RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamiel.]

Some write, a neighbour's name to lash: Some writo—vain .thought!—for ueedful cash; Somo writo to please the country clash, Aucl raise a din. For me, an aim I never fash— I write for fun.

What a tempest in a teapot is that which has been raised at Wellington the windy, all through a member asking a question which was in questionable taste. The incident proves what terrible conse quences may flow from ono little fa-uxpas, and it also shows what judgment and tact are required on the part of the Speaker of a legislative Chamber. " Zamiel " has no desire to exercise his flail on a subject so well thrashed out as the questions of order and Parliamentary usage involved ; it is more befitting his vocation to throw a side light or two on the incident. A very nice philosophical question was raised, at the very dawning of the squabble, as to the origin of ev il_ a subject that has been debated for centuries by thousands of giant intellects, but has hitherto baflled all research. Sir Julius Vogel, in asserting that rheumatic gout is "the act of God," while getting drunk is " the act of the devil" displayed a "turn" for metaphysical reasoning which ho has not been credited with possessing , " Sir Julius splits a very fine hair indeed when he makes this distinction ; but I can not say that 1 quite agree with his state ment. To the popular view, gout and drunkenness are both evils, and are there fore referable to the same evil agent. But Sir Julius may take tho stand assumed by theologians and argue that evil is of two kinds —flagitious and punitive — and that while drinking to excess comes under the first category, the affliction of gout clearly belongs to the second : enja, while drinking to excess is wicked and comes of the Evil One, gout is a painful but just affliction by the Almighty. But is not gout frequently caused by a too liberal applying of "hot and rebellious liquors" to the system ? This leads me to reason in a circle, some what after the stylo of the child's vade mecum of theology, which in my boyish days contained tho comprehensive stanza: — " God made Satan; Sixtau nude sin. G< d made a big hole To siick Ssitaii in 1"

So it would seem that a phase of the eternal struggle beween Good and Evil is being fought out in the big wooden build ing at Wellington, and Sir Julius Vogel, like Disraeli, is " on the side of the angels." There is a peculiar appropriateness in Sir Julius Vogel coming to the -front as the apostle of temperance, for he is well known to be somewhat of an epicure, and he will be able from experience to tell his hon. fellow members how to enjoy the plea sures of the table without participating in " the act of tho devil." But what about the retributive gout ? I fear that certain Mephistophelean members will retort— "If that is the act of God, give us the act of the other fellow !" For mo, I am no metaphysician, bub it does scorn a thousand pities that the'devil should mono polise all the good drink, as well as dancing, bagpipo mutiic, and other luxuries of life. Couldn't " the act of the dovil" be made illegal by Act of Tarliamont ? Or are- tho majority of our representatives in leaguo with Old Scratch '!

The grocers of Auckland have met in Bolemn conclave, and after reaffirming their previous resolution to discontinue the practice of giving Christmas, boxes, they do cided upon having a picnic in tho course of the summer. These excellent tradesmen are nob as a class noted for the possession of superabundant brain power ; but evon they might have seen that a very damaging in ference would be drawn from tho bmckoting of these two resolutions. It is a* though they had plainly said :-"We can make the hard times an excuse for not giving the customary Christmas gift; but with the good things thus saved wo will have a jolly picnic all to ourselves !" So with tongue in cheek and finger on nose the twin resolu tions wore carried ; bub I am bound to Bay that a " grosser" exhibition of the'reverse of Christmas feeling has never coino under my notice.

It must, I fancy, bo the force of habit that causo3so many people to commitsuicide in the month of November here. As my readers know, this is the suicide month in England, and evidently colonists who feel inclined to " shuffle off" cannot choose but to do it when it is in the fashion ; " it's bo English, you know." Among our population of 600,000, there were, I think,eight suicides besides several determined attempts during the first fortnight of the present month ; but only in one of them was there any unique feature. That was the case in which the suicide and a philosophical friend had dis cussed the subject of self-murder several weeks before the rash acbwa& committed. Tho strange part of the story is that tho unhappy man who terminated his own exist ence stoutly argued against suicide as being weak, immoral, and unjustifiable, while his "guide, philosopher and friend" maintained the opposite opinion. So stoutly, indeed, did the now deceased gentleman contest the point that he convinced his friend of the falsity of his position ; and yet—oh, cruel irony ! —he who could convince another had not the strength of mind to steer his own course clear of the wicked and lamentable act.

" A dangerous doctrine" is what the Coroner, Dr. Philson, called this advocacy of the rightnes3 of suicide, and no doubt his remark was a very jusb and proper one. People whose minds are a little un hinged, or v, ho may be through losses and crosses, or who may simply be suffering from liver complaint, are apt to brood over the subject of suicide; and a specious argument in its favour, addressed to them by someone of whose sanity there is not the least doubt, who may be in full health and spirits, finds a ready lodgment and is apt to have undue importance at tached to it. To advise a person to commit suicide, or to give facilities for perpetrating the act, is a punishable offence ; but the law cannottakecogiiisance of arguments adduced in the course of an abstract discussion, although the effect of such arguments may be the same as though a weapon bad been placed in the hand of the moody meditator on self-destruction. Argument is a dangerous weapon, and may produce de plorable results jn many ways. I knew two brothers who discussed religious matters, and one of them though retaining a firm hold on spiritual truth, raised such doubts and objections as made the other a confirmed sceptic! '' A word spoken in. season how good it is," said the wise man ; bub alas ! who can measure the bad effect of the multitudinous words spoken out of season !

