New Zealand.—St John's Day.

NEW ZEALAND . —ST JOHN'S DAY .

A MASONIC BANQUET , in honour of St . John ' s Day , was held on 24 th June , in the Thames Hotel , Thames Gold Fields , New Zealand . A very large number of Masons were present , including brethren from Australian Colonies and America , there being present Brother Turner , son of our well known citizen , Bro . Ben Turner , a member of one of

tho Lodges in San Francisco , and formerly captain of ono of our Colonial men-of-war in the Waikato . Tho chair was taken by Brother M . Kiccol R . W . M . of the Scotch Lodge ; tho vicc-chairs were occupied by Brother W . E . Robinson W . M . Lodge Ara and Brother J . Herbert Burns W . M . of Lodge United Service . The following

toasts were given and responded to in purely Masonic style : " The Queen and Craft , the Prince of Wales , the Duke of Connanghb , ancl the rest of the Eoyal Family . " "His Excellency the Governor , " proposed by Brother Captain J . Herbert Burns WM . of Lodge United Service . " His Honor the Superintendent , the Army and Navy , and

Colonial forces , coupled with the name of Brother Captain Burns . " " Brother Hayward P . M . of tho U . M . M . L ., " proposed by Brother P . M . Wade , who presented Brother Hayward with a valuable Masonic ring aud a chaste tea and coffee set . Accompanying this presentation was an illuminated address , bearing testimony to the

appreciation by the Masonic brethren of the able manner in which the recipient had discharged the duties of his order . The " Memory of 'jSt . John' " was proposed by Brother Sloane , and properly responded to . The other toasts included "The Graud Lodges of England , Scotland , and Ireland , " " Tho Sister Lodges at the Thames , " " The

Ladies , " " Poor and Distressed Brethren , " Tho Host and Hostess , " and " The Chairman . " After the list of toasts had been completed , the brethren indulged in a series of well selected songs , and brought to a close a most enjoyable evening ' s entertainment . The dinner did credit to the establishment in which it was provided . —N . Z . Herald .

Money Market And City News.

MONEY MARKET AND CITY NEWS .

FllIDAV . The weekly return of the Bank authorities shows that the proportion of Reserve to Liabilities is now 554 per cent . The rate of discount remains at 2 per cent . At the meetings , on Saturday last , of the London aud

North-Western and Great Northern Railway Companies , attention was drawn to the increase in the working expenses , from the addition to wages and the operation of the block system , but it was also explained that the strict working of the block system will , doubtless , greatly tend to diminish the number of accidents in future . When

the extent of the sums paid by some of the railway companies on account of late accidents , notably by the London and North-Western aud Great Eastern , is borne in mind , the importance of this prospective comparative immunity from serious disasters cannot bo overrated . The price of coal and iron is also likely to be low clurino- the

present half-year , though it is probable that these considerations havo been fully taken into account by recent " cliques , " who have forced some stocks to extreme quotations . But it is asked : what are the public to do with their money ? The recent great fall in Turkish , Peruvian , aud other bonds , has increased the feeling of distrust

attaching to most Foreign Securities , while Consols , Indian Government Bonds , Colonial Debentures , & c , have recently advanced to a very important extent . It is possible , therefore , that further investments may be made in English lines , though speculative purchases will be checked by tho firmer tendency of the Money Market , aud the consequent disposition of bankers to refuse fresh advances on stocks .

The amount of cheques and bills cleared in the Bankers' Clearing , house during the past week amounted to £ 80 , 602 , 000 against £ 80 , 215 , 000 in the corresponding week last year . The Great Western Railway dividend was officially announced on Monday , at the rate of 3 ; J per cent , per annum for the half-year ,

against 4 at tho corresponding period of last year . The sum brought into the present accounts was £ 9 , 0 G 1 , and it is proposed to carry forward about £ 9 , 500 . At the half-yearly general meeting , on Tuesday , of the Fnrness Railway Company , the report showed an available balance ol

£ 104 , 544 , from which a divideud was d clarcd at the rate of Gi- per cent , per annum , leaving £ 2 , 0 ( 35 to be carried forward . At the half-yearly meeting , on Thursday , of the Weymouth and

Portland Railway Company , the directors' report , which was adopted , showed an available total of £ 1 , 903 , out of which a dividend was declared at the rato of £ 4 7 s 6 d per annum , leaving a balance of £ 263 to be carried forward .

At themeeting , on Thursday , of the Isle of Wight ( Newport Junction ) Railway Company , tho report of the directors , which was agreed to , mentioned that the traffic receipts since the opening of the line ( five months ) amounted to £ 2 , 339 , and the expenditure to £ 1 , 381 . At ap extraordinary meeting of the shareholders of the Bradford

Money Market And City News.

