SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

mr , T WAT ™ (This Afternoon 2.35 tiiLTii k> AXiiin ! To-morrow Morning, 3.17 SUN PJ'CT.—This Evening. 5.0 SUN" R[BE.—To-morrow- Morning, ".10 MOONS AGE.—Full Moon, 25th. 6.55 p.m.

[A special charge, is made for consignees' names in this column. Two lines, Is.; if booked. 2s. Gd.]

The s.s. Argylc, for Cororaaiulel, will be detained until It) a.m. to-morrow, on account of The severity of the weather. The threatened gale from the "Eastward set In fairly this morning, and there was a general move amon- the small craft to obtain shelter to leeward of the new railway pier. The schooner Edith, which is now quite reads to sail for The Islands, hauled away from the railway pier yesterday evening;, and anchorea out in "the Stream. She is not likely to get away while the present weather lasts. The barque Cabarfeidh arrived at Newcastle yesterday, after a fair passage of: 1.5 days. She is to take a cargo of coals to Lyltelron, and then load with produce for Auckland. ™, i; ,,- nn The preliminary enquiry into t'l, o,™"l^," between t!b« 5.6. Southern Cross and the ke eh Adah was this mormusr at the Custom House, before ?!r Thomas Hill. Col lX of Customs, and was still unfinished entered out to-day for Ton|i and Samoa, and the CamiUe, bngantine. fOTlSi£ OCantero broke adrift from the new railway wharf this morning, and was with some. diSty prevented floating down against the Ql Then' Ss ißf ePre"tty r jane left Gisborne at noon yesterday' and is due in port; tMMWW. The reported wreck ot tho v\•Umot at Hokianga turned out, as we anticipated, all moonshine.

TELEGRAHHIC SHIPPING.

-.. --: ft " N Al'lKl', tins day. ?' The s S Rotorua arrived from Auckland at 9 o'clock iliisraoining. TAURANGA . this day The s.S. Rotorua arrived at 20 mm. to i yes erday aftsrnnon. ,

AUCKLAND CATTLE MARKET.

•\TFRED BL-CKL.VKD3 WEEKLY REPORT. \t Kcmuera on Thursday, July 19. there was a fnll SUOTIy Of Stock Of every kind. Few reserves we remade but bidding was slow throughout, ™dthe tendency of prices were to lower values. IXi-v cows were in less than usual number ; priSS rSd from fil lOsto SlO. Store cattlejm li yarded: _for choice quality §& to %OS ; was obtained, but medium quality rin-cd from 23a.t0 25s only. No store sheep yarded Fat wethers of good and medium ouaUfcr in full supply : 510 head sold: prices wwSreaWd the tb PiKS. unusually numerous : nrfces ranked low-fat pigs of good quality to the average. The demand for dai-y stock was not o ufte so^risk. Stores maintained late values, and fat beasts barely maintained the previous wroirtquotations, but the increased competition for top Ports was very marked. We quote: Dairy cows, from £8 to fill; Bto«eom | to -C 6 • two and three-year-old steers, £1 53 to £6os; calves. £1123 6d to £2 10s: yearlings, £2 las to «Jafa'each Sheep : Stores were but poorly re presented at Newmarket on Tuesday, but there was an adequate supply of fat wethers ; 2s per ™ w*at given for a few pens, but the majority SoW at a shade under. Best fat wethers sold from ISs to 21s : fat ewes. 13 to ISs : lambs, from Vs each Pis?s were in fair supply, and prices were sustained, particularly for good porkers.

CHIFE POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m.; and to morrow at 9.30 a.m. and 0.30 p.m. For Coromandel. per Argyle, to-morrow, at Q a.m.: and on Monday next, at 11.30 am. For Tairua, per Mana, to-morrow, at 8 a.m. For Waiwera. Mahurangi, Matakana, Manga wai Waipu, Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Annie Milbank. to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Norfolk Island, per Waiwcra, to-morrow, at

For Napier, per Southern Cross, to-morrow, at

For Tryphena, per Three Brothers, on Monday

Foifchatham Islands, via Lyttelton, per Hawca onMondaynext.atlOa.m. n _-« v ? ™v For Whitiansri. Tauranga, and OpotiKi, per Rowena, on Monday next, at Ip.m. For Russell. Wanptaroa, and Mongonui, per lona on Monday next, at i p.m. . For Wansrarei Heads, Waipu. Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Argyle, on Monday next, at For PTauranßa, Gisborne, Napier, and Southern Provinces, per Taupo, on Wednesday next, at For P Gisborne, per Pretty Jane on Tuesday

Peres. ts. aHiwea! on Monday, 23rd instant, as fOFoT!ndia, China, Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 10 n.m. , For Taranaki, Southern Provinces, Austra lian Colonies, and United Kingdom, via S uez and Southampton (for letters specially addres- SeFo^Unitt'd Kingdom via Brindisi. and late letter for Southern Provinces and Melbourne, atFor~ money orders, registered letters, and newspapero,'at 930 a.m. . t Per s.s. Zealandia, on Wednesday, Ist August, Islands, United. States of America. Canada. British Columbia. Central and South America, and British and Foreign W^st Indies, at noon. For United Kingdom, and Continent ot registered letters, and newspapers, at 10.30 a.m. Late letters, bearing an extra fes of 6d, in addition to the postage will be received by the mail agent on board the steamer up to the time of sailing. S. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

JK.FFR.E V.—On July l!)th, at Mount Street, the wife of Detective Jeffrey of a son.

DEATHS.

CROWE. —On the 20th July, a* her residence, Hobson-street, the beloved wife of Mr. Philip Crowe.

The funeral will leave her late residence on Sunday, 22nd instant, at 3 p.m. Friends are invited to attend.

