SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

vrTrit w \ Tvp ( T"is Afternoon, 1.7 mun ivA^u-| To-morrow Morning, 2 SUN RET.— This Evening. 7.11. SUX RISE.—To-morrow Morning, S.H jMOOX'B AGE.—Full .Moon, 29th, 8.13 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

DEPARTURES. Ataiania. schooner, for Tnirua Sissy, schooner, B-tyldon. for Portland Island L.iucasiiire Lass, cutler, for Tauranga

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

ior Tonga—Helena, brigantine, cany ; csaua, cutter, early For Vmher-t Roads—Jessie Osborne, ship, early For the South—Hawea. s.s., 28th inst. For Grisborne and Nauier—Go-ahead, 25th inst; Jane 1 Jouglas. early For Adelaide—Kate Brain, brigantinc. early Far Sydney—City of N«iv York, s.s., Saturday For Hokianga—Queen, schooner, early For London—Glenlora, barque, early; Loch Urr, barque, early For Coroinandel—Argvle, s.s., Mondays and Fridays Fir Wangarci—Argyle, every Tuesday Fjr Dunedin—Southern Cross, mission vessel, early For Kaipara—Kate Brain, brigantinc, early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

JrI.M.S. Pearl, from Sydney ; sailed 18th mst. H.M.S. .Sappho, from Sydney, early Star of the. South, 8.8., from Fiji, early Emily Chaplin, barque, from London, early Miss Kilmansoff, barque, from Port. pirie, early Glencoc, barque, from Tasmania, early Thurland Castle, ship, from London, early Oxford, ship, from London, early Santiago, barque, from London, early E nu. 5.9.- from Fiji, curly Isabella Pratt, schooner, from Oamaru, early Wave of Life, schooner, from Timaru, early

The schooner Atalanta has cleared forTairua with a cargo of stores. The ship Jessie Osborne lias entered out tor Amherst Roads, Maulmcin Rivei*. The barque Loch Urr broke bulk Ibis after noon, and will commence putting out in earnest to-morrow morning. The cutter Lancashire Lass left yesterday for Tanning".. She will endeavour to got back by Monday next for tho Regatta. The brig Byron now on her way from Lyttel ton is to load timber at Wangape for Mfil- The schooner Sissy left yesterday for Portland Island with a supply of stores for the light The preliminary enquiry into the stranding of the Gleulora was held before W. H. Brewer, Esq., of II.M. Customs, in the absence of tho Collector. The brigantine Helena, entered outward for Ton^a mid Samoa, will leave about Saturday next! Captain Mollcr. late of the Canterbury, is appointed master. Mr Nolan goes again as trading master. .... By a printers error the name of the bngantinc Nightingale, whose arrival in tho Kaipara from Melbourne we announced by pigeon express the day before yesterday, was given as the The ship Thurland Castle left London for this port on the 3rd November, and the barque San tiago on the 10th. The barque Roseneath arrived at Deal from the Kaipara with timber on the 11th November. The "Strandard" of the 15th inst. announced that the Sappho, Captain Noel Digby, had been directed to proceed to Aurora Island, to punish the natives for the murder of a British subject named King, the master of a small trading vessel that' called at the island to procure water* We are requested to state that, tho ball to be given at the Choral Hall on Thursday, is not given only by the officers, but by the deck officers and the nnder-ofßcu-s of the Heriha. A ball is to be given by tho ofllcora alone in a short time.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails wnx Olosh as Uxokk:— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m.; and to morrow, at 9.30 a»m. For Ci iromandel, per Lalla llookh, to-morrow, at 1.30 p.m. . For Wlritiang'a. Tauran.sra, and Opotiki, per Itowcna, tliis rlay. at I p.m. For Waiwera, VTnrkworth. and To Aral, par Annie Milbank, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Wailteke, pei- Spo.;,-, to-morrow, at S a.m. Fji- Gisborne and Napier, per Go-Ahead, to morrow, at 3 p.m. For Whitiangi, per Ocoan. to-morrow, at 1 p.m. For TuranaSd and Sonthcrn Provinces, per llawaa, oq Friday next, at 2.15 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 1.45 p.m. Late letters will be received ti1133.10 p. mr For Australian Colonies, per City of New \ovk immediately after her arrival from Kandavu. S. B. I>ISS, Chiei: Postmaster.

MARRIAGE.

TRKWHLLA — BARCIIARD. —At Registrar's Office, Auckland, .Tohn Trewhlla, miner, for merly of Cornwall, to Matilda Barchard, daughter of Alfred Barchard, formerly of tho Wharf Hotel, Auckland.

DEATH.

TAYLOTt..—On the 23rd instant, accidentally drowned at Tuaknu, Reginald Alexander, the beloved son of William Taylor, Turner-street.

