RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamjel.]

Some write, a noightxwr's name to lash: Some write—vain thought!—for needful cash; Some write to please tho country clash, And raise a din. For me, an aim I never fash— I write for fun.

If the English Baptists are " toying with the deadly cobra," what is the New Zealand _Baptist Union doing ? The members of the latter body have virtually declared that the doctrines of the immortality of tho soul and the eternity of punishment need no necessarily be subscribed toby Baptist minis ters ; and one of their number has, during the past ten days been taking advantag e of this license by preaching and lecturing in Auckland on the platform of an opposi tion sect. A religious body whose sole raison d'etre is a difference of opinion on the subject of baptism might reasonably be expected to be somewhat loose in its views on such trifling matters as those of immortality and the doom of the unrepentant. Other people, including frivolous flaneurs like "Zamiel," may hold that the idea of man's immortality lies at the very foundation of Christianity ; they may even adduce the soundest arguments in support of their contention, and may show that Sheol is a necessity not only for tne enforcing of Divine Justice, but for the pre servation of social order. The Baptist friends of the Destructionists know better, however, and inferior folks must learn in silence this latest lesson of Christian love and toleration. The "heathen " doctrine of the immortality of man's soul must be set aside as superstitious, and we must meekly believe that it is the _ lot of all men at death (excepting only an inconsiderable number), to be " blown about the desert dust, or sealed within the iron hills." Fools, including poets like Tennyson, may declare that if this be tho lot of man,

" Dragons of the prime, That tare each other in their slinio, Were mellow music matched with him;" but wiser men than Plato have arisen, and the pagan poets of modern times, who dream that they are among- the "immortals," are all sadly astray ! Well if it be so, so be it; bub I should have thought that the " Parti cular Baptists'' of New Zealand would have been the last to lend any countenance to such a doctrine. Is there no Spurgeon here to lead a vigorous protest against this coquetting with a boa constrictor ?

That Queen-street tradesman who so kindly published his experiences in cat killing deserves the thanks of all friends of science and humanity. Few people know how to kill a cab properly, and as all suc cess is built upon failuro ib is instructive to have a faithful record of all abortive at tempts to annihilate fell* domeuticm. (If that isn't Latin for " cab," it should be, for most people when speaking of the animal wind up with "cuss" words.) Drowning and burying ai - e now proved to bo insuffi cient methods of getting rid of the sacred animal of the Egyptians, whom tho moderns worship under the guise of " Old Tom." (Query—Does the phrase "The Sacred Nine " refer to the fabled nine lives of the cat?) Readers of that most lugu briously tragic of Poe's tales of mystery, " The Black Cat," do not require to be reminded that this animal's tenacity of life enabled ib to survive being built up in a hollow space in a wall. How, then, is the monsber to be despatched ? I'll tell my readers. The bald-headed and benevolent experimenter has solved the knotty pro blem. He has found that drowning and burying twice over is the certain way to dispose of poor puss. With un-feline heart and fell purr-ptusa, he took those dead and buried kittens whom their mother had re surrected and put them in a pail of water until Pail Death overtook them ! Then he made them a grave aa cold and damp as his backyard could provide.and while the gent'e Mewses wept, and sang somothing about " fur, fur away," the amateur sexton placed a big stone over the mound to prevent any more " body-snatching." Were I a poet I should wribe an elegy on those kittens, their untimely fate, and tho poor requital which their weeping mother obtained for her pains. The experimenter was a son of St. Crispin ; may 1 hope that this will be his "last" experience in kitten-killing. That's awl.

I know not whether there is some peculiar property in the atmosphere of the Lake which h&s a tendency to render its denizens super-sanguine or to stimulate thorn to flights of gorgeous rhetoric. Be that as it may, they certainly do revel in tropes and figures of speech when they allow them selves to expatiate upon the recommenda tions and grand possibilities of establishing direct communication between Auckland and the Lake via Shoal Bay. Passing by Mr Shakespear's panegyrics, there is that gushing effusion which so matter-of-fact a gentleman as, Mr Thos. Seaman sent into the Harbour Board the other day. And, by the way, I only mention it for the purpose of narrating a humorous episode which illustrates how the dwellers by the Lake give themselves away .by their penchant for hi-falutin language. At the meeting of the Board just referred to, no sooner had the Secretary finished reading Mr Seaman's eulogistic lucubration, and while the mem bers were pondering with an amused ex pression on their faces his closing adjura tion to immortalise themselves by_ under taking the accomplishment of "this grand work," Mr Button rose to his feet, slowly withdrew a newspaper slip from his breast pocket, and saying: "I am quite sure this grand work will immortalise the Harbour Board," proceeded to perorate from the newspaper cutting as follows : — " Long after we shall have passed from this scene of earthly glory and sublunary vanity; •when the tower of Pisa shall be forgotten ; when Waterloo and Borodino shall grow dim in the distant cycles of receding centuries; when the names of Eugene, Marlborough and Napoleon are no longer remembered ; when the pyramids of the Pharaohs shall have crumbled into dust; when the hippopotamus shall cease to in lutbit its native Nile ; even then ' this grand work' will not cease to reflect the utmost credit upon the Auckland Harbour Board." Lest the Lake people experience the truth of the French paying, "Le ridicule tue" (ridicule kills), I should advise them to be moderate.

