SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ARRIVALS.

Isabel, cutter, from Wangarei. Rotoru s.s., Macfarlane, from Sydney Pearl, ketch, Carmichael. from Tonga.

DEPARTURES.

lona. s.s.. Farquhar, for Russell and the North, Staffa, s.s.. Baker, for Tauranga and Opotiki. Minne Hare, schooner. Skinner, for Napier.

IMPORTS.

Per Rotorua from Sydney : 150 cases fruit 10 tons tine bone dust.—L. \\ . Eaton. Per s.s. Rotorua: - 237 cases fruit.—R Arthur.

EXPORTS.

Per Ephemy foe Noumea: . „„ , . 5J60 tons potatoes, 27 kegs butter' 20 bags oats. 67 bags bran, 5 cases cheese. '5 sides bacon, l case lard, 3 iars lard, 7 casks beer, 8 cases stoui. __• D. H. McKenzie, agent. Per Jane Douglas for the Coast :— 1 bale leather.-Ireland Bros, 21 bundles tow.—Stone Bros.

The s.s. Rotorua, Captain Macfarlane, aim ed in liarbour this morning, -he cleared. hyuncy Heads at 3.30 p.m., »* August. Iraesh norm west "nd south west winds with nign sea-, o°V^-p T »c Kin . at noon yesterday, F^Sm- _? -sb. «Sk"«^ Arrivtd alongsklo the wharf at after _*"£___ passage of four days "hours. We are indebted to Mr It. B. Pn^ : purser for ni_es and report L^stm,er,. Saimn-Mi's Macfarlane, Mr ±1. runce Thomas In4n , H. H. Massie, Lord Phippi, Mr CoulT Mr B-keman, Mr Kimble Miss Kimble. Mis* White wood. Mr Buck, Mrs Buck, Mi ST-e?'bri|Stme Roderick Dhu. which has been at anchor in Rangitoto Channel two days got away yesterday, and proceeded on her vorase to Newcastle. „... The schooner Mazeppa is to sail for Fiji £___ Ephemy cleaved to-day for Noumea, with -jr.-"- of stores. She sails at, once. _ The Rotorua will leave for Napier and the £#c cutt^'sa^a r&d to-day from Wan faret Her str-diog at that place will form the subject of an in<i uiry. nnntu-i The s s Staff-, for Tauranga and Opoti.^i, and the lona for the North, left last evening "_se°£ JSS DougllTs^o sail this afternoon foTl^ Sschooa 9 r Minnie Hare has sailed for N?Dier with a load of timber. . .„-,., The island trading ketch Pearl arrived from Tonga yesterday evening, a long atogice of more than nine months tompo*. It willbe remembered by our readers that the Pearl was c«st vi) on the reef at Tonga, by tna Hurricane whe proved fatal to the May Queen and was F-wed off by the tidal wave of the 11th May. Sincfshe h- been ofloat, she has been tem porarily "repaired, but wiU require a fresh survey prior to a complete refit. Captain oar michaefreports having made; a; passage o 23 days. She left Tonga on Saturda.. the 2ist «M T krht S E winds were experienced for the & fewhtd!ys.% which variable weather was the. order, until arriving within four da\ s saif of the Great Barrier, when strong.westerly gales were encountered,. Sighted aeßuiiei on Saturday afternoon, since when hght varia bles carried the slap into port.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

ii._ TT ~ wii.r. Close as Under: P^Tham^th^lay. at 1.30 pm andptip.m.; and to-morrow, ai o p.m. and 5..0 p.m. ForCo_omandel. per Argyle, on Friday next, For Wangkrei Keads, Waipu Wangarei. and M^.ranai n"r Argyle. this day. at 1 p.m. Fo"l*fpier^ and Southern pro vinces ncr Rotorua, this day, ato pm. Fo^Levuka'lFni), per Mazeppa, to-morrow,

For Gi-borne. per Pretty Jane, to-morrow, at Fo_ PWhi-angi, Tauranga. and Opotiki, per Rowena, to-morrow, at 4 p.m. . . For Waiwera. Warkworth. and Te Aran per •*Anne Milbauk. on Thursday nest, at 10 a.m For Taranaki. and Southern Provinces and Australian Colonies, per Taranaki, on Fn da*Vre moneyl orders, registered letters, and ne L V;^ a!e etlrffo 0 ra Southern Provinces and Melbourne will be received till 11.20 a.m. Per s.s. Wanaka, on Wednesday. 22nd mst., as foFor'lndia, China. Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 5 a.m. For Taranaki, Southern Provinces. Austra lian Colonies, and United Kingdom, via Suez a_d Southampton (for letters specially addres- SeFo^ aUnft_d'Kingdom^aßrindisi. at 5.20 a.m For newspaper*, at _■ a.m. . ._.«■*.-_ For money orde _ and registered letter, Hi _ n-evious evening, at 4 p.m. Ul"p-e s . B. KISS. Chief PngtTT.a.st,ftr.

ENTERTAINMENTS, MEETINGS, &C.

August h. Auckland Choral Society's Musical Perform ance, Choral Hall. Bpm. Hibernian Band Anniversary Gathering, at Albert Hall. „ ,„ . . , Victoria Company- Parade, at Drill-shea, at 7.30 p.m.

MARRIAGE.

CUMMINS—CAP.R.— On the 14th February, IST" William, second son of William Cum mins, Victoria Quadrant, to Mary Ann, eldest daughter of Matthew Carr, of Victoria-street.

DEATH.

DANIELS.—On the 13th August, at Onehunga Phineas Daniels, aged 4fj years. The funeral will leave his late residence Onehunga, to-morrow, 15th instant, at 1 p.m.

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

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1877.

ft—• the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs t _sis__.ce. For the future in the distance, And the _ood that we can da.