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1877

-• _. <>*- A. '•'< •"- :. . -. ■■■■■A ••- . .1-1 •!•>-

ErUKOPKAX news i<, to-day, rather more re-assuring. The Ports, for the moment, appears to have gained its point, and at the date of latest cablegrams (Monday last) Russia had taken up a neutral attitude. France and England have declared neither for nor against Turkey, and Germany is indignant that, its neutrality should have been called in question. This was the position when the Conference closed, and it differs very little from that which preceded the gathering of the Great Power representa tives, except—and the reservation is an important one—except that the avenue of peaceful negotiation and diplomacy is now effectually shut, and future differences must be determined by the stern arbitrament of -war. A glance at the situation shews it to be untenable. The declaration of General Ignatieff that the Great Powers would be held responsible for the events which may follow their disinclination to enforce the reforms stipulated by the Conference, is suggestive of doubts concerning Russia's power to maintain the neutrality which it lias for the present assumed. The Czar, it has been repeatedly stated, is averse to war ; a.n averment, however, belied by his whole policy through the Servian campaign. The Imperial permission to General Tchernaieif and iiiteen thousand Russian soldiers who joined the Servian forces, to attempt the completion of what political emissaries had begun, conveys but a poor assurance of the disinterestedness of the autocrat of all the Russias. That the Emperor desires to cover any sinister designs he may foster under an outward garb of peaceful intention is no doubt true. But assuming that the Russian ultimatum which precipitated the armstice was the fruit of the powerful influence exercised by Slav partisans in Russia, supported by the avowed sympathy of the Czarowitch, we cannot suppose that Turkish successes and defiance have served to pour oil on the troubled waters, or in any way diminish the intensity of Russian an tipathies. And if we believe the declara tion of the Emperor, in his interview with Lord Loftus, that he was constrained to permit the departure of volunteers in the hope of allaying agitation and satisfying popular clamourjwithiu his dominions, it is still difficult to see how neutrality, imprac tible then, is possible now, when Russian troops in thousands have been slaughtered, the Servians ground to the dust, and the proposals of the Czar contemptuously rejected. A more reasonable explanation of the tortuous course of Russian diplomacy during the past twelve months, however, is, that the Emperor, failing to secure an ally, and alarmed by the threatening attitude of Britain, has permitted "I dare not, to wait upon I would." Whether ho _is now willing to sit down peaceably with tho accumulated humiliations of repeated %Uwss« upon, hjii k&djj remains be seen,

We are disposed to think the event will prove that lie is not. The crucial test will conic with the expiration of the Servian armstice and the renewal of hostilities or negotiations for pea cc. That unhappy little State sunk deep in misery presents hut a poor field for the creation of military ardour and war enthusiasm. A correspondent present after the disastrous engagements of the 2Dth, and at the beginning of the armis tice says ;— '• Crowds of fugitives from every town and laiulct round choked tho mountain passes. Jelgrade wan stricken with panic. The beat of drums summoned all men lit to bear arms, to report themselves for immediate service,bin the disorganisation was complete. The Servian militia refused in fact lo continue the contest. Some say in cowadice or from weariness oil tho war, the rustom of desertion haying become common ; and others any under irritation at the heaving of the Russian officers. Wretched fugitives and sick, with rain and molted snow and frozen with cold, are dying like rotten sheep. The roads are thronged with Servian stragglers, with fugitive peasants 1-aving the front, with half frozen children perched on ox waggons, and woir.cn tramping through knee-deep liquid mud. There is utter disorganisation every where, and the profoundest misery among military and civilian alike.' Suffering these terrible evils', and with passions excited against the Russians by failure and a painful experienceof their allies as stern task-masters, Sorvia might turn a deaf car to war counsels,if liberal terms of peace were offered by the Ottoman. But the Porto, not accustomed to err on the side of leniency, and Hushed with .success, will he false to all its past history if it fails to lay upon the conquered a grievous burden. Then will arise Russia's oppor tunity, and wo do not believe that lovors of liberty in Britain or elsewhere will feel other than the strongest emotions of regret if Hie Czar, whatever his motives, fails in the fulfillment of his many promises to the oppressed Christians. Reli ance upon Moslem pledges of toleration and (rood Government with the evidence of the once fertile and prosperous hut now desolate territories of European Turkey and Syria, before iis, is absurd. Witl the failure of the Conference, has passed away a glorious opportunity. Hand in hand, as at Navarino, when the com bined Meets of England, France and Russia, under command of a British Admiral, curbed the insolence of the Sultan, the Gread Powers might have forced such reforms on the Porte as would have offered a guarantee against oppression and a security from these frequent disturbances of the peace of Europe. Moslem pride and fanaticism have been per mitted to defeat those conditions upon which alone tho integrity and permanency of an Empire can be built, and if Russia, sincrle-handed, now administers a sound and salutary thrashing, the general feeling will, we believe, be that it was not un merited or ill-timed.

The cablegrams published in our issue of yesterday shew clearly that Russia is rapidly mussing a largo menacing army on the line of the river Truth, which, divides the North Eastern frontier of lloumania from the dominion.-? oi (lie < ;:.'ir. Tlie I'rutli runs about lull' way ;ii ■m;! Mi ■ western houudiiry of 15 is.sp.barabi:i ) iiritus«i:i, dividing it from Moldavia in Turkey, and then branches oil" from Kkouliary m a southerly direction into Moldavia, falling into tho Danube helow (lalatz. Tlic river, in fact divides the south-eastern portion of Moldavia,whiehabuts on JBessabarabia. Tho kussian territory, at its mosi ail vanned point toward* Moldavia, forms the aprx of a triangle at Tobak, where there is a■ con siderable inland lake, which expends about 20 miles southwards, tsmail, a Turkish town, near the Roiithe.rn ox tremity of tain Jake is very strongly fortified, and linn always been regarded us an important military station. Tlic Itussian army emps which arc inarch ing down the Pruth are principally concentrating on Kishinev, also _ spelt KicheneiV,a strong poston the river Dniester, and commanding the main roads leading to tho Turkish frontier. Kiclmiev iian a population of nearly ;~0,0(X). It is not more than -10 niillca from the Turkish frontier, andabontlOUfromOdcs^i., but piacticiillytht: distancsjbet-ween tiic I wo latter point* iaeon sidcniblyJussened by tho railway north wards, which runs within Ihirty miles of Kichoncv. The Russians have lixed upon this place as thehead-(|uartcr,s of their army on the Pruth, nndatlatestadviceßWcreconceiitratingthere

six army corps, amounting to 240,000 men, which were to bo followed by 1)0,000 more, making a total of #30,000 men within less than two days march of tho Turkish frontier. The country in their front ihroughoul the greater part of Moldavia is low, flat, and open, and generally maintains the sam« cliaractor right down to the Balkan, a Hording excellent facilities for rapid stratc cical advances and easy concentration, 'i'lii: lineof operation ;-< protected on its sen Hank by the strong fortress of Odessa, where General Tndieben, the famous engineer of the Crimea, is in command with two corps d'armee of between 50,000 and (JO.OK) men. A iieet of transports l«v been collected, and torpedoes are being sunk. It cannot be supposed that these preparations arcmr.de with the view of operating by sea by the mouths of the Danube, when the superiority nfthcTurkishflcctis taken into account', and the powerful defences on that river ; but the object is evidently to secure the communica tions of an army with its base of operations at Kichcnev, and operating upon Moldavia. Turkey on her side has not been idle. Troops are being collected and re-distributed in large numbers, and to meet the outlay, a third million of paper money has been issued.

