SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

itt-ti mtiiii',,,l Thia Evening, 1,8 HIGH W ATKR} To . morrow Morning, 1.59 HJN SET.—This Kvening, 5.47 bU^' RISK,—To-Morrmv Morning, G. 21 MOON'S AGE.-La3t Quarter, 2nd, 5.52 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

TODAY.

lona, s.s., Stephenson, from Russell.

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING. Gleneig, s.s., Farqnhar, for Tauranga. Argyle, 8.8., Crawford, for Whangarei. today. Meg Merrilios, brigantino, MoKay. for Levuka. Southern Croo3, sohoonor, Bongard, for the Islands.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

John Bull, barquo, from London; sailed Feb

ruary 10 Locngana, barque, from Hobart Town City of Sydney, P.M. 8.5., from San Francisco;

April Bth Syren, brig, from Sydney

Borealis, brigantino. from Levuka Island Lily, briganUne, from Chatham Island Falcon, schooner, from tho lßlands Edith, schooner, from Tonga Sybil, schooner, from Tahiti Transit, schooner, from Tahiti Caledonia, schooner, from Tonga. Mazeppa, schooner, from Ilarotonga. Rotomahana s.s , from the tooth; Monday. Bismarck, H.1.G.M.8., from Sydney- Marion, schooner, from Noifolk Island. Elinor barque, from New York; Baited

10th Novombor „ _ ~ , City of Quoftec, barquo, from London ; satiea January 2 Camille, brig, from New York Clara ilargreaves, barque, from Newcastle. Loch Dee.'barque, from London ; sailed Feb. iv. Coronet, schooner, from Marshall Group. Mereia barque, from Ixir.don ; sailed Dec. io Belle Brandon, schooner from Line Islands

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

London—Loch Urr; Agate, to load Tonga—Myrtle, to-morrow Tauranga and South— Penguin, Monday Gisborne. Southern Ports, aud Melbourne-

Rotomahana, Thursday Sydnoy— Arawata, 13'h RuSßell—lona, every Monday; Rotomahana,

Monday Lyttelton—Earl Granville Tahiti and Islands-Pirate, loading Tauranga—Gleneig, "Wednesday For New Plymouth and Southern Porta— Wanaka, on arrival oE the English Mail Whangorei—Argvle, Tuesdays and Fridays

EXPORTS.

Por Southern Groin for Norfolk Bland—o9 mats sugar, 11 boxes Tobacco, 13 boxes candle?, 10 bo_es~tea, 137 ba^s rice. 13 cases rjrapery sntl cutlery, 12 haga salt, 22 boxes plpe3, 39 caees oil men's st/irea, 97 tins and cases biscuit*. 101 pieces timber, 55 packages hardware, 10 boxes soap, / tons linseed oil, 6 packages paint, 12 bags _na tins flour, 01 packages aud cases general stores.

Per Mvr;lo for Friendly Islands—9o cases keroßine,-75pocketsand 1 gunnies sugar, 12boxe3 cigars, 1 cases galvanized iron, 5 ease* hardware, 13 cases bru*hware, 8 cases earthenware, 1 cask paint, G drums oil, 2 cases cocoa and milk, 3.) cases salmon, 12 boxes tea, 1 caso salad oil, 0 kegs nails, 32 tins paints. 4 boxes starch, 9 cases nnd bales drapery, 2 case 3 drugs, i Cisoa and bales drapery. 2 enses drugs, i cases milk. IJ2I pieces timbor, ."doors, 1 packages sashes. 7 nests chests, 6 tons potatoes, 1 packages furniture, al) boxes onions, 20 packages butter, IS kegs meat, Gl cases biscuits, 190 packages flour, 15 coil 3 rope, 19 packogos ship chandlery. 2 tanks, 3 packages furniture S packages salt, 8 eases hardware, 200 bricks. 31 oars, S packages oilmens stores, 1 boat, G piss, 5 boxes soap, a cases lemonade, and 42 packages general msrohandlzo.

Outwards Coastwise.— Lady of tho Lake for Mewkana ; Makarau for Omaha; Baku for Tairua. . _ . Inwards Coistwhe.— Mercnry from Tairua with 22 G37 feet timber; Lady of tho Lake from Matakana with 150 sheep.

Tho Union Company's s.s. Penguin will return from Russell to-morrow morning. Sho leaves again for Tauranga, Hast Coast, and Southorn ports on Monday afternoon. Tho brigantiDe Meg Merrllles sailed early this morning lor Levuka. Sho took a largo cargo of general merchandize, and tho following passen gers:—Mrs Worthington and seven children, Airs Lazarus, Messrs W. Peckham, J. Colo, A. Mom, 1). R. Hayes, and J. Sullivan.

The Union Company's s.s. Rotomahana will arrive from Melbourne vis. Southern and Knst Coast porta, on Monday. She loaves for Russell on Monday afternoon, retnrninsr on Wednesday morning, and leaving again for the South on tho foronoon of Thursday next.

The as. t'ona arrived this morning from Rus sell and Northern port?. Sho brought a number oE passengers and the following cargo:—lso sacks kauri gum, S1? sacks oystcw, a bundles hides, 2 kitß fish, aDd sundries.

The barque Agate, under charter of Messrs. Shaw Salvill and Co., has hauled alongside the Quoen-strcet wharf acd commenced to lo^d up for London.

The brigantino Mjrtle^ilcared Customs at the to-day for Friendly Islands with a largnSgenoral cargo/and the following passengers :—Mrs Par toi:s, Aliases Ade and Lily Mann, aad Mr M. 11. Uinkott.

The schoonor Pirate lias entered out at tho Customs for Society Group. Sho is now taking in corgo alongside tho Queen-Btreet wharf.

Tho mission harqr.entino Southern Cross left on her annual cruise through tho islands of tho h'outh Pacific to-dny. che took a full cargo of general ato'es, and the following passenirors :— Bey. R- Codrington and R. B. Comins, Mr ond Mrs J. Quintal, Mrs l'eard, and Mesu-s R. M. andjU. Bice.

UNKNOWN

Tho barquo Loch Urr cleared at tbe Customa to day for London, with a full and valuable carco of Now Zealand and South Sea Island produce. The vessel has mot with quick des patch, having been in port only eight weeks. Hhe hauled away front the Queen-street Wharf on Thursday, and is r.ow lying in the stream waiting for a favourable change of wind. Her cargo is valued as follows :— X, Gum, 372 tons 31,6-10 AVool,3l3balfß .Weo Cotton, 93 bales 1,863 Copra, 68 tons - I)s' Pearl sht'll, 13 tons .. ~ .. 871 Manganese, 185 tons 710 Tallow. 22 tons 574 Leather, ISlllbs 180 Bones, 3 tons — 2t Bark, 11 tons CO Zinc - 41 Cottonseed, 150 cwt 20 Sundries 219 Total £32,953

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Cutty Sark, sch., McLymont, from Hokianga, Rowena, s.s., Amodeo, from Hokianga.

EXPORTS. Per Lalla Rookh for Waitara: 20,000 foot sawn timber, 2 bundles leather.

The schooner Cutty Sark, with a cargo of totara piles, arrived at Manukau Heads from Hokianga yesterday afternoon.

.' The s,s. Wonaka will anive from the South to-morrow morning. She will not await the arrival of the 'Frisoo mail, but will leave again on Tuosoay next.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Russell, this day,

Tho PeDguin sails at 4 p.m. Pnssongers :— Meedames B. William?, and Watting, Mis 3 Patter-ton ; Messrs Chntflold. Koals. McUovern, Mills, E. Williams, L. Goffe, W. Goffe, Fairburn. For rJapter: Bishop Stuart. For Lyttelton: Archdeacon Clarke.

Waitara, this day. The s.s. Hannah Mokau arrived yesterday afternoon from Onehunga.

Gisborne, yesterday. Arrived: Kingarooma from Auckland at 1 p.m, Napirr, this day. Sailed: Rotomahana for Gisborne and Auck land.

Wellington, yesterday. Arrived: Hawea from Auckland and tho coast.

Lytteltov, this day,

Arrived: Southern Cross from Wellington. Sailed : Omaha for Chatham Islands ; West ern Monarch jhip for London; Westland for London,

Dunedin, this day. Arrived—Coromandel, barque, from London,

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Stab Offlce, Saturday.

