SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WAFER — /This Afternoon, 613 BITV „„„ " I To-morbow Morning, 630 <rv, S^L 81S1S- a? ta E™inS. 6.1. SUN KISBS .ao-morro»r Morning, 5.38 MGiWS AGE-Full Moon, 3rd, 10 35 pin

A RRIV ALS.

S!,*^' Ja"?» ss- from Coromandel fv^w?i If1, 83- Sanies, from Napier ■Crale Wlschie, brig, from Timaru Anrrle, ss Btephenson. from Waugarei ■wcean. schooner, Kawlings. from Mercury Bay Tlncent, cnttpr, from Tauranpa •reai-I. ketch. McKenzie, from the Islands Opjrle.n Jsie, schooner, from Russell

DEPARTURES.

SV)r-Bydney—Llewellyn, hs. "Tuesday StoiHokianßs-Cabarfei.-Sh, barque, early For Albertlacd-Tra-.sit, schooner, at once For Coromawfei-^rgyle, ss, every Monday v T>°n DT Re' jbin'% Dnnlop, barque, early For Portland,, Oregon—Loch Fergus, barque, early Z OT "^J^ds—Helena, brigantine, early For Melbourne-Sam Mendel, ship, eaily For Gis»jorne—Pretty Jane, SB, Tuesday FOT tb'o Bouth—Wellington, ss, Tuesday

IMPORTS.

Per Craig Ellachie from Timaru; 2759 sacks oats, j '30 tons potatoes.—B. Tonks & Co. Per Pearl from the Islands:— 15 tons pearl sfreW, 49 casks lime-juice, 2000 cocoanuts, 2o,ooooKacie;es,—Owen and Graham, agents.

ARRIVAL OF THE PEARL.

The ketch Pearl arrived in harbour this morn- Ing at 5 o clocd, after a "successful trip of nearly three months. Captain Simon McKenzie reports having left Auel^.ane on tho 7th July. Had a moderate veat> ier passage cf 27 days to Penryhu Island. Traded round the islands, and left Aitutaki fpjj. Auckland on the 13th wit. Had fair •weather' until makino- tho Barrier on Sunday mornlr^. Had fresh southerly and S.W. winds theifje to arrival.

The ss Llewfllvn is advertised to leave for Sydney 'to-morrow, Tuesday. Captain Cooper retains corn mar d.

The ss Argyle which so 11 "nipped" by the tide in the Wangarei JUver on her last trip, arrived in harbour yesterday, having floated off •without any damage. The brig Craig Etlnchie arrived from Timaru yes terday afternoon with a cargo of produce. Captain ■Meredith reports having left Timatu on the 19th ult, «xperteTiced very roueh weather on the 21st and 220 d. Ma'« the Ttaat Cane on Monday las*, and had light &evl winris and c»lms thence, till arrival. The ss Rowena arrived on Saturday afternoon with "her mainmast broken fhort off. It seems the shrouds carried away when the vessel was about 20 miles from Tauranga, and the mast went by the board. The Wreck was secured, and no further damage was sus tained through the accident.

The quarterly shipping returns of the port of Auck land were made up on Saturday. The vessels "en tered" were 4D in number, of 23,192 total tonnage, and taring 865 hands. Tho number " cleared." s was 53, with a tonnage of 25,677, and S7O hands.

The s.s. Pretty Jane is to leave for Gisborne to-mor tow at noon.

The Hero is advertised as likely to arrive In Auck land *■ grin about the 27th inst. A notice to consignees of the brig Nile, appears elsewhere.

The 3 s Wellington is to l»ava Onehunga for Southern ports to-morrow morning at & o'clock brig is coming in as we go to press. She is probably the Vision, from the Islands.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND

Mails will close as under: — Por Thames this day at 530 pm and to-morrow at 10 am For Coromandel per Argyle, on Friday next at 280 pm For Bussell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per lona, on this day, at 4 pm I'or Whltiancl, Tairua, Tauranga, and Opotikl, per Rowena this day at 4 pm For Taranaki, Southern provinces, and Australian Colonies, per Wellington, to-morrow at 630 am For Waiwera, Kawau, and Matakana, per Anne MHbiinb to-morrow at 10 am For Otisborno and Napier per Pretty Jane, to-morrow at 11 am For Tairua per Atalanta to-morrow at 11 am For Russell per Asrnes Donald, to-morrow at 3 pm Bor Australian Colonies per Llewellyn, to-morrow at 3 pm For money orders, registored letters, and news- at 2 pn»s Late letters for Sydney and Melbourne only will be received-till S 20 pm Por Tryphena per Three Brothers, to-morrow at 4 pm For Gisboroe, Napier, and Southern provinces, per f Australia, four hours after arrival from Kandavu. For Chatham'lslands per Omaha, on Saturday next Bigned) 3. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

CAKDNO-On the 27th instant, at Seafield View, the

wife of w. W. Cardno of a daughter. NEUMKGTSN" —On October 2, at her resicfeVtco, Queon-

Ptroet, Mrs L 11. Neamcgeii, of a'Bon. HaELEY— On the Ist October, tno wife of Mr John Harley, Lorne-streot, tt'a, daughter.

DEATH.

PEACHY—On the Ist October, at tho residence of hia parents, John Berti«. infant son of .Tanres 6ns Elizabeth Peachy, aged 3.J- nionthg.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENCE.

Sunday-school Exhtthtiow.-—A letter from " Umpire" in reply to Mr Matthew's is held over.