The arch mischief-maker, Te Ngakau, has turned up in another direction after his suc cessful stoppage of the Pirongia survey. This time it is the Taupo Road which is his bele noir. He suddenly appeared near the scone of the work yesterday, but was care ful not to venture too near, sending over twelve of his followers to warn the working party to desist, The Europeans were un armed, and consequently had no option but to withdraw from the ground. We under stand that in giving these warnings, Te Ngakau is careful not to compromise him seff, representing that the danger comes from another quarter, and that the caution is given from motives'of friendship. Our telegram reporting the occurrence on the Taupo road states that the Government intends to push on the work in spite of the warning, and we trust that if Te Ngakau is found inciting the natives to lawless acts he will be promptly arrested and tried. Prompt and decisive action would probably have a wholesome effect in checking the in timidat on by Te Ngakau and his followers. We attach little importance to the suggestion offered by our correspondent as the motive for Te Ngakau's conduct. We have good reason to believe that Taw hiao lias not authorised Te Ngakau's action, that he has not been consulted with reference to it.and that it is the outcome of that chief's obstinate hatred of the Europeans, and of his insolent and overbearing temper. It is not likely that he would restore his influence over Tawhiao by any acts of violence or aggression.

An article on "English Military Discip line " appears on our fourth page. We may mention for the information of those who contemplate an appeal to the Assessment Courts against valuations just completed in the city and throughout the provincial districts, that they should state the grounds of such appeal or they are likely to be prevented from being heard. The fourth schedule to the Rating Act, 1876 will give all information relative to this 'matter. A synopsis of this and other Acts appears in Brett's AnckUuid Almanac q&l ProviftcM Handbook,;

Our Onehunga correspondent "writes: "The sad intelligence reached Onehimga late on Monday evening by telegram from Dunedin of the death by drowning of Mr William Eastwood, while bathing on that day. Mr Eastwood left his home at Onehunga pome three weeks ago, to have a tour down South, partly for plpasuro, and Mrs Eastwood and the other members of his family "were expecting him home, when the sad news reached them of his death.''

The "Rose" coach, on its return trip from Orafton-road at 4 o'clock yesterday, was being tarn ad round the cab stand, when the near horse's legs slipped from under him, and he fell on his side. The lurch thus given caused the other horse to lose his footing and he also went over, lying upon his prostrate brother in distress. in spile of the heavy rain the constable on duty gave prompt help, and with the assis tance of the cabman unfastened the traces. The top horse would not rise very quickly, apparently feeling more comfortable while lying on the body of his comrade than while pulling the coach. After pulling the animal-oil', and helping the other up, a fresh start was made. The cab stand ap pears to be slippery after a shower of rain.

In reference to the dispute on the Negro question, which haw occasioned the firand Lodges of England. Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, with other Grand Lodges, to secede from the Right Worthy Grand Lodge, and to form another Supreme Lodge, under the title of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the World, we learn from a Chriatchurch contemporary that the Grand Lodge of New Zealand South still adheres to the Right Worthy Grand Lodge, whilst the Grand Lndfre of the North Island has transferred its allegiance to the Right.Worthy Grand Lodge'of the World. This divided allegi ance will occasion some inconvenience to visiting Good Templars, as it is hardly probable the two Right Worthy Grand Lodges will issue the same password, (rood Templars from the United Kingdom will be at Tiomo in the North Island, but in the South, it may be, they will be looked upon as strangers.

The Sunday scholars of Pitt-street enjoyed a pleasant evening in the school room. A programme of readings and reci tations, interspersed with music, went merrily. In the interval, the certificates of merit were handed to the young hands of the successful competitors. The Waikato " Times " thinks that the opposition of Te Ngakau, and his party to the survey of the land at Pirongia is dictated by a desire to extort compensation from the Government, and that it possesses no poli tical significance whatever. Tlie election which came off last week at the Huia, of a member for the Manukau Riding, County Wai tomato, is not con sidered to be liirally settled yet, as there is likely to be some litigation over the seat. Mr E. Gibbon's, who got a majority of one over his opponent, Mr J. W. Waller, is likely to have to stand a legal fight, for the scat,'as it is averred there was personation by some persons.

