RANDOM SHOTS.

gome write, a neighbours-name to lash. somftsrtfe&*i*&^ "' SorWwrit&Wiilo'-S- thecbttotryclMi," " -h--1. ■■.' J> j. -r. -: --1 h- -• ■; i i -<■ -. Forme, anaimlneyer'fash-^. k ,,^ t ,x,\ reg ',;.i'.;ai ni fly) i I write for ran. ■ Lo_*DrAßpsPß£N'9-'' visit to'the colonies; may be -^oarictive'bfexceilOn't reciprocal results whiej-''wiil r go far towards helping on that somewhit intangible entity or thing- called lm^&^'e&CTOTipi-'.^ In the first place, colpnists,. haye. learned that tho causo of Hcnh'^Rule'idr' Ireland is nob consigned; to th^excmHye'keeping' 6f suPh agitators as Redrndiid andl>o_Brien,isbiUt) l is believed in tnd^'^v'Oi.c.ted ''-by'nien whose devotion to the^fi'rpwn is -undoubted, '/arid' whose judg: moftfc- r-is unbiassed ?by -.the, I exigencies of: polp^l'necefelitife^ | lf6n*Jji'o_ other"hand, peoj#'o_».*>th.e/ old.-land may loarh through His^l-erdsh-p that colonists are not all high an4^ o %riea." loying. %<$ ,%■-••$" and con ? stituibion.more 'thanuJusbico I or , Ereedom,- AnA c_tb6i_lth_ltSpg /tl-e/Xibordls and- fell -blieir woiksti-Tbe.^iei^.Pl W^^S^onian Viceroy —..'-ibeiHpVer-irt'-Home' Rule—and who yet ta-te^^feyllf rmfe'i'est ifa' the fortunes of «' tbria^' ■ wrßtcbed! coloniee," may.;bp held to mark a new departure in Imperial poll-. tic^r-_md-;'rthevinftug.vn?atipn of-.%.t .truer knew hidge.of- and sympathy with each other, thabtmustrbe oonsummated before the f eder a'bipnrofdbhe-.emp}re;can b,e Miything.fnbre thari'i. dream.s .1 would also liqpe>that the visitr-wiil bear fruit,.in the cause, pf Irish freedom." :ißrie.has wasrHis Lordship's stayiin ( .AU3tnaJ.a3ia,*he:ha^ seen quite suffi cient; to-proye' conclusively, that all nation-, ailjttes;- and ail classedcan rjiscuss tto.lrish que^tiort'.sarl'Jly,,, dispassionately,; and free _rq_a:>all*.raeial ;orr religions, prejudice,; and hasring,lse'en'-the,cpnclu3ipns,,at.<which the vastimajotity! have-arrived, on thei, subject hoiwiir-be abie.to gi^p an .effective, poii),t_ to Hdmd Rfile as.^jiflionte._at Ilor^aiid '.'. point Bm<*ral,'-.'-foE.wi-angiipg,,ppUbAo^ , .

*. ;■ _.H-,"•,*'* -■ ■*■ * Wh'iie "I aril' pie*ased"/wibh'thepiiblic out cxmi St hirLbrdshiplsrVisitj- 'bhero aro' some g.t*sematc aspects! \vhich"'call 'for' rSMarlc iSS of'the pMW1 family was a celo bfa!fed diplomatist, fend" I think' the pro sehti .Eftrl''m\tst f'ftaVe iiihbiibed-bho traits of"."th'a,^articWtr llahC*3-tor. A p^rfocb gefetle-mW'- cOdrbly arid •■'polished b» -a dSffeV b-ii-.visitor,' while'l fully illustrating th^^^go-'1" milesse oblifje^' was ab the samS tifiS^cantieras'^nd non-committal in hi§ "'-^ctS -and-'Vbrd!.'^ to- ah almbsb 1 painful d_y-^e.;'';:Sbri_e "pla*-n ifolkß'ATOuldicall it •" and others moro re firiffi fri'larigita^e Would say'thrit he-wasa " teimriifeiV"" ""'He wovtlet not tell Auck land'drs what he".riddgbt of Wellington or viM iiMd; leMsj. Kaply a' few 'might bo offended-! -sim-la-rl^-he M'oald not compare one'cble.h!y,with Mother, nor givb oven his retaiive v oAihibn Of'the respective merits of the'^beiutifubharbburs'! of Sydney and Ati6k^hid;' 1-'Foi« r:a ritan who may,hope to b-i^Prhiife 1 Mfhikiof "of' England about- as soon as Joseph Chambevjiih does, thnb may be bhe proper sorb of attitudo bo as sume ; bub mostl'-people-will"iigreo with me thab a little more " backbone " would b&Sre-fe&ble.1 rGlacUtone' is/ no A* trimmer!;" hols so outspoken bhab-his übterances at different bMe_w-Seen? self-cohtradictory; bub evejry man whoseinbellccb isprogressive, anU^W-fo^^opMbh's are priblid propdrty,- BH-it of-necessity conbradicb : himself.' ,

- *' J#:" ' - '■*"*

*• ■ i *■'■'* -•■'■

jlwJaomeire-pgct* ejut-.ari^tocraticvisitorl h%9'c_tr>t_venough -ba .kbone; .for.instance, in»-l>i9' Viey»; on '^p-igious!'. jqu'esbidns. anet onV.tbe-^o-rripderri' movements bh'ab , are S»»M'tf %' ,tiie' "!blug v .'/' arid White r^ben-irr^Bqfitiyely^;, T£..mm; sßSJJd^fttruiyj'.th"?.,/ .also, khpws the arb <£T^riljng v , fhis_ -wife^aad. I. suppose! thft4-,atrirdy / ;(^B!cen%n,t/.; of King Robert t®|feaoe'-!#ke 's,;' f Beb_y,", rMn??^^*^^^-*l3^!■•'; $ 3.?*" •, Stmh; a n4ome§QQ-":crisi_ ./ai-bsd/, during their sfefin^uckfend,.,' TteM^on'a shoigplng^cufsiom and^liKe domd ladies;of lo^r,de^e^"^ade!.a.riumbdE of purchases wMc^l^H--l6r!d.ari(I <ri. aster did not approve.' that' ."^urtairi'ld'cturb " I *disclbse, * b'ub';'bhe, goods were re-. ti&ned'f^PA^he; verid'or .'and thb/'ce'driomic, hnwarid d-'callfid."'; arid Zmaehi sSriip minor ppicbasM.',!;*' What; could1: the. shbpkijbper do! Hcw"rpaisij 'tbpi'b.andishments of a live lord ? Maccep^the'rOtiirridd gdb'ds; counting all Ms-'labourasmaught,-

