SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER-{ TbfeAfternoon.6.^ SUN SET.—This Evening, 5.55 HUN RISK.-To-morrow Morning. 5.48 MOONS AOTC-NewMoon, 27th, 1.49 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

LAST EVENING. gj^^fi^fSSSK'aSi Chatham Island

TO-DAY Hawea, s.s., Kennedy, from Russell Zillah, ketch, Jones, from Katikati Dream, cutter, Jansen, from Katikati

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING. Argyle, s.s., Stephenson, for Whangarei TODAY. •

IMPORTS.

Per Elliotts, from Newoa3tle: 473 tons coal. . Per Cifcv of Sydney, from San Francisco 100 boxes apples.—C. Major.

EXPORTS.

H'EXPORTS. Per Hawea, for the South : 100 cases salmon, 1 wheelbarrow, 3 cases apples, 2 casss glass. 1 roll lead, 46 ca3es onions, SO boxes soap, lo coils rope. 345 pkgs, 14 sacks oysters, 1,000 cases, 2 parcels, 1 box, 1 bale. Per Agnes Donald, for Levuka: 60 bo^es soap, 2 cases bacon, 47 kegs beef. 20 sacks bran, 22 sacks and 32 gunnies potatoes, 3,207 pieces timber, 160 sheep, 1 case Venetian blinds. 1 case dynamite. 1 keg butter, 1 pkg fuse, and 20 kegs beef.—Owen aud Graham.

Inwards Coastwise.— Bacpatira, cutter, | from Omaha, with 40 tons firewood and 160 posts ; Lagoon, barge, from Matapouri, with 20000 feet junk timber : Zillab, ketch, froniKati kati, viaTairua, with 28,000 feet timber; Dream, cutter, from Katikati, in ballast; Isabel, cutter, from Matakana. with 25 tons firewood. Outwards Coastwise.—Rangatira, cutter, for Omaha, in ballast: Onward, schooner, for Russell, in balla3t: Christina, schooner, tor Russell, in ballast; Catherine, cutter, for Puhoi, with flour and potatoes; Mercury, cutter, for Tairua, with sundries; Isabel, cutter, for Mata kana, with 500 feet timber. The schooner Agnes Donald cleared this after noon for Levuka. The brig Elliotts arrived from Newcastle last night with a carero of coal. She left on the 6th. instant, and had strong weather nearly the whole way across. The Three Kings were sighted on Saturday last, and the harbour made last night, after a pas-age of 18 days. The brigantines Island Lily and Omaha were at Chatham Islands, when the Nymphe left. The latter vessel had been chartered by tne natives to take a quantity of cured albatrosses to Taranaki. _, , _, ~ T H.M.S. Nymphe arrived from Chatham is lands after an absence of several months from this port. She is to remain here untd October 12th, and will then for Sydney via Samoa, At Sydney, she will be relieved by the Emerald, and will then proceed to England. Since her last visit to this port, two of rhe lieutenants, Messrs. Leslie and Proud, have proceeded 1.0 England, where promotion awaits them. The following testimonial was presented to Captain Dearborn c, of the mail steamer City of Sydney, on her last trip to San Francisco:—s.s. City of Sydney. August 10th, 1878. Captain H. C. Dearborne.—Dear Sir—Approaching Uie termination of a pleasant-voyage from Sydney, Auckland, and Honolulu, to San Francisco, we beg to thank you for your great courtesy and kindness. We have never travelled on a steamer better commanded, better officered, better manned, or more comfortable in all weathers. The table has been excellent—quality, quantity, and variety of provisions and wines having been all that could be desired. Requesting that a copy of this letter be sent to the San Francisco. Honolulu, Auckland. Sydney, and Melbourne rapers, for the benefit of travellers, and wishing , you and your officei-3 health, happiness, and prosperity,—We are, dear sir, yours very truly, j (signed) Georginia Lyster, Mary F. Pcott Siddons, ; WT S. Lyster, W. M. Gibbons, Catherine J. ! Russell, G. H. Gardner. Adolph B *er, Jno. F. ; Jack, Agnea Williams, Henry R. V ;>ods, Scott Siddons, J. A. Lundels, Jno. McAx.iflfe, D. p. W. Hyde, Saml. Andrews, Adan. Lundels, Arius Beaumont. Godwin McNeH. Arthur Wilson, F. Rosate, P. C. Jones, ium . Thomas Walker, Jas. McM&hoa, A. W. Murp> ■■■: (C.C.). J. S. Swire, A. R. Sherwin, M. W. V». flooper (Major), Franci3 Pym, C. F. Stansber! -, iunr., ■, W. Faun. Jno. A. Turner. J. B. Bar on, W. Palmer Moorewood, A. W. Harrison. Jno. S. Arundel. Wm. McClure. W. W. Willisoien, W. Howie. Jno. B. Hannan, P. Dalton. Henry Camp bell, Henry Cornwall, Jno. Hay, junr., Laura Wilder, Jno. Thomas Waterhouse, S. B. Dole. fi.The ketch Vonus was launched from the slip at the North Shore by Messrs Henderson and Spraggon to-day. after undergoing a complete overhaul. The vessel was stripped and fitted with a new keel. Several new planks and a new rudder were also put in, besides other re pairs. She' was re-caulked and re-coppered. The rigging has been refitted, and when ready for sea, as she will be in a few days, the ketch will be like a n6W craft. . The Active is discharging her copra into the The barque Wellington is to proceed to Wau garoa to load with baulk timber for Dunedin. She will probably proceed then to Newcastle to load coal. _, X. . . flThe s.s. Hawea arrived this morning from Russell, with 250 tons coal, 70 sacks oy-sterr, 1 casks meat, and the following passengers: Misses Kennedy and Clark. Messrs Clark, Shera, Rackstraw, and Prior

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING. New Plymouth, this day. The s.s. Taranaki, with the San Francisco mails, arrived from the Manukau at 6 o clock this morning, and nailed two hours later for elson.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Stella, G.G.S.S.. McKersie, from Hokianga Samson, p.s., Jones, from Waitara Hauraki, p.s., Holmes, from Waitara

DEPARTURES.

