RANDOM SHOTS.

[BY ZAMIEL.] dome write, a neighbour's name to lash. Some write—vain thoughta-for needful cash, Some write to please the country clash, And raiso a din. Por mo an aim I never fash— . 1 wi'ito for fun. SO the elections, I understand, aro to take place under the new Representation Bill, in spite of the machinations of the anti-Auck land crew, who would have liked to have " euchred" us out of two members. This is a proof of the waning infiuonce of Vogelism, ancl the ascendancy of the star of Stout-r-a hopeful augury for the result _of tho approaching elections. The Commissioners will soon be busily engaged in mapping out districts under the new Representation Act, and in the process some electorates will have, to bo wiped out of ■_ existence. Tlio Commissioners will have a difficult task 'to perform, and in order to help them to some sorb-of principle to guide them I offer tho following suggestions, with apologies to " The Mikado ;' —

IVE GOT A LITTLE LIST.

As occasion may ariSo for some members to be sacked, ..,_., i ~,:,. I have mado a little list, T havo made a littlo Of men who very well can bo done without; in fact, . " , Who never would he missed-no, they never would be missed! . There's Dargavilio, the darling; how tho ladies c love his ways '_~-_ When in summer tennis-court bo gracefully he He tur_s y_is coat as deftly as a wizard turns his wriuti .. He never would be nuss.d—no, he never would be missed! • '• Poof Tole t" Politically dead, will find his Edon : Yet toll no'bell, with funeral knell, 'tis "justico" that is dono ! „,,__•, Since ho linked himself with Vogel, ho has had an awkward twist— Ho never would bo missed—no, ho never would be missed! There's tho hone.* politician with the patriotic soul Who is after roads and bridges for somo pbkoy country hole— , Who always has some grievance or petition m his fist; , n He never would bo missed—no, he novor would. be missed. And the strong-lunged blatant demagogue who talks of rights of man And pratos about retrenchment, while lies grabbing all ho can ; The District Railway "jobber," I havo got him on tho list,—' ~ He never would bo rais3ed-no, he never would be missed! >But there's ono aboro all othors that wo woll might do without— "Tho greai financial wizard-I have got him on i tho list; . - . . ' /He may leavo us, if ho'll promise not to rob ub ? of ohr Stout— . He never would be missed—l'm suro he d not do missed!

That little excursion of mine into tho eacrod precincts of tho new Municipal Buildings has called forth quite a batch of correspondence. Tho Town Clerk again writes explaining that tho hours of tho cleaner employed at the Free Library aro 32 hours per week instead of 108, as 1 had calculated from the statements of his pre vious letter. He also stales that tho wages of the watchman aro £2 per week, and not „1, as printed last week. The latter was „ printer's error, but the former aroso through Mr Philips omitting to distinguish .between a.m. and p.m. Another communi cation, not in quite so courteous a strain as that of the Town Clerk, is from somo anonymous individual signing himself (or herself, for the letter is in lady's hand) f l The Pampered Menial." This correspon •dentwith some show of virtuous indigna tion, protests against my "interfering with a poor man striving hard to get an existence." ' It is hard to please somo people !

Here am I fighting the battle of poorly paid officials and doing my best to get their hours, of labour reduced, and yet all my thanks is an intimation that' if they want advice at any time they will "call personally" (where?) and this further information:—"Both my wife and »I are satisfied at. present with our occupa tion. If you wish to act as a philanthropist you will find plenty of high-spirited men of .education, ability ancl refinement who will ;noi; think it too humiliating to accept ai berth similar te mine." Verily, the road to •perdition is paved with, good intentions, .and my .desire to benefit my fellows has apparently only served to give me a lift along that downhill grade. J suppose the lesson I ought to lay to heart is to mind my own business in future, and let other folks' severely alone.

A rather good story is told of one of our mo.t prominent mining speculators.' Arriv ; ing at his hotel rather late in the morning, lie was told by the waitress that the bill of fare' was " Off," but that she could still get nimsome breakfast. The man of scrip was evidently preoccupied with some big trans action •" on 'Change," for he lapsed into : a reverie and finally asked absently what i be' could bo supplied with. "Sausages," i sweetly murmured tho patient maid, ; .whereupon the stockbroker suddenly threw j off his abstraction,-, sat up in his chair '.with' an eager look, caught hold of the ! newspaper with a resolute air, and ex claimed, " Then I'll take seven hundred and fifty at eighteenpence." The aston ished Hebe, fearing that she had been mis understood, repeated her deliverance, upon -which our .speculator, looking up from his paper and noticing her embarrassment, , added, " Well, I don't mind springing an other threepence." The girl dropped to the. situation, brought a plate of sausages, wilier less in quantity than what was asked, and the scripmonger discussed his break ..fast in ignorance of his extravagant order.

A Wellington dignitary is credited with saying that the Jubilee celebration is " un mitigated humbug, and a perfect farce." T agree with the " humbug," but am not so sure about the "farce" part of the business, as I have not yet reached that point of idiotcy when tho • squandering of jmohey on fireworks and other useless ob jects appears to be irresistibly funny. One tof the mosb objectionable forms taken by :the '.humbug" is the barefaced cadging ;ior subscriptions to the Imperial Institute. jTidrd: Tennyson had apparently been " com tmanded" forgive the,lnstitute a lift in fjbis Jubilee Ode,, which he does in the i the lamerifc stanza in an excep tionally, lame production . .. ". You, the Patriot Architect, Shape a stately memorial, ;/; • Make it rsgally gorgeous. I. Some Imperial Institute, -.. i Rich in symbol, in ornament. .Which may speak to the centuries, J .All the.centuries after us, Of this year of her Jubilee. Poor Tennyson ! No wonder he Wishes te lay down his laurel wreath: arid resign to some other " poet " the annual butt of wine which he draws as his salary 1 Brit the .>' humbug " has gone further. Not only has the wretchedly paid Tommy Atkins, of the British Army, been canvassed for :dotiatioris to the "regally gorgeous " affair, Ibufi the Volimteers of New Zealand have ;tieen cadged. The , officers commanding [the Volunteers have received copies of a 'circular' from Sir George Whiteinore, urging j the Volunteers to contribute to the Institute y_undr arid, "stating that tho contributions j'Bhduld be one shilling per private, half-a- Lcrowh'per ribfi-colhriiissioned officer, arid ffive shillings for every gentleman who holds SHer Majesty's Commission. I suppose the ;lnstitute will be built; but the method of J raising the money savours more of a despotic iand barbarous people than the loyal, happy ! and contented British nation.

