Musical and Leraryo 4 ifchsfcanding Monday o the weather, a *» * assembled. The paper by Bubject wr, ;"" "Elocution, and the rJ ° hn . Elements to Make aji Orator." exhaustive, and com- The^ y fl r e very point that could possibly prised nearly . Affc krtffiJXrs of the Greek school Ltesmen of the present century, an d the stoteWK* *- the l necessary . the essayist went on t , A qu^ fi t k nowleSe of tlui subject OrO hand Ovation of the voice, in X te A • host of other points A G«B) dosed the discussion with a ICl ted fS'niffht the opening dsUqe oi ftfc W durin* the winter, and as the hall ? VeD iSs and central,, (he music iS Tnttlttl , . Somervili all that Sdffi deled as Master of C remonies, they should be well attended and fenjoyable. Tn spite of counter attractions a large Jmber of people found their _wky yestei- to the premised of the V JIC A., Wellesley-street where more &Mvoungmen and others assembled SS the opening of the new gym: mS Messrs Adams, the brothers Kelson, and some other members of Pro- SfCarroUo'sgymnasiumclasses, assisted oTnormous dumb-bells by Mr Moss and In another room; a short- B class was being held, whilst in the te* hall was to be seen a gas'stove and Sing apparatus in full swing, where the Eev Joseph Hill, with two lady assistants, gave a practical lecture on the arfc of cook toVtoJm audience of about fifty ladies. The Committee are to be congratulated on tlipirenerev, and their evident determina tion to mafe the V.M.C. A. Association one of the leading features of our city.j ■'Weivould call the attention oipr readers to the announcement that to-morrow even inffthe popular American lecturer (Major Dane), who is at present staying in Auck land is to give an address at Our Boys Rest in Albert-street (opposite Star Hotel) in aid of that institution. Thje subject which the Major has chosen iis " The Life of Jerry Macauley," which should wove under his able treatment, a most interestinc topic. Admission to the ad dress will be by ticket, to be. obtained at the booksellers' shops, and we! presume that as the admission" is free the voluntary 'contributions of those present will be col lected. Indeed, it is on this principle alone that this excellent young institution is conducted, and the present address is to fom no exception. All who desire to check ithegrowth of larrikinism, which is sadly too common in our midst, will d!o well by their presence, to aid the promoters of this "Institution, and to listdn to the treat pro tfdd by Major Dane. * Mr 31 Turner, one" of the bejst known caterers' in the city, has taken tjhe Wharf llotel Dining Room, and from his lengthy axperience, should give satisfaction to his pafens. Mr Turner formely ; managed Mi Men's, and more recently the restaur ant attecHed to the United Service Hotel.

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAILS.

>-', (BY, TELEGRAPH -PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, this day.

iHEAlameda with English mails 13th June, left San Francisco for Auckland on the 3rd inst (time-table date). The' Mariposa with the colonial mail to 20th June arrived at San Francisco from Auckland on the 9th inst. One dry early. '■-•■■

FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.

I.; (BY lELEGEAPH—PEESS ASSOCIATION. - . ■ ;j ~ • Wellingtok, this day. haye not received any in formation regarding the supposed out .lneak of foot ■ and mouth disorder in IWairarapa. As the disorder , , is .not ; spontaneous, does not exist at Home, and ! moreover, therei is no importation of stock :it is believed to be impossible that the dis ease can have appeared, and that it must fee a mistake.

ONEHUNGA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

|The ttsual fortnightly meeting of this Coun jciltookplacelast night. Present: The Mayor, Messrs ■ Hill, Rowe, Jackson, Tapp, Keehan, Hills, and Goldsbury. The business was transacted: Aletter from Messrs Boylan and Lundbn with reference w> a portion of, the waterworks account was referred to the Finance Committee. Per nussioiiwas granted to..Mr Green to ,break ffletalinHill-sfcreet, subject to the usual con tonons. Itwasresolvedthat Mr J. Bray's and ™<l. DoreVoffers re supply , of blueineM be »ecepted; at current rate of 6s per yard. Apphcations from -MrGlanfiekl, and Mrs aarantoxan, for licenses for slaughtering ™ premises were referred to the Finance .Mr J. McPike's tender was ac cepted for the lease of the Market Reserve, pnceLβ., Aletter was received from Mr •r. ft.•■ Leers, offering : his services as water St? clerk ' a fe° fr om the Treasury De ■wffi wfawwledginpf receipt of letter W>,WO.-loan, and stating that as the •J*» to Local. Bodils Act had ■JL -i RlSsecl could, not ■Sw^'•%? a PP Ucation - The Mayor also •SSK - at - the p ublic meeti i had S ™P r °P°sal to raise a special rate 'w» r i n Ptoses. Tarious accounts lannir for and the JJgaL statement was read, showing a St^ nCe ,° f ¥ 37 lslld ' with "abilities g of L 304 Is 3d: The Mayor's Spiel geneial rate of 9d in fche L 1 was

ATHLETIC NOTES.

ty TELEGEAPH-OWN CORRESrOXDEKT.)

m '- , Hamilton, this'day. ** football match, Hamilton v. Cam- Jge,on Saturday, resulted,in a draw, • all through! . ■•"..., Wanganui, this day. Laing will nofc ww Sfl ltedthS ' ando '\ he con- SS ahd .; should -fight, says he

Effect of Competition.

