ARRIVALS.

lona. s.s., FaroHhar, from the North Ladrbird, s,s., Griffiths, from the South

IMPORTS.

Per s.s. Ladybird: 19 pkgs., 200 sheep, 3 trunks, lac^! <GbaVe3^oluidls?branay; 5 kcg~a, S cratcsT

The s.s. Ladybird, 280 tons, Captain Griffiths, arrived at Onehunga at 5.30 this morning. She left Dunedin at I p.m. on the 2nd ; arrived at Taranaki at S a.m. of the Slh : lefc at 3 p.m.. arriving as above. Experienced fine weather all up the coast. Passengers-Saloon: Mesdames Donnen and Snodgrass, Miss McWilham.-?, Messrs Blackwood and servant, i-ergnsson, Wilson Mover. Wilt, Bucltworf.h, Robertsnaw, Keane, Ellk Allen, Colok, Bushell, and S!X steerage. We are indebted to C. L. Kdniiston. the parser, for report and files. The Ladybird, leaves for the South on Monday at 5.30 a.m. The brigantino Omaha arrived at Mercury Bay on Sunday last in ballast, from \\ piling u>n and Chatham Island. While at Chatham Island she experienced some very heavy weather, and unless her ground tackle had been of a Hrst-class character she would have probably been driven on shore. Thesshooncr Ag-nes is still hijyn and dry at the Chatham Islands. Since the tidal wave lifted her off the cradle she has been lying on the beach. Fresh efforts are now being made to float her. . The s.s. lona arrived from the South this morn ing with passengers as per telegram yesterday. and a quanty of cargo consisting oi gum, OsThe sohoonor Lcetitia will be offered at auction Captain F.xrqnhar, of the lona, informs us that no less than thirteen whaleboats are being fitted out at Russell in readiness tor the approaching season. Two otheraTare reported bein~ prepared at Wangaroa The oily monsters of the deep arc likely to get [rather a warm reception from our North countrymen.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION'S REPORT.

Bank of N.Z.—Sellers, £21 15s. National Bank—Sellers, 725. Colonial Bank-435; buyers, 13s ; sellers. 11s. Thames Gas—Buyers, 295. South British Insurance— Bayers, 00s. National Insurance— Buyers, 3ls. New Zealand do—Sellers, 105s. N.Z. Loan and Mercantile— Buyci'3, So. Red Queen-Sellers. 3s 6d. Caledonian (double)-Sellcrs, £1153. Moanatairi-£9, £9 ss; buyers, £9; sellers, Waitekauri—l7s, IS?: sellers, lSs Gd. Alburn ia—Buyers, 50s. New Morhine: Star—boilers, is. Waverley—3s. Union Beach—Buyers, 2j3 ; sellers, oOs. Tokatea—l7s, ISs; buyers, ISs. Waiotahi—Sellers, 20s. . Kuranui Hill-Buyers, 275; sellers, 2Ss. Pride of Tokatea—ls 3d ; sellers, Is 3d. Inverness-SeUers. ; ss, EwMAMcha , mian _

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :— Far Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m. ; and on Monday next, at 11 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. Far Coromandel, per A.rgyle, on Monday next, at 11.30 a.m. For Tryphena, por South Carolina, this day, at 5 p.m. . , . , For Taranaki, Southern provinces: and Austra lian Colonies, per Ladybird, on Monday next, For Chatham Islands, (per Omaha), via Whiti angi, per Rowcna, on Monday 18th inst., at £ p.m. For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongomn, per lona, on Monday next, at i p.m. For Wangarei Heads, Waipu. Wangurei, and Mangap'ai, per Argyle, on Tuesday next, at For w'aiheke, per Spey, on Monday next, at 11 a.m. S. B. "RTSR. Chief Postmaster.

Stbanes Superlative Akomatic Toxic Wine to be a necessity to all in search of health, afia ■ especially to thctecsu'toringeitherfromlnr ,nent ' or Chronic indigestion^'Dyspepsia, and me d:s- '. orders arising therefrom. This Tonic is also particularly recommended to all who are in a measure compelled from the nature ot theu- Efifl?^^ei?r6u|"of fs^WlTSe^tn'6y?a sß£5B£g1 that which will act most beneficially on t he system. Mr. Win. Johnson, 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 hy all Storekeepers and llotol- Icertnftra.

DOX'Tbo hoodwinked by imitators of UdOLPHO Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps, who inclose vile spirits in bottles which contained the Simon Pure Schnapps and put bogus labels thereon. Repudiate these nostrums. Scruti nize the labels, and if they are deficient in exe cution or the car-marks of authenticity, don't bay.

Relief from Couoii in Tex Minutes.— Sharland's Cherry Pectoral, a specific for Colds, Coughs, Asthma, Consumption, Bronchitis, Lung Diseases. &c. It acts like magic. Price, 2s. (id. and is. Gd. a bottle.

Sharland's Instant Cure for Toothache; Is. a bottle.

Sharland's, opposite Post-office. Auckland.

BIRTHS.

BELL.—On Wednesday, Gth June, ntherresi

dence, Church-street, Onehunga, Mrs. George

Joy Bell of a son.—Belfast papers please copy

CAULIKR.—On the 6th Juno, at her residence, New North Road, tho wife of Henry S. Caulier oi! a daughter.

KUMMER.—On Thursday, 7th instant, the wife of I<\ G. 11. Kumnier of a son.

MARRIAGE.

GAYNE-O'SIIAUGHN TESSV.— On Sth June, at St. Patrick's Cathedral, by the Rev. Father O'Dwyer, Charles Gayne, of Cork, Ireland, to Mary O'Shaughnessy, of-Limerick, Ireland.

DEATHS.

LEONARD.—On the Bth June, after a short and painful illness, Frances, the beloved wife of John Leonard.

The funeral will leave her late residence to morrow (Sunday), at 3 p.m. Friends please accept this invitation.

JACKSON.—On the Gth June, at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. C. Sutton, Rcmucra, Anne Jackson, aged 7S years.

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

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs lesistance, For the future in the distance. And the good tliat we can do.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 1877.

