SUPREME COURT-CIVIL SITTINGS.

(CONCLUDED). ? (Before His Honor Mr Justice Ward.) The Matamata Ejectiaent Case Josiah Clifton Firth v. Panapa, Te Pea, a!nd other Aboriginal Natives. — Action for possession of 2,554 acres of land 'at jlatamata South, squatted upon by de fendants, and £100 as mesne profits.— Mr Button, in opening the plaintiffs case, uajdwhen plaintiff applied for his certificate oftitlePanapa andhispeople had abandoned 'jlatamata entirely, having gone away to thei King's new settlement of London. They remained away for over a year. —Win. Thornton Firth deposed that he was manager of the Matamata estate, and had been so for the past 11 years. During that time he had never been away from the estate for more than three months at a 'time. When he' went there Panapa and bis people under George Carroll, or Hori Parengarenga, or Hori Neri as chief, were living in that part of Matamata South known as Robinson's section. Mr J. C. Jjrth had possession of all the rest of Mata '"jhata, and he was running cattle upon it. Witness resided six miles from Pauapa's ■ place,"and he was frequently there in 1885 and 1886. He was there in January, February and June, 1885. In June, 1885-, he visited Pan apa's settlement along with a pan named Kelly, but found no natives "there. They remained away for a eonsidor a Ue time- five or , six months at least. Ijjanng the spring of hSSo, he observed no crops, put in i' l Panapa's settlement. The shares appeared to bo deserted, the doors jjino' broken, and the enclosures being ,<lown, while Mr Firth's cattle were running over the land. Hedid not look tosee whether there was any furniture in the whares. Vjog'iah Clifton Firth deposed that he owned Matamata South, and had a lease over Matamata North. In September, 1885, he applied to have Matamata South brought under the Land Transfer Act. Previously to making the declaration required in con nection with that application he had contem plated making such an application, but on thatformer occasion he declined to sign the declaratbn brought to him because he could not conscientiously do so, as when some of his ploughmen attempted to enter a parti cular portion of the block the natives, who were there objected. Subsequently he . visited Panapa's settlement, and found no Maoris there nor any sign of habitation or cultivation:' He made further inquiries, and finding he could conscientiously make the declaration he did so. He cultivated a portion of the land of Panapa's settle ment in 1860, and built a slab house upon it for his European servant. Itwas.first cultivated by the Maoris with witness's permission. (The lease under which witness held the block was put, in evidence.) The witness was cross-examined by Mr Bell, and said that he obtained the lease in 1866, and having a great interest in the native race, he desired that they should settle down. In regard to the burial ground, he bad offered to the natives to assist in fencing in their sacred places, but . they did not accept the offer. This might now be included in the sections, and for a "emafPsuvh at any time the natives woidd permit a plough to go over tho land, for .-money was the most, powerful god tho natives.knew. The Crown grant was not i«3ned till June, ISBS, as the date showed. andit was evident, therefore, that the de claration could not have been presented to him for signature until after that ,date.l In July and August, 18S5, the place appeared to be deserted, and it was many months after ■ before he saw any natives on Matamata South, and there 'jerS'noi crops, He noticed in ISSO that the natives had returned, having been away for ijong' period, and built a new whare: %'isk he signed the declaration, he did not feel that it was rather a strong assertion to i make that- no person adversely claimed the "land;""He was quite satisfied.—Francis Dibble, assistant manager of the Matamata estate, corroborated the - evidence of Mr Firth, jun. — The case was then adjourned until next morning. «. THIS DAY. On the Court resuming at 10 o'clock this morning, Daniel Schelly, stockman and general farm servant at Matamata estate, deposed that Panapa and his people left ?Matama"ta-South about June, ISBS, and they.told him they were going, to Manga iaui 'He saw them going away. They- took everything they possessed — women and children, cattle and goods. He went over Panapa's place more than once after that, and found the whares empty, while the rails of the en closure were down. The natives remained away until June, 1886. -Cross-examined by Mr Bell: In October, ISS4, he went to Panapa's enclosure along with 5 or 6 clearers for the purpose of clearing and .ploughing the land. - Three Maoris tame up and turned them off the ground. They took.the implements out Of his men's hands. They then started to work otitside .the enclosure. That evening- he reported the matter to Mr W. T. Firth, and ■by his instructions die went .thej next ; day along" with his men to Katea's place, taking with them tools and a mowing machine for the manuka. About 30 Maoris turned up and shoved them out of the enclosure, dragging out the mowing Machine 1 also. There -was no resistance, last spring he started to put up a fence in Panapa's place, and he was again stopped. -J. (J. Firth (recalled at the request of Mr Bell) said he could not give the date of the disturbance between the natives and the railway contractor. In 1880 Mr James Mackay wrote him respecting the occupa tion by the natives of the lands at Matamata South. He sent a tele gram to Mr Mackay, but that gentleman was not at that time Bs agent or authorised to act for him. Mr Mackay was very anxious to mediate be tween witness and the natives, and witness declined his services' at that time.—Mr %11 explained that the original telegram wfs not' in existence, but the Maoris Jjad preserved a Maori translation of it. jjjishad been re-translated into English.— There-translation, which was dated June; 1886, was"handed to Mr Firth, -.wh0,.,, after, examining ;it, said that he did not recognise Jt as being his telegram.. He could not say yhetherhe telegraphed to Mr Mackay that ""the natives still persisted he would take wem" De f ore the Supreme Court. The natives were not at Matamata on the Ist of Mine; 1886.' He conld not say whether the fetter he received from Mackay was dated from Matamata. Mackay was his agent tog-after this—at a quite late period, ijjjk.he was not his agent now.— |b|s closed,the case for the defence..—: James Russell, solicitor, was called for the Pontiffs case, and deposed that in June, She prepared for Mr Firth an applica -jfon to bring Matamata under the Land - transfer Act. He presented it to ,Mr tfirth'-fori'execution, but Mr Firth did ?°t;siguit.. That application therefore was wused. In September, 1885, however, a Replication was" made' out, which Mr Ito signed, and upon it the Land Transfer iface granted a certificate.—William-Louis •J«npbell- "Williams, a farmer residing at ' *!5w s<s ' and formerly manager for Mr ■mtij ■ the Matamata estate, was next <«Ued for plaintiffs case. He deposed; that eb ecamemanagorthereinSeptembcr/1865... :? e *as concerned in the negotiations for the he went to reside at Matamata in : 2p¥te 1866, { taking.artent in .the first IW'v Wsteh§d hisi.tehfe aanear. as possi = where the-cheese factory now stands. Sn n , Wmiam Thompson, .the ,Maori After the lease was obtained, 4? mpßon P a s-"cd tho lands comprised in I™ the -Native ;Lands,

