SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

.-.. T¥R .This Afternoon, .0.20 HIGH Vr Aii-K— -j To-morrow Morning, 6.41 SUN SET.—This Evening, 6.48 SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning, 4.4. MOON'S AGE.—Full Moon, 21st, 9.5S a.m.

ARRIVALS.

Rotorua. s.s., Macfarlane, from .Napier ana tne South

DEPARTURES.

Go-ahead, s.s., Helander, for Gisborne Saucy Kate, schooner, for the East Coast Mazeppa, schooner, Garraway, for Levuka Undine, cutter, for Levuka, via Mango

IMPORTS.

Per Rotorua from the South: 30 kegs butter, 40 sacks oatmeal.—Owen and Gralvim. 407 hides.—lreland Bros. 9. sheep. 200 sacks malt, 75 do. malt, 2 cases. 5 case, bitters, 50 boxes candles, 1 parcel, 8/ hides, Gi casks pork, 1 heifer.

EXPORTS.

Per Undine from Levuka, via Mango: li "CO feet sawn timber. Per Norval for Friendly Island: 35 cases wine, 15 casks botttled beer, 6 cases whisky, 25 cases brandy, 134 cases Geneva, 2 qr. casks rum 6 bags rice, 12 boxes tea, 20 mats re'm4d su<mr, 4paekage tobacco, 22 erunnies su<_,r 3 cases cottons, and a quantity of piece _.oods.- Cruickshank & Co., agents. _- BIM3BB ,

The Union Steamship Company's s.s. Rotorua, Tames Macfarlane, Commander, arrived in har bour _t noon to- day. She left Port Chalmers on the 15th, at 3-30 p.m. A dense fog prevailed, which delayed the arrival till 11 a.m. nest day al Lvttelton. Sailed again at 6-30 p.m., and en countered a strong north-west gale and head sea. Reached Wellington on the 17th at 3 30 P.m., and proceeded on her way at 8 p.m. Anchored in Hawke's Bay on Sunday at 4 p.m., and. left a-ain at 8 p.m., and encountered head winds throughout from Wellington. We are indebted to Mr R. B. Pringle. for files and report. Pas. Angers. Saloon-For Auckland-Mesdames B' William Garrawav, Buckland, Miss Jones, MSra^reightom J. R. Hill, Cutts, Parr. Tow, FriedlauderT Studholm, C. O. Montrose, Smythe, Lusk, Bucklands, Sheffields, Austin, Ander son Jackman, and the Rev. Mr Nixon. For' San Francisco : Mr Heaphy (mad agent) Mr Thomson. Misses Thompson (2). lor Svdne f? Mrs Hamilton, Miss Britten, Miss Ker, >.-*-.- -.-ih.rte Milner, Hamilton, Curd, Bc^htmeS, Cohen Britten. Somm;n, Smith. Steerage : 7 for Auckland, 1 for San Francisco, 31TheKRot'orua is to leave for Sydney this evening at 7 o'clock. Passengers-.-Mrs Robson, Miss Bmings, Messrs RotbenbuCher, Hall, Hud, son Gk Nock,' Bright, Bang, Webster, Goulstone, Rev Sultan, and several others. . The schooner Albatross cleared to-day in bal 1-inrnp pnd the East Coast. The Bella M ar y is discharging her cargo of fnr't in excellent condition. The schooner Onward, oi Lyttelton, sailed for thOve^ aahundredpassengers booked for River head yesterday by the City of Cork. No doubt a larfe number are excursionists bound for the DOwi_s l1 tora a printer'_ blunder, we were yester day made to say that the s.s. Taranaki had been Purchased by -Messrs E. and H. Isaacs, but would fee continued in the Wairoa trade, me name of the boat should be the Transit. The schooner Mazeopa. having cleared for T.vuka moved off into the stream yesterday evSmg. andis to sail atjonce, with a fuhcargo of merchandise. Passengers-Mr and Mrs Thompson and servant, Miss Pearson, Mes.rs AThe kShooneT Nerval, Captain McKenzie, is ready to sail for the Friendly Islands at once. is open for frSght or charter toW Southern port of the CoThe yschoonerKate Macgregor left Lyttelton ni the 11th inst., for the Kaipara. ° The 5.9. lona is to sail for Russell and the NThWg\nlfnio Sceolahasfinished discharging hercargf,and is to leave in a day or two for NTf-wcastle in ballast. .. , ~ The S-masted schooner Fairlie, now in the Manukau, wiU leave for Newcastle in a few She schooner Island Lily, late Agnes, Captain rooner arrived in Lyttelton on the 10th inst., Sitff 63 b-IJ-.wool. 40 casks tallow 10 bales fundus 9 0 head cattle, and 16 casks oil.. Th^ new iron steam launch now being built bvMeisrs Fraser and Tinne, will be launched from their building yard this evening at six ° Themail steamer Zealandia is expected from Sydney to-morrow morning, and is announced to sail for San Fransiseo via Honolulu to-morrow at The Cschooner Reward, from Russell, brings 60 tons coals.

COMMERCIAL. _. a Messrs S. Cochrane and Son sold to-day at theif auction rooms, Fort-street the cutter TnYrna 12 tons, with all her anchors, chains, ?a ail=?gee[r,Sng, fittings. &J Bidte was not high, and the vessel was quitted at £_o.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION.

