SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

at. M nMWP fTbia Afternoon, 3.7 SLN SET.—This Evening. 5.57 ?*T7N iUB^.—To-'iio-ro" Morninr. 5.15 MOON'S AG ;..—New moon, 3rd, 8 53 a.in.

ARRIVALS.

Haur^.ki, p.B . Oakes, from Waiiara (in the j Manukau.) VeriQ3, ketch. Kin?, from Napier, via Tairna | Eowena, s.s.. Sellars, from Tauraoga and j Mercury Bay

DEPARTURES.

P.ta. Teller, b^rqtie, Mossop. for Newcastle Christina, schooner, Edwards, for Napier Hav.'ea, s.s.. for Napier and Southern ports

EXPORTS.

P.-r Hav.'ca for the South: i psprs., i asle arm"-, 1 ca.s-.-E. Fortnr & Co. 1 case.—V. Tl!son3 £: Hoiton. 2,3>j oartrid^-s c°_se=, TOO cartridges, 74 casjs, 1 cbe-t. VAh-'£i ?.v±<L, 17-5 pkgs,72 oases fruit, 5 ca-es kindisrs, 1 boat, 4 casks, 20 coils -svire-

PROJECTED DEPARTURES. For Sin Francisco—City| of Sydney E.U.s., April 2 For Sydney—Rotorna s.=., April 2; "Wakatipu, s.s., Ap'ri: 20 For London—Lorraine, barque, early; Chili, ship, early For Sjdney arrl Me'bo-arne—Hero, s.s., April 5. For Leraka—Kymphe, srfiooner, Monday nest; Ma^e'iian Cloud, schooner, early For Tauranga and the South—Havrea. s.h., this afternoon „ „, For Taranaki and the South—Taiaroa, s.s., Tues^ar, 23d: Taranaki. Tuesday, G:h; - Taiaroa, Wednesday, 17th: Taranaki, Tuesday, 23rd : Taiaroa, Tuesday, 30th

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Wolverine, H.M.S., froTi Lj-ttfilton, daOy Saxon, schooner, from Lvttelton, early Resiles 3, brii-, from Newcastle, early Coronet, schooner, from Rarotonga, early Fiirt. brigar.tine, from the Islands Sapphire, H.~51.5., from Samoa, early Mendoza, barqae <Q,G.L.F.i, from London,

saild Dec. iith- Qaeen of the West, ship 1.T.H.V.K.) from London Ceucadia. ship 'J.M.T.B.i. from London, eariy Craigee Lee, barque (W.H.K.8.), from London. Arabella, barque (R.P.Q.V.), from London;

siUed January 17 Spirit of the Dawn, barque (H.T.TC), from London : sailed February 11; Aiekshaw, barqne (W.T.F.L.), from London,

Canmori

barque, from London; sailed 13in

City of Sydney. It. M.s., from Sydney, April 2 Belia Mary, barque, from Hobart Town Pearl, ketch, from Rarotonga Sophia R. Luhrs, barque, fromNe-.v \or>< Ch'aryfcd!3, schooner, from the Islands, early Omaha, brigantiae, from Chatham Islands,

eirlv Ryno b-igantine, from the Islanrl3 Fiery Cross, schooner, from Lyttelton, early.- Gael, schooner, from Dunedin Linda Weber, ec .ooner, from LrtteltOß, eariy

ESTBBED I.NV.-ARD.?.—Firefly, schooner, from Wargaproa, with 53 bags} potatoes, and 205 pumpkins ; South Carolina, cutter, from Boerra, King Bay, with 50 tons firewood; Golden Tsle, Bchooner, from Rus-x-U, with 93 tons coal; Mana, cutter, from Tairua. with 27,000 feet sawn tiTibar. Speedwell ketch, "from Tharnc-s, in bali.'«t; Catherine, cotter, from Great Barrier, -vvifh 9 head cattle, and 10 tons firewood; Adah, kpteh, from Thames, in ballast; Lady of tlie La'r:e, ketch, from the Orewa, with IC.OOO feet iunk timber. Cleared Outwards — Ettie white, cr.tter, for Thames, with C tons hay ; South Carolina, cutter, for Blind Bay, Boerra, in ballast; Fire fly, schooner, for the Wade, with 07) feet timber, 2 tons boneaust, 1 ton flour, 15 pkgs. sundries. Speedwell, ketch, for Russel', in ballast; Catherine, cutter, for Port Fitzroy, with \ ton of flour. I ton of sharps, and 2 bags sugar : Lady of ths Lake, ketch, for the Orewa, in ballast. SVrhe s.s. Hawea leave 3 this afternoon for Napier arid Southern poris, with a general ca-go arid the following passengers:—Mr and 2.ITS Kitchen, Mrs Ryder and son, Mr and Mra Macionali, Mi?s Ho'inan. Master Edgecombe, Me s-3 Fraser, Kitchen, Roper, Canon, Go-.ver Tnvn=ent?, Kinsley. Polling, Crower(2), Oliver, Hammond, Leigh, Williamson, Gill, Smith (2), Bates, Maitland, Tury, Mofflin, Bowen, Cann, and 10 steerage. The schooner Ellerton cleared at the Customs tn ray for Wangapoa, where she 13 to load with limber for Timaru. The s.s. Rotor oa may be expected to arrive in harbour on Sunday evening, and will leave again for Sydney on Tuesday ne?^ The s.s. City of Sydney i 3 announced to leave for San Francisco on Tuesday next, Ifive hour 3 after her arrival from Sydney. The bsrque Mendoza from London to Auck land, is now over 100 day 3 oat, and imay be expected to arrive at any moment. She left on December loth. The «.s. Hero maybe expected from Sydney and Melbourne about Sunday night or Monday morning. Bhe is advertised to leave again on^ Wednesday next. The ship Fontenaye is turning oat her cargo in excellent condition. Tlie p.s. Hauraki arrived in the Mannkau late yesterday afternoon from Waitara with a cargo of live stocK. She is advertised to return this evening. The ketch Vemi3 arrived in harbour last evening from Napier viaTairua with a cargo of timber loaded at the latter place. The barque Sea Toller, Captain Mossop, sailed at an early hour this morning for New castle, N.3.W., where she i 3 to load with coal. The damage done to the s.s. Transit by her submersion in the W airoa River, has been found to be very slight. She therefore commenced running again to-day. The schooner Lady Don ia to sail from the Manukau to Aratapu Mills, Kaipara, to-day, to load with timber for Lyttelton. The schooner Christina sailed for Napier last evening with a full cargo of timber, railway iron, &c. The s.s. Argyle will arrive in harbour from Wangarei and Mangapai to-morrow morning. The chip Canterbury left Port Chalmers yes terday for London with a cargo valued at £CfUG2. The s.s. Go-ahead left Gisborne for thia port ye3terday, and she may therefore be expected in harbour to-morrow. Tho s.s. Rowena, Captain Sellars, arrived this afernoon from Tauranga and Mercury Bay, wrha cargo of wheat, Sec, and the following pssengers: Messrs Joyce, Clark, Brodrick, iilosam, Chadwick, Michell, Merret, Smith, Savage, Chase, Wright, and Chasher. She leaves ngain to-morrow afternoon, We learn that the brigantine Borough Balle left Sydney on the 16th with a cargo of bone du3t for this ports. The schooner Vixen ia telegraphed as having arrived at Manukau Heads this afternoon, from the South,

