SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

-tt^tt watfp (This Afternoon, 656 HIGH \vAlKl—", Tomorrow Morning, 7.17 SUN SET.—This Evening. 7.13 SUN RISE.—To-morro-.v Mornir.c;. 4.52 MOON'S AGE.—New Moon. 4th, 1.42 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

DEPARTURES, lona. s,s., for Russell Rowena, s.s., Sellers, for Tauranga

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Levuka—Christina, schooner, early For Nanier—Southern Cross, to-day, 5 p.m. For Gisborne—Go-ahead, s.s., to-day. 5 p.m. For the South—Ladybird, s.s., Friday, 2 p.m. For San Francisco—R.M.s. Australia, Bth inst,

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Geor^ictta, barque, from New York: sailed 2nd

October May Queen, ship, f ram London, sailed sth Oct Lorraine, barque, from London: sailed 11th Oct Oharyhdis, schooner, from the Islands, early Apelles. ship, from London; sailed 16th Oct. Abbey Holme, barque, from London; sailed 12th

September. Loch Fleet, shin, from Lyttelton, early, Rotorua, s.s., from Sydney, to-night

IMPORTS.

Per Helena:—l 6 cases hams and bacon, G. w. Binney. „ M _ , . 200 sacks and 160 bags flour, 40 bags pearl barley, 6 cases bacon and hams.—T. H. Hall and Co. 10 cases bacon and hams.—R. Arthur.

The barque Iron Queen has been hauled along side the wharf, and will proceed to put out her London cargo at once. The s.s. Southern Cross and the Go-ahead are leaving this evening for Napier and Gisborne respectively. The schooner Christina is to load at once for Fiii. The R.M.S. Australia is to leave Syaney for this poit to-day. en route for San Francisco. She is advertised to leave here on the Bth Jan uary (next Wednesday). She is the first boat. The departure of the s s. Ladybird for the South is deferred until Friday next at 2 p.m. ship Abbey Holme shouldibe shewing up soon. She is now 113 days out from London, The Lorraine is about 85 days out from London; and the Apelles. from Glasgow, via Liverpool, is about the same time!out.'»We shall probably have Sail? these in |porti together, in addition to theLochfleet from Lytteltou, expected in a day or two.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under: For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m; and to-

morrow, at 2.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Waiheke and Coromandel, per Argyie,

to-morrow, at 2.30 p.m. For Gisborne, per Go-ahead, this day, at

4 p.m. For Napier, per Southern Cross, this day, at

4 p.m. For Kawau, per Heather Bell, this day, at 4

p.m. For Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, and Southern Provinces, per Ladybird, td-morrow, at 1 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and

newspapers, at noon. Late letters till 1.20 p.m. For Waiheke, per Spey, on Saturday next, at

8 a.m. For Waiwera, Mahurangi, Matakana, Waipu,

„-. Mangawai, Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Annie Milbank, on Saturday next, at 10 a.m. For Levuka, per Mazeppa, on SaOurday next,

at 2 p.m. For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per lona, on Monday next, at 4 p.m. Per s.s. Wellington, on Tuesday, Sth instant, as follows :— For India, China, Mediterranean Porta, and Continent of Europe, at 7 a.m. For Taranaki, Southern Provinces, Aus tralian Colonies, and' United Kingdom, via Suez and Southampton (for letters specially so addressed), at 8 a.m. For United Kingdom, via Brindisi, and late letters for Southern Provinces and Melbourne at 8.20 a.m. For newspapers, at 6 a.m. For money orders and registered letters, the

previous evening, at 4 p.m. Per s.s. Australia, on Tuesday, Sth January, 1878, as follows :— For Sandwich Inlands, 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! of Europe, at 3 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 1.30 p.m. Late letters, bearing 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. For Australian Colonies, per Rotorua, on Tues day, Bth inst., at 11 a.m. S. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster.

The enormous sales of Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps, a medicinal beverage without a peer, either as regards flavour or curative qualities, have induced a pack of law-contemnmg scamps to attempt the imposition of vending in genuine bottles of the Schnapps compounds of adulterated spirits and hurtful druss. Buyers, inspect the labels closely.

MARRIAGE.

HAVES—BUTLER.—On the 2nd December, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Chapel, Parnell, hv the Rev. Father Fynes, John Hayes, of Coromandel, to Louisa Caroline Butler, the youngest daughter of Mr. Butler, of Howick. MKLVILLE—COLLS.—On the 27th December, 1877, at Upper Queen-street, by the Rev. W. Evans, Alexander Melville, of Northern Wairoa. to Eliza Fogarty, eldest daughter Of Mr. S. B. Colls, of Auckland.

NORRIE—ROUND.—On the Ist January, at St. John's Church, Christchurch, by the Rev. W. Watson, Robert, second son of Mr. S. Norrie. of Shortland-street, Auckland, to Myria, youngest daughter of Mr. E. Round, of Christchurch. . . KIRK.—FINCH.—On the 3rd instant, by special license, at St. John's Church. Te Awamutu, by the Rev. L. C. -Brady, incumbent, Thomas ' Kirk, Esq., clerk R.M. Court, Alexandra, to Elizabeth, second daughter of Thomas Finch, .. Esq., of Ngaroto.

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

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1878.

■Arrtheuime tint lacks-asdttanc* ppr the wrong that needs leslstant*. Fa* the fatac l" th» distance. Aadtt««oori4faGt wnnJo.

OUR cable dispatcher to-day are important. The Turkish request for English mediation submitted by , Lord Loftus, British Ambas sador at St Petersburg, has been rejected, and Turkey informed that she must submit any proposals for an armistice to the Commander-in-Chief of the Army. In England, recent rumours have pro voked another demonstration of public feeling against the array of English power On the side of Turkey, large anti-war meetings being held through out the country. The other dispatches relate to the steady advance of Russia to wards Southern Turkey. General Todle ben, of Crimean celebrity, has been selected to conduct the siege operations against the Bulgarian fortresses.

