SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

„ „-. fThis Afternoon, 4.15 HIGH WATER- { T __ rao rrow Morning, 4.43 SUN SET.—This Evening, 7.12 . SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning, 4.4-. MOONS AGE.--Full Moon. 20th, 11.30 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Taupo, s.s., Carey, irom __ui._i__ »"" ""~

South __ Restless, brig, from X ewcastle Policeman, schooner, from Russell Linda Weber, brigantine, from Timaru Hauraki, s.s., Oakes, from the Waitara. (at OnC-

hunga) _, _ .. ,„ + Taranaki, s.s,, Kennedy, from the boutn (at

Onehunga) . ._«_.- Atalanta, schooner, from Waitara (at One hunga)

DEPARTURES.

Nellie, schooner, for Lytteiton, via wapier Amaranth, schooner, Campbell, for Waitara (from Manukau)

IMPORTS.

Per s.s. Taranaki from. New Plymouth ana 1 400 tram rails, 6 kegs nails, 15 cases, 7 kegs, 9 bales hops, 3 parcels, 1 bag. 4 bales fungus. Per brig Restless, from Newcastle: 430 tons coal. _, _ __. Per brigantine Linda Weber from Timaru: 50 sacks oatmeal, 140 bags (100s> flour 280 bags 50s) flour, 110 sacks (20Os) flour,. 1,313 sacks |_Per s.s. Taupo, from Dunedin: 20 sacks Anderson and Co.'s oatmeal, 6 cases hams and bacon (in cloth).-H. B. Morton.

EXPORTS.

Per schooner Nellie, for Napier: 50,000 feet timber, and 130 kegs powder. Per ketch Pearl for Friendly Islands : 225 cases Geneva, 35 cases brandy, 16 do. gin. 6 do. schnapps, 3 do. tobacco, 10 do. kerosene, 2 quarter-casks rum, 10 gunnies ands bags sugar* 1 case perfumed spirits, 5 do. vestas, lo boxes soap, 80 tins biscuits, 40 tins flour, 16 cases oysters, 10 kegs and 10 casks beef, 5 bales, 4 cases drapery, 1 gun. 5 lbs powder, 1 rifle, o cases vestas.—Owen & Graham. The s.s. Taupo arrived in harbour from the South to-day. Passengers: Mesdames Yon der Hevde, Scotter, Webb, Bach (2), Davis, Miss Stables; Bishop Cowie, Rev. Somerville: Messrs Valleuce, Butler, Belcher, Bloomfield, Lumsden. Hesketh. Davis, Buller, Harkiss, Bolton, Large, McLeod, Foster. McDonahi, Pasey, Dalv, and 5 steerage. The 3-ma*sted schooner Policeman arrived on Saturday night from Russell with a cargo of The ketch Pearl hauled away from the wharf on Saturday afternoon, and is to sail to-day for Tonga with a general cargo. _; The schooner Amaranth has left the Manukau with a cargo of timber for Waitara. The p.s. Hauraki arrived in the Manukau on Saturday from Waitara with a cargo of sheep and cattle. She sailed for Raglan this after noon. __...-. The New Zealand Shipping Co. give notice that all wool for the ship City of Auckland must be in the Company's shed on or before the 22nd The R.M.S. City of Sydney left Sydney on Friday, and is due here on Wednesday morning: She is advertised to leave for San Francisco, via Honolulu, on the same day at noon. The schooner Nellie arrived from the Thames on Saturday afternoon, and having taken on board 130 barrels of blasting powder, sailed for Napier and Lvttelton during the afternoon. The s.s. Taranaki arrived in the Manukau from the Soutfl yesterday. Passengers: Saloon —Mosdames Nussill. McHugh, Overton, Misses Smales, Mowatt, Waller, • Webb, Nicholson, Myers. Messrs Warnoek. Beaver, Barnes, Absolum. Roberts, Russell, Maling, Sharland. Mowatt, Hursthouse. Hill, Myers, Milner, and eight steerage.—Henderson and Macfarlane, agents. The brig Restless arrived from Newcastle yesterday, after a 13 days' passage. She brings a cargo, of coals, which are being discharged into the hulk Bella Marina. „-_.,, The brigantine Linda Weber, Captain John McKenzie, arrived yesterday from Timaru, with a cargo of wheat and other produce. The captain reports very favourably of the vessel's maiden performance. She has had adverse weatherflon the passage. The s s. Rotorua is due here from Napier and the South to-morrow, and is advertised to sail for Sydney on Wednesday at noon. The s.s.'Rotomahana having been thoroughly overhauled and repaired since her late mishap, will resume her trips to the Thames at 11.30 to-morrow morning.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under : For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m., and to morrow, at 10.30 a.m. For Coromandel, per Argyle, on Friday next, ] at 2.30 p.m. For Russell, Kawa Kawa, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per lona, this day, at 4 p.m. For Waiwera, Kawau, Omaha, and Matakana, per Anne Milbank, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Taranaki and Southern Provinces, per Taranaki, to-morrow, at 2.45 p.m. For niouey orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 1.45 p.m. Late letters till 3 p.m. For Wangarei Heads, WaiDU, Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Argyle, to-morrow, at 4 p.m. For Wangaroa, per Fanny Kelly, to-morrow, at 4 p.m. For Rnssell and Kawa, per Taupo, this day, at 4 p.m. For Australian Colonies, per Rotorua, on Wed nesdaj next, at 11 a.m. For Whitiangi, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Rowena, on Wednesday next, at 4 p.m. For Tauranga, Gisbo__e, Napier, and Southern Provinces, per Taupo, on Thursday next, at 9 p.m. Per s.s. City of Sydney, on Wednesday next, as follows: — For Sandwich Inlands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and Soutb 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, bearing an Jextra 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. _|N.B.—Mails despatched to Waitemata Mills, Helensville, and all Offices in the Kaipara Dis trict, will close at this Office at 12.50 p.m., in stead of at noon, as heretofoso. S. B, BISS, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTHS.