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Tauranga, this day. The b.b. Rowena arrived from Auckland with passengers and cargo last night.

KAIPARA SHIPPING.

Arrivals at Kaipaia : 25th, Hannah BJoom fleld, from Wellington; Prince Alfred, brigan tino, and Derwent, brig, from Lyttelton. The barque Palace and brigantine Exonia are at the Heads, bar bound.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

J.lAir.3 Y/ILT., CI.OSK A3 UNDER \—

For Thames, to-morrow at 9.30 a.m. and 5.30

p.m. For Waiheke and Coromandel, per Argyle, to

morrow, at 2.30 p.m. For Tairoa. per Mana. this day, at 4.30 p.m. For Port Fitroy. per Fairy,to-morrow, at 10a.m. For Kawau, per Heather Bell, to-morrow, at

noon For Wiiitianga, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Rowena, to-morrow, at i p.m. For Napier, per Pretty Jane, to-morrow,

at 4 p.m. For Waiwera, Mahurangi, Matakana, Manga ■wai, "Waipu, Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Anne Milkb-'.nk, on Saturday next, at 10 a.m. For Norfolk island, per Southern Cross, on

Monday, Ist April, at 9 a.m. For E.us3ell and Kawakawa, per Taupo, on

Monday next, at 3 p.m. For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongopui, per lona, on Monday next, at i p.m. Per s.s. Taiaroa, on Tuesday, 2nd April, as follows :— For India, China, Mediterranean Port 3, and Continent of Europe, at 5 a.m. For Taranaki, Southern Provinces, Aus tralian Colonies, United Kingdom, via Suez and Southampton (for letters specially ad dressed), and via Brindisi, at 5 a.m. For money orders and rfegistered lettcre, the previous evening at £ o'clock. For Australian Colonies, par Rotorua, on Tues day. 2nd April, at 1 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at noon. Late letters for Sydney and Melbourne, till

1.20 p.m. Per s.s. City of Sydney, on Tuesday, April 2nd' 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 money orders, registered letters and newspapers, at 1,30 p.m. Late letters bearing an extra fee of sixpence in addition to the post age will be received by the Mail Agent on board the steamer up to the time of sailing.

S. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION.

National Bank-Buyers, 72s 8d; sellers. 753. Colonial Bank-525; buyers, 51s. 3 6d; buyer*, *6; KSh^^/Door CO.-SlOlO3. Moanatairi— Bayers, 639. jUburnia—s7s6d; Sellers, 56a. Kurasiui Hill—Buyers, 9s. Cure—ss 6d, 6s 9d. Bhma«* jggg&^MAN, Chairman.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

" W.J.N.—The Earl of B^-aconsfic-id was brought up in the Protestant faith, and is a member of the Church of England. An Act enabling the Jews to sit in Parliament passed the British House of Commons in July, 1858, arid in the same momh Baron Lionel Rothschiid. who had been returned several times previously, took his seat for the City of London.

DEATH.

DOWNKS.—On March 27th, 1373, 6t ;ho Aurora Hotel, Victoria-street, -Mr. Patrick H. Downes, aged 45 years. The funeral will take place to-morrow (Friday), at 3 o'clock. Frienda please accept thi3 invitation. HAWKINS.—On March 16th, IS7B, accidentally drowned at Northern Wairoa. Mr. Thomas Hawkins, aged M years, late of Melbourne.— Melbourne papers ijlea.se copy. KEAN.—On the 27th March, 1.573. at hsr parent:.' residence, corner of Wellesley and Albert streets, Mary Ethel, youngest daughter of Wiljiain and Sarah Emily Kean, Jan., o.^i 10 months. The funeral v. iil leave at i o'clock p.ni.on Friday next. Friends will please accept this invitation.

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1878.

£«t &s cant tfcit k-da. usts-taaca, Fci (See i»ca£ thil -c--.il :-'..-.—i^'-', r-«r tfee fedre ia l-js d':.irrwe.

The Victorian crisis is at an end, and, a* we predicted, it has terminated in the triumph of the Representative Chamber. The Upper Hou.se has at last eaten humble pie by passing the bill which it twice before refused to pass, even at the risk of disorganising the whole government of the country. rihe oppoi« tunity which the rejection of the appropria tion afforded Mr Berry to cut down the civil service, and especially that portion of it which has been fostered by the Upper House interest, was taken advantage of to an ex Lent which carried dismay into the camp of tlio.se who were foolish enough to believe that the monied interests could control the Government of Victoria and overthrow, or at least curtaiJ, the rights of the people. With the absolute denial oi Imperial interference the hist plank to which they clung was knocked from under them, and there was no oilier course open but to fcurrender at discretion, or persist in an attitude which daily rendered it more necessary, on the grounds of national exigency, to ignore the Upper House altogether, and pay monies requisite for the government of the country upon the vote of the Lower House alone. The Imperial endorsement of the Constitutional attitude steadily preserved by .Sir George Bowen also conveys a severe lesson to other Governors who may be disposed to think that they passess powers in relation to a colony which the Crown does not exercise. The colonists demand perfect self-government and complete liberty to work out for themselves the solution of those political complications which will arise occasionally in every country, and the plain lesson of the Victorian embioclio Ls, that they will be supported in their demand by the Home Government.

