SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

1 ( This Afternoon, 10.11 I HIGH WATER-] iS-mwrow Morning, 10.33 SHN SET.—This Evening, 6.43 I SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morninsr, 4.46 . MOON'S AGKT-Last Quarter, 18th, 5.37 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

Saturday Evening. • TO-DAY. -.':

DEPARTURES.

LAST VENING. Rowena, s.s., Sellars, for Tauranga Lffititia, schooner, Austen, for Rusaell »■—■ "'■'■" "TO-DAY. ...'■.■ ' - ■:_?-„-.:'-. Acadia, schooner, McDonald, for Waitara Griffin, schooner, McCabe, for Russell lona. s.s., Farquhar, f6r Russell "' . Glenlora, barque, Scotland,ior Napier„_, ..._,.. Avona, barque, Martin, for Napier , , ~ Belle Brandon, pchooner, Robinson^ for Rotu- Marioan, schooner, Dickson, for Tonga and Samoa.

SALE OF THE TARANAKI WRECK.

The: wreckage of the s.s. Taranata was sold by MewreTb Tonks and Co., at the Brunswick Mart, Queen-street. It was disposed of as fol- Wff._W*eck £32, Mr J. Smith-; wreck above hiSg walr mtrk .not cargo), £6.105. Mr J. Smith: Unenr&c., as per steward's inventory saved from the wrecfc, £54, H^aerjon- W Mao farlane ■ 4 boats, 16 oars,- &o„ £06, Hendeison ,nd Macfarlane. Mr Smith intends to take immediate steps for the recovery of the .nachinery and other property which he has become the purchaser of. Inwards CoASTWiSE.-Sovereign of the Sea. cutter, from Mercury Bay, Withlß,ooo feet Umber, 30 empty casks, and 7 bales wool^Tele graph, schooner, from Poverty.Bay, with^sl Sales wool, 4 casks tallow, 14 hides, id sacKs maize, 95 aheepskins, 16 pigs. a^nnnAr iiEOuawARDS Coastwise. - Rover, schooner, for Wangarei, with sundries; Mary Ann, cutter, for Wangarei Heads, in ballast; Sove reign k the Seas cutter,.for Mercury Bay, with sundries; Zillah, ketch, for Thames, with Sa'he e brig Elliotts cleared at the Customs to day for Newcastle, in ballast. She will sail at °nThebrig Vision will proceed to the Thames, to load timber for Lyttelton. .. bnnnpr Captain McCahe, formerly of the Winfced, has taken command of the schooner Griffin, vice Captain Robinson, appointed to the Belie Brandon, _ . » ~. nic-hf mid Tho brigantine Oceola is open for fi eight ana of the departure of the s.s. Hawea Wednesday. She will,, therefore, arrive form Russell to-morrow morning, and Will sail fcSOUtn Thcacutter oAAnie, launched on Saturday by MrGraTdontotheorder of Messrs Jaggar and ■ 3PSS riSBSS,fiSS& isslongside the Gore street jetty? discharging her cargo of bread **___ faraue Glimpse, from Shanghai, was berthedatt&e end of the Railway Wharf this m°he^ gs lona didnot leave on her usual weekly trip ?o Russell until this afternoon at three °'a° m'eliminary enquiry into the loss of the oSfe^fwUi r Take place to-morrow °Me hs Us^C^ickshank aadCoWe *£*«£» Telecrram announcmg that the S.s. iieio ieii Sydney for Auckland last night (Monday) at flV The Cichooner Acadia sailed this morning for Waitora with a cargo of railway material,&c. The ship Loch Filet from London has almost -Pri^hed the discharge of her cargo. Upon its comnletion shf will be loaded up for London by hSenWeV^^^SltoWX The schooner Saxon, from Lyttelton is ais rlAreinjr alongside the Gore street Jetty. fTtosfeamef Argyle took *«"jMn tou» to make the trip from Coromandel to Auckland, ii«. T.i<»ht owing to the heavy fog. The three-matted schooner Sea Belle from Adellide waf berthed alongside the railway WThe £ba;que Avona sailed for Napier at eleven o'clock this morning, and the barque Glenlora ?wo hours later. A trial of sailing powers is enxected on the run down, and several bets havfbeen made on theresult. Both vessels are to load wool at Napier for London..:. Thl New Zealand Shipping Cos. barque Lebu hauled alongside the inner western tee of the Oueen-streot Wharf this morning. She is to commence loading for London at once. The schooner Belle Brandon sailed to-day for RoS With a general cargo Passengers- Messrs G. Henderson, G. Harris, and H. Cair. The schooner Marion sa led for Tonga and q«moa to-day! with a full general cargo of meSndize^and the following passengers :- Messrs FarreU, and Chambers.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

KUSSELL, tnis aay. Tho s.s. Hawea arrived from Auckland at 8.30 a.m. to-day. Gisbo rne, this day. The s.s. Pretty Jane, from Auckland, arrived six o'clock this morning.

ONEHUNGA SHIPPING.

ARRIVAL. aupo, s.s., Cromarty, from the South IMPORTS. Per Taupo, from the South: 10 cases.—L. D. Nathan and Co. The s s Taupo left Wellington on the 30th, at 11 a.m and.arrived at Nelsonat 11 p.m. same evening• sailingagainnext day (Sunday), the Ist December at 2 p.m.; arrived at Taradale on the 2nd at 10 a.m.; left at 1 o'clock same day : crossed the Manukau bar at 4 P.m., and arrived alongside the Onehunga wharf at 6 a.m. on the 3rd. From Wellington to Taranaki hazy weather ana fresh head wind: from thence to arrival lisfct airs. Passengers-Mrs Keith, Mrs &3 MS Brookfield, Mr and Mrs Dilworth, Mr and Mrs Young, kr and Mrs Hoskins and servants (8? Messrs Keith Faithful Lawson, TTurant Smith. Brown, Gillon, Hunt, G. S. Gratam, McCulloch, » Balmond.; Stephens Robinson, Stewart, Owen, Witt, jervois, Hawkins, O'Reilly, Sargeant, Vincent, and seven in the steerage.