District Bank Limited , held on Friday last , resolutions were passed and confirmed , authorising au increase in the capital from £ 650 , 000 to £ 1 , 000 , 000 . Ah the half-yearly general meeting , on Monday , of tho Bank of Australasia , tho directors' report , which was adopted , stated that tho

amount of undivided profits exhibited in the last accounts admits of a second dividend at the rate of 6 3 - per cent , for tho half-year , or £ 2 10 s per share . At the ordinary meeting of tho Mediterranean Extension Telegraph Company Limited , on Tuesday , the directors' report was adopted , and

a dividend declared on the ordinary shares at the rate of 3 per cent , per aunum , free of income tax . The sum of £ 500 was added to the reserve , increasing that fund to £ 7 , 843 . The annual general meeting of the Albion Life Assurance Society

was held on Wednesday , when the report presented by the directors was unanimously adopted . During the year the Society has issued 489 new policies , assuring £ 119 , 850 , while 74 proposals for £ 19 , 000 were declined . The death claims have been very moderate .

Railway Traffic Returns.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS .

The following statement shows the receipts for traffic on the undermentioned railways for the past week , as compared with the corresponding week in 1874 : —

Miles open . Receipts . ¦ Railway . 1875 1875 1874 £ £ Caledonian 739 110 , 976 58 , 965 Glasgow and South Western . . 315 £ 19 , 318 18 , 487 Great Eastern .... 763 50 , 726 49 , 680 Great Northern .... 523 56 , 27-4 55 , 792 Great Western .... 1 , 525 117 , 515 113 , 878 Lancashire and Yorkshire . . 430 78 . 205 75 , 089

London and Brighton . . . 376-i 42 , 297 38 , 759 London , Chatham and Dover . . 153 ^ 25 , 722 24 , 526 London and North Western . . 1 , 587 187 , 079 187 , 569 Loudon and South Western . . G 26 J 41 , 092 42 , 483 London , Tilbury ancl Southend . 45 3 , 100 — Manchester and Sheffield \ . 259 } 32 , 191 32 , 481 Midland . . . . ' . . 975 s 119 , 831 113 , 245

Metropolitan ..... 8 8 , 539 7 , 928 „ „ District ... 8 4 , 275 3 , 571 „ St . John ' s Wood . . 1-2 3 G 1 317 North British 839 47 , 870 44 , 713 North Eastern .... 1 , 4001 141 , 086 137 , 804 North London .... 12 7 , 074 6 , 757 North Staffordshire Railway . . 191 10 , 119 10 , 395 Canal . . 118 1 , 622 1 , 647 South Eastern .... 350 42 , 225 40 , 759

Crystal Palace Swimming Fete.

CRYSTAL PALACE SWIMMING FETE .

ON Tuesday , tho sccoud annual swimming fete came off on tho Lower Lake of the Crystal Palace , and attracted a large number of spectators . There wero several boats gaily decorated with flags , and a baud of music added to the interest of the proceedings . The races consisted of ouo of one mile for the amateur championship of England ; tho Crystal Palace Challenge Cup ( one mile ); a 200 yards

race , open to all England ; a hurdlo race ( 150 yards ) , a race in dress weighing not less than 7 lbs . ( 100 yards ) , "Victoria Park Swimming Club Handicap ( 100 yards ) , ornamental swimming-race in tubs , duck hunt , & c . Bro . Hartley Prestage acted as starter , and Mr . 11 . Watson as judge . The several races excited the greatest interest amongst

thespoctators , and the winners in thedifferent races were loudly cheered as they came to the landing stage . The prizes , which were numerous , varied in value from a cup of 30 guineas to £ 1 , and were on view on a table near the winning post . The competition commenced at half-past two , and continued till half-past G . At hall-past seveu

there was a meeting in tho Concert Hall , at which Sir A . Brady was to have presided , aud distributed the prizes to tho successful competitors , but iu his absence the chair was taken by Sir J . Benuett , who has taken an active interest iu promoting tho art of swimming in London . In openi ag the proceedings he expressed his satisfaction at

what he had seen that day . O'dy a few years ago ifc would have beeu im . possible to have had such a f £ io as they had seen , although it would not be denied by any « nu ilat the art of swimming was most beneficial to health , and a means of saving life . He hoped that tho prejudices against it would gradually disappear , and that not only

cneu but women and children wo ; ld be instructed in it . He knew of no better purpose to wh . ch , the water of the Crystal Palace coiild be applied . The prizes wu , c t .. en distributed . Mr . Horace Davenport

taking the first prize . Mr . D . Ainsworth the second , and Mr . II , Cottam the third , ia tho Amaieur Championship race . There were several prizes of £ 10 and £ o , and Excelsior aud Leander med . iig distributed . The several urizeholders were much cheered .