SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

SUN RISK.— To-morrow .'v£o:-nnit?. 7.0 MOON'S AGE.—New M«on. 9tlx. I 5(5 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

LUioderick Dhu, brigautiue, from Oamaru, Lionel, s.s., from Hokianga, (in the Manuk&u), Tlowena, s.s., Sellars, from Tauranga.

DEPARTURES.

"Wave of Life, schooner, Sopurth, for "arotonga Belle Brandon, schooner, Ohlson, for Sunday Island

IA special charge is made for consignees' Dames in this columa. Two lines, Is: if booked 2s 6a. 3

IMPORTS.

Per bigantine Rhodcrick Dhu, from Oamaru

300 sacks flour, 110 sacks oats. 80 sacks sharps, 100 sacks oatmeal. 514 sacks pollard, 314 sacks potatoes, 1050 sacks bran.

EXPORTS.

Per schooner Wave ot Life, for RarGtouga: 1 case perfumed spirits, 5 cases and 3 bales cottons, 3 cases apparel, 22 mats sugar, 1 case drapery, 3 oases preserved fish, 1 case hats, i cases biscuits. 3 casics beef, 12 sacks potatoes, 20.')05) feet timber.—Owen and Graham. ,Sg[ Ji;r Taupo for the South :— I trunk, i valise 1 bor. — Owen & Graham. I case gla^ware.—Henderson & Macfarlane. 15 eases oranges.—T. H. Hall & Co. 1 bales leather, 3 case do.—lreland Bros.

Kr .Jay's ten ton yacht was yesterday placed or> board the barque Lomhardian for eonvey atiee to Newcastle.

Tiie brig' Albion, lately condemned at Nelson, is now bem.s used as a coal-hulk in Wellington.

We learn that Captain -Andrews, late of the s.s. Ladybird, will takechargo of the s.s. Tairoa. v/hich is to run the mail between Sydney and New Caledonia.

I\lr D. H. McKenzie has received word that the barciue Stag arrived at Newcastle after a fine passage of 8 days.

P.y the Taupo, v.'hose arrival from tha South we noticed yesterday, the following passengers are reported: Mesdaines Scotland, Secoombe, and 3 children, Misses Govett and Motion, Dr Knight, Messsrs Rose, George, Owens. Hawes, Holmes, Hammerton, Glendiniiing. Yv^esf, Mooch, Bewden, aud Craig, and 4 in the steer age.—Henderson and Maefarlane, agents. The schooner Lsetitia cleared at Lyttelton for this port in ballast on the 29th ulto. The brigiintine Rliodorick Dhu arrived late last night from Ormaru. after a good rim of 7J days. She left on the 26th and had favourable winds till arriving in sight of the Port, of Auck land, when light contrary winds delayed her arrival. Part of her cargo is for Sydney.

The win-ling tip of the coursing meeting is arranged to come off on Thursday next. A great deal of the interest taken in the result of the match has been destroyed by the withdrawal of Mr Greenwood's Belle. As the stake stands now, the dogs left in are Mr Abbott's Flying Cloud, Mr Edgar's Auckland Tom, Mr Percival'3 Lord Nelson, and Mr Buokland's Little Nell. Lord Nelson is the favorite.

The 8.9. Taupo cleared out to-day for New Plymouth and the South, and will sail io-morrow leaving the Onehunga wharf in the afiernoon.

The brig Syren cleared for Kaipara to-day with 1000 rest timber, which will be taken on to Sydney, for which port the vessel will take her departure fro m Kaipara.

The cut the cutter

:er Thistle has cleared for Russell and Coralie forTairua, both, in ballast.

XJjTvlaaters of vessels are warned by the Collector of Customs that the Shearer Rock buoy has broken from its moorings. The schooner Wave of Life sailed last evening for Rarotonga, aud the schooner Belle Brandon for Sunday Islaud.

The detached portions of the new steamer for the North Shore Ferry Co. have been landed from the ship Yosemite. and are now in Messrs Kir-col's ship-yard, where the work of construc tion will be proceeded with at once.

'me s.s. Wanaka. iv consequence of detention at Napier, '"fill not arrive here until Monday morning. She is to leave for the Bay of Islands at 5 p.m. that day, leave the Bay on Tuesday afternoon, arrive here Wednesday morning, and sail tor Tauranga and the South the same day.

COMMERCIAL.

Mr K. Arthur i?eld his weekl, sale yesterday ■with the following results: —Canterbury nota toes. £3 5s to £3 10s per ton. small lots is per cwt ; Auckland potatoes, 3s 2d to 3s 9a per cwt; pumpkins. Is to Is lid per cwt: carrots, 2s 5d ; onions, lid to 2d per lb: fresh butter, 6d to 8d per lb ; salt butter, 4d to 9d per lb ; cheese id to Cd per lb ; bacon, 3d to 9d per lb ; flour, £10 to £18 per ten; biscuits, Sd to 6Jd per ;b : cocoa, Is 3d per lb; apples, 3J-d to 2d per lb ; salmon, 8s per doz ; lollies, 10] d; sago, 3' f d : carraways, 9fd; ground pepper, white, 11 fd: arrowroot. 5-d.: cream tatar, Is Cd : prenger. Is Dei: iruisca t»L 9^d ; fowls, Is 9d to 2s 3d: young fowls, Is Id tolsSd; turkeys, 2s 7d to Is 6d; duck 3, 2s to 2s 7d; g-pr-se, 3s lid; Muscovy ducks. 2s 7d. Household furniture and effects at good prices ; there was a good attendance. PHMessrs M. Jones and Co. report as follows :— Poultry—fowls. Is 8d to 2s 9d each ; Braniah fowls, 4s Li each ; turkeys, 3s 9d to is I'd each ; ducks, 2s Odeach ; geese, <Js 3d each. Produce potatoes. 3s and 3s 3d: carrots, 3s : butter, 7d and 7-Jd ; cood bacon. B'd ; hams, 9Jd : inferior bacon, od to 6d ; hams, 6d ; oats, 3s 9fl; maize, 4s 3d : bran, ~)S Cd: chaff", 2s. Groceries, furni ture, clothing, boots, and shoes, etc.. brought better prices," but no large quantity sold.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Undek :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m. and on Monday next at 10 a.m. For Coromandel, per Argyle, on I\To:nc!ay. at 11.30 a.m. For Tarariaki, sv.d Southern Provinces, and Australian Colonies, per Taupo, this day, at 5 p.m. For Whitianga, Tauranga, and Opctiki, per Tiowena, on Ivlonday next, at 4 p.m. For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per lona, on Monday next, at i p.m._ For Wangarei Head 3, Waipu. Vv anjrarei, and Mangapai, per Argyle, oh Tuesday text, at 1 p.m. For Tauranga, Gisborne. Napier, and Southern Provinces, per Wanaka, on Wecnesday next, at 3 p.m. For Australian Colonies, per Australia, im mediately after r.sr arrival from Honolulu. s. B. BlrfS. Chief Posnnaster.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION.

