SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

-~_-, -.__.!,„__, .This Afternoon, 551 ' -_lx>ll WATBB-; Xo-mofrow Morning. 6.21 SUN SET.—This Evening, 7.-7 SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning, 0.0 MOON'S AGE.—Full Moon, 19th, 11.59 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

Active, brigantine, Lane, from Samoa and

Energy, schoondr, Savory, from Tonga and Eoa Southern Cross, missionary brigantine, Bongard, from Wellinston.

DEPARTURES.

Mary Ann Annison, baraue, for Wangaroa Willi un and Julia, schooner, for Noumea Go-ahead, s.s., Helander.for Gwborne

IMPORTS.

Pn- Active, from Samoa and Tonga: 100 tons copra, 20 bales cotton, J- ton fungus, 50 gallons lira-juice.— McArthur and Co., agents. Per Energy, from Tonga: 50 tons copra, 41 bales wool, 22 dray wheels, a quantity of sundries.—Owen & Graham, agents.

ARRIVAL OF THE ENERGY.

The neat fore-and-aft schooner Energy, Capt. Savory, arrived early this morning from the Friendly Islands, with a full cargo of cotton, copra, &c. The followiug are the. notes of the trip, supplied to us by the captain:—Left .i-iiekland Nov. 26th; arrived at Tonga Dec. 10th. after a fine weather passage. Arrived at Vavau Dec. 21; left the latter for Auckland Dec. 29, calling at Hacbai, Nemuka, Tonga, and Eva. Left the latter on January 9th at 9 p.m. for Auckland, making the run from port to port in 8 days 12 hours; fine weather passage. Passengers: Mr Young and native servant.

■ One of the North Shore Ferry. Company's steamers towed the dredge round.to the west side of the wharf, where it is now employed deepening the water in the neighbourhood of he Dock entrance. The brig Vision has been laid alongside of the railway wharf for the discharge of her cargo. The four island vessels now in port, viz., the Edith, the Vision, the Active, and the Energy, have between them nearly 400.,-ons of copra on hoard. This will go a long way towards loading tho May Queen and Lochflset. the next London vgssgls. The brigantine Active arrived from Samoa and the Frier dly Isles last night, thus verifying onr nrediction as to the identity of the schooner signalled in the afternoon. She rounded the North Head shortly after seven, and Capt. Lane began to beat up gallantly against the ebb tide. For some time good headway was made, but the wind falling light and the tide gaining strengh he was obliged to anchor off Judge s Bay. She has been away a little over three months, and brings back a full cargo of copra, cotton. &c. consigned to Messrs McArthur and Co., the chartereers of the vessel. We are indebted to Capt. Lane for a report of the voyage, and to MrGribbon, the supercargo, for Samoan flies and other favours. The Active left Auck land on October 11, and, after a fine passage of eight days, arrived at Tonga on the 19th. Re mained there a fortnight. Thence to Levuka and Vavau, arriving at Apia, Samoa, on No vember 24. On December 3 started on a trading cruise around the group, and eventually reached Tonga on the 2nd inst. On the 7thinst. w<- ghed anchor for Auckland. Experienced south-east and easterly winds until the 14th, when, in lati tude 31-40 S. and loneitude 175-20 E., it veered round to N.N.W., which continued in this quarter until making the Poor Knights, on Wednesday, at 3 p.m. Thence to port thick and variable weather. Passengers from Samoa: Captains Dixon and Scott. From Tonga : Mrs Strood and servant, Messrs Gribbon and Jones. The schooner Norval left Tonga for Apia, Samoa, on the 11th December. The brigantine Flirt left Samoa on the 13th December for a voyage to the Line Islands. Her former cruise was very successful, • Captain Stephens, of the cutter Ness, has called to inform us that the bird on his mast head is a hen, and not a cock, and that he has no inten tion of challenging aU comers. He has carried the same ornament for six months, and thinks it very strange that notice should be taken of it just before the Rpgatta. The cutter Maud is to leave for Levuka shortly. *•*__,'*, , . . i, The s.s. Go-ah»ad left for GisDorne last night with a full cargo. This is the first trip of the vessel under the ownership of the Auckland Steamship Company. , r- The schooner Fogoloa entered out to-day for Apia, Samoa. ' - _. -,■ The mission vessel, Southern Cross, whienhas been repaired at Welhneton, is coming in as we go to press. Our signalman must know her well for he hoisted her numbers while she was still outside Tiri Triri. , _ , The s.s. Rotorua left Sydney at 5 o'clock on Wednesday, and is due here on Monday even ing. She will leave for South on Tuesday if the San Francisco mail has arrived, if not she will be detained until Wednesday.

AUCKLAND CATTLE MARKET.

MR ALFRED BUOB_I_ANT>'S WEEKLY REPORT. On Friday, January 11, but little fodder was brought forward. It sold freely at from 4s to 4s 9d the ewt.; maize, 4s lOd per bushel. Con sequent on the harvest, the attendance was less than usual, and the entrieslof horses under the average. They were in request, and there was an unsatisfied inquiry for medium draught. Prices for this class of stock ranged from £17 to £25; riding horses, SI to £13. Not many _ude3 pitched. Sound and clean brought 3d the lb skins and small parcels of wool were m full supply, and met with a steady demand at late values. , . , At Remuera, on Thursday, dairy cows at profit were in fair inquiry; they ranged from £7 Ms to £8 15s each. Strong halves in brisk demand, from 32s to 50s each. A team of work ing oxen brought £7 10s each. Fat cattle were of good quality and in full numbers, 150 head, sold to- the trade, last week's values Jwere sus tained. Prices ranged from 26s for medium to 30s for best quality. Fat sheep plentiful. Ewes and heavy wethers at lower values ; nght weight at previous rates; and varied from 2d to ,31b the lb. Lambs in full supply and good demand, best quality sold freely from 9s to lis ; inferior, from 5s each. Averages obtained were: 54 steers, C. J. Storey, £10 7»; 6 oxen, W. P. Donelly, £10 ss; 13 head mixed sexes, J. Ruther ford, £8 8s; 11 heifers, "W. Cowley, £6 15si; 10 bead, J. Crawford, £6 10s; 6 steers, Westney Bros., £8 4s; lOheifers, C. Tylden, £6 5s ; SI head, A Stewart, £8 3s 6d; 200 wethers, T. S. Morrin, 13s; 120 limbs, J. Bosanco, 9s 6d; 116 cross-bred sheep, F. Hicks, 10s 6d; 100 lambs, Henry Rey nolds, 9s 6d. "

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

B. YOUNG.—The barque Robina Dunlop belonged to no Company, but to Mr J. Neil. She was built of wood, in 1874. The ship Jessie Osborne was the property of Messrs W. and A. Brown and Co.

