Last night fifty four men mustered <ifc tho parade of the Artillery, five strapping follows, who would bo a credit to nny dis trict in tho colony. Theso men, naturally, view with disfavor the proposal to go into (ho ranks of the Rifie3, the Artillery being the oldest corps in the district. For years they have been promised efficient guns, but the Government have never fulfilled the promise. It was or>ly to be expected that without tho necessary woapous their drill would become obsolete, bub that is not their fault, but that of the system which, as at present carried out, is an absolute farco. Instead of encouraging volunteering aud patriotism in the men, tho present Govern ment have done their best to cripple it." In commenting on the remarks made by tho Hou. J. G. Ward at the Curncross social tho Manawatu Standard says : — " It is now evident that Mr Ward at last intends to resign his seat in the House, and the con cluding paragraph in his speech is signifi cant of the fact that the Government intend to run Mr Leo Smith, of Duuedin, as their nominee, who will keep tho place warm until Mr Ward can recover his equilibrium. What else cm bo meant when he says "The peoplo of Awarua were determined he should continue to represent them in tho event of a fresh election," because no fresh election is likely to take place unless Mr Ward becomes a bankrupt, and as such ho cannot hold his seat. Thorcfore if Awarua is to be repre sented by him, that representation must percolate through Mr Lee Smith or somn other approved source ; but from tho roliable information we have, direct from tho Awarua constituency, wo are inclined to believe that if the fresh election, so jmntingly spoken of by the Hou. J. G., takes place tho House will lose its Adonis aud the Government) will lose a supportor."

BRITISH A FOREIGN

Vreu Annexation— Electric Telegraph— Copyright. LONDON, July 1. During a match Marylebone and Ground v. Oxford, ac Lord's, Albert Trott captured eight Oxford wickets for 53 runs. The Town Hull of Ayr has been destroyed by fire. 