._*_- was never afte jwards in doubt, for he romped away from her opponents •n the easiest possible manner, even- S_Jlv beating Hilda by five lengths, «___ three lengths m front of Forest Kin_ Tartar was fourbh, and Cuirasseur ™ lied up l» 9t - Time > lmin ' Divi &s:—lnside, £110s; oubside, £1 lis. >__ Great Northern Derby of 75050v5., added to a sweepstakes of 25sovs. each ; gecond horse bo receive lOOsovs. and third horse 50sovs. oub of bhe stakes. y 0 r three-year-olds. Colts, Bsb 101b ; fillies and geldings, Bst 71b. 69 sub ' .cribers. One and a-half miles. Mr G G. Stead's br c Sextant, by Robinson Crusoe—Sunshine, Bsb 101b (Clifford) ... 1 M. J. Chaafs's b f Bangle, by Musket- Locket, Bst 71b (Sutherland) 2 the betting was any odds on Sextant. The pair got away on even. terms, bub before many yards had been traversed Bangle was taken to the front, and she led Sextant round the turn and past the sbaud to a couple of lengbhs. Ab bhe back of bhe .ourse Clifford took Sextant up to Bangle, and by the time the top stretch was reached, he was fully three lengths in tho Ta n! Entering the turn for home, Bangle got on terms wibh Sextant, but it was only on sufferance, for the latter being given his head, came on full of running and won in the commonest of. canters by three lengths. Time, 2min 46|secs. Dividends : Inside, i£l 4s ; outside, £1 3s.

Handicap Hurdle Race, of lOOsovs., with a sweepstakes of 3sovs. each, to go to second horse. Over 9 flights of hurdles. Two and a quarter miles. lix W. H. Tabham's b g Uranus, by Blair Abhol — Dam by Day Dawn, 4yrs., lOsb(Frewin) ... ..." ... 1 Mr D. O'Brien's b g Isaac, syrs., lOsb 121b(Hickey) 2 Mr J. B. Williamson's blk g Shillelagh, 4yrs., Bsb 101b (Hodson) 3 Mr M. Gallagher's gr g Peter Osbeck, ; aged, list 121b (G. Hope) 0 Mr W. K. Carter's b m Coral, 6yrs., 9sb . 51b (Collins) 0 ,J_r W. Bond's eh g Sirloin, 4yrs., Bsb 71b 0 The flag was lowered to a horrible starb of which Peter Osbeck ana Sirloin being bhe (best, Uranus being lefb ab bhe posb. Coral was quickest over the first obstacle, Sirloin 'and Peter Osbeok being together next, with Shillelagh artd Uranus last. Coral and Sirloin led over the second hurdle land along the back of the course, but ab !the-turn inbo the sbraight, Uranus had ;the advantage, and passing the stand, he llead Sirloin and Isaac by half-a-length, iCoral, Peter Osbeok and Shillelagh coming inert. -Uranus, Sirloin and Isaac alter nately had pride of position round the top .urn, but at bhe cubbing Sirloin died away, ■and Uranus and Isaac taking command affairs lead the field into the straight. It was now evi dent that the result lay between the Ipair, and both horses came under the .vhip on terms to the last hurdle. Here Isaac, on .jutopiiig,' gained a slight lead, and his vic tory was loudly proclaimed, but Frewin, itaking advantage of the inside running, .brought Uranus up wibh a great rush to the leader, and in the lasb few strides suc ceeded in securing the judge's verdict, by a bare head. Time, 4min 37_se,s. Divi dends : Inside, £2 18s ; oubside, £2 Bs.

Sbllino Race, of 50sovs. Tho winner to be sold by auction immediately after the j race, and the whole of the proceeds to go Ito the funds. Minimum weight, Bsb. , One mile. Mr W. Robertson's b m Capella, by Cap a-pie' _- Xantippe, syrs., Bst (Morri , gan) "' I Mr John Rae's b m BHseis, 4yr_3., Bsb (Fletcher) ... ... 2 Mr J. B. Williamson's blk g Bangalore, 4yrs., .Isb (Clifford) ... 3 . Capelhi was first away, and led through out, winning as she liked by a couple of lengths. Time, lmiu 48iser> Dividends: | Inside, £1 9s; outside, £1 9s, AirCKJ-AND Racing Clue J_UND..e_Ar, of 25050v5., added to a sweepstakes oi ' i each. Second horse to receive 40sc.vs. ! and third horse 20sovs.' out of the stakes, j For three-year-olds and upwards. One : and a-quarter miles. 'Mr W. Bobbett's b m Lady Norah, by Cadogan—Steppe, 4yrs,, Bst 61b (R. Sidd) ... ... - ••• ••• 1 Mr Thomas Hedger's br m Antelope, by Apremont—Miss Kate, 4yrs., 7st Tibs. (Morrigan) ... ... ... 2 Mi-'Wm. Sommerville's br f Bahsta, by Musket - Ouida, 3yrs, 7st 71b. (T. ; Taylor) ... ••• •.■ „•'•'•, . ••• 3 Mi 1 Thomas Hedger's b h Wapiti, by King Cole—Realisation, aged, 7sb •121b (Clifford) '• ■ _ - ° ' Mr W. Bobbett's br h Tetford, 6yrs., ,Bst 121b (Carey) ■•' ••• ° Mr E. Fraser's eh c Tennyson, 4yrs, 6sb 111b (O'Meara) " - 0 Mr W. Robertson's eh f Leorina, 4yrs., 6st (Katterns) •• ° •' After a lot of fiddling at the post and three breaks away,the field were despatched to a fair start, Leorina having decidedly bhe Worst of ib. Lady Norah'a colours were the firsb to showin front, her sbable companions Tetford and Anbelope being mosb prominent oftheothers, wibh Leorina last. Passing the stand, Tetford assumed the lead, and at the bottom turn he was, two lengths m front of Wapiti and Anbelope, Lady Norah having dropped: back into fourth place. The last-named, however, was on i terms wibh Tebford 'ab the cutting, the rest ■of the field being close up. Rounding the 'top, stretch Lady Norah had command ot '"■ afiairs, but ab the turn for home the held / were in such a bhickly-packed bunch that ib was almosb impossible to distinguish the colours. Here Tetford cried enough, and Lady Norah and Antelope, singling them selves oub, "an exciting sbruggle> book place down the straight Opposite the Derby stand, bhe pair were locked together, and.-they remained so till wi-iun two or three yards of the winning post, when Lady Norah slightly forged to the front, and succeeded in gaining bhe verdict by a short head. Balista finished two lengths away from Antelope, then came Tetford, Leorina and Tennyson, Wapiti ; finMiing last. Time, 2mm,. 13|secs. Divi dends : Inside, £3 ss; outside, £3 lUs. A protest waS laid against Kidd, the rider of Lady Norah, by Morrigan, who alleged that Kidd pulled Antelopes reins while in the straight. The stewards-- duly ' investigated the matter, bub decided that there was nob sufficient evidence fot them to uphold the protest. ,

