 12s, costs of maintenance while suffering from the effects of drink, or 7 days' in default The Great Jewellery Robbery.—Geo. Clune, James Clune, and Alfred Clune again appeared in the dock to answer to the charge of feloniously stealing, taking, and carrying away £250 worth of jewellery, the property of Mrs Anson.—Sergeant Pratt applied for a further remand of eight clear days, in order that time might be afforded for the owner of the property, Mrs Anson, to come from Fiji to attend the Court. — Alfred Clune applied that bail might be allowed him. He stated that he had 10 witnesses in Court to prove that he was innocent of the charge. —Sergeant Pratt objected to bail being allowed, as he feared that it would militate atrainst the interests of justice, on account of a quantity of the jewellery not having yet been recovered —His Worship said that under the circumstances bail could not be granted.

SUPPOSED SUICIDE.

(BY TELEGKAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Christchurch, Monday. The body of a man, apparently drowned, was found on the Waimakariri River bank, near the outfall of Stewart's Gully. The body is supposed to be that of Henry Finnis who suddenly left his home in Kaiapoi on May 21st last, and has not since been heard of. He was supposed to have committed suicide, from expressions he made uec of, and the police for some time after made a diligent search of the mer and bank 3, without avriL

AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS.

Sir Henry Parkes on Trade

Depression

A gathering of a mosfc interesting char acter took place at the Temperance Hall, at Balmain, Sydney, August 16. The occasion was the presentation of a purse of fifty sovereigns by the Balmain branch of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers to Mr William James McAlister, a member of tho society who had become incapacitated through sickness. The presentation was made by the Premier (Sir Henry Parkes), in the presence of a large audience. The Chairman, in commencing the pro ceedings, said he regretted very much the calamity that had fallen upon their brother, Mr McAlister, who was comparatively a young man, and who, in consequence of sickness, had been unable to follow his employment for some considerable, time. For some time past it had been a most difficult thing for the most able mechanics to succeed in keeping their homes ; but he was glad to find that things were beginning to look better. Sir Henry Parkes addressed the meeting at some length. In the course of his re marks he said ho presumed that he had been invited to attend the meeting in order that he might Bay a few words on what he had already designated their '' great society." The Amalgamated Society of Engineers was founded in 1851. At that time Queen Victoria had safe upon the throne of England 14 years. It was hard for any man now living,who was not aliving observant man then, to in any way estimate the state of England at tnat time. To take one example of the barbarity of its laws when the young Queen ascended tho throne, there were twelve crimes punishable by death, and in the year of ascension, or the year before it, a larger number of persons were hanged in Eng land than had been hanged during the Queen's reign since. Hardly any fact could be quoted which would more strikingly point out the change which had como over tho English people since that time. That was one instance of the bar barity of their laws 50 years ago, and he alluded to that and to the barbarous state of society to point out the different state of things which existed when their society was founded to that which existed at tho present day. Even the objectors to the actions of bodies such as theirs—and there were many con scientious men who entertained objec tions—but even those who objected to the operations of tho society would hardly have raised the objection if, with the knowledge they possessed now, they could have seen the relations of capital to labour in the time when the society was founded. Ho found that tho society, which was established in 1851, had, at tho end of last year, 52,090 members, and its ramifi cations were pretty well all over tho world. So far as he was concerned, without pre tending to be an unqualified admirer of what was called trade-unionism—but he condemned, and ho thought most men would condemn, the extremes to which some things under that name had run, as in the outragos which had occurred in Shef field some years ago—(hear, hear)-but so far as ho was concerned, having examined tho reports of tho society for some few years past and again very lately, he was persuaded in his own mind that their great society had frequently used its power to prevent strikes, moderate their effects, and sco that the case was one of severe justice on bohalf of workmen before they gave their sanction. (Cheers.) As to the ques tion whether the labourer had a right to obtain the highest reward for his labour that he reasonably could, he at once would say that ho had. (Applause.) He main tained tho workman had a right to obtain the highest remuneration he could con sistent with obodionce to the laws, respect of the rights of others, and due order and peaceful possession of property in society. (Applause.) Their society, having started 36 years ago, had now a reserve fund of £111,67816s ljd. It hadtbisma^nincentfund to fall back upon after the adverse opera tions of last year, and the adverse character of those operations could be well judged by the fact that the society paid away the sum of six or seven thousand pounds more than it received. Hence they diminished their reserve fund by this over-payment to per sons calling upon their beneficence. He found last year that there was paid to members out of work, ab the rate of 10s per week,the sum of £86,460 15s 2*d,and to the sick, at the same rate, £30,462 7s llsd. This must have been a very great boon to a great number. Thismoneywasnotpaidtomenout of employment through strikes, but to men out of employment notwithstanding all their efforts and willingness to take employment. (Applause.) After having referred to other benefits which were to be derived from the socieby,he pointed out that the income of the society last year amounted to £173,937 0s ll^d, and the expenditure to £181,388 13s llsd. He found that the question having been put to the vote of all the branches, Sydney last year was selected as the seat for the council of the various branches in Australasia. (Applause.) It was easy to see amidst the changes in the course of move ment—the various movements among the labouring olasses of the world, the fluctua tions in the movementof capital—what hard ships must have been wnolly averted or greatly ameliorated by the operations of this society. It was as a sheet anchor to the good ship of the working man's pros perity to have a great power like this organ isation to trust to, which would stand by him to a certain extent in case of need all through the changeful circumstances of hia life. (Applause.) It was said on a rory good calculation that by the mere inventions in lessening labour since the year 1840 the work now actually done—if it had to be done now on the same basis of calculation as in the year 1840— they would require the mother country to be peopled by 107,000,000 of people to do it. If that were so, they could to some extent see some of the causes which created bad times. If it was a fact that for some time past grand steamships had been built on the coast of Ireland, Scotland and Wales which had never yet returned a penny on tho outlay, they could readily under stand the temporary dearth of employment which had fallen to the lot of the cognate trades embodied in their society. How that problem was ultimately to be solved he did not know, but he did know that capital went into the building of ships, and in some instances to the building of great mills, where an adequate return never failed. He was assured when he last made the-passage of the Atlantic, that the line he travelled with—the White Star Line was the only line of vessels which at that time was paying a dividend. He was assured on good authority that the fast steamers were all consuming more money than they were making in their respective passages. It was marvellous that this should go on, butthere was reason to believe that it had gone on for years, and that many of the noble ships had been run at a positive loss until they had been of necessity laid up. That state of things could not last. They might be assured that new fields would open as "time went on. They hardly knew in what direction. But as the world went on

