retain Edwin advises—" Expect bad between east and north and north ff * snon with very heavy rain, and glass -Tax Commissionor ia ap !lv resolved upon enforcing the par6 rtv-for late payment of the tax. Those ff mid the amount of tax, less penalty, fresh notices calling upon i aTe ,„ (ichimt) up " the amount claimed.' T) spite the strenuous effort put forth by «i,n Police, the Hardinge-street mystery re ins unelucidated. We understand that the me a sures * aken b y Ir Superin ? deut Thomson a circular has been sent f all medical practitioners in the city information regarding the case ■f sue! nmv aye come wit " in their ken - it ■ thought that if the mother is alive she under the circumstances attending w confinement, su ' 3Se( l uent to the birth have suffered so severely that medical aid certainly have been sought. Businees on 'Change is a little better to ' daY -^ ew •Z ea^ Colonial and National Banks are inquired, and Gas shares are also saleable. Most Insurance stocks are dull of sale. In mining, Cambria, Saxon, Prince Imperial and Trentons are most in favour. 16lbs of picked stone were obtained from the (4tnbria from a part of the claim which j,as not hitherto yielded gold. It may prove io bp the commencement of a run of gold. 20lbs "of picked stone from, tho Saxon are also advised, and the crushing is reported to be shaping very satisfactorily.

A rather amusing incident was witnessed on the Queen-street Wharf this morning. A net containing bides was being hoisted from a vessel to the wharf, when the hook caught in the clothes of a man superintend- Intrihe operation, and he was in a twinkling hoisted to the yard arm, and hanging like llahoinet's coffin, between heaven and; jirth. The clothes fortunately withstood tie strain, and it is almost unnecessary to add that the man was not kept long in "suspense," but was carefully and promptly lowered-to the vessel's deck again.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Auckland Tabernacle Band of Hope took place lost evening at the Tabernacle, and despite the very inclement weather, a large number of persons were present. Sir Wil liam Fox presided, and gave a characteristic address upon the "Evil Effects of Drink ing, Smoking, Lying, and Swearing." Mr Fowler then, as a delegate from the Band of Hope Union, spoke at some length upon tie"Evil Effects of Drink upon the Sys tem." Mr Spurgeon was unable to bo present owing to another engagement, and sent an apology to this effect. Hie following interesting items were then giren by members of the Band of Hope choir:-— SolOj-MissC. Pearson; recitation, Miss Daisy Smith ; dialogue, Misses Annie Hogg, Elfie- Ellingham and Alice Brown ; solo, Miss Battley ; duet, Misses Daisy and ■Annie" Smith (for which an encore was de manded); recitation, Miss Amelia Bailey. Devotional exercises were then'engaged in, when a hearty vote of thanks was tendered ioSir'William Fox, Mr Fowler, and other friends Who had assisted. The Benediction, pronounced by the Chairman, ; closed the evening. A number-of persons signed the pledge at the close of the evening , .

The Freeman's Bay Temperance Club aadCoffee Rooms—an institution of great practical beneficence, whose like we should be pleased to see in every quarter of the oty ahd suburbs—is to be formally opened fo-night by Sir-William Fox, the President pfthe Club. Its location is the building at lb corner of Adelaide and Drake streets, loriaerly occupied by Mr Maxwell as a botcher's shop. It has been thoroughly (phauled and fitted up as a club for men, aid comprises reading-room, supplied with the daily papers, periodicals, illustrated papers, &c. ; social and amusement rooms, mtWraughts, chess, dominoes, and baga yjej' smoking-room, library, and coJJ'ee feros. An entirely separate portion of the is set apart as a gymnasium, read ffi&Wi & c -> or y° utns - The Coffgp Saras' are to open to all, and refresh mats will be supplied at "very moder aWarges. Men employed in the locality my bring their lunch with them, and enjoy, a hot cup of coffee for one penny, fie otter rooms are reserved for members pnjy. The opening proceedings to-night are to take the form of a social meeting, com inaieihg at 7 o'clock, and the programme includes a concert, readings, exhibition of microscopes, views, and articles of scientific intense- ■'•■ '•' '

An excellent programme is promised at Herr Tutschka's concert to-night, and a large attendance may be anticipated. The concert opens with a quintette for piano tod stringed instruments (Schubert), in which Miss Carrie Wright, Mr J. Clough,. Mr;J. Kelly, Herr Tutschka, and Mr G. flatsam will perform. Mrs W. _ Eady will ang Koeckel's song, "Rest," with violon cello obligate by Herr Tutschka. Haydn's trio in G will be played —violin, Miss Otic Chew;,'cello, Miss Essie Chew j and piano, % Nellie Chew. This will be the first ippearance .of these young ladies in AucHand. As they were preceded from Kansas, with a high name for . musical ittainments, an especial treat may be confidently expected. The second part of the ■ programme will be taken by Mr J. B. Simpson, Herr R. Freytag, Miss E.. Goldabro', and Miss Essie Chew. Miss Otic Chew will also play a violin solo, '' La Muette di Porticci," and the part song, "Departure," will be rendered by lady and Barfemen amateurs. '""

MEMORANDA.

jB. S. Abel, account book manufacturer. Periodicals, " annuals, and music bound. and plans mounted and varnished. wiers left with Murray and,. Spencer, Queen-street. -.: . . .'.-11.. '"''-

.The new Temperance Club and Coffee Rooms, Freeman's Bay,' wilt be opened this evemng at 7 o'clock. Sir Wm. Fox will preside, and a number of musical selections willbe given.

social in connection with the Pon *% Catholic Church which is to take fc on June, promises to be % successful, judging from the number ".tickets already sold. An energetic com fcittee" 6f ladies are making necessary ar- for refreshments, so that s.atis *on in that department is assured. A tram-car will leave Three Lamps, ?on" *y>: at 7 this evening for the Chamber T c «t in the Choral Hall, returning after TOtmancei \ . • ' ,-

turned meeting of the Royal Irish thofee intending to join to-morrow Wy) night, in the brick Schoolroom, of Pitt and Hobson-streets.