Tim Borough Council of the Thames has taken the initiative in a proposal for the formation of a Municipal League to secure combined action in .all questions affecting municipal bodies. The matter in worth attention. Last year, the City Council of Auckland attempted to ob tain legislation upon a subject of vital importance to the borough, but failed, owing to the great difficulties that are .encountered in gaining attention for local matters in the colonial legislature. A Muni cipal Conference met in Wellington to frame requisite amendments in the flood of crude, unworkable local government bills which have been rushed undigested through the Assembly, and then foisted on the Corpor ations foradmiuistration; butthesuggestions framed by the Conference have passed unheeded, and'the considerable sum spent upon its deliberations is so far wasted. The Bating Act, under the provisions of which the whole of the local rating throughout New Zealand must bo carried out, is so seriously defective that it is a question whether half the rates levied in the colony could be legally recovered. Instances of most glaring defect in the laws regulating local government might be mul tiplied indefinitely, and' the isolated efforts of individual municipalities are quite unequal to the work of effecting reform. The proposal submitted by the Thames Borough for the creation of an organisation which would take action in these matters is the only one that is likely to do effectual service. The labours of such a combina tion, expressing the practical experience of the municipal bodies, should be extremely useful to the legislature in framing good workable laws for the management of district affairs. The bulk of the Acts introduced into the Assembly are bad hashes of English or colonial statutes, which—however well suited to the requirements of tho insti tutions for which they ■were originally designed—requirejconsiderable modification to adapt them to the altered circumstances of our own colony. The hurried revision which is bestowed in committee of the Houses of Assembly is not calculated to increase the unity of the original design, nor improve it as a workable statute. A thoroughly good law must be moulded to the wants of the people for whose government it is intended, and those wants can only be ascertained fully by those who have an intimate practical acquaintance with the lcoal

administrative difficulties. The letter from the Thames Borough read at the Auckland City Council meeting a fortnight ago seems to nave passed into the lumber room of the city archives, from whence, without special effort, no document ever returns. It certainly merits a better fate, and we are jrlad to notice from a Dunediu telegram that the importance of the proposition has been at once recognised by the Councillors of the Southern metropolis, a special meeting having been set apart for its consideration. This sensible step may prove the means of exciting the interest of other municipalities, and of leading ultimately to the importation, of local knowledge into the construction of the laws by which we are governed. -

We would remind shareholders in the New Golden Pah Goldmining Company (Limited), that the extraordinary general meeting takes place to-raorrow afternoon at Mr liandersoos office, Insurance Building.?, at 3 p.m.

The £25,000 loan accepted by the City Council was the supplementary Waterworks Loan. Some people have contused it with the £5,000 of debentures on the Endowment Loan, tenders for which are still called for at not less than par. Now that this loan has been floated the extension of water-pipes to streets where they are not at present will be immediately proceeded -with. Mr Errington has already prepared plans and specifications.

On Tuesday afternoon, when Detective Jeffrey was walking through the rooms of the Working Men's Club, a man presented a ticket and asked for a drink. The caterer thinking he was not a member called the secretary, who asked him if he were a member. He said yes, and shewed the ticket. The secretary asked his name, and he replied Vivian. No such name ap peared on the books. Of course he was not supplied, and walked off, How the ticket came into his possession lie did not stop to explain. It is said that Vivian is employed at one of the hotels, and it is surmised that the object was to test whether the Club adhered to its rules. As the matter turned out the Club was vindicated, but this should make members very careful how they use their tickets. It is scarcely credible that any member has wilfully lent himself to a trick to entrap the caterer.

We have received the following jottings from Taranaki: A messenger was sent by the great chief Kewi Ngatinianioj o, through Mr Jones, of Mokau, to the Native Minister, that he (licwi) from that time was a Govern ment man. The message was duly de livered. Majoi Atkinson's meetings at Taranakijwere perfect failures, the meetings being packed by every late Government officer aud civil servant that could be got at. Some time back a native official asked the biggest chief in Mokau why he let the pakehas remain there. The chief replied that they were new pakehas that had never quarrelled with them, and they liked them, and got on very well with them, and why should they be driven away? The official offered the chief a large sum of money if he would turn them off, but he would not. He then tried another chief, with even a less satisfactory lesult, as this chief was ho indignant that he very soon, instead oi turning off the pakehas, sent the Native Department oiiicial oft' to T tranaki in rather an undignified manner. The right-thinking people of Taranaki being informed of this got up a petition to the late Government asking the matter te be inquired into, but no notice of the petition was taken by Major Atkinson and his party. Perhaps when ii. again comes before the House the late Premier will be able to give a satis factory explanation of such extraordinary conduct.

To the Editor : Sir,—l served Messrs as book-ecper for nearly four years, and was getting on extremely well. One day, how ever Mr X.Y.Z., of Queen-street, came in and offered a rather larger salary if I would enter his employ. Thinking the situation would be permanent, I consented to do so, and be lias never had reason to find fault with me. All indeed went well till a few days ago, when an impecunious relative applied to Mr X. Y.Z. for a place. Without an instant's hesitation, without even giving a reason, he discharged me, and I am suddenly thrown out of employment, which is very serious. I hope the publication of my case may act as a warning to others.— Yours &c, Cleiucus.

The merry hatters of High-street continue their dinner-hour concerts, to the delight of the neighbours. And yesterday a new song was introduced with a capital chorus, " Who's your Hatter" ? On hearing the harmonious voices of the hatters, a female inebriate in the police cell, who had been sleeping off the " heavy," leaped to her feet and commenced dancing in the liveliest manner. On Constable Hogan going to ascertain the cause, the old woman said, " hark, how can I help it? 'tis enchant ing."

