SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

CT-rntr w. T i?p i This Afternoon, 6.56 l-tii-rii waihk--j T O -m Ol , row Morning, 7.17 SUN RET.—This Evening, 7.18 SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning, 4.52 MOONS AGE.—New Moon, 4th, 1.42 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

Amaranth, schooner, from Raglan. Colsnist, schooner, Bailey, from Waitara.

DEPARTURES.

Ladybird, s.s., "Wheeler, for Tauranga and the . South. Hauraki, p.s., Cakes, for Waitara.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES. For Levuka—Christina, schooner, early For Naoier—Southern Cross, to-day, 5 p.m. For Gisborne—Go-ahead, s.s., to-day, 5 p.m. For the Soutn—Ladybird,s.s., Friday, 2 p.m. For San Francisco—R.M.s. Australia, Bth inst.

EXPORTS.

Per Mazepna, for Levuka: i 41,500 ft timber, Owen and Graham. 20 boxes soa'-,, 20 half boxes do,. 11 sks. pota toes, 2 do. onions. 28 cases do.. 4 kegs butter, 2 cases hams and bacon. 1 case hams. 6 bags pota toes 2 cases cheese, 3 tons potatoes, 10 boxes on'on~. 12 k-_rs butter, 1 case biscuits, 5 kegs be. f, 1 keg tripe, 1 case drapery.—Owen and Graham, agents.

The s.s. Ladybird sailed yesterday for Tauranga and the South. Passengers: Mr and Mrs Wilson, Mr and Mrs Moulden, Mrs Wheeler and family, Miss Wilson Miss Wheeler, Messrs Heale, Brown, Austin, Titchener, Ren da 1' Caulton, Espie, Martin, Prince, Harris Beaver Gillies. MeMurdo, Brissenden, Way mouth. Craig. Gardiner, Kelly, Canterbury cricketers (10), and 7 steerage.—Henderson and Macfarlane. agents. . The s.s. Wellington is due m the Manukau on Monday next, and the s.s. Taupo in the Waite mata early on Tuesday morning. _ mThe .--masted schooner Policeman arrived from the Thames last night in ballast. She proceeds to Russell to-morrow. Her object in coming here was to obtain nands. The schoouer Columbia has cleared tor Napier, with "40.000 ft timber to be loaded at Kennedy's Bay. SHMessrs Guthrie and Larnaeh have to-day pur chased the vessels lately belonging to Mr Howard, and trading on the West Coast. These include the schooners Amaranth, Atlanta, and Fiery Cross, and the ketch Wild Duck. The nrice has not transpired. A R-ood deal of anxiety is felt in town to-day a*-to the os use of the non-arrival of the s.s, Rotorua. She is known;to have left Sydney Inst Saturday, and as she very seldom exceeds five days on the passage, and we havelately had strong-westerly winds, there is no apparentcause for her being |a week on the voyage. The probability is that some of her machinery has become disabled. The weather has been fine enough and the friends of those on board need not fear anything more serious than that pos sibly part of the passage will have to be made under sail.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

"Sporran" sends us a letter from the Thames upon certain alleged irregulari ties there in connection with the Volun teer staff. His communication is, however, libellous. If the statements in it are true,

it should be addressed to the Defence Minister.

Poetical. —We have two long poems on hand. One designated a --Call to Ministers of the Gospel," being an appeal to parsons to aid, by precept and example, the cause of teetotalism. The other, seventeen verses of shocking rhyme, devoted to the Borough Council of Onehunga. We regret that we cannot hold out to the gifted authors any hope of their favours appearing.

A Ratepayer. — Election squibs, in accordance with invariable rule, must be paid for as advertisements, otherwise it is impossible to keep them within bounds.

Dealers of threadbare reputation in various parts of the country are continually getting up inferior imitations of Udolpho Wolfe's Schie dam Aromatic Schnapps, which they put in empty bottles of the great medicinal stimulant and sell to the unsuspecting. False labels are also used by them. Shun these inflammatory nostrums and persist in having the genuine article.

BIRTH.

RADEN.—On the 31st December, 1877, at her residence, Arch Hill, Mrs. Great Rea Raden of a daughter.

MARRIAGE.

PHILLIPS—STOW.—On the 25th December, 1877, at the residence of the bride's father, by the Rev. J. Taylor, W. H. Phillips to Sarah Stow, both of Auckland.

DEATH.

HIGGINS.—At Panmure, on the 2nd January,

Michael Higgins. aged 77 years. PHILLIPS.—On 4th January, at Newmarket, Alfred John Phillips, aged 24 years. The funer.d will leave his late residence. Kyber Pass, Newmarket, at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Friends are respectfully invited to attend.

WEST.—On Friday. sth instant, Sarah, widow of the late Veroni West.

Friends are invited to attend the funeral, which will leave the house, foot of Hepburn street, to-morrow (Sunday), at 3.30 p.m.

JOHNSTON.—On the lth January, IS7B, at her residence, Point Chevallier, Sarah Johnston, aged 57 years, relict of the late Thomas Johnston, late of the 20th Regiment.

The funeral will leave her late residence on Sunday, the 6th instant, at 1.30 p.m. Town friends will please meet the body at the Reser voir, Symonds-street, at 2.30 p.m.

