SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ARRIVALS.

DEPARTURES. Taranaki, s.g„ Lloyd, for tkeJSouth

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Sydney (from Onehunga)—s.s. Rotorua, 16th January For tho South—Hawea, 9th inst. Far Taurasga—Rowena, a.s., For London—City.ef Auckland, 12th ; Rapldo, barque, early ; Glanlora, barqua, early For Coromandel—Argyle, s.s., Mondayß and Fridays For Lnvuka—Jessie Honderson, schooner, early For Waugarei—Argyle, every Tuesday For tho North—lona, e.s., every Monday For Dunedin—Southern Cross, mission -vessel, early.

i*Tho s.s. Taranaki loft to-day for the South. Passengers: Rev. Mr and Mrs Homer, 'Mr and Mi-3 Welsh, Mr and Mrs Bennett and son, Mr and Mrs Benson and son, Mr and Mra Moore, Mr and Mrs Gibbs, Mrs James, Mrs Opie. Miss Perry, Miss Pollock, Miss Field, Roy Mr Potter, Messrs Colson. Marsh, Solo, Owen, Booth, Leonard, Bennett, O'Conncll, Kenarney. Tren with, Butler, Mulcahy, McLennigle, Davitt, Donovan, Dody, Reilly (2), Trethewen, Water house, Coldie, Bearse. Chalmers, McLaren.— Henderson and Macfaalane agents. The scbooner Postboy was recently struck by a 3quaU and blown on her beam ends off Port Adelaide. The vessel filled and went down. Four of the crew seized spars, oars, -while three others clung to the boat. One seaman named Cave, a strong swimmer, sat in the drifting boat up to his middle in water one other man had dropped off exhausted, holding on also to the dead body of his mate, who had died of ex haustion. Seeing a yacht approaching Cave tore up a board, and stripping off tho red guernsoy of his dead mate, made signals which wero ob served, and he was rescued just as 'darkness was coming on. The brigantine Louise is on. her wav hither from Melbourne. She left, on the 24th lilt. The brigantine Matchless is advertisodto sail for Kaipara early next week. Tho barque Glimpse has arrived at Hokianca from Nelson. She is to load baulk timber for Melbourne. J

The schooner Golden Islo has left for Russell with a bgkt cargo, including some railway stock for the line to the Kawakawa.

The schooner Queen has left for Hokianga with a full general cargo. The s.s. lona sailed for tho North yesterday evening. She was crowded with passengers returning home after a trip to Auckland for tho holidays.

The City of Sydney is announced to leave Sydney for San Francisco, via Auckland, Kan davu, and Honolulu, on the 12th inst. Arrange ments will be made for the Southern portion of the outward English Mail being brought up by one of the Union Company's steamers.

COMMERCIAL.

E. and H. Isaac's report their sale to-day of surplus stores from the immigrant ship 'Jessie Osborne,' as follows: The biddings were brisk owing to the well known quahty of the N.Z., Shipping Company's supplies to their vessels. The goods sold very well.

VALUE OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.

At the Port op Auckland, foe the Quarter ending 31st December, 1876. Imports Exports Countries. therefrom. thereto. £ £ United Kingdom -. -, 47,077 126,265 New South Wales .. 15,135 17,441 Victoria -. r . .. 44,426 14,679 South Australia .> .. 2,958 93 Tasmania -. 1,848 1,219 Pacific Islands- Norfolk Island .. »„ 418 1,517 New Caledonia .. .. 980 1,169 Fiji 6,992 2,350 Tonga 1,176 8,269 Navigators' — 183 Cook's Group .. .. 1,197 1,200 Society — 581 Marshall 605 1,078 Caroline — 410 Sandwich 1 628 Penryn — 8 Kermadee .. .... 16 — Suwarrow 12 — States of America— On the Atlantic .. .. 5,566 28,462 Pacific 4,523 400 Guinea — 152 France .. .. .. 1,321 — Totals £234,251 £206,140 Ditto for the Corresponding Quarter of last Year, ending 31st December, 1875. £ £ United Kingdom".. .. 201,997 76,822 Now South Wales .'. 30,378 19,899 Victoria 33,619 14,457 South Australia .. .. 4,600 — Tasmania 3,513 288 Pacific Islands— Cook's Group .. .. 4,492 2,961 Fiji 6,329 13,605 Flint Island 360 — Navigators' — 9 New Caledonia .. .. 135 6,030 Norfork -.. 236 838 Sandwich 153 709 Savage .. .... — 896 Society — 1,076 Sunday Island .. .. — 145 Tonga.. .. .. .. 2,610 11,529 France .. .. 404 — States of America— On Atlantic 5,042 29,023 Pacific 2,183 538 South Sea Whaling Fishery — 29 Totals £296,081 £178,854

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under : —

For Thames, this day, at 4.30 p.m., and to-mor row, at 3.30 p.m., 4.30 p.m., and 6 30 p.m For Coromandel, per Lalla Rookh, to-morrow at 1.30 p.m. For Russell, per Maud, this day, at 4 p.m. For Wangarei, etc., per Argyle, this day, at

4 p.m. For Wangarei Heads, per Rover, to-morrow*

at 10 a.m. For Tairua, per Mercury, to-morrow, at 11 a.m. For Chili, per Tamaya, to*morrow, at 4 p.m. For Whitianga, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per

Rowena, to-morrow, at 4 p.m. For Waiwera, Mahurangi, Matakana, Manga wai, Waipu, &c, per Annie Milbank, on Saturday next, at 10 a.m.

For Levuka, per Jessie Henderson, on Satur-

day next, at 11 a.m. For Gisborne and Napier, per Southern Cross,

on Saturday next, at 11 a.m. For Australian Colonies, per Hero, on Monday

next, atdl a.m. Per Hawea, on Tuesday, 9th January, ac under:—

For India, China, Mediterranean ports, and Continent of Europe, at noon. For Taranaki Southern Provinces, and Australian Colonies, United Kingdom, via Suez and Southampton, (for letters specially addressed), at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom, via Brindisi, and late letters for Southern Provinces and Melbourne, at 1.20 ir.m.. I For money orders, refistered letters, and newspapers, at 11 a.m. S. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE.

ATKINSON—KELLY.—On the 2Gth December, 1876, by the Rev. John Jagger, at the residence of the bride's mother, Wainui, Walter H. Atkinson to Eliza M. Kelly.—Home, Melbourne and Tauranga papers please copy.