It was a general opinion amongst pro tectionists that competition would bring it down. There were some things that competition could do. They could bring down the average of labour, and would brintf down the wages, for this reason— that° where there was a margin of profit there would be competition. But competi tion could not overcome natural obstacles, and this was especially so in regard to the iron industry. He dwelt chiefly on this subject because he understood it best. The speaker referred to the econo mical conditions which the iron in dustry is carried on in England, and submitted that competition in England had not served to cheapen the price in America. He asked them to compare the prices existing in the two countries, and said that America w}th a large population had every way of cheapening the prices if it could be done. He went to the Cham ber of Commerce, and took two news papers, one being published in New York, and the other in London. For pig iron,'the London price oi Cleveland pig iron was just 46 per cent, of what ib was in America'; Glasgow pig iron was 57 per cent, of what it was in America ; hematite, which was a special quality, was 61 per cent, of American, the price for this being equal to Cleveland and Glasgow. Steel rails in April were 55 per cent, iii England of what they wore in America. ' Competition had not brought down the price in America, with all its ad vantages, to the price in England, and he read a couple of extracts giving opinions from the pen of a protectionist in support of his theory. The speaker then proceeded to point out the advantage which Great Britain possessed over America in the matter of iron bottoms in the shipping trade. America with her heavy protective duty on iroifacould not build ship 3 to compete with Great Britain. The Americans went further, and said that no American could buy and register in that country a foreign built ship constructed of iron. That was why the American marine had fallen to nothing. It was no small glory to Eng land -and Englishmen that three fourths of the tonnage that passed through the Suez Canal was British. Now,' New Zealand was not only a small community, but a scattered population. There was one essential for economic manufacture which was often over looked'by those who knew little of the mattei\ If they had a small output, the expenses, such as coal, depreciation of machinery, and so forth-all these things came to a higher percentage on the article if it was brought out in small quantities. Then there Was the multiplication and sub division of labour, which lessened the cost of production in older countries. In a small community neither of these things' could be achieved. In the place he came from he had trebled the output in three years, and' could turn out eleven steamers equal to the vessels of the Union S.S. Company's fleet—in the course of a year. Yet his was a small concern. He knew of one firm who manufactured 5,000 tons of steel rails per week; He was not trying to discourage them, but they could not do the impossible. Then, again, protection would prevent that stimulus that foreign manu factures coming amongst them had. Pro tection would increase the cost of living and carrying on their businesses. Other Matters. Now he was done with free trade and pro tection. (Hear, hear.) Well, he believed he had given'them some nuts to crack. (Laughter.) He was decidedly against the existing property tax, and in favour of an unimproved land tax. He had not been in favour of an income tax at Home, which was inquisitorial and unpleasant in many respects; but it was equitable, and with a land tax he would piefcr it to a property tax. He considered the land tenure of England was fair, and in this colony he would not touch land speculation with a, long stick. (Laughter.) He was in favour of reformin the land tenure up to the point of land nationalisation, a subject on which he was to take the affirmative in a public debate shortly. He would not sell an acre of the colony's land to a foreign railway company. The idea of such a thing reminded him of Esau selling his birthright. With regard to the manage ment of railways, he did not believe in selling the lines to monopolist railway com panies—he had seen too much of that in England. They could not settle the land successfully without railways ; but he would not favour giving the railways to private companies, whilst'on the other hand he thought the State should manage them pro perly;' He approved of Mr Vaile's scheme, and wished him every success in his candi dature for a seat in the House. With re gard to the &chenie, he would go further than the Committee of the House which had recommended that it be tried in a district where the people would pay the cost. He would give it a fair trial at the public expense. With regard to local option, he was in favour of the public voting for a reduction of licenses. Regard ing the franchise, he thought a man should have only one vote, .Property had already sufficient weight uv the community. In conclusion, He said he had spoken fully on the matters of his political belief, as he did pot wish to.have any vagueness regard ing birf views. (Cheers.) The Chairman intimated that Mr Withy would be prepared to answer questions. A Critieistn. ■ Mr Massey said_ Mr Withy had given them a pretty definition of the meaning of the words J' delegate" and "representa tive." In his opinion it was a distinction without a difference. IniAmerJca, some of the states called the men who represented them "delegates,"and in others, "repre sentatives." Mr Withy had defined himself as an independent man, and. independent men were generally stumbling blocks. He was. afraid that Mr Withy was not in accord with the electors of Newton. He (the speaker) wanted to vote for a good man. (A voice : " You have him there.") W hat he wanted to see in the Parliament was men at the back of Sir George Grey. Sir Geo. Grey expressed the wishes of the people, as seen in his popularity. With regard to Mr Withy's views oh protection he had to say on the part of his fellow workmen that it was not altogether selfishness on thoir part that induced them to want protection, John Stuart Mill, the greatest writer on free trade that ever was, had stated young countries required protection of their industries, and Mr Wifchy'g aro-uments could not wipe that out. At this stage the Chairman ruled the speaker out of order. Mr Withy had in vited them to hear his address and to ask him questions afterwards. Cllf every gentle man in the audience was permitted to criticise Mr Withy's remarks,,it would take a week. , ,"/ Questions..;: In reply to Mr Wright, Mr Withy said that there would always be a' competition between the importer and! the manufac turer go long as the importer -.was allowed to carry on his function. With regard to what a previous speaker (Mr'Massey) had said, he might say that he knew something of J. Stuart Mill. He put th* reference to the effect of protection in a colony in a nega tive way.' He was a shrewd 'man, and h°ad never been in a colony; arid, he probably thought that the book he was writing was for posterity. Mill said that hewoukl nob say that in a young .country protection would not be desirable, ~ In reply to Mr Tom Rowe, who put Mr, Withy through a categorical exam ination, the candidate said that- he was not in' favour of Bible-reading m sc hools ; and that he was not opposed.to special