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

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1878.

f __-«__ cause that lac-3-asat_--_-t, Per the wrong that needs lesist-toca, For the future In the distance, Ami the good tin- we eta da.

CABLEGRAMS to-day confirm the opinion we expressed yesterday that Earl Carnar von's statement meant nothing more than England's determination to preserve her right of consultation in any adjustment of Eastern affairs. Earl Carnarvon expressly disclaims any intention on the part of the English Government to bolster up Turkey. English mediation having been rejected, the Porte has now applied for an armistice, the armies maintaining their present positions during any negotiations that may be entered upon. The Russian response will be looked for with much interest. Coming to home matters, it is stated that a free pardon to Fenian prisoneis will shortly be granted.

Mr C. C. Bowen, ex-Minister of Justice, has addressed his constituents at Kaiapoi. His speech contains nothing new, nothing very remarkable. He regards, with a very great amount of complacency the abillity and general capacity of the late Govern ment, and thinks the country should have rested happy on their assurance that the Cabinet would have been prepared next session to introduce marvellous reforms. Mr Bcwen is infected with that remark able self-sufficiency which distinguished the late Ministry. He cannot yet realise that the colonists had lost all confidence not merely in the capabilities of the Atkinson Cabinet, but likewise in its desire to bring down liberal and equitable measures for the Government of the country. There is no lack of material in Mr Bowen's latest deliverance to prove the accuracy of the popular instinct. In his opposition to tri ennial parliaments to a more liberal franchise, to payment of members, and his defence of the Land Bill which guaranteed the Canterbury squatocracy a renewed monopoly, there is ample reason why Mr Bowen should find himself where he is—in the cold shades of an Opposition unrelieved by the consolatory prospect of a comfortable berth such as that which he vacated when tempted by the baubles of political greatness.

Notwithstanding the general unanimity of opinion in favour of moving the Auck land Railway Station from its present in convenient situation to a more central site, some influences apparently at work within the Public Works Department, have been powerful enough to throw obstructions in the '.ray of the desired change. Mr W. Swanson, M.H.R., and Mr J. S. Macfar lane, M.H.R., waited on the Premier and Native Minister to remind them of the im portance of this work, and the Kaipara railway extension. A telegram was sent to the Colonial Secretary, which elicited the following reply :—

*• Re the Auckland Railway terminus, it appears that the Government did not agree to any plans, so far as the Department is aware. Your telegram apparently re fers to a proposal which would cost £30,000; tor which a substitute of a back shunt has been proposed, to cost £9,000. The question has been considered by each successive Ministry, but has never been settled by any, because it ap pears that the expenditure would not do the least good to the railway, but would seriously lessen the revenue of the Harbour Board. The alterations of the £9000 proposal would only give a platform and a small station shed. Perhaps it would be advisable to defer the discussion till the Jabinet meets. —G. S. Whitmore." It is clear from the terms of Colonel litmore's telegram that he is being ed as to the actual facts. The Government gave a distinct assu *m more than one occasion that -mid be placed on the estimates y cost of removing the station °.n-street wharf. While the cement of the work was con- In that the employment of men y day labour upon it was n, the matter came before •d on Captain McKenzie's ard almost unanimously 'tion to take adverse more—or rather those him—are, it would "or the revenue ot ■ the Board itself, large number of *rr-utages it is c Custom s rendered the sub menus of the pre •ternaf way

to the town end of Queen-street Wharf, or into Fort-street. Ths opposition of the Public Work"! Department, as indeed the original choice of Britomart as the terminus, is somewhat noticeable after the facility with which a vote of £10,000 was obtained to improve the comparatively insignificant terminus at Helensville. We think, how ever, that Auckland's interests may be left pretty safely in the hands of Sir George Grey and the Hon. J. Sheeban.

Mr William Buchanan elsewhere pub lishes an address to the burgesses of the city. He solicits support in the forthcom ing civic election ; and promises, if elected, to advocate economy in administering the city funds, and the lessening of present taxation.

The settling up in connection with the Auckland Racing Club's Summer Meeting took place at the ofiice of Mr Percival, Secretary to the Club, last evening. The following amounts were paid over to the winners :—Mr Walters, £726 Os 9d ; Mr McGee, £361 ; Mr Bolton, £265 ls; Mr Horsfall, £127 6s; Mr Edgar, £38; Mr Caulton, £24 5s ; Mr S. Morrin, £23 15s ; Mr Spencer, £9 10s ; making an aggregate total of £1640 3s 6d.

At a meeting of the Board of Education yesterday, the following report of the open scholarship's examination committee was read, and which stated that the full number of marks for the candidates were 730 for compulsory subjects, and 300 for optional, making in all 1030. The following were declared to be winners of the scholarships, with the number of marks ap pended to their names : —MacCormick, 500 compulsory, 137 optional—total, 687; Ainiel, 542 compulsory, 140 optional—total, 682; Steadman, 507 compulsory, 115 optional —total, 622. The report recommended that certificates of proficiency should be granted to the following : —Macdowell, 467 compul sory, 87 optional—.total, 554 ; Haultain, 457 compulsory, 78 optional—total, 527 ; Lawry, 467 compulsory, 39 optional—total, 506.

