SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ARRIVALS.

Acadia, schooner, McDonald, from Napier Marion, schooner, Austen, from Lyttelton Advance, schooner, Bennett, from Poverty Bay Southern Cross, s.s., Holmes, from Russell Mary King, schooner, Bailey, from Lyttelton Rowena, s.s., Sellars, from Tauranga Lancashire Lass, cutter, Austen, from Tauranga Morcurv. cutter. Baxter, from Tairua Magic, cutter, Wilson, from Poverty Bay Fanny, cutter, Ricketts, from Whangapoua

DEPARTURES.

Saxon, schooner, McKenzie, for Russell Whangarei, cutter, for Russell

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Levuka—Dunelm, barque, early; Agnes

Donald, schooner, at once For London—Scbiehallion, barque, early; Spirit of the Dawn, barque, early For Tauranga and the South—Taupo, Thurs day next _, For Russell, Bay of Islands—lona, every Mon day ; Wanaka Monday next For Sydney and Melbourne—Hero, s.s., Ist Augus. . .. For Taranaki aud Southern provinces (from Manul_au)-Taiaroa, s.s., Tuesday next

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Hero, s.s., from Sydney, early Rotorua, s.s., from Southern ports; Monday Cabarteidh, barque, (SQMJ), from Timaru.daily City of Sydney, P.M.s.s., from Sydney, Tuesday Lebu? Xbarque (JFLN), from London; sailed Lady a Joeelyn. ship (K.V.P.S.), from Belfast; sailed from London May 7 Langstone, barque (J.R.8.M.), from London, loading m_ _, . _. Martha Fisher, barque, (W.T.K.S.), from Lon don ; sailed April 15 Cerastes, barque (KLWJ), from Glasgow; sailed April 15 City of Auckland, ship (KMTR), from London to sail April 30 Olnstee, barque, from New York, early Stag, barque V.R.G.H.hfrom Timaru, early Vision, brig, from Lino Islands, early Ryno, brigantine, from Suwarrow, early Coronet, schooner, from Tahiti, early Active, brigantine, from Friendly and Naviga tor's! Islands, early Famenoth, barque, from London, early Belle Brandon, schooner, from the Islands, early Ada C. Owen, brigantine, from Noumea and Solomon Islands, early Nymphe, schooner, from Levnka, eariy Mary Anderson, schooner, from Samoa, early Tafisinian. schooner, from Tahiti, early Oharvbdis, schooner, from the Islands, early TA.,,,'..,!;;i, *,<»., from South, Saturday ~ Afellan Clour!, schooner, from Levuka, early T>!„.'nc-b.-. si-.hooner, from Rarotonga, early P.arl. ketch, from Rarotonga, early ".\iu-.voa. s.s., from the South. Monday. ' 'iri A'v ~"i'-'a;Aino, from Chatham Islands,

N-i'-vjA; Vh.oner, from Tonga, early C;r •■'. V."■-■ -", barque, from New York, early AAr• Af !.'_■. .'."homier, from Lyttelton, early Wave v: .Ate . schooner, from Suwarrow. early T<A-.c.-_" iv'.hfiiner, from Friendly Islands, early Josephine, schooner, from Lyttelton, early Gael, schooner, from Levuka, early

IMPORTS.

Per Mary King, from lyttelton: ia cases meat, 2 cwt preserved meat, 200 sacks wheat, 2 0 aa?:;* flour, 300 bags (lOOlbs) flour, 200 bags (oOlbs) Hour, 13 cases cheese, 2 cases bacon. Per Transit, from Lyttelton—For Auckland : 6 cases produce, 5 tons flour, 10 cases bacon, 24 sacks potatoes. 14 cases cheese, 175 sacks oats, 271 sacks barley. For the Thames: 200 sacks oats, 20 tons flour, 60 loose cheeses, 220 sacks potatoes. , _ . _, . . Per Acacia, from Napier and East Const: 6 tons bones, 20 caaks beef, 103 sacks wheat. Per Marion, from Lyttelton : 90 tons potatoes. Per Marion : 95 tons Canterbury potatoes.— Jakins and Willcox. Per .Mary King: 14cases cheese, 2 do. bacon, 200 sacks flour, 202 sacks wheat.—G. W. Binney,

EXPORTS.

Per Linda Weber, for __yttei.on:—_u ions door3and sashes, 41 casks hay seed, 100 casks plaster, 25.000 feet sawn timber, 4 cases bonded goods. Per Borough Belle, for Lyttelton :—643 pieces puriri timber, 30 tons coal, and part of original Per Taupo, for the South :—2 boxes gold, 50 lbs. powder, IS bags maize, C rocking horses, 2 perambulators, 30 cases ale, 60 bags flour, 4 rolls matting, 25 casss fruit, 1 pocket hops 10 bags oysters, 10 half-chests tea, 12 empty hhds., 1 box pheasants, 81 cases, 7 casks, 65 packages.