Taranaki, s.s., Malcolm, for the South Lalla Rookh, p.s., Campbell, for Raglan Owake, schooner, for Dunedin ,

IMPORTS.

"-■• Hauraki from Waitara:—l4 head cattle, 2"0 sheep, 5 horses, 120 sacks grass seed, 10 kegs butter.

EXPORTS.

Per Hauraki for Waitara: 40 head cattle. Per Taranaki for the South: 1 pkg tobacco, 2 cases zinc, 12 cases, 66 pkgs, 18 baskets, 3 tins, 1 bundle, 1 box. ; ~

The p.s. Lalla Rookh sailed for Baglan to-day with a full cargo of merchandise. The p.s. Hauraki arrived from Waitara last evening with a cargo of grass-seed, live stock, &c. She leaves again to-night. The s.s. sailed late yesterday afternoon for the South: Passengers :—Captain and Mrs Skeet. Mr and Mrs Day, Mr aud Mrs Day, Mr and Mr3 Willcox, Mrs Hobbs. Miss Ward, Captain Holt; .Messrs. Munro, Thompson, Klkmgton, George, Hussey, Gammell. Kowe, .Cantoo, Battams, Webster. The schooner Owake sailed for Dunedin from the Heads to-day with a cargo of timber. The p.s. Samson arrived from Waitara to-day. The Government steamer Sit; la, on lighthouse business, arrived from Hokiaut j. and Auckland to day.

BIRTHS.

McKENZIB.—On the 22nd September, at her residence, Union-street, tho wife of Mr. John McKenzie of a daughter; both doing well. SINTON.—On the 23rd September, 1»78, at her residence, Upper Pitt-street. Mrs. George Sinton of a son.

DEATHS.

BABER.—On the 21th instant, at the house of her daughter Mrs. Heywood, Mary, relict of the late Jame3 Baber, formerly ot Winsley, Wilts, aged 87. ~ _, „ The funeral will leave the residence of Mrs. Heywood at 3 p.m. on Thursday.

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

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1878

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

The news conveyed in our cable despatches to-day concerning the growing troubles between the Anglo-Indian Government and the Ameer of Afghanistan is of a very disquieting character. We have explained fully before the nature of the unsettled relations that have so long sub sisted between India and Afghanistan. The arrival of a Russian emissary at Cabool, the capital of the latter country, prompted England to send a mission with the object of counteracting Russian influence. This mission set out from Peshawur, a town of Punjaub, only 12 miles distant from the famous Khyber Pass, which forms the northern gateway between Afghanistan and British India. There, we are told, the British representatives were met by the Ameer's troops and forcibly turned back. The intention to send a mission was announced in the House of Commons by Lord Salisbury some time back, and it must have been known to the Ameer, so that the recent act can only be regarded as a deliberate insult. Moreover, Constantinople telegrams report that the Afghan emissary to the Porte has instruc tions to forward, as much as possible, a Turko-Russiau alliance. The Indian Gov ernment cannot, if it were willing, allow this slight to pass without reparation being made, and the next event we may look for is a demand for apology, followed, in the event of refusal, by another Afghan war. It will then appear to what extent Russia is pledged to support the Ameer in the attitude of open hostility he has taken up towards the British Government. That England, if forced to again invade Afghanistan for the purpose of bringing the Ameer to his senses, will not again wholly retire, is pretty cer tain. And although Russia may remon strate, that country has set so good an example in the annexation of Khiva,1 that England is not without a retort.

THE frequent desertions of seamen brought under the notice of our Resident Magistrate are not always attributable to the way wardness oij, the men. An English ship, which lately became rather notorious for this offence, was equally notorious, among those acquainted with its internal affairs, as an extremely warm place for saliors. A local Plimsoll might find plenty of useful work in examining Jack's, grievances. A case ot abuse which came under the notice ot the American Consul last week, and but for whose well-timed interference a gross injustice would have been inflicted upon the crew of a vessel, deserves special mention for the behoof of others. While the Monro Castle was in port six of her men deserted. The captain applied to Colonel G. W. Roosevelt, U. S. Consul, and through his exertions four of the men were captured and placed on board. They then positively refused to work, and when asked the reason, stated that the food was insufficient and bad; that men where reduced to such a condition that they staggered at the wheel, arid other allegations of a similar nature. Colonel Roosevelt immediately held an inquiry, and asked the captain to show his stores. This was done, and with the result that the Consul peremptorily ordered the whole of the biscuit to be thrown, overboard. We have seen a sample, and more disgusting stuff was never offered to swine. That a vessel should attempt to go out of port with such stores is dis graceful, and proves pretty conclusively what seamen sometimes have to put up: with. The captain pleaded for his horrible tuff, but the consul w?s inexorable, and overboard it went. Tlie pork, on j,fixaiwiri ation, turned out to be a mass of sickening

fat; the salt beef pretty good. Colonel Rossevalt insisted upon tlm vessel being fairly provisioned before allowing her to clear. His decisive actionals worthy of all praise, and Amierican seamen who come to our port hereafter will feel that they are not left wholly at the mercy of rapacious owners and without redress, but possess a tribunal as ready to rectify their legiti mate Bgrievances as to aid in punishing their misdeeds.

STAR SPECIAL WIRE.

