: nor notification of yesterday has had the «• t of causing a great many moro unem d men to register with tho secretary Builders' Association at tho office ofv Victoria Arcade. Within two hours 3. '.n_noon7o persons signed the sheets, * -5 30 navies and 28 carpenters. Tho 1 . inn tho list is now 195, including 90 tota Irs 60 navies, 19 painters, 12 bricklayers, 6 plumbers and P la _ fmnson. It is inbimiatod that the c X will attend from 10 to 12 daily, .11 Saturday next to tako tho names of !_ n'nempl°yed especially nayies, carpon bricklayers' plumbers, and painters. cL c commercial morality of tradespeople • the suburban districts would appear to £of a high order. Yesterday Sergeant ramble made a wholesale raid on the storo v ocrs of Otahuhu, and only detected one wach of the Weights and measures ordin b and in that case the weights were nobde tm the offendei: having simply neglected il stamp his weights. Tho same official \-o recently visited tho bakers' shops at It ehun^-a and Otahuhu, but was not suc .^jful ia detecting any light-weight bread. Tbe fortnightly meeting of the City Schools Committee was held last night in L schoolroom, Wellesley -street '"East. jLent: Messrs Gorrio (Chairman), Mc- Master, Blades, Crowthor, Batty, Farrell, *& Ussher. It was resolved, on the motion '{jlr McMaster, "That the Committee "trongly recommend to tho Board of r_ D cation the reconsideration of the lotion of Miss Mcl'lhone's salary." It |s also decided to recommend the Board toffrant the increase of salary applied for w|[r G. Thwaites. The resolution passed arecent meeting of householders, that the ijfion of members of the Board of Educa te altered so that they bo chosen on a Slar basis to members of Parliament, was taissed, arid ib was agreed to forward it J the resolution regarding tho election of the School Committees to the Minister of location. The matter of early closing of M also came up for consideration^ when it was resolved on the motion of Mr UWher, ■•.That the attention of head-teachers be tavnto the clauses re early closing, but that it be pointed out that this regulation Kg exercised only on exceptionally wet kii'"' :H* Blades then gave notico of notion for next meeting, " That the resolu tion carried be rescinded." The Committee also decided to accompany Mr All right to the proposed school sites in Napier and Jjoive-streets, and consider their suitability. A letter from the Head-master of tho Bcres ford-street School, concerning the report on the recent inspection mado by Mr Fidlcr, yas deferred to a special meeting of tho Committee, to be held next Monday.

The Committee of tho Edon Quadrillo Assembly have resolved upon holding a social meeting on Monday evening next, as a return for the recent meeting organised ]jy the ladies. Most complete arrangements /ire being made for this occasion.

i.,-}_'M. Keefe, stroke of the Waite mata Boating Club champion whaleboab cr.i.,returned from Sydney by tho Mararoa yesterday. He has been in Australia for sbbut six months, aud has seen enough to convince him that trade is _fc> better' thei-e tfan it is in Auckland, and that a large number of the Aucklanders who have recently crossed the water in expectation of tetter things are now only too eager to get back here. Mr Keefe intends to remain here, and will resume his connection with the Waitemata Club.

7The concert of sacred music given by Mr! Pooley's choir last Sunday was largely at tended, many having to stand. .The pro pamine was a choice one, and each item was given in a manner that could not fail to please. Special montion should bo made of jhebasssolo, "Arm, Arm, Ye Brave," whilst Dr. Erson's rendering of "The Better :, Land" left little to be desired. Mr Pooley gratified the audience by a masterly per fortnahca from the works of Verdi, and finished the concert by the playing of the ■Match in "EU," by Costa. Tho boys sang well, .'and'-xre..were glad to see Madame Pooley once again in her place after h6r recent illness.

An adjourned Court of Inquiry was held yesterday at* the Onehunga Courb-house • before Mr T. Jackson, R. M., for the purpose of hearing evidence bearing upon the proper maintenance and control of the 69 chains of road lying between One Tree Hill and • Mount Roskill Road districts. At- the first opening of the inquiry, held on May 14, Mr J. W. Carr appeared for the Mount Roskill .Board and endeavoured to show that the road in question was the main ■ thorough ly fare to Onehunga, and was littlo used by : Mount Roskill ratepayers. Mount Roskill ; was,however,quite willing to pay half the i cost of maintenance. He considered that the • Work required should be done by tender, -and.ihecost adjusted to each Board. Mr |E! Hall, Chairman of the One-Tree Kill Road Board,also contended that he had no power 'Jo.assist ia maintaining the portion of the road in question. On re-opening the in quiry yesterday, Mr Jackson, R.M., showed that his duties were strictly defined,and he rmusfc not go outside certain limits. ' Mr Theo. Cooper, who appeared for the Mount • Roskill Road Board, said he had read -the Commission of Inquiry, and said that the Commission assumed that the road was a boundary road, and behind this the Court 'couldnotgo. As no further evidence was forthcoming, His Worship closed the Court, <and will forward his report to the Minister .of Public Works immediately.

• The opening drill of the Ist Auckland I (St. James's) Company of the Boys' Brigade '; tras held on Saturday evening last. The lads mustered forty-five strong, and after engaging in prayer, they were divided into three squads, and instructed separately -jn the preliminaiy movements laid down in.the Army Red Book. After an hour's : steady drill," Captain Logan reformed the Company, which was then addressed by [Mr Brownlee, the Superintendent of the 'Sunday School, in a few earnest and telling .words. A parting hymn having been s;heartily sung, the "dismiss " was given. ;', The attention and discipline displayed by 1 theyouhg recruits, and the smartness with ■Which they acquired the different move ments, were highly gratifying to their officers ; ;and other gentlemen present. At the next "drill, which takes place on Friday evening ■■'. nrst, at half^past seven, a large addition to § 'he ranks is expected ; the company will be M through the extension motions and an interesting address delivered.

