«nspment was caused last evening ?&££%> Courfc jusfc bt-the*d at the o"F the f oreman o f the jury joO rnnient, been lockef] up ghice lagfc (^ \ «kin" His Honor whether the jury Frld uyL Permitted to attend the Mammoth would beP rinCTt heevening. Thisconvulsed jlinstrei= *o^ y secon( j s it was im _ tbe?iP to obtain order. His Honor, P° few minutes' consideration, de after ft .j qW request, provided cided to lr Bafldeley) wou]d also that ? 6in company with the constables. Bl?T],pSheriff agreed to, and accordingly *S Ji -ade with the Mam ar I- vr.-n<strels to provide private accom °°?^n forthe jurors. The incarcerated is enabled to spend a pleasant oneS find the Mammoth will be able in Sfto boast of the patronage of Her Sty's jurors, an honour which it is pro- Hie no other company can claim', as we I i-pvp that this is entirely a new de beEre and one which will be thoroughly P rpciated by the public. Before coming f PP f'ourt this morning, the jurors were Len^H round Parnell, in order to give thTm the benefit of fresh air.

The Mammoth Minstrels were favoured Jh another large audience at the Opera BLa k'st evening, and again presented a £»S attractive programme. Almost every torn of the chair performance was encored, Ind the f«n was above the average. Amongst the audience were the jury en- Seed on the perjury case at the Supreme Tourt and they evidently enjoyed their •■diversion " immensely. An entire change of programme is announced for this even ingl A fruit soiree and concert under the ans- D : ces of the Victoria Lodge of Good Templars was held within the Newmarket Hall on Thursday evening, when there was alar»e attendance. The chair was accu- D ied°by Sir William Fox. The musical Li of the programme was ably sustained by Misses Kobb, Jones, Hill, and Picard ; Messrs Menzies, Jones, and Marks. Miss Jloncur recited " The Lifeboat" with mucli feeling and. effect. Mr Whyte gave "Christmas Day at the Workhouse," which was well received. Sir William Fox and jlr W. R. Cook delivered addresses bear ing on the temperance question, which were attentively listened to. Miss Plum mer played the pianoforte accompaniments. During an interval a plentiful supply of fruit was served. On.the motion of Mr E. Allan a vote of thanks to all those who had so kindly assisted was carried by acclama tion and a pleasant meeting was ter minated by singing the National Anthem.

An interesting entertainment in connec tion with the Ponsonby Band of Hope took place last evening, Mr J. S. Bigelow pre siding, and'the following programme was gone through :—Duet (piano), Misses Scott andßees; recitation, "Soldier's Dream," E. De Conrcey ; " Ten Facts," by ten boys and girls of Baud of Hope ; solo, " Gates of the West." Miss Barnes: recitation, E. Hampton; piano solo, "Jessie's Dream," Miss Kate Bruce : recitation, "Dream of the Reveller,". Mr W. Baker; address, "Wanted a Speaker," Mr J. C. Robinson, junior; recitation, Miss L. Guest; piano solo, Miss Ida Withcford ; recitation, Mr H. K. May; flute and piano, Mr F. May and Miss Plummer; dialogue, the Misses Guest (3)1 vocal duet, Misses Plummer; recitation, "Short Speech for Small Boy," Master J. Bigelow; violin and piano, Mr ildis and Miss Plummer.

The usual meeting of the St. John's Musical and Literary Society was held on Monday evening, when a lecture was de livered by the Rev. R. Bavin on " Self culture," which was of very great interest, and thoroughly appreciated. The lecturer dealt with nis subject from three aspects, ra., physical, intellectual, and moral, physical self-culture, Mr .Bavin dismissed ?ith short notice as being the least ira tbrtanfc of the three, but before passing he jjrpngly urged strict attention to the laws of health, in the second part of the sub ject, viz., intellectual self-culture, a host of points were dealt. with, observation, imagination, memory, etc. Mr Bavin closed his remarks with a few earnest words on moral self-culture. The lecture was inter spersed with personal recollections,amusing anecdotes and suitable quotations. A vote of thanks was proposed by Mr Hall and seconded by Rev. _C. H. Garland. Musical selections were given by Mrs Bell, Miss Main and Mr Forbes.

The Pitt-street Mutual Improvement Society held its usual weekly meeting last night, and it was well attended. The Rev. H. Bull occupied the chair, and Mr Mat thews delivered a lecture on "Botany."' The lecturer dealt with his subject in a manner that secured for him the close at tention of his audience, and which showed him to be thoroughly conversant with the science on which he discoursed. A hearty vote of thanks, proposed by Mr G. H. Douglass and seconded by Mr W. S. Bowden, was accorded to the lecturer. Durinc; the evening Misses Wiseman and Bull favoured the meeting with musical selections. '

In the schoolroom of the Baptist Taber nacle, Upper Queen-street, this evening, at |.30, the members of the Tabernacle Young wens Mutual Improvement Society arc to nold a debate with the members of the iieresford- street Congregational Mutual improvement Society on the interesting subject of "Would Nationalisation of the wndßenefit New Zealand ?" The Rev. fir thew will take the chair, and the meet mg is open free to the public.

