SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

•crrnTT witttr (This Afternoon, 9.2 HIGH w^i^«-j To . m orrow Morning, 9.23 SUN SET.—This Evening, 7.2. SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning, 4.38. MOON'S AGE.—Last Quarter, Bth, 2.2 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Zealandia, P.M. Co.'s s.s., 3,400 tons, Ferries, from Kandavu (English mail via 'Frisco). Hero, s.s., Logan, from Sydney and Melbourne

DEPARTURES.

Zealandia, s.s., Ferries, for Napier and Southern Ports. Ladybird, s.s., Andrew, for the South

EXPORTS.

Per Go-ahead, for Napier:—l keg powder, 12 camp ovens, 2 boxes clothes pegs, 1 bundle tools, 5 nests tubs, 18 bars iron, 4bundlesiron, 1 bundle spades. 6 lengths pipe 3, a kegs nails, 1 cask iron mongery, 1 case, 1 cask, 4 ovens and contents, 18 packages, T. and S. Morrin.

Per Ladybird for South:— 1 bale, 2 cases, 46 baga malt H. S. Meyers and Co.

1 bale leather, Ireland Bros.

THE ULUI-I-LAKEBA.

The trial of Mr Bailey's newly built yacht, •which took place on Saturday afternoon, was more satisfactory than such trials usually are. There was a splendid breeze, and its quarter, N.E., gave an opportunity for putting the vessel through her paces both at running and beating. Roughly speaking the remit of Saturdays ex periment was to show that the schooner, though she acquitted herself well and stood up to her canvass bravely, could not touch the cutter at beating, but in running sho was slichtly her suparior. Mr Bailey lias no r-au.se to be dis satisfied with his work. The Ului-i-LaKcba id a natty little craft and. we think, will do Auck land credit. It has been slight :d that another trial should be had at the end of the week, by which time the builder will have had time to make any little alterations that may have been shown to be necessary by Saturday's spin. Added to this her sails arc now stretched, and should set better on the wind. We understand that if Mr Bailey will let the further trial take place Mr T. Niccol, who will not, leave for the South before the end of the week, is willing to let the Secret take part in it.

ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL.

Tho P.M. Co.'s s.s. Zealandia. Captain Femes, arrived from Kandavu at daylight on Sunday morning, with the English and American mails, and passengers transhipped from tho City of Hvdney:—Tho following is the vessel's report, for which we are indebted to Mr. R. McDonald, the obh;ring purser:—The Zealandia left Sydney Heads on' the 17th ult.; weather fine, wind variable. 18th, 4 p.m., N.E. wind increased to gale, which moderated on evening of 19th ; after wards fine to Kandavu. Arrived there on 21tn at 7 a.m.. and left on 29th, at noon. Cleared reef at 1 p.m. Fresh S.E. winds and moderate weather experienced. Sighted Poor Knights at 8.30 p.m. on 2nd instant. Received Auckland pilot on board at 3.15 a.m. Time from port to port, 3 days 14 hours. The s.s. City of New \ ork, from Auckland, reached Kandavu on 21th, at 9.30 a.m., and left again for San Francisco at 2.15 p.m. The s.s. City of Sydney, from San Francisco arrived on 29th, at 7 a.m., and sailed for Sydney at noon same day. Passengers. — For Auckland — Messrs. J. Chambers, J. Williamson and son, W. Graham, Mrs. E. Lewis, Messrs A. Frazer, P. Kingston, 8. Fancy, H. Clark. Mrs. Hodgson, Mr. H. Hudson, and 7 steerage. For Wellington—Won. William and Mrs. Fox, Messrs. J- Chew, J.D. Crawford, and Allan Macdonald. For Lyttelton —Messrs J. Hayhurst. A. Saunders and daughter, and Mr. A. G. Gray. For Dunedin—Mr. Henry Wist. Mr. and Mre. Barrow, Mr. G. C. Mathe son, and 1 steerage.

The s.s. Zealandia left for the South at 5 o clock yestcrdnv afternoon. Some difficulty was ex perienced in getting her away from the wharf. Captain Ferries was assiduous in giving orders, and at length the splendid steamer got clear, but not before she had carried away the mooring piles at the east end of the tec, and done other mischief. Passengers—For Napier: Mr. A, Beaver. For Lyttclton: Mr. 11. Rose, Mr. Wilson, and several steerage, and original from KThe as.s.' Ladybird sailed South to-day. Pas sengcre-Mr and Mrs West and 5 children, Mr and Mrs Brannigan and son. Misses Davies and O'Brien, Messrs. Soale, Jones, Batchelor» Broadbent, Booth. McPhcrson, Weston, Kepa and wife, and 7 steerage. Mr. Barbour's new cutter, the Lancashire Lass, lately built in Freeman's Bay, for Mr. Wrieley of Taurantra, was launched on batur day evening, and, like all Mr. Barbour s vessels, is a sightly and well built craft. Her dimen sions are: length, 49ft.; beam, 16ft. lin.; depth of hold, sft. 18in.: draught loaded, 6ft. 6m. ; register, about 30 tons. The Lancashire Lass will be got ready for sea at once. The s.s. Hero was expected from Sydney early this morning, but up to the time of going to press has not put in an appearance. , We are informed that there is no truth in the report that Captain Ross is to give up command of the schooner Ephemy in consequence of ill health. The Ephemy was to sail from Port Onal mer3 on Saturday last for Oamaru. The «.s. lona has been laid up for a, few days for a clean and overhaul. She is now on the schooner Loch Lee has completed the transhipment of her cargo into the Orari, and will now go on the gridiron for an overhaul be fore loading again for the Islands. The Ryno is now alongside the Orari. The s.s. Argyle is announcod to take up tne lona's weekly trip to the North to-morrow at 5 o'clock. __ , . , The brig Toww Hill has left Hokianga for Dunedin with 116,000 ft. baulk timber. The brig antine Nightingale has also left Hokianga for Melbourne with 165,000 ft. hewn kauri. The cargoes of these two vessels have been towed from Wangape by the s.s. Lionel, and they are the first two cargoes shipped from Mr McLel lans new timber station.

ENGLISH SHIPPING.

