SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

i This Afternoon, 0.8 _ _. HIGH WATER—{ Morning, <U3 SUN SET.—This Evening. 7.9. SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning. 4.41 MOONS AGE.-Fifst Quarter, 13th, 3.18 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

Hawea-, s.s., Wheoler, from Russell.

DEPARTURES.

Hawea, s.s., Wheeler, for Tauranga and tlie South. „ . , _ , Syren. bri_r> Sainty. for Kaipara and Sydney. Elliotts, brier, for Newcastle. K.iemhiida, schooner, for Wangaroa.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Tauranga and the South—Taupo, /utu, Wanaka. 2Sth , . ,_,, For Taraneki and the South—Taranaki, ISth Wellington. 25th. , „_,.. For 'Frisco— City of Sydney, Wednesday, 19th, (Ensrlish Mail) _ _~.. For Svdnev—Rotorua. s.s., 18th inst: Hero, 27th For London-City of Auckland.ship; Famenoth, __ ship, early iTor Port Chalmers—Otaki, ship, at once "aTor Gisborne—Go-ahead, to-day, at 5 p.m.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Hero, s.s., from Sydney, Mrd instant. •City of Sydney, s.s., from Sydney, Wednesday, Queen, barque, frDm London, sailed sth Oct S.R. Lvman, barque, from Dunedin, sailed 6th

inst. Mazeppa, schooner, from Fiji, early Mary Ann Annison, barque, from Melbourne

■Lorraine, barque, from London : sailed 11th Oc Charybdi3, schooner, from the Island?, early

The schooner Advance left the Thames yester day with a cargo of sawn kauri loaded at the Shortland Saw-null foi the Hununui Bnagc. Gore's Bay is the schooner's destination. The A. S.P. Co.'s s.s. Go-ahead is to sail for Gisborne at 5 o'clock this evening. • The barque Prospector is loading timber tor Australia at the ShorUand Sawmill. The brigs Syren for Kaipara, and the Elliotts for Newcastle, have both taken their departure. The former is to load at Kaipara for Sydney. The s.s. Hawea arrived from Russell eariy 'this morning.

COMMERCIAL.

Messrs S. Cochrane and Son held a sale of books to-day at their mart, Fort-sttreet. There was a fair attendance of buyers, and moderate prices were realised. AtMrG. W. Binney's sale to-day the following prices were realised : —Pollard, £3 2 S Qcf; damaged jams, 6s ; Peak's jar jam s 3"d ; bacon (bare) 6^d ; bacons and ha ms in cloth, Sid ; Picton butter, 7£d ; c,a tes, 3%d groats, 2s 6d ; brown packing paper, 3d. _________________________________

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under : For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m.; and to morrow, at's p.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, per Argyle, to-morrow, at 2.30 p.m. For Gisborne, per Go-ahead, this day, at £ p.m. For Whitianga, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Rowena. to-morrow, at 4 p.m. For New Plymouth and Wanganui, via Wai tara, per Hauraki, to-morrow, at 5 a.m. For Waiwera, Mahurangi, Matakana, Manga wai, Waipu, Wangarei, ana Mangapai, per Anne Miibauk. on Saturday next, at 10 a.m. For PusseH, Kawa Kawa. Wangaroa, and Sibngouui, per lona, on Monday next, at I p.m. For Russell and Kawa Kawa, per Taupo, on Monday next, at i p.m. For Taranaki and Southern Provinces, per Taranaki, on Tuesday next, at 2.15 p.m. For Australian Colonies, Der Eotorua, on Wed nesday next, at 11a.m. Per s.s. City of Sydney, on Wednesday, 19th instant, as follows :—

For Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada. British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 11 a.m. For United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe, at 11 a.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 9.30 a.m. Late letters, bear, ok an extra fee of 6d, in addition to the postage, will be received by the mail agent on board the steamer up to the time of sailing. S. B. BISS, Chief Poßtraas'er. ,

BIRTHS.

[The price for inserting birth notices in this column is reduced to one shilling; other notices as before.]

MARRIAGE.

CLARKE—HASLAM.—On the 4th December, at St. Francis de Sales Church, by the Rev. J. O'Dwyer, Mr. James Clarke, of the firm of Clarke Bros., to Annie, third daughter cf Mr.. P. Haslam, of this city.

DEATH.

EDWARDS.—On the 13th December, 1577, at her parents' residence, Kyber Pass Road, Auckland, New Zealand, Alice Beatrice, infant daughter of Robert and Mary Ann Edwards, aged 12 months. The funeral will take place on Saturday next, loth- instant, at 3.p.m. Friends please accept this invitation.

YOUNG.—On the 13th December, at her resi dence, 43, Grey-street, Jane, the beloved wife of Alexander Young, after a long and painful illness. . , , The funeral will leave her late residence at 3 p.m. on Saturday, 15th instant. Friends please accept this intimation.

DUFF.—On the 13th December, Maud Elizabeth only child of Douglas and Matilda Duff. The funeral will leave the parents'residence, Chapel-street, to-morrow afternoon. Friends please accept this invitation.

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1877.

Jtof the cause that lacks assistance, for the wrong that needs resistance. pc* the future In the distance, And the £Ood that we can d».

