COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, *c. To-night.

7.M.C.A. Tfoom-. Evnnr,-'l=tlr S rvicr. 7 ?0. •Glinawotk.i l'ir :naii.i "ay - * xbioitan of TemporancaHill -free, -n'crtalnment, 7.30. ; i: iir'l. corner of Oiu/ aad Que.n streets—

«S?r&"' rvutt!'£Vnthr. Tc-ton .S-.irrry HIll8: Jb#*'c. Pjnsonby X a \ 7.20.

Rota or Justices at- Follca Court,. p MarchJ (th-J. P. K'ng and GS. Killing. l!

Suj; lav Serrtcca,

fcOTE. — The ne.rtr.res are at the. vsudl hours,'jk «a/«." Khen oUiencise. stated. When only one, r; r. acker's name is given, he officiates d both; .'dirti of worship; when more tlim one, they, officiate ct bfx grrvicrx in the nr-ice named. ;

fit. Pasm-Rev. G. H. 8. Walpole and lnoum

bent. 43t. Matthew'^—rnenmbent. Ail SaintV— Inoumbjut. St. SJopHlcttro's—lncumbent. City Hall-Kvangeliatic service. ?. 18;. Ifsry'a, Parnell-Rav. C. M. MiVjn fhi in-

ciitnbent. Kpiphany—Tncumbanr- Gs Peter's Preaby tori in -Rev. K. Soraerville. Piti-atree; Wesleyan-Rovs. H. Bull and J. A.

Taylor ■Gut ion 'Road Weelej-i'd-Rev. It. Bavin ano\ IVfcr S B. Fellow.*. __«. PirnellW e »leya i-R-v. T. B. Carr and Student. 64. Jobn'a ft«=3ieyan—Reva. A. Keid and H.

Bell. ; MovonportWcfloyon-Rev. R. P. n-vf'jnry. J Mount Albert Wealeyan—Ktv. 5. A. T.o lor acd' atuAfnt. Not* Church Services-Foresters' Hall, Karan-;

K'lhaca Road. 11 a.m. ! Auckland Tafaornac e-P.is tor T. Spnrseon. , Poosonby X iptis*. - M-esrs K. Pry and Jonnr. Mount Jtdeo Baptla - Pr.'.tor Bray. CVinttreK*tional Caaxu, Bercaford-strect-Rcv.: «?»mea Cnew. « I'cronport Co?>srer;ationa'—Mr K. Wocd, Psrr.e4l ConKreKatloaal—Morning at 11 ana evening a~c 6 30 Kowtau Congregational-Mr H Field end Key. «. J. Roberts, i Abbatfs Ocera Hoasa-Mr Es H. Tayloi". Mount Eden Congregational-Rev, W. J. L. L'loas. . Put and Viocent-BtrePta United Free M-.thodla* —Messra W. V. Tacksr and J. Bran-8. Mount Eden United Free Mtthcdisi Bay. S. Macfarlare. Alexandra street P imitive Methodlßt -Revs. A. J. Smith and W. b. Potter. Pitt and Kdwinatrccta Primitive Methodist— •Kit. A.J. Smith. St. Divid's Presbyterian-Rev C Worboya. > ici'tci ma Meeting in the Tent, on Surrey Hills Estate, Poasonby Road. 3 and V p.ra. Forejfon.' Hall—Service at 11. HummerstreetHa.il—Christadelphlans. II a m. irjrne-arroet Hall - Auckland nationalistic KJoiety, 7.30. V.M.C.A Mr C. K. button, 3 p.m. Avondalo Presbyterian—Kbv. A. McKeny.'.c. St. Goonrc's Hill -Servieo at 11 and 6 30 p.m. Franklin Itoad Primitive Metnodlai—Kev. C E. Ward. Richmond Road Primitive Methodist—Rev. C. K. Ward. Wat-rviaw Primiiiva Mcthodkt-Mr G. Knight and Mr Booth.

Auction Sales on Monday.

Hc3'-ceth. Aftksn. and Co., Lake Takapona- Ho-sos. Cattle. Pjultry. Farm Implements, Household Farnitnre. eic , 11 am.

Jiunwr and Molan, Alanaterß -Horses, Cdtt'e, JMiry Uten3i:s, Houiehold Fnrnltaro, etc , 11 H m. R. Cochrana and 3on—Proportiea, f tc. lkm, 1). F. Evana, Victoria-street—Household Furni ture and hffacts, 11 a.m. E. Leydoa, Wak-.fialdotrect-Houaehold Fur niture aod KfTdC'B,ll a.m. Arthur and Buddie—City and Suburban Pro perties, 11 a.oi. Cochrane k. Daorc—Furniture, Effjcta, &c, 12

Chief Post-office, Auckland.

SIMLS WILL CI.OBR A3 CVTJER :— Monday, nth loat.

for WaHara»Dd a^uthorn porte, per Oaliloch, «S II rv 03. For K*wenc, and HohiinKa District, per Oretl, nt 11 ii. in. For Putifel ftnd Coromandol. per Coromandel »ttl.3oam. "■nr Thames, per Rntomahani. at .130 p.m. For Tauranga and (Jpotiki, p^r uhslmeford, at I p. Hi. i-eir Whltianul, Upper Mill. Gum Town, Tnrcronsa and Opotiki, iier loon, at i p.m. Vur Ru'Fiell, Kawnkawi, Itnwone, Wan^aros «nd Moogonul, per Cianem.in, at i p m. Tuesday, ljth inst. For Wslwcto. Karan, LeUh. Omaha. Mata knni. Mollet Point, and Lower Matakana, per Koto Casoy, at 10 n.m. t'.ir Xe* Plymouth and Soathern ports, per Fcninlo, at 11 a.m. t'er Mararoa as follows: - For India, China. Japan, Mediterranean }>o-ts, and Continent, of Europ". nt. .1 p.m. Fo> Krancc. Algeria. ?cjohelle», Capetown <prr Frtncb paciccl), at 3 pro. Ati^'raitan Uoloni«> md United Kingdom, via Colomba and Brindmi. for letters,. -<tc. eper.ially bo prepaid and addressed, at sun. For money orders, registered letters, and •newspaper?, at 3 p-m. Late letters for Sydney and Melbourne only. at4.20p.r0. Tho United Kingdom mail will be duo at London on May 3. For Oiaborno, per Southern Cross, at 5 p.m. (Signed) S. B. HISS. Chief Postmaster. OaleJ Post-offloo. Aciklacd.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Hunhrt.—fi*hia evocissj, 6.21 S'wbibb.-To-morrow mornina. (i 0 Moon's abb- last Quarter, 17<b, 1 ai a,ui,

HIGH WATER.

AocKLxni) — Tais evening, 8 51; tomorrow m ;ralng, 9 10.

MitmiKAU HEADB-Thls orOßlog, 11.31; to morrow morning, 11..'0. Kitrißi Heads Tomorrow niorning. 0.31:

ARRIVALS.

LAST EVJCNINO. (.'arlew, sch.. Anderson, from Whansarel Chrlsllna, e<;b., Sylva, from Kuseell

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING.

Cl inamsn. n.p., Farquhar, for Tauranga Wellington, s.a.SteDh^raon fcr Whangarcl I lia. 8.8,. Anioaeo, lor Mercnry Bay Herald, s 8 , Jocei, for Greymcutli

STEAMERS TO ARRIVE.

Kotomabana, from Thames, Monday, 1 p.m. ' 'ororaarulol. from Coromandol, Snnday, lam, lona, from B irrior and Mercurr Bay, tonight Enterprise, from Thames, midoig t Clansman, from Tauransa Sunday, early Janet Nicoll, from Sonlh Boa Islands, April 2 .Southern Crjw. from Glaborno. lo night PeuEuin (at Onehauga). from aouth. Sunday, 10

a.m. Mirnrna, from "otith. Monday. 8 a.m. Waifanpa. 'ro-n Sydney. Tncsdiy. early. Wollicu Od, irom Wha girii, Monday night

IMPORTS.

"or Mfrtlc: (.57 sacia short o*U,; 153 tacks nh mt. LoS >acks b>r!c, 1 33 aocks bran, 233 sacks ryn ifrnsa,67 cocknfoit, 12 cases bscon ar.dhatrs, and 10 ions Wcodi'flonr (100s and sffa).-C. V. Jjktni.

C ptain C Hopkins has been appointed master of the 9.9. Cheim^ford. Tho brig Wild Wave Is discharging cool into Urn hnlk Ncptuoc. The barqno Oanopna berthed at Queen street Wharf tbis morning. Thi iirisraitinj Myrtlo berthed at Queen atiaot. Wharf this morning. The R.V1.9.. D-iric arrived at Hobart from Pljmoothyotordi.y moriiincand was expected to leave for Welllnewm last nittbr. She will arrive at Woilinnttm a'jout Wednesday next, and her Auckland cargo ami mongers will be forwarded from In t oort.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS.