We understand that correspondence lias passed between the Corporation and the Government with a view to the introduc tion of an amended Act, authorising a supplementary loan of £25,000 for the com pletion of the Auckland Waterworks. The measure is designed to overcome the objection raised by the Bank of New Zea land some months ago, when asked to float the loan. The nature of this objection, it will be remembered, was, that the Is 3d rate, having already been offered as security for £100,000, could not be again pledged for a further loan, without the new debenture holders occupying the position of second mortgagees, while the Act of last session specifically declared that all debentures should stand on the same footing. It is proposed in the new Bill to give the waterworks plant and a second mortgage on city endowments as security for the additional sum required. That the Council might do this is pretty certain, the Act under which the first loan was raised pledging the rates and water works revenues, only. But it is still mote evident that if the difficulty created with respect to the Act passed last session was made in the interests of first debenture holders, and the proposed amendment is likewise to protect them, their guardians are straining at a gnat, and swallowing a camel. Assuming that the disaster against which securities are the safeguard will occur, and that the new bond-holders will seize the waterworks, in what position would the first debenture-holders stand when attempting to collect a rate for water which they would not be in a position to supply ? Moreover, a mortgage over the plant must damage one of the securities pledged with the rate for the first loan, to wit, the revenue from the supply. On the pre sumption that the Legislature has power to authorise the raising of £25,000 as a first mortgage upon the constructed waterworks, it unquestionably can only do so by the in validation of one half the original security held by the old debenture-holders. Another matter, however, and one that concerns the city much more nearly than the conserving of fanciful rights, has to be taken into con sideration, we are assured by those accus tomed to gauge the money market that the division of the security, and the substi tution of unreliable and perishable machin ery for the ample revenues under the original Acts, will be distasteful to English investors, and the city will suffer heavy loss through the lower price offered fcr its debentures. It will thus be seen that the course pursued by the Bank in placing itself in antagonism to the Legisla ture, has raised a crop of difficulties not easily adjusted satisfactorily, either to the city or to bond-holders. And when the grounds on which the objection to the present Act authorising the loan are examined, we think it will be found that the anxiety of the Bank to protect the security of the debenture-holders was un necessary. There cannot be the slightest doubt that the is 3d rate, without the waterworks revenue, is much more than ample to cover the two loans. And there is equally little doubt that the Legis lature had power to authorise the supplementary borrowing. The fact that the money is required for the purpose of wiping off two heavy first mortgages hanging over works upon the construction of which the £100,000 lent by the first debenture-holders was expended, and to otherwise improve their securities, supplies a very good reason, which the legislature, no doubt, duly considered, why all the holders of the loan should bo placed on the same footing. The appearance of a breach of faith with English investors led us, we confess, at first to accept the view taken by the Bank as a sound one, but on looking into the Water works Act, under which the original loan was made, it is quite clear that the security of the special rate was granted for any sums which the Legislature might authorise for the completion of the undertaking. Deben tures holders bought upon that condition, and have no moral or legal ground of complaint against the floating of the supplementary loan necessary for the purposes of the Act. It may be true that the offering of another £25,000 will interfere with the full enjoyment of the heavy pre miums now paid for Auckland Water" works debentures in the London market, latest quotations being 106 to 108 for a loan floated at 96. But the Corporation has nothing to do with that. If the argument that another} bill jis necessary because the present debenture-holders would otherwise sufferj goes for anything, it means that the city shall take on its own shoulders ali the possible loss by depreciation of the stock. Before incur ring the risks and expense of lobbying another bill through Parliament, with the chances of heavy depreciation in floating the loan, the members of the Council should consider whether it is not their duty in the interests of ratepayers to proceed with the powers already conferred upon them by the General Assembly.

has receive'

a t&egfitm

:rom the

Government to the effect that Mr Lusk lias Been instructed'^) $ay over to the Board the subsidy, amounting to £70. A select quadrille party was held last nklitiq i\>n. WJtoU—'. Hall, tOOK-StrCCt. About forty couples were present. Dancing conimencecl at S o'clock, and was kept up; with great spirit until 11 o'clock, a y p ie . sent thoroughly enjoyed themselves, under the able management o f M r T _ D ona ld, M. C. Before breaking up it was announced that a similar entertainment will take place at a future date, to be advertised. A meeting of the Board of Education was held yesterday afternoon, but the business was not large, a number of applications were granted, and others refused. Buck ton's '■ Health in the House" was recom mended and adopted as a text book for schools on the laws of health. Col. Haultain moved for power to sell the Remuera reserve, 10t57, sec. 16, suburbs of Auckland, for the purpose of purchasing a more suit able site for a school for girls at Mount ilobson. Also, for power to sell an allot ment at Paumure for educational purposes. The motions were seconded by Mr Luckie, and adopted. Breadwinners and breadeaters in Auck land will be glad to learn that the recent rise in the price of breadstuff's in Australia has not been maintained. A Melbourne cablegram of yesterday reports breadstutls vcrv dull.

Several creditors' meetings were held yesterday in the Supreme Court Buildings, viz., a first meeting in the estate of Henry Stubbing in which the trustee was .appointed, and E.lvydd, in which case a report was received and a resolution passed iv favor of the bankrupt's discharge. A first meeting for the election of trustees to the estate of E. Fitness was held, and a report in connec tion with the estate of Samuel Geraghty, in which the bankrupt intimated his inten tion of applying next Court day for his final order.

Mr Macdonald, legal manager of the Waitekauri Gold Mining Company,.adver tises that a dividend of 2s is payable^ to shareholders in the above Company. The dividend will he paid on the 14th inst. at Grahamstown, and at Auckland on the 18th, at Mr Stovin's office.

The case of W. Mcllwain v. Reid, a claim for £100, alleged damage caused by a lire, was heard before Captain Jackson, at the Waiuku Court, on the 6th. The case had been referred from the Auckland District Court for arbitration. Plaintiff in evidence stated that a lire had originated on defen dant's land and destroyed a quantity of growing ilax and 21 chains of fencing. Defendant commenced to replace the fence with ti-trec rods, but plaintiff objected to it as insufficient, upon which defendant com menced to erect a two-railed fence, which plaintiff again objected to, and defendant declined to put up a better one. Captain Jackson made an examination of the land, but was of opinion that plaintiff had over stated his loss. The final award will be forwarded to the District Court.