An application was presented yesterday to the Board of Education from the local School Committee of Helensville, asking the Board to erect a school-house upon a piece of land which the Native Minister was about to grant for that purpose. The Chairman donbtcd whether or not the Native Minister had the power to grant such land. The Inspector said that a school was much needed in the district, and the local Committee were prepared to give £25 towards so desirable an object. It was finally resolved that Mr O'Sullivan should make the necessary inquiries, and report at a future meeting. The hours, and particulars of Sunday ser vices will be found in another column of the present issue. Rev. John Still will preach in St Matthew's Church co-morrowmorning, in aid of the Melanesian Missions. The Theatre service Avill be continued as usual.

Performing members of the Auckland Choral Society are desired to meet_ for practice on Tuesday evening next. Subject, " Stabat Mater-"

At the conclusion of an entertainment held at Whatipu. Sawmills by Mr W. Mackune and son, on the 22nd December, a Free Templar Lodge was instituted, with 22 members. The following officers were elected :—R. Player. W.C.T. ; Thomas Hewson, W.V.T. ; David Coombs, W.S. ; H. Auston, W.F.S. ; P. Braugham, W.T. ; John Deehar, W. C. ; H. Perkinson, W.M. ; John Johnson, W.I.G. ; Charles Taylor, W.O.G. ; Sis. H. Braugham, W.R.H.S. ; Sis. Johanna Ruse, W.L.H.S. ; Sis. Elizabeth Perkinson, W.D.M. ; Sis. Alice Perkinson, W.A.S. ; Bro. John Deegan, P.W.C.T. A new set of regalia was purchased.

The Waiwera Hot Springs continue to attract large numbers of visitors from all parts of New Zealand and the neighbour ing colonies, and the fame of the place as a sanatorium is rapidly increasing. At this season of the year, when nature appears in her brightes robes, the appearance of the Waiwera is very picturesque, and with the cool sea-breeze, and the many quiet and cool retreats which abound in the neigh bourhood, the visitors can enjoy a quiet --troll, and admire the surrounding scenery. The gardens adjoining the hotel have been very much improved, and are now decked with the brightest flowers aud evergreens, and many shady bowers have been erected in places which command a pleasant out look. The accommodation and all the arrangements of thejaotel are managed in the highest style of efficiency, while the assiduous attention and courtesy to visitors are equally remarkable. The invalid will find here every want and that curative treatment at the warm baths and retiremont at the hotel which cannot fail to restore the sinking or shattered constitution. Where the testimonials as to the efficacy of the baths are so numerous it is unnecessary to instance particular cases in which perfect cures have been effected, where every previous form of treatment has failed. Nor are the attractions of the place suitable alone to the invalid. The man of business will find pleasant retirement and rest, while the lover of active pursuits, or of the picturesque, will find ample enjoy ment in fishing, shooting, boating, aud beautiful scenery. The sanatorium is ex cellently managed, and too much praise cannot be awarded to Mr Graham for the almost perfect state to which he has, by great enterprise and outlay, brought the place. We have omitted to mention the fine [strawberry gardens behind the hotel, where visitors may regale themselvea ad lib. free of charge. The racehorse Magician has been sold by Mr Buckland to Mr R. Kelly for £100. Mr HiU has sold Golden Crown to John Thorpe, and we also hear that La Belle, the winner of the match on Thursday, has changed hands.

The Treasurer of the Orphan Home, St. Stephen's, Parnell, acknowledges with thanks the receipt from Captain Logan through Messrs Cruickshank and Co. of £11 10s, being the share aUotted to that institution of the receipts from the late trip of the p. s. Hero,

CABLEGRAMS.

Latest War News.

England Not ReadyT_to Bolster

Turkey.

Proposed Armistice.

Reported Release of Fenian

Prisoners

[REUTERS SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS.]

LONDON,

January 3,

Earl Carnarvon, speaking to a deputation of Cape colonists, said England was un prepared to bolster up Turkish interests purely as such. England had not offered mediation, as was supposed, by actual overtures for peace.

The Turks hold Sophia,

The Russians have advanced between Ikhman Defile and Sophia, cutting off the retreat to Adrianople.

The Turks propose an arraisticefon the basis that each party returns (?retains) whatever territory gained.

It is reported that the Fenian prisoners will shortly be released.

AUSTRALIAN CABLEGRAMS.

SYDNEY, this day. COLONIAL REVENUES. The revenue of New South Wales last T was £5,751,878, being an increase of 216 j Victoria, £4,512,261, or anincrease '49,998; Queensland, half year, *5, or an increase of £128,202.

Dr Sissons, while outriding last Tuesday, sustained a nasty hurt through a fall from his horse The doctor lias a habit of getting off his steed by throwing the right leg over the animal's" neck; on this particular occasion his foot caught in the rein and threw him heavily on the ground, causing a severe bruise to the shoulder.—" Northern Advocate."

The "New Zealand Herald" sheet almanac, issued with the paper to-day, like those of previous years, is a very neat specimen of lithography. In the centre the Auckland flagstaff signals, in colours, forms a useful and attractive feature. The whole work speaks well for the resources and advancement of Auckland in the finer branches of printing. An entertainment in connection with the Pioneer Juvenile Temple will be held on Saturday evening next. The price of admission has been iixed at the low sum of 6d.