RAnAVAV-PiATE, of SOsovs. .For two-year olds and upwards. . Weighb for age. Three-quarbers of a mile. Mr,D. Twbhill's br m Cinderella, by j5 Javelin-Renga, 6yrs, Bsb 101b. (Gaiey) 1 Major V. N. George's eh h Nelson, aged, 9sb lib (Brown) ... , . ■r'} MrV. Robertson's br f Muskenna, by ..Muskeb. - Hipporina, 2yrs,, 6st_ 410 (Kabterns) ... •••

There was a lot of delay and trouble sb 'Hie.post Muskenna broke: away^ oompUshed almost a circuit of the course before she could be pulled up. .s**££ also caused some trouble by Brown ot '■ deavouring to get away with a Ay W*"£ Eventually, when bhe flag dropped,, SMJg j was standing the reverse way, abotit tnree P lengths behind the post,. while Cinderella wal fairly in her stride. This fiSTI-#l ffom the- s P ecfcat a fs Cinderella continued to make the most 01 the advantage she had in the start, ana although. Nelson made a terrific run clown tW straight he was unable to geb upi.po ■ Cinderella, who won by about two lengtiis. - Dividends : Inside, £5 14s ; outside, *6 f- JNeleon was made a red-hot favourite tor 'the race in bhe machine, long odds being laid on bis ability to win, Time, lmin 2_isec.

CHRISTMAS DAY.

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES-

At all the Anglican and many of the other churches in the ciby and suburbs ■ special services were held on Christmas Day. The Rev. C. M. Nelson preached ab Sb. Paul's bobh forenoon and evening to large congregations. At St. Matthew's the services were taken by the Rev. W. Tebbs, and selections from "The Messiah "were played as voluntaries by Mr Wiseman, organist: There were large audiences at the different diets of worship ab Sb. Sepul chre's Church, His Lordship Bishop Cowie preaching at the forenoon, and die Rev. Mr Brabazon, chaplain of H.M.S. Diamond, preaching the evening service. Rev. Mr Brabazon took the morning service ab St. Mary's, Parnell, while Rev. G. H. S. W'alpole preached in the even ing. At All Saints, Ponsonby, the Rev. W. Calder officiated at Communion services, at the children's service, and at evensong, while the forenoon service was taken by Rev. W. Beatty. Ab Sb. Thomas's Church bhe whole of bhe services were baken by Rev. Mr Dv Rieu ; ab Epiphany, Rev. Dr. O'Callaghan officiated; and at Holy Trinity, Devonport, Rev. Mr Bates preached. All these churches were beautifully decorated.

At the Roman Catholic Churches bhere were the customary Christmas services and decorations, which bhe year possessed extraordinary inberest from bhetacb bhab the Catholics of Auckland were celebrating the Pope's Jubilee. Ab Sb. Patrick's Cabheclral Bishop Luck celebrabed high mass in bhe forenoon, and in bhe evening Rev. Father Hackett preached on " The Life and Works of Leo XIII." The very Rev. Father O'Sullivan conducted the service at St. Benedict's Church, and ab the Church of the Sacred Hearb, Ponsonby, bhe Rev. Father Lenihan officiated ab all the ser vices.

Rev. H. Bull conducted forenoon and evening services at Pitt-street Wesleyan Church. In the forenoon he delivered a Christmas address upon the subject of "The Glorious Gospel. In the evening his sermon was upon tbe subject " Christ expects that every man this day will do his duty," his text being taken from Acts ix., 0, "Lord, what will thou have me to do ?"

The service at Sb. John's Wesleyan Church Ponsonby, was one of bhe happiesb bhab was conducted in the city. The pulpit was deco rpted in a pleasing rflanner.which.weare in formed, was the work of tho organisb, Mr Horsley. The service was almosb a choral one, as the choir was reinforced by various lady and gentleman amabeurs from other churches In addition to the organ appeals there were several lady and 'gentlemen instrumentalists, which gave a pleasing rendering to service. The solo parts Were taken by Mrs Bettany and Misses Bartley and Carder. Mrs Bet tany 's rendering of " Comfort Ye, My People " wa. such that had it not been a Sabbath service she would probably have been encored. The pieces rendered by the choir were :-Anthems "Arise and Bail," " Sing, 0 Heavens," " Behold I Bring You Good Tidings," «« Arise and Shine," " 0 Come, all ye Faithful," " Veil Your Faces." The hymns sung by the choir and con gregation were': "Christians, Awake," "Hark, the Herald Angels," "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee," " Anpls From the Realms of Glory," Brightest and Best of the Sons," and " Cradled in a Manger." The preacher on both occasions was the Rev. Mr Garland, and his utterances on topics befitting the day and season of tho year were specially good, pointed and effective. His remarks in the morning on the ■ beautiful simplicity and harmony of bhe Gospel narrative of bhe birth and boyhood of Christ, as show ing their divinity as compared to the visionary and imaginary e«- fl sions which a mere concoction of the life of Christ would be coming from an author who wrote a spurious gospel, ana aimed to palm it off on a credulous world, were very forcible. The whole day's sen ices were calculated to lastingly impress the

hearers. Ab the Primitive Mebhodisb Church, Alexandra-street, Revs. W. .Woollass and A. J. Smith preached appropriate sermons at the forenoon and evening services res pectively. '__._'_. Revs. Charles Murray, of the New Hebrides, and D. W. Virtue, of Hokitika, preached morning and evening ab St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, bub bhe services had no special reference bo Christ mas.

Beresford-street Congregational Soecial services were held at this church on Christmas Day. In the morning Pastor Chew preached from Luke,'2nd chapter, 15th-verse, the subject of the sermon being the "Nativity." During the service the choir.assisted by friends, sang "Christians, Awake," " Hark, the Herald Angels Smg, " Brightest and Best of the Sons oLthe Morning," and theanbhem "Glory bo God in bhe Highest" During the offertory the chorus " And the Glory" was sung, and as the congregation dispersed the chorus _or Unbo Us a Son is Born" was also sung. Jn the afternoon a flower service was held, which was well attended. Ab night' Mr Chew preachod upon "Festivity. Ihe "Hallelujah Chorus" and "Lifb Up Your Heads" were sung by the choir during bhe evening service.

The Christmas Day service in connection with the Gospel Temperance meebing held in the Foresters' Hall, Karangahape Road, was bright, 'hearty, and seasonable, while the attendance was large. During the evening, the choir sang "Christians, Awß" "Hark! the Herald Angels Sine," a quartette, and choruses from the Christian Choir. Miss Walker sang.bhe solo "He was Despised," accompanied by Mr Hooton. Mr Shackelton sang ■ Com fort Ye "Accompanied by Mr Shorland. Mr R- French presided, and briefly re viewed the closing year in connection With the doings of drink.

CHRISTMAS EVE.

