RUSSIA AND NEW ZEALAND.

/proposed Interchange ot Fro xlv duets.

vnltOß. FROM THE LAND OF A *^ tHB CZAIL .i

.. fITnJUKSOIf, an.Bngliah gentleman -who * for fik°u* 3° yp^ resided in Russia, • en on fl visit to Now Zealand and \rA and on Monday afternoon left by, 'A«str<l|;' 8^oftin6r ,Zealandia on iiis return to- dominion. Before leaving - ftotervieTred by a Star reporter he't"? r &vfS obtained; on various ■v rslikely to prove of interest. As Mr °?.;£fLn has travelled over nearly erecy yVp**, £ vast Russian- Empire, has knowledge of the language, the a i and their manners and modes of P6o^ t!f his opinions are entitled to some tbougWi statemen t.s of fact are in resp<\™v reliable. The interview was as every «"/ . _ . ". .. .r.i. t.,oi .tj folio*?.v"";... when jy yon leave R UBS i a ? vßeporKr- In leffc •tow Zealand- with a view to settling nldin- bufc since * liavo been *>ore afcdtiS|elletl about a bit I have altered my do you mean to do now—go i: A Rpttle in Russia in preference to bacjf»ny?|j, .-:•■■ ' 95, gy n o means. I have been struck S"wpStrade migllt to °Pened "P b°: I, "WD • iTjigfo a nd the Australasian colonies,- \«Lttack with, a view to estab . • M t*to, or at least trying to do ■<^?4sw <sjs<r obtained ■ while; in New 160, j'wfeml patents which I intend in •!S into Kussia. b • Whs kind of interchange could 'i' Jilnbly'k?established bobweon New irfnT for instance, and Russia—what sfrom that country? •"? . iiaseed oil, kerosene, Baltic timber, - • '' hß* AndVhat could K«w Zealand send -A. • Kaiiri-gunii wool, and rabbit skins. i ' jj;! j s the wool manufacture established jnßwiia?',. ' :. i ■ I. :Ye« ;•: on such an extensive scale tkt-ihi native flocks cannot supply the demand. Why, the largest woollen factory i fa tie world h that of Messrs Thornton Brothers at-St. Petersburg. A member of \ \U firm used to live, in Australia for the. sole purpose'of buying wool.;' ... J• ■ j %: And what can the Russians want tffliiabbifc skins ? : It is a rich fur country, jg-ftnet? '! ■ • ~. t ~; .■. i : It is; but the rabbit skins arc not wanfed for the fur, but the pelt. No; I | afll not quite at liberty to say for what i specific manufacture they are required ; it ! jlJg iiew process, and will show that even 1 Uswieamnd might learn something from j tieM-called barbarous' Russians. ;r.;: Do I understand that you do not in tend remaining in Russia ? A.: I will only stay there about a year, ; vrtffll will return to Now Zealand, pro bably to Dunedin, where I have established jny head quarters. \ ...Br-j-How-do you enjoy living under the despotic rule of the Czar ? Is there hot anduo restraint on your personal liberty? -Mrltona' at all/ There' is the"fullest socialliberty, and among the English/ set" i ißSt'Tete'raburg, where I have lately re flded,life in very enjoyable. ' •&: And being a British subject, I sup poss iho absence of political liberty does nitalec'fcyou? ••" ••■' • '■'Ps. Oh, yes, W» feel it. For example, wniia-'tho freedom of tho press. ..The nmpapei'B of Russia in no sense represent piWopinion or th» true condition ot

:JUT% ara subject to sti-icb auper '.TufoOjlrappoße ? .^feFfe. Fctf acting in opposition to iif-jn^' of tne Government there are I'fiirei warnings " prescribed; Tho first fi a gratis1 hint that the paper is transgress iMfftlfefSecorid is the stoppage of its street fas; and the third is complete suppression. Helattervras the fate of the very popular "Golos/'thi opinions of which used to be widely qtiotid. iß:fu.the Kussian newspapers are not Ofg»ni oi"'the public, how do you: account far Deposition attained by the " Moscow Giotto,"."for the quaiTel between ,M. Katkoff, the editor, and M. do Giers, the ■Minister for Foreign Allaire, ending in the kite's resignation ?• ■ ' ;• '■;' fA,;i Oh/'Katkotf is a powar in Russia becaiisg'he is backed up by a powerful diqut-tho Moscow or old Russian party— wtoare warm Slavophiles. . . t;:\ . ;E. :i-Ig it.not the .case that -M. .Katkbff-is

th« mouthpiece of the Czar's personal

Opinions... , ; v .-,. ..'!•.■ ■-•; ; ■ '.:■■:'.■ ttl.'i A.: No; that is a mistake. ' KatkofFs iifitieiice■'ia 'solely'due to his being'the spokesman of the Slay party, and in. his' ca«Btt9presß has attained'to-a degree of liberty, as the jiarty is too powerful for the GoTermnent to attempt its suppression.:;'' X.: Glad to hear that the newspaper pres3 has gained so much from despotism.' 'How do ;yon -find the Russians affected towards" England.'•'■■ >:•" .J _i: Very friendly ; or at any rate there is a total absence of that unreasoning emnity, wWgu many English people j feel towards Russia The P.ussian people'are, aotfools;1 the great majoiity of them are «wcere lovers of peace and industrial-pro greis; and these people v/onder at the.hos tility of. England,. and ;■ express themselves Mable to understand it. --- V .:• ', R: Is it not natural that the- English ihmld-distrust the Russians because of

tleif crooked policy and thoir constant Wdtrying^aggressions ?" ~:"'.'.,', . . - A.;'" Those who live in glass; houses ™ild not throw stones." All diplomacy ucrooked, behove me; and ■what nation "J'been more aggressive or absorbent of teitory^than England herself ? .. j ■ '■X■: But Ru6Bia4s continually coming in wfict with English interests, and hence hostility is natural. Might'l aak if:your ■^f^ments in Ilussiahavo been under the %criunent ?