">3*Xrf_%^*_mine£ftl;'; Not, .dear reader-. Before you. conjdc. a man of meah nM-yjyoH'-h-uatrknfim whether .he-is. a f^man :6f|,mewß r "..and,.whpther fid can afford to expend rribrieywhm'princely etxtfOvagaricc. I_iTiis-:-_ieariß!^fe liHii^clV t_id'fs hi&'/m'ean-' n'-sif j-\riay;!'_rif§£tliby-'b'ecbmdß! a virtue; mit l3e'rißtialwii^3''diid:i 'arid th&Stern'fresolv'e-bo live'"withfri"drieß-.ricomSf-'in every crisebo W wSfWffcHi'hu^eridfe'd.'^ Bbildes,- with & ScoMmirri ,it 1,i3 •One of >the-barelin'at:virtues" terlSfep 7 '-■W*.-!Whiav/--e''' -'-in ptopeiwrnibjecs-, tfbW'everi-a-ffthe^ostle Paul fcbmmahded; tihatfi'fhM'view'dfi the case; my-Lo&Udid' _i6"thin|'; f'd^rit%atdfy -to ''wifely 'dignity in: coWtermfeh^dinlf'h'dPbM'ertJ I Arid-of.course it _hri'aFoß borne iff mindi-hat Pordy give one sid-vbf'the?* MMtj, • .ind-that'.possibly ithe ;fact mivji^be-thfit-'the'1 'goods' wer&Tpnly ablected, fSr^h^fefl-'s'inSpb^iOn andi approval^- and' l'l^rri.d'^.-'amicab-e'mti'derstanding^ Biifc -tlferß-"'__.^-"dth_._' vJ_ttidjieationß- which go to Bhow that the Earl of Aberdeenrhas nOfryeb:j learnt bhe _ lesson of bhe blessedness of giving, bub'-dma^ieppefF-shorb^ab the re ceiving., B& bas, accepted .everything with b-com'mg'-hoflesjy 'fthd grace, from a ■wejcfchless address bo a ctrawiug-room table,. tM m JimffliisM giVen ribbtfirigbrithis j&tre-jhSge^his smile^andihispresenoP.-. (My con,9.cience j .hejg_prods me a_.j4tt.le.-by. r hinfcir\g. aFput "thp Jrba§sage unipriey of a"pdor''stow *-M_&'p_M*, ars fß^'fact'that1 unb'steri&..iou^ ;of 'the triiest^kin'd); L cpff oril^j'however^ with^hfit'ls'^public arid- T&^ .-•-^all', -'arid judging from:'■•■ that it;' wi_tld'o_«ari- 'bhib a* r-i dph'babidri- f&t • philah *h_*oWfs,-h 7gb;o'd[l)hirig tb« ■''run "■ iupbrivi Tho' <ff&mp"^Vosi Oft-uV-Burni Glub'prpb-ibly; eklbhiat^tlpdh recdiving-fehandsbmedofia-' tKh>fbf ct-feiKSbcre'ty,-vftd^'drhapa'fthe uri-! IrffdWri-ttbridi'eifbbab hkhd'Some picture to the (MfhteiSS* hfo;visidh#bf.i'thumpin|. Jubilee• Art Gallery _n rebutm.; fclib they''w%i?_> only '* visions,;" 'and they' _y&fedf'-a,Way»likfe;';the''_ar_y' clPuct and the ■me-ifliri'g'-'fdeV/Jo'-;' '.ffGiffigaff'1 Jmaks.; /griid: jfofejitfj-w fehtSU*lhßb.-So'otti_h^ri_otto is--tr%e Eftl th_i"r(sp|)Os.ite%en«e, tli&te ismo-'-loVe- lbsh' he-We'dri^hi-. '•,F*._vitirP-'E__.l' .End-the people.' #A__e-.-6ftd!-'' x°i n^ ■' ] •■" • '■ '' '>'r -■ bltv. ■■K?l*ii .f-..a r o.Suriv/ ;:' * *._.:•:,■••. ;,! .•: e_-vc.n-._u; *,l. '. >. i?e&:...l .■■"■ .■?«.-.'., ..?•„ ~', <>; ..A koaomfei-hat ;:,e.x.tSaovdiriary; - incident markefdrobheifpactingo sbenefat; the-(_u§en,- r e&epjJ.Wharfon MOmday-'night:, /The,-last/ Aeervhad .ibe.eft*'giveij fcsrsfthe ; Earl ./and/ QpjJntesa-? and the? lHafcdying strains of Pippi?, -_^Asie ^,a-piW*)oh ; h.adj died-away'dri; sundry i eflu,ealks/an.dsgl^ani.;Buch';a§ might proceed, wpft..&nbal.f-smofehe^ede ejat^. and; the; noble !'Bteftmpjp.,edggdiF-.ay?;ayi-',;fifome.tho.), wharf*.-; _foeHj ; then,- .toit&e-wo.nder.pf. the Jjystanders. tjj_ejten*or of,-.the sßperßUtio,us,,ari!d-bhe .disy gu?b. of good; pl_l-' Simpii - (nob.'bheiCehator),, Hounds aaf of'x-ftfeiaja,!' torture,,swere-heard, TO«-Kjeeding_ feomiiP,ii,..boarjd., the., Aiamedft, f|ms as,, tbet tuning pfbagpipesr/and;, soon .the off iinepmrrioh.^flpated oyer,, the., waters, of .-the. Waitemat§4 9 , V ;Comipg, through, the (Rye,", "l!_0aBid( J£ajl in.-Abprdeen," with ditties of inprejmpd^p,;,;date t ;fplipjyed.eachipthpriij, _japid,"BUcc/?s.aipn,sarid.theßurns^ o^-the.scejiejin^cliam'ay^, qpmpletely ''iflab.-J

_-•?■■« ,i-i?-Hi-i

What' had'happerieel'.? ' Was "'there a rival' piper on board.-dr Hvas-it all; a delusion of the senses . It was all too real, for no ghost that ever walked-tlie'earth had the'p'oWPr to! simulate or produce bagpipe music.; typd 'the bystanders,wero „thrown back.on'con jecture'; as they listened to. the ■receding. Sbrains iriello'wed. by/ fipating over the •water's. ' Had tlio Earl a piper in his train all the time, and had he. been, merely " taking a loan ": Of: the Burns Club ■piper ?- Was it possible that Captain Sinclair'could; be a piper iri disguise, and that oven now ho was "up and giein'/them a blaw—a blaw," while the Earl had donned the kilts, in order: to dance the -Highland Fling for the edification of the passengers ? Bub no answer to these wild questioning?, was available. Tho weird music floated over the rippling waters and the noble ship glided gallantly on, bearing away fipm the colonial keiva mystery, as battling as that of.tho " pied piper of Hamelm. The chief consolation is, that one pair ot baopipes is sufficient,for Auckland, ancl bhat sho, may well congratulate herself on the exit of the second demoniac nistru .m'erit. . .- >~ ;.. -~,. ,-.. ... _..», ,~. ~, ~•,,-.. ~

An esteemed correspondent wants to know ■what I think--by the proposed Maritime Ex hibition to bo held in Auckland1 in 1890. Oh a matter of' this kind,-upon which so many ; gigantic intellects- have- been engaged, I might -bo allowed to havo' no opinion whatever. I see that at : the'i'ecehb-'public irieGtirig Mr iA.i Hi Nathan irtggOfsted that) there -would bo nd difficulty in'raising a guarantee of L 25.000 if'2so'gciitlemen wouldgiiavaribdo LI 00 each. • ■'Npw in these flourishing times a'good tcari-: v-is'ser wouhVbave little -rouble >in getting 250 names,good or LIOO,- bufc:utfr Aiokin suggested a-much simpler plan, that the ■money should be guaranteed by.bhe '.'Public Institutions !'.'■. Jiist look how ■easily the thing could bo done• thusly : --Auckland /Fibre Company,' L 5,000 ; Auckland Timber Company. L5,()00 ,* Union Sash ■ and ■ Door Company, 1.5,000 ; a Kamo Coal Company,. 'LB'/OOO1; a.nd'.!-the.-.Dov.on]!)orfc .Triimway Company,: 1.6,000. b Tho funds-beiiift thus •assurod. tho various Biiropbah.Govoriitnonts Would bo likely contributors to our groab Maritime show.< Possibly the Eraicb/vVc-uld sencltheir 40 men-of-war now in the Mediter rAnean Sea; Germany and-Italy same-of the best ironclads in the world. Russia would ■also send a dozen or two.of.lierfa_b-,.eruisers, ■Whilo Turkey, Austria, Holland,-Donmark, Spain, Portugal, &e_.,-.. .would , send ■ their quota.! England'woulel-HOnd the Great Eastern, bub no burble-backs,- as although, they have cost about a* million each,; it 4_li pears tha*.. they,' are !quitO; unsaaworthy. Rome mighbalsobeexpoctedto sonel the vory Ark in which Noah-.eptyhis menagerie iroin drowning during the Jlood,'' . Jfpw,:!',to: thoroughly ensure the succeHs, of tho great ■Maritime shOwi it is onlylnecoasary fpn Sir. Jidius Veigelto offer.a 4 pi&_e of XIO,OOO for a y(icht race round the North Island. -We •should tlien liave all the crack. yachts of England and America in our npble hiirbour, and the colony would be sure to goi fthqad by " leaps and bounds," just likoa kangaroo when pursued by a pack of dogs. , .Somo folks look upon Sir Julius as, a kind of political "speeler " because ho happens/to bo able to shufflki the eiarels. Others, 1001. upon him as a " politictil Hermophrodito," as ho can cither be a freotrador or a prq tbctionisb,, a Liberal ond Conservative at pleasure, a changing colour like a chame leon, " bub ior*all that ho.is a,-wonderful man—a wonderful clever man. And tho Auckland Maritimo show of 1890 ia the latest suggestion of his fertile brains 1... ~ ,