Pain's Fireworks

The exhibition of Pain's fireworks given on the Metropolitan Ground on Saburday evening was undoubtedly bhe " event ' of ChrisbmasEve. , Many thousands of people assembled there to witness the P«mijsed disolav, and it may be._ safely said *$% neatest anticipation..of,some h-ine brilliant were more than realised. The nighb was beautiful-, and the grounds, and Japanese lanterns, looked quite.charm •„,. _.Ie reserved scabs were almosb fully rin-iffiied Whilst hundreds paraded the °r.S'and there were hundreds more futSd. of the enclosure. In the centre of the routid a brass, band priafe selections of music, and, : th ngg was bobh novel and grand, ihe nreworw S took place ab the western end of bhe mound and nob only attracted the.atfcen fire balloons, etc., visible for miles , «. O hV and theri two Pf J ed SSSS36 —Eg Tnte space- Sockets of a variety too numerous to pw hues witho«iri^^ 4^* to _Sdt2 SS. of S tr r and .wfcTner £2%- wonderful and

brilliant. The audience were immensely puzzled to know how thiß was done, but they were doomed to be still further mystified. In one corner a clownish figure formed of fireworks suddenly ap peared, and performed several horizontal bar feats amidsb greab laughber, and bhen some of bhe more timid persons were slightly alarmed by a magnificent display in the shape of shoobing sbars. An im mense elephant, a blaze of fireworks, next moved forward, and, by some mechanical arrangement, all bhe while working its legs, bail, and trunk in the mosb approved manner. ■ The audience applauded loudly, and bheir delight was increased and a cheer was raised when bhe well-known picbure' of Her Majesty Queen Vic toria was outlined, and the band struck up the " National Anthem.'"' This was followed by a gorgeous represenbation of a waterfall, and the next treat was a shower of golden rain. The alarm, however, was needless, and was short-lived. Wonder followed upon wonder, and a magnificent display of fireworks on a central wheel was followed by the bombardment of two ships of war. Each of the vessels and also the fort were outlined so as to be easily recog nisable, and the attack and retaliation were most effectively portrayed. Another excel lenb ibem was a grand explosion, in which the air was tilled with fireworks of many descriptions, and the show concluded at 9.30, when everybody went away de lighted.

The Electric Light At length bhe much-talked-of electri c lighb has been started in this city. Tru e to promise, Messrs Firth had the electri 0 lights burning on Christmas eve, commencing punctually at 8 o'clock.. The lights were remarkably brilliant, and burned pretty steadily. Many people were . disappointed with the re sults, as they had raised their expecta tions to such a point bhab nobhing shorb of eclipsing daylighb would have satisfied them. Last Saturday was nob one of bhe besb nights for trying the experiment, as the moon was shiningwith greab brilliancy. Ib would appear that if Queen-street is to be successfully lighted, lamps of lesser power distributed over a greater surface of the streets would be more satisfactory. While the arc lamps were wonderfully bright, and lib up all bhe roadway in close proxi mity to the lamp, still at a couple of hun dred yards away the effect was lost, saving that the darkness appeared a little "heavier when passing outside the radius of the light. Double bhe number of lamps ab half bheir presenb power would perhaps light up bhe sbreets more satis factorily. W T hile watching the lights it was amus ing to hear the remarks of passers-by. One man stopped and said, "Jerusalem ! there's the electric light. I say, Bill, who'd have bhoughb to have seen that here twenty - five years ago ?" Another elderly man who heard this remark said, " Aye, or forby - five years ago. Those days, you cOuld have hidden yourself in bhe titree on bhe side of the gully whore we are now standing." Of course, this completely crushed the quart.r-of-a-century spokes man, who then passed on in silence.

The excursion on board the Eagle on Saturday, was very well patronised. The steamer wenb round H.M.S. Nelson twice, the band playing " The Death of Nelson " and " The Banner of Old England." Nearly every man on board bhe warship burned out and gave bhree hearty cheers for the com pliment paid to the ship, and followed it by another three for the band. There will be another of these trips to-morrow evening, for particulars of which see advertisement.

BOXING DAY AMUSEMENTS.

Although the weather did not present a very propitious appearance yesterday morn ing thousands of pieasure-seekera were early on the move to the various favourite resorts for picnicers. As early as 6.30 o'clock brakes were. started . from the stables to pick up parties who were destined to visit the Waitakerei and Waikomiti falls., Three 'bus-loads of young people belonging to St. James's Presbyterian Church were conveyed bo Helier's . Bay. The young people abtending bho Beresford-streeb Church had bwo separabe picnics, one circle going to Nihobapu Falls, while the other section (who were principally mem bers of the choir) proceeded bo Hunber Bush in a large omnibus. Railway Exoubsion.— Nob many persons; took advantage of the cheap trip to Cam bridge and Hamilton to witness the sports. A special through train left Auckland at 7 a m., but only about 100 excursionists started from there, though, of course, many others -were picked up at the various stations along the line. The early train to Helensville also took away a large number of excursionists who wished to visit the Ranges.

WATER EXCURSIONS.

As usual, the great bulk of the pleasure seekers crowded down to the wharf in order to patronise bhe many cheap excursions which were-advertised. By nine o clock bhe wharf was simply packed wibh elderly men and : women, youths and maidens, children, babies, and perambulators. Ab the North Shore ferry tee the crush Was very greab, as it was from bhab point the Baptist picnic party sailed. An unpleasant feature of yesterday's excursions, and m facb bhe while of the water service,was thab few if any, of the excursions startetl 'to time, and many were over half-an-hour late. Besides being unjusb to people who came early, this prevents the passengers from having as much time as they should,-to in vesbigabe bhe nabural beaubies of bhe ispot bb which bhe steamers ' bake them: The North Shore feriy service patronised. The competition bebween the two companies was very keen, and the fares were reduced to 2d.for a return ticket Even then the bouters of the rival companies,were standing by tlie Watermen's Steps, and push ing bnsiness wibh great pertinaciby. ~ ~, - Kawau Northern Co.'s s.s* Clans man lefb the wharf at. 10.30 o'clock (adver tised to sbart ab 10) for. Sir George, Grey s island home. The vessel was uncomfortably crowded, prebby well all the deck accommodabion being occupied. Between 700 and 800 people mUsb have been on board. The Artillery Band were m abund ance, and during bhe enlivened the iourney with their music. Unfortunately, Sir George Grey was nob ab home, so bhab the visitors were nob afforded, bhe pleasure of Ms genial welcome at bhe jetby and warm shake of the hand. Jusb as the Clansman left the .wharf : the Tarawera arrived," having on board .the venerable owner of the Kawau.. Had he been a few minubes earlier,he might have, accompanied the Darby. The Jubilee .Sbeamship Coui r,„nv also ran the Stormbird to the Kawau. K y she was poorly patronised, although the Garrison Band .was in attendance and SS.ouri.ed sweet K mu,ic.. ' She; ad vertised bo go at 10 a.m., but.did not away until about 10.45 o clock. i*s » * l Motu Ihi.-The- p.s. Britannia, started tor this island, having on board an unusually large number of excursionists. She _ was under charter by the members and friends of the Auckland Tabernacle. The crush was sogreab tha. some few persons decided not to accompany the party. *-A*M* Samed away from the wharf the vessel kSkedunpleLanbly low in the _ water. Subseouenbly bhe p.s. Takapuna lefb the wharf aving on board about' 200 members Tn frS of the Pitt and Edwin-streets Primitive Methodist Sunday School. s.s. Waitoa left for this island aboub 10 o'clock, having on board a

