New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4874, 4 November 1876, Page 2

New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4.

We see by the telegrams that the City Council of Auckland have been prompt in taking action in a matter to which it is time some attention were directed in Wellington. The Auckland Council has made a request to the General Government for the books comprising the Provincial Council Library. We need not say that there is here also a very excellent library, which was formerly the property of the province. We will assume that through some channel this collection of books will be devoted ultimately to the, use of the public of this city and province. It is time we made up our minds what is the method to avail ourselves of it, and then to make our request accordingly to the Government. It would, we think, be much better for an existing institution like the Athericeum to become tKe depository of this valuable library than to attempt; under the Public Libraries Powers Act, 1876, to set up another institution. We need not say that the committee of the Athenaeum are now undertaking a very extensive reconstruction of the building. - When this new erection is completed, judging by the plans proposed, it will be a very fine and in every way most commodious one. It will contain excellent accommodation of every sort, and particularly the plans provide good rooms for all purposes of au extensive consultation and circulation library. Indeed, wo believe the scheme of reform undertaken by the committee includes as a special feature the formation of a good reference library worthy of the structure itself and of the city. The committee, then, should lose no time in asking the Government to hand over the books of the late Provincial Library to the Athemeum for the use of the public. The Public Libraries Powers Act does not seem to impose any conditions at all as to the way in which libraries owned by bodies formed under it shall be used. If, however, the Government thought proper, in the event of their granting such a request as we urge, to impose certain conditions as to the use to be made of the library, we do not see that any difficulty need arise. In any event, we are of opinion that as we already possess a local literary institution, and this institution is at this very time courageously initiating measures of reform to make it fully worthy of the present wants and future prospects of the city, it would be very unwise to divide our resources by attempting to form another similar or rival institution. The Public Libraries Act by one of its clauses provides for the existing mechanics’ institutes becoming incorporated under it. But as the existing institution is already incorporated under a special Act, there is nothing to be gained by that step. Certainly the existing library of our Athenaeum is in a most unsatisfactory state—a condition by no means creditable to find its people. It wants rehabilitation ill el/ery respect. It is scanty, it is dilapidated, it is ragged, it is dirty, and in truth not at all presentable. That, however, is no fault of the committee, but rather that of the direct action of the citizens themselves in interfering to force upon the committee the retention of an incompetent librarian, under whose care, or want of care, the library fell to ruin. It will have to be reconstituted, and these books, moat of which are excellent, forming the Provincial Library, would be a most welcome addition. Something will have to be done in the matter of this Provincial Library almost immediately, and the sooner the committee of the Athenaeum turn their attention to the question the better for all parties. We are very decidedly of opinion that they are the persons best qualified to take charge of and administer for the good of the public this library, and we must again say we trust no attempt will be made to get up a competing institution. The other day, in commenting on the admission to the Assembly Library, we expressed an opinion of the unfair competition which the Athenaeum has to contend with through persons being allowed to take novels out of that library. We hope it will not have to contend with a further rivalry in the direction we refer to. We can never hope in this city to obtain anything like the noble Public-Library of Melbourne, but by uniting and organising such resources as we possess, we may hope in a little time to have a very admirable literary and scientific collection, suitable to most of our wants. . Wei again ! recommend this important matter to the attention of the committee of the Athenaeum.

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce may be fairly congratulated on the position it has achieved, as testified to by the record of the; influence it has exerted. This record will be found in the reported speech of the Chairman at its meeting yesterday. It has become not only an entity, but an entity having some potence in public affairs. Thus, the extension of the jurisdiction of our local Resident Magistrate’s Court, and, the favorable reply from Government as to the valley portion of the Wellington and Masterton railway, may be fairly claimed by the Chamber as proofs of its’utility, for ~ its’ influence in each case was requested, was accorded, and has not been without its effect. For this the Chairman, Mr, Levin, lias, as Mr. Hunter and other members pointed out yesterday, to receive considerable credit. Ho has worked hard in the resuscitation of the Chamber, and its present creditable position, from every point of view (not losing sight of the financial), is largely due to his' efforts. We can fairly compliment the members of the Chamber of Commerce upon one example which they have sec. .The question of making Auckland the ' port of: call; for the San Francisco mail service,, Avas discussed in a spirit of unselfishness, of absence of .petty local jealousy,* and of proper,recognition of the claims of Auckland, that was most 'commendable; This is the way in t which* .such questions'should be discussed, from ! a colonial; and not ’from! a district, point of view. We are happy in drawing attention to the concord of the Welling ton' an d Auckland Cham berk of ; Commerce in connection with 'this, question. ‘-‘The compliments paid to the Chairman, Mr. Levin,