Margr^gor. « B-. U.iniela. from VV'aneanui H'neuioi, b.o . Falrchlld, from Wellington

DEPARTURES.

HicK'OKOr. sh.. Uinlcl<, for Wanganul and NjwPlymooth

Tho North'rn Co.'h ia Macgrogor arrived from Wanpanui tiio m irnlng

The Government steamer lllnemoa. Captain Fairchlld, arrived from Wellington at 10 o'clock tlila morning after a paKsago o; 60 Inura. having experienced a n;ro:< noithwesteny gale in the mraiw, wi' ha. hravy no* Pa.-wflr.gers: Captain B iller ar.ri family (3), CaDtaln White and fami'y (3) 10 reDre3ontive volu iteers and 17 fluid artil cry men The Hin moa loavßß again for *Vi lllDßton direct at 9 o'clock to-niih>.

KAIPARA SHIPPING.

KiH'AKA Hkads. this day.-The Areola and Trop with full cirgoss of timber for London.aro at iho Heada and will eail llrd opportunity.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Taubanga Ibis d>y—Arrived! Clansman. 8 a.m. Sailed: Chelmsfoid, for Auckland, 11 this d-.j-.-Arrived: Welling ton, 8.38 a m.

Births.

FLYNN'.-On February 21. at Caahler-Hreat, Parnell, the wife or Jas. Flynnot a daughter.

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1887.

For th« irons that nccdi rrm«Unr.t : For the futtuo in the di!U-c», And the seod th«t IP3 C»n i°-

Thk meeting the ofliuildeis' Association held yesterday, to consider the introduction of Baltic timber into the specifications of the new Cuatom-house, will have a salutary effect. While, on the one hand, it is estab lished beyond all doubt that kauri, pro perly selected and seasoned, is superior to the very best Baltic timber ; on the other hand, it is quite true— and the representatives of the mills do not deny the statement —that much unseasoned timber lias not only been used in floorings and other building work, but has actually been worked up into doors and sashes for local use. The mill-owners may well take warning by what has already occurred. Their folly is not merely a cause of local discontent, but will, if persisted in, prove ruinous to their bot interest? and to a great industry. As we have eaid, any practical man who takes the trouble to examine the kauri doors of the South British Insurance Company, ivhich have atood eight years in the blazing sun, with the Baltic doora of the Bank of New South Wales after three years in the shade, can have no doubt on his mind as to the relative merit.- of the two timbers. It is the old story of " distance lends enchantment." We have asked in vain for the " evidence" upon which it is declared that Baltic deal is superior to kauri for door.« and sashes. The only evidence « c have in the city tells the other way, and the fact stoted by Mr Monk that Messrs Han some and Sons, ths great agricultural im plement makers in England, are actually uging kauri for their patterns, proves that its valuable qualities—which we do net hesitate to say are not excelled by any other timber in the world — have obtained recognition abroad. In our Kaipara telegrams today, is announced the arrival of the Areolu and Trass—two vessels which go there for the purpose of loading kauri for England. That anything tending to crcnte a prejudice against our timber should have arisen just when an effort is being made to open up new markets i* peculiarly unfortunate, and therefore the more widely the facts are made known, in order to correct falso impressions, the better. Tried by every test, kauri will hold its own against other timbers. The following list of respective weights shews the position of several of our timbers in relation to Baltic :—

Kauri per cubic foot ... .. ... :>!) Totara :!-■> Kahikatea ...30 Rirau o7 Baltic deal ... 37 The tree is a *low growing one, and for durability its timber has no superior Xot the slightest reason has been even alleged by anyone for using foreign timber here, save that no proper trouble is taken by thoi-u concerned to 'elect the best timber for special -work. What a monstrous injustice it is to us, then, a≤ proverbially a timber producing community, to send abroad for timoer. Surely architects could accomplish all that ia requited by their clicnt.B by insisting that the timber used in doors and sashes shall have been seasoned for a certain length of time, and iihall be of a specified quality. Every experienced mill manager can tell at a glance what timber will do for certain jobs ; and so can experienced builders and architects. It ia as eaay to stipulate for well-seasoned kauri as for seasoned Baltic deal. The mere fact of being Baltic timber is no guarantee of quality. Better guaran tees may be obtained for local timber than for timber brought from abroad. Tho up shot of the discussion will, we hope, bo an amicable endeavour upon the part of the architects, builders, and mill-owners to secure that kauri shall receive proper treat ment, and to extend a knowledge of its incomparable qualities abroad.

Guilty, but Acquitted.

Found guilty of one of the moet cold blooded and villainous inurdera that ever disgraced humanity, Thomas Hall haß managed by a legal quibble to aavo his pro cious neck from the noose of the hangman. The Coort of Appeal having quaehed hia conviction for tbo murder of Captain Cain, the effect, so far as the punishment is concerned, ia the same as though Hall had been found not guilty. But the effect, to the popular mini!, is very different. Ther conviction rumain» that Hall iJ one of tbo vilest scoundrels unhune, that he was truly andhonestly found guilty of killing his fat her in-law, and that the world would have been well rid of such a dangerous member of society. And added to this there in now a vaguo eenae of distrust — a feeling that our criminal law ia but a weak net, whoso meshes can be broken by n big fish, and that its operation ia not nearly so efficient and infallible as it might and ought to be. Had the verdict resulted in the immediate letting loofo of the con victed wife-poifooer, we can fancy what an indignant protect would have been raised against the decision ; but as Hall has to eerre a life term of imprison ment, the public mind will not be unduly excited, and the convict will be quietly allowed to meditate upon the position which he occupies of having been found guilty, sentenced to death, and jet managed to cheat the gallows. But all the same, the possibility disclosed iv this decision, of a proved murderer being let loose upon aociety.is not a pleasing one to contemplate, and suggests that our tendencies in dealing with heinous crimes are too like those in vogue in the United States, where Judge Lynch has to do all the hanging.

Captain Edwin advisee: Same indications as wired yesterday, bat after 10 houra from now. The Minister of Public Works has sent the following reply to the telegram des patched by Meesrn Peacock and Thomp son : —"ln reply re Oustom - bouse the design waa made by private architect, and we interfered with it as little as possible, aa dual control never works well, and it was desirable that the architect should fool him self entirely responsible, which he would not do if no chopped and changed at bis desire Will not interfere now in any caeo, while tenders are pending, I was not aware foreign timber was specified, but will con sult architect on matter before finally satt ling contract.—Ebwaku Kiuhakdson." A case of terribly sudden dissolution oc curred yesterday afternoon about 4 o'clock. The uDfortunate'man wan Air John WatkiDw, plasterer, aged 52. It appears that the deceased had a contract for plastering the Eden Vice Hotel and was talking to AJr Samuel Collier about certain details, when he fell forward upon the ground, and never epoke again, only groaning oooe when j raised up a bit, The body was removed to ! Hr Watkine's residence, ia Victoria street | West. About twelve months sgo the deceased sustained injury from a fall from a scaffold at tb« Freeman's Bay Hotel. An inquest i 3 being held as we go to press.

Mr E. Harrow, of Lake Takapuna, at- I tempted on Thursday night to gain admit- | tanco to tho concert in aid of St I'oter a Church with a monkoy rigged out in the garb of a parson. Mr Seaman and Ser geant Gillies at tho door very properly ot jected to tho proceedings being disturbed I by any such intrusion, and tho owner of tho : monkey, after vowing that ho would take le^il proceedings against tho promoter?, roUred. It was, ot" course, supposed that this poor attompt at a joke had j ended, but yesterday Mr "eaman r^ceWsd j tbo f..Uos'ini_' extraordinary letta.-: — !

"Dear Sir,— Mr Edwin Harrow, o* Buona Viata, Lt.ke TatsapAinff, gentleman, comp lains that be-in;; the purchaser and holder 'of a fiMly ticket for a concert last r.ight in aid of the lunda of St. Peter's Church, Laka Takapuna, which ho bought on the express understanding that it should entitle him and his adopted son and heir, Jeremiah, to admittance, yet, on presenting themselves at the door, °nd applying for admieaion, it was refined them, and you yourself per sonally, with the aid of your sen aud a sergosnt of police, forcibly prevented them from entering, whereby Mr Harrow con aiders himself greatly aggrieved. Ec there fore instructs me to apply to you for a re fund of the prico of tho ticket, viz , o', and a sovereign for damage?, both of which ho will give to srme charity In default of payment, Mr Harrow purples to pursue p-uch remedy a? tho law tnuy afford. Yours, truly, signed William Cou:MAN\pro E.U.ti. To Thomas Seaman, Ksq., Churchwarden of St. I'eterV, l.fiko Takapuna " Mr Seaman intends, of comso, to toll Mr Colaman'a client to "pursue'1 whatever romi dy he like*, and when ho ha? caught it to keep it carefully with Jeremiah and tho rer-t of hii household treasures,

Tho Sanitary Inspector has hid reported to him a cuso of t-carlet fovor in Burloi(jh'

street, a casoof typhoidiovorh.Suffolk Ftreet (Now North Road), and ono c:iso of scarlet favor in Burgoyno sticcf. It tho latterca-e tho medical attendant appended a footnote to tho <li\ct that ho thought that tho patient, who is a boy, had contracted the discaso at the public echool, which he at tor.ded yesterday morning. A complaint luib also been received about n nuisance arising from a eowcr grating in I'rinces-.stroet. It will bo lemcmbcrod that last December Mr Goldio drew attention to thn necessity for moro vent ehafta beins; placed in tho sowers'. Thi> recommendation might with profit bo attended to at tho present jur.cturo. t'u'.cs of diphtheria have also beon reportoJ tiom Victoria street West and Ile|iburn street.

