SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

__~,, t This Afternoon, 11.1 HIGH Vi ATLR—-, Morning, 11.S0 SUM SET.-This Evening. 5.5S _ o,t\t pyqi- —To-morrow Mormns;, a.U MOON--AGE.-Last Quarter. 30th, 6.0 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

lotia, s.s., Farc.__.ar, tronimc .-.oitu

DEPARTURES.

PUO.T-_CTI.i- nKPARTURKS. For the Islands-Active, -chooa-i, early. For London—Columbus, b-irque, ea.j. For Hobart Town—P.-lb. Mary, barque, _<*-__- day- , ,„,.i,- For Lsvuka— Mazeppa, schooner, eailj

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Tarenaki. s s., from the S rath, to-morrow "Wave of Life, schooner, from the Island-, early j Norval, schooner, from lon.a, eari.v sr_^_^ F. l n!^.ihipJ.omT i o,b.t:s i uled4ulyll j Iron Queen, barque, YPKT. from London, carls. j Otaki, ship, from London, earl. .., 3 R Lyman, barque, from _civ s_or_., -ia t o_t Wild hWav^ brig, fromSdyney: sailed 17th jfcStt Anderson, schooner, fro a Solomon Islands, early

EXPORTS.

p_r Pfirl fol'Ei'iencVi'-Islands : _ _ bales cottons. I eye do.. 1 ca^ pevtumed s.ii-t..lbaleapparcb i"ajopemimc^.lw>ca&e» izriZS-^rs7^s^isA s , Si, ?-■?- _-_. __-__;_--_*.- t__ do., 3 bandies do.. 0 ir;m. pots , ke;;s miiK lease hardware. 5 drums oil, .0 tons bi-C_.it.. -.4,44 flour, 2 casks salt beef, 3 casks salt pork, 3,000-.-. timber.—Owen a-"_ Gr»ba_u. Per Leo it a for Lyticdou:- th _ IIP , - 50 tons doors ar.d sash__>, _«,.----. cimoei. Master, Agent. .„ ml . Pr Bella Mary for TTobart } our.. ---2210 nieces timber.—stone Bros., ageuto. Per Falcon for Blenheim:— , 15 tons stone, 20,000 ft. i imbcr, 1 cask glassware. —Master agent. Per Atlantic for V;" 4 l:V a.;4 ~f oQtp. . ~-,.-- --2.5aa drainpipes, 6,000 v iimg_.-Mastei,agen.. Per Southern Cro.-s:— T.,. ---6 cases assorted merchandise.—-!-. ._ v. jsaai t

BARQUE ON THE COAST.

Tho captain ot the s.s. mm. .u.im; -•>■ ;?;-' >.; barque standing to the southwaid oh t_. _ 00l Knights. The schooner cleared out to-day tor i.y tu-^ ;;; i-u th a ca^ocr doors, 3ashe-..timber, etc.. •..__.'-_ to sail to _j & _._ or to-morrow morn ins.. ,_ .- The barque Bella .Mary cleared to-day foi Hobarfc Town, with a small cargo of timber, Sh.__fei^ Wangamii, with a cargo of drain pipes ana PTI-f'-etch Pearl. Captain Harrison, cleared out to-day for the Frie.n.lly Islands to. wJucu she will sail either this evening or to-morrow She has a full general cargo, shipped b_ o\> — - an. Graham, and the follewmg passengers.— Messrs S. Heather, and J. K. brown. The sb. Hawea is expected fi-om Tauranga and the South early on Moimay morning. A party of risers went down o dahm m to-day to riar Mr Owen.-, new bri. aa,:n., »;W is no.yon the point of co.npletmi. by rs Darrack and Sons. The vessel is expectoa i._ town in about three weeks , , The . s. Taranaki left .selsor. xe-.eiciay. ; ma will arrive at Onehunga about 2 p.m. oil Sunaa,;. The ss. lona arrived from the _.oitli tins morning, after a line weather parage, <^s «.en"_>_- Misses Yarborough and Dea.ie... ..ap ta?n Wis. Dr Goolrl. Serjeant, Donovan, Messrs McMath, Ogilvie. l.urgess, .Vv rat frail. Graham, Bramley,' Petchel. Ogdvie, K_mp, King, Phillips. De (Sonde, Middleton. Montague and ten in the steerage. Cargo-92 head ot cattle, 60 bases oysters, 7_ bags gum, aud about _ tons sundries.

NORTHERN SHIPPING.

We are indebted to Mr Murohy. chief officer of the s.s. lona, for the following items :— The cutter Maaric an- schooner Golden l»Ie, sailed from Russell for Auckland am iriday m T_ems_hooners Policeman and Julia Price sailed for the Thames the same day. _ The barque Mary Ann Ann-ton hu,sneu loan ing at Wangaroa for Melbourne, and hauled out mto the stream on Wednesday. The barque Nardoo, at the same place, is Retains: a new r___en mast, and will afterwards load foi -Aid bourne. .

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails wilt, Close as Un-dkr: ~„„,,„ . For Thames, this day. at 1.30 p.m. and 0.30 p.m., and on Monday next, at 0.3. p.m. ___,_.. For Coromandel per Ar-ryle, on -.louclu. nc.vt, at 11.30 am. . , . For Napier, per Southern Cross, this day, a. For E_awau, per Heather Bell, on Monday next, For* Ta-anaki and Southern Provinces and Ans.r■-lian Colonics,per Taranai-i.on Monday next, at 11 a.m. . Late letters will bo received till 11.20 a.m. Fer Waiheke, per Transit, on Monday next, at 10 a.m. . _ .... _,-„ For Whitianara, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Rowena, on Monday next, at trj.m. For Russell. .Van-area, and Mongonui, per lona, on Monday uext, at _ p.m. For Russell, per Hawea. on Monday next, at For P'Australian Colonies, per Zealaridia, im mediately after arrival from Honolulu. X p. —Post-Offices will he opened at Paihea andWaihaha (Bay of Inlands District) on the Ist October. r BTg3> po3tlna3ter .