WALKER.—On the 20th July, 1877, at his re sidence, Church of England Cemetery, Edward B. Walker, late Sexton of St. Matthew's Church, aged 05 years. The funeral will leave his late residence at 4.15 p.m. on Sunday, 22nd July. Friends and Members of Fountain of Friendship Lodge will please accept this invitation.

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

FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1877.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the -wrong that needs icsistance. For th; future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

ONE of those members who are "always wanting to know you know," ami who, ;it the opening of Parliament, diligently oast about for some subject on which a "re turn" or a question may be rested, has a chance of immortalising himself. There is a very general anxiety to know the name of the author of the Governor's speech. In justice to the "great unknown," whose genius may otherwise escape recognition, his literary fragrance wasting in the desert .air, we trust that one or other of the many admirers of the present administration, will take steps to hand the name of the composer of the speech down to posterity. Short ill compass, but of such exquisitely elegant diction;of few words, but so weightywith wit and information; was there ever such a speech? How paternally His Excellency dilates on " the progress made during the past year in the deveiopement of the resources of the colony, and the prosperous condition of its chief industries !:' With what sweet fond ness he recalls those happy days in the South Island, and the " independence which was evinced by the inhabitants, who, on all sides, expressed to 3iie their loyalty and affection, towards Her Majesty." What naughty men those Otago representatives were to' represent such peaceful subjects as in rebellion against the lawful mandates of their rulers at Wellington. The speech beams with acknowledgements of prevailing loyalty, from that of the " native people" to • those " members of this Assembly" who ac cepted three months' pay to wind up provin cialism. Three-fourths of the oration are ex hausted before His Excellency has finished telling the Honourable Legislative Councillors, and gentlemen of the House of Representatives, how happy he feels about it all. It is natural that an elderly gentleman so overcome with emotion, should have little heart to enter into dry details of business. But the Governor, feeling no doubt how anxiously the country awaited intelligence that Captain Camp bell-Walker had " concluded his labours and furnished an instructive and interesting report," subdued his feelings sufficiently to make known tiie joyful in telligence. Would that the gentle spirit of inspiration had allowed him to linger over this episode in the history of New Zealand. We long to know what Captain Campbell-Walker thought of us. Whether he liked his £SOO salary and travelling allowances, and whether he is fond of pork and beans. But for those details we must now wait patiently for thci " instructive and interesting report" of that distinguished orlicer. We would fain dwell longer amid the beauties of this elaborate effort, but time and space forbid. It Avill be the duty of Mr Beethani, who has undertaken the Address in Reply, and other members to expatiate more fully upon those parts which we have left un touched. His feelings in approaching the task are probably akin to those felicitous sensations usually experienced by a risiug young man in proposing his first toast to the ladies. And we shall follow him with quite a tender interest through the string of sentimental nothings, placing on record, how glad the General Assembly feels that the colony has developed its resources during the recess ; that His Excellency had a good time of it in the South ; that the "inhabi tants " of those regions harbour no malignant feeling towards Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, and that Captain Campbell-Walker has " furnished an instructive and interesting report."

Tifiv Russians have crossed the Balkans without lighting a single battle of conse quence. The line of the Danube was surrendered almost without a struggle; the advance through Bulgaria accomplished apparently without opposition ; and the next line of natural defence crossed with out firing a shot. What is the cause of this extraordinary supincness ? A careful review of the strength of the Turkish army North of the Balkans placed the efl'ectivo force, including garrisons, at 200,000 men : Forty-live battalions stationed at Widdin, 3d at Rustchuk, Go at Shumla, 2S at Varna and 36 at Silistria ; the remaining bat talions divided between Nilcopolis, Sis tova, Turtukai, Dobrudsclia, and various other places of move or loss importance in Danubian Bulgaria. Every battalion oji

an average may be assumed to contain 750 men. It cannot be the intention of Abdul Kerim Pasha to lock these troops up in the Bauubian fortresses, and his known want of energy and incapacity would scarcely account for the want of even an appearance of resistance if the Balkans had becu chosen as the main line of j defence. It may be assumed that he either relies upon drawing the enemy away from hi* oonimuniciitionsand fall ing ftpOnlits rear; or his forces have been too t!civl)terc'& to concentrate at any point in time'to'■success fully enjage the invaders. The passage of the Balkans has evidently been made by the Kasanlik pass, from Tirnova. The corps -which has swept round to the rear of llustehuck, cutting off its communication with the coast, is advancing towards the Kasan pass, and Selimno dciile, both much better roads than the one followed by the advance guard. The distance from Rustchuk via Rasgrad to Kasan Pass is i) 0 miles ; to Selimuo defile, SO miles ; to Kasanlik Pass via Tirnova, GO miles. Very much of the future course of the campaign will depend on the strength of the Russian army. If suiiicioiit troops can be diverted to mask or besiege the fortresses of the quadrilateral and press on with an eii'cctive army towards Constantinople, the campaign may be short beyond expectation. We anti cipate, however, that no long time will elapse before severe engagements occur in the vicinity of Shuuila, Rustchuk, and Silistria. It may be as well to mention, that a misprint on the descriptive addenda to the STAR map is calculated to mislead those who are following the war by its aid. Valcan Pass, in the Eastern Car pathians, North of the Danube, is mis printed Balkan ?ass. The Balkans are, of course, the range south of the Danube, and the pass by which the Russian van has crossed into Roumelia will be seen by re ferring to the line marked from Tirnova to Kesanlyk.

" Reminiscences of London"ia the subject of Mr Larkiiis' lecture at the Young Men's Christian Association this evening. Mr Cooper, and his choir of singers, met for practice last evening, and went over a number of pieces to be presented to-night. The members of the Orpheus Glee Club have kindly tendered their assistance, and will sing a couple of favorite glees. Mr J. L. Wilson will take the chair on this occasion.

