DECLARATIONS OF THE POLL.

Eden.

'. ft i declaration of the poll for this took place at 4 p.m. on **? lUoon, at Waite's Mount SatU lil Nearly 100 persons were mßa A. Ma lcolm Niccol (Returning present. \ announ ced the result Officer) presia ' <S r g >ir J. A. Connell ... •» 4^_

Majority for Mr Mitchelson ... 436 Informal vote= •» receive d with Mr itch.f t ° b n'trhroughout the election aPP^ 6' -tl-i personalities, whilst Mr had avoided all pc conducfc ed Connell, on WJ» ( Applause.) Mr Con- B ell bad; Mgg£ his mm voto in his own l»dn °SS was probably the..only iaToai'' ?hrou"hout the whole of the that such a thing F^ied T^ncwed applause.) He ad "f mff\ ha t his action in fight »s?tt Si a gentleman of Mr * & Sty ndjrhfc have appeared some-- Conne s mnDtuous>ut as he (the speaker) ffhatprf unW" d repl . esenfcc d various #ffiHfit his &uty todowhat «*^ «M for the electors in the House # eSS. It was with a feel- I^SjSSi* he had had to fight "S. ° M>onnell,' and he hoped he and #122SSBa now bury the hatchet, *$T% good friends as it was a° 'H P for tffO men to be. (Applause.) P 033 „ =nnrce of regret to him that so "ill ZI m betn left out as a result mmSn He sincerely regretted { fk SSr of the colony had been *?■» She was sorry, too, that Mr fifha been left o7t. (Applause.) P^iStar was a very able man, no PtBSShSCS full of fads. Mr Bryce d°?«ne of he most able men in the fj (Mr Connell: Hear, hear.) SL considered that that gentleman's ftMm a national calamity. (Applause.) * y Seand are, Major Atkinson, was .rLoed in the formation of a Ministry flWe Place of that which had just 10 ft The Major had a difficult task Tirforai but he (Mr Mitchelson) had J. to the conclusion that the people of !wn onv must accept either Major Atkin tSir Julius Vogel. He felt much Spathy with Major Atkinson m his great Sffhich was of special difficulty, Lose, this being a new Parliament he yJ B ot the opportunity of consulting to members elected in the Opposition Merest, and some time might, therefore, to before he would form a stable Cabinet Rumours — evidently from the Couth-had been circulated through tbe press that Major Atkinson and his party ironid coalesce with Sir Julius \ ogel. He Mr Mitchelson) gave this statement a U unqualified denial. (Loud ap ttee.) If Major Atkinson could not form a Ministry without the aid of SirJnlius Vogel, he would not doit with bis aid-(applause)—and he (the speaker) tasted that those who had been crying out ajainst the administration of Sir Julius Mwouldndwjoinin supporting Major Atkinson. Had the latter been so unfor toteas to have been beaten—and he had lad a narrow escape—the country would tee been placed entirely in the hands of Bit Julius Togel. After thanking the electors,who had. given him their support MrMitchelsoti went on to remark that at one of Mr Connell's meetings Mr Roberts y expressed the opinion that he (Mr lielson) was a political nonentity. If he Mbeen a political nonentity in the House, tewild not have been entrusted with a pAlio. (Applause, in which ilr Connell M).";He thought that a sign that his kaoeji the House had been somewhat Im He Had as much influence in the ton* as toy man, for more was done in Pariamenl.% working than by talking. (Appku.se.)

«Connell, who was also received with applause, said he. had listened with the greatest pleasure to the speech of their new member, He, could say most heartily that from the very start of the contest he had W nothing but the best of goodwill tcwdslis. opponent. (Applause.) Early in the campaign he had told-the members of his committee

H as, Mr Mitchelson was in the fed, he had made up his mind that he roil not be nominated against that gentleman/ During the contest he had wived letters in which it was de-

jtoed by leading politicians in New Zea- Mthat Mr Mitchelson and he were run ning against each other. The cause, hcw ever, that led him to take the step of -fighting out the contest to the ad to the circulation of a report that he ws acting as a' kind of jackal to Mr Mitchelson. This was stated for the first toe publicly at his meeting at Avondale. m said then that the report was certainly we b u t the rumour so vexed and an mhm that he felt that the only way to 'prmmselffrprnsuch an unjust imputa- BMU to fight.tho contest out to the end. wwbeep fighting an uphill battle, and regretted that he had had to oppose Mr Wielsoa. When lie first came out Mr "le occupied the seat, and he himself ™ out font in order to fight the Govern £v ft, Wiiphill work, therefore, to 2 1.*™? amm of one's own party, 5 ™r±mheßhould #ays consider a fcrL A ,during the progress of J-Motet., he had not 1 permitted Ll hnd; WOrd ■t0 be said against Joppent, (Applause.) A great"num *misMs words had been said fitjl?lß^ and he Mno ■^Vtov-tf 8?* raapywere also said K 0 «c son j but he, the speaker, S!?^ their utterance, and he Jd sa f t Du meed to* Mr Mitcheh *5 mit 1 v , same- He ■ thanked the SkatlhohadVOtedforhim- Look mk lr T ewhat erratic character «4£S mS mthe of the gh^)~in considering also SSSfe °, f f, aults .that were found tiie election %Iffif l\ c most POP" 1^ in the Si«w? in the lar S e number Polled. (Applause.) fe^dLl,n? y4v^est^ that he had Hif h e ,2V1! 6 N°r th and stick to the ?*i«Sfa Q? l t^ House. lie would "^ 3 iZf' t> t in comin S before >set? actuatod by the most N fci tWv, lai? dl Hacl he seen MbtaT VOal^ not,have stood at all sV«fi hatA 84 h? beon returned, fe^Vhe I na fOU" d that > whatever Sft rayer nOVa ff?* election Tw tb^ln connection taH^ffi'&V^ ***** him. "« iSW? hat* called his op fiHandgEVool" He desired Wk' ?e^inc^u f SO.dishonour, £^Yd BS le°f Buch a remark, sw^ 'CnT" 1 T ould a«cept his !^':'He?a 8 l 2P 0? ltl'ehadibeen &>* desire 1?\ elections- His 5SntS S be, en t0 S(* the fl*^ Ri« d that de*ire had *«fc^ffi- 80"^ that Cl te £CO on 13 li^ f°r he thO«gbt Q^sa&ythatamanoflir V^toS and Public services S£Sf%. &ofMl, Biyeiasa <l>4ent Afc se-) was a *^I^ a fl, n"mbel, of good * wvWaw.cttr? seats.

