Mr McGuire, M.H.R. for Egmonfc (Taranaki), writes to the Secretary of the Northern Railway Leapue as follows: " Dear sir,— l bep fco acknowledge receipt; of your letter of the 28th ulfc. No doubt all residents in this district are anxious to have railway connection with the city of the North. We icel this would have taken place long ere now, had it not been for the Auckland-Wellington combination who used all their influence in the interests of the central route. I hold very strong opinions on the matter, but, looking: at the whole circumstances affecting ifc, I think no good purpose could be served by my giving expression to what I feel.—(Signed) F. McGuire."

On Saturday afternoon a 'bus wifch ten members of the Good Templar Order lefts Queen-street for Papakura. They arrived there at 7.25, and after partaking of some tea kindly provided for them, they entered the now hall to hold their last meeting of bhe Good Templar Mission week. There were present on the platform :-Captain Lβ Hoy (D.D.), in the chair, Rev. Norrie, D. G. Cameron (Grand Secretary), W. Speight (P.G.CT.), T. W. Glover (Grand Lodge Lecturer), and C. G. Hill (P. G. Couu sellor).- Miss Willis presided at the piano. The meeting was opened by singing the G.T.s opening ode, "Friends of Temper ance," after which Rev. Mr Norrie asked for a blessing on the meeting and the cause. Song and chorus by the audience, "Right Men are Wanted.' , Chairman's opening remarks, showing the evils of the drink upon the educated, and the blessings of abstinence to all. Mr T. W. Glover spoke of the two principal planks of Good Tem plary, viz., total abstinence for the in dividual and prohibition for the State. Melody, " Crystal Spring." Mr Speight gave an earnest speech on the blessings of abstinence, especially as regards the youth of the colony, and dwelt on the glorious prospect before them, con sidering the low percentage of crime that exists among the native-born Europeans of this colony. Melody, " Work, for the Night is Coming." The Grand Secretary then addressed the meeting, and explained the nature of tho work in connection with the free distribution of the " Prohibitionist." This work will com mence with the new year, and copies will be left at each dwelling every fortnight for tho next two years at least. Mr C. G. 