The chances of the Government retaining o-ice are improving. The whips have as certained beyond question that there is no hope ot carrying tne second i_.kl.-_. -i the Native Lands Bill, and the Ministry prefer to sacrifice the Bill before their seat-. The Governmnnt "will propose this afternoon that the order of the day be struck out, a step that involves the total abandon ment of the measure. Mr Ballance will press his amendment, and it car ried, the Ministry can scarcely retain office. Our special reporter's telegrams shew that the division will he very close. The second stumbling block, Mr Woolcock's motion for a change in the incidence of taxation, has been overcome, Mr Woolcock after many brave protestations, yielding to the soft solicitation of the Premier, will withdraw his motion.

NEWS by the mail—and especially the public utterances of leading statesmen fives a more hopeful aspect to England's position in relation to the Eastern Question. Every day the atmosphere seems to clear, and 'the' prospect of England being in volved in a European k war becomes smaller. We do not hesitate to say that had Lord Beaconsfi eld's Cabinet had their own way throughout, England would at this time have been up to the neck in blood, fighting for Mohammedanism, and propp'ing°up with her best lives the totter ing edifice of the Government of the Porte. The pressure put upon the Ministry by the country has been so heavy and uninistakc able that there was no resisting it. Lord Derby's bellicose manifesto lias been fol lowed by another exceedingly pleasant communication from the same quarter, resulting in a very friendly response from Prince Gortschakoff, and now it may fairly bo said that there is a good sound basis of understanding between the two great Powers of England an 1 Russia. Lord Derby has informed the Russian Govern ment that England will faithfully adhere to a policy of neutrality so long as Turkish interests are alone involved in the war, but that any attempt to blockade or interefere with the Suez Canal could not be viewed with iudifierence, nor is Great Britain pre pared to permit Constantinople to pass into other hands than those of its present pos sessors. He further points out that the Go vernment would entertain serious objec tions to any alteration of the present arrangements for regulating the navigation of the Bosphorus and Danube. Finally he makes a sort of incidental mention of "other intereds" such as we possess on the Persian Gulf, which under certain circumstances might require protection. In reply, Prince Gortscha koff assures Lord Derby that his Government will respect all the interests mentioned "as long as England remains neutral," and that although Egypt is virtu ally at war with Russia, she having fur nished a contingent to Turkey, still, what ever may happen, the Imperial Cabinet " will not bring Egypt within the sphere of their military operations." This seems to be pre-eminently satisfactory, and there is now a very good grouud'for supposing that we shall escape any collision with Russia. Englishmen ' must not suppose that they enjoy a monopoly of honesty and humanitarian instincts. It has been very much the fashion to attribute to Russia in her present action the basest motives ; but from the course she is pursuing, and the open way in which she lays down and also maintains her intentions in respect of the future, we cannot but grant that > she has a very just show of right. From the first manifesto of war, Russia lias declared that it is not, and never has been, her intention to annex Turkey in Europe or to permanently occupy Constantinople ; and we believe that, if Turkey were blotted out, the scheme which was long ago suggested would be supported by all __uropc. Constantinople made a free port would bo the common sense solu tion of the whole matter—the key to tho Eastern problem. As for Russia, let us glance for an instant at what would be the consequence to her of the freedom of the Blade Sea and the acqui sition of the Sclavic provinces. It would be the death knell of the most dangerous

and powerful of the secret societies in Eastern Europe. It would, in fact, mean that iv commerce, education, social and political safety, Russia would date the beginning of a new era of progress, which would quickly land' her in the front rank of civilized nations. Is this nothing for a nation to tight for? Is there no inducement in these things for a great nation to sacrifice blood and treasure"? In view of such a triumph, need we look for other motives to move the sanguine followers of the Czar, and the devotees ef the most ancient of Christian Churches, to dedicate their best and bravest to a final struggle with. their hereditary enemies—the foes of the kingdom of Christ, and the incarnation of all that is cruel and debasing ? We confess that, regarding all these points, we see nothing to wonder at in Russia's path of warlike progress, nor in the systematic though gradual collapse of the unfortunate forces of the Sultan. Talk of corruption,

jobbery, roguery—we thought Aye j knew something of such things with our ex- : periences of the Crimean war; but it is to Turkey we must go if we wish to see such j things carried out to perfection. 111-fed, j ill-clothed, ill-armed ; new Krupp guns ! rusting on the beach that outfit months a'-"o to have been mounted at Kara; regiments a thousand strong on paper with under two hundred in the field—these are some of the results of vice and corruption in the ruling classes, which notwithstanding the bravery and vitality of the Ottoman race, are aiding to carry out the complete over throw of the Moslem power in Europe ; and that tkis would mean the utter col lapse of the power everywhere else is patent to the most unobservant, since Con stantinople has ever been the key of their position. First, by the strength and good government of Turkey, and then for the political convenience of the nations, the Porte has been maintained in Europe. When those necessities have ceased, or have become altered as they have now become, Turkey disappears as a lire balloon when the spirit is consumed, and falls, as it were, an impalpable ash. The extra ordinary vigour displayed by the jTurkish troops in the present campaign may protract the throes of dissolution ; but, despite the victories North and South of the Balkans, the fanatical courage and successes of the army in Asia, we believe the integrity of the Ottoman Empire in Europe is already a thing of the past, and the final dissipa tion of a Government that has ruled simply by the power of the sword, is only agues-

tiou of time,

The case between inglis and Hardy, two settlers in the locality of the Rangitopuna Creek, near the Wade, is proceeding to-day, and is not likely to be completed until to morrow, as there are a number of witnesses yet bo be examined.

An accident occurred to-day to a cart loaded with scoria, opposite St. Paul's school, in Edeu Crescent. In <.oinj, over a soft place one of the wheels sank nearly up to the stock, the horse fell, and the axle tree broke, 'lhe horse, the property of Mr Joseph Craig, was extricated without in jury.