The members of the Journeyman Bakers' Association will hold their quarterly meeting this evening in the club-room of the British Hotel, for the presentation of the report and balance-sheet, and for general business. Mr James McLean will take the chair.

Professor Fay and Mr Davies will give their parting entertainments before leaving these shores, on Monday next at Otahuhu, on Tuesday at Onehunga, and on Wednesday' at Devonport Hull. Those who have seen this united entertainment, with the dark seance, and listened to the colloquial chat of Mr Davies' many voices, will need no description of them, and those who have neither seen nor heard will do well to avail themselves of a final oppor tunity of witnessing them in this part of the world.

A respectable widow of retiring habits, named Mrs Helen Blake, died towards the close of the past year, at her residence, No. ■1, Earl's Terrace, Kensington, and left behind her property, in houses and funds, amounting to £140,000. As the old lady died intestate, and, as far as is known, has no living relation, the property is likely to go to the Crown, the Crown Solicitor having Taken possession of the estate, no claimant having appeared. Particulars of .Sunday services at the various denominational churches of the city appear in another part of this journal. The Sunday evening service at the theatre will be held at the usual hour. A meeting of the ratepayers pi the Ponsonby and or Dedwood Highway District will be held on Monday evening next in the Ponsonby Hall, for the purpose of bringing into operation the Regulations of the Local Elections Act, 1876, and con sidering any business that may be brought forward respecting the valuation list. The principal members of the Tempe rance variety Troupe will give their iisual weekly entertainment this evening, in the Albert-street Temperance Hall, under the management of Brother Sccats, comedian and vocalist. The programme is full of promise, including several new .songs. Mr W. J. Donald will occupy the chair, and deliver the opening speech. Mesdames Smith and McMaster will sing two senti mental songs. Messrs Sccats, McGwire, Smart, Jamicson, and Keller will also sing. The Boneless Boy, and the brothers Mettam will also assist, and the whole will conclude with the farce of the " Mischievous Monkey." Yesterday afternoon a deputation from the Thames publicans waited on the Hon. F. Whitaker with reference to the equali sation of the license fees in the provincial district of Auckland with the scale ruling in other parts of the colony. Mr Whitaker said the Government could only take action in the matter upon the recommendation of the Licensing Commissioners. We uudestand that the common seal of the Borough of Parnell has been all but decided on. It is to be a plain seal bearing the name of the Borough. To the Editor : Sir, — Will you oblige by supplying the following information in your evening paper :—A. wagered B. that the Duke of Edinburgh visited Auckland or New Zealand on two separate occasions. Your decision will be final.—Yours, truly, Hubert Oram. [The Duke was in Auck land twice. The first visit was a royal one, with the Flying Squadron, and he left again with the fleet. On the Bth of December, IS7O, His Royal Highness returned here from Sydney, via New Caledonia, then only as captain of the Galatea. _ lie spent some weeks in the province, visiting Tauranga, Maketu, and the Hot Lakes of Rotorua and Rotomahana. It was upon this occasion that he took part as a performing member ill the Choral Hall concerts.]

The sermon at St. Sepulchre's Church to morrow| will be by the Bishop of Auckland, who will officiate at the Whan at three in the afternoon.

Some commotion was caused at the lower shop of Mr Hulme, butcher, Queen-street, yesterday evening, by a breakage in the iron bars on which the meat is hung. It appears that the weight of beef and mutton hung for Saturday's trade was greater than usual, and too much for the strength of the bars, which gave way and strewed the shop floor with beef, mutton, and pork, in indiscriminate confusion. The damage was soon repaired, and order restored.

The Rev. Allan Webb, the new Baptist Minister, and Mr Larkins, will give the addresses at the Sunday Evening Theatre Services.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before R.C. Barstow, Esq., KM.) DRUNKENNKSS.j William Monaghan was charged with drunkenness, and fined 10s and costs. BURGLARY. Edward Jackson, a man of colour, des cribed as a cook, was brought up on a charoe of breaking into and entering the Ea^le Hotel, Albert-street, onthenight of the Bth°instant, and stealing therefrom a cash box, containing £11 m cash: and notes, also a silver watch, value about £6, making £17 the property of Daniel O Connor. Sub-Inspector Pardy, in asking for a remand, stated the circumstances. The misoner was well acquainted with the m-emiaes as he had filled the position of S at'the Eagle. When Mr O'Connor missed the cash-box he at once suspected the prisoner as the thief, and gave

Sergeant O'Connor was entrusted with the case, and he arrested the prisoner at Ono hunga, and immediately upon seeing the worthy sergeant making towards him, he popped sQirip V£g*? ;»iv-uis .month, and swallowed it. The paper was supposed to be the bank notes which had been stolen from the Eagle Hotel. The cash-box was found broken open, by three boys who were playing by St. Paul's Church, lying against the boundary stone wall in Emily Place. The box is in the hands of the police.

The hearing of the case was adjourned until Saturday next. THE HOWICK OUTRAGE.—THE PRISONERS COMMITTED. David King, Hugh Mackenzie, and Duncan Mackenzie, were again brought into Court, charged with committing a rape on an old woman, named Ellen Garrett, on the 6th ult.

A large number of persons crowded into Court on the prisoner being brought in, the the majority being settlers from Howiek, who appear to take a deep interest in the proceedings. The three prisoners were re spectably dressed, and would seem to have moved in a good sphere of society. Their general demeanour was calm, and quite free from signs of restlessness and that uuquietness of the eye, which persons in a similar position frequently evince. Gcoege Cooper, and John Lovett, having given evidence, the depositions were read over to the prisoners. Mr Heskcth said lie should not trouble the Court with any remarks in respect ot the prisoners, King, and Hugh Mackenzie, but in the case of Duncan Mackenzie, he would repeat his application for his acquittal, as there was nothing in the evi dence to shew that he was guilty. His Worship conld not entertain the application. The three prisoners were, therefore, fully committed to take their trial at the next criminal sittings at the Supreme Court.

Mr Hesketh asked that the prisoners might be admitted to bail. Sub-Inspector Pardy said that Detective Jeffrey was obliged to use all his ingenuity in order to capture the Mackeimes, and it was not until he pretended to give the case up in despair that he succeeded.