Herf Louis Tutschk'a's serie s in the Choral Hall to-night. ,' jgjjnight;of "lolanthe" at the Opera f share transfer books of the Union FM Marine Insurance Company, win "J*4 from the Ist inst. to July 6th. .: ij:M%itaVof sacred music which "takes to-night 'in Holy Trinity Church, $$&*■ to be highly enjoy- solos—chiefly oratorio selec ifS'* conMbufced byMesdapaes and Geddis, >. Misses Kal a2? CI %gs, and Mr L. Edwards, while of concerted numbers also figure. ~ , • ■ • ' ' will be given this even i^: s t- Thomas's schoolvroom, Union-. with the amusing farce g ? , Boots at the Swan." Cangbey hold .the largest I %% ? lanket3 and Flannels in the pro- Blankets, from Gall d. tdffi to 3 guineas; Flannels, from /*a

EARLY CLOSING.

The Proposed Shop Hours BIU

The Early Closing Bill Committee, who have been for some time deliberating on a measure to secure uniformity in the early closing of shopa, and who have got a large number of signatures, .in support of their proposals, have now completed the draft of the proposed Shop Houre Bill, as follows =4 PREAMBLE. ™ her f a ? th ? health of man 7 Persons engaged m the various retail trades is seriously injured by reason of the W hours or business, it" is expedient to limit such hours by legal enactment. Repeated efforts to reduce the hours by mutual agreement of the trades have always iauea.ot permanence byreasonof some few breaking through the agreement or others commencing business failing to comply with

For climatic reasons it is especially necessary for the welfare of. the State that the present long hours should cease. • • J-he general recognition of eight hours as the standard working day for the.artisan and labourer is also a reason why this Bill should be passed by the General Assembly. 1. This Act may be cited as the " Shop Hours Bill, 1857." .. ■ • 2. Three months after the passino- of tliis Act by the General Assembly, all retail shops in the Colony, except those exempt in the schedule to this Act,. shall, be closed ex cept during the hours from six o'clock a.m. till six o'clock p.m., on Mondays, Tuesdays, \\ednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, but may remain open until ten o'clock on the evening of Saturday of each week. Provided that on any day next preceding a public , holiday, notwithstanding anything in this section, shops may remain open until ten o'clock in the evening:" ' I '.". '" 3. A shop in which trades of two or more classes-are earned on shall be closed for the purpose of all such trades at. tho hour at which it is by this Act required to be closed for the purpose of any of them. 4. It shall be an offence against this Act : to keep any employe in any retail-shop or premise later than one hour after" 'the pre- ; scribed time of closing, ' except' for the purpose of stock-taking. 5. A pharmaceutical chemist or chemist and druggist shall not be liable to any line under this Act, for supplying medicines, drugs,; or medical appliances utter tlic hour appointed by,the Act"for the closing of shops ; but this section shall not be deemed an authorisation to keep open shop after the said hours. i ■. ',

6. Nothing in this Act shall render the occupier of any shop or premise liable to a tine lor supplying any article to any .person lodging in such premises or for provisioning any mail steamer, or supplying any requisite in case of sickness.

7. Where any shop or premise is open, or employe kept, after the hours mentioned in this Act the occupier of such shop or premise shall, on a summary conviction before any two Justices of the Peace, bo fined any sum not-less-than £2 or more than £0 for a first offence. For a second or additional offence not leas than £5 or more thutv£lo.

S. XVJhere the occupier of a shop is charged with an offence against this Act he shall be entitled, upon information duly made by him, to have any agent or servant whom he charges as the actual offender brought before the Court at the time appointed for hearing the charge ; and if after th)B commission of the offence, is proved the Gourtis satisfied that .the said agent or servant committed the offence in question, without the know ledge, consent,- or connivance or wilful neglect or default of the said occupier, the said occupier shall be exempt from any fine, and the said agent or servant shall be liable to the same fine, as if he .were the occupier. 9. All "offences against this. Act shall be prosecuted, and all fines under this. Act shall be recovered in like manner-as offences and fines are_ prosgeuted and recovered under the Justices of P"eacel Act, 1882, or any amendment thereof.

10. In this. Act the following words and expressions shall have the. meanings hereby assignedto them respectively, that is to-say, " Shop " means any building or portion of a building or place where goods are exposed or offered for sale by retail. ,„. - " Premise "means any room or warehouse. '" Closed" meaps not opened for the serving of any. customer; provided that nothing in this Act shall be deemed to render unlawful the continuance in a shop after the hour appointed for the closing thereof, Of any customers who were in the shop immediately.-before that hour, or the serving, of such customers not later than one hour after the tiriie of closing.

MfW.P. Ogilvie, Victoria-street West, who is honorary secretary_to the Committee,, will be glad to receive communications with reference to the bill.

ELECTION NOTES.

So far it does not' appear .shat any candi*, date is coming forwarcl~-to ■ contest Waitej, mata against Mr Monk", the present' member; Probably it is. thought unfair to put him to-the expense and trouble of a second fight so soon after his.election to the seat.—'-Added to this, is the fact that-Mr Monk has notbeen-long enough, iv politics to have made many opponents-..to.,his actions. --- - . . ' ! •" At Eden-there is every probability of a big struggle. / It 'is , taken for granted that the present member, the Ministerfor Justice, will again stand for this seat. Electors who are iii favour of a change are endeavouring to. get Mr E. Hesketh to become a candidate. Bhculd he accede to the request, hispopu larity and well-known abilities should en-" sure his election. In default of Mr Kesketh, Mr A. Porter and Mr J. O'Neill are spoken of as possible candidates. The former is well-known in' ' connection with mining matters. Mr O'Neill, it will be remem-. bered', contested; Eclen with Mr -Tple -at;' the last general election. '

Waipa and Waikato Seats.

(BY TELEGRAPH-^OTO COKBESPONDENT.)

: -.;. \ -. .; iS. 1 Hamilton, -this day,; fi . Electoral matters are dull. It is now considered'almost certain that Major Jack son will get in for Waipa., It was thought that Mr Vaile would be .asked,to oppose him, but as the Major is willing to advocate a trial of Vaile's , eclieihe of railway reform,- it is not considered advisable to'run the nsk of trying a change. • It is understood.that Mr G. W. Russell is definitely out for %ai kato on the railway reform, land settle-, ment and protection tickets, i The general opinion seems to be that-the candidates should all be asked to pledge themselves to retrenchment, the other- questions being subsidiary. \ : ' ■_ -■'■ -"-

The Redistribution of Seats.

(BY' TELEGRAFH—OWN EErORTEE.)