The death is announced of the Rev. Sir Henry William Baker, the originator and principal editor of the " Hymns Ancient and Modern," one of the most popular col lections of recent date among English Churchmen.

The Agricultural and Pastoral Associa tion have purchased a piece of ground bet ween the Ellerslic race course and the railway at £_5 per acre for the purpose of tiie holding of shows and other requirements of the Association. Messrs. Morrin, Mc- Laughlan, Anderson and Banks have been appointed a sub-coiuniittoo to examine the site and see what yards buildings etc., will be required. A resolution has been passed in committee that with a view to carrying out permanent improvements on the land, no money prizes will be given at this years

show

The weekly meeting of the St. James' Discus*'"" pi''-^v:K lield last eVoJ>in_r. when Mr ' Robert Mason read an essay on '•' -u.eess." The Rev. J. A. Caygill, of the United Free Methodist Church, informed the class that the young men in connection with the junction church had ajficcd to discuss the subject, " Should the Franchise be Extended to Women ?" with the St. James' Class—-the night to be hereafter

lixed

The meeting of the committe appointed to consider what steps should be taken in connection with the labour question was held last evening in the Mechanics' Insti tute, Mr J. T. Boylan in the chair. Messrs Goldie, Heslop, Phillips, Cook, and Daldy were also present. Mr Heslop, at the re quest of the chairman, stated the particulars or" the meeting which had elected the com mittee, and Mr Phillips, Secretary of the Trade and Labour Council, enumerated the wrongs under which artisans laboured. Captain Daldy spoke at some length, considering that Government had not acted wisely in neglecting New Zealand material, and preferring foreign material at higher prices -, and pointed to Onehunga bridge and new wharf as examples. The Government prescribed that material from Western Australia should be used in that instance, and which was not in any point equal to local varieties. He was of the opinion, moreover, that engineers, when they came to New Zealand, were too proud to add to the knowledge already possessed by them. He went on to say that he was decidedly opposed to the imposition of protection duties, but was strongly convinced that the Govern ment should spend in New Zealand every pound for which a pound's worth could be obtained. The chairman recommended the Auckland artisans to unite and follow the example of their co-agitators in Christ church and Dunedin. Messrs Heslop and Cook offered some remarks, when Mr D. Goldie proposed that the chairman and Capt. Daldy should prepare a memorial and submit it to a future meeting. This propo sition met with general approval, and the meeting separated.

Some energetic personage has discovered gold in the hind of the Midianites, and be lieves that, if explored, it will prove a highly auriferous country. Only think if a rush of Califomian and Australian miners should be made to the spot ! Fancy a modern mining city, and Garibaldian shirted, long-booted men, and poker, euchre, billiards, drinks all round, and, last but not least, the " Heathen Chinee," under the shadow of ancient Horeb, or an ;t Anglo- American Mount Sinai restaurant and saloon." What next, in the name of all that is sacred? Eve's Granddaughter.

The result of tl_c competition in brief essays on Mr Severn's lecture on "Terrestrial Magnetism" was as follows : —Senior; lst,°Audelia Dewar, Girls' High School ; 2nd, Albert Brown, Model Training School ; 3rd (prize), Ernest C. Beale, Parnell Grammar School ; 4th (prize), Alice Pettit, City Wast JTo. 1 Schos-1. Commended : Annie H. CHrrie, City East School; Charlotte J. Barber, Parnell School ; and F. A. ChurtoH, Parnell Grammar School. Junior : Ist (prize), S. Dewar, College and Grammar School; 2nd (prize), Isaac Clough, Ponsonby School. Commended :F. < loodacre, Ponsonby School ; A. Dewar, College and Grammar School; "Gyro scope -," and Louisa Durrien, Girls' High School.

The German General, Blum, who is in the employment of the Turkish Government at Constantinople, and the English Colonel, Hume, of the Turkish Engineer Depart ment, have settled upon a plan for defend ing the Tu___.sk Capital, in the event of a participation by the British Government. The idea is not that the English forces should take possession of Constantinople, but that they should occupy Galiopoli and the neck of land known as Bolari, thus shutting the Straits of the Dardanelles against the Russians.

One year has passed since the opening of the Theatre Royal by the Simonscn Company on the 14th August, 1576.

The shareholders of the Hibernian Band , will hold a social gathering this evening in the Albert Hall, Darby-street ; dancing to commence at half-past eight o'clock. The journeyman bakers of Auckland will hold their fifth annual ball, in the Lome street Hall, on the evening of Wednesday, the sth of September. i The first ef Mr Severn's course of three lectures will be given to-morrow evening, in the Museum Buildings. The subject will be " Aspect of the solar system when compared to the stars." The lecture will be fully illustrated. ; Auckland Kate, the steeplechase mare, has arrived in safety from Wellington with her foal. Mr McGee bought her with the ! understanding that she was in fine con dition. He thinks, however, that if she iis a sample of "Wellington fat stock," the pangs of hunger must be felt very ! acutely by cattle in that district.

That wonderful little instrument, the radiometer, invented by Mr Crooks, is now to be seen in our Museum Hall. It has been placed there for inspection by Mr Severn, who will to-morrow evening begin the first of three lectures in the hall. Councillor Cosgrave will move the folio w ing resolutions at the next meeting of the Council : 1. That it be an instruction to the surveyor to see that all dangerous em bankments within the city are securely fenced." 2. " That small taps with drink ing cups and horse troughs be attached to all the city water stand pipes." 3. "That the levels of Chapel-street be fixed, and the side paths be made, curbed, and channelled between Wellesley-street, and Wy_.d_.a__ street. At Bow-street Police Court, on July 13, Chief Inspectors Duscoritsch, Micklijohn, and Palmer, the best known officers of Scotland Yard, and a solicitor named Froggatt, were arraigned'at the in stance of the Treasury, acetified of con spiracy to defeat the ends of justice in a ' reocnt celebrated confidence case, in which a number of betting men were convicted of defrauding the Countess de Goucourt of §50,000. Boland, on behalf of the treasury, charged the defendants with conspiracy, and with being accessories after the fact, to certain felonies committed in the Goucourt affair. Roland said he feared the case would be fully made out against the accused. Froggatt was admit ted to bail in .$2500. Bail was refused in the case of the officers.

