SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

_~,., TrT.mTro (This Afternoon,3.37 HIGH WATER—^ To . morrow Morning, 4.15 SUN SET.—TMs Evening, 7.17 SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning, 5.4 MOON'S AGE.—Full Moon, 19th, 11.59 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

DEPARTURES

IMPORTS Per May Queen: 3 cases meerschaum washed ■end fancy clay pipes.- T. W. Allen, tobacconist.

The barque Abbey Holme was brought along side the Queen-street Wharf yesterday after noon. She will start to discharge her cargo im mediately. The following items are clipped from the " Northern Advocate":—Mr James Barbour, the builder of the Torea—the smartest vessel on the coast—will shortly commence to bmld a brig and a cutter for the Aratapu Mill Company. Nearly all the timber is ready, and they are expected to surpass all his previous efforts— which is saying a good deal. . Mr John Haslett, of Mangawhare, has lust convuenced'building another vessel. Mr John Waymouth, the well-known boat builder, now of Dargaville, is engaged building a flat-bottomed outrigger skiff, length 26ft, for the Mareikura races. . We learn that the barque Caberfiedh may be daily expected in the Kaipara waters, having been chartered to take 250,000 feet baulk timber from Port Albert to Dunedin.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

MAtr.s will Close as Unjikr: For Thames, this day. at 5.30 p.m. and to morrow at 10 a.m. 5.30 p.m. For Waiheke and Coromandel, per Argyle, on Friday next, at 2.30 p.m. For Wbitiangi. Tauranga and Opotiki, per Rowena, this day, at 4 p.m. ForWaiwera, Warkworth, and Te Arai, per Annie Milbank, to-morrdw. at 10 a.m. lor Tauranga, Gisborne. Napier, and Southern Provinces per Wanaka, to-morrow, at 2 p.m. ffov money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 1 p.m. Late letters till 2.20 p.m. For Norfolk Island, per Waiwera, to-morrow, at 3 p.m. , For Gisborne, per Go-ahead, to-morrow, at 4p.m, For Australian Colonies, per Zealandia im mediately after her arrival from Honolulu. S. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGES.

BILKEY—GILBERT. -At Auckland, N.Z., on 2nd January, 1878, Hany, eldest son of Mr. Robert Bilkey, Pukekohe West to Rose, eldest daughter of the late Mr. Philip Gilbert, Newport, Monmouthshire, England.—Home papers please copy. „ HKOLBY-HUNT.-On the 14th January, 1878, at the Registrar's Office, Auckland, IS.Z., Hugh Hedley, third son of James Hedley, Pollock Settlement, to Annie K. Hunt eldest daughter of the late Captain Hunt, Onehunga.

DEATH.

NOLAN.—On the 16th January, 1878, Ellen, the beloved wife of Mr. Edward Nolan, and the youngest daughter of the late Mr. William Flowers, aged 2G years. The funeral will leave her late residence, Albert-street, on Friday. 18th instant, at half past 3 o'clock. Friends please accept this invitation.

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

WEDEESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1878.

porOur cause that Ucks assistance, Far tsie wrong that nwcis resistance. few lie fatuie in the dUtajxe.

The return ot £349 subscribed in Auckland for the relief of sufferers by the Indian Famine is a pleasant proof of the termina tion of the most terrible calamity that has befallen any portion of the British Empire during the'last decade. Early in November the North Eastern monsoon brought welcome and copious rains. Vegetation sprang up with a rapidity and luxuriance unknown outside the tropics, and in a few weeks the parched, famine-stricken laud was clothed with verdure. The Indian Government, which has throughout been fearful of pauperising a people too prone to mendicacy, applied itself at once to the encouragement of agriculture among those who were formerly engaged in the cultivation of the land, but whose homesteads were desolated, cattle dead, crops destroyed, and ground baked, as in an oven, duriug the late terrible period. The Government advances were made chiefly to land-owners who could offer secu rity ; the Relief Committee, however, administering the munificent bounty which poured in from all parts of the Great Empire on which the sun never sets, found ample scope in supplying the immediate bodily wants of the famishing people, and in bestowing the few rupees requisite to set the Hindoo small farmer up in life again. All these efforts, like those that went before in alleviating the pangs of starvation, must of necessity fail to meet every exigency. Hundreds of thousands died of starvation —not because the resources of the Government or the bounty of the nation fell short of the actual wants of the poor creatures in need of aid, but owing to the absolute impossibility of reaching in their obscure and wretched retreats the sick and dying victims of the scourge. A plan adopted with great success was the forma tion of extensive relief camps, where the sufferers found a temporary abode until the rains made a return to their de serted homes desirable. But, with all the energy directed to the huge under taking success was only partial ; and in like manner now it would be too sanguine an expectation to believe that the efforts of the Government, assisted by the most as siduous external aids, will hi uniformly suc cessful in saving India from the effects of the late wide-spread desolations. But, so "far as it is within human power to avert the evils which the reviving population have still before them, we have the assurance that both the will and the means are still at the disposal of the Government even in excess of what is estimated as the extreme requirements of the situation. While it is pretty certain that the pains of the cala mity will survive after the operating cause has passed away, it is consolatory and not unreasonable to believe that permanent fruits of an opposite character will be borne in the greater gratitude of a people on whose behalf there has been enlisted an almost unparalleled display of national sympathy. Sir Stafford Northcote. on a recent occasion, claimed that our right to hold India Avas dependent upon the bless ings conferred on India itself from the partnership, and we believe that this senti ment is the one predominant in the minds of most Englishmen who are called upon to justify the forcible retention of the countiy. But, though to nations which have learned to appreciate the benefits of just Government it must appear that English rule in India is a gain to the people, and to civilisation, we should not forget that the masses of the population of Hindostan, sunk in ignorance and wrapped up in impervious surroundings of religious prejudice,; and caste, regard the British domination as a yoke maintained by force. The occurrence of the past year has given our countrymen the opportunity of shewing that the fetters imposed by the conquerors are of silk. Although diffused through the two hundred millions of Hindoo popu lation, the gigantic work of philanthropy that has been carried out can scarcely be without its useful impressions. Bat even were it unsafe—as perhaps it may be—to reckon very much upon the Kisccpti biiifv of thj Hiudun jimssph m