MACINDOE—HOYES.—On the Ist January, at Newton, Auckland, by the Rev. R. F. Mac niccol, James Macindoe, eldest son of the late William Macindoe. dairyman, Glasgow, to Sarah Anne, third daughter of James B. Hoyes, Newton Post-office.

DEATH.

DA VIES.-—On the 3rd January, at his parents' residence, Chapel-street, Samuel Davies, the beloved son of Sauiuol and Elizabeth Davies, aged 19 years. The funeral will take place on Friday, the sth instant, at 3 p.m. Friends please accept this invitation. '; .

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1877

For the tavse that jacks assistant*. For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the _ood that we can d 5.

j The annual trade returns furnish the best index to the commercial state of the colony ; and those of 1876, for which we are indebted to the Customs authorities, are not so satis factory as could be desired. The fall in the imports at Auckland during the year just closed, as comaared with 1575, amounted to £322,155, and in the exports there was a decrease of £21,415. The import returns shew a continuous decline to the end of the year, but on referring to the quarterly export returns, it is con solatory to observe, there was some recovery during the last half of the year, the exports for which stand £37,706 higher than those for the corresponding six months of 1875. It is still however to' lie deplored that, excepting 1574, when the returns were as low as for the past year, the exports from Auckland were very con- j siderably less in 1876 than for any year since ' 1863. Aiter the large public works oxpendi fctr*» ths.openi.ng up am} eettlomeut of back

country, and tho material additions to our population, this apparent decline as a producing community most assuredly is not a healthy sign. We have no difficulty, however, in tracing it to its true source, the diminished production of provin cial gold mines. The fluctuations in mining industry have left their track plainly marked on the export* record, raising it in 1871 —the year of Caledonian plenty —to £1,618,291, and reducing the return for the following year to £756,019. The returns do not wtpply any record of local produce or of inter provincial trade, but if one-half the declino in imports might be legitimately attributed to the larger consumption of provincial goods, the increase from that source alone would bo very considerable. Looking to the fluctuating character of gold-mining as a main source of wealth to a country, it is very desirable that greater ' attention should bo paid to the more reliable pursuits of agriculture. We append a comparative statement of tho returns :— imports. 187 G. 1875. March 4_B,ai7 502,969 June .. 198,816 273,934 September 371,752 482,207 December 231,251 296,081 Totals .. ' ~ £1,233,036 £1,566,191 EXPORTS. 1876. 1875. March 243,672 223,328 June 113,620 117,673 September .. .. .. 110,571 175,563 December 206,110 178,851 Totals ... .. £071,003 £095,118

The little outbreak of feeling among the Australia's passengers quarantined at Motuihi is a not very unusual or rcmarkablo development of the natural discontont with which people- at the end of a long voyage view a tedious imprisonment. In no singlo instance of a vessel detained, at tho island has there, so far as we remember, boon an entire freedom from such expressions and demonstrations as those indulged in yester day towards the Health Officer and all otherß in authority. Nor was there ever, to our knowledge, a shipload of passengers who could be brought to admit thejusticc and expediency of their isolation. While human nature lasts, and likes and dislikes, wishes and disappointment sway mortals, this must bo so. We have a lively recollection of one vessel which arrived here after fifty cases of small-pox had been treated on board, and with patients on deck bearing the eruption characteristic of the disease thick upon them, and yet the passengers, one and all, would have sworn that the sickness was not variola, and that the doc tor in saying otherwise was cither a fool or a rogii6. And all were perfectly sincere, too, in their belief. Whether the case whicli lod to tho deten tion of the Australia's passengers was true variola or not there is now no means of determining, but the medical officer of the ship, with a full consciousness of the incon venience that the occurronce would cause his vessel, said it was, and the authorities at this port arc bound to take the most stringent precautions against the introduction of the disease. Several South ern journals charged the Auckland Health Officer with dangerous leniency in admit ting the Zealandia to pratique, when employed on service as a branch boat from Kandavu, although it was not even alleged that a case of sickness had occurred on the. vessel, and in tho supposed case on tho connecting steamer, tho pationt had been put ashore at Honolulu, and a thorough fumigation of mails and ship afterwards earned out. With . the Australia, the circumstances were very different. A death certified by the ship s doctor as caused by variola, and developed on a patient recently from a port where small-pox 1b known to be epidemic, occurred only the day before the arrival of the ship in this port, and the absolute necessity for isolating the other passengers for a few days cannot be gainsaid.. It is right, how ever, that while subjected to this unpleas antness, the confinement should be made as little irksome and as comfortable as pos sible. There appears to have been some little laxity in this rospect during the holidays, but in matters for which Dr. Philson, against whom the passengers chose yesterday to hurl their threats, was not responsible. The complaint sent to the Star yesterday is somewhat Inconsistent with itself, complaining in one sontenoe that "the passengers are Buffering considerable risk to life during their detention in quar antine from the absence of medical attend ance," and in the next breath that there is absolutely no sickness on the island except two cases of " old chronic illness" which, it may be assumed, medical skill could not very greatly assist. The Health Officer regarded the pasisengers in the light of being temporarily detained as a precaution against the outbreak of disease, and not as already requiring medical treat ment. At their request, however, a doctor was engaged and left for tho island to-day, and if he is ihdneod to certify within the next three Weeks, that his patients may safely be released, he will prove himself the most disinterested modical 'man ever ap pointed to a quarantine station.

