SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

, ~ •_. . , i This Afternoon, 215 HIGH w Al._--—]j To-morrow Morning, 2.03 SUN SF-T.—This Evening. 6.39 S. 7N J..f:.E.— To-morrow Morning, 5.16 MOONS AUK.— New Moan, Ith, 2.55 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Wan .ka, s.s.. McGillivray. from Tauranga ana Waiiabf.s.s., from Wan.anui (in the Manui.au)

DEPARTURES.

lon. s s Farquhru., for Rue-sell. Rover, =c'ao .Tier, for Wangarei. Oootik. cutter, for Opotaki. „_.__,_, ~ Taranaki, s.-a, Malcolm, for the South (trom the War-ak.iT-.5.. McGLWvray, for Russell.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES

For London—Lochfleet ship, early; Lorraine, ba'Cine, carlv For Son' Francisco—Zealon.ia, s.s., Sth March. For -...due/ and -Melbourne—Hero, s.s., March C.h.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Hero. 5.... from Sydney. Ith pros. Z-'■'■*: \.. i.. s s.. from Sydney. March Sth. v--r_-c... b'.rque (Q.G.L.F.), from London, sailed Dee. 15th. _ , FqatCK'-yo, -bam.ue (W.G.L.'H.), from London; s-.;a-.l s.-th December. Sep-n'.icr barqu- (J.R.S.N.), from London; . 3 -;a_ - D-^c 2 Craig, c Lee, barque (W.H.K.8.), fromLonaon; Aicks-ia.vf' barque (W.T.F.L.), from London, Ar._be.-a. barque (F..P.Q.Y.), from London S-FriT of' Sthe Dawn, barque (H.T.V.C). from London, early. . _ . Chase:., harque (H.-.M.N.), from London; Chife, barque, from London; sailed 3th Dec. Leu-'..di:r ship, from London, early Sophia, R. Lulirs, barque, from New i.or_^. Stag- b-ar one. from Newcastle ; sailed 11th inst. Ee'la. .!a~v. barque, frcm Hobart Town. cany. F-U loirs, brig, from Adelaide, early Ni'e, brig, from Newcastle ; sailed 13th ms.. Omaha, brigantine, from Chatham Islands, early Lppw .?, brigantine. from New York Ocea ... ....gantine, from Adelaide, early Cfaarybdis, schooner, from the Island., early

IMPORTS.

Per Taranaki, from the South : 10 cases, 1 rr.rc', 3 .ears. 1 crate. 2 bales, 1 box fruit, lease -voov-i. -ocki, 50 cases apples, 8 cases and 1 __eg h.nt--r 2' ± sacks grass-seed, 17 gunnies sugar. Par s s. Wanaka, from Napier and the anutn: 107 hides.—lreland Brothers. pP-a- Helena 19 cases bacon and nam..-K. Arthur.

The s .. Tons, left for Russell and the North I^-r evening, with a general cargo, and the fol low. ." P-F-eu^ers:—Mr and Mis Burchell, Captain Phiuips, .Messrs Shera, Davis, Welsh, Ciewse and Thompson. . Tiie bFk-antine Helena from Lyttelton will complete the discharge of her cargo tO;Uay. She sal s" to-morrow monFns. Mr G. -V. Binney havi-o- chartered her to load a cargo of sawn timber at the Hauraki Saw Mill f£_ Oamaru. The s- _. Argyie leaves for .. angarei nnd "Man-rap ai at -five o'clock this afternoon. "TheV"hooaer Mazenpa is announced to leave for Levuk- on Saturday next, and she will therefore take in cargo at once. Th=> Kaiapoi Rerratta will be held at that place on Monday, March 18th. The " Akaroa Mail" says tnat Mr H Rhodes, while on hi. war to Akaroa from ilea Bay, observed what to'him appeared to be the hull ot a capsized vessel, floating some distance from the ?hore. ■ „ , , _ The- brigantine Lizzie Grey cleared at Lyttelton on ihe 15th inst. forKaipara. . The brigantine Circe lef-Lyttelton tor Auck land on the 16th instant. .... . The schooner Kate McGregor is loaaing for Auckland at Lyttelton. . The sahooncr Albatross arrived at Wangapoua ou Sunday from Napier. She left the latter port on the previovs Monday. Th" clipper brigantine Ethel, which sailed from Dunedin on the 12th instant, for Newcastle. N.S.W., ha- had a quick voyage and unusual dispatch By telegraphic advice from Captain Me'Leoi to Messrs G. W. Owen and Co.. dated Newcastle, 21stinstant, we learn that the Ethel reached that port on the 21st instant, and was at the date of the telegram loaded and ready for SSThe s.s. Wanaka, Captain McGillivray, arrived late last night from Napier and Southern ports. bavin-: left Port Chalmers on the afternoon of the 18th instant. She had light head winds from O.ais'o to Lvttelton. and strong NorthWest from thence to .Veiling.on; fresh {forth West winds and sea to East Cape; remainder of passage, lio-ht winds and line weather. The Wanaka b-in_r_ thefollo wingpas3engers -.-Saloon—From Dunedin: Bishop Moran. From Lyttelton: ".lis* Jones, Messrs Wetherill. Baron, irom vvellington : Messrs Steven3, Patterson, Thatcher. Croner, Pa'raer, Mrs Palmer. From Naoier: Mr Lamb, Colonel Whitmore- From Gisborne : Misses Buchanan. MesdamesMcKay, Carev, MeCormack, McCabe and 2 children, Motrin and 3 children, Messrs Wilson, Cooper. From Tauranga: Misse3 Crapp,.Lodge,.and Giilibrand, Mesdames GUI-brand, Campbell. Mr an. Mrs Olark and'sons (2). Miki Ripa, Rev. Father O'Quinlan, Messrs Campbell, Lowry. H. Lo wry, Cr_pp. Wrey, Darby. 17 steerage. -rhe s s. Wallabi arrived at the Manukau from Wanganui this morning. She is to return to morrow at noon. The ship Lochfleet will mo3t likely complete __<v" loaf 1 hie to-night, and haul into the stream previous to her departure for London to-morrow. The schooner Gem. Captain Greenwood, has entered inwards from Rus3eil, via Coromandel, in ballast, and leaves again for Russeu this evening. „-..■. The ketch Venus will leave for Napier, via Mercury Bs., to-morrow morning. She takes a car-ro of 30.00 ft. of timber from the latter place. The schoone" Rover left this morning for Wangarei- with 1001 bricks 4,000 ft. timber, 1 ton flour, __ a ton sugar, 50 cases raisins, and 2 tons sundries. , , Captain Garraway, of the Mazeppa. has broaght from the Treasury Clerk in the Fman Government "office, an order for two centre bo-rd sailing yachts, to be constructed by Mr Bailey, of the "North Shore. This 3peaks well for the class of vessels' turned out by our local shipbuilders, and shews that the shipbuilding industry of Auckland is not unnoticed in other colonies. . F, , , , . , The g... Taranaki, Captain Malcolm, which arrived in the Manukau yesterday, brought the following passengers:—Mrs McDonald and two dou-rhters. Mi 33 Sharland, Mr and Mrs Mdhan. iafanr,. and nurse, Mr and Miss Ord, Mrs Tame, MrslYO-tn.. and four children. Miss Young. Mrs Stewart, Miss Banner; Messrs Campbell. Rams bottom. Lusk, Buck worth, Carruth, W.Camith, H Ul. Kirkham. Keohler, Denshire, and Captains Wilson, Stewart, and Maling. STiie ketjh Wild Duck entered finwards from Waitara to-day. with 130 sheep and 11 head cattle. The s._. Taranaki left the Manukau for the South this afternoon.

