SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

crr^-cr txtawb-p I This Afternoon, 9.20 HIGH WAi&R—-, To . mo i TO , v Morning, 9.39 SUN SET.—This Evening. 7.13 SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning, 4.56 MOON'S AGE.—'First Quarter, 12th, 6.36 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

Australia, R.M.s., Cargill, from Sydney Taupo, s.s., Carey, from the South, via Gisborne Atalanta, schooner, from Waitara (at One hunga)

DEPARTURES.

Rowena, s.s.. Sellars. for Tauranga Wodonga, barque, Chichester, for Lyttelton Helena," brigantine, for Lyttelton Policeman, schooner, Steer, for Russell

IMPORTS.

Per May Queen, from London : — 30 boxes pipes, 11 bales paper, 10 cases black ing. 5 cases C. and B. Lucca oil (quarts, pints, and half-pints).—H. B. Morton. 13 case 3 imn bedsteads, 20 do galvanised iron, 20 kegs Ewbank's nail--, 20 boxes wire do, 1 case handsaws, Ido shop twine.—E. and H. Isaacs, importers. 31 cases floorcloths, 1 case linoleum, 1 cask sofa springs, 1 case brass work, 1 bale hessian, 5 cases furniture.—T. and H. Cooke.

Per Australia, for Honolulu : 40 gunnies potatoes. 60 coils rope, £ bales fungus, —Owen and Graham agents.

ARRIVAL OF THE AUSTRALIA.

The R. M.s. Australia, H. Uargill uommanaer, cleared Sydney Heads at 5.50 p.m., January 3, with a strong breeze and south-east sea. Ex perienced a strong gale, with a high head sea, at midnight, which continued till the morning of the 6th insfc., when it hauled to the south west. On the afternoon of same date breeze increased to a very heavy gale, with a §tre mendous sea, which prevailed to the morning of the Bth inst. At 5.20 p.m. of the 7th inst. sighted Three Kings, bearing S.E, k E.; and at 10.30 North Cape, bearing S.S.E. Took pilot on board at 2 p.m. of the Bth. Time Sydney to Auckland, i days 18i hours. Passengers: Rev. Dr. Sommerville. iMr W. Sommerville, Dr. Donovan, Mr and Mrs R. Fergusson. Mrs E A. Amphlett, family, and nurse, Mr J. Merrill, Mr William Brown, Mr A. J. Cape, Mr H. Hamil ton. Miss Hopekirk, Mr Ed. Scarrall, Mr L. Hamilton, Mr T. W. Hall, Mr Thos. Ellerka, Miss "ray, Mr N. C. Casey, Mr Ed. Driscol, Mr H. D. Bray, Mr Chas. Bright; and four in the steerage; with 18 in transit for Honoluhr and San Francisco. We are indebted to Mr Daniel Dean, purser, for report and passenger list.

DEPARTURE OF THE MAIL.

The R.M.S. Australia is to leave at 7 o'clock this evening for Honolulu and San Francisco with the English and Americam mails. The following was the only passenarer booked at three o'clock: Cabin to San Francisco, Mr J. W. Anderson.

The s.s. Taupo arrived in the Waitemata at 3 o'clock this afternoon. She left Gisborne on Sunday evening at 11 o'clock; met with strong head winds. The captain declined to stop at Tauranga, consequently several Tauranga passengers are still on board. There are 95 saloon passengers. Met tho Hinemof on this side of the East Cape. Passengers ; Mcsdames ■Wilson. Berry, Elmes, Banks, Mclntosb, Waters, Jones, Hastings, Graham, Black, Creighton, Burke and servant; Misses Banks. Buckland, Johnson, Shannon (2), Guthrie, McFarlane ; Revs Ward, Dean, Potter, Tinaley, Dumbell. Kempthore; Messrs Trimmer, Steel, Brown, Montgomery, Wright, Wendell, Hen nelly, Willcox, Elraes, Banks (2), Neal, Harb shorn, Taylor, Edge, Jones (2), McCullagh. McLsvin, Stanley, Chiloni, Christofani, Ives, Seager, Williams. Duncan, McTntyre, Thomas, Dennin, Clare, Cameron, Buttle. Creighton, Innis, Jennings, White, Guthrie, Graham, Chamberlain, Flint. Kuyvett, and 12 steerage.

The s.s. Rotorua is to leave for Sydney at 6 o'clock this evening.

In our report of the arrival of the May Queeis. Captain Tatchell's name is mis-spelt Tapsell.

The brigantine Helena left for the Thames yesterday evening with part of her cargo from the South, After discharging, she is to load up at the Hauraki Saw-mills for .uyttelton.

glThe fore and aft schooner Onward is alongside the Queen-street wharf having a new foremast stepped and a new keelson inserted. Messrs Henderson and Spraggon are doing tho work. The mail steamer passed the Bay of Islands at half-past five o clock this morning, A telegram to that effect from Captain Baker was posted outside the Harbour Board office.

The whaling ship Niger is quietly progressing with her repairs, which are being carried out by the crew under the direction of the Captain. To enable the copper under the bows to be re paired the cargo has been shifted aft, and her nose lifted up. She (will be ready to sail in a few days. The Ferry Co's new iron steamer, being put together by Messrs Niccol and Son, is likely to be launched this week. Her engine and boiler have by the barque Iron Queen and will be ready to put into her in a short time. We understand that this steamer will be placed on the Thames trade at first.

The s.s. Taupo which was due at Tauranga last evening had not put in an appearance at a quarter past eleven this morning. The Harbour Board dredge is now alongside the North Shore Ferry Cos. tee being repaired, She is to be supplied with three new buckets, a set of new bucket pins and is also to receive a thorough overhaul. The repair of Mr Hungerford's schooner—the Mary Ogilvie—under the hands of Mr D. Gouk, is rapidly approaching completion. She has had all the unsound timbers taken out of her, and new supplied: new stem, knif?ht-heads, futtocks, and ceiling put in; and is, besides, being thor oughly recaulked and recoppered. The vessel will be ready for launching in about a fortnight.