juries, who, he had reason to believe, were occasionally of service. In reply to another question, Mr Withy said he was in favour of the retention of the Upper House, though he did not think that it should be exclusively composed of men of property. That was his reason for support ing the payment of members of that branch of the Legislature, as well as the members of the House of Representatives. They should have the service of brains and hon esty wherever they could get it. Regarding the use of the Upper Chamber, he said that when he first came to the colony, there had been a great cry for defence, and great sums of money were spent in that direction that should not have been spent. The function of the Upper House would have been to have said " No " to these demands for expenditure. For this and similar pur poses the Upper House would be of service to act as a slight brake on the impetuosity of the Lower House, and the country. Mr McMaster asked would he equalise taxes on all necessaries—would he advocate an increase of taxation on that which we can produce and a reduction on that which we cannot produce. For instance, there was a duty of 1G per cent on boots and woollen goods which we could produce, while calico, which we coxftd not produce, was free. Would he free the boots anil the woollen articles and put a duty on calico ? Mr Withy said that it would be a long time before they could touch the taritl. When they were lie would be in favour of inducing all duties. He would not favour the manipulation of the tariff in the direc tion of helping local industry. In answer to a question regarding the suffrage for local bodies' elections, Mr Withy was understood to say that as the property owners paid the rates for the construction of local works they alone should liavo the votes. In reply to an elector who asked his views on the Eight Hours Bill, Mr Withy said lie would not vote for any measure that would restrict trade. There was the Shop Hours Bill that he would sooner vote for than the Eight Hours Bill, as working men, through their trade organisations, could regulate these matters better than the shop assist ants. He did not think that' the ordinary handicraftsman required i any help from the Legislature regarding the hours he should work. ; Questioned on his views relative t<j> the abolition of Education Boards, he said he thought that the business of the committees could be better managed by local Boards of Education than by a department at Wel lington. The total cost of the Education Boards was but L 10,700, which lie did not think exorbitant. ■,

In answer to another question regarding education, he said that he was not prepared to say that the fifth standard was nob the highest necessary standard for a free com pulsory system of education. He would not allow any children of his to go to school until they were seven or eight years of age. Replying to another question he said through not being acquainted with, the Volunteer Regulations he could nofc say whether he would favour the abolition of the salaries paid to Volunteer officers, and the addition of the money to the A'olunteers' capitation. In answer to a question re immigration he said he was not in favour of supporting the immigration of working men, but he had been favourably impressed with Capt. Daveney's scheme for the introduction of pensioners. He did not like Chinese immi gration, because they came here as celebate men, and did not seek to become colonists. Answering another question, he con sidered that every representative should from time to time give an account of his stewardship, and he thought it would be beneficial if members met their constituents before each Parliament for the purposo of discussing current questions running through the minds of the people at the time.

In reply to other questions, he did not think a proposal ■ workable that a member should retire if called on to do so by two thirds of his constituents. He was not in favour of the payment of pensions to civil servants, though he thought that existing contracts should be upheld. If a married woman was liable for her husband's debts in respect of property she brought to her husband, he thought it should not be. Mr John Thompson moved a vote of thanks to Mr Withy for his address, and also of confidence. He thought Mr Withy was the right man to represent them because of his high character—he was a thoroughly honest, disinterested man, with no in terest of his own to serve. He was a man of fixed political opinions, and not like the American politician, who said, " These are my principles, but if they don't suit you they can be altered." Retrenchment was the principal plank of Mr Withy's platform. He did not indulge in vague talk about it, but told them how it could be done. (Cheers.) Then he was in support of a land tax and income tax. He was surprised that Mr Withy had brought himself to support the latter. The third reason for his asking them to give him their confidence was because he was prepared to support a well-considered scheme of land settlement. He asked protectionists to vote for the motion, as all the other candidates of whom he had heard were protectionists, and they would want a free trader to speak in the in terests of the consumer. ' •••

The motion, which was loudly applauded, was read by the chairman and seconded by Mr Dines.