TELEGRAPH SHIPPING.

Tauranga, this day. The 3... Rowena left fcr Auckland early this morning. _ - Russell, this day. Arrived, this morning, lona. from AucHand. Napieb, this day. The s.s. Pretty Jane arrived at the Spit last night.

BIRTH.

BLAIR.—On the 11th February, at Port Try phene, Great Barrier, the wife of John Blair, jun., of a son. HAY WARD.—On February 2_, at her residence, Karangahape Road, Newton, the wife of Horatio C. Hay ward of a daughter.

MARRIAGE.

BELCHER—HARDING.—On February 12th. at St. Sepulchre's Church, by the Rev. T. B. Dudley, Thos. Belcher, jun., to Rachel C, second daughter of T. and Sarah Harding, of Auckland.

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

TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 26, 1878.

for ___: etna* that ______ __£___-_____, Foj tire wrong that needs tc___tt__-_, __- tlie future ia t^- di____-_e. ____! _s.ee__>__** _a«s«l^*

The Reuters cable dispatch this afternoon i_ of an alaimmg cliai actor. Russia, en c uraged, peihaps, b, 8 )me _c.ret European complication, of which we are ignorant, has submitted fresh peace proposals of _ a mo ext: a. agant character. The war in deuiuitvis nowassessed at 1,400,000,000 rou bles (ab0ut£220,000,030) andfor its payment Russia demands the cession of the Russian ironclad fleet, a large portion of_ Asia Minor, and a guarantee of forty millions sterling, secured upon the tributes accruing to the " Porte from Bulgaria and Egypt, which would give Russia a money interest over those places. Until further telegrams throw light upon the change it is idle to speculate, but the supposition that England possessed a secret knowledge of the pro posals would fully account for the warlike preparations which have been pushed forward notwithstanding the re-assuring character of the recent news. Persever ance in such demands is absolutely incom patible with the preservation of the peace of Europe. Another special despatch to tho Melbourne " Argus " of the same date states that another of tlie conditions sub mitted by Russia is that 50,000 of her troops shall occupy Bulgaria for two years. The other item, to the eii'ect that Austria is raisiug a special vote, shews that she i__ disquieted at the new peace conditions.

WHEN Sir George Grey and his colleagues set out for themselves the task of reducing the Civil Service expenditure, they had pro bably only a vague notion of the hornet's nest'which they were adventurously disturb im<-. Every turn of the screw produces dis mal howling and wailing, and themere antici patory thought makes a number of gentle men, who, for a consideration are constantly sacrificing themselves on the altar of _ their country, squirm and wriggle. Otago is the very hotbed of official clanishuess. The liberal Civil Service, established iv the days of a plethoric rproviucialism, has become banded together in a mutual admiration and protection society, which it is hard to assail. Even the ultra-economic jour nals of the place are portent with fore bodings lest tlie reduction of Mr Smith's salary, or the dismissal of Mr Brown,should precipitate before the appointed time the final dissolution of all things. First, came the abolition of the ollice of gaol chaplain, a billet which had been held by a Mr Torrance—a good and useful man, no doubt. Finding that, in connection with no other gaol in the colony, was there a paid chaplain, the Government thought Dnuedin might also be left safely to the religious denominations. Buc Mr Tor rance was not to be so easily got rid of. He had friends. Influential deputations laid siege to any unfortunate Cabinet Minister they could waylay, aud tried to shew that the policy of sack ing Mr Torrance was nothing short of political suicide. Petitions poured in in his favour; aud the local representatives of the Fourth Estate declared that whereas, though they were undoubtedly in favour of retrenchment, Mr Torrauce's case was ex ceptional, and the country pledged to his maintenance. However, Ministers stood firm, aud it then occurred to the zealous agitators that if ' they could not get the 'Government to pay the salary they must do it themselves, and a fund has been successfully started for the purpose. The next scream was about the unification of the police pay. Timid citizens were thrown iuto a treniour of excitement by stories of deeds foul aud burglarious, and other dreadful things iv store when the faithful minions of the law should have delivered the city over to the powers of darkness rather than take the preferred seven shillings a day. However, the faithful minions did not deliver over ami the inhabitants of Dunedin rest .peace fully in their beds. The newspapers, how ever, are not satisfied, and, excited appar ently by some stimulus resemblhig that ad ministered by the pantaloon to the clown, emit ever and anon a spasmodic howl about the " lamentable disorganisation" of the police. The secret spring seemed to be disclosed in what the " Otago Daily Times" describes as "an impression which very generally prevailed that Mr Weldon's position and emolumeuts had been lowered, while heavy responsibilities had been thrown upon him."' It turns out, however, that Mr Weldon's emoluments have not been reduced, while the only heavy responsibility is an appointment as Inspector for the South Island in place of Inspector Shearman, who now confines himself to the North. The new arrange ment with reference to the police force of the colony is simply this: The military branch£of the force has been made distinct, under command of Colonel Lyon. The civil branch thus separated was placed on a uniform footing, and Inspectors Shear man aud Weldou, as the senior provincial Commissioners, became inspecting officers for the North and South Islands. Inspector Brohain is next in order of seniority, and was appointed to an important station. The system aud the pay are very similar to those ot Victoria. Whether thatsysteiu isthe best may be open to discussiou, but it is easy to see that the motive—power of the present agitation in Dunedin is not the question of police efficiency, .but the old nuisauce of local and personal interests. If our Southern contemporaries iutend to maintain the respect of colonists living beyond the cir cumscribed radiu3 of Dunedin they must take their stand on a broader platform, aud above all things eschew- beiu<* made the cats-paw of discontented puhlic officers who wish to subordinate the whole colonial service to the question whether the system suits their own petty interests.

