SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

_~,„ w . m (This Afternoon,s.lS HIGH v AJ-&.U— ( To-morrow Mornmg, Co SUN SET.—This Evening. 4.50 SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning, 7.4 MOONS AGE.—Full Moon, 27 >h, 3.44 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Hineraoa, Govt. s.s., from vv ellington Ruby, schooner, from liiissell Fanny Kelly, schooner, from Wangaroa Janet, cutter, from liussell

DEPARTURES.

Taranaki, s.s., for the South.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES. For London— Electra, ship, early; Anne Gam bles, barque, early. oth June

ForSvdney—Syren, brif?, early For Tonga —Active, schooner, Friday For Fiii—Daphne, schooner, early For Levuka — Nymphe, schooner, Saturday, 26th instant For Wangarei— Argrle. every Tuesday

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Lombardinn, ship (N.W.Q-.T.), from London

sailed Jan. 26. Yosemite, ship (HVW.Y.L.), from London, early. Hudson, ship (VT.S.F.D.), from London, early. G. Broui, rhton. ship, (N.K.V.Q.), from London,

early. Dilpuss'ind, baroic (VI.G.M.D.), from London, early.

EXPORTS.

Per Syren for Sydney: 730 pieces timber, 70,000 feet do.', 25 acid cases, 159 bales tow, and 1 bale rags.

The schooner Queen is to sail for Hokianga to-morrow. Fears are entertained for the safety of the schooner Asnasia, which left Wellington i'or Kaipara on the 2nd instant, and has not since been heard of. The s.s. Taranaki sailed for the South yester day afternoon. . _ the Government steamship Hmemoa arrived from Wellington in t.'e Manukau yesterday. The Hon. Mr. Whit-ikcr was a passenger. Messrs. M. Jones & Co. are to offer for sale, at their auction mart to-morrow, the hull, sails, anfl gear of the barque Feronia, as she lies at Kaipara Hearts. , . „ 1 Tho s.s. Rowena sails this afternoon for ?he^.s- Pretty Jane is to leave this afternoon for Tauranga and ihe East Coast. The schooner Active cleared at the Customs to-dav'for Tonga and Samoa, with a large general cargo. This vessel has had remarkably quick dispatch. She will sail. probably this evening or tomorrow early, The Atlantic was loading at Lyttelson, lor Auckland, on May 17th. Tho schooner Ruby arrived from Russell to-day, with 60 tons of coal. The Fanny Kelly arrived from vvangaroa to-day. with timber, etc. The brig Syren cleared at the Customs to-day The Janet, cutter", arrived from Russell to-day with 44 tons coal. The Southern Cross, barque, cleared out at the. Customs this morning for Newcastle, and will probably sail to-morrow.

COMMERCIAL.

Mr R. Arthur lielcl his weekly sale of groceries and furniture to-day., considering the weather, the sale was well attended. The following were the average prices as far as the sale had pro ceeded. Potatoes, 3s to Is; carrots. 2s Cd: pumpkins, 2s; onions, 2d to 2Ad; Provincial bacon and hams 4Jd to Sd: do. cheese, 4d to 7d; beef, Id to 2!d; flour, £16; fowl wheat, 3s; pears, 2d. Messrs Cochrana and Son's weekly furniture sale was well attended, and good prices realised.

AUCKLAND CATTLE MARKET.

Mr Alfred Buciclaxd's Weekly Report

Horse stock : Heavy draught, from £26 to £13; medium draught. £14 to £13: the mare Mystery, £26. Inferior horse stock from £3 ISs and up wards. At Remucra, on Wednesday, the dairy stock brought from £4 to £7, a few of better quality from £S 5s to £10 10s. Yearling steers in request at full values. Grown store cattle at lower prices. Fat stook—l47 head ppnned. All of good quality sold freely at from 2Gs to 30s the lOOibs., but inferior-conditioned animals were at low values. The ewes were in low condition, and of small size. They brought from 17s to 18s 6d each. Fat sheep—soo penned; all of good quality. They realised 3d the Ib. Well fatted long-woolled wethers brought from ISs to 25fe each. Second quality from 14s. Pigs, although of good quality, met with a dull sale. and. a downward tendency of prices. No fat calves offered.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND

Mails will Close as Under :— For Thames, this day. at 5.30 p.m., and to morrow, at 5.30 p.m. For Corornaniei, per Argyle, this day, at 0.30 p.m:, and on Monday next, at 11.30 a.m. For Wangarei Heads, per Rover, this day, at 4 p.m. For Whitiangi, Taurancra. and Opotiki, per Trß°WM»4^&Knat(^i?»&*«i«.-<«.-».--««- O w wai, Waipu, Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Anne MiUbank, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Noumea (New Caledonia), Norfolk Island, per Waiwera, to-morrow, at 3 p.m. For Russell. Wangaroa, and Mongonui. per lona, on Monday next, at 4 p.m. Per s.s. Taupo, on Tuesday, 29th instant, as follows :— For India, China, Mediterranian Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 7 a.m. For Tai anaki, Southern Provinces, Austra lian Colonies, and United Kingdom, via Suez and Southampton (for letters specially ad dressed), at 8 a.m. For London, via Brindisi, and late letters for Southern Provinces and Melbourne, at 8.20 a.m. For newspapers, at 6 a.m For money orders and registered letters, the previous evening, at 4 p.m. N.B.—ln future mails for Tokatoka, Whaka hara, Aratapu, Te Kopuru, Mitiai, Dargaville, and'Mangawhare. will be despatched from.-.this office on Monday and Wednesday, at noon. Return Mails will arrive on Thursday and Saturday, at 11 a.m. The Mails for Otamatea, Pahi, Paparoa, and Matakqhe, will, on and after Monday, the 28th instant,' be despatched on Monday instead of Wednesday. S. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster.