BIRTH.

MARTIN.—On the 18th January. 1878, at her residence, Cross-street. Newton, the wife of Gorges Irvine Martin of a daughter.

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

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1878.

For-tlie cute that lada-assSstaneat Foi the wrong that needs -CS.Stun-L F«r the future in the distance, Ami «_a* cwMfaMs »c <M_r4ft

Applying to our railway system the test of readiness for any emergency we find it still anything but perfect, despite remon strance, royal commissions, and agitation. Mr Clements, of Clement's Park, Cam bridge, has just sent overland 700 lambs to the approaching fair, and Mr C. C. Woods, of Tamahere, was compelled to adopt the same unprofitable means of transit. A journey of ninety miles—exposing the animals to the fatigue, loss, and deprecia tion consequent upon more than a week's journey on a dusty road under a broiling sun, is an ordeal which a farmer would be least disposed to put his stock through as a preparation for the saleyards. There was, however, no alternative The Hamilton station is without pens or any kind of enclosure to facilitate the placing of sheep on tbe trucks ; and even were that difficulty surmounted, there are no trucks to place them on. The line has, we understand, been left with the same amount of rolling stock as when the traffic extended no further than Mercer. At present, passengers trains have to do goods trains work along the line, and in consequence of this, yesterday's Mer cer train was nearly an hour behind time coming to Auckland, the Onehunga train being thereby detained at the Remuera crossing until its arrival, in accordance with , the rule that trains do not pass their specified crossing - place '

until the arrival of the other train. We can sympathise with the local manage ment in carrying out the work of the line under these. disadvantages at all satis factorily, but the matter is one which should be strongly represented at head quarters.

The overland line connecting Adelaide with Port Darwin is down. In consequence of this, restoration.of communication with the South has brought no later European cable news. Australian cable despatches, from our own correspondent, relating to the gold discoveries and Chinese influx, appear in another column.

Notice is given in another column that the Auckland Stak is duly appointed a gazette for the publication of all Highway Board and other public notifications required by any New Zealand or Provincial statute.

We understand that most of the subscri bers to the now famous Newten Kirk har monium have intimated their intention to hand over their proportion of the proceeds of the sale to the new Church Fund. It is notified, however, that anyone who wishes his share returned may obtain it on application to Mr Stevenson, Newton Road, on Tuesday, the 22nd inst.

The Intercolonial Match Committee have engaged the Domain Cricket ground for to morrow, and a practice match will be played amongst those who have received circulars, asking them to hold themselves in readiness to play against the Australians. It is to be hoped that as many as can possibly be there will roll up. Play is to commence at 2 p.m. The Rodney Races are fixed for the 14th February. They are to come off as usual in the neighbourhood of the pretty town ship of Waikworth. The programme is published elsewhere in our columns, and contains Hurdle Race (handicap) of 20 soys, Cup (handicap) of 25 soys., Settlers' Race (handicap) 15 soys,, Publicans' Purse, 15 soys ; Pony Race of 8 soys., and Trotting Race of 5 soys. Entries are to be made by January 26th, to the secretary, Mr M. Angove, at Warkworth. Conditions and other particulars appear in the advertise ment.

The installation of officers of Lodge No. 456, 1.C., Coromandel, took place on Wednesday evening, at the lodge-room. The event constituted a red-letter day among the Masons of the goldfield. Amongst the visitors present, and who took part in tbe ceremony, were Bro. Past Master W. J. Rees, P.G.S. ; Bro. P.M. Trimble, and Bro. Levy, W.M. Lodge Ara. Tbe following officers were installed :—Bro. J. H. Harrison, W.M. ; M. J. Paster, S.W. ; A. King, J.W. ; F. Woodward, S.D. ; W. White, J.D. ; G. McLeod, I.G. ; D. B. McDonald, Secretary and Treasurer. The installation was followed by a banquet, at which about forty masons and twenty visitors sat down to a capital spread pro vided by Mrs Boyd. The newly-elected W.M., Bro. Harrison, occupied the chair. After the usual Masonic toasts were dis posed of, a pleasant evening, with songs and glees, was spent. Bro. Woodward pre siding at the piano. The Waxworks Exhibition, next to the Union Bank of Australia, was visited yesteiday by a large number of visitors, who expressed satisfaction at likenesses, life-size of the originals, some of which were good representations, especially those of the Royal Family,andßismarck,Peabody, and others. The figure of Miss Nightingale watching by the bedside of a dying soldier in the hospital at Scutari is an excellent delineation; the patience and quiet de meanour of the lady nurse are strikingly displayed in the features, which, in the language of Gerald Massey, made

" the dying kiss her shadow, And the dead smile in their dream."

Tbe figure of Su- Walter Scott is too youthful in appearance, and not portly enough, although the forehead closely resembles that of the author of the " Lady of tbe Lake." Tbe model of Mrs Yelverton is good, and much like that strong-minded lady, who was deceived and deserted by one who was unworthy her aftections. The judgment of the wise man, illustrated in a passage in the third chapter of the First Book of Kings, with the mothers and soldiers, form a picturesque group ; and, altogether, the exhibition is creditable.

At a meeting of the Star of Newton Lodge last evening, songs were given by Sisters Lightfoot, Stow, and Sommerville, and Brother Taite. Readings by Brothers Walker, Worms, and McGregor.

