SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ptptt W4Ti?p (This Afternoon, 10.10 HIUH WAI Jilt—| To . morrow Morning, 10.31 SUN SET.—This Evening, 5.9 SUN RiSK—To-morrow Morning, 6.49 MOON'S AGE.—Last Quarter, sth May, 10.58 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Arauorst, brigantine, from Newcastle Hinemoa, schooner, from Napier.

DEPARTURES.

Moa, brig, for Newcastle Mazcppa, schooner, for Mercury Bay and . Lyttelton.

IMPORTS.

Par Transit from Oaraaru: 100 sacks flour, 101 do oats.—Tonks and Co.

The brig Moa sails to-day for Newcastle in ballast. Passengers: Messrs Jas. Stephons, H- Coombes, and Cluis. Melriile. The schooner Kenilworth has left for Wsnga poa, where she is to load timber for Napier. The s.s. Staffa left yesterday for Taurar.fra. Tho Howena leaves this afternoon for the same port. The s.s. Rotamahana is on the gridiron, being overhauled and painted. She will resume her trips to the Thames on Thursday. The brig Drover is advertised as open to freight or charter. The barquo Ann Gambles is expected from Lyttelton about the end of next week. The schooner Hinemoa, which arrived to-day, is chartered to convey a load of feattle to Samoa. The schoonor Mazeppa left this afternoon for Mercury Bay, where she is to load for Lyttelton. Captain Lombard is in command, with Mr Pire gay as chief officer.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Timaru, this day. Arrived: Klthol, brigantins, from Hobart Town. She will load for Auckland, on account o£ D. 11. McKenzic.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m.; and to morrow, at 4.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, per Argyle, on Friday next, at 2.30 p.m. For Whitianga, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per ltowena, this day, at i p.m. For Opotiki, to-morrow at 9 a.m. For Waiwera, Warkworth, and To Arai, per Annie Milbauk, to-morow, at 10 a.m. For Taranaki, Southern Provinces, and Aus tralian Colonies, per Hawea, to-morrovr, [at 10 a.ni. For newspapers, at 9 a.m. For money orders and registered letters, this day, at 4&.m. For Noumea, per Phantom, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Tauraaga and Gisborne, per Pretty Jane, to-morrow, at 3 p.m. For Napier, per Star of the South, on Friday, next, at 3 p.m. For Australian Colonies, per Rotorua, on Tues day, Bth inst., at 11 a.m. Per s.s. City of Sydney, on Wednesday, 9th May, as fo'lows:— For Kandavu, Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 1 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 11.30 p.m. Late letters, bearing an extra fee of 6d in addition to the postage, will be received by tho Mail Agent on board the steamer up to time of sailing. S. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Constant Readeb.—Seven and a half (7j.)

The particular attention of the public is called to the fact that without the exercise of a little caution they are likely to be imposed upon by cheap imitations of the standard medicinal beverage, Udolpiio Wolfe's Soiiikdam Aro matic Schnapps. These spurious imitationa are frequently put np in second-hand bottles of the true article, and often bear false labels. Puke asd Healthy Blood. Ulbak Skin*, and Good Complexion obtained by using Sharland's Concentrated Sarsaparilla. Price, Bs. 6(1. and 4s. Gd. a bottle. SHAKLANDS Podo nhyllin (Pearl) Pills, for Billionsness. Constipa tion, and Liver. Price. Is. and 2s. Od. a, box.— s{ST Apothecaries Hall, opposite Post-oXlice, Auckland. The Medical Profession have declared Steane's Superlative Aromatic Tonic Wind to be a necessity to all in search of health, and especially to those suffering either from Incipient or Chronic Indigestion, Dyspepsia, and the dis orders arising therefrom. This Tonic is also particularly recommended to all who are in a measure compelled from the nature of their occupation to take stimulants, and at the same time are desirous of studying health by taking that which will act most beneficially on the system. Mr. Wm. Johnson, Government Analy tical Chemist, report: — "I have examined Steane's Superlative Aromatic Tonic Wine, and find it to be remarkably pleasant in flavour, con taining about 1G per cent, of a very pure alcohol, and holding in solution a clear wholesome, Vegetable Bitter, combined with a fruity spicy aroma. I consider this Bitter a very superior article."—Sold by all Storekeepers and Hotel keeDera.

BIRTH.

GROGAN.—On Thursday, the 26th April, at her residence, Karangahape Road, the wife of Mr. J. Gxoganof a daughter.

MARRIAGE.

BATT-TOMES.—On ths 28th April, at St. Sepulchre's, by the Rev. B. T. Dudley, William Warren Batt to Frances Susannah Douglas, eldest daughter of John Tomes, Esq., D. A.C.G.

DEATHS.

DAVIDS.—On the 2nd May, at St. Ann's Road, Dedwood, David Do.vids, aged 77 yeai s. The funeral will leave his late residence to morrow (Thursday), at 3 p.m. GRICE.—-On the Ist May, at his residence, New market, Mr. George Grice, aged 47 years, second son of the late William Grice, Esq.., Harwick, Essex, England. The funeral will leave his late rpsidence on Friday, the Ith instant, at 3 p.m. Friends please accept this invitation. GARDE.—On Ist May, Aphra Theophila, relict of tho late Thomas Garde, Esq., M.D., R.C.M., Edin., A:M. T. CD,, late of Castlemartyr, County Cork, Ireland, aged 56 years. The funeral will leave her late residence, Great North Road,' to-morrow (Thursday), at 3 p.m.

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

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1877.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future ill the distance. And the good that we can do.

