SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER-jS^^TSS, 7.43 SUN SET.—This Evening. 4.49 SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning, 1.0 M00N« AGE.-Full Moon, 27'h, 3.44 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Kowena, s.s., Sellars. from Tauranga Taupo, s.s., Carey from the South.

DEPARTURES.

Transit, schooner, for Wellington Hinemoa government k.s., for Wellington Pretty Jane, s.s,, Helander, for Tauranga, Awanui, and Gisborne Mary King, brigantine for Russell,

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For London—Electra, ship, early; Anne Gam bles, barque, early. For Sydney—Syren, brig, early For Levuka-Nymphe, schooner, Saturday, 26th

instant _ , For Wangavei—Argyle, every Tuesday

IMPORTS.

Per 3:s. Taranaki: 4 cases bacon and hams.— T. H. Hall and Co., High-streeU .

EXPORTS.

Per Active for Tonga: 136 cases kerosene, U cases sardines, 2 qr-casks rum, 10 cases gin, 7 cases brandy. 40 cases geneva, 2 cases drapery, b cases preserved fish, 1 qr-cask brandy, 8 cases bottled buer.—Owen and Graham.

The Union Co-s s.s. Taupo arrived alongside the Onehunga wharf at 9.30 a.m. this morning. She experienced unusually; heavy weather between Nelson and New Plymouth, and was unadle to communicate with the latter_plaee. Pas3eng?r3 : Mr and Mrs Pilcher, Miss Elliott, Mr and Mrs Johnston, Captain Melnni3. Messrs Morley, Bort liwiek, Kjgg. Ford, Brown, Brown lee. Young, Ethelten, Bonnington, Crawford, Wliitaker, Harris, Blackinore, Mclntyre, Your.?, Wilson, Rev. Forsaith. She leaves again for South at 10 o'clock on Tuesday. Tiie schooner Active,' Captain Hane. left lor Tonga and Samoa this morning. Passengers: Mr Gribbon (r^pcrcargo), Messrs F. A. Jones, Moses David, F. C. Coventry, Miss Graham, Mrs Lane. • ' . . ,■ _ .. ... The s.s. lona arrived from the North this niorninjr. '..-"• , ... The official enquiry into the wreck of the Feronia will take place on Monday before the Collector of Customs. ••■•- ~•,. The Pretty Jane left for Tauranga and East C^ast yesterday evening. . ' ' , , The S.s. Roweha arrived from Tauranga last night. Passengers: Messrs Gly3i, Wiseman, Joy. Billings. Mahoney, Creid, Rhodes, Miss Creid, and Variety Troupe (5). • The barque Southern Cros3 sails to-day in ballast for Newcastle. The brigantine Mary King has left for Russell and Lvttelton. ' ■ Tbe barque Ann Gambles, which sailed from Lyttelton for this port on th« ISth inst., has the following cargo on board for Auckland:—l 299 sacka potatoes, 737 sacks flour, 100 sacks malt, 12 cases bacon. 200 sacks beans, 2919 sacks wheat, 122 sacks oats, 32 sacks onions, 100 bags flour, 60 bags snarps. For London: 735 sacks wheat. It appears that the barque E. J. Spence arrived at N«w York on the sth April, and not the 17th «.s reported. Sh» made a fair run of 100 days, against a vexatious succession of head winds and calms. The hull, sails, and'gear of the barque Feronia were sold at auction to-day, by Messrs M. Jones and Co., and acalised oaly £35. They were bought for Mr J. M. Dargaville.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION'S REPORT.

Bank of N.Z.—Buyers. £20 12s 6d; seller, £21. ■ • ■ •■ ■■

National Bank—Sellers, 71s. Colonial Bank—Buyers, 41s 6d. Thames Gas—Buyers, 295; sellers, 325. South British Insurance—B23 6d; buyera, 81s. National Insurance—Buyers, 31s. Standard Insurance—Buyers, 15s. New Zealand do—loss; sellers, 1053. Caledonian (double)— Sellers, £i 15s. City of London—Buyers, lls ; sellers, 12?. Moanatairi—£l2, £12 7s 6d; buyers, £11 15a sellers, £1210s. . . . Cure—lls 3d; buyers, lls; Bellers, lls 6d. Alburnia—6ss; buyers, 645; sellers, 655. Queen of May—Sellers, 21s^ . I . Union Beacli—Buyers, 21s. Tokatea—Buyers, 7s 6d; sellers, 83. Perseverance—Sellers, 2s 6d. Kuranui Hill—Sellers, 33s 6d.i f Piako—los 6d; buyers. 10s ; sellers, lls. Thames—Buyers, 52s 6d; sellers, 555. Queen— Buyers, 23. Inverness—s3 ; sellers, ss, JOSEPH NEWMAM, Chairman.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND

Mails will Close as under :— For; Thames, this •■ day. at 5.30 p.m., and on i«*Monday next at 2.30 p.m., and 5. 30 p.m. For Coromandel, per Argyle, on Monday next, Hat 11.30 a.m. ,_ _, , For Levuka, Fiji, per Nymphe, on Monday

next, at 10 a.m. , For Chatham Islands via Pictoa, per Taupo, on ■Tuesday next, at 8 a.m. . For Wangarei Heads, Waipu. Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Argyle on Tuesday next, at ' ForHVaiwera, Kawau.landMatakana, per Annie Millbank, on Tuesday next, at 10 a.m. For Russell. Wangaroa, and Mongonxu, per lona, on Mosday next, at 4 p.m.,-:/,,, Per s.s. Taupo, on Tuesday, 20th instant, as For India, China, Mediterranian Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 7 a.m. ; For Taranaki, Southern Provinces, Austra lian Colonies, and United Kingdom, via, Suez and Southampton (for letters specially ad dressed), at 8 a.m. ■ ~ , ~ ' For London, via Brindi3i, andlate letters for Southern Provinces and Melbourne, at 8.20 a.m. For newspapers, at 6 a.m For money orders and registered letters, the previous evening, at i p.m. '-. N.B.—ln future mails for Tokatoka, Whaka liara, Aratapu, Te Kopuru. Mitiai, Dargaville, and Mangawhare. will be despatched from this Bffice on Monday and Wednesday, at noon. Beturn Mails will arrive on Thursday and Saturday, at 11 a.m. .. ■ * , The Mails for Otamatea, Palu, Paparoa, and Matakohe, will, on and after Monday, the 28th instant, be despatched on Monday instead of Wednesday. mgg^ CMef Po3tmaster .