Inwards Coastwise.—Lagoon, barge, from tbe Thames with 24,000 feet sawn timber; Fawn, cutter, from Matakana, with 50 tons firewood ; "Wangarei, cutter, from the Thames, m ballast; South Carolina, cutter, from the Barrier, with 50 tons firewood ; Mercury, cutter, from Tairua. with 21,000 feet timber, 3i tons gum, and 4 hides; Southern Cros?, s.s., from Russell with 185 tons coal; Magic, cutter, from Poverty Bay, in ballast. , , OuTWAFfDS Coastwise.— Lagoon, barge, for "Wangaroa, in ballast; Fawn, catter. for Maori Bay, in ballast: Whangarei, cutter, for Russell, in ballast; South Carolina, cutter, for Tryphena, in ballast; Lason, schooner, for Russell, in ballast; four Sisters, cntter, for Mahurangi, in ballast; Onward schooner, for Russell, in ballast. ~ _ . Tbe topsail schooner Mary King arrived from Lyttelton after a long passage of 18 days, caused by fearful weather which was experienced. She left on June 30th, with a moderate W.S.W. wind, which continued until passing Hawl.es Bay, on Ju'v 2nd. A terrific north-west gale ■with very heavy sea was then experienced, and thence to East Cape, which was reached on July 6th, fresh south-west winds. The vessel was drove round the Cape three times with heavy west-north-west gales, and was kept there_ 12 days. Left aerain on the 16th, and had fine weather up. The Mary King brings a cargo of breadstnffs, &c. . __ The s.s. Argyle will arrive from Wangarei and Mangapai to-morrow morning. The schooner Advance arrived from Gisborne last night, with a cargo of general produce, bhe left on Sunday, the 7th inst. The schooner Acedia arrived from Napier and East Coast last evening. She left Napier on June lltb, and proceeded round the various ports on the coast for cargo. ~^Sl_W&'fi® The following tenders were received for the construction of an iron steamer for Patea|:—E. W. Mills Wellington, £1875 12s 6d, accepted. An amount for £146 ss, from B. W. Mills, tor plans and specifications whichhad beeniprepared by him, being waived in the event of his tender beincr accepted, made, his tender the lowest. W. Sealer, Grahamstown, £4804; R. S. Sparrow, Dnneain, £5125; C. Hawkeswood, Auckland, £5300 : R. H. Yeoman. Auckland, £5485 ; Fraser end Tinne, Auckland, £5500; Edward Seager, Wellington, £5575; S. McCoskie, Auckland, £7650. The brigantine Borough Belle cleared at the Customs to-day for Lyttelton, with a cargo of purin timber _.nd coal. She will sail at once. The schooner Transit, from Lyttelton, is dis charging alongside the Gore-street Jetty. . Tbe s a Taupo leaves for the South to-night with the following passengers :—Mr and Mrs Colbeck, Mr and Mrs Williams and a native lady, Mrs Judd, Mrs Andrew, Mrs A. Harris, Mr and Mr3 Kallin, Mrs Russell and family, !Vlis3 B.s.ia Murray, Messrs. Waller, Harris, Will'ams (M.H.R.), Hoani Nahe (M.H.R.), Raw son, 3. W. Cook, Wendall, Morpeth, Kean, Drake, M.uir, H. T. Robey, J. /. Wilson, C. Miller. Talbutt, Merimia Apakita, Wavatai Bini, Badcock. Rev. Gittoa. Tho cutter Magic, arrived from Poverty .Bay last night. She was spoken by the Advance on Thursday la3t off the East Coast. She had run Short of pro ciaiona, and these were supplied to her by the Advance. The schooner Marion arrived last evening from Lyttelton, with a cargo of breadstuff's. She left the same day as the Transit, and experienced similar weather. The s.s. Rowena arrived fromJ'Tauranga to day, with 329 sacks potatoes and 13 passengers. She leaves again for the same port to-morrow. The schodner Agnes Donald, for Levuka, had not sailed when we went to press. The schooner Lason sailed last night for Rus sell, to load with manganese. The schooner Linda Weber cleared to-day for Lyttelton, with a cargo of saahes, timber. &c. The s.s. Southern Cross arrived from Russell his morning, with 185 tons coal.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m.; and to morrow, at 3,30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Waiheke and Coromandel, per Argyle, tomorrow, at 2.30 p-m. For Gisborne, per Pretty Jane, this day, For Trypliena, per South Carolina, to-morrow, at. a.ni. ___. _ _ . , For Tairua, per Mercury, to-morrow, at 1 p.m. For Whitianga, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Rowena, to-morrow, at i p.m. For Kawau, per Heathor Bell, to-morrow, at 4.30 p.m. . _, , . _, Fo- Waiwera, Mahurangi, Matakana, Manga wai Waipu, Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Anue Milbank, on Saturday next, at 10 a.to. A For Chatham Islands, per Omaha, on Monday next, at noon. _ . For Hussell and Kawakawa, per Taiaroa, on Po^ffl^wiaS Wangaroa and Mon gonui, per lona, on Monday next, at 4 p.m. For Taranaki, and Southern Provinces, per Maori, on Tuesday next, at 10,55a._n. Per s.s. Rotorua, on Tuesday, 23rd instant, as China, Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, atnoon q ~ For Tauranga, Gisborne ier>f °\\ l£_l3 Provinces, Australian Colonies, and V mted Kingdom, via Suez and Southampton (for letters spesially so addressed), at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom, via Brindisi, ann late letters lor Sydney and Melbourne, at 1.10 P'For monsy o-ders, registered letters, and nswaoapers at ll'a m. , __ .._._+-_«. per g!s City of Sydney, on Tuesday, 23rd instant, a3For°Sandvvich lolands, United States nt AuieriCt\ Canada, British Columbia, oentral and Sout:> America, and British and Forogn West Tudies, at 3 p.m. - V"r United Kingdom and Continent of *'vo 'in'o-iey order 3, registered letters, arid n.-rUpaP'^. at 1.30 p.m. .Late letters twar no■ tin extra fee of 6d in ad.unon to the «7&hu«J will be received by the Mail Airent on sAAnrilth? &team_. up to the time of sailing, boaitt X postmaster.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Billy Button. —It would serve no good purposo to open in our columns such a rancorous discussion as your letter would evoke. Subscriber, Mechanic's Bay.—ln tho Orleans match, first innings, A. Banner man was not out. His score stood at 71.

BIRTH.

HARRISON.—On the 14th July, 1878, at her residence, Auckland, tho wife of T. Harrison of a daughter; both doing woll. KEANE.—On the 13th July, at her residence, Wellesley-street, the wife of William Keane of a son. MURRAY.—On tbe ICth Jnly, at her residence, Eden Terrace, Mrs. B. M. Murray of a daughter.

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

THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1878.