The barque .Loch urr sauen. rrom mcnuounu. for this port on the 15th October. The fine ship Thurland Castle, 122!) tons regis ter was to leave Gravesend for Auckland on the 31st October. The iron clipper ship Oxford was on the berth to sail for this port on the loth November. „ The Glenlora, for this port, sailed from Graves end on the Bth October, with the following pas sensors :-Chief Cabin—.7. C. Qgflvie, R. Somer ■rillc, Lizzie Somerville, Eliza Somerville, J hos. Somervillc. Mrs. Choyce, M. Swallow. 11. Win ter, K. T. Bonsall, M. Smith. Miss A. S. Bailey, and Eleanor Bailey. 2nd Cabin—W. H. Lock stone, J. Mitchell, Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Goble, E J. Goble. Mary A. Goble, Isabella Goble, Maud M. Goble, K. E. Goble, Tdcn Goble, W. 11. Gol»lc, G. Sampson, T. E. Paul, and L. W. Edwards. Steerai?e-H. Slater, Elizabeth Slater. Mrs. Peters, Bessie Peters, Miss E. Prc vett. T. Skillin^er, C. Bartlett, James Bartlett, W \. Cottcrill, Edmond Cottorill, .T. \ oung, M. H. Gaston. W. Holliday, and S. Gallacher. Messrs Shaw, Savill and Co. advertise that the ship Santiago, 1000 tons burthen, was to leave London for this port on 20th October last.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING AS SOCIATION.

National Bank—Buyers, Ws. Colonial Bank (40s pd. up) -Buyers 343. South British Insurance—Buyers, 675; sellers, 68s Standard Insurance—Buyers, 12s. Union Sash and Door Co. (new)— Buyers, 58s

6d Union Sash and Door Co. (old)— Sellers, £7 Caledonian (double)— Sellers, 14s. Waitckauri— Buyers, Bs. Queen of May—Buyers, 6s. Union Beach—Sellers, 72s 6d. Tokatea—Sellers, 10s 6d. Welcome—Buyers, 2s 6d. JOSEPH NEWMAN, Chairman,

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m., and to-mor row, at 3.30 p.m. , For Coromandel. per Lalla Rookh, to-morrow, at 1.30 p.m., and per Argyle, on Friday next, F o r Waiwci-a, Kawau, and Matakana, per Anne Milbank, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. ForiWanirarei Heads, VVaipu,Wanf,'arci. Manga pai Itu8»cll VVangaroa, and Mongomu, per Annie, to-morrow, at i p.m. For New Plymouth, via Waitara, per Waitara, to-morrow, at 3.lft p.m. For Tairna, per Atlanta, to-morrow, at 3 p.m. For Norfolk Island, per Canterbury, on Wed nesday next, at 1 p.m. S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

ROLLERSON—On the 3rd instant, at her re sidence, Nelson-street, Mrs. G. Rollerson of a son.

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED "The Evening News" "The Morning News," and "The Echo."

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1876.

For tlie cnvie thnt Incks assistance. For the wrgnj; tluit needs, resistance, For the future in the distance, And tJie nood that we can do.

The papers by the mail arc mainly occupied with details of the Turkish war, and the excitement prevailing in England. The ! brief cable despatch a few weeks ago an nouncing a panic on the London Stock Exchange, and the fall of Russian securities twenty per cent., very imperfectly indicated the prevailing feeling in England about the middle of October ,when war appeared inevi table. This feeling was excited by the active preparations observed in Russia and Great Britain. All Russian subjects abroad, liable for service in the army, were peremp torily ordered home. The Black Sea squadron was reported ready to carry - Ofj,ooo men from the northern, to the western shore ; twenty thousand soldiers were placed on war footing in Poland; Odessa was filled with Russian troops, and its fortification pressed on. It was also stated that Persia, acting under Russian instigation, was massing troops on the Turkish frontier. Vessels belonging to the Russian Steam Navigation Company, bound from Odessa for London with cargo, were detained at the last moment, and Russian transports were preparing to enter Circassian ports. Sixty-four thousand troops were concentrated' at Tillis, the capital of the Russian province of Georgia, south of the Caucasus, and on the east shore of the Black Sea; and a camp of 82,000 was formed at. Bender, a town of South Russia, on the river Dneister, which flows into the Black Sea. These forces could be speedily transported to the Bulgarian coast, and that this was the intention Avas openly avowed in a circular note issued by the Emperor, declaring that the interests of humanity demanded a Russian occupation of Bulgaria. Preparations in England proceeded with equal vigour. Lord Napier, of Magdala, was ordered to hold.himself in readiness for despatch to Egypt. Six companies of Royal Engineers and "two companies of Transport corps were prepared for despatch by the Himalaya to join the Mediterranean fleet, and special plans for the defence of Con stantinople were sent to the fleet at Besika Bay. The Government had ordered Lloyds to furnish a complete list of all the steamers available for char ter for war purposes. These preparations, no doubt, furnish the outline of the proposed British defence—the occupation of Egypt and exclusion of Russia from Constanti nople. The crisis was reached about the middle of October, when negotiations for an armistice begun to assume more favourable shape. The desire of Russia to impose terms which the. Porte would be compelled to reject, has become apparent, and this, in conjunction with Russian war agitation in Servia, already beaten, created a consider able revulsion of feeling in England. It was evident that the designs of ( the Musco vite were something widely dif ferent from a purely philanthropic desire for the restoratioirof peace and the improve ment of the condition of the Slav population in Turkey. In the negotiations for an armistice the Porte desired that the interval of 'pence' should be five months, but this was objected ,to by Russia, the supposed .ground bqing flt.it Scrvia could not hold her army logcthcr fur that period, while the Turkish army would ha recruited in the spring with Asiatic hoops, whose jterm of ser.vice expired at the ■be^njoiing ol \vijatar. While the negotiations