BIRTHS.

HOLLAND.—On the 25th May, at her residence Symonds-stroet, the wife of Mr. J. J. Holland* of a daughter.' . - - ;

SAUNDERS.—May 26th, at Parnell, the wife of Alex. Saunders, Esq., of a son. WORDSWORTH.—On the 16th May,'at Napier, the wife of C. F. Wordsworth, Esq., of a daughter.

MARRIAGES.

MASON—CARROLL.—On the 26th May. at St. Patrick's Cathedral, by the Rev. Father Dvryer, James Mason, of Mangawai, to Mary ■ Ann Carroll, of Auckland.

McaREGOR—WBBBER.—At the residence of Mrs. Williams, Church-street, Onehunga, on May 22, by the Rev. George Brown, Donald McGregor, to Christina Webber, both ef Auckland. :

DEATH.

LUKE.—On the 25th instant, at her father's re sidence, Eden Crescent, Elizabeth Jane, the beloved daughter of William and Jane Luke, aged 2£ years. The funeral will leave her father's residence to-morrow (Sunday), at 2 o'clock. Friends are respectfully invited to attend.

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

For Hie cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs tesistance, For "the future in the distance. And the good that we can do.

SATURDAY, MAY 26, 1877.

At the meeting of Mr O'Shea's creditors held last week in Wellington, facts of a,, very remarkable kind were elicited, shewing how a large business may be successfully sustained without sixpence of capital, and how impossible it is for bona fide merchants to protect themselves against the disastrous consequences of a pernicious system of credit. It was shewn that three years ago Ifo O'Shea commenced

business with £20 to the bad ; that he lived, at:the rate of £1,700% year; purchased pro-, pevties, and-carried out costly improvements on them ; that he was steadily going back all this while at the rate of £4,000 a year, and that .lie-finally failed, with liabilities amounting to £29,000 and a deficiency of £18,000. It seems almost incredible that anyone conducting large financial operations, as Ml- O'Shea was doing, could have succeeded in concealing from his cre ditors his true position. The proeeßS, how ever, is one familiar to every • mercantile man. By the clever manipulation of accom modation bills, Mr O'Shea may have ap peared to those who were trusting him for very large ampunts as conducting one of the soundest and most prosperous businesses in Wellington, while, in reality, bankruptcy was as certain as the sun over head. To the creditors under whoso judg ment these facts were passed in review the knowledge was doubtless sufficiently galling, but their action was such as to prevent the punishment which should properly follow recklega trading. They found that Mr O'Shea could save a dividend of six shillings, in the pound from- the wreck of the thousands that had passed through his hands, and they resolved to accept it. We cannot blame them for doing so, for they doubtless knew that a forced liquidation of the" estate would result in an 'increase of the hoavy i6sses already sustained. They were, moreover, the * sufferers, and it was their <wn business to make the best of the mess in which they had become in volved. But it is evident that nothing short of the effective winding-tip of estates in such cases, the thorough investiga tion o±' every business transaction, and the realisation of every asset, will check a system of trading.so manifestly opposed to sound commercial principles, and destructive of the security of credit. How different ia the fate of the small debtor who has run beyond his income from sick ness, want of employment, or other mis fortune. He is harassed with summonses, and threatened with unsatisfied judgments and imprisonment. His life is a /perpetual misery, On the other hand, if he can only get in deep enough to gain a hold on his creditors he may spend his £1,000 a year or so in high living with the perfect assurance that when the inevitable crash comes he will hold the whip handle and may dictate his own terms of release. It'is an easy matter to point to the evil and preach commercial morality ami prudence, but there is a very appreciable difficulty in the way of applying any effectual remedy. We may shew debtors with the force of demonstration that any attempt to plunge into fa large business trusting to meet current liabilities with''accommodation'bills that ;cost four or five times the gross profit gained on the ordinary trade transac tions;: will result in a deficit as surely as two and two make four. Yet, so Ion" as men can obtain the lingering of other people's money, and fare sumptuously every day, there will always be found plenty to take advantage of it. We may, likewise, tell merchants that the only hope of checking the evil is by greater caution, in giving credit, and more severity, .in dealing with instances where it is clear that the rules of legitimate trade have been violated ; but what availeth it ? We can only stand-by and marvel, and narrate the facts to point a moral or adorn a tale.

At the meeting of the Parn ell Borough Council held last evening, the Secretary* was instructed to telegraph to the Colo nial -Secretary at Wellington, inquiring whether or ' not the Mayor of the Borough could legally take his seat at the Harbour Board and Domain Board, as the representative of Pamell. The Act pro vides that members of Highway, Boards shall be exoilicio members of the two bodies •above-named, but the incorporation of the Parnell and Ponsonby Boards into the respective Boroughs creates a doubt as to the proper representation of those bodies in the Harbour and Domain Boards. It is to be hoped that the reply from the Colonial Secretary will set the question at rest, and present some better solution of the question than that of leaving the vacancies to be filled up by these two Boards.

A telegram from our Thames correspon dent, crowded out of yesterday's issue, says :" —The Volunteer Review and sham fight on Thursday at Tararu was the most successful for years. About 500 Volunteers of all ranks were present. The day was beautifully fine. The District prizes were presented.

A report has reached us of a gold find of some importance at Tairua. The locality of the discovery is about three miles from the Tairua Prospectors', in the immediate vicinity of the old Brothers claim. The formation is white cement, with a large gold-bearing conglomerated cement reef running through it. There are splendid prospects of gold all over the claim, and wkere the cement reef crosses a blind gully it resembles analluvial diggings, the whole gully shewing prospects in every direction, twenty feet in depth, which will be taken out and put through the stamper. Those.who have visited the mine assert that it is one of the most lwna fide goldfields they have seen. A lease of eleren acres has been applied for, and the Phcenix Company is already formed to work and place machinery on the ground, the position of the mine, as the plan indicates, offering no great difficulties m the way of carrying out the same. Mr Robt. Home is secretary pro. tern, of the Phcenix Gold mining Company.

