SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

BUNSET: This evening, T.S SUN -RISE: To tnorrow morning, 6.23 HT(TH WATER: This evening, 11.11; to-morrow morning, U.S3 ,

ARRIVALS.

Nebraska, mail steamer, Harding, from Honolulu and San Francisco . Moa, brig, Robertson, from Melbourne Hero, cutter, from Kaip^ra (at Onehun^a) : Ch.arybdis, schooner, Austin, from. Fijis Ruby, schooner. Catchpole, from Russell

DEPARTURES.

Nukulau, schooner, Walsch, for Norfolk Island Duke of Edinburgh, schooner, Bowton, for Russell H M.S. Dido, Capt. Chapman, for Fijis Comerang, p.s., Chrisp, for Gisborne

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Southern ports: Wellington, s.s., Wednesday For Honolulu and San Francisco: Nebraska, mail steamer, 20th inst. For Wangarei and Mangapai ; Challenger, p.s., this evening, at five o'clock For Napier and Southern, ports : Nebraska, p.s., this evening, at eight o'clock For Boston, Mass. ; Ayr, barque, early ~ • For Cork": Polar' Star, ship, early For Northern ports: Rowena, s.s., this afternoon For London : Gienhuntly, barque, about sth inst. For Sydney and Melbourne: Wpnga Wonga, s.s., about 6th inst. '

VESSELS EXPECTED.

"Warwick, ship, from London. Sailed 31st October Durham, ship, from London. Sailed 29th November Edinburgh Castle, ship,, from London. Loading Langa, barque, from Liverpool. Loading • • East Lothian, barque, from New York. Sailed 20th

December , ■. ' ' ■ V: . . Thames, barque, from New York, via Sydney, loading Parsee, ship^: from London. Loading ■ ■ Briton, barque, from Newcastle Sea Gull, schuoreiyfrom Levuka . -.f :.•■ • . Southern Cross, schooner, from Sydney . .; . -i : • Prosperity, schooner, from. Melbourne ! • Rita, brig, from Sydney Wonga Wonga, s.s., from Sydney Mavia. schooner, from liyttelton. Sailed 2Gth January Harriet Armyta^e, barque, from Dune'dln

IMPORTS.

Per s.s. Nebraska, from San Franoisoo.: For Auckland— 50 lbs' salmb-n, ! 150 cases ditto, 3 pgs merchandise, 1,278" kegs sugar, 457 bags. For "Southern;1 ports^—2s cases wine, 9 cases merchandise. For Australia— 175 i-lb salmon, 249 kegs sugar, 854 bags sugar, 13 cases merchandise, 2 bales" jmer chandisei 212 tons' in all.—Henderson and Macfarlane, agents. Per Charybdis, schooner, from Levuka : 2 casks oil, 50 bags cobra, 2 bales cotton, 66 bunches banannas, i J.. S. Moet; 277 bags corn, 2 bags fibre, 20 bunches banannas, 25 cases oranges, J. B. Bigton; 10 bags flour, McKenzie;; Jr l22 bags corn and flour, Robin son ; 30 bags corn, Ree.d ; ,5 bags s corn, 1 do oranges, J. and J. ; 1 case, Turner ; 1 box •gbld,i B^nk:of -New Zealand •12 pkgs., Edgerley.—J. S., Macfarlane and Co., agents.

THE SHIP DURHAM.