were in progress, the Turkish army, at the latter end of October, inflicted a crushing blow to the Servians at Djunis. The Servian army was divided in half, and reduced to such a condition, according to the "Standard's" correspondent, that " they were hardly able to crawl, openly declared they would fight no longer, and abandoned their position on masse. The wounded, waggons, stall; and deserters, were mixed up along the road in the wildest confusion. General Tclicrnayeff telegraphed to Prince Milan, imploring him to come and prevent the army from crumbling entirely. In the disorder and demorali zation, it appeared impossible to hold any of the chief Servian positions, and the army was in full retreat down the Morava valley, Abandoning Kruschovatz —on which the Turks were pressing forward—withtheobject of forming a junction between the forces under cominandoiTchcrnayeffandHoravitch at Stratz. One-third of the Russian volun teers, who were always found fighting in the van, were killed or wounded, and one-half the officers." A "Times" des patch says, thousands of Russians had fallen in the Morava valley alone. They openly accused Servians of bayonetting Russians who attempted to force them to attack the Turks, and some Russian officers were robbed and hacked to pieces by men appointed to carry them to the rear. Gene ral TchernayetF was denounced as incom petent. The fearful surlerings of the Servian population, who in the main were averse to war, had aroused feelings of revenge and ill-will against those who had been Hie cause of their rash enterprize. The condition of the population in the country devastated by the contending armies is deseiibled as shocking. The "Times'" correspondent states that be tween Paratziu and Deligrad, and in the mountains near Saitschar, 110,000 women and children are almost starving, and eleven thousand houseless refugees were stated to be in the mountains around Deligrad (lying of starvation. This hopeless condition of the Servian cause evoked a peremptory de mand from Russia for an immediate armistice under a penalty of a rupture of relations with Turkey. The* demand was complied with by the Porte, and two months agreed to for peace negotiations. The situation is one which renders the prospect of successful adjustment extremely difficult, if not hope less. That the belligerents are eager for peace is unquestionable. Montenegro, notwithstanding the remarkable suc cess that has attended the arms of the little Principality, which at last advices had penetrated Albania and was bombard ing Podgorizza, was still suffering great distress owing to the number of refugee? thrown on it for support. Servia is exhausted. But Russian blood lias been spilled like water in the valley of the Morava, Russian hopes thwarted, and a people led on to destruction by Russian advice, looks to its patron for redress. The occupation of Bulgaria by Russian forces, and the imposition of severe conditions on the Porte under these circumstances, seems almost inevitable, but it may be that the danger will In; averted by the deliberations of the approaching Inter national Conference. If a conflict ensues, and England is drawn into it, as in all human probability she will, there is every Likelihood of her standing alone. Her old ally Erance, just recovering from a disastrous war, needs p:ace. in a recent speed) the Duke de Gazes, Minister of Foreign Allah's, declared that " the essen tial interests of France were not involved in the Eastern question. The country needed peace, and if its best endeavours to maintain the peace of Europe failed, they were sure of being able to maintain it for themselves." The prospect of alliance with Germany is equally remote. At the opening of the Imperial Parliament on October 30th, Emperor William said that lie desired to preserve peace " especially with those powers connected with Germany by ties of neighbourhood and history. Whatever the future has in store, Germany may rest assured that the blood of her sons would be sacrificed only for the protec tion of her own honour and interests." The German press, however, is strongly favour able to the placing of Turkish reforms under the direction of England instead of Russia. It is generally understood that an alliance exists between Russia, Germany, and Austria, but its nature and scope con tinues a matter of conjecture. Austrian interests may, however, be regarded as utterly antagonistic to the acquisition by Russia of the Balkan Peninsula, and her own experience of the government of Slavs predisposes her to sympathise with Turkey. Until the Conference has met, no change will be made upon the present position.

As the Suwarrow case is likely to come before the Civil Courts shortly on a suit by MrSterndale it would be unfair perhaps to publish any further comments by either of the parties"while the matter i* sub judicc.

The return shooting match at the Mount Eden range on Saturday terminated in favour of the Victoria men. A part of the proceedings appeared in our last issue, but as the firing (lid not terminate until six o'clock p.m., we could not publish the result. The scores were as follows : —

Victoria Company: Vol. Moss,- 64 ; Vol. Payne, 60; Sub-Lieut. Skinner, 59; Vol. C. Cooper, 58 ; Vol. Haslett, 58 ; Vol. Bowdcn, 57 ; Vol. E. Cooper, 56' ; Vol. J. W. Leigh, 56; CorpL Forder, 56 ; Vol. J. Leigh, 55 ; Vol. Eady, 53; Vol. Hazard, 52 ; Vol. Duff; 48; Vol. Putman, 48 ; Sergt. Henderson, 47 : Total of both matches, 1,576. No. 3 Company: Vol. Yates, 63 ; Sergt. Hay, 61 ; Vol. Dorc, 50 ; Lieut. Kelly, 56 ; Vol. May, 55 ; Vol. E. R Partington, 53; Capt. Morrow, 52; Vol. Hill, 52; Vol. E. Morrow, 52; Vol. McDonald, 52 ; Vol. Alderton, 51 ; Vol. Cameron, 51; Sergt, Soall, 4!l ; Vol. Watson, 42; Vol. Li. Morrow, 37: Total of both matches, 1.551.

The Zealandia brought nearly 200 tons of cargo for this port yesterday, and it was all landed and stored, in Ciipt. H. Elliott's sheds, within ten hours. The bulk of the cargo consisted of wheat, of which 2,500 bags came to the order of Messrs Stone Bros. The hurry of discharging this, proved fatal to the contents of many of the bags. Wheat is now commanding a high figure in our market, and the consignment should be profitable.

Tlie Engineer and City Band, directed by Bandmastjr linpey, will perform a num ber of musical pieces this evening at seven o'ciock, in front of Government House.

Rev. Warlow Davics, M.A., preached his farewell sermon yesterday to a large congregation in the Bercsford-street Chapel.

The Sunday evening religious service for the people was well attended last evening, at the Young Men's Christian Associa tion.

The Misses Teutenberg closed their art union list on Saturday evening with 150 subscribers. The drawing will take place on the b'th inst, at a time and place to be announced.

There were several interesting cricket matches on Saturday, the West End v. Carlton, (double) in the Domain, which resulted in favour of the Carlton Club by -48 runs. The Auckland v. North Shore met in lively contest on the North Shore ground, and after a well-fought and closely contested match, resulted in favour of the North Shore by two runs.