A Gaol is the proper place for counterfeiters, and particularly those who poison the com munity by palming off deleterious liquor sea soned with some pernicious drug as that salutary and standard cordial Udolpxio VVolfk's Schie dam Aromatic Schnapps. To render the ini quity more plausible, the rogues use empty :foottlea of the genuine and imitate the labels. Be on ;the alert and so avoid being imposed upon. Pure and Healthy Blood, Clear Skin, and Good Complexion obtained by using Sharland's Concentrated Sarsaparilla. Price, 3s. 6d. and is. 6d. a bottle. Sharland's Podo phyllin (Pearl) Pills, for Billiousness. Constipa tion, and Liver. Price, Is. and 2s. Gd. a box.— Apothecaries Hall, opposite Post-ofliee., Auckland.

BIRTH.

NATION.—On the 21st May, 1877, at Roslyn, Dunedin, the wife of A. T. Nation, Esq., Solicitor, of a daughter.

DEATHS.

McAULAY—At the Old Men's Refuge, on Thursday, May 24, Mr. Wm. McAulay, for several years a well-known and much re spected inmate of the Institution, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to life, aged 78 years.

The funeral will take place on Saturday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, from the residence of Mr. Tvareham, 2, Russell Place, Symonds street. All friends are respectfully invited.

HOULTpN.-^On 2iih May; at Mount St. John, of gastric fever, W. F. M. Hpulton, late of High Ash Farm, Ketteringhain, Norfolk, aged 67 years. May he resfc in peace.—Home papers please copy. The funeral will leave Ms late residence, Mount St. John, Epsom, for interment in St. Marks Cemetery, Remuera, on Saturday, 26th lHstant, at 3 o'clock. Friends Are respectfully invited to attend.

M^ NN/-°?,. tke 24th May, at the Provincial HospitaL Richard, eldest son of the late R F Mann, Worcester, England, aged ii years. The funeral will leave the Hospital at 3.30 p.m. on Saturday. Friends are respectfully requested to attend.

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

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that ueejls sesistance. For the future in the. distance. And the t;-ood that we can do.

FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1877

The gioAvth of poAver in the hands of the mdustrial classes of Great Britain through irade Unions, has during the last few years attained the proportions of a social revolution. In Auckland we are so rarely brought into contact with even the outposts ot this great movement, that few people are aware what has been done and what are the prospective aims of the widespread combinations which now influence every branch of trade and manufacture. The sub ject is brought under our notice in a copy of the monthly report of the Amalgam ated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, forwarded by a member of the Auck land Branch. We trace in the report ;he ramifications of the Society, operating through 275 separate branches in England alone, helping the unemployed, supporting the sick, and providing for those per manently injured by accident. The unemployed benefit allowance is 10s and 6s; sick benefit, 12s. and 6s. ; and suner-

£•100 grants were voted, and two where the grants amounted to £50. The Society whose proceedings are recorded in 'this report-is an admirable type of the organiza tions which have done so much for work ing men in England. No movement- has bce-n more misunderstood, or more misre presented, than the effort of workmen, to secure co-operation and combination as a protection against the all-powerful influence of capital. The earlier forms of trade union ism—when'the societies werejweak, isolated, and badly controlled —-gained a notoriety for outrages perpetrated by its members, -which

• were detailed with every species of exagger | ation in newspapers controlled by manufac turers. Moderate people, unacquainted with the deep-seated evils under which labour had patiently groaned nntil despe ration induced violence, looked askance at all con nected with combination:? producing such fruits. But the intelligent promoters of the movement knew that it was capable of better things. Working under legisla tive ban, ■without legal remedy against any dishonest scoundrel who suc ceeded in stealing monies belonging to the unions, the societies could do little beyond agitate. Then followed a long scries of peaceful demonstrations from end to end of England. In ISG6 and ISG7, these demonstrations became so serious and widespread as to enforce the attention of parliament. A liberal franchise was wisely granted, as a natural vent for the .prevailing dissatisfaction. Having obtained this,, concession, tbe societies proceeded vigorously and intelligently to take advantage of it. A great trade congress held at .Manchester in IS6'B, took measures that ie 1 to a revision of the law bearing upon Trade Unions; and from a position in which they Aycve beyond th« pale of the ■ law, the societies obtained legal status, and becimo consolidate)'. Their career since t-heu luis been one of steady growth, mutual help, and active exertion to benefit labour. The success achieved in securing a more equal distribution of the prolits< of manufacture, represented by the general rise in -wages, is, perhaps, of smaller im portance than the independence which has

been conferred on workmen. Industrial occupations in England are no longer a perpetual struggle to keep from pauperism. At the Trade Union Congress of September last, the delegates represented a million men and nvoiitcu in full conununion-.\wibh the organisation, and straining every nerve to maintain the rights and improve the con dition of the industrial population of England. .The aid given by the Unions to t the down-trodden agricultural labourers, who were without claim on the societies, and the £14,000. contributed to Mr Plitiisoll's

agitation for the improvement of the seuiaiin»- .profession, shew that the sympathies of the Union are on the riyht ■side snd admit of no bounds Vut those •proscribed by. limited resources. The power represented-by an organisation so extensive is an enormous one to direct, and timorous people .have expressed fears le.«t it be abused. Necessarily, there is a certain danger of excessive demands from em ployers crippling tradj and playing into the hands of continental and American manufacturers. But these dangers are slight, compared with the enormous

amount of good which the Unions ,luive already accomplished and are still .doing. The ultimate result of the rapid.aggre gation of wealth in the hands of a few, .and the depression ot tlio mosses, tvas becoming a problem that could not 1)0 pondered without uneasiness, when the happy idea of pitting numbers against individual strength supplied a means of preserving the balance. The leaders of the .societies doubtless see more clearly than could be pointed out to; them that the interests of labour are bound up with thosej of capital— that each can only prosper by going heartily band in hand with the other. Mistakes may oft-times .be committed ou both sides, but every -> year's experience will •hnprcsa this guiding principle more deeply, and secure a spirit of conciliation that will smooth over most difficulties without resorting to the harsher measures of .strikes and lock-outs. Trade Unions have given popular education, will effectually subvert the doctrine that men were made for the accomplishment of the ambitious designs «£ kings.