The concert at Otahuhu was the most successful financially of any ever held in that fiourisliing little township. The gross proceeds amounted to £46 10s, and the nett sum realised towards tlie manse fund will probably be £36. In our repo?t yesterday the Rev R. Reid was misplaced for Mr S. Reid, the poet laureate of jPapakura valley. The name of Mrs John Wallis was like wise, misprinted for Mrs James Wallis of Pakatoetoe, who subrcribed in lieu of giv ing a tray

We learn that Mr Walters, settler, of the New North Road, had the good fortune to shoot twelve brace of pheasants on the first day of the season. . , . ,

The next of the series of concerts in aid of the pianoforte fund of the Sir Henry Havelock Lodge of Good Templars, will be held on Tuesday evening next, in the Edwards-street school-room. , "

The particulars of Sunday services will be found in our third page. The Sabbath evening service for the people will be held at the usual hour in the Theatre Royal.

The first meeting of creditors in the estate of William Berry Smith was held yesterday in Mr Macffarlane's office. The -liabilities were set down at £40, assets nil. Mr Macffarlane was appointed trustee.

"Blunt " writes stating that' the account given of the aoftident by which., a Child of Mr Hitchens was run over by Captain Burns' horse shews that our reporter could not have been present. He says that the facts will shortly'be elicited in Court in a case instituted for the safety of the public. " One of the Public" writes under the heading of " Horse Marines " on the same subject, but as we understand that the case will come before the Bench, it would be improper to prejudice it by inserting opinions pro and con.

The Board of Education recently pur chased two allotments in Otahuhu, one as a site for a school, and the adjoining one for a teacher's house. The teacher's residence is nearly finished. Fifty pounds have been contributed by the district and paid in towards the building fund of j the new school-house ; on a guarantee being given that £25 more be raised at some future time, the Board of Education have called for tenders, which will be received until noon of Thursday,' June 7th. The plans and specifications shew a large and hand some school-house. From the time of the formation of the Otahuhu Educational Dis trict, the Board of Education have behaved most liberally, and done their best to pro mote the educational welfare of Otahuhu.

■• The Rev B. J. Wjestbrooke >yill deliver "a • lecture; in the Primitive Methodist School room, Franklin Road, on Thursday evening, next,. in aid of the church fund, i The sub ject of the lecture is "Dreams," and the synopsis announced gives promise of a most interesting, entertaining, and instruc tive discourse. TKe main heads are:— " Years of excitement in a moment of time." " War over a pair of tongs." "The advantage of dreaming to lawyers," and a " remarkable poem composed in Dream land," each of which forms an excellent topic. The lecture has been delivered in England aud the South Island -with great success, and will probably secure an equally favourable reception in Auckland. An efficient choir will enliven tha proceedings with choice vocal and instrumental selec tions. Tho chair will be taken at half-past seven o'clock by the Rev li. F. Macnicol.

Mr Walker's Committee has supplied us with a report of a meeting held to inquire into the allegations made against him. We intended to publish the report this afternoon, and with that view it was got partly into type, but the press of work entailed upon our compositors, awing to the large amount of matter in hand for this issue, prevented the completion of the report in time for . publication. We have no other desira than 'to give the utmost fair play,and all possible publicity to a vindication of Mr Walker, and the report will therefore appear on Monday.

James Neagle storekeeper at Taradale, Hawkes Bay, has been committed for trial with three other persons on a charge of forcibly entering premises which had boen occupied by hi n, bat were held by Mi-. Macftarlane on the behalf of McArthur and Co., who had a claim for £2900. • It is alleged also that the ledger has been illegally removed from the premises.

A Sydney Cablegram of yesterday reports the value of the month's exports to New Zealand to be £194,000.

The Ringarooma leavg Melbourne with th« Now Zealand portien of the Suez Mail on Monday next.

The Christchurch Cu]j and Jockey Club Handicap kave been increased to £500 each.

We are requested to state that the late Alexander McMillan was in the employ of Mr R, Arthur, auctioneer, of Queen street, and, previously, of Mr G. W. Owen, and not in tho employ of McArthur, and Co., as we were informed.

The Temperance Variety Troupe will give another of thoir excellent entertain ments this evening in the Albert : strcet Temperance Hall, consisting of songs, music, recitations, and a farce. Mr W. J. Donald in the chair.

" Abel Fletcher" writes in reply to Mr Hannaford's well-merited attack on the behaviour of the hangman-at the recent execution, and in vindication of that functionary. His letter, however, contains libellous charges which preclude its inser tion.

Mr F. J. Shortt, of Queen-street, writes that the fracas described in our issue of last evening did not take place at his establishment, and lie suggests that iv future occurrences of the kind the names of combutanis and locality should be mentioned.

In the paragraph relating to Mrs Butter worth's kindness to Mrs Ferguson, wkpse husband died a week or two ago, leaving her in destitute circumstances, mention was omitted that the £21 subseribod was col lect-od by the young ladies of Mrs Butter worth's establishment.

At the Birthday Races at Forbury Park, Dunedin, 1500 spectators were present. Camelia won the Hurdle Race, Eclipse second, Lady Ellin the Maiden Plate, with little Lad second. The Birthday Handicap was won by Eclipse, Cloth of Gold second, and Tadmor third. Tommy carried off the Trotting Race, Haphazard the " Selling Race," Sir William the Tradesmen's Race, with Cloth of Gold second, and Elfin King third. The last mentioned horse won the Consolation Race. We notico that the Rev. Father Rice will deliver a lecture iv the Lome-street Hall, on the evening of Monday, the 4th proximo, on the poets and orators of Ireland. The subject is one of peculiar interest and especially attractive. The musical associations will be given by the members of the Hobson Band, and the efficient choir of St. Patrick's Cathedral.