Rank New Zealand—£22 7s 6d; buyers £22 7s 6d. Cofonial^ankttSs; buyers, 17s 6d; sellers, i Auckland Gas-Buyers, „10; sellers £10 ss. E South British Insurance-Sellers, 77s 6d. National Do.-SeUers, 32s 6d. Standard Do.—Sellers. 235. Union D 0... Sellers, 12s 3d. „ Loan and Investment-Buyers,, 4oS 6d. New Zealand Loan—Buyers. £o 10s. Caledonian (dble)-70s to 77s 6d; sellers, 81s. Moanatairi-S2-6d; sellers, B.s (ex div). Tookey Tribute—Sellers, 3s. Waitekauri—Sellers, ss. rpIW? Alburnia—6ss, 67 sd ; buyers, 6_s 6d , sellers, 6?Uaion Beach-233 to 30s; buyers. 27s 6d; sel lers, 295. ~ „, Kuranui Hill—Buyers, lis 6d. Piakg—Sellers, 10s.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Bigotry.—We agree with you in the im prudence of raking up old sore 3, but believe you are mistaken in supposing that there was any intention of the kind in the thoughtless, and. perhaps, unwise allusion referred to. Very few people indeed are acquainted with the circumstances mentioned in your letter; and, unless desirous of opening up a painful subiect, it would be wise to say no more about it.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND

Mails will Close as Under : For Thames, to-morrow, at noon and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, per Durham, to-morrow, at at 11.30 a.m.; and per AJgyle, on Friday next, at 2.30 p.m. _ __ For Wangarei Heads. Waipu, Wangarei, Man gapai, Russell, Kawa Kawa, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per Argyle, this day, at 4 p.m. For Taranaki and Southern Provinces, per Wellington, to-morrow, at 5 a.m. For Tonga, per Norval, to-morrow, at 9 a.m. For Waiwera, Warkworth, and Te Arai, per Anne Milbank, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Whitiangi, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Rowena, to-morrow, at i p.m. For Friendly Islands, per Energy, on Saturday next, at 9 a.m. . For Australian Colonies, per Rotorua, this day, at 6 p.m. For New Caledonia, per Ada C. Owen, on Saturday next, at noon. Per s.s. Zealandia, on Wednesday, 21st instant, as under: — ■ - _ , For Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada. British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 11 a.m. '„'■... For United Kingdom, and Contment of Europe, at 11 a.m. ,',___. • For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 9.30 a.m. Late letters, bearing an extra fee of 6d, in addition to the postage, will be received by the mail agent on board the steamer up to the time of sailing. S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTHS.

[The price for inserting birth notices in this column is reduced to one shilling; other notices as before.l CRICKETT.—On November 18, at Wynyard street, Mrs. J. Crickett of a daughter. HART.—On November 20, at her residence, Cook-street, Mrs. J. Hart of a daughter.

DEATH.

WILLIAMS.—On the 20th November, at her parents' residence, Summer-street, Eden Ter race, of convulsions, Mary Helena, youngest and dearly loved daughter of John and Priscilla Williams, aged 11 months. The funeral will leave her parents' residence on Thursday, 22nd instant, at half-past 3 p.m. Friends are invited to attend.

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

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1877.

_ or the cause that lacks, assistant*, the wrong that needs resistance Fov the future in the distance, Aad-tbe-good --__ w_ «_---«.

" SIR, we mean to make the Land Fund colonial revenue." This is the great an nouncement of the Colonial Treasurer's Statement last night. Year by year the absolute necessity of this step as the only escape from an increasing deficit between revenue and expenditure has been more clearly apparent to all but those who have enjoyed the exclusive benefit of these large revenues. But it has remained for a Ministry led by Sir George Grey to come down boldly to Parliament with a proposal to ratify the principle that revenues derived from the public lands shall be available for appropriation to meet the necessities of the whole colony. Although it has been considered necessary to make a reservation equal to twenty per cent in favour of the local expenditure of money derived from land sales, the proposals of the Government in volve the destruction now and for ever of the pernicious thesis that one important source of colonial revenue is the exclusive property of certain favoured districts. If he House supports the Government in tea 'Tying out this measure, localisation dies; and the one colony and one purse, which has been the favourite cry of that section of politicians who have kept aloof from Sir George Grey, because un able to see the ultimatum to which his avowed principles must lead, becomes prac tically accomplished. When the Land Fund has once been declared ordinary colonial revenue, the localisation of twenty per cent

will be simply a question of expediency, subordinate to the superior claims of the real owner of the revenues. That a per centage of the money derived from waste lands may fairly, and with benefit to the colony, be spent in opening up roads, wiU be universally conceded. Each district, however, should receive the benefit of the provision, instead of, as under the existing system of appropriation, _ losing all claim owing to enormous liabilities charged against imaginary provinces. The finan cial proposals brought down by Mr Larnach, would remove from the neck of A-iickland the millstone of Treasury bills,lcovering land fund deficits, which are annually increasing _he floating debt of the colony. Receipts on account of laud, and all other revenues, pass into a common Treasury, and are directly liable for all public expen diture. Wherever land is sold, twenty per cent of the purchase money, unencumbered, would be spent locally in opening up the district, the balance becoming available for general purposes. The Colonial Trea surer estimates, and on substantial grounds, that the land fund this year will amount to one million sterling. After 20 per cent had been deducted from this amount the handsome balance of eiyht hundred thousand pounds would go to supplement the consolidated revenue. Canterbury is the province chiefly affected by this change. Otago has little land fund left, and the other provinces none at all. The temper in which the Canterbury members ac cept the Statement will, therefore, be watched with no little interest. The policy of Canterbury, however, has always been a supremely selfish one, and the runholders, foreseeing no other escape from a land tax, will probably be fully prepared to sacrifice even this cherished revenue rather than meet the pressing liabil ities of the colony out of their own pockets. Our correspondent telegraphs that a rumour is already current that Mr Stafford iuteuds to out Herod Herod, and will pro pose that the proportion localised be only ten instead of twenty per cent. And what shall we say of those Auckland members who still range themselves in disgraceful alliance with the enemies of the North. Will Mr Whitaker be found voting on this question against the interests of Auck land ? Under what subterfuge will Rowe and .Co. hide their disloyalty now? The Financial Statement is of a character which must make some change in the constitution of parties, and we can scarcely conceive of that change being unfavourable to the Government. Mr Larnach nas introduced a scheme by which the tricky finance of the past may be superseded by a straightforward, just and simple policy. The four millions loan required to adjust the existing intricacies is an alarming amount, but it supplies a true index to the misleading character of the finance of the past few years, with its tricky expedients and bogus surpluses. The country will feel relieved by the expressed determina tion to boldly face the sea of daugers which has threatened to overwhelm the colony, and will be more-firmly resolved to support the Government through.