Tho following tenders wore received thia day for excavation of fito in Wol'esloy utreet :—Sheldon and Ifowin, £S3 ;•' Mill, £71!: T. Bell, Clio; J. Renwick, Oil ss; .J. Maher and Co. (accapted), £53. At tho R.M Court yesterday tho rase of Mewea v. Yon Hraklo, claim £7 I'-'-, was adjourned for threu months In the ri«n of Lciehton v. VV. i'.eeton (claim, C-2 !)a 01), Mr The-. Cioper op pearcd for tho plaintiff Tho defendant was ordered to piy 5s per wool:. In tho ca?o of Clayton v. A. ..' T. Bcdingfiold (claim, £5 18s 63) Mr Thco Cooper appeared for plaintitr. Dofendant said ho earned V 2 Sapor wook, anil was ordered to pa\ .">> per week. Mr Hurton appeared for plaintill in tho case of U. Tndehopo v. M. Morri-', when tho claim iv,n Clri II- Irl. Tho du fendaut offered to pay half within two months ami tho remainder in four month*. The ca*o Krott v. (Juni'd wn» adjourned for one month. In Ilia dofonricd ca-o fc'iphqr v. Coyle, claim ,*: I 14-, judgment »m <;ivcn for £2 6« lid. MrT. I>. Hnnuaford li;m received n lottnf from tho Town Clerk, returning him trio thanks of Iho City Council for sug!.:^! ion it tho Knvh Wnlor BuLhri, convoyed in a lotlor recently addreexed by Mr llannafr.nl to that body. It i-. well-known (tint Mr Hannaford wna tho earliest ftrtd iniwt per distent advocate for the ipeninu of tho-io bath?, and his intorc-t in thorn led him to ad dress a lengthy epistle to the Council making valuable suggestions [ or (j 10 better conduct of tho institution. Tho rocominondatinnH made by him woro in tho direction in which tho City Council has taken action by tho new by-laws pawed to exclude bs.l and filtKy character? from tho bath?. With roforenen to n currant rumour that Mr >[ar y 11. Hayr, of this city, h danger ously ill with typhoid fever at Melbourne, we learn that advices received here from Mr Hayr, dated March 2nd, announced that ho was on his way to Brisbane, and had been doing big bu»ine.-s in connection with hi? tourist agency. It ia therefore likaly that tbo typhoid fever story ia untruo, Kayo Wright, accountant, Auckland,hai tiled a petition in bankruptcy. The bowling match Now Hyruouth v, Auckland is to bo played oc tho Auckland green on Tuo-diiy r,rxf.. Tho p'.ibiic will be admitted by tickut* c-btaiiiab.'u frotn Mr Tail, Secretary. Sotuo valuable curioi in the form of relics from tho White Terrace, Kotomahiua, »ro on view in tho window of .Mr 1). ."S. Chain bera (Arcade) They includo a .-Tja'.l bird beautifully encrusted, also a piece of ti troo similarly preaei vsd, and a puce broken oil' tho tcrraco.

Honry Ward, a wol'-'lrcsscd young man, was arrested to day on the charge of taking money out of thr till of Mr S. lioid'-i Ptoro in K)ber Pusi Koad.

A boy, in attempting to stop from tho wharf to tiiG farry Tainui whilst she was in motion tbi* morning,foll into tho water, but »'as promptly pulled o'it by eotne onlookers after having had a guud wetting.

In tho advertisement on tho fUat fdyr. of thia issue reference b. maclo to iho opening nf the .r^piueso ViUago ExhibiUon in Iho Agricultural Bail, City Market, un Wed nesday next. It, should havo been atato'l ■Uiat this exhibition ia to be in conjunction with Fryer.* Circus, &c, thero being, in fact, thrca ditlbrent shows under one roof, to which thn «;nglo tickot admits without extra charge.

At YVanganni ycsterd.iy Mr I'iercy was fined £20 and costs for offering infected sheep for sale by public auction. Tha do fence was that the cheep wero offered tor fale in private yards; but the raagistrat.p heid that the advertising of t^e falo mado the yards public for the time being. Thrco hundred of NVatimaniopoto natives, headed by Wahauui, have left to oppose tho decision ot tho Land Court at Taupo. Tho different hapus will mark out their boundarioj, acd an application has been : sent to the Chief Judgo for a rehearing, an : they declare they have been cheated.

The mao Drain, arrested at Wellington yesterday on tho charge of larceny at Auck land, was captured rather cleverly, A dotoc tivo recjgni-e I him driving v cab, and hailing him, requcnttd him to drive to tho police station. The cabby quito unsus pectingly did a.-i requosted, chatting com fortably with his fare (who waa on the box) en route. Arrived at the station, tin? detec tivo asked the Jehu to enter. Littlo dream in;-: of what nsn on the boards, the invitation wnq accepted, nnd then tho situation wna di»clo=ed.

Tho firet concert cf tho I'onaonby Choral Society for tho current yoar will bo given in All Saints' Schoolroom on Monday, March 21st. The concert will bo open to members only, and intending .subscribers are requested tr> addres-s the Socrotary, c.-ire of Upton and Co , without delay to secure receipt of ticket. The vocal members of the Society will ba es^i^ted by an orchestra of about 20 instrumentalists, comprisiopr the leading members of the late Orchestral Society. The work lo be performed i" Haydn's " Creation1' (tirst". and second parte), with an overture and selected eolos and part songs for tho second half of tho programme.

At the Post Office, Henderson, yesterday, Messrs Albert Bootham, .1.P., John Cant well, Richard Cantivell, Henry William Stebbing.and James Wilson were nominatoc! as candidates for the VVaitnkerei Liconeiny Committee, and bsing only tho required number, MrSeataan, tho Upturning OiH'ier, declared them duly elecicri, and appointed. the first tneetiog for tho election of a chair man to bo held nt the Post Offir;r>, Hender son, on the eamo day, at 12 HO. On tho meeting taking place, Albert Bectham, Esq., J P., was elected chairman.

Adverting to the prnt;rammo for Mr (J. P. Carey's bnnefit on Monday evening, at the Opera Hou=e, wo are permitted to ray that it ia receiving much general supp-irf, that mo3t comical of literary absurdities. "Mixed; or tho Threo Hats," bsin^ verj' wiaoly choeon by tho bontficiairo po ?.a t> tako leavo of MvOaroy in a character which he haa made co thoroughly hid own, and which will leave such a ploas^nt recollection when he has departed from our midat. The "Old Schoolmaster" has never yet been performed before a New Z-^a!and audience, aud in itself is a pootic getc of the first water, tho author being Mr H. A. Jones, of "Silver King" fame, Mr G. P. Carey's impersonation of old Mr Peurose in "The Scboolia&ater" being without e:-:cep tion one of the strongest and most pathetic bits of emotionel actiDg ever yet presented to a critical Auckland audience, and quits uli a pr iviill l.i-n " Kerry," etc.

Vi'.j draiv clteotinri uf our reader-i of an r.fi'.'citiserjjent of concert next Monday in

aid of the organ fund of Sh Barnabas' CUurch,Mount Edea. Every person inter ested should obtain a tir.Uat aud so add to the fund. Sir G. Patri ■, li.A.M,; is con ductor.

