Devonport Fire Bri- Wmrm amount donated by the 1 dissociation was erroneously ,■ thA Mayor of Auckland will V orß > P to the Corporation officials !&ss««* at *• Albert ; f' d Lstreet. fhandsome marble cross on a A «tfi dney 6 tono has been P re " M jUicbanan, monumental stone Q to the order iV'STwellesley-street school ftVffeS the late Mr Bruce, late fflfri of that school. The sub l&Wb® \L the stone .at any time & LpA- Burrows, while at work ft East Tamaki on Satur a » farffl 'toined serious injury through tk* *fZ Occident. The lad's J n»ft!,blow with an axe at a tree uler^ 1 the mark and the axe struck Wiethe left knee causing an ugly P°S Sr Erson of Parnell dressed Urv of the Amateur Athletic * received a satisfac s T from Dunedin in respect to Oi'W-'tW was alle K ed to iiave performances as stated *f^■ $ ST4B. therefore the protest fe'ftnsb'him will not be sus- % protest is still pending jjP-w Donovan, who ran second in #"'* j» handicap for running as a ft 5*6, £ Dragoon Sports at last March, and a committee on Thursday night to ff!ein atter - ' , ~ ■ ~ J ■ thecourae of to-day the residents 'f liev and Sussex Wards of the &*\ S f Newton have been afforded the m>?; of recording their votes in «"?&& a loan ° f £2,50 ° f ° r tb f ** Jtettino- the water laid through X "St. George's Hall ws* as the polling booth, and «ffi\Lv fulfilled the duties of fiSW.- After the eloquent teen in favour of a water supply ifSvflre, there should be no By in securing the requisite number '«*Mt« of the Prison Brigade Home of Mm Army for the fortnight end |»BSSrsEb iB as follows :-Meals ■?■ «7- beds supplied, 108 ; persons ad- Ifl: 18; discharged, or left (some gone f tiinss 14' persons still in the Home, Sefere'ceived: Meat-Messrs Hulme, ;«TGarretfc, sen., E. Wood and Co., ?KdaleandH.Garrett. Bread nLie Mrs Phillips, Messrs Crowe, L Brown, Leslie, Lyle, Buchanan and a% s ' h _Mr J. Williams. Vege- Mr Arthur's Mart. Milk and EL Devonshire Dairy. Requisites: £e» and tea. General remarks: fit jmve gone to situations of some Tvet'many are seeking employment, ZLr families have been assisted, so goes on.-(Signed)R. Little.

POLICE COURT-THIS DAY.

iitai Messrs Ehrenfried and Erick, ™ J.lVs.) ■ Hj is CoUBT-— Thomas Gorman was jped with being drunk in the Police t t-Con3tabl6 McLellan, court orderly, [id that the prisoner was drunk during liaraig of the case, Gorman v. Gorman, J* arrested at the direction of the !L—Prisoner said if he was drunk yes- Jtthe must have been born drunk.— $$i, with an alternative of 48 hours' aisoHment. —One other person \ras fined ad costi fora first offence in drunken lip , Km-Sarah Home was charged with uag £1 from the person of Tlios.' Hogan. M led not guilty. —Thomas Hogan i fat hewas a gumdigger, and caroe itla city last Saturday. Yesterday HMD he went into a house kept by a (dimmed Brady, in Chancery Lane. Bale had been in the house for about Mow, the prisoner came in. There «"tipother young fellowe from the siiy, and they sent but for come •fe and some drink. He had £1 i.'ia vest pocket, and also some h' He was" about to leave the Kin time to go to the Opera House, Ufa prisoner snatched a£l note from He endeavoured to get it back iiiiledto do so. Last night when a etible was; present the prisoner stated Sif he (witness) would not proceed her' She would hand him over 9s she- had in her stocking. The Mhadnp claim upon him.—Constable Wa deposed to the arrest of the fette latter stated that Lizzie Brady Ktetnoaey, and that she would give wto'if nothing were said about the *.--Uzdeßrady also gave evidence. •nigetting ready to go to the Opera «Hdgiti;. rwhen she heard the latter fehwrie back that pound." Wit * Batched prisoner, but did not find t; She did not take it entenced to one month's im «i Suppoet.—John Edward t|arged with neglecting to obey E the Court to contribute 13s wdftsthe support of each of his Serif and with having allowed £22&,4s to remain in arrears. — a case that must be dealt with ■, 4 reiMnd-Avas granted till to-

WAITOTARA ELECTION PETITION.

