SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

„ rrr . m™™ f This Afternoon, 8.57 HlferH WATER-^ Tomorrow Morning, 9.16 SUN SET.—This Evening, 5.42 - SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning, 6.23 MOON'S AGIS.-First Quarter, 11th, 2.31 p.m

ARRIVALS.

lona, s.s., Farqukar.f.om Russell Gael, schooner, Urgnhart, from Dunedin, via Oamaru

IMPORTS.

Per Gael: S3 lacks oats 78 sacks potatoes.— Per Gael from Dunedin: 188 sacks bran, 93 sacks pollard, 57 sacks barley dust, 45 sacks oatmeal, 30 bags pearl barley, 40 bags flour, 100's, 139 sacks oats.— T. H. Hall and Co. Per Gael, from Dunedin and Oamaru: 1,500 sacks oats, bran, o'-tme'al, and 5 tons potatoss. Per lona, from B.ussell: 191 sacks gum. 53 sacks oysters. 22 boxes fruit, and a large quantity of suncries.

EXPORTS.

Per Agnes Donald, for Levuka: 112 sheep, ■2,100 pieces timber. SO tins biscuPs. 12 bags pota toes, _S kegs beef, 29 bags onions, 20 cases apples, &c„ large quantity of provisions.

NEW STEAMER FOR WELLINGTON.

The prestige which the shipwrights and. iron workers of Auckland have obtained in their trades has not, it seems, been damaged by the action of the North Shore Ferry Company, in sending away from this city an order for an iron vessel, which could have been constructed here Quite as well as, and cheaper than, in Eng land. The fame of -Auckland shipbuilders h.s been sounded throughout New, Zealand, and several orders from the South nave been re ceived for new vessels of various kinds. Mr Yeoman lias just been engaged by a Wellington firm to build an iron steamer about as large as any other which has yet been constructed in tins port. Her dimensons willj be:-l*ngth.of keel, 110 feet: length overall, 120 feet: breadth of beam, 16 feet; depth of hold, 8 feet. Her engines will be on the compound principle, and the cylinder will be 13 and 22 inch, with 16-inch .stroke. The work of manu facturing these has been entrusted to Messrs T. Masefield and Co., of Albert-street. The ve=sel will be furnished with all the latest improvements, and will be fitted up with regard to excellent passenger accommodation aud carrvingcapacity. Amongst other things she will have a large saloon on deck, which will de fitted up handsomely. Messrs Sims and Brown, shipbuilders/of the North Shore, have been engaged to get out the hnes, and furnish the woodwork and cabin of the steamer, and this alone will be a sufficient guarantee that the work will be performed in a satisfactory and workmanlike manner. At the last fortnightly meeting of the Harbour Board on Tuesday last Mr Yeoman applied for a site on the harbour reclamation on tbe west sidei of the wharf whereon to build the vessel. As the contract must be completed within six months, the work will be commenced at once. The fact that these contracts when completed will circulate a large sum of money in this city cannot tail to be satisfactory to citizens generally.

Cleared Outwards— Mercury, cutter, for Tairua, in ballast; Firefly, schooner, for the Wade, with a cargo of provisions and three passengers; Lake Erie, barque, for the Sand spit, inlballa. t. ' Entered Inward s*.—Ada, ketch, from Thames, in ballast; Fireflay, schooner, from Wade, with 26,000 shingles, 8 bags gum, 11.000 palings; Mana, cutter, from Tairua, with 22.500 feet timber, and 50 sacks gum. The schooner Agnes Donald cleared at the Customs to-day for Levuka, and wdl sad this The Magellan Cloud, brigantine, will probably sail for Levuka via Loma Loma on Monday morning. ~ , The barque Lake Superior, after undergoing extensive repaii-3 at the hands of Mr D. Gouk, in Freeman's Bay, has been taken off the stocks, and the repairs will be completed in a few The s.s. Wanaka left Tauranga at 7.30 this morninsr, and will arrive at Queen-street wharf about 9~o'elock this evening ■ The s.s. Taranaki will arrive at Onehunga about 11 o'clock on Monday. ; . The schooner Christian arrived at Napier, from Auckland, on Thursday night. The s.s. lona arrived in harbour, from Russell and the North, at an early hour this morning. She brings a full general cargo, consisting mincijallyof gum and oysters, and the follow iuo- passengers: Miss Mcßride, Mesdames Cole. Whitehead, and Harris, Messrs. Heppa, Hayes, Dousing, Danber, Stanton, Vendel, Harrop, Hood, Campbell, and another. . The schooner Leetitia, from Noumea, is dis charging her cargo of maize alongside the Queen street Wharf. ~ , ;-_ _. . . The brig Speedy cleared at the Customs for Maiden Island, in ballast, to-day. She will sail to-morrow. , . _ , ~ The Sinews of the arrival in London, after a passage of about 90 days, of the ship City, of Auckland will be read with interest in shipping circles The cuttor Iris brought a cargo of 200 sacks of gum from Mangawai yesterday. . The large topsail schooner Gael arrived in harbour last evening, from Dunedin, via Oamaru. She left the latter place. on the evening of the 21st ult., and had light winds and calms up the coast; the passage being an un usually lengthy one. The Gael brings a full cargo of produce, which she commenced to dis charge alongside the Queen-street Wharf to-day. The s.s. "Wanaka and lona are advertised to leave for Russell on Monnay afternoon.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Tauranga, this day. The s.s. Wanaka and Rowena left for Auck land at 7 o'clock this morning. Gisborne, this day. The s.s. Go-ahead left for Auckland at 7 o'clock this morning.

COMMERCIAL.