Some of the Southern papers have been dis cussing the subject of a possible attack upon the colonies in the event of war, and the general conclusion seems to be that our plight is bad indeed. Major-General T. B. Collinson, at a recent meeting of the United Service Institution, Whitehall, read a very elaborate paper upon " the Present Facilities for the Invasion of England, and its Defence," in which some of the conclu sions were anything but comforting to us. Steam has revolutionised transport, and an army might be landed at any secretly-chosen destination with a speed and accuracy but little inferior to tliat by rail. Major- General Collinson said " a naval officer had calculated that 50,000 men could be em barked from Germany and landed on the shores of England in 14 days from the declaration of war ! Tho crucial test of that part of the question no doubt, was " Could an enemy elude the British Navy?" Major-General Collinson had invariably found the answer to b<^ that our navy was larger than that of any two other nations ; or it was said that if it was not enough we could, make it so. The first part of that answer he dealt with in two ways—first, by weutiQ4 ci 'tostmwn where &iti*h tlwte

had been successfully eluded; and, secondly, by showing that an enemy would not make an open announcement of its intention to invade, but "would seek to draw away a large portion of the fleet to guard our distant possessions." In the opinion of the essayist, the attempt, if made by two or more allied European powers, did not seem to bo so hopeless as to reudei the scheme wild and foolish. If such an attempt were made, national policy would unquestionably point to the employment of the whole of the British naval resources for the protection of the mother country, and the distant colonies would become a prey to any stray cruisers. The wisdom of leaving property worth mil lions sterling, a sport to war's chances, while a very moderate expenditure would have placed the leading ports of New Zealand in a position to resist anything short of a naval attack in force, may well be questioned. We are, however, now in that position, and, as true philoso phers, should gather up any grains of com fort afforded by the situation. It need hardly be pointed out that the course of cruisers on plunder bent, would be the reverse of plain sailing. Connected by telegraph and cable with Europe, and witli every centre of moment in Australasia, the colonists enjoy unexceptional advantages for advising or being kept advised of the movements of tho Pacific fleet. And it is satisfactory to learn that the Admiralty anticipate no difficulty in protecting the Pacific. Tho ''Army and Navy Gazette," of February 24th, says :—

" lii the House of Commons, in answer to Captain Pirn, who asked what precautions had been taken to guard against disaster in the Pacific, where, he asserted, the Russians have a lleet of eleven corvettes, Mr. Hunt said that it had been reported to him that on Jan. 24 the Russians had but one corvette, two gun vessels, and three gunboats in the Paciiio. Mr Hunt went on to remark, amid much cheering, that he did not share in the an ticipation implied on the question of a war with Russia, with whom our relations were of a friendly character. In the event of British interests being threatened in any quarteffof the Avorld, he hoped the House would rely on the Government talcing' proper steps for their protection."

The question was put and answered 'before the rejection of the protocol had terminated all hope of a peaceful adjustment of the differences between Russia and the Otto man, and we have no means of ascertaining what Mr Hunt's views may be now of the permanent maintenance of peace with England. But the reply is re-assuring, as shewing that England does not lose sight of her heavy responsibilities, and is fully prepared for the work. Although we trust that occasion will not arise to test her capabilities, we should, if circumstances precipitated war, have no very grave apprehension of the result either to these colonies or to the "flag that has braved a thousand years," which proudly floats over them.

The Dobrudscha lias been frequently mentioned in recent telegrams, anil tlio.se of our readers who are not furnished with a good map or gazetteer may bo unable to form auy very- definite idea of the locality. It is an oblong .strip of territory in north eastern Bulgaria, separated from Moldavia on the north by the river Danube, bounded on the east by the .sea, and on the •west by the bend of the Danube from Galatz to Rassowa, near which latter place, Trajan's Wall, now in ruins, extends right across the peninsula to the sea. The strip of territory -which we have denned lias a width of about 50 miles, and a length of 80 miles. Yesterday's telegrainw stated that tho Russians had occupied Ismail, a town on one of the branches of the Danube, about ten miles north of the boundary between Moldavia and Dobrudscha, and about midway between Galatz and the Black Sea. From Galatz to Ismail is about 40 miles as the crow iiie.s. The occupation of Ismail by the Russians has been thought by sonic to indicate an intention to establish there a point d? appui. for an advance over the 1 )anubc into Dobrudscha, with the view of turning the right flank of the famous quadrilateral, and so advancing on the great strategical point at Shumla, instead of attacking the quadrilateral in front, and on its north side, in Wallachia, with Bucharest as a base. All along the Lower Danube from Galatz, the banks are marshy, and the points of passage are very few and diiiicult. It. is only in summer when the floods have subsided and the ground has been hardened by dry weather, that baggage waggons with the commissariat and am munition could be got over this ground. Ismail now forms a base for an ad vance on Isakca and Tulclia, both on the Danube, and here an army might be got over with some difficulty. Thiift.froin Clalatz to the sea const the banks of, tho river urn flanked by muralics, except at Isakca and Tulcha. At both these places flic Turks intended at last adrices to erect field works in order to resist a Russian attack, but with the lauxez faire peculiar to Turks, it is not improbable that they have entirely neglected thus defending themselves from aD attack in Hank. They had at last advices at Tulcha about 5000 infantry, a regiment of cavalry, and a battery of artillery, and in the Dobrudscha eight bnttalions, two batteries of artillery, and one regiment of cavalry, but if the Russians arc avcll provided with pontoons and bridge materials this force would be of iit tic avail in resisting a passage of the river.at Tulcha, which the Russians seized without striking a blow in 1854-5, the Turkish garrison only numbering about 300 men. If any depen dence can be placed on the late contradic tory cablegrams, the main body of the Russian army was in lull inarch on the I Dobrudscha, and it was feared that the Turks would not reach that part of the Danube in time to prevent the crossing. The Turkish army at last advices was scattered along the river from Widdin, on the extreme left of their line of defence, but there were 16 battalions,and 2 batteries of Artillery at Varna, and at Shumla 2!) battalions, 6 batteries, and 1 regiment of Cavalry. Thus, counting the corps de armce at Tulcha itself, and in the Dobrudscha, and the forces which might be- pushed up from Shumla and Varna, the Turks could meet the Russians in the Dobrudscha with an army of .about 30,000, which' would be swelled by detachments from other points, and in the event of the Russian advance being delayed.could be increased from the various posts on the Danube, and other points, to very formidable numbers ; and it must be borne in mind that the Turks possess a numerous and effective flotilla of guiiboats, which would be able to operate up to the Danube from the various mouths, and to throw troops into Kusteiidji and other points so as to threaten the flank of a Russian advance, or to strengthen the Turkish army in their front. The real object of a Russian advance on Dobrudscha is probably twofold. It may be intended as a diversion, to draw the Turkish forces away from, the real point of attack on the Danube, at Kalarach, Olinitza, GiurgevOjOr between that point and Nicopol, and what is far more likely, the Russians desh'e to turn the Turkish positions at Matchin, Hirchova, and Rassowa, before attacking the quadrilateral in front with Bucharest as a point d' appui. A glance at the map will shew even non-military readers that a Russian advance through southern Roumania from Galatz on any point of the quadrilateral wonkl be extremely j hazardous 10. long as the Turks occupy Braila, Hirchova, and Rassqwa, whicli would menancii the Russian left flank, and leave the Danube as a shelter behind which : a Turkish movable column could advance ; into Dobrudscha,and suddenly crossing the

