SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

f-JTr-TT ■c r-\Tirn I'This Afternoon, 9 43 nxixn s>jXliLix—~, To-morrow Morning, 10.4 SUN SET.—This Evening, 7.15 SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning, 4.46 MOON'S AGE.--Last Quarter, 27th, 5.59 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Hero, s.s., 851 tous T. Logan, from Sydney and Melbourne. Wellington, s.s,, McGee, from the South (in Manukau) Wanaka, from Tauranga and the South Mazeppa, schooner, from Fijis Fairiie. 3-masted schooner, from Newcastle Julia Price, schooner, from Russell Rowena, s.s.,from Tauranga Transit, schooner, from Oamaru

DEPARTURES.

Go-ahead, 3.3., Helander, for Gisborne Acadia, schooner, for Napier, via Mercury Bay

IMPORTS.

Per Hero, from Melbourne

49 cases and packages merchandize, 1 bale, 561 half-chests tea, 12 chests do.. 1,257 boxes do., 35 pkges do.. 200 casas kerosene, 3D do. drapery, 55 pkges tobacco, 25 boxes do., 1 case cargo, 2 do, spice, 550 boxes candles, 2 do. leather, 26 do. sundries, 30 colonial ovens, GO cases -wines. 560 bags rine, 5 cases furniture, raisins, 2 cases cigar, 1 do. stationery, 10 do. preserves. 4 do. pianos, 2 pkges music, 1 do. drugs, 8 platr-s iron. 20 half cases castor oil, 2 case hardware, 1 do. effects, 2 do. gratings, 20 kegs nails, 1 case pictures, 4 do. sewing machines, 20 do. turpentine, 2 do. samples 1 do. machinery. 5 do. galvanised iron, 7t parcels books, 1 do. medicine, i 9 cases printing materials, 6 do. ink, 7 gas stoves, 124 bundles wire, 8 plates iron, 5 sheets do., 4 bundles do., 2 do. copper pipe, 1 sheet, copper, 1 case hardware. 224 bags g'.-ound bark, 1,513 pkges and mats sugar, 108 bags do. From Sydney- 20 hhds rum, 1 case fans, 1.910 gunnies, and 120 mats sugar, 4 pkges paper &c., 4 hhds wine, 4 qr-easks do., 15!? cases do., 50 do. brandy, 5 do. chicory, 5 do. cocoh. 13 boxes tea, 100 bags bonedust, 22 pkges rope, 1 do sculls, 12 bales paper, 4 barrels oil, 16 pkges sun dries, 1 do, cotton waste, 23 cases galvanised iron, 4 kegs nails, 170 bars iron, S pkges boots &c, 15 do. sundries, 8 i-chests tea, 26 cases 12 bars steel, 186 do. iron, 230 cises fruit, 50 empty butter kegs, 9 pkges sculls, 12 pairs do., 1 case glass ware, 3 do. leather, 3 bales do., 2 cases saddlery, 1 do. boots, 1 do. stationery, 1 do. varnish. 30 rolls matting, 250 cases kerosene, 18 cedar boards, 19 pieces d o .—Ouickshank & Co. agent 3. From Msilbcurne: 296 gunnies and 60 mats sugar, 1 case mixed spice ; tea : 19 chests, 119 boxes, and 25 J-ehests: tobacco: 5 f-boxes Venu?, 3 |.boxes ('ver the Water, 5 cases and 5 Jboxei Crown Tens, 5 cases Crown Xavy Fives.—H. B. Morton. 1 case spies, 10 .V-chesta tea, 200 boxes candles. —G. W. Owen and Co. 1 case spice, 44 half-chests tea, 149 boxes do., 23 pkges tobacco.—H. B. Morton. 7 cases sundries,—lreland Bros. 49 cases wine.—John Reid. 200 boxes tea, 25 half-chests do., 350 boxes candles, 320 bags rice, 76 do. sugar, 2 pekges.— Owen and Graham. 1 pkge—H. Brett. From Sydney: 400 gunnies sugar, 120 mats do.—Owen and Graham. 1 pkge cotton waste, 23 cases galvanised iron, 4 kegrs nails. 170 bars iron.—E. Porter and Co. 1 case.—Henderson and Macfarlane. 4 cases.—E. and H. Isaacs. 1 case leather.—lreland Eros. Per Transit, from Oamara: 100 sacks flour, 300 do. bran—T. H. Hall arid Co. PerMazeppa. from Fiji: 1101 bags maize, 19 do cocoanuts, 222 mats sugar, 48 sacks and 50 50 cases arrowroot, 4 cases fruit, 90 bunches bananas.—Owen & Graham, agents. Per Transit, from Oamaru: 63 tons flour, 15 do. bran, 200 sacks oats, 100 do. bran, G7 do. pollard.—Master, agent. Per Fairlie, from Newcastle: 290 tons co;l, 100 felloes.—Stone Bros., agents.

ARRIVAL OF THE HERO.

The Hero, s.s., Sol tons, Captain T. Logan arrived in harbour this morning from Sydney and Melbourne. The following is the captain's report :—Thft Hero left Sydney and cleared the Head 3at G p.m. on the 18th instant, and during the first 21 hours she experienced variable winds and heavy cross sea, with much vivid lightning and thunder. Th«n had light southerly winds and fine weather to the Three Kings, which were passed at 6.30 a.m., on the22rd (Sunday); afterwards moderate northerly winds pre vailed, and after passing the North Cape (at noon) heavy rain set in, and continued until daylight, this (Monday) morning; entered the harbour at 6.50 a.m. On Saturday morning last at 5 o'clock, passed the s.s. Rotorua about. 260 miles eastward of the Three Kings. Passen gers—Mrs Maunsell and 2 children, Mrs Ayton and child, Miss Davis, Miss F. Knight. Mrs S. Samper and Miss Samper, Mrs Johns, Miss Walsh, Miss Harvey. Mi=s Smith, Messrs S. Hesketh, F. Marsden, Corcoran, F. Jackson, J. Helsham, J. Hindmarsh, and 20 in the steerage.

