SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

„ ( This Afternoon, 0.12 HIGH WATER--, T o-morrow Morning, O.ib «l!N SET.—This Evening. 6.59 or-\r pkv To morrow Jlornmir, 0.0 l MOON-4 AGi^ -F^tQaarter, Feb. 11, 0-33 p.m

ARRIVALS.

TaranaW, s.s. (in the Manakan), trom tae=ou,u. SJSSS'^ Norfolk IS- St O"hede° msom eEast Coast and Soith.

DEPARTURES.

Gaol schooner, Urquhart, for Dunedin, via MinS^Souer, Skinner, for Napier.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

?orLo^don_Lochrleet,shi P . May Queen, ship, FW^h? Ta^ro^ul^ JBffft Fo Tra^nLU^r^Vth Hawea.Thurs- Fo^Rnmell North-Hawea. Monday Uth ,• 5.,, on arrival from San Francisco.

IMPORTS.

Per =.=- Ham, from Southern port? : 3 horses. i boxM 35 cases, 17 casks sheep dip, 30 sacks schooner Waiwera. from Norfolk Ts.and : 160 bananas, 4 bales, 5 bags woo!, a cases, sun dries.

aCTh??c°ho ao tn Oe?'Gael h*s left for Wangaponga fO%£&£££'3S&W*> arrived at L Tnfschooner TrSt arrived at Oamaru on Queen will sail for London in a fcVdS? Her final preparations for departure "IS! 1^ aa^ved rnfro hm S fauranga ard WMSBk Fei^on Hill WHkinso , . captain H4d M°orTisdale; andlOst e eragc.-Hender "WiSSSIw£S na Srrived from Norfolk WwK Active cleared at the Customs to™ay with a full cargo of general merchandise f°The Ob?f4nfife Active tak-s away to Samoa a sjendireen n »ilin ? or pulling^oat but by Mr Railev, of the North Shore. It isl 4o feet lo i by 6ft 9in. beam, and is carver built all.but the Lndtomely fitted .with brass screws, knee^ riwiftc'ti and diving stanchion 3. me »eat Sfona are of velvet. There are six seats for the puHers! and the sailing powei•consists of la tTheSeinthe berthing of the shipping. TheMaVQneen,nowafallship, is to betaken into thf stream, and the ship Apelles will be brought from the outer into the inner berth. in- chains and ropes were replaced; a smith was called in to repair the windlass, and the removal of the vessel was left to the morning.

CALLS AND DIVIDENDS.

Tris following are the dates of Gold Mining nalis, and when dividends are due :— CALn!Tv Golden Pah .. .. 00 9 Feb. 13 New Morning Star.. -010 Feb. 13 Tnnlrpv .. .- 0 10 ben. M LongTunnell V. .... 0 0 3 Feb. 28 DlTlbum"7 •• 015 0 Feb. 8 UnioSnkofluciralia 2 0 0 Now due Bay onslands Coal Com- q q Nov &m Auckland & North Shore Ferry Company .. 5% Now due ME Crow Gn¥rinces3 G.M. Co Feb. 15

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails wii.t. Close as »^d«=« - ,„„ m . For Tliames, this day, at 4.30 p.m. antx 5.30 p.m^; and to-morrow, at 9.30 a.m., 2.30 p.m., and 0.30 For^Coromandel, per Durham, on Wednesday For Russell, Kawakawa, Wangaroa, and Mon- ForaT™ranaki and Southern Provinces, per Taranaki, immediately on arrival of City of Sydney from Honolulu. For Australian Colonies, Batavia, Singapore, China, and Japan, via Torres Straits per s.s. City of Sydney, immediately after arrival. For-Russell, per Elsinore, to-morrow at 11 am. For Waiwera, Kawau, Omaha, and Matakana, Annie Milbank, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Wangarei Heads. Waipu, Wangarei, and Manganai, per Atgyle, to-morrow at 4 p.m. For Whitiangi. Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Rowena, on Wednesday next, at 4.P-™- .. For Tauranga. Gisborne, Napier, Southern Province, Chatham Islands, via Lyttelton and |Australian Colonies, per Hawea, on Thursday next, at 2 p.m. S. B, BISS. Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

POND.—On the Bth February, at her residence, Hobson-atrcet, the wife of J. A. Pond of a son. MILLER.—On the 10th February, at Parnell Rise, the wife of Robert Miller of a son. CONSTABLE.—On the Bth instant, at her resi dence, Hob-on-3treet, the wife of Thomas Constable o£ a daughter. TUKNI)QLL.-On the 9th February, 1878, at Onehunga, the wife of George Turnbull of a son.

DEATH.

THORPE.—On the l(Kli instant, Samuel, infant son of John Thorpe, Drake-street, aged six weeks.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1878.

