SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

mr , n ,^, TB , p (This Afternoon, 556 HIGH VvAlUjK—jt ro . morrow Morning. 6.26 SUN SET.—This Evening. 7.8 SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning. 0.20 MOON'S AGE.—New Moon, Feb. 2,1.47 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Norval, schooner, MeKenzie, from Tonga ana

Samoa Taupo, s.s., from Russell Advance, schooner, Bennett, from Gisborne,

IMPORTS.

Per Norval. from Tonga and Samoa: d 0 tons coora/a quantity of cotton, 1 tun oil, 4 bales funsu*.—Cruickshank & Co., agents. Per Lorraine—l case shirts and collars, 1 case Ooate's machine cotton, 1 case cretonnes and flannels.—J. H. McLachlan.

ARRIVAL OF THE NORVAL.

The smart schooner Norval, Captain M. McKenzie, arrived from Tonga and Samoa early this morning, with a cargo of copra, &c. Left Samoa sth January ; arrived at Vavau on the Bth and At Apia on the 10th. Laid there a week taking in copra, and left on the IStli; an iving in Tonga on the 19th. Left Tonga for Auckland on the 22nd. and had line weather with easterly winda all the passage; arriving in port at 1 a.m. to-day, after a splendid passage of eight days. _ Passengers :—Captain Wilson, Messrs Louis Harpprer and servant, Edwards, Rawson, and Ah Sam.—Cruickshank and Co., agents.

Captain Macfarlane, of the steamer Rotorua, his been presented by the officers and crew of tbat ves-ci with a handsome gold watch ana Albert chain, suitably inscribed, on the occasion of his resigning the command of the vessel. Captain Kennedy succeeds him in command of the steamer. . The schooner Advance arrived from Gisborne this day m one o'clock, after a fast run or ob hours. Cargo: 78 bales wool.—Owen and Graham. 150 bags grass seed.—Lowrie. 100 bass grass seed, and a quantity of hides and tallow. ___

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION.

To-day's quotations :— Bank of New Zealand—£23 17s 6d. National Bank—buyers, 72s 6d. Colonial Bank—Buyers, 50s (cum div). Auckland Gas Co.—£lo (ex div). South British Insurance —7Ss. National—3os; buyers, 303. Standard.lnsurance—Sellers, 235. Union Insurance —Buyers, 3s. „„„„. „, Union Sash & Door Co.—Buyers, £10 12s 6a. Red Queen— Buyers. Is 3d. Moanatairi—Buyers, Sis; sellers, Bos. Tookey Tribute—Sellers, 6s 3d. Alburnia—7os: sellers, 71s. Tokatea—Sellers, 6s 3d. Queen of Beauty—Sellers, 7s 9d. Kurunui Hill-Sellers, 15s 6d. Piako—Buyers, 3s 9d; sellers, is 3d. Cure—3s 10d, 5s ; sellers, 5s 6d. JOSEPH NEWMAN. Chairman.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

SBMails will Closk as Under: For Thames, this day. at 5.30 p.m. ; ana to morrow at 11 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Waiheke and Corornandel, per Argyle, to morrow at 2.30 p.m. For Tryphena, per Three Brothers, this day at For Hobart Town, per Bella Mary, this day at For P Wangarei Heads, per Rover, to-morrow at For Waiwera, Mahurangi, Matakana, Manga wai, Waipu, Wangarei, Mangapai, per Anne Milbank, on Saturday next at 10 a.m. For Rarotonga. per Energy, on Saturday next at 3 p.m, __ , For Russell and Kawakawa, per Wanaka, on Monday, at 3 p.m. For Russell, Kawakawa, Wangaroa, and Mon gonui, per lona, on Monday next, at i p.m. Per s.s. Tairoa, on Tuesday, sth February, as follows: — For India, China, Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 5 a.m. For Taranaki, Southern Provinces, Aus tralian Colonies, and United Kingdom, via g Suez and Southampton, and via Brindisi, at 5 a.m. For newspapers, at 5 a.m. For money orders and registered letters, SKthe previous evening, at 4 p.m. For Australian Colodies, per Rotorua, on Tuesday next, at 1 p.m. Per City of New York, on Tuesday, sth lebru arv. as follows :— For Sandwich Islands, United States ot 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 ana at 1.30. 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.

BIRTH.

STRINGFELLOW.—On the 21st January, at the residence of her mother, Nelson-street, the wife of S. W. Stringfollow of a daughter. MITCH.Et.iSON.— On the 29th January, at Dar gaville. Mrs. E. Mitchelson of a daughter. JORDAN.—On the 27',h January, 1878, at her residence, Upper Lome-street, Mr3. J. Jordan of a daughter.

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1878.

jtc* the. cimsc that mctr. usKtuno*. F<»r Cue vrunf. ih.-.t >■.«.'> "'■ll-J A«<S 111" e«'»l »M •* «<" •■