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES.

Juno 21.-onehunga Winter Meeting-Nomina tions, June 3; weights, about June 1); ac ceptances and general entries, June 17. June 21-Hawke's Bay Steeplechase Meetings- Entries. May 17 : general entries. Juno M. Juno 28-Nanier Park Winter.-Nominauons, May 20 and June 14; acceptances June 23. j u lv og _ Grand National Streplecna.se— Entries. Juno 23; woights, July 5; accept ances, July 18.

TURF GOSSIP.

[By HirroNA.]

Many Auckland turfites wero expecting to sco tho weights for the next New Zea-' land Cup telegraphed from Christchureh during the week, but tho cause of their not appearing is due to the Canterbury Jockey Club seeing fit to delay tho issuing of the' handicap till the Ist of July. Tlio an nouncement that tho weights would not appear till tho date montionod Was mado in these columns soriie three of four weelcß

Nominations for the Melbourne Cup and theotherbig handicapsto befoughfcoutoh tho Australian turf next season closo on Mon day next. Tho entries tor a number of young races are also duo.

The sudden death of Mr A. Snider at Dunedin will cause quite a shock to' racing men throughout the colony. He has been ono of the leading figures of tho New Zea land turf for a number of years, and dur ing that timo he has eithor owned or, been interested in some of our best horses, including Lo Loup, Templeton, and Dane bury. Like many others who follow the turf asaprofession.deceasedhad his share of trouble, but it can honestly bo said of him that a truer or hotter hearted friend it would be hard to find. On Saturday evening last, Mr M. Gallager, on behalf of tho Auckland ring, forwarded a telegram of condolence to Mrs Snider*

Messrs Hunter and Isolan submit, to auction on Monday next tho five yearlings purchased by Mr W. Adams' at tho Now Zealand Stud Company's sale in January last. They comprise a black colt, by Musket, out of Lady Ravonsworth, chesnut colt by Leolinus, out of Lovebird, clie3nut filly, by Leolinus, out of Miss Laura, brown colt, by Piscator, out of Patch, and a brown colt, by Cap-a-pie, out of Jenny Lind. The salo takes placo at Sylvia Park.

I learn from Melbourne that Clarence, the erstwhile Now ZeaLnnd cross-country hero, has been presented byMrD. Fountain to a brother metallician named Mr S Quin wood, and that he will only be used as a hack in future. Sinco Clarence has been in Australia he never won a single race, but his rocord up to the time he left theso shores shows that out of 92 races that he started in, ho annexed 41. Tlio amount ho won hi stakes tot up to L 3,887.

In connection with the present English racing season, tho New Zealand Stud Com pany will bo pleased to hear that Fullorton, who won the Crawford Plato ancl Babraham Plate at the Newrnurket Craven Meeting,.is a grandson of Musket, he being by Touchct from Caroline, by Musket; while Anarch, who appropriated tbeFitzwilliam Stakos, is out of Red Rag, a full sister to Rosette.

Melbourne papers state that Mr John Stephenson, the well-known racing man of Dunedin, lias purchased from Mr John Field, of Calstock, Tasmania, a cOuplo of yearling colts got by Lapjdist .out of Tho Pet and The West. Tho colts are closely related, as The Pet is by St. Albans out of The West, who is by Cothei.torie out of Prima Donna, by Boiardo out of Farmer's Daughter, by Jersey out of Black Sal; by Wanderer out of imported Fairy.

Master John, who was heavily backed for the Inst Newmarket Handicap, created a surprise at the Queen's Birthday Meeting of tho Melbourne Hunt Club by annexing the principal event of the day in the com monest of cantors from a good held. The colt is owned by Mr J. Thompson, tho Leviathan pencillcr, who was so disap pointed with his running on the previous week that lib let him start without the in vestment of a coin ; in fact, so little did he think of Master John's chance that, ho laid Mrs John Leek, wife of the trainer, a hundred pounds to a shilling against his winning. Such is tho uncertainty .of racing. • • . v

Willeroo's victory in the Queen's Birth day Handicap at Raridwick was. just as great a surprise. Tlio ancient Sbn of Zetland and Rosebud had not been out of the Stable for some " days; and the fact that he never arrived ori tho course at nil was dite to Kelso's head man, Earnsliaw. On the morning of tiie race he was bathing the old horse's leg with some warm water when . lie lifted up his foot sharply andpushed.it. The shoe caught Earnshaw on the bridge of the nose, and made ti very ugly wound." Had he kicked in earnest he must have smashed ' his face in. After the rrice Will .too waS very bad, and on the Wednesday could not move ; in fact, stopped in one position for" many hours after entering hie box. Mr Kelso did not win a penny oh him.. But a backer of the double who landed a " thou." handed him a century. Strange ■to say, this lucky backer also spotted the double— Mackay and All Gold—last year, r r

The following are tho weights for tho Hawke's Bay Steeplechase :—•

St. lb. , " . st. lb. Belle 11 12 Kangaroo '.:.' 10 3 Denbigh ...11 9 Romeo ... 10 0 Orient ...11 7 Mangaohano... 9 12 Peter Osbeck 11 5 Waitangi ... 910 Silvio... ...11 2 Torpedo ... 9 10 Volcano ' ... 11 2 Huntsman ... 9 8 Owhaoko ... 10 10 The Jilt ... 9 7 Victor .:. 10 9 Revenge . ... 9 5 Oniata ... 10 9 Wat Tyler ... 9 "5 Erebus ... 10 7 Reform ... 9 5

According to one of tho leading Sydney journals Mitrailleuse's price at the post for the Royal Stakes was 100 to 4. The favourite of many Weeks, Plutarch, re mained firm at the top of the' tree right up to the fall of the flag at 5 to 1, but the consistently-supported Centaur (who won) was little if arty less fancied at 100 to 17. Plutarch never orice showed near the front, and after Paladin had made all the running to tho distance he gave way to his stable companion Mitrailleuse. At this juncture Centaur came out and eventually wori with a trifle in hand by a short neck, the Felon, who was thirdy being only half a length awoy, and Yetman fourth.'