We were unable to give tno report or iwr it. Arthur's weekly sale of poultry, produce, etc., in our last issue, owing to the crowded state of his mart. We append the quotations to-day: Flour, £12 to £13, in sacks, and £13 to £14, in 1001b bags. Canterbury bacon, in cloth, 7_d; bacon and hams, SJd; sundry bacon, at 5d to 7Jd; cheese, 4d to 6Jd"; potatoes sold at 2s 6d to 3s 6d per cwt.; onions, fd to Id; picklers, lfd; pumpkins, at Is 6d to 3s 6d per cwt; pie melons, 3s 6d per cwt.; Fruits: Quinces, 2d to 2Jd per lb.; apples, 3d to 3Jd per lb.; pears. Ifd to 3Jd per lb.; peanut?, 2Jd to 2£d per lb.; raisin 3, 3_r_L per lb. Poultry: Fowls, inferior, 6d to lOd each; fowls, ls to 23; ducks, ls to 2s Id each; geese, 33 3d each; turkey 3. 2s 9d to 3s 8d; pigs, 7s 6d to 9s 9d each. Groceries .-Biscuits. 6d to 6Jd per lb.; candles, 10Jd per lb.; rice, 3£d per lb.; jam, 63 3d to 7s; tea, box, 21s to 265; half-chests, 2s per lb. The furniture realised fair prices.

CALLS AND DIVIDENDS.

CREDITORS' MEETINGS.

In the estate of Daniel Sellers .. April 10 Wm. H. Nicol .. .. .. .. April 12

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

J. W.—Writes in reply to a letter on Edeu Terrace pond nuisance, wliich appeared in the " Herald." His letter should be addressed to that paper.

BIRTH.

LINDSAY.—On the Ist April, 1378, the wife of Mr. Alfred James Lindsay of a son; both

doing well. _ WEBSTKR.—On April 4th, Mrs. C. J. Webster, New North Road, of a daughter.

DEATH.

BOYCE.—On April 6, at his mother's residence, Chapel-street, Frederick Boyce, aged 21 sears. The funeral will leave his late residence at 3 p.m. sharp on Monday next. Friends will please accept this invitation.

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1878.

Cot __= e__u__ thut la<___. ___-_-_.._«, For lie wrsarj that seeds i t_l_U___K. I*#* t___ 6_-t_r_ la th* dlnuw-e, AjKJt-O _•--___-. -__«-_--»

A Reutek's despatch received late this afternoon gives the first intimation we have had of the attitude of Germany in relation to the Eastern question, and it is distinctly favouiable to the policy of England. Ger many refuses to participate in any Congress at which England is not represented. It would appear from this that Russia had en tertained some hope of securing English isolation by going on with the Peace Con gress iv spite of England's refusal to take part unless the whole terms of peace were submitted. The reply of Germany is fatal to any such expectation and givfes a moral support the British demands. Tfte interests of Germany and Austria are so manifestly opposed to any undue preponderance of Russian power on the continent, that we are not surprised at the decision, but it would be much more in the interests of peace, and more dignified, if the other Great Powers were to adopt the same firmness of tone in resisting the Russian claims as that which has been employed by the British Government.

One of the first fruits of a state of War is already being reaped in the United King dom, in the form of increased taxation. The budget just presented shews a deficit of £5,800,000, of .vhich £5,300,000 arises from extraordinary sources, chiefly, no doubt the military and naval expenditure already authorised by parliament under the six million vote. The Government propose to meet this by increasing the income tax two pence ; adding fourpence to the duty on tobacco, and 2s 6d on the dog tax. The present income tax is 3d; the dog tax 5s ; and the tobacco duty 3s per pound. The effect of these increases on the revenue may be thus computed: A twopenny income and property tax in 1875-6 yielded £4,041,892; the consumption of tobacco may be stated in round numbers at fifty million pounds a year, and the increased assessment on dogs will yield about £163,000. The revenue raised from the new taxes, therefore, may be stated as about: £ Income and property 4,041,892 Tobacco (roughly) 800,000 Dogs about 163,000 5,004,892 The budget, however, proposes to pass over two millions of the deficit to next year, leaving a large surplus available for supple mentary estimates or other contingencies. These figures, which we have framed from the returns of last year, will be pretty near the mark. What the proposals of the Ministry really contem plate is to liquidate the whole of the expenditure so far incurred without adding it to the funded debt of the country. In the event of war, the expenditure will necessarily be altogether outside the pro vision made in the budget estimates. The expensive character of modern wars, it may be hoped, will ultimately pjprove one of the greatest aids to the maintenance of peace, since it is impossible that countries can go on for ever increasing their national burdens for an object which is wholly unre productive. The following general esti mate of the gross money cost of the chief wars of the last twenty-five years, will place this fact in a more striking light :— Crimean "War £310.000,000 Italian War of 1859 .. .. 60,000,000 American Civil War—The North 910,000,000 „ „ The South 460,000,000 Schleswig-Holstein War .. 7,000,000 Austrian and Prussian War, 1866 66,000,000 Expedition to Mexico, Morocco, Paraguay, &c. (say only) .. 10,000,000 Franco-Prussian War .. .. 500,000,000 Russian and Turkish War. At the close of 1877 the war had cost Russia 60,000,000 „ Turkish cost (unknown) * * £2,173,000,000 To render the bill approximately perfect, we should add the enormous loss to trade and production by the absorption of a large body of men in military pursuits, and the conse quent ruin to industry and commerce ; the monetary loss to a nation which attends the destitution and misery inseparable from war; and the losses represented by the death of a large number of men who would otherwise have been producers. Rut this is a branch of the subject which eludes the statician. We may, however, give some thing like an estimate of the destruc tion of human life during the last .twenty-five years under this barbaric plan of settling international disputes : : Killed in battle, or died of wounds and disease. Crimean War .. .. .. .. 750,000 Italian War (1859).. .. .. .. 45,000 War of Schleswig-Holstein .. .. 3,000 American Civil War—tho North .. 280,000 ~ ~ —the South .. 520,000 Warl'etwcon Prussia, Austria, and Italy in 1866 .. 45,000

