SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HUH WATKK-j To . nlorrow M oruinß,B.o SUN SKT.—This KvoalnK, 5.J8 SUN HISK.—To-Morrow Morning. 0.311 MOON'S AOK.—Fnll Moon, LOth, 1.57 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

■ro-DAY. lona, s.s., Stophenson. from Rossoll Cjlumbia, schooner, Conwuy, from Napior

DEPARTURES.

LAST KTKNINO. Wattaki, 5.3., Edlo, for Whangarei

TO-DAY. Deflanco, brigantino, McKay, for Whangaroa

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

London—Chili, loaalng; Loch Doon to follow Taurantca — Glenelg, Wodnosday ; Waitaki,

Monday Sydney—Australla.Tiißiday; Abion, Wednesday Whangorol—Argylo, Tuosdays and Fridays ; Waitaki, Friday . Melbonrno. via tha South— Arawatn.Thursday Russoll-lona. Mouday; Walfikl, Wodnosrtay New Plymouth and South—Ha wea, Tuosday Jlobart Town—Loongana

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Hyrenn, H.T.M U.S., from Samoa Damn, H.M.S., from Wellington Auetralls, P.M. s.b.. from Sau Francisco. 21th Hero, a.s.. from Sydney and Molbourno, Bhortly Arawata. s.b., from tho i-outh, Monday Albion, 8.5., from Sydney, Tiiß3day Southern Cross, v.a., from Napior. Sunday Walkato, ship (M.P.K.V.) from London, salloa Juno 25th . , LangatOl.o, i>Mp, {JiiiiM) torn London; suited

May 17. Luttorworch, barque, from London, loading Cabarfoldh, barquo (3.Q.M.J.), from Hongkong Loch Floot, barquo (L.K.P.3.), from Lonaon Lochnagar, barquo, trom London, loading Ingoburg, barque, from Now York; salloi

June 17 Stag, barque, from Adelaide Freetrader, bhrquo, from Dimcdin Ocoan Rancor, barquontiao, (W.T.N.V.) from New York, Bailed April 28th Emperor, brig, from Lytcolton Vision, brig, from Dnnedin Cainlllo, brig, from Lyltolton Ocenla, brigant'io. from Adalalde Jamoa A. Stowart, brluantino, fromOamaru Myrtlo, briguntlne, from Tonga a ntive. brigantino. from Samoa Flirt, brlgantine (W.L.G.P.). from Lovuka j<(>reah3, brtuantinß. from Lovutta Wck Mc-rllien. brisant.'m (S.RGJi.), from

Loviiku Kyno, brigantino. from Lyttolton J.apwlng, Drigantino, from Dunodln Oiniha, orlgantlne, from Chatham Islands Roderick Hhu, brigantino, from Duncdin HJnorgy. schooner, from Noumea Dayspring, mission schooner (W.N.8.M.), from

tho Islands Sybil, schooner, from Foo Choo, sailod July 17th Afrnen Donald, schoonor, from Karotonga Belle Brandon, schooner from Lino Islands Gael, sohoonor (5.U.11.8,), from Samoa .noba, Bohooner, from Now Caledonia Kphemy, schooner, irom Noumea Cornet, sohoonor, from Aitutakl Saxon, sohoonor, from Lyttolton Policoman, sohoonor, from New Caledonia Ovalau, schooner, from Karotongu Atotohan, sohoonor, from Karotonga Konllworth, schoonor, from Lyttolton Mary Anderson, Bohooner, from Now Caledonia

IMPORTS.

Per Columbia, from Napier :-30 tons bonos

Inwards Coastwisr.—Nancy, from Thames, with 15,000 foot sawn timbor; Hangatira, from Omaha, with 40 tonu flrowood; Lagoon, from Morcury Bay, with 22.G77 feot timbor yMakarau, from Pakiri, with b»ulk timbor; Dream, from Tairua, with 21,000 foot timbor: Linda Weber, rom Wnangaroa and Mercury Bay, with 76.000 foot timber, and 150 bundles shingles; Ghost, irom Pakiri. wUh 60.000 Bhinglos, 7000 palinga and 6COO feet; Golden Isle, trom Kussoll, with 93 tons oiial.

Odtwabd^ Coastwise.—Onward, for Rns roll : Atlania, for Ruhsoll ; Prince Alfred, for Kalpara; Fanny Kelly, for Ngunguru; Corallo, for Talrua.

Tho barquo Soottish Lasslo. from London, was berthed this morning alongsldo the outer east ern teo of tho Queon-stroet Whatf. A sight entry to clear the vessel has been passed by the agents.

Tho barquo Irvine, 102 days from london, arrived at Wellington to-day. Tho Waitaki ia expootod from Whangaroi about eight o'clock thia evening. The schooner Columbia, flvo days out from Napier, brought a cargo of bones.

Thobarquentlne Prince Alfred cleared to-day for Kalpara, whero Bho is to load with timber or Ly Melton.

The brlßantinn Doflano** took her departure to-day for Whonsaroa, whore sheisjexpooted to load with timber for Dunedln.

Tho schooner Amaranth sallod to-day for Kalpara, whore she wiil load with Umber for a Southern port.

Tho agent of tho e.s. Southern Cross an nouncos that arrangements have been made by which shippers onn book cargo through by steamer direct to Tonga.

The s.s. lona arrived this morning from Rus sell and northern ports vrith passongers and tho following cargo :—331 sacks kauri gum, 36 hood cattle, 104 ahciep, 80 sackß oysters, 11 baskets fish, and a quantity of sundries.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

IMPORTS. Por Telegraph, from Waitara: 100 sheep and 12 horses.

Tho Hawea from tho South Is expeotsd to morrow morning. The Telegraph from Woltara brought a oargo of live stock 3ho has cleared ngaln at the Customs for Kalpai a, whoro she will load back to Waitara with timber.