During his tenancy of the New Zealand offices in London, Sir Julius Vogel has endeavoured to write himself into fame by various contributions to the magazines, chiefly on colonial questions. His latest efforts in the "Nineteenth Century" have been directed towards the advocacy of a Confederated form of Govern ment for the whole Eritish Empire. The ex-Premier detects in the idea —by no means new or original—a great thing, and with that strong penchant for big schemes which formed so remarkable a characteristic of his colonial career, he grasps Confederation and a Parliament com posed of delegates from all parts of the Empire, as an elevator of no ordinary pro mise. It is hardly our intention to enter upon the discussion of a subject which is barely opened in various voluminous papers in the magazines, but the grounds upon which the Agent- General rests the necessity for Confedera tion are noteworthy. He starts with an 'attempt to shew that the progress of other 'nations is "rapidly diminishing British foreign trade, and tha,t England's greatness Avill yearly become mure dependent upon her colonies. His next, position is the one urged by Mr Disraeli—that the Liberal ha^d granted the colonies too much political freedom; that they had conferred -upon them a form of Constitution whicb^ if not ex pressly designed to secure theirultimate in dependenceand separation from the mother country, would inevitably produce that re sult. He thinks the Imperial Government should have made greater reservations and have held the colonial Empire together with a firmer hand—if necessary by a demonstration of force. The ex- Treasurer's viewrs in relation to the colonial policy of the past are little more than that rechauffe' of the old colonial rule which still survives in the modern ised Conservative policy. His remedies for future Government. involving th.3 introduction of Home intermeddling with the government of the colonies, merely for the purpose of securing an inhnitessimal admission of colonial influence into the affairs of the Empire, is one that we shall not now discuss. Lord Blachford has taken the trouble in the October number of the " Nineteenth Century," to vindicate the colonial policy of the

Liberal Government, and he doe?> so with a very great amount of ability. He skews— and Aye think that few colonists, whose impressions' of the tendency of colonial thought have not been blinded by arrogance, will withhold their assent—that "aa it was inevitable to grant self-Go vernment, so itwas wise to give that Government unreservedly." The only safe and enduring tie between "the colonies and mother country is one created hy nature and cemented by those bonds of mutual advantage and esteem which are never likely to be shaken between Great Britain and her colonies until restraints are attempted by England upon the free ex ercise of the liberties conferred, and most wisely . conferred, under the existing colonial constitutions. That any artificial political tie which it is possi ble to set up will influence the natural flow of commerce, or increase the trade relations established as a consequence of the unvary ing operation of the law of supply and de mand is the purest bathos. England de rives no more now from colonial commerce than the colonists find it profitable to give, and the colonial trade will continue to flow as naturally in its well-worn channel as the river flows from its source to the sea. If history teaches anything it surely teaches that" the best guarantee a nation can possess of the con tinued loyalty and integrity of its colonial possessions is the maintenance of good government, and that good government may alone he achieved by carefully fostering and developing the latent capabilities of Englishmen to govern themselves.

A numerously signed requisition to Mr John Grey, soliciting his accept ance of nomination for the seat in the City Council rendered vacant by the election of Mr Brett to the Mayoralty, appears in our advertising columns. Mr Grey notifies his acceptance. The nomina tion takes place to-morrow. We have not heard of any other candidate. A slight runaway accident occurred on the Queen-street Wharf this morning, which would probably have had a serious ending, had it not been for the promptitude and piuck of a man named Gorley. A dray oelonoi«o **> Capt. E. Elliott was being loaded on the ouw» i aa with oars and sculls received by the Ladybird from the South. All at once the horse hy a sudden start snapped the chain on the wheel, and galloped madly off past the Custom-house, and was turning the corner to go up the wharf. Gorley on seeing the horse jump off had made a rush and clutched hold of his head. Notwithstanding that he was carried fully fifty yards the man obstinately kept his hoid, and stopped the animal about two yards from another dray and horse which were receiving goods from Capt. Elliott's shed. Had his course not been impeded it is probable he would have come into collision with the other dray in which case it is nearly certain somebody woulft have been hurt.

A supper and ball was given at Wanga iioua last week by-Mr C. A. Harris, jun., at which about 100 persons were present. A very enjoyable evening was passed.

Among the imitations of celebrated speakers and lecturers that Mr Stephen Massett gives at his first entertainment are Charles Dickens and Charles Clark, so popular with us. This will certainly he a great novelty. The box plan is on view at Messrs Upton's, Queen-street, where seats may now be secured. The annual picnic of the children attend ing the Otahuhu Wesleyan Sunday-school took place iv Mr Stringer's ground, on New Year's Day, about 150 persons being present. During the course of the day, Mr R. D. Badley, on behalf of the congregation of the church, presented to Mrs Burns a purse containing eleven sovereigns, in recognition of her valuable services in con nection with the musical portion of the church service. Mrs Burns has presided at the harmonium gratuitously for several years. < Some apprehension was experienced in town last evening, owing to a glare of fire in the direction of Rangitoto, and which was believed to proceed from the ship Famenoth. The Lily, on her arrival from the Wade, brought the welcome intelligence that it was merely a bush fire at Tiritiri.