The annual meeting of the ratepayers of the Arch Hill Highway District is to be held this evening at the Newton Hall, com mencing at half-past seven.

A Working Men's Club has been formed in Wellington. After a considerable amount of argument, pro and con, it was at length agreed that the club should be es tablished upon such a basis as to preclude the introduction of ardent spirits to the members ; and the gentlemen present, to the number of thirty-live, agreed to become members.

A curisoity appears in the shop window of Mr Allen, tobacconist, of Queen-street, consisting of a Samoan woman's hair, ingeniously platted, and over seven yards in length. Mr Allen luis recently received this with other curiosites from the Savage Islands, but the story of the woman's hair, and how it was procured, is about as good as one of Cooper's novels.

Mr H. A. Severn will deliver his inter esting lecture upon "Spectrum Analysis," with diagrams this evening, in the district hall of Otahuhu.

An Eden Terrace ratepayer writes : "Sir, —I see the "Herald" has got, by some means a resolution moved l>v a

member of the Highway Board, re em ploying engineers &c, to drain the pond. The motion was declared by the chairman of the public meeting lost, and quite right. What right have purchasers of cheap allotments in the pond (it is all private property) to come to others that have dear allotments on high ground, and ask them to pay for draining and clearing these allotments ? I now warn the trustees to not lay out one penny of the ratepayers' money for any purpose illegally. The Board are a Board of Health, to compel owners of private property to abate any nuisance that may exist on their property at the owners' expense ; not otherwise. If the Board attempt to improve private property with the ratepayers' money, they may be compelled to refund it out of their private funds.—join's, &c, IIATKI'AYEK."

Lord Palinerstou, in opposing the levying of a tax, said " Englishmen are like elephants ; you may put a very heavy load upon them, but all at once they will shake it off." And even so is Mr Waller acting at the present time. The General Government have imposed upon him and other timber merchants bringing shingles and timber from the local mills to the Onehunga wharf, a landing tax of 2s Gd per thousand on shingles, and of Gd per lOOt't on timber. Firewood is taxed 2,-i per ton. These monstrous charges arc exciting the indignation of the community. The Provincial Government tariff was similar, to the present one, with the im portant difference that all local commodi ties were allowed to be landed free of charge. Whereas now, the latter has to bear the same charges as foreign importa tions. But the English blood in Mr Waller's veins will not allow him to stand such injustice ; like the mighty elephant he i> shaking off the too heavy load. He has refused to pay the charges, and has left his case in the hands of Messrs Hesketh and Richmond. •

From Wellington we hear that the Go vernment has selected Mr Shearman (late Commissioner of the Canterbury Force, and now Travelling Superintendent of Police) to enquire into and report upon the present state of every gaol in the Colony as regards accommodation and "the system of discipline adopted. His Honor Mr Justice Johnston, some few sessions ago, at, if we remember rightly, Tirnaru, said of the gaols of Nol** Zealand, that the majority of them were "mansions of ease." It will now be for Mr Shearman to judge, in each particular case, how far this statement of His Honor's holds good. Mr Shearman has the reputa tion of being a most excellent Police ollicer, having attained his present position solely by unusual application to duty and natural fitness. He has, however, had absolutely no experience of prison duty, never having held an appointment in any gaol.'—■" Otago Times."

The Star Hotel, under the proprietorship of Mr Davidson, is rapidly gaining the reputation of being the most commodious, most comfortable, and best provided hotel in Auckland. Its position close to the sea point and wharves gives it certain advan tages, and when added to this great convenkjuGe, commercial and other travellers find tneir wants studiously attended to, and the table liberally supplied with the choisest provisions, they are not slow to express their gratification, and prove it by repeating their visit, and by recommending the house to their friends. The commo diousness of the hotel has been increased considerably by the addition of the new wing on the south side of the building. This enables the proprietor to provide eighteen now bedrooms, making the accom modation in this necessary department, second to t'lMit of no other house in town. All the new rooms are comfortably and substantial'y furnished, and the upholster ing alone must represent a very consider able outlay, which it will take some time to recoupe. A very important feature of the establishment, arc the hot and cold water baths. Theseareofa very superior description and are constructed on the most approved principles. We regret to say that in very many Auckland hotels, cleanliness is deemed of secondary consideration, and the lavator ial arrangements are on a much too limited scale. It is refreshing to find that at the Star Hotel the proper importance is at tached to them, and we feel confident that the public will not be behindhand in show ing their appreciation of the fact. Mr Dav idson's house, as at present carried on, is one in which the most fastidious may feel himself thoroughly at home.

Air Perkins, of the Occidental Hotel, writes :—Sir,— In your issue of Wednesday Mr Pardy, of the Police Force, is reported as haviug stated that I had treated the. Court with contempt by not appearing to give evidence: against a man or men that committed a petty larceny at the back of my promises ; and in yesterday's "Herald" it is said lie told the Court it was an old trick of mine giving mon in charge and not appearing against them. Either of these statements is a gross falsehood. The facts of the case are these : I was informed by my servant that somebody had taken some towels oil" my line. I went down to Quceu stoeet and saY one of three men that were prowling around my house, having a towel belonging to me. 1 took it from him. In the meantime, a policeman saw a hat ill their possession belonging to Mr Pearse, and took the men in charge. I never gave the men in charge, and I consider it Mr Pardy's duty, if he wanted me as a witness, to send and let me know when I was wanted. When Mr Grace came and told me I was wanted, I went and gave my evidence. A few months ago, in the absence of Mr Broham, I called Mr Pardy to inform me what I should do about opening two bars. He informed me to close up my old bar door, the other would be called a private one. As soon as I opened, I was summoned for having two bars upon my premises, after opening with Mr Pardy's permission, then in charge of the police department. This and Wednesday's expressions in Court shows animus, ■which looks bad, coming from a man paid by the public to do good instead of injury.—Yours, &c, EDWARD Perkins.