At a meeting of the Waitemata County Council held yesterday, a special rate was struck in the Titirangi district, to be expended in the formation of the road and in bridging creeks. A meeting of the Auckland Shipwrights' Protection Society will be held on Monday evening, at the Temperance Hall, for the purpose of passing new rules. Professor Ben Allah's entertainment of magic and ventriloquism was largely patronised last evening. The performances were a number of remarkably clever sleight of hand tricks, which stirred the audience, and caused much wonderment. The hat trick and several others were exceedingly clever. The second part was the aerial suspension of a lady by PiofessorHennickie introduced by a three-minute lecture on animal;magnetism, in which the Professor eloquently shewed mesmerism to be a theoretical effect of a peculiar nature, capable in some mysterious way of produc ing remarkable effects on the human body, produced without the influence of a third person, causing a fixed state, and absolute repose of the tody ; a trial is most success ful on a susceptible grandmother of four score. The third part of the entertainment was -'talk by the way," in which Ben Allan displays his powers of song and ventriloquism in a remarkable degree through a trio of heads. This was also very entertaining, and occasionally set the house in a roar. The distribution of gifts was likewise amusing. Mr F. Smith was the fortunate winner of the couch. The entertainment will be repeated this even ing, and a gold watch will be among the

gifts. Much amusement was created last even ing in the Albert Hall, in the course of the gift distribution. The professor cried out "i 95, a bird cage of the Robinsonian type ; walk up 95." A fine young man of graceful manners and polished exterior walked up the centre of the Hall, when a full-blown red crinoline was passed to him, immedi ately followed by roars of laughter. The young man blushed as he returned with the envied prize, and subsequently it was found under his seat, he had gone home without it.

Many improvements are noticeable of late in the district of Newmarket, in the shape of newly formed roads, bridges, &c , and in order to keep up with the times, Mr Jenkins has decided to rebuild his Temple of Fashion. Mr McColl's profes sional services have been engaged for the work. It is proposed to erect a square two-storied edifice, in order to allow the whole of the ground floor to be used in connection with the front shop. The young ladies work-room will in future be upstairs. The present building will as much as possible be worked in with the new structure, in order to prevent the necessity of a complete removal of stock, fixture, &c. Mr Jenkins has had several unavoidable misfortunes in the past, which have temporarily checked his prosperity • but by indomitable energy and perseve rance he has surmounted all obstacles to progress, and it is satisfactory to see him and his Temple steadily rising m the world.

William Parsons, a zinc-worker, of Auck land, has manufactured a *' self-acting fountain " in his leisure hours, and which is on view at Allen's cigar divan, opposite the Theatre Royal. The workmanship is chaste, and displays much skiU and ingenuity on the part of the manufacturer.

The telegram received re the construction of the Kaipara railway, and published in our yesterday's issue, was forwarded to the Waitemata County Council by Mr J. S. Macfarlaue, M.H.R., and considered at the special meeting yesterday, when it was decided that the members present should wait in a body on Mr Stewart, Resident Engineer, and ascertain from him whether it were not possible to complete the surveys in less than three months. Mr Stewart being absent, a letter referring to the matter was left for him.

The libel case, F. Whitaker v. George Jones, jun., is to be heard at Dunedin in the second week of March. The defence will be conducted by Mr W. S. Rees, of Auckland.

Mr H. Keane yesterday presented Mr Ashby with the cricket bat which he had promised to the highest scorer of the Canterbury team. In making the presentation, Mr Keane referred in terms of high praise to the careful and excellent play of the Canterbury cricketers, which had won for them the match. Mr Ashby returned thanks to Mr Keane for his handsome prize.

Mr W. S. Rees, member for City East, is expected to meet his constituents shortly. We notice by advertisement that the Auckland Savings' Bank is now open daily for receipt and repayment of deposits from 10 to 2 o'olock, except on Saturdays, when the Bank is closed at noon, and re-opened from 7 to 9 o'clock p.m., for receipt of deposits only.

At a sitting of Mr Justice Gillies in Chambers yesterday morning, Messrs D. A. Tole, J. C. Firth, B. Tonks, and Dr Campbell, were sworn|in as members of the Waste Lands Board under jjjthe Waste Lands Board Continuance Act of 1877. The swearing in. of Messrs May and Moat, who are at present absent from town, will take place on a future date. The new Act f daces the power of filling vacancies in the lands of tne Governor. Mr |F. L. Prime was sworn in upon his nomination to the Commission of the Peace.

STEPHHEN MASSETT'S ENTER TAINMENT.

