MORE FIRES.

Fire in Yarborough- Street.

, «nrninff an alarm of fire was OS Sunday orißQnhy fire-bell about rung °ut by The p o nsonby branch quickly 2,30 o'clock, a Foreman Wilkins, and turned out,/* s . dence o{ Mr John r<* doffD y arbo rough-street where the Brown in ,\" *The building is an fire Proved p(1 two-storied house. It was OVf 11 upon the building Shortly good hold «P° n rintend ent Hughes arrived "forwards Soperw d a deuich ment th *J hfthe cental station. The Sal- O f men from the cc vage Corps, unaei j lered a3S i st . a nce. in an appearance, ani untilfche buiid . Tbefir, cr Sn nret y well gutted, only three bad been pretty b^ nSw being a y lifct ie was saved. , eonsequenw «ry his wife WM Mr Brojvn states^ Bff akenea oy '» ifc ghe discovered Uponfin^° was on fire. As he had ** ?hilEhe devoted his time to save MvenC fas a consequence very little them, and as a ? children ita"J ecb to congestion of the f^ a Ire was always kept burning K s> wtehen The house was insured fSofhe South British Office, and ff fninre for £100 in the same com- tomture m detective weve the "found, and made the usual • aS buUailedto discover any theory fSe origin of the fire. It appears to '%&S** in a-lumber room in prox '^rto^Superintendent Hughes iEtSeplle message from the Pon ;Sitation stating that the fire had Sn out again in the building, and SIZ despatched several members of t & thither with hand-pump, etc. ffiVilkins of the Ponsonby Brigade iS that when he left the place at fa. 30 morning there was no sign of Z He visited the spot again at noon Ijesterday when there was neither smoke | Jor fire observable.

Fire at Mount Eden.

r At 9.45 o'clock last night a small Duucung '.sri as a wash-house and wood-shed, and £5 at the rear of Mr.Shirley_W. Hill's lidence, Stokes Road, Mount Eden, was fioveredbyMißS Hill to be on fire. She at once gave the alarm to her father, who, iwith the assistance of some neighbours, inanaeed to save a portion of the building. lit was insured with the National Insurance 'Company for £25. Mr Hill cannot account ifor the origin of the fire. .

Fire at Wellington.

(BYTELEGKAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

i 4 seven-roomed house occupied by Sir .Edward Osborne Gibbes, of the Education was burned down last night. jjlt E, 0. Gibbes had left a candle in the fedntroom for a moment, and on returning 'foirad that it had fallen out of the socket ! tad set the wall paper on fire. He made a inbattempt to put it out, and then carried !lis Me daughter out of the house. A •high wind was blowing, and nothing was laved except a couple of boxes. The f urni |tare was insured for £200 in the New 'Zealand office and the building for £350 in itkMi British. .. ...

| New Plymouth, Sunday. ! A Ming establishment and slaughter to^tf Wai\vakaiho, owned by L. Bailey, pms burned' last night. The fire originated ipesr the vat, and is supposed to have com fineaced from the boiler. The damage is ('estimated at £500. The boiling down jMchinery is only slightly damaged. The jinsurance on the slaughter house was £400 ■inthe Norwich Union office.

I . CnKisTCHUECir, Sunday.. pA four-roomed cottage at Linwood, jomed and occupied by F. Mulholland, cab [proprietor, .was totally destroyed by fire [this morning, f Insurances : Liverpool, |Ixmdim,and Globe, £120 on the house and £5Q on the effects.

|jj| Nelson, this day. | Hotel Burned Down. ' Tho' White Hart Hotel at Richmond was completely destroyed by fire last night. The building was insured in the National Office, but the amount is not known ; the toiture and stock for £600 in the Stan dard Office. ■

FLOODS AT NGARUAWAHIA.

I Waipa Eiver Overflows.

"•% —————. p THE ROADS IMPASSABLE.

(WTEUJGBAPH-OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Hamilton, this day. !**nbM jnrtiwched Hamilton that.in con i^nence of theheavy rains whichhavefallen ,™nng the last few days, the river Waipa its banks 3 miles from & V? m<md that several of the sett]ers are in danger of being flooded. SLSW 68 t0 the bridge near Mr \Z °H fan?> Whatawhata, have been '•SSSSff din replaces the roads

THE CABINET AND THE ELECTIONS.

(WIEUGEAJH.-OWN COKEESPONDENT.)

< !Soxe amno. , y^^UNGTON, this day. I ;CSS™ enb.hasbeenc^ed hereby I iB^Rl tlo HD ln the "New Zealand UttfT y!- ago of a canard t0 the •S Cesir etlng °f the Cabinefc had i^^rersof Ji ng M-a. Beems t0 be that -occupied fa? i too busily Sbt ns to meefc if at l^too^l^*^ are unlikely ** «S?™T less some questi^n ot y,arise3- Indeed >ifc i 'S?*^ SetW™^ 1 in w^-informed I &c present Cabi«et is Sr^SS electL^s f the resulb °f 1 S ? laCe? the Governmont in to tts AviU forward his i^ido. ■ Hb Excellency without

SIR GEORGE GREY'S HEALTH.

.. laiEGEA3>a- O^CO E R ESPOXD E NT .)

tbis day- I^^UstatT^ egl>efctohear 'ma tV Grace v g ' The Hon" F* 0* me'tw medical attendant, R^^Sbe^gll the colony, Kitten ;\ p f?5 °r. five days yet XL*» n ew gSres? in Wellington V? does nob Z ment me ets. If Sir lit 8'? 6*i S roi:wifchin fche »«5

VOLUNTEER NOTES.