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

MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1876

F» the oißt that lacks assSjuntS, For the wrong that Ketda rtststkoca. Foe the future !'". th« distance, kni th<i tfood that ye cm <io

Matters political are dull and unprofitable. Otago is looked to by all parts of the colony as the quarter from whence will come the

first exciting news, but as yet Mr Macandrew considers that public feeling is not quite ripe, or that the time is unseasonable for a decisive stroke. A telegram announces that the Provincial Executive has considered the question of convening the Provincial Coun cil, without coming to any determination. Popular feeling in favour of the step is, however, being fomented in the country at public meetings, and if the Superintendent determines upon the retention of his position in defiance of abolition, he will come down to his Council with a bundle of reso lutions from all parts of the province, urging him, in the public interest, to pursue that course. Without first acquiring certain knowledge'of the ground, the measure like all other bold ventures is surrounded with perils. The enthusiasm and determina tion of Mr Macandrew may not, perhaps, be developed in a majority of the members of Council; and unless the Superintendent had previously ascertained that he could rely upon carrying a resolution favourable to the proposed plebiscitum, it is problematical whether the convocation of the Council would not mean the preparation of a rod for his own back The Southland members for certain would go prepared to thwait by every possible means the provincialiat proposals, and the Council might prove anything but a happy family. We have no doubt the Otago Executive is at present engaged in quietly sounding members of the provincial legis. lature, and if the proclamation convening the Council is issued, we may infer pretty conclusively that the meeting means mischief to Centralism.

When the National Bank of New Zealand was proposed, some mercantile men expressed the opinion that the colony was not ripe for a second local banking institution. Others, more far-seeing, or with greater faith in the resources of the country, were confident of a prosperous future for the young institution, and, with ourselves, were disposed to regard the employment of £350,000—the paid up capital—in fostering trade and promoting industry, as an important advance towards commercial greatness, The results of the bank's operations during those years when success might have been doubtful are now before us, and more than justify the most sanguine anticipations enter tained by ohe gentlemen who were instrumen tal in bringing the Company into existence. The report presented at the fourth ordinary meeting held iD London on the lObh of August, shews that the gross profit from the Company's business, after deducting interest on deposits and bad and doubtful debts, was £73,204; balance from the previous year, £6865. The expenses of mana agement and all other charges, absorbed £49,902; rebate on bills discounted and not due on 31st March, £7,748 ; and after de claring a dividend of £21,000, being at the rate of six per cent per annum, the Com pany carried forward £1,418.. These results from the early operations of'a large monetary corporation, are eminently satisfactory ; and the difficulties surrounding the es tablishment ot a business capable of profitably employing so large a capital being now overcome, the future opened up is one that should encourage the shareholders, and holds out k promise of still better rewards for their enterprise.

Those who go down to the sea in ships and do business in the great waters, have a new danger to face. In the scarcity of heavy cargo, English ships are now frequently bal lasted with coal. The Sam Mendel on her last arrival here brought five hundred tons, and the same dead weight appears to be employed by vessels trading to the South. The ship Thomasini McLellan, arrived at Port Chalmers on Saturday, and reports that the vessel narrowly escaped destruction by fire through the heating of the coals in her lower hold. But for the care exercised in ascertaining .the state of her cargo, and the prudence displayed in bearing up to Rio Janiero when the heated state of the coal was discovered,;another would undoubtedly have been added to the many terrible disaa

ters by fire at sea. When the Goals were discharged at ttio Janiero, they were found much charred. That they had not actually ignited, was a mercy for which the forty three passengers and the crew should thank Providence, for no human power could have prevented the complete destruction of the vessel and her cargo, had the insipient combustion broken out into flame. The rapid increase of temperature disclosed by the tests with the sounding-rod must have been noted by those on board with the keenest anxiety. Anticipating momentarily, the bursting forth of a fierce conflagration, the captain, we learn by telegram, throw overboard eight hundred kegs of powder, which formed part of the cargo, trusting, no doubt, to the chance of keeping the isre under until the vessel was brought into port, or at any rate securing those oh board from sudden disaster, before the boats could be launched. Fortunately the vessel arrived at Rio Janeiro in safety, and there got rid. of the dangerous burthen. The frequentdiesasters through spontaneous combustion in coal should lead to ail enquiry into the condition? usadei1 which heat is gene rated in that mineral, and the pre cautions necerjsAry to guard against it. The increase of steam traffic upon long sea voyages, will always render passenger ships large coal carriers, and a careful scientific inquiry into the dangers of coal cargoes is tho more imperative. The Pacific Mail Company very recently lost one of their finnst steamers from the same cause as that which threatened the Thomasini McLellan, and a few months before two largo tto!Ubi"S arrived almost simul taneously its Aiiierican ports, with fire raging fiercely in their holds.

At the club dinner given him in} Wellington, Sir Julius VogeJ, in responding to the toast of his health said "if he successful in life it would give him great pleasure to return and tike up his abode amongst his old friends." This declaration exhibits an amount of condescension which even those who are most intimately acquainted with the great man's liberality cotild hardly have hoped for. It wotild be really im posing upon godd nature to ask Sir Julius to ihake any more immense sacri fices dn our behalf, and we trust he will not put himself to any further inconvenience on account of the people of New Zealand. Sir Julius' kindness is of that overpowering nature that the colony really cannot be&r it. Out of the abundalce of our gratitude we have already half ruined ourselves in return for his condescension, and any further be stowal of like favors would finish us outright. If Sir Julius has any real intentions of returning to this country at any future time —when the colony has recuperated finan cially, and is able to bear nome further marks of his intense regard for us—wo trust he will postpone it, till,say, Doomsday. Sir Julius would kill us with kindness.

Yesterday being fine and pleasant a great number of citizens availed themselves of the opportunity of a trip to the North Shore for the purposes of a fresh blow from the water, invigorating the spirits and getting rid of the impurities of the week. The gardens, where cultivated, were full of spring beauty, vegetables and flowers, but in the majority of instances the gardens were entirely neglected. On returning to the wharf the ears of the multitude were greeted by the voices of a group of persons on the wharf singing Moody and Sankey's hymns, which had a pleasing influence on the mind.