Mr Pooley's choir give tho usual xorvice of a icred music to-mci'row afternoon, at haif-pnst threo. The prnpramnio is a choico oi.o, and includes a soprano ;-010 with a chorus of boy?, Bordeso'a " Dm-id Singing befor.l Suit;" the anthem "15ut tho Lord is Mindful of Hia Own," and thoro will bo a reading from the January nuinbor Ol "Tho Musical Times :' on " Tbs Aspects and i-rwp2ct3 of Music la Snplsnd." r It will be ofc--erved that tlie !;ov.r in a'terid to halfhaE 1 thrcb

For one week on?y, comDiencing on Wed nosday ne;:t, Aucklanders arc to have a rare treat in the shape of a grand circus ana variety entertainment in the Agricultural Hall, City Market. In addition to the usual circus pirformance.in which LenShillito.the fimous " mu-'ical clo^n," takes part, there is t."> bo a fpleudid acrobatic exhibition, and a vronderful show of trained goats, does and ponie?. Tho "Japanese village," exbi bited in conjunction with tho circus, is a great novelty and has proved a tre mendous "draw" in tho Australian colonies, where this circus company havo been "starring " for moro than a year. A Melbourne paper doscrib^a the combination as "one of the very host of its class yet brought to Melbourne," and another Bays :

"Karl, Durand, Samwella, and Leopold aro gymnaati of the most approved kind, while Bartelio, tho m.inserpent, ia a marvel lous contortioni-t. When nature formed him *ho fc^ms by somo oversight to have left out tho bones." Ponton playing sco saw, gontrt riding on horseback, and dogs playing at a funeral aro among tho novel Fights to be witnessed) and it i.l not tcjbo wonderod at that thousands wero pre sent ovcry nght at the entertainments. Mr Gaylor accompanies tho circus as ono of tho manager;-, and that gentleman's wide experience and reputation afford a guarantee of tho excellence of the chow—or rather throe shown rolled into one—which will be opened hero on Wednesday next.

With roferenco to the lire at Onehung*, wo learn that the huuse was fully furnished, and has never been unoccupied, excopt for tho ln.it two months, when Mr Sovverby'a family wcro at Green Bay. Tho furniture was totally uninsured, and they havo lost everything.;

St Stephen's Band cf Hope met. la-t night Thcra was a very largo attendance of chil dren and adults. Mr John Buchanan, Pre fidont, oncupicii the chair and gave a brief eddre-a. Mr Robinson, an old veteran in tho cause of temperance, spoke for - ime timo about his jt yra1 a'experience of total abstinence, tntoxiconts wero not essential to hearty, vigoroux old age ; his own case proved this, for ho had long einco passed tho allotted span of rhreo score and ten.

The Hon. Wm Waldegravo al=o gave an address. IJo eaid that whilo they wtro educating themselves in Temperance, tho lio?pel should not bo forgotten, tho two should always be found hand in hand ; ho exhorted the children now that they Ind signed tho pledge to give their hearts to tho Saviour. The remainder of Iho programme was contributed by the children. Miss May Whitelav ;ang "Onward, Christian Soldiers'," very nicely, whilo Miss Annifl Barry recilod " All tho Children " and Mm Carlaw " Tho lini that touch lii|litjr.-h.i!l never touch mioo " with griiat t ll'-.r.t, evincing careful preparation. Mi, llon.Jors.n presided ..', tho harmonium and lud the Mnginj-. With thi-i lady.- ftHfis t.mce the singing will coon bo vastly im [irovcd. It was announced that tho ning i-ig sompetition for Mr Neliinu'* (\'ico I'rc: idont'n) p.izea wnuld bo hold on April Mh, anfl tho recit h ; compotllijii on Mhy lith. 1 On HI hitrick'a I'/iy (Ttiui ■ lay H3xl>, a ■ •rind nalicMial and iporatic concerl ij an Tiuiinc-jd In bo given in Si Jaiuo-'iJ Hall lit S pm. Thi.-- conceit, which i« gol up (o rai™ fund in aid of St. I'ntrickV Cathedral dcbti, will, no doubt, be largely patroniped hy tho community, cppocially by tho.-o who glory in tho mine of hone of St. Patrick,

"A poor but honest (?) raldier !' The Wellington licnevolcnt Society havo just (on tlio rocommondation of Sir (ieo. S. Whitmore) μ-ivcn :intill monoy ,Vti to ,-.n •' n!il poldior " who h " w.intod " fur llio Uufl of a quantity ..i furnituro fit Mas toitnn. The inciiihci.-i uf Ihc KariiiiKaliapocontiti otiil of tin- Fire liriKuitu hCK to tuniler i-iiirorc Ihiinks In (hu ladicd and ifuiitl. ii.-n who i in,lij ;l:--i.iii-il ill tlll'l.-llr coll'MTt Kuril ill Slid ~flh.: fnii.l-of tlii:ii-i:ni;ndi\ uii'l nl..r.|ii fi gmlil f lor ihi-irh'-iiiiv m^, port. Tlio follow ing iin- tli- = in-,,, cc.l-i of the coiic.-i-t : -'lotHl luci-ipts. KM I i : (.-xiifiidinuv, •:; ll.i ; balance to t-ruilil. '--') l"«.

Mr W. E. ilears, Booliroller, (,'.;lo:i ----li-ci t lua on eai:: Faoiily Ilcttiior, On >l;rly. New 8,i0k3. Mn.-ic. elr.. ctirlatniaa rmr.li-r) at [ccuced piiica -[ \dvt I

W. }f. 110.-kiu« and Co, Boot Mamifan Hirers, Vrjion and Ne'sjn n'reet'*. Auonlund. ejiiiliry ar.d Uir.:iuui-.-ii eoinbini.i. 3tortkOLiioif) ur.ii tettlor-b ploia ■ ncte.—[AutT J

\\ il-nV Portland Cement is sold in bag.?. Two bjsH eqi:;tl onn r-M'k Any quantity cttn be usd. In proof of rtunhty. liie Oovi-i nmei.t nntherisH it i u:.a o:i ;hc;r worSii. Wilrf.n.'a ll>ilrmilic Mini hum qimllpd. Concrete foun iiaiiorx ini.k-. tloer'. imtlis. ore. am cbea)>. Ir.lonii'iiion frt.:.-J. Wusoa ie Co . Custrnn-i-i. l"urtlinil CuiiiunVaui'liidriuUc Uiiib.-[A h v 11

POLICE COURT-THIS DAY

(Before S. Y. Colling, Keg, and U. M. Jervis, Esq. .M' a.) Dkunks. — Two persorjß were Hfifid tha j usual five shillin:v;, and two others C:> or fourteen days. Mutiny. — i.'hnrlei Dividson, Alex ander Mcl'herdon. and Gaorgo Moore wore charged with that they did, on tho -i.d of March, impodo the proßre-.? of tho voyogo of tho brigantioo Myrtlo, on tho infornwition "f Captain Ross.—Mr Campbell appeared in oupport of tlio pro secution,and Dr Laishley for tho priaonere. Mr Campbell in opening tho case eaid thu information w,-ih laid undcrtho I-3rd PCC'ion ■if the Shipping Act. Tho prisoner Mooro wa least to blame, being led away l,y the other.- -Captain KorS, of tho brisjantino Myrtle, "aid that on the -nd of March tho Myrtle was lying nt the Lyttclton wharf. The-ro wa-i only onn truck had to lin-Nh Innding tlu! vefrel. Wifnel"" wont forward, and the accused (!>.ivi..\,Gii) k lid that they

I "wouldn't go to sou tint night." They wouldn't go on with tho work, although ha .-pike to cic'i man in turn. After tho ship was in tho stream acid anchored, ho called ;ho men aft nnd mado tho entry produced in tho official log. T>'o chip went tofoa about an hour afterword?. —ISy Dr. Luiflhiey : l-'td not rrtuombcr the lirst man paying that tho rcarun ho would not work was becaut-o i> wo« pa-t ti o'clpck ; was not nwaro that tho ralo is that, men need not work aftor (j o'clock in port : the prisoners novor refused duty oxrept on this occasion. Did admit to tho boatswain * hat ho would ncit havo rono I" ,'to that, ni;:ht if it had not been for this i.fUir.- Ucorge Hinr gavo evidence n« lulhemri' refusing duty, un it wun aftoi '> o'rlm'k. Tlih rtuH1 was nil on board except •» li-urh I'jad •■! gnian seed, ~ JJy Iho Bench : T'.<- mun mount to worn ugaiu aftor lo« - I. 1.. I'riur and Krauk ilagan, of tho Myitlo, ~-fivo Himi.'ar evidence. — 1.. Uirliloy submitted for the defence Miat the Act was to punish combination amongst a crew with danger to thip mid cargo. Thero was no evidence of *bch cpccibtna lion.—Mr Campbell attempted to reply upon the question of law, v.hon Dr. Loifhlcy n-.bmitteci that no gazotto had been handed in by the prosecution, which must bo done beforo the Shipping Act could bo acted upon. Thers v,-aa al?o no uvidenco before tho Court that tho Myrtle was a British ship.— The Beach ruled thit tho objections raised by l)r. Laisbley wero fatal, and di?mi£eed tho case. Three guineas were allowed iia costs.

LATEST SPORTING.

Wade Races.