City Guards

On Saturday afternoon the members of the above Company mustered pretty strongly at the Mount Eden Range for the purpose of firing for ihe handsome silver medal pre" sented by Major Isaacs to the Company, to be fired for at intervals of 6 months, Sergt. Jas. Scott being the present holder of the medal. The ranges were 200, 300 and 500 yards, 7 shots at each range, and notwith standing the very strong gusty wind blow ing across the range some very fair shoot ing was made, Lieut. Dormer winning the medal with a good score of 75 ; Col. -Sergt. Stirling 67, Sergt. Boyd 62, and Sergt, Orr 60, being his nearest attendants. Appended are the scores :—

An adjourned meeting of the Devonport Navals was held at the boatshed on Friday evening last to arrange matters re division of the late corps property. Mr C. C. Dacre occupied the chair. It was resolved to hand the whole of the property of the late company over to the new company, that the new company discharge all liabilities of the old company, and that members of the old company be allowed to enlist in the new company. Hobson Rifles.

The scores in the battalion contest were taken to decide in the competition for the late Lieutenant Connolly's belt. Captain Little waived his right as top scorer, and Sergeant Cantell therefore won the belt with a score of 73 points. The other scores were :—Vol. W. Quinlan, 59 ; Serg. Jenkinson, 58.; Vol. Gumby, 57 ; Serg. Sherear, 57 ; Vol. H. Grattan, 56 ; Vol. O'Hanlan, 53.;; Major Isaacs's Medal.

Fifty-eight competitors took part in the contest for this medal, the ranges being 200 300 and 500 yards. Captain Little was the winner with 77 points, and the other scorers were as follows :—Lieutenant Dormer, City Guards, 75; Volunteer G Sexton, City Guards, 74; Volunteer F. Kelly, Queen's Own, 73 ; Sergeant T. Cantell, Hobsons, 73; Volunteer Pitkeithley, Victorias, 72 ; Ser geant Fairs, Victorias, 71; Colour-Sergeant Stirling, City Guards, 67; Colour-Sergeant McLeod, Victorias, 67; Lieutenant Lee, Victorias, 65 ; Sergeant B.oyd, City Guards, 62 ; Volunteer Hawk, Victorias, 62 ; Volun teer C. Watson, Victorias, 61 Sergeant Orr, City Guards, 60. Duncdin Volunteers and tbe Rifle Sleeting. At a meeting of the Dnnedin members of the New Zealand Rifle Association a com munication was read from Captain Somer vil'ie, stating that the Remington-Lee would be the rifle used at the next meeting. The programme was discussed and adopted, with the following alterations :—That there be a fifth aggregate prize in the first stage ; that the team matches be conducted as formerly, companies being allowed to enter more than one team.

ACCIDENTS TO STEAMERS.

(BY TELEGRAPH, —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Westport, this day.

There was a heavy sea on the bar yester day, and on the s.s. Orowaiti, with several passengers, attempting to leave in the after noon she took ground on the bar. Several seas broke over the vessel, but she got off and returned to harbour. As she was coming up the river, the current caught her on the bow. and drove her on to a bank,but no damage was done and the steamer is now moored.

The s.s. Grafton which went out ahead of the Orowaiti, lost the blade of her pro peller on the bar.

AUCKLAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

The usual monthly meeting of the Auck land branch of the above body was held on Saturday afternoon in the Wellesley-street School-room. There was a good attendance, the Rev. Mr. Gulliver presiding. Mr Worthington resumed ,the discussion upon the syllabus. He criticised the action of the inspectors until at length he was re minded that he was not in order. After discussing the point of order raised, Mr Worthington continued, and said he for one was not afraid of the syllabus if it was reasonably interpreted. In the science de partment it was rather excessive in,the long array of subjects which it embraced. Mr Giffordtheh read apaperin which he credited the syllabus with inducing cramming. Mr O'Donoghue also read a paper in which he vigorously defended the syllabus. Mr Stewarb adverted to the system of "re sults" in England as justifying the system of pass-teaching, and stated that he thought the present time inopportune for making changes in the syllabus. The inspectors were the best judges of what was required in the matter of education. Papers regard ing the subject were also read by the Rev. Mr Coates, Mr Burlington, and Mr Lippiatt. The latter also read a paper which had been prepared by Mr Bruce condemning the syllabus in strong terms. Dr. McArfchur said that to a certain extent both sides were right in their contentions. The syllabus was the teachers' protection against tho inspector. In his opinion the schools here were, better than the Vic torian ones, and teachers here should beware of curtailing the syllabus. He held, however, that the percentage was not in itself a sufficient test. Mr Harrison considered that the syllabus compelled children to go over too much work in a given time—work that could not be done in the time without injury to the children. Mr Hoskings also spoke, and claimed that the schools in New Zealand were improving in the character of the education given. At the former meeting, the following resolution was proposed— " That the syllabus be not curtailed." At the conclusion of the discussion on Satur day, an amendment was proposed, " That the report re curtailing the syllabus be sup ported by this Institute." Upon the ques tion being submitted to the meeting, the original resolution was carried by a large majority. Mr Scott then gave notice of motion as follows:—" That two, thirds attendance be substituted for one half attendance, re annual examination in standards." The following gentlemen were nominated as delegates, to represent the Institute at the Conference : Messrs Ham son, O'Donoghue, Stewart, Scott. Coates, Gulliver, Hosking, and Murray. The elec tion will take place at the next meeting of the institute.