I tions, break up the railway, and perhaps weaken the forces in front of the quadrilateral at some critical moment, or j when the invading army was preparing to I cross the Danube. For these reasons the ! positions on the river between Galatz and I Silistria must be turned and captured, and | the Russians will probably adopt the j identical tactics which they followed in 1854 when they occupied Ismail, crossed corps d' armee atTulcha and Isakca, and occupied the posts on the lower part of the Danube beforeconcentratingtheirforcesuponSilistria Should tho Turks be able to muster in force in the Dobrudscha, we may hear of a sharp engagement;in,the neighbourhood of Isakca or Tulcha, with a simultaneous advance by the Russians on Braila, Hirchova, and Slobodzie. In any case, the Russians have before them the task of taking the quadrilateral, whether they attack it in front at Silistria, Olcnitza, Turtukai, and Giurgevo, and .simultaneously in flank by way of Dobruds cha, or content themselves with clearing their left flank, and attacking in front. It may take some time ere the stragetically concentrated attack on the quadrilateral, as a means to Shumla, and the high road to Adrianople, shall have been matured, but once the strings are drawn in, we may expect to hear of battles and sieges on a grand scale.

In quoting our comparison between the Auckland Gas Company, and the manage ment of tho gasworks by the Dunedin .Corporation, the " Otago Daily Times" says : —" We have become a hideous warning, an awful example, to other towns in tho matter of our gas. In the Auckland Evening Star of the 12th inst., we are held up to derision on account of the cost, tho misery, the bad management, the waste of our gasworks, and our gas light." (The " Times " here publishes an extract from tho article referred to), and adds : —" We arc sorry to say that we must at once admit the charge. It is wounding to our amour ■propre to have to admit that in a matter of prime necessity like this, we have been so completely beaten. Those of us who are accustomed to bounce about the superior goaheadedness of the South as compared with the North Island, will have to hide their heads for the future when the question of gas is brought up. Night after night, as we pass through the streets, in which a little glimmer shows where a provident Corporation has determined that there ought to be light, we shall think how much better they manage these things in our Northern rival. When wo pay our extortionate monthly gas bill we shall envy the management of the Aucklanders, who, instead of giving in to the clamour of a few mountebanks, and handing over the lighting of their town to their Corporation, held to the principle of private enterprise, and got their gas cheap and good. Is it too late to remedy the present state of things ? Could we not lease the works to someone who understands the business, and secure at once good gas and cheap gas ?" The "Army and Navy Gazette" of Fob. 17th throws light on the cablegram recently published respecting the dismissal of Capt. Stevens of the B.irracouta, as follows :—" A court ot inquiry will beheld on Cnpt. Stevens, respecting the Samoa affair, in which several sea'nun and marines were killed and wounded.'" It would thus appear that Capt. Stevens was dismissed for the needless loss of so many men, and not merely for his action in removing Colonel Steinbergor. The jury have awarded £15 damages to Mr John "Ballanco, M.H.It., in his suit against Carson, proprietor of the Wanganui Chronicle. A meeting of the Star of Newton Lodge, 1.0. G.T., will be held to-morrow evening, when the Worthy Chief Templar will be elected, and the officers for the ensuing quarter installed. The question, " Docs Turkey deserve a place among the Nations of Europe ?" will be discussed by the leading members of the Pitt-street and St. James' Mutual Improve ment Societies. The St. James' class will take tli« affirmative, supported by Messrs IS. Cooper, J. C. Mackey, W. Gome, J. M. Goddis, K. Mason, and J. Crawford. The Pitt-street class will take the negative, supported by Messrs J. E. White, F. G. Ewington, Theo. Cooper, jun., 11. Jessop, W. Mitchell, and F. Martin. The grand vocal and instrumental concert in aid of the funds of the Mechanics' Institute will be given to-morrow evening, in the Choral Hall. The musical conductor will be Herr Schotfc, the eminent musician and composer. We anticipate a grand musical, vocal, and intellectual treat, judging from the programme elsewhere. We notice that Miss Leaf and Miss Vaughan will sing several choice ballads. Messrs Burnham, Harding, Gradwell, and Edmi'ston will also assist in making the concert a success. Mrs Ellis will perform a pianoforte solo, and Dr Ellis will give two readings from the works of Thackeray and Wilkie Collins. A Mrs Harris of Greytown, has given birth to an infant prodigy with three well developed teeth, A local journal congratu lates her on her escape from the infantine manifestations incidental to tooth-cutting, The cause of the recent prosecution of Mr Nedry at Wanganui, for fraudulent bankruptcy, was that some of the goods had been intentionally concealed. The prosecution was under the 13th section of clause 2 of the Act. The Bannerman testimonial only reached £00, and it was handed over in the presence of 500 people, by Mr Whiteman M.L.A. Mr Con way stated that arrangements were being made for a representative Australian team to visit-England. A journal under the title of the " Ash burton Mail" has been published in Canterbury. The Wanganui Harbour Board is using bags of sand to dam up the channel caused by the breach on the bar. The demand for wheat bags has actually caused a rise in the price of wheat in the district. A rival of the Davenports at Oamaru, attempted to perform the rope-untying feat. Mr W. McKay, of sporting reputation, tied the knot, and the man was secured to a chair, and shut up in a dark room. About a quarter of an hour later, a sepulchral groan was heard, and he was found nearly strangled. Ilestoratives were applied before he was brought to his original state. _ A writer at Marton gives the following lively description of Blenheim :—"A. half drowned, burnod-ont miserable, starving, drowned, burned Blenheim. I have a vivid recollection of Blenheim, cvenAvhen.it was in the hey-day of its glory in having the public wprkfs money spent in it, and the Provincial Government Buildings lending their eclat to it, and it is this : Flax bushes and > rushes verging the Market-square within a few yards of the Government Buildings, stacks of firewood piled up on the sides of the streets waiting, being pur chased, " irregular, squatty, ill-shaped houses, edged roughly with jagged coiners everywhere protruding out ou the footpath," scattered in one confusion, without shape or symmetry, over a marshy plain between two muddy rivers which continually threat ened their complete demolition. I remem ber deep sloughs in its streets, and the foot bridge which spanned a little creek there being so rotten that one of the planks in it broke under the pressure of a lady's foot who was crossing it, and. if I remember rightly, resulted in her breaking her leg. I remember the flood sweeping over Collie's bridge and boats plying all over the town to save the lives of the inhabitants."