His Worship refused bail, and the three prisoners were removed from the dock.

An open mcc i lg <f the Pio: ear Juvenile Temp!e washild in the Lodge-room, Yoir g V.c .is Christian As.oration, last evening, Brother J. Lee presiding. There wos a large audience-- the room being crowded. Songs were given by Bros. Chitly, Wheatley, and Hill (of IT. Rf.S. Sappho), Sisters Bims and Marson, and Bro. Jamieson. A concertina solo was given with good effect by Mr. Pank hurst. Bro. Heath (Light of t'e Ocean) re cited "Paddy's Bravery;" Sister Gribble " The Gambler's Wife;" Sister E. Carter, "The Battle of Waterloo ;" and Sister M. A. Knox, an epilogue. Readings were given by Bros. Spraggon and Ilaywatd. Brother Best, the W.C.T. of the Light of the Ocean, delivered a short and pleasing address on the temperance question ; and Brother McKenzie, the superin tendent of the Temple, spoke on the subject of " Fancies." The entertainment closed in the usual manner, at a reasonable hour.

My Weekly Dose.

|BY THE DOCTOR.] *• ' anew me a man who will not laugh, and I will shew you a dangerous and discontented man."—By tho celebrated author Mr Doxoiiue. j BILLiSNIVEXS "on" CABLEGRAMS. I The Doctor was honoured with a visit on i Thursday last by a burly personage, wear- | ing a skull-cap, a yellow fogle, a shooting coat, and hob-nailed booty. This individual had wiry red hair, a slight cast in one eye, a bulged-in nose, and he carried a heavy j bludgeon under his left arm, while with the , other he dragged in a ferocious blink-eyed , bull-dog, which growled ferociously at the ; paste-pot, chawed up several interesting clippings, and evidently meditated some designs against our calves. The man in the skull-cap promptly suggested better be haviour by the liberal use of his bludgeon and his two hob-nailed boots, and then apologised for the animal's rudeness with the remark :—

" Yer see mister—(lie down there Boxer), —'c ain't used to so much litfceratoor, 'c aint, and this 'ere crib rayther—(be quiet, darn yer)—kinder gits up Boxer's dander, it do, which howsomevcr, 'c's a worry' well behavod —(ah, would you, take that ye beast) —dawg were 'c's not put out, but there's one o' your runners as teases Boxer, and these 'ere papers —(down Boxer) —sorter remind him—(lee go my trousers, cuss yer skin) —of that runner o' your'n—lie down i"

" -May I inquire to what fortunate com bination of circumstances—(good doggy good doggy)—l may attribute the honour of this visit? (shifting our chair,and hastily throwing up a barricade of empty ink bottles, paste-pots, and exchanges). " Hole on, guv'ner ! ( —yer eyes, lie down will yer)—it's all 'ere in this 'ere paper (pro ducing a greasy copy of the "Herald.") "All, I sec my good friend; would you mind moving that animal just a little further oil—if it wouln'nt inconvenience you." "No inconwenience, sir—(be quiet you beast !) Wot I've tooken the liberty o' callin' about is a parygravf in <this 'ere paper—(take that you infernal brute !) — "Ah, J. see, you deny you were—would you mind tying that dog to the leg of that table over there. As I was observing just now—why don't you have that dog muzzled '( —ah yes, 1 was about to say that I pre—why the don't you hold kin tighter?—presume - that is to say you absolutely deny that you were summoned for having a collarless dog, and you wish— man alive, you'll choke him—(good doggy nice doggey) —you want the statement contra —what the deuce makes him growl so 'i —denied."

"No, mister, it's about that 'eve dawg Pilot—(lie down will yer) — as this 'ere tallygram in the 'eiald sez as he was "pupped on the 12th September, auneo doinini 187;"), and is by Darting Star out of Florence"—which—(take that, cu.ss yer)— which I don't think no great shakes o' that 'ere dawg's pedigree, as is all in this 'ere tallygram in the 'erald, and —c's as 'armless as a kitten mister if you only knoweel 'im— Boxer he's a stunner 'c is, and as fur is ped—(take that yer skunk) —e'e.s got a pedi gree as long's yer arm—it'd iill the STAR, it would mister—(lee go that paste pot)—s'elp me Bob."

"But 1 don't quite see the relevancy of this matter."

"Revelency; oh, if that's all you want mister, the old 'oomau's got all the stilli cates at 'ome in 'er box, an' 1 can fetch 'em in a jiffy. But Boxer Vs a dawg as can speak for hisself, Boxer is—(be (juiet yer sarpint)—mister, on'yyou just twig'is muz zle, and 'is legs and body—there's a neck and there's pints fur yer—(darn yer, stop that chawing will yer I)— Why there aint another dawg like Boxer this 'ere side o' the line, there aint. " lie's a noble-looking animal, my friend, but it's impossible to obtain a good view of his magnificent points so near as he is. (Ah, would you ! Hold him tight my man.) If you were' to shift him over to that side of the room, now, one could see him to advantage—(bless"my soul, he's tugging at it again)—but what do you want me to do ?" " Well, you see, mister head-hitter, I want you to—(be quiet, you brute) —to send a tallygram over the cable, informin' that 'ere cove as owns that Pilot as lie blows so much about —(there's another — yer eyes)— that Bill Snivens, of Newmarket, Auck land, 'aye a dawg as 'ell back agin that Pilot—(down, Boxer!) —for enny sugar from fifty notes up'ards,—each man to fight'is owii dawg, and no scrimshanking and filing o'.teeth or pizen—(won't I give you — when I gets you 'ome, that's all.) Tell him Bill Snivens' 'is man, money down, an' no backiu' out." "But, my friend, did it not occur to you that a message by cable would cost —it's my linn opinion that that dog will be the end of me, my friend, if you don't look out."

' 'Look 'ore, mister, my name's Bill Snivens, and I'm ii whale, I tun. I don't cave—(cuss yer, will yer be quiet) —if it costs five bob, I'll tuke the cheek outer that 'ere Pilot, or I'll never breed another— (l'll smash yer, if yer don't stop it) —pup us long's I breathe the breath o' life."

