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Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2512, 16 August 1888, Page 2

Russia insists on the deposition of Prince Ferdinand. The Irish Catholic Times states that a member of the Royal Family is about to become a convert. The Alpha Hotel at Kihikihi has been taken over by Mrs Corboy, from Mr Gillett, who was the lessee, and whose manager was Mr King. Wyllie, the champion draughts' player, whilst in New Zealand, played 5013 games, of which he lost 7, drew 20fl, and won 47!)7. Jeffrey's, a hank manager in NewSouth Wales, has committed defalcation amounting to £ITOO, and a warrant for his arrest has been issued. We are pleased to hear that Mr \V. A. Graham is rapidly recovering his health, and Mr Meredith is also doing well, botli under Dr. Kenny's skillful treatment. We remind the inhabitants of the Borough of Hamilton of the big beo at the Lake Reserve to-day, which, if the weather is favourable, promises to be a very busy one The Hawke's Bay Herald says The poorest working man in this country is contributing Ins share towards the cost of the ghastly fooling that is now going on in the House of Misrepresentatives, There is a big moral in the fact for those who care to find it. We have received a copy of the Melbourne Argus, which contains a special Centennial supplement of eight pages, together with a fine lithograph view of the Exhibition buildings. The illustration is creditably got up, and is very interesting. We are pleased to hear that Mr George Shirley is to bo presented with a testimonial as a slight recognition of the many kind acts ho lias performed in Cambridge during his short stay. The presentation will be made this afternoon, at -1 o'clock in the library, where his friends are reouested to met at the time mentioned. A lecture by Mr G. W. Russell entitled " The age we live in," and concert to conclude with a dance, will be held in the Te A wairiutu Public Hall on the 22nd inst. in aid of the Public Library, the trustees are anxious to get sufficient funds to erect » building on the site adjoining the Postoffice. It is hoped the public will assist in this deserving object. Mr Or. Miles, of Alexandra writesl saw an advertisement in youi paper a few days ago for a cap of a spring cart wheel. 1 have had one brought to me by a boy, who found it on the road. It can be seen at my shop, or forwarded on receipt of a small reward for the finder, and paying expenses of pontage, etc. Please send description (as I have two that have been found lately), and where lost, and by whom. The following interesting item is taken from lJishop Cowie's diary May 17th. Near our quarters in Kensington there is a butcher's shop entitled the "New Zealand Meat Market," which we of course patronise, not only for the sake of economy, but because we appreciate "home-fed mutton. — The following are some of the prices at the "market'at present Mutton: Legs, 7Ad; loin chops, 10J. Beef: Sirloins, Did; rump steak, Is Id. " A most interesting and instructive lecture was given in S. Andrew's School, Cambridge, on Tuesday evening by Key. Dr. Hooper on " Manners and Customs in India." The Yen. Archdeacon Willis occupied the chair, the room being crowded. The lecture was somewhat long—being considerably over two hours—but was nevertheless thoroughly appreciated Mrs Howard Jackson and Miss Bedlington sang several solos, and the choir two glees ; Miss Jes-ie Wilson also gave a pianoforte solo. Mrs Jackson met with a hearty reception, and greatly oleased many old friends who have not heard her for years. The following subscriptions for the planting bee have been received by Mrs Coates -.—lsaac Coatcs, £1 Is; Jas. Hume and H. H. Metcalfe, 10s (id each ; T. Dinsdale, Hatrick, Bright, J. M. Gelling, L. O'Neill, W. Peacock, Thomas Vincent, fl. i\ Sandes aud P. E. Stevensl 5s each ; Jas. Reed, 3s ; ffra. Dey, A J. Heighton, T. Gilmour, MrsGaudin, S. Pascoe, J. Meredith, J. Tristram, Mrs Bell, Rev. J. Vox, Mrs McGrath, Wm. McCnllough, T. Slade, Percy Missen, Mrs McGarrigle, H. Logio, T. H. Willen, D, Lees, a friend, Mrs Wild, Captain MePherson, Rev. J. Hendrie, Rev. T. G. Carr, Mrs Spain, R. Peat. John Franklin, Mr Pennington, B. Murray, J. Shanaghan, 2s Gd each; other *inall amounts, 13s (id. Total, £8 13s Gd. It will interest the shareholders of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company in this colony to know that they will benefit considerably by the great rise in the value of land in Melbourne. It will be remembered that about a year ago the company sold their Collins-street property at a profit of £80,000. This sum has not been distributed, but is to be held as a fund for the equalisation of dividends in the future. The company, shortly after the sale of these premises, purchased 35 acres in the suburbs of Melbourne in one lot. Having set apart five acres on which to build their new stores, they sold the 30 acres at an advance of £40,000 on what they paid for the 33 acres, the five acres reserved of course costing them nothing. A meeting of those interested in the formation of a Choral Society was held in Thk Waikato Times Buildings on Tuesday. Between twenty anci thirty musical people attended, when it was resolved that a Society should be formed, and that.che annual subscription should be 10s. The following gentlemen were chosen as a committee of management: Messrs R. P. Sandes. S. Meachem, H. Connell, G. Kdgecumbe, W. Taylor, J. S. Edgecumbe and Dr. Kenny. Mr H. Connell was appointed conductor, and Miss Newell kindly coni sented to act as pianist. The first practice is arranged to take place on Wednesday, 1 September sth, when Farmer's Mass in B will be put in rehearsal, With the amount of musical talent in Hamilton and neigh-

