SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ARRIVALS.

Transport",schooner, i rani uamaru (in iuauu;-au: Ethel, brigantine, McLeod, from Timaru (in Manukau) TVlinnehaha, schooner. Smith, from Lyttelton

DEPARTURES.

i\. Broughton, barque, Edkin. for Portland. Oregon Southern Cross, 5.3., Holmes, for Napier.

IMPORTS.

Per Transit from Oamaru : 1957 sacks wheat.—Stone Bros. Per barque Columbus, from London : -10 cases Crosse and Biackwell'.i Roods.— F. Hewin and Brother.

The s.s. Southern Cross leaves this afternoon at i o'clock for Xapier direct. She takes 24 immigrants ex Columbus, and a few other passengers. The s.s. Pretty Jano leaves Gisborno to-day for Auckland direct. She is duo on Wednesday next, and will leave again on Thursday.

The bi-igamine Kl'.icl arrived yesterday in the TViamikau from Timaru, with a cargo of Southern produce. . , The Loch Lee, from the Kaipara, arrived at Melbourne on the Ist inst. The schooner Lretitia has left Lyttelton for Ka-oicr, and the scheonor Clan Alpine has iett

the same port for Wanganui. The schooner Mianehaha arrived yestoraay. with a heavy cargo ol: wheat and barley ironi Timaru She left on the 10th. The East Cape was" made on Thursday last, and since that thick weather and strong variable winds nave been experienced, The vessel is consigned to D. and H. Mclvenzie. The schooner Lovet Peacock, which was pur chased in this port by Mr J. S. Macfarlane, has been re-sold ia Sydney for £1,100. The English barqne <*. Brouarhton sailed on SaturdayTcov Portland, Oregon, in ballast. The 5,3. Hero left Sydney for this port on Saturday. She may be expected about lfcurs- Taupo, from the South, is due at the Queen-street Wharf i.o-iuorrow morninj? 'The Ethel has beau chartered by Messrs Waller and Co. to load at the Manukau Mills with sawn timber for Dtinodin. The ship Yosomue will clear to-morrow mere i-i" tor Newcastle in. ballast. At Newcastle she will probably loud coals for California. The schooner Charybdis is alongside the Queen-street wharf, unloading her cargo oi P(Thc barque Elizabeth arrived in the Kaipara from Melbourne on the 11th. nftera 7 days run: S:' c is now 11 •If load se at Aratapu for Melbourne The brigantine Nightingale is now due from Melbourne in the Kaipara, and will load Dacx The schooners Fiery Cross and Colonist are expected in the Maaukau to-day t'retn waitaxa, with cattle. They will be iloaded. with timber at ?,'ieWs Wallor and Go's mill. The schooner Elizabeth entered out this morning for Toaga. „..,-, The schooner Acadia and the ketcn \v iltt Duck are loading at Waller and Co.'s miLs ; the first for Wellington and the other iOr Waitara. ~. . H T • Union Co.'s s.s. Taupo will leave Tatiranga about 3 o'clock this afternoon, and will .L-rivc alongside Queen-street wharr at tj o'clock to-morrow morning. She leaves for Russell at 5 o'clock to-morrow evening. The schooner Transit has arrived in the Mannkau from Gamaru with a cargo ot wheat for Messrs Stone Bros.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Port Chalmers, this day. The s-s. A rawata, with the rjuez mail, arrived from the Bluff ac 12.25 a.m. to-day.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE. AUCKLAND.

M4tLS will Close as uxdkb: For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m. ; and to

morrow, at 10.:!0 a.m. For Coromandel, per Argyle. on I'ndaynext

at 2.30 p.m. For Tairu. per Msroury, this day, at 1 p.m. For Russell. Wanararoa, and Mongonui, per Tona. th'.s day. at i p.m. For Waiwera. Kawau, Omaha, sndMatatiana. pe" Anne Milbank, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. Fo- Whitiangi, Taoranga. and Opotiki, per Rowena. this day. at at 1 p.m. For Tairua, per Mana, to-uiorrow, at i a.m. For Tonga, per Elizabeth, to-morrow at 11 a.m. For Wa^garoa, her Finny Kelly to-morrow,

at 3 p.m. Fo- Russell, per Taupo, to-niorrow, at 3 p.m. For Wan^n:ei Heads, Waipu, Wanjjarei, and iJiaiisyapa:. per Ai-gyle, to-morrow, at 4 p.m. For Whitniuga. per Oceaa. to-morrow, at Ip.m. Per s.a. Wauaka, on Wednesday, 22nd inst., as For India, China, Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 5 a.m. For Taranaki, Southern Provinces, Austra lian Colonies, and United Kingdom, via Sue-/. and Southampton (for letters specially addres sed), at 5 a.m. For United Kingdom viaßrmchsi. ato.2oa.ni For newspapers, at 5 a.m. For money orde-3 atri registered letters, the previous evening, at 1 p.m. Poi- vVaihcko, par Spey. on \\ ednesaay next,

Per s.s." City of Sydney, on Wednesday, 29th 1 For Sandwich Islands, United States of A:nerica Canada. British Columbia, Central ana South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at noon. For United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe, at noon. , For money orders, registered letters, and nc\va')ai'er3. at 10.30 a.m. Late letters, bearing an extra fes of Od, in addition to tho postage. will be received by the mail agent on board thesteamer up to the time of sailing. «. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

HERRICIL—On the Stli August, at Aratapu, Northern Wairoa. Auckland, New Z ?alu,iid, the wife of C. G. Herrick, engineer, of a daughter.

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1877.

for the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, Aad the good that ire cacttto.

