DISCURSIVE DIALOGUES.

SATURDAY EVENING TALKS ON CURRENT TOPICS.

NO. 6. Seamen's Strike—Dignity of Labour —Longevity of Rich and Poor—Provi dential Compensations—The Knights of Labour, Their Organisation and -Aims - Capitalist Combinations—Legal and Moral Aspects of the Matter.

Scene — A public place. Present — Tom, Turnscrew, engineer (in employment) ; Bill Bowline, A.8., (on strike); and Felix Fudge, philosopher, (out of employment, and like Napoleon in exile, out at Mboio!)

Felix Fudge :As I said before, I could settle the whole affair in tan minutes if the Northern Company and the-Seamen's Union _w4uld ( refer..the. points in dispute to me. There are eternal principles which if applied to this wretched seamen's strike would j Bill Bowline *. Who's a wrenched seaman, ;I would .like to know _ •F.F. : Be calm, my, friend. This warmth is most miphilpsopb;ic-l, and tit is based upon an ungramtoaticjal reading of my remark. I referred to tlits strike, and not to the seamen, as being "wretched," and anyone who is acquainted with tho sublime science of political .economy will agree with my remark. 8.8. : Political humbug, saysll. And it ain't going to be a wretched strike either, but a tip-top afiair, and the working man is going to show them blooming capitalists that he isn't going to be trampled on. i Tom Turnscrew : Bravo, BiH; I like to hear you speak your honest sentiments. But it seems to me that you are* going to do the "trampling" business asid crush the capitalist out of existence with your opposition steamers on the co-operative principle. F.F. : Has it ever struck you, my.friends, what a capitalist is ? 1 8.8. : Of course; a capitalist is a feller as-makes his living out of the working man. T.T. : Or, in other words, a man who is in a position to employ labour. T.T. : You're both wrong. A capitalist is ; simply a man who has saved some money ; : and in the present wretched -well, say un happy—dispute, it seems to me tho Sea men's Union is tho capitalist; for I cannot | see that the Steamship Company is in the ; | position of having any accumulated capital. jSo you see, my gentle William, that if you '■ crush the capitalist you will crush the Seamen's Union. It is the beauty of true philosophy that it enables us to distinguish : and discriminate.—: —

| T.T. : And to prove that black is white, or that a thing can be both true and false at the same time. In spite of your cob-web spinning, it is plain that the Northern Company represents capital and that tho Seamen's Union, though in funds for the time being, represents labour. 8.8. : Good for you, Tom! There shouldn't be no capitalists, but Labour •should be King, as somebody says, and the 'working man shouldn't be under the thumb 'of no,rich folks. It's labour that pays for all,, and yet the poor working man is de spised. F.F. : And yet honest toil brings its compensations.

" Labour is life—'tis the still water faileth ; Idleness ever desoairoth, bewaileth; Keep the watch wound, for the dark rust assaileth; . Flowers droop, and die in the stillness of noon! Labour is worship "——— 15-B. : Oh, stow that nonsense ! You don't bother with'much hard labour. T.T. : And in consequence see how ," rusty " he is turning. F.F. : Labour give 3 health, happiness and contentment, while those who live at ease are often sickly, miserable and short lived.,, T.T. A Statistics are against you there, and I'll back Fact against Philosophy any day. The average life of a clergyman, for instance, is proved to be 67 years, while that of a day labourer is only 32. F.F. : That may be true. I remember the poet has said that "Though Ireland starve, Great George weighs 20 stone," and our kings and nobles seem to live and en joy life in spite of all the evil effects of idleness. Even I myself, bloated aristocrat as lam, enjoy good health, and seem likely to live" beyond the allotted span of three Bcore and ten. B.B.: In fact, most working men are just knocking life, out of them to keep life in, andit would take a mighty lot to make.up for the loss of thirty years of life. jr.,T. ;* As a <?ampie ; of the compensations Bu-$' F*f& e.'-J0.V* 1 read a. notable '■••--> :A a...,;.. J.>,7 . pajwr tho* other day. *j t., c i.-.;A--ov.> '7AiV'i <Ao-..", _a working ::_• ;r./,->•.•.--m.. -i*-e.•:■»■*.- 'be magistrate. and ? ■;._- h<.*i--i coiiit. Tv pay back half-a-crown; . _t the Court had lent him some months, before, when he was out of work, to buy a shovel. The magistrate was apparently astonished at the man's honesty and up rightness, for he said to him, "Come tip here on the bench and give me your hand ; you are, without doubt, a noble-minded man!" That working man, I suppose, felt as happy at that moment as if he had got a thousand pounds in the bank. B.B.: More fool he, if he did, for he was just half-a-crown out of pocket, and the blooming beak would have been just as well pleased if he had never got back the two and sixpence. F.F. : Philosophy wouldTsaj*" that, as happiness is the grand aim of life, the half crown may be left out of tho question altogether. (Aside—l wish I had it just now', all the same !) Bnt the question arises —which was the happier of the two ; the working man in his conscious majesty, or the pompous magistrate forged into a con dition of wild hilarity by the spectacle of a true monarch of toil who owned a higher . law than that of the bankruptcy court ? ,Q\T. : I give it up; but; if the grand aim of life be happiness,then purely the rich get more.than their share. At any rate rich people are the tallest, heaviest, best clothed and cared for; and a» they live 35 years longer than poor men they must be able to squeeze in.a lot of more joy into their ex istence than the poor wretches who live from hand to mouth.