The manager of the Old men and Worn ens Refuge thanks Mr Domwell for ISlbs of sausages sent for the old people. Also, a friend for a paroel of papers.

The annual meeting of the Newmarket Highway Board will be hold this evening in the Public Hall. There appesrs a likely hood of a, lively contest for the oilice of Trustee.

The Treasurer of the Homo for Neglected and Destitute Children, acknowledge s with thanks the following donations : —Thomas Russell, Esq., £20 ; J. McCosh Clark, Esq., £20 ; Park Road Mutual Investment Asso ciation, per E. Wayto, Esq., £G 10s.

Professor Hennike repeated his entertain ment of magic and mystery last evening in the Albert Hall. Darby-Btrcet, in the pi'esence of a goodly assemblage of persons. The performances, especially the Arabian Box feat and suspended lady, are .really wo 11 worth seeing, and deserving of public recognition. The Legerdemain tricks are also clever. The entertainmet is greatly ■enhanced by the music of the Hibernian Hand, under the direction of Mr J. P. Lon ergsan, and what i.s more to the credit of the band, their services are gratuitous.

'•' Another commotion in the Toi Tois !" So writes out correspondent of the " Otago Daily Times." On a former occasion he declared how a da-shing young man did the gay Lochiuvar business, the little drama winding up with the reconciliation of the parents of the lady concerned, and a wedding. This time the elopement is one of a more serious kind, and is chronicled by oar correspondent as follows:—The elopement of a married woman with a young man late of Duuedin, took place on Tuesday night. Not a word is known of their whereabouts at present. The exasperated husband, oblivious of the advice given by the old ballad—" When a lady elopes down a ladder of ropes," to consign her to Hong Kong, intends taking out a warrant for the apprehension of the guilty abscondress.

" Autolycus," a contributor to the " Nelson Times," thus discourses : During the recent rough weather the Melbourne steamers have been unable to call at the West Coast. The fact recalls to my mind a circumstance that professes to illustrate the dangers and inconveniences that attend travelling in New Zealand. About five years ago two men stood on the wharf at Greymouth, anxious to reach Hokitika. The Dispatch was steaming up preparatory to tendering the Melbourne boat. " Let us go by sea," said one of the friends, " and we shall be in Hokitika by dinner: time." " 1 don't like the bars," replied his companion, " I will go by land." They parted without further conversation. One, on account of the steamer not being tendered at Hokitika, arrived at his destination via Melbourne, lilull', Dunodin, Lyttelton, and Nelson, 22 days after stiwtiug; the other was drowned crossing the Teremakau —a river situate about midway .between the towns named,

A liquid, or genuine malt and hop case, caused some interest in the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, in which Mr John Adams, an hotel keeper, claimed of Robert Kemp, a young man lodger, (he sum of £9 l()s lid for an almost unlimited number of drinks. Mr George appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Brock for defendant. Mr Kemp was represented as a young man of liberal disposition, but who was not addicted to drinking himself, beyond the moderation line, but who had an extraor dinary number of friends, who never failed to take a " drink" at Mr Kemp'* expense. These continued drinks "were invariably "scored up," until the number of 3SO stared Mr Kemp in the face. He did not deny ;i score, but considered that it might honestly be curtailed. The plaintiff said the score was correct, but after some little deduction his Worship gave judgment for plaintiff for £7 3s4d.

Mr John Buchanan lias kindly placed at our disposal the following cablegram : — "The Sydney Sugar Company lias reduced No. 1 prices to 345."

The London " Times" by printing on a slightly inferior kind of paper saves £11,0011 a year. This is owing to its immense circu lation.—The Surrey Gardens, London, have been sold to a firm of builders, who intend to erect brick houses thereon.—A Russian paper states that there arc yet two million serfs in that country.—Princess Mary of Hanover, has refused the hand of Prince Arthur of England, her cousin. She took eight months to make up her mind.—The Mormons in Utah are arming and drilling, the Gentiles living in their midst, are much alarmed thereat. —JMuce Leopold of Eng land, will shortly publish a volume of origi nal poems.

We have received strong complaints respecting the careless manner in -which the lamps on the Onelmnga wharf arc lighted, and the dirtiness of the glasses. which is said to render the light invisible down the harbour.

Mr Thomas Barr, of Newmarket, is well known as one of the oldest hands connected with the meat trade. Since rolinquishin" business in Queen-street, he has made the tour of the Australian colonies, and lias visited Great Britain and Ireland, experi encing the proverbial fact that old Auck land identities seldom rest content until their return to our genial clime. Mr Ban has made great improvements to his New market property, in one of which buildinfs he conducts his business. The latest addi tion is that of facilities for ham and bacon curing, as announced in our advertising columns. Farmers, settlers, and others can have their pigs converted into Newmar ket hams and bacon, of surpassing quality. while portions of pig are likewise" manipu lated for private families.

A meeting of football players is called for this evening at half-past seven at the Thames hotel to discuss the coming visit of a Dunedin Team, and make arrangements for their reception and for the selection of a team to play them.

The Theatre Royal will be re-opened to-morrow evening for a limited number of nights, under the direction of Mr Harry Power. The bill of to-morrow will include the popular comedy of " Checkmate," in which Mr Power successfully appeared for a considerable number of nights at the leading theatres of Australia. The caste has twelve characters. This comedy will be followed by the burlesque of " Aladin," or the wonderful scamp, which, if report be true, is very amusing, and based upon the comic side of life in the celestial city of Pekin.