BIRTHS.

DALLEN.—On the Ist December, at her re sidence, Canada-street, the wife of W. D. Dallen of a son. _, , ' 0 „_ '-• - KEMPE.—On the 2nd December, 1878, at her father's residence, Cross-street, Newton, the wife of F. G. Kempe of a daughter.

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

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1878

f'y- FBfc the cause that: acks assistance, '/•■■-;;: " For the wrong that needs resistance, ' ..'; • For the future in the distance, V VArid the good that we can do.

s. r"?\ V r\rrf .. v -■-.- '■>'• 'r" "A'CABL^'JniessagG published in this issue ..conveys.intelligence of ...the..advance of General Roberts on Peiwur: This column advancedon Kuram, and thus commanded ..the main rqa.dtoHuryool, wherejt'brahchcs ofilon the north to the city of Cabool, and westward to .Ghuznee.., Peiwur lies:about

midway,/between.' Kuram and HuryooL Kiirara is fifty'mile.^ from Thai, on the boundary of Cabool and the Punjaub, and Peiwur is about ten miles further in the

direction of Ghuznee, which is distant about'seventy miles by road. Ghuznee stands at the junction of a large number of roads, and is therefore a point of great strategetical importance. It is generally anticipated by all military men that the- British advance will be as rapid as pos sible, and that an endeavour will be made to seize Cabool, Ghuznee, and Kan dahar by a coup de main before the greatest severity of wiuter sets in. At. Cabool the snow lies for several mouths together, during which the people remain in their houses, and sleep—like the Russians— close to stoves, the thermometer falling tos° or 6° below zero. 'At Ghuznee," says Mr 1-lphinstoue, "the cold is spoken of as ex cessive even by the inhabitants of the cold countries in the neighbourhood ; and tradi tions prevail of the city having been twice destroyed by falls of snow, in which all the inhabitants were buried." The tactics which the Ameer has adopted, doubtless under the advice of Russian commanders, is :to fall back upon the strong points _in his rear, and to draw the British army as far as possible from its base of operations, so as to increase the difficulties of its commissariats and reduce the chances of its recovering from any severe defeat. Hitherto the British advance has been an easy affair, but we should be exceedingly sanguine were we to expect this to continue. The Ameer will probably fight under the walls of Cabool and Ghuznee. Special telegrams received to-day show that the Afghans must have been in considerable force at Peiwur to be able to temporari'y drive back the British troops, and contest I taepass. _____

Ouk readers are aware that a Royal Com mission has been recently appointed to in quire into and report upon the University of New Zealand and its relations to the secondary schools of the colony. The names of tho gentlemen composiug that Commission have been telegraphed from Wellington; and, as we anticipated at the time of publishing them, they have given rise to a great deal of unfavourable com ment. Any Commission appointed to deal with a subject of such colonial importance, and upon which so many wide differences of opinion (j prevail, should be so constituted as to be of a representative character, in order to possess any prospect of arriving at conclusions which would give general satis faction, and which Avould command the approval of Parliament. Is the Commission just appointed likely to do that? The four members of Parliament are Messrs Gisborne, Wallis, O'Rorke, and Cutten ; the first three of whom voted for the second reading of the Education Bill introduced by Mr Curtis in the last session. The range of the inquiry and report em braces a wide field of investigation. The commission is to report upon the organisa tion and operations of the University of New Zealand ; the operations of the inter mediate and higher educational institu tions of New Zealand, their relations to each other and the primary schools ; the position of the teachers ; the forma tion or extension of training institu tions, schools of design, and colleges of practical science; the best mode of render ingtho institutions open andgenerally avail able to tho youth of both sexes, by means of scholarships or exhibitions attached to them, to be held by scholars from the primary and secondary schools, who have given evidence of the possession of superior character and ability ; tho best mode of making suitable pecuniary provision for ,the establishment aud maintenance of institutions for the promotion of secondary and higher edu cation ; and generally to inquire into and recommend any improvement which may be calculated to increase the efficiency of the educational institutions of the colony, and encourage and develop mental ability in the youth of both sexes and of all classes. The task before the Commission is therefore onerous and comprehensive.: The idea of appointing this commission originated, wc believe with Sir George Grey, whose intention was that it should be composed of men who had taken -university degrees. The inquiry is expected to last from ■three weeks to a month, and it ...will be held in Wellington., It,the.Commission is merely to report, and the results •of J its investiga tions are to be submitted to Parliament be fore action be taken,.it candonp harm, and will in all probability accomplish much good, but we, think 'it jwas, not judici ous! to select ' the ■. Parliamentary re presentatives .: on-ii the commission so largely from those j w;ho are strong advocates of denominational education.

Long delay in getting out the boats is one of the commonest characteristics of ship wrecks. We have no means of making an accurate estimate of the vast number of lives which have been sacrificed to this lament able negligence, but could it be expressed in figures it would doubtless be so enormous as to evoke feelings of horror and amazement. The truth is that the laissfiz /aire system too frequently prevails in these matters. An habitual false sense of security results in the negli gence of proper precautions, and when the moment of trial comes everything is in a state ot unreadiness and inefficiency. That this was to some extent true of the unfortunate Taranaki is asserted by the shipwrecked passengers. One of these, whose.letter we published yesterday, stated that the delay in getting out the boats was " tremendous," and we have since learned from other passengers that at least aperiodof 20 minutes elapsed from the time the vessel struck to the launching the boats, during which some of the crew were obliged to use their knives in order to free impediments in the lowering apparatus. Most Providen tially the steamer was stuck fast upon the ledge. Had she slipped back into deep water while this precious twenty minutes was fleeting by there must have been an awful waste of human life. It was the mere accident of an accident that this did not happen. We do not desire to impute blame to any one. Captain Malcolm and his officers are the victims of a system which is more or less common to the whole merchant marine. Boats are so stowed that they are never available in any sudden emergency, and even when available the men are often so inexperienced in expedi tiously launching boats, that bungling haste and lack of coolness result in disaster. Technically the law requires that there shall be boat accommodation in proportion to the number of passengers carried, and the boats and their lowering apparatus are supposed to be periodically inspected by a Government officer at Wellington, but practically the law is a dead letter. It is notorious that while the compasses of all New Zealand coastal steamers'must by law be inspected once every six months, the evidence adduced on the Taupo inquiry showed that there had been no inspection for fourteen or k fifteen months., :The public safety imperatively, demands the1 rigid application of the law, and the head of the Marine Department should bring,negligent; inspectors severely to-task, nix i-..>:; J u 0.,.. (

