THE RECENT FIRE AT DEVONPORT.

Verdict ofjtaccndiarlsm.

, the circumstances sur- A* "? qU ,j ie re , e nt fire in Domain-street, rounding t i n . cc dwelling-houses down, was opened yesterday wcreburnert a strict Coroner), ab tho • Btotd Devonport. Sergeant jlasomc^ -■ _ j thfl olicej and J ose ph Gillies rPres^ foreman O f the jury. <« "•"evidence was taken :- The ff °'V fne deposed that he was a collec- He torotatou ' j, 0l , £c in course ot erection lately o^eaJ b Devonport, by Arthur W^^SmS! builder! who had con m?TL eSt it for £204, exclusive of ex tracted Ie Allotment on which the house tm\ efpneed securely in the ordinary 6tood pvcepb that the gates were hod oannei, &«* v round the buUdill g {fT^5 o'clock oa the night of \ fire but did nob stay more the -7 % tmniites. He saw no fire, bub X did notcxamine minutely there might haY6i -tinrked Before going there he had foundtS Black's shop. The building two days of completion. While he w i.- nnH 7or 8 minutes afterwards to, hf' went home.. He did not visit ? J?es «am that evening. He tSSd a of the outbreak of lire i t midnight. He was in bed, sound £ S a man knocked at the fnr to tell him his new house was on f! He was really frightened, but got »nd went to the place by his wife's U,lvice When he reached the scenery of Ili» three houses were burnt down, viz., £ in, and Mr Weils's two houses. He tod no insurance on the building, but he Smed that the builder had an insurance „ £200 on it. It was in the names witness, Smith and Lennox. He Ll not been consulted about it, how »r He had a mortgage on the allotment, Lhe did not know to what amount. The iSeon the land and house was £220 Hewa/iully satisfied with the house and «ith the contractor. He remembered telling Leant Gillies that he had no interest in the"place until it was finished. He did not «-k the contractor to save the shavings for him, as he wished to burn them in the furnace. He remembered taking shaviDcs in to the right ;iiand corner'next Mr Wets's place a month before the fo The whole shavings of the build ina" were collected there. -It was perfectly dark where they were. There was no window nor flooring where they were. He retained some sash fastenings to Mr Blade on the evening of the fire and took blind fasteners instead. He was not inside the honse on the evening of the fire. He made a claim for a gas stove and grate verbally, bat not in writing. He had since with drawn that claim. He intended to have the house rebuilt on the same plan, except that the wash-house would be floored. He thought the tire had been cansedby someone' smoking. He did not smoke himself. He was only a loser to the extent of the stove and grate and fencing. Arthur Edwin Smith, carpenter and builder, residing at Newton, deposed that he was contractor for Mr Taine's new house. The price was £204. On September 2nd it to completed inside, and there was only one door to be hung below the basement. He left the premises at 5.10 p.m., Albert fefe' and his own son having left ten minute earlier. They all came over to Auckland. He had locked all the doors, and the windows were fastened with stick?, lokdno fire in the house on the day of the outbreak, and no one that ho had any ftinj.to.do' with was smoking in it. It wm four-roomed house with a basement beloir. There were about three bagffful of . fltarinosin the basement next Mr Wells's place. MrTaine never asked him to save anyskragsforhim, but he believed they wre saved for him. He had a builder's in surance on the house for £200 in the New Zealand oice. He saw the painters smok ing cigarettes outside the buildingl on the day of the fire, None of them were work ing inside the basement. He had lost all his own and his son's tools. No fire was used on thepremkes on the day of the fire. Albert VYharfe gave corroborative evi dence. : ■

Fred Harold Wells, carter, deposed that MrTaine'sTiew house was only 9ft distant from the one owned and occupied by him self. About 11 o'clock on the night of the fee he was retiring to bed when His wife told him there was a fire. He saw a glare through a window and rushing out on to the Verandah, found that fire had broken oat in the lower basement of Mr Taine's louse next' his own. He gave an alarm ™ got out his children, and tried wave his furniture .which was not insured. Ho house was destroyed, likewise another next door,: also .belonging to him and occupied by Mr Jerrad. .' He had a stable, greenhouse and vinery destroyed as well. ltie «te were uninsured. His houses ?ereni S nred for £280 and £150 respectively f the National Office. He reduced the latter £20 during the week of the fire. He w» » heavy; loser. He had passed Mr wines house 15 minutes before the out wafc,an.4sawno sign of fire then.. The Pot where he first saw the fire was where ™i shavings were kept. «ank Ernest Mason, a clerk, residing at deposed that at 11;15 p/raJ on dW o?^ he saw tbe fire from his own r*. *0 yards distant. He went to gmain streetj and found the fire inside the & °Onier of the basement, Mr JJWBirith.him,and there was no S r c about- He tried to get water, but Mr TalTp! d Mk; deP°sea tliat he saw »« house P>Ul- m the fi^n of his A aev Biden kce tOliekeeper' gaVC somewhat S&T^^bdms with his OchaaiTiJo. f ' £fue evidence as to ton with Vt • words of conyers^ l£tW&J aine afc 8 p.m. on the 2nd L ?, Safe his" new ll0»se Ettticfs. and the feilce nexfc ftautsft Unkham> saddler, deposed doii>>gftedo; f °A n rthe 2nd "lst> hewas IoS3 olfrA. Alison's workshop d^ caw helped him to close the