An agreeable entertainment in connec tion with the Pioneer Lodge of Good Templars was held last evening in the Temperance Hall. Wm. Coleman Esq. was voted to the chair, and in a few well expressed words introduced the musicians and vocalists of tbe hour. The programme was faithfully executed, and every thing went off with eclat. The bianoforte per formances of Misses Carr and Harrison were excellent.

The Hibernian Band quadrille party last evening in the Cook-street Hall, was one of the best of the series in connection with this popular band. The neat hall presented quite a festive appearance, and at least forty couples shared the delights of music and dance. The whole was con ducted in a manner creditable to all con cerned. Mr. J. Patterson filled the oner ous position of master of ceremonies, and the mu^ic was under the efficient manage ment of Mr J. P. Lonergan, whose capa bilities were duly recognised. The Hiber nian Band is rapidly approaching a first class position, and the liberality of the shareholders and members entitles them to respect. In the rests between the dances, several friends present filled the genial pauses with the voice of melody.

-The annual inspection of several Com panies of Volunteers took place last evening in the Drill-shed, viz., the Naval Brigade, No. 3 Company, and the Artillery. There was a good muster of men —Navals, 33; Artillery, 32; and No. 3 Company 24, ex clusive of commissioned officers. The Navals were under the command of Capt., Leßoy, Lieut. ,Chapnian, and Sub-Lieut. Parker ;, the Artillery, under Capt. Burns, Lieut. Payne, and Sub-Lieut. -Some; and No. 3, under Capt. Morrow, and Lieut. Robinson. The Companiesunderwent their evolutions with freedom and satisfaction. At the close of the exercises, Major Lusk took the numbers of the rifles and carbines according to order, and announced that in consequence of the heavy rains, an accident had occurred to the worker's put at Mount Eden Range, which necessitated the closing of the Range for a few days. Tbe Com panies then marched down Queen-street to the wharf, headedby two bands discoursing sweet music by the way, to the intense joy of hundreds of persons.

Sergeant Gamble, Inspector of Weights and Measures, has recently been ruralising in the marine district of Devonport, North Shoro, and between his breathings of fresh, unadulterated air, and watchings of golden sunsets, he has had the old adage in view, -'business and pleasure." Remembering that he was the Inspector of publicans' measures and grocers' weights, he waited respectfully upon the hotel-keepers and cheesemongers of the district, and made selections, dividing the " chaff from the wheat," or the unstamped from the stamped, and returned by steamer, laden with trophies which will be produced at the Court of Petty Sessions on Tuesday next.

Australian telegrams of yesterday state that a sample of New Guinea stuff has yielded 2 dwts to the ton.

The Premier of New South Wales has postponed further sales of Crown lands to give the Assembly an opportunity of deciding whether the system in operation should be stopped for six months. Free selectors are petitioning for the remission of interest on the purchase money for the current year on account of the drought.

A meeting of the ratepayers of Newton is to be held "on the 30th January, for the purpose of electing a trustee in the place of Mr G. McLean, resigned.

The railway employ6s in Chi-istchurch held a meeting in that city yesterday, and passed a resolution condemnatory of the system raquiring'thenien to work overtime without extra pay and also on Sundays. The Hon. Colonel Whitmore is gazetted Commissioner of Armed Constabulary, and the following ratesjof pay are fixed :—ln spectors knd Ist class superintendents, £500; inspectors and 2nd (class superintendents, £400; inspectors, '£350; sub-inspectors, £250 ; surgeons, £250.

The citizens of Christchurch have been requested by the Mayor to observe tbe afternoon of the two days' cricket match with the Australian team a? half holidays.

The tender of Messrs Proudfoot and Mackay has been accepted for the Napier and Manawatu railway, "£15,195. The Auckland tenders were :—Fulton, £15,197 ; Danaher, £17,900 ; Ross, £18,456 ; Britten, Auckland, £18,850; Dickson, £20,375; Tavlor and Co., £22,037.

Applications are invited for tbe position of organist to St. Paul's Church. An enterprising citizen in tbe western part of tbe city has manufactured a com pound which is guaranteed to exterminate bugs from any house infested with them. The manufacturer has applied for a patent, and on its arrival from Wellington be will bring bis '-Wonderful bug-exterminating fluid" prominently before tbe public.

Heavy storms have visited Christchurch and Masterton, causing great damage to property, especially to crops in country districts.

Mr Lake, Sale-street, Freeman's Bay, has commenced tbe manufacture of blacking, and has forwarded a bottle for testing pur poses. The blacking produces a capital polish easily, and is said to possess the quality of preserving leather. There is a good market, and we hope Mr Lake will find it a profitable industry. The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Matthew's Church, Panmure, was held on January 14, Rev F. Gould in the chair. The balance-sheet shewed the church to be £7 in debt. The following officers were elected : —Messrs Ireland and Willis church wardens ; Messrs Thompson, Kingsley, Makms, Fleming, and Brown, vestrymen ; Messrs" Simms and Kingsley, auditors. Votes of thanks were passed to Mrs Hamlin for presiding at the harmonium, to the chairman, members of the choir, and Sunday-school teachers. Mr Barton, solicitor, of Wellington, is always getting into hot water with the Bench. Yesterday an altercation took place between him and Judge Richmond, when tbe following colloquy occurred :— Judge : Mr Barton, if you will make your self a common nuisance in the Court, I must take some means to put you down." Mr Barton : I don't think you can." Judge: " I will try."

No less than 20,000 salmon have been liberated in the Waimakariri aud Rakaia Rivers, Christchurch.

At the meeting of the New Zealand Shipping, Company held at Christchurch, a dividend of four per cent, was declared on the half year's operations. Clause 5 was repealed," and tbe directors empowered to borrow on debentures any sum not ex ceeding the amount of the uncalled capital, upon which tne debentures are to be made a first charge. Mr W. Rowe, M.H.R., has met with a serious accident, which will confine him to his bouse for a few days. He slipped on a wet foot-board at the Nonpareil mine, and sprained his thighs.

The total Customs revenue for 1877 was £1,213,479, as compared with £1,206,791 for the previous year.

Sir George Grey and tbe Native Minister will visit Wairarapa next week.