The adjourned meeting of the ratepayers of Devonport to consider the question of a water supply for the borough takes place this evening. In all probability the auxili ary question of forming a fire brigade will 'also crop up,

SPORTING NEWS.

The A.J.C. Meeting.

[reuter's telecram.]

Sydney, this day. Foe the A. J. C. Derby, to be run on Satur day next, Abercorn is first favourite, at 6 to 4 against. For the Great Metropolitan Stakes.Cardigan and Morok head the list of betting quotations, at 5 to 1 against each.

Result of the Hawkesbury Handicap.

[eeuter's telegram.]

Sydney, Saturday. The following was the result of the race for the Hawkesbury Grand Handicap. A handi cap sweepstakes of lOsovs. each, with 300sovs. added. For all horses. The win ner to receive 75 per cent., second horse 15 per cent., and third horse 10 per cent, of the gross amount. One mile and a half. Mr J. Chambers's eh h Cardigan, syrs, by Goldsborough—Signora, 6st 101b ... 1 Hon. J. White's b g Morok, syrs, by The Drummer—Jewel, 7st 31b (in cluding 51b penalty) ... 2 Mr H. Roberts's br h Leichardt, 4yrs, by Rapid Bay, 7st 41b 3 Won by a length. Time, 2m 37Js. Sydney, this day. In the race for the Hawkesbury Handicap on Saturday, Pasha ran sixth. He was never prominent at any time during the race.

[Cardigan, the winner, has been con sistently backed in Sydney to win the race ever since the weights first appeared. His chance was also looked on with a deal of favour among Auckland backers, and a great number profit for small amounts by the horse's success. Cardigan was highly thought of as a two-year-old, and although he only succeeded in winning Sydney Tat tersall's Foal Stakes, his other performances were of a meritorious character. As a three-year-old Cardigan did not run, and his four-year-old career was by _no means one of promise, for he failed to gain a place in the several races that he started for. This season, he has appropriated two races at New castle, and the Hawkesbury Handicap on Saturday. Cardigan is engaged in the Great Metropolitan Stakes with 6st 13.1b (including penalty), but his name does not figure in the acceptances for either the Caulfield or Melbourne Cups.]

Australian Turf Items.

Paper 3to hand by the mail steamer state that Abercorn is again showing signs of sore ness, but despite this he has been most con sistently backed for the A.J.C. Derby. Last Wednesday morning's " Sydney Tele graph," chronicling the betting, soys :—A further move was made in favour of Aber corn for the A.J.C. Derby, and the little money going at 3 to 1 was quickly accepted. At closing 5 to 2 was offered, and 4 to 1 bar one.

Mozart was scratched for the Hawkes bury Handicap on Tuesday last. Fryingpan has broken down, and has been scratched for all of his big Spring engagements. Lava, the winner, was the only repre sentative the Hon. J. White paid-up for in the Hawkesbury Guineas. The Victorian horse, Acolyte, won the Keilor Handicap, with Bst4lb up, at Moonee Valley (Melbourne) the other day. The following Randwick training notes are from the Sydney " Evening News " of the 6th September : —Trident was given a full mile and a half, The Rip bringing him home. The champion does not appear to be going so well as he did formerly. Algerian had the best of Arsenal at a mile and a half, but the Melbourne Cup winner shaped badly. Carlyon beat Aberdeen several lengths over a mile and a quarter. ' Pon tifex, Peabody, and the Australian Peer ran a good mile and a half. The morning's work was wound up by Perfume and Aber corn galloping a useful mile and a quarter on the inside training track. Kocket led Teddy Yuille and Vinaigrette the whole of a mile, which was covered in fair time, Pasha and Spade Guinea doing useful work. Dunlop proved too good for Wah and Dreamer in a once round on the inside training track, the Melbourne horse going very well indeed. Useful work was given Niagara and Silvermine, while Fer nandez and Rosewood were treated to a strong half-mile after a long canter. Similar work was done by Enfilade and Thunderbolt, while Silver Prince was given long slow work by himself. Frisco and Matador broke away from the Derby turn and ran a full mile and three furlongs, when Frisco came away with Bothwell, which had joined in with them, and beat the Sydney Cup winner home.

Stallion Parade.

The annual stallion parade, held under the auspices of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, took place on Saturday afternoon at the Society'sgrounds, Green Lane. It was by no means a suc cess, however, for there were only seven entries, five of which were the property of the New Zealand Stud Company. The thoroughbreds paraded were Leolinus, Cap tivator, St. Leger, and Izaak Walton, and the Clydesdales numbered three, viz., Elgin, bay colt by Roseberry, and a three-year-old named Cedric, by Rose berry. There was considerable disap pointment among those who went out from town at the paucity of the horses paraded, especially when a Is entrance fee was charged to the ground. Among those pre sent were the Hon. J. Williamson, Mr T. Morrin, Mr W. F. Buckland, Mr James Wallace, Mr R..W. Hammond, Mr A. Buck land, Mr Bainbridge, Mr Robert Hall, Mr Wills, Mr Pay ton, and Mr H. E. Whitaker, Secretary of the New Zealand Stud Com pany. ■■".

A London cablegram states that Merry Hampton, the favourite for the St. Leger, while being exercised has received a severe sprain, and in consequence has been thrown out of work.