I am now favoured wibh; bhe following communication from tho'Town Clerk, which has apparently been evoked by my-remarks ■dflat-t webk :■-■'■"■ ■ ' '.'■'' ■ '■'I am nebbftwaroof whero you get your information re'employees, but nb;porson has ;beeri. appointed who is older'than the person previously employed ; much .hea-e ---1-tofe. The-man'-employed temporarily, as ;qu_'bodi£tn 'Of- the-new' bfaiidiHg; at L 2 2s has been replaced by a< young, man at 30s per week as assistant messenger,' cleaner, eto.,ete.'Hi* hours, arenob" its stated bo you unless he so desires, "as, his wifo is also employed asjcleanor ab 20h per week, so that ihey get 50s*per-week"betweeh iliem and Is per dozen... for •%> towols washed. IJis hours"Ore frorri'_rto 6 'p.iri:",' with'!'ono liou r ior dinner, and eapb o.lterr»ato Sunday even ing to sit in charge .of "the lower reading "room. v Hers are from 6.30 to about 10,30 dallyTand one afternbd'h in theSi'col..' The4' watchman is temporarily:employed; being a : ,genbleman of t,undoubted, character,, tmddloagedj.atflpei^ ','■ ','.'. t ! * # . #'. : -iv '.(.;, ■' .-,_■■'•_ . * '*•;; ( i *•<*_'.. "■*■;., .-. j After thabi .1 suppose: IjmUSbcry peccam.i I wiifS wrong, "indeed,,,to,,say,tliat.a,man was employed 90. hours'a week at the rate of 3d an hour; I should havo' sri'idbHrtb •_. worrian had to wefrk,about 108-hours a Week at: the rate of l"2-jdl.ai- I hourr. Ab any rate, that's libw I read, bkab- • not per spicuous clause-about the hohrs'and omblu ' ments^of: the assistant messengefcs.ivife.. On the subjdctofthe'age of.new'andold officials I cbhid'sqy'more'. but refrain lest theToym; Cleric should,compromise -the Gouncilsbill further by his.candid revelations !i : . toe v ■"' - -*"4 ' ! ',' ir , -... -,4 , ' ',-."'; .. • r .'■ . . i*r. _*■>_■ .:', ,-i* fin', .if'-*!*',!. .... •-/ .! _**j\j*v. that tlidro. ii "eyety prejbab'iliiy;* 'of a dissolutiolri 'of ''P^rU!-_n(^nb;.!^^4ip2pOT'.'re :l ; porters wilL'&uSuAlhA^Ojto be c/n'tMlooT.-' oilt .for'" both' probable.! _h*s\ lrhprofeabljS ckndidritch for the" yaribiis .bbh'stf-uemcies.' Ife^y-.'liripVo.babl^.'' because, Yd t^U you' a,' secret'bhete are/always ?a nrimtfer'/of ;'iASh' who deserve' stich fa designatiori,'bwirig/'to bhe ; exceedingly.; remote .chance. of' there ever beirig' "' rbturiie'd' 'Jbven}- Tl_ff.i. ri'ri6mi-'' ; riUtied;'".' '"/P.feorii.1, ;!poapM hiemorieb 1- will-" rip. dbub.' recplle'b't.:that!'-jM?. eacn;v^-4ncy_hai!dc.c'fc(kt 'oV lftße 'tJhei-e'htt^ been brie or' rfc'wo-^geriilßmen' who' have always' '''bferi v*,!ri-i'eriiißhie'dJ'a^ ''-^rottKble; candidates," ,'and I.'"-yet./'1.'"-yet./' "strarfgb'; W &f:' they; rievet*. come .'bub. an'd;,'what ./is'-still" more strahge,; no''teqi'iiHftibri-'Asking therri' bo stand ever appears_Jn print. There.Br6' I say reporters musiTlbbE-'oi-flf- for such , persons,. By the initiated it is well uncjer : BtoocV- ithat';'-fch'e'se; men'never"'intehd* to : stand, were never "asked, and would not have.*'A .ghost^bf .& jchahcQ!'if:bhby.,d;id. \ $hp d.rath : i£ it, just,.flatters their,dignity. ;if /they c&n'bp./saict 'to.possess su'eh ah arbi_le-**-'o v see thbir- name fi6"uVi_hiiig!! irt' print ,in: ;cObnecbjon,«*'Wj-th. such .affairs.,. Thereiis,1; however*'..another; class,-who- set' , theserrumours.-affloAtiiabpub. ibhemselves-in . bhe -hope, that i some;.. constitnency;, may/ ! ",c«bchjon." ,'TheftC are:..a,rmore, troubloj some set;.arid,if-theyrget hold of ;a young ; reporter,,,they;! .sometimes,,; lead-,him. oij, byVcasuaily . mentioning /ihe ; fac.b.;-thab, , theyi ,-,have .been; 'askeei.to _1 stand > for ~ this.Qp, thatf elisbvicb., ; Failing,..this,? the riapre,pushing prio'sidp.: nob h'esibateto for : wavd:,,the,fh?ioi'm(ltio,n; adready ,'Wri.ten;-_H i the usual shape-jjsuch .as,'-1; We hear, that ! Mr L Jere|riiah.,Cheek,- the weU-known; &c., ; haSibeen. .asked': to _ stand ior ,/; .but^haSj : deelineditbe ( ,bonoiar, '9a_bei cannot a_*'-_pre., ' sent spare thotimeirpmhlsbusiness. '.' '.-Here. ~- iyoji jsee,a cheap ad'.firtisemerit, thrown; in if lAt p.ther times; the notice,appears, in; the : usual', shape of u."i.!'.!is.; re>nQWned"r &c. ; _^a,tura%,.,attgoper4'-elections, such vain glorious,personages ivre.japtlitOfhethe butfe, of their acquaintances wbo>make a $tandr ing. joke'by asking;themr" Jsay,,is.it,tru.e yeiu. *%*7e-going; to-etand. fqr_,;so,,and bo ?", . Of f ,-.;onrse: bhe,, q,u,estion, v .i 5!..,, parried, in ; , oafeis '.CW.ti,9,us_. ;,.mahn,er >4 ,.,, andH.i.the! ( pompon^ wPnld-feejjpqUbicianr.'^aiti/j^wg.y] t i|nmensply; pleasgd ; ,,;wib)\;-himftelf'.arid,*tbe; i public., generally for r.bhe di.s.criminationi [ shown, 1% wishing-j to seleot him as,-,their. . represenbabiy.e a,nd meanjyhile his instiga tor, go.es dowri for, a drink' and.,retails the 'jQk^-foi; the gpqd_ of ,0,11; present.,. It .all • shpwß adage. <f;XhiijgS-.^re■ ; .'rio. always? wEa^th^y'segffl^-,.,. ; ; ■..AnUmoi!,

Selling Daughters in Japan.

•states ( tlth6ugh *the"_Sile W female children for a life of shame is forbidden by tlio' law of Japahrtlie'trade' 19 ffewrthelesli' b.ill actively/carried iP^!#>W^S the following instances, of the tra,fhc, fepm which' it appears that the' new slave tradP is even more shamblfeegly-'c'arnedioii'in' theiar East than in London conducting a (Sunday school in a provincial city it was noticed tliat some gi rUf "belonging to fami lies that could hardly-be-ssPken; ( :of M '' under the pressure of exti'eme ! indigence i soon'dropped out of the " classes. Mquiry/ showed that they were kept at home to re ceive lessons upoii the 'sammew in Oi*der that, because of this accomplishment; tbey might be disposed of at a 'higher, pripe than coUlel otherwise be obtained.' The girls professed not to care anything for the«awitaen and to be averse'to enteiring a house of ill-fame; but they must obey their fathers. Remon strances with the j-iirents availed nothing. I have knowledge-'of two cases where girlSj after the death of "their parents, were_sold .by their brothers bo pay the debts'of-the family. Two Or three years since,'wheu travelling on a- Small Japanese Bteamor, a woman brought-'a' girl', fifteen or sixteen' years-old,* bared' to the weiist,irito the cabin and commenced negotiating for her sale to one of the passengers, who appeared to bb connected- with thab branch of bu" rie_s: Tho matter waa discussed iri tho most cbld-blobcied 'manner, as *bpugh it wore a clog instead of a human being that WoJ being Wgained" for.1' As tho gin was unable to play any musie^l instru ment, the man 'said-that she was nob-worth more than five or six yen', and he<adviseU tho woman to keep her .until she had been .sufficiently trained "to soiled higher pi-fee. I was recently told by a/Japanese lawyer of ' high standing thab 'it woiUd! be YeW diffi ciilb *to prove '•any 'Viblatibh'' of the' law against such sales':,';'' /"■ '' ' _',',

Incomes of Royal Families.

We ' roprint7the; t .folloiy^ v«^| about the incomeH of the J-loyal lainibea-of Eilropo... Thoy 'aro,-, inebpucbive," tficmgn,. perhaps,.nofcaltogebhor aiinifiibgyTT-,!,; ~ j ",.The.incomes,Of the,l-loyal .fanjteof Europe amount to .doso,, upon tliffteOT, mUlibns Bterimg-a year,, ..Germany fltanda atthohead.ofall European natiw«Min,.wie matter, of Boy al:.. incomes,,, ;Tl_e iW\ witha^opulation-of .more itliap forfcy-hyo raillions.siipportstwenty^woltoyalprincply ariel ducal familids,^ and; the,.direct £#. et their maintonancei&L3,3oQ,ooo, pfefTWfft: andi several of thd i other German States, „the ■roigniiig family, besides,, its,public,!income, •iossesses large i privatfV.eatates, ,and, indced,i ia some of States, (thp vrinceß arc the; chief landowners., In .Mee_.len burg-Sbrelibz,,for instance, .tlic, mgnlng. family oAvria tliree-hitbs of thp. land, and:; tlio giand Luko governs;withoub tho aid of. any reprqsontatrive i institution .whatevpr.- Turkeyicomesnoxt-to.Germany in iteltoyai expenditures, ;tho total amount absorbed by tho Sultan and his family being about L 3,200,000. Thelmperialfamily.of Russia costs thab counbry L2,*l'jO,ooo, the greater part'of which comes in the shapo of.renta from the Crown domains, which consist of more than a million fequale miles of land, besides gold and silvor mines. The Austrian Imperial Family, is tolerably well off, having a rovenuo of L 920,000, all of which comes directly from tho , public revonuo of the country. ■•:.<< " The British Royal Family cornea next with a cosb to the country of about L 900.000. This sum includes the revenue.derived from tho Duchies* ..ofsi Lancaster and Cornwall, Which amounts to. fMll.ooa.ii The,/ old Duchess oi Cambridge, now eighty-eight years of ago 7 cbiWnues' to~d'nvW'from the British.TreasiU'yiLO.OOQ ayoar, besidos en joy iiig'tlieTOyalpnlatfos'of St. Jarifes^aiid Kew°as her residences. Ibaly pays hor Kbyal Family' L66o;obo—which is'S-very largo sum in proporbfOh'to.bho ; mea'n%pf the Country-^whilo Spain disburses.on tho same account L<_oo.6oo, This orids ;blio likrof European monarchies of large pfopulatiohs. But the minor monarchies also pay thoir, Royal, families vory large,sums-/, Belgium pays L 133,500 a year to her King,,and*#9fti tugal,* wibh,.threeJ-quarters; ofa; million less population,, pays L127,Q00., Monarchy, bosta, Sweden; anelf Npiwoy .H17.500 annually; Denmark, Lo2,ooo ■;>. Holland, , L 03,000,; Roumauia, LfO.WO ; andZ-'i/eeco,, JM,(M. Bub L1_2,000 of this last, is paid: by England,, Fhinco,: abd Russia, Republican F Mince gives, her President. L 50.000,, bwo-bhirda of Which! is in thoform of salary, and, b^e-third for houßohold expenses. Tho v Swiss ,R,e; ( publiepays its President LCOOa yoar.whioli fat probably thp _analie>at, sum thatthp ;hpad of any ciyilißed; nabioh, in the world receives.