Bank of New Zealand—Sellers, £22 IDs. National Bank—Buyers, ?os. South British Insurance—Buyers. Sis. SB^ational Insurance—Buyers, 32s 6d. New Zealand Insurance—Buyers. ]00s. Union Sash and Door—(old) £10s s^. Do.—(new) £5 53. ;' Red Queen—Buyers, 2s 3d. HBO.p.'!e<lonia.n (double)— Buyers, 85s: sellers, 953. Moanatairi—£3 53, £S 103; sellers, £8 ss; buyers, £3 10s. Cure— 9s 3d. 'Waitekauri—los Cd : buyers, 9.? -3d toilers. 10s. Alburnia—s3s Cd ; buyers, 5756 d : sellers, 50s. Welcome—Buyers, is 9d: sellers, 5s 3d. Koranui Hill—Buyers, 18s ; sellers, 20s. Thames—los. JOSEPH NEWMAN. Chairman. .

BIRTHS.

MARTIN.—On the 2nd August, at Russell. Bay

of Islands, the wife or J. iT. Martin or a sun. UTTIXG.—On the 3rd instant, at Ponsouby, the wife of W. F. Utting of a daughter.

DEATH.

HALL.—On the -ith instant, at the Provincial Hospital, Auckland, of cancer, ivlrs. Sarah Hall, aged 30 years. The iuneral will leave the Hospital at 1.30 p.m. to-morrow (Sunday). Friends are invited to attend.

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1. 1877.

■For the cause that !acfc>; assist.ince, For the wrong that needs icsiitinca. For the future in the distance, And the £ood that we caA do*

Tin: Ase>jt-Genei"al s telegram to-day gives an aspect of great importance to the Turkish victory at Plevna, the first news of which was conveyed by the Star special cable message. Osman Pasha, the new Turkish Commander-in-chief, is doing his utmost to effect a junction of his victorious forces with the division from Montenegro under Meheinet Ali, for the purpw.se of striking a decisive blow on the enemy's rear near Timova, thus cutting off the communications of the troops which have forced their way south of the Balkans. As we before pointed out. their position, with an undefeated although perhaps not well-organised army in the rear, is one of great peril. Unless strong enough to hold their ground they have lot themselves into a Strap. Security depends entirely upon the sufficiency of the Russian forces in Bulgaria ; and the possession of several fortresses by the Turks, on the North side of the Balkans, renders it necessary that the numerical strength of the invaders should be proportion ately greater. Defeat in the impend ing battle near Timova., would be a much more serious disaster to the Russians than to the Turks. The latter might fall back, and rally on the fortresses of the Quadrilateral, but the severing of the Russian army in twain would destroy all hope of bringing the campaign to _ a successful issue this year. Suliman Bey lias gained a victory over the Russianivan at Esky-Sagkra, on the road from the Kosanlik pass to Fhillippopolis and Adrianople. The fate of the isolated army corps, assailed by an active an.'y in front and rear, could not be otherwise than a disastrous one. It would be remarkable if the campaigns in Europe and Asia failed from "" the same cause— an undar-estiraate of the Turkish strength and vitality. Yon Moltkc's prediction that Russia waa not likely to reap much honour from her enterprise seems on the eve cf realiza- { tion. The next telegram.-*, may, however, completely alter the appearance and I prospects of the campaigu. '

■ New Zealand will shortly receive an emigrant of a not very hopeful description. At the Middlesex Sessions mi Msiv 23rd. Philip Bridges, aged 21, r,ud described as a medical student, was charged with having stolen 10 Lombard bonds, the property of his father. He was found guilty, but sentence was deferred till the next sessions to afford the father an opportunity of mnk iug the necessary preparations for sending his son to New Zealand. Apart from the objectionableness of making the colony a kind of moral dust-hole, ■where rubbish may be shot, such conduct is likely to bring disrepute upon emigration, when the latter is put forward as a fitting alternative of penal servitude.

The Napier " Herald" remarks in its leading article: —"Mr Ormond's influence, if not his popularity, we think, has suffered some detriment. In Hawke's Bay it can hardly be said that liis'infiuonce is what it once was." This opinion, expressed by his own organ, has caused much speculation.

It has been agreed by the Board of Education to send copies of Mr Macrae's report on the Auckland Grammar School to the Auckland memoers and members of the university senate, as soon as procured, in order that the facts produced by him (Mr Macrae) might influence them against any legislation for the special benefit of the colleges of Canterbury and Otago.

At the Board of Education yesterday, Mr Joseph May introduced a motion, " That no remuneration should be paid to the chairman during his absence," Mr Prime seconded. Col. Haultain opposed it, as Mr Lusk had to perform much heav ier "work than they anticipated, and lie thought the chairman was entitled to his annual salary of £200. without any deduc tion, especially as Dr Campbell had agreed to perform the duties of chairman in order that no reduction of salary might be made. On putting it to the Board, the motion was lost.