The annual ball of the Loyal Orange Lodge of Otahuhu was held last night in the Public Hall. Nearly 200 people were present, and a, very enjoyable evening was spent. In our advertising column T. E. Hanna ford, of '.H'een-stieet, opposite Army and Navy Hotel, offers his services, for the extremely small charge of one shilling, to iill in the proper forms, obtain the necessary legal attestations, ami deliver thorn at the proper place, for parties entitled to votes?. Remember, Saturday next is tho last day.

Another of what arc termed " House " ericketmatchc3 will be played in the Domain on Saturday next between the employe's of Messrs Owen and Graham and A. Clark and Sons. Theso matches have now be come an institution, and are always en joyed, being so earnestly played.

A stamped newspaper half-jjcuny wrapper will be issued on April the Ist, and sold in bundles of not less than eighteen.

Members of the Auckland .Club are reminded by an advertisement in another column that a ballot takes place to-morrow, from noon until 2 p.m.

In concluding an aiticlc on the oppressive character of the telegraph tariff, in its rela t ion to evening journalism, the " Oamam Mail" says :-"No\v that those in power are not depending for their bread and butter upon tiieir receipts from a struggling mom ing newspaper, as was the case with Sir Julius Vogel, who was tho proprietor of the A ucklaud "Southern Cross" when the tariffs were fixed, we may hope before long to re ceive something like justice in the matter of newspaper telegram charges." We say amen most heartily. The telegram tariff for morning papers, it should be mentioned, is Is per hundred words ; foreveniug papers §d per word, or 4s 2d per 100.

A great deal of interest is being taken in a cricket match to be played on .Saturday next iv the Domain, between the employes of Messrs T. and S. Morrin and E. Porter and Co., ironmongers. Yesterday morning, while the former team was practising in the Domain, ouo of the players, an innocent young man well-known in connection with Amateur Negro Minstrelsy in the city, obstructed the passage of a " Shooter" with his left foot, and now bemoans a .seriously injured ancle, which is likely to prevent him from shining on Saturday next. Father Henncbery's converts to Temper ance paraded the streets of Kumara yester day.

Professor Agassiz haa, wo understand, recently estimated that a man's finger nai}B will grow 3,000 feet in 1,000 years if he leaves them uncut. The next thing to discover is how long a man's nose will become in half that time if he keeps poking it into business that does'nt concern him, and is of no use to the world in

general

No less than 1,399,330 dogs were taxed at home in 1877.

The Revisers of the Authorized Version of the New Testament met on Tuesday in the Jerusalem Chamber for their scveiity fiftli session. Thirteen members were present, the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol in tko chair. The company carried on their second revision to the closing portion of the Ist Epistle of St. John.

The Auckland and North Shore Rowing Clubs will play a cricket match on Saturday next, on the North Shore ground. Should the weather prove favorable, some excellent sport may be anticipated.

• One of the English Life Insurance Com panies sent out a number of cards to its policy-holders, wishing them " A merry Christmas and long life." This is a tip for Messrs McMurdo and King. The Loyal Lodge auniversary at Otahuhu last evening -was a grand success. About 100 couples shared the active pleasures of the select ball. The City and Engineer Band, under the direction of Mr Impey, supplied the music. The whole of the pro ceedings were of an interesting and pleasant character. Many Auckland faces were visible in the hail.

There is nothing like presence of mind. A well-known surgeon was performing a diiScult operation at one of the London Hospitals the other day, when suddenly the patient died. After a short interval the doctor, turning to the assembled student?, said, "I shall now shew you, gentlemen, howl should have completed the operation had the patient not succumbed."

A little boy named Alexander McCanrish was arrested this afternoon on a charge of stealing cakes, value Bs, the property of Mr McKeown, baker. The boy had been in the service of a Mrs Mills, and obtained the cakes in that lady's name. He called for Is worth each morning, and on being arrested acknowledged that he had the cakes and shared them with his mates.

Another wonderful instance of animal sagacity might have been seen on the Onehunga road yesterday. A man who had bought a pig in town was taking it home, but happening to call at too many public-houses he got so drunk as to be scarcely able to stand. The faithful pig, becoming aware or this fact, immediately tightened the cord which was attached to his leg, so enabling iii=s master to retain liU equilibrium. When last observed, the sagacious animal was piloting his inebriated buyer slowly bdt surely back again whence they came.

It was stated yesterday at the annual meeting of the Acclimatisation Society, that the gardens in the Domain had been visited during the pa3t year by nearly 5,000 person.-, that the gardens would have a better appearance in future, and that in the course of a few years they would pay expenses. A deputation of the North Shore Ferry Company waited upon the Hon. the Native Minister yesterday for the purpose of ascertaining what the Government intended to do in respect of the subsidy for running the Company's boats to Stokes' Point from the wharf, as no provision had been put on the estimates for the service. The Hon. Mr Sheehan informed the deputation that the Stokes' Point Ferry service would be main tained until the 30th of June, on it.=) present basis.

A man named Lervy, residing at Partin, has been tried by the Correctional Tri bunal of the Seine for throwing vitriol on three young girls. He was in love with a young flower girl, but the latter refused his advances on the ground that he was of intemperate habits. He resolved to revenue himself by disfiguring her features, so that no one else should marry her. He watched for her on a dark night, and fancied that she was one of a group of three, passing along the street. Unable to dis tinguish his victim he thiew the sulphuric acid over the three, but afterwards fouud that his sweetheart was not one of them. Next morning lie offered some money to the taother of the victim for the damage done on the clothing of the latter (the mischief does not seem to have gone further), but the proposal wa.s refused. He fled from Partin, and has been sentenced, by default, to four months' imprisonment. It is said that the Garter vacant by the death of the Marquis of Ailesbury will be given to the Earl of Bradford. There is, however, an idea ailoat that her Majesty will confer it upon the Earl of Beacons field.

A meeting of the Ladies' Christian Asso ciation was held at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association at half-past three this afternoon.

The settlers of Wanganui contemplate a theatre in their midst, and have already issued ix prospectus; capital £6,000, in 1,200 share.-; of £5 a share.