Mr R. Arthur's weekly sale was numerously attended, and on thi who'o was satisfactory. The following we'o the averaees :—Fowls, lid to 2s; turkeys, 2a 6d to Is lOd; ducks, Is 7d to 2s Cd; treese. 2a 6d to 3s; Dims. 10s ; canaries, lis to 13a (with cages); potatoes, 2a 6d to 3s Cd; onions, ,_dtold; pumpkins, 3s to 3s Cd; pie-melons. 2s Cd to 3a; appl"s. 24 to id. ; pear*, 2d to 4Jd ; prickly pears, 3W cor dozen; damsons, 3i to 34d; cheese, 2d to Gjd; butter, 4Jd to Is; baoon, 7d to lid: beef, 2_d; honey, in tins of lllbs., Gid; keg honey, 3Jd; box tea, 22s to 2Ca • or.-chesta tea. Is 9d; coffee, la 3d; sugar, id to sd; white lead, 4Jd: biscuits, Gd to «_d arrowroot, 7d ; raisins, 5Jd; currants, 2J to id ; vinegir, 93; barley. 5< Cd; moize, 3a 9d; oars. 2s 3d to 8a 9d ; flour, £8 10s to £11; oatmeal, ljil; cornflour, 7jd; quinces, lid; starch. 4_d. Furn iture department was well supplied; a good attendance, and parsed off eatisfactorily. Suite sold at £17 ; cheffonier, £3; piano and stool £30. Apples: A largo quantity of apples were brought into] town yesterday, and are exhibited in the Market and shops to-day. A great variety, from Mr Messecger's Woodsido orchard 5d to Cd.

BIRTH.

FROST.-On April 2,1*880, at her rosldonco. One hungo, the wife of M. H. Frost, of a eon (still born).

DEATHS.

DANCE.—On April 2, at his rosldonco, One hunga, Richard Banco, son of Mr Banco, of Reading, in Berkshire, England.; aged 79 years.—Homo papers pleaso copy,

FROST.—On .April 2,1580, at hor lato residence Onehunga, Annio, second daughter of Mr W. Hall, tho doarly bolovod wifo of Matthew H. Frost. Friends pleiwo acoopt this intimation.— Homo papers please cooy. Tho funeral wlli leavo her lato rosldonco at 2 o'clock to-morrow (Sunday).

TURNKH.-On March 22. In Molbourno. of typhoid fever, Georgo 11. I'orrlman Turner, joungost son of the Hto B. K. Tumor, of Ncwmarkot; agod 2G years.—Southorn papers pleaso copy.

TOWN EDITION. PUBLISHED AT 4.30. The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, The Morning News, and The Echo.

SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1880.

"fjr tha came that lacks assistance, For the wrongithat csods resistance, For the fatnre in the distance,

And the good that we can do.

The complaints made by the City and Devonport Committees, of apparent disrespect on the part of tho Board of Education are rather unpleasant signs that the system is not working so smoothly as could be desired. Perhaps the explanation tendered by the Board to Devonport committee contains the best commentary that could be made on the causes that have produced a continual jar between the double authority. The committee was forgotten. That is exactly what tho matter has beon in nearly every instance of dispute, and whether the oversight arises from a deliberate disposition to ignore tho com mittees, or so contemptuous an estimate of their functions that it is more natural to forget than remember them, the consequences are equally injurious to the satisfactory working of the Edu cation Act. The Act itsolf is capable of considerable improvement in its defi nitions of the relative duties of the Cen tral Board .and the committees, but it is clear enough in spirit and intention. The general control of educational policy is vested in the Board ; the ad ministration and management of parti ticular schools in the local committees. Perhaps the committees in some in stances may be incapable and act wrongfully, and then it is right that the Board should interpose as arbiter, and finally determine matters in dispute. But even the risk of an abuse of the powers held by committees is a less serious menaoe to the efficiency of our I common school system than the cer tainty, without the Committees, of the whole thiDg drifting into a huge officialism. While the mode of election keeps the Board a close Borough, such an effect must follow the adoption of any measure or course of procedure that weakens the authority of the Committees. If the Board fail to amend their habits of forgetfulness, and compel the Committees to assert their vitality and dignity by means of frequent remonstrances and pro tests, the best men, who have devoted their time and often their money to district school work, will throw it up in disgust. Several mem bers of the Board present at yesterday's meetiDg happily recognised this con summation as one to be avoided, and we may perhaps hope for an improve ment. When any step is resolved upon with respect to a school, the committee is, we imagine, exactly the authority— and the only authority—that should be remembered. This rule, habitually observed, would prevent these recur ring lapses of memory, and would bring tho committees more into harmony with the Board, thus imparting a healthy tone to the whole administration

Returns from seven counties are to hand of the Agricultural Statistics of the Pro vincial District of Auckland for the year ended February last, compiled under the direction of Mr J. King, Superintendent Collector. The returns already compiled are for the counties of Eden, Waitomata, Manukau, Rodney, Coromandel, Thames, i Piako, with the exception of the .Ridings

of Pukekohe aud Howick, an approximate estimate of which is given in the general totals quoted in this article,which cannot be very materially affected by the correct returns. The counties from which the results have yet to come are Mongonui, Bay of Islands, Hokianga, Hobson, Whan garei, Tauranga, Whakatane, Cook, Wai roa, East Taup«, West Taupo, Waipa, Waikato, Raglan, and Kawhia, so that it is impossible at present to form anything like a correct estimate of the general agricul tural progress of the Provincial District as a whole. So far as regards the seven counties above named we are enabled to compile the following general results from the returns te hand, The total average under crop including sown grasses is 245,830, and the total extent of land broken up, but not under crop in the seven counties is 35,974 acres. Adding these two totals together we get a total broken Up and under crop of 284,804 as against 221,822 tor the year ending Feb. 1879. The number of holdings in tho seven counties named are ;

-t_ • _i -S^2 _ _ <d .a « _1 H dC Borough of Auckland .. 27 — 8 — 2 County of Eden .. .. G55 — 197 — S3 County of Waitemata .. 300 — -18 — 13 County of Manukau ..11,2*7 — 02 — 01 County of Rodney .. ISI — 20 — 9 County of Coromandel,. 3-1 — S — 8 County of Thames ~ 131 — 79 — S County of Piako .. .. 38 - 1 - 3 Totals _ ..3.91G J2U 187 The figures under these three headings for 1879 were—j Freehold. Routed. Part Ronted and Part Freehold. 2,151 338 |117 Showing for the year ISSO an increase as below— Frooliold. Ronted. Part Rontod and Part Freehold. ■IGS 3S 10 Tho following figures aa to the acreage in crop and the yield for the years 1879 and ISSO respectivolyarecompiled from the returns:— WHEAT. Year ISSO ... 5,537 acres ... 107,020 bushels „ 1879 ... 4,473 „ ... 115,165 OATS. Year ISSO ... 2,142=. acres ... 45 24G bushels „ 1579... 2,013 „ ... 49,257 „ BARLEY, Year 1880.. 3SO acres ... 8,877 bushels „ 1579 ... 248 „ ... 7,4-10 „ POTATOES. Year ISBO . . 3,182 acres ... 18,103.1 tons ~ 1879 ... 2.51G ~ ... 11,095 „ IX HAY. Year ISBO ... 7,127* acres ... 5.392 tons „ 1879 ... 6.539 „ ... 7,347 „ IN OTHER CHOPS. YcarlSSO ... 7,195;. acres „ 1579 ... 3,094 „ TOTAI, AREA IN CHOPS OF AM, KINDS. YcarlSSO ... 259,1232 acres „ 1579 ... 196,679 „

It will bo observed that while thero has been a considerable increase in the acreage of laud cropped with wheat, oats, and barley, the estimated yield under each head is less than tliat of last year, a fact which is ac counted for in sonic measure by the des truction committed by sparrows aud pheas ants, and the exhaustion of the soil through the absence ot manure. The most striking increase is in the potato yield, for which the season was peculiarly favourable. Iv May there wan also a considerable increase. The Thames County shews the largest area of land broken up, but not under crop, having 12,1164 acres, and Coromandel the smallest, 103 acres. There is therefore an indication that the former is making progress in agricul tural industry, and that when the Te Aroha and other large blocks arc settled the Thames will rank high amongst the producing dis tricts. The Manukau shews tlie largest acreage under wheat, having 3.15G.1 acres, with an estimated yield of 70,571 bushels, as compared with 3,5904 acres and 95,917 bushels for 1579. Piako comes next with 1,012 acres, and 25,290 bushels, a.s against 55S acres and 11,280 bushels for 1879. The. lowest is Waitemata, with only 3 acres and 75 bushels. Manukau County also heads tho list ill oats, barley, and hay, and in grasses, Manukau County has also by far tho largest potato crop. Iv tho county of Eden the only wheat crops are iv tho ridings of Whau, Parnell, and Tamaki, tho total aroa being 398 acres, and the esti mated yield 10,004 bushels. Ararimu appears to be the only riding in Waitemata County where wheat is cultivated, but the area is comparatively insignificant, amounting to 3 acres and 75 bushels. In the county of Manukau, there were wheat crops at Otahuhu, Papakura, Mangatawbiri, Waiuku, Awhitu, llowick, and Pukekohe. The following figures show the total number of acres under crop, including sown grasses in tho several ridings of three principle counties : —

EDEN County.—Whau, 0,512; Newton, 1,2774; Grafton, 15(14; Epsom, 4,3014; Onehunga, 6Tjl j Parnell Borough, 2,490; Tamaki, 8,829.