An advertisment appears in this evening's issue from the Town Clerk, intimating that the City surveyor is prepared to employ competent pick and shovel men, who may apply at his oltice.

Herr Schott's musical matinees are to commence next Saturday, and promise to be a success. The revised programme of the first is published in our columns to-day, and it will be seen that Miss James will give Thalbcrg's famous fantasia on "The Last Rose of Summer," while Miss Edger is down for "The Guardian Angel," a beautiful song by Gounod, to which she is sure to do justice. The number of sub scribers is not yet full, and tickets for the series may be had on application at the published tariff. Residents in the country not able to attend more than one or two of the concerts can obtain single tickets through a subscriber.

Mr George Sibbin, of the Corner Mart, will sell sell by auction on the premises of Mr Pluinridgc, Ondumga, several horses, sets of harness, trap, weighing machines, garden produce, &c,, as per advertisement.

In Patea county a trap was upset and smashed through some cattle straying on to a road. The proprietor of the trap, unable to Jind the owner of the cattle, has issued a writ claiming damages from the County Council for not taking more stringent mea sures to prevent cattle straying on the roads under its jurisdiction.

A large programme of varied interest will be submitted by the Variety Troupe at the Temperance Hall this evening, under the direction of Mr fcjeeats, Mr .lames Cox in the chair. Several ladies will give songs, the Mettam Brothers will give; negro delineations, and Mr A. Smith, the premier elocutionist, will give one of his choice recitations from the bard of Avon. The whole will be of an entertaining character, concluding with the "Barber of Seville."

"•New Zealand, Graphic and Descriptive," an eight-guinea volume in elephant quarto, dedicated by special permission to the .Prince of Wales, has been issued in Eng land. It contains 25 large chromo-litlio graphs, and very many wood engravings,* and views representing scenes in the North and South Islands of New Zealand, the whole being executed from original water colour drawings by Mr C. D. Barraud, of Wellington. The descriptive letterpress, and the legends which accompany the illustrations, are from the -pen of Mr W. T. L. Travers. Such a book as this ought j to have a good effect in directing (lie atten- j tion of wealthy rovers to the beauties of j

our colony

The economy of the County system linds its latest example in the Lake County, Otago, which lias just estimated its expen diture for the year. Three items alone absorb £1,260, namely, advertising and printing, £210 ; oflice and stationery, £700 ; election expenses, assessment, &c, £3.">0 ; being a total of £1,2(50. The sums nearly equal tiie amounts paid for the same services for the whole of the province of Auckland.

According to Sir Wilfred Lawson, M.P., £140.000,001) annually spout in England upon intoxicating drink, chicily drawn from the wages of working men.

Tin; Juvenile Templars held their weekly meeting last evening in the Wellesley-stroc't Lodge room, and the following oilicers were elected for the coining session. The in stalling officer was Brother McKenzic, assisted by .Sister Knox and Brothe?* Kilpatrick : —Chief Templar, Brother A. Hay ward; Vice Templar, Sister M. Minns; CJiaplaiii, Sister Carter ; Recording Secre tary, Brother Black ; Financial Secretary, Sister Gribble; Treasurer, Brother Sprag gon: Marshal, Sister Marson ; Guard, Brother Pierce ; Sentinel, Brother Peace ; Assistant Secretary, Sister Woods ; Deputy Marshal, BrotherNormanby ; It. H.S., Sister Worms; L.H.S., Sister Hay ward.

The Resident Magistrate at Masterton lias given £5 damages against a local journal for making use of a telegram intended for another paper, and delivered by mistake to the defendants.

A meeting of the unemployed labourers of Auckland will hold a meeting this even ing in the Albert Hall, Darby-street, with the view principally of urging the Govern ment to open the second section of the Kaipara Railway. A monster demonstra tion of the unemployed of Dunedinis being held to-day.

Particulars of Sunday services at the city churohes will be found in our third page. The Sunday evening services as usual at the Theatre Royal. Petitition in favour of the clause of the Education Bill, providing for the daily reading of the Lord's Prayer, and a portion of Holy Scripture, will be placed for signature at the various churches. The collections at the English Churches Avill go towards the Home Mission.

At the annual meeting of the Omaha ratepayers, there were twenty present. Mr W. Wright in> the chair. The chair man of the District Board, Mr James Greenwood, read over the accounts, which were passed. A rate for the current year, of Od in the pound, sty rateable value, was struck. The following gentlemen were duly elected Trustees :—Messrs Wright, W. Greenwood, W. Blair, J. Whitten, and E. Gravatt. Fence-viewers : Messrs J. Birdsall, and J. Kempt. Audi tors : Messrs Charles Septimus Clarke, and S. Ford.ham. A vote of thanks was given to the late Board,.and to the chairman, which ended one of the quietest meetings ever held in this district. The new Board held a meeting afterwards, and elected Mr W. Greenwood as chairman, and Mr AY. Wright, as secretary and treasurer. —[A Correspondent.]

At the ordinary quarterly convocation of the Grand Lodge of Scotland (Masonic), held in Edinburgh on May 7th, the Hon. Mr Whitaker's appointment as Provincial Grand Master for the North Island of New Zealand was confirmed. The Edinburgh Daily Review, in recbrdingthe circumstance, called Mr Whitaker" the Hon. Lord Whitaker."