greater demand would be made for the labour of skilled men. At all events one thing was morally certain, and that was that inventions in labour-saying machinery or in other directions ought to have the effect of making the lot of human beings lighter and happier.

A meeting of the Butchers' Football Club will be held to-night at the British Hotel at) 2 p.m.

OPERA HOUSE.-" Fedora."

Can it be that the public of Auckland have no taste for serious and emotional drama ? We are loth to entertain even the bare sup position of such a thing, and yet to what strange phantasy are we to attribute the anomaly of crowded houses to witness a succession of minstrel entertainments, while dramatic performances of the highest excellence are indifferently patronised? It must surely be that the people have failed to realise the fact that artists of the very first rank are in their midst, and that the plays which are presented are mounted on a scale of elegance and completeness hitherto unknown in Auckland. Such per formances must prove a revelation to the youthful mind, and can have no other ten dency than that of ennobling the mind and refining the feelings. Their effect is dis tinctly beneficial and educative. Last night Victorien Sardou's great work, " Fedora," with which Sara Bernhardt produced a perfect furore four or five yeara ago, was enacted for the first time in New Zealand. It was staged in first-class style, the whole of the parts were well sustained, and Signor and Signora Majeroni impersonated mag nificently the leading r6les. In describing the lady's portraiture of Fedora, the Russian Princess, who is the central figure of the story, one runs the risk of being charged with extravagant eulogy. And yet, in truth, it would be hard indeed to exaggerate the transcendent merits of this remarkable artistic effort. It will challenge comparison with the best models of the histrionic art. Finer acting has never been seen in this colony. It is a performance worthy of the illustrious Sara herself. Critical analysis fails to discover any flaw in its symmetrical proportions. The author's ideal ia embodied to the life both mentally and physically. It is a character that draws very largely upon the artiste's resources of emotional expression, and which also calls for the subtlest psychological study and treat ment. Tne conception is a curious com pound of passionate love and hatred, of womanly tenderness and revengeful im placability, of Oriental treachery and un selfish heroism. There is nothing conven tional about Fedora, and nothing conven tional about Signora Majeroni's delineation of her. In less able hands the part would be commonplace and hysterical, but in hers it possesses a weird fascina tion, and impresses the beholder most powerfully. It would be impossible to carry realism any further without infringing the canons of art than is done in the first act with the representation of the sorrowful circumstance attendant upon the death of the assassinated Vladimir, Fedora's unworthy fianc6. The unaffected awe and grief of the assembled retainers, the respectful bearing of the police in the house of mourning, and the wild and ungovemablo anguish of Fedora work up the feelings to such a tension that the descent of the curtain is hailed with a sigh of relief, and the audience look around them with the sensations of a sleeper rudely aroused from troubled dreams. In the second act Fedora is at Paris ruthlessly tracking Count Ipanoff, the supposed murderer of her lover. It is in the affected graciousness of manner with which the Princess with consummate art veils her deadly purpose toward her victim that Signora Majeroni affords convincing display of her great histrionic talent, and this display attains its natural climax in the horror and loathing which fill her soul when Ipanoff is led to unsuspect ingly confess that he killed Vladimir. \V hile her emotions of passion and revenge are so strongly excited Fedora has to play out her game of dissimulation bo that Ipanofl's suspicions may not be alarmed. And this the actress accomplishes with' splendid effect of impersonation. In the third act Ipanoff comes by night to Fedora's residence to explain the whole story of Vladimir's death, to the recital of which Fedora prepares to listen with the grim satisfaction that at the close her waiting emissaries will seize upon her victim and bear him off to tragic ex ecution in Russia. As Ipanoff tells how he discovered the disgraceful intrigue be tween his wife and Vladimir, and surprised them in their