LATEST FROM KAIPARA.

TWO VESSELS MISSING.

THE HEADS, Friday afternoon. It is blowing heavy from the westward; sea breaking over tho Feronia. There is no appearance of the Aspasia schooner or the Jeannett ketch, from the same port. They both left before the late heavy gales. No arrivals since my last, and no departures. Ships at the Heads : Loch Lee, and Nightingale, for Melbourne ; Mhmehaha, for Dunediu ; Marmion, for Wellington; and s.s. Durham, for A,uck land.

Loading at Kaipara: Kiauma, and Hannah Brookfield.

Vessels expected: China, barque from Melbourne ; Glimpse, from Melbourne ; and Herman, from Lyttelton.

KAIPARA.

(From our own Correspondent.)

RAILWAY COMMUNICATION

RESTORED,

Helensville, May 25th. The portion of the railway line about two miles on the other side of Waimauku, which was washed away by the late rains, has been repaired, and through communi cation has been restored. The running of the trains was interrupted from Sunday until Thursday, the passengers, however, being conveyed across the gap by the arrangements made by the railway authorities. STEAMER TRAFFIC. The settlers on the Otamatea and Kai para rivers are much pleased with the enterprise exhibited by Captain Casey in making every possible provision for the conveyance of passengers and goode, and the great improvements Avhich he has effected in the accommodation and general capa bilities of the Minnie Casey, which is now in every way suited to our requirements. The placing of two steamers per week in the trade will be a great boon to the settlers, and gives universal satisfaction. ,

THE RACES.

Yesterday Concluded.

The following reached tewn too la te for insertion in last night's issne. Autumn Handicap, of 80 sots., 1J mile. Mr Walter's br. c Hippocampus, by Dainty Ariel—Fanny Fishar; 3 years, 7 st. 13 lbs., (Cantell), 1. Mr Vavasour's b. g. Bide-a-wee, 5 years, 8 St., (Atkins). Mr Watt's b. colt Ariel, 4 years, 9 st. (Matthews). Perfume, 6 yeara, Bst. 2 lbs; Elsa, i years, 7 st. 9 lbs.; Shanneen, 5 years, 6 st.; Baron, 2 years, 5 sfc. 7 lbs.; and- Magician, aged, 6 st., did not accept. Betting: 6 to 4 ; on Hippo, B to 1 against Ariel or Bide?a-wee. .A good start was effected, and the lot kept close order, going at a moderate 1 pace, till reaching the cutting the second time round, when the steam was put on. Hippo and Bide-a-wee, side by ■ side, led Ariel by two lengths at the turn into the straight. Here the little gelding tried to get the lead, but Hippo kept his head in front, and in spite of Bido-a wee'3 repeated efforts, won cleTerly at the finish by half a length, amid great cheering. Time: 3 minutes 7 seconds. SBLLING RitCE. Mr Walter's br c, Isaac Walton, & years, 8 St. 7 lbs, (Cantell) Is Mr Henry's Shanneen, 5 years, 7 st. 8 lbs., 2. Mr Buokland's Magician, aged, 8 st. 1 lb., 3. Daybreak, aged, 7 st. 8 lbs., was scratched. Betting: 2to lon Isaac Walton. Won easily by a length. Consolation Race. Shanneen, 7 Bt, 7 lbs., 1.

Medea; 8 st., 2. ■ ' - • - . ■. Betting: 2 to 1 on Shanneen. Won easily by three lengths.

The Alleged 111-Usage of a Servant Girl.

Dr. Bakft-wtll Deposed that Death -was from Starvation-

[BY TELEGKAPH.]

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)

DUNEDIN, this day. AT the adjourned inquest yesterday (Friday), relative to the death of Margaret Mclntyre, at Mrs Reid's house, Mrs John Stepheneon deposed to hearing deceased screaming very much on Good Fri\ay morning. Later in the day she saw that the girl walked lame. There were con tinually noises and screams from Mrs Reid's house, but on other occasions she not recognise her voice. Dr Bakewell, who attended the post mortem examination, said he considered the want of food the primary cause of death. He drew up the opinion after having very carefully considered the case. Inflammation and congestion in this case resulted from being subjected to privations fn the first instance. The emaciation was undoubtedly the result of want of proper or sufficient food. The injuries were sufficient to have hastened death. There ; were very serious bruises, but these were not produced by any sharp iustrument.They might have been produced by blows, or by being thrown down. If the girl were a lunatic of suicidal tendencies, they might havo been produced by her throwing herself about. By falling down in a fit she might have self-produced some of tho bruises, but it would be impossible to have so produced them on the top of the head. H» never saw scratches like ihese, and cannot form any idea as to how they were caused, unlesß by rats. The abrasions appeared to have been caused by finger nails. (The Coroner here read that portion of Mrs Reid's evidence in which she said the deceased fell down frequently in fits, and caused bruises over her forehead by striking her head .against the sharp edge of a teak box). Dr Bakewell: I know of no such fit, and do not think such bruises could be caused »y falling against a sharp edge. If she had been in want of food she would have sutteMhl from giddiness. If medical assistance had been called in four days previously her life might have been saved. This he asserted positively. If the girl had strength enough to get up unaided sho would have had strength enough to protect herself from falling. Mrs Han-is, another neighbour, said she heard frequent groans proceeding from Mrs Reid's, as though those of a grown-up person, a woman, being thrashed and gagged. Frances Scannell, Mrs Stephenson's nursegirl, saw the deceased crying on Good Friday, and heard her say her leg was hurt. Mrs Reid's daughter came out, and said " Whore did she strike you!?' but she could not hear the roply. A few minutes after wards the former came out and gave deceased some bread.

The inquest did not terminate laßt night. The Coroner explained it was not his intention to reject the girl Esplin's evidence.

ALARM OF FIRE.