Court, and in-April, 1806, took witness over t!ie > land_and showed him all the -boun daries. Ho t also brokelttwigs^fti-tree-Qn tho vanou^ blocks, and handed thorn to, witness as significant -of possession. There were then nativeslivingon Matamata North, and Hon Nen had ahut onMatamataSouth, ,fe^y occupying it as a fishing'station. In May 1866, witness erected a slab hut on lanapas place, Thompson giving the timber for therafters.. Witness lived in it tor six month ß , and Mr Firth's men lived'in, it tor two years;- after' which it:was; taken clown. During the timethe hutwas occupied thore were no Maoris on the land, and no wiiares. It was about IS7I or IS72—per i oin as late as 187"J ~but nofc as ear]yas J.o/0, a native first came to live at Panapa's place. Hori Neri came and asked and j ob tained permission to cultivate a portion of the land. He built a hut. Until witness left Matamata in 1577, Panapa had not come to life at Matamata. Hori Neri and Jus wife were the only Maoris who fre quented the place.

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(by telegraph.—own correspondent.) ,' Wellington, this day. The Laud Acquisition BUI. A statement which has been telegraphed," that the Land Acquisition Bill has under gone final revision, and that the 10 per cent, addition to the Property Tax valua tion is to be omitted, is not correct. The bill, as it at present stands, does away with the 10 per cent, addition, where a portion only of an estate is expropriated, because there is to be a special valuation of that portion and the property tax valuation can only be used as a basis of valuation in. such a Case. It is recognised that it would be unfair to take the best part of ah estate as an average of the valuation of the whole, and therefore special valuation is necessary. It has not yet boon definitely decided whether in the case of the .whole of an estate being -.expropriated compulsorily a percentage shall be added to the value of the land. The bill is still subject to re vision, and alterations may yet be. made in its details. Mining Handbook. There is in the hands of the Government printer at present a. valuable handbook on mining, which has been edited by Mr P.' Galvin, late sub-editor of the "New Zea land' Times." It is issued by thd Mines Department. -The work " contains -500 pages, and several excellent wood-cut illustrations, and it is replete with useful, statistics and other information on the mining industry, besides a history of its progress in this colony from the earliest days. The work will bo ready for presenta tion to the members of both Houses on the assembling of Parliament. Special Settlements. Mr Lundon has telegraphed to Mr Bal lance that at the close of his meeting in Auckland about 100 people gathered round him and offered to go wherever he. recom mended them to settle. . \ . P

AUCKLAND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Interview with Sir G. Grey. A deputation of the members of the above Association, consisting of the President, Mr G. Frazer, and Messrs J. Mason, A. Bell, J. Pye, and J. Brame, waited upon Sir George Grey this morning at the Northern Club for the purpose of enlisting his sym pathy in the objects 'of the The deputation" 'explained-' their, views /at some length, and presented Sir George with a copy of the rules of the Association. They also submitted a list of articles which might be profitably manufactured in this country, and . pointed out -that hundreds of men were going about idle, or else leaving the colony lor want of work. They stated that by the s.s. Wairarapa, which left this port yesterday, some 57 men went away, and some of these had left their wives behind. Sir George Grey was much impressed by the statement that men \> ere,, leaving the country for want of employment, and expressed warm sympathy . with the Association in its endeavour ,to advance the industries of '■ the country and open up hew channels of employment so as to retain -their population. He stated that what they particularly wanted was reliable information from manufac turers regarding the details of their requirements, more particularly witli re spect to articles of manufacture 'whjch should be admitted; free, and those that required help. He, believed thab the Committee of the Association should sib ab least twice a week to furnish this infor mation, and promised if they would for ward it to him he would do all inthis/power to help them; , ..-' '" * - The deputation on behalf of the Associa tion promised to carry out this suggestion, and in consequence Committee meetings will be held to prepare information for members of the House who are in sympathy -\rith the movement; ; The deputation thanked Sir George for the manner in which he had received them, and then withdrew.

SERIOUS ACCUSATION.