The Secretary of the Burns Club sends the following epistle, which I gladly insert, as I view it as the soldering-bplt of peace, heal ing all our differences:—Dear " Zamiel '—In reading your witty and able remarks anent the bagpipe and haggis question discussed afc 'the-Burne Club meeting, I was grieved to think that you refer to auld Hornie with sucjicontempfc,, and as likely to bring the name of our honoured and ancient instru ment unde/ 1 a like ban. Why should this be ? If Qaeen Victoria, Emperor William, or any other potentate iboiild adopt the ,bagpipes, wouia npfe , we', consfder, this

Now these magnates are only human, like ourselves, but auld Nick or auld Hornie, as >ou are pleased to call him, is a monarch who has his subjects all over the world and out of the world, and he is certainly far greater than any earthly potentate. I don't think Burns viewed his Satanic .Majesty as you do. i rather think he gave him the place of honour whenever ho spoke oL' him, and in giving him the bagpipes, I cannot think that Burns meant degradation to tho instrument; and if auld Nick played and Cutty Sark danced (you call it ' wild gyrations ') what then ? Was not Cutty Sark a famous character when in the llesh, so that all the country respected her 1 And the names given to his Satanic Majesty are never intended to be used in contempt;you know (or oughtto)that they are all terms of endearment —such as " the deil cam fiddling through the toon," and the women came to their doors to see him, and acknowlodgo his good deed in 'dancing awa' wi' the exciseman.' 1 could say a great deal more, but must spare you. 1 thank you for granting that 1 scored a point against you at the meeting. 1 will treasure the compliment. As for the Nero and Nebuchadnezzar theory, I am waiting for Mr Stewart to state his author ity for tho very extraordinary statements advanced by him as to the use of the bag pipes by those potentates."

Trading amonitipa in Kiimngahapo Road are still rather lively. In the window of a shop in that busy -thoroughfare may be seen a placard bearing tho inscription " Money lent in very small sums." At the otlier side of the window is a second card with tho words " What we aro coming to in Auckland." Beneath this aro affixed three farthings, which the proprietor states woro taken in the ordinary course of business. Ono woman sent for a quarter of a dozen of eggs and sent 2Jd as payment for the same. He thought that was running matters somewhat fine, but as ready money is always acceptable he took the coin. Shortly afterwards another woman sent a penny, two halfpennies and two farthings for another article. These were also accepted, but tho number of the coins weighed upon tho mind of the tradesman, and consequently ho put thorn upon exhi bition. It is evident that money can still bo obtained in Auckland, but, as tho placard states, " in very small sums."

The.members of the City Schools Com mittee are as a rule very sceptical regard ing the " good intentions " of tho Board of Education, and offenco is frequently taken because of what i 3 assumed to be high handed or crafty proceeding on the part of the latter body. An amusing instance of this cropped up at tho last meeting of Com mittee. Tho Board's Secretary wrote asking if tho Committee had any recommendation to mako with respect to tho appointment of a iirst assistant teachor in tho Wellesley stroet school, previous to applications being invited by advertisement. Several mem bers were up in arms immediately, and alleged that there had been some wire-pull ing with tho object of getting tho appoint ment for a certain teacher, and quite an excited discussion ensued, in which names wore mentioned in a particularly reckless inaner in connection with very grave charges of undue influenco being used. Tho Chairman and other* agreed on principle that all appointments should bo open to [tublio competition, and tho warmer spirits laving been calmed down, n motion wn.s paused recommending tho Board to this eliect.

KILLED AT SEA.

Charges of Atrocious Cruelty,

The "Chicago Times," Galveston special says : Upon the arrival of tho Mallory steamship Comal from Now York yester day, tho master of tho vessel, Captain John lliak, reported that during tho voyage a coalpassor, John H. Graham, of New York had died of overheat and cramp and f was buried at Kca. This was tho sub stance of Captain Risk's report at tho Naval Office, as; required by tho United States statute in .such cases. Nothing more was thought of tho matter during the day,and no suspicion of foul play exited afc the Custom-house. It was therefore a matter of great surpriao when later a coal handler named Riley, who mado tho trip with Graham, visited tho offico of tho United States Commissioner and mnde nn affidavit charging William R. MoOullough, Chief Engineer of the Comal, with the willful murder of Graham.

Riley's story, for savago and devilish in humanity, surpasses belief. Jn substance ho swears that he was working in the samo watch with Graham when they were four (lays out from New York. Graham, while in the fire room at work, complained to him (Riley) and others of being sick and unable longer "to hold up his end" on work. Shortly after this Chief Engineer McCul lough came in and found Graham lying down, apparently sleeping, whereupon the engineer remarked: "I'll wake you up," and suiting the action to tho words, he de liberately took a large shovel and scooping it full of red-hot coats from tho furnace he poured them over the prostrate form of the sick man.and followed up the work by beat ing and abusing Graham as he lay writhing uncler the burning coals. Riley further swears that within fifteen minutes after Engineer McCullough had first assaulted Graham, tho latter was a corpse and was immediately removed to tho engine-room and laid upon the grating. Perhaps tho most extraordinary statement made by Riley is that the body of the dead man was kept on ice until the steamship was within twelve hours' run of Galveston and then buried at sea. Commissioner Spannard immediately issued a warrant charging McCullough with murder on the high sea, and he was arrested while aboard the vessel and committed to gaol. Five witnesses were also arrested, to await the sitting of the Federal Grand Jury. Engineer McCullough is about A3 years old, and is a resident of New York City.