" But it would cost £5 to send your cliallenge." "£o; tlie —it would!—(take that you

rip.") " Every penny of it." "Then what the—excoose me, mister— (ah, -would yer)—then what dye reckon this 'ere yarn as 'avc got " Press Agency" a top of it cost, to come from—(lie down, cuss yer) —from Sydney ?" "About live pounds." " Five pun ! Well, I'm jiggered ! That's a floorer ! Well, mister, it's my 'pinion— stash it, you beast —as that 'ere hagent is sorter —(lie down)— Here Mr Snivens significantly tapped his forehead, and emphasized his remark, by ad ministering a tremendous kick in his dog's ribs.

This stupendous fact was so overwhelm ing to the mind of Mr Snivens, that, in a fit of abstraction, he unfortunately let go his hold of the chain. There was a terrific growl, a wild leap in the air, a torrent of oaths, a clatter of paste-pots and ink-bottles, a white cloud of chawed-up fragments of paper, the whizzing of a bludgeon cleav ing the air with marvellous rapidity, and the spectacle of a man clinging des perately for support to a top shelf, which came down with a tremendous crash, burying a struggling man and dog beneath a confused heap of ponderous tomes, and causing a shock like that of an earthquake. The doctor seized this opportunity to climb up into the pigeon loft, and out on the roof, where he listened with a sense of relief to the sounds of the furious conflict raging below.

Half-an-hour afterwards when we were confidently assured that the man and dog had left by the last train, we descended cautiously from our refuge, and contem plated the scene of devastation with mingled feelings of sorrow and gratitude. The ruins of Pompeii were nothing to it. N.B. waste paper scraps, hair, and three damaged false teeth for sale. NOTICE TO OWNERS. OF DOGS. All persons tresspassiugon these premise s with uumuzzled dogs are hereby warned that poison is laid, and the Doctor has a loaded revolver constantly on Ms table.

A MAN'S A MAN FOR A' THAT. My dear Christian friends, — The question ■which I propounded for your serious considera tion last week was " What shall we do with our boys?" I think I told you that though fifty per cent, would be fully provided for as lawyers, and another twenty-five per cent, as Govern ment officials, the remaining twenty-five per cent, would have to descend to the degraded position of County Chairmen, Secretaries, and tax collectors. But little did I think when I penned those lines that there would so soon be opened up an entirely new and distinguished field of public usefulness for any residue of that unfortunate five-and-twenty percent, that might otherwise be unprovided for. The telegraph has solved the problem, " What shall we do with 25 per cent, of our boys V Why make 'em C.M.G.'s to be sure. As many as fifty of these C.M.G.'s were made the other day—l forgot, there were fifty-one, but one declined, and that one was your humble servant, the Doctor. The following correspondence, all of which wag done

— . _i..-'in'it-r- *~~ ■ ■*t"~ - June i, 1577» "■"{ I). No. 1."516,700, B. No. 21—A. I have the honour to inform, you that the i Queen h&<* been graciously pleased to confer on I you the distinction of the Cross of St. Michael I and. St. George, which has been duly posted per I registered letter by the outgoing mail. lam ! further to convey to you the information that | Her Maicsty has derived much gratification I from a perusal of your eminent literary works. I have, &c , Caxarvon. The Most Xoble the Doctor, Auckland. ( The Shades, I . Auckland, June i, 1877. My Lud,—ls there any screw aUached to the thinS* „ ■ , ! i. ours anxiously. The Doctor. The Eavl of Canarvon, .London. Colonial Office. June (5,1877. Is To—lt is merely honorary. Carxarvox. Honor be bio wed ! (vide Falstaff). I caiyt afford it. Keep the bauble. I'll none of it. " Hence, horrible shadow, unreal mockery, hence!" The Doctor. Fact is. I found that the acceptance of a C.M.G. would have run me into the Bankruptcy Court. I totted up the cost, and the condemned total was as follows :— £ s. a. Fee to College of Heralds .. 100 5 iJ.I Ditto Gold-stick-in-waiting .. 50 0 0 Beer for the Beef-caters .. .. 5 0 0 New coat to stick the C.M.G. on o 0 0 Champagne to wet ditto .. .. 5 0 0 Shouting for sundry friends con gratulating 5 0 0 New stove-pipe hat 110 Miscellaneous 10 0 j Total .. •• — .. 172 GG?

THE CHAMPION LYING MATCH. I "Ardahan has been captured by the Rus- ! sian3 :> is bad enough, but "The Turks havo re- : captured Aidalian" is a harder 'un. Mukhtar I (pronounced " Mucka") Pasha has gone a I mucker. Pshaw! this is mere trifling. I re member when the Pasha was commanding the Faithful against the Montenegrins, the cable every now and then informed us that "Mukhta Pasha is in critical circumstances ;" and I see that the old swell is still in the same state at Kars, if we may bc'ieve the telegrams, and I for one don't. I was so puzzled by the contra- ; dictory character of the recent telegrams about Ardahan that I sent special telegrams on the subject to my friends the Czar and Abdul Hainid, hoping to end my doubts, and received the following reply :— Camp, Plovesti. June 7th. Dear Doctor,—By St. Peter, we are whipping : the beggariy Turks into a cocked hat. The j Sick Man is caving in before our invincible j arms. Don't trust Turkish accounts. They are ! the biggest liars unhanged. Ardahan is ours. Kind regards to my old friend Casey. ; Alexander. P. S.—Ask Casey if he'll sell the Minnie Casey, j I want to strengthen the Black Sea fleet. The Seraglio, Constantinople, June 7th, 1877. Inshallah ! I swear by the big-toe nail of Mahomet the Muscovite dogs have been swept to the four winds. May their fathers' graves bs denied. We havo taken Ardahan, and the car- i cases of the infidel Ghiaours are eaten by the vultures. We have captured their nouns in thousands, but by the black beard of Solymon , they are so ugly and skinny that I have sold 'em to Pashas Valentine Bakir, and Finnaymohar, ' for their new harems.—Ever yours, i Abdul Hamid.

p.S.— Can you spare Captain Burns. I want another general for my artillery. He needn't brins his Arab steed. We've plenty here. filial affection.