:| SHE ALLEGATIONS OF I "M PRESS ASSOCIATION.) S r Wellington, Monday. ■fiance with an order of His Honor Justice, Mr Bell filed to-day in Court'the particulars of the jm^ c wrrupfc and illegal practices in general terms in the Mr Bryce and Messrs ■ Sommerville against the W*£t rSP for the Waito 'lfflfeji,;* petitioners say (1) with BliSS**W> in the Bth paragraph KB* the "treating" therein i||^S 8u Pplying m eat ( drink, enter- ffoviaion gratis to voters and ■Ua&Tfael difi trict of. Waito- the same dis- HHefc£ tb e supplying of meat, "Si" l SHI' a P r °visions gratis to before, during, and 'Wb% f»u by the respondent, 'K^TOiia ■-V tlie respondent's com ■Snitßthß v elect .waldistrict. 2. With Kwfiffiri! 8 ' " fche llth P ai 'agraph :;: erlS:ei ifl ■ r? char S e made under SiH'lfel -■ orru Pt Practices Preven- the illegal practices in B P«& ph refei ™i to are the , 6p ? cifical ly charged in petition, f. With Paragraph of the R^i?^ 18 (a) fchafc the res P on " ! -iKSSton ID secur i n g his election, •'•e&^WC ey , mexcess of the moneys PSM,Schedules to the Corrupt BS HO* Acfc - 1881 J ( b ) that the MCSlr *l ° r parts thereof, were ,■:.' " c Purposes of various W< . m 9H practices alleged in the

THE MAJERONIS AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

"THE FOUNDRY MASTER."

Signor and Signora Majeroni and their talented Company reopened for a short season last evening in the Opera House, after a most successful tour through the South. It would have been natural to have supposed that the undoubted excellence of this Company would have guaranteed a crowded house, but such was not the case. In the orchestral stalls and lower parts the building was well filled, but the at tendance in the dress circle was scarcely as large as might have been expected. This season the Majeronis have opened with the " Foundry Master," wich is an adaptation of M. George Ohnet's "Le Maitre dcs Forges." The novel from which the drama is taken has already achieved a wonderful success, over 200,000 copies of the book having been sold in France. The "Foundry Master" affords full scope for all the members of the Com pany to exhibit their powers, and conseqnently there is no danger of mono tony in the production. Although an adaptation from a French novel, the_ tone of the drama is all that could be desired. All the positions are quite natural, and there is a pleasing absence of that un pleasant suggestiveness which has made the productions of our vivacious kin across the Channel somewhat notorious. As the plot of the Foundry Master has already been sketched in a previous issue, it will be needless to recapitulate at any length. The first scene is a saloon in the Chateau do Beaulieu, and the Marchioness de Beaulieu and her daughter, the Baroness de Prefont, are discovered in conversa tion. Seated in a recess in the window is the daughter of the Marchioness, Claire de Beaulieu, the heroine of the drama. This character is, of course, taken by Signora Majeroni, who received quite an ovation as she stepped forward. Mrs George Gordon gave entire satisfaction as the matronly Marchioness, and her emotion at healing the news that her daughter's lover, the Duke de Bligny (Mr H. R. Jewett) had proved false was well simu lated. This news is broken to the Mar chioness by M. Bachlin, the family solici tor, who at the same time gives the unwel come intelligence that, owing to the failure of a lawsuit, the ancient house of de Beaulieu is ruined. Mr M. T. Kemp takes the part of Bachlin in a manner that is highly creditable to his conception of the character. The Baron de Prefont next arrives from a journey } and contirms the in formation furnished by M. Bachlin. The Baron is a vivacious enthusiast, and upon his presentation to the Foundry Master, "Phillippe Derblay,' they at once frater nise. Mr A. R. Lawrence, who represents the Baron, is a decided success, and on more than one occasion this gentleman elicited the applause of the audience. Mr Henry Hoyte, as Octave de Beaulieu, re presented in good style the impulsive yet chivalrous scion of the fallen family, who was willing to sacrifice everything for the benefit of his beloved sister Claire. The character of Suzanne Derblay was well delineated by Miss Maud. Ap pleton, whose manner just suited the tender-hearted unassuming siater of the foundry master. The minor parts were allotted as follows :—General Pontac, Mr W. H. Metcalfe; Gobort, Mr Cecil King stone ; Dr. Serran, Mr Franklin ; a work man, Mr Brook ; and a servant, Miss Gor don. Mr John Musgrave, as the rich parvenu, iloulinet, was really a first-c]a.«s conception of the character. The wor shipper of the " true aristocracy," who had just purchased the Due de Bligny for his daughter-in-laW by paying his gambling debts, caused infinite amusement by his egregious blunders, both of speech and ac tion. On each occasion when M. Moulinet appeared, he, \yas, received with laughter. His ambitious' daughter, Athenais, was finely represented by Miss Lucia Harwood, who, upon first making her appearance, was warmly received. Burning with hate towards her old school fellow Claire, she yet simulates deep friend ship in order to be able to give the pleasing little confidence that she was engaged to the Due de Bligny. Here it was that Signora Majeroni exhibited wouderful po"vers of delineating repressed passion. Heaiing that her lover has been false, she laughingly congratulates Athenais, and then sends for Philippe Derblay and accepts him as her future husband, merely in order to be able to save herself from the scorn of the Duke and Athenais. Ac this stage the Duke arrives and tries to explain matters, when he is cut short by being introduced to Philippe Derblay as Claire's betrothed. This concludes the first scene, and the audience had been wound up to such a pitch of excitement that the actors were recalled, and the Signora received a shower of bouquets. The second act is laid in an ante-room of Derblay's house. Here it is that Signor Majeroni gives the first example of nia talent as an actor in his representation of the foundry master, who, while strong in himself, is yet unable to hide his feeling to wards Claire de Beaulieu. The scene between the newly-wedded couple was a grand piece of acting. Claire, having re pressed her feelings of repugnance as long as she could towards the man by whom she thought she had been, as it were, pur chased, blurts out in sudden passion, and demands to be left alone ; at the same time telling her husband, with bitter scorn, that he can keep the fortune for which he had married her. The fact that her fortune was already gone "had not been communicated to her. Then it is that her husband begins to show his true nobility as a man. The sudden change from the nervous lover to the outraged husband was magnificent, and the audience was held spoil-bound until the conclusion of the scene, when the couple were again re-called to receive floral tributes of appreciation. The third act is laid in the drawing room at Pant Avesues. The couple are represented as still separ ated, butdetermined to keepup appearances. All the characters previously mentioned are visiting Madame Derblay. Mr H. R. Jewett, as the Due de Bligny, attempts in vain to revive Claire's love for himself, while the Duchess attaches herself with great pertinacity to M. Derblay. Matters are now somewhat reversed, and Claire is not only in love with her husband, but also iealous of the Duchess. This she admits to her cousin, the Baroness de Proforit (Miss L. Jewett). Ultimately her brother and Suzanne ask her mediation with Philippe that they may be betrothed. She consents, but is refused, her husband declaring that he will have no additional tie to bind the two families together. Madame Derblay next privately askstheDuchess to leave the house and take her husband with her, but that lady atso declines to be generous. The scene culminates by Madame Derblay before all the visitors ordering the Duke to Jake "that woman away," or she will have bei driven out. This naturally ryotaina duel between the Duke aud Philippe Derblav but before it eventuates the husba/d and wife are reconciled Just as the Sols explode Madame prtfoywto* between and receive* the Duke's shot in hei S Sh" thus saves her "and, and as fhP wound is not , dangerous, all ends happUyAs usual with the Majeronis, the Sumes and the scenery are really ex cellent, while the acting is first-class.. To night will be the only occasion when this dSma will be repeated by the Company.

