SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

„,, „ WATlpn (This Afternoon, 5.13 ttfc*H WAIKR— vro-morrow Morning, 5.37 ■3UN SET.—This Evening, 5.18 , j. BUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning, 6.0 l MOON'S AG X.-Full Moon, 13th, 11.55 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

LAST EVENINU. . • ; ; : Pretty Jane, s.s., Helander, from GiSDOrne TO-DAY. - lona, s.s., Farquhar, from Russell Ocean, schooner, Rawhngs, from Mercury Bay. Rose, cutter, Pelley, from Port Charles. Waratah, cutter. Savage, from Mercury Bay. Dream, cutter, Jan?en, from Tairua. Colonist, schoooer. Bailey, from the South. Rowena, s.s., Seilars, from Tauranga.

DEPARTURES.

LiAb.r HiYJliMlJ.Nl*. Southern Cro33, s.s.. Holmes, for Napier TO-DnT. Ness, cutter. Diaz, for Tairua.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Levuka—Dunelm, barque, at once For London—Schiehallion, barque, earl y; Spirit of the Da^n, barque, early _ For Russell, Bay of Islands—lona, every Mon day ; Taiaroa. Monday next .*■ ■ For Sydney and Melbourne-Hero, s.s-t tfth

For Taranaki and Southern provincesJfrem Manukau)-Wanaka, s.s., Tuesday next For New York^-Thames, barque, at once

EXPORTS.

Per Southern Cco3s, for Napier: 88 packages and23case3 sundries, 27 pipes, 5 kegs, 2 cases, anrf 2 crates pots. 2 casks, 4 boxes, 31 drain pipes, 15 boxes glass, 3 boxes. 2 packages.—rC. Porter and Co.

THE THAMES.

The barque Thames ciearea ai xne thi3 morning for New York, with a valuable cargo of gum. shipped by her owners, Messrs Walker and Co.. and several other merchants. She has received quiet dispatch, and has now on board 3,16fi cas«s and 65 bags kauri gum, valued at £12,565. The vessel is ready for sea, and Captain Williams intends to sail with the first favourable slant of wind,

THE HAWEA.

The s.s. Hawea, whicn lelt tnis pore on iu«a day night, for Port Chalmers, in a partly dis abled condition, arrived at her destination this morning, after a very good passage., Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane have received the foUowiD^elesra^FofTCHiL M ERMhfs:d"ay. 'The Hatvea arrived at eight o'clock this morning, all well. The steering gear worked telegraphs to Captain H. F. Anderson, as follow^-, Cba^^3< day . "Wearrived at daylight this morning. The steering gear worked admirably. I would take the ship to London with it."

Inwards Coastwise.— Mary Ann, cutter, fiom Cabbaae Bay, with 40 tons firewood; Ocean, schooner. Rawlings, from Mercury Bay, with 10,200 feet sawn timber, 3£ tons gum, and 6 empty cas^s: Dream, cutter, Jensen, from Tairua, with 23,394 feet timber: Three Brothers. cutter, from Great Barrier, with oO tons firewood 1 OeuTWARD3 Coastwise.— Mary Ann, cutter, for Cabbaa-fi Pay. in ballast; Ness, cutter, for Tairna, with 20 boxes candies, 20 bags sugar, and. sundries; Leo, cutter, for Ngunguru, m ballast. Captain Pelley, of the cutter Rose, which arrived from Port Charles this mormng. re torted the cntter Gipsy, owned by Messrs Jagger and Parker, Freeman's Bay, ashore at Cape Colville. He did not stop to render any assistance or examine her. From other sources we learn that she has lost her false keel, and a quantity of copper. Mr D. Goukhas gone down toThe barque Cerastes was" brought up from the P The^chooner Colonist is telegraphed as having arrived in the Manukau Heads to-day, from "^JSTSFlSS deceived in .town that the tliaTmorning. She will not sail.or Levuka until after the arrival of the Winifred fromt Fm. The brig Minora cleared for Newcastle in ballast to day. She takes as passengers Mr and Mra John HoUand and infant. She is to sail at olThes.s. Rowena arrived from Tauranga and Mercury Bay this afternoon, with a number of for Napier with a eeneral cargo. ~ According to a telegram received by Messrs Stone Bros, the barque Bella Mary will leave Hobart Town for this port on the loth inst, with a cargo of fruit, jams, and seed potatoes. The three-masted schooner Sea Belle wiU return to Newcastle about the middle of next WT?e s.s. Taiaroa is expected to arrive in harbour from Tauranga and Southern ports to atT^rwlffi Trot Wellington and New Plymouth, will arrive in thejManukau Jon Mon dSTtef£ Pretty Jane arrived from Gisborne about midnight last nischt, after a very long iof 13 days. She rode out part of- the iaR Hick's Bay, but after leaving there she fun short of coal, aid had to put back again. HavW got a quantity of firewood, she started agaln"ind on me way up called at Cape Cohrfle for more firewood. She had on board 27 head, cattle and 163 sheep, and these were alL^?4f A d with the exception of 6 sheep.and 2 head «attle several of these being kiUed for food. Tha fol may be expected to put in an appearance at a T 1h tee bs°s rionl Oll?rTved ßll fr O m Russell this morSiSr with 8.000 shingles, 89 bags oysters 125 sacks kauri gum, 20 bags flour. 17 head SB*«yttSJfe£ 'SfS-'.SSPS The Murray arrived from Onehunga this mOrDillK- SKffl WE LLIKGTON, this day. Sailed: s.s. Wanaka for the North, at 2 p.m Passengers: Miss Edwards, Messrs Spencer (2) that the-£. Taiaroa left Tauranga at 3 p.m. to-day, and will arrive in port at about daylight to-morrow. The departure of the s.s. Go-ahead is postponed until Tuesday at noon.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close ab Under :— For Thames, on Monday next, at 1130 a.m. ana