From Southern papers to,.hand I glean that there was trouble over Marion's run ning at the Dunedin, Jockey Club Whiter Meeting. On the first day it appears that in ' the Provincial Handicap she , did not run sufficiently .forward., to please some people, while on the second day the daughter of Maribyrnong annexed the Birthday Handicap. After the last-named race, a protest was lodged by Mr Goodfnah against Marion receiving the stakes, on the ground ot dark running oh the previous. day. After taking evidence the following' resolution was arrived at by the stewards:—" That in so far ak the stakes fOr the Birthday Handicap are con cerned the protest be dismissed, but that tiie ridei (Jackson) of Marion .in the Pro vincial Handicap be cli_qxtalifi_ct until t)e cember 31st, 1887, for'suspicions riding^ and that the owner be exonerated' frbrii toy connection with the sable." It ihay ,be mentioned that Apropos, pwtteiP b§ 'Mr Gobdihari, rdti- ise.orid"to MtttW'ih ;the' Birthday Handicap.

In the last issue of the "Canterbury Times" to hand, thoir Melbourne corres pondent supplies the following 'information respecting Mr E. Mitchelson's V.X.C. Derby candidates that aro in training at Flemington ':—'-' Mr W. E. Dakm has been sending Tranter nice preparatory work, the son of Pungawerewere looking and going in first-class style. Escutseheoh is the most forward of the Hon. E. Mitchelson's colts, but Mana is just a trifle backwards. Whakawai does his exercise like a thorough tradesman, and not a few of tho touts at Flemington presage that the big black son of LurlmO's sister will prove the best of the quartette named. < Be that -as it may, I am of opinion that Tranter will not only assert his superiority over his countrymen, but .that when the whips begin to crack in the :V.lt.C: Derby, the Son of Musket and Pun gawerewcre will be found one of tho hardest to shako off at the finish. Being a regular attendant on the training ground, I have hud ample opportunity of witnessing the manner iri which the colt has done his work, and tho most exacting trainer—Mr Dakm included — could not wisli for a better youngster ito have for a Derby candidate, -ranter,: as a two-year-old, was as big, if riot larger, in every' way than a threo-yoar . old,-and for that reason his trainer was not over-anxious to wind him up to concert pitch, the'consequence being that the colt is as'yet comparatively untried, albeit I saw him ono morning at tho b'aok end of the spring run a remarkably fast five fur longs."

The causo: of Exchange's name not figuring in, the acceptances for tho A.R.C. Winter Meeting was duo to tho fact of the horse liaving ricked his neck. Ho was being schooled at a stone wall at Mr J. Lorinard's when ho met with the mis-

hap. ,

Commenting on the annual report put before the members of tho Canterbury Jockey Club and tho non-success of their Midsummer MOeting, " Scnox " has the following :— The C..1.C. should not run in antagonism with tho Auckland Racing Club's Summor Meeting, for to that club belongs, at that time of year, the'right, by tlio amount of its stake's and its prestige, of all tho best class horses in "New Zea land . and by offering large stakes the C.J.G. rim in antagonism to that club ; but thero dro a number of medium and second horses left hero at that timo who are' not worth the prico of the northern voyage when such good company is to the fore,°which aro worth considering by the C.J.C., so far as medium and second class stakes are concerned. If the C.J.C. cut down their stakes in proportion to the class of horses thoy had to cater for, thoy might find their midsummer mooting a financial success, and a boon to thoso horso-owncrs whose cattle cannot be ranked amongst tho upper ten of tho equine i world.

Speaking of tho running of Mitrailleuse in tho Royal Stakes at Randwick, "Vigi lant" thus unburdens himsolf:—Centaur, who, after all, turned out to bo tho Simon Puro of the Long firm, was ridden by Gdrry in the Royal Stakes, and beat tho best mare in Australia over her favourite distance". By tho .Drummer out of Clio, Centaur will be worth watchingfor any race forwhich the astute party behind him may care to back him. Mitrailleuse, the Maori marc, who ran second, has moro than confirmed the lu'n-h opinion which I hold of her. and which 1 have expressed very pointedly in these columns. After a series of wretched displays in second class company she has ab last come out of her shell and run a ronlly brilliant race, only, to get beaten on tho post by something just a trifle better at tho weights. What a waste of patience and plot! The mm"o might havo won any of tho races in which she has been beaten, but sho " wasn't well," or hor party were out of sorts. Thoy preferred to go.for a big thing, and they didn't quite got homo. They havo, more over, shown their hand, and will have te wait a long while ere thoy find a hahdi capper sufficiently gullible to let her in a short distance raco at anything under Bst. 101b. I sec, by tho way, that Mr Scan- has vory sonsibly given her 9st: in tho Sydney Turf Club Plying Stakes.

The new rooms of the Victoria Club in Melbourne, now complete, havo been fur nished oil a most elaborate scale, and it is said that members have new at their dis posal a suite of apartments at least equal in comfort, luxury,and convenience to any similar jnstifcutibn iri the world. Tho club rodiii is a 'splendid" 'apartment, fitted with lounges of costly description, settling tables, and innumerable improvements based upon tho latest English innovations. Through out the billiard room, cardrooms"and other apartments the same evidence of lavish expenditure. is noticeable, tho whole sur roundings boingso luxurious that even losers will feel the sting of "parting" to somo extent alleviated by the pleasurable circum stances under which that unpleasant busi ness may now bo transacted. ". ,',..