We have-been- obliging furnished by Messrs Cruickshank and Co. ; with a copy of the manifest'of the ship Durham,. Capt. Sexton, which left London for this port on Nov. 29 — 4 bales, .Low. and Motion ; 1 case, D. Gardi ner ; 2 do W. Wilson ; 1 do, J. F. Leighton; 9 bales paper, Heed and'Brett, T&feyang Star; 2 cases, Frazer and Tinne; 1 dp, Jakins ; 6 casks, Cruickshank and Co."; 1 case, Bober ton and Co : 30 cases, Brown and' Campbell; 1 do, C. F. Wood ; 1 do E. Mackea j 8 pgs, J. Bout; 1 case, W. Wilson arid1 Co ; IX.pgs, and a quantity of pig iron, Stone Brothers ; 2 bales, J. Wiseman ; -4' cases; S. Brown ; 6 bales, Wilkinson and Horton, Thaihes: Ad vertiier; 27 pgs, D. Evitt; 4 cases, C. Bon nington ; 8-do, 321 pgsj E. and H.. Isaacs ; 1 case, Sir George Grey; 1 canvas package, Must and Co; 50 casks;Henderson andMac farline^l case; sL .J;. Booth ; 6 cases, Winks and Hall; 10, Octaves J. Boberton and Company1; 9'packages, Hamilton Brothers ; 23 p£, fs, Moss Levy ; 5 do, G. H. Layers ; 316 do, Auckland Gas Co.; 1 case, It Neale^ 33pgs, A. ClaJk and Son; 8 cases, C. F. Wood ; quantity pig iron, C. Hawkeswood ; 1 box, Mrs Dpwison ; 20 pgs, T. McMaster .;, 83 cases',' W.' Phillips and Son ; 5 do, Thos. Short; 4 do, E. Wayte; 80 pgs, L. D. Nathan and Co. ; 55 do, Captain Daveney ; 255 do, H. B. Morton ; 1 case, W. J. Palmer; 8 cases, Stewart and Anderson ; 4 bales, 1 case, E. and H. Isaacs ; ISO pgs, McArthur, Shera and- Co.-; 16 pgs, Eev. O. Smale; 310 do, Combes and Daldy;is6 do, Lewis Bros. ; 333 do, Brown, . Campbell; and Co. ; 153 do, 22 crates,4 cases, JLJD. Nathan and Co. ; 10 pgs, H. Fendelow; 15, do, JP^att Bros. ; 6 do, Jas. Thomas; T case, G. T. Chapman ; 81 bales, E. Lusk ; 675 pgs, E. Porter and C 0..; .95 do. W. Phillips and Cq^; 9 do, J. and J. Dickey ; ICO pgs, 2 hhds, 4 crates, L. D. : Nathan and. Co. ; 17 bales,.; Hon. J. Vogel;' l' case, Mrs T. A. Crisp'•" I cask, B. Whitson ; 5 pgSj R. Bosanko ; 95 do, A. Clark.and Sons ; 258 do, Sargood, Son, and Eweh ; 20 barrels, 4 cases; Brown, Campbell and Co. ;-1 box, J. Welsman ; 1 case, Mrs Wright; 2 do, J. L. Hatswell ; t do, C. Brook; 1 do, E. Proude; 3do P. Leslie; 4 case, E. Wayte; 13 do, Bucholz and Co. ; 6 pkgs, W. Trebble; 5 cases, 11 pkgs,.:lre-, land Bros ; 23 tanks, 1 boat rudder and 8 oars, 2 buoys and 6 belts, Cruickshank ; 36 pgs, 4 cases, E. and H. Isaacs; 9 pgs, L. D. Nathan and Co. ; 34 bundles, 120 cases, Cruickshank and Co ;, 184 pgs, Frank Winter; 4 cases, G. Waller ; 12 pgs, Gane and Sturges; 18 cases, Holland- and Butler ; 53 pgs, Stewart.and Anderson; 5, dp,, J. T. Boylan; 13 do, Winks and Hall; 10 qr-cadks,' H. S. Meyers and Co. ; 10 qr.-casus,' Lewis and Bros ; 2 cases, W. A. Graham ; 10 do, W. Eattray ;10 ton Calder pig iron, 1112 bars iron, 2 boxes silver coins and copper, 468 bars, 28 puncheons, 5 hhds, 10 barrels, 71 casks, 48 qr.-casks, 6 octaves,, 20 pockets, II bales, "2' drums, 40 kega, 800 bags, 61 bundles, 101 boxes, 15| boxes, 5001 pgs, 574 cases, order. For New Plymouth : 4 pgs, E. fiopkinson; For Napier: 20 cases, 5 bales, StuarfrahdCo. ; 12 pgs, order of E. Williams ; 11 cases, 5 casks, order.—Cruickshank and Co., agents^ . : .:!;;./ r.nn, n,,.- :

THE SHIP WARWICK.

The following is a copy of the manifest of the ship Warwick, Capt. Skinner, from London to this port, for which we are obliged to Messrs Brown, Campbell and Co., agents -of 4he~vessel: —10 cases, R. Cooley ; 27 pgs,., Kempthorne, Prosser and Co* ; 2 do, Gi W. Jones; 3 do, R. C; Cyrus ; 5 do, Upton and Co. ; 50 casts; J. S. Macfarlane and Co. V 6 pgs., T. Hood; 8 cases, E. Wayte ; 25 qi\-casks, Miist'jand Co. ; 51 pgs., Brown, Campbell and~Co. ; 1 case, A. Dornwell • 1 do, F. D. Fenton; 1 do, J. C Hoyte ; 51 cases; Brown, Campbell and Cp. ; 3 pgs., C; Shepherd and Co.; 81 do,:'J. Thomas ; 4.casks, W. J. Cawkwell; 3cases, J. Rout; 100 cases, 5 casks, Cruickshank and Co. ; 1 do; F; Pierce ; 1 do, D. Gardiner'; 3 do,. Turrell; 4 pgs., W. Wilson and Co.; 8 cases, Upton and Co. ; 1 case, 14 trunks, Brown, Campbell and Co. ; 1 case, Jackson and Russell; 3 do; W. Phillips and Co. ; 1 do, B. Parker ; 1 do, M. Edmond; 1 do, C. Tothill; Ido T Peacock; 1 do, T. Marsh ; 1 do, C. M Tayior : 2 db, Moss Levy'; 1 do, J. Eclson; 2 cases, B. Walker; 151 pgs, Brown Camp bell and Co,; 12 cases, 3 bales, 27 pgs, E. and H. Isaacs; 348 pgs 10 cases, Cruickshank and Co • 337 pgs, Phillips & Son; 1053 do, 1. and S Morrin?6s do, Must and Co.; 20 do, H. Fendelow; 12 cases, W Rattray ; 37 pgs, R. Lusk;, lease J. A. Barber; 11 do C. P Wood ; 79 pgs, J. S. Macfarland ; 62 do, J CosgraVe Jml' Co. ; 23 do, Ireland and T?ros -56 do, 2000 rail joints, Mm £ter'o& Public Works ; 190 do, Henderson jTnd Maofarlwe, 482 pgs and'pieces, E