A Correspondent signing himself "Ci'izen" writes us a letter somewhat too lengthy for insertion, called the "New Ord nance Railway Carriage," which appears to be a kind of moveable fort. He thinks it would be an admirable method to defend the Colonies :— " If," he says, "a railway were constructed in a direct line from the Auckland Flag staff Hill to a poiut to be determined upon commanding the north passage, and an ordciance carriage and G4-pounder as above described, mounted thereon, the gun would be in a position io sweep any point of the north and south passages on each side of Tiritiri, and thus materially con tribute io the defence of the approaches to the inner harbour."

Messrs Brown and Sons, of Shortlaud street, are offering pianos, concertinas, and (lutes at Loudouprices, but the offer'will only hold good for a short timo. A large assort ment of popular ballads are offered at reduced prices.

Our London correspondent forwarded tis his monthly letter per Chimborazo, but owing to the accident to that steamer, ithas arrived rather late in the daj'. The follow ing items may prove interesting :—Parlia ment lias opened peaceably enough, and everybody is relieved to find that there is no immediate intention of asking for a heavy vote. In commercial circles the depression continues so severe that any idea of in creased taxation is terrible. The iron workers are now drinking their cupof agony to the dregs', the result of repeated stiikes and working short time. lit Sheffield and South Wales the people are actually and literally starving to death, and we are only threatened with something like the Indian Famine in miniature at home. Everywhere trade is slack, and the rising of the Caiires at the Cape has not improved the outlook. Then there is that old Jezebel, Isabella of Spain, trying to ferment mis chief in her sou's kingdom, and repeating the abominations of her younger days; then you have the Irish members threatening a rising of Fenians, and screaming their de fiance that " England's difficulty will be Ireland's opportunity" ; the Queen writing to the Czar to ask liis pity for her old friend the Sultan; Bismarck grinning in his country solitude at the complications which he can see rising; Austria and Italy nervous and watchful; Greece in a state of violent fermentation ; Franco with her humbled Marshall eating dirt pie made by Gambetta; the "Daily Telegraph" fetching out its daily dose of blood and thunder ; and Cleopatra's needle reposing quietly in the Blackwall Docks. Here is a pretty kettle of fish !

The nominations and acceptances for the Taranaki I'aces are unusually good. The "Kumara Times" 'states that a plucky act, which in. some- way escaped observation at the time, was performed on the day that Sir George Grey visited Kumara, by Mr George Martin, it appears that while the address from the miners of Dillmau's Town was being read, a boy named William JS Tidd, between 8 and 9 years of age, fell into a hole containing some 15ft of water. Martin immediately jumped in, and with some difficulty, owing to the steepness of the sides of the hole, succeeded in rescuing the drowning lad. In November, 1874, Martin saved another life in Grcymouth under somewhat similar circumstances.

" Morality " complaius of the annoyance to respectable residents in Cook-street from certain houses of ill-repute there, owned by a very rich man. .In cases where a neigh bourhood sutlers from this cause a petition of residents sent to the Inspector of Police will always roccive attention. The columns of a newspaper are hardly the place for the ventilation of such grievances.

AttheSuiremo Court of Hokitika yes terday a man named Earner was indicted on 12 charges of embezzlement and larceny.

The report of the largest trades nnion in the world, that of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, has been published. It shews that in 1577 the society expended £109,C00, making altogether nearly a million and a half of money siuce thefoundation of the union in ISSI. There is besides a reserve fund o£ £275,000. The report of the secre tary says: Trade depressed ; the engineerss trade is touched, per haps, more severely than any. Mr Burnett explains that the society only stand to their guns. Ji We have not (he says), in a siugle case, provoked a dispute, but have iv every case simply .stood on the defensive, the employers being the aggres sors. With great odds against ua in the shape of bad tiade we have held our own."

To the Editor : Sir,—That is a very good idea of the widow to expose bad payers. I think if a few of our local tradesmen were to adopt the sarno means of exposing a few of them in your widely circulating paper (especially snobs and snips) that it would be the means of making people, especially Government servants, either pay their debts, or of making them a little more careful in contracting such small debts. It seems to be a fixed idea with such parties that such debts can't be recovered, as the expense of said recovery 13 generally greater than the value of them. By inserting the above in your valuable paper, you will oblige.— W. B. Meldeum, Shortland ■treet.

CABLEGRAMS.

Latest War Notes.

Russia Enticing" the Porte into an

Alliance.

Russian Opinion of England's

Intentione.

Troop 3 Evacuating Turkey

Caosize in the Channel

400 Lives Lost

St. PETEKSBURGH, March 25.

The Empercr is inclined to reduce the terms on which he would be disposed -to accc-pt temrs of ppace, provided Turkey accepts the Russian proposal to enter into an offecsive and defensive alliance with her.

It is semi-officially stated here that the conduct of England in insisting on submis sion by Russia a3 to the terms of peace is an act of chicanery, done with a view to concealing offensive intentions. CONSTANTINOPLE. March 26th, lius=ian troop? are marching for horne.J

LONDON

March 23rd

The ship Eurydice capsized in the chan nel* Four hundred and four lives were iost.

AUSTRALIAN.

The Victorian Crisis Ended.

(PEE PEES 3 AGENCY)

MELBOURNE, this day.

Sir j Brian! O'Loghlen was sworn in Attorney-General yesterday. Mr Francis will oppose his re-election.

The crisis has ended. The Council passed the second reading of the Payment of Members' Bill, and the Assembly Avill take immediate step 3to introduce a new Appropriation Bill.

The Arawat? sailed yesterday for New Zealand. Sir John Coode Avas a passenger.

The Outbreak at Pentridge.