Royal Robes of African Kings.

I must tell you just how the kings that we met were dressed. King No. 1 had three different kinds of blankets wrapped around him as he sat on his throne, which was an empty gin cask with an old native mat thrown over it. King No. 2 came marching in with nothing on but an old coat, which looked like ono of Lord Nelson's cast-off coats. The lnco on the sleeves camo down to his fingers' ends and the broad collar with fancy facings folded back to his shoulders. He was accompanied by a servant who carried an umbrella over him. King No. 3 had on a green coat which formerly belonged to one of the London sharpshooters. He also wore a vest. These two articles constituted his entire wardrobe. There were Eoven Kings at the meeting, and these were dressed in a similar fashion. One of them had brass rings on his ankles and three or four iron rings' on his arms. The servants placed before us seven bottlee of palm wine, one for each King. We asked tor water, saying we did not drink wine, and water was brought us. The Kings bore themselves with great dignity through out the entire interview. — From a Congo Letter.

"Are you familiar with the various causes which bring about bo much drunken ness in this benighted land?" he asked. " I am (hio) quite familiar with some of them, sir," hiccoughed the young man. politely; " suoh as whieky. gin, brandy, ftni

SPORTING.

[By Saunteree.]

RACING FIXTURES.

November 26.-Island Bay Jockey Club. November 26-Takapuna «P« n ß Meeting November 20 and December L- Wellington K.U.

DSBft!ffi9Ur«n* Club Mcetin, December 26, January 1 and 2.-Auckland R.C.

No S S 3.-Duncdin J.C. D?o P e r S29?-ioutli Auckland B.C. Mooting

THE MELBOURNE CUP.

" Hippona," who is at present in Mel bourne, and witnessed the two groat classic events of the Australasian sports man's year, speaking of the Cup says :—" I must honestly say, though, that there is no comfort or real enloyment in being presen* at Fleming-ton on Cup Day, and on this ac count the great majority of Victorian race goers detest the annual gala day, but put in an appearance as a matter of duty. To move about the enclosures was next to im possible. After the first racd»had been de cided I made the experiment of walking from the main grand, stand to the bird-cago, but the difficulty of piloting my way through the crowd was so very great that repeating it was out of the question, and till the Cup was over I remained comfortably soated in fche Press box.

" What an exciting and anxious time it was as the Cup horses began to file out of tho enclosure at a quarter to four o'clock. The New Zealand owned pair, Silver Prince and Thunderbolt, indulged in their pre liminary together, but t did not care for the appearance of either. Tho first-named boro evidence that ho had been overdone, and Thunderbolt went a bit tenderly. Tranter walked down to the post in a quiet manner, and out of the eighteen starters ho certainly took the palm for good looks. Ho bore evidence of having done a good pro paration, and i>3 a great number opined that he should have won the Derby, it was thought ho would make a big bid for vic tory. Niagara led Silvermino in a canter down tho straight, and neither showed any ill effects of their battles on the first day. In fact, both looked as well as might bo wished. Of tho whole iield n\y fancy was Oakleigh. Many of tho shrewdest judges in Molbourno declared that he would win, bar accidents, but Meteor and Tho Australian Peer were tho "strong tips." Silver Prince led tho field from tho start till tho homo turn was readied, whero he was tackled, and soon after collapsed like a pricked balloon. Tho son of Anteros has tilled out a great denl since ho was purchased in Auckland last January by the Hoi\ W. Robinson. Thunderbolt ran woll for a milo, but after that ho nover got up to tho leaders. Tran ter also shaped woll in the early part of tho journey, but badly straining his euspon sory ligament, lie was unable to show his true form at the finish. Niagara ran woll throughout the whole distance, arid he finished homo like tho racehorse he is, just being beaten for third honours' by The Aus tralian Peer, while Aborcorn was about on terms with Mr Cooper's colt as thoy passed tho judge's box. Cranbropk was very pro minent till the homo turn was reached, when ho fuilod to stay it out, and at about this name point tho muoh-talkcd-of Algerian was done with. Sardius broke his fetlock during tho progress of tho race, but tho worst exhibition in tho raco was made by Meteor. lie toilod hopelessly in tho rear from tho time tho flag dropped, and his running was a comploto mystery to every one.

"Tho New Zealand horses farod so bodly in tho Cup that it was pleasing to sco Pasha wind up tho day's racing by annex ing tho Van Yean Stakes. His owner baoked him at fcho last moment to win him a decent bit of inonoy at the nice price of 10 to 1, tho Bon of The Mute thus mak ing KOino amends for his previous bad run ning since being in Australia."