He thanked tho electors—not only those who voted for him, but all the electors-for the very kind feeling that they had dis played toward him during the contest. A very large number of Mr Mitchelson's supporters had come to him, and had said, " If it had been any other man but Mitchel son ,*we would have supported you." On the motion of Mr Mitchelson, seconded by Mr Connell, a vote of thanks was passed to the Returning Officer. Mr Niccol, in acknowledging the compli ment, expressed his satisfaction at the kindly feeling which had existed between the two parties on the polling day. The time and trouble which. Mr Connell had given to the election would not, perhaps, prove to have been thrown away. He had given the electors of Eden an opportunity of judging him, and had shown that he possessed a considerable amount of ability. He at first proceeded in a peculiar manner, but he afterwards settled to work, and gave proof that he could be serious as well as ridiculous. (Laughter and applause.) The assemblage dispersed after cheering both Mr Mitchelson and Mr Connell.

Newton.

The -official declaration of the poll of the Newton electorate was made at noon to-day, by the Returning Officer, Mr J. A. Beale. There was a very good attendance. The successful can didate, Mr E. Withy, was received with prolonged applause. Mr Harry Garratt also received an ovation. Mr J. A. Tole was not in attendance, as his presence was required at a Cabinet meeting of the late Ministry in Wellington. His addres3 has already been published in our columns. Mr Sydney Taiwhanga, M.H.R., was also on the platform.

Mr Beale said that it was now his duty to proclaim the last act of the drama. (Laughter.) There had been a slight alteration in the numbers since they were unofficially declared. on Monday night at the door of the polling booth, but not sufficient to make any vir tual difference in the results of tho elec tion .He might say that tbe poll would have been declared earlier had it not been that one of the defeated candidates had de manded a scrutiny. The numbers now stood: — Edward Withy 701 Joseph Augustus Tole ... 606 Harry T. Garratt 170 He therefore declared Mr Edward Withy duly elected for the Newton District. He would like to add. in reply to some re marks which had appeared in the " Herald " under the heading of " Colpnus," that "five people voted twice for one particu lar candidate, "that in no single instance was it known how any elector had voted. There was an easy method of avoiding such disclosure, and it had been adopted, so that the secrecy of the ballot had not been inter fered with in any way. (Applause.) Mr Withy was received with applause. He said he was quite pleased to learn that during the scrutiny the secrecy of the ballot had not in any way been infringed. He thanked those who had voted for him. He felt that it was also due to his op ponents that he should thank them for the patient manner in which they had often listened to his expressiions of opinion with which they did not coincide. Of course at times there had been a little dis turbance, but taking it altogether the elec tion had been contested good bumouredly. The Hon. Mr Tole was absent, and there fore he should not throw any stones after him to Wellington. Throughout he had studiously avoided saying anything that would prove unpleasant to any of his opponents. He could sym pathise with the defeated candidates. To one who had been returned for many years for a constituency and then reached the position of a Crown Minister, it must necessarily be unpleasant to be defeated,. and ■ho could understand such a person feeling a little sore. It was, however, the decision of the electors. At the outset he had announced himself as a thorough believer in free trade, and he had explained his meaning. That had been used to his disadvantage, because merely the bald fact had been stated that he was a dangerous man who would sweep away the existing tariff. But those who knew him better could tell that he was not so Quixotical as that. The de feated candidates could therefore draw some consolation from the fact that they had not been defeated by such a rabid free trader as they represented. Another thing which was urged against him was that he had been an employer of labour in the old country. Well, before the next election they could get full par ticulars as to his conduct when an employer, and he did not fear the result. He frankly confessed that when an em ployer he had fought the employers' battles and would do so again if he was an em ployer, for he generally found that the men could fight their own battles, and not those of .the employer. The press said that in the new House the Radical party was broken up, but he did not think that such was the case. He could tell them that if there was a Radical party in the House he would be with them. He could not say whether or not he would support Major Atkinson. In fact, he should be very careful what party he joined Avhen at Wellington. He should oppose any thing in the shape of land rings and land speculation, as he favoured land nationalisa tion. The question of land monopoly by private individuals was one of the main causes of the wrongful distribution of wealth. He wished to see all laws which tended to wrong distribution swept away. They also wanted a great alteration in the method of registration of votes and the recording of the same. He would make a careful study of that matter. He concluded by assuring all electors of Newton that he should do his duty without ony partiality toward those who had sup ported him, or any grudge agaipst those who had honestly worked against him. (Applause.)