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

MEEK.—On the 16th instant, at Otahuhu, the

wife of Mr. R. L. H. Meek of a son. WOODWARD.—Oh December 11, at her resi dence, Grey-street, the wife of John Wood- Ward, baker, of a son.

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

MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1877.

Sfcrtha cause that lacks _..ilst_:c«, for the -wrong that needs lesistaDca. Fo» the future in the distance, A._ the good that « <J— da

Mr D. McPherson, diaper, of Karanga hape Road, wishes notice taken to his special job advertisement in another column. The line consists of pretty costumes for ladies braided linen, pique and cambric skirts of a great variety and woudrously cheap. Girls' pretty dresses, &c.

At a recent fire in the East Coast a rev. gentlemen took his coat oil*at the first alarm and worked with the best of them amidst the heat and fire and smoke. Considering that he required a moment's rest, he approached a little knot of his friends for a short chat. " You look very sad, Mr. ," said one of them. "Yes, I have cause," was the response. " What is the matter ?" asked another. "Oh! it's useless for me to mention ft now," replied the rev. lire man. " But youjmay as well let us know," chimed in another. "Well," said the questioned one, " You know that a purse of sovereigns was presented to me last night. I left the purse in my coat when I took it off to try and help, and just now, when I put my coat on again, I found my nice purse all safe, but the sovereigns had vanished." " Oh ! what a shame," chorused his audience. "But," said one of the number, "How foolish it was of you not to put the money in the Bank the first thing." "That's just what I had done," said the rev. joker, and he picked up his buckets and departed, refreshed.

The Ladies' Prize, a silver tea-pot, which was fired for at the Mount Eden Rifle Range on Saturday, was won by Volunteer Bowden with the very good score of 46 points. The following? re the scores :—Vol. H. Bowden, 4G; Vol. Stewart, 42 ; Corpl. Duff, 41 ; Sergt. Haslett, 40 ; Corpl. Cooper, 39; Vol. Taylor, 39; Vol. Haslett, 37 ; Vol. Payne, 35 ; Vol. Fairs, 34 ; Vol. Alderton, 32."

The return cricket match between the Newton Excelsior and Junction Cricket Clubs was played on Saturday, and resulted in another victory for the former. The following were the total scores made by each side : Excelsior —First innings, 34 ; second innings, 57 : total, 91. Junction- First innings, 37; second innings, 4S : total, 85. Majority for Excelsior, 6 runs. Mr and Mrs Morton Tavaves will appear at the Masonic Hall, Onehunga, this even ing, in the amusing quarrel " The Happy Pair," the quarrel scene from " The School for Scandal," and "Nothing to Wear." We would advise the people of Onehunga not to miss such an excellent opportunity of hear ing two of the most talented artistes that have ever appeared in Onehunga. We understand that Mr Tavares proceeds on a professional tour to Nelson and the West Coast, prior to leaving New Zealand for a more extended sphere. During the stay of Mr and Mrs Tavares in Auckland they have appeared in a round of Shakespearian and other high-class performances, in cluding Hamtet, Macbeth, Richelieu, and iv London Assurance, The Honeymoon, The Two Roses, &c. In the leading characters these two artistes have sustained their high reputation. The regular monthly meeting of the brethren of the Lodge Waitemata will be held this evening in the Masonic lodge room, Princes-street, at the usual hour. The members of the Hope of Auckland Tent of Rechabites will hold their quarterly financial meeting this evening, in the Temperance Hall, Albert-street, for the purpose of presenting the report and nom inating officers for the ensuing quarter.

The employs on Mr Roycroft's contract, Waikato, have formed a debating Society under the title of the "Swampers." Mr Roycroft was elected President, and Mr Balfour secretary. The first subject dis cussed was, " Whether Sir Julius Vogel did right in selling the Piako Swamp to its pre sent owners, or whether it would have been better for the country if Sir George Grey proposal to cut it up into small farms had been carried out." After an animated dis cussion, the meeting came to the conclusion that Sir Julius Vogel did right in selling the swamp. During the debate, a speaker named Hampton, speaking of new chums who could not obtain em ployment in Auckland, but got work in the swamp, said : —" I have seen these men come into the swamp with hardly a rag to their backs, and with their torn watertight boots, and in a few months with their pockets full of money and with spring-side boots on." A Mr Martin told the following tall yarn : —" For three years and six months I have been travelling the Piako Swamp, from Hamilton to Taupiri, up to my waist in water. I have seen good: times, and bad times also ; worse times wheu the frost came on, as sometimes, when I have gone out of a morning in the winter, I have found my trousers frozen stiff, standing bolt up right as if I were in them; likewise my boots, and I have been put to considerable inconvenience thawing them out."