8.8. : Of course they do ; but turn about fa'fair play, arid we're going to reverse all that and give the poor man a show. Things have got to be equalised somehow, and there's got» to be a better division of labour, and a .airer reckoning up of the wages. ■-/■-■■. F.F. : Tho laws of political economy will cotiae into play, in spite of your efforts. How do,you purpose to shift your men from the top of the ladder to the bottom and vice versa without having a collision and a good few coming to grief. 8.8. : By the federation of working men's unions, of course. If we combine we can get the upper hand of capital as the Knights of Labour have done. rT. T. : That is a wonderful organisation- It was started in 1869 by seven tailors in Philadelphia. 'F.F. : Reminds one of " the three tailors of Tooley-street," who presumed to speakfor the people of England. jgSfrk. At any rate, these *seven laid the foundation of a society that now speaks for the whole of the United States in all trade disputes. iB.B. :. Isn't it a kind of secret society, *wp[th paths and passwords and other rub bish about it? I don't like that, for every thing phould be fair and above-board. . ' T.T.: Th^re are no oaths in the order, apd-^ Was only kept secret up till 1882, strong enough, tb declare its existence,openly. Since then thousands of Bewtlwtoches baye been formed^ !ahd the B. ---.'" ■"" '"'""' *"'" '*' '"'

Order has increased at such a rate that it was lately resolved to stop enrolment of members for a time. .. .

F.F. : Such a gigantic affair must pro duce ruinous-effects in pursuing the usual tactics of " striking." By taking up an attitude of defiance the working classes render vain all attempts to redress their wrongs by the grand method of arbitration. T.T. : This society docs not encourage strikes, and " defence, not defiance " might be taken as its motto. One of the rules declares that all trade disputes must be settled by arbitration, and it is only when such means have failed that a strike is resorted to. If a trade orders a strike without first trying arbitration it gets no support from the Knights of Labour. F. F. ; Most excellent rules, no doubt ; but are they adhered to ? I read the other day of a case in New York, where there was no labour dispute at all, and yet the Knights of Labour combined to force a shoe factory owner to keep in his employment a workman who had been discharged for stealing. The employer, who was satisfied that'the man was a thief, was nevertheless forced to take him on and to dismiss the foreman who had tried to protect his 'employer's interests. The foreman after wards learned that the Knights had given orders that he should not be allowed to work ■at any place in New York. Jfo found work in-a'ftictory in Baltimore, 250 miles away, but tho Order followed him there, and the men in the factory which he entered refused to work if lie should be retained. He then returned to New York and started an action at law to recover damages from the Knights of Labour for conspiring to ruin him. These are the facts alleged, and they don't bear out the high character that' you give to the Ordor. B. B. : It will beat you to give an answer to that, Tom.

T.T. : Oh, I'm no blind advocate of trades unions, and I don't mean to defend everything thab they do ; if Jack Plane was here he'd take up the cudgels against friend Felix in proper style. But it is rather significant that the Church of Rome has taken the Knights of Labour under her wing and is doing everything to encourage the members in their -war-are. Cardinal Gibbons has been to Rome and secured the Popo's sanction to it. F.F. : That doesn't sound like fact, when I remember that some time ago Cardinal Taschereau, of Canada, issued an order, directing his clergy to refuse absolution to all members of tho Knights of Labour. T.T. : That order lias sinco been re called, and the Society is now in tho full odour of sanctity. They will soon set up branches in Australia, I believo.

8.8. : We don't neod them here, for our trade societies are all federated and work with each other already. Just; see how the Seamen's Union got tho coal miners of Greymouth to join them aiad forced the German steamer Gerda to 'Employ Union hands instead of her own choap crew while trading on tho New Zealand coast. T.T. : Then why do you auk tho Govern ment to protect you, when you aro so able to protect yourselves ? F.F. : I'll answer that by saying—Be cause it is tho business of tiie Government, and not of unions,to regulate obese matters.

8.8. : And we don't caw if the Govern ment refuses to make proper laws • we'll tako the law into our own, hands. By unit ing, working men aro able to get all that they want. F.F. : Just so; that plan will work all right until the employers com bine and adopt the same tactics, and then you are just where you were before. Be lieve me, this system of warfare is most un righteous and unreasonable, and can lead to no good. It is wilful and wicked waste of energy. T.T. :" That is what I try to impress on the Trades and Labour Council. Combina tion is a game that two can play at. F.F. : In the United States the employer.., as might have beeii expected,are combining to defeat the Knights of Labour. In Chicago 300 masfjer builders havo resolved to '" sack " 40,0/00 mon unless the latter leave the. union.

8.8. : Yes ; but the men have made an appeal to the law, and the bo. j builders are to be had up for conspiracy. T. T. : That' 3 one of the effects of the glorious liberty and equality of the present day democracies. In America, Ileatn from a friend, there is no doubt felt that the masterbui'idersof Chicagomusteither recede from part of their programme or go to gaol. Every lawyer concurs in the opinion that the law is that an association of employers, when used for the purpose of intimidation, becomes a conspiracy against the rights of a citizen. The right to labour, and the right to carry on business by employing labour, are under the code equally sacred, and not to be taken away by the decree of irresponsible tribunals. That's what my .•fiend says in his letter, and he also says .Lb-it three millionaires have been convicted ttaeie quite lately under this law. 8.8. : Bully boys of Yankee land. I think I see some shipping directors doing a month at the treadmill for resisting the Seamen's Union. Democracy for ever, says I, and a vote for every man. F. F. : ■ That is where the democracies have the pull at the present time, for they have the power to influence legislation in a direction that may ruin the capitalist and destroy capital. A A I • i T.T. : That's a ". capital " joke, surely. Capital cannot be destroyed. They only want to have it more equally distributed^ Capital and labour cannot work together in harmony until the working man has as good a chance to accumulate wealth as his employer has ; therefore he ought to have higher wages. F.F. : But higher wages only mean a higher standard of living. A man may even save more from L 2 a week than ..*•*- n L 3. Self-denial is the, sole means m A- -vating the working classes. 8.8. : Go and preach self-denial to the blooming capitalists; begin at the top of the tree before you talk of cutting down the working man.. F.F. : Well, boys, there's no use arguing the matter further ; but take the advice of one who is neither a capitalist nor a work-, ing man, and keep out of labour disputes. ( They sepal-ate.)