SSeet hnd l Renter, residing in "^ofK^V* 9-, 45 °'clock on ,WwsH Wf*-' wbile working at a r^him wfi houl, d nofc b° able to * Waffc MrTai»e well, but i*"'to bed aui at ,he was tl!e man. He 16401I 6401 a great raw l° on «%waiib he J^waa great ,1 , Yells s children there. S lE?i?*!. at Tame's > but no SSS^^#W - Church- SWiSS-lß^"'"'Police, feiusn. the flanks. He saw

Mr Tame at the fire, and in answer to ques tions Mr Tame told ,htm he had no in tere.st in the building, as it had not been finished ; that he had not been in the house that day ; but that he had been on the pre mises for a few minutes on his way from Mr Bluck's store ; that he could not get in as he tried the door and found it locked. Witness went to him later on, and asked if he had a mortgage on the place. He replied that he had no interest whatever in the house until it was taken over. Witness saw him again the following day and repeated the question. Mr Tame then replied that he had raised £225 on the allotment for the purpose of building the house. There were Ino loafers about Devonport who entered unoccupied houses at night. Gco. Smith, clerk in the New Zealand Insurance Company, deposed that on July 22nd an insurance* of £100 was effected, in the name of A. J. Scott as mortgagee and of Tame as owner, on Tamo's building and inateritils. On August 6th, a second insurance for £50 was effected, and lastly, on August 23rd (eleven days before the fire) an insurance for £150 was effected in the names of W. Tame and A. E. Smith, contractor. The total insurance at the time of the fire was £200. A claim for compensation had been rendered in the names of A. E. Smith and W. Tame for £200.

Arthur E. Smith deposed as to Mr Tame giving instructions for the shavings to be saved. On the early part of the day of the fire, he saw the painters smoking pipes in the basement. They lit the pipes with wax matches.

This being all the evidence, the jury re tired, and after some deliberation brought in the following verdict about 4 p.m : — " We, the jury empannelled to inquire into the cause of the lire on the 2nd September, 1887, in Domain-strdet, Devonport, consider it is tho work of an incendiary, but there is not any evidence before us to prove by whom it has beendonc."

ELECTION NOTES.

There is a rumpus in the Industrial As sociation over the choice of political can didates who should be recommended for the support of the Society. It is said that the sub-committee who were appointed to ascertain the views of candidates and re commend them to the electors had chosen Mr Golclie for Auckland West, and Mr Vaile for Auckland North, that there has been a good deal of wire-pulling to get these and other names changed, the result being that a bare majority of an irregularly convened meeting, held without some of the members of the Committee being notified, substituted the names of Mr Shera for Mr Goldic and Mr Farnall for Mr Vaile, and also published a list of candidates as representing the views of the Association which included Mr Eeader Wood,a pronounced Free Trader, against Mr Monk, a Protectionist. It is as serted these recommendations are simply the opinions of two or three members of the Committee,and do not represent either the wishes or intentions of the Committee as a whole or the Association. The objectors declare, and very properly, that as a society formed to promote Protection to Local Industry they have no right to formally pledge their support to any one of the candidates who equally re present their views on this important question; that while recommending strongly the importance of electing only men pledged to aid local industries they ought to leave the elector to exercise his own judgment as to which of two candidates who have given equally satisfactory pledges should receive their votes. The matter is likely to be ventilated at the meeting of the Industrial Association to-night, and may not improb ably lead to a serious secession, if not an absolute burst up, in the Association. Some membcre of tho committee have, however, already declared their determination not to attend another meeting, to be made " cats paws :' of by clever electioneering wire pullers.

At Haslett's Kail, Eden Tei'race, last night, the electors of Newton met in com mittee to make final arrangements for all details connected with the coming battle on behalf of Mr Tole. The committee nd journed to St. George's Hall, on Friday night, at half-past 7.

Mr Moss's committee held their usual meeting last night, The attendance was large, and the warmest feeling shown. The committee feel confident of their candidate's success, and decided that as no i building could be obtained in the Grafton Roar! portion of the district, another meeting of the electors shall be held next week at St. Andrew's School as the most convenient building available.