estimate at their value the sacrifices which were cheerfully and voluntarily made on their behalf, Aye have a certain gain to the great but scattered Empire, in the sympathetic thrill which has passed from the centre to its most distant borders on behalf of one suffering limb. It is only under circumstances like these that we see the nation acting on one impulse, and for one common purpose; and the result has astonished the most sanguine believer in the reality of national feeling throughout the British dominions. English journals teem with expressions of wonder and admiration at the munificence of the response from these colonies; while we on our part— acquainted with the feelings of loyalty which are predominant with Englishmen, no matter where they may roam—are dis posed to marvel that it should have been conceived possible 8 for an impending national danger to excite less concern in Australasia than in old England.

Dr Somerville held a meeting of ladies to-day in the Theatre Royal, from which gentlemen were entirely excluded. There was one gentleman, however, who was curious to ascertain what mysterious things were proceeding within the closed doors, viz., a reporter from this journal. He sought admittanc, which was refused. We are therefore unable to furnish any report of this afternoon's proceedings. On future occasions of this kind, however, we shall engage a special female reporter.

The wages ruling at the mills are : Engi neers, £5 ; heads of saws, £4 10s ; tails of saws, £3; outside hands, £2, with rent free.

Mr Colson was thrown from his vehicle on the Lake Road yesterday, but was not hurt. The horse bolted with the trap, which was considerably damaged. Two cases are set down for hearing at the next Civil Sittings of the Supreme Court, which commence on Monday next, viz.—l. James Shirley v. James Gerrard ; Hesketh and Richmond for the plaintiff, Rees and Tyler for the defendant, (Special jury.) 2. Robert Graham v. Emily Din.es Steven son ; Messrs. Russell and Devore for the plaintiff, and Messrs. Jackson and Russell for the defendant.

The members of the Auckland Trades and Labour Council held a meeting last evening, in the Temperance Hall, for the purpose of considering the formation of a Working Men's Club, similar in character to those which prevail in London, and which were started by Rev. Henry Tolly. Mr Hampton occupied the chair, and in a, well-considered report, shewed that their idea of a Club for working men was likely to be realised, as it had met with general approval. The secretary next read a num ber of letters in relation to the project, when, after some discussion, it was un animously resolved that a Working Men's Club be formed; that Sir George Grey, X.C.8., be patron; Henry Brett, Esq., (Mayor), president ; and Mr G. W. Hislop, vice-president. The rules were discussed seriatim, and passed, and a committee representing the various trades appointed, consisting of the following gentlemen :—Messrs. Saunders, McLean, Cook, Turner, Ditty, Firth, and Smith. This was the principle business; the meeting for further details will be held on Saturday evening next in the same place. A boat containing three men—Messrs. Malone, Barry, and Johnson—returning to the bush, north of Dargaville, got swamped during the heavy gale blowing last week, and had to. swim for it. The boat was ultimately recovered. Mr J. C. Firth has written a letter in the Melbourne "Argus," stating that Mr S. Wilson does not deserve so much credit as is imputed to him in connection with the introduction of salmon ova, which have been deposited in various Australian rivers with a small per centage of loss.

Mr Edward Whitehouse, of Matakohe, met with an accident last Aveek by falling off a dray he was driving, the wheel of which passed over his right thigh, and crushed it terribly. Under the care of Dr. Fisher, the sufferer is progressing as well as could be expected. In our report of Mr Rees' speech in the Mechanics' Institute, we accidentally omitted that portion referring to the refusal of Captain Morris, of Tauranga, to furnish a list of public works, required on the East Coast, with Sir Robert Douglas and Mr Rowe, who, by sending in lists as invited, secured considerable votes for public works in their districts.

Another of those interesting quadrille parties, under the judicious management of the shareholders of the Hibernian Band, will be held to-morrow (Thursday) evening, in the Cook-street Hall. These select dances have been popular and creditable from the careful manner in which they are conducted, and to-morrow's party, associ ated with the music of the Hibernian Band, bids fair to be as successful in every respect as those which have preceded it.

The Timaru Harbour Board yesterday resolved to proceed actively with the break water, on the site recommended by Mr Balfourand approved by the Commissioners. It was resolved to telegraph to Auckland for the newly appointed engineer to the Board (Mr Goodall), and instruct him to call for tenders in two forms : Ist, solid concrete; and pierre perdu, faced with concrete. A tender by Messrs Guthrie and Larnach for 1,000 tons of Portland cement at £4 16s 5d was accepted.

A meeting of the ratepayers of the Mount Eden Highway District will be held at the school-house this evening, to consider the advisability of petitioning the Government to enlarge the bridge over the main road at the railway crossing. The annual meeting of the parishioners of Trinity Church, North Shore, was an nouuead to take place last evening, but owing to the small number of persons pre sent it was adjourned for a week. The Southern delegates to the Primitive Methodist Conference, which has just com pleted its sitting, left for the South by the Taranaki yesterday. A man fell from the paddle-box of one of the North Shore Ferry Cos. steamers on Monday evening. A hawser was thrown to him., and he was rescued after some trouble.