Messrs Cochrano and Son, will otter the valuable library of; 500 volumes to-morrow the property of Rev Warlow Davics, at their Fort-street rooms. The lib rary includes some of .the choicest works of the age in the various departments of English mid Foreign literature,

It will be remembered that some little time ago the startling intelligence came from Me cer that the body of a young man, who had met his death in some unknown way * was found on the edge of the swamp, close to the line of railway at Mercer. There was a gash in the head, and it was surmised that he might have been struck by the engine fcihen travelling on the line, and killed. An inquest was held at the time on the body, but nothing was disclosed as to the name of the deceased, who would seem to have been an entire stranger in the district, having been only seen a few times immediately previous to his death. From the date of the inquest up to the present time the name of the unfortunate man has remained a profound mystery. A correspondent at the Manukau Heads has supplied us with such particulars as will, most probably, supply what has been want ing—the name of deceased and where he came from. The name of the man who met his death as described is now believed to have been William Green, a native of London, and a passenger per ship Carnatic. After his arrival Green went with a mate of his from home, named JSnowden, to work at Mr E. Gibbons Saw-mills, Manukau Heads, where he remained for several months, after which he went to Mr J. Gibbons' saw-mills near Waikato Heads. Leaving the latter saw-mill after staying a short time he started for Mercer in search of employment, and nothing since has ever been heard of him by Snowden or any of his acquaintances. Two or three days after Green left Waikato Heads, which would have been sufficient time to reach Mercer, the body of the young man was found in the manner described. When Green left the saw-mill he wore a grey tweed coat and vest moleskin trowsers, and watertight boots, and this, it is said, corresponds with the clothes on the body of the person found dead.

Captain Derrom gives notice of a number of volunteer meetings, which will be held as follow :—Clothing Committee to-morrow evening ; members of team, to-morrow even ing to decide about firing again on Satur day ; firing for selection of colonial repre sentatives, Wednesday 13th iust. ; monthly inspection on Tuesday 19th. A fire broke out last evening in the store of Mr Potter, of Hamilton. The lad in charge left a candle burning, which lie thinks was knocked over by a sheep. He called loudly for help, but before assistance came, the store was reduced to ashes. Mr. Potter was insured in the Imperial Insur ance Company, for £175

A London cablegram, reports that the wool sales have not been so well attended as on the opening days.

The usual monthly observance of the Ordinance of the Lord\s Supper was hold at the Wcllesloy-Ktrect Baptist Church yester day morning, whew the eight females who were baptised on the previous Sabbath evening were received into hill members! up. The pastor, Rev. Mr. Cornford, delivered n most solemn, and impressive address to the now members on the responsibilities of the profession they had made, which wan listened to both hv members of the church, and spectators with dec]) interest. At the close of the service, the rev gentleman said the present occasion would he the last time ho should, as their pastor, preside at the ordinary celebration of the Ordinance, but he trusted the church would do him the favor to permit him to sit down with them for a special farewell service before his final departure for Sydney- A Tauranga telegram denies that the rjuartz recently tested in Auckland and found not to * contain gold, was got at Kaimai, but alleges it was obtained along side a creek behind the Katikati special settlement. McKenzic and party have pegged off a reef (» feet through. A rather curious incident occurred in a

church in our western suburb yesterday sifter noon. It was christening Sunday, and at the usual time three babies appeared onthescene in charge of their respective parents and sponsors who took their seats in readiness for the ceremony. The elder scholars from the adjoining Sabbath school to the number of about 70 Hocked in as is their custom to watch the proceedings. Time Hew on, but no clergyman appeared ; the rain poured down, yet hope was strong in the maternal breast,* especially as one of the gentlemen present informed the parents that he had asked one of the churchwardens in the morning if it was christening Sunday and received an answer in the atlirmative ; so they waited on. Half an hour passed, the weather cleared a little, and the children were dispresud, by one of whom a message was sent to the'clergyman to the effect that some of his congregation were waiting to have their children christened, and would wait now till jnst before the evening service, if iie would come a little early. In the meantimea(Jood»Samaritan sent to his house during the pouring rain, and in a short time a supply of hot tea, cakc^ and bread and butter arrived, the discussion of which helped to wile away the time. At G o'clock the clergyman arrived nearly Avet through, and the "patience of the parents was re warded aiferl the ceremony performed. It appears that lie had been taken ill after the morning service, and as no one had informed him that they desired their children cliristened,he had not thought it necessary to go in the afternoon.

Mr. W. H. Porter, of the Queen's Re doubt, begs to acknowledge the collection of the following subscriptions for the Widow Leatham :— Mrs. John Dean, £1 ; Mr. Samuel Coombcs, £1 ; Mr. Ueorgo Boldock, 10s. ; Mr. Alex. Muir, ss. ; Mr. Lamb, Ngaruawahia, lO.s. Total, £3 ss. We have also to acknowledge 10s. through Mr. Wm. Boehen, and of BuWriptiou from Mr. Win taker, for Widow Coughlan.

The Hon. Win. Fox and Mrs. Fox were passengers by the mail steamer. Mr. Fox lias enjoyed' excellent, health, and i.s evi dently much benutitted l>y his tour. Mr. Fox had an interview with Mr. ttrooinhall, respecting the proposed special .settlement.

Mr. R. G. Wood is appointed Chairman of the Public Building*) Commissioners.

The charge of larceny as a bailee against Francis Gould, a medical professor, of Mercury Bay, was held on Saturday in the Police Court. It appeared from the evidence that Henry Smith left a quantity of goods in the care of prisoner, packed in boxes, hut which the prisoner disposed of in Auckland, mostly to Mr Beal of Victoria street, The evidence was very clear against the prisoner, hut, at the request of Mr Joy, who appeared for the prisoner, and as the goods were only worth £2, the case was dealt with in a summary manner. The prisoner was sentenced to four month's imprisonment with hard labour. New Zealand hemp was quoted in Lon don on October 19th, firm at £22 to £24.

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.) DRUNK, ETC, The following persons were subjected to pun ishment for drunkenness and vagrancy : William Thompson 10s, Margaret Carter, a caution ; Samuel Oornwell 20s : Mary Brown remanded till to-morrow; an able man, name not mentioned, sentenced to two months to prison.

AIA.RGKD FORGING AND UTTEKIXO

Edward tr. Draper a young man, described as a commission agent, was charged with forging and uttering a receipt for £5 10s, purporting to have been signed by James Younjr, with intent to defraud Messrs. Thompson and Niven. Sub-Inspector Pardy a ak 'd for a remand until Friday, as it was believed that prisoner had committed a series of similar offences in the names of his employers, of the Queen-street Bible warehouse.