For tho cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the luture In the distance, And tlio good that we can do,

The momentous events now transpiring in New Caledonia have invested that place with a degree of interest throughout the world which it has not hitherto commanded. The rapid development of the telegraph system and other means of communication has, in a manner, brought the remotest parts of the earth within speaking distance of each other; and iVixn. itLo PPen 3r> en 3 tlmt places previously known only to the geographer or the explorer, occasionally start up into prominence, and become the focus of public attention. New Caledonia has hitherto made little noise in the world, and has attracted comparatively small interest outside of France and the Aus tralian colonies and New Zealand. The French do not possess that genius for colonization which is one of the most prominent characteristics of the Anglo- Saxon race, and therefore their convict station at Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, has made none of those rapid strides in the path of civilisation like those which invariably follow the British flag. New Caledouia was a kind of terra in cognita to the outside world, until it became known as the Siberia ef the _ French Communists, in connection with the romantic escape of Rochefort and his associ ates, and the recent failure of the credit Fon cier. But the news of the recent massacre of French troops and settlers by the natives of that island swiftly flashed along the wires from Sydney to all the great centres of population, will have suddenly concen trated a degree of interest in that colony which the uneventful and unostentatious routine of a vast State prison might not have attracted for many years to come. New Caledonia, or Balladea is situated about 1,000 miles to the north west of New Zealand. Its extreme length is about 220 miles, its breadth 30 miles, and its area 6718, square miles. In 1564 the population was estimated at 29,000, including natives, and in 1866 the white population numbered 1 060 of various nationalities, besides 706 soldiers, Asiatics, aud Polynesians, making the whole foreign population 2.340. The island was discovered by Captain Cook in 1774 and, with that minute accuracy and

talent for close observation which distin guished him, tho great English navigator carefully laid down its bearings, and described its most prominent geographical features. In September 1853 the French took official possession of it, and soon afterwards converted it into a convict establishment. The surface of the island is mountainous, rising in the centre to a height of 8,000 feet above the sea. The northern part of the island is wooded, but elsewhere it is arid and bare. The soil of the valleys is, however, fertile, produc ing the cocoa-nut, banana, mango, and breadfruit. Sugar-cane is cultivated and the vine grows wild. Gold has been found at the north end of the island, while copper and iron ores abound in various localities. There are numerous good harbours on the coast, the best being that in the bay in which Noumea is situated. In 1869 there were 1,953 convicts on the island, but this number has been largely increased by the transportation of Communists, and other political prisoners. The natives are of the Papuan Negro race, habitually practice cannabalism, and are fierce and warlike. But the French method of dealing with troublesome savages is peculiarly effective. It may, in fact, be described as " improving them off the face of the earth." Unblessed with any organisa tion like our Exeter Hall, and Aborigines Protection Society, the French plan of colonisation has never been trammelled with any such squeamishness as we have witnessed in New Zealand. The great agents of civilisation with them are the bayonet and the guillotine. It is not a matter for surprise, therefore, if the natives occasionally mauifesfc strong ropugnanco to this mode of improving their moral and physical condition, rccording'their protest, according to their lights, with tho toma hawk and the firebrand, and endeavouring to extinguish their oppressors by devouring them, roast or boiled. Somo interesting particulars of tho kind of argumont which the French aro accustomed to use iv con vincing savages, aro given in an account of the cruise of H.M.S. Curacoa. Governor Guillaiu had returned from an expedition to the northern coast, which had for its object the punishment of tho natives for killing and eating live or six Frenchmen, together with part of tho crow of a trading vessel. The Governor landed a force on the coast, marched by night to a village inhabited by the cannibals, attacked it, shot, bayonetted, ar burnt about 60 women and children, not a soul surviving to tell the talc. And not satisfied with this vengeance, ho subsequently mado a second raid with tho samo merciless success. The French Government complain that English missionaries aio in tho habit of inciting the natives against tho authorities, and this led a few years ago to a proclamation for bidding the missionaries from making any more proselytes, and confining their ministrations to the Christians already under their charge. M. Guillain also com plained to his Government that ono of the missionaries, living in tho northern part of tho island, had acquired such influence over tho natives that they regarded him as the Governor of the colony. The natives rosidiug in tho settlements are described as courteous and friendly, and less addicted to pilfering than other island ers. For tho following interesting descrip tion of their habits and modo of life, we aro indebted to "Tho cruise of H.M.S. Curacoa": —"Many of the sexes go quite naked, but somo of the women wear a small kavakava, which scarcely covers their nudity. The men aro said to work very well under European supervision. Their gods aro their ancestors, whoso relics they keep and idolize. They pray to their gods and to tho gods of other lands beforo going to light, fishing, planting, house-building, feasting, or doing anything of importance Almost every family has its priest, whose officeishereditary. Tbeisarain-makingclass of priests. Th« spirits of tho departed are supposed to go to tho bush, and at certain periods of the year the natives have feasts, in which they prepare heaps of food for tho spirits. They think white men are the spirits of the dead, and bring sickness, and they give this as a reason why they kill them." It may be remarked, en passant, that this idea appears a littlo inconsistent with the extraordinary partiality which the natives exhibit for baked whito man. " They throw over the cliffs into the sea anyone among themselves suspected of witchcraft, or supposed to have caused the death of any person. At tho birth af a child, if a girl, she is betrothed forthwith to some ouo present, and leaves homo for the house of her future husband when 7 or 8 years of ago ; if a boy there are great rejoicings and the priest cuts the navel-string with a stone that tho new born may be stone-hearted in battle. Cir cumcision is practised when tlie boy has become quite adolescent. The common peoplo have from one to two wives, the chiefs havo from ten to thirty. They intermarry without troubling themselves about con sanginuity even between the nearest relatives. They cut off the finger and toe nails of tho dead, to preserve as relics, and they bury all the body but the head, the skull of whichj they keep for different purposes. They immigrate from place to place never oc cupying tho same piece of ground for cultivation, hence there are no permanent villages. As they had only stone axes until lately they felled their trees by means of a slow fire closo to tho ground. The chiefs havo absolute power of life and death. The law of privato revenge allows the slay ing of the thief and adulterer. They live principally along the coast, and they fight with clubs, spears, and slings. , The women go to battle, keeping in the rear, and when ever they see an enemy fall it is their busi ness to rush forward to pull the body be hind, and to prepare it for the oven. The priests go to battle too, but sit in the distance, fasting and praying for victory. Their appetite for human flesh is never satisfied. Thoy have no pigs, and but few breadfruit trees. Taro, cocoa nuts, sugar-cane, fish, pigeons, bats, rats, and human flesh aro the prevailing articles of food. They cook in earthenware pots, manufactured by the women, and it is a curious fact that earthenware jars arc not found in any other island except the Fijis and Espiritu Sancto. They have no intoxi cating ava, but drink enormous quan tities of salt water. It appears that they have only one meal a day." Captain Erskine also visited one of the villages where he observed somo poles with skulls upon them, when ho asked what they meant, the chiel looked coniusect ana ..,.i;.j +i,„+ *L nt , were the heads of (friends kept as mementos. Mr Hood, however, in his account of the cruise of the Fawn supplies another explana tion. He states that the teeth of the old women are sown in the yam patches as a charm io procure good crops, and their skulls stuck on poles for the same purposo. All accounts agree that the women are held in very low esteem. Mr Hood speaks of them as the most degraded of all the South Sea Islanders, and as leading a life of drudgery. One chief in the north was in the habit of setting up a row of women as targets, and leisurely shooting them down. " The men do not in general suffer their beards to grow, but cultivate whiskers, which are so essential that a man without them is said to be cursed by the gods. War is reported to be constant and the Priests encourage it as much as they can. Their interest in it arises from their desire to be furnished with the hands of the enemies which arc their perquisite. When the supply falls off they threaten the people with disease if war is not renewed or actively carried on 3 It appears that a more advanced civilisation must have existed on the island. The remains of ancient aqueducts are to be found, one eight miles in leugth; also paved roads and fortifications. "We aie not," they say, "like our ancestors. We cannot build' large houses as they did. They were numerous and wise; we are neither one nor the other " Such are ihe subjects with which the Government of New Caledonia has to contend, and looking at the description of them which is given above, we can scarcely wonder at the late massacre, or at the vigorous measures which are being taken to exterminate the savages.