MR GLADSTONE IN WALES.

A monster procession in honour of Glad stone was held at Swansea, Wales, on June 4th. Mr Gladstone, with prominent Libe_als of Wales, occupied a special stand from which he reviewed a parade of 100,000 Welshmen wearing rosettes* and bearing banners, and accompanied by numerous bands. As they marched past the stand cannon were fired, and the greatest en thusiasm prevailed.

The procession was five hours in passing the review stand. After the men had all passed they massed to hear Gladstone, who spoke for an hour. He said the waste of time in the House of Commons was due to the fact' that the Coercion Bill was badly framed, badly conducted, wanting a basis of facts, extravagant, insidious in its ob jects, and totally mismanaged as well as misconceived. Lord Salisbury's com plaint of obstruction was unmanly and effeminate. The fatigued Conservatives should be given a long Whitsuntide holiday. He warned them that they would,be even more tired, for it would be impossible to govern Ireland coercively in light of day and in an atmosphere of freedom. Glad stone asked Welshmen to believe that the Irish were human beings full of. noble qualities. He was confident that Welsh men would sympathise with Irishmen in the difficult and arduous contest, in which their triumph was absolutely certain; A banquet was giyen to Gladstone iii the evening by the Welsh members of the House,.Q- Comtnons __d the officials of,*fche. Liberal pa.ty.. .. :'

SPORTING.

TURF GOSSIP.

[By Hippona.]

The annual meeting of the Auckland Racing Club took place on Monday last. From the report and balance-sheet put before the members, it appears that despite the de pression—which of course meant a falling off in the gate and totalisator receipts—the Club made a profit of L 2,350 over the four meetings held last season, each gathering showing a balance on the right side of tho ledger. The Spring Meeting resulted in a profit of L 66 5s Id ; the Summer Meeting of L 2,037 16s 7d ; the Autumn Meeting of L 179 16s; and the Winter Meeting of L 65 16s 7d. Now this must be deemed very satisfactory, especially when we come to compare it with the annual statement of the Canterbury Jockey Club. Their balance sheet presented at the meeting of members a few weeks back showed that their big Spring Meeting only resulted in a profit of L 1,450 17s sd, while tho Summer and Autumn Meetings showed losses of LBO6 18s 5d and L 204 lis 2d respectively. On that score, therefore, the members of the Auckland Racing Club have, good reason to congratulate themselves. The standing mortgage of £10,000 on the .course, and tho bank overdraft of £2,426 17s 4d are, of course, two ugly items to look at; but we must not forget the great amount spent by the Club in building the new grandstand, which I make bold to say far and away surpasses any similar structure in this colony. Further, tho sum of £966 12s hao been paid in the formation of tho much needed tan gallop, not to mention the amount, spent on the erection of the new totalisator houses in the paddock. With tho work of the new gallop almost com pleted and a good working plant to thoir credit, the Club only want a revenue during noxt season equal to that of last, and they will bo in a good position. Mr W. Percival's statement of accounts wero brought out at the meeting in a clear and satisfactory manner, and tho Chairman and working Committee'are deserving of the thanks of the racing public for their gratuitous ser vices to the Club during the year.

The first forfeit for the Melbourne Cup, which fell due on Monday last, shows that no performers of auy vory great note dropped out, if we except Sheet Anchor and Grace Darling. Mr E. Mitchelson's Maua is the only ono of the New Zea land division whose name is miss ing. The next and final paymont is not due till the week before the day for de cision of the race. Tho names of the horses scratched to date are Master John, Salvo, Krupp, Rosamond, Enfield, Wentworth, Abuse, Sheet Anchor, Physician, David, Mann, Louise, Pastoral, Grace Darling, Empress, Fernandez, Ettie, Shark, Littio John, The Pencil, Metal, Industry, and Plutarch.

The Auckland Racing Club's programme for next season may bo expected to bo made public in about a weok s time. It is intended to reduce the amount of added money, but tho Spring Meeting will in all probability extend over two days instead of one as heretofore. I hope to hear of tho now Committee cutting down the added money of the Derby to at least 500sovs., for there is no denying the fact that we are far in advance of the times.

The string of two-year-olds that Kean has under his charge at Kohimarama are all doing well. Pearl Shell, tho filly by Musket—Pearl Ash, is the most forward of the lot, but for size, looks, and substance Cuirasseur towers above everything, and is the gentleman of the party. Formo has just beon taken up again, but sho has not grown upwards sinoe last season. The jumpers Silvio, Magnesia, and Victory are being spelled.

Auckland is about to lose from the ranks of hor horse-owners Mr David Twohill, who intends settling down in Melbourne. Mr Twohiil in Jill probability leaves by next week's steamer, and ho will be followed soon afterwards by his brothor, Mr .Dan/Twohill. Cinderella, of course, will he taken over, and such a use ful mare will no,doubt pay her way well. The Bros. Twohill belong, to the class of owners of whom we cannot afford to loso, and I am sorry to chronicle their intending departure.

As an instance of the way Silver Pi. inco is fancied for the Melbourne Cup outside of Auckland, I might mention that one of our local pencillers laid 200 to 12 against the colt to a Wellington client a few days ago, when the taker immediately wired back stating that he would accept another 300 to 18 about the son of Anteros. The Auckland layer replied '*300 to 21 the best price," and an answer came from the Empire City almost immediately snapping it up.