Cleanliness is said to be next to godliness, and probably the next best thing to Bible reading in the public schools is to go in for washing the pupils wholesale. A new item in the curriculum of the Nelson-street School is bathing, and it was in operation on Tuesday last, when 85 of the boys and 30 of the girls visited the Fresh Water Baths. They were armed with a penny and a towel, and accompanied by teachers. The girls took their dip shortly after 9.30 a.m. and the boys at 3.30 p.m., and the new depar ture appears to find much favour. We will probably soon be told, dear reader, that it is the duty of the State to teach the rising generation to swim, and we shall have newspaper disputes on the question whether flogging is justifiable when the pupil fails to bring "soap and towel money." Wβ are living in a wonderful

The members of a suburban Council en joyed a hearty laugh on Monday night last afc the expense of one of the burgesses who addressed to them an indignant remon strance on the subject of tße danger to feminine and juyeiijjje Jjfe ftPd Hfflb by t reason of the freedom Allowed to depasturing

horses and cattle. After stating his griev ance the worthy citizen proceeded to illus trate in the following graphic terms :— ---"My little children and wife have had several narrow escapes of being knocked down by the wild manner in which they go about, a*nd my fence on several.occasions has beenkicked down." We refrain from giving names lest the aspersed wife of that house hold should carry theso saltatory feats of hers from the fence to her liege lord. In fact, I desist from fear of a regular kick-up in that suburban home.

Quite a crowd of people congregated in front of the office of one of our solicitors one evening this week, having boon at tracted thither by the rather singular spec tacle of a blushing young woman at an up stairs window, and a good-looking sergeant of police in the roadway holding a ladder. "Romeo and Juliet" was the tirst conclu sion arrived at by the onlookers, but as events progressed they appeared to have been mistaken. The sergeant tried the ladder over the distance between the foot path and tho window, but alas, the steps were too few, and the ladder would not reach. Boing a man of resource, ho there upon stopped a passing express, got one man to hold the horse and another to hold the ladder on the express, and amidst the applause of tht, crowd he promptly ascended and entered the window. A few minutes later he re-appeared at the street door, and received the thanks of the young lady. It appeared that the latter had been cleaning the office and had been locked in acciden tally. She attracted tho attention of the gallant sergeant by calling from tho up stairs window, and hence the abovo romantic scene, which ought to have had a less pro saic ending.

** * * **• * * Trouble has been brewing for some time in a suburban church with a not very numerous congregation or an over-abundant supply of the all needful, and the relations now existing between the parson and a por tion of his flock are decidedly strained. Some of the closest adherents of the little Bethel in times past can now bo seen wending , their way towards other churches on Sunday evenings, and thus what was never a very large congregation has been perceptibly decreased. It would be premature to say more about the matter at present, because the difficulties now existing may bo over come without resulting in a " row," and hence I reserve further comment until by the evolution of events the crisis is de veloped.

A late immigrant writes as follows :—" Is there no sequel to the ' interesting story re garding tho 'cute ways of property agents ' as related by you in tho Star of 12th inst. You therein tell us that the purchaser 'does not speak 'to the agent whon thoy moot. What should bo tho action of tho seller when ho becomes acquainted with tho fact that ho has been *old '! I take it that ib is your avocation and duty io show such .scan dalous transactions up and spur on tho fraternity of land agents u> purge themselves of members who cause their very calling to efcink in the ' Old Country,' where it is considered as the most friendly advice that can bo gh-cn to one de parting for tho colony to warn him to ' keep clear of tho landsharks.' That Queen-street, Auckland, is not excluded from this warning many can testify. How id it that the invariable reply of a land agent to the enquiry a« to tho prico re quired is ' How much are you prepared to give ?' I take it that the term agent i.-? to a great extent wrongly used ; it should bo land jobber, as in thecano quoted by you, whoro the so-called agent has shielded himself against the law doubtlosfi, but has added another link to tho infamous transactions perpetrated by the body. Re trenchment is the cry of the colony—new brooms are removing old cobwebs. Morals and business integrity must, however, be raised before this or any other colony will re ceive the influx of sturdy and honourable men with capital who are at the present time in the Old Country looking for a field for their enterprise and a homo for their offspring. Trusting that as the 'cuto side of tho trans action has been set forth, ' Zarniel' will use his efforts and pen to point out tho evils of such conduct upon tho community ut large."

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES.

December 16.—Taltersall's Club Mooting December 16 —Manaia Itaco Club (Whangarol). December 22.—Hikurangi Jockey Club. December 26 and 27.—Northern Jockey Club. December 26, January 1 a"d 2. • Auckland R.C. Summer Meeting ; Huwko's Bay J.C. Boxing Day Meeting. December 29.—South Auckland R.C. Mooting

TURF GOSSIP.

[By Hiitoxa.]

