SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ARRIVALS.

DEPARTURES,

IMPORTS.

Per Bella Mary: 15 cases Peacock's lib jams, 320 do. Pea.k's do., 110 do. Holroydßros, andCo's do., 40 cases apples (assorted).—G. W. Binney.

EXPORTS.

Per City of Sydney for 'Frisco: 28 bales fungus, 2l"cases gum. 1 parcel insects, 8 bags seed. For Honolulu: 160 erases potatoes, 1 parcel drapery.—Owen and Graham, agents. 1(5 cases gum.—Owen and Graham.

ARRIVAL OF THE CITY OF SYDNEY.

The Pacific Mail Steamship Company's steamshin City of Sydney, H. C. Dearborn commander, left Sydney at 3.15 p.m. on May 4th. Cleared the Heads at 3.10 p.m. First two days had strong S.E. winds and heavy head seas. Last two days fresh westerly winds, and fine weather. Received pilot at 10 a-m., and arrived in Auckland harbour at 11 a.m. to-day, Passengers for Auckland: Mr and Mrs Smith, Mr and Mrs T. Griffiths, Mr and Mrs W. Bagot, Mr W. Yon Bultzingslowen and wife; Messrs J. Richmond, F. Macrae, G. B. Owen, and 3 in the steerage. For San Francisco :45 saloon and 33 steerage. We are indebted to the purser for the usual favours.

DEPARTURE OF THE MAIL.

The P.M. s.s. City of Sydney leaves this even ing at 5 o'clock, for San Francisco via Honolulu. She takes an unusually large number of passen gers, of whom 78 are through from Sydney, while the following were booked in Auckland : For San Francisco.—Saloon: Mr and Mrs R. Vaile and Lhree children, Mr, Mrs and, Miss Hines, Messrs H. S. and C. E. Blundell, Mr C. Thorne. Mr Lowe, Mr and Mrs Thomson, Mr and Mrs John Reid, Mr E. Parsons, Mr George Quick, Mr F. Buckland. Steerage: Mrs Rey nolds, Mr S. Hagu, Messrs 0. C. and F. W. Hurst, Mr John Hanle^. Mr James Alket, Mr Barnard, |and three Misses Barnard. P. Free man. For Honolulu.—Saloon : Mr F. Mossman. Steerage: Mrs John McAlister-

AN IDIOTIC HOAX.

On the 15th February, a fishing boat picked up at sea, four miles south of Boulognp, a bottle containing a letter from the Agent General of New Zealand, addressed to Alfred Scribbin, Bristol, on the back of which was written in pencil, "Waipa lost with all hands, October 30th, 1876." The publication of the discovery elicited an immediate response from the mana ger of the New Zealand Shipping Company, to the effect that th« Waipa arrived at Lyttelton, all well, on January 24th. The supposed message from the sea must, therefore, have been another of those senseless and criminal hoaxes which are so shamefully common now-a-days, and which will some day be productive of serious consequences.

We learn, on good authority, that the well know yacht Daphne has been sold to the harbour authorities at Noumea, where she is to be used in the pilot service, and that her owner, G. S. Kissling, Esq., is in treaty for the purchase of a new cutter-yacht, of 40 tons, now lying in the Clyde. A heavy E.S.E. gale was raging on the Aus tralian Eastern coast at the beginning of the oresent month. ~ A heavy westerly gale has been blowing all Say. Very few shipping movements have to be shronicled in consequence. The' mail steamer was upwards of an hour trying to get alongside the wharf, the wind setting her one way, and thd tide another. For along time she remained at right angles to the main tee. and could not be induced to swing either way. Most of the pas sengers came ashore in watermen's boats. The present blow is. no doubt, the wind-up of the recent heavy N.E. weather. *-The barque Southern Cross left Newcastle Ton Saturday, April 28, bound to Auckland, with a ■;argo of coal, winds light S.S.W. The same night it chopped into S.E., with dark gloomy cloudy weather and very threatening, attended with vivid lightning, the wind increasing in .fitful gushes, accompanied with dense ram. On Sunday the wind and sea increased in violence until it was necessary to reduce canvas to the lower topsails ; ship labouring heavily and filling the decks repeatedly with water. On Monday blowing with terrific violence : blew foretopmast-staysail away. Towards night the ■weather was rather more moderate: made sail and tried to get an aftlnor. On Tuesday the weather was worse than ever. Sighted land in the vicinity of Sydney Heads; made sail and endeavoured to get off the land, but the sea was too heavy to make headway, and the ;maintop- Bail having been blown away, Captain Boon determined to bear up for Sydney, where he anchored at 6 a.m. on the 2nd. The Southern Cross resumed her voyage a day or two after wards. She has 450 tons of coal on board. The schooner Hinemoa cleared for Samoa to-day, with a cargo of cattle, sheep, etc. A schooner coastwise anchored at the Heads this afternoon. She will be the Golden Isle, from Russell.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING REPORT.