A meeting of the stone masons was held at the Foresters' Arms on Saturday 15th. Present: the memb.rs of the Trade and Labour Council, and a large number of masons. The President explained that the object of the meeting was to form a Trade Society. Several matters were under con sideration which would be better accom plished if all trades were united for mutual benefit. He explained also the object of the Trade Council, and said they ought more properly to be called Courts of Arbi tration, as they were meaut to settle dis putes with employers, instead of resorting to strikes. The stone masons fully recog nised the necessity of a Trade and after considerable d cussion a committee was formed to carry ut the organisation, and it was decided to adjourn the meeting till Thursday, 20th Lecember.

An Australian telegram states that the Bank of New Zealand have purchased the extensive premises in Pitt-street now occu pied by the Australian Mutual Provident Society, for £25,000. The total return of gold from the Thames for the week ending December 15th amounted to 1,723 ozs 11 dwts and 12 grs. » Mr Cotterill, who married Miss Isabella Caraudini, died at Wellington on Sunday last. He had long been in ill-health. Mrs Coghlan has collected from residents at Te Kopuru and Northern Wairoa. the sum of £13 9s 3d, receipt of which the Rev. Father Walter McDonald acknowledges with thanks, towards the extension of St. Mary's Orphanage, Ponsonby. Mr Josiah Martin, head master of the Model Training School, Choral Hall, will five a popular lecture on Wednesday evening, entitled " Round the world by lime-lights'" The views will be exhibited by Mr Crook. A number of musical selections will also be given under the direction of Mr Martin Swallow. There will also be an exhibition of microscopes, telescopes, mechanical models, drawings, and a collection of natural productions from Auckland and its surroundings. The excursionists by the Te Aroha on Saturday afternoon to Glen Orchard and back expressed themselves satisfied with the trip," although . Glen Orchard _ did not answer exactly to a previous description in which the nook of nature had been strewn with strawberries and other good" things. Some wandered about, others looked for oysters, and two others, a stout man and his son, muttered " I wish I had a kindler and a bachelor's kettle, with a little tea and sugar; I would make a blaze." After several small incidents, jokes, and staves of old songs, the party reached the wharf, and stepped towards their respective homes in time for " the cup that cheers but not inebriates."

The Managing Committee in connection with the Foresters' annual fete in the Domain on Boxing Day are working assiduously to make the affair a grand success, which it is confidently expected it will be, should the day prove fine. The prizes offered in connection with the sports should be sufficient to induce many of the young men of the Order to cuter the lists of competitors. The soiree and ball in the evening is also expected to be a great success. A large number of tickets have already been disposed of. Tea will be provided in the hall at 6.30 p.m., and a concert will be held subsequently, at which a number of our best local amateurs wiil assist. The ball at the close will be very select, the music being supplied by the Hibernian Brass Band. Altogether, we think a very pleasant anniversary gathering has been arranged for, and we see no reason why it should not be a success.

Scene: Queen-street; time, Saturday night. Footpaths crowded, and brightly the lamps shone on fair women and brave men (volunteers) —a thousand hearts beat happily, and when the sounds of a dog fight arose with its discordant swell, soft eyes looked love to eyes that spoke again, and sweet voices murmured " What's up ?" A dog-fight was up. A tall gentlemanly looking policeman in snow-white unmen tionables went with gigantic strides for that confused heap of struggling tykes. A butcher across the street flourished his cleaver aud mingled in the fray, a small hoodlum aimed a stone at the dogs and broke a window, and a young woman tripped over a projecting .stone and mingled a pound of butter with the dust of the street. A wire haired terrier made frantic attempts to bark. He was asthmatic, and barking was not his forte, but he was Avonderfully successful at wheezing, On one side of the road a street preacher was holding forth to a small knot of listeners; on the other an itinerant Cheap John, with a hook nose, was discoursing eloquently on the beauties of his jewellery. "What did Joseph say ?" came from one side of the street; "Remember Scroggins" was the response from the other. " What are the blessed gifts which are so freely offered ?" " All those magic cards, a splendid gold scarf pin, and studs, for one colonial Robert." And so it went on for an hour or two, only varied by the voice of the man with the machine for testing strength.

We have been sheAvn a variety of electro plated articles manufactured by Mr George Cook, electro-plater and gilder, at his Avorkshop, Papakura. These comprise fern and totaia leaves, Avhich have been converted into beautiful brooches by the electro-typing process. They are very elaborate specimens of Avorkmanship, and reflect the highest credit upon Mr Cook. The prices of the brooches vary from 5s to 10s, according to the size, &c. Mr Cook has also several brass forks, Avhich have been electro-plated very successfully, and noAv look quite equal to neAV silver articles. A fern leaf brooch has been left at our office, and it may be inspected by any person interested. Mr Cook, Avho Avas formerly electro-plater and gilder to Sir George Grey, intends to commence business shortly in Auckland, but at present orders Avill be received at Mr Wells', jeweller, Queen-street, and Avill be executed as rapidly as possible. We hope that Mr Cook will succeed in his enterprise.