Mr Clifford will exhibit the first part of London in his "Mirror of the World" this evening in the Lome-street Hall, embracing the Tower of London, the Docks, the monu ment which, according to Pope "Like a tall bully lifts its head and lies;" also the Thames embankment, crystal palace, dancing skeleton, &c., An eel of a beautiful golden colour has been found by Mr Firth on his estate at Matarnata, and forwarded by him to the Museum. ♦ The quadrille party of the Scottish Band was held in the Catholic Institute last evening. MrH. Wilson officiated asM.C, and music was supplied by the Band. The St. Sepulchre's school children held their annual fete at Vauxhall Gardens yesterday. Almost 300 scholars with their teachers were present. The party were in charge of Rev B. T. Dudley. A very enjoyable day was spent in the Gardens, and the scholars returned to town in the evening, well pleased with the amusement provided, for them. Messrs. S. Cochrane & Son will sell the yacht May Moon by auction to-morrow. The Rev. Dr. Soinmerville is expected to arrive in Auckland on Monday night, he is to leave Sydney by the s.s. Australia to night. Meetings in anticipation of his visit have been held for some time back on Sunday evenings.. The noon prayer meeting to-day held at V.M.C.A was presided over by the Venerable •Archdeacon Maunsell; to-morrow the Rev. Mr Taylor will preside. The evening meet ing, as will be seen by advertisement, will be a combination of the ordinary prayer meeting and the monthly meeting of the Sunday-School Union. The Rev. Allen Webb will preside. We hope to see a crowded meeting. Christian workers are cordially invited.

gA fatal accident occurred at Wangaroa on Thursday last, by which a son of Captain Davis was drowned. The family were attending the races at Kaeo, and young Davis with other lads proceeded to the creek to bathe. By some means he managed to get out of his depth, and was drewned. Life was quite extinct when the body was recovered. The following query is submitted to us : — A bets B that Lara beats "Venus Transit for A.R.C. Handicap. The bet was made on the course. Who wins the bet ? [By the decision of the committee Lara is distanced, so that all the other horses in the race beat him. At the same time if the bet were made without any condition it is off, as the rule is that one of the horses backed must win.—Er>. E.S.]

Carters and owners of private carts, carriages, &c, are reminded that the annual licenses expired on December 31st, and must, be renewed on or before the 10th instant. " m^M A concert was given in the new School room, Pokeno, oi. December 28, to cele brate the opening of the building. The Pokeno Harmonic Society, under Mr W. Dean, sang a number of pieces during the evening. The evening passed veiy satis factorily, and was brought to a close by a dance in the old hall.

To the Editor : Sir,—Can you kindly tell me what is done with sweepstakes held in a race where one horse is, dis qualified ? Does the sweep go to the first past the post, or the winner of the stakes ? Take the race between Elsa and Lara, for instance. — Kindly oblige, Inquirtsr. — The "Australasian" of November 17th, ruled as follows :—The rule SAveeps follow stakes unless the proviso "first past the post" is made holds good in all sweeps whether got up on the course or not. — Ed. E.S.]

The following sums have been received at my office up to 2. p.m. this day, in aid of Indian Famine Relief Fund :—Mr R. Harnett, 7s 6d; Mr Sketon, £1 6s 6d; Master Harrington, 10 6d ; aud collected by Mrs Win. White, 7s 6d. The total recepts to date are £1794 4s sd.— F. G. Ewington, per T. D. H., Hon. Secretary, Jan. 3rd.

The annual examination of Undergra duates of New Zealand University attend ing the Auckland College, resulted ss follows >—Student of Third Year.—Greet, class 1 : W.. St. C. T. Tisdall. French, class 1 : W. St. C. T. Tisdall. Physiol Science-, class 2:. W.. St. C. T. Tisdal Students of First Year.—Latin, class 2 : C. E. MacCormick ; H. M. Haslett; E. f. Burton. Class 3 : J. H. Wilson. Greei, class 2 : E. W. Burton. Mathematics, class 1:J. H. Wilson; class % : C. E. MacCormick ; class 3 : E. W. Burton ; I. M. Haslett. English.—Class 3: J. I. Wilson ; C. E. MacCormick, H. i. Haslett. — Farquhar Macrae, Hejd Master. The members of the Franklin Road chajel choir paraded the immediate localities m> New Year's morning, singing carols, aid succeeded in gathering £7, £5 of which tby presented to the Primitive Methodist Chufck building fund. The choir desire to expriss^ their thanks to the contributors.

Nominations for the Papakura Handicip and Hurdle Races must he furnished to fee Secretary before eight o'clock to-mor»w evening.

In accordance with the alteration in fcsae table of the mail steamers, the R..M„SS. Australia will leave Sydney to-day,, aid arrive here about Tuesday next. She wll leave again for San Francisco* the* sane day. The home mail will therefore cbse eight days earlier than hitherto. Five specimens of the Colorado betle have been forwarded to the Museum byMr Hugh Craig, of San Francisco, at the request of Mr Cheeseman. They maybe inspected at the Museum by any ane interested.

The annual session of the Grand Ldge of the Loyal Orange Institution took pace last evening, in the Protestant ijall, Newton. The chair was occupied bythe Right Worthy Grand Master. Lodge in Waikato, Thames, Coromandel, Gisbene, Napier, and Wellington were represented. The returns from the various disticts having been presented, the election of officers was then proceeded with, md resulted as follows :—Brother H. Baron, Grand Master: Brother C. Joynt, depity, re-elected ; Brother S. McMasters, secre tary ; Brother J. Young, treasurer, re ploc.t.fid: Brother W. Sherson, foreman of committee ; Mem Deris —x>roLiiei o Knox Niddrie, Whisker, Willis, Patterson, j<f_ King, Tyler. Brother J. H. Burns, tLe previous Grand Master, declined to-uccept office this term. A vote of thanks having been passed to the retiring officers, the meeting adjourned.

On the arrival of the Hinemoa at the Thames yesterday, Sir George Grey and the Hon. J. Sheehan received several deputations, inspected the new bridgs at Parawai, and visited the Chief Taipira's residence, where an address from the naives was read. Several speeches haviug leen delivered and replied to, Mr Sheehan^re sented to Taipara, on behalf of Mr Murcbch, of the Bank of New Zealand, a silver tup, as a mark of bis appreciation of the conmct of the Native Rifle Corps on the occasioi'of a recent visit. The Hinemoa left for Ciro mandel at 7 p.m.