" Let mo exhort and coniure you never to allow an invasion of your political constitution, however minute the instance may appear, to pass by, without a determined persevering resistance. One precedent creates another. They soon accumulate and constitute law. What yesterday was fact to-day is doctrine. Examples arc supposed to justify tho most dangerous measures, and where they do not suit exactly the defect issuppliedby analogy.' — Junius, in his Dedication to the British Nation. In the last article, we examined in detail the grounds upon which Sir George_ Grey based his application for a dissolution of the House of Representatives.. We shewed how he was supported hy strong constitu tional precedents, and that His Excellency the Governor, in the objections which lie raised to the Premier's arguments, had allowed unseemly party bias to get the better of his judgment. In this article we purpose reviewing other reasons upon which His Excellency grounds his refusal, and to demonstrate that in almost every instance his arguments are wholly fallacious, and in sin gular defiance of well-recognised precedents. Having once committed the fatal blunder of forsaking the straight and beaten track of justice and impartiality, the Governor has lost his way, and has blindly floundered about in a quagmire of anomalies and contradictions. He begins by declaring that "the only desire of the Governor is to secure .a Government, no matter how constituted, which can command a majority of the representatives of the people of New Zealand." But ■what constitutional, proper, and official standard is provided by which the Governor may judge whether or not his Ministers command that confidence ? Is he to judge from the secret reports of interested toadies, like Major Atkinson and Messrs Eowen and McLean, who, having unmistakably lost the confidence of Parliament, seek to restore themselves to place and pay by sneaking into Government House by the back doors ? Or can he rely upon the disconnected scraps of news conveyed to him spasmodically by his lackeys, eavesdropping about the lobbies, and hobnobbing with Canterbury run holders in the room set apart " For Under- Secretaries and Heads of Depart meats ONLY !" Again, could the Marquis form an official judgment of the temper of the House by an inspection of the " correct cards" of forth coming divisions pricked oil" for him by Major Atkinson's whips ? We trow not, and in this view we are supported by pre cedents from Hearn and Todd—two stan dard authorities on Constitutional history:—

"In order to guard against the arbitrary in fluence of the Crown in its proceedings, Parlia ment has established for centuries the Constitu tional doctrine that the King should not hear or give credit to reports of its debates."—Hearn.

" For the Crown cannot take notice ot pro ceedings actually depending in Parliament without breach of privilege, and infringing the i i dependence which belongs to both branches of the Legislature as component parts of the Supreme power of the State."—Todd's Parlia mentary Government.

There are only two channels through which His Excellency could officially and constitutionally learn whether or not Minis ters possessed the confidence of a majority in Parliament. If Ministers had been de feated on any point of their policy which involved their resignation, the Governor would have become acquainted with the fact on receipt of their resignation; and, on the other hand, if they had refused to resign—and English Ministries have done so in the face of votes of want of confidence—the House might have addressed His Excellency requesting him to dismiss his Ministers. But neither of these things hah appened ; and, therefore, accord ing to every constitutional usage, andin com mon fair-play, tli3 Governor was bound to regard the existing Ministry as possessing the confidence of a majority in Parliament. If the Governor's remarks have any mean ing at all they amount to an insinuation that the Grey Ministry did not possess such confidence ; and this was a piece of gratuitous assumption and gubernatorial impertinence. But, as May remarks : '' Ministers enjoying the confidence of Parlia ment have never claimed in vain the con fidence of the Crown," though it seems a mere Governor may go beyond the Crown in this matter. Possibly " the only desire " of the Governor was " to secure " (by hook or by crook) the return of the Atkinson Ministry to office, by placing such obstructions in the path of the existing Ministry as would force them to resign; or he miscalculated that delay and Ills own influence would bring about that result. Sir George Grey might quote the words of Lord Chancellor Eldon, in writing to a friend : " The King hath been pretty well disposed to part with us because we would not make additions to his revenue." For "King" read "Gov ernor," and for " revenue," " allowances," and the whole parallel is complete. If His Excellency was dissatisfied with his Minis ters he had the power of dismissing them :—

"It is the duty of the Governor to administer the affairs of his colony by the aid of Ministers Avho act under the superintendence and with the approval of the Colonial Parliament. * * * l£ from any cause whatever, whether originating in his instructions or not, he cease to have con fidence in his advisers, he is entitled to seek other counsel; and if he be supported in this course by the Colonial Parliament, the matter is still free from difficulty."—Hearn, p. 128. The Governor, however, dared not under take the risk of dismissing his Ministers. The Marquis, during a long and profitable governorship, has become too Avell versed in the familiar quinary problem of the beans to risk such a step, and, moreover, he could not tell to a certainty how Parliament would view it. His Excellency next lays it doAvn as the undoubted prerogative of the Crown to dissolve parliament at any time, and that the Governor is responsible only to the Crown for the exercise of thait prerogative. Sir George Grey in reply states his belief that the Governor is mis taken in that vie w,and quotes the44th clause of the Constitution A . fc to sheAV that j,the Governor derives the power of dissolution from the luav, and not from Her Majesty, an d is therefore respol.3il.le to the law for the exercise of that power. We agree with

Sir George Grey, and contend further that whatever may have been me nature, of the prerogative of the Crown in the days of our forefathers with respect to dissolution, that prerogative has practically fallen into desuetude, and that the general constitu tional principal of Ministerial responsibility for every act of the Crown has practically transferred the power to the Parliamentary Executive. Wc quote precedents :—

"The Govemment'of the State is conducted throughout all its departments by Ministers responsible to Parliament for every act or their administration, without whose advice no act can be done, but who can be dismissed for incapacity or failure, and impeached for political crimes. * * With such Ministers, the king can do no wrong. The Stuarts had strained the prerogative so far that it had twice snapped in their hands They had exer cised it personally, and were held personally res ponsihle for its exercise. * * * Upon Minis ters therefore devolved the entire burden of public affairs ; they relieved the Crown of its care's of Parliament, but at the same time they appropriated nearly all its authority. The King reigned, but his Ministers governed."—Hearn S English Constitution.

"The royal prerogatives are held in trust for the benefit of the whole nation, and must be exercised in com'formity with that Constitution which requires that every act of the royal authority should bo performed by the advice of Councillors, who are responsible to Parlia ment and to the law of the land. This responsi bility is now acknowledged to bo thorough and complete, and as no public act of the Sqverign is valid which is not performed under the ad vice of some responsible Minister, so, on the other hand, for every exercise of the royal authority Ministers must be prepared to account to Parliament; justifying the same, if need be, at their own peril."—Todd's "Parliamentary Government."