;'. Uo many friends of Dr. Bond will be Pleased to learn that ho has commenced -.Practice in Auckland. His place of abode . »^_ been selected in a convenient, central rWsition in Karangahapo Road, between : u PPer Queen-street and City Road, ■M..far from Webber's Livery Stables. Pr- Bond is well-known to roost of our | |p«sfas' the lato Houso Surgeon at the Auckland Hospital, a position which he oc :!?pied for some time, and naturally received :J> extensive and varied experience, which i^ould',prove of great service in private practice. ~;■ • '„ Messrs Mennfe and Day aro of opinion Jtot a serious injury will be dono to the ,iam-mating industry should the proposed ipr.af.2d per lb.' on fruit pulp bo -f . sed, and the duty on jam remains f? at present, l^cl per lb. They think ■'£*-: ™ty. on the raw material should ?.«» than on tho finished article-say on jtopalp Id or ljd per lb, and on jam 2d or *.Pe_ lb, as this would allow the .^ngofthe article to be done in the ■ i;] 1188 Malcolm, the popular lady evange ;» will conduct the service at Freeman s ;^y Mission Hall this evening, commencing ....-'SS^.'w.ll'W a meeting of the Gordon JJf football Club this evening, in the '.u-S^en's Christian Association Rooms, 'SM^fit7;,v Nqw members are invited, V •::

A boy named Alfred Holdman, an ap prentice on board the ship Oamaru, met with an accident on board that vessel yesterday. It appears that tho lad and other boys were playing about the deck, and the chief officer, Mr Ham mond, threw a broom at them, to fnghben them. Holdman put up his head as tho broom left Hammond's hand, and ib struck him on the head, inflicting a nasty cut which waa (subsequently stitched up by Dr. Lewis

A meeting of tho Licensed Victuallers Trade Protection Association convened for tho purpose of considering tho Govern ments Tariff proposals took place last night in tho Imperial Hotel, Mr John Mowbray in the chair. Tho Chair man in his opening remarks said that Julius Vogel had provided for the importa tion of full-proof spirits; bub, in the speaker's opinion, spirits would never be imported full-proof, since the large firms could not afford to do business with New Zealand in this way ; whilst, again, people could nob drink full-proof spirib, and the diluting with water would cause infinite trouble. The retailers might charge sixpence extra upon bottled spirits. Mr Luk3 pointed out that the duty which the Government proposed bo levy would be paid entirely by bhe retailers, since bhe wine and spirib merchants would be bub slighbly affected by tho new tariff, Ho considered that a sband should be made on this question and he therefore moved, •' That this meeting unanimously objects to the advance of duty on underproof spirits, as being most unjust, and class taxation, and not likely to lead to increase of Customs revenue." Tho motion, whicli was seconded by Mr Gallagher, was carried, and the Secretary was instructed to wire a copy of tho resolution to tho Hon. tho Colonial Treasurer and Mr Mitcholson.

Among tho passengers by tho Mararoa yesterday was Mr Howard Bankarb, archi tect and engineer, who, with his family, was a passenger per the P. and 0. steamer Rome, which was stranded off Port Said, her passengers being transferi'ocl to the Mirzapore and Surat, of same Company's fieet. Tho following paragraph, alluding to Mr Bankart's departurn for the colonies, appears in a Home paper: - " Among the list of departures for Auck land, New Zealand, we notice the name of Mr Howard Bankarb, architect and civil engineer of London who was upwards of 25 years managing partner of extensive Copper Smelting Works.in South Wales, and Goal and Ironstone Works in North Stafibrd shire. He is accompanied by his wife and daughters and a son who has been qualify ing as overseer on one of the large Demar arian sugar estates of the 'Sugar King.' Hon. Mrs Russell, and another who holds the testimonials of Professor Sylvanus Thompson and.the certificates of the Fins bury Technical College in Electrical En gineering, and who has already been offered an appointment in Wellington, and a third an artist who has been most successful in obtaining South Kensington distinctions and has made Portrait Painting his specialty.

HARBOUR BOARD.

Tiie ordinary meeting of the Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon, when thero were present: Mr Waddel (Chair man), Messrs Lamb, Devore, Winks, Morrin, Henderson, Button, Niccol, J. M. Clark, Laßoche, Phillipps, and McKenzie. Tho minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed, and letters written by authority were read.

Additions to Wha_.i\ —Tho Secretary of the Marine Department informed Board of Governor's approval of additions to Queen street western teo, an^ forwarded copy of pilaus, &c.

Manckatj Harbour.—Tho Secretary of the Marine Department forwarded a state ment re revenue and expenditure on account of Manukau Harbour during the last three years. The Minister of the Department was prepared to assist in forwarding the objects of the Hon. Mr Tolo re investing the Auckland Board with the endowments necessary to taking over the Manukau Harbour. The Government would not con sent to the railway wharves' at Onehunga being handed over to the Board.

Shipping Facilities.—The Chamber of Commerce forwarded a copy of a letter from Shaw,: Savill and Albion Company, re gretting Board's refusal to extend to them the same facilities as given at other ports of New Zealand.