*■« the civ*= tist Ucks sssiitaaca, P« di* Tcce that needs lesistass*, F«r tte fottiie ie tbo distance. *2d the to*£ tfa« « *oa «-

The key to the reported Russian occupa tion of Constantinople will be found in our telegraphic column. Though there has been no absolute confirmation of the special despatch from our London correspondent, or of the telegrams forwarded later by Reuter and the Press Agency, the cable messages which we publish to-day supply an obvious explanation of the rumour. According to the well informed correspon dent of the " London Telegraph" one of the terms of peace submitted by Russia, and accepted by the Porte, is the temporary occubation of Stambo-ilbya, portion of_ the Russian army in order to satisfy the national honor ; and a special despatch to the "Daily News" from Berlin, where all foreign diplo macy is watel 61 with that keenness for which the Piirsiau Court is famous, conrhms this by stating that the Russians had resolved upon seizing the outworks of Constantinople. Further ex planation is continued in the statement made by Lord Beaconsneld in the House of Lords to the e.'i'ect that the British Gov ernment had notified the Czar that the special vote of £6,000,000 had been asked for in view of the possible temporary occupation of Constantinople by Russian troops. The telegram to the ''Daily Tele graph" precisely justiiiesoue of the surmises which we hazarded on Saturday in elucida tion of the rumoured occupation, which was that the entry into Constantinople was one of the peace conditions agreed to by the Porte, and that the occupation Avas similar to that of Paris by the Russians, a c^ncission of the national honor, aud a demonstration of absolute victory, and humiliation of the enemy. The despatches which we publish, though they do not actually confirm the reported entry of the Russians into the Turkish Capita', shew that such a result was imminent. The rumour may therefore have been only a little in advance of the actual result. When p-iblic expectation is centred upon an event which is regarded as momentarily inevitable, a rumour of this kind follows as a natural consequence. The reported intended seizure of the outworks of Con stantinople may refer to the. Tchekmedjes, aud this would be the preparatory step to an advance on Stanibo.ii!.

Sir Gkorge Grey's .speech at >«e\v Plymouth on Friday night was generally a reiteration of those cardinal points of his political programme which have been for some time before the public of Auckland. The address, however, referred to some new subjects of colonial interest, which are worthy of passing notice. The construction of the Mountain Road behind Mount Egmont to meet the main road from Wanganui will open up a large tract of fine country, and the road will be valuable for defensive purposes. Many of our readers will remember the hard-hips endured by the flying column under General Chute in his famous march behind Mount Egtnont in ISGS. The portion of the speech possess ing most interest to Auckland readers is that which refers to the continuation of the railway through the King Country to Taranaki. The remarkable change which lias lately coinc_ over the native mind, the manifestations of renewed friendship ami desire for inter course with Europeans, which Sir George Grey observed at the late meeting at To Kopua, have induced him to hope that in a fevi- months the natives will assent to the construction of a road through the heart of the country, provided that there be no un due interference with the land which they now hold. A practical line for a railway has also been found, and Sir George Grey believes there is every prospect of the early construction of the line. The only obstacle to be removed appears to be the old feeling of soreness which has rankled in the minds of the natives since their deprivation of the Waikato ; but were they once con vinced that they will not be disturbed in the peaceful occupation of the territory that remains to them, their opposition to roads and railways would spee.dly disappear. The assurance given by the Hon. the Native Minister, in a speech which followed that of Sir George Grey, that "it was not the intention_ of the present Government to yield one inch in regard to the question of confiscated lands " will be received with general satisfaction. This will effectually silence the disquieting rumours which have been industriously cir culated throughout the country, with the view of exciting hopes in the mine's of the natives which are absolutely impossible of fulfilment, and of embarrassing the efforts of the Government to restore those cordial relations that existed between the two races prior to the war of 18G0. It was regarded as a satisfactory feature in the recent meeting at Te Kopua.that the oft-reiterated demand for Waikato was not repeated. It was apparent that the natives have at length econciled themselves to the inevitable. ' The inevitable must be endured " was Tawhiao's observation. But whilst on the one hand the Government will not surrender the dearly-purchased indemnity taken by authority of law, they have wisely deter mined to make such ample reserves for bona fide native settlement, as will prevent that discontent and recklessness which might be expected from a landless people. Mr Sheehan's remarks on the mischief caused by land-sharks, and the secret trafficking by Native officers were well-timed. Those who are familiar with the grievances of the Maoris are well aware that it is not the bona-fide cultivator of the soil that they are opposed to, but the great speculative land-jobber, who monopolises large tracts of country without conferring on his Maori neighbour any of those advantages which are derived from the proximity of industrious European settlors. It is this class of absentee monopolists who are the bane alike of Europeans and Maoris. Selfish even to the extent of push ing their greedy speculations, regardless of consequences to the bona fide settlers, these men are the great obstacles in the j>ath of friendly intercourse. They keep the native mind in a continual state of ferment and disquiet, excite the cupidity of a few needy natives by liberal distributions of money, clothing," and spirits, sow dissensions amongst the tribes, and eugender general distrust. Speaking of the Ministerial policy of cutting the native lands acquired by the Government into small blocks, and submitting them to auction, Mr Sheehan remarked :—" There were reforms not very easy of accomplishment. There were so many Europeans witii selfish motives who would oppose them. Men of that kind were traitors to both races. The

overament would have to depend upon the support of the public against such people." T he Ministry may rely that so loug as they xhibit a straight forward and consistent de eire to further the general welfare of people !js a whole that support will not be grudg i ugly given.

