PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

The Hon. E. Mitchelson delivered the Pub lic Works Statement in the House of Repre. sentativeS last evening. The summary we gave yesterday, however, enumerated its more important features. Wβ' give in greater detail below tho points most inter esting to Auckland. Ne-W Ssaland Kaflways. The total- length of railways opened on the 31st March last was: In the North Island 632 miles, and ill the South Island 1.090 miles ; total, miles. On tho 31sb of October last there wore open for traffic 1,734 miles, of which 652 were in the North Island and 1,102 in tho South Island. There were also ab that date 176 miles of railway in course of construction, of which 87 wero in the North Island and 89 in the South Island. The total expenditure on railways, includ ing cost of provincial linos and purchase of district railways, up to 31st March last, was £14,082,711, and the liabilities on the 31st March wero £486,376, making in all £14,569,087. North Auckland Railway. On the railway from Helensville north wards, a contract is in progress for tho for mation of 4 miles, and is expected to be finished during the present month. Until the line is completed to Kaukapakapa, a distance of 7 miles from Helensville, it will not carry much traffic, and it Lj therefore proposed to complete it to that extent as soon as practicable; but it is not intended to pub a terminal station at Kaukapakapa us a branch from Helensville until further extended. The funds already provided, with the addition of £25,000 now proposed, will complete the railway f6r traffic for seven miles up to Kaukapakapa, and will also enable tho formation to be extended for a further distance of eight miles. The rate of expenditure proposed is £10,000 for this year, and £27,000, £20,000, and £17,761 for the three following years ; total, to tho end of March, 1891, £74,761. Auckland to 2»enroso Doubling liino. For the Auckland to Penrose doubling line an allocation was made under the loan of 1886, but as it would have gone only a short way towards the completion of what was required, none of the necessary works have as yet been put in hand ; and as the balance necessary to complete the works, pome £77,000, cannot conveniently be pro vided out of the money now proposed to be borrowed, it is not intended at present to tako any further steps in the matter. GrahamGtown-To Aroha. On thcO rahamstown -Te A roha railway the rails are laid from (irahamstown to Kauae ranga,'about 5 miles, and the formation, without bridges, is complete between Kauacranga and Hikutaia, about 8 miles, and in progress from thence to near Ohine muri, about 6 miles. Ifc is expected that the latter section will bo finished in July next. From Ohinemuri to Te Aroha, lo miles, the contract survey is complete, but tho works have not yet been put in hand. Total length from Grahams town to Te Aroha, 32 miles. The funds already provided will complete the lino to Ohinemuri, 20 miles from Grahamstown, and it is proposed to put the remainder of the bridging and platelaying still required for this section in hand this year. The rate of expenditure proposed is for this year £10,000, and for tho throe following years £15,000, i'lo,ooo, and £6,921 respectively. Total, £41,921. Putarnru to Rotorua., On the Putaruru- Rotorua railway a con tract has been let for formation, platelaying, and stations from Putaruru to Ngatira, eight miles, and the works arc progressing satis factorily, and are expected to bo finished in Juno next; At the Rotorua end, five mile. , ? between Rotorua..and Ngongotaha, have been set aeide for Maori piecework, and a lonsider&ble extent of formation has already I een done by the natives in a satisfactory uianner. The intervening distance between Ngatira and Ngongotaha, about nineteen HiFles, has been surveyed for contract, but tho works have not yet been put in hand. The total length from Putarnru to Kotoma is thirty-two miles. The funds already pro vided, with thoaddition oi£lß.ooo(including £9,000f0r rails)now proposed to beallocated, will complete the railway for traffic from Putaruru to the Okohiriki Saddle, a length of 18 miles, that be in?; the shortest distance that can be opened with any real advantage, and will also enable uouinnusieaUon to bn established by roadfroir tliafc point to Ohitie mirtri, a' distance about 14 miles. Tho into of expenditure proposed, _ exclusive of amount required for rails, is £40,000 for this year, and £25.000, £25.000, and £7,377 for the three following years ; total to end of March, 1891, £97,377. North Island Tronic Railway. Coming now to the North Island Trunk Hallway, I tind with very much regret that tho original estimate of this line* was al together misleading ; the cost originally indicated having been £1,360,000, whereas the present estimate, exclusive of the prob able cost and charges of raising loan, and the amount allocated to purchase of native lands, is £2,085,000. If to this amount there is added say £100,000 for raising loans, and also the £100,000 already allocated for native lands, it brings the total to £2,285,000, and taking the £1,000,000 already authorised from this, shows £1,285,000 as still required to be authorised in order to complete the whole line from Te Avvamntu to Marton. If the works are to go on under the altered circumstances now disclosed, then the pro posals which I have shown on table C attached to this Statement, and which 1 shall presently describe, would, I think, be suitable for adoption, in so far as regard/) the amount of money which might reasonably be expended during tho present and three following years at each end of tho railway. But before any further work is undertaken I think the House should have an. oppor tunity of expressing its opinion on the new aspect which the matter has assumed, and in any ease I do not propose to pub any new contract in hand until after next ses- Bion, With regard to the alternative route proposed for this railway, I find that the original estimate for the line fvom Stratford to Te Awamutu was £1,036,000, and at first sight therefore this project might appear to have a great advantage as compared with completing the railway from Marton to To Awatnutu, but excepting that the estimated rate per milo was much higher than that for the Central line, we have no guarantee that this estimate is any more accurate than that for the Central route, and it would therefore be premature to express an opinion on the subject until a trust worthy estimate of this line is completed for comparison with the revised estimate now made of the Central line. Ifc would, there fore, 1 think, In; desirable that a survey =hould be made of the T;n,maki route of a more accurate character than those which have hitherto been made, in order that something like a correct estimate may bo formed of the probable cost of a railway hi that direction. Tho cost of this survey ■ would not bo lost, even if the railway is not made, as the information gained could be utilised in the location of a road which must be made in the future, in the event of lid railway being made. The bSsfc point to diverge from the Main Trunk Eaflvvay, in order"to reach Taranaki, would bo at a point near Maruinata, about, 55 miles from Te Awn, »nutii, and the cosh of construction of a rail way, complete and equipped for traffic, from Te Awamufcu to this point, including due proportion of cost df raising a loan, and departmental and other expenditure of every kind, is estimated afc £800,000. This is inclusive of about £250,000 for expendi ture and liabilitieri already .incurred. The only doubt, therefore, as regards the pro bable cusb of i* railway UVW $9 AwawijtU t0