Gridiron for Watermen's Boats.—H. Bradney and ten other watermen called at tention to the want of a gridiron for their boats.—Kef erred to Works and Tariff Com mittee.

Goods-shed Wanted.—Captain Nearing and twenty other .receivers of cargo asked the Board to erect open sheds for protection of goods.-Referred to Works and Tariff Committee; also to consider the advisa bility of licensing all such receivers of goods. • _ Calliope Dock. — MrWm. Errington re ported favourable progress of Dock. Totaka Files.—Mr J. Milne, liquidator of the Hokianga. Sawmill Company, for warded list of totara piles on hand at Ivohukohu. Offer of sale declined. Dangerous Coal Bunker.—Messrs L. D. Nathan and Co. drew attention to the fact that the coal bunker upon the railway wharf interferred with safe mooring of ships. Mr J. Burgess, harbour-master, endorsed this complaint—Resolved to have the obstruction removed. Coaling Dredger.—Mr Niccol asked for information re hours of work of dredger hands. His Worship said the whole matter lay with the Engineer. ~ Freeman's Bay SeWer. -- Mr J. Mc- Gregor, Engineer to the Board, again drew attention to the Freeman's Bay reclamation and sewer. He was of opinion that the sewer should be constructed at once. As there was 60,000 cubic feet of mud to be dredged from east side of Hobson . street, he considered this might be used for I the reclamation works. He also forwarded a schedule of works required—Decided that the Chairman be allowed to authorise urgent works. '■ • ; p. ' . «,, Legal Finance, and Accounts. — Iho usual report was received and adopted. Dredger's Work.—During the month thirty-four trips had been taken, and 13,600 cubic yards of mud removed to sea at a cost of £468 lis. ; Tenders.—Tenders for ferry jetty, _uay street, resulted as follows :—J. J. Marshall, L 4,187; R. White, L 4,146 18s sd; G. Niccol, L 4,688; W. Hogg (informal), L 3.234123; Heywood and Martin, L 2,193 12s ; W. Fougbey, L 4.618 5s Cd : estimate, L 4,600. —Tho Secretary showed that Hay wood's tender exhibited a mistake of LI.OOO. —Resolved to give Haywood and Martin the option of correcting their mistake, and t0... ke<.p. second '10>veet tender—Mr R. White's. - -• "a A , :■ ■■ •'• ■ The Engineer. —Mr Lamb moved, " That as the engineer, has not paid any attention to the resolution of the Board adopted on the 10th August, 1886, re oflice hours, he be now again requested to pay strict attention to same, and that ho shall not absent himself from the duties of his offico without the con sent of tho Chairman of the Board."— Mr Henderson seconded the motion, which was carried, after much discussion. -Mr Button thought that there was too much friction between the Engineer andtheßoard, and it would soon come to something more open.—Mr Winks thought tho;matter had gone quite far enough^ ~'.,:•. ~',_,.» , ( ;;,

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY.

(Before Mr H. G. Seth Smith, R.M.)

Drunkenness.— Samuol Hewston, ss; Mary Ann Wilson (third ofl'ence), £5 or 14 days ; Maria McDonald, 5e ; Ellen Hermiston (second offence), 10a j Douglas Mitchell, sa; John McGuire, ss; -Daniel Drummond (second offence), lOe and coats; Charles O'Mcra Hart (drunk and disordorly), 40s and coetß, or 7 daye.

