This afternoon a meeting of the inter national tug-of-war Committee, convened by the Mayor of Auckland (the stakeholder for the recent contests in the Drill-shed), was proceeding in the Mayor's Room at the Municipal Buildings. The principal question for the consideration of the meet incr was the protest by the Maoris against the colonials receiving the'first prize of £50. The general opinion amongst those who have attended the tug-of-war contests is that the Maori team is fairly entitled to the first prize.
The installation of the W.M., and the investiture of his officers, of Lodge Beta, Hamilton took place last night and was a great success, fifty brethren being present, including Grand Lodge officers from Auckland. A full choir was in attendance. The suppar was laid at Mrs Gwynne's Hamilton Hotel, to which all adjourned after the lodge.
Ab the annual meeting of the Kindergar ten yesterday, several oE the speakers re ferred in feeling terms to the death of Lady Fox and at the close the Rev. J. Berry moved, "That the meeting convey to Sir William Fox an expression of the sympathy of all present with him in his bereavement, and of loving regard for the memory of Lady Fox." Votes of thanks were also accorded to the auditors for their management of the accounts, to the Mayor and jKouncil for the use of the building, and to the Auckland press for the kind as sistance it had invariably given. The balance-sheet, read by the Mayor, showed the receipts to be £205 2? 2d, including a subscription of £100 from Mr Dil worth. Through inadvertency yesterday, Mr Buddie was mentioned as having read the report. As it was, that gentleman was unavoidably absent, and the Mayor read it on his behalf.