on his retirement in consequence of visiting the; old country, were .due to that gentleman, whose exertions in connection with the Chamber have been untiring. Mr. Levin, wo'are glad to notice, bore testimony to the practical utility o{ Chambers of Commerce When he pointed out that the Debtors' and Creditors Act had been mainly passed and amended in accordance with the recommendations of the various Chambers of _ Commerce throughout New Zealand. With the hope expressed by Mr. Levin that the City Council will see its . way to. so reduce wharf charges, as .to encourage in every possible manner the trade of the port, it is unnecessary'to say that we entirely agree. In the end the most profitable mode of management of the wharf will be that which-- most attracts trade. The Chamber has done quite right in deciding upon' renting a house for itself. Hitherto it has relied upon the never-denied courtesy of Mr; Hunter, but the acquisition of a room which it can call thoroughly its own is most advantageous. -Jn, connection with this, we might be permitted to make a suggestion. We are sure that the secretary has only to communicate with the proprietors of the various leading newspapers throughout the colony, in order to secure upon easy terms the transmission of post files, which would be always handy for reference by members. This and the exhibition of the weather and shipping telegrams daily would make the rooms a place of resort by members, and would in the end conduce’towards the chief object of Chambers of Commerce—the free intercourse of mercantile men, and of men having an interest in mercantile affairs.

The Otago Daily Times 'is nothing if not unfair. A large land, sale was affected by the Otago Waste Land Board on Wednesday, and the Daily Times, in accordance with its usual practice, mqat unwarrantably chronicled it as the first result of abolition. As a matter of fact, the sale was the simple result of the previous action of the provincial authorities, which the Wsste Lands Board, a provincial institution, confirmed. The following is a condensed report from the Daily Times : —“ Two thousand three hundred acres of land, situate in the Waitahuna district, were .sold on the 10th of lost month as land of special value, at the upset price of 30a. per acre, with au amount for improvements added. Seven thousand two hundred and ten acres of land in the Glenkeuich district are to be sold on the 7th of this month. After some remarks had been made by members on the uselessness of their endeavoring to husband the lands of the country for settlement when large areas were forced into the market in that way, Mr. Bastings made au eloquent speech that was evidently intended for his constituents. The land, he observed, had been forced into the market; it had been rushed in too quickly. Mr. Clark quietly remarked that it was too late to speak about it now. Mr. Bastings ; It’s monstrous. 'The land is worth seven pounds an acre—every acre of it. I believe that in a short time more money could be borrowed on the land in the way of mortgage than was given for the fee simple. Mr. Butterworth; lam in favor of the -land being withdrawn from sale if it is possible to do so. Mr. Bastings : It is the only district we have left to carry a population, and it is to fall into the hands of very few holders. Forty thousand acres have gone into the hands of one man, and it is all good arable land. My object in regard to this Glenkenich land is that we should sell it on deferred payments. If the Board has power to stop the sale of this agricultural land, I certainly think they would be doing their duty to do so. All that land sold in Waitahuna West could have been sold on deferred payments, it was land fit for settlement. Mr. Strode : There is no doubt about the quality of the land. Mr. Bastings suggested that the meeting should be adjourned. It had been remarked that there was no power to stop the sale, but if there were any means by- which the land could be withdrawn from the market, he was strongly disposed to its withdrawal, and so kogp ine best agricultural land in the country from being sacrificed. Mr. Strode pointed out that, however desirable it was to stop the sale of the land, it was now too late. Besides, people had made their arrangements, and had no doubt borrowed money on the faith of the sale coming off. He had regretted this matter for some time, and anyone who took an interest in the country would. Mr. Bastings : While I was at Wellington, I felt that a great public wrong had been done in sacrificing this land. Mr. Strode then gave it clearly as his opinion that the sale must go on. The matter then dropped. The Board gave its approval to the sale on the 2nd of August."