The Salvation Army have decided to place *ay be brought » after All.

BOY KILLED.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Oamaru, Monday. A little boy, named James A. Hamilton, aged eight, was crushed between the buffers of two railway trucks on Sunday evening. Ho was playing with several other children amongst some trucks stand ing on the siding, when two of them were pushed together, and the buffer catching the little fellow across the chest, forced the ribs into the lungs. He lived for about three hours afterwards. An inquest was held, when a verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

SPORTING NEWS.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S SPRING MEETING. WINNING PAYMENTS. The winning payments in connection with the Auckland Racing Club's Spring Meeting were made yesterday evening as follows : — Mr J. Kean: First, Welcome Stakes (£lsl Is); second, Spring Nursery Handicap (£l7 2a) £168 3 0 Mr J. Alwell: First, Prince of Wales' Handicap .. .."• .. '.. .. 162 9 0 Mr Thomas Hedger: Third. Prince of Wales' Handicap (.-6910s); first, Spring Handicap (£57;; first, City- Handicap (£95) .... ... .. 161 10 0 Mr VV. Somerville: First, Trial Stakes (£66 10s); second, Welcome Stakes '£19); second, Spring Handi cap (£l9) .. .. 104 10 0 Mr W. K. Carter: First, Hurdle Race 76 0 0 Messrs Kelly and Sutherland. First Epsom Plato .. 76 0 0 Mr J. Chad wick: First, Selling Steepieshase 66 10 0 Mr P.J. Buxton..Third, Welcome Stakes (£9 10s); first, Spring Nursery Handicap (£57) .. .. 66 10 0 Mr M. Gallagher: Second, Hurdle Race (£9 10s); flrat, Hurdle Race (£57) 66 10 0 Mr James Jones: Second, Piince of * Wales' Handicap (£19); first, Cor inthian Btakes (£47105) .. „ 66 10 0 Mr R. Thorpe : First, Selling Race .. 47 10 0 Mr J. B. Williamson: First, Selling Hurdles 38 0 0 Mr W. Bobbett: Second, City Handicap 32 6 0 Hon. JS. Mitcheleon: Second. Trial Stakes (fill 8s); second, Epsom Plate (£ls is) 26 12 0 Mr C. A. Brown: Scctn:l, Hurdle Ptaco 11 8 0 Total £1,170 8 0 Acceptances and general entries for the Tnkapuna Jockey Club's races, on Satur day, are due to-morrow evening.

