SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

rti mi u'Awn ' ™3 'Afternoon, 6 13 fiICH j To-morrow Morning, 7.0 SUN-SET.-This Evening. 5.20 SUN RlSE.—Tomorrow Morning, C.3G MOON'S AGE.--Fall Moon, 2itii, 10.50 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

fSr.ergy, schooner, Savory, from longa and Samoa. Taupo. s.s.. Carey, from the Bay of Islands. Staar. barque. Davi.es, from Newcastle. Stella, Government s.s., Fairchild, from Cape i<a*SSMaria Van. Dieman, (in the Manukau).

DEPARTURES.

Fanny Nelly, ketch. McKennon, for Wangaroa.

IMPORTS.

Per Energy [com Tonga and Samoa: 50 tons copra. I bale cottons, 12 cases brandy, 3 sacks f umrn.s, t sack coffee, 12 spades, 1 case bottles.— Owen & Graham.

EXPORTS.

Per Transit for Lvttelton : G'.OOO feet timber.

The following vessels have entered out:—The .Adonis for Brisbane, the Tiamport for New castle, and the Mary Ann Amuson for an Aus tralian port, via Wangaroa. Tiie schooner Transit cleared to-day for Lyt telton with a cargo of timber to be loaded at Manukau Heads.' The s.s. Hero is due from Sydney to-morrow morning. The following is the list of passengers who le~t for the South by the Wanaka yesterday afternoon: Paora Tahaere and wife. Miss Machattie. Dr Knight: Messrs Black, Mongan, Rosa nowski. Gar-*, Embling. Andrews, Halloran, Ross, Macrae. McLachlan. Morgan, and 8 sto -rasre.—Henderson & Macfarlane, agents. A sail in sight was signalled at sundown last evening, and bsi.weeu seven and eight o'clock the barque Stag, from Newcastle, made her appearance la harbour. She brings a cargo of coal for Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane. Captain Davies, who is in command, reports leaving Newcastle on the 10th inst. Had south erly and westerly winds till sighting the Three Kings on Friday last, and down the coast had contrary winds. The neat little fore and aft schooner Energy, Captain Savory, arrived in harbour yesterday evening from Tonga and Samoa with a full cargo of copra and other island produce, con signed to Messcr» Owen and Graham. Samoa was left on the IBth July, and after calling at several of the Friendly Group, reached Tonga on the 20th. Here she filled up and started for Auckland on the 6th inst- The winds were southerly for nearly all the voyage, and the shic at one stretch, was hove to for 52 hours in a SAY. gale. The Cavalles were made on the Monday evening last, thence easterly winds nto port. Passengers: Mr Ryan, Mr Mann, Mr Rose, and Mr Morris. The s.s. Tooa-a arrived back from Russell at an early hour this morning. Her passenser list has already been published. The revenue cutter Ringleader is advertised to be sold by auction on SaturdavncxtatMe3srs Cochrane and Son's auction mart. Tenders are mv i led for repairs to the schooner Kate McGregor. The Yosenaite is detained in harbour by con t i.vy winds. The barque Chira. according to latest advices, was fully loaded :lr> the K&ipara. and was about to sail for Melbourne with 250,000 feet timber, ghiDped by John fteid and Co. The steamers Durham and Enterprise will not he withdrawa from the Thames trade.

Master and owners of vessels are informed by advertisement. Mint, after Saturday next they will he able to obtain supplies of fresh water at the new railway wharf.

The R.M.S. City of Sydney will leave Sydney to-morrow afternoon. She is due here on Wed nesday morning next, and will leave in the course of the day for San Francisco with the English and Ameri jan mails. Captain Savory, of the schooner Energy, reports that nothing had been seen of the missing sehsosier Hinemoa when she left Simon. There is too much reason to believe that, nothing ever will be hear-1 of this un fortunate vessel.

The s.s. Rowena arrived to-day from Tau rar.ga. She will not take up her running to morrow as advertised in consequence of having to be lai^. up for an overhaul. Her date of soiling will be advertised. The Government steamer Stella arrived in the Manukau this morning after a fortnight's ab sence at Cape Maria .Van Dieman, where she has landed a large quantity of material for the new light house.' The vessel during ten daysof her stay had to lie at anchor in a narrow pas sage between an island and the mainland through which the tide set with great force with a breakinc,- bar at either end. The position wasiso awkward, that only on four days could any work be done. Forty-one boat loads of timber, bricks, iron, and other materials were larded in that. time. Mr Mirfln was left as foreman oc tbe work of erecting the lighthouse, and he has under him nine Europeans and two Maoris. The weather got so bad towards the cud other stay, that Captain Fairohild had to take the Stella round to the North Caps and anchor there. She arrived in the Manukau at 9 o'clock this mocning, and will sail again this evening at 5 o'clock for the same place with another load of material aud stores, etc., for the hands.

ISLAND SHIPPING.

Tiie ship Susanna, Godeflior, 1600 tons, which sailed from Samoa for Hamburgh, via Vavau, oh tiie 11th July, put back three days after wards, leaking badly. A court of enquiry was being held when the Energy left, and it was ezpecfed she would be condemned. ShehadSOO teiis of copra oo board. This vessel arrived from Haniburgh about 11 months ago, after experieneiug a terrific gale off the northern, point of New Zealand. About 200 sheets of her copper were torn off. and the vessel was very much strained. She has been under repair ever since, but it seems she has not been rendered seaworthy. A small schooner belonging to Messrs Goclef fr<»i and Co.. was stolen by two natives at Kaapai on the 20th July. The trader who was in charge, was ashore on business, when the natives took advantage of his absence to up sail and leave him in the lurch. Nothing more has been heard of the vessel, which it was expected had been Taken to Fiji. King George has con sented to send a vessel in search.