The syncronous arrival of the steamer Aus tralia from Sydney, and the Taupo from the South, caused quite a commotion on the Queen street wharf this afternoon. Much inconve nience was caused on the western tee, alongside which the Taupo was moored, by the wharf being completely lumbered up with cases of merchandise from the barque Iron Queen. The cabs and people had to thread their way among these very toilf ully.

MARRIAGE.

HORSLEY—BUSBY.—On the 28th December, 1877, at Warkworth, by the Rev. R. McKinney, assisted by tha Revs. P. Mason and J. Robert son, Thomas N., youngest son of Robert W. Horsley, Esq., Warkworth, to Frances Amelia, youngest daughter of the late M. Horton Busby, both of Auckland.

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1878.

Kortise -cftuse that lacks, assistance. Far the wrong that nccdsieslstascv, For the future la the distance. Aad-the tood- ti-t we «»» 4a.

On the Ist of January, the Education Act, 1877, came into operation throughout the colony. Its general provisions were re viewed in these columns when the Bill was before the legislature, and they have under gone but little change in passage through the two Houses. The main alteration from the original bill is the elimination of the clause rendering prayer and Bible-reading a part of the daily school duties. The firat system of national education in New Zea land is compulsory, strictly secular, and free. It approaches more closely to the system which has been at work in Auckland than gto that of any other district in the colony. The chief devia tions from [the educational system with which householders in this provincial district are already familiar, consist in the provisions regulating compulsory atten dance, charging the whole cost of education upon the State, and making the Board of Education an elective body. Every child betweeii the ages of seven and thirteen years, residing within two miles of a public school, is bound by law to attend some ;,eincient school for at least half the school terms. The duty of enforcing this clauserests with the local school committees, which are empowered to grant certificates of exemption to children under tuition in private schools, those already educated up to an approved standard, or those prevented by sickness or impassibility of the road from

attendance at the public school. In event of failure to comply, parents _ <>i children of school age may, after first being warned by a Justice of the Peace, be fined 40s for every week during which the law is infringed. As the Act is now in full force, parents should take note of the fact. The first duty devolving upon the school committees will be the election of the Board of Education. The mode by which this is carried into effect is one which is extremely likely to leave the present Board masters of the situation, by diffusing any efforts to introduce _ a new element into its constitution —an infusion which, with all due respect to the present members of the Board, is not undesirable. Each school committee has the privi lege during the present month of for warding to the Board of Education the names of two persons whose written consent to the candidature has been ob tained. The Board, on receipt of these nominations, must publicly notify the names and fix a date on which the election shall take place. Before the last day of February each committee returns a selection of nine names, and the nine which are found to have been returned by the greatest number will be declared duly elected mem bers of the Board, one-third of whom shall retire annually, the vacancies to be filled up in like manner. The committees have already been notified of their duties, and have, 'we believe, received circulars for warding the candidature of members of the present Board. It is not anticipated that the whole of the committees will exercise their right of nomination, or when they do so, will make choice of local candidates, but it is desirable that a fair field, say twenty or thirty selections from public men, should be submitted for the choice of ,the whole constituency. From such a list it might fairly be expected that the vote of the committees would result in the choice of a good Board expressing the popular sentiment, while at the same time qualified for the onerous duty of adminis tering our educational system.

LATEST cable messages from London received this afternoon arc published in our telegraphic column. The Russians have secured another important advantage _by the occupation of Sophia, which throws in bo their hands the terminus of the railway and main road to Adrianople, which is believed to be the main strategical point of the Turkish plan of defence in Rumclia. When the Russians have seized all the passes opening their advance into Rumelia, they will be able, should other circum stances be favourable, to turn the Turkish position at Adrianople. Our telegrams tell of a rumour which is afloat, that the Russians have submitted as the basis of an armistice that the Turks must entirely evacuate Bulgaria. If it bp true that such a demand has been made, it can only have been designed to goad ?ho Ottoman Power into further resistance. It cannot be supposed that at the present stage of the war, even after their recent reverses, the Turks would consent to give up the great quadrilateral to the Russians, which the latter could not take without a series of prolonged and expensive seiges, and the possession of which by the Turks, coupled with their command of the sea, is a standing menace to the Russian communications, and which, in the event of a severe Russian defeat in Rumelia, would probably be the theatre of decisive events. The telegram, as it stands, is somewhat vague, and, if the rumour has any foundation at all, it may turn out thatthe demand of the Russians is limited to the withdrawal of movable Turkish columns outside the fortresses of the quadrilateral. England has intimated to France that she has no de signs with respect to Egypt. Mr Forster has delivered an important speech at Brad ford, in which he declared that the Great Powers of Europe will unite in preventing a Russian occupation of Constantinople, and that there can bo no alteration of existing treaties in relation to Turkey without the consent of all the Powers who contracted them. He also throws doubt on the alleged differences in the British Cabinet. There is an impression in England that, in the event of Earl Beaconslield's foreign policy meeting with disapproval in the approaching session of Parliament, he Trill appeal to the constituencies, a contingency which, in the present temper ol the nation is likely to result in the overthrow of his Government. Amongst the special items of intelligence telegraphed by the Star's London Correspondent, is the news of the illness ot King Victor Emanuel, a man of great corpulency, but fond of hunting and active out-door exercise. In 1855 the king was brought to the verge of the grave by fever. In the event of his death from the preserve illness he would be succeeded by his son Charles Emanuel, born in 1844. Auother special cable message from Australia informs us of the laying on of a large vessel for New Guinea for the con veyance of adventurers who have been attracted thither by the recent gold dis coveries. At present, however, and until the nature and extent of these discoveries shall have become better known, emigration on a large scale would be hazardous, though the colonies are ripe for another great impetus and a rush of population to New Guineawould relieve some of the tem porarily over-burdened cities, and carry on ward the tide of Anglo-Saxon colonization which has received strength from the gold discoveries, and appears destined to sweep over the whole of the South Paciiic.