Mr Garratt was also received with ap plause. He thanked those who had as sisted him. He had deemed Mr Withy dangerous from the first, and of course he thought him more so now, (Laughter.) He was glad to hear the short platform laid down by Mr Withy, and more particularly his reference to the improvements that were required in the method of registering votes. That was a point Upon which all agreed. He could say after personal knowledge of Mr Collins that some altertion was required. He should not only receive the claims from those who claimed to vote, but should also take a record of those claims in case the claims should be destroyed. Instead of that, however, the claims were simply put aside and subsequently sent to the printer without any check whatever being put upon the risk of them being tampered with. As his own results had not been affected that way, he could afford to speak out plainly. When they were told that the ballo -bpx had been broken open and- sonic of the papers destrpypd, it was tijne something w^s done. In Mr Seaman's case there was not an elector entered the room but what his claim was recorded upon the wall. While he had himself received a crushing blow, he could yet confidently appear upon any platform without feeling any blush of shame, as he had done nothing throughout the contest of which he need feel ashamed. This election had raised a feeling which had perhaps never been equalled before— feelings of chivalry on the part of the suc cessful candidates, and irritation on the part of those who hadieen defeated. Seats had been offered to more than one defeated candidate, and his own Committee would, no doubt, be surprised to learn that he also had been offered a seat. jji ?u?h case, unlike others, he felt it in-

I cumbent upon him to mention the name of the seat—unfortunately in his case it was the back seat. (Laughter and applause.) At the same time he could feel no shame as he had got his living honestly amongst them (Applause.) Those' who had uU^i thafc oub as a reason why he should not have beon returned should have gone a little further back to the time when he hawked fish in Auckland. (Applause.) As hewas defeated.he thought that it was rather hard after paying his own expenses from his own savings that the rumour should be circulated that his expenses had been paid by Mr Withy. He could tell them that as a matter of fact he had never spoken to Mr Withy before the nomination day,and had never received any communication from either that gentleman or any of his committee. (Applause.) He again thanked those who had voted for him in the face of the opposition that had been brought against him. He had been led astray by those who had made false promises, but he would occupy the position he then did of a defeated candi date rather than be those gentlemen (?) who induced him to come out by signing their names to a requisition, and then like dastards deserted him in the trying moment and left him to be defeated, and also to pay his own expenses. (Applause.) It appeared to him that had he induced any man to come forward against such men as Messrs Withy and Tole he would have felt it to be his duty to help that man to the uttermost. He must thank the 170 gentle men who had voted for him, and the matter of regret to himself was that he could not tell who they were aftd thus be able to thank thin personally. Mr Withy then proposed a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, Mr J. A. Beale, and his deputy, Mr Slater, whom he be lieved had done their duty impartially throughout the elections. Mr Garratt seconded the motion, and hoped that some day Mr Beale might be able to declare that H. T. Garratt stood at the head of the poll. The motion was carried by acclamation. Mr Beale briefly returned thanks, and the gathering dispersed

Waitemata.

The declaration of the poll for the elec torate of Waitemata took place at noon to day in the Devonport Borough Council Office. About 30 persons wero present. Mr T. W. Seaman (Returning Officer) opened the procee ings by thanking the electors for the very pleasant manner in which the election had been carried out. He had also to congratulate him self upon the manner in which his four teen deputies had fulfilled tho duties en trusted to them. There had not been the slightest hitch anywhere. Mr Seaman went on to explain the circumstances under which he disallowed the particular vote at Devonport. He then announced the result of the polling to have been :— MrR. Monk 883 Mr Reader Wood 510 Majority for Mr Monk ... 373 Informal votes... ... ... 13 Of the 13 informal votej 5 were given at Devonport, 2 at Birkenhead, 2 at Chelsea, 1 at Helensville, 2 at Kumea, and 1 at Swanson. In two instances both names were crossed out from the voting paper, in two other instances neither name was crossed out, and in one instance the voter wrote his name across the ballot paper. 1,406 votes in all were recordod, and 2,245 votes could easily have been regis tered wifchirt the time allowed. He had to declare Mr Monk duly elected (applause), and he had much pleasure in returning to both candidates their £10 deposits.

Mr Seaman accordingly paid over their respective deposits to Messrs Monk and Wood.