" The rule now well established is, that the royal prerogative of dissolving Parliament is to be exercised in conformity with the advice of the Ministers of the Crown."—Cox, " Institu tions of tho English Government,' p. 58.

"Theoretically, indeed, the power to dissolve Parliament is entrusted to the Sovereign only ; and there are vestiges of doubt whether in all cases a Sovereign is bound to dissolve Parlia ment when the Cabinet ask him to do so. But, neglecting such small and dubious exceptions, the Cabinet which was cho3on by one House of Commons has an appeal to the next HouSe of Commons. The chief Committee of the Legis lature has the power of dissolving the predomin ant part of that Legislature—in fact, on critical occasions, the Legislature itself. * * * It is an Executive which can an nihilate the Legislature ; as well as an Executive which is the nominee of that Legislature."—Bageiiot's "English Constitution," p. 17. . . "A few years ago the Queen very wisely attempted to make life peers, and the House of Commons very unwisely, and contrary to its own best interests, refused to admit her claim. They said her power had decayed into non existence ; she had once had it. tney allowed, but it had ceased by long di-mse. If any one will run over the pages of Comyn s Digest, he will find that the Queen has a hundred such powers, which waver between reality and desuetude, and which would cause a protracted and very interesting legal argument if she tried to exercise them."—Bagehot, p. So. __ _ We could quote scores of similar authorities, but let the above suffice for the present. The Governor's next objection is that Parliament is only in its second session; and that as the introduction of a new Representation Act is promised next session, which would entail a fresh dissolution, it is undesirable that the country should be put to the expense of two dissolutions in so short a period. But here again the Marquis of Normanby is assuming a discretionary power wh'i^h is not warranted by constitu tional usage. In IS3I, Ministers were twice defeated in three days in a Parlia ment which had lasted a year and five months. Ministers applied to William IV. for a dissolution, which was granted after three days' consideration. Again in 1534, in a Parliament which had oidy lasted one year and 11 mouths, Sir Robert Peol, after forming an administra tion, declared that " He was fully sensible of meeting a House of Commons wherein his personal followers were in a large minority." He applied for a dissolution, and got it, on the grounds given in May's Constitutional Government "Dissolved with a view to obtain a House of Commons that would give the King's Ministers a fair trial. "This new-born zeal for retrenchment on the part of the noble Marquis comes too late. It would have come with more grace long ago in the days of Vogeliau extrava gauce. But even now at the eleventh hour the Marquis has time for repentance. Let him follow the example of Ministers, and send down an address to the House next session voluntarily reducing his salary and the allowances for Government House, Avhich are proportioned to that period when the Governor's steward had carte blanche to order croquet lawns, silver cradles, and other domestic requisites with out stint. As it is, the Governor's solicitude for the pockets of the colonists in the matter of elections savours very much of hypocrisy. Suppose for a moment that the respective political positions of Sir George Grey and Major Atkinson had been reversed, would the Governor have stuck at the expense of a dissolution or two? But we are of those who think that a Parliament of two or three years' duration has lasted quite long enough to be useful; and that the remedy for many political abuses, and amongst others, vice-regal arrogance, is to be found in frequent appeals to the people. The United States Congress is eleoted for two years only, and the system is found to work satisfactorily. The time is rapidly coming when these five years' Parliaments—in which men like Cox and Rowe can sacrifice the interests of their constituents, and stick to their seats, in defiance of remonstrance, condemnation, and requisitions demanding their resigna tions—will be consigned to the rubbish heap of oblivion, along with the right divine of kings, and the fussy prerogamania of Governors, ifj peradventure the Gover nors do not disappear with them. The third objection which His Excellency raises to a dissolution might be taken for a joke, did we not know that such high and mighty personages as the Marquis never descend to the regions of humour except in an elephantine way which is only calculated to inspire awe and trembling for the conse quences. His Excellency thought it would be an inconvenient time for a dissolution because of the shearing season ! The suggestion could only have emanated from Mr Harper, or some other bright and shining represent!! tive of the Canterbury squatocracy who loves to bask in the favour of the purple, and in the genial arcadian society of the Governor's aides. The ingenious inventor of this new con stitutional doctrine ought to lose no time in securing a monoply of it by taking out a patent. Lord Palmerston, with all his diplomatic skill, never contrived to hit upon this grand dis covery, but Pam was not a colonial Gover nor, and lived long ago. It is worth while however, to ace what his opinions were on the subject of dissolutions, it only in order to shew how the proverbial con trarities of the antipodes—where even cherry stones grow outside—reverse the time honored and well-recognised constitutional usages of our forefathers. Lord Palmerston declared that

"No one who knew anything of the British Constitution could question the prerogative of the Crown upon the advice of its responsible Ministers to dissolve Parliament at any period of the year, or in any state whatever of the public business, that they might think a lit opportunity for so doing."

We had purposed to close this subject in the present article, Avhich has grown beyond the intended limits ; but the length of the memoranda, and the vast importance of the question itself—striking as it does at the very root and foundation of our political liberties—must be our'apology for devoting another article to a review of the remainder of the Governor's memoranda.

An organ recital of a very interesting character Avill take place this evening at St. Mary's Church, Parnell, commencing at half-past seven. The list of selections com prises six organ solos, including composi tions of Haydn, Wagner, Spohr, and Men delssohn. The choir Avill also sing several anthems, Avhich, as they have been in E reparation for some time, should be Avorth earing. They include solos, duets, trios, quartettes, and choruses. Mr Livingstone, the organist of St. Mary's, Avill preside at the organ. Admission is free. A collection at the conclusion will be devoted to the music fund of the choir. The agents of the NeAV Zealand Shipping Company has received a telegram from London, advising the safe arrival of the barque Ann Gambles, date of arrival not given.

The anniversary of the provincial district of Canterbury is to be celebrated on Monday next by a torchlight procession of the Eire Brigade, athletic sports, and a display of fireworks. The day will be a general holiday.