Bank of New Zealand—Buyers, £20. National Bank—7os. Colonial Bank—4ls 9d; buyers, 41s. Thames Gas—29s ; sellers, 335. South British Insurance—Buyers, 80s. National Insurance—Buyers, 30s. Union Sash and Door Co. (new)—£l 10s; buyers. £4 10s. Red Queen— Buyers, 3s ; sellers, 3s 6d. Caledonian (dble)—6ss to CGsCd; sellers, 67s 6d. Moanatairi—£ll 5s to £11 10s; buyers, £11 ss; sellers, £11 7s 6d. Care—(is 6d to 7s: buyers, Cs 9d ; sellers. 7a. Alburnia—sss to 58s; buyers, 57s ; sellers, tiOs. Young New Zealand—Sellers. 7s. Queen of May—Buyers, 18s 6d. Union Beach—Sellers, 30s. Tokatea—Buyers, 6s 6d; sellers, Bs. Kuranui Hill—27s 6d; sellers, 28s. <£ Queen—3s. New Morning Star—Buyers, 7s; sellers, Bs. JOSEPH NBWMAN. Chairman.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE. AUCKLAND. Matt,s will Close as Undek :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m.; and to

morrow, at 10 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, per Argyle, on Friday next,

at 2.30 p.m. Per s.s. City of Sydney, this day, as under :— For Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 4 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 4 p.m. _ , For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 2.30 p.m. . Late letters, bearing an extra fee pf 6d in addition to the postage, will be received by the Mail Agent on board the steamer up to time of sailing. For Wniwera, Warkworth, and Te Arai, per

Anne Milbank, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Newcastle, N.S.W., per Melrose, to-

morrow, at 1 p.m. For Tarana'ti and Southern Provinces, per Taupo, on Friday next, at 1 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at noon. S. R. RTSS. Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE.

WILSON—HOLD Kit.—On the oth May, at St. John's Church, Napier, by the Incumbent, the Rev. J. Townsend, Samuel Mason, of Gisborne, Poverty Bay, eldest son of Hugh Wilson, of St. George's Bay, Auckland, to Elizabeth Esther Holder, eldest daughter of Henry Holder, late of Hastings, England.

DEATH.

AUGER.—On the Bth instant, at Parncll, Eve line Harriet, infant daughter of Edwin Auger, aged I months. Funeral will take place to-morrow (Tliurs clay), at 3.30 p.m.

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

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1877.

For the c.-iusc th.it lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs tcsistance, For the future ill the distance, And the good tliat we can do

THE double defeat of the Russians before Kars, with heavy loss, will check the advance into Asia Minor, and is significant of a vigorous defence by the Turks. The former sieges of the place have demonstrated the natural strength of Kars, and the Sultan's Government, profiting, perhaps, by experience with the barber Pasha, who in 185-1 wasted a magnificent army under the fortifications of the town, have taken precautions for meeting the invasion on the Asiatic frontier with vigour. The " Times" correspondent at Kars speaks of the place, since it has been strengthened by the recent addition of 350 modern guns, as impreg nable. The first Russian experiences before Kars have taught them respect for their enemy, and the Hushing of the Turkish troops with a double victory is by no means an unimportant advantage at the opening of a campaign. The wording of the message leaves iis in doubt whether the engagement* occurred in an attack on the works or were precipitated by ;ni effort of the Turks to resist rlie investment of the place. It is not likely, however, that, knowing the strength of their position nnd the°Buporior efficiency of undisciplined Turkish courage when lighting behind walls, tlu; commander of the garrison would run any risk of defeat. The losses of the Russians in two assaults on a position strongly intrenched and bristling Avith guns must have been heavy, and disproportionate to tlie losses of the garrison. In the assault under similar circumstances on the 29th September, 1855, when the Russians were repulsed by General Williams after a seven hours' engagement, the killed were esti mated at 10 000 men. Without any definite information respecting the strength of the "arrison at Kars, it is impossible to hazard an opinion whether the Russian anuy could leave a sufficient force to besiege it and still press on to Erzeroom. Bat the probability is that the conflict before Kars will be resumed after an effort lias been made to reduce the works by bombardment. The i situation of the fort, commanding the whole plain, gives the garrison an immense advantage in resisting such an enterprize, and if the range of the Russian guns is inferior to those recently added to the fortress, an effective bombardment is practically out of the question. The news of the repulse is of considerable im portance, as •it is manifest that the burden of maintaining a huge armament will be severely felt by the Russian Govern ment, and every month of resistance reduces the chance of a successful issue to the invasion. We naturally note with special interest every movement of England, and the removal of the fleet from Corfu to Crete, a Turkish possession, where it will command the sea highway to the Suez Canal and Egypt in the South, and the Dardanelles in the North, looks very like a response to Russian threats of reprisals on E"ypt. Less than three days' steam would place English ironclads at Constantinople or Alexandria. The clouds on the horizon of European politics appear to be darkening. Earl Derby has replied in unmistakable terms to GortschakofFs circular, and declares that England can neither concur in, nor approve of the decision of Russia. He declares that Russia has violated the Treaties of 1856 and 1861 and has placed herself outside the concert of the powers. Russia declines to reply, and for the besi of all reasons. A"most important London cablegram of April 30th, which has apparently been over looked by the Press Agency, is extracted from the "Sydney Morning Herald, and published in another column. Ihe cable o-ram states that the Russians have occupied Giurgevo, a town immediately opposite Rus chuk°on the Danube.

There wili be found in the first page of this issue a list of objections to claims to vote in the electoral district of Auckland City West. '•The May number of "Bwd*ha<w's Quite "■ hm km WQeiyedi

The Rise in the Price of Bread.