This popular ballad writer, elocutionist, and reader will give the first of three of his popular serio-comic entertainments on Monday evening next, in the Choral Hall. Mr Mas3ett is great as an imitator of public speakers, humorists, and other celebrities, and has won very favourable encomiums in London by his clever impersonations, and especially from Dr Newman Hall, the not unworthy successor of the eccentric Rowland Hill, who acknow ledged Mr Massett's powers of elocution in these laudatory terms : " His rendering, of' Jo's Death,' from Dickens' "Bleak House," was pathetic in the extreme; and his recitations were most felicitous." The " Times," " Stan dard," and "Advertiser." were equally in praise of Mr Massett's performances. The programme of Monday consists of two parts, serious and comic. The serious part promises nine ballads^ readings, and recitations, in cluding Mr Massett's own songs of " Sunset" and " Little Feet"; also the popular recitation of "The Vagabonds,"" The cripple's story," " The death of poor Jo," and other pleasing effusions of high merit. Mr Massett will sing his own beautiful ballad, wedded to his owu music, " My Bud in Heaven," the words of which will be supplied on the programme of the evening. The ballad is peculiarly touching in its character, with as musical a ring as Moore's " Last Rose of Sum mer." Then will follow a series of imitations of American humorists of the present and past, including Henry Russell, Oharles Clark, Dickens, Thackeray, and Hume. These will be succeeded by witticism, the art of making a speech, pictures and portraits from Hong Kong, and a number of varieties of song and sentiment for every taste, concluding with Tennyson's "Charge of the Light Brigade," which the reciter has popularised in every part of the habitable a. lobe. The " China Mail," published in Hong Kong, says :—" Mr Stephen Massett, or' Col. Pipes from California,' read, recited, and sang in his own inimitable manner; and while.in the selections of pathetic a nature he moved many to tears, in his humorous and comical pieces he brought right hearty laughter, and. throughout was warmly applauded. It was was a brief but brilliant evening among poets and wits, the song-writers and authors, the humo-ists and story-tellers, from whom he ex tracted the sweets and riches and gems of which his olla podrida Avas composed, and keenly was the rare treat relished." /

Disastrous Fire.

DESTRUCTION OF TWO BUILDINGS

ON THE WHARF.

A CHARRED BODY FOUNP AMONG

THE RUINS,

AT about half-past one o'clock this morning afire broke out on the premises of Zachariah Vare boarding-house proprietor, on the Harbour Board allotments on the Queen street wharf. The first who discovered the outbreak is uncertain, but the first to take action was Constable Stratbern, who was walking up the wharf and saw the flames issuing above the roof. He immediately raised an alarm, and broke open the front door. On getting inside, the first person he came across was the cook, who was in a helpless state of drunkenness. He dragged him out on to the footpath, and giving him into another constable's charge, darted back into the house. He now en countered a young man named Purcell, a stepson of Mr Vares, and who was in a very excited state, shouting "Fire" at the top of his voice. The constable asked him if his mother was in the house, when he replied that he did not know. They came outside, and the constable assisted Purcell on to the roof of a shoemaker's shop next door, from which he could get to the window of the bed room occupied by Mrs Vare. The bells had not sounded up to this time, so [Constable McDonnell was despatched to ring an alarm at the Insurance Buildings. The fire was meanwhile making rapid progress and there was a general apprehension that some of the lodgers would be burnt to death. But now the attention of the spec tators was diverted to Purcell,who was seen to be lying helpless on the roof to which he had been hoisted, crying out that he was being suffocated. With some difficulty he was hauled down. He was at first so exhausted that he could not stand, but he afterwards recovered. Further ex citement was now caused by the appearance of faces at the side windows looking to wards Walker's gum store and directly afterwards the glass was broken and three men,almost in a state of nudity jumped out. These were William Lobbin, Robert Marsh, and James Fairweather, three firemen of the Ladybird, who had missed their passage and had taken lodgings for the night. Mr Vare and an old man named Peter Mack were rescued, and then the police and the volun teers who were assisting were told that there was no one else in the house. The flames had by this time extended to Moore's shoe shop. The bells were now ringing out loudly, and in five minutes from their first stroke the Fire Brigade arrived with hose and reel ladders, &c. Connection was established with the new mains, and three tremendous streams ©f waterwere poured upontheburningbuilding. The effect Avas magical. It was too late to save the dining rooms or the shoe maker's shop next door. Both these were so enveloped in flames at the time that they were three parts burnt already. But so quickly was the fury of the flames arrested that the rafters and timbers were preserved in their charred state, and with the roof and uprights of the shoe shop stiU stand as monuments of the power of both the opposing elements. At the time the fire was extending to Moore's shop it was also threatening Messrs Odium's tin shop on the other or Queen-street side. This, however, is partly constructed of corrugated iron, and offered more resistance than wood. The back portion had already taken fire, and the front was becoming red hot wnen the water arrived. A few minutes longer delay would have sealed its doom. As it was, about half the contents had been removed to a safe dis tance. Within ten minutes of the applica tion of the water, the fire was completely mastered, and by two o'clock all that remained of the boarding house and shoe shop were the smoking ruins. Inspector Pardy before he left gave orders that a search should be made as soon as practicable to make sure that no lives had been lost. We regret to say that in ex ecuting this order Constable McFetridge discovered the dead body of a man lying in the south-west corner of the ruins. The corpse was naked except that some burnt material apparently the remains of some bedclothes were round it. It presented a frightful spectacle. The features were swollen up and burnt to such an extent as to be perfectly unrecognisable. The upper part of the head was completely bare of hair and flesh ; the trunk was burnt so much that the black ened ribs were to be seen in places, while the flesh was alternately black, brown, and blood red. The legs were almost destitute of flesh. Altogether the spectacle was about as hideous as can well be imagined. The body was taken charge of by the Water Police, and removed to the dead-house. Up to the. time of writing it has not been found out who the unfortunate man was. It is supposed that he was burnt in his bed andJfeU through with the floor. One of his hands grasped a piece of wood, which would make it appear that he strug gled hard for life. A report was circulated at first that the unfortunate deceased was one of the firemen alluded to above, another rumour now asserts that the man was formerly in the employ of Mr Jno. Lamb, but was not, like that gentleman, remarkable for his abstemiousness. This was not the only loss of life, though, fortunately, no other human being perished. A poor dog which was keept on the chain was unable to get away, and his remains were found this morning burnt to a cinder.