We have received the eighth half-yearly report aud balance sheet of the Standard Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand, which will be presented to shareholders at a general meeting, to be held in Dunedin on Monday next. The Directors' report is of a hi<'hly-sati.._uctory character, shewing that the Company coutiuues to extend its f ..ussac-ir .H ill-oil a hoakFv eata*. __. 0 ir'i'.i "ii- • ,f' s a '.->.-' j'- •: -.iC»vs i, t.-- _.o F. '-'ilia co :i„ lu_' cud of sT'iuts • ■•-• v- •-'- hishmihl cd, liJtt-r tie !i iVtuCllt "l ill' l-_nu, I- X. _..._>- _.- ii. , v.iv

premiums received, £44,306 10s 5d ; and in terest and transfer fees, £1, 596 17s4d ; mak ing a total of £62,434 9s lOd. Out of this, £31,69816s Id was paid in the shape of fire and marine lo_ses, commission, salaries aud charges, £6,240 6s lid ; leaving a balance of £24,495 6s 10d, which shews a considerable increase over the last half-year's transactions. Out of the balance the directors propose to make the following appropriations: divi dend at the rate d. ten per cent per annum, and a bonus of 3d per share ou the original 50,000 shares, £2,500 ; £3,357 carded to reserve fund, which on the 31st December last amounted to £21,643 ; and £18,633 6s lOd carried to credit of profit aud loss, new account. During the last half-year a second issue oi 50,000 shares has been taken upon the market at 20s per share. The investments of the Company amount to £69.947 2s, the building being valued at £1 Sl9 18s 5d ; aud the cash and bills in the bank aud in hand amounting to £12,010 0s Gd, aud cash at agencies, outstanding, and in hand, £17,520 Os 9d. The dividend will be payable at the Head Office aud branches ou the ISth March.

A special general meeting of the Pitt street Young Men's Association will be held on Wednesday (to-morrow) evening at eight o'clock. Every member is requested to be present.

About five o'clock yesterday evening a workman engaged on the new premises _»f Messrs Hoffman and Co. met with rather a singular mishap. He was occupied iv boring a main gaspipe, and the borer knocking through sooner thau he expected, a heavy "stream of gas burst up suddenly into his nose, eyes, aud mouth, rendering him insensible, for nearly half-an-hour. The usual crowd and indispensable police men were soon on the spot, and rendered all necessary assistance.

A select quadrille party will meet to morrow evening in the Oddfellow's H/ill, Cook-street, for foot and heart exercise. Dancing will commeuce exactly at eight o'clock ; Mr M. T. Donald will act as master of ceremonies.

The " .Vairarapa Standard" estimates the value of the estate of the late Mr W. B.

Rhodes, M.L.C. at half a million, and says the bulk of the property goes to a half-caste daughter.

The following old story will bear reading over again :—Samuel Foote, the comedian aud satirical farce writer, once occupied apartments at Fulhani, and while there-he ran up an account with William Berry, a greengrocer of the neighbourhood. Berry having waited many months patiently for a settlement without" satisfaction, sent in the bill to Mr Foote, which drew from Foote the following reply : "You've sent iv your tiM-Berry, before it is dew-Berry ; you must be a ,yoo*e-Bcrry, or think me a black-Bcny. You may rub and ra^-Berry, until you are red-Berry. I don't care a straw-Berry ; now dou't make a mul-Berry, but wait until Christmas-Berry. The greengrocer an swered :

'Tis well for apes, like Sammy Foote, To eat, drink, and be merry, But Sam. tlie reckoning day will come, Sure as I'm William Berry.

We learn that the township of Cambridge is rapidly progressing in the march of architectural improvements. Three or four new stores are in course of erection, besides several new cottages. All that Cambridge requires is a branch railway to render it one of the most prosperous of Waikato settlements. The Jockey Club has obtained a permanent race-course, and is now rapidly enrolling members.

