SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ARRIVALS.

Rowena, s.a, Sellars, from iauranga Southern Cross, s.s., Holmes, troni NaPier Wellington s.s., McGee, from the South (m the

Hinlraoa'aov. s s,, Fairchild, from Wellington (in the Manukau).

DEPARTURES.

Gael, schooner, Urquhart, for Levuka

IMPORTS.' Pa,r s s. Hawea from the South: ]•?<••> = Canterbury bacon and hams.—l.ii. Hall & Co.

The s.s. Hawea left Tauranga at 11 o clock this m&ninsr. ana will arrive at Queen-street wharf asout li o'clock tonight. She leaves for Russell at 5 p.m. to-morrow, Tuseday- . The s.s. Wellington, Captain McGee,_arrived alongside Onehunga-wharf at a.m. this morn iir % She left Wellington at 2.15 p.m. on the 7th, arrived at Picton 7 p.m.. and sailed 10 p.m. same night, arrived at Nelson 8 a.m., and sailed 11.4a p.m. on the Bth, arrived ort Taranaki at 6 a.m., and sailed again at G p.m. on the 9th. and arr.v ing as above. Experienced fine weather throughout the passage. Passengers. Captain and Mrs Harrison, Mrs Fraser child, and. ser vant. Misses Abbott and Wpoley, Messrs Fatham, E. Ludlow, Drake, Qumlan, Mclver, BoltonT Campbell, Walker, and Courtney, o Stoeragß. We are obliged to W. Dougherty, purser for passenger list, files, and other The Flora and Frances, from Kaipara, arrived at Lvttelton on Saturday last. „„;.„.*+„ gsWe would call the attention?of our readers to the Union Steamship Company s annual Christmas holiday excursion. The splendid steamer Hawea has been set apart for the purpose, and is to leave Auckland harbour on Thursday next, the 13th inst., eamng at Tauranga, Poverty Bay, Napier, Wellington, Lvttelton, and Port Chalmers, arriving at the last-named port on the 20th inst. From thence she will proceed, via the Bluff Preservation, and Chalky inlets' Dusky, Breaksea. Doubtful, Thomson.'Caswell, and George's Sounds, to Milford Sound, on which lovely water at least 48 hours will be passed. From thence the Hawea will return to the Blnff and Port Chalmers. The date of the arrival backm Auckland will be about the 10th January. The berthing list was opened to-day, and intending excursiodists should make immediate appli cation to Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane. fjThe brieantine Helena from the Thames, and the Marion from Kaipara, have arrived at Irrcie New Zealand Shipping Cos. ship Wai tengi has sailed from Lyttelton for London with a cargo of wool, tallow, and wheat, valued at Southern Cross arrived yesterday from Napier with several passengers and a cargo Of 000 sheep for Messrs. Fisher and Co. Namer w°s left at 7 a.m. on Friday. The Southern Cross is advertised to return to Napier at T s£ n4w°3ch°oS Gael started on hex^maiden trip to Levuka on Saturday night. She has a fall cargo of general merchandise nnd two nasseno-ers Messrs. Wilson and W. Nicool. P The s s. Rowena arrived on Saturday night from Tauranga. Passengers -Messrs. Symonds, H»nnon, Austin, Gilmour, VVhitley, McKune, Dufaur, Blake, Chadwick, Miss Brennan, and 4 1^ teTe^tro em°Ne a wepiymouth we hear of the -ri4l of the New Zealand Shipping Co.'s ship Hurunui. from London, after a splen did passage of S2 days. Captain Harrison, a, gentleman well-known in Auckland, is a passenger, From New Plymouth the Huranui proceeds to Wellington at once. No births or deaths occurred on the passage. _ The Government s.s. Hinemoa is to sail again lately, launched new steamer took an engineers trial trip m harbour this morning. Making the usual allowances for everything being stiff and the surfaces not having worked together, the trip was a luccess, and the peculiar arrangement of the propellors seemed to answer well. The tril trip proper is to come off in two or three days's time, and the vessel will be placed on the Thames trade as a bight bort about the begm "Tco'resSelit at Hokianga f sends the following- The harbour has shifted here a great deal. The Rosannah Rose, while coming In yesterday, struck three times in mid-channel. She had |a near shave. Yon Stunner has telegraphed to the Government.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION.

TO-DAY'S QUOTATIONS. Bank of New Zealand—Buyers, £22 10s. New Zealand Insurance— Buyers, 9os. Union Sash & Door Co.—£loloa. Caledonian (dble)—Sellers. 62a 6d. Moanatairi—Bos; buyers, 77s 6d; seUers, 82s bd. Tookey Tribute—Buyers, 2s. Alburnia—Sellers, 655. Piako—ss 6d, 6s. Thames— Buyers, 31s. New GoWen^-Se^ g2d._

COMMERCIAL.

Mr R C Greenwood held a property saie to-day at his mart at the corner of Queen and Shortland-street. The properties.sold were building allotments belonging to Mr Kelly at Mount Eden. The following were the prices realised --Lot 1, 27s 6d per foot, Mr McGarry; lot 21. 25s per foot; lot 26. 26s per foot, Mr Mom son ; lot 27, 24s per foot, Mr Morrison; lots 34 36 37 and 38.14s per foot, Mr Corwell; lot 28, 37s 6a per foot. Mr McGaxry. The remaining lots, in cluding the property at Mount Roskill Road, were withdrawn.

BIRTHS.

[The price for inserting birth notices in this column is reduced to one shilling ; other notices as before.l MONTGOMERY.—On the sth December, Mrs. W. B. Montgomery, Star and Garter, Coro niandel, of a son. MAZZOLENL—On December 8, at Upper Pitt street, the wife of Mr. Orlando Mazzoleni of a son.

DEATH.