(BY TELEGRAPH—OWN C'OKKESI'ONDKNT )

i i Wade, tl.ii day. i Tin; recc.3 sOftcrr!ay wore an unqualified ,' i-ii'';cef.^, iind fully three or fo:ir bunired paop'.a wero [retent, Keault1! ara up p'snded :—Flying Sta!;:e : Firefly, 1. Cup : Sirloin, 1. Hurdles: Rob Koy, 1. Set tiers' Hace: Firefly, 1. Maiden Pony K-.cc : Maori, 1. lla::k Uaco : Pvovoke, 1. Tha C-jimnittec of tho Auckland Racing Club hold a meeting this moraine, to con sider the disqualification of tho m=>ro Gapella for six months and the lining of Fergus, her rider, by the Ooehunya Kacing Club, tn ccjmiection v.ith the Novel Race at their recent meeting, .filter goinj; into the matter the Cumtuittse agreed to endorse the disqualification of the One hungaG lub.

Duriug the last two or threedays overtures have again been made for tha purchase of

the crack tree-year-old colt Nia fe '.->ra. His owners v,-era asked to put a price oa him, and fchereplv^as 1.750 -■"uine^-, but ao busiDe2?. haa suited.

The Takapuna Jockey CJub Autumn Meeting programme oppea» i.i our ad i'jrticin^ columns.

Tha following ent iaa have been re ceived for the titnhuhu races in ad dilioa to thosa published on the first page : —KaciDK Club Handicap and Hallway I'ii.te : Highland Liarv. Pony Knee : Funny FUher.

DROWNING ACCIDENTS

(C.V TBLKUKArU.— I'UESS ASSOOUTIOO.)

Oiibistchukcb, Friday. A coy named Fleming, :U : years, old, fell Into rt rivi r While playing ori the stops of a boatt-ehed, near VVard'a Iferry, and was drowned. Tho body -.vac recovered by a man who saw it Boating down tho rivor shortly after. Hokitika, Friday. ■ Henry Harvty, secretary to the Harbour Board, was drowned to day whilst awim aiing in tho furf. He was caught in a current and carried out to sea. Tho bedy has not yet been recovered.

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(DV TELEGRAPH.— OWN COP.RtSI'ONDIiST.)

WutMKGTOsr, this day

Insurance Bates.

The b'n lorwritera' Association has decided

to'cDnsidorably in creftsethe rate of premium on ail wojdon buildings in tho bu&inoes blocks. In Fact, tlio rates on the^e buildings will in future be practically the earns as they were prior to the reduction, which was

mado some time ago under tho impression that them «as no* n thoroughly cfUcient and reliable supply of water. On brick buildings, detached premises, or thiniy built-on blocks tho rites will not be materi ally altered. . ■ ■ Exhibition Medals. Tho Government have now received from Homo diplomas and commemorative medals issued to exhibitors in the recent Indian and Colonial Exhibition. Tho diplomas aro n very large and beautiful allegorical group in chromo - lithography, representing the i-mpiro and it* 'various dependencies, and tho modal is a eolid bron/.e with an admir ably executed medallion portrait of H R.H. Prince of Wile?. Tho diploma 13 signed " Alber* Edward," and countersigned by Sir P. funcliff Owen Parliamentary Notes. Tho flato of tho assembling of Parliament \ will not bo definitely sattlcd until the Cabinet meets early next week. Tho Hon. Mr Reynolds la very busily on gaged in discovering ways and mean* of cutting down departmental expense. Not eatistUd with retrenchment in t c or dinary departments of Government, ho i-< urging !i large reduction of Legis lative expenditure, which he thinkn is at (HL-'i.iit excessive. Major Camp bell, Clerk of Parliament, i? to under take in !'j:uro the duties of Examiner df TriVite Bills—a post occupied for many years, until his decease, by the late Eustace Brandon, This will effect a saving of £130 a year.

VOLUNTEER TROUBLES

<'oll<'«e :m<l I'onsouby Rifles Vlsbandcd-

' r ha-i been known for eoiiio tirno that 6U

,I'iflfncUun of a pronounced character

eiiated in tho N'u. ."> Rifle Battalion, con minded by Lieutenant Colonel Mahon. Tho reasons were various, but cue <>trong ground '°r complaint was Ihe selection umdo in Iho recent pro motions. Tho I'onsonliy UifTei ewpcri ally havu taken exception lo iho mimner in which the?o promotion" were mado, whilo at tho samo tinio they have nut been on good terms with their lotnmanding oliicors. Matters re iched a culminating point this week, and at meetings of thci I'cnaonby Rifles and College Kifies lnat ovening resolution-! wcro pa=oed in tho direction of disbanding tho corps, and tho srms and accoutre mei.!-! will bo handed in at onco. This ptop reduces tho number of c m jvmica in No. 3 Battalion to threo, and ° i t paid that another corps is ab>ut to fo Ho tho example of tho two that were brokon up last night. I'ousonby Rifles. A mooting of this corps was held last overling in the i'oneonby Hall, Captain McDonald in the chair. Thero wore be tween thirty and foity members present Tho balance-unco^ submitted showed that iho corps had commoncud tho year with £02 to it-i credit, and that thero wn now a balance in hand of about £180. A Bcnevolont Society was fnrtne i in connection with the corps, and the Com mittee, had tho satisfaction or caving a number of small child'en from going hungry. Tho baianco theot -was adopted. Captain McDonald then rce3 and .-taiil ho had to perform tho painful duty of p.acing h:<! rcs'gnatian in their hands. Hi (irocecdod to explain the reasons which ltd to hi.-i rc-HtfDation. They had formed thomfelvos into a Pon?onby com p.^iiy becan.-o they wcro Pon^onby residents and could moot in this hall and in a local padduck for ine'ruction. If they had con tinued that course, ho ventured tJ ■iay that they would now ba more eih'tfent soldtcrs, but military authorities a* Wellington iuatituted a now ayetem and ;i'. r it j i fiteti v. imtnbor of irre?pODßlble men to the command of battalions, and instead of meeting to learn drill they were compelled to attend weekly inspection parades, where they wcro taught to wheel into lino and back into column with praiseworthy regularity.but learnt nothing el.-■-.-. Again, on hid return from a vinit up Country ho wj3 infonied on all eWea that tho ollicor commanding No. 3 Batallion hid threatened to have him placed under arroi-t for hi ing absent Irum a parade called during his absence. Ho then went po far tkH to a--k tho orlicer coininaidinp; Ilia district to suspend him. Tho rilterntion of parado iiijjbt w;;3 referred to :f irconveniont, and then Captain alcUuitld proceeded to cay : Laetly, tho exhibition that -van made cf Eler Majesty's uniform by ihoollicer com manding Mo. ;i Battalion in parading the etrect.i of tho city at tho head of a party of masqueradera on a recent Saturday forenoon hid detorroinod mo not again to put it on whilo it is worn by apereon who has so littlo knowledge of tho respect due to it. Lieu tenant Palmer then ro&e, and in ppealiing to tho roeiv-'nation complimented Captain McDonald wpon the mannor in «hich he bad filled tho position of chief ollicerof tho corpa. Liculonant l'almor having roferred to Ser geant-Major Barron'u services, proceeded to pay that I hey would now have been the boft :«rp in tho garii«bD had not chicanery mid jobbery unforluualoly arieeu in the Now /...liiiid vnluntef iforce, which WDitldcertaiu- I) <ulu.in.itfl in itaoverthrow. Captain Me !' n.-ild h-d been enliiled to promotion when Hm li-.ti'.li'jnn wore formed, but hin claim? w, ip i;nured, and the "light lo the captain t).pi bion accepted by the men aa a eli^ht to iho » hole Company. Uo proposed, " That a-< a prototl tj tho (iovornmont for not canning inquiries whore needed, and for the f-ii^ht to the Company, tho members ot the «irp< re-ign in abo'ly." The resolution was unanimously carried amidst cheers. Collcsrc Kifles. A'nout, twenty member* attandod the meo'ing of the College Rifloa in the Gram mar School last evening. Captain Sloman prceided. He pointed out that in conse quence of the numorouß resignations it w doubtful if thfa corps could continue, aa it had fallen below tho minimum strength. Summoufes for non-attendance at drill had been i^eued, and the result was wholesale resignations. After eotne dia cushion it vvaa received fo get all the money owing to tho corp3 in and discharge the liabilities, that all the arms bo called in to day and that the necessary stepi to have the corps diebanded should be taken.

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES' PICNIC.