To the Editor: Sir,—The writer of the report of tho BMoting of the Trade and Labour Council, which appeared in Satur day's Star, must have been in complete ignorance of the facts, when he says, that the Radical Refomnt League was the first to move in the matter, by making overtures to the Council—to adopt a common platform on which the joint bodies should support candidates, etc. When the simple fact is— the matter was first mooted by the presi dent of the Trade and Labour Council hand ing .in a letter at a meeting of the League on the 6th of June last, inviting the League to send two representatives to confer with the Council on the present political situa tion.—l am, Yours, etc., Jas. Batty, Secre tary Radical Reform League.

The class for instruction in cookery will be held to-morrow evening in the V.M.C.A. lecture hall at 7.30. Young women should attend, as they will learn valuable lessons in the culinary art. Members of the Young Women's Christain Association are admitted free, all others 3d is charged,

POLICE COURT—THIS DAY.

(Before Messrs S. Y. Collins and George Fraser, J.P' S .)

Drunkenness. — Seven persons were punished for this offence.- Disobedience. — Andrew Brown and Frederick Augustus Lamb were charged with disobedience of orders on the barquen tine Grecian Bend.—Prisoners pleaded not guilty. — Captain Borstel deposed that the vessel was in a heavy gale of wind off the Three Kings with terrific squalls. He wished to take in sail, and the mate called the accused men up. Brown came and asked him what he wanted him for, and witness told him to stand by the sail. Brown made use of very bad language, and notwithstanding the orders also given by the mate, the two men went downstairs and turned in again. They then left the vessel in the hands of the mate and two men in a position of extreme danger. The order referred to was necessary for the safety of the ship. Witness was at the wheel.—The chief officer of the vessel (Le Blancq) also gave evidence, which was to the same effect. — Sergeant Clarke deposed that he arrested the prisoners on Saturday evening, and they did not say anything.—The prisoners en deavoured to show that they had obeyed all the orders given them, and said the vessel was too deeply laden.—The Bench were satisfied that an offence had been committed, and sentenced the prisoners to four weeks' imprisonment each, and ordered them to forfeit two days' pay. Alleged Larceny.—Edward Walsh was charged with stealing a coat, value £2 15s, the property of W. H. Fenton. —Prisoner pleaded guilty.—Sergeant Pratt said that about two o'clock on Saturday afternoon prisoner went to Mr Bloom, pawnbroker, and tried to pawn the coat. Mr Bloom saw the ticket on the coat, and believing it to be stolen, endeavoured to keep it, but prisoner jumped over the counter and took it tromhim. Mrßloomgaveinformation to Con stable Keaney, who arrested the prisoner, and Mr Young, when spoken to, found a coat had been stolen, and identified it as his property.—Two months' imprisonment with hard labour.

Mischievous. — Alice Yellands was charged with maliciously breaking seven panes of glass, value 13s, the property of T. T. Masefield. — Prisoner, an elderly woman, pleaded guilty.—Sergeant Pratt said the woman was living in Chapel street, near St. Patrick's, and was in the habit of getting drunk and annoying her neighbours. Late on Saturday night she endeavoured to knock up the watch man at Masefield's, and on his refusal to let her come on the premises she broke the windows with a frying pan.— Fined 4s and costs, and ordered to pay the damage, or in default one month's imprison ment with hard labour.

Alleged Uttering.—Robert S. Wilton was charged with uttering a forged cheque on tho Bank of New South Wales for £7. — Sergeant Pratt said the prisoner was only arrested on Saturday night. There was another cheque concerned in the matter, and he therefore asked for aremandtill Thursday next.—The remand was granted.

Alleged Cruelty. —John Keir was charged with cruelly illtreating a horse by working it while tho animal was suffering; from sore shoulders.—Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Tho horse, he said, had a sore shoulder, but was not unfit to bo worked.— Constable Hansen deposed that the horse was harnessed to a 'bus, and was being driven up Shortland-street. Tho 'bus stopped at tho Post Office, and believing that there was something wrong, witness went and lifted up the collar, and found un derneath it a sore, which was covered with matter. Accused asked the constable what right he had to pull the collar up without first speaking to him, and Hansen replied that ho had a perfect right to do so.— Constable Kearny gave corroborative evidence. The sore was as large as a five - shilling piece. — Andrew Brooks and Sergeant Kiely were also examined,— Defendant said Messrs Halstead and Kin loch, veterinary surgeons, had both told him the horse could be worked. Tho sore was caused by feeding with maize, which was rather a heating food, and he discon tinued it. There was a chamlier in the collar to protect the sore, which was made worse by the rough manner in which Hansen pulled up the collar.—lnspector Redgate" was called by the pro secutor, and deposed that the horses of the defendant were in a wretched state, and he had not had a horse fit to work for the last twelve months. He had been re peatedly cautioned, and his horses con demned.—The Bench referred to the fact that there had been previous cases against the accused, and fined him 50s and costs, or in default one month's imprisonment with hard labour.

THAMES NOTES.

(by telegraph—own correspondent.)

Thames, this day. Cambria.—Another parcel of 121bs picked stone was obtained on Saturday from the stringer on the side of No. 1 footwall leader west." Cleaning up takes place on Wednes day, but the return will not be equal to the last, as very little picked stone has accumu lated during the fortnight.

ELECTION NOTES.

A meeting of Mr E. W. Morrison's Elec tion Committee is to take place this even, ing, at the Burns Club Hall, Karangahape Road. Supporters not yet enrolled on the Committee are invited.