Taranaki is to the cost of the link between Maramataand Stratford, or wherever might befchebesbplace to join bheexisting Taranaki railway. The present estimate of the con nection is £800,000, but as there is no trust worthy data on which such an estimate can be based it cannot be relied upon as being even approximately accurate. In connec tion with this phase of the subject it should also be stated that tho expenditure and the liabilities (with a reasonable margin for con tingencies) on account ot works already un dertaken between Maramata and Marfcon, including surveys, £60,000, roads, £40,000, native lands purchase, £100,000, and a due proportion of departmental expenditure and costsand chargesof raisingloan, willamount to within a trifle of £300,000, and if any further contracts are let at the south end of the line this amount will, of course, be increased. Having thu3 dealt with the subject generally, I will now proceed to state the present condition of the line, and the rate of expenditure per annum which could reasonably be undertaken upon it if it is decided to be carried on, and also the points to which that expenditure would probably carry the railway at each end by the end of the financial year 1890-91. North End. At the north end the railway is completed and ready for traffic from Te Awamutu to To Kuiti, a distance of mile», and from TeKuitito theUpperMokan Valley, alength of 9 miles, a contract for formation and platelaying is in progress, and expected to be completed in December, 1880. From tho Upper Mokan Valley to the Poro-o-Tarao range, 11 miles, the contract survey is completed, but the works have not yet been put in hand. Through the Poro-o- Tarao saddle, a'contract of 11$ miles, is in progress, including a tunnel of 53 chains; total length from Te Awamutu to tho end of the tunnel, 45 miles. Soub'h of the tunnel a survey contract has been made for about 8 miles, which is tho extent of tho pro grammo which I havo sketched out so far. It is proposed that the lino shall bo carried on steadily from Te Kuiti to near Mara mata, in the Ongahue Valley, about 55 miles from To Awamutu, this being tho point at which a line could diverge to Tara naki, and tho rate of expenditure indicated is £70,000 for this year, and £75,000, £75,000, and £80,000' for the three fol lowing years ; total to of March, 1891, £300,000. South Enrfl. At tho south end of the railway tho section from Marton to HunterviiUe, 19 miles, is I nearly completed, and will bo ready for j opening about Christmas;. From Hunter ville for about 25 miles to a point about 5 miles up the Hautapu Valley the contract survey is completed, arid a contract forabout Smiles of it i 3 prepared, but the works havo not yet been pu fc in hand. The con tract survey is al'io in progress for a further distance of, about 19 miles to the end of the rough country ut Tura ngarere, north head of the Hautapu (Jorge, I 63 miles from Morton. As in the case ( of the works at tl'io north end of the line, the proposal indicated in table C is to carry on steadily from M.arton for tho four yours ending 3.lst March, 1891, by which time it is anticipated fchnr. the railway will havo reached to PowluTknra, near the mouth of the Hantapu VnlJey, n distance of about 32 miles from Mart* m, and the rato of expendi ture suggested is £26,000 for this year, and £35,000, £40,000, and £42,000 for the threo following yeatS : totul to end of March, 1891, £143,00.). After carrying out these proposals at both the north and south ends of tho lino, it; is estimated that thero wiil bo I a balance of loan still avoilabln for further ! works to th * extent of about £54,000. Furfaer WorJw and Surveys. The prp/iminary purveys have been made for the railway to the extent of about 12 miles at various places between Waimarino j Plains And the Upper Wanganui Valley, ! and Service roads and tracks in connection with vho railway havo been made in whole or in. partfronvHuntcrville to Turungarore, 24 miles; Upper Kangitikei to Turangarore, 4 miles ; i'ipiriki to Okahuno, 2y miles ; Murimofcu to Upper Wanganui Valley, 50 wrilea ; and To Koura to Waimihn, 14 miles. 'Vho Wanganui River has also been Cleared rif snags and otherwiso improved from Wan ganui to near Pipiriki, about 26 miles. The expenditure and liabilities on theso roads and rivet* works up to 30th September lust was £39,239. Purchase of Native Lands. j Of the £100,000 allocated for the purchase of native lands under the loau for the North Island Trunk railway, about £70,300 was ! expended last year, leaving about £29,700 for expenditure during the present year. Tho work done up to 30fch November till, i consisted of the purchase of 490,000 acres, at a cost of £54,100, and there is now under negotiation the purchase of blocks aggregat ing about 750,000 acres, on which t'33,000 I has alreadybeen paid. The lands purchased ! and under negotiation tire situated mainly around Ruapehu and Tongariro, with the Wanganui Hivoras their boundary on tho nest. The surveyed line of railway inter sects the purchased land for 45 miles, and that under negotiation for about 15 miles, or 60 miles in all out of tho total 216 miles between Marton and To Awamutu. Roads Nortltt of Auckland. In tho formation of main roads, miscel laneous roads, and bridges, and grants in aid of roads North of Auckland, the ex penditure for the year ending the 31st of March last was £30,738, and from the end of March to tho end of September there was a further expenditure of £2,957, leaving a balance then available out of the amounts provided for tin's class of works to the extent of only £913. Of this sum £420 is due to the counties under grants already made, so that there is only £493 remaining for any further undertakings. A further j allocation for this class of. work would be I Very desirable, but the area of country re j quiring development is so great, and the countifs requiring aid ure so numerous, that nothing short of £50,000 or £60,000 would bo sufficient to attain any material benefit, and the (Government has not seen its way to making an allocation to any thing like that extent. Thermal Springs. The expenditure on Thermal Springs last year was £7,814, and the amount required for this year is £3,200, and for next year £300. This is principally for the com pletion of the water supply at Rotorua, and the planting and improvements of the baths and grounds, and as it is not intended td undertake rttiy further works than those at present in hand no further funds have been allocated beyond tho £3,500 for this and next year. Immigration. As regards tho important question of im migration, I lind that for the jieriod between lsb May, 1886, and 30fch Novem ber, 1887, 1,460 nominated immigrants have arrived in the colony, towards the cost of wlio.se passages the sum of £12,161 has been contributed by their friends in fchre colony. During the above period 80 fanners have arrived, who satisfied the Agent-General that they were possessed of requisite capital, amounting to £34,405 in all, as required by the regulations of 28th September, 1885. The total number ot immigrants, exolusive of small farmers, introduced since the inauguration of the scheme by the colonial Government is 113,953. The expenditure on immigration during the last tour years has been respectively in round numbers £107,000, £57,000, £12,000, and £12,000, and for this and three following years the expenditure proposed is respectively £16,720,. £20,000, £20,000, and £14,000, being a total allocation for immigration purposes out of funds in hand, and now proposed, amounting to £70,720. Working Railways. Coming now to working railways, I find that the receipts for the year ending 31st March last were £998,768, and the expendi ture £699,072, th<3 net profit bainjj £299,696, fr i r 4 te i»w Mi eu tbq outlay. TUe vatee