Alliic-Kd Lakckny. — Michael Tobin, a respectable-looking man, was charged with the larceny of an overcoat, value L 2, tho property of Louis L. Levy.—Mr O'Meagher appeared for tlie accused and ploadod not guilty. His Worship stated that as the prosecutor had personally laid tho informa tion he could not have tho assistance of the police in prosecuting. Mr O'Meagher said he was aware that this had been recently ruled by Mr Justice John ston, but ho had nob intended to object to tho police conducting the case.—-The prosecutor was then sworn, and deposed that he left his coat at Cochrane's Auction Mart. Going for ib several days aftorwards, he found ib had gone. From- information ho received, he gave information to the police.—By Mr. O'Meagher : Witness was told that accused had taken his coat because he (accused) had heard that witness had taken his. He would have gone to ac cused for it, only he feared the accused would have abused him as he had dono before. About a year ago accused had sued him for the recovery of money in the Resident Magistrate's Court. He had no animus against the accused. He now believed that the accused had no felonious intent when bo took the coat.—Detective Hughes deposed that accused 'gave himself up yesterday, thero being a warrant out for his arrest.—Ac cused said he took tho coat at the sugges tion of Cochrane's storeman, who said that Levy had taken his.—Levy was recalled, and in answer to Mr O'Meagher, a'tated that ,he had been imprisoned for fraudulent bankruptcy, but the present Governor had remitted his sentence. — Mr O'Meaghor: Well, your Worship, I don't think I have any case to answer. Seeing that Mr Levy has been in the "jug " himself, he might have had some compas sion.—James U'Mcara, storeman at Coch rane's, deposed' that he had authorised the accused to take Levy's coab, as ho had reason to believe that Levy had taken his. Accused's coat was worth four of Levy's. — His Worship dismissed the case, saying the accused had nothing to answer, and ib was nn abuse of the process of tlie Court.—The accused was discharged, and the prosecutor ordered to pay the costs. A11...;ed Indecency.— Sarah Turner was charged with doing a grossly indecout act in view of a public place, to wit Hardingo streeb, at Auckland, on May 7th. —Mr O'Meagher appeared for accused, and pleaded not guilty.—Michael O'Doherty de posed that he was a train-driver, residing at Mrs Graham's, Victoria-street. On Saturday, 7th inst., at midnight, he left the stable to go home, and in doing so passed along Hardinge-6treeb. Here his attention was called to what appeared to be about fifteen young men and a woman on the top of the bank. The woman was committing an act of indecency with ono of tho men. This man got up and pulled tho woman's garments over her head. Witness exclaimed "Its ad d shame," and then proceeded home and in-, formed Mrs Graham and William Clam ford, and subsequently returned to the place. As they approached, the young men ran away. The woman was in the same position as when ho left. The woman appeared to be so drunk that sho couldn't stand.—By Mr O'Meagher: Wit ness had never taken an oath before, nor had he ever driven bullocks. (Laughter). — W. Reid, foreman at tho tram stables, do posed to seeing a tall man and a ulighb, small woman in tho vicinity of Hurdinge streot on tho night of the 7th. Tlie woman was very drink. He did nob recognise bhe prisoner as tho woman. — Annie Graham corroborated O'Doherty's evidence.—When witness camo up with O'Doherty prisoner recognised her. O'Doherty and Glamford carried her home.—Constable Bernard de posed to arresting the prisoner on a chargo of drunkenness and indecency. On the following morning, when charged before the Court with the offence of which she was now charged, she pleaded guilty. —Mr O'Meagher submitted that there was no case against the accused, as there was no evidence to show how she came to be in the position in which she was found. It was clear that the woman was helplessly drunk, and there could be no offence, as there was no intent to commit one. The man who had assaulted her was the person who had committed the indecent act.—Tlie Bench took the same view as Mr O'Meagher and dismissed tbe charge. By-laws.—Samuel Fisher was charged with wheeling a milk truck alon^ the footpath on the Great North Road. There was a second charge of wheel ing a truck tn Crummer-street. Mr O'Meagher appeared for the accused,'and plpaded guilty. In mitigation he stated that the roads in that district were impas sible, and as people could not get along without milk, unless the milkmen took their dandies on , the footpath they could nob get along at all. A petition signed by 190 residents in Newton had been Sot up in favour of no penalty being in icted in consequence of the bad state of the roads. Constable Christie gave evi dence as to the state of the road. He had been asked by the Town Clerk of Newton not to prosecute until the roads were better. Fined ls and costs in tbe one case, tho other being dismissed.- A case against G. Tausly was dismissed.—Richard Mud ford, cab-driver, was charged with leaving his cab unattended in Albert street, and was fined 5s and coats. —James Heron was charged with leaving five iron verandah poets'in Queen-street without placing a light thereon, and was fined 5s and costs.

Rule of the Road.—A. Tyer was charged that, being the driver of a grocer's cai-t, he had neglected to keep-to the right side of the road at Remuera, such being a breach of the Police Offences Act.—Defend ant pleaded notgailty.—Mr Napier appeared for the prosecutor, Mr W. R. Walker, gum merchant. It appeared from the evidence of Mr Walker and his wife that they had been out riding, and through the defendant keeping on the wrong eido of tho road a collision was narrowly avoided.— Defendant stated that he was in the middle of the road, and the prosecutor and his wife were one on each side of the road, the prosecutor being on the wrong side. —If an accident had occurred it would have been the .prosecutor's fault. —Fined 203 and COStB. ' "

A youngster whose name has not tran spired, narrowly escaped being run over in Queen-street yesterday. Mr Whald, hop beer manufacturer, was driving down the street, when a number of scheol children ran across the road in front of his horse. The iron step of the cart struck one of'the children, a boy, aud knocked him'down;

The young men in connection With'the Alexandra-street School have arranged to have a concert to-morrow evening in aid of the School fund. This school deserves all the encouragement that our readers can give to it, for in addition to the work usually undertaken by Sunday.schools it also employs, at considerable cost a lady who amongst other things assists the needy. We hope they will be greeted with a large audience, 77.-,,-,

Ascension Day eorv-cee aro iihnounccd to be held at St. Paul's Church to-morrow (Thursday) at 1.1 p. a., jmd 7-39 p.m.

TOR WOOD ARRESTED.

CMASS3S ©F LAKCEfIY AS A &AISLEE.

Mr StJi-MNTlndbnt Thomson reoeived a cable from the Victorian police authorities last night, inbimating that Forwood, tho Auckland solicitor, has been arrested at Melbourne, on warrant, charging him with the larceny as a bailee of tho sum of £840, the property of Taurau Kukupa. Tho cablegram stated that tho accused had beon remandod until tho 23rd Detectivp Herberb will bo despatched by steamer'to Sydney this evening, bearing with him the necessary papers, and For wood will be brought over in his chargo. The accused wa» -arrested chiefly through information forwardod by tho Auckland police to tho effect bhab lebbers dated from Melbourne had been received hore.

SPORTING NEWS.

Wangrannl j.€. Winter Meeting.

The following acceptances and entries woro received last nighb :— eb lb stlb Orient ... 11 0 Waitangi ... 9 8 Victor ... 10 10 Reform ... 9 7 The Jilt ... 10 0 Landseer ... 9 7 Dusk... ... 9 12 Pathfinder ... 9 7 Merry legs ... 9 8 Maiden Stkepleciiasb. — Widoawako, Waitangi, Merrylegs, Maminga, Jubilee, Dusk. Flying Handicap. —The Shah, Charmer, Ruapehu, Hagar, Tongariro, The Gem, Me rmaid, Semiramis.