The Origin of the Jersey.

Tiie' d-hci* 'day, Earneat Rcdfern,; talking about Mrs Langtry, saifl:." By the way-leb' mo tell you' nTbhubi the jdrfeey—the'blolife fiititig' sack,' ybu--knoWi "The Pi.ride_a- Of Wales, hap, an exceedingly good figtire.- SHb ;wante-ridv-i.lib-ds,•■'•l_f "cotirsej'like tfth.r ladies. !ririd- One spring Wo made her,a ia'6kfeb%f ifindly-kmtted' kilk; froggbd dnd braided wibh gold aci*o*s;bho'!'front«; i,-;''lti' rnhele' ii'serifiatibn. I Ndnb of1 bh!_i lkdiee knew whhb it was.ndr could r 'exdcbly:make,iib"OUb'; Sfio said _-he'lilted-ib'vbr^'';mUch.-'.and' she received .rdfn iiife.'aiptom._te_J__bt' tojmake another in "a/year likd"' It.!; Very welt/ In'.'W moritll Or 'two *I Nvns • over on the Pfirido'fl yacjht ali'Gbwes, ahdihb 'Came- and- salt down' by me. and turned, the .talk, to/the 'ladies'' gowns. Ifeaw' Botribbhirig was Oh -His mirid',' and wpndered -Wbafhe: \v'a"s'-|dihg to^say;* • Th.ab'clel-'e jabk'et'-fi'bsthe .'Prin'cbss beariti fujly,'' is'wh'at'ii/waS. XOs Cbrirse-I;exptei_sed my' greab- ( pldasufd.^'.K'',An'd'f I- wish-tyoaf ivmW ma.k6i'bn6''morej!''he?Stig^este,a.o# ldW. '"'*l t'dia!;hirii"trfy prbifnise* bo'her. High-' nessi* ''*'' V'es.'-hb 'said,.lfeughing, .-■ I^lctfiowf; but1 iHvill tilke the* responsibility, and will1 make it all righb wibh her. Ib is for- 'Ml*,-' Lanpry:'; We made bhe garment,^bf'boureb, ari'd.it'#as; -tfbha,':(-Uccesß'otf.its wearer- -that' Wb balled'it/the • Jerseyi". - Since- thbn lriillibhs- have beeri' maeieje-rilithejw"ay>frbm' bhd .huhd_*bd dbllrtra'a"pipedto twenty;five; cenbs." "■ -' ',;,'- v-f,' n'- ''•: -;";i s >aa:-ihhm

POLITICAL RHYMES.

LETTE'ftS ,T<&^lafi};;aoTlS&;^SfO. Vti}

Aftei*-;' !C< T Xlii©;' Vtctlm.^ - f

■ Al.ax.upon the-'-^popie;fell' ™ - ; "■;;';• ' ' That'tbreateribd sore,to'lay.'themiow.'i' '••■ ' TJißr.,' what ■Was wdrSo-^Olr, bitter;" Curse .< ' "Tlib'-natidri's' friencl'-hridWrh-d a;fbpv ■''■;■ 'Sd- s'tre'-i^ hb lied -thei-ebple crie&>-^-'■■'■ "•' ■'■" Ourf ridhd has tijrried hgains't We-lahd^"-' i 'ThePres^frpmWtfsaribbrimshputedbuts^ ''■"The great' m&giciah ha% losbriik-wand." ■•■ ■"' itS^pmlf^A^M,}iir^^»i ■:■■ I '!-"!'.' -The-jjebplo cried,'I.• • - '•-■■• I , ;' ■/''■'■ AhdJftom'riibteth_,t-s'i eo'mirig i ;- ■ : '::."'•.'.) '^:.FdrrbnV;h|jpes''haveiclied-ejaileA-iia | *-i''-'l' !i:"Arid'W6'll, 'part with btit^heafe^': «• ::'/'/••;'-• OGr'braveist'aridf d&arfeat,'-"'"■':: f!-" r; .<. : r*d '.;> Arid'ten&'him oyer •:-'-'. :is" "■> Bid j ,i. i'fcv'The.ragirig'tidb;;':':' / >■ '.."■■' bluoz j '-Bub'sbil-l-the taxes-carne-the/fastef'!*■*_ ' ■>' ' And. cabbie, soldfor legs bhah'c/dSfc'j' ••' ;|;'" ■ i¥nd-'_!_A*lrie!r!. g$W-up:Mhg ma'Ste-t.'- ■'■'->■' I /'Arid livedupon tb'e eiodfir ■ •And'-starvirig riieh' -all"over Wb; way* •• : -;;■ ■ ■ , -Wbri't dyirigu|)-aridrdb'wri-the! stre'et., js ■' j And ever and ayp the presa but mOkhtedJ ; ''"'Ta&bj. _M Jl@a_4*id^W%e^_W©.)*m<f>] t ' JT ~ ,; Ye? W-uWf&ji&pxiyV; •■'■ ■ '•■•' ''•■■] .; - •-• '■"< J .•-, -"i-,&.'fIThe tiriie ls l_iear.| „'"''""! ■'.•'■•'_, dvq<d' I •'•r'"' "-"''''-We'llpart'witb'brir grbatest}! ' '";i The'he b«i dbat* i'1,1 ) "*'r;'- :J*'-"*'' oJrn ,v.; '»;i'''FQi.'th'e':timeth_;t'B%'6mihg' -, * j 'Is" mi '''Will be.heavy iri;:woei" ;fl ■"■' •*■*-■ -■"' i.o -;«<->'-■We'&iv'eWb ifagician - '-'■' ..<■•■ '■.- ■*'■ Iru,'1 ru,'\ j 'T^Ma»fiw H ':""'.'""'•" ": -•' psd-JO 3tf. ; f>*i_-;-.-**/ji-j. W* t-r.-W*"'Z^'«lrV%i3aa_r ■' : • ,;-:;'W7'cc'.; rrrg'_£:j

ATHLETIC NOTES.

• (By-ACT-aoNt)

FIXTURES.

• ; ~'j '-~>!-,„.•;; , -.FQOTBALJ.* ■ v, Senior Cup. t, Juric.'4.^^aitematoV..Qbrdori; Albert v. Pon sonby; .Grafton X,- -North; Shore... .> Juno fl.-Waitemata v. Ponsonby, AUCKiana I v. North Shore;,Grafton v. poiyon p rn <.(.„„ „ Jim^lSi^AlbSrt vi Ndrttt Shore;, Graf ton v. s Ponsonby; Auckland v. Wa temato* • June. US.- Gorilon v. Albert: Auckland V. ,1 on ' etinby; Waitomata v. Graftcin. ~,.,,, i . Junior Cupl 'junb^Wailomata v. Gordon; United v. Pon- BbhbT, Grafton'y. North Shore. . nfltknfl JunolL-^Waitemata v.'Ponsonby; Auckland r v. NOrthShOro';,Graf tOn v. Gordon, _ Jurie li?.-Unitod v., Nortfe Shore; Grafton, v. Ponsonby; Auckland v.'Waiternata • ■ Jime 25.-A.uekland Representatlveß v. Eg- Ju^ef4*n-Gordonv.,Unitod; Aucklandy.Pon- BOnhj-; Waltomata v. Grafton,,, Second Junior Cop. Juno ..--Selv-Tn. v. Gordon; Wavcrloy v. Covers; University v. Rcmuora „ June H.-Waverloy v. University , Kovers v. Bemnera; Gordon'v.Waitoinata, ~

AQUATICS.