On our fourth page to-day appears two letters on the question of public auditors. Dr Somerville is a passenger by the mail steamer Australia. Prior to his departure from Sydney he was presented with a fare well address by the United Evangelistic Committee. Mr. Charles Bright, Free thought Lecturer, and Mr and Mrs Fergusson, of Waikato, are also passengers by the same steamer.

By the Taupo arrived this afternoon eleven clergy of the Primitive Methodist Connexion, who have come up from various Southern districts to be present at the New Zealand District Meeting, which opened last night, and will proceed to business to-morrow morning. We believe this is the first occasion on which the meeting has been held in Auckland. The names appear in the passenger list.

One of the prettiest exhibits of the Christ mas season Avas an inlaid workbox, made in leisure hours by Mr Butschkow, which was placed on view in Queen-street. The style of workmanship indicates what may be accomplished with New Zealand woods. The inlaying, which consists of some of the commonest wood in our forests, is polished to such a degree as to closely resemble ivory, and the design is as fine as Japanese workmanship

Mr Chief Justice Prendergast rules phat a medical certificate for an absent juryman is of no use, but that the certificate must be supported by evidence on oath. The same rule was iaid down yesterday by Mr Justice Gillies in the case of Mr Thomas Macfarlane.

At Christchurch the shop of Mr Stewart, pawnbroker, has been robbed of £50.

There were 12 cases in the criminal calendar at Christchurch yesterday. Torrents of rain, accompanied with hail, have fallen at Tauranga, and some fears are entertained for the safety of the wheat crop. The Auckland Presbytery will meet at St. Andrew's Church to-morrow morning. A mau named Samuel Harney, who has been for some time in the employ of Mr Edwin Message, who is now engaged in erecting buildings in Hamilton West, was drowned in the Waikato River at Ngarua wahia on Saturday. At the criminal sessions of the Supreme Court at Wellington yesterday thirteen cases were set down for hearing. The report of Her Majesty's Gaol for the week ending January sth shews that the inmates numbered 120 males and 34 females.

To-morrow evening the tea and puolic meeting, in connection with the district meeting services now being held by our Primitive Methodist friends of this city, will take place in the school-room, Alexan dra-street; tea on the tables at 6.30 p.m. At the public meeting, which will com mence at 7.30, Mr Cockcroft, of Timaru, will preside. Addresses, interspersed with music, will be delivered by the Rev. C. Ward, of Timaru, Rev. J. Dumbell, of Wellington, Rev. W. S. Potter, of Green dale, and Mr Puddicombe, of Oamaru. We have no doubt but that a very interesting and profitable evening will be spent by those who attend this meeting. Seeing that a large number of tickets have been sold, we may therefore expect a large and enthusiastic meeting. We are informed that Mr Stewart, District Engineer for railways constructed and _in courseof construction, has declined to receive any further shipments of puriri timber. We would, therefore, suggest that in future any timber of this class required for Southern railways should be sent direct from the place where the contract is entered into, as by this course will be saved the expense in curred in landing the timber at Auckland and the re-shipment. The Railway Depart tment, we learn, is already engaged in executing orders for the necessary material in various parts of the South, i

We learn that Mi Wright, the travelling representative of the great firm of G. Wright and Co., of New York, who prepared the catalogue of the Centennial Exhibition, and is now engaged in com pleting the Australian and New Zealand portion of the creat commercial and general Directory, has met with considerable success in Auckland. He remains in this city for a few days longer, and then proceeds ?South to complete the New Zealand portion of the work. Those persons who desire to secure a place in the Directory may leave orders at the Victoria Hotel. Subscribers to the Directory are entitled to a copy of an excellent map, which of itself is fully worth the amount of the subscription. The map is nearly six feet by four, and contains on one side a map of the world on Mercator's projection, with the various modern geographical divisions, distinguished by colours. The map shews the course of geographical discovery, mail, and sailing routes, telegraph and railway lines, prevailing ocean currents, and various other matters of interest; in the margin the vital statistics, capitals; and area of different countries ; reigning monarchs, their natal date, and date of ascension ; population of chief cities of the world, Governments of North and South America, last census of America, plans of the city of New York and Chicago, time in principal parts of the globe, ilags of all nations, views of the Centennial Exhibition Buildings, and a greatjVariety of other useful information. On the other side there is a new illustrated county rail road and distance map of the United States and the Dominion of Canada, compiled from the Government surveys up to 1877; a pano ramic view of the country from _ New York to San Francisco, views of Niagara fall, the big trees of Calaveras, Yosemite Valley, Capital of Washington, Mount Veinon, White Mountains, and a list of the Governors of the States and Territories, and other information. In short, the map combines in itself all the most useful infor mation te be found in the ordinary maps and a first-class directory together.

Operations with the " Jessie Henderson," sunk off Itambi, have at last been successful, and she has been raised sufficiently to allow of the holes in her hull being got at, and teinporarilly repaired. It is intended to lill her with bamboos, and bring her on to Levuka. The copra which was on board when she foundered has rotted, and the hull is covered with a thick coating of slime and oil, which would effectually have prevented the worms making their appearance.

Mr Charles Bright, who has been lectur ing to crowded house 3in Sydney, arrived here by the s.s. Australia to-day, on his way to Dunedin to fulfil a twelve months' engagement in that city. Mr Bright will give three lectures in Auck land, on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday next; subject of the first lecture : " Death and the After Life, in the Light of Nature." Particulars advertised in to-day t s issue of this paper.