Winter Oats Handicap. —Tho Shah, Laurel, Charmer, Ruapchu, The Gem, Hagar, Tongariro, Goth, Rimu, Stcelbone.

Nominations for Hawke's Bay Steeplechase.

Napier, this day.

Tho following nominations were received last night for the Hawko's Bay Steeplechase Handicap, of 500 guinoas, to bo run ab bho Steeplechase Meeting of tho Hawko's Bay Jockey Club on Jubilee Day -.—Romeo, Owhaoko, Mnngakone, Volcano, Peter Osbeck, Reform, Denbigh, Waitangi, Erebus, Silvio, Huntsman, Omatu, Torpedo, Revenge, Wat Tyler, Tho Jilt, Kangaroo, Belle, Orient, Dusk, Victor.

THE BELLRINGERS.

Can anything bo moro onjoyablo than an evening with tho Lynch Family of Bell ringers ? Their third ehango of programme presented for tho first timo last evening, comprised song*, comic duots, airs, etc., performed on tho hand and clock bells as well as tho musical glasses. Tho rendering of these cannot be too highly commented upon. The singing of Mir Percy Brown, and especially the inimitablo Mr J. C. Parlatto, humoured tho audi ence, and brought forth rounds of applause. Diversified as it was, tho enter tainment continually kept tho interest and attention of the largo number present. Tho amusing farce, " The Employes' Revongo," in which Messrs Harry, Robert, and Will Lynch, W. E. Cromo, J. C. Parlatto, Percy Brown, and R. W. Oyston took part, con cluded tho evening's performance. Thoy will again appear this evening, and on Friday the fourth change of programme will be presented, concluding with " Dr. Brown's Dispensary."

VOLUNTEER NEWS.

City Guards.—lt will bo soon by advertise ment which appears olsowhoro that tho members of the abovo Company who did not give in their old accoutrements last evoning arc requested to do ao on Friday evening, when they will bo served out with new ones.

No. 2 Battalion.—Thoro was a capital muster of the companies comprising this battalion last evening. Lieut--Col. Dignan, Major Isaccs, and Major Pirie were in command. Colonel Dignan handed the battalion over to Major Isaacs, who put the men through somo capital movements preparatory to Queen's Birthday parade, and tho men acquitted themselves very creditably. The companies of this bat talion were served aut with new accoutre ments, which arc a great improvemenb on the old ones.

(BY TELEGRAM.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Tlie Fonsonfoy BiHes Troubles

EFFORTS TO SMOOTH MATTERS.

Wellingnon, this day.

Lieutenant Martelli had an interview with General Whitmoro relative to tho Ponsonby Volunteer trouble. Tho Major-General expressed his dosire to smooth ovor the difficulties and said ho was willing to change the Ponsonby Rides to No. 2 Battalion if tlie officers withdrew their resignation. The objections raised at tho inquiry to the existence of the battalions were considered by the Solicitor Ceneral to be unvalid.

IMPORTANT DECISION.

Alleged Breach of tlie licensing Act

AT the Police Court to-day, boforo Mr H. G. Seth Smith, R.M., Thomas Poel, a wholesale wino and spirit morchant, at Devonport, was charged with selling sundry bottles of liquor to one F.- W. Foley, with out being duly licensed to 6oD tbo samo. as required by the Licensing Act. There wore eeven separate charges. Mr Cotter appeared for the dofondaut, and pleaded not guilty. He proceeded to stato that tho present proceedings wore no doubt tost cases to show whether or no the dofendanb had a right to sell liquor in tho manner he had sold. In tho torms of hia wholesale license tlie defendant was not permitted to sell less than two gallons at a time, and he sub mitted that as the liquor sold to Foloy totalled in quantity two gallon.*—although it consisted of different kinds of liquor—tho salecamc within tbetermiiot' his license. Under the Provincial Licensing Ordinance of 1803, and tho Aot of 1871 it was provided that the two gallons should consist of liquor of one kiud only, and be contended that the fact that this was not specified in tho present act shewed tbe intention of the Leg islation to mako an alteration in tho condi tion of wholesale licenses. What Mi-Peel bad done had been"done by allthe Wineand spirit merchants in Auckland sinco the passing of tlio present act -Sorgt. Pratt said that tho prosecution waa still of opinion that there had been a breach of tho Act. He submitted that a sale in the terms of the license must be two gallons of ono particular kind of liquor, if the defendant had been acting within his rights ho had the privi ledges of the holder of a wholesale and a, bottlo licensed, j His Worship held that Mr Cotter's contention was good, and that no breaoh of the Apt had.. 6. i committed.

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(BT TELBQRAPn—OWN REPORTER.)

Wellington, this day, The Representation Bill.