The entertainment for procuring a Sunday-school library for the Presbyterians of Tamaki West, Avill take place to morroAv evening in the Public Hall of Panmure, kindly granted by Rev. Father Fynes for that purpose. The 'bus will start from Mr CroAvther's stables exactly at six o'clock, in order that musicians and visitors may be in time fOr tea. After the concert, a quadrille party Avill be arranged among those Avho may like to trip it on the light fantastic toe. The Lotteries Bill haA'ing been shelved, the tickets in sweeps on the West Coast are going off rapidly. Mr Meek has been exhibiting his chrono logical tree at Christchurch.

We learn that the great Variety Troupe of star artists, vocalists, comedians, and dancers, Avill give a series of performances in the districts of the Waikato during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The names of the performers are sufficient to warrant the character of the performances, namely, Mr W. H. Sceats, tne renoAvned comic; Tom Smart, the unrivalled carica turist; J. Timrande, the Georgian delineator of negro life and character ; H. Milburn, the pianist, and a number of others, whose names and representations will appear on the big bill. The realities of war. An official telegram sent from the Russian army before Plevna to the Imperial headquarters ran in the folloAving strain :—" Artillery officers es pecially Avanted. We have only sufficient left to last for a fortnight or so." We are glad to learn that the open out rigger 4-oared race in the coming regatta ;is to be made more interesting than usual by the fact that a creAV from the neAV settle ment of Dargarville, Kaipara, intend to enter the lists against Auckland and the Thames. Mr Waymouth is uoav engaged building the creAV a boat, and Mr Croxton, of the Bank of New Zealand, once a cele brated oarsman himself, is looking after the coaching of the men. We have had complaints from inhabitants in Shortland-street about the AA'atering of that street; one says, "I pay rates regularly and yet Mr Hughes, the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, never visits the front of my shop Avith his hose, but invariably stops short at Messrs Nathan's. This is remark able. Sir, how is it?" Another corres pondent higher up, is more exposed to the dust, and Avould like it laid, if possible, like the ghost of Hamlet's father ; although, according to Scripture and poetry, "What are Aye all but animated dust.?" We leave these complaints to the gentleman referred to, and Ay.ho may henceforth apply the "streamy remedy for.dust."

c. What is to be thought of a man who, in the advertisement of his marriage, describes himse'f as "direct descendant from Geoffrey |Plantagenet, Earl of Anjou, by Matilda, only daughter of King Henry I. ?" An advertisement in these terms appeared in the Times lately.

The Primitive Methodist Bazaar closed on Saturday evening. A larger amount of patronage was extended to this under taking on Saturday than on the two previous days, and the total financial result was a trifle over £70. The Good Templar Brass Band performed a number of airs, sacred aud secular, and gave then services to the cause with their usual liberality. A very considerable quantity of useful articles remain on hand, which will be offered hereafter, as the committee may see fit; perhaps after the Christmas holidays, in connection with a Christmas tree. Con sidering the slackness of trade and other matters, the bazaar has not been without profit and pleasure, aud much credit is dv c to all who have put a shoulder to the wheel, and assisted in advancing the cause of Primitive Methodism in this city.

No one can tell the value of educated individuals. With bricklayers, stone masons, or carpenters, it is different. You have merely to look down the columns of a newspaper to fiud how much you will have to' pay an artizan for eight hours' labour. With men who have matriculated at a University and had any amount of money expended upon their education, it_ is different. There is no trades-unionism amongst them. They must be ready to ac cept £50 or £500, as offers may chance to come to them. A rather remarkable instance of the disparity of the pay ments to professors or teachers was presented a day or two ago by two ad vertisements which appeared in the "Herald." One, from the South Austra lian Council of Education, notified that a number of head masters and mistresses were required for country schools. The re muneration " guaranteed" was £450 a year for a head master, £250 for a mistress (a rather good thing for married teachers), and £200 for infant mistresses. In the other instance I- refer to, the ad vertiser required, for a scholastic institu tion-not fifty miles from Sydney, "a first classical master, a gentleman of "University (home) distinction, of certified experience, and of unblemished'reputation. His duties primarily involved the responsible charge of the highest forms in Classics, French, and English literature; and he was also required to take some important high-class work in mathematics." His other duties are described as of a light and easy character. And this gentleman of " unblemished reputation" was offered the magnificent salary of £250 per annum. He will be allowed to board in the hall, and occupy two rooms with " standing furniture,",but if the vacation at Christmas happens to be a long one, he will be^ deprived of those perquisites. The difference in the offers can onty be accounted for upon the hypothesis that a man of " unblemished reputation" needs less of this world's goods than ordinary Public School teachers ; or, perhaps, it is considered that the moral atmosphere in which he would live, except, of course, in long Christmas vacations, would compensate for. his limited stipend. —" Mnemon" in the " Sydney Mail."

Some 40 years ago' a widow lady married Mr H. T. Brown, an intending emigrant to New Zealand. By the first marriage she had two children, who, on her leaving the old country, were left with her friends, and she has never seen them since. Until a few days ago, neither knew of their near proximity, and possibly ofteu passed Avith out knowing one another. Although each party wrote to one another, the letters seem not to have reached their destination., and after some years the correspondence ceased. Several efforts by either party to find out the whereabouts of the other were made unsuccessfully, in consequence, it now turns out, of the change of their res pective residences. The daughter married a Mr Poltridge, now in the employ of Messrs H. and M., and has been in Auck land for 18 years or thereabouts. Mrs Brown, her mother, has been at Waiheke for upwards of 20 years, and is still resident there. She is one of our earliest settlers, and now advanced in years, but is in good health. The discovery of the mutual relationship was a mere accident, only coming out in the course of conversation between two friends of the mother and daughter, who had heard their respective stories.