LA.WRY.-At her residence, Karangahape Road, on Sunday night, tbe 9th instant, Bliza, relict of the late Rev. Walter Lawry, aged S9 The" funeral will leave to-morrow (Tuesday), at 4.30 p.m. Friends will pleaso accept this intimation. .

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

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1877.

jCot^tho cause that lacks-assistance, Par the wrong that needs lesistancfl, £k>* the future in the distance, Aod tits good thai wecasda.

Wi Team by telegram from our Wellington correspondent that out of the £40,000, voted for distribution amongst Counties in the Provincial district of Auckland, the sum of £9,400 had already been expended ; leaving £30,600 available. The County of Eden will thus have about £2,000, m addi tion to its present revenue, amounting with subsidies to over £3,000. Another vote of £50,000, had been put down for distribu tion amongst various provinces, of which Auckland was to receive £10,000, for the purpose of advancing settlements, but owing to the indefiniteness of the vote, the withdrawal of the Settlement Advances Bill, and the probability that the proposed item would provoke a long discussion, it was thrown put on the voices.

The vote of £10,000 for the completion of the Mountain Road at the back of Mount Egmont is of the greatest impor tance to the Provincial District of Taranaki, and is ikely to have a very beneficial effect in opening up land for settlement. The Beach Road hitherto used passes along a circuitous route following the coast line [ round Cape E"niont, connecting Oakura, Warea. Opunake, and Hawera. The length of this line from New Plymouth to Hawera cannot be much less than 70 miles, while by the proposed Mountain road the distance would .be reduced to about forty miles, opening up a large area of fine forest land. Up to the end of the Financial year of 1877, a sum of £3,700 17s 3d had been expended on this road, and over seven miles of road had been constructed.

AN interesting summary of Suez news, re ceived to-day from the Bluff, will be found in our telegraphic columns. Mr Forbes, the special correspondent of the " Daily- News," has been honoured by an audience with the Prince of Wales, and has received an invitation from Her Majesty the Queen to visit Balmoral, in recognition of his bravery and the truthfulness of his descrip tions of incidents of the Russo-Turkish war. This is another striking instance of the powerful influence of the Press in these modern days. Mr Forbes has been decorated with the Order of St. Michael Stanislaus by the Czar, and probably some further marks ot Royal approbation await him in England. The telegrams give harrowing details of the sullerings of the Russian army in Bulgaria, and of atrocities committed by the troops. A horrible story comes from Kars, where it 13 said the Russians found the bodies of Arab women amongst the slain, and in order to disguise their sex and to conceal the entTmsiasm of the people in their resistance to the invaders, cut the bodies into pieces.

Owing to the late receipt this afternoon of lengthy Suez and Australian telegrams our leading article is held over. The Government-steamer Hinemoa, Capt. Fairchild, arrived from Wellington, at One hunga, this day, at noon. She left Welling ton on Saturday night, and called at New Plymouth yesterday. Fine weather was enjoyed all the way up. She brings the greater number of the Auckland members of Parliament. The following is the list : Hons. Jas. Williamson, Colonel Kenny, Dr. Pollen, H. Chambcrlin, Members of the Legislative Council ; Messrs. W. Rowe, J. S. Macfarlane, J. A. Tole, P. Dignan, W. Swanson, E. Hamlin, G. M. O'Korke, TV. L. Rees, Members of the House of Representatives; Mr Justice Gillies, Messrs. Rattray and Horton, Mrs O'Rorke, Miss Rees, Miss Churton, Misses Pollen (2), Mrs Macfarlane, Mrs and Miss Chamberlin, and Miss Turton.

Mr and Mrs Morton Tavares, accom panied by a small Company, will leave for Waikato to-morrow, and purpose playing at Cambridge on Wednesday, Hamilton, Thursday, and Newcastle, Friday, return ing to town on Saturday in time to give a performance at Onehunga on Monday. Considering the dearth of amusements in the Waikato, we have no doubt these popular artistes will have a most success ful tour.

The children's religious service in connec tion with St. Paul's Sunday-school was held yesterday afternoon in the Cathedral Church, and was well-attended. The children sang several hymns from the school hymn book, accompanied by Mr J. A. Beale on the organ, in a pleasing and efficient manner; including " Gentle Saviour," " He is Coming," and "Brightly Gleams our Banner," suitable to the Advent season. Rev. C. M. Nelson read the latter portion of the 13th chapter of St. Luke, and expounded to the children the parable of the grain, of mustard seed.

The amalgamated shoemakers of Auck land will hold a meeting to-morrow even ing, at the British Hotel, for the purpose of submitting important questions respecting the leather trade. Chair to be taken at half-past seven o'clock. The half-yearly meeting of the Auckland Building and Investment Society will be held to-morrow evening in Mr Batger's office, at half-past seven o'clock, for bringing up the report and other business. Miss Jessie Kaymond, the popular local actress, will take a benefit this evening in the Albert-street Hall, and will appear in the dual characters of Isabel and Madame Vine, in the sensational drama of East Lynne, assisted by the best available talent in Auckland. The programme pro mises songs, dances, recitations, and '' Tim Flaherty's courtship ; also, an address by Miss Raymond on the subject of " Fires."