The general balance-sheet of the public account for the quarter ending 30th September, was issued from the Treasury on the 16th ult., and published in Thursday’s Gazette. The statement shows a credit balance to the Consolidated Fund of £121,234135. 2d. on the 80th June. The receipts for the quarter amounted to £544,675 10s, Bd., and the disbursements to £518,092 18s. 7d., leaving, a credit balance of £147,817 6s. 3d., an increase of £26,582 12s. Id. compared with the last quarter. The amount is disposed of as follows :—£38,614 Os. 2d. cash in the public account, and on account of advances £53,763 3s. lOd. colonial, and £55,440 Is. 3d. foreign. On the account “ special funds” tie balances on the 30th June and 30th September compare as follows : Consolidated Loan Act, 1867, credits £13,946 10s. 3d. and £6550 19s. 9d., a decrease of £7395 10s. 6d. ; Defence and other Purposes Loan Act, 1870. ;debit £125,918 10s. 2d , increased still on the debtor side to £178,554 155.. 5d., as against this amount, and £361 13s. 2d. to be accounted for. As advances there is a credit amount of £178,916 Bs. 7d. cash in the Treasury. Public works account, credit £136,605 ss. 9d,,' increased to £384,161 19s. 4d. ; Wellington Reclaimed Land Act, 1871, credit £8606 Is. lid., increased to £9643 7s. 5d.; Wellington Debts Act, 1872, redemption account, credit £16,719 9s. 2d., increased to £17,774 Bsi; North Otago District Public Works Loan Act, 1872, credit £2Ol 14s. 7d., increased to £434 18s. 9d. ; Westland Loan Act, 1873, redemptionaccount, credit £294 55., increased to £368 19s. 6d. ; aud State Forests account, credit £14,800, reduced t0£14,167 11s. 6d. The land fund shows an increase of the credit balance of £4083 2s. 10d., the balances being £25,049 18s. 6d. for 30th June, and £29,133 Is. 4d. for 30th September. £287,126 16s. 3d. has been disbursed on this account during the quarter, and £291,209 19s. Id. is the amount of the receipts, • The trust fuud account shows a decrease in the credit balance of £14,198 11s. 2d., that for the 30th June being £165,136 10s., as against £150,937 18s. lOd.qfor the 30th September. On the account bills payable thCre is an increase of £250,000, and the item receipts in suspense also increases, the amounts being £BIB ss. lid. for 30th June, and £2028 Is. 6d. for 30th September. The total expenditure during the quarter amounts to £1,569,212 155., and the receipts to £2,052,523 4s. Bd., the credit balance being thus raised from £652,494 4s. Id. to £1 035,804 13s. 9d. The amount is thus distributed—£3B,27B 3s. ’ 9d., cash in the public account; £17,144 14s. 4d., special funds invested; and for advances to be accounted for, £126,844 11s. Bd. colonial, and £854,037 4s. •foreign. Altogether tho accounts are of a most satisfactory nature. ~ : ' i

A heavy thunderstorm was experienced at most places to the north of Gisborne On Thursday night, and the weather generally was strong gale from north-west or west. The glass fell considerably yesterday. Warnings for . westerly gales were issued oni Wednesday afternoon, and repeated yesterday to the north. .Easterly probable in the south. I A cricket match will be played this afternoon on the Basin Reserve between two elevens of the Rising Star and Thomdon Cricket Clubs, The names of the players appeared in our yesterday’s issue] !

Mr. Thus. Whitehouse is the successful tenderer for the supply of rations at the Wellington gaol. Arrangements are being made for opening rinks at an early date in all the principal townships of the Wairarapa. ' At! least so says the Standard. '' The usual general meeting of the Wellington Building Society was held at the offices, Greystreet, last night. We notice that Mr. White removes his offices on Tuesday to Panamastreet, where in future the business of the society will be transacted. The cable steamer Agnes, which arrived here yesterday, commenced taking the new Cook Strait cable on board last evening from the Zealandia. Operations .will have to be carried on night and day till the work is finished. The cable is about seventy miles in length. After the general meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday, the committee met and appointed a sub-committee to arrange for the purchase of furniture for the new offices of the Chamber. It is expected that the new room will be at the disposal of members early next week. A meeting of the Philosophical Society will be held this evening, when the following papers will be read : —l. “®n the Reptilian Beds of New Zealand,”, by A. McKay; 2; “On Drainage of Towns,” by W. D. Campbell; 3. “On the Simplest Continuous Manifoldness of Two Dimensions and of Finite Extent,” by F. W. Erankland. Mr. P. B. Passmore has placed at our disposal a free railway pass over the Wellington and Masterton railway, for the use of our reporters when travelling on business. The system of passing members of the Press free on the railways has long been in vogue in Otago, and we congratulate the authorities on having adopted the principle here. Owners of stock, sheep farmers, and market gardeners have every reason to be thankful for the rain which commenced falling yesterday afternoon, and up to the time we went to press continued in plentiful showers. We hope the wet weather will last for some days, as rain has been much wanted for some time past. The boating season will be inaugurated this afternoon by a series of scratch matches, instead of the usual procession of boats. The Manawatu will leave the wharf at 2 p.m., and accompany the boats during the races. Should the weather prove favorable, a large number of people will probably avail themselves of the opportunity of enjoying a pleasant afternoon on the water.