Writes our London correspondent:—Ono of thoso little surprises which make the turf such a pleasant browsing' ground for book-makers signalised the last race at Kempton Park on Bank Holiday. There were only two starters—Mr Starkoy's well known "sprinter" Modiste (ridden by George Barrett) and an untried, privately trained three - year - old called Ripa, on whom a., stable-boy named Hobday had his first leg-up. Tho ring asked backers of Modiste for odds.varying from 4 to 5 to 1, but so good a thing did it look for the mare that ,tbo price was freely, laid. Mr Sfcarkey managed to get on about 1.5,000 to LI.OOO altogether, and many of his friends also plunged rather wildly. Their feelings may bo conceived Whon tho outsider, after making all the running, won in a canter by a couplo of lengths. Need I say the ring yelled till they wore hoarse ?— A fearsome legend, is current just now in the villages surrounding Newmarket Heath. Every night at twelve (so the story goes), the ghost of poor Fred. Archer, Wearing the man ton scarlet (in which ho lost tho Cambridgeshire), rides frantically across the Heath, mounted on a grey thoroughbred. Hundreds.profess to have seen the spectre, and any scepticism on tlio poitit is very ill received.- '(j : :,. . ■■-,', ':: >-~, _ri.i : '

Writes "Augur" ,:—"Strolling through the Runddora paddocks a few days ago, I saw old Lui'lirie and her colt by Suwarrow. In colour the youngster throws back to Traducer, for he is a dark brown, arid his white face is almost the counterpart of his mother's,, while, he has a : whito forefoot, like Darebin, te whom he bears more resem blance than any other foal the old jnaf'e has given us. Tho colt has all the symmetry of is sire, and the size of his dam, ancl in order that he,may have the benefit of the latter's milk as long as possible, Mr Gar diner did not send LUrline to the horse last season. Topaz, clam of Turquoise, also has a splendid 'filly foal by Suwarrow, and ,if these two youngsters have ordinary luck tho grey, son of old Snowden will probably be'heard of as the sire Of a great racehorse!

The Prophet, who won the Sydney Cup in 1872.-recently died On board the steamer Egmont, while on his way to CanObie station, Normantori, Queensland. The Prophet, Who was by New Warrior out of Pauline,' was bred by Mr C. Reynolds, of Tocal, in 1868. The death of another New South :Wales-brod horse is also an nounced from 'Queensland, viz., The Rake, who' was bred by Mr John Lee, in 1864, and got by Kingston from "Vixen, conse quently full- brother -t6: Canieo, who has given us Plutarch. v< i•- 0i " ■gnlia

The,"Sporting Life "has the following : —•'• Hoggin,', the Califor'nian. '.millionaire, Who is rapidly obtaining tiie most extensive stable in the world, announces positively that he will continue tp nominate colts for, the English fierby. till he gets what he. con siders a winner*, and will .rjohs'erid a stable across the Atlantic."

ATHLETIC NOTES.

(By Act/eon.)

FIXTURES.

Senior Cup. f Juno 11.—Waitemata v. Ponsonby; Auckland v. North Sliorc; Grafton v. Gordon. , June 18.-Albort v. North .Shore; Gftafton v. Ponsonby; Auckland v, Waitemata. June , 21.—Auckland Representatives v. .__ june n 25. - Gordon v. Albert: Auckland V. Pon sonby ; Waitemata v. Grafton. Junior -Cup. June 11.—Waitemata-v. Ponsonby; Auckland v. North Shore; Grafton v. Gordon. June IS.-United v.. North Shore; Grafton v. Ponsonby; Auokland v. Waitemata. June 25.—Gordon v. United ; Auckland V. 1 on sonby; Waito.mata v. Grafton. Second Junior Cup. Juno 11,-Wavorley v. University; Rovers v. Remuera; Gordon v. Waitemata.

AQUATICS.

July. 1887. -Hanlan v. Toemor. United States. Octobor ..-i"Thistle" races for the America No£ P 2G.-Beaoh v. Uanlan for the Champioa-

ship of the world on the Nepean.

ATHLETICS.

Jnno _— Matthews v. Richardson for tbe Cham pionship of New Zealand. June 2i.—Five-mile .Amateur Ilaco from One hunga.

FOOTBALL.

With a great many people in Auckland Rugby football lias an exceedingly evil name, and it behoves players not to increase the bad feeling sometimes shown against the noble sport. It is the duty of the Union to keep a careful eye on the play of all clubs, and strictly to enforce bye-law 34, which is intended to deal with "un seemly' language' or conduct" on the part of a player during a match. On tho Metropolitan Ground last Saturday during the game, United v. Auckland 11. two members of tho former club Were struck on the face arid disfigured. I hope the matter Will be brought'before the Manage ment Corhmitteo of tho Union, and that a check will be placed on such rough and ill tempered play.

The fine weather on Saturday afternoon drew a largo crowd to the Epsom ground to witness the match between Ponsonby and Gordon. The knowing ones had said that it would be a tough and exciting game, and they wero not mistaken. The play was fast and fully equal to some of the best matches of last season. Tho Ponsonby team was stronger than that of the previous Saturday, J. Braund, Conway and Davy making their appearance for tho first time this season. Gordon had a strong team, but thoy felt the loss of McCausland, who was suddenly ordered away to Napier. From the kick-off it was ovidont that Pon sonby had a little the best of it, and towards the end of tho game it was seen that they wero in better condition than their oppon ents. Thoy played an open game, with fast-dribbling rushes, and several times the Gordon full-back, Lusk, saved a certain score by falling on tho ball. ft. Whiteside, who seems to be recovering his old form, scored for Ponsonby by a splendid run, going through all the Gordon backs, and fending grandly. Wooller, by a good kick, added the desired three to the score. J. Braund played a faultless game as full back, his lucking and tackling being very good. Con way showed that he is worthy of a place in a senior team. Both A. Braund and Stephen son played a useful game, but Davy did not show his best form. He tackled well, but instead of -running attempted to kick at a rollhig ball. Arneil and Wooller played splendidly on tho wings, and tho dribblo in which backing each other up by the other wingman, they took the ball half tbe length of the field was very pretty. All the ronsonby forwards played hard, and it would bo very difficult to decide which shone tlio most. P. Gould and H. Poland wore about the best among tho Gordon forwards, the termer onco making a splendid run. Crowe played a hard gamo, and Lindsay was in better form than ho has shown this reason, but a little moro i framing would do both good. Moginio is out of his place on the wing, and would be Of very much more service in the .scrum. Jordan played in rattling Style, and at one time narrowly escaped scoring. It. Meldrum as usual played a cool grime as three-quarter, but he failed tO hold his Old opponent, Whiteside, on two occasions. Lusk played really well, butthecrowd vented their displeasure onhihirather strongly once when he took tho ball behind and forced down. The game was characterised by* th. utmost good fooling on both sides. As proving that the present grounds' are not very far out of the way, it Was Scon that a large number Of those Who visited the field walked Out, including a great many ladies.