Once more I am in harness after a thoroughly enjoyable holiday in Melbourne and Sydney. To recount my experience 9 and tell how race meetings and everything appertaining to Bport is carried out there will form the subject of a future article at my hands. Suffice it to say that 1 had my eyes opened. On all hands I was treated well, not only by my fellow pressmen, but by the stewards of the several race meetings that I attended in both Sydney a nd Melbourne. A few days before leaving thefirst-named city I spent a couple of hours lookingoverFoulsham'sstablesat Randv/ick) where Trenton and Niagara are located under his care. Trenton, who had his legs encased in bandages, has grown and de veloped into a magnificent specimen of the thoroughbred. He is being treated to a special preparation for the Champion Race in March, and as he has done everything asked him up to the present, his traine r has great hopes of landing him fit and well at the post. Foulsham has had an im mense amount of trouble with the great son of Musket, owing to his unsoundness, but there is now every probability of him being rewarded for his labour by the horse being seen at the post. Niagara was looking none the worse for the V.R.C. Spring Meeting campaign ; in fact, he bore signs of being much better in condition. Foulsham declared to me that he was only able to give Niagara one good gallop pre vious to the Victorian Derby, and further assured me that the colt had showed him in private to be quite equal to anything he had trained, including Malua. The meeting of Australian Peer, Niagara, Abercorn, and Carlyon in the St. Legers next Autumn I shall look forward to with no end of in terest, and it is to be hoped that the quar tette will strip dressed in their best. Foulsham altogether has 18 horses under his charge, and among them is a line two-year-old got by Gang Forward out of Roy's Wife. He has not yet been Keen in public, and should bo worth the atten tion of early speculators for next year's V.R.C. Derby. The Hon. J. White's stables, also situated at Randwick, are nothing short of a palatial mansion. At present Peyton has 18 horses in work. Trident and Abercorn, who were looking stale and over-done at the V.R.C. Meeting, had a brightened-up look at the time of my visit, while Carlyon showed no bad effects from the racing no had done. This colt is a great stayer, but unfortunately suffers greatly at times from rheumatism. Monte Christo, who has been spelled for a long timo, has been put in work again, bub ie very much on the big ewe, and among the two-year-olde in train lug to Volley, a filly gob by Musket out

of Lady Vivian. She is a big upstanding youngster, with plenty of power, and will probably make her dibul on Boxing Day at llandwiek.

Anion" , old Aueklandera I mob in Sydney was Mi- J. K. I'oole. By his tact and per severance he has worked himself into the front rank of the ring there, and from what 1 saw of him at the RoselriU and Canter bury Park Meetings, there are few who do a bigger business than he does. " Jimmy, as we familiarly know him by, does not forget Auckland, and has hopes of journey ing across at no distant date for tho sake of a holiday. .

The list of acceptances for the Auckland Cup and Steeplechase and other items of interest will be found in another portion of this issue.

From Napier, I learn that Volcano, who won tho last Auckland Autumn Steeple chase, has been taken up again by J. Munn. Ho is reported to bo looking healthy and well.

Writing from Dunedin, a friend of mine there informs mo that Mr F. G. Whetham ("Beacon") ha 3 severed his connection as sporting editor of the " Otago Witness." Mr Whetham, however, occupies v similar position on tho Dunedin "Star."

I am glad to hear that tho experiment of the Auckland Racing Club in extending tho Spring Meeting to two days lias proved a success. The accounts of the gnthciing, which are now complete, show that there will bo a balance of about £500 on tho right side of the ledger, which is, indeed, a nice start for tho season.

Tho New Zealand Cup winner Fusilade, who has been relegated to stud duties, has been given a chance to distinguish himself. Among tlio marcs who have visited him are Fleurette, owned by the New Zealand Stud Company, and Corcra, by King: Tom, the property of Major Mair, of tho North Shore.

Trenton, 10sb lib; Spade Guinea, 9st 21b ; Pasha, 9st; Disowned, Bst 91b ; Silver Prince, Bafc 51b; Thunderbolt, 7st 121b; Enfilade, 7st 111b, are tho New Zealand-bred horses in tho Bagob Handicap of lOsovs each, with l.OOOsovs added, one mile and v half and a furlong, the chiof event on tho programme of the Victoria Racing Club's New Year Meeting. Trenton is top weight, nnd the Melbourno Cup winner, Dunlop, follows him with 9sb 121b.

Mr A. Drake intended coming across from I Sydney by the steamer this week for the purpose of settling up his private affairs in New Zealand, bub owing to various pressing Australian engagements ho ultimately decided to postpone his visit till January. Mr DraUo has sold Vinaigrette to Mr T. Sunnan, late of Invercargill, but who now koejw nn hotel in Melbourne. The rest of his string have been transferred to Mr If. O.venham, and they are now trained at Randwick by Mark Thompson. (.'. Riidings still remains ■with the horses, bub W. Milne and the jockey White are out of employment, and whon I left ■Sydney had nob decided whether they would return to Now Zealand. I thought Pasha wns looking exceedingly well, and no doubt lie is capable of holding his own with the best of them up to a mile and α-half; but Spado Guinea was not looking herself ut the V.R.C. Meeting. A telegraph clerk in the (General Post Oifice, London, named Harry Wilke?, twenty'one, was charged at Bow-stroct Police Court tho other day, with wilfully and without authority altering telegrams ub the ( hief Telegraph Office. Mr Osborno, who prosecuted on behalf of the Post Ofliee, uaid the charge had reference to telegrams despatched from Sandown Racecourse dur ing the mcefcinj? held there on Soptomber 9th. Immediately boforo tho race it was tho custom to f;end a telegram containing tho names of the horses about, to run. This was to bo forwarded to the Exchange Tele graph Company's oflice, and was followed by a socond telegram giving the result of the race; What had been done by tho pri soner was—taking one telegram as an illus tration—to receive tho first telegram an nouncing the number of horses to run, and instead of transmitting it immediately, keep it back until tho result of tho raco ar rived. Directly ho knew tho name of tho winning horao he despatched the former telegram to tho Exchange Company, but altered tho order in which the winning borne was placed in tho former telegram, giving the names of those about to run. Thin gave his confederates an opportunity of betting on a horso they knew had won. There could bo no doubt thut tho prisoner wan acting in concert with persons outside tho service. Prisoner, who admitted his guilt, was remanded. I don't ever remember seeing Sylvia Park looking so bright and fresh as on my vinib last Wednesday. The paddocks which contained the brood mares and their foala wore luxuriant in beautiful grass, and tho occupants all looked as if they were in tho best of health and well cared for. It was the first I had seen of Nordenfeldt's progeny and I must say they do him credit. To the eye they are pictures of strength and symmetry with plenty of size. The colts out of Locket and Potrolcuse, both sired by Nordenfeldt, are pair, and I was much taken with an'llyoutoi Trenton's dam Frailty, also sired by him. Tho St. Legcr foals also do him credit, all being very .shapely in appearance. Lochiel's dam Nelly Moore was attended by a nice looking colt sired by St. Leger, and Pearl Ash (dam of Pearl and Pearl Shell) had a filly got by Captivator at her side. My Idea (dam of Nelson) had a filly running at her heels. Altogether there are 33 foals at Sylvia Park at the present time, lo being colta and 17 fillies. This season, no less than 29 mares have been put to Nordenfeldb, which seems to me a pity, considering that he is such a young horse. Among those he has served are Mr G. G. Stead's mare Marion, Sylvia, Petroleuse, Rose d'Amour (Pasha's dam), Nelly Moore, Locket, Erycina, Frailty, My Idea, Ouida, Rosette, Pearl Ash, Realisation, Sister Agnes, and Punga werewere. The Company have also made good use of Sword Dance and St Leeer, 17 mares having visited the harem of the first-named, and 15 that of St. Leger's. Tho marcs put to Sword Dance include Onyx, Necklace, AVood nymph, Eltin, Torori, Lady Mersey and Ricochet.