The settling up in connection with the races will take place to-morrow eveninf at the Secretary's office, Durham-street.

There were only four cases dowrFlor hearing at the Resident Magistrate's Cotrt; and after waiting some time for solicitors, plaintiffs, defendants, and Magistrate, the Court was adjourned until Thursday nixt.

A resident at the North Shore wries : " There is no truth in the statement 'Fhat one of the ladies who conduct the two young ladies schools in the district is ffling to resign." I for one, aud many others, thank those ladies who have so long redded amongst us, spending successfiily iheir time and their talents on oui y«ung people." ]

A young man named Gabriel Sanuel George Richter, a native of Hungay, but at the same time a naturalized ■British subject, applied at the police statim last night to be locked up on a cha-ge of vagrancy. Sergeant-Major Mason refused to grant the request, but generously supplied the immediate necessities of the young man, who appears to b very respectable. Richter has been in rarious parts of New Zealand, but waj, very unfortunate. He arrived in Arckland some time ago with only 10s in his )ocket, so that he must have been almost tarved. He says he left his swag urler the verandah of the Theatre Royal bildings, and on his return a few momenS after wards it was gone. Richter has a good knowledge of music, and is a toficient pianoforte player. He also understands mining engineering. On INew Year's Day Mi Jobn Fnchanan, of the Whau, entertained the children con nected with the Presbyterian schotl, their teachers, and friends on his g/oiind, where they enjoyed themselves with swings, football, quoits, and other lealth ful games. Mr Gemmell mastered to the general amusement bj the agency of a magnetic battery, grot fun being provoked by the attempts of the youngsters to pull pennies out of th water charged by the electric current. A lumber of prizes had been prepared by Mr Pucha nan to reward those scholars who nal made the greatest number of marks in theschool, and these were distributed ]y the Rev R. Somerviile, who closed the proceedings with a brief addess on gratitude, in which he impressd upon his youthful audience the duty of gatitude to the Giver of all good, to their parents and teachers, and to Mr Buchanan for his kind entertainment and kind liferality. After a most enjoyable day, young and'old dispersed to their homes, tired withmerry making.

In chronicling the return of Mr John Lazar from Auckland, the "West Coast Times" says:—"He was invited to Auckland in order to instal the htely elected Right Worshipful District frrand Masters Graham and Whitaker. the tamer of the English, and the latter of the Scotch Constitution. The celebration was the greatest that has ever taken place in the annals of Masonry in this colony, no fewer than 650 of the brethren being piesent, including some from all parts of the colony." The recent installation of Mr Williams as District Grand Master English Constitution, was witnessed at Sydney by 600 Freemasons. It Avas a grand affair.

A London letter in an American paper says: _ The richest heiress now on the engaged list is Miss Crawshay, the daughter of the Vulcan of the Hills in South Wales. Her dowry is said to be £500,000, and she is about to bestow this with her hand and heart upon a briefless barrister on tho South Wales circuit. I should be very hippy to take her sister upon the same terns, if I felt inclined to marry—for money. These ironmasters' daughters have a very con siderate way of selecting poor men for their husbands, for Sir George Elliott's daughter married one of the special correspondents of the " Daily News," and a few days ago the heiress of a Durham colliery proprietor bolted with the editor of a north country newspaper. It is said of one of these ladies, perhaps it would be cruel to say which —for the manoeuvre after all was innocent enough — that meeting with a gentleman on board a steamer which was engaged in laying a deep-sea cable in the Atlantic, they very naturally took to flirt ing on the quarter-deck. The lady was ad alone except with papa. The gentle man made himself agreeable, and being tall and handsome, of course soon ingrati ated himself with the iron king's daughter. One day, finding himself alone, he pro posed there and then. " Hush !" said the lady; " papa is asleep on the sofa and might hear you. Let us take a stroll on deck." "I am sorry," said the lady, re suming the conversation ou deck, " but, of course, you did not know when you were talking to me below that I was engaged. But I have a sister at home who is exactly like me, you would not know us apart, and when we return home I will in troduce you to her." The introduction followed'in due course, and the marriage within six months. The courtship all took place by proxy.

CABLEGRAMS.

Latest War News.

Eussia Jtefuses Eag&nd's mediation.

(mOM OUR SPECIAL. WNDON CORRESPONDASNTj.

LONDON*

Monday, Eussia refuses England's-mediation, and refers Turkey to Russian.Military Commanders upon the- qusstion of an* armistice.

(REUTERS SPECIAL TELEGRAM, TO PRESS AGENCY).

REPORTED BURNING OF SOPHIA

THE RUSSIAN AQiYANCE.

ANTI-WAR AGITATION.! IN EMGr LAND.

LONDON, January Ist..' Russia has refused, Lord Loftus 7 proposed mediation, and states that if Turkey desires an armistice she must apply direct to the Russian Cornmaiwler-in-Chief.

General Gourka's vanguard has oaeupied the Balkan Passes, between Arak Kuak, and Sophia.

It is reported at Bucharest that the Turks have abandoned and burned Sophia.

Midhat Pasha has left Rome for London. The Czarwitch, remains in Bulgaria, with General Todleben as Chief of Staff..

Servia is advancing on Pristova.. Numerous mestings are being: held in Fngland, regarding Beaconsfield's supposed war policy^ The anti-war feeling predomi nates.

Tho San Francisco mail is delivered.

THE CAMBRIDGE RACES.

The best days sport held ia Waikato came n flFi- a. .tantham's paddock, every trace being well coirtocted, except the trotting race. In that the handieapper apparently did not know what Kate- was. The mare not being entered by the owner, Mr N. Taylor, so you may suppose there was some strong talk. Mr A. Fsmtham invited all the stewards to partake of lunch at his house before the race started, and they were well supplied with all that man could wish for. The Cambridge Reed Band kept the people amused between each race with their select pieces. The day was splendid, and about 800 persons were on the course. In the Hack Hurdle Race Mr Douglas' horse was bought in by Mr Allom for £26. In the Hack Race, Mr R. Kirkwood's Dick was bought by Mr R. Parr for 24 guineas, shortly after changing hands to Mr R. Pasco*for £26.