The small piece of road leading from Kybi-r Pass to Eden Terrace has for some time been in dispute In'tween the Mount Eden and Grat'ton-road Boards. The Graf ton-road Board collect rates from their side of the property, and wished the Mount Eden Board to join them in keeping it in repair, but they refused. The road beirg fathered by no one, jis in a shocking state of repair, in parts very dangerous. Last evening- the chairman of the Mount Edon Board met with a severe shock in passing over it in his buggy. The place was so bad that the cart was' tumbled over, and the animal's stomach was exposed to view under the cart. Mr Thompson might have been severly bruised, but we are glad to hear he is not much the worse. On the principle of capsizing a bishop to gain attention, the work should now be performed. We learn that numerous tills ot shop keepers have been robbed of their contents during the past week, and articles of more or less value stolen from stores. The de tectives, in consequence, have been on the alert, and last evening succeeded in

capturing two of the original gang, who were charged at the Police Court to-day with robbing the till of Mr Steward, of the Albert Hotel, of ISs. Onejjof the prisoners was discovered in the act by Mrs Stewart, while the other was patiently outside waiting, holding his companions' shoes. As several other charges are likely to be preferred against the prisoners, they were remanded for a week. On Monday evening at S o'clock the Committee of the Pitt-street Wcaleyau Mutual Society will meet, to arrange for the forthcoming entertainment fix the programme, aud arrange the genera] business for the next session. At the request of the Committee e>f All Saints' Church, the Bishop of the Diocese presided at a public meeting field last evening in the schoolroom, called owing to the unsatisfactory state of affairs in general in the parish. The churchwarden read a statement, shewing that the sums of £95 for clergyman's salary in arrear, and £45 for necessary repairs to the church, were wanted at once ; also that the present average receipts would leave an annual deficit of some £(>O. A proposal to collect the necessary amount among the parish ioners was negatived, and a motion to borrow £140, and together with the present debt of £210 form a consolidated loan of £350, to extend over a period of 10 years, was carried. It was stated at the meeting that the present difficulty arose from the fact that a bonus of £50 per annum avjjs voted to the clergyman before actually the district could afford it, and if this had not been done, instead of the present arrears there would only have been £20, the other £75 being ] h years' bonus. We trust soon to hear of a better .state of tilings in All Saints', and that theprosent difficulties are overcome.

CABLEGRAMS.

(press \r;i-:xcY)

Defeat of the Russians

Vigorous Action of the kTew Turkish Commander.

Danger to the Force South of the Balkans- The following Cablegram has, boon received from the Agent-General. LONDON, August 2. The Turks repulsed the Russians at Pelona with great slaughter. Osman Pasha the New Commander-in cliief, and Mehemet Ali are trying to effect a junction. A great battle is hourly expected near Ternova. The Russians are making great efforts, as a further defeat would destroy communica tion with Gourka, youth of the Balkans, and the force there would probably be des troyed, and the campaign concluded against Russia.

ANOTHER TURKISH VICTORY.

Prussians Defeated South of the

Balkans.

Account of the Defeat at Plena.

The "Herald's" special from Plevna

says the Russians attacked, nnd carried the

lir.st and second line.- of the Turkish posi tion, hut wore subsequently driven back by ;i deadly lire from the Turkish [nftmtry. Tin; Turks) then advanced, ami recaptured all positions, slaughtering an enormous number of Russian?. The Russian forces consisted of live divi sions of infantry, three brigades of cavalry, and sixty guns. The defeat imperils the Russian position at Tirnova, on the south side of the Bal kans. The Russians eucountcred a force under Sulieman P»ey, and Redif Pasha, at Esky Saghra, .south of the Balkans, on Tuesday, and were repulsed, losing several guns.

CONFIRMATION OF THE RUSSIAN DEFEAT AT PLEVNA.

RUSSIAN ARMY IN ASIA RE INFORCED. SINGAPORE, August 3. Desperate fighting took place for two days ;it Plevna. The Russians were completely defeated, leaving 8,000 killed and 24,000 wounded. Austria is partially mobilizing. BOMBAY, August 2. The Russian army in Asia having been reinforced, is now advancing from Ar dahan. The advanced guard has reached near Pennck. The defeat of the Russians at Plevna is admitted. The Turkish forces in Bulgaria are acting on the defensive. Their loss in the recent contests has been relatively small. SINGAPORE, July 3rd. London advice? report the corn market heavy and inactive. THE SOUTH AFRICA BILL IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. After two hours' continuous sitting, the ' Africa Bill, annexing the Transvaal Republic, passed through committee in the House of Commons.

AUSTRALIAN.

COMMERCIAL.

SYDNEY.—THIS DAY. Case brandy, 31s (id to 32s ; kerosene, dull, 2s 2d ; rice, £22 to £23 Small sales of Adelaide Hour at £18 to £19 ; Adelaide wheat, 8s to Ss 3d ; sales at former price, but holders now ask the latter. New Zealand wheat unsaleable; New Zealand oats none. Barrett's twist, Is 4d ;a? large parcel of Black Swan sold at Is Cd. Company's sugar is reduced £2 10s ; Belmont sperms unchanged. ;

Defeat of Parkes Ministry.

SYDNEY, 4th. The Parkes Government were defeated last-night. The House adjourned for Ministers to consider their position.

Our Goldfields.

OHINEMUKI.

The following pigeongram appeared in last night's Thames " Star" :—

WAITEKAimi G.M.Co.—Have just had a look through this mine to see how timbering operations are getting along, as that is the only work in progress just now, and there is no mistake about the substantial manner in Avhich it is being done, the timber being much stronger than that used at the inter mediate level when it was first secured. A different style is in favour for the low level, small sets being used instead of the chapel sets, and the manager reckons it will be good for three years at the very least; and he reckons it will be that time before the No. 4 level will be worked tip to the present low level. The battery is to be stopped altogether on Saturday for a week, to undergo a thorough ovc-rhaul. The tram way extension is being pushed ahead. Youncj New Zealand G.M. Co. —At present the low level is going through some pretty tight ground, but the indica tions are good, as it is thickly interspersed with quartz veins and plenty of loose mineral. The manager intends putting on a couple more men to sink a hole through from the surface workings, so that he will be in a position to run into the hopper all the quartz now lying around the mouth of the old drive", and which is reckoned to be all worth 1-Aozs to the ton. Men are busily engaged getting timber ready for the hopper, and the tramway will be round in the course of a fortnight if the present fine weather continues.!

Parliamentary Gossip.

(From ouj: O\v\ Coijrkspondekt.)