Aβ was only to be expected, Dunlop's jockey, Sandora, wn« intnrviowod after the Melbourne Chjj by an enter prising reporter, and what ho saye is well Wotfih ..-'id ing. The horse, Sanders tie •' - ! ife to be known, was murdered over Iris training for the Derby after doing very well as a two-year old. They galloped him off his legs for the race, which, of course, he didn't win, and he was vory floro when Donovan and San ders—Donovan, of the Pastoral Hotol— bought him from the Robertsons for £600, and they never got him right " until tho etrangte? took all tho humour out of his body and legs and utood him up as clean and Bound as a foal, and made it worth while to enter him for the Melbourne Cup, and pub money on him to win the big atako." Sanders knew what he could do, because no one had been across his back since ho and Donovan bought him. He rodo him at exer cise, he rode him in races, and time after time rodo a losing race. " t gob quite * stiff' as a jockey, Sanders went on to say, "because I stuck to Dunlop ; but I stuck to him because I knew what he could do come day. I could often have ridden other horses, bub I wouldn't, because I was looking after Dunlop, know ing that he was a racehorse. When he was all bub dead, and you would scarcely have bought him for more than his hide, £800 would nob have gob him, and £2,000 would nob get him now. Yeb he's a lazy horse ; such ' a lazy horse that a selling plaber would beat him in a slow-run race. He must have pace—the faster the betber—to rouse him, to get him going with something in front to go for. That was why I came as soon as I did to cub down Silver mine. I knew Dunlop could outlast him if I brought Silvermine alopg fast, an 4bo he did. Dunlop was full of' going, bub after he gob in fronb he needed a lob of riding to keep him there. I ought to know how to ride him after riding him so often. He's a bad beginner too. Ho was as quiet as a sheep at tho post, as he always is, never fretting or breaking into a lather,.and he was never so lit before, although he has only done two 2-mile gallops—one'in Sydney w4 one in Melbourne —since we had him. The last gallop was the trial that made Uβ put our money on him and we put on a finishing touch after that, for ho is a very hearty horse, and stands work like iron. He never left an oat in hia bin when he was training, and a hearty horse that feeds well trains well if he's a thoroughbred. . ... I expect people will think Dunlop ought to have won the Melbourne Stakes, bub there's the reason why — the horse < needs a. dis tance and pace to show him at his best. I wouldn't back him for a flutter at any price; but over 2 miles, when he's as pink as fie was to-day, with a rider that knows his ways, he takes a lob of beating."

The lisfc of winning owners at the V.R.O Spring Meeting shows that the total amount paid away totted up to £14,915. Mr R. Donovan, as the owner qi Dunlop, came in for the largest share, though his horse qnly won one race. Still thai) race was a prize worth £3,255. In 1866 the value of the Cup stake was £2,865, this amount going to Arsenal's owner, Mr W. Gannon, of Sydney, who has this year secured £1,801 through the services of The Australian Peer. Mr James White, who Jagt year won £2,424 in stakes for four.races, this year only receives £1,374, his horses having been placed 10 times, and haying won 6 times. Mr 0. L. McDonald, who last) year won £2,011 in stakee/chiefly through Hortense c brilliant performances, does not. appear amongst fche list) of winnere at all tbjji yepr.. Mr tak©> £1,BQ8; J,

Wilson, iun., £1,374, while Mr W. A. Long, M.ic?, of Sydney, is entitled to re ceive £1,240. The total amount paid away at last year's meeting was i,io,voH.

SPOUTING GOSSIP.