The City Council, stimulated by the out cry for cheap water, yesterday considered the question of amending the tariff, and adopted the following scale : Under £12 10s., 10s. per annum; over £12 10s. and under £100, 4 per cent. ; over £100 and under £200, 3 per cent. ; over £200 and upwards, 2h per cent. ; stores, 2£ per cent, ; price per metre, 2s. per 1,000 gallons; water closets, 20s. a-year. In adopting a sliding scale for the consumers' rate, the Council have, we think, followed an equitable principle. It is apparent that the value of water to consumers is not dependant upon the value of the building rated. A shop in Queen-street, for example, assessed at £200 a year, requiring only a few buckets of water daily, will never become a consumer so long as the laying on of the water involves an annual charge of £8 a year ; making, with the shilling rate, £16 a year for water alone. Under the amended tariff, there should be considerable increase in the consumption among the class of buildings to wllicn the charges have hitherto been prohibitory. In the case of hotels, which have been victimised to an inordinate extent under the uniform scale, the relief will be a very substantial one. It is unfortu nate that the supply has been taken so little advantage of for dwelling-houses, es pecially seeing that larger consumption will render successive reductions in the cost of the service practicable. The charges on cottages are so reasonable that in very few instances we believe would tenants object to pacing the annual charge if landlords would undertake the first cost of bringing the pipes into the house. A cottage assessed at £12 10s receives an unlimited supply for domestic purposes for 10s a year; a cottage valued at £20 a year would pay 16s. It cannot be said that these rates are unreasonable, looking to the inestimable value of the service, and in the interests of public health we hope to see a very much larger demand during the ensuing months than that shewn by the returns since the works were completed.

The young man "William Godwin died a few minutes after eleven o'clock this morning ill the Provincial Hospital, after suffering great pain. An inquest will be held on the bedy to-morrow afternoon, bofore Dr Goldsbro' and a jury.

A dividend of five shillings is payable in the Moauatairi G. M. Co. to-ilay.

At the Waitekauri Company's meeting yesterday, Mr Howe's motion reflecting on the manager was withdrawn and the report adopted. In reply to questions, the Chairman, Mr Brown, stated that the lease of the mine expires in twelve months from next September. The mortgagees would not then foreclose on the property if the shareholders met them in a fair spirit. He said the shareholders were not liable to pay the money for the battery oufc of calls, the plant being secured on the property. The report adopted shewed the total amount expended on mine and battery £G,759 ISs 5d ; against which there has been received £9,129 7s Gd, and due by Welcome and Mew Zealand Companies for crushing, £232 9s 3d; making a total of £9,3G1 lGs 9d, shewing a balance of receipts for half year of £2,G01 18s 4d over expenditure for same period. £1,012 had been paid in dividends. Tho report recommended the construction of the dam to the required height, at a cost of £1,100.

At a special meeting of the Onehunga Borough Council on Monday, it was agreed, in reference to Mr Buckland's application, to proclaim Young's premises on the Pan mure lioad an abatioir ; that a committee of three be appointed to make the neces sary inquiries, and act. The subject of coach licenses was introduced, and a motion carried to the effect that all licenses be issued by the Auckland City Council, subject to a moiety of the fees on all vehicles plying to Onehunga being paid over to this Council.

The Binningliara Board of Education, which ranks among the foremost of English school Boards, have resolved upon taking steps towards a reform in the spelling or English words, and have presented a memorial to the Educational Department for the purpose of appointing a Royal commission to consider the subject. The memorial, we learn, was suggested by Dr. Langfords, report of his recent experiences in-Australia and in other parts which he visited, intimating the necessity for such a reform. Since Dr. Langford's retirement from the editorial chair of the " Birming ham Daily Gazette," he has devoted much time and thought to the education of the people. Acclimatisation has received very little attention in New South Wales. The •' Sydney Morning Herald" notices that "Mr Walter Bradley, of Messrs Bradley, Tsewton and Lamb, has received from a friend of his at Auckland, Mr Samuel Morrin, a Christmas-box of a somewhat novel character, consisting of a cage of twenty-four blackbirds and thrushes. Mi- Bradley has, with two or three other gentlemen, taken a great interest in the acclimatisation of English birds in this colony, and the efforts they have already made have been crowned with such success that they have determined to entermorefully into the matter, and carry on a more extensive importation of birds then hitherto. The " Herald" then contrasts the amount of attention given to the subject in New Zealand with its total neglect in New South Wales.

At the present season, when trees are loaded withfruit, it is not ill-timed to remind owners of orchards of the sick in our hos pital. We learn that they get fruit very rarely, and presents of that kind 4 would be most acceptable. Mr Brown, head nurse, will gladly take charge of any donations of the kind; or they may be left with Mr Dando, of the railway store department at the Newmarket station, and will be safely forwarded to the intended destination.

The journey overland from New Plymouth to Auckland' has just been successfully accomplished by a pakeha-Maori, who came via Mokau and through the heart of the King Country without molestation. Mr and Mrs Henry Hart, of Melbourne, surrounded by their descendants to the third generation, have just celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. Mi- Hart is 72, and Mrs Hart 69.

The annual meeting of the Onehunga Pub lic Library takes place this evening at 8 p.m. in the Masonic Hall. Prizes will bo given for the best recitations, comic and sentimental.

HAmong the cargo of the ship Waimea, which has just sailed from the Bluff for London, there were no less than two hun dred and forty-six bales of rabbit skins.

During the cruise of the " Marion Renny" a large shark was caught and hauled on board. As he lay on his back on the ship's deck, a Solomon man came near him, and somehow managed to put his hand near the shark's mouth, who made a snap, and bit the poor felloAv's hand off. The man was doctored up and recovered, but if sharks are so unpleasant out of the water, what mast they be when in it, and some unfortu nate swimmer close handy.—"Fiji Argus."

The members of the 'Artillery Company of Volunteers will compete for Company prizes at the North Head next Saturday afternoon.