The supporters of Mr J. M. Shera should attend to-night"s committee meeting at half pasfc seven,as very important matters con nected with polling day are in course of progress and completion.

Mr Francis G. Read has retired from the contest for the Akaroa electorate. Mr Berry Cass will probably oppose Sir Julius Vogel for Christchurch North. Mr R. M. Taylor received a vote of confidence at Sydenham last night. He was questioned for an hour and a half.

Mr Sydney Taiwhanga, M.H.E., is ex pected to arrive in Auckland on Friday next. The natives are elated at his elec tion.

Mr J. A. Connell met his supporters at Three Kings schoolhouse last evening. The weather was very inclement, but there was a good attendance. Mr J. W. Carr pre sided. A strong committee Avas formed, and very favourable reports were given in by those present. A number of ladies at tende 1 the meeting. The Chairman ex plained that the business of the evening was of a routine character only, and invited the ladies to attend Mr ConnelFs address to the electors on Tuesday evening next, the 20th inst. The general and supplementary rolls were gone through, and the committee arranged to meet again on Tuesday next, at the close of Mr ConneiPs address to the electors.

Capt. Kerr, a retired naval officer, now announces, himself as a candidate for Tau ranga seat in opposition to Messrs Kelly and Gill. He is running on the indepen dent ticket.

A meeting of Mr ConneH'.? Avondale Com mittee is announced for this (Wednesday) evening at half-past 7.

Mr Connell addresses the Henderson electors in the schoolhouse in that district to-morrow (Thursday) evening at 7.30.

Mr W. H. Wakeham, who laid a scries of complaints against gaol officials, has yet received no intimation when an inquiry will be held. In a matter of this kind it is desirable that there should be full and open investigation without unneces sary delay. Some three or four months have elapsed since the formal complaints were made, and the petitioner ought long ago to have received an intimation of the decision of the Government.

Twenty men have been sworn in as members of the Devonport Naval Company by Captain H. Parker and the balance will be sworn in on Thursday evening.

The Fancy Dress Ball in connection with the Princes-street Socials, which has been in active preparation for some time past, eventuates to-night at the City Hall. , The committee are sanguine of scoring a bril liant success, the sale of tickets having much exceeded their anticipations, Spec tators may obtain tickets for circle at the box offices,

SPORTING NEWS.

The A.J.C. Meeting.

(S PECIAL M KSSAGE. )

S"f£>XEY, this day.

Heavy rain set in last night, and it con tinued this morning. It seriously interfered with work on the course, and nothing of importance was done. Pasha, Spade Guinea and Teddy Yuille were sent two miles at a moderate pace. Phaon and Morok each covered tho Metropolitan Stakes distance, moving nicely, and both finished strong. Silvermine and Niagara did useful work. Enrilale, Thunderbolt, and Silver Prince did a mile and a-half in splendid style. Disowned is reported to have gone wrong. Cardigan, Arsenal, and Dun lop were only out for moderate exercise. Kitawa and Acolyte were also exercised, and both are in splendid condition. Tho Hon. J. White's string were out, and did useful work.

The A.R.C. Mandicapping Trouble.

The following is a copy of the petition sent to the Auckland Racing Club by Southern horse-owners, protesting against a com mittee supervising Mr Evett's handicaps :—

Christchurch, August, 1887. The Committee, Auckland Racing Club,

We, the undersigned owners of race horses, respectfully submit to the Commit tee of the Auckland Racing Club that we have heard with regret that it is intended to submit the handicaps for revision by a Committee after they have been framed by the handicappcr. We would point out that unless the committee of revision is so con stituted as to exclr.de all owners or reputed owners of racehorses, and all persons finan cially interested therein as breeders or otherwise, it will bo ;wpossible to avoid un pleasantnesses, which are no less real be cause possibly groundless.

(Signed) Host, G. H. Clifford, Hon. W. Reeves, D. O'Brien, G. G. Stead, P. Butler, E. Cutts, Dk. Prins and Major Georcie.

Nominations for tho principal events of the Otahuhu Racing Club Spring Meeting close em Friday next.

The Northern Jockey Club (Whangarei) has resolved to continue to run under the A.R.C. rules as heretofore. It has been determined to hold the Summer Meeting on Monday and Tuesday, the 26th and 27th of December.

Sir Julius Vogel's Intentions.

(BY TELEGRAPH — OWN CORRF.SPONDFNT.)