SOME curiosity has been excited by the erection of huge telegraph poles from the head office in Shortland-street up Wynd ham-street. The purpose of this telegraph extension is in fulfillment of an arrangement entered into by the proprietor of this journal with the Government to facilitate the des patch of our telegraphic business, by carry ing a special wire direct into this office. The enormous poles used are certainly not pretty, and were complained of to the City Council to-day in a letter by Mr Lawford, of the Bank of Australasia, which has purchased the premises at the corner of Wyndham-street. We do not pretend to a sufficient knowledge of the mechanical portion of the electrician's business to say whether a more sightly pole than those employed by the Department both in this work and in carrying the main branch of the telegraph service down Short land-street, and through other parts of the city, would not answer all practical purposes equally well. In our innocence we should have supposed that a pole half the size, and of a more ornamental character, would have done equally well. But this work is entirely under the control of the Depart ment, and has been carried out by Mr Sheath, District Inspector, one ot the most experienced electricians in tne colonies. The Government possess unlimited powers for the erection of "telegraphs where, when, and how they like, the City Council having no voice in the matter. The Council, how ever, to-day resolved to urge upon the Go vernment the desirability of carrying tele graph wires in the city over the buildings. The reason for using the large poles, is, we believe, the probability that the telegraph will be extended to Newton, Ponsonby, and ' other parts of the suburbs, and the one line of poles would form part of this work and be permanently available for any number of wires.

The Rev. Dr. Somerville and his son arrived at Honolulu on the 2nd inst., where he was to hold a service. Two days after leaving Auckland they experienced a strong gale, Avith a very high sea. He held services on board the Australia. The Doctor is none the worse for his exertions in Auck land. When the letter was written the Australia had been, aground for two hours in [' front of Honolulu, having missed the entrance to the harbour, and was waiting for the rising of the tide to supplement the efforts of the tug engaged to draw her off.

A meeting of the members of the Pon sonby Rowing Club was held last evenin^iu the Club Hotel, Mr James Stodart in the chair. The annual report and balance sheet were passed, showing the club to be in a favourable position, the assets being £146 3s 6d, liabilities £4916s 6d. The follow, ing officers were elected : President, Mr W. Swanson; Vice-President, Mr Harris; Captain, Mr David Brigham ; secretary, Mr Halstead; Treasurer, Mr James B. Graham. The annexed comprise the com mittee of management :—Messrs D. Morpeth, T. Owen, W. J. Boy lan, James Brigham, and T. Masefield. A vote of thanks closed the meeting. Mr Harding, ot Napier, has purchased from natives a block of 13,000 acres on the Wairoa River, Kaipara. The price paid was £3000. Messrs. B. De Thierry and W. Young negotiated the purchase. A letter from the City Council, read at the Harbour Board yesterday, complained of the existence of Mr Compton's wooden building on the Queen-street reclamation. The Chairman said Mr Compton had been a squatter there by permission of the con tractor, and the Board resolved that the building must be removed. At the Resident Magistrate's Court to morrow four claims will be preferred again*t Mr Christopher Greenway by Messrs Reid, Keunedy, Kirby, and Martin for expenses incurred by plaintiffs' on defendant's behalf in connection with the recent City Council election, and which claims Mr Greenway repudiates. Mr Thome will appear for plaintiffs. Should the evidence come out in Court, a considerable amount of fun will be created by the details of the claims, beer, beef steak, and cigars bsing among the items.

We understand that the treasurer of the Young Men's Christian Association has received a promise of a donation of £30 to the debt fund from a gentleman who wishes that his name may not be made public. The amount now required is about £100. The treasurer desires to acknowledge the fol lowing amounts paid to him :—Mr J. B. Jackson, 21s; Mr T. T. G. Tinne, 21s. In our last list of donors we had from Mr Sto chard £5 ; this should have been from Miss Stothard. .-■■:<'.

The members of St. Thomas's Young Men's Improvement Society will discuss the question "Is Horse Racing Good for Society ?" this evening in Mr Harrison's school-room, 'Wellington-street. A noted sportsman will open the question in the affirmative. _

The natives at Chatham Islands have caught and cured about 1500 albatrosses, which they intend to send to Taranaki, per Omaha, for the great naiive meeting to be held next March.

With reference to the reclamation in Freeman's Bay, the Harbour Board yesterday resolved : —"That as this Board has no power to interfere, they recommend that arrangements be made with Mr Dempsey, Jthe contractor, to, remove the seawall 300 feet further out, the Board undertaking to pay £180 extra towards the cost."

A colossal statue of Captain Cook, the circum-navigator, has been placed in the open space in Pall-mall, fronting Waterloo place. Mr J. H. Williamson, Deputy Registrar, has also been appointed Deputy Sheriff, without extra pay. . . \ The Waikato chief William Barton has determined to go to Wellington to aid Sir George Grey in native matters. He has used his influence with his tribe to secure the capture of the murderer Hiroka if he turns up in their vicinity.

When H.M.s. Nymphe was anchored at Hicks's Bay on Monday last, it was re ported that the natives at Waiapu had quarrelled, and formed two hostile parties, each taking possession of a pah, and main taining a warlike attitude. The annual meeting of the members of the Auckland United Cricket Club will be held on Saturday evening next, the 28th instant, in the club-room of the Thames Hotel.

The will uf the late Mr Charles James Mathews, the eminent comedian, has just been proved by his widow, Mrs Elizabeth Mathews, the sole executrix, to whom he leaves all his property. The personal estate is sworn under £20,000.

The garter given to the Marquis of Salis bury is the one left vacant by the death of Earl Russell. It may not be generally known that it was the Countess: of Salis bury's garter that founded the order. Suleiman Pasha stands arraigned before the country on accusations as serious as have ever been brought against a general. They are divided into three periods—lst, from the arrival of Sulieman from Montenegro till the battles in the Shipka Pass ;~ 2nd, from his appointment to the Danube command till his return to Constantinople; 3rd, from his departure for the Balcans till the* retreat to Kiumardjina. Under each heading he is indicted for disobedience and bad strategy ; but the chief accusations are, perhaps, the desertion of Reouf Pasha at Yeni Zagra, the refusal to support Mehemet Ali Pasha when that General was advancing against the Czarewitch, the non-assistance of the army at Shipka, which caused its surrender, and the selection of a wrong line of retreat with out consulting his staff.