A.CCEI/BGRAJI received to-day reports the capture by the Russians of Ardahan, a i&wu'kx the province of Ergeroum j u Turkey in Asia,. Ardahan is on the river Kar in the direct main road froie Kars, from which place it, is iifty English miles. By the possession of Arnahan, the Russians com mand .the valley north of i range of moun tains vßt&ich separates the northern Ergerouiu from the southern portion of that province. By the seizure of Bayazid on the South the Russians advance within >fffiy miles of the capital of Erze roum, aud'threaten its comnajtfdcationsj-with Kars by the main road running between the mountain lianges of Kop Dagh and Buigol Dagh. The Roumanian Chamber has declared war against Russia, will not surprise anyone, and thus Turkey has opposed to her a large populaijon on ker frontier. SCiae British Mediterranean fleet has arrived at, Port Pirens, AtkejßK.

Last evH3iy.i!g a somewhat ai&u&iftg scene was witnesse&i-n a well-known haii"t&*essing saloon in (Jueen-street. The enipiyprising proprietor having gone to the dopes, had engaged aiaoither barber to attend cto his business dining his absence, but^Hiifor itunately th£* latter gentleman during the day worshipped ttoa devotedly at ifche^aine of Bucchus, ; an& iia consequence and the thrsatsuf the customers iweje in considerable daaig#r. The proprietor «se tiiirned not in the ibest of humours, andj^nfl iug his substiiarte lm a decidedly elevated condition, renasaistr&ted, not unreasonably, with him. The secoftd gentleman could upi see that his conduct nfM in any way blame worthy, and a wai'jn altercation ensued, while an astonislisd .customer remained iun-: attended in the cl&&ii;, 'Ms face covered with lather. Soon the feelings of the parties were so deeply moved^-tfeat they could no£ keep their hands a€F ,e#,eh other, and : a regdLai- mill ensued. IThe&arbers evident&y had soisie acquaintance M?itk the noble art,, and chairs, soap suds, razors, &c, &c, were sent flying indiscriminate among the astonished customers, wi!io.e.n|[fiavoured, but in vain, to stay the battle. t.One customer having imprudently pte<eed &imsecf im mediately before the fist of the.enraged pro prietor reee-ived the said fist ;in his eye, and then retired evidently tJaiiSjiittS himself ill-used, and it was fully ten minxes before the offending foarber could be induced to ciy peccavi. Mutual explanations ensued, and harmony was shortly afterwards coinp pletely restored %r the aid of stua&'yikottles of beer.

Several of the sleek actors of AiMi]<fJftiid, who have been lingering in the £&ty for *ome three months, with the song ©I #ke Manchester men wpwi their lips, "W& have no work to do," Reared out yesterday by the hero for Sydney. About four or five are left behind, an£ one of these, we understand, will quit this part of the colony .as soon as his lease Is out in August next.

The appointment of Charles Small as keeper of the Mount Albert pound is Gazetted.

The members of the Fraternal Home of Good Templars held a teameeting ami entertainment last evening in the Albert street Hall. The chair was taken by Mi- French, W.C.T., supported by the officers of the lodge in regalia. The entertainment was of an interesting character. Addresses in connection with the movement were delivered by Rev Mr Dudley, of St. Sepulchre's, Messrs S. and G. Hemus and Jenkins. Professor Butchkow presided at the pianoforte. Songs were sung by Sisters Hirst, Gribbie, and Carr ; alsb, by Brothers Jamieson, Bu< nan, Tudeh and

. We-hav«to acknowledge receipt from the Town Clerk of a copy of die burgess roll ■for 1877-78. The preaeat ioll, as prepared in accordance with the Coipbrations Act of last .session, is a very elaborate and lengthy compilation, as comparec with previous rolls, eacli property owned or leased by ratepayers being detailed, the whole then totalled, .and the number of raters shewn. The total number of votes is-1340, a some what less number than the previous year, owing to the fact of the second half-yearly collection of the general rite not being paid in time to qualify * number of ratepayers. The number of-.votes am emits to about 2,700, or an average of about two votes to each burgess. The total valuation amounts to about £11S,OOO. The roll contains only the names and properties of ratepayers who hare paid all rates (which they were legally liable to pay) up to the time of compiling the burgess roll. The roil has been very creditably prepared, under the superin tendence of the Town Clerk. The to.a 1 valuation of city property amounts to o-\ er £147,368, shewing an increase from 1; at year of £6,372. There are consideral ly over 100 ladies names on this roll. Mr Davies, the ventriloquist, explained to tke audience last evening (that in con sequence of the sound o: the rain on the roof of the theatre his efforts to modify his voice and render apparent distances really eifeotivc wore five-lold, and necessitated much greater exertion on his part. Stillness around, and close attention on the part of slisteuers," are indispensable to ,tlie success of the ventriloquist, as to much depends ■on the ear. We have received a large number of letters against spiritualii-ai and chiding the pitiable exhibition to which Auckland audiences have latelyjbeen subjected. As w« announced before, however, to proceed aur .'farther with the discussion, with all ;the letters on the one side, would only be worse than useless. The amount of space .already devoted to the subject in our columns, and the multitude of other subjects claiming? our attention, ido not dispose us favourably *o a profit less controversy, "C—d from Europe," '" 1?. H. S," and other correspondents must, therefore accept this apology for the non-ap pearance of their communications. The New Zealand Gazette of ICth May, -1877, notifies that his Excellency rthe Gov ernor has appointed Major Daniel Hender son Lusk, New Zealand Militia, to com mand the Militia and Volunteers in the Auckland district from tho 17th February, H877.

The journeymen shipwrights of this city will hold * sjiecial meeting this evening in the Albert-street Temperance Hall, for business of importance connected yrith the trade.

