SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

i'This _ft ernoon, 11.17 HIGH WATER--j To _ morro w Morning, 11.31 SUN SET.—This Evening. 5.31 SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning, 6.20 MOON'S AGE.—New Moon, Sept. Sth, 0.39 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

DEPARTURES.

Mary Ann Annison barque, lor Melbourne, via Wangaroa

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

'•'or Levuka -Alarm, cutter, at once For the South—Taupo. 3rd Sept.; Wanaka, Sth

Sept.: Hawaa. 11th Sept. For Tanranga and South—Taranaki. sth Sept For Napier and South—Rotorna, Oth Sept. For Newcastle—Stag, barque, early For Hokianga—Queen, schooner. Thursday For Sydney- -Secret, yacht, to-morrow For Newcastle—Stag, barque, to-morrow

VESSELS EXPECTED.

City of Auckland, ship, from London Catharina, brigantine. from Oamaru. early. Active, schooner, from the islands, early Hinemoa. schooner, from the Islands, earlj ■\n_usta, brigantine, from Levuka. early Haleione.ship. from London, early Oraki, ship, from London, early MenschikoiF, barque, from Samoa and Le\ a„a

Elßino4 b.rnue. from Dunedin. early (4ba"iWdh. barque, from Lyttalton, early 44, n Mendel, ship, from London

The s s Durham will leave for the Thames on Saturday at ft n.m. instead of 10 p.m., by special .-4|uest'ol Captain Derrom. of the Victoria Co \R V The members proceeding to take part hi the contest against the Thames Scottish are warned to be on board punctually at that

"_he Netherlands-India Steam Navigation Co. advertise that the splendid steamship \. imam WcKinnon, 1117 tons register, will leave Syd ey on the oi, th September witii mails, cargo, ana riassengers for Cooktown, Somerset. Port Darwin, Souraba* a. Batavia, Singapore, and all ports in India, China, Japan, and Europe, -rar-.hipping at Batavia. The advantages 4a'mod for this route are smooth water, 0„.n(...; V (. chan-'es, and an opportunity of see i,';f be beautiful i.land of .lava. The vessels of the route arc specially adapted for the climate of the trooics. Messrs Oruickshank and _o. are the Auckland agents. Messrs Cruickshank and Co. have been ap pointed Auckland agents of the Peninsular ana O-icnia! -'team Navigation Co. They announce that the s.s. Tanjore will leave Melbourne on the Ith inst... the s.s. Siam on the Ith October, and the s.s. Assam on the Ist .November, taking passengers, cargo, and parcels for Europe, E-vpClndia. China, and Japan. ' The Elizabeth, barque, Captain .vlcPharden, was to finish loading at LAratapu yesterday, with 200,000 feet sawn timber, for Melbourne, shipped by Jno. Reid and Co. . The brigantine Nightingale, Captain Price, arrived at l_aipara, from .Melbourne, a tew days ago. to load sawn timber for Melbourne, on behalf of Jno. Reid and Co. ~__,,.,__ The yacht Secret has entered out for Sydney. The "schooner Jessie cleared to-day, in ballast, for Kaipara.

COMMERCIAL.

Messrs. M. Jones' sale of poultry and produce was'largely attended. The poultry realised favourably," but there was really no good butter in the market. As far as the sale h«.d gone, we give the average quotations :— Fowls. __ to 2 _ each; Spanish fowls, s'; turkeys, 3 __ to 1/; __ e3 e 4/ in good demand: potatoes, .-> 0: pump kins 2 6; butter (best salt), 3 ; inferior. ■'!.- to .0; cheese, G. The groceries and furniture sales were satisfactory. Mr P.. Arthur's mart to-day presented a busy appearance, it being well attended by buyers and country settlers. Fowls, IS to 2,0: Spanish, 3 4 - turkeys, 3' to 4.6: onions, ... to /_; ptimp kins 211 to 3; potatoes. 3/ to 3/9 ; flour, £10 to -'putter (fresh*, .3 to .11; salt butter, ,3 to .7 ; cheese. /5 to G_: maize, 1.6; fowl wheat, 4/3; bacon and hams, .5 to /11. Mr George Sibbin. of the corner mart, reports of his weekly sale of produce, provisions, etc., as follows: Flour. £18 10s to £22; butter, 3d to Gd • tea. 25s Gd per box; candles, _d to lOd ; cheese, 3.'.d to G'd; currants, od; tobacco, 3s od; bone dust. £S Ss Gd to £8 10s; potatoes, -Is; maize, Is Od: oats, 3s lid to £1. . Messrs Cochrane and bon held a considerable sale of furniture to-day, which realised fair prices.

AUCKLAND CATTLE MARKET.

Mb Alfred Bucklajtd's W kf.kly Refort. ■U the Haymarket, on August 24th, fodder was in full quantity. Small loads were at previous values but large loads wore Gd the cwt. lower. Price3--an_-edfron_23Gclto istheewt. Damaged maize 3s 6d the bushel. Horse stock were in usual supply, but more dull of sale than tor the past few weeks. Medium draught sold tor £3(1 and £32; light harness. £9 to £10; riding horses. £5 to £16 each.; a buggy, £20. Bides were in .-■ssijthan. usual numbers, and dull of sale, being Generally of inferior quality. Prices ranged from 3.d to 3_d the lb. Skins in average supply, with a steady inquiry at full prices. Dry skins brought from 2s 6d to 4s; fresh skins, Is od to 5s 3d each. Flax remains dull of sale, and 13 accumulating on makers' hands. Best quahty brin_-s from £18 10s to £20; inferior, from £lo the ton, when a sale is effected. At Iteinuera, on 30th August, dairy cowswere of inferior quality, and brought from £.. to £7. Store cattle in short supply, and at high values. Fat cattle, of good quality, and 1e33 than average supply • 1015 head yarded. Prices advanced on last week's values about 2sGd the lOOlbs ; 10s the 1001' os, was the current price for best quality. Fat sheep in usual number, but many of indiff erent quality; 500 sold. Prices advanced considerably; Id the lb was obtained for all of good quality. Not many pig varded Averages were—22 steers, R. Kelly. £15 Us 6d: 7 steers, \V. I. Taylor, £13 12s 6d : 27 steers. R. Bent. £12 13 Od ; IS steers. J. B. Brown. £11 2s Gd: 9D wethers, 11. Macky. 21s : 15S, E. B. Walker, ISs Gd ; 171. It. Taylor, 15s Od. .-—£— __ r .-,3___- g _j—wj_ __Tjg,_—a—_ngcl—3—£3——a__t_fnTTTJ f——_aißM

CALLS AND DIVIDENDS.

T, • following are the dates and amounts of call* :■• connection with the undermentioned gold mining companies: £ s. d. - Date. New Golden Pah .. ..003 — Sep. 12 Young Colonial .. ..002 — Sep. 1„ Young New Zealand ..006 — Sep. 12 Phoenix 0 l 0 — Sep. 10 Caledonian 0 5 0 — Sep. 10 Auckland 0 0 3 — Sep. 10

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under-.<_• For Thames, this day, at 1.30 D.m and 5.30 p.m.; and to-morrow, ai: 5.30 p.m. For Coromandcl, per Argyle, on Monday next, at 11.30 a.m. For Taurang_, per Lancashire Lass, tills da;-, at 5 p.m. For Sydney, per Secret (for letters specially ad dressed), to-morrow, at 9 a.m. For Wa,iv.e—i, Mahurangi, Matakana, !_Tang-a -wai, Waipu, Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Anne Milbank, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Taranaki and Southern Provinces, and Australiiiii Colonies, per Taupo, on Monday, next, at 12.15 p.m. For money orde-s, registered letters, and newspaper?, at 11.15 a.m. Late letters for Southern Provinces and Melbourne will be received till 1 p.m. Nor Napier, per Southern Cross, on Monday next, at _ p p.m. : For Friendly Islands, per Energy, on Monday next, at 3 p.m. For Russell, per Taranaki, on Monday next, at I p.m. For Russell. Wangaroa, and. Mongonui, per j lona, on Monday next, at I p.m. For Whitianga, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per j Rowena, on Monday next, at 1 p.m. For Gisborne, per Pretty Jane, on Tuesday next at 1 p.m. For "Wangarei Heads, Waipu, Wangarei, and ! Mangapai, per Argyle, on Tuesday next, at j 1 p.m. i For Australian Colonies, per City of New York, , immediately after her arrival from Honolulu. J S. B. HISS. Chief Postmaster. j

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

FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 1877.

for the cause that lack* assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance. For the future in. the distance, And the good that we can do.

Mr Hamlin's Medical Practitioners' Bill was lief ore the House of Representatives yesterday. Its object is to secure a more rigid scrutiny of the qualifications of medical men who claim to be placed on the register, and this it proposes to do by the creation of Medical Districts, presided over by five medical men nominated by the Governor, and whose fcerm of oillce shall last for live years. Every applicant for registration must appear personally before the Board with his diplomas, and prove thoir genuineness, and that they are made in accordance with the Act, and no person not registered shall be entitled to recover fees,_ or to act as surgeon on any vessel leaving- ;i New Zealand port, or in any public institution. If the xMedical Council wrongfully refuse to register a duly qualified doctor, he may appeal to the Supreme Court. Various chuasos provide for punishment in cases of false declaration, the Act authorising imprisonment for such an offence in a term not exceeding three years. Those are the main provisions of the Bill, and then; cannot be the slightest doubt that they provide a erode stringe»t enough to close the medi cal register against all but gentlemen who posso-s a license to kill or cure from one 2 other of the institutions enumerated in ■ ' the schedule. Wn are not aware that I since the passing of the " Medical | Practitioners' Registration Act, ISO'S1, any

unqualified man has succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the Registrar. The Act, so far as we are aware, is not called for through any failure of the present law, ami some of its provisions are decidedly objectionable as tending to create a very close borough of medical practice. The nominated Council, for example, is a body which would neither represent the profession nor the public ; it« term of office is to i long, and its constitution is such that the members may represent the prejudices aud antipathies more than the progressive intelligence of the profession. The total exclusion of foieign diplomas-, except in hospitals established solely for the treatment of foreigners—for them, poor fellows, anything will, of course, do— is ;i provision of doubtful wisdom. The list of orthodox diplomas in the schedule is extremely circumscribed, and we tremble to think of the heart-burnings which might ensue between representatives of the various pathies both over their claims to positions at the Medical Council, and when called upon to submit their qualifications to the scrutiny of their bretheni. The bill may, perhaps, lie susceptible of such amendment as will make the Council less exclusive and render it workable, but we can scarcely look for much practical legislation from members this session. A measure to protect the lives and limbs of Her Majesty's liege subjects, may, however, be considered of sufficient moment to arrest the attention of our law makers in the midst of their scheming aud oDjectless talk.

THE TELEGRAPH LINE DOWN.

Owixg to the telegraph wires being down south of Castle Point, Napier, our war cablegram and last night's business in Par liament have not conic to hand.

A committee meeting of those appointed to make arrangements for the inauguration of the Provincial Grand Lodge, Scotch Constitution, and the installation of Bro. the Hon. F. A. Whitaker as Grand Master of the Norrli Island, was held to-day, at the oiiice of Mr Tyler, the Grand Secretary. A considerable amount of correspondence was read. A reply from Brother Lazar, of Hokitika, to a letter from the secretary, was read, in which the writer expressed his wil lingness to come up and assist in the cere mony. A committee was appointed with a committee from the English Constitution as to the advisableness of installing Provincial Grand Master Graham and his officers on the same day. We understand that the jewels and regalia. have been sent for from England, and that the ceremony will take place about the end of November. Should the two inaugu rations take place together, the event will be the most important in the history of the craft in New Zealand. It may interest our fair readers to know that a ball is talked of as ti fitting climax to the proceedings. The little son of Mr Wayland, the Registrar, was severely injured yesterday at Onehunga, by the kick of a horse. The boy was struck in the abdomen, and suf fered great pain. He was attended by Dr. Purchas and Dr. Ziuzan, and is likely to recover. To the Editor : Sir. — Last night when I came out of the Theatre, a Ponsonby 'bus, (juito empty, was standing in the street — as I was about to enter I was refused per mission, upon the ground that those who came down in the 'bus had the lirst right, and ;is there would be a full load I must not get in. Please inform me whether the driver of a public conveyance has the right to pick and choose bits customers, as I have always believed in the motto " First come, lirst served," and oblige.—Yours etc., POXSOXUV. [The Ponsonby 'buses run every quarter of an hour from S a.in. to 7 p.m. The 'bus, therefore to which our corres pondent refers, must have been specially engaged t<* bring passengers down. 'Ruses .ire permitted to run in opera seasons and other occasions after the regular hours by special petn-ssion of the Oitv Inspector.— Ed. E.S.] The treasurer of the Home for Neglected aud Destitute Children begs to acknowledge with thanks the following contributions received during the month of August, 1577 : Hon. Col. Kenny, 20s ; Messrs J. j and D. Oxlev, 4_s ; Newton Choristers Society, £2 !»s 4d ;Mr Faulder (per J. 15. \ Russeil), 20s. Raw beef, it is asserted, proves of the greatest benefit as a diet for persons of : trail constitutions. It is reported that physicians are now administering l« j

consumptives a diet, of finely-chopped raw beef, properly seasoned with salt, and heated by placing the dish containing it in boiling water. This food is given also in cases where the stomach rejects almost every f_rm of food. It assimilated rapidly, and afford*, the best nourishment, while patients learn to long for it and to like it its nine- as Dr Kane did his Arctic dinners of raw seal and walrus. Colonel Haul tain's lecture (bis evoning, in the hall of the Young Mom's Christian Association, on " Central Asia," bearing on the present war between Russia and Turkey, is likely to be of a very interesting •haractcr, and will, no doubt, attract a full audience. The syllabus of the lecture appears elsewhere, so that the reader will be able to trace the mental route of the lecturer, and be prepared, in it measure, with an outline of the discourse.

Tlie Presbytery of Auckland yesterday j resolved to invite Dr. Somerville, who is I now im Otago, to visit Auckland. A | Melbourne correspondent gives the follow i ing information with respect to this well ! known clergyman's visit to the premier | city of Australia : —" Dr. Somerville, the j Revivalist, has been followed by Mr Henry j Varloy. Sydney is left duite out in the , cold, while these distinguished men operate j upon Victoria. Old Dr. Somerville iswon- I darfully eucrgetic, hearty, and strong in the lungs, although past seventy, aud entirely frosty in the pow. He has been through America and even India on revival tours, although a superannuated Scotch minister. In India he preached about 350 times, "on iced water," as be says, being ;i rigid teetotaller. His services in Melbourne, Ballarat, Stawell, Mary borough, Geclong, &c., have been uniformly successful in attracting crowds." "Forewarned is forearmed," says the ]) roverb, and our readers, who are taken in the course of business into auction or sale rooms, public or private, had better take a hint from us and look after their pockets while _ there. Several robberiesj of this description have taken place lately. One lady yestorday lost her purse and £26 at a sal*. The police are on the alert, but the public had better keep their eyes open as well. We learn upon reliable authority that a first-class entertainment will shortly be given in Mr McPherson's hall, Panmure, particulars of which will duly appear in the Star. The concert will be under the augpic-. of the principal settlers of Paa j mure and neighbouring districts. The en tertainment will bo more than usually in teresting, in consequence of the number of original pieces that will be introduced. Mr Mcpherson will give an entirely new piece, entitled " The Highland Pipe*-,7' in High; hind costume, hose and kilt. Mr Jamas Wylie will sing " The Ronnie Wee Lassie of Ayr," the composition of a settler from the "laud o' cakes." Mr W. Do_au will give a comic parody on " Lamented Mr Jones," descriptive of the editorial difficulties of another Mr done;?. Mr Blackmaa will give an original reading, "Miss Caudle's Visit to Panmure," with strictures on colonial young men and women. A number of pianoforte selections, choruses, and duetts will also be given, closing with the High land Fling. Refreshments will be provided by Mr MePhersot. in the ante-room. To the Editor : Sir, —With refereace to a bet, would you kindly inform me whether the pipes now being laid in Mauukan Road, Pariiell, are for gas or for water ?—F.C. [They are for water.—Ed. E.S.]

In the advertisement re Sutton's estate, Messts Russell and Devore's names inad vertently appeared as solicitors, instead of Hughes and George.

In the case Jones and Co. v. Coleman (Mr Thorne for plaintiff, and Mr Meyer for defendant), the plaintiffs sought to recover the sum of £6 Is, balance of an account. The evidence was rather of a contradictory character, but shewed pretty clearly that defendant was indebted, and judgment was recorded against him, with costs, £1 19s.

A serious accident occurred at East Tanial-i oniJWodnesday, among, some men who were out rabbit-shooting on some hind belonging to Mr White. The men were employed in Mr Donnelly's quarry in the district, and one of them discharged the content.-- of his gun into the side of another of the pa.tty, at the distance of about 15 or 20 yards. The shot is lodged in the arm, chest, stomach, and thigh, and may or may not be fatal, according to the depth it has penetrated. The man was at once removed to the Hospital. We learn since that on the sufferer's wounds being examined at the Hospital, Dr Phtlson pronounced him to he out of immediate danger, considering that he must have been at a greater dis tune c than was at first thought from the spot where the gun was discharged. The man is likely to be at work in about a fortnight.

The sewage of Dunedin is filling the har bour. Captain Thomson, harbour-master, has coinmuni—tted the fact that owing to way in which the steamers' basin is being filled up by the main sewer, vessels are being occasionally bogged. He mentions the case of a vessel lately which was held fast, and had to discharge part of its cargo in order to get clear of the vicinity of the sewer.

An observant and philanthropise corres pondent writes : Sir, —•" 1 have observed that the ladies of Auckland are greatly incommoded ; the length of their dresses causing them to use one hand to support the same, and making the wearers appear stiff and awkward instead of graceful and lovely. Would it not be a saving in material and a decided gain every way these dull times if the leaders of fashion would moult till sttperlluoiis attire. I trust you will publish this from an admirer of feminine beauty, .as it is solely dictated by ;i de_ire to relieve the ladies of a burden."

Union Insurance Company shares are al ready quoted at -is per share premium in Dunedin.

We have (o acknowledge 5s from " Sym pathy" in aid of Mrs Hume, who has been loft unprovided for through the Lionel disaster.

Mr Stout, rM.H.I-, discussing the ques tion ot protection versus free trade in a lec ture at Dunedin said :—•"' That in its broad est point of view it resolved itself into this -Was it the duty of the .State to foster industries V They would sec in the past that almost till States had done something in this respect. And New Zealand had inler fered with Protection to some extent, for it had spent about a million of money upon im migration, which was really taxing labourers for the purpose (J bringing out others to com pete with them. That was an interference with trade. And then came the question whether an interference with trade by a Government ever succeeded to the end. If they took the dictates of political economy, it showed that if they looked at the more acquisition of wealth as the end of State interference by Government, such did not tend to produce wealth. lie then referred to Horace Greeley's pauihh let on this subject, and to the educa tional results which .ol]nw|fromth_ establish uieut of industries in a community. Those countries which had skilled artizans, hud the better trained citizens. There was another point of view from which to look mutter, ami that was what Darwin bad t- rmed, the struggle for existence. The free trade doctrine jearried to its ex tremity, would result in the abolition of charitable aid to hospital., in the allowing of men to light with ouch other, This was a grave political problem, and it had been w.ll put In one political writer, who..aid that the keeping of hospitals was inflicting an injury on the human race, and tending to itn deterioration. No doubt that was correct. Hut this corrective came in: They know that man was something more than a mere physical animal, and that ho had moral qualities. So the giving of relief had the eflect of training the moral qualities of She people. He came to the conclusion which all men who are not blinded by free trade prejudices or by their intercuts as importers must come 10, that iua«much as duties must be levied for the support of the Government they

should h<: distributed so a.- to free articles tti co.isumptic-1 who'll tin- country cannot produce, and to assist the growth of those indu_l___s adapted to the cireunist;ui_cs of the colony. Tlie hon_ Mr Pox's in.suiting and intem perate Language is doing the cause of Local Option more injury than the more vigorous assaulting of its enemies. The " Ofcago I>nily Times," says :—" Wo have no incli nation, however, to rival (lie temperance orator iv tko hsi- of that highly spiced language which sc<tm_ the natural con sequenc** of abstinence from alcohol. We hardly think if was necessary for those i«tercHted in Ihe liquor trade to meet together in order to pass resolu tions against a Bill which was sup ported by such passionate ami un i-asouiug declamation as this : "Do as a son.-ble man would do when he has

a savaga dog;—chain him up, and not go about with a piece of diachylon plaster, patcl_ing up the wounds made by the don/ \Ve say that we hardly think it was worth while to bring a number *f respectable people out of their lioilies at flight to answer s uch rant as this. Mr Jokn if. llauna, of the linn of -Tenuis and Ifauna, desires us to static ho is not the person who [snmiuoned Dr. Wallis for electioneering expenses, and whose name appeared in our yesterday's li.M. Court report. Upon matters operatic a Melbourne correspondent writes :—" Wagner's "Lo hengrin" is produced on an enormous scale at the Melbourne Opera Hou.se. There are 40 in the orchestra, and 100 ou the stage. The caste is altered on alternate nights, so that the principals may not be fatigued. The recent brief opera season was a terrible failure, and resulted in the bouse being altogether closed during the week. The Italian singers luive had reason, so far, bitterly to regret their visit to Australia. The Melbourne Opera House has no dividend to declare on the half-year's operations. They made a heap of money over Einilie Melville, the most successful performer over known in Melbourne, bvit still they thomght they ought to have made more, because Melville had been engaged on shari-g terms, instead of a salary. At the outset, before appearing in Melbourne, she would have been glad to accept a salary, but could not close on such terms, the management being afraid she w«uld fail. The consequence was that she cleared, at tomes I'lso a week, and from that downwards. The canny management dotermined not to he taken in again. Afresh opera-b.iiit'e artist, Catherine Lewis, was engaged in London, at a salary, and she proved a dead failure. Hence the collapse." Mr J. L. Cox, agent of the Scripture Gift and Prize Association, distributed thirty prizas yesterday among the scholars of the Mount Eden School. The girls took the lead in t-ie written exercises, and their pro ductions were very satisfactory. Tlie ages of the children varied from eight to thirteen years. Mr Cox will visit Newton West public school next, and in pursuance of his mission will present prize* to the successful! scholars of that school. Last night about 11 o'clock, the master of a cutter lying at the goods wharf dis covered that ti shod in Mr C. A. Harris's yard was on lire. He immediately took steps to extinguish the rising flame, otherwise Uterc would have been a conflagration which ! 4_ould have aroused the city. v '

Mr W. T. J. Bell (of Ryan and Bell) the General-Agent for New Zealand of tlte Mutual Life Association of Australasia,has forwarded us a copy of the eight annual report of that institution. During tlic'past year 1030 proposals have been accepted and completed for representing a sum insured of £338, 260, aud producing new premiums to the amount of £12,314 3s lid. The balance sheet shows a revenue from all sources during the year of £76,072 "Js lid, less £42,7_6 17s 6d, funds in hand j at the commencement of tiie year. After deducting expenses of management and claimsunder policies the sum left on hand is £61,501 15s 4d, showing an increase dur ing the year of £18.754 17s lOd. The report states that the new annual premiums exceed by over 20 percent the £10,000 line, which marks the rank of first-class oiiices in England, while the total premium income has been increased by over 37 per cent, and the invested funds have received an addi tion of nearly £10,000 since 30th June, 1876. Judging from tiiese returns the Mutual Life Association of Australasia weald appear to be an exceedingly prosperous insurance' company.

A piece of great rascality, which should act as a warning to the girls, Ims just been perpetrated in New South Wales. An ad venturer got introduced to a very respect able family not many miles from <_uean beyan, won the affections of a young lady, daughter of his host, proposed, was accepted, and finally married her. He represented himself as a man of property from Queens land. The pair started for what he called his home, and readied Goulburn, when the scoundrel disappeared with all his bride's effects, in the shape of jewellery, 4c, and has not since been heard of.

Reference lias been made 'in the House of Representatives to a libellous letter signed "T. C. Williams, J. P." published in the New Zealand " Times." A correspondent writing to the :- Post-' asks who is T. C. Williams, to which the editor replies: —" T. C. Williams is "a native of New Zealand" at least, {so he calls himself. His father was a missionary, and for sundry hatchets, blankets, knives, grindstones, looking-glasses, beads, and

other gewgaws, acquired some years ago an enormous tract of territory from the natives, under circumstances duly set forth in the despatches of (then) Governor Sir George Grey. Individually, Mr Wil liams is a large man—standing some six feet three inches in height-and weighing about seventeen stone. He has an enor mous head—but what quality of brains there are in itlmay be judged by his recent let ters to the New Zealand "Times." Some years ago he was a bitter opponent to the Manawutu land purchase, and appeared for the malcontent, native objectors in the Na tive bands Court at Ofaki, on which occas sion Mr Fox,. as counsel forDr Featherston, flayed him (Williams) alive. He never (juite recovered that operation." :

An entertainment in favour of the Alex andra-street Primitive .Methodist School was held last evening, in the school-room. The first part was entirely of a sacred character, Rev. Win. Tinsley presiding. The selections by the choir consisted chiefly of Moody and Sankey's hymns, and were sung in a very creditable manner ; the readings being the " Orphan's Prayer," by Miss Fronde ; " Forgiveness/ by Mr Young ; and an address by Mr (..oldie, the superintendent of the school. The second part was of a secular character, at which Mr Goldie presided. The programme in this department was of a lively description. Miss Wilson, pianoforte solo; songs : " Why did she leave me?" "The Sleigh Song," and another, by Mr llowdeii ; several glees, by the Orpheus (llee Club ; a. duct, by a lady and gentleman ; recitations ; by Miss Fronde and the National Anthem by the company. The room was full, and the proceedings most satisfactory.

('omplaints are made that no conveniences are provided on the new railway wharf. At present the men employed there' .have to go up to the railway station. This is a state of things which the Harbour Board should have altered at once.

We have to announce the gratifying in telligence to our numerous readers that Mr Charles Wheatleigh will shortly appear at the Theatre Royal in a new sensation drama, entiilcd the " Tour of the World in eighty days." Mr Wheatleigh is remem bered as the moving spirit of the famous " Shaughraun" as drawn by Roueienult, which attracted such crowd's at the old theatre. The •"Tour of the World" has been produced with immense success at the Grand >. Opera-house, San Francisco, where it had a splendid run of sixty conse cutive nights, surpassing the " length of any other drama ever produced in tlie State of Califoniin. Mr Wheatl.igh brings with him a host of talent—artists who have acquired almost n world-wide reputation in the art. We need only mention Mr (!eo. Leopold, of the Prince of Wales, Mel bourne ; Mr Fred Helton, of th_ Princess Theatre, Oxford-street, London ; Miss Andrews, a charming actress from Sydney Theatre Royal ; and Miss Clara Henderson, of New York. New scenery and etfects will be produced, and every necessary pie- P-r„tion made for the due representation of one uf the most interesting dramas of the

'Mr Macandr.w brought before the House t the opening of the Otago Museum on Sun ! days, which has set clerical circles in ] Dunedin ablaze. He asked if the Govern j men. wcro aware by whose authority the I new Museum iw Dunedin had been opened ! onSuudays. He said that he expressedhio j opinion personally ;ts to the expediency or J otherwise of opening the Museum. It was a matter on which a huge section of the people of Dunedin felt strongly and were j deeply interested. lie could not think that | any individual could have taken it upon j himself to open the Museum without the I knowledge of the Government, and assum j ing that this had been done with their I sanction, ke thought it was to be regretted ! that such action should have been taken in j the absence of any manifestation of public | opinion on tlie subject. The Premier re- I plied that the Government knew nothing I about the matter. Their authority had not \ bee_ asked. The Government would, how- j I ever, inquire into the subject. Colonel Baker, in his recently published work on Turkey, also reminds us that the Hussion army has not yet encountered G.ncral Fever, as the season of the year for his deadly operations is only just commencing. These terrible agues "have always proved peculiarly destructive to the Russian armies. They are only prevalent during the months of July, August, and September, aud then only on the plains; the rest of the year is very health v. An army moving through the country "during these months can never be certain of the number of men it can bring into line of battle. It may have 70,000 men to-day, and only 40,000 to morrow, for while the h*t and cold stage of the fever is raging it completely incapacitates a man for any j kind of work." j Th&jDestitute Persons' A«t, 1577, intro duced into the Upper House by the Hon. Dr Pollen, relates to the support of paupers by i their relative*!, and of illegitimate children { by their fathers. Any two Justices of the j Peace have jurisdiction under the Pill, ami have power to order the relatives— which term includ.s the hither, stepfather, grandfather, mother, stepmother, grasd- j mother, children (other than stepchildren), brother, and unmarried sister—of any destitute person, to contribute any sum not exceeding twenty shillings per week towards the support of such person the discretionary power of the Justices in affiliation cases is increased so as to allow of an order being made for any sum not exceeding 10s perjweek, instead of 7s »;d as at present, and this applies to I half-caste childen. The putative hither, j in all cases, may require the Justices to j capitalise his .oiitributions—that is, he may cull on them to iix a certain r mount | of not less than £10 or more titan £100 to I he paid in a lump sum forthwith to ease ! him of all further liability. f

A divorce case brought by Mrs Mary Buchanan against her husband, who is a high official in the General Post office, has just been decided in Sydney. It was heard with closed doors. The case excited con siderable public interest. It was facetiously remarked by one of the long-robed frater nity that the case would not stand the light of day. However, the records of the court show that the issues as to the marriage, and the adultery of Mr Buchanan with one Kate Ellen Edger were fully proved to his Honor's satisfaction. A decree nisi for a dissolution of the marriage, returnable in six months, was granted Mrs Buchanan.

PARLIAMENTARY.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER)

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]

WELLINGTON, this day. DISCOVERY OF THE THAMES GOLDFIELD.

In the House to-day, .Mr Dignan presented a petition from Mr Henry Kees ing, junior, of Auckland, praying a reward for tlie discovery of the Thames Goldfield, he having received no share of the reward of £5,000 offered by the Provincial Govern ment of Auckland in lSh'7 for the discovery of a payable goldfield. The following is the report of the Goldfield Reward Inquiry Commission, appointed by the Provincial Council in 1870, with refereiiee to Mr K.es ing's claim : —" Mr H. Keesing claims the reward on the grounds that on the 9th August, 1567, he discovered a specimen in the Kurunui Creek. Tiiat at this time the diggers considered the Thames Goldfield a "duffer," and were actually leaving it, but in conseqiiGnce of his discovery were induced to remain. He also says that Mr William Hunt, of "Hunt's Claim," had followed him to the Kurunui, ami saw the specimen found by him, and that 0:1 the next day (August 10th) Mr Hunt returned and pegged off, in the same spot, the claim since known as the Shotovcr Company. With reference to this claim, we are ot opinion that as the Kurunui was at this time open to the public, and was within the boundaries of the dis trict which had been, on July 30th of the same year, proclaimed a goldfield, the claimant simply discovered ;i specimen on what was already a goldfield, and did not discover a goldfield, or in any way conduce to one being opened." THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL Sir George Grey presented a petititon from the Thames Borough Council com plaining that the engineer of the Thames

County Council was also to act as Mining Inspector, and protesting against the County Council being allowed to interfere with Eorough matters.

TAIPARI'S CLAIM. Taipari's petition for Gobi field's Reward was sent to the select committee on Native affairs. SHARERROKERS' REPORT ACT. The Speaker stated Mr Lusk's Share brokers' Act Repeal Rill must be intro duced in committee of the whole House. The Rill was then introduced, read a lirst time, and second lending fixed tor Wednesday. BILLS POSTPONED. The Auckland College and Grammar School Rill has been postponed until Wednesday next. Tie:- Land Societies' Act Amendment Bill was also postponed until the same day. LOCAL OPTION. Mr Ballance presented a petition from 000 settlers of Wanganui against the Local Option Bill, as being destructive of the rights of propeity. and hostile to liberty. BEETROOT SUGAR. The Committee on beetroot sugar recommend that no bonus be granted, but the present duty be maintained, with a view to encourage the growth of beetroot

and promoting local industry. RAILWAY MATERIAL. Some curious evidence was taken In the Railway Committee, extracted from an engineer named Higginson. He admitted that materials which had been condemned were passed for railway works. When asked why, he replied with official hauteur that lie claimed the right to granting such

dispensations. ; ! ARTISANS' PETITION. , I Mr Swanson presented a petition from 000 artisans, workmen, and others in Auck land, shewing that foreign manufactures , are being used unnecessarily in tlie celony. The Government are praying that local labour bo emplo\ cd. THE "FRANCHISE. Mr Woolcock gave notice of motion that in the opinion of this blouse tlie present state of the Franchise and Electoral Law is exceedingly unsatisfactory, and that the Attorney General be requested to introduce a Pill to remcdv ttte matter. WRECK "AT NORTH CAPE. Mr Recs gave notice of motion to ask the Government whether any steps had been txiken in reference to the wreck . recently reported near the North Cape. ! GEORGE JONES' CASE. Mr Rees also gave notice to ask to | morrow whether the Government paid money to any persons as oompertsatio- or I otherwise, in connection with two hundred i thousand acres of laud in the Upper Thames district ; also, to whom the money I was paid, and the name of the solicitor | who acted. This is understood to apply to I Jones' case. i Mr Reynolds drew attention to a. para ! graph in the " New Zealand Times " I stating that a writ had been issued against ! George Jones to appear in Wellington. It ) appeared to hint' that the prosecution j should take prace where tlie libel was com mitted. He drew attention to the matter, i in order to give the Attorney-General an j opportunity of explaining the it. Tlie Attorney-General replied that the j paragraph was quite correct, and the pro | ceedings were taken in strict accordance i with law. j MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS' ACT. | At S o'clock the Medical Practitioners' ! Act Amendment Bill was introduced, and j Mr Hamlin moved the second reading. : There could be no doubt the time had I arrived when an amendment should be j made on the Act of ISG'9, which had j proved a failure, and allowed individuals Jto purchase diplomas and practise for ! i the colony at large. It was generally known to members of the House that many people practised as doc tors who had purchased diplomas, but who j knew no more of medicine than he did. | This fell principally upon people, in country j districts, who had to trust to any one who professed to be a doctor. This could not occur in towns, becaus. other medical men would trip him up, He knew cases where limbs had to be amputated, iv consequence of the incompetence of so-called doctors. At present, any man who wished to be re gistered had simply to send papers _to any | registrar, and the burden of disproof lay j npon others. By this Bill, the burden ; I would have to come before a Medical j Board. No man wonld have the J impudence to come before them I who t was not qualified. He trusted j iie would not be accused of attempting to : | pass anything like a harsh law, supposing |it were possible to appoint a Board from : Otago, Canterbury, Wellington, Marl- I borough, and Nelson would be a matter of difficulty. Therefore the Bill proposed j i four districts. It would be difficult to And ! five medical men in such places as Napier, j He would b_ prepared to accept alterations J in the schedule. Objections had been raised by doctors who held seats in the House to the qualifications under two schedules. He would not jeopardise the ; Bill, but would accept amendments to make I it workable. j Dr. Wallis said he believed there was one ; single bogus^diploma registered. He was . not sure that the Bill could be amended in ! such a way as tobe_omejworkable|it put too : m wch power into the hands of the profession. ' At eight o'clo.k Dr. Wallis proceeded to criticise the provisions of the Bill. It is understood this Bill was principally drafted by Dr. Diver of Wellington.

THE CREDITORS' MEETING FARCE.

MR JUSTICE JOHNSTON'S OPINION

AT the Supreme Court, Christchurch on August :22nd, bis Honor Mr Justice Johnston said : My brother Williams his asked me to deliver the following jud<m le n). in this ease, which litis stood over for%ome time. It must, however, be understood that it is the judgment of Mr Justice ! Williams, who heard the case, and not . myself. It is as follows :— j In this case, at the time when the first ; meeting of the creditors of Thomas , Andrews should have been held, Mr H E ! Alport attended witli proxies from several creditors. Mr Alport was not a creditor j himself, and no other creditor than those re. I presented by Mr Alport was present person* ally or by|proxy. Air Alport, in the name of one creditor whom he represented, proposed ■ and, in the name of another creditor ' seconded, that the third creditor, also repr.'. sented by Mr Alport, should take the chair" Mr Alport then, in the name of one creditor moved, and, in the name of another seconded, that he (Mr Alport) should be appointed trustee of the estate, and should receive a commission of live per cent and then, as Chairman, declared the reso' resolution carried. Under circumstances . I think that the election of Mr Alport' as trust cc was void on the ground that there was no meeting. 1 hold that although creditors can be represented at a meeting by proxy : yet that there cannot be said to be a ■ meeting at all, unless more than one indivi : dual is actually present. The rules, more over, indicate that the meeting is to be pre. 1 siiled over by a ('hairman ; in order to carry out this rule, there must be something over which the Chairman can preside, a real meeting of persons in the flesh, and not a :nere metaphysical assemblage of several persons in one substance. As the Chauiaaa ; himself forms part of the meeting, I do not say that the Chairman and another mi< _. not constitute a meeting—l am inclined. 0 to think they would; but one person alone cannot. No inconvenience need result from this view of the law, since debtors or : creditors can always take care that a meeting is properly constituted. I think, therefore, that Mr Alport's appoint -1 ment must lie declared void. There is a summons for Mr Taylor to be appointed trustee in his stead, but there is no power to do that. The summons does not ask for costs. His Honor Mr Justice Johnston—l ;am not responsible for the judgement It is Mr Justice William's judgement. I may say that I have seen it stated that I have decided this question one way, and Mr Justice Gillies another, but it is no such thing. I have never decided on the oues tion at all. So far, however, as I can see the present case, not having heard it. lam : with my brother Williams.

CALEDONIAN GOLD MINING MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Directors aud Shareholders of the above Company was to be held this afternoon, at Mr Totliill's Shortland-street, C. J. Stone, Esq., in the chair. The following is the report :— " The Directors have to express their regret that, notwithstanding every exertion has been used, consistent with the financial position of the Company, success has not attended the past year's work. A few weeks after last year's meeting, the Ota,-o ground was offered for sale by auction, and purchased for this Company at a cost of £103. The work that has been done by the Company has been chiefly on this portion of the Mine of winch thefjManager's Report, annexed, will inform moie iiarticularly, as also his estimate of future prospects. The various tributes have yielded £727 b's lid. Two only are now being worked with satisfactory results, but it is probable that some other blocks may be let shortly, without interfering with ground which might be worked by the Com pany with a fair prospect of profit. The winding done fore Companios owningadjoin ing Mines has yielded a revenue of £463 fe lls, and considerably more may be expected fiom this source in future. The accom panying :-t.iteiuente of receipts a_dexpendi ture will inform shareholders of the financial pi sition of the Company. Messrs G. J. Stone and Dr. Campbell retire by rotation from the Directory, but, being eligible they offer themselves for re-election.

Tlie following are the receipts and ex penditure : —Receipts : Debtors, 31st July, 1876. £52 0s 3d ; gold, £331 4. H; tributes, £727 (is lid ; winding, £4636. lis ; dividend,. Bright Smile Company. £2 ISs Od ; interest and expenses on calls, £17 12s lid ; call of 10s per share on 2,670 shares, £1,335 Os Od ; calls paid-up on shaers, £6 5s Od ; Bank of New Zealand overdraft, £577 15s Sd ; total, £3.51310s 3d. Expenditure : Bank of New Zealand over draft, 31st July, 1576. £1,037 13s ; creditors, 31st July, IS7G, £55 9s Sd; mine, &c, £2,579 6s ; insurance. £30; rock drill, £111 2s : total, £3,813 10s 3d.

After waiting the usual time, the meeting laased for want of a quorum.

POISONED ARROWS.

A PAPEII on " Poisoned Arrows " appears m a recent number of the " Contemporary Review," from which we learn tiat ■•' accounts given by the missionaries of the proper natuic of the poisons used to render arrows noxious, appear to show that the natives of the North New Hebrides and Banks' islands do not themselves attach im portance to the effects of the substance with . which the arrows are poisoned, but seem to regard the innocuous human bone, formi»g the point of tlie weapon, as a powerful agent in producing deleterious effects. The poisons, according to theevideuce of theinissionane. are derived from vegetables; the plant used in Bunks Islands being "Toe, species of Euphorbiaccse, and "Goke. * climbing plant, allied to Strychnia. The same evidence declares the fact that the usual effects of wounding with arrows so ] repared are inflammation, and occasionally tetanus ; but the important remark is also made that the natives of the Soiittt Pacific are very subject to tetanus, "»"«J wounds not produced by poisoned arrows; and that this disorder is also comnio* among the natives independently of wotffl." ing. Professor Halford, of Melbourne W versity—an authority on snake bites-^_? v evidence to the effect that dogs and pige?^ exhibited no evil effects after wounded in various ways by P°^°T arrows obtained from the jolomon *sl^ and by tlie substances obtained from tM* weapons. That Dr. Messer's observation on this subject therefore aftbrd ggj grounds for believing that many ot: w I reports relating to the deadly nature ol» I arrows used by the South Sea W*JJJ are decidedly erroneous, there can oe reasonable doubt, and that many ot ij cases of so-called poisoning are simply to mental fear; and the pflj"* irritation inducing tetanus seems aJB» fair inference. But there can be no _»» that at the same time travellers and ' - sionaries, by careful observation, iw» furnish scientific met with secure aa upon which to establish sound conclusion*

ONE IN A FOG.

(To the Editor of the Evening Stab)-_, Sir,—Can.anyone, after reading.the I°^ jar answer the Question, " What am I to "^{.jjoti. b rived here some months ago, ana _^' „til qualified to act in almost any capacity,i_ei or otherwise, I was unable to obtaina ™' fnrn) e_ Subsequently Ihave undertaken and pen" jtf an vthing my hands have found to do, OT»« ' £& my utmost efforts, lam again without inc^ ot earning an honest living. Am i. she iter myself homeless and penniless,'7 to i**-^ ij a ble in some shed or bam, and render myse_■ "jjj J under the Rogue and Vagabond A-t|. 0rS 68 ---steal, and rain my character forever. , t p__r I exercise the more Spartan courage o. "Itself fellow, who, unpitied and unseen, .iai«■ ,gf down to die in the Domain a short."'H^o-W the insertion of the above you will R"£jJj_itf-. one who is in sore trouble and pen" Your, truly, _)i.i_ritj_d.

THE EVENING STAR, FRIDAY. AUGUST 31. 1877.



q P E C I A L N OTIC E. '10 COUNTRY SETTLKR.. AND OTHERS UK QUIRING- STRONG CLOTHING MATERIAL. The undersigned have Just Received a. Fresh Surmly of NEW PRINTED IMOD-.SK-XS, Light aiid Dack Patterns. CORDUROY, Various Qualities, and WHITE MOLESKIN. Also, WHITE and GREY CALICOES, of all the Best Makes, aud First-class Value. r.rev Calico from 3d per yard Good White Calico from __-d per yard A nice lot of New Shirtings, fast colour and new patterns Heavy Brown Holland, a very cheap lot at Ckl per yard A Job Lot of Huckaback Towels, at Gd each, 5s !)d per doz. Alhambra Quilts, at 3s lid each ' Kidderminster Carpets, n. nice assortment of patterns and good quality, at _ . lid; Pelt Carpets ; Matting- of various makes ; _ x 1 Floor Cloths : Axminstcr Mats : and every description of FURNISHING DRAPERY, at Very Reasonable Prices. Extra Good Value in BLANKETS, all si_es_ white and coloured Tn order to Clear, WINTER DRESS GOODS, REMNANTS, Sea., are now offered at Consider ably Reduced Prices. Special to* Dressmakers, Sec. — A very Choice Lot of Silk and Fancy Buttons just to hand, all new designs, and very carefully selected for the incoming season's trade. The CLOTHING DEPARTMENT is well stocked with every requisite for Boys and Men, being constantly replenished from the best sources of supply. Inspection Invited. s. in the £ allowed on all Cash Purchases of [20s. and upwards. rushbrook & bridgman, Junction Drapery Warehouse, Upper Queen-street, auckland.



J_JINOLEL4M! Linoleum I Linoleum! AC\ ROLLS JUST OPENED, Ex ' Spirit of the Dawn.' GREATEST VARIETY in AUCKLAND. Best Covering FOR Halls, Ok _______ and Dining Rooms. IK DIF F EEENT PATTERNS o TO SELECT PROM AT THE CITY HALL FURNITURE ARCADE. CARPETS: Tapestry, from 2s. lid.: Brussels, from 4s. 9d. DRAWINGROOM SUITES on View- DI_}_DROO >]_: :Vl} -FURNITURE o_ all Kinds. cheapest f urn ishing house. Hollo way and Gtarlick, QUEEN-STREET, A UCKLAND.



Tyr A N C H E S T E R GOOD S. W. RATTRAY Begs to notify that he has JUST OPENED an assortment of the following Goods, viz.: Horrocks' and other makes of Calicoes and Longcloths 10, 51, 72. 80, 90, and 100 inch Fiulay _ Plain and Twilled Sheelings (i 1, 7/1, 8 1. -.T, and 10 1 White Linen Table Damasks 64, 7 4, and 8 1 Hambro aud Unbleached do,, do. Damask Tabic Cloths, Napkins and Tray Cloths, Rough and Dressed Hollands, Diapers, Frontings. &c. Linen and Cotton Bed Tick. Huckaback Towel ling, Tea and Glass Cloths, Christy's Turkish Dusters. Counterpanes, Quilt--, Toilet Covers, and Anti macassars. The arove have been Marked at the Lowest Remunerative Prices. ■VT E W I7EAL AN D TT OUS E, j 66, Queest-street, Auckland. TMPORTANT NOTICE {Having introduced STEAMPO WEE into the 'Manufacture of FURNITURE, we are now enabled to Sup-pig our Cus tomers at GREATLY REDUCED PRICES. T. & H. COOKE, Cabinetmakers, Upholsterers, die., c(jc %£T 8 HOW R O O MS. G7, Queen-street. STEAM CABINET FACTORY Victoria-street. TO __GIIICULTURISTS _. OTHERS. ~ W. .T. HURST s_ CO. have on sale the under mentioned Fertilizers, all of which have been proved to produce satisfactory results in this district. Experience teaches that large and profitable returns ca_i be relied on by a.judicious and liberal use of them. The flattering Testi monials from leading Farmers justify W. J. . Hurst & Co. in strongly commending them to every Agriculturist :— MALDEN ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MEXICAN do. REEL'S BONE FLOUR 1 and .V-inch BONEDUST BILLYARD'S No. 1 do. NITRATE OF SODA ! SULPHATE OF AMMONIA MURIATE OF POTASH SUPER-PHOSPHATE OF LIME. SALT, SULPHATE OF LIME. In addition to the above, W. ,1. H. & Co. arc • prepared to supply special Chemical Manures for stimulating weak Corn Crops, and renovat ing Clover-sick Pastures, as well as the Potato and Mangold mixture that last season attracted so much favourable notice. prices, and other particulars will bo supplied on application at the Stores. W. J. HURST & CO., 101, QUEKN-STREET, CLOVER SEED, FOR SPRING SOWING. Just Landed, ex Columbus— 30 casks new Clovers, consisting of Red Clover White Clover Cow Gras Also on hand, Alsyhe. Timothy. Lucerne, Rape, Rats-tail, Rye grass, Cocksfoot, &c, at lowest market rates. W. J. HURST & CO. 101, QUEEN-S TRE ET. 500 sacks Sydney Maize (superior sample) 3000 ~ Oats First-class Tartars for .Seed, also 800 sacks of 1575 crop hard feed, surpassing any of last season's growth 1200 sacks Canterbury Potatoes, and some early varieties for seed purposes Flour. Bran. Sharps, Chaff, Oilcake, Coal, Sec. Sec. Particular attention is called to aOO sacks Prime Ba—:ej at Is per bushel of 50/!. 5 tons Anderson's Fresh _ratmeal, at £21 per ton. W. J. lIUI.iT & CO. 101, QUEEN -ST R E ET, Auckland.



Charlatans are continually attempting to practice upon the health of the iinsuspectinj. by the sale of adulterated, fiery potions in bottles of Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps which have been emptied of their legitimate contents. The name of this celebra ted elixir is also counterfeited to aid the swindle. Buyers should inspect the labels closely.