ABOUT four o'clock yesterday morning, the premises of Mr David Gnibh and others in that part of Karangahape Road, had a narrow escape from fire. It appears that several persons were proceeding towards their homes, when a peculiar light wm observed hj thorn at the rear of Mr Grubb's premises, and the brightness appeared to increase rather than diminish, An alarm was immediately given, and the slumbering inmates awakened. The fire wai" evidently in the bake-house, and prompt measures were immediately taken to extinguish the flames. Mr Davies, grocer, and athers, were at once at work with pails and water, and the fire was got undar. On examining the bake-house, it was discovered that the fire had broken out under the bake-houso window, and had it not been discovered on breaking out there is no doubt but a numher of buildings would hare been speedily destroyed, as the flames were gettiug hold of the wood work, and the wind was strongly blowing at the time. We understand that Mr Grubb was uninsured, and, besides furniture and other property of value, he had 30 tons of flour in the building, so that the loss would have been ruinous to him. No light what ever can be thrown upon the cause of the fire.

POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

(Before K. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.) AFTER THE RAIN. Alexander Davidson, with bruised fore head and black eye, in consequence of running his head against some shntters, was fined 25s a»d costs. James Coughley forfeited his bail, and John O'Conner was fined 5s and costs. NAWCY SWIFT, Na»cy Swift was charged with being drunk, and just before coming into Court, she screamed out, " Water ! "Water ! Con stable, give me in the spirit of Christian charity, a cup of cold water to quench my burning tongue?" The woman's appeal was effective, and the unfortunate creature's thirst was appeased. ®S The poor, dilapidated figure of a woman stumbled into the dock, and said she did not know whether she was drunk or not, " she had an " orful" leg, and wanted to go to the hospital." Constable Balwin saw the woman at 12 o'clock last night in a helpless state of drunkenness. He was obliged to get kelp to carry the woman to the station. • r Fined. 10s aud costs: S 5 CHARGE OF FELONY. ' Sarah Kerslake, was charged with steal ing the sum of £3 on the 26th inst, the pro perty of William Philip. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. William Philip, the prosecutor,.. said he would rather not press ths charge. The Court had ho power to allow it to be withdrawn; Sub-Inspector Pardy said he considered that it was a case for the police. Prosecutor said he was a bush miin, and on Wednesday evening '< he was in Union-street with his cousin, Tom Stow ; he and Tom met. the prisoner and another woman, who invited him and Tom home to "tea. The women were very pressing; they had some pretty pictures and flowers to shew them. They went and l'etired to rest in the back room. After a dose, he found-that his purse with £3 hi it had passed from the pocket, and that Sarah Kerslake had left the house; had £5 when he went to the house, and gave prisoner two notes for providing tea for them at their cottage in Nelson-street. Thomas Stow, deposed that he was a bushman, and came into town with his cousin Bill, to keep the Queen's birthday ; they had some drink, but were not absolutely drunk. Stow's evidence was corroborative of the prosecutor's state ment. When he and Bill woke, the Women were gone. Not being able to find' them, he returned to Mrs Kerslake's house, when she would not let him in, and said "git along, don't k'iaow ye', shan't come in." He told her if she did not tip up Bill's money, he should give the matter into the charge of the police. Prisoner said she did not have the money; it was all a mistake. His Worship said he must-find prisoner guilty. Sub-Inspector Pardy gave a few particu lars of the prisoner's previous career. Three months' imprisonment with hard labour. AT LOW WATER. Mrs Tregoning, James Mai'shall, Louisa King, and William Wells junr., were charged with neglesting to contribiite towards the support of William Wells, sen., they being of sufficient ability to do so. Mr Laishley appeared for Mr Marshall.

jUY John Graham, Relieving Officer, represented the case of the old man, Wells, and said that an offer had been made, if Wells would accept it, of going to a house in the country with his daughter, Mrs King. He, Mr Graham, thought it would be advantageous to him, as he is so liable to be knocked down at any time, especially when indulging in hig peculiar habits. Mr Laishl«y said he had really only to do with the case of Marshall, and he contended that as Mrs Marshall was a married woman, no order could be made upon her ; and her husband was not eligible, he being a son in-law, and only blood-relations were con templated by the statute. Mr Laishley quoted from Chitty, Johnston, Stone, nnd other authorities, in favor of his argument. His Worship said the Court had no power to make an order on Marshall and the case was dismissed, without costs. William Wells Jun., was ordered to pay 5s a week. Mr Graham said he still thought the old man should go to his daughter in the Northern Wairoa, and he would pay his passage. The Court thought it would be advisable, and asked Wells if he would go to his daughter, Louisa. Wells wished to have the case adjourned, and he would have his solicitor to speak for him. Finally he consented to go to his daughter, where he will be comfortably provided for if he behaves himself, and does not return to his drunken habits. AN APPRENTICE. George J. F. Parks, was charged with a breach of the master and apprentice Act by absconding from the service of his master, Mr Ireland, of the North Shore. Mr Ireland said the lad had since re turned to his work, and appeared penitent. He was not willing, therefore, to press the charge. The case was withdrawn, defendant pay ing costs. LUSACY- A workman named John Power, was committed to the Asylum being of unsound mind on the united medical testimony of Drs. Goldsbro' and Ellis. This was all the buisness.

My Weekly Dose.

(BY THE DOCTOR).

"Shew me a man who will not laugh, and I will shew you a dangerous and discontented man."—By the celebrated author Mr Donohue.

GEOGRAPHY AT FAULT.