We have received a letter from a parishioner of the Episcopaliau Church, Can-bridge, complaining in strong terms of the condition of the place of worship in that township. The writer says the building is very inadequately lighted, aud the ap pearance of -the exterior is hy no means creditable, when contrasted with what has been done by other congregations. He urges the congregation to exert themselves tor the improvement cf their Church. A capital entertainment was given in the Newton East-street school last night, by the members of St. Sepulchre's choir and their friends ; the pecuniary object, as stated by the reverend chairman, being to supplement the funds of the " Parish Magazine." By the following programme it will be seen that a full shilling's worth was provided, and much of the music was of a first-cla«s character :—Glee, " From hill to hill " (Fra Diavolo) ; song, Mrs Glover ; piano forte solo, Mrs Snell; song, Mrs Mitchell ; part song, " Farewell to the Forest;" song, Mr GMllan ; reading, Mr Shrews bury ; pianoforte solo, Miss Hill (Bee thoven's Sonata Pathetique) ; trio, " The Wreath;" quartette (Orpheus), "Slumber Sweetly Dearest;" chorus, " Hail to the Bride" (Lohengrin); song, Mr E. Harkcr ; reading, Mr White ; pianoforte solo, Miss Dickson ; quartette, "The Three Chafer.-;" duet, Mrs Glover and Mrs Picrco ; glee, " Her Eyes the Glow Worm," (Pearsall); song, Mrs Mitchell ; glee, " With Fair Ceres," (Norma) ; finale, " God Save the Queen." The rifle match between Mr J. Suiter and Mr McLean, of the Auckland Scottish Company, conies off at the Mouut Eden range to-morrow, and not this morning, as stated by our contemporary. Considerable interest is attached to it by the residents in the neighbourhood of Eden Terrace, aud some betting has already taken place. To the Editor : Sir, —Some one has been perpetrating a joke upon your contemporary. The cleansing of the i e_e v oir and scouring of the mains (consequent upon a 24 hours' trial of the engines at their maximum speed) is stated to be caused by " vegetable growth duriug organisms," and other dread produc tions, aud the opportunity has been taken to read the Council a lesson. Is it not a pity it is only a " goak ."—Yours, etc., Goody. The price paid by Mr Keane for the brackets was £4 10s, not £4, as stated yesterday. The election of a School Committee for the Ponsonby district is advertised to take place on Thursday evening at the Ponsonby Hall. The question of erecting a new school building for the district will be considered at the same meeting. Messrs B. Touks and Co. sold to-day 170 bags of maize, ex Mazeppa, at fair average prices. Mr Barton, barrister, was released from the Wellington gaol to-day. Mr Thatcher, who is goiug to the United States, advertises for the bills incurred by Levy, the cornet player, aud his wife, before their sudden departure by the mail steamer, in order to ascertain the whole of their liabilities. A cablegram received this morning an nounces a fact which will be interesting to all sportsmen, namely, that the famous bitch Coomassie has far the second time carried off the Waterloo Coursing Cup. Mr G. M. Lambert has Been appointed organist of All Saints' Church, Ponsonby, in place of Mr Swallow, who has received an appointment as organist of St. Paul's Church. A rifle competition for a Jguu, value £3, took place at Mr Hazards' shop in Queen street last night. There were twenty com petitors, and the highest score was made by Mr Garrett. The Ngatatura and Ngatawhakana tribes are quarrelling at Rotorua over the erection of a flour mill by Mr Keys. Margaret Wilson, of Timaru, has been acquitted by the coroner's jury,who inquired into the circumstances connected with tho death of her female child. She is said to be of weak intellect. Mr Harcourt Lee desires us to contradict the statement that he was not present to play the opening voluntary at tlie Pitt-street Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday last. "C. T. G. We have made inquiries as to the cause of the gun accident to tiie young man, Weaver, which occurred yesterday in Parnell, and find .nat me gun, a two-barrelled one, bad Deen used for yea's., r.rm .he powder was perfectly dry. Hie opinion is that Weaver, who was in experienced, o.erloaded tlie gm>, sr.<_ w ..eh tt»_ the real cause of ihe o-:nb___-

Tho Auckland Rowing Club Trial Fours contest commaiiccs on Friday afternoon, die second heat being pulled on Saturday, and the fiual heat on Monday. The trophy is a silver cup. The two competing boats will be tho Colonist and Manukau Maul. 1M Colonist will be manned in the first heat by Aitken, Harrop, Phillipson, aud Williamson ; and iv the second by Bradley, J. Dacre, Haultain. and Cox. The crew ot the Manukau Maid ou the first day will be Yates, Mason, D. Tonks, aud Black ; and on the second Henderson, Clark, Pierce, ami Gibbs. The affair is causing some interest in sporting circles. Rev. Charles Clark is expected to arrive in Auckland on the 4th March, en route to Sydney, to fulfil engagements there. _ _ The' Piako chief Tarapipipi, who is lying sick unto death, will have none of the Pakeha medicine men, preferring the Hauhau treatment by charms and uicauta, tions. Dr. Payne has therefore returned but will go up again in a few days after the Hauhau plan has had a fair trial, and 11 Tarapipipi is not by that time numbered with his f ithei-, will try what skill can do to restore him. A meeting of the Working Men s Club was held last evening wheu it was found that more than the required number of members had joined, aud it was an nounced that the Club will obtain po -session of fcne premises about the Sth March. A ballot was taken of joining members who had paid the subscription, and who will be entitled to be present at the inaugural ceremony. Arrangements have been maue for the necessary furniture. Letters were received from Messrs J. C. Firth, P. A. Phillips, J. B. Russell, J. A. Tole, M.H.I-., and Dr Lee, approving the proposed objects of the Club, and enclosing subscriptions as honorary members. The Club will be in working order by about the middle of March. . ~ Nature herself, as well as some influen tial colonists, seems to be guilty of log-roll iug, and recently, by her available winds aud rains, she has rolled up no less than one thousand logs to the -Union Sash aud Door Company's Mill, at Tairua. The steamer Wanaka arrived from the South last evening, bringing the Rev. Dr Moran, Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin. on a visit to Auckland in connection with diocesan affairs ; he is also expected to visit the Thames and Waikato.

Great Sea Monster near Brown's Island.