MBRICHABDSON, member for Chrutchurch and former Minister for Public Works has addressed his constituents, and pwmued them that ho will not be a partytowy factious opposition to the V^f^ n[ men.. His expressed views m many re spects do not tally with those ofWhe Government, but they disclose a disposition to steer a good deal with the current of publio opinion, about which there cannot be much mistake even in Canterbury He generally approves of alterations in the Electoral andLicensingLaws; opposes Local Option,'but would support a measure com pelling-he testing of liW^ *"""££ Customs officers when landed. His enthu siasm for public worka is unabated, and he belfeves that the seven millions sterling spent on railways will prove a pay!ng P investment. The Canterbury Hne Ps?ho gsaid, will pay five per cent clear next year. Noticing a rumour that the Go vernment intend to dispense with th > sei rices of Sir Julius Vogel as Agent-General, Mr Richardson declared that it would be a great calamity to the colony. It is evident, from recent speeches, that the Atkinson party has fallen to pieces and that the Government will have a fair . working majority at the opening of Ravlia ment, which takes place on Friday week.

To-day the second cattle train left Ohaupo for Auckland at 3 o'clock a.m., arriving at the sale yards, Remuera, at 10 o clock. Last week a cattle train brought down a largo lot of stock for Mr Buckland s market, and it will be interesting to country settlers to know that the cattlle sold re markably well, being as fresh as if driven from Mangere. A new era is thus opened for cattle breeders, who havo, by high rail way rates, been forced to drive stock from the Waikato district, much to tho depre ciation of the same in the eyes of the buyer at tbe sale yards. The new tariff of charges makes it equally as cheap to send cattle by rail as to drive them. The rapid advance mado in invention and discovery during the past few months has opened out a new world of wonders hitherto undreamed of. By a telephone, which a tyro in mechanics can construct for himself, wo whisper our secrets through a hundred miles of wire. By tho phono graph our eongs and speeches can be repro duced viva voce. By the cerophone a pro clamation or warning is co be sounded over a radius of three or four miles. We can fancy such a scene waking our midnight slumbers from the top of Queen-street shouting, " Mr Smith's house is on fire !" or any similar and urgent alarm. The latest idea, which is not American, but English, not patented, but free, is an in genious contrivance for hearing tho faintest sounds, the walking of a fly, the brsathing of a flea, or the faintest whisper in a quiet room, can be sent along a wire, even to one hundred miles, so that if Paterfamilias happens to he suspicious he can fix ono up in tho drawing-room and listen in his counting-house to the loving words softly spoken betweeu Edwin and Angelina. Mr Josiah Martin intends to give a course of popular scientific entertainments on Satur day evenings at tho Young Men's Rooms, when models of those inventions will be illustrated and explained. We feci sure that wo have but to announce the fact to secure a large and attentive audience. Tho nomination for Waipa is fixed for Monday next, and the poll for the following Wednesday. A special train will convey Auckland voters to Mercer.

On Tuesday an amusing scene was wit: eased at Huntley station, on the W;r .'ito line. Somo Maoris had engaged a tn . .c to convey six head of cattle to the sale yards iv Auckland, and had success fully in ft .-inced five of the beasts into the truck, by... (ho sixth was a sulky old bull who was very obstreperous. Tho Maoris are well-known to be an ingenious, quick witted race, and true to their instincts, they fastened a cable round old " Captain Cook's" neck, and made the rope fast to tho buffer of the cattle-van. intending to haul him by force. Unfor tunately the break was not on, and the old bull gave a jump, whicli set the cattle-van in motion, and cleared the rails of tho Maoris. The bull finding the van coming on to bim set oil' full speed down the line, attached as he was to the truck, the latter of necessity followed, and a niostg exciting raco took place. Tho bull went first, followed fast by the truck, and a tribe of Maoris yelling after brought up tho rear. The course taken was towards Waikato, and as the Waikato passengor train was due, it was feared that this living locomotive, the Maori bull, would probably come into colli sion with Mr Baxter's engine, aud serious fears were entertained for that celebrated driver's safety. Fortunately, however, for Mr Baxter or the bull, tlie latter saw a cat tle guard in his path, and shunted off tho line, but the cattle truck had got so much weight on as to drag tlie now unwilling bull down the line, until the rope broke, and the animal got away into the hush.

A lecture on "California" will be delivered iv the Remuera Hall this evening by tlio Hon. Thomas Dawson. The subject chosen is a very interesting one, and as Mr Dawson has had great experience in (he Government of America, he will bo ablo to make his lecture entertaining and inst na-

tive. No doubt, therefore, many .per ~>vf will avail themselves of this excellent opportunity of spending a profitable evening. The proceeds of tho lecture will go towards the bazaar.