" Augur," writing in the " Australasian" anent the sale of the Hon. W, Robinson's string pays : — It was laughable indeed to see the amount of examination Silver Prince underwent previous to being lod into the ring. Veterinary surgeons, owners, train ers, jockeys, and others went down on their knees so that they might thoroughly in spect the leer which was under suspicion, the near foreleg being the member which was considered damaged. Some of the would-be wise men shook their heads omin ouHly, while others openly expressed an opinion that there was nothing wrong. ' But I felt the heat in his leg,' rejoined another. No horse that has been submitted to auction in Australia ever received so much attention j but despite adverse opinions, the Hon. William Pearson, with his usual spirit, was not to be stalled oil' when Mr Archie Yuille submitted him to auction, and he never left off until he was knocked down to him at 1,150g5. The colt was immediately reclothed and taken to Mr F. F. Dakin's stable Disowned, the best-shaped horse of the lot, was; cheap enough to Mr McDonald, pro vided that he is sound. Mr Robinson and George Cutts both declare that the horse only suffered from an over-reach. Should he stand a preparation, his new owner will find him a remunerative purchase. Thunderbolt is another who once was under suspicion, but he now appears aa sound as a bell, and I'm certain he will win a handicap some day. Undoubtedly the soundest horso of the lot wan Enfidale, who hung fire at something over 600gs, when Mr i uille announced that Mr Robinson had placed a reserve of l,soogsou the colt,

and ho returned to his box. Afterwards one or two present seemed disposed to give the money for him, and finally he was purchased by a patron of Waltor Hiokiu botham'a stable." This patron, I am in formed, was Mr Donald Wallace, erst owner of that great horse, Le Grand.

NEW ZEALAND STUD COMPANY YEARLING SALE.

"The Last of tho Musltcte."

[By Hutoxa.]