The reports of the cattle inspectors for the province of Otago, districts of Southland and Oamaru, appear in a New Zealand Gazette of the 2nd inst. They contain information interesting to breeders of stock, showing the date of arrival and inspection, number and description of the cattle imported, name of owners, and the condition in which the cattle were at date of arrival. The chemist and druggist business carried on by Mr. Pritchard in Manners-street has been purchased by Mr. A. Brittain, of Lamb-tpu-quay, who took possession on Thursday. Mr. Brittain intends to carry on both businesses, taking charge of the Manners-street establishment personally, and placing a duly qualified assistant in the shop on Lambtonquay. ■ , i Mr. Bunny has placed the Provincial Council Hall at the disposal of the Choral Society for the purpose of the rehearsals for- the “Messiah.” The room which Mr. Hunter has so kindly lent to the society for so long is admirably adapted for the ordinary work of rehearsal, but as considerable addition both to the chorus and band is being made for this special production, getting the use of the hall will be a great boon to all concerned. ■ From the Provincial Gazette of the 31st ult. we learn that Mr. W. H. Saunders has been elected chairman of the Johnsonville Local Board, and that Mr. C. Austin has been appointed treasurer to the same ; that Mr. R. J. Thomson has been elected Commissioner of the Grey town Local Board, in room of Mr. Udy, sen., resigned ; that Mr. 0. A. Vallance has been elected Chairman of the Masterton Highway Board, in room of Mr. W. H. Beetham, resigned ; and that Mr. James Smith has been appointed Collector of Bates for that district. The Bev. James Treadwell (with his wife and family) has arrived by the St. Leonards, to succeed the Rev. Mr. Elmslie in the charge of the Presbyterian Church at Wanganui. Mr. Treadwell comes with such recommendations from this old country that his accession to the ministry in this country cannot be regarded as otherwise than a benefit. Mr. Treadwell has the additional recommendation of being no stranger to colonial life, having been in Victoria in connection with the Presbyterian Church for several years. Mr. Treadwell will preach in our local churches next Sunday (to-morrow), in St. John’s in the morning, and in St. Andrew’s in the evening Yesterday we were in receipt of an Otago Daily Times of Thursday, being then only a day old, a fact which we believe is unprecedented. The bearer of it was the Government steamer Hinemoa. That steamer since she has commenced running on this coast has proved herself to. bo an exceptionally swift vessel, and her trip up from Dunedin to this port, which was accomplished in twenty-eight and a half hours, has proved her to be one of the fastest steamers now in New Zealand waters.

A meeting of the stewards of the Wellington Jockey Club was held last evening at the Empire Hotel; Mr. George Hunter in the chair. The first business before the meeting was the appointment of representatives to send to the Christchurch conference. The following gentlemen were selected : —Messrs. Edward Pearce, Andrew "V oung, and J. Martin. An application was received from Mr. William Handley, of Auckland, to be appointed handicapper to the club. In former years the handicapping has been left to the stewards, and it was resolved to continue that practice, the secretary being instructed to write to Mr. Handley, informing him that the club did not contemplate making such an appointment. There were nine nominations for the Derby, and twenty-nine for the Wellington Cup. This speaks promisingly for tho success of the coming race meeting, the nominations being in excess of those of former years. The Church of England in this diocese intend to publish the first number of their monthly paper in December. The matter was discussed at the meeting of the Synod last month, and there was a unanimous expression of feeling that the Church should have a representative organ, similar to that published in the Auckland diocese. The Bishop of Wellington, the Right. Rev. Mr. Hadfield,. will act as editor of the new paper, which we hope and feel sure will be a success. Tenders for the printing are invited by circular.