May 80, 1887.-Harilau v. Gaudaur. unitea July^T.-Hanlanv.jTeemor; UritodStatcs October fc-'^llilstlo" races for the Americas

Nov. P26.-B-ach v. Hanlan for the Champion- Ship of tho world on the Nepean.

ATHLETICS.

June-i-rMatthoWsv.RiQhardson for the Cham pionship of New Zoaland. n Juno 21.-Five-mile Amateur Race from One hungd. '■•■ '■ •--'■';'-- -■;.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

TUAKAU.-In a handicap hurdle race A recoiyes. lWem start of B. Do.s' B'stert ft scratch or does* A,' with' B 10 yards behind^ scratch. A ■, startsok scratch; Bowes 10 yaxds,and starts, thatdiatanqobehind. „ •■_■.■

PuoiiJST.-"Tho Tipton Slasher" was the cognomen of,l?prryl-H« won .the. cbammpn -6 fp id 1850?lb3t it the toltowing year,,then regained m held it without?* flght tUI 1857, /1 when Tom Say ers beat him,

FOOTBALL.

FvuhX, I,OQO people lined the Recreation JGrbund at the.'Nbrth Shore lastSatdrelay to* witneas.the. matph. bebweon ponsonby and Tthe local clubi' ■ After a hard.fight,- in which bhb'bltio-dnd bldcka had all the bbatof it," •thoy wero beaten by a goal from a try to a try. 'tfaok'Arneil'a attempt at. goal waa not la badone,,bntit was nbt!a'iiatch onthe magriificont kick! of Swinnerton's that won the; match. As regards theptyy generally the game was. a. fairly fast one, and itwaa a {matter of surprise to their supporters that bhp visitorß,were, more than able to hold their own in tbo scrum, while in the open thoy- fairly walked,, through the, Shore. Thel blue and! blacks, however, had, bub little chanco of showing their powers in this direction, as the Shore did all they knew to keep tho scruiri together. Ponsonby were a lump off in the backs, Jones waa out of placo, Laird and Cleaver too littlo used to playing with seniors, and Whiteside un trained! The latter made two fine runs, in both of them running himself to a stand still. The' passing on both sides was weak, the visitors showing to most advantage. The backs of tho Shore are just so sc Wynyard is a good man; Maude I cannot fancy. After, his play on the previous Satdrday, Snow was rather a frost. Somer field mado some awful • hashes,! while Maya had nothmg.to-do to .show what he is mode of. 'WHiteside' i-eadhed him twice, but. in both caßo!?he was so-pyrapod thathp dropped into! ..Howie's/ arjiis' without, a 'struggle. Nortli Shore's try was given by, the, referee, bub! to my mind was anything- but: right. Both Jbnes'arid Whiteside,, had steadied the ball, beforo, Martin gpt ib, "and the rush that carried It, bVer thdTirto Wa*. started pffsidb, The!bine arid blnpk Win^shad very little ihaw' to". di&higriiah themselves.' but the bb.ies made themselves 'conspicuous, arid flio-r, bfi_i,de play waS the subject of a girba't dfeiil' of railler^ frb|ri the onlookers. Johnson (N. S-j plays ori tjhe wing in a sbylo I may. call'his own. It is riot football to giit roiihd behih'd'yoiir oppbneiiba'acrurn and waib till ; bhri bill, iahdeled' bub. As regards iridividual play Albio Braund bakes bhe cake, Hb played' a' rattling game, aud f roved hliriselfto bo, as his club mates call irb,'!"a; jewel."! Mui-phy,' Brown, arid Gra.£an worked tho hardest for1 the Shore, whirb'l-v'ebfo, Otway; McCorinel. and John ston may, be rriontibriod fdr the blue and bladkl.. ,;" ■• - r,.-< nil*..! ;■:-..-

' The/Graftona hod a very hard tussle with thb'AfbeVt^, arid only jrist managed to beat then..'' ' Twiriariie scored tho try obtained. Mercer, an old'representative, played three fa_u__cter, .baek (i for> Grafton, hub he proved hia day was' past. . ,Gor*_^n;hac^_^picnic .with Auckland, just w_dklng_'ffirbugh^them.. They, scored 14 tries, aridi to. Weir, shame bo'it said, only kickedfbußgpal^ '', . " ',-"' '._.".. ; G'^aftpri 2nd, aricf United playecT a draw, J'-iYOuld .call".the attention 'of the Korbh Shbrb. Cbnamitteo, to the, annoyance the Bpectators havp to pub, up wibh when watphmg,.! d' match' therb. I! refbr to the riumb^t' 61' bpy^ who. ainuso th'o'mselvea' thrb-Wihg'.dirt' /and' manure' among the crbtyd a'rtd' then, niaking a bolt. j' I hiyb received, "an^^ account. of a match held uri'db^the Waitpiriatd Associaitiori: be-' 'the^. Jervois; arid Ariwa, clubs., 'it' 'BbemV frprii'-t, that a lot of boys played a cro^d 'ot* ffliVaflttj lyt^wt^ixh" good fbr them. \' • . ,■. „'

''Aiiciklandll; QQuld. Jo'nly riianage to',beat the 'GbMoris, by two, p'bints,. and the blddks .Were '4b di-gustpd with. Weir opponents 'that jbl.p^"! d'pclined'.' to,' chper' 'the'ed.' at tho. cpnchislpri bf 'the 'gamb.'.,, ' !.," \ ~ ' '*Tll^,^i(b; f^rice used, fo lifeep! the, crbyd bad^;at;/toh,Nbrt;b Shbre ansiiVte*,-? its pur* !poS^w%H, wire ift'Very'aangerbKS.!' Two of ; the Ponsonby players hod bneir heads' badly cub through corning dcTwn on it! i _^ps^on%,\2p4'-p .(t NprthH-Shpre-ithrough by a* try. Hooker Conway scored iii tho last few minubes bya'-^plendiel bib of rush iijig play. Ho sjaoile^d the/pass to 4 two backs^ ajtid'th'en, 'see'riririg' the: bd,llV"ran!'frbriiI his owri twpn*tjr'-five. '■"'.":;""" ; 7! Uly " "'■' lc j 'Ij-ui^h'tohbkriowledgbtho receipt ;of the prbgrariirii'e ',f^r v! the: seasbri',' arid-We copy' jc^ tJib 'revised rulbs- from 'the Sbcßetary of th#'Rugby Uriitiri, also dprb^rarijriie^bf!1 tho Atibklarid Fob'tball ABSOCiiitibri. ; I ■■'■>!'.* ft '*.•. ::■.,.'., :..;'• c.j ••,;•■•/' ■ ■-.

ATHLETICS, ETC.

' Jim Bell,, owner,'of tho new"Scotch steel bn ) |'tipr^TUis!tl"e.;Syitli,■wliicli_.it is px-ppdaea tei compete' fb'r. the,"Afn'eflean• .Cup, 'haying Written to, thd 'Com_hltt^e i to fix/ ; 'ri_. early oara f6r ( the.ra'co, they cb'm'plipd'by'naming' Oetbbpr'Mb, 'Mr Payne's yachb_May-flbwer ■will' prpbabiy" defend bhe trophy;', '''."."' •' i : Ivfieik MpnndC-t Wbn his heat in the second r.d!v.nd!; !of'■*s-■s■' QqHlv&^K G rarid Handicap,' jioirig,a'yard/'byer; eyeh,-'_ but 'in, thb'-bhird r.b'uhCsfas.b'jj^ Lbferi, of Sydhb'y; % jv*£h.Q,nyhp^ The firialrieat'! WjH^ "vvdri bf an" abbngmai named I^owman, iloHh'B'pn iyid Hbpkiriß/dead.r hoat!'fo^sßcbrid M '!'!'•',/'' y-ff'.1:, ;--^--\--':* J ™-'•■":■■; J, !_?h,^,t!wb:' i hQhr|,'. t 'v-jH,lkii-^, bdnt'est between' Gdbd'riiari 'arid, "Wal^h,bombs ofFtb-riighb in the' City Hah;/ .f ; r':;'/ v ; '"" ■' i.'|?eWt;Sb.tri,i*'dfty nigh __Dibk' Matthews' arid: RtchardsdH^a^'d^ and!"a .champion, pi'bei;,!^; decide.. tlie. r cnairipiori-hip- of; Nbw; Z^alih^;' "j r.".. ■'■"' !uh ,'■"'."'' ':','■ ':'■ "' j :Miil'et! beat),"Sali! and Cliristbl, ih/W fwfesbjirij*; MbdH!, Mtl/i Weni bri the',''l4th ifigfc 'l«-ii],br.'th-'bwChris'tbl first, then in. tyift jiibixt; bbut ,'Salr by' a fluke^. show// threw jTv|ilM,!!w;hri,: h'Bw'dVbr| scored twS! by;%airi, jpi!ri%_rig' 'C-rristolbvp'r/the next..Vpurfd.; ; In* the fourth bout Miller;-prifc Sail over easily, thus winning-bhe^matchj ':-•;- ■ . On last Saturday week,Slavin, the cham pion'^of.!Qrie_*risl^ridy^ ? Gi-js-fceilo,; .the. !sS_tfsse. eSitlri ,six rpuhds, .but waa.'■: noti-eqrial to. theitask. '-m There ,; waS jUttlt-t^h-^fO^-be^w^thgm finish.;.,

SPORTING.