Wellington, this day. . v

'There seems to be some'doubt whether Heathcote, one of the Southern electorates, • Will-be sacrificed by.tbe ot seats, which' is about, to-take place. Mr J. Jones who represents thafc^cpnstaouenov, at prelent. informs me that the rumour that E the electorate of Heathcote yU be wiped Heathcote is too robust i> coffititroicy to bo Swiped out, but mm rnidejjo co*

ton r but what it gives on its Lytteltbn boundary it can more tfian regain frx>m tho populous borough of Sydenham on its other boundary." Mr Jones hopes to aga £ have the honour to in the House of Representatives. . Buckland,- the present member for Waikouaiti (which electorate received exinction new Representation Act) will contest Moeraki wi& Mr John McKenzie. A portion of'the' old Waiko uaiti constituency is now joined on to Moeraki. • ■. .«

A rumour is current that the Hon. Mr Ballance will not seek re-election at Whanganui, and on ; the Btrength of this;telegrams.have been forwarded to him to stand for an Auckland conetituencv Ihose who are best calculated to know Mr Ballanco say that if he stands'at all it wiU be for Whanganui as heretofore, as he has no reason to fear a contest. in ; that elector ate. During tho time Mr Ballance has been in omee his constituency has not been .neglected..,. A ...movement has been made to get him to stand for ..Newton, while, it is rumoured , that Uty West is merely boinjr kept; warm by another probable candidate for Mrßßarf r lance. It ie stated: up|on very good author ity that Mr Ballance is coming up to town in a few daya. He will thon be iiitorviewed by electors as to his intention^

THE OPERA HOUSE.

The " Mikado " season concluded last even ing, the Opera House again being well filled. The performance went- oft'excellently, and the audience were unusually exacting in .their, demand for encores, bo that nearly all the gems had, to be repeated. " SolftnOie " Tomijr.bi. This evening there will be produced | for the first time in Auckland, Gilbert and Sullivan's legal, military,, and parliamentary fairy opera, "lolantho," or ".The Peer and tho Peri." "lolaiithe" is by the same-authors as " The Mikad.6," but k regarded by some critics, as more tuneful, ap.d it is likely to; be even more popular than, its predecessor. ' ' : [<■••"■

;The fol.o\v;ing description of, the will be found interesting: -In' the opening scene a group offairies arediscovered in an ArcacTiaiV lamenting the -banish ment a quarter of a century bfrek ..of itho most valued of their companions -lolanthe —who had "injudiciously married a mortal, a offence "oy • the criminal code of. fairyland, and,; in expiation she has been dwelling head \ downwards at the. bottom of a stream .ever since. At the united intercession of- her companions she is-now pardoned by the'fairy queen, and before the eyes of the audience she rises dripping froui the .weeds and water and; re sumes her. .'/airy j garb instantaneously—: wings and rU, Hereupon it' appears that lolanthe h.*/,s a son.. by her marriage - orje Strepiion, an -Arcadian shepherd, half mortal and half fairy—tjiat is to say, he [is a fairy. down to his .waist, but his are mortal : a constitution attended, with .its disadvantages, as he himself eJ;plains : "My body can creep through a. keyhole, but what's the good of that wher'a my legs ai'O'left kicking bdliiiid ? I can make myself invisible down to the waist, >jut that's of" no use when my legs remain exposed to view ? Strephon, it im mediately appears, is already, involved in dillicui/oies; incidental to-mortals only. Ho i≤ r in ]jjvo-wifch and determined to many Phyllie, an lArCadijan shepherdess, \' also, alas, a ward in [(Jhancery,! and voider the legal gruatdiariskip, therefore, of a peculiarly susceptible Lord-Chancellor. The entrance into Arcadia of the :mombers of the House of Peers discloses the fact that they are also, to a man, in lovo with Phyllis; but there, i≤ no doihbfc that the susceptible . .Lord Chancellor' wfcu'ld have himself. married his ward ere now but for the extreme difficulty of 'appearing before himself and getting his owu judicial <coii6ent .to the match. How ever, the old !gentleman, if, not quite equal at tie momeint to .this ■ fent, : is perfectly awake : to- -thcj neceasityof placing an in stant embargo upon the , lovemaking of Phyllis and young; And he is aided therein by an incident that illus trates, the drawbacks of'a dual existence. Strephon is stfeni.by Phyllis, embracing his mothei'p lolanthe;,- a cliariniug- young crea ture of ;17, who, in virtue; of her fairydom, ,is stationary at that happy age. Strephon is five and twenty. It is needless to say more. Jealousy,- is rampant in the simple breast of Phyllis, and she is ready to cast off her shepherd lover in favour of either Lord Mountararat or -it matters j not to " her which. Here the sentry, Private Wilfis of the,, Grenadiers,, apos trophises.things .in general in song, re- in tlie fact that "Every bdy and every girl that's born into the world alive is either a littLe Liberal or a little, Conserva tive." The fairies, we now learn, in order to avenge, themselves upon-the contumacious peers, have put Strephon into the House of Commons, where, by fairy aid, he.is carry-, ■ing triumphantly the most radical measures. .This "is" singular at, the first blush ; see ing that.' Sfcceph'on. .has .previously, asserted tliat his v piper half, in which presumably his brains are located, is Tory, while his legs are obstinately Radical; and it is singular.. too. to .find. him carrying; on his , legfslativ* duties m Arcadian .shepherd's costume.- But then many similar things happen iii these 'operas. About -this time the fairies develop a tender leaning towards the peers, as illustrated iii their' pretty song and chorus, "You..very. Haughty peers—don't! goj'.' and the fairy' queen herself -is ■ evidently' -not"/ , insensible to 'the ' stalwart proportions : of , Pri vate Willie,; .which fact appeeiably'helps the. conclusion. .While Momitarafat land Tolioller contest-in the most. gentlemanly fashion which shall have the honour of giving up Phyllis} lolanthe pleads her son's- cause with the-Lord Chancellor in a most .touching and beautiful ballad. "' But that legal lumi nary has eventually succeeded in obtaining a rule from himself in- his 'owa favour : aiid is determined to "marry Phyllis'. - himself. Under this compulsion lolanthe reveals her self as the wife of .'the Lord Chancellor, and informs him that Strephon is' their son. * As a chorus of fairies warms, her death is jher portion for this second breach of i'airy faith, but tlie'difficulty-is-settled; by. the appear ance of her 1 sister • fay's all , married to 'the peers. .The queen then accepts; the inevit able, -.which!, in her case means- Private Willis, and the'-whole" .of the ..dramatis perhhief including the Loi'd Chancellor fiom whosg Shoulder .blades; wings have • already spr'outecl* prepare te.flj- , ,".up in the air.,sky hich." This happy aeon/ elusion for" the peers as could* be devised, seeing that Strephon has already carried* bill throwing the peerage open to coinpeti-' tive examination.