DUNEDIN SPRING MEETING.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DrNEMX, Monday. The following are the acceptances for the St. Andrew's Handicap of 250sovs; —Snap- shot, Bst 10lb ; Quibble, Bst7lb ; Hermitage, Bst 51b ; Ruby, Bst 2lb ; Beresford, Bst; St. Clair, 7st 91b ; The Brewer, 7stßlb ; Silver mark, 7st 6lb ; Captain Cook, 7st 51b; St. Ives, 7st 2lb ; llavenscraig, 6st 71b.

MILITARY FUNERAL AT OTAHUHU.

The remains of the late Sergeant Dryland received military honours yesterday. The deceased, who had formerly lived at Ota huhu, and was at one time drill instructor of the local Volunteers, had won the esteem of th& inhabitants, and general regret was evinced at Ins early death. Captain Leger Erson and a fair miwter of H Troop of Cavalry followed the coffin, which was placed upon a gun carriage and draped by thY Union Jack of Old England. Tlie Artillery Band, under Band master Hunter, played during the journey to the English Cemetery the "Dead March in Saul." The service was conducted by the Rev. F. Gould, and the usual tiring over the grave brought the sad ceremony to a close. The baiyi on returning to the village played a number of popular airs in a creditable manner. The following verse was written (by re quest) for an epitaph, by Mr W. R. Wills :— Thy arms are piled, thy warfare's o'er, Thy weary heart now lies at roet; The clash of mighty hoste no more Shall wake tho hero in ihy breast. Farewell - thy sun has set in gloom, And dnrkliug clouds but roll in strife, But God shall burst aside thy tomb, And will thee to eternal life.

THE HAMILTON RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

INQUEST ON LEACH,

(VKOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Hamilton, this day. At the inquest upon the body of James Leach, the porter who was sadly mutilated at the Hamilton East railway station on Saturday, a verdict of accidental death through falling off a cow - catcher was returned. The funeral took place yester day afternoon, and was largely attended. The deceased was highly respected. He leaves a wife and family to mourn his loss.

THAMES NOTES.

(BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Thames, this day. The Maori Perjury Case.

A COMPLAIXT has been made to the Minis, ter of Justice by Mr R. A. Wight, of Komata, against Constable Mitchell, o f Paeroa, in connection with the recent perjury case against the Maoris. The matter has been referred to Mr Strat ford, R.M., who has been requested to inquire fully into the complaint and report on same for the information of the Minister. The Prospector's Claim at Marltoto- A gentleman who has returned from a visit to the Prospector's claim at Maritoto, and who has had considerable experience in mining, informs me that at present the prospects are very poor indeed. In the face there is a mass of stuff similar in appearance to ashes, into which the pick sinks with very little force. He says those who contemplate investing in the district would do well to first of all personally visit the place or obtain the opinion of some reliable minor. Amendment of the Mining Act. A largely-ftWended public meeting o f miners was held in the Academy of Music last night to consider the best means of amending the Mining Act, 1986. Mr J. McGowan presided. Speeches were made by several miners condemning the present Act as unworkable, and also the granting of 30 acres leases when the Warden had only authority to order one man to be employed to every two aore. The opinion was also expressed that companies should be either compelled to fully man their groundor forfeit and that wages men, and not tributers, should be considered as manning it. The following were appointed a committee to carefully consider the Mining Act, draw up amendments that were deemed desirable and forward them to Wellington in the form of a petition as soon as possible : Messrs McGowan, Millet, Carnie, Harris, White, Potts, Carpenter, and Hutchison,

FIRE AT ONEHUNGA.

NARROW ESCAPE OF ONEHUNGA

WOOLLEN WORKS.

At about 1 o'clock this morning, the resi dents of Onehunga were aroused by the violent ringing of the firebell, when it was indicated, by the flare in the sky, that the scene of conflagration was in the direction of the Woollen Works. Mr Frederick Me - Pike and Mr Hamer Gilman, the former an employee ofJMr Hollis, , butcher, Queen street, Oneluinga, the latter a son of Mr T. R. Gilman, chemist, were the first on the scene. On their arrival at the Factory, they discovered that the dyeing and drying shede (attached), on the south side of and adjoining the main works, were on fire inside. McPike im mediately, with great presence of mind, ascended tho root, and Gilman, procuring a bucket, got on top of ah adjoining tank and passed water to his friend, who suc cessfully managed to keep the fire from spreading. Sergeant Bernard Green and Constable Haslett soon arrived, and as cended the roof to render assistance to Mr Pike. Mr Jones, cabinet-maker, and Me- James Watts, of the Auckland Savings Bank, also arrived, when the engineer of the works was called by Mr Gilman, who im mediately procured more buckets, and eventually they succeeded in quelling a most serious outbreak. The cause of the fire, as stated by the engineer, was owing to the wool in the shed becoming heated. He had been through the building at 11.30 last night, and everything was apparently right. Great credit is due to the two young men— McPike and Gilman—who rendered such prompt assistance. There were only twelve men altogether, three of whom were employees of the Factory. It was found tjiat the shed in which the fire originated had been completely gutted and its contents destroyed. Fortunately the loss is not-serious, amounting to some £200, which is covered by insurance in the Sou tli British office. The mill was at work again to-day.