-Hippoka's ' usual* 'biielgeb of btirf:gbssiprWill be found in tKfe Star', page' 7. /'/ ,' '

THE GARDEN.

Calendar of Operations, May, 28th.

[BY iIOKTUS.)

! | Hortus is will! ng to answer any queriesi •' Cor respondents must give their full names and ad dresses, though hot £or:p,ublioation.] . _-~ ... ■

CharCOAT. (Carboii).—l'haveriever had. any thing to do-myself in the making of cKHrcoal, but reprint an article tak__n from an authority. Perhaps, some prac_ie>,al man,,wh,o has,had some experience, will give more details, which! would be" happy to'publish, as I be lieve tile making of charcoal could bo turned into a profitable industry in New Zealand. , .

PkksimmonFruitroit Market ("Amateur. ■ —I believe tlia.t tho persimmon would boa first-class fruit fdr. market.,..lt would bo much easier carried than the ordinary plum. It can bo pulled beforo it is quite lipe. The flesh is then quitbi Arm, 'and not easily damaged. Storekecpers'coiild keep and sell when reaely for eating. After the fruit came into general . use, the customers would purchase it beforo it ripens and keep it at home, using as it be came ripe. The fruit, must become perfectly soft before it can boused.

Charcoal Making.

The whole art of making charcoal consists in burning" the wood with only a limited supply of air. A number of b_llets: 6f wood are built up vertically in twd or three rows into a large conical heap, which'is covered over witb "turf or moistened charcoal-ash, holes being left at,,the .bottom for the, ah* to get in. A hollow space'is also left in the middle of the heap to serve.as a flue for tbe gaseous matters>ybichareevolved. The heap is set on fire by throwing burning pieces; of wood into the centra.l, opening',,near the top of which,. however,1 a kind of grate, made 'of billets of wood, is placed, to prevent bhe ■burning' fuel front'falling-at once- to the bo'ttorn. The coriibustiqn then, proceeds gradually from the,top to,the bottom,.and from the centre to the outside of the- heap, and. as the central portions burn awdy*' fresh wood is' continually thrown,, iri.^ at th*3,top soas.to keep the-heap qriite full. The appearance of: blie smoke shows how bhe combustion is proceeding : when ib is going on properly, the smoke, is thick, and 'white ;: if it becomes: thin, and espe cially if a blue flame: appears, it ,is , a sign that the wood is burning away, fast,, and tho combustion must then be. cheeked, by partially stopping upthe holes at the bottom or by heaping up fresh ashe-s on the top and' sides, and pressing them down well,* so as to diminish the elraught. : As soon as the combustion-is completed, the heap is left to cool for two or three days. It is then taken to pieces, and the portions still hot are cooled by throwing water or sand upon them. 100 parts of wood yield on the avorage from 61. to 65 parts by measure, or 24 parts by weight, of charcoal —Watts's " Dictionary of Chemistry." Potato Growing. The best crops of potatoes that I have ever seen havo invariably been planted on soil varying between a' sandy' and f-a clay loam. On neavylanel,'especially wliens'not Undcrdrained, the crops have boon -pc-or arid unproductive, thfe: seed, often rotbingiil .the jrrounel and'dot. coining up, esMepir in occasional Spots'. SiicH land designed ■ for potatoes should be'thoroughly drained with tiles, as the cost will, in the end,- be- much' : less 'than' that* resulting from.. an', entire failrire'of bhe potatoes. If the farm is so situated that a part of-the soil is heavy and the other part light, tbe owner would" do well to select thejsoil which- is; nob* quite heaS-y enough to" need- draining for. his potato field, arid in a dry or Wet; season he will then stand a good chance of. raising a, successful crop. ■ '•••■-,', */// "■'-■ ■■■_" •'■'■Ktfii'i .'■;(,,-.;'

The ground will need to be finely pul verised with the plough and harrow before' the seed is pub in. 'Fall;ploughing for potatoes will not be' of much benefit"; it re-' mains, however, optiorial with tlio fanner, for it certainly will do no harm. The ground can be worked. over iri the spring, until it J ia" devoid of all lumps arid sods.- Plough j deeply, as a deep soil, deeply ploughed, is undoubtedly best for pdtritogrdwing: ■'■' ■ ■' In the selection arid cutting of seeds there is one infallible*rule to follow, that Lhave found:'applies in -almost all--cases-,, Select the potato with respect, to size and quality that comes the nearest toyour ideal of pota toes ; that is, take the medium and large, potatoes for your, seed,- fend; not*..thcsmall ones or. the exclusively large, ones.only.. .Lf a.whole,large potato/and a- whole small po; tato aro plantod^at the, same time the_*a will be no appreciable^ difference in the":size of, the yield. The bestf yield is obtained when the half of a, good,* medium-sfeed .potato is. used for seed. If noti selected- at digging time the preceding summer,,they should-be. picked■•;out at once. and.placed in a<lark place where the sprouts will have a chance, to start.-;.' ~ od. 6_.w vjqoi vltta *iV" ;„>, H Potatoes ,for seed* 1 should' be! cut-on the dayof plhriting, and!■ -not several; daiys beforehj-.ns- , When kept, even '■'fol'-A ' day,:! cbn_iderablo '•risk/ 'iefyruri by" the former. Cut' "drily. as "_riany;as are. heeded' for 'one' day's'■'plah'.ihg,. and those that tire left over giVe'to'the cattle'- 'ra.her'thah hse ' them for sepd!' --More lpsS'from potnto'^rbvv-' irig'is c'ausbd'by this'practice of-cutting dp' all the seed'at'ohce tha^'-fta_iy'imaWirie.'ahd; experience has''.aught-Targe"gVoweife-Wab they 'caririob'affbfd-to' rim the riSk'tliat? is? in volved' in tbe wbrk.- everi'thotigh ic'saves ti_rie*'an<_.-'>lab6ur.**od •»! .:■.. 7B ,uvvr ( ~f; ,Maniiring 7 the.pptnto, field properly1 re-" quires'' judgri-'en^ .The sbilsof'farrii's diner'_ 6in .I.e.r cbirip'ositioris that thf mode of, .treatment, that would' apply to, one fidlcl'would! not" 'answer 'for another.' Some Jcrpp_v'such as. corri! arid vines, want their manure riearthe'top fe_". the-1 ' ground'; but potatoes'can bes^.utilise itwheii it is, some, distance'downV, To'.mrxiit well- With the lower Soil then* will require its ap-' plication in the fall,"*sd'-bb._lb'ibcan leach. bhrough , gradually, elurin'g'"'bhe; ".winter5 fflonbh's", Thbr^iriand'' 'Snp^ffwilP'w.orl-'it into the-,', s'iirfabe'/'-of '/the:'.' soil;!*'arid '•'"the' plough ;iri" th_!' spririg.syiir' turn;-* it' 'over1! arid put it iri' thep roperplacb for the roots!' of, the potatoes,. The manure, ?hpulci;,'bb' well, rotted;befbro 'spread- on in'tKb fall, 'so -hats.np'nb of Its; ricHness t 'cari bo dissipated; by evapbratiori or biowhhway by bhb'Wifi<*ls.: H sufficient, quantities are put on the field' in the Ml, io wilt bb unnecessary to spread any rharitu'b'Uh the'hill's;'as/tlie rob.s r-'bf the. potatoes will sui-fily !firid' the nourishing sub'l stance;-."!' if*_',platted1 •_6w 'enough db-wn .Rjjd theih.'-' Besides.'this method saveVbd-Mder!--1 able labour.'/**;■ 'v:';°,'; f ' ■;'-•'•'■-'-•"'-'' {0(k _ The, relative .yaliie ,of comriiercial'. fer tilisers ; /arid, /b'arriyard ~!;:rriahureil ! is!.r!vari-* oiisly estimated! for,'pptatpes,''.bulthe^best, results have been* obtained frbrrj the;' latter w.hen.,appliedi in.the'prbper''.condition, ,It' should Wrptten^yery'^ lumps fined' down arid .spread eve'iily; over' the grpund. .Coarse, jfibrbus substances', such as,straw,, that,;have ..'ri.pt""be,eri!.".de.coiripbsed. sufficiently Ay ill be blown off; the field in :the,"-\yinter,.and,a'materi bcca's'iqn,ea'ih other ways. Rotten stable 'ri.^nu'_'e-,v will, 'in-, ci-pjisp. the yield .pf, potatpes'eydry'.'tiine,' 'while coi'rime'rcial fertilisers will; gouietirries, fail on certain soils. ' The/besb'way, is for eacbiarmey tp.eXpeririient.in his own way. 5 using both commercial and home.-mfide f er : filisers'bn a! small. scale,!.ahd\'govern1 his; actions, In/ with the rdsulb.-— ,F»xm:ei,."' j;""'l.'V ' ' ' , - "' '■ ""' rWIU-Wi :■ fV&i 03 )'! .1 ,

STAGE AND STUDIO.