Mr Lee, junr., came forward to move a vote of thanks (a voice : " and confidence in your brother." (Laughter.) He felt very gratified at a man like Mr Withy coming forward (a voice: "No soft soap, now !"), but he asked them not to pledge themselves until they saw who were coming forward. He did not agree with Mr Withy on cei'tain questions. Re garding local option, he (the speaker) favoured it so far as new houses were concerned, but not with respect to old houses. He thought if local option were enforced with respect to old houses, the proprietors were entitled to compensa tion. He did not agree with Mr Withy's views on payment of mem bers—that they should receive LI per day. They all knew how differently men worked on contract and daily wage, and if they paid their members by the day they would take their' beds down there and we would never get them back. He dis agreed with Mr Withy's contention respect ing free trade. England did not produce one-tenth of the raw material or necessaries of life used by her population, and she could not shut lior ports, The colony, with its vast expanse of fertile land, most of it unoccupied, occupied a different position, and if they had no industry but agriculture there would be a great waste of industrial power. He referred to the state of New South Wales and Victoria as an evi dence of the advantage of protection over free trade- He thoughtif Mr Withy had come to the colony with a kit of tools he would have been a protectionist too. (Cheers.) The amendment was seconded by Mr Massey, and on being put to the meeting about one third of those present voted for it. The motion was then put and carried bya large majority. The customary compliment to the Chair man, moved by Mr Withy, was carried, and the meeting terminated.

Mr Jenkins at Franklin South.

Mr Jo&ua Jenkins, a candidate for. South Franklin, addressed the electors of Papa kurainthe public hall on Saturday last. There was a large attendance. Mr K. Brown was called to the chair. Mr Jenkins began his address by stating that at.the urgent request.of, many old electors at Franklin South, he had come out

in the interest of reform and retrenchment, and independent of all existing parties. 1 The colony had arrived at such a crisis that it was absolutely essential for the people to send to Parliament 20 or 30 able, clear headed, and determined men who would insist upon reform and retrenchment—not the retrenchment that take 6d per day from the working man and increase the salary of some well-paid official; but honest practical retrenchment —- from the Go vernor downward. After referring to Ministerial extravagance, JMr Jenkins went on to say that the Government had pro posed to levy LIBC,OOO fresh taxes through tho Customs and L7f>,o()o on property, and because they had failed to carry this through the House they brought about the dissolution. The tariff Wad evidently been framed with a view !to raise more taxes, and not for protection, and what they wanted was such a re-adjust ment of the tariff as woujld give the local manufacturer a chance lip compete with the iivjfiorter. (Hear, Ijear.) He would vote ajvinsi the Government, and say to them, " I have been sent down here on pur pose to turn yon out!" They must have in tho House a party of retrenchment, and they should say to the Opposition party, '•'•■ Now, wo 'nave turned I 'jout the Govern ment ; but; before wo rjijt you on those benches, are you prepaid to carry out our schemes of retrenchmient, as prepared by our constituency, copnnencing with the Governor, so that his establishment will not cost more than L 5.000? Will yon reduce the number of members of the Upper House to about lif), and when any vacancy has to be fillikjt up, have the member elected by the colony under the Hare system, reducing tho! pay of members of the Legislative Council! to, say Lf>o to within a certain radius, ahjd LIOO to those outside? Will you reduce the House of Representatives to, say 50j members, their pay being LIOO or Ll5O ? ! Will you reduce the paid members of tho Cabinet to five, and their pay to,say Ll.ooo toihe Premier, and L7OO to the others, witlji only travelling allowance '! Will you reduce the Education vote by £100,000, abolish all Boards of Education,, allow local chfnmittecs to ex amine their own schools j subject to the Minister of Education annj inspectors sent by him, whilst not in an|yj way interfering with the efficiency of our [primary schools ? In all, we want a savinbf of £300,000 or so ; and if you pledge youjrpelf to effect this saving, we are prepared: to support you. placing you on the Treasuij-y benches." In his opinion, this was the; only course to adopt to secure retrenchment. After speaking for nearly two hours, Mr Jenkins sat down, amid loud applause. In answer to questions he subsequently said that he would be im favour of a land tax upon unimproved value, though ho did nob ODJect to the property tax if improve ments wore exempted; that he favourod tho sale of the Government railways if they would not pay by other mejins ; that he be lieved in the nationalisation of all the un sold lands in the colony, [leasing them ab fivo per cent. ; that he vl'as in favour of offering inducement to the people to settle upon the land ; but ho thought the system adopted by the Government to induce men to go on, by promising to keep them, was bad. He was very much i afraid that the village settlement scheme hjad been pushed ahead for political purposes', and not in the interest of the people, and that it must ultimately prove a failure, (Applause.) A vote of thanks was accorded to the candidate on the motion ,of Mr Wright, seconded by Mr Chow.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Mr CowmeH's Opinion of the J Klccting.

' (To the Editor.)

Sir,—l assert most positively that while there wasalarge amountof strongfeelingand violent opposition from a considerable number of the workmen present at last night's meet ing, the maw was entirely with me. The meeting, though excited and disorderly, was nevertheless, on the, whole, very good natured, and most kindly disposed to my self.