Waitemata.—Ararimu, 4,SOSj;; Weiti, 1,923; Tukapuna, 2,659; Waitakerei, 3,lo2*i** ; Manukau, 187 ; Titiranga, 1101.

Manukau.—Otahuhu, 17.3G1J; Howick, 10,798 (approximate); Papakura, 23,286.} ; Mattngatawhiri, 18,100; Pukekohe. 18,4731; Waiuku, 11,603J; Awitu, 4,Mb'; Wai heke Island, 2,713 ; Islands Hauraki Gulf, 3/249.

Sm Julius Vogel has been rejected for Falmouth and Penrhyn. All his specious arts have failed—the Emigration Depot, which was to transform tho quiet port into a great mart of commerce ; the handsome mansion, to form a central hall of fashion, have flourished iv vain, aud tho Agent- General is saved from the sad alterna tive deplored by tbe " Home News" of determining whether he shall serve his Queen as a member of the British Parliament, or as the official repre sentative of one of Her Majesty's dependen cies. The silting members for the electorate were both Liberals, and tho constituency has testified by its vote that it has no wish to perpetuate the policy of trickery aud surprise, in support of which Sir Julius not inappropriately came forward.

A sensational story entitled "The Door without a Lock,"(appears on tho fourth page of this issue. The tale relates the terrible experiences of a newly-wedded pair, who lost their way on their honeymoon tour, and took shelter in a strange house.

The first number of the "New Zealand Muse,'" edited by F. O. Cailliau, was issued to-day. It is published at sixpence, and contains some instructions to new beginners and other matter of musical interest.

Abuggy accident which occurredin Queen street last evening very nearly resulted in loss of life. Messrs Kelly and Parker were driving down the street in a double buggy, when one of the shafts broke, and fell against the horse's leg. The frightened animal dashed madly along the road in tho direction of the wharf, and both men were thrown on to the roadway. They were not seriously injured, however. When the horse reached

the toll-house on the wharf, it was suddenly stopped iv its wild career through one of liio wheels ol the carriage being caught in the wheel of a spring-cart there. Neither the horse or buggy were very seriously injured.

The African Wild Beast Show was opened to-day in Wellesley-street, and attracted a large number of spectators. The three animals, the lion, Cheta tiger, aud Russian bear, aro the largest of their kind that wc have witnessed in the colonies. The beasts are well worth seeing, and will be on view until ten o'clock to-night.

A curious case of spontaneous combustion has been shown us. Itappcarsthataquautity of loose kauri gum sif tings or dust, were put into sacks in the Kaipara, and sold and conveyed to Auckland. The gum had been stored a short time, and when emptied was found to bo very warm to tho touch, and the whole had partially ignited. It is certainly a curious fact and worthy of public notice. The circumstance has been of sufficient importance as to call forth the attention of our Insurance agents. We are not aware of ever having heard of gum dust have such a tendency.

Mr Greenwood will offer tor sale on Mon day, the 14th instant, at his mart, corner of Shortland-strect, the splendid allotments of land at Opotiki, full particulars of which will appear in a future issue. St. Paul's parish magazine for April will be welcomed by parishioners for its pleasant reading and local school and Church intelli gence. We notice that the Rev. F. J. Long will officiate at the Cathedral during Rev. C. M. Nelson's absence. To-morrow morning, the Bishop of Melanesia will preach iv favour of the Melanesian Mis sion.

The " Waikato Times," in an article on the Waimate questiou, says : —" In the event of war breaking out we always imagined—indeed, happen to know—that Colonel Whitmore would assume command of the Constabulary. Indeed, we have reason to think that both oilicers and men would regard, boing commanded by any other officer as rather a slight, for Colonel Whitmore carries prestige. It was he who led the Constabulary on the Fast Coast in 186'S, and again on the West Coast, and no man in New Zealand is so qualified as he to undertake the management of a campaign. There is, however, no need to speculate on this contingency, and the presumption is that Colonel Whitmore is taking a general look round."

There is only oue ease set down for hear* ing at the Civil Sessions of the Supreme Court—Smith v. Palmer. The charge of robbing Julia Wilson of £7, in a brothel in Albert-street, preferred against Henry Durant, a sporting diameter, occupied nearly the whole of yesterday. A number of witnesses were examined, and in addition to tho girla themselves, and finally the prisoner, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial. Lord Derby, in a speech delivered b'otore the Huddei'slield Chamber of Commerce on the Bth of January last, uttelcil the follow ing remarkable sentences :—" Do you think that emperors, tvA grarid-dirkos, and arch dukes, field-marshals, aud tremendous per sonages of that sort, really want the manu facturing industries of their empires to be developed ? Do you suppose it Would suit them to liaye to do with an intelligent, keen-witted, active, well-to-do population, such as our northern towns in. England contain? They are not such foots. They know their business hotter. What they want is something quite different—a pea santry hungry enough at home to find the ordinary life of a private soldier rather agreeable than otherwise., and submissive enough to shoot their own brothers, if ordered, without asking why." Two admirable photographs of the' in terior of St Paul's church at Eastertide, with all the natural decorations, appears in the wiudow of Pr.lman's photo gallery, Shortland-street, and havo beon much admired. Tho flowers and minutiae of the scene are very distinctly brought out. Wc call special attention to Mr P, Doran's entertainment to-night which is new and novel in its character. Tho new local sketch, the " Row in City West," written specially for to-night, will be most amusing and the local songs exquisitely funny. Several well known local celebrities, of whose peculiarities Mr Doran's Company have been making a special study will appear in the sketcli, aud siug pnrody songs from " Pinafore," and other pieces. The new farce "Devorcc." in which Mrs Lennard will appear as the heroine, is delicious and highly amusing. "Cricketer," sends* another reply to "Fair Play," repeating that the Ponsonby resident ou the Whau side, in the match against Mount Albert, was a " bona fide " member of the Club, and that two men on the Mount Albert side came from Onehun ga. We cannot give further space to this trivial correspondence. The police are desirous of finding the owner of a silver sugar spoon of about 12s value. It was found upon tho person of a well-known thief named Wilson, who has ofteti been caught at the back doors of houses undei suspicious circumstances. The case of J. C. Young, who is charged with embezzling various sums of public money as a Government Land Purchase Agent at Tauranga, is likely to occupy the Supreme Court for some days. There are live indictments against him, each of -which will be tried by a separata special jury, and for this ISO special jurymen have been sum moned to attend. It is understood that Mr Wurbriek, who was committed to prison in default of payment of a line for refusal to attend a summons under the Public Revenues Act, will bo brought up under a writ of habeas corpus to give evidence for the defence. On Thursday evening a gentleman of tho itinerant pedlar tribe might have been seen standing at the foot of Victoria-street West. He hud a travelling stand and from it hung a gasoline lamp, such as oue sees in com mon use at fair.s in England. CuiioMty impelled us lo draw near, and we saw tho aforesaid gentleman dispensing tooth powder at Is a packet. In order to i_;ivo a practical demonstration of the efficacy of die mixture, a lad allowed himself to be operated upon, much to the amusement of the populace, As the shillings came in his face beamed with smiles. One gentleman who ventured to make some offensive re marks, way told that " ho needn't talk, as his 7s 9d was not rubbed off the r-late yet," which .sally of the embryo deutist was re ceived with roars of laughter.

A soiree aud concert will bo given ou Tuesday evening next, April Oth, in tho Protestant Hall Newton, under the auspices of the Protestant Alliance Friendly Society of Australia. An excellent programme has been prepared, aud a good evening'a enter tainment uny be anticipated. Rev. Dr. Kidd gave an excellent lecturo last evening iv Mrs Clayton's boarding and day school to the young lady scholars. The subject of Dr. Kidd's lecture was "The Four Ancient Empire."," a subject fraught with historic interest, handled in a masterly manner, aud listened to with commendable attention. The young ladies, us on a former occasion, busied themselves in taking notes for future use, an excellent mode for fixing the attention and retaining ideas. Dr. Kidd's lecture occupied nearly two hours iv length, and when enquired if he was getting tedious, he was desired to continue a little longer, with looks of assur ance that there wan a general and intellec tual interest iv the lecture. Dr. Kidd traced the recorded passages of Scripture relating to the two aucient Empire?, as sociating them with the testimonies of writers from tho earliest to the present times. The Assyrian, Scythian, ami Persian I examples of inscriptions were illustrated by diagrams, and the change*? of the great empires were traced upon a large map, showing the ancient distribution or terri torial power. Tho lecture was rendered tho more interesting by Dr. Kidd's judicious maimer of separating fable from historic fact, and truth from fiction. Not the least interesting portion of the discourse was that pertaining to the exploits ot Nebuchadnez zar, Balthazar, Darius, Cyrus, and Alex ander, aud explained the philological relation of the Aryan, or Indo-<uropeau, family of languages. The exploits of Philip of Macedon and Alexander the Croat wero summarised, aud the power of tho Roman dominion illustrated. The exposition of the prophetic passages of Daniel, and remarks thereon in connection with the composite image, were strikingly illustrative. At the close, Dr. Kidd receiv od the hearty aud unanimous thanks of tne ladies, on the motion of Mr. De Lisle Ham mond. The next lecture will be "on Music by Mr. Swallow.