Porter and Co.; 21 oases, 15 bales, Winks and Hall; 2 do, Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. ; 274 pgs, Stone Bros, ; 221 pgs, 8 kegs, L. D. Nathan and Co. j 109 pgs, J. and J. Dickey j 14 cases, 7 pgs, A. Clark and Sons ; 15 do, T. Short j 1 ease, S. and J. R. Vaile ; 120 pgs, Sargood, Son, and Ewen ; 4 do, J. S. Macfarlane and Co. ; 1 box, Brogden and Son ; 1 do, L. Rye ; 1 do, R. S. Ledger ; 96 pgs, Lewis Bros. ; 3 cases, T. Pennell ; 1 do, Wiley ; 5 pgs, 1 screw, L. D. Nathan and Co. ; 1 case, W. Jones ; 8 pgs, J. Edson j 3 do, S. H. Burmingham ; 1 case, A. Smith ; 4 cases, Ireland Bros. ; 26 tanks, 8 life-belts, Brown, Campbell and Co. ; 4 bales, Wilkinson and Horton, Thames Advertiser ; 20 cases, F. Winter; 17 trunks, 111 pgs,McArthur, Shera and Co.; 1 case, W. J. Pond; 4cases, J. Gree tham; 6 do, Couldrey ; 8 do, Lewis ; 1 case, J. Watson ; 5 pgs, Watt Bros.|; 63 do, A. Clark and Sons; 39 casks, 2,794 pgs, 395 cases, 400 boxes, 22 bales, 15 bdls, 15 crates, order. For Napier : 1 cask, C. A. Brown ; 2 bales, W. Couper ; 13 pgs, J. Chambers ; 43 do, H. R. Russell; 1 case, Capt. Russell; 2000 rail joints, 1412 pgs, 560 rails, Minister of Public Works ; 2 casks, 18 pgs, ojrdev ; 31 do, Stuart and Co. For New Plymouth: 3 pgs, J. Dumbell; 1 bdl, E. Hopkinson. To be delivered in London : 1 distiller, 1 hearth, Shaw, Saville and Co. —Brown, Campbell and Co., agents.

The schooner Charybdis, Captain Austin, arrived in harbour this afternoon from the Fijis. She left Levuka on the 10th instant, and 7 Rewa on the 20th; experienced S.E ■winds during the passage until yesterday, when a heavy gale was' encountered. Sighted the Three Kings on Friday last. The follow ing are the passengers':—Mrs Corbett and family, J. Robinson, T. Garnett, R. W. De Wolf, and N. MoKenzie. -. The: high tides on Saturday and yesterday covered the new sea-wall at St. Barnabas Point. The Comerahg left for Gisborne yesterday morning with a full general cargo and the following passengers: Messrs W. Jay, J. Gay, Pairi and Raniri. The: brigantine Esther, just arrived from Napier, is for sale, freight, or charter. : The s.s. Wellington is announced to leave tha Manukau for-Southern ports on Wednes day next;. . : . . H.M.S. Dido took her departure yesterday morning for the Fijis. ■■■■•■_ ■•• -■ ■ The mail steamer Nebraska will leave for Napier and the South at eight o'clock this evening. ■ ■■ The barque Tell is being cut down to form aicoal hulk, as she was found fit for nothing else.

The: brig Moa, Capt. Eobertson, arrived in hatbour yesterday after a passage of twenty three clays from Melbourne. Very rough weather was experienced on the passage. The s.s. Nebraska arrived in harbour about 10.30 o'clock last night. She left SarL Francisco .on January 9th, at 10.30 a.m. (having been detained eight days awaiting the arrival of the European mail, which was delayed by the long passage of the English mail steamer crossing the Atlantic), and arrived at Honolulu on January 17th, at 0.34) a.m. ; left January 18th, at 8 a.m., and ■arrived at Auckland on February 2nd, at 10.30 p.m. (14 days 14| hours from Honolulu), bringing the mail through, from San Fran cisco in 231 days. The U.S. frigate Cali fornia, Admiral Pennock; TJ.S. gunboat Benecia, and the, B.M. frigate Scout, were all lying at Honolulu when the Nebraska left. Passengers :—For Auckland—Saloon : Mi" E. Bradley^ wife,^ andiamily ; Eev. J. B. Simpson, Mr E. Delias and wife ; and 14 in' the steerage. For Melbourne—Saloon : Hon. J. L.-Dunn and wife, Mr N. Inglis ; and six in the steerage. For Sydney— Saloon: Mrs Hughes. The s.s. Eowena will leave for Eussell and North at five o'clock this day. ' The brig Moa hatf reported at the Customs from Melbourne.

The schooner Euby, from Eussell, brings 60 tons coaL

The cutter Vincent, from Tauranga, has reported at the Customs, with 50 hides and 20 bundles sheepskins,-for Clayton. The schooner Estner, Cr-ptdn Watson, has reported at the Customs, from Napier, with 12 wrapper rolls and 111' bales wool, con signed to order*.-; . . . , The schooner Helen, from Oneata, brings 17,000 feet timber. • J , The schoohe'r Prima Donna has cleared for Hussell witlua quantity of furniture, and the following passengers :—Mrs Norris and 5 children, Miss Hickton.

COMMERCIAL.

Mr B. Tonks & Co. sold to-day at Bruns wick Mart —Nelson apples, at 2Jd per lb. ; Nelson plumß, at 4£d.

SUlf Fbancisco, January B.—There is everyiproffpect of a large havest. Wheat is firmer; best, 2dol. to 2dol. 15c. ; flour, best, 6dol. il2Jc. to 6dol. 25c. Wool, firm; SOc. offerejl for spring clip. Liverpool wheat quotation 8 was from 12a 8d to lSsdd6.. New YdUitJlTanuary B.— An Alia telejram quotes —Flour, quiet,^9dol. to lOdol. ; wheat, idol. J9oc.tQ;2doL,lb<s. Wool, quiet. New Zealand sorts, 60c. £o 65c. per Ib. .Kerosene oil, 2d|c. to 39c. r according to-brand. Large business being done. Honolulu.—The Gazette of January 15th reports :—Th^lpw^ prices of Sugars in the California market^aVeinduced many of our planters to hold back their sugars for the present; no doubt large shipments will be made towardi§P7New;Zealand and Australia;; Sugars in the San Francisco market are lower than they^hive been at any period since July, 1870. One of- the many caused for this is owing to the large stock on hand, held chiefly for^effning purposes.