I We regret "to learn thia.&fterhQonuthat Monsignofe Ty'ries is in a very low condi tion; and sinking rapidly. , --'«■ ■ -

About 130 -persons . attended,, at the Council kennels to-day ,»ti the gale .of .for-' feitecl dogs. 'As usual, Mr George* G oldie otiiciated ac- auctioneer;,:.' intj ordinary to th© Depal'tnient.; , VJ ,*;Iu: dogs were cfl'ered: and six were disposedtof., A couple- of fox ! terriers -fetched 17s' each", While a third wa^v,sold--to go outside;,'the city tpri it™ \ A" half-Ured , Spanish, was' knocked-. dbwn : ;ior AQs, : and a good: greyhound was,■sold" for _2s;; : 6d. 1 About halt:an-;tour. after' the;sal*e; the-usual, to'agedy transpired, iand four," lives werfe.: sacrificed to the god of law and order., Garraid appealed -in the • chari'cter °pf' J Koiu.'the Lord'Hidi.Executionei , ,:and Mr Goldie,* as Pooh;Bali,'the Lord High Every-, tinner .stood'by,"ar i.duly certified to bhedeath'of the'rejecte ■ oQes,. .There.will another 'wjiq next ssfs%>/j

JUBILEE.

Presentations From Auckland

and Wellington.

The Roman Catholic clergy, of Auckland nave made arrangements for an elegant and appropriate presentation to Pope Leo XIII., on the occasion of the jubilee of his priest hood in December next. , It has taken the form of a handsome and most artistic inlaid pedestal writing table, constructed of picked samples of New Zealand woods, and polished throughout. The side panels are of mottled kauri (those on the inner side of the pedestal having a very beautiful shade, since they were selected : from the base of tho tree), whilst the edgings are of rirmi. Mottled kauri has also been used for the drawer fronts, of which there are ten, and these are bordered with " birds eye " kauri of a very fine grain, this wood I having been used exclusively for tho mbunt -1 ings of the smaller panels. . The table top is mounted with two large panels of pohu !takawa, highly polished,' the wood, which possesses perhaps the most perfect shade of any in the design, having been carefully se lected, and presenting a rory effective pearance. A colourless polish has been used in finishing the work, and thus the natural tint of the woods has been preeer; .yed. The table is a beautiful ipecimen of the c&binot-maker'e art, and Messrs Winks and Hall pronounce it to bo the best yet turned Out of their establishment A silver plate bearing a. Latin inscription, of which the following is a translation in substance, will bo attached to the table: —"To His Holi ness Pope Leo XIII., on tho celebration of the jubilee of his priesthood, from John Edmund Luck, 0. S. 8., Bishop of Auckland, and the clergy and Benedictine monks of his diocese." Tho plate is being prepared by Mr AJ will be ready in a day or two. ■The clergy of the arch-diocese of Wel lington have roaolved to. present to the Pope a superb book album, containing photographs of all the priests who havo laboured; or" are' still labouring therein, together with sketches of the principal churches, schools, presbyteries and other institutions erected by ■ them. Each page •of photogijaphs.' and sketches will have a corresponding page' of interest ing narrative exquisitely - printed and il luminated. The book will-be aocompanied with .a richly illuminated address, and the offerings of the whole of the arch-diocese.- Archbishop Redwood has 'enjoined all the priests in charge of .stations in the arch diocese to forward to.him at Wellington, by the end ■of next June, the photos of themselves and tlieir <sbnfr6res, and of their cHurcb.es, schools, presbyteries, etc., as well as a short sketch of'the mission from its origin down to the present day.'

SPORTING SEWS.

Silvio is to bo shipped .to Napier, via Taranaki, on Monday next, to fuliil his Hawke's Bay engagements.

•' i •' ■' i[EECTER'S TELEGRAM.] . Lo>"dox, June 7. TiIEAjJCOb Heath Meeting, took' place to day;. The principal events resulted as fol lows:— " The Ascot-Stakes, One mile. Mr' J. Hammond's cb o Eurasian, by Oamballo—Luis ~. ... ... ... 1 MriT. Jennings's Exmoor 2 Mr J. 1/. de Kothschild.'s Beaver 3 The Ascot Jubilee Handicap. •Mriß. C. Vyner's b c Minting, 4yrs., by Lord Lyon — Mint Sauce .. .... 1 Mr Manton's b c St. Mirin,'<iyrs . ... ■ 2 Mr H.- T.j Barclay's Bendigo and Mr J. Aintreo ran a. dead heat ior third place. . . . .

WHANGAREI ITEMS.

(From Ode Own Cokrespokdent.)

'A Citkus Fiiß is to be held here to show the colony what we can de in grow ing oranges, lemons, limes; citrons, shad docks, eta ■ A- huge trophy of theae different fruits will be the central figure. Mr Hanlan, , runs the concern.