An entertainment under the auspices of the Auckland Christian Dcotrine Society will be held in tho Lome-street Hall this evening. The Hobson Band will perform a number of operatic selections; several lady and gentleman amateurs will render pleasing airs; and Martin Swallow Esq., who has kindly undertaken the direction of the concert, will perform as a piano solo his new composition, the "Cardinal's March." A pleasing evening's entertain ment is anticipated, and the concert will doubtless be well attended.

The meeting of the Committee of the Auckland Athletic Club, Mr A. E. Whita ker in the chair, was held last evening in the Club-room of the Thames Hotel, for the purpose of electing members, and fixing the day of the general meeting of the club. The election of officers took place by ballot, and the following were duly elected : — Messrs J. Wood, (Waikato) H. Neil Smith, M. McGregor, A. Black. The names of some other candidates were deferred for election until the next meeting. Mr Ryan, treasurer, informed the meeting that in consequence of his having to leave Auck land, he should be compelled to resign the treasury office into other hands. The club expressed regret at losing Mr Ryan's services, and elected Mr Harcourt as th c future treasurer. The second Saturday in March was fixed upon for the&eneral meet ing. It was also resolved that ajjsteeple chase of about four miles be held on the 6th ultimo, and to be a handicap. A sub committee was appointed to carry out the details of the chase, viz. : Messrs King, Cotton, Colson, Hareourt, and A. E. Whitaker.

Rev Dr Somerville will deliver a lecture to-morrow evening in the Theatre Royal on the " Bible for the World," Mr J. C. Firth iii the chair. Mr W. F. Somerville, assisted liy the choir, will conduct the (service of KUII.CJ.

The sumg of 2,450 guineas has been realized for "a colonial-bred bull in Mel bourne. The battery and band of the Auckland Artillery Volunteers will assemble to morrow'(Thursday) evening in the Welles ley-street Drill-shed, for monthly inspec tion. Members who may be absent will be dismissed from the corps. There was a good attendance at the -wax works exhibition last evening, and the visitors appeared to be well pleased with what they saw. The monster galvanic battery was in constant requisition during the evening. The exhibition was also fairly patronised to-day.

The revenue returns of Victoria shew an increase of £18,000 in the last quarter. The entries for the Australian Cup have been closed with twenty-seven, and forty two for the Newmarket Handicap. On Monday evening, the first meeting of the members of the new Odd Fellows Lodge washeld in the large roomat the Albert Hall, Darby-street. P.P.G.M. H. Rafton, was in the chair, and stated the principles up on which the National Independent Order of Odd Fellows was carried out. Amongst other business it was resolved that the Lodge be known by the name of the Auck land Pioneer, and it will be officially opened on Monday, Jan. 29th, by P.P.G.M. Henry Rafton, and P.S. Wm. Thompson. The Order is very extensive ; it numbers over 100 Lodges, and 50,000 members, and is worth over £104,000. Last year upwards of 5,000 new members were added to the Order at an average age of 24 years 4 months and 2 weeks.

The Rev C. M. Nelson has commenced a subscription list on behalf of an unfortunate woman named Mrs Williams, avlio is obliged to support her paralysed hueband and five little children. It is proposed to establish Mrs Williams in some small business which will enable her to earn a livelihood. Mrs D. Jones acts as secretary. Some sub scriptions have already been received, and any further contributions may be left at this office. The gentlemen who have interested themselves in this case guarantee that the money shall be judiciously ex pended. To the Editor : Sir, —Will you kindly open your columns for a brief appeal to the benevo lent among your readers on behalf of Mrs McCracken, Avho has just been left a widow and in destitute circumstances. Her late husband Avas unable to work for some time previous to his death, and at the early age of 34 he has left her Avith 5 small children and Avith no provision Avhatever for their support. A gentleman in Auck land has generously defrayed the costs of the funeral; and it is to aid the poor AvidoAV and her helpless children in the hard struggle for life that lies before them that this appeal is noAV made.—Yours, &c, W. J. Williams. [We have much pleasure in giving publicity to the above, and believe it to be a genuine case of Avant. Any donations from sympathisers Avill be received at this office.—Ed. E. S.]

Mr Smith desires us ..to thank those persons Avho assisted him at this morning's fire.

There was a large attendance at Dr. Somerville's mid-day prayer meeting to day. The annual meeting ?oi the Onehunga Ladies' Benevolent Society Avas held on Tuesday, the 15th iust. The Rev. T* Hamer presided. The treasurer, Rev. A. R. Tomlinson, read the report, which shewed that during the year IS cases had been relieved. The receipts were £5013s ll£d. The expenditure Avas £51 16s 3d, leaving balance due to treasurer, £1 2a 34d. The officers and Committee Avere re-elected. On Friday evening next a concert is to be given in the Masonic Hall, in aid of the funds of this useful Society, at Avhich Mrs Mitchell, Mrs Woolley, Miss Vaughan, Mr GradAvell, and others, have kindly consented to give their services. The popular operetta, "Wanted a parlour maid," Avill also be performed, and the evening Avind up Avith a dance.

CITY COUNCIL ELECTION.

A LARGE number of persons waited patiently outside the Mechanics' Institute last evening for the purpose of hearing the result of the City Council election. The time was passed pleasantly in dis cussing the merits of the two candidates, and passing off jokes at their expense. Shortly before seven o'clock the doors were terown open, aud the result was announced fromjtho platform by Mr Hidings, Returning Officer, as follows : — MrW. Buchanan 759 MrJ. Giey 518 Majority for Mr Buchanan ... 241 The announcement was received with cheers. Mr Buchanan thanked those persons who had voted for him, and promised that he would work for tho benefit of the city. Mr Grey also expressed his thanks, and said that he was not ashamed to be beaten by such a good citizen as Mr Buchanan. !No unfriendly feeling had been displayed during the day, and in fact there was no cause for any. He congratulated Mr Buchanan, to whom he extended the right hand of fellowship. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, proposed by Mr Buchanan, and seconded by Mr Grey, terminated the proceedings, raid the assembly dispersed.