ForWaiheke and! Coromandel per Argyle, on Monday next, at 11.30 a.m. _;■ For Taranaki and Wanganul, per Go-ahead, on Monday next, at 10.5 a,m. For Russell and Kawa,kawa, per Taiaroa, on Fo^phe'njptr ThSe Brothers, on Monday Fo^Rusfellf'Kawakawa, Wangaroa, and Mon gonui, per lona, on Monday next, at 4 p.m. For Whitianga, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Rowena, on Monday next, at 4 p.m, _ For Gisborne, per Pretty Jane, on Monday next,

For Waiwera. Kawau. Omaha, and Matakana, per Anne Milbank, on Tuesday next, at FOT°Ta?anaki and Southern provinces, per Wanaka, on Tuesday next, at lOgo a.m. For Whangarei Heads, Waipu, Wangarei, and Mancapai, per Argyle. on Tuesday next, Pe^t-s'^Australia, on Tuesday, 20th instant, aSF for l°Sanlwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign For United Kingdom and Continent of 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. S. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster. !

BIRTH.

EVANS.—On the 9th August, at Ponsonby, the wife of Mr. D. F. Evans of a daughter.

DEATH.

EADE.—At Remuera, on the 10th August, 1878, after a long and painful.illness, borne with Christian fortitude, Mary, relict of the late Richard Eade, late of Redruth, Cornwall, England, aged 65 years.

The funeral will leave her late residence on . Monday nest, 12th instant, at 3 p.m. Friends are respectfully invited to attend. . > I MOORE.-On the 9th instant, Mary Elizabeth; daughter of Robert and Mary Anne Moore, College Road, aeed 2 years and 10 months. The funeral wili leave at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Friends will please accept this invitation.

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1878.

For the-cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance! For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

THE first education 'report of the Minister! of Education,tlie Hon. J. Ballance,has .been! laid before Parliament,,. It gives itho:results of the public 'scHopls' system, for'the year, ending 31st December,. 1877, but relates, only to'the period during which the mauage-' ment': of' elcnientary schools ■' was■ pro- '. vided' for by. a hierely teinpoVavy measure,' and educational alf.iirs were " consequently < in asomeAvh'atunsettled and unsatisfactory; condition." The Ju'umbors of [schools in I

operation during the whole, or a portion of ' the year 1877 was 730. A few schools have not furnished returns, and the Auckland College and Grammar School and Dunedin High Schools were not included. In Auck land there :vvere 30 half-time schools, and, itigOtago 4. These were situated in sparsely seiitled diSrictslwhere'theiiuniber oft|Chil drip was^foo 's^;a.ll to warrant?; the taiam tenance of an 'school. I In *such cases it has usually been found advisable to place under the charge of one teacher two small schools sitaated at a convenient . -distance'iromieach' other, .-the teacher divid ing his time fairly between them. The average attendance at halfrtime schools in neaxly.aU-instaneej3:Wj^ shows'that the total average attendance throughout the colony for the last quarter of 1877 was 52,773; the number of schools with under 15 pupils, 96 ; with 15 and under 20 pupils, 79 ; with 20 and under 25 pupils, 92; with 25 and under 50, 100 schools-; 50-" and under 75, 100; having 75 and under 100, 40; having 100 pupils and under, 150, 46; having 150 and under, 300, 35; attended by 300 pupils or over, 7 schools. The report goes on to say that it remains to be seen to what extent the powers conferred on Education Boards by the 88th section of the Education Act will enable them to provide for the educational wants of outlying districts by means of itinerant teachers and half-time schools. The number of teachers employed in schools under Boards during the last quarter of 1877 is returned at 1,400, as follows :— Head masters, 577; assistant masters, 71; male pupil teachers, 82 ; head mistresses, 213; assistant jmistresses, 236; female pupil teachers, 220. There are also 82 sewing instructors. There is reason to believe that the attendance registers have been imperfectly kepi The total attendants or enrolments for 1877 was 71,951; the aver age daily attendance, 40,837. The total number of attendants or enrolments for the last quarter of 1877 was 41,773. The report points out that in some towns children fre quently change from one school to another, and are likely to become enrolled on both. It also observes that it is necessary,to keep in mind that it is not the number of scholars nominally on a school roll, but the actual average attendance which regulates allow ance to schools in respect to class-room ac commodation, strength of staff, salaries of teachers, and other requirements; there fore, it is desirable that Education Boards should encourage a careful revision oi school rolls once each quarter. Uni form attendance, registers, 'and sum maries are about to be supplied to all schools. It was not found possible this year to furnish returns of ages of scholars. The table of the income of the Boards shows that the cost of the school system for the year waa £275,751, of which £204,205 came from the public treasury ; the revenue from reserves was only £16,604 (exclusive of the superior schools of Auckland and Otago). Besides this, the OtagoSchool Committee raised £20,828, which did not pass through the Board's books ; New Plymouth, £750; Hawke's Bay, £814. The ratio of expendi ture in the several educational districts of Auckland, was £4 15s 3d ; New Plymouth, £6 7s 2d ; Patea, £9 19s 2d ; Hawke's Bay, £3 lls 4d; Wellington, £4 16s 4d ; Marl boioHgh, £5 14s 2d; Nelson, £3 17s 2d; Westland, £6 19s 9d ; Canterbury, £4 16s 9d; and Otago, £4 Bslod ; general average, £4 14 B£d. The expenditure: Depart mental salaries and allowances, printing, advertising, stationery, and other, office ex penses, £13,559; teachers' salaries, allow ances, petty repairs, and ordinary expenses, £166,636; training institution, £5,988; scholarships, £1,891 ; sundries, £3,610; school buildings, £82,376; total, £275,751. It will be the duty of the inspec tor in future to furnish a comprehen sive report on the condition of schools throughout the colony. The report says: " The question of making satisfactory provision for the proper training of teachers is one of great and pressing importance, but it is, at the same time, attended with some amount of practical difficulty. Arrange ments of a permanent character could only be entered upon after very careful and mature consideration, for the maintenance of one largely-attended and fully-equipped training institution. The difficulty experi enced in connection with such schools in New Zealand is, that of securing anything like & sufficient number of young men as candidates for admission and training. This difficulty would be merely lessened by having training-schools in several parts of the colony, and this very important con sideration may very properly outweigh others that might be advanced in sup port of the establishment of only one large central institution. The scholar ships held last year were : Auckland, 15 ; Wellington 6 ; Marlborough, 2 ; Nelson. 4; Canterbury, 21. Otago has yet only a few scholarships founded by private persons. The most equitable and just mode of dis tributing money voted for the maintenance of scholarships would be to place at the disposal of Education Boards a grant of money in proportion to the average daily school attendance within the respective districts. Full particulars of the distribu tion of the £5000 voted for public libraries is promised in the next annual report, and in future steps are to be taken to present Information respecting the public mstifru" tions for higher education in a complete and systematic manner. The Education Act required that grants to Boards should be paid according to average daily atten dance. In the Appropriation Act the sum of £3 10s was set down for each average attendance. This was obviously an inadvertence, as the Edu cation Act authorised payment of £3 15s. When the department organised at the end of January, 1878, nearly seven months after the financial year began it was found that many advances made by the Government since the abolition of provinces were out of proportion to the amounts warranted by statute. One Board had received £3,080 in excess of its claim ; and another Board, whose claim for six months1 would be about £1,890, had received; £14,225. It was found impossible all at once to stop the payment of monthly ac-| counts which would have embarrased Boards and inflicted hardships on teachers and their families. The amount expended by the Department during the financial yearj was £29,261 in excess of the amount voted, besides £1,950 in * excess of the amount for school buildings; aud a further sum of £19,230 will be needed to meet payments for the past; financial year. The Education Board re-; turns show a total expenditure of £82,322 on school buildings during the year. The £50,000 voted for school buildings had been distributed and exceeded by £1,950. The passing of the Education Act has added largely to the attendance and led to the establishment of an increased number of new schools. To encourage Savings Banks the Government had directed that bank pass-books, etc., shall be prepared, and shortly be furnished to Boards. The Government have also had under considera tion the advisability of encouraging and assisting teachers employed in public school's to make provision for themselves in! retirement from active duty, and for their widows and orphan children in case of death, end have instructed the actuary of the Government Insurance Department to sub mit for consideration a scheme caculated to secure the objects. The Government do not. deemit desirable to frame regulations for the examination and classification of teachers, etc., until more information is obtained. The general statement of expenditure during the year ending 30th June, 1878 shows New Zealand University, £3,800.; Education Department: Secretary, £50510s;; clerical assistance, £122 ISs 4d.; salaries of inspectors, £3,263 14s ; normal schools,; £6,489 6s lid ; scholarships, £872 ling expenses, £1,361 17s lOd; contin-i gencies, £781 18s. Bd;'grants to Boards,: £150,854 12s 2d;' Wellington College,1 £1,574; Otago High1 School,. £3,213; in' lieu of capitation■tax}'"£2so,ooo. Total,! £194,048 18s 8d.^., : Public libraries, £5,000.! Miscellaneous from Land Fund : Cantor-j bnry Girls High School, £250; ditto School of Mines, £450 ;• ditto school buildings, £15,000; do/ High School build- \. ings, ' £15,000; d 6. [College main ten aripfe, :U'r;.,' ;v.m;-j,ai'rsar ■ ■■■ Q i