Bickerdyke, charged at the Supreme Court, Timaru, with arson, was acquitted.

A remarkable case of perjury has been heard at Dunedim A young Avoman named Ada Maria GalloAvay, Avho had been living at Waikari with au uncle from her childhood, had obtained letters of adminis tration against her father's property, which comprised some valuable allotments. Sub sequently the AvidoAV of Mr GaUoway, the father of Ada Maria GalloAA „y, came over from Sydney, she having married a second husband, a Mr Bellamy. She instituted Supreme Court proceedings, Avith a vieAV of obtaining her dead husband's property. Affidavits Avere made in Avhich she declared Miss GalloAvay to bean illegitimate daughter of her first husband by a dressmaker in GlasgOAV. In consequence of this declara tion the letters of administration Avere can celled. An appeal to the Court of Appeal failed to alter the result, aud the • present criminal proceedings aa _re taken Avith the object of removing the imputation respecting her birth. For the prosecution a certificate of registration of the prosecutrix's birth in Sydney is produced. The case has already occupied the Resident Magistrate's Court tAvo days.

A telegram from Waikouaiti received to-day states, "The Port Darwin line is interrupted north of Powell's creek."

Torres Straits Mail.

The folloAving items aa rere telegraphed from CooktOAvn :— *

Much sickness and increasing scarcity of supplies are reported as existing in the Rus sian camp in Asia Minor. Increasing discontent is displayed in Roumania at the burdens consequent upon the war.

There havejdieen heavy falls in Russian and Hungarian securities, OAving to large failures at Stettin. Consuls—Money 95§ ; on account, 95g.

Active operations in Bulgaria have been altogether checked by a serious break in the weather. The roads are quite impassable. General Todleben has resolved to make a vigorous attempt to capture Plevna before the Avinter. General Gourko commands the caA'alry. The Avhole Imperial Guard is at Pount, under the CzareAvitch.

All neAvspaper correspondents have been dismissed from the Russian lines—it is sup posed because of the condition of the troops, from sickness and want, which is very de plorable.

Neither the Russians nor the Roumanians have Avinter clothing. The cold and rain are causing great mortality. The following is an estimate of the deaths during tAventy days; before Plevna, 3,500 Russians, 1,500 Roumanians ; army of CzareAvitch, 4,700 ; at Tirnova and Schipka, 2,000; in the Dobrudscha, 3,000 ; in all 15,000. German Avorkmen have been imported to Wolverhampton to supply the places of men on strike.

The Marquis of Salisbury, at Bradford, in a speech, took a very gloomy vieAV of the Eastern Question. He anticipates a second and further year's campaign.

A croAvded conference of Home Rulers in Dublin ended in no decisive results. The party Avas divided against itself. The estimated cost of the famine to British India is £10,000,000.

The Emperor of Austria left Vienna ou October 3, for Hungary, Avhere he intends to spend the autumn. % A collision is likely to occur betAveen the Italian Government and the Vatican in re spect to the nomination to the' Archiepis copal see of Naples. An Imperial Russian Commission has condemned the circular ironclad Popoffka as unfit for sea.

The Russian army in Bulgaria,. aU told, numbers only 230,000.

Russia has declared that no idea of medi ation is entertained.

At a Cabinet Council held on the sth in stant, a discussion took place in reference

o the propriety of contributing to the India Famine Fund from the public funds. The contribution from the Mansion House Famine Fund amounts to £360,000.

.The Chancellor of the Exchequer speaks hopefully of the prospects of trade. Prince Bismarck has returned to his country house. (

GEORGINA'S BABY.

Persons who read the literature of the day are sufficiently acquainted with Ginx's figurative baby and " Helen's Babies," but may not even have heard of Georgina's baby, which has only been ten weeks in this breathing world. Georgina is young and prepossessing, aud although she Avas never married, she lias a baby, " Georgina's Baby." This young person lived with a benevolently "disposed person in one of the streets of Auckland. She gave Georgina a home for several months, until she could find a home of her own. Georgina, possibly of a poetical turn of mind, loved the "soft glances of the summer moon," and sometimes kept late hours. Her friend objected; she did not care for nursing the baby during its mother's absence. Some times, too, Georgina took an extra drop— one of her feminine failings—and which introduced her ou one or two occasions to the High-street lock-up keeper. Georgina found a new friend in Mrs , of Grey-street, to whom she told a pitiful tale of man's inconstancy and woman's wrong. Mrs - sympathised, shed tears, and ultimately prevented upon Georgina to take a situation, and, from the errors of the past, to improve in the future. Georgina consented, and a situation, some sixty miles away, was procured for her, and in this rural locality, among shee}) and cattle, Georgina would appear to be happy. •She wrote last week to Mrs in a light hearted tone, and said she could now be happy, were it not for the haunting thought of the . Mrs fancied she referred here to a lover, and could not finish for grief, knowing herself, as she said, that— Absence makes the heart grow fonder, And yet chokes the sad farewell, On Friday last, Georgina's earlier friend called upon Mrs , and inquired after Georgina, "Oh," said Mrs , " sheis iv a situation at , but I must not dis close the place ; but she is quite happy." " Oh, the vixen !" exclaimed the inquirer; and throwing back a part of her shawl, dis closed Georgina's baby, and asked what was to become of it. "It is a beautiful creature, isn't it ? Weigh it." Mrs on taking it into her arms, said : " No babies are allowed where Georgina lives ; but this is really a splendid child;" and whilst admiring its plump round featureo, the first lady ran away, crying out with a loud voice, " You have got Georgina's baby, Mrs .; take care of it, please !"