Expeditions to Mexico.Cochin China Maroeco, Paraguay etc. .. 05,0-0 Franco-German War of 1870-71. France «&.W» Gwrmany /• 60'°°0 Turkiah Ma,a»acres of Christians in Bulgaria, Armania, etc., 1876 ---1877 . • • • • "..,000 Russian and'T urk'ish War of 1877 .. 160,-00 2,108,000 that is to say, the national honour (!) and national ambition of the most civilised and Christian nations in the world have demanded the sacrifice, during the last 25 years, of over two million {subjects, or a number nearly equalling the whole population of Australia and New Zealand at tho present time. Well may the Peace Society, which has industriously circulated these figures, exclaim ;—" Civilization, Christianity, look at thy victories and weepj"

The address delivered by Dr. Campbell in accepting the Chairmanship of the Educa tion Board is one that cannot be too highly commended. More especially do we endorse that part of his speech in which he con demns the lust of public office for the mere sake of its emoluments, which is the curse of colonial politics. No doubt there are positions where it is necessary, to secure fair representation, that men shall receive far remuneration, in order to open the way for those who could not otherwise devote their time and talents tothe public service. With reference to the colonial parliament, this is especially true. • But that disposition to make every avenue of public life, every honourable position of public usefulness, a means to pecuniary gain; that propensity to trade upon our patriotism, and barter every moment devoted to the welfare of the State, is oue which which leads to a good deal of jobbery and log-roll ing and is not at all conducive to zeal or efficiency. Our City Council, highway boards, "and school committees, afford ample proof that there are plenty of citizens able and willing to devote their leisure to the performance of work for the public good, quite irrespective of any hope of reward, and often with much less prospect of distinction than that attached to membership of the Board that is entrusted with the care of national edu cation in an important district of the colony; and there is no reason to apprehend that (there will ever be any lack of men with enough public spirit to fill such offices with ability and zeal. Dr Campbell exhibits, perhaps, rather too great a degree of sensitiveness in relation to that keen criticism which is the lot of public men, whether their services are gratuitous or not; but withal we have much pleasure in commending his closing remarks to the atteutiou and consideration of our readers: —

" It may not be out of place here to state, so that it" may be known generally in the Educational District, that neither the chair man nor any member of this Board is allowed by the Act to receive, either directly or indirectly, any remuneration whatever, and that the State demands from us our services without fee or roward. The only reward is that which arises from our feeling conscious of discharging a public duty, and this fact the public, when criticising the action of the Board, should not ignore. And 1 must say, I believe it is for the best interests of education that the Act has been so framed and that it should so remain. When a seat at this Board is not a money prize, it will not be sought for as such, and the public has thus the surest guarantee for the disin terestedness of those who are willing to become members. Our presence here leads us to no office of emolument, nor gives a scope for political prominence or influence. There" is only the dry and hard work of administrative detail, and its.conscientious performance is the trust Aye have under taken. I can only hope we may be held to have fulfilled that trust when any of us cease to be members of this Board."

The s.s.. Rotomahana brought up 53140zs gold this morning for the Bank of New Zea land.

Two fishing excursions to the Reef took place this afternoon, one of them consisting of the employees in the National Bank. The parties were conveyed to the scene of the sport in the paddle steamers Takapuna and Ruby.

Sir George Grey returned from the Kawau last evening by the steamer Anne Milbank, having considerably benefited by the rest and quiet he has enjoyed during his few days' stay at his picturesque home. To the Editor : Sir, —I notice in last night's Star a well-written article on the census returns, the increase of Wellington's population being the most prominent. When the Auckland returns are published, I should not be at all surprised at you drawing your readers' attention to its astonishing decrease. Some days ago I had occasion to visit Parnell rate collecting, when one of the ratepayers begged me as a favour to take the census paper away with me, as it had never been called for ; and as in that particular back street there is a perfect mob of cottages, doubtless each occupant has the papers still in his possession. I declined naving anything to do with the matter.—Yours, &c, T. B. HANNAFORD.

The Sunday services are duly notified in the next page. Rev. W. J. Williams will preach for the last time, previously to his departure for the South, in the Grafton Road chapel in the morning, and in the evening in Pitt-street; th-_ parting tea and entertainment on Thursday next. Rev. A. R. Tomlinson will preach the morn ing, and Rev. C. M. Nelson the evening mission service at St. Paul's. The Sunday evening service for the people will be held in the Theatre Royal at the usual hour.

The jurors summoned to attend at the Supreme Court on Monday next will not be required until the following Thursday at the same hour.

The monthly inspection of No. 3 Com pany of Rifle Volunteers, under command of Captain Morrow, will be held on Monday evening next, in the Drill-shed, when every member is expected to be present.

Mr Perkins has an insatiable maw for curios. The latest additions to his Museum are a pair of bona fide Indian show shoes, and a splendid piece of musk wood, and a three ended stick_ He has also an extraor dinary historical scroll, or map of the world.

i .The result of the polling last evening for the election of three Governors of the Board of the Auckland College and Grammar School was as follows :—David L. Murdoch, 13; George M. O'Rorke, M.H.R., 12; Theophilus Heale, 10 ; Edwin Hesketh, 7 ; Rev. Charles M. Nelson, 3; Rev. David Bruce, 3. The Returning Officer—Mr V. Rice—then Messrs. Murdoch, O'Rorke, and Heale to be duly elected Governors of the Auckland College and Grammar School in accordance with the Act. These gentlemen were elected by the Board of Assembly, and the folio .ving gentlemen, completing the Board of Go vernors, by the Board of Education : His Honor Judge Gillies, Dr. J. L. Campbell, Col. Haultain, and (ex officio) under the Act, His Worship the Mayor of the city. Mr Justice Gillies, it is expected, will fill the office of Chairman.

The receipts of the Canterbury Board o Education for 1877 amounted to £75,100, expenditure £58,965.