The business. at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday was as follows Two persons were convicted of drunkenness, and fined in the usual manner. A woman named Anne Greer was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, with hard labor, and another woman named 5 Anne Mendoza was sentenced to a similar term of imprisonment for a like offence. Patrick Quinn was charged with assaulting John Dooley on the 2nd of the present month.- He pleaded guilty, and the evidence went to show that the assault had been of a most brutal character. Hie Worship said that prisoner might consider himself fortunate that he was not committed tothe Supreme i Court, and sentenced him to one month’s imprisonment, with hard labor. There were n few civil cases on the list, but they were all-settled out of Court. The Wairarapa Standard of Thursday last has a somewhat unintelligible and decidedly ungrammatical leader on the manner in which the late province of Wellington has been divided into counties. If the editor had not trusted to his imagination for his facts, he would not have stated that “ the fact is that the ’Wairarapa was divided into two counties in the Land Office by Messrs. Andrew, Bunny, Hunter, and Pearce, not even Mr. Waterhouse having been consulted in the matter.” This statement is simply untrue.

; We understand that Mr. George Hunter has sold'town acre No. 210, situated in Mannersstreet, to Messrs. Mace and Arkell for the sum of £SOOO. Tor many years past this allotment of land has been known as Messrs. Bethune and Hunter’s saleyards. There are a number of buildings on the section, but. they are not very valuable. We are informed that Mr. Hunter intends t® put up new saleyards on a portion ®f town acre No. 208, adjoining his well-known business pro ises. They will have a frontage to Lombard-street, and will be conveniently situated next to the New Zealander Hotel and Livery Stables. We have heard that the facilities afforded by. the operation of the Land Transfer Act in dealing with property were clearly demonstrated in the negotiation of this transaction. The terms of ■ sale were only agreed upon at three o’clock on Thursday afternoon, and by one o’clock yesterday the transfer was prepared and completed by Messrs. Hart and Buckley, and the purchase money paid over to the vendor. The entertainment given by the Mutual Improvement Society was held last evening in the Boulcott-street schoolroom, the attendance, considering the state of the weather, being very good. The programme consisted of choruses, songs, duets, recitations, readings, &c. It would be invidious of us to criticise the general performances, but altogether we must say the programme was got through in a style which reflects great credit on the performers. Mr. Woodward, president of the society, was in the chair. Mrs. Palmer presided at the piano, and played the accompanyments in a truly artistic style. Barlow’s Circus was well attended last evening notwithstanding the very unfavorable weather. Indeed the performance must have proved attractive to a degree, for a number of those present who rejoiced in the possession of umbrellas were compelled to use them inside the tent, through which in certain parts the rain came down in little showers. We would draw special attention to the performance to be given this afternoon for families and schools, and to the fact that the Circus Company appears for the last time this evening, when it will no doubt receive a patronage as liberal as that which has been accorded to it since opening in Wellington. We are glad to record that the new General Government Buildings are now almost completed, and that in a few weeks the various departments will be able to locate themselves in the new premises. Great inconvenience has been suffered both by the public and the service from the existing state of things,in addition to the expense which has been incurred for rent, &c., and the removal of the public offices to one common centre will greatly expedite the - transaction of public business.

The Public Works Committee of the City Council are making arrangements for watering the streets with salt water, so as to save the fresh water supply as much as possible for domestic purposes. It is proposed, we understand, to utilise the excess power of the Lion Foundry steam engine, by applying it to a driving shaft outside, so as to work a centrifugal pump bolted down to the breastwork on Custom House-quay, contiguous to the foundry. By this process the - water in the harbor will be thrown into tanks, and thence distributed through the strests. Some people shake their heads at the experiment, but we anticipate nothing but benefit from it, not only in an economic, but in a sanitary point of view. This question of water altogether must be a troublesome one to the .city fathers, do as well as they may. We saw recently that it had been resolved to cut off the reservoir water from all machinery, but the cutting off is hardly efficient, when a tradesman can get up at three in the morning and do a day’s work with his machine (driven by water) before his neighbors have got well out of bed. The matter is deserving of the Surveyor’s attention,