The s.s. Wanaka. Capt. McGillivaray, arrived from, the South early this morning. She left Port Chalmers on the 17th, at 1.10 p.m. Fine weather and smooth water Otago to Wellington, strong head ■winds and sea thence to Tauranga, remainder of passage light winds and fine; arriving at the Queen-street wharf at 7 o'clock this morning1. Passengers: Misses Adams, Gillin, Drummond, Marlane, "Wilson, Martin. Lawrence, Berry; Mesdaines Reid, Topham and. 2 children and servant, Hill and child, Webb, Hickson. Gray. Sheath; Messrs Keale, Spencer, Mourant, Leahy, Bris3enden, Grace, Williams, Hill. Buttle, Doull, Reid, Webb. Hall, Broomfield, Hickson, Woon, Caulton, Martin, Hurfall. McDonald, Christie, Campbell, Brabant, Shepherd. Lindauer, Snedden, Master Lowe, and 13 steerage. We are indebted to Mr Pringle, purser, for u=<ual favours. The schooner Louisanna was at Levuka when the Mazeppa left. The s.s. Wellington arrived in the Mamikau yesterday morning, with the following pas sengers: Mes^ames Gavin, family and servant, Fitehett, Roilo, Wainhouse, Bayley, Cotton, Atlamson and 3 children, A. C, Wilson, and Weed; Misses Jackson, Shuttleworth, and Campbell, Hon. Mr Shechan and secretary, Sev. Bruce, 40 others, and 17 in the steerage. The schooner Acadia sailed yesterday for Mercury Bay to load timber for Napier. The barcuo 'Glencoo, Captain Carey, wa3 ex pected to leayc Bateman's Bay last Saturday, with timber for the Huranui Bridge, for which Messrs Sims and Richards are the contractors. The 3-masted" schooner Fairlie, Capt. Norris, arrived in harbour yesterday afternoon, after a iinc run of 10 days. She brings a cargo of coal. The D.s. Enterprise made a trial trip in har bour this afternoon for the first time after her recent, alterations. A great increase of speed is the result of the insertion of a new boiler and other machinery, The schooner Belle Brandon is to sail for the Islands on Wednesda;1" next.

BIRTHS.

HANDLEY.—On the 20fch December, at her residence, Russell's Buildings, Cook-street,

the wife of Georgo Handley, stonemason, of a

daughter.—Thames papers piease copy. PLUMLEY.—On the 22nd December, at Ota-

huhu, the wife of J. R. Plumley of a daughter. HAIGH.—On the 22nd December, at Beresford-

street, Mrs. E. T. Haigh of a son. NELSON.—On the 21th December, at St. Paul's

Parsonage, the wife of Rev. C. M. Nelson of a son.

MARRIAGE.

GARNIER—HAZARD.-On the 22nd Decem ber, at St. Sepulchre's Church, by the Rev. T. B. Dudley, Marie, third daughter of W. H. Hazard, of Calais, to D. Noel Gamier, eldest son of Noel Gamier, of Volgr6, France. — Home papers please copy.

DEATH.

O'HARA.—On the 23rd December, at her fathers residence, Alexandra-street. Mary Winefred O'Hara, fourth daughter of Patrick and Mary O'Hara, aged 13 years. The funeral will leave her father's residence on Tuesday, December 25, at 3.30 p.m. Mem bers of the H.A.C.B.S. and friends are respect fully invited to attend.—Napier papers please copy.

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

MONDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1877.

for tbe cause tbat lacks assistance, Far the wrong that needs icsisunct, Po* the fniuxe In the distance. And tbs good tiit we tutte

The cable message from our special Lonxlo correspondent, published in a late edition on Saturday, stating that England had declined to mediate between Turkey and Russia, places the matter in a very different and less threatening light from that which it bore in earlier telegrams. The statement is substantially confirmed in Renter's despatch to-day, announcing the failure of proposals for mediation. It is difficult tOj discriminate amid the mass of

"contradictions contained in fte.cable news. The vao-ue despatch referring to me I mposld ° purchase of the Turkish fleet facks either confirmation or contradiction. The course through the storm is still any thing but clear, and if the Beaconsheld Cabinet is susceptible of remorse it may well regard with some amount of dismay the blundering policy vrhich has isolated England from all other ™t European nations at this critical period. There was a time when England might, in unison with the other Powers, have averted irar, and deprived Russia of the right which she may now assume on the ground of conquest and ™eat national sacrifice, to _ arbitrate in Turkish affairs. With the rejection of the Berlin note and the subsequent refusal of England to unite with other powers in erfonan* the reforms demanded by the Itamboul Conference, England threw away the chance she had oJ checkmating Russian ambit^n and acting the true friend of T<nkey. In his sjeech at Nottingham Mr Gladstone thus referred to the isolation of England from the European policy, and the conse quent abandonment of Turkey to a struggle in which she is hopelessly overmatched : " I proposed to maintain every possible— perhaps you will be surprised a.\ it—l pro posed, if" possible, we should maintain, not what is called the integrity of the 1 urkish Empire, but that we should secure the local liberties of the Christian subjects, and, 01 course, all subjects, because we know no distinction between Christian, Jew, and Mahomedan, in the provinces which hive been so cruelly oppressed. (Cheers.) laid not propose that we should go to war; I tell you now the recommendation, am I abide by it. My recommendation was :hat the Powers of Europe should unite together, and they were willing to unite—if we had not been unwilling to unite, pheerg') I proposed that they should unite togjther and send their maritime power—send their fleets, or a competent portion of their ieets, into the Black Sea, and the Sea of Mar mora, and Archipelago, and say to Tirkey, ' Not a man, not a horse, not a gun, not a shilling shall pass from Asia to Europe, or fiom Europe to Asia, for the purjosa of carrying on your war.' (Cheers.) I said then, and I say now, that if that amounce ment had been made, as it might hare been made, to Turkey, not one drop of/human blood would have been shed. (Cheers.) Probably not one drop, but even if madness had been such that naval resistano for the moment would have been tried, it would have been an affair of the moineat, and it would not have been as the wenjit of one hair in the scale in comparsiop with the trouble and woes that have been inflicted in this most sanguinary war, upon Turks, Roumanians, and Russians all alike. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Gentlemen, we read in some of the ancient poets in times, before all faith in prayer hi. bem lost even amongst Pagans, that some tnej a Grecian hero offered up a prayer t< tie gode 3 and that this prayer consisted of w) parts, and that the deities wore plea -d to grant the first part, but withheld the SCJOUd. buch lias beenj I think, your fate, at least my fate, and the fate of those who penned the address to which I have referml with such satisfaction. (Hear, hear.) We have been enabled to prevent the horror and shame of interference when that fleei which was in Besika Bay, and which every Turk believed, and I say confidently nearly all the officers of the fleet believed to be there for the purpose of defending Turkey. (Cheers). Though we have prevented this we have not been able to serve that most humane and beneficent of all plans of policy, that interposition of united Europe, which would have brought about a peaceful and a happy settlement, happy for Christian, for Mahommedan ; for I never have admitted, and will never admit, that those who profess these extravgances about main taining the right of Turkey in what they call sclr-defence to oppress, and ruin, and rob, and dishonor other people, I never have admitted for a moment that these are the true friends of Turkey. (Cheers). The friends of Turkey, the jriends of an individual man, are not those who permit those excesses ; they are those who endeavour to restrain them, and who know that in the endeavour to restrain them they are performing an act of true friend ship. (Cheers.) And so it is with Turkey : to secure for her immunity in monstrous guilt is not the way to be her Mend." It is too late to retrace the past, and England, were she ever so disposed, could hardly save Turkey now, or could do so only by a terrible expenditure of blood and treasure, without hope of any tangible return. Those who talk jauntily about war, and what the British lion will do when unloosed, fhould reflect for a moment upon what war means in these days of great masses of men, breach-loaders, and wholesale slaughter. The total effective field force at the dis posal of England at the beginning of 1576 was 132,884 men. The losses admitted officially by Russia alone in the few months of the present campaign number seventy thousand. The British force lirst despatched to the Crimea under Lord Raglan numbered only 25,000,andthecombined British, French, and Turkish force to 58,000. _ War has changed siucc then, and opinions have changed also with respect to the wisdom of supporting English greatness by such dirty means as that furnished in the Ottoman Empire.