We cherished hopes that the bakers at their meeting last night would have applied themselves to the task of devising some means of offering cheap bread for those ■whose limited means and unlimited res ponsibilities make the recent advance a, special hardship. Mr Birnie shows that this might have been done, and that his first impulse was to otter a fair bread for 4kl a loaf, but second thoughts prevailed, aud we have no hesitation in saying that second thoughts this time were not best. Neither space nor inclination dispose us to enter into a discussion with that gentleman upon the question of striking averages. It is sufficient to say that if he pursues his arithmetical studies and works out the figures he has started with, he will find that the 135 loaves, per 2001bs bag of Hour, which is "exactly my estimate' bear the relative proportion of 1512 loaves to the ton of 22401b5. If, as it appears, the local trade have a special "ton" of their own, as well as a baker's dozen, and accept 20001bs as a legal ton ;< the proportion will, of course, be relatively less. There appears, however, to be con siderable diversity of opinion, even among the trade, on this question, Mr Grubb, in his letter elsewhere, placing the yield from a local "ton" of the best ilour as 1400 loaves, or only forty loaves less than (chambers gives as the product of 22401b5. Hour. There seemed to be a disposition to treat a rise of a penny per loaf on bread as a matter of no particular consequence—a thing which consumers have hardly a fair right to grumble at. One speaker reflected regretfully on the old Avar days of 18(>3-4, wlien people swallowed sixpenny loaves without asking any questions —another suggested that the ' Turkish war was absorbing enough to occupy newspapers and consumers to the exclusion of any critical examination of their bread bills. Our own experience has been materially different, and we find from the pressure of public opinion, that the bakers' "protocol" was a declaration of war that came closer home to the people of Auckland than a dozen cablegrams announcing the sending of whole regiments of Mussulman warriors to smash. The question has just narrowed itself down to this : Is the price of bread here above a fair legitimate rate in comparison with neighbouring markets ? We have shewn unquestionably that it is. At Dunedin, bread is 3kl per 21b. loaf ; flour, £13 to £14 per ton ; at Christehurch, bread 3£d, best Hour, £14 to £15 per ton ; at Wellington, bread, 4d ; flour, £15 10s to £16 per ton ; and at Nelson, bread is 4d ; flour, £16 to £17 per ton. The last two ports, it will be observed, are flour-importing ports. By the City of Sydney to-day, we learn that the price of bread on Thurs day last in Sydney was 4d per two-pound loaf ; ' ilour (Sydney), £17 10s ; Adelaide, holders at £1!) to £19 10s. We challenge correction of any of these figures, and will pay the cost of telegram and reply to any of the bakers who shew them to be inaccurate. What reasonable ex planation,then,did thespeakersatlast night's meeting give to reconcile t-lio Imynrn of bread to <ho payment of Id and lid loaf more than is current anywhere else out of this province. To throw tlic blame on the mills is only shifting the responsibility, aud the baker.* must take cognizance of the fact that con sumers buy bread from them, not from the millers, and look to them to supply it at a fair price, protecting themselves as best, they may against undue inflation of the Ilour market. How have the trade met this very reasonable expectation ? Simply by telling customers that they will not supply a fair loaf that might be made at 40<1., whether it would be eaten or not, and in so doing the trade compel consumers to pay £1 a ton duty on a large portion of their flour, and perpetuate the very monopoly which they profess to deprecate. The assertion that the " protocol " was not meant to be in any way coercive is host refuted by Mr. Birnie's own bitter reflections on those who saw the mistake after it was committed, and thought tin*, only proper course was to retire from the position they had thought lessly taken up. Why is it so very desirable thitt prices of bread should be uniform ? We have not space to refer further to the defence set up last night, but the resolution with reference to a co-operative bakery was simply a foolish piece of bounce, and not in very good taste. For our own part, we believe that a trades man should have a fair living profit, and arc not particularly impressed with the advantages of co-operative undertakings when competition is fairly maintained. But if the resolution was intended as an expression of opinion that co-operative stores and manufactories will not work, it is simply flying in the face of established facts. Co operative undertakings have fought their way to success under the keen competition of England, and, fairly managed, they would not be likely to fail here. The stores at Mahurangi and Whangarei are proof of the fact. The bakers, as well as other tradesmen, should recognise that their interests are bound up with those who deal with thorn.

THE SUEZ MAIL.

The Suez Mail arrived by the City of Sydney to-day.

The musical and literary entertainment, postponed from last week, will be given to morrow (Thursday) evening, in the Primi tive Methodist Church, Franklin Road. The proceeds to be devoted to the trust fund.

To-morrow being Ascension Day, there will be divine service in the evening at the several Anglican churches of the city. The Bishop of Auckland (as is notified else where), will preach at the 11 o'clock service at St. Sepulchre's.

Tenders for the erection of the new school for City East, will be received by Mr Herapathuntil the 21st inst. We insert the result of the second cadet firing for the Champion Belt and silver medal of the present year, and the names of the successful competitors : — lst prize, Champion Belt, silver medal, and £6 ; Cadet Mowbray, Waiuku, 72 ; 2nd prize, £5 ; Hon. Lieut. ' Hale, Wellington, 70 ; 3rd prize, £3 ; Cadet Ansell, Auckland, ()8 ; 4th prize, £2 ; Cadet Currie, Waiuku, «7.

The Victoria, Scottish, and Hobson Volunteers underwent their monthly inspec tion last evening in the Drill-shed, in a very satisfactory manner, under command of Major Lusk. At the close of the inspection the Hobsons, headed by their fine band,; marched out, playing a number of lively airs, which attracted general attention. The committee of the Hope of Parnell Lodge will hold an open meeting this even ing in the Wesleyan Chapel of the district. The entertainment will be of a literary, musical, aud oral character, in which the choir will tike part. An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Union Sash and Door Company, for increasing the capital of the Company, and other business, will be held on Wednesday next, in Mr. T. L. White's office, Insurance Buildings. At the City Council yesterday, after the Star went to press, twelVe_ applications for the office of assistant-engineer were con sidered, and Mr W. Hazlett Lane was appointed. Sixteen applications were received for the position of turn-cock, Mr Marchmont being the successful candidate. Mr Hall was appointed assistant-turn-cock, out of thirty-two applicants. Tenders from T. and S. Morrm and H. F. Anderson, for supplies, were referred to the Waterworks Committee, Major Atkin?o» is detained, T&vmiaki hj* U& weaker,

On Monday afternoon, a man whose name is McCabe was driving in a cart along the Epsom road in a manner which shewed he was none the better for liquor, and as he traversed the road in furious style from one side to the other, he greatly endangered the safety of other vehicles. Mr Joseph May was at the time homeward bound, and being overtaken by the mad-headed driver, had barely time to get safely out of the road, as McCabe shot past him. After going past Mr May a few yards, the cart presided over by McCabe ran foul of some obstruction, which caused it to pitch over, the driver being much injured. His face was much cut, and his whole frame appeared to have suffered so much, it was deemed prudent to take him to the Hospital.