The interesting ceremony of administering Holy Communion to 110 children in St. Patrick's Cathedral was held yesterday at the 9 o'clock mass. The communicants consisted of 60 boys, under the charge of members of the Christian Doctrine Society, and 50 girls from the schools of the Sisters of Mercy. The young girls were beauti fully dressed in white muslin, and wearing wreaths on their heads. The Rev. Father Grange celebrated mass, and subsequently the&children were led to the altar by their teachers, and received the Blessed Eucharist. The music had a solemnizing elfect, and the singing of the juvenile choir, under the direction of Miss Kirby, was pleasing. At the close of the service the children walked in procession to St. Patrick's schoolroom, and partook of a breakfast, amply provided for them by the members of the Christian Doctrine Society; finishing up with straw berries and sweets. The present shatl■■ fishing season of the natives has been ver\ successful, over 2,533 of these voracious .ministers having already

beau tttptuxed,

The members of the Auckland Trades and Labour Council held an emergency meeting on Saturday evening, for the purpose of con sidering the advisability of forming a Work ing Men's Club. A considerable amount of correspondence relating to the success acliievedby these societies in Dunediu, Wel lington, and Napier was read by the secre tary. This was of a very encouraging nature. InDunedin, forinstance, the Work ing Men's Club, which has been in existence for2iyears, has nearly a thousand members. Their property is valued at £612 ISs sd, and they have a cash balance of £103 16s 2d. The Wellington Club has 240 members, with property valued at £120, and liabilities of £3Q It was finally resolved "That pre liminary steps be taken to form a Working Men's Club in Auckland." A committee was appointed to prepare rules, which will be submitted for approval at a meeting of the Council. The idea is a very good one, andwehaveno doubt the working men of Auckland will enter heartly into the pro ject The want of such an institution has long been felt in Auckland, and the Trades and Labour Council deserves credit for its action in the matter.

"VTe learn from an Auckland member Avho arrived by the Hinemoa to-day that all sorts of rumours are afloat with regard to proposed appointments to be made by the Govjrnment. These canards are in the great majority of cases set in circulation by the late Ministry and disappointed Aduilamites, and they have no foundation in fact. The intention of the Government is to reduce the Civil Service expenditure to the utmost, consistently with efficiency, and no new appointments will be made except such as are rendered absolutely neces sary to re-organize and reduce the Depart ments.

The firing of No. 3 Company on Saturday last for the Ladies' Prize—a silver inkstand —resulted in a victory for Volunteer E. R. Partiugton, with a score of 51 points. This being the fifth occasion at intervals, and the third in succession, on which the prizehas been won by Volunteer Partiugton, it nov becomes his property.

Thsre were ISO patients ill the Lunatic Asylum on Monday.

We leavn that a European who lately visited the Ngatimaniapoto at Kawhia in the interests of Melbourne' capitalists sub mitted a novel proposal to the natives. He carried with him a flag unknown in our national code which he ostentatiously dis played in the various villages, At Kawhia he requested the chiefs to give him over half a million acres of land, on condition that he should settle Europeans upon it who are hostile to the British Government, and who, in the event of Avar between the Europeans and the Maori.*, would take the side of the latter. The wily Ngatimaniapoto chiefs listened to his representations, and pretended to be con siderably impressed with the scheme. The result was that he paid over a sum of £300 by way of an advance to the natives, but received not a scrap of paper or any kind of undertaking in return, and the proba bility is that'he will never receive any. The Ngatimaniapotos are too shrewd to be deceived by such an artifice as that.

Mr F. Whitaker, M.H.R., left for Waikato this morning, and will probably be absent nntil Thursday next.

On Friday Mr gTaylor'a horse and cart met with a very serious mishap, resulting in the total distraction of the vehicle, it is also feared that it will prove to have injured the horse's limbs. From the High Road to Mr Taylor's house is an embank ment, entrance to whichjis gained.by a gate way. Mr Taylor had opened the gate, through which the horse darted, and being without the controlling power of the reins, the animal ran the cart over the edge of the bank, and the whole turn out fell into the water, a distance, Mr Taylor thinks, of 40 feet. Mr Kinlock is attending the injured animal. Some twelve months ago Mr Der bridge's horse was killed near the same spot.

Miss Leaf sang at St. George's Church, Thames, yesterday, and undertook the solo part in an anthem at evensong.

The special correspondent of the " Oamavu Mail" thus discourseth on Mr Manders :—Mr Mandera is growing quite portly on the good treatment he is receiving at the hands of the Opposition. There was a time when his present benefactors scarcely deigned to look at him; but matters now wear an alteied aspect. It is said that he holds the balance of power between parties in the House, whereby it will be seen that the country's destinies are at his mercy. He must feel somewhat like the proverbial beggar on horseback, although, for the sake of those members of the softer sex who der pend upon him for their happiness, we trust that he will not ride where the exalted beg gar rode. Instead of the late Ministers ex claiming "Do you see that fellow ; that is Manders," and with a significent shrug of the shoulders, more eloquent than words, passing him by as they would dirt, they now say, "Good morning, Mr Manders; you're looking worried this morning." [So would they if they had two strings to their bows.] "Dear me, your hands are quite hot. Yon must really take a drive before lunch. Not had any breakfast? How shameful. Come with us and partake of the refreshment that you so urgently require, and we will then go to the House together." They seem in constant dread least he should die, or some other calamity should befall him. Just as though such men as Manders were of the dying sort. If he is seen looking towards the Government benches, it is a signal for a rush towards him in order to ascertain what his political feeling were at the moment he glanced thereat, and whether he would not like to adjourn to Bellamy's, where a man can drown remorse fulness in the nectar cup ; where qualms of conscience are smothered, and political opinions become pliable. "It is there, it is there" that sweet solace can be found from domestic troubles and the exigencies of political strife.

A man named William Sheldon, alias Aynslon, who was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for vagrancy at Tauranga last week, was brought to Auckland in the Argyle on Saturday last, and taken to Mount Eden Gaol.

On Saturday evening, Mr. W. W. Robin son received a" telegram from a Canterbury cricketer, informing him that it had been decidedpn Christchurch to send a Canter bury cricket team up to Auckland this Christmas, Avlth the object, if possible, of playing the local team on the 27th, 28th, and 29th inst. The news is somewhat surprising, and it might very justly be said by our cricketers that they are being taken by surprise ; but, fortunately, there is no occasion for them to say anything of the kind. Our best players are in good practice; and the unalloyed feeling is one of satisfac tion that our Southern friends have at length made up their mind to try to recover the laurels they lost in 1873. A meeting is called for this evening, at 8 o'clock, at the Thames Hotel, to arrange for making suit able preparations for the visit.