TELEGRAPHIC.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.

GRAHAMSTOWN, this day. BRETT'S ALMANAC SECURES £5,000

FOR THE THAMES,

The Durham left with visitors for the Kawau this morning. The Premier authorised an expenditure of £5,000 on the main road to Ohinemuri, and £100 on a road to Katikati, before he left for Coromandel last night. The County Chairman quoted Brett's Almanac figures to the Premier to show that out of £182,883 expended on roads in the Provincial District of Auckland, out ot Public Works loan, only £75 2s 9d had been spent in this dis trict, over an area of 100 miles by 20 miles wide, and containing a 16th or 17th of the whole population of the colony, according to the same authority.

WELLINGTON, this day.

CABINET MEETING.

The " Post" says : " We are informed on reliable authority that Mr Ballance has agreed to join the Ministry. He will meet the other members of the Cabinet at Wel lington about the middle of the month. It is not yet settled what portfolio Mr Ballance is to hold. As Mr Ballance is an able man, pnoaoaeing sound views on questions o^ taxation and land laws, hl» p^w^iou xo tne jmrnscr^ *wffl be a gain to the colony and Welling ton. Sir George Grey is expected to leave Auckland to-morrow with Mr Shee han, arriving about the end of the week. Messrs Larnach and Macandrew will re turn about the middle of the month.

Colonel Gorton, the man of the branding irons and broad arrows, has resigned his position in connection with the Audit De partment as Inspector of Stores. It is very improbable that any successor will be ap pointed. Colonel Gorton joins Mr Stevens, of Bulls, Rangitiki, as partner in carrying on the businessof Stock, Station, and Gene re 1 Agents. CRUELTY TO A HORSE. A horrible case of cruelty to a horse has been investigated by the Marton magistrate. A man named John Bird was riding along the high road when his horse stumbled. Bird dismounted and-took off the saddle and bridle in the presence of several witnesses. He then proceeded to_" hack" away at the animal's throat with his pocket knife until the poor beast was covered with blood, and was so weak that a slight push from its inhuman owner sent it on its side on the road. The bystanders, who were of course caUed to give evidence in Court, said tney were so " horrified" at the sight that they were powerless to interfere. Bird was fined £7, or in default two months' imprisonment with hard labour.

(PRESS agency.]

WELLINGTON, this day.

SALMON.

The Acclimatisation Society have liber ated two thousand young salmon in the rivers of this provincial district, and the fish are apparently in a thriving! con dition. These are from the first lot of California ova «ent to Christchurch. A further lot will also be liberated.

CHRISTCHURCH, this day.

BRANCH RAILWAY.

At a private meeting of capitalists yes terday it was resolved to form a joint stock company with a capital of £100,000 in two thousand shares of £5 each, to construct a branch lino of railway from South Rakia, on the Great Southern rail way, to Ashburton Forks, passing through a very fine agricultural country. LAND SALES.

The land sales for the month realised £41,450.

WELLINGTON, this day.

ENGLISH SHIPPING,

The following London shipping intelli gence has been received from Lloyds', Mel bourne Agency : —Arrived in London, Allumbagh, from Melbourne. Cutty Sark, for Sydney, which put into port after colli sion.' Chile, for Auckland, which came into collision with Osprey, and put back for repairs. Celestial Queen, for Nelson, which pnt into Portland to repair damages received in collision with the Wansbeck. All have sailed again for their respective destinations. The Johanna Rudolph, brig, bound from Manilla to Sydney, has been burnt at Phillipines.

NEW PLYMOUTH, this day.

LABOUR WANTED

Great anxiety is beginning to be felt fo the cvnps, owing to the scarcity of labour it the place. The immigrants by the laJ vessel are all absorbed, and more </ required, m

THE U.S. MINISTERS.

A s?a««b and enthusiastacKbs. United Stales Minstrels last niichfrononrei thti Roya[.. The performance tbrongfiV.tbe Ttu satra masterly character, eliciting seretbeing of a and continued applause. TSe fia-at p«n 3orel tl>e entertainment was devoSed ohiefly t5 m of andanatrumental mu?io of a high characto IpsS interv»]» between tlie varsbua pieoe» j bml, ocoupied by an exhibition of wit and hm not which provoked uncontrollable laughter. Tr first P^^nclnded with "Round the Woi -Id W vlermanv; and France werar rendered ?wd ; entire strength of the miastrels, and wi highly applauded. Part sesond was the mc entertaining for young people, and afford many a hearty laugh to all. It embrfi.ccq popular air by Mr T. Cmmp'aell (loudly eneorra theoriginal song and dance-, "Dandy Swell a| Broadway Belle," "Th» Surprise Part| double cornet dance; the amusing sk:«B 1;0.U..: a choice ballad fry Mr X JBrabAi •concluding with the screaming sketch, "U in. the Country." which wound up with 1$ exciting!, tragedy of the two Negro bro_he being caught by encsrmouß sharks. i entirely new programme- is announced for I night. {

BRETT'S AUCKLAND ALMANA AND PROVINCIAL HANDBOOK.