The schemes of the Government in rela tion to forest conservation have taken a new shape. The Ministry could hardly allow Captain Campbell-Walker's report to pas? into the colonial waste paper store. after heralding it with a flourish of trumpets, or permit the considerable item of salary and expenses to become another record of Government waste and folly, with out some manifestation of a desire to act on his suggestions. And .so, in the quiet atmosphere of the Legislative Council where Dr. Pollen has been amusing honorable members with elaborate papers on rabbits and the best mode of trapping them, scab in sheep, and other kindred subjects of squatter interest, a '■ Forest Trees Planting Encoxiragemenfc Bill " lias been brought down. Tlie proposal is a much less ambitious one than that which fired the brain of the Great Sir Julius. Its opening clause sweeps away, without resei vation, the elaborate measures of IS7I-T2. There is no evidence in the Bill of a desire to create a new and costly depart ment of State, unless some covert intention is shadowed in the reference to " Inspec tors of Forests;" and the measure is entirely free from any proposal to lock up the forests or obstruct the timber trade —objects not half concealed in former bills dealing with the question. Conservation of existing forests has apparently gone by the board ; the Act proposes only to encourage new plantations. The whole scheme is condensed into thirteen short clauses. It is provided that any Waste Lands, Board may, for the purpose of promoting the growth of timber trees, grant a license to occupy an allotment of Crown lands, not exceeding 320 acres, to any person I willing to plant the same "with forest trees, ' under such conditions and regulations as the Governor may from time to time make. And upon proof that the land has been planted in accordance with such regulations the occupier shall receive a free grant of the block. It is further provided as an encouragement to persons possessing freehold lands, that every settler who plants not less than ten acre's with forest trees shall receive in respect of every acre so planted a land order of a total value not exceeding £i, as may be fixed by the Governor in Council, to be exercised as equivalent to cash m the purchase of any of the waste lands of the i Crown offered for sale. The proposal of the Government, therefore, is that a Waste Lands Board may legally give away & block of Crown lands not exceeding .'320 acres, to anyone who will plant it with forest trees ; and that any settler who grows timber on his own land, exceeding i ten acres, shall be enlitled to s«tip of a value not exceeding £-1 au acre, exercise able on the Crown lauds in the district where the trees have been planted. As a safeguard against fraud, it is required that before issuing any grant or order, the laud shall have bo en devoted to forestry for two years, shall be fenced, in, and the plantation be satisfactory to the Inspector «i Forests, or Waste Lands Ranger. If forest culture can be promoted by offering a bonus, and j we see no reason why it should not, those ; terms are surely liberal enough. In each case, the planter will become the sole possessor of the wealth he creates, i in addition to a substantial bonus ; while ] the boneik reaped by the colony, can only j be of sneh a, general character as the exU- j tence of wooded lauds is known to center. ■

It will naturally be asked w;hether those

advantages are commensurate with the cost ; but the answer cannot be otherwise than in the ailirmative. The influence of forests upon climate is no longer a matter of speculation, and countries which have beau reckless in their waste of the na+iivetimbei'd are now, without exception, deeply racing their short-sightedness, and doing their utmost to repair it. The terrific tornadoes of the United States, which occa- I sioually sweep away whole towns like shar ing*, are attributed with some force of argument to the ruthless destruction of Nature's natural break-winds'- Once fertile lauds have been changed into arid wastes 'by the loss of their woodlands, and malarious districts have become healthy through an opposite process. The areas in New Zealand covered by forests are exten sive and widely distributed. It would be contrary to all experience if some marked climatic changes do not accompany §the process of denudation now rapidly progres ing. To check this, and at the same time utilize the wealth already created in our forests, reliance can only be placed upon tree-planting. It is gratifying'to find some thing in the Government Bills that may be commended. Their present proposals in relation to forestry can do no harm, if they accomplish little good ; and, upon the whole, the Bill is perhaps as well conceived as the circumstances of the colony will permit.

An inquest was held at noon to-day, at the Whau Lunatic Asylum, before Dr Goldsbro and a jury on the body, of a middle aged man, named Joseph Johnson. It appeared that the deceased, some three years ago, had met vrith a severe accident, which led to insanity, and since that period he had been an inmate of the asylum. The evidence of Dr Aicken shewed that John son had been afflicicd with dry gangrene, resulting in paralysis, which caused death. The linding of the jury was in accordance with the medical testimony.

A seaman, named Charlos Auboii, was taken into custody this afternoon on a charge of deserting from the ship Yosemite.

W a lecture in Wellington on Local Option, the Hon. Mr Fox said that the prohibitory law in Maine and Vermont, though evaded like every other law, was to far successful that it had abolished nine tenths of the drinking in those States.

The want of military success by the Russian army may be attributed in. no small degree to their want of able Generals. The Grand Duke Nicholas is line looking, tall, forty-six years old, a brother of the Czar, as haughty a Prince as the House of Romanoff lias ever produced, and a soldier as devoid of a military history as any re view and parade guardsman. The Grand Duke is a mere figurehead, guided and commanded by his Chief of StalF, General Nepokoytchizky, the Moltke of Russia. He lias been in active service since the aye of sixteen, or for thirty-years past, but lie haw had scarcely any field experience. He spent a few days in Sebastopol during the siege, and was, when quite a youth, attached for two yours to the general stall' of the army of the Caucasus, where he took part in a few skirmishes witli the Clerkesscs. He was brought up a field engineer, and is at present the chief of all the military en gineers of the empire, with General Todtlo ben as liis assistant. It is rather a stag gerer to those who believe that the Poles arc completely despised, down-trodden, ami opj)tessed by their conquerers that the chief of the Russian general stafl' in the Danu bian army, and the man who will actually lead and command the Prussian forces, i« a Pole. General Nepokoytchizkv's origin has forjja long time been a hindrance to his promotion, but his abilities arc too great not to be ultimately acknowledged. He was, during the Avar of 1853-54, chief of stall' in Fifth Army Corps, commanded by General Luders. He was the leading spirit in all the operations on the Danube during that war, and has now the incalculable advan tage of operating on a Held perfectly familiar to him. fie lias picked out for Brigadiers and Division Generals men who served under him 24 rear* ago as captains and majors, and who, accordingly, know the Danubian region just as well as he does.