Auckland footballers will welcome the publication of the " Auckland Football Annual for 1857," for a copy of. which I am obliged to the editor, Mr J. R. Reed. This small volume will fill a want long felt in Auckland, and will form a pleasing memento in years to come of players' old football days. It is the intention of the editor to continue the Annual from-year to year. The volume before me is very neatly got up, and contains a great deal of useful and interesting football matter, and the letterpress is relieved by four photo graphic groups, viz., of the Auckland,: Wellington and Sydney "Reps.," and of the Grafton F.C. It also Contains the reports of the various clubs for the season ISBO, and a history of football in Auckland by an old "halfback." The hints on the game form a very' valuable portion of' the book, and are we'll worthy of tho careful study of. all players. The rules of the game and the programme for the present season are included, and taking it altogether, the Annual will be found a very cheap eighteenpenny worth.

NortH Shore added a third victory to their record on Saturday by putting the Waitematas through. Wynyard made two or three good pots, but was unable to score, while Snow, who was in great form, kicked a doubtful goal. The Waitematas played a good game, Mackie being especially brilliant in his running, bub decidedly weak in collaring, and Courtney played the finest game on the ground.

Several Association matches Were played on Saturday"', arid from the number Of clubs that have beeri formed, the new game pro mises :to be very popular.. As it is also being introduced down South, we may ex pect, in a year or two to have Association representative matches as: well as Rugby ones.

Ponsonby 11. beat.Gordon 11. after a.good game by 9 points to nothing. Laird made three fine pots for goal, one of which he se cured. The game was played in • a very friendly i spirit, i but I would advise one of the Gordon forwards not to have so much to say unless he wishes to pose as captain.

i Tho Wairarapa Rugby Union have de cided not te adopt the new stylo of ..bring, and hold to the same as last year.

A Christchureh, paper says Bean is the best forward in Canterbury..,j j: 'j.,.,-,.,-,

the Auckland I. are still pluckily stick ing to their coloiirs, but were again beateri last week, this time by tiie Alberts"by 16 points to nil.

Waitemata II had -to stieeumb to the North Shote IL; Both sides' scored tvVp tries,' but Peiialligan, by a grand: kick, con verted one oi theUhore s into a. goal.

ATHLETICS, ETC.

; Murphy fights Lang, of ;Wanganu.h oh Monday night. William, I fancy, is going beyond his weight,

Playing for the Carlton Club against the Albert dub, Turner, the well-known New South Wales bowler, got an average Of seven wickets for 3 runs, the analysis reading :-42 balls, 3 runs, 4 maiden overs, 7 Wickets. The whole team dropped out for 10 runs, two of which were sundries. This is the smallest score ever made on the Association Cricket Ground. .Turner followed up this remarkable performance by compiling the top score for his side — namely 31 out of a total of 99. A fitting fmak to a remark able -season..

Sammy Goodman beat: Walsh after a splendid race last Saturday night. The winner was in tlio pink of condition, while Walsh looked rather Soft, but he stuck to his work like a game'un., .■-,-,.,

STAGE AND STUDIO.

(By Euterpe.)

Tauranoa would appear to possess consider able musical talent. Some, time ago Miss Auckland, who has been heard lately to great advantage on the violin, camo from Tauranga to Auckland in order to study tho violin, composition and singing under Herr Schmitt, and now a young gentleman Mr R. Clarke, from the same place, has arrived to study undor Herr Schmitt several branches of tho musical art, preparatory to leaving for the Leipzig conservatorium in order to complete and round off his artistic education. As'tho Choral Society's production of " Samson" is now nigh at hand-, seeing that it is fixed for Tuesday week, I take the opportunity of furnishing a few histori cal facts concerning tho oratorio. It was composed by Handel immediately after the " Messiah," and a portion of tho score was already written when Handel went at the end of 1741 to Dublin, for the first performance of the " Messiah." Several airs and the final chorus were added in the year ,1742. The first perform ance of " Samson " took place in the Covent Garden Theatre on, the; 18th Feb., 1743, and it had a tremendous success. The libretto is based upon Milton's " Sam son's Agonistes," and Handel himself said that he could not decide to which of the two works, " Samson " or the " Messiah," he would give the preference for excellence. But why should this be necessary? in both works the grandest and highest effects are achieved. In Leipzig and in, Angsburg (Germany) " Samson " has recently been performed to tho very great satisfaction of the public, arid its early production in Auckland will doubtless be awaited with as_ keen an im patience, and be received with as signal pleasure "lolanthe" will be the Comic Opera's next production It is said to be more tuneful than " The Mikado." Alfred Collier is engaged on the music of a now opera which deals with the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Miss Florence Wado and Henry AlleynO aro in 'Frisco. A local paper says they arrived from Honolulu, where they gave a short btifc unsatisfactory comedy season. On May 10, in tho Alexandra Theatre, Melbourne, Lortzing's favourite work, "'Czar und Zimmerman," was erven by a number of German citizens, professional and amateur. ,

The well-known authoress " LucasMalct" (Mrs Oromley), who is a daughter of the late Chas. Kirigsley, will shortly pay the colonies a visit accompanied by her daugh ter. She may possibly make a reading tour.

Mr Edwin Booth and Mr Lawrence Barrett have formed a Shaksperiah dra matic partnership for tho autumn, and Will present "Hamlet," "Lenr," "Macbeth," "Othello," "Julius Ccesai-j" and "The Merchant of Venice."

Italian singers are evidently at a premium just now. Mr Augustus Harris has been in treaty with two different tenors for his forthcoming Italian opera season at firury Lane, but negotiations are delayed by the fact that neither will take less-than £400 per night for his services. ,"

" Pearl Pin " writes from Wellington to the " Otago Witness" :—" Apropos oi stage subject*, I met Miss Alice Bar-riett at after noon tea in \ a private drawing-room last Friday, and was charmed with her bright, pleasant mariner and lively conversational powers." ..■•■'. ■ : a it\ -.■•• ■•-.:

The inventory of the personal estate of the late Mr David Kennedy, Scottish vocal ist, shows that the net value of* the estate amounts to £7,15. 17s lid, In addition to the property in Scotland the deceased gentleman left another £7,000 of assets in Australia. The total property left by him is £M,IOO in personal estate, and £1,000 heritable. " ' ■' :'

The long-wished-for solution of the mystery as to the reason of the excellence of "Cremona" violins is said to have been discovered at last. A manuscript has been unearthed which reveals the secret .that, the sweetness and sonority of tone wai? duo"..to a varnish which was used by the Chinese, and the components of which .wore. as certained by Father Martino Martini, and disclosed in 1_65. This varnish is equally applicable, to the sounding board. of. the pianoforte, and will do away with that wooden and metallic clash given forth when the keys are too forcibly struck. ,/,...