To-morrow (Christmas Day), and Wed nesday (Boxing Day), the Evening Stae will not be published. Printers, like other mortals, have their wives, sisters, and sweethearts to take out, and although, of course,mcn of iron themselves, superior to all the vanities of life, and supremely devoted +o the public convenience, yet the home influences of Christmas are strong enough to make even them unbend. For two days and nights then, the Star will cease to twinkle. Determined ourselves to enjoy a Merry Christmas, we most heartily wish it to everyone of our wide circle of readers.

We would draw the attention of our readers to the advertisement of Mr R. Alison, of Willow Grove Sirawbeny Gar dens, which appears in another column. The gardens are situated close to Dcvonport wharf, and here visitors may enjoy a very pleasant holiday. Besides ' abundant supplies of strawberries, fruit of other kinds may be procured. Swings and croquet are provided, so that the Willow Grove offers no small amount of attraction to pleasure seekers.

Dr. Sommerville, the Evangelist, is expected from Sydney by the next San Francisco steamer, which is due on the 7th or Sth of January. He has arranged to hold his first service on the Sunday after, probably at the Choral Hall. He will use the latest edition of Sankey's hymns, and will be glad of the assistance of ladies and others to sing in the choir. Mr. _ Sommer ville is giateful for a number of kind letters received fromsevei'almcmbersof the Church, and regrets that ho has not had time to answer them. This information is obtained from a letter received by to-day's mail by the lev. Mr. Webb.

p meeting of the Committee of the Aiick lai»- Total Abstinence Society will be held t 1 '.-, evening in the Temperance Hall afc 7.30.

\\ is whispered in London that if Eng land purchases the Turkish lleet, a partion of it is intended as a Christmas Box for Australasia, not Australia. Further, that Carnarvon will at once propose a confeder ation of these colonies similar to Canada as a protection against'! Russia, Germany, and perhaps Italy combined, Such is the rumour, and our readers have it under all reserve. Anyway, if true, it would give a glorious opening for many boys who dislike farming and desk work, and who hanker after a peerage or West minster Abbey. The "Tatler" says •liatGencral Skobeloff is ,of Scottish extrai- ion; his grandfather was a schoolmaster iv at Ayrshire, and his name was Scobie.

The s.s. Wanaka is to leave for Russel at s_p.m. to-morrow, and will leave Russell on Wednesday afternoon on the return trip, arriving in Auckland on Thursday moraine early. Captain McGillivray will come through the Kawau passage, and salute Sir George Grey. This will be a capital Christmas excursion for those who are desirous of making a trip to the North.

A constable at Levuka, who was always running somebody in, took a man into custody on a charge of riotous behaviour. In the course of his evidence the constable informed the Bench that his prisoner had committed blasphemy. "Blasphemy !" in terrogated the magistrate. " What did he say ?' " Plase your worship, sor," said the constable, "he damned the police 1" The fust match of the Auckland Carbin Club took place at the Mount Eden Rifle Range on Saturday, but owing to the time occupied by one of our feathered messengers in making the journey from Mount Eden to Auckland, we were unable to obtain the news in time for our Saturday's issue. The Artillery Band, under Bandmaster Hunter, was present, and played a number of selec tions of music very well indeed. They afterwards played the competitors back to Auckland. The following are the scores made :—Lieutenant Payne, 47 ; Gunner Rose, 45 ; Sergeant Anderson, 43 ; Gunner Titchener, 40; Gunner Woolley, 38; Gunner Bell, 32; Gunner H. Rose, 32; Corporal Hendry, 31 ; Gunner Priestley, 31 ; Lieutenant Norrie, 29 ; Gunner Allen, 27 ; Gunner Salmon, 26 ; Sergt-major Ansell, 25 ; Gunner Heaps, 24; Gunner Sawkins, 21 ; Sergeant Taylor, 6. At the conclusion of the firing, the following prizes were presented to the highest scorers by Mr J. H. Burns, Captain of the Company : —Lieutenant Payne, £1 6s; W. Rose, 17s 6d ; D. Anderson, lls 6d ; Titchener, 7s; Woolley, ss.

We noticed this morning, in the window of Pnlman's photographic rooms, a series of six photographic views of the Domain and adjacent Auckland localities, taken by the artist. The pictures have been framed in an elegant style by Mr Sueffert, to the order of a gentleman residing at Napier. The Tamaki West Sunday-school children enjoyed a picnic on Saturday afternoon in the "grounds of W. J. Taylor, Esq., who kindly granted the privilege, under the trees by the water-side. A number of ladies and gentlemen were present to wit ness the proceedings. A plentiful tea and an abundance of cake were provided by Mrs Thomson, of Water-Yett Farm, Mrs W. J. Taylor, and Mrs Thomas Wyllie, of Willow Farm. The remaining hours were passed in scattering lollies, running for oranges, and various pastimes, in which the forty or fifty children present took wild delight. We were shewn this morning, by Mr D. Molesworth, of the firm of Molesworth and Merrick, manufacturers of fancy goods, Coromandel, a large variety of useful and iornaniental articles manufactured from pvory, bone, hard woxl, &c. These com iri.se bone, tortoise-shell, horn, and ivory inks and studs, plain and ornamental; bone egg and mustard spoons, long bone netting and crochet needles, infants' bone teething rings, martingale rings, &c. All the articles are of excellent workmanship, and are beautifully finished. The studs especially are very pretty, and considering that the price charged is very low, Avhen compared with the articles of this nature imported from other countries, we think they should command a ready and extensive sale. We have not socn any of the imported articles which could be considered superior to those manufactured by Messrs. Moles worth & Merrick. They have also a large number of egg-cups and draught-men, made from ti-trce and other New Zealand woods. The wooden are cheaper than the china egg-cups, and there is very little chance of breakage. The manufacture of chess-men from New Zealand woods is also to be com menced shortly, Mr Molesworth being con fident of his ability to turn out sets of men equal to, if not better than, the imported kinds, and a great deal cheaper. We wish Messrs. Molesworth & Merrick every suc ce~s in their now venture, which, we have no doubt, will be well-supported by the people of Auckland and Southern cities, where they shortly intend to establish agencies for the sale of their goods. A lecture will be delivered in the Franklin Road school-ro>m this evening by Mr John Blackmail, on "Christmas past and present." The lecture will be an unusa.'tlly interesting one, and should have the effict of filling the school-room. The syllabuf of the lecture, which appear.1; in our advertising columns, shews that the lecture w!il extend over a very wide range. Amongst other things, the lecturer "will graphically describe Christmas in olden times, introducing the yule log, the wassail bowl, boars head, and the feasting in the baronial halls which celebrated Christmas in tho.se days. He will also speak of Christmas bells and Christmas books, Mary Morgan's goose, Tiny Tim's Christmas, Prince Albert's Christmas Tree, and Shakespeare and Ben Jonson at the Mermaid on Christmas Eve. The lecture will be in aid of the church funds. Taking it as a whole, avc think the lecture will ailbrd a treat which the people of Auckland do not easily obtain, and which should be well appreciated by the audience.