Tiie Isabella, of Wellington, was lying at Haapai on the 30th ult. Her boats had struck several whales, out captured nothing.

Two American whalers were also cruising in the Friendly Group. The Magellan Cloud wai humpbacking at Tonga last month. Sha had killed two fish, but both sank before they could be got to the ship.

The Splendid. Dunedin whaling barque was lying at Varan on the 25th July, She had taken 2 soerm whalci since leaving Russell, one hump back. A part ot each of the sperm whales was lost through bad gear. What was tried out yielded 76 barrels sperm oil. The schooner Active and the brigantine Flirt wereat Apia on the 16th July- All well. The barque AT.en schikotf left Apia for this port via Levuka the same day as the Energy left, via Tonga. Mr Samuel Williams, late Consul at Samoa, is a passenger.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under: ~ For Thames, tbis day, at 5.30 p.m. ; and to morrow, at noon and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, per Argyle, to-morrow, at 2.30 p.m. For Tryphcna, per Three Brothers, this day, at 1 p.m. For Wangarei, per Rover, this day, at 1 p.m. For Tauran^a, Gisborne, Napier, and Southern Provinces, par Taupo, to-morrow, at 3 p.m. For Whitiaugi. Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Rowena, to-tnorrow, at 4 p.m. For Taranaki and Southern Provinces, per Hawea. on Monday, 27th inst., at 8 a.m. Per s.s. City of Sydney, on Wednesday, 29th August, as under :— For Sandwich Islands, United States 'of America, Canada. British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at noon. For United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe, at noon. For money orders, 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. 8. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

LA.NGDALE.-On the 17th June, 1377, at Ton gatabu, Friendly islands, the wife of Mr, Fredk. Langdalc of a son.

MARRIAGE.

CARBINES-OGILVIE.—On the 22nrl August, by the Rev. W. Tinsley, Richard James, the second son of the late Richard Carbines, to Alice, eldest daughter of Air. John Ogilvie, Drake-street, Auckland. Sydney and Mel bourne papers please copy.

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1877.

For the cause that lacks aasistar.ee, For the -wroni^that ueeiis lesijtance, For the future in the diitance, Aa4 the good that we can da.

Ax length, there is further news from the two large armies at Plevna. Since the Agent-General's telegram of the 11th, an nouncing that Osman Pasha was opposed by a large Russian army, theonlyintelligcnce obtained from any source about this army were our special correspondent's despatches, stating that the strength of the armies was a hundred thousand men, and that a battle was raging. If the report now tele graphed prove true, the disaster of Sedan

is about to be repeated on Turkish soil. The destruction of Gsman Pacha's army would be a serious,disaster to the Turkish cause. Sulieman Pacha must be übiqui tous. Tiie other day he was at Elcta, then at Tirnova, and now, it is reported, he has driven the Russians from Shipka. The information from Asia is more definite. Another battle has taken place, with losses amounting to 3000 killed and several thou wounded, without any definite advantage to either side.

The war cable dispatches arc disjointed, contradictory, and otherwise puzzling to anyone who is endeavouring to follow the campaign closely. So far back as August 12, a Press Agency telegram stated that the Russians had evacuated the Balkans. On the 14th, we learned that Sulieman Pasha had crossed the Balkans, and taken the offensive ; on the 16th, there was a telegram to the same effect, and on the same date the Agent-General's telegram asserted that the Russians had evacuated the Balkans ; under date the 19th, the Press Agency message states that Sulieman Pasha had reached Eleta north of the Balkans ; and a special cablegram from our London corres pondent announced under date August 20th that lie had pushed on from Eleta, and attacked the enemy at Tirnova, gaining a decisive victory. Yesterday a Pres3 Agency ■ message was received placing Sulieman and his forces back in the Balkans and suffer ing a defeat a,t Jenekoi Pass ; further, that the Russians still hold the Shibka Pass ; a later telegram from the same source says that Mie invading army has taken «pa position between Lovatz and. Sc-lvi com manding the Shibka Pas^f. Tiie true solu tion, we believe, will prove that the Rus sians had evacuated all the Balkans passes but the Shibka, but held the communica tions from Lovatz southwards to that Pass. A cable despatch ts-dav says that Suhcman has now driven them from the town of Shipka. The last news we had from Lovatz, which is a town of considerable size, south of Plevna, was in the Agent-Genenal's dispatch of August 11 th, stating that the Russians had been defeated there, with great slaugh ter. The same telegram stated that the Russians were in great force before Plevna, and the Roumanian troops were crossing the Danube to attack the Turkish left if necess ary. A telegram from our special corres pondent, dated London,the 14th, confirmed this iuteHigentee, and estimated the forces on each " side at a 100,00. On the , 16th of August our special correspondent