MOK ACT is to be thrown open to European trade. This concession was obtained from the natives by the Hon. the Premier ami the native Minister during their visit to New Plymouth last -week. On Saturday they received, a deputation,consisting of the principal native chiefs in the Mokau dis trict, and three Europeans who have lived for some years on terms of friendship with the natives. Te Wctere, the leading chief, has lived in sullen isolation during a period of fifteen years, and until about eighteen months ago had a price set upon his head for supposed complicity in the White Cliff murders. During the past year or two he has frequently encouraged trading vessels to enter the Mokau liiver,

but his efforts have been thwarted by the jealous interference of the King party; and an additional difficulty has arisen in conse quenceof the Insurance Companies refusing to accept risks on vessels eiiteiing the port. The renewal of friendship between the Go vernment and the King party, brought about by the judicious policy of the present Ministry, and the great influence which Sir G. Grey possesses amongst the native tribes has practically removed the former obstruc tion ; whilst the consent of the chiefs to the taking of soundings in the Mokan river by a small steamer will in all probability remove the dangers to navigation, and induce the insurance companies to forego their objections. Te Wet ere and Epiha expressed a strong desire that the river should be surveyed and opened for trade, and the former attributed the delay in the matter to the disinclination of the Europeans rather thau to any obstructions raised by the natives. As stated in a recent issue of the STAB, Rewi or Manga, the dominant Ngatimauiapoto chief, has remitted to Epiha the power of opening Mokau, so that any obstructions raised by the extreme King party, even if such were likely in their present friendly disposition, would i.ot weigh against Manga's express consent. The great influence which the Premier exercises over the native mind, arising partly from the great "maua" of his rank, and in a large measure from the fact that in former years, before enmity and suspicion had interposed a barrier between the two races, he stood to them in the re lation of a trusted friend and adviser, is strikingly shewn by the manner in which Te Wetere opened the interview, by recall ing old reminiscences, when he, as a child, saw his father carry Sir George Grey over the river Awakino on his back. He had come, he said, with a strong desire to see " Governor" Grey, the friend of his father. Tawhiao and other prominent Kingites were largely affected by similar considerations. The natives like old faces, and men whose " maua" is of long standing. In their chieftainship they are decidedly conserva tive. Te Wetere also invited Sir George Grey to visit 'Mokau on his way to Hikurangi, the settlement of Tawhiao, to attend the March meeting, and >ir Geo rge Grey, in compliance with a very pressing Invitation, promised to visit Te Wetere after the meeting. The earnestness of this chief's desire to receive the Premier is shewn in his remark, "you can come in your own steamer." Duringthe interview the subject of holding a Native Land Conrt to investi gate titles to land at Mokau, the sale and leasing of land, and other matters conducive to settlement were discussed. Te Wetere read a letter from Rewi, containing the fol lowing sentence, "secondly, there are no sales of land, for the land is mine. I have the managemant of it." This letter, how ever, was written before the late meeting at Te Kopua. Epiha expressed a strong de sire that a roarl should be constructed from Taranaki to Mokau, because the "horses suffer greatly crossing the water." Tc Wetere's reply was, "■ I will tell you exactly what I mean regarding roads and Native Land Courts. You say you are going to Hikurangi in March. Yon should ask for all these things there"—meaning that these matters rest with Rewi, his superior chief. The result of the interview was that the Premier suggested the name of a number of Europeans and natives who should consult as to regulations for the port of Mokau, the opening of which is there fore practically an accomplished fact. The concession thus obtained from the natives is one of colonial importance, and will doubtless result in the growth of a trade which will speedily cement friendly relations which will be productive of im mense benefits to both races.

The following description of the district is taken from Brett's Auckland Almanac :— " The Mokau river forms the boundary between the Provincial districts of Auck land and Taranaki. The country at the mouth is very broken and poor. Sixty thousand acres are owned by the Govern ment, but some miles back from the river there is some splendid table-land. The river is tidal for 30 miles, and is navigable by boats for that distance, and vessels of moderate tonnage can cross the bar into the mouth of the river. The land at the entrance is well timbered to the water's edge, and sixteen miles up a well-defined scam of coal has been dis covered." The natives possess a large number of horses and cattle, and with a profitable market would be enabled to supply much produce. The splendid dis trict abutting on the river is likely, at no veiy distant date, to become the seat of a numerous industrial and thriving European population.

The recent effort by Dr. Somerville in aid of the Young Men's Christian Associa tion, it will be remembered, resulted in pro mised subscriptions amounting to £SUO ; given however,conditionally upon the whole debt being cleared oiF within a year. The Committee of this useful and active institu tion now feel that they have substantial reason for going to the public with good heart, and are determined to raise the money required. Several members are now energetically commencing the canvass, and we trust they will meet with success. The object is one that should command uni versal sympathy. The institution is entirely unsectarian, and devoted to purposes of in tellectual and moral culture. We are in debted to it for some of the most enjoyable lectures ever delivered in Auckland, and only the want of monetary resources has. prevented it from entering upon other works in consonance with the spirit of the institution. Commendable efforts have been made -with limited means to add new stan dard works to the library from time to time, and the Committee have manifested a pro gressive spirit which augurs well for the future when its pecuniary difficulties are overcome. The ordinary meeting of the Auckland Shipwrights will be held this evening, in the Albert-street Temperance Hall, for the usual business of the Society. A lodge of instruction in connection with the Lodge Waitemata, will be held this evening at the Masonic HoteL A Press Agency telegram from Wellington received late on Saturday night, states that the Government have received a telegram from Sir Julius Vogel dated the 7th inst., which refers purely to business matters, and contains no mention of the occupation of Stamboul by the Russians. The Agent- General's telegram refers entirely to the purchase of railway material, machinery, etc. The Canterbury Cricket Association have passed a resolution to the effect that it ia expedient that the annual matches with Otago be continued, and that if possible a match be arranged this season. The former determination not to play Otago, because it was thought that the latter desired to see Canterbury beaten by the Australian team and because the Chairman at a dinner in Dunedin had made some after dinner remarks disparaging to the Canterbury cricketers, was, as we pointed out at the time, hastily arrived at, and the rescinding of the former resolution is an act which shews the good sense of the Canterbury men. Mr R. C. Greenwood held a well-attended sale of allotments at the Whan, the property of Mr James Palmer. Out of 41 allotments, only seven were publicly sold, viz., 4 at 4s {Jd per foot; 3at3s 3d ; and 2at 2s Gd. We have received from Messrs Hemus and Hanii.Tj photographers, of Queen-street, two extremely Avell-executed portraits of the Premier of this colony, Sir G o'ge Grey. One of them is cabinet, and the other a small size photograph. The artists have been very successful in obtaining a good repre sentation of the lion, gentleman. Previous to these portraits being taken it was almost impossible to get a good photograph of Sir George Grey taken within the last fe^ years, the oniy one that bore any striking resem blance to him being that published iv Brett's Auckland Almanac. No doubt Messrs Hemus and Hanna will have a large sale for the photographs. The march of civilization goes on. Telephone experiments have been success fully made at Paeroa. Parchment is in d em and.