We regret that when our reporter inter viewed Mr Firth yesterday, relative to his location of the salmon ova in the Upper Wairoa, it was too late to give more parti culars. We hope, however, that at his leisure Mr Firth will favour the public with a sketch of his operations, after the style of other interesting descriptions of similar undertakings which have already appeared in our columns.

The whole expense of the late public meeting has been borne by the private subscriptions from thirty ratepayers, collected by Messrs A. Black aud W. Eyre, so that the cost does not in any way fall upon the city funds. The burden of doing the work always falls on the willing horse, and Messrs. Black and Eyre have had their full share in voluntarily carrying out the whole of the arrangements of the meeting to a most successful and satisfac tory issue.

The annual business meeting of the mem bers of St. James' Mutual Improvement Association was held last evening, in the vestry. There was a good attendance of members, and the chair was occupied by Mr W. _-orrie, in the absence of the Presi dent—Rev. R. F. Macnicol. The election of officers for the ensuing term took place, and resulted as follows :—President, Rev. R. F. Macnicol; vice-Presidents, Messrs W. Gorrie and J. C. Mackay ; Secretary, W. Cooper; Treasurer, J. Home ; Com mittee—Messrs T. H. Hanna, J. M. Geddis, E. Burton ; Auditors, Messrs A. C. Steele and W. Brigham. The annual reports and balance-sheet were submittedto the meet ing, and shewed the Association to bo in a very satisfactory position. After some further unimportant business the meeting terminated.

We have to acknowledge the following subscription to the Indian Famine Relief Fund from City East School, No. 2, Alex dra-street, £2 5s ; also from G.S., 10s.

The members of the Choral Society will meet for the practice of the " Messiah" this evening at the Choral Hall, at the usual hour.

His Worship the Mayor received to-day the following acknowledgment of the resolution passed at the public meeting on Friday:—"l am very much obliged for your telegram. It is very gratifying. I have communicated it to the city members. —G. Grey."

,4The Good Templars of the Excelsior Lodge will hold their fourth anniversary to-morrow evening in the Franklin Road School-room. The programme promises tea, speeches, music, and song.

Applications are invited until 17th Decem ber next, for the positions of teacher and assistant teacher of the Pukekohe West school, and a teacher for the Waiuku Cen tral School.

On Wednesday evening next there will be a special debate by the members of the Pitt-street Wesleyan Association. The subject is one of no ordinary interest, viz., " Should Capital Punishment be Abolished." Opened in the affirmative by Mr Rhodes, and in the negative by Mr G. Holdship. A lively contest is looked for. The meeting begins at half-past 8 o'clock. The last monthly meeting of the members of the Auckland Institute was held last evening in the upper room, R. C Barstow Esq., in the chair. Several ladies were among the visitors, but the audience was not large, owing probably to counter-attrac tions. The several papers which had been promised were read by Messrs Cheeseman and Pond, including one from Captain Brown. The essays were briefly criticised, and a vote of thanks passed to the authors of these, and other essays delivered during the session. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was also proposed and carried, and the business of the session closed.

The Foresters of Court City of Auckland intend to celebrate their fourteenth anniver sary on Boxing Day, December 26th, by a procession to the Domain, where a pro gramme of sports will subsequently be gone through. The members of the Court Zealandia, the Zealandia's Prido (Juvenile Court), and representatives of Onehunga, Panmure, and other Courts are expected to take part in the procession. The Domain will, therefore, no doubt be the popular resort for pleasure-seekers on Boxing Day. In the evening, a soriee will be held in the Choral Hall, and the whole affair will wind up with a ball, for which tickets may be obtained from the Committee at the extremely moderate price of 3s. The Committee may be congratulated upon hav ing arranged such a pleasant holiday for the members of their order.

Mr and Mrs Tavares have offered a set of trophies to be competed for by the various Rowing Clubs iv the place. We under stand that the Auckland Rowing Club is likely to enter two crews for the|competition, North Shore one, and Ponson by one. Tbe prizes are to be presented at the Theatre on Friday night, the occasion of Mrs Tavares' benefit.

The wonderful and inimitable claimant, Sir Roger Tichborne, his life and his doings, appears to be an inexhaustible theme. There are sworn and staunch friends of his at the present hour, who have risked position and means to aid him ; and thousands who cannot aid him a farthing sympathisingly mourn over the "unfortunate nobleman languishing in Dartmoor." On the other hand, there is a larger number who look with amazement a* the support given by intelligent men to one whom they believe to be an arrant impostor. We now learn from a gentleman who passed through Honolulu by the last mail steamer that another attempt to clear up the fate of young Sir Roger is to come from that quarter. A leading Honolulu journalist 3tates that there will bo published in the issue of. that paper, coming to hand by next steamer, an indisputable account of the real Sir Roger. It is said- the evidence is most complete; that the writer knows for a certainty that the real Sir Roger lies buried on the Sydney Island, and can point to tli3 very place. His evidence is supposed to be borne out by circumstances and names which cannot be refuted or set aside. There is displayed to-day at Mr S. Coehrane's auction mart, Fort-street, a large and splendid collection of oil paint ings, oleographs, autotypes, water colours, chromolithographs, and photographs, com prising representations of most beautiful and sublime scenerj. The pictures are all framed, and are really excellent works of art. Those of our readers who take an interest in such matters should not fail to inspect the collection, Avhich is to be oii'ered for sale by public auction to-morrow.

The members of the Mount Albert District Board have, in accordance with the wish of a majority of the residents, changed the name of Cabbage Tree Swamp to the more seemly appellation of __ingsl_and Road, which has given rise to the following: No more a swamp of cabbage trees, Of slugs and other ugly things; Now Kingsland Road, with none of these, Is fitted for the feet of kings.

The liabilities of William Newport Clark, a bankrupt, were set down at £207, and the nominal assets at £27. The bankrupt was landlord of tho Red Lion Hotel, Drake-street, and lost his property in a mining speculation. The creditors, at their meeting yesterday, granted a cer tificate of discharge.