The first Court in this city under the Public Works Act, 1576, was held yester day. X Present : Mr Justice Gillies (presi dent), and Messrs A. Beetham aud R. H. Stephenson (assessors). The claim of Mr Rutherford, of Remuera, for £900 damages for injury done to his property by the act of the Local Board, in cutting down the ad joining public road, was the subject of con sideration. Mr Tyler appeared for the claimant and Mr Hesketh for the Remuera Board. Mr John Low, called for the plain tiff, estimated that the land, which was worth £2,500 before the cutting, had depre ciated £1,500 by the action of the Board. Mr S. Vaile estimated the damage at from £950 to £1,000. Messrs Ewington and Mowbray made a similar estimate. Mr Sellars said he had offered £1,400 for the pro perty 11 months ago, but he did not think it was worth more than £500 now. Mr J. P. King estimated that the land was worth £1,800 to £2,000 before the cutting, and not more than £800 to £1,000 now.—The Court then adiourned.

"A Burgess" writing from Hamilton, says: " Sir,—lt seems that the_ rage for getting up petitions in Hamilton is on the increase, and the epidemic seems to have got a firm hold among all classes of society. The latest is a counter petition to the one handed to Dr. Beale a few days since, asking him to resign his position as Councillor. The petitioners reqnest Dr. Beale not to resign, and strongly express their appre ciation of his services. In order to save time and trouble I am seriously thinking of carrying a pen and ink in my pocket, because I suspect every acquaintance I meet to have a petition or requisition concealed on his person.—Yours &c„ A BURGESS."

To the Editor : Sir,—l see by last night s STAR that Mr Goldie is much surprised at my statement jin contradiction to his, aud that he cannot understand the drift of my letter. It would appear that he does not want to understand it, or he wants to shuffle off .to something else ; for I said nothing that would lead him or auy other to the con clusion which he arrived at. I said nothing whatever about the merits or demerits of the asphalt. I spoke simply of the mysteri ous saving which he would have the rate payers believe he had made. I think in all fairness I proved my statement, and I don't think Mr Goldie can prove his. I will try and make it more plain, that Mr Goldie or a child cannot mistake me. Could Mr G. expect a clothier or tailor to keep him in clothes for ten years for the same price as he would for six years? or does Mr G. think that the keeping of the footpaths in order for four years is of no consequence to the ratepayer?— Yours, &c, J. MORRISON. A social gathering of the members of the Working Men's Club, and their wives and sweethearts, will be held to-morrow evening in their large room. The programme for the occasion is one of much interest, includ ing several choice songs and recitationp, and winding up with a dance. We are assurred that the meeting will be of a very harmoni ous character, as amongst its members the Club can boast of many capital singers, whose voices have not been heard in any of Auckland's public halls. Mr and Mrs J. M. Clark were to leave England for Auckland via Melbourne in the steamer Cusco, which was to leave London to-day.

Messrs Baker and Farron may be con gratulated on their success at the Theatre Royal, in endeavouring to meet the popular taste of the people ; and no person who has witnessed the laughing crowds night after night, in all parts of the house, will enter tain a doubt on the matter. People do not want the serious and the solemn in a theatre, the majority go for amusement and a hearty laugh ; and these are abundantly caused by the lively, humourous, and some times ludicrous representations of Messrs Baker and Farron. "Lisa Eccles," is the central figure of a happy circle of gay spirits and pleasant associations, which invariably win the audience. The march out of the juveniles, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Baker, is not the least of the " Lisa Eccles" attractions, and shows an amount of careful drilling on the part of the Com mander. The drama will be repeated this evening, in connection with several new songs and dances.

The contractors for the dock have applied to the Harbour Board to relieve them from maintenance since several vessels have been safely docked. They stated that they were desirous of leaving and dispersing of their plant. The engineer recommended accepting the dock provided a deduction of £100 is made from the contractors for works to be completed. The Board resolved that they could not act contrary to this recommendation.

The progress of districts north of Auck land has lately been of a very marked and gratifying character. We have already noticed the advent of large Southern pur chasers ; another one has gained a footing at Knhukohu, five miles up the river from Herd's Point, Hokianga. At this place a mill is in course of erection for Messrs Browhey and Co., who have undertaken to ship 200,000 ft of timber South every month. The mill has a bush which is calculated to last 20 years. It will be under the manage ment of Mr John Macfarlane, formerly of Whangapoua. The breaking-down saw is to be on a new principle. The first step taken by the firm to give access to their pro perty is the construction of a substantial wharf, which has been carried out in a most creditable manner by Mr Lqwe, ship wright, of Auckland, with native labour. This wharf is 447 feet long ; piles IGin. diameter; commencing with a length of 30ft. and ending with 57 feet; mooring and fender piles, complete ; double head stocks 12 by 5. The whole work is finished, except some stringers, which cannot be obtained until the mill is at work (expected about Christmas.) The depth of water at end of wharf is 10ft. at low tide, giving splendid shipping facilities. A tram way has been laid from the mill to the end. This enterprise seems to have stimulated competition. Mr John Lundon is building a store at Kohu kohu, and on the opposite side of the river Mr C. Bryers is erecting a store in opposition to Messrs Yarborough and Andrews. The County Council of Hokianga has resolved to build a wharf 200 ft. long at Herd's Point, which will give a depth of 60ft. at low tide. ,