4:1 have had no connection ,with1 the wifs'Government. Indeed,; in:the event 1 « *ar between Eussia and England, I ex- Wjttobe called upon by Her Majesty's wsroment to act as intorprctor in iniport- Wf matters. My name is already on the j*in the English War Office;' and-I jinay «?ny timo db summoned from Russia"to >^laiid to tako up those duties.,," | [ '«•':-There are many other matters iipon Which I ghould liko to have yonr views; but •Wthehgteamer leaves very- soon,- I-cannot .astainyou.with more questions, . ;, ;Mr -\Viit mgO ji :: : 'Good-bye, and • bolieve communities Save yet a* lot .to 'Mm about Russia. n «eporter: Compliments to th« Caar.

BANKRUPTCIES IN NAPIER.

■(W. TELEQEAPU.— QVTS GOBREBPONDEXT.)

"| *■■' ■"■■:>■ ■■'■• • Napiek, thia day. ,; .^S folldwing ig a synopsis of ; ,th*:bank-; business in Napier DistiiejS since the^ foWe to!the present, clato : A W of bankrupt' estates, \-\l-\ j] I^. . m wll»ch the afesets wero nil, 03 ;i »wtea in which the assets were under iso, 1 *': H*l assets, realised,- • 112,719.; total; gwni paid in dividends, £5,547.;, pre wcntial claims tohid" £4,430; solicitors': cnatges; £3G5 ;• other co&t3 of adminifetra- : 3 £6H3; balance in bank' i:uhitJTJ& to 4(5; ;,;■ ;; ~ : \uf:

4 n^PCtitj6ns,>e .tram ears, are -.required: •W.Bcnt,to;M l v,D..Goldic,-before noon' to-f ofitho Coxincillorß,- who

CAB ACCIDENTS.

'About 4 o'dook yesterday afternoon a pair of horses attached to a cab driven by Ted Rogers bolted in Queen-streeb, and came .iritrb yiolont, "collision with the Union Bank, at thd corner of Victoria-street. Ono of, the; hoiTsea vf011,.. and -Rogers was thrown fvota fike seat of the cab >to thoi ; footpath, /recbiving' slio-hb injuries, *nd an old»i-ly man named Cox was knocked; down >by the horses and fell amongsfe -their ■ feet- On tho' footpath. •" Cox sustained a painful wound on the head and tr •« M-f. uIBOB on-6ho- bQd7- Ho was talcen' to I] ] j?.' chemißfc. where his injuries were attended to, and in the meantimo the fallen horse waa got on its feet.and t'lie cab, which received vory little injury, was removed. . A. second and more serious accident oc curred between 8 and 9pm., resulting in severe injuries to two men, the smashiiig.of two cabs, and damage to an omnibus. One ot Crowther's cabs was conveying Mrs Anson, with .her child and nurse, from too Sydney steaiuer,' when 'the horse took iright through a : box falling from the top ot the cab. The-driver, John Cole, was fk°u Va- t9'th&.ground in his efforts to oatch tho box,' and the horses, freed from control, gallopedimadly up the street, and at the Bank of New Zealand came into collision with a hansom cabV owned by ,T.! Gardiner, and under the; charge ■of D. Miller.: The shock knocked Miller to the ground and broke tho runaway .cab, and also damaged the hansom. Several bystanders ran to the assistance of Mra Anson and the other occupants,who were found to be unin jured, excepting- a'slight'exit'or two received by the nurso from' thVbroalaiig glass." The horsea;'freed frpm.the.cab, continued their carocr, aud at the National Bank ran into the Arch Hill 'bus, breaking tho 'bus pole. The two cabmen,. Miller and Cole, were at tended by Dr. Lcjer .Ersbn. The former had got an ugly cut on tho back' of the head, which had to be stitched. Cole's in iurios consisted of a deep gash on the left • temple,• _an' injury ' to' the hip, while he was evidently' su(ibrlng from' con cussion-of the', brain, and possibly from in ternal injuries. [-.After Dr. Erson had stitched his external wound; Colo was re moved to the Hospital. . A third streot accident took place yesteiv day about 6 p.m., when a horse yoked to a cart bolted in ;Queen-»treet,but,was stopped .before any damage was done. Mr Dawes-, who stbpped tho animal just in time to pro vent a collision with' a 'bus, afterwards founcThiswatoh-chain broken.and his watch mining, for which .he oO'ers a reward ml our advertisement columns.

AUCKLAND CUSTOM-HOUSE.

Cause of Delay,

(BT TELEGRAPH— OWN. CORRESPONDENT.) i

Wei. ling to Sy this day. Thk Minister tor Publio Works informs mo that the delay in accepting a tender for Auckland Custom-house is chiefly owing to tho fact, that the tenders so largely exceed the.vot« tor the purppsa,_.Ho says he in > tends to consult theAackland membera on the sub ject to heewhit* c*n be done.- >'.:.!,:''

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

(KY. TtUEGUAfU. OWN COItfiE'iPONDEKT.)

Thames, this.day,

Prisce IMHLP.IAI.. -r Ths treatment of 801 bs piGked and 30 loads of general, dirt >vas finished yesterclay for SOoz 7d\vt gold; Gaiedoxiax. — Dunn and party have crushed- 5- loads of quartz for the splendid return pi -70v.g.01d. ■"-■;»'• . ' Saxon. — Tbo manager has not yet suc ceeded-in picking- up Connon's reef at No. 3 level in tho: hillward drive. "Colours .of gold aria ibmetimcs seen in this reef at No. 4 level. ' . -. . s- ■ '■■ '■'

■ CambhiA;—The- crushing of 171 loads of guam and 551b picked stone for. the pa*6 lorinight iai;oduced 194pzs gold. ■~ ;

Coeomandkl, this day.