The Newton Congregational School-room was crowded last night by an appreciative aumence, when a musical and literary entertainment was given on behalf of the IST \ e Sunday Sch°ol by a number of pI? , r Enoch Wood occupied the £ \rnd b^ iefly °Pened the proceedings. ihe Misses BushUl performed in pood style LS T1 the Pianoforte, and Mr G. Handley elated loud applause for his exe !!£■ tV<\ 80l0s on the haiT- Mr A. was deservedly encored for a solo jm the violin, Mrs Rosser officiating at mU *\r th her usual abilifcy- rhe S* the °hui" ch 'thellev- Mr Lewis, StewnT ? Omic rea^inp, and Mr A S a 8 r close of the evening Miss A. •on at rfi S Sf S G" Sexton and A- S teven titled °o ed an amusin S dialogue en- S if 6 0 a Handsomer Man," Ho owl WeU received- Mr Howard gUoway g ang , The seletfin The Diver>" bofch of MissMclW ?? Were Imidly applauded. «S2K ott heard to advantage in Bhe 3S°% At Benediction," which pleasiSil' 1,,^ 1 Peat feeling. The S£w" g W« Revenge » las sung *»»82^ rrleS le. eflectbyMiss M. Spragg* a rne, s the well-known *» lS?w the Mo ™'ian Nuns," and c? was> as usual, very CX rendition of " The Vision." Dr^'aLr?£, f Dream Wifchin a concluded 7? whlch the National Anthem aD^cedispe ree P d rO t ? rai"me: Before the ~ Chairman proposed *** school ?° T youn« men connected of P«ndW 8u l r haVing been the meai" 11011 aa enjoyable evening's !? rPar2 m B R or nn of a member Geldart tabl f 1 Council in room of Mr day). **« Place to-morrow (Wednes ■■SSSSfl^Wtotliß sate of small °ns °f, land by B. Tonks and X*. ■ •S2V? J 2 °'clock- The pro tions of 4■♦«inbeen subdivided into r^andki aCreS) is sitliated afc ? a *so n .' Thi s f a tte P^perty of Mr B. P. yfot •ecmSj^JV*6eptional opportunl ' ?^yasS n^r"J? ication wifch the .r^Jeasy Kq p f nfc- Te ™s are excep- • one-fifth caseh 'c U at six per centum,

The sharemarket- is dull, little or no business having been transacted. Insur ance stocks are firm at last week's quota tions, bank shares are, if anything, a triile easier. In mining, Canzbrias have I -en enquired for, also Crowns (Karangahake) at a slight advance on previous quotations. Other stocks have not been asked for.

Mr J. H. Witheford's window in Short land-street has been the centre of attraction lately to people interested in goldiield matters, quite a throng having been inspec ting the varied samples of auriferous stone on view. In addition to Hikutaia stone, a parcel was received from Tauranga, from a reef being worked by prospectors assis ted by the County Council, and stone is also shown from Great Barrier Island, which yielded the value of £1 per ton. There are several rich stones from the Coromandel peninsula — one piece weighing 17dwt from a locality near Tapu, containing over £2 worth of gold. Another piece of quartz from Coromandel is vklued at £5. The chief feature noticeable in Mr Withe ford's window to-day is»a sample of the Waitoa deposit, worth £2 14s per ton. It is understood that £30,000 will be provided to work these deposits on an extensive scale.

TJie glove contest to a finish between Jas. Martin and E. Donovan is fixed to come off on Friday evening next at the Agricultural Hall. A most exciting evening's sport is expected.

A meeting of the A Battery is called for the purpose of electing a Captain, vice Captain Payne, promoted. The meeting will be held in the Drill-shed on Thursday evening, at 8. o'clock, and every member is requested to attend.

At the Gospel Temperance meeting held in the Foresters' Hall last Sunday evening, Mr E. S. Abel gave an address on " Eternal Life." The Rev. A. J. Smith spoke on tho dangers young men are exposed to, taking as hi? text "Is the young man Absalom safe ?" Mr Riggs presided.

After the usual Saturday night perform ance of the Newton Brass "Band, the mem bers adjourned to the shop lately occupied by their bandmaster, Mr W. G. Philpott, for the purpose of saying farewell to that gentleman, who is about to pro ceed to Te Kopnru. Mr D. Webbe, on behalf of the band, presented Mr Philpott with a handsome silver-mounted baton, (procured from Messrs Hoffmann and Sons), also with an address signed by all the members, expressing their re gret at Mr Philpott's departure. The recipient in a few well - chosen remarks returned thanks for the honour thus conferred upon him, and wishing the band a prosperous career, the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

In our advertising columns appears an announcement that Mr F. O. Ewington will lecture on "The Vicar of Morwen stowe :> in the Baptist Church, Ponso'nby, next Friday evening, in aid of the organ fund. It is hoped that the proceeds of this last lecture will be sufficient to wipe oil the balance of the debt. The subject of the lecture is a very popular one. Robert Stephen Hanken, whoso biography has been ably written by the Rev. Baring Gould, was Vicar of Morwenstowe, in Cornwall, for many years, and was one of the " characters "of this century. As a poet, parish priest, or citizen he was remarkable. Although a perfect oddity, he was an able writer and preacher, and one of the most hard-working of English Churchmen. On his dying bed, at the age of 71, his second wife, who was a Roman Catholic, had Canon Mansfield introduced into his sick chamber, and he was received into the bosom of the Roman Catholic Church. His whole career was very singular.