The s.B. Rangatlra, lwhioh arrived from tho South yostorday, brought tho following passen ijora: Mesdamesi Moreton, Law, and Manner man, Misses Kemp, Watson and Mnreton, Messrs K. Graham, MoLure, Butcher, and six in tho steftraee. Tho steamor is announced to leave for New Plymouth, Wanganui, Welling ton and Lyttolton to-morrow

PORT OF WHANGAROA.

The AnHdoll, b*rquo, finished loading her cargo of btulk timber on Saturday morning, and prooeeded to sea the same evening. She is for Melbourne. 10th, noon.

A brig is now.turning up the harbour, sno posod to be the Bronda to load baulk from Mr Christy.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Gisnon'E, yosterday. Arrived: Rototoa, from Auckland,nfc 1.30 p.m. Wellington, yesterday. Bailed: Hlnemoa, for Taranaki, with twenty Armed Constabulary, to tako the places of thoso who resigned in ounaequonoeof the ten por cent, reductions. .. Nblson, yesterday. Balled: Hawco, for New Plymouth, at 6 p.m. .. . TAnHANOJ, this day. Arrived: Glonolg, from Auckland,at 11.20 a.m. Nai'ikh. this day. Sailod: Sonthorn Cross, for Auckland, at 3 ti.in.

COMMERCIAL.

KvKNiNa Star OfSco, Saturday. Mr R. Arthur's weekly sale was well attended and tho following prlo«a were obtained: Fowls, I»2dto2s 7doaoh; Rame fowl*. 2a to 6a 3d eaoh: Brahmas, 4a 6a each: Spanish. Is 3d to 3a 3d eaoh: turkeyn, 3i 3d to 5a 4d each; jroese. 3a Id each; ducks, 2s Id to 2s lid each ; small pigs, 7a to 18a Cd eaoh; large pigs, 353 to 363 each; carrots, 3s 6d; mangolds, 2s; potatoes, 3s 3d to 4s 6d per owt,; onions, id to Id; oats, 2a 3<i to 2a 6d per bnsh«l; maize, 3s 9d por bnshol; barley, 2s 3d per bushel: chaff, 2b O.i per sack; barley dwt; 6b Cd per lOOlbs.; flour, £8 tofiW: butter, 2}d to 9d; cheese, 3d to 7d : baoon and hams,ld to9d; lemons, 6H to 3d per dozen; appleB t fUs6dtols3 per case; oatmeal, ljd, to lfd; dripping, IP; beef Id to 2}d: pearl barley, 2id • sugar, 4}d: tea—box, 22s to 255; qr.-ohosts, Is 3d; coffee, Is 3d par lb.; blsoults, 6d; pea nlMr ft. Slbbin sold a quantity of Hobart Town frnlt, and colonial produce at the following figures: Hob»rtTownapolesavovngedl2* tolls per eas9; Canterbury potatoes, £i 5a por ton; ] maizo, 3s6d per bushel; food oats, 2» 9d per ] bushel; superior Waikito bacon, 8d per lb.; onions, lid per lb.

Mr Walter Do wdon's goneral sale was attended by numbers of country settlera and storekeoiiers. Tho following wore tho leading quotations. Flour, £12 per ton; potatoes (Canterbury). £t as to £410s; looa', £3 to £310a vet ton; Wellington butter (medium quality), 6d par lb.; Cheece (Canterbury). 6id; Inferior, 4d; uuporior tea, 26s per bolt; white sugar, 39s por owt.; small quantity of new potatoes brought Id to 2a per lb. Mr a. W. Blnney sold 110 oases of Hobart Town apples at from 12i Bd to 16b, acoording to quality.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :— Tin* Day. For Toranaki, Wan^anut, and Wellington, per Kangatlra, at 4.15 p.m. Monday, '23rd instant. For Hoklanni, pur Rowena, at 8 a m. Kor Coromandel, per Coromandol. at 11.30 a.m. For Thames, per Kotomahnna, at 3 30 p.m. For Kusboll, Kawakawa, Waiignroa, and Mon Konui, per lona, at i p.m. , For Tauranga und Opotiki, per Waitaki, at i p.m. For Thames, per Enterprise, at 5.30 p.m. Tuesday, 2ith instant. For VValwera, Kawau, Omaha, and Matakana, por Rose Casoy, at 10 a.m. For Thame3, per Rotomahana, at 3.30 p.m. For WanKaroi Hoods, Waipu, Wanßarel, and Manctapai, per Argyle, at 1 p.m Wednesday, 25th instant. For Russell, Kawakawa, and Australian Colonies, por Albion, at 3 p,m. For Australian Colonies, Batavla, 'Singapore. China, and Japan, via Torres Straits, pel" s.b. Australia, immediately aftor.her arrival from Honolulu Supplementary Mails for India, Continent or Kurope, and United Kingdom, via Brindisi, (for lettors spocially so propaid and nddroasod) por S.B. Australia, immediately after hor arrival from Honolulu. This mail bo duci London on Saturday, lGth October. For Taranaki and Southern Provinces, pot Hawoa, immoiliatoly after arrival of s.s. Australia. S. B. Biss. Chiof Postmaster.

Meetings, Entertainments, &c.

August 21,1550.

Theatre Koyal-" Stolon Kisses " (Ltagaras), 3 P>Y M.C.A.-Uovotionfil Mooting. Biblo Head ing, by I?ov. A. W. Webb, 7.30 p.m. Eightaacope, Queenstroat, 7 till 10p.m.

MARRIAGE.

SOMMKRS-ARKLE.-On August 17, at St. Matthews' Church, by tho Hey. Mr Nplso», Charlos Christian Sommors to Hannah Arkli', both of Auckland. No cards.

DEATH.