A number of jJcrsons were attracted on Saturday evening to a corn-shcller in full play iv the shop of Mr Robert Brewen, the Queen-street seedsman. The instrument of torture slightly resembles a coliee mill, and is known in the United States as " Whitta ker's Yankee notion." The maize in its original state is placed in a receiver, the wheel ilics round with American railway speed, and the corn drops below in an almost incredible space of time, naked and uninjured, from the husks. We observed in the shop window of Mr Farrows, fruiterer, Queen-street, to-day, a display of splendid hot-house grapes, from the nursery of Messrs Mason Bros., Parnell. Lovers of this delicious fruit would do well to call early, as avc understand Mr Farrows' is the only shop where they can be ob tained during Chrismas. The King natives intend to hold sports at Te Kopua to-morrow.

An advertisement in another column an nounces the approaching publication of a work which should command a large sale— we allude to " The Southern Guide to the Hot Lakca and Springs District of the North Island," which will be issued under the aus pices of the Union Steam Shipping Com pany. We understand that no pains have have been spared to make this little work a thoroughly reliable vade mecum, containing all the information as to routes to be taken by travellers when visiting the springs country, the steamboat and road charges, dates of sailing of the various steamers, &c, together with a most interesting and graphically written description in minute detail of the whole of the wonderful features of the country through which tourists will require to travel, the peculiar properties of the various springs, and a large amount of valu able and useful information of a general nature.

There is a story about an engagement between two hostile men-of-war of the old school, in which one of them, a Dutchman, ran short of round shot, but the captain, being equal to the occasion promptly brought up all his round Dutch cheeses, and blazed them away with such vehemence that the enemy was completely paralysed, no less by the splintering of the cheeses, than the disorder created by the eagerness of the crew to taste of such cheese as surpassed all their previous experience. Messrs Hewin and Co., at thecornorof Queen and Welles ley-streets, have imported a stock of cheeses of the same description. They have been pro nounced by connoisseurs as the greatest com bination of luxury ever found existing within the same dimensions. Besides this, Messrs Hewin and Co. have a great stock of Canter bury hams, rivalling in firmness and beauty of texture the famous ham that sent Frederick the Great into royal ectacies, and rendered a certain cook famous. Then come tinned plum-pudding, ready cooked ; crystalised fruits, "Christmas candles, and various other seasonable articles, which must be seen to be duly appreciated.

1 Messrs P. Doran and Co. opened the 11" natural curiosity museum on Saturday evening on the open space by Montague's toy-shop. Intimation that the public were welcome was given by Mr Hunter's band in a series of musical performances. The canvass tent and fixings were decently arranged at some expense, and the selections, living: and dead, placed in studied order. The curiosities consisted of a variety of war implements, costumes, animals,teeth,ornaments,etc. from the Solo mon Islands ; also, Fijian curiosities and wonders—a dog with only three legs, and a two-headed calf. A number of singularly made shoes were also exhibited. These were sent to Solomon Islands by Captain Olsey, but were contemptuously rejected by the natives, who considered that the use of these wooden high-lows would be beneath them. The captain subsequently presented them to Mr *E. Perkins. The chief attractions are the immense alligator, 15ft. 6in. in length, and Bft. round, and the quantities of stone found in the monster's stomach ; the remarkable freak of nature from Cunningham's Howick farm; the great seal; and the living six-legged sheep are among the principal exhibits of the museum, which will be opened during the evenings of the present week. It will be seen by reference to our adver tising columns of Saturday's issue that the next fortnightly meeting of Court Zealan dia, A.0.F., will be held on Saturday next, 29th instant, instead of Wednesday next, the day on which the Foresters' Annual Fete takes place. A full attendance of members is requested on that occasion. The following eleven have been picked to represent the Excelsior C. C. in a match to be played at Otahuhu on Boxing Day : — S. J. Weston (Captain) Colgan, McGregor, Testre, Carr, Eraser, Waddingham, Bellingham, J. Rowe, Machattie, and Batts.

Dr Henry has addressed his corstituents at Westport, and received a vote of confid ence, with only two dissentients. Mr C. C. Bowen will address his con stituents at Kaiapoi on Thursday next. The practice of decorating the shops and hotels with ferns, evergreens, Christmas trees, &c., is decreasing year by year. The decorations in the market-house are very pretty, but only a few hotels, and several butchers and grocers establishments in Queen-street have been decked out wiih foliage. In the market-house, there was a good show of poultry at the stalls of Messrs Knight, Head, Dunning and. Neale. The turkeys and geese were particularly large, and should have thj effect of attract ing 5 a large number of purchasers. Mrs Furlong has a splendid assortment of fruit of all kiuds,including strawberries, cherries, plums, gooseberries,' &c. Messrs Surman and Lipscombe's stalls are also well sup plied. There is a very good supply of Napier l'oastin" beef at the stalls of Messrs Giles and Eady. At the shops occupied by Messrs Hulme, Carter, Domwell, Fisher, we observed some fine beef, mutton, and veal, which really did credit to those establishments. In the grocery establisli lishments there were many attractions for the heads of families. We might particu larly notice the shops of Messrs Close Bros., Hcwen and Bro., French, J. C. Morrin, Burton, and Holland and Co. There was a very good supply of hams and bacon^at Messrs Hewen and Close Bros.' Mr T. Bar nctt's pork butchery has been prettily de corated, and the appearance of the shop is improved. Here purchasers may obtain pork pies, German sau sages, and many other articles of the same description, which are almost indis pensible to the pleasure and comfort of a picnic party. The Anchor, Albert, and Thistle Hotels also looked very well in their decoration of fern trees and evergreens. The show window of the United Service Hotel was beautifully ornamented with artificial holly branches, which were covered with piettyred holly benies. The effect was extremely good, and was the subject of general admiration. In the list of handicaps for the 150 yards race, in connection with tbe Foresters' Fete, which appeared in the STAR of Saturday, the name of W. H. Tucker, 4 yards, was inadvertently omitted. The public hall at Cambridge will be opened on Thursday next. Mr Connelly, artist, has laid an infor mation before the Resident Magistrate at Taupo, against Hiutahi, the native who robbed him of his sketches and baggage.