Wellington, July 31st. i WHAT'S THE NEWS?" " What's the news ?" is the cry wherever you go, for hitherto we unfortunate jour nalists who are on the gui vive for some pabulum for our readers have been obliged to subsist on very scanty fare. The session is, so far, stale, Hat, and unprofitable. Newspaper reporters may have been scon, i as the novelists say, at all hours of the day ! button-holing each other in the .street, and asking each other in tones sad and mourn ful, " What's the news?" or "Is there any i thing stirring ?" and you can imagine what a pass things must have come to when the ! reporters could find no one but themselves to bore with the everlasting inquiry of the old quid mines of Athens. However, whether the present calm is the precursor of the storm I cannot say. Ministers keep , their secrets to themselves, and work hard. j If there are any very loose joints in their I armour they take good care to hide them ! under the mask of seeming confidence. It lis only in their extreme friendliness of I manner, their anxiety to conciliate, their j readiness to make concessions in order to disarm hostility, and the complete absence of that autocratic self-assertion and Ca>sar istic hauteur that a close observer can | detect an appearance of insecurity. Evi i dently the policy of the Ministry is"to work hard, and to avoid giving cause of offence. How far they will succeed it is not easy to say. That they are hardworking even their 1 bitterest opponents candidly admit, but ! when we conic to consider the other | part of the programme it is a i horse of another colour entirely. i Major Atkinson, for instance, may I be ever so anxious to assume the manners ■of a courtier, but his fiery and untamed ! pugnacity, ami the bovine assimilations | of days of yore, are sure to incline :him in ! thefilirection of a fight; and then if the Hon i Donald Reid should happen to bo on the : scene it is sure to be a free light, of which jno man can forsee the end, except that it ! would probably result disastrously to the | Ministry. I know that I am acting the part of their guide,-philosopher, and friend |in picking out this weak point in their defence*, but I do it out ufa feeling of ! pure patriotism, and not with an eye to | any billet (under £600 a year). There : would be no use in attempting to predicate the future policy of the Opposition, as 1 i shall always attempt to do that by wire. : instead of waiting for other people to anticipate mo. 1 may say. generally, however, that the Opposition appears to be I riding a waiting race, and that if anyone 1 suppose:; that the Government will have it j all their own way, then that person will make one of the most confounded mistakes over committed by mortal man. !t is, indeed, I think, the calm before the storm, and f believe Ministers think so too. j believe it is the consciousness thai the Opposition is guided by a policy of caution, that it will not shew it* hand too early, and that it will have the whole Government policy laid bare before it makes the attack, which renders the Government so anxious as they are.

WAIF AND STAY ITEMS

lou. remember tlie Doctor's story aboul the Custom [louse man in the . Waitomata who was mistaken for an ofiicer .of the Navy? Well, they have founded a similar story upon it here. it is a teleprnph boy looking tor the captain of the , Sappho, and lie sees a Custom House i officer, and says " Telegram for you, sir." . Officer : Aw, no war moiml it now, me bhoy. | Take it on board. (Small boy behind, I aloud, through his hands,) "Ad valorem." I The " Doctor"' took a rise out of the aimiablo Bunny. Meeting him on the street the Doctor asked "Is there any truth in the ! report that Sir William" Fitzherbert | will resign the Spcakership to ■become loader of the Opposition?" ; Tlie amiable Bunny merely caressed his j long beard in a grand way, and replied | "Oh, 1 saw it in the newspapers, but I never believe anything [ see in them —l never did." Doctor : "Of course, I can easily understand that; you once wrote for the press yourself.'" Sonic fellow here named Phillips has been sending circulars to all the members of the House, setting forth the advantages of attending his fancy dress ball " in honor of tlie first meeting of the Assembly since the abolition of the provinces." The idea is said to have emanated from some Minister who has a share in the profits on the quiet, and who kills two birds with one stone, fills his fob (thtty always manage it so)' and pokes fun at his political opponents. Tickets were 10s 6'd (including a lady), "extra lady, 45." Billy Howe and a few others went

The Parnell Council are evidently not going to let their pretty suburban borough remain long in its normal state of quiet and inaction. At their meeting last night a resolution was passed that the work of cutting down and tilling in the Manukau lioad from the Windsor Castle Hotel to th«; culvert at the Union Sash and Door Com pany's works, be proceeded with as soon as possible, and that due notice of their intention be sent to the burgesses at once, Tiie improvement which the Council are about to undertake is identically the same as that about which such a fierce discus sion took place in the district two years ago, and which was ultimately knocked on the head on the score of its great cost liness. The Council are wisely determined to make hay while the sunshine of Govern ment subsidies lasts. Every resident m the borough must admit that the alteration will be a great benefit to the place, as making a direct and practicable approach from the city, in the place of the "present roundabout jj. lc j c road. The Harbour Board have intimated their intention to have the Beach-road com pleted in the spring, and when these two works are accomplished there can scarcely be a doubt that a large proportion of the traffic of tiie Great South lioad will be attracted in this direction. By some of the old school of conservative obstructives, this will be considered rather a drawback than an improvement, but if they have

property m the main road they will be reconciled to the disturbance of their after noon naps, by the increased value of their allotments. " Advance Paniell." has been until how an ironical motto, but if the Council go on as they have begun, they may adopt it without fear of ridicule.