Remanded until the Bth inst. LAHCKNY. James Johnson, a seaman, was charged with the larceny of a bas^-broom, value 2/(5. the pro perty of Charles Edwards, of the Waiteinata Hotel, :m Saturday;

Prisoner pleaded utility.

Sub-Inspector Partly said the prisoner was under the influence of liquor at the time. His Worship ordered prisoner to pay a fine of 10s and G/6 costs, or to be comuuttea for U days.

ARRIVAL OF THE ZEALANDIA WITH THE English and American Mails.

TELEGRAMS TO NOVEMBER 8.

THE SPIRITUALISTS.—THE CHARGE AGAINST PROFESSOR SLADE.

At Bow-street Police-court, on Oct. 2, before Mr. Flowers, Mr. Henry Slade and Mr. Simmons appeared to answer sum monses taken out by Professor Lankester and others, charging the defendants with conspiracy and other misdemeanours. In the first summons Mr Henry Slade, described as of 8, Upper Bedford-place, was charged that he did on the 11th September last unlawfully use certain subtle craft and devices to deceive and impose on Mr. E. Ray Lankester, Mr. T. J. Oldman, Mr. H. Sedgwick, Mr. R. |H. Hutton, JVlr. Edmund Guruey, and Mr. W. B. Carpenter. The second summons charged Mr. Slade and Mr. Simmons with, on the 11th September, unlawfully conspiring and combining together, by divers false pretences and subtile means and devices, to obtain from the above-mentioned persons sums of money and to cheat and defraud them. Great interest was evidently felt in the case ; the court was crowded as soon as opened, and many persons were waiting in the street to see the principals in the case arrive and depart. Mr. Lewis opened the case for the prosecution. Professor Edwin Kay Lankester was then called. He said : I reside at Exeter College, Oxford, of which I am a Fellow, and am Professor of Zoology at the University College, London. I have seen the defend ants before. On Sept. 11l went to No. 11, Bedford-place. I saw Simmons standing by a desk at one end of the room. I told him my name, and that I had an appointment with Dr. Slade. He said, '' There is Dr. Slade." When the conversation was finished, I was asked to go into an inner room, where there was a table covered with a cloth, which he pulled off. He sat down at the table with his back to the window, and I sat at the opposite side of the table. As soon as we were seated, he asked me to join hands. He put both his hands up first, and then freed his right hand. He then began to shiver very much, as a person would do if exposed to cold, and said tome, " The influence is verystrong this morning." Immediately afterwards there were three taps on the table. At eacli of those three taps the table moved slightly, but whether it was moved by his hand or not I do not know. He added, "This has been the case for the last twelve years, ever since the deatli of my wife. You are aware that these phenomena have taken place ever since the death of my wife ?" He then took up a slate and put it underneath the table with his right hand. When he had placed it in position there was a scratching sort of noise. Whilst this was going on there was a slight movement of the slate and a slight movement of the tendon* of his right hand. The slate was then produced, and he road a message to this effect, " I am ready to help yon," <>r, " Here to help—Almk." That whs the name he gave to his deceased wife. Tho defendant said, "Then 1 should like to ;isk if any spirits ;ire present which are acquainted with you?" I said, "Yes, that would be very nice." He then cleaned the slate on both sides, and picked up the piece of pencil, and, biting it, saying it was not fjiute the right size. I wan much sur prised to sec his hand move across the slate as if writing were being done with it. At the same time I most distinctly heard the sound of writing on the slate very quietly, but I can hear very distinctly at some dis tance. Daring this interval I was touched on the leg under the table two or three times. I knew from the descriptions I had read of Sladc's performances that they were supposed to be what were called spirit touches. The names Edwin and John Lan kester were written on the slate in the first instance, and I remarked, " Dear me, that must be my uncle John." Defendant looked very sympathetic. He told me I was to write a question on the slate, and the spirits would answer me. I wrote " Where was I on Saturday afternoon ?" He said, "Don't let mo see it." He took the slate from me, and I placed the slate under the table, and in a short time he gave me the slate with the answer on it, " We did not see you on Saturday afternoon." I was at a public place on' Saturday afternoon, listening to Mr Gladstone at Blackheath, and I should have thought that my deceased relatives would have been there. (Laughter). He shortly afterwards gave me the slate again with 'a message on it—"You would develope into a very good medium," which I was very glad to hear. He invited me to place my hand on his while he held the .slate under the table. He placed the slate behind-my head, and a message appeared upon it—"We will come to visit you in your room." The slate was again cleaned, ami Slado said, " Some poisons have accused me of being unable to write with a longp«ncil." He took a long pencil and again held the slate under the table, a little lower down. When he produced the slate again it had on it—" We cannot write any more ;wo are tired." I paid him one sovereign. The witness described a second visit to Mr Slade, with Mr Donkin. When we were seated, Slade shivered as he had done before, indicating that the influence was upon him, and the slate was again produced, with a small piece of pencil. It was placed in position as before, he holding it in his right hand, loud scratching was heard, and a message was shown to the effect, "I am here — Allie." Slade then explained that AJlie was his deceased wife. Then lie began talking to Dr Donkin. The slate was produced with the words on it, "He could be a good writing medium," and this I believe »was intended for Dr Donkin. Mr Slade then took the slate, which he shortly afterwards produced with the words, " Samuel Lankester." He directly afterwards asked me to hold the slate with him, and said, "We Mill see if the spirits will write more distinctly if you hold it." I withdrew the slate im mediately I got it from Slade's hand, and before he had held it for a fraction of a second I got up from the table. I said, " You have already written on the slate. 1 have watched you doing it each time. You are a scoundrel and an imposter," These | words were on "the slate, "lam glad to meet you, Edwin Lankester." Dr Donkin got up from the table and said, " You are a liar." I then carried the slate to the adjacent room, where there were five persons beside Simmons. When I called Slade a scoundrel and an impostor he foil back in his chair and turned white. He made no explanation, Simmons said:—. " This is not the first time this kind of tiling lias happened to us. You will do u.s no harm. We have had 200 people here, who will all came back to see if they have been imposed upon." At the same time lie made a movement with his eye, which was very much like a wink. (Laughter). In the meantime, Slade had followed me into the ante-room, and said, "It can'all be explained ;if the two gentle men will follow me into the noxt room, I will show them that it cannot be done in that manner." I left with Dr Donkin, and wrote a letter to the " Times." I subse quently took criminal proceedings against these persons for fraud, and am prosecuting in the public interest. I have no private interest to gain Ayhatever in the matter. There was nothing that occurred in my pre sence which was not within reach of Slade's legs and arms. In cross-examination, witness said the taps heard on the table were not like taps with the linger, but more re. sembling.the noise which would be made by the sole of a boot striking against wood. He had uot made up his miud that all he would