It was reported the other day that a Sea Monster had been seen off the coast ol New South Wales, upwards of 100 feet in length, giving the ship's position at the time. Itwill, doubtless, be interesting to you to place on record the circumstance of a similar monster having shewn itself to the crew aud pas sengers of the steamer Durham, ou her trip from Auckland to Coromandel, on the 13th inst. At about 1.30 p.m., after passing Brown's Island, and whilst quietly enjoying our dinner, we were suddenly called up on deck by the cries of " a whale," " a whale," but it was soon apparent that the monster was no whale. About Jof a mile distant from the steamer, we were quickly surprised at the appearance of a leviathan head, shaped like that of an eel (or as some remarked, like a seal.) THE MONSTER REARED ITS MIGHTY FORM

out of the sea to about 20ft iv perpendicular height, remaining erect several seconds, and'then dashed its head forward into the water, creating a disturbance thereiu like tha plunge of a ship downwards,.and part ing the sea iv large foaming waves. Then, after a short time, before we could recover from our astonishment, tiie stupendous animal arose again, and brought its head down in the manner described, andjjthis for twelve or fourteen times in succession, as if the creature had been attacked, and was in great pain, at least that was the general opiniouleXpressed. THE BREADTH OF THE HEAD

I should say, appeared to be from 6 to S feet at least, and had two enormous fins pro jecting from just belaw the same. From the circumstance of the hinder part not part not appearing, we could form no idea as to the length of the creature; but, judging from the immense bulk seeu out of the water, it may have been quite as long as the monster reported as seen off New South Wales—to which account I beg you to refer. I am inclined to send you this report because it appears to have occurred to each beholder on the steamer, that some one, other than himself would surely do so, at least I have seen no account of the occurrence, which is none remarkable from the circumstance that several cutters were iv the imwediate neighbourhood at the time, and must have witnessed the thenomenon. Doubtless, if enquiiies were made of the master of the steamer Durham further particular-! could be obtained. Of course this will create numerous sapient exclamations amongst your readers, such as "oh! the

GREAT SEA SERPENT MYSTERY* AGAIN,"

but so far as the ". real live specimen"' was concerned there was uo mistake with the observers ou this occasion, for it was un pleasantly apparent that our steamer would have stood about the same chance if the monster had been eucouutered, as a whale boat running upon a whale in a state of excitement. If some mystified old geologist had been at the exhibition, his mind might have been thrust upon the the wonders of tho oolite world, and have imagined an enormous Marine Saurian of that age not yet extinct. Such as a specimen of the Plesiousaurus, only about ten times larger, or perhaps a conger eel of some thousands of years' growth. I may add in conclusion that the captain turned the steamer's head in the directioii^of the monster,, which suddenly disappeared as wc neared the supposed spot. We then continued on our course. I trust you will make inquiries into this important event, which to my surprise has not been reported earlier. —A Passenger. CAPTAIN SOMMERVILLE'S STATE MENT. Since receiving the above communication, one of our reporters interviewed Captain Sommervill.*, of the Durham, and from him we learn that the particulars of the affair, as given above, are substantially correct. He refrained from furnishing the news papers with an account of what was seen, believing that the statement would be ridiculed by them. Captain Sommerville gives the following account, which,he is willing to testify to upon oath : —On the. day of the 13th inst., I was engaged at dinner in my cabin when the mate called out to me to come and look at what he thought was a whale. The vessel was then passing Brown's Island. On going on deck, I saw a large monster, which I thought .vas a common spouting " black-lish," but ou lookiug closer I fouud that this was not the case. Jt had a head resembling that of an immense eel, with a pah of flanges, which looked very much like ears. The neck, and a part of the body, were out of the water, and reached about 30 feet in the air. The colour of the whole body was jet black. The body ap peared to be 10 feet in diame ter, and I believe the monster had lost itself, and got in water too shallow to allow it to swim. It remained in this position for a few moments, the steamer being about a mile from the spot. Sud denly, the neck and head came down into the water with a loud crash, and spray was thrown for a long dis tance round. I immediately ran- back to the cabin for my glasses, and on examining the monster more closely, I was- convinced that it was neither a black fish nor a thresher. I am too well acquainted with these fish . not to know the difference. It was like one of the sea-serpents which have been so often described in the newspapers. If it had struck the stern of the vessel when beating the water with the upper portion of the body, the blow would certainly -have shattered it to pieces. The vessel pro ceeded in the direction of the supposed serpent, but it dived, aid disappeared in th_ direction of tlie Saad-pir."

This statement is corroborated by the crew and steward of the vessel Several passengers were on board at the time, in cluding Mr Woollams, of Coromandel, and they also saw the strange appearance.

CABLEGRAMS.

Latest War News.

To-Day's Despatches.

[EEUTER'S SPECIAL TELEGRAMS],

Fresh Terms of Peace."

Russia Demands £220,000,000

Indemnity.

Claims "Whole Territory Occu-

pied in Asia Minor

Claims Turkish Ironclads and To Collect Taxes in Principalities

LONDON, Monday. Fresh peace conditions have been demanded by Eussia.

1. These include the prohibition of the passage of the Dardanelles by all war vessels, but free navigation for merchant ships.

2. An indemnity of fourteen hundred million roubles (nearly £221,000,000), to cover which Turkey is required to cede I her ironclad, squadron ; the cities of Kars, Batoum, Bayazid, and Ardahan, and the territory comprised in the Russian occupation of Asia Minor.

' __. Forty millions sterling indemnity, to be secured by bonds chargeable with sinking fund and interest, which- is to be guaranteed by the tributes now paid by Bulgaria and Egypt to the Porte.3

(SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE ARGUS.)

Great Aati-Eassiaa Meetiag1 ia

Eycle Park

50 OCO .Russiaas to Occupy Bulgaria for Tv?g Years.

LONDON, Feb. 25

A monster anti-Russian meeting was held in Hyde Park.

Tlie new peace conditions are that fifty thousand Russians shall occupy Bulgaria for two years, with forty million pounds indemnity.

Austria is raising a special vote. Bartle Frere has dismissed the Molteno Ministry.

The Pope disinisrecl General Kanizler, Commandant of the Papal Dominions.

[PBESS AGENCY]. AUSTRALIAN. SUEZ MAIL. MELBOURNE, Tuesday. The Arawata leaves on Thursday -with the mail.

THE WATERLOO CUP.

ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE THE

MASTER OF ROLLS.

[SPECIAL TO THE MELBOURNE "ARGUS."]

LONDON, February 23.

Cooma .sic won -the Waterloo Cup. Sea gull ran her up. Adelaide "won the Purse, and Palm-flower the Plate.

University Boat Race is fixed for the i3th March.

An attempt to shoot the Master of the Rolls by an iusane sailor failed.

The Pope is to be crowned to-morrosv in the Sistine ChapeL Peace has been secured in Cuba. The rebels have been pardoned, and the confisca tion law has been repealed. The German Governmentare making large purchases of gold iv London. Consuls are 95J. Australian securities are very steady. The corn market is weak, with a down ward tendency.