The final arrangements for the fancy ck-ess ball in the City Hall to-morrow have been made. The Committee have left no stone unturned to secure the success o: their visitors, and the ball gives every pro mise of being a brilliant success. The pro ceedings will open with a grand march, which, under the lime-light, should prove a very gorgeous spectacle. A number of men are engaged renovating the floor, which, when finished, will leave nothing to be desired in that respect. The appear ance of Messrs Munro and Harper in their various dances, will doubtless prove very at tractive to many, and taken altogether, the spectators will be amply repaid for their visit to the City Hall to-morrow evening.

A meeting of the Selwyn Football Club will be held this evening in the club-room of the V.M.C.A. a";- 7 o'clock, when every member is requested to attend.

Mr Edmondes and his pupils give their second concert of the Series this evening in St. James's Hall. A juvenile sacred can tata entitled <; Christian Graces" forms the second part of the programme.

The annual meeting of the City Rowing Club will be held to-morrow evening in the V.M.C.A. Buildings, when the election of officers for the ensuing year will take place, and other business will be dealt with.

Mr Harry Morris, Secretary to the New market Fire Brigade, wishes it to be known that he is not the person of that name who advertised in last night's Star that he would not be responsible for the debts con tracted by his wife.

FIRE AT MASTERTON.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Mastertox, this day. A fire broke out inSchroder's general store, but was suppressed. The damage by fire is only £25, but considerable damage was done by water. The stock was insured for £500 in the Equitable office, and building for £300 in the London, Liverpool and

Globe.

WAIKATO NOTES.

(BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORP.ESPONDFNT.)

Hamilton, this day. Thews were about 40 present at the lawn tennis meeting, Cambridge, on Saturday. The chair was occupied by His Worship the Mayor. The following honorary members wereelected: Major Wilson, Messrs J. G wyn neth, J. Taylor, J. McNicoll, E. Hewitt, R. W. Dyer and H. W. North croft. The undermentioned were appointed as a Com mittee : —Mesdames Steward, Hally, Rus sell, Miss Gwynneth, and Messrs Hunt, Parry, Porter and MacAra. The position of Secretary and Treasurer is still in the hands of Mr T. W. Clark. A vote of thanks to the ladies and Secretary closed the meet ing. The arrival of the down train from Te Awamutu yesterday morning was delayed some considerable time in consequence of the cow-catchers of the engine coming in contact with one of the rails whilst engaged shunting at the Rukuhia Station. The heavy rains appear to have undermined some portions of the line, thus causing the mishap. When the train arrived at Hamil ton she was 40 minutes late. School Examination?. The examination of the scholars attend ing the Hamilton schools was to have commenced yesterday, but owing to the indisposition of the examiner (Mr R. j. O'Sullivan), who was taken ill at Ngaraa wahia on Sunday, the examinations are postponed till next week. Hunt Club. Steps are being taken to form Waikato Hunt Club races, and a meeting is called for at Ohaupo to-day,

SPORTING NEWS.

THE A.J.C. MEETING.

(special to press association,)

Sydney, this day,

There was a large attendance at Tat tersall's last night, but wagering is paralysed, and nothing important is doing. The stable is evincing a dis disposition to back Morok for the Metropolitan Stakes, but little money is forthcoming, and he is now installed first favourite. A considerable amount of money has been invested on Phaon. Pasha, on his running in Hawkesbury Handicap, has receded greatly in betting. A demonstration has been made against Dunlop. Latest quota tions are : 5 to 1 against Morok and Cardigan,with a disposition to back the former,: Phaon,loo to 12 off; Kitawa, 100 to 10 off; Silvermine.loo to 8 off; Pasha, 100 to 7 off; Dunlop, ICO to 4 off; 100 to 2 the others.

ARRIVAL OF SWORD DANCE.

Narrow Escapes on the Voyage.

(TIY TELEGRAPH,—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, this day. The New Zealand Stud Company's English stallion Sword Dance arrived safely by the Royal Mail s.s. Aorangi last night. A re presentative from the "Evening Post" office inspected him this morning, a;id found him in excellent condition after the long voyage, which lie has made under the care of Mr W. Baker, formerly of the Royal Stud paddocks at Hampton Court, from which Sword Dance was pur chased. Mr Baker will accompany the horse to his destination and remain in Auckland six months before returning to the old country. Sword Dance is a big black lior.se with one white heel. He stands 16 hands 1 inch, and possesses a splendid neck, with powerful well-shaped shoulders, but rather leun quarters. He has plenty of bone and substance, a well rounded barrel,and is nicely ribbed up. In temperament he is very kind. His breed ing lias been already given at length in your, columns. He had one narrow escape on the voyage. Soon after leaving the Cape a heavy sea came on board and broke in one side of iii.s box, tho horse being thrown violently against the board ing on the other side. Singularly enough, when the storm had subsided he was found to have sustained no injury. Mr Baker was in the box all the time, and doubtless contributed mainly to this happy result. On another occasion, ■when the ship was rolling heavily, the horses head came violently into contact with a beam, which inflicted a nasty wound over the eyes, which still shows. This, however, is the only mark of the voyage he carries to Auckland. Although he has been on board just seven weeks, he has never lain down since leaving Plymouth. His box is on the upper deck on the star board side of the forehatch. It is well supplied with padding, and other wise rendered comfortable and secure for the occupant. The price paid for the horse, I now learn, was 600 guineas. In England, it is said, he had little chance of proving his merits as a stud horse, but Mr Baker is strongly of opinion that mated with the splendid marcs of the Company he will prove himself capable of getting iirst-class*stock.