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Insurances granted on Dwelling - bouses, 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 Lowest Current Rates. R. 11. STEVENSON, Manager.

CALLS AND DIVIDENDS.

The following are the dates and amounts o f calls in connection with the undermentioned gold mining companies: ._ s. d. Date. New Golden Pah .. .. 0 0 3 — Due. K.Z. Loan Company.. 010 0 — Oct. 1 Palmerston 0 0 G — Oct. 1 City of Loudon .. ..013 — Oct. 1 Led, White, and Bine 0 1 0 — Oct. 5 Albion 0 0 3 — Oct. S Homeward Bound -.. 0 0 G — Oct. 10 Shannon and Fergus.. 0 0 3 — Oct. 10 United Kingdom .. .. 0 0 3 - Oct. 10 Sultan 003- Oct. 10 Dividends— Bank of Australasia .. 210 0 — Oct. 9 CREDITORS' MEETINGS. In the estate of W. J. W. Addey .. Sept. 2S Robert Chalmers .. Oct. 3

BIRTH.

MAXWELL.—On the 20th September, 1877, at her residence, Cook-street, Mrs. W. J. Max well of a son.

McINTOSI-L—On the 23th September, 1577, at her residence, Grahamo - street, Auckland, New Zealand, Mrs. James Mcintosh of a daughter.—Thames papers please copy.

MARRIAGE.

CREIGHTON—INNES.—On 25th September. John Creighton, the eldest son of Francis Creighton, of Wairoa south, to Eliza Inncs, the eldest daughter of Thomas Innes, of One hunga.—Thames and Hereford papers please copy.

DEATH.

De ROSE.—On the 20th September, 1577, at her parents' residence. Otahuhu. New Zealand, Mabel Grace, infant daughter of F. Deßose.— London papers please copy. The funeral will take place to-morrow at 10 a.m. Friends will kindly accept this invita tion.

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

SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 29. 1377,

■fat the cause th.it lacks _isis-.ar.c-. For the wrong; that needs icsista.-i<—_ For tkc future in the distance, Ars_ tr—: jrood that ire tw do

A most important cable despatch from our London Special Correspondent is published in another column, from which it would appear that communication between Batavia and Singapore, if ever really inter rupted, has been restored. Our last intelligence, contained in a Bombay despatch of September 25th, stated on the authority of a Russian official dispatch, that Mehemet Ali had made an unsuccessful attack on the Russian intrenchment- at Cherkovna. Mehemet Ali, after driving the Russians, iv a series of brilliant victories, from the line of the river Lorn, was marching on Biela, the head-quarters of the Czarewitch's army. He had reached, according to recent dis patches, within twelve miles of that town, and the Russians were massing to resist his advance. From our telegram it appears that he has gained a decisive victory. The defeated Russian forces would, no doubt' fall back on Biela, which commands the chief crossing place on the .Jantra. At Plevna, the position is reported to be un changed, desperate fighting! continuing there between, the investing army com manded by the Grand Duke, and Osman Pacha's force, holding the town. Our correspondent adds, but without mentioning on what authority, that the total defeat of Osman is expected. The position of the large Turkish force penned in by the main Russian army, is no doubt extremely critical, and unless relieved, the issue probably cannot be long doubtful. The Turkish victory at Biela, which is sixty or seventy miles distant, can hardly affect immediately the Plevna garrison, inasmuch as the Czarewitch's army, although beaten and perhaps dis pirited, still lies between Mehemet Ali and his beleaguered comrade.

Obnoxious as the education tax was in itself, instances are continually coming to light shewing that it has been administered

in ways calculated to annoy and worry people unnecessarily. Mr Ed-ward Down ing, of the Mangawhare Hotel, Northern Wairoa, writes enclosing receipts for last year's rate (187G,) and the two preceding years, and also a summons served on him in April for the rate which he had paid on the 16th of December last. The summons commanded Mr Downing to appear at the Auckland Police Court. Having his own business to attend to, and not feeling called upon to suffer for the negligence of others, Mr Downing contented himself with shewing the policeman his receipts. This, however, availed nothing, for judgment was obtained on the 4th June, in Auckland, our correspondent being branded as a defaulter. To improve matters, he has this month been threatened with a distress warrant. It is, perhaps, a pity that the crowning act of official blundering was not carried into effect in the actual seizure of Mr DoAvning's goods and chattels to satisfy a judgment wrongfully obtained, for a debt already paid. It might then be our correspondent's turn to issue law processes in an action for damages. This is not the only case of the kind that has been brought under our notice, and it is intolerable that householders should be put to inconvenience and annoyance, their names paraded in the Police Court, and constables placed on their track, through the maladministration of an Act which has caused more irritation to the community at large than all the other laws of the Statute Book conjoined.

The result of the entertainment given by the Manukau Amateur Dramatic and Min strel Club, Onehunga, in favour of Mrs Mor land, widow, and her family, realised as follows : Cash, £17 3s : expenses, printing, £1 7s Gd ; hall, £2 7s 6d ; music, £2 10s ; sundries, 18s—total, £7 3s ; balance, £10 ; the receipt of which has been acknowledged by Mrs Morland, who desires us to return her thanks to the Club and her patrons.

The members of the Variety Troupe announced their entertainment of this even ing as the last of the season. The programme is full and varied, including the usual number of songs, dances, „nd a

farce,

We refer our readers to our advertisement columns for particulars of Sunday services at the several city churches. The people's religious service at the Theatre Royal will lie held at eight o'clock, as usual.

Constable Gillies, of the Armed Con stabulary, who has been stationed in Auckland during the past three years, is about to be removed to Te Awamutu, in the district of the Waikato. Constable Gillies has earned tho character of an obliging member of the force, and he carries away with him the good wishes of ail who know him.