ARMSTRONG.—On August 20th, Robert Arm- BtTli(ffuneral will lonvc hla lata residence at Nowmwket. for St. Marks', llomuora, lo morrow (Sunday. 22nd), at J.IS. Friends will ploo.B o accept this invitation.

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

SATURDAY. AUGUST 21, 1880.

For the causu that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance. And the pood that we can do.

What is being done to settle tho laud 1 This is a question of the first and most vital importance to a colony. The primary and main purpose of colonisa tion, we tako it, is to aubduo wasto country, extend tho area of the food producing tracts of the earth, and there by lessen cho strain and moderate tho fierceness of the great struggle for life. A very large proportion of those who leave tho shores of an old country to people a new one arc moved by an enthusiastic impulse to engage personally in tilling tho soil. This enthusiasm, in a large number of instances, evaporates when the practical difficultiesarediscovered —with the dawning consciousness of personal unfitness and pecuniary unprepared ness—or under the greater temptations of lucrative employment in congenial and familiar town pursuits. Never theless, all colonies — and New Zealand is no exception — furnish many examples of men trained in early life to sedentary pursuits, who have .succeeded as agriculturists. The num ber and character of these instances is influenced materially by the nature of the land laws. Jn Now Zealand the Provincial system has produced a great variety of settlement laws, and these havo all left an impression on the con solidated law of the colony. There aro four, distinct methods of dealing with Crown lands still in operation: absolute sale, leasing, and deferred payments, which apply to all parts of the colony, and the Homestead system of free grants, which operates exclusively within the Provincial Districts of Auckland and Westland. There are various minor conditions which regulate the leasing of Govern ment land—such as tho object for which it is leased—agricultural, pas toral, mining, or for kauri gum—but to these it is not necessary to rofer specially in giving an outline of tho actual work done towards tho settle ment of the country. The report of the Secretary for Crown Lands laid before Parliament describes the deal ings with Crown Lands up to the 30th of June last, and from it we learn that the Crown alienated for immediate payment in tho last twelve months 197,021 acres; on deferred payments, 77,957 acres; agricultural leases on goldfields, 10,000 acres; and homestead grants, 8,976 acres. Adding to the money derived from these sources the £122,800 paid by 900 persons who lease twelve million acres of Crown, lands, we have a total of £332,463, the revenue derived by the Government from the public estate during the year.

The actual sales for cash give less in dication of the extent of new and bond fide settlement than the disposals under deferred payment and homestead regu lations, which contain conditions of oc cupation, and as these provisions are specially relied on for the promotion of settlement in small holdings, the re marks of tbi> Secretary upon the experi ence in actual working will be perused with interest. It may be premised, however, as a significant fact, that the purchases of rural land for cash give an average of 233 acres to oach purchaser, as against 140 acres per holder under deferred payment and homestead con ditions. Speaking of the measure of success which has atcendedthe working of the settlement clauses of the Land Act, the report says—

Deferred payments, agricultural lease, homestead, village and small-farm settle ments.—During the pa3t twelve months, under these several clauses of the Land Acts, the great work of settling 718 persons or families o" 95,000 acres has been accom plished. This is a marked increase of 50 per cent., both in settlers' acreage, as com pared with the twelve months ended 30th June, 1879. Among the causes contributing to this result may bo mentioned the passing of "The Land Aot 1877 Amendment Act, 1879," which, by reducing the minimum price at which deferred-payment lands may be ottered from £3 to £1, set free several blocks, that have since been taken up at £1 55., £1 10a., £2, and higher, per acre. Another cause is the necessity imposed on heads ot families to look out for something independent of employment on wages, which hap become in all branches, public and private, more precarious than forncerly. To meet the wants of such persons, .blocks have been opened in nearly every land district, and are now under offer and more are in course of preparation and will shortly be opened. During the current year there is likely to be considerably more settlement under these clauses than in the year closed. Although the Jdeferred-payment system proper was only introduced in 1873, and for a. year or two was kept within vory narrow limit)-), it has now assumed very largo dimen sions. On the 30th June last, 1,862 persons held 258,534 acres [on deferred payments, the annual payment of fees due oil which being instalments ef price, amount to £54,100. Up to that date, 575 persons, re presenting 97,113 acres originally taken up on deferred payments, had fulfilled al! conditions and converted the land into freehold. Of this number, 115 persons, representing 13,778 acres, have done so dur

ing the past twelve months, in the exercise of the option which is open to the deferred-payment settler of discharging iv one payment the balance ol half-yearly payments, if ho has hold tin: laud for three years and fulfilled the im provement conditions. Not included.in these enumerations, there were, oil dlst March last, in Nelson Land District, 1. ;> persons, holding 14,387 acres on * yearly payment for fourteen years of *i,i/u each payment being an instalment ot

Agricultural-lease system of gold fields. —Under it CO persons took up a little over 10,000 acres dining the year, which, villi former leases still current, make a total ot about 100,000 acres now under lease. By immediate payment 58 leaseholders, representing 7,137 acres, converted then leaseholds into freeholds, and in a similar manner more than 100,000 acres have been made freehold in the course of the last tew years. The homestead system is, by The laud Act, 1877," made applicable to the land districts of Auckland and Wcstland only It can hardly be said to he in operation in Westlaud, as, although 4,000 acres are open, only one or two selections hive becu made. In Auckland 50 ap plicants selected S.BIG acres for tho twelve months, and since the introduction of the system a total of 2GO .selectors have takon up 40,271 acres, or an average of 178 acres to each. But, as no one, unless representing a family or household, may select more than 75 or 50 acres, accord ing to quality of land, and if under eighteen years from 30 to 20 acres, it is evi dent that in the high average of 178 acres to each selection there is a family repre sented by each selector. About 70,000 acres iv various localities in Auckland aro now open on this system, which requiros no pay ment whatever for the land, the only cost to the selector being the coat of survey. On the fulfilment of conditions, which are, live years' residence, the erection of a house, and the cultivation of one-third of tho selection if open land, and onc-lifth if bush land, the Crown grant •is issued. There is a set towards this system at present, several selectors having gone up lately from Canterbury. Of the village settlement scheme which had barely come into operation the Secretary reports that 46 selectors iv Canterbury aud flawkes' Bay have already taken up 249 acres iv areas ranging from 1 to 15 acres each. Sites for village settlements have been .selected in nearly every laud district; and in Auckland, Xaranaki, Hawkes' Bay, Canterbury, and Southland, surveyed lands aggregating 4,120 acres, surveyed into GOl sections, have been advertised open for selection, aud suitable sites fcr similar settlements arc being laid oft on tho Waimate Plains.