Mr McKinnon's Taupiri has dropped a filly fool to Ingomar. Messrs Alison's mare, Pearl, dropped a colt foal to Carbineer on Tuesday. Sword Dance's place in the Royal Stud has been taken by Melton, a Derby winner. An English paper of September 10 says Limestone is reported sold to go to New Zealand. Sanders, the jockey of Dunlop, won £4,000 by his win in the Oup on bets, while his total winnings, being a part owner of Dunlop, amount to £5,500, all expenses paid. It is reported that the steeplechaser Faugh-a-ballagh is wanted at Melbourne, and a visitor to this colony ha=) been com missioned to buy him if the price can be agreed to. I have to acknowledge the receipt of " Centaur's Monthly Racing Record tor November, and a neat handy little book it is. Jt has a record of the racing up to t"° Mooneo "Valley Races, besides entries, etc., all of great service to a sportsman. The Committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club have docided that Mr H. Lunn and Mr J. E. Pilbrow are nob entitled to figure as amateur riders, both of them being engaged in training horses, and mainly dependent on that for a livelihood. A two-year-old full sister to tho Austra lian Peer is running in Queensland this season. Her cognomen is Ringdove. An other two-year-old filly named Fine Lady is also in those regions, and her breeding is also excellent—by Darebin out of Grand Flaneur's dam. Mr G. Morris, a well-known local pon cillcr, has undertaken the management of a Cigar Divan and Tattorsall's Commission Club in a handy place for Bporting men— at tho corner of Coombes's Arcade. Mr R. Blaikio is to havo an office behind, bo bet ting rnon will not noed to stand on "tho corner" to wager in future. The most successful sires at the V.R.C. meeting were Darobin and Chester, who wore each represented by two winners and three wins. Darebin only had two representatives, and Maggie won one and Australian Peer two races. For Chester, Carlyon won two races and Cranbook one. Richmond was well represented by Venture, and Napoleon by Silvermine, who ap propriated two races each, and the follow ing sires had representatives who won one race each, viz., Yattendon,First King, King Arthur, Tubal Cain, King of tho Ring, Melbourne, Lockeleys,Lapidist, Neckersgat, The Mute, St. Albans, Grand Flaneur, Grandmaster, Loolinus. Irish horsemen are known all the world over for their pluck and dash, and the following by Mr FitzClarence.in the "Now York Star," will bo read with interest by all sportsmen :— " It would be difficult to find any country on tho globe whoro bettor all-round horsemen are seen than in Ireland, and Punchoetown is the place to see the work done to perfection. A mere lad, by tho name of Paddy Gavin, weighing 63 pounds, rode and won tho Prince of Wales' Steeplechase on Blush Rose, and youth ful Master MeDonogh's feats should nob be allowed to go by unsung. There was an awfully severe country laid put in Bandon, County Cork, where all tho celebrated horses of the country wore entered (some of which were afterwards sold to the Marquis of Water ford for a etiff price, bo they were not a contemptible lot), the distance was four and a half miles, and McDonagh, who woj* riding Sailor, fell four times, yet so active was his pilot that he was as quickly in tho saddle as out of it. Ab his fourth and last fall tho horse chested the bank, flung his rider some distance from him, and having a tight hold of the horse's reins the throat-la«h gave way, and the bridle came off. As Sailor was getting on his legs Mc- Donagh jumped into the saddle, and set ting his horse going was soon in pursuit of the leaders. There were in the one and a half miles yet to be travelled nearly ten awkward double post and rail fences. The third impediment was a 'boreen,' bo called in Ireland, which is a parrow lane with an intricate bank and jump in and out of it. Not ho with McDonagh, who had only a whip to guide his horee. The riders of two noted horses, Valentine and Monarch, had bridles, consequently they could steady their horses in and out 'clear.' Steering the animal for tho ' boreen,' and putting him at his bosb pace and without laying an iron on it, he went from field to field and landed amongst the leaders. The riders of the other horses, seeing he had no power to guide his mount, endeavoured to put him outside a post that had to be gone round to make the tu:n into the straight line for home; bub the young jockey strotching his arms almost around his horse's nose, by some means got him straight, and, making the remainder of the running, won easily. Valentine's rider objected to Sailor for nob having carried a bridle, bub Mr McDonagh was able to draw the weight, and was de clared the winner amid the wildest enthu siasm. Tho other extraordinary performance occurred on his pet mount, the celebrated Irish horse Brunette. When riding Moun tain Kate the previous day over the same course, he was crossed by an old woman at an ugly UD-bank. The horse struck the woman in the chest, and very pearly pub an end to the rider also, who in the fall got his collarbone and cix ribs broken. The late Dr. Russell, of Cashel, was quickly by his side, and telling the Marquis of Waterford of the serioue nature of Mc- Donagh's injuries, the Marquis sent for his carriage, and with two post horees speedily took the invalid to the hobel in Cashel. The collarbone seb and bandaged, he passed a miserable night. Brunette was m the race next day, and as he would allow no other man to sib on his back, ho got oub of bod, mounted the mare, and, bandaged as he was and in great pain, won the race, much to the amazement of the Marquis of Waterford, who remarked, jestingly, that if he had known Brunette's master would have ridden her, he would have left him lying at the bank." Valentine mentioned in the above notice was the bosb 'chaser of his day in Ireland. When 15 years of ago Valentine contested the Grand National Steeplechase at Liver pool, and though he failed to win it his name will be?for ever associated with the race. In the course of the race Valentine made such a tremendous leap over a brook that from that day to this it is known as MValentine's Brook," and those readers who have started William Black's novel, f Sabina Zemora, ?' in last Saturday's paper, will find mention of it in the first chapter.

There now lies buried in one of the Symonds-streeb cemeteries a once noted gentleman amatem , rider, who scored a big win at Ashburn steeplechase, near Dublin, on Valentine.

At Messrs Tattersall's sale of blood stock at Doncaster in September, the following hierh sales were effected:— h . . ■ Gs. Bo by Hermit, dam by Lord Clif dp» ■..,. 660 Cli tby Hermit-Olccly Haoket •. . • 1.000 Ch or bio by Hermit—Ma Belle .. •• 8.100 Ch oby .. •« t>2o ChfbyHermit-BollaAgneß.. ... ■• 1.000 Napoleon, br c, by Galopin— Crudblo .. 2,400 Gay Hampton, bo, by Hampton— Rosy n Morn 4000 13 :1.88 Bl" oby Beanolere—Court Beauty .. » 600 BobyOamballo—Jollification.. « •• foo B£ by Hampton—Bay .. « .. - °20 BfbyNorwioh-gcaraiDQiicJii „„".••• Emperor, oh o, by Discord pr Sureßtefl— Annora _ '"° Ob oby Tburingi«n Prinop—Aß»es Bβ* , , OBn . tinok f *is£2 OhfbyUnoae-LiwioAßnoe, 9W Oh oby Hampton—Lafly LuottS •• i< °9x Oh aby Haibptonr?Lotm fa .» •« goo

ATHLETIC NOTES.

(By Action.)

SENIOR CUP.