! FjIGT-Ty-skven voted in the crucial division last nighb, loaving eight unaccounted for. Meßsr* Dodson, Holmes, O'Connor,O'Rorko, and Wipore did not vote, and of tho remain ing throe, tho member for Tuapeka ia ' at present in England, Avon seat is vacant, and tlio official returns for tho Northern Maori District aro not yet to _ hand* An analysis of tho two divisions on the question of the reduction of members shows that Messrs Ivess,Thomp son (Auckland North) and Rolloston, who had previously voted for seventy one, now voted for tho retention of the present number of members, whilo Messrs Hobbs, Hursthouse, and Thom son (Clubha) wenb over in the opposito question and tried to get tho number re duced. Mr Reid, who stood pledged to vote for a smaller Houso, voted with tho ayes through a misunderstanding of the Chairman's ruling, otherwise the words "ninety-one" would have beon struck out. The controlling inlluenco of the Troasurer in the Cabinet has been shown at the various stages of the Representation Bill. Sir Robert Stout, in introducing the measure, said he would only support the reduction to eighty-six members. The Commibtee, however, fixed tho numb'or ab seventy-one, and the Premier thereupon said that ho loyally accepted this decision. Yesterday afternoon he again seceded from this position by announcing that ho would introduce a new clause pro viding for 80 members, and at night further evidence of his vascillating conduct was given when he proposed the retention of 1)1 members. Sir Julius Vogel has all along been strongly of opinion that these should not bo reduced, and thero can bo littlo doubt that tho I'romicr'B change of front was duo to the cause I havo assigned, though Sir Julius Vogel could not succeed in getting his two col leagues— Larnach unci Tolo—to reverse their votos on the seventy-one question, lfflr ParsravMe's Vote Tho mombcr for City West states, in explanation of his vote last Fri day nighb on the Representation Bill, that ho had received an assurance from the Premier that tho measure would bo mado tho first order of the day on Tuesday. This of course will modify what formerly was said condem natory of Mr Dargavillo's action. ®.<_ri«._ Farming. Tho potition of Victor Nisson, of Ota matea ostrich farm, lias been reported on by tho Petitions Committco. They ref commend that a bonus having been offered for tho importation of ostriches in 1882, aud as tho industry is one that would bo likely to be of great benefit to tho colony, tho petition has been referred to tho Government for favourable considera tion. (Doninmbicatioi. Between Anck laud a__t«l Taranakl. Colonol Trimblo asks tho Minisbors for Publio Works to-day whothor he haa carried out the promise made last session to havo au alternative route surveyed leading from Taranaki to a point on tho North Island truuk lino of railway with a view to ulti mately making oither a road or railway to connect tho Went Coast districts with Auokland, SmnijKlln^. Ii is tho Intention of Mr Peacock to ask the Government whether thoy will bring in a bill to alter tho law with regard to tho liability of owners of vessels to havo their proporty seized on account of smug gling by thoir omployoos in cases whoro ib can bo thoroughly proved that tho owner is in no way a party to such acts.' The question rohitos to tho seizure of tho barque Gazelle, at Auckland. S&iftiHg tlie Hospital, Tho potition of Goorgo Elmos NLss, painter, Wellington,^ presented to Parlia ment by Mi- Fishor yesterday afternoon, is a curiosity in its way, and offers a novel ground for wanting to shift the capital of tho colony from Wellington. Tho peti tioner points out that as tho town site is hommed in by high hills, the building area is very limited, and as a consequence rents havo got to bo unreasonably high ; that in consoquonco of tho limited area for homes buildings aro being crowded to gother, gardens aro built over, and back yards curtailed to a few feet in size ; that such crowding togother is very injurious to health, and if tho process is continued and intensified will ronder Wellington ono of the ino3t unhonlthy, as ib is now ono of tho dearest, citios to live in, in the Southern -Hemisphere. " For these reasons petitioner prays that your Honourable House will sco the advisability and take measures accordingly to remove the capital to somo inland plain where there will be room for a large city to grow, whero walks and pleasant drives can bo constructed round about it in such as would encourago wealthy and indopendont persons to settle thoro, and consbibubo society for the Gover-. nor suitable to his rank and position."

Trade with Hew South Wales. When Mr Lance [ttio mombers forChovlot) was attending tho Srock Conference at Syd noy last year, he interviewed the New South Wnlos Govornnmont wibh a view to seeing to what extent any reciprocal arrangomeut could be como to between that colony and New Zoaland for tho exchange of commodi ties. His mission, however, was entirely unsuccessful. Since then there has been a change of Ministry in New South Wales, and Sir Julius Vogel has communicated with tho Parkea Government on the matter, but has received no reply. He thinks that a difficulty in carrying out any reciprocal arrangement would be found in the fact that wo have no articles on which duties could bo removed «o as to make such an arrangement advantageous to the sister colouy. ,7-

The Jury System. Tho Minister for Justice intends Intro ducing bills for the total abolition of coroners and grand juries. They will not be Government measures, but introduced by Mr Tolo In Mb private capacity as a member of tho Houso. Direct Bfail Steamers. Mr Joyce did not got much satisfaction out of hia question placed on the order paper for tho purpose of having a quiet shot at Port Chalmerf. He wanted to know whether in, consequence of the recent failure of the lonic to communicate with the port and other delays In landing of Southern mails by direct steamers, Ministers would reconaidor the offer of Bluff Harbour Board to tender the steamers for mails and passen gers in JBVreaux Strait. The Postmaster- General replied that the | Government had no oontrol over the mail steamers bo far as making any particular place the first port of call was concerned; furthermore, the | lonio did not belong to the Company which had contracted for the direct mail service with the Government, and consequently the Government had no control over ber. 'Am&U of iPubllc Accounts. The Colonial Treasurer -has had under consideration the propriety of introducing » bill for. the purpose of dealing with the' whole question of the audit of public ac counts throughout the colony, but has found it will be impossible to deal with the matter this session. The Government will, however, give the qnestifln attention >b speedily as pbsßib.le, ....... -.' ■ .-,■■

Imperial Institute.