On Monday evening next, the Rev. Charles Clark will deliver his popular and pleasing lecture on Charles Dickens, with select passages from his works, including the pathetic death-scene of Little Nell; the comic sketch of Bob Sawyer's party iv Lant-street, one of tho most melancholy of the streets of South London ; and several other picturesque scenes depicted by tho pen of tlie lamented novelist. This lecture will be presented by a generally-expressed wish of a number oi* citizens, in the Choral Mall. Mr Clark brings to his tusk a hearty admiration of the world-famous story-teller, whose genius has brightened numberless homes, and cheered and amused tons of thousands of readers in every land. Dickens was a delineator of those characters to be found in cities rather than in the quietude of country life, as set forth in rustic beauty by Miss Mitford and Thomas Miller. Yo. in Dickens are to be found passages the most exquisite, abounding in pathos and a love of nature. Dickens sought and found subjects of thrilling interest in the passions, sufferings, and virtues of the masses of the people. ° The tendency of bis darker pic tures, such as those of Oliver Twist, is to awaken sympathy with our race, to change the unfeeling indifference which has pre vailed towards the depressed into indignant sensibility to their wrongs and woes. Those who remember Mr Clark's lectures on the great novelist will bo glad of perhaps a last j opportunity of hearing him again. !

The Ponsonby Skating Club Ball, as a wind-up of the season, was successfully held last evening in the Ponsonby Hall. The building was decorated with much taste for the festive occasion. The com mittee of arrangemtnt:—MessrsT. T. Masc iield, W. W. Gudgeon, S. E. Hughes, W. F. Jones, and C. Kohn are entitled to much credit for their generona labors. The refreshments were supplied by Mr Staccy, of the City Buffet. The music was supplied by Messrs Turre.ll (piano), McCormish (cornet), while Mr Maselield acted as master of the ceremonies'. A number of fashionablo dances were in troduced, and a spirit of animation prevailed through the night.

The Domain cricket ground, since wc last noticed it six weeks ago, has much im proved. The new grass on the made ground round the central laid portion is coining on very fast, and in a week or two moro the rapid Spring growth will produce a thick sward. Mr 11. J. Yates is indefatigable in his attention to the ground, and may be seen day after day personally attending the work on it. He is determined, he says, that Auckland shall have a good cricket ground this year at any rate, and there is no doubt we shall.

An "Eye-witness" sends the following description of a scene that may be witnessed at the wharf daily :—" Sir,—At the half past four o'clock steamer to the North Shore the school boys rush on board as if they had broken loose from the Lunatic Asylum. Thecaptains of the steamboats arc notable to control them, aud I notice that they are daily getting worse. Yesterday evening I watched them carefully, and 1 came to the conclusion that they were not troin the

Lunatic Asylum, but that the gates of Hades must have been thrown open. After this I think police protection should bo asked for.—l am, &c, An Eyk-witnkss." To the Editor : Sir,—Tho writer of the

article in your contemporary this morning, relative to the Grammar School Paper-hunt yesterday is slightly in error. Tho hunt ha. been a regular institution at tho school for some years past, therefore the lads cannot be said to have imitated tho Amateur Athletic Club. One of the first form boys exclaimed, on reading tho article in question, " Well, that's cheek." Boys love fair play. Youra &c., HOMEU.

The Oi cidental Hotel has been on view to-day. The place has boon altogether redecorated and rearranged, £_".<_ is now O.i'tainly the most elaborately j^Lii ted hostelry in Auckland.

The Hoard of Education held their usual meeting yesterday. Present : —Colonel ILuiltaiii (in thej chair), .Messrs May and Prime. Tlie Secretary was absent through illness. The business before the Board was limited mostly to the hearing applica tions from outlying districts. The Chair man stated that 59 applications had been received for tho position of assistant clerk. The consideration of the applications was deferred till the next meeting. Several other cases were left over. A letter was also received and deferred in like manner from the Receiver of Rates, reporting the result of recent summoning of recusant ratepayers, and reqnesting further instructions. Forty persons had been summoned, and the amount paid to the solicitor had exceeded the costs incurred.

The first meeting of creditors in the estate of J. W. Addcy, of Ponaonby, was held yesterday (Mr William Thorne for the bankrupt). The liabilities were set down at £425 12s, assets nil. Mr Thomas Mac ftarlane was appointed trustee to tho estate.

There will be a general meeting of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club on Tues day next, at the Club room, Thames Hotel, at 7.30 p.m. Twenty-nine names of can didates for membership are posted on tho Club notice board, and part of the business will be ballot for these. The othe_ busi ness will be to reoeive a report from the Committee, on the subject of adopting certain of the Loudon Athletic Club rules.

We are informed that a very hot conteat is raging at Pukokohc and Tahimatta, through disputed ownership of land, which has been fenced in. Over this land a roadway has teen in use for ten years. The Pukekohe Board have laid out a lot of money in forming and repairing this road, which h.is not been formally made over to the Government. The Board, however, maintain their right to it. and have knocked down several fences which have been put ii]). In Tuhimatta there is another road dispute of a somewhat similar nature.

Return tickets at single fares will be issued by the special train that will run on Monday night from and to Onehunga for the convenience of the admirers of the Rev. Charles Clark.

North Shore residents will be glad to learn that a steamer will leave Auckland on Monday night at 10.15 for the accom modation of visitors to the Rev Charles Clark's lecture on " Charles Dickens." It is announced that tlie lecture will termi nate at 9.45, .and in that case there will be ample time for visitors to catch the special steamer.

At the next meeting of Council, the Mayor will move : " That it is desirable liie escapes should at once be provided fer tile use of the Brigade, and that the Fire Brigade Committee be authorised to obtain such as may be deemed most requisite." Also, "That application be made to the Harbour Board for a suitable site at the end of Albert-street, for the erection of pub lic baths for both fresh and salt water."