£3 350 • Otago directors of school of mines, £500 ;.do, school appliances, £500 ; totals, ■£35id50; school buildings, £51,950; un antnorised aided schools, £394105; abstract of educaiionseryice departmental salaries and travelling expenses, amounts expended, £843 2s lid; contingencies, £78118s8d; Welling ton Collegeand Otago HighSchoola, £4,787; pavmsnts to Education Boards £187,b3b, lbs Id?; Total, £284,048 18s Bd. For the perfect accuracy of many of the figures given in this review of the operations of our national school system we cannot vouch, the- transmission by. •>telegraph... having obviously had a damaging effect on the various totals. The general conclusions of the report,-however,-disclose, an amount of real effort "for the diffusion of knowledge, and a success which must afford genuine satisfaction to those who have upheld the secular and free system of public instruc tion. That out of a total population ol 400,000, there ware 71,951 attending public schools—a number which has been greatly increased—is a proof that the system is one generally acceptable to the people.

On our fourth page to-day appers our Police report, Chamber of Commerce meet ing, and a letter on Harbour Cases. Captain Fernandez informs us that while taking tho steamer Durham round the North Cape, the lighthouse people at the Cape Maria Van Dieman lighthouse desired to be reported all well. It will be seen in reference to our snip ping columns that the s.s. Hawea, which sailed from this port for Port Chalmers on Tuesday night, arrived at her destination this morning. Before her departure doubts were expressed as to the suitability of the steering gear, which was con structed in her, but Captain Kennedy telegraphs that it worked admirably, and that .he would be willing to take the ship to England with it. It is a matter of congratulation that the experiment , resulted so satisfactorily. It was a pity that phe could not obtain the use of the dock, but nevertheless it is creditable to the port that she went away safely repaired for the time, and in seaworthy condition. . A young married woman far advanced in pregnancy, applied to the police this morn ing, in a state of utter destitution. Early in the year, her husband Alexander Laird, a labourer of the Thames, left her in quest of employment, and has never since been heard of. She came to Auckland some weeks ago to see her married sister, and has been residing with her up to the present week. The sister however, in the most heartless manner turned her out of doors. The poor creature applied to Mr Graham, the relieving officer, in her distress, and he gave her rations, bat would do nothing to wards procuring her shelter. Having no money in her possession, she slept out all night among the trees on the slope of Barrack Hill, aud as a Jast resource applied to-day for assistance to the police. She is still at the Btation hoping that something maybe done for her in her present condi tion.

Wo understand that Councillor Isaacs (who is acting during his Worship's absence) intends consulting the Council at the meeting next Wednhsday as to the propriety of calling a public meeting of the citizens, to decide as to the mode of congratulation to Earl Beaconsfield for his success at the late European Conference.