reported that a great battle was raging there. Since then we „have had no infor mation of any kind respecting the opera tions of the forces at Plevna until to-day, when our special correspondent's dispatch throws some light upon the continued silence. Osmau Pasha's army, he states, is reported to have been completely hemmed in and cut oil' from all communication. News of the other dispositions of the 250,000 Russian troops across the Danube is still more vague. The last positive news we had from Mehemct Ali's army stated that it was engageilwith the Russians near Rasgrad, a town on the Varna railway. The Agent-General's telegram of the* 16th, referring to tin's army stated : " Mehemct Ali and Sulieinau Pasha are pushing on to effect a junction, and the Russians, who have been reinforced, are advancing their centre and left wing. An important battle is expected." Our special correspondent on the 20th telegraphed, on Turkish authority, that Sulieman Pasha had attacked Tirnova. but it was not mentioned whether the proposed junction bad been previously effected. The same doubt and contradictious, we observe, prevail in the Atlantic dispatches to American papers. Three different accounts were telegraphed of the capture and re-capture of Ardahan, and the American journals debated for a fortnight whether Arhahan remained in the hands of Russians or Turks. Several distinct accounts were given of tiie capture of Nicopolis,all purporting to be given by eye witnesses, but with very marked dis crepancies, one account alleging that the town was surrounded and b',ooo prisoners taken, while all others stated that the garrison made good its oscape. The difficulty of obtaining reliable information at the seat of war, and of transmitting it through interested chan nels and a press censorship, ho doubt influences a good deal the character of the news ; and on the whole it is almost surpris ing that we obtain particulars so nearly accurate as those which have been received

and confirmed by the general results of the campaign in Europe and Asia. The difficulties which the press overcome in gathering their information arc such as the

reader who quietly peruses the few linos telegraphed has absolutely no conception of.

We notice with very great satisfaction that judgment was given by the Resident Magistrate at Wellington yesterday against Mr Oakes, a contractor, for wages due to workmen employed by a defaulting sub contractor. It is not unusual for contrac tors to sub-let sections to men of straw at ridiculous prices, and, when failure follows, the labourer who has done the work is made the scape-goat. The Magistrate held that the 13th clause of the Contractors' Act renders a contractor res ponsible to the extent of sixty days' wages for the debts incurred by a sub-contractor upon public, works. The contractor has the means of self - protection in his own hands. He may withhold pay incut, and is absolutely required by law to ascertain whether the men employed < n a sub-contract have been paid, before he settles with tbe sub-contractor. Bight of appeal has been granted, and we suppose the wording of the Acts will have to pass through a further ordeal of legal hair splitting, if the men are not too poor to vindicate their rights and obtain justice under the institutions of this free and enlightened country.

TURKEY AND THE CHRISTIANS.

[By Vex. Auchueacox Mauxsei.i,.] WHEN Mr Wallace contemplated prepar ing his late work on Russia, he set himself to learn the language of the people, and engaged in friendly conversation with men of every clas*. By these means he induced I men who were shut up in secrecy and reserve to disclose to him their views, and the workings of their societies. His book is deserving of careful study, and may be regarded in a large degree as an authority lon Russian matters. Still, it can never I command our entire confidence : 1. because I he wrote it while basking in the sunshine lof oiKcial favor, which everyone may see j has warped the board ; 2. he, never, had except as a traveller, any practical I acquaintance with Russia. They never with a rough hand rubbed up his back; no policeman, except in the solitary case of a passport, ever laid his hand on his | shoulder. When the Empress Catherine | was making a progress through Sparta of j Russia Ihat Prime Minister caused people, | under fear irf punishment, to crowd to the I water's edge from great distances, dressed I in their best, ami under triumphal arches, and with showts of joy, to welcome their Sovereign. Catherine returned to .Moscow satisfied that her miserable subjects were happy, contented, and prosperous. Our countryman, HobartPasha, Admiral of the Turkish Uoct, knows, I suspect, just as muck about the amount of practical toleration bi Turkey. A consul in his ollicc, an admiral engaged with his duties, a traveller hurrying through the country, and hospitably entertained by the rulers— these are not the men best qualified to say how the laws are working. They cannot tell how the shoe pinches, or where it pinches. And yet it is from these men that oin- orators and our Reviews get their in formation. Let anyone open any Review that he may meet, and he will find that these are the authorities to which they refer. And yet there is a mine of the most trust werthy information which not one of them seems to have explored. The " Quarterly Review" for A.D. 1877, seems to have " fos sicked" a little on the surface, picked up two or t-'sree nuggets, and then jretired. A missionary, or Bible distributer, labour ing amid a hostile population, and under a hostile Government, is too often compelled to learn to realize the nature of its laws, and the a«tioH of its police; at every step almost he meets an antagonist. The priests are sure to come foul of him, and, with their ' agents, soiwi In-iug the law. So also the Government, when, like that in Turkey, it is not friendly to Christian proselytising. Thus the missionary is soon made acquainted ; with what he can do under the laws, and what he oannet do, and how lie can best | meet the difficulty. His followers also are J in perpetual troubles, and he is often ob liged to light their battles and maintain their !

rights. It would be very easy to multiply cases illustrating these statements. But this is out of the question. All we can do is, to select a few striking examples as specimens from a great mine which Imf* escaped the notice of our public writers. They serve to shew in a living, practical form the amount of toleration now enjoyed in the different ports of this heterogeneous Empire. In the year 1875 a certain Missionary Society, contemplating more extended action in Turkey, summoned its most experienced missionaries to a conference with some able lnymon in London, and asked them to state what difficulties they saw to enlarged missionary operations in that Empire, and Jwhat course under the circumstances they thought should be adopted. The evidence collected shewed a i curious- discrepancy of views on some parts of the ques-si.oii : while at the same time it harmonized well with other testimonies • on the sa-Hse subject. Bishop Gobat, ! of Jerusalem, (who has been moro than J 45 years in that field of labour) [ stated Tat that meeting that "sending a missionary to labor among the Mahom etans would rouse much the prejudices of the natives and the opposition of the Turkish Government." Rev Mr Koelle (from Con»t*»tinople) complained of the arrogance of the Turks inherent to Islamism, based on tl*e idea of the vast superiority of their religion, to which they owe all their conquests and power; and that to attempt to prosolytsse would be regarded as an insult to trhe individual, and