The "Wellington Post" contains the fol lowing with reference to the Civil Service : —In all probability Wellington will contain many ex-Civil Servants " out of billets." In the House, when the question of Ministers' salaries was under discussion, nearly all the speakers referred to the Civil Service. From both sides of the House came a general ex pression of opinion that there was con siderable room for the exercise oi judicious economy in that direction. All the speakers agreed that it would be unfair to reduce the salaries of necessary officials, but even Mr Bowen, Mr Gisborne, and Mr Reynolds, the Civil Servant's friends, agreed that large reductions in the staff might be made with advantage. In fact, it must be patent to every one that our enormous Civil Service would be all the better for beiug cut down. No one will say that its members are over paid, taken as a class; but when two men are kept to do the work of one, a saving can be effected by sending the useless member to the wall, and perhaps a slight increase in the salary of the remaining one would more than reconcile him to the change and to increased exertion, so that the efficiency of the service would not suffer. What is required is judicious amalgamation, fewer servants and better pay, and more work for those retained. The Poverty Bay " Standard" is jubilant over the rapid multiplication of half-a-dozen frogs, introduced into thatj district from Auckland by Mr W. J. Green.

The Otaliuhu public ball will take place on Boxing Night in the public hall of the district. We hear that the ball this year is likely to be a great success, the committee having resolved to admit ladies free of charge, knowing that ladies will not venture alone.

The organ recital at St. Mary's Church. Parnell, will be opened this eveuing at half past seven o'clock. The programme will be found elsewhere.

Journalistic Amenities. — Referring to some recent vagaries and maunderings of "the Colonial Journals," the "Wajrarapa Standard" explains "that several escaped lunatics are at present known to be at large, and that possibly one of them has found an asylum in the editorial office of the 'New Zealand Times.'" This is not quite so bad as a Poverty Bay journal calling the editor of the other paper "a <y;awlihg beast." The Free Templar quadrille party, last evening iv the Cook-street Hall, passed off in the most satisfactory manner. About 30 couples tripped if on the light fantastic toe to their heart's delight under the care ful direction of W. J. Donald, M.C. Mrs Hertz fingered the piano, and Mr Davis touched the violin with much skill, as the hours went merrily on.

Miss Jessie Raymond writes to us as follows, with reference to the recent per formance : Sir, —Mr Milburn's statement in last night's .STAR is incorrect. During the entertainment he played "God Save the Queen," when the performance was only half finished, and induced the audience to leave", thinking it was over. Also by play ing after the performance was finished, no dance being advertised. The agreement was to give up the hall at the termination of the play, and turnout the gas, which at that time was 11 p.m. The greatest portion wishing to dance had not paid for getting in, and taking possession of the hall, and were permitted to remain, gas burning till 12 o'clock, when Mr Dornwell was obliged to turn out the gas and close the hall. This statement can be proved by persons who admitted to non-payment, evidently shew ing that if Mr Millburn had not persisted in playing no confusion would have occurred. Trusting you will kindly give place to the above, wishing the truth to be placed before the public and those who so kindly came forward to my support, I am, &c, JESSIE RAYMOND. —Another correspondent who signs " Vox Populi," writes that Mr Glover promised to pay Mr Millburn at 11 o'clock on the morning after the perfor mance, and that therefore Mr Milburn was not justified in collecting 6s lOd in the room, on the representation that Mr Glover would not pay him.

The Countess of Cardigan, who, as Miss De Horsey, scandalized London twenty years ago by eloping with the " black bottle " Eari of Balaklava fame, and who married him after his wife's death, has just got into a queer mess with her second spouse. Lord Cardigan died some years ago, and his dashing widow married a nephew of the Portuguese Duke de Saldanha, the Count de Lancastre. She has now announced in the papers that she will "pay no debts of his contracting." But for all that the noble pair seemto.be on the best of terms, for the " Court Circular" of July 21st records them as entertaining at dinner a large and dis tinguished circle, including Maria, the Marchioness of Aylesbury, "V iscount Newry, Lady Sebright, and other leading members of what may be called^ the_ "socially liberal " section of the British aristocracy.

An open meeting of the Pioneer Juvenile Temple is announced to be held in the V.M.C.A. Rooms, to-morrow evening, at 7.30 p.m., when an excellent programme will be introduced. Considering that no charge is made for admittance, there should be a good attendance.

Miss Leaf's concert at the Academy of Music, Thames, is described by the "Adver tiser" as a complete success. The gem of the evening was the duet from Maritana, " Sainted Mother," by Misses Leaf and Hunter, which, says our contemporary :— " was without exception a vocal success seldom achieved at the Academy ; highly creditable to the careful study of the ladies, and well calculated to display their ex quisitely cultivated voices. Miss Leaf also gave, in response to an encore, " Scenes that are Brightest," from " Maritana," the rendering of which we have seldom heard surpassed."

A meeting of working men was held last night for the purpose of arranging a recep tion for Sir George Grey. It Avas stated that working men had been debarred from taking part in the preliminary meeting, owing to the early hour at which it was called, and they, therefore, desired to hold a reception meeting themselves. The ques tion having been fully discussed, it Avas decided that the working classes should not make a second demonstration or address, but that as many as poesible should attend the reception first arranged for, and take a part in the proceedings.

According to the Wellington "Argus," the Minister for! Native Affairs intends visiting Patea country to bring matters in connec tion Avith the Waimate Plains to a conclu sion. It has been informed that the Government does not intend to give up the Plains to natives.

At the Onehunga Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, J. J. Boyd Avas charged Avith ill-treating a horse by Avorking it while suffering from a bad shoulder, but as it Avas proved that precautions had been taken to protect the wound, the case Avas dismissed. Mrs Muir received 14 days'imprisonment for using obscene language, and Thomas Walker was fined £3, and costs 2s, or one month's imprisonment with hard labour. A meeting of the members of the North Shore Highway District is announced to be held at the Ferry Hotel, Stokes. Point on Friday, December 2S, for the purpose of electing a trustee in the place of H. T. Hawkins, resigned.