The preparatory steps have been taken to form the Thames Horticultural Society. The subscription of working members is to be. 5s per annum, aud of honorary members There are at present 179 patients in the Hospital, consisting of 123 males, and oG females.

The return of gold from the Thames for the week ending February 9, was 1,7170z5. 13dwts. 12grs. There is every prospect that the races fixed to take place at Uhaupo on Wednesday and Thursday willbe a great success.

The intelligence of the death of Mrs Selwyn, the wife of the Rev. J. R. Selywn, Bishop of Melanesia, who died on the 30th of December last, will be received with sorrow by all who knew her. Mrs Selwyn had been suffering for some months past, and efforts to restore her to health, proved unavailing. T iiis lady was of a genial dis position, kindly disposed, and took much practical interest in her husband's mission work, especially in the Sunday-school department.

The Selwyn County Council, having passed a resolution bringing the Counties Act into operation, have discovered that its action was illegal, and have resolved to discuss the matter again. The Council urge the Government to push on the con stmctiou of branch railways.

At the recent election of Councillors at Hamilton and East Hamilton voted in blocks against each other, Hamilton East however, succeeded in putting in five out of the nine' Councillors. A Jockey Club has been formed at Cambridge, and Mr Walter Scott has been appointed secretary pro. tern. The boundaries of native reserves at Whakatane were gazetted on the 31st. A proclamation in the "New Zealand Gazette" of the 31st January brings the ]) 0( r Nuisance Act into force in the County of 'Wairoa from the 30th ult. A similar proclamation is gazetted with regard to the Bay of Islands. A proclamation by His Excellency the Governor notifies that certain reserves at Wairoa and Turanganui, are set aside for educational purposes. The powers of the Governor under sections 7, 12, 30, 31, 32, and 42 of the Marine Act are delegated by proclamation to the Thames Harbour Beard. The boundaries of the newly constituted Kaukapakapa Highway District are pub lished in a " Gazette " of the 31st ult., and the Auckland Highways Act is proclaimed in force within the district. His Excellency the Governor has approved of the by-laws of the Coromandel Highway Board. Matthew Angove, Esq., J.P., has been appointed Registration and Returning Otlicer for the district of Rodney, vice J. M. Murray, Esq., resigned. Letters of naturalization have been issued to Clans Moller, of Whangaroa. The Commissioner of Customs has approved of the bonded warehouse of Mr Edward Lewis, under the Customs Regula tions Act. A list of officiating ministers within the m naning of the "Marriage Act, 1554," is published in the "Gazette" of January 31st. A. statement of the liabilities and assets of banks doing business in the colony ap; ears in the " Gazette."

To-morrow at twelve o'clock the solicitors of Auckland will meet at the Supreme Court for the purpose of forming a Law Society. We are surprised that such an institution has not long ago existei. Such a Society already exists in Dunediu and many other towns.

Suez Mail telegrams, received via the Bluff today are published in another column. It will be seen that Lord Beacons field has given an official contradiction to the canard that the Pope had written au autograph letter to Her Majesty the Queen thankiug her for British toleratian on his establishment of a Roman Catholic hierachy in Scotland.

Among the passengers to Auckland by the Waiwera was the Rev A. Penny, of the staff of the Melanesian Mission. Mr Penny comes to Auckland for the benefit of his health, after a very serious illness in which his life was almost despaired of by his friends. He was so weak when the vessel left Norfolk Island that he had to be helped on board by two friends, but the sea air has done him so much good that he has to-day been seen walking in Queen street.

A number of visitors to the exhibition of the North Kaipara Agricultural Society, which is to be held at Te Pabi on Wednes day next, left per steamer to-day.

A lad named Frederick Fairweather was arrested by Constable Abrams to-day on a charge of "stealing a quantity of peaches and apples, value ss, the property of Thomas Whitely, of West Newton. A warrant has also" been issued for the arrest of his accomplices, two little boys named Hayson, sons of the "Peripatetic Newton Tinker." A Maori woman was anested shortly before four o'clock on a charge of being drunk and incapable. She was brought to the station at the Police Court surrounded by a large number of ragged urchins, who were anxious to see the fun.

TE KOOTI.