Advertisers and officers of lodges are again reminded that the "Auckland Almanac and Provincial Handbook" is in a very advanced stage." Business notices and official infor mation shouldybe sent to the STAR office delay.: The edition for 1878 will be the largest e>er published, and the book will contain a number of admir able portraits and colonial celebrities.

A notice by the Premier in the "Gazette draws the attention of masters and owners of vessels to the necessity under the Ship ping and Seamen's Act 1877, of addressing all correspondence to the Secretary of the Marine Department, Wellington.. A sitting of the Native Land Court will be held at Ohaewai on the 9th inst,

" A new scale "of fees to be charged under the Imprisonment for Debt Act appears in the " Gazette" of the 20th.

A corrected notification of the appoint ment of James Thomas Boylan, Esq., as a Justice of Peace, is published in the " New Zealand Gazette" of the 21st ult. In the former notification. Mr Boylan's name was wrongly spelled. ■The Registrar-General's report on the vital statistics of New Zealand for the month of October, shows that Dunedm ranks highest as to the number of births, Wellington second, and Auckland thud. The proportion of births was I*B7 per 1000 in Hokitika, and 1.-04 in Christchurch. Auckland ranked second on the death-rate.

The annual soiree of the Grafton Road Wesleyan Sunday-school will be held this evening in the district school room when several ministers and gentlemen will deliver addresses.

At the meeting of creditors in the estate of Archibald Somerville, shopkeeper, of Onehunga, the' liabilites were set down at £540, assets, ±429. Mr Thomas Macffar land \\ as appointed trustee. Mr John S. Duke has been appointed pound-keeper of the Newton district. The inquest on the body of John Ninnis, held yesterday at the Hospital, before Dr Goldsbro', coroner, resulted in a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Assaults on girls of tender ages, and cases of indecent exposure have been unpleasantly numerous in New Zealand of late; and some extieme deterrent is urgently required. Probably the most effectual punishment would be the application of the cat. At Christchurch, yesterday, during the hearing of a charge of indecency, the Bench ap pealed to the men present in Court to re tire, while the evidence of young girls was being given, in order to leave them per fectly free. The suggestion was at once adopted, and the witnesses were examined at length. Mr J. Woods, the composer of the music to Mr Bracken's " National Anthem of New Zealand," has received a complimentary letter from Sir Julius Vogel.

The members of the Acclimatisation Society consider that young blackbirds resemble young children in their great partiality for strawberries. The Rev Father Henneberry continued his mission services yesterday evening and this morning in the marquee.- The subject of his discourse, at the evening service, was "The death of the Sinner." The Rev Father will shortly commence his temper ance crusade. Owing to the liberality of the congregation it will not be necessary to make any further collections to defray the expenses of the mission. Tho Rev lather stated that when, on the pre vious evening, he had asked the people to give an expression of their faith in Christian education as opposed to thejsecular system, all stood up, with the exception of a few non-Catholics; and he expressed a hope that their action in this matter would not be misrepresented throughout the colony. He would call on them to repeat their act of faith in this matter on Wednesday even ing, when he hoped that the Zew Zealand Press would give them credit for it.

Sir—Having often heard[the wish express ed by many of the admirers of the talented artists now performing at the Royal that they would place Arrah-Na-Pogne upon boards. If you will kindly give publicity to this in your valuable columns so that it may meet the attention of the management you will confer a favour on a PLAY-GOER.

The " Church Gazette" for the present month contains a supplement of the full proceedings of the first session of the ninth synod of the'Aucklaud diocese; also, state ments of accounts of the Melanesian Trust; also, of S. John's College and Grammar School Trust properties, "With a copious index to the whole. The usual calendar of the month in prospect is supplied. A very interesting communication appears of the Melanesian Mission, with a number of per sonal letters. We notice further that Hey. R. H. Hassard, incumbent of S. Matthews, will leave the East India Docks for Auck land, in January next, by the s.s. Chim barazo, Mrs Hassard's health having suffi ciently improved to warrant the voyage. Jottings of Bishop Cowie's Journeyings will be found of interest, and especially his reception at Dargaville. Particulars of the ' Sclwyn Memorial" are given ; also, the series of Sunday-school lessons for the use of teachers, which are of special service to teachers. The extracts from books, new andold, are carefully selected.

Mr Barstow, as chairman of the Acclimatisation' Society, said that at the previous meeting the question was asked in respect of oysters whether the character of the " close season" were not to long, and that matter had not been settled. A long dis cussion ensued, and finally, upon the motjonof the Hon. H. Chamberlin, seconded by Mr T. Macffarlaue, it was resolved " That the Society decline to make any recommendation to shorten the duration of the " close season." "

Those old favourites, Mr and Mrs Hos kins (Miss Colville), arrived by the s.s. Taupo to-day for a short season, and will open on Saturday night in " School for Scandal." All true lovers of the drama will rally rouud to welcome them, and make their season the success it deserves to be. Mr and Mrs Darrell, after completing then engagement at the Theatre Royal, left for the South to-day in the s.s. Taupo. They play five nights at New Plymouth on the way.