Australiaa News.

PER S.S. RINGAROOMA,

Payment of Members Bill.

BLUFF, this day.

Melbourne newspapers have been received by the Riugarooma to December 12. The Legislative Council rejected the Payment of Members Bill by IS tn 8, which is much larger than was anticipated. The. question was putrthat the Biß be now read a second time, and an amendment was moved that the word "now" be omitted. The amendment was carried. This will give an opportunity for again introducing measures, but the majority of members declined to discuss the BiHjon its merits in asmuch as it was against the dignite of the House to deal with a question on its merits under coercion. The amount being still retained on the estimates, several mem bers who voted in the minority admitted they were voting under compulsion in order to avoid the misery and suffering which would be produced by a deadlock. The Council also rejected the Bill to appropriate the sum of £100,000 from the Railway Loan to other purposes. The Bill was described in the; Assembly in veiy harsh terms by two ex-Treasureis, as well as other members. DEATH OF DISTINGUISHED COLONISTS. Judge Pohloman, Senior County Court Judge of the colony, and whose career was bound up with the early history of the colony, died suddenly. had been long ailing, and was on leave of absence. He had a very large funeral. Mr G. P. Smith, one .of the most promi nent politicians, and one time Attotney- General with Sir Jas. McCulloch, died on the same morning. §§_The vacant seat for Bundara will be con tested by Mr Murray Smith, the repre sentative in Melbourne of the New Zea land Loan Association, and one of the ablest politicians. He was defeated at the last general election by a majority of one °° MELBOURNE HARBOUR AND CANAL. Sir John Coote, the eminent engineer, has accepted the offer of the Harbour Com mission to visit Melbourne to report on the harbour and Canal questious. His fee is 5,000 guineas. He leaves. England this month. Sir Samuel Wilson's salmon ova experi ment has so far proved eminently success ful, and in the course of a few days it is expected there will be 28,200 hatched out for distribution. In one day last week the wills proved in the Supreme Court amounted to £260,000. The phyUoxera vistatrix has made its appearance amongst the vines in • Geelong district, and has evidently been present for the last two years. AN EVANGELIST IN TROUBLE. Mr Yarley, the Evangelist, has got into disgrace. He had a meeting recently for men only, and discoursed to them on the social evil. His remarks are reported as having been awful and disgusting, and the City Council declined him the further use of the Town Hall. THE SOLDENE TROUPE. The Soldene Troupe have done well. They leave for Dunedin on the 19th. The weather continues very disastrous to crops. Great complaints are heard in all parts of the colony.

CABLEGRAMS.

(PRESS AGENCY.)

RUSSIAN LOSS AT KUDIKOI 2,000.

PLEVNA HOLDING OUT.

BRITISH FLEET WINTERS AT

BESIKA BAY.

LONDON, Nov. 30.

Sulieman Pasha states that the Russian loss at Kadikoi Avas 2,000, and the Turk ish loss 900.

The " Times" Vienna telegram states that the Russians are coming to the con clusion that PJevna Avill hold out for some time. ' - The British fleet has been ordered to Avinter in Besika Bay. Corporal punishment has been abolished. H. M. Stanley, the African explorer, has returned home, and been banquetted. Pesident MacMahon has assured M. GreA'y in an interview that there is no danger of a coup d'etat. He refused to listen to such a solution. A petition is uoav being signed in France, asking for a congress of both the Chambers to consider the political crisis. MELBOURNE, this day. ARRIVAL OF AN AUCKLAND SHIP AT LONDON. A cable message announces the arrival at London, on the 26th November, of the Anne Gambles, from Auckland.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.) SAVALLGAYS OP THE SEASON. John Whittle, alias Piper, Thomas Johnson, Daniel Cleary, and George Jack

son, were severally charged with drun__. ness, and fined 5s each with costs.