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

(Fhom Ouk Own Correspondent),

WELLINGTON, this day. Tue " Melbourne Argus," of the 14th, just to hand by the Albion, gives the following account of the outbreak at Pentridge : — "An extraordinary outbreak, which wa3 not quelled without considerable difficulty, and after a desperate resistance, occurred at Pentridge Reformatory, a little before mid night last night. There are about 170 boys aud young men iv this Reformatory, and some 40 of them, including a large number of elder boys, sleep at night in the dormi tory known as the lower ward, on the ground floor. The boys went quietly to their dermitory, and remained there for some hours without making any noise that attracted the attention of the warders ; "but about a quarter to twelve o'clock, they commenced to shout out " Fish, oh !" " Rabbits, oh !" and other street cries, apparently for the express purpose of draw ing attention to themselves. Remonstrances from the warders were met with yells of defiance, and all attempts to unlock the iron door of the ward were strenuously and successfully resisted. The disturbance was reported to Mr G. O'Duncan, Inspector- General of Penal Establishments. A large force of warders belonging to Pentridge Stockade was promptly collected for the purpose of restoring order, but the difficulty which confronted them waa how to get at the boya, who, by this time, seemed quite beside themselves with

EXCITEMENT AND PASSION. The long ward in which they slept was entered by means of a strong iron-barred gate, through which the movements of tho inmates could, if necessary, be overlooked. After destroying the furniture and bedding, the boys had piled the debris agaiust the gate, and behind this rampart stood yelling defiance at tho authorities, resisting every attempt to unlock the door by sinking the warders through tho opon bars with long piccos of stick. It was at first thought that they would be very soon dislodged from this position, but the task was found ex tiemely difficult. Directly any of the men advanced to tho doorway" they were violently assaulted by the boys, who pushed sticks into their face?, and hit them over the head and body. A variety of devices were adopted to drive the inmates back. The hose waa turned full on them, but this did not damp their courage, for they con tinued to yell out defiantly " We wilfresist to the last;" taunting the warders with cries of ". Come on, we are ready for you." Tho warders were instructed to get their rifles, and several rounds of blank cartridge were fired into the corridor over tho heads of tho boys. It produced no other result than to still more infuriate tho boys, who still continued to shout out—

"WE WILL FIGHT EVERY INCH !" "Come on; wo are ready for you." Mr Duncan directed a Jar^c table to be fetched. in order by its means to close tho upper part of the door while some of the men tried to unlock tho gate ; but this device did not succeed. At length, after the tight had lasted over an hour, a suggestion vras made that a man standing at the side of the door, pretty well out of the reach of the sticks and missiles of tho defenders, could, with the help of an American axe, knock away the lock of tho door. This idea was at once adopted, and happily it proved successful. Directly the lock was oif, five or six warders rushed up to the gate, and succeeded in drawing hack the holts, and thus secured an entrance to the dormitory. A rush was at once made into the darkness, font should be mentioned that the boys had turned out the gas at the commence ment of the disturbance. The warders were for a brief period engaged in a hand-to hand struggle with the inmates. It was, however, soon over, though not before some of the boys got punished with considerable severity. The lads were then handcuffed, by Mr Duncan's direction, and left in their dormitory till morning. So far as can be ascertained nothing had occurred to cause such an outbreak. What was the origin of it will, of conise, be strictly inquireofintq. Several of the warders received nasty cuts about the face and body, but no wounds of a serious character were inflicted, a i

MEETING OF CREDITORS IN THE ESTATE OF LEWIS BROTHERS.

The committee in the estate oftheJW, rnpts considered that the assets Wv*"' over-estimated by the debtorT «S'W-. asked Mr Waymouth to make a ' «£? h>i mated their assets at £29, 727 2s 9d The committee estimated thmr * s ■, value at £13 237. Heads and SpS values according to the firm rvXfl £9,906 S3 3d ; property and stock, £12 lv' London property £400; property' o V er security held by bank and others £34^ 2s 7d; ca*h in bank, £237 9 3 8d; 'cotsi^ ments, £150 ; cash in London, £3 o 6 . 7 .J^Q. (including: cash in hand in London, £1451 The committee's value on the same "

Debts.. £3,500; properiyand stock £7 000 ■ Lou don property, £400 ; property over secur! lty lield by bank and others, nil • cagk ]L bank, £287; consignments, £150'• cash In London £2,000; totaL!e,s £100 paid in fan h1^.1.1, less s possible claim to be made by the National Bank upon any failure, to real ise the .securities to the full amount ft was estimated the state would realise 7a 2d in the £.

A long discussion followed on Mr War mouth's statement,™ which Mesars Steven^ son, Htan, Lewis, Hughs, Hesketh, Isaacs and Morrin took part. It was finally resolred, " That the estate be assigned to Messrs E. Isaac.i, Kummer,"and Brown," and with this amended motion the meeting was brought to a close.

DINNER TO THE MEN OF H.M.S. NYMPHE.

About seventy seamen attached to H.M. ship Nymphe, including others from the Conflict, sat down last evening to an excellent dinner at the Hallway Terminns. Hotel. The dinner was provided ia the best possible manner by Mr and Mm Endean, and gave tlie utmost satisfaction and of which the joVy tars partook moat heartily. After the storing away of toe relishafale viand*, a number of toasts were successively given by the chairman of the evening, Mr John Laffin, of the schooner Conflict; Sergeant Ford acting as vice chairman. The toasts were "TheQueenand the "Koydl Family/ 3 "His Excellency the Governor, and Lady Norman by, "the- "Army and Navy," the "Officers and Lien of the Njniphe," the "Press," the " Girls," the " Host and Hostess, including the name of Mr Phillips, of the Forester's Anns," and the "Old Commodore," {Mr Fernandez). The Chairman, ia the course of his remarks, expressed the thanks of himself, the Com panyofH.M.S. Xymphe, and the gallant craft Conflict, for the hospitality that had been shewn them since they had "been in the port of Auckland, and especially on the present occasion at the hands of their good friends afc the Terminus Hotel. He was sure they would all recollect, with grateful emotions, that evening's eatertainment when far out at sea. On their return to the old country, they might be sent to the seat of war to give the Russians--not some of the Turkey they had been feasting upon, but Turkey stuffing in the shape of projectile.?. (Hear, hear.) Although he could not say their ships were "hearts of oak" he could say there were many jolly tars amongst them who had conquered the enemy hitherto, and would conquer a^ain* (Cheers.)

Mr Endean, the host, in reply, said that although he was comparatively a new comer ia Auckland, *he knew suf ficient from experience, . and from Mr Fernandez to know they were genuine good fellows. He had a profound respect for seamen, and had entertained that respect from the days when he sported among the fishermen oil the rocky shores of his native Cornwall, noted for its pilchards and ake. He begged to thank them on the part of himself and Mrs Endean for their hearty expressions of good-will. Zvlr Fernandez thanked them as the " Old Commodore." he was always glad to mingle with seamen, who were among ihe truest of men; they " Wore their heart upon their sleeve," to quote no less an authority than Shakespeare. He was glad to bear testimony to their soberity, good sense r and honourable conduct, since they had been at. this station.