place of assignation, shooting down the man who had foully wronged him, Fedora's feelings undergo a terrible revul sion, which is hastened by the production of the epistolary proofs of her base lover's duplicity. Indignation at Vladimir's vile neea is mingled with love and admira tion for Ipanoff, and anxiety to protect him from the snare which she has set for him and cannot divulge. It is a situation of the utmost power and intensity, and in it Signora Majeroui gave signal exhibition of her artis tic capabilities for any emergency, however exacting. Acting is a poor term with which to designate such realism of effect. The artiste must have merged her individuality for the time in the character she pourtrays, and must feel all that she is called upon to simulate before she could produce such a realisa tion. The action culminates in the last act. Fedora's despatches to Russia before the eclairdssemtnt took place have re sulted in the imprisonment and death of Ipanoffs brother, and the consequent death of his mother. The news arrives to interrupt the matrimonial felicity of Fedora and Ipanoff. His grief and rage-are ter rible. While he threatens vengeance upon the unknown female spy who has brought such desolation upon him, Fedora, in elo quent despair, pleads for the extension of forgiveness to the unfortunate woman whose identity with herself she shrinks from acknowledging. Ipanoff is inexorable, and then as the fearful truth suggests itself to his bewildered mind Fedora completes the tragedy by hastily swallowing a poison concealed in her jewellery. The death scene was terribly real, every stage in the rapid effect of the deadly poison being marked with a distinctness and fidelity that weighed heavily upon the feelings of the audience. Signor Majeroni's impersonation of Count Ipanoff was a fitting' companion picture to his wife's. It was distinguished by the same cultured artistic finesse, and the like freedom from anything in the nature of rant, self • consciousness, and super ficiality. It was a display of sterling art. Ipanoff 8 horror and agony of grief on learning, the death of his relatives were depicted with an eloquence, which must have gone, straight to every heart. The suffering was too natural in its manifesta tion not to evoke sympathy from the most callous. So, too, his self-repression in a preceding act in detailing to Fedora the discovery of the guilty amours of his wife and Vladimir was thrilling in its effect. The forced calmneesof the voice, the nervous play of the hands, and the averted face as the tale of shame was rehearsed did more to impress the audience than any amount of declamation could possibly have done. Everyone instinctively felt the naturalness of the entire scene. As the Countess Souka reff Miss Harwood was becomingly viva cious, and Mr Jewett played the part of De Siriex, the French attache', with his cus tomary care and ability. Miss Appleton sustained the small part of Demetri with much credit, and the other characters were all represented in a highly satisfactory manner. The scenery, costumes, and pro perties were all in keeping with the Russian character of the play, and Signora Majeroni's own costumes, viz., two superb evening dresses, a tea gown, and a peignoir were the wonder and delight of the ladies. " Fedora " will be repeated to-night for the last time, and " Wanda" is underlined for to-morrow.

SUPPOSED LOSS OF THE RECAMIA.

No News of the Missing Vessel

No definite information of the fate of the ketch Recamia has yet come to hand, bub little doubt is entertained that she capsized outside the Tory Shoal, as mentioned in our first telegram. The wind since Wednesday has been blowing offshore, and consequently no wreckage has been washed up where ib could be identified. Previous statements led to the conclusion that Captain Kulse was on his first trip to Kaipara. We learn, however, that the Recamia was under char ter to convey three cargoes of timber from Helensville to New Plymouth. She had completed her second voyage, and was re turning to load for the third and final trip when the supposed casualty occurred.

(by telegraph.—own correspondent./

Te Kopuru, this day.

Fears are entertained for the safety of the Recamia, ketch, due from New Plymouth on Wednesday evening. The ketch was seen in the break off the bar by the light house keeper. She disappeared as if cap sized. Nothing was seen next morning, and no wreckage has come ashore, but the late south and south-east winds would pre vent it coming in. .

SPORTING NEWS.