The New Zealand Presbyterian Church News for the present month sustains its use ful and well-established character as a repre sentative magazine. The articles and notices are framed with care, and judiciously written and selected. -Among the contents of the Netos we would call attention to Dr. Hodge's Dealings with Inquirers," calculated to win thoughtful attention to the subjects of his disquisition, also to a discourse on the "Love of God," by a minister of the local church (Alpha). There is also a well-written memoir of Commodore Goodenough, which gi^es a well condensed account of an heroic and excellent life, interspersed with several incidents bearing upon his general character. Several well selected extracts appear from Mr Gladstone's sketch of the late Dr. Norman McLeod, editor of Good Words. The words of one great man on anothor, are always welcome, especially from one of whom Macaulay prophesied so much, the truth of which time has proved in the subsequent career of the modern statesman. Tho selec tions relate the great preacher and writer, as a man, Bocial and homely, as a preacher, and in relation to theology. The whole comprises a miniature view of a noteworthy man, who was desirous of benefiting his age. The ex tract readings on the proper use of time, and other matters of importance, are worthy of the reader's spare moments. General news, reports of the Synod of Otago and Southland, Memorial Stones of Presbyterianism, and sundry reports of the churches, make up an excellent and very readable number of thia religious serial. Mr Macandrew appears to have the settlers of the out-districts of Otago with him. At Balclutha on Saturday, a resolution was passed in favor of convening the Provincial Council, and of obtaining a plcbiscilum of tho people.

A Wellington telegram states that the Hawea took one hundred diggers from the Empire City for the Kumera rush on Satur day. The diggers referred to are probably railway navvies thrown out of employment by the completion of railway works. If it should turn out that they are some of the Civil Servants, the first victims of Mr Richardson's somewhat tardy retrenchment in the Public Works Depart ment, of which we heard so much lately, the taxpayers, at all events, will not regret it.

A football match was played at the Choral Hall ground on Saturday afternoon, between two scratch teams captained by Mr T. Hen derson junr. and Mr Croxton. Sibbin and Woon each obtained a touchdown for Hender son's side but Croxton's side failed to score. This match concluded the football season of 1876, which has been distingushed for its watery character as well as for the improve ment which has been generally manifested in the Auckland play.

A correspondent of the Timaru Herald state 3 that Julius Vogel was refused the entree at Bellamy's, so soon as he had resigned his seat in the House of Representatives.

The Cathedral of St Patrick, Wyndham street, was crowded last evening, it being the opening service of the week of devotional exercises in connection with the Jubilee. The very Rev. H. J. Fynes V. G. delivered the discourse on the Solemn occasion. The service concluded with the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. At morning service the Rev. Father Walter Macdonald explained to the congragation the conditions of the Jubilee, and stated that there would be mass every morning and evening during the week, and that several of the clergy from the conntry districts had promised to assist.

A Southland hotelkeeper has commenced an action to recover £2000 damages for libel. The action will involve the matter of the legality of publishing bills of sale and so forth in trade protection circulars.

The new postal cards will, we believe, be issued to the public about the Ist November.

A spirit|of fair play requires that the fol lowing letter should receive attention :—Sir, '—I notice in your issue of last night a letter from Mr Dawson anent the Fire Brigade. He is mistaken in one particular, namely, the time which elapsed before the Brigade put in an appearance. I took particular notice of the time when the first toll sounded from the Grey-street bell, and I can confidently state that nine minutes only elapsed from the com mencement of the ringing until the hydrant was fixed and the water turned on. lam not in any way interested in this matter, and had I not taken " particular" notice of the time I should not have troubled you.—Tours truly, Frahcis J. Shobtt.

tTpwarda of two tons of kawhai and floun ders were brought to land one night last week by Picton fishermen, and next day they were sold in Blenheim at the unusually low price of 40 for a shilling. A raid is just now being carried on by the Christchurch police, and several informations have already been laid, against some well known tradesmen in the city, charging them with selling mustard and coffee adulterated with other mixtures. A. natural curiosity is to be seen at Ellers lie Garden?, in the shape of a brood of young emus, which were hatched about a week ago. They are the most quaint litt'e objects ever seen, 't'bey are a cut between overgrown ducks and spring chiokens magnified by a powerful glass. The mother was two months hatching the eggs, and appears mighty proud of her offspring, who are just as attached to her. It is quite a happy family. The Streets Committee hag sanctioned an express-stand for lower Queen-street, where half a do&eh expresses will be allowed, the balance in fort-street. Lovers of sausages and chops should mark the reduction on Mr Dornwell's list to four pence a pound. A correspondent sends the following connundrums, perpetrated, it is said, by his son and heir while sitting in the theatre : (1) 'Why is Sir .Tulins Vogel like a man with a bald head }' ' Because he can never turn Grey. ('2) ' Why is n gentleman with a bald head like Heaven V 'Because it is a bright and shining spot where parting no more can be.' We have been rpqnested to state that the plans for the Wellington Waterworks TCxtesion are now received, and on view at the office of the City Surveyor, Canada buildings Queen-street. The complimentary ball to tbe Captain and officers of the Nytnpho. will commenco this evening (it eight o'clock in the Choral Hall, and is likely to bo a (treat success It is expected th&t upwards of one hundted , counle will *c present. N The quarterly meeting of tlio Hope of Auckland Tent of llechabites Will be held tM* v evoninfr at half pist foven in the tent-room, Albert-street. The annual meeting of th« Total Ab*tinenc» Society will also he held this evening when the annual report and btlanre shf et will he submitted to the members. The members of thn " «»tsr of Freedom Lodge " will *l?o meet this evening in the Cook-street Christian Meet ing FTotife ; and tho quarterly meeting of the T«mpla» Be""!lt Society will be held to-morrow (Tuesday) even- UK- The refrulnr monthlc communtcatisn of the Lo^ge Ant will be he'd this evening at tho usual hour in the Lodge room. Masonic flail. The ordina»y monthly me.et.infr of tho Auckland Instuto will be held this evening in the Mu-enm buildings, when three distinct papers will bn read, the first by Dr Wai i?, on " Survival* in Marriage." the second by It ';. Hsvrstow. Esq., "Stray thoughts on Mahori migration h," and tho third by Mr B. Hay, on " liiine aa a fertilizer."

THAMES GAS COMPANY.

An extraordinary meeting of shareholders of the Thames Gas Company was held at the company's office, Shortland-street, at noon to-day, Mr C. J. Stone in the chair.