IS An old and much-respected, inmate of the Old men's Refuge, named William MeAuley died yesterday. We beliavo he had served in the array, aud his age •-was about 78 years. Of late years ho had manifested a nio.st devout demeanour, and lie passed away in the ntnost pence. He was much respected by the authorities of the Refuge, and by a circle of private friends for his kindly and Christian disposition. He passed the greater part of his leisure in reading and meditating on the .Scripture, and in exhorting his fellow inmates to repentance and godly-living. The funeral "will leave the residence of Mr Waroham, No. 2, Russell .Place, Symonds-street, at 3 o'clock to-morrovr.

Mr Jamos Mnekay is still at Taupo, com pleting private land purchases. There wae no volunteer demonstration at Christchurch, yesterday. The lion. E. Richardson laid the founda tion atone of the new public buildings at Christchurch, yesterday. .The Maiden .Steeplechase, at Wanganui, \\yas won by Greyhound, and the Consola tion Match by Te Whetumarama. Lloyd, in riding tho lattor, fell, and was badly injuied.

The " Gazette " of May 17th contains a notification defining the line of the portion of the Onehunga branch extensions of the Justico of the Mount Eden Gaol. Another clean shoet, the third in suc cession, was introduced to the B«nch at the Police Court to-day—th* like of which has not been for twenty years. This fact must be exceedingly interesting to Good Tem ,plars,;if it can be takftii as an evidence that ,the people are improving socially and onorally. James McCosh Clark, Esq., was in iattendance, but his services were not Post-office officials meet with some onifiqus puzzles occasionally in the address of letters. The other day the clerks in the Auckland office successfully unravelled the fallowing.:— "Mr John Mealey, in car Mr Visez Sturd, Categat." Without seeing the accompanying.crochety writing a fair idea caai :hardly be formed. of tlie difficulties of the puzzle. The letter, it may be explained, was discovered to be addressed to the care of Mr Vcsey Stewart, :Katikati. Here is another;—" Autonia. Silva (Omeo de New Oeal&mde), Bivalanda." The last word is intended for Bay of Islands.

The shareholders of.the Auckland Steam Packet Company will hold their fifth annual meeting chi Monday next in Mr Tothill's offices.

We uotieed a pair of excellent photo graphic view* «f ,the Choral Hall and St. Andrew's Presbyterian Ghur«h, Symonds street, m the windows of pulman's photo graphic establishment, JShortland-street. They would suit as "companions" for the drawing-room.

Aveiy interesting foot-ball match was played yesterday on the old Albert Barracks ground, between two elevens of the St. Pauls Chorister* and Hebrew School, which resulted in a vieteiy fer the latter, by seven points, or one goal and one touch down.

The usual weekly meeting of *he Star of Newton Good Templar Lodge wil be held this evening, at the usual kour.

We learn that Mr Johu Eds©X tas, at the request of a large number of shareholders jifagowed himself to be nominated as a mem' S^et- of the committee of the A-ueldand &<esL-manent Co-operative Building «,nd In ivesfcment Society. The election comes off <ou luesday, sth June, and very great iinterest appears to be talcen in the event.

'3*fce suburban school committee at CWi*tchurch held a conference yesterday, aapa {passed a resolution in favour of tae .^tablishment of secondary schools in sioifcaitjte centres, so as to increase the effi. cieuey .and economical conduct of the advances! classes. Pupils \re to pass examination in the sixth standard before admittance to such schools.

The Pauaell Borough Council will meet this evening, at lialf-past seven o'clock, to consider && question of "The Vacant Chair."

I The Wellington "Argus" draws atten r tion to an fcasianee of negligence of the local postal sonorities in respect to the delivery of the Auckland tenders for the wharf. A telegram "was received stating the fenders had been (posted, but though the ip&ail reached Wei&ugton on the previous Miming, the letter .did not turn up until sQB&e time after the Council had met. It happened that neither of the tenders were much ,out of the running, but had either been lower than those already received it would "h&ve had a narrow fcssnpe of arriving too late.

There was no business d&ufe in the share market to--<Ha.v.

An obiturary notice in our issue ,of Wednes day last, has beea very generally raiisiaken for a notice of the demise of Mr. E. E. Madden, solicitor. That gentleman is, we are happy to learn still in the enjoyment of perfect health. A correspoftdent suggests that our con temporaiy's .reporter wfco wrote that no " nrescnt arms " was pei^iormed by the

A knot of politicians have denounced the Declaration of Paris as inimical to British inter ests and pow,er. in ease of war. The motion to abrogate it was defeated in the House of Com mons ; and previous to that event the " Times' defended its continuance in the following terms: " Th»r» are two reasons why we may be con tent to approve the Declaration of Paris aban doning the right wo formerly insisted upon of takinj an enomy's goods out of a neutral ship. In tke first placo. we could not maintain the old rule if we desired it. In the next place, it would ba of no u»a to us it it could be maintained. When the Crimean War bagan, we found our selves in alliance with France, which had always profossed observed the doctr'no that a neutral ship conferred immunity from capture upen any goods of an enemy, not being contra band of war, carried by her. If a French cruiser met a German merchantman with the goods of a Russia* trader on board, the goods would be held free from capture; if an English cruiser mot the »amo vessel, the goods would have been liable to capture. It is obvious that one and the same rule was necessary for both ; ai?'l tho Fiench rule was preferred. The reason of the t>reference wan that it was thought unde sirable to pro vo ko the remonstrances of neutrals; and we may now freely confess that if in the event «fa war we should try to enforce our old rule, we should at once make all the neutrals of th« world our enemies. The United States, in particular, would not allow us to take out of their ships the goods of an enemy carried from them as bailees; and we should have to fight over again tho war of 1812, with the difference that the claim for immunity would now cover goods instead of men. In the cad, too, we should hare to give up th» pretence of capturing goods, as we have given up the pretence of taking away men, because they were English born. "VVe have solemnly admitted that a man may change his nationality, provided that he doas ifc in good fnith, a7id cue form; and we should oome to admit that n belligerent, because ho was at war with another Power, was not entitled to harass a neutral friend of both|by stopping his ships on the hh<h seas, to prevent his pursuing an in»ocent carrying trade. We did insist upon this right for centuries, but it is c ondoiDM»d upon every just principal of inter naUon*l usages.