Messrs Cochrane and Son Avill offer for sale to-morrow at their mart the cutter yacht "Juno," and the open sailing-boat "Amy," Avith outfit and gear. Sir, —As the article in your last issue, un der the heading " Narrow escape from Fire," Avould seem to imply that the caielessness exhibited Avas on our part, permit us to state that tho ashes had bloAvn from an adjoining yard on to ours; the fire having been made and left to smoulder by another party. By inserting this you Aviiroblige.— Yours, etc. 3 HENDERSON AND SPRAGGQN.

At a meeting of those interested in the Papakura Races, held last evening, at the Globe Hotel, Papakura, it was unanimously decided to hold the annual meet on the usual day for this favourite country meet ing, the 29th January. The Secretary, Mr Percival, was requested to advertise the Papakura Handicap of 100 so vs. and the Handicap Hurdle Race of 30 soys. to close on the 28th December.

We publish the following letter from a " Working Man," though we are at a loss to understand what he means, and in all probability he has not a very clear notion of his own meaning. We have always been under the belief that Sir George Grey, by his exertions to extend the franchise, and to readjust representation 'on a fair basis aimed at giving the working classes a fair share of representation in parliament :—To the Editor: Sir, —I see some . one has suggested the advisability of working _ men giving Sir George Grey a reception or presentation of some sort for his effort on behalf of equal rights for all men. Let me ask working men not to be too enthusiastic. To draw it mild—don't halloo till you are out of the wood.' Let the country see you have brains as well as bone and sinew, and don't be the tools of politicians. Don't gusli. In that way your voice will be respected, and you will shew your fitness to have what you ought to have, and must have labour representatives in parliament from amongst yourselves. " A Working Woman " offers the follow ing graceful suggestion : "Sir, —Cannot the ladies of Auckland join in evincing their appreciation of the noble efforts of our great Premier, " The man whom the people delighteth to honour," by assembling at the windows in the line of procession, and covering him with flowers or wreaths of laurel; they should be small but choice and delicate. At this season of the year, when the gardens are so profusely adorned, surely we may be allowed to join in our expres sions of of admiration of, and gratitude to, the great and noble Sir George Grey." The following from the "New Zealand Sun" may be all right, but we cannot help thinking that it ought to be taken cum grano : —A Methodist parson called to preach in an out-of-the-way town on a New Zealaxd dig ging, and was informed, before entering the pulpit, that he must be careful, as many of the assembled congregation were " roughs," and would not hesitate to disturb him if his remarks didn't suit. The holy man made no reply, but having reached the desk, he took from his pocket two revolvers, and, placing one on each side of the Bible, gave a sharp glance round the house, and said—" Let us pray." Report says that a more orderly service was never conducted.

The following team has been selected from the Auckland Cricket Club to play a match with the eleven expected from the Thames to-morrow : Kent, Cameron, Coates, Rees, W. Philson, Cotton, Blunden, Jackson, Browning, and Wil liamson. Mr W. W. Robinson is expected to play on behalf of the Thames Club, of which he was formerly a member. The match takes place on Saturday afternoon, aud will no doubt excite much interest amongst cricketers generally. The General Assembly of the Presby terian Church of New Zealand, at its sitting yesterday, decided to adopt the Susteutation Fund Scheme, and bring it into operation on January Ist, 1579. The Rev. D. Bruce, agent of the Church, was instructed to visit the various congregations, and assist ministers in instructing congrega tions in the principles and working of the scheme. It was agreed to secure sites for churches in all new .townships, and plant men in several bush settlements to attend to the spiritual necessities of settlers. A model trust deed was submitted, and ordered to be pi inted for the consideration of Presbyteries. Several reports were read, after which the Assembly adjourned, to meet again at Chiistchurch in March, 1579.

The following curiousletter must speak for itself. "Mr editter—please don't you be predjiduced agin us girls on account of what the papper says. It isent true wot it says. Becos a ole repperbate metes us playing bow peep at the homers, and stops to look at us with a I glass, and my sister says give us that there big flour mister, please, which he weared in his button ole, I dont think the papper ought to callus names It isent us girls that does the misschiff—why. dont the papper have a Smack at the Big girls. Please put this in your papper. —and am Mary Murphy. " The usual devotional meeting in connection with the Sunday evening Theatre services will be held at the Young Men's Christian Association rooms to-night at 7.30.

A meeting of creditors in the estate of W. H. Sykes, boat-builder, Avas held yester day, when the bankrupt applied for his certificate of discharge. There Avas no opposition to the application. The liabilities Avere set do ,\n at £128 13s 4d, assets £45, but according to the trustee's report the assets only realised £29. The certificate of discharge Avas granted.

In speaking to a motion for subsidies to works north of Auckland, Mr Rees said : The People in the districts of Rodney, Waitemata, Bay of Islands, and Marsden paid just as much in the Avay of Customs duties as the people in Wellington, Dunedin, or Canterbury, and j ret received no share of the expenditure. They Avere consenting to pay taxes unparalleled in extent—a rate per head never paid before by any people— and Avhat for ? Simply for the purpose of paying interest upon a debt which had been spent elseAvhere. They had no benefit from the enormous amounts of money Avhich had been spent in Otajjjo and Canterbury— Canterbury, which had been the Benjamin of this colonial family, Avhich had had a large land fund, and had had an enormous amount of borroAved money spent in it on railways and public works.—Mr Mont gomery : We do not give our land away for 5s per acre. —Mr Rees said that did not in the least affect the' ques tion. It was an illustration of the pro verb given them on Divine authority that, "To him that hath shall be given, and to him that hath notshall be taken aAvay even that Avhich he hath." The lion, members for Waitemata, Rodney; Bay of Islands, and Marsden saw their constituents com pelled to pay, year after year, a full share of the taxation, in order simply to pay the interest on the borrowed money spent in Canterbury.—Mr Montgomery : We pay every halfpenny.—Mr Rees said the figures did not sheAv it. He Avould put it in this way : The total .amount spent in public Avorks and immigration had been thirteen millions, and out of that one-third or nearly one-half had been spent in the provinces of Otago and Canterbury. He felt sure he was not wrong in saying that, and he Avas equally sure that those provinces did not pay one-half the interest, or anything like it; and besides that they had a large land fund.