The following report was read by the chairman : In compliance with the resolution passed at the annual meeting held on the 28th Aueust last, the Secretary has prepared ihe following statistics. The consump tion of g»s sinco formation of Company is of follow* : from 22nd February 1873 to 10th July 1873, 1,034 000 feet; from l'Jth July 1(^73 to lG'ta July 1874, 4 158.C00 feet; from Kith July 1871 to Kith July 1875 4,:ffi0,800 feet, from 10th July 1875 to 17th July 1270, 3.950,H'0 feet The annual consumption of ga3 required to pay a dividend equal to 10 per cent on capital of company is fonr million feet, when under this consumption the amount divisible is proportionately less The in formation gathered by the Hocretary whi>n at the Thames last month is that the majority of the con eumers will be satisfied if the price is reduced to IBs pfr 1000 for cash, this being a reduction of 2s 6d per 1000 on present price. The cost per annum fjr roils and shale to produce four million feet is about £800, and should the price ba reduced to 15s, there would require to bo an increased consumption of ono million feet per annum to pay tho utmal dividend. The letter signed by the 12 consumers requests a rnductlon. and Hhould their request not bo entertainndth ir consump tion would naturally affect the Company's business, many of th»m beinn amongst our largest connumnrs. (Tho 123 persons had signed a memorial statins? " We :he undersigned c nsnmers of gas in the Thames Goldfields hereby agree to discontinue the consump tion of gas after ono month from this date, unle'B the Thames Gas Company agree to make a reduction in th"c present exhorbitant rates, ''ay to 123 6d per 1000 feet, August 18th."

The Chairman said tho Directors had never regarded it is a Board question, but desired to remit it to the Shareholders. He was personally in favor of a reduction as likely to conserve the interests of the shareholders.

Mr Earl, as one of the largest shareholders, was averse to the proposed reduction. It would involve a loss of -GGOO a ye*r, without any proportionate in creaso in the business, If the threat wor-t carried out, the Company might do better by moving the plant elsewhere.

Mr Boardman moved a resolution to the effect thai the pdeo of gas bo reduced to 15a per thousand, i paid within tho days of discount,

Mr Keals seconded. Mr Earl suggested that tho reduction should be for six months only.

Mr * tkins read a roport shewing that a reduction of one shilling meant a redaction of £200 a year in tho Company's profits.

Mr iSoaidmau's motion was agreed to,

PARLIAMENTARY

O [From our Special Correspondent]

THE HONORARIUM EMBROGLIO.

WELLINGTON.

This day.

Mesars Pyke, Manders, J. C. Brown, Barff, are very greatly elated at having had a slap at Mr Wakefield. The fact is Wakefiold has, during the session,rendered himself obnoxious to a few thin-skinned members of the House by his supercilious contempt for the Govern ment and their clacqutrs. A few old members who have never occupied other than a posi tion of mediocrity, stood aghast at the temerity of a " new member " standing up and lecturing the House. There can be no gainsaying the fact that Wakefield is the moat polished master of invective in the House, and were it not for a certain snobbish ness of manner, he would be popular amongst an influential class. He has brains, and this is exactly why those who have little or none hate him so cordially. Had the article been written by anyone but a member of the House it would have escaped notice, and if Wake field had not allowed his intemperate love of invective to implicate gentlemen of influence in the House like Sir George Grey and others, who are known to be far above the suspicion of coveting the honorarium, Wakefield might have attacked the others with impunity, because everyone knows it would have been deserved. The inforior victims of attack seized upon the opportunity, and made the most of it. The Argus has gone in for an increase of honorarium, but the editor hopes to get into Parliament someday, though he has made one or two unsuccessful attempts. Wakefield is a young man, so there is some hope for him. He certainly looked intensely miserable when eating the leek, which he did in a very thin House at two o'clock in the morning. DR. POLLEN'S BEREAVEMENT. Poor Dan Pollen is suffering from an attack of the mullygrubs, owing to the loss of his dear friend. Vogel. The Dr. has not been in his place among the Lords for some days. In the Lower House, Messrs Whitaker and Bowen still stick to their posts, though the long hours and incessant worry are beginning to tell upon them. Mr. Tonks has been medically advised to retire from active duty for the present, and left by the Hawea on Saturday. Other members have suffered more or less from the effects of the late sit tings. THE NATIVE LANDS BILL. The Native Lands Bill drafted and intro duced by the native members cannot possibly pass this session, but it is stated that Mr. Whitaker will draft one during the recess, to be introduced next session. CRICKET.—MEMBERS V. PUBLIC. A match was played on Saturday after noon, between eleven members and an equal number of the public. Wellington won by one run and seven wickets to fall. Mr Rees was the second top scorer, with 17. He took ten wickets out of thirteen, and had he been equally backed by his colleagues, would have defeated the Wellingtonians.

ENGLISH CABLEGRAMS.

The Turkish Atrocities. The English Cricketers. [PKESR AGENCY.] Londok, September 19. A meeting was held at Guildhall yesterday, to protest against the alleged atrocities by the Turkish forces in Bulgaria. The Lord Mayor presided. A large number of Bussian volunteers, chiefly soldiers, are joining the Servian army. General Schernotif has proclaimed Prince Milan King of Servia. The Sultan, on receiving the Austrian Ambassador, Count Fichy, expressed a desire to close war. so a« to bring about reforms. The English cricketers, who are proceed ing to Australia, played eighteen men at Chichester before leaving, and beat them easily. Trickett has left London for Sydney via America, but will not row there. Wheat is unchanged. Arrived : The Itakaia.

AUSTRALIAN CABLEGRAMS.

[PRESS AGENCr.]

NEW GUINEA EXPEDITION,

SYDNEY, September 30fch,

Palberti'a expedition to Now Cruinea has returned, having ascended 350 miles above where Scott reached last year. They were unable to land. * The natives were numerous and hostile.

POLICE COURT—This Day.