The following is the balance sheet shew ing the amount realized at the late concert in aid of widow Tapsell :--Music, £2 5s ; hire of Hall, £1 5s ; printing, £3 3s Gd ; hire of piano, 15s ; total, £7 Ss 6'd. Total amount taken,£7 JLs; leaving a loss of 7s 6d. —H. Hooper, Manager. W. Lodge, Secretary. , Our Parliamentary correspondent tele graphed sometime ago that the Govern ment had decided to adopt the inland route for the extension of the Kaipara railway from Auckland to Riverhead, and the statement is now confirmed.

The. contributions towards the Indian Famine Relief Fund in New South Wales amount to £13,000. Mr Charles Burton's Christmas gift enterprise, consists of pound currant cakes, and mince pies; the first prize, a handsome three-decked wedding cake, and others less dainty, which winners will take In two, higher priced, made of spiciest things, will be found deep embedded two gold wedding rings. The drawing, accord ing to announcement, will 'take place on tliu evening of St. Thomas' Day.

The rumour is still current in Wellington that Mr Bunny will] be appointed Commis sioner of Annuities. We learn from Mr Chadwick that the native chiefs Paora Tuhaere, Te Hemara Tauhia, and others representing the native tribes resident near Auckland were desirous of being present at the reception to bir George Grey, but on account of their having to attend at a sitting of the Native Lands Court to be held at Kaihu, Kaipara, it is probable they may not be able to return in time, and they express to the committee their regret if such be the case. _ We have to acknowledge the receipt ot ss. from A.H.W., Matakohe, for the Indian Famine Fund. . . The juvenile missionary meeting held in connection with the Albert-street Hall Methodist Free Church yesterday after noon was a great success. The gathering of friends and sympathisers in the cause was all that could be desired. The service was conducted by Mr F. J. Bennett, the harmonium being played by Mrs Bennett. Among&t the ladies who sung we noticed Mesdamcs Mitchell and Woolley. The rendering of some of Sankey's songs was really beautiful, so sweet and touch inw. Indeed this juveuile service was the service of the day in almost every respect. And as a proof the collection was by tar over the big congregation. So much for the energy of a few who labour in the cause. The children and friends were delighted, and much good done. Away in the lonely forests and glens of New Zealand there are hundreds of solitary bachelors, who pine in single misery with undarned stockings and button-less linen, and never hear the spirit-stirring music of a baby. One of these forlorn outcasts, Avhose initials are "T. E.," makes a sorrowful appeal through our advertising columns for some compassionate soul to share his joys and sorrows. He is a retired naval officer perhaps a hero—of the marriageable age of thirty-three, and is indifferent whether the fair candidate be a spinster or a widow. The fact that the solemn warning of Samivel Weller possesses no terrors for this retired son of Neptune is a proof of his accommodating disposition, which ought to recommend him to the ladies. Add to this he is possessed of "moderate means"—an additional qualification for Hymenal bands, or, as some disappointed husbands persist in calling them—bonds. Here is a chance —widows to the rescue. Any communica tions addressed to "T. £~" at this office, will be treated in that confidential manner which is due to so extremely delicate a business.

" P. W." (Newton) suggests that, in view of approaching children's holiday festivities in the Domain, the City 'Council should, lay on water to the Domain, and erect a drink ing fountain opposite to the entrance to the Acclimatisation Society's Gardens. We may inform P.W. however, that the Council finds its hands already full in keeping pace with the demands for water-supply m the city; and . that, moreover, if the Council were warranted at present in incurring the very considerable expense of laying on water to the Domain the necessary pipes are not at hand. We should think the Committees who manage the details of these annual feasts could arrange to have a supply of water on the ground by hiring a water-cart for the occasion.

THE WATER QUESTION.

The following notices of motion have been given for next meeting of the City Council, and are likely to give rise to an animated discussion: — Councillor Dickson will move at the next sitting of the City Council : " That the motion postponing the consideration of the price of water until next March be rescinded, and the entire control and management of the works be handed over to Councillor Cosgrave, he undertaking to pay salaries, wages, cost of fuel and repairs, and all other expenses necessarily incurred in con nection therewith, and be authorised to appropriate to his own use the whole of the revenues derivable therefrom, subject to the provisions of existing by-law, and the lowering of the rates to Is 6cl per thousand gallons, and 2| per cent, on the rateable value of dwelling-houses." Councillor Morton will move, " That the Council authorise the Waterworks Com mittee to make arrangements for obtaining a reserved stock of pipes to the value of £3,ooo,•;,with' a view to extend the water supply to those parts of the city, and at such times as the Council may deem desirable." Councillor Cosgrave will move, "That the household water rate be reduced from 4 per c?nt to 2i per cent." Councillor"Brett will move, "That an application be made to the Governor in Council (under Clause 350 of the Corpora tion Act), for grant of a reserve of 2,000 acres of land in the Provincial District of Auckland." Councillor Fleming will move "That tenders be called for the formation of Nelson-street from Wellington-street to the junction with Cook-street."

NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MER CANTILE AGENCY'S PRODUCE TELEGRAM.

LONDON, November 29.

WOOL. —Tne sale opened at level of last sales on the 13th inst. The sales comprise wbout 190,000 bales af wool, and progresses flatly. Competition is decreasing, and the market is weaker. Continual demand is poor. The principal decline has been in cross-bred, medium, and inferior. Scoured marker easier ; superior combing washed, market unchanged. Holders demand higher rates. Up to date 70,000 bales have been sold. The sales will close on the lDth proximo.

Australian News.

(Pee Arawata at the Bluff).

THE EXHIBITION BILL.