Mr Candiih, steward, in proposing " The Press," said he felt a pleasure in doing this, as he, as well as others of the ship, had always experienced much courtesy from gentlemen of the press, who .invariably furnished them ■with papers gratuitously, aud which afforded much interest in lonely hours upon fho wide ocean. He would especially instance the Evening Stab, whose twinkle was pleasant as the sun glints of Aurora. The other speakers were, Messrs Collins, Allen, aud Jones. The evening passed in dancing and song; such songs as " Yo heave ho," " A blessing on the outward bound," " Hurrah for merry England," "The mariners song," eta, were sung, and tho utmost harmony pre vailed throughout, shewing that sailors, " blue jackets," as they are termed are men of intelligence, with, a keen seuse of right and wrong, and who know how, in the majority, to conduct themselves in a praise^ worthy manner.

THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN RELATION TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF LABOUR.

(To the Editor of the Stab.)

Sib,—A statement in your editorial of the 25th ; inst, that tho profits on intoxicating drinks i 3 much less than upon uniutoxieatinar, is so new that I should like io see the assertion demon strated. When I look at the fact that houses' for the sale of iiquor are generally very costly in their construction and adornment, that generally they occupy the best, aud necessarily , S the most expensive sites, and additionally pay.:' a heavy license fee. I can only account for the f-vet on either of the following grounds :—That ■ of great consumption, enormous profits,- or | partly both; otherwise, how could bo many ; houses thrive ] If the sale of non-'ntoxieants is so profitable, is it not st-anse that the least pro* 1 rttable business should be the most cultivated! This question materially affects the welfare of r the nation, for if true, as stated by Sir W. Gr« Armstrong, at the Social Science" Congress in -: 1870. that nothing- possesses value until labour has been expended upon it, how little value strtn? drink possesses, that is, a=) sn article of luauuf acture. for it has been computed that £1 ■ spent with the publican only gives aboutobb -.--. shilling to tLo artisan, while that sum spent on useful trades contributes from 63 to 153 to the - arcisau. It i 3 also stated that £60,000,000 spent in drink affords, employment to about 60,000, which if spent in manufactures would employ 400,000. Another important consideration is the better condition of the people in every I respect, increasing correspondingly with the decrease of consumption of alcoholic liquors* ;: The " Freeman's Journal," February 1542, when the duty on Irish spirits was £8&i.725, compared i with £1,434,573 in 1539. says: " The people, W& have abundant proof', are happier and better, and tho nation is more intelligent and pros- : percus. The increase in the Customs revenue levied in the port of Dublin wa3 £77,000." From a national point, of view the relation of drink

traffic to the happiness and prosperity of the ... pecple demands more seriouscousiderat.'onthan it generally receives.—l am, &c, E.F. [The simplicity of our correspondents query: If the sale of nor.-intoxicants is so profitable a is ie not strange that Ul3 least pi ofitabie business should be mest cultivated." is perfectly refresh ing. If the demand for tea. coffee, and ginger- g beer Jequalled that £jr the alcoholic liquors we should iiave no lack of vendors ready to culti- I vate the business. But people want the grog, and they don't want the tea, or if they do want I it, they make it for themselves, and hence the State of things which excites R.F.'b. surprise- Nevertheless it is an. undoubted fact that the profit off non-intoxicants is double that off . alcoholic liquors, and if an cqi:al Quantity could .., bo sold the vondor would reap a proportionally : greater harvest. The gross profit obtained by the publican on colonial beer 13 about 58 per cent; from ICngUsh beer 25 per cent: from the salo of spirits tho prolit is rery small indeed, on 1 randy not more than Ud a glass/ Out of this, the hotel-keeper has to pay all expenses, including license. Ginger beer, purr- ■ chased wholesale at Is Gd per dozen, soils at 33 - per dozen, and sometimes more—a hundred per cent; and tho proiit derived from cordials, syrups, lemonade, &c, is about the same. "R.F." can reckon for himselt what profit te» i and cofiep yield when sold at 3d per cup, the » ■•■•■ piico ordinarily charged. The statistics given In our correspondent's letter are founded on a fallacy. It may bo true that £60,000,000 spent on drink: returns a very small proportion to the artizan. but it must'bo remembered that the ■ chief cause of the costliness of liquor is i the heaviness cf the taxation on it. In the t m United Xi gdoin. rliu-ing 1876. the revenue collected by ilw .Government from the_sale: ss and manufacture- of liquor amounted to m £26,829,965, being one-third of the , gross

EVENING STAB, THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1878.