The new Masonic Hall, Onchunga, will be opened on Tuesday, the 15th instant. The consecration will take place at 5.30 p.m., to be siiceeeded by a concert and ball. The event will be a red-letter day in the history of Onehunga.

Spiritualism will bo defined and defended this evening! at the Lome-street Hall, in an oration by Thomas Walker, the trancc mediuirj. Rev. S. Edgar, chairman. The doors of the hall will be opened at half-past seven, and Mr Walker will commence his oration exactly at eight.

The Rev. Allan Webb will preach to morrow evening in the Mount Eden Baptist Chapel, at half-past seven o'clock.

The " New Zealand Wesleyan," for May, contains an article on " connected examina tion of Holy Scripture," by Edward White ; on " The stage and the pulpit," from " The Fountain ;" " Church work versus home duties," religious and general news, a lead ing article on " Lay representation in the British Conference," and other matters of interest.

The " Waikato Times" in a leading article refers to the danger of inviting a native attack on the frontier by the apparent weakness of the garrisons. Tt questions the wisdom «of the present Ministerial economy in the reduction of the Constabulary, as being too dangerous a sacrifice to the cry for retrenchment. The " Times" quotes in corroboration of its views mi article in the " Lyttelton Times," and the opinion of the late Sir Donald McLean that a force of 150 men, or nearly that now proposed, to be maintained in the Waikato, was the minimum that could be safely stationed in the district.

The proprietors of the Insurance Build ings are not going to run the risk of another outbreak of fire by matches being thrown down the gratings in the central hall. Since yesterday a man has been at work taking the gratings up, and placing perforated zinc sheets underneath. By this means the ventilation is not restricted, but the danger is obviated. To shew the extent of the danger which really existed, we may mention that under almost every grating half a match-box full of burnt matches were to be seen lying among the dust. In one place, the matches were found lying on one of the joists which had the dry rot, and was like touch wood. Several coins, principally pennies, were also found.

The May number of the "Auckland Journal of Commerce" is to hand, and maintains its character. A great improve ment in general business during the mouth is noticed, and n revival of activity in the markets.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Btifore G. M. Mitford, Esq., J.P.) TWO MOIIK UNFORTUNATES. Mary McDonald was charged with having been intoxicated last evening. Fined 5s and costs, or 24 hours with hard labour. Cliarl-'s Thompson was similarly treated for a like offence.

A TEKEOK. Richard Caliill was charged with being drunk and disorderly last evening. , Constable McDunnell graphically des cribed tlic scene at the arrest. He noticed Cahill annoying Hie passers-by, by kicking them after they had turned their backs. Fined 20s, or 48 hours with hard labor. THE UNWILLING PRISONER. Emily Diver was charged with a breach of the Vagrant Act, IStifi, by being an incorrigible rogue and vagabond, and with having no visible lawful means of obtaining a livelihood. Prisoner pleaded guilty. Detective Jeffrey deposed that the pri soner c;iii)o to the Police Station yester day, and wished to see a woman locked up inside. She would not go away, and ho was obliged to arrest her. He knew her to be a prostitute, and a nuisance to her neighbours. He had been compelled to turn her out of her house in Chancery Lane, and now she lived in Hobson-street. Prisoner: Now, Mr Jeffrey, speak the truth : Did you ever put your foot in my house ? Detective Jeffrey : Yes ; I was in your house in Chancery Lane several times. Prisoner : No, you were not. I had no house in Chancery Lane. II was my brother's Did you ever step into ray house in Hobson-street ? Detective Jeffrey : Yes; I was there oiice. Prisoner : Was I there when you came ? Detective Jeffrey : No ; I believe not. Prisoner : Does my husband not support me ? Can I not get money from him when I require it ? Detective Jeffrey : No ; I am sure you cannot. He has offered you chances to reform, but you will not accept of them. Prisoner ; Oh, Mr. Jeffrey, why don't you tell the truth. It's shameful! He gives me money whenever I require it. Detective Grace and Constable Gillies gave evidence in support of the charge. The prisoner appealed to the Bench for "justice." She had been wrongfully con victed some time ago, and now the police were swearing her liberty away again. The Bench sentenced the prisoner to one year's imprisonment with hard labour, and she left the Court bathed in tears, [W. C. Daldy, Esq., J.P., here took his seat on the Bench.]