Captain Kripner, of Puhoi, tells a good story about a distinguished Prussian. Whilst the captain was serving as an aide de. camp in the Austrian staff many years ago, before the days of Sadowa, there was a field day near Vienna, and the staff set out for the parade ground. One of the Austrian Princes leaped ou the back of his splendid charger and dashed away at a gallop, leaving hl-s staff far behind. Capt. Kripner followed and came up with a rather plain-looking man in the uniform of a militia lieutenant, with a bullet-head, deep-set eyes, and a fierce moustache. The captain, then a first-class lieutenant, saluted the stranger, and offered him a cigar, which was courteously accepted. " You smoke a good cigar," remarked the lieutenant of militia, " now try one of mine." "All, brother," rejoined Lieuteuant Kripner, '' you say my cigar is a good one, but yours is much better." "Oh, I have thousands of them at my house," replied the militia - man. The aide de camp was thunderstruck. How could a poor devil of a militia lieuten ant afford to keep thousands of such splen did cigars as that ? They rode on chatting pleasantly, but Lieutenant Kripner soon observed many other singular traits about the militiaman. He had a way of eliciting other people's thoughts without disclosing his own, and he seemed to have almost everything at his fingers' ends. When they reached the camp Lieutenant Kripner was, astonished at hearing a brother officer ad dress the plain-looking lieutenant of militia as "Your Excellency." He sought informa tion : "Don't you know who that is?" said the other, " why, he's Yon Bismarcke, the new Ambassador from Berlin, and " ter teuful" for everything !" " Potstausands !" exclaimed Lieutenant Kripner, "and I took him for a plain second-class militia lieuten ant." He went and apologised to Bis marcke, who, however, replied, "Do not apologise, my dear lieutenant; I always desire to be treated as a, comrade. Come to my quarters after this affair is over, and we will crack a bottle over it." Lieutenant Kripner went, and was aston ished no less at the magnificence of the Ambassador's salons than at the extraor dinary flavour of his wines. They drank several bottles of Cliquot, and tasted other sorts; smoked cigars, chatted over the classics, art, war, politics, and scandal, and Lieutenant Kripner departed with, one all absorbing idea, viz., that if the new Ambassador were as good a diplomatist as he was a drinker hejwas ;in a fair way of earning distinction.

To the Editor : Sir,—J bet £3«to £2 that Lara would beat Venus Transit for places. Can you inform me did the judge place Venus third, and did she weigh in for third place, as Gillie Calluni was placed third in your paper ; or can the stewards place her third next day after disqualifying Lara? Will you please decide the bet, and oblige —Subscriber. [Venus Transit is placed third, and the backer of Lara loses the bet. —Ed. E.S.]

Young New Zealand is developing with remarkable precocity in the Wade district. At Hadfield's there is a bright-eyed fellow, a little over five years of age, who manages the ferr/ during the absence of his father, and occasionally puts off with boatloads of shingles to cutters lying off the river mouth. But though the rising generation in Rodney are being thoroughly trained in bushcraft, we regret to say that they are not all deeply grounded in the catechism and Scripture history. One lad who presented himself at a school for the first time was put through a preliminary examination *is to his religious training, but the very first question was a poser. "Do you know who Adam was ?" . anxiously inquired the teacher. " Oh, yes," replied the young hopeful with great sang froid, "I know old Adam, he cuts shingles up there in the bush !".^!^«3OSM2IIB

The Works' Committee of the Thames County Council have resolved to expend the £5,000 promised by the Premier on the road betweon the Thames and Ohinemuri.

In response to the earnest solicitations of a number of parents and guardians in Hobson-street and its vicinity, Mr C. B. Andrews, 8.A., has undertaken to re-open the Carleton Academy as a supeiior pre paratory school, instead of an elementary school as formerly. Mr Andrews has been assured of a good attendance, and his high scholastic attainments, experience in teaching, and uniform patience, eminently qualify him for the task which he has undertaken. To him, no doubt, the incul cation of a superior course of education will be far more congenial than the drudgery of teaching the simplest rudi ments, and his talents will at the same time be more usefully employed than in the limited sphere of his late school. _ Par ticulars as to hours and terms will be found in Mr Andrews' announcement in our advertising columns.

The contest for the vacant seat at the City Council is likely to be a close one. Mr" Grey's committee has met every even ing during the week, and is convened to meet to-morrow (Wednesday), and following evening's from seven to nine o'clock at the Youner Men's Christian Accociation Rooms.

There was a ball lately at the German settlement at Puhoi. They commenced at about five o'clock on the afternoon ot New Year's Day, and kept up the dancing with unabated zest, as the phrase is, not until the weesnia' hours, but until the evening of the next day, and then they went home to milk their cows. 24 hours' dancing niore or less to these simple-minded bucolics was mere pastime, a sort of fillip to?the labours of the next day. The orchestra at the ball consisted of a violin, and a kind of bag pipes chiefly composed of goat skins, and bearing an unpronounceable foreign name which sounds like " go-to-bed." ..They are mostly Bohemians, these Puhoi settlers, not in the literary sense merely, but they come from Bohemia, and they behave like thorough-going Bohemians. The way in which they wound up their little ball was characteristic. Some of the men and women changed clothes and reversed their sexes in the dance, and they went home hand in hand in the evening along the shaded bush tracks, bawling snatches of Bohemian airs to the droning accompaniment of their singular bag-pipes. A rambling reporter who was present at the close of the ball was informed by a grave-looking patriarch that there was no real harm in these rustic festivities, and from what he saw he can readily believe it. They labour like oxen all the rest of the year, but when they make a gala day it is no child's play, and they use tobacco and great glasses of beer in lieu of smelling salts and champagne.