The cable announcement that tho New Zealand contribution to the Imperial In stitute will take the form of a proposal to grant a bhousand pounds a year for 10 years comes as a mabtor of surprise bo the " Even ing Post," which becomes highly indignant at naving to go from home for such news, particularly whilo Parliament is in session. " If Ministers (ib says) are sincere in their desire to see the grant made, ib would have boen better if they had informed Parliament of the proposal in somo moro direct manner than via V icboria. That they have not done so is on a par with many another instance of stupid rcticonco and unnecessary mystery on the part of the New Zealand Ministry about mabbera which in tho other colonies are freely made public through thepressor in Parliament. As to tho proposed vote itself, the amount is a reasonable one.andwe do not suppose much exception will be taken to ib." There has not been bo much secrecy observed in this matter as a perusal of the abovo paragraph would indicate, for it is now three weeks since I informed you that tho Government would propose an annual voto extending over a term of years as the New Zealand contribution to the Imperial Institute. Mr Samuel in the House last night bibterly attacked the proposal. Volunteer land Claims. Volunteer land claims are to be allowed to Edward Jones, Mark Dixon, and John Gibbons. Illness of Major Kopata. Major Ropata has been very seriously ill, and this is the reason for his non-appearance at the Legislative Council so far. lie wires to Mr Ballance that he is unable to stand on his feet yet, but is recovering. Jottinss. The Earl of Aberdeen was in tho House some time yesterday afternoon. Mr Swanson wants the totalisator to be available for foot races and efmilar sports. Mr Dargaville intends to stand for Mars den at the approaching elections. ilr Locke is agitating the reason of tho immigration to the coast of the North I.land.

Sir Georgo Grey has given notice of a bill preventing tho Attorney-General from appearing in a law court while the House is in session.

Dr Newman ls asking the Government to alter the regulations so that when the tele phone is burnt bhe cosb shall nob bo charged to bhe colony. Mr Fisher is asking the Colonial Treasurer to state the cost of floating the last loan. Mr Grace arrived laab night, and paired on the Representation Bill. This is his first appearance this session. The Bill to abolish Wasto Land Boards has been read a first time. Mr Buckland introduced it in the absence of Sir George Grey. '< Tho House has ordered a comparative return of the expenditure on hospitals and chnritablo institutions under Government management.and sinco they were taken over by the Board. Mr Samuel's Divorce Bill was at tho bottom of tho order paper, bub ho has had ib made the first order for Juno Ist. Ministerialists consider that the prospects of tho Government getting through the session are improving. Mr Joyce is asking'the Colonial Treasurer to consider tho advisability of levying ad valorem duties on tea according to quality. Mr Buchanan is anxious that firewood should be used instead of coal on the rail way locomotives. The Waikato portion of tho King Coun try, recently pissed through tlie Native Lands Court, is now being subdivided for the different hapus. Tho " Post " says in tho event of tho de feat of tho Government, tho house will re fuse them 6upply for an appeal to tho country. Tho Minister of Landa Bays ho would ro lax the rcsidental regulations of a small farm association if it was found that du-j.myi-.tb could nob creep in, Mr Peacock intends to ask the Govern ment whether it is a fact that the removal of the first clerk ab Auckland Customs- House, and the substitution of a clerk at a lower salary, does not involve, by the pay ment of a retiring pension, a larger outlay to tho colony. The Commissioner of Telegraphs informs Mr Buckland that as far as he can ascer tain the Government would lose by an ex tension of tho telephone to Otahuhu, Man gere and East Tamaki and he will there fore not promise tho bureau applied for. Mr Peacock appeared before the Local Bills Committeo yesterday in support of a petition against the cemetery grounds at Onchunga ueing taken for recreation ground purposes. He also represented that the ratepayers' in the County of Eden were benefitters in tho reserve and had not been consulted. The bill was deferred, pending the arrival of another petition. The Minister for Justice has had an application from Auckland for the appoint ment of a second R.M. Nothing ha 3 been done in the matter in view of the retrench ment now proceeding, and it is unlikely that anything will be done. Mr Seddon asserted in the Houso yester day afternoon that the Female Franchise Bill has no chance of passing this session. He added that gallantry to the feminine sex prompted members to vote for the second reading, but they knew at the same time the bill had very little chance of getting through.

LATE CABLES.

PAYMENT OF MEMBERS.

(reuter's telegram.)

Sydney, this day.

In the Legislative Assembly last night tlie motion that the House go into Committee to consider the ques tion of making provision on the estimates for the payment of members was carried by 43 to 24 votes.

LATE SHIPPING NEWS.

(REUTERS TELEGRAM.)

Melbourne, this day. p.s. Rotomahana sailed yester day afternoon for Bluff.

San Francisco, May 16

Tho Union Company's E.M.S. Zealandia, which left Auckland on April 25, arrived yesterday at 8 a.m,

CHILD ATTACKED BY A FERRET.

A Bis NBgget of Gold

(by telegraph—own correspondent. )

Duitedin, this day. A ferret attacked a child at Outram, but. the brute was killed before serious injury waß done.

A 78 ounce nugget has bceo fownd in gm pf the branches of tho Bhotover. ' '''.' .

Mrs A. Anderson, in reply to Mr D, Goldio'a letter, writes, gating that she had. nothing; whatever to do with dancing in connection with the recent entertainment in tho Temperance Hall, . >...

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS.