PARLIAMENTARY.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER J

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] j

WELLINGTON, this day. |

THE " WAKA MAORI " CASE.— QUESTION OF WANT OF CON FIDENCE. The Speaker resumed the chair at half past ten with warlike demeanour. During tLe adjournment Ministers had been urged by supporters to regard the motion as one of non-confidence, but they prefer to set off whips at work, and the supporters of the Government were determined to inflict a blow on the scattered Opposition forces before they could combine. The Premier made a ministerial state ment calling upon Sir George Grey to state whether or not lie regarded Mr ltees's reso lution as a no-confidence motion. If he did the Government were prepared to suspend business to meet it. A brief silence followed. Mr Stout rose, and said the Government laid down an entirely new doctrine in call ing upon the Opposition to instruct the Ministry. It was always understood to be the function of the Ministry to determine whether a motion was a no-confidence motion or not. The Government had better call in the aid of a select committee. Mr Wkitakor, in a lucid, judicialjspeecli, charged Sir George Grey and Mr Wakefield with being the challengers. Mr Macandrew had understood the Attorney-General, on a former occasion, to say the " Waka Maori" case was sub judicc, therefore, it ought not to be dis cussed. Mr Sheehan said Mr Rees' resolutions were tabled without consultation with the party. The motion was not a party one. Therefore, it should not be discussei out of its ordinary course. Mr Reid bounceably invited Mr Rees to declare the motion one of no-confidence. He talked of the Attorney-General, got confused, and looked absolutely pitiable when he said, in reference to the Opposition, " we do not know who are those gentlemen, they are all around us." It is generally supposed that the Ministry apprehends danger from the cautious attitude of the Opposition. Mr Do Latour said the Government were indulging in a cock-a-doodle-doo style. They wanted a lion, but only found a lamb. Mr Gisbome after airing the House of Commons' erudition, declared no Ministry could with dignity hold their seats if such a motion were carried. Mi Thompson, amidst loud laughter from all sides of the House, returned to Mr Woolcock's little game on the incidence of taxation, and talked all round the com pass. The mention of twenty-five millions caused the lion. McLean to jump up in his seat as if he had got an electric shock. Mr Thomson, in broad Scotch, "Aye, its avcra great shame."' As Mr Thomson's long winded oration proceeds, Ministerslook angry and disappointed. Mr McLean cocks his short legs on the couch, and appears weary. Major Atkinson with his hat on his finger goes out with a Guy Fawkes sort of appear ance

Mr Ballance appears puzzled by Mr Thomson's financial illustration. When Mr Thomson telked of taking the duty of tea, Mr Fox smiled. Mr McLean gave another start. Mr Macfarlane, with spec tacles over his head, looked the picture of dignity. Sir Robert Douglas said the outcome of this would be that the Opposition would be formed. He was very glad there was something to fight about.

Mr Bastings, solemnly : " Sir I get up in all seriousness." (Great laughter.) Mr Header Wood pointed out that Mr Rees in moving his resohitions distinctly stated it was not a party question. The Hon. McLean said .someone had told the Government quite different from what the last speaker said. He appealed to the Opposition to come out and be licked. Mr Fisher said the Premier was like a political highwayman. He said " I will take your land or life." Mr Lumsden denounced the system of Treasury Bills —any six men you meet in the street could continue in oirice by unlimited borrowing. Mr Rees pointed out that Mr Reid attri buted to him words "Disgraceful to the Government." He never used them. Mr Reid apologised and excused himself as having been absent from the House. Mrßeescondenmed theiresolution without consulting the party. He never submitted them to Sir George Grey. He delivered a slashing speech hitting "all round, charging the Ministry with misrepresentation of the finances of the colony in the "London

Times." Mr J. C. Brown moved the adjourn.; meut. Mr Mcandrew : '"Divide." The debate was adjourned at 1.45 till Tuesday at half-past .seven. The reason the Ministry gave way to the adjournment was that the Opposition was determined to prevent a division. Mr Stout was intrigued behind a blue book. He was evidently prepared to speak for a week. Ministers were foiled and disgusted. The proceedings in the House of Repre sentatives last night were amusing. Mr liees' motion censuring Government for conducting the " Waka Maori" case stood first after the orders of the day. It was believed the Government had a majority, and were determined to snatch a hasty victory from the Opposition before they could unite, and so dissipate it. When the House opened there was a fair muster. All the leaders were in their places.

CATTLE BILL.

Mr Reid moved the second reading of the Cattle Bill. The speech was a mere rechouff'e of the contents of the bill. Mr Stout laughingly pointed out that the bill repealed laws which never had any existence, having been dis allowed by the Governor, while it left unrepealed an -iAct in existence. The Colonial Government must feel the difficul ties of abolition where they were reduced to such straits as hashing up a Bill from an Otago Ordinance. Mr Seymour said the Bill would utterly ruin some parts of the colony. It was a mere paste and scissors affair. The second reading was passed on the voices, and the Bill remitted to a select committee.

SLAUGHTERHOUSE BILL. Mr Reid moved the second reading of th c Slaughterhouse Bill, and its remission to a select committee. Mr Swansou opposed Bill. It did not meet the -wants of Auckland. Mr Rowe considered the measure would unduly interfere with the enlargement of private slaughterhouses. The motion was agreed to. Mr Bowen moved that the second read ing of the Education Bill be resumed. Mr Bastings moved an amendment for the postponement of second reading for one week, till the country could judge of the Bill. Mr Macandrew, amidst roars of laughter, asked whether Ministers intended to°refcr the Bill to a select committee. Sir George Grey and Mr jßeader Wood supported the amendment. Mr Bowen said the Government would not divide the House on the amendment, but be satisfied if the House wished its postponement. Mr Rees chaffed Mr Bowen on his mag nanimity. He referred to Mr Wason as an overgrown school-boy who wanted to be big brother to the Ministry. Mr Wakefield said the Ministry were virtually under a want of confidence motion which, if carried, would return the Ministry to the limbo of the departed. (Laughter.)' The amendment was declared carried on the voices. Ministers exchange rueful glances. Sir George Grey said someone called for

a division, and jauntily invited the Ministry to try the strength of the House i There was no response. i The Ministry, thirsting to avenge the defeat, postponed the second readings of i Constabulary and Charitable Institutions i Bills. I On motion for committee on the estimate | Sir George Grey invited the Ministry to ! discuss Mr Rees' resolution. Mr Rees fol i lowed in the same strain, amidst laughter. : Mr Woolcock, a Government supporter and political uncommercial traveller, rose 1 with the aid of voluminous notes, and talked of taxation, the rights of labour, and every thing under the sun until ten o'clock, when the speaker left the chair for an hour. Opposition under Sir William I Fitakerbert i Importance is generally attached to the fact that a strong party is being formed , with the view of following Sir William ! Fitzherbert. He has not yet been con suited. It is believed, from information gathered through Mr Bunny, that if a clear majority were formed in Opposition, Sir William Fitzherbert will : resign his political quiet of the Speakership i and come to the rescue of a bleeding coun try. Sir George Grey is prepared to assume a secondary position if Fitz comes out. The Auckland party will take care that the ascendancy of Sir William Fitzherbert does not mean out of the frying-pan into the fire.