Old Morris Kelly was visited by a ramb ling reporter from this journal a few days ago, who spent a pleasant hour's chat with one ot the pioneer settlers of Auckland. The old gentleman has long since passed the limit of three score and ten, and was in the prime of life when Queen-street was a salt-water creek, and Eden-Crescent the aristocratic suburb of Auckland. It is in anecdotes of by-gone days that Mr Kelly chiefly shines. The rapid growth of property in Auckland is one of his favourite themes. In the old days three allotments, on one of which now stands Messrs Thornton, Smith, and Firth's mill, went a begging for about as many pounds as it is now worth per foot. The three allotments were offered to Mr Kelly for £100, with three years' credit, and no interest, but he preferred to invest in cows. He tells a good story about Governor Hobson, whose virtues he never tires of extolling. Captain Hobson was a plain, blunt sailor, and a man after Morris Kelly's own heart. He disdained uniform and a cocked hat and feathers, but went about (we blush to write it) waistcoatless ; and he .knew every man, woman, and child in the place. No wonder Mr Kelly entertains unspeakable contempt for the aristocratic Governors of these de generate days. Two ship-carpenters met where now is Queen-street, and one of them, not noted for shrewdness, was out of work, a rare occurrence in those days. The other was fond of practical jokes. He recom mended his unemployed friend to call on Governor Hobson and seek the job of caulk ing Government House, alleging that the work had been declined by himself, as he was otherwise engaged. The simple minded carpenter found Governor Hobson smoking a pipe under the verandah of the vice-regal residence. Do you want this place caulking ? inquired the carpenter. " Yes," replied Captain Hobson, with a merry twinkle in his eye, " I do, but I've sent for the materials, and they'll not be here for six months. Call again, my lad, at tho end of that time."

The extension of the railway to Ohaupo is favourably progressing, and Mr Tophara, the contractor, is in hopes that the line will be ready for traffic to the Ohaupo racecourse in time for the annual meeting of the Waikato Racing Club.

Mr Levy, the famous cornet player, is expected in Auckland, with his company, on the 14th instant, according to a telegram received by Mr DeLias, from Mr Richmond Thatcher, Mr Levy's agent. Mr Levy's concerts will be commenced, if possible, on the 14th inst.

The proprietors of the "Thames Star" recently issued a very neatly executed sheet almanac to their subscribers. The style of ornamentation and typography was very creditable to the establishment.

The Rechabites of the Hope of Auckland Tent held their quarterly meeting last even ing. The balance-sheet shewed that the Tent was financially healthy, having a credit balance of £418 12s 4d in hand, or £7 6s 8d per member, exclusive of the funeral fund. The following members were elected to office : District Representative, R. Nichols; C.R., J. Fox ; D.R., R. Hardy ; Treasurer, P. Crowe; Secretary (re-elected), R. H. Hughes; Stewards, J. G. Carr and J. Jenkins; Levite, D. Hardy ; Guardian, J, Smith.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.) DRUNKARDS.—Mary Morgan was charged with being drunk last evening.—Prisoner pleaded guilty, and was fined 5s and costs. Drunk and Disorderly. — Mary Neenan was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Abercrombie-street last night. —The circumstances of the case were de posed to by the constable, gg The woman was throwing stones at boys.—Fined 10s or 48 hours imprisonment with hard labour.

John Casey was also charged with being drunk and disorderly.—He pleaded guilty, but as he was a new arrival, he was only fined 5s and costs.

Larceny.—Charles Cross was charged with stealing a cash box containing the sum of £1 15s, the property of Messrs Anderson and Co., Mechanics Bay.—Sub- Inrpector Pardy stated the circumstances.— ]\xr Tyler appeared for defendant.—Frank Diver, manager of Messrs Anderson and Co.'s firewood yard, Mechanics Bay, de posed that the prisoner came to the yard yesterday to pay 13s sd. Witness took the money, and put it in the cash box, which he took out of the safe. He put it back in the safe, and then went down the yard, leaving prisoner in the office. He had been absent about twenty minutes, when he was called to the office to give change. When he entered the office the handle of the safe was turned up, it having been turned down before. The cash box was gone. There were five 2-shilling pieces, a half sovereign half-a-crown, two shillings, sixpence in silver, and sixpecce in coppers in the cash box. One of the 2-shilling pieces was very black. It was similar to the coin produced. —To Mr Tyler : The prisoner came to pay the account about eleven o'clock. He paid one half sovereign, one 2-shilling piece, one shilling, and a sixpence.—Mr Sub-Inspector Pardy said there was no more evidence against the prisoner. He had always borne a good character. Mr Biss was in court, and was willing to testify to his previous

good character. —Mr Barstow said the cvi dence was not sufficient to convict. Some other person might have entered the office during the manager's absence of 20 minutes. —He would discharge thejprisoner. Efpectsof DRlNK.—Henry Burden, on remand, was charged with drunkenness. Prisoner pleaded guilty.—MrSub-Inspector Pardy stated that prisoner was suffering from delirium treraens, and was remanded for eight days. Hefhad not. recovered.— Fined 5s and costs. Richard Walsh was charged with a similar offence. —Mr Pardy said prisoner had been brought from Pokeno, and, he thought, had received sufficient punish ment. —The prisoner was discharged. Failing to Support.—William Kelly was again called upon to shew cause for failing to support his mother.—Mr Sub- Inspector Pardy said the prisoner was at present employed on the railway, and he would ask for a remand for one week. — Remanded accordingly. Assault. —Elizabeth GrifFen was charged with unlawfully assaulting Thomas Cope stake, by striking him across the back.— The same defendant mas also charged with assaulting Hetty Copßstake. — Edward GrifFen was charged with assaulting Thomas Copestake.—Mr George appeared for the prosecutor, and Mr Tyler for the defendants. —Prisoners pleaded not guilty.—All wit nesses were ordered out of Court. —Hetty Copestake deposed that on the afternoon of Sunday, December 30, she was feeding her chickens. Defendant's little bo> was stand ing by. Defendant called out, "Johnny, come out of that; she'll steal your ball." Witness said, "I am not in the habit of taking children's balls." Defendant then called out, "Get out, I can do anything with you—scald you, or kill you. Witness called her husband, and he came out. Mrs Griffen then struck her husband with a stick. There was then a regular set to, and witness and her child were smothered in blood. [Wituess pulled a large packet of hair out of her pocket, which she stated had been torn from the top of her head by one of the defendants.] — Mr Barstow was'surprised at the good hold which ladies took of each other's hair when fighting.—Mr Tyler wondered at the large locks of hair which got to the Court. —Mi- George said that ladies' hair grew thickest on the top of the head.—Thomas Cope stake, a labourer, residing in Newton, gave evidence similar to that of his wife. Neither his wife nor himself struck the defendants. The only drink that he had that day was a glass of beer after dinner. — Thomas Walsh, a warder in Mount Eden Gaol, knew the plaintiffs for the last two years. They had borne a good character during that time.—Mr Tyler : Does your wife keep a store ? —Witness : She does.— Mr Tyler : Do the plaintiffs deal there?— Witness : Sometimes. —Mr Tyler stated that the circumstances related to him were totally different from the prosecutors' evidence. —