We published in last evening's Star a telegram stating the latest action takeu by the Government in regard to the proposed steam service between England and New Zealand. Further particulars to hand show that Mr Macandrew intimated his willing ness to accept the tender of the Albion Company for a service between Glasgow and Dunedin, and of the New Zealand Shipping Company for a service from other parts of the United Kingdom to New Zea land, provided that the contract might be terminated by four months' notice. Sir Julius Vogel opened up negotiations with Messrs Gilbraith and Denny, of Glasgow, who sketched out plans for a steam service to be performed by vessels of 4,000 to 5,000 tons, six voyages a year, a certain number of immigrants to be guaranteed by the Government, and a subsidy of £60,000 to be paid.

A large number of summonses are being prepared in the City Council offices for rates in arrear. A word to the wise. Pay in time and avoid expense.

Mr J. S. Macfarlane will address the electors of Waitemata, at Devonport Hall, this evening.

Mr J. S. Buckland announces that a special sale of first-class young medium and heavy-draught horses will be held at Ohaupo on Tuesday, December 10, immediately after the arrival of the trains from Auckland. The horses are well-bred, and excellent workers.

At the Court of Appeal at Wellington yesterday, the demurrer in the case of Morrin v. Kissling was over-ruled, but it is probable that defendant will carry the case to the Privy Council. In the case of Dexter v. Brigham the demurrer was allowed on the third plea ; and the de murrers in the cases of Dere v. Pickering and Fisher v. Travers were also sustained. The case of Dere v. Brigham, in which Mr Brissenden is concerned} will be tried beforei the Supreme Court of the Auckland district. "• '_• -.';.

To the Editor : Sir,—The road leading from the North Shore to Lake Takapuna calls for some comment. In order to fully appreciate " boulders of scoria" a trip .over •; this road would be advisable. I dp"-not • hesitate in saying that persons srtffering from impaired digestive organs would derive great benefit from their drive. •";', On one occasion a heap of scoria was left in the centre of the road, thereby causing injury to vehicles, and endangering the lives of both horse and driver. Cannot our new members do something towards repairing a road over which there is now so much traffic?—l.am, &c, A Traveller. - A letter by E. M. Edgcumbe, chairman of tho Tauranga Road Board, to Sir George Grey, on the subject of confiscated lands, is published by the Bay of Plenty "Times." Mr Edgcumbe asserts that the leading natives in the Tauranga district maintain ; that when a portion of the confiscated lands was returned to them in 1864 no stipulation accompanied the gift as to the inalienability oi the laud. He contends that it is impolitic , to thwart the natives in their desire to com pacts sales made to Europeans; and, as the greater portion of the land is light, broken land or bush, which would entail an expen diture of £5 to £7 an acre before yielding any profit, it is impossible to settle these j lands on any but a freehold tenure. Mr Edgcumbe also deals'with the moral aspect of the question, pointing out that.under the' existing system, a native who has agreed to sell his land to a European, and received part of the purchase money, may again go into the market, and lease to the highest bidders irrespective of any former obligation. He believes that in the cases of the Otawa, Kaimai, and Waitaha blocks the utmost integrity has been dis played, and asserts that ample reserves have been and are being set apart for the natives. The Tauranga District Settle ment Act is condemned by Mr Edgcumbe as "a barrier to the settlement of the district hitherto," and a "gigantic evil." The nature of Sir George Grey's reply has not transpired. A correspondent suggests that the august body known as the Domain Board should be placed in the Museum with the anti deluvian boulder and other ancient exotics,. or vulgarly speaking, wiped out or absorbed with some of the many local-governing institutions, say the Pamell or City Borough Council. At present they obtain a quorum about once in three months. It is time they made way for more active men. Mrs Shiels and her daughter Sarah Ann, charged at the Police Court under the Vagrant Act, were brought up for the third time before Mr Barstow to hear evidence expected to be in their favour. Two -wit nesses could not be found, and the third, Tom Pnrcell, was reluctantly urged into the witness-box to speak a good word for Sarah Ann; "dear Tom," as she said, "who will marry me next week." Tom, however, after duly rubbing his eyes, declared that he had never promised to marry Sarah Ann, nor did he wish to have any connection with the Shiels family. " Sarah Ann" turned her head and smiled at an old Chancery Lane pall. The mother pleaded " Avashing, scrubbing, honesty, but had'nt a blessed soul to spake a word for her," and she was sentenced to six months, and the daughter to two months' imprisouinent with hard labour. When in the Court passage the prisoners struck up in a plaintive manner the heart-stirring song of " Sweet Home." The members and band of the Victoria Volunteer Company will take their long expected moonlight excursion on the Waite maia, on Friday evening next. At the meeting of the Acclimatisation Society the following financial statement of the month was brought up and passed :— Ealance in Bank of New Zealand, November 2,1878, £21018s 4d ; admission fees, £10 4s 3d; cut flowers, lis ; subscriptions, £1 Is; expenses paid on salmon consignment, refunded by J. C Firth Esq., £74 2. 2d: total. £299 19d 9d. Expenditure: Salaries, wages, and sundries, £3117a 3d; gratuities to constables, £17 10s; Otago Acclimatisation Society for trout, £10; Hugh Craig (bill of exchange), for expenses on salmon consign ment, &c. &c, £88 18s 2d; sundry small account 3, £9 3s 4d; balance in Bank of New Zealand, November 30, 1878, £142 lis; total, £299 19s 9d.

Mrs and Mies Gillingham announce by ad vertisement in another column their intention to receive pupils for instruction in wax fruit, flowers, leather, cone, bead, and velvet work, at their residence, Russell-street, Ponsonby. Taking as a criterion the beautiful work shewn by these ladies on'several occasions, and more particularly at St. Thomas's Bazaar last week, they should be highly proficient in the branches of art above referred to, and well qualified for the instruction of pupils. Lessons will also be given on the pianoforte to those desirous of learning the same.