The survey of Palestine is once more be ing actively carried on by a surveying party under the orders of Lieutenant Kitchener, who reports that the country is perfectly quiet and the people friendly. If this present tranquility—which seems to be partly due to many of the men having been drafted off to the seats of war—continues, Lieutenant Kitchener hopes t > be able to finish oft' the survey of Northern Palestine before the end of the summer. Little will then remain to be clone, and the greatest work ever undertaken in the cause of Biblical research will be practically finished, Lieutenant Cornier has prepared an interest ing paper on the " Mukams," or sacred places of Palestine. Lieut. Conder has visited some 300 of these, and he adducs evidence to showjthat they are a perpetua tion of the "high places" of which such frequent mention is made in the Old Testa ment. The Fellaheen of Palestine, whose descent from the Amorites and other Caananitish races is now very generally believed in, seem to be as much given to superstition as their ancestors, and attach a peculiar sanctity to the "Mukams," con sidering an oath by the sheikh or tutelary saint of one of these places to bo more sacred and binding than au oath by Allah.

The old, old story, but it is a very pleas ant old story when you can get the best joint of mutton at 2d and 3d per lb. ; roasts of beef, -id and 5d ; boiling beef, 2d and 3d ; sucking pigs, saddles and haunches of niuttsn ready dressed for table, 4d per lb. ; pork sausages, Gd ; beef do., 4d ; pork pies (real Witling's), 4d each. Orders received, and meat delivered everywhere—reduction all day.—GEORGE llui/he, Steam Sausage Factor, Queen-street. — [Advt.]

PARLIAMENTARY.

[FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.]

AUCKLAND PETIT [ONS

WELLINGTON, this day,

Mr Swanson presented a petition from James Boswell, praying for compensation for loss of oilice.

The petition of Mr Henry T. Syms prayed for a grant of land for military services rendered to the colony.

GOVERNMENT BILLS.

Major Atkinson introduced, without leave, a Bill to amend the law relating to

crossed cheques

Mr Whitaker notified the Native Lands Court Bill.

Mr Donald Reid gave notice of a Bill to amend the Goldlields' Act, also to amend the law relating to charitable institutions. Mr Bectham jjave notice of moving the Address in Reply. Mr Read gave notice of a Bill to amend the Scab Act, also relating to the impound ing of cattle.

OFFICIAL REPORTS ON THE STATE

OF THE MAORIS,

The reports from Officers of Native Dis tricts have been laid before Parliament. Mr Commissioner Kemp reports, for Auckland, tranquility, and a general desire to submit to the laws. There is a diminution of crimes, and debt cases are more numerous. No improvement is observable in the social condition of thu Maoris. The health of natives in the vicinity of Auckland is good, the mortality not being so great as in the preceding year. The establishment of native schools, where English is taught, has produced good effects. The natives show an increasing desire to obtain English edu cation for their children. Trade in land shows that many avaricious persons are anxious to throw off the allegiance to the tribe, and deprive the weaker members of their inheritance. As to the locality of natives, he thinks that employment by the Crown of many influential chiefs, will con tinue to fill the void they must feel, but recompense should be paid in proportion to zeal and activity.

GOVERNMENT LANDS UNDER

DEPASTURING LEASES.

A return of lands held under depasturing leases, presented to the House, shews the total to be 14,266,202 acres ; the total rents and assessments, £115,318 Ss Id; the mineral leases, except goldmining, 597,776 acres ; rents paid, .C 0,1414 7s Id ; royalties, £149 18s 3d. Depasturing leases : Auckland, 103,640 acres ; rents and assessments, £IG2 10s. Hawkes' Bay, 121,7(>~> acres, £325 12.s 7d ; mineral, 3<J,060 acres, £142 ; Nelson, 643,401 acres, £4,556 IDs lid; Marlborough, 1,065,f>78 acres, £4,355 3*> lid ; mineral, 1,103 acres. Canterbury, 4,676,400 acres, £47,576; mineral, 927 acres ; Westland, 452,570 acres, £1,065 ; mineral, 3,380 acres. Otago, 6,472,718 acres, £59,734; mineral, 5,135 acres. Southland, 726.520 acres, £6,181.

ROW IN THE GALLERY

There was a row in tfte reporters' gallery of the House to-day between the Star special and the editor of the 4i Argus." The Star Special Reporter had, two days ago, examined the reporters' gallery, and ticketed a front seat in the gallery, leaving live other seats on the right hand for the " New Zealand Times," " Post," Press Agency, and " Argus." To-day a man named Gillon 'wanted two seats in front for the little " Argus" rag, and attempted to bounce the Star representa tive into talcing ;i back seat. He was very impertinent, and amongst other things said " The Auckland people think the STAE everything; avo will shew you we dd not think much of it here." The- S'rWR reporter said lie would only leave on the order of the oilicor of the House, as he had the per mission of the sergeant-at-arms to occupy the seat. If any other person attempted to eject him there would be a light. Gillon theatricalised and bullied, but the STAR reporter held his scat, and after the House adjourned waited on the Speaker, who re quested Mm to write officially 1 on the sub ject. If the Star reporter is oblige! to occupy a back seat of the gallery he will be unable to see and hear, and many thousands of readers will be inconvenienced.

THE TONIC SOL-FA CLASS.