The half-yearly meeting of the Colonial Bank was held in Dunedin yesterday. The report shewed a net profit of £13,930 for the half-year, balatice from last year £2,038; leaving £15,960 for appropriation. The directors recommended a dividend of six per cent per annum, absorbing £9,857, and the carrying of £4,000 to the reserve fund. The report, which spoke favourably of the progress of the bank, was adopted. At a public meeting at Ohinemuri a strong Committee was appointed to urge upon the Government the purchase of the Ohinemuri lands. It was stated that the natives were not only willing to complete the sale, but had petitioned the Govern ment to carry it out. A meeting of the ratepayers of Karan gahape Highway District, for the purpose of forming a File Brigade, and considering the be^t means of maintaining the same, will be held on the eveniug of Monday next.

We learn that Mr Martin Swallow has received the appointment of organist at St. Paul's Cathedral Church in the place of Mr J. A. Beale, who is about to leave Auck land for the white cliffs and green lields of England. Last summer the orchards of Epsom, like many nearer the city, were subject to whoiosale depredation. "We learn that, in anticipation of a like annoyance this year several owners, particularly one who suffered very much before, have set man traps of a description that will firmly secure the capture of trespassers. The Kesident Magistrate will, we trust, make an example of the first offender brought before him.

For a good ramping Irish " bull" we have not often seen beaten the following, which appears in the " Herald's " Wednes day account of the schooner race : — " When the vessels were last seen from the deck of the s.s. Taupo they were outside the reef at 5 p.m. all in mid-channel work ing against, a light northerly breeze, the schooner Reward having two miles of a leading position with the Energy a mile asteru. Exactly so. Onehunga may be six miles f,rom Auckland, but Auckland is only three miles from Onehunga.

A Frenchman in Canterbury recently played a practical joke upon a medical man by giving him a false message to attend upon a lady at a distance. He was brought up under the Vagrant Act and sentenced to three months' imprisonment. In a letter addressed to the Philadelphia " Star," Dr. It. T. Trail remarks :" We shall not wait long for the appearance of the expected pestilences, for we are approach ing a very pestilential period. Jupiter, 1,000 times as large as the earth, revolves round the sun every 12 years ; Saturn, once in about 30 years ; Uranus, once in about 84 years ; Neptune, once in IG4 years. The perihelion of all these planets does not occur at the same time once in thousands of years. In the sixth century, and again in the sixteenth, the first three were co incidently in perihelion, and these were the most pestilential periods of the Christian era. The perihelion periods of Jupiter and Saturn coincide with the extensive pre valence of plague, cholera, and other epidemics. But in the future, from even now to 18S5, we are to have what has not happened for 1,800 years, viz., the nearest approach to the sun of all four of these planets coincidently. The obvious deduc tion from this fact and theory is, that the changes of the earth's temperature, and the changed condition of its atmosphere, con sequent on the interference with or abstrac tion of the usual amount of light and heat, will be increasingly unfavourable to life and health on our globe from this present time to ISSO, and from ISSO to 1885 the adverse influences will be the greatest ; after thc'it they will gradually diminish."

" /Egles," in the " Australasian," says : —" I am told that there is an order in the colonies from the British Government for £140,000 worth of timber, to be used in the erection of barracks at Port Said, the Mediterranean mouth of the Suez Canal. The order is a conditional one as to price, and I presume is for red gum or jarrah, as softwood could be had from some nearer point. The significance of the order is that it indicates British military occupation of at least a portion of Egypt."

At the inquest on the Newton fire yesterday, evidence was given by Captain C. F. Mann, after which the jury returned an open verdict.

Mr King, chemist, of Queen - street, has received a very curious picture, the work of a self-taught genius, and which is quite original, representing twelve (No. 1) wives of the late Brigham Young weeping for the loss of their departed lord. There are points of graphic interest in the scene, some quiet strokes of satire with the sob bing wives occupying a bed as large as the famous bed of Ware at the inn where Gilpin could not stop, and their salt tears forming a stream of liquid sorrow running from the lordless palace of the Prince of Mormondom down to the waters of the lake. The sly touches here and there in the sketch will be better understood by those who know something of the history of the Mormons.

Notwithstanding the unfavourable weather of yesterday, a very pleasant day was speut by the scholars and teachers of St. Luke's Presbyterian Sabbath-school. The scholars, numbering 120, with their teachers and friend?, assembled at the church at ten o'clock, and marched thence to the grounds of J. Y. Stevenson, Esq., atßemucra, where they enjoyed themselves to their hearts' content in cricket, running, French tigue, and the usual games played upon these occasions. During the rain the verandah of Mr Stevenson's residence was placed at the disposal of, and afforded fine shelter to the children. The teachers were all invited, and partook of an excellent luncheon pro vided by Mr Stevenson. After tea a large number of prizes were distributed by the minister of the church—Rev. G. B. Monro. Almost every scholar got a prize. After giving three hearty cheers for Mr and Mrs Stevenson for all their kindness, to Mr Macffailane (the superintendent), and to Mr Watt for his assistance in the various games, the children left the grounds, each of them receiving a package of confectionery and fruit to eat on the way home.

Mr J, Clare, owner and builder of the May, the -winner of the larger open boat sailing race, has declined to accept the Waitemata Champion Belt under the pre sent conditions. The objection is that the possession of the belt will render him liable to be challenged every month, and so is very likely to lead to unfriendliness with his fellow craftsmen. Another reason is that the May is not unlikely to be sent to Vavau in a few weeks' time, a gentleman there having partly engaged to buy her while she was building. There is some force in Mr Clare's argument.. A champion belt should not be made too common, and it would in our opinion be better if the competitions for it were to be limited to two or at the most to four each year. The race was hardly over on Tues day when Mr Clare received a challenge from Mr Bailey, the owner of the Sis, to sail again for £25 a-side and the belt. Mr Clare declined to accept it, giving the above as his reasons.