From the report of the City Council to day, it will be seen that Mr Mahoney is tho successful competitor among the' six architects who sent in plans for the new Slaughterhouse, intended to be built by

In a lecture at the Fielding Settlement the other day; the Hon. Mr Fox expressed his belief that Parliament would pass an effective Permissive Bill next session.

Two men have been buried in a fall of earth, at Larrikin's Terrace, Kumara. One was taken out dead, but the body of the other has not been recovered.

The question of the Dock site is causing intense feeling in Dunedin, where two merchants nearly came to blows at the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. The Bank of New South Wales has bought a site in Nelson for £2500.

The road from Raglan to Whatawhata is to be commenced at once.

Mr Hugo, .the barber at Hamilton, has received notice from the German Govern ment to return to his native country, in order to complete his three years of service. The "Waikato Times " says : "The Ger man War Department may summon spirits from the vasty deep, but the spirits may not come for all that ; and so, doubtless, it will be in the case of Mr Rugo and others. The penalty for not answering to the summons is a fine of a hundred thallers or so much imprisonment, but in the case of either one or the other our German fellow colonists are not likely to follow the example of the duck, who, when invited to come and be killed, stuffed itself with sage and onions, and quietly walked home to have its neck twisted. They will either naturalise themselves as British subjects and evade the summons, or give ' Father land ' a wide berth in the future."

The evening levee of tho wonderful fish was well attended last night, but as the fish was unable to articulate its history in connection with the steamer above and the waters below, the proprietor presented each visitor Avith the narrative of the wonderful fish, told in humourous and well-arranged Tennysonian verse, dictated by the spirit of a doparted poet, through the mediumship of the possessor of the nameless fish.

The " Presl ytcrian Church News " is to hand, and contains much matter of general interest. It opens with a sermon by Rev. Mi- Mackinney, of Mahuraugi, on " The Christian Ministry," followed by a very readable article on the "Ncav Hebrides Mission." There is a touching notice of the death of the llev. W. S. McGowan, of Lyttelton, one of those martyrs to pain and suffering to <an extent not often equalled. The letter from Scotland is unusually inter esting, containing, as it does, matters affecting not only the adherents to Presby terianism but the Church at large. The article on the usefulness and the general management of the mission schooner Day spring, is a very Satisfactory statement of the general usefulness of that vessel. The remainder of the magazine is iilled up with Church news, especially referring to the Presbyterian body.

The May number of the " Church Gazette " is to hand ■with its monthly freight of good things. The Diocesan intelligence contains an interesting account of the Bishop of Melanesia at Waimate, and Maori services, with the Bishop's address to the colored brethren of Ngapuhi, also a statement of sums received by tiie mission Treasurer. The parochial section contains news of the churches in the Waikato, and in various districts of tho province. Several letters from correspondents, a sketch of the churcli in Ceylon. Ascension Day, English church news, .and Sunday-school lessons by local ministers, make up a, goodly number of the " Gazette, " which will be welcomed by readers and subscribers.

Sergeant Major W. B. Garland of the 43rd, who took part in the Maori war, has just been presented-by his Colonel with a medal for good conduct and long service. The regiment is at Dublin.

The business at the Police Court this morning consisted in the disposal of one drunkard. Mr A. Beethara was the presiding Justice of the Peace.

Considerable public dissatisfaction is ex pressed in Dunedin because the authorities at the hospital sent a man suffering from typhoid fever to the Lunatic Asylum, where he afterwards died.

Mr. A. A. Fauthnm, of Canterbury, is bringing up 24 valuable pure - bred shorthorns to Auckland, and intends to settle at Cambridge.

We have been requested to thank Mr Porn well for 2Slb,s of sausages and a quarter of mutton sent for the inmates of the Old Men and Women's Refuge.