With regard to missiles I assert that amongst the many hundreds of paper balls flying about not one, I believe, was aimed at me, excepting one, which struck me on the back of the head after the influx of hood lums by the stage door upon the platform. It was not thrown, I believe, by any one member of the audience, but by a hoodlum. In the " Herald "report to-day I am repre sented after the influx of hoodlums, as yell ing out my opinion of the meeting and the treatment of the Chairman. lam not con scious of ever having done anything of the kind. I did not understand the cause of the commotion at the back of the platform, which was densely crowded, and I was afraid it was fire. Knowing the terrible results of a panic in such a crowded state of the building, I went to the front of the platform, and endeavoured to calm the people, which I believe I succeeded in doing. It is quite true that I remonstrated once or twice during the course of the meeting at the peculiar manner in which the workmen " listened with quiet attention " to my few remarks; but my romonstrance, I think, was always good-natured, as, indeed, most of the interruption was. Election times, sir, are always exciting times, and i 6 is well that it is so. I am a stranger to the electors, and a stranger must make up his mind to bear the inevitable consequences of being a stranger until the strangeness is rubbed off. lam gradually getting better acquainted with the electors, and if kind and nervous friends will leave me and the electors alone, we will shake down well enough before very long*.—Yours, etc., J. Aitken Connell.

POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL REFROM ASSOCIATION.

An adjourned meeting of this Association was held last evening at Robson's Rooms. There was but a moderate attendance. Mr Buchanan presided. A discussion on the question of ways and means took place, and it was resolved on the motion of Mr W. Duncan that the following recom mendation of the Committee be adopted : —"That this Committee recommend to the Association the necessity of raising funds by voluntary subscriptions or dona tions to carry on the work of the Associa tion." It was resolved, on the motion of Mr R. J. Duncan, "That the platform of the Association be printed and sent to the candidates, in order to get their views with regard to retrenchment and other matters connected with that' subject, to circu late among the general public." Mr Waddel moved, "That the Association consider ib advisable that a meeting be called to explain the platform put forward by them to the general public," and re marked that it was suggested that several gentlemen should lay before such a meeting thoir views concerning the great expendi ture of the late Government, and point out in detail the .particulars in which retrench ment should be carried out. Mr T. B. Hill seconded the resolution. Mr McManus proposed as an amendment that the word ing should be, " Public meeting," and Mr J. M. Shera seconded. After discussion the motion was carried.

Easily Proven.—lt is easily proven that malarial fevers, constipation, torpidity of tho liver and kidneys, general debility, nervous ness, and neuralgic ailments yield readily to this great disease-conqueror, American Com pany s Hop Bitters. It repaira the ravages or disease by converting the food into rich blood, and it gives new life and vigour to the aged and always infirm See,

ELECTION NOTES.

Mr Tole's Intentions. A Stab reporter saw the Hon. Mr Tole this afternoon relative to his political inten tions. Mr Tole stated that lie has been strongly urged to contest both Pon souby and Newton,' and has been as sured that he would have a fair chance of success for either seat. His inclina tions, however, are in the direction of contesting Eden principally in conse quence of a statement published that Mr Mitchelson would stand againstt him for whatever seat he was nominated. Mr Tole seems to regard this as a direct challenge and feels inclined to take up the gage of battle in Eden. , , Manukau. Mr W. [J. Suiter, Mayor of Newmarket, has been asked to contest the Maun kau seat. Mr Suiter, in reply to: the deputation, stated that he personally entertained the highest respect for Sir G. M. O'Rorke, and besides that his business engagements would render it diffi cult for him to afford the necessai'y time to enter Parliament. However, ho would take time to consider the matter, and it he thonght that there was a generally ex presed desire that he should contest the seat he might see his way to announce him self. City West. It is persistently rumoured this, afternoon that there is a probability of Mr Morrison retiring from the contest for the seat.

