SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

mti M \vath-'> ' ''1!lis Afternoon, 8.49 Hll*.{ XVA-''*•"-] T-vmorrow Morning, 9.6 WN BUT.—This Kvonlnii, 1.58 SUN FUSK.—To-:«orrow Morntn«, 7.12 MOON'S AGli'.—Last Qurter 23rd, 11.55 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Transi', schooneiv Hooper, fromiLvttelton 3—«- Taupo, s.s.. Ar.diew, from Russell Hauraki, p.s., Holmes, from Waitara

DEPARTURES.

Argyle, s.p., Siephenson.'for Wangarei Fanny Kelly, ketch, for Wangaroa Bthel, bricrantine, Carey, for Newcastle Lizzie, cutter, "Diaz, for Whangapoua Rangatira, cutter, Tawiti, for Oruaha

proj Kr/rrcn bkparturhs. For Levuka—Dunelm; barque, early; Agnes DonaH, schooner, at once For London—Sehiahalhon, barque, early; Spirit of the Dawn, barque, early For Tanrar,i;o. and the South—Taupo, Thurs day, J.=lyi3 For Bus?ell, Bar of Islands—lona. every Maar day : V'-xv.-\hi Monday, July 22 For Sydney an-.'. Melbourne —Hero, s.s., Ist Au<ras'.; For Taranaki ard Southern provinces (frem Manuka\i)—Taiaroa, s.s., Tuesday next

EXPORTS.

Per Agnes Donald for Levuka—Bo tins biscuits, -50 boxes soap, 112 sheep, 190 sacks potatoes, I >mx German sansagep,7 cases onions, 4 cases bficon. 2 boats, 1 dingy, 50 oars, 12 doors. 14 pkgs casements, 1 case, 1 parcel dynamite, 700 fo^t dressed sawn timber, 500 feet rough sawn timber. 1 case dynamite, 1 parcel ditto.—E. Porter and Co.

The p.s. Hauraki arrived in the Manukau from Waitarn to-day. The brigantine Linda Weber, for Lvttelton, with timber, will probably clear at the Customs to-morrow. The barque Thames is loading rapidly along- Biclothe Railway Wharf with gum for New York. Messrs McCalhun and McQuarrie are to com mence at on re oti a new brisrantino similar to the Meg Merrihes, which was launched yoster- The s.s. Argyle sailed last evening for Wan garei and Mancapai with passengers and cargo. The barque King Oscar cleared at the Thames yesterday for Kaipara where she will probably load for Sydney or the South. The s.s. Pretty Jane leaves for Gisborne to morrow afternoon. The schoonor Eliza and Mary is loading at at Dunedin for this port. . The brigantina Ethel sailed last evening lor Newcastle in ballast, She took two passengers —Messrs Williams and Gillard. The brisrantine Omaha is alongside the Rail way Wharf loading up for Chatham Islands. The schooner Agnes Donald cleared at the Customs to-day for Levuka, with a general cargo of mcrehanm'sc and one passenger—Mr R. F. Lnk-. She will sail at once. The bncantino Borough Belle will most likely clear at the Customs to-morrow for Lyttelton, with a cargo of puriri timber. The s.s. Taupo arrived from Russell this morning, with 200 tons coal, 100 bacrs oysters, 18 bags gnm, 35 bags bon<>s, 1 cask oil. 2 horses. Passengers—Misses Appleton and Finch, Mrs Tarhea, Messrs Jenkins, Cook, Allright.Easton, 0 natives and 5 for the South. The vessel sails for the South to-morrow afternoon. The schooner Transit arrived from Lytteuon last night with a cargo of breadstuffs. She left en Sunday, the 7th. with north-west winds, whioh continued until off the East Cape on Wednesday last, Thence to arrival, at 8 o clock last night, north and north-west winds-

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

New Plymouth, tms aay. The B.s. Taranaki arrived from Onehunga at seven o'clock this morning

CHIEF POST-OFFICE AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close ah Under :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m.; and to -morrow, at 3.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, per Durham, tomorrow, at 11.30 a.m. _ ,-«.»* For Levuka, per Agnes Donald, this day, at For Walwera, Warkworth, Te Arai, Waipu, Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Anne Milbank, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. Per b.s. Taupo, on Thursday, 13th instant, as follows:— For India, OMna, Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 2 p.m. For Tauranga, Gisborne. Nap:er, Southern r Provinces, Australian Colonies, and United Kingdom, via Suez and Southampton (for letters specially so addressed), at 3 p.m. For London, via Brindisi, and late letters for Southern Provinces and Melbourne, at 3.15 For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers at 1.30 p.m. Should a later opportunity offer, supplemen tary mails will be forwarded. For Gisborne, per Pretty Jane, to-morrow, For Whitianga, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Rowena, on Friday next, at 4 p.m. For Chatham Islands, per Omaha, on Monday next, at noon. , For Russell and Kawakawa, per Wanaka, on Monday next, at 3 p.m. For Russell, Kawakawa, Wangraroa. andMon gonui, per lona, on Monday next, at 4 p.m. For Taranaki. and Southern Provinces, per Taiaroa. on Tuesday next, at 10.55 a.m. For Australian Colonies, per Rotorua, on Tues day next, at 1 p.m. Per H.s. City of Sydney, on Tuesday, 23rd instant, For Sandwich Islands, United" States of America. Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 3 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent OI Europe, at 3 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 1.30 p.m. Late letters bear in<* an extra fee of 6d in addition to the postage, will be received by the Mail Agent on board the steamer up to the time of sailing. S. R. HfSS. Ohlef Po-tmaHter.

BIRTH.

ROWBOTTOM.—On the 17th July. 1878, at her residence. Sale-street, Auckland, the wife of George Rowbottom of a daughter; both doing well.