Tovatea. — Th« manager reports ; r" During tire past week the No. 3 cross cut; has . ibeea extended fiva feet ! and another leader cut. I am unable to say muGh'aboufc it yet, asl have .only broken intd ifyat ona tide of tbo drive: Tnbnters 'KtiOx-"Bnd-^Party~'are-'no6--gettiing';any gold worth mentioning, but the coun try is"' now ■; improving;, and the leader looks naoire pi'omising ,as it becomes, de .yoloped. .^Roberis an'dfiparty haye,'.obtained lOlbsof.fair picked'stone this week from the istopeu abova Nb.;7 lavel. Hoi'iiibrooke and .paiiyhaTC lOlbsfrqni'thastopes:below the van'lovoL .(

Royal Oak,—During the past week a drive has been opened on the tribute and £To. 2 cfosTreefs ai "tlie "X°- 3 level," and"where the two reofs cross each other there are somo nice dabs of, gold in the stone. The reef is of good size, and the appearance of the country leads the manager to expect something better in- the future; ? There are only two men" working ac present which makes very slowwork.in.such.hard.grqund.;

AUCKLAND YACHT CLUB.

A WELX.-XTTENDED meeting was,, held- at Mr LevLnsoh.n'B rooms, Queen-street Wharf, last' evening,' Svhe'n the following- officers were .elected, for,, tho. remainder 'of tho season :— Commodoro, Mr G > B. Stone ; vice;commodore, Mr G. S.Jvissling; horn treasurer, Mr Geo. Cozens'; bon. secretary, Mr 0. 0." Dacre; committee, Messrs A. Gibbs, R. S.!Reynolds, J l. Sanderson, W. : Phillipson, and J. Wiseman; auditors,' Mesfera T. Henderson and J: B, .Graham; treasurers, M6ssrs';john Waymouth; sen.,! and George Niccol; handicapper, Mr John Waymouth, sdn. It Ayas also decided to hold a olub h^idicap race on May 24, prior to winding up.the season, tlio.fee being 10s per'yacht entered,-which; willigo'towards the'protidingof prizes;: Tho membership fee fox- to» reinaind^er of tHisjearwaS'tixcd ■at ss. ... • ;' •,'!

TELEGRAMS.

CH&;feTCiiUß(iii, this day.

.. Mr E, B. Bishop, one of the pilgrims who arrived In the Charlotte Jane, is aend, aged 78. He formerly took a prominent part.<in.publi.ti affairs.-',"! He-wasfChairman of tho..City-Gouneil-in..-186G r -and • «Mayor,in 1872<and1873

' ■" i ■mtt'< : j.tt:a 'Blenheim, this day. , TlieSuprotnfiC'o'ui;t'Sessions opened to day, befovo Judge',Richmond.' iThere,were tlu-Oe t-riniinal cases in tlie calendar, besides four civil actions, two appeals .from: tho K. Mi,; and_ a numb.cr of bankruptcy1 applica-

'In. charging tho grand- ■ jury^ ;• the judge referred to a'cdso of pferjui'y iii thV'ealondar, and expressed his ■ opinion, thai..'.tlie offence was common, in. courts of inferior.jurisdic; tion intho'eblony; , • • ■„.■,.'".' I] '.

• [■■* ; ' Wicstpotit,' this day. ; , The Queen's Jubilee is; to b,e "celebrated by the clearing and layingoutiOf. the Brit <tojoiaJSQM^tfjijitli%.,cci}^rftpXib.fctpyn,|.^^ ,< .The, police intend prosecuting i seven re ;sidents;-of. Gdpe 'Fobhyind-^quarries'for

SUDDEN DEATH NEAR DARGAVILLE.

Mb SurEMNTEKDENT Thomson* *±o-day re ceived information, by telegriiim, from Dar gaville to tho effect that the body; of |, gum digger, named G.; G." Woodwardf liaB" been found on a gumfield about^our nflles from Dargaville., ;Hewast seen aliv^e'last nights, when: he was quitoj well! Constable .Mc- Leod has gone out to investigate tho maker.

AUCKLAND COLLEGE AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

■ ■ ;.>;. v •- , ~_ . ...V . ■ ..• The monthly.meeting of tlie^Board. o.f ■ Go vernors' of the above was held 'yesterday afternoon. Present:—Colonel^ Haul'tain (in :£he H chair),', Messra., Graves rAi6kin, Theo. Cooper,^ J.M. Lennox, S. Ldke,/and the Rev. (J, M. Nelson. • ' '

The Secretary reported that a number of the members of the General" Assembly, resident in the Provincial District" of' Auck land, -had nominated Mr Graves Aickin to to be re-elected a member of the Bpard, that no other-person had been tiomiixated, andthatconßeqnently Mr Ai'ckin ,h'&d becu declared to bo duly elected. Mr\AioUin was welcomed on ' tho. ocdasion of'hiare election:' "i ',:.. ■•..?':•''.* - :.. ■' ■■■ '■ •

Aietter was i;ead : ;from .the "Seeretaryi. of the Board of Education, •notifying tliaf Mr James Lennc% had been Mooted a member of the Board., t-The Chairman ex pressed his gratification at Mr Lennox "be coming a,. member of this 'body,' ■;and he added that the governors of this institution were indebted to the Boird <of Education for habitually-sending to them, valuable members who, by attention to the duties thus devolving upon them, .and by their energy and intelligence, were found to render useful service. •

The Headmaster wrote to the effect that as the plan of giving prizes only on the standing- of the pupils on the form" and class lists,'.and not in the several subjects,'had been reverted to (in the expediency of which reversion he did "not concur), "he would suggest, in case of this arrangement being adhered to, that certificates of superiority in the several subjects should be awarded to successful pupils. Chairman stated the objections that militated againstgiying prizes in the several "subjects." Mr Luks ■mentioned that the system of certificates had been found to work well in tho Girls' Hich School"; : and the Headmaster's suggestion as to coi tificates was adopted. , Ine Chairman, Mr Luitc, and MiNolsori, were appointed a committee lor the scloction of prize?. Routine business having been disposed of, the Board adjourned. •

THE ALLEGED ABSCONDER.