November 26 and December 3.-Auckland A y Parnell; Auckland By. United; Gordon v Hollands.

FIRST JUNIOR CUP.

November 26—Auckland v. National; Gordon v. Alpha; Holland v. United; Onehunga v. "Waitemata.

SECOND JUNIOR CUP.

November 26 and December 3.—A.C and G.S v. Standard; Gordon v. Hollands; Wanderers v. Onehunga United.

AQUATICS.

November 26.-Sculling championship of the world, Beach v. Hanlan, on the Nepean Kiver. November 29.—Intercolonial oight-oared race at Adelaide. , , ~ January, 1888.—World's sculling and double sculling raoes on the Paramatta- November 26.-SL George's B.C. Trial lives.

ATHLETICS.

November— Pickering v. Goodliffe (sprint) for the Championship of Auckland. January—Ma'thcws v. Lamg (boxing) for tlio Wanganui Championship ana belt.

CRICKET.

The cricketers were very unfortunate in having last Saturday turn out web like it did, as with the limited time at their dis posal for Cup matches a break, of two Saturdays in the programme make 3 a lot of difference. Tom Emmetb has bowled eighty-three wides in the course of the first-olass matches of 1887. A contemporary says:—A tribute of praise has lately been given to Charlie Bannerman by tho veteran Tom Emmott. After over twenty years" experience of cricket, during which he has seen all the world's best performers with the bat, he is of opinion that Bannerman in his best clays was the finest batsman he has ever seen. In English county cricket, G. G. Jones, with 24 wickct3 for 282 runs (average 11*18 per wicket), heads tho bowling averages this year, but considering the relative numbers of overs bowled, Attewell and Watson (89 at 13 "81 and 100 at 1482) must be placed at the top of the tree. Lohmann has captured 154 wickets this year in first-class matches at a cost of 15-94 runs each, while the other bowlers who have been credited with 100 wickets are Briggs, 114 (average 17-80), and Watson andWooton (100 each) at 14-82 and 18-92 per wicket respectively. Tom Einmett, the popular Yorkshire cricketer, effected a wonderful hit whilst batting against the M.C.C. and Ground ab Scarborough recently. The first delivery he received from Mr Nepean "Tom" sent in grand style to the on, where the ball bounding over the rope struck the bowl of a spectator's pipe, breaking it clean from the stem, leaving the latter part in the mouth of the astonished owner. R. Allen, the Sydney batsman, is in fine batting form this season. Already he has made over the century twice. On Saturday week last he played a fine innings for 120 not ont, against the Osbornes, his hitting being hard and clean throughout. Allen was in the Now South Wales eleven that last week put Shaw and Shrewsbury's English cloven through to the tune of ten wickets. A recent issue of the Sydney " Town and Country Journal" contains tho following : '»—Trophy-hunters should make a "dead rush " for Armidale, and join the Ironclad Club there. The following prizes have been promised for the first eleven : —Three gold medals, two prize bats, six egg creu and spoonsj two gold trophies, smoking cap, bag of flour, ball with silver band, pair of cricketing pants, set of gold studs, and special trophy of Baker's C.G.M.G. A writer in the "Sporting Times," in speaking of the Nottingham county eleven, Ba y ß . —»I gained some inkling into the secret of their many victories. It lies in the stern discipline that prevails. Gunn is, I believe, one of the finest batsmen in the kingdom, and only last week scored 205, not out, againsb good bowling. And yet Shrewsbury actually crossed the play and lectured him on a weak hit ho made while they were batting together in the match againsb Kent."

The twelve,highest batting averages of the year are Shrewsbury, 78 "15; W. G. Grace, 54-10; A. J. Webbe, 47 "22 ; W. W. Read, 47*17? K. J. Key, 43-7; W. E. Roller, 4010 ; Hall, 38-24 ;C. I. Thornton, 38-1; Ulyett, 38-5; Gunn, 3513; Robin son, 35-9; and W. C. Bridgeman, 347. The following have obtained over 1,000 runs in first-class matches this season :— W. G. Grace, 2,062 ; K. J. Key, 1,684; Shrewsbury, 1,653; W. W. Read, 1,615 ; Ulyett, 1,487 ; A. J. Webbe, 1,244; and Hall, 1,240; all these very appropriately being among the most sucsessful batsmen of the year. Of the 69 individual three-figure scores obtained during the first-class cricket season of 1887, Shrewsbury is credited with eight, Dr. W. G. Grace with six, and Mr W. W. Read with five. These three, with Mr A. J. Webbe, Hall, Ulyett, Mr K. J. Key, and Gunn, may fairly be considered the eight leading batsmen of the year. .

ATHLETICS.