Wellington; this day. It is widely rumoured here that Sir Julius Vogcl has decided to offer himself as a can didate for East Wellington in opposition to Mr Geo. Fisher, and that Mr Robertson would in that case retire in his favour. Sir Julius Vogels re-election for Christchurch being an absolute certainty, he could safely let that go on, and fight Mr Fisher on ids own ground. 'later. Sir Julius Vogel' distinctly contradicts the rumour that he ever intended to offer himself for Wellington East. He has post poned his Wellington address till next Wednesday.

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

(BY TEI/EGBArit.— OWN COIUtESrOXDENT.)

Ikvercargill, this day. Mb John Gammell, 8.A., who recently re signed the position of Inspector of Schools under the Southland Board,; has written an exhaustive letter, which appears in the "Southland News;" against Bible reading in State Schools. In the courso of his remarks the writer says: — " Not only is the attempt of the Bible-in schools party opposed to the principle of religious equality, it is equally opposed to common honesty. It must be remembered that every citizen contributes to the public treasury, and that consequently you can only make use of public money for pur poses in which all can share, not simply for the purpose of a majority. What good is going to be done by the pro posed innovation in our present system ? Does anyone in his sober senses sup pose the mere utterance of holy sounds without note or comment is going to effect the slightest improvement in any child's moral character ? M one but a person utterly ignorant of child nature would imagine it for a moment. Children are in fluenced, not by such forms and ceremony, but by the high character or otherwise of the men or women who hold the oflice of teachers. As such were, the children grow to be. School Boards have in their hands already the right of insuring a high moral tone in their schools. Let them scrutinise as closely as possible the character of each candidate for the teacher's office, as they do his literary or professional attainments, and let them admit no one who does not bring unimpeachable testimony to his high prin ciples. The mistrustful and the drunkard teacher should bo weeded out with a ruth less hand wherever he exists, and bhe door of re-admission be closed against him. These are the real conditions that will ensure noble character in the youths and girls of the future. Put the living reality of goodness in authority over the children, and as sure as fire will kindle fire in the surrounding fuel, or yeast produce fermentation in the contents of a baker's trough, so surely will the teacher's excellencies, be reproduced in the pupils and be daily influences. On all these grounds, therefore : Because Bible-reading in schools without note or comment would be ineffectual for any good ; because it is unnecessary where the teachers' character is high, and hypocrisy when it is not; because the introduc tion of this custom would really be the endowment of theological dogma by the State, and the recognition by authority of favoured sects, thus establishing the evils and the principle of a State church amongst us, and reducing us to an earlier and inferior shape of social life, —on all these grounds the present at tempt of the clerical party in this colony to interfere in politics and obtain political ascendency .should be most vigilantly and stoutly rosisfeed. Let the mouth of every elector roeist the beginning. It has been painful to notice the readiness with which candidates for Parliamentary honours have expressed acquiescence in the demands of the Bible-in-schools party. It may be, however, that such candidates have done themselves no good by their weak compliance, and it is not too late yet for electors to teach them by the final verdict of the ballot box that they have paid too dearly for the support of the clerical party. ' No State Church in New Zealand' should be the mandate of the constituents to their representatives, and the candidate who has so readily taken the pledge to alter the secular character of the Education Act should find himself at the bottom of the poll on election day. We must raise again the good old hymn so well known among the Nonconformist Church at Home—

' Let Cspsar's dues be ever paid To Ccosar and his throne, But consciences and souls were made To be the Lord's alone.'"

COERCION IN IRELAND.

A HARVEST OF CRIME.

CHIEF CONSTABLE MURDERED.

DESPERATE AFFRAY WITH MOONLIGHTERS-

ARREST OF O'BRIEN.

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF

COMMONS.

THE POLICE BLAMED FOR THE

RIOT.

London, September 13. A serious affray has taken place in County Clare, Ireland, between a party of Moonlighters and the police. In the course of the fight the head constable of Ennis was killed. The police finally succeeded in arresting seven of the Moonlighters.

A dozen Moonlighters were about to murder a farmer for taking a farm from which the former tenants had been evicted, when they were surprised by the police, a party of whom had been lying in ambush. After a des perate fight, seven of them were cap tured, but Jiot before several of the police had been severely wounded, and one killed.

Previous tohisarrest Mr O'Barien spent the day at Calgybrook, with Messrs Dillon and Harrington. He received a telegram from Messrs Labouchere and Brennan asking him to accompany them to London. Messrs O'Brien and Harrington were going on board the steamer at Kingston to decline the in vitation, when a detective met O'Brien, and told him he wculd not arrest him if he would promise not to go to England. O'Brien refused, and was taken to the Imperial Hotel, escorted by the police, who informed him that he could re main there for the night on condition that he did not make a speech. He refused, and addressed the crowd from the balcony, saying that as long as there was breath in his body his voice would not be silent, unless he was gag ged. He was proud to suffer with the poor victims of Mitcholstown. The offer of promise of non-arrest if he did not go to England indicated that the Government dreaded his appearance there. The crowd was enthusiastic.