PONSONBY CHORAL SOCIETY.

The Ponsonby Choral Society gave their fifth concert of the season in All Saints' Schoolroom last evening. There was a large audience and a good attendance of performers. The selections on this oc casion were not weir adapted to test the capabilities of the Society, and consequently the concert was not equal to previou s performances. The sopranos and altos sang exceedingly well throughout, but the tenors, possibly from the peculiar acoustic properties of the building, did not appear to do their part justice. The choruses on the whole were fairly well rendered, "Youth and Love," a pretty item in the first part, being particularly well done. Mrs Dacre took the whole of the solos and recitative parts, and her best efforts were the recita tive "Yon Silver Moon," recitative " With Gratitude our Souls are Filled," and theair, with chorus, " Give Way Now to Pleasure." In the second part the overture " Rosa munde " and the andante, minuet and trio (Third Symphony, Mozart) were the best selections. The duet, V Sailor Sighs," by Mr and Mrs Prime, waa correctly rendered, their voices blending in a pleasing manner. The part song (ladies' voices only) " Hark ! 'tis the Indian Drum" (Bishop), was somewhat marred owing to the non-suitability of some of the voices, and the part sougs as a whole appeared to re quire more rehearsal than had been bestowed upon them. Mr Talliß Tritnnell wielded the baton with his customary skill, and Mr C. Hemus led the orchestra, which performed exceedingly well right through. The concert, apart from the few blemishes which we have pointed out, was a very pleasing one, and was evidently much appreciated oy the audience.

WIFE DESERTION AND IMMORALITY.

TWO ELOPERS FROM AUCK LAND. THE TRIALS OF AN INDUSTRIOUS WOMAN". The following communication is published in the Wellington "Post" :—" Sir,—A short time back, in some of your issues, a series of articles wore published, headed ' The Seamy Side of Wellington.' It is to be very much regretted you ceased publish ing the same, as they were the means of doing a little social purification ; but they did not go the length I should have de sired, as they could be made the means of exposing and placing a check on one of our greatest social cankers. I allude to cases of wife desertion, and of men and women cohabiting together in our midst, and raising a class of paupers and criminals. This class of persons get credit of the storekeepers and butchers, and upon their seeking for payment their claims are re pudiated under the pretence that they are only lodgers, &c. This game is riot only practised by some of the lower classes, but also by some of our shabby genteel ones. Here is a case by way of illustration which deserves exposing. A few years ago a man deserted Tiis wife in Auckland, leaving her with a child to her breast, telling her he would shortly send for her and the two infant children, as soon as he got work in Wellington at his trade as a carpenter, bringing with him to Wellington at the same time most of the bedding. She next receives a letter from him stating that, not being able to get work in Wellington, he was going South to Christchurch, since which time until recently she knew nothing of his whereabouts, when she discovered that on his leaving Auckland he made arrangements with the wife of a drayman to elope and follow him to Wellington,- and that they were at the present time living together in this city as man and wife, with a progeny of bastards growing up. Now, sir, this poor woman, since she was so cruelly deserted by this inhuman wretch, has been the recipient of charity, as, being a person of delicate health, she was unable to earn much to keep the wolf from the door, whilst her husband lives in ease and comfort upon the earnings of his paramour, who pursues an ostensible occupation, but to keep up appearances he poses before the public of Wellington as a contractor, but is not known to do much work. It is to be regretted that this poor woman will not take steps to punish the fellow, although she has been offered the means to bring her to Wellington to do so, preferring to suffer in eilence, as she has no desire to see his face any more, and would rather, bear her own i cross. , —l am, etc., " William Roskbtjge. " Cuba-street, 31st October."

A Burns Club is in process of formation at Thames, a committee consisting of Messrs D. W. Pitkethly, R t N. Smith, J. Watson, R. Wilson, and J. Mair, having been appointed to prepare rules etc. It is intended to have a social evening once a week, and membership is open to persons of all nationalities who are admfrera of Burns' works,

CABLEGRAMS.

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST RIOT.

(by Kuamuo teleoraph—copyright.)

(special.) London, November 21. On Sunday last Trafalgar Square was guarded by a force of 1,500 special constables.

DEATH OF A FENIAN.

j. (SPECIAL.) (j

London, November 21. The death is announced of Breslin, who rescued the Fenian prisoners from Fremantle, Western Australia, some years ago. . . „

THE FRENCH CRISIS.

REVOLUTION FEARED.

(SPECIAL),

London, November 21. The Paris correspondent of the "Times," writing regarding the present critical condition of affairs there, states that the troops in Paris are confined to their barracks. He fears that there will be an outbreak of revolution. M. Clemenceau, who was summoned by President Grevy, has stated that he will only accept office on condition of the President resigning.