It is very gratifying to find that so much has been accomplished by these provisions, and still more so to find that Mi' McKerrow bears unqualified testimony to tho success of tho scheme in securing band fide settlement. Ho remarks:—

The main object of all these modes of set tlement is not revenue, but the improve ment and occupation of the country. They are very expensive to work, and tho ques tion arises : Is tho object fulfilled and the expense warranted ? Tho reply must be in tho affirmative. The evidence is to be found iv the numerous homesteads and green spots that meet the traveller's eye as he traverses the extensive inland plains of the South or tho forest districts of the North. Without tho settlement conditions, those plains would still have been a sheep-walk, and the forest uufclled and without an inhabitant. It is quite true that, in tho very encourage ment so given to settlement by these systems tuero is tiu element of danger ia the temptation it places before some to enter into engage ments which they possibly may not bo able to fulfil. Yet, with tho exception of about 200 settlers in the Otago and .Southland Districts, who are iv arrears about £9,000 in payments, there has, hitherto, been no difficulty in administcr iug the system. Of the 200 it can be said there is no desire to shirk their engagements; but, iv the eagerness to possess land two and three years ago, it was often run up at auction beyond its value. The unprece deutedly low prices for farm produce which have since prevailed has resulted in a deadlock to those settlers who relied on their produce paying working expenses and half-yearly instalments of tho price of land as well. Many of them are not much iv arrear, and will pay up; but there arc others who cannot. It would bo unwise to visit on them the full rigour of the law, as though their misfortune was a fault. A much better plan will be to offer the land for public sale, and afford them the oppor tunity of gcttiDg value for their improve ments should others purchase tho land and they have to retire from it. Summarising the results of all the settlement clauses, we had in New Zealand on the 30th June last 3,160 selectors, holding 374,425 acres, and liable for an annual payment of £05,000.

Wo give prominence to these facts because even in New Zealand the encouragement offered to bona fide settlement is only partially understood, and beyond tho colony it is still less known. No life can bo more indepen dent or atlractivejthan one on a woll-cul tivated freehold, and in times of com mercial depression we may not unrea sonably expect that many will turn to that rnodo of life which theso settlement regulations bring within almost univer sal reach.

The desirability of founding a colonial asylum for inebriates has been more than onco advocated in these columns, and dc* serves more attention than it has hitherto received. One of the meat successful of these homes exists in San Francisco, and appears from the annual reports now before us to have done much really good work. It was instituted as long ago as 1859, since when 8,250 victims of dipsomania have been admitted and received treatment. In addi tion to inebriates, persons awaiting examin ation tor insanity are confined there instead of in the prisons, as here. From 30 to 35 " alcoholics " (such is the Yankee phrase) arc admitted every month, and there ara generally from 60 to 65 persons in the insti tution at a time, about half of wbom aic awaiting examination for insanity. Only a portion of tho inebriates arc sulferers from delirium tremens. The remainder are those whose constitutions have been broken down through excessive drinking or who desire to cure themselves of the habit. The principal of tho San Francisco Asylum divides his patients into two clu.-aea, the first consisting of those who undergo a system of medical surveil lance extending over three woeks.or months, and are generally profe?siotml men, business men or clerks, desiring to reform while there is yet hope of success ; the second class consists of mechanics and labouring men, who have gone on a spree ending with prostration or delirium tremens, and are generally mon of small means, with families depending on them for support. The re covery of this class is accelerated as much as possible, and they are allowed to leave after a week's confinement, which generally suf fices 'to get the whisky out of them.' Unless the victim has some degree of self-control, the expiration of a few weeks may find him back again. It is dangerous to release ' short-time' patients, as at least another week in the asylum is required before the burning thirst which tortures the drinker disappears, and which often proves too powerful to resist. After being admitted two or three times in a year the drinker cither perceivo3 his danger, reforms and is heard of no more at the asylum, or the habit proving too strong his moral strength gives way and the intervals between his visits, which may have been a year or two at first, is shortened into six, three and two months, finally as many weeks. By that time a man is a moral, mental and physical wreck, deserted by his friends and all but his nearest relatives." The records of the asylum show that Ger mans and Irishmen are the principal visitors. Occasionally a Celestial is brought in suffer ing from V.'E's., but negroes seldomjapply for admission, not more than three or four being treated in a twelvemonth. The treatment is purely medical, combined, of course, with enforced abstinence from liquor. Tho amount of good which such a " home " would achieve in New Zealand can scarcely be over-estimated. Drunken ness is very much on the increase, especially amongst the better classes, and but little has been done so far to check it. A Home for Inebriates situated in the country, where the names of the patients were kept strictly private, might be the means of saving many an unfortunate from a drunkard's grave, and of enabling those who felt themselves slipping into a degraded habit to check it in time.

On our fourth page ■will be found the usual Saturday story, which is entitled " A Judge Lynch Court."

Mr John lamb writes in another column, explaining that it was only the unemployed for which the Government find work until profitable labour is obtained by them that he intended to indicate in his evidence on behalf of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, not labour in general.