HJThe programme and list of entriesof the 1-ikuranga Hunt Club Steeplechase meet ing, which is to conic off on Saturday next, appear in our advertisement columns. In spite of the little differences which have arisen in connection with the entries, the meeting will proye, as usual, one of the most enjoyable outings of the season ; and if line weather favors the fixture some good sport will be afforded.

The result of the inspection of the Whau Lunatic Asylum by Dr Skao aud Mr Hera path is that both gentleman are of opinion that the male patients may be received back at once, and accommodated in the uninjured part of the building. This will be a very satisfactory solution of the difficulty as to what was to l>e done with them while the building was being restored. Tlie work of transporting the patients back to their old Quarters will be commenced early next week. Tlie women will remain at the hospital until tlie damage is repaired.

The pumping machinery for the new graving dock has been landed from the ship Sam Mendel, and delivered on the dock site. There arc two centrifugal pumps of great power, as may be estimated from the fact that they have oft. discs. The amount of water which they are calculated to be able to raise per month is 8000 gallons. These pumps are manufactured by Messrs J. and H. G wynne and Co., Hammersmith. The caisson for the dock entrance is being brought out on board the ship Famenoth which is now 80 days out from London. Tho dock is rapidly.progressing, and the masonry now presents an improving appearance, almost the whole of the invert and the rubble masonry at tlie sides being in position. Tlie line weather enables the contractors to push the work steadily ahead.

Some oi the Scotch papers are giving details of a very extraordinary will case which will shortly bo submitted for trial. The story is this. Tbc daughter of a country practitionor, in a little village in Scotland, awoke one morning to find her self a great heiress. Tho traditional uncle, who had come from India with a fortune, had died, leaving a beautiful estate and fully £300,000 in money and West Indian property to his niece, Miss Mucpherson Grant. At that time she was bright, clever, handsome, and about twenty-one years of age. She took possession of her property and lived in great style, keeping a large stud of horses, and driving tandem herself all over tho country. Her father and mother she took under her wing, and was devoted to them to the last days of their lives. She established them in an indepen dent and elegant home near Edinburgh, but had them a great deal with her self at Abeilour House on the Spey side. Sonic fifteen years ago a young lady came to pay her a visit. She was a stranger to Miss Grant, and was brought by _ome friends. It ended in this young lady, Miss Temple, leaving father and mother, with their entire concurrence, and living Avith Miss Grant, for better or for worse, until death should them part ; in fact, they formed such a friendship that they agreed and entered into an engagement that neither should marry, aud that they should pass their lives together. Miss Grant then and there refused a very good oiler of marriage, and rejected all other suitors. The conditions were that Miss Grant was to leave her estates and everything to Miss Temple, if Miss Temple on her part never left her and never married. A will was made by Miss (.rant, under which her property was to pass to the Temples. Two years ago Miss Temple married. Last Christmas Miss Grant died. The will was revoked. She never forgave the defec tion, she never made another will, and the estate goes to an obscure country doctor in Aberdeenshire, who hardly knew he was re lated to Miss Grant, and never saw her. Other four relations, poor tradespeople in Banffshire, came in for a share. On tlie question of succession there will be a fight in the law courts, between the legatees and the heirs-at-law. Miss Giant was very masculine in appearance. gJWith tcnjmillion Jews living in the world : with .lews at the helm of Stale in Ehgland, France, Germany, and Turkey : with Jews in positions of power aud in. flueuce in Italy, Belgium, and even Russia : witli Jewish bankers, holding the purse strings of the foremost nations : with Jewish artists, novelists, and journalists in the most prominent places in the Old and Now World, there _eenis to he no reason to despair of the future of tlie race.—" Weekly Review."

Some of the new chums who have found employment on farms, do not appear to be blessed with more than ordinary common aon.->c. This week a farmer had sown oats, and afterwards sent a new hand down with -large rollor to roll the newly sown land. About noon, on going down to see how the rolling was progressing, the farmer was astonished to see the man in a luxuriant paddock, the thick grass of which was being laid Hut down by the ponderous roller which should have been exercised upon the seed land, in some instances, pasture land is rolled, but only when much cut up by the hoofs of cattle, and having but little grass thereon. In this instance the ground was very level, and the grass thick. No excuse was offered but that the man did not know what was wanting done, so he thought he would have ;i go at the grass.

Macky town Reported Burnt.

(IJY "STAR" CARRIER PIGEON)

Just boon through the Waitekauri mine, which is looking splendid, with a betler show of gold iv tho slopes to-day than for weeks past. The reef where it has been stoped out is fully -it) feet in width ; the whole is worth an ounce to the ton. The low level is being pushed ahead towards the Homeward Bound, in excellent country. The manager reckons to reach the Home ward Bound boundary in three Aveeks, if the same class of country continues. I saw some really excellent stone broken out, with gold freely distributed through it; and apparently another rich shot being touched. This morning, a leader was cut in the low level, niiiking into the main reef. Tlie stone in of a solid nature, with the well known blue veins running through it. in which gold is plainly visible. When the point where this leader junctions with the main reef is reached, very rich gold will be found, and the importance of this latest find cannot be over-estimated.

AUCKLAND G.M. GO,

Two of the directors have visited this aniue, and obtained excellent prospects frem tho low level reef, gold being risible. The manager will be instructed to imme diately drive both ways on the reef, and p__h the low level ahead.

The Comstock G.M. Co. have n crushing out ready to start next week. The stone last taken out will average considerably over an ounce to the ton.

Tho Young New Zealand Company are getting out very rich stone indeed from the top levels, estimated to be worth Sozs to tho toa. There is quite a furore in con sequence to-day, _nd holders of stock here are jubilant.

The Welcome Company wiil crush im mediately after tho Comstock, and tho stone is reckoned to be good dividend paying stuff. Saw some excellent gold this morning. Steak here i_ awfully and wonderfully tough.