[by telegraph.—own corhespondknt.] • Wellington, this day. Mr E. Wakefield, editor of the "Even ing Press," and M.H.R. for Selwyn, pub lishes an address to tho electors of Welling ton, in which he states that having been requested by so many electors in more than one district, especially in Wel lington South and suburbs, to offer himself for election, he thinks it fair to all con cernpd to stccte that ho has entered into private engagements which will entirely occupy his attention for some time to come, and therefore prevent his standing. Hamilton, this day. Waikato aiad Waipa. There is not much interest in election matters though a great many applications to be placed on the roll have been received by the Registrar. Mr Russell has met with a flattering reception at Rangiriri and Morrinsville, though it is generally thought that his partiality for the Government will work strongly against him. < He poses as an ardent supporter of Mr Vaile's scheme, but objects to certain principles which Mr Vaile ivill not abandon. On the other hand Mr J. B. Whyte has undoubtedly lost some support through his antagonism to Mr Yaile. Major Jackson is busy canvassing, and has already made love to the electors in Tuakau, recently added to Waipa. As yet there is no opposition, but it is more than likely that Mr W. A. Graham will soon declare himself, most probably on the Government tickets.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PRKSS ASSOCIATION.] 'Ne>v Plymouth, this day. Mr Samuels' Address- Mr Samuels addressed tho electors last evening. He advocated thorough retrench ment and economy, cutting down high salaries, and bringing expenditure with in revenue without further taxation. He would reduce the Education and Defence votes considerably. He would not say what party lie would link himself with next session, but certainly did not approve of the policy Stout and Ballanco advo cated in their speeches. Mr Bryco's views coincided closely with his. Htt was in favour of reduction of the Governor's salary and members' honorarium. Protectionism to excess in either direction meant ruin. He favoured freehold tenure instead of lease hold. He would be returned unpledged and unfettered, or not at all. A vote of confidence was carried by acclamation. . Wellington, this day. Mr Menteath,formerly member of Inang hua, is a candidate for To Aro. Mr Martin Arkwright, a candidate for Raneitikei, declared himself an opponent of the Government last night, and received a vote of confidence by a small majority. . TiMAßtjy Monday. MrE. G. Kerr has decided to withdraw from the contest for the Gladstone seat, and will run for Timaru against Mr Richard Turnbull. , . ,'s \

FIRE IN SHORTLAND-STREET.

A' fire broke out in a ten-roomed house situated in Shortlarid-street, opposite the Provincial Hotel, about* eleven o'clock this mornidg. The house is occupied by Mr Frith, photographer, and belongs to Mr Slatter, now at Hobart, for whom Mr F. L. Prime is agent. One room in the basement is occupied by two young men named Saunders and Simpson. These two left for their work about 8.30 this morn ing, and at 11 o'clock Mr Frith detected a smell of fire ascending through his room. He broke open the door of his lodgers' room and discovered the fire, which was fiercely ascendiug from a bag in a box near the wall and "had communicated to the scrim. With the aid of a little water Mr Firth ex tinguished the fire before any further dam age was done. , ,

POLICE COURT—THIS DAY.

(Before Messrs C. D. Whitcombe, J. P. King and W. Duncan, Justices.) , Drunkenness, r— Thomas Johnston,, Mar garet Ryan and- William Bailey were fined 5s and costs for having been drunk, or'in default 24 hours' hard labour. ,• . Removing Metal:■■— Thomas Lupton pleaded guilty to removing,nietal from the Epsom quarry without proper authority.— Mr Alexander appeared on' behalf of, the Epsom ■. Road Board, and <Mr Dinnison, Clerk of the ; Board, gavb evidence.—The defendant admitted tlie offence,- and was fined 5s and costs. The action was laid under Section 16Q Public Works Act, 1882. Alleged Uttering.—Charles Aickin again appeared to answer to the charge of feloniously uttering i a valueless cheque drawn upon tho JBank of New Zealand for L(3s,_Mr Brookfield, who appeared on be half of the prosecution, obtained; a , remand until Friday next, as Mr ,o'Meagher, who was engaged for the defence, was unable to attenclowing to the. perjury case being in progress in the upstairs room. ' '

, William John Hessey was examined by the Official Assignee to-day. He stated that he. came to the colony from England 19 years ago, and eight years ago went to America, whence he returned to Auckland about two years ago. ' Ho landed here with! L4O in his pocket, and a wife and four children to support. About six weeks after lie arrived he took 11 acres of land at the Whau on a rental of 12s per week. Just as he got the ground into order the owner wanted him to raise money topurchase it, and because he could nob do so he was turned off it. He was then L 25 in arrear with his rent, That was '6 months ago and he had only got occasional work as a labourer since. -His schedule of liabilities included a sum of L3O, which he owed his son for labour on "the land.' He had filed because ! his landlord had a judgment against him for L 37.

CABLEGRAMS.

(by electric telegraph—copyright.)

FRENCH WAR FEELING.

ANOTHER BOTJLANGER DEMON STRATION.

(SPECIAL.) ■'

:. -/ London, July 11th. A demonstration in honour of General Boulanger will take place on Long Champs racecourse on the 14th inst. The " Francais " hints that it may end in some unexpected complications.

THE BULGARIAN CRISIS.

RESIGNATION OF THE MINIS TRY.

(reuter.)

Sofia, July lOfch. M. Eadoslavoff, President of the Ministry, with all the other has resigned in consequence oi: the conflict between the Regency and Colonel Mcolaieff and other Ministers. A deputation left Sofia to-day for Ebenthal, formally to announce to Prince Ferdinand his election,to the throne of Bulgaria.

ELEVATION TO THE PEERAGE.

London, July 11

Earl Percy, heir to the Duke of Nor thumberland, and who was Conserva tive member for the Northern Division of Northumberland from 1868 |to 1885, has been raised to the peerage.'

A STRANGE PROSECUTION.

THE CHARGE AGAINST 'MB BARRETT WITHDRAWN.