Hcv. D. W. Ruuciman has published his review of " Rocks Ahead" for the benefit of persons who were unublfl to hear it at the Young Men's Rooms.

Bishop Cowie will liolil a confirmation service on Monday evening uoxt in the Cathedral church of St Paul. We under stand there are about fourteen candidates for confirmation.

The Sightascope was largely atteuded last night. The scenes chiefly represented some of the most beautiful of the lands of the classic poets.

His Honor Mr Justice Richmond has reserved judgment on the appeal against the decision of Judge Macdonald in the case of Biggs v. Lamb.

A constant reader, " W.H.F.," complains that he did not get a prize at Mr Doran's entertainment on Thursday evening. Ho did not expect a young porker, but thought, as he had paid his contribution, that he was entitled to something, even a pound of dips. We learn that, owing to the thinuess of the auditory on that evening, the majority of the gifts were reserved for the next entertainment.

The "Herald" falls into error in stating that intelligence has reached Auckland that Mr Lusher is finally superseded in the Telegraph Department. Last Tuesday, the day on which the petition was presented to Dr. Lemon, Mr Furby arrived to take ollice, and it was then arranged with Dr. Lemon that Mr Furby should take charge of the office from Friday, (yesterday), ish Lusher, however, is not with the Telegraph Department yet, having been granted three months' leave of absence from the lirst of September on full pay. The petition praying that ho may be re instated in the charge of the Auckland ollioe had not reached Wellington yes terday, and therefore to have decided " finally" the Commissioner must have decided without tho memorial before him.

Matthew Henderson, who recently com mitted suicide at Wellington, was staying for a timo at the Albert Hotel, Queen-street, about two years ago. He nlso paid a visit to the Waiwera Hot Springs, boasting on liis return to Auckland about his succes-s with some widow who was staying there. He got n fancy belt made by Mr Green shields for a young lady at Christchurch, and ordered one of our local jewellers to make a silver clasp for it, with the name " Minnie" engraved thereon. Minnie was not his wife, but we do not know whether it is the Christian name of his present victim.

To the Editor : Sir,—ls it at all likely to conduce to the maintenance of school dis cipline or to the fosteriug of a good feeling between teachers and committees, when a committee-man frequently walks into a school half iutoxicated, insists on shaking hands with all the teachers, aud talks and jokes with the elder girls in such a manner as to make them see very plainly what is the matter with him ?—This is the case in one of our suburban schools.—l am, &c, Resident.

Our Whangaroa correspondent writes : "I see a printer's mistake in my notes re tho visit of Mr Peacock, Inspector of Schools. It read that complaints were made to the Inspector about .the teachers and chairman of the district school com mittee. It should have been that after iuapecting the school, Mr Peacock was watted upon by the chairman and other members of the school committee, aud those interested in the school, with com plaints about the teacher neglecting his school duties. The chairman said a chan«o would be beneficial both to teacher and the district on many grounds. Another con sidered it an insult io the district and a waste of public monuy to send the present one."

The congregation of the Epiphany Church, West Ncwtou, will no doubt be glad to learn that the llev. Mr Haselden, who has been suffering from illness during several months past, has recovered his usual health. He will therefore conduct service once every Sunday in the church.

When the man Henderson, who poisoned himself and his paramour at Wellington the other day, was arrested on board the Taiaroa for wife desertion, be said that he was simply seeing a female frieud of his to her husband in Auckland. The Sergeant, however, declined to accept the explanation aud Henderson was taken to the Police Station, and kept there until bail could be procured.

There is likely to be a full District Court on Mouday, under the presidency of Mr Macdonald. There arc teu cases set down for hearing, five being defended, one or two of which will be of public importance.

Dean's Minstrols have succeeded in draw ing out a most attractive progravnmo for their benevolent entertainment at the Lome street Hall on Friday eveuing next, in favour of. widow Donovan and her young family, left destitute iv consequence of the death of her husband recently in the Provincial Hospital. The entertainment will be well patronised by Superintendent Hughes and the Fire Brigade, Captain Butler and the Salvage Corps, Major Morrow, Officers, and Members of No. 3 Co., Captain Uignan, Officers and Members of Hobsou Co., Captain Anderson, Officers, and Mem bers of Engineer Co., Captain Loßoy, Officers, and Members of the Naval Brigade. The first part will consist of an overture, a number of comic and sentimental songs, and a bouquet of melodies, by Messrs Caradus, Bertie, Ryland, Richards, Rice, and Dean. A number of vocal and tcrpsichorcau specia lities, a stump speech by Billy Norman, several choice ballads, local and funny touches, Horace Dean's celebrated patriotic flag song, and a " mirth-provoking act" by active actors will close the programme and make wav for the ball.

We have received £1 for Mrs Bailey fiom Mrs Hendry Somerville.

A concert was given on Friday evening last in the Helensville Court House, for tho purpose of raising funds for the purchase of a harmonium for tho English Church there. The house was crowned, and tho eutortainment being first-class all enjoyed themselves.

Tho Auckland Market shews promises of fine spring weather in floral groups at the ccutral and side gardeners' stalls, many plants being in full blossom, although the recent winds have been sadly against the shrubs. Vegetables are tolerably plentiful, and there is a fair share of cauliflowers for the season. The butchers have a good dis play of meat, and tho buttermen are loud in their praises of fresh bntter and provincial cheese. Mr Bettany will be fully prepared for his customers in the ham and provision line, so that the only waut of the Market this evening will be lots ot ready-money customers.

To the Editor : Sir,—Can you inform me if the bonus formerly ottered by the Go vernmont for tho production of a certain quantity of steel iron from the iron sand of New Zealand has been withdrawn. By so doing you will oblige-A Constant Sub scriber. [We believe it has, but you had better write to tho Colonial Secretary.— Ed. K.S.]