A cricket match will be played on Boxing Day at Pakuranga^between the Victoria and Pakuranga Cricket Clubs. The Ocean match between the yachts Magic, Mistral, and Secret, resulted in favour of the Magic. The Secret was well UTJ. £

THE RACES.—THE NAGS AT WORK.

TllEiiEwas (pi'.ic a levee on the course this morning to wittnesa the final galops of the equine candidates for honours at the ap proaching Summer Meeting of the Auckland Racing Club, commencing on Boxing Day. The early birds were rewarded with the sight of nearly all the horses, except the Papaknra strong which will uot appear until the day of action. The Don went three times round on the plough going very strong. Queen Mab and Totara filly did good work in company. Lara and Tom Flynn went about two miles in splendid style, making lots of Iriends. The general opinion is that this pair will distinguished themserlves at the coming meeting. Don Juan joined in the spin, but was not fast enough to live the pace on ths flat, what ever he may be over timber. Perfume went twice round, and Luna three times in rattling |style. Beth are as well as they can be. Elsa cantered in her hood twice round. She pulled agood deal and appeared to want to go faster. Chauticleer and Temper ance had a spur together, and tha second time round Temperance had the best of it, but she also carried the lighter jockey. Ishmaelite and Gillee Callum did quiet work going thrice round. The 3-year-old is a lazy feroer, but he will make a good one yet. Whitefoot went three times round alone, going like a lion. Rosalie, Rat catcher, and Rope went a moderately fast spur together. The Baron also did steady work. Golden Crown did 2 miles alone, and Mr Leonard's Venus went twice round, ridden by Millison. There is no fresh news, and I shall stick to my Saturday's predic tions. The Hurdle Race should be a slashing struggle between Whitefoot, Sam Flynn, and Luna.— Hotspur.

CRICKET.

ARRIVAL OF THE CANTERBURY TEAM. At last, four years after the successful tour of the Auckland cricketers in 1873, the first southern team has arrived to try and win back on Auck land ground the laurels lost on their own. An eleven from Christchurch arrived in th^ Wel lington yesterday, and will play an Auckland eleven in the Domain on Friday and Saturday next. A four-horse drag, provided by Messrs Hill and Smith, went out go meet our visitors, havingjon board several members of the selection and management committees, They arrived in due time to see the Wellington come up to the wharf, and were enabled to welcome the Can terbury men on landing. As the drag drove in our visitors had a fine opportunity of appreciat ing the diversified and picturesque scenery of the suburbs of Auckland, so unlike in every res pect the flat plains of their own country. The team are accomoiated at the Star Hotel, where Host Davidson is suretoinake them comfortable. The Auckland team played a sixteen on Safur- day, and had a good afternoon's leather hunting, which will do them a great deal of good, as they want a lot of practice in the field. The bowling of Lynch wasvery good, but Buckland and Robinson were not on the spot. The sixteen, who made 161, occupied the wickets so long that the eleven had no time to play their innings, which they began very aus piciously by making 42 runs for one wicket. Colson's 21, not out, being a free and prettily played piece of cricket. On the side of the six teen Swanson made 37; Nolan, 18; A. King, 17; Browning, 14; and Mason, 11. The large total of 25 " extras" does not say much for the fielding of the eleven, but the ground was very lively. We observe with pleasure that the water has been laid en to the centre of the field. This :s a great improvement, for it will enable a good wicket to be got in the very driest of weather. The names of the Canterbury men have already appeared. Only one of them, Mr J. Fowler, played in the 1873 match. They drove out to the Domain ground this morning, and had a couple of hours' practice. They appeared in pretty good form in spite of their recent sea voyage. What wagerii g there is. is slightly in favour of Canterbury. Mr H. Keane, ot: the Thistle Hotel, Oueen-streen, intends to present a splendid bat to the highest scorer on the Canterbury side, and the bat is now on view at the hotel.

NEW BUILDINGS IN QUEEN STREET.

We are pleased to observe that onr enterprising citizen, Mr Hoffman, pianoforte maker.of Queen street, is about to erect new and substantial buildings upon the vacant and unsightly allot ment at the corner of Queen and Victoria-streets, and immediately opposite the Theatre Royn]. The plans of the new buildingg feave iust been completed by Mr E. Mahoney, architect, and they certainly reflect the greaiest credit upon that gentlr-ni <\n. Tbo structure will be similar in style to tlm Theatre Royal buildings, the height being about the same, viz., 51 feet from the street level to top of the parapet. It -will have 30 feet frontage to Queen-street, and 80 feet to Victoria-street. There will be three floors, ground, first, and second. The ground floor will bo let as a shop, and the first will bo used by Mr Hoffman a3 a music room. The top, or second floor, is to be fitted up as a dwelling with 12 rooms. It would be very suitable for business offices. Entrance will be obtained to the upper storeys by aside door opening from Queen-street. A ve'-andah will be built on the Queen and Vic toria-street sides of the building. Tenders are to be called for its erection at once. Altogether, we think that it will compare with the Theatre Royal and adipining stores, and will be a. vast improvement in the appearance of the principal thoroughfare of this city.

PONSONBY SEMINARY SCHOOL EX AMINATIONS.

The final breaking-up took place last Friday. The pupils numbered 65, exhibit ing the usual steady progress and develop ment of character noticeable on previous occasions. A number of the young ladies carried away justly merited prizes, and in addition two Bible prizes were awarded to two of the pupils by a gentleman who had furnished the subjects, and was patron for the occasion. Also, another gentleman gave a prize for the bes* map. Some rewards were made for good needlework, also for drawing, likewise music and singing. In dosing this establishment, some interesting and touching allusions were made as to its gradual and firm advancement under the superintendence of the late lady principal, whose untiring zeal had won her pupils to love, to look upward and onward, and which has fostered a tie that will be a sweet remembrance in time to come. Some beautiful pieces were rendered, and a touching piece sung, with great regard for time. " The picture on the wall" elicited jusi. praise, especially the solo in it, by a little girl. At the close, Miss Hammond was presented with a very handsome work book, as a parting token, and an evening party kept up with dancing till 12 o'clock closed the last of those merry events which will long be remembered.