Tuk r.-.ilwav employees' picnic is now nn annual institution, and i* locked forward to ag ft rare treat by thopo who on regular holidays aro kept actively employed cater ing to tho amusement and enjoyment of tho public (generally. Formerly the rail way picnickers hive hold their summer festival "up thelino," but onthis auspi cious ocexfion they havo varied their arrangornouta by having; an excursion to the Tamaki. At. 8 :>0 this morning tho fino steairer Britannia left tho Queen street Wharf with about 500 persoDa on bo^rd, including the railway employees, their families, and friend?, and the weather being beautifully fine, a very pleasant day's cuting was anticipated. At 2 p in , tho ferry eteamer Takapuna left for Tamaki in conuoction with tho same excursion and she aUo was well patronited. A bras-band acporrpinied the Britannia,and ocilivenedthetrip down and also proceedings ashore. Tho Committee provided tea ad libitum RraMr,ihr] (empßtance re're?hmentß and luncheon wero obtainable on (he i^roundf* .1^ rc,).~o{ifin!o ratol- T^hs pro l-rr.imirje of Fports included )(i event?, und keen competition waa expected in every in ctaticc.

CABLEGRAMS.

NEW DESTRUCTIVE AGENCIES.

Costly Experiment in trance

THE BKENNAN TORPEDO.

[beoteb's tbixcram.]

Pakis, March 10.

A most eerioua explosion took place to-day at Bolfort during a ecries of esperimenta with the new oxplosive,- mc!inito._ Six soldiers engaged in making the expo!lnionts wero killed", and eleven injured.

London", March 11

In tha Houso of Commons last night, during tho discussion of tho Estimates, the Radical party opposed tho proposed gran. toCaotain Brennan for hU torpoio patent, Mr Stanhope, Secretary of State for \Var. extolled the Brennan torpedo, and scheme for 'and defonco, Tho vote was ultimately adopted.

New South Wales Parliament

(REOIEK S TELEGRAMS.)

Sydney, this day.-In tho Lagialative Assembly last night Mr o'Mora made an attack upon tho Premier regarding his rela tions with Mr Garrett, Minister of L*nds. Sir Henry Parkcs made a vigorous reply. The debate on tho Address in-Keply was further adjourned till Monday next.

Three Children Kitrncd to Mcath By a tiro which occurred yoaterday at Ariuidale, threo chiM.en wero burnjd to death. l'edtral «Juarantiue. Meleouunk, this day. The Adelaido Board of Health has pro posed to tho Bjarda horo that a con ferenco bo called to consider tho quostion of establishing a federal quarantine system. It has been decided to ascertain tho viewa of tho other colonies on the subject. Sheep Shearing by Machinery. Daily competitive trials have been taking p'.ace at GoM-brough's, with Wolselsey's sheap shearing nrichine, the work done being sati.-f.iclory. l^e experts will give their decision on Monday. Thti New Governor of 'las uiuuia. HOB4RT, March 10.—Tbb Shaw-Saville steamship Doric arrived this morning from Plymouth. Among tha piseongera were Sir E. G. C. Hamilton, the new Governor of Tasmania, and family. His Excellency was mot on arrival by the Prexier and other Minister?, the lib-hop and clergy, and othor prominent r:*.tizcn». Tito swearing in takes plnco this afternoon.

The New Shipping Company.

( i'KCIAL SIKySAUE.)

LuNl'OS, Mnrch 10,

M e ß>r-i Anthony M>,rri^, Chailes Lee', nnd Alexandor Montoith hive hoon elected directors of the Australasian l.'uited Steam Navigation Coropaoy. Mr Dayei will nhortly proceed to Australia on the Cnm poay'i bu-inetH. The Iniperisil Insiltnlc. It n reported that the Indian and Col onial Exhibition euriilu" of £2-1,000 will bo given to the Imgonal Jiiftirnto. The Cable «riiestion. Tho Pacific Cable Company forwarded a ctattment to tho Agenttieneral in nnwer to Mr John Tender's memo of Dccomber last. Coercion in Ireland. (Joneral Ucdvcsa liuller decUroa coercion in Ircliitid virtually impossible. \ Wnkc Uyinff. Tho health of tho Duku uf I>ovcushire is critical.

Rowing Association Regatta.

Tin-. Auckland l'.ouinp; Awociation Hogatta

wa* proceeding, when we went to pre?=, under meet favourable eire iinEtancoa. Tho woather waa beautifully (me, and the water almost a-> smooth as gla?^. The ferry ptoatner Britannia was flagship, and left the wharf, well patronised, at "2.15 p.m., tho first race having been announced to start at 2 ."0 p tn. Tho Britannia was to follow carh race from start to finish, tho ixiuraca being between Judge's Bay and tho ond of the Kiilway Wharf. The pro gramme included ten events, tho entries for wbiCii we recently publi^^cri, nnd tho con tents np a whole proujijod to provide a good afternoon's sport.

TELEGRAMS.

Hamilton, thia day,

An a ieeult of tbo recent interview with Mr Ballance on the Ha^ar beet question, it is probable thai another effort will "no nnde to o.'tabli.-h tho industry in Waikuto.

At a meeting of the Borough Council last night, final arrangements were nude with regard to the abattoir?.

Tho business at tho Lacda Court, Alex andra, U of little importance. It is rtill occupied with succession claims. It is not likely that the Court will adjourn to Kawhia, as a=ked by the natives of that di-trict. Hinco the departure of Major Tuke from Kiwbia with tho last of the A.C. force the char^o of that district has devolved on Inspector Mttovorn, who now occ:i[iiea tho A.C. quarter?. All is quiet in that neighbourhood. Tho Horticultural Show at To Awamutu promises to bo a surccs*. Thames, Friday, Tho members of tho local Volunteer corps intend assembling at 7 o'clock to tuorrow (Saturday), together with their brass bandp, to fjivo tho Thameß represen tatives at tho recent Now Zealatvl UiHe Association a suitable* wolcome. Thames, this day, DiamiiM' (Ivßiaugahake) —A cru?bit>K of 'Jo ton? of quirtz at, Kiilej'" produceJ 10S OZ3. 19 dwta. of melted Kold. Saxok,—The wbza U down ."0 feet, but tho reef docs not look co wall, although colours cf gold aie seen occasionally. Wjsixingtu.v, this day Mrs Hiifjlie?, a^od GO, dropped doad in Mannorfl Etrcot, this morning, of heart disoaso.

Duneuis, this day. . "Tho Mikado" ia having a prosperous run. Tho theatro is filled each night. In order to get a seat, bookings have to be made a couple of days in advance.

The friends of the following Candidate*, viz Messrs Butter, White, Paulkner, Quick, McKay are regreeted to meet at Gladstone Hall to-night at S p.m.

A boy named David Hunter wa=i com mittod to tho Industrial School to-day.

La3t evening Pastor T.Spur^condoliyored hi-? popular lecture entitled "Rhymes and Cbimea," in tho Ponsonby Baptist Church, the proceed being devoted to the Sunday pchool fund. The ability of tho lecturer is well known, and wa* especially shonn ii hi? rendering of "In Perils of the Sea," "Stick fry It," and a " Eluo Jacket's Yarn " the two litter provoking muoh taughter. The school superintendent, Mr E. Turley, occupied the chair. Durin» tho evening Mies B rton sang very sweetly "Chimo Again, Beautiful Bel!?," accom panied very tastefully by Miss Main, tho latter also rendeiing the song " King Out, Wild Bell*," to the complete satisfaction of thn audionco. A pianoforte duet l>v the Missoa Main was very well performed^ also "Chiming Bolls of Long; Ago," by Mr Kilpatrick. Tho musical arrangements were under tho management of Mr A. E Griss?, whose ability en a conductor was well rhown by the manner in which thy choir sang several gleea and choruses.

At; Uhriftchureh yesterday, a mpetia" ,->( tended by 1 500, was held in the Tuain street Hall to laaugwraU) a movement for tha cele bration of the Queen's jubilee. The Mayor Mr A. Ayras, war, ia tho chair. On (he pro' position of the Primate, teconrfed by Jastica Johnston, it, was Te»nlved, "That, in the opinion of Ihia meeting, a enbstanial memo rial dnlirstrd to 11. r Mai-sty U.e Qjcer. and a fitting co.'ebrition of bor Jubilee,' Ehoujd bo organised in Canterbury," a large and influential committee, repreceatine all cliEees of the community, wai formed fc. carry out tho resolution. It baa not been de cided what form the memorial \i ill take. A homo for aged tmd infirm r.eopls has bcea suggested. " ' ,

KAURI PINE V. BALTIC.