The sons of old colonists now resident in the Province of Auckland propose to present a petition to the House of Kepresentatives, praying that the same privileges may be extended in the matter of receiving a free grant of land as to the immigrants. Copies of the petition can be seen at the office of Mr White, law stationer,? High-street, at Mr Kissling's, at Captain Gordon's, Otahuhu, orjat the residence of the promoter, Richard J. Feltus.

Mr E. Bailey, of the New North Road, brought into the Market to-day a splendid collection of daphne, azaelia, tuber, and other roses, from his gardens, \yhich are well worthy the inspection of citizens and amateur gardeners. After the usual service to-morrow evening at the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church, there will be conducted an evangelistic service. The select choir will sing the melodies as usual. Short addresses will be delivered. These services are still largely attended. Contemplating the extraordinary victory achieved by the Young Colonials over Mary lebone team, with the famous W. G. Grace to support them, London "Pnnch" ob served :— The Australians came down like a wolf on the fold, The Mar/bone cracks for a trifle were bowled; Our Grace before dinner was very soon done, Oar Grace after dinner did. not get a run. ; The Japanese Commissioners now in Melbourne are anxions to examine a few pounds of New Zealand wool, as it is con sidered the coarser kinds would be more suitable to their requirements than the fine Australian merino.

At a meeting of Brewers in Dunedin, on Thursday evening, & number ot resolutions were passed protesting against the new beer duty which they characterise as "oppressive and unbearable." Messrs Toel and Marshall were appointed delegates to proceed to Wellington to act in conjunction with dele gates from other parts of the colony. The lecture on " Reminiscences of Paris"

last evening, at the Yonng Men's Christian Association was largely attended, the room being crowded to the doors. The lecturer was formally introduced by the president, Colonel Haultain. At intervals Professor Swallow performed several pianoforte selec tions of a first-class character. Mr Larkins, who has taken great interest in the Associa tion since he reached this city from London, informed his hearers by way of introduction, that he had been in the habit of passing a portion of the year in, the French capital, and [bad therefore opportunities of seeing many things for himself. His lecture, how ever, whilst he did not omit to describe the beautiful scenery, streets, architecture, pic ture galleries, and life of Paris, was a review of the leading events in the life of

Napoleon the Third. He traced the Em peror from his early days, under the train ing of his gifted mother, the beautiful Hortense, his prison days at Hasa, his brief period of poverty in London, his professions of liberty after the fall of Laraartine, to the height of his power as the Emperor of the French. In fact, the outer life of this man, ■nho was a power in Europe despite his tyrannies, was sketched in a series of

vignette sketches, which formed a miniature history of a period within the recollection of living fpersons. The lecture throughout was instructive—far more instructive than would have been a discourse on Hannibal, or even on Napoleon's " Csesar." The lec turer did not forget that he was lecturing in a Christian Young Men's Association, and accordingly seasoned, his reflections on the character and events upon which dilated. IJe received frequent applause from the full audience, and at the close a vote of thanks,

proposed by Rev. Dr. Purchas, was unani-

mously accorded to Mr Larkins, who briefly returned thanks. The meeting closed with prayer. The next lecture on the 16th inst., will be given by Rev. Thomas gßuddle, on " Credulity and Scepticism." At a meeting of the Tuapeka County Council yesterday, a petition against the employment of Chinese labour was tabled. It is on the cards that a Jesuit College will be opened in Dunedin shortly.

The re-opening of Union-street Wesleyan Church will be the occasion of special services to-morrow. Sermons will be preached morning and evening, after which .collections will -be made in aid of the church-repairing fund. Corsiderable im provements having been made in this little church, it is to be hoped the services to-morrow wilH be well-attended and liberally supported.

We notice this * morning two excellent photographic views, Jin Pulman's window,; ,Shoi;tland Street.Tjof tEe, new bridge .over the Waikato river, taken by Mr Stecle. Mr' John Taylor was ; the contractor, and his work-bad' been- completed "in'the rriosti satis factory manner. ~:;:;, ~-We-learn-that-Capt. Worsp' has returned from* the wreck of the Reliance, and found her safe, bat on a bad position, on Shore.! Mr f Sibbin will sell her oh Thursday next.

<r The Stranger," a song by Mr Martin Swallow, another composition of a .local composer, has issued from the Auckland press. It is a song in three-fours time, of which the melody is sweet and simple and the harmonies and accompaniment scholarly and original. The words are by Jennet E. Johnson, and have very satisfac torily inspired the musicff Inharmonic changes of some intricacy render the piano forte accompaniment, in-one or two places, somewhat embarrassing at first sight, but slight study proves the difficulty to be more , apparent than real. .. Some of .the chords, too, require a greater stretch of hand than is possible for many people, but the omission of duplicate notes in the octaves removes ithe obstacle. ""The grammar of thecompo jsition is faultless, and some of the modula tions are, to use a word of Tansig's, delicious. If a second edition is required, we should ladvise an alternative vocal point being 'added at the cadence, which is far beyqnd, the range of most voices. There are one^or 'two misprints, but the production is,very, creditable indeed to the Auckland press.

The third monthly meeting of the members of the Auckland Institute will be i held on Monday evening, when several ! interesting papers will be read.

The anniversary services of the "Wesleyan Church, Onehunga, take place to-morrrow, the Rev A. W. Webb officiating in the morning and the Rev R. Taylor in the evening. On Thursday, 15th, a tea meeting will be held in the school-room, after which addresses will be delivered by a number of rev gentlemen. Tea on the table at 6.30 p.m. Tickets 2s each.

A very fine show of beef,'mutton, pork, lamb, sucking pigs, &?., atHulrae's, Queen street. In fact, it is seldom you see such a lot of really choice quality in a single shop. —[Advt.]