an act of hostility to the Govern ment. In these views the whole of the ; witnesses agreed. Dr. Koelle also adds !. that "no one ©an leave Constantinople | without a passport; that no passport would

be given to a missionary to the Mussul mans ;" but adds that an agent of the Bible Society may go where he pleases. A place of Christian worship for Mussulmans would not, it appears, be allowed. But (as the chief of police told Dr. Koclle when under apprehension of disturbance) the law docs not prevent any man from wor shipping in his own house ; and there the missionaries, without any interruption from the authorities, and in perfect safety, hold their meetings. "Hitherto," he" adds, "persecutions proceeding from the Turkish Government wore directed against converts from Mahomcdanism, who were imprisoned and exiled ; against mission-rooms, which were invaded and closed by the police ; and against the colportage of books, which was interfered with or prosecuted." In the country districts, however, the amount of freedom for action is much greater, provided nothing is done in a public, demonstrative manner. Still, Mr Wolters, of Smyrna, thinks with the others, that " if" the Turkish Government get, as they are endeavouring to get, the book post into their hands, they will shut out the people from the only way wow open for getting books on religion." All then that these good men recognise in Turkey is a kind of modified liberty. The dog would bite the fowl if lie could, but he sees that he is watched. The penalty of death for leaving Mahometanism, though still in force in Persia, is no longer inflicted in Turkey, and though the missionaries seem to think that no progress in liberty has been made since the Crimean war, yet their book-stalls, their large number of school and native agents, the services in their dwellings, and their travellings, shew that they have a larger amount of liberty in Turkey than was accorded by many nations in Europe up to a few years ago. The Christian population are allowed to do just as they please in their internal religious affairs. These views are more than con firmed by other equally trustworthy classes of testimony, to which we will now refer. The first is that of tbe American mission aries. The American mission is by far the most extensive in its operations in Turkey. They have many large schools, a vast number of native agents, printing presses that print a large number of books, and colleges for teachers and preachers, The very existence of these things is a testi mony to a large amount of liberty. Let us hear what the men themselves say. First let us hear Professor Porter, as quoted by the " Quarterly Review " for April, 1577. In that article, to which I have already referred, he says : " I often wonder if I am in dream-land when I hear all Turkey denounced as Sodom ; when I hear it affirmed by intelligent and even eminent men that the life of no Christian man, and the honour of no Christian woman, are safe there I have lived with my wife and children for years together in one of the most fanatical cities of the empire. I. have travelled far and wide through its provinces at various times. 1 have had opportunities of obtaining information, and of investigating the character and acts of both rulers and people ; and 1 affirm that during al! that time I never heard of a single instance of such brutality."

lie adds: "That even the Bulgarians, some of whom have recently suffered so terribly, Mere obliged not many years ago to appeal to the Turks against the intoler able tyranny of Greek ecclesiastics, who attempted to deprive them of their religious independence, their language, and their individuality a.s a nation ; and this the Creek hierarchy attempted under the pa tronage of Russia."

This attempt is explained by the fact that Turkey puts great power into "the hands of the governing body in each religious com munity, as wa.s the ease formerly in Eng land.

Those who feel disposed to look further into this question cm consult the Reports of the Uible Society, particularly the Report for 1873. Enough has, we think, been said to shew the state of the Chris tians in Turkey, and the amount of toleration accorded by the Government of that Empire.

There is to he given by the Ponsonby j Weslcyan School on Friday evening next at 7.30 o'clock a special entertainment. It will consist of songs, secular and sacred, . special roadings, and recitations. .Some j choice original reading* will be given by .their authors. The meeting will be of a j choice kind, and only at a cost of Is. The ! chair is to betaken by .). Wilcox, Esq., .J. P. The programme is now about Hxed, and the promoters expect a lurge audience. The demand which lias sprung up for our edible fungus, valued by the Chines.", fur nishes, writes Major Mair, light work amongst the Waikato natives for the young and the infirm also, for the article in ques tion is gathered in the woods with very j little trouble, and, after drying in the sun, is ready for market. The plans of the Dunedin Town Hall, by Mi- Aicken, C. E., which were so warmly eulogised in the South, are now on view lat the City Council offices. Mr Aicken did not receive fair play. Acting upon a telegram from the Town Clerk that the plans would he received if hearing- the Auckland post-mark of the date appointed, Mr Aicken posted the plans a few days before that time ; but on protest from one of the local competitors the Council disqualified the plans, and they were not allowed in the compction, on the ground that they came too late. j The West Coast "Times," speaking of llokitika, says :—We have scarlet fever in every street, medical men worked almost off their feet, by far the highest death rate ! in the whole Colony, and such an increase j in the number of funerals as to lead to the '■ opening of another establishment for the i supply of the ghastly requisites of those ex- ! pensive ceremonies. Further, although we ■ have no official information on the subject, j one medical man is said to have fifty cases | of fever in his own practice, and another admits that not only cases more numerous than they were during last .summer, but they are also of a more virulent type. | A call of 5s perj share, is made in the Caledonian Gold Mining Company. , The fund for the erection of a memorial ; to Sir Rowland Hill, Kidderminster, now j amounts to JESBI, collected entirely in ! pennies. ;