Tlie competion for the Ladies' Prize Cup, by ten members of No. 3 Company of Volunteers, took place on Saturday after noon, at the Mount Eden Range, but the match was not over in time^for the result to appear in the STAR of that evening. The day was remarkrbly fine, and nature seemed to smile upon the proceedings a.s though toasting thu ladies. The iiring was mostly good, the ranges were at IJOO, 400, and 500 yards, and after a close contest, the Ladies' Silver Cup was won by Volun teer E. Partington, with a money prize of 30*, lie Laving scored 72, the highest of the ton. Volunteer Partington won this prize on two previous occasions, and if he should succeed twice more, lie becomes the owner of the coveted trophy. We may mention that Vol. Cameron, Sub-Lieutenant Robin son, and Vol. Yates made excellent scores, und obtained money prizes. The competi tion wa.s under the direction and supervision of Captain Morrow.

To the Editor Sir, —Will you. to decide sx bet, be kind enough to s;iy who won tlio Football match played-here last year be tween Canterbury and Auckland. By doing so you will oblige. — Yours c^c.. A CONSTANT liEADJitt.—[Auckland won. Ed. E. .S.J

Unhappy Mexico is still the scene of revolution and bloodshed. Papers by the last mail bring the particulars of the attack and capture of Acapuleo by Diego Alvarez, one of Lerdo's most powerful adherents. General Jiminez, Diaz' commander of the garrison, lost hi.s life in the battle. !Te attacked Acapuleo, routed General Jiminei, who was killed, and held the town. ]>ut he was not permitted to retain undisputed possession. On or about Jumc 4th two national gunboats appeared in the harbour of Acapuleo and bombarded the town. Alvrwe, having but a limited force

at his command, acted wholly on the defensive. Acapuleo is fortified but poorly. The bombardment by the Diaz gunboats does but little mischief. The projectiles batter buildings but cansc little lose'of life. But the American residents are considering the necessity of leaving the country. Diego Alvarez ended by deserting his fugitive lord—ex-Piesident Lierdo going over to the side of Diaz, and surrendering the town.

lii the excellent paper read by Mr Way mouth on "The Total Abstinence Argu ment," the following quotation cited by Dr Carpenter occurs, and is worth repro duction : —" The following .statement fur nished to the writer by a gentleman at Uxbridge has the advantage of being the comparative return of the regular labour of a whole year performed by two sets of men, the one working on the abstinent, the other on the moderate system, but not pitted against each other in a contest for victory. It relates to biickmaking, which is commonly accounted one of the most laborious of all out-door employments. The average of the beer-drinkere in the season was 7<>'0,200 ; whilst the average for the teetotallers was 71)5,400, which is 35,200 in favour of the latter. The highest number made by a beer-drinker was SBO,OOO ; the highest by a teetotaller was 890,000; being 10,000~in favour of the teetotaller. The lowest num ber made by a beer-driaker, 659,500 ; the lowest nuuibci1 made by a teetotaller was 746,000; being 86,500 in favour of thft tee totaller. Satisfactory as the account ap pears, I bol/ievo it would have been much more no if the teetotallers could have obtained their whole gangs of abstainers."

The relations between Mr Cox, member for Walkato, and a large section of his con stituents are of anything but a mutually agreeable kind. The Te Awamutu settlers are continually meeting and censuring him, and Mx Cox jnst as systematically takes his own vr«y, and laughs in their face. At a monster meeting on Saturday, the electors again condemned their member and selected Sir Goorgo Gray to represent their grievance in parliament. It is evident that Mr Cox docs not represent Waikato, who tken docs he represent ?

The theatre service last evening was largely attended by members of churches and others. Mr T. Buddie presided, and words were spoken by Revs. R. F. Maenicol, W. Evans, and Mr Willcox. T'ne collection vraa larger than usual, being £2 10s.

Some people have curious ideas of the way to put wrong right. The " Otago Daily Times," a great admirer of colonial unity, speaking of the Education Bill, says : —" There are two ways in which the wrong mar be remedied—let all endow ments be really localised, and go in diminution ot the local taxation by means of the capitation tax. 2hat is, while the tax per child in Auckland remains 10s, let that in Otago be 7s 6'd or ss. This would be a perfectly simple way of putting the wrong right without interfering with the general structure of the Bill." Very nice for Auckland.

A man named Richard Fletcher received fourteen days' imprisonment at Onehunga, for habitual drunkenness.

Very little notice has been taken of the Satsuma insurrection, now going on in Japan. A correspondent writes that "A. rigid censorship is established and is en forced upon the native press. Hence we hear next to nothing of any Government reverses, yet the hospitals and ambulances near and at the scene of strife are un doubtedly crowded Avitli inmates covered with ghastly wounds, inflicted by the swords of Saigo's men, who commit dread ful havoc among the government levies when they can encounter them at close quarters. Many important leaders oh both aides have been slain ; and of the rank and file probably not less thau 10,000 have already fallen. A careful estimate of the troops and police sent against the in surgenta gives a total of not less than 30,000 men, and Saigo's forces probably amount to at least half that numbe ■. Saigo himself is suffering from dropsy, and has to be carried about m a chair. The rebel troops are completely surrounded, it is true, and it even appears that Kumamoto may still be in the possession of ite imperialist garrison, but the samurai occupy important strategic p»ntions they light with despera tion, and have a .sublime contempt for death.

We are glad to Icani that the difficulty respecting the road near tho Eden Vine Hotel has been settled. The Chairman of the Grafton Highway Board represented tho matter to tho Colonial Secretary, enclosing a copy of mi opinion given by the Attorney-General, and accompanied by a request that the Government would under take the work and deduct the cost out of tolls, as advised by Mr Wliitaker in his legal capacity. This tho Government has consented to do, and Major Green received instructions to proceed with the repairs übwut ten days or n, fortnight ago.