A cablegram received from Mr W. Lyons states that the protest against Figtree in the ITawkesbury September Handicap has not been .sustained, and he has been paid the stakes. Local turfites will be glad to hear of the success of Mr Lyons's colours in his first venture on the Australian turf.

Mr Evett has replied to the Auckland Racing Club telegram, accepting the post of hancKcapper. The terms and conditions are the same as last season.

For the A. J.C. Derby, run on Saturday, 6 to 4 is laid on Abercorn.

ARRIVAL OF THE MARAROA.

The Union Company's steamer Mararoa, Captain Edie, arrived in harbour shortly after three o'clock. She left Gisborne at 11 a.m. yesterday, and experienced very heavy weather during the night and this morning.

TRUSTEES IN A FIX.

Interesting Legal Question

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Chrtstchurcii, Monday. The trustees of the Christchurch Total Ab. stinence Society sued S. P. Andrews for £93, being the proceeds of a sale of the equity o^ redemption of the Templar Hall property, Christchurch. It appeared that in 1884 the trustees of the society were desirous of selling the property, and instructed the defendant to sell by auction, which he did for £100. Some time afterwards the Society wished to have the matter settled, and Andrews furnished an account show ing the position of affairs. In the account 2£ per cent, commission was charged by the defendant for selling the property, which the plaintiffs alleged he had no right to do, by reason of his being one of the trustees. There was a balance of £31 4s, which the defendant held in hand, and which he undertook to forward to tho trustees. At that time the trustees were quite willing to settle for that amount, but the defendant in no way responded to their application, and hence the present proceed ings were taken for the whole amount, the defendant as one of the trustees not being entitled to his commission. The nonsuit of the plaintiffs was demanded on the ground that the defendant as joint creditor could not sue himself. The plaintiffs contended that they could not strike out the defen dant's name as one of the trustees, and that they sued not individually but as a body. They looked upon the defendant simply as an auctioneer who sold property. Cases were quoted to show that one trustee could sue another for breach of trust. Mr Beetham, in reviewing the case, remarked that if the plaintiffs charged the defendant as one of the trustees with breach of trust, then that Court had no jurisdiction; but if on the other hand they simply charged defendant as an auctioneer with receiving money belonging to the trustees and refusing; to account for the same, then the Court had a difficulty to face in the present case, the defendant being as one of the trustees indebted to himself, and therefore both plaintiff and defendant. It would be necessary in that case to cut Mr Andrews in half, one part going to represent the plaintiffs and the other the defendant. The plaintiffs were nonsuited and costs allowed the defendant, the magistrate saying he would state a case for the Supreme Court if desired.

ELECTION NOTES.

Mr J. A. Connell met his General Com mittee at \v aite's Hall, Mount Eden, last evening. There was a full attendance. A large amount of general business was gone through. _ Reports of excellent progress were received from the various members of committee present. The meeting adjourned to Friday evening, the 16th insC, at half • past 7. A meeting of Mr Connell's committee and supporters is announced for this (Tuesday) evening at the schoolhouse, Three Kings, at 7.30. ' S

Mr Morrison's General Committee met last evening in the Burns Club Room. Very satisfactory reports were received, and it was decided to adjourn the usual Wednesday s meeting to Thursday, when final arrangements will he made for Mr Morrison's public meeting on Friday. Mr F. Lawry advertises elsewhere that he will address the electors of Panmure to-morrow, in the Public Hall; the elec tors of l'akuranga on Thursday, in the Public Hall, and the electors of'Otara on Saturday, in the school-house.

Mr Goldie's Committee will meet this evening in tho Lodge Room, Foresters' Hall, Karangahape Road, at 7.30 sharp. The work so far accomplished has been of a very satisfactory character, and but little is left to be done to complete arrangements for the coming struggle. Still, that little needs doing well, so that every member of the Committee should make a point to attend the few remaining meetings.

Eden. Notwithstanding the boisterous weather last night, Mr Mitchelson's Swanson Com mittee met;in force atj-Mr Gibbons's hall,and went through the roll and supplementary roll, the reports being to the. entire satis faction of the Committee. The meeting, which was of the usual enthusiastic charac ter, adjourned until Tuesday evening next.

(by telegraph—own correspondent.)

Hamilton, this day.

Mr Teasdale addressed the electors of Waipa at Alexandra on Saturday evening. His speech was similar to that" which he delivered at Hamilton, and which was published in Friday's Star. At the con clusion of his address he received a vote of thanks and confidence.