(Bt rEuTERBE.) A *,» •<-;

iMb'i T.. Charter has,- ;been corresponding 'with bhe Secretary of the Sydney Liddertafel jfor the purpose ,of obtaining infonniation' -with., the,- view: of establisiiihg,', a', similar .Society in Auckland. .•■-,•• ... ■■(■■

' TlieA-mateur Opera" Club ia* not dead, ,butsleapeth. Is ib not about time, however,' for it to ".'shake off this dpwriy sleep, death' 3 Counterfeit," and. address itself to work? On 'dit that Favait," resently producedin Chrisbchurch, will be the next work put in rehearsal, and that Miss Fair ■field,who filled the leading rOle in the Cathe dral City, wilfcorne up to Auckland to play the same part here. Gounod's new opera, "The Maid cf Orleans ■"will'be produced ab bhe Grand Opera in Paris next autumn.. . : . , Jenny Lind is living ,at Cannes. -, The' renowned singer is now a, genble-faceel, silver-haired old lady, with quiet manners. Bemenyi, the, celebrated violinist, after, atrip through India, Burmah,, the • Strait Settlements, China and Japan, was,, when last heard,of, in South America. .___*-. Strauss has just completed a new comic opera, which is to outvie-the; success, of " Indiana," and make the French composers sick with envy. The title is a. secret. ; Nobwibhsbanding the hostile comments of the Press, "Rnddigore," is the. big thea trical draw'in-London. Hundreds are turned away nightly, whilst the, booking beats even that of the " Mikado." Mr Augustus Harris is in Milan,. trying to arrange for the conveyance of .the, entire show, Verdi's "Otelio" at: La: Scala to Drury Lane in June. So far, be has not succeeded in coming to,terrixs., The Chriatchurch Operatic Society,will produce "The Sorcerer," some time next month.. . .. -~ ..'■"■:'■• - ■ Simonsen's Italian Opera Co. closed their Sydney season last night, and now go on to Brisbane. A press criticrecommends!Mr. Simonsen. the next time he puts up Italian, Opera to provide good, scenery as well as gopd acting, and to have .his "cloths" painted in the colony, nob three bimes boo large, so as to. flop about 'during,.the per formance; .-'/ ,-, :, ~ ■;.,,■;■, -■ ■ Monty Browne, sometime sub-editor of the New, Zealand.. "Herald," has retired from- the/Bijou Theatre, Melbourne, and gone to Sydney to manage the, Criterion Theatre. ... tj :.',V Sunday entertainments have, been' given in Wellington, of late. Madame Yaughan •gave an entertainment, at.the Lyceiipa Ilall on Sunday week, consisting of recitations from tlie best known authors.. Oh the'same evening Miss Ada Campbell'lectured at ,the OperaJibuse on "The Impending Crisis,; or, the Future of "the Australasian Colonies." At both houses admission was, charged at thedriors. ... •/. t-. Signor Bosco, who ran the Sunday con rert-Tat the Sydney Opera House successfully 'for two years, has now transferred his.artists tb bhe Gaieby. and on Sunday week bhe nrsb of a new series took place before an immense assemblage.. The arbisbs include. W. B. Cadyon,'W. G. Lester, HeiTPechoteh,'Lelia Fabian, Maud. Lourent, Harry' Teece and others. .. * ~,.- ' '~ s ■"Skipped by the Light'of the Moon," the title of the piece being played in Australia by Johnny Gourley and Company, is hideed " funny; very, very funny, "and is a pronounced success from start to finish!. / • That tireless literary!worker, Professor Henry Morley, has nearly, rpady, from, the press of Gassell and C 0..,: wba,t promises' to be his "mar/num'opus. ' lb is a work of magnir ' tudo as well as of •importance, and when Completed will fill tSvpnty volumes. ' " The I3_istory of^jEnglish, Literature"." is'the'sub^ ! je^cb.of Professof'.Morley^'task,'ahd.it covers , the (vyhole' subject, begirinirig with tbe, r early* times V.before, Alfred, and coming,. down to thepreserit' day. / Professor Morley1 has been engaged upon this Work for twenty' year 3, and ib is really ari elaborabioh of a plan, that,'resulted in ayojurrie ori. English' ' writ ers, published in 18fj4. .-'.'' j The following account' of the inspiration. :' under which various well-known songs were ' cbrrip'bsed may be set down as highly ima,gi native, but1 if questionable asl to'fact it is* at any rate amusing.! Beethoven was once • rricb during a heavy shower by a friend who was ■uriprotected frorh the elerrients.'" 'Lend 1 -me your rimbrella'j" sighed the latter. The great master at-once composed 'the ; song,. "Wait TiU"the Clouds Roll-By." ■A: com-; I poser'of eminence, being told tliathis music j was somewhat brashy, and ?thab:. he had better " turn over a new leaf,"at once wrote; ",When!tlie Leaves Begin to Turn." Franz Abt'oric'e trttvelled uppn a. railway where1 lie was'" allowed five minutes forrefresme^hts','" in which to eat 'dinner. ■• Obsen*ing the1 furious gulps* 'made.' by 'hid hri fellow-' travellers to r get their moneys. worth' in' a" limited' time, "he s 'spontaneously composed, "When the Swallows' Home-* ward Tly." Gtiglielmd once called- .'upon a ' bbtrothed coiiple, anei was-invited'to dine with'tiheth,'•' Tlie young-man, while carving; the turkey j- Was so abstractedly gaiang at his • sweetheart 'that- he; sent the gobbler; three times into thelap of thecomposei.aridcaused' ■ seven' 'streams Of gravy;ti. run overj liis face. Gtiglieimo * left^-'Without eabihg anybhingji aiid* werit'home'and'' composed ffoQ3he Love-* and bhe'Bird.-" '' ClaribeLwrote '' Tdke Back; bh'eHearb Th'Ott' Gayest".' to a partner :at; Whist who rpVofced when';i__iamonds.. ledi" Srillivah, after looking'(all'.over -the, house for a piecel of^twirie -to.tie a: biincUe with, 1-, sat'down in Pa 3 fttrious'passidn and! evolved '<Tbe LosfrGhord."f f •; -dsdt> -. dm -Aim bat

The Adventurous Voyage of a Nautilus.

rivedl' kt" Dover' yesterday dwitheas crew-of three hands,'having"accbmpKshed'the' feat"' of ,'sailing from. Port Natal to' England;'_.' 'As.. fepqri as she had fairly gob! into harbour,'her. Weatherbeaten appearance at Once attracted attention, and it was, nob.long before' the history .o^the'bp^t was known.jT Me *'' Hprh'b-.. ! ward Bound," looks''anythmg but acapable j craft' tb^perlprm; such,!a 4'ybya^-^in iacb,, ; frpm. her/ appearance, .jfew people except I those, ofWet most adventurous, type wbrild j carp to tSrus.brbhemselyejsVfar iri!"a vessel' of! 'hfe£size ( in ah ordinary breeze;;,', Yet during j h-V.pyage of 'ten months, with..the^ bxceptiQii' Of tpuxshing .at tW/pdrt's, she. haS'been at;i spa, the' whole time, and iri sorrie veiy ten! j ppgtnouV weather; Her rrieasurerrieritis' as I foHovvl^Length,!;|6.!ft'Y.depth; 4j_, /ft.'* j breadth. 7, "ft; "/She;'ls' only 4| .tons,"' and .draws'abput 3 fb.', .the height' of'her. gun wale' fromthe wat'er-ieyel being'about'lairi/ •All.blip upper'.parts'of the craft' are1 '■ Wpll w^prn . by' the con staht washing.1 bf We 'sea. The bottom 6f !th& boat is'covbred with long I .b'aripacles.' an*!/grass is! grbwihg at consider able- length r/bri. 'her' Hull ! ;ujs afe'~far as the ■■\^t'e.i'-iip.e.;j !iri!:acco_id;' 'ane^'Syith..the; ideS-s Jof "Captjairi Nilsbii. We: oSyner, whei on being askea^fet'ates that his' Gh\f n.otive in browsing was, to r "provbttha!'t; ib WAS iibVimpossibie in 'such^a' sriiall craft :'tp/weather'the ' Capo_ Hbf:Gbbd''*H6pe /in the worst' part .'of, "the year,'*'' CapfAin/'Nils'ori" ahso Says that he topk'pMt'ih.t..B Zulu war, arid has brought over ,;a'" riiail'-ba^J'-eo-f- 0 taining'several letters,to'-people;iriTLoridon" arid' elsewhere,' which wa&_ givbri to him; at Natal by persons .taking an interest, in We voyage.,'" Captain; Nilsori,'with--his*! ".mail. :ba£ " "bame'to London last evening, arid! will'afterwards accbnipariy his''craft tb.'thb' !Thames/''The-other 'two 'members of .he brew are "Norwegian and the vessel/left Nritaliii Mcty list." Duririg'fbur week's the' -rip's'.'.tori_pe_Wous' weather waseirpe'ribhced; aiid'the brew's clothing'literally' rotted/off ithem'by %biri'g cohstari-lywet; for, four days the' "waves were frequently 1 breaking' over them,. The boat is so cpristructed that i the. hatches cari be slid along sqras to covpr |it iri almost entirely. ' • ' ■ ■• • [;-!-.-,; - OJ.T'.-**-''''-*' JJ-V:-r ";" '•■-*__ ii i/..'.!_';."-: : ;"-' :.,*"

UNKNOWN.