The Good Templars of the Samaritan Lodge will make a presentation of a Wor thy Chief Gaval, on Monday evening next, at the Young Men's Christian Association, to the Nymphe Lodge. The woodwork is of mottled kauri and other choice New Zea land woods, mounted in frosted and bur nished silver, wrought by Mr James Howden, jeweller, of Shortland-street, with the following inscription: "Presented by the Good Samaritan Lodge, 1.0. G.T., of Auckland, to the brethren of the Sea Nymphe Lodge. April, 1878."

A man named Augustus Lemnie, a German, who has been employed at a saw mill near Mercer, has been drowned by- the capsizing of a canoe, while on his way from the mill to the township.

A number of " drovers and gentlemen in charge of travelling stock " petitioned the Mayor of Glen Innes-to eet apart a day of humiliation »nd prayer for rain. The mayor, Mr Edward Jones, replied as follows : —" Gentlemen, — I have duly recei. Ed your requisition, signed by gentle men travelling with stock, who obtain grass in the cheapest manner possible. I decline to hold a public meeting, under my auspices, on the ground that it is great presumption to ask the Sublime Creator to alter his organised arrangements of what he has created to suit the convenience,' or rather profit, of squatters who have over stocked their runs. — Edward Jones, Mayor of Glen Innes."

"You cannot'Jlive' alone," said a dying clergyman's wife in Philadelphia. " Choose a cheerful woman, and teach her to love our children." And he went away and married a red-haired sister. She became so cheerful for him and the children that they dodged at everything they saw, and there would be occasionally a notice pasted on the church door like this : "No service here to-day." And the red-haired sister and Vvife would sit in the front room with her feet upon the fender, and chew gum, while thinking sadly of the wear and tear of the rolling pin, and wonder when there would be another donation party which would furnish her a new one. And he was in the back room, looking at a photograph of his first wife, with his head tied up in a wet towel, while the children were learning the catechism under the bed.

The following address was last night pre sented by a number of sympathising friends to Mr J. McDougall ot the North Shore, who, it will be remembered, was put to great inconvenience lately in consequence of a mislaid parcel :—"Auckland, 2nd April. Mr'JohnjMcDougall, North Shore.— Sir, —We, the undersigned, do cordially sympathise with you in the unnecessary annoyance to which you have lately been subjected, owing to the erroneous charge that has been brought against you, and we request you to accept the accompanying donation towards defraying the expenses that you have been put to, and as an expression of bur confidence in your integrity."—(Here follow the signatures.)

During the month ending )March, 1878, there were 10 deaths registered within the city of Auckland. The number during the corresponding month of 1877 was 21. There were 4 death- in the Hospital during the month of March, IIS7B.—GEORGE GOLDIE, Sanitary Inspector.

One of the "star" prima donnas of the Imperial Opera, St. Petersburg, recently took her benefit. On being called for the 20th or 30th time before the curtain, she ad vanced to the footlights, and addressing the

audience in the Russian language, offered to shew her gratitude by singing a national Russian song. The song was received with enthusiastic applause ; but the prima donna was'much disgusted when the management subsequently fined her 2,000f. for "address ing the audience without permission."

An American minister treated his village congregation to one of Mr Beecher's ser mons, unaware that the popular Brooklyn preacher made one of his hearers. Accost ing him after service, Mr Beecher said: " That was a fair discourse ; how long did it take you to write it?" " Oh, I tossed it oft" one evening," was the reply. "Indeed!" said Mr Beecher. "Well, it took me much longer than that to think out the framework of that sermon." " Are you Mr Henry Ward Beecher?" asked the sermon stealer. "I am," said that gentleman. " Well, then," said the other, not in the least bit discon certed, "all I have to say is, that I ain't ashamed to preach one of your sermons any where."

The Hon. Colonel Whitmore has ex pressed a wish to inspect the Auckland Artillery Volunteers on Monday evening next. The inspection will be with the carbine and Armstrong guns, and as this corp is considered to be the best drilled in jthe district, it is requested by the com manding officer, by advertisement, that every member will be in attendance. The parade is called at 7 o'clock, with undress caps. Arms and accoutrements at the Gun-shed, Albert Park. At a meeting* of the corp, held on Thursday last, it was decided to celebrate its twentieth anniver sary by a ball in the Choral Hall on the eve of the Queen's Birthday. As the anniver sary of this corp is the anniversary of the volunteers of the colony, we expect the various corps in the district will honor the ball by their presence. Our local volunteers have done good service in the past, and we have no doubt that should their services again be required they will not be found wanting. There is a general impression throughout the colony that something should be done by the Government to make our harbour* more safe by erecting in positions similar to tho North Head, 64-pounder M.L. rifled guns, and we hope something in this direction will be done by the Government.

The following are the census returns of population for the city of Nelson : Males, 3380 ; females, 3482 : total, 6862. In 1874 the total was 5860.

A Kumara telegram furnished by the Press Agency says :—Some days ago, Mr Brown, editor of the "Kumara Times," issued a writ against Father Henneberry for slander, damages £1000 ; but it was not served, in hopes that Father Henneberry would retract. To-day Mr Brown's solicitors received an extraordinary letter from Father Henneberry, covering ten sheets of paper, threateningthat if the action were proceeded with, the police would be at Mr Brown's door. Mr Brown instructed his solicitors to serve the writ at once.

The advantage of a good water .supply is slowly but surely making itself felt; the death rate for March, 1876, was 27; for 1877, 21 ; for 1878, 8 only. Water for shipping is supplied one shilling per ton lower than at any port in the Colonies. Water from the stand pipes is almost free, and has been no small ad vantage during the late dry weather, and a a benefit giveu in few, if any, other towns. These facts should tend to sooth the irate tax-payer and cause, at least, a satisfactory growl now and then.