The Berlin papers which arrived by tho last mail contain accounts of a rather novel attempt at snicide which was made in that city. One of the metropolis police > in pur suing his usual rounds, on a certain night found a man suspended from the branch of a lofty tree by a cord tied round his arm. On cutting him down, the mystified constable naturally asked for an explanation of matters, when the half fainting Fcnton replied, that being_ wearied of life ho had endeavoutod to cut it short. "But why then, queried the official, did you not tie the rope round your neck?" " Oh," retorted the would be suicide with a convulsivo shudder, "that would have choked me."

A Band of Hope Entertainment was given last night in the Pitt-strect Wesleyan Sunday-school. (Kcv. Mr Morley in the chair.) As the programmfi was a lengthy one, the chairman made only a few re marks. The first item on the programme was a song by Mr Smythe, entitled " Nancy Lee," which was greatly applauded. The next was a recitation by Mr Potonll, who deserves great praise for the manner in which his selection was rendered. Recita tions wore also given by W. Scarle, Arthur Kosser, Misses Hirst, Kate Goodacre, and Heighton, and ail these were worthy of note. An acrostic recitation made up from the words " Sign the Pledge" was given by thirteen of the female scholars. Several songs were contributed by the "Band of Hope" choir ; and also pledge songs by the favourite singer, Miss Hirst, who merited the enthusiastic applause of the audience for the manner in which, they were rendered. A comic dialogue by Arthur and Joj. Eosser caused great laughter, and another dialogue, by Miss Robinson and Miss Baker, was loudly applauded. We must not omit to mention that Mr King, the loader of tho Sunday-school choir, gave a song which deserved great praise. Very interesting speeches in reference to pledge work, and the good derived therefrom, Avere given by Messrs Field, Henderson, and Rhodes. Two prizes were subsequently awardnd by the Committee to Miss Nickson and Master Baker for the best essays on " Why should we join the Band of Hope?" Praise is due to Mr Roe for presiding at the harmonium, and to Master Handley for several selections on his harp. At the conclusion of the meet inf.a vote of thanks was passed to thoso who had so kindly assisted, and the bene diction, pronounced by the chairman, brought a pleasant evening's amusement to a close,

According to an account compiled by llerr Hirach, pastor and principal of an asylum for inebriates at Liutorf, there can be no doubt as to the large increase of suicide in most of the countries of middle Europe. In Germany uearly all the separate State* exhibit an increase varying from sixty tn one hundred and eighty per cent, within the past thirty years. Taking the average for the ten years since the foundation of the German Empire the annual number ot suicides to every million inhabitants has been in Saxony three hundred, m Wur temburgonehnndredandeighty.inMecklen- bur« one hundred and sixty-seven, in Baden one°hundred and lifty-six, in Prussia one hundred and thirty-three, aud in Bavaria one hundred aud three. In Denmark the annual number of suicides per million in habitants during the same period has been two hundred aud eighty, in Austria one hundred and twenty-two, in Sweden eighty one, in Belgium seventy-three, and in Norway forty. It is only in the last-men tioned country where a decrease has taken place in the period under consideration—a change which Pastor Hirsch attributes to the rigorous legislation there recently intro duced against drunkenness.

A public meeting will bo held iv the school-room, Stoko'H Point, on Monday evening next, for the purpose of taking steps towards the formation of a district park and cemetery.

We direct the attention of readers to the announcements of Church services in another column. The Sunday evening ser vice at the Theatre Royal at the usual hour. Rev. Allan W. Webb will com mence a series of Sunday evening lectures to-morrow evening, in Wellesley-street Baptist Church, on " The Future Life." Mr George A. Brown will preach on " The Atonement," in. the Temperance Hall.

Mr W, W. Wigeins has taken over Mears' stables and gives notice in another column of pursuing the same lino of business.

The members of No. 3 Company and band are requested to assemble at tho Parnell Hall to-morrow morning for church parade. On Friday evening they will muster at tbe same place in order to march thence to the Lorne-strcet Hall to patronise the entertain ment by Dean's Minstrels in aid of th« widow Donovan and family.

Mr W. C. Dennes will hold his grand instrumental musical competition for two or three White Company sewing machines on Tuesday evening next in the room of the Young Men's Christian Association. The names of the lady-competitors appear in the advertisement of the gathering. Mr F. Larkins has kindly promised to be chair man on the occasion, and three musical gentlemen will act as judges. The enter taininent will be generally interesting.

The usual fortnightly meeting of tho Loyal Pioneer Lodge, No. 93C, JN.1.0.0.F., will be held in the Temperanco Hall, Albert-street, on Monday evening next at 7.30., for the general busmen of the lodge, aud providing members with regalia as ordered.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

SANDY IN A FOG.

(Before K. C. Barstow, Es<£., R.M.)