A pikce of gratuitous impertinence comes from the miserable print which drags out a starving existence at Blenheim. Referring to Mr Reader Wood's order for the distribu tion of free meat to the poor, the Blenheim " Express" says : —" So much for Auckland, whose very people appear to have become impregnated with pauperism like their public officers." " Little dogs bark most," says an old proverb, and it is ludicrous to behold the poor little " Express " wheezing outafeeble yelp against Auckland, while the same gouty little beast is ready to stand on its hind legs, and beg for a scrap of kitchen-stuff from Mr Seymour. There arc few places in tho colony that have become more "impregnated with pauper ism " than Blenheim. Its wretched gathering of Cockatoo squatters, com mission agents, and incendiaries have fattened upon expenditure on such things as the Picton and Blenheim, railway, which on the testimony of the "Express" itself could only be credited with one passenger a day, and receipts ninepence. And when no Government expenditure was available, the ingenious people burned down some portions of the town of Blenheim, and re cuperated their exhausted finances out of the insurance money. While the policy holders philosophically contemplate the consignment of their premisos to blazes, hordes of hungry pillagers muster on the scene and sneak oft with the smoking goods. So great has this nuisance become, Wiat at a recent meeting of the fire brigade, it was resolved to form a Fire Police force "to prevent pillage at fires." And this in an inland" village of only a few hundred in habitants. If the editor of the " Express," in his sneer at Auckland, wishes t© insinuate that Blenheim has no poor, he insinuates that which is obviously ' untrue. It is' not so very long ago that a man died of sheer starvation not many miles from Blenheim, with all its brave show of conflagrations and empty railway trains. We gather some notion of the excessive liberality of spirit that characterises people whom the " Express " holds out as a model of independence when we turn to plain figures. Take for instance, the contribu tions to the widows' and orphans'fundinthe " Presbyterian Church News," which is the first thing to hand. While Mangare contributed £1 10s ; Papakura, £1 12s 3d ; and Onehunga, £1 10s, the grand city of Blenheim only bled in the cause of the widowed and fatherless to the tune of 12s ! And this is the precious place that can afford to turn up its nose at free meat for its poor at Christmas time, and can sneer at the people of Auckland because of a well timyrt piece ol charity 4$ & mmn wkm &Q 1

poor and unfortunate have peculiar claims upon their more prosperous neighbours.

The Excelsior Good Tomplars spent a pleasant evening on Tuesday at the Whan public halL The programme was good, and the proceeds of the entertainment Averc devoted to the funds of the progessive Brass Band of the district. The Hibernian Band wore in attendance, and a number of ballads and recitation given, by ladies and gentle men of tho order, concluding with a iarse entitled the " Haunted House.

In accordance with the rules laid down for the guidanco of those who intend to com pete in the forthcoming Working Man's Horticultural Exhibition, all plants must be in the possession of the exhibitor not less than one month previous to the exhibition. Now, as tho exhibition is to be held on tho sevonth of February next, intending exhibitors have very little time to sparo in procuring their plants. As the hon. secretary, Mr Goldio, will be out of town for tho next ten days, any information required can bo had from Mr Green, nurseryman, Seafiold View, or at his stall in the Market on Saturdays.

The musical programme of this evening at the Choral Hall, will have the offoct of drawing hundreds of citizens into that temple of music and song, not only on account of the splendour of the vocal and musical preparations will the people visit the hall, but for the credit of Auckland, as the proceeds will go towards decorating the exterior of the hall, which has long been in an unfinished, not to say unsightly, state. Tho band of H.I.M. s.s. Hertha will give a number of selections from tho groat German composers, including the fine war song, " The Watch on tho Rhino." The best of our leading amateurs will also take part in the oonceit, which will conclude with a repetition of tho excellent comio opera, " Trial by Jury," which won no muoh favor on its first presentation to the public.

The business of the Police Court was very light this moriiing. It consisted of tho sentencing of two drunkards.

Owing to the discovory of small-pox amongst passongerrs on board the steamer Brisbane at Sydney, she was quarantined at Spring Cove. Two cases of small-pox had occurred on the Quarantine Ground, both of which were progressing favourably. It was expected that the Brisbane would be kept in quarantine for 24 days.

Louise Raynor, of Collins-street, Mel bourne has become insolvant owing to noii receipt of remittances from the husband in New Zealand.

Formerly, Wanganui had the reputation of being the great hatching ground of the colony for libel suits, but the palm is now borne off from all competitors by Napier. Besides the great case of Russell v. the editor and the publisher of the " Waka Maori" the good people of Napier may indulge in lively anticipations of sundry minor cases. The latest case is a suit brought by the proprietors of* the "Daily Telegraph" against Messrs Carlile, Din widdle, mid Morrison, who have been served with writs, eaoli claiming £1000 damages.

Breeders and raoc-horsc proprietors are reminded that the nominations for the Derby 1879, and the Mares Produce Stakes 1881, must be made to the Secretary of the Racing Club by 8 o'clock to-morrow (Fri day) evening.

Dr. John Govett Smith was, to-day, appointed Surgeon to the Quarantine Station, by Major Groon, and left at once for the island.

"Pitman'fl Shorthand Magazine" says that the Prince of Wales expressed great satisfaction with the reports contributed by the Press correspondents who accompanied him on his tour in India. By tho express desire of His Royal Highnoss, the Indian correspondents were presented at Court, and the Prince has forwarded to each of them a small medal commemorating his recent tour in the East. At various stages during the tour, the Prince gave instructions that every facility should be given to the press representatives.

The Morning Star Lodge of Free Templars at Hamilton now numbers 27 members, Bro. C. E. Madden being the presiding officer.

The Governor of New South Wales has telegraphed to tho Secretary of State for the Colonies, requesting that Sir William Jerrais or somo other eminent military engineer may lie sent out to dovise a plan of military defence for that colony. Direct steam communication between Melbourne and London is annually becom ing more frequent and better served. A magnificent now steamship, modelled upon that successful and popular pioneer, the Great Britain, arrivecl in Melbourne on the 17th ult., alter a passage of 61 days. Captain Gibbs, the commander, received gen oral congratulations upon the success of tho maidon voyage, and a substantial presentation of fifty guineas. Mr R, Tice hurtt, tho chief officer, was also presented with a handsome gold chain and locket, bearing a suitable inscription. The wife of the Roy. Mr. Selwyn, of the Melanesian Mission, was a passenger, and was mot by Mr Selwyn on arrival. The' story of the men with tails is not so improbable after all. Mr Cockerel, who accosi panied the Rev Mr Brown, has been giving the Melbourne " Age" an account of hisjourneyfngs, in the course of which we find the following :— "At Blanche Bay, Mr Oockerell heard of the men with tails, conoerning which reports have previously reached us. He qn cstionod the coast natives about the matter very, closely, and they, assured him that they had seen and fought with 1 these strange beings. On it being suggested to the natives that they must be speaking of •monkeys, they indignantly demanded whether monkeys could build houses and plant taro, and do a number of other things usually attributed to humanity. They were unablo, however, to produce a specimen of the curiosity, as the. race is supposed to be pecubar to the interior. Mr Cockorell hopes to return to New Britain, and penetrate to the heart of the island In order to vorify or disprove this report." It may be remarked that Mr Brown is inspired with the same hope, so that there will be com petition for the honour of catching and'present ing to scientific examination, tho first, real live specimen of " the missing link." It is to be hoped-, however, that tho tailed men will not fade into«; apocryphal shadows, like as did the pigmies of whom we read in the following paragraph :— "Many of tho natives arc great bars, and Mr Cockorell relates the story of one who came suddenly to him one day and reported the arrival of a tribe of pigmies from the interior, who, he said, wore not more than three or four feet high. Delighted at the prospect of so valuable an acquisition to his stock of informa tion, the naturalist gave his friend two or three inches of tobaoco, which was just what he wanted, and went off to find the pigmies, but only to discover that ho had been hoaxed by one of the most ingenious fabulists in those parts."