Last week, it appears, was exceptionally warm for this season. Mr E. B. Dickson, Government Observer, reports :—" The corresponding week of last year was as much below the average in temperature as this has been above it. The highest point registered was 66.6 on the 14th, the lowest 59.2 on the 20th. The averages are 62.9 for day, and 51.8 for night temperature ; and 57.4 for the approximate mean over the entire week. The approximate mean dew point is 52.2, and the humidity 82. Xtast year, the mean temperature for the week was 51.9, and that of the dew-point 46.0. The fourteen years' average for September being 54.6, that of the middle week of the The Pitt-street Wesleyan Young Men's entertainment, announced for Monday next, the SOfcb, has been postponed till the Friday following, the 4th October. There is a great programme in course of prepara tion, which will appear in a future issue.-:: X"." ■". :.•..■ *- -a "■-. ,XX ' ''". » The f treasurer, Mr Fisher, tenders his thanks to Mr. Robertson, the proprietor of the " Blacksmith's Dream," for the sum of £18 14s towards the school fund-of St. Thomas' Church. ! I The "Sir Henrys Havelbck" Lodge entertainment last night was "successful. The proceedings opened with a Temperance ode, aud ballads were sung very effectively by Mrs BettanyX " Come.BackitorErih);'' Mrs Cottingha,m, "Dear 'Little^*Jessie;", and Miss Beace^ " Jessie's f Dream." Songs were also given by Messrs Carter, Howden, Shade, and others. Recitations were also given by Miss Cribble, and Messrs Young, Bee, and Davoriport. .'.'llie fine"poem by Campbell, " Lochiel's Warning," was well rendered by Messrs Peace and Davenport. The Havelock Glee Club rendered '-Lordly Gallants," and "Shepherds, Tell me," in a very creditable manner." The entertain ment closed with votes of thanks.

month would not differ appreciably from it Various trees have been coming into leaf, being brought forward rapidly by the warm, sunny weather; especially to be noted are the hawthorns, but only in very sheltered spots; the white poplar, which is always a little later than the grey; and the sycamore maple. • A few flowers are also, as usual, shewing upon the elders.

The public debate on Friday evening at the Temperance Hall, Albert-street, between the members of the Auckland Total Abstinence Society and the St. James' Discussion Class is likely to prove an event of more than ordinary interest. The question to be discussed is: " Does this colony suffer pecuniarily by the use of intoxicating drinks ?" The Rev. Allan Webb has kindly consented to take the chair. We learn this morning that 500 free tickets of admission have been dis tributed for the occasion. To-morrow evening the West End Cricket Club will hold its annual meeting. As will be seen by advertisement, this is the eighth year of this club's existence; this has been the only . club up till lately which has strongly advocated members playing for one club alone, and its good results are apparent in several other clubs now sup porting this resolution. It must be self evident to practical common-sense people that if six or seven of the best players will run about and play for any club that will give them a game, but that can never be reckoned on for certain, these players will both loose their places in clubs and the support of cricketers. We wish this West End Club a prosperous season, and accord ing to the number of new members to be proposed this is pretty certain to be the case.

CABLEGRAMS.

RUSSIAN INFLUENCES AT CABOOL.

(Special to the-"Star.)

LONDON, Monday,

The refusal of the Ameer of Afghanistan to receive the English mission is assigned to Russian manoeuvring.

Serious Complications in Af ghanistan. •

British 2£isssion Forcibly Com-

pelled to go Back.

(SPECIAL TO PRESS AGENCY.)

LONDON, 23rd

The British Mission to Cabul left Peshawar on Saturday. The Ameer's com manding officer, at Kyber Pass, forcibly prevented the mission from proceeding, and it returned to Peshawar. The situation is considered serious.

CYPRUS GARRISON REDUCED. A portion of the garrison at Cyprus is withdrawn, owing to sickness.

(REUTERS SPECIAL CABLEGRAM.)

SINGAPORE, Sept. 23. The Siam arrived from Galle on the 22nd.

The Tanjore left Galle for Australia on the 19th.

Reuter confirms the compulsory with drawal of the British mission at Peshawar.

TREATY BETWEEN RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

[REUTERS SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS.]

CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept. 25,

Negotiations are proceeding between Russia and Turkey for a definite treaty of peace, confirming the indemnity, regulating commercial relations.

The Afghan envoy at Constantinople is seeking to induce the Ottoman Government to conclude a Rnssian alliance..

AUSTRALIAN.

(SPECIAL TO THE STAR.)

DEPARTURE OF THE ROTORUA,

BURTON'S CIRCUS ABOARD,

SYDNEY, this day.

The s.s. Rotorua sails to-day. She takes Burton's Australian Circus, which has been playing here to crowded houses. At the performance last night 5,000 were present.

(PRESS AGENCY.)

CITY OF NEWCASTLE BROKEN UP.

SYDNEY, September 24

The steamer City of Newcastle broke in two. A portion or the machinery was saved. The mate's certificate has been cancelled, and the captain's suspended for three months.

ADELAIDE, September 23. Mr Boucat has been appointed to the vacant judgeship.

Drowning of a Settler in Waikato.

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

HAMILTON, this day. A DISTRESSING death from drowning has occurred. A respectable settler named Charles Thomson was crossing the Waipa river in a canoe, when his frail craft fouled with the steamer Lily and a barge, and the canoe sunk. Mr Thomson could not swim. The steamer people did all in their power to Save him. His wife had crossed the river in a boat pulled by one of Thomson's men, and parted with her husband a few minutes before his death. She went to Newcastle/ station. Thomson lias a . lease of Andrew Burton's bush, and supplied junk timber. Abraham Barton conveyed the news to Newcastle, and met the deceased's wife before the train arrived, felt such sympathy that he did not like to inform her, and said she had better go back; that her son Jim was sick. She had just left Jim, and disbelieved the Maoris. The wife went on to Hamilton, but was troubled all day with misgivings. She never thought of her husband. Her son John rode to Hamilton in the afternoon with the sad tidings. She was awfully distressed, and moaned alond "And was there no one to save him !—No one to save him 1" Great sympathy is felt. Mr Thomas was greatly esteemed, and had just made a comfortable home.

DROWING CASE.

PER PRESS AGENCY.)

; A man named Thompson, a bushman working at Karakaraka, was drowned in the Waipa yesterday. Be passed the steamer in a canoe, and in. attempting to cro.«s between the barge in tow, his canoe capsized. The" crew were unable to rescue him. THE WAIMATE MURDER. ..: The news of the murder at Waimate appears to have been known to the Kingites before the Europeans here. They say the murder was caused on account of the survey being made.

Fever and Ague at Solomons

No. 2 Trading Station Abandoned.