When interviewed at the hotel O'Brien said he only wanted to board the steamer to speak to Mr Labou chere. He had not intended to speak after his arrest until it was suggested by the detectives.

Mr Wm. O'Brien was yesterday taken to Cork, where he was charged with inciting tenants to resist the law, and was remanded and imprisoned, bail being refused.

In the House of Commons last night a debate was raised by Sir William V. Harcourt on affairs in Ireland. In the course of his remarks he declared that the stopping of the meeting was flagrantly an illegality, which English men would never stand.

Mr Gladstone took part in the de bate, and concurred in the views expressed by Sir Wra. Harcourt. In reply, the Chief Secretary for Ireland retorted that, during Earl Spencer's term of office, no less than 130 meetings had been stopped. The resignation of Sir Redvers Buller was not owing to any difference with the Government, but in consequence of his return to the Horse Guards. The police, added Mr Balfour, were per fectly justified, in defence of their lives, in firing upon the people. The Government, he declared, would per sist firmly in upholding the law.

Mr Labouchere and Mr Dillon, who were witnesses of the affair at Mitchels town, insisted that the police were the aggressors. . . Mr Balfour said the police fired to save the wounded, who were crawling to the barracks under showers of stones and blows. He reproached the Opposi tion with looking on the lives and property of the Irish as mere counters in a political game. Lord Churchill warmly supported the Government. The motion to adjourn was nega tived by 228 to 87. In the course of the discussion Mr Gladstone strongly deprecated acts of recrimination in dealing with the Irish difficulty. Mr Balfour, Chief Secretary for Ire land, contended that the outrages of the rioters justified the action of the police in firing on their assailants. The Government were, he added, de termined to administer the law in Ire land with firmness.

Mr Parnell moved the adjourn ment of the House in order that the debate might be prolonged.. Lord Randolph Churchill declared that the Irish people had challenged the Government, and Parliament must support the Ministers in their action. The defeat of the motion for" adjourn ment terminated the discussion.

Murphy, the Auckland boxer, who has just completed his victorious tour through the colony, is still in Wellington. A few gentlemen interested in the "noble art' and admirers of Murphy, met last night at the Commercial Hotel there for the purpose of taking initiatory steps in regard to presenting him with a suitable trophy previous to his departure for America. A sum of £S was collected in the room, and it is expected that a snfficient amount will be collected to purchase a handsome trophy. The Scottish Dramatic Club are making good progress with the rehearsal of the national and musical drama of " KH, hoy, j and at the meeting to-night m the [turns Club Hall, the performers are expected to show a high state of efficiency .in their several parts.

CABLEGRAMS.

THE BULGARIAN CRISIS.

CHARGES OF HIGH TREASON.

(special to press association.)

London, September 13

General Karaveloff and a number of other Bulgarian officers have been arrested for inciting the army to revolt. They will be tried on the charge of high treason, and it is expected that the evidence will con tain some startling disclosures of Russian intrigue in Bulgaria.

DEMONSTRATION IN FAVOUR OF FERDINAND.

A DISORDERLY MOB,

Sofia, September 12,

A public demonstration in favour of Prince Ferdinand took place here to day. A resolution was passed declar ing that the Prince should be assisted to the utmost in his retention of the throne of Bulgaria.

The people then assembled at the palace, when Ferdinand addressed them

from the balcony, and wished long life to Bulgaria.

Tho mob afterwards proceeded to

the residence of General Kahavaloff and to the office of the Russian news paper, and broke the windows of both buildings.

PRINCE BISMARCK ILL.

[reuter's tklkgram.]

Berlin, September 12.

It is semi-officially stated that the medical treatment lately received by Bismarck at Rissingen has caused tem porary weakness, and that he is in consequence unable to attend the ap proaching autumn manoeuvres and public rejoicings at Koningsberg and Stettin.

SCENES IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

AN ALL NIGHT SITTING,

$REUTER.)

London, September 12. The House of Commons sat all night discussing amendments made by the House of Lords in the Coal Mines Regulations ■ Bill and. the Truck Bill. The debate at one time became very disorderly, and Mr Graham one of the members for Lanarkshire, and Mr Edward Harring ton, member for West Kerry, openly defied tho Speaker, and were suspended from service of the House.

AUSTRALASIAN DEFENCE.

Lord Brassey, in his letter to the "Times," suggests that an ironclad should be stationed at each of the principal ports of Australia and New Zealand.

ALLEGED CRUELTY.

Charge Against Railway Officials.