(Before E. C. Barstow, Esq., E. M.)

tht: wild barber

John Thakabury, alias the barber of paradise, was brought up on a charge of drunkenness. John bowed his head in the affirmative, and was finod lO< and costs. OIK AND JIIT'J'ERS. . Margaret Brainsbury, an old offender, was found drunk last evening for the third time within a few days, and fined 203 and costs, and live days imprisonment. Henry Thomp son for the same offence was fined lO*. also, Peter McArthur, Alfred Rover, and Horace Hazleman. HTTNGTtY TTtIEVES. George Reay and Joseph Harper were charged with stealing three loaves and two small fishes, also a fore-quarter of lamb, from the pantry of Mrs Shayle George, of the High School, on the Ist instant. Iteay pleaded guilty, but Harper said he was nor guilty. Sub-Inspector Pardy asked for a remand, as Detective Jeffrey, who caught the prisoners in the very act, was unable to appear, being at the Supreme Court. Remanded until Friday. VOOR JIMMY. James Davidson was charged under the Vagrancy Act with having no visible lawful means of a livelihood. Sub-Inspector Pardy said the prisoner had been wandering about the streets, apparently homeless. Prisoner said he did walk about the streets, simply because he had no where to lie his head. His "Worship : How do you live ? Prisoner : By the will of God and selling tracts. The prisoner appeared to bo a religious enthusiast, although a powerful man, and able to work. Prisoner was put back for a time. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. Abraham Charles Earie, was again brought up on a charge of attempting to commit suicide by drinking a quantity of oxalic acid, on the 26 th September. Sub-Inspector Pardy conducted. The pris wan undefended. Emily Moorhead, barmaid deposed that the prisoner came into the Greyhound, half-past ten on the night of the 25th ult; ho went to the upper bar, and called for a glass of porter; she served him with fit. He also, called for a glass of water, and a glass of brandy, but made'no remark about them. She observed him take a packet of white paper out of his waistcoat pocket, and turned the contents into the glass ; she could not swear that he stirred it, he drank it off immediately, and then swallowed the glass •of brandy ; he threw the paper on the floor. She picked up the paper, and saw printed thereon, "oxalic acid, poison." She said to him, " you have poisoned yourself." She sent for Mr Corcoran, and gave him the paper. Prisoner made some remark, when fiho spoke to him, bat she did not know what it was. She looked at the glass, and saw something at the bottom, like Epsom salts. She had seen the prisoner several times before in the up-stairs bar ; he had been drinking hard for seven or eight days. Whenever he was under the influence of drink he would say he would poison himself ; he said so in the afternoon of that day. She took but little notice, as he always laughed it off when sober. Ho was intoxicated when she gave him the glass of water, and was very excitable in his manner. Prisoner: Miss Moorhead'a statement is quite correct. Dr Phil son examined the prisoner since he had been in custody, and considered that he was perfectly sane. Michael Corcoran, proprietor of the Grey hound Hotel, Auckland, deposed that he was called by Miss Moorhead on the night of the 25th, to look at a glass ; he gave the prisoner into the custody of Constable Jones, as he was told that prisoner had taken poison. He asked the prisoner why he took the poison ; he replied that he was tired of his Graves Aicken, chemist and druggist, of Queen-street, deposed that prisoner called at his shop between eight and nine o'clock on the evening of the 25td ult. He asked for six-pennyworth of oxalic acid (nearly an ounce), for cleaning brass-work, for which it is often used. He labelled it, as previously stated. That quantity would have had a fatal effect. To his Worship : The prisoner appeared quite sober, and was cheerful, and not in a mood to lead anyone to think that he con templated suicide. Herbert Jones, constable, deposed to taking prisoner into custody. He said he had taken poison, and he was sorry he had not succeeded. Dr Dawson, of Wellesley-atreet, deposed to being called, early on the morning of the 26 bh, to visit the prisoner, who, he was in formed, had taken poison. He found him asleep. When he awoke he appeared lost and wandering. He did not shew the usual symptoms of having taken the poison. The crystals in the glass were undißsolved, so that he must have drank it off too rapidly. He saw him again at ten o'clock, and found him right. His act probably was the result of temporary excitement, caused by drink. This being the oase, the depositions were read over to the prisoner, who said he was surprised at the evidence against him, and he was truly sorry for his foolish act, he was not weary of his life, nor did he wish to die.

The prisoner was then committed for trial.

The court then adjourned tmtfl two o'clock.

SUNDAY LIQUOR TRAFIO. William Pye, was charged with a breach of the Licensing Act by selling liquor to an uncommercial traveller, oa Suhday the 24th instant.

In this Mr Tyler asked for an adjournment, which was granted until to-morrow. IN CHANCERY LANE.^ Henry Nolan was charged with breaking the window of a house in Chancery Lane, the residence of James Ingham, on Sunday. UNLAWFULLY RESCUING CA.TTLE. Samuel Fincb, of the Wb.au, was charged by Peter McTavish, of Western Springs,s with having unlawfully rescued five head of cattle which had been impounded by complainant. The case was proceeding when our reporter left. Mr McTavish having given his evidence, Mr Tyler addressed the Bench for the defence. His Worship said it was quite certain that no legal offence had been committed and he should dismiss the case. Costs to the amount of £4 3a were allowed. .

SUPREME COURT.

OPENING OF THE CRIMINAL

SESSIONS.

