To make superb soup use the proper soup herbs. It is stated that the Duke of Avila will proceed to London to negotiate on the modifications of the Deluga Bay Treaty. Returns, lately published, show that the total number of licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors issued during the last licer.siny year, is 291 9 f0r the whole colony, This number comprises all the various distinction of permits such as publican's, packet, wholesale, bush, accommodation, refreshment-room, w ive and beer, bottle and brewer's licenses. The amount of revenue recieved by way of license fees tot up to the respectable sum of £49,341 19s 4d,

On reference to our advertising columns, will bo seen the Abridged Prospectus of the Cas well Sound Marble, Portland Cement, and Mining Company (Limited), the share lh>t of which clo&eb on the 15th proximo. A bashful young man could defer the momentous question no longer s-> he stam mered : "Mdi-tha, I— -I— do you— you must haye — are you aware that the Good Book says — er, says that ie is not er-g'-good that man should be alone ?" "Then hadn't you better run home to your mother ?" Martha coolly suggested. Archdeacon Denlson, writing- on the subject of cheese-making-, says: Home making and no artificial drying are the two principal elements of good oheese-makinjr. A re.il oheedar should not be eaten under 18 months from date of making, and is best at two years old. In the case of American or factory-made cheese, says the Archdeacon, it doeis not smell awpptly after six months, when it is a race b.tweeu the men and the maggots,

The following exhibition awards have been made: — For bulk ale — Ist prizes: Speight, Dunedin; Franks, Hokitika; Ward, Christchurch. 2nd prizes : Pascoe, Wellington ; Cochrane,JDunedin ; Speight, Duuedin ; Baynes, Wangaratta. 3rd prize : Strachan, Dunedin. 4th prize : Manning, Christchurch. For porter in bulk— lst prizes : Vincent, Christchurch ; Ehrenfried, Auckland. For bottled por ter—lst prize: Hargin, Dunedin. 2nd prizes : Manning, Christchurch ; Baynes, Wangaratta.