In another column will be found an important notice to members of the No. 3 Company, A.R.V., which they are asked to attend to.

INDIAN FAMINE RELIEF FUND.

The Mlowing sums have been received at my office up to 2 p.m. this day :—Collected by Mr Win. Sloane, Chairman of the Rangiaohia Road Board, £34 7s ; Collected by Bank of Australasia, £7 15s Gd ; do. at Newton Hall, £2 ss; do. by Mr Wm. Rowse, Chairman of Hokianga Road Board, £6 2s; do. by Mr B. Harris, Tuakau, 16s Id ; Mrs E. S. Coombes, £5 ; Mr W. Gordon, per Mr Shanaghau, £1 ; collected by Mr Shanaghan, £10 ISs ; do. by Mr J. S. Hudson, £2 lis 6d; do. by Mr J. H. Scott, £9 10s Gd ; do. by Mr James Taylor, £6 17s Gd; Mr Wm. Ellington, £2 2s ; collected by Mr Thompson, Chairman of Mount Eden Board, £2 5s ; Mr J. Bell, £1 ; total receipts to date, £1,608 13s sd.—F. G. Ewingtou, per T. D. H., Hou. Secretary. November 20th, 1877.

PARLIAMENTARY.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.)

Last Night.

INTERRUPTION OF SURVEYS AT TAUPO.

When the House met last night Mr Sheehan stated that with regard to recent interruptions of survey in Taupo County he was glad to be able to state that surveys were now proceeding in the ordinary way. The Speaker announced that he had appointed Mr Grace additional interpreter to the House. After Mr Larnach made his Financial Statement, the discussion on it was post poned until to-morrow, when Major Atkin son said he would be prepared to enter on it. THE LAND FUND. In reply to Mr Stevens, Mr Larnach said the date from which the Land Fund should be generalised would rest with the House when asked to legislate on the subject. Messrs Reid, Atkinson, aud McLean urged that the date from which the Laud Fund should be taken should be stated. Sir George Grey declined to state the date. The members of the late Ministry knew well that Canterbury was the only place which had a land fund, and one day before they retired from office they had ordered the distribution of £200,000 amongst local bodies, an unprecedented act on the part of a Ministry on the eve of quitting office. Mr McLean urged the absolute necessity of having a starting point from which to discuss the scheme of finance. He submit ted that, of course, if Ministers did not know themselves they could not state it.

Mr Sheehan said' it was for the House to decide, not for the Government to lay down a cast-iton rule as to the date. When the late Ministry, months ago, drew such a rosy picture of colonial finance they did not attach so much importance to the date from which the Land Ftmd was to be taken. The present Government were prepared to go out of office and to the country on the policy they had propounded. The House adjourned at 8.35.

(From our own Correspondent),

DELIVERY OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. .

The House was crowded last night in all parts during the Financial Statement. It was received with great enthusiasm, especially the proposals re the land fund, and land for the whole colony. At the conclusion, the leader of the Opposition persisted iv asking several questions about the date when the land fund would be taken, and whether the present Land Rill would be gone on with. Messrs Gisborne and McLean also pressed similar questions. The Premier regarded them as derogatory to the House, which at length interposed its disapproval of such an unusual catechism. An adjournment was then proposed by the Premier, which he did in recognition of the usual custom. After a light discussion it was agreed to on the voices. EFFECT OF THE STATEMENT. The Statement appeared to strike the Opposition with consternation at the bold ness of the perusals, and it was evident from the craving anxiety for variety of information that there is no unity of opinion among tbe Opposition. Immediately the House ad journed, the lobbies were comparatively deserted, owing to four or live little caucuses in different parts of the building. A few with Major Atkinson; ditto, with Mr Rolleston, others with Mr Mont gomery. These did not seem to last long. No matter what the Financial Statement, the Opposition proper is bound to attack. Supply is the order for to-day, and there is likely to be a big discussion early. THE MAORI MINISTER. Hone Nahe, whose appointment to the Cabinet waa announced, took bis seat as Member of the Government, alongside Mr Sheehan. The Speaker announced that he had ap pointed Mr Grace as Extra Native Interpra ter iv conseouence. " PROSPECTS. This week will probably reveal the existence of several small parties in the House, and also the fate, not of the Ministry, but of the House. OPPOSITION CAUCUS. A caucus of the Opposition was held this morning at the late Premier's house. No

thing definite is known, but it is stated in the lobbies that Mr Stafford intends to move as an amendment on going into a Commit tee of Supply to-day that tha amount of the Land Fund* reserved by the Financial Statement be reduced to ten per cent.

"HAMLET" AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.

"Hamlet"has been considered by numerous Shakesperian oritics as the most philosophic and most wonderful of the creations of tho groat dramatist. The conceptions, moreover, of the character of " Hamlot h have been extreme and varied. The " Hamlet" of Edmund Kean was very different from that of Philps and Ores wick in point of material aspect. Again, Mr Tavares has his conception of what the melancholy, and somewhat harsh Prince of Denmark should be, Wa have not space even to touch upon these comparatively endless criticisms, which we leave to the curious and speculative. Mr Morton Tavares was eminently successful in imparting several features of interest to the hero of the drama, while Mrs Tavares did her best to illus trate the heroine, Ophelia, in her true likeness. These characters were admirably presented, and the several fine passages, rendered In a style which arrested breathless attention. The deathless love of Ophelia for the prince, who feigned, to despise, and would have her go to a nunnery, was finelypictured by MrsTavaresfrom th c tender blush of spring to the insanity in which Ophelia scatters the pansies. and sports, child like, almost unconsciously among the flowers. Ophelia's song, "And will he not come again was tenderly uttered. Mr Melville's less diffi cult part of the king was a very fair rendering. whilst Miss Tilly Andrews'interpretation of tho queen was very commendable, in fact the character could scarcely have been given with greater truth to the original. Mr Belton dis played merit both as the ghost and Laertes. Mr Searle was evidently quite at ease as Polonious, and his rendering of the fussy but shrewd Lord Chamberlain was equally and well sustained throughout. Mr Searle soeined fitted by several qualifications for exhibiting the peculiarities of Polonious. The grave-diggers found fitting representatives in Mr Leopold and Mr Hoyle. Mr Verner also depicted Horatio, the friend of Hamlet, in loving fidelity. The mutual affection of the friends was beautifully expressed in the language of the author. A word of praise is also due to Mrs Searle and Mr Alexander, and the representatives of minor interests. We are glad to notice that "Hamlet" will be repeated this evening, when we trust a full house will be prepared to give eclat in the right way to those who seek to entertain and interest citizens after the toils of the day.