Mr Vare's house and furniture was in sured in the Norwich Union office for £300 Mr Moore's shop and goods for £40 in the National, and Messrs Odium's store and stock for £200 in the South. British. Five or six large stringers, in tended for the renewal contract now being carried out by Mr Taylor on the wharf, were lying on the reclaimed land alongside Moore's shop. They are much burnt, and it is a question whether they can be used for the purpose for which they were intended. It was fortunate that a space of about 40 feet intervened between Moore's shop and Messrs Walker's gum store. Had this caught the loss would have been very heavy. The wind at the time of the fire was from the westward, and blew the flames right across the wharf. The kerbing on the other side is much charred.

Very little has been ascertained about the origin. Mr Vare says he saw the flames first round the Btove in the kitchen, but can not tell how it began. The three firemen say they went to bed at ten o'clock and knew nothing more until they were aroused by Purcell. Peter Mack states that the man who is burnt was put to bed about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, but he cannot teU who he was.

The workshop of Mr Armstrong New burn, shipwright, which is just in rear of the burnt premises, had a narrow escape. They did catch, but fortunately the pro prietor was on the spot at the time, and managed to beat out the flames.

Mr Moore did not hear of his misfortune until this morning at breakfast. He had sent a lad down to open the shop, and he returned looking very blank and simply ejaculated the words '-It's gone." -* What's gone ?" asked Mr Moor 3. " Why, the shop's gone; it's burnt all up." Mr Moore at first ridiculed the idea, but on going down subsequently found it was only too true.

THE LATEST.

According to latest reports, there is very little doubt that the deceased is a man named William Lindsay, who was formerly employed by Mr Jno. Lamb. He had been staying at the United States Dining Rooms, and only left there yesterday. To-day he is missing. It is said that when Mrs Vare went aAvay in the afternoon she told her husband to look after the old man, meaning Lindsay. In his hurry and con fusion on the fire breaking out, Mr Vare forgot to carry out his wife's instructions.

It is altogether a sad affair, and there i too much reason to believe that the i? quest will reveal the fact that the conditio of several of those who had narrow Lean?, was not what it should have been fi cook was locked up all night, and punished this morning for drunkenness. pwuabs*

A VISIT TO PUHOI.

The German settlers at Puhoi are amon^ the most industrious in the colony, as° % strikingly indicated by the vast improve! ments which they have effected in a few years. _ A representative of this jouraal who visited the settlement on Thursday last, was surprised at the pi ogress which had been made since his last visit between eight and nine years ago, when the settlers were hard at work clearing the dense bush and were struggling against the difficulties oi bad roads and Government neglect Since then a large area of land has°beea cleared and laid down in grass, aud culti. yation on a considerable scale has been gone into. _ Many of the settlers who came to the place in very poor circumstances are now in comfortablecircumstances, posssessin-* small farms and numerous cattle and sheep. A very commodious and comfortable school house has been erected on a centrally, situated site, and the school is attended _} 65 scholars. The German parents appear to be fully alive to the benefits of an English I education, and send their children lon- discancas. Captain Kripner, the school master, is assisted in the tuition of the scholars by Mrs and Miss Kripner,|and with all of them the education of the children is a labour of love. The internal arrangements would do credit to many metropolitan schools, and the method of teaching is equally good. Captain Kripner is "the founder and patriarch of the settlement and is esteemed and respected by both his own countrymen aud the English settlers. The German children speak and read tha English language with fluency and correct ness, and are making excellent progress iu4 all the elements of an ordinary English education. Captain Kripner is an old soldier, who has served with distinction in the Prussian and Austrian armies, has been in several great battles, and served throughout the Waikato campaign. For his distinguished services in the Prussian army he received the order of Prussian l knighthood, and was otherwise decorated for services on the staff. He is moreover a lover of the classes, a good linguist, and a man of high scientific attainments. This distinguished soldier, in the eve of life I devotes himself unselfishly to the advance- | ment of Puhoi. He is the great arbiter and j guide, philosopher.and friend, who is appealed I f to in all local matters, and takes the lead I in local politics. The great want of the settlementis improved river communication. E The navigation of the Puhoi river ig seriously impeded by snags^ which have accumulated from the falling of timber on the river banks, and trees carried down by the floods. When the Hon. J. Sheehan • visited Waiwera a few days ago, Captain Kripner waited upon him, and requested j grant from the Government of £150, to be expended in removing snags from the river, but the Native Minister would not promise more than £50, which k considered wholly insufficient. A capital road from the Waiwera, nearly level all the way, was surveyed some time ago by Mr Fairburn, and is now nearly completed. The district is nearly ripe for a telegraph ! station. There is a post-office, which is [ efficiently managed by Captain Kripner, \ and is a great convenience to the settlers.