Alexander Chapman was found wandering in the night, and unable to find his way home. Prisoner pleaded drunkenness, and was (mod 5s aud costs. NEGLECTING HIS CHILDREN. Wm. Middleton was again charged with failing to pay for the support of his childrcu in the Industrial Home; arrears, £17 12s 6d. Defendant was astonished to find that his children were in the Home. Sub-Inspector lardy said the prisoner would not work. Ho was married, but lived upon the ill-gotten gains of an unfor tunate. The order of the Court was 7s 6d (2s Gd for each child), but that order was disregarded, and thechildren were supported by the couutry. The Court ordered a distress warrant to issue, and in case of no effects three months' imprisonment with hard labour. A PKOFESSOK OF HISTORY. John Metton, reputed as a retired teacher of youth, and Professor of English history, waa charged under the Vagrant Act, with having no visible means of existence. Prisoner said he was in expectation of a situation as teacher of a school at the Thames. Sergeant Gamble had known prisoner for ton years. He got hia bread by beg ging. Was a common nuisance. Was fro qucutly found sleeping in water-closets, to the terror of householders. Detective Jeffrey gave evidence as to prisoucr'a habits of life. Several gentlemen had exerted themselves in prisoner's favour, but lie only abused his opportunities. Prisoner begged for another chance, but his Worship said he feared it would be of no service to prisoner, who had given way to evil habits. Two months' imprisonment with hard labour. ROGUES AND RECEIVERS. Benjamin Bennett was charged with lar. cenies of quilts, tablecloths, &c, value 30s, the property of Johu Lapham ; also of seve ral white shirts and other articles, value 20a, the property of Frederick Bootle. Tho robberies wero alleged to have been com mitted on the 18th inst. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. The cases were remanded until the 30th inst. Michael Bourke, storekeeper, of Aber crombie-street, was charged with the larceny of two coats, value £114s, on the 17th inst., the property of Nathan Goldwater; also, with receiving goods, value £2 15s, knowing them to have been stolen. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Sub-Inspector Pardy stated the par. ticulars, and referred to the numerous petty larcenies which are committed almost every night, and continually on the increase. Mr Tyler appeared for prisoner, and asked for a remand, and as Sub-Inspector Pardy had no objection, the cases were remanded until the 30th inst. Prisoner, who is well-known as a fish hawker, was admitted to bail, himself in £20, and ono or two sureties in the same amount. NAUTICAIi AND NAUGHTY. GustavT. Wishking, a foreigner, was again brought up, charged with feloniously steal ing sails, jib, &c, value £7i the proporty of Charles Bailey, of the North Shore.

Mr Laishley appeared in defenoc, but reserved his remarks until after the evi dence bad been taken, which he hoped would be brought within as small a compass as possible. Sub-Inspector Pardy said that Sergeant Martin had taken a great deal of trouble in this case, and his report of his investiga tions was very minute. He would, how over, reduce it as much as possible. Charles Bailey, boat-builder of Doron port, deposed that in May last he owned a small yacht, and on the evening of the 13th instant he moored her in front of his house. She was rigged with a set of sails bent. The next morning he noticed that the sails and jib were gone. He gave information to the police. The property cost him £12 10s. They were now worth, perhaps, £7. '

John Smith, seaman, residing at Pranell, knew the prisoner. Purchased the stay sail and main-sail cut up, as appears in Court. Prisoner said he had cut up the sails to suit his boat. Ho sent them to Boyd the sailmaker to shape and put in order. ' They fell into the hands of Serjeant Martin.

Sergeant Henry Martin gave evidence ot the arrest of the prisoner on the 14th hist.

The prisoner made several contradictory statements respecting the possession of the property; He said he purchased them for 30s of a man unknown. On a second occasion he said he found them at the toot of tho waterman's steps.

The depositions were then read over to the prisoner.

Mr Laishley addressed the Court, and stated that rather than prisoner should lie in gaol for two months before trial, he had advised him to plead guilty, in order that his worship might deal summarily with the case.

The prisoner then pleaded guilty. His Worship said the circumstances looked very auspicious. Tho prisoner, according to his own confession, had bought the suit of sails for 30s, when they were worth £7. Again, he bought them, he said, at 10 o'clock at night. There was evidently a guilty knowledge.

Six months' imprisonment with bard labour.

Mr Edward Cooper asked on the part of John Smith, who had purchased the sails and a boat for £7 10s, a portion of which was in the hands of the police, that it might be restored to Mr Smith.

Sub-Inspector Pardy said Mr Smith still had the boat, which was worth all the money he had paid for the whole. Mr Laishley said there was another ap plicant for the money, who had a prior right, viz.,Mr Bailey, who had not only lost his sails, but, if returned, were quite worth less to him, as they had been cut to pieces. Sub-Inspector Pardy said, there was so little of the proceeds left, after solicitors' fees had been taken out, that the balance was hardly worth quarrelling about, and at the expiration of his term, prisoner might claim it of Serjeant Martin. His Worship finally ordered that £2 be handed to Mr Bailey, with the mutilated sails.

This was all the business,

TELEGRAMS.

(FKOM (Kill OWN OOKHESPONDKNT.)

GRABAMSTOWN, this day. The Hape Creek mine have obtained 70 UThc S Caledonian have holed through to No. 3 level. There is good ventilation. No other mining news. _ , Information has been received u>-na> that Vcale'a horse, stolen at tho Thames a weik a"o, has been recovered at laupo, near Napier. The police are ou the track ot the thief. , . . COROMANDEL, this day. Rhodes aud his party of tributers to the Tokatea company have crushed 58 tons for 39 ozs. gold.

Sudden Death.

A YOUNG LADY FALLS DEAD,

WAIUKU, this day. Miss Rose Speedy fell dead this morning, on board the steamer Oregon, whilst on her way to Auckland. The body now lies at Mr Sedwick's Hotel, awaiting the inquest. The cause of death is supposed to be in juries caused by a fall oft'a roof whilst the deceased was endeavouring to extinguish a chimney on fire.

Waimate Plains.

TE WHITI ENCOUNTERS A TOUGH

CUSTOMER.

IIAWERA, this day. It is reported that Raua, one of the Opu naka natives, went to the Parihaka meet ing. To Whiti heard he bad knocked down the fences ou his journey up, and ordered him to go down and put them up again. Kana refused, telling To Whiti he did not care about being sent to Dunedin gaol and that he preferred to live with his wife. To Whiti asked him where his wifo was. "RanarepliediuHawera,scllingland.' This made Tc Whiti angry, and ho said : '• Do you know your wife is doing wrong 1 Tell her to come to Parihaka. Raua declined to put up the fences, and declined to send his wife to Parihaka.

Scintillations.

"Be brief; for, it is -with words na with sun beams ; tho more they aro oondonsod, tho deeper they burn."—Southky.