Those outlandish Turkish names are a source of great trouble to the editors, and of course the compositors do not administer much consolation. The way some of the Turkish names get jumbled up in print is a caution. For instance there was that word " Dalramscha." It was flashed along the wires, and very soon about a hundred editors and sub-editors in various parts of New Zealand were vainly searching maps, swearing, and tearing their hair. The word was nowhere to be found. Back went the messages to the Telegraph Department to be repeated, and back they came again with the word " Dalramscha " unaltered. Most of the editors concluded that it must be the name of some very insignificant village which the geographers had not thought necessary to mark. The editor of the " New Zealand Times," Avho is a most wonderful man in many respects, was determined to locate the stranger some where. He looked down a Gazetteer, and the nearest thing he could see to the name was Drohobyez in Austria. He became convinced that the Russian army was about to be precipitated against the white-coated legions of the Kaiser. He surmised that Austria was the Muscovite bugbear, and must be coerced, and told his readers so. The evening papers cabbaged the idea, and the whole of the Wellington Press counter marched the Russian forces many miles to th« rear, and reported that Russian gun boats and torpedoes were swarming on the dry land about Lemberg. Next day, how ever, the editor of the "New Zealand Times " had a scathing article against one of his evening contemporaries,agamst whom he has a special down for having cabbaged his brilliant geographical discovery. The evening paper, as is its wont, returned the attack with interest, and the war in Turkey dwindled away to nothing in comparison with the war between the morning and evening busters. About a week later they found out that the strange word was " Dobrudscha " a strip of country south of the Danube. The editor of the Wanganui "Chionicle" informs its readers that not being able to lay his hands on a map, he is obliged to give it up. The " Nelson Mail " gets floored, and converts "Sakhum Kaleh"

into "Sakhum Katch " and then wonders where on earth it is. The Hawkes Bay "Herald" is stuck up by " Bayargia," (Bayazidj, and is in a hopeless quandary about Dadin, (Widdin) which it thinks may mean Zairn, and cannot mean Dadi and Dadur, which are in other, and remote parts of the world. We shall find at the end of the war that it has made sad havoc in the ranks of the newspaper profession in New Zealand. Many editors mil have committed suicide, and the rest will have become inmates of Lunatic Asylums. I saw a " map of the seat of war " published in the "Sydney Mail," and it reminded one of Mark Twain's map of Paris. It had. been drawn by some " ingenious cuss " of a compositor with "full points" and bent pieces of " brass rule." Alexandropol is sitting on Ardahan, " Constan," on one side of the Bosphorus, is scowling at " Tinople " on the other, and the Dardanelles has dropped out of its place. THE RATEPAYERS' ELYSIUM.

is Ponsonby-and-or-Deadwood. There was a Revision Court held up there on Friday, and the Chairman of the Board, in a sudden fit of generosity, refused to oppose any of the objections. Consequently ratepayers were enabled to reduce the valuations to suit themselves. Another member of the Board came in with a big blue bag stuffed with objections, and was intensely dis gusted when the presiding officer of the Coxirt reminded him of the singular incon gruity of a member of the Board appearing there to cut down its revenue. One rate payer, who was receiving 16s a week for a house, thotight a fair valuation .would be about £20 a year, and there being no counter objection he was allowed to have his own way. Things generally were made very comfortable for the objectors, and very awkward for the revenue. No wonder Mr Barstow said, at the end of the proceedings, that he should like very much to own property in Ponsonby. ! JUVENILE COMPETITORS. Morbid curiosity is strongly developed in youth. I heard two boys conversing the other day about the recent execution. It seems they had gone ' off in the morning in the hope of .getting a view of the business from some vantage ground on Mount Eden. They were dis puting as to which had seen most of the f ??"„ -I saw kirn go up," said bne. Ah, replied the other, triumphantly "but I saw him go down." That first boy caved. Apropos of this, I hear that the individual who officiated as Jack Ketch on the occasion in question, requested the reporters hot to. publish his name in their description of the affair. He said he was naturally of a modest and retiring disposi tion, and, moreover, the publication of his name "injured his business." I feelieve most.people know what the particular business is. '

BONIFACE'S WIT. The new boss of the Star Hotel (he has had the ceilings raised since he took it) measures 6ft. 4in. in his. stockings, and had he lived in the days of Frederick, the ■Prussian, would have been kidnapped as a grenedier. He sometimes indulges in specimens of his native humour, for the delectation of his guests, and his jokes are always as tall as himself. Why on earth he isn't called Goliahson g'stead of David son is a mystery. I suppose it's on the same K cip ™,t! 1; lt» a buck nigger dubs himself "Mr. White,".-* giant « Mr. Short,'" and a modern Falstaff « Mr. Small." The other

day, at the Star dinner table~tie Sr were discussing the different meri^fr* tables d'hote in Auckland, and en ™T tlle I may observe that this is a subieot^' possesses peculiar charms to some W^j* " There is one advantage about rn^V?? 18 ---said the host, « you always *et y2 ? le'" here." P 8.-lVay mention?Ssfe* apology, that Davidson tipped meH of for this, and I think the money hiiTK Var well earned. c*-""S.been

A KISS FOR 20a -' This is the price at/which the oacnht exchange has been assessed by Jud^A of the Melbourne County Court/ S Croxton was sued for £10 damage* h*t v Miller, for kissing Mrs MiUer. 0 Tie T*" men were cabmen; they were carousing gether at Miller's house, where C ro£ snatched a checker" from the lady" of th house. He was first of all soundly drubh^ by the infuriated husband, and then antf for damages, and the Court awarded 20* There are some "nice gals" in this town T wouldn't mind investing 20s on, and 7 y believe there are a fe^v more reprobates of mv sort. Such, my friend, is the depravity of human nature. ' r J

STRANGE. There is a man on the West Coast wha filed his schedule the day beforeTnV ticket in a sweep drew a prize of £300. The cre ditors said they were precious glad he didn't file it afterwards, because they wouldn't have seen any of the nionev SPURTALISM. £ That is the way I heard a Yankee p w . nounce the word a few days ago. There is a good deal of spurt about it. I read in an English paper that Lord Archibald Campbell has been having a "high" time of it. He was a sceptic, and the "sperrets" de termined to sublimate his views a little Therefore, in a private house, under the mediumship of the daughter of a baronet the society being, of course, " high," his Lordship was not only elerated, but greatly raised in the estimation of his friends. VERY REVIVING. ■ -

There was a revival meeting in Mel bourne the other day, and the seats were insufficient. A good many chairs were stowed away in a kind of a cock-loft over the room in which the perspiring 'sinners ■were congregated. One of the members, a stout, fat personage, went to hand down the chairs, while the leader gave out "Hold the fort." The attic floor consisted of the plastering which constituted the ceiling o£ the room below, of which cireumstaace the stout man was entirely ignorant. Just when the choir had commenced the first stanza, one leg of the man upstairs came through the ceiling. The singers were too intent on their warbling to notice the cir cumstance, but when they got to " see the signal in the adr," the other leg smashed through, and down came a shower of plaster. The singing was drowned by roars of laughter. CURIOUS TESTIMONIAL.