It is rumoured that the British Govern ment was the purchaser of Messrs Napiers' shipbuilding yard, Glasgow, which was sold recently for £260,000. Jem Mace did a little serious business in Melbourne recently. John Thompson also made his debut as a pugilist, defeating Christie with ease, quarrelled with Mace at Tattcrsall's Club, Melbourne, over a recent encouuter with Christie. A fight ensued between them in one of the large rooms, and in two rounds Mace gave Thompson such a knocking about that he cried ' Enough !' and was soon very quiet. Thompson could not touch Mace once, while the Englishman got at Thompson be fore he knew what he was about. Dr Skae, the Inspector of Asylums, in his general report, makes two statements of a nature somewhat startling. He con cludes, from comparative statistics of New Zealand, Victoria, England, and other countries, that " insanity is very common in New Zealand;" the'proportion being greater amongst men than amongst women. He says, moroever, that " there is good reason to believe'that there are at present iai New Zealand many lunatics and idiots at large." We quite believe him. We have no hesitation in recommending to our subscribers the case of • Mrs Hume, the widow of the ill-fated engineer of the Lionel, as a fitting object of their charitable subscriptions. The poor woman is left with two yonng children, and will shortly become the mother of a third. Her late husband was out of work for some time,

and she is left in very destitute circum stances. A subscription list is, we believe, now being circulated, mid we sdiall ourselves be happy to receive any contributions which may be sent.

Miss Thackeray, the novelist, is about to be married, and the London quidnucns of the Press are making themselves hypocriti cally unhappy over the fact that her intended husband is many years her junior. This is another, proof, we suppose, of the extreme care with which personalities are excluded from British journalism. In a recent address on education Max Muller gave utterance to the following weighty expressions of universal applica tion -.—National education is a national duty. To leave national education to chance, church, or charity is a national sin. . . . . In national schools, supported by the nation at large, you can only teach that on which we all agiee; hence, when children belong to different sects, you cannot teach theology A religion that opposes the education of the people is not a true religion, and a system of national education that should exclude religious education is not a true system. . . . . Education by the nation and for the nation means the complete separation of school teaching and church teaching. Well then, invest your money, utilise your peace, rouse your public spirit, and convince the world that one-half, three-fourths, nine tenths of real practical religion is—Educa tion, national education, compulsory, and, it ma}- be, gratuitous, education. Major Mair, Resident Magistrate of Alexandra, in his report states that for the the last two or three years one of Tawhiao's schemes has evidently been centralisation. He seldom lives at To Kuiti now, and the population about Hikur.-mgi and Kopu, where he spends most of his time, has trebled since 1875.

Mr Hegarty is expected in Christchurch next month with a variety troupe of twelve performers. Bevy, the cornetist, was to open in llobart Town on the Sth inst., and after doing Tasmania will most likely make for Dunedin. The Dampiers and the Simonsens have gone to Adelaide.

The Government policy as to incidence of taxation—ltequiesc.it in pace.—-Purport ef the amendments—(lncome on property)— Tax Vobiscunt.

The Elopement Case.

(From our own Correspondent.)

HAMILTON, this day

The latest excitement is the alleged land ing of a letter in the levanting young lady's box suggesting that her father's tea should be drugged, being herself careful not to sip the tea, ; that the dogs sould receive drugged milk, and the windows of the house be oiled so as to prevent the chance of detection. The letter has been shewn to several. A copy of her reply, it is said was found repudiating the proposition. The father indignantly asserts that there lias been unfair play.

CABLEGRAMS.

THE VERY LATEST

WAR NEWS.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL LONDON

CORRESPOND EAT.)

Osman Pasha's Army

Surrounded.

ANOTHER BATTLE IN ASIA.

8,000 KILLED.

BOTH CLAIM VICTORY.

LONDON,

Tuesday night. 6.i0

It is reported that the Turkish army at Plevna, under Osman Pasha, Com mander-in-Chief, has been completely surrounded by the Russian army, which was strengthened by large reinforce ments. His position is said to be extremely critical, communication having been cut off, and the army left without food. Fighting in Asia Minor continues. Another battle has taken place be tween the Russian army under General Melikoff and the Turks commanded by Mukhtar Pasha entrenched before Kars. Three thousand were killed and several thousand wounded. Roth claim victory.

Great Floods in Britain.

Damage to Crops

LONDON,

August 21

Extensive floods have occurred in Great Britain and Ireland.

Accounts come in from all parts of the kingdom of damage to crops.

Russians Evacuate Shipka.

(Per Press Agency.)

Turkish Reserve of Fifty Thousand-

Colonel Baker Commands the Cavalry.

LONDON

August 2.1 St.

The Russians have abandoned the town of Shipka, which is now occupied by the army of Sulieman Pasha.

The Porte is concentrating fifty tnousand militia in Bulgaria as an army reserve. Colonel Baker commands the cavalry.

GENERAL MELIKOFF'S DEFEAT IN ASIA.

GENERAL GOURKA'S DISASTROUS RETREAT.

BOMBAY, August 21, 2.20 p.m. Unofficial Russian acceunts confirm the attack of General Melikoff in Asia Minor, on the 18th, who, after capturing the first line of the Turkish entrenchments, was driven back to his former position. Many were killed on both sides. The Russian army in Bulgaria have taken up a position between Lovacs and Selvi, so as to command the Shibka Pass. General Gourka, according to Russian accounts, lost 4000 men in his retreat from south of the Balkans. The Turks are preparing for a winter campaign.