Edward Griffen deposed to the circum stances. Witness was asleep when the assault was committed. He heard his wife screaming, and sprang out of bed. He had a pair of trousers, shirt, and stockings on. When witness went into the kitchen, his wife's face was covered with blood. Mrs Copestake had struck his wife with ati n dish, from which she had been feeding chickens. Copestake called his wife a prostitute, and other bad names. Mrs Copestake was drunk, but her husband was not quite "tight." The prosecutors were in his house, and he ordered them out. Copestake refused, and he went to put him out. They then had a fight, and he got him outside. The assault did not take place outside, but in the house. A little girlinamed Annie Sherrard, who had been taken out of the Orphan Home* by witness's wife, and was employed by her to look after the children, saw the assault.

| 'Mrs Griffin andgAnnie JSherrard, a little girl, gave evidence which shewed that the assault had been committed by the prosecu tors.—The case was dismissed with costs.

A Free Man. —Thomas Freeman, on re mand, was charged with assaulting Albert Bennett on board the Iron Queen on the 6th instant. —The prisoner was bound over in his own recognisances of £10 to keep the peace for three months, and ordered to pay the costs.—Prisoner : I've got plenty of money, your Worship.—The Court then ad journed until 3 o'clock. Wife Desertion. —John Hardiman, a half-caste, was charged with failing to con tribute to the support of his wife. Mr Dnfaur, for the defence, said defendant was preventedfroiu earning money by an accident, which had resulted in concussion of the brain. It was admitted, however, that defendant lived with a Maori woman at Hokianga. The case was adjourned until to-day for Mrs Hardiman to come from Helensville.

NEWS FROM SAMOA.

LYNCHING AT SAMOA.

The "Samoa Times" says : "Aperson named Fox, purporting to be an American citizen, and who lately arrived at Samoa from the Line Islands, entered the York Hotel with the two men, and called for four drinks. He had not been there long before he fell backwards, and almost immediately died, without a murmur; blood was flowing copiously from the lower part of the body. The American Consul was sent for, as the murdered man had claimed the United States of America to be his country. At daylight on Sunday morning Dr Turner was sent for, and examined the body. Suspicion having pointed xo one Charles Cochrane as the culprit, the American Consul at once issued a warrant for his arrest, which was shortly afterwards accmplished." The Consular Court having heard the evidence, adjudged the prisoner guilty, and ordered that he be taken to America for sentence. He was for this purpose placed on board the schooner Ada Mary. After the decision was given a public meeting of the inhabitants was convened and resolved by 44 to 5 to carry out the summary punish ment. Two boats were obtained, and about thirty of those present at the meeting, proceeded on board, and obtained the prisoner without any trouble. The prisoner appeared to be quite prepared, and expect ing that he would soon be demanded by the populace, for he did not offer the slightest resistance, but quietly submitted to be placed in the boat. While in the boat, and coming on shore, the prisoner remarked, " This is what comes through keeping bad company."

As soon as the prisoner was brought on shore, the Rev. Dr. Turner was sent for, in accordance with the request of prisoner. It was about half-past nine o'clock when the rev. gentleman arrived. He was told by the prisoner that he was prepared to die, that he looked to Jesus Christ as his only Saviour. He-also said that he was innocent of the charge of wilful murder, that he might have accidentally stabbed the man, but not with any intent.

He also requested Dr. Turner to pray with, and for him. lrnirediately after prayer, the prisoner walked- half across the room towards the guard at the door, and remarked, "Now, lam ready." He was then blindfolded, and led to the place of execution, which was immediately opposite the hotel in which the murder was committed. The apparatus consisted of a pretty stout line, reaved through a double patent block, which was attached to a cocoanut tree, about thirty feet from the ground.

Upon reaching the foot of the tree from which he was doomed to hang, he said, in a clear voice, ' • You are going to hang an innocent man ; there is one man on this beach who has committed a greater crime than that for Avhich I am to be hung, and may the Lord have pity on his soul, and mine too." The rope was then placed round his neck, and he was run up, and appeared to die without a struggle. It was then ten o'clock, and the body was allowed to remain suspended till ten o'clock next morning, when it was taken down and decently buried.

Everything, from the commencement of the meeting till the burial, was conducted with the utmost order.

THE WAR AT TUTUILA.

The German war-ship Augusta called in

at Tutuila on her way from Ton«a i*a found that Mauga's party were Sfll S ' trenched at Aunu, in a port of loose stone? and that the Taimua and Faipula mrtv are encamped at the east end of Tutuil? watching an opportunity to attack Mau»a The object of the Augusta's call v^t endeavour to make peace between the two contending parties, but they proved™ successful. ua

CABLEGRAMS.

King of Italy Dangerously.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL LONDON CORRESPONDENT).

LONDON

January 7. Victor Emanuel, King of Italy, ig dangerously ill.

Latest War News.

Russian Conditions of an

Armistice.

English Suzerainty of Egypt Denied.

Important Speech by Mr Forster, HP.

Disraeli and his Colleagues.

[SPECIAL TO PRESS AGENCY.]

LONDON, January 6.

Tne Russians have occupied Sophia.

Vienna telegrams state that Russia requires Bulgaria to be evacuated as a condition of an ermistice. It is unlikely that the Porte will assent.

The "Observer" asserts that England has just replied to France that no action is intended with regard to Egypt.