Sylvia Pack always has a fresh charm for the lover of tho thoroughbred, and I thought that I could not do better than bring to a closo tho holidays that I have been enjoying in Australia for tho past six weeks by interviewing the yearlings that are to bo offered at tho New Zealand Stud Company sale during the first week in January. Consequently Wednesday lastsaw mo seated behind a good pair of horses bowling along the Great South Road in the company of Mr Thomas Morrin and Major Walmsley. A bright clear day and the picturesque scenery to bo seen on all sides were quite Buflicienb to make the drive an enjoyable one ; but with the # Major relating what he had seen in the thoroughbred line in England, and my en thusing on the perfect way Australians carry out everything appertaining to the " sport of kings," made tho time pass away far too quickly. Tho yearlings to be offered at the forthcoming sale number 27, and beforo entering into any particulars of tho various lots I can state that afteran inspection at Kirkham of those belonging to the Hon. James White and other pro minent breeders, I can say that, taken col lectively, tho youngsters to be submitted next month are quite equal to, if not better than anything brought under my notice. Added to tho fact of tho draft being a well grown lot, included among the number are six of Musket's progeny, and as they are the last of tho old hero's yearling stock to bo submitted, it is certain to predict that there will be somo very spirited " nodding " as each one is led in front of the rostrum. Ingomar has somo really good looking ones to represent him.and although, of course, he has yet to prove his worth as a stallion, it will not bo for the want of good looks if thoy are not able to hold their own on tho racecourse. Intending buyers who inspect the youngsters will, I think, verify me in this opinion. Tho lirst of the yearlings to come under my notice was a colt by'Muskct out of Nelly Moore, there fore half-brother to Lochiel, tho last New Zealand Cup and Newmarket Handicap hero. If he had no other qualification, this would bo quite sufficient to recommend him to purchasers, but ho has in addition plenty of good looks. He may bo just a bit too much on tho small side to please some, but thero is nothing else to cavil at, for the colt possesses a nice head and nock, good depth of shoulder, and excollont quarters, while he stands over a lot of ground. Ho is brown in colour, with two white feet, and has a star on l-ho forehead, with a email streak. Florenco McCarthy is represented by t\ lino big dark bay colt sired by Musket. Ho has wonderful good bono, and stands over a lot of ground, while v Muekot—Crinoline iilly, a dark bay iiv colour with black points, is one that will catch the eyo of good judges. Tho filly by Musket—Loekot (full .sinter to Necklace, Thunderbolt and Chain Shot) is almost an exact fac simile of the tiret-named mare, excepting that she only has one white hind foot. Hor colour is the same as Necklace, and she is similarly ticked with grey hairs. Tho filly is a real beauty in every way, and I will not bo surprised if she tops the list at the eale. A dark bay tilly by Musket—Sweet Cicely is also a real beauty. She is very evenly made, added to which she has an excellent set of legs under her, and in short is hard lo pick to pieces. Tho lilly by Muskeb — Rosette (full sister to Es cutcheon) is one that has tho appearance of being able to race. She is a bay with a streak and two white hind feet. I liked greatly a bay colt by Leolinus out of Ery cina (Mitrailleuse's dam.) Ho is a really good-legged one with excellent bone, but is not co forward as many of the others. A colt by Leolinus —Lovebird is a promis ing customer, and although on the small side a filly by lngomar'out of Jenny Lind may be worth picking up, for her dam has produced that consistent colt Patrician and Linda. A filly by Ingo mar—Clytemnestra is a racing - looking young lady, and it may bo mentioned is tho first of her dam's stock that has been raised, her previous progeny having died. The handsome Woodnymph is represented by a filly as tho result of her union with In gomar, and considering that it is the first of her progeny i.ho does her dam credit. The filly is a bay with a star and two white hind feet. There should be some competi tion on the day of tho sale for the filly by Ingomar out of Nordenfeldt's dam, Onyx. She is a dark brown with a stripe down her forehead and two white hind legs, and is very rac ing like. I liked greatly a colt by Robinson Crusoe out of Radiance. He is a chestnut in colour with white star, and puts me greatly in mind of Trident. He is particularly well grown, and has every essential point that makes the racehorse. Radiance, the dam of this colt, belongs to a racing family,seeing that she is got by Fire works from Sunshine, winner of the Oaks and sister to Dagmar. Another real gentleman is a brown colt by Robinson Crusoe from Patch, who is a credit alike to sire and dam. He is wonderfully furnished, and it ia indeed hard to pick a fault with him. A filly by Leolinus — Leila shows more quality than any of her sire's progeny that I have seen, and a colt by Musket or Leolinus out of Tres Douce (dam of Louie, Tres Sec and Queenie) should furnish into a racehorse. A colt by Leolinus out of Sister Agnes would be taken by most people for a Musket. It may be mentioned that this youngster was se lected by Mr N. Goold, of Melbourne, as being the best-looking foal at Sylvia Park when he visited Auckland last January. Ho is a really nice colt, and is a bay in colour with a white nose and black points. The filly out of Martini-Henry's sister Elfin, sired by Ingomar, is very pro mising, and of the others I liked most a full sister to Whakawai. the winner of the Maiden Plato at tho V.R.C. Spring Meeting. She is a big upstanding filly, with plenty of bone and substance. As I previously said, the whole draft are a first-class lot and all aro looking well, and for several of the lots, notably the colts by Musket out of Nelly Moore and Florence McCarthy, Necklace's full sister, and the two Robinson Crusoe colts, I shall expect to see big prices rea lised. Catalogues giving full particulars of each youngster and the date of the sale are to be issued in a few days' time.

MARRIED UNDER A TREE.

The late .Dean Swifb was walking in the Phoonix Park, Dublin, when a thunder storm came on, and he took shelter under a tree, where a party was sheltering also— two young women and two young men. Ono of tho young girls looked very sad, till, as the rain foil, her tears foil. The Dean inquired the cause, and learned ifc was their wedding day ; they wero on their way to tho church, and now her white clothes wero wefc and she couldn't go, " Never mind, I'll marry you," said tho Dean ; and took out his prayer-book, and there and then married them. To make fcho thing complete ho tore a leaf from his pocket-book, and with hie pencil wrote and signed a certificate, which ho handed to the bride. It was as follows :—

Urder a troo in stormy weather, J married this man and woman together. Let none but Him who rules the thunder, Sever this man and woman asunder. Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick 0.

ATHLETIC NOTES

(By Act&ox.)

SENIOR CUP.

December 3—Auckland A v. Auckland B; United v. Gordon ; Holland v. Parnoll.

FIRST JUNIOR CUP.

December 3-Auckland v. Gordon : National v Alpha; Onchunga v. Holland; United v. W alto" mata.

December 10-Auckland v. United; Gordon v. YVuitemata; Holland v. National; Onehunga v. Alpha.

SECOND JUNIOR CUP.

December 10—A.Cand G.S v. Gordon; Holland v. Wanderers; Onohunga United v. Standard.

. AQUATICS. December 10-~Auckland Rowing Association . Kegatta.

ATHLETICS.

December 24-Piokcring v. Goodliffe (sprint) for tho Championship of Auckland. January s—Ma> the wa v. Laing (boxing) for the Wanganui Championship and belt.

CRICKET.

TirK matches last week were left) in a curious state, hardly one being finished. Efforts have been made during the week to get them played out of an evening, and in several cases this has been done. When this sort of thing happens secretaries o* clubs would do well to send full particulars to '• Actx-on." If this is done they may always expect prompt recognition, and I am then enable to give notices I would otherwise be unable to do.