They present queer testimonials at Wai tangi. The other day the "Tribune"con. tamed the'Jfollowin'g paragraph :-—"A steam rod roller was tried yesterday with success, by Mr Warner, late railway engineer, which was presented to him on the eve of his de parture for Australia, with a testimonial and a piirse of sovereigns. I suppose the blame of this will be laid on the shoulders of some luckless compo. the Illusion dispelled.

My dear young friends, when you walk down Queen-street in your Sunday clothes on Saturday evenings puffing a twopenny cigar, and staring in the faces of the girls, don't you run away with any foolish notion that that thing in your mouth is a real cigar, because it isn't anything of the "sort. In truth, it is only a cabbage leaf. They found this out the other day in London, where the Customs authorities seized under 39 and 40, Viet. sec. 42, cap. 36, a quantity of fluid nicotine, imported from Hamburg. It "was found on analysis to be the produce of 25001b5. of tobacco sweepings, mixed with alcohoL On searching the house of the consignee the officers found a tremendous stock of dried York cabbages,. Parians, my dear young friends, when you read thiSj you will do what no amount of lathering has ever yet induced you to do, —give up smoking twopenny cigars, and save up your odd coppers to buy a ticket in the next sweep. OFFICIAL ECONOMY. ,

Ministers are determined to retrench. Two office boys have had their salaries docked 2|d a week. If it wasn't for this stern economy there'd be nothing left to pay Ministers' travelling expenses. The other day at Wellington there was a sale of furniture at a place called the : Terrace. It is a road cut along the side of a bleak-look ing hill, from which elevated position the Government swells look dowi* in lofty grandeur upon the little insignificient tax payers. One of the things sold was a pianoforte, and it was bought for the Go vernment for £90. Of course, the instru ment wasn't worth half that, but it doesn't matter. It is said the piano"has been purchased for the Ministerial residence, and that Dan'l Pollen intends to revive the Vogelian splendours of the past when champagne lunches and "jigs" turned the political scale, and spoony young members were betrayed Judas-like. The purchase of the piano has caused some excitement hi fashionable circles in the Empire City, and the tailors are count ing upon a revival of trade in dress suits. A friend of mine has sent me an account of a conversation he accidentally overheard between the wives of two M.H.R., which stands for "Muddle," "honorarium," and " Rant.'' It tooic place in a draper's shop. Said Mrs A., as she meditatively turned over a seven-and-sixpenny silk^ "So the House meets on the 20th July. ?; How does your husband vote ?" Mrs B. (contemplat ing a fasliionable sable jacket) "Well, he would very much like,to join the Opposi tion, for he thinks a change of administra tion would stoja the extravagant expenditure that is now going on, but if the Major gives parties and balls like that dear Sir Julius, of course, Mr B. will support the Ministry. I couldn't think of permitting him to join the Opposition under such circumstances. Whereat I want some one to answer this conundrum : —If the majority controls the affairs of the State, who governs the majority? . ; .

EXTRAORDINARY EFFECTS OF MANURE.

A sample of mangels grown by Mr Marte at Epsom, lias been on view during;the las* *Fr days, and has excited a great deal of a3tomsui ment at their bulk. Yesterday, however, we 5 inspected a sample of mangels of kinds herew fore unknown in this market, and it win w interesting to agriculturalists to give some aes cription of them, and the mode of their prw^ tion. The kinds are as follows t Ist, Buttons prize yellow globe mangel; 2nd, new ox:n ™f; j ellow globe mangel; 3rd, new golden tanfcara., and 4th, Siitton's mammoth. These mangels, although not of the colossal character or Jvjj Mark's lot, present features of a character wflicu must highly recommend them. Tney are verj firm, very sound throughout, apparently tn&w nutritious, and with small top-knot. They a™ also very fleshy in contrast to the woody appear ance of the other sample referred to, dquDtie» ■. owing to excessive growth. Mr Hurst mK>rni| us that he used the same manure as that suppnea to Mr Marks, and no other. The manure appears to have given general satisfaction wherever " has been tried, and its productive properties an* , probably greater than any other m use. **» year Mr Hurst had a limited supply, and me demand far exceeded the supply, and those »» were fortunate enough to obtain a quantuyw"£ are unanimous in expressing their surprise the results produced. The manure has Dew known as " Hurst's mixture." and we o t is a compound of nitrate of soda, sulphate» v ammonia, muriate of potash, and ?o^Jl^L ingredients. The great advantage is, tnat » so concentrated as to be very easy ot tran^ *v ■». and so powerful, that though apparenw *£ pensive at first, it is by far the cheapest in «*, long run, and its extraordinary producu^^ renders it very profitable. The results wu^j have attended experiments made fjeii way with the new compound, show tna^ J^ farming, pursued with careful study or tne w^ circumstances of soil and climate. »y ea , pay equally as well in many parts of JNew rf f land as in the old country. The ?ys!!^.to top-dressing with ammonical manure in w or , stimulate grass-land that has hecorae sicwj d - ; weakly, is extensively pursued m Englano^ :> . some other parts of Europe, wth tne wonderful results, but has not. jet coj^jjes ; practice in New Zealand. Qne^of .tne which are'sold by Mr Hurst,; is J^iaS-^ adapted for this purpose, and when -xne" q coniCS ties are more geaerally known,, are surel qju largely into cleSuand, Clover-sioklanaia w