I FT NI O N INSURANCE COMPANY I KJ OF SEW ZEALAND. AiTTAL £2,000,000. '■' ciiLa 3s d branch ori:rn-s t re c t, NexS the Colonial Bank. TIRE OEPAKTMEST. Insuranc granted on Dwelling- booses, stores. Shop-?. B-ij:=Jii:£3 in which trade is carried on. Merchandise, and Good 3of erery description. TS.A IIIXE DEPARTMENT. HuHs of Ships or Steamers. Merchandise of all kinds, Specie aad V> 00l to United isdngdoin, at OffKeT CURRENT KATES. R. H. STEVENSON Manager. As LINABURY & C 0., DHESSHAKER3 and MLMNEES. NEW DRESS MATERIALS. A Large Assortment of Nev,- Dress Goods for ths present season, in c-> cry fashionable shade, Jo3t Opened up at A. LINABURY & CO.'S. NEV, r WINTER COSTUMES, NEW MANTLES, NSW ULSTERS, NEW 21ILLINERY, NEW HATS A Large Assortment of Paris Trimmed Hat 3 and Bonnets Just Opened up. Also, Hosiery, Silk Ties, Umbrella;, Collar3andCniEs, GioVes. Children's jiantle-3 and Jackets. Also, A LARGE STOCK OF NOVELTIES, Which ere Cheap, and will have quick sale. isr Look i>~ at "^a A. LIN A B UR V & CO.' S, 201 & 205, QUKKN-STREBT, . Auckland. JUST OPEN ED, A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF GEX TS' FAN C V SCAR YE S, New Shapes and Colours. Also, All Sizes in GENTS' WHITE SHIRTS, Military Fronts, button behind. W. UATTIIAY, CLOTHIER AND OUTFITTER, \T E W rf KAL AN D TT OUW B, 60, QUEEN-STREET. Ai'CKLiND. "l" /IOSG RA V E & /~1 O. WILL UOLD A GREAT CLEARING SALE OF MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING TO-MORUOW. All Good 3 Reduced to Cost Price Inspection Invited. BONEDUST! BONEDUST! BONEDUSTI Ex Borough Bello, @ Sydney, now due: A SHIPMENT OF THE ABOVE ON SALE, By the undersigned. As the seaaon is advancing, Customers would do well to book their orders at once, so a3 to have them executed from the ship's side, and save cartage. W. J. lIURST & CO., 101. Queen-Btrect. /~ILOVEU SEEDS, RYE GRASS, &C. Ox Sale, ex Late Arrivals : OLOVEE SEEDS, CONoISTIKG OF White Clover Timothy Red Clover Rape Cow Grass Trefoil Alsyke &c, Sec, Sec. Turnip AI-SO, 200 bushels ENGLISH PERENNIAL RYE GRASS 50 bushels ENGLISH POA PRATENSIS 500 Ib 3. INDIAN DOOB GRASS 1,000 lbs. ALKALPA 2,000 lbs. AMERICAN TIMOTHY. AXD A Fine Collection of Fau;i awd Garden Sei:ds. The above have arrived in flrst-olafis conditicu. Samples will be forwarded on application. Poverty Bay, Canterbury, and local ilye Graß3, Cocksfoot, Itatstail, Poaa Fescues, &c. &c, from carefully selected earcples, at lowest mar ket rates, W. J. HURST & CO., 101, Queen-street. rw\U AGRICULTURISTS & OTHERS. " W. J. HURST 8c CO. have on sale tho under mentioned Fertilizers, all of which have been proved to produce satisfactory results in this district. Experience teaches that largo and profitable returns can be relied on by a judicious and If them. The flattering Testi monials from leading Farmers justify \V. J. I-lurel & Co. in etronyly eomuieiidinK them to every Agriculturist:— MALDBN ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MKXK'.AN do. BELLS BONK FLOUR ~ JandS-inch I3ONISUUST BILLYARD'S No. 1 do. NITUATK OB1 SODA SULPHATE OF AMMONIA MURIATE OV POTASH SUPKR-PHOSPHATE OF LIME. SALT, SULPHATW OF LIME. Infaddition to the above, W. J. H. 8c Co. are prepared to supply ppocial Chemical Manure, for stimulating weak Cora Crops, and renovat ing Clovor-sick Pastures, as well as the Potato and Mangold mixture thut for the last two sea sons has attracted sucli favourable notice. Analysis, prices, and other particulars will bo supplied on application at the Stores. W. J. HURST & CO., 101. Queen treet. pi/SHMIOOK AND ORIDGMAN, GENERAL DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &C, JUNCTION DiiAPEItY WAREHOUSE (Opposite.the Army nd Navy Hotel), UPP E R QUE EN - S T li E ET, Auckland. five per cent. discount IS. IN THE &) ALLOWED ON ALL CASH PURCHASES OF 20S. AND UPWARDS. A GRICULTURAL RISK,?. THE NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY Is prepared to INSUItE against FIRE— Agricultural Risks, Grain in Stook or Stack, and Steam Threshing Machines travelling from .dlace to place. LOWEST CURRENT RATES. HENRY E. WILLIAMS,



A P O L O G Y. BY THE PROPRIETORS OF THK "NEW ZEALAND HERALD." AUCKLAND, sth MARCH, 1575. On the 3Q:n Jane last a telegram £ om Dunedin appeared in the columns c£ the " Herdl:." in re ference to Mr. Thoina3 Calcntt, of that city, of which he very justly complains, and calls upon na for explanation and apology. The paragraph had reference to Mr. Caicutt being required to attend the Supreme Court at Dunedin to give evidence in an insolvency case. Our telegram spoke of Mr. Calcntt as being in very indirect ciicurastances. The word indigent v.as a mis take for indignant. "We very much regret that the ni stake should have occurred and caused Mr. Caleutt annoyance or loss, as nothing was further from our intention than to cast any re flection on him. He consented, upon our j ay.'nz £10 10s. coits incurred by him. and a donation of £30 to the funds of the "Ocsgo Benevolent Insti tution, to accept our apology, which we freely offer. [COPY.] Donedln, March 14, 157=. Received from the proprietors of the " New Zealand Herald," Auckland (by the hands of Mr. Thomas Calcutti Fifty Pounds sterling, in aid of the funds of the Otago Benevolent Insti tution. £50. (Signed) RICHARD QUIN, Secretary Benevolent Institution. A stupid mistake in the transcription of a telegram receivc-d by it from Dunedin has cost the "New Zealand Herald" very dear. The message contained amongft other things a re ference to gome proceedings in Chambers, in v.hich, it will be remembered, 3lr. Calcntt, as trustee in a bankruptcy estate, was Eummoaed to give evidence; and in the process of trans cription thi3 part of ths nies-age nnderwent alteration in two essential particulars, which gave Mr. Caleutt great annoyance, and as he was advised, good grounds • f action. The "Herald" admit it was entirely to blame in the matter, and besides apologising to Mr. Caleutt. pays the law costs he has been put to, and makes a conation of £S0 to the funds of the Benevolent Institution. If Rheumatism assail you, or Gout, or Liver Complaint, or a genera! unhealthy tone, fly at once to your best friend—"Ghoilah's Great Indian Cures," the surest medicines known. They can be had ff all chemists. Charlatans are continually attempting to practice upon the health of the unsuspecting by the sale or adulterated, fiery potions in bottles of Uuolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Sctln'apps which have been emptied of their legitimate contents. The name of this celebra ted, elixir is also counterfeited to aid the swindle. Buyers should inspect the labels closely.