SCHOOL FEAST.

The children of Trinity Church, (Devon- Eort), St. John's, (Stokes' Point), and the iake Sunday-schools, heiu their annual festival to-day. The rendezvous was at the schoolroom, Devonport, and the scholars from the more distant places, dressed in holiday attire, were brought over in vehicles of various kinds. During feheir transit, unfor tunately, a shower rather damped the pro ceedings. Devonport reached, a procession was formed at the school-room, and about 300 juveniles, bent upon enjoying them selves filed down to the wharf, headed by a band. Here they embarked on board the steamer Takapuna, chartered on most liberal terms by the Feriy Company to the teachers, and proceeded over to Mr Buckland's land at the Tamaki. The Rev. Mr Bates and the various teachers were in charge, and as the weather became more promising with the ascent of Sol, there was every prospect of a happy day.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION.

To-day's quotations :— Bank of New Zealand—Buyers, £23105. ' National Bank—Buyers, 71s. Colonial Bank—Buyers, 51s 9d; sellers, 52s 6d. South British Insurance—Buyers 77s 6d; sellers, 78s 6d. Union Insurance—l2s 6d; buyers, 12s 6d. New Zealand Insurance—Buyers, 97s 6d; sellers, 100s. Union Sash & Door Co.—Buyers, £1010s. Caledonian—Buyers, 60s. Moanatairi—Bls 82s 6d; buyers, 80s. Alburnia—6ss to 67s 6d; buyers, 60s; sellers, 70s. Tokatea—Sellers, 6s 6d. Young New Zealand—Sellers, 2s id.. Kurunui Hill—lss; buyers, 14s 6d; sellers, 15s. Piako—Sellers, 5s 3d. JOSEPH NEWMAN. Chairman.

INDIAN FAMINE SUBSCRIPTIONS.

(To the Editor of the Star.) Sir,—l see from your issue of Wednesday, 9th, that the sum of £340 has been returned as surplus of I the Indian Famine Fund collected here. As you, sir, justly remark, "there are plenty of good objects iless distant than India that stand in need of aid." Will you permit me to call attention through your columns, to that most excellent charity, the Ladies' Benevolent Socioty, which is in urgent need of present help. If I were not afraid of appearing to draw what might seem an invidious distinction, I should say that this Society has exceptional claims, relieving not merely individuals, but whole families, while the wise and careful manage ment of its funds reflects the highest credit on those benevolent ladies who gratuitously devote their time and labour to viaitina: th<* distressed and mitigating their sufferings. Trusting that ihesfl few words may at least call attention to 1.110 subject, I am, fcir, yours rosiicctiully—Pjx t-b.\E'Sr.

CABLEGRAMS.

AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION,

FORBES MAIL SERVICE PENALTIES.

[PRESS AGENCY.] . SYDNEY, this day. The Premier informed a deputation that he Avould not suspend immigration, but Avould rather seek the introduction of im migrants of the right stamp. the Indian Famine Fund ay ill probably reach £20,000. . . The Government have received infor mation that the penalties incurred by the Forbes Postal Contract have been arranged by the payment of £10,000, to be divided betAveen the colony of NeAV South Wales and that of Ncav Zealand. A deputation of the Agricultural Society to the Government requested the removal of the prohibition on the introduction of stock from England. The Premier replied satis factorily. A monthly service has been arranged between London and Australia of first-class steamers, theLusitania, Chimborazo, Cuzco, Maronne, Aconcagui. &c.

Terrible Conflagration IN NEWTON.

THE RISIHG Stm SOTEL AND SEVERAL OTHER BUILDINGS REDUCED TO ASHES.