For several weeks past a rumour has been current in Waikato that Mr J. L. Tole intended corning out for Waipa. A gentleman who has just returned from Auckland, and who interviewed Mr Tole upon tho subject, says that the latter has not the slightest intention of coining out.

In consequence of Mr D. Maxwell having retired from the contest for Waipa, it is said that Mr J. TeasdaJe will get a large amount of support from the tunnel em ployees. At present the chances are greatly in favour of the Major, whose Committee has been and is still working hard to secure his return.

THE MAORI ELECTIONS.

Expected Attack on the Native Lands Administration.

(BY TELEGRAPH— OWN COBRESTONDEST.)

Wellington, this day. The results of the elections for the Maori seats are being watched at Wellington with great interest as affording a test of approval or otherwise of Mr Bullance's native land policy, and especially his Native Lands Administration Bill, by the native population of the colony. The "Post," thinks that in losing Wi Pere's sup port Mr Ballance lias lost an argument which weighed strongly in favour of his policy in the minds of Southern mem bers, who know very little of the sub ject themselves. When they were told that the natives wore so strongly opposed to the Native Land Administration Bill, they pointed to the approval of that measure expressed by Wi Pere, a man of high position amongst the natives, and they were content to accept his opinion. His constituents, the East Coast tribes, have now shown that in this matter at least he did not represent them. There can be no doubt that Mr Carroll has won his election through his vigorous and able opposition to Mr Ballance's Act. Mr Carroll will enter the House pledged to the repeal of existing Native Land legislation, and probably will advocate for a free trade policy in native land. There will in the new House be an unusually large proportionof new members,and the majority of these will know little or nothing of the subject. Mr Carroll will easily impress them with his views, and as these, so far at least; as the repeal of the existing law goes, will be supported by a consider able majority of the North Island members, we fear that this interminable native land question will be reopened to the fullest extent. All that has been accomplished during the last 3 years will be undone and the whole matter will have to be discussed and legislated upon de novo.

The Press takes a similar view of the matter and says the Maori elections have been fought entirely on the question whether the native Lands Acts should or should not be repealed, and the result is that the Maoris have declared against them by an overwhelming majority. The following is practically the result of the Southern Maori election :—Pratt, 131; Ellison, 100 ; Kaha, 102 ; Tekau, 71. There is only one small return to come in from Stewart's Island.

Gisisokne, this day. Extreme satisfaction is felt here at the return of Mr Carroll, as he has ex ceedingly broad views on the relations of the two races, and wishes their position to be equalised in every respect as fast as possible. He has broad views with regard to the natives and advocates that they should have all the privilege and responsibilities of European citizens as re gards their property. He is a man of great natural ability, and had many years experi encein the House of representatives as Inter preter. He is one of the strongest opponents of the present native land policy, and much is expected from him in effecting a final ending of Native Land difficulties. He is a capital speaker in both languages.

UNEMPLOYED IN TARANAKI.

(by telegraph.—peess association.)

New Plymouth, this day. A number of unemployed waited upon the Mayor this morning, and were introduced by Mr Samuel, late member for the town. The Mayor was asked to urge on the Go vernment to put in hand some reclaiming work in connection with the railway, to protect the portion near the station, washed away by the encroachment of the sea.

TELEGRAMS.

Thames, this day.

Hospital and Charitable Aid. At a conference yesterday of Hospital trustees and District Hospital and Chari table Aid Board, it was decided that while the official duties and relieving should be performed by one man at £150 per annum, subject to confirmation of the various bodies, at present there are two officers, both of whom are to receive three months' notice. A saving of £45 a year would be effected by the new proposal,

OUR GOLDFDELDS.

THE WAITOA DISCOVERY.

Excellent Prospects.

Three tons of stuff obtained from

various holes sunk on Mr J. B. Smith's property were tested at Mr C. Fraser's Foundry, Mechanic's Bay. Complete tests were made by assay, and by the practical test of. the pans, with the re sult that the value of the stuff was esti mated at £2 14s per ton. The average value of the bullion, as determined at the Bank of New Zealand, is £3 12s 6d per ton. It is understood that a Company will be floated in Christchurch to work tlj:s rind, and it is stated that Mr Sfciith has been offered £14,000 for 1,000 acres (the half) of his estate, and 1,000 paid-up shares in the Company when floated.

THE GOLD FIND AT HIKUTAIA.

WJiat a Wellington Writer

Says Abostt it

(by telegraph—own coreespoxdent.)