THE ABYSSINIAN WAR.

(SPECIAL.)

London, November 21. It has been resolved that the troops composing the Italian Expeditionary force in Abyssinia shall occupy Ailata, and await attack of the enemy.

O'BRIEN IN PRISON.

[special.]

London, November 21. The attempt to compel William O'Brien, M.P., to wear prison garb has again been baffled by the fact of his having had a suit of clothes conveyed surreptitiously to him in gaol.

THE DISASTER IN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.

[special.]

London*, November 21. The 140 persons who lost their lives on the steamboat Scholten, which came into collision with another in the Eng lish Channel, were mostly of German nationality,

SCULLING CHALLENGE.

[special.] London, November 21. Bubear, the sculler, has issued a challenge to the world to compete on the Thames for a-side and the championship of England. If Beach should beat Hanian in the match at Sydney, on Saturday next, for the championship of the world, Teenier in tends to challenge the victor to row for five thousand dollars, either in Australia or America.

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

(BY TELEGRAPH.-*-OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Thames, this day. Prince Imperial. —■ Anothers parcel of 151b of specimens has been got from the top of the stope on No. 1 leader, which is up to what is equivalent to the floor of No. 1 level, but with which communication has not yet been effected. There is practically an unlimited supply of quartz available, as the leader is intact to the surface. About 851bs of specimens are now on hand. Saxon. — Retorting for this Company took place yesterday afternoon for 6280zs gold, which is the result of the treatment of 533 loads quartz and 2221bs picked stone. The last dividend was declared on the 11th of October last, bub it will be remembered that an interim cleaning-up gave 1750zs on the 24th October, while the retorting yes terday was the result of operations since that date. A dividend of 6d per share has been declared.

C. G. Wood and T. Ray, the champion English amateur athletes, who went to America, competed successfully at the Manhattan Games at New York on Sep tember 10th. In the Pole Jump competition R. Ray took second prize at 10ft. 9in. C. G. Wood, of the Blackheath Harriers, Eng land, was unplaced in the 220 Yards Race, his time being 22 l-sth sec. C. W. V- Clarke, of the Spartan Harriers, England, was not in condition. At the Pastime Games on September 12th, E. C. Carter ot the New York Athletic Club, and Finchley Harriers, England, won ,tb.e Mile Race in 4min 48 l-sth sec. Wood broke down just before the American Cham pionship meting, held on September 17th, and was unable to compete. At these sports E. C. Carter won the One and Teh Miles Race, lowering the Nmerican. records for both distances, and T. Ray won the Pole Jump with a jump of llf ft. Clark was disqualified in the Mile Walking Race, won by Lange in 7min 4sec (1 2-sth sec longer than Thomas' tame at Lancaster Park a fortnight ago). The same walker also won the Three Miles in 23min 12 2-sth sec. Byrd Page carried off the High Jump with 6ft £in. Shirrell was credited with the 100 in 10 2-sth sec ; A. A. Jordan with the 120 Hurdles in 16 2-sth sec; Tracey, Half, in 2min 1 3-sth sec; and-the Can adian, Grey, beat the Irishman, Parry, in the Shot, by "putting" 42ft 3in, which was lft J.lin more than the son of Erin could manage. Carter's time for the Mile was 4min 30sec, and for the Five Miles 25min 23 3-sth sec.

A CORSICAN VENDETTA.

A NEW STORY. -~~

We publish to-day the opening chapter of a new story entitled

•' A CORSICAN VENDETTA." This novel is from the pen of < a celebrated American author, and it carries the reader through many interesting European scenes, and introduces him to several original and well-drawn characters. As the story will take the place lately filled by " Kildee' in our daily issue, we advise those who wish to keep pace with the cur rent of the plot to start fair.

FIRE IN SURREY-STREET.

TWO HOUSES BURNED.

A fire broke out at 10.20 last evening in an unoccupied house in Surrey-street, Newton, which resulted in its total destruction, and also that of an adjoining cottage. Th e house in which the fire originated was a nine roomed dwelling, which was purchased a few days ago at auction by Mr Maurice Casey. It was built about a year ago, but was never occupied, owing to some of the rooms not being com pleted. Tenders, had however, been called by Mr Lee, architect, for the completion of the building. Mr Casey was in the house at 5.30 yesterday after noon, and everything was safe, there being no inflammable matter about the premises. The fire was first observed by Mr H. McMurtrie, who resides opposite. He first saw flames through the window, and then observed them bursting through the roof. Mr McMurtrie gave the alarm to Mr B. Petty, the owner of the adjoining house, and Mr McDermott, who was passing'at the time, entered the burning building, and obtained a bunch of burning titree,. which was fixed above the fire-place, burning strongly. The fire had a strong hold on the walls and casing of the chimney, but the floor seemed to be untouched by the flames. The flames by this time had gained so strong a hold on the building that the little water available made no impression en them, and they soon communicated to Mr Petfcy's residence. Mr Petty, assisted by the neighbours, succeeded in saving the furniture. The two buildings were speedily reduced to ashes. Mr Casey states that he was not aware that the house was insured., but it appeared that Mr Lee had taken out a builder's risk of £150. Mr Petty's house was insured for £300 in the South British Office.

MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

Parnell

Mr Seymour Thorne George was duly E reclaimed mayor of Parnell to-day, he eing the only candidate nominated. Mr Mark Rawlinga acted as Returning Officer, and the nominatore were Messrs Jonathan Winks and J. W. Robinson. A numerously signed requisition had been previously presented to Mr George asking him to allow himself to be nominated for the office, to which he gave his consent. Onehunga. At noon yesterday the following nomina tions were received for the office of Mayor of this borough:—Mr W. Pinlay Wilson was nominated by Messrs James Kobb and Matthew Cullen; Dr. W. R. Erson by Messrs Daniel Neilson and Joseph Hastie. The polling day is to-morrow week, the 30th inst. Mr Wilson, one of the candi dates, is to address a meeting of electors in the Public Hall on Thursday evening, next.

. Thames, this day. Messrs Brodie and Carpenter were nomi nated at noon to-day for the office of Mayor. Nelson, this day. Messrs John Sharp and John Graham have been nominated for the Mayoralty of Nelson.

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

THE GOVERNMENT AND SPECIAL

SETTLEMENTS.

(BY TELEGEAPH —OWN REPORTER.)

Wellington , , this day. The attention of the Hon. MrMitchelson has been called to the article in the Stab with reference to the condition of the vil lage settlers. It is not intended to send any steamer or provisions to their relief. Tho Government will carry out all the promises made to them, but will not make any concessions beyond those which settlers are entitled to ; neither will they establish any more settlements till the success of these has been proved. Relief of the Unemployed. Mr Joyce is moving for the appropriation of £50,000 for the unemployed in Auckland, Wellington, Christchiirch and Dunedin— the sum to be divided into four equal parts, and the Auckland portion to be spent in laying another line of rails on th« Auckland and Ellerslie section of railway, Auckland Petitions. Amongst petitions presented are the following from Auckland :—Charles Mack, seeking compensation for unjust im prisonment (Mr Moss) ; Waipu settlers, for telegraphic communication with Wan garei Heads,. and from 93 gumdiggers, praying that Kai-iwa gumfield be not leased Mr Thompson); John P. Oakes, four claims for land (Sir George Grey); John Nodder, application for land (Col. Fraser), Martin Rrippner, seeking compensation for the in troduction of immigrants (Mr Moat); John Hudson, for refund of the property tax (MrCadman.) The Joint Committee on rabbits had Chamberlain's patent rabbit exterminator before them this morning, and on Friday will take the evidence of its inventor. Mr Pyke is very wroth at the action of Government not giving him special facili ties toward the passage of the Otago Cen tral Railway Bill, and threatens to go into active opposition. Mr Scofoie McKenzie's Speech. Some spirit is sure to be imparted into the financial debate io : night by Mr Scobie McKenzie, who has been laying himself out for a speech on the occasion and his criticism of the Statement will probably be in such a direction as to cause the debate to be con tinued with that vigour the want of which has been a feature in the discussion so far. He will assume the role of a free lance, and will suspend his judgment as to whether to support the Government till the Public Works Statement is made, but will express his opinion in strong terms as to the necessity for a cessation of borrow ing, and more definite finality in the Public Works scheme, than is shown in the "Budget" proposals. From what I can gather from a conversation with the Eon. member for Mount Ida, he. thinks too that the Public Works' policy ought to be strangled, save in respect to the com pletion of the Manawatu Gorge section of the Wellington - Napier railway and the Otago Central to Middle march, and for these purposes a half million will suffice. He also thinks that by cleverly reducing their own salaries to a large extent Ministers have impressed the country with their earnestness for re«

trenohraenb, and that the - Statement had thus disarmed that adverse criticism which * under other ciroumetances, ib inusi hftve ensured.

TELEGRAMS.

. Tauranga, this day. A public meeting lasfc night resolved to urge the Education Board to proceed with the erection of a new school-building in place of the old one, which is in a dis graceful condition of decay. ( The natives are making great preparations for a canoe race on Tuesday next. Wangantji, thi3 day. The glove fight lasfc night between Laing and Richardson was a tame affair, end ing in Laing having the match avyarded to him because Richardson, who claimed a foul, did not come up to time. The meeting of W. H. Watt's creditors to-day resolved to accept Is in the £. Blenheim, this day. Mr F. F. Farmer, who on two previous occasions has been elected Mayor, and Mr G. W. Riley, Borough Councillor, are the only candidates nominated for the Mayor alty.

THE MOUNT ROSKILL FIRE.