We understand that the Hon. the Premier and the Hon. the Native Minister will pro ceed to the Waikato on Monday, for the purpose of visiting Hamilton and Te Awa mutu. They will not proceed to the King Country on this occasion, but will return to town on Wednesday, visiting Hikurangi on a future day.

The Wesleyan churches of this part of the colony are about to lose the services of one of their most popular preachers, in the re moval to another circuit of the Rev. W. J. Williams. The rev. gentleman, has, by his uniform sympathy with all good objects, even outside the immediate circle of his strictly denominational duties, won for himself the esteem of a large number of friends, all of whom will, I am sure heartily unite in wishing him much happiness and prosperity in his new circuit. After to morrow evening, when Mr Williams will preach his last sermon in Pitt-street Wes leyan Church, Auckland will lose one of her best clergymen, and the city of Wellington will gain one whose faithful ministrations will find ample scope for their operation.

Messrs J. and J. Dickey invite the atten tion of parties furnishing, to a new stock of table cutlery, electro-plated and general goods; purchasers to the amount of 20s and upwards receive 5 per ceut discount. A western man has invented something that_ beats the telephone. He* proposes to put in a line of women, fifty steps apart, and commit the news to the first as a secret.

It will be seen on reference to our report of the meeting, of Improvement Com missioners, held to-day, that the application from the agent of Cooper and Bailey's Circus, to erect their monster booth in the Albert square, for a period of 14 days, was granted.

His Excellency the Governor and suite, accompanied by Commodore Hoskins, will leave for Tauranga and the Lake Country on Monday next in H.M.S. Wolverine, and the visit is expected to last over a period of ten days.

A very handsome granary has just been erected on the Breakwater for Messrs McKenzio and Ross, by Mr Colweli, ; the well-known builder and contractor. Attached to the granary is a spacious and comfortable private office ; in point of fact, the building is aa complete as possible. Mr Mahoney was the architect. To the Editor : Sir,— Having seen in your paper of last night's issue that there are only two civil caeca set down for hearing this session of the Supreme Court, I beg to state I had a case against Mr E. T. Fitz gerald, which ought to have come on for hearing, and which has again been post poned f_r the third timo, although I had in structed my solicitor to press it on, the wit nesses being all in readiness, and by which 1 have been put to inconvenience and great expense.—Yours, &c, R. de Thierry.

At the annual meeting of the Papakura Literary Institute, Rev T. Norrie in the chair, the statement read by Mr W. Shanaghan, Secretary, shewed a credit balance of _£3 9a Id. The library numbers 520 volumes. The report was adopted, and the following committee appointed for the year :— Rev T. Norrie, re-elected president; Mr Shanaghan, secretary and treasurer; Messrs J. B. Hay, C. Wallis, F. McLy mont, and D. McLennan, members of com mittee ; and Mr H. Bull, auditor. Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring officers, and to Mr Revell, the teacher.

IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS.

A meeting of the Improvement Commis sioners was held at the office this morning. Present: His Worship the Mayor, in the chair, and Messrs Eenton, Chambers, and Cosgrave. The minutes of the last meeting were read, and confirmed.

Election.—A letter was read from the Town Clerk announcing the election of Mr Cosgrave as an Improvement Commissioner. Wesleyan Church. —A letter was read from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, asking what price the Commissioners will dispose of the Wesleyan Church for. Chancery-street.—A letter was read from Mr Brock offering Balon's property in Chancery-street for the amount of mort gage (£500) and interest. It was resolved to ask Mr Brock to furnish a plan shewing the extent of the property. The Police Court.—lt was moved by Mr Eenton, and seconded by Mr Chambers, " That the Police Court building be offered to the City Council, at such price as shall be determined by arbitrators ; one to be nominated by each party, and the third by both."

The Circus.—An application was made from the agent of the Circus asking permission to use the space before the barracks. A letter was also read from a lessee, Mr Johnstone, protesting against the same. Some discussion on the subject followed; after which it was resolved, "That Mr Johnson be informed that the Commis sioners, on reference to the terms of sale, find nothing to prevent their exercising their discretion in matters such as these." The use of the site was granted to-the Circus for 14 days, subject to the super vision of the Mayor, Mr Chambers, and Mr Co.grave. Mr. JuT-D's House.—lt was resolved that the plans of Mr Judd's new house be approved. ACCOUNTS.—A letter was read from Mr Luak, asking for payment of an account, and explaining the circumstances under which it was incurred. It was resolved that the Commissioners would recognise no liability in this case. A number of accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting closed.

FIRE IN CITY EAST SCHOOL BUILD INGS.

OWING to the fact that the fire in the new City East school-buildings broke out last evening just as we were going to press, we were unable to give more than a brief notice of the event. From fdrther inquiries we learn that the alarm was fir»t given by Mrs Rist, cf the Police Barracks, who noticed smoke issuing from a fan-light in the school-build ing. Constable Strathern, who was at the barracks, was one of the first to arrive. He at first endeavoured to obtain access to the building by one of the windows, but failing in this, burst in the main door. He then found that the door of the room in which was the fire, was locked, and again he forced it in. Smoke then came forth in a thick volume. The constable seized a floor mat and quickly extinguished the fire, which appeared to be centred under the table. Constable McDowell also arrived with a bucketful of water, by the use of which and the timely aid of Mr." Greenwood, Mr. Macfarlane, and others the fire was effec tually put out. Another eyewitness, how ever, informs us that Mr. Greenwood broke open the outer door with a mighty kick, and not the constable. Examination dis closed a waste paper basket almost burnt, and the floor-cloth and scrim on the walls considerably charred. Mr. R. Feltus ob served the fire simultaneously with the first, and immediately raised an alarm, sending one lad for Mr Worthington, and another to ring tbe nearest firebell. The fire brigade and police were promptly on the ground. The room in which the fire origi nated was used as an office by Mr. Worth ington, head teacher, and Mr. Nicholson, his assistant. Mr. Worthington states that he locked up the school house at 4 o'clock, when there were no signs of fire. He be lieves the fire was caused by an unextin guished match being thrown into the waste ?aper basket, which was under the table, 'he building was insured in the Union Company for £2,000, and we believe the agent of the company has agreed to repair the damage done at once, and the work will be completed to-day.