To-morrow (Friday), at noon, is the latest time for receiving nominations for the oflice of Councillor, vice Councillor Dickson. A correspondent inquires if we are aware of any invitations bavin" been sent to tbe Chairmen of County Councils in this province to attend the Municipal Con ference at Wellington, because it appears that several in the Southern Provinces have received invitations, and aro going to attend. We learn that the Government contem plate making changes of sheep Inspectors in the Auckland district, but we are not yet in a position to state particularly what those changes will he. it is probable that Mr Roskruge will he appointed Inspector of sheep in the district of Poverty Bay. The annual meeting of latepayers of ihe North Shore Highway District was held yesterday afternoon at the Ferry Hotel, Stokes' Point, Mr Hawkins in the chair. The balance-sheet for the past year showed receipts, £87 2s 3d ; expenses. £.90. Jl*» M ' -._..-!.„ _-j__-._*.j_._-t_.--v.eu- x..i »s lOd. The following were elected trustees for the current year :—Messrs Tunny, Pond, Forg ham, Wilson, and Matthews. Messrs Thompson and Cook were rc-elooted auditors. Messrs Phillips iand Gee were elected fence-viewers. It was also resolved that the chairman of the new Board, Mr Tunny, write to the Government, with tho view of getting the subsidy continued to the Ferry Company. The Public Works Department is about to examine into the state of tlio VVairoa river with a view to the removal of snags and other impediments, and also to report upon the condition of the com muni cation with Wairoa. We see by notice iv another column that Mr J. P. King has been appointed sole agent for Welcome's sol-fa tonic jujubes. They are said to possess wonderful medi cinal properties for bronchitis, coughs, or diphtheria, and arc invaluable to all who suli'er from influenza or asthma. A special general meeting of the Auck land Rifle Association will be held this evening at half-past seven o'clock, for the purpose of considering the present state of the Association. Mr Errington was occupied during the whole of yesterday in hearing the arbitra tion case of Blewden v. T. and S. Morrin, in which the plaintiff claims a sum of £635 for extras and labour iv connection with a sub-contract taken under defendants for laying water-pipes, &c. A special meeting of the school teachers will be held on Saturday afternoon in City East School, respecting a teachers' library. Mr J. E. Brown has addressed the elector* of Ashley, and. received a vote of con fidence.

Lawyers might occasiof» - 3orri «, valuable hints from a Wj^Jln^t British statutes. In lookiM 1* most readable book on Boolter-. » came upon the following mi *•- - which, with a few trifling vcr t-"£ at ion«. might be re-enacted witJu* i* advantage, and applied Uj^M New Zealand, to' saj Tio_hi»n ie ljad itself :-»88, HenryJL.o.^ £>y*. Item: Whereas, of time ri< ■>.-, past, within the city of Norwich ana u>unties of Norfolk and Suffolk there werft more but six or seven attnrneysj at :• most, coming to tho King's Courtsi; which.j time great tranquility reigned He sait city and Counties little troablo okatioß was mado by untrue or violent s, and now so it is that in the saxrliy and Counties thero be .our score krnoys, or more—the moro pari of ..icihaviug no Other thing to live upon fc only his gain by tho practice of attuiship— and also tlio more part of I hem being of ..sufficient kuowlego to, be anlttrney, which como to very fair, mat ana other place where is any anlbly o. people, exhorting, procuring, mhg, and inciting the people to attempt due and violent suits for small tresprui little offences, and small sum. of <$, sue" actions being triable and deterjable in Court. Barons, whereby proceed ny suits, more of evil will mid malice thane tmtn of the thing, to the manifold bits aud no little damago to the sairfity and Counties, mid to the perpetual {ainu tion of the great Barons of the sailount.es, unless convenient remedy be vided in this behalf, the aforesaid Lome King, by the advics, consent, on authority aforesaid, hath ordained and wblishe*. that all times from henceforth pro slial. bo but! sis common, atturueys] the ~aid County of Norfolk, six commojitturueys in th« *aid County of SuJIbB aud two common attorneys in the city (Norwich, to be atturncya in the Courts of-pcord." Tbe new Masonic Lndpe 'Jen was opened aud consecrated last *;ht at the Rif.ui ' Sun Hotel, Newton, in i presence: of a^arge number of the litherhood. Th.ro were present:—Bro'6. Graham, D.G.M. ; E. T. VYildmnn, I).DM., and the following Grand Lodge of.ers : Bro Rev C. M. Nelson, D.G. Chlain; Bro C F Goldsbro', D.G. Treasu-; Bro H. G. Wade, D.G. Secretary; P E: Will cocki* D G.D.C.jBio Dawson,?.G.A.D.G.-, Bro Hesketh, OrganLrt ; P Ka-ttrny, Pursuivant. The master ond iers of dis trict lodges wero present, also n...:nber_of visitors. The following oilics were in stalled in the usual raannr.-- Brois J. Warren, W.M.; D. Cbapms A.W. ; J. Cailaw, J.W.; W. J. Suite Treasurer ;■ W Johnson, Sen-etary; E. \ Morrisou and J. Moore, Deacons ;T. uSker, 1.G.; C. Westmoreland Tyler ;id Thomas Barnett, Stewart, A bahoucvaß held at tiie close of the ceremonies, '-.ion. was of ft satisfactory chared w, and hi-ly creditable to Captain Mann, tha host ihe Rising San. Officers, members, and IVster Masons :irc invited to attend at the iasonic BLotcl this evening, where a eominrication of the Provincial Grand Lodge of t) North Islam! will lie held. At n meeting of the suj>ortors of Mr Crowther last evening, leasures were concerted with a view t. promote Ins candidature. Mr Fcldwick, 'proprietor, the "South land News," was yesteiay elected a member of the House of Representatives for lnvercargil by 239 voteehis opponent-- Mr Bain—being only bebjd him by one i vote- ■ . , _ j At the annual n:oetin;'jf ratepayers of i the district of Point Ci^laJier, held last I night, at the Northern IV?M, Mr Lawrence in the chair, the balasoj'-sheet was pre sented by Mr James 3(|»nan. Receipts, £214 4a ; expenditure, jas i>s Id ; leaving a balance of £95 13s Ijl The following trustees aud officers wujfe then elected : — Captain Seymour. Me.-'-,'-_ -Tames Dignan, James H. Smith, Simorjr'ras-r, and Win. Motion trustee- for th- /insuin/ year ; and Messrs J. Lawrence .Aiid W. P. Hoffman auditors. M«srsJ. O/i^er aud "Walker were appointed knee-viewers.' Tho Couicil Chcmbcr was exceedingly lively for tbout a«' hour yeeter_fty, vHile the obieetflfs to the proposed levels were present, 'lr Mitchell, Mr Ewington, and Mr Stainci Eflade i_oo&, sound, sensible speeches, iiju some of the others were very amusinf. ,*sne gentleman drily remarked that, it tle proposed improvements were earrh-do.;'"1, there would be only o:ie way of gcti-flj into his house, viz., down tbe ehiirui-v thru was tho reason he objected to the/j. Another party, who was extremely loquacious, appeared to bate his objection on the fact that he "lived in a godly" (gully). At least, he couldn't get much farther than that, for soon afterwards he becan to talk of " we," and several persons present wanted to know -\\ho he meant by "v.." Being unable to answer this question he collapsed. Elsewhere in am columns appears an advertisement oi a special Evangelistic service to be he] i tills evening at half-past ' seven, in the Baptist. School-room, at Eden Terrace. .Tlie Rev. A. W. Webb and others will address ihe meeting.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION.