INQUEST. An inquest on the fire which occurred in Mr Reynell's shop and dwelling-house afo Mount Roskill on the 31st October last) was held at Mr Dyer's store to-day. Mr Baddeley, R.M., conducted the inquest, and Mr John Taylor was foreman of the jury. Detective Walker appeared on behalf of the police, Mr Hugh Campbell appeared to watch the case for the Insurance Associa tion, and Mr Edwin Hesketh on behalf of Mr Reynell.

Alexander Reynell, occupier of the premises destroyed, stated in evidence that his stock was insured for £140, which in cluded £5 for fittings. £80 was in the Norwich Union, and £60 in the Equitable. Furniture and effects were insured in the North British and Mercantile for £80, and some carpenters' tools for £20 in the same office. The fire occurred between two and three o'clock in the morning, and he had been in the shop for about a fortnight previously. There were four rooms and a shop, and he had removed all his furniture and effects from a shop previously occupied in Symonds-streefc. .He had £160 insurance on the stock alone when in Symonds-streeb —£110 in the New Zealand, and £60 in the Equitable. That insurance was in force at the time he moved. He did nob have the New Zealand policy continued when he removed, because he took the policies down to the office to get them transferred. They endorsed the policy while witness waited, bub the manager was not there to sign. He promised to get ib signed and forwarded. That was all he heard of ib till he received a note saying they were over - insured on the block, and. that they intended to cancel the risk. Wit ness took down the policy and they cancelled ib. There was £60 in the Equit able, and that policy was transferred to this shop. Did not apply to the Equitable for more than £60. After the New Zealand policy lapsed he made application to the Norwich Union about the 25th October. The proposal was made, and an interim receipt given, and this covered him until the agent came and inspected the place. He gob a verbal notice from the Norwich Union that the office required stock sheets. He did not furnish them, but went up to the agent and asked if he would take over the New Zealand xisk, which he agreed to do. After inspecting the shop the 'agent mafle out a fresh policy of £75 on the stock and *£5 on the fixtures. It was at his own request that the risk was reduced. The tools were kept on the premises, and the ironwork should have been found in the debris of the fire. The house was burned dn 31st October, before he had sent in any stock sheet.

There were two large water-tanks at the back of the house, and he was not aware that any unusual quantity of water had been withdrawn from them before the fire. The first part of the fire appeared to have started in the ceiling boards of his bedroom, and on going into the kitchen he found the whole ceiling in flames. Witness rescued his wife arid escaped. He did not hear any person call "Fire 1" Hβ and his wife had been out that evening, and on his coming in again the fire was still alight in the kitchen range. He could not in any way account for the fire. The shop was as full as it could i hold' of groceries and produce. He had forwarded a claim for the amount of insurance, together with proofs of loss, and these proofs were as correct as it was possible to get them. He went away when the fire was out. He thought his wife awoke him about two o'clock. The first of the fire that he saw was on the

ceiling boards of his bedroom. He never noticed any trap-door from his room to the left, or from the kitchen to the left. As soon as he discovered the fire he ran to the door leading from the bed room to the kitchen, and noticed that the whole kitchen ceiling was in flames. He ran back and picked up a few articles of clothing that were on a chair and pulled his wife out through the kitchea and scullery. He called to his brother to give the alarm before he got outside and did not call out " Fire ?" When he got outside his mother had broken a window and called out. On the night ■before the fire his wife and himself re turned about half past nine, and his brother very soon afterwards. A fire was alight) in the kitchen that evening. (Left Sitting.)

We are requested to state that the judg ment in the case of Wilkins v. Boyd, at the X..M. Court, last week, was not that Boyd should pay the debt in two weeks, but at the rate of 2s per week.

The Mayor has given the following notice of motion :—That the Domain Com mittee be requested to consider and report to this Council on the present and future managment of the Cricket Ground ; its condition and maintenance ; the charges and revenue ; and as to the desirability ©f employing a professional cricketer.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &c, To-night.

Opera House —Majeroni Company, in "The Foundry Master," 8. ■ Agricultural Hall—Mohawk Minstrels, 8 V.M.C.A. Rooms —Christian Convention, 7 30 Gladstone Hall, Northcote—Meeting of Rate payers. 7.30 Masonic Hall, Newton—Eden Lodge, No. 1,530. 8.C., 7.30 ', • Freemasons' Hall—Lecture on "Freemasonrr" by-Mr J. Martin, 8 V.M.C.A. Rooms-rMeetlng of Auckland Foot* ball Association, 8

Rota of Justices at Police Court November 24—Messrs F. .G> Ewington and G. Fraser. .

Auction Sales To-morrow, E. Leydon, Newton—Furniture, Bakers' and Confectioners' Utensils, U G. Lewis—English-made Furniture,' eto« }1, S. Cochrane and Son—Properties, etc,, 12 jon premises, Queen-at, Photographers Stock. Instruments, and Furniture. 2,. T. M, Jackson.—Properties, etc., 12,

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, NOYEMBtfit g$ 1887,

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