KAIPARA SHIPPING.

{FROM OUII OWN CORRE:

ISPONDENT.)

FEARFUL WEATHER REPORT.

Kaipara.Heads, May 22, 1577. THE following vessels have arrived during the last eight days : —The Reliance from Wellington to Port Albert ; the Kaiuma, from Waitara, after a stormy passage, carrying away tlie mainmast by the board, and putting into Raglan for shelter and repairs, a.;rived kere with a jury mainmast.

Departures—Flora, for Lyttelton, on the 19th, and the Matchless for Dunedin, on the lG'th.

Vessels at the Heads—Loch Lee, for Melbourne; s.s. Durham, for Auckland ; Nightingale for Melbourne; Minnehaha, for Dunedm ; and Marmion, for Welling ton ; all loaded.

Tfi KOPtJEU. —Vessels Loading—Kaiunm and Hannah Bloomficld. There are none ut Aratapu.

The Surah Pile is at Wairan. All the late arrivals report fearful weather, the worst they have seen for years.

SWIMMING.

(To the Editor of the Star.)

Sir, —In connection with the establishment, of Free Schools it is a pity some system of gratutous teaching of the very useful, im portant, and necessary art of swimming is not made compulsory, or at least offered to the pupils. At home, for some years, a Society has been established which offers to teach all and every free of charge. If neces sary there, how much more so here where one cannot travel many miles without neoding the knowledge of swimming. Could not some arrangement be mad* with the lesee of the present baths to teach the Eupils in batches on the ordinary half olidays during the Spring and Summer months. I hope the suggestion will be acted upon by the members of the Board of Education, and become one of the features of compulsory education.—Yours, Puilo.

THE EDUCATION RATE.

(To the Editor of the Star).

I SIE, —Having been called upon to-day for ■ one pound education rate, that rate being | the last relic of brainless provincial i incapacity, I ■wish to point out a little Novr, sir, as I receiye no benefit from this rate, I can show you who does. I will I take a small country settlement numbering i 13 householders, three of whom are child : less, and ten have children. The house hold rate of this settlement will be £13 • one bachelor 10s, £13 10s ; capitation tax, ! £2 15s ; total rate of settlement, £16 15s. ( Schoolmaster £80 per annum. Deduct the ' rate £16 5s and £63 15s remain to |be found elsewhere — that elsewhere is the poor working men of Auckland, au ill - provided - for population, who in i a great many instances must go short of | the most needful necessaries of life, i and not a few suffer absolute want to pay | the rate to make up the deficiot of £63 15s, I to educate the children of wealthy settlers lin this settlement, the poorest of whom' l hart", eijjjht or ton cows to their name, and j some forty or fifty head of cattle, in ! addition to two and three hundred sheep. j This, and many other places like it, is where this rate -wrung from our poor workmen goes. The household rate of sixty-three poor people in town who could not buy S one sheep unitedly, goes to educate the children of one or two, possessed of hun dreds of sheep and cattle. Some of these settlers I know for a fact, send to town in the season five and six pounds worth of eggs weekly, one of them two years ago, sent half a ton of honey, and this season he has thirty cows in full milk. Whilst lam not able to get half a pint daily out of my earnings in Aucklaud, I am compelled to educate this milk and honeyman's children. Sir, put this in the balance, and say is it just, and this is what the stepfather of the old,unworkable, cast out, Nelson Education Act boasts of having done for the conntry. I think in all fairness settlers like these should be compelled to educate their own children or they should be ashamed to take education, knowing the channel from whence it was drained.—Yours, &c, A voice From Under the Grinding Stone.

THOMAS WALKER AND HIS ACCUSERS.

(To the Editor of the .Star.)

Sir,—You will oblige by supplementing your report of last Saturday by these few lines winch express only the conclusion I am forced to. 1. That the article in the Star does a cruel wrong to Mr Walker by magni fying and torturing trifles of no moment whatever into serious charges ; the know ledge of these trifles being obtained by a species of inquisition effected under the false garb of friendship. 2. It seems most unlikely that a man who is both willing and anxious, as Mr Walker is, to meet hii enemies and accusers either in public or private should be an impostor. 3. As to whether Mr Walker can Jdo in his normal state what he does in the abnormal, the evidence is so contradictory and the judg ment so manifestly biassed on both sides that it would be unsafe to draw any conclusion .Now that I am writing, I would ask per mission to correct a mistake in your report of last Friday evening. You make me say that the Christianity was on Mr Walker's side ; what was on the other I would not S% »!%* ? did say was this : "That, while Mr Walker had had harsh denuncia tion, ridicule, and abuse lavished on him I had not heard from him, in public or private, one unkind or . uncharitable word toward anyone ; and that, if we nuked from the conduct, we should have to say the Christianity (in conduct) was on his side With such distortion as this, little truth could remain anywhere.—l am etc bxYMUEL Edgier.— Hamilton, May 22nd. '' [It is singular, if there has been such a desire for publicity, that our offer of £50 i at the determination of any public meet-in" should still remain unaccepted; and that feho investigation conducted by our corres lKilLuiinii_BEaS_Caxrig.fl nn in p*in<iV nm.rn^.. »i

EX-OFFICERS.

(To the Editor of the Stab.)