ARRIVAL OF THE NATIVE MINIS TER.

The Hon. J Sheelian, Native Minister and Minister of Justice, accompanied by W. A. Baker, Esq., Private Secretary,andthe Hon. Hoani Nahe, Native member of the Minis try, arrived in the Manukau yesterday by the s.s. Wellington. Unfortunately, Mr Sheehan was unable to be present at the re ception to Sir George Grey and the Auckland members who supported kirn dur ing the late session of Parliament. Mr Shee han was detained at Napier in connection with important native matters which re quired his tact and skill to settle satisfac torily to all parties concerned. A telegram having been received by Mr J. King, Secretary to the late Reception Com mittee, stating that the hon. Native Minister would reach the Manukau during the forenoon of Sunday, arrange ments were made by a number of Mr Sheehan's personal friends, to welcome him on arrival. Mr Macdonald, General Mana ger of Auckland railway, acceded to a request to put on a special train, so as to reach Onehunga at half past eleven o'clock in time to convey the Wellington's pas sengers to town. A drag drawn by four handsome grey horses was furnished for the occasion by Mr Quick, and conveyed the following gentlemen to Onehunga : — Messrs J. A. Tole, M.H.R., Major Green, General Government Agent in Auckland; Inspector Thomson, A.C.; Messrs D. A. To]e, Commissioner of Crown Lands ; E. T. Dufaur, ■ solicitor ; P. Dignan, solicitor ; Gudgeon, Union Bank, It. T. Graham Dockrill, Coromandel, J. King, D. M. Luckie, and C. O. Montrose. After a pleasant drive the party drew up at the Manukau hotel shortly before eleven o'clock, and proceeded to the steamer, which was already alongside the wharf. Several gentlemen "went on board and welcomed the hon. the Native Mfuister on his return to Auckland. Mr Sheehan expressed the pleasure he felt at being enabled to visit the provincial district with which his interests had been so long connected, and in which he first won his political spurs. Amongst those who went on board to wel come Mr Sheehan we noticed the following gentlemen :—Captain Frazer, Mr O'Rorke. M.H.R., Messrs F. Moss, R. J. G'Sullivan, Cunningham, A. Whitaker, F. Whitaker, Harrington, M. Keesing, Rawlinson, Cap tain Stack, the gentlemen who went out in the drag above-named, and the following who went out by special train : — Messrs J. T. Boylan, T. B. Hill, W. Eyre, Boylan, jun., Clarke, Railway Manager, L. Trobe of Raglan, and. W. B. Langbridge, editor " Northern Advocate." Two in fluential chiefs, who had come a considei able distance, also went on board, and cor dially welcomed;the Native Minister on be half of their tribes. The party having landed from the steamer, Mr Sheehan, ac companied by his private secretai-y and several friends was driven to town in the four-horsed dracr.

Mr Sheehan has taken the Ministerial offices in the Post office Buildings. We understand that he Avill remain in Auck land until Sir George Grey returns from the Kawau, when he will accompany the Premier to Tauranga and Gisborne en route to Wellington. After a short stay at the seat of Government the party will visit Nelson and New Plymouth, and. early next month will visit the Maori King in response to an invitation from Tawhiao and others. INVITATION FROM NATIVE CHIEFS

We learn that the Premier and the Native Miuister have received telegrams from influential natives in all parts of the North Island inviting them to meetings of the tribes. To-day the Hon. the Native Minister received a telegram from the chief Toha, of the East Coast, expressing the strong desire of the Great Ngatikahunga tribe to receive Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan at a meeting of the tribe. The visit will probably be paid on the way to Wellington.

DOMAIN BOARD.

A special meeting of the members of the Domain Board was held to-day. Present: Messrs Fenton.. McKechuie, and Warren. The business of the meeting was to amend and define certain "words and phraces," in the by-laws, and determine public entrances to the Domain. THECEICKET GROUND. It was resolved that no person shall be admitted to the cricket ground on the day of a cricket match without an order from the trustees, or on payment of a certain specified sum, such money to be expended in preserving and improving the Auckland Cricket Ground. ENTRANCES TO DOMAIN. It was also resolved that the public entrances to the Domain be Stanley-street, opposite Messrs Fraser and Tinne's, oppo site the Roman Catholic Church, Parnell, and one further south ; one from Carleton Road, opposite the old brewery, and one from Park Road near the Lodge. It was further resolved that the by-laws, as corrected, and notices of public entrances be printed, and posted up at the said entrances.

THE YACHT ERIN IN AUSTRALIA. Our'readers will doubtless remember that Mr Joy, LL.B., took the yacht Erin, last year's regatta winner, to Sydney. Very little has been heard of her movements since, an& the following will be read with interest. It is culled from an Australian paper:—"-<nair3 Bay Regatta, Bth December, 1877.—Secoad race: Yachts under 20 tons; to be handicapped. Course : From mooring round flagship, round Shark Island, back round flagship, thenco round Goivt Island, and back to flaKship. (Hirst prises, spirit *<tand ; second prize, oak cruet.—Mabel, V. Q. Tricket 1: Erin, C. L. H. Joy. 2: Jones ("imin), A. G. Wilson; Australian (lmiu,), B, £. Smith: La Belle, T. L. Adams."

THE WRECK OF THE MAY QUEEN. -FINDING OF THE HULL.

THE "Mona" arrived from Ono on V, last, and brought newa that a lame «1 nday wasbottem upwards, anchored off ™-° 1 °Iler named Simanoff, 20 mile»distanc?W S>d It appears that her anchor chains, W Ol loose in some manner, and <r O fc" Pn 7 e Sot amongst the coral in 14 fathoms of gled some 500 yards outside the reef ro L/I r > island. The vessel's masts have W the away, and only her keel is showing*3ll water; her sides are covered with ha c and seaweed. The natives attend?? 168 c lye and getinto the cabin, but coulC 1° so as it was locked. She is supposed 7« v ° the schooner "May Queen," which w Samoa for Tonga, about nine months and has never since been heard of t" 0> after leaving Samoa a hurricane cn'm st aud she evidently came to on> therein. If it is the "May Qu een^l f would be worth while trying to get h? «.* cabin, as three thousand pounds in «oi ] 9 known to be on board of her at thetimenn 13 disappearance. Ono is the most distant island of the group, being about 250 r»-i S. E. from Ovalau, andthetwoislandsW 3 as Mikanoff, and Simanoff, arcsomp^T1 further south. They are small and ? habited, only being resorted to by the n natives to make copra, &c. We trust rtf 0 the mystery as to what vessel it really ■ will soon be cleared up. Her name cLv not be made out, but the word" Auckla d" could be distinctly seen on the stern

A CONTRADICTION.