The members of the Auckland Gymna sium ljcld their annual meeting last evening in the Parnell Hall, Mr. Cousins in the chair. About twenty members were present. The chairman having introduced the object of the meeting, the .secretary, Mr. Thomas Henderson, read the balance-sheet, which shewed that last year's expenditure had been £102 17s lOd, income £85 3s Id, leaving a balance in favour of the Club of £17.14s (Jd. It was resolved on the motion of Iff r. Rolynson, seconded by Mr. Walker, that the Club be carried on for the next twelve months, subscriptions to bo 10s entrance, and 10s per six months in advance. The following gentlemen were then ap pointed to office : —President, Mr. James McCosh Clark ; committee, Messrs Robin son, Henderson, Cousins, Hopkins, Yatcs, Keesing, Londergan, Walker, Goates, and Cotton : secretary and treasurer, Mr. Thos. Henderson, junr. The business terminated with the usual votes of thanks.

At the usual weekly meeting of the Fra ternal Home Lodge, No. 35, LO.G.T., held in the Temperance Hall, Albert-street, last evening, the officers for the ensuing quarter were installed by Bro. Baxter, L.D., assisted by Bro. C. O. Montrose as Grand Secretary, and Bro. Clifford as Grand Marshall, as follows : — W.C.T., Bro. R. French; W.V.T., Sis. M. Montrose; S., Bro.'A. C. Jameison; F.S., Bro. E. Allen; T., Bro. J. Lovcll; C, Bro. G. Rhodes; M., Bro. T. Bell; 1.G., Bro. W. Donaldson; 0.G., Bro. J. Kirkpatrick; A.S., Bro. J. Rist • D.M., Sis. E. Elder; R.S., Bro. W. Piper; L.S., Sis. M. McMauus; P.W.C.T., Bro. J. Cobine.

SUPREME COURT.—This Day.

IN BANCO,

(Before His Honor Mr Justice Gillies.)

RE WILLIAM F. JONES (BANKRUPT.) Mr H. H. Lusk appeared for the bank rupt, and applied for the order of discharge. The bankrupt was formerly a pianoforte maker in Auckland.

His Honor granted the application. RE HENRY CARROLL (A BANKRUPT.) Mr Armstrong for the bankrupt, applied for an order of discharge. The bankrupt is a blacksmith in West Queen-street1. His Honor granted the order. RK TAIRUA PROSPECTOR'S G.M.C. Mr Tyler, on bebalf of the Bank of New Zealand,the petitioning creditor, applied for a winding-lip order in the estate. Mr Hesketh appeared on behalf of Messrs G. S. Graham, J. Howard, and 11. Burton, as contributories to the estate, and Mr Coleman for the Company. Mr Tyler said the petition had been amended, and notices served in compliance with the order of the Court.

Mr Hesketh and Mr Coleman did not oppose.

The order was granted for winding-Tip the Company, and Mr Thos. Macfarlane appointed official liquidator upon giving security to the satisfaction of the Registrar, to the extent of £1000.

DANIEL LOCKWOOD, DECEASED This was an application by Mr Alexander that His Honor .would grant an order authorising the payment out of Court of £111 to his client, Jno, Henry Boon, under the following circumstances ; Daniel Lock wood, who died in 1865, left all his property to hi§ q W n. a,n4 hia tuAtw'g «ltUdrwi All the

legatees were paid their shares except John Henry Boon, who was not to be found. The trustees finding all their efforts to trace his whereabouts useless, had paid the money into Court. He had now turned up having been living in Maitland, New South Wales, and prayed that the money might be paid to him under the will. Mr Brookficld, who appeared on behalf of the trustees, said he believed the facts in the affidavit were quite correct, and he should offer no opposition. His Honor having elicited some further explanation on one or two points, granted an order that the money be paid to peti tioner, or to his solicitor. EE MARTIN O'BRIEN. Mr Tyler, instructed by Mr Kigaling, appeared for the bankrupt. This case was before the Court last sitting, when Mr Coleman made an appli cation for an order that tho bankrupt bo discharged, but his Honor refused to grant it, as some necessary documents had not been filed. Mr Tyler now said the formalities had been complied with, and roneAved the application. His Honor granted the order for dis charge. RE JOSEPH THOMPSON (BANKRUPT.) Mr Tyler in this case made an application for an ordor for the complete execution of a deed of arrangement. The meeting of creditors has been shewn ta have been in accordance with the Act. His Honor granted the order. Tlie bankrupt is a storekeeper atOpotiki. This was all the business.

The Line of the Danube.

["The Army and Navy Gazette."!