I was taking a quiet stroll in Freeman's Bay a day or two ago, when I heard something that resembled the sounds made by a flail in full swing, accompani ed by the most unearthly yells. There was a small boy near, who was engaged in a game of marbles. I said I thought there was a murder being perpetrated in the next house, and that he'd better run for a poiiceman. The urchin paused for a moment, took a rapid survey of my figure, which did'nt seem to impress him with any feeling of deep respect, and. replied with easy nonchalance:—"No mistsr, there aint no murder goin' on in there. It's on'y young S a bastin' of 'is 010 dad," — and he calmly rc-umed his game, and deigned no further notice of me. MAGISTERIAL WIT. It was Justice Graham, I think, who sentenced a man convicted of murder to transportation, and when reminded by the clerk of the error, had the prisoner recalled, and said, " Oh. I beg your pardon, prisoner, you arc sentenced to be hanged." When Hone was tried for blasphemy, lie said to Chief Justice Tenterdcn, "Even in a Turkish Court I should not have met with the treatment I have experienced here." " Certainly not" replied Teiiterclcn, ''the bowstring would have settled you an hour ago." Even in the most solemn trials judges and magistrates have been known to lighten the tedium of legal hair-splitting and musty lore with a ieu d'esprit. Mr Barstow occasionally throws off a grim joke without turning a hair, and with the most charming modesty. During the hearing of a case from Ho wick yesterday, Sub-Inspector Pardy, who was examining a medical gentleman in top boots, and no suspend ers, and who strode the dock like a Colossus, put the question, "And you live in the city of Howick, I believe?" The title of "city" rather staggered the witness, and he took time to make a diagnosis of the case before answering. But magisterial wit was equal to the emergency. "It ought to be a city," quoth Mr Barstow, "because there are tw* bishops in it." A big austere policeman at the end of the court room would have laughed outright, had 'not another guardian of the peace who stood near promptly repressed unseemly levity by stuffing his baton down his comrade's throat. N.B. Bishop is the name of two persons who SHEWING HOW A SMALL BOY OUWITTED SIX BIG POLICEMEN. There was a cart in Queen-street the other day, without its attendant driver. Six police meii-promptly noticing the fact, and that there was no chain on the wheels, posted themselves at six different points of observation, and patiently awaited the driver's return. The latter was a spectator of the inter esting scene from the window of an adia cent bar, where lie was refreshing himself with a pint of beer, and discussing the affairs of the county with a friend. Half an hour passed, and the six constables began to exhibit signs of impatience. Just then the eagle eye of one of them detected a small boy in the act of emerg ing" from under the dray. Ho swooped down upon that youth, and holding him up by the seat of his trousers, interrogated him as to what he had been doing under there. Closer examin ation revealed the fact that the boy had surrep titiously fastened a chain round one of the wheels. He was then threatened with the lock-up, and made a full confession of his crime. He said: " The cove as owned that 'ere dray was a friend o' his'n, and he wanted to save him from being lugged afore the beak and and fined five bob." He was discharged with a caution.

CABLEGRAMS.

[Pbess Agency.]

The War in the East.

The Eolations of England.

The Powers do not Concur in England's Action on tlie S.iez Canal.

LONDON, June 7.

Tt is scmi-ottically stated from St. Peters burg that the Russian Ambassadors from London, Berlin, and Vienna, returning to their respective embassies, are not charged with any special negotiations, but their in structions arc to re-assert the assurances given by Russia prior to the war.

In the House of Commons last night, Mr Bourkc said he believed the powers inter ested could not concur with the action of England.

Sir Stafford Northcote stated that the Government had no desire to impose belligerent rights. Its only object being to protect the Suez Canal.

PARNELL BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tiik Parnell Borough Council met at their oflices in the Manukau Koarl, Parnoll, at S o'clock, last evening. [Present: The Mayor, (Col. Nation). Councillors Mil ford, Colcman, Dyer, Melton, Itobinson, Bell, Brown. NEW COUNCILLOR. Councillor Caleb Wood was introduced, and took the usual declaration and his seat at the Board. SUBSIDY. The routinc|business having been gone through his Worship read a telegram from the Colonial Secretary, to the effect that £33G us 2d would forthwith be lodged to the credit of the Borough at the Bank of New Zealand. It was decided to apply for the balance of £107. THE TREASURER. A letter was read from the manager of the Bank of New Zealand,acknowledging the notifi cation of Mr Strange'sappointment as treasurer. Two sureties for £100 were submitted and ap proved of. CARRIAGE LICENSES. A letter from the Town Cler t stated that with regard to the question of carriage licenses, nothing can be arranged till the matter has been laid before the City Council. RIGHTS OF THE MAYOR. With regard to the right of the Mayor to sit at the Domain and Harbour Board, the Colonial Secretary stated that he was not prepared to advise on the matter at present. THE SEAL. The Seal Committee placed some patterns of seals before the Council, but the Council decided to leave the matter of choice entirely in the hands of the Committee. MANUICAU ROAD. By a unanimous vote it was decided to repair the'Manukau Road without delay. ST. STEPHEN'S ROAD. The question of repairing this road was re mitted to the Streets Committee. Some correspondence was read, but no other business of importance was transacted.

THE OLD MEN'S REFUGE.—ANO

THER EMBROGLIO.

An inquiry is now proceeding into certain charges preferred against Mr Mack, manager of the Old Men's Refuge. Complaint has been made by an old man named Harris, that having returned from a visit to the city one day, whi ther he had come in order to procure medicine for an ailment from which he suffers, he was rudely accosted iv the Refuge yard by Mr Mack, who knocked him down, and seizing the bottle of physic smashed it, and accused the old man of bringing grog into place, Harris has been con fined to his bed, and alleges that it is owing to the injuries inflicted by Mr Mack. The Com mittee of the Ladies Benevolent Society held an inquiry into the matter, and promptly ordered Harris to be imprisonedin his room for apenodof three months. He then wrotea letter of complaint to the hon. F. Whitaker, and Major Green was sent to inquire into the affair. From what we can learn, however, he experienced the greatest difficulty in eliciting any evidence whatever, even from persons who witnessed the alleged assault. It was clearly proved, however, that the bottle contained nothing but physic, and Mr Robinson, who, it was alleged, had supplied grog to Harris, emphatically denied having done so. We are informed that Mai or Green is dissatisfied with Mr Macks management of the Refuge, and recommends that the uorern ment should appoint some more efficient supervision. It appears that a system of tale bearing is encouraged, and the orderly inmates are subjected thereby to much annoyance. We have learned, also, that Mr Mack complains that the present management by the ladies is not efficient. He says matters are constantly transpiring, which he cannot bring under their notice. On the female side of the Refuge, Mrs Harris has unfortunately come in .for a share of the displeasure, and has been dismissed from the home, but refuses to leave until the matter has been inquired into. It appear* that there has been some quarrel between Mrs Mack and Mrs Harris about the drink. Meanwhile a hot correspondence is going on between Mai or Green Mrs Philson, and the Government, and generally there is a sort of storm in a tea-cup. The Conmiissione-s will probably take the matter in hand, and there will soon be an end of these unseemly squabbles and scandals.