A FIEE of startling magnitude, and of a most destructive character, took place in the Karangahape Road between two and four o'clock this morning. The exact time of the outbreak was as nearly a quarter-past two as possible, at any rate the first alarm bell sounded within five minutes of that time. In a few minutes the dead silence of midnight Avas changed, as by magic, into the busy hum of life and excitement. As the northerly breeze bore the clanging notes of the bells over the city, the citizens calmly sleeping in their beds were rudely roused, and at numberless windows might be seen anxious faces, eager to discover the whereabouts of the calamity which was making night hideous. Looking from the eastern side of the town, a lurid glare was to beseen,lgraduallyintensifying, inthedirec tion of the high ground in the neighbourhood of the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church. In five minutes flames could be distinctly seen over the roofs of the houses, and increasing fast iv force and splendour the conflagration in twice that time was of sufficient power to illumine the city with the brilliancy of the mid-day suu. The night was cloudy and dark, and a drizzling rain which had been threatening all the evening was beginning to fall. These accompaniments only made the glare the brighter. Never do we recollect seeing a more beautiful sight at a fire thau that which was presented^to the gazer from the top of Barrack hill at half-past two this morning. Every building in the great central basin ot the city stood out sharply outlined, and most of them dazzlingly white. The illumination was so complete, that the shades of colouriug in the foliage of the trees could be distinctly perceived. A strange glamour was shed over the waters of the harbour, where the masts of the shipping stood out gaunt and lean in the unnatural light. Looking up Grey-street, the coup d'teil was weirdlike in the extreme. The roadway and paths were white as snow, while the crowds of human beings hastening up the hill wore the appearance of so many ants making one of their curious pilgrimages. Turning into Pitt-street both sight and sound tell us that we are close to the scene of the disaster. The roar of the flames, mingled with the clamour of an excited crowd, strikes on our ear, and other indications of the proximity of the fire are not wanting. Who are those persons hastily coming towards us ? Why are they going in a direction opposite to everybody else? A glance at their terror-stricken faces and scanty attire tells us the reason. They are refugees just escaped from their burning houses, aud th y are hastening to find shelter under the friendly roofs of hospitable neighbours. We gain from this rencontre an approximate estimate of the serious nature of the destruction in progress. Hounding into Karangahape Road Aye at once get a view of the conflagration. About one hundred yards from the corner, a mass of flames is being borne right across the broad thoroughfare, the curling tongues licking the houses on the opposite side of the street, and the Avhirling eddies of sparks and smoke being hurled aloft and spreading danger and apprehension around. THE SCENE. • A second glance reveals that the blazing pile is the Rising Sun Hotel a large square wooden building containing 14 rooms and belonging to Mr Morrison, who occupied it up to a few months ago, The hotel has been lately carried on by Mr or rather Captain Mann, once a master mariner. The Fire Brigade are on the spot, and the men are busy running up the hose. Two streams are already being poured over the most threatened buildings. It is no use trying to extinguish the hotel. That is doomed. The flames have it firmly in their fatal embrace, and iv ten minutes more it Avill be a building of the past. Now Aye meet a man Avhose looks betoken a serious personal interest in the melodrama being enacted. Enquiring his name Aye find that it is Mr McAlpine, boot and shoemaker, Avhose place of business, an hour ago, stood alongside the Avestern wall ot the hotel. From him we are enabled to gather some valuable information as to the origin of the fire. He Avas asleep up stairs, Avhen at a few minutes past tAvo he was aAvoke by a suffocating feeling and strong smell of smoke. Hastily jumping up in bed he called to his Avife, " Why, the place is full of smoke." A bound to the door sheAved him unmistakably that the house Avas on fire. There Avas no time to lose, and Mr McAlpine had seven little children in the place. With the assistance of Mrs McAlpme the little ones were got out safely, but not before the flames had as sumed such proportions as to effectually prevent any return for the purpose of salvage. It appears that under the same roof, but in a different part of| the house, Avith Mr McAlpine, lived a carpenter named StringfelloAV. The building Avas a tAVO-storey one, and it is uucertain Avhether the outbreak occurred in McAlpine's part or in Stringfellow's. That it begun in this building there is no doubt, as several of the earliest arrivals on she scene, including Mr George Francis . and Mr Priestley, say distinctly that they saw the fire issuing from McAlpine's house before it had touched the hotel. At the same time that the flames extended 'to the hotel they also travelled westward to the premises of Mr Streeter, pork butcher. Noav might be seen the most frantic attempts being made by the. friends of Captain Mann to rescue the goods and chattels of the hotel, We regret to say that in spite of all their exertions the fiery demon travelled so quickly that the amount saved Avas exceed ingly small. The roof of the hotel fell in Avith a great roar and burst of flame, Avhich, •as is usual, immediately afterwards begau to decline. The,, pressure of Avater Avhich could be brought to bear was very small in consequence of the site of the fire being about on the same level as the Ponsonby Reservoir. NotAvithstanding this the Brigade suc ceeded in getting tolerable streams to operate on the brick building knoAvn as J. W. Prime's grocery store. Tim Avas at first thought to be safe, but the keen element found its Avay to the roof, and torrents of smoke began to pour through fit:; ii;t'-".-n«v- , l'C.oki-tii''.- a nest of ilainc,