To the Editor: Sir, —Two specimens of our liquor laws have been before the Police Court recently, and show their utter nb surdity. The one, a publican consulting a business man with whom he deals as to the soundness of a bottle of ale, the quality of which was disputed; the other, a Ser geant surreptitiously peeped iuto an old woman's can and then was prepared to jrwear it contained beer. Now, are such specimens of police ofliciousness the inten tion of the laws ? Is not some dignity ex pected from the Sergeant?—a bold knock at the door usually entered by the public or a ring of the bell. I don't think it right myself for Police Sergeant to sneak about under cover of tho darkness to entrap pub licans. They must surely see the door of our three clubs open, and why should not a woman have her supper beer as well as her husband his piut. — I am, &c, BUSHMAN.

A Port Albert settler writes complaining of the expense and inconvenience ho and sixteen other settlers were put to by the Kaipara Steamship Company on the last trip from lhat settlement. He says :" It has been usual for the steamer to arrive at Port Albert on Thursday night aud leave on Friday morning for Helensville direct. But on thia occasion, for some unaccount able reason, the steamer was ordered to go on from Port Albert to Palii, taking her passengers there. Consequently, sixteen passengers were compelled to leave tlieir homes and go up to Pahi, where they lay all uight. The postmaster at Pahi refused to tako in the bi-weekly mail from Port Albert. As the steamer had been up to Pahi the previous day, not a single pas senger came oil' when she left next morning, and the coal consumed on the journey was absolutely wasted. At Batley a mail and two passengers were shipped, and then tho steamer went on to Ilolensville, arriving about noon. The train left at three o'clock, and arrived at Riverhead before live. Here again fresh annoyance occurred. There was no sign of the City of Cork, nnd the passengors wero left airing themselves on the wharf. At seven, some of them raised a candle and made tracks through the fern to Deacon's Hotel for refreshment, returning to walk about the railway wharf all night on the chance of the steamer turning up. Two families! took up their quarters in a railway carriage, where tho children fell fast asleep. At last the City of Cork turned up, and the 24 people who had been expecting her got on board, with the exception of those in the railway carriage, who preferred to stop where they wore all night rather than undergo a miserable journey and land in Auckland at midnight. It turned out that the delay had boon caused through deliver ing a leg of mutton, which led to the ground ing of the steamer. Au expensive leg of mutton to these passengers! The travellers arrived in Auckland at half past eleven at night, thoroughly disgusted and weary." Our correspondent concludes : "To say nothing of the delay and misery of this wretched journey, tho cost to us, paying two shillings for every meal, was more than would have paid our way to Auckland and back by way of Mahurangi. If the Company mean to serve Port Albert like this, and make settlers go round by Pahi every (rip, they had better drop the settlement out altogether, and we shall manage to arrange with Mr Quick for a f coach to Mahurangi, which would pay well."

place.

Mr. George Wilkinson will succeed Mr. Pnckey as Native interpreter, and agent at the Thames.

At the regular meeting of tho Pioneer Lodge 1.0.6. T., held, in the Temperance Hall, Albert-street, last evening after the initiation and the order of business, Bro. Dines f;aVc an account of the intended application for a license for the purpose of opening an hotel in the quiet and rising district of Arch Hill, and informed the lodge that ho is going to apply to this and all other lodges in Auckland for subscrip tions to aid the Arch Hill Vigilance Com mittee to contest the license. The Committee consists of a number of residents of the district. They are working men, hut all subscribe liberally towards the object. The lodge then voted tbe sum of £1 towards defraying the expenses of the Committee, which was handed over to Bro. J. T. B. Dines, of Bond-street, Arch Hill, Secretary of the Arch Hill Vigilance Com mittee, who will receive contributions from any persons wishing to assist the above Committee. It was resolved that no sub scription should bo received from a publican or brewer.

To the Editor : Sir, —Iv your report ot the Board of Education meeting yesterday, the Secretary is said to have stated that the recent holidays were given at my request. That statement is not true. 1 simply waited on the Inspector to learn what he proposed should be done during the exami nation week, as all the assistants would be taken away for the examination. He thought it would be necessary to close the schools, but said lie would bring the matter before the Board, and lot me know the re sult. This was on Tuesday, and not having had any communication in the interval, on Friday I waited on the Inspectorjwho told mc tho decision of tho Board, and I ex pressed surprise that the Committee had not been informed of it by the Secretary. Why the Secretary did not do so I will not attempt to explain.—l am &c, W. GoREIB, Chairmau of City Schools Committee.

To the Editor: Sir, —The right ot holding public meetings for the discussion of mat ters of public importance is no bcnciicial that the proper conduct of such meetings is ot the highest importance, as upon this their usefulness or otherwise greatly depends. One of tho most useful of political meetings I have attended was one called during the late election turmoil by the hon. member for Newton. It was au orderly, well-con ducted meetiug, nnd the discussion that followed was of a character that tended to direct attciitioon to mat ters of colonial aud local importance. Whilst making all allowance for strong feeling, it should most decidedly only find expression in legitimate ways, amongst which I cannot class, cat calls, goat bleat ing, boo-hooings, &c. While these meet ings under consideration, arc rightly public, and persons in an unfit state to take care of themselves, should not be allowed access. Tho highly improper language made use of by such persons, should not be .tolerated, its utterance should be followed by instant dismissal. .To accomplish this, aud be a check ou the disorderly, a policeman should always be in the vicinity, ot the place whero such meetings are held. A chair man of such meeting should insist on an im partial hearing for all who arc in order in addressing the meeting, should be prompt and dignified, and have the hearty co operation of the meeting in order to secure the profitable employment of its time. Another matter of importance is, that the lights of places where public meetings are held should bo out of control of the public, and that egress from such meetings should bo iv a well-lighted and easy means of access. Home ono is to blame for neglect of these matters at tho late meeting in the room of the V.M.C.A., which might have been of serious consequence. Trusting these remarks will aid those desirous of freeing our public meetings from what may grow to be serious evils.—l am, etc., Citizen.

To the Editor : Sir, —I am glad to per ceive that the Harbour Hoard have devoted a portion of their funds towards benefitting suffering humanity, by throwing light ou tho end of Queen-street Wharf and pro viding seats under the lamps for the larri kin element, who, no doubt, will gratefully appreciate the boon. Cabby will also thank the Hoard for placing the lamps in such a position as will conduce to careful driving on his part. Coach-builders have reason to be grateful as their accounts for repairing damages to cabs and drays will probably be increased. Receivers of cargo and draymen should likewise return thanks for tho ample space allowed for landing goods and free passage for drays. In con clusion the nreetion of those lamp) is another instance of tlie great knowledge ol the Board's engineer, nnd his aptitude to do the correct thing. May his shadow never de crease iii dimensions.—Yours, &c., Wharf Rat.

Tlie April number of the " Church Ga zette " coutains much interesting matter, which will meet with grateful acceptance from its interested readers. The extracts from Rev. A. Penny's letter from Norfolk Island are specially interesting, showing the progress of religious life there, with pleasant notes of travel and talk with native scholars. The parochial intelligence is full of information trom the churches iv various districts, including a selection from a clergy man's diary (Rev. E. J. Phillips) at Raglan. This minister laboured some time at the mission Church of St. Thomas. Auckland, and it is pleasant to learn that one so deserving is winning the esteem of settlors in the localities of his labours. The first portion of a paper on " Religious Teaching " appears in the present issue, being a sermon preached ou the 14th March, wo fancy by Bishop Cowie. We seem to trace the liberal hand ot the Bishop in such words as these'- "To educate a child meaus to pre pare and render it fit for its future destina tion. Now, it is very plain that the future condition of every child born into tho world may be viewed in a two-fold light. As regards its spiritual and as regards its temporal condition, its relations and duties, i.e., towards God and those towards itself and its fellow-men." Under the heading " English Church News," are several para graphs of affecting interest; we refer to those touching on the presentation of Bishop Selwyn's bust to Mrs Sel wyn, and tho exceedingly pathetic, simple, yet forcible inscription to the memory of the beloved wife of the present Bishop of Melanesia, (who will preach to-monow morning in St. Paul's.) The brass cross, laid upon oak, in the village church of Aire was, Derby, where Bishop J. R. Selwyn, laboured as curate to Mr Walsh, aud where tho deceased lady performed Christian work contains a brief, but suilicieut inscription, beautiful in its simplicity, and strikingly appropriate to the character it commemor ates. In memory of Clara Selwyn, a worker for Christ in this parish, IS7O, IS7I, at rest 1877, Norfolk Island, South Pacific."