The pioneers of the Wellington Working Men's Club (says the •" New Zealand Times") have reason to be satisfied with the success attending their efforts in inaugurat ing the establishment of this very excellent social institution. From the report of the proceedings submitted at the first half yearly meeting the strength of unity was exemplified, and the mutual good feeling which exists among the numerous members of the Club must contribute to success. By judicious management the club occupies the happy position of its assets exceeding its liabilities by £40, estimating in the assets the value of its properties.

A clean charge sheet was presented at the Police Court this morning ;Mr Willcox, J.P., attended, but his services were not required.

The Rev. Charles Clark,who is at present lecturing in New Plymouth, will probably come direct from there to Dunedin, as his manager, Mr It. S. Smythe, arrived at Port Chalmers yesterday by the Arawata

Some time ago, Sir Samuel Wilson gave in promissory notes £30,000 for a hall at the Melbourne University when some sneers were made at the manner of the giving. However, all the notes have been met, and £3,600 has been paid as interest on them, so that Sir Samuel's gift now stands at £33,600

The dividends declared during the past yoar by Inangahua quartz companies, amount in all to £60,553 (is Sd, made up as follows:—Wealth of Nations, £10,075; Energetic, £8,400; Keep it Dark. £3,833 6sSd; Golden Kleece, £16,500 ; Hopeful, £15,675 ; Just-in-time, £2,500; Fiery Cross, £1,500; Caledonian, £1,500.

Dr Somerville will deliver his lecture on the " Fiery Furnace," in the Choral Hall this evening, in aid of the Young Men's Christian A ssociation. The service of song will be conducted by Mr W. F. Somerville. We learn that no children of tender yews will be admitted. Admission by ticket only. Messrs Ghiloni and Cos. Waxworks Ex hibition continues to maintain an interest ing position among city entertainments. The aquatic furore which lias been existent for the last few days having com pletely put land events in the shade, it has been decided to postpone the time for receiving the entries for the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club's 4-mile steeple chase until Saturday at ,9 p.m., when the Secretary will be at the Thames Hotel to take them.

At the City Council yesterday Mr Dick son's motion in favour of testing the Western Springs pumps to their full power was carried. The report on the selection of 2,000 acres of land as a city endowment was brought up by the Mayor, and shewed that the selection had been made in the Patu tahi block, Poverty Bay. The question of public baths on the western reclamation was referred to the Public Works' Com mittee oil the Mayor's motion. To-morrow is the last day upon which season tickets for the opera can be secured. The season will open in the evening with "II Trovatore." We need hardly again remind our readers of the advantage derived from taking a packet of tickets. The Orangemen of Onehunga are notified by advertisement that their meeting will be held on the 11th February.

CABLEGRAMS.

.«. _' TERRIBLE RAILWAY COL LISION. Five Men Killed. (SPECIAL TO THE "STAR") SYDNEY, this day. A TERRIBLE collision has occurred between goods trains on the Western line, at the Blue Mountains. One train was coming down the incline at great speed, when the engine telescoped Three drivers and stokers were killed and two are dying. The fire from the engines communicated to the merchandise trucks, which arc now burning.

WITHOUT INCUMBRANCE.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) SIR, —Whilst giving kindly credit to the head and heart of your correspondent, " Heart and Hand," in Monday's Star, I, as the largest advertiser in Auckland for "married couples without incumbrance,' perhaps may be allowed a small space to shew the utter fallacy of his reasoning. It looks very pretty on paper. One, two, or more happy-faced children playing about the employer's property. Now, putting on one side that the one, two, or more happy-faced children eat and drink, and that most lustily, which the employer would have to be at the expense of, causing a less broad smile on his face than "the play." In this young colony the farming element is comparatively nevr. In England it is different, farms there have descended from father to son in many in stances for ages ; the grandsires initiated a sort of shelter for their labourers, their sons in due time improved that shelter, and so on down to the present time, when on numerous estates dottingsof smilinglabourers' cottages can be seen. All this, however, took time to accomplish. I think I am quite within the mark when I say that 19 out of every 20 farmers in Auckland have neither cot tages for married couples, nor capital to build them—all their available cash being expended or in course of being expended in calling the farm itself into ex istence ; and therefore the married farm helps for the most part reside under the same roof as their employers. Now, it does not require much reasoning on my part to shew that a lot of children (not your own) knocking about one's rooms would be pro vocative of feeling the very opposite of hilarious ; and I am half inclined to think that if such an affliction fell to the lot of " Heart and Hand" he would be apt to vote it a bore.—Yours respectfully, T. B. Hannaford.

NEW GUINEA

THKfollowing telegram, dated Sydney, Jan uary 7th, appeared in the Melbourne "Argus" of the Bth inst. A letter from the Rev. Mr LaAves, recently from New Guinea, states that the natives at Fort Moresby are suffer ing from drought. The plantations are burnt up, and the hills which last year were covered with grass a foot high are quite bare. Speaking of the district in which Mr Goldie has been prospecting, he says the climate is trying and iinhcalthy. During the wet season it is impossible to get inland.The grass is burnt generally in July, and from that month until the end of November it is easy to get about. More could be done in travelling and exploring in one week after July than in a month before it, and with less risk. A small party of gentlemen prospecting would have every assistance from Mr Goldie, and also from members of the mission; but the party should go prepared to be independent of the natives of New Guinea altogether, both as regards labour and provisions. If this is not the case, misery and failure will probably be the result. The rev. gentleman concludes by saying :—" I do not say that help cannot be got from the natives, but it is of such a limited and uncertain character that no dependence can be placed upon it. The natives get a bare subsistence themselves, and their gardens produce literally nothing for disposal. This long drought will cause next season to be an unusually hungry one."