A most amusing incident occurred during tho performance of Mr Walter Reynolds's drama " Sweet Innisfail," on March 16, at Greenwich. The comic villain of the play1, receiving a blow on the nose, and';using the timo-honoured blood-sponge to show the result of the concussion, searches for a handkerchief, and is unable to find one in any of his pockets. A mart in the gallery called out to the actor, in a most pitying tone, "Here, old man, use mine," and threw his dirty red cambric to the stage. The audience was,so convulsed that tho play could not proceed for some minutes.

The latest about Baridinanri is from Trenton, New Jersey :~u Just previous to beginning of Monday evening's perfor mance, Bandmanri and. his leading lacly, Ida Lewis,' held a vigorous debate on the stage, which'end.d by Bandmanri picking the lady up bodily arid carrying, her trj the dressing-room -iyhere another excited quarrel took place. Miss Lewis left the theatre and refused'to come back.' After urgent requests she returned, and opened the per formance, at a quarter tri hirie. The next day Miss Lewis married a meriiber of the Company, E. F. Enos, arid the newly- Wedded pair were immediately dis charged. :'' '■"■'-' Mii vi '■->• .. ■'•..<...■•

THE GARDEN.

Calendar of Operations, June 4th.

[By Hor'tus]

IHortus is willing to answer any.queries. _Cor rcspohdents must give their full names ana, ad dresses, though hot for publication.)

Evbkgreex Fence (Amateur).— U flles3 the tops of the shrubs are hidinß part of your view it would be better to allow the cutting pack: to stand over till August. If cut bacfcriow.all the cut ends of the shoots would show con spicuously for the next thrco or four niOnths, whereas, if cut back early in the spring, tiie rising Sap will soon producenCW shoots, which will cover all defects. Most evergreens used for fencing are best cut back twice a-year— winter andsummer. Thebest times to cut are in August and December.. The summer _ cut ting sbould take place about the middle of December;, the strongest growth for the season will then be over.

Strawbbrry Planting (Fruit).—Yes; you have _till'time to plant out strawberry plants -in face, any time during the winter will do; butto ensure good Crops next year, tno earlier they are planted the bettor. .You aro also in time to plant anemones and ranunculus. They like deep, rich soil. You can obtain good collections of the above from some ol tho Auckland nurseries. ' < ~

PROPAGATING GHRVSANTHEMUM3 ' (R.M.).' — Yes; you could easily propagate now, but I think you Would do better to' wait till the spring of the year. In the spring you should be able to obtain any quantity of young shoots from the base of the old planes. Each-of these will bo furnished with root?, arid, if properly managed, will make a good plant the same year. In fact, I belieVo that much better flow-ers would be grown, by some of our growers if they renewed their plants and then positions every spring. Cryeanthemnms standing year after year in the samo position soon exhaust the surrounding soil.

An American Fruit Inspector's Trouble.

A local inspector of fruit pests, -appointed by the State and County Boards, writes us of his first' experience in the discharge of his neW duties as quarantine guardian of : fruit and orchards in this district; Our correspondent Writes that after • pro ceeding seven miles on his trip, Of in spection, he met a man from: Bailena, whom he accosted* and, after stating, his mission, inquired if he (the man ■ from Bailena) knew of any fruit pests or had any in his orchard. The reply was, short and to the point: "If any of you inspectors come nosing around my orchard, you Will hear the report of a shotgun." "But," re plied the local inspector, " I have been duly appointed by the State and County Boards, and am only discharging my duties according to that authority." "The man from Bai lena " replies," It don't make any difference if you are the Governor, you can't nose aronrid my orchard {besides all this talk of fruit pests is humbug and buncombe." As the local inspector didn'tstartout toexamine guns, but fruit pests, he wisely took another trail and started towards home, pondering over the honours and. incidents connected with the official duties of a regularly-ap pointed guardian ,of our fruit interests. The local inspector facetiously, suggests that the County Board send out a detach ment of militia to back him up in the dis charge of his duties. We' are anxious to know if other inspectors have found their path of duty obstructed by shooting-irons or codlin moths.—" Sam Diegan." Transplanting Trees. In removing seedlings from the nursery or forest to the orchard, lawn or site of the grove or shelter- belt, it: should be kept constantly in mind ' that trees are living things, that they are very liable to injuries of various kinds, and that their roots are : mouths. ,; It is impossible to dig up a tree from the ground where it sprang from a seed.without cutting.off or bruising some of the roots. Still, wounds will heal on the roots of a tree as. well as On the trunk and branches. Not unfrequently a tree I is. benefited by having some .of, its'i roots removed or shortened. The root of a tree that has received an injury, should receive the same kind of treatment that is given to an injured branch. It should, be entirely romoved. with a' sharp :k_ife or saw, or cut off above the point of in-, jury with, some implement that will leave the surface smooth. If this- is done fibrous roots will generally start oiit fiom the end and be of great serr vice in supporting the trse. .If roots-, are very long, [it is generally better, to. cut them off in the ground than to attempt tjo dig them up at their full length or to,pull them but, of the soili Jf they are.drawn; through the-ground that has not,been loos ened, they will be liekly to have .their bark removed from them or to become split.and. stripped of lateral, roots., If they are in jured in any,of these ways they will be likely to die if left on the tree. . ; >o-j.cuw~si

The roots of many, kinds .of,trees are. likely, to .be greatly injured between.-.the time they are dug from the -ground and are set out. Roots pf trees; out of ground,are much like " fish out of water.',' They will live it they, are kept moist, "but will die. if they are allowed, to, become, dry. .They Can be kept from becoming dry, by keeping, about them some of the earth., in which; they grew,. by ; covering i them, t with damped clotb, moss .or hay, or by dip ping , them in a pool of water; that, com; tains considerable clay or., ordinary soil, in:,a, state of .solution or suspension. These substances will form a, coating, which will prevent the dry. air; from striking the surface of the roots. The operation of.coating;the roots.of trees with mud is called "puddling," and should be practised by all who remove trees quite a distance during windy, dry or warm weather., It. is comparatively ■ easy.to ,_so protect the roots of trees that they can He. carried any distance without injury. ..But the roots of trees, are often greatly injured by being hauled a dozen, miles in,an,open waggon. The.covering,of the roots, is very; tender and liable to be bruised by rubbing, against the .side, of the waggon, lt.isalso liable to orack if exposed to the action of, tho wind or sun.