Whatever the racing this afternoon may turn out to be like, the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club have no reason to complain of the entries they received for their annual sports. The numbers entered and the number accepted have exceeded the expectations of all, and I think they go a long way to prove the intensely athletic mind of the youth of this city. But though they have received mzh a large number of entries it behoves the Club to turn their attention to increasing them, and I can confidently say that there is very little hope of their doing that while they main tain the present nigh fees—for they cer tainly are very high. The Club has now a very large membership, and it has a credit balance of over £150, quite sufficient to meet a couple of bad meetings if they ever have such bad luck. Now, trom inquiries I have made, the entries this time would have been far larger if the fees had been smaller. Whpn a man goes into training, it means a certain amounb of expense and trouble, and if he is any good at all he likes to enter for two or three races at the meeting. The anu aai sub scription to the Club is half a guinea, the entrance fee for each race half a crown, and acceptance one shilling for each one, too high altogether for the majority, says "Actceon. I will commend the two following propositions to the club, and I am ' sure the one will not frighten away mem bers who intend to join, whilo the other will increase the entrios to such an extent that they will bear comparison with the entries of first-class clubs all over the world :—Let the club charge an entrance fee of half a guinea for new members—it is quite worth it —and allow the annual sub scription to remain at half a guinea as here tofore, but let the entrance fee for each race be one shilling and the acceptance the same. If they try this for one meeting I 'feel sure there will be no falling off in receipts. The better the entries, the better the racing, and it follovfs as a matter of coureie the greater the interest taken in them by the general public, and a better attendance when the sports come off. The above is a suggestion, and I trust 'some member of the Club will think it worth hia while to make a move in the matter. The same arguments bear with even greater force on oyolists, and the entrance feee there would stand reducing. A bicycler's expenses we greater than a rimuer'e, and the Olub should r<?duo6 their foes to meet) the times. Neither oil the plubi wore; organised to nmlsp money—their.

their purpose is to advance two branches of athletics in Auckland, and if nay sugges tions are adopted, even in a modified form, a step will be gained, the benefit of which the clubs will bo compelled to acknowledge beforo long.

I have a few words to speak on a matter which, though I place it under the head of athletics, is of even great importance to cricketers. Auckland is very far behind the times in a great many things. AH properly-organised cricket grounds have lavatories attached to their pavilions; there's nary a one in the Auckland pavilion, No ; in spite of the fact that water is laid on to within a few yards. of it, the pavilion is nob supplied with water. I will say nothing about the outhouses there, for whoever has the charge of them seems too thickskinned to mind the letters that have been written to the papers on the subject at various times. Now, why should not whoever hold the purses of the Auckland Cricket Association, the trustees of the Cricket Ground, and the Athletic Club con tribute in proportion"to have a small lava tory erected at the back of the pavilion, supplied with a shower bath, etc ? The cricketers would reap the greatest benefit from it, while during the 12 weeks in the year that the athletes are training they would bo enabled to use it to their great comfort. I ask all cricketers and athletes if the proposition is not one they would like to see carried out. I am sure they can have no other answer than " Yes." It is said that tho Amateur Athletic Club will not, in time to come, have the use of the ground for their sports. That may be; still, it will have no bearing on the proposi tion I make. The members of the Amateur Athletic Club and the Waitemata Bicycle are certain to do all their training on the Cricket Ground, and the two clubs ought to make some move before the next sports to have it seen to. The cricketers, as I said before, will benefit most by the proposed ad dition, and I am sure they all recognise the necessity for it. As for. the expense it will bo very small. I have made no inquiries in respect to it I but taking a rough estimate everything could be done for between £5 and £10—a mere bagatelle between the three bodies. Now, don't all speak at once, and some of you try to throw objection in the road, but put your shoul dorß to the wheel and have the job done while someone can benefit—and that is the cricketers themselves. There may be diffi culties in the way that I have overlooked in my eagerness but I am sure they will vanish very quickly if all are willing to get the matter seen to.

Hear what the great Slavin has to say, the boxer who has been carrying on a wordy warfare with Jackson the Australian champion, and the one who but a few short monthsback did such aquick get from Sydney rather than stand up four rounds to him. He thus holds forth : "lam ready to bet £100 that Burke cannot beat me in cix rounds. In addition, as I now hold the champion ship of Australia, I shall expect Burke to meet me before facing any other boxer in Australia. Not but what I think there are other men out here who will give Burke all his work to do to beat them to a finish, let alone six rounds."

W. G. George has challenged anyone in the world (Cummings preferred) to run four miles for £100 a side. The little Paisley champion has not yet replied, but a backer of Peter Cannon has expressed a wish to join in a sweepstake of £100 each between George, Cummings and Cannon, to run four miles; the winner to take the £300. In the 450 yards foot race for $50, be tween Harry M. Johnson, champion 100 yards runner, and William Tattersall, of England, at Springfield, Ohio, September 10, Johnson won easily. Tattersall was in bad condition, vomiting after he got on the track- He attributed his sickness to the hard lime water of the city.

At the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Sports, held on Wednesday, the 120 Yards Hurdle Championship was won by Gr. B. Shaw, in 18sgc. , Pram and Robertson being second and third. Morrison, the South Canter bury representative, who ran so well in Christchurch the other day, won both the Half-mile Championship (time, 2min. 6jsec.) and the Mile Handicap. Bradford, England, has over 140,000 inhabitants, and is one of the great foot ball centres of England.; Hear what "Dagonet" in the " Eeferee" says about the city:— ; " The most wonderful thing in Bradford, after the conformation of the town, which compels you to be constantly ascending one mountain paved as a street and going down another, is the football mania. The hoard ings are covered with announcements of foot ball matches, pictorially illustrated; the boys in the. street shout the football number of the daily paper, every shop has a football in its window ; and on Saturday evening every hotel is crammed with foot ballers, who rejoice aloud—very much aloud —over the day's sport. I have never seen so many footballs in all the years of my life as I saw in the first five minutes I was in Bradford. If they were all kicked up simultaneously the skies would be darkened for miles around." [ ~