A case of considerable interest to railway officials was heard at the Police Court to day, before Messrs Collins and Stevenson, J.P.'s. Isaac Glenny and George Caldicufc were charged with a breach of the Police Offences Act by cruelly ill-treating a sheep, by wilfully causing a railway truck to pass over and mutilate the same at Onehunga. The defendant Glenny is the station-master at Qnehunga, and G. Coldi cot the guard of the train. Mr Thome appeared, on behalf of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, for the prosecution.—Herman Schmiedel de posed that the sheep were landed at Onehunga Wharf, and were in his charge when the eight o'clock train came down. It was stopped at the upper end of the wharf to discharge passengers, but was ordered on directly, and ran into the sheep. In two minutes, the sheep might have been out of the way. Caldicot said subsequently that it was not his fault, and that he was ordered by Glenny to back the train down John Drummond, sheep inspector, said he saw the train running into_ the sheep,and asked Glenny to give the animals time to get out of the way. _ The train then moved further, and witness spoke to Glenny, and said he might kill all the sheep. Glenny said he could not stop the train, but would have to get some altera tion made in the method of landing the sheep.—R. Olney, Alex. Muir, S. Harker, and Henry O'Neil also gave evidence for the prosecution. Muir stated thab he called out to Coldicot to stop, and the train did stop. Glenny ordered the train on again, and Culdicot said, "To h with the sbeep, I have to obey orders." It was also stated that one sheep was killed, the backs of two were broken, and several others were injured. This was the case for the prosecution.— Glenny went into the witness box, and stated on oath that the train was seven minutes late when it got to the wharf. When Caldicot stopped the train, he told witness there were sheep on the wharf, and asked for instructions. Witness said "Hold on," and this order appeared to have been misunder stood by Caldicot and the witnesses for " go on." When he found Caldicot was going on, he held up his hands to stop, but did nob know that any damage had been done then. They had no time to spare at that trip, and he had often told Schmiedel, Buckland's man, that he was not to have the sheep there. —Caldicot also went into the box and said he stopped the train when he saw the sheep were in the road. He understood the station-master then to tell him—" Go on; never mind the sheep," and he went over.—He did not see the sheep run over. Mr Glenny examined the witness to show that shunting was necessary.— The Bench considered this to be a very gross case, and lined each of the defendants £5 and costs, or in default fourteen days' imprisonment.

OUR GOLDFIELDS

(by telegraph—own correspondent.)

Thames, this day.

Cambria.—2slb of picked stone has been got from No 1 footwall leader on the western drive at No 3 level. The usual fortnightly cleaning up to-day resulted in 1490z. of retorted gold f -om 166 loads of quartz and 301b of picked stone.

Peinck Imperial.—2olb of picked specimens and picked stone has been got from the stope on No 1 reef at No 2 level.

The manager of the Saxon Mining Com pany telegraphed yesterday that 201b of picked stone were taken from the hanging wall portion of the reef in the drive 'hill ward of the winze at No. 4 level.

Saxon.— The manager, writing under yesterday's date, says that the reef in No. 4 level is looking well, and is giving about 2ft. 6in of crushing dirt. The rise in the various stopes is also looking well. At No. 3 level, the footwall portion of the reef has been carried on, and is now level with the hangingwall part. The reef is about 18in. in thickness, showing gold occasionally.

The Waitoa Find.

The utmost interest has been evinced in the discovery of gold-bearing strata at Waitoa, and the sample of stuff ex hibited by Mr Witheford has been inspected during the day by numbers of experienced miners used to treating stuff of a somewhat similar character. The enquiry now being made is, as to whether the gold has been deposited on the plain by volcanic action, or carried down from the mountains by a flowing river. If of volcanic origin the deposit will probably be lighter and less easily traced than if carried along a watercourse. There has long been a belief that a great river once flowed through the country where now are the homesteads of the settlers. Should tho gold be found in " gutters," as in the old dried up beds of rivers in Australia, the deposit will be found lighter near the surface, but much richer at a greater depth, and will be traced to making shafts, or by the quicker methods of boring. The criticisms made to-day by old alluvial miners, are not alto gether unfavourable to the belief that the Waitoa find may lead to other and more important discoveries in the district. A miner states that he washed seven and a-half ounces of gold out of a similar class of stuff near Puriri, in the early days of the field. He also got rich gold on the West Coast from a similiar looking strata which he found resting on a bottom of hard sandstone, the roof of the drive was of a cement formation the layer of auriferous dirt resting between the two. The further developement of this find lies in sinking deeper, to prove the depth of the strata carrying the gold, the dis tance of 30 feet which has been sunk has nob penetrated through the de posit, it will be of general interest to learn at what depth bottom will be reached, and if the gold gets coarser.