To-day's Quotations-— Bank of Nruv Zoaland—Buyers, £23.10-. Colonial Dank—Buyors, 6os 6ci. Now Zealand Insurance—Sellers, 925. South British Insurance—;o_ ; buyers, 693. • National insurance Buyers, 275, Union Insurance—l 6. 3d. Colonial Insurance—Sellers, 7s 6d. Thames Qaa—Buyers, 295. .Auckland Gas—Sellers, £10 15s. National Mortgage—Buyers, 253. Bay o£ Islands Coal Co.—Buyers, £5 2s 6d. New Zealand Loan & Mercantile—Buyers, 703, Moan atairi—6os ; sellers, 61s 6d. Bend-go United—4a. Thames—Buyers. 32a 6d. Kuranui Hill—l2s; buyers, 12s; sellers,. 13s. Corby—2Bs ; buyers, 2... Union peach—Bu j era, 123. Bismarck (old)—ss. JOSEPH NEWMAN. Chairman.

SUEZ MAIL TELEGRAMS.

The Indian Troops Debate.

England Guaranteed Grecian

Rights

, Famine Prospects in India

A LONDON, June 7th. The great Constitutional debate on the employment of Indian troops was resumed iujthe House of Commons on May 23rd. After the debate a division took place' wljfich showed a majority for the Govern - niofrit of 121 votes. Mr Newdegate was the Qhay Conservative who voted for the reso lution, though several abstained from voting altogether. Nineteen Liberals voted for tlie Ooirerumeut, if eight Irish Home Rulers* who so voted, may he ranked with that parity. Several Liberals absented them selves. 4, blue-book has been issued, containing otteial correspondence respecting the insur rections in Thessaly and Epirus. Des palehes, 233 in number, show that the infcirgenta were induced to withdraw on the I'^'urance of the British Government, that ■■H":cause of Greece should not thereby safer. ■• • * _ 1! compromise has been arranged rcgard m^ho ostinately resisted Irish Sunday Ua*-_gBlU. On condition that its opera tion <s limited to four years, it will be alloyed to pass. Tb general impression prevails that if Confess prove successful, the Government willameal to the country taking credit for their ioveigu policy, and obtain another lease ot jower.

The hat in Calcutta has been unprece dented, hd many deaths have occurred among Euopeans from heatand apoplexy A serioii outbreak occurred at Burresal gaol. Ji._g.een long-term con victs escaped. Three weushot dead by the guard, and threo mortiiy wounded Latest faniie reports "from Mysore state that no causepr froßh auxiet J } rains having ftUeu «,,„, \ h( _ J

:-.et m down the coast, but has n O U fairly-burst. In Bombay district there • an utter *in£uatioh of business owing to V ' .uhb** ica state of politics and near n___l_ '.r. f rains. »v«»ach ' j 'I' ijjjl.bi °;^y a portion of mail news w?w,j ffon King Georges' Sound to Melbourne -" |c 11th July, when the steamer UftS? 'tfew Zeal aid. '«t-0r

CABLEGRAMS.

Ta-Day'3 Despatclies. Xteoc^tioa of Barls Beaconsfian and Salisbury. asaw* Th.. Surydice Floated, (SPECIAL TO "STAR")

(FROM OUR SPECIAL LONbom

C ORRESFONBBNT.)

LONDON, Jmy 18 Thousands took part in the welcome'_% F.cri (Ar.consfield and the Marquig of Salisbury on thcii return from Uhe Bpriii Congr.' ; .Js. eran

Replying to an address, Earl Beaconsfi e u said England ha I brought peace aWI honourably. He hoped for a long continu. anee oi peace and prosperity.

The .raining ship Eurydice, sunk in R* Channel, has been floated, and wasfotnJ to contain many bodies.

[REUTERS SPECIAL TELEGRAM.]

LIB LIBERAL TACTICS.

SSaglish Voice In Turkish Affairs-

LONDON, July 17,

Tho leaders of the Liberal party in both Housos of Parliament intend to challenge the poiicy of the Government. Earls Boaconsfield and Salisbury have arrived in London. A very crowded and enthusiastic meeting was held at Sydenham to welcome them. The Berlin Convention gives England the right to interfere in Turkish affaire far herond that, conferred by the treaties of 1956 and 1871.

The Theft of the Anglo-Russian Treaty.

Turkey's Last Chance,

[SPECIAL TO PEESS AGENCY.]

LONDON, July 16. The reception of the Premier and Earl Salisbury at Dover and Loudon was most enthusiastic.

A Foreign Office writer, charged withsteal.' ing for the press a copy of the agreement between Earl Salisbury and Count Schouva 'off, has been discharged.

The despatch from Earl Salisbury to the British Representative at Constantinople states that the Berlin Treaty is Turkey.last chance.

The Wimbledon Rifle Matches, Australians v. Leicestershire. LONDON, Jnly 16. At the Wimbledon Meeting the weather. was splendid. The Queen's Prize was won by a private of the 11th Stirling Volunteers, with 78 point.?. There was an increased attendance at tie match between Australia and Leicester shire. The first innings of the Australians cio.ed for 130 :—Baunerman, 15; Murdoch,. 16; Horan, 1 ; Gregory, 23; Garrett, 7? Spofforth, 7 ; Bailey, 0 ; Allan, 5; Boyie, S ; Conway, 12; Blackhara, not out, 27';: j sundries, 9. I A. ' Baunerman was unable to play,. \ through an accident to his hand. Leicestershire, in their second inninesj j nave four out for 127. The attendauce is -14,000.