A cood deal of anxiety is felt here regard ing tne probable loss of part of the district when the new electorates are mapped out. The Bay of. Islands electorate, according to last census, requires another 1,000 people, ,and the question is whether these will be taken' from the Whanga/ei cjr Wairoa side. If the Wairoa were cut off an d tacked' on to Hokiang-a, community of .interests would be more nearly effected than by severing part of the Whangarei district. . ... The raisungof the fares bef .ween Auckland and Whangaim by the Northern. S.S. Com pany is already bearing :'fruit, in that the settlers are beginning to tc.lk about sending to the Clyde to ascertain the cost of a suit able "boat, and the terms upon which it could be obtained." Whan garei claims the biggest passenger trade of any by port in the colony. . . . ■■ :• - : Some cranks were discussing the feasi bility the other day of running in an electric light supply with the aid,of the waterfalls power, but the kerosene interest , at once prevailed upon tho_ Town Board to light the town with four oil lamps. More Juftilee extravagance.., . .. .. &;.;; Mr- Kobt. Thompson (present County Chairman), Mf P. S- Brown (an ek-Counfry Chairman), and Mr TV Street (editor of the peal . "Thunderer.) are spoken of as probable candidate for the Marsden seat; but it is' doubtful whether either is strong enough to' defeat c run Mr Dargaville, ;wfao :is anything but popular. Mr A.llan Mc- Donald lias also peen 'spokoin of, but> heis'inonj'likoiy to] go for the East Coasb seat. . Mr Aicicrum has pressed to l stand, the strongest of the local Tnen;Jsuy!); he,would not spend a, iivii ]>bnnd]noU! ov.jr tliJa election. IfMr Mitclielsou fail** to may be< induced to'stand, a.3:bis •frieads will put up P^β " ready." .". '.', .. ..,:,." i '■ *N6sihins-.liaft.v c-avdoive to celebrate , th& Jaibilee. -Tliouj : lio 5t Lorani, of the Coin-, Ijiercial Hotel, ei) 'd ;i subscriptiou p£-L3o' ': towards a build iv .for .general- purposes, and .s.ub,ge.queiitly':is'{i'ed to, make it.1«50, 'the plucky oifer,h,-ui' j'ui-ri . Whangarei >is to-1 ■•« f he head-quaxters of 1 the O'hief-of^Poliee-LLtely appointed tb - take; of the new North Auckland District. | -Thfj "position is a sinecure, and has been ere ated to suppress an abuise, smuggling, winch does not exist. The Government .brave-been hoaxed.;;? ; ;j/ -Jfi/i

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

{WZ ITELEGEAPH—BEEOIAL REPOKEEIL )

• Wellington, this day.

Ministerial Squabbling.

The spectacle was again presented to the House lost night of prominent Ministers quarrelling amongst themselves in the dead lock on the West Coast Settlement Reserves Bill, which-was practically brought to an end by the adoption' by Mr Ballance of a suggestion of Sir Geo. Grey's, that'Wi Tako andTaipua should act in conjunction with the assessor in dealing with the surrenders. After the, Maori members had expressed concurrence and the amendment passed, Sir Julius Vogel objected to the clause on the ground that this arrangement would take the. power out of the hands of the Public Trustee, and that the change was of a revolutionary character. ■ The Minister of Lands, who had charge of, the; bill; , had hofc control, of the Trust • Office, ■ and the amendment had not boon: by.the Cabinet, The .Minister of Lands curtly recommended Sir Julius Vogel to take the char ge of the bill himsolf.'' Minis terial supporters at' once endeavoured to heal the breach,, and sought to have a divi sion at onco., Majf>r Atkinson and Mr Turhbull {the latter a Government sup porter) referred to the little, scene' as ah un seemly one. Mr Ballance subsequently-said ho clearly understood that he had the Colo nial Treasuror's consent to tho clause. Auckland Petitions. The widow of the late Captain of Raglan, has petitioned the House, through Mr Lake, to give effect to an award of Judge Beekham for- losses sustained during, the Maori war. The amount of the claim has already been recommended, X.IBO. /r • John Daniel Bockley; of Edeh-street, Newton, has also petitioned tho He-use, through MrTole, for an, allowance of 00 acres of land as a military settler. Mijrisfciiiil iUksucr- Ministers onterfcain . their supporters at a dinner this evening, and those who "voted with them on the Tariff Bill wore included in the ' invita tion. • One of those who • did not ac cept was Mr Moss, member for. Parnell. His .reason .was that although he voted for the tariiF proposals he certainly cannot be ranked amongst tho 'Government sup porters. , ■ : ; Jubilee .Honours. • The Premier inform^ , me that he has not yet received any information as to the in': tended conferring of Jubilee Honours on any New Zealand - colonists. : The names of one or two distinguished gentlemen are, how ever, mentioned as likely to participate in the honours that Her Majesty is sure to dis tribute very shortly. " ''' Loans to Local Bodies.. The. Government Loans to Local Bodies Bill has been returned from the Legislative Council. The power to lend sums' not'ex ceeding Ll,ooo to drainage boards, or L 2.000 to boroughs for water supply or drainage, has, been expunged, and a nqw clause has been inserted providing that the intention to impose a special rate under the Local Bodies Loans Act shall be publicly notified to the ratepayers affected, who. have a right of appeal. Theso amendments haS-e been agreed to by the Lower House. t

Costlcy Training Institute. Of the LI 2,150, bequeathed to the Costley Training Institute in Auckland,;L3,opOihave been expended on part of building , and site : ; L 9( 000 & let on mortgage, and the land Held for investment is A'alued at L 378 ; interest on loans and deposits amounted to LBOO, and duringlasfc year there was also a,cash balance 0fL423 to the credit of the' trustees at tho end of the year. ■ ' . , i University Examinations. " l i ~■.'■, i {■:." it ■■- ■ ■ i. ,".'■-; . Tho Bishop of Nelson ha? been petitioning the House to take such .measures as will ensure to everyone of- suitable age, however, and wherever trained, the privilege of access to examinations of the,. University for an ordinary degree of Arts. ~ . ..,-' ' . Tho Petitions Comuiittee,after discussing the matter, have referred the matter to the Government for their consideration^' Architectural OoMipetiiion. There were no less than 18 design's sont in for the proposed Home for .&.ged and Needy in Wellington,- and it of in terest to your readers to.-, learn that Mr Charles Worth, of Auckland, is tho success ful designer. , ' j ~,,,.,. ~, ~ ■ The, Prorogation. "','■'. The; Ministry hopo. to .prorogue■, Parli ament ,on Friday morning, at least the Pre mier so informed Major Atkinson yesterday afternoon. ' ■■:• .*«'•*>_' - : - '■■ ilomsui oi '.' Wostiasid Board of Education. The amendment mado by the Legislative Council in the Westland and Qrey Educa tion Board Continuance Act has been ac cepted by the House.'" It merely provides for the presont members of,the Boari con tinuing in force: till, theend of March'.noxt. Mr Fisher ia KxplanatiaiL ' - Another personal explanation was made on 1 tho House meeting yesterday i afternoon. Mr Fisher said that in his absence the mem ber for Auckland City y\ r est had stated that he, among otlibrs, had ! bden eU6te'd for the purpose of ejecting'the member for Eginont iron* office. - So. far as' that statement re lated to him, ifcwas a grounclless.and jun? warrant-able assumption. f '■ In politics in this country had assumed quite a'unique position, anda man would have beon want ing in discrimination and'power pi penetra tion if he had not been able to foretell a great political upheaval. That being the case; he declined to ally;huiiselfto any:political party •or leador, and - ; in addressing the' constituents of -South • Wellington before polling day he denied that he had given his^adhesipn.to'Su , Julius Vogel. He then claimed' that, .if .electeH, he should be allowed to enter Parliament .unfettered, and to use his own judgment; and ; again at the official declaration of the polli 1 on find ing himself put down by some; newspapers as a supporter of Sir Julius'Vogel,'he found himself Vepoi'fefi as haying.said, " I r wiafi ; fo euterthe Hduse eiitii-ely unfettered, so that I may be in a position-to judge what is best for my constituency. I feel ( yill be conteiit' to leave .to .my "judg-| ment." > It was true that he voted-jto oust the 'Atkinson Ministry, but he- found that the proceeding's "of the existing Go-i verliment wei-e-'so unsatisfactory ; to 1 him that in Februaiy; he v; wrote ■ J to ; a Minister ■ telling , ; hini that; it was inad vis'ablq for tho, ; count on his support.^,■(-' Hβ had mentioned this. matter, because it had'been stated by the Govern- 1 ihent supporters' that'he ; hid been returned pledged to 1 eject',....Major.,; Atkinson, i'; : , Tlie; Premier himself had twitted him with de parting from his election pledge. He dis-. •tinctly denied that he evei , gave-any, pledge; to sujjporfc this Government,' and he hpped: that "this statement would go "forth,', that those who had been misled might know the facts of the, case. - ' . ; .: ■r\-j;' J !