FOOTBALL.

A meeting of Auckland football players was held at the Thames Hotel last night, to consider what reply should be made to the letter from the Uunedin Football Club, received early in the week, and alluded to in our issue of Thursday. It will be remembered that the letter invited the Auckland Clubs to send a team to Welling ton, in August, to play a tournament of matches with Dunedin, Wellington, and Nelson teams. There was a good muster of admirers of the game, and Mr T. Henderson having been voted to the chair, the letter was read, and discussion on the subject was invited. Mr E. Burgess proposed the following resolution: " That the Secretary of the Dunedin Football Club be informed that Auckland declines to send a team to compete in the proposed tournament at Wel lington, but will be happy to play them, or the best team in Dunedin, Wellington, or Nelson, or a team selected from the three teams, pro vided the match be played in Auckland." Mr Carter seconded the motion. Mr Nolan pro posed as an amendment, "That the words following the first mention of Wellington be struck out, and others added, to the effect that Auckland would be happy to meet Dunedin at Auckland." The amendment was seconded by Mr Gudgeon, arid carried. The feeling against acceding to the proposition was all but unani mous, and when it is considered that Auckland has already borne the expense and trouble of two southern excursions, it will be seen that there is good reason for our boys to expect that Dunedin will return the compliment. The trouble of getting fifteen men to go to Wellington would be little less than sending them round the colony. The Graf ton and Auckland Clubs contend in the Metropolitan field this afternoon. The match is likely to prove interesting, anless, as is re ported, the Grafton captain has deserted his men for the cover side. Parnell and Ponsonby clubs will play a match this afternoon in the Domain.

PROFESSOR HANKIE'S BOX TRICK.

To-DAY at noon Professo Hankie and lady gave a private performance of his celebrated box-trick, in the presence of the lion. F. Whitaker, Judge Fenton, and a representa tive of the Star. The feat was all per formed in broad daylight. A large box was placed in full view of the spectators who inspected it, and found it empty. It was then securely lashed all round with cords. Next it was covered with canvas, and lashed secured a second time. During these pre parations the lady remained in full view of the gentlemen present. When everything was ready, she retired behind a small screen. In 50 seconds more, there was a loud rap from inside the box, which was unlashed and opened, and there inside it was the lady. We will not attempt to explain this feat. It is a greater niytcry than the flylin amber which made Congreve wonder '' how the deuce it got there." Professor Hankie does

«™™..:

Alleged Smuggling.

It is a longtime since the Customs authori ties have discovered any illicit stills on our coasts and there is little doubt that tl s method of defrauding the revenue has been considerably on the decrease of late vm, in spite of the continued high duty on T ntJ ' * £ ri"nouv gained currency ye S t er day that the Customs officers had struck o plant on one of the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, and of course there was the usnnl excitement to learn all about it But thi was not an easy task, as there was nn desire evinced to impart information'and inquirers were rather curtly repulsed ' An that we can learn at present is, that from information received, Mr Brewer tl landing surveyor of this port, ami two other Custom House officers, proceeded to sea on Wednesday in the Custom's launch and instituted a search on several suspected islands. They returned to town yesterday and it leaked out in the evening that their efforts had been partially, at any rate crowned with success, in that they had come upon an unmistakeable rum still, with part of the apparatus deficient, as if the cave had been given only a short time before the officers' descent. Durino- the day the police have been investigating the case, and it is not unlikely to result in the arrest of more than one suspected person Arrest of Hr Maausl De Frata^ Since writing the above we learn that Mr Manuel De Fratz has been arrested by a legally appointed officer, and charged with a breach of the Distillation Act of 1868 in having an illicit still at the Great Barrier. The accused was brought before Mr Barstow at one o'clock to-day, and ordered to be detained in custody, as required by the Act, until half-past eleven o'clock on Tuesday next, thebusiness not permitting of the inquiry proceeding to-day. At his own request bail was accepted himself in £500. and two sureties of £250 each. Mr Brookfield appeared for Mr Hill, Collector of Customs.

A SEWING MACHINE ROMANCE.

Being a True and Faithful History of

the way a Drury Settler treated-

his Housekeeper,

A SEWING machine may be a very appropri ate present to give to a wife, or a sweetheart, or a daughter, or a mother ; but that it is dangerous to give one to your housekeeper, especially if you are a widower, and still more dangerous to take it away again, the following little history will illustrate. About two months ago, a settler residing near Drury called at Sir. T. B. Hannaford's Registration Office, and asked the proprietor if he could re commend him a housekeeper. " Cer tainly I can," said T. B. H., already scenting the anticipated * com. 8 "Be here at twelve o'clock to-morrow, and I will introduce you to a lady who will exactly suit you." Punctually to the hour appointed, the settler, who was a widower of well-advanced years, re appeared in the sanctum of the famous agent, and found that gentleman awaiting his arrival in company with a lady of rather juvenile appearance and with the washed-out remains of" considerable personal attractions.