meeting of Builders

At 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon a mooting of builders and persons interested in the timber trade was held in the Builders Association offices, Victoria Arcade. There

was ft good attendance, the following gontlemen being amongst those present: -Meesra Monk, M.H.K. for Waita mata ; Thompson, M.H.R. for City North ; Walker, Helensville Timber Company; Herbert, N.Z. Timber Company; Good, Auckland Timber Company ; and a number of builder?, among whom were Messrs Rhodes, Julian, Todd, Holland, Brabazon, O-Connell, Pollard, and Briton. Mr Rhodes vo." voted to the chair. He briefly stated that the object of the meeting was to dis cusa the action of Messrs Mahoney and Son" in specifying that Baltic timber ahould be 'used for the exterior doors and aashoa of the new Custom-bouse. He said that it was the first time ho had heard anyone speak about the matter although a good many had thought a great deal about it. The question was one ot . vaet importance to the colony. They had timbe- in the colony Ht for all requirements, a fact that hid been prcved for years. Let them select well-seasoned kauri, and then | they need not require to go to the Baltic or any other foreign country. Mr Todd expressed tho opinion that thero was not a kauri s&sb or door in Auckland that was not warped. Seven foot doors mi.'lit stand all right, but kauri eaibcs must have at least twice as much play as aeai oncv if they were wanted to wo:k freely. Mr Herbert recollected supplying quota tions of kauri timber to Mr Todd and Others, and owing to tho low price and short notice ho hud received, ho had been forced to s-ippiy unseasoned timber, which ho knew would not make ft satisfactory job It was entirely Mr Todd's own fault; it ha wanted well seasoned timber he must) P»y/%'*• This etaterr-ent vn>s denied by Mr Todd, Mr Good .aid that if kauri wore allowed time to dry it was quite equa, if not better, than Baltic timber. (Hear hear.) The timber merchants ahould keep in view the necoseity of thoroughly seaLiing the limber. At Homo, Baltic and other timbers wore always allowed timo to season. Kauri needed at least two years on the rack, before it was used for joinery. It required longer seasoning than any; o.her timber, but when thoroughly dried it WB3 as L'ood as any in the world Mr Herbert thoroughly agreed with this statement, while Mr TodJ remarked that they would require to poitpono tho erec tion of the Customa-houae for two years tc get the eeisoned timber. ' Mr E'.lingham also agreed that kauri was tho best tirobsr for certain purpose^ Mr Walker said that supposing a job wa« given out, and the architect said nothing about seasoning the timber, if the contractor wont to the timber company, and they offered him well-eeasoned timber at 2a a hundred above other compimos prico*, would they get the order? (" *°. ""MMJoi^rt l!iou;:lit that (hoy ehonl.l produce oil they could i" a now country. I urflon timbar merchants would bo JUKl lied in cay in?, l; Your timber is a bne tim ber ; you can't u?e it yourselves, for you have to import Baltic timber/ Mi Monk said ho wan glad that the mac (er md been taken up by the Builders A* pociiilion, although they wero not immeJi nloly interested in the matter. Baltic tim ber only co..t a little more, and it was quite I possible that doal might raako a bettor job than kauri not properly prepared. Twenty years ago it was said that, kauri was valueleee, bacauso it shrank so much ; but they had found that thero wore qualities in their kauri that could no; bo surpassed by any timber in tho world. (Elear, hear.) He had taken kauri that had been pro perly seasoned for two years, and made sa«he-s of it. Ho could ahow them these ca-hea now, and they would not find any b-ttcr in tho world. Tho floor on which they wero standing had shrunk solely be cause the timber had not been seasoned. Kauri properly treated would mako a floor eiiual to the beat oak that ever grow. God sent the timber, but tho devil sent the users of it. (Laughter). They could not get Baltic timber that waa not cut for three or four years. The Association should Eec i hat no kauri under twelve mouths old waa put into any job. In this Custom house contract how much timo hid they? (A Voice: "Fifteen months.") If the flooring waa prepared at once nnd given full time to fcascn, ho would guarantee that it would net (brink by tho 1 10th of an inch. He know as a fact that tho work in the room they were in had beo,a done at such a rate that no profit was made on it. Could they wonder then that the saehea were warped and the floor shrunk? He would like them to raako rule; that no kauri should ba cut down oscept in tho prapor fcjson. Tho next thing was that they thould espect the timber companies to keop a stock of thorougnly seasoned timber, and guarantee that it was so. If they would treat foreign timbor as they treated their kauri, they would lind it utterly valueless. The face was tho kauri was such an ever lastingly good timbar that they could almost treat it in any way they liked. They mu«t not think ho was speaking in the interests of the timber mill?. If they let this matter pass unchallenged, it was going to have a very decided and detri montal effect on kauri. If they were satis fied that the kauri was a magnificent timber, then lat them do all thay could to push it. If they did not think they couM pet kauri dry enough for his contract, let thorn tell the public so ; but if thoy put in Baltic timber they would not get the quality of goods that they would get if they put in thoroughly seasoned kauri. Tho kauri required steeping in water or exposing to the winter ruins for a season, after which it thould be stacked for a couple of seasons and turned every few months : then it would bs unequalled. Rineouie and Sons, in England, actually u=cd kauri for miking patterns, the very last purpose people out here would thick of putting it to. He thought it was because before it went on the benches of Ransome'e pattern-makers it wae seasoned for two or thrco years. (Loud applause.) It should be suggested to tho Government that timber required for sa-hes and doors should be seasoned for twolvo months —(" Longer, longer !')-woll, ho would cay for two or three years. Knurl was uot tha only timber they hai. Hickory was imported for thoir buggies, and yet they had the whito titroo (manuka), which was bettor than any hickory. He knew pieces of white titrco 30 and 10 yean old which wero iis pound and rung as clearly now aj ever they (lid. Tha eumo remarks applied to vtry inmy other Now Zealand timber? ■ la different piacss in New Zealand, plantations of gum?, etc., were boing oiaie. Now, if they plaotei New Zealand trace, such as white titree, lotira and others, in 4\> or 30 yoare they would reap -i rich harvest, a thing thoy certainly would not do with blue

gum and other rubbish. Aa usual, thoy wore ueglocting tho natural productions of the country for tho imported article. (Ap plau;e.) Mr BrabazDn thought it ia; a wiao resolatinn to u?o the Baltic timber. The companies cjulJ not b^ trusted to supply well-sea->oned kauri. The result was that the architects, in the interu.'ts of their clients,

had been compelled to u=o foreign timber. Ho thought tho. whoa fault lay with the timber companies ; they wert> sa.ti=tied if they got the timbsr sold. He heartily endorsed every word that Mr Mock lud said ab^nti the seasoning Timber wae better seigjiied by being cut down from Scptoruber to Djcornber than between Dor;ember nnd March.

Mr Todd seid that owing to the lavish distribution of price lifts by tho timber companies, everyone knew exactly how much a hoese would erst. The result wa3 that architect? and builders could make no allowance for seasoned tiiuber. The com panics were selling kauri at) lis a hunched, and people w.'re »p-et because someone wag going to import Baltic timber af2(is.

Mr Holland thought that the archi tects fhould ppocify timber reasoned for eighteen mon'.hu at lea?t. At the Hospital noirly 90,000 foot of limber had been put in with le*s than threo months' seasoning. It looked capirp.l just now, but ho did not know Iwsv long it would remain to £Io would like to know how long the doors of tSc nc.v Library were Fcasoncd.

Mr Horbart replied that t'uoy had been *cueonetl twelve months, and tbon v.ere hung \vli6n the walls were reeking wet, which no timber would ftind.

After other speakers had testified ta tho urpent necessity for seasoning kauri, Mr Monk (aid he had arranged to havo trees rung in order to have a supply of s a-oned timber always ready.

Mr Julian then proposed, " Ttafc fcho Auckland Builders' Association view with pleasure tha introduction of Baltic pine limber for the manufacture of and rio:.i3 for outeide work, thiliklot! it may be mo nic-m^ o{ ni'iKlnti (.ho timber Tncicb&tit? "f tliw colony mo'e careful iv packing limbs" for joint rs' work." Mr Brab;<::.!n ieconcled tha motion.

Mr Holland moved, a3 aa amendment, '' That a deputation of the builders and timber merchants be formed to visit Messrs Mahonsy and Sons, Bnd explain these matters to them," Some arrangements

I might bo made tf it was guaranteed that j %he doors and cashes were to ba made of e-aaoscd timber. ' , After some farther diacussion the amend ment wm adopted, and tho following gentlemen were appointed a deputation to wait on Mr Mahonay on Monday morning at a quarter to ten :—Messrs Rhodes, Braba/.on, Ellicuham, Holland, Monk, Carr, and Herbert. Tho meeting then separated.

THE PREMIER AT MARTON.

(r.V TKLEURAFII—PKLSS ASSOCIATION.)

Makton, Friday. The Hon. Sir Kobert Stoat addressed a

crowded meeting at the Foresters' Hall to-

night, in respons ■ to an invitation signed by

a number of residents.