Clutrgcs Against a Solicitor.

With reoard to the clmrges preferred by certain natives 'against. ■Mr Porwood, a ; statement! has ■ 'been received, from theaccn?ecl. , Mr Sydney TuijvhanKaaeked Me "tlhcK&on Palmer," as* solictcor, to write to Wr* For wood' iov, certain papers in"* cpnncctibn >yith' Maori matters. ,<Mi%- 'Palmer did* so, and re ceived a letter of QKplanation this mora ing, in which, after*denying*jnoit .indig nantly.; the charge p^pferrod 'against him, and stating that had Qiily t ju«6 hoard of it, tlunvi'itdjr says t * *~ < * ''Itis" vm.truo that 'I absconded. I lei'b in open day by medical' .order, a first-class passenger in company, with -a numbar of oilier. Auckland; citizens. I stayod. four weeks in the most public place !in 'Sydney (fchp Royar-Hotel),and should have returned ere now to wind up my affaira fully,' but. that v the • res"uTtv<if - iiiy trip hasv not been';'.what"!.'.expected ,as yet,<f and' 1 haye been disappointed in other ways seriously affecting my movements.. Though itis true ;my wife and /.daughter me, j^thstt* Ji's'^iiot, surprisitig, *.'.knq\vjng, as they did, what I had gone through during the previous 12 months,and the ruk toa.man over'CO of a 'relapse,. whichj in fact, has taken place twice. It is untrue that I over had £1,000, or £850, or oven £600 of Maori money to rob, and nothing seems to hay« been said of.money paid ovor by order, and of my being fully authorised to aofc as I have.' It is 1 niy intention, as soon 'as 1 possibly can.do so, to return and rofuta these charges. ... As you know, tho charges;and consequent trouble, .expense and are worse than'anything they lean .!do>and I shall be glid if you; will ro ipreseijt this*, iii' the;, proper quarter,'and ■point out;that;the,charges were,delayed till lit was thbughtl ahbuld nob.bo available-to -refute .them.-^i Td.ur's, etc.,:. R. -;For»wdox), jiApri?;2pthi:iSß7 r h '/A I' ;. ;;> |if'■ ; «

•; ;,Three: Northern' storekeepers —two from and" one"'from Moiigonui-—wer« ■brought before the Mongonui Bench last Tuesday?-week, and were > each fined 20s ancV": costs;: for ./selling ginger,-" wine containing- more 'than fine : specified-legal amount of/-'alcohol. Mr, Pond's anafy sis of "some of the ginger wine showed that it contained as much as 30 per cent, of alcohol. The KM. who heard, the case intimated' that the levienfe penalties wore inflicted as a, {warning; a repe tition of the offence would be visited by the infliction'",of much heavier penal ties. In. ;the "good- old days" at the :.Northern. , Wairoa, . gumdiggers and bushmen went in lartfelyfor this stimu lant, and many a coroners inquest held at Dargaville has been due to the consumption of tn'is " teetotal "beverage, i The Brand of ginger wine in respect of which the recent prosecutions Were taken was " Bernard's " —not alocal production. ■ .. . '■.■■

There are on tho ship America, just arrived from-.London, four. or five six-inch o-uns for the defence of this port,; and. they will be discharged at tho Queen'strceti Wharf probably to-morrow. The guns ari to be mounted at Fort Cautley and Fort Takapuna (StarkVl.'oint), ~,',.

The noon . prayer meeting for business men in the New Zealand Insurance Com pany's Buildings to-day was fairly attended. Mr Lindsay Brown, of Gisborne gave an address on " The Power of the Tongue 'for Good or Evil," and tho Rev. J. S. Hill on " The Power of Trust.""

My. 8. B,iHughes", sen., came down from the Waikato by train -last night, and,on arrival in Auckland was conveyed ito his residence "in Ponsonby. Ho vaa accom modated' with a special invalid's carriage in 'the train, and He speaks gratefully' of the attention ho received from tho railway officials.\ ',; .i, ; ' v;

A warrant lias befen. issued- for tho ai'xest of a man named-.Kent; who for some time bast as been in unauthorised^ occupation of a house in Arawa street, the property of Mr G Staines.. The,charge is-.that of unlaw fully trespassing on the.premises.,;

.A meeting of the. members of the WaiU mata Navals >vas held .last evening, Captain Hitchens piesiding. Sections forlioat prac tice were appointed, and it was notified that two or* three; push drills would beOield a week during,,this moon, and on Satur-, rlav afternoons when possil)le.. : First and second-.class ■ petty// ofijceiß: were ap nointcd, and' a dispute between certain oS-s arid the>. men . was .settled^ by nnitual agreement, and harmony, was thus SS. S°me honorary iand working SS were nominated. One. of the membeis^eu- half-sectio.n formcr-prouu-ea i eshib ited

FIRE AT GREEN MOUNT.

Hr lUshington's Stables Be strdyed.

Aboto 7 o'clcck on Monday evening a firo broke out hi Mr Lushington's stables, ot Green Mount, JSasfc Tamaki. Although a man was on the premises at tho time, still ■ojj was unable to suppress the flames, which totally destroyod the building and most of its contents. Tho stable was the property of Mr Charles H. Lushington.and consisted of eight stalls, a harness room, and other rooms, which were occupied by tho workmen. There was also a loft, in which waa stored chaff and straw and feed-oats. In other parts of the stable tho harness was kept, including two gentlemen's saddles and farming and other Implements. A seb of coach harness and four horsea were saved. The stable was a large building, being 63 x 36, with four teen feeb studa. It W a 3 built of wood and iron, lined with matched boards. Tha firo waa first discovered by a man named Frederick Hanson, who was in the building ab the time the fire (originated. He states that it started in the loft, amongst tha straw. He tried to get up the loft with some water, but was driven back by the fiamea_ Ho then gave tho alarm, and with tho assistance of others succeeded in getting ou6 tho horses, harness and other things. Tho origin of the fire cannot be accounted for, ;as ' the only person in the •loft that day waa a carpenter named Lubher, who had been making some altera tions. Ho was up about 4 p.m., but us he does not smoke he had no firo of any description while in the loft. Tho building was comparatively new, having only been erected a few years ago at a cost of £500. Mr Lushington did not reside on the place, but at MaTmrangi Heads. His manager, Mr Laxon, was also away at Puhekehe at the time of the fire. It is probable thab the origin of tho fire was accidental, as one man states that you could not walk across the floor without striking a match. A native named Murphy was sleep ing iv the building when the fire started. The stables wero insured for £550 in the United Company.