The Financial Statement.

The Hon. Colonial Treasurer, Mr Larnach, delivered his financial statement. He said the Hon. the Premier, a few evenings ago, in his statement of the proposed future policy of the Government, informed the House that it was desired to consolidate the administrative system of the colony, and to introduce a clear, comprehensive, econo mical, and stable plan of finance. This was a work on the advisability of which all hon. members must agree, and all would no doubt agree that a -work of such a nature could not properly be accomplished without full consideration. Under these circum stances there were two courses open : Firstly, to ask the House to vote supplies for a period of three or four months, to adjourn, to meet again at an early period of next year, when the Government would be enabled to place all their plans before the House in a matured form, and. then to take their verdict upon them ; or, secondly, to take up the Esti mates of the lato Government, make such modifications in their proposals as they might deem necessary, and occupy the recess in fully re-organising and consolida ting the present! financial and departmental systems of the colony. The latter is the course which the_ had determined to adopt. He said the full financial statement of the late Colonial Treasurer relieved him from going into details, but there were several points in which he would point out where reforms must be made. Oue of these was the late period at which parliament met, making the country dependent upon Imprest sapply after the close of the financial year. The Government intended to alter this by convening parliament early in June.

UNSATISFACTORY FLOATING DEBT. In 1874-5, when the floating debt on Treasury Bills was £400,000, it was thought that the amount might be reduced at the rate of £100,000 a year. Instead of that, it had increased to over £SOO,OOO. Not only had the colony been unable, out of the superfluities of the present, to pay off the deficiencies of the past, but the necessitias of the present have shown themselves to be far greater than before; and the charge upon the Consolidated Fund has now become so large that, to meet these Treasury Bills out of the fund upon which they are by law a proper charge, appears hopeless. In the years 1875-6, a further issue of Treasury Bills was requisite in aid of revenue to the amount of £172,000. In the last year a further issue of £260,000 be came necessary, and the late Colonial Treasurer proposed to repeat a similar temporary borrowing this year, ;"as a receipt in aid," but, for this occasion the fund upon which the advance is to be secured is not the Consolidated Fund or the ordinary revenue of the colony, but the land fund of the Provincial District of Otago. A similar loan would have been raised on the security of Canterbury, had it not been found possible to take £58,000, in cash from its territorial revenue. Such a condition of affairs as this was not considered in any way satisfactory. There appeared to be a sad want of that equilibrium—that evenness of balance iv our financial system which, before all things, must exist if we intend to main tain our position as a solvent State, our reputation as prudent, careful colonists, and, above all, our credit in the English money market. The provincial liabilities taken over by the colony after the abolition were unexpectedly large, amounting to £660,000, one item to be met in January being £104, 000, to the Trust and Loan Company for the Wellington foreshore reclamation. UNSTABLE CHARACTER OF COLO

NIAL FINANCE. The finance of tbe colony, especially with reference to tli« Land Fund, waa sub ject to constant alterations. To meet all these exigencies—to make the large pay ments on account of interest that the colouy has periodically to make, to pay salaries, and to provide for tbe innumerable other matcers that have daily to be met —what, be asked, was the present state of tbe Treasury chest ? He had been accustomed to deal, aud preferred to deal, with cash. It was very* much more satisfactory and more convincing to deal with cash than with mere bookkeeping accounts. With the latter it was not difficult to mani pulate balances; with the former it was not easy to show two sovereigns where really only one exists. On the 15th day of October last, the day on which the Government assumed office, there stood to the credit of the colony altogether, as shown by its banking accounts, the sum of £762,312 lis 3d. Surely, with such an overflowing Treasury as that, the House would wonder what need there was for any financial difficulty. He would proceed to show tbe House of what that balance chiefly consists. To the credit of the Consolidated Fund there was £105,563 7s Sd ; to the credit of the Land Fund, £544,54S lis 6d. THE LAND FUND. •

The whole of the Land Fund was ap propriated by special enactment. The Government had uo power, however large in any one year that Fund might become, to use one shilling of it for any purpose .whatever, beyond that amount which the law placed at its disposal. The whole of the residue was to be distributed in certain defined proportions to the counties of the respective provincial districts in which it was raised. An accumulated and excessive laud fund, under the preseut laws of this colouy, can never be used by the Government, even tempo rarily, in aid of a deficient Colonial Treasury. The Land Fund this year, he felt pleasure in saying, would be largely in excess of the sum estimated by the late Government. Their est.mate was £743,000. To Sept. 30 there had -actually been paid into the Treasury the sum of £542,231 19s 4d (fully two-thirds, nearly three-fourths). He thought it quite reasonable to suppose that the respectable total of one million will be realised. After paying aU subsidies to Municipalities, Road Eoards, &c., as provided by law, the residue, however large, was to be paid to the County

Councils. He called the attention of the House to the fact, that while the Land Fund leceipts have, on the whole, been largely in excess of the estimate, that excess has entirely arisen from the large sum realised in the provincial district of Canterbury; . hile in the other provincial district- the amount realised has been much under the estimate. While ostensibly the Land Fund had been regarded as provincial revenue, it was made subject to so many charges as almost to absorb it. Mr Larnach continued " The Government determined to do openly and straightforwardly that which their pre decessors in office have hitherto been doing disingenuously. Sir, —We mean to MAKE THE LAND FUND COLONIAL