[reuter's special cablegrams,] OVATION TO EARL BEACONSFIELD COLLAPSE OF MUSSULMAN INSUK RECTION. LONDON, July 16. The Government made a statement that the Berlin Treaty will be signed on July 18. The Conservatives are preparing 'an ova tion for Earl Beaconsfield, and a banquetat! : the Mansion House. The insurrectionary movement in the- -A Rhodope Mountains has collapsed.

PARIS EXHIBITION.

IMPORTANT PARLIAMENTABY QUESTION.

LOIs DON, July 15.. New South Wales, at _ the Paris Exhibi tion, has obtained a special prize for wool in. addition to a medal. In the House of Commons, Mr Sullivan, raised the question whether Mr O'Loghlen's acceptance of office under the Victorian Go-1 vcrnment;does not vacate his seat in the- House of; Commons to which he has been elected hy an Irish constituency? The- Attorney-General replied that the decision on the question rests with the House. The subject is to be renewed on Wednesday.

AUSTRALIAN.

RESCUE OF GARONNE'S. CREW,

[reutek's special gablegrams]. MELBOURNE, this day,. After the s.s. Garonne struck, the hie- ;.-: boat with a creAv was sent to Aden, a fits tance of 400 miles, for assistance. The A boat was picked up by the steamer Merio neth, which went to Ras Hapoon to assist, : but the Garonne had then gone. W • steamer brought the boat's crew to Galle. :

THE CANTERBURY MURDER.

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

(Per Press Agency.)

CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Eguiro Hoff was charged at the Oxford | Magistrate's yesterday with murdering his | wife on July S, audwas committed for trial, g His demeanour in Court was very quiet. He shewed very little disposition to cross-. _ examine the witnesses and the vari ous points of evidence. He nodded his fo assent to the correctness of tho testimony when his wife was statad to have been kind to him, but he gave a negative shake of the ; head, and smiled in a cynical manner when the medical evidence stated that the wounds •whicli caused death were administered with a shiugling hammer, cleaver, or tomahawk. Hepomted out the head of the latter from which tffe handle had been burned, as ll it was tho iustiument with which the deed v was committed. Hoff never seemed fully to realise his position. He reserved his statement of affairs till brought before tne_ Supreme Court. '. |

EXCELSIOR ENTERTAINMENT.

A Ve-y successful and largely attended, enter tainment was held last evening in the scnooj room of the Farnklin-road fohapeL Mr Mac kenzie occupied the chair, and in his OpeinDs address, made some excellent remarks onJp? necessity of social enioyment, and th^nappync fluencesof music and song, in promoting goo*l feelings in communities. A full choir attenoe") and sang very" effectively "Sappy Home, " Well make tho foe retreat," " Down _V__r tyrant," and several other selections. Mr J*eu fern presided at the harmonium with muou ability, and Mr fait conducted the choir. 1J» following programme was then produceou-r " Beautiful days of old," Mr Salt; " Leaf by lew. the roses fade," .Mrs Bettany; "The anchors weighed," Mr Bed torn; " Adventures Of an »88i

_J!!.\Ll iii.lL iiimUii iilii nn i r-Ti-rrn 'rr-rvmi.n.iTinnr i mil i i| . W|iiMiiy ~m. .r-»-. --■■ jj,. jßiwi>w-STAH7-TITCKSDIV. .JIJI.Y 38, 187



A MAGNIFICENT STOCK OK NEW AUTUMN AND WINTER DRESS MATER ALS Just Opened. Ho Atkins Invites attention to his Stook o» New Dress Materials, Ladieß Jackets, Ulsters, Black and Coloured Silks, Velvets, Velve teens, &c, suitable for the coming Season. Now on View. Splen did Colours in New Silk Reps, Wool Reps, Wool Poplinettes, Satin Cloths, Wool Serges, Twilled Carmelites, Estamane Sergea, French Merinos, Winseys, and Fancy Dress Goods. All splendid value. All the new shades pro curable in Stock. The selection this season is the largest and best ever shewn in the city. Good quality Black Silk at 3s lid per yard. All the new shades in Coloured Silks. Also Good Cheap Blankets, Quilts, Sheetings, Table Linen, Flannels, Calicos, and Manchester Goods.



IN THE CLOTHING DEPARTMjENT New Tweed Suits. Coats, Trow sers and Vesta suitable for all clashes. A large Stock of Boys and Youth's Tweed Suits, in our own make and imported. An immense stock of New Tweeds in Bannocl-burn, Mosgiel, Scotch, West of England, &o. Tailors can select from the largest stook in Auckland at Wholesale Prices. Cheap Tweeds suitable for Bors wear. Good Quality Guaranteed, and Prices Lowest in Auckland for All Descriptions of Drapery and Clothing. aar-vK. aTK IN S ;g>



TTpN COURAGE NEW ZEALAND "^ INDUSTRIES! TO THE^EOPLE OF AUCKLAND! Messrs. Hallenstein Brothers Desire to inform you that a RETAIL BRANCH OP THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY Is Now Open in Queen-street, opposite Theatre Royal.



To effectually introduce their Goods and drive out the imported artiole, they have decided to SELL a Single Article at the Wholesale Price. All Goods are marked in Plain Figures, for Nett Cash only. Any Article purchased and ap proved of, will be exchanged with the same courtesy with which It was sold, or if desired, the money will be returned. The success which has attended the New Zealand Clothing Factory's Retail Branches in other towns leads the Proprietors to believe that there sxists a praiseworthy desire on the part of the Publio to encourage New Zealand Industries, especially where superior advantages are offered; and your support is solicited on this under standing only. J. B.&ROBINSON,l Manager Auckland Branch.