MINING.

The following are the current calls and dividends ..™H n 4<n-fliA finmnftnifis named below '.—

MEETINGS. Central Italy, Grahamstown. «h February Mutual Mining Investment Company Young Men s Christian Association Booms, Auckland, 8 p.m., 6th February „.. . .. , Q „ M Green Harp, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 3 p.m., 10th February - ;' •: - _, ~' . . . New Golden Pa, MrE. Home's office, Shortland street, Auckland, noon 12th February Masonic, Coromandel, 16th February • , _ . Bonshaw, Mr Baber's office, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 2 p.m., 13th February

The session of the Auckland College and Grammar School will] commence on Wed nesday next, and the entrance examination of candidates for admission to the school will be held to-morrow morning at ten o'clock.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails tvill Close as Under :— For Napier and Soxithem provinces, per Nebraska, this day, at 6 p.m. For Thames, this day, at 5,80 p.m., and to-morrow, at 10.80 a.m; and 5.30 p.m, For Coromandel, on Wednesday, at 2.30 p.m. (Signed) S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

O'HALLORAN.-AtNo. 30, Union street, thewueoi G. S. O'Halloran of a d ujhter.

DEATH.

ScRivEKER.-On February 2, at Wellesley sweet Fanny, youngest daughter of Thomas Scrivener aged 13 months. ■

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1878.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance. And the good that we can do

We understand that. on Tuesday last his Honor the Superintendent telegraphed to the Colonial Secretary that he was about to pro claim Whangamata and Hikutaia blocks as open for gold-mining. The land, after a good deal of negotiation, has been bought, passed through the Native Lands Court,?and the purchase money received by the native owners. Knowing the great desire evinced by a large number of miners, who feel con vinced of the rich auriferous nature of the country, to carry on mining operations there, the Superintendent was anxious that it should be proclaimed as part of the Hauraki gold field without delay. We are aware that it was only with the greatest tact and manage ment that the miners had been restrained from " rushing" it during the last few weeks. A reply, we are informed, was received from the General 'Government desiring to be in formed how the land was purchased, stating at the same time that certain natives had protested strongly against the land being proclaimed). and that in the opinion of the Government a re-hearing before the Native Lands Court might possibly be necessary. Another telegram was immediately forwarded by the Superintendent to the effect that the land1 iad been purchased in the usual way, and thaVtne natives who were said to be p-rc-testing against -the opening of the field had nothing whatever to do with the matter. He again strongly urged upon the Colonial Government the necessity of at once pro claiming the land as open for gold mining. A further telegram was received from the Colonial Secretary desiring to be officially in formed of the purchase of the two blocks mentioned, and expressing the opinion that until such information were received it would not be proper to proclaim them as a goldfield. It will be seen that the Superin. tendent has acted with praiseworthy prompt ness in this matter, and, we feel assured' with an earnest desire that these two im portant portions of the, Upper Thame 3 district should be at once thrown open for goldmining pursuits ; but it would seem that the General Government are causing delay in the attainment of an object in which the people qf this province, and especially the mining community, are so deeply interested. Should any further unnecessary delay occur, we fear the .miners will "rush" the place, as their patience is well nigh exhausted!.{s£«*-,. ing the issue of His Honor's notification; proclaiming the Whangamata and Hikutaia blocks as portions of the Hauraki Gold Mining District. We trust the General Government will accept the assurance given by His Honor the Superintendent thft i^tp

purchase.of-the land has been properly and legally effected, and that no difficulty what ever, so far as the native owners are con cerned, stands in the way in the | opening of the new goldneld. - .-.

The steering apparatus of the new ferry steamer " Takapuna" having been found in- , sufficient for very heavy weather, the direc tors of the company have given instructions to Messrs Sims and irown to j fit her with a new rudder outside, instead of inside the stern-post as heretofore. The alterations will be made after 'two or three days when' the tides will admit of her being beached atnight and being ready for her trips in the morning. Meantime, she will continue her trips. We are authorised to say that a new time-table, was made out to-day by the directors and awaits the sanction of the Wharf committee of the Harbour Board. By it the night trips will be made only on Tuesday, Thurs day, and Saturday. The amended table will probably be published in our issue to morrow. We understand that the Takapuna will not make her night trips to-night.;'

The annual general meeting of the Hau• raki Saw-mill Company was convened;, to be held this afternoon at: two o'clock. . Consi derable difficulty was experienced in getting a quorum. The balance-sheet showed the company to be in a more prosperous state than at any previous time since its forma tion. The opening of the Hikutaia goldneld in the'vicinity of the Company's'mill, is also expected to greatly increase its' prosperity. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The balance in favour of the Company was £622. Messrs. Russell and C. J. Taylor were re-elected, directors and Mr Baker auditor for the ensuing year/ The declara tion of a dividend was left to the directors.

The schooner Cliarybdis, from Fiji, brings papers to the 10th ult., but they contain ( no news of interest. The sohoonera Sea Gull and Success had arrived1 on the same day from Auckland. The Sea Gull was to leave for Samoa.

Applications ; for, shares in the ; N^ationa Bank are now receivable at the Union Bank of Australia. The share list will be closed on the 14th ihistant.' 'I . 1 ': <> cl

We have, r,eoeived. the February number of the Churct Gazette, which contains a'large amount of interesting reading matter, i • . !