(SPECIAL TO " STAR.")

(BY CABLE FROM SYDNEY.)

SYDNEY, this day.... Fever and ague is disastrously fatal at the Solomon Islands among Europeans and natives. Ten per cent of the natives are daying. _; The New Zealand trading station on the islands has been abandoned.

LATER FROM NEW GUINEA.

[SPECIAL TO '•STAR.»j

(Br Cablegram prom Sydney )

Reports of Gold Discoveries.

SYDNEY.

Thi __ Reports state that gold has bee*** covered near Port Moresby. dls- The diggers are all inland.

Our London Letter.

(FEOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON, Auensf ie THE CYPRUS FeVeS Our new territorial acquisition ha* ♦„ , our brains We are all Cyprus 7_\s?* . seems to be the fashion of English n , to ride every hobby to death, and nowlft popular Ben has secured us this poky lim island—not as big as a decent EnS county and made up principally of scoS aud centipedes—the hoifolloi are allexrit " ment about it. The current of emigratin has even set in the direction of C VT)r ,, The advertising columns of the ."Times" afford a very fair politico and socio-m^tricai criterion as to what is uppermost in peonle' minds ; and it has been amusing to see eve since the official announcement of a*. projected occupation of Cyprus, what « number of people are anxious to go thc-p under every possible variety of auspice Cyprus was, and is, a regular dog-hole- an excellent specimen of the fruits of the rule of Pashas. Beyond a few hogsheads ol wine it produced nothing, and everything there is in an awful condition of misery and decay. It is hard to say at the present moment what Cyprus was in want of « month ago that it has not now got. I n g£ Garnet Wolseley it has got a first. rate hand at the helm, and the Governor has got around him a splendid staff of organisers. A railway is to be made through the island ; an hotel company i B formed ; a swll hairdresser has set up _\_ standard on those classical' shores ; and 1 lastly a small newspaper plant has sarlad ' for that little spot in the Levant, and the first number of the " Cypriote" may shortly be expected to make its appearance. 0a the other hand, the country has a good man things that it does not want. It has enormous centipedes, and the name of the scorpions is legion. Moreover they r ire '' sociable beasties, and have a greatfane? for the society of mankind, and desire onall possible occasions to share his bed. Our officers write that they are greatly exercised by the demonstrations of these social insects and one subaltern declarer that one night i! on his expressing a strong objection to the advance of a centipede which was entering his tent, the thing reared up on its hind legs and barked at him. So what with sunstroke, scorpions, and barking centipedes, yon may gather that Sir Garnet and his party have aofc re-discovered the garden ot Eden. The Lake' of Edinburgh acted as Beach-master at &t. landing of the troops, and seems to have ■ managed things very well, and gained a cer-' tain amount of popularity, of which he was very much in want. Since the disgraceful affair at Malta, in which he took the partof his flunkey, Monson, who had attempted the honour of a young and inexperienced wife of an officer in the garrison, his naiie has been in worse repute than ever, and he needed something to take the stink out ci the nostrils of the public. MILITARY AND NAVaL REVIEWS; And now that peace is assured we have. been having naval and military pageants, winding up with a review by the Queen of her fleet at Spithead a couple of days ago. and the discharge of the Reserves. It is to be hoped that the removal of the war scare ■will do something towards giving a lift t« trade ; for things are frightfully dull at this end, and show no prospect at present of, mending. Failures are very frequent, rail way traffic is at a very low ebb, and excejt in the street trade there is little doing. The Whitebait dinner at Greenwich lanis : off last night; and Parliament, at least thu . . part of it which is not on the Moors, Tn_i be proroged the day after to-morrow, after,", session of exactlj seven months. Ea_i Benjamin goes down to Hughendenfor com plete rest, which he must need terribly, fc: the session has been one of the most trying on record. Not that the Opposition hat ever had a decent show, but they havekept up a continuous and irregular fire, wMsh never gave Ministers a moment's rest. Conservatism 13 just now very strong amongst the working classes in England; , cnieily, I believe, in consequence of the ac tivity of the Conservative clubs, which ars to be found in every town. At these places the working men meet aud have thsir beer and baccy, sing songs, and listen to won drous political essays prepared by members. But it all means _ business, and keepii.,.' up ■, Conservative notions. THE VISIT OF AMERICAN FEEB MASONS. I have been having rather a good time nf it this last month, having been doing.. grand tour in company with a party ot American Masonic "Pilgrims," who Lave been visiting this tight little island. Certainly they will return to the land of tha setting sun with most enlarged ideas of the practical hospitality of English Free Masons , for I never saw anything like the way I which they were received. In fact, they have been making an almost regal progress, miv nothingseemedtobetoogoodforthem. When they landed at Moville they were met b.y * deputation of Masons from Londonderry^ were feted and feasted by the Provincial Grand Lodge. In Dublin the Grand Lodge of Ireland met to do them honour, and ib Edinburgh the Grand Lodge of Scotland did the same thing. The leader of tte party was a personal friend of my own, ana as I was with him I had every opportunity of witnessing the heartiness of feeling everywhere evinced. York, however put the climax upon the whole four, and the circumstance was especially gratifying -0 the Yankees, who regard York as .te birthplace of Freemasonry, and until quite lately maintained the idea of " Aneiens York Masonry." The York brethren sent a deputation to receive ns a. Leeds, one of them being, I if™* an old Aucklander, Bro. Whytehead, formerly connected with the New Zealand "Herald," whom I detected by the: green stone on his watch-guard—a great oldbadge amongst returned colonists. We traveuea to York in special saloon carriages, sentior us by the brethren of that old city, and on arrival were greeted on the platform 01 York station by a perfect regiment ot ]ony fellows. By the way, York station is * itself quite a sight. lam not perfect jjr sua, but believe it is the biggest " depot intne country; at all events, it &.&■?s&&* structure, quite a crystal palace, and te station Hotel, to which we were conductea, is a splendid house. The next morning we were taken all over the city, and saw uw glorious old Cathedral, and so on, andl a* 2 p.m. were landed at the rooms ot tnc Eboraeum Lodge, where we lunched. , Xoik■ shire has always enjoyed a reputation 101 . good Living and hospitality, but when w. saw what we were expected to * at lunch, we could not help »««£? Avondering what dinner would be i-*; My ex-colonial friend presided as jj master of the lodge, hut there ws. very little speaking. In the afternoon1 tnert was a ' meeting of the Masonic *-n}f Templars, about a score of the X^kc belonging to that order. A very ?P le»^ affair it was too, and the ceremonies *w ■ beautifully performed again by our « colonial^ who seemed to be the lock, «»v; and barrel of the whole concern. Anon* * the evening . there was : a banquet, auu never sat down to anything .better servea with more handsome decorations. Lord Mayor of York attended with aU w glories of a sword and mace and tn» fe r of Maintenance, presented to the cuj.• Richard II; and the Lady Mayoressan^ great many ladies were present. xa» . of a Caval'rv Regiment, stationed at 1 did the musical part of the affair, ■»■" went off well. I know that bed did not we until 2.30 a.m., and there wcie som