INTERCOLONIAL CABLE CONFER ENCE.

[REUTERS SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS.!

SYDNEY, February 25.

The Colonial Secretary communicated with the South Australian Government iv regard to holding an Intercolonial Cable Conference at Melbourne in a month's time.

New South Wales won the Intercolon ial Crickot Match by one wicket and two runs.

A fifteen combined team, selected from the colonies of New South Wales and Victoria, has been chosen to play the Aus tralian Eleven on Friday and, following days.

COURT OF PETTY SESSIONS.—This Day.

(Before Messrs A_ K. Taylor (Chairman), P. Diguan, J. Cosgrave, and Dr Horn). LETHETIG DRAUGHTS. Charles McLean and Thomas Boyle were fined 5s each for drunkenness. KITTY TAYLOR. This young person was again brought up for unseemly conduct in the street, after retiring from an hotel. Kitty gavo vent to her pent-up tears, and paid 10s and costs. THE LOTTERY TICKET. Seymour Wells appeared in answer to two charges, (1) with establishing a lottery for prizes iv jewellery, (2) with disposing of tickets having an interest in a lottery in jewellery, on the 25th of January. Mr Tyler appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Hesketh for tho defence. M.t Hesketh said he would plead guilty to the charges, for there was no denying that a lottery of jewellery had been established aTid tickets sold, but Mr Wells had got consent from the representative of the late superin tendent, and was under the impre.sion that he was right in doing so. Mr Tyler said that Mr Wells had com mitted the offences with his eyes open. Ha had, moreover, been previously convicted for a similar offence. The thiugs offeredby Mr Wells wee not works of art. Defendant said last \ 7ear he was con victed because he did not obtain leave, and now it would seem that ho w-as to suffer for obtaining leave. Mr Tyler said that such a course as that pursued by Mr Wells was likely to injure other tradesmen, and if a considerable fine were not imposed, it might suit defendant to repeat the off .nee. Fined 20s. ; costs £3 ss. A 11 U_t_-PITS -AT PAI-SELL. John Brown, carrier, of Parnell, was charged with assaulting Bonibse, a native of the New Hebrides, by knocking him down. Mr Tyler appeared for complainant. Bombee gave evidence, which was interireted by Mr Woodham Jun., and shewed th*. tfa« boys ware annoying him, wheu John Brown drov*. up, and clapped his hands, wiving " Wire in Bombco ; go it boy*;" aud xrhun hi di 1 wire iv, John Brown got out of- hi. oxprcss and struck

him to the earth. John Brown's fist ■»«* very hard ; he felt the blow very much. Francis Fitts saw the black hoy near Mr Isaacs', in Eden Crescent, with a padc of boys hissing and hooting. Brown took a lively interest in the fray, an d tmred them on. a v John Philip . gave similar evidence. ' Mr Brown made an able defence and the case was dismissed ; costs divided' THOSE BY-LAWS. Patrick Malampie, leaving vehicle unattended, Is; James Dempsey, charged with not keeping light on excavation dismissed ; Johu AUender, charged wite allowing horses to wander, case dismissed - Johu Brown; similar offence, dismissed • - John Denzance, carrying excessive number of passengers, fined 5s ; Preston Knight Epsom, driving fast round corners, dial missed; John Guest and George Piumbtree* chimney on fire, 2s 6d ; Wm. Saunders and Win. Jones, name not on cart, fined 2s 6d • Timothy Hayes, no chain on wheel, fifth * offence, 5s ; Robert Meek, cart unattended. 2s Gd ; Michael Burke, for stray heifer, and Thomas Merrigan, similar breach, 2s 6d The last two complained very much of the conduct of the district pound-keeper.— Sub-Inspector Pardy told them that they had their remedy at law. J

This closed the business.

A Somnambulist Narrowly Escapes Browning.

_______ SSscitiag Besc*Aß_

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

(From Que Own Correspoxdent),

NAPJER, this day. A very narrow escape from drowning occurred at Port Ahuririon Saturday night° or rather Sunday morning early. The steamer Manaia, bound to Wairoa, was moored outside the schooner Mary Wadley, and final arrangements for the passage were being made. The late passengers were hurrying ou board, when the starling cry of " a man overboard" pierced the stillness of the dawuiug day. It was a shriek more • than a cry. It was the agonising sc.eam of a woman. Mrs Downe, a passenger, was sitting on the port side of the deck of the Manaia, and seeing a man emerge from the cabiu aud calmly step over the low bulwark in the waist of the vessel, and disappear in the dark waters, she shrieked an alarm that sent cold blood thrilling through the veins of all who heard it. The nioou waa shining j brightly, and iv the rippliug gleams a black dot^iu the water was dancing ou the hurry ing tide. It was the head of a man who was being carried to the gates of eternity.- Captain Petersen, the officers, and crew were busy on the deck, and some passengers- - were seeing lo the luggage. When the scream was heard meu stood still aghast, and when others rushed to the side of the 1 ship to see a fellow-creature perishing, Mr Johusou, first officer, seized a coil of rope, scrambled over the sides of the Mary. Wadley, ran with lightning speed along the b. eastwork, saw the unfortunate manH iv the tide rip, and threw the coil A of the rope to him. Twice did he throw I the rope, aud twice did it miss its mark; and had to be hauled back again, and the drowuiug man was being whirled round and round iv the current, and hastening to his last account. The great coii of rope was now wet and heavy. Mr Johnson made a last effort, and sent the line spuming with exquisite precision. A splash, a tautening of the rope, a cry of " Hold ou„" and all then knew, who watched with breathless excitement, that a life had been saved. In the meantime Captain Petersen had lowered a boat, with the assistance .of some of the passengers, aud a few seconds . after the drowning man had caught the rope, a boat was at the spot, and the rescue a was completed. It was then discovered F that the man thus providentially saved from a watery grave was Mr Craven, manager cf Rathboue's Saw-mills, at Hampden, whose private business was takiug him to W Tairoa. Goin, on board the Manaia at about ten o'clock at night, Mr Craven retired to rest, but in his sleep j got up, aud stepping over the bulwarks,fell ' into the stream. I % was not till the chill .% ot water awoke him that he realised his awful position. The eddy in the rip of a 1 seven-knot current was hurrying him out to j sea and to certain destruction, Mr Craven . owes his life to the accident- of Mrs Downe sitting ou that- side of the deck, which en abled he i to observe the somnambulist's action, aud also to the presence of mind of the first officer, together with the prompt- _ ness of Captain Petersen and the passengers;; who assisted him. - .