L. Meldrum played a remarkably fine innings tor 41, not out, last Saturday for Gordon against Holland. He went in first, so his feat was all the more noteworthy, es pecially against such bowling as Holland boasts.

Holland's fiolding was not so good as usual last woek.

Playing afc Putney, for Putney against Fulham Palace, the well-known veteran, Mr C. Absolon, went on to bowl with the total at 40 for one wicket, and finished off the innings in five overs. His analysis was 5 overs for 10 runs and 7 wickets. He took three wickets with the last four balls, hie performance altogether being marvel lous for a man over 70 years of awe. On the Prince of Wales' Birthday the Nelson College played a match against the Nelson club, and the game was again pro ductive of Borne good bowling feats. For the Nelson club, who were victorious, with 39 and 41 against 31 and 24, Richardson in the first innings bagged four wickets for five runs, whilst in the second he performed the feat of clean bowling no fewer than eight of his opponents for throe runs. I hear that Barnes, who hurt his hand in Sydney last season, and was for a long time incapacitated from playine in consequence, has quite recovered from his injury. After suffering great trouble from the afflicted member, he went to the famous English bonesefcter, Mr Hutton (now deceased), who set it right very quickly. Barnes had been previously under severalmedical gentlemen, but Mr Hutton at once informed him that they had not discovered the true nature of his injury. It is understood that both Spofforth and Palmer will be unable to go to England with the team which is about to be organ ised. Palmer's acceptance of the position of secretary to the East Melbourne Cricket Club and ground is, no doubt, the principal cause of his refusal to join the team. Blackham desires that another wicket-keeper should bo selected to accom pany the team, so that he can have some relief from the arduous duties appertaining to that post. Blackham and Boyle are the only two cricketers from Victoria who are likely to become members of the sixth Australian Eleven, which will visit the old country during next year. A very curious cricket match was played in England about fifty years ago between two gentlemen on one side and a farmer and a thoroughbred sheep dog on the other. Before the game began the odds were 5 to 1 against the farmer and his companion. But very soon the betting turned com pletely round. In the first innings the two gentlemen had great difficulty in getting 3 runs. Tho dog stuck close to his master when he was going to bowl, and the moment the ball was hit off he started after it at full speed, and brought' it back in his mouth to the farmer. And, though his opponents made some long hits, the dog fielded so well that they never got more ♦"•han 1 run at a time. The farmer and his dog presently went In ; and the dog stood to his wicket like a man until he saw that it was advisable to run. Then he cantered past his master at a judiciously-considered pace. The result of the first innings of man and dog was a grand total of 5. The two gentlemen scored 3 in their second innings ; and after that the necessary 2 runs were made by the farmer, who with his bow-wow was declared the victor.

In a one day's match at Sydney the week before last, the Belvidere C.C. beat the University by 19 runs and nine wickets. Sammy Jones made 24 for the " Unis " out of 65, while Allen and Garret made 12each. J. J. Ferris, for the winners, bowled 89 balls, 4 maidens, 29 runs, 9 wickets, an average that speaks for itself. The Bel ■videres made 84 for one wicket, H. Moses, not out, 41, W. Richardson, not out, 33.

Ted Evans, the well-known Australian crioketer, is once more playing, having come down from the country to practise for the match New South Wales v. Vernon's team. On last Saturday week he donned the flannels at the conclusion of the Carlton v. Warwick match, and very soon proved that he had not forgotten his cunning with the ball, or his power over it with the bat. In the practice which was indulged in by most of the players present some fine hit ting was shown by McDonnell, Turner, and Gregory. The hrst-named sent the ball fully a dozen times out of the ground. Australian papers to hand give full details of the recent match between Lillywhite's team and the New South Wales eleven, the result of which was cabled over. Owing to the rain the ground was all in favour of the bowlers when the game started. Mc- Donnell, captain of the N.S.W. team, won the toss from Docker, who was in charge of the English Eleven (Smith, the captain for the tour, being unable to play owing to indisposition), and sent the visitors to bat. Shrewsbury, who last year obtained the reputation of being the best bat in England, was sent first with that brilliant bat, Ulyett, and they made a fairly good stand ; in fact, the only one of any duration in the innings. As was expected, the crack bowlers, Turner and Ferris, were given charge of the ball. The wicket euited Ferris admirably, but was rather too clow for Turner to appear at his best; and the champion trundler was, also, hardly ablo to get footholdin the earlier part of thegame. Still, though Ferris came out with the average, Turner's performance was a splen did one. It was a remarkable achievement to put such a team out for 49 runs ; Shrews bury, with 20, being the only one to reach double figures. Though Burton, the local wicket-keeper, showed poor form, there were no byes; tho only sundries being three- no-balls delivered by Ferris. The opening of theN.S.W. first innings caused dismal forebodings from the sympathisers of tho Australians, and stimulated the Eng lish team to their best efforts. Allen and Moses, two sterling bats, retired for no runs ; and three batsmen were out for 17. Then tho rain camo down, and play was compulsorily stopped for a time. Sufficient fell to mako the ground quite wet on the top, and the ball became so wet and slip pery that the bowlers and fielders were Boverely handicapped. Aliok Bannerman, who had gone in first, and ehowed very fine cricket) all through, continued bis