POLICE COURT. THIS DAY.

(Beforo S. Y. Collins, Esq., J.?.)

Dudkk.e>"skss.—Five persons were punished for this offence. One of them, a young man namod Walter Freestone, was fined 20s and coats, ©r in default seven clays' imprison ment.

Lakceny.—John Wilson, alias Clubfoot, a miseiable-looking deformed man, was charged with stealing one chest of tea worth Jt'3 Go Bd, the property of Robert Ue\r.—Ser geant Pratt applied for a remand until to morrow, as the accused hud only been ar rebted that morning.

(Before 8. Y. Collins and W. McCullough,

J üßtices.) Ckoeltt to Animals.—-William Patterson was charged with illusing a horse by work- Ing it while suffering from sore shoulders.—; ■Mr G'Meagher appeared for the defendant, and pleaded Dot guilty.—Mr E. T. Dufaur appeared for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and stated that the proceedings had been taken against Mr Patterson at his own request, so that tho defendant's employee should not be taken from his work. He know Mr Patterson had the reputation of being kind to his horse*. Mr Patterson had informed tho inspector of tho Society that he knew the horse was unfit to be worked, but that it had boon worked by mistake ■ . The plea of nob guilty now placed, tho. Society in the position that, they would be compelled to withdraw tho pre sent ehargo, and proceed against tho driver.—Mr O'Mcagner &aid that though the defendant had admitted that the animal was unfit to be worked he did not admit hi 3 guilt. The horse .with the sore shoulder had beeu put in by the f room in mistake. As Mr Patterson ad such an excellent character for kindness to hi^.horses,he thought the Society should not proceed further. The case was then withdrawn, tho Bench refusing Mr O'Meagher's application for costs. Alleged . False Pretences.—Montague Howes was charged with obtaining £C 10s from James Sinclair, atSwanson. ~ Mr Cotter for the defence. —The evidence disclosed that the accused proceeded to prosecutor's store, and pulled a second of exchange for £10 out of a letter, remarking, " I'm right for the holiday," and handed it over to the prosecutor's brother, who, is since deceased asking him to deduct what he owed £5 and give him the balance, John Sinclair gave him £2 and subsequently an order for £3 and the storeman, King also gave him 5s on account. Mr Goldworty, teller of the Bank of New Zealand, Auckland, proved that he had cashed it "first of exchange," but did not remember the " second of exchange" being presented. Tho defence was that there waa no falso pretence, ;as the accused had not said that "first of exobange" had nob been crushed. Ac cused liad merely shown the " second on that of exchange " to show that he was receiving money from home, and that the money received was merely a loan granted account. The accused and the late John Sineiair had been on very intimate terms.— The Bench said that although there was nob sufficient evidence to warrant them commit ting tho accused for trial, they thought the fncf of his producing the second for ex change bad been misleading and that the money had been given under the impression that the draft was good. The accused would be discharged. The Court adjourned.

ANOTHER AUCKLAND PATENT.

Mr Mackie,- coachbuilder, High-streot, has invented what bids fair to prove a great boon to owners of hooded vehicles. It will be called "Mackie's Patent Simplex.Auto matic, buggy and carriage hood protector and, supporter." This will combine the power of. supporting tho hood, and on account of its arrangement prevent the sides and linings of the hood from being worn through by the friction while ,fehe vehiole is in motion. Tho article itself is very simple. It is made of two pieces of steel 7-8 x 1-8, of varying lengths. These are •laid one on the other,having a hole on either of th« outside ends in order to fife on to the prop bolts. On the inside of each a lug is formed by 'which the two pieces are at tached to each other, and through which they slid* .on a telescope principle. When .the hood, is up the patent is drawn out, the lower part being fixed to the bolt, on the end of the frame of the hood, while the other end is fastened to the prop bolt at the top. • When the hood is lowered, the patent slides together, and it is here that its chief value is manifested. Under the old sys tem, when the hood is lowered the leather sides and linings have been dam aged owing to the pressure and friction' of the hoopsticks. This, is claimed to be entirely obviated by the new patent, which keeps everything farm. Another advantage is that the slide works automatically with the movement of tho hood As the protector and supporter can be fitted to existing buggies at, a small cost, owners of the same should make a point of inspecting this simple yet handy contrivance. Letters patent have been-applipd for by Mr Mackie, and protec tion, is ef gourse already secured.., :um i

SPORTING NEWS.

Major George and Mr W. Adams returned from Sydney last night. Mitrailleuse was nob brought across, but Nelson was to be shipped to Chrißtehureh, via Wellington, by the Wakatipu, which left on Fridaylasfc. Nominations ,for the Great • Nortj^rn Steeplechase close on Friday nexfc • • >

AUCKLAND AS A NAVAL STATION.

*foep«rt.by.&& Geo. Wtoitmorc

(bt telegraph.— own coerespondbnt.)