PARLIAMENTARY.

(FROM. OUR SPECIAL REPORTER)

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]

WELLINGTON, this day. THE AUCKLAND STATION. i The Mayor of Auckland has written to ' the Government, urging the immediate | commencement of the Auckland station at | Queen-street Wharf, to find work for the unemployed. J ARTIZANS' PETITION. | In the House, yesterday, Mr Burns pre- I sented a petition from 1,065 artizans—black ! smiths, pattern-makers, millwrights, iron ' workers, carpenters, and others—stating that they were induced to come to this country under the Public Works' and Immigration Act They were given to understand that they would find employ ment at their particular trades, but were now obliged to work at manual labour. The petition prayed the Government to en ' courage the manufacture of goods in the colony. j Mr Rees presented a petition from Charles I Mack, who was fined some years ago in the j Resident Magistrate's Court, Dunedin. It I prayed that the former petition be con sidered by Parliament. PETITION FROM MR WARNER. Mr Rees presented a petition from Mr Horatio Nelson Warner, praying that tiie House take into consideration the length of Government services, and the peculiar circumstances of the case itself. WEATHER SIONALS. The Committee on weather reporting asked an extenson of time to draw up a report. The Committee to-day examined Mr Seed at length, the general opinion appears to be that the weather reporting department is useful, and rellects credit on Captain Edwin. Some FSowthern mc'i-bers are dissatisfied because Captain Edwin does not predict mere local winds, which depend on the configuration of the country, and have no influence on the weather generally. AUCKLAND COLLEGE. Mr Lusk gave notice to introduce to morrow a Bill for the management of the Auckland College ami Grammar-school. COMPLAINT AGAINST CHIEF JUSTICE. The Petitions' Committee recommended witii reference to Mr G. B. Barton's I petition that it be referred to a Select Committe, as already telegraphed to you, Mr Sheehan considered that the Committee had done right in referring the question back to the House, but had ex ceeded its authority in stating the names of the Committee. He would prefer that the Government should move in the matter. The Speaker said the proper course was to leave the member who presented the petition to say whether lie would proceed further under the present circumstances. Mr Sheehan said he would give an answer on Thursday. AGRICULTURAL LEASES. Mr Bastings read a telegram from Rox burgh, with reference to 4.000 acres of land opened for agricultural leases. The tele gram stated that the applications received in one day included an area of 47,000 acres. Mr Tole asked the Colonial -Treasurer a question regarding the continuance of the Armitage Pension Act, ISG'9. He said the family were in poor circumstances, and would suffer if the Act was discontinued, lie was, therefore, anxious to know whether the Government intended to ex tend the operation of the Act. Air YVhitaker said the Government did not intend to extend the operation of the Act, but were making inquiries into the case before deciding. I AUCKLAND PETITIONS. The report of the Committee on the Auckland Volunteer Petition is to the effect that, in the present state of the law, it is impossible to comply with the prayer of the petition. Upon Mr V. E. Rice's petition, the Committee reported that as Mr Rice occupied an office under the Board of Education at the same salary as lie formerly received, he was not entitled to compensation as a provincial oilicer. r INCIDENCE OF TAXATION. The whole afternoon avus occupied with the debate on the incidence of taxation, of which the House is becoming tired. Mr Rallance's reference to the financial articles at home, in the " Times," " Economist," and " Eraser's," on New Zealand, produced a marked effect on the House. His views of the colony's financial position caused quite a flutter amongst , lords in the gallery. Mr Ballance's speech c was far inferior to his great effort last _

session. Captain Russell made some excellent points, particularly in reply to Sir George Grey's statement that men in the country were building up principalities by mono polising the land. Mr Russell told the story of a young man who came here many years ago, and happening to be in conver sation with an official personage, poured out his griefs to the effect that he was dis appointed in the country, and contemplated leaving. The gentleman to whom this was said replied that lie would be foolish to leave the country at that juncture, when he might by staying acquire a principality by purchasing land. The gentleman who said that was Sir George Grey, then Go vernor, and the other person was himself Mr Russell. He had taken part of the advice by acquiring land, but had not got a municipality. In reply to the accusation that he and his family had eighty thousand acres, lie said he had only ten thousand. Replying to the arguments in favour of encouraging small farms, he said labouring men preferred to woik at high wages and postpone farming until the time when wages were low. MR WOOLCOCK ON THE STUMP. Mr Woolcock followed, and got on high stilts in political economy. His sudden fame has slighily turned his head. He lectured the House ex-cathedra on Wool cock's political economy, and evolved some novel theories from his own inner consciousness. Mr Woolcock would have preserved his fame if he had been content with one great effort in the session. It is said he is good for two hours longer. There lias been So much talk lately that the wires overhead are wearing out, and their ragged ends hang down as if ap pealing to members below for rest. j LAST NIGHT'S BUSINESS. j When the House resumed last night after the adjournment, Mr Woolcock appeared ■ iv his place Avith another pile of unex hausted notes and a large blue book. Mr Stout raised a point of order whether or not the debate on the Local Option Bill having j been adjourned, it would not intercept the debate on Mr Woolcock's motion. The I Speaker ruled in comformity with Mr J Stout's view, and put the question ; that the interrupted debate on Mr j Woolcock's motion be resumed, which ' was agreed to on the voices. Mr Woolcock then rose, and with hands I in trousers' pockets, proceeded to expatiate I upon the commonage system in England, I and the absorption of eight million°acres j of commonage into already overgrown j estates. He contended that the° land question in England was one which threatened to shake the Constitution to its centre—there, where the entire public estate had gone into the hands of monopo lists and wealthy men. We should see to it that the evils of the old country were not repeated here. Who that was the happy possessor of a large fortune had not made the greater portion of it by land transactions, which were encouraged by the State. He held that a land tax was specially applicable to New Zealand. Mr W oolcock only takes his bands out of his pockets to refer to notes, and sometimes to relieve the stiffness of his position by placing his hands behind his back, i He holds that large landed estates should j be placed in a table distinct from ordinary j property iv respect to a land tax. It was