Sincp its formation, two years ago, the Court Robin Hood A.0.F., Panmure, has made extremely satisfactory progress, and the brethren have decided to celebrate their second anniversary by a ball, to be held in the old schoolroom, Panmure, on the evening of Friday next. The affair has been on the tapis for some time past, and the members of Court Robin Hood have been doing their best to make it a complete and. unqualified success. With this object in view, they have .engaged the splendid brass band of the Hoßson Company to provide the dance music. No expense has been spared in making the arrangements as satisfactory as possible, and a large 'bus has been engaged to convey .visitors from Auckland to the ball. The 'bus will leave the foot of Grey-street at 6.30 p.m. Double tickets ss, and single tickets 3s, may be obtained from Messrs Holland and Fortzer, Queen-street ; Mr Auger, Parnell ; Mr F. Christmas, Grey-street, and Mr Jas. Loomb" Panmure Hotei. We trust the anniversary of. this young and flourishing Court will pass off successfully. ; The conversazione of the Remuera Musi cal and Literary Society takes place on Monday evening next. .Besides the usual vocal and instrumental music, some scienti fic novelties will be exhibited. A large number of tickets have been sold, so that a thoroughly pleasant evening may be antici pated. Amongst the victims of the Grosser Kurfiist collision was Lieut. Fonquet, who visited Auckland in 1876, as a cadet in the Johan Cesar. A German contemporary states that the lieutenaut remained below trying to close the compartments, although all hands had been called on deck.

An amusing article appearsinthe "Timarn Herald" accusing the Duke of Edinburgh of borrowing a valuable fiddle from Judge Fenton and sticking to it. It says Mr Fenton thought of writing to the Queen but was dissuaded by his friends. He intends to proceed with action for it. In bidding farewell to Australian audi ences, Mrs Scott-Siddons said that she had been prevented patting forward her highest powers in the best dramatic worka through the obstinate preference of the public for second-rate sentimental plays.

Sunday services at the various denomi national Churches of the city are announced as usual. The evening service at the Theatre Royal at the hour of eight; anni versary services at the Onehunga Wesleyan Church, sermons (morning) by Rev Allan Webb, (evening) Key R. Taylor. Anniver sary tea-meeting on Thursday next. In the window of Mr C. B. Smith, green grocer, of Queen-street, a very fair sample of green peas is to be seen, among the first of the season, grown in the gardens of Mr Alexander Wilson, of Stokes' Point, Wood side. The Stokes' Point gardeners seem to be very early in the field always.

A large number of small prizes were yesterday afternoon awarded to scholars at the Grafton Road Public School by the agent and friends of the Scripture Gift Association. The very correct repetition from Holy Scripture by the children, and their carefully-written papers also reflected great'credit on the school and its managers. A most lively interest was manifested in the proceedings by all ages of scholars, sufficient to make the day to be long remem bered with pleasure. The Committee acknowledge with special thanks, the courtesy and kindness shewn by the teachers of theschoolinrendering voluntary assistance in their leisure hour to the Association's work.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Racing Club was held yesterday afternoon, Mr Dilworth in the chair. The balance sheet for 1897-8 shows an expenditure of £6S6Oslld, and an income of £1,000 13s 3d ; so that the balance in favour of income for the year is £314 12s 4d. The auditor reports:—"Last year I had the pleasurel of pointing out that the club had been a greater success by £217 than it had been the prtvious year. I can now congratulate the club oh having been more successful financially this year than last by £176, and than two years ago by £393. The effect of this improvement is apparent in the fact; that the amount due creditors is less this year than last by £209. I call attention to the income this year from rent of race course being £90 less, and from training fees £7 less, than last year. I wish to; direct attention to the concluding sentence of my last year's report.—J. Waymouth, i public accountant, auditor. August 9,1 1878." The report was unanimously^ adopted. The following gentlemen were; re-elected members of committee :—Messrs! Cosgrave, Banks, T. Morrin, B. Tonks,; Walmsley, and "Wynyard. The other! members are Messrs S. Morrin, W. McLaughlan, G. Johristone. C. Ring, R.l Kirkwood, and W.'-'GJ Marks. After a| vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting! separated. : . . j

The fourth of the course of popular; science lectures will be given this evening,! in the Hall on the Young Mens' Christian! Association, by Mr Josiah Martin, on Colour and Light. Dr. Young's theory! that,green, violet, and red are primary: colours will be demonstrated by some very! beautiful rotating discs, recently designed^ and prepared for Professor Morton, of New! Jersey, who was the first to illustrate Young's theory by this means, and who kindly procured a set for Mr Martin, and; which is to be used this evening with other limelight effects 'by Mr Dennes. The remarkable appearances produced by coloured flames, and the ghostly paleness of monochromatic light will be* exhibited! with other experiments. The telephone and microphone will also bo exhibited this; evening, after Mr Martin's lecture, to com-' at 7.30 sharp. . ■ ■ \

The Drury Outrage.

DEATH OF CALLA.GHAN.

The unfortunate man, Callaghan> who was so severely injured, at Druryy by thejman! Butler, theparticulars of which1 appeared-in the Star, died last night insthe Provincial; Hospital,.sat. half-^past eleven o'clock.,, Aj post.mortem examination will be held ,on: the body for the purpose.o£ ascertaining tlie! extent of the injuries, and an inquest will be held at the hospital on Monday, before Dr Goldsbi-6', at two o'clock.

CABLEGRAMS.

To-Day's Despatches.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL LONBn*, I - .CORRESPONDENT.) S The p'Loug-hlin^ Committee Bismarck Assassination a Canard' LONDON, Anrmat s v^he O'Loßghlm:CommitteehasalSei till next session. J^««iea; The attempted assassination, of Prin Bismarck. wa& a newspaper .canard. . [SPECIAL TO PRESS AGENCY.] Colonial Congratulations to EWi I Beaconsfield. n : The O'Loughlen Committee. The Marriage of Prince Louis r Napoleon. ■ • ■"^* LONDON, August 9 I A select committee of the House of Com mons adopted a proposal for theadjourn" ment of the decision on the Clare' election until next year, thus giving Sir Brian O'Loghlen the option sf being heard. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach requested this for the absent member. Prince Louis Napoleon is engaged to marry Princess Thyrza, of Denmark, sister of the Princess of Wales. The " Court Circular" to-night publishes ' in extenso a telegram received by the Go.'1 vernment from meetings in Sydney, Me); bourne, Ballarat, Newcastle, GraliaiQstown^ ' and Brisbane congratulating Earls Beaconi field and Salisbury on their action and ril suit of the Berlin Congress. -i The Australians are playing versus the Eighteen of Liverpool in the Stanley Park. ■ The Australians in their first innings made 233; Gregory, 70; Boyle, 68; A. Banned man, 32. Their opponents have 3 out of 5,

MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY CON FERENCE.