DEATH.

CAIRD.—On the 16th July, at her residence, Lome street, Ann Sarah, relict of tho late William Caird, of Scotland. The funeral will leave at 3 p.m. on Thurs day, the 18th July. Friends are respectfully invited to attend.

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

For the cause that lacks assistance, 1-Vr the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the frood that we can do.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1878.

THE Public Works Committee of the City Council has recommended the immediate adoption of an important change in regard to the maintenance of the Fire Brigade. Uuder the arrangement which has hitherto existed the Insurance Companies have contributed one-half the expense of main taining the Brigade up to a fixed maximum, while the Council, or rather the ratepayers, paid the balance. But as that maximum has been habitually exceeded, the larger proportion of the cost has fallen upon the city. The old arrangement as to the division of cost between the Insurance Companies and the city was come to at a time anterior to the introduction of the existing water-supply, and it was even then a one-sided bargain. But the inequality has been increased by subsequent events. N ext in importance to sanitary considera tions, one of the main arguments in favour of the iutroduction of an efficient water Supply was the necessity, in view of the^J rapid growth of the city and the enhanced value of property, for im proved means of extinguishing tires. For this purpose the ratepayers voluntarily undertook the burden of £100,000 loan. The additional security thus provided against tires, as well as the consumption of water in the extinguishing of fires, the cost of maintenance of an expensive plant, together with the keeping of fire plugs, cost ing alone £80 a year, are the large if indi rect contributions, which the ratepayers make towards the Fire Brigade. It has thus come to pass that the bulk of the direct and indirect cost of maintaining the Brigade has fallen upon the citizens, while the Insu rance Companies, which have largely pro fited by the ready means of confining fires to a narrow limit, have escaped their fair share of the burden. The ratepayers have been taxed to the extent of a shilling in the £, while insurance investment has been developing to an extent comparatively unique in this country. In justice to the great body of citizens, only a small section of whom directly

benefit by insurance dividends, the Council propose that this anomaly shall exist no longer, and the resolution of the Works Committee will relieve the ratepayers of a direct money contribution while the indirect burden in the shape of water supply, fire plugs, and so forth continues. In coming to this determination the Council is war ranted by the practice which prevails m all the chief cities of Australia, and we notice that a Committee of the Wellington Borough Council has recommended that the Insuiance Companies doing business in that city should be called upon to con tribute a further sum of £100 per annum towards the cost of the local brigade. It is argued there, as here, that it is unreasonable that the proceeds of taxation specially levied for the repair of streets and thoroughfares should be diverted to the purpose of maintaining a Fire Brigade, to which the ratepayers already contribute their full share in another way; or, in other words, that the citizens should be called upon to pay twice over for the same thing. It may also be urged, with strong reason, that the maintenance of a 1 ire Brigade by thecityhasa tendencyto deyelope what ought in a comparatively small com munity to be almost a voluntary service, into an expensive establishment. It is too much the fashion in New Zealand, to be in different as to the expenditure of money which is derived from the Government or from a political body. So long as the cost is not taken out of the pockets of the spenders by direct taxation, they appear to lose sight of the source from which it must ultimately and to look only at immediate personal profit. This was one of the chief points m Provincialism, and already it has found its Avay into some of the local bodies, where establishments have been created out of all proportion to their means. Looking at tho large dividends derived from insuranco investments, and tho fact that property-holders pay the Paper by way of premiums, we think the time has come when the burden of maintaining five brigades throughout the colony should be equalized, and wo understand that this important matter will form one of the subjects of discussion at tho forthcoming Municipal Conference at Wellington.

The resolution of the Endowment Com mittee of tho City Council concerning leases that will ahorly fall in is one which, we trust, will bo firmly adhered to. A large amount of valuable property comes into the possession of the Council within the next few years, and if any Aveiglit whatever were given to alleged verbal understandings or promises by previous municipal represen tatives, an exceedingly dangerous precedent would be established. Every species of shadowy claim to exceptional treatment might be trumped up to rob the ratepayers of the benefit of their improved properties. The Corporation, as custodians of the city trusts must adhere to tho strict letter of the leases. It is, of course, still open for them to determine equitably any question that may arise within the terms of the leases ; nor do we hold with the extraordinary doctrine propounded by our contemporary that every difference between tho Corporation and its tenants should bo thrown down for tho Law Courts to wrangle over. But at the bottom and as the basis of all ar rangements the terms of the leases must lie, and any encroachments thereupon be firmly resisted. Concessions foreign to this sound foundation would simply be an abuse of the city trust, a liberality at the expense of the ratepayers. Wo know that it is asserted by some leaseholders that they were in duced to build on certain verbal under standings and promises, which were never recorded. It is inconceivable, how ever, that any business man could have been very greatly deceived respecting the value of such promises, if they were ever made. Nothing amounting to an agreement morally binding on a Corporation, placing aside any legal consideration, could have been settled on so loose a footing. If any con cession of tho kind could have been obtained from the Corporation of the day it wonld doubtless have been secured and placed in a legal form. It argues a confidence in the moral obliquity of public bodies that a claim based on so intangible grounds should be preferred. The issues at stake in the present instance, however, are too large for the ratepayers to overlook any dereliction, even if Councillors should prove false to their duty as conservators of city in terests.

An accident, -which was fortunately attended with no serious consequences, occurred in Wyndhum-street, opposite the Evening Star oJlice, shortly atter five o'clock last evening. The driver of Mr J. Robertson's City Express was backing that vehicle at the spot mentioned, when the horse slipped and fell. The cart was filled with sacks of grain, and the weight on the prostrate animal must have been consider able. Several persons volunteered their assistance, and after some trouble the animal was released from the harness apparently little the worse for the accident. The incident drew together a large crowd of spectators.