bourhood, we look forward to many entertainments of more than ordinary excellence under the able conductorship of Mr Connell. A cruel joke was perpetrated a few days ago on a highly respected Tuapeka nuttier, and one whom we might describe as comfortably circumstanced. He received a letter from a psuedo firm of solicitors in Dunedin, informing him of the death of an esteemed uncle, who had bequeathed to him all hi.s wealth, which was represented by some four figures. Hoping to be honoured with his instructions, they beggad to remain " his most obedient servants, Liggins and Brown." It So happened that the recipient of the letter has expectations in the diiection indicated, which the perpetrators of the joke may have heard him speak about; nnd so the lucky nephew may be excused for taking the whole thing as granted and acting with the air of a man to whom fortune was not a stranger. In a tit of generosity he committed himself to several large donations to churches and other deserving objects ; his daughter was ordered to cut the baker and hook on to the curate ; his son was peremptorily told to resign a position of some importance at the grower's; and to crown all, the generous

undo was mentioned in the prayers of the village congregation at the earliest opportunity. A subsequent letter from Dunedin. in reply to enquiries re Messrs Liggins aud Brown, revealed the distressing fact that such a firm never existed; and from the latest advices from Home the wealthy uncle still survives.—Tuapeka Times. * We sincerely hope that the residents of Hamilton and neighbourhood will mark their appreciation tho services of the Hamiton band by rolling up and giving a bumper house to-night, at tho entertainment got up by tho Silver Star Ministrels, in aid of their funds. The Hamilton band has reached that stage of proficiency when it is quite a pleasure to listen to them, this can only have been attained by careful and regular attendance at their practices and reflects groat credit, not only upon the Band-master, Mr Mettara, but also upon each individual member, many of whom ride long distances to attend their weekly practices. The Hamilton Band is an institution well worthy the countenance and support of tho townspeople. The entertainment to-night will give the inhabitants of Hamilton an opportunity of testifying their appreciation of the gratuitous and self-deny-ing services of the Hamilton bandsmen. Programmes of the entertainment are distributed with our issue to-day. The final rehearsal took place last evening, and everything in connection with the performance passed otf most satisfactory, a fact which promises well for its success to-night; The band will play tho overture "Impromptu " at a quarter to 8, and the serenade "Sweet Slimmer Eve,'' during the interval. The entertainment will conclude with a dance. Those patronising the entertainment are requested to bring their programmes with them. Our Sydney correspondent writes: —Commercial adventures have reaped a rich harvest during the last few months. The mining boom kindled public cupidity, and hosts of unfortunates at once jumped to tha conclusion that fortunes were to be made for nothing. So promising a crop of credulity was not allowed to go unreaped. Seedy gentlemen of shady attributes suddenly blossomed into great wealth and gorgcousness. They were the reapers, and the tools with which they worked were barren hillsides in mineral country, which, much to their own surprise, if they could feel any, found themselves represnted to the public as veritable EI Dorados, worth any sum you like to name, from £25,000 to a million. Some hundreds of these promising speculations have been "floated " as companies, and it may fairly be assumed that every one of them has yielded a golden harvest to the gentry who pulled the strings. But the cash has come out of the pockets of the public, not out of the mines. In nine cases out of ten there is reason to fear that the latter will only be a success as holes in the ground, holes m which a large amount of capital and labour has been uselessly sunk. Mere bubbles in the first instance, they will be kept afloat as long as the public choose to find the money, simply because it is less unpleasant to keep on sinking and driving than to own up to the stern reality at once. The tenth case may, of course, b3 different, and may make up for tho short comings of the other nine. It is to bo fervently hoped that it will, for this " mining boom " is about the only evidence adduced available to clear us of the reproach of utter stagnation. Some of the coups which have been brought off are very sensational. In one case £10,000 cash and £100,000 in paid up shares were paid to certain influential persons, who guaranteed the formation of a new company of half a million, to take over the property of another company whoso capital was £(>I,OOO. The new shareholders havo the satisfaction of knowing that they themselves fetched a good price, whether their undertaking pays them or not.