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

ROBERTO IL DIAVOLO.

Giacomo Meyerbeer, the composer of •' Roberto II Diavolo," so successfully played for the second time at the Theatre last| night, was born at Berlin in 1794. He appears to have been a terribly precocious child, for at. 6 years of age he played at a concert, : aud three years after was one of the most:" accomplished pianists in Berlin. In 1810 he entered the school of Vogler at Darius- y tadd, where a cantata of his wa3 played ;i aud two years later his first operatic:, attempt," "Jepthah," was produced at - Munich, but fell rather flat. A visit to- Italy converted him wholly to* the new... Italian school, which was headed by Rossini, whose music was .then all the rage. - Meyerbeer wrote and brought out several works at Padua, Turin, and other Italian towns, with,however, butinoderatesuccess. Indeed It was not till " Crociato in Egitto; was produced in Venice (1525) that his name became really famous. At this tune.. Paris seems to have been one of the great' operatic circles of Europe, aud here, there-a f ore, Meyerbeer was invited, and requested& to write a special work for the Grand Opera., He consented ; a libretto was supplied by the great dramatist, M. Scribe, and in 1831, "Robert le Diable" waa produced, amidst unparalleled excitement, and received with ; unprecedented enthusiasm. From this time till Lis death, in 1564, Meyerbeer was the idol of musical society in Paris, and—-with 1 the exception of " L'Africaine "—all to* r> subsequent operas, viz. : "Les Huguenots ;" (IS3G), "Le Prophete" (1549), and"Di-r norah " (1355) were first brought out there.^ In its French dres3 "Roberto" was not such a success in London as had beenantwa-a pated, but when it was produced a few J years later at the Royal Italian Opera with| Jenny Lind as Alice" it created an immense j| furore. Hundreds were turned away from | the doors nightly, and fashionable ladies | were content to sit down in the theatre M lobbies and listen afar off. Since that time § this opera has always been a favourite one y with Englishmen, and when played in Logy don never fails to draw a good house. The part of Alice has been attempted by nearly every prima donna of notoriety, but very | few * have absolutely triumphed- in «• Caristiue Nillson is probably the best living exponent of the part. The caste last night was precisely the same as on the first-, occasion this company played it. Signora ■ Guadagnini repeated her impersonation ot Alice, and, relieved of tbe hideous blonde wig which she wore the first time she playeda. this part, both acted aud sang iv an electa- . fying style. The large audience gr|ete_; her great efforts enthusiastkaUy, and the " Normandie" air created quite a furore, || The mise en scene, &c, was as satisfactory ; us usual. Where all the artistes are so | good it. is extremely difficult to award inai-;. viduai praise. We will therefore coruenv. ourselves with saying that the opera from beginuing to end -vvas a. rare musical treat .• " 11 Trovatore" will be given to-night.

Mr Thatcher, the theatrical agent, arrived in Auckland by. the Wauaka last nighV« looking none the worse for his late pnnc*" 4 pal's heartless desertion. He is now agent a for Miss Ada Ward, the beautiful ana accomplished actress, and awaits that lady »F? ailTsnt bT the Rotorua, m order to proceea with her-to San Francisco by the ca * l-unl.a.

EVENING STAR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 86, W8



fTN lON INSURANCE COMPANY NEW ZEALAND. APITAL -_2.000.009. UCKLAND BRANCH: Q ÜBBN-ST'REKT, Next the Colonial Bank. FIXE DEPARTMENT. Insuranc granted on Dwelling - houses, Stores. Shops, Buildings in which trade is carried on, Mercs andise, aud Goods of every description. MAKING DEPARTMENT. Hulls of Ships or Steamers, Merchandise of all kinds, Specie and Wool to United Kingdom, at ~OW__3T COItnEST RATES. R. H. STEVENSON Manager. JUST OPENED 1 CASE GENTLEMEN'S REGATTA SHIRTS Of a Superior Quality of Frencii Cambric, and the mo3t Fashionable Patterns. W. RATTRAY, CLOTHIER & MEN'S MERCER. t\j ie vv nr eal an d tt ou s jc, C(i, QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND. J /.OS GRAVE & £(0. * .YILL HOLD A GRKAT CLEARING SALE OP m:;n's a-\.' :nYS' clothing TO MORROW. All Goola Reducm. to Cost Price. liia.octlo.. Invited. '



T& H. COOKE # Have on Sale ONE OF THE LARGEST STOCKS OF IFURNITURE IN THE COLONY. Special Items:— DRAWING-ROOM SUITES WALNUT TABLES CARPETS HEARTHRUGS LINOLEUM FLOORCLOTH IRON BEDSTEADS TOILET-. LASSES CANE-SEATED CHAIRS TOILET-WARE r\f> a WI^PS MARBLE-TOP WASHSTANDS MATTRESSES FEATHER BEDS. A Small Shipment of CRETONNES and CASK MERES, New Patterns. All Goods at Lowest Rates. delivered free. Liberal Discount to Cash Buyers. Furniture Show-rooms .... QUEEN-STREET Steam Cabinet Factory VIC IORIA-S [RE H_ I BONEDUST! BONEDUST BONEDUST! To Arrive, about the middle of February: 500 TONS BONEDUST, Consisting of BiUyard's No. 1, Bell's i inch, inch,andßonefl WJ. HURSTS CO., 101. Queen-street. mo AGRICULTURISTS.& OTHERS W J. HURST -c CO. have on sale the under mentioned Fertilizers, all Of which have.been nrovtd to _roduce satisfactory results in this district. Experience teaches that large and nro^table returns can be relied on by a judicious and liberal use of them. The flattering iesti- i monils from leading Farmers justify \Y. J. SS-sl-Co in strongly commending them to ever v Agriculturist:— MALDEN ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MEXICAN do. BEIAiC xjONI-PLOUR „ o , r i and J-inch BONED UST BILLYARD'S No. 1 do. NITRATE OF SODA SULPHATE OF AMMONIA MURIATE OF POTASH SUPER-PHOSPHATE OF LIME. SALT, SULPHATE OF LIME In addition to the above, \>. J. H. 8 LO. aie prepared to supply special Chemical for stimulating weak Corn Crops, and-renovat ing Clover-sick Pastures, as well as the I otato and Mangold mixture that for tho last two sea eons has attracted such favourable notice. Analysis, prices, and ether particulars V. 1.l be supplied on application at tho Stores. W. J. Hul>-1 cc L-U., 101. Queen-street. SUPERIOR SAMPLES of Sydney and New Zealand Maize, Tartarian and Potato Oats, Table Potatoes, Flour, Oatmeal, Bran, Sharps, Barley, Chaff, Oilcake Coal, fee, W., always on hand.. ■ ~ W. J. HURST _. CO., , 101, QUEEN-STREET. AUCKLAND "OOYAL INSURANCE COMPANY.