BLUFF, this day. The Arawata arrived last night, after a passage of 3 days and 22 hours. Passenger for Auckland : Mrs Webb. MELBOURNE, December 5. The Government is not likely to bring the session to a close so early as was anticipated, as there is still a large amount of work to be disposed of before closing. The Council having rejected the Exhibition Bill, that question cannot be decided until next session. The action of the Council in this matter is pretty generally applauded, as in many quarters it was thought to be imprudent to commit the colony td a charge of £100,000 for a building alone without knowing whether any of the foreign countries would respond to our invitation to exhibit. Others looked upon it at a free trade point of view, and argued that with such absurdly heavy duties as are imposed on all goods, there would be no possibility of manufacturers sending their goods here with the ultimate view of rinding a market. The action of the Council in throwing out the Defences Bill, has not been favorably regarded, especially after all the labour, trouble, and expense which| was bestowed in obtaining reports on our defences, but the fault lay with the Government in placing the free gift pre amble, to the Bill after the Council had rejected all opinions upon it. PAYMENT OF MEMBERS'. On the question of payment of members the Government have changed their front, and the Council Avill have an opportunity of considering it in agseparatejmeasure, but the amount is still retained on the estimates in the event of the Bill not passing. Petitions are being extensively signed against the'payment of members. BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION. The Elections Committee have once more signalised themselves by bringing up two re ports of the Barwon election petition. Under the first. The election was declared void only, and in the usual course the Speaker

would have issued a new writ, but under the second report, the sitting member was declared guilty of bribery and corruption and the seat was given to Mr Joice, the candidate on poll, to whom is awarded costs. -».,, 9 Boiler Explosion-—Ten Killed. The boiler explosion at Magista, 9 chil dren and one man were killed and others thSri JgTl'and amusements. The Soldine troupe leave here on the 19th for Dunedin. They have been doing a. very good business. The theatres are preparing for the Christmas pantomimes. "The Troubadours" will appear in that at the opera house. Princess of Wales will not have any pantomime. There appears to be some hitch m the issue of writs for penalties against members of the Legislative Council. The draught is very disastrous in all parts of the country especially in parts of New South Wales and Queensland, where there is no grass, and the cattle are dying off rapidly.

THE SUEZ MAIL.

[By Telegraph from Bluff.]

(Press Agency)

LONDON, Oct. 26. Her Majesty is at Balmoral in good health.

The Prince of Wales, with, his two sons, left Abergeldie on the 15th instant, and then proceeded to Plymouth, where the two Princes were placed on board the Britannia. His Royal Highness ia now in London. The Princess has remained at Abergeldie in consequence of the dangerous illness there °f MUIn?FokBBS INVITED TO BALMROAL.

On his way to the South the Prince had a long conversation at Ballar with Mr Archibald Forbes, special correspondent in Bulgaria for the " Daily News," who is proceeding to Balmoral, having been honored by an invitation from Her Majesty for his bravery and truthful accounts of the war. Mr Forbes has had conferred on him the order of St. Stanislaus by.the Czar. _

Prince Nika has declared the campaign ended by the occupation of the district of Bandjani, thereby effecting the deliverance of the ujper Herzegovine.; The German ironclad squadron has returned from the Mediteranean, and will winter at Wilhdlaushaven. The Queen has presented £250 to the Red Cross Society for the relief of the sick and wounded of both armies. This year's racing Lord Falrnouth has netted £34,433 (exclusive of the Ascot gold vase) in stakes up to the 15th October, which is by far the largest amount won in one season. A mutiny occurred on board the American ship New York at the Nore on the 16th inst. One sailor was shot dead by the captain, and the mate wounded another. An armed party from the Duncan flag ship took possession of the ship, but subse quently withdrew. No inquest has been held, it being decided in pursuance of the judgment of the Franconia case that it was out of English jurisdiction. The Shah intends visiting London and Paris next spring. Alderman Owden has been chosen Lord Mayor of London for next year. Sir J. Bennett was elected Alderman for Cheap ward a third time, and has again been re jected by the Cpurt of Aldermen, and ex- Sheriff Brefitt has been appointed by them. Slavery has been abolished at Madagas^ car, three million slaves being set free. ANOTHER ARCTIC EXPEDITION. Sir Allen Young is having the Pandora refitted, with a view to another start for the Arctic regions. Next Spring the Spitzbergen route will be tried in preference to that by Smith's Sound. RUSSIAN SUFFERINGS IN BUL GARIA. The correspondent of the "Standard" at Nicopolis states that during the 20 days, ending 9th October, 15,000 of the allied troops have been lost in Bulgaria. The management is so bad that the army between the Jantra and the Lorn was left three days without supplies, and the men were half-starved at Simnitza and Tearu marourele. Horses are daily suffocated in liquid mud four feet deep, and hundreds of men who daily die under canvas are carried out of the hospital tents, and thrown iute mud not 50 yards from where they died.] RUSSIAN ATROCITIES. Many hundreds of Mahomedans families have been expatriated by the Russians to north of Russia, where they are suffering terrible p:ivations. A baud of Cossacks burnt the village of Azvar, south-west of Loftcha on the 27th Sept., and carried off the inhabitants tied to the tails of their horses. They were met by a body of Turkish troops who released the prisoners and killed everyone of the Cossacks. ARAB WOMEN FIGHTING AT KARS. It is positively stated that at Mazra, outside Kars, the Russian officers found the dead bodies of Arab women among those slain in the fight, and cut them deliberately into small pieces in order that by concealing their sex, the army generally should not know how desperate was the feeling of enthusiasm against the invaders. RUSSIAN LACK OF OFFICERS. So great is the deficiency of officers amongst the Russian army, that all the pupils at the Military Colleges over 16 years of age have been sent to join regi ments. The want of medical men is also shown by the fact that at Fritisti, where there were 10,000 sick, there were only two doctors aud six attendants to look after them. The " Madras News" states that rain has fallen in the north-Avest provinces, and that the prospects are good everywhere. Prices are falling. Distress is rising in one or two districts, but stationary in six. The harvest there gathered is fair.