of profit on the different eecfcxone Ha j c varied from £5 10s 2d on the Greymouth section to lid on the P^ oo , f, ctl ? n ' ; considering this profit it Should bo boine m mind that the railways do a large amount of free work for other departments, probably to the extent of about £35,000 ucr annum The mileage open at the end of the yeaij*** 1,722 miles, 114 miles having been opened ot purchased during the year. The table(at tached to the report of the General BjJ» na g^ r ' which have already been laid before ™c House, show in what respect the trattic ilitf fluctuated. It will be seen thafc in merchan dise, timber, and grain there is a less ton nage, while live stock, wool, and minerals have considerably increased. Hon. mem bers will find it very interesting to study the tables, as there is no better index to the business of the colony than what we havo disclosed in the railway re turns. Revenue is, of course, largely affected by the rates which are charffsd ; but the tonnage very clearly indicates the volume of business in the colony. Thus, in the case of. the farming interest, the ton nage of grain being much smaller than in previous years, and being indeed less than in any year since 1879-80, while the trafhc in live stock and wool has largely increased, shows clearly that greater attention is being paid to sheep and cattle, and that the area of country under the Crown has been reduced. Again, as regards the building trade, the timber tonnage on railways having been very much less, shows that tho trade during the year ending March last must havo been in a depressed state. During the year end ing March last a large amount of addi tional rolling stock, which has been almost entirely built in the colony, has been supplied, and improvements of various kinds at stations* and on the various lines of railway hare been carried out, whereby public accommodation has been increased or working facilitated. None of the engines which are being manufactured in the colony have yet been comploted, but the delivery of some of them is expected about the end of the year. Ihe result of the working during the present financial year up to the period ending the sth October is that the revenue for tho 28 weeks of this year is nearly £20,000 in excess of that for the correspond ing period last year, while the ex pendituro is slightly less.