useful career until Pilling smartly caught him at the wicket for 21. Turner played in a free and taking manner for 13, then hit a ball on his wicket; and McDonnell, from whom the liveliest and most dashing play is expected always, did not belie his reputation, but put on his 27 amid repeated plaudits from the public. He hie one ball over the boundary ; and this proved to bo the only five-hit in the match. S. P. Jones, who has shown superior form this season, was unable to play, being laid up with a severe cold, caught ab the picnic to the Englishmen on the previous Monday; and J. Davis, who had been selected as twelfth man, was pressed into service. To ward the conclusion of the day's play he and Hiddilston were together, and resolved to play out time, showing fine defensive play in their effort, which was successful. At adjournment for lunch the score was 80 for seven wickets. A fine drying night and morning followed, and the ground was in splendid order, so that large scores were expected ; bub this was an error, as the wicket still remained in favour of the bow ler. Continuing their inninge, New South Wales were all out for 94, or 45 in advance of the Englishmen, who then commenced their second inninge. Shrewsbury and Lohmann started, and each treated the bowling with the greatest possible respect. It was soon apparent that not only was Turner in hia best form, but that he could get a lot of " work " on the ball. Ferris was not bo much favoured by the state of the ground as on the pre vious day; but he bowled splendidly. The two batsmen named were in forty minutes before the interval for luncheon, and then had only scored nine, of which two were byes. Very soon after resuming Shrewsbury, who had indulged in his practice of stopping break-balls with his legs, received a straight one from Turner, and treated it likewise, with the result that he was given out leg before wicket, having only scored three. Lohmann was then five, and the total 10. Ulyett joined Lohmann, and carefully refrained from taking liberties, playing over a quarter of an hour before getting a run. Lohmann had a strange streak of luck. He played a ball, which rolled against his wicket and actually shifted one bail from its groove, but it did not roll oft. He was also very lucky afterwards, for both Burton and Garrett missed very easy chances off him. Between hie luck and his good betting, however, he remained longer at the wicket than McConnell liked ; he and. Ulyett both playing with confidence. Allen, the Uni versity fast change trundler, was put on, and, in hia second over, effected the desired separation, bowling Lohmann. Though no batsman failed to get runs in this innings, none other gave much trouble ; and all were out for 66. Their aggregate total was 21 ahead of the New South Wales' first innings. Turner's bowling was simply splendid, as his average, 148 balls, 23 maidens, 23 runs, 6 wickets, shows. He obtained 6 wickets for 23 runs, besides havingtwocatchesmissed off him. Combining his averages for the two innings, we find that he bowled 224 balls for 45 runs and 10 wickets. Ferris alto gether bowled 213 balls for 62 runs and 9 wickets. On any kind of wicket such per formances against a team representing England are very fine. McDonnell and Allen had no difficulty in knocking up the runs required: McDonnell, 15; Allen, 6; sundries, 2; total 23. The N.S.W. eleven thus won by ten wickets.

CYCLING.

Last Tuesday, the usual monthly moon light run was made to Ellerslie. Last Saturday, in spite of tho windy weather, several wheelmen did some big distance travelling. For a one-mile race at the Surrey meet ing there were 70 entries. The race had to be cut up into eight heats and a final. The Capt. of W. 8.0. desires me to slang the Club members for not rolling up to the runs. It's a pity there is not another "club to make a little emulation and rivalry.

Jas. Cooper, the energetic Secretary of W.8.C., has been seriously indisposed for the past few days. May he sooa be well and his shadow never grow less.

A long-distance run is on the programme for next Saturday, to the Waitakerei Ranges, and those who are going to take part are ware warned that the time of starting is 1.30, not 2.45, as per run card. The touring season is close upon us, and great is the talk thereon among the cyclers, Several are going to Whangarei, some talk of doing the West Coast, and a few are going to try some of the sea beach of the Waikato, called by courtesy " roads." The New Zealand Cyclists' Alliance has granted permission to amateurs to compete with Fred Wood, the professional, on con dition that the meetings are held by recog nised clubs, and amateurs take trophies,and not cash, for prizes. I understand the W.B.C. have a road race on the programme for next month. The distance is not yet settled, but it is sure to be about 5 miles. I would suggest that it be on the Takapuna Road, for a change, it being superior m every way to the old run from Onehunga, the only objection being that it will not attract such a crowd.

A rumour is abroad that the City Couu cil are going to pass a resolution, " That no cyclist shalibe allowed to ride on the high way at a greater pace than one mile in four hours, and Without two men walking in front with red flags, the rear to be brought up by a policeman feo see that the by-law is carried out properly." The One-mile Amateur Bicycle Cham pionship of Victoria was also decided at this meeting,when it resulted: T. W. Busst, Melbourne 8.C., 1; W. J. C. Elliott, V.C.U., 2 ; F. H. Shackleford, Victoria 8.C., 3. Turnbull, New South Wales, was one of two other starters, and made the pace, but Busst came with a great rush at the finish, and Turabullwas beaten off. Time, 2min 54sec. The great Austral Wheel Race of the Melbourne B.C. has been lost and won. The race was contested at the M.S.C.'s Sports on November 19th, and the prizes were trophies, already enumerated in these columns, of values respectively of £200, £50, £20, £10, and £5. The distance was two miles, and 34 riders started. J. W. H. Busst, W, J. C. Elliott, and T. W. Busst were ecratch, and the handicaps varied tip to 410 yards. The following were the placed men:—H. H. Lambton, Sydney, 210 yds, 1; J. J. Campion, Victoria 8.C., 300yde, 2; l>. W. Swan, Victoria 8.C., 240 yds, 3 : W. J. Pattinson, V. C. Union, 270yde, 4; C. N. Hall, 300 yds, M.8.C., 5. The race was won very easily.

ATHLETICS.