Consecration of Bishop Stuart.

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

(From our Own Correspondent.)

NAPIER, this day. The consecration of the Rev Edward Craig Stuart to the vacant bishopric of Waiapu took place yesterday. The church was crowded. The new bishop was consecrated by the Primate, with the assistance of the Bishop of Auckland and Wellington. Nine clergymen of the diocese Avere also present. On the bells ceasing the following procession entered the church : —Churchwardens of St. John's, the Registrar ot the Diocese, clergy, Bishop elect, Bishop of Wellington, Bishop of Auckland, Primate. After hymn No. 24 had been sung by 'the choir, the Primate commenced the communion service. An Epistle was then read by the Bishop of Wellington, and the Gospel by the Bishop of Auckland. After the Nicen± Creed the Bishop of Auckland preached from Acts xx. 28, and at the conclusion of the sermon, hymn 320 was sung, during which the Bishop-elect proceeded to the vestry, and returned vested in a rochet. He was then presented to the Pri« mate by the two assisting Bishops. The mandate for the consecration was then read by the Registrar of the Diocese. After this the Litany was read by- the Primate, after which the Bishop-elect was chate chised. At the conclusion an anthem was sung. During the anthem the Bishop elect was again conducted to the vestry to put on the remainder of his episcopal habit. On his returen he knelt down, and the Veni Creator was re peated over him, the Primate and congrega tion taking the alternate verses. After another prayer the Bishops laid their hands upon him, and the office of a Bishop in the church of God was solemnly committed to him. The service concluded with the Holy Coniunmiou.

PARLIAMENTARY.

(From our own Correspondent).

BILLS FROM COUNCIL,

At twenty minutes past nine o'clock on Saturday night the Appropriation, Immig ration, and Public Works Appropriation Bills were sent down from the Le^slative Council, accompanied by a message" statinw that the clauses giving power to the Thames CoUDty Council to mortgage or to sell the securities mentioned in section 10 of the Public Works Appropriation Act, 1876, were properly an addition to the Supply Bill There Avas a disposition on the part of some members of the Council to reject the Bill on the ground that it was a violation of the privileges of the Council. Ultimately however, the Bill was passed. ' Colonel Whitmore, in reply to these objections, said the clauses were necessary in order to enable the pumping operations at the Thames to be continued. DISQUALIFICATION ACT. The Disqualification Act amending the omission of certain words in Act of last ses sion came from the Legislative Conncil, who inserted a clause exempting members of the Education and University senate, but not memLe sof the Harbour Board. Aa alter ations are likely to lead to discussion and dela>, they were ordered by th House to be considered this day week which courteously shelved the Bill. The Government on Saturaay night spoke highly and in kind terms of Mr Rees and his ability. The "Argus" says he Avill take the office of non-political Attorney-General Before finally resigning he will rueethig constituents on the subject. Major Atkinson and a few Nelson mem bers left on Saturday by the Stella! (PRESS AGENCY.) SIR GEORGE GREY'S CLOSING SPEECH. Ox going into Committee on the Appro priation Bill, Sir G. Grey said he wished to make a few remarks at the close of the longest sessiou ever held in New Zealand, to point out the important results achieved. He desired to thank the House for the large support given the Financial Arrangements Bill, which was a measure of great importance to the future finance o£ tke country. The Government would do its utmost to use the Act beneficially for the interests of the country, and show the confidence of the House was not misplaced. He thanked the House for the liberal funds placed at the disposal of the Government. They would most carefully use the large discretion left in their hands by exercising the utmost economy and frugality. He thoughta senti ment which had been urged last night, that certain outposts and settlements would he better broken up than maintained at a large cost, was a great fallacy, In the circum stances of this, colony such settlements must be maintained. The settlers must not he allowed to leave them, but must be gene rously and sympathetically assisted. He regretted the absence of defined parties in New Zealand politics, as such distinctions were essential to good government. Next year he would try to amend this, by bringing forward great and important measures which must create public opinion. One of the first would be the Representation Bill, which would enable the wi'l of the majority of the people to be really and fully telt. Government would also so revise taxation that every man should contribute to the revenue in proportion to the advantages he derived. In doing this certain burdens might be taken off the people. Another thing would be, such a system of land lavra as would enable everyone who desired it to obtain with facility a freehold for himself and his family while any Crown lands existed. Such reforms he pointed out were easier to make here than in a country like England, where in the State, Church, and other ways, the Crown exercised great checks on Parliament. Here these checks did not exist, and were not required.' All that the Crown here wanted was to retain the affections of the people, and cherish in them feelings of being part of a great Empire. There was complete liberty here for most liberal institutions, and in aiming at them no obstruction was to be expected from the Crown in attaining these institu tions. He relied on the support of the House of Representatives. MAJOR ATKINSON'S LAST DYING SPEECH AND CONFESSION. Major Atkinson said it damped the satis faction with which such high aimswjnld otherwise have been heard, to know that- Sir George Grey had entertained them for 30 years, and when the aims he proposed w rere compared with Avhat he had done. He Avas rather given to abstract theories thai to practical legislation. He (Major Atkin son) did not think it was possible at present to create tAvo great permanent parties. Certainly noue of the points Sir G. Grey mentioned could create them. Good govern ment might be easier with two parties, but Avas not impossible Avithout them; and they should not wait for it until they had sucb parties. He would look back and see \W Sir G. Grey had already done since m office. Sir G. Grey had professed a.desire to immediately cease the system of hand-te mouth finance and put it on a sound bass. How far had Sir G. Grey done this since he took office ? They had heard two montM ago of a complete scheme to give security to the public creditors, render taxation satisfactory, and establish peace and pr« peritv. AU this Avas, they were told, nw* cepted by a vote of want of confluence. He reviewed the objections taken .toj* proposals, and.then contrasted these jv» the proposals of the present j Government- He regretted Government had not gone ou with Hie Public Revenues Bill P r?f re?JJ their predecessors. They had napwg for less money for proAoncial liaoiuu" than he thought absolutely necessaiy.-- * ; stead of the £600,000 at first spokeu or W had only taken £327,000. Almost -atttW measures of the late Government bad, wj taken up and carried Avithout maten alteration. The Inscription of SfockQ the Land Bill, the Education .»J other measures, had thus been -tokay. I and carried through. The ouly_gj I change in policy had been mfig*^ I that Avas to create a deficit of I Avhich no provision Avas made. ilvf I ment intended to remove the tea an*JV I duties the deficit next year wniffl% I greater. A property tax e^^Tf je- I up the half million which » n £ A I required if these duties Avere takenjw-^ ■ property tax of Is in the pound «w»^ I yield about £135,000 a year. gwnbflj^ | land was the only Avay of getting | and he did not suppose Sir wOI° ■ | would propose this.' wnacc^ I Sir Ocorge Grey replied. Hehtf b*»sU ■ of having done nothing in 30 year* •» a a . w § constructed what Major Atkmson ■ friends had destroyed-a Constitution^^ ■ Avhich any country ever posse^eo. igJS O» M in VVelliogton, had commenced tA» «^ e ts& | in land, opened up the Wairapaancn • M Coast, and induced the natives to ae* aa selves to road-making ? Yet, toj» Jf m cused of never having done a^^Jw oDPortmS H not done much since in office; ™ B °Snstas ■ had he I Had not Maior Aflnnaw e renS ■ attacked and threatened side he Avas denied the assistance n» ap g* m to expect, and was refused the ruff". ve^ m to the verdict of the people. I^. u lf ■ would not last much ionger. '-f^provU^B obtained sufficient means to meet tne^^ m liabilities, it was because he could no | on , so^™ and that was owing to afcoo* f eC ess^'s M opposition. If imore were round nec be^ m knewjhowever, that it wooldhav o jjrf H| hereafter. If they asked for mow, w nii M M Atkinson would he the nrsttorefuse^^™ He declared that the present■Govew h the country in a state of aS c j^^gll They were only yet groping in «• He mLZ M nor any one had fully mastered i. ft{s hat* m colleagues had done their best to ay n would still take months to do so. parent deficit would probably oe tte^R done away with by the escrow P G ° ve r»CH cretion placed in the hands of theu B^M not to expend votes for certain .v ba isolW|g money was available. . Even vi tn^ t o»« *?■ late Government, which tie P^ niad|fl.H taken up, great changes had Dee T he.%» mprove and render them a^e. cation Bill had been <»=«» ieS itTffam so as to free it from *c detorm»we i of, and vender it free, tair |na^ rf tigM I iscripl ion nt Stock Bi-1 tJ^M