Mr Robert Heller, the conjuror, lias lately been exhibiting a clock of his own invention, the mystery »f which no one, we believe, has yet fathomed, says the "Scientific American." It is a clear disc of glass, marked with the usual numbers. The hands have no bulb or other enlarge ment at the centre, where it might be imagined mechanism could be concealed, and appear to Vie simply pivoted to the face. A ring like that of a wateli suffices for the .support of fche clock from two cords suspended from the ceiling. At the com mand of its owner,'tho.clook marks any hour, moves backward or forward, and otherwise behaves in an astonishing manner. Tin.'use ol the cord naturally suggests concealed wires and electricity, which is probably the secret of the movement. But this theory is somewhat damaged when the magician' re moves the clock from its cords, and, hold ing it. with two finger* at arm's length, carries it in the midst of his audience and causes it to continue its performances under the very eyes of tin: people, allowing the closest inspection. One clock like that would serve as an invaluable aid to an exhibing spiritualistic medium, and would cause widespread rejoicings among the elect. JrjjiThe anniversary services of the United Free Methodist Church were held yester day. The ltev. J. A. Caygill in the morning, the Rev. Allen W. Webb delivered an afternoon address, and the erening discourse was given by Rev. I!. Taylor, minister of the chapel. The total amount of collections was £'23 IDs 9d.

Prince and Princess Lnbomerski arc thinking of purchasing the mansion of the late M. Oppanhoim in the Rue Pigalle. It was built by Eugene Scribe, the dramatic! author. The architectural arrangements of the mansion facilitate that quality of ex istence which rich married couples in Paris think essential to domestic happiness. There is i» handsome common approach to the sipttrtments of the husband and wife, but there are also separate means of exit and of entrance from within and without. Monsieur's visitors can call on him without getting in the way of Madame, and vice vcrsa. In polite society the master of the house never goes to see his wife in her rooms without, giving notice that he is coming. A grievance urged by the Princess de Baufliomont in her suit against the Prince w;us that he did not send his valet to announce beforehand to her femnie de chambre his visits to her. The Court decided that, ill thus acting, the Prince was guilty of an indelicatesse unworthy of a man of good education, aud had atiorded the Princess just cause for complaint.— "Truth."

The vicar of the English parish church of Great Toy lias taken arms against the pomps and vanities of a wicked world, lie began in the Sunday-school by instructing teachers and scholars not to wear lockets, earrings, brooches, feathers, artificial flowers, collars and cuffs. The vicar's wife rendered efficient support. She tore oil a penny locket from a child's neck, ironically suggested to another to go and laugh at the peacock, and expelled eight young ladies for wearing small sprays of Mowers on their hats. The vicar undertook to preach to the older parishioners the whole some doctrine of simplicity in dress, but many of them left their pews and slammed the doors of the church behind them. The children on the following Sunday rushed out of the school, and being joined by their teachers and mothers, hooted and yciled at the vicar's wife.

At Professor Hennikie's exhibition of the Arabian Box Mystery in OiiGhuuga on Saturday night, Mr Pilgrim claimed to have effectually tied ''.he box so that Madame Stella was compelled to out the cord. The rope had been tied in a net-work at both ends, aud Mr Pilgrim, after Madame Stella got in, alleged that the cord was not as he had left it, but had been cut. The Pro fessor positively denied this. Mr Pilgrim said lie could shew the audience how the trick was done. The Professor offered to bet him a pound that he could not, but the challenge was declined. Some of the audience appeared to hold the opinion that the ropes were cut, while,the others sided with the performers.

An English traveller describes the inhabi tants of Bulgaria as "simple, kind, and affectionate." Their dress and character he thus describes :—" The Bulgarians were distinguished by caps of brown sheepskin ; jackets of cloth made of wool undyed of dark brown sheep, which their wives spin and weave; Avhite cloth trousers, and sandals of brown leather drawn under the sole, and

laced with thongs under the instep. They carried neither pistol nor yatigan, nor any other weapon of offence ; but they were still more distinguished by their countenance and demeanour. The first is open, artless, and benevolent; and the second is so kind and cordial that everyone we met seemed to wcloome us as friends." Another writer describes them as "industrious, persever ing, and temperate." The country is fertile —one of the most fertile in Europe. It is to be feared that the terrible war, inaugu rated by the peace-loving Czar, will have tke effect of desolating one of the most fertile spots in Europe ; for it appears that the bulk of the fighting bet-ween the two Powers will take place in the provinoe of Bulgaria.

In the Turkish Parliament on a recent date, a repiesentative from Kurdistan, in reply to some remarks about the great misery brought about by the present state of things, said : —" You talk of misery, and yet I see brilliant uniforms, luxurious palaces, and many elegant carriages in Con stantinople ! Come to our province if you really want to know what misery means. I myself, like most of the people in my province, go about in rags, and it was only by a great effort and sacrifice that I have been able to get this coat to appear decently among you, and still, I am ready to give up this coat and resume my'old rags in order to fight for the existence and honor of my country."

Three members of the City Council will go out of office next month by effluxion of time. Messrs. Prime, Isaacs, and Yon der Heyde. We understand that Mr Yon der Heyde will not seek re-election.

"William O'Brien, cab-driver, wishes it known that he is not the O'Brien who ap peared at the Police Court on Saturday. The well - known steeplechase horse, Buckstone, was shipped by train this morning from the Ellerslie Hotel stables, where he has been for some time past, under the care of Mr Donald Taylor, by Mr Pilling, of the Waikato, by whom he has been purchased. We believe Mr Pilling intends to keep him for stud purposes.

The following remarks on the temperance question appear in a leading article in the " Lancet " of March 24th :—

"It is humbling to see six hun dred leading and legislating men of England engaged for two nights in the_ dis cussion of an evil so general, and withal so growing, and able to devise noting so well as excuses for it, and reasons for let ting it alone. There are some indications thai the public will not long brook this feeble and helpless treatment of all the most social questions, and will demand that a little more respect be paid to its interests and wishes. There may not always be an Eastern Question to cover the humiliating impotence of homo legislation.

CABLEGRAMS.