An accusation of a very serious character was preferred against an Arch Hill resident named Patrick Carr. He was charged with causing grievous'bodily harm to Ann'Vesey by throwing her out'of the window of his house inHaslett-street, and thereby fractur ing her arm. The occurrence is alleged to have taken place three or .four- weeks ago. Mrs Vesey was staying in the house of the defendant, and .during the night the neigh bours were annoyed, by the noise and dis orderly behaviour. Mrs Vesey asserts that Carr pushed her out of an upstairs window, while he declares that she fell out while under the influence of liquor. At all_ events, the matter was reported to the police next day, and Constable Dews found Mrs/Vesey lying'on the ground suffering from severe injmies1 and -still, somewhat under the in fluence of liquor. He took her to the Hos pital, where it was found by Dr. Franklyn that her arm was fractured and her spine injured.. ,Carr appealed at , the. Court this morning 'on summpns ■ charging him with r the offence. Mr O'Meagh'er .appeared for the accused, and asked for a remand in order to prepare his defence. The summons, he said, had only been served yesterday, -Sergeant Pratt offered no ob jection, and the case was /adjourned till Monday next. Mrs "Vesey appears to be rather un fortunate, as only recently she was severely beaten by a Papakura gumdigger. ■

ANOTHER M.H.R. RETIRES.

(BY TELEGRAPH-PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

CnRTSTCHURCii, this day. Mr McMillan addressed his constituents .{it.Annab last .night, and roceive'd.a .vj>to)bf :thahks and-confidence.i-. He anno.uhc.e9-«that, owing to want of time to dovoto to the duties ho would not J?eek ro-el.ection. Ho diHap])rovcd of.' tlio Acquisition Land Bill and of the-Femrilo'FmriohisC,' "' A ""'/ **

? jCaptaln jjildwint reporta j- ;!' Sad weHthbf approacliing between north-west and west aiKljsputh, Glass rjsliig eooni";J? f;| "\fi "";.

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

(BY .TELEGRAPH. — &VN- CORRESPONDENT.') Karangahake, this day. WRose. crushing of 22 tons quartz from this mine was cleaned up yesterday for a return of. 33 ounces , retorted bullion, of which loozs were obtained from the plates, the remainder from subsequent treatment of ore in the pans and settlers When breaking the stone a lot of gold was seen, and therefore the manager, anticipated the result would be considerably higher than above. ; Adeline.-At" No. 2 .level, a few days since, the manager started to open out On the leader running in an easterly direction from the hanging-wall side of the main lode. This has been driven upon a distance of 7 feet, and the stone broken out shows gold freely. Waitekauri, Tuesday. : , The' mining' industry in this region still languishes for .want of water to drive the batteries, which have now been "hung up" for some time past. There are large quantities of quartz lying ab the Waitekauri, Welcomo, and Maungakara mines awaiting treatment, and nothing short of a steady downpour of rain Will: meet the requirements. - - ~" • : WAim, Tuesday. Martha Exten-dkd.— In the early part of last week a start was made to crush with 20 head of stampers—lo head on tributers' staff', and 10 head for the Company, but the decrease in the water supply; during the last few days lias again had the effect of hanging up 10 head, and the other 10 are still employed in the reduction of Company's dirt. At the mine the different parties of tributers have about .100 tons of quartz ready for treatment, and the Company has also got-a large.'parcel to hand awaiting transport to the battery. Silverton.— The level going eastward from the winze has now been driven along tho course of the lode for fully fifty feet, and stone showing more or loss gold has been obtained for the whole of that dis tance.;; The drive going westward from the same srartirig point, is now a distance of 20 feet, and the stone here is of better quality than that obtainable from the face of the other level, indicating that the run of gold heads in this direction,. Yesterday the , manager suspended the work of driving eastward, and started a leading • stope with a view to." in crease' tlic output of crushing dirt during the tine weather. Ib takes three shifts of hands one day oub of every week to keep down the water which is very troublesome in the winze, and tho services of a hand pump will be employed very shortly. From all parts of the mine there is now to grass fully 100 tons of general crushing dirt, and this will be sent to" - the Martha battery as soon as there is enough water available for reduction purposes. Union.—Several teams of horses are now engaged in carting quartz from this mine into Paeroa, from whence it .is being sent to ,the, Thames. :Nothing definite is ■ kno.wn. here as-to its ultimate des tination, bub it is rumoured that a large shipment will be sent to the London market for disposal. There are now a considerable number, of men ■ employed in the mine with a correspondingly large output of quartz which is being- obtained from the sopes above the intermediate level. The reef her c varies from'2-to oft. in thick ness and there can be'no/'mistaking the character and' quality of .the stone which shows gold very frequently and affords good indications of the presence of silver in remunerative qualities. Winneßj—This claim is owned and worked by a crowd of the pluckiest indivi duals it has ever been my, lot "to meet; during many years sojourn oh tlie different goldfields through the colouy. Ib is now more than twelve, months ago since the ground was first taken up and since then it has been bonafide and con tinuously ? worked by the, owners. A large amount "of ! surface trenching and shallow tunnelling was the first work accomplished. This enabled the manager, Mr R. If. Cooper, to determine the course and underlie of a large body of quartz which outcrops in several .places along the crown of the bald hill, forming the principal feature in the outline of the claim. A low level was then.. started so as cut this lode aY a depth" of about [ 90fb | beneath the surface.' According to : ' measurement this level should have tapped the reef 500fb from the starting point, blit that distance was accomplished some time since, and still there is no sign of the lode being close at hand. Nothing daunted, however, the manager, who gia also one of the principal shareholders, is still pushing on the level, and I hope that his* lf/ost sanguine expecta tions will yet be realieed and his efforts crowned with the height of success.... .. Owiiaroa, Tuesday. ' The proprietors' of the; claim "known as '//Roweiarid Me ". have 'despatched a four ton parcel of quartz to Auckland, where ib is to be treated by Mr Fraser, of the firm of Fraser and Tinne, iron founders, &c.