', BE I \ tJNING ttTAR, MONDAY. DECEMBER 10, 1877.



£T/\<fk "REWARD be JtiiTCHEN'S JliW BLOOD RESTORER. As several BottlesT'containing trashy worth less compounds, have been P^me<l °5 °w££ suspecting people on the pretence of their being the celebrated "Hitchens' Blood Restorer the Proprietor respectfully cautions his patients to see that the Bottles bear both his Trams Mark and Signature. He also warns the unscrupu lous persons who, under false pretences, receive ■ people's money, that £100 Pounds Reward will he given on conviction of persons guilty of infringing his rights. H. HITCHENS. CARPETS, IHEARTHRUGS, LINOLEUM, FLOORCLOTH. IT. & H. COOKE Beg to inform their friends and the public that they have imported^ a large assortment of the above, which will render their FTT B NlB JECIJST Q ESTABLISHMENT one of the most .complete and extensive in Aucldand, having purchased these Goods of the Manufacturers direct, for cash, they are enabled -to offer them at VERY LOW FRIGES. New Patterns in Carpets and Linoleum. SHOW ROOMS: 67, Queen-street. Steam Cabinet Factory Victoria-street. THE undersigned are now brin ing forward a Large Parcel of GENE AL DRAPERY, HABERDASHERY, &C, bought at considerably less than usual prices, to which they invite the attention of all requiring ;g22 {Good Value For Money. Corsets in great variety of quality and style, ■white and coloured, from 2/6 per pair Linen and Lace Goods, Cufts, Collars, and Sets, in variety Ladies' Underclothing Umbrellas and Parachutes, Silk, Zanella, S^Alpacca, &c. . , • - Lot of Flowers at very low price, quite fresh Straw Hats, Ribbons, Gloves, &c. A Splendid Stock of Muslin, Lace, and Lenoe Curtains, Counterpanes, Quilts, Damask Table Cloths, Sheeting, Felt Squares Carpets, Floorcloth, China Matting, Ticks, &c. Large-size Huckaback Towels at /6 each New Fancy Dress Materials, Japanese Silks, Coloured Lustres, Black Lustres. Embossed, Striped, and Check Muslins, Prints, &C. Brown Holland, from /6| per yard Union, Fancy Jean, and Oxford Shirtings, very A Line^S Superior Quality Silk Mixed Fancy Shifting, at 2/3, usual price 3/6 per yard White and Grey Calico. Good Grey from /3 per yard ALSO, " [very large assortment of Gents' Shirts, White t— Longcloth, Union and All-wool Crimean, .""" Fancy Silk Mixed Scotch Twill, Fancy Jean, "c-i. Oxford, &c. Strong Tweed for Boys wear A Job Line of Stout Mosgiel at below Factory " *ess wSs TJT*I O 6 3 Braces Belt?, Ties. Scarfs, Collars, Cotton and Merino Hosiery, Undershirts, &c. Tuscan, Straw, and Drill Hats, for ... Boys and Men, See.,, Sec, &c. in he £ allowed on .£,ll Cash Purchases of 20s. and upwards. rushbrook & bridgman, .Junction Drapery Warehouse, Upfb^ '^tjben-strkex, AOO DET EEMINATION MEANS SUCCESS—It has been determined that the LUNCHEON ROOMS of the WHARF HOTEL (now alterations are completed) shall he second to none in Auckland. <;onnoßSleurs re yeguestert to givo it a trial. Daily Bui of