To the. Editor : Sir,—As " Bystander" is

■.<■< very particular about the truth, it is a pity he docs not keep a little more to it in his version of the disturbance at the Wel lington hotel, if it can be called so. _ I saw the whole of it. Some men came in the worse of liquor obtained at some other hotel, and o*ie of them behaved in a most beastly manner, and the landlord put him outside the door. As regards the neigh bours being frightened, I think any of them will at any lime come forward, and slate that this hotel is conducted as well as any in town, and it dues seem very hard that one neighbour should try to take the bread out of another's mouth." It is not the first lime the same has been done. 1 trust you will insert this. lam no friend to either of the parties, but think this is no more than justice.—l am, yours respectfully, A NK.fJlinouß. —[This correspondence is closed.—Ed. E.S.] The members of the Star of Newton Lodge will meet in the Congregational school-room, to-morrow evening (Thursday) for the purpose of electing officers and other business. The school meeting at St. Paul's last evening was brielly disturbed by a stone, from the hand of a mischievous boy. coming through the window and causing a smash. Mr Harris and Mr Bealc imme diately rushed out with the view of captur ing the tangible embodyment of folly, but among a cluster of grinning boys they were unable to detect the oHcnc'cr, who conse quently escaped a castigation. The promoters of the Free Templars, soiree and Ball, to be held in the Lorue street Hall on Regatta night, have decided to have the tea on the table at nine o'clock, so that their friend« on returning from the various excursions, may partake of a. refresh ing ten, before the dancing. We under stand that an excellent programme has been provided by the lion. Secretary, and committee for the occasion, and an accom plished gentleman has consented to act as M.C. " Progress" Avrii.es advocating the import ance of erecting a large public school in Ponsonby, Avhieh will render classification possible.' He says:—"The district is in possession of a large site fronting three roads, which is lying idle. We hear that in an adjoining neighbourhood a handsome building is being erected for the school of the district; surely Ponsonby folks don't mean to lie behind, and alloAV their privi leges to slip in this Avay." The " Thames Advertiser" says : — " Mr. Craig sold 1070 shares in the Haze-bank C.M.C. yesterday for £1, the purchaser being Mr. 11. J. Lee. Hoav have the mighty fallen ! A law-suit connected with the ownership of this claim (which adjoins the Caledonian) cost some thousands of pounds, and the shares, which Avere sold on Monday, could have been readily quitted at £1 per share." At the inquest at Wellington on the bodies of the four men drowned at the regatta, the jury added a rider to their verdict to the effect that in all sailing boat races all in the boats should be compelled to Avear a life-belt. A meeting of the Auckland Presbytery is announced for this evening at St. James' Church, Wellington-street. The business is the ordination of Messrs P. S. Hay and J. M. Eraser. ' The time for closing of mails for Austra lian Colonies, per Riugarooma from the Bluff, has been extended to 11 a.m. to rn oitoav, the 2oth. Our Dunedin telegrams have given at considerable length, a report of an equity suit which avus opened on Monday in the Supreme Court, and which involves features as romantic as a fairy tale. The plaintiff is Thomas Robertson, of Anderson's Bay, near Dunedin, and the defendant is David M. Ross, still remembered in this city. The plaintiff seeks to set aside a i deed of conveyance to his son-in-law 1 and daughter, Mr. and Mrs Boss, residing at Timarn, on the ground that the deed Avas procured by fraud. The property is said to be worth £8,000. Mr David M. Ross Avas, for a short time in business m Auckland, and about three years ago, carried on the business of a sharebrokcr at Coromandel in partnership with Mr James McCormick, avlio can give many interesting reminiscenses of his late partner, who managed the money department. This Avas at the period of the **|Green Harp" case, and Mr Ross, who was a witness on the trial, sent the famous pigeon-expresses. Mr Ross left Dunedin in 1871, arrived in Auckland from Nelson in October of the same year, and subsequently settled at Timaru, where lie has followed the business of a land-agent. The billiard handicap at the Royal Mail is Bocnrlnß capital en .rfCS. TO-HMfITOW I _ the. 9.99* lug night,

We understand the carbine champion will be one of the carbine representatives from here the Wainku and Auckland men having retired in his favour. We Wish gunner Bell success. ' We are requested to state that the after noon dance on board H.M.s. Sapphire, which was postponed last Tuesday week on ncclmntof the weather, will take place on Monday next, the 29th inst. The "monthly inspection of the Artillery will be held this evening, at half-past seven, in the Drill-shed, in full dress miform The Captain notify* by advertisement that members absent without leave will be dis missed from the corps. •oThe South British Insurance Company have promised to give, through Mr Board man, the sum of fifteen guineas, either in money or a Cup, to the Auckland Regatta. We would remind intending competitors for the prizes for the best kept working man's cordon, that they must send in their names with full directions, as to place of abode to Mr. Green, gardener, Seaholt View who can be also seen at the Auckland Market on Saturdays, or to Mr. D. Goh.io, Custom-House-strect. on or before ihur.s dav the lirat day of February next. ilie person who took Ist prize last year, not being allowed to take a prize, tins year will rrive an additional chance to intending com-

petitors. The Sunday-school connected with Trinity Church will celebrate its anniver sary to-morrow in the usual manner, by an excursion to the Lake or Motutapu. i lie N.S.F. Cos p.s. Takapuna will convey children and friends, leaving the wharf at 9.30.

The following has been furnished to US : —A walking match, from the Choral Rail, in Symonds-strcct, to the Royal Oak Hotel at Onehunga, between Mr John laylor, timber merchant, of Customhouse-street, and an amateur, came off last evening; Mr Taylor conceding a start of live minutes. A considerable amount of money changed hands over the event. A return match is, we believe, on the tapis. 3 The teachers of St. James' Presbyterian Sunday school held their annual meeting' last evening in the vestry. Mr Peter Mackic in the chair in connection with last year's business, anditCV, it. I? Macnicol subsequently. Mr Parker, secretary, read a very encouraging report, which was adopted, and Mr John Richardson, the treasurer, presented the balance sheet, which showed receipts £111 10s 7d; expenditure £10/ 13s o*d, leaving a credit balance ot it 2s bid. The following were then appointed to olhcc for the ensuing year: — Mr. Peter Mackie superintendent, Mr. ltichardson treasurer and Mr Parker secretary and librarian. Mr. John McLeod was elected assistant librarian, and Messrs G. McXab and Brown as the delegates of the school at the meetings of the Sunday school Union. The teachers picnic will be he Id on Monday next, in Mr. JJiTworth's Paddock, Itenmcra to which the members or the St. Jame'B Bible class will be invited.