which if left alone would burst out in a few minutes. Seeing the danger, Superintendent Hughes directed a fresh body of men to devote their energies to keeping down the fire in-this quarter. They were eminently successful, and in less than twenty minutes all danger of the building being destroyed was past. A stable and outhouse in the rear of Mr Prime's store were partly destroyod. This ter minated the range of the devasta tion on this side of the street at the eastern end. At the western end it had extended to Mr Mann's private house, which was soon, like the houses adjoining it, reduced to ashes. A vacant allotment stopped fur ther progress. Two cottages belonging to Mr Suiter, the lessee of the Rising Sun Hotel, and in rear of that building, shared its fate. THE SOUTH SIDE. Meanwhile, from three until four o'clock, a fierce battle was being waged between the firemen and the incipient Games, which had taken hold of the houses on the south side of the road. Here, indeed, was the lion's share of the work. Early in the course of events the sparks had set fire to the roofs of Waddel's Bakery and the Newton Hotel, at the opposite, corners of West-street. These are substantial buildings, the latter, with the two adjoining houses on the east side, being of brick, with a cement front. In the rear of Waddel's Bakery is a timber yard, belonging to Mr G. Holdship, and here is stacked a very large supply of seasoned timber, which could hardly have been replaced if it had been consumed. The chief danger lay* in the bakery. Mr Holdship and Mr Daldy junr., who were on the spot, were prompt to see this. Quickly obtaining a ladder they mounted to the roof, and getting some buckets of water passed up, they succeeded in keeping the fire under, though they ex perienced great difficulty owing to the insecure footing presented by the roof, and the smallness the trap doors which had to be cut away to admit a man. It was feared at one time that the ladder would give way, but though it bent tremendously it held together gallantly. Had it not been for the promptitude displayed by these vol unteers, this building must have gone, for the Brigade Avere at the time so busy else where that they could not bestow any at tention on it. The Newton Hotel had a very narrow escape. The front presents a pitiable spectacle, the windows are all smashed by the heat, and the woodwork of. the roof and portions of the shingling are burnt. One front room into which our re porter went shewed very plain traces of the baptism of fire. The window frames and sashes were all charred; a chair standing close to the window was partly burnt; the ashes of the window curtains rested on the chair, and the paper had evidently been on fire in several places. The billiard room seemed to have escaped material damage. The table is insured for £200. The roof of this hotel was on fire several times, but owing to the activity shown by the volunteer helpers it was always got under. A private boarding house in the same block as the hotel, occupied by Mr Coulbourn. was much damaged, and here as in the buildings adjoining it on each side, it was touch and go for fully half-an-hour, and the place was only saved by good honest working. The houses which suffered most on this side of the street were those of Mr Hoyes, grocer, Post-office (which was the first to catch), and the adjoining one belonging to Mr Greetham, carpenter and shingler. Mr Greetham's premises are in the block which includes the hotel and the boarding house, but Mr Hoyes' house is a two-storied wooden building with a gable roof. After these caught it was some timejbefore any water could be produced for their extinguishment, and at one time the flames had gained such a hold of the roofs that it looked as if nothing could save the buildings from total destruction. However, in good time Mr John Henderson and Mr Chas. Layers, builder, assisted by several constables and others, raised a ladder against them, and being joined by Mr Kelly, a plasterer, Mr Johnston, a baker, whose premises were next door to Hoyes', succeeded in cutting a hole through the saddle-boards through which Mr Johnston got, and a chain of buckets having been organised, the flames, though they could not be extinguished, were kept under until the Fire Brigade could spare a hose. When this at last was afforded, the stream of water directed en to the burning and smouldering rafters soon put them out, but not before both premises had been very much damaged both inside and outside. The adjoining establishments of Messrs Johnston (baker), Alexander Greengrocer, and Froude (tailor), were all more or less damaged. AFTER THE WORST. By a quarter to four the fire had been well got under, and with due care there was no fear of it spreading further. The space once occupied by the Rising Sun looked very desolate. The embers were still blaz ing, and several gas jets shed additional light on the scene of destruction. The hotel, cottages at the back, and the four buildings to the westward, had been made a clean sweep of, and the bare chimneys are the only standing remains. During the fire the Navals under Captaiu Leßoy, and the police under Inspector Thompson, rendered most useful service. The crowd was un usually great, in spite of the unfavourable hour, and was kept back very effectually. INCIDENTS. A boy had a very narrow escape during the fire. He was walking along the front of the Newton Hotel when a large portion of the eaves of the roof fell down. The burn ing mass fell within a foot of the lad, who was so startled that he ran for nearly a hundred yards without stopping. A baby-engine, which Mr Holdship pro cured, was of invaluable assistance in ex tinguishing the fire on the roof of Mr Waddel's Bakery.., Sergeant Clark (of the Police), Mr Duke (Inspector of Nuisances for Newton), Mr Walter Scott, and several others, were con spicuous during the early part of the fire in protecting the south side of the street. The wind rose very high during the con flagration, and the smoke and sparks hurled about made the work of those who were tiying to save property both dangerous and very painful. When Mr Prime's store took fire a cry was raised that a woman was inside. Sergt. Major Mason procured a ladder, and it was .raised against the upper window. The officer ascended and ascertained that the face Been was that of Mr Prime junr., who had remained on the premises, and as he said he did not intend to leave until he was obliged. Mr Greetham had a narrow escape. He went back into his bed-room to obtain his purse and watch, and was so over come by smoke that he could hardly struggle back again. A member of the Salvage Corps named Godwin met with a severe fall. He was standing on a ladder, which had an in secure footing, and which a man had pro mised to keep steady. The latter carelessly turned away, and, it is said, through this the ladder gave way, and Godwin fell heavily. He, however, continued pluckily at the work. THE ORIGIN. We have no certain information on this point, nor do we think any is very likely to be obtained. Mi McAlpine assures us that he had no fire in his kitchen after 6 p.m., and had had none in his parlour for three months'. EXTENT OF DAMAGE. The following is about as near an esti mate as can at present be ascertained of the extent of the injuries : — NORTH |SIDE -OF KARANGAHAPE ROAD. Rising SunlHotel—Totally destroyed. The building is the property of Mr Mor rison, and leased by Mr W. J. Suiter, brewer, who' sub-let it. It was insured, for £400 in the South British, and £250 in the Norwich Union Insurance Company. Mr Mann lost all his furniture and stock, but it is insured for £300 in the New Zealand Coriipn::y.

Two Cottages at the ReIbTIbI'I were destroyed. They were o-vvn e^T'' Koft Suiter. One was occupied by j/ °h Edwards, and the other by Mrs K ei] r &■ Both these persons saved the greater n^ of their furniture, which was not in The cottages were insured for £igo ;^-, Norwich Union Insurance Company 'V J. W. Prime's Grocery Store.. -in,, building has been greatly damaged ~~ 7^ is estimated that £700 Avill b° e seT it sufficient to meet the loss. The stanT^"' the ! -!r has been greatly charred anrl^P froi)' ■•? the shop has been badly bu ■' Aim. ■ hole has been made through u1 shutt ;d. The roof and upper part^f "is' buil(:.:gare also very badly injured ay is ne. etsary that the large brick Tvall1 * the si-.l;; facing the ruins of the firo s w be all taken down. The buildin» j a J7 { property of Mr Prime, and is insured • the South British Insurance Company f" 5 £1,150. yfor'::: Streeter's Pork Butcher?.— t o w destroyed. The building was the propel of Mr Streeter, and was iusured forfiSi" in the Norwich Union and £100 \ n n°: National. The stock was not insured »fi was worth more than £100; so that M ■ Streeter will be a heavy loser. Nothrn» was saved. ? Crawford's (Chemist and Drutrrm.l. SHOP.—The building was on fire severl times, and narrowly escaped destruction. The window posts and corned post of tfo ouilding are charred by the heat. 0%!: very small portion of the stock 4u removed, so that there cannot be any w i on that account. The stock was insured for £125 in the South British, and the S furniture for £100 in the Norwich Unioi I The damage to the building is not »reat $- It is the property of Mr Hill, of the firm'tf P Hill and Hudson, and is insured for £m ■£, in the Royal Insurance Company. HMcAdpine's (Bootmaker) Shop.-. Totally destroyed. Nothing was saved. " The house, furniture and mechinery were insured in the National Insurance Compaq Sf for £200. .' i Kemble's Bakery.—The furniture aiid || stock of this shop, which was not insured, -i was greatly damaged by removal Mostof $ the articles, however, have been returned. $ and £10 will probably cover the lossr Mr C. C. Mann's Dwelling-house.^ Totally destroyed. Owned by Mr Manni'l Insured In the Imperial Company for £200 || Stringfellow's Toy Shop.—lnsurant