SIR, —I saw a letter in yours of yesterday, shewing that Provincial officers call for public sympathy in their martyrdom. What right have these drones to compensa tion more than any other working man ? Why did they not save when in office ? They had good pay, and little or nothing to do. " One thing is certain, they were the most improvident class in the colony, er, perhaps, in. the world. They lived up to all the new forms and fashions, kept servants, and their own daughters going in idleness. Their old men dreamed dreams, and their young men saw visions. Dreams of great pensions, and visions of ball-rooms and billiard tables. The humble cottager, who grew a dozen of cabbage, has done more for the country than the whole mob united ever did. We had to keep them in office, and now they want us to keep them when out of office. They were not forced into office; they sought it a3 an idle occupation. There never was work for one third of thost- who were employed under the Provincial Government. I was many times amused upon going into the Auck land Provincial Offices, when opening the door, there was a rush to the desks ; nail and tooth pickers thrown aside, and all hands pretended to be doing something. Indeed, the greater part of their time was spent in pretending to be doing something. Pretence won't do any longer. Let them throw off their paltry pride, and take up a spade or pick, and go to work like honest people. The tax-payer cannot afford to indulge these idle dreams any longer. Any petition got up for such a purpose as com pensating those individuals will meet that response which it deserves, viz., public contempt.—l am, etc., TAX-PAYEE.

A DISTRESSING CASE.

(To the Editor of tho STAR.)

Sir, —Allow me to thank you on behalf of Mrs Ferguson, of Liverpool-street, for inserting her few lines to Mra Batterworth. I trust you will again excuse this liberty in soliciting aid through your paper of the charitable public for the support of Mrs Ferguson and family. The following are a few particulars of her case : Mrs Ferguson's late husband (formerly Col.-Sergeant H.M. 58th regiment) had been unable to obtain employment for the last ten months, with two exceptions—lst, about a fortnight's employment over the condemned man Curtin as watchman ; 2nd, in the same capacity over the condemned Maori Te Pa Ti, in performing which last duty he caught the cold which terminated in his death. Mrs Fergusoa is left with .six children, the youngest of whom is about two years old, and she expects to be con fined again in July. The little money that has been coming to her has been entirely taken up in paying funeral expenses, and a few small bills previously incurred.—l remain, &&, J. H.

CABLEGRAMS.

[PRESS AGENCY.]

THE 'V7AE-.

Russians Capture Ardasan

Roumania Declared "War

Against Turks

LONDON, May 23. The Russians have captured Ardahan, near Kars, in Asia. The Roumanian Chamber has resolved to declare Avar against Turkey, and seek to secure for Ronmania entire independence. The British Mediterranean Squadron ha s arrived at Port Piraus.

"Australian' News.

SYDNEY, April 25- The Suez mail has arrived at Adelaide, The news is unimportant.

Supposed Loss of the Aspasia.

It is feared that the schooner Aspasia, with all hands, is numbered among the many craft which have sailed from port never to be heard of again. The vessel left Wel lington on the 2nd instant, in company with the Hannah Broomfield for Kaipara, with a general cargo. The latter vessel arrived some time ago, but' there was no intelligence of the Aspasia, up to yesterday. The vessel was a fine schooner of 45 tons, owned by Mr E. Pearce, of Wellington, and commanded by Captain W. Johnstone. Mr J. M. Fraser was the Auckland agent. Very rough weather prevailed along the coast shortly after the vessel left Port Nicholson, and there seems only too much reason to fear that she has foundered in a gale, with all on board. There is still, however, a shadow of hope that she has been driven off the coast and will turn up safely, but the number of vessels that have made the passage from the South since the Aspasia left, render the probabilities strongly against her chances of safety. r

COURT ZEALANDIA ANNUAL RE-UNION.

The members of the Court Zealandia, A.O F Held their anniversary soiree and ball last eyenmginthe Lome-street Hall. About half-past six o clock, a large number sat down to partake of a .sumptuous repast prepared for them. Grace having been pronounced by Bro. Bakewell, the visitors tell to work in right earnest. Many of them had been out at the races and review, and were au hungered." However, as their was something more substantial before them than is to be found at th« ordinary tea gatherings, in the shape of ham sandwiches, they were soon satisfied. There must have been four or five relays, so many people arriving after the com mencement of the tea and before the entertain }£i ntv At f ght ?l cIoc? Preci3ely, His Worship the Mayor took the chair, and the following gentlemen, representatives of various Friendly Societies, sat at either side of him .--Messrs E c^&E; 0' 11* S OU? <?* of Auekiand, A O.®'; shiD°Too'p #TT L°^? c £ ount#* of' Friend" H'oßq j" n' ; * ¥• Gonnolly, Secretary J1.A.C.8.5., Auckland Branch; G. Carr Ind/ pendent Order of Rer habites;' C Featherston District Secreten; A 0.F.; 'Tl.os mJeS; one large family, a home where therewas no brXer' IS Z™? er £0 10s 7d • t>TA ViS * \ ,lld; other receipts, sssa & Ifl3«&sas?s a dftatha" n'^ ~•_??_^ c,elfs and 4 days. No

,of any benefit society would join one tw came the concert and a capital one it w,en ■Mr.Dean bur. " Out of the Frying Pan LT Fire," and Mr. Smart imitated Emmet ti he nicety m "The Watercress Girl." An L^ a was demanded, and it was well deservea "^ Ryan sang " The Blacksmith." Mess™ iJ!? and Rice (true sons of Terpsichore), dl' n^ c splendid style, a double sailor's horm>ine t£ - n " get-up" was immense, their ducks andblon£ evidencing the washerwoman's care and «* patent steam iron-the British tarhastodo with salt water. '' Tke Sleigh Ride," by M- HnJ" 1 " The Sexton," by Mr. W. II Sceate d o en J "Kind be thy thoughts of me love" bY \rd Dean, concluded the concert. The chsirm having given another short and sensible address, called on the Foresters to form in tl centre of the room, and give " 'j'^e Fore»w Fire." Three cheers having been given for th* Chairman, the company mixed together enVac? ing partners and preparing for the t^ali imJ Worship having as partner Mrs. J. ImpW IJS off the dance, and the ■• light fantastic*' eon tmued until an early hour this morning \ii" I F. Christmas performed the duti&s of kastpr of Ceremonies in a very efficient manner Mr George Wright's fine band was engaged for th» occasion, and gave entire satisfaction. Thp committee, who were distinguished, by their green and white rosettes, consisted of Mp«k McEwin, Wright, J. Dempsey, BakewcU' F. and G. Christmas, Craddock, Webley Kean Priestly, and Miles.and they exerted themselves to the_ utmost to please the company, and

Our Goldfields.