picnic party comprised of the senior scholars attending St. David's Presbyterian Sunday School. _ Mahurangi Heads.—The Northern Co. s s.s. Wellington conveyed a large number of excursionists to this new resort. The vessel lefb the wharf about 10.30 o'clock. A band accompanied the ' parby, and enlivened bhe proceedings. Waiwera.—Shortly afber ben o'clock the s.s. lona gob ready to leave the wharf for the Waiwera Hob Springs. There was a good number of excursionists on board. Of course there were the proverbial late arrivals, and afber the gangway had been drawn in one lady was seen to do bheßlondin business along a slack rope in order bo geb onboard. Anobher lady succeeded in gob bing on board, bub left a young man and two lady friends on the wharf, much to her evi dent dislike. Captain Fisher had some trouble to get tbis steamer oub of bhe way of bhe Tarawera when she arrived. Ap parenbly the capbain was unwilling bo leave any sbray passengers on bhe wharf. Captain Fisher reminded him that he was already behind time, which the captain politely admitted, meanwhile still taking passengers on board. Captain Fisher suddenly noticed thab a rope from the Tarawera had been passed beneath the gangway. Fearing that someone mighb be thrown overboard when bhe rope tighbened, he ordered bhe gangway bo be baken in. This was done, and in the course of the next quarter of an hour the lona gob out of the way, and the Tarawera glided into her berbh. Waiheke Island.—The s.s. Glenelg con veyed a number of holiday-makers bo bhis pleasanb resort, landing her passongers at Cowes Bay. The Rose Casey took another batch to Putiki Bay, while the s.s. Coromandel carried a large number of excursionists to Opotiki Bay. Pine Island.—At 9.30 o'clock the s.s. Vivid lefb bhe Queen-street Wharf for Pine Island. She was well patronised, and the passengers spent a very pleasant time. St. Helier's Bay.—During the day the s.s. Douglas made a series of brips to this favourite resort of excursionists. "',", . The members and friends of the Mounb Eden Baptist Church, and also those of the Free Methodist Church, wenb by 'buses and brakes to Green Bay, several miles beyond Mount Albert. Here they passed bhe day in various ways,—singing, racing, boating, fishing, cricketing, and exploring. The parbies reburned bo town about seven o'clock.

Thames Races. Thames, this day. For the races yesterday the weather was delightful, bub bhe abbeudance was only fair. The following are bhe resultß :—Trial Stakes: Greenmount, 1; Haricot, 2, won by a head. Hurdle Race: Shotover, 1; Recruit, 2. Pipi fell, but the jockey was ohly stunned. Plate Handicap: A walk over for Clogs. Pony Race: Won by Maori. Selling Race: Won by Mer maid, with Colonist second. The Stewards' Handicap was a walk over for Clogs.

EXCURSIONS TO-DAY.

To-day being a public holiday, crowds of people determine tp make the most of the! breabhing time from business cares, and th e excursion steamers to-day were well paf ronised. The Clansman left for the Kawau at 10 o'clock, and the Welling ton ab bhe same bime for Mahurangi Heads, repeating : the trips they made yesberday. The lona wenb to Waiwera with a very large crowd, whilethe Douglas was fairly well patronised wibh picnickers for St. Holier, Bay. The two small steamers Waitoa and Vivid each madff an excursion, the former down the harbour to Maraetai and the latter up the river to Pine Island. North Shore keeps, up its popu larity with holiday-makers, and bobh ferry companies had bo sbrain their ut mosb resources to accommodate the large number of passengers travelling across the water. The Devonport Company con tinued their fares of yesterday, yiz.,bwopence reburn while bhe Eagle and Osprey were running for bhreepence reburn. The Devon porb Company ran bhe s.s. Alexandra to St. Helier's daring, the morning, taking down each time a fair number of pleasure-seekers. The Ylotoria at 9 o'clock took a large party of the members and friends of the Grafton Road We»leyaii Mebhodist Church to Opotiki Bay, Waiheke, while the Britannia was crowded with the, friends', of All Saints' Church. This year the annual social trip of that church was, by permis sion of Mr H. J.Blythe, made to Green hibhe, up bhe river, opposibe Wood's Island. Besides bhese public excursions, there were up till eleven o'clock open' sailing boats, yachts, and other craft, all under way to. variovs points of the harbour, each with ibs merry picnic party on board, and all seeming to, bhoroughly enjoy bhemselv.es.

GAMES OF CHANCE AT THE RACES.

RAID I_Y THE POtICE.

EIGHT MEN ARRESTED,

JusT.pridr to the starting of th^'first face at Ellerslie yesterday Sergeant Pratt ahd' Detectivfes TuohJ_, Hughe,, Herbert, Walker, and Doolan, who had been <on a tour. of - observation at- (the.; 1 back and side, of the; Grand Stand, made ja' descent upori'a ' number of gaming tables, and tobkHnto custody eight men alleged bo he .'ebnneOted <with them, viz., Francis McAnally, Charles Smith, Charles .Shearman, Alli-iv CockbuW, JShn Grappel, Albert Chfitband, Frederick- i Holmes* and John Hart. They were baken bo bhe police quarters; in the"saddling,paddock, apd the gaming paraphernalia- ♦.-having bei_n done up into ;:a ''parcel, the ___en. were handcuffed two arid two, and quiebly marched off bo the station, where'the firsb train back to : town was taken. The 'men made no.resistance butaccepted bheir [fate quiebly, although obviously chagrined ! at being- -trapped*, at m bhe very fodtset of their expected harvest: This morning they were brought; before Mr H. Wiping; J,.P,y at the,Police.Court,- and pharged with a breach of the Police Offences Act, 1884, Sect. 28, Sub-seotiqn 5, by playing wibh an insbrument of . gaming, to wify, a : Mr O'Meagher appeared to 'defend the prisoners, and asked for a remand on their behalf, which was granted, the cases being remanded till to ; morrowi Charles Smith, .ne'of the. eight prisoners, was further oharged with having no lawful visible mea_sn,-Uppor,. . This charge was also adjourned: bill bo-morrow.

A SAD END.

BJJAIJ»JSi ; :<v' : ;.V' ; ; , ; . V . ~Difk__^n.' 1 $al»rday. Edward RoysTOtiß skin imerchant, of ' Jetty-street,• ithis inorning blew out his brain, in hiS Stbre.' '' Deceased :was seen at a quarter to 7 o'clock. -He then appeared in his usual condition* Two hours later his corpse was discovered; The back of his head was blown off with a thag&zine rifle which laid beside him,. ■. On the body was a letter to his wife and a note to the 'latter bidding good-bye bo all. Deceased was 38 years of age. He had been five years in the Sixth Dragoons as private, and two years in the police force.