The installation of Mr Do Lisle Ham mond as head master of tho Church of England Grammar School, Parnoll, -was performed yesterday by the Right Rev. Dr. Cowie, Rishop of Auckland, in the presence of Archdeacon Maunsell, Rev. Vicesimus Lush, and a number of ladies and gentle men. The Bishop made an excellent introductory address, and spoke in high terms of the late master, Mr J. Adams, who had been removed to the Thames, and addressing the scholars, said that the great aim of the Church Grammar School was to cducato young men who should not only prove themselves good citizens, but Christian gentlemen. After some further remarks on the school, aud tho interest ho felt iv its true life aud progress. He expressed his belief in the adequate abili ties aud character of Mr Hammond, and as a gentleman from his own University, he expressed the greatest confidence iv him. Mr Hammond, ou presenting himself, was rapturously wolcomed bj the boys. The now master then delivered a pleasing address, including a plan of his future proceedings in regard to tho studies of Holy Scripture, and the classics, and his proposed divisions of time. Mr Herbert James, the senior pupil, followed in a well-set speech, and paid a compliment to the abilities of Mr Hammond, expres sing at tho s&me time their esteem for him and the kindly relations which had existed between teacher and pupils. Dr Maunsell spoke in laudatory terms of the new master. The school was then dismissed until Mon day morning.

The usual notices of Sunday services are duly announced on the third page of the present issue.

If the glorious beast who advertised beast glory, in last night's paper will bo man enough to visit tho Theatro to night aud walk with Scott the last mile, Scott will undertake to make a pretty glorious beast of him.— [ADVT.]

Mr W. 11. Hazard announces that be has just received a largo stock of all kinds of guns, aud sporting rcqusities, particulars of which appear in another columu.

The operative Masons will hold a busi ness meeting this evening iv the usual

The Victoria Company will hold their usual annual meeting on Tuesday evening next. At wliich meeting, the business being of importance, for which the members are referred to the advertisement : every good member should make a point of being present.

CABLE NEWS.

EUROPEAN.

[REUTEIt'S SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS.]

LONDON.

April 1

The Homeward Mail.

The homeward mails via Briudisi, which left New Zealand on February 14, were delivered to-day.

Bank of England Beserve

The Bank of England's weekly return shows a total reserve of notes and bullion to be £16,600,000, being over £1,000,000 less than last week.

LONDON,

April 1. Sir Julius Yogol Defeated fox

Falmouth

The election for Falmouth took place to day. Sir Julius Vogel was a candidate, bat was rejected.

GALLE,

April 1

The P. & O. Company's steamslr.p Hy daspes, which was recently disabled, has been repaired, and sailed for Australia.

NEW YORK,

April 1

It has been announced that tho World's Exhibition will ba held in this city iv the spring of 1883.

The Elections LONDON.

April 1. The election for the city of London took placo to-day, and resulted iv tho return of Alderman Cotton, Mr Phillip Twells, and the Right Hon. John Hubbard, Conserva tives ; and the Right Hon. G. J. Goschen, Lineral, all of whom represented the consti tuency in tho last Parliament.

AUSTRALIAN.

[REUTEIt'S SrECIAL CAH LEG II A MS.]

Conveyance of Frozen Meat

MELBOURNE.

Friday,

The Orient Company and Messrs Money, Wigram & Co. havo notified their readiness to provide tho necessary spaco for frozen meat in their steamers. The Peninsula and Oriental Company have the same question under consideration.

Victorian Bevenue Be burns,

MELBOURNE.

Saturday,

Tho revenue for the past quarter amounted to £1,250,000, being au increase of £110,000 compared with lust year. The revenue from excise duties, laud tax, and railways, shows an increase, but tho Customs revenue has has decreased.

SYDNEY.

Saturday,

Commercial

Patua rice, £18 to £19, dull; New Zea land wheat, 4s lOd : INew Zealand oats, 2s 3d to 2s Od ; candles, Sd to B£d.

South Australian Bevenue

ADELAIDE,

Friday. The revenue of South Australia for the past quarter amounts to £483,000.

ADELAIDE,

Saturday. Arrival of tlie Chimborazo

The Orient Company's steamship Chiin bora_o arrived to-day from Plymouth.

MELBOURNE.

Saturday,

Sale of tlie Omeo

Macmcekau, Blackwood and Co., have sold the steamship Omao to Messrs Slipper and Lee of Melbourne.

WESLEYAN CHURCH, OTAHUHU.

TllG members of the church and congre gation met together to partake of a social cup of tea on Thursday evening in the above building,atter which the Rev.J. Lang occupied the chair, and opened the meeting in the usual manner. The Chairman stated that the object in call them together was to consider the advisability of removing the present church to a more central position of the village, aud to organise :i schemo for raising the necessary funds. About sixteen years ago the church was built at a cost of £700, but as the workmanship employed in its erection was not of a creditable charac ter it would be necessary at the present time to expend the sum of £120, at least, to put it iv good repair. The question was, whether it would not be more advisable instead of spending this ainom.t on a badly constructed building, to re-erect the church on a better site. He (the chairman) believed that he was justified in saying that it was tho opinion of the trustees, and of most who wero present, that it would be unwise to spend any more money on the present church, but that they should con tinue to occupy it till such timo lis they could raise a suliieient sum to procure a more suitable one. As the meeting bad been convened for the purpose of heariug an expression of opinion on the sub ject, he would be glad therefore to listen to any suggestions wliich might bo made by those present. Messrs Tanlield, Murkham, Pikett, Johnstone, lliggiogs, Goodwill, and Jackson, too part iv tho meeting, and were evidently in favour of the proposed plan. The following resolution was then proposed by Mr Markham, seconded by Mr Tanlield and carried, " That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable to procure a new site in a more central part of the village, aud that the church bo erected thereon, as soon as practicable." On the motion of Mr Johnstone a committee was formed of the following ladies, with power to add to their number, to canvass the district for subscriptions, viz., Mesdamcs Markham, Tantield, Pikett, Johnstone, aud Misses Burns aud Goodwill. It was also decided to hold a Bazaar at a future date, to supplement the funds. During the meet ing, Messrs Tanlield, Goodwill, Johnstone, and Jackson, promised to give or collect the sum of £10cach, aud Mr Pikett£s, towards the said object, and it is hoped that other members of tho congregat'ou will be in duced to follow their noble example.

THE NATIONAL MORTAGE AGENCY COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND.

Tho annual meeting of the shareholders of tho company was held on February 6'th, Mr. H. R. Grconfoll in thechair. The chair man stated that the goodwill of the firms taken over referred to at the last meeting had proved very satisfactory, and formed the nucleus of a general business in London, and of a mercautile bujiucss in the colony, which had already yielded a satisfactory profit. The share capital now amounted to £54,500 iv shares with £1 [>aid, £4,500 shares having been issued since the date of the last meeting to the members of the linns whose business had been acquired. The deben tures issued had increased from £289,686 to £305,048. The deposits had decliued from to £131,192 to 52,112. The company did look out for deposits at iuterest, hut they had no desire to stop them. The loans on mort ages and secured accounts had increased from £26,559 ts £314,461. The gross profit for tho year amounted to £45,183, and the general charges in London and at the brauches to £19,702, which, perhaps, would be considered high, but the board were doing the best they could to reduce them. Tho interest on tho debentures, thought the ac counts of the colony were only up to Sep tember, had bocn calculated up to tho end of December last. It was iutcuded to place a limit on the mercautile business conducted iv tho colony, the company conliuing itself more particularly to advances on mortages. Ithad been stated thattbe debenture-holders of tbe company had no security except the reserve fund and the unpaid share capital. That was not tho case, as they had, besides, the whole of the assets of tho company. The amount brought forward from tlie last ac count was £5,630, and the net profit, after all expenses at home and abroad, paying the interest on debentures, providing for all bad aad doubtful debts, and making the usual deduction, amounting to £13,507, or 25 per cent, on the capital, give them a disposable balance of £19,137. From this sum an iu terim dividend of 2A per cent., or £1,365, had already been distributed, and it is now proposed to make a further payment of 7i per cent., making 10 per cent, for the year, leaving a sum of £13,6*37, to be carried to a re reserve fund, to meet £13,000, ot debentures given iv part payment for the good will of the business to which he had referred, aud which wouldfall due tbisyear. The amount of debentures so issued was £41,155. The report was adopted, and the dividend declared.—" European Mail."

TELEGRAPHIC.

(PEE UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

RUSSELL, This day SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

Mr Lelcher, of tlie Manganese Mines, whilst riding homo late last night met with an accident, his horse, falling, threw him to the ground, causing some nasty wounds about his head, aud hejwas not discovered till this morning by on of the miners Jand brcuL'ht into Russell.

DUN£DIN, this day, THE UNEMPLOYED.