Mr J. O. Evett has been re-appointed handicapper to the Wanganui Jockey Club for next season. At tho annual meeting there was a proposal to have the handicap ping done by a Committee of the Club, but after a full discussion it was decided tc re-appoint Mr Evett.

Acceptances for the New Zealand Cup are due to-night. George Wright tolls me that Fusillade will be an acceptor.

Torrent, one of the three representatives the Hon. W. Robinson has left in the New Zealand Gup, has' claimed some attention at the hands of local backers this week, the son of Apremont and Water sprite having been supported for small amounts at 100 to 8. Looking up Torrent's past career I find that he has only started on two occasions, viz., in the last Canter bury Derby, when he made the running for his stable companion Disowned, and in tho Maiden Plate at the Auckland Summer Meeting. In this last-named race, he ran second to Lady Norah, but he was suffering from fever in the feet. I think that I am safe in saying Torrent has not yet shown his true form, and if he goes on all right in his training, he iis bound to see a much shorter price in the market than ho is now quoted at. Torrent's New Zealand Cup impost is 7st 71b.

I had a look'at Brigadier the other day.. The son. of Musket has lately been fired on both of his forelegs, and Mr E. Halstead has made an excellent job of the work" . The services of such a well-made animal as Brigadier shonlst be eagerly sought after by breeders, arid I hope to hear this season of some of our local men mating a well-bred mare or two with him.

The adoption of the racing rules that have been in force for some time by the other New Zealand Metropolitan Clubs is a wise step on the part of the Auokland Racing Club. I am glad tp see, though, that the Club have retained from the old set those rules regarding the license of jockeys and the Distressed Jockeys' Fund, and they might with very great advantage be adopted by the Canterbury, Dunedin, Hawke's Bay, and Wellington Clubs. By the A.R.C. adopting the Metropolitan rules, there is now one uniform code throughout the colony.

From Napier I learn that 'there has been very little work doing amongst the local horses. Up to the present time most of them have been treated to a dose of physic, and are being got ready to put into steady work. Goosemari has the Musket—Fairy land colt in his Stable, and he has also ju&fc broken in a bay filly by Muiket—A'taJantoj; s

Southern papers state that Silence has shortened in price for the New Zealand Cup, and is now quoted at 100 to 12. Artillery has found supporters at the same figure, while Torrent is also in good request, the half brother to Stoneyhurst being backed at 100 to 6.

At the annual meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club, the balance-sheet showed that the expenditure for the year had been L 3,498 7s lOd, or L 246 5s 5d in excess of the receipts. This is more than accounted for by the sum expended on improvements and repairs (L 329 16s). The amount paid away tor stakes totalled up to L2,<197 13s. Of this sum LI.OOO came from entries. The receipts from privileges and totalisa tors amounted to L 2.038 5s lid, andLl2B 14s from members' subscriptions. The finances of the Club are in a sound state, as its overdraft at the Bank has been re duced to L 125 17s lOd.

I hear a lot of talk about the bad state of the Ellerslie course during the winter months, but at Riccarton' it would seem to be at least equally as bad. This is what a Christchurch writer says when re ferring to tho matter :—lt was a fine fore noon, but I found the grounds dotted with pools of water, the sand gallop in a state of "sludge," some of the adjoining paddocks turned into lakes, and everything in as bad a mess as it could be. The blame for a good deal of the standing water is thrown upon the road board, who blocked up several gullies which used to carry off the storm water, and put down drain pipes in stead of sufficient culverts.

Christchurch papers to hand giving details of the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase state that previous to the start Mangaohone walked as if he was very sore. P. Higgins received such injuries whilst riding Mammoc in the race that be will be incapacitated from riding for some time, while Pearson broke his arm riding Romeo. In the Maiden Plate, Mr G. Ruther -ord's horse, Impostor, had his leg broken and had to be destroyed. Mangaohone, who was awarded 12st 71b, was scratched for the Consolation Handicap. Romoo, on the strength of his forward running in the Grand National, was installed a hot favourite for tho race. Master Guy fell early in the journey, and then Orient went to tho front, and won comfortably, so far that is as finishing in front; but unfortun ately, on entering to scale, he was a \Va short of weight, and being disqualified Romeo was declared the winner.

" Warrior," the Sydney correspondent of the " Otago Witness," supplies the fol lowing Randwick training notes to that journal:—The Hon. James White's three yeai-olds made their appearance. Aber corn, Carlyon, and Aberdeen soon com menced business. Starting from the three furlong post, they came down the straight at a rattling pace, Aberdeen, on the inside, having a lead of half a length from Carlyon, who occupied the centre of the course, and Abercorn hugging the rails. Aberdeen forced the running as they neared the mile and two-milo posts, but at tho tan sheds the colts were all together, and remained so coming down the straight. Crossing the tan at tho entrance gate, Carlyon occu pied the boat position. Turning by Cutts's cornor, .a sheet would havo covered them, but the Sydney Metropolitan horse, Aber deen, again assumed the lead. Rising the hill he had to give way to Carlyon, who was running well within himself; fol lowing on his heels came Abercorn, the gallop finishing slightly in favour of the first named. Carlyon, who is a brown colt, by Chester from Moonstone, has greatly improved during the last month, which "is more than I can say for Cranbrook, who appears to be as fat as a bullock. At one timo I had hopes of Cranbrook proving Mr White's trump card next spring, but unless ho mends I must certainly advise my friends to keep their eyes on Carlyon and Aberdeen, the last-named for the Sydney Metropolitan, and Carlyon for the V.R.C. Derby. Of course I am not prepared to back up any prediction at this distant date, but judging from past experiences on the training tracks, I don't mind tipping on this 22nd day of July, 1887, the following ; Mr White's best for the Australian Jockey Club Derby should be Abercorn ; Sydney Metropolitan, Aber deen ; Caulfield Cup, Volcano ; Victorian Derby, Abercorn or Carlyon (the latter my fancy); Melbourne Cup, Trident or Aber deon. Arsenal (the winner of the last Melbourne Cup), Cairo, and Frisco exercised alone. Arsohai, his legs as sound as a bell, negotiated a mile and three-quarters in ex cellent time, pulling up very fresh. Cairo, looking beautiful, vl&s admired as he brushed down the straight, his easy machine like movement meeting with approbation from the "knowledge birds presont. Frisco has much improved since his victory in tho Sydney Cup, and may bo heard of doing good deeds during the incoming sea son.