At tho Harbour Board Meetinj? yesterday afternoon, it was decided to postpone the con sideration of the Dock question tW Friday next when a special meetlnu; will bo held for the purpo.se. A letter from Mr Aickin.O.K, ofjerinjr sonc sutfijestions on the matter, was read, and was higHv approved of by several, of the mem bers captain McKcnzie gave notice thai at the nnxt ordinary meeting, no should hrins forward a motion to do awaf with Uie present pilot service, ami introduce a system ol licensed private pilots. \ letter speaking in eulogistic terms of Russia has appeared from the pen of Oarlylc. Jlc ue ciar.sii, would be .in actof inadncssfor hnyland to"o to war against Russia for Turkey. He proposes the expulsion of the Turkish fjoycrmnff classes from Europe, and the partition or. J urkey between Russia and Austria, while England secures the route to Tndin. lie suggests thai Hisinaxek should arbitrate between Russia and tingland. The members of No. :! Company A.ll. Volun teer.-, an- referred to our advertidin;j coiumns for parade order.

The Dunedin Will Case.

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

DUNEDIN, this day. Ross, in concluding his examination yester day, said ho had good reason to believe Bugler was implicated m the matter for which he suffered (viz.) shortcoming in his account at Park and Carles, etc. In his letter to his father-in-law, Bugler was re ferred to as " the thirsty informer." While in Auckland lie. wrote the following letter to his father-in-law :— "October 11, 1871. Thomas Robertson : "Dour sir. —As promised, and in clnly bound, I pen you, not to let you know that wo aiij ;ni ve.il, although pent-up in griot and much sorrow. A. weeping mother, wifo, nntl si-'.cr are haul to behold, and gloomy prospects are before us, hard to endure. * T sillier bitter pangs of remorse, a stranger in a strange land, and feel that it could be but a duty of the husband, father, and son lies on me, and with the help of (,iod may I get work for bread, for my nil was plucked from, me for a fault of whieli I vas nut altogether guilty. Never theless, better to die with hope of salvation mid freedom from thirsty informers' gra-sp, than in gaol, and of making such suffering* on (me not guilty. All the money left me was a few pounds we got for furniture, and half of that went as passage money. ( would have gone direct for America, or Melbourne had I not promised you and .Jennie not to leave New Zealand, and for her dear sake I tarry, as never one clung closer to man than she did to me. I cannot gel, work, but we have a. chance as man and wife on a farm 100 miles from here, so we have to leave to see it on Monday. You need not tell our whereabouts to anyone, as our names are better blotted out oi Otago. If you wish to write to Jennie, ad dress MrsD. Koss, P. 0., Auckland, and 1 will find some way to send for it. lioss, indeed ! How can we feel but sad '! God knows that I was spared, and with this name upon my lips. I protest that I sutler wrongs, as most truly I ant not guilty of the grave charge against me ; but, alas, in an evil hour one fatal stain laid on my shoulders burdens and griefs, charges and scandals, not belonging to me, although 1 have had to bear them for the sake of those belonging to me. I have survived, no doubt, but paid an hundred fold ; yes, paid many tears and sorrows, but the God of Justice knows the true state of my Avretched case. I only can, and always will say that the truth may come to light. There are a few things 1 would like to say, but meantime remain silent."

Plaintiff's eldest son had threatened to make his father suffer for not giving him the Tomahawk property, on the promise of getting which he had conic from America. Plaintiff's examination lasted some hours on Monday, and all Tuesday, during the greater part of which he has heen subjected to a searching cross-examination by Mr Garrick. In the main, his evidence corro borates the facts stated by counsel. He denies firmly that he ever authorised Ross to make a deed in his own favour or that he signedsuch in 1871. He thought he was sign ing a will. He was rather foggy about the signatures to certain documents shown him.

The principal evidence yesterday was given by Harold, who witnessed the con firmatory deed. He swears positively that when E,obertson signed it and he "witnessed it was in blank.

The case, which excites considerable attention, is not likely to be concluded before Thursday.

(PER PRESS AGENCY)

The case of Robertson v. Ross was con tinued in the Supreme Court yesterday, and promises to last for several days. Plaintiff was giving evidence nearly the whole day, and for a man nearly 80 years of age, dis played great powers of endurance. He underwent a severe cross-examination last ing about four hours, and answered vigor ously tiie questions put by counsel for the defence^

SUPREME COURT.-THIS DAY.

IN BANCO

(Before His Honor, Mr Justice Gillies.)

PETITION. Mr Heskcth presented a petition from tlic relations of the late Patrick Joseph Kelly, wlio was drowned at Whakatauc, for tlic appointment of trustees to certain lands belonging to the Whakatane Company, as the said Patrick Joseph Kelly had appointed his son under his will, who was an infant, and legally incapable of acting as trustee. A considerable amount of argument fol lowed, and finally his Honor accepted the petition, and Messrs J. S. Macfarlanc, Patrick Comiskcy, and Charles R. lv. i-ei gusson were appointed as proposed. RE TOWJKSHEND BROTHERS. MrJ. B. Russell appeared on behnlr ol the trustees in the estate of Townshcnd Bros provision merchants of Durham street, and applied under the 141 section of the Debtors and Creditors Act, for complete execution of the deed, as every necessary form had been complied with in conformity with the Act. There were no creditors in appearance. _ His Honor said as f hero was no opposi tion, the Court would accept on pnmn facie evidence, but observed that Air Thcophihw Cooper had made an aflidr.vit upon oath, that three-fourths of the credi tors were represented at the meeting <v the •21st January, when the minutes suewed that 15 creditors only were present out ot 42 His Honor said it was necessary to he very particular in making affidavits, or trouble might ensue. It was shewn that three-fourths hi value were represented. . His Honor then declared the deed completely executed.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before T. Macffarlanc Esq., and G. Yon dor Heyde Esq., justices.) SPIRITUALISTS. Agnes Conlon, and F. Kendall, were severally punished for being drunk. Agnes modestly acknowledged it was her third offence,"and was relegated to the sequestered glades of Mount Eden for 7 days. Kendall was fined 5s and costs. FORGERY George Biggs, a respectably dressed young man, was placed in the dock, charged with the forgery of a cheque for £10, purporting to be signed by Mr S. Mor rin, with intent to defraud. Mr Sub-Inspector Pardy asked that the case might be remanded till Tuesday next, as a witness had to be procured from the Waikato. The request was acceded to. REMANDED. Margaret Clark, a decent-looking woman, was charged with stealing a number of articles of' furniture, valued at £9 10s, from Kate Smith. Mr Tyler, on behalf of ilie defendant, applied for a remand, as the accused had had no time to prepare her defence. The case was remanded until Saturday. (Mr G. S. Graham here took his seat on the Bench).