Mr Monk thanked the electors for placing him in the position in which they would , have to watch him for the next three years. He trusted they would not only do this, but at the same time give him their heip and sympathy. He felt that a very handsome compliment had been paid him in being returned by such a large majority. All sections of tho electors had assisted him most enthusias tically, gumdiggers and fruit growers, settlers and tradesmen, and those who laboured in the strawberry field. The people of Chelsea had turned to sweet ness that'which some people thought would be a cup of bitterness, and the electors of Devonport had caused that cup to literally overflow. The results of the elections generally had been to show how signally the Government had lost the confidence of the country. Of the losses on the other side he regarded the defeat of Mr Bryce as a political bereavement that would be deeply felt throughout the colony. In his speeches during the recent electoral contest he had mentioned Mr Bryce as a probable member of the next Cabinet. He was a man calculated to be helpful to the whole colony. He had not only refuted a vile slander upon his own name, but he had at the same time vindicated that of the colony, and thus effaced what would otherwise. have been a blot upon the historic record of the colonisation of New Zealand. The man who had im perilled his own life in order to save two surveyors from the gleaming axes of ex asperated savages, was one whose courage would have been of material value in such a juncture as the present. The results of the elections had also shown that the opinions of an amateur politician were sometimes more ' accurate than the views of a practised hand. Ho found fault with the Governor for having been so easily persuaded by the Stout - Vogel Cabinet to grant i. dissolution and he felt sure that the! time was rapidly ap proaching when we should have an elec ta re Governor—who would be more amen able to public opinion and more careful in the exercise of his high delegated duties. If the influence pf the Government were malign in its effects and detrimental to the prosperity of the colony, the Governor by so readily acceding to its desires, had punished the colony unfairly by subjecting it to an extension pf that malign influence and detriment, for three or four months longer than • was at all ' necessary. He advised the people to distrust any such report as that which appeared amongst the newspaper cablegrams the other day about the Colonial Treasurer having effected a financial arrangement for the benefit of the colony in the matter of its North Island trunk loan. It seemed to him more probable that the deficiency wolves had been let loose on that loan ; that with the powers in the hands of the Ministry it had been hypothe cated, and that Parliament would conse quently be asked to authorise fresh loans in order to carry out the existing engagement of the colony in respect of this specific work. He regretted that the elections had not been even more emphatic in their re sults. He sometimes wished that they were more pronounced either for one side or the other. It would be better that the mistakes were more glaring in order that the country should be more thoroughly aro.psed and its demand for re fprm more decided, He would return to the House with the feeling that while he must admit with respect the talents of the Colonial Treasurer, he was convinced that he was too clever by far for the requirements of this Colony. He warned the people not to place any reliance, upon the reports of a probable coalition between Sir Julius and Major Atkinson. Such a coalition was most improbable. He did not know that he would be a supporter of; Major Atkinson. He would be a supporter of any Govern ment that would devote itself to reform and induce a return of that prosperity and elasticity which wero necessary to the welfare of this colony. At the same time he felt sure that any ministry which had the well«being of the colony at heart

would promptly decline any coalition with Sir Julius Vogel notwithstanding his talent and ability. In conclusion Mr Monk declared his readiness to do all he could for his constituents and for the colony at large. _ (Applause.) Mr Reader Wood thanked most heartily the 510 electors who had been good enough to vote for him, without either solicitation on his part or influence of any kind being ap plied to them. He had left the matter en tirely in the electors' hands, feeling that if they thought it better he should be out of Parliament, well, that they had a perfect right to leave him out. He thanked, them, however, cordially, for the support they had given him. He_ thanked his committees in the various portions of the electorate for the very warm support and assistance they had renderedinhis behalf. Inhistour through the districts he met agoodmany Deople whom he had never seen before, and he had formed many friendships that he did not expect to make. He had met numerous friends, and he hoped he had left no enemies. He had neither said nor done anything to cause ill-feeling. He was in perfectly good terms with his friend, Mr Monk, and he trusted that no heart-burning or bitterness would be left behind as the result of this contest for the Waite mata seat. No doubt much was expected from the Parliament which had just been elected. If it succeeded in extricating the colony from its financial difficulties it would deserve well of the colonists. If it did that it was small matter whether he were a member of Parliament or not. He again thanked his own supporters and also the supporters of Mr Monk, for the very fair way in which they had conducted the election, and finally he wished one and all farewell. (Applause). Mr Monk proposed a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer for the very able manner in which he had conducted the election. So far as his knowledge went there had not been a hitch anywhere. He hoped it would be three years ere Mr Sea man's services would be again required. .Mr Wood in. seconding the proposition, • thanked the Returning Officer for the great civility and kindness ho had shown through* out any business ho had had to transact with him.

The vote was passed and Mr Seaman duly made his acknowledgments.

DECLARATION OF THE POLL AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Plymouth, Saturday,

The declaration of the poll at Waitara and New Plymouth took place at noon to-day. At New Plymouth Mr Samuel said a'number of old faces would be missing in Parliament, and ex pressed regret at Mr Bryce's defeat.

LATEST SPORTING.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Napier, this day. In consequence of the rain, the races have been postponed till to-morrow.

The A.J.C. Derby.

DETAILS OF THE RUNNING.

From Australian papers to hand by the s.s. Tarawera to-day, we tako the following account of the running for the A.J.C. Derby :—

A.J.C. Derby, for 3-year-olds; colts, Bst 101b ; lillies, Bst 51b ; geldings, at time of starting, allowed 31b.