Propoood Expenditure on Railways.

Of the loan for the North Inland Main Trunk Railway, we had unexpended on 31sfc March last the sum of £674,315. On the 30th September this was reduced to £615,258, with liabilities amounting to £137,474. Starting with a balance at the end of the year, viz., £674,315, the expendi ture suggoßted by tho Engineer-in-Chief to go on from both onde during tho prenent and next three years is £610,800, which would leave a balance unexpended on 31st March, 1891, of £54,615. Under Part 3 of the Public Works we had unexpended on 31st March laab the sum of £679,235, and by 30th September luat this was reduced to £556,645, with liabilities amounting to £304,004. Tho net amount available for further undertakings on tho 30th September was therefore only £252,641, and as this amount ie qttito inadequate for carrying most of tho railways in hand to points at which they would bo even moder ately reproductive, it was decided to ask for further authority to raise a loan of £500,000, which it i» proposed bo allocated as follows : Ilolenavillo Northwards 25.000 Putaruru-Kotorua .. .. «. .. 18.000 Woodvlllo-I'almernton 120,000 Blenheim- A watoro 9.000 (Jrevmoiith Hokltiktt 22,000 Mount Sowers 7.000 Llviutfctonn - 1.000 Otago Central 100.000 Seaward Hush 10.000 Additions to opened lines 122000 .Surreys 6,000 Charges and oxpensen of raising portion of loan allocatiid to rnllwn.vn .. . 30,000 Departmental eiiKlncerhiK and isuper vieloa WXX) Grand total for railways .. .. f>oo.ooo Adding this! .sum of £500,000 to the £769,235 before alluded to as existing atSleb March last, will give a total of £1,269,236 expenditure, of which, including expendi ture which has alreidy taken place, we pro pose to spread over the present and next throe yonrs at tho following rate, viz. : — 1887-88, £332,500 : IRBB-89, £437,403 ; 1889 ---90, £298,917 : and 1890-91, £67,444, givinc a total for the lour years of £1,246,264, which will lenve £22,971 unexpended at tho end of the term. Conclusion. Finally, sir, I would wish to state that in approachint,' this task of dealing with the public works expenditure of the colony, tho < iovornment was convinced that however much the construction of public works may have tended to develop the country gener ally, and also to meet tne demands of prow ing settlement, it was nevertheless evident that our rato of expenditure in tho past has been more than the colony could well afford, and that tho time has come when wo must materially curtail it, With thai) object in view, wo prepared the proposals which I havo now had the honour of laying before this House, and I may say that throughout the whole of thiij allocation onr object has been to do justice to all concerned, and to endeavour where practicable, within the limits of the funds at our disposal, to avoid stop ping ruthlessly any works on which the expeindituro already incurred would bo altogether thrown away, or which would yi'ild a reasonable percentage on their cost if completed as hitherto intended. To the best of our belief these objects have been attained by the allocation which I have described, and we now therefore lay it beforo Parliament in the full confidence that hon. members will aid us in carrying these proposals out in thti interest of the colony as a whole, at whatever sacrifice it may be to their individual interest. Taken as a whole, thechief featureinour proposals jh to steadily reduce expenditure under loan from, in round numbers, £1,100,000 per annum for this year to £300,000 per annum for the third year from March next, and wo believe that in this way the loan expenditure may be gradually brought to an end after March, 1891, without on the one hand increasing our burdens over much, or on the other hand putting too sudden a check on the progress of colonial industries. I would also wish to say, sir, in conclusion that throughout the whole of the investigation necessary td frame the proposals calculated to bring about this result, and which I confess I have found to be a very difficult task, I have received tho most cordial assistance from all the chief officers of the departments over which I have the honour.to preside.

ATHLETIC NOTES.

Cricket.

In the junior cup match on Saturday be tween the Gordon and Waitemata the former were returned the Winners by 30 runs. Gordon made 81, to which 11. B. Susk contributed 26, and Neil 21. Mackie did the bowling-, taking 6 wickets for 41 runs. On the Waitemata going in to bat there was quite a procession, the seventh wicket falling for 17 runs, but Mackio (13) and McHugh (15, not out) brought the ecore up to 51 before the last wicket foil. Ansenne and Kelly did the bowling for Gordon, the former getting seven wickots and Kelly three.

Southern Cricket.

DuNedin, this day. In the Carisbrook- Phoenix match, on Saturday, owing to the sblendid bowling of Frith, wha took nine wicKofcs for 18 ruhe, Carisbrook only made 64. Phcenix, at the call of thae, had scored 124 forthreewickdts, Harris, 24 j Beck, not out, 46 j Spring, *ot> out, 36.