Mr J. M. Shera, one of the candidates for Auckland West, addresses another public meeting on Thursday evening, at eight o'clock, in St. James's Hall, Welling ton-street. Mr Shera's committee meets this evening at half past seven o'clock, at the back of St. James's Hall.

Mr J. B. Teasdale addressed the electors of Waipa in Tuakau schoolroom on Friday evening last, Mr J. Poland in the chair. On the"motion of Mr J. Grant, seconded by Mr Wallace, the candidate was accorded a vote of confidence. ■

Meetings of Mr Connell's Committee's are announced to-night at the Public Hall (Mount Albert) and Waite's Hall (Mount Eden) at 7.30.

A meeting of Mr J. A. Connell's support ers was held in the school-house, Waikomiti, on Saturday evening last, Mr Bossomworth in the chair. A large and representative Committee was formed, and promises of a large amount of support were received. An enshusiastic meeting was brought to a close with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

The supporters and friends of the Hon. Mr Tole are particularly requested to attend the Committee meeting to be held at Haslett's Hall, Eden Terrace, at 7.30 p.m. to-morrow (Tuesday), as several very im portant matters have to be dealt with. On Saturday night the electors of Waipu mustered in force to hear Mr Dargaville's address. He spoke at considerable length and read correspondence with the Govern ment, showing that the long delayed tele phone communication to the Heads and Parua was likely to be realised soon. He received a unanimous vote of confidence. Mr John Crewes addressed the Sydenham (Canterbury) electors on Friday night, declaring himself an Independent candi date. He received a vote of thanks ana confidence.

Mr Bennett, ex-County Chairman, op poses Mr J. C. Brown for Lawrence, Otago.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(PER R.M.S. MARIPOSA.)

Fatal Fire at Broken Hill.

TWO MEN BURNT TO DEATH.

A fire, attended with fatal results, oc curred at Broken Hill, early this morning. The Duke of Cornwall Hotel, owned by Mr Barney Horris, one of the oldest residents of Broken Hill, by some means caught fire, and his family had a narrow escape from being burnt to death. Two men, one a navvy working on the Silverton tram way, could not get out in time, and they were burnt to death. Fires are now of al most daily occurrence, and on account of the water being so scarce the townspeople are greatly alarmed. This makes the third person burnt to death during the last fort night.

Arrest of a New Zealand Clergyman.

At the City Police Court, Adelaide, William Radcliffe, who stated that he was a clergy man of the Church of England, was charged with having committed a breach of the Bankruptcy Laws of New Zealand, and that he was a fugitive. He was arrested on board the Orient, bound for England. De fendant stated he had been chaplain to the Bishop of Christchurch, and was also at one time a chaplain in India. He owed about £100, but he had left £70 with a lawyer for settlement. He was remanded for 14 days, bail being refused.

Extraordinary Case of Alleged Suicide.

A most extraordinary case of alleged suicide occurred in Melbourne on August 31st. Captain Christopher D. Moore, of the ship Sarah Grice, reported to the police that he was walking along Vic toria Bridge, near Kew, at about half past eight that evening, with a young lady, Miss Laura Swain, a resident of Clifton Hill, to whom he was a'lianced. They were going on a visit to Miss Swain's sister, Mrs Simmonds, of Kew. While on the bridge Moore stopped to light a cigar, when suddenly he heard a splash in the river and missed his companion. He immediately rushed down an incline towards the river, but fell down the bank about 40ft into some furze and was Stunned. All this time he heard the girl's screams as she was being carried down by the stream. He called on two men who were passing to rescue the lady, but she was swept away before any thing could be done. Failing in his attempt to save her, he reported the matter to the police. Moore stated that his ship was to leave on the following day, and he had called to say good-bye to his fiancee, and there was nothing in her man ner to make him imagine she contemplated suicide, and she was perfectly rational in her behaviour. Victoria Bridge is a considerable height from the water, and Miss Swain must have climbed over the parapet in order to commit the rash act. A person reported to the police that, as he was coming along the Kew side of the Vic toria Bridge, he had discovered traces of blood on the embankment. The blood stains, however, were proved to have been seen some days before the tragedy, and it is believed are those of sheep.

The body of Miss Swain was discovered two days later in the Yarra, by a party of men who had gone in a boat to assist the police in dragging the river. The men, who are employed at the tannery works close to the Victoria Bridge, used^what are termed tan-hooks, and when about 400 yards below the bridge they brought up the body, which had got between two logs at a depth of from 6 to 8 feet. On the body being taken charge of by the police, no marks of violence were found, but there was a slight discolouration of the face, supposed to be due to the deceased striking the water in her fall from the bridge. The watch worn by the deceased had stopped at 20 past 8. The Victoriabridgewascrowded with people all day, watching the dragging operations. It is estimated that between 20,000 and 30,000 were present. John Flynn, a warder of Kew Asylum, acknowledges that he was one of the two men whom Captain Moore called upon to rescue the lady ; but he says that he felt too nervous to go into the water. His statement generally agrees with the account given by Captain Moore. A person has volunteered to give evidence at the inquest to the effect that in July last he met Miss Swain on the Victoria Bridge, and that she stated she was contemplating suicide that same evening.

The Wangaratta Murder.

BRIDGET MEPHAN SENTENCED TO

DEATH.