Another Medical © flieer Etcsisrns,

At a combined meeting of tho Hospital Houae Committeo and the Charitable Aid Committee this morning, tho resignation of Dr Franklin as Houso Surgeon was tendered and accepted. Dr. Lindsay waa a-p pointed to temporarily fill the vacancy and it was resolved that all applications for the post which are received up till Monday next should bo considered and dealt with at tho ordinary meeting of tho Board, to bo held on that afternoon. Mr Kidd urged the desirability of giving to all the Board's trained nurses formal certi ficates of competency, and in order that then* training for this purpose might be rendered completo, he moved that bho honorary medical staff should be asked to report as to the best mode of carrying out Rule 43, which pro vided that tho resident medical officers " shall give such theoretical and practical instruction to the nurses as may be deemed necessary." He also moved that the Lady Superintendent should be asked to report upon Rule 88, which states that " she shall give such practical and theoreti cal instruction as shall be required for tho education of the head-nunes, nurses and probationers under her charge." Both, motions were carried.

VESSEL ASHORE AT GIS BORNE.

(BY teleoeapii.-pp.ess association.)

Gisborne, this day. The schooner Onward, from Greymouth. struck on the bar when coming up the river yesterday, tho swell sent her on the rocks, and a big hole was soon knocked in tho bottom, tho vessel filling in five minutes. The cargo of coal was discharged into carts at low tide. The extent of the damage is not yet known, but it is thought to bo considerable.

VOLUNTEER LAND CLAIMS.

(by telegraph—own reporter),

Wellington, this day. Mr Hamlin has been supplied with the following information respecting the claims for Volunteer grants, which he had pre sented :— Edward Jones — On Mr Hamlin's certifi cate of good discharge Mr Jones will ba recommended. Mark Dixon—On Mr Hamlin's represen tation as to the merits of the ca3e, Defence Minister will recommend ib for favourable consideration of the Waste Lands Com mittee. C. Climo—The rolls in the Defence Offica show that Conor Clime waa eiiicient^or four years only. W. Currie—Applicant states that he only served three years as an efiicient in Waiuku Cavalry. M. Mahon—Was non-efficient in 1873, therefore service was non-continuous. P. Haslam—Received eighty acres of land, and is not entitled to anything further. J. Jackson—This man was nover either a, volunteer or militiaman in actual service, and has no claim. M. Judge and others—No persons of thia name applied. The following list has been supplied to Mr Thompson:— 0. Moginn—Discharged since tho act waa repealed, no claim. Wm. Porter—Claims was not recom mended because applicant stated that he never applied for lands. The Commissioners believe lie must have left the country. James Gibbons Discharged IS7O, acfr repealed 1567, no claim. W. G. Garrard—No proof of character, or that applicant left the service to sebtl© in Auckland. David Grace — Dischargo burnt. Nor proof, no character at dischargo. John Gibbons—The Defence Minister haa received certificrtes from Gibbons which will justify me hi asking that his name ba placed on the schedule of the bill. P. Maguin—Discharged 1867, act re pealed 1807, therefore no claim. Joseph Campbell-Applicant neglected to rejoin his regiment after discharge from Hospital. Very properly forfeited his land. T. Lonergan — Applicant received 40 acres ; not entitled to anything further. G. H. Leaning —No rolls in tho office of such an ancient date ; not five years' effi cient service j nob continuous. YV. Herd — Discharged in England in 1868; Act repealed in 1867; therefore no ciaim.

P. Neylon — Discharged, 1870; Act re pealed, 1807; no claim.

T. Thwaites — Old records are not now obtainable. H this man had been entitled, he would have received his scrip long ago, Bidglow—This is a claim under the Im migrants Act, with which tho Commission has nothing to do. E. O'Hara—This man states that his dis charge was lost; never applied for land; never knew he was entitled *to land. The Commission believe his discharge was a bad o*ne, and that ho never was entitled to land.

COMING EVENTS.

Meeting, &c. To-night.

Abbott's Opera House—Lynch Family of Bell, ringers, 8. J Agricultural Hall-London Circus Company 8. YTmd* e t7:!3o. Omß_MeetingOf Assistants of'aU °Siyf S .^^-Onehunga Naval Ar-

Rota of Justices at Police Court.

faa_K aeSfireD, G; S, Mac

Auction Sales To-morrow

TtlSbo?S! mn. tW PTOt> IS$$W- iron, &P_,*>•B'ud-^e--J'luml.erß, and' Gasfittera. ISjii? c3' U > "r{W> 9Wm r^fPlf; E. Loydon, Newtan=g took et a ritoroteoase,, SU Blanks and Co.^a.it, S_e..ii> Srop«t^^ D.F.J^an-i-BouseUolA^nJte^^tt -77

■THE. AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, MAY 18. 1887.

5



Ask tottk Grocer or milkman for Freez ing Company's -'Shell" brand butter in half-pound pats. '



■ . ... ; , FRIDAY NEXT, ; At 12 o'clock. BOOTHS. STALLS. BOOTHS. . TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB. WINTER MEETING. ! .. B. TONES & CO.' Have received instructions to sell on Friday next, at 12 o'clock, BO 0 T H S BTALLS ; GRANDSTAND BAR &C., &c., &o For the Takapuna Jockey Clubs Winter Meeting on Queen's Birthday, May 24,1557. WANTED, a General Servant, one ac customed to children preferred; refer ences reQuii-ed.-Mrs BarUett. Arawa-street, off Kyber Pass Road. '