see was an imposture before he went. He stated in the "Times" his belief that the first writing was written with one finger. He would state now that he might have been mistaken. He was not prepared to say whether if the thumb were holding the plate above the table it wonld require two fingers to hold the slate beneath. He declined to give an opinion, as he had not tried it. It was agreed to adjourn the further hearing of the case for a week. On October 10th the cross-examination of Mr Edwin Ray Lankester was resumed. Iv his letter to the "Times" he stated his belief that the message was written underneath the slate in the manner des cribed. On his second visit he was not so certain on the point as to which surface of the slate was written upon, but he had seen no reason to abandon his first impression as stated in the "Times." Two modes occurred to him. The writing might have been effected by a pencil fixed in the table, aril the surface of the slate applied to it, or by a pencil inserted in a long holder and passed between the slate and the table* Mr. G. Lewis said some time might be saved by the exhibition of the mode in court, and Mr. Maskelyn had been summoned to enlighten the court on that point. Mr. Flowers said such a witness could state his opinion, but he could not sanction the perfor mance suggested in court. It was here sugges ted by Mr. Munton that the taVe. used by Dr. Slade should bo produced in -it. It was brought over the heads of the people, amid, roars of laughter, and looked a very common oak table, with two flaps, worked by bars of peculiar action. A place for even so small a table was with difficultyfound. Mr. Maskelyne, of the Egyptian Hall, was invited to examine it, and stated that it was obviously made for the purpose, having movable bar 3, ledges, &c, not used in ordinary tables. The witness (Mr. Lankester) would not withdraw his opinion that the peculiar construction of the table facilitated the movement of the defendants legs, but he admitted that the table produced had ordinary flaps. Once or twice he said, while shifting the slate about, "that the spirits were a. long time coming."—Mr Flowers: Well, they had a long time to come. (Laughter.) We un derstood at the last examination that the message was represented to coirie from the defendant's deceased wife.—Mr Munton had to contend that the writing was done between the time when Dr Slado took the slate and Professor Lankester seized it out of his hanas. Mr Munton then asked the witness to say whether his views would be affected if he learnt that a great many literary and scientific persons had attended the Beance3 of Dr Slade, and were ready to testify to their genuineness. _ Ihe witness said it would not affect his opinion in the slightest degree. When he spoke of persons '•apparently sane" he referred to Mr Wallace and others who had expressed themselves as believers in the phenomena. Did not include Lord Lindsay, because he knew nothing about his views. Cross examined by Mr Mas3ey: Should not have parted with his money to Slade but for his representation that spiritual agency would bo manifested. Did not consider ' 'Allie 8 message worth a sovereign. A sort of sensation was produced in Court when Mr Lewis called out the name of John Maskelyne as the next witness, and from this point the character of the inquiry became absolutely farcical. Mr Maskelyne said that he was a jeweller, watch maker, and conjuror, and carried on business at the Egyptian Hall. H» had been a professed conjurer for fourteen years, and an amateur since he was eight. Had seen the table pro duced in court that day. It was a very con veniont one for " business." The witness step ped towards the table and explained his mean ing, and showed the use of the moveablo bar, against which a slate might be forced under the table by the thumb, while the four fingers were engaged in writing upon the surface of the slate. Then, returning to the witness-box, lie placed a kind of thimble on one of his lingers, having a pencil point at the apex, and wrote there with a message on the slate—"The spirits are here"—on the under surface, while tho slate itself was hold by the thumb, all being effected by one hand. Slate-writing wa3 a very old Lrick, and he did it many years ago. Mr Maske lyne proceeded to address tho Court, and to illustrate his " mysteries," obliterating and reviving the messages written on the slate in a few seconds by the application of a sponge dipped in some chemical fluid, and stated the case of a medium whose hands were held ex tended by two persons (one on each side of him), but who, when the lights were turned out, contrived to write a message upon a slate on the table by stooping down and using a piece of pencil which fie had placed in his mouth. Mr Massey said he felt it almost unworthy of him or his cause, in which lie himself believed, to cross-examine this witness; but nevertheless, some questions were put to Mr Maskelyne, who was asked if he had two slates brought him at tho Egyptian Hall which he was permitted to examine, and then, without their being for a moment out of sight, they became rilled with writing on both sides, what would he say to that > The witness replied that he should say that somebody had done it. (Laughter). If Dr Slade had done this, he should like to see him do it again. Dr Horatio B. Donkin, assistant physician to Westminster Hospital, gave corro borative evidence. The charge of con spiracy was dismissed, and Simmons was discharged from custody. On October 28, a new charge was laid against Slade under the Vagrant Act. Alter hearing the evidence, the Magistrate expressed an opinion that there waa a strong prima facie case. On October 31, Justice Flowers, in Bow street Court, sentenced Slade to three months' hard labour on his conviction under the Vagrant Act. Counsel for defendant gave notice of an appeal, pending which Slado's previous bail was accepted. The sentence of the Court was received with uiinglud applause and hisses by the spectators.

THE POLAR EXPEDITION.

FEARFUL SUFFERINGS OF THE

SLEDGE PARTY.