LADIES' CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

At a meeting of the Auckland Ladies' Christian Association, held yesterday afternoon in the Young Men's Rooms, the following report was submitted by tlio Provisional Committee:—!.

" This society shall be called the Auckland Ladies' Christian Association. 2. The objects of the Association shall be to promote the spiritual well-being of the members, to advance the interests, more especially of young women who come as strangers to the city or province, and to engage in work otherwise suited to the Association. 3. The membership of the Associa tion shall be composed of those who are in communion with Evangelical churches in the city, and whose subscription is not less than os annually to tlie funds of the Association. 4. The Association shall be under the management of a president, two vice-presidents, secretary, and treasurer, and 12 members of committee. 5. A general meeting of the Association shall be held annually, at which the accounts and business of the year shall be presented to the meeting, and the office-bearers and committee elected for the ensuing year. 6. All meetings of the Association shall be opened and closed with prayer." The Provisional Committee was re appointed, and the meeting was closed with the benediction..

The Premier's Visit to the King.

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

(Prom our Special Reporter.)

ALEXANDRA, this day.

Rewi was present at the tangi with Tawhiao. Jfewi intended to return to his own settlement, but Tawhiao pressed him to stay and receive Sir George Grey. Tawhiao took hold of Rewi's hand, and said, "Our friend George Grey is coming here ; let both meet him." Itewi, with a show of reluctance, con sented. The meeting will partake o* the character to bury the old grievances of the war. All the names of great chiefs who were killed in the war will be mentioned, and their deeds rehearsed. The probable effect will be a permanent renewal of friendship i between the races, and the burying of the hatchet. A MAORI HIGH PRIEST. One of the most prominent chiefs at the reception of Sir George Grey yesterday was the high priest of the Torea at Sir Donald McLean's last meeting. He appeared in a Maori mat, holding a taiaha. When, previous to Sir George Grey's arrival he was pressed to clothe himself decently he replied, "I am a Maori. Receive our friend Grey as a Maori." After the recep tion he dressed himself a perfect swell. A deputation fromltheTe Awanmtu Board, consisting of Mr W. Sloane, Cnairman of the Board, Mr Roche and Mr Henderson, one of the oldest settlers, and a pioneer who lived beyond the conliscated boundary through all the panics, rode many miles and presented an address to Sir George Grey last evening. They were very courteously received. The Maoris to be are employed making a roadtoPuniu. MrSheehan promised to reply officially regarding other district wants. The reception proceedings were most crdeitable to Alexandra. THE RECEPTION AT HAMILTON. Sir George and suite received an enthusi astic reception yesterday. The chairmen of the Highway Boards and others met them at the station and drove them to the Hamilton Hotel, where hunched s of settlers and townspeople and numbers of Maories were waiting to receive them. Two depu tations, re the bridge and reserves for the borough, waited on Sir George, and were courteously received. The party went on to Alexandra about four o'clock. Fifty pounds were granted to the Te Awaniutu Highway Board for a road to Punui, native labour to be employed. Sir George Grey is visiting old residents this morning. DEPUTATIONS. A deputation from the Alexandra High way Board waited on the Premier. It was introduced by Major T. C. Tisdall, and consisted of Messrs Anbin, Lacon, Secombe, McNinn, Edgcumbe, and Tisdall, and asked the Government to assist in the construc tion of the main road direct from Ngaruawahia to Alexandra, avoiding the detour via Hamilton. They said the small settlers were neglected by the late Govern ment. The roads were made in the interest of the large land-owners. They requested that the Constabulary be employed. The Premier said Alexandra was certainly left in an isolated position, and recommended the chairman to forward a letter to the Minister of Public Works. Major Tisdall also brought under the notice of the Premier the deviation of the railway extension via Te Awaniutu instead of to Alexandra, as originally designed. Such changes were made from political mo tives. The Premier replied that he would have to visit other places before leaving Waikato, and could not carry these things in mind. They had better write officially. Major Tisdall also asked permission for the removal of hundreds of tons of shingles and firewood in Mangapuri bush, now rot ting consequent on the Government having forbidden their removal. The Premier recommended the growth and spread of acacia for firewood, and. re commended the Chairman to communicate with the Waste Lands Board to see whether there were just grounds of complaint. Major Tisdall asked a contribution for the erection of a new Court-house, pointing out that Alexandra was central for Court business for .Hearapipi, Rangiaohi, Nga hierepouni, Kihikihi, and Paterangi. The Premier recommended official communica tion. Mr McNinn referred to the injustice of the valuation clause of the Rating Act with respect to unimproved property. Mr Sheehan replied that no doubt the Act was passed in the interest of large land. owners. The only possible remedy was dissolution. Not a third of the present Lower House would vote for an alteration in the valuation clause. The Premier said the matter was really in their own hands. Every member of the present Government in the Lower House was in favour of the small settler. Mr Sheehan : Next session we|shall have made many material amendments i» the Counties and Rating Acts. Large land owners now control the district by plurality of votes. Mr A. S. Sherret, member of the Raglan County Council, introduced by McMann, asked whether the (Government had taken steps towards meeting the views of the Council regarding the Ragland-Waikato Road. The Premier said perhaps it would be better for the Government to carry out the road without necessitating the Raglan Council to bring the Act into operation. He would be glad to see this road made also to Kawhia. He requested Mr Sheehan to communicate with the chairman of the Raglan Council. A meeting will be held at Whakairoiro on this side of Kopua. Te Wheoro is coming up with a hundred men in war canoes. The natives are preparing food for the meeting. Probably there will be no move from here to-day. 2 p.m. Should Rewi express a desire to see Sir George Grey privately at his settlement Sir George will probably visit Te Awanmtu and Kihikihi. A WAR STANDARD. The British ensign, over the door of Finches' Alexandra Hotel, was lent by Major Mair, and was riddled with bullet holes in the operation on the East Coast. Te Wheoro has arrived. 3.40 p.m. Tawhire, the brother-in-law of Tawhiao, has just arrived from Kopua. and waited on the Premier and Mr Sheehan. Tawhire welcomed them to Waikato. The Minis terial party will proceed upwards at eight o'clock to-morrow morning.