Wellinctox, this day

Reports of rich results from the assays <r ore from the recent find at Hikutaia have awakened a pood deal of interest in Wel lington, and the " Evening Press " devotes an article to warning its readers against entertaining1 " false hopes " on the strength of what professes to b.e independent infor mation. Alludingto the reef, the " Press " .says: "The truth is, this is no new discovery, but merely a re-discovery, or rather the republication of a discovery made long ago. Unless we arc greatly mistaken, this wonderful reef is the same curious but disappointing formation which is fully described in an official report of the Ecolo gical Department in 1870. It is not, properly speaking,a gold-bearing reef at all, but merely a large barren reef of white quartz rising to considerable elevation, and bearing on its summit or peak a mass of rock, evidently volcanic, and not con nected geologically with the reef itself. This mass of rock or ash, or both, for it is a great mixture, is full of free gold, or gold and silver alloy, and running through"it are black veins containing silver in a very unusual form. Unfortunately, however, there is very little of it, and what there is does not by any means fulfil the lavi.sh expectations which the specimens are calculated to create. The numerous assays, the appetising results of which have recently been published, are altogether misleading, because they deal with only small pieces, we might almost say particles, picked from the rock where the gold is actually visible. We have seen one of these pieces about as large as a nut and examined it carefully under the microscope. To unscientific eyes it looks like a conglomeration of quartz, crys tals and cinders with rusty places here and there, and Hakes of pale yellow metal scat tered freely through it. This specimen is calculated to yield 14 ounces to the ton,sup posing the rest of the ton were like the speci men. The fact is.therest of thetonmight not contain another piece as rich, or enough of such pieces at all events to pay for the crushing and the chemical processes necessary for separating the metals. These delusive indications of the reefs at Hikutaia have many times been observed before, but nothing has occurred, as far as we can learn, to sus tain the belief that a rich gold mine exists there. The mass of rock winch has been superimposed on the barren white reef by volcanic action in some far distant age doubtless came from a spot where gold abounds, and it brought a little gold with it; but that is most likely all there is in it. We sincerely hope we are entirely wrong. Nothing would please us better than to hear that the worthy folks of Hikutaia have broken into a jeweller's shop with cellars of the Bank of England underneath it, but we do riot expect to hear of any thing of the kind, and that our ideas are shared by a good many who ought to know, is shown by the absence of any appreciable excitement in commercial circles in Auck land."

The Find at Waitoa.

Apropos of this subject the " Press " calls attention to the earlier find on the property of Mr J. B. Smith, Piako, as being much more important, and as establishing a theory long recognised by the Geological Depart ment, namely, that gold might be found in the bed of ancient hot springs, which in re mote times brought up gold from some vol cano from a crushed reef beneath, and spread it through the crust which it formed, which hardened us the spring subsided, and held the gold within its own substance.

The finding of the Waitoa deposit is regarded as one of the most important discoveries chronicled, and every working man will hail with satisfaction the probable opening of a field of labour unlimited, in its extent. Even if the treatment of the stuff merely paid working expenses, it would prove a great boon to the community, but we have the assurance of a practical firm that there is a profitable margin, and the results of treatment by the latest known methods proves not only that the stuff will pay to reduce, but also that the latest scientific process has been brought to bear on its manipulation and a triumph has been achieved by local ex perts. It will be interesting to note the further tracing of this deposit through the country, as it is probable that large tracts of lands adjacent to the auriferous ranges will prove to be of a similar character. It has been remarked with surprisethat alluvial gold has not been discovered in proximity to our reefing districts, as is usually the case in other countries, and it is now apparent that the gold is there, but in a different form to what has been expected. Messrs Fraser and Son are busily engaged preparing a largerplant, which willtreatone ton per day. Mr Smith, the discoverer of the auriferous deposit, is being enthusiastically supported by his Southern friends. A telegram was received yesterday stating that the money wasallsubscribed, and work would be started without delay. It is generally contended that Auckland is not an agricultural, but a mining province. Mr Smith, however, has done his part to prove Auckland to be both. Mining and agricultural operations will in future receive equal attention, and be can ied on vigorously on his estate. _ Many persons who have seen the stuff which con tains the gold are sure that pretty near the whole country can come under the category of "auriferous."

Thames, this day.

Camheia. — Driving has been started westward on the seventh leader on the cross-cut at No. 3 level. 81b of pickod stone was obtained yesterday afternoon.

Coromaxdel, this day.

The £apanga is looking very well. The Manager Mr Hodge has lodged in the bank 383 ounces, as the result of last month's crushing. A new find is reported from Paul's Creek. A very rich stone has been found in the creek. "

(FROM OUR OWN COEEESPOKBENT.)

Paekoa, Saturday.

At its last meeting the local body offered a reward of £15 to. the discoverer of the nearest and best track from here to the MarjtotQ diggings, and. several parties of

men are now engaged in blazing ti'acks in different places through the bush with a view to making a claim for the money. These tracks will serve a double purpose. They will not only be useful as a means of coT>»nunication with the " new diggin's," but they will also enable prospectors to exercise their calling in that neighbour hood with less inconvenience than they ex perience at present. The greatest obstacle with which the prospector has to contend in all bush countries is the want of road accommodation, and if the different local bodies who have the control of this Penin sula could only manage to open up the various auriferous belts by means of tracks, cut up the gullies and connect with a main hue on the leading watershed, they would do more towards the development of our mineral wealth than could be done by any other means that has ever been suggested. The system adopted by Government of offer ing a reward for the discovery of gold in a country which invariably is so thickly covered with bush as to be impenetrable to man or beast, is simjsly a snare and delu sion, and the sooner it is abolished and the money voted ■ thereunder applied to the cutting of goldfields tracks, the better it will be for all concerned.