THE DUNEDIN SUICIDE.

Evidence at the Inquest (BY TELEGRAPH!— OWN'CORRESPONDENT.) j Dunedin, this day. The principal evidence given at the inquest on Mr Hay. was as follows: David Rennie, tailor, identified the deceased, who was 37 years of age. He had been about 22 years fin New Zealand." Witness last saw liini alive at 20 minutes to 12' on Wednesday. He was suffering from want of sleep, and said he was mesmerised. Wit ness had brought a sleeping draught for him, but could not persuade him to take it..... Witness.conversed ,with the .de ceased, '*■ but/ Ihe jwas' :too exhausted' to talk in his usual manner. 'He gave foolish answers to some of witness's questions, and witness concluded that he was nob compos mentis. Witness had not • seen " 3 him! for \ -some days previously. , It; was owing to one of his sisters being 1 but of town that deceased was lefb by himself in the house. Witness had not the slightest idea that it was unsafe to leave him alone.

Isabella ' Hay, ' school-teacher, deposed that deceased came home on Tuesday morning' in rather ( an; excited state. He. appeared; to ijhsye 'been drink ing, and was tinder several delusions. On Wednesday, when witness came home from school for lunch, "she persuaded him to go to bed. She did npt. like leaving him, but did noji think there was the 'slightest danger in doing so. t He', was lyery "quiet.l Witness went back to school, and retvirned home about''twenty minutes past three. She immediately went to deceased's bedroom, and finding thejstate" he was in sent for the doctor, who put a silver; tube in his throat, but* he struggled a great deal and succum bed from hemorrhage. Deceased had frequently contributed to the periodical press of the colony, and was a^poefrmuch above the average. ■

S Owners of unregistered dogs should take warning, for the spirit of the dog-registrar lias been, mightily-moved within him at tlie 'sifrht of numbers of unregistered canines who daily prowl, round the streets of this cit'v '."Al'ready"h'o 'has! commenced, action, and anned 5- with all the dire -implements of hie office, he and his myradoms are wan, dorinrc round " breathing threatenings and Blatklter,'! therefore deferers oltho dog tax should beware lost the evil spint como upon Jhem^l^theylepMxßect-itrA

ATHLETIC ROTES.

FOOTBALL. The- Ponsonby". Club will have a Practice match in the Domain to-morrow afternoon with sides to be picked on the ground. All members and also those who have joined, or intend to join the 'second fifteen are requested to attend. ' The kelson Football Club will have a practice match to-morrow afternoon in the outer Domain at 3 o'clock, after which tho the election of captains for the first and second fifteens will take place. All mem bers are requested to be present.as from the form showed in this match the first and second fiftoens will be picked during next week by the Committee. A practice match between the members of the Grafton Football Club will take place in the Domain on Saturday next, at which all are requested to attend. Any wishing to. join the Association Football Club are reminded of the meeting in the V.M.C.A. rooms to-night at 8 p.m.

CRICKET MATCHES.

A match will be played to-morrow be tween the employees of F. and W. Fowler v. R. Tudehope. The former will be repre sented by Fowler (2), Carr, Wilson, Shaw, Ramsey, Courtney, Kemp, Dick, Cuthbert son, and Chappel (Captain). Emergency: Pi-ice. The latter by Tudehope, McDer mott, Dunn, Spraggon., Waddel, Doughty, Ramsbottom, Benjamin, Wardle, and Peet (Captain). Emergency : Walters. MoArtiiur and Co. v. Owen and Graham.—McArthur and Co. : W. Baker, D. Brown, G. M. Clark, W. J. Day, W. R. Doughty, H. Fountain, F. Marsden, D. Meldrum, D. Talbot, A. Taylor, W. Tommns. Owen and Graham :C. Western, A. Burgess, J. Johnstone, R. Johnstone, N. Newcbmb, J. G. Harper, W. Mossey, C. Anderson, S. Banh'eld, A. Shepherd, O. Stevens. To be played on wicket No. 3. Blue Star v. Union (Domain).—Tho fol lowing will represent the Blue Star : Har kins (captain),. Montrose, Hicks, Clarke, Miles, Feigueson, Preston, Pooley, Wuy mouth, Archer, Price, Homer, Gee, Roar don, Bird • emergencies .-Eaton, Falconer, Ryan.

Alpha C.C. v. Eden C.C. to be played at the Domain to-morrow. Eden will be represented by the following :—Corbctt, Clarke (2), Walton, Way, Stephens, Suther land, Wilson, Goodwill, Pillinger, Vincent, Wharton. Alpha : -Done, Collins, Moore, Morgan, Rowo ("2), Goodacre, Kilpatrick, Arey, Newton, McDermott. Emeryeneey : Sisson.

THE WRECKED P. & O. STEAMER.

Description by a Wellington Gentleman. (UY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, this day. A Wellington gentleman, who made a voyage in the P. and 0. Company's s.s. Tasmania, which has been wrecked in the Mediterranean, speaks of her as one of the finest sea boats ho ever travelled in, and ns also one of the most comfortably fitted. When she met with the disaster she was on her first outward voyage from England, after undergoing a series of al terations, of which the most important was giving her a flash deck, on which a sum of £15,000 was expended. Her com mander, who is said to have perished in the wreck, was Captain Perrin, brother of Perrin of the firm of Lea and Perrin, of Worcester sauce fame. He is spoken of by the gentleman above referred to as a model sea captain. He did not prepossess tho passengers-on first acquaintance, being rather distant in his manner, but compelled their admiration by his perfect system of discipline and careful attention to the comfort of everyone on board.