EMBEZZLEMENT

Denis Sullivan was charged with em bezzling various sums of money received by him on behalf of his employer, Philip Crowe baker. There were live separate charges against the prisoner. When asked if he pleaded guilty or not guilty, lie whimpered, "I don't know if I took the money. I might have done, but it. was outside my knowledge—boo-00-nn (laughter) Oil ! what shall I do at all at all? boo-ob."

I'liili]) Crowe, linker, deposed that the prisoner hud been in his ser vice. His business was to take round bread to his customers, .and to receive pay ment-. One of his customers was Mr Chris topher Uullen Smith, who usually paid for his bread daily. The prisoner, on the 21st, •22nd, and /23rd December, told him that Mr Smitliiiad.not paid for his bread. He gave in mi money. Mr Smith deposed that be did pay for Ills bread on the three days above-mentioned. The other cases were proved in a similar way. The Court inflicted a sentence of one month's imprisonment for each ofience, in all five months. Prisoner wrs taken out of Court, blubber ing like a baby. This was all the busfness.

The Terrible Cyclone In Bengal —Full Particulars.

215,000 LIVES LOST.

Thk Inst San Francisco telegrams gave a brief <lc--f"viptinn of a fearful cvc-lono in Bengal which destroyed over 20*000 lives. Piipersl>y the Suez ?.lail }?ivc <lottiils of the calamity, which is said to have been one of (ho most, terrible on record. Ay official table of fho. losses in tlic three districts over which the cyclone passed gives the following litres :—Tn tlm Buckergunge district, there are' three island* named Dukhin, Slmhhazpore, ]soy Colachipa, the estimated population of ■which "was 437,000. It is supposed that the number of persons (irowiiod in thr-pc tlirco islands -was 100,000. In ihe Noacolly district, there were five islands, the pnpula tion of which was 40^.000, of whom 93,000 were drowned, and in the Chittagonjj district with a population estimated at 222,000, the number of lives lost was 20,000, making a total of 21.~>,000. It is thought, however, (hat tlio official estimate is below the actual number. The three large islands of Ihikhin, Shahabaz pore, Haitian, and Sundeop, with nume rous other small islands, are situate near the estuary of the river Meg hua, formed by the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmapootra riveis, the largest island being 800 miles in extent, with a population of 240,000. The popula tion of Hattiah and Sundoep was about ] 00,000. About midnight on the 31st October,

THE PEOPLE WERE ASLEEP IN

THEIR BEDS, when a storm wave, in some places 20 feet deep, swept over the islands. The dense groves of eocoanut and palm trees afforded some shelter to the affrighted people, but those Avho failed to reach the trees were swept out by the receding wave, and carried to sea, clinging to their houses, some beiii" landed on the opposite shore, a distance of ten miles, but the vast majority were-" drowned. Cattle were drowned/ boats swept away. All the civil officers and police perished. The survivors suffered great hardslrips.bnt were able to subsist on soaked ( stores of rice, which are placed under ground. Cocoa-nuts also aider]. Robberies became rife, but 60 relief stations were established. Wherever the storm wave passed, it is believed that not one-third of the popula tion is surviving. The islands have barely one-fourth of their former inhabitants. The* stench from the putrifyihg bodies is insuffer able, and a general outbreak of cholera was hourly expected. Sir Richard Temple visited the islands in company with Mr Beverley, and from carefully compiled data they estimated that 215,000 persons were drowned in an area of 3000 square miles In some villages, 30 per cent of the inhabi tants were lost; in others, 50 per cent • in some, even 70 per cent. ' THEORIES AS TO THE STORM WAVE. The Noacolly people thought the storm wavc came from the sea, right up the river Megna with salt water ; that then the cyclono turned round and rolled the fresh water from the river downwards; that with this retluence there whs a pilin« ut> aa it were, of fresh and m\t wa,te£ w&wr «j a. W h a.l} mi - the siuTOuitfhi";