J. White's eh c Abercorn, by Chester- Cinnamon (Hales) W. Cooper's br c by Anteros

(imp.)— Frailty (A. Robertson) W. Gannon's br c Tho Australian Peer, by Darebin—Stockdale (imp.) (Ner riker) J. White's br f Lava, by Chester—Etna

(E. Boase) 0 D. Cooper's b c Bowmont, by St. Albans (imp.)— Pardon (M. O'Brien) 0 T. Sampson's -eh c Matador, by West minster—Constellation (F. Smith) ... 0 W. Robinson's br c Enfilade, by Musket (imp)—Onx (Gallagher) ... ... 0

Betting: sto 2 and stolon Abercorn, 5 to 1 against The Australian Peer, 10 to 1 Matador, 20 to 1 others. After one slight break away had been indulged in tho word was given, and Bowmont, Abercorn and Lava jumped' away first. However, Lava, in the interests of her stable com panion, took up the running, and clearing out led Abercorn four lengths past the stand, The Australian Peer running third, fcui lengths away, though a length in front of Enfilade, and then came Niagara, Matador and Bowmont. The pace was already warm, but the order re mained unchanged over the tan and till Cutt's was passed. Then The Australian Peer closed within two lengths of the fav ourite, the former having Niagara on his quarter, and the others were running in a bunch two lengths away. At the half mile post Enfilade fell back last and was beaten. Although Lava was iv front she was being ridden to keep her place, Abercorn having gone up within a length and a half of her, and The Australian Peer and Niagara were only separated by a length, while about the same distance away came the others. Lava retired beaten at the three furlongs, where her place was simultaneously taken by Abercorn. From, this out the race, if it can be called one, admits of no description, as Abercorn drew away, having his opponents dead settled in the straight, ultimately-winning in the commonest of canters by a length from Niagara. The Australian Peer, who was third, two lengths away, beat Bowmont, after a de termined finish, by a short head, and Matador was three lerijrhts away fifth ; then came a long way off Lava and Enfilade. Time, 2min. 39isec. The papers state that no Derby has been won easier, but the official time, 2miu 39isec, was not agreed with, private watches making it 2min 43sec. Mr W. Cooper's, second, with the New Zealand bred colt Niagara, was a meritorious ac quisition under the circumstances, he not being nearly well.

RAILWAY TIME TABLE.

Te Aroha Indignant.

Stupid Attempt at Retrenchment.

(by telegraph—own correspondent.)

TM Aroha, this day. MtrcH indignation was felt here on t .becoming known on Saturday last that the Government, on and after the 10th inst., purpose providing Te Aroha with a tri-weekly train service only. A public meeting will probably be at once called to consider the matter and the best steps to take with the object of auashing this attempt to injure Te Aroha and the popularity pf its baths just at the commencement of the season too. The lato Government did all in their power, apparently, to favour Rotorua and retard ]Te Aroha, but this last adds insult to injury. It is hoped that the Auckland press and people will join in a protest against sp great an injustice. Had this step been proposed at the commencement of the winter, solely from a desire to retrench, and if the daily service had been again resumed during the. summer season, it would have been more reasonable: but to do so now at the opening of the bathing season, and just when the services of a highly-qualified re sident medical practitienerhavebeen secured thrpugh the unaided (by Gevernment) exer tions of the local residents, it is not to be quietly submitted to,

THE DONCASTER RAIL WAY ACCIDENT.

(special.)

London, September 13. Among the victims of the Doncaster railway accident was Mr Trimnell, the son of the organist at the Auckland Cathedral, New Zealand.

THE WAITOA GOLDFIELD

EFFORTS TO GET THE FIELD OPEfI TO TUB PUBLIC.

Pufelie Meeting at Hamilton.

(BY TELECRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Hamilton, this day. The public meeting held in the Public Halj at Hamilton on Saturday afternoon, for the purpose of considering the question of the recent gold discovery at Waitoa, was very largely attended. His Wor ship the Mayor occupied the chair, and after reading the notice convening the meeting said it was hardly necessary for him to go into particulars concerning the discovery. If it was only a tithe as good as it had been represented, there was a great future in store for the district. The discovery on Air Smith's estate was the most valuable ever yet made. Still there was plenty of other land which, he believed, also contained gold, and which should be looked after. He did not believe in locking up the land in the hands of companies, but it should be thrown opon to the musses. The companies' shareswere already at a premium. He had sent a telegram to the Mayor of Cambridge asking his co operation in the movement, aud he had received a telegram from Mr Gwynneth, stating that a public meeting would be held there that afternoon after the declara tion of the poll. It was now for the meet ing to suggest what steps they thought the Government should take as to securing tho field for the good of the public at large.

Mr George Edgecumbo thought that in stead of benefiting a few, the goldfields should benefit the public at large. The object the meeting was called for was to arrive at some stops so as to secure the auriferous hinds in the Waitoa. With that view ho moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr W. J. Smith : — " That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is desirable to urge upon the Government the immediate necessity for taking such steps as will secure to the people at large the full benefit of the gold deposits in the Thames Valley." A number of similar deposits to that on Mr J. B. Smith's property had been found in other parts of the valley. For one he mentioned Mr Gubbins's farm. As there was a new Parliament, he thought the mem bers of the district should urge upon the Government the taking over of the lands instead of letting it fall into the hands of a few. (Hear, hear.)