It is just reported here that Mackay town is burned to the ground.

COROMANDEL GOLD - MINING MEETING.

A_l extraordinary meeting of the directors aud shareholders of the above company was held this afternoon, in Mr Randerson's office, Insurance Buildings—Mr C. Harding in the chair—for the purpose of electing directors, aud other business. Eleven shareholders were present, representing 3510 shares. Mr McCormick proposed : "That the present directors —if any—of the Coro mandel Gold-mining Company be removed from the directorate."

Mr Davison seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

Mr McGallagher moved, and Mr James Brown seconded, "That Messrs Craig, Baird, Harding, Gallagher, W. J. Young, J. Young, and James McCormick, be the new directors," carried.

..-■»-/. • i , Votes of thanks to Mr McCormick _.i i guarding the interests of shareholders, and j to the chairman, were proposed by Mr Davis, seconded by Mr Craig, ana carried. . The meeting then closed. j

PARLIAMENTARY.

o ■ i FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.) ! [EY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] WELLINGTON, this day. j

T_lg Government Majority. The division did not take place last ; night, as expected. Loth sides were trying ! to steal men, in order to break the majority ; either way. Members were made drunk : in Bellamy's—people actually waiting to : take them away in cabs—so that they I should not vote. This is what Constitu tional Government has come to. While . tlie Ministry boasts of a majority of ten, j uses every endeavour to gain men. The j whips are still busy counting cards. ON DIT. Sta It reporter despatching an important ' message to Star at eight o'clock last ! night; tlie Premier also despatching message, on common platform. The Major waiting hesitatingly: — Reporter : Well, Major, sure to win, I hear. Major Atkinson : Sheehan's your man. Reporter : I hear it's (holding up ten fingers). Major Atkinson : Not r-o many as that. Reporter (pausing over his telegram, and reflectively raising his spectacles) : Perhaps seven ? Premier : Ah, now ! If you put that you'll be about right. _ . Reporter : Thank you ; good night. Good night Majah ! DISQUALIF^ATION.

When the House yesterday resumed, Mr Rees moved that the quorum of the Dis qualification Committee might be reduced from live to three. He said there was no quorum. Four attended, and one gentleman declined to attend. it being impossible to get a quorum, Ministers refused to sit. Therefore there was no quorum. They asked that the House would order the Disqualification Com mittee to _it to-morrow at 11 o clock. Mr Whitaker wished to say v few words yesterday, hut it was imj.os.ible tor him to attend He would have attended this morning, hut looking at the position in which he was placed in reference to the House, it was scarcely fair to attend in Committee. He thought it not right tor the Committee to sit while a want ot coniidenee motion was hanging m tlie balance. The Speaker said he did not see anything imperative in the Attorney-General attend ing the Committee. It was not of a judicial character. Mr Whitaker said if the [louse passed a notice to that effect he would attend next morning. Mr Stout : " Question." Mr Rees paid he would rather have the quorum reduced. He asked the House to pass a motion not in tho interest of the House itself. The Speaker .-aid the lion, member was out of order. Mr Kees : I am repaying. Mr Stout said there would be no harm in jias.sin^,- the motion. Mr Whitaker : I rise to order. Mr Stout .-aid there was no harm in what he was going to .-ay. The Attorney- General need not be afraid until he had heard him. The Disqualification Com mittee met morning after morning. lie was told that the members of the Cabinet could not attend, because they weie attending Cabinet meetings, and pre paring their speeeiies. A message was sent to the Attorney-General to attend, lie sent a reply to say that he would not. That was treating the Com mittee with discourtesy. He asked him to explain why lie did not attend. Now the Attorney-General said he was prepared to sit to-morrow ; why not ask the House yes terday for their decision, if he knew there were doubts as to his position ': Would he tell Ministers one of the reasons why they did not attend the Committee Tlie mem ber for (..rev valley had boasted that if the Committee did not noon bring up their re port he would take.hi_ (Mr Luruach'.s) mo tion.

Mr Stafford said he received a summons this morning, ami was informed that in the present state of things this was a political question. He was therefore exonerated from taking part in it. He made up his maul he would not attend. Mr Rees had said the report was ripe for bring ing up. '.Mr Rees : " No, I did not say that, I said the committee was ripe for bringing up the report." Mr Stafford said the member for City Fast was stating the ease logically. Mr Rees : " Hear ! Hear !" Mr Stafford : I am not prepared to assent to this resolution. Mr J. E. Brown said he saw Mr Stafford that morning, and asked him to attend. Lie said he would not attend, as the Ministers refused to attend. Mr Stafford : "I deny the statement. The lion, member is frequently misin formed." Mr J. E. Brown : Well, I got the state ment from the hoii. member, and that will account for it. He received notice to attend, and was informed that the Government members refused to do so. The hon. member for Grey valley had declared his intention to take his seat in the House. The question now remained whether he would do so or not. The want of a quorum arose from the fact that Minis ters and their supporters in Committee would not attend.

Mr Whitaker again rose to speak,

Cries of "You spoke."

Mr Stout rose to order. He submitted that Mr Whitaker had addressed the House before.

Mr Whitaker : I am not going to address the House. (Laughter.) He simply wished to clear himself from the charge of dis courtesy. He told the messenger when sent for to attend the Committee that he did. not feel at liberty, considering the position. in which he stood to the House.

Sir George Grey regretted that these misunderstandings should frequently take place iv the House. .> This was not a poli ticarquestion. It was improper whenever a question of this sort arose to say it was a political one. Mr Kennedy had entered into a contract with !the Government, and therefore forfeited his seat. That fact ought instantly to be determined. Mr Stafford ought to have known the Com mittee was to sit.

Mr Barff : The standing orders would tell

him so,

N.B.—Notices of committees of the day are posted in all the lobbies, even in tlie public lobby.