A correspondent sends us an account of a rather too practical joke perpetrated at the expense of Mr Vialou, the Mayor of Hamilton ; it is supposed by some of the larrikins of that rising Borough. Late on Saturday night, or early on Sunday morn ing, the spoilers, in imitation of Samson's celebrated feat, removed the gates leading to Mr Vialon's private residence, and impartially distributed portions of them in various parts of the township. They also pulled off the ornaments of the gate post, which, together with the half of the gate, were found on. the following morning. Mr Vialou has offered a reward of £5 for the discovery of the vandals.

The Hon. T. M. Dawson, United States' Consul for Samoa, will deliver a lecture this evening, in the Remuera Hall, on "California." The proceeds of the lecture to be given to the church bazaar.

The liabilities in the case of Thomas T. Dickenson, carpenter, were set down at £156, assets £30. Mr T. Macffarlaue was appointed trustee by the creditors. Mr Dickenson's difficulties arose chiefly through his inability to work, in cousequence of a severe accident some two years ago.

The Victoria, Scottish, and Hobson Com panies underwent their drill exercise last evening, under command of their respective officers, and in the presence of Major Lusk. The parade and drill were satisfactory, and at the close, the Hobson Company, headed by their excellent band, marched round the city, the band playing a number of military and national airs, to the delight of several "hundreds of followers.

At the annual meeting of ratepayers of the One-Tree Hill district yesterday, Mr M. Edger in the chair, Mr Hall, the secretary, read a statement of accounts, which shewed that the total receipts to June 30th amounted to £749 17s 4d. After providing for all charges, there was a balance in bank of £3SB 9s 6d. The report was adopted, and the retiring Board Messrs. J. May, Downey, Wali, Hull, and Hayr, were re-elected; Messrs. Marks and Wynyard being appointed auditors; and Messrs. Ferguson and G. May, fence viewers. At a subtequent meeting of the Board, Mr Robert Hall was electedchainnan, Mr J. howney treasurer, and Mr H. Clark collector.

At the meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday afternoon, after we went to press, Captain Casey gave notice of motion that the Riverhead wharf be repaired. It was agreed that the Bean Itock Lighthouse should not be taken over by the Board, and that the sea-wall of the Freeman's Bay Reclamation should be 300 yards from the roadway.

A musical and literary entertainment will be held this evening by the members of the Excelsior Lodge, ,in the Franklin Road school-room. Chair to be taken at half-past seven o'clock.

■Ministers are said to have all their measures well forward. rlhe Licensing Bill i in the hands of the printer, and will be distributed after revision.

The half-yearly general, meeting of the Auckland Working Men's Club will be held to-morrow evening, at 8 o c ock, when the report and balance-sheet will be intro duced shewing the financial condition and prospect of the club. The Lodge Eden will be opened this evening and consecrated at the Kising Sun Hotel, Kanvngahape Road. Greymouth residents intend appealing to the Government for harbour improvement, a steam tug, aud aid to develop the coal 6Mr' JE. Brown, the member for Ashley, addressed his constituents last night at Amberly, making a speech strongly hostile to a land tax, manhood suffrage, and gene rally to the measures of the Government. A vote of confidence was proposed, but Mr Brown's supporters deemed it prudent to vithdraw it, and thanks only were re turned.

A sale of boots and shoes by Mr G. W. Binney, will be held on Wednesday, 24th iustant.

The Hon. J. Macandrew is iv Dunedin receiving the customary stream of deputa tions He has promised that the railway connecting Christchurch with Dunedin shall be finished through by the middle of August, and the line to luvercargill by September next. He is also choosing a site for a new Lunatic Asylum and Industrial School, the present Asylum, being in the city, and without the necessary grounds.

The Marlin Fund Committee met last evening at the British Hotel. The treasurer's report showed that out of the £77 ISs 6d, £35 5s 6d were the proceeds of the late entertainment at the Theatre. Several lists have yet to be returned. It was resolved to appoint two trustees to superintend the proper distribution of the money. A vote of thanks was given to Mr Owen Humphries for his kindness in allowing the committee to use his room free of charge.

The National Independent Order of Odd fellows, Loyal Auckland Pioneer Lodge, No. 036, held their first half-yearly meeting last evening in the Temperance Hall, Albert-street. The report and balance sheet read were of a most satisfactory char acter, showing a membership roll of 170, and £272 9s 7d in hand after payment of all expenses. The number of members is also rapidly increasing. The members of the Hope of Auckland Tent of Kechabitea held their fifteenth anniversary last evening in tho Temperance Hall. About 300 persons sat down to a liberal tea, with the following ladies in waiting :—Mesdames Stokes, Hardy, Carr, Hughes, French, Thwaits, and Misses Gribble and Hardy. The chair was occupied by Mr Solomon Hemus; Mrs and Miss Carr alternately presided at the piano. On the platform were the repre sentatives of the Fountain of Friendship Lodge of Foresters, Good intent Lodge of Oddfellows, Court Zealandia, Hibernian Society, and National Order of Oddfellows. The speakers were the chairman and Messrs Carr and Brame. Songs were given by Mr Ryan, Mrs Carr, Miss Peace, and Miss Gribble, and threo comic recitations by Mr A. Smith. "Jessie's Dream," by Miss Peace, was the gem oi the evening. Mr ft. H. Hughes, the secretary of the Tent, read the annual report, which showed health and strength in the Order. Number of members, 69 ; income of the year, £230 2s 8d ; expenses, £196 19s 5d ; balance to credit, £39 3s 3d. The account of the sick fund showed that £43 16s 5d had been paid to sick members, and under that separate he* 'ing appeared a balance of £406 Is lOd. Tin i -port and balance-sheet were received with acclamations of pleasure. The usual votes of i iinnks were given, and the meeting separates.