The usual meeting of the Pitt-street Wesleyan Improvement Class will be held to-morrow evening at 8.15 o'clock, when extempore speeches will be given by the members.

LICENSING COURT.—THIS DAY.

The quarterly meeting of the Auckland Licensing Court was held in the offices, High street, to-day. Present: R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M. (chairman); G. M Mitford. Esq., and F. L. Prime, Esq. Mr W. F. Lodge, clerk New Application.—Mr S. Hesketh made an application, on behalf of Mr A ndrew Fernandez, for a license to his proposed hotel at the corner of Manukau Road and Windsor-street, Parnell. Mr Hesketh said ie was true that there were three hotels in Parnell, but the hotel proiected by the applicant was of a different character altogether, • and would supply a desideratum long felt in the district, viz., a flrst-clasa family hotel, Mr Hcslceth then dealt with the objec tions of Mr Wood, and said they were not borne out. The question is stil, Is their suffi cient hotel accommodiation in Parnell? He believed there was not.—Mr Brookfleld, on the part of the objectors, opposed the application, stating his ground of opposition, viz., That the hotel was not required, and the majority of the inhabitants were against it.—The Bench, having duly considered the application, refused to grant it.

Transfer op Licenses.—There being no op position, the following licenses were transfered: Henry N. Abbott, City Club Hotel to George J. Panter; Win. C. Campbell, Alexander Hotel to Arthur .H. Dixon ; Joseph N. Carter, Royal George Hotel, Newmarket, to John J. Odium; James Devin, Commercial Hotel to Alfred Kidd; Wm. Hamley, \\ ynyard Arms Hotel to Joseph Boulter; John Hancock, United Service Hotel to Henry N. Abbott; John H. Jouning, Royal Mail Hotel to Samuel Jaggar: Thomas Whitson, Crown Hotel, Grey-street, to Isaac Duane. This was all the business.

Destructive Fire at Sydenham.

(BY TELEGRAPH.)

(Press Agency.)

CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Shortly after 12 o'clock last night a fire broke out at Sydenham. It originated on the premises of D. Foster, furniture dealer. The next, the shop and house of nine rooms, occupied by Mr Robinson, bootmaker, were also totally destroyed. The other buildings near were saved by a copious supply of water. Again did the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade express his disappointment that the powerful engine, which could so successfully have overcome the friction of a 2,000 feet length of hose, should be so unavailable. The insurances are as follows: Foster's freehold property, "house, £250 in the New Zealand office ,• stock, £350 in the Sun office ; tools, £50 in the Sun office ; estimated loss, £800; Robinson, freehold property, £375 on the house and stock, divided between the London, Lancashire. New Zealand, and Sun offices. Robinson estimates his loss at £500. The occurrence of this fire will probably have the effect of causing the Borough Council to take prompt action for securing a water supply for the district,which is Avholly without one.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION.

To-day's Quotations— Bank of New Zealand—Sellers, £23 ss. National Bank—Sellers, 765. Colonial Bank—s2s 6d; sellers, 53s 6d. New Zealand Insurance—Bos. buyers, 80s. South British Insurance—Buyers, 66s . sellers, 67s 6d. National Insurance—Sellers, 275. Union Insurance—Sellers, 15s. StaudardMnsurance—Sellers, 21s. Thames Gas Co.—2Bs. Auckland Bas Co.—Sellers, £10. New Zealand Shipping Co.—Sellers, 87s Ot.. Union Sash and Door Co.—Sellers, £10 2s 6d. Bay of Islands Coal Co.—Sellers, £9. Guthrieand Laruach—Sellers, 955. . New : Zealand Loan Mercantile — Sellers, £51756 d. Alburnia—Sellers, 21s. Moanatairi— Sellers, 355. Queen of Beauty—Sellers, Is 3d. Kuranui Hill-6s. Corby—lss. .::...- J. NEWMAN, Chairman.

CABLEGRAMS.

o^iGimi TOTHE3 "STAR.,, ' (FMOMT^TJR SPECIAL LOArn'n

THE AFGHAN WAR.

TO-DAY'S DESPATCHES, The-British Victorious. ;^ The Intomationalists £ o tiv 9 r Attempt to, Assassinate a &_* I 1 ganan Minister. LON»ON,D eccmbe] ,„ A severe en g agement.took.placobetw/n" the Afghans and the column under Gen Roberts at Peiwur, at the entrance in!? Kyber Hills. , . Mto th *' The British forces were at first compel to retreat somewhat; but they: recover?'' and after gallant fighting were eventual! = victorious. . , ■ The Internationalists are very act j , They made an attempt to assassinate TiJ 6 ' ' the Hungarian Treasurer, at a Convocitl^ of Delegations at Pesth. o-;'■•. (Special to Press Agency.) - - ....

IMPORTANT DIPLOMATIC COEJ_P.p PONDENCE. - UUKUE& LONDON, Nov, 30th, evening The diplomatic correspondence,^'l recently passed between the British n«i Russian Governments in referenced ■'*' Russian proceedings in Central Asia 4™ ''•'•'■ issued from the Foreign Office to-day -T? further shows the reply to the first di&c* of Lord Salisbury, asking an explanation?^ the Russian Chancellor having denied tW - any formally accredited mission would sent to Cabul. This was subsequently &H; plained in the manner previously id* graphed, viz., as an act of courtesy on tL - part of General Kaufmann, Govern^ General of Turkistan. J

MR GLADSTONE ON THE AFGHAN WAR.

a/t pi a, LONDON, D ecemb ' Mr Gladstone, in addressing his: crin'■'-'■ stituents at Greenwich, repeated his accusl tion against the Secretary of State for India" for saying that the late Cabinet was resnon' sible for the Afghan difficulty, and deniel* that any action of the .Liberals caused estrangements between the Ameer and the Government. He also added that theararH was unjust. -.-->. NEW LOAN AND MEs/ CANTILE AGENCY TELEGRA^ r LONDON, November 29fch' Jl The wool market for cross-bred is easier but for greasy is firmer. Clothing, waSHed! m has. declined 2d per lb., and combine washed, Id per. lb., since the close of last sales. Scoured has also declined l£d tp.2d r7 per lb. The home trade are purchAsiiig : f sparingly, and trade in the manufacturing districts remains unchanged since last advices. Up to date, 60,000 bales have ,' been sold. ,: <•... ..viry.