NEWS FROM SAMOA.

By the arrival of the Norval from Samoa we have later papers, from which we make the following extracts :—

TUTUILA WAR.

On Saturday morning last, the Govern ment schooner Elizabeth left her for Tutuila, taking with her some 200 of the native warriors, and three field pieces, together with a considerable quantity of ammuni tion, for the purpose—if they can—of 3X tcrminating Mauga and his party. But if they should succeed they will have to light hard, and. the bloodshed will be greater than was ever known in any previous Avar ; that is if the opinion of old hands is worth anytiug. Sir Arthur Gordon, Governor of Fiji, has set a letter to the Taimua and Faipule, stating that he is sorry to hear that they are at war, but advises them to give it up, and live ins, peace amongst them selves. He also states that he has received the Queen's reply to the letter sent by the Chiefs of Samoa, and also asks them to call all the chiefs together the fiist week in February, when he will be here and bring the reply with him. FATAL ACCIDENT.

A young man named August Kloose, a

sailor on board the German shin n I I GodellVoy, met with an accident which* 58911 suited in instantaneous death. It ;in re" y he was sent up aloft about six o'clot* 8 unbend the sails, and whilst in the a f unbending the main royal sail, he by ■ means lost his hold and fell to the du 6 coming into contact with it head first \ V h- ' smashed his skull very much and broke If neck. ai* CRUISK OF THE JOHN AVILTUW The Mission barque John Williams it! Apia on the 6th September last, with a plies and reinforcements for the outstat of the Samoan Mission, and has visited °l! 8 islands of the Union and Ellice "Toum i the islands of the Gilbert Group, which occupied by theL.M. Society, landingarnrili 6 stores and necessaries for ihe efficient » o u ing of the Mission at each island tv" Rev. T. Powell who, as visiting missionJJ 6 - sailed in the ship, has also, as usual amined the schools and advise! and couraged the teachers; solving for th questions which now and again" emban^" 1 the teachers, and show the necessity for t]f annual visitations made to these infajl! churches. The captain reports that moJ unusual weather and currents have be met with from about 3 south to the Eon tor. Where on former voyages a wester! 1' current of twenty-five or thirty miles b day, sometimes even of forty-eight mile has been encountered, a current°was now ru lining easterly and northerly of equal for™ to that which formerly prevailed. Thetrad winds seem to have left that part of th Pacific, and have been replaced by ; calms and baffling winds, rendering the navigation difficult and dangerous. The John Williams though a smart working vessel, found great difficulty in getting westward. Moreover the stations being all on the western side' made landing dangerous, and compelled the boats in most cases to work on the eastern shores.involvingfor all concerned much work and anxiety. Night duty with the boats too, at no time pleasant, was more difficult on account of the frequent squalls and rain Having completed the visitation, the' John Williams left Nui on tha 16th Not Arrived at Samoa on Dec. 16th. The captain states that during the entire cruise I since March last, and through all the • stations, bad unsettled weather has pre vailed, and easterly winds have been few i indeed ; trade winds have been the excen. tion, and an occasional blow, which varied the experience, would have been called gales anywhere else than in the tropical waters of the Pacific. Electric^stornis too have been frequent, occasionally illuminat ing the mast-heads and yard-arms. The ketch Patience and schooner Black Hawk were met with in the Gilbert Group, h u t no communication was had with thent The islands of that group are now rejoic. ing in abundance of rain and consequently are promising abundance of food to the lately starving inhabitants. The cocoanufr and panda nus wear a green hue such us has not been seen for many years.

NOTES FROM THE CRUISE OF THE MARION RENNY.

A CANNIBAL FEAST.

On 13th Sept. the Marion Kenny sailed to the northward, on the east coast of Malayta, landed six and recruited one immigrant, anchored on this date, in a good little harbour, in a small island called Iyoh, half a mile off the main island of Malayta; landed two and recruited two immigrants. The natives at this place were holding a feast when we arrived, at which were a number, of natives from the main island. On the 14th, at 8 a.m., screams were heard on board, proceeding from the back of the village; on inquiry we were informed that a man had been massacred; the body was seen by some of those on board, it was that of a robust young man of about 24 years of age, who was in perfect health and vigour. He had received a deep tomahawk cut on the head across the right ear, a deep Licised wound on the right thigh, and several deep ones on the back, one of which had cut the back bone in two; the hands and feet were tied together v and a pole rove through, for carrying ; the body was covered with green leaves. That night (the end of the feast) the body wasv cooked and eaten. All the pigs in this village had been eaten, so this was a bon bouchc at the end of the feast. ATTACK ON THE SCHOONER'S PEOPLE. On the 21st in Marov Bay, St. Christoval, close to Cape Recherche ; on the 22nd, l whilst part of the immigrants were ashore, who had been landed for the purpose of bathing, an attack was made on the mate of the vessel, W. Ayles, and the immigrants, by the natives of the place. W. Ayles received four spear wounds, one j immigrant named Cootolia was killed, and two other immigrants received wounds on the back. Capt. Haddock, who I was on the beach with his gun, hear ing screams issuing from the bush, 1 immediately rushed in, and met W. Ayles rushing out, pursued by hostile. I natives. Ayles was calling on Captain Haddock to pull the spear out of his back ; Captain Haddock told him to go on I the beach, and hurry on board ; Capt. Had dock fired at the natives, who quickly re tired, which allowed the immigrants who were in the bush to get out. On the immi grants being mustered, Cootolia was found missing. It would have beenuselessto have gone ashore then to recover the body, as the natives were in numbers and protected by the bush. Some of the natives were chased along the beach, a-small settlement con taining a few houses was burnt, and a canoe broken up., No natives were hurt, un less the two shots fired by Capt. Haddock took effect ; it is most probable they did as the natives were close when fired upon.