' " Wellington, this day. a mono the papers laid on the table of tho House wan correspondence relating to the naval defence of the colony, dealing par ticularly with the combined action of the colonies in the event of war. The Govern ment were distinctly of opinion that the Australasian fleet; was insufficient, and should bo strengthened.'■■ Sir G. Whitmore, in a memo, to the Defence Minister, strongly favoured tho selection of Auckland as a coaling station for Her Majesty's fleet. Its value as such, he points out; is greatly en hanced by tho fact thab of all harbours it is tho one most strongly defended.- Ib has also the coal harbour of Russell at no great distance, where Her Majesty's vessels can procure coal cheaply and the freight would bo small. Moreover, Auckland has a dock large enough to repair antf'refit men-of-war visiting Australia, and its situation as re gards tho Pacific is more convenient than' that of any of tho colonies. The climate favours a sanatorium for sailors whom tho groat henfc of Australia or the Pacific lias affected, and already there are foundries and machine-makers capable of undertak ing any repairs that might be required. Wellington is also an excellent-and well defended harbour, with many of the-advan tages, of Auckland, but not possessing a dock like tho Calliope or a-safe coaling-place where coal can be obtained at a price cheap ened by the absence of freight.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS

AVO&ftAli: SCHOOL COM-

The annual meeting of householders) for the election of a District School Committee was held in the school-room on Monday last, 25th inst. Thoro was a fair attendance of householders present, Mr John Bollard was voted to the chair. The Chairman read the rejwrt of tho outgoing Committee, which expressed greab satisfaction with educational mafctera generally in this rapidly rising district, the report showing that the number of pupils has increased threo hundred per cent, during the lust four years, and that the lasfe Standard examination has proved that tho staff of teachors are performing their duties in an efficient and satisfactory manner. Thero is a sum of £12 Is lid in hand to wards tho establishment of a school library, and the accounts show a credit balance, in bank amounting to £9 0s 4d in favour of tho school fund. The following geutlomcn were elected a committee for thoourron.t year, viz., Messrs John Bollard, Henry Peck, "VVm. Ingram,; Thos. E. Griep, P. R. Carfchew, Jamea Bennett, and James Murdoch. A vote of thanks to tho outgoing committee ant! to the Board of Education for their promptitude in en larging tho school buildings brought the meeting to a close. The new committee immediately after the meeting mot and appointed Mr John Bollard Chairman, and Mr Henry Peck ? clerk and trga.sjijrjr. .

Rowdy Proceedings at Port Chalmers.

(BY TELEORAI'H,— OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

DuNEDrN, this day. Considerable activity educationally was manifested in tho various centres of this district yesterday. At Port Chalmers, where there has been a systematic gathering of the forces . going on for »everal weeks, < unusual, excite ment was displayed, and long before the commencement of proceedings the Foresters' Hnll was crowded to tho very doors. Over 600 persons were present, and I many came a. great distance, despite the rain. Bible reading In schools was the battle ground, arid' tho local branch put forward a, " tick»t" of four. The proceed ings were not only very noisy, but at times absolute confusion reigned, ib being im possible to hear what was going on, while occasionally the exchange of compliments was very brisk. Mr Downes, tho Chair man of the retiring Committee, denied that they had stopped the Bible-classes, and showed that there had been Bent to each clergyman distinctreeolution author ising holding classes from 9 to .9.30 no reply received, but he had been denounced in tho'hearing of his own children as worse than tyrannical. Complaint was made, but without effect, that members in meeting had no right to be there, a member of the Com mittee having asserted that the clergy caused all the discussion, and was saluted with, " You are an insulting blackguard, and a miserable hound," by one of the speakers. One of the Bible-in-schools party declared if returned ho would strongly support religious teaching twice weekly from 9.30 to 10, and he was held a disgrace to his country. Rev.- Ryley vainly en doavoured to obtain a hearing, but so great was tho uproar that he had to retire. The Bible school party obtained 224 plumpers, 88 voters gave theirhighestcandidate 504 votes, 75 voters gave next 462, 71 voters gave 416,.71 gave 305, whilo'^bfc' pld^committee average 107 voters, the" highest number being 895, and the lowest 236 in two, city districts. Pointed attention was called to the number of vagrant children in the streets. ; ::.

DEAD BODY FOUND AT HOBSONVILLE.

Information was received by the water police this afternoon that, the dead body of a man had been found on the beach at Hobson- Tille, between £auri Point and Lucas's Creek. Tho police boat left for tne apot indicated about 2.30 p.m., in order to convoy the body to the morgue. The Italian who was missing from Birkonhead " having turned ;up all right, the body found is supposed to be that of Donald Grant who mys teriously disappeared from tho Old Men's Refune aboufe a fortnight ago, and has not since been seen alive. '

When will drivers learn the folly of overtasking horses? This after noon one of Butcher . and Co'« wag gons, drawn by a ainglo horse, and laden with a ton and a half of kauri gum in fifteen stout coses, came to a sudden pause in Shortland-Btreet. Opposite the Star office the horse slipped and fell down with the off shaft upon its hind leg. With some difficulty it was exiica,tcd. Then another horse and cart had to be sent for and the two men were laboiiouely engaged-for 'half-an-hour in shifting the cases from, one conveyance, fc^tty^Qtrhe^ yi',s\ sfe -0' ,

DISTRICT COURT.

«*--— , YESTERDAY. ■; --c, Before His Honor Judge Smith, and a jury of four.)