The Grange v. North Dnnedi.n match resulted in a draw in favour at' the former, who made 110, and 122 for seven wickets : Grieve, 21; VV. Carson, 44: J. Carson, 17. A meeting of tho Canterbury delegates to the Amateur Rowing Association re solved that tho following motion adopted by the Club delegates on Ocb 8 last be confirmed, "That the delegates assembled recommend their respective clubs to ]om the Association, provided that the definition of the Association be so amended as bo take its riae from the date of its adoption."

WAIKATO NEWS.

(FROM OTJ'JR OWN COKREESPON'DEXT.)

Hα MU/rox, Monday. MkJ. McNiccol has severed his connection With Messrs Alfred Bucklancf and Co., and

intends starting as Auctioneer on hie own account in Cambridge.

The cricket match Cambridge v. Pate rahgi, played at the latter place on Satur day last, ended in a tie, each team scoring 49 for both innings. A capital game of cricket was played on Sydney Square on Saturday last, between tho Hamilton and Tuhikaramea teams, ending in a win for Hamilton by 45 xunn. For Hamilton tho highest scorers were : Uowper, 24 ; Browning, 23 ; and St^' 22 and 27 ; and for Tuhikaramea : S. Bead, 26. The match was decided in tho first innings. .„ Mr James Mackintosh, from Invercargill, addressed a public meeting in tho Public Hall, Hamilton, upon the necessity of es tablishing an Industrial Bank in Isew Zea land. Owing to the short notice given, only about thirty persons wero present. His Worship theMayorof Hamilton occupied tho chair. Mr Mackintosh spoke at considerable length upon tho advisability of establishing a purely national bank, urging , that the times, under existing depression, were most favourable for tho project. It ia proposed to have a capital of twelve and a-lialf millions in one hundred thousand shares ot £25 each : £5 of which will be called up at the rato of £1 per annum, and will bo devoted for ordinary bunking purposes. On tho uncalled capital loans of two and three millions at a time will be raised in London, and re-lent to members and local industries at 3or 4 per cent. On tho motion of Captain MoPherson, seconded by Mr W. A. Graham, a vote of thanks whs accorded tho lecturer, who intends visiting other centres of population. Regarding the Creamery at Vaterangi, everything is working satisfactorily, /'»d the settlors ox press themselves highly satis tied with the treatment they receive. It is expected thab the quantity of milk supplied blue season ufc tho wbovo taobory will reach 12.000 gallons when the cows aro in full milk.

NEWTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tjik ordinary meeting of the Nowton Borough Council was hold last evening. There were present tho Mayor (Mr War nock), Crs Faultier, Lee, Bigg*. Casey, Ainbury, Morrison, Garrett, and Boyd The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

Notice or Motion.—The Mayor gave notice of motion to move at the next meet ing, "That a special rate of fourponco in the pound be levied on the annual value of all the rateable property in those portions of the borough of Newton known hs Surrey and Sussex Wards for the following pur poses :—(1) To pay the interest on the sum of £2,500 ulready authorised to be mis'-1 for wilier supply purpose;". (2) To pro vide a sinking iunu to repay the said loan of £2,500, the eaid rate to be made, levied, and collected hulf-yearly, the liret half-year commencing on the Ist day of April, 1888, and the second half-year commencing on the Ist day of October, 1888, payable on the Ist day of June and Ist day of December respectively, in each

year." CcmitlßPosnEN'CK. —Letters were read and received:—From the Colonial Secretary, notifying that the result of the poll re crater rate had been published in the "Gazette." From Levi Stanton, applying for the lioi?t of sub-rogiefcrar ot tho borough. i'rom the Town Clerk of tho City Council, stating that the proposal of the Newton Borough Council to metal the road at Cox's Creek, if the City Council would assist, had boeii received and referred to the Streets Committee to report upon.

MuNicii'Aii Council. —A circular was re ceived from tho Town Clerk of Wellington, enclosing the minutes of the sittings of the Municipal Council, giving the results of the Council.

Water Works Loan - .—A committee con sisting of the Mayor, Councillors Faulder and Ambury wero appointed to obtain in formation as to the best market in which to float tho water works loan, and report at the special meeting to be held on the 21st inst.