On inquiry at the office of the Board of Education we learn that it is not their in tention to lay on the water to the building further than at present. Water is now laid on to the closets and urinals, and the pipes extend along the street in front of the building.

IMPORTANT DISCOVERY AT PAR NELL.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sir, —A notable discovery has been made in Parnell as to the existence of large quantities of water in the human subject. Vide letter in N.Z.H. of April sth ; quota tion : .' Even now some of the neighbours are full." Query. —Are not some neighbours full of wind ? And will they tell the public to be "blowed?"—Yours affectionately, Jeames Pipes.

RIFLE MATCH.

ENGINEER V. NO. 3 COMPANY

[PER "STAR" CARRIER PIGEON.]

Mount Eden, 3.30 p.m. A return match between the Engineer and No. 3 Companies of Volunteers com menced here at three o'clock The match is also partly for the purpose of testing whether the white sight is superior to the old black regulation one, The following are the scores :—

CABLEGRAMS.

Latest War News.

Speoial_CaT3legraia (FROM OUR SPEC, a r T ' corre^de N t.? Nd°^ INCOME TAI[INCR EASEI) TAX ONTOBACCO, The following reach p<l „_, _. pubhcationlasAve^ngfj 18 to° f or whakap^Ta^l^ On Thursday gfche ii^J^M creased by 2d., and a tax of 4d t T BB «l tobacco. 41, Waalai(_ 01l To-day's Messages. "' Latest AboutTlS Conference Germany Refuses to ah__ , without Engird t6nd [reuters telegrams.] berlTn. Germany refuses to enter tht PS, 1 4t!l- Peace Congress without England. peaa LONDON, April 4th The past year's deficit is £2,640 000 % the coming year this is partly covered k! £1,560,000 worth of Exchequer bonds 1 the extraordinary expenditure is eover^T an increase of the dog tax ; an increase! twopence on the income tax ; andfoiirn eD on the tobacco duty.

(reuter's special telegrams.)

THE BUDGET.

ti. t. -. . LONDON, April! The Budget expenditure is £81000nM leaving an ordinary deficit of £50o'ooo'a$ an extraordinary deficit of £5 300 Mr? whereof £2 000 000 are left for next S There will be 2d increase in the income 7& 4d per lb. on tobacco, and 2s 6d on the.dog

RUSSIA'S TREATMENT OF ROU MANIA.

Official dispatches shew that Russia is treating Roumania imperiously^ It refuses to discuss in the Congress the question of Bessarabia.

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO KOHI MARAMA.

His Excellency the Governor, accom pauied by Commodore Hoskins, and attended by Colonel Whitmore, Lieutenant LePatourel, A.D.C., and Captain Leßoy • of the Naval Brigade, paid a very interesting visit to Kohimarama yesterday. The party started about noon from the Wynard Pier in the steam launch of H.M.S. Wolverine a very natty little "boat. . The Naval Brigade pinnace, Victory, was in attend ance, fully manned, and during the run down kept well up with the steamer. In the absence of Captain Leßoy, who was on board the launch, petty-officer Smith made an efficient master. The sail to K.M marama proved extremely pleasant, as there was only just a sufficiency of wind and the sun shone out brightly.; The party landed on the beach about half-past twelve, and Captain Breton at once came forward and welcomed His Excellency in a few wellF chosen words, after which the inspection of the Naval School was at once commenced. The boys were drawn up in one long line, and struck us as being particularly neat, clean, and, as a . rule, good looking. Some of them we were told were remarkable when they first came to the school for a sullen, vicious expression of countenance,which, however, rapidly faded;, away under firm but kindly and wholesome treatment. To use the words of the lady superintendent of this institution, " These . boys can be led, but not driven." They have nearly all, we observed, a look of determination in their faces rather'extra* ordinary when one comes to consider their ages, but which doubtless arises from the terrible nature of their earliest experiences. When set at liberty, as they were shortly afterwards, they at once burst into the heartiest and most spontaneous play, and evidently were not in the least awed by the presence of so many distinguished person ages. The feeling that - prevails between master and boys is , evidently a most satisfactory one. We enjoyed some conversation with one of the former, and he spoke quite affectionately of his charges: " They are good boys, very good-boys," he said, "and I ought to know, for I have been here twelve months teaching them." We also asked a little chap who was un concernedly bowling at our legs, how he liked the master, and his -instantaneons reply was "All right." After the boys had gone through some manoeuvres on board the training schooner, His Excellency pro ceeded to examine the buildings, commenc ing with the dining hall, a large airy room; with stone walls. Here the Lady Superin tendent was sitting sewing. At the request of Captain Breton she shewed His Excel lency a n_mber of specimens of the boy-' work. They make all their own clothes, and some of the elder ones can cut out ex cellently. From the dining-room we pro ceeded to the larder, store-room, and kit chen, wliich are adjacent. The school-room is situated exactly opposite the dining' hall. It is a comfortable chamber, solidly furnished with deal desks and forms of the usual pattern. Here the writing and drawing books were carefully examined by the Governor, who evidently takes a great interest in such .things. Next to the school-room is the library. Every thing considered, it is pretty fairly stocked, though there is, of course, plenty of room for more books ; and we may here remark that persons having a superfluous stock of children's literature might do worse than bestow it on this institution. It is scarcely necessary for us to follow the Vice-Regal party through every room, suffice it to say the place is throughout deliciously sweet and clean. About half-past two His Excellency and party partook of anal fresco lunch on the sands, a proceeding which our reporter viewed from a distance with mixed feelings of envy aud emptiness. Before leaving Ko__imarama|His Excellency and Commodore Hoskins expressed them- selves well pleased with the arrangements of the school, and spoke a few words ef sound wisdom to the boys, who were in high spirits because His Excellency had asked for a holiday for them. The party then re-embarked on the steam launch, and started homewards. They had not, however, gone very far before the little steamer ran on the reof just outside the Sngarloaf, and refused to budge therefrom. All except the crew were consequently obliged to turn out into the gig of H.M.S. Wolverine, which luckily happened to be in tow. The row home occupied about an hour. The steam launch, lightened by the departure of so much solid flesh, got off the reef soon afterwards, and steamed gaily away. ' -' ■

HOW TO REVIVE PULPIT DECADENCE.