Two pairs of the best hen canaries in the colony will be exhibited at the Anchor Hotel to-morrow afternoon about three o'clock, for the inspection of bird fanciers. " Hard-up" writes on the subject of ad ministration of charitable relief. He be lieves the public charity is a dual abused, and cites one instance m which, according to his statement, a person living in the vicinity of West Queen-street, keep ing a disorderly house, who received the rations and systematically sells them to a storekeeper. He concludes :—" If the Go vernment can afford to bestow their charity why not give it to those poor, helpless cripples who are striving all in their power to get an honest living, for I see in the streets a poor, old woman doing all in her power to get a living, and she a poor, old cripple, can hardly earn as much as will keep her in soap to wash her clothes ; and there is another poor cripple of a man, with only one arm who barely earns cnouyh to pay tor his night's lodging." The truth of these statements should be inquired into by the relieving officer.

LOST IN THE BUSH.

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

DU:NEDIN, this day. The search for Mr. Gorsegone, who was lost in the bush on Aitkins Farm in the western district, has been given up after being kept up for nine days. Even if he had not met with an accident he could not have possibly lived in such weather as has been experienced lately. Very little is known of the man farther than that his wife and one child live at Waimate, and that he was steward for some time of the s.p. Maori.

INVERGARGIL ELECTION.

Colin McKay, who asserts was anxious to have a contest in Invercargil in the Liberal interests, has complained to the Premier of the returning officer in refusing his nomination, which it seems was made too late. The candidates have now begun to address those present. Mr. McKay "has been informed that Government are advised that in any case they ought not to interfere during the progress of the election.

RAILWAY MATTERS.

During the interview with the Chamber of Commerce to-day, Mr Macandrew said the north line would certainly be open within a mouth. Mr Blair though) of ruu ning the members of the House up to Christchurch by rail, but the weather has been against the completion of the works, and the line would take a little longer to complete, the floods having caused delay. There was a possibility it would be open in Sept., or about the end of this month. Five weeks had been lost on account of the line having to be raised in places, and place it above the floods level. Ministers were fairly beseiged to-day with deputations. Mr Macandrew undertakes to proridc a plan which he hopes will settle the dispute re the railway station ; also from what fell from him, it appesrs the Government have abandoned the iden of interfering in the Crawford-strcftt block, but purpose placino a passenger station further north, and a goods station to the southward of Jetty street. The " Star" says on completion 'of the through communication, Mr Conyers' head quarters are to be transferred to Dunediu.

QUEENSTOWN

MR M ANDERS' JUVENILE CON-

STITUENTS.

A telegram in the "Herald" says Mr Manders called a meeting of his constituents there tor Saturday, but only five boys attended.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before A. Beetham Esq., and G. S. Graham Ksq., Justices.) KATE.

Kate McManus. angimportant witness in the Crowe lease, was fined 5s and costs ior beina drunk.

BY-LAWS. Gertrude Grainger was fined 28 6d and costs for three goats to wander. John Hodgin pleaded guilty to depasturing his cow in the Albert Park, 13 and costs. Harry McDougal was fined 2s 6d and costs for allowing cows to wander..

■ASSAUI/T Robert McCoombe whs summoned for behaving in a public Jplace in a manner calcu lated to provoke a breach of tho peace. No appearance.

Constable Dews said McCombe was making a row in the Flagstaff Hotel on the 6th teat. Witness put him out, after which he went up the street challenging everyone to fight. Richard Davis deposed to the prisoner striking him. He was in a very excited state. Fined 409. and 18a 6d costs, or seven days with ard labour.

CABLEGRAMS.

AUSTRALIANS V. LEICESTER,

[SPECIAL TO PRESS AGENCY.] ""LONDON, July 12. The Australians played against Leicester The first innings of their opponents closed for 193—Sankey, 70 ; Wheeler, 60 ; Panter, 20 ; Collier, 20'; Marget, 7 ; Pannaham, 0 ; Rodwell, 4 ; Walker, 2 ; Rylott, 4 ; Bishop, 0 ; Rawden, 2; sundries, 4. Of the Australians, Bannerman is not out for 4 ; Mnrdoch not out for 8. There are splendid wickets. The attendance is ten thousand. [reuteb's special cablegram.]

REINFORCEMENTS FOR NEW CALEDONIA.

PARIS, July 15. The Government are sending reinforce ments of troops to New Caledonia.

SUPPOSED DROWNING.

Great fears are entertained for the safety of Mr Charles Marshall, who has been missing since Saturday last. Mrs Marshall resides at the North Shore, and it was her husband's custom to pay her a weekly visit, coming down from his farm at Whangapoua Heads in a small boat. He is known to have started off as usual on Saturday night last, but has not since been heard of. Constable Dews made a careiul search between Lucas's Creek and the North Head yesterday, bat could discover no signs of the boat. The Customs' launch was to go out, and investigate the matter thoroughly to-day. It will be remembered that Mr Marshall was picked up ma very exhausted state by the Anne Milbauk a short time ago, whilst on a similar journey.

CREDITORS' MEETING.