What is now known as the scent book case terminated abruptly at the Police Court this morning. Messrs C. D. Whitcomi>e, William Duncan, and J. P. King * were tihe officiating justices. Herbert Henry Barnetb was called upon to answer to the charge of takings a certain manuscript recipe book, value LIOO, the property of one Theodore Piesse. Mr Theo. Cooper appeared for the pro secution, and Mr Hugh Campbell for the defence. It will be remembered tlmtthis case was opened last Friday, and. then ad journed until this morning. '" ' '■ Mr Cooper said tlmt in this case the complainants wished to withdraw the charge. and proceed no , further. He I felt that such a course was advisable after the expression of. opinion that the Bench had given l&st Friday evening. He took it that the evi dence which the prosecutor gave regarding the wharf luggage would be a bar to an'.y further proceedings, and he did not, there fore propose to proceed further, biit simply ask to withdraw the case. Mi - Campbell said that it was strange after such a voluminous opening as that given by his learned friend last Friday, when so many charges were laid In such emphatic language, to find'that, the first point failed' and all others were then with drawn. He thought that his client was entitled to have the true state of affairs placed before the public so that his character might be fully cleared. The first statement made by his friend was that the defendant took the book. Well, the first ingredient is the feloniously taking. Upon that point the prosecution failed signally, and there fore, as a natural result, the whole case must fall to the ground. Mr Cooper here rose and said- that of course Mr Campbell might talk an long as he pleased, but as he had withdrawn the case there was practically nothing left for the Bench to do but to dismiss it. The Bench remai'ked that they considered it such a case as should not ihave been brought into Court. Mr Cooper, in reply, sa3cl that of course neither Mr Brookfield , nor him self knew, when the proceedings were instituted, what, was in the letters that wore in Mr Campbell's possession. He admitted that after the statement made by Mr Piessc.last Friday—and they could not discredit the evidence of their own witness —that after such a statement it was useless to proceed further. That was the reason that he had withdrawn it % The Bench said that ujnder the circum stances it was only fair that Mr Campbell should have an opportunity of stating the facts of the case. ; Mr, Cooper said certaiinly Mr Campbell was quite justified in doing so in the in terests of his client, but las he had to attend the Supreme Court there was no need for J either himself or Mr Piesse to remain longer in Court. Mr Campbell objected to Mr Piesse re tiring. The Bench also said;that he must not goj as they had not yefc- dismissed the case, and wished to make'some remarks upon it. Mr Cooper pointed out that as Mr Piesse was the prosecutor there Avas no power to compel him to remain in attendance. How ever, as Mr Campbell wished to speak, r he would remain a little longer. He wished the Bench to understand that it was not out of want of respect that he wished to retire. Mr Campbell then said that he thought it must have been quite clear from the first that Mr Piesse was not the real prosecutor in this' case, but merely the tool of other's, who, from their ' own selfish motives, had made iise of him.' He was sorry to see that one of their leading 'firms had lent themselves to such a discreditable action merely for the purpose of obtaining possession of a receipe book which they thought would be service able to them in their' business. Long con ferences were held with solicitors and Mr Piesse, and then the result had been this prosecution. He quite exonerated Mr Piesse from the blame of commencing the prosecution. He Was evidently such a man \vho, by his habits, could be made use of by others as the tool with which to accomplish their purposes. The object of these parties who had inaugurated the pro secution was manifestly not to detect crime, but to obtain something that would be valuable to them in their business in competing with the weL-known perfumers, Messrs Piesse and' Lubin. To obtain that they had put this man in the position in which he now stood for their own selfish ends. Mr Piesse, he re peated, had only been the tool used to gain these ends. The first and most essen tial point had been i quashed, and he had no hesitation in • saying that, • had the case : proceeded, every other charge to which his friend" haS ■ so eloquently referred in his opening would have been