The "Nelson Colonist," in an article on the Governor's recent refusals to accept the advice of his responsible advisers, says :— " Now all is changed. A Governor hopes to ascend from colony to colony, Avith a pension at the end of his career. He is virtually dead to English politics. What ever his antecedents or rank, he learns to regard the Colonial Secretary for the time being as a chief, whom it is his duty to obey, and his interest to conciliate. Hence Governors are endeavouring to form themselves into a class above public opinion where they are stationed. The worst evils of a monarch aiming at absolute power ale multiplied, and unless rigorous opposi:ion is everywhere given to their insidious de signs, the authority of colonial Parliaments will be gradually lowered. Whether it is the Secretary for the Colonies or his titled servants that seek to over-ride the represen tative bodies, firm resistance must be given, if liberty is to be preserved."

The Victorian Legislative Council has rejected the Payment of Members Bill by a majority.of IS to 8, but the amount is still retained on the Estimates. The Council has also rejected the Rail .vay Loan Applica tion Bill.

PALMERSTON GOLD MINING COMPANY.

A meeting of the Palmerston Gold M.«- Company was held at noon toTaf a » R. Home's office, Shortland-street Jor 3? purpose of considering the followin/.I iO-J1:-n' That fr Pal« 22 Mining Company (Limited) be wound n voluntarily for the purpose of gj mating with the adjoining claims vf lona, Golconda, and Harrison and Kellv'f » and for the appointment of a Liquidafi and other business. The chair g§ pied by Mr Joseph Newman. The miniul" of the previous meeting havin" been en firmed, Mr Kirkwood proposed °the resoln* tion, which was seconded by Mr Alexaud and carried. Mr Kirkwood proposed TJ\ Mr Morpeth seconded, « < That ffi &,£* Home be appointed Liquidator" tv motion was also carried, and the meeting then dispersed. e>

Loss of The Schooner Denelench.

INJURY AND LOSS OF LIFE,

(From our Own Correspondent.)

DUNEDIN, this day CAPTAIN Byers, of the schooner Dene lencli, gives the following account of hk vessel's loss at Macquaries :—At 6.30 p_T on the 7th August, a heavy snow stonn'sej in, and at 7.30 without any previous warn ing a heavy gale commenced. The ni»ht was very dark, and the weather very dirty There was blinding snow, with squalls' occasionally descending, and a very high, sea running at ten. The vessel draped and a second anchor was let go at eleven' A heavy sea struck the schooner with such violence that the coir spring with which, she was secured parted, and sudden strain being thus brought upon two anchors the chains parted, and the craft made rapid leeway towards the rocks. She soon struck, stern on, to an off-lying rock, carry ing away the rudder; and in a few minutes was among the rocks. Here another sea struck her, washing away her whaleboat smashing her dingy, and forcing the erew^ with the exception of three poor fello-tvs. who were so much injured that they were forced to seek shelter in the schooner's cabin, to take to the rigging. The vessel soon bilged, and the cabin was rapidly filled Avith water. As soon as the day broke the life-saving apparatus was rigged and after safely landing the injured niea the rest of the crew reached the shore. On the 7th, the boatswain, H. W. Halley' died from injuries and exposure sustained during the time the vessel was drivhi» en shore. One poor fellow broke his leg intwo places, another met with severe internal in juries, andathirdwaswashedoverboard, but. managed to regain the vessel. At daylight on the 9th, the vessel lay bows under water the seas making a clean breach over her! She was completely shrouded in snow and ice, and lay seaboard side down ou her beam ends, and a few articles were saved by the crew, who were fortunate in obtaining shelter in the huts left by Captain Sauf where they employed themselves in sea elephant hunting, xiutil the arrival of the schooner Friendship, which took them off" the. Islands on 2nd inst.

THE ONEHUNGA CONCERT.

To the Editor : Sir, —Would you permit, me to make a few observations on the late concert given by the Onehunga Glee Club, and several letters respecting it. Thfr causes of the poor attendance were three in nnmber. Firstly.—lt was insufficiently advertised. A number of posters, and advertising In the Star, are absolutely necessary to ensure success for entertain ments. Secondly.—There were no tickets on sale at the various stores, or by the members- Ladies, and especially young and hand some ones, can dispose of tickets inconsider able number... Thirdly. The inclemency of the weather had much to do with the: non-success of the concert. Your? corres pondent "Justice" Avas not correct •when he said the Club is unpopular. It may be^ so with a certain faction, but they no more represent the people of Onehunga than the three tailors of Tboley-street did the people of England. Lastly—The Good Templar entertainments in Onehunga will bear com parison with most entertainments of similar classes. I believe, were the Glee Club to give another concert and invoke the power ful aid of printers' ink, the Masonic Hall' would be filled. I am, &c, Truth.

Reception of Sir George Grey.

We received the following telegram to day from the Press Agency :—"The Hinemoa leaves at six o'clock to-night Avith Sir George Grey, the Hon. J. Sheehan, and Hon. J. Macandrew."

Another telegram from the same source states: Sir George Grey has accepted an invitation from the Mayor to visit TaranakL He Avill be accompanied by the Native' Minister, and entertaiued at a banquet

DISTURBANCE IN ALBERT-STREET.