THE BOROUGH CONFERENCE. I There is danger in your Mayor not beiii" represented at the Borough Conference, ft is a little Parliament of its own. Very im portant; matters will be discussed. M r Passmore, who is acting as a delegate in the meantime, is doing his, best and working hard, but ' unless Auckland sends some person from the Council, Auckland is likely to suffer. Why is she backward in coming forward ? MR. WILSON AND JUDGE ROGAN. The following is the petition of Mr Wil son, late Land Purchase Commissioner for Poverty Bay, presented yesterday :—" That at the request of the Government, your petitioner relinquished, in exchange, a remunerative engagement with them for permanent employ. That your petitioner, having no personal end to gain, but much to lose, as the event has proved, did per sistently uphold, as Land Purchase Officer, the just rights of the public to its land on the' East Coast, against certain specu lators who seriously encroached upon the said lands ; also, against the administration of certain officers and functionaries, by whom the law was worked in a manner to facilitate and pro tect the said speculators, so encroaching as to hinder your petitioner in the discharge of his manifest duty to the public. That your petitioner deemed it his duty, very reluctantly, to report the proceedings and transactions of the said officers and func tionaries to the Government. That your petitioner was, moreover, very reluctantly compelled to inform the Government of certain illegal and partial proceedings and transactions performed by the Native Land Court judicially, whereby certain of the said speculators were profited, and the public lost to the value of many thousands of pounds. Your petitioner submits that if he erred- at a'l in making this com munication, he erred in not reporting several of the most unfavouiable features in the conduct of the Court, whereby the public interest, your petitioner's labour in connec tion therewith, and the natives' sense of business morality, were seriously and in juriously affected That your petitioner iurther deemed it his duty to report to the Government the public action of a judge of the Native Lands Court,of certain false and mischievious advertisements by which said judge, unmindful of the essential nature and quality of his function, did prejudice many hundreds of thousands of acres against the public and against your peti tioner before the titles to the said lands had been tried in his Court, and before their claims had been even called in his Court, and your petitioner represented that the said judge had unfitted himself by the gratuitous publication of that advertisement to adjudicate upon any of the numerous claims mentioned in it. That, for uphold ing the rights of the public against the above mentioned speculators, and for siaking the aforesaid reports and communica tions to the Government in the interests of the public, and, as your petitioner verily believes and humbly submits, in perform ance of his duty, your petitioner unhappily incurred the displeasure of the Government. That your petitioner was thereupon unjustly deprived of his position without cause, by the Hon. J. D Ormond, on behalf of the Native Minister, Dr. Pollen, to his very great injury pecuniarily, and exposing his reputation to injury by abrupt dismissal. That such dismissal was wrongful, and a breach of the engagement made between the Government and your petitioner. That the alleged ground or your petitioner's dis missal was upon the report of a certain Royal Commission. That your petitioner lias never seen the said report, nor had an opportunity in respect of the same to vindi cate himself in any way. That the Com mission and its constitution was not inde pendent of Government, and proved itself most partial and unfair in its mode of con ducting the inquiry." The petition con cluded by a prayer for enquiry.

Collision at Sea

THE TARANAKI HUNS DOWN A

VESSEL.

WRECK OF THE^KETCH QUIVEE.

The ketch Quiver, was run down by the Taranaki, oil' Pigeon Bay, last evening. The crew, consisting of the master and one man, were saved. They got aboard the steamer, and w.-re landed at the pilot station. There was hardly any wind, and the Aveather waa not thick at the time. The ketch went down five minutes after she "was struck.

MOUNT WELLINGTON HIGHWAY MEETING.

The annual meeting of the ratepayers of the Mount Wellington Highway District was held at the Ellerslie Hotel, Ellerslie, on the 31st ult., at 2.30 p.m. Upwards of 40 ratepayers were present. Mr R. N. Ryburn was voted to the chair, at whose request the secretary of the late Board read thn financial statement and report of the proceedings of the Board during the past year, which were adopted. The statement of accounts was as follows :—Receipts: rates collected, £161 Ss id: amount received from Government, £195 7s Id; miscellaneous, £6013s 6d; total. £120 Ss lid. Expenditure: roads, forming, metalline:, and channelling, £27S I8s8d; bridges and culverts, 17s lOd : salaries and rent, £25 12s 2d; printing and advertising. £11 to! valuation, £8; miscellaneous, £16 13s 4d; total, £341 6s. The chairman of the !ate Board read and explained the Rating Act, IS76\ shewing that the ratepayers were deprived of their privilege of fixing the amount of rate to be levied upon their property ; that the gentleman they would elect as their trustees for the en suing year having tke power to fix the rate, it behoved the ratepayers to place those in power who are possessed of considerable property in the district. This would secure them against too high a rate, which at the most could not exceed Is in the pound on the rateable value. The old board, with the exception of 31r Thomas Cawkwell, who was leaving the district, were re-elected f«r the present year. The new Board therefore consists of Messrs J> M. Hamlin, J. Stewart. Wm. J. Taylor, B. Ireland, a»d Mr .las. who was elected in the place of Air Cawkwell. Messrs R. N. KF; burn and Donald McPherson were appointed, auditors, and Messrs George Glow and Archi bald Stewart as fence viewers. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman— sub sequently, and immediately after the annual meeting, a meeting of the new Board was held, when Barton Ireland, Esq., was elected chair man, secretary, and treasurer. The other officers of the Board were left for future appoint ment.