SOLE AGENT FOR WERTHEp*M'S ELEBRATED SEWING MACHINES; THE BEST MACHINE IN THK WORLD



R,USHBROOK AND I^RIDGMAN Respectfully invite attention to their Large Carefully-selected and Entirely New Stock of DRAPERY AND CLOTHING FOR THf. WINTER TRADE. Comprising— Blankets, all sizea, and flrst-class value Flannels, white and scarlet, all makes Crimean Shirtings, All-wool and Union, In great variety of pattern and quality Winceys, plain and fancy. A heavy stock. "Good and Cheap," a good line at 6d per Fancy Dresa Goods, new shades, in great variety French Merino, Serge, Satin Cloth, and some Special Lines of Fancy Materials, bought a job, and being sold at very low rates Alloa and Fingering Yarn 3, all colours Winter Hosiery, Umbrellas, Ribbons, Flowers Waterproof Tweed and Waterproof a A Job Lot of Children', and Ladies' Waterproof Cloaks, to bo cleared out at muoh below regular prico. Calicoes, Sheeting, Counterpanes Furnishing and Manchester Goods of every description Boys' and Men's Clothing of every description, Good and Cheap Hosiery, Shirts, Hats, &c. _~,_■, Strong Material for Boys' Wear—Tweeds Mole km, Corduroy, Sorgo Sec, Seo. &c. Tn order to sustain tbe well-known oharacter Of the JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE for Cheapness and Quality combined, R. and B procure their Supplies from the BKST MAR KETS ONLY, aud spare no pains to suppl their Customers' wants at the lowest price com mensurato with legitimate trading. V (1/ in the £.) Discount allowed upon all Cash Purchases of 20/ and upwards.



RUSHBROOIv AND BRIDGMAN, DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, Sco„ JUNCTION DiiAPERY WAREHOUSE (Onnoslto the Army and Navy Hotel), OP f . R QUEEN-S T REE T, AUCKLAND. jfTNION INSURANCE COM PAN I, ! OF NEW ZKAIiANI). CAPITAL 52,000,000 AUO XL A N~D BRANCH: Q U E E N - S T R E X T, Next he Colonial Bank. FIRE DEPARTMENT. Inaurftno granted on Dwelling-noasei, Stores. Shops, Buildings in which trade is carried on, Merchandise, and Goods of every lioßoription.



MARINE DEPARTMENT. Fulls of Ships or Steamers, Merchandise ot all kinds, Specie and Wool to United Kingdom, at Lr-WKST OOBBK«T IUM^ Manager.



-pfeRAWING - ROOM SUITES, in Silk U Drawing-room Suites, in Velvet Drawing-room Surr-ES,P.ep& Damask Dining-room Suites, in Leather Dining-room Suites, in Hair Cloth Dining-room Suites, in American Cloth Chimney Glasses, in Gilt Frames Chimney Glassks, in Walnut frames Chimney Glasses, in Maple Frames Iron Bedsteads, French and Half Tester Wood Bedsteads, French and Half tester Inojr and Wood Cots ~, , , Mattresses and Bedding, all kinds Marble-top Washstands Toilet Tables, with Glasses attached Toilet Glassts, Mahogany and Marble Toilet Ware, Single and Double Sets Brussels Carpets Tapestry Carpets Kidderminster Carpets Dutch Carpets Felt Carpets Linoleum Floorcloth Door Mats and Bath Mats Matting, ar ON S A. L E "** AT •?! ■ Aft. TT fV-l>e's ri-uNITUKE and UAI.FH.T WAREHOUSE 07, QUKKN-ST.RKKT.



CHEMICAL lyr ANU RE- .The undersigned are now prepared to supply their CHEMICAL MANURE for Root and Green Crops, in any quantity. The following extracts, selected from numer ous testimonials, prove its value as a fertilizer. I believe it an excellent Manure for Potatoes. JOSEPH MAY, Mount St. John. It Is the best Manure I ever used. W. G. HARPE, Late Manager for W. A. Murray, Esq., Piako. I am so pleased with its good effeot as a Potato Fertilizer, that I shall require a farther supply, and would strongly recommend its use. J. LEDDRA WALLIS,



Analysis of this season's supply will be ready in a few days. W. J. HURST & CO., 101. O.ueen-street, Auckland. IW"EW ZEALAND HOUSE LADIES' JACKETS! LADIES' JACKICTS ! LADIES' JACKETS 1 WILLIAM RATTRAY Has Recoived. per Hero, Ono Caso of LADIES JACKETS, of tho Newest and Most Fashionablo Styles.



FURS! FURS! FURS! WILLIAM RATTRAY Has still a fow of tho FUR MUFFS AND COLLARETTES, which ho is Selling at and under Wholesale Prices. WILLIAM RATTRAY, GENERAL DRAPER AND SILK MERCKR, 66, Queen-street, Auokland. I^ISSOLUTIOxN OF PARTNERSHIP Wo have Opened soveral Cases of BLACK AND COLOURED SILKS, Purchased at Very Low Prices in the Home Markets. THE CO OUR ED SILKS .AA, '.'. Comprise 1 the Nscwitsi' Shad»s. THE BLACK SILKS Will be Sold at 2s. Hd. per Yard, m Order to Clear. IMMENSE QUANTITIES OF DRESS GOODS V\ ill be Brought Forward at Job Prices. GREAT BARGAINS 1 WILL BE GIVEN DURING THE WEEK I J. COSGRAVE & CO., MERCHANTS AND IMPORTERS, Queen-street. Auckland.



SjWhat more lovolylsight can wo look upon in this world than a fine healthy ripe old age* Id ia ono of the blessings of this lifo. If wo wonld bo wise wo should use those precautions that are calculated to ensure so desirable an end. Without exaggeration or tho uso of fulsome re fresentations of the virtues of " Ghollah's Great ndian Cures." it may be safely assorted that no medicines ever yet compounded for general use have so beneficial an effect on the constitution, and so insure a healthy old ago, as theso meri torious Indian Medicines. Sold by all Chemists. Kye, Ear. and Throat Specialist.— Dr Schwartzbuch, Devonshire House, Hobson.t Hours : 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rmrep from Cough in Ten Minutes.— SHARLAND'S CHERRY PECTORAL, 2s. 6d. a Bottle.—Opposite the Post-office, Auckland. An Iniouitous Game is being played by cor tain flagitious scamps who put cheap and fiery liquor in bottles which have held the national medicated beverage, Udolpho Wolfe's Schie dam Abomatio Schnapps, for tho purpose of deceiving the unwary into the belief that their vilo concoctions aro identical with the great original. Demand the genuine.