SHIP ZEALANDIA IN COLLISION.

A TELEGRAM in the Sydney "Herald" says : " The ship Zealandia, Captain Sellers, from London to Wellington with emigrants, was compelled to put into Rio Janiero for repai-is. She had been in collision with another vessel."

Suspected Suicide.

A PAINFUL sensation has been caused in the city, and more especially in the neigh bourhood of the New North Road, where the mau referred to has been living, by the fact that Alfred Durham, a married man, has been absent from his home since Tues day last under circumstances which load to the supposition that he has committed suicide. It appears that Mrs Durham, after being in suspense for _ or 3 days as to the cause of her husband's disappearance, re ceived a letter from him which is found to have been posted in Onehunga on the 11th inst. This letter is of the most alarming dee u-iption. In it he beseeches the for giveness of his wife for the bad treatment she has experienced at his hands, and tells her that, by the time she receives it he will be dead, as he intended directly after posting it to blow his brains out with a revolver. He ascribes his misfortunes, (it is known that the missing man was in diiliculties) to drink, which he says hn.rl H-'ino.'l tho mastery over him, and bee,s his wife not to think too hardly or him when he is gone. MrsJDurham, who— as may be imagined -was in a greatly per turbed state on receiving the letter, took it yesterday to Constable Abrams, at.New ton, and that ollicer forwarded it to head quar ters. Inspector Thomson at once ordered inquiries to be made, cut up to the present, no positive clue to the whereabouts ]of the missing man has been found. It is said that he was staying at the Georpc Inn, Newmarket, at the end of last week', and that on Friday he borrowed a gun from the landlord, to shoot pigeons with. A finthcr report from the officers in vestigating the all'air is expected this ufter-

noon

WILLIAM CROSS MISSING.

THE tragical death of Mrs William Cross, which took place by poisoning in Parnell some months ago, has been supplemented, it is feared, by the suicide of her husband. It will be remembered that a good many suspicious cir cumstances transpired in connection with the wife's death, and a good deal of feeling was evinced over the matter. Cross left Parnell directly afterwards, and for the last fortnight has been living at East Tamaki with a Mr William Cooper and his family. At about G o'clock on Friday last Cooper heard Cross coughing in his bedroom, but at 8 o'clock, when breakfast was ready, he was nowhere to be found. The family thought he had gone out to look after the sheep, and did not take much notice of his absence. But when he did not return all day, their anxiety was aroused, and Cooper, went to Constable Graham, at Otahuhu, and told him that he feared Cross had committed suicide. On Satur day morning, a search was instituted for the missing man, and the constable traced him to a small wharf on the cast bank of the river, where his stick was found. This morning, word was roceived by Inspector Thompson that the man's hat had been found about 20 yards from the same spot, and that no signs of the man being alive or dead had been discovered. It is, how ever, generally believed that he has jumped into the river, and destroyed himself out of remorse for the part which, by his bad treatment of her, he indirectly played in his wife's sad fate.

THE SUDDEN DEATH.

With regard to the sudden death of Phineas Daniels at Onehunga, we learn that the post mortem examination was held this morning by Dr. Zanzan, who gives it as his opinion that death resulted from disease of the heart. Under these circum stances an inquest will not be deemed necessary.

MYSTERIOUS DEATH.

Constable Hamilton yesterday came across a man lying in the Domain enclosure, apparently in the last stage of destitution. So feeble was he that he could not walk. The constable made the best of his way to the ranger, Mr Chalmers, and Sergeant Jackson, of Parnell, who at once went to the assistance of the poor fellow. A stretcher was made up, and he was carried at once to the Hospital. The authorities having examined him, ordered him a warm bath, after which the patient was put to bed. The bath seemed to revive him, and some weak brandy and water was given to bring back his strength, which had utterly gone. But the remedies came too late to do any permanent good. The fitful gleam of returning life was the last effort of nature to resist the hand of death,which had already closed tightly over the enfeebled frame. About 20 minutes after being put to bed the sufferer expired, without having been able to give any information as to his (identity, which is still altogether unknown. Ho was a

man about 35 years old, about 5 feet 8 inches in height, and very fair. Two pawn tickets,made out in the names of Can- and Carrol, were found in deceased's pockets. There is scarcely ~a doubt that death was the result of insufficient nour ishment. Close to where the man was dis covered a heap of sticks, and a billy were found, this indicating that he was in the habit of cooking what little food he could get in the Domain, where it is probable he has been dragging out a miserable existence for some time. Upto lust night uo clue to the man's identity had been obtained.

The inquest is to be held at the Hospital o-morrow, at 1.30 p.m.

THE TRIP FROM MERCER TO NEW CASTLE.