A MEETING of creditors in the estate of James Thomas Hendry, a bankrupt was held this afternoon in the Supreme Court Buildings, Mr G. W. Owen in the chair About twenty creditors were present, and the others were represented by proxies. Mr James Russell appeared for the bank rupt Mr E. A. Mackechnie for Royse, Stead, and Co., and Mr Theo. Cooper on behalf of Mr Niccol, and for Mr James Lewis. The Chairman briefly introduced the business of the meeting, namely, to recom mend an order for bankrupt's discharge. £iMr I). Hean, of the National Bank, trustee to the estate, opposed, on the ground that he considered this was a very bad case. Mr Pounds read the trustees report, which was very» short, to the effect that nothing had come into his hand, and there fore nothing to disburse, but that his pe cuniary difficulties arose through his part nership with Mr M Niccol. Mr Rean asked a question respecting certain bond warrants, to which Mr Pounds replied. Mr Hendry gave a further explanation. Mr Hean said that he had learned that Mr McKenzie got some goods, and that Mr Hendry had got rid or the securities. He wished to know how it was that no proper books were kept, as thousands of pounds seemed to be done away with with out any record of same. Mr Hendry said the whole particulars of everything would be found in books in Mr Pounds'JßOseession, but they had not been investigated. The errors occurred in the shipping accouuts, for which Mr Niccol was responsible. There was a cash book kept. Mr Pounds said that when he and Mr Morton examined the books of Niccol and Hendry there was no order or proper.data, and Mr Hendry waf continually finding out something new. Mr Hendry said it was impossible to keep correct accounts under Mr Niccol. Mr Russell tnought it was useless to prolong the discussion, as all these matters would come before the Judge. He would mention this with the view of saving time.

Mr Maciiarlane moved " That the debtor be forthwith discharged from all liabilities, under the Debtor and Creditors' Act."

Mr Sibbin seconded. Mr.Hean moved as an amendment, " That the bankrupt be not discharged." Mr Theophilus Cooper, for Mr Lewis, seconded.

The motion was carried, and the meeting closed.

WITHDRAWING OF TENDERS FOR THE WAITAKEREI CONTRACT (KAIPARA RAILWAY).

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —In your issue of Monday last, only to hand, I am astonished to find the un doubtedly wilful misstatements made to prejudice the inland line. As to log-rolliug there is none. There is ample proof tha every obstacle has been made a mountain of to carry the coast line. Why —for the sake of benefittiugafew thousand acres of miserable land without a single inhabitant—ignore 100 square miles of a country second to none as a feeder, from this to the North Cape, and upon which several have settled so long as twenty years since, and now nearly 300 people own land that would be be re fitted by the railway coming this way. There is no better quality of land in the Province of Auckland than a large portion of this district, but the broken nature of the country has been the chief cause of greater progress not being made, for want of acceptable roads to get produce to market, and it would cost more to metal them than to make the railway. Barefaced untruths have been made, according to the Minister of Works, and quite sufficient to warrant him, if true, in withdrawing the tenders. Mr Mac andrew, a stranger in office, could not be expected to know of all the scheming that has been going on for the last four years to pi- event this line being made; and Messrs Conyers and Lawson could not have had time to examine and see for themselves, and whom elseshouldtheyacceptstatements from than the Resident Engineer? In the first place, as to the .saving in making the coast line, what they state would not amount to the difference between the accepted tender and Mr Stewart's estimate for |the first ten miles. The tenders for the Waitakerei contract were called for in a great hurry, at the last, and some intending contractors have expressed their astonishment at the curves and grades, particularly about the intended tunnel of 133 yards long, and could see nothing to prevent a grade of no more than 1 in 40, by putting the tunnel in lower and making it a little longer, and have no sharp curves at all. It is an un mitigated xintruth to say the Waitakerei forest is divided by a ridge 1500 ft high, as a considerable portion of it lies within about one mile of all down hill to the intended line ; and there is a break in the main l'idge, where a tramway can be made and the difficulty got over where it will not be SO feet higher than the main line and 2 miles of? an easy-made tram, and which has been contemplated for some time, would reach the Waitakerei Valley and river available for sawmills, and the only natural outlet for scores of ridges of virgiu forest capable of providing two million feet of kauri alone for the next 50 years, and of ship's timbers, kaikatea, rimu, puriri, totara, and besides firewood, at the rate of 200 or 300 tons a week for as long. This timber.can never be got by the West Coast, where a harbour is impossible. Logr-olling, indeed ! Why was this line not

made 4 years since when the te^i 5 to have been called for its con £? »c Dr Pollen might, perhaps %i it was Ponsonby and or D Pf w \ Old when that was found fclS *J we next hear of a survey be deviating at Henderson's Mill § M coast, and by a singular coincioV, 8 mug through an extensive Moot *% owned by Mr Chamberlain of Ity Mr Macandrew to urge thechanj^ Every imaginable project has L *% to thwart tbi.- inland Se^*"4 have no doubt from the enoL^ 1 penditure in fruitless survey, a* *k Stewart has )..;eii one cause * change having been made, and i * many sound railings he has got from ftj people, and letters in the papers aiT- SeTet 2l obstinancy in persisting, -we could "^ hope or expect him to give itono f Bcatc^ thought. The 120 settlers that S^ petition to the Minister of Public^?? some twelve months since, ia fav o '§ inland line, were not aski]igf or f av^ o{Bi( what any unprejudiced person «i decide upon that wished the rnon *°^ ciously expended in opening up the^ aird making the railway commeA success.—l am, &c, J..Smyth ?l Waifakerei, July 13, 1878.

NEWMARKET HIGHWAY DISTRICT.