A boy named John Milne was lost in the bush at Mercer on Wednesday night. The weather was very stormy, and the efforts of the search party to discover the lad were unavailing. He spent tbe night in a swamp, and in the morning was found by his father.

Mr A. Buckland's sale of the Muri wbenua estate has been postponed until to morrow.

The case of Robert Graham and Emily Dines Stevenson, being a claim for property in certain gold mine shares, was set down for hearing this morning in the Supreme Court before Mr Justice Gillies, but previously to its being called, Mr Hesketh informed the Court that the case had been settled by arbitration. The special jury were finally discharged, and the Court was adjourned until Monday morning next at ten o'clock, when the case, Shirley and Gerrard, being an action for defamation, will be brought on. "Justice" sends ns a letter this morn ing, in which he states that we have fiven the praise for saving Mr Waddel's akery at the late fire, to the wrong per sons. He claims that to Mr Rowe, of H. M. Customs, Mr Duckenfield, and Mr Harrison the chief credit is due. We have heard from other sources that these gentlemen were very prominent in the work of preventing the spread of fire, and we are happy to give publicity to the fact. " Justice" concludes his letter by suggesting that the residents of Newton should start a volunteer fire brigade of their own, each householder paying a small subscription towards the same. He thinks that the Insurance Com panies would not object to give a donation of £50 towards starting it.

With reference to the National Indepen dent Order of Odd Fellows Mr John Wright remarks: "Instead of 100 lodges there are 1,000 lodges with 50,000 members, and value £104,000. The opening night is not on the 29th (Anniversary Day), but on Monday, the 28th inst." The following is the rota of attendance for the Court of Petty Sessions, to be held on Tuesday next:—Messrs G. M. Mitford, L.. D. Nathan, H. M. Nation, J. Newman, A. O'Neill, G. B. Owen, G. P. Pierce. R. F. Porter, J. C. Sharland, W. St. Clair Tisdall, J. L. Tole, J. Wilson, J. William son, J. Willcox, R, G. Wood, W. Young, Allan Kerr Taylor, Chairman.

A very narrow escape from drowning occurred this morning near the gas works, to two youths, who are said to be very smart on horseback, but without any nautical experience. They hired a yacht, and at 7.30 mounted on board, intending to proceed up the harbour. Their "sea horse " would not, unfortunately, go straight, but as soon as sail was up, began to gib and buck-jump, to the affright of the poor youths, who cast anchor; and,* with the view of getting ashore, one of them stripped and essayed to swim to a small boat a few yards distant, but, either his courage or strength failed, and, like Peter on the Sea of Galilee, be was going down fast^ when his comrade cast a rope unto him. At this time the attention of many residents in the vicinity had been attracted by tbe cries, and, with the aid of opera glasses, the, exhausted state of the young man was visible as he was dragged on board. No further mishap occurred, and it is subposed that in future this, pair of voyageurs will confine their travels to land, where they will not have to contend with tbe winds and waves.

An advertisement appears elsewhere statingthat the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club will hold a 4-mile handicap steeplechase on Wednesday, 6th February. The Secretary will receive entries on Wednesday, the 30th inst., at the Club Room, Thames Hotel, at Bp. m. The advertisement also notifies that the next general Athletic meet ing of the Club is fixed for Saturday, the 9th March.

A meeting of the School Committee will be held in the new school building, Welles ley-street, this evening at 7.30, to consider the nomination of the School Board, and the working of the new Education Act. It is requested that as many members of the various committees should attend as possi ble, to give expression to their views on this importapt subject. In consequence of the Theatre Royal hav ing been engaged for Levy's entertainments, Dr Somerville will deliver his address in the Choral Hall-this evening.' The mid-day prayer meeting was, however, held in the Theatre.

The following subscriptions towards de fraying the expenses incurred at Dr. Somerville's evangelistic services have been received by the honorary treasurer of the United Evangelistic Committee :—A Friend £5; CM., £2 2s ;S. R., 10s ; Yen. Arch deacon Maunsell, 10s; MrAdlington, ss; A Friend, ss; Mrs Philson, £1 ; Messrs Wm. McArthur and Co., £2 2s.

The annual race meeting of tbe Hender son's MiU Turf Club has been fired for Saturday, February 23.

The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Mark's church, Remuera, was held last evening, the Yen. Archdeacon Pritt m tbe chair. Tbe balance sheet shewed :— Receipts, £397 0s 5d ; expenditure, £394 18s id. Votes of thanks were passed to the donor of the chancel window, and to Mrs Heywood, superintendent of the Sunday school. The stipend of tbe clergyman was fixed at £250, and a committee, consisting of Messrs Alexander, James, McMillan, Sellars, Morgan, Hall, C. Hesketh, H. K. Baber, and Westland was appointed to make arrangements to have tbe church lighted with gas.

Mr Stephen Masset will appear this even ing in the Newmarket Hall witb'bis budget of fun and comicalities, and portfolio of select readings. Mr Massett's varieties are pleasing, bis readings choice, his songs original, and bis facial imitations very remarkable. . , The Premier is expected to pay a visit to Westport next month. Nominations for the Hurdle Race and Handicap at the Tauranga races close to morrow (Saturday).

An accident occurred on Monday evening to Mr H. Bell, but fortunately without any serious result. It appears that Mr Bell and other members of the Ponsouby Rowing Club were undergoing their aquatic exercises on the water near Shelly Beach, preparatory to the coming Regatta, when, in consequence of the breaking of a rope, Mr Bell was pitched into the water. Efforts were immediately put forward, and Mr Bell was hauled safely back into tbe boat, with out any injury than that of a cool ducking. His Lordship Bishop Cowie has addressed a letter to the committee of Trinity Church, Devonport, advocating the advisability of tbe committee securing tbe whole time aud attention of the clergymen at present offici ating in that district to' enable him to provide for the spiritual wants of the out laying portions of the district, viz., the Lake, Lucas' Creek, Woodside, tbe Wade, and Waiwera. A special meeting to con sider the letter is to be held this evening, in the Sunday-school room. Devonport.

It was announced that the election of Grammar Schosl Board of Governors had been postponed from the 18th to 25th mst. It was also stated that the election of a Board of Education in Auckland would not be postponed. Dr. Somerville intends to bold a con ference of ministers and others, for the purpose of considering the extension of Christian work.