EVENING SIAR. WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER ,_,25



TV ~0 N E M E A TO. 50 TONS CALIFORNIA BONEMEAL, For Sale by W. S. LAURIE, 7, WYND HAM-STREET. f-\ A T S ! OATS! OATS! 500 bags PRIME TARTARIAN OATS 1000 bags PRIME POTATOE OATS. - W- J. HURST & CO., 101, Queen-street, Auckland. When You Wish to Furnish Tour Souse, obtain a Book Catalogue from the City Hall Arcade, which contains valuable informa tion, not only enumerating what can be obtained there, but shewing the cost of Fur nishing a Three, Four, Five, and Six-roomed house ; also, Drawingroom separately, aud Bachelor's Rooms. The proprietors have lately purchased from Messrs. Grossman and Harding the balance of their very hand some Stock of Swiss Goods, beautifully and wonderfully carved, which are being rapidly disposed of, at HALF-PRICE ! Also, just opened up, a large lot of Fancy Baskets aud various articles suitable for presents. Just received, some magnificent all-wool Kidder minster Carpets, for dining and bed-rooms ; very cheap Tapestry, Brussels and Felt Carpets : the largest stock in Auckland. All kinds of House Furniture, and an immense assortment of Bedsteads in Iron Brass, Kauri, Cedar, Rimu, and Mottled Kauri ; with Wardrobes, Drawers, Wash stands, and Tables to match. Dining and Drawing 7 room Suites to suit all classes. Several new designs in Linoleum not seen before in the city ; Oil Cloths, all widths. Carpets measured for, cut out, and hud, and Goods delivered Free of Charge to any part of tb c town. Catalogues sent Post Free. Ladies and gentleman about to Furnish are invited to stroll through ths 'Arcade," where, in addition to House- Furnishing Goods, will be seen Drapery, Clothing, Millinery, and Fancy Goods.— HOLLOWAY, GaPLTCK, AND (.'RANWELr,, Proprietors, Cit\ Hall Arcade, Qneen-strmt, Auckland