at present unknown. SOUTH SIDE. Froude's (Tailoe) Shop.—The roof be came Ignited several times, and wasslightly damaged. The building is the property of - : ;f Mr Froude, and is insured in the South ! British Insurance Company for £250. Mr Alexander's Greengroceey.- The roof is slightly injured, but not to an veiy great extent. Johnstone's Bakery and Groceby.— This building is also very slightly damaged. Both it and Alexander's are the property of Mr Robinson, of the Lake. The furniture is insured for £70 in the New Zealand Company. The damage is estimated at Hoyes' General Stobe, and Post.; Office. —These are separate buildings, '*£ and both have been greatly damagedyß in fact, we may say that they have v sustained more than any other place '?' on this side of the street. Both buildings ]i are the property of Mr Hoyes, and they are % insured in the South British for £400. The I stock is insured for £200 in the Union ■',- Company. The upper part of the building is almost totally destroyed, and it is estimated will cost £300 in rebuilding. 1 Gbeetham's Toy and Fancy Shop.- This building has also been greatly damaged. \ The stockandfamiture,which arejuninsured, :;r; has been partly destroyed, and the loss -: to Mr Greetham will therefore be fully v £100. The house is the property of Mr ; Watson, brewer, and was insured for £200 % in the Standard Insnrance Company. It is |j estimated that the damage to the building |' will amount to £150. Colebourne's Dwelling-house.—This -; house is also damaged to the extent of £100. ; It is the property of Mr Watson, and is in- • sured in the Standard Company for £200. The furniture was not greatly damaged. Newton Hotel. —There has beea a \ large amount of damage done to this build- | ing. The roof and front bedrooms have | been destroyed. The billiard table, which | was purchased by Mr Smith about h six months ago, has been greatly damaged s, by water. A quantity of wearing apparel ij: has been burnt. There was abont £10 | ■worth of bottled spirits, &c, in the show :|; window at the time of the outbreak, and J these were either burst or stolen. The;' building is the property of Mr Poppleton, of: the Whau. It was insured for £600 in the Norwich Union. The stock, furniture, and:; wearing apparel, were insured in the; National for £300, and the billiard table and fixtures in the same Office for £200. Waddel's Bakery. — The roof hast.;- been burned to a large extent, and the.fe damage will be about £50. The building || was owned by Mr Waddel, and was insured -;| in the New Zealand Company for £400. Mclndoe's Greengrocery.—The roof 'I of this building is also injured to some-I extent. The property is owned by Mr | Hill, of Onehunga, who has it insured to the amount of £100 in the Norwich :| Union. The case of Mr Greetham, a hardworking ; ; I carpenter, is a peculiarly distressing one. | The unfortunate man has been in business -| for. many years in Newton, and by the fire f I this morning he has lost stock, furniture, v: | &c, to vhe amount of £100, almost all the|| property that he. was pobsessed of, and his f stock was not insured, and therefore the | loss falls direct upon his own shoulders. TOTAL INSURANCES. Total Losses. South British ... ... ...£3,000 New Zealand ... ... ... 300 Norwich Union ... 500 ■■; National .. 300 ; Imperial ... ... 200 Total... ... ... £2,300 f Partiae Losses. The following ar© the totals of insurances || on buildings only partially destroyed. The , ? actual losses have not yet been estimated— I National ... ... ... ... £935 | Norwich Union ... ... ... 800..'•■ Standard ■ ... ; ... 400 ■; Union ... ... .A ... 200 - Phoenix' ... ... ... ... — Liverpool and London —, Total ... ... £2,235 * Very Serious Accident to tie § Salvage Corps- . ~ On returning from the fire, at which tne above active Corps rendered most valuable I assistance, seven of the members were .;| capsized out of a break. They "were proceeding down. Wellesley - street, |; when the vehicle overturned, throwing |j the occupants out—some of them s*r!*£F 1 the street with great violence. Mr •"• 1 Godwin fell on his head, and it is feared I has sustained a fracture of the skull^ He ■ was at once taken to the Hospital. ■ Several ■ others have received considerable injury. I Mr' Field has his face much cut, and his knee cut and bruised. g|Mr Gough's face was much braised in the ■ scoria, and indeed all were more or less ■ injured. The accident appears to have ■ taken place while turning the corner froni 1 one of the newly formed streets into > Wellesley-street. A man named Gorman was driving. It was reported in town during the day that Godwin was dead, r but at 3 o'clock we J learnt that he was alive, and doing as well g as could be expected, having received severe ; concussion of the brain. LATEST. On inquiry at 4 o'clock this afternoon, we were informed that sericus doubts aw entertained for the man's recovery. ,