(To the Printer of the Evening Star) Friend,—Please let these words appear in your newspaper, as a contradiction to th» saying of that traveller which appeared in the " Herald " of August 21st mtfirXnS to Waikato and Maniapoto. I say th people are being misled by that talk Dn not believe it Do not forget to be cautious with regard to Waikato and Maniapoto Those tribes have been one, and their authority one, from a great while a«o until this day. You will one day see the incorrectness of that talk of the traveller and that those tribes are always firmly united. . You must see that " traveller" is the only man who denies that Tawhiao invited Sir George Grey to meet him I know all these thoughts and what takes place.—From One Who Knows.

HOW CREDITORS' MEETINGS ARE MANAGED.

(To the Editor.)

Slß,—Had your reporter been at the meet ing of Messrs W. and F. Worker's creditors at the Supreme Court to-day, he would have found plenty of material to furnish a valuable lesson to many of your readers The public do not often hear of these meetings ; they are very happily managed. Matters are made right for some individual' and then the silence of forgetfuluess falls over all the proceedings. It would be veil if those dark places were occasionallyopened and the clear light of day allowed to disclose the proceedings that sometimes take place ; or if the manner in ■which the law is twisted and strained were distinctly pictured, and held up to the gaze of the public, similar occurrences would hardly dare take place. At the meeting of the Messrs. Workers creditors to-day, there were preseut : the debtor, his solicitor, the official assignee, eight creditors by proxy, two creditors (whom I will call Mr A. and Mrß.), and one who represented the largest creditor—Mr D. —but had no legal right to be at the meeting. Thel various proofs of debt \vere examined by the official assignee, and accepted as right, and the business commenced. Moved by Mr A., seconded by Mr 8., that the official assignee take the chair. The chairman examined the proofs, and appeared to accept them as right; and all went well until Mr A., seconded by Mr 8., moved that Mr D. be creditors' trustee. This was unexpected, and disturbed the pre-arranged business. Proxy No. 1. seconded by proxy No. 2, moved an amend ment, that Mr Macflarlane be creditors' trustee. The vote was taken, neither having the legal majority in number and value. As this occasioned a deadlock, and there was no probability of altering this vote, Mr A. moved the adjournment of the meeting; but as this would not suit the debtor's solicitor nor the official assignee (who wanted the office) some by-path Avas resorted to to alter the result of the vote. It was then found that Mr A. had no legal stand ing. He had moved the chairman into his seat, and had taken part in and voted at the meetiflg ; but now the chairman ruled that there were certain irregularities in the proof. The debt was just, admitted, and sworn to ; but then those corrections striking out the singular and placing the plural—should have been initialed by the S. P. and not by the maker of the proof. (I am not a lawyer, but I have always seen the maker, and. not th^e witnesses, initial corrections ; but the chairman ruled it wrong). He was a candidate for the office, and accepting it as right would have altered his chance of office ; in fact, would have thrown him out. Mr A. wished to alter the proof there, but that would not be allowed by the impartial chairman-it would have thrown him out if lie allowed it. Common sense, justice, or even courtesy, would demand it; but no—that would neither suit the assignee debtor or hs solicitor. No matter what tho result, or no matter what the wish of the largest creditors, they must have it their own way, andidid so. A question naturally" arises in one's mind, Is this state of things right ? is it right that a public officer, like W Macflarlane should go round to a jew creditors and solicit their proxies, and tnen being armed, should thwart the desire 01 the creditors? Isit right, when large creditors desire to look after their own interests that a public officer, should join witt> a bankrupt solicitor to thwart the wishes o those most interested in an estate" isi ri°-ht that a public officer should seek power from the friends of a bankrupt, or ttw who are indifferent ; and, having ta» power, should unite with a bankruptl" work his estate in a manner opposed w those pecuniarily interested.—Yours, e*i Creditor.

POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

(Before B. C. Barstow, Es^., E.M.)

ON THE MAKCH. Jf 1 Nine men and one woman s«ccef "^ 1 pleaded guilty to being drunk, ana } j fined 5s each, excepting James «"«lTj| who was fined 20s and costs; n»MI thrashed his wife in Chancery .Lane, , , j used offensive language; and two m each, being drunk on Sunday.. A ROW IN GBEY-STBEET. I Henry Hill, Win. Wallace, and WJI Jones were charged with fighting va. W J street, ou Saturday night. ,w| Sub-Inspector Pardy said W I young men were exceedingly "i^^l Saturday night, being under the inu ■ of liquor. Ou coming out. of an m g of the lads knocked ofl the hat of Mrx»* i carpenter, and the others confronted^| challenging him to fight °f tney j make chips of him, and chisel Ins Mr Nixon said he fortunately esjWP^.l the protection of a constable. l .-Ji were arrested. He was not an i^J psrson although they made an an o » through his hat, and plane 1 him do » ■ „■ it was Christmas time he wss if"""" I forgive them. O V^I His Worship said the case was » hands of the police. . 0 e J^ I Fined 10s each, costs 9s ; viz. 1»3 STEALING UPPERS. & te3 !)J William Donovan was charged w^^ < two pairs of uppers, value 12s,^ y^nn Charles Pelley, bootmaker, of Prisoner pleaded not gui ity. ' js" Charles Pelley and Henry B.f*®™' tant to Me Neu-Tiesen, gava eyoeoco. Prisoner was then charged wita jj^' coat, value 10s, the property of KODei Wellington-street Green- . . nrr heetsZm The particulars of the case having D^ d Js« and evidence given by Robert Mee^ tm Rae, pawnbroker, tho case this afternoon, to give the police an w* « of flnHinist-b- '-">otß. . *jtl ''R Three montus' imprisonment, labour. _„ mWE THE MISSING PtniSE. gOW Robert Honi, a natire, pleaded no"«»