A disturbance Avas caused in Albert street about one o'clock this atferroon by a bushman named Henry Williams, who had, we are informed, been drinking at th^ Eagle Inn Hotel. It appears that Williams and several other men Avere fighting in front of the hotel, Avhen they were observed by Constable McLellan, Avho advised them to disperse. They, hoAvever, continued to quarrel, Avhen Constable McLellan warned them that if they did not discontinue they would be arrested. This, hoAvever, didnot have the desired eft'eet. The constable then took the names of those concerned, and>. proceeded into the hotel for further i nfoj> mation. .On coming out, he was struck violently in the face by Williams,, who placed himself in such a position'outsiceiw not to be observed by the constable until he had struck the Woav. Constable McLel lan then closed Avith the man, and after a short struggle, Avhich shewed that Williams had got more than his match (even although he is a muscular and remarkably strong looking young felloAv) he threw him to the ground. The constable held him doAvn as Avell as he possibly could for some time, Williams meanwhile kicking and strips him severely, cutting his lips and nose, ana doing other damage of a less serious nature. After the lapse of about ten minutes, another constable arrived, ana Williams' wrists .vere quickly ornamentea Avith a pair of "darbies." Burmg t&e Avhole affair, Constable McLellan behave* very determinedly, and he is deserving oi credit for the manner in which he hew Williams doAvn Avhile waiting for assdis tance. Notwithstanding the fact *"£»?■■. crowd of about 100 persons had assemwea, no person interfered. The man .^ appear at the Police Court to-^o^ charged Avith drunkenness and disorder^ • conduct, and also Avith assaulting jj , constable Avhile in the execution oi n» duty. " __.

PRIMITIVE METHODIST BAZAAR.

This long contemplated bazaar m aiM J building fund of the Franklin Road na tive Methodist Church Avas openectj^ afternoon iv the Auckland MarketiJWWS There was a very large display ofi «» and ornamental articles, Avhich J^V.,,. much credit upon the ladies connected^ the church, considering only occupied four months in the numerous needlawork articles^" .. were given in for the good of the Oh^r and were distributed, irrespective m labourers,' throughout the bazaar, <* fe eight stalls. No. 1 stall, for refreshniem, was attended by Mrs Weeks and i Maynard ; . (2), by Mrs Booth; W^V; Mrs Hatchings and Mrs John^Chamb^ (4), by Mrs Westbrooke and jp.fjftg (5), by Mrs Warburton; (6),^U&gS Binns and Mrs McCarroll, WW®***^ Chambers and Mrs Westley, (») 7 aW Westmoreland. The wing of -W*™^ occupied by the promoters, Avas ye y j _ fully decorated with flags, flowea, »

'_ BE I:". LINING STAR, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, l*T__



CA RTETS, HEARTHRUGS, LINOLEUM, -FLOORCLOTH. T. & H. COOKE Beg to inform their friends and the public thai they have imported a large assortment of' the above, which will render their FURNISHING ESTABLISHMENT one of the most •complete and extensive in Auckland, having purchased these Goods of the Manufacturers direct, for cash, they are enabled to offer them at VERTLOW FRIGES. New Patterns in Carpets ■ and Linoleum. gjp- SHOW ROOMS: 67, Queen-street. Steam Cabinet Factory Victoria-street. THE undersigned are now brin ing forward a Large Parcel of GENE AL DRAPERY, HABERDASHERY. &C bought ■ at considerably less than usual prices, to which they invite the attention of all requiring Good Value Fob Money. •Corsetsin great variety of quality and style, white and coloured, from 2/6 per pair "Linen and Lace Goods, Cuffs, Collars, and Sets, in variety , Ladies' Underclothing Umbrellas and Parachutes, Silk, Zanella, Alpacca,-&c. , . Lot of Flowers at very low price, quite fresh - Straw Hats, Ribbons, Gloves, &c. A Splendid Stock of Muslin, Lace, and Lenoe Curtains, Counterpanes, Quilts, Damask Table Cloths, Sheeting, Felt Squares - Carpets, Floorcloth, China Matting, Ticks, &c. Large-size Huckaback Towels at /6 each "New Fancy Dress Materials, Japanese Silks, Coloured Lustres, Black Lustres, Embossed, Striped, and Check Muslins, Prints, &c. Brown Holland, from /6i per yard ■Union, Fancy Jean, and Oxford Shirtings, very A line of Superior Quality Silk Mixed Fancy Shirting, at 2/3, usual price 3/6 per yard 'White and Grey Calico. Good Grey from .3 per yard Also, very large assortment of Gents' Shirts, White Longcloth, Union and All-wool Crimean, Fancy Silk Mixed Scotch Twill, Fancy Jean, Oxford, &c. , . _ Strong Tweed for Boys wear ,A Job Line of Stout Mosgiel at below Factory "Braces Belts, Ties. Scarfs, Collars, Cotton and Merino Hosiery. Undershirts, &c. "Leghorn, Tuscan, Straw, and Drill Hats, for Boys and Men, &c, &c, &c. jin he £, allowed on all Cash Purchases of 20s. and upwards. rushbrook & bridgman, Junction Drapery Warehouse, Upper Queen-street, AUCKLAND. .pHEAP JJATS! CHEAP HATS !'! CHEAP CLOTHING!! A Quantity of Men's and Boy's Drab and Black Felt Hats will be offered at *r GREAT REDUCTION TO CLEAR. ALSO, a Parcel of CLOTHING, comprising Men's and Boy's Tweed Suits, Trousers and "Vests, &c. These Goods are slightly soiled, and ■wiU be sold REALLY CHEAP. W. RATTRAY, CLOTHIER AND OUTFITTER, WEW ZEALAND HOUSE, Auckland. £"t _fk_f_k REWARD RE HITCHEN'S JL%J\J BLOOD RESTORER. As several Bottles, containing trashy worth- Sess compounds, have been palmed off on un suspecting people on the pretence of their being •the celebrated " Hitchens' Blood Restorer," the •Proprietor respectfully cautions his patients to see that the Bottles bear both his Trade Mark and Signature. He also warns the unscrupu lous persons who, under false pretences, receive people's money, that 56100 Pounds Reward will be given on conviction of persons guilty of infringing his rights. H. HITCHENS. TTWION INSURANCE COMPANY KJ OF NEW ZEALAND. CAPITAL.... .... £2,000,000. AUCKLAND BRANCH: QUEEN-STREET, Next the Colonial Bank. FIRE -DEPARTMENT. Insurances granted on Dwelling-houses, Stores, Shops, Buildings in which trade is carried on. Merchandise, and Goods of every description. MARINE DEPARTMENT. Hulls of Ships or Steamers, Merchandise of all kinds, Specie and Wool to United Kingdom, at Lowest Curbent Rates. R. H. STEVENSON Manager. f\N THIS DAY AND DURING THE WTffiEK, WE WII-X- SHOW PIE o.ES 10,000 PI?» CES FASHIONABLE DRESS* GOODS AND «3F. PRINTS. "W REDUCED TO HALF PRICE IN ORDER TO CLEAR. J. COSGRAVE & CO., QUEEN-STREET. I