ALLEGED CRIMINAL ASSAULT AT NORTHCOTE.

Wk learn from Northcote this after noon .that yesterday, while returning from school, a little girl, aged about six years, was criminally assaulted. The little girl, whose name has not transpired, states that while walking along the road about 3.30 yesterday afternoon ' she was accosted by, a young man on horseback, who dis mounted and assaulted her. , The police were communicated with, and Dtectivo Walker went over by the steamer, and it was stated that he intended to take the little girl over to Auckland to have her examined by a medical man. The assailant is unknown.

THE TOTALISATOR CASE.

Verdict Against the Betting Machine. . (BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ■ Dunedin, this day. Mr Carew, in giving judgment in the toqalLsator case, said it was a settled law that a person who deposits money with a stakeholder on a wagering contract can recover whether the events come off or not, provided notice is given to the stake-holder before he has paid the stakes to the winners. The betting out of which this case arises is iegal in the sense that it is not prohibited by law, but, nevertheless, ib is a wagering contract, and section 33 Gaming Act is not binding except as a matter of conscience on either party. I can see no distinc tion between legal and illegal betting, because section 33 applies to all contracts or agreement by way of gaming or wagering. The effect of Sections 8, 40 47isto legalisetheuseof thetotalisator under certain conditions but these do not operate on Section 33 to make wagers binding .by: means of the totalisator. The de fendants contended that the persons who worked the machines were turf agents, bub His Worship thinks such a conclusion can only be arrived ab by distorting the facts. It seems to him clear that when the person at the pigeon-hole of the totalisator names' a horse, gives his money to the person in charge and receives a ticket. It is understood that he backs the horse named, that the money deposited is his stake, .and the ticliet he receives "is a voucher- thab he did so. He makes the bet himself, the runners of the tbtalisators register the bet-and hold the stakes, and for this, and the privilege of using their monopoly, they charge a per centage from the winner. This being his view of the position of parties, the case of Read j and Anderson does not' apply. Judgmedt for plaintiff for £23 and costs.

Sir George Grey will preside at the meet ing at Robson's to-night to arrange for the presentation of an address to the Earl and Countess of Aberdeen. .', One of the Tramway Company's 'busses was backed into the ditch at tho bottom of New-street this morning, owing to tho horses slipping on the steep incline. ; I as eengers had to disembark and assist the quadrupeds, which eventually surmounted the KittY Now that the wet weather has set in an oxtro 'bus or a larger one than Is now in uso is required, and also leaders to givo a pull up New-street, .

WORKING OF IRONSAND.

Notwithstanding previous failures, there still appears to be some possibility of the deposits of ironsand upon the coasts of this colony being profitably utilised. Mr David Hipkins, a Staffordshire ironworker of 45 years' standing, has for some time past been conducting a series of experiments with the ironsand, and is at length con fident thab ib can be profitably worked. We have been favoured with a view of some of the results of Mr Hipkins's experiments, and success would seem to bo assured, pro vided that the mass can bo worked equal to the results shown in the experiments. A syndicate has been formed and steps have been taken to commence • operations at Taranaki, where it is intended to utilise the already existing furnace. Mr Hipkins has forwarded the following statement for publication : — " To the Editor of the Star : Dear- Sir,—Referring to the proposed working of the Taranaki ironsand, I beg to give you an opportunity to state more fully what has been done, and what is now in progress ; but I must state to you how and when I got introduced to the gen tlemen of that city as briefly as the nature of the transaction will permit. About six weeks ago I gob an invibation from Taranaki by a few of the leading men. I accepted this invitation and prepared to go. I left Onehunga Wharf per s.s. Penguin on Tues day, the 14th of March, at 1.30, arriving at the breakwater, New Plymouth, about 6 am. on Wednesday, after a rough voyage. I was met at the breakwater by H. R. Richmond and Joshua Jones, Esqs., who conducted me by train to the city, or town, arriving at the White Hart Hotel about 8 o'clock. Got breakfast and a good wash, and felt all the better for it. 1 then looked up Mr Westmacott, an old friend that I had known in Auckland, and he undertook to in troduce me to the Taranaki gentlemen, who all received me very cordially. On the fol lowing morning I met with Mr E. M. Smith, who is a thorough slave to the iron furnace and ironsand. We went first of all to have a look at the furnace and plant, and found them in good condition. Tho blast engine is a very good made article, and oy the industry of Mr E. M. Smith has been kept perfectly brrjht. The blast furnace is v substantial building, and altogether in good repair, save and except a small bit of the hearth lining. The bricks heeded for these repairs are all there. We then returned to town, or city,sawthedirectorsoftheold Company, who arranged for terms, &c, of the works, and afterwards saw the Mayor, Mr Bailie, who with six of the leading men advertised a meeting for tho following Wednesday. This had to be postponed on account of my being away on my visit to the Mokau, and through bad weather had to wait for five days. This, however, was ended, and I proceeded by the steamship the Waitara, and after a few delays got safely on my way. On going this voyage I was met by Mr Joshua Jones, Mr Donkin, Mr Patter son, of the Mokau Coal Company (Limited), and a very respectful Maori chief, who gave me a good welcome to the King Coun try. He went up the Mokau with us, and rendered all the assistance he possibly could. After arriving at the Mokau Coal Company (Limited) mines, we all went into the mines. There is a coal here being worked thab is called tho double coal. It consists of two seams of coal, each a yard thick at the entrance, with about IS inches of slate rock between. This is.abthe-en trance of the mine, but after going on the level 200 yards, tho coal thickens out—the bottom bed.br seam, to 3ft. 6in.,and the top bed, or seam, to 4ft. ; and the slate rock in the middle was reduced in thickness to about 12 inches. There are also on this pro perty four other seams, thickness as follows: — One seam 3 feet, the next 7 feet, the next 4 feet 2 Inches, and tho next 8 feet, so I was informed. That was lower down in the strata, , making altogether on the north bank or Mokau Coal Company's land, 30 feet of workable, good coal, good for any purpose. We then took a boat and proceeded to look after coals on Mr Joshua Jones's side of the river, or south bank. Our first seam of coal was 5 feet 6 inches thick, tho second 6 feet 6 inches, the third 5 feet 0 inches, the fourth 7 feet C inches, aud the tiftb 8 feet, making altogether. 33 feet of good, workable coal, fitted for all purposes. We also inspected Stockman's mine, which had been worked for some time. This is a good coal upwards of 4 feet thick, with' a good top rock. We then took boat to return, and had to row back aboub 12 miles to where the Go vernment men were employed snagging the view. It was eight o'clock, and dark. The Captain over these men met us and gave us a welcome, and after providing us a meat tea he proceeded to make up beds for us. We slept well. In the morning he looked us up, he had ordered a good breakfast,, which we enjoyed. We thon took the boat and rowed up the river again about three miles, to look after the limestone of that district. We saw bhree seams of very good—the first seam, a good thickness, was tho blue lias ; the second seam was a brown stone with a little iron in it, good for -fluxing for iron ; the third seam was a good one, nearly white, either for smelting or cement, making limestone sufficient here for thou sands of years. • On our return we wero in vited to a most substantial dinner of roast beef and apple pudding ; this just saved us. Right after dinner wo took a boat, and had to row 40 miles to the river bar. Glad to get a night's sleep, but had to prepare for a 40 miles horse ride early next morning, while the tide was low. Arrived at Wai tara about six at night, ready for tea and bed. Got back to Taranaki next day about II o'clock. Advertised again for meeting on the following Wednesday night; the Mayor took the chair, and the meebing was a successful one—so much so that after most of the people left thirty stayed and formed into 'a . committee, and after making arrangements for a special committee, got subscriptions together worth £50, promised by tho old company I think over £100,1 won't be sure. However, the next day the special committee met at 4 o'clock and decided what to do, so that the subscriptions.are now over £300. This information I got from Taranaki this morn ing, and I have increased this sum by £52 by friends in Auckland. ' £500 is the sum required to fully carry out the experiment which I am perfectly easy about, and in a little over a month I hope to show a good sample of pig iron to the public—Yours,. etc.,' David Hipkins,' l 45 years Iron Master, Staffordshire."