■;/';' Ke"vv"'Seialand ; : Unitersity." .^;" ! ;| : The annual report of, ithe'. iNew. '. Zealand University shows that the folio whig degrees .were : . conferred." .during"., .the year:— Degree of Master, of on ■ four Bachelors of Arts; tiegre'e of' Bachelor of Laws on ono Bachelor of ■ Arts- tod-, tono; und'er graduato'; degree of." Bachelor ".of,Art's On tv.'cnty under-graduates., The. degree-of I)octox of Laws on one Bachelor of JLaws ; the dogreo of Bachelor of Medicine".on- orie unci erg lad uate'. The number of graduates of thVijuivempy .admitted afiftr,examina.

tion, with the above addition, is as follows : —Bachelor of Arts (alone) ; 87; Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, 7; Bachelor of Laws (alone),. 1; Master of Arts (alone), 45 ; Master of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, 2; .Master of Arts and Doctor of Laws and Bachelor of Medicine (alone), T; total, 144. The number of under-graduates now on the rollof the University is 740. ■'• '■'-[ ■'■'■■■ Loans to Local Bodies. Dr. Pollen offered a final protest in Coun oil on the third'reading of the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill. On his motion on Tuesdaymostof thebonrow ing clauses had been struck out, and he now sought to kill, the measure altogether by moving that it be read that day six months. The doctor, and those who votedwith him; think that the measure being.part, of the financial policy of the Government the country should be consulted with respect to it, and urged that no harm could result from deferring the intended legislation for four months. By 18. to- 15, however, the bill passed its third reading. This is 'the largest division on , record in the Council this session,and shows that active whipping had been : resorted to. jnv,; ! ' ; , ; ■:'Wcst,- I €oast -Reserves. • Yesterday afternoon's sitting wae devoted entirely to native. legislation. The VVest Coast' Settlement. Reserves Amendment Bill, -which is intended to allow settlers on tho "West Coast to surrender their leases; was,Jfurtlier considered in, Committee.' The' Maori members were all , opposed toit,Wi Katone remarking that if; the bill passed', the natives could say good-bye to their' lands. The Government might just as well bring in a bill to jat once kill off the natives. Eventually the Native Minis ter, who was. in, charge of the measure, agreed to report progress. The bill was taken up again in the evening, and finally a compromise! was agreed upon' and tho bill ,was reported with, amendments. , . , ! ' The Treasurer then"'moved the second reading of the South Island Native Reserves Act Amendment Bill, -the object of which, he explained,; was to render more clear the regulations applying to the leasing of the Greymb'uth Reserves, to deal with the renewal of leases of the Mbtiif eka Reserves, and to bring native reserves under the Mining Act so as to. alloSv ex propriation of mining purpose. Mr Pratt, member for the Southern Maori district, strongly opposed the measure, and divided the House on the second reading, which was carried by 30 to 20. On the motion, for committal,. Mr Pratt an nounced his intention of, stonewalling the measure. Messrs Rolleston and -Ormond urged that.the House in' its present con dition was .not a.proper tribunal to dea] with a contested measure, and that to do sb: was contrary to all precedents. At this stage, Sir Julius Vegel agreed to; report progress, with,, leave to sit again to-day. Mr Turnbull suggested that a new bill should be introduced, merely providing that the present law sliould con tinue until next Parliament had time to deal with it.: i The Treasurer undertook to see whether a number" of classes could not be passed without opposition, and" whether those likely to lead to discussion should not be postponed till next session.." .1 [•'::.. !

TO-DAY'S SITTING.

Parliament met at eleven o'clock torday.