(To the Editor)

Sik, I have always taken an interest in reading your daily paper, and more so during°the late visit of Sir George Grey to the King country. I have read your reporter's record of his visit to Te Kooti. liis (Te Kooti's) statement to your reporter is nearer the mark than the explanation uiven by the gentleman so well up in Maori matters. No doubt he (Te Kooti) kept oaek many matters that your reporter would not think of asking after ; even if lie did so, I do not think he would have icceived any information further than he did on the Chatham Island affair, much less the procedings aboard the Rifleman ; but if you think it worth insertion, I will give you a statement that will place your paper in a position of inserting a statement of the whole affair, as it happened, from the time the Rifleman was boarded at the Chatham Islands until the arrival in the Poverty Bay district. Firstly :On the natives taking possession of the Rifleman tin crew on board were made prisoners. Te Kooti then called them, after having th. :ir korero amongst themselves, and told thim that if they lauded them (the natives) at or near Poverty Bay, he would pay them ■we'l, and he would not harm any of them, an I they could take the vessel to Wel lington or where they thought proper. Secondly : After leaving the Chathams a few days, it fell a dead calm. It was then, and not till then, that the crew became aware of their pre carious position. They found out that Te Kooti's father, with a few more of the natives, had formed a conspiracy to kill the crew. They were told so by what is termed a Maori-Pakeha. Now the mate of the Rifleman well knew that his only chance was to keep well in Te Kooti's favour,and he did his best to make matters look so. On the fourth morning, being becalmed the dis affected natives agreed to murder the crew. It was not until things came to this crisis that Te Kooti was told that his father was to be put out of the road; (not meaning to drown him, but imprisonment, or under restraint) ; explaining that he intended to murder the crew, and that was the reason of their having no wind. Te Kooti, without giving time for another word, called two natives. The orders he gave them were soon carried into execution, for Te Kooti's father, as he was represented to be by the natives on board, was cast into the deep. Ahout two hours afterwards a breeze sprang up, and the vessel had a good passage to Poverty Bay, where the .natives dis embarked. Te Kooti kept his word about pay, for he gave 12 months' pay to each man, i\i"place of one, with this instruction, ''Return to Wellington with your vessel. Tell the Government, if they leave me alone, I will never trouble them any moie." —I am, etc., One That Knows.

THE GOOD TEMPLARS' DIVISION.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sir,—Can you kindly find space for the following. In your report of the Good Templar meeting held Last Wednesday you finish by sayilHJ that if Good Templary is to prosper in Auckland its members must not stick at a fourpenny capitation tax. Perhaps it may not be known to many of your readers that we were governed and can still be for a capitation tax of twopence halfpenny,and in my humble opinion much better. * For I do not recollect so much strife and contention with the two penny half-penny tax as we have had ever since our Grand" Lodge thoughtl right to raise it to fouipenco. How is it possible for Lodges of 50 or 60 members to keep open and pay such a tax ? We know it has been the means of closing several useful Lodges. A lodge numbering 50, would I should think, in some country districts especially,be considered a good lodge. Now with 30 brothers at Is 6d per quai ter,and 20 sisters at Is,that would be £3 5?; capitation tax, 16s Sd ; rent, say 5s per night, 12 nights £3 ; with capitation tax, £3 16"s ; Sd out of £3 5s ; why, it is a struggle with the •2\d tax to make ends meet. I know there are those who advocate increase of qr. sub criptions; well if they can afford let them doso but I am convinced the majority cannot. If you consider the greater portion are working men, and I hope nearly all belong ing to some friendly society, perhaps their lives insured as well, and they find it quite enough to keep these things up, and a shilling to them is a consideiable item. The fact of the matter, sir, is that the Grand Lodge is a luxury we cannot sup port. Luxuries are things that often disa gree with those who indulge in them, and this one has disagreed very much, and I should be very glad to see it given up. It is much better to be honest than luxurious, Another reason tl at the Order does not prosper as it should, is owing to a certain class of members who are always striving to find some they may lay a charge against, calling each other brother, and at the same time acting in any way but that in which a brother should. Men who think that to take a glass of beer, etc., is the only way in which onejviolar.es the obligation? (and to some this is a sin, I mean the taking the glass) slander their brother, swear, in fact do anything but take a glass ; directly you do that and not till then, do you violate. I have been a Good Templa1 * for five years till this past month, and it is such conduct as this that caused me to leave an order that I should like to succeed. I believe that the person who tries to injure another in word or deed violates the obligation far more than the one who takes a glass of beer, &c, for the one is a sin, while to take a glass of beer, &c., can not be said to be a sin. Then there is another class I may call the upper class, who in the Lodge-room say my brother, but out of it don't know you from a crow. I don't suppose there are many who care for this. lam sure I don't; but I would thank them to be the same in the Lodge as out of it. These are the ones that talk of what they will do, and what should be done — and they finish there ; they go no further.^ I should be sony if there were many of these; I do not think there are. These men are cut out especially for W.C.T.'s ; and to propose such a one for an O.G. or an I.G. would be a great offence. I have heard some of these,proposed as an O.G. or 1.G., most indignantly refuse. I have in my mind a Lodge that one night could get no one to fill the office of O. G. until the present G.W.C.T. volunteered, and I thought it a great shame he should (for I am sure he would have fulfilled the office most faithfully) wkile there were younger and more active members to do so. I hope that the Lodge about to start on Wednes day under the R. W.G.L. will try and avoid these differences, and shew that they are a brotherhood not only in word, but in deed. —J. H. C, P.W.C.T.

CABLEGRAMS.

Latest War News.

Russian Occupation of Con stantinople Explained.

Russia Resolved to Seize Out works of Constantinople.

LONDON, January 25.

The "Daily Telegraph's"'own correspon dent at Constantinople .-ays that one of the terms of peace is that a portion of the Rus sian army is to enter Stamboul, in order to satisfy the Russian honour. In tho House of Lords Lord Beaconsfield stated that the action of tie British Gove n ment in relation to Eastern affairs cannot depend upon the will of any Foreign Go vernment, or upon withholding any docu ments.

It has been notified to the Czar by the B.itish Government that in consequence cf a possible temporary occupation of Con stantinople by the Russian troops, a special war vote was resolved on.

Earl Carnarvon assigned as t!.e reason for his resignation that the Premier had severely condemned the speech he made to the African deputation on the 2nd hist. A telegram recoceived by the " Daily News " from Berlin states that Russia has resolved upon seizing the outworks of Constantinople.

AUSTRALIAN CABLEGRAM.

THE GEELONG CUP.

TllE Geelong gold Cup was won by New minuter; Tom Kirk, second; and Fili buster, third.

THE BOAT ACCIDENT.

RESCUE OF THE MISSING MEN

Mr Sixel, of the Book Depot, and the young man Alfred, the son of Mr Beeson, who, as described in the Star of Saturday last, -were supposed to have been lost on a trip to Motutapu, were successfully rescued by the boat of the Naval Brigade, under the command of Lieutenant Chapman and piloted by Mr H. Keane, the waterman, and safely landed at the wharf last evening. The two nien started on Thurs day morning, and as nothing was heard of them it was apprehended that something serious might have ■ happened. Satur day dawned without any intelligence of the missing men, and it was determined that a search should be made ; and accordingly a boat belonging to the Naval Brigade, manned with, nine men, left the wharf at eleven o'clock, and went round the western side of Rangitoto and the Wade, returning at dark, without success. Yesterday the search was renewed, with thirteen men, under the direction of Lieut. Chapman, who, on reaching Drunken Bay, divided his crew into three divisions, who went in different directions. On going round the north cud of Motutapu a little before dusk, a fluttering white signal was observed near the reef, a short distance from the residence •of " Rangitoto Jack," but whosa real name is George Jackson. The boat was immediately steered towards the signal, when Mr Sinel and the lad were seen coming off in Jackson's dingy, and they were sxved. Mr Sinel's account of this adventure would form a good episode for a romance ; he started on a fishing trip, but when close to the island of Eangitoto a heavy squall came on, which upset the boat. He swam to the shore, a distance of 100 yards but on looking for his Companion, he saw him struggling in the water. Mr Sinel immediately rushed in with the view of saving the youth, and suc ceeded in bringing him to shore, both being much exhausted in their conflict with the waves. They slept that night iv a cave, and next day they proceeded to the beach for the purpose of erecting a signal, when they discovered Jackson's solitary abode,

———-——«———•——____ '•' ■ ■■"::™i!f They were at once welcomed andnTj comfortable by the lonely fisherman his wife. Both Mr Sinel and the 1 acknowledge their indebtedness to iv* Navals for their trouble and kindness I it is but due to the Is'avals to say that'th are always ready with heart and hand t^ aid a brother in distress. •*

"LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR."

Donizetti's melodious opera " Luck j. Lammermoor" was produced at the Theat Koyal on Saturday night, with all the <W ' complete ness, and finish to which the preset Company has accustomed ua. The path** love story upon which the libretto is founded is too well known to need recapitulation ft is eminently adapted to lyric purposes an! ■> the opera, as a whole, is, perhaps, the com poser's most popular work. The cast was a very satisfactory one, viz. : Lucia (sopran o \ Sigiiora Caranti Vita ; Edgar (tenort Paladini ; Arturo (tenor), Camero ; Henrial (baritone), Gambetti ; Raymond (bassol Cesari ; Alice, Miss B. Koyal. If & J' persons present feared that the"role of Luck might prove too arduous for the Sienor* Caranti Vita, they must have been agreeably disappointed. The young prima donna both acted, and sang in a superb manner, for which her previous performances 'had certainly not prepared us. In the secondact ' she was an ideal Lucia—exquisitely dressed wildly beautiful, torn with conflicting^^ sions, and half crazed with unhappy io ve . As the opera progressed she rose* to the occasion, and sang with most unexpected power" and volume. In the third act we were not so well pleased; but, after all ft is only one prima donna in six who cangivfc the frightfully difficult mad scena properly Ceristina Nillson, for instance, who isnj, other resoects an excellent Lucia, cannot do the third act half as well as lima d& Murska, who is a comparative failure in the first and second acts. Paladini, of course was a perfect Edgar. The most captious of critics could have found no fault with his. conception of the part, and he sangsplen didly. The famous aria " Fra poco a miricorero," in the last act, was delivered with infinite tenderness and delicacy; in^ deed, we never remember having enjoyed it more. Camero, like a true artist who cares more for the tout ensemble than foriu dividul applause, did good service a& £ Arturo. The partis a short one, but if it were sung by an indifferent tenor the effectof II the finale to the second act would be spoilt. His careful singing was of great value, and added much to the grandeur of the glorious, quintet which was really performed fault- ,<■ lessly. Henrico is not the pleasantest of baritone parts, but Signor Gambetti, who is a very painstaking singer, went through it : carefully, and gave the cavatina " Cruda. funesta" extramely well. Signor CfesarL was exactly suited with the part of Ray. moud. It will perhaps be as well hot to- ; enter on the subject of what costumes were- j worn; suffice it to say that Edgar and. I Raymond al9iie were properly dressed. la M spite, however, of one or two trifling I defects of this nature, the opera was a great i success, and we went home perfectly satis- .'■■ fied with the way in which we had spent our evening. Max.-

THE HOKIANGA DISCOVERY.

(To the Editor of the Evexixg Stab.) Sir. —On my return from Hokianga on " Saturday last, I called in at the Museum ,- Library to tell Mr Cheesernau of a discovery | which we had made of Maori remains, i knowing him to be interested in suck matters. Your reporter happened to be- ■ present, and heard what was said. He|B asked for a few further particulars, and % also for permission to insert a notice of the discovery in the STAR. On reading the-- -f. article I find that there are several mis-t takes which I hasten to correct, lest I be accused of having used a traveller's privilege somewhat too freely. Mr John Webster, | who resides near the Hokianga Heads, ; informed Mr Tinne and myself that a great, s deal of the sand had been blown from the Orongatea Point, opposite his house, and had left a quantity of human bones exposed,^ As we had a little time to spare we all '■?' went across in Mr Webster's boat, and: made an examination of the place,> t! We found very large piles ofj| shell, the remains of Maori feast3,;.|| the lower layers much decomposed, the g upper comparatively fresh. Many cart $ loads of oven stones, but not-" hundreds of tons." Maori ovens, stone celts, obsidian flakes, (used for cutting up human bodies) <~i and other articles were found as described ;. and also a number of bones of men and women, lying about among the ovens, but not an " immense quantity," as stated in your article. No secirch has ever been made for these Ngatiawa remains so far as 1. am aware, norfdid any of our party express an intention of making any further explora- I tion. I had heard of these bones from tie Hokianga natives many years ago, and have frequently passed over the spot, but never saw them uncovered before. The Maoris who were said to hare left Hokianga inoufr J of the earliest trading or whaling vessels, came back, according to the Maori story, = and brought guns and other pakeha things with them. This was how the Maoris I spoke to on the subject endeavoured-".; to account for our finding articles of European mamifactare on a place which ■ had been abandoned aud covered deep in, s sand for so many years. This discovery of :-' an ancient Maori settlement and site of s many a cauuibal feast is interesting enough but hardly worthy of being called "a New | Zealand Myca?ne.""—Yours, etc, Hexry A. |j H. MONRO.

Sues Mail News.

GUNPOWDER FOR THE COLONIES.

THE MASONS'STRIKE,

GREAT LOCK-OUT IN NOTHUMBEB-

ANTI-RUSSIAN RIOT AT PESTH.

RUSSIAN DIFFICULTIES IN CEN- r TRAL ASIA. MELBOURNE, (VIA BLUFF.) Feb. sth. The steamer brings mails news of date- : London, Dec. 21st. Speaking at Edinburgh, on the 20th, the & Secretary of War thought great danger to -; peace arose from the laive reserves, number- iug many millions of men, collected oa the * continent. Lord Beaconsfield has contra dicten the reports that the Pope had written an autograph letter to the Queen thanking her for her freedom of action in connection | with the establishment of a Catholic Heir archy iv Scotland. Five vessels- sailed for Australian and New Zealand ports during *?s|l last two months with quantities of guupoW der, varying from ten to a hunched tons, aboard. . S| The City of Beilin, which brought tb&»| Australian mails via 'Frisco, was 33 day».£j crossing the Atlantic, having broken tn& propeller. She was met and taken m tOW by the City of New York. 20 guineas premium was paid at Lloyds on her. -mM The mason's strike continues, but bota .-. the masters and men decline to give Several fights have occurred between. English and foreign workmen. S,OOO Northumberland miners were locked out on the ISth, for refusing to accept 12rr per cent reduction. ■ The iron trade at Sheffield is in a veiy depressed state. A large number of men re ceived fortnightly wages. ~ : Chief-Inspector Clarke, acquitted at tae late detective trial, has been restored to l«" , pay and reinstated, but will forthwith re tire on a pension. _- ■.',. The new fortifications in Germany are being rapidly completed. -i The commercial treaty between Engiana . and Austria is to be prolonged. i The Milan municipality grauted

TTEKTNG STAR MONDAY, FEBRUARY it 1878.