WHAT THE "HERALD*" SAYS! ABOUT IT. \ IN Sts issue of December 25 the " Herald says :—" Brett's " Aucklaad Almsnji Provincial Handbook, and Strangers' Va< Meeum for 1878," has been published. Tl present issue is equal to any of i predecessors in regard to fulness at asGiiracy of information. There are sever! features peculiar to this publication. A it confines itselr to giving an account of t j Auckland provincial district, and its insi tutions, it is thus enabled to deal wij j these topics ia a more complete form tha | publications which attempt to embrace _ account of the whole colony. The alman] under notice furnishes ihe usual items information peculiar to almanacs, and aL j gives an account of the various settlemerj in the province, tre extent of settlement i _ each, character of land, resources, $c. •,' gives an account of the geological charact) . of this part of the colony, and a brj ; description of the various points in tl ' neighbom-hood of Auckland wh ere volcanl ~, eruptions formerly prevailed. A lar^ J number of useful tables of various kiuc '_ l re given, which will be found serviceab ; . l,'de^eii and others. The commercii institutions ~ a uckland are noticed i some length—the -=.„,!, . ■»■„.„ 7 an i„- n , •n.T *.• 11 x> i -nt nk or JNew Zealanc National Bank, New -<=-,i an( _ insurancV' Company, South British Ihsu Com* pany, &c. It is shewn that since la*, -tfe-S Zealand Insurance Company was establishec it has paid £744,093 8s 9d for losses sus; tamed, and divided amongst the share-' holders as dividends not less than £160,601 ---8s 6d. The account of the South B>i*fstf Insurance Company shews that a sum or* £230,000 has been paid by it for losses sine^1 it was established. An account, of ths' various sawmills in the province is given! together with a synopsis of the • statistics and trade returns of the colony. As abstract of the Land Act, 1877, is furnished! which will be. 'useful to many. _ Th| almanac is neatly and carefully, printed! the matter -well arranged, and is ornamentel with the portraits of Bishop Cowie, tnl Hon. J. Sheehan (Native and Defend Minister), the late Attorney-General (m F. Whitaker), and the ex-Mayor of Auck| land (Mr W J. Hurst). Tho pubiseatioi is a cheap shilling's worth.' 1

DR. WALLIS AND HIS CON STITUENTS.

Dr. Wallis, M.H.R.,. addressed the electors of City West last evening in review of his political conduct during the late session of Parliament. Mr, Alexander Black was called to the chair, and introduced: the speaker of the evening. Dr. Waßis com! menced by saying that,, like the manin the parable, he had come before- them to rendel an account of his stewardship.; and: ha hoped that he should be able to shew that] to the best of his ability, he had donehisj duty towards them. He had given, his, time and thought to polities, but when at Wel-j lington he found that he had much to learn! and much to unlearn ; as a new man, be thought it best to watch and learn, ratheif than thrust himself into every question thai! came before the House. Still he did no<s conceive it right merely to give a silent1; vote, and be no more than a dummy in] that Assembly. Dr. Wallis thea. gave an account of the work of the session, and re-! ferred to Major Atkinson's Naciv* Land: Court BUI, which he opposed because it laJuLah^JA unjustto theFMaoris, ana because it gave almost absolute power to the Chief Judge. Mr Fox's Local Option Bill elicited much discussion, and electors would remember; the position he took in regard to that Bill.! He supported the principle, but he believed that Mr Fox's Bill was in some respects unfair and unjust. The Public Charities,! and Marriage with Deceased Wife's Sister Bills were Briefly reviewed ; the latter he unhesitatingly opposed. He regarded the Education Bill as one of the moßt important of the session, and in merit it was the most statesmanlike Bill that had emanated from the Ministry. This Bill he supported, with the exception of the clause interdicting the reading of the Bible in the school. The battles of Parliament were vigorously , described, and with much action, by the speaker, illustrated with suitable passages j from Tennyson's " Idylls of the King." Ii was quite a treat, said Dr Wallis, in thj battle which resulted in the fall of thj Atkinson Ministiy, to see Mr Reader Wooa wield his polished sword and clear thj parliamentary path; and then to see Mr Swanson fire at William Rowe, of the Thames, leaving him politically dead upon the floor of the House. Dr Wallis said he was struck with the intelligence and eloquence of some of the members of the House, especially with the speeches of Sir Qeorge Grey, Major Atkinson, Mr Donald Reid, and Mr Robert Stout. He referred h-flpaourously to the number of Acts which had been pasned at Wellington in comparison with the number passed in the English parliament. Thejjprmer with 88 members i>ad passed 140lf while in Westminster, with over 600 members, they.' could only pass 9s. He would leave these1 facts for ths exercise of their logical powers-, thematterwastoode^pforhim. The advent to power of Sir George. Grey, LV Wallis said, inaugurated a new era in colonial politics. A clever politician, Sir Juliui Vogel, knew their weakness for borrowing money, and he took advantage of thex weakness by borrowing millions. It /Was difficult to foresee the results of bfa-owing to the extent of twenty-five minions of money, He characterised it the/ "big tick policy," which might prove ruinous to the country; and this "tick" poli^ *'ould lead to tic doloureux inthefutu* unless New Zealand were guided by/a wise intelligence. The question of j^ileges was touched upon, and which f s ie*}}Y the liberties of the people, but / luestion which cropped up two often. WW matter of Mr George Jones iun . on#m! mber Baid he wished Jones was'inMryf°?es' locker, or some-1 where else ; f%Quetion of privilege was one of delica* 5 he himself had been taken to task forfomething he had said in a speech in t^ Choral Hall, about " rogues andtrimmf-" Tt was time,.however, that such T)hrF s were done away with. Me thoucrht/had generally been very charit nblp in l/remarks ; but it was a matter of r^et/at the " privileges" question should*-^ up so much time of the House. jj e ajfreferred to the acceptance of £50 by TVPLiiisk for promoting a certain Bill, andPeared he did Mr Lask an injustice. HeJo^^bti conscientiouslyHhat Mr Lusk eb/ld be admonished, but found subse- . nlntly that eight or ten lawyers, i f the House had £ done things exactly ' gslag'ons. He was, therefore,, sorry i(hat , Ihch "things took place, but ifSirQeorge JQrey should remain in power many political 'eviJ's would be remedied. Dr. Waßis next delink manhood and universal suffrage, a - fl dintroduced the opinions of Mill, Hare, all d other political economists Q"> tb6 <lacs-