Mebemere was the first historical landmark pointed out to new travellersafter leaving Mercer but the hills presented no exciting aspect, being buried in a calm repose, and covered with sombre looking ti-tree. Beyond Meremere the line passes through some few miles of swamp country to the Rangariri station. Here passen gers looked with interest on the scene of one ot the great conilicts, viz., that at which Captain Mercer was killed. On leaving Rangariri station a grcau improve ment in the'quality of the land is visible, and several cultivations border the line, which runs for some distance parallel with tho main road. -YtOnewhiac the train stopped in a lot of tern land, and a small tribe of aboriginals clambered into'the carriages. ..,,,. .. ... Ruawaro is the first lively-looking station rrived at from Mercer. The Kuawaro Hotel was fairly rushed by thirsty travellers, and the train was rushed by a few more Maoris, heyeral well cropped gardens were to be seen, and the men at the Taupiri coal mine appeared to be hard at work. A shaft is being sunk on the flat, said to be in search of alluvial gold. Just as the train got away from Taupiri, and while opposite the Waikato mine, one of the breaks broke, causing a slight delay. The latter mine will be in a position to supply coal at cheaper rates now the line is opened. TT ... The ps Waikato, from Cambridge. Hamilton, passed the train near tho mine on her way to Mercer passengers for the train to Auckland. The line runs by the side of the river for some distance past Taupiri. At Taupiri ballast is obtained from slate rock. There are a number of houses at, this place, and a fine broad river frontage. Here issituated the Rev. Mr Ash well s nrssion station. A fourth engine was added to three already in active service, Hargreaves "ailv decked engine still keeping the lead. Between thejballa»t pit and Taupiri station the train rushed through an archway 01 evergreens, &c which had been erected on the bridge over the" Mangawhare creek. At this station the large number already in the train was aug mented bra score or so more. On nearing Newoastle.the bridge couldbesoen gaily dressed with flags and bunting, lhe train, without noticeable oscillation, ghded.over tl.e bridge and entered the village, being wel comed by a large concourse of People with hearty cheers, which were responded to by the passengers in the train, but the latter changed their tune just a little bit as the train swept on about a quarter of a mile to the station, which is entirely away from the township, and is not near anything in the shape of a human habita tion The passengers trudged on to the village, and amnsed themselves with looking at Mercer celebrities, such as Potatan's Tomb, the new American style of steamer, the Delta, the pro perty of the W.S.N. Company, the stockade where Morgan was murdered etc. The Quick step has had her boilers removed, and has been converted into a barge. The village was much admired by Auckland visitors, many of whom had not before seen it. The two hotels in Jsew castlo.did an excellent business. Harris's Delta Hotel was the scene of Mr Carter's first coach leaving under the new railroad dispensation. Mr Carter has resolved to run a coach regularly between Hamilton and Cambridge after the arrival of each train. The Royal Mail Hotel was aiso a favorite resort. Mr Simclhag prepared a most abundant luncheon, which was liberally patronised. About three o'clock a move was made to the station, as information had been given that the train would not, stop at the village, 'lhe tram left with several women and children nearly to the station, and in spite of assurances to the contrary, did pull up to the village, leaving the women'toiling b»ck again. Some Maom ran out of the train to get another drink, but the whistle blew ; they ran, but as the train was m motion, they were prevented by the guard and by the policeman from getting in. Without any further incident or mishap, tlie excursion party returned, well pleased with their day's {pleasure. We may mention th_. during the trip both up and down Messrs Keane and Archard regaled their friends and others, within reach of their hospitable hands.gwitn choice refreshments. THK DINNER AT HARRIS'S. W. F. Scamackie, Esq., R. M.. in the chair, Mr Macdonald officiating as vice-chair. The following were the toasts :— 1 "The contractor, Mr Fallon." Mr Gallon responded, testifying to the kindness he had re ceived from Mr Stewart the, engineer, who was a hard taskmaster, but very just. ~•.„•„. .Mr . ailon proposed " .Air Stewart, the District Engineer," he was not a fluent speaker, he was was expert only in constructing. Drunk with Mr Stewart replied—He wished there were more Fallons in the country. When Fallon took the contrast at so low a figure, people had said he would not be able to complete it, either within the time specified, nor for the money hut found Mr Fallon deserving of all praise : and with the exception of one contract of Brodgen's. he was the only contractor who had finished within contract time without any bonus attached. (The piper here struck up a suitable air.) Time b^ing short, the chairman gave one more toast, that was the Manager, A. V. Macdonald. Esq., who responded, thanking them for their kind feeling for him and the officers under him. Mr Hill, of Hamilton, stated there was only one thing wanted to complete the satisfaction of the Ngaruwahia inhabitants, which was to have their station in the right place, namely, in

tho heart of the village, instead of a quarter of a mile away. A petition is going round for signa ture to that effect, he took the opportunity of mentioning the subject. As time allowed of it, a request was made, before leaving the room, to allow the train to stop in the village till three o'clock, as some of the company felt it required too much exertion to run up to tho station. Request not complied with. .

POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

(Before R, C. Barstow Esq., P.M.) A Solitary Lass. —A Scotch lassie, named Somerville, was lined 5s and costs for being tipsy. Fistic Exercise.— Kazia Mason was charged with creating a disturbance in Symonds-strcct on the 13th inst. Prisoner, a youth of 17, said he was merely having a set-to with another cove. Sub-Inspector Pardy said there was a fight between the boys, and a great crowd was collected. It was half-past ten o'clock last night when the scene occurred. Fined 10s and costs.

The Stolen Shoes. —Archibald Camp bell again appeared on a chagre of stealing a pair of boots, value 12s Gd, the property of William Holdsworth of Victoria-street,— Prisoner pleaded not guilty.—Prosecutor deposed that he did not see the prisoner take the boots, but on Detective Jeffrey speaking to him, he missed them. The boots produced were his property.—Catherine Burke, or Townshend, store-keeper, deposed t_.at.pris oner offered the boots to her, saying they wore his own property. She gave him 5s for them. Detective Jeffrey gave .evidence as to prisoners character and arrest. Pris oner said he was as innocent as the Duke of Argyle. His Worship said that prisoner was fortunate in finding boots and pickles the same day. Sentenced to two months imprisonment, with hard labour. On the Footpath.—Charles Heath was charged with driving on the footpath in Richmond Road, Ponsonby, on the Bth instant.—Mr Heath said the road was impassable, and he could not avoid going on to the path. The Richmond Road was in an awful condition.—Constable Bourke said defendant's statement was true, the road was in a savage state.—Fined 2s Gd and costs.