Ground in which trees, are to be planted should be well prepared before, the trees are brought to it. The sod should be rotted and the soil deeply ploughed or dug and Well pulverised. If the trees. are to be planted quite near together a saving in digging holes may be effected by opening double furrows on the, line of the rows. A sharp'spade and, if. the ground ,be quite hard,.apick.should,be employed in prepar ing .the. hole for the rpote... It should;be of a'size to hold all the roots without bending„ 0r... crowding. :them.. n .If, -the soil is .loosened for, some distance ..',,beyond the end "of tho,roots they will.be, en couraged , to, push .themselves, in. ,"_liej direction of it. , At least two persons are required to . set, out trees expedi tiously and economically. ~ One person is required to., hold the tree in,-ppsitibn while the other places.the' earth -about the roots. "The earth spread ' about the roots should .be rich, and firm.., All turfs and hard 'portions' of .earth,. should .be rejected. If possible trees should be planted when,: the'soil is, in the .best .condition, to work./ '.' If it is quite /dry it is well to throw a pail of water about the roots after the hole is well filled. -This .will carry" the soil-about., the fibrous .roots, where jt is needed. After, an hour or two the'filling may. be completed with soil' that, has not been wetted. The earth should not be heaped,up, around the tree, but left, flat arid trampect,down. , -• '.',.. '..'; ..'." In setting.out trees it,is (generally best to incline them alittlein the direction from which the prevailing winds.comef, After,a,heavy wind the.trees should be righted, /if they have blown, partly . /over, and . the earth pressed, about': ; .the .irootsi. // After hew rbots hay,e formed the, liability;.of .newly set .trees ' to blow oyer,', will fbe, "dimin ished;./ As a rule "trees,/should be ,set/.np deeber'ih the soil to" which' 'th.y'"have been transplanted than they stood in

the^riursir/ or f^stTr^O?^ I P root, which is _ Pfl^_T h^®M Mit H should bo even &f* \M ground where th yt?L^^' ■ afe.transplanted from\ n J lii __§ tothat-ivhich is _stoagptgis ■ toremove imprbm&nfeS?:, Iti»S|H| to shorten- spmCfeb« IB :?n .getting' thehi^ou#&Jf*r^ H ludicmuslydone, will improve L^11?,? ll trees, prevent themfrom ES^oM IB over, and help&6fi« W^^^Jj4.;» An excess of fofiageis not, ffl? ; ■ that .were recenty 'feS^awl unfavourable tothe tre es rTiiW)ii*i I ; or shears, should be empl o lK^;^v; ■ ; shorten the bUch. s^Sfe« i speedy healing of the ; 0 und^ Z**&\ 1 - Probably springisthebesttim o 'V f--.->; B planting trees to insure'tfceffl&frW I" ground-isfheri ordinarily^iff S^iM-. ■ tioritoworki.and the W^f?^' ■ duce.XOots that will, enable tS^ ■ g^ Position evehif there devig^ 1 Still there are many .arguments S- M transplanting trees in the fall S^*- 1* W more leisure oh the farm'" 'if'^SlJM H wh!-wyiMw« 1 after they have cast their 1.. a \es °rf W this timo ; .they,willgenerallydoW^^ __B frozen, ground win, hold M^-JgM^.: B against,, the wind during Sj|°V__pi|j B thew.willljeno^g';t(i'Mi^-i_dM B in the spring. , • -Mi |-

Garden Extracts.