Extension of Time foe Tenders.—Cr. Faulder proposed, and Cr. Boyd seconded, " That tho time for receiving the tenders fdr the water works contract be extended till the 3rd of January." Cr. Faulder spoke at some length to hie motion, ex pressing his opiuion that they should not receive tenders until they were perfectly satisfied in respect to the money.— Cr. Boyd spoke to the same effect.— Cr. Kiggs objected to any unnecessary postponement, as it meant increased ex penditure for the borough. Cr. Morrison said that the time proposed for the opening of the tenders was £ very inconvenient one. The mail left two days afterwards, ani as the 3rd was a holiday there might be some difficulty in arranging matters, and the suc cessful contractor would probably be unable to forward his orders to England in time. It meant the probable delay of a month, and by that means a large proportion of the ratepayers for whoso beneht tho water supply was being obtained would be caused ah unnecessary amount of expense. Theso ratepayers wore paying a double water rate to the City Council oil account of the city water supply, and if the local works wero not completed by tho follow ing January they would hove to pay the rates for the half-year, which would fall due in January. He was certain there would be no difficulty about the money, and immediate action, not postponement, was required.— Ore. Ambury and Riggs and the Mayor endorsed these remarks.—The motion was then pub and carried, when Cr. Rigffs asked that the names of Crs. Faulder, Lee, Boyd, Casey and Garretb be recorded as having voted for the motion, as lie considered it a matter of importance to the ratepayers.—-Cr. Ambury said that the motion meant a virtual shelving of the water scheme for some time, and that no mbn of common sense would have proposed a holiday night like January 3rd as a meet ing night, especially as the mail day was so dose.—(Jr. Faulder protested againsb Cr. Ambury'a insinuation, stating that it was by no means the first time Cr. Ambury had thought fit to anub him.—The Mayor said there was no motion before the meeting, and Cr. Faulder eat down.—Cr. Kig'gfl rose to speak in reference to the motion passed, when (Jr. Faulder drew the attention of the chnir to the fact that there was no proposition before tho meeting, when Cr. lliggs subsided, at the same time entering into an animated conversation with Cr. Lee, who was next to him.— Cr. Boyd rose to his feeb,and protested that tho meeting was not heing conducted as it ought to be. The Mayor was not doing hia duty in allowing personal remarks to be inadkk— The Mayor : Have you a proposi tion to jubulifc t<l tk« Biding ? O\ Boyd;

I will make a proposition when I have done speaking. —The Mayor : Gentlemen, the meeting is afc an end. I can only enforce my authority by leaving the chain The meeting being closed, several of the Councillors entered into an animated and personal discussion until they got outside the door.

CORRESPONDENCE.

BATHING AT CHELTENHAM BEACH.

(To the Editor.)

Sin, —Local bodies throughout New Zea land havo made themselves notorious in passing measures of such ail inconsistent and illegal nature that they havo become the laughing-stock of all sensible men, but from the following notice, pub up on Chel tenham Beach last Aveek, 1 think the mom bore of the Borough Council of Devonporb are entitled to the cake :— NOTICE, Bathing on this beach is prohibited after 7 a.m. or earlier than 8 p.m. Penalty for breach of this by-law is 10s. J. DINBDAI-E, Town Glork. Ifc is needless to mention thab the notices have long since been pulled down by those who question the right of the Borough Council to interfere in any way except in enforcing the Police Ollences Act, which is quite suflicienfc for all purposes, and to which they are limited. Even if they had tho power to enforce or prohibit, bathing during the hours men tioned, ifc would be very impolitic to do so. If they did, one of the chief attractions of Devonport is removed, fcho thousands of people, young and old, who now come to tho beach for its excellent bathing, well knowing its immunity from nharks, and there being no danger of their being drowned, as any depth ofwater from a few inches to ten feet can be obtained, would simply go olsewhore, and JJevonport would noon sink into a second flowiek, our excellent Ferry eervice might blow out their boiler.", como to an anchor, and thea rot at their moorings. Thero would no lotiger be any use for them. Depression, wfliich ex ists, would become intensified ; in fact, there would bo an utter collapse off Devon port. In conclusion, I consider, sir, that much of the depression which at present exiftts throughout the country ia caused by such measures as tho one under considera tion.—lam, Ac, J.R.G.

THY AUCKLAND EVENING STAB, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1887.

2



R H. A BBOTT & C°- HAVE JUST OPENED UP A Second Great JOB LINE OF CHEAP HATS, As Under :— 13,000 at Is 1,500 at Is 6d 1,500 at Is lid This astonishing line includes EVERY SHAPE AND QUALITY OF LADIES' & MAIDS' STEAW HATS Worn this season, and will require early attention. R. H. A BBOTT * C°- Karangaiiait; Road And UrPEB Sxmo kD s Street. THE "STAR" CHRISTMAS AXD NEW YEAB CARDS. I NOW READY. AN ENTIRELY ORIGINAL SERIES. NEW ZEALAND SCENERY! NEW ZEALAND FLOWERS! NEW ZEALAND POETRY ! LOCAL BARDS AND WORLD-WIDE SENTIMENTS. The Star series of Christmas and New Year Cards is now published, and will be found to bo admirable specimens ot Colonial art, while the Mottoes have been chosen with care from the verses sont in connection with tho recent Poetical Competition. In addition thero are verses by Mr VV. R. Wills, Mr J. L. Kelly and others. The Cards are beautifully printed in colours, and tho dovices and Mottoes are specially appropriuto as offer ings from the Sunny South to the Wintry North, or for sending to friends in tho colonies. The public ir.ay obtain these at, tho Stau Office or from booksellers and stationers throughout the colony. Orders should be given early. THE "STAR" SERIES OF Christmas and New Year Cards. LOCAL ART ! LOCAL TALENT ! LOCAL INDUSTRY ! To be had at> the Star Office, Shortland street, and all Booksellers. ETSDrNG~CARDS.--Latesb Style ab tho Star LitUo«;raphio Works, Short land-stroot, Auckland. nhHE BiggesFXitorary Shilling's Worth X in Aiwtrftlaaiu-BretfsAuckland Almßuac, Illustrated,