DEPUTATIONS TO MR BALLANCeJ ' (PER STAR SPECIAL Wlfflf! WELLINGTON, this day. A deputation representing the County: and Municipal Conferences waited oirthe^ Colonial Treasurer to-day relative £0 the' witholding of subsidies, which, the deputa. tion contended, was contrary to law.;:fMr Ballance replied that the Government believad they were legally entitled to actas they had done.■ - Where local bodies con tributed te the support of their charities all 1 the subsidies were returned. In answer to M a question whether the Government "would object to a friendly suit to test the question, V Mr Ballance replied that he would have to,", cousult the Attorney. He did not approve ■ of local bodies going to law with :the Go- " vernment on technical questions.

PARLIAMENTARY.

FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTERS §

(BY STAR' SPECIAL Wim).i

WELLINGTON, this day. CHINESE IMMIGRATION.

At yesterday's stting of the Honse .of < Representatives, Mr Stout, in reply to Mr - Reeves' question, relative to prohibition of Chinese immigration, said it would be time *; enough to deal with the question when the evil became felt. PARCEL POST. The Hon. Mr. Fisher said the parcel post had not been lost sight of, and would be carried out. CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS. In the discussion in Committee on the Civil Service Amendment Bill, Mr Swanson said he considered Civil Servants were already well enough off. The Government ..' should compel them to make provision for themselves. He objected to calculating pensions on the basis of the highest office. He did not see why provincial.officers should be entitled to these allowances; their '' time should be counted from the time when they famed the General Government. Provincial servants in Auckland were not entitled to pensions, and yet they, per- :; formed their work better than General > Government officials. The Civil Service V bills formed perfect study in themselves. In 1871, whole elections turned on the Civil . Service question, and the House then deter mined to reduce the cost of pensions, it having been found that they amounted to hundreds of thousands of pounds, r It was .5 said that these Civil Servants were pressed into the.service. He would like :tjO see that. He would like to see the press gang , about. His sympathy was not with -Civil Servants, but with the carpenters and ;: bricklayers of. Auckland, who before/hfe_-■>•;■ came away, worked only two days a'week in consequence of the weather. The present Government had promised retrench ment, but so far had shown very little _p£j;

it. .'■;■ : '.;. . ."N7*, . After considerable discussion," the^bill.;; was ordered to a further consideration on ;'v Tuesday. - - ' ■ • • IMPRISONMENT OF SMALE : • DEBTORS. AMUSING PASSAGE OF AEMS.

In Committee on the Fraudulent Debtors Act, Mr Macfarlane moved as an-aniehd rnerit, " That any debtor failing to keep books and accounts setting forth truthfully -v/,; the exact, state his business affairs, and? all such matters or things as are usually kept ; by persons in similar trade shall be liable - to suspension of certificate, with or without ; hard, labour for any period not exceedingly j months. „'- Mr Howe said not one-third of the mem bers of the House conld hear what was said. He considered the new clause suggested ■ contrary to all sense of right. [If Mr Rowe were in the Press gallery, not only would he not; hear one thing of what is said,' but- hardly one word in a dozen.] .■ ■ ■ '-^■r .■■ : • ■;■•■.'■ ; ..v.-' ;S Mr Macfarlane: Sir, I cannot make my« self heard in the manner the memberior •;" theiThames does.: I am not accustomed^ to ..:; speaking as he is.__ ■" ■' < -'':':' _."• ■ Mr Rowe : I cannot hear him now. I , am in ignorance of what he is aayinfr «! Mr Macfarlane : I should like the hop. v gentleman to explain what he means by ; "higgerance."; t ;, s, Mr Rowe : So far as I know, I didnqt ; ntter that word at all. i:~~¥- ■ Mr Barton, who appears to be chronically afiectod with " judgeophobia," had to usual fling at the Bench. He spoke against r giving them too much power, as tending JO make the public the slave of its o» , servants. ■ He . ventured to say, apt-hatt v^ the members of the House were competent to keep books in such a way as to escape coming under the clause. Many honoured and respected members of the Upper House could no more keep books than they could keep Saint Peter's keys of heaven. ' • / Mr Fox: Name, name ? v ; Mr Barton: When the hon. gentleman. ; teaches me to speak English I will give the ~ names. Although the Judges are ex- , perienppd and skilful, some of them are ao- soluteiy ignorant of book Ekeeping. He (»ir Barton) : knew more about book-keeping m than all the Judges in the colony. (Lau|h telfff v lf they left it to the Judges to decide these /questions they, might hear certain things at the clubsas to.-the way in' Wictt - a man kept his'books, and no man woula be Vafe.; If this were a matter for trial by jury,'then:there:;{would be a proper sate guard. There should not be conviction unless intention to defraud were proven. A Judee who might happen to get out at the'wrong 7 side of his bed in the morning might, have to sit on the case in which there was counsel engaged, who spoke a .little ■ '■ "...-. ' '■'~.v> ■ ■■•••■' ■'''■' '■■■-•'":- -\

EVEMNG SI All. SATURDAY AUGUST 10.