WOUNDING WITH INTENT. William John Healey was charged with unlawfully assaulting one William Ander son, by striking him over the head on the oth instant. ■ • ■' Sub-Inspector Partly stated the circum stances of the case. Mr Belcher : deposed that he saw the two men talking together on Saturday afternoon. The prosecutor suddenly struck the prisoner, who returned the blow. Compliments of this kind were exchanged for a few minutes, when Healey lifted a kit which he held in his hand, and struck the prosecutor with it. He t saw blood flowing from the man's face, and thought that his nose was bleeding. Healey afterwards came to where he was standing., when he said that the kit con tained a tomahawk. Healey was drank at the time, but he was not sure whether the other man was. The prosecutor gave evidence to shew that prisoner was behind him when he struck him. Healy stated that the fault lay on the side of Anderson. He struck him first, and tore his coat. Mr Norton, house surgeon at the hospital, deposed that the prosecutor came to him on Saturday afternoon to have his wound dressed. Blood was flowing freely from his face. He dressed the wound, which was not dangerous, unless the man took to drinking again, when erysipelas might possibly set in. The Bench sentenced the prisoner to two months' imprisonment with hard labour, Tlws <?onsudod the bmuw»<

The Bread Question.

MEETING OF BAKERS,

AGRKEABLY to announcement in the Star a meeting of bakers "who signed the Protocol" on the 2nd March, in favour of raising the price of bread to 5d the 2!h loaf, was held at the British Hotel last evening. Punctually at 8 o'clock, the hour appointed, a representative of this Journal was mtroducedfby host Humphries, to the assembled bakers, who proceeded to deli berate as to the propriety of having their pro ceedings reported. It was suggested that a show of hands should be taken on the question, but another suggestion In favour of postponing the question until the rest of the bakers, " who had signed the Protocol" had put in an appearance, •was adopted. At a few minutes past 8 o'clock the following were present, and it was decided to proceed to business:—Messrs .1 Birnie, Forgie, Crowo, Easdown, Phillip, Grubb, Howie, JoTm ston, Collison, Rollerson, W. R. "Waddell, and McKeown.

Mr V orgie was voted to the chair, and read the advertisement convening the meeting from the Evening Star. He then requested Mr Birnie to state the object of the meeting. The question of allowing the representatives of the Press to report the meeting was then sub mitted, and carried unanimously. Mr. Birnie said he had called ihe meeting and signed the advertisement as hon. secretary, simply because he thought it would look more respectable to the members of the trade, many *of whom were so much older than himself. The " lion, secretary" was therefore a self-appointed office, and he had called the meeting in order that they might consider the question which was agitating the public mind, and which had been raised by the Star. The correspondence, he saw, had now got to extreme lengths, for one writer suggested a bread riot as the only means of adjusting mutters. He (Mr. Birnie) did not suppose any of the bakers wanted a bread riot, nor did the rise in the price of bread warrant such a proceeding, or even hint at it. Certainly he knew that a rise in tho price of any necessary article of food or clothing did fall very hard upon the poor working man, but he really considered tho Star had gone to an extreme length in its statements. Mr. Waddell (looking in at the door): Do I intrude, gentlemen? Mr. Birnie : I have no objection, and I don't suppose anyone else has. Several Bakers: Oh no ; not at all. Mr Birnio : Weil, along with these comments in the Star, and correspondence, our customers have been grumbling, at least a lot of them, the very bad pays especially. Those who paid their accounts weekly were not so bad, except one or two. Well, none of us can bind them to stop with us, all we want them to do is to take our goods, and pay us for them. According to the jOditor of the Star, we are bound together to make the people, pay 5d a loaf. I say the thing is utterly absurd. According to his own state ment, 20 bakers in Auckland signed the agree ment, and that is not two thirds of the whole of the bakers in Auckland. (A. voice—Not one half). It is rather over one half, and there is a goid margin of bakers left who did not sign the protocol, and the public can deal with them if they wish. My experience, and I suppose it is the same with all of you, is that the public demand a first-class loaf, and to produce a first class loaf, you must get first-class flour and pay for it. (A voice—The miller takes care of that, never fear). I affirm it is utterly impossible to produce a first-class loaf under od. My obiect in calling the meeting together to-night was to give you my views on this question. I may say two questions present themselves to my mind, one is : Will we we lower the price and the

quality of bread? the second: Phall we main tain the price and the quality ? It may resolve itself into one question, " Shall we lower the price and consequently the quality, or stand by the price and quality, and let the co-operative bakers, as is talked of, turn out. It is a solution of that question that is wanted to-night. (A voice—l second keep the price and keep the Quality). It was to solve that question that I called the meeting. I did so upon by own authority, ris secretai-ypro torn, and I should be (dad if any of you would express your opinions on the question I have suggested.

A rnthnr long pause ensued. Tlie Chairman : Mr WanVlcll, will you give us your opinion on the subject.