"Stir the So//."—A.' J, -Downi.™ ' I' was one of thei'best horticulturists t* U | has ever known,- said •. ".If I were £"£» I ; | a sermon on horticulture! shouldui^ E my text, 'Stir-the soiU Fjequ_? s W deep stirrings will enable .one'£ajj-| M vegetables on comparatively poorS 1" slightlyhianuredsoil. whdewithonfcifcli: ■ fails to gain the proper advantage evmfc.- if thofrichest and-finestlsoil.'/-..,. °. y y* | StuHUd Grourtti aMth& uScale '/>&.{ Cessation 'of grototh 'is'the .are hsn_i» | of a crop, of scale-insects, not^'fiSl. M smothering <Mt of moss and licHe_S!'m §| the'owner of ten wdilder. .why -Ms lW|i..H not thrive as.th^didihtheirol^fffigte 11 numerous Buckets .pnm_rig': irotf &£flffit- H are' gentle' 'remin'derS; 'ln t:mah'y:r_^^i m bbrershave obtained a foothold, .haiiij' m speedily dislodged will rain the trees".«: B To Preserve Cuttings pom Frost-ith 11 this where there isno greenhouse, digani. H about 4 feet deep, strew the bottom vi p with ashes, and sink the pofcs in'the spe. m Over it place a oommon garden-frame, '__.! I up.the outside, with.straw and .a coating ol n earth. In such a phV.verbenas. ,caloeola. B rias, fuchsias, &c, may. be^ prtserVe_J H during .the' severest' winters, prpvifedttliQ If pot's be ikept in'the.dark.'by.beiiigriyeH. H covered with matting during frost, •. if A New Foe of ihe Pear.— Last June Mr 1 Inchbald, F.L.S., receivea,.frain' K_-:Sq|a: I ; grower'a sample of pears that^had'b&S_:' §: I juriously:. affected by' the maggb„s fjrf _jf'■'- E I small fly Cecidoriiyia T„e^^| 1 ' yellowish white and legless; they lurk'atfie' §' core of the young pear, from which.'fey f throw off tunnels leading "to": rthe: surfice. Marie Louise was the variety chie_y.'atr; tacked. When the ...fruit'"falls'immatp they enter the soilj to!appear:'ds fliisfilta spring, at'what date is unknown as yet'::: Currant CuffihgSi—An .experienced gat derier of Indiana, according tothe/orreiV Advocate^ is Of opinion thatyeryfsw'persoß who plant currant cuttings do.tife dtVtiie right season of the. year.,; •,Tt is usujdly dons in the spring,- whenin,.fact it should tflons dn the fall.. •, I bavbihad agood deiil ofei perience in propagating cuttings. .. lalways plant my currant cuttings in,tie-fall.aj soon as the. leaves fall off; r _heywill',__9 durable [! roots . two to four. inches filing the same fall, while the buds 'remaiii' dormant.. They wi11., : -make double the. growth the next.season i£s©_ iii.the § fall, that they'will if i,hot sal in 1-11 1 spring. . •> They shouidjbe set^in.^jrgraii^^MJ will not heave them out; by fJiß^.<||^m^iiH frost, and should be, coyered^'3ust:.'Dm_TH winter sets.in with coarse,,litter.,,,, Rsn»' B the. y covering early. v ,-in; .the.;spring,;_! ■ [examine the cuttings to see it any^bf them i Have heaved, and if.-so, .pressr them|ta I again. Should..,they/ heave',up. an inch.or I more,. ifwell-pressed doifrny %i'M?ffjf: and make better growth "than euttlngs v the,spring., f p^; either, ««e,;;:lwweveiVfffi : : cuttings should always be made"mM|alL. ■ ■ Hduj'tti Motiea'-llbibed^ bed, let a'quantity of "stable : duri|:M :^.: toge'tlie.; •prof!6r'ti6iiecl!!tp';'the .E_N;tM fr_me.' Two' dbubld .da'd'iior'a'tlireeJigM: frame ■are usually all-wfedlfor-Wbdyte :tlie:lWeds, -But .tteaPwelltS_M__il»! tional load if the bed is .requiredito«: _o_ie ftii_ie; ;iST_tfQung:;Bhould sWj^^ dveY:fdufot: fivdtimes'-"dtiring a-fortoebtjj arid wettedi1 if 'dryi'^lAn* equal*qttatihf M,t leat"fe r'miiedf'-'with-. '"stable-dung'may « used -with'1 advantage.-' The-leav^ ;give»r •"sweeter 'tfhd'ffibre 3 mo'derate'as mhts mora lasting}' heat;" Wh6_!tbeinaterial isrcMßv 'mea'surenhoframeV'den^h'andcbredtt,' 'and-mark: out'the %'ed,^all6whigaJ<itor 18in. more each way than -..thenlengttt; ana bre'adtlf of'the'*frame. 1 the-bed'drive^'a'stakOßfimlyi-ulto*:; and {perfectly -tipright,^ to .^^ I guide to build the bed. by ;.iM*K« to build upthe' bediv.Mial-agitip.'the,^ and beating it down.with the» W. The whole .h!ouldl)e'equfyiirm and« 'pact,^o'thatitdS'nbfe^kel^toJ*mg r in .one part .han'.4ri^ another.' -^j» arid lights'Uiay now hS Placed m *h« ;butthe lights deft steam Whicfrialways^rises .iromvnwv ' "made hot bedmay escape. & !',;,',,;;,_!.: y^li

An Extraordinary Story.

Hem is an 'exkaordiftary stOr^the»| of which, we are-told, occurred orily.a^,; months ago.- and: •caused nuitea^n. in India:-In a certain pMritingtog' there was a notorious Neater, : g entiemen, we will' caU. them A- _ ; _~ residing _ together -on had,lost, beside some ot^-2 ch U two «chowkedars," or native CJ within, a few .days, and %g| of ; men had been actually c^d °U° the verandah of the, bungalo^, A£ lve3 : therefore determined to clothe - ™J BJ- (rhtj like- natives,"arid #o^%-^ M armed,, in the verandah, .uitje^. that'theymight/be ;gJ^fe^ at ..the- mameater, jho^. ,| fc might ;probably jh; fel#«., which hid already pr?v>|£ % f W Victims.., They-procee^dM^^^ intehtidn,,and sat up ,tiU f*,Q& '': %;. O'clock as, he, did not,^ie^#iSenlion f come" 'hut 'B,"announcedhmg waiting- hatf-an-hour .longer,^dotfn k 4 There were large, w^f^tßrM," the .fldcsr. ,of M-^W^M* one .of,". these A:r ieS" just .«$$ i entering. ,his, : ,Joom, ; M^bu«^ the window,; and:^|f fe^Bridinffr instaht,whenhesawadg^y^rd. i verandah, m^^J&W^S? sound, of ascuffle, WJKbajW rushed out', m time toffi£^&fr* the; steps.tkt mpmlimmMi the garden.afo;^<M^f^„frtud *o, Mi list h^sho'uldfeitto|g^^nce, after him,' he \?%f%'- tiger,, ?|, of "'mmd,'•' weritvUp. %f§ Mj- BiWli body* al "the'same f£%jf&M&i was^ roarand^^fA)MbUfe d' and"%#>>s*: Jn*« WW mbinhn^ dr' JtW, «»* : ■ - terribly maulft%

TBE AUCKLAND EVE_tsTG STAR, SA-UKUAY, JUKE 4, 1887

2



Prosecute t„e Swindled!! If when yon call, for American Hop Bitters {sec green twig of Hops on the while Mcl and Vr.bonles name blown iutheboltle) the vendor nanus cut anything hut American Hop Bitters, refuse 11, and shun that vendor as you would a viper; ancl if ho has taken yoiir.money for mtm* thmjj else indict him for the fraud arid sue him tor damages tor tho swindle, and we Will __v you liberally for the conviction? hn wl^ p&y



A rtew.patent medicine has found its way to pur shores—Dr. Henley's extract of celeryjbeef, and. iron—proved ..by/thejead-' mg physicans of Europe .and America to be. nutritive, and invigorating, while! the*.'iron is a tonic for, the ,blood. and food for the brain. ._.. Sharland and Co,, .are. wholesale agents. The extract can be had "from all chemists.