From last week's "Canterbury Times " I clip the following:—Nelson and Stonyhurst did a usoful half-pace gallop on Wednesday morning in company, and both the chest nuts looked wonderfully well. Nelson is moving better than reported last week, but what comfort thi6 fact may afford to his backers for the New Zealand Cup will be considerably discounted by a rumour to the effect that Major George will, if his horse trains sound, take him to Melbourne. Stonyhurst seems none the worse for the rattling along he has received during the week, and it is just possible that he may be seen at the post in the spring. The rest of E. Cutts's string are doing well, but Teredo has most unsightly hocks and makes a very suspicious noise. O'Brien's lot are well forward, and in addition to Hermitage, Sextant, Gipsy King, and the yearlings, Rose and Black is doing good work. Artillery and Butler's others aro going on fairly well, and Webb's pair, Ruby and the Wave colt, are regular atten dants on the course. Bowie has Sultan in charge, and is making great progress with the colt. Moana is one of the most im proved horses in training, and Armstrong and Mr J. E. Pilbrow have their charges in nice seasonable condition.

Speaking of the departure of the Hon. W. Robinson's team of horsos from Lyttel ton, " Senex " writes :—On arriving at the wharf alongside which the Hauroto was lying, it appeared as if most of the inhabi tants of Upper Riccarton had determined to leave the shores of New Zealand. There were owners, trainers, jockeys and re porters all mixed up together, and every one appeared anxious to inspect the ac comodation provided for the nags and also to get a peep at the animals themselves. Of the accommodation all there is to be said about it is that it was complete in every way. Ample room in the boxes, for such they were, not stalls ; a liberal quantity of padding to prevent bruising the horses if heavy^ weather is experienced, and a good situation on board the ship between decks and just forward of the bridge. Neither expense nor trouble had been spared to make the passage attended with as little discomfort as possible to the animals shipped. But by the time we had had a good look at the quarters provided, the first of the occupants, the slashing Enfi lade, had been quietly walked into the box on the wharf preparatory to being hoisted on board. In another minute he was swinging in mid-air, with his boy standing' perched across his neck, and in half a dozen "seconds he was safely en sconced in his snug apartment on board. Thunderbolt came next, and no sooner in his place than Silver Prince, conspicuous by his white marking, was seen coming along the wharf. If there was one of the lot who was likely to be troublesome when being shipped it was the colt who has been so freely backed for the Melbourne pup. When he was justriw* v-'* ' A\- the stearri whistle of the Wailv- vno fiite side of the, wh_rf ?■;* '._ jglve ufct'e'^'& faa-ifi' A;,

which was prolonged for 40 or 50 seconds amidst the execrations of those engaged in the job of handling the valuable stock that was leaving. For a moment it looked as if the colt would break away and play up, and indeed, he did jump once or twice almost amongst the railway points ; but at last he was quieted, though trembling a good deal. No further trouble took place with him, and he joined his shipmates safely, and was followed by the last oi the quartette in the shape of Disowned, who gave no trouble whatsoever. The owner of the team was looking on at the time, and superintending tho shipment of his pets, while the brothers CuttsNvere assisted by Derrettand Cochrane, who accompany the lot to Sydney, while R. Ray was a spectator, and an interested one, of the departure of his late charges. But Mr Robinson's were not the only nags going away, as Mirella was leaving by the same boat, and knowing this young lady's temperament, it must have been an anxious moment for H. Piper, who was with her when he got the irritable daughter of Hornby and Mireille into the box. When once in, he quickly blind-folded her, and before she had time to realise the situation she was on the 'tween-decks of the steamer. The little trotting pony Dot took things collectedly, and then many of the crowd moved back to the railway station after wishing bon voyage and lots of luck on the other side to the horse-owners and their staff of trainers and assistants.

The London journal " Truth " is respon sible for the following:- The solemn ser vice was progressing in Winchester Cathe dral, and the Dean sat enthroned, when a telegram was handed to him. He opened it, and cast his eyes up to heaven in dire perplexity. It ran thus, " Ormonde has won." Who was Ormonde ? and what had ho won ? Vainly canons and such-like minor lights were consulted. If they knew they pretended not to. It was sub sequently discovered that the telegram had been sent to Mr Dean, a trainer at Win chester, but as it was addressed " Dean, Winchester," it was handed to the Dean. The telegraph clerks were probably under the impression that this dignitary had put a trifle on the race, and had desired that the result should be at once forwarded to him.