The Hikutaia Find.

Beyond the fact of Government having agreed to give a subsidy up to £100 towards making a road to the prospectors claim no thing fresh has transpired. The unfriendly criticism appearing in the "Press" Welling ton published by us last night has elicited some important information on the subject of the permanenecy of gold deposits in its vicinity, and on the line of reef on which the Hikutaia mine is situated. The Waitekauri mine is within five miles of the Hikutaia find. A return made by the Bank of New Zealand shows that this bank alone has bought gold from the Waitekauri mine to the value of £70,000. In connection with the substan tial outporb from a ten feet reef, another very important consideration has to be borne in mind — that the Hikutaia and Waitekauri quartz is highly argenti ferous and as npwarda of 100,000 tons of quartz was put through the 40 stamper battery belonging to the Waite kauri Company, and no effort made to save silver the presumption is that an enormous amount of bullion was lost. While the Waitekauri mine was worked no one thought that the black patches in the reef represented silver, and no process was therefore introduced to save it. Recent developments prove unmistakeably that the Company, and it may be said that the colony, have suffered a great loss through the want of proper appliances with which to treat Waitekauri quartz, assuming that the ore was at a low estimate only with an average of soz. of silver to the ton, we have a total of 500,0000 ounces of silver thrown away in the tailings. In this one reference, is shown the unjustness of the reflections made by the " Press" on the Hikutaia find, and on the value of reefs in the vicinity. As regards the patchy nature of gold deposit such is the case in one sense the world over, even in our richest mines the Caledonian pays half a million in dividends in twelve months but several years subsequently scarce enough gold is obtainable to pay expenses. The same may be said of goldmines every where, and it is not until the roar of fur naces is heard day and night at Hikutaia, or some other process similar .to that adopted by other silvermining com munities is introduced, that the output of bullion will be commensurate with the known value of the ore, the present battery process is decidedly inadequate; but by the time the track is cut to the Hikutaia prospectors' claim, the latter will have opened out sufficiently on their reef to satisfy firms like Messrs Fraser and Sons as to the permanency of the rich run. If it cuts completely out on being driven on, then the erection of a plant will not take place, but the £70,000 worth of gold pur chased by one bank from the Waitekauri mine proves that the district has great and permanent gold lodes.

Gold Find at Maungatautari.

(by telegraph—own correspondent.)

Hamilton, this day. Regarding the discovery of gold at Maun, gatautari, nothing authentic has reached Hamilton as yet, but the party who left here to visit the scene of the find are'ex pected back to-day.

EXTENSIVE FIRE AT FIELDING.

Damage £3,000.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Fielding, this day. A destructive fire took place in Fergusson street at an early hour this morning. It commenced in Halliday's shop, which, along with Kennedy's billiard-saloon and W. G. Haybattle's grocer's shop, were com pletely destroyed. Bellve's Empire Hotel was saved with difficulty, although injury was done to the furniture.

The following are the insurances; Ken nedy's shop and Halliday's shop (the pro perty of Mr Cellre) £450 in the Northern ; Hagbittle's stock £550 and building £250, in the South British ; Empire Hotel and £2,000 in the South British. Halliday's stock was valued at £300 and Kennedy's at £304 over the insurance. Haybittles loss is about £800. The total loss by the fire is about £3,000.

POLICE COURT—THIS DAY.

(Before Messrs Collins and Stevenson. J.P.s) Drunkenness.—One person was punished for a first offence.—John Thomas, alias Edward Ward, was fined 10s for a second offence— Margaret Freak, for a third offence, was fined £5, or, in default, fourteen clays' imprisonment.—Eliza L'Estrange pleaded for another chance, and was dismissed on a promise to leave the town.—Kate Hinch, for habitual drunkenness, was sent to prison for three months.

Withdrawn. — Frederick Tucker was charged with embezzling the sum 0f,255, the moneys of his employer, JcSseph O'Meagher.—Sergeant Pratt said the ac cused was brought up yesterday on a war rant, which he produced, and was remanded for the production of evidence. This morn ing he received from Mr O'Meagher a note in which he expressed his desire to withdraw the charge. The withdrawal was not on the part of the police.—Charge withdrawn.