SILISTIIIA,

SILISTKIA is renowned for the sieges it sustained in 1773, 1809, 1828, 1829, and 1853, succumbing only in 1809 and 1820 to its assailants. Silistria contains 10,000 inhabitants, and is situate on the right bank of the Danube, at a place "where the river narrows to a width of only 770 metres, enlarging, however, directly the town is passed, into a wide stream, separated into four arms by three islands. Silistria bars the naviga tion of the river, and the point of the passage below it, which is made very practicable by the existence of the three islands, and by the lowness of the bank, which is hero only two or three metres high. Its importance is further increased in con sequence of the existence, opposite to it, of a good place for crossing the marshes, which on the left bank are impracticable as far as Rassowa. Silistria taken, access is gained to oue of the great roads which lead from the interior of lioumania, across the little Balkan, to Constantinople. These considerations have led to its being fortified, and to its establishment on the little plain which descends in a point towards the river and narrows it. But the neighbour hood of the heights on'the right hank, and the proximity of the left bank, have, on several occasions, peculiarly favoured the attack on the place. At the present time the possession of the opposite bank is necessary in order to prevent the town from being bombarded. The range of the Russian artillery enables not only the town to be bombarded, but prevents free movement within the greater part of the entrenched camp, and between the forts and the place. The heights, admitting that the Turks have neither augumented the number nor in creased the strength of the defences of the place—and all reports point to an opposite conclusion—are covered with the line of detached works which existed at the time of the last siege in 1853. At that time four of them were armed with six guns, and one of them, Medjidre Tabia, with twenty six. The enceinte which encloses the town is in trace like a half circle, whose diameter is (JOG metres. It is formed of ten bas tioned points without outworks. Four points, of which three are nearly m a straight line, are covered by the Danube, and joined to it by several works; three fronts are partially protected by a bend in the river, and the remaining three are completely commanded by the heights south of them. The following figures will give an idea of this enciente. Length of faces of bastion, 40 metres ; length of flanks of bastions, 14 metres ; mean length of curtains, 260 metres, width of ditch a salient of bastions, 11 metres; width o ditch in front of curtain, 21 metres revetted height of counterscarp, 375 metres; height of Avail of counterscarp, 4"15 metres ; command, 4"6"0 to 5 metres ; thickness, of parapet, 4 metres. Below Silistria, as far as Bassowa, and even further, there is no favourable site for crossing. On the left bank, owing to the immense marshes, access to a bridge can only be gained by passing through long defiles ; on the right side steep banks, ten to fifteen metres high, in clayey soil, and wooded hills close to the edge of the stream, render the enterprise very difficult. RASSOWA. This place is situated where the river bends sharply to the north. Near to it is Trajan's wall, now completely in ruins. Beyond Eassowa the valley increases gradually in width, the arms of the river become more numerous, while the current at the same time diminishes in strength. The passage of the Danube becomes in con sequence almost impossible, except at three points where the banks approach each other at Hirsowa, Gura-lalomica, and at Braila. Hirsowa commands only one arm of the river, and from the island to the west of it, it can be easily distinguished. The old ramparts long since abandoned, are tumbling to pieces. It is, however, stated that some field works are to be erected here. Below Hirsowa for a few miles the Danube flows into one stream, but ■ soon separates into two arms, that of Braila and Matschin, both navigable. MATSCHIN. This place, dismantled in 1529, was re fortified in 1853; it can, however, now have little influence on the course of the operations. At the most, it can but shelter a small force, and serve a? a point cVappini for a Turkish corps stationed in the mountainous region which exists at the end of the Dobrudscha peninsula. This corps could be employed either to menance Braila and Galatz,. towns of 50,000 or 80,000 inhabitants, or to hinder the landing of the Russians in the northern portion of the peninsula. BANKS OF LOWER DANUBE. In this lower part of the Danube, the possible points of passage are very few. From Galatz, where a passage was effected m 1854, oil the left bank of the river is low and marshy ; it is only during the summer, when the marshes are covered with lar^e reed-grass, that the soil is sufficiently soHd to bear waggons. The right bank "is also bordered with marshes, and covered with reed-grass during almost its entire length. A ear the town of Isakca, however, the hills gently slope down to the edge of the river, and extend for two or three miles to the east of this little straggling village, thus affording firm ground on "which to organise the troops that have crossed the river. It is here that- the Russians crossed in IS2B. From Isakca to the commencement of the northern branch, which flows past Ismail, the two banks remain low and marshy. A little above the point from which the Sulina and St George's branches diverge is Tulcha another favourable place for crossing. Thus' except at Isakca and Tulcha, the feet of the Dobrudscha heights are covered by marshes. The papers have announced that the Turks intend to erect" field works at, these two places. Tin's is a wise precaution j as the Russians in the winter of 1854-55 ■ took lulcha without striking a blow t^o ' warn tawg HW at itattae by m Ottwwwx

troops If the Russins renounce «.* attempt of penetrating into Dobrndwi they must constnxct ,sme batteries V. Braila to defend the pasage of the Dam vi 5 The site is yell ada£td for forf£S2f. the course of the river bing here narro3' and the left bank havug a command of4>n to 30 metres over it. fli THE FLOODS IN THE DANT^' One must notice tie floods in *v ? the Danube is liable before Wn*? subject, These floods ,ake place wfee £ the year—at the comnencement of ti spring and in the nonths of July * August. The first arc due to the bK rams, and to the meling of the ice 3 snow on the lands wateed by the affluent. They often give rise b inundations 5 which the greater nunber of the islands and all the lower part a the river on th« Roumanian side are covired with a sheet of water. The second, whfah are less consider able, result from the melting of the snow in the mountainous regiens in which the affluents of the Danube iake their rise T sum up, in the words of Baron Bonjour° "The line of the Danule is bordered with too many fortresses, an! almost all these fortresses are badly constructed." They are all more or less exposed to a bombard ment, yet most probably will be valiantly defended by the Turks. Nevertheless, they will hardly be able to prevent tho Russian army penetrating into Jklgaria, tho points of passage being too numerous to b 0 efficiently watched.

RUSSIAN LINES OF OPERATION Four lines are available for tho Russian army. It could advance through Dobrud scha, as in 1828, throw itself into the interior of the Bulgarian quadrilateral, and strike at Shumla, take for its objective Tiirnmr O r passing between Nicopolis and Wi'din inarch on Sofia. On the other hand, the Turks, who possess a numerous flotilla could throw troops into Roiimanian territory either to assume the offensive, and threaten Bucharest, or to form tetes-de'-pout at Kalafat, Surnu, Margureil, Giurgevo, and Olenitza, before transporting the theatre of hostilities into Roumania.

STRENGTH OF THE TURKISH ARMY.