New Spring and Summer dress materials. -{ H. ATKINS 1- — Has now for Sale, CHEAP, a Splenli Assort ment of IT NEW DRESS GOODS, -®a 3uitaoie for the Spring ami Summer Season of every variety, style, quality, and texture. 123 ™$ ™i Attention is respectfully invited to this Season's Shipment, which is the Largest and Best-selected ever shewn in the city. The Prices are also very reasonable. Also, Just Opened, CURTAINS. TABLE LINEN, &0. A Great Reduction has been made in the Prices of Manchester Goods, owing to the reduced List of the Home manufacturers. NEW SUMMER CLOTHING, SHIRTS, HATS, &c, Just Received. Splendid Lines in Auckland & Melbourne-made CLOTHING. The Largest Stock of MOSGIEL & IMPORTED L TWEEDS in Auckland to select from. «S\Tailoes Supplied at Wholesale Prices GENTLEMEN'S ORDERS EXECUTED. A Large Lot of Cheap Tweeds for Bo^'s Wear. HA TKINS. a A. JSTION INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. CAPITAL .7T7T £2,000,000. AUCKLAND BRANCH: QUEEN-STREET, Next the Colonial Bank. FIRE DEPARTMENT. Insurances granted on Dwelling-houses, Stores. Shops, Buildings in which trade is carried on. Merchandise, and Goods of every description. MARINE DEPARTMENT. Hulls of Ships or Steamers, Merchandise of all kinds, Specie and Wool to United Kingdom, at Lowest Current Rates. R. H. STEVENSON Manager. TAXATIONAL FIRE AND MARINE J3l INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. Capital £1,000,000. Reserve £50,000. Re-Insurance Fund — £20,000. Insurances effected against Fire and Marine Loss of Every Description of Property, at Lowest Current Rates. Prompt and Liberal Settlement of Claims. HENRY E. WILLIAMS, Manager, Auckland Branch. /^HEAP H ATS! CHEAP HATS ! ! CHEAP CLOTHING ! ! A Quantity of Men's and Boy's Drab and Black Felt Hats will be offered at Or GREAT REDUCTION TO CLEAR. Also, a Parcel of CLOTHING, comprising Men's and Boy's Tweed Suits, Trousers and Vests, &c. The3e Goods are slightly soiled, and will be sold REALLY CHEAP. W. RATTRAY, CLOTHIER AND OUTFITTER, T^-EW rfEALAND TTOUSE, Auckland. mo AGRICULTURISTS & OTHERS W. J. HURST 4* CO. have on sale the under mentiened Fertilizers, all of which have been proved to produce satisfactory results in this district. Experience teaches that large and profitable returns can be relied on by a judicious and liberal use of them. The flattering Testi monials from leading Farmers justify W. J. Hurst & Co. in strongly commending them to every Agriculturist:— MALDEN ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MEXICAN do- BEJLL-c joONE FLOUR JandJ-mch BONEIiUST BILL YARD'S No. 1 do. NITRATE OF SODA SULPHATE OF AMMONIA MURIATE OF POTASH SUPER-PHOSPHATE OF LIME. SALT, SULPHATE OF LIME. 'In addition to the above, W. J. H. & Co. are prepared to supply Rpecial Chemical Manures for stimulating weak Corn Crops, and renovat ing Clover-sick Pastures, as well as the Potato and Mangold mixture that last season attracted so much favourable notice. Analysis, prices, and other particulars will bo supplied on application at the Stores. W. J. HURST & CO., 181 QUBKN-STEEET, CLOVER SEED, FOR SPRING SOWING Just Landed, ex Columbus— 30 casks new Clovers, eousisting of • Red Clover White Clover Cow Gras Also on hand. Alsyhe, Timothy, Lucerne, Rape Rats-tail, Rye grass, Cocksfoot, &c, at lowest market rates. W. J. HURST & CO. 1101, QUEEN-STREET. 500 sacks Sydney Maize (superior sample) 8000 „ Oats First-class Tartars for Seed, also 800 sacks of 1875 crop hard feed, surpassing any of last season's growth 1200 sacks Canterbury Potatoes, and some early varieties for seed purposes Flour. Bran, Sharps, Chaff, Oilcake, Coal, &c, &c. Particular attention is called to 500 sacks Prime Barley at 4s per bushel o 501b. 5 tons Anderson's Fresh Oatmeal, a £21 per ton. W. J. HURST & C 0... 101, QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND. mO ARRIVE, Ex TRANSIT, @ OAMARU: 300 sacks BRAN 100 sacks FLOUR. T. H. HALL & CO., HIGH-STREET & VULCAN LANE. TWT E L S O N "CT O P S, Ex TARANAKI: 6 bales PRIME QUALITY HOPS. T. H. HALL & CO., HIGH-STREET & VULCAN LANE.



Rank Poison is scarcely more injurious than are the deleterious liquors winch the scamps who vend them represent to be the same or as good as Udotjpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aroma ric Schnapps. Bottles which formerly con tained this superb medicinal beverage are used by the impostors, and the genuine labels uni tated. We trust this caution will forearm the public and baffle the swindlers.