Sir George Grey decried any attempt to secure a vote in the present crisis. He was not concerned about the result of the ques tion, but the honor of the House.

After the debate Mr Sheehan said h had taken a personal interest in the matter. (Laughter). He went round and asked the members of the Committee to attend. He asked Mr Harper, and Mr Harper said he would not becaueslMr Stafford was absent.

Mr Gisborne deprecated the report of the Committee being hindered by non-atten dane c.

After further debate the House divided on the challenge of the Premier. Ayes, 25 ; Noes, 28.

LAST NIGHT

Mr Hamlin made a capital speech after j the adjournment. He directly accused : the Government of setting agents at work to tout for the "Waka Maori." The

Government trusted to being bolstered up b ffl ma j or i t y in the House for general jnf oima ti o n. ' ; Mr Morris read a copy of circulars sent tQ na ti ve s by the Government, re the "Waka Maori." lie hesitated, stammered,

and almost broke down once or twice under the eyes of the other Auckland members. j llc backs the Government, of course. There will be a generalsh-ke in the hat by j Ministers for the whips after the slaughter j of the innocents. i Mr Fyke created amusement by calling | the Ministry a Patch-work Quilt Ministry. ■ lie had confidence in some. In some others he had no confidence. It was heteroge neous.

Mr Carrington said he was entirely satisiied with the Government ; also

perfectly satisfied with the " Waka Maori." Here Mr Carrington folded bis hands like an old sinner. Immediately afterwards he sat down and remarked to Mr J. E. Brown that he( Mr Canington) had a bad headache. The Doctor of the House remarked that somo other people don't get a headache over their little games. SjSMr Rolleston made an excellent speech. He accused the Government of systematic breach of pledges. He could not say the Government were sticking to their seats, but the instinct of self-preservation was strongly developed. Constitutional Govern -1 ment was contused, owing to the bewilder ing shuffling of the ministerial pack. i Mr Gisborne accused ministers of being defiant during the recess, and servile during , session. \ Mr Stafford said Mr Gisborne lived in a glass house. Mr Waterhouse apologised for the scan ! dalous attacks in the " Waka Maori," and promised that they should not occur again. Oic saw the succeeding Ministry, they promised tlie same. He was not, God knows, an advocate for the •' Waka Maori." I At the mention of the Deity some mem bers winked. Mr Stafford stroked that beard, and continued : It was arrogant to say that members of the House did not know what they voted

for in striking out the £409. He believed with Mr Rees that the paper should be made self-supporting. Therefore he voted for its entire removal of the public charge. He defended the Government from ac cepting this as a no confidence motion. Mr Stafford then spent an hour taking a flying review of New Zealand history dur ing twenty years to clear himself from charges of inconsistency made by Mr Mont gomery. Then coming to the present session, he confessed the Ministry contained incongruous elements, but said the Opposition would be much worse if in power. Thc-0 was no one question on which they could prepare an intelligent policy. £__Mr Stout made a magnificent reply, say ing the ministry were only puppets in the hands of Mr Stafford. The lion member for Tiinaru had at great length given in teresting historical reminisences to shew himself the model of consistency, and had patted this member and that member on the hick. He was plea'.ed at this speech, and condemned the logic'of another. He had set himself up as a second Pharoah in the land, but never touched the principle at issue that the Ministry were but a parliament bound to obey its behests. Mr Stu-brd had charged the Opposition with having no p< licy, what was the Government policy ? To stop in office at any price, to withdraw every Hill when they saw they were likely to be beaten, to accept every hostile motion when they saw the House .vould vote for it. The only policy he could see was contained in the Fencing ami Slaughterhouses Hills. The Hon. Mr McLean moved the adjourn ment. He concluded at 12.30 .vhen the House adjourned.

THE THEATRE.

The "Shaughraun" has kept its place on the Auckland stage all this week. It will be played for the last time this evening. On Monday " Arrah na Pogne" will be the piece ; and on Wednesday, "Flying Scud" will be produced.

QUERIES.

Till-; following queries have been on hand some time awaiting attention : " Sir.—Can you inform me (now that we are about to have a visit from Levy, the celebraied cor netist) whether there is not a man in Lon don in the celebrated band of Dan Godfrey (whose name I think is Reynolds) who is open to play any man in the world, fin the cornet ; and who has been acknow ledged and proved also, jto be superior to Levy. By answering this you will be able to settle a discussion on tlie subject.—Yours, Sec, Puo BONO Publico." [Levy has for many years been acknowledged as the best cornet pi aver in the world. We never heard his claim disputed.—Ed. E.S.]

Sir, —Can the lessees of tollbars charge for vehicles going to or coming from a funeral? Are the gates supposed to be closed before twelve o'clock at night ? By answering the above queries, you will oblige, INQUIRER. [The Public Works' Act, which now regulates the collection of tolls, does not exempt vehicles attending a funeral. The road must be kept open for traffic ; the time for closing the gates is not res tricted to midnight.—Ed. E.S.] Sir,- 1-Will you kindly do me a favour, viz., please let me know how the most fashionable walking-dress is made. I mean the style most worn by the Auckland ladies at present. If it would not be too much trouble would you please give us a print in your next number—it is some time since you gave us one—and I a_i sure you will oblige a great many country girls like myself. But I hope lam not asking too much. lam a constant reader of your paper, but not a subscriber, but father is. 2. Is there anything objectionable in my hand writing ? I have got into this way of writ ing through keeping my fathei's books.— Country Girl.

[We must refrain from publishing the woodcut suggested by our correspondent, and refer her to some Auckland dress maker. We have a perfect conviction that each of the fair maids of Auckland wears the most fashionable walking-dress, and as no two of them dress alike, motives of discretion dictate a discreet silence. Our correspondent's handwriting is very legible, and the characters well-formed, although not in the cramped angular pattern deemed fashionable in ladies' seminaries.—Ed. E.S.]