The Legislative Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands on the Bth day of January, A.D., 1873, unanimously elected' his Royal High ness Prince William Charles Liinahlo King of the Hawaiian Islands., .. ~,, . His Majesty the King has appointed the following gentlemen to be members of his Cabinet, viz: Minister for Foreign Affairs^ Hon. Ohas. R. Bishop ; Minister of Interior, E. ;O. Hall, /Esq.; Minister of Finance, Robert Stirling, Esq. ;., Attorney-General, Hon. A. F. Judd.

The of the Home for Neglected and Destitute ' Children begs to acknowlege withJthaijks the receipt of ten pounds from A. K. Taylor, Esq., being a donation to the funds of the-above institution. : ; .;

Another of those detestable crimes which are a disgrace to--the community was committed on Sunday, the person accused being an: old man. .named Carroll, and the unfortunate child "a girl named Knox. Mrs Knox it appears.^nt.,her daughter, who is about nine years':of age', to Carroll's house, m Barrack-street* ;ijO borrow some salt. This was about eight' o'clock yesterday morning. The child being a long time absent, the mother wen¥tb Lsee what had become of her, when she met the : child crying very much. She then disclosed the1 circumstance in detail. The mother injudiciously went to the miserable jnan's house and began to abuse him instead of at once going for the police, when he escaped out of the back window. The police are searching for him,, but have not yet been successful in securing^ him. i The latest mail dates by the Nebraska are London 12th and Dublin 13th December; San Francisco ' 9th and Honolulu 18th January. She teiags three hundred and twenty-three mail bags in charge of R. Kaye, Esq., mail agent. On this date_and henceforth Mr C. Wood ward, baker, of 250, Queen street, announces that he will supply the million with brown bread at threepence half-penny per two pound loaf. The brethren comprising the Ara Lodge of Freemasons, No. 348, 1.C., are requested to attend the duties of the lodge this evening at the Masonic hotel. An advertisement appears warning mem bers of the Artillery Volunteers to complete their first stage in class firing this evening, as the next stage will be proceeded with at five o'clock to-morrow morning. The usual monthly meeting of the mem bers of the Royal Enniskillen Orange Lodge, No. 3, will be held in the Protestant Hall, Karangahape Road this evening, at half-past seven o'clock. , ' . .. . : A meeting of persons interested in the formation of a Hibernian Society was held on Friday evening last, at the Aurora Hotel. Mr Sheehan attended, and opposed the forma tion of such society, unless it embraced cosmopolitan pririciplea. After considerable, discussion the meeting separated without anything definite being arrived at. The inhabitants of Otahuhu have arisen to protest against the education rate, and a large meeting was held in that settlement on Friday last, Mr Albyn Martin in the chair. The gentlemen who took an active part in the proceedings were the Rev. Gideon Smales, Messrs Woodward, Lynch, Stringer, Oliffe, Bent, | Gordon, and Goodfellow. The meet ing was unanimous in opposition, many declaring they would go to " Mount Eden" rather than pay the tax. A resolution to the effect, " That the imposition of a house tax was unjust and impolitic, and should be re sisted to the utmost," was passed with but two dissentient voices. „ , , Wei understand that the Nebraska has brought more than 8,000 letters by the mail to Auckland. t , ~ , ~ • The regular monthly meeting of the Ara' Lodge, 348, 1.C., will- be .held in the Lodge room this evening, at half-past seven o'clock. The Waikato Times records that' the far* mers'. throughout, the district are busy getting in and threshing their grain. The average of the wheat crop is high. Mr. Bridgeman, of Te Awamutu, heads the list with an average of 53 bushels to the acre. This fact should answer those who state that Ijhe is not a grain-producing district. • ; The Royal Magnet Variety Troupe, which has given so much pleasure to the many by its well-sustained attractions, will continue with us another week. The ample success which has attended the troupe since its com mencement in Auckland has induced the proprietor to take this step. The theatre on Saturday evening was well attended, the songs and performances of the several artistes were of the same excellent quality, and all went "merry as a marriage bell." To-night there will be an entire v change of programme, with new songs, and new feats Lottie and her brothers. The Mahurangi Agricultural Show will take place to-morrow at Warkworth, where SlfinejShow of stock and produce will bepre- Setfiiie& for public inspection. The screw steamer Lily will convey passengers from the wharf, with a band, to-morrow morning at =:ten o'clock.

Oiir Thames, morning contemporary aays that the Insurance Companies have forwarded a cheque of £50 as a contribution towards the new Thames Fire Brigades.

We'are informed that the sum of five pounds has been handed over by direotion of His Honor the Superintendent to Mr Kit chen, to be distributed among the members of the Engineer Volunteers who assisted at the late fire in Fort street.

TELEGRAPHIC.

'FROM OUR OWN CQBItESPONDENTJ . _—_».•—:—_ ■ _■;•■■

LATEST THAMES NEWS.

DISCOVERY OF A SKELETON.

THE HIKUTAI GOLDFIELD

INTERVIEW BETWEEN MR MACK AY

AND TE HIRA

?,■ 2, ; GBAHAMSTOWN. ; , r.. . v :. , !, This day. A party oi men engaged in cutting a'trench for a gas-pipe in Brown-street;: opposite the Pacific Hotel, came upon a skeleton .encased in a sawn "board'caieV' It "is believe^ toi be. the remains of one of the party of. Maoris drowned thirteen years ago. : .•. :•;. . Evening Star Tribute.—A crushing of 13 tons of stone yielded' §f 6z'; 8 dwt: of gold. Great Surprise. -— Ten , tons '; df. \. stone yielded 17 ounces of gold. Colonial Tribute.—A crushing of six, ons of stone has yielded 12 oz of gdW; . . • The new steamer Black Diamond makes a trial trip this afternoon previous to,steaming for Auckland. . . :: . . •;;•:"• Ail Advertiser reporter has been at Hiku taia and reports that there is nothing new with regard to the field. The Whangamatu township is progressing. .-jJ> , ,/•„..;■ MrMackay has been at ■ Ohinemuri. -T©., Hira disputes the boundary of the jiew block, and says it ought to be at the Hikutaia river.1 He also complainß against Mr Alley being allowed to drive cattle overland from Napier. Both matters were made all right'after a long korero.