•' Agathos" writes complaining very bitterly of the want of sufficient and suitable sleeping accommodation on the Rowcna, and- suggests that tho Rotomahana should be placc-d on the Tauranga and Mercury Bay trade. Our corres pondent must surely he joking. Small country communities should be thankful for such regular steam services as the one provided by the Roweha. It is true that the accommodation may not be so good as that where the traffic is ;suffi cient to support larger steamers, but '■ Agathos" must admit that any discomforts arc not to bo named with those of a cutter or schooner. If the Tauranga trade could support, a steamer the size of the llotomahana, we have no doubt tho service woidd bo supplied by such a vessel, bnt even then some one would probably com plain that at times the sleeping accommodation was insufficient, and the comforts r.ot up to those of the City of San Francisco or Great Eastern. " Afathos" also complains that "a gentleman bringing up his wife and child to Auckland, took a saloon ticket for them, and as there was no berth for himsolf he took a steerage ticket for himself, but at the end of the passage the captain compelled him to pay the difference, as he had used the saloon coming to look after his wife and child." The same thing would havo been,done on any steamer. If " Agathos" has travelled at all, he must have observed a notice on many steamers warning passengers that saloon fare will be charged all who go beyond the fore part of the vessel. _ A solemn religious reception of postulants for the Sisters of Mercy will bs held at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday afternoon next, at three o'clock. To prevent uncomfortable", crowding admission will be by ticket, to be obtained a the doors Of the Cathedral. i ... The Engineer Band, under tho leadership of Mr Inipby, will perform some choice selections of music, on boarfl of, the. Hero on Saturday JMffifc ".-.'.. '■'" ;•••••';'.", , i ;■- - iV;|

A fire broke out on Saturday morning at Waikomlti 'which completely destroyed the dwellinjr-housoof Mr John Cantwell. IheHre was probably caused by some charcoal, wnicn. rekindled after having been quenched by water, as was supposed. Mr Cant well was aroused by the barking of his dog, and on going out dis covered that hiß house was on fire. Every effort was made by the owner, and Mr A. Cochrane, and other neighbours to extinguish the flames, but without success. The house was built witn the savings of 16 years, and the loss is estimateit at £200, -which will entail a great loss on Mr Oantwell, as ho was only insured for £90 |in tho Now Zealand Insurance Company.

The members of No. 3 Company of Voluntoors under command of Captain Morrow, will assem bio this evening for drill, in undress uniform. The Auckland shipwrights will hold a special business meeting this evening, in the Albert street Temperance Hall, at half-past seven o'clock.

Fire New North Road.

Destniotloa of a dwelling Houso-

AT about half-past six o'clock this morning Mr Clark, labourer, living in Basque Road, Cotelo, immediately off tho New. North Road, near tho Eden Vine Hotel, got up and lit a fire in the sitting room, and then went out to milk a goat. While thus engaged a ory of fire was raised and Mr. Clark hastened back to the house, where meantime a Mr Grady, a neighbo.r had arrived, and had found the locality of the firo to be in the sitting-room the apartment in which the firo had been lit. The room was full of smoke, and the firo spread with such rapidity . that. Mr Clark had barely sufficient time to romove his wife and family. Mrs Clark, who was ill in bod, was got out through a window, and the children wero removed without any clothes.. They wore temporarily^clad by the kindness of neighbors. Mr Clark saved absolutely nothing, the furniture and effects, even his coat, which he had left in tho room, being burnt. Tho house, which was insured in tho Norwich Union for £100 was entiroly consumed. It was a three roomed house. The house adjoining, the property of a Mr. Wrigley, was separa ted from Mr. Clarke's house by only a few foot, and it was for some time in extreme danger. Luckily the wind blew tho flames in an opposite direction, and the neigh bours exerted themselvos to the utmost to save Mr. Wrigley's property by getting on the roof, a plenteous supply of water being obtained from an adjacent well. Mr Wrigley's furniture and effects were removed, and the building was ultimately saved.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NEWS.

Tins New Year number of tho "Presbyter ian Church News" has been issued under a new arrangement. In a short introductory article, the editor refers to the difficulties under which tho proprietors have laboured in bringing this representative organ to the fifth volume, not owing to the fewness of the supporters—for the journal has an extensive circulation throughout New Zea land—but to the difficulties) of circulating among a widely distributed constituency, mid tho slownew? with which the email subscriptions come forward. It is announ ced that hereafter the "News" will be issued direct from the printing office, and adver tisements and subscriptions should be made payable to Mr. Henry Brett, at the Star office. The present number is interesting and instructive. In an article reviewing the proceedings of tho (-rcuoral Assembly, tho editor shows the progress which Prosby •teriamsm has made, as an active working religious organisation. The sormon-pagos are filled with the able discourse 'delivered by the Rev R. Mackinncy, Moderator, at the opening of the Assembly. Selecting the text "Who hath believed our report?" the reverend Moderator ably discusses the Christian evidences, and the manner of their reception by mankind in various ages. The paper read by the Rev J. Elmslic, M.A., upon " The State of Religion in New Zealand," also finds a suitable place in the pages of the magazine. A carefully con densed summary of the business transac ted hy the General Assembly will be found exceedingly usoful for reference, and specially interesting to the South ern and country branches of the Church, which had not the opportunity of read ing the reports in the Auckland daily papers. The other church hews cmbodicM an epitome of celebrations con nected with the various branches of the colonial chnrch, and serves to bring them into sympathy with each other. The abundance of local matter has contracted the number of interesting.extracts usually givon each month. The magazine contains •twelve large pages of i cxcollent reading mattor, and is issued at the remarkably;low prico of threepence per copy. A publica tion of this kind possesses a claim upon the sympathy df all denominations. That it is appreciated, the number of copies issued monthly, and the widespread character of the circulation sufficiently indicates, and the conductors have ample grounds for congratulation upon the success which har, attended their efforts to establish a Eublication of substantial usefulness to the !huroh. The future career of the " News" is now a hopeful one Many attempts have been made in New Zealand to found •periodicals of various descriptions, giving colonial news, and possessing a colonial circulation, but none of them can claim an existenco of four years. As' an' advertising medium the " News" can offer to business men a medium differing in character from all other candidates for the consideration of the public, and it should, meet with a full share of support from that quarter. !