I>rapery, Clothing, &c THE BABY LINEN AND LADIES UNDEBLINEN WAREHOUSE. SILK HOSE! SILl£ HOSE! P. DAVISON Has just purchased a,job line of Silk Hose, and will sell them as under :— HALF COST! HALF COST PRICES! Ladies' Black, Pale Blue, Cream, and Pink, 2s lid, 3s6d, 3s lid; Maroon, Navy, Cardinal, 3s 6d, 3s lid, 48 6d. Children's Pale Blue, Pink* and Cream, 1, Is lids 2, 2s 3d i 3 t 2s 6d ;4,289d ; 5 2b lid. Black and Dark Colours; 2s s<i, 2s 6d, 2s 9d, 3s, 3s sd. 200 dozen Ladies' Trimmed Linen Collars at 6d each; usual prices, Is to 2n 6d. ' 15,000 yards Beaded Net in Navy, Maroon, Black and Gold, Black and Silver, Drab, etc., all at 2d per yard ; usual price, 9d yard. 400 yards Beaded Gossamer, White and Silver, Drab and Gold, Bi'own and Gold, at 6d per yard; usual price, Is per yard. A beautfful assortment of Ladies' Printed Steirta from Iβ lid, 23 sd. 2s 6d. 2a lid—very chea p. Ladies' Print Dresses from 6s lid to 21s. Ladies' Stuff Dresses from 12s 6d to 288. Ladies' Print Morning Wrappers. 2s lid to 4s lid. Sateen, and Stuff Dresses, 2s6d to 7s 6d, at half warehouse prices. Very special line -50 dozen Ladies' and Chil dren's Printed Aprons at 6d each. Also, largo variety of Coloured and White ss6d_. Magnificent assortment df Fane, bought very cheap, to be sold at 2s 6d, 3s 6d, 4s 6d, 5s 6d, 6s 6u; worth 3s 6d to 14s 6d. In all the newest shades. Beautiful variety of 6un Bonnets from Is to 9s 6d. No. 9, JUNCTION QUEEN & GREY Sts. PRTCE 1 piIICE J pRTCE 1/C I X 16 ) f 1/6 BEAUTIFUL LONG OSTRICH FEATHERS In Cream, Tuscan, Grey, Tan, and Pink. -\ r* Just Received, a pa'cel -t ft Ic< flT> of the above, to be sold I q Kγ. iliSiiii lii 111111°* tne ver^low P rice " f mm iMii-«iiiii W. T. OGILVIE, Victoria Stkbet West. EVERY LADY HER OWN DRESSMAKER. To secure a Perfect Fit and Newest Style, try OUTTERICK'S J3 ("IUT pAPER "OATTERNS. Metropolitan Fashions, Illustrating Patterns, monthly, Id each ; 2s per annum, post free. AGENT- Wμ. P. OGILVIE, DRAPER. VICTORIA-STREET WEST. pIjBAPBR TH AN EVER DRAPERY AND CLOTHING. C. HOPKINS. London House* Victoria and Nelsox Sts., Is now showing some of the cheapest: Drapery and Clothing ever offered in Auckland, as thß following line* Will show :— Dress Materials in Greys, Bvowns. and Fawns, 4s lid for 12yds; Striped Delaines, 12yd? for 38 lid: grand value in Di ess Materials at 6s 9d, in fashionable shades; Coloured Satin in all shades, from Is per yard ; 80-Inch Heavy Twill Sheeting, Is OJd (White); 90-inch Heavy Twill Sheeting, Is 3d (White); a lot of Slip Mats, Is each; Men's Mosjriel Tweed Suits, 33s 6d; Men's Tweed Suits, 12s 9d; Men's Tweed Trousers and Vests, 7s lid ; Men's Coloured Mole Trousers, 4s lid (value for your money); Men's Tweed Trousers, 3s lid pair ; Youths Tweed Trousers, 2s lid : Boys' Tweed Trousers, 38 6d; grand line in Men's Merino Sox, 9d; Men's Brown Cotton Sox, 2Jd per pair. C. HOPKINSj London House, Victoria and Nelson Streets. N.B.—Open every evening till 9 o'clock. Insurance TVTEW ZEALAND INSURANCE COM J3i PANY (FIRE AND MARINE). Capital ~..£1,000,000. Paid-up and Reserve Fund 5......£435,003 Protection from FIRE or MARINE LOSS Can be Effected in this Company. CLAIMS MET WrrH~PROMPTITtfDE AND LIBERALITY. JAMES BUTTLE. Manager. ]S"ew York Xjife insurance company. Cash Assets, Ist January, 1887 .. £15,518.817 Inoome for 1886 .. .. « £3,956,874 Local Director C. C. McMillan* Ea<». (Meeers W. McArthur & Co.) Solicitors: Messrs Russet.l & Campbell. Bankers: Bank of Australasia. Policies issued guaranteeing the return of all Premiums in addition to the sum insured if death occur within a twenty-year period. J. HI)GC> HARROP. Resident Agent Public Notices. __j _ i .__-_.—'-';' '*<'■ "«- -* *'QJ TA R" AGENCY; The following are authorised to RECEIVB ADVERTISEMENTS for Star IM PORTER & Co., Ironmongers, KARANGAHAPE ROAD. PORTER & Co., Ironmongers, SYMONDS-STREET. PORTER & Cα, Ironmongers NEWMARKET. Mb ROBINSON, Chemist. PARNELi. Mr JONES, Ironmonger, PONSONBY. Mb T. J. HENSHAW, Nbw-striskt, ONEHUNOA. Mr ULLEWALL. Grocer, &c, DEYONPORT. MR PATRICK, Storekekpkr, TE KOPURU. " "\T Z. ILLUSTRATED TIT-BITS." _Ll • —A subscriber writes from Christ cliurch: "Enclosed, find postal-note for ss, as six months' subscrition to 'Tit-bits.' We all enjoy it immensely atid if the mails are irregular and it docs not come to hand, wo really miss it. rflHE~~Besb Gift for Homo friends is JL Brett's Auoklanfl Almanac, containing a Pictorial Represontatiou of Queen-streets De scription of the Provincial New wUid« lulioiL? , »j 6cc, &c ' ■ _