THE WA R.

(Pee Phess Agency.) Tho Latest- RUSSIA CALLING OUT IMPERIAL GUARD. Evsry Available Man Hurried Forward. BOMBAY, August IS, 10.10 a.m. The Russian Imperial Guard is called into active service, and all persons capable of bearing arms hitherto exempt. General Gourka, who had command of the troops that forced their way South of the Balkans, but were driven back, Las gone to St Petcrsburgh to bring the Guards to the seat of war. Colonel Wellesley has returned to Bulgaria. Indecisive fighting has occurred at Batoum.

THE RUSSIAN POSITION.

THE TURKISH MASSACRES,

The Agent-General telegraphs a* fol lows :— LONDON, August 16. The Russians have evacuated the Bal kans with heavy loss. A second Danube bridge lias been com pleted, and large reinforcements of Rus sians are crossing. Rustchuck is being bombarded, and fight ing going on at different points without any very important results. Mehemot Ali and Sulieman Pasha are pushing on to effect a junction, and the Russians, who have been reinforced, are advancing their centre and left wing. An important battle in expected. Frightful massacres are being committed by the Turks, without distinction of age or sex. The revolted towns and villages are burnt in every direction. Tho Russians are suffering from fever and dysantry, but the Turks are healthy. ENGLISH SHIPPING. A London cablegram announces following arrivals :— May Queen, from Lyttclton ; Oamaru, from Dunedin ; Winds*or Castle, from Sydney.

AUSTRALIAN.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN QUEENS

LAND

SYDNEY. August IS. The motion disapproving of the appoint ment of Mr Garrctt was negatived.

A very destructive fire has occurred at Gympie, Queensland. Several persons were seriously in jmred. Sailed : The s.s. Hero.

NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MER CANTILE AGENCY COMPANY (LIMITED) PRODUCE TELEGRAM.

LONDON, August 15th 1577

Wool. —The sales opened at the level of last sales. The opening uatologue contained 5000 bales. 21,000 bales have been sent to the manufacturing district direct. Competi tion by both home and foreign buyers is active.

Tallow. —Market is quiet. Mutton, 435; beef, 41s per cwt.

Wheat.—Adelaide is worth 67s per 496 lbs. New Zealand is worth 56s per 496 lbs. The harvest is deficient alike in quantity and quality. Leather. —Trade demand is quiet. Best sides lOid.

War News via Suez.

The Turks have evacuated Tchernovada, and fallen back on Silistria, virtually with drawing from Trajan's Wall, and leaving the road out of the Dobrudscha. REVISION OF PRESS NEWS. A sevore censorship has been established by the. Russians and Turks on all the pri vate telegrams and special correspondence. RUSSIAN REPRISALS IN THE CAUCASUS. The "Daily Telegraph" correspondent visiting the Caucasus, says hundreds of families are starving. All their provisions have been carried off by the Russians. In the Zaiuu district fifteen hundred families whose homes have been burned by the Russians, died of starvation before provi sions could be sent by the new Turkish Governor.

The insurrection in the Caucasus does not make much way. It has been confined to the coast. It has, however, interfered with the forwarding of reinforcements to Armenia, and thereby aided in thojpresent collapse of the Russian campaign in Asia Minor.

On July 12th, it was stated that a severe light had taken plaec between the Russians and Abasian insurgent at Shornkatz. The result "was indecisive, both sides main taining their positions.

RUSSIAN DEFEAT NEAR SOUKHAM-KALEH.

On the 29th June, 15,000 Russians at tacked the Turks near Soukhum-Kaleh. After an obstinate fight they -were repulsed, ■with the loss of 20C0 men. The Turks being intrenched, only lost about 500. THE FIGHTING IX ARMENIA. Iw Armenia, further fighting took pla<j.e between the Russian left and Turkish right wing and the two centres, and finally on tho 30th of June and the lat July, a pro longed engagement came off at Kara- Kalissa, when under cover of a heavy artillery fire the entire Turkish force at tacked the Russians, and drove them before

them into the plains of Kars. The Rus sians admit that 740 were killed and wounded. The Turkish accounts say the Russian loss was 3000 killed, and an enormous number wounded.

KT'SPIAN LOSSES IX ASIA MIXOII.

A telegram from the correspondent of the " Daily Telegraph " at Erzeroum, says the Rassians are completely demoralised. A St. Petersburg letter says the collapse of the campaign in Asia is to be attributed to scattering the forces and attacking too many places at once, also to the insurrec tion in the Caucasus, and disagreement between the Grand Duke Michael and General Melikofi". These statements are believed to be reliable. It is asserted the Russians have lost in Asia, since the com mencement of the campaign, 10,000 in killed.

THIS MONTENEGRIN EEVEESEK.

The Montenegrins attribute their defeats to Prince Nickatia's entrusting the com mand to Russian officers, who werejignorant of mountain warfare, and uselessly exposed their troops.

AUSTRIA "WATCHFUL

An official intimation has been given to the Hungarian Chamber that Austria has made no engagement with Russia, and that she will neither tolerate any change in re spect to the possession of Turkey, nor any territorial transformation of ihat country, and that she reserves full liberty of action for the preservation of the interests of that country. The Austrian papers warmly support an entente cord/ale with Great Britain. The Austrian Government is understood to disapprove of the terms of the Czar's proclamation to the Bulgarians, as shadowing forth the foundation of an independent State under Russian brotcc tion.

AFGHANISTAN,

Ahmet Effendi, the envoy to tlic Ameer of Afghanistan, is the bearer of costly pre sents and letters from the Sultan, advising the Ameer to straighten his relations with England, and avoid relations Avith the Russians.

GENERAL EUROPEAN NEWS.

The Berlin Post of July 3rd says a Republic for France means peace for Europe. A monarchy, supported by the Ultramontanes, menus war.

Street tramways have been introduced with success in Belfast and Glasgow.

Great distress prevails among the Clyd shipbuilders, owing to the lock-out. Many families are reduced to a starvation point. All attempts at mediation arc indignantly refused.

An extensive fire has occurred at New come's timber yard at Pimlico. The authorities got the Gards called out. The excitement was greater than at any fire since the destruction of the Pantechnicon. Several houses were destroyed at the same time.

Obituary : 11. B. Paul, late Archdeacon of YVainiera, and Sir Jamsetjee Jeejee behoy, at Poona.

Wreck at Raglan.

THE SCHOONER ECHO TOTALLY LOST.

TWO MEN DROWNED

(From a Correspondent)

Tim schooner Echo was wrecked on Saturday morning off Raglan Heads. She

had been weatherbound for several days, and the captain getting tired of waiting, ventured out while the break was still on the bar. Two lives are lost —the mate and a young man named Jackson. The mate was the son of a clergyman in the North of .England ; Jackson is a step-son of Mr Vause, of Onehunga. This vessel was driven ashore at Awanui, Lay of Plenty, about eighteen months ago, and was then purchased and floated by Den. Pillenger, waterman, and Mr Conroy, of the Thames. She was sold a few months ago to a com bination comprising Hone te Hone, a Maori Chief, and Messrs Waite and Ellis, who have been running her lately between liaglaa and Onohunga. She is believed to be uninsured.

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

(From another Correspondent.)

-• Wreck and total loss of schooner Echo, while crossing the Raglan bar, in her pas sage from Raglan to Manukau. The wreck was caused by the breakage of the steerage gear. Two lives were sacrificed, those of Bimmonds, the mate, and an able seaman. 50 live pigs, consigned to Mr Barnes, went down. The vessel was unin sured. Owners, Messrs J. W. Ellis and Co.

LITERATURE.

'RAYS FROM THE SOUTHERN CROSS."

By Gkokgiana Peacocke.*

Tins elegant volume of poems, consisting of nearly three hundred pages beautifully illus trated, is the work of a young lady, a daughter of the kite: Colonel Peacocke, of Howick, and as a production of much merit it deserves a large circulation. The poems are fraught y/ith local and general interest, and imbued with an en lightened and devotional spirit. In the poetry of nations, especially in their progress from comparative barbarism to civilisation, may be traced the true elements of their character, aiul the footprints of their onward march. The laws of nations were transmitted in song, as their spirit is now transmitted in poetry, and the poecs of New Zealand will yet arise to do justice to her wealthy resources, her achieve ments, and the beautiful scenery of her islands, when charlatanism and its errors shall have given place to that which is honest, beautiful, and true. Poetry is frequently regarded as of small value in relation to the great bread struggle which absorbs so much, of our time and attention, but to those who can estimate its beauties a poem is sweet and refreshing as the oasis in the dreary desert, and delightful to the careworn soul, as a tiower-circled spring of pure water in the wilderness. Poetry lives, in spite of the scorn of its detractors ; and in the pages of true poetsthereismore of genuine truth thaninmany histories and philosophic theories. It is quite true that the fictions of genius are often the vehiclas .of sublimest I verities, and its flashes often open new regions of thought, and throw new light on the mysteries of our ex istence. We accept these "Hays from the Southern Cross" as an evidence that poetry still lives amongst us; and as a promise of the harvest of the years to come. The volume of Miss Peacocke is dedicated in a preparatory poem to " The dear memory of a father's love ;" and opens with a series of Dooms more or less associated with the Auckland, province. The fair writer in her " Stanzas to New] Zealand " says:—

"Dear home, for whom we have dared to leave The land where our fathers sleep ; Whose sniile of promise hath beamed afar, And lighted us oti like a beacon star. Hail to New Zealand ! Hail! And she hopes, with apparent sincerity, that New Zealand may be, " The queen of the southern wave, Ever the home of the tru« and the brave." Her farewell lyric to Bishop Selwyn is a just tribute to the labours of a man whose memory will live in New Zealand's history as one of her wisest, and heartiest workers. Many of the earlier lyrics in this volume have the ring of truth in them, and ex hibit the poetic artist; we notioe especially " Music," " The Forest Streamlet," and others. There is surely poetry in these thoughts :— Ripple, ripple, little streamlet, Kver onward on thy way ; Ripple, ripple, little streamlet, While I listen to thy lay. Singing, singing, little streamlet, To the flewrets by thy side, To the gentle, loving blossoms. Bonding o'e: thy glancing tide.

Ever murmuringl, little streamlet, To the stately "forest trees. As they bow theij heads to listeu, In the gentle evening breeze. The illustration to this poem by Rev. Philip "Walsh shews tfiie stream in its ferny passage thro ash a New Zealand wood, and many native tree*;. The book contains ho less than 50 similar poems and sonnets, many of them full of rosy thoughts and sweet fancies. Her spring son;c ber.rHcens a merry heart in the presence of natui-e :—

Oil, merrily, merrily, fly tho hours, '-Mid the perfume sweet of the bright spring flowers, While, the sunbeams glance through the leafy shade,

$ U rn lv c wild bee hums through the forest b-i«* spray 3& * they Sit on the 2*J Pourtbeir sweet Soßg3 through the li ve]ong

Then away with sorrow, and grief and pain I or Spring, bright Spring is coming again Several elegiac poems also appear, commend able for their purity or: expression suoh "Not lost but gone be.-ore," and •• uS f Death.' The writer's recollection of her How; ? home is worthy of Coloridge, and mio-ht t n a picture, by the side of his Somerset"Cotbur? where his " dear Sara" dwelt. We jrivp &' two, and shew their relative features. ColerirtS 6 says— Kiiage

"Low was our pretty cot : our tallest rose Peened at the chamber windows. We could At silent noon, ami eve, and early morn The sea's faint murmur. Jn the open air Our myrtles blossomed : and across the norr>i Thick jasmines twined." lo Miss Peacocke writes—

" Within this fairy dell a cottage stands Embowered in roses. O'er the little porch The honeysuckle twines with loving clasp And sweet clematis fondly clings around The open lattice, where the summer breeze Steals gently in." The similarity of description is very striking and yet the authoress may not be familiar \vm! the writings cv Coleridge. The three poemsV» the voyage from Auckland to Nelson will h read with interest, viz., the crossing the Mann kau bar, with the touching allusions to thpiii fated Orpheus; also, a sketch of Mount Esnin^" and the faithful description of the pretty bar nf Nelson. The longer poem of the volume i« devoted to three scones in the " Life of Rienw » suggested by Lord Lytton's fascinatingroman™ A number of translations from Frcnc'h.Gennan and Italian poets, will afford pleasure to thp lover of the ancient classics. The volume as » whole is exceedingly praiseworthy, and £■« trust the work will bring more than baresark faction to the amiable and talented authored

Our Goldfields.