* The time for the comniencement of the Levy concerts is drawing near, and .the management of the Theatre Royal are usi"? their utmost endeavours to provide for tne accommodation of their patrons. __ . ;

EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1878



nvr otice of removal. _13i THE STANDARD FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY'S OFFICES, "®a To the Premises of MESSRS. COMBES & DALDY, QUEEN-STREET. TTNION INSURANCE COMPANY %._> OF NEW ZEALAND. APITAL £2,000,000. UCKLAND BRANCH: QUEEN-STREET, Next the Colonial Bank. FIBE DEPARTMENT. Insuranc 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 Bates. R. H. STEVENSON Manager. "ITfXPIRATION OF T>ARTNERSHIP Hi JL T E R M. DRAPERY AND CLOTHING AT 20 per Cent. REDUCTION ! "OUSHBROOK AND "ORIDGMAN. Jti l> The abovenamed have decided (prior to Stock-taking), in order to facilitate adjustment of accounts, necessitated by the expiration of our term of partnership, to hold a p CLEARING-OUT SALE, g And will allow for a limited O " period, a g S DISCOUNT OF TWENTY PER f 2 CENT. UPON ALL CASH %> H PURCHASES. g O t £> IS. IN THE £ OFF THE USUAL PRICES. H fi ffl W Commencing on rr> Ph FRIDAY, 11th JANUARY. ~ H The Stock is Unusually Heavy, and . tr Well-assorted in every i-3 pq Department. M q M c, * * * *:V •-3 £? R. & 8., with satisfaction, direct ci attention to tfcs fact that since com- 5$ * mencing business they have steadily y f* avoided all Selling Off, Cheap ._, 5 Sales, &c: their aim having been to g 6 supply a GOOD ARTICLE at a & 63 REASONABLE PRICE, and "NO Q fe PUFF," and deem that the simple o H statement of the fact is sufficient to cj convince then? friends and the public h* t_ of the bona fide character of the pre- sent announcement. _ Goods Entered will be Charged Usual Prices. Country Orders, accompanied by remittance, will have prompt attention. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &C, UPPER QUEEN-STREET, Auckland, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel). mo AGRICULTURISTS & OTHERS mw. J. HURST 3c 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 nroitable returns can be relied on by a judicious and liberal use of them. The flattering Testi monials from leading Farmers justify W. J. rTurst & Co. in strongly commending them to every Agriculturist:— MALDEN ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MEXICA.N do. BELiLc xsONEFLOUR 1 and J-inch BONED UST 1 BILLYARD'S No. 1 do. NITRATE OF SODA SULPHATE OF AMMONIA MURIATE OF POTASH SUPKR-PHOSPHATE OF LIME. SALT, SULPHATE OF LIME. EHIn 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 last season attracted so much favourable notice. Analysis, prices, and other particulars will be supplied on application at the Stores. W. J. HURST & CO., 181 QUEEN-STREET, CLOVER SEED, FOR SPRING SOWING Just Landed, ex Columbus— 30 casks new Clovers, eousisting of Red Clover White Clover Cow Gras Also on hand. Alsyhe, Timothy, Lucerne, Rape Rats-tail, Rye grass, Cocksfoot, &c, at lowest market rates. W. J. HURST & CO. 101, QUEEN-STREET. £^!500 sacks Sydney Maize (superior sample) 3000 „ Oats t^T First-class Tartars for Seed, also I^fisOO sacks of 1875 crop hard feed, surpassing Uixa any of last season's growth gl*l2oo sacks Canterbury Potatoes, and some "2 early varieties for seed purposes Flour, Bran, Sharps, Chaff, Oilcake, Coal, &c, &c. i:iu-r.ic(ilar attention is called to .■(JO «.it ka l-Vimo li.idny n.r 4* por bushel o '•-,::,. 5 i.ona A.iicUs.j'.soii'ji ijYesli a /..;' per ton. Vv. J. liUii.si' & CO..



4~wN THIS DAY AND DURING THE WEEK, WK WILL SHOW PIEoS ES 10,000 PIE.? ES FASHIONABLE 'DRESS GOODS AND m- prints. "®a REDUCED TO HALF PRICE IN ORDER TO CLEAR. J COSGRAVE & CO., QUEEN-STREET. ATE W ZEALAND INSURANCE Jj{ COMPANY. REDUCED RATES FOR DETACHED DWELLING-HOUSWS :—ln the City, from 12s. upwards ;in the County toom pJBROBi> ■orcjneral Manager. She b, a Brothers AXE CLEARING-OUT THE BALANCE OF THEIR SHIPMENTS, Previous to arrival of NEW SHIPMENTS, already advised, Per' Lorraine,' 'Chasca,' 'Seatoller,' s.s. 'Stadt Amsterdam,' s.s. ' Kent.' W. RATTRAY, Having bought the Whole of Messrs Sargood, Son and Ewen's Large and Well-selected 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 aDd inspect the Stock. T\T E W EAL AN D JJOUSK, 66, QUEEN-STREET, Auckland.



At their Old Tricks Again.—lrresponsiole speculators are again attempting to foist spur ious rubbish of a hurtful kind upon the public as identical with the celebrated Udolpho Wolfe's Shiedam Aromatic Schnapps. 1 hey put their poisonous imitations in the genuine Schnapps bottles and either counterfeit the laDei or pretend that the false is as good as the genuine. Take none but the true health beverage.



*vT&a_s_itl I ■■ "wi_:_ai ____!, " ~ ■" '~"&r.%h.zz 3Ca—_tt'j I JiliS-taLI - j?fc:_. - Laug&tor. ' Smiles and.Tears.