Hodees fit AfefeX.<_l in ßs etl. Ik 1 i" ; »■««.!..»-;,„„ MOSEY TO MSDirttS^. , QUEENSLAND MORt(.iGii T LO^ : AND '■ ' ' DISCOUNT BANONG C6MiPAll\V;\; Darby-sthehA , (off Queen-st.!, .' AUCKLAND. , : Head Office: Brisbane. Agencies: Auckland, Sydney, and-fietkiiie, MonKV advanced from,.£s and tHnraMito any amount required; to sulfr tfie t»rr.w& l ; upon Peredriali' tVeehbldt' leiwtdla; tot uyi Tangible Setstirity, ii.'kfijr'^'.ju , may Be arranged, ftilfeer Wenitly, or Quarterly Instalments, at low&i. current iifst | Advances made on Furniture withoutV moval; also oti; all kiiids it '" MStfiin-Jse, , inctudinK Bond elc, . ~ " • Bills Discounted at current I Interviews and commonications will hi Mi strictly rorifldential. - f * * OfficS Hour's: From 10 till S o'clock. : V ; RTH UE. nO HJK. LAisrri and Monetary agent, (Thfee D6or8 v r^t: S'i'Ait Qfi«)i •] I am prepared to value land in Ailfeklaiitl or the country: far iflt-auiinK' purc&aiefs at meet reasonable terms. AlllajndsoW if Sein'Auck* land I charge 2J per cent cominisMon. I am prepared to negotiate Mortgages ii mini ■■' ■■ tiomMtbh&.m ; l; . ■■;;■;' Advances made on Colonial anS "Sas& Ml ; f- ,■• ~ .-jPollpies.,. . ■ ■■;,-'- i-ij Having Agenti iriaU parts of Attetr4Ua*ada England, I catt ! ma|o Wills hi suiflsfrStn tXVißam ... ) TN DUSTRIAL AND JL PBIiMANENT BUILDIS 'G, IAOTUfB Repaymeiite, extondingdver ; - OT : "- ■ 1 year j2 0 0 ; ,£IW 0 | k 2vfc£rs "' ■■■■;■! 1 OiO 103 6 8 ♦ years.. j. 011 3 4 Jw S:: :: lij-iffl IIS:: :: 1 |i 10 years,.. ; .. . 0 6,ii__Biii^ The Board has power in, 'ceibi .%*sss .^ Want of Employment ts Suspend Paymeftte. BorrowersSharfein Prpfitß. , Part or whole of the advance ffl»j*.f ,Sb at anj Utnc. 0& the pertibo haaobtained « liberty to sell his property at py off hiiiriiorteaso; his property subjcbt to tne morbus*- S Co e rn y er ot OtJKBS-STREET ttd ?« LANE, B Office : IW. QoE*f-B»» T ;" loans tea ,&SlsttS?| in instalnicnfe «t w6dV for f*ipayn)fent of each fciw oortv ■^ r ~* -_ !-!■.- ;- ;■-.,-,, j .'- ■' ■ ')&)s(]:' awW Repatments extend-i>6 -■■■ 'in Mlf ! 3ycars-.. -• nil S ejfenfe •• -. --8.1-5 JgJSiA COMB one, from J. Consfetuig of. - ; ForDrawin ? and Staircase, 'ggL, ;■-.,., SCRIMS AXOH J^