YACHTING DISASTER

FOUR LIVES LOST

A GALLANT SWIM FOR LIFE,

Quite a gloom spread o'er bhe town to-day t when a rumour was current that a yacht had capsized yesterday in Rangitobo Channel' 1 and that four lives had been -lost. Enquiry J showed bhab bhe rumour was only too true. _ The facbs of bhe case are as follows :—At . 7 a.m. yesterday morning, Messrs John j Armstrong, Alfred Seymour Bankart, George ( John Harker, Richard Joshua Debney, ] Herbert Menary. Hammond and Henry ] Percy Bankart lefb Sb George's Bay in the 1 half-decked yacht Truant, with the inten- j tion of proceeding on a ten days' cruise to ] Matakana. The Truanb is well known. « She is a cenbre-board crafb of 3J tons, and i had the reputation of being a very swift i boat. Till lately she was bhe property of ( Mr J. Lecky, of Parnell, who a forb- ] nighb back- sold her bo H. M. Hammond, - and he wibh some companions had been j out, several times in her. When bhe ] yaoht gob inbo bhe channel yester day morning, the weather was pretty j rough, and at Gull. Point a sudden gust j capsized the boat, which instantly filled and i went down stern firsb. All the six occu- ; panbs of bhe boat were good swimmers, and - they struck out for bhe shore. Only bwo 1 reached ib, Messrs. George John Harker and j Alfred • Seymour Bankart. The other j four dropped off, one after the other. ; Upon reaching the beach, Mr. Harker at < first thought he was the only survivor. He, i however, saw Mr. Bankart coming in be- j hind him. The two were nearly spent, and ] they sat down on the rocks to rest a while, ( at the same time keeping a sharp look oub ■ to sea, in order to try and discover their ] comrades. Afber a littlo while, some pic- ; nickers discovered the two survivors, who j soon afterwards ascended the cliff*, and made their way to the residence of Mr. C. ; S. George, of Hughes and Georgo, solicitors. ; Here they received every attention, and slept a little while, in order to recover from ', bheir exhaustion. Subsequently, about 4 o'clock, Mr George drove the two survivors into Devonport, and they crossed over to town and conveyed the sad intelligence to ' the relatives of their deceased comrades. They estimate that the yacht was three miles from the shore, when it capsized. This would, of course, be a stiff swim with such a sea as was running yeterday. Ab all events, it is certain bhat the survivors were swimming for more than an hour. MR BARKER'S NARRATIVE. At 10.30 this morning one of our staff waited upon Mr George John Harker to ob tain an account of the accident. M r Harker courteously volunteered to supply all the in formation in his power. Apparently this morning he is none bhe worse, physically, for his long swim, although he is naturally much distressed at the sad fate of his com panions. Mr Harker is well known in this city as a long-distance swimmer, and also iii connection with musical matters, having been for years a member of bhe Choral Socieby. . Mr Harker states : We left Sb. George's Bay at seven o'clock yesterday morning intending to get to Matakana. We were in the yacht Truant. She was well ballasted as we had a lot of provisions and also about 1£ tons of pig iron on board. The yacht belonged bo young Hommond, and of course Debney and myself lefb bhe handling of her to the owlier.'."l really don't know how the accident happened, but about twelve o'clock the yacht capsized when we were near Gull Point. I expecb.it must have been a sudden gust as ib was very ; .6_gh at the time. Young Armstrong was at the tiller. He either did not let tbe sail go when the sqUall struck her or else, if he did, the Hues musb have jammed. All I know is that in a secqnd we ! , were all in the water. We sung out to each , other to cling on to the bottom of the boab, but we. had no chance to do so as she i almost instantly went down stern first. ,In half a minute after the squall , she filled and went under. A very heavy broken sea was on at the time. It was hard ; work swimming, and it seemed to mo as if we were all to die in the water. If 1 turned • my head to look for bhe others, I was imme i diately swamped. The sea was so broken , that I could not rest at all, but was com . pelled to swim on my side againsb the heavy [ water the whole time. We were all good t swimmers, and at once struck out for the • shore. I think I was in the water aboub an ." hour. It was impossible to keep together in such,a. sea. Poor Debney went down i first, and young Bankart next. At first, young Hammond was well ahead. He was i the last one I passed. He shouted out to i me, "Mr. Harker, I don't think I can do I it." I did my best to encourage him, and said he ought to do it.. | A few minutes afterwards, I looked round, and he was gone. I landed somewhere beyond what is 1 known as Donald McKay's Bay; that is 1 beyond Spring Bay. At first I thought I was tbe only one saved, but, presently, I saw What appeared to be a rock in the dis | tance. I saw it move, and soon discovered

that it was Alfred Seymour Bankarb. As he scrambled along the rock, I; sang out to him. We laid down <for a little while and kept watching the water to see if any of th6 : others were coming in.' At last we gave up hope, ahd climbed up the fcliff and walked along between two and three miles to. the residerico of Mr C. S. George at Lake Takapuna. Here welested for some time, after which -He drove us'into Devonport. When I was pretty well exhausted I turned round and saw the four others in the dis tance. They appeared all right then, but they all gave up one after the other. I don't think there is the slightest hope of atiy of thehi being saved, as there was not another boat ih the Channel. None of the party were married. ■' ■

. MR BANKART'S STATEMENT. [ Mr Alf red Seymour Bankart states :—We got. away from 'St. George's Bay between 6.30 and 7 o'clock yesterday morning with a fair westerly wind; bub somewh.it squhlly. This afterwards increased when we got into j the channel, ..and beoanie rather., heavy. , About twelve o'clock we were between Rangitoto and Lake Takapuna. We in- < tended to lunch at Mr C. S. George's at the Lake. We wer,eabout two miles oub, and were tabkirig—just''luffing, when a squall Bbruck the vessel, and over she wenb on her side. She instantly filled, and went down stern foremost. "All the member's of the party Were able to swim, and we at once struck oufcforbhe shore. Debney was the only one who had his boots on, and he sank the firsb, when but ashorb disbancefrom the spobwhere the accident occurred. .Then my brother Percy began to give signs of distress. I kept with him for aboub a quarter-of-an hour, swimming beside him and cheering him up. I also tried to help him by hold ing hjs,trousers. He'kept saying that lie wasgoinig arid then-sudderily became'silent appearing to have swooned. „, Immediately afterwards.he seemed to suddenly revive and crying out, " I am going home to God," went down. He did not rise, again. I was now pretty well exhausted, .but! kept ,on jswimming-and-succeeded in reaching the » bore. Ar_h-t-ohj? was the next to disappear, 'Then Hammond When he was only about 1 tid 1 yards frdm the shore gave Up arid wenb lunder. Harker Had beeri swimming bfeside Him 6ric6ui_girig. him. When I reached the ishore, I .thought that I was the. billy sur |vivor,as I could see no one about. TwalKed ;a shortdistauce along the shore, and e&ine I across Harker who had landed higher up. I could neither hear or see any sign's' of the j others,. and as I there wass no hope of saving them■■•we walked along towards the Lake and after traversing* aboub bwo miles reached Mr.. George's fbouse, • where we were very kindly treabed. Every

possible care was taken of us. They ad minisbered sbimulanbs to us, and pub us to bed. We remained here for three houri?, and were then driven inbo Devonporb. We came across, and I was meb by Dr. Leger Erson, who drove me bo his brobher's house at Onehunga. Dr. Erson sbates that both the Bankarts stayed at his house on Christmas night, and he drove them down bo St. George's Bay yesterday morning about six o'clock, where he lefb them on board the yacht Truant. An older brobher of the deceased Henry Percy Bankhart states that he and his two brothers and three sisters and parenbs re sided in Onehunga. They arrived here on May 17th, 18S7, from England. The brother who was saved is an electrical engineer, and is at present engaged fitting up the electric light at the Onehunga Woollen Mills. The unfortunate brother who was lost was an artist. He had studied.for three years at the Royal Academy, London, and two-and-a-half years at the South Kensington School of- Art. He had re cently acquired the whole of Mr Atkin son's collection of casts, etc., and was making arrangements to commence Art education. He exhibited at the lasb ex hibition of the Society of Arts in this city, where his picture." A Howick Pensioner," attracted some abbenbion. The two Ban karbs who were in bhe yachb were twins. Joshua Armsbrong, anobher of the un fortunate young men drowned in the accident, was a son of Captain Armstrong, of the iNorth Shore. He was a tall, dark young man of some 19 years of age, and worked at the warehouse of Macky, Logan, Steen and Co., where he was a great favourite with all his companions. Arm sbrong was an old boy. of bhe Church of England Grammar School, Parnell. He was a finished swimmer, bub his strength nob being greab he was unable to keep up in the water for any length of time. At a late hour last evening Captain Armsbrong, of Parnell, called at the Police Station and said that he feared ib was. his nephew who had been drowned, as he was. going, out yachting and intended to call ab Mr George's at the Lake for lunch. , , -■'-■<, :