TELEGRAPHIC.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.

COROMANDEL, this day.

TOKATEA. Tokatea -.—The Manager reports nothing important from the lower workings. A few pounds of picked stone were obtained from the iistope in No. 7 rise. The tributers Dick and party are getting good stone, and have now a box of 2601b5.

Nicholls and party lodged 721bs of very good i-tone from the rise being put up from of specimens. There has been no dlearing up at tbe battery this week, as the working was only started a few days ago. Royal Oak. —The manager reports noth ing new from the mine since starting work. A little gold is seen in the various lodes. J Corby Claim.—Some rich stone was-ob tained last night. ALEXANDRA, this day. The weather is frightful for harvesting, and the Kopua natives are looking particu larly dejected. GRAHAMSTOWN, this day. Tbe Nonpareil has got more good-looking specimens this morning. Tbe New Morning Star cut two leaders on No. 11 cross-cut last night, both shewing gold. It is expected that the lodes have a junction, and shew to impoovein few feet driving. The Kurunui Hill took out a few good looking stones yestejfday, shewing a little gold. COUNTY ROADS. County roads are being pushed on with by 75 men, half Maoris, and five contracts are let also to spend the £5,000 before the Assembly meets and the votes lapse. RUSSELL, this day. ■» Sailed—Leo, Fairy, Fawn, and lona. Passengers : Messrs Phillips, Butler, Rey nolds, and Miss Bates. The lona takes two boats to compete in the Auckland Regatta.

WELLINGTON, this day.

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

The annual New Zealand Wesleyan Con ference began its sittings in Wellington last evening. The opening service admitting the public, was of an imposing nature. The President of the Conference, the Rev. Wm. Kirk, and nearly all the ministers sent by their respective circuits, were upon tbe platform. In accordance with the time honoured custom at Methodist Conferences, at the opening the congregation sang the appropriate hymn, beginning with— And are we yet alive and see each other's face; Glory and praise to Jesus give for His re deeming grace. After the preliminary had Deen gone through, ballot was taken for President, and when scrutinized it was found that the Rev. J. Crump, of ttt6 Thames, was elected. The ballot for Secretary resulted in the election of the Rev. W. Moriey, formerly of the Auckland Circuit; and the Rev. R. Bavin, Assistant-Secretary. The retiring President, on vacating the chair, handed to his successor the seals of the Conference and other honoured documents, and gave the usual address. The Rev. J. Crump followed briefly. After these addresses and singing and prayer, the first gathering was brought to a close at about 10 o'clock. A JOURNALISTIC FRACAS. A serious fracas occurred in the " Argus" office between E. T. Gillon, plaintiff in the late suit Gillon v. Mr Macdonald, and others, and Mr Robert Kent, one of the defendants in the action. About 10 o'clock this morning, Mr Gillon acting on the advice ot his solicitors, went to the "Argus" office to assert his right as , a managing partner. He was 'accompanied by Mr Harry Seymour, representative of the "New Zealand Sun." Upon entering Messrs Gillon and Seymour made their way to the private office, and found Mr Kent there. Mr Gillon asked to see the books. !Mr Kent referred him to Mr Kennedy Macdonald, to which Mr Gillon replied that he insisted on seeing the books. Kent, growing warm, exclaimed " You [shan't;" but further high words were prevented by the entrance of Mr Waters, another of the partners, to whom Mr Gillon preferred the same request. Mr Waters made a similar reply, to which Gillon responded that Mr Macdonald was only a sleeping partner in the concern. He then produced a cheque drawn and signed by him in the name of the firm, saying it was for £121 ls, to defray the ' plaintiff's costs, recovered from Gillon in the libel action, Ander son v. Gillon, Kent, and Waters. Mr Gillon asked Mr • Waters to sign it, but he refused to do so. Mr Kent also declined to sign it. Mr Gillon upon that declared his intention of stopping until he saw the books. Mr Kent with heat exclaimed, " We will see about that." Mr Gillon's next action was to open the door leading to the editor's room to tell Mr Perrier (editor) that he-was not to insert anything in the paper Avithout be (Gillon) first saw it. Mr Perrier replied that be

had no official c guidance of Mr Gillon's position as managing partner. He could not, therefore, accede to such a request. After some further con versation, Mr Gillon walked into the publishing office, and declared he would remain there until he saw the books. Mr Kent threatened to send for a policeman, to which Gillon replied " all right. Mr Waters asked for the judge's order, and said as be knew nothing of the verdict of the jury, be did not care for it. After some more remarks of a similar nature, Mr Gillon said be would remain in tbe office until ejected. Mr Kent next shut down tbe flap of the counter, and defied Mr Gillon to go behind it. Mr Gillon replied that be certainly should do so if be wished; upon which Mr Kent approached Mr Gillon, and seized him by the collar of bis coat, attempt ing to push him back. Mr Gillon answered this demonstration by striking Mr Kent a heavy blow in the face. Mr Waters stepped between the combatants. Mr Kent ran into tbe yard at the rear, in a furious passion, and seized a heavy billet of wood, saying he would murder Mr Gillon. Mr Waters, and Mr Bannister, publisher of tbe paper, and Mr Perrier, prevented him from entering the front of the office again by force, and removed him to tbe rear. Messrs Gillon and Seymour then retired. Mr Kent has laid an information against Mr Gillon. The case will be beard in tbe Resident Magistrate's Court to-morrow.

TAURANGA, this day. The Stafla leaves to-night for the scene of the wreck of the Nellie. Captain Baker, however, expects it to be broken up. It is blowing a strong westerly gale.

NEWS FROM TONGA.

(From our Own Correspondent.

THE WEATHER.—GREAT STORM.