We understand that there is a probability of there being no Horticultural Show this mouth, as was intended, owing to the committee of the Horticultural Society being unable to secure a hall. As was stated at the last meeting of the committee, the Odd Fellows’ Hall is out of the question, the rental being too high; and their efforts to obtain a site elsewhere have proved ineffectual up to the present time. This is to be regretted, as these shows answer a useful purpose in inducing healthy rivalry between professional and amateur gardeners. In regard to the administration of the affairs of the different provincial districts, the following proclamation appears in the New Zealand Gazette published on Thursday His Excellency the Governor has been pleased, in pursuance of the twelfth section of the Abolition of Provinces Act, 1875, by warrant under his hand, to appoint the undermentioned gentlemen to perform those duties and exercise those powers within the provincial district set forth opposite the name of each respectively, which might, if such duties and powers had to be performed and exercised within the respective provinces hitherto designated by the Himes of such provincial districts, be performed or exercised by the Superintendents thereof. His Excellency has also been pleased, in pursuance of the eighth section of the above Act, by warrant under his hand, to appoint the same gentlemen, within the same provincial districts, to perform and exercise all powers, duties, and functions, which, immediately before the date of the abolition of provinces, were in vested in or to be performed by the Provincial Treasurer, Provincial Secretary, or other public officer of the respective provinces so designated as aforesaid -Reader Gilson Wood, Esq., Auckland ; Frederick Alonzo Carrington, Esq,, Taranaki; John Davies Ormond, Esq., Hawke's Bay; Henry Bunny, Esq., Wellington ; Arthur Penrose Seymour, Esq., Marlborough ; Oswald Curtis, Esq., Nelson ; - the Hon. James Alexander Bonar, Westland ; William Rolleston, Esq., Canterbury; the Hon. George McLean, Otago.

The Hegarty Troupe appeared for the last time yesterday evening, to a poor house, the weather being very' unfavorable. To-night the Lingarda appear at the Theatre. They have such a wide-spread reputation that it is almost needless to say anything of them here. The Theatre will very naturally be largdy attended by the curious ones and those who appreciate real talent. OfOur .Boys," the piece with which the company open tonight, the theatrical critic of the Australasian says:—“ Of Mr. Lingard’s acting in this place it would not be easy to say too much. It is a good study, as an example, of typical acting in a certain line of character. It is quite refreshing to contemplate, as contrasted with so much that is only conventional, stereotyped, and in grooves. It goes out of the track of the common procession of stage performances, and illustrates what is possible to talent and intelligence, unswayed by the forms which so often control ordinary stage representations. Mrs. Liugard’s Mary Melrose may be similarly estimated. It stands as an example of how elegant comedy should be dealt with. It is a good test of the excellence of acting in such characters when one feels quite at one’s ease in contemplating them.' There 'are actresses who please only fitfully, and at uncertain intervals; who give you a passage here and there acceptably, but also here and there disappointingly. In sitting at a play so represented, the pleasure of the best-acted portions is often disagreeably qualified by a kind of foreshadowing expectation that .the portions which are to come will offend, and, by their contrast with the others, disturb. But with Mrs. Lingard there is no such fear. She maintains a high level of goodness ail through, and thus her Mary Melrose is as refreshing aS the ripple of a clear river with an unbroken flow. And then she instances completely what we understand by aplomb. Ihere ia nothing uncertain in anything that she does Every movement of her figure, and every tone of her voice, is marked by a definiteness of poise that illustrates a mastery of the work she has in hand. And for all that there ia nothing mechanical about it. It has the air of thorough spontaneousness. Her art is of a highly-finished kind, but it does not look like art. We hear from time to, time a great ileal about the art which conceals art, but it is not often seen ; Mrs., Lingard demonstrates it.” ; .

.The Hutt sports, which are to take place on the 9th inst., promise to be unusually successful, providing of course that the weather be favorable. No doubt many persona will be induced to attend these spoits on account of the trip to the Hutt itself, and the committee entrusted with the preparation of events have got up a most interesting programme. The proprietor of the Criterion Hotel has got an extension of his license from 10 o’clock to 12 for the convenience of intending visitors. * A New Zealand Gazette was published on Thursday. It contains;— Proclamation of alteration of the Rumara special licensing district ; proclamation of a public prison at Opotiki; notice under the Inspection of Machinery Act, 1874, brought into operation in the province of Hawke’s Bay; defining Grey Valley licensing district under the Incensing Act, 1878; regulations for the sale and disposal of land to the Hawera Town Hall Company (Limited); notices under the Public Health Act, 1872, re times and places for vaccination; appointment of executive officers in provincial districts, of registrar of births, deaths, and marriages, of public vaccinators; notices of the elections of Mayors at North Invercargill, Avene 1 , and Gladstone ; various other officers appointed; reports from cattle inspectors; notifications of land reserves in different parts of the colony.