TELEGRAPHIC.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.

RUSSELL, this day. . \ Arrivals: Elsinore, Eleanor, and Cissy. Sailed : Fawn, Minnie Hare, Thistle, and lona. Passengers : Messrs Yates, Rey nolds, (3) Sergeant Donovan, Brewer, Muir' Capper, Rackstraw and others. A whaleship is just signalled. COROMANDEL, this day. The Tokatea started work yesterday. Re the Union Beach and Golden Pah I disturbance, it is understood that satis factory arrangements will be made without recourse to litigation. The shareholders in the Premier Company are gratified at the action taken in develop- I ing the mine, and pleased to find John Fraser, the original manager of the lona, appointed manager. Sir George Grey's visit to Coromandel £ will be reported in full.

OAMARU, this day. There is no tiuth in the -- Wellington Argus i" statement that the Whitaker-Jones \. libel case will be let drop by the Ministry, j The trial will take place the second week 1 in March by arrangement.

1 • NAPIER, this day.

PREPARATIONS FOR RECEPTION % OF PREMIER.

A Gisborne correspondent telegraphs that || Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan are ex- . pected there on Monday, and will be metat j| the wharf by the Corporation, and con- ■ ducted to the Albion Hotel. The natives _. are preparing for the reception, and a meet ing will he held at the Waerangaiohik-i where large numbers of Maoris will assem ble and address Sir George Grey and the $ Hon. J. Sheehan. MISCHIEVOUS CANARDS. An impression has been created by = Karaitiana and other Hawke's Bay natives . 1 that Sir George Grey is the supreme ruler ' I of New Zealand, and that having raised the j I price of land'to £2 per acre, those Maoris a 1 who have sold their land in the past, *V_j I get the balance of the value paid them, ami I that the confiscated lands will be returned. I The settlers are now laughing, but there can I be no doubt that there will be a revulsioa ■ of feeling on the natives realising the truth | which may lead to mischievous results. |j I A Settler Burnt to Death. I A Wararoa man named William Svran. - I who was occupying a raupo whare in Mr I Ormond's paddock, was burnt to death W" I night. It is supposed that he went to W ■ leaving the light burning, and the wh** . I caught fire, and he was suffocated befofe« c I could move. jAZ I ARRIVAL OF AN IMMIGRANT SfJ I The immigrantship Renfrewshire _-rfve< * I this morning, 97 days from London- ■ Unfortunately, there has been sickness%;■ board, for as soon as she rounded tbeß-lfl ■ the yellow flag was seen flying at the fore- ■ The pilot was the first out, but hadnj |« communication with theship. Thes.s.iW ■ took off the members of the Board of Heß" 1 ■ On the usual questions being asked it "^ B ascertained that scarletina had been pr<jj ■ valent during the voyage, which had cause*, $■ the death of five children—the last oneo^'§■ three days ago. There were still one. 0 -■ two cases on board. The Health Covarm |H sioners immediately decided upon pl^ lD ° the ship in quarantine. In the meantis1 M the agents—Messrs. Watt Bros.—sent'»(§■ quantity of fresh vegetables and provisK"^ | The Commissioners will go off a<»ain ejj 1/ |H next week, and if the sickness has decrease.. ii the ship will be admitted to pratique. *>' I Dale, who had charge of the imnrigran£ ff ;.|™ the Bebbington, is in charge of theßena* Z :J shire. This is the first time any otw A immigrant ships to Hawke's Bay have W ■ quarantined. (PRESS AGENCY.] H

WELLINGTON, thisdajV. ■ Sailed : Wairoa, for London, withi «Jf.. ; I bales wool, and 134 casks tallow. va\ ■ £92,549. ■ Sailed : Young Dick, for Kaipara, j M HOKITIKA, this da?- I ARRIVAL OF THE ALBION- ■ The s.s. Albion arrived from Melbowjj-- I and was tendered yesterday. She ■ Sandridge ou the 27tli, ?ud brings 6- F ■ sengers and 216 tons cargo for al-J>%,'M| No later news of importance, beyondca m messages. 11

EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1878.