Mr Blomfield opened his new session of Tonic Sol-fa singing last night in the leotureha.il ot: the Christian Young Mens' Association, with an introductory lecture on thfe '• Science* of music, and the structure oi" the musical scale " illustrated with diagrams, and interspersed with exercises by the advanced choir and the audience. Mr Thomas Buddie occupied the char, and introduced the lecturer, remarking upon Mr Blomficld'a continued labours in im parting a love of singing among the people Previous to the commencement of the discours* the choir sang the "Merry, merry mill wheel," and Little Beauty," both of which were given in gcod style, and won applause in favoiw of th» system. Mr Blomfleld's lecture had evidently been prepared with great care, and as a piece of composition it was highly creditable to the writer. The subject was divided into separate parts : (I) the music of nature, (2) the f-cience of music, (3) voice, ear. and time, (1) musical nota tions, The diagrams were drawn with artistic skul, and two of them represented the seven notes of music, and the seven colours of light the lectu'-er shewing the striking and perfect analogy between them in harmony with the laws of nature. This was one of the most in terestmer parts of the lecture, and attracted much attention from the listeners. He shewed further that sweet sounds aro produced by mKularJvibratioas in the air, and thought that the corresponding harmony between light and sound had not yet received duo consideration. The subject throughout was treated in a popu lar manner, technicalities being avoided where possible, and towards the close the story of the origin of the Tonic Sol-fa system was given from Mr Curwen's sketch of it. The new class will meat on Thursday next at the YounaMen's Christian Association. We noticed that a con siderable number of members wore enrolled for the ensuing course of lessons, "We noticed that the lecture room has been tastily decorated with eight ornamented scripture "texts by Mr Blorafield, which give to the room a pretty appearance.

The Hoi;. Robert Campbell, "one of the wealthiest gentlemen in New Zealand, and owner of half a million of sheep," has ac cepted £150a year, for his services as chair man of the Waitaki County Council.

CABLEGRAMS.

THE SUEZ MAIL.

British "War Ships Engaged off Peru.

Russian Atrocities at Ardahan.

SYDNEY—THIS D'YY,

The Suez mail arrived at Adelaide at midnight. Brings dates London June Sth. No New Zealand passengers.

An engagement occurred off the Peruvian coast, between the British war-ships Shah and Amethyst and the Hui, sea-turret ram. The latter escaped after dark, but was so damaged as to bo forced to surrender to the Peruvian squadron. Her crew had joined the revo lutionary President, and committed pirat ical acts on British subjects.

A German surgeon, from Ardahan reports that after capturing the fortress, the Rus sians plundered every house, violated every woman, and set fire to the hospital, burning the wounded Turkish soldiers alive.

THE TURKS PREPARE TO ATTACK THE RUSSIANS IN ASIA.

EIGHTEEN BATTALIONS CROSS THE

BALKANS,

SINGAPORE, July 19, 4. 36 p.m. The Russians have raised the siege of Kars. Mukhiar Pasha and the governor of Kars are preparing to attack General Melikofrs army.

Russian reinforcement- are proceeding by forced marches to Armenia. A Turkish frigate has bombarded Someropol.

Eighteen battalions of Russians have crossed the Balkans and arrived unop posed at Unisiphra. The Russians have arrived at Rasgrad, cutting the railway line between Varna and Rustchuk.

Rasgrad, is a town of Turkey in Europe, Bulgaria, on the Ak-Loar, and the road from Shumla to Rustchuk. and on the line of railroad from Varna to Rustchuk. It is 215 miles N.W. Constantinople. It lies in an elevated position above 'a ravine which forms its chief defence, and is surrounded by a palisaded dry ditch. Excellent grapes arc cultivated in the vicinity. Population, 30,000.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before E. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.) .MIKE AND JENNY. Poor Mike was found quite drunk in Wakefield-

streer. Quite unsupported by his legs and feet, And Jane, unkempt appeared upon the scene, A sober lassie once in Abedeen,

Michael Fagan, and Jane Rolfe, alias Reid, were charged with being drunk last evening. Michael was fined ss, and \Jane 10s, and costs.

LARCENY. Eliza Rice had varied her pursuits. And stole a waistcoat and a pair of boots,

Eliza ilice, wife of Patna Rice, was charged with stealing a vest and pair of boots, value 14s, the property of Andrew Heavy, of Wynclham-street, on the 13th inst.

Prisoner said she was guilty, hut was not in her right senses. This was her first offence as a thief. She was drunk, or she should not have done it. His Worship said that according to the list, this appeared to be her thirty-first offence, but as this was apparently her first offence for larceny, he would make the puuishiucut light. One month's imprison ment. Prisoner: I'm much obliged to your Worship, but I hope I shall recover my fancy hat, which Mr Heavy took oil' my head. UNDER THE VAGRANT ACT. In tattered raiment trembled Mary Steele, And to his Worship made a brief appeal.

Mary Steele, a wretched-looking woman, was brought up under the Vagrant Act, with being a rogue and vagrant, and with having no visible lawful means of a liveli hood. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and at the same time made a Viet appeal for leniency, but being an old offender was ordered to prison for one mouth.

AN OLD SOLDIKi:. He said a faithful soldi«r he had been. And long had fought for England and the Queen.

Thomas Caller, was again brought up under the Vagrant Act with having no visible, lawful means of employment.

Prisoner wished to make a statement, and said his was a very hard case ; lie was an old soldier of the 90th Light Infantry, and fought for 10 years in India, Africa aiid New Zealand ; he was all through the Kaffir war, and if the Court, had time to listeu to him, he could tell of hair-breadth escapes, and feats of daring that would scarcely gain credence among folks who had no experience of the glories of war,— Of all the wild and mad delight Connected with a grand old. tight.

audit was very hard that an old soldier of G-i years, should be thrown upon the streets of Auckland to starve.

Sub-Inspector Pai'dy said that the old man need not starve, he was continually going about, or sending the woman Steele, to respectable people's houses, with beg ging letters, written in poetic terms, with quotations from Scott and other writers. The old man had formed many friends and had rations from Mr Graham. He also earned at times a good bit of .money, but whenever he got money he went to the public house and got drunk. He would then cut all sorts' of capers, go through his exercise, and " shoulder his stick to show how iields were won." He had told a similar tale before at the Court, and had escaped without punish ment. Efforts had been made to restrain him, but they had proved fruitless. Sentenced to three months imprison ment.