Mr A. Smith, Parnell. —We cannot say whether a boat would "drift from Mechanics Bay to Brown's Island with her anchor down, and there part her} anchor." With the tide running out it might do so. A fair claim for salvage of a boat that had drifted to Brown's Island would depend very much on the trouble involved. A pound would not be unreasonable if it was a valuable boat.

Sir, —Will you kindly favour me through your paper with the present (latest) popula tion of England, Scotland, Ireland, and AYales respectively _ also of each of the following cities : London, Liverpool, Bir mingham, Manchester, York, Sheffield, Leeds, GlasgoAV, and Edinburgh. By giving the above, you will greatly oblige myself and others.—Yours, ccc., Inquirer. [The British census of IS7I shewed popula tion : England and Wales, •22.112.266; Scotland, 3,360,018; Ireland, 5,411,416; islands, 144.63S ; army, navy, and seamen abroad, 229,001 Total population for United Kingdom, 31,557,338*. London, 3,254,260 ; Liverpool, 1,009,463 ; Birming ham, 231,015 ; Manchester, 356,626 ; York, 50,765 , Sheffield, 91.35S ; Leeds, 130,362 ; Glasgow and suburbs, 547.538 ; Edinburgh. 211,626.

MORE RED TAPE.

(To the Editor of the Star.)

Sir, —Will you please inform me if I have been iv error in thinking that the Post office Money Order system was intended to facilitate the transmission and receipt of small sums of money to and by persons of small means who seldom keep a Ranking

account. Being a poor person myself T duly presented a Post-office Order f_ morning for payment, I and was noli.*, informed that it could not he castt * two lines appeared across the order f this rule 111 the interest either of a department or of tho public . i sst _0™ —Yours, _cc, A_.Ti-Hu_n.UG. s •

CABLEGRAMS.

THE VERY LATEST

WAR NEWS.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL LONDON

CORRESPONDENT.)

Defeat of the Ozarewitch at Biela.

12,000 Killed and Wounded,

2,000 Prisoners Taken,

Fighting at Plevna.

LONDON,

Thursday night. The Turkish army, under Mehemet Ali defeated the Czarewitch's army _* Biela.

Twelve thousand were killed aa( j wounded, and two thousand Russian prisoners taken.

There has been desperate fighting, with varying success tit Plevna, but the total defeat of Osnian Pacha is ex pected.

LEASE OF TOLLS.

Messrs B. To_.ks and Co. offered f ot sale the lease of tolls in the Great South Road, Seccombe'a and Buckland's chain bars; also, the sale of the Newmarket Sir ughterhouse fee 3. There was a large attendance of bidders and lookers-on. T__ e bidding for the tolls at Great South Road and the chain bars commenced at £50, and after a good deal of competition were knocked down to Mr McGarrigle for £160. Thea Arch-Hill tolls opened at £4, and closed at £1G 15s ; Mr P. Gleeaon, of the Aurora Hotel, being the purchaser. The Newmarket Slaughterhouse fees were sub jected to a severe competition, and were about to be knocked down to Mr Kirby for £60, when that gentleman declared the bid was from a voice behind him ; consequently, Mr Galbraith's bid of £59 was accepted.

REV. THOMAS BUDDLE ON " NEW ZEALAND."

Tins lecture was well attended last evening, in the large room of the Young Men's Christ-.. Association. Mr Frederick Lark-ns occupied the. chair. Rev Allan Webb, of W ellesley-street Chapel, offered prayer. Mr Buddie, on rising, met with a cordial reception, and commenced with New Zealand o£ the past, when it was a land unknown to the people of civilized countries, and gave a well-condensed summary of the speculative opinions of geologists and ethnologists in relation to the volcanic nature of the soil, and the identity of the Maori. with the savage types of man to, be found in the islands of the South Pacific. T_j condition of the Maori race prior to the appear ance of the early European settlers was des cribed in felicitous language. The lectnrer considered, as far as could be gathered from sources of information, and by comparison of accounts, that the stock of the native race came from Hawai-iki (Hawaii) in the Sandwich Islands, or from one of the Navigators Group. The Ngapuhis came in one boat, the Arawas in another, the Waikatos in another, the Taranaki tribes in another, the tribes of the north west in another, and other boats arrived from time to time ; and that immi gration occurred about 600 years ago. The lecturer cited traditions and authorities in support of these opinions or facts, and proceeded in logical order to notice the habits, religion, cannibalism, infanticide, polygamy, slavery, and the other features of Maori life; and what must havoboen gratifying to Auckland Spirit_#i on Spiritualists, it was affirmed that the eaify Maoris were Spiritualists of; a very advanced ciegree of culture, practising ventriloquism, through which they pretended to have direct communication with the " spirit world." The story of the early navigators was given, in cluding the visit of Tasman to the Middle Island, and the first appearance of Captain Cook in the Middle Island. The labours of the first missionaries to this country, and the. first religious service in favour of Christianity, by the Rev. S. Marsdep, were related. Mr Marsden's first service of Divine Worship was held on a Christmas morning, the text of the sermon being. " Behold this day _ son is bom to you," &c. The late Archdeacon Williams arrived in 1523. The Wesleyan Mis sion was established by the Rev. Samuel Lee, in 1522. No ordinary courage was reqnuea amidst privations, perils, and terrors, to preactt the word of God to a savage people, and sow the seeds of religion and peace which maaa colonisation possible. The wars between Maom and Europeans were depicted, relations of the races, the Ki-g movement, and the roe 01 cities. The aspects of the present were amy reviewed, and having noticed the wonderM advances o_ civilisation in this coiony tMO-gn the march of the " iron horse," the teleew* wires, which had placed London within two days of Auckland, and the developmentsof -<ew Zealand's natural resources; the lecturer drew a pleasing sketch of the New Zealand, ot ne future. The hills, he said, were becoming areen, they would be covered with noch* and herds, and waving corn, the whole of eaca island would be open to the passage of m locomotive on land and on . ea—the railway ana the steam service. Industry would vnam way to success, and individual piety ana true Ohristiaxdty would reap their rich rewarosm triumphs of peace and religion.-On the monon of Colonel Hanltain, a vote of thanKswa» carried by acclamation to the lecturer, jra» returned thanks. The benediction was pro nounced by Dr. Purchas.