Herbert Menary Hammond was a son of Mr. W. H. Hammond, Regisbrar of the Native Lands Office. He was a popular young man of about nineteen years of age, and Was well known in athletic circles, fie belonged to bhe Gordon Foobball Club, playing in bhe junior beams, and was alsoia member of bhe Waitemata Bicycle .Club. The ycung man was also attached to St.. Sepulchre's Sunday-school, of which he had for some time acted as librarian.; He re sided with his father in Grafton Road, and was a clerk in Messrs, Hughes and George's Office. .-.-.: ; ,-t,

Richard Joshua Debney was also a clerk in Messrs Hughes and George's oflice. Al though aboub 35 years of age he appeared much younger. He was well known in art circles as an enthusiastic amateur. He frequently. , exhibited at the Art Exhibitions of this city, and was an energetic explorer of the ranges.ih the country. Invariably his holidays were passed with fellow artists away in hills, Copying the beauties of nature. His un timely decease will be mourned by a large circle of friends. ; ,-;,- .; ~..'-■.. ■:,-;•■.

THE SEARCH FOR THE BODIES. The search for the bodies has been energeti cally commenced. Mr. T. Henderson rilac-d his yacht Rita at the disposal of Messrs. C. Dacre and Biggs, who at ence proceeded to the scene of the accident. Sergeant Gillies has been despatched round tbe coast, in case the bodies should be thrown up by the tide.- As the tide was running oub at the time of the accident, the chance of the bodies being recovered .is somewhab slight, Sergeanb Clarke of the Water Police also applied for the use of the Customs' launch to go out in search of the bodies of the unfortunate young men. '

A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS

TWO.MEN- HURT AND ONE MISSING.

(by telegraph—press association)

Wellington, This day. A gtjakd named Michael Benney, employed on the Government railway, broke his leg yesterday in stepping from the Upper Hut platform on to the railway line. Mr George Adams,, a member of the " Hansard " staff, met with a serious acci dent yesberday afternoon. While he was endeavouring bo extinguish a gorse fire on Wellingbon Terrace, he fell oyer a, sbeep bank, lb is feared that, he has received concussion; of the spinal cord that paralysis may set in. . ._ : i ,'.; J. ; A man named Richard Douglas Morgan has been missing for two or three days.

ATHLETIC NOTES.

The race for the sprint championship of Auckland on Saturday, between GoodlinV and "Pickering, resulted in rather a fiasco^ Pickering is noted for his quickness .in starting, and when the pistol went, got off With such a lead that; Gdodliffe did npt start, and was left stahditag on his mark.., Pickering ran out the distance, and as the start was a lair orie, the Stakfes, £40j-were handed over, to him. :.l ;::' '.;',•>-,'/.

NELSON-STREET SCHOOL ATHLETIC SPORTS.

On Friday, the 23rd inst,j the stahdArd children of Nelson-street' 1 schoril held their annual sports at the Surrey ■ under the superibendence of the headmaster, Mr Hart, assisted by the staff,of teachersj ]Mr Hart managing the "girls' progra_nme,»fand Mr Thwaites that of the boys.' To avoid, whab would have been a long walk for the infants, Mr Hart arranged for those little folks to meet their teachers at* the School ground, where they were i entertained appropriately and rewarded wibh cakeiS, etc., each child receiving a paper, bag .filled with lollies before goin| v h.me; Appended are the names of the winners Of the various contests/of the standard children at Surrey Hills^:^- Boys.—loo Yard Handicap: Seniors, E.: Martim; juniors, Blewden. 100 Yards Handicap (2nd _race): Juniprs, Wickham. 200 Yards Handicap:■ Sei_ior_s Green; juniors, J Mile: Seriiors,"Maftihj juniof-s, Murray. 1 Mile : s Seniors, 1 Martin. Three-Legged Race: Seniors, Pobberand Mar tin; juniorsj Murray and Green.- Sack Race : Green. Throwing Ball': Green. ". High Jump : Martin, 4fb 9fin. . Long Jump : Hill, 13ft 3in.' Tug of War: Seniors, HiUr Todd, Potter, Gavan, Smith, 'Ward 5. juniors, Adams, Wickhain, Kearney, Dickertßon, Jickell, Thwaites.- ■' -"•

Girls.—Egg. and Snoop B-ace: Seniors, Annie Blewden; juniors, Ada _*abersori.; Skipplrig Race ? Seniors, ; Mary .Hnghes. j juniors, Matilda SutclifFe. 100 Yards (foot): Aimie.Blewden-jt.juriioi-Si May Blewden. Skipping (tfanoy). Seniors.' Bessie Gibson; juniors, Bethi_t Smith. Potato-,Raise • (seniors): Lizzie Evacs;;; juniors, Stella Waddel.,. Walking, 120 yds. (seniors): Annie Blewden | juniors, Bethia Smith. Hopping Race': 'Jane \HicltS- Blindfold Race,-: Jane Hicks, v,

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(per s.s. rotomahana.)