CABLEGRAMS.

Ti.9 Turksi-i Difficulty.1

T3as Ports Gets Its. 3aok XJp

TURKISH DELEGATES REFUSE DEMANDS OF CONFERENCE;

LONDON, January 2. The position of affairs has assumed grave aspects. The Porte has submitted counter proposals. ' ' ■■'■"•'■* ■'■•: \itt The, Envoys met under the presidency of General Ignaetiff, and ''.'decided to 'adhereto their original programme. , , -The Conference afterwards met, when Lord-Salisbury announced the-resolution of the Turkish delegates, declining to ''discuss the question of. an iiiter-eoniuiissioji f-of gens d'arnies, or the extension of Sorvia.. The Euvoys asked the Turkish delegates if their refusal was to be considered abso lute. 'They promised to refer to the Porte and give a final answer on Thursday.

(PRESS AGENCY.)

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL. : Sydney, Tuesday. The City of Sydney leaves this port on the* 12th .'January for. Auckland, thence to Kandavn, Honolulu, and San Francisco. The steamer will not go down the New Zealand coast, but the Southern mails and passengers will require to he sent up from Dunedin in time to catch the steamer from Auckland, •; - ~ -"

ALL ENGLAND ELEVEN.

Melbourne, January 3.

The BaUarat twenty-two scored 146. The Englishmen, in the seoQtid innings, h,ftve I -^ckeHawn. iw 1Q rws,

The May Queen at Dunedin.

Drowning of the Mate-

Arrest of an English Levanter-

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

(From Our Own Correspondent. )

DUNEDIN, this day. The May Queen came into port with the creator' part of her port bulwarks between the fore and main rigging gone. On the night of the 7th December m 52 S.^and about 50 E.. tho ship was head-reaching under three lower topsails in a, furious S E gale, when suddenly the wind veered round to S.W., and the order was given to loose the set forotopmast staysail, and head her off on her course. Ac none of the watch seemed inclinod to obey orders, the second offioer, a young seaman aged 22, named Frances Godolphin Boase sprang out along the bowsprit, shouting at tho same timo to the men to stand by and haul a,tt the sheet. Just as he reached the netting the ship dipped into a heavy sea, and took it right over her bows, filling the main deck. She rose again, and the second officer had disappeared. Tho night was pitch dark and the sea mountains high, ao nothing could bo done to save him.

Arrest of an Embezzler. - At the Resident Magistrate's Court to day, William H. Wood was brought before Mr Mansford, R.M., when Detective Dalton produced a warrant, and the deposition, the latter taken before one of tho London stipendiary Magistrates fl. The principal evidence being given by Ebenezer Holman, who said :"I am one of the directors of tho Colney Hatch Gas Com pany. Mr Wood was engaged in the capacity of clerk, viz., as assistant secretary to the Company, at a salary of £400 per annum. I am informod that the total amount received by Wood, and not accoun ted for, amounts to £600, and upwards. On September 3.oth I received by post, a letter to the following effect :— A REPENTANT LETTER. "London, September 1876.— Respected Sir : I must beg of you to receive the last few lines it will, be in my power to write you before I leave England in the spirit in which they are meant; lam well aware I deserve no pity or consideration, having betrayed your confidence, and acted towards you and others in a disgraceful way, and I am well sure I shall meet with the punish ment I deserve, not the least of which is being obliged to leave my wife and five little children to the tender mercies of the world. This is, of course, my groat grief, and next to this, that I have parted with a sorrowing mother. I have new to put my trust in |Him who rules and governs our ways, and I trust he will lead me in right course, and if in course of a few years I return to London a pros perous man,my first action will be to make good my short-comings at Golncy Hatch. Had I not lost my appointment at Brighton and Havre I should at once have paid back all the money due to tho Colney Hatch Company, having borrowed an amount at a heavy rate of interest to do so, but being a ruined man in this country I must start with my little capital in a fresh field ; and should fortune favor, I hope in a very short time to make everything good, and so repair the injustioe I have done to so good a friend asvou have always been to me. Crime and ingratitude are sure to reap their own reward, so I am sure to have mine. What I am suffering now is hard to des cribe. I cure not for myself, hut my wife and children, mother and sisters, who are all nearly heartbroken. God knows, I .am doing all for the best, and I feel sure un friends would say so if they were consulted. Do not think too hardly of mo, but make some slight allowance for the causes which have brought me to this great trouble and difficulty. Yourself I look upon as the best friend I have in the world, although I love Mr Saunders almost as a brother, and Mr Padden has been ever kind to me. May the time not be very far distant when I shall be in a position to make amends for my past misdeeds. And now, goodbye. When I am priviliged to meet you again I trust it will be to make good the injury and injustice I have done you." Woods resigned his situation with ; the Company on September -Bth, and sailed from England on September 15th, in ; the May Queen. __... ;

Detective Dalton having identified the pri soner as the person named in the warrant, Mr Mansford.committed the latter to gaol, pending the receipt of the Governor's war rant, when he will be forwarded to England.

WAIHEKE RACES.