tracts. One theory is that the cycW forming in the bay struck the shore fw near Chittagong, and went north for som» distance, and then turned southward again Another is that the wind blew back'th. waters of the Megna, which rebound.* with terriiic force when the pressiuv* ' Xl laxed. A third supposition is that'tf ( were two parallel storms, with a centred ' calm between them. The first or thirri theory seems most probable, as in Snndeen and Chittagong the destruction came from the south. ACCOUNT OF AN EYE-WITNESS Mr Higgins, an inspecting postmaster was in Jus travelling barge that ni4t moored in the creek near Noacolly, ab. u . 10 miles inland from the Megna. He U. gone to bed that night at 11 o'clock, with out tiny fear or anxiety whatever. The boatmen were ashore, but his four native servants were on board with him. Shortly before midnight he was awakened by a _l of " The waters are up." Jumping up C looked out and saw a high wave, with i{ B crest and curfng top gleaming in the star, light ; it seemed like a flash ; in an instant his boats seemed rising up on high . fastened on a life-belt, in a few moments another wave come rolling on, and the ham. capsized ; lie paddled about in the vaterail the rest of that night with the help of tw life-belt. The native .servants clung to sp ars -three were saved, one was Io*t; t] le water felt warm to the body, but the ait Avas bitterly cold to the head or hands above ; the surface. After the cry of " THE WATERS ABE ON US!" There were great waves which swept ! everything before them. Thousands of I poor wretches clinging to roofs and branches of trees Avere swept out in the raging A\*ators. Some Avere caught in the prickly brunches of the Madar tree, and though fearfully lacerated, Avere saved from drOAvning, the thorns and prickles holding them by the clothes and flash like grapp]i n » hooks. ' The boats great and small whicfi constitute the only means of eommunica. tiou in the district Avere all lost on the night of the storm, jammed and smashed up together, or Avreeked, or disabled, or carried inland and left high and diy. %_ Noacolly authorities avci _ thus bereft of all resources for moving across the floods. In the case of the Hattea Island, this was very hard ; by reason of the loss of all boats there were no means of crossing the Megna to reach the island, and for three days at lerst it Avas suceourless. The people on the mainland knew its danger, but could not cross over to it. CONDITION OF THE SURVIVORS. The force of the inundation appears to have listed in most places from about mid. night to 2 a.m., that is for two bourse ;k daybreak there Avas much subsidence o. flood, and by noon next day the survivors had come down from the trees and regained tcrra.iimia. But they must havebeenfood less and shelterless for the rest of that day and ;tll the next day. After that, however, they begin to re-assemble, not indeed at the ruins of their homesteads, which had been carried away entirely, but at the sites and foundations. They took out. their store.; of grain buried in pits, dried thn.se which Avere Avct—the snn having come out in the clearer sky-and cooked such as Avere undamaged. At : every homestead which I _ visited I found the people engaged in drying their grab. . They also made framcAVOrks with broken branches, over A.hicli they threw sheets and cloths such as they had about them at | the moment, and so made little tent-like I habitations. Plantain frees abounded, 'A but the fruit Avas mostly destroyed. The I cocoanuts, however, A*ery frequently stood I thror.gh the storm, and must have afforded | some sustenance. There must have hecn | much trouble about water at first. But 1 either the drinking tanks speedily recovered § from the hrackishness left by the salt I Avavc, or else the storm Avave must have i mainly consisted of fresh Avater, for the I drinking tanks Avere not brackish when we . tasted them a few days afterwaids. It , Avas a great relief to find that such was the case.

FLOATING CORPSES.

The bodies of the lost were carried to con- ■ siderablc distances, where they could not be identified. Must homesteads have dead strangers lying about, washed in from distant villages. The corpses began, to putrify before tlic water cleared oil'tie grounds, so they are left unburied iv num bers all over the country (in a Makoinedan population there is no cremation). _ They are indeed masses of corruption which do ; one can bear to approach, and they present S a sickening spectacle. Mixed with liumafl • bodies are'the bodies of cattle, all heaped » up together. The smell in many place : was distressing to us as we walked tlirotiga the fields " from viilfgc to village. Weather-tossed seamen in tlic Bay « Isonu.nl f-aw many corpses iioatcd out tm \ land v.-ith the waves. Corpus from the ; Snndccj) Island were ilung en to the sea sliore at fbittngong ; and Hvni- persons ; were home thitln'i- across an am : of the sen, clinging to the roofs or beani.s of tlieir ov.-n houses, as if upon rafts. . Dowlutldiiin, had S0&0 inhabitants, one- | fourth of whom perished, perhaps more. Approaching the place, we steamed for W |. miles through a creek, the banks of avii« f all the way were strewn with human bodies, ■ lloated up and down by the tide. OUTBREAK OF CHOLERA. | Rome tanks and some swamps, indeed, a« ■ full of human corpses and all manner« fetid matters, and cannot be approachedi the streamlets which cany off the accunWj .. lilted water were flowing black andW-. . with putrid substances. Cholera lias oroKca out on the Chittagong coast aud ontiieeast .side of the Megna.

Accidentally Drowned.

YESTERDAY afternoon, a .«nd and V^f, accident occurred at Tuakau, to Eq^K Alexander, eldest son of. Mr WUI»J Taylor, of Turner-street, Auckland. J would appear from the particulars to J» that the little fellow had been on ft vif ■" ; Mr. Perry. He had suffered in healt >10' ■ some time, and his mother t110"^ i . change of air -would restore him. r v I at Tuakau for some time, and came whj h about a week or so ago, and it was arrai'o, r | he should go again. Mr Perry canie an« took him away. It was his custom. j play Avith a water dog around a F.on ,i. Tuakaii, by throwing sticks in, majallf>'t ]. rlogswim to fetch them out. Mr, re i a had no thought U danger, as the boy^ jv intelligent, and was warned not to yen , I into the water. He had been often eiW i on the very spot where the accidj..,, happened. No one witnessed the o , fence, but Mr Perry missed hint, a" once began to search. When Mr '^M come to the pond, lie saw at once w«f y , happened when he noticed the boys floating on the water. The alarm JJ» | once raised, and a search was instituteu » j the body, which was found late » b evening. The accident came with ana^ | shock to his parents. He was a remark h m intelligent boy, and loved by those v» ; | knew him.

The rateable value of property fo Jjjf : church for the present year is £1W W | being an increase of £32,651. . • Mr and Mrs Bach' thr.nk the pemH Parnell who ran to the as is'ancea^v^ children during the accident of yesteiw m It appears that through the wheel of the c- . being chained at the time the horse W f the cart collided against the kero X,-. and upset, falling oil one of the w\ ' | whose arm was broken. Another owwvj | a severe bruise on the head. Mr to^j,j 1 little boy was also injured on the arm. IJJ.I horse took fright through the winkera s^ | ping off while the, carfer yw f^^Pl m ;? AQi'ge'gilo^rJogk ,;

THE EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1877.



ct.i TTIO 11 HOKI AN G A "^ DIRECT. J^^^^S^^ Tne Regular Trading Schooner QUEEN, "Will sail for Hokianga, on SATURDAY next, 27th instant. For freight or passage apply to M. xsICoUL, Agent.