A- ',(Harri^^™P machine, was , f This is the first ,S:oded &fe bS"1"" imported "W'^ete^^H ijfr Sa s highw it^l'M pressed air, and an^ *i& useful loot MrEfei* engineer, the sole *__^'7»*«^l': says it is suitable S^*i_Sp3 ofeoalcutting,-thS^^| do the work of ta_ _^J_fcl?r'' men to attend^ ta^i^l&f * * machine, and theotlW*® V, ' back the small coaS^ii&P? The machine tole. fit 3ft. 6in., taking^ is* vjgW front, to 3in._lth^ T «ft?J>F in a shearing of A^^^M the holing ■•THeSaM'M,,. largely andprbfitabl/ffiß? <fo and have twice prove/ a * * Wip ing machine, &ti«*M^M?S " of Is Id per ton^'.^lSfMi. returned from the,fl o^^W_? -making a tour oi' b^SSft I ■mining centres - d_-_SE. IP 6 &>■■ ' the Continent.;,:;;T_is|PSH_l: machine has resi4^]^S|»3__: I 'spec-ion of coal ca|»S JSBm MB *.* work, and he" haa sc&ft^l miner as the hiObt-anii^u^M machine, suitableforS-P^Sil^l Mr W. P. Watson/Gel&l^B Kaitangata Coal CotojSs» the machine: for theuf / w or i4' a^ JttJK

Liszt and Czar Nicholas.

Durikg Liszt's second vifiifc gi J " burg, the.Czar Nicholas'mv3^|||§ soiree at, the Winter PaJa^fSM - courseof the evening |)6lia___l«H;, -, to play. An imperial request beb -?'. valent te a commaftdf-I^g^'ji^^ ,/ piano, and commenced bnsoi :"l____|S Hungarian Elmpsc^hra.^._s_^(Sffi - of bestowting that-exclusive atte... 4'- '"" ■ the performance1 to which- Ei&t^. ■; :'h j tomed, and whieh/iri;__i3^_i^y^^ his audiences in PnVate/__ff^fJ|f2 piiblic—no matter of whEfc .xaltft, ilM&t they might happen to b. co_i_wd_r3sl^': into ah animated' conyfesatJon^(]i^M__p hi 3 generals^' talkiri|; faM t-B&f&IHp means subdued tone of'voiwj'lMjJ^B playing for a minute bl/tfe^t-ii.SWI \ which time" seeing not listening to him','he _^_e_|^ JK full stop, and rosefroiabasvge.fc^Jff:; strument.' Tableau.1 ;MI»M;KaK:' ' paid ho heed to Liszt's^eff6r_i(___. *Sj3H|' Alexandreivich m_..(^f/t_#lso__if^R;i piano and sent one' of- Ms!_t_Sg^R to ask the artiste :why?ha;Hail-_|Jgv*-i playing, whether .keH;.fei^||p or the piano had- nob 'teto-Sj§§. tuned. . Liszt's steady-grey ejn;__jß.' with righteous indigTiation'afererftK "The Czar well knows,tfs%l_|^H speaking every other •: .voice-Bven; l__i'.^K music—is bound to' be ■mute.l',vSi) a q^ he turned his back, 6m-the ;%__Mfi cial, anel abruptly"' left ternm'ti^HE. body present expectedcths|t: 1 tKfca«^^ would receive his passpoH'tho'&difcJH. on the following morning,.*■ m. ij-H peremptory order••omM»_pM|sH: Minister of' _ Police territory within four-aH(i-t-ff^:l_«fli^W the surprise-of the Court, h-TOmfoH Nicholas took in good part-tte,':.i*jpjH[ proof administered to' ____'_y,.tfo !___.»« pianist, towhomheS£^aY l c&iWsfi.|fl| next day ; and ever after,.-V__*rL__l| name was mentioned in hia-pn__en_^^_i|H of him with cordial* ■ __rl_itio.'a| a musician who not only rft*ssj|l himself, but ;'• had titt_di^%']&i|H ■ sisfc upcin respect bein?.paid W:Jibbß " even " (as the; C 7a: was won. to oljfflffl ■'by ignorant <'"persai_.:.liks.myse_. jjH know so Uttle about*, n^ig^^ deserve 'that, -great: their time and talentaiiaftiyipg ftj»™ them." ,^'tV*- v' "' mm

UNKNOWN

Of tho twelve irionftß,1 KoyemfeiH:. reckoned in certain village^ in-EWiKI be by far-, the most -i_^'ri_fi-uS|H[/ Sundays' of this m- .nth _ra k?'jn srog4. ively'as Review Sunday,;s«j»ife^B Purchase Sunday!ariei!S«W^%sj||:H names' which sufficieh|l|j;.fal_|gp^W poses":to which/ each!, ia' P^'H-liPlffl people. On the first Thur?diy,&M^ ber all the villagers him 0-P.4-'VHi besb attire to' '.';b*^'hM_M|| vilJageVfai-: a»(i'TO^.t^g)^MgyS»H perf orrri; We ..cptw MMMSIH invariable opening o| fc"?\'\°T l (3B| Review Sunday, the 'unmirried.pffßKKii young men, after "fhe,':.go™||iiS|j| walk up arid,, dpwri!'s^i«||lm to ,thpir,he^ts!/;cpri^C!mwgl their iriirids'whbhi te select'<fi if»i?SBI Srihday,'the youths, mth thelr!SlH imagihabibVsalutejl-.be i% tW«|B from the way in which tK^.-fWu I spofided'.tp Whether.'^i^^Sll their lot.!!." The.'third/SuMay,%M| the'lessirpma'Hti.c.'task .oifih^lM ■ sent! of 'the;parerits,arid".an'rip« r aM ■ nesslikeLf£-3hibh.tho'dst|M.Ki^|K.l settlei^rit!^/ '^h>' J^igMSf | authority; Kavmk':b|^W*Si ■ dued; allI'tiie following3-wSkSH 1 busy at marrying; butnotiffihtr^i Sunday "comes ro\md ; f^^t^^ | trothed:permitted rim«WKE 1 gaze or-'at=moS« &mM i:m^tr §'

Egypt: an Unfortunate Oc currence.

!£^osi'iri^ejt|^le;^ci^<^^g have :o^cWredrinW fl c|aii;?®(t-^^ day; Two officers of thei.We&*^ were out quail shooting and • byiacciden./"''slighf^W|^ irieri! wK6i.:we]»;..n#llvM!tl^ The:., men/. at.'bnce/ 'ak^jMM m,ari,deC", 'sajtisfacbion, ... M iJxif of &, party, .could^d^^ ether, a. qu'ai-re}. msm'f&mM&i tb-ripted' tp.wrbsra'gu^M^Pl off,! killing a ;T§aii.| in.fdrce., dnd ; ,se_zed ; .the IW^A resisted, arid'wbre,/M'^«W jected to, much mdignrteMai|| treatment/! I^te'.m.the <JgMmm hrrivpd, :and;lpririd;J«g<|| tied with 'ropes,, ih; M.MSMAS village, , A'strictlnfluiry-te&rt and, indeed, iltW dt.mWs&sm cbrte_poriaentibf.:.he.".,S%M|a is bo be;h9pedbhhb'bhb'«» seiz-d 6f baching'a'Vholegb»B^» riative?. .In, <^M^ 7W^§i lish'afe quite WfjO '$jgsm Pf3rt4bibs;bUbt^'riainVesWt»# lake the^law" }W *%jl|S|g cbrrespohdefib of-.tHb *,SoM«?M bhe names of the'officers J*^jßfc Deith,j aha ,radds the'Aa*ab^'ifroih''hangmgJMp ? || had 'been' fbriit*_lly mauled. ;-:&*&■ 'infantry.! galloped fs.r*smm Ihv thft nohce. '■ . _

TB&&Btib&& wst<m ' ißmv '

2



, " " ■'''~', '.i.,-j,.iw"Loi p i Poverty-,- Ajroir--JSTjmßgjgJjM|. dragged dovw-TO%debkP^«W^f|S for liars, caused by a f^goWM', for aoctorinfr, which, ttem^jir^ completely discouraged. unW^E«| the advice of my pastor, I I«L|H and comrnencedtlieir.iise,-W^™^ were all well, and-nphe ofi f-SMSfc, day since; and I, yn&JS, J&#__£m; you can keep, e^SfPS American. Co.'srHoß.ptteiM|p,^ doctor's, visit will cost, WW f-* . ,wa M^.''; /'/; : , (J fc7 4s|gH-;