Before His Honor Mr Justice Gillies and the Grand Jury). Che quarterly sessions of the Circuit Court or the disposal of criminal cases, was >pened this morning at the Supreme Court jy His Honor Mr Justice Gillies. His Honor took his seat at 11 o'clock, when the conrt was unusually full of jurors, vifcnesses, and the general public. Major Green was present ia his capacity is Deputy Sheriff, Mr Inspector Broham as jhief officer of police, Mr B. O'Brien as governor of Mount Elen, and Mr Brookfield as Crown Prosecutor. The first business was the swearing of the Grand Jury, which consisted of the Eollowing gentlemen :—G. W. Binney, Thos. Morrin, James Baber, Thomas Cheeseman, J. W. Fielden, Jno. Gordon, Jno. Lawford, W J Hurst, Edward Isaacs, Stannus Jones, Samuel Harding, G. P. Pierce, W. C. C. McMillan, Lawrence Nathan, J. Pounds, Richard Cameron, John Cosgrave, W. M. Taylor, Jno. Wallace, P. H. Troup, James Walmsley, Jno. RoDerton. Mr Jno. Roberton was elected foreman. Mr Jno. Gordon complained that he had been summoned to attend the Court at ten o'clock, and though he was present at that time by incurring great inconvenience he was not wanted till eleven. His Honor said the Deputy Sheriff had made an unintentional error which he hoped would not be repeated. Silence having been proclaimed under pain of imprisonment, his Honor proceeded to deliver the customary. CHARGE TO THE GRAND JURY. His Honor began the charge by congratu lating the Grand Jury on the lightness of the Calendar. There were seventeen persons accused of seventeen crime 3, although in some cases, two charges were against the same person, and in others, two persons were charged with the same offence. The crimes with one exception, were not of a very serious character, the majority being ordinary lar cenies. The list comprised four charges of offences against the person ; 12 of offences against property, and one of uttering base coin. His Honor next called attention to the large number of charges against natives, namely five out of seventeen. He took this not a3 indicating any increase of crime among the native popula tion, but as indicating an increased desire on their part to appeal to the English law instead offeettling their grievances among themselves. If this was so they must hail it as a good sign. There was one serious case of rape on a married women. The evidence was so clear in this case that there was no necessity for any direction of the Court to be given upon it. There wa3 one case of concealment of birth. His Honor pointed out with respect to this that the gravamen of the offence consisted not in actually concealing the birth. But in socretly disposing of the body of the child for the purpose of concealing its birth. No question could arise as to whether the child was born alive or not as it was immaterial to the charge whether death took place at before or after the death; and he might inform them that the offence might not only be committed by the mother but an; other person who assisted at the concealment. There was one charge against a Maori of attempting to rescue a prisoner from custody. Tt would not be for them to take into consid eration the question of whether the accused knew he was violating the law. The charge of stabbing was very clear, and did not require comment. He was glad to observe that only one charge of forgery figured on the Calendar, which w:i3 a marked contrast to previous Calendars. Most of the burglary cases were simple, but there were two or three to which attention might be more particularly called. As regards a charge of horse-stealing they must bear in mind that if the accused thought he had any claim to the horse no conviction could lie. There was reason for doubt on this point. In the case of sheep-stealing it was only necessary to remind them that the intent to steal consti tuted the offence. There was a case of obtain ing goods under false pretences, which requir ed very careful consideration. (His Honor here detailed the circumstances connected with the charge against John Craghan). On this they must satisfy themselves that there was the intent to defraud on the part of the accused, and also that the person who sup plied the goods did so not on his previous ex perience of similar orders, bat on the repre sentations made by the accused on this occasion. His Honor remarked upon the impropriety of employers giving orders for wages which was Bimply an attempt to evade the Stamp Act. The only other case worthy of special mention was the case of the master of a cutter who was accused of embezzling money entrusted to him for special purpose. On this he thought it would be as well for them to return a true bill, and leave the matter to be decided by the common jury. The Grand Jury were then dismissed to their room. TRUE BILSS. During the morning True Bills were found against the following persons .-—Sandhurst Mirfield Hall, forgery ; John Coffey, larceny from schooner; Alice Hoskins, passing counterfeit coin ; John Strongman and Charles Blake, burglary (two charges) ; Wil liam Henry Briley, rape ; Ti Tore Manuka, breaking and entering ; Thomas Windover, larceny as a bailli# ; Fanny Dynes, conceal ment of birth, NO BILL. No Bill was returned in the case of John Crogan, accused of obtaining money under false pretences. FORGERY. Sandhurst Thirfield Hall, a respectable looking man, was indioted upon a charge of having on the sth July, 1876, forged and uttered a certain promissory note to defraud. Prisoner pleaded guilty. His Honor remarked upon the form of the indictment, which contained no descriptions of the promissory note nor of the person whom it was intended to defraud. Mr Brookfield said the ineictment was in the shape required by the act. His Honor said he was not at all satisfied as to this. He should reserve the point for the decesion of the Court of Appeal. His Honor in passing sentence alluded to to the serious nature of the offence, and said he regretted that the srperior education which it was evident the prisoner had received had not been used for a better purpose. The question of the sufficiency ofc the indict ment would be reserved for the Court of Appeal but in the meanwhile it was his duty to pass sentence which would be a severe one, namely, that prisoner be kept to hard labour in the gaol of Mount Eden for a period of three years for each offence the sentences to run concurrently. A repetition of the offence on the 19th August was also charged against the pris oner.