There was little or no business done in the sharemarket to-day. There are sellers of Saxon ab 2s 6d and Cambria 4s 6d. There was a poor attendance at the Ex hibition of the Art Society last night, but a fair number of persons, consideriug the wet weather, visited it to-day. The .public school children are all invited free to visit the hall, and to-day the scholars of the Grafton Road, the' Devonport, arid the Newton West Schools had a delighted view of the works of art. . The Native Land Court which sat at Cambridge for the partition of the Puke kuva and Puahui blocks, and which was adjourned to the'2sth inst., has been further adjourned to the.3lsb proximo. To the Editor : Sir,—ln your short memoir of Mr J. E. Brewster," deceased. Ib is stated that " the immediate cause of death was inflammation of the lungs." It was not so, but from extreme exhaustion, brought on by tubercles in the lung (con sumption). His cure was quite, a hopeless one as regards his lungs,-and :the electrical treatment was directed to. a permanent pain over the stomach, which it completely relieved. By making the abovo correction, you will oblige youi'B, r J, W. Wilkins,

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

<FEOk PTTB SPECIAL COEREBPONDEKT,)

LORD DUNRAVEN S AUSTRALIAN TOUR. London, March 4. ■ This has been a dull week, with little that is really important in the way of Anglo-Colonial news to chronicle. The hint I threw ■ Out a fortnight ago rela tive to the- probability of the late Under - Secretary for tho Colonies making a protracted tour of Australia, New Zealand, and our possessions in the Pacific turns out to be absolutely correct. Lord Dunraven will leave England for the anti podes early in April, and purposes being away rather-more than a.year. CADGING FOR THE IMPERIAL IN STITUTE. The deplorable " cadging " for funds for the Imperial Institute continues, notwith standing that public opinion has been un mistaltakly expressed on the subject. To tell the truth, the very name of this enter prise begins to stink in people's nostrils ; from first to last the scheme has literally teemed with blunders. Somers Vine com mitted one of the most egregious, per haps, last week, wheu he wrote letters in the Prince's name, and presumably at H.R.H.'s suggestion, to several leading Masonic Lodges asking for grants towards tho Institute. This request induced a well known brother of a certain Lodge to rise, and ask whether the Prince is in need of pecuniary assistance, as all Masonic funds are applied to charitable purposes. This timely and sensible remark put an abrupt end to the discussion. The talk about an army poll tax in aid of the Institute funds is of course pure nonsense. To suggest it seriously would at once and finally kill the whole affair. A Parliamentary grant will, I hear, be asked for soon, but is hot likely to be granted without considerable opposition. THE PACIFIC QUESTION. I called on all the Agents yesterday after noon, but learnt very little. They are de termined to have the Pacific question threshed out at the Conference, Sir Francis Bell says, especially with regard to the New Hebrides. THE SUEZ MAIL CONTRACT. The London Chamber of Commerce are going to petition against a contract .for seven years being granted either P. and 0. or Orient Company for the Australian mails. They also intend to protest against the Ger man Company being allowed to carry Aus tralian mails. THE "AUSTRALIAN TIMES AND ANGLO NEW ZEALANDER." Mr Philip Menncll, for many years tele-, graphic correspondent of the S.A. "Ad vertiser," Melbourne "Age," and Sydney "Telegraph,' has severed his connection with those journals, and assumed the editor ship of "The Australian Times and Anglo-New Zealander," a journal that has for some time been slowly but steadily push ing its way to the front. Mr Mennell is pro bably the one man in London who could make this property a big success. : SOME OLD COLONIAL FRIENDS, jg Mr J. B. Howe, the actor who visited Australia and New Zealand some years ago, relates sundry antipodean experiences in " Tinsley's " this month, under the title of "A Cosmopolitan Actor." - .An Australian friend now staying in Dresden writes me that at a Court enter tainment one evening a " reading " was given by a stout elderly lady whose face he seemed to recognise. Reference to the programme discovered the fact that this was a very old friend, to wit, Mrs Bandmann, whom you may remember years ago as