Mr Woddell: I can only concur with what Mr liirnie said. If you wish to make a fair loaf— lirst-class is hardly producible just now—you will use the best flour you can purchase to make a middling good loaf. To make a fair loaf you will require the best flour you can tret, and I am confident you cannot do otherwise than charge the price you do. (Hear, hear). The Chairman : T know that the bakers have raised to 5d at the Thames, and letters from Gisbornc state it is 6d. there. Mr ■U'addcll: All the St,\k does is to talk of the South and other colonies. Let them deal with the trade °o far as Auckland is concerned, and take the price here. &jAt £15, fourpencc the two-pound loaf was a fair price, and that is a fair limit at which it will pay. Mr Birnie: When bread was at id, flour was at .-£l4 per ton. Mr Waddell: II there is a temporary rise of £1 that is the bakers'loss. It has gone Tip £1 on the Saturday, and another £1 on the Monday, until it has got up to £22. According to my reckoning it wants only another £1 rise to make the price skl the two-pound loaf. A voire :~.1 heard to-day that it, went to £23. The Chairman: You will remember that in my time bread was 6d the 2-lb. loaf, with flour at £20 the ton, and there never was any grumbling then. (Hear. hear). A voice : It is the St au that has done that. Mr "Waddell: A Veil, they lake an interest in the working man, and they want us to keep their families, They take th« Wellington quota tions at £15, and say bread is Id. I heard some one say today that they thought the Star ought to be satisfied with the war news, without, try ing to make a down on the poor baker. (Marks of great sympathy). A baker: They sny in the Star that down South flour is iSI-t and. bread 4d- Mr Waddell: But you needn't believe 'em. A baker: They say that two of the principal bakers gave them 132 and 110 loaves as the pro duce of a 200 lb. sack of flour, and they struck an averasro. Mr "Waddell: It is an error. I give the ex treme limit flour would make, that is, 06 21b. loaves to the 100 lbs. Mr Birnie : At home a ton of flour is 2210 lbs., here it is only 2000 lbs. It is quite patent that to produce 1512 loaves and give weight i« totally outrageous. I think the schoolmaster is abroad ■ and no mistake, when the Editor of the Star talks about striking an average between 130 loaves and 110 loaves. When I went to school we used to strike an average between two num bers by (UvidinS by 2, and that gives 133 loaves, which is exactly my estimate. We used six sacks of 11 our this week, and 20 of the loaves were brown bread, and wo had to broach the seventh sack for dust; for the mould. We must take off that, the 20 loaves of brown bread, and that is fair. Mr Wad del: It is too fair. Mr Birnie: That leaves 801 loaves from six sacks of flour. That is not up to 135. According to another statement, he asserts by Chambers' calculation that a ton of flour will produce 14 JO two-pound loaves, and that estimate is spoken of as a very low one. Mr Waddcl: They get away with the idea that a sack is 2801bs, as in, the old country, whereas here it is only 2flolbs.

Mr Birnie : In Mr Firth's advertisement it was generally specified that the ton of flou^ was 20001bs. Well, gentlemen, to facilitate business, I will move that the quality and price be main tained, and that we heartily invite the immediate formation of a co-operative company. I think it is the best way to meet the public honestly. I was speaking to one member of the trade—T don't 'ike to mention his name— and he said he liked to meet a man honestly and look him straightforwardly in the face. I know self-praise is no recommendation—but I think my action in this matter will recommend itself. I think, therefore, that the price and the quality ouprlit to be maintained

Mr Waddell: The public will look out for the quality. The Chairman : And we also invite co-opera tion. (Hear, hear.)

Mr Rollerson : They tried that six months ago, and it was a failure. If they try a Com pany, it will be a call instead of a dividend. (Cliecrs.)

Mr Collison : I move, that if the oditor of the Star is not satisfied with the statement, he should try 100 lbs of flour himself. Let him buy his own flour, and use his own labour, and see • if it would pay him. Mr Birnie: That is a useless proposition with all due respect to Mr Collison. I am afraid the editor would get into a greater fog • the flour would set in his eyes, and he wouldn't be able to se«> straight. ' Mr Phillip3 seconded Mr Birnie's motion which was carried unanimously. Mr; Birnie: I should like to mention that wheiv there has bp<\n an agreement like this, some of the members who have signed it were selling bread at another price. The time before last I had fully made up my mind never to have any more to do with these agreements. But I looked at the papery and saw the namea of men who would stand by another man, and consequently I signed it. When I saw the article in the Star I thought I would lower the standard and sell at a lower price, but I thought the best way was to back out at a public meeting-, not like same of them who signed the agreement, liko dogs with their tails between tht-ir legs. Of course they were driven to this by that fellow writing a. letter in t^e Stah, talking about bread riols- I thought the best way was to meet it half way by reducing the standard, but there is no satis faction.in that. It is a very unsatisfactory thinp trying to put bad stuff out of an oven. When I commenced business I sold half at one price and halt at another. I was not very flush of cash and I had to follow the rules of my predecessor' and sell at two prices, and I had to manipulate the flour to make it pay. It is not necessary for me to point out to those who have experience what it is to work up bad stuff; it's simply T-KSte^^ bad rtdiM mea» Mr Waddell: It is very seldom we have ba,d. flour m Auckland, except just at the end of the Mr Birniq: We sometimes find the Ovown ' N-»ot mto the wwk (bear hear.V Itfinotffi tag m% y(t»\ it ws » w I yuan %^ x %\ \i

absolutely impossible to produce thewT" as some of the under-sellers say they fl«est T loaf, pose they mean the best in their own shm, SSP not the best in the city. sa °Ps- IVb The Chairman; The public does not tako * » consideration that there is £1 duty on S&jg" Mr Waddell: The man who lower* fh dard of quality will reduce his buSs Stan- Mr Birnie: I think the decision aSd *♦ i Sbe^SSS. wm shew the pubUc *KSfl& m^ieniel TtheV ****** co^rsati on the

CABLEGRAMS.

THE WAR.

[PRESS AGENCY.]

Latest Cablegram.

THIS DAY

Lord Derby's Reply to Gorts-

chakoff's Circular.

He Charges Russia with Violating Treaties-

Russia Declines to Reply.

LONDON, May 7,

Earl Derby's despatch repudiates the arguments in Prince Gortschakoff's circular as to the reasons-which induced Russia to decliire war against Turkey. He declares that the Czar violates the Treaties of 1856 and 18G1 ; that she separates from the concert of the Powers and departs from the Rule to which he himself consented, and that since Russia assumes to act in th» interest of the other Powers, England declares she cannot concur in, or approve of the decision of Russia. Russia declines to reply to Earl Derby's despatch.

Defeat of Russians at Ears with Heavy Loss.

The British Fleet at Crete.

A ITew British Possession.