REVENUE, subject to all the obligations which the colony has undertaken in respect thereof, 3uch as past administration, cost of survey, immigration, interest on provincial loans, and so forth. It is our intention, however, that 20 per cent, of the land revenue shall be localised by law for the purpose of being expended by the local authorities on roads, bridges, and public works within their respective districts; and further, we shall ask Parliament to agree on a uniform land law, whereby the public estate, subject to classification, shall be sold at uniform prices throughout the colony; whether on a system embracing free -selection, deferred payments or otherwise. Sir, I wish it also to be understood that if administrative re forms aud reduction of expenditure can be effected to an extent which may allow of any increase of the proportion of 20 per cent, referred to, such portion shall have tho benefit of it accordingly. On this sub ject I desire to add, that while the circum stances into which the colony has been permitted to drift render it imperative that the land revenue should be dealt with as we have just proposed, my colleagues and myself fully recognise that one of the most legitimate objects to which that revenue ought to be applied is to render available for settlement the particular locality from whence it has been derived. In fact, this ought to be regarded as one of the main conditions upon which the purchase money is paid. We are, therefore, of opinion that, in ap portioning the public revenue throughout the colony, such condition should be kept faithfully in view. Before proceeding further, I may be permitted to say that the Government looks forward to being enabled to submit to this House next session -well considered proposals, based upon sound data, whereby important districts may be opened up and connected with the main railway lines by means of branch lines, to be constructed out of the proceeds of the land, which will be rendered valuable and accessible by such branch liuea. There are at present, as hon. members are aware, extensive areas of public territory throughout the colony which are unvailable for settlement, and which must continue to be so until rendered accessible by railways or roads. This is a matter in respect to which the Government looks -with favour upon the action that has been taken dur ing the session by private members. We are of opinion, however, that it is a subject w Thich, in the future, ought to be dealt with by the Government; and we shaU be prepared to devote to it that con sideration which its importance deserves." THE GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN MAIN ROADS. The Government has daily, since in office, had brought under its notice the necessity of taking some steps to protect and keep in repair the main roads and bridges of the colony, and although by the legislation of last year, the counties were created to do this work, I regret to state they have been unable in too many cases to grapple with the difficulties of the task thereby imposed upon them ; and if the Government, after due consideration, find it to be to the interest of the colony that it should under take the work, it will not fail to do so, even if a portion of the subsidies payable to any local bodies benefited by any particular road or public work may have to be diverted for that purpose. RETRENCHMENT.

Some interest has been excited by that portion of the hon. the Premier's statement which had relation to a reduction in the salaries of Ministers. There is a very laudable curiosity abroad as to the extent and nature of these proposed deductions, which I desire at once to gratify. In the year 1873, the salaries of Ministers were raised from the sum of £1000 per annum each to £1,750 for the Premier, and £1,250 each for other Ministers. We shall propose a re vision of the Civil List, and we shall ask the House to fix the Premier's salary at £1,000, and the salary of each of the other Ministers at the same amount. We pro pose to sell—not privately—one of the steam vessels now the property of the Govern ment. The Public Account Committee report on the advisability of selling the Hmemoa, but before determining which boat to dispose of, we sTiall be guided by careful and sound advice from officers practically qualified to give it. In dealing with the Civil List it will be our object to maintain the efficiency of the public service, and not to cut down salaries of necessary officers, but to consolidate offices as much as possible. In this direction we have reason for believing that much can be done towards effecting a very large saving in the annual expenditure of the colony."

RAILWAY MANAGEMENT. The Government intended to devote attention to railway management, and if it were found that the recommendation to lease the Auckland lines would prove advantageous, the Government would not hesitate to adopt that course. He drew attention to the importance of making pro vision for the renewal of lines which had not hitherto been done. ANOTHER FOUR MILLION LOAN. The Government intend to ask the House to consent to a loan of £4,000,000, feeling assured that the whole of this amount will be wanted. They proposed to redeem the guaranteed debentures, to provide for public works, for provincial liabilities, for other necessities of the year, and for aU floating debts now due by the -colony; but there was also the million due to the banks, which was not provided for here. At present, the colony has loans raised in London, loans raised in Sydney, loans in New Zealand, and Treasury bills. The Government deem it desirable that this system should cease, and that there should be but one sort of funded colonial indebtedness for this colony, showing at a glance the entire debt, —one concurrent of working account, showing our annual revenue and expenditure under their several principal heads, and that the numerous small and mystifying accounts,and balances at present existing under the head of the Public Account, should be done away with, and that we should, as soon as possible have but one creditor _ 1 mean the London money market. The practice of concealing, perhaps unintentionally, the amount of the colonial indebtedness, by the issue of Treasury bills, and the raising of tempo rary loans in the colonies, has an effect even worse than imposing directly on the home creditor. It .encourages the people of the colony to fancy their liabilities smaUer than they really are, and to agitate for a greater expenditure than the colony can afford. Fuller details of these ques tions would be given when the Loan Bill was brought down. Mr Laanach concluded as follows:—We shall, however, during the recess, seriously address ourselves to the consideration of which, we have reasons for believing, can be large reduction in the public expenditure, carried out. .and we will also earnestly con sider the question already discussed in this House of altering the present system of taxation in this colony, with the view of more equally and fairly distributing its burdens upon the whole community. Should our land receipts keep up, I appre hend that it will not be necessary to attempt to raise a larger revenue from the people than is now drawn from them ; but should that source of revenue fall off we must be prepared to submit to heavier burdens to meet our obligations to our creditors and

conduct the business of the country. After the experience to be gained during the recess, we shall be in a better position to offer an opinion on the subject when Parliament meets next year.

THE COLON _ EXCEEDING ITS REVENUE.