**** EARLY CRIME. John Coffey, a chubby-faced boy o! 14, pleaded guilty to two charges of stealing articles of clothing and jewellery, from on board the schooner Fortune, on the Bth and 10th August last. Mr Brookfield said he had been requested by the prosecutor to ask for a lenient sen tence on account of prisoner's youth, and its being his first offence. The lad's father was called to come for ward, and in answer to questions bj his Honor, said prisoner was the eldest of five children, he had been working for him at home, and on board a coasting craft. His Honor in passing sentence said he was sorry to see a young lad beginning life so ' badly. He should inflict only a light sentence, and he trusted that the prisoner would endeavour on coming out of prison to regain the character which he had so early lost. The sentence of the Court was that prisoner be imprisoned, kept to hard labour for nine calendar months. INDECENT ASSAULT.—SENTENCED TO A WHIPPING. William Henry Brierley, awed 32, pleaded guilty to the charge of committing an in decent assault on the Ist July, upon Ellen Sinclair, a married woman, of Drury. His Honor commented on the serious nature of the crime, and sentenced the pris oner to ten years penal servitude, and on the 11th inst and 23r<? December, tobe whipped by an instrument called the cat, receiving twenty five lashes on each occasion. UTTBRINO COUNTKFFBIT COT*. Alice Hoskins waa arraigned up in an indictment, charging her. that she did. on tho 15f.1i August, at tempt to uttnr a base coin. reH»mbHnor a sovereign." with intent to defraud A.ndre\v E. Glover, landlord of the Black Bull Hotel The indictment was brought up in four din"-rent shapes Prisoner, an old woman of dissipated appearance, plead«d not guilty. Mr Brooftfl.rld havintr opened th« ca«e. Albert Edward aiovfi' was called, and de posed that on the day in question, the prisoner cimn to thn Blaik Bull and culled for a nobbier of schnapps, in payment for wtmh she ten dered the coin produced, which wii a yellow token, abaut the size of a sovereign, with the Queen's Head on ono side ami the words "Kero yoar temper" on the other. Sh* put it on tho counter and asked for change. He detected that it was not a sovereign, when prisoner said it wns given to her. The rest of this witness' evidence was the same as has appeared in our Police Conrt report. TJriah Glover, tha father of last witness who wag present at the time of the occurrence, corroborated his son's testimony, and added that wh»n the pris oner was at the polics station she denied having any more of the coins in her possession, On bsing searched, several were found. Constable Moore. Detective Jeffr°y, Mr C. I>sner (a gold worker) having given evidence, the .Tu-lge briefly summed up, and the jury, without retiring, ound a verdict of guiit*'. fSSPriPoner was sentenced tosixmonth's mprisonment with hard labour. COVCEALMUTJT OF BIRTH. Fanny D»nes, aged 22, was charged with the con cealment of the birth of a female child on the 10th Jiih Mr Hesketh said prisoner had pleaded gnilty by his advice, and he would state to the '>our v- that, according to the medical testimony of Dr Goldfbro'thnre was no doubt but that the child was not born alive, and hfi hoped, under the circumstances, that his honor would pass a lieht sentence upon the prisoner. The prisoner was very mucn affected, and scarcely able to stand. His Honor expressed his sorrow atthe young woman's position and reeretted that he was compelled to oommithft'to prison, while he who brought her into the trouble should altogether escvpe punishment. The sentence upon her would be three month's Im prisonment. BTJRGL IKY, John Strongman, and Charles Blake, ware arraing ned upon an indictment, charging them ?»ith burglar ouslv entering the dwellirg-houseof ■William Hamlin on the 30th June, and stealing therefrom sundry moneys. The prisoners severally pleaded not guilty. Thomas Stone, William Hamlin, landlord of Wyn yard Arms, Mrs Cunningham Henr/ Riordan, and W. Parker, were called as witnesses, and the case was proceeding as we went to press.

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

A MEETING of the Central Board of Educa tion was held this afternoon to oonsider the dispute with the City East School Com mittee.

The following letter, addressed by the Secretary of the Board to the Rev C. M. Nelson, Chairman of the Committee, was read : —

Dfiar Sir, —The Secretary of your late Committee, Mr Talbot. has sent to the Board an extraordinary letter purporting to be signed by him on behalf of the Committee I send herewith a copy of th« Stab, ot last evening, in which tho letter was published. lam informed it was sent to tke STA.R iv the Committee's name before the Board met. and was thus published without the comments I had a light to make being published with it. I cinnot belive that this le'ter is what it pretends to be—a formal expression of the deliberate opinion of the Committio. Nevertheless, as it stand"!, I am to all seeming publicly and "fficially denouncei as guilty of "gross neglect and violation of duty." I do not see how lon allow tnis tr s) on rpcord without enquiry, and the Board have allowed me to convene a special meeting to consider the matter on Monday next at 2 pm. I then intend, as the simp lest and most direct course, laying this letter before them, and shOl fuel obliged if you—as Chairman of the late Committee cases—could mike it convenient to attend; or. if not. by your favourine me with a reply, which I cm also lav bafore the Board at the same meeting. In the absence of any formal state ment of the grounds on which the denunciation'is made. I can only gather from previous correspondence that the alleged " gross neglect" was in not an swering a letter from tho Committee, daW July 26, Now, in the first place, the letter Itself w*s unimDor tant. If not, I should be glad if you would state wherein the importance lay. In the second place t I did answer it on the following day, and showed you in this oftic« on Friday last both the reply and Mr Talbot's acknowledgment of itsrecaipt, TheComrnitte have also asked in one of the'r recent litter 'who was to blame* for their letters of July 2S and 31 being read at a public meeting at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, before they had b9en.subiiitt9d to the Board. They characterised this as yery strange and most irregular. If your secretary°s letter really represents their opinion, I infer that they have tiken it on themselves, without authority or investigation, to decide that there was blame, and to adjudge that blame to me. I infer also that in this lies the violation of duty of which the secretary of the Board is de nounced at having beon guilty. I reply that I know no thing of the letter that may have been read at the meeting, but that 1 do not believe a copy of your letter of 31st July could have been one of them. I cannot trace its having in any way been marie public otherwise than in the ordinary course of business, and this must have been some time after the meeting referred to. With reference to the latter of 28th July, I sent a copy at once to Mr Wnr thington as I also shewed you on Friday lait on ths occasion to which I have before alluded. I consider that Mr Worthington had « clear right to this cooy, and that the Committee have not the slightest ground of complaint. The letter wag not in the least desrree confidential. It did not in the least degree affect opinion on any matter then before the Board. It was simply a reply to a letter I h*d sent on the previous day at Mr Worthlngton's urgent request. He had been suddenly suspended. There was great risk of the school being abruptly closed a second time, and he was anxious that a special meeting of the Board should be convened to consider his casa. I wrote accordingly to the committee, ask ing if they considered the m»tter sufficiently urgent to warrant mv complying with Mr "Worthington's request, and calling their attention to other points, that Mr Worthington had raised. The Committee replied that teey*dld not wish thn suspension to take imme diate effect, nor consider the case of sufficient urgency to require a special meeting of the Board. As a matter of course I sent a copy of their letter to Mr Worthington as soon as was received, I presume this to be " the violation of duty referred to in such strong terms in your late secretary's letter. I c»n not discover any other, and shall be glad to hear if I am mistaken—Yours faithfully, F. J. Moss.