F. B. HuGHia v. X 0. Clark.—Claim, £90, for loss and damage sustained by the plaintiff by reason of defendant's breach of contract made by the plaintiff, who hired him as a sorytihi The flefßnce was that de fendant did not wrongfully discharge the plaintiff, and that the defendant was justified m what he did, because the plan tiff communicated to ' one Thomas Melville certain affairs connected with the defendant's business without his authority, with the Intention of getting a connection with tho Mahurangl Cement Company.—Mr Napier appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Rigby for the defendant, and the following evidence was heard yes terday }-*• ■ ■ i, F. B. Hughes, the plaintiff, deposed that the defendant was a brick and tile manu facturer in Ctt3toms-Btreet. In September, 1886, witness had been engaged by the de fendant as manager, afe ■£$ per week. On January Slsfe the defendant accused wit ness of "selling him" by trying to make him take the cement yard, plaintiff gotting £5 for doing so. Melville had informed the defendant nnd his son, that ho (witness) had offered to " grease the wheels" for £5. This wasutterlyuntrue. By Mr Rigby : Pound Mr Melville a tenant before the Oth of September. Introduced Mr Clark to' Mr Melville before he entered the former's service. Had intended to have sued Mr Melville for the £5 due to him for getting Clark to take the yard. Melville never denied owing witness the £5. Nothing was said during tho con versation in January about witness receiving money for obtaining an agent for selling Molville'i cement. Did aay to Mel ville that there were other yards than his in Cuatoms-sbroeb that would be good for tho business. Did nob say that he (wit ness) would havo a good deal to say in tho matter of the yard being taken. Bid not apeak to Mr Mel ville on tho day of tho conversation with Mr Clark's authority. Did not report to the latter that he had spoken to Mr Mel ville ; ho considered i<> only a private and personal, matter. Could not swear that it was more than three days after this that ho took Mr Clark over to see Mr Melville. Thos. Melville, accountant, High-street, was examined for feh« defence, and-deposed that he had been negotiating^ with Clark for the yard belonging to the Mahurangi Cement Co. He mot Hughea in January, who told him that ha had Woods' yardfor disposal, and it was a larger and better one than that of the Cement Co. Witness told Clark of this interview. After this witness had been examined, th« Court adjourned till to-day.

On tho Court resuming at ten o'clock this morning, the defendant, R. 0. Clark, junr., was pufc in tho witness-box. He deposed that in January last ho was contemplating the taking of a yard in Customs-street for the purposes of his business. Two places being under offer (viz., Christopher Wood's and the Warkworth Cement Companies), he consulted plaintiff, who was then in his ser vice, on the matter. He also went to Melville aboub the yard of tho Warkworth Cement Company. After also consulting his father at Hobsonville ho returned to town and told Hughes that tie had been in formed by Melville that the settling of the yard affairl&y muchinhis (Hughes's) hands, arid that it only wanted £5 to set the matter right. Hughe* replied that Mel ville mnab hay* misunderstood him, as it was " an old £5 affair" that he had been asking him about. After a two hours conversation they both went to Melville, and nofc finding him at his office they returned and found him the next day.. Witness «aid, "Now, Mr Melville, w« have come about this bribe business. Mr Hughes lays that you are mistaken — that iff -pji old affair, and I want tho thinjj faced .out." Hughes said, " You musk have misunderstood me, Mr Melville. Ib was an old affair I was asking you about." Melville replied, "No, Mr Hughes, you can'b get out of it that way. You undoubtedly asked me for £5." After some further conversation witness saw a Mi- Gray, who had been in Mr Melville's office when Hughea was there, and after consulta tion with nil'father, disoharged the defend ant. He ultimately took Wood's yard. —Cross-examined by Mr Napier: De fondant had strongly recommended him to tak« Wood's yard. Ho purchased Wood's buslne«» along with the yard, and took orer Wood's manager, whoso knowledge of i Wood's customers would of course be advantageous Ito wit ness's business.—R. O. Clark, sen. (father of tho defendant*) corroborated his ion's testi mony. ■ i -. !

This closed the defendant's case, and Mr Rlgby then addressed the jury for the defence. . , •• ■■~ -

At 2.15 p.m. Mr Napier began his address in aupport of plaintiff^ case.l , " ;/!T

(Left Bitting.)

Mow a Spider Changes its Clothes.

When a spider is preparing to molt it stops eating for •eroral days, and fastens itself by a short line of web to one of the main lines of its snar«, which holds it firmly while it proceeds to undress. The skin cracks all round tho thorax, and is held only by the front edge. Next the abdomen is uncovered. Now "comes the struggle to free the logs ; it works and kicks vigour ously, and seems to have very hard work. But continued perseverance of about fifteen minuto* brings it out of its old dress ; and it seems almost lifeleEs, ajid is limp and helpless for several minutes. But it gradually comes to life, and seems brighter and prettier than before. . To young people, and even the little children, it is an operation of extreme interest. A little fellow watched the molting of a nearly full-grown pet ipider, and ran to his mother, saying, " Mamma, my spider un dregsed and hung his clothes on a line."

A MARVELLOUS ESCAPE.

A Would-be Suicide's Adventure.

A Jump of 60 Feet and Uninjured

Recently in London William Smeatpn, 59, deecribed as a plumber, was charged with attempting to commife suicide. Police constable Yon Berg deposed that ho iraa informed that a man was about to throw himself from the parapet of the Crown Tavern, in Heddon-etreet, Regent-Btreet. He ran up the roof, when the pi'ißoner rushed by him.,, climbed overthe parapet, and after holding on with his hands for a few seconds, dropped to the ground, a dis tance of sixty feet. In th« course of his fall he passed through a skylight and a wooden pju-fcition, audeventually "landed" ia a I'ub in the basement used for cleaning the pots. Witness ran down the 6tairs,and founc?. tho man in a sitting posture, and apparently bub little the worse for his fall. |

A Centenarian, and the Mother of Twenty-four.

Mrs James ' Wuitelet, of Wilde-street, Holderness-row, Hull, England, on March (ith completed the hundredth year of her age. She has for some time past been in the receipt of outdoor relief from- the Sculcoatcs Union. The only affliction from which she suffers is a dimness of vision. Mrs Whiteley has been the mother, of twenty-four shildren. .. ( '~'.

[ A meeting of members of the Auckland . Football Club will bo held at the Fire Brigade Station to-night, at 7.30, Business of importance ■vviir be diBCUSB«d,-J. McDennott, Secretary

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

(BY rELEGRAriI.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

,'i '• Wellington, thisday, Reforming the tords..

Tub Bill for the reform of the Legislative Council mainly provides for limiting the term of appointment) of new members. The term is not yet> determined, but it will probably be for seven years. :, ~ :r 5

■ . The itcpt^ileMafton Bill. , The Premier will positively introduce the Representation Bill to-day. It is framed on a population basia with allowances in favour or sparsely populated districts, but no distinction is made between town and country quota of population, and the number of members is left blank. The West Coast members are determined to stonewall the measure.