(From our own Correspondent.)

WAITEKAUKI G.M.C.

The Mine Manager's report confirms the more speedy messages received from our own corres pondent, relative to the appearance and pros pects of this Company's mine. The battery manager, Mr Corbett, advertises in the Thames papers for forty pick and shovel men, to proceed at once to Waitekauri. There is consequently indication of a lively time up there. The following is the mine manager's report:—Waite- kauri mine, May 21st, 1877,—Directors of the Waitekauri Goldmiiiing and Quartz-crushing Company.—Gentlemen,—l beg to forward the. following weekly report:—On the lower level the main drive is in DO feet south of No. 2 winze I am taking four feet of the footwall lode, and •* the stone is looking well. I have broken down the reef going north, eight feet, and it is showing good golden stone. On the 160 f»et level, the drive to the north of the winze is in 30 feet,'and~ * I am taking eight feet of the n ef, which is shewing good golden stone. I am also* H stoping both north and south Qf the winze, and in all the stopes the reef is shewing good gold. I am keeping the battery fully employed, and the stone is turning out one ounce per ton, and to all appearances likely to continue to turn out that amount of gold.—l remain, gentlemen, yours obediently, Chas. H. "Wilson, mine manager. UNITED Kingdom,—Although fair prospects • have at times presented in this mine, no payable - lode has hitherto been reported, but now it is' stated that a twenty-inch gold-bearing reef has been opened up. Queen.—Work is fairly started, and the driv ing is through favourable-'ooking Sandstone country. The permanent aspect of the Waite-\ kauri mine ensures a satisfactory future for the;';;;? companies who are successful in striking the V champion reef.

LAUNCH OF THE ENERGY.

■ THE fore-and-aft schooner Energy, which : has just been completed at the shipyards jof Messrs Sims and Brown, at the North Shore, was launched at five o'clock this ; afternoon with the usual time-honoured ceremonies* The Energy is iutended for the Island trade, and we believe will be commanded by Captain Sebery. Her dimensions are 68ft. keel, 18ft. 6in. beani, depth of hold Bft. 6in., and she is 71 tons register. She has very fair lines and good carrying capacities, and will doubtless prove herself not only a good boat, and will sail well. The whole of the work has been very creditably carried out by the builders, and the vessel will add one more to the long list - of vessels which have secured the fame of \. Auckland as the premier ship-building port ,of the Southern hemisphere. The sails were supplied by Mr Donaldj aud the rigging by Messrs Oxley. The Energy is = expected to draw about Sft. 6in. when, loaded, and will be about 110 tons burden. ■ After the launch the company will assemble; in the Devonport Hall, where an excellent spread will be provided, and the usual toasts will be proposed.

OTAHUHU.—SOIREE, CONCERT, AND BALL.

(From our own Correspondent.)

liirxr- ua uarnronctonj- of- our -country life'-'* was broken on Thursday evening fey ay soiree, concert, and ball, all of which passed off with the greatest eclat. The affair had • been the prevailing topic of conversation " for some days past, and excited anticipa tions of a well and profitably spent evening, and these expectations were abundantly, ' realised by the results. During Thursday .. evening our quiet little township was enliy ened by the arrival of many settters fron\ - surrounding districts, and aselect company of your leading Auckland amateurs, whose ~ . kindness in assisting on this occasion has evoked universal satisfaction, and will not- soon be forgotten. Though Otahuhu .pos sesses some local talent of no mean order, it is not too much to Say% that the timely arrival of the reinforcement of vocalists and instrumentalists from i Auckland imparted unusual confidence io '';, our own local musical forces, inspired con fidence in the public, and contributed greatly to the crowning success of the j entire affair. The fete was held in aid of , the funds of the Presbyterian Church. 1 Manse, aud took place in the Otahuhu Public Hall. Settlers were present from a, radiug-of four or five miles ; and there were some 40 ladies and gentlemen from Aucfc. land. The tea-fight commenced at about six o'clock, and the assembly of some. 25fM: persons made up a scone peculiarly ani* mated and pleasing to look upon, the effect being heightened by the very tasteful decorations arranged by the ladies of the Committee. There was a most abundant supply of "fragrant tea, and sumptuous ( cake, in fact, the spread was exceptionally liberal, and was enjoyed by the ladies and _ gentlemen present, who passed- a very- > pleasing half-hour in social conversation.^', The following ladies supplied the trays,". and by their splicitions attention to the guests, and their pleasing smiles contrived to render all completely "at their ease;— ■ Mesdames F. Andrew, De Rose,. Elmsley, R. • Robertson, Scott, Smith, Sutherland, Young. The following, who ~ were unable to .take an active part in ih« distribution of the cheering beverage, gave; subscribtions in lieu thereof :—Mesdames Knox, Waters, McLauglau, Goodfellow*t: and Jno. Wallace. THE CONCERT. ... I