The Melbourne scribe " Asmodeus" writes:—"A sensational jump is reported as having taken place at Caulfield. An eye-witness to the feat informs me that Lizette, with Batty in the saddle on the morning named, accomplished a leap which has probably never been equalled in Aus tralia. My informant states that the mare, in negotiating the fence on the hill opposite the stable,* formerly occupied by the late Frank Leng, took off so far from the obstacle that the few specators present anticipated with horror a catastrophe, as it seemed impossible that she could elbar the jump. To the equal astonishment and relief of the watchers, however, the gallant daughter of Hieroglyph landed clear • and so impressed were those present with the performance that measurements were quickly taken, when it was found that Lizette had taken off 25ft. from the fence, and in her jump had cleared a few inches over 35ft."

The English press has recently been much troubled as to which is really en titled to distinction as the horse of the century, and while some vote in favour of Ormonde, St. Simon and Ben digo, "Pondragon" goes for St. Gatien, and says:—" If I were asked to say which was the best horse I ever saw I should have a difficulty. A performance as good as anything there is in this book was that of St. Gatien in the Cesarewiteh of '84. And if St. Gatien had done subsequently what I honestly and conscientiously believe he could have done but for untoward in fluence, no horse in this world could now take higher position. Last back-end I saw him win a race at Newmarket (Ditch in), cutting down his opponents in such style that if Ormonde himself had been in the raco I do not think he would have won ; yet only two days before St. Gatien had shown form so inferior that it has to be cast on one side whon discussing his claims on real quality. St. Gatien ran in the Derby, it is true, and it is funny how to think that his folk are afraid to run off the dead heat with Harvester—funny to think that if the dead heat had been run off good odds would have been laid on Harvester. '

RUNNING A-MUCK.

A Sepoy Kills Elever Men and Commits Suicide.

A shocictn'c' teagedy occured at Kurrnckee on the 20th of May. A Sepoy of the Twenth sixth Native Infantry, having got possession of somo ammunition, ran a-muck through the lines at 1 o'clock in the morning. He first shot two Sepoys who were asleep in the barracks verandah. The alarm was sounded and the regiment turned out, but nothing could be done till daylight, when detach ments were sent in various directions to search for him. Meanwhile the murderer proceeded to the Soldiers' bazaar and shot four shopkeepers who were sleeping outside their houses. He then went to the plain behind the infantry lines and shot four cartmon. When he found that the regi ment had turned out he took refuge in a stone inclosure, where he fired many rounds. The colonel called for volunteers to rush upon him and two Sepoys responded. When they got within six yards of him he shot himself through the heart. The eleven men whom he had shot were killed on the spot or died in a few hours.

A FIGHT WITH A FISH.

Narrow Escape of a Diver From

Drownluß.

The Paris correspondent of the " London Telegraph" writes: " A diver named Quin tree had a remarkable fight with a formid able fish called the boultous or bondro, a kind of shark which infests the Breton coast at Douarnenez.theotherday. Accord ing to all accounts Quintree had a narrow escape, and his own report of Ins terrible experience reads like a stanza from Schiller's famous poem, or a page from one of Jules Verne's romances. The diver, an old salt, was employed by the Government, and in pursuit of his daily duty descended, in a diving apparatus, off the Douarnenez pier for the purpose of laying the foundation of an addition to that structure. While he was at the bottom of the sea, the men working the air pump in the pontoon boat above were suddenly frightened by feeling the alarm signal. They instantly pulled up, and brought a large boultons nearly eight feet long to the surface. The marine monster's head formed three-quarters of his length,and his un,der jaws were of immense size. Shortly after wards Quintree came up,his hands on the air pipe of his helmet and his diving apparatus somewhat damaged. It appears that whon he went down to his work he had scarcely got to the last rung of the ladder when he saw the sea monster lying between two huge lumps of rock. He had in his hands only his stone chisel and a hammer, and he in tended to go up for a crowbar at once, but the fish was too fast for him. It came to ward him through the green with its enor mous jaws wide open. Without losing a moment Quintree managed to wound the animal in the throat with his chisel and then held it down on a stone while he drew his knife and made a hole in its body, through which he passed a rope and thus sent the fish to the surface. Had it not been for his quickness and dexterity, the diver, owing to tho rents which the fish would make in his apparatus, would have been'drowned and thus devoured. As it happens, it was the boultous that was not only defeated but eaten, for its body Was divided among the victor and his comrades,- who made a capihal %6vUaiatssi di i^bs prime p&Ki.,

ATHLETIC NOTES.

(By Act_eon.)

FIXTURES.

FOOTBALL. August 6 and 13.-'* Rep." practice matches. August 17. - Aucldand v Canterbury. August.—Auckland v. Otago. Junior Cup. August 6.—Waitemata v. Ponsonby ; Auckland v. North Shore ; Grafton v. Gordon. August, 12.—United v. North Shore; Grafton v. Ponsonby ; Auckland v. Waitemata. August _0. -Gordon v. United; Auckland v. Ponsonby;. Waitemata v. Grafton. Second Junior Cup. August 12.-Remuera v. Waverley; Rovers v. University; Selwyn v. Waitemata. August 20, ■ Selwyn v. Waverley : Remuera v. Gordon; University v. Waitemata.

AQUATICS.

Sep. 27, 29.—Thistle races for the America's Cup. Nov. 2C— Beach v. HanTan for tho Champion ship of the world on the Nepean.

FOOTBALL.