Tongatabu, Jan. 7th, 1877, The unusually protracted drought, which had begun to excite serious apprehension with regard to the yam crop (the native's chief dependence) broke up in the middle of last mouth, and we have since had several days of steady rain. At 1 a.m. on tbe 20th Dec. last we were visited with a violent gale of almost hurricane force, but fortunately of short duration—its extreme fury lasting for little more than an hour, the barometer at that hour having fallen to 29.60. Very heavy rain fell all the night. By daylight all was calm and fine, but the damage done was not in considerable. Several native houses were blown down — some bad part of their roofs caved in, and most of the white residents suffered loss or inconvenience either from mind or wet; the college observatory suffered consider ably; the astronomical telescope being greatly damaged—the studios of our photographic artist also being demolished. MISSIONARIES LEAVE FOR SYDNEY.

By the Meteor barque, which sailed on Saturday, the sth ult., the chairman of the Ton**a circuit of the Wesleyan Church (the Rev. S. W. Baker),' the Rev. W. Fox, Missionary at Vavau, and their families left for Sydney, and are not ex pected to return for several months. By these departures Tonga an-* Yayau will both be without resident missionaries, and it is to be hoped that the Tonga Wesleyan Church bas ministers of native growth equal to the occasion. Prior to tbe departure of the rev. Chairman, a large meeting of church members, scholars, collegians, and native missionaries, was held for the purpose of presenting him Avith a testimonial. The presents consisted mostly of dried yams, spring onions, decrepid fowls, and fans; it being almost famine times, the number of presents was remarkably small,: and to make up for the scarcity, two grey-headed old men, or two old ladies might be seen .struggling under the weight of a lib chicken, or a small yam depending from a long stick. Although the number and weight was not enormous, the bringers of them were.. Amongst other presentations/ was that of the children, young men, and maidens at tending the mission schools. Their presents were in tbe shape of filthy lucre, six-penny and three-penny peices being the amount of their tokens of - affection. After forming themselves into Indian file, they marched up to his reverence, and passed in review before him, all the time chanting a mixture of song and hymn, the most distinguishable word being "Kafa" or good-bye. Then they formed in a ring and began the fun. The Maori war dance is nothing compared ,\to what these young scholars performed. At any other time the native police would have been down on them, as according to their laws, dancing is not only heathenish but immoral. On an occcasion like this, and when they pay for it, the chief of police is deaf and blind. THE LADIES' COLLEGE. The ladies college, of which so much hasbeeuheard,andon which so much mission money is being spent, for no purpose, is not completed yet. all work on the building being suspended, while the worthy archi tect, the Rev. Mr Baker, is away in Sydney. It is really a splendid building, the finest in the group,.even finer than the Chair man's own house, and where they will get the young ladies to put in it, and how they will keeptbem there,is a regular puzzle. MARRIAGE OF MR E. BERRIL. To-day one of your Auckland friends has just had the knot of matrimony tied ; it is Mr E. Berril, agent for Messrs Owen and Graham. The charming bride is a member of one ef tbe chief families bere, the ceremony was performed at the Roman Catholic Church at Moa, a short distance from the capital. A large number of foreigners and leading chiefs were present at the ceremony. DESIGNS OF UNITED STATES AND GERMANY. It is very evident that tbe United States Government are not going to let Tonga be given up to Germany without taking some' notice. Mr P. S. Bloomfield,a well-known American subject, a trader for Messrs Goddefroi and Son, arrived per Active from Samoa with an appointment to a Consular agency granted by Mr S. Griffin. United States Consul in Samoa. Mr Bloomfield was met on landing by tbe American subjects here, and escorted in state to the town, but on his presenting his credentials to His Majesty the King, be was handed an official letter from Mr Griffin, pancelling the appointment. The wrathjjof the ex-Consul was awful to see; Germany must look out for itself. It seems the letter cancelling the appointment was forwarded to Tonga prior to the arrival of the Active, through Mr Weber, the German Cousul in Apia, Germany is evidently wanting Tonga for itself. The first fruits-'- to them of the treaty is the harbour of Vavau for their coaling station. This harbour is the best in the South Pacific—a whole fleet could ride in it with safety, and as it is wonderfully fortified by nature it could be defended by a very few. INSECURITY OF PROPERTY. It is time that foreigners had some pro tection here, as cases of robbery, burglary, and incendiarism are becoming rather too frequent to be pleasant. A foreign eij can not get any satisfaction at all ; boats are stolen, horses stabbed, bouses broken into, and. when a complaint is made you are told to find the man and they will punish him. Justice is hard to be got ; a case occurred the other day in which a foreigner caught a man (native) coming out of bis store with a piece of cloth concealed under his lava lava. He seized him, called for the police, took him before the native judge, and stated his case. The Court asks him foi his witnesses : who had seen him take saidjcloth ? Nobody saw him take it. So prisoner is released; and prosecutor is summoned for falsely accusing prisoner, and is fined §50, which, of course, foreigner wont pay. So much for Tonga and its government. Everything is going crooked, and what they will do now, while their counsellor and guide is away, good ness only knows. SUSPECTED MURDER. A horrible occurrence took place ot Ouia,

one of the Haabai Group ■ under Tom^/li vernment, on November 12th.. CarsfllH Bradley,, an. old trader, who had bliiß residing there for a number of years ffi " found burnt to death in his house. Xh 8 are suspicions of foul play, as his body I badly mutilated, and he was known?, § have a considerable sum of money 0 n w B premises. All the buildings and at i«■ were burnt; a little molten silver was tt_ only thing saved. Appearances are so & t I that the resident missionaiy —Mr Watkin *^ has jvuflied to Sir Arthur Gordon to hold 1 enqu ii v into the whole matter. aD fj DEATH OF AN AUCKLAND SUPpn 1 CARGO. R 1 A]"-«senger per Active, of the name nf 1 Olgilvie, had been left in Haabai by (W f McKenzie,. of tbe Novral, he being too in & to proceed further. He had been suner-^ cargo of the Norval two voyages. He kindly attended to by the Rev. Mr ay' - Mrs Watkins,whodideverythingthey conlip 1 for him, and on the arrival of the Actw if he desired to go to Auckland. But he be* ' came much worse, and the Rev. M r j* j D. Baker was sent for; this was on ti 1 Wednesday. Mr Baker could not finf f time to sea the poor fellow till Friday even 1 ing last, when poor Olgilvie was just dead He died of consumption, and was buriedin I the European cemetery bere; all the residents i foreigners, Europeans, and the principM ' S native officials being present at the funeral 1 Revs. Mr Fox and Mr Baker conducting 1 the service. The ships in harbour had their I flags at half-mast,, and all places of. business - were closed, for Olgilvie was very much* respected by all who knew him. He had I every possible attention paid him by Capt S and Mrs Lane, of the Active. It is really 1 time that the residents should have Jm practical medical man residing bere, as the I only one now is the chairman, and he is too. 1 busy looking after his mission work and j AUCKLAND CUTTER BEATEN BY ISLAND-BUILT CUTTER, One of your A uckland vessels, the Stafia i got a bad beating the other day by a small I cutter of 10 tons, built in Haabai by Mr 1 Petersen. The race was from Haabai to I Vavau and back for £20 a side, a distance.of I 180 miles. 3£ hours was the time which 8 the Island cutter was ahead. Both vessels I are about the same size.