: With this statement I propose to lay be fore the House'a table marked No 1, show ing the estimated revenue from all sources including land, and the expenditure for the present year,based upon the state of things, which the Government found in existence upon taking office. This document is worthy , the attention of the House. The esti mated revenue appears £3,699,026 ; the ex penditure, £4,410,238. The deficiency therefore, is £7,212. If the revenue, as stated above, falls short of the estimated amount, as is not improbable, that defici ency will be proportionally increased. I also lay before the House a table marked No 2, showing without Land Fund the estimated revenue and "expenditure for the same period. This is a very important table, and from it will be gathered at a glance our true financial position. As we are at present conducting the business of the country, it will Jbe observed that the present daily expenditure of the colony is in excess of its estimated revenue (minus the land revenue) by £1,926. I feel it nay duty to call the attention of honorable gentlemen to this state of things, and to ask for their earnest consideration of the sub ject. CONCLUSION. Sir, iv making this Statement I do so with feelings of great diffidence. My posi tion here is not of my own seeking, nor is the business I am now engaged in that towards which my tastes'and inclinations would willingly have led me. So far as my humble abilities have served to guide me, I have cheerfully given my most earnest attention, with as much time as I had at my disposal, to_t_e subject of our finance. My future aim wiU be to endeavour to arrange a system that may prove stable, that will secure a state of equilibrium be tween our expenditure ,that will be of a character sufficiently fair not to excite the cupidity of one portion of the country or the envy of another ; and as this House in its wisdom has determined, and the colony at large has agreed in that determination, to try to bring the whole of this country, differing as it does in common interests, in the manner of its colonisation, and in its typographical features, under one united Government, so it will be the object of my ' colleagues and myself to assist in the : realisation of this effort by simplifying and regulating our too-abundant partnership accounts-, and by introducing a system of united finance, without which such a wholesome united Government is im possible.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., 8.M.) DHU_-__SXNESS. A man of dilapidated ■ appeara nee, named Alexander Drummond, whose features were marked and disfigured, apparently by other fingers than his own, was charged with being drunk and incapable, by the pavement side. Drummond said he certainly got mizzy, but was sorry. Fined 5s and costs. ' ROUGH AMD XOISY. Elizabeth Dledrick, recently of Carroll Lodge, Alexandra-street, was charged with being a rogue and vagabond, etc. etc. Elizabeth held down her head, and said she was no rogue, not a bit of it. A .number of charges from a long list cf offences were read out to prisoner. The Court ordered prisoner to Mourt Eden for one month. THE AWA__ENI_.G OP TAUPO. John May was again placed in the dock on a charge of stealing from a native, named Taupo, ahat.meerschaumpipe. andother artioles, while asleep in a boat on Saturday night. Mr Brown interpreted. The principal evidence in this case was taken yesterday, when it was put back for the appear ance of an important witness. Edward Percy, master of the cutter Leah, went on board on Saturday night at ten o'clock. He saw prisoner in company with a Portuguese on the wharf. 'Prisoner went on board. He went to bed. Taupo also went to bed, and some time after he heard Taupo call out that a thief was in his cabin, and bolting with his clothes and pipe. Thinking he was dreaming he told him to be quiet. Still he roared out" the European's off with my hat and pipe." He got up, and saw the prisoner, who handed him the pipe. Teka 1 a native, gave corroborative evidence. He heard Taupo wake up in the night, and'saw May, who was under the influence of drink. Constable MeGilp arrested the prisoner with prosecutor's hat on his head. Prisoner said he certainly took the things, but not with the intention of stealing them. He was drunk.

Fourteen days' imprisonment with hard labour. y NEGLECTING HIS MOTHER. Thomas Narrowmore was charged with failing to contribute towards the support of his mother, he being able to do so. Defendant did not appear, he being employed at the Thames; but he had expressed his willingness to Sub-Inspector Bullen to con tribute 10s weekly. Remanded until the 26th inst. ALLEGED PIGEON STEALING. Three lads were (charged with the larceny of twelve pigeons, value £20, the property of W.O. Arthur, on the 11th inst. Sub-Inspector. Pardy said that one of the boys was arrested under suspicious circumstances, he . having the pigeons in his possession, but having learned that he came by them in a proper manner, he would ask that that lad might be discharged. The -pigeons were .eiy valuable, worth, according to the owner's es timate, £20. -Four of the pigeons were yet at large, and he would ask for a remand in order to trace them. Remanded until Friday. . Mr Tyl. r, on behalf of the.prisomer, asked for bail, which the".Court, under the circumstances, did not feel justified in granting. BREACH OF MUNICIPAL POLICE ACT. John Tombs was charged under thi3 Act with refusing to leave the house of Mrs Fairburn, in Symonds-street, when requested to do so by her agent, Thomas Morton. . _. Defendant offered some remarks in defence of his conduct, asserting that lie had a right to be there, but he would abide by the decision of Mr Whitaker. ... Mr Tyler asked for a remand for a week Defendant commenced a long harangue on family matters, which caused the Court to express its conviction that defendant was an irresponsible person, and that his word could not be taken. The case wa3 allowed to stand over until a latter period of the day.

alleged damage: to crown property, p John Mullahy and several others, appearedin answer to a charge of damaging, by excavation, certain Government land in the district of Mount Eden, to the extent of £5. on the 6th day of November.

Mr Brookfield appeared for the prosecutor on behalf of the Crown, and Mr Hesketh repre sented Mr D evore for the defence. The evidence for the prosecution was taken on the opening of the case, and Messrs Cussen and Percy Smith, surveyors, were examined; also, of Mr Tole, commissioner of Waste Lands, and Constable Abrams; and the case was adjourned nntil to-day at the retiuest or Mullally, who was desirous of having the evidence of William Kirby, who was then IIL. Mr Hesketh having made some remarks in defence of the act of excavating, which had been done in the full belief that he was doing right. . " His Worship said that defendant had been warned by two surveyors that he was encroacn ing upon Government ground. but he went on, acting as if he had never received such warn ings. He may have believed that he was doing right—a man might believe any thing—for there really was no limit to belief. Mr Mullally. however, might shew how he was right. William Kirby was the owner of a? allotment of land in Mount Eden, in right of Mrs Kirby. Ho gave permission to __r Mullally to get gravel there. He cut a trencn on the Bth November, as a boundary line, idb gravel taken away by Mullally was from ws ground. The trench was five deep and fourwi<"j cut by himself on his own land in order to Keep Mullally's drays from intruding on Crown land. Cross-examined by Mr Brookfield: He had a. plan made by Mr Dalton, but could not tell tne exact date. He thought it was within the last two montfis. Mr Dalton's plan shewed a iitwe encroachment on Government, property, but; tna" could not be helped. The trench got filled nt>» but whether by a land slip or "dirty work, a° : could not say. ._,._, John Mullally, defendant, was then examiren, and mostly corroborated the statement or in* Kirby. He said that Nature had done all tne mischief in asserting her own rights by aer powers of force. . -i. • Charles Edward Gardener, deposed that he was a gardener, and engaged to erect the teni for Mr Kirby, along the boundary of his P«, j>°: was unable to complete it, because he cpuia ny eret near enough to it. He had seen Muuau. continually taking scoria awa3 r.