A correspondent of the '' Cologne Gazette" gives the following account of the strength and positions of the Turkish Army of the Danube : —At "VViddin we are told there are 57 battalions, 82 guns, 2 regiments of Cavalry of 6 squadrons each ; there are also 12 guns en route for Widdin from Rtistchuk. Osman Pasha commands at Widdin. At Rustchuk there are 9 battalions, 3 batteries and 2 Engineer companies ; Taghir Pasha commanding. At and about Shumla, 29 battalions, 6 batteries, 1 regiment of Cavalry ; commander, Ayoob Pasha, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Danube Army. At Silistria, 11 battalions, 2 batteries ; commander, Sclim Pasha, At Varna, 16 battalions, 2 batteries; commander, Rashid Pasha. At Tulcha, 6 battalion n, 1 battery, 1 Cavalry regiment; commander, Ali Pasha, Inths Dobrutscnka, .8 battalions, 2 batteries, 1 regiment of Cavalry ; preparations are being made to turn out the Circassians, who will muster some 25,000 men. At Nikopolis, 6" battalions, 1 battery ; commander, Ali Fcroz Pasha, At Kisch, 10 battalions, 2 batteries, 1 regiment of Cavalry; Com mander, Hussein Pasha. Between the Danube and the Morava, 34 battalions, 6 batteries. At Sofia, 8 battalions. A different smaller places in Bulgaria, 23 battalions, 2 batteries, 1 regiment of Cavalry. The strength of each battalion may be put at GOO or 700 men, giving a total strength to the Turkish forces about the Danube and the Morava of 150.000 Infantry, 6 regiments of Cavalry, and 300 field guns. A third of this force is com posed of Redifs, whose training, clothing, and arming are reported to be far f .oni satisfactory.

CHESS.

Titk quiet contest by Auckland chess-players, for the silver Oup presented by Mr Aitken,took place yesterday evening in the office of Mr John Batger, in Queen-street. The playerswere • eight in number, and paired off as follows:— Board 1. Messrs. G. S. Jakins v. H. H. Lu6k; board 2, Messrs. J. Morton v. A. Heather; board 3, Messrs. A. Stewart v. Schmidt; board I, Rev. E. N. Bree v. Mr W. Gorrie. Mr Jakins opened on board 1, with the Evan's gambit and lost; Mr Lusk was successful in the second game. The opening on board 2 was made by Mr Morton, and, after a few moves, was resolved into the French gambit, and resulted in favour of Mr Morton. The Ruy Lopez Knight's game was opened br Mr Heather, and at the adjournment, presented no advantage on cither side. Only o c game was fought on 3 board, a Scotch gambit, won by Mr Stewart. The, contest on board i wan between Rev. K. N. Bree and Mr W. Gome ;the first was won by Mr Bree, and the second by Mr Gorrie. Mr Tole acted as umpire. At the time of adjoiirnment it was resolved to resume play at the same place on Thursday (to-morrow) evening.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING REPORT.

Bank of New Zealand—Buyers, £20. National Bank—Buyers, 695. Colonial Bank—Buyers, 40s. Thames Gas—Sellers, 31s. South British Insurance—Bos. National Insurance—Buyers, 30s. Standard Insurance—Buyers, 11s 9d. New Zealand Insurance—loos Union Sash and Door Co. (old)— Buyers, £8 ss. Rod Queen—3s 6d ; sellers, 3s. Caledonian (dole)— 65s to 67s Cd ; buyers, 65s ; sellers, 70s. City of London—Sellers, 13s. Moanatairi—£l2, £13 5s ; buyers, £12 15s; sellers, £13. Cure—Buyers, 7s ; sellers, Bs. Alburnia—6os, 60s ; buyers, 57s 6d. Young N.Z.—Sellers, 7s fid. Queen of May—Sellers. 255. Union Beach—Buyers. 27s 6d ; sellers, 30s. Tokatea—Buyers, 6s (id. Thames—Buyers, 47s 6d. Piako—Buyers, 9s 6d; sellers, 11s Gd. Kurannl Hill—26s, 263 6d ; buyers, 265; sellers, 275. Quoen of Beauty—22s 6d, 235; buyers, 22s sellers, 255. JOSEPH NEWMAN. Chairman.

MOANATAIRI.

There Avas great excitement on the Stock Exchange this morning, consequent upon the rumour that good gold had been found in the new winze. Shares were in good de mand at an advance of 10s upon yesterdays closing prices. During the morning the following telegram was received by Mr F. A. White, the secretary. GrBAHAMSTOWN, this day. 201bs fine specimens from new winze; one splendid stone, 12lbs weight, is half gold- Gold left in face.—R. Comer. Upon publication of this there was afresh upward spirit, and before one o'clock shares changed hands at £13 10s.

DOMAIN BOARD.—This Day.

Tiik monthly meeting of the Domain Board was held to-day in the offices, Canada Buildings, ¥• D. Fenton in the chair. Messrs G. M. Mitford and F. Cherry were also present. , The secretary (Mr Brown) read the minutes or the previous meeting, which were confirmed. HUEDLES. Mr Mitford said he had made application for the hurdles in the Government House ground*, which were purchased by the Domain Board, and had been refused them. He had moreover, in pursuance of his duty, been discourteously treated, the lock was turned against him, as though he were a thief. Mr Fenton said thai Mai or Green was a new officer, and knew tnai the hurdles had been purchased by some one, and he would not let them go. He had seen mr Whitaker about the matter, and the dmcniij was now removed. CRICKET GROUND. W J A statement was presented from Messrs vy. * F. Bucklandand B. J. Yates, on behalt of the I jricketers of Auckland, which shewed that me t -eceipt* for 1876-77 had been £4G 10s Cd, and tfie 1 expenditure £50 8s 9d. leaving a balance due io / ,he trustees of £3 18s 3d. ~„__ 1 The Chairman said the statement was \ervj latisfactory, and it was received. m HOSPITAL TREES. ..W The question of planting foreign or nativw vees near the hospital \vas then diacussedbj the1 ioard, when Mr Cherry proposed; and Mr Mrt' ord seconded " That tlae Kanjrer be requos.t«* o prepare without delay the ground by tm Tovernmont Hospital «na the biook houae, ror !m piajiUn^ ot irocs." Thj> monthly accounts wwfi J??o\#i W ®$ mm

THE EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1877.