New Spring and Summer ■ dress materials. -{H. ATKINS}- Has now for Sale, CHEAP, a Splencli Assort ment of tSF NEW DRESS GOODS, IBS suitaoie for the Spring and Summer Season of every variety, style, quality, and texture. % %\ % % % Attention is respectfully invited to this Season's Shipment, which is the Largest and Best-selected ever shewn in the city. The Prices are also very reasonable. Also, Just Opened, MANCHESTER GOODS, CALICOES, SHEET INGS, QUILTS, BLANKETS, LONG CURTAINS, TABLE LINEN, &C. A Great Reduction has been made in the Prices Of Manchester Goods, owing to the reduced List of the Home manufacturers. NEW SUMMER CLOTHING, SHIRTS, HATS, &C, Just Received. Splendid Lines in Auckland & Melbourne-made CLOTHING. The Largest Stock of MOSGIEL & IMPORTED LTWEEDS in Auckland to select from. $__r Tailors Supplied at Wholesale Prices GENTLEMEN'S ORDERS EXECUTED. A Large Lot of Cheap Tweeds for Body's Wear. HA TKINS. A. WATERMAN begs to inform © his friends and the public of Auckland that he has taken over those old established DINING ROOMS, known as Porter's, nearly opposite the Theatre Royal, Queen-street, Auck land, where he hopes by strict attention to business to obtain a fair share of patronage. Special care has heen bestowed upon the Bed rooms, and settlers and country visitors to Auckland will find every comfort. Meals at al hours. NEVER Have the Public had such a Choice of BED STEADS offered them as at the present time! Besides our already well assorted Stock of Iron Bedsteads, and those of our own manu facture in X._ *ri, Rimu, Cedar, and Mottled Kauri, we ask them to bear in MIND that we have Just Opened Up, ex '* Otaki,' TWO HUNDRED IRON BEDSTEADS of the most modern style, comprising: French. Half Tester, Children's, and Stumps, also Cots, at Prices to suit all classes. Having purchased for Cash from THE Best Manufacturers, we can SELL A GOOD BEDSTEAD at a Very Low Price. BEDDING, of every description, kept in Stock. HOUSES FURNISHED THROUGHOUT at a Short Notice. Our system is to make a large return ; to insure this We Sell for Ready CASH at a Small Profit, and DELIVER GOODS FREE to any part of the Town and Suburbs. 4-f* Give your Furnishing Order to Hollo w ay, G-arlick & Gran.. ell, CABINETMAKERS, UPHOLSTERERS, AND CLOTHIERS, City Hall Arcade, QUEEN & LORNE-STREETS AUCKLAND. moTAGRICULTURISTS & OTHE RS W. J. HURST sc CO. have on sale the under mentiened Fertilizers, all of which have been proved to produce satisfactory results in this district. Experience teaches that large and profitable returns can bo relied on by a judicious and liberal use of them. The flattering Testi monials from leading Farmers justify W. J. Hurst & Co. in strongly commending them to every Agriculturist:— MALDEN ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MEXIC AN do. BELL_z, jaONE FLOUR J and J-inch BONED UST BILLYARD'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 Crops, and renovat ing Clover-sick Pastures, as well as the Potato and Mangold mixture that last season attracted so much favourable notice. Analysis, prices, and other particulars will bo supplied on application at the Stores. W. J. HURST & CO., 101 QUEI_N-S TRE ET, CLCVER SEED, FOR SPRING SOWING Just Landed, ex Columbus— 30 casks new.Clovers, cousisting of Red Clover White Clover Cow Gras Also on hand. Alsyhe, Timothy, Lucerne, Rape Rats-tail, Rye grass, Cocksfoot, &c, at lowest market rates. W. J. HURST & CO. fclOl, QUEEN-STREET. 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, Sharps, Chaff, Oilcake, Coal, &c, &c. Particular attention is called to 500 sacks Prime Barley at 4s per bushel o 50!b, 5 tons Anderson's Fresh v atmeal, a £21 per ton. W. J. HURST & CO.. 101, QUEEN-STREET. AUCKLAND. "TAXATIONAL FIRE AND MARINE JLI INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. Capital .... £1,000,000. Reserve £50,000. Re-Insurance Fund £20,000. Insurances effected against Fire and Marine Loss of Every Description of Property., at Lowest Current Rates. Prompt and Liberal Settlement of Claims. HENRY E. WILLIAMS, Manager, _uckland Branch.



Fire-water inclosed in bottles which for merly hold the raest popular and agreeable medicinal beverage of the century, Udolpho Wocfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps, is being sold by unscrupulous traders upon the public health. These fiery poisons often bear imitation labels to render the deception more complete. Beware of them. Demand and re ceive none but the genuine.