; SVdnby, December 22. • Pabj-lAMentarv matters generally have been quiet since the fate of Mr Dibbs's censure motion was decided, afber the expul sion of the Opposition from the Assembly. Sir H. Parkes. and Mr Gillies have exchanged further lebbers on the subject of changing the name of the colony. Though nob published, they are said to be courteous intone, but Sir H. Parkes still adheres to his firsb inbenbion. The probability is, how ever, that the subject will be quiebly Parliament, in view of the Cenbenary Celebration, has decided to adjourn over all January. ■ . _. _._• ■k'"'H* ! The Premier paid a visit to Mort s Dock yesterdays and after inspection thought that he would be justified in straining a point re having some of the locomotives manufac* tured in the colony. _. Thirteen bands have already entered lor the Centennial Band Contest in January seven being from other colonies. _ An extensive fire has occurred—Anthon Horden's furniture and bedding factory m Great Buckingham-street, Redfern. .The insurances as yet unknown, but believed to be heavy. A large number of offices are. concerned. i: ' ,: , .; Some dispute has arisen in regard to the Centennial Regabba bhrough the motion, carried, that all yachts shall display thblir numbers on their sails. This is objected to by several yacht owners. ■•■'_,__ , The, Government intend td deal with the question of retrenchment of the Civil Service. It is intended to organise a banquet to Mr W. A. Mac Arthur, M.P., who is now on a visit to Sydney, prior to bis return to England. It is thought that, being a member of the long-established firm of Mac Arthur and Co., Mr W. A. Mac Arthur should not be regarded as an ordinary , visitor, and that his presence here shoiild be marked by something in the shape of a 1 banquet. ', ;'■..'. '_ An extensive seizure of contraband good was made by the Customs authorities on ' board the R.M.S. Zealandia on her lasb ar rival from San Prancisco. The seizure. ' consisted of some 15,000 cigarettes and a quantity of tobacco, which was confiscated, and lodged in the Queen's warehouse. One ■ ; of the stewards was leavihg the vessel early ' yesterday morning with a parßel under his [ arm. Accosted l_y, the Custom-House ' officer and asked what the bundle con taihed, he replied "Dirty clothes ;" but the : representative of her Majesty was not to be ' put off so easily,' and his examination of the ? bundle led to the' seizure. The steward was 1 fined £5 10s and the goods confiscated. ? Archibald L. Campbell,' lately a clerk in *" the Bank of New Zealand, Newcastle 3 Branch, has been, committed for trial on a 3 charge of embezzling £178, the property of 5 the Bank of New Zealand. I I ■(■:..- '■:■'-< Melbourne, December 2__s r 3 it is stated that the; total expenditure,by, the Railway Department in connection with "the Windsor railway accident will : exceed £120,000 when all claims have, been

liquidated. . . - ; .■• ,■■.-.•■ ,?p>'i "The 'Melbourne Stock Exchange to-day Concluded a contract tor the purchase of property adjbinipgtheE.S, and A.C. Bank, having a frontage of 52 feet :7 inches to Collins-streeb by 35 feeb bo Queen-street, for the sum of £120,000. \;

Accident to an Excursion Steamer.

-. ■ • ~-■ .'.Bkibjsani.- A shocking disaster befel the s.s. Gunga at Port Mackay. , She went upon a trip with 150 excursionists on Monday t'6 Port \ Newi-y, • ahd missing the tide was obliged to anchor j'all ; __ierht : under- Flat Tojpi.' Reaching Mackaymexb morning,; the vessel was swinging in t the. stream before being berthed " alongside the wharf,, when , the anchor dragged the hawsers stretching ashore broke. Ttesteamerthereupohdriftjed into the wharf, damaging her stern. She then steamed' Out into the stream with the sternline fast toihe wharfc When ih mid stream i the line jammed .he wihch and allowed the vessel, to swing, and. carried away- the awning, stanchions ,and gear. The passengers rushed .from; the. danger, but a woman named .Holland VpasJ_illedf a man "(Drane) had'ofie of his. legs broken and a sailor named Campbell was so crushed that he died, and several'others.wet. more-or less, injured. '.-.'.'" '"/"..,"' " ','..'.,'" ~. ]./ .

Aquatic Carnival.

■ Am aquatic carnival is to be held on' the Clarence River on the: 2nd January, 1888. Borne good money prizes are -offered in the! different events. :,There is .to,,be a xace in wager-boats, for which Hanlan. (Canada), Perkins (England)j ljr Nelson (Sydney),!?., Mattersori (Sydney),* and Hearn(New __ea? : land), have entered,/ Peter Kemp," the ipresefit. holder of the sculling Championship of bhe World, is baking a well-earned rest'at Ihishotaeon bheheautifulffawkesbiirj. River. Tom Clifford; who is matched to row Kemp for £200 a-side and' the championship, has been doing. steady work on Lake" Illawara, a ;. fine stretch .of water-on; the, southern cpast.,. William Beach, therebiredchampion, | is resting, at hjs residence in the Illawjarra, district. The New South Wales Centennial Regatta, to" be Held next month, toromiSes to be an unqualified suc6es-!. Irisill; p-izes and money- prizes amounting to £1.500 are offered- • for the several lowing and sailing events. A . splendid i prograirime has been drawn! up, v and some fine racing ought Ito be. iwithessed. .The first prize for tho Senior Fours is £100.-._ There is also l a race'for all-comers in wager boats •Hnfirst prize £75, second" £2fsT**'"Harilari, Kemp, Clifford, PerkinSj Nelson,;N- Matter-, son, Hearii,' and other rowing-men will doubtless: .enter /for., this ; event. ..The Champion Yacht Race for all yachts (time for tonnage) fop-thevOne Hundred Years' 'Gold Cup, .yame £500, will probably be a radstiritereSfciriff event. : There'will alsO 1 be a handicap yacht race and a race for coasb ing vessels.

Extensive Customs Seizure.

: ?:Joseph Levy, (dealer in precious arrived at Thursday Island by the steamer J :l_inau'from Brisbanei on Saturday,- for the 1 pUrpose of 'buying' ]pela:rls ; To-days Sub-collectOr Of Customs Symes,'sunder a search warrant,, seized at the Queensland Rational Bank- a box containing diamonds and' other precious stories arid, jewellery, supposed to be of the value of lodged 'thereby Levy forsafe keeping- Levy came to Brisbane from Sydney aria remained at Brisbane several days. It-is _nder,tobd that Levy did not report or ■"- pay duty jn' Brisbane on the stories, b ( tit tdok them' ashoru'there in his luggage. V "

West Australian Gold Prospecting.

'Teiegrahi- frdtri Eimberley report* thai, the mdchiriery is nearly ready to wdrk,ahd that therJrpspect, are good. Messrs Insdell and _ary> who are l survey ing' the new track t6 the^field, repdi. 1 that 100'' miles _r6__ Oakover' River they the" bodies -Mof threb separate parties who al* supposed td have been murdered by natives- " •;-■•■■

A Terrible Tragedy.

; 'News has' been received Victoria, V>f a terrible murde?. Michael Q'Shea, «* farmer at Yabba Yabba, on Saturdayitodrteig ; had a iq[__i-__l -wlththi* son about some land and shot him and then stabbed his wife with the bayOneb of a rifle he haH. The son died a few hours

afterwards, but the f cover. O'Shea gave himself up Www, police. . ■ ■ *" i • ■ ■ ■• - : .;.■... ' ;--' : .. ''

Foundering of a Schooner.

• \.v__w_fche Queensland, A message : gPW >a t & Bte am 9 .! L Sd" a at leSir fc*^ 8 that th ®' from Bundabeifj " BrT- appeal I Sunday foienoon,^_ncWß»^ tb ™? . j the water was washing over her' J«! JJJ* X The captain and crew, W be M n £ 1 &. hailed theLUcinda, ship's boab, embarked on board the former and were conveyed to K-ppel f *J-..£|gW i abandoning the wreck paptam Lomtt trjg to steer bhl sinking ship to land, which Was only five miles distant, but. K&-S Lucinda steamed away the sinking vessel heeled to windward and eetbleddownon her beam ends. The fhornten was J owned by Messrs G?ay and Young, . ot . Sydney, and is insured. She 40 tons ot yugar, 17,000fb of hardwood and 90,000 ft otj ftine (m bbard. ■:, " , _[

Later News for China and the East.

A SERIES OF DISASTKRS.

Thirteen Cities Flooded.