It was with feelinge of general satisfac tion that I heard of the championship 100 yards race between Goodliffe and Pickering having been arranged, and I was glad to hear also that the latter had backed himself. When the match was first proposed it was to have been for £50 aside and the champion ship, over three distances. Pickering got into form and ran his proposed backers a very satisfactory trial, but they declined to put up the " stuff," and as he was anxious for the match he decided to mske it for his own money and over the distance he is best at, viz., 100 yards. As all readers of the Star are aware, the match was made last Monday night, and is to be decided on Christmas Eve, which comes on a Saturday. I may add that part of the money limW" l staked and is now in the hands of! MrM. Gallagher, who has been »PP o j n ted judge by the two men. The fact ofP«; kk e n S backing himself is quite sufficient to give the pullic confidence in the bom fidesf the race, and when the day comes there is bound to be a large attendance of the sport m Hall, b §aS the Sydney light weight,jho is to meet Murphy this month, is at Marten training with fcick Matthews. Matthews is to act as his picker-up in Jjs fight, mtj Murphy, whije Hall act v » ewgj capacity ta*Matthe.we meett

il§i wrestling the hiaSH o^tffi VeDl  men scoring a fet^ ba Sfe 1 think ifc would k time since thi y m £| C gt rt «?? g sure they would be sueS \ aild s mgof records should iS l our athletes, though I2SJ«N?W long time before m can col? 3 lfc >* * Byrd Page's reeordTl °*\ ne4r & W changes that he has succeededl *?**«*■ Mowing isanaccoCtof > " The bar was placed easily cleared fthen two added at a time until L X hes w «* Page now took a tS rubbing paced ten steuU "J? with a beautiful leap ffiffrfc «4 about two inches. &X^ W -- w,Bw V ful leaps the ba stood \k 3?°™ tttl  hadbrrkenhisrecorfbyjAf' asm was now intense. Th" ; bi> Te rmed to 6ft. 4in., and afw 5* Wae , n « Page in a wonderful without a touch. His friends W?** gratulate him, anoUt S : that the^liceoo^^^g This is the highest record evoSnS , that profesmonai running needs enwS ing here also. There are aSS ferent; they run in all shapes todSSS mall manner of forms. femewoS an undertaker laugh, others would <S£ favourably for stylewith thebestrunnS ever donned trunks. There is, h O S a suspicion on professional, running M should not be there, and: I am if it up in the eaihfe manned amateur athletics have been, a Idt of eJ wouldresalt. I beUeve ifcis the , inteS of some sportsmen who have i ground which lies idle for the greater tatt rf the year to put it to some mod by laying dpwn cinder tracks and Botany and Sheffield Handicap sal as are so common over in Sydney and in England. I trust that the proposed plan' will not end in talk as such a number do i but that an crergetio Cominifctieekd aa' efficient Secretary and handjcapbennll W found who will carry i|i out sfasßfally i Once started, I have hot the slighw doubt of its beiDg a success, prbvidS tiatj the Committee take pains to. stamp oat m< signs of " slinters," etc., wiih life diqnalP ficadon. If such races are started ad> properly conducted they are bound to» ceive large support from the v AiickSid| public, which is intensely athletic, ifid-ijj will fill up the spare time of a large|i|tet' of youths round this city,which is often spent in anything but an elevating, manner.

A fortnight back I wrote about the high entrance fees charged by the -A. A,iLC.j tod last week I published an English clippg bearing on betting on athletics. I wfe week introduce to my readers a !&tjs flUf; appeared in the English " Sporting Mf|f and though in one or two details the analogy is not quite correct I think the letter raj meet with a hearty approval from the; majority of our local athletes. Sm,—lk Amateur Athletic Associabionhas justpassM a resolution strongly condemning the spreSil of open betting iit amateur sports.' fiiUiif the "open" print aside for the present, there are many reasons why athletes are! impelled to back their fancy at the VarioMj meetings they attend. In the first plas, t runners who bet, besides thus testityiiJgW a wish for the success of their friends Of themselves, have also the object of "Jiayiiig; expenses" in view, and this brings me to what I wish most to dwell om AthMtfeele, for the majority of runners, an : expensive, pastime. Aβ ahandieapperof ance once remarked; "What with dub m scriptions, railway fares, and entroce-fe«| most runners buy their prizes four tunes; over." In my opinion the entranqe-feesffl: the present day are too high. Athletes h*W|. all the trouble and work of training, Wj their railway fares to different parts of thej country to amuse the public, and d»t% " eate"for the benefifcof mfeting. Surely enough mW being called on to pay half ; a-crovni as rtj for the privilege of competing m each 4%. event. Of course entrance fees could Ml be abolished altogether, but asard: they should be as nearly nominaTM, possible, say a shilling for each e^ This would be a great boon to m athletic world, andi the to the executives of the sporte would be either nil« .very fcjjggf the benefit to tha purity of athletiffl«a the help to the removal of open beg, §111 one can deplore kyselfJwouldbeverygreat^W?! fully, !

AQUATICS.

The Tarawera beatthe of scratch race up from the Kaw»u w S SGaudanrhas injuredhis^ S ; 5? Saturday afternoon the g, CanSe C?ub hala procession dgjJkg hour. They started f 20 in number, *nd "^ito. spectators c°nf e Sf*h e ; ff bfc-oared .a* *The first intercolonial J»S"V pla „ on South Austr^an^te^P the 19th instant, °" laide. w ; South Australianßo^^ weather was ,kfc Williamstown men Yankees' Thistle. J^j.gffi^>*J Chronicle," bubble^j

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1887.

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