r.:IIE l fcMING- HTAU. MONoat; DECEMBER 24, 1*77



m<J AGRICULTURISTS & OTHERS |?.Vv r. J. HURST 3c CO. bave on sale the under mentioned Fertilizers, all of which have been proved to produce satisfactory results in this district. Experience teaches that large and profitable returns can be relied on by a judicious and liberal use of them. The flattering Testi monials from leading Farmers justify W. J. i-furst & Co. in strongly commending; them to every Agriculturist:— MALDEN ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MEXICAN do. BEliLt, J3ONEFLOUR J and J-inch BONEDUST BILLYARD'S No. 1 do. NITRATE OF SODA SULPHATE OF AMMONIA MURIATE OF POTASH SUPKR-PHOSPHATK OF LIME. SALT, SULPHATE OF LIME. Qsln 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 bo supplied on application at the Stores. W. J. HURST & CO., 101 QUEEN-S TRE ET, CLOVER SEED, FOR SPRING SOWING Just Landed, ex Columbus— SO casks new Clovers, eousisting of Red Clover White Clover Cow Graz Also on hand. Alsyhe. Timothy, Lucerne, Rape Rats-tail, Rye trrass, Cocksfoot, &c, at lowest market rates. AY. J. HURST & CO. 101, QU E E N-ST REE T. 500 sacks Sydney Maize (superior sample) SOOO „ Oat? First-class Tartars for Seed, al3O 800 sacks of 187-5 crop hard feed, surpassing any of last season's growth 32 1200 sacks Canterbury Potatoes, and some early varieties for seed purposes Flour, Bran, Sharps, Chaff, Oilcake, Coal, &c, &c. Particular attention is called to £00 sacks Prime Barley at 4s per bushel o 50U). 5 tons Anderson's Fresh uatmeal, a £21 per ton. W. J. HURST & CO.. 101, QUEEN-STREET. AUCKLAND. JTI H E A P fTf~A~T~S"! CHEAP HATS ! ! CHEAP CLOTHING ! ! A Quantity of Men's and Boy's Drab ant> Black Felt Hats will be offered at SST GREAT REDUCTION TO CLEAR. Also, a Parcel of CLOTHING, comprising Men's and Boy's Tweed Suits, Trousers and Vests, &c. These Goods are slightly soiled, and will be sold REALLY CHEAP. W. RATTRAY, CLOTHIER AND OUTFITTER. ■jyrEW HOUSE, Attckxaxp. /TBOify^.—Ansat and p.etty Cottage '^d'/W fl *^ of 5 rooms, with laive freehold allotment, pleasantly situated^ on the Great North Road. Price, including \ enetiau blinds, curtains, poles, book r case. &c. (all new), £275.— S. Vaiie, Bouse and Land Agent, Shortland tseefc



FATIONAL EIRE AND MARINE ' INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEA.LAND. Capital £1,000,000. reserve* ::.:: £50,000. Re-Issubastojs Fund.... £20,0(»0. Insurances effected against Fire and Marine Loss of Every Description of Property, at Lowest Current Kates. Prompt andLibehal Settlement of Claims. HENRY/ E. WILLIAMS, Manager, Auckland Branch. O~N "THIS DAY AND DURING THE WEEK, W R WILL SHOW PIBo? ES 10,000 PIo^ S FASHIONABLE DRESS GOODS AND tor prints. "m REDUCED TO HALF PRICE IN ORDER TO CLEAR. J. COSGRAVE & CO., QUEEN-STREE T. CHRISTMAS PRESENTS AT THE \J CITY HALL FURNITURE ' . ARCADE. PRESENTS, for Wives and Daughters PRESENTS, for Sons and Husbands PRESENTS, Quaint and Curious PRESENTS, Useful PRESENTS, Ornamental PRESENTS, Scientific PRESENTS, Beatific PRESENTS, for all Pockets PRESENTS, for all Prices. HOLLOWAY, GARLICK, & CRANWELL, Gitv Hall Arcade. THE undersigned are now brin ing forward a Large Parcel of GENE AL DRAPERY, HABERDASHERY, &C. bought at considerably less than usual prices, to which they invite tho attention of all requiring Good Value For Money. Corsets in great variety of quality and style, white and coloured, from 2/6 per pair Linen and Lace Goods, Curls, Collars, and Sets, in variety Ladies' Underclothing Umb'-ellas and Parachutes, Silk, Zanella, Alpacca, &c. . Lot of Flowers at very low price, quite fresh Straw Hats, Ribbons, Gloves, &c. A Splendid Stock of Muslin, Lace, and Lenoe Curtains, Counterpanes, Quilts, Damask Table Cloths, Sheeting, Felt Squares Carpets, Floorcloth, China Matting, Ticks, &c. Large-size Huckaback Towels at /6 each New Fancy Dress Materials. Japanese Silks, Coloured Lustres, Blank Lustres, Embossed, Striped, and Check Muslins, Prints, &c. Brown Holland, from /Gi per yard Union, Fancy Jean, and Oxford Shirtings, very A Line of Superior Quality Silk Mixed Fancy Shirting, at 2/3, usual price 3/6 per yard White and Grey Calico. Good Grey from /3 per yard Also. very large assortment of Gents' Shirts, White Lod"cloth, Union and All-wool Crimean, Fancy Silk Mixed Scotch Twill, Fancy Jean, Oxford, &c. Strong Tweed for Boys wear A Job Line of Stout Mosgiel at below Factory Braces, Belt?, Ties. Scarfs, Collars, Cotton and Merino Hosiery, Undershirts, &c. Leghorn, Tuscan, Straw, and Drill Hats, for Boys and Men, &c, &c, &c. in he £ allowed on all Ca-h Purchases of 20s. and upwards. rushbrook & bridgman, Junction Drapery Warehouse, Uppek Qcjkkn-strket, AUCKLAND. TTNION INSURANCE COMPANY, \J AUCKLAND BRANCH. Reduced Rat3S for Detached Dwelling Houses in the City, from 12s. upwards. In the Country from 13s. R. H. STEVENSON, JManager. UNION INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. C APITAL £2,000,000. AUCKLAND BRANCH: QUEEN-S T R E E T, Next the Colonial Bank. FIRE ■DEPARTMENT. Insurances ' granted on Dwelling - houses, Stores, Shops, Buildings in which trade is carried on, Merchandise, and Goods of every description. MARINE DEPARTMENT. Hulls of Ships or Steamers, Merchandise of all kinds, Specie and Wool to United Kingdom, at owest Current Rates. R. H. STEVENSON Manager. mHORNTON. SMITH. AND FIRTH'S JL PRICES CURRENT (Wholesale). Subject to alteration without notice. Sacks. 100's. 50"&. Crown Brand Flour, & s. d. & s. d. & s. d. per ton ~ .. .. 18 0 0 IS 10 0 19 0 0 T.S.&F. Canterbury Brand 17 0 0 17 10 0 18 0 0 Meal for Pig-feed .. 710 0 Sharps 7 10 0 Bran .. 610 0 Fowl Wheat .. .. 4s. to 4s. 6d, per bushel. The above prices include sacks and bags; sacks and bags not returnable. t Terms: Cash. Beware of Counterfeits of the time honoured and standard medicinal beverage, Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps, contained in bottles which formerly held the true elixir. It is hoped that an ex posure of this infamy may put the public on its guard against these disguised poisons, which, are nothing but the vilest spirits with an ad mixture of some heap and hurtful drug.