As the knowing ones expected, the match last week between the Probables and Pos sibles was a very even one. All through and especially in the first spell, the Possible forwards had the best of the play, this being neutralised by the effective back work of their opponents. Among the. latter Poland played decidedly the best game, running in splendid style, and was the means of secur ing the only score credited to the Probables. Braund, at full-back, collared well, and stopped rushes pluckily every time, but he did not take the ball cleanly. No less than five times did he fumble it, and as a natural consequence he was not so very successful in his kicking. Lusk, at three-quarter back, was rather a failure ; to occupy that position in a " Rep " match he should play in it in club matches. He often did the wrong thing—ran when he should have kicked, and vice versa. He had two shots at goal, missing both and losing consider able ground, whereas if he had run he should on one occasion have got in. Wooller was far the best among the wlngs,and played a better game than lie has. done for some time. Marshall and Twiname were the most conspicuous among the Probable for wards, and were both very good. O'Connor played the best forward game in the match but his old faults still cling to him—ones I had to notice very particularly last year, viz., not going into the scrum enough, and too much picking up. Nevertheless, ho played a splendid game. He was ably seconded in his endeavours by H. Poland and Stewart, while. Otway also played a, good game. Our forwards almost without exception work honestly. They do not mean to loaf, and will do all they possibly can, but there is generally something radically wrong with the scrum ; in short, they cannot pack. If there is one thing the Christchurch forwards are more noticeable for than anything else, it is their packing. Now, if seven Wellington forwards could walk through a like number of Auckland forwards last year, what will nine Christ church forwards do with seven Auckland forwards this year ? Let the forwards re member that they are not supposed to have their allotted place for each scrums, as some seem to suppose. If the " centre man " gets up last he should not try and work in at the side, but should put his head low, and go into the scrum from the back. I would suggest that in the next practice match the wing men or someone in a good position pay particular attention to the forwards as they form their scrum, and if a man is seen going in in a manner likely to spoil the formation let him be called to book there and then. The match is for the men to learn in, and. unions someone will point out how a, thing ought to be done to some of them I am afraid they will never learn. The Repre sentative Fifteen is to be. picked next Saturday evening after the last practice match. ..."

Mr R. Crowe, of the Gordon F. ft, has been elected a member of the Selection Committee vice Mr J. Reed, re?ijjned. The members of the Committee are Messrs T. Henderson, T. Mackie, and R.. Crowe. -

In writing of the Christchurch Rugby Union objecting to play against Whiteside in Auckland, a Wellington paper says :—, "The Auckland Union have power to ob ject to Roberts, late of Wellington, but now a member, of the East Christchurch Club, playing for Canterbury, for the same reason. Both these players are in the same boat in this respect, proof of which is said to be easily obtainable. If this rule in regard to professionalism were enforced several of the best men in the colony would be debarred from playing, among whom are a few who have worn the fern leaf. The rule in question was found very necessary in Eng land, where half a team often received pay ment to play in matches. To make the rule retrospective iv New Zealand would be manifestly unfair, especially as there have been very few delinquents." The match between the HelCnsville foot ballers and the Auckland 11. was not the one-sided game many expected. The coun try lads have improved wonderfully during the present season, as in past years third rate fifteens were able to beat them on their own ground. United played three men short against the Ponsonby 11. last week, and had to succumb by 13 points to nil. Only twenty minutes were played in the second spell. The Rovers F.C., who are leading for the Second Junior Cup, have had a banner presented to thorn. North Shore 11. beat Grafton by 4 points to nothing after, a very hard match.

- Waitemata 11. had hard luck in being beaten by the Gordons. They had all thebest of the play, but could not get across the. line. Smith, by a splendid dodgy run, scored for the blacks, and converted his try into a goal. Football will soon gain an unenviable name for itself down South if things are allowed to proceed as they have been doing lately. In this week's exchanges I notice accounts of three rowdy football matches, two in Christchnrch and one in Oamaru. The Christchurch matches were the Union v. Addington match (junior), and East Christchurch v. Merivale (senior), lnthe first instance the players were to blame, while in the latter both spectators and players are severely blamed. The play was exceedingly rough, and on the Easterns scoring the Merivale V barrackers " rushed the ground and used disgusting language, besides using' one or. two of the, players roughly. A similar scene was enacted at Oamaru during the -match between the second fifteen of the Athletic and Oamaru Clubs. Unions should promptly sit on any thing like this, tii I clip the following from a- conversation on Christchurch club football between a Christchurch player and an outsider —Old Rugby—published in the " Weekly Press " : —The clubs don't play, a scoring game. They keep on the defensive too much. There is too much put on the forwards, and too little work done, by' the backs. The backs, mind you, I don't say a word against for efficiency. The cer tainty with which they get the ball and drop it is good to see. . But you never see them run. . . . . The best game I know is that which says, " Never let the enemy have the ball if you can help it." I like to see a back, when he gets the ball, run with it as far as he can, and then pass it, and get back to his place quickly. That's getting, some use out of your fast men at half and three-quarter backs, but the backs at the north end this afternoon scarcely ever ran. As soon as the ball came through they drppped

it over th?" 5^ into tho other S ««?? quarter baJiktf iTV^s' tt^: the latter't.,^;jH/^ ; , volleying, but TAT f ome *%.vU? body will a£ree JTA' '•"". . r v J^ away the most vS^^ «*y fig points- that is thf^r f o(i ihis perpetual clroE^° n °/ «» 3 making ten or Wehtyva^ l*!^. N a detensive game Jji ! a essentillu weak team ovS£ lS **^f teamslsawthSri 6?^^ J ought to reserve also 4 ft T ayu-3 aking^drops at .o_^iJ^« iA: ?hls is a develonmp-t\3*-?**H' -mchlnever saw SSr? °ithisZ -Inistchurch. Kll fur> r « dyce.didn'tlosemu hS *fB bd drop, and I undSn7_. i3^ and other pl ayers »%t Era^ same way. *I c y an qu^befe W from the quickness of E^ lt> players I saw, 'esneciMlv « . „? and o*9 the match. But in th . ™Li $** «M should run more m;ddl* the: jjp Junior cim .

ATHLETICS, ETC.