Mr R. Little, late foreman to Mr Charles Marks, has started in business for himself on the opposite side of Queen-street, ancl has opened a well stocked shop three doors from McArthur and Co.'s -warehouse. Every description of men's, women's, and children's boots and shoes will be kept on hand, and care and attention will be em ployed in suiting customers of every des' cription. Mr Little will be glad to sec the patrons of his late employer, and undertake that their wants shall oe attended to as assiduously as ever.—[AdVT.J

IHE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1877.



FOP. GOOD VALUE FOTI MONEY IN Vt INTER DRAPER JL OF Every Description, FLANNELS, WINCEYS, FRENCH MERINOS, WOOL PLAIDS, SHIRTINGS, WATERPROOF TWEEDS, CHILDREN'S & LADIES' WATERPROOF CLOAKS, &C, &C, &C, GO TO XHE JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE. BLANKETS AND RUGS OF ALL KINDS. An Unequalled Stock of Blankets, and Rare Value, having been exceptiocaUy well !iboujfht, we can afford to sell at consi derably less than usual price. FURNISHING GOODS. General Drapery o£ all kinds, and a Larsre and Stock of Boys' and Men's Clothing, Macintosh Coats, Overooats, Shirts, Gentlemen's Mercerj, &c, Always on Hand. Is. in the £ allowed on all Cash Purchases of 20s. and upwards. ru3hbrook & bridgman, J[t>xtiox Drapery Wasehouse, UPPErC QUEEN'-STpaSET, AUCKLAND. CJTOCX-TAKING "OARGAINS ! ! Vv^. RATTRAY 13 Preparing for STOCK-TAKING. 30 he offers a lot of CHOICE DRESS MATERIALS At Cost Pkicb. li'ijnuants of Drc33 Materials at and under Cost Price. The Balance of the STOCK o£ LADIES' CO3TUMES, JACKETS, and FURS, At Cost Price. W. KATTRAY, j.) RAP E R AN D CLC;TH IER, j New, Zealand House, I C 6, QUEEW-STREET, AUOKLANX). '



Linoleum i Liaolß*an! Linoleum! 4 f\ ROLLS JUST OPENED, Ex ' Spieit of the Dawn.' GREATEST VARIETY IK AUCKLAND. Best Coverisb FOR Halls, Offices, and Dtn'ing Rooks. If DIFFERENT PATTERNS TO SELECT FROM AT THE CITY HALL FURNITURE ARCADE. CARPETS: . Tapestry, from 2s. lid.; Brussels, from Is. 9d. DRAWINGROOM SUITES on View. DBE IDROOM M} FURNITURE of all Kinds. CHEAPEST FURNISHING HOUSE. HoLLOWAY AND CjTARLICK, QUEEN-STREET. AUCKLAND. mO AGRICULTURISTS & OTHERS. W. .1. HURST 6c CO. have on sale the under mentioned Fertilizers, all of which have been proved to produce satisfactory results in this district. Experience teaches that kfrge and profitable returns can be relied on by a,judicious and liberal vise of them. The (tattering Testi monials from leading Farmers justify W. J. Hurst & Co. in strongly commanding them to ever y Agriculturist :— MALDENT ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MEXICAN do. BELL'S BONEFLOUR i and 1-inch BONEDUST BILL YARD'S No. 1 do. NITRATE OF SODA SULPHATE OF AMMONIA MURIATE OF POTASH ■ SUPER-PHOSPHATE OF LIME. SALT, SULPHATE OF LIME. In addition to the above, W. J. H. & Co. are prepared to supply special Chemical Manures for stimulating weak Corn Crop 3, and renovat ing Clever-sick Pastures, as well as the Potato and Mangold mixture that last season attracted so much favourable notice. Analysis,.prices, and other particulars vvill be supplied on application at tke Stores. W. J. HURST & CO. 101, QUEEN-S3TJR!ES,T. In order to induce an enlarged consumption of Maiden Island Guano (equal, if not superior to Bonedust), we are prepared to accept, deferred pa3rments from responsible parties at extremely low rates. TV". J. HURST & CO., 101, Q. UKEN-S TRE ET. W. J. HURST & CO have for. Sale, at the lowest market rates : Clover Seeds. Red, White and Cow Rye-grass, Cocksfoot, Rats-tail, Garden Seeds in great variety and best quality. 500 sacks Sydney Maize (superior sample) 3000 „ Oats First-class Tartars for Seed, also 800 sacks of 1875 crop hard feed, surpassing any of last season's growth 1200 sacks Canterbury Potatoes, and some early varieties for seed purposes Flour" Bran. Shams, Chaff, Oilcake, Goal, &c. &c. Particular attention is called to 500 sacks Prime Barlej at Is per bushel of 50tl>. 5 tons Anderson's Fresh uatmeal, at £21 per ton. Prices and other particulars on application. W. J. HURST & CO. 101, QUEEN-STREET, Auckland.



The Medical Profession have declared Stbane's Superlative Aromatic Tonic Wixk to be a necessity to all in search of health and especially to those suffering either from liir'^iont or Chrome Indigestion, Dyspepsia, an? rtv? dis orders ax-jslng therefrom. This Tonic is also particularly recommended to all who are in a measure compelled from the nature of their occupation to take stimulants, and at the same time are desirous of studying health by taking that which will act most beneficially -on he system. Mr. We Johnson, Governaien Analy tical Chemist, report: — '1! have examined Steane's Superlative Aromatic Tonic Wine, and find it to be remarkably pleasant in flavour, ccm 'aining about 16 per cent, of a very pure alcohol, and holding in solution a clear wholesome, Vegetable Bitter, combined with a fruity spicy aroma. I consider this Bitter a very superior article."—Sold by all Storekeepers and Hotel keepers. What is more nefarious than selling; adulter - ted and poisonous drams labelled and bottled to imitate a pure and health-yielding medicinal beverage. This is precisely what the rogues are doing who sell imitations of the celebrated Udoli'ito Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic \ Schnapps put up in bottles which previously held that incomparable cordial and specific for disease. Let the public beware of such shams.