The trial of Bridget Mephan,charged with the wilful murder of her sister, Ann Callow, of Wangaratta, on July 6th last, was con cluded |on Saturday, at the Beechworth Assizes. The evidence conclusively proved that the prisoner had made repeated threats that she would be revenged tor an alleged breach of agreement respecting property on the part of the deceased, and the witnesses further connected her with the time and place of the murder. A handbag found in the possession of the prisoner when she was arrested was covered with blood stains, which on analysis proved to be human blood. A bottle found on the premises where the deed was committed was also covered with blood and hair, the latter corresponding with the hair on the head of the deceased. After a short deli beration the jury returned a verdict of guilty, but recommended the prisoner to mercy. Sentence of death was then passed.

Three Men Killed Through Falling Trees.

Martin Johnson and Saul Sorenson, while sleeping in a hut at Jeetho, Gippsland, were killed during the recent boisterous weather through a tree falling on the hut. Two other men were badly injured, one of whom is in a critical state. Another man, in the same neighbourhood (Edward Kennedy) was killed while working in a garden through the limb of a tree falling on him.

Melbourne Exhibition.

The lowest tender for the erection of an nexes for the proposed Centennial Inter national Exhibition in Melbourne was that of Mr James Moore, the well-known builder, at £59,000, which was accepted. The con tract will require to be completed by April next year.

ENCOURAGE LOCAL INDUSTRY.

(BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, this day. The Equitable Building Company has erected new offices on Lambton Quay, a feature of which is that colo nial industry enters into almost alj its details. The frontage is of Oaniaru and Port Chalmers stone, the cement is Auck land "Portland," and the lime issued at the construction comes from Mas terton. The Auckland cement is said by the builders to be better than Eng liijh Portland for all purposes except the facing of buildings as it dries more rapidly than the imported article while it has all the strength and consistency of genuine Port land. The only defect is that it is too new, and consequently dries too quickly for facing.

TONGA.

RETURN OF THE COMMISSIONERS.

Reunion of tbe Churches Anticipated.

The Sydney " Telegraph " says :—" The Lubeck, which arrived in port yesterday, brought from Tonga the commission ap pointed by the Wesleyan Conference to inquire into the reported persecution of Wesleyans in that island. The commission, it will be remembered, consisted of the Rev. George Brown, the secretary of the Wesleyan Foreign Mission, and Mr P. P. Fletcher. Leaving Sydney on the 13th, they arrived in Tonga on July 26th,and were hospitably received by the authorities there. Mr Brown, whom a representative of this journal saw yesterday, said they then found everything quiet and no active persecution of vVesleyans going on. The Wesleyans were, however, in some undefined but un mistakable way made to feel that the Go vernment was not favourable awaiting the result of the inquiry of Sir Charles Mitchell, and until thedeclaration of that preserving an attitude of partial neutrality. In pursuing their inquiries, Mr Brown and Mr Fletcher found only few evidences of the past per secution, though of course there was no doubt it had taken place. Vague rumours of intimidation came to their ears, and the natives were haunted with the idea that if they did not give in they would be beaten again. Traced back sufficiently, gome of the rumours were found to be without foun dation. The commissioners were treated with ceurtesy and respect by the heads of both parties, and they had no obstacles thrown in the way of their inquiries. They thoroughly investigated both sides during the month they stayed at Tonga, and to make themselves more familiar with all the bearings of the questions in dispute con sulted many of the foreign residents, from whom they obtained a good deal of valuable information. Several interviews were had with the King and with the Premier, Mr Shirley Baker, both of whom received them very courteously. The King, who seemed at least 90 years of age, was quite hale and strong. He held very pronounced views on the question in dispute, and had no hesitation in expressing them. What his exact opinions may have been we are unable to say, for they were the result of the com missioners' inquiries and embodied in the report to be submitted to the conference authorities on Wednesday. For many reasons Mr Brown could not make known the nature of the report, but he went so far as to say the Wesleyans were not without hope that some means could be devised by which the two churches would again be united." The Victims of the Shooting Outrage.

The Sydney " Morning Herald's " corres pondent writes :—" Mr Shirley Baker, the son of the Premier, who was so severely wounded in the attempt to assassinate his father, is again attending to his duties, but grave fears are entertained that he will never regain the use of the arm which was so seriously wounded. Miss Beatrice Baker, who so nobly covered her father with her own body, and so received the bullets or slugs which were intended for him,, is still seriously ill; and though eight months have now elapsed since the attack, she is still confined to her bed, and owing to the injury received in her spine is compelled to remain in one unvarying position, as she cannob be moved without great danger, and all excite ment has to be carefully guarded against. It is for this reason that she has not yet been allowed to see her brother, who was wounded at the same time. Arrivals from Auckland.

The new schooner Toafa Haamea, built in Auckland for the King, has arrived, and left here a few days afterwards from Nina Foou, with Rev. J. B. Watkin, Mr Chamier, and- some -natives as passengers. The Maile, from Auckland, has also arrived, having on- board McMillan, M.L.A., of Sydney, and Thompson, of the firm of Messrs McArthur and Company. It is generally surmised that these gentlemen intend to make some alterations in the management of the affairs of that firm in these islands, but the nature of them is not yet known.

We have now a nice comfortable hotel in Nukualofa, called the International Hotel, which is conducted by Mr and Mrs Bent ley, late of Fiji. This affords a quiet and pleasant homo to all who, from business or pleasure, may have to visit Tonga.

TELEGRAMS.

Boy Drowned.