CABLEGRAMS.

(FROM OUR SPEGLaL CORRE^ I POND ENT.) AUSTRALIAN NEWS. The New Guinea Gold. Chinamen for Dunedin* SYDNEY.—THIS DAY. The Bertha, missionary schooner, f confirms the New Guinea gold dis-11 coveries. The Ocean has arrived at CooktoT% g from Hong Kong, with two hundred:! Chinese for Dunedin. , The Ocean has arrived at No___nanby||| and Cooktown, from Hong Kong,. I with large cargoes of teas and sugars. The New Guinea expedition meet ing was a partial failure.

FIRE.—SERIOUS DAMAGE.

[PRESS AGENCY.]

WELLINGTON, Thursday -li A fire broke out this afternoon in a build- *}f ing intended for a hotel, but which failed to obtain a license, just opposite the Railwi** | Station. The water supply was limited in . consequeace of the Waterworks not being '> completed. The supply is usually thrown I off during the day. When the water was -j. turned on at the reservoir, it took aT»pT.t"&i_ §§ hour before it reached the fire in any force. In the meantime the hotel and two adjoin ing buildings were burned down<r The* . flames blowing across the street set' fire to- | the Railway Station, which, along with the offices of the district engineer and office , , manager, were very soon destroyed. . Noae:_;li of the carriages or rolling, stock were:in' ja jured. The Railway Station is valued at 1 about £1000; other buildings from £1200 to, ;I £1500. Tbe hotel was occupied until & yesterday, when it is said nearly all the- : !| effects were removed. The hotel and II buildings were insured in the National _-_•-#_ £500, and in the New Zealand for £150.1 The origin of the fire is unknown. In a H few minutes after the alarm the building* 1 were all in flames. Had a proper supply of 1 water been on 7 the Railway Station would I have been saved.

The Dunedin --Star" says, on the I authority of a letter from a passenger by I the Loch Ryan, which left Melbourne for | England some time ago, that Sullivan, I the notorious murderer, was a second cabin I passenger on board the vessel.

TRUCKLING JOURNALISM.

(To the Editor). Sir, —I am very far from being a sympa- 1 thiser with offenders against commercial I ethics, but I must express my disgust at the despicable attempt of the "Herald''to- I heap infamy upon a man already humbled m to the dust. The "Herald" drags ' forward an unsupported allegation of a sj transaction said to have occurred eight or 'A nine years ago, and says: . "This act was well-known, but the debtor passed comfortably through the Court ; and 1 .again, " After this previous ba-_fe|j| ruptcy, in which the interests of the" A Tasmanian uncle were so carefully guarded M .at the cost of defrauded merchants here/ a M body of electors absolutely placed Mr | Meyers in the important position of a member of ihe Harbour Board:" ; With ;, reference to the charge aUeged, I: know' ,: and care nothing; if it be aslrueasjthe f other statement that Meyers " passed through the Bankruptcy Court " before, 1 there will doubtless be another side to the m story. But what must impress everyone 'A possessing a spark of manly spirit is the time selected by the "Herald" ipr hurling ' infamous abuse at the head of an unhappy 'Zy% man. So long as H. S. Meyers bad a , shilling to spend or an advertisement .to '■'■ bestow, no sound was heard from your :"| virtuous contemporary. On the contrary, 1 despite the -f Herald's " assertion that S "this act was well known," that journal I supported Mr. Meyers* candidature for the s 1 Board, and was loud in its declarations of H his qualification for the office. Years have j| been allowed to pass without a word, but now, when the unfortunate man is down; his mouth shut; the same triickling speci mens of humanity who fawned upon him in his days of prosperity are the first fo give | him a kick.—Yours, c_c, Anti-Syco phant. '■• ' A

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION.

To-day's quotations :— ■; Bank of New Zealand—£23 17s 6d; buyers, £23105. National Bank—Buyers, 71s. Colonial Bank—s2s. South British Insurance—Sellers, 795. Union Insurance—l2s 6d. Union Sash & Door Co.—Buyers, £1010s. Bay of Islands Coal Co.—£s. Caledonian (double)— Buyers, 60s. Moanatairi—Buyers, 85s; sellers, 90s. Alburnia—Sellers, 70s. . Kurnnui Hill—lis 6d; buyers, 14s. , Piako—SeUers, Is. ' Thames—Buyers. 355. JOSEPH NEWMAN. Cbairraan.

COMMERCIAL.

Mr R. Arthur's weekly sale of poultry, pro duce, and furniture was well attended to-day. Fowls, Is 4d to 2s 2d; black Spanish do., 3s 1W; geese, 2s 6d 3s 2d; ducks, ls 9d_r turkeys, 3s6dto 4s 6d; small pips, 3s 6d to ss. Potatoes, 3s to 43 6d; carrots. 2slto 2s 3d; onions, 1}: Aucklana fruits: apples. 2d to 3d; pears, 3Jd to 3_a; plums, 5Jd to 7J; Opotiki maize, 5s j bran,,? 3 9d r>er hag; flour, £13 to -315 10s per ton. The furniture fetched fair pr:C-S . &_A--\ Tiie farm and horn* stead, parish of Tuakau; offered to-day by Messrs Grant and -MartoPi were withdrawn.