PARNELL BOROUGH COUNCIL.

THE usual weekly meeting was held yes terday evening at the Council ottoes. Present : His Worship the Mayor (Colonel Nation), and Councillors Mitford, Brojn, Coleman, Bell, Wood, Brackenbury, M* ton, and Robinson. The ruin utes of t£ previous meeting were read and confirmeo. ASSESSMENT COSTS.—Mr A. V. McDon ald applied for costs allowed against High way Board Assessment by Mr Bar-tow. Letter received. i Funds.—A Treasury telegram was reao, notifiying that £140 had been lodged tow Corporation's credit at the Bank of flew Zealand. , to Parliamentary Returns.—ln order w furnish a return asked for in the liouae of Representatives,to be published in M* Britain, the Colonial Secretary applied vk information as to therulingways of pisa f> their working hours, cost of living,** Councillor Mitford said he had proc_n» most of the information needed. , Manukau Road.—The Mayorsubm-BJ a general statement of the kinds of *or required in carrying out the alterations Manukau Road, and suggested «_» should be parcelled out in four oontraew' with liberty, however, to any one contnw to tender for the whole. A very great J ofldiscussion ensued, which took up a side-able time. Councillor Wood propose that the channelling should be asphalt*, and it was agreed to ascertain the cost. Watercourse Near St. Stephen *• I .having been found necessary to const™ a small channel in this neighbourhood «_irry off the storm water, Conner Mitford moved, and Conncdg Robinson seconded, that the vrorK, authorised. Councillor Melton suggesj^ a reservoir iv the middle of Conquest-'l*' with a bridge across it ; but the Coug preferred to adopt Councillor M-tn" 1

motion. w-vnes' Private Slaughtering.—Mr _Kyg, application for permission to km °'' own promises was postponed, and n» ° past 10 o'clock, the Council adjourned.

An entertainment consisting of vocal a^_ instrumental music, readings, &c., 1 . of the funds of the Auckland CHU« Doctrine (Catholic) Society, will be new the Catholic Institute on Tuesday even* next. A notice to ticket-holders tor above appears iv our advertising coium

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1877.



D RAPE R V AND C LOTHING FOR THE SPRING AND SUMMER TRADE. Tlie uude- signed are now o_ening up supplies of NE VV GOODS for the incoming Season, comprising :— New Prints, in great variety of pattern and. style, from tvd per yarn Very* Choice Brocaded Prints, quite new designs . _r-.„i.. ■ White Satin Striped Brocaded Musluio Tfinnne^e Milks, vo.rv choice A -feeaS-O-tnVnt of Black Silks. UUUSually good value, from 3. Od per yard A Varied and Carefully-selected Stock of New Fancy Dress Materials . Black and Coloured Lustres in variety, and General Drapery Goods of every descrip- A Job Line of Heavy Brown Holland at 6}d per yard . . . - Balance of Last Season s Dress Goods ana „oo Lines at very greatly Reduced Rates, ro Job Lot of large-sized Honeycomb Towels at Od each, 1. yards long _ Every Requisite in Furnishing Drapery. Carpets in variety. Curtains. Blind Muslins, Window Holland, Damask. Sheetings all makes, Toilet Covers, Coloured and White Quilts and Counterpanes Blankets, all sizes, unusually cheap, sec, &.c. A Large Stock of Calicoes, or oca. uaaxes, always on hand. Grey Calico from 3d per yard ■White Calico from l.doer yard Every Description of Clothing tor Boys and Tweeds, Corduroy, Moleskin, strong material, for Boys' wear. a in he £ allowed on ail Cash Purchases of 20s. and upwards. rushbrook & bridgman, ".Junction Drapery Warehouse, Upper Qutee-T-stbeet, ATTCICLAXD. TTT R A T T R A V Has Just Opexed his SP R INC. AND SUM ME R DRESS MATERIALS, Comprising some of the Newest Designs, from the English and Continental Manufactories, in Valencias, Baiernos Soot Brochea, Grissaille. Fancy Mohairs, Japanese Silks Silk Waros, Checks and Stripes Lustres iii a great variety of r.ew shades Brocade Prints English and French Prints iv all the Newest Patterns. -jwr E W tj EAL AND TT OUS E, 03, Queem-street, AO-KXAXD. TMPC RTA NT NOTICE —■ ___. Having introduced STEAMPO WER into tlie Manufacture of FURNITURE, ice are now enabled to SuTpplg oar Cus tomers at GREATLY REDUCED PRICES. T. & 11. COOKE, Cabinetmakers, Upholsterers, &c., _.c «S_f- SH O W R 0 O MS. i 67, Queen-street. STEAM CABINET FACTORY \ Victoria-street. '



hOTTE ARE NOW SHOWING j VV I OUR LARGE SHIPMENT of QUMMER Pjsk 'SAM MENDEL.' J. COSGKAYE & CO. TTNION INSURANCE COMPANY U ' ok NEW ZEALAND. C APITAL -2,000,000. jAUCK LAI\ D BRAN CH : Temporary Offices : QUEEN-8 T R E E T, i Next to Mr. G. W. Binney's Store.



An Iniquitous Game is being played by cer tain flagitious scamps who put cheap and fiery liquor in bottles which have held the national medicated beverage. Unoi/euo Wolfe's ScniE dam Aromatic Scuxaiu's, for the purpose of deceiving the unwary into the belief that their vile concoctions are identical with tlie great original. Demand the genuine.