The ;inner man having. been refreshes the gueats were prepared for the more intet. lectual part of the proceedings to-follow. At half-past seven o'clock preparations were made for the concert, and: in about. half an hour some 400 persons "were com fortably seated in the neat and pleasant hall. Mr John Wallace occupied the ebair, I and opened the proceedings with a few i appropriate introductory remarks, whicfl I found much favour with the audience.; j He also announced each item of the pro- j gramme, and introduced the vocalists iff... ; Ms well-known efficient manner. The concert was opened with a pianoforte solo > | by Professor Swallow. During the evening g this gentleman played another solo, sang | " When other Lips,'" and played the acconi' | pauiments for the vocalists. His instru- | mentation was such as to indicate »i; § musician of taste and high' cultme; | and the correctness of his accojn-■-■*. I paniments, considering that he J$&M I not any opportunity of a previous rehearsal | with the singers, was characteristic ol * i thorough master of the pianoforte, f u<t t, evoked general expressions of satisfaction* | This is the first time we have had tup I pleasure of witnessing the performances 01 | Mr Swallow, and we hope it will not be W j{ last opportunity the public will have.. *** 8 would certainly be a valuable acquisition^ | musical circles. Mr Harding followed wito j "Here-Upon My Vessel's Deck," whicß m was favourably received. In the seconu r part, he sang {V Soldier's Fortune," and res ig ponded to a hearty encore with a conu| i^ song, which created much amusement, a« m threw the audience into good humom1- ;utgggßKE S. Macky, of Otahuhu, sang diuang %%jm

THE EVENING STAR FRIeIy, MAY 25, 1877,



XUST RECEIVED. EX "HEEO." ONE CASE OF WOOL POPLINS AND BLACK SILK FRINGES. Very Choice Goods. W. RATTRAY, DRAPER, HOSIER, & SILK MER3ER, New Zealand HotrsE, 66, QUEEN-STREET, Auckland MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALASIA. Incorporated by Act of Parliament. NEW ZEALAND BRANCH: Head Office, Auckland- Local Director: George Bubg**yne Owen, Esq. (Messrs. Owen and Graham.) Principal Medical Officer: Charles Field Goldsbro', Esq., M.D. General Agent for New Zealand: William T. J. Bell. With Sub-Agencies in all the Principal Towns. Every information on the subject of LIFE ASSURANCE ANNUITIES, and ENDOW^ MENTS FOR CHILDREN, afforded by J. A LOWE, Tiavelling Agent to the Association ; or WILLIAM T. J. BELL, General Agent. Sal, Special Features.—Age admitted on Policies, which are unchallangable from date of issue. Lowest Rates of Premiums, and no hamper ing conditions as to residence or occupation. XT7"E HAVE NOW BROUGHT FORWARD THE GREATER PORTION OF MESSRS. STEWART & ANDERSON'S STOCK, . — CONSISTING'OF — WINCE YS, FRENCH MERINOES, FANCY DRESS GOODS, SHAWLS AND MANTLES. Also, AN IMMENSE QUANTITY OF MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING. The above Goods will be CLEARED-OUT Re gardless of Cost, to make room for WINTER SHIPMENTS, Now Landing, ex Eleotra and Emily Chaplin.



:::::::::::::::WINDO "W:::::::::::::: Roller Blind of the _A.ge. SELP-A C T I N G. Pronounced Perfect after 12 Years Test, only obtainable AT TUB tar CITY HALL ARCADE. =3SI FLOOR r^LOTIIS, 18 inches to IS feet wide. \y For Stairs, from !)d. per yard For Passages, from Is. lid. yard For Rooms, from 2s. lid. V yd. T INOLEUM, all widths, for JLJ Rjoms, Halls, and Stair?. Mats especially prepared for Billiard Rooms. The Greatest Variety at the CITY HALL ARCADE. CARPETS, upwards of 100 Patterns to ghoose from Hearth Rugs to match. FURNITURE, for the Drawing-room. Dining and Sitting-room, Bedroom and Kitchen. Cheapest Jt urnishin tg House. HOLLOW A^ & GYRLICK, City Halt. Arcade, QUEEN & LORNS-STREETS. J^r o t i c c. MACINTOSH COATS, WATERPROOF CLOTHING. RUSHBEOOK AND EEIDGMAN Have Just Opened, and are now Showing:, a Large Parcel sf the above Goods, from the same House, and of similar style, to their Last Season's Goods, concerning the Wear and Quality of which thfc-y have received many satisfactory testimonials. The Parcel includes various Styles, and all sizes. fa /'Light Textures, in Black and Draia, for O town wear. O . Strong Heavy oheeting. *& X Strong Twilled, Velvet Collars. Pj 3 Cashmere, Fancy Check, and Diagonal S S ] Tweed Patterns. jq q Extra Heavy Diagonal "Warm Lined, !> and extra long. >^ Sealskin Lined, specially adapted for •"■« V. Cabmen, 'Buss Drivers, &c. WATERPROOF APRONS. LEGGINGS, &c. Also, A FURTHER SUPPLY Of BLANKETS, REVERSIBLE BUSH RUGS, AtfJD FANCY AUSTRIA N RUG S, To Hand this Week. Is. in the & allowed on all Cash Purchases of 295. and upwards. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, Junxtion Drapery Warehouse, Upper Que ex-street, auclkand.



IP ONTINUATION OF CLEARING \y OUT SALE. JOHN W. P EARSE (Leaving for England). The Stock must be sold at Frightfully Reduced Prices, to realise quickly, consisting of a very Large Stock of Men's and Boys' Clothing, Ulster Coats, Waterproof Coats. Inverness Capos, Overcoats, French Felt Hats, Cloth Caps. '"A large quantity of Ladies'Ver/Fashionable Costumes, Jackets, Shawls, and Felt Skirts, just received from London. Blankets. Flannels, Tweeds. Hosiery. Gloves, uSljs, Feathers, Flosvers, and Straw Goods. Every Department is Marked Down, so as to clear out. The Lease of the Premises for Sale. P E C I A L NOTICE. AUTUMN & WINTER GOODS, BANNOCKBURN AND MOSGIEL TWEEDS H. L. POSSENNISKIE Opening Out these New Seasonable Goods, would call particular attention to their quality, which is second to none imported, while from his large and varied Stock Gentlemen can rely on a choice of Cloth unattainable else where in the colony. H. L. POSSENNISKIE, MERCHANT TAILOR & HABITMAKER, Opposite the City Mart, Shortland-street.