A letter has been received by the Auck land Racing Club from Mr Evett declining the position of handicapper under the new conditions proposed. A meeting of the Committee is to be held to re-consider the matter. It is to be hoped that when the subject is discussed, the members will bear in mind that the interests of owners outside of Auckland have to be considered as well as those of local owners. Christchurch papers to hand by yesterday's mailstate that there is great dissatisfaction in the South at the proposal to submits Mr Evett's handicaps to a commitcee. , Napierites are also protesting against it. The Canterbury " Times " of Friday says : — "All the principal Canterbury owners have joined in t'ae protest (to which we re ferred last we(jk) against the new handi capping arrangements of the Auckland Racing Club," Added to this, the majority of sporting writers throughout the Colony condemn the fiction of the A.R.C. in their treament towards Mr Evett.

At the annual meeting of the Wellington Racing Club last night, the balance-sheet showed a total expenditure of £4,100, of which £3,200 was given in stakes. The receipts, co:topared with the previous year, showed a cxmsiderable falling off, and the totalisator commission was £525 less than the previous year. The Club's overdraft at the bank is £203, but the total deficit is slightly c/ver £500.

(by telegraph—press association.)

Napier, this day. Silence, the New Zealand Cup favourite, pulleci up lame yesterday after a gallop.

THE NEW FIND AT HIKUTAIA.

rfhe Find on Native Land.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Paeroa, this day.

Several practical men who have just re turned from a visit to the new find at) Maritoto say that the show in the pros"1 pectors' mine improves as it is worked upon' and that there is every probability of a con tinuance of gold and silver deposit. It is also stated that the prospectors reef has been discovered in Mclsaac's claim, which is marked off on the northern extension, and that the stone broken out therefrom yields handsome dish prospects of precious metal. At one time it was thought that the dis covery was made on Crown lands, and that the revenue derivable therefrom would go to the Ohinemuri Council, in whose country the land is situated. Now it appears that the prospec tors' mine is located upon native land, and that the revenue for cases, etc., will be paid to natives who still own 20,000, acres in that neighbourhood. This means that the fees payable for general mining purposes will be on the highest scale, via., £3 per acre for mining leases, £10 tor machine sites, £5 for water rights, and business sites, £1 for residence site and miners rights. Some time since this block was offered to the Government at 10s per acre, but the offer was not accepted, and of course the natives will now want more money.

(BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

The Proposed Road

Thames, this day.

In reply to a telegram from Mr Cadman requesting a Government subsidy of £ for £ to the Thames and Ohinemuri County Council for cutting tracks to the new find at Hikutaia; the Minister of Mines states that the Government will be willing to con sider favourably "an application from the counties interested for a moderate subsidy' towards working the country in which the find is located. The country is thickly covered with bush, and at present almost! inaccessible.

It will be absolutely necessary to cut two tracks before operations can be successfully prosecuted. Only about ten feet have yet been driven on the reef, which is six feet wide, and shows excellent dish prospects. The gold, however, is fine, and is mixed with a large percentage of silver. The sand stone surrounding the reef, and the charac teristics of the quartz are precisely similar to those at Waitekauri. It is reported that, a parallel lode with that of the prospectors has been, discovered by Mclsaacs, and it is believed that the quartz will prove payable, ■ as it shows colours of gold. Both reefs rua about north-east.

A party of reliable miners who arrived, late last evening inform me that there can be: no doubt the reef will continue down wards, but they consider that the gold will be of poor quality, as it contains so much silver. An immense area has been pegged out.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, See., To-night.

Abbott's Opera House—Majeroni Company in "F6dora,"B ' Bell's Buildings. "VVyndham-street — Industrial Association's Exhibition, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Olympia Hall, Grey-street-HSkating Rink, 7.30 to 10 St. Luke's and Onehunga Presbyterian Churches —Evangelistic Services, 7.30 < School-house, Titirangi —Mr J. A. Connell and the Electors of Eden, 7 Towo Hall, Kaukapakapa—Address to Electors of Waitemata, by Mr R. Wood, 8 Waikomiti School-house — Mr E. Mitchelson

and Electors of Eden, 8 Drill-shed—Newton Rifles, 7.30

Choral Hall — Choral Society's Performance, "Bride of Dunkerron," 8 Ponsonby Baptist Church—Anniversary Soiree, 6. 30 Forest ere" Hall-Mr D. Goldie's Committee, 7.30 V.M.C.A.—Delegates of Junior Football As-

sociation. 7.30 Seventh-day Adventist Church—Surrey Hills- Lecture by Pastor A. G. Danielle, 7.30

Auction Sales To-morrow.

Arthur and Bnddle, Vincent-street—Household

Furniture and Effects, 11 6. Lewis—English and Colonial-made Furui- ■ ture, 11 j T. M. Jackson—Property, Sec, 12 E. Bluck and Co., Devonport—Poultry, Pfo<sace. FuxnituxA. etc.. Uflt

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 188 T.

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