said that land was already taxed but «. money raised in rates was locally exnol i ,c It-was like a number of gertKSEft bing together to subscribe money foTJ?" improvement of their own property tr6 disdained antagonism to land owners' p had no desire to burst up lar^e iLj ? estates. Tiie tendency of a land tax w n be to compel large land owners to «♦•?'* the land they hold, or part with ! f others who would improve it. Ther e f the tax would develope labour. It m -°r^ press hardly on mortgagees, but that Jffi be compensated by the general «oorl ro=,, v At eight o'clock-, Mr Woolco-ck was speaking, and, from the appearance of V notes, was good for an hour or two— I still the interminable flow of talk « oes 0 Mr Woolcock continued at consi(U n i!; length. Uerab'e Mr Brandon opposed a land tax. Mr Lusk delivered an excellent speech The debate ended at twenty minutes nit nine, in a thin House. " st

A COMPLICATED DIVISION. The Speaker put Sir George Grev> amendment, and ruled, "The Ayesh Mr DcLatour : The Noes have it. The bell was rung, and the membpr. trooped in. ' Mr Macandrew came forward betwe the tellers, and said to the Ayes, "Wif 0 : the Government are voting against th own motion." He then walked into th"" ! lobby and repeated the statement ami.ii ; laughter. mWst Mr Reader Wood: Then they willh ave to alter ie immediately. ! The result was —ayes, forty; noes, thirty ■ The eil'ect of this division was to lie^ativ ■ Mr Woolcock's substantive motion. 0 Tl 6 Government and supporters voted for __i ! George Grey's amendment in ordertomak-I it the substantive motion, and pave th way for further amendments. Sir George Grey voted against his own amendment. Before the original question was put, Mr Hislop rose and proposed to add after the word " immediately" tie words, "After arrangements can be made , next session." The Speaker ruled the amendment out of order. Sir George Grey's amendment was put as the substantive motion. The Speaker declared that the ayes had it, which would have carried Si' George Grey's amendment. Mr Wasoa called for a division. There was conster nation on the Government benches. _____ Wason, in a petty pique, "I did not call for a division." Mr Stout insisted he did. The doors were locked. Mr Wason, avlio had evidently made a mistake, did not press the division. Sir George Grey's amendment became the substantive motion. The Premier moved a further amend ment "That in the opinion of this House the incidence of taxation should be so adjusted as to impose upon property a fair share of the burden entailed on the colony by expenditure on public works and thereby afford means for reduction of taxes on necessaries; and that the financial proposals of the Government next session should embody this principle." The Premier did not speak. Vote of Want of Confidence- When the question was about to be put Mr Stout rose and made a slashing speech. He pointed out that Mr Woolcock voted against his own motion agreeably to the Government decision. He severely animadverted upon Mr Reid's apostacy and Major Atkinson's jump Jim Orowfrom the Stafford party. A number of the Government supporters spoke against any increased taxation, but voted with the Government. These things disgraced Parliament and constitutional Government. ISTo Opposition could exist under such disorganization and demoralisation. The Government policy was only trimming and lobbying to catch'votes. Mr Sheehan here handed a paper to Mr Stout, which he read shortly afterwards. He concluded by moving an amendment to the Treasurers amendment, asfollows "and a Bill to give effect to this resolution bepre pared during this session, and circulated before tbe rising of Parliament, and that in default of their carrying out of the fore going, the Government will forfeit the confidence of this House." The House adjourned for half-an-honr, when it resumed. Mr Montgomery rebutted the mistakes in Mr Stafford's criticism ot his figures. He advised Mr Stout to withdraw his amendment. Mr Macandrew advised a contrary course. Mr Rees made one of his usual through going speeches against the Ministry. Mr Hodgkiiisroii attacked the Govern ment.