Messrs Dick and Oliver reply to the unemployed petition.tliat it is not the duty of tlie Government -to attempt a regular rate, provided the sum paid the Govern ment is shown by the auni paid for rations to be sufficient support for the workmen and families, and the terms have been thankfully accepted in other parts of the colony. The Government can hold out no hope "of different terms being given to Otago. At the City Court a number of publicans were charged with selling adulterated liquors at tlie recent races. Judgment was reserved until Monday.

An attempt will bo made at the next meeting of the City Council to have the Mayoral salary increased to £-100.

WELLINGTON, Friday. Tbo Customs revenue for the last month is £17,750. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court commence on Monday. Nine cases arc down for hearing, of which tbe princi pal arc rape, indecent assault, and arson. Tho Koyal Commission on Native Afi'air.s returned to Wellington to-day. This day.

LOST IN THE BUSH,

A man named Douglas was lost in the bush near Woodville for eleven days, and subsisted on berric.l?. He states that he saw the footprints of a boy and a man whom he met on the road, aud fears are en tertained that they also are lost in the bush, as they have not since been beard of. The charge of indecent assault against Bowden, bailiff, was dismissed, as prosecu trix did not appear. Boyd, who started on the 122 mile featjiit 8.30 last night, completed 71 miles at 11.15 this morning. He is not likely to finish aiore than 100 miles.

GREYMOUTH, Friday.

The coal pit heath miners at Biunner are on strike, oa account of a reduction of Cd per ton.

CHRISTCHURCH, Friday.

Mr Nosworthy offered a quantity of young stoclc for sale to-day, but the bidding was slow, and, after one or two animals had been sold, reserves were put on the rest, and they were not disposed of. Tbe Customs revenue collected at Lyttel ton last quarter was £45,934 14s Id, some £14,000 less than in the corresponding quarter last year. Another attempt is to bo made to put down Sunday trading. Another informa tion has been laid against Mr Marks, the fruiterer, who was arraigned on the same charge before, but, in the face of the decision recently given, it is improbable that a con viction will be obtained.

This day

Only twenty-four entries were received for the Kaipoi Regatta, all being Canter bury boats.

INVERCARGILL, Friday.

The Borough Council passed a resolution supporting the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bills, a copy of which was forwarded for consideration by the Premier.

Sporting.

A.B.C. AUTUMN MEETING

The following handicaps were received by the Secretary from Mr Lance, the handi capper : — AUTUMN* HANDICAP. St lb St lb Mata 9 12 Saunterer ..6 1 Ariel 812 Piseatorious .. li 1 Numa .. X i V. ins Quail ..6-1 Honknr .. ..8 1 Malvern.. ..6 1 Looglands.. ..8 0 Otawa .. ..oil l.ara 7 13 Sorcerer .. .. 511 Vomnlre .. ..7 7 Yatapa .. .. 511 ■resolution .. 612 Xantippe .. 511 Libeller .. .. 611 MyDream .. 511 Lacrtos .. ..6 8 STEEIT.KCIIASE. St lb St lb lira- Momim ..12 0 Harold .. 10 0 liOCh liOmond ..11 7 Jonathan Wild 10 0 Kvo-sley .. .. 11 0 YounKHlodmero 10 0 Baron .. ..Ill) Screnader .. 10 0 Otawa .. .. 10 7 No Name .. 10 0 Sportsman.. .. 10 2 Hard Times Hate Billy 10 0 Spring Back) 10 0 H. P. Lance, Handicapper.

CIIRISTCIIURCII, this day

The settling for the autumn meeting took place this afternoon. The following stakes were paid over :—Mr Fraser, £IS4 ; Mason and Vallaucc, £55; Hon. R. Camp bell, £305; Cuts £142. (Only half paid walk over Epsom Stakes) Goodman, £90 ; Butler, £40 ; Plummer, Hack, £10.

THE AUCKLAND SCHOOL COMMIT TEE AND THE EDEN BOARD.

TllE Chairman of the Auckland School Committee has received the following letter from the secretary of the Board of Educa tion :—Auckland, 2nd April, ISSo.—Sir, — In reply to your letter of this date. I am directed to inform you : I. The occasion of closing tbe City Schools, during the exam inations, was oue of emergency, requiring immediate instructions to be conveyed to the teachers to acquaint the scholars, before dispersing on the Friday, and the omission to communicate with your Committee was merely the result of inadvertence. 2. The arrangements for the examination of teachers (which is conducted by the Education Department) are beyond the control of the Board; but the Board will endeavour as far as possible to prevent the closing of schools during future examinations. (3) Ihe recommendation of your Committee regarding Ihe winter holi days will bo duly considered.—l have, etc.,

Vincent E. Rice. Secretary. The Chairman of the District School Committee, Auckland City."

TWITCHERLY'S TROUSERS.

Mr Twitchkrly was engaged to act as grooms man at tho wedding of ono oi his most relentless friends on Soptornher IS last, and with that view ordered a new pair of bhcn trousors. On the morning of tho 17th of that month his new trousera oamo homo from the thop, and he tried them on. They proved to be an inch too long, and ho instanily took th-m back to the tailor. To his dismay, ho learned that the tailor was absent, and would not return until the next Any ; whereupon ho took tho trousers hmio ia a state of mind that could bo mora easily described thau imagined, provided ono know exactly what that state ot mind was. There woro at. that time in Mr Twitcherly's houae h's wife, his mother, lire of his own sisters, aud three of his sistors-in-law, both kinds of sistero being young, unmarried ladles. Thoy wore all shoekeb when Mr i wltchorly announced, with alt the epithets and interjections that tho most liberal cystem of morality could aulhoriso, that Ids infamous tailor had made his trousers wholly impractic able. Littlo by liitle his affectiouato relatives drew from him tho full sto^y of his wrongs, and tli-y woro overflowing with sympathy when he left them to go to his business, remarking that as it would bo out of taste for him to attend a wedding without trousors, it would be- impossi- , bio for him to act as groomsman. »No sooner had ho closed tho door than hi? affectionate wife stoloquiotly into tho room, cut of what hor liberal feminine imagination regarded os an inch from tho bottom ot his trousers-legs, anil sewed them up again with muoh neatness. It took her only a few minutes lo nchievo this labour of love, and sho felt that she had dono nothing morn than it was her duty todonsafaitlifulanudevoted wife.

A littlo later it occurred to Mr Twitcherly's mother that Bho would just run upstairs and shortou hor son's trousers. Like her daughter in law, thero was nothing mean about her con ception of an inch,- and when her charitable work w.»s dono the trousers wero fully four inches shorter than when thoy left tho tailor's shop. After tho mother came tho sisters nnd sisters-in-law. Ono by ono and in the utmost secrecy they attacked tho unfortunate) garment wilh a boldness lhat,, in viow of theirutter wane of practical acquaintance with trousers, was ivally remarkable. Eaon. was determined to give Mr Twitehorly an agreeable surprise, and, therefore, took great care that no ono Bhould know of lirr sartorial dovotiorj. Five sisters and three sisters-in-law are eight fomalo relatives. Alloitiog only one inch of tracsors to each, we may assume that their united eilorts shortened tho trousers eight inches, to which mus; be added tho four inches previously cut by Mrs 1 wnchoriy and by Mrs Twitcberly's mother. I'here is not the least doubt that, had tho owner or these trousers examined them whan he re turned homo on the evening of tho 17th of August, he would havo beeu very much sur prised. It so happened that he did not examine thorn. Tho tailor had unexpectedly returned, and to him Mr Twitehorly hasthy sent tha trousers, with a noto expresing tho opinion that in tho point of intelligenc 3he was inf-n ior to ihe bru.es that perriah. and ordering him to in etanly cut au iceh from each trousers leg. Ihe tailor was a quick-tempered man, and after informing his assistant that Ur Twitehorly was a combined idiot aud maniac, besides baing weak minded, he obeyed the oruer, and sent the remnant ot tha trousers home. The next even ing, about half an hour before tho wedding was to take place, the Twitcberlyahousehjldwos horri fied to see Mr Tw.tcheny rush ng into the street dressed apparently in a short pair of black ''trunks," and howling fo-blood. He has not slnca been seen, but tho body of tha man who had apparently died from an apoplectic stroke, waa fouud the next day stretched by the side of his cold and useless •' goose." This anecdoie is but one of many whioh illnstrates tho suffer ings wrought by affectionate friends. Let us hope that it may do its part in strengthening us to endure our friends no maiterho w many and ho w affectionate they may b?.—" New Jfork Times.'

Our Wellington Letter.