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Waitematu County Council was held this moniiug. Present; Mr O. May (chairman), Messrs Gibbons, Dilworth, Otway, McKay COREESPONDEKCE. T.ac Chairman said he was soray to say that the letters since the last meeting had accumulated to an alarming extent. The letters were then read. From the Hon. F. Whitaker, informing Council that the sum of £500 was avail able for expenditure in improving the Great North Road, and that the surveyor engaged in the road had instructions to place himself in communications with the Council. From the Colonial Secretary's Oliiee, an nouncing appointment of Benjamin McLean as auditor of accounts for the County of Waiteniata. From Benjaman McLean, auditor, re questing that accounts and vouchers for financial period ending 31st March be sen* to him. (The Chairman said there were none to send).

From the Colonial Treasurer asking for a return showing the indebtedness "and assets of the County on the 30th June 1577. (fho Chairman said he had replied that the balance to the credit was £587 18u b'd, and that there were 110 liabilities. ft From Edward L. Green, General Govern ment Agent, in answer to a request from the Council that an extra grant might be made to the Council out'of the vote for roads North of Auckland. Mr Green's reply was to the effect that all the money was appropriated in proportion to the

magnitude of the •works on the Great North Koad in each county through which it passes. From Edward L. Green, General Govern ment Agent, stating he was instructed to inform the County that there were no funds available for steam services to the Wade. From Mr Bluchcr, C.E., applying to do engineering work for the Council.

(ilr Blucher had been informed that JJ r AHwright was engineer for the whole county.) From the Under Secretary for Pul)li<j. ■Works, asking for an account of all expen diture by the County Council under the Public Works Act, ±S7C>.

(Replied to, that no expenditure Tinder the Act had been made.)

From the Colonial Secretary's Office en closing Government " Gazette " containing pvpelamation by His Excelleny the Go* vernor, altering the boundaries of the Waitemata and Rodney Counties as re quested by the Council.

From the Colonial Secretary's Office en closing memorial addressed to His 'Ex cellency by the Chairman of the Council of the County of Rodney on the subject of the Kaukapakapa Nolth Road District bein« severed from Rodney.

From the Chief Surveyor, stating that the map of the County of Waitemata was ready for delivery. From the Colonial Secretary, informing the Council that pounds were to be es* tablished, and pound-keepers appointed, and scales of fees to be Jixed by the County Council.

(The Chairman said the difficulty was there was no revocation of the original appointment by the Highway Boards.) Telegram fromjthe cashier to Treasury wiring that the Bank of New Zealand had been instructed to pay to the Union Bank for the Council the sum-of £161 15s Id.

From the Secretary to the Treasury ■\vitli duplicate voucher for the above.

From R.M. clerk at Helcnsville, askin« to be supplied with forms of licensing certificates, and forms of application for licenses.

From Councillor Lloyd, stating hk inability to attend meeting. From Mr Allrjght, C.E., certifying to completion of work by Mr M. Phillips. ° From Dr Pollen, asking for suggestions as to improvements in the Counties Act.

From Messrs Scott and Bond, asking for extension of time in their contract at Dairy Flat. >y

From Mr E. Fairburn in reference to roadworks at Dairy Flat.

From Mr Thomas Seaman in reference to the bad state of the cutting landing to the Stokes Point whart.

THE PORTAGE ROAD.

A remarkable letter was read from Joseph Wilkins, relative to the neglect of the Portage Road between Blake's Hill and- Helensvilli. The writer indulged in very strong language, and spoke of the "frac tiousness of Jno. Lamb," and the "dis honesty" of another person, which had pre vented rates being collected on the road for four years. He said he had heard that Jno. Lamb had made arrangements for having a road made through his own pro perty, and for giving himself £25 in compen sation. He speculated in another part whether " the McLeods have as much com mon sense as cunning, for if they have they. will get their own Board appointed, and cany a rate against Jno. Lamb and the rest us."

The Chairman said he had answered the letter that the County had no funds for the purpose referred to.

LICENSE COX Ml: SI RSBS, EXPENSES. Mr J. (t. Symonds, ±t. M., wrote asking that the expenses of the Kaipara Licensing Commissioners might be paid out of the County Funds accuriug from the license • fees.

Mr Mays read the list of fees received -from the licensed houses in the County. 'This showed that out of £187 received allto gethcr, over £100 came from the North Shore.

Mr McKay proposed that the appli cation be not entertained.

Mr Dilworth seconded this, and it was carried.

ROAD TO THE WADE,

An application was read from Mr Tlics. Seaman asking that a portion of the County funds might be expended in the neighbour hood of the Wairau creek in making the road to the Wade. The letter drew a melancholy picture of the difficulties under which the settlers at present laboured. Mr Mays said in reference to thin he would move the motion standing in his name, " That a sum of £100 be granted to the JDevonport Highway Board and the Lake Highway Hoard for the purpose of opening up the road by the Okura River, on condition that each Board contributes £50 for the same purpose, the money to be spent under the supervision of the engineer to the Council." Mr Mays said £500 oi their income came from the Norfra Shore, and he was simply asking that one fifth should be given back. The road was urgently wanted, and could not be under taken by either of the Highway Boards. Mr McKay seconded 'the 'motion, Mr pilworth strongly opposed it. The North Shore had already had £".00 of Government money .■pent on it. Mr Mays said that had nothing to do ■with the Council.

Mr Otway was willing to support the motion on condition that a similar sum was spent on the Great North Road.

The motion was ultimately carried. PROPOSKD N.EAYROAD.

The Chairman was requested to ascer tain by next meeting the amount of com pensation the settlers will require for tak ing a road through from Dairy Flat by Welch's toEiverhead, according to the plan furnished by Mr Fairburn.

HENDEIiSOS'S AND WHAT; BRIDGES.

The report of the Mr Mahoney, engineer, who had been sent to survey this Bridge, was read. This states that the repairs would cost £100.