BLANKETS! "DLANKETSII J3 BLANKETS !!! BLANKETS !!! In addition to Large Parcels of NEW GOODS for the incoming Season already announced, the nndersigned have pleasure in informing their customers and the public that the bulk of their NEW REASON'S Stock of 81-ANKKTS arc now to hand. In order to maintain the well known character of our house for goods of this description, Great Care has been exercised' in Selection and Purchase, due regard being had to Quality and Price, and full advantage has been taken of an overstocked market and falling prices. Inspection will prove that we commence the season's trade with, a Stock of Blankets, which for Price and Quality are second to none. BLANKETS (all sizes), White, Blue, and Grey. [9x4 Blankets, from 10/6 per pair. in 17/fi f bought a job, 10 x " » 17/ fa " 1 splendid value. Jo J1 " f equally cheap. . FLANNELS, all makes and qualities. New Winceys, exceptionally cheap—a good line at o^d. French Merinoet, All woolP'aids, Satin Cloths, and New Fancy Dress Materials, in great variety. A nice assortment of New Black Silks, very good value. WINTER HOSIERY, of every description. Children's and Ladies' Waterproof Mantles, Waterproof Tweeds, &c, NEW LINEN GOODS—Cuffs, Collars, and Sets, new shapes and styles. Strong Grey and Drab CORSETS, at very low pricos. New Ribbons, Flowers, Hats, Fancy Buttons, fee,, &c. CLOTHING, OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS, for Boys and Men, good and cheap. a3T One Shilling in the £ returned on all Cash Purchases oi! 20a. and upwards. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGM\N, JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel) Uppish Qukek-stbkwt AnolclAnrt. "TVTOVELTY! Novelty.! Novelty!— J3I Butter Coolers, Sugar Basins, Cream Jars, Tankards, Tumblers. Glass Basins, all full of best English Jam, from Is 3d to 2s 3d; Tea bannisters, Is and Is 6d. Ex Electra from London. At H. Watts, Pitt-street.—Note;— Fruit and Parrots shortly to arrive. . liS. BEASLEY, Milliner, Dressmaker and General Draper, Princes-street, next door to Collison. Confectioner. "T^X OTICE OF REMOVAL. HERR SCHOTT begs to inform his Pupils that he has REMOVED his Academy of Music to No. 30, Shortland-street (late Hoffman's Piano Warehouse), a few doors above the Post-oflice. P E C I A L NOTICE. AUTUMN & WINTER GOODS, BANNOCKBURN AND MOSGIEL TWEEDS H. L. POSSENNISKIE Opening Out these New Seasonable Goods, would call particular attention to their quality, which is second to none imported, . while from his large an'i varied Stock Gentlemen can rely on a choice • of Cloth unattainable else- -i where in the colony. ' > H. L. POSSENNISKIE, j MERCHANT TAILOR & HABITMAKER, Opposite the City Mart, Shortlasd-street. T3AKUR A N G A HUNT CLUB. W. RATTRAY : Begs to inform Members of the Club that he has received the GREEN CLOTH for Making their HUNTING COATS, and is prepared to execute orders with promptitude. W. RATTRAY, CLOTHIER & MERCHANT TAILOR, 6G, QUEEN-STREET, Auckland JjWRUITUBI!! FURNTTUBE! Ju Ladies and Gent einen about to Furnish are respec fully requested to inspect the Large Stock of DRA WING- ■ ROOM, DINING - ROOM BEDROOM, AND GENERAL RGUSEHOLD FURNITURE, In our New and Spacions Shourrooms. T. d E. COOKE> 67, QUBBN.&TBHST



JO-MORROW we shall bring for ward the GREATER PORTION of Messrs. Steioart and Anderson's Stock, consisting of Winceys, French Merinos, Fancy Dress Goods, Shawls, and Mantles; also an immense quantity of Men's and Boys' Clothing. The above Goods will be cleared out regardless of cost, to make room for our Winter Shipments, noiv landing, per JElectra and Emily Chaplin. J. COSGRAYE & CO. "]\T OTICE OF REMOVAL. H. A TKINS BEGS TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE 42THAS REMOVED!!"©!* TO THE Premises Next Door Below his Old Srior. H. ATKINS Bsgs to heartily thank his numerous Cus tomers for their very liberal patronage from his first commencing; business up to ihe present time, and to assure them that although his trade has increased to that extent, that his REMOVAL to more Commodious Premises was a neces sity, the same principles of business will atil l.be adhered to: viz., keeping a good article , buying in the cheapest market, and selling at the smallest profit possible. His New Shop shall always be known as The Cheapest in Auckland. H.A. will be happy to see all his old Customers, and as many new ones as may honour him with their patronage. A SPLENDID STOCK OF DRAPERY AND CLOTHING Will always be found, and the PRICES THE LOWEST IN AUCKLAND 1 H. ATKINS. CONTINUATION OF CLEARING \J OUT SALE. JOHN W. PEA RS E (Leaving for England). The Stock must be sold at Frightfully Reduced Prices, to realise quickly, consisting of a very Largo Stock of Men's and Boys' Clothing, Ulster Coats, Waterproof Coats, Inverness Capes, Overcoats, French Felt lints, Cloth Caps. A largo quantity of Ladies" Very Fashionable Costunics, Jackets, Shawls, and Felt Skirts, just .received from London. Blankets. Flannels, Tweeds, Hosiery. Gloves, utMcs. Feathers, Flowers, and Straw Goods. TSvery Department is Marked Down, so as to clear out. The Lease of the Premises for Sale. .