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

(by telegraph.—own correspondent)

Hamilton, this day.. The monthly meeting of the Waipa County Council was held yesterday at Ohaupo, Present: Messrs Teasdale (Chairman)' Dawson, French, Long, and Moncrief. The principal business before the meet ing was that of considering a portion of the engineer's report with reference tor the question of the breadth of wheel tires. The engineer thought that the loads should be limited to 25 cwt, and two-horse teams instead of three and four, which would be the means of keeping the roads in good order. The present system did a consider able amount of injury to the highway, which cost the Council a great deal of money to keep in repair. He did nob recommend any regulation as to the breadth of the tires, as that would put the settlers to considerable expense. The matter was allowed to stand over to hear the opinion of the settlers. Loan. It was resolved to make application for a loan of £2,600 under the Local Government Bodies Loan Act, 1886. The subsidy to the Auckland Hospital (£173) and several small accounts were passed for payment before the meeting rose.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEAKERSHIP.

(BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, this day. A suppositious explanation of Sir R. Stout's sensational letter to Sir F. Dillon Bell is given by the " Evening Press." It says: " YVe believe the Government will contra dict its version, but is content to await for the proof of events." The "Press" story is to the effect that "on seeing that the result of the elections would deprive the Government of the oppor tunity of fulfilling its promise to rein state Sir W. Fitzherbert as speaker of the Council, Sir Robert Stout wrote to Sir Dillon Bellacquaintinghim with the circumstances, his main object being to suggest to Sir Wm. Fitzherbert, through Sir Dillon Bell, the advisability of returning to New Zea land without delay, in order to enable the Ministry to re-appoint him to the Speaker ship while they are yet in a position to do so. Sir Wm. Fitzherbert accordingly re linquished his, idea of prolonging his tour in North America, and he is expected to arrive here in the course of the next few days. Mr Waterhouse will then no doubt,, as in honour bound, resign the Speakership, and the Government, as in honour bound, will no doubt re-appoint Sir Wm. Fitz herbert to it. This is the explanation of, Sir Robert Stout's letter to Sir Dillon j Bell, and this accounts quite satisfactorily: for the contents of that letter having been ■ made public. Sir Dillon Bell was obliged to; tell Sir W. Fitzherbert why it was necessary. for him to return to New Zealand imme diately. That was the object of Sir P*oberb Stout in writing the letter. Sir W. Fitz herbert, on the other hand, naturally men tioned to others the reasons for his change of plans, and so the subject of the expected defeat of the Government became public, property. There was no breach of confidence and no divulging of secrets on anybody's part." _^^_____^___

SUNDAY TRADERS FINED.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, this day. At the R.M. Court to-day, seventeen shop keepers, principally tobacconists and fruiterers, were fined Is and costs for sell ing on Sunday. The police did not press for a heavy penalty, but merely wished to draw attention to the provisions of the Act.

STEAM TRAMWAY FOR BAY OF PLENTY.

(by telegraph.— press association.)

Tauranga, this day. The county engineer has submitted to the Council a scheme for opening up the country along the coast by means of a steam tram way at a cost of £30,000.

A Few Reasons why

"Cadbury's Cocoa" enjoys such world-wide popularity. It is guaranteed to be pure Cocoa. Is soluble in boilingmilk or water. Contains all the delicious aroma of the natural article, with out the excessive proportion of fat. Is not reduced in value by ihe addition of starch, sugar, etc. Is specially rich in flesh-forming and strength-sustaining principles. Is a gentle stimulant, and sustains against hunger and bodily fatigue.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &c, To-night. Abbott's Opera House—Moore and Axht&tiQ Mammotb Minstrels, 8 Bell's Buildings. Wyndham-street — Industrial Association's Exhibition, 7.30 to 10 Olympia Hall, Grey-street—Skating Rink, 7.30 to 10. Howick Presbyterian Church—Evangelistio Service, 7.30 Avondale Hall—Committee and Supporters of Mr J. A. Connell, 7.20 City Hall—Plain and Fancy Dress Ball, 8 V.M.C.A. Rooms-Annual Meeting City Row ing Club, 8 Albert Hotel-Annual Meeting United Cricket Club, 8 Newmarket Hall —Parade of Newmarket Rifles, 7.30 Choral Hall-Skating Rink, 7.30t010 V.M.C.A.—Wanderers Cricket Club. 8 Panmure Hall—Mr F. Lawry and the Electors of Franklin North, 7.30 Waite's Mount Eden Hall—Committee of Mr E. Mitchelson, 7.30 Industrial Association's Rooms—Meeting of In dustrial Association, 8

Rota of Justices at Police Court.

September 15-Messrs T. M. Haultain and R. B. Hunt

Auction Sales To-morrow.

A. B. Griffiths, Parnell—Trees, Plants, Shrubs, etc., 2 G. Lewis, Queen-street—Boots, Shoes, etc., 11 F. J. Jones, Newton—Household Furniture and

Effects, 11 . ' Arthur and Buddie—Household Furniture and

Effects, etc., 11. Edward Lcydon—Drapery, Fancy Goods, Jewel lery, Ironmongery, etc., 11.

HE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1881,

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