Ovvharoa, Saturday,

One cf the many peculiar features about the very richest of the crushing dirt in this neighbourhood is that a stranger, no matter what his mining experience might have been elsewhere, would not be able to distinguish the "vein matter" from the surrounding country. In the Smile of For tune mine, at the present time, Farmer and party, tributers, are breaking out stuff which they expect will give them a return of at least 3oz per ton, and to the casual observer this is nothing more nor less than ordinary sandstone. A careful exam ination of the ore body, however, reveals the fact that its walls ai-e defined by two streaks of quartz no thicker than the back of a knife, and the lode averaging 3ft in thickness is intersected by several stringers of the same material. About half -a - mile further north, and upon the same line of auriferous country, Greenville and party have taken up a large area of ground, which they have called the " Me and Rowe " claim, where they arc now operating on a body of stuff precisely similar to that in Farmer's tri bute, and from which they expect a hand some battery return.

Kauanoahake, Saturday,

A 12-ton parcel of quartz is now being conveyed from the Bubbo mine to Railey's mill, where it will be dealt with next week, and the return should be highly satisfactory. The manager of the Diamond mine has received instructions to send 10 tons of quartz to Firth and Clark's battery, Te Aroha, and the balance, amount ing to about 40 tons, will be treated at Railey's mill. This stuff is all of iirst class quality, and the return ought to be an exceptionally good one. At the Ivan hoe battery crushing for the tributers is still in progress, and both parcels are shaping for remunerative returns. A contract has been let for repairing the Woodstock water race, and as soon as that work is finished the Company's stone breaker will be requisitioned to reduce several parcels of ore, which is intended for shipment to London and Frieburg. Good headway is being made with the construc tion of the tramway from the Crown mine to connect with Railey's plant, and this line should be open for traffic in about ten days' time.

Waitekauri, Saturday.

Mr C. K. Cooper, who has taken up a large area of ground on the western eide of the Waitekauri mine, is now having it sur veyed preparatory to floating it as a com pany. He is also breaking out a 10-ton lot of quartz, which ho intends sending to London at an early date for the purpose of giving investors some idea as to the value of the property in which they will be asked to take up shares.

VOLUNTEER NOTES.

Newmarket Rifles.

A full attendance of the Newmarket Bifle Company took place at the New market Hall last Friday evening. This company is being put through a sound course of preliminary drill by Mr Birley, late colour-sergeant of the College Rifles and the attendance is very regular and punctual. A few weeks of this training will suffice to put the company on an effi cient footing. It is notified by advertise ment that the next drill takes place at the Newmarket Hall to-morrow evening, at 7.30.

RETURNING AUCKLANDERS.

[BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, this day. Mr Justice Gillies and Miss Gillies arrived here by the Aorangi last evening. His Honor looks very much improved by his trip, and has been complimented by his many friends here on the change for the better in his appearance. Major Walmsley, who had taken a passage by the Aorangi, was unable to leave at the last moment.

DROWNING AT WAIKATO.

Constable Parker telegraphed to Inspec tor Shearman to-day that a young man named Luigi Ghezzi was drowned in the Waikato river this morning, near Otawa. He was going up the river in a barge, when the boom struck him and knocked him over. A search party is now out look ing for the body. The current was very swift, and it is considered unlikely that the body will be found for some days.

SIR W. FITZHERBERT'S RETURN.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, this day. Sir W. Fitzherbert is expected to return to New Zealand by the San Francisco mail steamer this week.

A STRANGE OCCURRENCE.

A Drunken Woman With a Dead Child.

(by telegraph.—own correspondent)

Timarxt, this day. A queer case ■was heard at the Police Court yesterday. A woman was arrested on Saturday night, drunk, with a dead child iv her arms. The infant was only a few hours born. The woman was find £1 for being drunk, and the particulars as to the child came out. At the inquest the woman said that a girl came from Wellington three months back in a state of pregnancy, put up at her house and was confined last Satur day. The child lived only a few minutes, and the woman took it down town with the intention of getting a doctor to certify that it died naturally. The child was not washed, and was only wrapped in a piece of flannel. A verdict was returned of death from natural causes.

Auckland Political Financial Reform Association.