The hare and hounds of the Waiter B. iv. had to be postponed until to-dT owing^ to_the inclemency of the weather. «t' -w who. made 146 wm (not" out) for Wellington m the annual nail against Hawke's Bay in April last, is 4 S to receive a souvenir of his performance » the form of a watch pendant, purchased by the other members of the team. The sift which is in the shape of a shield, is of &X and bears'a'suit-ble inscription. ■ Sali, the Italian athlete, hap andertakm for a wager to lift With his teeth three m seated on a quarter cask, the whole weigh. ing not less than 30st. In addition he hi hold at arms'length in s&ch hand & H) weight. A batting performance very much oat rf the^common was recorded to*the cretlitof two of the Charterhouse Eleven,! J, B, Hawkins and E: C. iStreatfield, for th. YS, against the XI. of that -choalionMaylS. The pair put on as many as- 214 runj before the first wicket fell, an achievement of no small merit. A new phenomenon; in the pedestriaul world has been discovered in the person tf Harry G eht, who appears to be1 si runner ol the first' water. ■ He receiifcly vmn the! Sheffield Easter Handicap, and .for tie Whitsuntide one he v.a_ penau'-ed^Sytk; This did not,' however, prevent him romp* ing home on May 30, in such time (122y*ii. in 11 3-sth sec), as would give Hatty Hutchena's best performance ft shaking The•'"Sporting Life" remarks on hisjw-1 formance *. Never in oar memory Of B\kmi handicaps has any matt wen two wssA easy fashiori'&s Gent, and as hehas im* proved .considerably since, Easterj there ii ho telling how fast: 'a-runner he .night; become.' In point of physique he possefe all the qualities1 essential to a speedy ;t_ji| he being the right age, height, andweigk) He is about twenty-five years oldysWdj': sft 9in, and weighs list 101b. • The Marylebbne Centenary Festival com menced On June 13 with a match M. CO. and Ground v.1. England. The Hi-teh 'H_> not finished when the-mail left. EUQ; went in firsthand were dismissed tell, (Gunn 61), Lohmann doings'tiie 'B®!*s. execution,1 getting six wickets/ EngltMf replied 'with 514,. of which Shrewsbarfi made 152, A. E. Stoddart 151, W. W. Read; 74, Ulyett 46. M' C. C. have orie'mdkfflj down for -3 in their second innirig- The h-lt recently presented fo Lawst. Wanganui is1 for the championship Ot that. place, arid nob of New Zealand. ' | Watson and Briggs. accomplished ft noW worthy performance for Lancashire on May, 24th, Wheh' they dismissed Sussex or ft small scores of 74 and 81 (Qua_e. ttij 40)." Watson took eleven wickets »W runs, and Briggs six for 36 iMMto scored 154, arid 2 for nowickO-.' J Watson accomplished' anotherfine m formanc. at Manchester, when playing 4* Lancashire against wipW was. in a treacherous condition, ; Jrt» analysis' bf {thirteen wickets for 62 nj must be regarded as Phenomenal. BjJJ ten overs Wbowled for thrwraj^ seven wickets. Three' times he got W batsmen in; one over,.and twicfrh. had t^ with successive balls. ' " A AtßlackheathVon'Junels,m^ between the Abbey School, Beck^jg, Stmtheden House, thelatterwere^ ; for five runs. Four of these were e« so that the whole s tie pj»,p between them, p™^ the effective bowling of *B«nM A of 13. His analysis, reads.M fcpft- *] overs;sm-idetts,ortt-s,7^kete ~' Abbe-y School seems, a rare m ' . good bowlers. I*«^.*Jfift formance of young Bamford, *6WI. peats to be another Commg Mri^ also, named BewnVand «£ l g iCa dismissed seven of the Ego im> for one run, and b^-Z„W? J lows: M^'^/^Sffflarito*" wickets.- The wholes side ell W* total of 11 runs I.*™^?^ there was something■*£»£*{& *■ incidence in these *™ "TO, cHft*'. them on the high authonty ot I Here is bowling n*, v , .flick. § In the match Hi J^W* I heathSchoohplayedon J°l« ,- of latter were dismissed[for theg. I I<s G A. Simpson hatt w« j i bowled. , . • opinrvnand P*. I the former fell. I Tl Anderson1 scored J(H oi^ I for West of Second **»■ .#. I IJnivefsityi'a .G^f^ir B ndW I His runs were gotiftatt ■ . | minutes-arun^n^^, ■ |

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, AUGUST b, 1887.

2



North Shore " 9 S 9 ' 2 - _* I Auckland *' ■ £ : .9 g J J 21 fl Grafton •_ ■ *£; 9 ? J ? 21 .1}. Waitemata " 9 1 J t .5 * United .. ., 10 *{ I ■? l3 ».. Gordon ..... i 0 f \,\A§ | Second Junior Cup. -ss 1 i'f <{ Rovers „ .,9 R T * fe Setwyn .. " I I \ 0 M: University ,,,,;„•; 8g -\ j 0 $ Remuera .. . 7 5 ? £ tf Gordon ., : " g » 'n '■?. tt Waverley 7. ' . a I ? t. '«' Waitemata „ " gin S



to our shores-Dr. celery, beef, ing physicians <*$&%£. w bile fo # chemists.-[ADVT.I. . * Portland Cement and hyw» vuwtt & (A, mation freem, °^ T toros-streetvvcsu most-.* 0?:/-!!' MISERA^ENESS. - 9fs rtflrjygS ai_ sick or ptnwiK " one lnffi-),i_fr mißerablenea- that no {or jdOCMW* U tamed b. the.use oi and WI W to cure fro"'* h k eJK__ti tt_S__o*** perfect health ano^s^pjajw. *rr