Mr Forster, M.P., made an important speech at Bradford. He believed that all the European Powers will prevent Russia from possessing Stamboul. He thought that if any difference of opinion existed between Mr Disraeli and his colleagues it would appear to the nation. Existing Treaties must remain unaltered, unless with the assent of all the contracting

Powers.

It is reported that if Disraeli finds Parlia ment unwilling to support his Foreign Policy, he will dissolve.

Obituary : General La Marmora,

ENGLAND'S PACIFIC TACTICS.

WHAT THE "STANDARD" SAYS,

LONDON, Januarys.

Before replying to the Sultan, the British Government will endeavour to ascertain the conditions on. which Russia will conclude peace. The "Standard" states that the British Government will not tolerate the complete overthrow of Turkey, nor allow a separate Treaty of Peace between Turkey and Russia.

NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MER. CANTILE AGENCY COMPANY (LIMITED). PRODUCE TELE GRAM.

(Received Bth January, 1878.) LONDON (date not given.) Wool —Market unchanged. Up to date 40,000 bales have arrived. There has been a little private enquiry. Tallow is in good demand. Stock of all sorts is 24,000 casks. Mutton, 40s 6d; beef, 39s per cwt. Wheat—Market quiet. The estimated stock on the 2nd instant was 1,170,000 quarters. Adelaide is worth 66s per 496 lbs. New Zealand is worth 50s per 496 lbs. Leather —Market quiet. Best sides 10^d.

AUSTRALIAN CABLEGRAMS.

The 27sw Ghunea Hspo&ition.

(SPECIAL TO THE STAR)

SYDNEY, this day.

A large vessel has been laid on for New Guinea, to leave here in February. There is considerable excitement on the subject of the gold discoveries, and the vessel is expected to fill up quickly.

MR. STEPHEN MASSETT'S SERIO COMIC ENTERTAINMENT.

Mk. Stephen Massett has made an unmistakable hit in his first appearance, and may go on his way through New Zealand rejoicing. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, there "was a large and fashionable audience at the Choral Hall last night. Mr Massett is one of the few men who can, by their readings, ballads, and elocutionary powers, interest and hold the attention of a varied audience alone and unaided —es- pecially a colonial audience. But this triumph Mr Massett achieved, moving his auditors at pleasure to laughter or exciting the melting mood. The performance opened with a recitation, entitled, " The Vaga bonds," or " The Beggar and his Dog," a composition in which pathos and humour are nicely blended, in the form of a dialogue between the forlorn man, reduced to beggary by drink, and alone in the world, with his faithful companion. " Sunset," a veiy sweet ballad, was sweetly sung, the singer and author accompany ing himself on the pianoforte. " Little Feet," a touching ballad, full of tender ness and simplicity, in harmony with the subject, was another of Mr Massett's compositions—both possessing much poetic merit. The readings in the first part Avere all well chosen. " The Dame with the Camelias" was recited with power and feeling, and was dramatic'la its character, pourtraying a story of life too often repeated and sadly true. The scene was laid in New England, and the story bore various points of resemblance to the Evangelineof Longfellow, differing however, in rythym and metre. The associated pieces " Betsey and I are out," and " How Betsey and I made up," were in the dialect of the northern shires, and conveyed an excellent lesson to married people who are apt to disagree about trifling matters ; there was a genuineness and honesty in the rhymed story, which won its way to the hearts or the listeners, and reminded us of the rustic poems of William Barnes, the Dorsetshire poet. "The Death of poor Joe," from Dickens, was really an excellent reading, and told successfully. Mr Massett related a pleasing account of his visit to Mr* Dickens, when by her special request he read her husband's sketch of poor Joe, until Mrs Dickens was visibly affected by the recital. Mr Massett's great powers of mimicry were strikingly exhibited in his imitation of Madam Anna Bishop in "Home sweet home," which convulsed the audience. Two plaintively pathetic pieces, the "Dying Bootblack" and the " Cripples story," illustrative of the poverty and misery and starvation associated with, crowded cities, were very touchingly re cited, and Mr Massett brought the senous part of his entertainment to a close with a very feeling rendering of his own pretty ballad,"'' My Bud in Heaven." The second part of the entertainment was devoted to fun and comicalities, and embraced imita tions of public speakers, and as the writer

EVENING STAR. TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, I^B



nriHE undersigned are now brin ing J forward a Larere Parcel of GENE AL DRAPERY, HABERDASHERY, &C. bought at considerably less than usual prices, to which they invite the attention of all requiring Good "Value For Monky. Corsets in great variety of quality and style, white and coloured, from 2/6 per pair "Linen and Lace Goods, Cufts, Collars, and Sets, in variety Ladies' Underclothing: Umbrellas and Parachutes, Silk, Zanella, Alpacca, &c. . .... Lot of Flowers at very low price, quite fresh Straw Hats, Ribbons, Gloves, Sec. A Splendid Stock of Muslin, Lace, and Lenoe Curtains, Counterpanes. Quilts, Damask Table Cloths, Sheeting, Felt Squares Carpets, Floorcloth, China Matting, Ticks, &c. Large-size Huckaback Towels at /6 each New Fancy Dress Materials, Japanese Silks, Coloured Lustres, Black Lustres, Embossed, Striped, and Check Muslins, Prints, &c. Brown Holland, from /6£ per yard Union, Fancy Jean, and Oxford Shirtings, very cheap A Line of Superior Quality Silk Mixed Fancy Shirting, at 2/3, usual price 3/6 per yard "White and Grey Calico. Good Grey from /3 per yard Also, fvery large assortment of Gents' Shirts, White Longcioth, Union and All-wool Crimean, Fancy Silk Mixed Scotch Twill, Fancy Jean, Oxford, &c. Strong Tweed for Boys wear A Job Line of Stout Mosgiel at below Factory Braces, Belts, Ties. Scarfs. Collars, Cotton and Merino Hosiery, Undershirts, &c. Leghorn, Tuscan, Straw, and Drill Hats, for Boys and Men, &c, &c, &c. in he £ allowed on all Cash Purchases of 20s. and upwards. rushbrook & brtdgman, Junction Drapery Warehouse, Upper Queen-strkkt, auckland. TO AGRICULTURISTS & OTHERS rqswoip! W. J. HURST & CO. have on sale the under mentioned Fertilizers, all of which have been proved to produce satisfactory results in this district. Experience teaches that large and profitable returns can be relied on by a judicious and liberal use of them. The flattering Testi monials from leading Farmers justify W. J. Hurst & Co. in strongly commending them to every Agriculturist:— MALDEN ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MEXICAN do- BELLe xfONEFLOUR i and 4-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. H. & Co. are prepared to supply special Chemical Manures for stimulating weak Corn Crops, and renovat ing Clover-sick Pastures, as well as the Potato and Mangold mixture that last season attracted bo much favourable notice. Analysis, prices, and other particulars will bo supplied on application at the Stores. W. J. HURST & CO. 101, QUEEN-STREET. 500 sacks Sydney Maize (superior sample) 8000 „ Oats First-class Tartars for Seed, also 800 sacks of 1875 crop hard feed, surpassing any of last season's growth 1200 eacks Canterbury Potatoes, and some early varieties for seed purposes Flonr, Bran, Sharps, Chaff, Oilcake, Coal, &c, &c. Particular attention is called to. 600 Bucks Prime Barley at la per bushel o 50tti. 5 tons Anderson's Fresh oatmeal, a £21 per ton. aw. j. hurst & co., EioajQUEEtf-om&tiT. Auckland.