ANNUAL MEETING OP Kaim PAYERS. AT&

The animal meeting of the ratena* the Newmarket Highway District last evening in the Newmarket flail There was a very fair attendance ' Mr Thomas Jenkins was voted \ chair. ™ k MrfMorgan read the annual balance as follows :-Receipts : BalanceonC? Ist April, 1877, £150 9s Id; C*J» £94 19s ; from the Government or r £481 Is 6d ; miscellaneous £is i^ Total, £745 Is Id. Expenditure • R and improv»3tnents, £448 8s 9d- m 7?" £73 9s 9dj balance in hand oahtn 1577, £223 2s 7d. Total, £745 ig'JJ &H In answer to a question from a ratem regarding the amount expended on 3" provement of roads in the district Treasurer read the following statement' Scoria on roads in district, £5415 8 . n bell Park Road improvements m^ Manukau-Parnell Road, £47 'u g Jj; Robson Bridge, York Koad, £31 ; drJJj work, Newmarket-street, £128 10a- J< road, £1 lGs Cd ; labour emploved'nn^ roads, £55 10s 6d ; total, £448 Bs9d Mr Speakman referred ia strong tern,!, the action of the trustees in striking aj» rate, and moved a resolution in tie form 4 . a petition purporting to be signed by h ratepayers, but in reality signed by )wZ requesting the new trustees not to strike s rate without first calling the ratenavßi together. v J The Chairman declined to^ pat themo. tion, and an acrimonious discussion fol' lowed Finally, the motion was allowed to (L and the meeting proceeded to the eleij of trustees. Messrs F. G. Clayton, Shife Hill, Thomas Jenkins, fcpeakman, Morgai McColl, and Osborne, were nominated. Messrs Hogg and Dinnison, were a> pointed scrutineers, on the motion of * F. G. Clayton. A ballot was then taken with the folio?, ing result: —John Jenkins, 53; Wm.Moi. gan, 52 ; John McColl, 48 ; J. Osborne.43' F. G. Clayton, 41; S. Hill, 17; W. Speak! man, 14. Messrs Jenkins, Morgan, McColl, (fe borne, and Clayton, were declared to it elected. Messrs Bishop and Speakman were ele# auditors, and Messrs Whisker andPeaict, fence-viewers. A vote of thauks to the Chairman to eluded the proceedings.

WAIPA ELECTION.

MR McMINN AT HAMILTON.

Mr McMinn's meeting at Hamilton d« V. not appear to have been quite so satisfacta; so his friends could have wished. A cons i pondeut sends the following account of fii 1 meeting : "No notice was given toy advi M tisement of the meeting, and as X Whitaker was at Ohaupo, and as oil? private notices were sent ram 1 by Mr McMinu the idea goS 1 abroad amongst Mr Whitaker's supports M that there was an intention to steal amattli, 1 This idea was strengtened by the fact ik! no posters were put out until a late h« Mr Whitaker's supporters therefore, nt tered iv strong force. Mr McMinn, mii ;; address, said he had come to Harf ton because he had heard* it was I stronghold of the enemy, and he d» to see what degree of support I would receive. He declared hW a supporter of the present Government;li condemned the proposed land tax, whi# considered savoured too much of clas3ltp latioa, and would render property insecu He advocated a six month's residence qmi fication for the suffrage, and condemned game laws. Mr Jones proposed, andS'^ Kipley seconded a vote of thanks. % Mr Potter pioposed as an ameadmi " That this meeting expresses its thank <v Mr McMmn for his address, and thatfi, electors, having heard the views oflrf _ r candidates, and finding that Mr I.j < Whitaker will support the measures rf»" *; present Government as put before» country by Sir George Grey's Ministij,", ; well as all others or a similar liberalß 1 dency, desires to confirm the resolnw unanimously carried at a recent me*! "Mi of the electors of Hamilton and the S ; rounding districts in the opinion that! F. A. Whitaker is a fit and proper pel* . 5 v represent the Waipa constituency inJf liament, and pledges itself to supportt» ;.-, gentleman's candidature." Mr W seconded the amendment. , 'p The amendment was then put, thirlf • ' voting for it and ten against it.

WAIKATO SCAB CASE.

(To the Editor.) . y / SIR,— Many thanks for your local n* Saturday's'issue re the recent alleged 9 | case. You will still more oblige if yo"^ insert the following. Ido hopesomeff will come of this matter if well ventoi». r namely, tnat such a monstrous in]"* ; shall never happeu again, that one'7y r' i tor shall give a. farmer a certificate tnat» sheep are free from scab, and anotW •..;..;.. spector shall condemn them as scanty?" make the unfortunate owner Pa y *°^ incompetence of one of them. J- *. m take exceptions to yonr saying <» ; { Lewis skill and experience, there can ». ; • doubt." Take his ' ' skill" first: Mr jj.: | promised to come up and show our l»r ---tor scab in my sheep; bis reason iw _■ coming, as.stated in Court, was, tnat■ : . time '' to pick out the scabby sheep, & make things all straight for him. 'SO, . f >r apart from the animus shown by t^T^; making such an assertion, as w Kunciman and myself were a"".... ,. of rogues, trying to frustrate J«f','; . mere tyro in" such matters WOUM it could not possibly be done, sciVLs--., any other contagious disease, I through the sheep in all stages. _ s;.jj ,',.>• for Mr Lewis's skill. His expenencv^ as it is, he has had to pay for. lba:*U J; ; of his mistakes before. I have ; that Mr Lewis was appoiuted Sneepfi. . tor years ago in the dark ages— lr%j}j- ■ the time of Superintendents, &L^ '■' -.. for his support of the late John W'Qji \- ,'; The appointment was freely coinme^. ..*?. in the Press ot the day. **&$& attitude in Court (when of^Jh'»" expectedly faced with the' *Vg*.. ■. sheep he had previously testio eu (! haviug an eruption as big 1, his hind, &c.,and not finding^ v - tried to get out of the dilemma dj t t *- ir the skin had been changed, ana g.^. the trouble of making, him 0^ n£ ra al£h : indentical skin picked out by *2ZO™.- } did not seem to make any impress* fe Bench, but it did on myself.—* ou Thomas Jolly.