Dunedin, this day.

The two-and-a-half-year-old son of Mr Murray, North East Valley, has been drowned by falling into Lindsay's Creek. Kaitangata Coal Railway Company have declared a dividend of 5 per cent., with a bonus of 15s per share.

Sudden Death of a Young Man.

New Plymouth, this day.

Mr William John Piggott, aged nineteen, son of^the proprietor of the Star Hotel at Urenui, was found dead yesterday afternoon close to his father's house. He must have dropped suddenly, as he was seen alive a few minutes before he was discovered dead.

Thames, this day.

Waiterattri.—Hollis and party, tributes in Waitekauri mine, cleaned up on Friday night for a return of 105 ounces retorted gold. This is the result of treating a large parcel of crushing dirt. It is just about payable. Good headway is being made with the work of cutting a track from Graydons fern to Maritoto reefs, which are located about 5 miles due west of and run parallel with the local auriferous be,lt of country. Al though the country is somewhat rough there is a main spur leading right down to the Prospector's mine and the distance from Paeroa will nofc be more than nine miles.

The jury summonsed to attend the Supreme Court this morning were dis charged from attendance until 10 o'clock to-morrow as the charge preferred against Hoaera to Mimiha is expected to last through the whole of to-day, in fact it is doubtful whether to-morrow will finish' this wearisome case.

Mr G. C. Gilmore has been gazetted lieutenant of 0 Battery of Artillery.

We are requested by the Auckland Political Financial Reform Association to remind the members that the monthly meeting takes place to-night at No 316, Victoria Arcade. The electione will be over before the next monthly meeting takes place, and all members are requested to attend.

The jurymen who Mere locked up on Saturday night were taken down to the Imperial Hotel where a pleasant evening was passed although in durance vile. Yestesday the jurors were accommodated in one of Marteres brakes and driven out to Otahuhu where a pleasant picnic took place. The provender was supplied from the hotel, and the gentlemen of the jury were fain to admit that under the circum stances they could not have fared much better. On Saturday evening, Trooper Kelly was provided with a hansom cab, and sent round to the residences of the, jurors to obtain any articles of clothing they might require, and leave sundry messages with the jurors wives. Throughout every consideration has been displayed to these men who are aerying their country against their will.

SUEZ MAIL.

(Per RM.S. Rome.)

Exciting Debate in the Commons —the Speaker Powerless!

Losdqx, August 5. Axother scene occurred in the House of Commons on August 3rd, when Mr Dillon called attention to the comments .of a pro-. •: vincial newspaper describing him and hia . Irish colleagues as cheering and laughing"" at a statement made a week ago-r-: * "That a young lady,l.theJ daughter or the Marquis of Sligo's aeent, had been; struck with a stone when returning from a picnic." He characterised the lan- 7 guage applied to himself as disgusting, and. > the charges as utterly untrue. This was met by several cries of " True " from below* the Ministerial gangway, and • Sir Dillon t angrily charged the Solicitor-General'with being the author of the interruption.; The,.; latter immediately denied the charge,! Messrs Maclean, Webster, Halsley,'arid! Price then rose in a group, and as serted that they heard the laughter on the occasion in question. Mr Dillon.r shouted, "It is"false," and charged somev Conservative members with being the-; authors of the atrocious, infamous false hoods. The Speaker ineffectually endeav-'i' ored to repress this style of address.' ; Mir! Maclean demanded to be heard in answer r to these monstrous accusations, .stating;, when the Under-Secretary announced :that a young lady had been seriously injured the Irish members received the statement \vith '■ laughter. Mr Dillon again denied theifacvl and appealed to the Speaker for protection for the Irish members, but the Speaker, assured Mi-Dillon that his disclaimer was for himself.

The Jubilee Naval Movements.

The naval manoeuvres, which have been continued throughout,the week round the. coast, are being watched with the utmost)' interest and attention. ; A great fleet'as-7 sembled at Spitheacl and dispersed after j review, sailing off in three divisions, one, jfo, the coast of Ireland, one to; the 'western coast of England,and the third,1 under Vice-* Admiral Hewitt, remained in the Channel. As soon as the squadrons reached their desti-

nations each was split into two diyii., sions, one for attacking, the other forH defending the coasts. The movements off the Channel fleet, of which yice-Admiral' t > Hewitt commanded the defending and! Rear-Admiral Fremantle the. attacking' squadron, illustrated clearly what musk happen in actual warfare." Admiral Fre-i1 mantle, commanding six ironclads, began? by seizing Falmouth, while Admiral Hewitt* was watching the.coastbetween Portsmouthf and the Thames; and then sailed towards' Dover, keeping close to the French coast. | Admiral Fremantle managed'to elude the f bulk of AdmiralHewitt'ssquadron altogether, and made straight for Sheerness and cap-.f tured the entrances of the Thames arid the^ Medway after a desperate" fight in thei Downs with a flotilla of gun and torpedo i boats. Meanwhile Admiral;Hewitt's.big \ ships arrived at the mouth of the Thames, \ and Admiral Fremantle is, completely1; blocked in, and it is believed' tirasfc how-, surrender. Meanwhile the squadrori : de fending Liverpool achieved a great success, ( having captured almost the entire.attack-r ing squadron, despite its superior ;arma-, ment, after a fierce battle off Holyhead. J

Miscellaneous.