In;. He was oppnispdl to; tm.: income andl joperty tax,; and-' considered it possible to- Irryout'some temperance reform. Several, per minor questions- were glanced at,. -Inch- should Tiave his attention and the apportthey>deserved. (Cheers.). Mr Staines arose to propose a vote of smfidence, which caused great confusion, s several declared that Mr Staines had no ote for City West.. Quiet having been. Hrtly restored,' Mr- Staines said that he N^eed with Dr. Wallis generally, but not !&*ke_matter of universal suffrage. It of femafe-tjjiawf ulsight to seea procession e^y at home^Sij»_No. no, let the women (Laughter ) i He w^^ve^f Rabies, meeting thanks Dr. Wallis for hifSfeS" cad has entire confidence in him Iff L representative in Parliament." &S +hht]l + b- eing sec°nded by Mr Brabazon funll ng ,u aCC°l df d a vote of thanks-to stScl: the chamaan > «4^«-i

THE RACES.

(Concluded,)) W&were enabled yesterday to supply our raadera with a full description of ch e day's r-*nng, exclusive only of the last event which was not until five o'clock. This was tg -Consolation Stakes, which, as is often' tb^case, turned^out one of the best con !JS the^ are Consolation Race (Handicap) of £40 * 1 IVIILE m. Edger's Don, aged, 7sfc . i iT s"^F d's Magician, Bst. 121bs. A. 2 ™™• Go, lden Crown, 7st. 121bs. . 3 Mb Wynyard's Pope, 3yre sst, 7lbs. ... 0 rv, 6 ogieV,en °? Ma^an and* Golden Crown, 2 to 1 against Doa? : The handicap was considered a very good ene, and there was -a variety of opinion as. K*the chances of, the competitors. Ma<d eian and Golden Crown carried the bulk"of She. money, but Don was hacked quietly to van,-a good stake. . Magician got away with the lead, and wis joiaed:. at the end of a auarter of a mile by the - Crown. The two raced on together : untilibeginniHg the turn a I urn?-' whentlie Don, began to go up. At the distance all the .riders were whipping, sad it looked anybody's race. But half-' way up the cords the Don shot out, and: won by a length. Mr Edgar was heastiLy cheered, and he • deserves credit. for the care he has taken of his horse, which has-been trained under his own eyes, and was turned out in excel lent fettle. Ihe meeting has- been an unqualified success. A larger amount of money both for entrances and gate money has been! taKen than in any previous meeting of the vvA c foHflwiag is a rough estimate of owner^~S* of stakes."won by each successful by the Railw^tters,. about £760 made up Publicans' Plate, Derby, Selling Race, Mares' Produce, AucLStand Handicap, Stewards' Handicap,;. Mr ttwJ™ at _e». aud £360,, including the Racing Club HM?. Gee > Steeplechase, antLHack Hurdle; Mr BolfOkj £240, the Cup;;. Mr Horsfall, £130, in cluding the Hurdle- Race, and the Maiden Race; Mr Edgar, Consolation Race_. £10; Mr Spencer, Hurry Scurry, £10. MATfiH T,O*DAY», A match for £20/ was run to day between Mr. R. Kelly's La Belle and Mr Leonard's Venus. The race wss run at Ellerslie, dis-. tance one milej and weight 9si lib and 7st 81bs respectively, being weight for age. The betting was about level, but La Belle was generally- taken for choice A good start wrs effected, and the horses kept, together for three-quarters of the distance. La Belle was then let out, and drawing away up the straight, won easily by 3 lengths. Mr Caulton'S horses,. GilliefCallum, Rat catcher, and-.lshmaelite,. and Mr Horsfall's Whitefoot and Rosalie,, were- shipped this aftemoon/mi board the Go-ahead for con veyance back to Gisborne.

Extensive Robbery.

A ROBBERS on a somewhat extensive scale is alleged to have taken place at the Globe Hotel, corner of Wakefield and Mount streets, yesterday. The circumstances of the ease, as they have been communicated to the police, are as follow :—Last evening, on his return from Ellerslie, Mr Barr, the landlord of the hotel, placed the total amount taken by him at the three days' races, amounting to about £120, in a cabinet drawer, which stood in his bedroom up stairs. On leaving the room, he locked thedoGTa-^nileJt^* 2"; -drawer TumrcKra; —Se went to the theatre in the evening, leaving Mrs Barr in charge of the house On his return between eleven and twelve o'clock, he closed the house, and proceeded upstairs for the purpose of retir ing to rest. When he entered his bedroom he found the drawer open, and the money gone. Search was made, but no trace of the £120 could be found. Mr Barr placed himself in communication with the "police this morning, aud the case was entrusted to Detective Jeffery, who has been engaged making inquiries during the day, though with what result we have been unable to ascertain.

PUBLIC AUDITORS.