EYENiNC; SlAll, WEDNESI>AY, jLxJI 1 , IS7_



-T\ V N A M I T E~T |J? To Arrive, per Qukbx of the West, now due from London— ■ ■ ■>■ TEN TONS DYNAMITE DETONATORS, TTERY, INSULATED COPPER W Em. Kto. DYNAMITE is the Safeat and Most Powerful Explosive in uss. The Safety of Dynamite During Transport and Storage. Extracts from the Official evidence given before the House of Commons Select Committee on Explosive Substances— Parliamentary Ses sion of 1871, London. Boxes filled with dynamite have been thrown from a great height, and found to sustain any amount; of Rhock without exploding. They haye also been placed upon an open fire, when the dyuamite burned slowly away without ex ploding.-Parliamentary report—Blue Book, Dynamite has been in a railway collision, and, though the van and boxes containing it were broken, no explosion took place.—Blue Book, paMalor' Slaiendie, R.A., H.Ms. Inspector of Gunpowder and Dynamite Factories, states, in his evidence (page 18, par. 100), th>t the law re lating to dynamite is as much too stringent as the gunpowder law is too lax; and. (page 20, par 115) that the time hns come for relieving safe nitro-glycerine preparations from such un necessary restrictions as the nitro-glycerine Act '^Professor'Abef^he Chemist to Her Majesty's War Department, gives his experience that Nobel's dynamite ia one of the safest, most powerful, and most^onvenient explosive agents applicable to industrial purposes.-Blue Book, pages 56, 57, and 59, * Agents: E. PORTER & CO., QUEBN-STP-EET, AUCKLAND. MIRANDA COAL. MIRANDA COAL. We, the undersigned, have on Sale a Supply of this really good Household Coal, to be had in any quantities, at HOLDER BROS., Coal and Firewood Merchants, Newtoit.



EXTRA. ' Important Intelligence. A* JLINABURY & Co. Have Determined to LEAK OUT THEIR SURPLUS STOCK OF GENERAL DRAPERY, DRESS GOODS, CURTAINS, FANCY GOODS, AND MILLINERY, AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES! FOR A c ., nI)T TIMS onlt, previous to Stock- x - TAKING. RESS and MANTLE - MAKING on th Premises, at Reduced Prices. SALE NOW ON. A LINA BInRY & CO.' S, A" 20i £ 206, QUBKN-STRKKT, AUCKLAND-



TSTS^pSiM to every other material as , iwft-civh'g agent, not only on account of ite SSncy and its cheapness, but because clkim its praise.-[See Advertisement.]



A MAGNIFICENT STOCK OF NEW AUTUMN AND WINTER DRESS MATER ALS Just Opened. OL Atkins Invites attention to his Stook of New Dress Materials, Ladies Jackets, Ulsters, Black and Coloured Silks, Velvets, Velve teens, &c, suitable for the coming Season. Now on View. Splen did Colours in New Silk Reps, Wool Reps, Wool Poplinettes, Satin Cloths, Wool Serges.Twilled Carmelites, Estamane Serges, French Merinos, Winseys, and Fancy Dress Goods. All splendid value. All the new shades pro curable in Stock. The selection this season is the largest and best ever shewn in the city. Good quality Black Silk at 3s lld per yard. All the new shades in Coloured Silks. Also Good Cheap Blankets, Quilts, Sheetings, Table Linen, Flannels, Calicos, and Manchester Goods.



IN THE CLOTHING DEPART MjE N T New Tweed Suits. Coats, Trow sers end Vests suitable for all classes. A large Stock of Boy^fl and Youth's Tweed Suits, in our own make and imported. An immense stock of New Tweeds In Bannockburn, Mosgiel, Scotch, West of England, &o. Tailors can select from the largest stook in Auckland at Wholesale Prices. Cheap Tweeds suitablo for Bora wear. Good Quality Guaranteed, and Pricks Lowest in Auckland for All Descriptions of Prapeky and Clothing, j tarn. ATKINS ib» TTtTn COURAGE NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIES! To tiib,People of Auckland ! Messrs. Hallknstein Brothers Desire to inform you that a RETAIL BRANCH OF THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY Is Now Opkn in Queen-street, opposite Theatre Royal.



To effectually introduce their Goods and drive out the imported article, thoy have decided to SELL a Single Article at the Wholesale Prick. All Goods aro marked in Plain Figures, for Nett Cash only. Any Article purchased and ap proved of, will be exchanged with the same courtesy with which It was sold, or if desired, the money will be returned. The success which has attended tho New Zealand Clothing Factory's Retail Branches in olher towns loads the Proprietors to believe that there ■exists a praiseworthy dosire on the part of the Public to encourage New Zealand Industries, especially where superior advantages are offored; and your support is solicited on this under standing only. J. B. ROBINSON^ Manager Auckland Branch. SOLE AGENT for W E R T H E^l^M'S ELEBRATED SEWING MACHINES; THE BEST MACHINE IN THE WORLD R,USHBKOOK AND I"SRIDGMAN Respectfully invite attention to their Large Carefully-selected and Entirely New Stock of DRAPERY AND CLOTHING FOR THE WINTER TRADE. Comprising— Blankets, all sizes, and first-class value Flannels, white and scarlet, all makes Crimean Shirtings, All-wool and Union, In great variety of pattern and quality Winceys, plain and fancy. A heavy stook. "Good and Cheap," a good line at 5a per Fan^DreHa Goods, new shades, in great variety French Merino, Serge, Satin Cloth, and some Special Lines of Fancy Materials, bought a job. and being sold at very low rates Alloa and Fingering Yarns, all colours Winter Hosiery. Umbrellas, Ribbons. Flowers Waterproof Tweed and "Waterproofs A Job Lot of Children's and Ladies Waterproof Cloaks, to be cleared out at much below regular price. Calicoes, Sheeting, Counterpanes Furnishing and Manchester Goods of every description _ , Boys' and Men's Clothing of every description, Good and Cheap Hosiery, Shirts, Hats, &c. Strong Material for Boys' Wear-Tweeds Mole kin. Corduroy, Serge &0., &c. Sec. In order to sustain the "well-known character of the JUNCTION DRAPERS' WAREHOUSE for Cheapness and Quality combined, R. and B procure their Supplies from the BEST MAR KETS ONLY, and spare no pains to Buppl their Customers' wants at the lowest price com mensurate with legitimate trading. "/ (1/ in the &) Discount allowed upon all Cash Purchases of 20/ and upwards. RUSHBROOK AND BRIDGMAN, DUAPKKS, CLOTHIERS, &«..„„„ JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel), UPF *5 R QUKBN-STKE S T, AUCKLAND.