pretty Minnie Palmer. The lady is now,knpwn as Frau Bandmann-Palmer, and seems to be one of the most popular leaders of. the. English colony in the- Saxon capital., Jules Levy, eye-glass, bald head, diamond studs and curled moußtachios,is.back again in England, and witching the world (or rather the half world) at the Aquarium by his playing of the "Lost Chord." The affection of the lips from which he suffered seems to have disappeared, and the great cornetist appears to have recovered his " old form," which, as you may remember, was very good indeed. NEV* ZEALAND'S POSSIBLE GO VERNOR. The Conservatives are very anxious to shunt Mr Raikes (the Postmaster-General), who has made endless blunders since he took office. The ex-chairman of com mittees will,'tis said, be " baroneted" forth with and appointed to the first suitable colonial Governorship that falls vacant. This is a sod dissapointment to Mr Henneker Heaton, as Mr Raikes is the first Postmaster-General who has shown any disposition to forward an Anglo-Australasian penny post. , I regret to announce the death of Mr Alexander Pearson, of Melbourne, who died at Edinburgh on the 23rd ulto. somewhat unexpectedly. THE PRINCE OF WALES Mr Deakin, the Chief Secretary of Vic toria, who has undertaken to press on the Prince of Wales, at a personal interview, the desirability of his visiting, Australia next year, may not geb much by the motion. H.R.H. has been a good deal badgered this last two years by similar requests, and if he receives Mr Deakin at all, it will, in all probability, simply be to explain the impossibility of his leaving Eng land for any length of time in the most de cided terms. Tho Prince of Wales's im perative engagements grow more numerous every year. Like theatrical folk, he should advertise "All vacant dates filled up for the present year." BELGRAVIA EXCITED. The marriage of Lord Nelson's heir to the daughter, of a Melbourne butcher -* one Petty—wealthy, no doubt, but still a butcher! — has caused quite a flutter of excitemtnt in Belgravian dovecotes. The American pork butcher's daughter we know. Does not pretty Miss Chamberlain's papa dabble in pigs <at Chicago ? But the Australian butcher's heiress will be a delightful novelty, 1 and if she's only pretty, even H.R.H. may deign to, cast an eye over her. ■.. , ; . j?;v FROZEN MEAT. A The meat trade at the central market finished up last week with a very dull ap pearance, and prices marked a decline. The weakness, however, is entirely in the value of middle and inferior descrip tions, as prime English beef and mut ton have continued to make, previous prices, and yesterday a further improve ment was established. Frozen mutton, although quoted unaltered, has been scarcely so firm, for the, best carcases can now be obtained at 4Jd per lb. The present stock of New Zealand sheep numbers about 50,000, and there are some 44,000 River Plate carcases in London. The following are the present prices : —New Zealand mutton, 2s 8d to 2a lOd; New Zea land lamb, 2s 6d to 4s ; Melbourne mutbon, 2s 8d ; River Plate, 2s 4s ; Scotch, 4s 4d to 4s lOd ; English (wethers) mutton, 4s 4d to 4s 8d ; English (ewes) mutton, 3s 2d to 3s 4d; German (wethers), 3s 6d to 3s 8d ; German (ewes), 3s 2d to 3s 4d.' Sir Robert Stout on Federation. AN ABLE REVIEW OF THE SUBJECT ,An interesting feature of the current, rumour of the " XIX Century" is an article on "Imperial Federation" ,by the Premier of New Zealand. Sir Robert Stout is an ardent bolieter In Imperial Federation. There is, ho declares, only one alternative-separation, and that would utterly! destroy Eng. land/* preqtigo M'ft |p« ppwer, Jjn*J

perial Federation implies (according t« Sir Robert) that England must giv» up interfering in the Continental polii tics of Europe. Whatever shape aij Imperial Federal Parliament may take, ij there are representatives from South Africa, from Australasia, from India, and from British North America, they will never consent go to war on behalf of anj city or of any political boundary on th/ map of Europe. If Imperial Federation in' any form ij to be adopted there must necessarily b^ .a written constitution, and there must be, as in the United States, some Supreme Courj having power to interpret its provisions, In no other way could the rights of th< federal bodies be preserved. This ii opposed to English precedent, and would form a new departure in the constitutional history of Britain. , , ■ . •