t v s:t::;k:e;. < -EX " HERO." I ONE CASE OF WOOL POPLINS , and '■ BLACK SILK FRINGES. Very Choice Goods. • .'" W. RATTRAY, DRAPER, HOSIER, &SILKMER3ER, New Zealand House, 66, queen-street, ■.-';'■:'■ Auckland MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALASIA. Incorporated by Act of Parliament, i NEW ZEALAND BRANCH: Head Office, Auckland- Local Director: George Bubg^yne Owen, Esq. (Messrs. Owen and Graham.) • - - ■ Principal Medical Officer: Charles Field Goldsbro', Esq., M.D. General Agent for New Zealand: ' William I. J. Bell. ~ ! ■ : . "With Sub-Agencies in all the Principal Towns. Every information on the subject of LIFE ASSURANCE ANNUITIES, and ENDOW MENTS FOR CHILDREN, afforded by J. A. Lowe, Travelling Agent to the Association ; or WILLIAM T. J. BELL, .' General Agent. *!&, Special Features!— Age admitted on Policies, which are unchallangabm: from date of issue. - . ~ , . ■ Lowest Rates of Premiums, and no hamper ing conbitions as to residence or occupation. XtrE H ATE NOWBEOUGHT FORWARD THE GREATER PORTION OF MESSRS. STEWART & ANDERSON'S S T 0 C X, — CONSISTING'OF — WINCEYS, FRENCH MERINOES, FANCY DRESS GOODS, . SHAWLS AND MANTLES. Also, I AN IMMENSE QUANTITY OF 4 MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING. The above Goods will fee.CLEARED-OUT Re gardless of Cost, to make room for WINTER SHIPMENTS, Now Landing, ex Electra andEiwly Chaplin J. COSGRAVE & CO.



::;::::::;:::^VV r -1 N D ° W^:::::;H:: Roller Blind of the Age. self-acting. PROtfouifCED Perfect after 12 Years Test. ONLY OBTAINABLE ;. ; • i , - , .; i AT THE : ■/;! -.(- j US'' CITY HALL ARCADE. -®a FLOOR r^LOTHS, 18 inches to 18 feet wide. \y For Stairs, from 9d. per yard For Passages, from Is. lid. yard For Rooms, from 2a. lid. $ yd. T INOLEUM, all widths, for JLi . Rooms, Halls, and Stairs. . , Mats especially prepared for Billiard Rooms. The Greatest Variety at the CITY HALL ARCADE. /CARPETS, upwards of \s 100 Patterns to choose from Hearth Rugs to match. FURNITURE, for the Drawing-room, Dining and Sitting-room, Bedroom and Kitchen. Cheapest Jb urnishing House. HOLLOW AY & GARLICK, City Hall Arcade, QUEEN & LORNE-STREETS.



TVT O T I E. MACINTOSH COATS, WATERPROOF CLOTHING. RUSH BROOK AND BRIDGMAN Have Just Opened, and are now Showing1, a Large Parcel ef the above Goods, from the same House, and of similar style, to their Last Season's Goods, concerning the Wear and Quality of which thay have received many satisfactory testimonials. The Parcel includes various Styles, and all sizes. jij /'Light Textures, in Black and Drab, for O town wear. O . Strong Heary sheeting. d £ : Strong Twilled, Velvet Collars. £ 3 J Cashmere, Fancy Check, and Diagonal g g ) Tweed Patterns. g q Extra Heavy Diagonal Warm Lined, 5 and extra long. >> I Sealskin Lined, specially adapted for t5: ■V. Cabmen, 'Buss Drivers, &c. WATERPROOF APRONS, LEGGINGS, &O. ALSOY . A FURTHER SUPPLY OF BLANKETS, REVERSIBLE BUSH RUGS, ANT> FANCY AUSTRIAN RUGS, To Hand this Week. Is. in the £ allowed on all Cash Purchases of 20s. and upwards. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, Junction Drapery Warehouse, Uppeb Queen-street, auclkaxd.



CONTINUATION OF CLEARING \y OUT SALE. JOHN W. PEARSE (Leaving for England). The Stock must be sold at Frightfully Reduced Prices, to realise quickly, consisting of a very Large Stock of Men's and Boys' Clothing, Ulster Coats, Waterproof Coats, Inverness Capes, Overcoats, Freach Felt Hats, Cloth Caps. **A large quantity of Ladies' Very Fashionable Costumes, Jackets, Shawls, and Felt Skirts, just received from London. Blankets. Flannels,. Tweeds, Hosiery. Gloves, u0133. Feathers, Flowers, and Straw Goods. Every Department i 3 Marked Down, so as to clear out; The Lease of the Premises for Sale.



P E C I A L NOTICE. AUTUMN & WINTER GOODS, B4.NNOCKBUR.N AND MOSGIEL TWEEDS H. L. POSSENNISKIE Opening Out these New Seasonable Goods, would call particular attention to their quality, which i 3 second to none imported, while from his large anrt varied Stock Gentlemen can rely on a choice of Cloth unattainable else where in the colony. H. L. POSSENNISKIE, MERCHANT TAILOR & HABITMAKER, Opposite the City Mart, Shortland-street. What Is more nefarious than selling adultera ted and poisonous drams labelled and bottled to imitate a pure and health-yielding medicinal beverage. This ia precisely what the rogues are doing who sell imitations of the celebrated Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps put up in bottles which previously held that incomparable cordial and specific for disease. Let the public beware of such shams. Manning's Worm Powders.—This excellent Vermifuge is safe and quick in its operation. One or two doses is sufficient. Hundreds of testimonials may be seen from those who have used them. Price, Is. a packet.—Prepared only by Sharland & Co., Apothecaries Hall, opposite Post-office, Auckland. Atkinson's Perfumery and Specialities. The Medical Profession have declared Steane's Superlative Aromatic Tonic Wine to be a necessity to all in search of health, and especially to those suffering either frem Incipient or Chronic Indigestion, Dyspepsia, and the dis orders arising therefrom. This Tonic is also particularly recommended to all who are in a measure compelled from the nature of their occupation to take stimulants, and at the same time are desirous of studying health by taking that which will act most beneficially on the system. Mr. Wm. Johnson, Government Analy tical Chemist, report: — "I have examined Steane's Superlative Aromatic Tonic Win*, and find it to be remarkably pleasantin flavour, con taining about 16 per cent, of a very pure alcohol, and holding in solution a clear wholesome, Vegetable Bitter, combined with a fruity spicy aroma. I consider this Bitter a very superior article."—Sold by all Storekeepers and Hotel keepers.