THE SIIAREMAHKET.

There was great excitement on 'Change this morning, with regard to Alburniaa. f a anticipation of a large haul of specimen's in the breakdown this morning, business opened very brisk, and from £10, prices ran. up quickly to £12, £14, and finally to £15 At eleven o'clock, a declining tendency was manifested, and at half-past, the following telegram appeared on the board :— a

" Grahamstown, this day. " Just blasted. Face not looking so well." °

" S. Gkiijble."

This telegram acted like a bomb-shell on those who had been nibbling at the hi»h prices, and there was a general movement to quit. The result was that prices col lapsed more quickly than they rose, and by twelve o'clock, £9 was the highest buying quotation. b

At a quarter-past tAvo the folio vir.<* telegram was posted :—

" Grahamstown, this day. Broken down 500 lbs specimens : look in* well in roof and iloor of drive.—S° Gribble."

This caused a reaction, and the tendency now became upward, till £10 10s was reached. Then another fall occurred, and from £10, to £9 lCs was quoted as the price, when a third telegram arrived, to the following effect :—

" The leader in the face is one foot in width ; showing little gold.—S. Gpjbble."

Speculators were by this time fairly puzzled and were not at all backward in expressing their opinion of the contradictory character of the telegrams, which it tws generally voted required c xplanntion. It certainly seems strange that the amount oi specimens should have been withheld until 2 o'clock, when it must have been known approximately at the time the first message was sent oil". The opposite state ments as to the show left in the face are scarcely explainable until further informa tion is received.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before 11. C. Barstow, Esq., E.M.)

JOHNNY AT THE STATION.

John Gnrrett, alias Moore, was dis covered by Constable Dodd' at the railway station, yesterday, the worse for liquor. Fined 10s and costs, SHADOWS OF THE PAST.

Anno Swift, Aime Shiels, and her daugli ter, Sarah Anne Shiels, were charged under the Vagrant Act, with being drunk and dis orderly yesterday.

Sub-Inspector Pardy stated the circum stances, which were of a most lamentable description. The women were fighting and swearing, in company with men of loose character, in a house of ill-fame in Cook street. Six pints of ram were found in the hoTise.

Anne Shiels was sentenced to one year's imprisonment. The daughter asked for leniency, as she had only just been liber ated from prison.

His Worship said she had been convicted of vagrancy six times, and the leniency of the Court was ineffectual in reforming her. One year's imprisonment. Anne Swift, a thoroughly depraved per son, was also sent to prison for a year. THE MATRON OF THE ESTABLISHMENT. Elizabeth Nelson was charged under the Vagrant Act, with being the occupier of the house in Cook-street; frequented by thieves and prostitute?, and where the disturbances took place. Prisoner indignantly denied the charge. Detective Grace and Sergeant Clarke described a series of scenes which they had witnessed as disgraceful to the age. James Keegan, a respectable mail, deposed that he let the house to a person of respectable appearance, who let the prisoner into it, and he could get no rent. The language, drunkenness, and continued brawls and fighting were horrible.. Prisoner: Did you ever see me drunk ? Witness : I never saw you sober, I never saw a woman so fond of drink in my life.

Prisoner : Isn't it shocking? His Worship : You must take twelve months' imprisonment, with hard labour. Prisoner : Good Heavens ! FORGETFUL OF DUTY.

John Lorenzin, a foreigner, >vas charged with neglecting to support his three children in the Industrial School, arrears, £9 15s at 7s 6A per -week. Defendant said they were not his chil dren, and he had no right to be called upon to support them

Sub-Inspector Pardy said that prisoner was the father of the children, but had not been lawfully married to the unfortunate mother of the children. JSis Worship said that he nrnst niake some arrangement ,or go to prison. The prisoner said he would pay 12s a week until the arrears were paid up, and then pay 7s 6d per week according to order.

This offer was accepted, and the case was adjourned for a month.

CROSS PURPOSES. Frederick Somerfield was charged TO" using offensive language to Capt. Clarke, on board the North Shore steamer, on the 17th inst. j I Mr Thome appeared for defendant ana j pleaded guilty. The steamer from jSorm j Shore was not very exact that clay, '' llld/. e? defendant behind, in consequence of wnicu delay he snifured business inconvenience. He hnd made an apology to the captain tor using the offensive language; and iwu admitted that the words were unparlianien- Mis Worship said according to reports from Wellington, the words might 0^ j parliamentary. Fined £5 and costs. '•CHEVY CHASE." ..1 Charles Chevychase was charged v«» assaulting Oliver Johnson, by striking nu riolentlyon the eye on the 16th inst. The complainant, with a bandage nea«> asd a shadowed eye, s&id that he an« I Charley had made it up outside, and would not press the charge. ~ & ; By the premission of the Court, I charge was withdrawn. : DOXALD DUFF AKD HIS MOTHEK. ■ Donald Dull", a young man, describe^ I a cabdriver, was summoned to shew ' why he should not contribute ?«™3 , support of his mother, Mary Alice vuu. v 1 Defendant bn idjfli c was willmg.to do »•

THE EVENING STAR MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1877.