CYCLING

Looking over the late English sporting files, I came on one or two very instructive paragraphs, and they are pregnant with sug gestion. One of these paragraphs states that in the fifty miles professional bicycling championship race at Leicester a few weeks ago the winner's time was 3hrs. 6jmin. 33sec. The other conveys the information that in the Surrey Bicycle Club's champion ship race for amateurs over the same dis tance the winner, Mr C. Potter, beat all previous records in 2hi*s. 40min. 33 l-ssec. Not only is the wonderful development of amateur cycling manifested here, but the degradation of the professional sport. These "championship" dawdling races come off every few weeks or so, and are nob far removed from gate-money exhibi tions. Cycling, like billiards, has come to be very much like circus work. Men with big names give afternoon shows and evening shows at a regular and safe re muneration.

The close of the English racing season has been marked, as usual, by the lowering of records. Following are reported in our last exchanges. 24 Hours Tandem-Road Record.— On September 20, C. R. Brown and W. C Goulding rode 259 miles. The previous record was 231 miles. '_ 25 Miles Amateur Bicycle, -p O n September 22, P. Furnivall rode 20 miles 675 yds in 60min and 25 miles in 73mm49 3-ssec. The previous best was 74miri 38sec, made by J. E. Fenlon. . 50 Milks Bicycle Recobd.— On Septem ber' 24, in the Surrey B.C. 50-mileschampion ship, Charles Potter brought the 50-miles bicycle record down to 2hrs 40min 33 2-sseo on the Surbitin track. The 50-mile English Professional Cham pionship has been won by J. Dubois, or France. Howell and Woodside also started ; but Howell, after making the pace for ten miles, retired from the track. At 35 miles Lees retired, and at 45.miles AVoodside's machine collapsed. The time for the firsb 10 mles was pretty fast; but after that it got very slow; the time tor the full distance being 3hrs &mm 33sea

AQUATICS.

Messrs Rentier and Hegman left for Syd ney by the Waihora on Tuesday last. Mr Renner, who was one of our best amateur yaohfcsmen, sold out his share in the Mara tea to Mr F. Gamble before he left. Bojfl yaohtsmen will be missed in aoquatio oircie^, Ernie Bailey wrs again successful in « Boulling raoe, when in tho Manual La»ou| oarsmen's rape ftb the Double Bay regatta ho beat J. Gloeson j but at tho regattft on the 9fch ineb he was not m sw coe9 . Bf ß coming in {^g^fy^^^0 m 9f|,{§ big -gswtejg ;^^teiiifc&:^- ; '

THE GARDEN.

iSilSi 111 RBH in water, conßteTrtSsffi o b S"S Double Flowers (Florist) .<nl' ' known natural W«fe,W a sources, that is, bj■ atr.- forcing unnatural plants wiS berSSSSffi! 1 * branch tfaathas mvZ befo«fiffiß innatureadoubleflowOTisauTSli'i ! i gty, incapable of «ewS33BSg

Kitchen Garden.

The rains during thelabterpart of I will cause all vegetable crops to pomeanj- I with a rush. See that all properly thinned out as sooq. as they ais, large enough, giving sufficient room fr each plant to properly develop, M% surface soil between the rows. Litepotatttf : earth up as they become large pmii{ksls>, all other 1 crbps which require this nitioj j cultivation. AHcucuniherß, kins, marrows, etc., should now Shade and water after planting; bjtia, earlier, planted lots give a JMe ward occasionally. '' Finish planting toiniW Erect trellis for trainiiig make much growth. A few strong wooda stakes driven into the wooden batens fixed l to the stakes, nice cheap support for the plants, Omoiii Thin out and transplant cauliflowor: Plantoutafewniaie. tai Prick another batch, and as the olulspi strong tip up fp r . W|?-°!^&.--Wl|^' trenches; put plenty, of well-r#=4tii»f; in the bottom of the trench before ptaM out. Make successional sowings of 1 w and running beans,. Provide, k staking the running varieties, aiiiieww the early-sown crops. Peas: |||i sowingi unless whem an inexhaußpte ply of water can beobtained. E&™' l P'f stake the tall growing varieties. WWJ Give heavy waterings and Make the usual fortnightly'sowing., f mustard; cress and r?fipf 'iIOBNM moist situations. All .crops are W ra in c rapidly, and' every assistance should t? mven in "the way of liqoid mpmw JM casionally .and- frequent stirrmg oftt surface ebil, alsobyleeppg.rf* All deftm of spent early eropsconY^ti rofc-heap, at once. are stUUro)jbleso^,^#W i ®S or syringe with Paris green. W* IW suitable materials can be procured. ; Flower Gardenr ■ The flower beds and borders awjw as possible by cutting offjUgenja mm and «^X'£& , *4i vacancies, ienaer » *•-[■£ W U regulate, pio.ifljg ire plants for • fef fabeTall early M their fobff £,>,»!« -J pearance 1 S 9 tfc era J " take steps tog stru* for I»» off oultingsf fm^om^M

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