The following is the restdt of the races at Waiheke on New Year's Day:---Waiheke Cup, 2J miles. Prize, £3 10s; second horse, £1 10s. Firo horses ran, the race being very well,con tested throughout, Mr T. Hodgson's Punch Winn Ing by three lengths ; Tnrei's honse, Major, being second. Snd Race—Distance, 1J miles. Int prize, £2 10s; 2nd, £110s. For this race five horses again competed. Mr R. T. Graham's Tommy ran in first ; E. Hodgson's Charlie second. Srd Raoe—l mile ; 3-year-olds. Prizes as in second race. Six horses ran, and there was a very good race. Thore was nearly a tie for both first and second places. T. Hodgson's Wairoa was declared winner : Mr Painter^ Johnny second. A race for 4-year-olds was won by Mr Hook's Mote. Other races and Athletic Sports completed the day's pleasure. In the evoning dancing was kept up at the residence of Mr J. Hodgson, who liberally entertained the whole Company. The sports were got up by Mr R. T. Graham, and were en joyed by a large number of people.

THEATRE ROYAL.

A RESPECTABLE company of visitors were present last evening at the Theatre Roval, to witness the performance of a romantic drama ■bearing the title of "Alixo." The drama was of French origin, and from the pen of a French lady. The mystery of the story hangs, over the greater part of the drama, and does hot begin to clear away until the third act. The scone of the gardens and home of the lady of Ivessv, artistically done, gives an air of pleasantness and inspires a happy anticipation of following events. . The gathering of the guests around the gentle mistress (Miss Maggie Knight), is gay and glodsoiue, but some of the dialogues aro long and rather wearisome, being iv French fashion but wanting in a great measure in French wit. She principal representatives of the piece were—Miss Dunning (Lingard) as the heroine, Alixe, Miss Knight as the Marquise de Ceser anno, Miss Wiseman as Claudina, Miss Lawrence as Luoienne, and Mrs Searle as Madame Valonv. Mr Lingard played the Duke with remarkable success, and Mr. Holloway shewed up well as Henri de Kerdran, the general lover. Mr Power _also, as the Marquis,; was :to be com mended for the manner in which he pourtrayed rm\ uPPrb rollicking,, chess-playing husband. iU ICTBr hara?{ er' 0? Allxe was finely represented by Miss Dunning, and her sudden changes from grave to gay, from lively to sereno" were clever and perfect. Hr Hollo way as Henri was an adept in sentimentalities and love wfiS&ga W1& h the 'drama wa% oveiv weighted. - • Miss ?Maggie Knight made .. an exquisite figure in thf^roup of IvS?and r?M?rwf£ o*S p?rt wSteaoe and a distinctness pf utteranpe that were, to be commended. The .eivSth CH& Shis -° f AMxc and is at 'length discovered in consequence of the identi- ' lication oi Maaame Valony (Mrs Searle),' \vho turns out to be the mother both of A.ixe and ten^'f With ?£ om HeM>i ims been on rr!^„ tau Cl;? 1' 5' rh° draraa ell^s in a tragic fX ?.™ y esui oide.of Alixe, and the curtain i?il 3-» up-9^- h? r corpse. This evening "Our Boys" will do introduced, and ono of the famous Lingard farces, interspersed with sevS son™ 8 Ti, n rp.THE N^ VAt- MINSTRELS. ,iJ h0 araeß Na™l Minstrf-ls, who have deservedly won.a-good name "by the general •fflmv3n^K^ratoc^ ¥***« concert' msD evening in'the Lorne-streefc Hnii fv,- «o* Th^hlif t he c«able mstitutdonfofttfo I.^ Ihe hah was not largely crowded on the occasion, owing probably -to tiie shortness of tftf'^ he programme, howeve?, waf gone through in a very creditable manner «rbi gave general satisfaction. Mr F ReScS Kfni a£ d ?on^ given by f&t Parslow, Harris, Brown, Millq and tt.™,, £ MrWinchcombedancld'thTsailo^^ and tSSSR Mills' and Seager gave their «_?«?& SSSSSo (&J* ro^Wwn| <m.u«_«J_gs

KAIPARA RAILWAY EXTENSION.

A meeting to consider the above subject was i heid last evening, in the Newmarket Hall. Robert Graham, Esq.. who had been invited to nrcside, sent an apology for non-attendance.-^g^ Mr Clayton was voted to the chair, andreaffS \ from the Stak the advertisement convening the v\ meeting. He said the subieot wasof great i__. V; portanco, and required an expression of public opinion, in order that, the Government, might see .that the beach line was neither suited to the re auirements of-tho country, nor satisfactory to the people. Tho route as agreed on was now to be ignored, some said for the sake of running tho line through the property of an hon. Minister, to be utilised by him. The old line surveyed tra versed important distrieta containing breweries, • tannery, and a number ofindustries, together with Innumerable farms, all of which would add to the Income ofa railway.—Mr. §«iter. proposed the following resolution. That In the opinion of this meeting the proposed deviation of theKai tjara line of railway from the centres of the rising and well-populated districts will if sanctioned, prove a scriou* mistake, both _8 roe-ards financial success and publio conve nience." He thought the wording of the resokt tion would commend itself. The route as previously surveyed was admirably laid out to meet the requirements of tho bulk of the popu lation this side Riverhead. Mr. Suiter had carefully inspected tho new route, and drew a graphic picture of the fallaoles of the same. On the other route was an inexhaustable supply 0 f scoria ash, much needed by the present portion of the Kaipara line, and valuable for construc tion of new lines. He thought a large revenue would result from the freight of scoria to the shinning for ballast, at present carted into Auckland.—Mr- Healoy seconded the reso lution which was carried unanimously.—Mr Mc- Coll proposed, " That this meeting would respectfully urge upon tho Government to pro ceed at once with the line as previously surveyed • from Newmarket through the Whau and Mount Albert. Ho agreed with , tho views of the previous speaker. The question of compensation he considered no bugbear, as most claims were very moderate, and the immoderate ones could bo adjudicated on by a special commissioner, and cut down to suit. Tho last route, if pro cooded with, would look like making one'rail road just to join another. He behoved the Government would acknowledge tho voice of a public meeting such as the one held.—Mr. Mor gan had great pleasure in soconding the resolu tion. —The chairman censured the railway man agement for not offering special inducements to mechanics and working classes to travel along the lfne throughout the country. Mr." Jenkins moved " That the chairman be instructed to send resolutions passed to the Government, and urge the necessity for their serious con sideration." He did not like to hear a former speaker say that Dr. Pollen was self-interested, as he only wished to sup ply the town with bricks. (Laughter). Mr Jenkins oriticisod severely the iump-jim crow style in which the government had evaded the construction of the Kaipara line, andthoughtthe last proposal to run the line near nature's high way, the Waitemata, entitled the projectors of the scheme to a seat at the Whau.—Mr Suiter seoonded the motion, and spoke of the large number of cattle which would be sent by rail along the old route, in addition to timber, brew ery, tanney, and other commodities Mr " McColl hoped the Government would be treated courteously in tho matter, as the hon. Mr Whit aker was working hard to benefit his city, and deserved every at their hands. The Chairman promised to act in such manner, and gave the people a little parting advice, to keep up the name Newmarket had so justly truinedforpublic spirit, and always exercise their right* and privileges.