The case was dismissed. THE LATEST FROM REMURRA. ~ Mrs Skelton, wife of John Skelton, fa™cr, ffi Remuera, appeared in answer to a c _^"r„., threatening to break the neck of Albert bnm£ with her natural fist, on the 11th inst., also JWW rescuing three head of cattle from being v" pounded on the same day. ~ _,„_<__.' On the application of Mr Tyler these cases were adjourned until Friday next.

IHE EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1877.



ivr A N-T ir~~^~S3 X COSTUMES, UNDERCLOTHING, AND BABY-LINEN. A Large Assortment of these. Goods has lust been received by W. RATTRAY, DRAPER AND SILK MERCER, ■RO-EW £E ALAND gOUSE, 66, Queen-street, Auckland. THE undersigned are now bringing forward a Large Parcel of GENERAL DRAPERY, HABERDASHERY, Sec, bought at considerably less than usual prices, to which they invite the attention of aU requiring Goon Value For Money. Corsets in great variety of quality and style, white aid coloured, from 2/6 per pair Linen and Lace Goods, Cuffs, Collars, and Sets, Ladies' Underclothing Umbrellas and Parachutes, Silk, Zanella, Alpacca. Sec , . . ._,_,. Lot of Flowers at very low price, quite fresh Straw Hats, Ribbons, Gloves, &c. A Splendid Stock of Muslin, Lace. andLenoe Curtains, Counterpanes, Quilts, Damask Table Cloths, Sheeting, Felt Squares Carpets, Floorcloth, China Matting, Ticks, &c. Large-size Huckaback Towels at /6 each New Fancy Dress Materials, Japanese Silks, Coloured Lustres, Black Lustres, Embossed, Striped, and Check Muslins, Prints, &c. Brown Holland, from /__ per yard . Union, Fancy Jean, and Oxford Shirtings, very o_l63iT) 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, A very large assortment of Gents' Shirts, White Longcloth, Union and All-wool Crimean, Fancy Silk Mixed Scotch Twill, Fancy Jean, Oxford, Sec Strong Tweed for Boys wear A Job Line of Stout Mosgiel at below Factory Eracesf Belts, Ties. Scarfs, Collars, Cotton and Merino Hosiery, Undershirts, &c. Leghorn Tuscan, Straw, and Drill Hats, for "Boys and Men, &c, &C, &c. B in he £ allowed on all Cash Purchases of 20s. and upwards. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, Junction Drapery Warehouse, Upper Queen-street, auckland. TT^ (^INSURANCE COMPANY I |J OF NEW ZEALAND. CAPITAL..: ~7 -_-.000.000. A UCKLAND BRANCH: QUEEN-STREET, Nest the Colonial Bank.



FIRE DEPARTMENT. ..Insurances granted on . Dwelling-houses. Stores. Shops, Buildings in which tiade carried on. Merchandise, and Goods of eveiy description. MARINE DEPARTMENT. Hulls of Ships or Steamers Merchandise of aa kinds, Specie and Wool to United Kingdom, at Lowest Current Rates.. §R. H. STEVENSON 8 Manager, j



CARPETS, | HEARTHRUGS, LINOLEUM, FLOORCLOTS. T. & H. COOKE Beg to inform their friends and the public tluit they have imported a large assortment of the above, which trill render their FURNISHING ESTABLISHMENT one of the most complete and extensive in Auckland, having purchased these Goods of the Manufacturers direct, for cash, they are enabled to offer them at VERT LOW PRICES. New Patterns in Carpets and Linolemn. feST SHOW BOOMS: 67, Queen-street. Steam Cabinet Factory Victoria-street. mo AGRICULTURISTS & OTHERS. W. J. HURST X CO. have on sale the under menti®ned 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 nattering testi monials from leading Farmers justify W. J. Hurst & Co. in strongly conlmendmg them to every Agriculturist :— MALDEN ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MEXICAN do. BELL'S BONE FLOUR ___,__. TTC(Pn ~ J and Hnch 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. Se CO. arc 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 QUEEN-STREET, CLOVER SEED, FOR SPRING SOWING Just Landed, ex Columbus— 30 casks new Clovers, cousistmg of Red Clover White Clover Cow Gras Also on hand. Alsyhe, Timothy, Lucerne, Rape Rats-tail, Rye grass, Cocksfoc-, &c, at lowest market rates. W. J. HURST & CO. 101, QUEEN-STREET. 500 sacks Sydney Maize (superior sample) 3000 „ Oats First-class Tartars for Seed, also 800 sacks of 1875 crop hard feed, surpassing any of last season's growth ' 1200 sacks Canterbury Potatoes, and some early varieties for seed purposes Flour, Bran, Sharps, Chaff, Oilcake, Coal, &C, &c. Particular attention is called to 600 sacks Prime Barley at 4s per bushel o 60ib. 5 tons Anderson's Fre3h oatmeal, a ' £21 per ton. W. J. HURST & CO., 101, QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND.



The vilest rogues are those who impose on the sick. There is a class of impostors now engaged in vending imitations of that health-promoting beverage, Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Ajro matic Schnapps, put up in bottles which pre viously held the real article, and often bearing counterfeit labels. Purchasers should ask for and take none but the genuine. M