Special Notice to Lssurebs. This Company, having intimated to the In surance Association their Withdrawal from Tariff Arrangements, is now prepared to gr_.ut Policies on all descriptions or Property at will be made on first-class build in^ and approved risks, in Town and suburbs, and for water supply aud other protection, where made available. _«,■», Special arrangements will be made with Mortgagees, Solicitors, House Agents, Con tractors, and other large, insurers. The policy of the Company is P romptncr_ and. liberality in the settlement of claims, and strictly honourable dealing in all Its transactions The Security of lasurers is unsurpassed by that of any Company doing business m ttoCMgq. Agen Office: Shortland-street, Auckland, Sth February, 18_ 3. The usual Book and Sheet Almanacs for 1878 can be had on application, or on information b.ing sent to the Office. T^T ANTED, FOB DUNEDIN 30 FIRST-CLASS JOINERS, For Light and Finest Quality Work. To com petent men. six or twelve months engage ment" J. W. WALLER, Manager, • Guthrie & Larnach (Limited), Onehunga. Clover seeds. Clover seeds. Jusi- to Hand, i-x ' Api.t_t.es.' „„_„, OUR FIRST SHIPMENT NEW SEASON S CLOVER SEEDS, CONSISTING OS- White Clover Timothy Red Clover £-.- c. Cow Grass Trefoil Alsyke ficc, &c, Sec. Turnip AND __. Fine Collection of Farm and Garden Seeds. also, A Shipment of American- Timothy. Sample 3of the above Seed 3 will be forwarded on application. Poverty Bay, Canterbury, and local Rye Grass, Cocksfoot, Ratstail, Poas Fescues, Sec, -c, from carefully selected samples, at lowest mar ketrates. } & C O., 101, Queen-street. mWSNTY PER CENT. DISCOUNT FOR A SHORT TIME ONLY ! FANCY DRESS MATERIALS, FURNISHING GOODS, BLACK SILKS, BLANKETS, CALICOES. HOSIERY, HABERDASHERY, LADIES' UNDERCLOTHING, CARPETS AND MATTING. CLOTHING OF ALL KINDS, FOR BOYS' AND MEN'S WEAR, HATS, CAPS, SHIRTS, &c. , AXD EVERY DESCRIPTION of GENERAL DRAPERY AND CLOTHING, at sa, twenty per cent, reduction. FOUR SHILLINGS IN THE POUND ALLOWED UPON ALL CASH PURCHASES. Goods Entered will be Charged Regular Prices. I3USHBELOOK AND |_>RIDGMAN, DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, £c., UPPER QUE EN - S T R E E T, Auckland, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel). CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND. Mails will C-.0.k as Uni>bk — For Thames, th s day, at 5.30 p.m.; and to r morrow, at 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, ser Durham, to-morrow, at 11.30 a.m. ; and for Waiheke and Coromandel, per Argyie, on Friday next, at 230 p.m. For Noumea, per Lfetitia, this day. at 1 p.m. For Tairua, per Mercury, this day. at 1 p.m. For Wangarei Heaas. Waipu, Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Argyie, this day, at 1 p.m. For Waugaroa, per Kriemhilda, to-morrow, at 8 a.m. For, Wanganui, per Wallabi, to-morrow, at 10.5 a.m. For Russell, per Golden Isle, to-morrow, at noou. For Whitiangi, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Rowena, to-morrow, at 1 p.m. For Waiwera, Warkwoith, and Te Aral, per Anne Milbanfe, ou Thursday next, at 10 a.m. For Tauranga, jGisborne, Napier, and. Southern Provinces, per Wanaka, on Thursday next, at 2 p.m. For Australian Colonies per Rotorua, on Tuesday, sth March, at 1 p.m. Per s.s. Zealaadia, on Tuesday, Sth March, as follows:— For Sandwich Wands, 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 mon'.r orders, registrM lo* _<_•_. w'»d neWspaperF »t 1. _i. .».._- "lit..'. li.-j.ii ■_.. an extra foe o. -i art'ci in a- ii • > .«.« i--.- ■< --- nge wi. !>• -f ...•* -.•- ...-- ..! .-. .- ■■■■: ir, bo.-rd th_...'•.— > ■■• at- ■-- »-_ t- a .' . - •!•_•. _»; ... ..>_a. _.. v; i._. iiiuwl-c:.



COWTI&Y EDITIONS ! PUBLISHED at 12.30 p.m. (For WAIKATO), AND AT 3.30 p.m. 7TT.HE TOWN EDITION of the STAR is Published at the Office at 5 o'clock.



Charlatans are continually attempting to practice upon the health of the unsuspecting by the sale of adulterated, fiery potions in bottles of Udolpiio Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic SCHNAPPS which have been emptied of their legitimate contents. The name of this celebra ted elixir is also counterfeited to aid the swindle. Buvei-s should inspect the labels closely.