NEW CONVENTION RE TURKISH AFFAIRS.

FIGHT IN TBE PEIWUR PASS. .= — [PRESS AGENCY.] ; Constantinople, December 1. It is reported that negotiations are pro. ceeding between the Porte and Britain for a new Convention, the object of which is to insure greater influence and right of inter vention in Turkish affairs. Bombay, December 2. General Roberts's force has advanced, and found the enemy in the Peiwur Pass, on the road to Groznee, and beyond Kurman. They made a reconnaisance and' disclosed the enemy's position. An engagement ensued, resulting in the defeat of the Afghans. The British loss was slight. London, December 1. Mr Gladstone, on Saturday night, wa3 banqueted at Greenwich. He urged the Liberals to united action against the Tories. He afterwards addressed a monster meet ing at Woolwich. He reviewed the policy of the present- Government, condemning the secret treaties, the growing expenditure, the Afghan war without consulting Parliament, and the general abridgement of the liberties of the people.

AUSTRALIAN CABLEGRAMS.

(SPECIAL TO THE ."STAR.") I - The CMofcetHfttofc. THE ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN BEATEN. . SYDNEY, {FHOAIOUR OWNCOBHESPOFDENT.) Mqndaynigbt. In the second innings of the .Anglo-Aus tralian Eleven the following scores were made :— f . •■.:■! _;;■--. •■ /- „ ::,-;■: ■ ■ . ~...•;■; Murdoch ... ' ... 40 Bannerman ... ... 24 Bannerman ... 42(?) Blackham ... ... ...... 24 - Horan... ... ... ... -56 Gregory ... ... ... — Garrett ... - 12 Boyle ... .; ... '•'••'v^'7777 When the second man went out the board . showed 84. Immence excitemet. Five wickets went down for 160. The seventh wicket fell to 248. Spofforth was ill, and no substitute had been appointed for Bailey. ; , The Fifteen won in one innings, with 15 runs to spare.

Great Pugilistic Encounter.

SYDNEY.

•.Moiiaay.^ Foley, of Sydney, and Newtou, of Mel bourne, will have askin-glove encouter to night for the Championship of Australia and £150. . Great interest is manifested in the even , in sporting circles. There is likely to be a large attend*^ and much money will cnange hands W here and in Melbourne. atc^-*.'

THE GLOVE FIGHT STOPPED.

This.day.^ Foley and Newton fought for 10* M J > The fight was severe, but was una^. though both were much punish .<?•,:. police interfered. . .

THE SYDNEY EXHIBITION.

The Government is asking Parliament or £50,000 for the Exhibition. ARRIVAL OF THE YOU YANWj^ Considerable anxiety was felt «' safety of the steamer You Yangs, exp from Biisbaue with many passengers. had been long overdue and was unrei on the Coast. To-day, however, Yangs arrived, having W . weather/which considerably' au*_ '

EVENING SI Alt. TPESDA*. DECEMBER 3



COMMERCIAL. Messrs B. Tonks and Co. sold to-day, 16 cases of perfumery, at fair prices. . FURNITURE— For the Drawingroom Dining-room, Library, Be room, or Kitchen, on Sale at 1 &H. cooke's. ■■> ■ ' ■■■■:■ _ CARPETS— Including Brussels, /iapes ' try, Kidderminster, Stair Felt, '■ and Dutch, on Sale 1 & H. COOKE'S. -~_ I IN OLEUM and Floorcloths, all widths, J Bath Mats, in Linoleu r and * Floorcloth, on Sale at T & H. COOKE'S. ~_':-,". , HEARTH RUGS, Door Mats, plainand wool bordered, Matting, Wool Mats, Bed-side Rugs, on Sale at T. & k. COOKE'S. ■.:■-__.. I RON BEDSTEADS. — French, Half JL Tester, Stump and Foldln«; Iron Cots, all sizes, Wood Bedsteads and Wood Cots, on Sale at T, & H.COOKE'S. ; '. _ " BEDDING.— Hair, Wool,' Spring, Cocoa Fibre, and Flax Mattresses, Feather Beds, Bolsters and Pil lows, on Sale at T. & H. COOKE'S. . - • _~i LASSES.—Ghimney Glasses, in Gilt, Vj Walnut, and Maple Frames, Toi let Glasses, Toiletware, Cane seated Chairs, In great variety, on Sale at T.&H. COOKE'S. PRICES.— As we import direct from the English Manufacturers, we are able to sell all imported goods as low as any house in town: and, employing steam power In our Factory, are enabled to oner articles of local manufacture at a very moderate rate. Tr & K. Cooke's f-UKNITURB and CARPET WAREHOU E _ 07. QUEEN-STREET. A. L SINABUR¥ & C°' s GRAND SHOW OF SUMMER DRESS GOODS ! New Summer Washing Fablic Fashionable Millinery Summer Hats ' . _», . Ladies' Costumes Girls' Costumes Maids' Costumes Ladies' and Children's Underclothing Black and Coloured Silks New Shades in Lustres Snowflake Dress Goods Frilling 3, Silk Ties Gloves, Umbrellas Linen Collars and Cuffej i Prints I Prints! Manchester Goods Fancy Goods Millinery, Trimmings &c, &c, See. AN INSPECTION INVITED. A. LI N A BURY & CO. '8, 201 & 206, quekn-strket. ..,..-... Auckland. i^XCELSIOR . HALL, NEWTON. Children's Entertainment to raise funds for the Annual Festival, will be held on WED NESDAY, 4th December, at 7.30. Admission: Adults, 6d; Children, 31.^___ 1