Sir' George Grey gave notice to move on going,intoi Committee of Supply, that it is desirable to appoint a board for the North Island and one for the South Island to settle disputes between' the Government and their tenants with regard to rents for land under lease. • j Mitiihg Companies, Amendment! The Mining Companies Act Amendment went through Committee, was road a third time and passed. , ■— ' . ;: -'j ::; West Coast Keserves. ~ r> ,l U .Sir' Julius Vogel moved for the recom mittal of West Coast-Settlements Re r Eerves ' Amendment • Act,- with;, a view of padding ,to;, the clause,", passed last night a proviso that no lessee shall directly or indirectly be. allowed to : reacquire any lease surrendered until he 'has fully paid ;up his,, past liabilities, ; but such liabilities shall not , include interest on overdue rent. . Hβ stated that the Public Trustee had ; fully confirmed : all he said at the: last sitting respecting this clause j and said that if, the, Ho use refused to in sert the ; proviso' "lie suggested it would be neither more nor less than legalised rob bery • of ! the natives; ' Leases would be immediately surrendered ,m > the hope of , • ge.tting, lower ~ rents. -~1136 r Houso last, night had .done that which "would cause' discoritorit'to the natives. It had-decide'd that natives should go to the walland, European settlers bessaved, and in fairness to the natives he,asked that the proviso ho,had just moved bo,accepted.' He also asked to J affirm that , any surrender, acquiring directly or indirectly a : fresh lease, shall pay the cost of, re-.valuation. Major Atkinson moyed §s an amendment that the House agree to the report of the Committee: ' He charged the ■ Treasurer with misleading::the. House, and with en dfeavouring ■to produce ' a feeling between the. two races. The attempt to :do so ..was, to say. the least of ,it, moat unbecoming on the part'of ;a Minister of the. Crown, ; es pecially > when if was ; made" by him on a .bill he had authorised to be introduced into the House.i ~. .... -j. ........ " After a lengthy, ■discussion Sir. Julius Vogol's motion to recommit the Bill w : as negatived by- 31 to 22. •■ • ,; . . .. YrM It was noticeable that Mr Ballance walked out rather, than-vote, against thp Colonial Treasure, "'' ~ ' Sir Julius'Vogel j reslgned himself to the inevitable, and- moved the I third reading , of 'the bill, .which ,was ; agreed, to, and the;l>ill passed, ~. ... ■.-.,,. , ;,.,., ... Tlie Speaker ancj Treasurer, There is a great deal of talk to-day, re ipecting the. trouble between the. Speaker •arid' Sir Jolius'Vo'gel before,'the House rose last night. 'Sir Julius l Vogel threatened to'take .a.vote of the House on a jTuling of j the Speaker that -he had , ( no further\-ight to speak, but nothing has yet been , 'done."" There is no. ddiibt' that. Sir •Julius : 'V6gel liad'spoken to both nibtibn ;ahd amendment, and; had exhausted: his right: to ■ further /address ,the .Houge. Sir Julius temper has.been" getting "Mm into warm water all rbltnd.' The scene 'jwith -Mi- in "the-latter handing over the charge .of the West Coast .Reserves -Billito {Sir tJmiu§ Vogel. ■ j.; i■-

oj -,;•:.VhoKlPnbllc ffrastiee. ■;■-:' ■;Inttho ;course of the. debate on the West Coasfc Eeservcs Bill to-day, Mr Garrick made ;a . strong-,.:attack .on the administration 1 of the' Public Trustee. •That-'oSlcer 'ho asserted' to be > afraid to iake .agtdon ■ oh'.'fiis own- re sponsibility on any matterj enti-usted ['to' , Those ~who-had, busineas with ; him 'knew hojv'' difficult ' r it was, to have . any btisihess in his department concluded. ' Atnran businese dash would facili tate,the dischiu'ge in a few days matters that now. occupied months. . . . ~.'', : • ■'■■ Jfr Guinness wai-rtily'ifefeniled Mv Ilamer ton, and regretted'that'an attack haii been made ion, his name, which he hadr not 'the ppportuniby. of .replying .to. " i', ;,,,..,,, Sir' Georgia Grey said "that the'obseria '■ tions made by the last speaker would give satisfaction to many ■ a : -heart in;, the ; ■, colony.- r ; The : ■ ■ Trusjb -business was in tHe hands of a just man,,if-.np ( t.in , the hands of one with, a dash of 'business, anci ; ifc would-be a ,n to everjfoue to learn tliat.he wa3:cautious.u£, (hw'< ![ ■;^

. i5 Mr ,pownie- : Stewart, added,:-;that" the trijate y e,- t was an, pxcellent .ofHceiy in many way's^and'~felti. ; 'tihe responsibility, 'of' his po'sifcibn] \j\\i'. he was 'OYer^cautidvls 1 iff' f 6Ojrie respects, ',H

POLICE COURT.

(Before George and Captain Thomas,

Justices.)

Dettnkeiotess.—John Rettalack, John Wafj son, and Thomas Byrne were punished foi being drunk and incapable. —William Hoi loway, alias James, was charged with drunkenness and disorderly conduct.-Con stable Rowles deposed, that at 2 o'clock this morning the defendant went up to a, coffee stall, and threw a sugar basin a lad. He was very disorderly.—Fined 20a and,costs, or seven days'- imprisonment. Lakceny.—Phillippa Thomas, a girl aged about fourteen, .was = charged with a dress and other articles, of the value of £2 8s 6d, from the dwelling-house of Wm. Sylvester Styak, at Thames. =: Sergeant Pratt applied for a remand, tq Pfcne Thames, where the ltiforinatidn had 'been laid.' The accused had been arrested by Constable Bernard yesterday, and some of the stolen property was found on hor. -Remanded ac cordingly. Uttebixg a Valueless Cheque.— J. O'Connor was charged with uttering a valueless cheque for L 22 lls Id, drawn on the Colonial Bank.—William'Lynch, licensee of the Aurora Hotel, and his brother gave It appeared that tile ac cused'had entered the hotel, called for drinks, and tendered the cheque, which pur ported to be signed by P. Malone in favour of J. J. O'Connor. Mr Lynch's brother made an advance -of LB-on the cheque (in cluding amount owing to W. Lynch by the accused). W. Lynch presented the cheque at-the bank, when it was returned, marked "No funds." After his' return from the bank, the accused called on him, and de manded the balance due to him from tho cheque. Lynch told him therje>..' were no funds to his credit, and then threatened, if lie > did not pay'his bill, that he would hear more .of it.—ln cross-examiijatioxi. by th.c ' accusecl, ; WV Lynch deposed that on his return, from the-bank he said to accused, "Malone has no' funds there," whereupon the accused said, " Well, he ought to have some."- H. W. Lawson de-' posed that the cheque, the subject of these proceedings, had been presented at the National Bank" by Mi 1 W. Lynch; but there being no account in the name of P. Malone, the cheque was;returned marked "No ac count. "—Frederick Cramond, clerk at the Union S.S. Company's office, deposed thab he had given a bank, cheque.to a. person whose appearance he could not recollect on the Uth inst. The cheque (produced) signed P. Malone was the one.—Detective Richard Doblaii; deposed bo arresting the accused' on the present charge.: . He had made every effort to find who the accused said was a commission agent in Auckland, but had-been unsuccessj ful. —The accused,., who reserved his, de fence, was committed for trial. ' '

WAIKATO NEWS.

(BYTELEGIfAPII.— OW2T COERESPONTJBKT. \

Hamilton, this day. The Hospital is now in full .swing." THere* are $ht patients, and all ard doing Veil.