Mr Dilworth moved that the approaches to Henderson's bridge, Great North Road be repaired, and that the Council take into consideration the state of the Great North Road from the "Whau Bridge to Swausons's Creek.

This motion was considered in conjunc tion with another of which Mr Otway tt^ given notice, namely, " That the Chairman be requested to confer with the Chairman of the Eden County Council, in order to get' the Whau bridge thoroughly repaired." It was resolved after full'discussion tba| £175 be spent on the works alluded to in; these motions.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS.

On the motion of Mr Otway. a stun ot £20 was voted for the improvement of the road from the Waterfall Bridge to Porters Bush. £5 was voted to repair the Black ■Bridge on the road from the Wade to Kiverhea-1, and £25 to open the road from Raukapakapa to the railway terminus at HelensviUe.

PAYMENT OF MEMBERS. f A motion for the payment of members 01 the Council one guniea for each meeting attended wets brought 011 and discussed- On being put to the meeting three voted for it, and four against it. It was therefor lost, Messrs J. Lamb and Sinclair arrive* towards the close of the business.

HIGHWAY BOARD MEETING.

REMUERA

The annual meeting of the Rcmnera District I ratepayers was held in the rtlount Hobsou i school room last night. Mi- Joseph Banks was I voted to the chair. The Chairman called on ■ the secretary to read the balance sheet for toe ■ past year as follows:—Receipts: Balaac" '" 1 hand, July. 187(5, £17 Os id : general rates, £w7i» ■ 3d ; subscriptions by ratepayers and others *» g ordinary or special works,* £229 10s; subsidies I from Government Ro&rd Board eranTs. £319 %»' I lOd ; sham of County fund. £234 16s 4d; misce '; i laneous, ~d Is 3d; total, £1217 7s. Expenditure- ■ New roads, survey and construction. £330 *f< I repairs and improvements, .-C702 Os Sd; :°°£ I materials, and implement". .+!V<l3s: collection o' 51 rates, £21 17s; salaries, £'27 2s; printing 3«" i advertisißß, £13Ms Od ; miscellaneous, &>s Xl I OcT: total. £1217 7s. The Secretary also gave»« 1 items of expenditure. The balance sheet v.«; I adopted. A discussion took r>»ne« "" therf'"I. I expenditure, in which Key. Mr Wie vel', m I

THE EVENING- STAB,, FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1877,



mHORNTON. SMITH. AND FIRTH'S JL PRICES CURRENT (Wholesale). Subject to alteration without notice. Sacks. 100's. 50's. Crp°eT?or nd Fl°Ur' iOO »10 S"o TfS Canterbm: y 10 0 0 19 10 0 20 0 0 Meal for Pig-feed ..990 Sharps 8 0 0 Bran 6 0 0 Fowl Wheat .. .. 0 4 oto is. 6a. The above prices include sacks and bags; sacks and bags not returnable. Terms: Cash. Auckland, 20th July. 1877. -pjj- O T I C E. J. W. PEARSE GIVING UP BUSINESS 63^ POSITIVE CLEARING-OUT. "^Sa In order to effect a Speedy Sale, the Whole Stock of DRAPERY, AWD MEN'S AND BOY'S CLOTHING Will be Sold at a G-beat Sacrifice. the sale is now on. Coexer of Queen-street and Vulcan Lame. FOR GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY IN "Winter draperx ov Every DESCRIPTION, FLANNELS, WINCEYS, FRENCH MERINOS, WOOL PLAIDS, SHIRTINGS, WATERPROOF TWEEDS, CHILDREN'S & LADIES' AVATERPROOF CLOAKS, &c, &C, &C, GO TO THE JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE. BLANKETS AND RUGS OF ALL KINDS. An Unequalled Stock of Blankets, and Rare Value, having been exceptionally well bought, we can ailbrd to sell at consi derably less than usual prick. FURNISHING GOODS. General Drapery of all kinds, and a Larjre and Well-as3orted Stock of Boys' and Men's Clothing, Macintosh Coa.ts, Overcoats, Shirts, Gentlemen's Mercery. &c, Always on Hand. Is. in the £ allowed on all Cash Purchases of 20s. and upwards. rushbrook & bridgman, Junction Drapery Warehouse, UPPKR QUHKN-3TREET, AUCKLAND. I



JMPORTANT NOTICE. Having introduced STB AM PO WEE into the 'Manufacture of FURNITURE, ice are now enabled to Supply our Cus tomers at greatly reduced prices. T. & 11. COGKE-, CABINETMAKERS, UPHOLSTERERS, g^- S H O W JR O O M S: 67> QUEEN.STREE7': &7> STEAM CABINET FACTORY: VICTORIA-STREET. STOCK-TAKING "OAKGAINS ! ! W. RATTRAY Is Preparing for STOCK-TAKING, so he offers a lot of CHOICE DRESS MATERIALS At Cost Price. Remnants o£ Dress Materials at and under Cost Price. The Balance of the STOCK of LA.DIE&' COSTUMES, JACKETS, and FURS, At Cost Pkice. W. RATTRAY, DRAPER AND CLO TH I ER, New Zealand House, GG, QUEENf-STREET, AnoKT,ANn. A flood of liquid rubbish has been placed upon the market, put up in UDOLPHO WOLFE'S ScitlE dam Aromatic Schnapps bottles, the genuine contents of which have been used. Spurious labels are also often used by the scamps who seek to persuade the public that the hurtful liquors thus disguised are the same or similar to the true and peerless medicinal cordial. Ask for the genuine and insist tipon having it. Relief from Cough in Tex Minutes.— Sharland's Cherry Pectoral, a specific tor Colds, Coughs, Asthma, Consumption, Bronchitis, Lung Diseases, &c. It acts like magic. Price, 2s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. a bottle. Sharland's Instant Cure for Toothache; Is. a bottle. Sharland's. opposite Post-ofiice. Auckland.