TAURANGA.

This day.

A man named James Foley, charged with assaulting his wife, and attempting to kill James Potier,, pleaded guilty, to the first charge. The case was adjourned for evidence. The prisoner was removed in custody. ; »'! >■

LATEST SOUTHERN NEWS.

PROPOSED REDUCTION OF RESIDENT MAGISTRATES'; SALARIES. ;.;...;

WELLINGTON.

This day. The Independent to-day strongly urges the reduction of the salaries of Resident Magis trates holding several offices; Also that they be subjected to the Civil Service regu lations. , , . ...

The visit of the Honi Native Minister to Whanganui has resulted in the.settlement,of. native differences there. Certain blocks 'of confiscated lands are to be restored to the i..tribes to settle upon. The chiefs of the tribes thus settled will be expected, to main tain peace and order amongst the tribes, and use every endeavour to avoid disagreement with the European settlers.

BOARD OF HEALTH.

This Day.

Thk first meeting of the Board of Health was held this day at noon, in the Government offices. Present:—His Honor the Supermr tendent (chairman), P.* A. Philips Esq. (mayor), Dr Philson, Messrs Hurst and Lusk. ~ • i

His Honor said that in accordance with his duty he had called this initiatory meeting, the chief business of which was to go through the various provisions of that part of the Act with whicH they had tc^do, and- which related to the central and local boards. His Honor then went over the forty, five sections of the second division and explained their bearings. --*- Mrliurst moved, Dr Philson seconded, and the meeting agreed, —•' That the sections of the Act from 22 to 45 be brought into immediate operation in the districts aof Dedwood, Newton, Parnell, Newmarket, Karaiigahape, Waiotahi, andKauaeranga, as well as in the city of Auckland." The; Mayor thought the times and places of the meetings of the Board should bear ranged. .'''., " v His' Honor considered it best to leave the matter in the hands of the Chairman, who could: call a meeting at any time at there quest of a member. A mbtion'Was moved to that ejffect, which concluded the business of the meeting.. ...-.;>

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas BeckhainyEsq., R.M.)

DRUNKENNESS.

One person was charged this morning with this offence and dealt with" in the usual way, and two forfeited their baili BBEACH OF MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT. '■ '<■ Patrick McDermott was charged, with be ing absent without, leave from the ship Comerang on the 2nd February, 18*73, ■j Mr.Broham stated that the prisprfer wasa' fireman on board the ship Comerang, and in "consequence of his absence the ship was de tained until another fireman could be pro cured-. The case was remanded until Saturday. UNLAWFULLY WOUNDING. Michael Malonejand Nicholas Stauntonwere brought up oh renaand charged with unlaw fully i wounding John MaUay, by fighting with him at Drury on New Year's day. They were committed for trial at the next criminal sittings at the Supreme Court. (Before P. A. Philips, Esq., R.M., and Dr. Goldsbro', J.P). TRANSFER. The license held by C. ~Dundas, of the Royal Hotel, was transferred to Bedelia Marsh. This was all the business.

CITY COUNCIL.

This Day

A meeting of the City Council was held this day at two p.m. Present:—P. A. Philips, Esq. (mayor), in the chair; Messrs Darga ville, Williams, Prime, Hobbs, and Cos grave. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman stated that he had seen the Hon. Mr Righardson, Capt. PaWy, and other

Works to the most urgenti ofthese , and^tna they would -be. proceeded with aa eauy » possible. LETTERS. , c A letter was read from Jnspector of PoliceVthahkirigtheCouncilforNos.^ KU^ .that tiiefnew market regulations be inter, Preted into the Maori language, was allowed Mr Duffy porter.complainingthathe was not allowed to take a:n assistant to help him in his busi ness without paying a Ucense Instated that Mr Dufly's assistant drives a separate cart, which cbuld not be allowed without - paying a license for the separate cart. ■ P The^Mayor reported the result of an inter view with the Minister of Public Works. The Government had promised to make a , B ewer,near Wynyard Pier, .but would only provide for the drainage to be «mcd<mt to sea, which he considered was all the Council could expect the Government to do. : ".V I.' S IT* 1 f [Left sitting.]

ARRIVAL OF THE NEBRASKA.

GREAT BRITAIN.