equally disproved. He contended that the ' prosecution was quite unjustifiable in the nrat instance. The defendant had repeatedly ottered to give up the books if the debts were paid, and there was absolutely no knowledge or mention of the book until Mr Sharland's emissary heard about it. _ No doubt they thought that by ' taking these proceedings the book would be produced in Court, but such had not been the case. No doubt they also thought that this young man would take LIOO for the book rather than appear, in Court, but there also they had failed to accomplish their purpose. A letter which was still I in the possession of Messrs Sharland and Co., and which he challenged them to produce in Court showed plainly that tho young man had not the slightest inten tion to commit a .theft. Having failed to get the book that Way, the conspirators tried by moans of criminal proceedings to obtain possession of this book, which be of so much value ,to them. He did not blame Mr Cooper, for he had been merely used as a tool by the real prosecutors, and he gave them credit for hjaving done so, ■, for Mr Cooper wae not a man that was easily made a tool of. Booing that there was really nothing in the case, Mr Cooper then wisely withdrew the case. He hoped that the Bench, in dismissing the case, would express their opinion plainly .upon such a style of procedure, so that his client might be known to leave the Court as he ' had entered it—without a stain upon his character. Mr Campbell then resumed his seat. amidst applause from the body of the Court. Mr Cooper said he iwould like, in reply, to state that Mr Campbell had been making remarks about an eminently respectable business firm in this city, whose name was never brought into the case during the hearing of the evidence.■'■;He would also, state that although the first point had failed, he had full belief that all the others could have been proved, and Mr Barnett. Well knew that such was the case. :Mr Campbell: I challenge you to prove this. '..... Mr Cooper : We shjiU do so, never fear. The proceedings do not stop here. Mr. : Campbell shall have a chance of meeting the case in another Court. - Mr Campbell: That is just the course \ which I suggested in the first place. The Bench again reiterated their opinion that the case should not have been brought, into Court, and some time was devoted to reviewing the evidence already taken. The Bench then proceeded to say that the prosecution had been inspired by some other persons, the evidence showing that Mr Piesse had taken no action until he was visited at Gisborne by one Miers,who had: a power of attorney already drawn up. Mr Cooper interjected that there was not a single statement in the evidence that the prosecution had been inspired by anyone. Of course the Bench were justified—or rather had the power—to make whatever, statements they liked about the prosecu tion. He reminded them, however, that at the previous sitting the Bench had made a, remark about the case, and in consequence of that remark he had not considered it desirable to proceed further with the case. He had 11 or 13 witnesses to call. . Mr, Campbell said that the inference drawn by the Bench that the prosecution had been occasioned by some other persona was perfectly fair from the evidence. .i; Mr Cooper said that. Eiesse had not been asked the question if the prosecution was bontfr fide on his part. The Bench continued that in-dismissing the case they wished to state that Mr Bar nett left the Court without a stain on hit character. Mr Campbell said he was.sorry that) under the circumstances of the prosecution the Bench would not have the power to grant costs. ■ ■■', •■ :<:> . The Court then rose.

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

(BY TELEGRAPH—OWN COKRESPONDFNT.) Coromandel, this day. r Royal Oak. —The Manager reports n.bthing of importance from the mine for the past week. The reef is "split at present, owffcig to cross leads • coming in from the Tribute reef. Tributer Mayn's crushing gave* 68ozs gold from loOlbe specimen, May.n has started open out on the lower level. Blxte Petee.—Have' a return of 350z. from 5 tons. This is paSfc of a long.block now offered to .a syndicate for the London mining market, and sc'Snds a good chance of b>eing floated.

TELEGRAMS.

f. • Hamilton, this day. A building belonging to the Government near Punui was burned down lasfc nighb. A man named Dan Kenny has been arrested on suspicion of arson. ".""..-. A native has been arrested for cattle stealing near ■Tβ Awamutu. ' /..,, Wellington, this day. TheMinisterofPublicWorksleftforChrist* church on Sunday afternoon, accompanied by Mr Bate, private secretary. His visit will be of brief duration. . Wangantji, this day. An important decision has been given by' the Chief Justice reversing a judgment in the It.M. Court here. A farmer nad'sold, or ofi'ered for sale, lousy sheep in yards on : his own premises, and he was fined LIOO, on the ground that the sheep were exposed in a public yard. The Chief Justice comes to the conclusion that the yards were nofc "public," either in the sense that they were public saleyards, as kept by a stock ■ auctioneer, or yards to which the public were invited to 'send sheep for sale.

Lady Beautiiteks.— : Ladies, you cannot make fair skin, rosy cheeks, and sparkling eyes with all tho cosmetics of France, or beautiflers of tho world, while in poor health, and nothinjr will give you such rich blood, good health strength, and beauty as Hop Bitters, American Co'smake. A trial is certain proof. See.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &c., To-night.

Abbott's Opera House-Foley's "Festivities " 8 Agricultural Hall—Royal Jubilee Burlesque and Pantomime Company, S. Bell's Buildings, Wyndham-street — Industrial Association's Exhibition, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 7to 10 pi m " City Hall—Skating Rink, 10 a.m.*to 5 p.m. and 7.30 to 10 p.m. ■■ ii- ■ !: - ' * Maketu School-house—Address by Mr J Jen. kins to Electors of South Franklin, 7,30. Ararimu Public Hall—Address by MaiOr Harris toElectors of South Franklin, foo;"^-" 8 " 13 St. James's Hall-Anniversary Soiree in celebra tion of the Crossing of the Boyne, 6.30 Freemasons' Hall-Union Lodge of Mark Master Masons. E.C., 7.30. .... i■ .. ■ - Newton Congregational Church—Anniversary Soiree, 6.30. * Freemasons' Hall—Masonic Meeting re Jubilee Drill-shed-Qucoii's Own Rifles, 7.30. V.M.C.A. Rooms—Rev. J. S. Hill on "Snmn Fallacies of Protection,!' 7.30. c St. David's School-room—Lecture by Mr Jowiit " Reality-v. Humbug," 7.30. Wltt ' West. School-Supporters of Mr E.

Rota of Justices at Police Court.

July 13—Messrs W. Duncan andL. Ehrenfried.

Auction Sales To-morrow.

J 'Set *™»- G. Lewis-Books, etc,, U,

(Continued from Page. 3.)

HE E. WITHY'S ADDRESS.

■,^-TH-JE:- : AUCKLAND-EVENING "STAR," TUESDAY, JUIuY 12, 188^

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