(To the Editor.) ■ . Sir, —As some of your correspondents lately have been lamenting pulpit decadence at the present day, will you be so good as to insert the following rules, which the excel lent Spurgeon recommends for the revival of such decadence:—l. Burn your manu scripts ; 2. Leave off praying from books. 3. Dispense with instrumental music, ana well-organised choirs ; 4. Preach and pray from your heart.— I am, etc.; CHUB-U Member.

Look out for shams in the shape of poisonons mitations of the People's, *£™^ *?£? feeverage, Udo_pho Wolfe's ScHrapAM-^w matic Schnapps. These detestable f"™^ often bear counterfeit labels or nam^ff 0™! approximating to that of the trueartwle.. close scrutiny should be brought tobea rupou preparations purporting to be thereal SchnaPP*

EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1878.



alls— & s. d. Date. Waitekauri 0 0 6 — April 10 Queen 0 0 3 — April 10 Young New Zealand.. 0 0 6 — AprdlO New North Devon .. 0 0 6 — April 10 Piako 00 3 — April 10 Coromandel .... .. 0 0 6 — April 24

ilVIDENDS— .. __ Bank of Australasia .. 0 10 0 Apnl 9



ENGINEERS. White Target. Black Targei Deasely 000 — 010 Shaw .. _ 203 — 309 Mears .. ... .. 423 — 039 Sergeant Eady.. .. 023 — 222 Stirling 212 — 233 McEvoy 003 — 102 214 — ■ 233 Madden 404 — 200 Bruce .. .... 233 — 230 Saunders ..403 — 233 Sis Captain White .. 223 — 332 Partington .. ..300 — 023 NO. 3 COMPANY. White Black Name. Target. Target Buttle ... .-. .. 400 — 020 Hdl. .- ...... 004 - 010 £°al 322 — 343 Dore. .. .. .. ..332 — 432 Corp. Morrow .. ..133 — 422 Yates ' .. '.. ..002 — 440 fay .. .... 242 - 330 Robinson 403 — 323 33. R. Partington.. .. 332 — 2% W. Partington .. ... 414 — 039 McDonald .. .. ..344 _ 203



A-» LINABURY & Co., DRESSMAKERS AND MILLINERS. NEW DRESS MATERIALS. A Large Assortment of New Dress Goods for the present Season, in every fashionable shade, Just Opened up at A. LINABURY & CO.'S. NEW WINTER COSTUMES, NEW MANTLES, NEW ULSTERS, NEW MILLINERY, NEW HATS A Large Assortment of Paris Trimmed Hats and Bonnets Just Op ened up. Also, Hosiery, Silk Ties, Umbrellas, Collars and Cuffs, Gloves, Children's Mantles and Jackets. Also, A LARGE STOCK OF NOVELTIES, Which are Cheap, and will have quick sale. t& Look in at "®b A. LINABURY &ICOFS, 204 & 206, queen-street, Auckland. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN about to FURNISH are reminded that ONE OF THE LARGEST STOCKS IN THE COLONY OF FURNITURE CARPETS FLOORCLOTHS BEDDB.G, Sec, Sec, Sec, Is on Sale at T. Ss K. Cooke's FURNISHING WAREHOUSE 67, Queen-street.