ryuiON INSURANCE COM FAN \J OF NKW ZEALAND. CAPITAL «2,000,000 AY 0 X LAND B' RAN CH : QUK-AN-S T R X R T, Next he Colonial Bunk. yiRK DEPARTMENT. Inßnriwio granted on DwellinK - licaaeh Stork Shops, Bnildlngs in which trade is carried on, Merchandise, and Goods of every daaoriptlon. MAEINK DEPARTMENT. Mulls of Ships or Steamers, Merchandise of all fclnds, Specie aud Wool to United Kingdom, AT Lowkpt Oohsknt IUTKS. R. H. STKVKNSON Manager. DRAWING - ROOM SUITES, in Silk Drawing-room Suites, in Velvet Drawing-room Suitks.Eop & Damask Dining-room Suites, in Leather Dining-room Suites, in Hair Cloth Dining-room SuiTKS.in American Cloth Chimney Glasses. In Gilt Frames Chimney Glassks, in Walnut.Frames Chimney Classes, in Maple Frames Iron Bedsteads, French and Half Tester Wood Bf.dstk ads, H'rench and Halt I ester Iron and Wood Cots Matxhesses and Bedding, all Kinds Marble-toy Washstands Toilet Tables, with Glasses attached Toilet Glapsts, Mahogany and Marble Toilet Wahk, Single and Double Sets Brussels Carpets Tapestry Carpets Kidderminster Carpets Dutoh Carpets Felt Cakp&ts Linoleum Floorcloth Door Mats and Bath Mats Matting, *y 0 N SALE"** AT T. & H. Cooke's WUKNITUUE and UAIU'RT WAREHOUSE, 67, QUi.KM-3Xi.iKKT.



/TH EMICAL 1%/r ANUKE, The undersigned are now prepared to supply then? CHEMICAL MANURE for Root and Green Crops, in any quantity. The following extracts, selected from numer ous testimonials, prove its value as a fertilizer. , I believe it an excellent Manure for Potatoes. JOSEPH MAY, Mount St. John. It is the best Manure I ever used. W. G. HARPE, Late Manager for W. A. Murray, Esq., Piako. I am so pleased with its good effect as a Potato Fertilizer, that I shall require a further supply, and would strongly recommend its use. J. LEDDRA WALLIS,



Analysis of this season's supply will bo ready in a few days. W. J. HURST & CO., 191, Queen-street, Auckland. FANCY, d/ 4 ( " ~ FANCY, 5/1 CHINA MATTINGS FANCY, 0/11 Just OncNKD. CARPKTS, Tapestry from 2/11 \ CARPETS, Brussol from 5/ [IMMENSE! CARPKTS. Kiddorminster [ Variety. CARPETS. Dutch and Jute )



y/V YOU CAN >^^V FURNISH jp $ j&S. Y°UR HOUSE



Mobt Economically from our Establishment Largest Stock of Drawing-room Slj >jcb Largest Stock of Dining-room Suited Largest Stock of Bedroom Furniture Largest Stock of Flooh Cloths, Linoleum Largest Stock of Cakpkts in Auckland. BLANK KITS From 11/6 to Por pair ' BLANKETS Mattresses, Palliasses, Bolstors, Sheets, Mattresses, Palliasses, Pillows, Slips, Mattresses, Palliasses, Bolsters, Cases, Ready-made. Ready-made. Ready-made. Roadv-mado. Ready-made. Roady-madc. BKDSTKA.DS BEDSTEADS BEDSTEADS CEDAR, IRON, BRASS. KAURI, RIMU. Artificial Flowers, for Tables and "Vases. DRAPERY, MILLINERY, MEN'S and BOYS' CLOTHING.



£3T CATALOGUES SENT POST FRIBE. TfcJk Kolloway, Garliok & Gran-well, CITY HALL ARC AD X, QUEEN-STREET, Auckland. Agent for tho Genuine "Singer's" Sowing Machine.



What more lovely.sight can we look upon in this world than a fine healthy ripe old age ? It is one of the blessings of this life. If we would be wise we should use those precautions that are calculated to ensure so desirable an end. Without exagcreration or tho use of fulsome re presentations of tho virtues of " Ghollah's Great Indian Cures." it may be safely asserted that no medicines ever yet compounded for general use have so beneficial an effect on the constitution, and so insure a healthy old age, as these meri torious Indian Medicines. Sold by all Chemists. Eye, Ear. and Throat Specialist.—Dr Schwartzbach, Devonshire Houbc, Hobßon 8t Hours : 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rw.LIEF FROM COUGIT IN TEN MINUTES.— SHARLAND'S CHERRY PECTORAL, 2s. 6d. a Bottle.—Opposite the Post-office, Auckland. S?S \un as you would prussic acid tho detestable shams which their vendors proclaim as identical with, similar to, or as good as Udolpiio Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps. They aro all worse than worthless. Very frequently they are sold in bottles which previously contained, the genuine article, which, is as agreeable and remedial as they are nauseous and hurtful.