THE undersigned are now brm ing forward a Larare Parcel of GENE AL DRAPERY. HABERDASHERY, &C, bought at considerably less than usual prices, to which they inyite the attention of all requiring Good Value For Money. Corsets in great variety of quality and style, KwSaj white and coloured, from 2/6 per pair Linen and Lace Goods, Cufts, Collars, and Sets, in variety Ladies' Underclothine Umbrellas and Parachutes, Silk, Zanella, &c. _, ___ Lot of Flowers at very low price, quite fresh Straw Hats, Ribbons, Gloves, &c. A Splendid Stock of Muslin, Lace, and Lenoe Curtains, Counterpanes, Quilts, Damask Table Cloths, Sheeting, Felt Squares Carpets, Floorcloth, China Matting, Ticks, &c. Large-size Huckaback Towels at /6 each New Fancy Dress Materials, Japanese Silks, Coloured Lustres, Black Lustres. Embossed, Striped, and Check Muslins, Prints, &c. Brown Holland, from /6J per yard Union, Fancy Jean, and Oxford Shirtings, very ALineof Superior Quality Silk Mixed Fancy Shirting, at 2/3, usual price 3/6 per yard White and Grey Calico. Good Grey from IB per yard Also, ""Every large assortment of Gents' Shirts, White Longcloth, Union and All-wool Crimean, Fancy Silk Mixed Scotch Twill, Fancy Jean, Oxford, &c. Strong Tweed for Boys wear A Job Line of Stout Mosgiel at below Factory prices „ _ __ .. , Braces, Belts, Ties, Scarfs, Collars, Cotton and Merino Hosiery, Undershirts, &c. Leghorn, Tuscan, Straw, and Drill Hats, for £=£Boys and Men, &c, &c., &c. I |in he & allowed on all Cash Purchases of gsisfe.' J2os. and upwards. "gefffitgRUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, Junction Drapery Warehouse, Upper Queen-street, auckland. HEAP fX AT S ! \AP HATS ! ! CHEAP CLOTHING !! of Men's and Boy's Drab and •■lt Hats will be offered at DEDUCTION TO CLEAR. of CLOTHING, comprising 'veed Suits, Trousers and -ds are slightly soiled, and " CHEAP. OUTFITTER, 1 TTOUSE, \ OTHERS j. 'he under '«> .ye been _. in this '_• te and 'cious 'esti- J. to



UNION INSURANCE COMPANY, AUCKLAND BRANCH. Reduced Ratss for Detached Dwelling Houses in the City, from 12s. upwards. In the Country from 13s. R. H. STEVENSON. Manager. NION INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. CAPITAL £2,000,000. AUCKLAND BRANCH: QUEEN-STREET, Next the Colonial Bank. j FIRE DEPARTMENT. Insurances granted on Dwelling-houses, Stores, Shops, Buildings in which trade is carried on, Merchandise, and Goods of every description. MARINE DEPARTMENT. Hulls of Ships or Steamers, Merchandise of all kinds, Specie and Wool to United Kingdom, AT owest Current Rates. R. H. STEVENSON Manager. GJ-Rand Show OF SUMMER COSTUMES. A. LINABURY & CO. HAVE JUST OPENED UP 480 C OSTUMES' Comprising— BLACK SILK COSTUMES COLOURED SILK COSTUMES JAPANESE SILK COSTUMES HOLLAND COSTUMES FRENCH BATISTE COSTUMES BRAIDED PIQUE COSTUMES FRENCH PRINT COSTUMES CAMBRIC COSTUMES BLACK SILK SKIRTS, with Body Pieces COLOURED SILK SKIRTS, with Bod Pieces HANDSOME BRAIDED LINEN COS TUMES and SKIRTS, with Body Pieces to match. The above GOODS were purchased at a Heavy Discount off English Invoice, and will be offered to the Public at ENGLISH COST. Inspection Invited. A TINABURY & {"10., 204 & 206, queen-street, Auckland. "TCTEW YEAR'S PRESENTS AT THE AS CITY HALL FURNITURE ARCADE. PRESENTS, for Wives and Daughters PRESENTS, for Sons and Husbands PRESENTS, Quaint and Curious PRESENTS, Useful PRESENTS, Ornamental PRESENTS, Scientific PRESENTS, Beatific PRESENTS, for all Pockets PRESENTS, for all Prices. HOLLOWAY, GARLICK, & CRANWELL, City Hall Arcade. NEVER Have the Public had such a Choice of BED STEADS offered them as at the present time Besides our already well assorted Stock of Iron Bedsteads, and those of our own manu facture in Kauri, Rimu, Cedar, and Mottled Kauri, we ask them to bear in MIND that we have Just Opened Up, ex "Otaki.' TWO HUNDRED IRON BEDSTEADS of the most modern style, comprising French, Half Tester, Children's, and Stbjmps, also Cots, at Prices to suit all classes. Having purchased for Cash from THE Best Manufacturers, we can SELL A GOOD BEDSTEAD at a Very Low Price. BEDDING, of every description, kept in Stock. HOUSES FURNISHED THROUGHOUT at a Short Notice. Our system is to make a large return ; to insure this We Sell son Ready CASH at a Small Profit, and DELIVER GOODS FREE to any part of the Town and Suburbs. 42T Give your Furnishing Order to Holloway, Garlick & Cranwell, CABINETMAKERS, UPHOLSTERERS, AND CLOTHIERS, City Hall Arcade, QUEEN & LORNE-STREETS AUCKLAND. r\TH THIS DAY AND DURING THE WEEK, WE WILL SHOW WEoS BS 10,000 PI-. HS FASHIONABLE DRESS GOODS AND #3- PRINTS, "©ft UCED TO HALF PRICE IN ORDER TOJDLEAR. L COSGRAVE & CO., QUEEN-STREET. "OST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND. Close as Under: his day, at 5.30 p.m ; and on . 4 p.m. and 5 30 p.m. per Argyle, on Monday -ranga, and Opotiki, per v next, at< 1 p.m. va, W garoa, and Mon md ext, at 4 p.m. ___; , and Matakana, lesday next, at per Taupo, on Wangarei, and .esday next, at th instant, as Ports, and •s, Aus m, via so 'ate