On the Trot-—John Clarke and Rorert Bigham, of Epsom, were charged with trot ting round the corners of pabkc streets, and were fined 10s each, with costs.

Neglected Children.—Fe-ur little, unkempt children named Hayson were brought into Court in a lamentable condi tion, reported as destitute.—Sub-Inspector Pardy said this was a very sad case ; the children were left to shift for themselves. They had no mother, and the father was a travelling tinker, who spent the greater part of his earnings in drink. —Constable Abrams deposed that the children were left in a house without windows. The father kept a horse aud cart, which Avere fre quently seen outside of public-houses, while the children were left to beoome a pest to the locality. He had frequently seen the children sleeping together like dogs in a kennel rather than human beings. They had no bedding, and were dirty and filthy.—The father, a little man, with spectacles, about as dirty as the poor children, drew the attention of the Couit to the present decent state of the children in opposition to the statement of the Con s able.—Mr J. Graham Believing ofl!cer, gave evidence, and the picture he drew of

the general condition of the cliildren wa s very shocking. The children would have been starved and naked but for the kind ness of neighbours. He twisted for the sake of humanity, that Hir Worship fwould not allow the children to remain in the care of their father. —The father of the children j spoke in vindication of his character. II c j was one of a clasf of persons former known as " tinkers," and he got his living chiefly at public houses. — His Worship said 1 they would be better oil' in the Home for neglected children, and when it could be shown, that the father had a fit home for them, where they might receive proper attention, lie might have them ag?.in.—The father much objected to their being take away from him, and assured the Court that should be well looked after in future. —His Worship said as such was his wish, he should not be justified in sending them to the Institwvion ; lie would allow them to gobacd with htm but hemustattendto them, —Thefather thanked His Worship, and saip he would submit to three mouths imprison ment if hejjneglected his parental duty.

The Mount Albert Milkman and KITTY OT.OP.kk. —Frederick Good, a milk man, of Mount Albert, avus charged with using oil'ensive language to Kitty O'Eorke, a lady of the locality, early on the morning of the 9th instant.—"After hearing evidence, His Worship gave the young man some excellent advice, and dismissed the case, assuring him at the same time that if he did not govern his tongue in future he would sutler for it.

Cakt_ Unattended.—James Paice, William Miller, Frederick Griffin, and Herbert Jones were charged with leaving their carts without a chain on the wheel, and were fined 5s each with costs.

Chimney on Fire.— George McAlpine pleaded guilty to his chimney being on lire, on the sth inst. Mr Mc Alpine said he had been a resident in Auckland for 35 years, and this was the first time he had been charged with any oil'ence in a court of justicer—Sub-Inspector Pardy believed this statement to be correct.—Fined 5s and costs.

Other Charges.—Thomas Howell, of Newton, for not having a light suspended to his carrirge, was lined 2s Gd and costs. John Mu.killy was charged with allow ing his horses to wander in New North Road, and lined 5s and costs. Robert Lincoln, for allowing his horse to be at large in Albert Park, was lined 5s and costs. John Davis, for a like ofi'ence in Albert street, was fined 2s 6'd and costs. John Mitchell, of Moore-street, for leav ing his cart exposed, was _lined 5s and costs. Henry Smith, sen., for allowing two horses to stray at Mognt Eden was fined 10s and costs. Thos. Bray, of the Wh an, was charged with ill-treating a horse by working it in an unlit state. Mr Hanson/of the Whau, said the horse belonged to Mm, and he was willing to ,take the responsibility. There was nothing the matter with the horse in the morning. Sub-Inspector Pardy said it was not a bad case. Fined ss, costs 15s Gd.

PARLIAMENTARY.

CFPO3I OUR SPECIAL REPORTER)

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]

WELLINGTON, this day. Huge Land Purchase in Wai kato-

The Oamaru "Mail" says it has ascer tained from a specially authentic source that a member of the Ministry is interested in a purchase from natives of 200,000 acres of laud near Cambridge, Waikato; and says that the Native Lands Bill has been introduced to enable the acquirement. COVEKNMENT MOVE ON THE NATIVE LANDS QUESTIONS. The latest move in connection with the Land Bill is that the Government propose to introduce a Bill prohibiting land speculation for twelve months, to exclude all vested interests existing at the time of the Bill's passing This is another admirable dodge. It may be safely predicted that long before the Bill was got through the Government and their friends would have acquired vested interests all over the country. Mrßallance will, if he can command a majority, resist the < rovermnent proposal, and press his amendment.

It is understood that order of the day for second reading of the Native Land Court Bill will be discharged this afternoon, and that the Government will ask leave to introduce a short Bill prohibiting all tran sactions in native lands by private indivi duals for twelve months.

INCIDENCE OF TAXATION.

Leave will also be asked to withdraw the motion respecting incidence of taxation, on the understanding that the Government will consider the question during the recess, and bring forward necessary measures next

session,

ProoaDle Result of a Division.

It is not known whether the division will be taken to-night on the Government pro posal to withdraw the Native Land Court Bill, but probably not, because Messrs Bryce, Lush, Rolleston, and several others have yet to deliver themselves. All are expected to make strong speeches against the Bill. Mr Ballancc will probably resist, and press the amendments. It is difficult at present to predict the result of a division, but the following is as nearly correct as can be ascertained. The Government have thirty-live supporters certain ; the Opposi tion, thirty-nine ; and twelve are doubtful, of whom two will walk out ; one will pro bably vote with the Opposition. The votes of the remaining nine are uncertain, but if the Opposition can get three they will have a majority against the Government. Great efforts are being made on both sides to secure votes.

GRANT TO MECHANICS' INSTITUTE,

Mr Swanson has received a petition from Dr Ellis, praying the House to grant a sum in aid of the Auckland Mechanics' Institute. Dr Ellis only desires that the petition be presented i_ there is a reasonable prospect of its being granted. Auckland members believe that if the petition were pi-esented the House would .be Hooded with similar petitions, and there would be no chance of securing the grant. DIE WALLIS AND ELECTION

EXPENSES.