CAPTAIN ASHBY.

We hear by this mail that Captain Ashby, for merly master of the ship City of Auckland, and lately marine superintendent of the New Zealand Shipping Co. in London, has started a New Zea land General Commission Agency in that city, under the style of Wm. Ashby and Co., with ofHces in Lishopsgate-Btreet, Within. From Captain Ashby's well-known energy and his in timate knowledge of New Zealand trade and.Sg leading merchants, there can be no question that he is eminently fitted for the work he has take in hand, and his chances of success in his new sphere are therefore remarkably good, more • especially as his is the first agency :of tho kind yet started, and its establishment meets a great public requirement. Captain Ashby intimates by advertisement • the kind of work his firm is prepared to undertake. He proposes to keep complete files of all Now Zeal aud papers, 80 that 1 aivybody who wishes to know anything about what is going on in the colony, can have ready I reference at his office. He undertakes to ar range prebminary business for passengers from London to New Zealand, selecting for them the 1 best vessels on the berth, and making the most reasonable terms. He will meet passengers on their arrival in England from the colony, and attend to the many little formalities which have to be gone through on disembark ation, thus relieving them of much annoyance, and enabling them to land at- once, and joiii their friends without the official worry to which passengers are usually subjected. 'lie will re ceive letters and parcels tor passengers going away or expected, and wiU also transact crenerai shipping commission business. We wish Cap^ tain Ashby every success, and heartily recom mend his good offices to any of our subscribers, who may stand in need of them.

THE AUCKLAND REGATTA OF 1877.

A meeting of the Regatta Club Committee was held at JJie Thames Hotel last njght, for the pur pose df eompletihijr the arrangements for collect ing- funds. With'ri the next *ceek the public will be called upon as usual to contribute their subscriptions to this annual ffceture, which, in Auckland, eo-appropriately mark 3 .the.anniver sary of the Colony There are several reasons why this Regatta should eclipse all others. First and foremost, we are bound to keep pace with the progress made at the Southern sea ports, and we notice that at Lyttelton, Welling ton, ahd Nelson, great things pre being done. Tho victory-of the Secret, yacfct, the other day, Sent a "thrill of pride through $very Auckland bosom, and yet somehow each One felt that Mr Niccol's smart craft only did what alio was bound to do. In cricket and football the South may run us close, if they caunot beat us, but in boat building and sailing; Auckland cannot .afford to bo even approached; . Her prosperity depends very much on her superiority in this' respect, and every effort must bo made to sustain it. Another reason is that we are now in the full swing of a great revival in our export trade as will be seen by a reference to the comparative tables published in another column. With brisker business, our merchants and public institutions should come down hand* somely. Then we have at present a particularly fine fleet of coasters and yachts, my ■ clipper craft having been sent off the stocks during the past year. The Bell Brandon, Transit, and Minehaha will probably bo. in port by the regatta, and will he likely to again join issue after their disappointing drifting match down South. An effort will yet be made to prevent the clashing of the Regatta and the English cricket match. We are glad to record an opportune act of. generosity on the part of the New Zealand Shipping C§?,- who have presented a £28 cup to be sailed for. The New Zealand Insurance Co. and Shipping Company, are now to the fore. Will the New Zealand Banking Co. bo content to remain behindhand?

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. -This Day.

(Before R. C. Barstow. Esq.. R.M.)

- '■ JUDGMENTS FOR PLAINTIFFS. McGichie v. J: Barbour; claim'£f ts'lOd, wages; Seccombe and Son v. McGcohau, claim £26 12s 6d, goods and money'supplied ; Madden v. Den nis O'Sulliuan, claim £2 10s, i-bnt; J, S. Macfar lanev.Jphn Anderson, claim £4 ISs Bd, goods; John C. Morrin v. Thomas Fernandez, claim £7 3s Id, goods; John Ward v. John Doyle, claim £Ul9s 6d, goods ;Dr Ellis v. James -Warlyle, judgment summons, £1 per -week; Rota v. McLennan, judgment summons, 10s per week for three months, the remainder of the debt to be then paid. George Sibbin v. Maurice Kelly, J unr., claim £9 4s 3d, balance of account.

pawnbroker's license. An application was received from Mr Neuma gen for a renewal of the pawnbroker's licence at present held by him. - : _r There being no objection to the application it was granted. -■' '■' '' -" * : ~___ ' ~.'.'.-.,-", TJSSHER Y. PEARSON. _'' Claim £17' lOsy i udgment summons. Mr Keatly for defendant. In tins case the defendant denied having any ! means to pay the amount owing. He was unable to work at present, and his only means of sup port was his pension,, which, amounted to £70 per . ■ yla,r- He haa received the quarterly instalment of this pension yosterdav. ~ PlamtifFdoposed that defendant had had many j opportunities to liquidate the claim. He would not do so .although he had- received moneys ac cruing from his pension. He was also in receipt of wages, *-"* His Worship made an order compelling the defendant to pay £1 within an hour, and the remainder at the rate of £2 per mouth. By fail ing, to do so, be would render himself liable to 6 weeks' imprisonment. ' WILSON V. LEIGH. Claim £2 7s fid, balance ot wages. _; •^ Inthis case plaintitf denied his liability. De- Defendant had charged for Sundays as well as >;week-days. -.-,•.-. . , , . Defendant deposed that he had worked the full number sf days charged in tho accouat. He was engaged at the rate of 30s per week. Judgment tor plaintiff, costs 14s. fM I ._,•. _*. _.- ADJOURNED OASES. *JfJsi f Richard Dickson v. Auckland Harbour Boin^_i claim £16 ics, work ; Eaglesim v. Fernandez?*-** &i 6s 6d, goods; Oliver V. Ryan and Bell, claim £H 7s 6d, trover, &Q.;. CampbeU v. Marks—-r tfeorgo Sibbin v. Edward. Walsh, claim £5 7s W, goods; McGechio v, Barbour, olaim £17 ltte» wages: Hill T , JdcCa^hm, claim m i*s *<*» goods delivered,, i -^WMftftlbi Inflow*:. ;';,|