F.TZNING STAR, FRIDAY, JANUARY IS. ■ ly'S



Shera Brothers ABE CLEARING-OUT THE BALANCE OF THEIR SHIPMENTS, . Previous to arrival of NEW SHIPMENTS, already advised, Per' Lorraine,' 'Chaeca,' 'Seatoller,' s.s. 'Stadt Amsterdam.' s.s. ' Kent.' imXPIRATION OF "PARTNERSHIP TERM. DRAPERY; AND CLOTHING AT 20 PER Cent. REDUCTION! T3USHBROOK AND TJRIDGMAN. The abovenamed have decided (prior to Stock-taking), in order to facilitate adjustment of accounts, . necessitated by the expiration of our term of partnership, to hold a p CLEARING-OUT SALE, j-g And will allow for a limited , O — period, a « S £j DISCOUNT OF TWENTY PER «~ 2 CENT. UPON ALI. CASH » S PURCHASES. W 8 — £. £> 4S. IN THE £ OFF THE USUAL PRICES. . M Q 2 W Commencing on f£ P. FRIDAY, UTH JANUARY. ". ... I—i ___ Ph" The Stock is Unusually Heavy, and "* _■ Well-assorted in every H § Department. y p, i" % % -5 % g 5? R. & 8., "with satisfaction, direct cj n attention to tha fact that since com- _% mencing business they have steadily H r avoided all Selling Off, Cheap E Sales, &c. ; their aim having been to 2 fc supply a_OOD ARTICLE at a _\ « REASONABLE PRICE, and "NO o S PUFF," and deem that the simple o 5 statement of the fact is sufficient to d convince their friends and the pubhc v? l of the bona fide character of the pre- H sent announcement. ._ Goods Entered will be Charged Usual Prices. Country Orders, accompanied by remittance, will have prompt . attention. ' RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &C, UPPER QUEEN-STREET, Auckland, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel).



Rank Poison is scarcely more iniunous than are the deleterious liquors which the scamps who vend them represent to be the same or as p-ood as Udotjpho Wolfe's Sohtedam Aroma tic Schnapps. Bottles which formerly con tained this superb medicinal beverage are used by the impostors, and the genuine labels imi tated. We trust this caution will forearm the public and baffle the swindlers.



TCfE V*' ZEAL AX D INSURANCE JJI COMPANY. - REDUCED RATES FOR DETACHED DWELLING-HOUSKS :—ln the City, from 12s. upwards: in the Country, from 13s. GEOPGE P. PIERCE, «<^neral Manager. NION INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. APITAL _TT77.TT £2,000,000. UCKLAND BRANCH: QUEEN-S T R E E T, Next the Colonial Bank. FIRE DEPARTMENT. Sfllnsurano granted on. Dwelling-houses, Stores. Shops, Buildings in which trade is carried on, Merchandise, and Goods of eveiy description. MARINE DEPARTMENT. Hulls of Ships or Steamers, Merchandise of all kinds, Specie and Wool to United Kingdom, at owest Current Rates. R. H. STEVENSON Manager. -VTOTICE OF REMOVAL. THE STANDARD FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY'S OFFICES, US-REMOVED -®* To the Premises of MESSRS. COMBES & DALDY, QUEEN-STREET. rya this day and during the WEEK, WK WILL SHOW PIE„S ES 10,000 PI.? ES FASHIONABLE 3DRESS GOODS AND JBSB- PRINTS, -m- REDUCED TO HALF PRICE IN ORDER TO CLEAR. J. COSGRAVE & CO., OUEEN-STREET. LADIES' UNDERCLOTHING! CHILDREN'S UN OERCLOTPHNG !! AND BABYLINEN! 1! W. RATTRAY, Having bought the "Whole of Messrs Sargood, Son and Ewen's Large and Well-selected Stock of LADIES' AND CHILDREN'S UNDER CLOTHING & BABYLINEN, AT A LARGE DISCOUNT, Has marked them at proportionately Low Rates. Ladies are requested to call and inspect the Stock. *W-EW 7EALAND TTOUSE, 66, QUEEN-STREET. Auckland. mo AGRICULTURISTS & OTHERS W. J. HURST _C CO. have on sale the under mentioned Fertilizers, all of which have been proved to produce satisfactory results in this district. Experience teaches that large and prcitable returns can be relied on by a judicious and liberal use of them. The flattering Testi monials from leading Farmers justify W. J. Hurst & Co. in strongly commending them to every Agriculturist:— MALDEN ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MEXICAN do. BEliLc. x-ONEFLOUR r-a ~ J and 4-inch IriONED UST BILL YARD'S No. 1 do. NITRATE OF SODA SULPHATE OF AMMONIA MURIATE OF POTASH SUPER-PHOSPHATE OF LIME. SALT, SULPHATE OF LIME. In addition to the above, W. J. H..& Co. are prepared to supply special Chemical Manures tor stimulating weak Corn Crops, and renovat ing Clover-sick Pastures, as well as the Potato and Mangold mixture that last season attracted bo much favourable notice. . , ,„. Analysis, prices, and other particulars will he supplied on application at the Stores. • W. J. HURST & CO., 101 QUEKN-STREET. CLOVER SEED, FOR SPRING? SOWING Just Landed, ex Columbus— 30 casks new Clovers, cousisting of Red Clover White Clover Cow Gras Also on hand. Alsyhe, Timothy, Lucerne, Rape Rats-tail, Rye grass, Cocksfoot, &c, at lowest market rates. W. J. HURST & CO. 101, QUEEN-STREET. 500 sacks Sydney Maize (superior sample) SOOO „ Oats , First-class Tartars for Seed, also 800 sacks of 1875 crop hard feed, surpassing any of last season's growth 1200 sacks Canterbury Potatoes, and some g early varieties for seed purposes Flour, Bran, Sharps, Chaff, Oilcake, Coal, &c, &c. Particular attention is called to " 500 sacks Prime Barley at 4s per bushel o 501b. 5 tons Anderson's Fresh -Jatmeal, a £21 per ton. ■W. J. HURST & CO., 101, QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND.