SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

~„ „ W v"ir» -»tvv\% Afternoon* -^ ,^ Mji,n wAi MX— r£ o . mO rrow Morning, O.M • i: N 318T .—This ffi \' ening, 5.14 5 Vis HIS p. .—To-morrow Morning, 6.56 " vOON'S AOK .-Full M 13th, 11.55 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

Fawn, cutter, Suva, irom xtusaon LAST EVENING. TO-DaY. Taupo, b.s., Andrew, from Russell

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING. Rotorua, a.s., Carey, far the $=outh A !•' ryle, s.s., Stephenson, for Whangarei; Hawea., s.s., Kennedy, for Dunedin

TO-DAY. Hover, schooner, Anderson, for Whangarei Wanaka, s.s., McGillivray, for the South ,

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Levuka—Duuelm. Darquo, at once , For London—Schiehallion, barque, early; Spirit of tho Dawn, barque, early . For Tauranga and the South—Hawea, to-night Far Russell, Bay of Islands—lona, every Mon day ; Taiaroa, Monday next For Sydney and Melbourne—Hero, s.s., stn

August ;: For Taranaki and Southern provinces (frem Manukau)—Wanaka, s.s., Tuesday next For New York—Thames, barque, early.

IMPORTS.

Par Rotorua from Sydney :— 1 bale paper, 1 case.—H. Brett.

EXPORTS.

Per wanaica, ror trie soum:— 1 J-cask rum, 2 i-casks spirits, 2 cases brandy, 5 bags barley, 1 ba'e paper, 50 cases kerosine, 1 case stationery, 3 cases, 1 truss, 32 packages. Fer Rotorua, for the South : 17 sacks oysters, 32 packages sundries.

THE HERO.

Messrs Cruickshank ana do. nave receiveu a telegram stating that the s.s. Hero left Sydney Jast~nighl (Tuesday) at five o'ciork.

SHIPPING CASUALTIES.

The barge Lagoon went ashore at warneKo uu Sunday last. She wan lying at anchor when the cable parted. In order to sink her,'the cap tain pulled out the plug, and as these became choked with sand, new holes were bored, bhe sank on the beach, and was floated again on Monday. A quantity of copper has been stripped from her bottom, and she has lost her centre board and sustained other damage. The cutter Avon, owned by Messrs McKenzie and Ross and Sims and Brown, went ashore at Brown's Island on Monday night. She is badly damaged, several holes having been knocked in her bottom. There is no'insurance on her. The ketch Venus is ashore at Table Cape. The captain telegraphs that the vessel is not yet broken up, but there is no hope of getting her off. She was bound at the time of the occur rence from Mercury Bay to Napier with a cargo of timber, and was under the command or Cap tain King. The vessel, which was almost Jnew, was owned iointly by Messrs McKenzie and Ross, Sims and Brown, and Captain King. She is not insured. _ , _, ._ The cutters Lady Rath owned by Mr R. Hawkes, and the Tartar owned by Mr G. Dower, went ashore at Tapu on Monday. Both vessels have sustained considerable damage.

BARQUE SIGNALLED.

A barque inside Tin was signalled wnen we went to press. This will, no doubt, prove to be the Cerastes, from London, now 124 days out.

Inwards Coastwise. —Lagoon, barge, from Waiheke. with 10 tons firewood and 100 posts ; Four Sisters, cutter, from Mahurangi, with _io tons firewood ; Fawn, cutter, from Russell,with 46 tons coal; Mercury, cutter, from Tairua.with 20,0C0ft timber and 6 tons gum. Outwards Coastwise.—Mana, |cutter, for Tairua, in ballast; Teviot, cutter, for the Thames, with 500 posts and 5,000 feet timber ; Four Sisters, cutter, for Mahurangi, in ballast; Fawn, cutter, for Matakana, in ballast. A topßail echooner or brigantine waa signalled when we went to press. This will probably turn out to be either the Gael (from Levuka), Belle Brandon (f-"ora the Islands), or Roderick Dhu (from Dunedin). The Hawea sailed for Dunedin last night. The barque Woodville, which left this port recently, was engaged in Newcastle to load with coal for the Bluff. The 8-a. Rotorua sailed last night for Napier and Southern ports with the following passen gers :—Mr and Mrs Boyd, Mr and Mrs Clark. Mrs 11. Clark, Mrs Dickenson, Misses Spencer and Wallis, Messrs William Rowe, M.H.R., T.Henderson, M.L.C., Kellor, Brockson, Over ton, Thomas, A. Lewis, Hogan, and Beaver. We are requested to state that the ketch "Venus was built by Messrs Henderson and Sprasrson in July. .1877, and was not built by Messrs Sims and Brown, as stated in yesterday

morning's paper. — - . The American barque Sophia R. Luhrs arrived at Newcastle from this port on the 25th ult., and comnionced loading with coal for Wellington. The brig Transport, from Auckland, arrived at Newcastle on tho 27th ult. The schooner J. G. Coleson, according to the Ohristchurch " Presg," has been purchased by Messrs Scott and Co., of Wellin ß toa- _ . i ooT^M^&^^a^^er^foadln^atNewcastle for Lyttelton on the 28th ult. The s.s. Argyle sailed for Wangarei and Man gaDai last evening with passengers and cargo. The barque Arabella arrived at Newcastle, from this port, on July 20th. „ The brig NTile, from this port, arrived at New castle, N.S.W., on the 28th ult. The barque Cerastes, from Glasgow via London, may be expected at any moment, she having left the same day as the Martha Fisher now in purt- . , . The barque Schieliallion, for London, is load ing rapidly, and will be ready to sail in a few days. The s.s. Rowena which arrived from Tauranga and Mercury Bay yesterday afternoon, brought 370 sacks maize, SO sacks potatoes, and the follow ing passengers :—Messrs Harding, Snowden, McLeod; and three others. The departure of the Dun elm for Levuka has been indefinitely postponed. The schooner Kate McGregor sailed from the Thames for the South with a cargo of timber on Saturday. The brigantins Omaha sailed from Mercury Bay for Chatham Islands last evening. E3The s.g. Wanaka sailed from the Manukau for the South 'to-day. vr^ „ ~,

The s s. Taupo arrived from Russell this morn ing with 200 tons coal, 12') bags oysters, 5 barrels fish, 20 sacks gum, and a number of passengers.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE AUCKLAND.

Mails wiix Close as Under:— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m.; and on Friday, at 5.30 p.m. For Waiheke and Coromandel, per Argyle, on Friday next, at 2.30 p.m. For Gisborne, per Pretty Jane, this day, at ± "n ni- For 'whitianga. Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Rowena, thit day, at 4 p.m. For Waiwera, Warkworth, Te Arai, Waipu, Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Anne Milbank, to-morrow next, at 10 a.m. For Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, and Southern Provinces, per Taupo, to-morrow at 3 p.m. For> money orders, registered letters, and newspapers at 2 p.m. . Late letters till 3.20 p.m. For TaTanaki and Nelson, via Waitara, per Murray, to-morrow, at 10.55 a.m, For Kawau, per Heather Bell, to-morrow, at

Per s.s.' Australia, on Tuesday, 20th instant, og 1 For Sandwich Islands, United" States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 3 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 3 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 1.30 p.m. Late letters bear ing an extra fee of 6d in addition to the postage, will be received by the Mail Agent on

board the steamer up to the time of sailing. N.B.—A Post-office has been opened at Periwaka, situated between Waipu and Te Arai. Mails will be despatched from this office every Saturday at 10 a.m. ; return mails will be received every Monday at 6 p.m. S. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION.

To-day's Quotations— Bank of New Zealand—Bayers, £24. National Bank—Buyers, 78s. Colonial Bank—Buyers, 565. Now Zealand Insurance—9os ; buyers, 89s; sellers, 925. South British Insurance—Buyers, 71s 6d; sellers, 72a 6d. National Insurance—Buyers, 27s 3d. Union Insurance—Sellers, 16s. Colonial Insurance—Sellers, 6b 9d. Thames Gas—Buyers, 30s ; sellers. 325. New Zealand Shipping-Buyers, 82s 6d. Union Pabh and Door Co.—Buyers, £10 7s 6d. Guthrie & Larnach—Sellers, 575. New Realand Loan—Sellers, fio- Alburnia-iGs; sellers, 47s 6d. Moanatairi— Buyers, 575; sellers 603. New North Clunes—Sellers, 3a 6d. ! Balle«.lSa6d. Cure—Buyers, 3" 9d. Corby—Sellers, 265. Union Beach-Sellers, E l2s. MAN<

BIRTH.

INNES.—On the 31st July, at No. 4, Wynyard-

street, Mrs. Innes, of a son. WILLIAMS.—On the 4th August at Nelson street, the wife of Mr. George W Hams of a son.

MARRIAGE.

COXON—LONGLKY.—At the Congregational Church, Onehunga, by the Rev. Thos. JHamer, Stephen Coxon to Sarah, eldest daughter of the late John Longley. both of Leeds, York shire.

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

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1878.

Forth© c»use that lacks assistance, Foe the wrong that needs resistance. For the future in the distance, And the good that two can do.

The financial stateraeht made last night, which we publish at great length, in order that the Treasurer's reasons for the im portant changes proposed may be fully understood, leaves us little space for comment to-day. The principle of the intended changes in the incidence of taxation will meet with little if any adverse criticism. The Government have resolved to sweep away as quickly as possible the system of ad valorem duties, which has, without doubt, resulted in extensive evasions. Mr Ballance's illus trations on the question are convincing. To replace it by specific duties fairly adjusted t'j the nature and value of the article im ported is a task of extreme difficulty, and only a first step will be attempted this year. The remissions made are judicious ; a num ber of irritating imposts which return very little to the revenue but put merchants to considerable tiouble, are swept away. Whether the substitutions proposed iv lieu of ad valorem rates, are equal or in excess of those superceded it is premature to de clare. As the new tariff comes in force im mediately, being thus put to practical test, merchants will not long remain iv doubt. The reductions on tea and sugar are substantial, representing in the former case a relief to consumers equalling £28,000 a year, and on sugar, £68,500 a year. The reduction of duty on Australian wines to 2s a gallon is also in accordance with a strong public feeling favourable to the encourage ment of a taste for light drinks adapted to a warm climate. It is uot claimed by the Government that they mean to effect any decrease in the gross amount of revenue raised. Their object is merely to make the burden fall more equally upon the people. The new taxes designed to supply the deficit caused by the remissions are three - fold — a tax of $d per pound on the marketable value of land, ex cluding improvements ; 3d per pound on the net profits of Jointjj Stock Companies, and l^d per gallon on beer. We would draw special attention to the forcible remark made by the Colonial Treasurer, in support of these imposts. It will be admitted that the proposals are moderate and just. Indeed, thej excise on beer might have been extended to 3d or 6d a gallon without inflicting any great hardship. The Auck land brewers, as will be observed from our advertising columns, have taken immediate steps to secure themselves by raising the trade price from Is 6d to Is Bd. The per centage on profits of Joint Stock Companies, is simple, easily collected, and fair. Thu uajjltcil ut iUsdo uvui[/»nloi3, as I/Uc Tica surer justly observed, is mostly made up of actual savings where subscribed locally, and when raised abroad should properly contri bute to the support of the State under whose protection security to property is assured. This tax will reach those who invest their savings in trading companies just as the land tax should get at those who prefer that form of investment. Our parliamentary re porter telegraphs that powcrf ulinfluence will be brought to bear by Companies affected to defeat this part of the Government pro posals. We trust that this is not true; or if true, that the Cabinet will remain firm, and, ff need be, stake its position on the issue. The land tax will probably form the subject of the widest divergence of opinion. Framed with a commendable* desire to exempt improvements, and thus avoid taxing industry, it is doubtful whether the cost of making valuations and collecting the tax will not seriously interfere with its economical working. The sufficiency of Mr Ballance a allowances for lauds of less . value than £500, which are exempted, and im provementp, in making an estimate from existing assessment lists, is matter of opi nion. vVe doubt whether the tax will yield so much as he estimates. Nevertheless, his opinion, based on the best data avail able, is entitled to trial. On the whole, we believe the Budget proposals will not encounter serious opposition in the House. Our space doea not admit of a more ex tended review of the gratifying results shown in the statement of last year's re venue aud expenditure. That the revenue showed an increase exceeding a million sterlingas compared with the previous year; that the exports increased from £4,093,465 in 1876, to £6,327,472 in 1877, while the imports fell from an inflated amount of £8,000,000 to £6,973,410, or only a few hundred ,thousand pounds more than the exports ; and that the Government are able to take £100,000 from the Consolidated Fund and pay it into the Public Works Account for the construction of works of permanent utility ; are facts upon which the colonists may well congratulate themselves. But we must not forget that of this large increase £761,630 was derived from that uncertain source, sales of public lands. By the colonialization of the land fund, the Treasury made a clear gain of £91,740, and it is prudently intended to apply monies derived from this source to public works. The budget, whether viewed with respect to the stability of the credit of the colony in Englaud, as shewn by the floating of |the loan, or the evidence of internal prosperity, is the most satisfactory ever delivered in parliament, and will do much to strengthen the Govern ment. That the Treasurer has used the resources at his command to simplify the accounts of the colony • to release the guaranteed debentures, take up short dated loans, and place the loan account on a permanent and satisfactory footing, will also commend itself to the colonial public and the English creditor, who are thus enabled to take in at a glance the real financial position of the colony, and its ability to bear the heavy burdens it has incurred during the last eight years. To the people of the North, who hold several heavy overdue promises from the Govern ment for railway works—northwards _ to Kaipara, and southwards through the King Country—it is even more consolatary to know that the Government have in hand two million sterling available for appropri ation, without going again into the mon ey market.

An error having occurred in the adver tisement, announcing the new Eden Ter race Board, the amended notice appears iti our advertising columns. The quarterly meeting of the Bricklayers, held last evening at the Working Men's Ciub, was largely attended by the trade. The business was mostly of a piivate character, confined to the.calling.

The next of the winter lectures at th c Young Men's Christian Association Rooms will be given on Friday evening, the 9tli inst., by F. Larkins, Esq., on " Remini scences of Paris.'

Iti consequence of the press of Parliamen tary intelligence %c are compelled to hold over notices on the Theatre and the Marionettes, a letter from "Burnt Child" on the subject of City leases, and a variety of other matter. At the Theatre last even ing Mr W. C. Dillon appeared to a good house in the irole: of.Othello, and Miss Fender undertaking that of Desdemona. Mr J. B. Steele was lago, and Mrs Hill Emilia. To-night Mr Dillon appears as Richelieu, and Misa Peuder as Julia de Mortemar. Mr Steele plays De Mauprat, and Mrs Walter Hill Francois. The Marionettes were honoured with a crowded house last evening, and the applause was constant and hearty. The entertainment is excellent of its kind and causes infinitely more amusement than many more preten tious shows. The mechanism struck us as exceedingly clever, and the scenery is both varied and pretty. Mr Lowndes has received a telegram from Mr Moss, M.H.R., stating that the Govern ment intend to bring in an amended Oyster Fisheries Bill, and that the question of the close season will be carefully considered At the Police Court this morning Mr Clements was the presiding Justice. Two women, Emily Durer and Ann Childs, were punished for being drunk, and John Noyes, chargedjwith stealing two wrenches from Mr Goldie, was remanded till Friday. Mails from Australian colonies and Tas mania per Ringarooma close at the Bluff at 11 a.m. to-morrow, Bth. At the Supreme Court yesterday certain ames were settled in the case of MeGee y., Russell, before Chief Justice Pi-en dergast in Chambers.

A mcc! ing of the ratepayers of the New market District Highway Board was held last night in the Newmarket Hall, Mr F. G. Clayton in the chair. After reading the advertisement convening the meeting, the chairman called upon the ratepayers to nominate candidates for the office of Trustee in the room of Mr McColl, resigned. Wm. Speakman, Esq.Jproposed,Mr Shirley Hill; and Mr Jenkins proposed Mr W. Hogg. After Mr W. Hogg had addressed the rate payers, Messrs G. Bishop and R. Dennison were appointed scrutineers. The poll resulted as follows :— Hogg 17 ; Hill 4. Mr Hogg was declared duly elected, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting. The name of Mr M. S. Browne was omitted from the passenger list of the Rotorua yesterday. A musical and literary entertainment will be given to-morrow evening, in the Temper ance Hall, commencing at a quarter to eight, for the benefit of a widow and family in distressed circumstances. The Templar friends have spared no pains in endeavouring to make the entertainment a success.

A meeting of brewers was held to-day, at which it was resolved to increase the price of beer from Is 6d to Is 8d per gallon, in consequence of the tariff.

The Fraternal Lodge, No. 35, 1.0. G.T., held its quarterly meeting last evening in the Temperance Hall, Albert-street, when the following officers were installed by Bro. O. S. Ellis, D.G.W.C.T., assisted by Bro. Dorrington, 1.M., and Bro. J. T. B. Dines, I.D.M. :—W.C.T., Bro. G. Rhodes; W.V.T., Bro. C. G. Hill ; W.S., Bro. K. French ; W.F.S., Bro. Longbottorn ; W.T., Bro. S. Hemus ; W.M., Bro. Simpson ; 1.G., Bro. Honeycombe ; 0.G., Bro. Wil liams; W.C., Bro. Jones; W.A.S., Bro. A. Thorne; W.D.M., Bro. W. Piper; W.R.H.S., Sister A. Crook j W.L.H.S., Bro. Lucas.

The fortnightly quadrille party will assemble this evening, at the usual hour, in the Oddfellows Hall, Cook-street.

The rural district of Mauku is improving in many ways ; the roads are in a much better condition than they were, still the rainy weather has been trying to pedestrians and school children. Our informant ex presses a hope that a school may ere long be established in a more central position by the Church of S. Bride's, where the Rev. Win. Taylor, formerly of the Bay of Islands and of this city, is officiating with much acceptance as,., .^parish minister. Thr* "urrarcri Gazette states that there has lately been placed in S. Bride's Church a good melody organ, purchased from Mr Howden, of Auckland, for £45. It was made by Alison, and is very sweet-toned and powerful, and gives much satisfaction. The last object that the late Mr Crispe had in view for his beloved church was to raise money to provide a new musical instrument, and after his death the first subscription towards it came from Eng land in answer to his solicitation. Friends at Mauku, being desirous of obtaining an instrument worthy of being associated with the memory of his good offices, rather exceeded their original intention as to price, but Mr Howden was most liberal in his terms, and, as only about half the sum needed was in hand, agreed to wait until the rest was collected, and besides kindly consented to attend a concert in the summer to supplement the funds. The ladies of the congregation have also, in memory of their late friend, taken up tbe matter, and with the kind aid of more distant friends, it is confidently hoped the remaining debt will speedily be paid off. The Auckland tailors will hold a special trade meeting to-morrow (Thursday) even ing at eight o'clock, in the British Hotel. Mr Douglas Duff, charged yesterday with driving across Queen-street and obstrutcing a vehicle, wishes us to say that he was doing his best to avoid an obstruction aDd oblige his patron ; the act was therefore, uninten tional.

Mr Arthur E. Lewis, who has for some time occupied the position of clerk, in the Auckland post-office, has been transferred to the post of chief clerk, iv the post-office at Grey mouth. Previously to Mr Lewis's departure by the Rotorua yesterday, his fellow clerks presented to him a gold pencil case as a token of their esteem.

It is rumoured that Mr John Strange is a candidate for the next vacant seat in the Parnell Council.

To-Day's Despatches.

(SPECIAL TO " STAR.")

(FROM OUR SPECIAL LONDON CORRESPONDENT.)

The Bosnians Attack the Aus-

trians.

The Queen's Mediation Requested

LONDON, August sth.*" The Bosnians have repeatedly attacked the Austrians with bloodshed.

The Sultan has requested Queen Victoria's mediation.

[reuter's special cablegrams].

The Eastern Question Closed.

Ratification of the Treaty.

Disorder in Herzegovina

Australians v. Buxton.

LONDON, August 5. The Treaty was ratified at Berlin on Saturday. The Turkish ratification was exchanged by letters. The Ministers, when entertained at a banquet, expressed a hope that the Eastern question was closed. LONDON, August 5. A Russian attack on the Rhodope insur gents is imminent. Great disorder prevails in Herzegovina. The Austrians are advancing. The armed resistance to Austrians is increasing.

Seven men lost their lives by an ambus cade at Manglaki. The Australians played against twenty two of. Buxton. "The first innings of the Buxton team closed for 177. Spoftbrth took twelve wickets for 28 runs. Eight of the Australians are out for 72 ; A. Banner man, not out, 29. The attendance at the match was only moderate.

PARLIAMENTARY.

FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.

(BY STAR SPECIAL WISE),

- WELLINGTON, this day — HOW THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT WAS DELIVERED. All the galleries are crowded during the delivery of the Financial Statement, ana a great number were unable to gain admit tance. Mr Ballance opened amidst loud cheers from all parts Jof the House. He spoke throughout distinctly, but in a tone slightly monotonous, keeping his eyes stead fastly fixed on the printed statement, il he wanted the force which he used to display when criticising the Financial Statement of his opponents, he was listened to tlnoughout with the deepest interest. Major Atkinson sat with his hat over his eyes, and one hand up to his chin. Mr McLean, on his lett, frequently took notes, but occasionally, when large sums were mentioned, put hn hands in his pockets in that favourite manner of his. Mr Fox sat back, with his hands in his pockets also. Mr Feldwick and Mr Olliver, the new Otago members, sat on the back seats of the Ministerial benches next Sir George Grey, and appeared deeply absorbed. There were loud " hear hears'" when llie net surplus was an nounced. Mr Whitaker sat back, with one hand up to his forehead, just as he looks when he is following the arguments of a legal opponent. As the larger figures rolled out glibly, Mr McLean desisted from note-taking, and inserted his hands deeper down into his breeches pockets, but when it came to the wool situation he took up the business of noting again. Mr Stevens, another great financier, sat in Ilia old corner on the right of the noes lobby, stroking his moustache ; and Mr Hurst house, who has not yet quite re covered from the triumphal arch business, appeared to be indulging in a quiet nap. Mr Montgomery, sitting behind the Minis ters with his back to the wall, and fingers lovingly entwined over the lower part ot his waistcoat, appeared to be gazing into space, with his mind absorbed in abstruse financial problems. Mr Moss's intellectual and thoughtful face was prominent. As the ptatcmentprocceda, Major Atkinson appears to find the atmosphere getting warm, and dolls his chapeau. The reference to loans being required for future productive works is received with loud cheers. Mr William Swanson, with thumbs in the armholes of his waistcoat, watches the Treasurer with out moving a muscle. Mr Woolcock im patiently twirls his quill pen until the part of the statement referring to change of taxation, when he too leans forward eagerly. The Treasurer made a short, im pressive pause before approaching the changes in the tariff. The reference to the removal of duty from perambulators raised a laugh from all the paterfamilias _in the House, but references to lightening the duty on sugar and wine, and the advan tages to beer-drii)kers from the former caused a gloomy shade to flit over the coun tenance of Brother Fox. One reference to fresh taxation excited a general stir, and when the Treasurer stated that improve ments would be excepted there was a gene ral cheer expressive of the elevated feeling of landowners. The closing climax of the statement was received with loud cheers. The Treasurer spoke oue hour ane three quarters. When the tariff resolution was about to be reported Mr Sharp wanted to discuss it amidst general cries of "Aye," but on being assured by the Treasurer that ample oppor tunity would be afiordud for discussion on the bill, and that if it did not pass all the duties collected in the meantime would be refunded. Mr Sharp withdrew the motion for reporting progress. While the resolu tion was being reported there was a great buzz offoonveraation in tJiGHonao, members Hitting about rapidly and exchanging notes. When the Hou.sc adjourned there was a great rush for printed copies of the state ment.

THE HOT SPRINGS. The Hon. Mr Richardson, in asking whether the Government had. taken any steps to secure the land included in the Hot Springs districts at Rotomahana and Rotorua for the benefit of the public, said it was a matter of general interest and desirability that the Government should possess laud in the neighbourhood of Rotomahana. The questoin had been brought forward on several previous occasions, and by Mr Fox as far back as 1874. There was a great desire to increase the accommodation for visitors, but owing to the extortion practised by the natives resident in the district, the stream of visitors from abroad had been checked, and unless something was done there Avould be very few visitors from the arljoining colonies during the ensuing year. Mr Shechan said the Government was taking steps to acquire land from the natives. The Government had obtained from America copies of the Acts dealing with similar reservations, and next session would probably ask the House to pass a measure to make the springs pnblic recreation grounds.

MR MOSS'S MAIDEN SPEECH. Mr Moss delivered his maiden speech on the subject of the Reprinting of the Statutes Bill. lie speaks with grei t distinctness in well-turned sentences, and without any mannerism or ostentation. He dwelt on the confusion in the statutes which rendered them unintelligible to laymen. Sir Robert Douglas showed how^ome lawyers, in ways that are dark, contrive to slide little clauses into bills, which create a crop of litigation.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. Mr Moss gave notice that he would introduce a Bill on Thursday to provide for an alteration in the method of electing members of Municipal Corporations and other local public bodies.

THE IMPORTATION OF CHINESE,

Mr Reeves gave notice that lie would ask the Government whether they intend to introduce a Bill to prohibit the importation of Chinese.

Mr O'Rorke gave notice that he would move that a return be laid on the table showing the names of persons receiving pensions under the Civil Service Act, and showing the amount of their pensions, aad the length of service ; the name of the office and period of service.

THE SUPPLY BILL. In discussion on the Impress Supply Bill, Mr Sutton raised an outcry by asking if it was true that Ministers had received their salaries last month, while the Civil Servants were not yet paid. Mr Mauders thought the Ministers should have introduced the Bill earlier, in order to enable the Treasury to pay Civil Servants, so as to enable them to pay their trades men.

Mr Whitaker, however, explained that Ministers draw their salarihs under a speci. fie act, independently of the Civil Servants Appropriations Act.

THE DEB AT E ON IiEPI.INTINGTHE STATUTES. The first important debate of the session took place on the subject of the reprinting of the Statutes.

Mr Barton laid down the novel theory that lawyers' offices were the true Courts of law, remarking that for every case decided in a Court of law, one hundred were settled in lawyers' offices, but he prudently said nothing of the.scores of cases set up in law yers' offices.

Mr Whitaker said the flood of legistation each session passed confusion in the statute book. He thought the greater number of statutes should be re-cast..

Mr O'Korke, in an excellent speech, thought the bill would reduce the statute book to one-tenth of it's present dimensions. In England the work of expunging the statute book had been going on for ten years, and sixty volumes had been reduced to thirteen Bvo., that any tyro would be able to understand. The work would be to ( separate the dead matter from the' living.

Mr Fox pointed out that lawyers, in framing legislation, were too much .m the habit of studying the interests of the pro fession, instead of public interests. H3 thought a great many of the living statutes ought to be removed. Many Acts were framed with utter disregard of grammar, rhororic and logic. He advocated a system of codification. , Mr Barton raised some amusement by addressing Mr Fox as the hon. member tor Hokitika, and by declaring that in tne study of the law he had lost his hair. To appreciate this thoroughly, it must be understood that Mr Barton's cranium is as bare as the skin of a famous horse which was exhibited some time ago, and he is flanked by two other gentlemen who also have studied the law with full pertinacity, viz., Messrs Moss and Shrimsld. Of course one does not need to look at Mr Whitaker's highly polished pate to know that he studied the law ; but what is to be said of Mr Hunter, who has not a hair between him and heaven. GOSSIP ON THE FINANCIAL STATE MENT. The financial statement generally secures approval. Mr Sharp, who is a brewer, was heard to say in the lobbies after the House had adjourned: "There goes £400 a-year by that three half-penny tax." Had this anything to do with Mr Sharp's objection to the resolution last night ? But of course he will make it up in sugar. On dit, that some members think the Government illogical in proposing an imme diate tax on beer as equalising the remission on sugar, whereas the sugar remission does not come into operation till January. Owing to the strong representation of banks and companies in the House there will probably be a strong fight on the three penny tax.

DEBTORS AND CREDITORS ACT

AMENDMENT. The Debtors and Creditors Apt Amend ment provides that power be given to the Court, under section 16 of the Act of 1876, and can be exercised by the Court between the date of filing a petition for adjudication and the date of adjudication, at the instance of petitioning creditors, and in cases of deeds of arrangement under section 127 of the Act of 1876, at the instance of the trustee or inspector under such deed of arrangement, after the same has been filed in Court.

THE KAIPARA EXTENSION. In the Legislative Council Colonel Whit more, in reply to Mr Chamberlin, said that the Government intends to. send an_ un prejidiced person to survey the Kaipara lines*.

The Financial Statement.

REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.

At the evening sitting the Colonial Trea surer (the Hon. Mr. Ballance) delivered the Financial Statement. The total ordinary expenditure for 1877-8 was £3,040,251, against an estimated expenditure of £3j206,188, so that upon the votes of last session there was an unexercised power of expenditure to the amount of £175,946. There was a small excess under the heads of Law and Justice and Native Depart ment ; while under the head of Education, there was an excess of £29,261. Taking the land revenue paid to local bodies under the Financial Arrangements Act, together with £465,093 surplus land revenue paid to the counties, and other items, there was an amount of £725,307, which brought the year's expenditure up to £3,755,549. Add ing the gold duty, licences, fees, &c, paid over to local bodies, there was a total dis bursement from the Consolidated Fund during 1877-8 of £3,969,240.

DETAILS OF REVENUE LAST YEAR. The surplus brought forward from the previous year was estimated by the then treasurer at £148,220. Of the sum so esti mated only £193,110 had proved to be realisable, being £15,110 0s 8d less than the estimate. The revenue of the current year was estimated by the late Government at £3,153,685, consisting of ordinary revenue, £2,263,160 ;andterritorialrevenue, £890,525. The net revenue actually collected amounted to £3,915,315; consistingof ordinary revenue £2,328,752; and territorial, £1,586,562; showing an excess on the estimate of £761,630. It would be interesting to the committee to know that the benefit the Exchequer had received from the colonialisa tiou of the laud revenue was £91,740. The Customs revenue reached £1,271,961, or au excess of £72,061 over the estimate. On stamps there was an excess of £27,068, chiefly due to legacy duties. The income from railways was estimated at £600,450, but had reached only £546,455, showing a deficiency of £53,901, certain lines not having been opened during the year as intended. The profit for the year on rail ways was £145,151, against £84,183 during 1876-7. The laud revenue had far exceeded the different estimates formed last session, and was tht largest amount yet collected in any one year—comparing last year's revenue with that of the preceding year, the re sult was equally favourable. The net in crease on ordinary revenue was £523,919, and on territorial revenue, £580,707. This showed an increase of £1,004,628, or adding the increase in the revenues of local bodies, which amounted to £75,784, there was an increase on all revenue collected by the Government last year of £1,080,411 over the previous year. Summing up the results of 1877-8, the hon. gentleman said the receipts for the year, as already stated, amounted to £4,445,560 5s 6d, the expendi ture was £3,969,240 17s Id, the excess of receipts over expenditure being £476,319 8s sd. After providing for liabilities, including 20 per cent. Land Fund, there remain £128,468 13s 2d, the surplus of the year 1878. Considering that the effect of the financial changes at the close of last session was to piodnce a large estimated deficiency, this surplus is as unexpected as it is gratifying.

DISPOSAL OF THE SUE PLUS. The question then arises, how should we dispose of it ? The Government believe that if the railway system is to be extended and carried on without interruption until it con nects every part of each Island, public lands must be largely aided from some other source A surplus seems to be exactly of one of the service i from which such aid ought to flow, and we propose to place £100,000 of the sur plus of the past year to the credit of the Public Works Account, leaving a balance of £20,468 13s Id to be brought forward to the credit of ordinary account of the present year. If the committee approve, the laud revenue will, in the future, be applied to supplement the fund available for the prose cution of public works.

THE LOAN. _ After explaing the position of the Provin cial Liabilities Account, the Colonial Trea surer described the raising of the £3,500,000. The Bank of England undertook the issue of the loan for a commission of 1J per cent. The pricG adopted was par, with a 5 per cent, rate of interest, and the total amount sub scribed for was eight millions and three quarters. The £3,500,000 raised included £1,000,000 uude the Act of 1876, to meet the advance t.j short-dated debentures falling due u-t the end of this and beginning of next year, and £2,500,000 under the Act of last session. £300,000 cut of the loan was appropriated to Provincial liabilities, leaving £2,200,000 availiable for public works. The guarantee! debentures released were still to remain available as a security on which to obtain temporary advances in London. Out of the appropriation last year for public works £1,167,583 had beed expended, and £1,126,157 remained unexpended. The total amount of laons yet raised for immi gration and public works, since the Public Works Account Avas created in 1870, was £13,700,000. This account has been sup plemented by a moiety of stamp duties, £264,657, and contributions and transfers amounting to £75,963-tor the financial year it was £12,035,372; reducible by a sum of £54,791, repayable to the account, and leaving the balance of £2,056,940 avail able for oppropriation.

TWENTY-ONE MILLION DEBT OF THE COLONY.

The gross debt of the colony on the 30n, June, including the loan just raised, but pv elusive of the guaranteed debenturpß « i £22,491,111. The Sinking Fund accrue? amounted to £1,584,992, and deducting v' from the gross debt, there was a net;!, debtedness of £20,90G,116—the- ■•aniSi~ charge on the 30th June for interest a »A Sinking Fund being £1,195,418. To J2 the objectionable system of cariying on:er penditure for a considerable portion of 'th* year by means of Imprest Supply Bills if would be proposed to follow the practice of the House of Commons, and to go on with the Estimates in Committee of Supply W the earliest possible moment.

ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE, 1878-9. Dividing the expenditure under tw<{; ' heads, viz., permanent appropriations and annual charges, it was estimated that the expenditure during i lie current year under " the former head would he about £1 809 Irr and under the latter £2,183,741. Ad'dinn £200,000 to represent fees, &c, payable to local bodies, there would be shown an esti mated expenditure for the yearof£4,l93 500* It was intended that a number of charges hitherto made against loans should be in future met out of revenue, and it would be proposed to charge against revenue ! ■'■'■'■I A SUM OF £44,000 FOR HEAVY GUNS "'! for the defence of the principal ports. On the basis of the existing law, it was ex. pected that the total ordinary revenue would amount to £2,603,145, and territorial revenue to £1,229,677. From receipts specially applicable £230,215 was estimated as receivable. The.so figures showed an estimated revenue of £4,o62,o37—including the fees payable to local bodies, estimated at £200,000, a total of £4,262,037. Add the balance of tha surplus of last year, £20,468 and the whole estimated receipts for the year were £4,282,505, and deducting the estimated expenditure, =£4,193,500, there would be a surplus of £88,096 available far meet supplementary votes or contingent: expenditure.

INCREASE OF EXPORTS. -- The most gratifying feature is the remark able increase of exports for the year ending December 1877, which stand at £6,327,472 against £4,673,4651 in the previous year—an increase of £654,000. The import?, un naturally inflated in 1874 to upwards of £8,000,000, have fallen to £6,973,418, in dicating a mure healthy condition. The quantity of wool exported in the calendar year, 1877, exceeded that of the preceding year by about four and a half million pounds weight,s the value showing an increase of £263,122. The value of gold exported in the past financial year was £1,475,669, against £1,407,247 in theprevious year, the increase being £68,422. The export of grain slightly declined in the year ending December, 1877, the return being £290,415, against £344,142 in 1876.

ABOLITION OF AD VALOREM DUTIES. > The hon. gentleman said that every ob-i server of the system of ad valorem duties which was applied to a multitude of articles in 1873, has been led to condemn it. It ia * a remarkable fact that the revenue derived; from these duties has shown no increase, ■ the returns of last year standing at the amount derived in the year when the change took place. Allowing for the portion of^the year during which the measurement system' prevailed, I have had returns compiled to enable the committee to see at a glance the non-progressive character, notwithstanding : the unprecedented prosperity of the colony, of the revenue collected under the ad valorem system. A few comparisons will demon, strate the position. In the year ending. June, 1875, during the whole of which the' 10 per cent, ad valorem duties were in force, the revenue derived from this source was ■ •'■■ £364,558. For the year ending June, 1878, : the revenue from the same duties was only £330,770, a falling off of £33,788 during the same period. All the other great items of revenue showed a large increase, presenting -j a remarkable contrast to those subject to the ad valorem system. The duty on tea, for instauce, increased in the same time from,in round numbers, £68,000 to£7o,ooo}' i on sugar, from £114,000 to £131,000; and on goods by weight, from £53,000 to :^2 £78,000. We may not accept the theory that these different results are only to be accounted for by a large proportion of ,; fraudulent entries at Custom-house, foe ' ' which the ad valorem system gives superior facility, but the figures I have stated of themselves point to - the necessity for reform, and justify the Government in proposing a change, even though necessarily incomplete, in the pre sent session. The object we have in view i 3 to change the ad valorem into specific duties ; but we cannot> with the data and iime at command, do more than make a \ begining this year. It is no part of our \ proposals to increase the total revenue, bufc_ make the specific duty yield as near as ■/■ possible the amount derived from the ad valorem. The following are the articles on which the change will take place:—Wool-1' ' packs, comsacks, flour bags, carbonate of soda, cream of tartar, tartarie acid, fish, (potted and preserved), jams (bottled), bottled fruits, mustard, pickles, sauces, starch, and black-lead, piping, naphtha,, nails, wrapping-paper, and paper-bags. N aphtha was formerly on the free-list, but we have included it because of its relation to other duitable article. The total revenue^ received from these articles last year was - £23,291, and we anticipate about the same amount under specific duties. To complete^ the list, we propose to include boots and shoes ; the revenue from which last year, was £18,295, and the specific duties on which/ are fixed on a scale well understood in the trade. Papers showing the proposed duties will be laid on the table. The effect o£ these changes is calculated to relieve trade from some of the opprobrium it was certain", to incur under a system which has been-" condemned in nearly all commercial countries—while care has been taken that* the young and growing industries of the colony are not injured, but rather fostered. The tariff at present comprises 250 specified. headings, of which 91 are fixed, rates and 159 ad valorem. It our proposals are adopted, 20 headings will be taken from the ad valorem list and added to the fixed, and if the remission of duti&s be carried j out, 38 headings ■will be removed altogether from the tariff.

RFDUCTION OF DUTIES. After alluding to the uncertainty of tae land fund as a source of revenue, and its rightful application to beneficial occupation he said that the change of duties requisite, to make the burden fall with more equal pressure must take the form of re-adjust ment rather +Jian reduction. The Govern? ment, therefore, proposed to abolish alto*. gether certain Customs duties, which either fall on the necessaries of life orclogtb.fr wheels of industry, or render more complex and costly the system of collection. The list, embraces the following:—The duty ou grain which yields £3,930 ; the duty on flour, which yields £5,080; on maize and cornflour,.; £545 ; on sago, £299; on arrowroot, £206; on bacon and hams, £136; on butter and cheese, £64 ; on artizans' tools, £349 ; OB building materials not otherwise enumerated £260; on axles, axle-arms, and boxes, £316; on cart shafts, spokes, &c, £100; on photo graphic goods, £207; on baskets and wicker- Avare, £103; on perambulators, £125, on steel, £17 ; on iron fencing wire £5,028; on paints, wet or dry, £2,081; and on'2i minor articles, the duty on which yields £939. The total of these remission amounts to £19,726. The tea and_ sugar duties, though last on our list, are first in point of importance. The demand for " a free table" may net at first sight appear to have the same meaning in the colony as in the mother country, but when we consider the immense proportion of the taxation which those articles yield, and that the labouring classes are the principal con; sumers, we may be able to realise the jas~ tice of the complaint of the breakfast table. The Government proposed to reduce the duty on tea from 6d to 4d per lb., proving a relief to tea-drinkers ot £28,000 a year. The duty on sugar, to be reduced from Id per lb. to Jd. The duty on Australian wine, to be reduced to 2s per gallon; but the duty on sparkling wines is to be increased from 4s to 6s per gallon.

EVEMNG SIAH,' fWEDNESDAY AUGUST 7, 1878.



rTNION INS CHANCE COMPANY 1 ) or fcJP_W ZEALAND. O*_PITAL.,_ I~ „..62,000,000 AUCKLAND BRANCH: q ij X S N - S T R E B T, Vexfc he Colonial Bank. FIEB DEPARTMENT. inflnranc (.ranted .on Dwelling - lionae*. Sto.es Shops, Buildings in which trade la carried on, T^erohandiße, and Goods of evory description. MARINE. DERABTMBNT. Hnlia of Shins or Steamers, Merchandise of all Kinds, Specie and Wool to United Kingdom, AT LOWK3T Gunner Rat-* ( STKVa . NSON Manager.



TTIURNITURE—For the Drawingroom JC; Dining-room, Library, Bedroom, or Kitchen, on Sale at T. & H. ' .v ' COOKE'S. CARPETS— Including Brussels, Tapes try, Kidderminster, Stair, Felt, and Dutch, on Sale at T. & H. COOK If'S. LINOLEUM aiid Floorcloths, all widths, Bath Mats, in Linoleum and Floorcloth, on Sale at T. & H. COOKE'S. HEARTH RUGS, Door Mats, plain and -wool boardered, Matting, Wool Mats, Bed-Bide Rugs, on Sale at T. & H. COOKE'S. IRON BE ADSTE ADS.—French. Half Tester, Stump and Foldinec ; Iron Cota, all sizes, W"od Beadsteadß and Wood Coto, on Sale at T. & H. COOKB'S. BEDDING.— Hair, Wool, Spring, Cocoa Fibre, and Flax Mattresses, Feather Beds, Bolsters and Pil lows, on Sale at T. & H. COOKE'S. /~"1 LASSES.—Ghimney Glasses, in Gilt, \JT Walnut, and. Maple Frames, Toi let Glasses, Toiletware, Cane seated Chairs, in great variety, on Sale at T. Ec H. COOKB'S. "ORICES.—As we import from the Eng- JL liah Manufacturers, we are able to sell all imported goods as low as any house in town ; and, em ploying steam power in our fac tory, are enabled to offer articles' of local manufacture at a very moderate rate. T, & 3.. Ooekss. FURNITURE and CARPET WAREHOUSE 67, QUKKN-STRKKT. I THE UNDERSIGNED, hereby make Limited Company, under the provisions of Ihe Mining Companies Act, 1872." 1. The Name of the Company is to bo the Triumph Gold Mining Company (Limited). 2. The place of operations is at the Coroman riel Goldfleld, in the Provincial District of Auckland, in the Colony of New Zealand. 3 The Registered Office of the Company will be 'situated at 5, Insurance Buildings, Queen street, Auckland. i The nominal capital of the Company is Five Thousand Pounds, in Ten Thousand shares oi Ten Shillings each. 5. The number of Shares subscribed for is Ten Thousand, being the entire number of Shares m the Company. 6. The number of paid-up Shares is Five Hundred. 7. The amount already paid-up is Two Hund red and Fifty Pounds. 8. The name of the manager is John Richard Randerson. 9. The names and addresses, and occupations of the Shareholders, and the number of shares held by each at this date, are as follow :— Names, Addresses, and No. of Occupations. Shares. Jules George Wilson, Auckland, Agent .. 500 Henry Neale, Auckland, Settler .. .. 500 Henry Davison, Auckland, Clerk .. .. 500 Andrew Stewart, Auckland, Commission Agent 500 Matthew Henry Frost, Auckland, Agent.. 500 Thomas Handley, Coromandel, Settler .. 500 Matthew McGuinness, Coromandel, Miner. 1,000 Harriet Montgomery, Coromandel, wife of W. B. Montgomery 250 Charles George Gentil, Coromandel, Bank Agent 250 James Ninnis, Coromandel, Surveyor .. 1,000 John Richard Randen-ion (in trust), Auck land, Mining Agent 4,500 Total 10,000 Dated this 6th day o£ August, 1878. JOHN 11. RANDERSON, Manager. Witness to Signature: Robert Frater. I, JOHN RICHARD RANDERSON, do solemnly and sincerely declare that— 1. I am the Manager of the said intended com pany. 2. The above statement is, to the best of my belief and Knowledge, true in every par ticular ; and I make this solemn declara tion conscientously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of an Act of the General Assembly of New Zealand, in tituled, "The Justices of the Peace Act, 1866." JOHN R. RANDERSON, Manager. Taken before me, this 6th day of August, 1878. Joseph Newman, J.P. EXTRA. A.c JLjINABURY & U O Have Determined to LEAR OUT THEIR SURPLUS. STOCK OF GENERAL DRAPERY, DRESS GOODS CURTAINS, FANCY GOODS, AND MILLINERY, AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES! FOP A Shgrt°?.Time Only, previous to Stock taking. DRESS and MANTLE - MAKING on th Premises, at Reduced Prices. SALE NOW ON. A. LINABURY & CO. 'S, 204 & 200, quekn-strjckt, Auckland. "OE WAKD AND CO.'S ESTATE A Final Dividend in tho above Estate will be payable at the office of the undersigned on and after the Ist September next. By order of the Trustees. E. R, CARDNO, Fort-street. July 27,1878. X^T ANTED KNOWN. Just Or.ened, One Thousand Men's India Rubber Coats, at 7s 6d.—Samuel Coombes, City Clothing Mart, 92, Queen-street.



Mr Jack and Miss Firmin made their first appearance at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, on July 29th, in "M'Jiss." The "Sydney Morning Herald" critic, after favourably reviewing the piece, writes of Miss Firmin as follows: "Her.represen tation of the untutored child of the diggings, who gradually emerges from her chrysalis condition to that accomplished young lady who eventually marries the devoted school master, is a pretty piece of acting, and clever, too; because it requires great versatility. With her, as well as with Mr Jack, who is the Yuba Bill of the piece, there is a naturalness that is not common to the Americans who have recently been here. Yuba Bill in some men's hands would have been a blustering bully, and would have been altogether inconsistent with his own acts in playing the part of a generous guardian to M'liss. In Mr^Jack's hands it was a quiet determined character, such, indeed, as Bret Harte intended it to be—a rough, unpolished diamond of humanity, such as the goldfields often produce." When, You Wish to Furnish^Your Souse, obtain a Book Catalogue from the City Hall Arcade, which contains valuable informa tion, not only enumerating what can be obtained there-, but shewing the cost of Fur nishing a Three, Four, Five, and Six-roomed house ; also, Drawingroom separately, and Bachelor's Rooms. The proprietors have lately purchased from Messrs. Grossman and Harding the balance of their very hand spine Stock of Swiss Goods, beautifully and wonderfully carved, which are being rapidly disposed of, at Half-price ! Also, just >pened up, a large lot of Fancy Baskets and various articles suitable for presents. Just received, some magnificent all-wool Kidder minster Carpets, for dining and bed-rooms ; very cheap Tapestry, Brussels and Felt Carpets : the largest stock in Auckland. All kinds of House Furniture, and an immense assortment of Bedsteads in Iron Brass, Kauri, Cedar, Rimu, and Mottled Kauri; with Wardrobes, Drawers, Wash stands, and Tables to match. Dining and Drawing-room Suites to suit all classes. Several new designs in Linoleum not seen before in the city ; Oil Cloths, all widths. Carpets measured for, cut out, and laid, and Goods delivered Free of Charge to any part of the town. Catalogues sent Post Free. Ladies and gentleman about to Furnish are invited to stroll through ths "Arcade," where, in addition to House- Furnishing Goods, will be seen Drapery, Clothing, MilKnery, and Fancy Goods.— Hollo way, G a flick, and Cranavell, Proprietors, City Hall Arcade, Queen-street, Auckland.



There are "land rats and water rats," says Shakespeare, meaning tricksters on land as w.eH as pirates on the sea. A certain class of the former are at present occupying themselves in the preparation and sale of sophisticated liquor, disguised in bottles which had for their first contents the finest medicinal beverage of the age, viz., Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aro matic Schnapps. Accept none but tible genuine.



Eye, Eab, and Throat Specialist.— Dr. Schwartzbach, Devonshire House, Hobson-at, Hoars: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. , •*(!