The Rev. C. M. Nelson replied, regretting that, in consequence of a funeral, he would be unable to attend the meeting, but stating that he could not have been of any service as the resolution passed by the committee was adopted two days after he had resigned with the full determination to have done with the affairs of the district, which had occupied too much of his time lately. He thought the school committee's minute-book should supply all the information required. Both letters having been read, the Board, after consideration, passed several resolutions, of which the following is the substance :—1» That the accusation or not answering* tba letter of the 26th July was not founded in fact; that the letcer was duly answered, and another undated letter received on the 27th July was referred to the investigation com mittee appointed on the 10th August ia con nection with the same school and dealt with by it. 2. That the Secretary was warranted ano^ fully justified in sending a copy of the letter^ of the 28th July to Mr Worthington, and acted within his discretionary power. 3. That the City East Committee had no right to pronounce judgment of censure on the Secretary of the Board, this power rest ing with the Board alone, and the Board does not consider that he had been guilty of any deduction of duty. §

SVISITO ffIAK, MONfiAUT, OCTOBEB 2, im.



JJ" 0 T I C R A. LTNABURY & CO. HAVH REMOVED TO THEIR NEW PREMISES, 204 ana 208, QUEEN-STREET, Late In Ihe occupation of Mr. Wm. Wilson. GRAND DISPLAY 07 NEW GOODS! OFEOIAIT pHEAP T INBS. AT 130 AND 132, QUEEN-STREET. HEAVY iLANKETS,I2s 6a per pair GOOD "WHITE SHEETING from la 3d a yrd A Special Line in LONGCLOTH, s#d pc STOUT .DRESSES from 9d per yard SUPERIOR BLiCK VELVETEEN, 2s 9d yard STOUT WINCJBYS, s#a per yard. s. & j. rT^aile, 130 AND 132, QUEEN-STREET. , TpURNITUBE! FVENITXTBB! Ladies and Gentlemen about to Furnish are respect fully requested to inspect the Large Stock of DRAWING-ROOM, DINING-ZOOM, BEDROOM, AND GENERAL SOUSEROLD FURNITURE, In our New and Spacions Showrooms. T. % m COO XE, 67, QUEENSTREET, [Adjoining Bank of New Zealand.'] T> RICES TO MEET THE TIMES. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Are determined to sustain the character of the JUNCTION J)R APERY ■y^'AREHOUSE. For Supplying the Public with GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY!!! THE NEW SPRING GOODS NOW OOMINO TO HAND, HAVE BEEN OABEFULLY SELECTED AND WELL BOUGHT and are being marked off at J3" Prices to Mbbt the Times. "^Bb 'CASH PURCHASERS o? DRAPERY AND CLOTHING Are invited to inspeot our Stook, whioh is well assorted in every Department, and Includes a, number of Special and Job Links, bought in an over- Btooked Market at a OonsidbbabliK Reduction, and offered at correspondingly Low Pbioes ! 11 T&~ Remember the address :— RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, (Late R. Hobbs), JUNCTION DR\PERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite Army and "Navy Hotel), I v* >*i , UPPKU i QVBBN-STBBXT, ■. • • i ■ AUCKLAND.



The Medical Profession have declared BTBANK S StTPKRLATIVK AROMATIC TONIC WINB to be a necessity to all in search of health, and especially to those suffering either from Incipient or Chronic Indigestion, t>vapensia, and the disorders arising therefrom. This Tonic is also particularly recom mended to all who are in a measure compelled from ohe nature of their occupation to take stimulants, and at the same time are, desirous of stu3ying health by taking that which will act moat beneficially on the system. Mr Yftn. Johnson, Government Analytical I Chemist, reports :—" I have examined Steane's Super ■ la'tiVe Aromatic T-nic Wine and find it to be I Yetaarkably pleasant in flavour, containing about 16 cent, of a very pure alcohol, and holding in solution a clear, whelesome, Vegetable Bitter, com bined with a fruity spicy aroma. I consider this Bitter a very superior article."—Sold by all Store keepers nnd Hotelkeeners Relief from Conerh In Ten Minutes.— SH»RL4ND'R OHEP.BY PECTOfUL relieves the Breathing and gives refreshing Sleep. This is a cer tain and speedy remedy for all Disorders of the O^est and Lungß: in Asthma. Consumption, Bronchitis, Consrhs Influenza, Spirting Of Blood, Hooping Cough, Hoarseness. y jDHH nf Voice, &c. kc. 2s. fid, a fiottle. —APOTHECARIES HALL, opposite the Poßt-office. Hemus & TiigSf, opposite Me Arthur, Shera and Co.'s. -frill sell, the Balance of their Winter Di-apery and Millinery for Two Weeks, at Cost, in o*"o?er to make room for Spring and Summer Goods to arrive soon. Marfe Twain on Bad Musicians.—The j tefasioal public and general reaflws are cautioned not to purchase Weston's Wizard Oil and Magic Pills, without carefnlly examining the outside wTappsr— and be snre that the words "None Genuine without the Signature of the Proprietor, Fhank Wkston, Sydney. N.S.W.,"are engraven thereon. Any other BO called preparations of mine, fire mumtliorteccl by me, and calculated to mielead tire public.—Signed, Frank Wkston. 8p1» Agents : Kempthorne. Prosser and Co. Price. Half-a-crown.



A Pretty Faithful Index of the state of the stomach and liver is the condition of tho skin. The most prominct causes of pallowness are indi gestion and billfonpness. Kidney diseasps, close con finpmont, anil poverty of the blond also tend to rob the cheek of the ruddy clow of heilth. To regMh lost colotiv, and, -what is much more iiftuortant, to remove the causes of discoloration and wanoness of visage, chpek Irrelartties, fertilize the blood with UDOLPHO WOLI'H'a SCHSKDAM AROMATIC SCHNAPPS.