MR PORTER, OF POKENO.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sir.—After Mr Porter's long self-laudatory epistle, will you publish a brief explanation. Mr Woodcock was the committee-man who , was told off to see the grounds got ready : for the excursion party. He performed his duty—never mind who dug the post holes, nor who put up the swings—nor if all the Porters in creation rolled the grass.for ?? twelve centuries previous to the excursion, does it detract from the special duty of the committee-man. Your reporter was rightly informed of Mr Woodcock's duties; and the disappointment expressed by the committee respecting the "dinner," and the "special room," and the emphatic decision of the Committee not to trouble Mr Porter another year, appear to have been considerately (for Mr Porter) omitted from the report- After the immense sum of money which Mr Porter must have netted from the large gathering about his hotel he ought not to complain.—Yours, &c, A Visitor.

LEVY'S CONCERTS.

The concert of last evening at the Theatre Royal was quite equal in merit to those of previous evenings, and evoked frequent bursts of applause. TLe overture at the commencement by Signor Giorza was a fine pianistic achievement. This was followed by a duet, " Ah Mouir," by Miss Pitts and Signor Rosnati, which was an able render ing, the two voices blending in rich harmony. The pretty ballad, so pathetic in its character, "Let Me Dream Again, was an estimable item in the programme, and given with true effect. Mrs Levy was extremely happy in the breezy song, "She Wandered Down the Mountain Side,^ which she gave the other evening, an<* which always has a touching influence from its poetic and natural associations. My Levy gratified the listeners immensely wita his several cornet performances, comprising a Russian air ; " Sad is the Parting," bora the German; and " My Pretty Jane," from the English. These selections were charmingly given, and brought satisfactory issues. The pianoforte accompaniment or Signor Giorza, especially the selections from Offenbach's " Grand Duchess" were bigl"? appreciated, and altogether the concert added to the reputation of these popular conceits, the last of which will be given this evening.

KVENMG STAR THURSDAY, JANUARY 31. I* I**



Gr b a n d Show OF SUMMER COSTUMES. A. LINABURY & CO. HAVE JUST OPENED P ?AQ(* r/"IOSTUMES f Comprising— BLACK SILK COSTUMES I* = COLOURED SILK COSTUMES E5. JAPANESE SILK COSTUMES • HOLLAND COSTUMES ES FRENCH BATISTE COSTUMES ""BRAIDED PIQUE COSTUMES i 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 [ESJIDISOOUNT OFF ENGLISH INVOICE, and will be offered to the Public at ENGLISH COST. Inspection Invited. "T" X IN A BURY & rjO., 204 & 206, QUEEN-STREET, Auckland. LADIES' UNDERCLOTHING! ~~~~ CHILDREN'S UNnERCLOTHIN ! And BABYLINENII! W. RATTRAY, Having bought the Whole of «*■ Sargooa, Son and Ewen's Large and Well-selecied Stock of LADIES' AND CHILDREN'S UNDER CLOTHING & BABYLINEN, AT A LARGE DISCOUNT, Has marked them at proportionately Low Rates. Ladies are requested to call arid inspect the Stock. YEW 7SALAND TTOUSE, 66, QUEEN-STREET. Auckland. ~T i^OSGRAVE & r^O. WILL HOLD THEIR ANNUAL CLEARING-OUT SALE OP DRAPERY AND CLOTHING, THIS DAY/ (WEDNESDAY), Prior to Stock-taking, 30th January. The GOODS will be SOLD at COST PRICE including their Large Shipment by the 'Iron Queen.' ■FTn lON INSURANCE COMPANY \J . OF NEW ZEALAND. I APITAL - £2,000,000. 'UCKLAISD BRANCH: QUEEN-STREET, Next the Colonial Bank. FIXE DEPARTMENT. PJlnsuranc granted on Dwelling-houses, Stores. Shops, Buildings in which trade is carried on. Merchandise, and Goods of every description. MARINE DEPARTMENT. fFHulls o£ Ships or Steamers, Merchandise of all kinds, Specie and Wool to United Kingdom, at Lowest Current Rates. R. H. STEVENSON Manager. Beware of Counterfeits of the time honoured and standard medicinal beverage, Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps, contained in bottles which formerly held the true elixir. It is hoped that an ex posure of this infamy may put the public on its guard against these disguised poisons, which are nothing but the vilest spirits with an ad jffilttlTO W£ SQW9. teW tWld, hurtful drug.