j ■ ■,-. -London, January 6. It is rumoured that a large Russian loan will soon be put on .*he market. .... ~ . By a railway accident on the night of De cember 30th, seven miles north of Glasgow, forty persons w;ere severely injured. . 'ThiHy persons were lost,, in the Allan steamßhip Germany.: (J ■ '. During a missionary meeting at btattord the floor gave: way, precipitating hundreds of persons3 a considerable distance, many of whom were injured, arid dome fatally so. Advices Kara the Cape, of Good Hope to the 28th 'November are received. - Heavy gales occurred on the sea coast, and several vessels were wrecked; ',; -\ ~.. A gas explosion at Stoke-upon-Trent, during the recent gale, caused the death of several persons. The latest files of London papers give details of the great storm which swept over the British Isles on December 18. In London trees were uprooted in the parka, conserva tories and glass roofs were smashed m, and chimney stacks came to the ground by dozens. Several houses were unroofed, and the side walks driven in. A laijge|actory was levelled to the ground, and forty storm patients were received during the night at the various hospitals. . . i At Liverpool the steamship Great Britain dragged her anchor in the Mersey, and 'pitched against the pier-headr and stove her stern, so that the sea made, a clean sweep into her cabin. A tug ran under the bows of the Great Britain ;to haul her to a place of. safety, and was never seen-again, having been literally swallowed up by the sea. ; At Clifton, near Bristol, the pinnacle of Christchurch fell, and went through the roof. Precisely the same thing happened to churches at Yeovil, Crewkerne, and at Taunton. "... .~, j . .-...■: Hundreds of agricultural labourers oub of employment here are preparing to emigrate to Brazil, because the fanners refuse to pay the wages 'which they demand. Randolph Stewart, ninth Earl of Gallo way, aged 72, died on January. 2. Recently certain American naval officers waited upon the. Sultan of Zanzibar to re .monstrate against the'practice of the slave trade as reported to be carried on in the eastern part of Africa. They were received very cordially by His Sable Majesty, and we judge from the meagre report of tke inter view which has reached us that the, Sultan agreed with them and their Government in condemnation of the trade as carried on by others'. He said that a third of a century ago his father, the then Sultan, forbid the exportation of slaves to Muscat, which has 'long* been the great slave mart for the Arabs. The, Sultan says the slaves are stolen in Africa by the Arabs and by the people living along the Gulf of Persia. • ■■■-•[: ii ■'■ ■'■'■■ " London January 4

.. The Standard says the annexation of the Sandwich Islands, to the United States would be no tnenace to England, but to Australia. It urges as a means of restoring equilibrium, in the! event of such transfer, the annexation of the Fiji Islands to Australia. The Times in. an; article upon the death of King Kainehame, says it must confess that the Americans will eventually people the Sandwich Islands, which will become a valuable colony between San Francisco, Chinas and Australia.. The Times reviews the question of annexation by filibustering, as heretofore practised in new countries by great powers, and doubts' the right or propriety of any nation taking possession of the Sandwich Islands in any "such manner.

FRANCE.

The Duke d' Grammont has published a despatch from the 'AiisiirJan -to the French Government which proves rhis assertion th^ti Austria promised.'to'assist France in case "of a Avar with Prussia. This pledge is given in the following, worcta i-^'^Your cause itf ours, i We will contribute to the success of the French arms."

M. Riviere has made" an""bfficiaT report to the President of, the progress .of. the preli minary investigation into the'^case of Bazaine. He reports that 270 witnesses^have been ex- of whom 139 were summoned to appear in Court. *

The transport Orne will Soon' sail for New Caledonia with sso ; Communists prisoners sentenced to penal service in .that, country.

GERMANY.

Prosecutions have been instituted against the Roman Catholic journals ofrthe city and provinces which have published the recent Papal; allocution. The excitement on this subject is increasing throughout the .^mpire.

SPAIN.

The journals here deny that the insurgents in Cuba have met with success in their re cent operations, and assert that the rebellion will soon be crushed out.

ITALY.

:' r■• 's :! ' ! Rome, January 2. The Pope on receiving the Palatine Guard, yesterday, made a brief address, alluding to the persecution of the Church, and declares that thie cities of Europe were standing on perilous ground.

PORTUGAL.

~-». i Lisbon, January 2. -The session of the Portuguese Cortes was opened to-day by King Louis. His Majesty in his,speech from the throne said that measures had been taken to punish the persons who recently conspired against the Government. He also announced that the treasury was in a prosperous condition.

AUSTRIA.

James L. Watson, a native of Savannah, Georgia, an 4 Benjamin. Crowder, an English-

SS to re^ttag tie ««* o» th. same occasion.

AMERICAN NEWS.

BURNING OF BARNUM'S CIRCUS : EX TRAORDINARY SCENE.

Barnum's Museum, and-several valuable buiiSs have been T b,urnt> New.York. The Spread so rapidly that it W impos sible to save any of the large number of wild bead* except two elephants, and JoudaW the noise of name and water, and the. shout ing of firemen, were,heard the cries of the encaged beasts which were being roasted Xc The lions and lionesses uttered Piercing and blood-curdling The LeS bowled horribly. The elephant trumped out its agony m most unearthly notes; The monkeys squealed and Wed like infants. The sea-lion gave forth a strange and fearful; cry. For fifteen minutes these awful sounds of suffering went up. amid the flame and smoke Ever and anon something would fall into the flames, a bright SoTd of gpwka would ascend, then a volume of thick smoke, and.the voice of some caged mart 4 would be silent. A fine panther waa Sen to actually bend the bars of its cage m iffdiperate eJergy.and to ? «g-gj?<£ Barnum's loss is estimated at $300,000; uv swrance, $80,000; other losses, $313,000. The night was bitterly cold, and the police and firemen had a terrible duty to perform. As soon almost as-the water^fell to the ground it became ice. Where it was dashed In the men it instantly froze. .The men's feet even in' some instances were frozen to the ground where they stood.

TERRIBLE SCENE AT FIRE : SIX GIRLS BURNED TO DEATH.