■X INOLEUM! k: T.»^ CAEPET3! FUBNITUKKt LINOLEUM!— Unsurpassed for Durability; Soft and warm to^he feet. T INOLT3UM!—Best covering ever invented JU for Dining Rooms, Halls, Orh ces, and Billiam Rooms. T BNOLEUM I—A large variety of Patterns at JU the City Hall Arcade. T■ f NOLEUJVi i— Fitted to any size or shape JU room by Holl(nv;iy & GarilClC. CARPETS!— Just landed, Velvet Pile, very handsome. . C~ ARPETB!— Beautiful Brussels, latest de signs, for Drawing Rooms. AIIPETS !— KiddcrrniTister. large variety. Tapestry from 2/11 to 4/f>. FURNITURE I—lnlaid Walnnt Centre Table.-?, Modern Drawingroom Suites FURNITURE !—Sittingroom Suites, Bedroom Furniture for all classes. URNITURE !—The best Show in Auckland. Show Rooms lGG£t. long. L IBERAI, DISCOUNT^ p^^^ I>UY your FURNITURE, DRAPERY, AND & CLOTHING^ thk llaroAlje . HOLLOWAY & GAKLICK, Proprietors.



"\T ° T I G E DRAPERY GOODS, NEW AND CHEAP !! The undersigned have Purchased n.t Auction a I, YKGE LOT of NSW DRAPERY GOODS, lust landed ex City of Auckland, the whole of which having been bought at much under the visual Warehouse Rates, they can afford to oiler to their Customers at Vkky Low Pricks. The Parcel conipriscs :— Grey Calico, various qualities, from /3g-fl yard Strong White Calico at /I yard, or 3/10 doz. 72-in. Grey Sheeting, ]/ yard, good quality 72-in. & 80-in. White Twill Sheeting 7-_'-in., 80-in. & 90-in. Croydon Sheeting, 1/G yard Huckaback Towels, good, /0 each, 5/9 doz. White and Unbleached Damask and Damask Table Cloths, from 2/6 9/d, 10/4 & 11/1 Alhambra Quilts, good qualities, 3/11 Rough Brown Holland, from /B yard Half-dressed ditto, superior quality, very cheap at /101. and 1/ Black Lustre, and superior quality Black Bril liantine Lustres New Prints, good patterns, at /4&, /oh, and /6, very cheap Harvard Shirting, good quality, /7J yard Fine Irish Linen, lot of Remnants, a bargain, from 1/1 yard Gents' Br. Cotton Half-hose go. £.( merino feet Grey and Fancy Striped Mertno Half-hose, and other goods too numerous to mention.



All Purchasers of Drapery and Clothing should inspect our Stock, and prove that although NOT selling off, we are giving FULL value fob MONEY. B@~ One Shilling in the £ returned on all pur chases of 20s. and upwards. KUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, Upper Queen-street, Auckland. TO TOURISTS AND VISITORS TO WAIKATO AND THE LAKES. BUGGIES (DOUBLE AND SINGLE), AND SADDLE HORSES, ALWAYS READY FOR HIRE AT REASONABLE CHARGES. Parties intending to go through to the Lakes yovided \y ith flrst-class animals by B. EDWARDS <Lato of Cobb & Co.), LJVHIRY STABLEKEEPER, H.iMattton Hotel, HajxdltQP,



TfOTICE OF REMOVAL. TT A TKINS BEGS TO AXXOUXCS THAT HE «5T II A S R EMOVEDII "B* TO THE Premises Next Door Below his Old Shop. 11. ATKINS Begs to heartily thank his numerous Cus tomers for their very liberal patronage from his tirst commencing business tip to the present time, and to assure them tl'.at although his trade lias increased to that extent, that his REMOVAL to more Commodious Premises wa-s a neces sity, the same principles of business will still bo adhered to: viz.. keeping a good article, buying in the cheapest-, market, and selling at the smallest proi it possible. His New Shop shall always be known as The Cheapest in Auckland. H.A. will be happy to see all his old Customers, and as i nany new ones as may honour him with their patronage. A SPLENDID STOCK



DRAPERY AND CLOTHING Will always bo found, and the PRICES THE LOWEST IN AUCKLAND! H. ATKI NS.



THIUENITURE! FURNITTJ BE! Ladies and Gentlemen about to Furnish arc respect fully requested to inspect the Large Stock of DRA WING - ROOM, DINING -ROOM BEDROOM. AND GENERAL HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, In our New and Spacious Showrooms. T. & JL~COOKE 3 67. QUSEN-STREET Adjoining Bank of New Zealand.



The Medical Profession have declared STEAXK'S SUPEIILATIVK AKOMATIC TOXIC WINS to be a necessity to all in search of health, and especially to those suflferinf? cither from incipient or Chronic Indigestion, Dyspepsia, and the dis orders arising therefrom. This Tonic is also particularly recommended to all ivho are in a measure compellefl 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 moat beneficially <>v t-no system. Mr. Wm. Johnson, Government Analy tical Chemist, report: — "! have examined Steane's Superlative Aromatic Tonic Wine, and find it to be remarkably pleasant in flavour, con taining about 16 per cent, ot 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 supcrio r article."—Sold by all Storekeepers and Hotel keepers. , The vilest rogues arc those, who impose on the sick. There is a class of impostors now engaged in vending imitations of that health-promoting beverage, Udoi.pho Wolfe's Schiedam Ako matic Soiixafps, put up in bottles which pre viously held the real article, and often bearing counterfeit labels. Purchasers should ask tor and take none but the genuine.