Eetfrfciicliment

I am assured that the Government have effected considerable retrenchment in': general expenditure. Many members, will not. bo- content with . anything : bufc. thorough retrenchment, and will insist on: considerable reductions in the Civil Ser-.; vice! Southland representative fs going; in bald-headed for this matter,, and says j when the proper time arrives he is prepared" to show how a saving of' £200,000 can be, effected. . 7 ; '

MT&ETING OP THE OPPOSITION. s)

. The first meeting of the Opposition to day was considered a strong one. Reticence is: displayed as to what transpired, bufc I learn that there were sixteen members present. No definite resolutions were arrived at relative to immediate action, but ib was understood that the tactics of the party, should be to wait and not afford instruction

°n their position to the Government, whom ; they believed to bo themselves at sea. Mr "\ Hurst and Mr. G. \F. . Richardson were appointed " Whips." '•/..,, j .-..,' "'

THE MEMBERS FOB CITY NORTH.

Mr Thompson arrived late last night from Auckland., He missed his passage in the Hinemoa and came on by the Gairloch. He was on the war path to-day; relative to tho new Customs buildings: •

COAL FKOM BOMBAY.

Mr Hobbs brought .down a stock of | coal from the new find at Bombay, and ' has taken it to Dr. Hector for his report. It will be subsequently taken to a blacksmith to ascertain its welding powers. Mr Hobbs considers that the find is likely to prove a valuable one. PROBATION OF A VOGEL-ATKIN-

SON COALITION,

Amongst the numerous political rumours in cnrrency is one that Sir J. Yogel has openly hinted to prominent oppositionists, that he has an inclination to change sides. I.do,not credit the report myself, bub I send it because of the wide currency ib has obtained. - •■>.,, ■

AUCKLAND PETITIONS. " ; Mr Buckland presented a petition to day from John j Short, Mangare, relativa to a/ land grant, and Mr Thompson another from J. P.' C- Soall respecting the vexed qnCstion of black and white targets.

THE HALL CASE.

Mr Turnbull intends to bring the whole matter 6f the Hall trial before the House. He says there has been a great miscarriage oi justice in the case, and that ' the feeling created from end to end of the colony is that there is one law for the rich and another for the poor. He also thinks the Government were remiss in their duty. A lively debate is expected on this subject.

ONEHtJNGA BILLS

Sir Maurice O'Rorke gives notice to morrow, of two Bills of importance to One hunga. The first authorises the springs known as Bycroft's being exclusively reserved to supply the town of Onehunga with water. The other is intended; to convert 10 acres of the cemetery reserve into an addition to the recreation ground, and to enable the Borough Council to purchase land outside the Borough cemetery. Half the rent of the enlarged recreation ground is proposed to be divided to paying interesb on the purchase money, which must not ex ceed £1,000. , :

FKIENDLY SOCIETIES AMENDMENT,

Mr Downie Stewart to-day,,,introduced the Friendly Societies Amendment Bill, the object of which is to conform with the English Act as to the amount which can be paid: to.a member or his family' by way of annuity. ' ■ ,: -■ .

THE SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS, i

Mr Monk has presented a petition' from Messrs Henderson and Spraggon praying for compensation for' the loss of the well known cutter Sovereign of the seas; and '> from Margoret Johnston, asking compenta tiori for a road through her land.

The Late Suicide in Gaol.

Napier,-' this day,

With reference to, the 'recent'1 case of a lunatic prisoner battering put his brains in , Napier Gaol, Capt. Preece Rell, has reported /. to the Minister of Justice that there are not ' sufficient wardersintliegaol to tahe charge of ; lunatic prisoners. Themedical officer reports [that if the gaoler had been properly in- j formed as to prisoner's mental condition ho would have been placed in a padded cell in '. the old lunatic asylum which is part of the : gaol buildings.

Breams Fulfilled.

Some sensation has been caused by a young , ■woman, the married daughter .of a widow I at Keady,. county Armagh, having dreams | or visions of events about to happen. She i dreamed that her brother was stabbed, and<£ immediately started for her mother's house, arriving there just in time,to receive her" brother, who staggered into the house and' faintedin her arins,.having been stabbed' in a quarrel preoisely as she had dreamed. '< It is also stated that some months ago she saw in a vision her father lying dead, and afterwards told him he was going to die. Her father laughed at her, but five,days afterwards he died. : ■;

The glove contest at the Agricultural Hall to-night will come off under every con dition favourable to fair play. The referee and timekeeper are to be chosen' from the audience,' and will doubtless prove im partial. Mr Rl Matthews,' the well-known boxer, will second Taylor| and act as " picker-up " to him.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &c, To-night,

New Art Gallery—Auckland Socieiy of Arts, IV! noon to' 10 p.m. Choral Hall—Addresses by the Rev. J, A. arid llrs Dowie, T. 30. . ■..:,;. •:,. Apricultural.Hull —Glove Fight between C. Taylor and W. Murphy,"B." : Onchunga Drill-shed - Onehunga Kaval Artil i lory, 7.3 U. :.-,/. .■ . ..■ ,■ ■ V.M.C.A. Rooms — Farewell Gathering to :the Hon. G. Waldegrave, 7.20. -

Rota of Justices at Police Court.

April 28—Messrs S. Rochfort and T. H. Bniitb.

Auction Sales To-morrow,

A. Buckland.Hayinarket—Horses.Buggics, etc., G. Lewis—Buggy Harness; ctc;,'i> •' ■''"■''-' '<•■'■ Arthur & Buddie-Drapery, Clothing,' Sewing Machines, etc., li: ~,,.; ; , E. Leydon r Beresford-street— Household Furni. ture andEiFeets/IJ. . G. Sibbiu. Victoria Arcade-Sewing' Machines. Tools, Gtc.iU< ;...;;"' ■;• v.« { ~.■,• f •■

"'.fHE^. AUCEMlp'^gl^G; g TAR> . WEDNESDAY^-AFRHP 27/- 188 C;

5