rr.o AGRICULTURISTS & OTHERS. W. J. HURST _fc CO. have on sale the under mentioned Fertilizers, all of which have been proved to produce satisfactory results ia this district. Experience teaches that large and profitable returns can he relied on by a judicious and 1. use of them. The flattering Testi monials from leading Farmers justify VV. J. Hurst & Co. in strongly commending them to every Agriculturist :— MALDEN ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MEXICAN do. BELLS BONE FLOUR i and J-inch BONEDUST BILLYARD'S No. 1 do. NITRATE OF SODA SULPHATE OF AMMONIA MURIATE OF POTASH SUPER-PHOSPHATE OF LIME. SALT, SULPHATE OF LIME. In'addition to the above, W. J. IT. & Co. aro jrepared to supply special Chemical Manures for stimulating weak Corn Crops, and ronovat ing Clover-sick Pastures, as well as the Potato and Mangold mixture that for tho last two sea sons has attracted such favourable notice. Analysis, prices, and other particulars will bo supplied on application at tho Stores. W. J. HURST & CC, 101, Queen- treet. /CLOVER SEEDS, RYE GRASS, &C. On Sale, ex Late Arrivals : CLOVER SEEDS, consisting of White Clover Timothy Red Clover S ap_?., Cow Grass Trefoil Alsyke &c, &c, &c. Turnip ALSO, 200 bushels ENGLISH PERENNIAL RYE GRASS 50 bushels ENGLISH POA PRATENSIS 500 lbs. INDIAN DOOB GRASS 1-.000 lbs. ALFALPA mnrr _ m ' 2^ooo lbs. AMERICAN TIMOTHY. AND A Fine Collection of Farm and Garden Seeds. The above have arrived in first-class condition. Samples will be forwarded on application. Povertvßay, Canterbury, and local Rye Grass, Cocksfoot Ratstail, Poas Fescues', &c. &0., from carefully selected samples, at lowest mar ket rates. . HURgT & 101, Queen-street. rTNION INSURANCE COMPANY U OF NEW ZEALAND. APITAL. .". (32,000,000. UCK L A IN~D BRANCH QUEEN-ST REE T, Next the Colonial Bank. SIRE DEPARTMENT. Insuranc granted on Dwelling-houses, Stores. Shops, Buddings in which trade is carried on, Merchandise, and Goods of every description. MARINE DEPARTMENT. Hulls of Ships or Steamers, Merchandise of all kinds, Specie and Wool to United Kingdom, at owest Current Rates. R. H. STEVENSON Manager. T U T OPENED A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF GENTS' FANCY SCARVES, New Shapes and Colours. Also, All Sizes in GENTS' WHITE SHIRTS, Military Fronts, button behind. W. RATTRAY, CLOTHIER AND OUTFITTER, WKW 7BALAND TTOUSE. 66, QUEEN-STREET, Auckland. A UTUMN AND WINTER, 1878. The undersigned are bringing for ward Large Parcels of • NEW GOODS For the Incoming Season's Trade, Comprising „-,_.„ GENERAL DRAPERY and CLOTHING Of Every Description. Entirely New and Well Bought both as regards Quality and Price. Particulars in future issue. Inspectionlnvited. FIVE PER CENT. (Is. IN THE £), ALLOWED ON ALL CASH PUR CHASES OF 20s. AND UPWARDS. .R.USHBROOK AND BrIDGMAN, DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &C, JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel), UPPER QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND. BONEDUST! BONEDUST BONEDUSTI Ex Borough Belle, ©Sydney, now due : A SHIPMENT OF THE ABOVE ON SALE By the Undersigned. As the season is advancing, Customers would do well to hook their orders at once, so as to have them executed from the ship's side, and save cartage. W. J. HURST & CO., 101, Queen-street. p<RAND /^kFFER BY THE AMERICAN NOVELTY COMPANY. The following articles will be sent by Mail to any part of New Zealand on receipt of £1 :— 1 Brook's Glass Cutter, Tin Opener, Knife and Scissors Sharpeßer 4/ 1 Banaza Fruit and Vegetable, Pairing, Slicing, and Coring Knife 1/6 1 Champion Nutmeg Grater. Save your fingers 1/6 1 Dish-washing and Toasting Tong .. ..2/ 1 Smoker's Pet. Meerschaum pipe eclipsed 1/ 1 Folding Lamp Shade (Patent) 1/6 1 Indelible Tablet for Marking Linen .. 2/ 1 Little Giant Tack Hammer, drives, draws, andsets 1/6 1 Little Harry's Night Lamp 1/6 1 Magic Cork Puller, Chimney Cleaner, Sec. 1/j 1 Oriental Silver Polish. Great success .. 1/ 1 Pattern Copying and Tracing Wheel .. 1/6 1 Pearl Cement. Mends everything. Save the pieces 2/ 1 Puzzle Key Ring 1/ 1 Shine-Shine Starch Polish and Chinese Washing Blue 1/ 1 Slate Pencil Sharpener and Cleaner .. /6 1 Good Templar Pen, with i-pint of ink .. /6 Total ... .. .. .. ..25/ Discount on 5/ Amount ... £11 AGRICULTURAL RISKS. THE NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY Is prepared to INSURE against FIRE— Agricultural Risks, Grain in Stook or Stack, and Steam Threshing Machines travelling from dlace to place* LOWEST CURRENT RATES. HENRY E. WILLIAMS, . Tho sceptic often stands in the way of advance ment, but he may not always have his own way— the irresistible force of truth overwhelms him, and he often becomes the convert. Let-all who are doubting the efflcacy of "Ghollah's Great Indian Cures." but notice the extraordinary effect they have in restoring the sick to health, and they will join the general high opinion formed of their, merits. Testimonials received from all parts of the Colony, incontrovertibly prove th-so Indian Medicines to be the finest in the world. They aro sold by all Chemists. Tho vilest rogues aro those who impose on the sick. There is a class of impostors now engaged in vending imitations of that health-promoting beverage, Udoi.piio Wolfe's1 Soiiiicdam Aro matic Schnapps, put up in bottles which pre viously held tho real article, and often beurlng •counterfeit labels. Purchasers should ask for and take none but tho genuine. .



r^RAPERY! TTVRAPERY _t_T NEW SEASON GOODS 11 SOMERFIELD AND LECK In taking this opportunity to address their numerous friends and the general public, desire to express thanks for liberal patronage, and beg to introduce to their notice a very Superior Selection of Goods ex Chasca, Fontenaye, and Chili, NOW OPENING, comprising Blankets, Flannels, Calicos, Shirtings, Sheetings, Tick ings, Winceys, Satin Cloths, All Wool Serges, Hosiery, &o , All Wool Shawls, &c. Men's and Boys' Clothing. Moleskins, Corduroys, Tweeds, &c. This Large and Well-assorted Stock, having been Purchased for Cash in the over-stocked English Markets, is Now Offered for Sale at Prices Lower tiian Ever Heard of in Auckland. Inspection Invited. m- VERY SPECIAL LINE. HEAVY 11$ FAMILY BLANKETS, at 17S 6d. Country Orders will have special attention. Hawkers Supplied at Wholesale Prices. SOMERFIELD & LECK, QUEEN-STREET, Auckland. A R A T A P U. MR. B. HAWKINS Has this day been appointed Agent for the Evening Star at Aratapu. All Subscriptions and Accounts may be made payable to him, whose receiot will be sufficient discharge. the pUBLISHBR . Evening Star ofiice. April i, 1878. O THE RESIDENTS OF UPPER PARNELL, BRIGHTON, &C. MR. JOUGHIN. Grocer, next to the Union Bakery, Parnell, has been appointed AGENI for the Evening Star, in the place of Miss Ryan.