(To the Editor of the Star.) i Sir,—Now that the colony has the p vS,P ec* of being,led aside from the broad JjF +J f extravagance and corruption Wa'A * ? narrow path of patriotism a*d p>.ntlcal economy, I hope to see th>- ou ?7 0p ot public accountants among the list&7 {jroY' ernment reforms next session, a,. n ~ j is further borne in mind that r~°° s of capital, representing the s/ D^s & j earnings of private hidividv|',. are» I may say, entirely at the mer/ r^honest book-keepers, and corrupts -^capa&a auditors of all our joint sf.Pf Pnvate companies, the importance 1S ™.? taer will be^at once perceived Let us me cite an imaginary case. Vhat would tL lynx-eyed speculators on ne London btocK Exchange think of a joint, stock institution, doing an mormous business annually, that present' shareholders, with its usual balance-she^ duly audited and verified by two gentlemen, who had perhaps retired the previous year xn rotation from the Board of Doctors, and who had accumulated a competency—let us. presume by farming and land speculating in a moderate way' What confidence, I ask without prejudice to the general staff of that institution, could, or rather ought, jthe shareholders also to place jin such an audited balance-sheet ? 'The gentfemen so h-anoured may be aU that their best friends wish them to be as regards probity iind private work, but cs^u they lay their hands upon their hearts and swear as honest men that they from tb§ir previous training are capable of checkings the accounts of an institution employing/inillions of money, and whose connectives, probably embrace* the habitable globe jj I trow not. Well, >£f not, what guarantee,, I repeat, have the-, shareholders in that company that tk.2ir.; capital has not deprecated without thenF being acquainted with the unpleasant fact, or that a portion of the dividend is not paid out of their capita]* or; fifty othsr things too numerous to mention here* as our auctioneering. friend& would say I All shareholders in banks, in. insurance companies, in shipping companies* in mining companies, in building and, loan societies, and accountants themselves, are interested in. this important question, Havhjg so far diagnosed the case J will now proceed to prescribe the remedy. Without desiring to see the profession, of account keeping as strictly limited, by legislation as those of law and medicene, I still con sider that great benefits to the public would accrue from the establishment of an Insti tute of Accountants similar to the Institute of Civil Engineers in Great Britain. Lon don, far example, has long seen the advan tage of possessing such a society, which is known to the financial and commercial worjd as the Institute of Actuaries,

KVi_yilS TG STAR, THURSDAY, JANUJJET 3; 1878'



rjpHE undersigned are now brin ing % 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 Money. 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, Zanolla, Alpacca, &c. Lot of Flowers at very low price, quite fresh Straw Hats, Ribbons, Gloves, &c. A GDlendid Stock of Muslin, Lace, and Lenoe Curtains, Counterpanes. Quilts, Damask Table Cloths, Sheeting, Felt Squares Carpets, Floorcloth, China Matting, Ticks, &c. Larsre-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 fb_ 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. very large assortment of Gents' Shirts, White Longcloth, 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 prices 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 & bridgman, Junction Drapery Warehouse, Upper Queen-street. ■aitok:t.a.nt>. carpets, hearthrugs, linoleum, floorcloth. ' T. & H. COOKE Beg to inform their friends and Ihe public that they have imported a large assortment of the above, which will render their FURNISHING ESTABLISHMENT one of the most complete and extensive in Auckland, having purchased these Goods of the Manufacturers direct, for cash, they are enabled to qfer them at VERY LOW PRICES. New Patterns in Carpets and Linoleum. _%_W SHOW R O OM' S\ 67, Queen-street. Steam Cabinet Factory Victoria-street. THORNTON, SMITH. AND FIRTH'S PRICES CURRENT (Wholesale). Subject to alteration without notice. Sacks. 100's. 50*9. Crown Brand Flour, & s. d. £ s. d. & s. d. perton 17 0 0 17 10 0 18 0 0 T.S.&F. Canterbury ___ ___ Brand 16 0 0 16 10 0 17 0 0 Meal for Pig-feed .. 710 "0 .. ' .. Sharps 7 10 0 Bran ■ .. 6 10 0 Fowl Wheat .. .. 4s. to is. 6d. per bushel. The above prices include sacks and bags;,sacks and hags not returnable. Terms: Cash. December 24,1877. H E A P CJ A T S 1 CHEAP HATS ! ! CHEAP CLOTHING ! ! A Quantity of Men's and Boy's Drab and BlacS Felt Hats will be offered at US' GREAT REDUCTION TO CLEAR. vAlso, a Parcel of 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, CLOTHIER AND OUTFITTER, YEW HOUSE, Auckland. ' mo AGRICULTURISTS & OTHERS ||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 nattering Testi monials from leading Farmers justify W. J. Hurst & Co. in strongly commending them to every Agriculturist :— MALDEN ISLAND GUANO PERUVIAN GUANO MEXICAN do- BEL.L& xtONEFLOUR ~ i and Hnch BONED UST 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: airo'i > prepared to supply special Chemical Manures for stimulating weak Corn Crops, and Renovat ing Clover-sick Pastures, as well as^tue Potato and Mangold mixture that last season attracted so much favourable notice. .. Analysis, prices, and other particulars will be supplied on applicatioiLAt the Stores. W. J. HURST & CO., 161 QUEKN-STREBT,. CLGYER SEED, FOR SPRING SOWING Just Landed, ex Columbus— 30 casks new Clovers, consisting of Red Clover White Clover Cow Gras Also on hand. Alsyhe, Timothy, Lucerne, Rape Rats-tail, Rye grass, Cocksfoot, &c, at lowest market rates. W. J. HURST & CO. * 101, QUEEN-STREET. 500 sacks Sydney Maize (superior sample) 3000 „ Oats First-class Tartars for Seed, also 800 sacks of 1875 crop hard feed, surpassing any of last season's growth 1200 sacks Canterbury Potatoes, and some early varieties for seed purposes Flour, Bran, Sharps, Chaff, Oilcake. Coal, &c., &c. Particular attention is called to iM sacks Prime Barley at. 4s per bushel,*) 501b. 5 tons Anderson's Fresh oatmeal, a £21 per ton. W. J. HURST & CO., 101, QUEEN-STREET. AUCKLAND.



UNION INSURANCE COMPANY, AUCKLAND BRANCH. Reducfd Patts for Detached Dwelling Houses in the City, from 12s. upwards. In the Country from 13s. R. H. STEVENSON, Manager. TTNION INSURANCE COMPANY \J OF NEW ZEALAND. CAPITAL £2,000,000. AUCKLAND BRANCH: Q.UEEN-S T R E E T, Next the Colonial Bank. FIRE DEPARTMENT. 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.