THE MANCHESTER FIRE | ASSURANCE COMPANY. 1824. ,\ OAPiTAL,,.h.:-ONE MILLION STERLING. ' ■'•..''•■; REVENUE. . ■ '*$£<'■ *'\SSo '..:: .. ■■ .. £19,762 ''• "' 1865 ..' ...'.. ,i>-91,558 i ■," '■' 1875 ..•-.. 196,720 ' -1876 I: ..v' -v' .. 224,014 1877 .. •• ... 265.993 FIRF. RISKS on all Insurable' Propertytaken at Lowest Rates ok Premium. •:..-Naß.^A]l Losses will, be paid here with liber - ality And despatch. 7 Agent for the Provincial District and City of Auckland. . ;—--""•""" JOHN R. RANDERSON, : j - -No. 5, Insurance Buildings, Queen-Street. j ........ 7*jr ATIONAL INSURANCE COM . .'. | pany of new zealand". capital; ..:.... - .. ~ £1,000,000. I i-i UNLIMITED LIABILITY. FIRE AND MARINE RISKS, of every description accepted on the most favourable terms. All funds invested in the colony. HENRY E WILLIAMS, !,;■■■ Mana er. TTTNION INSURANCE COMPANY NEW ZEALAND. CAPITAL £2,000,000. AUCK LAN D _B RAN CH, QUEEN STREET, next to the Colonial Bank. FIRE DEPARTMENT. Insurances granted on Dwelling -'houses. Scores, Shops, Buildings in which trade is carried on, Merchandise, and Gooao d every description. MARINE DEPARTMENT. Hulls Of Ships or Steamers, Merchandise of all fclnds Speoie and Wool to United Kingdom, AT LOWKST CURRENT RATES^ 3..,^^^ Manager. GREATEST VARIETY of Bedsteads in Auckland. Greatest Variety of BEDROOM .Furniture Greatest Variety of Drawing-room Suites Greatest Variety of Dining-room Suites Greatest Variety of CARPETS Greatest Variety of FLOORCLOTHS CITY HALL FURNISHING ARCADE. Holloway, & Gx&&-wsll Have for Sale— Q Kfi 3EDSTEADS, the Handsomest in Oo\t Auckland. Iron, Kauri. Cedar, Rimu, and Mottled Kami, Uulf Tester and French in all sizes. Stump and Stret chers, Wood and Iron Cots, Folding and Rocking Cots. 1 rrrr ROLLS of CARPET to select from *■ 1 ° Brussels, Tapestry, Velvet Pile, Kid derminster, Felt. Duch, Jute, and Stair Carpets; Hearth Rugs; Mat tings, various kinds 7...... i afiA CHAIRS, comprising American, 1 Kjyjyf English, Austrian Bent Wood, Italian, 1 and Colonial, to suit all classes. Wholesalo and Retail. oAA TOILET GLASSES. Very handsome OW ones just opened; also, a lame lot of Chimney Glasses, Walnut, Gdt, and Ebonized Frames. ■ •-•=-•* ,t a CHESTS DRAWERS in various woods i*^ and styles. Rn WASHBTANDS & TOILET TABLES, O O various designs. on SETS TOILET WARE, some very o\f choice. BEDDING of all kinds BLANKETS, QUILTS, SHEETS, &C. A nn PAIR WHITE CURTAINS, Lace, Leno, Aplique, &c. MANCHESTER DRAPERY GOODS CLOTHING. &C. Book Catalogues sent Post Free. Holloway, Garlick and Cranwell, CITY HALL ARCADK QUEEN AND LORNE-STREETS, AUCKLAND.



I^TORTH BRITISH AND MERCAN J?9 TILE INSURANCE COMPANY. LONDON AND EDINBURGH. Established 1809. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Capital .. .. 7. .7 ... ..£2,000,000 Reserve Fund.. .. - .. .. 1,082,768 Income of the Fire Department, Net Premiums and Interest, 1877 - - 916,b10 President : Eds Grace the Duke of Roxburghe, K.T, v icb-Presidents : His Grace the Duke of Sutherland, K.G.; His Grace the Duke of Abercorn, K.G. EXTRAORDINARY DIRECTORS: Right Hon. the Earl of Airlie, Right Hon. the Earl of Strathmoro, Right Hon. Sir James Fer gusson, of Kilkerran, Bart., Sir Matthew White Ridley. Bart., Right Hon. the Karl of Elgin, Right Hon. Lord Wolverton, Sir Walter Jamea, Bart.,-Sir John Maiorbanks, of Lees, Bart., Sir Robert Hay, of Haystoun, Bart,, David Mahony, Esq., Dublin. GENERAL COURT OF DIRECTORS. Chairman: Right Hon. Lord Lawrence, G.C.8., G.C.5.1.. and P.C. Fire Risks taken on buildings and property in the Provincial District of Auckland at lowest BATES 8 Losses promptly and liberally dealt with. SHERA BROS., Agents, LQUEEN-STREET. J. iTu R S T & CO. • HAVE ON SALE: 100 casks White Bros. Portland Cement 100 drums Jas. Stores & Co.'s Raw and Boiled Linseed Oil 30 cases Geo. Basset & Co.'s Candied Peel 250 boxes De Roubaix, Jenar fie Co.'s Candles The above Goods will be sold cheap to make room for further shipments. W. J. HURST & CO., 101, Queen-street. ON SALE' Ex Late Arrivals: 50 tons Billyard's Bonedust 40 tons Bell's Boneflour 25 tons Bell's i-in. Bonedust 20 tons Peruvian Guano Also. Mexican Guano Phosphate Coarse Salt And, Chemical Manure. W. J. HURST & CO., 101, Queen-street. EX 'CARRIE WY M A N,' Direct prom America. W. RATTRAY Has Opened a Heavy Shipment of STOUT, MEDIUM, AND FINE CALICOS, In Grey and White, which he can confidently recommend as being made from Pure Long-staple Gotten, The Price is Much Below anything hith crt offered in Auckland. t_r N.B.—A Considerable Reduction made on taking the piece. Also, a Large Consignment of BROWN HOLLANDS, "boughta iob," of various makes and qualities, Much Below Last Year's Prioes. Patterns sent on application. W. RATTRAY^ LINEN DRAPER AND SILK MERCER, (Established a .d. : 1853.) "NEW *ZEALAND-HOUSE, 66, QUEEN-STREET, Auckland, Opposite the Bank of New Zealand.