Mr Hislop stated that Mr Reid had said Otago would know how to reward her patriot. After a debate Sir George Grey replied to attacks. He denied that he had proposed to further a tax on colonial industries, or increase taxation. He only intended to fairly adjust burdens. The Chsloms taxation meant £6 on a family of six. He | meant to equalise the advantages of the railway policy, which almost exclusively benefitted property. The time would come when the colony would declare it was not responsible for its debt. They would seek a readjustment of burdens by throwing upon the Home Government part of _ the deb* for the responsi bility that Government incurred in forcing the present constitution on the colony. The debate off the last few days has shewn the country that important changes were pending.' Those changes which might have been regarded as only possible within fourteen years, now mHst be hurried into one yeor. ' Sir George Giey concluded by solemnly counselling the Government and the House to allow the people a voice in the matter. To dissolve and consult the people. Mr Joyce moved the adjournment Triumphant cries of " oh" from the Govern ment. Mr Stout's amendment was negatived on the voices. The speaker was about to put the Premier's amendment, when Mr Wake field moved the adjournment. The Speaker appeared to mistake the motion and ruled it out of order. Before the question was put, Mr P)'^ moved that after the word on "proj)Cit)V words " and income" be added. Coughs from the Government benches, and Opposi tion coughs. Mr Whitaker and Major Atkinson im provised a cabinet. " . , Mr Wakefield, in an apologetic attitude, got up and said, the Speaker had not heard . him. He now desired to move the adjourn niest. The Speaker ruled him in order. _ Major Atkinson, sure of a majority, «• j sisted an adjournment. Mr Montgomery challenged the Govern ment to declare whether they accepted w Pyke's amendment. The Premier :—" Yes, we do." , Mr Montgomery said he never obstructs business, but an adjournment was 0 i " Mr J. I). Brown supported an a<jjoWj; ment. He wished to speak. If * ,A journment were granted, he was prep* 1 to speak at length. * Mr Gisborne supported the adjournment The adjournment was carried on voices. Voice :—When ? The Premier :—Until half-pas* two. several members contended that *« . day should be given up for private ness. . Mr Pyke morod that tbe debate be^d j owned until Friday at half-past two. Premier moved till Thursday, at i\ A[l'Ki. 0 two. The House divided. During^ division, it was amusing to see «i Stafford and Wakefield endeavora-in^ persuade each other into opposite 1" , Mr Stafford went te the Government Mr Wakefield to the noes. The Premie motion was carried by 87 to 27. The Hoi*?e adjourned at 1.20.

THE EVENING STAR, THURSDAY. AUGUST 23, 1877.



Linoleum i Linoleum! Linoleum I 4.0 ROLLS JUST OPENED, Ex ' Spirit of the Dawn.' GREATEST VARIETY IN AUCKLAND. Best Covering for Halls, Offices, axd Drxixo Rooms. IK DIFFERENT PATTERNS 0 9 TO SELECT FROM AT THE CITY' HALL FURNITURE ARCADE. CARPETS : Tapestry, from 2s. lid.: Brussels, from Is. 9d. DRAWINGROOM SUITES on View. DBEDROoS M} FURNITURE of all Kinds. CHEAPEST FURNISHING HOUSE. HoLLOWAV AND GtARLICK, QUEES T-STREET, AUCKLAND.



SPECIAL NOTICE. 10 COUNTRY SETTLERS AND OTHERS REQUIRING STRONG CLOTHING MATERIAL. The undersigned have Just, Received a Fresh Supply of NEW PRINTED MOLESKINS, Light and Dark Patterns. CORDUROY, Var'ous Qualities, and WHITE MOLESKIN. Also. WHITE and GREY CALICOES, of all the Best Makes, and First-class Value. Grey Calico from 3d per yard Good White Caiico from ijd per yard A nice lot. of New Shirtings, fast colour and new patterns How Brown Holland, a very cheap lot at _____tHm' _d per yard A Job Lot of Huckaback Towels, at 61 each. 5s 9d per doz. Alhambra Quilts, at 3s lid each Kidderminster Carpets, a nice assortment of patterns and good quality, at 3s 1 Id; Felt Carpets; Mattings of various makes; 4x 1 Floor Cloths : Axminster Mats : and every description of FL RNISHING DRAPERY, at Very Reasonable Prices. Extra Good Value in BLANKETS, all sizes, white and coloured In order to Clear, WINTER DRESS GOODS, REMNANTS, &c, are now offered at Consider ably Reduced Prices. Special t6 Dressmakers, Sec. — A very Choice Lot of Silk and Fancy Buttons just to hand, all new designs, and very carefully selected for the incoming season's trade. , The CLOTHING DEPARTMENT is well ■j stocked with every requisite for Boys and Men, ; being constantly replenished from the best sources of supply. Inspection Invited. s. in the £ allowed on all Cash Purchases of SBgB 20s. and upwards. rushbbook & brtdgman. Junction Drapery Ware-house, Upper Qurkn'-strsst. auckland. "IT ANCHESTE R GOO DS. W. RATTRAY Begs to notify that he has JUST OPENED an assortment of the following Goods, viz.: Hoi-rocks' and other makes "of Calicoes and Longcloths 10. 51, 72. 80, 90, and 100 inch Finlay'a Plain and Twilled Sheeiinss 6/1, 7/4. 8/4, 9/1, and 10 1 White Linen Table Damasks 6/4, 7/4, and ti/l Hambro and Unbleached do,, do. Damask Table Cloths, Napkins and Tray Cloths, Rough and Dressed Hollands, Diapers, Frontings, &c. Linen and Cotton Bed Tick. Huckaback Towel ling, Tea and Glass Cloths, Christy's Turkish Dusters. Counterpanes, Quilts, Toilet Covers, and Anti macassars. The above have bkisn Marked at the Lowest Remunerative Prices. TW" E W yFAL AN D TTOUS E. 66. QUEEN-STRKET. A ' rrr?T, \ vn. T MPORTANT NOTICE Having introducedSTEA3lPO WER into the Manufacture of FURNITURE, ice are now enabled to Supply our Cus tomers at GREATLY RED UC E D PRICES. T. & 11. COOKE, Cabinetmakers, Upholsterers, Ac, d:c. i^° SHOW R O 0 M S G7, Queen-street. STEAM CABINET FACTORY Victoria-street. A flood of liquid rubbish has been placed upon the market, put up in Udolpho Wolfe's Sckie dam Aromatic Schnapps bottles, the genuine contents of which have been used. Spurious labels are also often used by the scamps who j seek to persuade the public that the hurtful j iiquors thus disguised are the same or similar to the true andpeerless medicinal cordial. Ask for ' the genuine and insist upon having it. !