Oloveii seeds. C-lover seeds. "Jus'i to Hand, ex ' Apeli.ks,' OUR FIRST SHIPMENT NKW REASON'S O L O V X It SEEDS, CONSISTING Ob' White Clover Timothy Red Clovtr Rape Cow Grass Trefoil Alsyke tec., &c., &c. Turnip AND A Fine Collection of Fakm and Garden Seeds. ALSO. A Shipment of American Timothy. Samples of the above Seeds will be forwarded on application. Poverty Bay, Canterbury, and local Rye Grass, Cocksfoot, liatstail, Poas Fescues, &c., &c., from carefully selected samples, at lowest mar ket rates. .v W. J. HURST & CO., 101, Queen-street. BONEDUST! B~ON EDUST! BONEDUST ! To Arrive, about the middle of February: 500 TONS BONEDUST, Consisting'iiof Billyard's No. 1, Bell's * inch, i inch, and Boneflour. W. J. HURST & CO., 101, Queen-street. TO AGRICULTURISTS & OTHERS. " W". J. HURST & CO. have on sale the under mentioned Fertilizers, all of which have been proved to produce satisfactory results in this district. Experience teaches that large and provable returns can be relied on by a judicious and liberal use of them. The flattering Testi uionils from leading Farmers justify W. J. rfurs & Co. in strongly commending them to every Agriculturist:— MALDEN ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MKXIHA.N do. BEL.L& riONEH'LOUR } and A-inch BONEDUST BILLY ARD'S No. 1 do. NITRATE OF SODA SULPHATIS OF AMMONIA MURIATE OF POTASH SUPKR-PHOSPIIATK OF LIME. SALT, SULPHATH! OF LIME. In addition to the above, W. J. H. & Co. are prepared to supply special Chemical Manures for stimulating weak Corn Crops, and renovat ing Clover-sick Pastures, as well as the Potato and Mangold mixture that for the last two sea sons has attracted such favourable notice. Analysis, prices, and other particulars Will bn supplied on application at tho Stores. \V. J. HURST & CO., 101. Queen-street. UPEEIOE SAMPLES of Sydney and New Zealand Maize, Tartarian and Potato Oats, Table Potatoes, Flour, Oatmeal, Bran, Sharps, Barley, Jhaif, Oilcake Coal, &c., &C always on hand. '■ — W. J. HURST & CO.. 101, QUEEN-STREET. AUCKLAND. SPECIAL /IHEAP TINES \J JLJ in DRAPERY AND CLOTHING FOR THIS CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. H. ATKINS Will Shew the Following Cheap Lines Doking the Christmas Holidays :— A Large Lot of Rich, Bright. Black Silks at 3/11, as bright as sold at 5/6 Cheap Coloured Silks, beautiful shades Cheap Japanese Silks Cheap Dress Materials Cheap French Muslins A Job Line of Extra Quality Black Silk Jackets at one-third the original prices. Silk Umbrellas, splendid value, at 8/11 Lined Parachutes (Bought a Job) at 2/11, worth double Cashmere and Lace Fischus, Capes, &c., at Reduced Prices Cheap Lace Curtains, Table Linen, Quilts, Sheetings, and Manchester Goods, for the Christmas Holidays. In the CLOTHING DEPARTMENT Cheap Silk Dust Coats, Black Alpacca Coats, Trousers and Vests, Tweed Suits, Paget, Galatea, and Sack Coats, Boys' and Youths' Suits, &c., &c, &c. All Marked at Low Prices for the Christmas Holiday. THE NEW PITH HELMET. Job Line of Men's Straw Hats at 1/11, half-price. Job Line of Boys Straw Hats at 1/6, half-price. A Large Stock of MOSGIEL and other TWEEDS. Cheap Tweeds for Boys' Wear. H. Atkins. SPECIAL NOTICE Ladies and Gentlemen about to furnish are invited to inspect our extensive assortment of IMPORTED and COLONIAL FURNITURE. CARPET S.—Brussels, Tapestry. Kidder minster, Dutch. Felt, and Stair, at Prices as Low as any House in Town. IRON BEDSTEADS.—HaIf Tester, French, Stamp and Folding, in great variety. New Patterns ex 'Otaki,' 'Famenoth,' and 'Iron Queen.' LINOLEUM, FLOORCLOTHS. MATTING, HEARTHRUGS, TOILET-WARE. TOILET tj LASSES, and an immense stock of DRAW ING, DINING, and BEDROOM SUITES, English and American CANE and WOOD CHAIRS, Meat Safes, Door Mats, &c, &c, &c, at LOWEST PRICES. A Liberal Discount £o Cash Buyers. T. & H. COOKE. Furniture Shovrrooms 67, QUEEN-STREET. Steam-Cabinet Factory VICTORIA-STREET npWSNTY PER CENT. DISCOUNT FOR A SHORT TIME ONLY! FANCY DRESS MATERIALS, FURNISHING GOODS, BLACK SILKS, BLANKETS, CALICOES. HOSIERY, HABERDASHERY, LADIES' UNDERCLOTHING, CARPETS AND MATTING. CLOTHING OF ALL KINDS, FOR BOYS' AND MEN'S WEAR, HATS, CAPS, SHIRTS, &a, AND EVERY DESCRIPTION of GENERAL DRAPERY AND CLOTHING, AT ISL TWENTY PER CENT, REDUCTION. FOUR SHILLINGS IN THE POUND ALLOWED UPON ALL CASH PURCHASES. Goods Entered will bf Charged Regular Prices. DUSHBROOK AND "ORIDGMAN, DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &C, UPPER QUEEN-STREET, Auckland, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel). Shera Brothers ANNOUNCE THE ARRIVAL, Per " Lohbaine," OF THEIR FIRST SHIPMENT FOR THE COMING SEASON. QUEEN-STREET. 26th January, 1878. The wordf " communicated" was, by an oversight, omitted yesterday from the paragraph relating to a challenge for a judging distance match.