50,000 YA X D s ° F' DRESS .MATERIALS tar T O B E SOL D C^H EJAIP. 10,000 YARDS OF PLAIN LUSTREEJ; | m- TO BE SOLD CHEAP. X*° *l'vi. H» Atkins .-" -,-r. Invites Inspection [of his NEW SPRING AND, : SUMMER DRESS MATERIALS. _> The' Stock" this Season is an immense one," o£' > thr greatest variety, and the prices the lowest ntheCity._ /'] '\'"\ ..77 -. .'"-"-'!,'..'■,.... H.A^has also just received ox ' Lebu' tp his ' .own order,'a Very Large Stock of BLACK SILKS, same as always kept in Stock, s -The^e^ can be speoially recommended. They always wear well, and give great satisfaction. Also, COLOURED SILKS—a splendid assortment in all the n w.Coloi s. . '..,_ ..: ;> ' AL§O, Juir"OPENED, A vComolete Stock of Long Curtains, Quilt Table Linen, Sheetings, Blankets, Calicos, and Manchester Goods, IN THE CLOTHING DEPARTMENT (A Very Heavy Stff .4'). SPLENDID VALUE of New teaits.'.Coats, . Trowsers and Vests, Trowsers, &c. • SPECIAL LINES in Galatea and Paget Coats, in Blue and Black Cloth, Worsted .Coatings, Diagonal Tweed, &c, &c, &c. The STOCK of Boy's and Youth's Clothing is very large this Season, and of good value. . THE LARGEST STOCK OF TWEEDS IN THE COLONY. Tailors Supplied at Wholesale Prices. GOOD TWEED for Boy's Wear, from Is lid per yard. H. A Y~K INS. mHE "|W"EW yEALAND <ar CLOTHING FACTORY "®» EMPLOYS UPWARDS OF 600 WORKPEOPLE. BRANCHES FOR THE SALE OF OUR MANUFACTURES AT AUCKLAND NAPIER WELLINGTON wanganui DUNEDIN O AMARU TIMARU INVERCARGILL CHRISTCHURCH. The Proprietors have had to tight their way inch by inch in opposition to the interests of Importers and Shippers, but tho desire on the part of the Public to encourage New Zealand Industries has been manifested by tho great success which has attended all tho Branches of , he New Zealand Clothing Faotory, SUMMER SEASON, 1878-1879. Now in receipt of MEN'S, BOYS', and YOUTHS' CLOTHING, especially Manufactured for thk Auckland Market, and Superior in Style and _?it to the Imported Goods. A great portion is made of the famous Mosgiel Tweeds, manufactured of pure New Zealand wools. A SINGLE GARMENT SOLD AT WHOLESALE PRICE. The Largostand Choicest Stock inNew Zealand of Hats, Caps. Hosiery, Port manteaux, Bags, and tho latest .Novel ties in Ties, Scarfs, Collars, &c. A SINGLE ARTICLE SOLD AT WHOLESALE PRICE. , i AlllGoodsare marked in Plain F ures, for CASH ONLY. Any Article purchased and not appro ved of will be exchanged with the same courtesy with which it was sold, or, if desired, the money will be returned. J. B. ROBINSON, MANAGER AUCKLAND BRANCH. Agency in Now Zealand for Wertheim's Celebrated Sowing Machines. J/.OSGKAVE & pi O. S STORE, IN QUEEN-STREET, ' WILL B E CLOSED TO-MORROW (WEDNESDAY), FOR THE i PURPOSE OF WINDING-UP PARTNER SHIP ACCOUNTS. JUST ARRIVED Per Mail Steamer: 10 tons Fresh Linseed Oil Cake. Also, on Hand, . Feed Oats ; Maize Bran Sharps Flour, &c., &c, &c. W. J. HURST & CO., 101, Queen-street. Auckland. OF REMOVAL. DR. HAINES Will Remove on December from Parnell to the Alien Road—house recently occupied by Owen Jones, Esq., next to Presbyterian Church. gJffiLEOTRiciTY locally applied means healthy stimulation of the vital forces—Extracts from the " Dictionary of Medical nd Surgical Know ledge," Houlston and Wright, Paternoster Row 1863. Page 516. Paralysis, Rheumatism and Gout.—" The next agent is of mportance—one that is perfectly free from every risk, and may be as safely prescribed by a non-professional as by a medical man; that agent is Galvanism produced by the superior mode of administra tion by Pulvermacher's Chain Bands and Belts. By the proper application of these, a steady cur rent of galvanic fluid will be carried through the spine, and the base of the head, to the several parts affected." See "Medical Galvanism."— Agent for New Zealand:—G. AICKIN, The Pharmacy, Queen-street, Auckland. Why women fail so soon, is an interrogatory tliat answers itself in our knowledge of their natural proclivity to neglect the means of build ing up their frames. Kntering into the married state, or habituated to domestic labours, they trudge and toil, and exhausting their powers, arow callous to the results, and fall into seden tary habit 3. Unused to buffet, with, the world, they have nothing to call their activities into play, save within the narrow limits of home, littie recking that a persistent, and judicious use of "Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps" will tone their systems, and fit them for even higher enterprises than they are wont to espouse.