TTNION INSURANCE COMPANY, U AUCKLAND BRANCH. Reduced Rat as for Detached Dwelling Houses in the City, from 12s. upwards. In the Country from 13s. R, H. STEVENSON, Manager. NION INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. C A.PITAL £2,000,000. AUCKLAND BRANCH: QUEEN-S T R E E T, Next the Colonial Bank. FIRE ■DEPARTMENT. Insurances granted on Dwelling-houses, Stores, Shops, Buildings in which trade is carried on. Merchandise, and Goods of every description. MARINE DEPARTMENT. Hulls of Ships or Steamers. Merchandise of all kinds, Specie and Wool to United Kingdom, at owest Current Rates. R. H. STEVENSON Manager. SPECIAL NOTICE, Ladies and Gentlemen about to furnish are invited to inspect our extensive assortment of IMPORTED and COLONIAL FURNITURE. CARPET S.— Brusspls, Tapestry, Kidder minster, Dutch. Felt, and Stair, at Prices as L<nv as any House in Town, IRON BEDSTEADS.—HaIf Tester, French, Stamp and Folding, in great variety. New Patterns ex ' Otaki,' ' Fanienoth,' and ' Iron Queen.' LINOLEUM, FLOORCLOTHS, MATTING, HEARTHRUGS, TOILET-WARE, TOILET (.LASSES, and an immense stock of DRAW ING, DINING, and BEDROOM SUITES, English and American CANE and WOOD CHAIRS, Meat Safes, Door Mats, &c, &c, &c, at LOWEST PRICES. A Liberal Discount o Cash Buyers. T. & H. COOKE. Jrwrnitwre Showrooms 67, QUEBN-STREET. Steam Cabinet Factory VICTORIA-STREET. NEVER Have the Public had Buch a Choice of BED STEADS offered them as at the present time Besides our already well assorted Stock of Iron Bedsteads, and those o£ our own manu facture in Kaput, Rimu, Cedar, and Mottled Kauri, we ask them to bear in MIND that we have Just Opened Up, ex "Otaki,' TWO HUNDRED IRON BEDSTEADS of the most modern style, comprising French, Half Tkster, Children's, and Stwmps, also Cots, at Prices to suit all classes. Having purchased for Cash from. THE Best Manufacturers, we can SELL A GOOD BEDSTEAD at a Very Low Price. BEDDING, of every description, kept in Stock. HOUSES FURNISHED THROUGHOUT at a Short Notice. Our system is to make a large ret crn ; to insure this We Sell for Ready FCASH at a Small Profit, and DELIVER GOODS FREE to any part of the Town and Suburbs. 83T Give your Furnishing Order to Holloway. Gariiek U Cranwell, CABINETMAKERS, UPHOLSTERERS, AND CLOTHIERS, City Hall Arcade, QUEEN & LORNE-STREETS AUCKLAND. N THIS DAY AND DURING THE WEEK, we will snow pieces io,OOO PI^ CES FASHIONABLE DRESS GOODS AND as- PRINTS. "SB* REDUCED TO HALF PRICE IN ORDER TO CLEAR. J. COSGRAVE & CO., QUEEN-STREET. GH EA P IT AT S 1 JJL CHEAP HATS ! ! CHEAP CLOTHING ! ! A Quantity of Men's and Boy's DRAB AND Black Felt Hats will bo offered at m- GREAT REDUCTION TO CLEAR. "'SAlso, a Parcel o£ CLOTHING, comprising Men's and Boy's Tweed Suits, Trousers and Vests, &c. These Goods are slightly soiled, and will be sold REALLY CHEAP. W. RATTRAY. ICLOTHIKR AND OUTFITTER. T^fEW 7EALAN TTOUSK, Auckland. "VTEW YEAR'S PRESENTS AT THE J3 city; hall furniture ARCADE. PRESENTS, for Wives and Daughters PRESENTS, for Sons and Husbands PRESENTS, Quaint and Curious PRESENTS, Useful PRESENTS, Ornamental PRESENTS, Scientific PRESENTS, Beatific PRESENTS, for all Pockets PRESENTS, for all Prices. HOLLOWAY, GARLICK, & CRANWELL, City Hall Arcade.



Both in flavour and effect Udolpho Wolfe s Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps is the very antipodes of the cheap counterfeits of that in effable medicinal beverage which are sold in bottles in which the real elixir was previously contained. The true Schnapps confer health and strength and are palatable in the highest degree. The counterfeits arc most pernicious and disagreeable.