ON SAL E, ■ KEROSINE LAMPS Superior, " warranted good," BUTCHERS" KNIVES. Landing, ex 'Cerastes,' LINSEED OIL (raw and boiled) TUKPENTINE. H. P. SHROFF. HIGH-STREET (opposite Police Office). ■ISnsW ZEALAND INSURANCE JJI COMPANY. FIRE AND MARINE. Capital .. .. -. - — - £1.000,000. Reinsurance Fund ana Reserve ... £125,000. Insurance against LOSS BY FIRB of every isacription of Property raay be effected with; tins Corupany. h Hulls Insured for the Voyage or Time: Mer chandise, Gods, and,, Freight •Insured,, by' iteamera and sailing vessels, 'Risks on Specie •nbieotto special arrangements. «3T LosaKf Promptly Paid. :.-. ,i , ftKORGK P. PTORCK, Manager. ! A BERDEEN POLISHED GRANITE; ■±$L] • ''■ 'MONUMENTS,'; ~<} v; . 1 , In Red and Blub, fkom Sa, "Free on board ship to any part of New Zealakd Inscriptions Accurate and Beautiful. Lists and Prices fbh'm from JOHN LEG GE Sculptor, Aberdeen. Scotland. ~ -.



FURNITURE— For., theDrawingroom Dining-rodni;'Library, Bedroom, * or Kitchen, on Sale at T. & H. : ■;,„ COOKE'S. _ Including Brussels, Tapes \j try. Kidderminster, Stair, Felt, and Dutch, on Sale at T. & H. ■-■-■,' COOKE'S..-...,- LINOLEUM and Floorcloths, all widths, :%j- BathvMats, in Linoleum and -~ :• Floorcloth, on Sale at T. & H. -:.;! '■■■*'<*lX COOKE'S. "- , ' , . , HEARTH RUGS, Door Mats, plain and wool boardered. Matting. Wool Mats, Bed-side Rugs, on Sale at ,« aVfeH-C00KEU..,.....-,. - IRON BEADSTEADS.—French, Half Tester, Stump and Folding; Iron Cots, all sizes, W^od Beadsteads and Wood Cota, on Sale at T. & H. COOKE'S. . BEDDING.— Hair, Wool, Spring, Cocoa Fibre, and Flax Mattresses, Feather Beds, Bolsters and Pil lows, on Sale at T. & H. COOKE'S. f^ LASSES.—Ghinmey Glasses, in Gilt, \JT Walnut, and Maple Frames. Toi let Glasses, Toiletware, Cane seated Chairs, in great variety, on Sale at T. as H. COOKE'S. PRICES.— As we import from the Eng lish Manufacturers, we are able to sell all imported goods as low as aay house in town; and, em ploying steam power in ourFac ory, are enabled to offer articles 1 of local manufacture at a very moderate rate. ' T. &S. Cookes. FURNITURE AND CARPET WAREHOUSE 67. QUEEN-STREET. E"~" N^COUrXgE NEW ZEALAND industries 1 to thegpeople of auckland;! Messrs. Hallenste n Brothers Desire to inform you that's RETAIL BRANCH OF THB ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY Is Now Open in Queen-street, opposite Theatre RoyaL To effectually Introduce their Goods and drive out the imported article, they have decided to SELL a Singles Article at the Wholesale Price. All Goods are marked in Plain Figures, for Nett Cash only. Any Article purchased and ap proved of, will be exchanged with the same courtesy with which It was sold, or if desired, the money will be returned. The success which has attended the New Zealand Clothing Factory's Retail Branches in other towns leads the Proprietors to believe that there exists a praiseworthy desire on the part of the Public to encourage New Zealand Industries, especially where superior advantages are offered; and your support is solicited onthis under . standing only. J.B.ROBINSON, .. MANAGER AUCKLANDJIBEANCH. SOLE AGENT FOX WERTHEIM'S ELEBRATED SEWING MACHINES THE BEST MACHINE IN THE WORLD EXTEA. Important Intelligence. A.» JLINABURY & C O HAVE DETERMINEDiTO LEAR OUT THEIR SURPLUSiSTOCK OF GENERAL DRAPERY, DRESS GOODS CURTAINS, FANCY GOODS, AND MILLINERY, AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES! FOP A ShortSETimk Only, previous to Stock taking. DRESS and MANTLE - MAKING on th Premises, at Reduced Prices. SALE NOW ON. A. LI N A BURY & CO.' S, 204 & 208, QUEKN-STRKET, AUCKLAND. —E WAKD AND CO.'S ESTATE A Final Dividend in the above Estate will be payable at the office of the undersigned on and after the Ist September next. By order of tne Trustees^ r< cakdno> Fort-street. July 27,1878. X*T ANT ED KNO WN. Just Opened, One Thousand Men's India Rubber Coats, at 7s 6d.-SAMUEL Coombes, City Clothing Mart, 92, Queen-street. ffTNION INSURANCE COMPANY fj OF NEW ZEALAND. C A.PITAL - f12,000,000 AUC XL A N~D~ BRANCH: QUEEN-S T R E E T, Next he Colonial Bank. FIRE DEPARTMENT. Insurants granted on Dwelling - houßen Stores, Shops, Buildings in whioh trade is oarried on, Merchandise, and Goodaof every description, MARINE DEPARTMENT. Hulls of Ships or Steamers, Merchanfllße of all kinds, Specie and Wool to United Kingdom, AT LOWEST CURRENT RATES' :.;,.(, , ,';; ;:' Manager. CHEMICAL MANURE. The undersigned are now prepared to supply their CHEMICAL MANURE for Root and Green Crops, in any quantity. The following extracts, selected from numer ' ova testimonials, prove its value as a fertilizer. I believe it an excellent Manure for Potatoes. SEPH MAY. Mount St. John. It is tae best Manure I ever used. W. G. HARPE, Late Manager for W. A. Murray, Esq.,! . Piako. . ■ ,>. . i I am so pleased with its good effect as a Potato Fertilizer, that I shall require a further supply, and would strongly recommend its use. J. LTCDDRA'WALLIS, : Analysis of this season's supply will be ready; nafewdays. 'l'f"-['f,' :J ■"?' ir -;' ,- i!i-"X W. J. HURST & CO., | I !• :; ; .;101, Queen-street, Auckland. i !<! NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS, jg Beta.—The coup d'etat was accomplished' :;', by Napolean the 111 on the 2nd of Decem-1 •Ber, 1851. " /, ''] ~ )