New S PEIHa Goods. The Undersigned are NOW OPENING UP heir STOCK OF NEW GOODS for the in coming Season's trade, comprising— NEW FANCY DRESS MATERIALS, (IN VARIETY). Circy and Black Lustres, Danish Lustres (new shades). New Washing Materials. Brocaded Cambrics, Lace Patterns, Galatea Stripes, and a very large assortment of PRINTS ! PRINTS 1 ! PRINTS ! ! Great Variety op Patterns and Un usually Cheap. New Linen Goods, Cuffs, Collars, and Sets, Ribbons, Handkerchiefs, &c. «a_ HOSIERY OF ALL KINDS. "®* White and Grey Calicos, in all the best makes (English and American). FURNISHIN G GOODS, and a carefully-selected Stock of General Drapery of every description. Also, NEW CLOTHING OF ALL KINDS For Boy's and Men. . Shirts, Hats, Hosiery, Tweeds, &c, &c. - i S3T % .1/ in the &) Discount allowed upon all Cash Purchases of 20/ and upwards. RUSHBROOK AND BRIDGMAN, [ DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &0„ ■ JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel), • UPP^R QUEEN-STREET, ■ AUCKLAND. ■ TTNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA^ I ESTABLISHED 1837. Paid-up Capital .. .... ..£1.500,000 - Reserved Fund - •• 780,000 This Bank receives Deposits at Interest, and ', transacts all general banking business on the . most favourable terms, which can be ascertained at its office in Queen-street, and its other ' Branches and Agencies in the District. : JOSEPH E. POUNDS, , Manager, Auckland. > J mHE NATIONAL BANK OF NEW , ZEALAND (LIMITED). • Incorporated under the Companies Act, 1862 an 1567. and the New Zealand Act 1,1873. i This Bank is prepared to grant Special Rates , for Deposits, and to arrange for transaction of s all Banking business. Terms to be ascertained : upon application. (Signed), DAVID HEAN, Manager. ; Auckland, 11th September, 1878. THE COLONIAL BANK OF NEW ZEALAND.- Subceibed Capital £1,000,000 Reserve Fund 36,000 I This Bank is open to make special arrange ments for Fixed Deposits, and Banking business generally. WILLIAM BURTON, Manager. Auckland Branch, 11th September, 1878. TDANK OF AUSTRALASIA. Incorporated by Royal Charter, 1835. Paid-up Capital .. £1,200,000 guabante c and reserve fends .. 215,710 Undivided Profits 151,599 This Back is prepared to make special arrange ments with respect to Deposits, and to transact all other Banking business on the most favour able terms. Rates can be ascertained on application. Auckland Branch: J. LAWFORD, Manager. E, the undersigned Watchmakers and Jewellers, beg to inform the Public that our respective places of business will CLOSE on and after SATURDAY, Sept. 21st, at 2 o'clock. JAMES HOWDEN SEYMOUR WELLS, F. H. LEWISSON HERMAN PENZHOLZ J K. G. SCHWARTZ THO*. sEALEY J H. G. PAYNE JAMES ADAMS ALFRED ALEV C. GOODWIN F. SHAW, JUN. LAURITS HENRIKSEN A. G. BARTLETT H. G. DORRINGTON > THOMAS BAKER ISIDOR ALEXANDER. FURNITURE— Foi the Drawingroom Dining-room, Library, Be iroom, or Kitchen, on Sale at 1 &H. COOKE'S. CARPETS— Including Brussels, 1 apes try, Kidderminster, Stair Felt, and Dutch, on Sale 1 & H. COOKK'S. LINOLEUM and Floorcloths, all widths, Bath Mats, in Linoleur and L Floorcloth, on Sale at T & H. i COOKE'S HEARTH RUGS, Door Mats, plain and wool bordered. Matting, Wool . Mats, Bed-side Rugs, on Sale at 1 T. & H. COOKE'S. IRON BEDSTEADS. — French, Half Tester, Stump and Folding; Iron L Cots, all sizes, W"od Bedsteads and Wood Cots, on Sale at T. & H COOKE'S BEDDING.— Hair, Wool, Spring, Cocoa Fibre, and Flax Mattresses, Feather Beds, Bolsters and Pil lows, on Sale at T. & H. COOKE'S GLASSES.— Ghimney Glasses, in Gilt, "Walnut, and Maple Frames, Toi let Glasses. Toiletware, Cane seated Chairs, in great variety, on Sale at T. « H. COOKE'S. PRICES. —As we import direct from the .:?'. English Manufacturers, we are I able to sell all imported goods as lowas any house in town; and, employing steam power in our Factory, are enabled to offer articles of local manufacture at a very moderate rate. T. & "&0, Cooke's FURNITURE and CARPET WAREHOU E 67. QUKEN-STRBWT. f\ N S A L E, Ex Mail Steamer, IN PEI ME CONDITION, 100 cases of AMERICAN APPLES Also, ICO cases of -A-IVHS-RICAIS. ONIONS H. CANHAM, HIGH-STREET. '^HIKIFPOSTTjfFICKT AUCKLAND. Mails will Close ah Under:— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m. and to morrow, at noon. For Waibeke and Coromandel,' per Argyle, I on Friday next, at 2.30 p.m. For Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, and Southern provinces, per Hawea, this day, at 5 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers at 4 p.m. ■ '■••> For Taranaki and Wanganui, via Waitara, per 'Hanraki, to-morrow, at 6 a.m. For Waiwera, Warkworth, Te Arai,? Waipu, Wangarei, and IVlaDgapai, per Anue Milbank. to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Taranaki and Wanganui, via Waitara, per Samson, to-morrow, at >0.5 a.m. or Port Pitzroy, per Water Lily, tomorrow, I at 10 a.m. For Russell and Kawakawa, per lona, to morrow, ai.,l p m. V<v Levuka, per Tubal Cain, to-morrow, at . 3 p.m. S. B. BISP, Chief Postmaster.



"XrORTH BRITISH AND MERCAN JL3I TILE INSURANCE COMPANY. LONDON AND EDINBURGH. Established 1809. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Capital .. .. 7. 0 .. ..£2,000,000 Reserve Fund .. 1,082,768 Income of the Fire Department, Net „,„„.„ Premiums and Interest, 1877 .. -• 916,640 PRESIDENT.: His Grace the Duke of Boxburghe, K.T. v ice-Presidents : His Grace the Duke of Sutherland, K.G.; His Grace the Duke of Abercorn, K.G. Extraordinary Directors: Bight Hon. the Earl of Airlie, Right Hon. the Earl of Strathmore, Right Hon. Sir James Fer gusson, of Kilkerran. Bart., Sir Matthew- White Ridley. Bart., Right Hon. the Earl of Elgin, Right Hon. Lord Wolverton, Sir Walter James, Bart, Sir John Majorbanks, of Lees, Bart., Sir Robert Hay, of Haystoun, Bart., David Mahony, Esq.., Dublin. GENERAL COURT OF DIRECTORS. Chairman: Right Hon. Lord Lawrence, G.C.8., G.C.5.1., and P.O. Fire Risks taken on buildings and property in the Provincial District of Auckland at LOWEST BATES. Losses promptly and liberally dealt with. SHERA BROS., AGENTS, Queen-strket. -jTI DUCATION. MRS. CLAYTON'S BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOL, St. George's Bay Boad, Parnell.— Fourth Quarter, Sept. 30th. Masters. German: Dr. Hensen. French: Mons. Peltzer. Drawing: Mr. Watkins. Arithmetic: Dr. Hensen. Elocution: Mr. Gradwell. Music: Mr. Stubbing. Drill: Mr. Hyde. Auokland, September 23,1878. EX 'CITY OF SYDNEY, 100 cases SALMON, lib. 25 cases SALMON, 21b. FOR SALE BY W. S. LAURTE, 7, WYNDHAM- STXE ET. ENNA to Harry Smith. —Please send me your address at once. AH well here. Address simply Monmouth. Although the law has been frequently and successfully invoked against the counterfeiters of Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps, their cupidity has again overcome their prudence. Imitations of this famous me dicinal beverage are being put up by unprinci pled parties in empty bottles of tho genuine article, and the labels imitated. Be cautious. T) "lIT* ell £LS CI*S The method of making money is now ascer tained to be on mathematical principles. The moneyed men of the present day have for the most part succeeded by producing really valu able a'tides, and adding to industry honesty. These principles hold good all over the world, and the success attending the introduction of those invaluable medicines, "Ghollah's Great Indian Cures," into New Zealand is another in stance of proof of the assertion. The public have recognised the worth o£ these Indian Medicines, and the cures effected by their use are extraordinary. Get testimonials and the medicines of the Chemists.