THE EVENING STAR, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4,18*77,



-JW- O TIC E. DRAPERY GOODS, NEW AND CHEAP ! I! The undersigned have Purchased at Auction a LARGE LOT of NEW DRAPERY GOODS, just landed ex City of Auckland, the whole of which having been bought at much under the usual Warehouse Rates, they can afford to offer to their Customers at Very Low Prices. The Parcel comprises :— Grey Calico, tarious qualities, from /3__.yard Strong White Calico at /__ yard, or 3/10 do*. 72-in. Grey Sheeting, 1/ yard, good quality 72-in. & 80-in. White Twill Sheeting 72-in., 80-in. & 90-in. Croydon Sheeting, 1/6 yard Huckaback Towels, good,/6 each, 5/9 doss. White and Unbleached Damask and Damask Table Cloths, from 2/6 9/4,10/-. & 11/4 Alhambra Quilts, good qualities, 8/11 Rough Brown Holland, from /6 yard Half-dressed ditto, superior quality, very cheap at/IOJ-andl/ : Black Lustre, and superior quality Black Bril liantine Lustres :r New Prints, good patterns, at /4J, /oj. and /6, very cheap Harvard Shirtmg, good quality, hi yard Fine Irisu Linen, Tot of Remnants, a bargain, from 1/4 yard _ _ . __ _ Gents' Br. Cotton Half-hose do. do., merino feet Grey and Fancy Striped Merino Hali : _ose, and other goods too numerous to mention. All Purchasers of Drapery and Clothing should inspect our Stock, and prove that although NOT selling off, vc are giving full value fob MONEY. , , . «_§- One Shilling in the £ returned on all pur chases of 20s. and upwards. KUSHBROOK & BRID6MAN, Upper Queen-street, Auckland. Readers who need a fashionable coat, Or fancy vest and trousers, please to note. HL. POSSEN ISK lE, • ._•_.-'. In thanking his patrons and tne general public for past favours, begs to intimate that he has «SS_ REMOVED REMOVED -___ TO MORE CENTRAL PREMISES - (First Shop in Shoktland-street), AND HAS TT__ OPENED A NEW ANDf CHOICE 0¥ &fc, Cfh «. I



TiO TOURISTS .AND VISITORS TO WAIKATO AWT THE LAKES. BUGGIES (DOUBLE AND SINGLE), AND SADDLE HORSES, ALWAYS READY FOR HIRE AT REASONABLE CHARGES. Parties intending to go through to tho Lakes provided with flrst-class animals by 3. EDWARDS (Lato of Cobb & Co.), LIVERY STABLEKEEPER, Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton, Waikaeo. JCOSGRAVE &CO. c Beg to announce they will bring forward A Fresh Lot of BA R G A I NS!!! Consisting of THEIR LATE SHIPMENT BY THE ORARI, Purohased at Home at Job Prices, together with the whole of their SUMMER DRAPERY & CLOTHING, REDUCED IN PRICE TO SUIT THE TIMES 1 Several Bales of C A LIC 0, damaged by sea water, will be Sold under Invoice Price. LINOLEUM ! CARPETS! (Ex 'Tamaya') FURNITURE! LINOLEUM !—Unsurpassod for 'Durability; Soft and warm to the feet. LINOLEUM I—Best covering over invented for Dining Rooms, Halls, Offi ces, and Billiam Kooms. fIN OLEUM I—A large variety of Patterns at JLJ the City Hall Arcade. LINOLEUM '.—Fitted to any size or shape room by Holloway & Garlick. CARPETS I—"Just landed, Velvet Pde, very handsome. ARPETSl—Beautiful Brussels, latest de- signs, for Drawing Rooms. CARPETS !— Kidderminster, .large variety. Tapestry from 2/11 to 4/6. FURNITURE !—ld laid Walnut Centre Tables, Modern Drawingroom Suites URNlTUßE!—Sittingroom Suites, Bedroom Furniture for all classes. URNITURE I—The best Show in Auckland. Show Rooms 166 ft. long. LIBERAL DISCOUNT to CASH PURCHASERS. BUY your FURNITURE, DRAPERY, AND CLOTHING at Tirre CITY HALL ARCADE. HOLLOWAY & GARLICK, Proprietors. OF m- CLEARING-OUT SALE. ~m GREAT REDUCTIONS IN ALL KINDS OF CLOTHING 1 :• . SPECIAL LINES for TO-MORROW ;- Own Make Trousers and Vests, 37/6—Reduced to 21/. Drab Shell Hats, 16/6-Reduced to 6/. Gents' Coloured Scarfs, 3/., 4s/.—Reduced to /10. W. RATTRAY, Outfitter and Clothieb, 66, Queen-street, Auckland. J7IURJS/ITURE! FURNITURE 1 Ladies and Gentlemen abo.ut to Furnish are respect fully requested to inspect the Large Stock of DRA WIN& - ROOM, DININQ - ROOM BEDROOM, „ND GENERAL HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, In our New and Spacious Showrtoma. t. & STdooKS t 67, QUEEN-STREET Adjoining Bank of Nen _feaf«Mi„



Why Poison the Sick with the liquors of com merce when a pure stimulant oontaining vege table agents, which endow it with extraordinary alterative and strengthening properties, which never excites and invariably affords relief, is just as- easily procured. If the patient is weak or nervous, his kidneys, stomach, or bowels out of order,, let him have recourse to that safest, surest, and pleasantest of regulating tonios, Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatio Sch napps. __ Mark Twain on Bad Musicians. — The musical public and general readers are cautioned not to purchase Weston's Wizard Oil and Mario Pills without carefully examining tho outside wrapper—and be sure that the words " None Genuine without the Signature of the Proprietor, Franis Weston, Sydney, N.5.W.," are engraven thereo?., Any other so-called preparations of mine, "are unauthorized by me, and calculated to mislead the public.—Signed, Frank Weston. Sole Agent?: Kempthorne, Prosser and Co.— Price, Half-a-crown.