THE RETURN OF MARY* Mary Storey,a young person of aissinnt.,.* habits was again brought up on a char_eZf being drunk and very noisy in Queen-strepi on Saturday evening. cet Mary said she was not drunk ; it Wa <* „n bosh. She was suffering from a trembling in the legs. vu _ Constable McDonnell deposed that Man, could not stand ; she was very drunk Constable Dodd was positive she ■» drunk ; there was no mistake about it ** Mary said she was once a pretty sir. Q * Waiuku, and she knew His Worship there but alas, she had gone down -hill si-.?/ "Lord help me." cci Fined 5s and costs. • _ ALICE, OR THE MYSTERIES. Alice Hoskins, a woman apparent!. acquainted with the lower life of the city was brought up on charges of dn._kemiess and smashing the windows of Mr A £ • Glover, of the Black Bull Hotel, Albert street, on the 15th inst.; damages, 20s The unfortunate creature pleaded guilty Sub-Inspector Pardy said that the woman was very drunk on Saturday, and because Mr Glover refused her drink she went out side and committed the outrage with stones. Mr Glover intimated that some time ago the prisoner was committed at the Supreme Court, for attempting to pas s spurious coin at his house, and since he liberation from Mount. Eden, she looked upon his house as a common enemy. The Court ordered her to pay a * fine of 20s or seven clays for the first offence, and 20s or a month for committing the damage LARCENY AS A BAILEE. Edward Piercy was brought up on a charge of feloniously stealing the sum of £160 4s ; the property of John McPherson on the 4th Oct. ; and fraudulently con verting the same to his own use. As this case was someAvhat intricate and the witnesses not at hand, it was remanded for a fortnight. MATTHEW AGAIN. " Matthew Carroll was again charged with neglecting to contribute towards the support of his child in St. Mary's Orphanage Pon.. sonbv ; arrears, 19s 6d. Defendant paid 9s off the arrears, and promised to lessen them further in the course of the week. Remanded until Monday next. WIFK DESERTION. She raised her hands above her head, And sighed " I've lost my Jimmy," ' ■' ■ —South James Crowley was charged with desert ing Emily Crowley, his lawful wife, and her infant child. Mrs Crowley informed Sub-Inspector Pardy that she had won James back to her home and heart, and as he had reiterated ' the promise made at Hymen's altar, to love and cherish, etc., the old feeling wanned towards him, and she was desirous of with drawing the charge, which was permitted, TRUANT BOYS. . Palmer Wilson and Thomas Harvey were remanded until to-morrow, on a charge of absconding from the Naval Trainino School. This was all the business.

TELEGRAPHIC.

(FROM OUR OAVN CORRESPONDENT.

GRAHAMSTOWN,this day, The gold yield from the 20th to |14th inclusive is 6501 ozs. from 4610 tons of stone mostly from tributes, and small returns as the absence of large yield's during the period. The cottage of a man named Dunstan took fire lastlniglit- but was saved through the exertions of the neighbours, and a good water supply in Grahamstown. The house is in the centre of the tow _ship. A little boy named Charles Brown, son of a miner on block 27, broke his thigh yester day falling off a water race a distance of 25 feet. He was taken to the hospital, and operations were performed by Dr PM_o_ [PRESS AGENCY.] TIMARU, this day. CASE OF DROWNING. Yesterday afternoon a man named Carey was drowned in * the salt water creek, under the influence of drink He went into the creek to bathe, but after swimming a short distance sank. A man, Aveut out to his assistance, but was nearly droAvned through the struggles of the droAvning man. Every effort Avas made to bring Carey round, but Avithout avail

ALARM OF FIRE.

On Saturday evening at seven o'clock, .the fire bells gave out the alarm of fire, and on looking out, a volume of smoke was sees issuing from a house in Chapel-street A crowd of persons were speedily on the spot, Avhen a little cottage at the rear of t_ Alexandra Hotel Avas discovered to be on fire. Mrs Harrington is the occupier of the house, and at the time of the outbreak w in a neighbour's house Avith her children. She is a AvasherAVoman, and being very busy had not time to make any. tea, w j therefore went'to the adjoining house font The fire was first observed by .Mr- Campbell, who, Avith several other persons, extinguished the flames hy the application of a few buckets of water. The Fire Briga* Avere on the spot Avith their work* material in a very short space of time. » is supposed that the fire Avas caused 1.1 spark falling from the fire into a bag * shavings, Avhich had been left \yvae» Some damage has been done to thehOißji and a mangle belonging to the womaiH poor AvidoAV—has been considerate charred. I

Sir George Grey and the Natiyes of Hawke's Bay.

(BY TELEGRPH.

Sir george" grey and Mr Sheehan met* Hawke's Bay natives at Waiohaß* Saturday. The meeting was very m All the principal chiefs were present,» made speeches of Avelcome. Sir « « Grey in replying, said that when he °g here nine years ago to ask natives i ', land to'settle Europeans on, Iff „ them that it w«uld be for; their gg They would get protection from ewg. put an end to Avars amongst eacn Avouldgefc carjs, horses, plough?, «S^ schools, doctors, arid so on.. lfl.J Europeans would make one toff'zj. families living together inspiteoif*-^ dissensions. This is better tfl^ | ing apart. He now Dfl^, p _TJj realised. Also year by year tney j find their condition growing Deny better; it had now again become»« Premier's) duty to propose .Jaws iori .« ofthetAvo races. They would not im that the natives had ye*» *§°' f Z%€ he asked them, and had .therefoie j claim on their consideration. remember, however, that »°fJL* charge of a family could not uoev for one child. One child nugW£tf J thing for himself, but those m cbwj J do what was for the good oUR- » jm the child comes to the head or n>§ and wants to tell something *? ti ,.| something, he should be listened *> M the request cannot be W;^* might depend on it their f^^m 'always be listened io by t c *?TOM while the Government Avouia^jijf for them. It would be their -*»*&■ Geverament in doing then- best i m Zealand—Europeans andr ni*l eß {« What strengthens th* Govajjgf number and wealth of their as told in Scripture, they are and not afraid to speak VL^lf in the gate of the Pah. {" ■Tifl read with three hearty cheers, now remarked that the^JfWJ lected for the Indian:WJ acted in accordance with bir « _ ■ wish for unity between the race* |

IBE 11 LINING STAR, MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1877.