The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr G. Sandes said he quite concurred in Mr Edgecumbe's remarks. It was proved that valuable gold deposits existed upon Mr Smith's lands. The tests made had borne that out, as the assay proved that the gold was worth £2 16s per ton, whilst 10s per ton was all the expense, thus leaving a large profit of over £2 per ton. In some places the gold-bearing sand had been found at a depth of 25 feet. One acre of Mr Smith's land would afford work for 100 men for two years at from 10s to 14s per day. He thought they should try and persuade the Government to tako some steps in the matter, and let the public have a dip in the pool, thus placing thousands of men on the field. He moved the following resolution*, which was seconded by Mr Macpherson and carried : " That with view of attainment of object of first resolution, a Committee con sisting of His Worship the Mayor, Captain Steele, Messrs .G. Edgecumbe, Jno. Knox, R. F. Sandes, Macgregor Hay, and W. J. Smith, be appointed with instructions to confer with the members for Waipa and Waikato, the Committee to have power to add to their number, and to take such steps as they may consider expedient for carry ing into effect the first resolution." Mt Salmon wished to know if the Go vernment had the power to take the land.

Mr Macgregor Hay intimated that if ac quired since 1873, it could be taken ; but if previous to that, of course arrangements would have to be made.

The Mayor was of opinion that the'Go vernment should assist.

Mr George Edgecumbe added a few re marks, which had entirely the sympathy of the audience. H*e advocated that the Government, before purchasing the lands, should send an efficient staff to thoroughly test the ground where the deposits existed, and if they in their report were satisfied that such was the case, all he asked for was that the Go vernment should, at once take the matter up, and do all they could for the community at large. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings. ,

THE DISASTROUS EXPLOSION.

Death of Seed.

(BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Te Aroha, this day. The man Reed, who was injured by the explosion at Waiorongomai, died from the effects of the shock on Sunday morning, at two o'clock. He leaves a wife and four children, the eldest being about fourteen years of age. The other injured man, Scott, is progressing satisfactorily.

STONE THROWING.

Several cases of damage done to pro perty by stone-throwing in Hobson street have been reported to the police. At 7.30 p.m. on Sunday, a stone was thrown through a window of the sitting, room in Mr Gleeson's hotel, and smashed a pane of glass valued at 30s. Mr Gleeson, unfortunately, was unable to identify the offender. About two hours later Dr Hooper's residence, was similarly attacked. Some man, whose name he did not know, threw four stones at the door and did some slight damage. Arthur Hooper, son of Dr. Hooper, on opening the door, observed a man run ning away and «gave chase. He caught the man, but was unable to hold him and he escaped. The matter is now in the hands of the police, and as they have a description of the person supposed to be guilty of both offences he will probably be made answer able for his misdeeds very shortly.

Thirteen collarless dogs were offered for sale by Inspector Goldie at noon to-day. One was disposed of for 10s 6d, another realised ss, and a third was knocked down for Is, leaving ten less fortunate ones to the tender mercies of Mr Garrard and his exter minator.

To the Editor: Sir,—ln your Saturday's issue you gave a notice to Messrs Copeman and Cleggs Perambulator wheel, in which you state it is the only local-made wheel in the market, which is incorrect, as I have been making wheels a long time previous to their commencing business and I think it very unfair to me,— Yours, etc., C. Smith.

COLONIAL SOCIETY.

[By Asor.)