(FBOH OUK OWJ^.^ | TAKING IT OUT IN L^' ? IN connection with the aait3atc!l 27 completion of the Wel_ nR R»} fr. L | IwffiV pr-° ( posa! is made toi^ I that the line, if undertaken at Jn h e% I be constructed by men willing .aII« shorn I wages portions of the land tt,v„ r?CciM _' I it would pass. The idea wa 3 h*S I by a correspondent to one of SL?* »W<H and was immediately caught l7>P*fc I others interested in the scheinp.*! Se»ta| I meeting was held to vcntS\l US«S l To indicate the genuine Pn ik, • "Obi*.. tl,epro r edWe|coSfcr^ in the breasts of the peonir. r tion that although t\£'±ys, convening the meeting „nli .***** two or three hours prior to ,£ Ppeat<tf at which it was fixed to taU ihe m:i no fewer than 50 or 60 p CO pi e £JH » ' uo discuss the scheme T, sjicaker seemed to consider th.t ?IlnciW obstacle to the undertakinc of i? he °nlv the ,part of the .Government t I ■ lack of funds. He pointed out tffl* « the Government were in nindErHk stances as regarded finances tl. c-tci,l- abundance of waste lands at tM?* "* * and there were numbers of would jump at the chance of )w Pc *& manual services acknowledged Xll^ land and partly in hard cash." H. *'" that the Covernment should propoße<l rations to each man employed oiv gl k-tairte« per week for pocket money amil , m 10s balance of his wages to his c lft aw He towards paymg for land~the rat* J fa 8» to be at from Gs to 8s De r » *a?«i adopting this scheme, the % contended, the Govt, would be abU?^l out the work at a minimum com. i*®*! the people on the laud at the SmkS?* was resolved to wait on the Minist™^ >' the matter before their notice and tr.'? them to bestow their approvalcAjjl* posal. Ihe Press, whilst adnrittin ** the idea is presented in a somewhat thlt shape, looks upon it with favour an j nndt that it be properly developed W 8.r2» not to allow the grass to grow anl *• feet, the agitators are about to holS 'r meeting to ripen the proposal and n on the attention of the Government '' THE COST OF HUNTING A TURTr, A case of considerable import** 1* Amateur f)ramatic Societies was S ? I the Resident Magistrate's Court Si* ■' day. This was au action brou.htLu B. J. Gillon as New Zealand i» the Dramatic Author's riocietv ■ ' the hon. secretary of the Gar&V W of Invercargill for having caused to? performed a play entitled, "Hmfi.- Turtle " without having previoiX gi? tamed a license to do so. The dam were laid at £2-minimunpenalty ,»?**? R. M„ after having carefully coa&fi J teims of the Act, gave judgment H - plantift with coats. The defendant »l,*! evidence was taken at Invercarriillt? ' mitted that he was the secretary of ftedS' pleaded ignorance of the reqniremenU the statute, and prayed for clemency __ I ground that the performance had, not tail expenses. As it would only.have cwft to obtain the licence. The members of il! * club will be ot opinion that they have.«W rather dearly for their whistle, andta I doubt they will take care in future to procure the necessary permission before attempting to invade ihe rights of Drama. Authors' Society, whose catalogue* ft appears, comprises over 4,000 playa, ijii the General Assembly passed the Pine-Art. Copywright Act Amendment Act"ltd session the difficulties experienced*in a. holding the right of tha society under t& English Copywright Law were bothmmet. ous and embarrassing, and the resatt?oi action in question will act as a wamiMto Dramatic Societies throughout the cotey It is stated that musical works come mU__ the range of this Act, so I would advise m musical friends to be careful as to <wlut pieces they sing iv public. )

ART UNION EXTRAORDINARY, Au Art Union of an extraordinary d_] actcr is aonounced to take place shortly. The tickets are advertised at £1 each,ami the prizes range from 6s tofSOO, Then I arc to be no blanks. The singularity oi | the Art Union lies in the fact that tbe fi prizes will consist of land, building,,furni ture, aud personal effects. For instance, *■• the first prize is to be a store, dwelling! j house and freehold land atOtaki; and the f remaining prizes include an iron saie, marble time-piece, chests of tea, weighing machine, saddle and bridle, silk dresses, gentlemen's suits, and various other articles,

Now, 1 rather admire this description of Art Union, it beats your " Consultation* all to nothing. If you don't set thentm aud dwelling-house, &c, you are bound to draw a lady's silk drees or a half-rloztn packets ot Epsom salts. You are snro in get something tor your £1, and you might get the first prize. PUBLICANS AND SINNEBS.

At the last meeting of the Wellington City Council a deputation wm received trom the Licensed Victuallers' Association,

who called attention to the practice of sly grog selling so extensive in the city, and requested that the trade might be protected. It was pointed out that the trade were placed at a serious disadvantage itt having to pay a large sum per annum for a.hoense whilst scores of persons were driviagaUree illegal traffic without paying anything atalt This illegal business was carried on chiefly in oyster saloons, fruiterers' shops, and houses of ill repute. One of the deputationistacom plained of the alleged injustice done to the trade by so-called working men's club*. lie stated that whenever the Licensing Commissioners declined to grant a license to a house, the applieaut, in many cases, called the house in question a "working ; men's club," and sold liquors without taking out a license. Whatever truththere may be in this statement, it is well-known that some time ago, when the Bench refused a license to a certain house wnich had been built in the suburbs, the owner adopted the following method of evading the provisions of the Statute :-He sold numbers of concert tickets to his friends, aud the possessor of such tickets, by calling at that house, was instantly treated to a " friendly glass." Of toura the concerts never took place. The ut-« made by the trade against Working Mens Clubs has provoked quite a storm o !nW nation amongst the supporters of sum institutions. Mr Charles Hendrey,_in« pithly written letter to the "Post/ defeMs the clubs from the aspersions of its enemies and poiuts out the incalculable good they do

DISASTROUS FLOODS. This part of the country has just ban visited by a very heavy storm, w» has done considerable damage. Severn slips have occurred on the Wellington ana Masterton line—one of a serious nature. The Wairarana district is inundated, ana besides two human lives have been m Hundreds of sheep have perished througn the Hoods. The rain came down in torrents for four or live days, almost continuously, but the storm now appears to have abate-

AMUSEMENTS. | " Happy Land," localised by Mr. J. Utting, who is connected with the literary staff of a daily newspaper here, ran m five nights at the Academy of Music « the same place this evening, a screws company consisting of those well Know" darkies Hosca Easton and Billy Wilson, M other artistes will Rive an Ethiopian earn ta'inment, when the celebrated Artnw Sivctchley will make his first appe_w« at the Atbemeuni Hall, when hei Wl« introduce to the notice of the P^,"^ 3?'. friend 'Mrs Brown," who Will"flSgg opinion on what she saw at the play.^ . Rose, for that is Mr Sketchley's rea. name, has published in Wellington a W^Jjgß entitled "Mrs Brown in New Zealand. Though rather interesting the book am> very unpretentious character; batoiro it cannot be expected that the author woura be able to say much about this colon)» experience, seeing that he has only been«& lew weeks.

WHANGAROA.

Ox Tuesday evening, the 30th ult., th< )M Surrender Lodge No. 45. LO.U-lj. bratcd the openins! of tlieir new nail .ej. - social tea-meeting, to which they »««« the members of the Ebcuezer Lod»e .**< and their friends in Whangaroa. tables wero presided over by w« ' . Brown, Mrs Lane, Mrs W. Hare, and Mm Brown. The good things of this We * bountifully supplied, and it is almost 1■ less to add that the guests aid "•Mf&j justice. After the tables were «earM» :-; : . chair was taken by Brother John wg| son. W.C.T., and the meeting open* prayer by Mr Colburu, Wesleyan mnuwj who afterwards gave an able adart» the waste of money through intern^ Addresses were also given by W fV r . from Auckland, Messrs Lane, Wfat gussou, aud White. MrCoratou.theW , tltry of the Lodge, furnished **£*£& k account of the work of tb? L. "* hea lth? the past year, showin. it to be in a ■_ condition as to membership ana « The new ball, he said, was clear« He gave Mr Lane aud the »•"»"« e„d mittee great credit for their exertions.^ also Mr Shepherd for hisi gitt ' °lj, tgW n, Music was discoursed by Mrs \ >. „ ttoDl Mrs W. Hare, Miss E. Brown, Miss »•* A Messrs Lane, Hare, aud f; ,„ "close by pleasant evening was brought w** jfr th« benediction being pronounced »J CoIburn,—(CORFFSPOMDFNT.)

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY," APRSL 3, 1880.



"VT E W MILLINERY, NEW EONNF/TS AND HATS. LATEST FASHIONS FROM PARIS. Also, in COSTUMES, JACKETS and MANTLES. W. RATTRAY will hold a GRANB SHOW Of very Choice and Fashionablo Autumn and Winter Goods ON MONDAY, THE sth APP.IL. Tho attention of the Ladies is s invited to this intended Display of Nov/ and Fashionablo BS. .'TRAY, .'-BTBEET t New Zealand).