Mr. Hannafard introduced the parties and they went into negociations. The interview proved satisfactory : the wage swere to be I2s. per week, and perquisites, and it was arranged that the lady should accompany John to his bucolic home forthwith. As T. B. H's. hand closed over the welcome fee he could scarcely refrain from uttering the aspiration " Bless you, my children" for he considered the match as good as made, and his large heart told him he had made another couple happy. Little did he anticipate the sad doings his kindly work was to bring about. Having engaged his help Mr. at once took her down to his farm house near Drury. A difficulty .here pre sented Itself at the outset. The cottage contained but two rooms, and the furniture was much too scanty to do for two unless they were tenants-in-common. But our lady was not one to sacrifice a comfortable home for such a trifling drawback as this, and after a feeble protest she surrendered to circumstances. For a few days the arrangements were mutually satisfactory, and so pleased was John at the way his housekeeper did her work that he one day brought her into town to enable her to purchase a sewing machine wherewith to mend "the things." Mr. Dennes' emporium was resorted to, and after a delightful ramble among the various engines of industry, Mr. selected an " England's Queen" though Lilas did say she should prefer a " Princess of Wales." This timely present as may be imagined helped to make the relations between the happy pair still more cordial. But man is proverbially fickle, and woman is apt to get cross in the cold weather and declare she cannot get up to make the breakfast and clean the knives and forks. Whether these were the causes, or not, it is hard to say; but truth compels us to state that, after six weeks of this illicit companionship, Mr. , on the morning of the 28th May, emphatically told the charm ing Lilas that he couldn't stand 12s a-week any longer, but that if she liked to stay as his wife for her tucker and present, now and then,- she might; but if not she must clear but Where upon there was a row, and Lil plainly told the amorous bucolic that she could do better than that a lot, and that if he meant what he said she might as well pack up. John re" joined that he did mean it, and accordingly the lady's box was brought into requsition. One of the first articles which the provident Lil laid her hands on was the " Englands Queen." " Leave that alone, that aint yours" cries John. ', Yes it is you gave it me, you know you did" " I didn't do any thing of the kind." And now a scuffle began in which the active fungers of the young woman found occupation among the hair of her ancient admirer, and the result was that the swain retired discomfitted, and the damsel secured the prize under lock, and key. The frequent growl of occult war was heard during the day but no further conflict ensued. In the evening a Mrs came in to ask for the loan of the machine for an hour. Lilas saw she had packed it up as she was leaving, and did not intend to give a Jchance of getting hold of it. , was in the room at the time and merrily muttered that he -would see about that next day. Lil came to town to get advice, and returned after being strengthened in her resolve not to yield her treasure. Meanwhile the irate John had not been idle. He had gone to Papakura, and there .laid an information for larceny against Mis's ,at the same time obtainigy a search warrant to open her box. The consta ble with the search warrant repaired to •——> house, and obtained possession of the machine. The warrant for the lady's apprehension was forwarded to town as the Damon dm not expect the return of his Rtfl^?' However as we said the lady aia return, and the night was passed without any allusion to the business which had occupied tne pair during the day. In the morning,_—-7 told Lilas what was in store for her, and sne also discovered the loss of her " England s Queen." To town she rushed by the first tram, and, repairing to the Police Office, told tne story of her wrongs in eloquent terms to bergt.- Major Mason, and then to the Inspector. « was at once clear to those officers that, it tne lady's story was correct, she had been baaiy used, for no charge of larceny could be brougni against a person who takes an article she claims as her own and locks it up in tne presence of another claimant. However, Mere was the warrant, and so the good lady wa* arrested and sent to Papakura in charge o» Detective Grace. She was admitted to dju on her own recognisances, and the case fixed to come on last Monday. C^P^ Jackson was the magistrate, and patiently near the evidence adduced on either side. OU^J_, once discharged the prisoner, and gave Mr a talking to, which he will remember for many a long day He was ordered to restore the. machine, and told that as an old manite ougn to consider his six weeks companionship Tn» ■ young, if not a virtuous, lady was very cne<*p 1 recompensed.



JUST RECEIVED, AX ASSORTMENT OF BOY'S TUNIC SUIT S, In a Variety of Shades, From 12s 6d to 27s fid. ALL KINDS OF Boy's and Youth's Clothing Inverness Capes Pea Jackets, Overcoats Hats, Shirts, Braces Ties, Scarves, Socks W. RATTRAY, CLOTHIER AND OUTFITTER, SSNew Zealand House, AUCKLAND! Q P E C I A L NOTICE. H. L. POSSENNISKIE, TTTTT A lin LL OO RRRRR TT A II L O O R-R-R TT A-A II L O O R R TT A A II L O O R R TTT A A 1111 LLLLL OO R R AND HABIT-MAKER, SHORTLAND-STRKET, Auckland. H.L.P. begs to inform his customers and the public generally that he has Just Received a Large Consignment of WINTER TWEEDS and FANCY COATINGS; also, a Special Line of SUPERIOR SILK VESTINGS. JJ.B. The Trade supplied at a small advance % Tnvoice Prices, for Cash. TVfaTUAL~LIFE ASSOCIATION OF I_VX AUSTRALASIA. Incorporated bt Act of Parliament. NEW ZEALAND BRANCH: Head Office, Auckland- Local Director: "* ' >H3H Burg-~yne Owen, Esq. (Messrs. Owen and Graham.) Principal Medical Officer: •Cjarles 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 A|en^the Association General Agent. *%. Special Features.— Age admitted on policies, which are tjnchallangeable from date of issue. Lowest Rates of Premiums, and no hamper ing CONDITIONS as to residence or occupation. T\E CI D E AT ANCE!!! CARPET YOUR ROOM NOW ! •R E A X. BRUSSELS, 4s. OD. per YARD. BEAUTIFUL QUALITY! SERVICEABLE PATTERN ! AT THE i& CITY HALL ARCADE. "ffi« CHEAPEST CARPET EVER OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC ! HoLLOWAY AND GrARLICK, GENERAL HOUSE FURNISHERS. -V^-t-E HAVE NOW BROUGHT FORWARD THE GREATER PORTION OF MESSRS. STEWART & ANDERSON'S STOCK, — CONSISTING'OF — WINCEYS, FRENCH MERINOES, FANCY DRESS GOODS, SHAWLS AND MANTLES. Also, AN IMMENSE QUANTITY OF MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING. The above Goods will be CLEARED-OUT Re gardless of Cost, to make room for WINTER SHIPMENTS, Now Landing, ex Electra and Emily Chaplin J. COS GRAVE & CO.