A comwßf not half a century old has no history, and can scarcely be said to possess an established society ; it is therefore, not surprising that hitherto those who have visited this part of the world and written about it have dwelt on its physical forma tion and political organisation, but have touched only very lightly on its social life. Of the two last celebrities who have en riched literature at our expense—Froude and Sala—the one, probably suffering from dyspepsia, has indulged in most splenetic utterances about the colonies, while the other, in his appreciation of them, seems under the influence of a succulent dinner with plenty of champagne. No tourist, however skil ful and shrewd, could draw an accurate picture of colonial society. That task is reserved to some intelligent observer re siding in the country for a length of time. At present our literary efforts, along with our speculative enterprises, suffer greatly from extreme youth and inexperience; our productions are weak and, what is worse, often intensely vulgar. We hope for a Thackeray, a Grenville Murray, or even for a star of lessor magni tude, who will have but I'embarras do, choix in supplying us with por traits from life, novel, amusing and (except perhaps to the originals) highly palatable. Possibly even some writer of the Zola school may find material—unless the com bined forces of the Blue Ribbon and White Cross Armies conquer this hemisphere—for a gloomy but realistic novel. Young as we are, we form undoubtedly a heterogeneous medley, which a student of mankind must find very fascinating, and infinitely prefer able to the society of some English pro vincial town, where one generation follows another, and all innovations have to fight with rooted prejudices for every inch of ground they gain. Colonial Society! What a dazzling kaleidoscope the thought of it conjures up before our mind's eye ! Of an aristocracy we cannot boast, alas ! though heaven knows how eager we are to kiss the hem of its garments, and spread before it our best coat and frock whenever its feet tread our democratic soil for a brief space. But do we not rejoice in quite a choice set of parve?ius and snobs who fondly imagine that money can pro cure everything, even good - breeding, the refined feelings of a gentleman, honesty and straightforwardness in thoughts, actions, and transactions ? They make an ostentatious display of their weulth, roll about in fine carriages, for getting bygones, and hoping that those whom they patronise do the same. Then we have the old identities, whose ranks are thinning fast. Many of them deserve our deep admiration and respect for their ini tiative, their manly courage and persever ance in surmounting difficulties at the out set. Their children, the genuine colonials, whom the climate • makes less energetic, are also, as a rule, less interesting, very matter of fact, indifferent to subjects beyond their immediate sphere, and, shall we confess it, in consequence of this ignor ance, intensely bumptious. And what a motley crowd from the Old World—the seedy, the shady, and the crazy, as a lady once remarked—has landed on these hospit able shores ! Some have come in search of health, others to retrieve fallen fortunes or from love of adventures, not a few to bury a dark page of personal history. Are there not here elements in pro fusion to satisfy the cravings of the most insatiable sociologist? Observe the prosperous purse-proud individual, fortune's favourite, rattling his money with evident satisfaction. His shrewdness and common sense tell him there is something wanting; to make him a perfect gentleman, so he starts for Europe with Sis family, spares no "expenbe, goes everywhere, visits Paris, Rome, and all the beaten tracks— which he and his better half strew with g's and h's, to the annoyance of their progeny — picks up scraps of in formation, and jumbles them up in his untutored brain to such an extent that, when retailed to his friends, they will make his ignorance more glaring than ever. Note that shabby-genteel family who secretly despise the prosperous vulgar man, but cringe and grovel to him on account of his liberal ■ entertainments. They have exchanged sordid lodgings in an inferior part of London for a plain, primi tive, but airy and roomy dwelling in the New World, yet they hanker continually after imaginary fleshpots. Their only satis faction in their discontented state is to inform everyone whom they wish to impress that "thank goodness" they are not colonial, but English. There is

one home importation which we can but pity: it is the Englishman of gentle birthand high education who, unsuccessful in spite of real merits, has become embittered, and is filled with contempt and hatred for his less deserving but more self-assertive rivals. Perhaps his superiority is the very reason of his failure ; a new and somewhat inferior population does not always look favour ably on its betters. To this bird's-eye view of coloniat society we must add a small but very characteristic influx from America, , which finds with us a receptive soil for its many notions. The impression we produce on new comers is not always prepossessing; some do not hesi tate to state they believe they have fallen amongst a set of rogues and swindlers, ready te fleece everyone, especially those referred to their wisdom and experience. One man recently affirmed that when living among the Russians he thought them the biggest liars on earth, but found since his arrival in New Zealand that he had grossly maligned them. Yet these incongruous elements amalgamate, they "jog along, calling each other dear and darling," whilst husbands transact business on friendly terms but with mutual distrust, wives visit, and, when conversation flags— servants and household matters being ex hausted—resort to the never-failing stimu lus,gossip,sacrificing one or two of then1 best friends. • Go where you like, this is a world 9f shams ! Yet with all its drawbacks, our social intercourse has in some respects ad vantages over that of a purely English community. There is in this country more hospitality, more friendliness, fewer prejudices, the prevailing spirit is more cosmopolitan. "A" stranger is received here with open arms, and is not left to solitude for several years ere his neighbours think it safe to call on him, and many people having met with adversity and gone home to relations for assistance, have gladly returned hither to receive tender sympathy and help from their warm-hearted friends, the much-abused colonials.

ENGLISH GOLD.

mammoth Prospecting

Operations.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Paeroa, this day. About four months ago the owners of the Mammoth Mine entrusted the floating of their property to Mr McCandlish, who left for London immediately afterwards, i Since then he has cabled to his principals here that a syndicate of English capitalists were willing to expend £5,000 in prospecting the mine before completing its purchase in terms of agreement. Within the last few days this offer has been con firmed by letter, and the owners have cabled a reply accepting the terms offered by tho syndicate, so that we may expect to see active prospecting operations in full swing in that mine very soon,

Opening of Parliament

(BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, this day.

The Commissioners to open Parliament will be Sir Wm. Fitzherbert, the Hon. Water house, Reynolds, and Buckley.

AGRICULTURAL HALL.

Mr Max Rinkle gave another of his amus ing entertainments in the Agricultural Hall on Saturday night to a very fair audience. The following programme was gone through very successfully:— : Duet, " The Happy Policeman," Max Rinkle and Miss Harrison ; double song and dance, " Our Sunny Home," Knowles Bros. ; song, "Please Give me a Penny," little Miss Andrews ; comic song, " They Don't Bam boozle Me," Harry Leslie ; " Oh, Johnny, Don't You Go to Sea," with hornpipe, Mdlle. Pollaire ; Dutch song, '' All Fours," Max Rinkle ; comic, " The Butterfly Dude," J. Knowles ; serio-comic, " Oh, You Little Darling," Madame Rinkle; | finale, "The Diamond Mine," by the Company. Stilt song and dance, "The Man with the Wooden Leg," Max Rinkle; ballad, "Call Me Back Again," Harry Leslie ; song and dance, "Eyes of Blue," J. ' Jinowles ; sketch, "The Strolling Players," Rinkle and Knowles; fire-eating exhibition, Mdlle. Follaire; farce, "Chinese Servants," by the ; Company.