A terrible fire occurred -at a bookbinding establishment at Centre-street/ New' York, on Chrietmas Eve. The bookbinders' room ; was on fche fourth floor, and there were about sixty girls employed as sewersatiafblders there. Thegiris as it was. Christmas, were eagerly longing for the half-hour to strike,-when suddenly some . of. the, printers the rooms below rushed up to the girls apart ment with the intelligence that the, building was on fife. A scene of wild confusion immediately ensued. The only mod© of egress; ' from the upper ' wag, by means of a' narrow stairway, agt; a defective fire :escape, and to these.two: points an indiscrimnatp-nisn was made when the alarm was first given. The girls, in the wild terror of the moment, lost all control of themselves, and their _ screams ' could be heard for blocks raway. . borne ran to the windows of the rooms .infwhie2> they worked, and some to the dodfsV and in the hurry they knocked and trampled each other down. The-few men who worked on the same floor, and the two upper ones, were almost as much frightened as the girls, and. completely lost their presence of The excitement on 51ihe; stteet Wasintense.^ Sixty, human lives Were imperilled, and their salva^ tion was depending almost entirely bn-their own efforts. A ladder -was.. secured.to the upper window, andmo'st of the girls1 escaped through this',.tint six are,/missing, and; they must have been -burned'; to a ojeatb in the; destroyed building.

DESTRUCTION OF A THEATRE ELE VEN SERVANT GIRLS KILLED.

The Fifth Avenue Theatre^ New York, was destroyed 'immediately after the close of the^ afternoon matinee. The loss is estimated at £38,C00. The servants in the-Fifth Avenue Hotel, adjoining the theatre, saw the ftp^, became frightened, and rushed wildly- into the corridors, but the chief clerk restored order and. directed thirteen streams from the hotel to play on the fire. This was the means of saving the. hotel. The wall of the' theatre fell and struck the west wall of the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and caused a breach twenty feet wide-by fifteen high, destroying the frying rand baking kitchen, and killing eleven servant'girls.

SHOCKING RAILROAD ACCIDENT.

Nineteen persons were killed and thirty five wounded near Corry, on the Pittsburg railway.' The accident: was caused by a broken rail. Several other railroad accidents presenting heavy mortality bills are reported in America; :

Heavy snow storms have occurred in New York, which blocked up the streets. -Thou sands slept down at the hotels, or in ; their officesj owing to inability to reach their homes in the upper parts of the city. The classes dependent upon their day's earnings for the following night's shelter suffered immensely. Two persons were frozen to death, and several seriously injured.

During the services on Sunday, in the Baptist* Church, in the seventh ward of this city, the floor and ceiling gave "way, precipi tating! about 500 persons into the cellar below; Fourteen were killed, and about forty injured. When the.crash came there went lip a heart .rending;:wail of mangled rfct^aainty. Children wildly shrieked for parents, and the groans of the wounded and dying;,filled the.air. To add to the horror, the oil lamps-ignited and bid fair to destroy Mil'in a general conflagration. . Those outside workea with'ifwill,' "ipind used every possible effort jto rescue the living. The! Aniy&tas-VasMost while on a voyage from Holyhead ;to - Workington. Every person: o&iboard perished, i A despatch from Hongkong says the ship Benares, Capt. Anderson, which left that port on the 12th of September for San Francisco, went ashore on one of the Lop Choo Islands and becanie a wreck. All the crew were drowned except five. p Ala|-m has been caused by the burning of a New York small-pox hospital in the High land District, which throws some 300 small pox patients upon the community. ' The; notorious Laura D. Fair has entered an action, for libel against George Thistleton. The libel is based on a series of illustrated pictures, forming a game entitled " A Wolf in the Eeld:; or, a Fair, Trial of Laura D. Fair,'^ intending to illustrate in a comical way the famous trial by her intelligent jury! ; ...;, .;.,,■;,., ~

Another murder trial is proceeding in San Francisco arising out of the practice of carrying* revolvers. The accused is named Charles A. Russell^ and the victim James Grotty. They had quarrelled in a public house.

A special despatch to the Alia, California, from Washington, gives extraordinary news concerning the mails to and from Australia, being a proposition from a newly-formed steamship company to transport the mails at less than half the rates now asked for. The following is the despatch \— " Washington, January 24.—A proposal has been made to the Postmaster-General, Creswell, and the Australian Government to transport the mails between England and Australia and the intermediate American ports for a rate that will ensure the granting of the subsidy by both Governments. Only 100,000 dollars is the sum asked of the United States, with a guarantee that splendid vessels shall be put on the route, with ample passenger ac commodation and capacity for making the voyage quickly. General Burnsid© and Tom fcoott are the parties making the offer—thQ

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BAN AMA. H AT S! PANAMA HATSIi Just Becetyed, 72 SUPERIOR REAL PANAMA HATS, Will be sold at lCs 6cLeach. SAMUEL GOO MB ES, CITY CLOTHING MART, No. 80, QUEEN STREET, CAN THE BEST MOLESKIN TROUSERS IN NEW ZEALAND BE SOLD FOR 6s. 11d.? NO ! DRAPEES AND OTHEES outside the Clothing Trade may offer such baits to the public, but as THE CLOTHIER OF THE PROVINCE and the only one whose business is exclusively confined to the manufacture and sale of Men's Clothing, I maintain that it cannot be ,done. : I can, however, offer to the Working Men GENUINE BARGAINS, being prepared to sell a pair of Moleskin Trousers, equal in every respect to the Gs. lid. article, FOR ss. I'll). And a pair of GENUINE Crown Moles, F,OR 6s. Un. And the best in New Zealand, FOR Bs. 11d. SAMUEL COOMBES, ' MANUFACTURER & CLOTHIER, 80 & 180, QUEEN-STBEET. ■•■ T COSGKAVE & CO.'S SALE OF -DRAPERY. & CLOTHING COMMENCED ON SATURDAY, FEB. I. The Public are requested to Inspect the Goods as the Reductions are Genuine. ■'