London, Oct. 30th.—The narrative of the Arctic expedition is published. It relates that after first encountering ice, the expedi tion was detained several days in Port Payer. It started thence August Stli, but before reaching the shore of Giinnell Land, the vessels were caught in an ice pack. After this their progress northward was an incessant struggle through channel openings made in the ice by wind and current, the channel through which the ships moved constantly, closing behind them. The Dis covery wintered in a well-sheltered harbour on the west side of Hall's basin, a few miles north of Polaris Bay. The Alert pushed forward, rounded the northeast point of Grant's Land, but instead of finding, as expected, a continuous coast one hundred miles toward the north, she found herself on the border of an extensive sea, with impenetrable ice on every side and no harbor. The ship win tered behind a barrier of grounded ice close to land. Floating masses of thick polar ice had, m incoming, pressed up quantities of intermediate ice in blocks, frequently a mile in diameter, and varying in height from 10 to 50 feet. Obstacles of this kind destroyed all hope of reaching the Pole by sledges before the attempt was made. The sledge party, which was absent seventy days, was obliged to make roads with pick, axes nearly half the distance it travelled. As it was always necessary to drag sledge loads by installments, the party really traversed 276" miles, although it only pro gressed 73. All the cairns erected by the Polaris expedition were visited. At the boat depot in Newman's Bay a chrono meter was found in perfect order, which was left by the Polaris. When at Polaris Bay the Discovery hoisted the American flag and fired a salute. A brazen tablet with the following inscription Avas fixed on the grave of Captain Hall ; " Sacred to the memory of Captain Hall, of the Polaris, who sacrificed his life in the advancement of science. This tablet is erected by the British Polar Expedition, who following his footsteps, have profited by Ins experience." Two sailors of the Greenland sledge party were buried near Captain Hall's grave. The sufferings of the skdgo parties from scurvy were frightful. The expedition under Markham and Parr, which endea voured to reach the Pole, consisted of seven teen persons, nine of whom became entirely helpless, and had tojje carried on sledges ; three could barely walk, and were unable to render assistance.

TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AT THE CHINESE THEATRE.

NINETEEN CHINAMEN TRAMPLED

TO DEATH,

About 12 o'clock Monday night, a fright ful accident occurred at the Royal China Theatie. Somewhere about 3000 men had crowded into the placc,ancl quite a nuin her of Chinese females were present, but only two or three white niju. In some matting in the gallery which had caught by the sparks * from a cigarette or cigar in the hands of some careless Chinaman, was discovered. The

utmost confusion prevailed, and a panic ensued. The large numbers of Chin|*-jj-in the auditorium rushed frantically ne door, while those packed in the gaLi .' -iid the same. The doors, which are Ji %le, and each about twelve feet high by six feet wide, were closed, but the resistless-torrent of yellow humanity poured down the stairs through them without attempting to open either, add the consequences was that the foremost crowd, about thirty in number, were scarcely out before the massive door fell upon and crushed them to the floor, while over it, crowded and jostled the dense audience, without a thought of the consequences. In the meantime, the premature fire, which had made head ' way, was summarily quenched by a Christain Chinaman, named Adam Quinn. The actors upon the stage continued with their performance, which had the effect of staying many of the frightened Chinese. The passage of the dense crowd through the entrance, and the heart-rending shrieks of the crushed and dying under the doors alarmed several policemen on Jackson-street who immediately endeavoured to effect an entrance. The work was accomplished by knockiug several Celestials about, and the remainder, realizing that the danger in the theatre, whatever it was, had disappeare-^1 fell back on the crowd. The railing of the stairway leading from the gallery to the lower floor had given way," and several of the frightened men had fallen do\vn,only to be crushed under foot, by their equally terror-stricken companions. The tide having been checked, the officers raised the prostrated door and removed the dead and dying from beneath it. Some were stone dead, while all under it were more or less injured. Nineteen were conveyed to the street, dead, and seven others, who were rapidly dying. The bodies were ranged along tlie side-walk. One stalwart Chinaman, weighing about 170 pounds, was brought out, and laid upon the walk, his clothes torn, and his body lacerated by the many feet that had trampled relentlessly over him. His face was black with suffocation, and the crimson fluid was running in a stream from his nose and ears. Life had not yet left him, but in his dying agonies he writhed and crawled about the pavement, swinging bis bare arms in the air, and shrieking for the relief that could not come. Several of those taken from under the door lived a few moments after being removed, their agonizing shrieks filling the ;iir, and exciting the lamentations of adjacent Chinese, who witnessed the writhing contortions. Some, however, who proved to the police that they had friends who were dead or dying were allowed to approach the silent bodies, whose ghastly distorted faces were rendered more hideous by the bright moonlight, and single out their friends. The sight of the bodies was horrible beyond description. The faces of many were a purplish-black, and while from some mouths and noses the red blood was slowly oozing, others were unmarked by any sign of injury. Some faces were convulsed into a haunting distortion, and rough men turned shudder ingly away from the wide eyes which were staring in the fixity of death. Short, quick gasps in some indicated that life, though fast ebbing away, still retained a hold of the mashed body, while in others only the practised car of the physician could detect the faint .sound of breathing. A panic is no new affair for the Chinese theatres of this city. The Royal Chinese Theatre, or the "Itoyal Louse-Trap," as it is more generally known, had become accustomed to panics. The impecunious Chinaman, who would stand at the door and solicit the people coming out for checks, or, as they were called, "check-grubbers," proved a great annoyance to the policeman. They were accustomed to scale the walls of a China shop adjoining the theatre, and, reaching the roof, were enabled to look in to the theatre through the side windows. At such times, when a favorable oppor tunity offered itself, a "check-grubber" would yell iv through the window the .startling cry of " fire !" which would be takeu up and repeated at the other windows with more terrifying emphasis. The terror stricken audience, not delaying to look around and determine the truth or falsity of the cry, would rush for the door over the'benches and iv the greatest confusioa. The men who had rushed out in the begin ning of the excitement would return, aiid among them would be the " check-grab bers" who had caused all the excitement to secure free seats.

LONDON TELEGRAMS.

There lias been some panic on the Stock Exchange in some foreign bonds, principally in Russian, which have been largely oltered at a decline of 2A to sd.

Servia is willing to accept the status quo, ; provided the Turks give guarantees for pro per government in Bosnia. An Indian newspaper; the " Pioneer," sums up the prospects as to famine in Bom bay as follows : " There is famine in Sltela pore, extreme dearth at Poonah, and great scarcity in six other districts. All these districts will yield only a portion of their ordinary revenue. It "is hoped that the distress may be relieved at sixth of the cost of Bengal famine." The man-of-war Nelson, of seven thousand tons displacement, six thousand horse power, and twenty guns, has been launched at Glasgow. Ten thousand Spanish pilgrims visited the Pope. The Pilgrimage was accompanied by Carlist demonstrations. The Spanish Government issued a circular forbidding Protestant worship outside the churches, and insisting that all Protestant schools must be under Spanish schoolmasters. A Liberal organ has been suppressed for publishing an article written by Siguor Castellar. The Liberals are now greatly oppressed by the Government and the arro gance of priests. A Republican conspiracy has been dis covered, and several arrests made. " Standard's" Paris special reports duel fought on Swiss territory between Yicomte Baruel dcs Roches and Paul Gerard. Latter was pierced by his antagonist's sword, and his life is in danger. The Affair is the result of a political quarrel. Advices from Cape Coast Castle to Octo ber sth announce that Dahomians are threat' ening Grand Popo. They have taken two adjacent villages, killing "all mcn,and carry ing off' eighty women and children. The London " Times " reviews New Zea land's financial condition favourably, bit does not speak so well of other Colonies. It concludes : " They are trying a hazardous experiment, and we trust that they are not too rashly discounting the value of repro ductive works which the next generation may still find charged on the Colonial Exchequer." • A lock-out of 80,000 persons was threat* ened by the Lancashire cotton spinners, owing to the refusal of the Association to be bound by existing regulations for con trolling wages. Negociatious averted a lock-out. „ The hon. W. Fox wrote to the " Times defending provincialism in part, but agree ing with the advisability of abolition.

AMERICAN NEWS.

The Presidential Election causes great excite ment, and the result is likely to be very close. The Alta of Bth November calculates tkc pro bable votes of Tilclcn 194, of Hayes 175. JW£ American journals express cod ficlenco in a SH'^ The elections have gone oft" quietly eycrjgß,'™ except in South Carolina. The New \orKTJfl r'* buue " of Bth Nov. says : " News thus far receiver makes the result Democratic by 18 majority, put returns are so incomplete that later information may increase this or give it to Republicans oy a small majority. Senator Mor-rill estimates the total expenditure of the United States Government since 1778 as fifteen billion dollars, of which eleven billion 3 have been spent the last sixteen years. ~ „, The English ship Rydal Hail from Cardiff went on shore wi'Ji the Iqss of nine hands near. Spauishtown.

THE EVENING STAR, MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1876.



The public have a right to know where they can invest money to the best advan tage and we confidently say at the City Kali' Arcade. They do not profess to sell "under cost price," but we observe their moderate prices in every department secure this establishment a lar»c and steady cash business The Show Rooms, 166 tect long, contain the greatest variety of Carpets in New Zealand. Tapestry, from 2/11 to 4/6 ; Brussels, from 5/3 ; also useful and hand some Furniture to suit all kinds of rooms and all closes of people. This department is under the superintendence ot Mr. K. Cranwell, whose long experience and ability is a guarantee of. Jfrst-class work. Country people especially ah'ould patronise Holloway and C.i-.lfck, as they cm buy from them all they require in Clothiijig ,ijUf4 Furnishing. Extensive stock of Drapery,>ft<jl Millinery Goo<lb, besides* Men's and Boys' Cjl^li^g. Pay a visit to ike City Hall Furn^tjue AiwIe—HOLUQWAY ATSO GUjUiIOK,' pity.



mHORNTON, SMITH AND FIRTH'S JL PRICES CURRENT (Wholesale) :— Sacks. lOOlbs. oOlbs. £ s. d. & s. d. & s. d. Crown Brand Flour, per ton ----- 17 0 0 17 10 0 18 0 0 T. S. F. Canterbury Flour, ditto - - - 16 0 0 16 10 0 17 0 0 Seconds ditto ditto - 13 0 0 Sharps, ditto - - - 810 0 Bran, ditto - - - - 7 0 0 Fowl Wheat, per bushel, ss. to ss. 6d. The above prices include sacks and bags. Sacks and bags not returnable. Terms—Cash. Auckland, Bth November, 1876. 0 ~ T j C E IN addition to their NEW SEASON'S STOCK of SPRING AND SUMMER DRAPERY GOODS, the undersigned are now offering a number of SPECIAL LINES, at GREATLY REDUCED PRTCES :— Strong White Calico, at 3/10 per doz. Grey Calico, /3b per yard Crewdson's Best White Calicos, an overstock, offering Cheap, to reduce Splendid v alue in Winceys, from /4 per yard Superior 30 in. wide ditto, /!>i yard, worth 1/2 Good Blue Dungaree, /8 per yard 36 in. Derry, brown and grey, /9J, best quality New Japanese Silk, 1/ and 1/6 per yard Plain Blue Cloth, 60 in. wide, 4,6 per yard, half price Blue Diagonal Cloth, double width, 5/per yard half-price Melton Cloth, double width, 3/6 per yard Waterproof Tweed, double width, 3,6 per yard Strong Tweed for Boys' Clothing, 1/11 yard Whito Blankets, 13/ per pair Blue Blankets, 13/ Grey Blankets, 9/6 „ White Turkish Towels, /ll Job lot Children's Brown and Grey Cotton Socks, from /3 per pair. Other Goods equally Cheap. Inspection" Invited. RUSH BROOK & BRIDGMAN, (Late R. Hobbs), JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite Army and Navy Hotel), Upper Queen-street, Auckland. PUNKA WALLAH, daily at Charles Burton's Restaurant, Queon-strcot, from twelve to three mid-day, from flvo to seven in the evening. ~ITfURNITUBE! FURNITURE! Ladies and Gentlemen about to Furnish are respect fully requested to inspect the Large Stack of DRA WING ROOM, DINING • ROOM BEDROOM, AND GENERAL HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, In our New and Spacious Showrooms. t. & jel'cookjb, 67, QUSEN-STREET Adjoining Bank of New Zealand.]



Hlwdreds of disreputable speculators have sought to palm off upon the public fiery and adulterated drams for a benign cordial, to which the weak, the nervous, the dyspeptic, the sleep less, the despondent, owe more than to any other restorative of a century most prolific in reme dies. But these vile imitations can never deceive those who have once used the Great Original, Unoi.T'iio Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Hcil- XAi'i'S. which in at once a donor and preserva tive of health.



Mark Twaix on Bad Musicians. — The musical pnblic and general readers are cautioned not to purchase Westoji's Wizard Oil and Magic Pills without carefully examining the outside wrapper—and be sure that tho words " None Genuine without the Signature of the Proprietor, FRANK Westox, Sydney, N.5.W.," are engraven thereon. Any other so-called preparations of mine, are unauthorized by me, and calculated to mislead the public—Signed, Frank Weston. Sole Agents: Kempthorne, Prosser and Co.— Price, Half-a-crown. ■