The lad Smith,' who was attacked -by a boar, and has been suffering .from; blood poisoning, i≤ now developing favourable symptoms. Dr. March's patients—Messrs Buttle and Cross —who were, injured by fulling from their horses, are both making good.progress. " , ! ' The R.M. Court occupied all • yesterday with the.hearing of the charge -of perjurj preferred against Augustus Vincent in. con nection with the recent cases between Jiim andMcLeod. Some lively passages occurred between Mr Northcroft, R:M., who was the .principal witness, and Mr O'Neill.counsel for the defence. The prosecution-was instituted by Mr Northcroft, but' 'the ',evi deiice-was weak' and contradictory:- The justices, Mr Searancke and 'Captain Steele disehavged the without. calling on the defence, and at the suggestion of jyir Northcroft the police, withdrew a similar charge against Vincent's Vifo. ! jH^bOQj A large:'number of candidsboa a?e an nounced ior'the Borough Councii fca fill,tHe vacancy caused by the election, c£ Mr Bar ton to the Mayoral'ch'air,and a keen fignfc is anticipated: , ' 1 ' ■•■"''•■'■ : _" It is expected ithat the public buildinge will soon be commenced. .■ : ; ,w7 '

The installation of officei-s of, the Masonio Lodge' Beta will be celebrated by a/Ball on the24th'.' : ; ' ' .osouo-{; c>- ■' *#u?r

The Queen's Jubilee will be celebrafed-at Hamilton by,a parade,.of Volunteers ', who ai'e now. nearly all armed, and a military ball on the evening of tlie ; 2lsfc.,. An effort is being made to get, up a'grand'"fireworks display, and probably the Masonic body will inaugurate a charitable; or educational fund. ~ ~ • ~-.:■,...• ~-.,,,..-■ < :

OUR GOLDFIELDS

1 (BT TELEGRAPH —OWS CORRESPONDENT,)

Masangahake ©re for London.

'■'.: ' Paeeoa,'this day. ' ■'"Mr E. J K. Cooper, acting'on behalf f of Messrs Johnstorie and Matthews, assayers, London, visited the mines at Karangahake yesterday. His object was to ascertain'the quantity of high grade ore' available if or purchase, with, a yiew.to opening up an ex poi-t tirade for shipment to foreign markets. ;Mr Cooper says hjs; principals are prepared to find sale for 1,000, tons.per week oLlqcal ore in the-London market,alone, and he topes ere long to establish ! ah ore purcHase agency inthisdistrict. '■■';■ '' -•■• '■■"'■ "~-

■■■ '" Owhaboa, this day. J : -Frierson arid partyy ! tributefs in ' the Smile of Fortune mine, obtained 10 t bunces retorted , gold from -the .treatment -ofi-tho stuff taken from the old tip heads.. ;'', • ? *'

■ f(1 ,- , ■', '■■-•,-] "> ■■■■ -Thames, this da-y. Oambbia. —161b of picked ston&, .from leader in face of cross-cut, No..3level.' ' ' Saxon.—2olb of picked "stone was. ob. tamed to-day from'leading stope and "drive a,t No. ,4 ley el. •,.,// r. y:L-.-> ■, hi'-hiv tv

" ' Smith and iCaughey's, iPrengh oashineves "and nieririos j in lilack and. all Colputs'/'also,' an immense stock of other fashionable 'aticl useful dress "fabrics" for winter; wear,' own Sporting, at their., well-known low cash prices. V Ji\: '" : i ■■-.-' a ..- .(X \

COMING EVENTS.

'■■■'• i BEeetlnge, &c, Tb-night ! ''■ il Abbott's dpera House- Royal Opera Company Sβ ', "lolan.the,"B.. 'J p . SHAiIW) .■;:!;, .*}v(i Opposite City. Market,' Queen-street— J Thauma. , 7tolO'p.m.- -..•■-■....! Choral Tutschka'sConcert B.• a Council Chambers, Dovonport-Meetmgoi Sub . senbers arid Promoters: of Deybnport Free : Reading Koom, 7.30.., ~,. : : .. r t'7? St. Thomas's Scbiqhyjom— Entertainment, 8' Y.IH.C.A. itoOms-lvaugclistic Service, 7.'30, :i: u , ck , l^^ J -J a fe l^a( l le -^ stor T - Sriurgeon, 7.30. S 01^?.111143^^ 011 ' Devonport—Concert, 8. Mt. HobsonHall, Remuera—Salebf ; WorS' and . Social-ISvcning, 2.30 to 10 p.m.,- , i ;

i •-'■■'• Ancfciori Sales Tc-morrW/'' Arthur '■&> Biiddte Pouiti-y : and , Pro duce Sale, 11. VTfliT i«BfT Hunter,& Nolan, Durham, S , Protaco Sole; H. -n™, E. Leydon-^ProdOce, , - Kurnlture,etb *il l ° S, Effeots a °i & Son ~ Housohold Hesketh,' r Aitken' ■ & Co." ' Product* Emit, etc., 12 aSiferlT " * ' Paget & Ralston-ProdxiecTurnnure. etc., IO.Sn G; M r . Binney—l'qai-j SJtdl, oto,, 12, Xonks Co,-iXftranaJsi Butter," li, ' ! ' ; ' ;/

7* ]^.:,roKEAKfr

5



The Auckland Grocers quotes the wholesale.. priqo ;of fresh butter 10d per lb, andifresb «ggs Is 6d per dozen; delivery for the week ending June 16th. The above quotations refer to prime quality only. , A public! meeting of jail those, desirons to ; encourage and foster local inchwW.es will be held at'the Industrial Rooms, ,"Wyndhain-street, tomorrow evening at 7.30J : :,• :• \ •:■•' V ' ■'. '■■ ■■ \ .;.% : , gmith and .Caughey, guarantee the wear of their. Geelong noted foi , superior cut-and finish.* Ilnme2.se stock 01 gents.' me;rcery, etc., direct frpxa. 'the test raanu facturerii. I | ..* j.. : Ask your Qeqcob or for Freez ing; Company's ," Shell butter in hal|-piouudpatg., ; " . .. ■ ; : ' vi' n * • Go'odKaiapoi clothing, Kajapov blankets j nnji .flannels, /#•,fttcsii*eti'pV» [ tPP&QsW', ;^ :i " j Gor^Advfe): , - ' f?*?**:-?r J