The monthly meeting of this Association1 was held last evening in the Victoria Arcade.' There were about a dozen members present. Mr J. Buchanan presided. There were not; sufficient present to form a quorum, but tha business was nevertheless proceeded with. Report.—The Secretary read the report of the Committee respecting the work done during the preceding°month. The report stated inter alia ; — Two communications were received from the Premier relative to the important question of public expenditure under the head of de fence, and these stated that the cost of harbour defences had reached nearly £400,000 up to the 23rd August, an 1 that it was impossible to estimate theamountthe colony may have to pay during the remainder of the present financial year. The opinion seems to be all but universal that the ex-. penditure has been excessive, if not un warranted, and from the tenor of candidates' speeches "everywhere through out the colony, the vote for military purposes generally is one that is. certain to be carefully revised, and a check put at once to the extravagance and expenditure of public money under this, totally unproductive head. The Commie-! tee have received 35 replies to the' questions submitted to the candidates, which are open for inspection to any mem ber of the Association. The Committee regret that there was not a quorum present at the meeting to consider a proposed alteration in article No. 2. The Committee have from the first meeting of the Association been of opinion | that it was their duty to adhere strictly to | the published objects for which the Associa- > tian was called into existence, namely to j confine their efforts to secure a substantial' reduction in the taxation of the colony' and a very large reduction in the expenses of the Government. It must be gratifying to all who desire to effect)' economy in the administration of public! affairs to perceive that the electors! generally have almost everywhere] refused to have their attentions diverted to any other question or] issue from the primary one—the urgent necessity for a large and immediate reduc tion in the present unjustifiable and waste- ' ful Government expenditure. Your Com-' mittee wish particularly to direct your at tention to the great importance of en forcing on the new Parliament the neces-j sity of appointing a Select Committee! to investigate, take evidence, and to report j to the House at the earliest possible mo-1 ment, upon all the items included in the vote of and Under Special Acts of Legislature amounting to £232,867. The report having \ been received, Mr W. Duncan expressed the j opinion that the names of the candidates i who answered the questions satisfactorily should be included in the report and pub lished, and moved accordingly, Mr E. W. Burton supported this course of action, and said unless they did as suggested they would be considered but blind guides. Mr Cherry opposed the proposal, and thought they should be careful not to make the Association a mere election committee. It was ultimately resolved on Mr Buttles motion, " That the Committee be instructed to publish the names of all candidates whose answers to the questions put by the Association it considers satisfactory, ir respective of the number of candidates in each constituency." Mr Buttle also strove to have the Committee's report sent back to them for reconsideration, but on the motion of the Chairman it was adopted. Meeting at Newmarket. —Mr J. G. Carr wrote asking that arrangements be made for a meeting at Newmarket with the object of educating the residents in the aims and objects of the Association. Mr Buchanan said a meeting would have been held there had he not been so busy; bub one would be held at an early date. Pensioners' Settlements. — Mrs Aldis wrote on this subject.—She said: "May I ask if the Association have considered the proposed military pensioners' settlement scheme ? It is possible, or even probable, that some of the pensioners would fail as cultivators; and then their pensions being so small, there would be a cry for further Government help — that is, we should all have to keep them and their families. That the plan would be an advantage to the men, to England (which would be relieved from the necessity of supporting them), and to the officer whom this country wpuld have to pay to look after them, is easily understood. The advantage to New Zealand is not so clear. You may remember that Captain Daveney said the men had been so long under control that they have not the habit of self-reliance, and so would require looking after. A queer qualification for colonists r The letter was received.

No Quorum. —The meeting proceeded to, consider the proposal to alter article 2, relative to the objects of the Association, j but attention was called to the fact that there was no quorum present, and the meet- • ing therefore terminated.

FOOTBALL MATCHES.

Rangers 11. v. Beresford ll.—This match was played at Remuera on Saturday,: resulting in a win for the former by 2 goals to 1. For the winning team, Carter, Wise man, Wheatley, and Thomas showed up well; while for the losing team Sanderson and Cousins played a good game. Ponsonby 11. v. Grafton ll.—Ponsonby 11. definitely won the Junior Cup on Satur day by defeating Grafton 11. by nine points to nothing. White Rose 11. (Auckland)v. White Star (Onehunga).—This match was played at Onehunga, and resulted in an easy victory for the visitors by 13 points to nil.

Cableton v. Beresford.—This was a walk over for the former, as the Beresford captain failed to gather together a team. The match between Ellerslie 11. and Hornets 11., played at Ellerslie, resulted in a win for the local team by 3 goals to nil, Goals were kicked by Keon, Charles and Hope, and all of whom played a good game. Campbell and ,Gash played well for Hornets.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &c, To-night.

Abbott's Opera House—Moore and Aahten"t

Mammoth Minstrels, 8 Bell's Buildings. Wyndham-street — Industrial Association's Exhibition, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Olympia Hall, Grey-street—Skating Rink, 7.30

to 10. Howick Presbyterian Church — Evangelistic Service, 7.30. Union-street Wesleyan School-room—Anniver sary Soiree, 6.30. Drill-shed—Newton Rifles, 7.30. Three Kings School-house — Committee and

Supporters of Mr J. A. Connell, 7.30. V.M.C.A. Rooms-Lessons in Cookery, 7.30. Committee-room, Devonport—Committee of Mr R. Wood, 7.30. St. James's Hall—Sacred Concert and Cantata, " Christian Graces," 8. V.M.C.A. Rooms-Selwyn Football Club, 7. Foresters' Hall—Committee and Supporters of Mr D. Goldie, 7.30.

Rota of Justices at Police Court.

Sept. 14-Messrs R. W. Hammond and C. A. Harris, jun.

Auction Sales To-morrow.

Arthur & Buddie, Mt. Eden—Household Furni ture and Eftects, Poultry, Garden Utensils, etc., 11. B. Tonks & Co., Mangare—Property, etc., 12. (i. Lewis—47o Half-chestsand 200 boxes Congow

Teas, 11. T. M. Jackson—Fruit Trees, etc., 11. G. W. Binney and Son—Potatoes, 11. Paget and Ralston—Beef and mutton, produce, draperies, etc., 12. E. Ley don, Mount Eden Eoad-Wwww.*^! Fur niture, etd 2.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAij, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1.587,

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We eelieye that if every one would use American Co.'s Hop Bitters freely there would be much less sickno»s and misery in the world, and people are fast finding this out, whole families keening well at a trifling cost by its use Wi\ ad visq all to *V¥ it, Head,