\J£TE SHALL BRING FORWARD SOME SPLENDID CHEAP LINES FROM THE Estate ok N. B. Plxst & Co. 250 BOY' 3 TWEED SUITS, 15s. 6d. 300 TWEED TROUSERS, 83. lid. 530 GENTLEMEN'S TWEED GAL ATE AS, 153. 6d. 1 case MEN'S UNDERSHIRTS. 2s. Sd. 1 ca3S FLAX SHIRTS, Is. 9d. OfAMUEL /^OOMBES & fiO., CITY CLOTHING MART, 92, Queen-street. THORNTON, SMITH. AND FIRTH'S PRICES CURRENT (Wholesale). Subject to alteration without notice. Sacks. 100's. 50's. Crown Brand Flour, & s. d. & s. d. & s. d. pe r ton .. 22 0 0 22 10 0 23 0 0 T|S Cl^terbUl:f 19 0 0 19 10 0 20 0 0 Meal for Pig-feed ..900 Sharps 8 0 0 B ra n 600 Fowl Wheat .. .. 0 4 oto 4s. 6d, Tii3 above prices include sacks and bags; sacks and bags not returnable. Terras: Cash. Auckland. 20th July. 1877. SPECIAL NOTICE. 'IO COUNTRY SETTLERS AND OTHERS REQUIRING STRONG CLOTHING MATERIAL. The undersigned have Just Received a Fresh Supply of NEW PRINTED MOLESKINS, Light and Dark Patterns. CORDUROY, Various Qualities, and WHITE MOLESKIN. Also. WHITE and GREY CALICOES, of all the Best Makes, and First-class Value. Grey Calico from 3d per yard Good White Calico from Ivd per yard A nice lot of New Shirtings, fast colour and new patterns Heavy Brown Holland, a very cheap lot at CUlper yard A Job Lot of Huckaback Towels, at Cd each, 5-3 9d per doz. Alhambra Q.mlts, at 3s lid each Kidderminster Carpets, a. nice assortment of patterns and good quality, at 3s lid ; Felt Carpets; Mattings of various makes; ixi Floor Cloths ; Axminster Mats ; and every description of FURNISHING DRAPERY, at Very Reasonable Prices. Extra Good Value in BLANKETS, all sizes, white and coloured I-i order to Clear, WINTER DRESS GOODS, REMNANTS, &c, are now offered at Consider ably Reduced Prices. Spegul to Dressmakers, &c. — A very Choice Lot of Silk and Fancy Buttons just to hand all new designs, and very carefully qalected for the incoming season's trade. The CLOTHING DEPARTMENT is well stocked with ev&ry requisite for Boys and Men, Toeing constantly replenished from the bast sourdes of supply. Inspection Invited. 6 in the £ allowed on all Cash Purchass3 of 1. ' 21)3. and upwards. ■B-"*** rushbrook & bridgman, Junction Dkapery Warehouse, XJVPKK OUHKN-STREET, AUCKLAND.



rpo AGRICULTURISTS & OTHERS, j ; W. J. HURST X CO. have on sale the under mentioned Fertilizers, all of which have been proved to produce satisfactory results in this district. Experience teaches that large and ■ profitable returns can be relied on by a judiciou.3 and liberal use of them. The nattering Testi monials from leading Farmers justify W. J. Hurst & Co. in strongly commending them to every Agriculturist :— MALDEX ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MEXICAN do BEI,L"S BONEK'LOUR 9,, 1 and i-inch BONEDU3T BILLYARD'S No. 1 do. NITRATE OF SODA SULPHATE OF AMMONIA MURIATE OF POTASH SUPER-PHOSPHATE OF LIME. SALT, SULPHATE OF LIME. In addition to the above, W. J. 11. & Co. are prepared to supply special Chemical Manures for stimulating weak Corn Crops, and renovat ing Clover-sick Pastures, aa well as the Pot-ato and Mangold mixture that last season attracted so much favourable notice. Analysis, prices, and other particulars will be supplied on application at the Stores. W. J. HURST & CO. 101, QUEEN- SITfRJE E.T. In order to induce an enlarged consumption of Maiden Island Guano (equal, if not superior to Bonedust), we are prepared to accept deferred payments from responsible parties ac extremely low rates. | W. J. HURST & CO., i 101. QUKKN-S TRE ET. }' W. J. HURST &CO have for Sale, at the lowest market rates : Clover Seeds, Red, White and Cow Rye-grass, Cocksfoot, Rats-tail, Garden Seeds in great variety and best quality. 500 sacks Sydney Maize (superior sample) 3000 ~ Oats First-class Tartars for Seed, also 800 sacks of 1875 crop hard feed, surpassing any of last season's growth 1200 sacks Canterbury Potatoes, and some * early varieties for seed purposes Flour. Bran. Sharps, Chaff, Oilcake, Coal, &c. &c. Particular attention is called to 500 sacks Prime Barloj at. 4s per bushel of 50*. 5 tons Anderson's Fresh uatmeal, at £21 per con. Prices and other particulars on application. W. J. HURST & CO. 101, QUEEN -ST R E ET, Auckland. T WEEDS! Tweeds :T WEED"! NEW TWEEDS, for Gentleman's Wear. NEW TWEEDS, for Boys' Wear. NEW TWEEDS, at Low Prices. W. 11 ATT RAY Has Just Received bis First Shipment of NEW TWEEDS FOR THE SPRING TRA DE. Which have been MARKED at UNUSUALLY Low Pricks. -VT E W ZEALAND IT OUS E. 66, QUEEV-STREET, ATTQKXAN-n. JMPORTANT NOTICE Having in troduced STEAM POWER into tie Manufacture of FURNITURE, < we are now enabled to Supply our Cus tomers at GREATLY RED UCED . PRICES. ; T. &H. COOKE, Cabinetmakers, Upholsterers, &0., d:c. i : SHOW BOOM S: 67, Queen-street. STEAM CABINET FACTORY '• Victoria-street.



London, Henry S. King and Co.; Auckland, I pt jii and Co., Queen-street.