Regarding the native question, he said that when they took office there was X D-ace ; there was no war, and nothing was I threatened. But he appealed to anyone ac quainted with the Maori mind throughout j the colony a» to whether the Maori* were pos- ' =eesedof contentmsnt and happineaaeo far as regarded the whites, and he ventured to Bay that if they went to almost any district of the colony, they would have fount that, although thero were no aigna of war or np- ; rising against the Government, the Jlaoria f were intensely dissatisfied. In■ many xlfe. ;. triote indeed, they were sulky, and in'rioSo of the native districts, so far as he could as: certain, was there a fee'.injj of kindness or amicability toward the Government of the ;; colony. There waa unrest and dial content among them. Seeing from i this ntato of discontentment held, that " the Government of the past had been i in fault, and that this state had not been altered, the present Government,^; proceeded to impress upon the Maoris that not only would they see that they were | treated with justness and kindness, .. but alai that they had preserved h Ito them the right? that this colony and the Queen had guaranteed them in days trooe by ; because they muat remember that the rights of the Maori? did not merely ' depend on the Treaty of Waitangi, but on ; , n » c t of Parliament passed, by which it I was declared that the Maoris were to have equal right 3 with the Europeans. ~ Tne Government yave them every op portunity to disc :ea their grievances, and showed them they v/jro anxious to preserve, i the naive right 3 Was it not known that, " be'e-ofore, private individuals had taken - possession of Maori lands unrighteously j and ttrit the natives haJ, in fact, been robbed of iheir lands? Was it not a fact , that," had the then exiting la* "..' b=en allowed to remain1 oh the Statute Booft there would have beefl ild j eottlemeiit ol the difficulty! The Maortt would havo had to part; with their lands in large blocke, and the result would be-as L ' ; hid th^ter'.cd to bjthacaie iri. this colon; 3 - that the only person who ciuU get an acre of Maori land would be one with a lorn' pur o and a dozen interpreters in his employ to hoodwink the nativea. The Bill of the nroaent G jvornrrent provided that t hero should bo no more of this private traffic ;; in Maori land. If a Maori or harm wished ; to pell their lanrio they muat do it through a | Government officer, who muat proceed to di°no»o of f-ba lani' ai tho waate lands of tbe■■••• Grown. This ptevontc.l thedogradingecenea which had been witoos'cd in this colony of Macth niado drunk in order to sign deeds, yi and other matters which he would notmention ■" .it present. This Bill would not only_protect •., the native;" from improvident bargains, bat some oE its previsions, he hoped, worild ~ enible thorn to preserve a portion of the ' lands furthetuselvii?, aa well as some of tha. } money, ?o that in years to come they shall not be left to destitution ;iod beggary.!l While, however, tbe Government intended... to doal kindly and considerately with tbe Maori", they would insist that they shonM obey tho law ; and hence it was when there waa trouble up the c^ast here, through the - Maoris commuting an offence by a'eemblisg .in large number?, and interfering with land that did not belong to them, that tbe Government put tha ordinary machinery of y. tho law into motion, and tbe natives were - tried and eenreoc d. That waa tha policy that should have been followed in 1879 ; in- , iltei, it was the policy followed in 1879, ; uo to the time when ho left office.,, il'r Bryce and others had asked why had not;^ the Government arrested Hiroki the mnr-*f dcreri Why had they allowed him to. -ie-g main under Te Whiti's influence ,«tjp Parihaka? But he thought this wajT an unfortunate allusion for Mr Bryce, for "it he would look np the Blue Book he^ would read a memo, in his own writing of 27th December, ISSO, in which he wrote* that Hiroki was etill under Te Whiti's io-i fluonce at Parihaka, and for more thanlS months bie Government did not take th«* trouble to nrreEt this Hiroki, the mUrdsrSf. The reason why the Government ofwhicH ho waa a member in 1879 did not take actioft was because it was unwise to do co unlert^ they wero prepared to incur blopdsbed' on tha part of the MaorU, and the Hall Government faiiei to take action for, tho came reason. They would not engage •' In a \iaori war far tbe eako of one nmraci^t'i | What was the position of the Maoris after, tho two yoaro' administration of the present Government? They could go from tha North Capo to Sterart's Ulaad, and tiey-i could conscientiously and fairly admit that1 nine tenths of the Maoris were not only-* favourably disposed to the Government,* but they also found tho four intelligent* Maori membera supporting tbe Governments wSth considerable ability and ingenuitji' Land A'ationalisation and tbe Unemployed. The rest question to which he would refer.';' was that of frown lands; Ho bolieved the " time mu3t come when the State innet. bo deemed the owner of the land. From tnat' opinion he did not flinch; he did not be-„ liovo that if tho State became the owner the * tillers of the soil would be in a worse positipSi than they were now in. On the eontraryj he believed they would bo immensely bene-;,; fited. He believed that if from the earliest dais ihe colony hnd laid down this prih' ciple, giving the person wbo got the 14nd from the Stato tho utmost consideration ■ and s.curity for tenure, it would have been far better for our email farmers today, many of whom wero at present working fofc,. the mortgagees. The Government had, framed their Land Bill with a yiewof libsraliting tho provision of the existing law by extending tho perpetual system,^ the,. small run system, and co forth. There,, had been a question that had vexed thia J and previous MioUtrios, as well aa the ' Ministries of other countries, which was of having mon able and stroDg demanding■« work. Tho Government decided that this eerioue question must be treated in two, ways. Ihey must endeavour to draft the men from tho town?, and provide them with permanent homes in the country. Hence they introduced the village settlement ays^ tern, which he was glad to think would be,. a great success. This was one way of placing the people on the soil, and; assisting those who are able and ready to, work Thsy muat not imagine, ag aomsj politicians had understood it, that once they gold all their lands tbe land question was settled. That was when the land question began. The land question had been at the bo ttom of tho trouble and agitation inlreland. In some parts of Scotland the agitation was ■■. all about the lacd question, and the time would come when the land qaestion would b9 the great question in other countries that were somnohnt at pre sent. He would ask, would it not b»i: wise for tba people now, when they had I the chance, and when they had millions of: acres, that something ehould be done so as to j provide that in the future they Bhonld not have those agitations, those threatened re- . volutions that they saw afflicting other-. countries, but that the State should hold auch a position over the land a« to provide for its tuture settlement, and as to prevent its undue monopoly ? They found in this colony townships almost wiped out, and dis tricts almost wiped out. Why, they could', go for miies and miles upon one man's pro perty with perhaps a solitary fhepherris hut on it. auch a state of things should not be allowed to exist. It had been de-

manded that tho State ehould purchase back the land. Was it creditable to them

as a colony, aa a people, who were to found a new nation, that so coon in their history a3 a nation —in a colony that was uot yet fifty years old — they should be asked to buy back ior the State, for tho settlement < f the people on tho land, the land that had been alien acd within 00 years? The very facttbat there was such a demand for a Dill of that character was sufficient to show that our land legislation in the past bad not been on: a proper or Bitiefattory basis. He ber lieved they would be able to propose at the next meeting of Parliament a bill that would deal with this question, a bill that would provide for this, that tbe landa should not becorco private- pro perty. It must remain in gome way State laud, and the State mußt have control over'

it. It would bo perfect 'mockery for the Parliament of Kew. Zeilaud (o be asked to provide a Bill ior tbe purchase <ii large e^tatte timply to be handet back again to pii»a(e peisonß and the State to lose contiol over them. The land should temain for the people, and not remain for tha few. The land sharks and land monopolists should no longer be allowed to hold the lands of the colODy m thtir hands.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1887.

2



MRS BU ITERWORTIJ, UILLINEK, t'i NOW SHOWING NEW WINTER GOODS IN ALL THE KEWBST STYL ES. MfIAETHUR'S BUILDINGS, C!UaEK-3TReE7', AMD KAJBnfIJSG&HAPJE ROiD.



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THIRTY THOUSAND YARDS Or |-*RJES3 TyjATERIAL, TO behold fcT GBBATIiV REDUCED PRICES. 'H. ATKINS Tbas marked down thk pricks summer dees 3 material 20 so 20 *zb Cest. Thato a % Bp!endia Stock 'still left, to select Irbm.'ond the Reductions will be found to be Genuine. 'BLACK and COLOURED SILKS will also be Bold at a Reduction In Prirt. A Few Pieces of Magnificent Quality EI.ACK SILKS, to fte SDH at English Prrc<». An Overatook of UMBRELLAS. SUN SHADES, etc, to be sold Cheap. Tte Balance bi CARPETS (about 1,500 yards) to 6a cleared at coat and under. j AParfoStOCkof LONG CURTAINS. TABLE GOODS. Best valno IS Ancktan*. A, Splendid Stock of KAIAPOI dLOTHING, in Boys', Youths', an£ Men's; Splendid \ alue; fcheoper than Imported Clothing. HEN'S MERCERY, SHIRTS, SCARFS, UMBRELLAS, Sx. ATL GOODS TO BE SOLD AT PRICE 3TO MEET THE TIMES. H. A T~K IN S,



Repairs, needle?, hommerp, braiders, cordera. roffleis, o'.l. b-"'t?, etc., e'e . for ell Beit injj macciuea at D, 3, Ckumbtio', Queen Birost.