•The steamer Airlie, which a* • Brisbane,from Hongkong on Friday last, brings Hongkong files to the 28th Novem-'. A tefrible explosion took place on the I 19th November, at the magazine % at -Amoy, t supposed by some to have contained. 7,QUU parcels of gunpowder. It was situatedv u_j" . a thickly-populated neighbourhood. "The j guard of 50soldier6j and some.jpetty officers, on duty, were blown to atoms j 400 houses | came down with one crash, burying the; inmates under the ruins. As a cpncomitanp, a fierce fire broke out,, destroying 300_more, buildings. It is esb.matedthat irom 200 to 300 persons were ;killed, and as wounded, while hundreds are- rendered,! houseless. The press points put that the? event is a painful illuStratipn-of indifference to danger. ._■., * _j.i Messrs Gibbs and" Livingstone report ..< that the steamer Killarney, Captain James! O'Neil, was sunk in 30- minutes while'! anphored in Plpilo Harbour, by the steamer' •>- Crusader, cuttihg : her down.' All bandf.'; were saved, but they lost everything. On the nighb of the 16th November jr.! coijffagration tjpok 'place in Queens-road, i west of Hongkong, in Hill.er and Jeryois streets, destroying 34 houses,, mostly well stocked shops. Two lives were lost. The German and hoihe insurance offices suffer. '-;., The plague of cholera, which some time past been raging in the garrxsoii: in the town Of Point Arthur, is now abat- ! ing, bat has bfeen succeeded by typhoid, fever. The epidemic is reported as haying I already claimed 2,000 victims. ; , ' ; The Yellow River, which recently broke' its banks in the, vicinity of Ching Chow, how cov.r_ ah enormous area, including 13; bities- in one ofjHfcich 50 streets were swept away. The; lo "of We and property in volved is fearfuL;. Where, one month ago, densely populated,; fertile soil, with rich crops, existed, there is how : a raging sea. * The distress is indescribable. Subscription lists have been started ;'the loss;is estimated at 10,000,000 taels, consequently the-board • of revenue stopped, the-salary, of all the provincial,. officials, for. one year, and the obhers have been deprived of half their in come. All native banks throughout,the Empire,contribute .3,oootaels..each, and other taxation will be imposed. "'l _-.*',';

A DRUNKEN ORGIE AND ITS FATAL RESULT.

_)RtfW_ttNG OF _-ARY BURKE.-i f

|Qn Christmas Day a man named William 'Hanners, residing St Woodhill, brougHt word ! to Con-tabi^V-remkhj 1 at - thai, ian elderly woman named Mary Burke, with whom he had been living, had been drowned ih the creek ■ ' Wppdhill the previous night. The constable accompanied his in fonranb to the place indicated and found (the dead W&y .( of_ ; the \ woman lying ibesideaboaP__ about 2ft." 6in_, of water.;/ Banners,- on being questioned, stated that. be arid the woman hkd been on* a__v__4t_to Auckland, wne_c& they ' reiuim__. lon .morning. They had two bottles; of brahay ■ with*, th-fri, arid after getting' NO_t'" (_if'.hb') .rain "at Woddhill,; *-ih&y£. |[proceeded to the. bank of creek, where their boat", was moored. '" $hey"" ■'■■ appea, "to hkvo remained'at > theo.l__-ifc of-the _ creek unbjli4 o'clock tW afternoon. About that titi_e "* a ' neigh'- 5 hour: named .Kennedy pushed off in;, Sho boab in order ,to pull upystream/to whar^-'- which was : so_Q6' i d__tan__e' away. 1 He perceived that they were tdr/unkj and he offered therefore' to put "them across.the.'creeki .__. th_,t' they nxight walk ,h or n.e-(',£b_.y -declinetk .however* ;arid he watched their, boat'untiL it d_s-. apj.ear^f'bur.dabendof''the streaih. .Oh _e,_-i_fo-g hbthe' at 7.30' p.m. be foaricl 1 Hannei-Wilone in his whare drunks andi asked hill where the woman was. Hanners said ... that %«. did,, not know , and. Kennedy:! searchea; -! *i___avail__gly unbil 'dark for her and the boat. At day break Hanners awoke to the consciousness .that the worhari was missing, arid after a search-found her in the creek. The relative position of body and boat shewed, that she mtist hW,4 W&> the water ahd clnosff on totoe'.. gunwale as long as eha could. .Deceased' was 56 years of age, and leavea several grown-up sons.' : lh - L

POLICE COURT.-YESTERDAY

•„■& .-.;'." .m i'„ ' -' ..>-.'C. | (Befol.#lrH. WUding, J.P.) a C|--__3*i-__i _>£bM_;.--Seve-_l ; d_u-_fc_ were 1 disposed: of in: the ;! usttal way. Benjamin . Smith was charged with having been djrunk ih ; Albert-street, and also' with being an habitual dfcunkard;»-He" was. sentenced to. 14 days' hard labour, Mary Oaks was sent up for six njonthsiora similar oflfehc..' ; Unlawful Assault.—Michael Moroney was charged f ;bssahlting 'Patrick Murphy by striking him on the head with a stick, at accused waare- h ,j_;.>. .-./■,.,... --~^ii;

The.stewards of the s._,' Tarawera ds_ Christmas Eve -presented! tb& chief steward wibh a handsome -silver-mounted walking sbick bearing the.followinglnscriptionT— " chief steward of the (5.5. Twawera, asa token of restieet from the,stewarfia.*' Three years" agothiig popularofficer, when leaving the s.s. Waka tipu, .got a handsome present from the Stewards-, -~.,■ • ■■■-.<:.'■,."' '.'■'' ."'. "BOUGH ON ITCH." __■ ■ &9 u Kh* on Itch" oures skin humours, erun ; &i£mß tetter,Mt rheum, frosted j feet, clulhlaina. itch, ivy poison, barbels-toh.

COMING EVENTS.

...._. , Meetings, - ; Agricultural Hall-Mohawk Minstrels, % •/' c,- Sou of Jri-rtdees at December g-Th, KM. alts | ■'■, Auction Sales To-moMrow, A p^^ uddl^F^uit • e^•W^U B. To-ka and eto., 11 - i A 8. C «iranc and Son. Mt.Eden S.»tlon-B__sh-«__B l-ooi.. Turnery Machinery. & o ',ii G. Lewiß_soO Vole. of Book& l_ ' U _« A. Ait_.en-_ri.__t. fi t c „ 9.30 _^X

THE-AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, TUESDAY. DECEMBER 27. 188..

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i CntSibßKN STA-tviNQ to death on account of .hell inability to digest' food, will And a most marvellous food And remedy in SorTf. Emulsion -of Pure Cod I_lVtft Oil with J-vraFHOSF-UTES. -. Very palatable and easily digested. R«sad the following testimonial! " I have prescribed ' SCOTX, EMU in casiss >of children suffering from Wasting _nd mal-nutrltion, and can 1 report mc*t favorably of its goodteffec. 3 . it ha_B beeu in each case taken most readily. v " ' . W, Pbrkiks, M.R.C.S., Medical Supt., Burleigh Hospital. Enj|_ L-ree and small bottles at all Chemists. «t 6d and an 6cl_