• SINGAPORE, May 7. The Russians have been twice repulsed before Kars. They suffered heavy loss at the hands of the Turks, and were compelled to fall back defeated. The British Ironclad Squadron, -which sometime since went to Corfu, has lieen ordered to leave that port and rendezvous at Crete, at the entrance of the Grecian Archi pelago. SINGAPORE, Monday. Great Britain has annexed the Transvaal Republic to her African territories.

Important Cablegrams.

Important Unpublished News.

Russians Occupy G-iurgevo

A telegram from London in the " Sydney Morning Herald," dated April 30th, is as follows :—

London, April 30. "The Russians have occupied Giurgevo." The post mentioned is immediately opposite Ruschuk, and is situate on the 1 north bank of the Danube. Ruschuk as we have frequently pointed out is the western angle of the quadrilateral formed by Ruschuk, Silistria, Shumla and Varna. It is one of the places selected by the Russians for crossing in 1828. This'news is most important, and it must have been some oversight which led the Press Agency to omit it. THE ADVANCE ON KARS. May 1. The Kussian troops in Turkish Armenia after leaving Ardahan marched towards i Kars, upon which city they have now made an attack. , The Privy Council has reversed the decision of the Supreme Court of Victoria, which allowed 10 per cent, probate duty on the will of Major John 801 lof Geelong. THE WOOL SALES. The "Wool Merchants' Committee has decided to restrict the next wool sales to 300,000 bales, exclusive of the 40,000 held over from the previous sale. The brokers concur in this arrangement. The quantity that has arrived since last sales amounts to 303,270 bales. The telegraph companies will have to limit the number of words to each news paper during the war.

Arrival of the City of Sydney.

By the arrival of the City of Sydney this morning Aye are in receipt of dates from Sydney to the 4th inst., from which we ex tract the following :— SYDNEY.

The schooner Resolute, for Sydney, from the Richmond, parted her chains, and went ashore under West Head. She is bOged and tall of water. The crew are safe.

The schooner Esperanza, from Lord Howe Island has on board Captain Curtis and family, and the crew of the barque b.M. Statson, lately stranded there. The schooner Josephine, from Noumea, for Auckland, was lying at Howe Island, having put in through stress of weather, and shortness of water and stores.

At the 53rd half-yearly meeting of the proprietors in the Bank of New South Wales, held on April 30, a dividend wa& declared at the rate of 15 per cent per annum, together with a bonus of 2|p.cr.' cent, per annum. The reserve fund now amounts to £430,000. A lire broke out in the shop of Messrs Hanks and-Co., George-street. A large amount of stock was destroyed. It has been determined by the Exectititef Council that the sentence of death passed upon Thomas Newman, at tke late Itabßo' Assizes, for the murder of Mary Abb M'Gregor, at Coonabarabran, shall take effect; but the sentence of death passes upon the aboriginal, named John Simon, at the same sittings of the Criminal Court, lias been commuted to hard labour for life, the first three years in irons.

MELBOURNE.

Judge Stephen, has received twelve months' leave of absence. Mark Lyons, charged with stealing dia monds, has been arrested in England. The report of the National Bank declared a dividend at the rate of 12-!t per cent. A baker named M'Cubbin fell down' stairs, and was killed. ■, The Melbourne Ice Company has declared a dividend of ten per cent. An Anti-Patronage Society has beeD formed, for the purpose of securing tfie appointments to tfie Civil Service by coin petitive examination. Mr Francis has been appointed president. rhg Mr Thomas, otherwise known as -*"? Vagabond," who was caught in the art « introducing tobacco into the Stockade w«« on a visit" to that establishment., iviUj£ cUlsd upon to answev $& ■JttWflP W*".

THE EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, MAY <J, 1877.



/CONTINUATION OF CLEARING- Kj out sale. JOHN *W. P EARSE (Leaving for England). The Stock must be sold at Frightfully Reduced Prices, to realise quickly, consisting of a very Large Stock of Men's and Boys' Clothing, Ulster Coats, Waterproof Coats, Inverness Capes, Overcoats, French Felt Hats, Cloth Caps- A large quantity of Ladies' Very Fashionable Costumes, Jackets', Shawls, and Felt Skirts, just received from London. Blankets. Flannels, Tweeds, Hosiery. Gloves, utties. Feathers, Flowers, and Straw Goods. Every Department is Marked Down, so as to clear out. The Lease of the Premises for Sale. "VTOTICE O F EEMOVAL. TT A TKINS BEGS TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE «3-HAS REMOVED!!-©* TO TH Premises Next Door Below his Old Shop. H. ATKINS Begs to heartily thank his numerous Cus tomers for their very liberal patronage from his lirst commencing business up to the present time, and to assure them that aKihough bis trade has increased to that extent, that his REMOVAL to more Commodious Premises was a neces sity, the same principles of business will stiilbe adhered to: viz., keeping a good article, buying in the cheapest market, and selling at the smallest profit possible. His New Shop shall always be known as The Cheapest in Auckland. H.A. will be happy to see all Mb old Customers, and as many new ones as may honour him with their patronage. A SPLENDID STOCK OF DRAPERY AND CLOTHING Will always be found, and the PRICES THE LOWEST IN AUCKLAND 1



MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALASIA. Incorporated by Act of Parliament. NEW ZEALAND BRANCH: Head Office, Auckland Local Director: George Burgoyne Owen, Esq. (Messrs. Owen and Graham.) Principal Medical Officer: Charles Field Goldsbro', Esq., M.D. General Agent for New Zealand : William T. J. Bell. With Sub-Agencies in all the Principal Towns. Every information on the subject of LIFE ASSURANCE ANNUITIES, and ENDOW MENTS FOR CHILDREN, afforded by J. A. Lowe, Travelling Agent to the Association ; or WILLIAM T. J. BELL, General Agent. $a, Special Features.—Age admitted on Policies, which are unchallangable from date of issue. Lowest Rates of Premiums, and no hamper ing conditions as to residence or occupation. Ttf" O T I C E. MACINTOSH COATS, WATERPROOF CLOTHING. RUSHBROOK AND ERIDGMAN Have Just Opened, and are now Showing, a Large Parcel of the above Goods, from the ■■" same House, and of similar style, to their LiLast Season's Goods, concerning the Wear and Quality of which they have received many satisfactory testimonials. The Parcel includes various Styles, and all sizes. £, /'Light Textures, in Black and Drab, for O town wear. O . Strong Heavy Sheeting. £5 r£ I Strong Twilled, Velvet Collars. £j 5 J Cashmere. Fancy Check, and Diagonal S 5 Tweed Patterns. I£j q Extra Heavy Diagonal Warm Lined, and extra long. b. Sealskin Lined, specially adapted for *■* v. Cabmen, 'Buss Drivers, &c. waterproof aprons. leggings. &c. Also, A FURTHER SUPPLY OF BLANKETS, REVERSIBLE BUSH RUGS, AND FANCY AUSTRIAN RUGS, To Hand this Week. Is. in the & allowed on all Cash Purchases of 20s. and upwards. rushbrook & bridgman, Junction Drapery Warehouse, Upper Queen-street, auclkand.



nA R G O & TUT cKA IG, CLOTHIERS. OUTFITTERS, HOSIERS, MERCERS, &c. QUEEN-STREET, Auckland, Next door to Mr. E. Waters, Confectioner. CARGO & McKAIG beg to intimate their in tention of OPENING as above on THURSDAY next, the 10th instant, with a Large and Well assorted Stock, consisting of the Newest and Most Fashionable Styles in MEN'S. YOUTHS' AND BOYS' CLOTHING, HATS and CAPS, SHIRTS, COLLARS, TIES, AND SCARFS, HANDKERCHIEFS, BELTS AND BRACES, HOSIERY, UNDERSHIRTS &fl" PANTS, UMBRELLAS, PORTMANTEAUS, r&c.,*&C.A&C. This Stock will be the mostjcomplete and best assorted in Auckland, having been selected with the greatest care, and with strict attention to the requirements of this market. ♦ Our arrangements are such that we can con fidently assure our Customers of their receiving the utmost satisfaction, and also that they will obtain the best possible value for their money.] ■ CARGO & McKAIG, Clothiers, Outfitters, Hosiers; Mercers, &c, QUEEN-STREET, AU C X L*A N D Next Waters, Confectioner. X\/~ INTER HOSIERY. W. RATTRAY Has Just Opened Up a Large and Well-selected Stock of ' m WINTER HOSIERY, -®S Including RIBBED MERINO HOSE, in a very Superior Quality; the Fashionable Striped CASHMERE HOSE, and other makes, Well Suited to the Season. W. RATTRAY, DRAPER, HOSIER, & SILK MER3ER, New Zealand House, % QUEEN-STRJBijJT,



P E C I A L NOTICE. AUTUMN & WINTER GOODS, B4.NNOCKBURN AND MOSGIEL TWEEDS H. L. POSSENNISKIE Opening Out these New Seasonable Goods, ■would call particular attention to their qiiality, which is second to none imported, while from his lai'ge an<i varied Stock Gentlemen can "rely on a choice of Cloth unattainable else where in the colony. H. L. POSSENNISKIE, MERCHANT TAILOR & HABITMAKER, Opposite the City Mart, Shortland-street. TTjiURNHURJE! FURNITURE ! Ladies and Qentanin a'lout to Furnish are respec fully requested to inipect the Large Stock of DBA WING- -ROOM, DINING - ROOM BEDROOM, AND GENERAL HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, In our Nev) and Spacious Shrnvrooms T. A m COO KB, 67, QUEEN STREET A.l4ai™*LO R<xnfc nf V«n SSenlnnji LUXURIANT AND BEAUTIFUL iIAIK. — Use " Sharland's Tricophero." It increases growth, removes dan drill', gives a gloss, and stinrulates the roots, and produces iiowing locks of silken hair. Beautifully perfumed, and clean in its use. Price. 2s. a bottle. ICSL Siiabland & Co., opposite Post-office, Auckland. Atkinsons Perfumery and Spkctalities. Both in flavour and effect TJnoLPilo Wolkk's Soiiikdam Aromatic Schnapps is the very antipodes of the cheap counterfeits of that in effable medicinal beverage which are sold in bottles in which the real elixir was previously contained. The true Schnapps confer health and strength and are palatable in the highest degree. The counterfeits arc most pernicious and disagreeable. The Medical Profession hare declared Steank's Superlative Aromatic Tonic Wine to be a necessity to all in search of health, and especially to those suffering either from Incipient or Chronic Indigestion, Dyspepsia, and the dis orders arising therefrom. This Tonic is also particularly recommended to all who are in a measure compelled from the nature of their occupation to tako stimulants, and at the same time are desirous of studying health by taking that which will act most boncficially on the system. Mr. Wm. John3on, Government Analy tical Chemist, report: — "I have examined Steane's Superlative Aromatic Tonic Wine, and find it to be remarkably pleasant in flavour, con taining about 16 per cent.'of a very pure alcohol, and holding in solution a clear wholesome, Vegetable Bitter, combined with a fruity spicy aroma. I consider this Bitter a very superior article."—Sold by all Storekeepers and Hotel keepers.