Colonial Federation, Sir Robert affirms should precede Imperial Federation, though the one is not necessary to the other. Tin recent attempt at Australian Federatiot was a failure because the Convention which passed the Federal Council Bill was entirely in advance of the public opinion of tha colonies. In New Zealand it was felt that she was not- necessarily one of the Australian states. She is as fai from Australia as England is from Spain. Her climate and her circum stances are quite different. The fact also that the Federal or Provincial system which' existed in New Zealand was destroyed through financial pressure has made her people afraid that another Central Govern ment might destroy the self-government which the colony now possesses. Sir Robert consider that the much im proved importance and social status of the colonial Agents-General is actively helping on the unity of the Empire. As the colonies progress in power the Agents- General will, he nays, have to be mem bers of the Executive Councils of the colonies they reiDresent, and their position will be higher and even. more important) than it is at present. There would be no need, were this the case,of a special Colonial Coun cil of elected or appointed members such as Earl Grey proposed. ' The Agents-General being members of the Colonial Executive, being in touch , with colonial feeling, could represent to the Imperial Go vernment the views of the colonies they represent. Public opinion changes more rapidly in a new colony than in an old one, and colonists Who live in England for any length of time seem to get out of feel ing with their people. Coming from a democratic country they seem to get intoxi cated with the aroma .of aristocratic civilisation, and Ulysses amongst the lotus-eaters, they lose all desire for return^ They give utterance perhaps to views quite different to those they proclaimed in the colonies. To allow, therefore, English statesmen to be guided by colonists who have lived long in England is to allow them to be misled. The Agent-General should retire when his Government goes out of office. , i

POVERTY IN ENGLAND.

Opinion of a New Zealand Clergyman. (by telegraph.—own correspondent,) .." - ; ; '' '- . Dunedin, this day.' The Rev. Rutherford, recently returned from a visit to Europe, said at a welcome meeting that although he had seen a great deal he had seen no place which he liked better than Dunedin. lie wa3 thankful on account of their social and political position. Nowhere had he seen a more poverty-stricken and miserable looking people than in the old country. During the half-hour in which he was in Liverpool he saw as much misery and desti tution as he Kad seen in the 10 years of his life put together.. There was poverty and suffering here, but there was nob to be ' seen in. the faces of the poorer classes that utter hopelessness, that abject wretchedness, which it had been his lot to encounter elsewhere. Therefore he was glad to come back and resume work under circumstances not so depressing or so heartrending as those under which ministers at Home must carry on their •■ work. He had come back with the earnest desire to make this land his home. He had been more or less uncertain before, but he was now con tented for his own part to remain here, and live and die a colonist of New Zealand.

TELEGRAMS.

■i, ■ . Te Aroha, this day. The name of the clergyman referred to in Wednesday's telegram was Walls, nob Mills, as printed, •p.,:. A Publican Fined. <vt """ • Thames, this day.. '■<, At the Police Court to-day Patrick Delahimty, licensee of Bay Vievr Hotel, was charged with selling liquor after hours. The Resident Magistrate imposed a fine oi £5 and costs. Another Volunteer Resignation. • A a meeting of the Rifle Rangers volun teers last night Capt. Lucas tendered his resignation.- •■. House Burned Down. Christchurch, this day. A house at Waiau, occupied by Mr Cook, Sheep Inspector, was burned down this morning. It belonged to Mr Willinm Balfour, of Napier, and was insured in the New Zealand offices for £150. Dunedin, this day. Eight thousand sheep on Mr J. C Buck land's run at Strath,' Taeri, were distrained on for arrears of rent, and sold at Is lOd per. head. The sale has been protested against on .the ground of alleged, illegality..

■How to.Get Well—Which is answered In three words—Take: American Co.'s Hop Bitters. -~...; •..•,'> Poverty and Suffering. — "I was dragged down with debt, poverty, and'suffering for years, caused by a sick family and large bills fqr doctoring, which did them no good. I waa completely discouraged, until one year ago, by the advice of rily pastor, I procured Hop Bitters, and commenced their use, and in one month we were all well, and none of us have seen a sick day since; and I want to say to all poor men, you can keep your families well a year with American Co.'s'Hod Bitters for less than ono doctor's visit will cost. I know it.—A Work ing Man," Read.

COMING EVENTS.

n Meetings, &ci To-night, j Mauku Public Hall—Mr E. Hamlin • meet Electors of South Franklin, 7.30. Choral Hall—Addresses by Rev. J. A. and Mr D0wie,7.45. ..-.. '.. ■ ■' '...:. ...'..'■' Reli&ious Meeting in the Tent on Surrey Hilli Estate, Ponsonby Road, 7.30. •■ New Art Gallery—Auckland Society of' Arts US noon to 10 p.m. Devonport Hall—Sale of Work, 2 till 10 p.m. Vy'esleyan.: Church, Onehunga — Lecture or " Queen's Jubilee ' by Rev. J. Berry, 7.30. Y.lVl.C.A.Rooms—Proposal lorgOpeniner of Asso . . ciation Football Club, 7.30. . General Meeting Plumpton Park Company, 7.50 V.M.C.A. Rooms - Annual Meodng-of Orphax \ Home Subscribers, 8. Robson's Rooms—Meeting re Earl of Aberdeon t ' 8.., ,■ ;v-t■; f A t [ .-. . n - ■' Rota of Jn#t!oes at Police Court. April 23-Motors J. Newman and -JD, Parsons, ■• "■*>. . --. • -.. - - r..-. ■ ' Auotloa SaleH To-morrow, j F, J, Jenea, eto,

jKE_AUCKLAND;, EVENIlsra ' STAR,' Fmi)AY;-.APKILv^;-IBBY,