FANCY 4/4 f FANCY', 5/4-1 CH IN A MATTING FANCY, 6/41 Just Opened. CARPETS, Tapestry from 2/11 C ARPBTS, Bruseel from 5/ Immense CARPETS. Kidderminster Vamety. CARPETS, Dutch and Jute ~ ~ YOU CAN y^^SV T^RnSP /rfC YOUR furnish y? & sy^^s. HOUSE Most Economically from our_Establishment. Largest Stock op Drawing-room Suites Largest Stock of -Dusting-room Suites Largest Stock of Bedroom Furniture Largest Stock of Flook Cloths, Linoleum Large&t Stock of Carpets in Auckland. BLANKTCTS From 11/6 to l^ffil 50/ per pair. BLANKETS , Mattresses, Palliasses, Bolsters, Sheets, Mattresses, Palliasses, Pillows, Slips. Mattresses, Palliasses, Bolsters, Cases, Ready-made. Ready-made. Ready-made. Ready-made. Ready-made. Ready-made. BEDSTEADS BEDSTEADS BEDSTEADS CEDAR, IRON, BRASS. KAURI, RIM U. Artificial Flowers, for Tables and Vases. DRAPERY, MILLINERY, MEN'S and BOYS' CLOTHING. £8" CATALOGUES SENT POST FREE. IS* Hollowly, ©arliek 8s Cranwell, CITY HALL ARCADE, QUEEN-STKEET, Auckland. Agent for the Genuine "Singer's" Sewing Machine. ■ YNA M I T ——— — To Arrive, per Queen of the West, now due from London— TEN TONS DYNAMITE DETONATORS, BATTERY, INSULATED COPPER WIRE, FUSE, Etc.. jKtO. DYNAMITE is the Safest and Most Powerful JExpionive in use. _ The Safety of Dynamite During Transport and Storage. Extracts from the Official evidence given before the House of Commons Select Committee on Hxplosive Substances— Parliamentary Ses- Bionoflß74 London. Boxes filled with dynamite have been thrown from a great height, and found to sustain any amount of shock without exploding. They have also been placed upon an open fire, when the dynamite burned slowly away without ex ploding.—Parliamentary report—Blue Book, ■ Dynamite has been in a railway collision, and, though the van and boxes containing it were broken, no explosion took place.—Blue Book, page 182, par. 2979. ■ • Maior Maiendie, R.A., H.Ms. Inspector of Gunpowder and Dynamite Factories, states, in his evidence (page 18, par. 100), that the law re lating to dynamite is as much too stringent as the gunpowder law is too lax; and (page 20, par 115) that the time has come for relieving safe nitro-glycerine preparations from such un necessary restrictions as the nitro-glycorine Act mposes upon them. ■ . __ _, . . , Professor Abel, the Chemist to Her Majesty s War Department, gives his experience that Nobel's dynamite is one of the safest, most powerful, and most convenient explosive agents applicable to industrial purposes.—Blue Book, pages 66,57, and 59, Agents: E. PORTER & CO., QUEEN-STREET. AUCKLAND. R,USHBROOK AND RrIDGMAN Respectfully invite attention to their Large Carefully-selected and Entirely New Stock of DRAPERY AND CLOTHING FOR THE WINTER TRADE, Comprising — Blankets, all sizes, ana first-class value Flannels, white and scarlet, all makeß Crimean Shirtings, All-wool and Union, in great variety of pattern and quality Winceys, plain«and fancy. A heavy stooK. "Good andTOheap," ajgood line at fid per, Fancy Dress Goods, Hew shades, In great variety French Merino, Serge, Satin Cloth, andßome "oecial Lines of Fancy Materials, bought a ob, and being sold at very low rates Alloa and Fingering Yarns, all colours Winter Hosiery, Umbrellas, Ribbons, Flowera Waterproof Twoed and Waterproofs A Job Lo of Children's and Ladies' Waterproof Cloaks, to be oleared out at much below regular price. Calicoes, Sheeting, Counterpanes Furnishing and Manchester Goods of every description . , Boys'and Men's Clothing of every description, Good and Cheap Hosiery Shirts, Hata, &c. __. _ _ ~ , Strong Material for Boys' Wear—Tweeda Mole kin, o duroy, Serge &0., &c. fee In order i sustain the well-known character Of the JUNCTION DRAPERY WORKHOUSE for Cheapness and Quality combined, R. and B procure their Supplies from the BEST MAR KKTS ONLY, and spare no pains to suppl their Customera' wants at the lowest price com mensurate with legitimate trading. % (1/ in the &) Discount allowed upon all Cash Purchases of 20/ and upwards. RUSHBROOR AND BRIDGMAN, DRAPERS, CLOTHIBRS, &0., JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE (Oppoßlte the Army and Navy Hotel), DPPSK QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND. Professor Stanich, the celebrated Pales tinian Aurist, who with wonderful success treats the Diseases of the Ear (deafness), from what ever cause they may arise. The Professor's stay in Wellington will be limited until the- end of August, after which he will proceed to his head quarters, Melbourne. Persons desirous of con-:' suiting Professor .Stanich will do well to do so at once, at, the Occidental Hotel, Wellington. There are "land rats and water rats," says Shakespeare, meaning tricksters on land as well 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. Accent none but the genuine. The blessing of old age is health and comfort. These are assured to the careful in middle age; but accident or misapprehension of the best modes of maintaining the system in a well balanced state of health often lead to the setting ud of diseases in the constitution, which show themselves in after life. Persons of 76 years of age have been cured by the use of "Ghollah's Great Indian Cures," which can be had of all Chemists. See testimonials. Eye, Ear, and Throat Specialist.—Dn Schwartzbach, Devonshire House, Hobson-Bfc. Hours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.