Special Adveratsements. »T1 H 1 S L I X U M. 100 DOZEN 2-butto;n KID GLOVES , (Quite sound), Onlj Is lid per pair, !A LargeJStook of PANCYgGOO] OS, MILLINERY, CO&TUM E3, PINAFORES.j ,D 1 lESS..GOODS, &c, &c. To lie Sold at Ne ttgCash, for a Short Timejonly. DRESSMAKING ON THE PREMISES. Costumesl made in 21 hours' notice. A LIN A BURY & CO., 201 AHD 206, QUEEN-STREET. Ci BEAT uAKGAINS IT KB A T .£> AKG A I 81 GREATj.BARGAINS 1 GREAT BARGAINS! GREAT BARGAINS,! JUST. OPENED, A SPLENDID LINE OF MEN'S fJiWjEED gOI ( TS, 27 3 6D gWOKTn 455. ONE CASE jyjEN'IS JTLAX gHIiRTJS, j With Collars, AT 4 s 6 U Wo hth Gs 6d. I ! ONE BALE [ gUPER. JJLANKETS, ; 13 s 6 D- Worth 20s. i Inspection specially invited to I OUR OWN MAKE 1 OP BOYS' PLAITED TUNIC SUITS, I! From-j^S. | i 42T Note the Address— J. B. It OBIN SO N, 3 AUCKLAND /CLOTHING T^ACTORY NEXT MESSRS TONKSJJ& CO.'S a AUCTION MART £ I I TTOTICEI \\T O T I C E ! NEW DRAPERY. NEW CLOTHING, r _____ 0 s RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN , Beg to annonnco that their NEW STOCK for « tho incoming Season's Trado is p Now to Hand, comprising— a New Materials in Fanoy Dress Goods, vory I cheap Satin Cloths, Serpros, Reps Cashmeres, Kronch Merinos, &c, now shades Waterproof Tweeds ned Ulßtcr Cloths o Ladies and Maids' Jaokots, a choico assort i ment Now Fanoy Woollen Goods In great variety t Ladies' aud Maids' Ulsters, all quito now 0 Hosiery in variety, &o. f . Also, 1 A Largo Stock o£ Flannols, various makers, nnd unusual good valuo Blankets, all sizoa, white and coloured Winceys, Wool Plaids, Snirtlngs, &c. A Very Choico Assortment of a NEW CLOTHING FOR BOYS AND MEN. i Overcoats and Ulsters i- Boys' and Youths' ditto ditto I Crimean Shirts, Oxford Shirrs, White Shirts i Under-Flannols, L.W. Shirts and Panti 9 Printed and White Moleskin Trousers for r Boys and Men Hats, Caps, Sec A Hetivy Stock of Good Tweeds Cheap Tweed for Boys' wear, Bluo Serge, Moleskins, &c. tST Fivo por cent, discount Us in tho £) al lowed upon all Cash Purchasers of 20s aud upwards. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, Drapers and Clothiers. Opposito the Army and Navy Hotel, Upper Queen-street, Auckland. -M/TACINTOSH & "Y^ATERPROOF I^OATS. We aro NOW SHOWING a Large Assort ment of NEW GOODS in n VULCANITE & DOUBLE TEXTURES, * from 46in. to 56in. in length, with extra long fly at baok, to open for riding. Theso goods are of h superior quality, and n GUARANTEED WATERPROOF. SILK UMBRELLAS ALPACA UMBRELLAS ZANELLA UMBRELLAS GINGHAM UMBRELLAS f In Groat Variety, i. ■ ■ Agents for y WERTHEIM'S SEWING MACHINES, '• NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING :- FACTORY, 0 QUEEN-STREET, OPPOSITE IHE ATEE ROYAL. J. FITZ3IMONS, Manager. c ___ , TO THE PUBLIC— We have the pleasure to inform you our . AUTUMN and WINTER GOODS are now opened for your inspection. It is our intention to keep a much Cheaper, Larger, and more Fashionable Stock of DRAPERY and FANCY GOODS than wc did prior to the late Dissolution of Partnership, and a glance at our present Stock will convince 7 you that good taste and judgment has been exercised in its selection, 5 ,' Wc thank you for so far endorsing our views , regarding Cash Payments as to encourage us to continue the CO-OPERATIVE CASH ; SYSTEM. ; Our Stock is marked down to the VERY ; LOWEST SHADE OF PROFIT; but we i trust to a VERY LARGE CASH RETURN to compensate for the small profit put on the ; Goods. ■ In doing a large trade we necessarily have a great number of Remnants every week. These ■ will be. measured up, marked at very low | prices, and cleared off every FRIDAY and SATURDAY GARLICK & CRANWELL, City Hall Arcade. '• Pompadour Casnmores and Serges Pompadour Silks and Velvets Pompadour Fringes and Buttons Satin Dress Vests and Tyrian Velvets T%? " Louis " Velveteen (highly commended) , Silk Finish Patent Velvet And all the New and Fashionable Trimmings. GARLICK & CRANWELL. i Estamines :: Wool Poplin Satin Cloths :: Persian Cords ' Crape Cloths :: Russell „ Costume Tweeds :: Fancy Serges French Cashmeres :: Plain „ i Winceys, various :: Black Silks i Alpacas, „ :: Silk Rops ' Cherry Black Lustre :: Wool „ \ At Co-oporativo Reduced Cash Prices. < GARLICK & CRANWELL. A Splendid Assortment of Flowers, Feathers i Fancy Birds' Wings, Frilling. Rouching, Fancy Velvets, Sealskin Caps, Trimmed and n Untnmmed Hats and Bonnets, in our Milli- i nery Department. Milliners on tho promises io exeouto'orders with dispatch. t GARLICK & CRANWELL, _ City Hall Arcado. i C Ulsters, Mantles, Paletots, Jackets, Operettes" r Wool Squares, Shawls, Capes, etc., Ribbons, + Scarves, all at Co-operative Prices. GARLICK & CRANWELL. * . __ t Manchester Goods :: Blankets, very cheap Men's &Boys' Clothing :: Curtains, „ GARLICK & CRANWELL. J Our Goods are all Marked to tho VERY LOWEST SHADE OF PROFIT. Co-opcrativo Prices for Cash. ci Co-operativo Prices a Public Benefit. j Co-operative Prices and a Largo Return. a C AST Support our New System. "JO. GARLICK & CRANWELL, i X City Hall Arcade. *



Speoial Advertisments. QU R fi E'E A|l QALE OF MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING, HATS, CAPS, AND SHIRTS, COMEMJKNCEfS THIS .EVENING. AU.ths New Shipments recently receivod will be sold'at SALE -p.RIC.Ei'S, ale Ibices. J. COSGEAVE & CG. Q »~~ "~S * I E, Kearsley's Combined Reapers and Mower Mangold and Turnip Drills Turnip Sllcers Oilcake Breakers Winnowing Machines Lawn Mowers. Also,1 [TO ARRIVE, PER 'INGLEWOOD, 1 I Coulter's Corn, Mangold, Turnip, and Manuro Drills, combined .And Ploughs, double andgsingle Harrows Rollora &c. &c fflc The]above goods aro imported directed rom tho manufacturers, and will be sold cheap to mako room for further shipments. W. J. HURST & CO., 181. Queen-street. CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLI ND. Mails will Close as Unijer :— Tins Day. Nil. „ Monday, oth instant For Thamos, per Rotomahana, at D.30 a.m. i or Tairua, per Mercury, at 11 a.m. For Coromandel, por Coromandel. at 11.30 a.m. For Taranaki, Wanganui, and Wellington, por Rangatira, at l p.m. For Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, and Southern Provinces, per Ponguin, at 3 p.m. For Russell, Kawakawa, Wangoroa, and Mon gonui, per lona, at 4 p.m. For Russoll, Kawakawa, Hokianga, &c, por Rotomahana, at 3 p.m. For Thajnes. per Rotomahana, at 5.30 p.m. Tuesday. Gth Instant. For Waiwera, Kawau, Omaha, and Matakana, per Roso Casey, at 10 a.m. For Wangarel Heads, Waipu, Wangarei, and Mangapai, por Argyle, at 1 p.m TnunsDAY. Bth instant. For Glsborno, Napior, Southorn provlncofl, and Australian Colonies, per Rotomahana, at 0 a.m. For Australian Colonies, per City of Sydney, immediately aftor hor arrival from Honolulu a B. BIfS Chiof Postmaster. j Perpetuity belongs to tho otornitlcs. Nothing I human exista forovor. The mechanism of tho human system is a comparatively short-lived framework. The vory operation of its compo nent parts i* a woar and tear upon tho organism, and our chief study should bo how to keep it I unimpaired as long as the powor given us "nablea ua to aocomplish that cud. Udolnho Wolfe's Schiedam Aroraatio Schnapps will kcop tho machinery of tho body in hotter condition than any othor known appliance.



The Triumph of the Age. —In moderate tone and distinctive excellence tho Wilcox and White Organs ellipse all other styles. Thoy aro capable of brillim effeotsaswellasof sustained harmony, and the many varied aud beautifu combinations adequate to performance Of Ulaa sieal, LsKitimate Ortian Mueic.—Solo Agency Auckland Musio Washhoube, ,71, Queen btreec.