A Simla telegram announces the' dis covery of a large and rich bed of goldrbflar-? ing quartz in the Kulii Valley, Eunjaulx B -1 i i A Berlin telegram announces that accord-.,, ing to the latest news from Teheran, the: Shah makes a tour of Europe next spring j in response to an iijraitatibn from "thel* English Court. He proceeds first to L'cndon, j via St Petersburg and Berlin. /■ . ,■.:<'

Sir James Fergussan has announced, Qon- t trary to the reportsof The "Times " avid the' Russian newspapers, that by 'the' Anglo-< Russian agreement regarding the.: Afghans frontier Afghanistan cedes 825 ami Russia 770 square miles. In actual value Afghan-* istan has the advantage. >■' ' -l* ;J :»

A RELIC FROM THE SEA.

Tossing About for Kighteea

Years

A message from the sea has just turriedup,t and serves to show that Father Neptune-is; a rather dilatory postman, while it also';gde3 to prove that the ordinary method,ijf enH closing messages in tightly-corked bottles is quite an effectual way "of p'resarvmg. manuscripts for an indefinite, period.- 'Oil-! Friday last a gentleman picked ;up I an. ordinary brandy bottle on the. Mantf-' kau beach, about two miles from Muddy j Creek, and finding that it -was 'tightly* corked and had some paper inside he opened^ it and found the following message writ* ten on a piece of notepaper, which :had been rolled up tightly, and tied with, a, small strand of rope yarn :—• "April 28th, 1869. This bottle wasr thrown overboard from on board (here the paper is damaged in the opening;1; looks^ like the word " barque ") Duke of Edin- ] burgh, in latitude 42 S., longitude E.\ Should this bottle be picked up, please.rei'' port to the public press, in order that the^ set of ocean currents may be'determined. — Christopher Welch, master,, bound to? Newcastle, New South Wales.' All well."

The position of the ship when the bottl©] was thrown overboard appears to have been about midway between Tasmania and New/ Zealand, but it is extremely doubtful if the' experiment throws any. light : on the set of. ocean currents, as no one knows in what" or^ how many directions the bottle may have* travelled during the past eighteen, .years. ; When found, the paper inside the bottle^' was very damp having had no'other'pro-I- tection than an ordinary cork. The writing^ however,is perfectly legible, save the portion that was torn in unfolding the paper, Mr? W. E. Hay, of the Stab,office;.,has got,the., paper, and vouches for the genuineness'pf" the find, tmis*&''". - ,'' '' '; '. ' '' if

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &c. To-night,

Abbott's Opera House—Mbor'e arid Aahton'a Mammoth Minstrels, 8 Bell's Buildings; Wyndham-street — Industrial Association's Exhibition, 10 a.m to 5 p.m." ~ . Olympia Hall, Grey-street—Skating Rink. 7.30" tO 10. ;™ Howick Presbyterian Cmircb, — Evangelist!©; Service, 7.30. ■. ;- : .=> ~, i Newton Congregational Scb.qplr.o6m—Musical and Literary Entertainment', 8." '" .". . Mt. Albert Public Hall—Committee and Sat)-' porters of Mr J. A. Connell, 7.30,, - » Schoolhouse, Lake — Address to Eleotork of Waitemata, by Mr OR. W00d.7.3CL .:• -^ t Museum-Mr J. A. Pond on " Foods and Bever ages," 8. ■ - ; T; ■.. * ' Devon port Hall—Meeting of Ratepayers- ret Water Supply, 8. ' ■ ' \ No. 316, Victoria Arcade—Auckland Political Financial Reform Association, 7.30. . ,i Temperance Hall—Auckland Operative Boot-" makers Union,B. . ' ,! • '..;'-' -. \ V.M.C.A. Rooms—Association for the Teaching' of Divine Healing, 7.30 ' ■ - .; ' ■; Public Hall. Avondale —Committee tod Sun-, porters of Mr E. Mitchfelson, 7.30. ' S?f Boatshed, Devonport—Devonport Naval Artil« lery, 8. . :-..■..■•.'.,.,

Rota of Justices at Police Court; ■• <J

September 13—Messrs J. Gilmonr and J. Gordon*

Auction Sales To-morrow. ,

Arthur and Buddie, Graf ton Road—Householtt Furniture and Effects, 12; Drapery, Fancy' 1 Goods, Jewellery, etc, 11. Sj ;. f D. F. Evans, Ellerslie—Household Furriltuwk' Cattle, etc., 11 :. -:' , . ■ ':■,:', A. Buckland, Haymarket—3so. sacks Cantoß» bury Potatoes, arid Carts, Horses, etc., 11.30. '! Q. Le^ig-vEngl^.aS^CslonialJ^Q; 1?]!^

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1887,

5



Name. 200yde. 300yds. 500yds Gd. Tl. Lieut Dormer 29 50 16 75 Col.-Sergt. Stirling 26 26 15 67 Sergt. Boyd 24 23 16 62 Sergeant Orr 22 23 15 60 Sergeant Soall 25 13 20 58 Corpl. C. J. Craig 23 17 14 54 CorporalTaylor 25 10 16 51 Sergeant J. Scott 18 16 15 50 Private W. Craig 14 18 16 48 Private Davis 17 14 16 46 Private Grattan 25 11 8 44 Lieut. Shemilt 22 11 5 38 Private Nash* — 20 17 37 Corporal Tierney 17 11 3 32 Private John Scott* - 12 18 30 Private Evitt 18 10 0 28 'Privates Nash and Scott only fired at 300yds and 500yds, being late.