THE NATIONAL BANK OF NEW ZEALAND (LIMITED). Incorporated under the Companies' A cts 1862 and 1867, and the New Zealand Act 1., 18/3. Notion is hereby given that an Interim DIVIDEND for the Half-Year ending 30th September, 1877, at the rate of SIX (6) PER CENT per Annum has been declared by the Directors, and will be paid to the Shareholders (whose names appear at this date on the Register kept in the colony) on and after the TheTTransfer Books will be closed from this date until the 19th instant. THOS. BUCHANAN, Inspector. Wellington, oth February, 1878. QRGAN RECITAL I>ITT-STREET WESLEYAN CHURCH BY Haecourt Lee, Esq., Organi3t of the late Mr. Henderson's Church, Melbourne, on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1878. Ticket 3 2s. 6d., ;o be obtained at the Book sellers, and from Messrs. Ed*.on and McMaster. TnToYAL"* INSURANCE COMPANY. Special Notice to Insurers. This Company, having intimated to the In surance Association their Withdrawal from Tariff Arrangements, is now prepared to grant Policies on all descriptions of Property at eqCo tncesßfons Swill be made on first-class build ings and approved risks, in Town and ouburbs, and for water supply and other protection, where made available. Special arrangements will be made witn Ivloi'tgagees, Solicitors, House Agents, Con tractors, and other large insurers. The policy of the Company is promptness and liberality in the settlement of claims, and strictly honourable dealing in all its transactions. The Security of Insurers is unsurpassed by that of any Company doing business in the* Colony. GrEO. W\ JU.NJiiO, Agent. Office: Shortland-street, Auckland, Bth February, 1878. The usual Book and Sheet Almanacs for 1878 can be had on application, or on information being sent to the Office. A letter from a leading firm of American publishers states that the publication of Wright and Co's American and Australian Commercial Directory is anxiously looked forward to by business men in America, to whom, in view of the large trade which is being developed by the San Francisco mail, the book is expected to be of considerable value. The publishers intend to press on the completion of the work.



mWSNTY PER CENT. DISCOUNT FOR A SHORT TIME ONLY ! fancy dress materials, furnishing goods, black silks, blankets, calicoes. HOSIERY, HABERD A SHER V, LADIES' UNDERCLOTHING, CARPETS AND MATTING. CLOTHING OF ALL KINDS, FOR BOYS' AND MEN'S WEAR, HATS, CAPS, SHIRTS, &c, AND EVERY DESCRIPTION of GENERAL DRAPERY AND CLOTHING, at: 53. twenty per cent, reduction. four shillings in the pound allovvk!) upon all cash purchases. Gooes Entered will ny Chxrged REGULAR Prices. OUSHBROOK AND T3RIDGMAN, DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &C, UPPER QUEEN-STREET, Auckland, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel). JUST OPENE 1 CASE GENTLEMEN'S REGATTA SHIRTS Of a Superior Quality of Frexch Cambric, and the most Fashionable Patterns. W. RATTRAY, CLOTHIER Sc MEN'S MERCER, ■W" IC W 7EALAND TTOUS E, 63, QUEEN-STREET. Auckland. SPECIAL iiHEAP X INES IX DRAPERY AND CLOTHING FOR TIIK CHRISTAIAS HOLIDAYS. H. ATKINS Will Shew the Following Cheap Lixes Durixg the Christmas Holidays :— A Larze Lot of Rich, Bright. Black Silks at 3/11, a3 bright as sold at 5,6 Cheap Coloured Silks, beautiful shade 3 Cheap Japanese SUks Cheap Dress Materials Cheap French Muslin 3 A Job Line of Kxtra Quality Black Silk Jackets at one-third the original prices. Silk Umbrellas, splendid value, at S/ll Lined Parachutes (Bought a Job) at2;ll, worth double Cashmere and Lace Fischus, Cape 3, &c, at Reduced Price.? Cheap Lace Curtains, Table Linen, Quilts, Sheetings, and Manchester Goods, for the Christmas Holidays. In the CLOTHING DEPARTMENT Cheap Silk Dust Coats, Black A.lpacca Coats, Trousers aud Veat3, Tweed Suits, Paget, Galatea, and Sack Coats, Boys' and Youths' Suit 3, &C &c, &c. All Marked at Low Prices for the Christmas Holiday. THE NEW PITH HELMET. Job Linelof Men's Straw Hats at 1/11, half-price. Job Line of gßoys. Straw Hats at 1/6, half-price. A Large Stock of MOSGIEL and other TWEEDS. Cheap Tweeds for Boys' Wear. BL Atkins. iS 1O N ISS U RAN CE COMPAN V OF NEW ZKALAND. A.PITAL £2,000,000. UCKLAND BRANCH: QUEEN-STREB T, Next the Colonial Bank. FIRE DEPARTMENT. Insuranc granted on Dwelling-houses, Stores. Shops, Buildings in which trade is carried on, Merchandise, and Goods of every description. MARINE DEPARTMENT. Hulls of Ships or Steamers. Merchandise of all kinds, Specie and Wool to United Kingdom, at owbst Current Rates. R. H. STEVENSON Manager. & Z C O O It E • Have on Sale ONE OF THE LARGEST STOCKS OF FURNITURE IN THE COLONY. Special Items:— DRAWING-ROOM SUITES WALNUT TABLES CARPE I S HEARTHRUGS LINOLEUM FLOORCLOTH IRON BEDSTEADS TOILET^ LASSES CANE-SEATED CHAIRS TOILET-WARE DRAWERS MARBLE-TOP WASHSTANDS MATTRESSES FEATHER BEDS. A Small Shioment of CRETONNES and CASH MERES, New Patterns. All Goods at Lowest Rates. delivered free. Liberal Discount to Cash Biiyers. Furniture Shoiwooms C 7, QUEEN-STREET. Steam-Cabinet Factory VICTORIA-STREET. DoN'Tbe hoodwinked byimitators of Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps, who inclose vile spirits in bottles which contained the Simon Pure Schnapps and put bogus labels thereon. Repudiate these nostrums. Scruti nize the labels, and if they are deficient in exe cution or the ear-marks of authenticity, don't buy.



mo HIGHWAY BOARDS. is given that the " Auckland Star" is duly appointed a Gazette for the insertion of all HIGHWAY BOARD and other PUBLIC NOTIFICATIONS required by any New Zea and or Provincia statute.