Dr Wallis gave evidence to-day in the Resident Magistrate's Court in a case in which he had been summoned for alleged services as a canvasser during his election. Dr. Wallis gave evidence that he never employed the person. The latter came to him and said he had been canvass ing, and asked for money. Dr. Wallis said he never authorised him, and told him to discontinue. He refused to pay. The depositions will bp sent to Auckland. PETITION IN AID OF BIBLE READING.

Dr. Wallis will to-morrow present a petition from upwards of eleven hundred persons in the city of Auckland, praying that the readiug of the Bible and the Lord's Prayer be retained in the Education Bill.

LOCAL DISCOVERY.

Messrs Small and Barlow's claims for the discovery of Waikato coal is still before the House. The claimwas under consider ation last year, but no final aAvard was made. Mr Swanson has been telegraphed to push on the matter, but J has referred it to Mr RoAve, they being his constituents. The native petitions continue to come in ag-inst the Native Lauds' Bill.

THE EAST COAST INQUIRY. It is believed the Government are deli berately keeping back the evidence and report in the Wilson-Rogan inquiry. Colonel Whit-tore got' a promise of the report to be brought doAvn when printed. This is expected to take fouiteen days. Meantime, the Go vernment have the advantage of delay, the object being to Aveary Mr Wilson and friends out.

ANGRY PASSIONS.

People here have been curious to know what was the natnre of the insult offered by Mr Teschmaker to Mr Wakefield f 0 which he had to apologise in the Hou«e on Friday niyht. It transpired that after Mr Wakefield's speech on the Local Option Bill Mr Teschmaker ehaiFed Mr Wakefield on his extraordinary conversion to cold water cure. Mr Wakefield replied warmly whereupon Mr Teschmaker intimated that the hon. member for Geraldine was a sanguinary fool. This being within the precincts of the House an apology must be made in Parliament.

NEWSPAPER PURCHASES,

Mr Reynolds, who lately purchased .he " Otago Daily Times," is now negotiating for the purchase of the " New Zealand Times." Strong influences are at work to prevent the sale. It is believed the pro posed purchase would be in the interests of squatters and big land holders.

The Railway Committee did not meet yesterday as expected. Mr Pyke is here, looking a perfect swell.

It is considered doubtful whether the standing orders will admit of the Govern ment withdrawing the Native Lands Court Bill until Mr Ballance's amendment has been disposed of.

Messrs Sutton and Reynolds are against the Government on Mr Woolcock's amend ment but were published in the Star of the 7th as in favor of the Government.

Mr Woolcock Talked Over.

The Premier talked Woolcock over, on the. incicltmce,. of taxation question. It _ g believed Mr Woolcock will consent to an amendment to be moved by the Premier, pledging the Government to introduce a budget next session based on Mr Wool cock's amendment, the Government stakin. its position on it. GO v ERNMENTVAC ILLATION.—MR

SHEEHAN

The vacillation of the Government has considerably strengthened the Opposition ranks.

Mr Shcehan has been laid up since Saturday with a sore throat. He has been visited by Sir George Grey and others, and will probably be at his post this afternoon.

THAMES COUNTY PETITION

Owing to the action of Sir George Grey, Messrs Tole and Swanson, the Petitions Committee, this morning took the Kauaerangapetition first. The Committee passed a resolution against the proposed incorporation of Kauaeranga Highway District by the County Council on the ground that the petition in its favour con tained fictitious names as signatures and an exaggerated amount of rates, and representing that the district is againgt the Counties Act.

CABLEGRAMS.

THE WAR.

Austria Kefuses Sanction to a Breach of Servian Neutrality.

Farther Turkish Successes.

The Balkan Passes i_T.andc_.sd.

Russian Defeats in Asia Minor.

LONDON, August 12th. Russia tried to obtain sanction for the passage of troops through Servia. It is reporeed that Austria refused her

sanction

It is rumoured that France is likely to be placed in a state of siege shortly to curb Radical demonstrations.

Athens favours a German war against

Turkey.

The Russians have resumed offensive operations in Asiatic Turkey. Her first attacks were repulsed.

The Russians have evacuated the Balkan Passes, and the Turks have occupied Rambogaz and Querditch.

Sulieman Pasha received reinforcements, and is now endeavouring to co-oparate with the commander of the forces in Bulgaria.

Sir Stafford Northcote stated in the House of Commons that the British policy was strict neutrality subject to contin-

gencies.

Australian News.

(PER ROTORUA.)

RUNNAWAY HUSBANDS.

POLITICAL DODGE IN VICTOEIA.

By the Rotorua to-day we have later Australian papers. The Government of Victoria intends to introduce a bill providing for the arrest, in this colony, of husbands who desert their wives in other colonies, and will ask the co-operation of the other «ol<.nies. In Hobart Town, the debate on the financial statement commenced last night, when Mr Fysh moved that the House had no confidence in the present Administration. The Ministerialists, being in a minority, talked against time, and when the Opposi tionists retired to the refreshment room, the bell was cut so that when attention was called to the state of the House, no quorum was obtained, and thus Ministers secured a temporary victory. A correspondent writes from New South Wales : The country is overdone with shows. The T r»ubadours are at the Royal doing good business ; Darrell is at the Victor;!, doing fairly, has done well; Wheatleigh is at the Queen's, medium. Any amount of people idle in Sydney, with not very fright prospects. Suthern opens at the Victoria next Saturday. The U.S. minstrels finish at the School of Arts next week, business falling off. They have done well, and deserve it, for they have r splendid show. An Adelaide telegram says :—A sad and fatal accident occurred at Flat KocKS, Brisbane. The lives of six men were jeopardised, and unfortunately two persons have been drowned. The boat was sailing along, when it Avas struck unexpectedly by a gust of wind and capsized. Four of her occupants struck out for the shore ana reached land in safety; but two of their matos, Alick Stiller and John Colcutt, were drowned. Search is now being made tor their bodies. In the course of the proceedings of a deputation to the Commissioner of Customs, yesterday, several of the Melbourne tanners stated that the Sydney manufacturers only paid their men 45s per week for fifteen hours'labour per day, while the wage was much higher in Victoria. On that grouno the Melbourne tanners urged that W» Customs Commissioner should grant tneu requests. ' [We find on inquiry that tn Melbourne tanners are wrong u_ statins that the Sydney men work fifteen hours * day for 45s a week. Their wages are * fraction under lOd. an hour, and they WOT* but ten hours daily, with a half holiday on Saturday. _ _„ SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST DR

BEANEY. . t Serious charg.s have been made agains* Dr Beanev, the senior honorary surgeon o the Melbourne Hospital. It is asserceu that he recently took several non-proles ional friends to Avit.iess him performing delicate operation on a respectable younj woman, and most indelicately alloY- le the unfortunate patient to be stared at win under the influence of chloroform. IJ"4 are other charges as Avell against Dr. Beantj and Mr Anderson, a member of the cv mittee, for an unwarrantable illtc..*e^." with the resident officers of the institution Much indignation is exnressed at the w a affair, and a public inquiry is loud _ manded.

THE EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1877.



q"p E C IA L NOTICE TO OOUVTF.Y SeWIKRS AND OTHERS REQUIRING STRONG CLOTHING KATEIVIi- The undersigned have Just Received a Fresh Supply of NEW PRINTED MOLESKINS, Light and Dark Patterns. CORDUROY, Various Qualities, and WHITE MOLESKIN". Also. „ ~ _, WHITI- and GREY CALICOES, of all tne. Best Makes, aud First-class Value. Grey Calico from 3d per yard Good White Calico from -lid per yard A nice lot of New Shirtings, fast colour and Hcaw^ Browna'_lolla_d, a very cheap lot at A JobdLoToE a Kuckaback Towels, at 6d each, 5s 9d per doz. Alhamhra Quilts, at 3s lid each Kidderminster Carpets, a nice asaortment of patterns and good quality, at 3a lid, belt Carpets; Mattings of various makej ,4x4 Floor Cloths: Axminster Mats : and every descriptfonot FL RNIBHING DRAPERY, at Very Reasonable Prices. . Extra Good Value in BLANKETS, all sizes, white and coloured __„„,_,,_ Tn order to Ctear, WINTER DRESS GOOD^, REaiNANTS, &«., are now offered at Consider ably Reduced Prices. SwrrAn to Dressmakers, Sec. —&- very Choice Lot of Sill, and Fancy Buttons just to hand, all new designs, and very carefully <?pleeted for the incominj? 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. q in the £ allowecHon all Cash Purchases of 20s. and upwards. rush-rook & brtdgman, Junction Drapery Warehouse, Upper Queen-street, auckland. T^iSs i rjV,___, tweed^ NEW TWEEDS, for Gentleman's Wear. NEW TWEEDS, for Boys' Wear. NEW TWEEDS, at Low Prices. V 4 RATTRAY Has Just Received his First Shipment of NEW TWEEDS FOR THE SPRING TRADE, Which have been Marked at Unusually Low Prices. |v- E W ry EAL AND JJ OUS E, 68. QUEEW-STREET, AnCKT.AN'D. JMPORTANT NOTICE Saving introduced STEAMFO WEE into the Manufacture of FURNITURE, we are now enabled to Supply our Cus tomers at GREATLY REDUCED TRICES. T. & 11. COOKE, Cabinetmakers, Upholsterers, <£,'-._ cue. «gr SHOWROOM 67, Queen-street. STEAM CABINET FACTORY '"' „nr_i4 Victoria-street. J. COSGBA YE d CO., Beg to inform the inhabitants of Auck land they are now holding a SALE of the remaining portion of their WINTER DRAPER* and CLOTSING. Ladies' Costumes, Mantles, Shawls, Furs, French Merinoes, Fancy Dress Stuffs and SilJcs. The Goods will be offered to the Public at Very Low Trices, in order to clear.



mO AGRICULTURISTS & OTHERS. W. J. HURST <- 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 ana profitable returns can be relied on by a.iudicioU3 and liberal use of them. The flattering Testi monials from leading Farmers justify Vv. J. Hurst & Co. in strongly commending them .0 every Agriculturist :— MALDEN ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MEXICAN do BELiL'S BONE FLOUR I and A-inch BONEDUST BILL YARD'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. J. H. & Co. are 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. Analysis, prices, and other particulars will be supplied on application at the Stores. W. J. HURST & CO. 101, QUE EN - S_T_RJE E.T. J . i Tn order to induce an enlarged consumption of Maiden Island Guano (equal, if not superior to Bonedust), we are prepared to accept deferred payments from responsible parties at extremely low rates. W. J. HURST & CO., j 101. QUEEN-S TRE ET. W. J. HURST & CO have for Sale, at the .owest market rates : Clover Seeds, Red, White and Cow Rye-grass, Cocksfoot, Rats-tail, Garden Seeds in great variety and best quality. 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, &c. &c. Particular attention is called to 500 sacks Prime Baric. at. Is per bushel of 50".. 5 tons Anderson's Fresh oatmeal, at -21 per ton. Prices and other particulars on application. W. J. HURST & CO. 101, QUEEN-S TRE ET, AUCKLAND.



A little prudence in purchasing will enable the buyer to defeat the aims of the rascals who sell spurious counterfeits of Udolpho WOLKES Schiedam Aromatic Schsaits in bottles which formerly held the real article. Sec that the label bears the name and signature of the proprietor, observe its execution, and do not be imposed upoD by plausible explanations of any deficiency.