THE INTERNATIONAL YACHT RACE.

Were the Conditions Fair?

The defeat of the Scotch yacht Thistle by the Yankee clipper Volunteer in two out of three races for the America's Cup has been the subject of considerable discussion here* and amongst yachtsmen a feel ing prevails that the Yankee had ad vantage over her opponent in several respects. The restrictions laid down were plainly against the visiting yacht in more ways than one. It was stipulated, in the first instance, that six months' notice had to be given by the challenger, and thab the race could not be run for a month after the expiration pf that period. It was also made imperative that the boat sent to America should be built where the challenge was sent from, and that she must be sailed acr6ss the Atlantic. She was not to be conveyed over the water on the deck of a steamer, either when built or in pieces, but was to cross the pond on her own bottom. Further than this, the challenger was required to give the dimensions, length, and breadth of the yacht to be sent over, and also a certificate from the Customs that the had been measured. These are disadvantages under which the Thistle was placed, and were most assuredly in favour of the Americans. On the other hand,the Yankee contestant for the great prize has it in his option to choose whatever boat he likes up to within five minutes of the contest, but he cannot pf course sail more than one boat in the three races. He has thus the op portunity of choosing one of any number of boats most likely to suit the prevailing weather, a choice which is denied the challenging party. So much for the con ditions, ln comparing the dimensions of the Thistle and Volunteer ib will be seen that the Scotch yacht has a depth of 14ft 6in. The Volunteer is 2ft Gin less or 12ft deep, but she carries a centreboard 30ft long by 9ft deep, which would give her an actual depth of 20 feet. The Volunteer has 23ffc beam and the Thistle 20ft 3in beam, and the sail area of the Volunteer is 9,000 yards against 8,880 yards spread by the Thistle, giving the Yankee 120 yards more canvas than her rival. The first race between the yachts was decidedly unsatisfactory, the wind hav ing been very light for some time and plainly all in favour of the Volunteer. In the second centest it will be seen thab tha Yankee was leading by 17 minutes when half the course had been sailed. Up to this time she had been favoured with a fresh breeze, but from the turn and during the homeward journey the wind increased to half a gale, and the Thistle reduced the distance by six minutes, allowing the Volunteer to get over the line eleven minutes ahead. The Thistle, consequently, showed her superiority in heavy weather, and it is much to be regretted that the fates have been "agin her." Ifc now re mains to be seen whether the Yankee clipper can be tempted to undertake another trial ef speed with her defeated rival, for there is little doubt that she will be fiven an opportunity of doing so,and one con I ition will probably be that the course shall extend some distance outside of the har bour. Under such conditions, there is little doubt that the Thistle would be able to give a good account of herself.

The stock market shows signs of improve ment, all our local stocks being inquired for, and in most cases at advanced rates. There are buyers of New Zealand Insur ance at 70s, Scuth British at 32s 6d, Land Mortgage at 20s 9d, Loan and Mercantile 665, Drug 18s 6d, and very few quoted sellers. Bank pf New Zealand are steady at about £1512s 6d to £15 15s. In gold mining shares Cambria are wanted at 4s 4d, Saxon at 2s 3d, and Caledonian at 3s 6d, with improving of pros pects. Good accounts continues to be received from Hikutaia, but it is manifestly the interest of those who have pegged off not to develop their holdings until the question of title is settled, and everyone is regretting the apparently unnecessary delay that has taken place, at a time when the cutput pf gpld wpuld be of the greatest moment to this district.

The attention of merchants and others is directed to the sale by auction, to-morrow, byMrD. F. Evans, of that desirable pro perty in Customs-street East well known as the stores of G. S. Jakins and Son, by order of the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

There was very little business before the Police Court this morning. Messrs W. R. Waddel and H. G. Wade, Justices, fined four perspns for drunkenness, and Henry Pearson was brought before the KM, charged with having failed to provide for the support of his wife during the last six mpnths. Evidence was given as to the defendants ability to pay, and he was ordered to pay the sum of £1 weekly.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &c.. To-night.

Abbott's Opera House-Miss Georgie Smithson Female Maccabe, 8. Agricultural Hall — American Froliques and variety Combination, 8. Museum—Members of Auckland Institute 8. V.M.C.A. Rooms—Association for the Tea'cMne ot Divine Healing, 7.15. s Freemasons' Hall-Ara Lodge, No. 348,1.0. 7 30 Members of Auckland Philharmonic Societyj Suffolk Hotel-U.A.O. Druids, 7.30. St. David's Schoolroom-Mutual Improvement Society's Conversazione, 7.30.

Rota of Justices at Pnifoo r..^

_ „ - _ _„ uu VKUII, October 4—Messrs C. D. Whitcomhe and H. F Anderson. "

Auction Sales Tomorrow.

G. Lewis-Ironmongery, Cutlery, Mattresses. xseasteaas, &c, 11. ■ D. F. Evans-Properties, &c, 12. Arthur and Buddie-Household Furniture, &c:, T. M, Jackson-iaougehold Furniture and Ej ects, 11,

THE ATCKMT) ETENITO STAR, TOffPAY, OCTOBER 3, 1887,

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