THE undersigned are now brin ing forward a Large Parcel of GENE AL DRAPERY, HABERDASHERY, &C. bought at considerably less than usual prh.es. to which they invite the attention of all requiring Good Valxte For Money. Corsets in great variety of quality and style, white aud 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, Coloure_ Lustres, Black Lustres, Embossed, Striped, and Check Muslins, Prints, &c. . BrownJTolland, from /6_ per yard Union, Fancy Jean, and Oxford Shirtings, very cheap 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 Loiigcloth, 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 prices , Braces, Belts, Ties, Scarfs, Collars, Cotton and Merino Hosiery, Undershirts, &c. Leghorn, Tuscan, Straw, and Drill Hats, for ____Boys and Men, Sec, Sec, Sec f. jin he £ allowed on all Cash Purchases of 20s. and upwards.. Z RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, Junction Drapery Warehouse, Upper Queen-street, auckland. pHE ■A P XT AT. S I CHEAP HATS ! ! CHEAP CLOTHING !! _5A Quantity of Men's and Boy's Drab and Black Felt Hats will be offered at fl_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 will be sold REALLY CHEAP. W. RATTRAY, • CLOTHIER AND OUTFITTER. "VTEW r^EALAND TTOUSE, Auckland. UNION INSURANCE COMPANY 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 owest Current Rates. R. H. STEVENSON Man ager TCTATIONAL FIRE AND MARINE _i_Y INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. Capital £1,000,000. . Reberve ..- £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, Auckland Branch. O _ A A REWARD re HITCHEN'S jjlv_» . BLOOD RESTORER. As several Bottles, containing trashy worth less compounds, have been palmed off on un • suspecting people on the pretence of their b*>ing 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 -filOO Pounds Reward will be given on conviction of persons guilty of infringing bis rights. H. HIT CHENS.



"m/TASONIC INSTALLATION- For_the Outgoing Mail, a few copies of the Evening Star containing the Full Account of the! above Installation on hand, and may be had from the Publisher. "New Spring and Summer dress materials. } -{H. ATKINS}- — Has vow for Sale, CHEAT 3, a Splerrii Assort ment of «_- NEW DRESS GOODS, tßt auitaoie for the Spring and Summer Season of every variety, style, quality, and texture. t| %' \\ '%\ % 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 _TWEEDS in Auckland to select from. «3T Tailors Supplied at Wholesale Prices GENTLEMEN'S ORDERS EXECUTED. A Large Lot of Cheap Tweeds for 80/sr's Wear. H. A™ HMO A GRICULTURISTS & OTHERS W. J. HURST „ CO. have on sale the under mentioned Fertilizers, all of which have been proved to produce satisfactory results in this district. Experience teaches that large and profitable returns can be 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 MEXICAN do. BELL- -ONEFLOUR Jandi-inch BONEDUST 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 be supplied on application at the Stores. W. J. HURST & CO., 101 Q U EEN-STREET, CLOVER 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. £101, QUEEN-STREET. 500 sacks Sydney Maize (superior sample) SOOO „ 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 50fb. 5 tons Anderson's Fresh Oatmeal, a £21 per ton. W. J. HURST & CO.. 101, QUEEN-STREET. AUCKLAND. Gtßand Show OF STT____:___. COSTUMES. A. LINABURY & CO. HAVE JUST OPENED UP 486 COSTUMES, Comprising— BLACK SILK COSTUMES COLOURED SILK COSTUMES * JAPANESE SILK COSTUMES HOLLAND COSTUMES FRENCH BATISTE COSTUMES BRAIDED PIQUE COSTUMES FRENCH PRINT COSTUMES CAMBRIC COSTUMES BLACK SILK SKIRTS, with Body Pieces COLOURED SILK SKIRTS, with Bod Pieces HANDSOME BRAIDED LINEN COS TUMES and SKIRTS, with Body Pieces to match. The above GOODS were purchased at a Heavy Discount off English Invoice, and will be offered to the Public at t ENGLISH COST. Inspection Invited. A J INABURY & riO., 20-4 &206, queen-street, Auckland. NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. SELF-TAUGHT. —We cannot understand your letter, and you have not enclosed your name. Swindlers are putting up imitations of Udol pho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps in bottles which formerly contained that stand ard medicinal beverage, and in many instances labelling their vile compounds with the name of the genuine' article. This artful imposture is particularly detestable, since it is calculated to rob the sick and debilitated of a genuine source of health and vigor. HORNTON, SMITH, AND FIRTH'S PRICES CURRENT (Wholesale). Subject to alteration without notice. Sacks. 100's. 50' ft Crown Brand Flour, £ s. d. £ s. d. „ S. d. per ton .. .... 18 0 0 18 10 0 19 0 0 T.S.&F. Canterbury Brand 17 G 0 17 10 0 18 0 0 Meal for Pig-feed .. 710 0 Sharps .. .. .. .. 710 o Bran 6 10 0 .. .. Fowl Wheat .. .. 4s. to 4s. 6d. per bushel. The above prices include sacks and bags; sacks and bags not returnable. Terms: Cash.