A whirlwind passed over Westport yestoN day morning doing an immensity of damage. in a shore time cometh the green apple season, and cramps in the small boy's Btomach.

Mr Wilkinson of the " Advertiser " will it is stated bo a candidate for the Mayoralty of the Thames.

The " Wellington Post" backs up the Stak in advocating a reduction of the Governor's allowance.

Mr W. H. Pearsou, of poetic oyster memory, has resigned his appointment as visiting justice to the luvercargill gaol. Dr Kly claims that tobacco injures the eyesight. Thutis all well enough in theory, but if you have got an extra cigar about your person a smoker is pretty sure to discover it. -zzz Unemployed, looking out for work: "Got a job you can put us on.Jguvnor ?" Employer of labour: "Job! Why I've more men now than I've work for." Un employed : Well, but the little I should do wouldn't make much difference ! "

It is stated in the "Manawatu Times " that a company is about being formed to work coal seams in the Tararua ranges. A highly favorable report on some samples sent to the Government mineralogist for in spection is said to have given a decided impulse to the project. A very ccceutric baronet, who died re cently and left an enormous fortune for his fortunate hcire, was greatly in the habit of hoarding, and, like the old man in the " Cloches do Corneville," revelled in the personal possession of masses of gold treasured up, which he would gloat over from time to time. An enormous sum is said to have been found after his death, by bis lawyers, actually buttoned up iv an old pair oi nankeen trousers and waistcoat, hid away in a wardrobe. The " Bruce Herald " states that a young woman named Lynch, who has been for a length of time in the service of Father Lcnehan, suli'ered a painful accident one day last week -whereby she waa severely scalded in the face. It seems that she had put a tiu of salmon to warm in a pot on the lire, but having forgotten to open the tin, it burnt when it became heated. When she lifted the lid off the pot, it was then the tin burst, and the scalding salmon Hew up into her face. It is feared she will lose her sight. She is receiving every attention. A Sydney paper is responsible for the following regarding Bishop Moorhouse : — " The Bishop of Melbourne, in one of his periodical tours through his diocese, lately put up at tho house of an hospitable resident in the north of the colony. The host was a PresbyteriaD, who had never seen a bishop before. Ushering his distiugushed visitor with tho greatest politeness into the best loom, he assisted him to remove his over coat, &c. The tired ecclesiastic stretched his limbs on the sofa. ' Won't your Lord ship take off your leggings?' queried the host. ' No, thank you, waa the reply, as the Bishop touched the sacerdotal gaiters, ' I never take them off—till Igo to bed.' "

LETTER FROM AFGHANISTAN.

A SOLDIER'S EXPEKIKNCE WITH GENERAL

STEWART'S ARMY.

A soldier who is with General Stewart's force in Afghanistan, writes from Ghuzni on April 22nd to his father at Icklcsham, a letter from which we extract the follow ing :— " The weather has been greatly in our favour. Slight showers at times, and gales of wind, but nothing of any consequence in the way of delaying our march. On leaving Kandahar we were told that we could stow our warm clothes away, as we should not require them any more this winter; but on leaving Kelat-i-Ghilzae we found we required our warm clothes, and a little more if it was forthcoming. Kisiog higher, of course it became colder ; but it is lovely weather now, neither too hot nor cold. The only thing that trou bles "lis at times is clouds of duct rising, that makes our eyes very weak. I told you in my last letter of the country being very unsettled up here. I must also tell that shot and shell have been fired since last I wrote ; but, thank God, I have been spared, although our loss and wounded amounted to about 125. I have no doubt you will hear of this before this letter reaches you, and I am sure you will be all in great trouble. It is the last and largest fight that has been in Afghanistan during the war.. They estimate the enemy's loss at four to five thousand. Their number was supposed to have been twenty to forty thousand. It was about forty miles from here where they came and met our force. They have not been seen since the battle. But such a daring class of men I never thought was in Afghan istan. They camo nearly up to tho muzzle of our guos. Our force fought remarkably well indeed. The only man wounded in our battery was our captain—shot in the aim. He is a nice gentleman. lam very sorry for him. He is doing well. One of our gunners was run over by the gun ; but he is doing well. The fight lasted nearly two hours. It was really hard fighting, and at the last it was hand to hand fight. Our infantry fixed their bayonets and charged them. Our Indian regiments fought well and plucky. The four batteries of artillery were firing all this time, doing won derful execution amongst them; in fact it was like mowing them down ; but still they came more and more to fill their dead one's places. My battery alone fired nearly two hundred large shells in that little time. It was very bard work indeed. Our hands vi ere blistered all over. I never saw a man so cool as our gallant general wao all this time. He took up a position on the top of a bill, and watched all the operations during the fight. Every man seemed in good spirits thioughout. I must tell you, dear father, that I felt a little timid at the first or second shot being fired ; but after that I felt as if I could do anything for my life or anyone else's. I saw a groat many poor fel lows turn pale at the first shots but soon recovered all this and worked to their uttermost. There arc some lovely fields and gardens here. The fort is a large one, in want of repairing. Hoping, dear father, you will excuse this very bad writing, as my time is very scarce ; having only marched here to-day, everything is very unsettled; and am battery orderly, having to warn all duties, and a'great deal of writing to do. I will give you full par ticulars when time will allow me to do so. Afghanistan is conquerod at last, I am happy to tell you. I cannot tell you where we are going. There are rumours of going to Kabul, ".and sonic say to India. 1 will write again as soon as possible. And now kind love to all; and tel) poor mother lam safely brought through the battle, and am well and alive. Bullets were whistling about my head all the time.—Your affec tionate son, 11,1 V

CABLEGRAMS.

ETJ-ROPEAN

[E KU T X R'S TBLEO It A M S.]

Sanitary Conference. WASHINGTON, August 20. The Hon. William M. Evarts, Secretary of State, has invited the other Powers to hold a conference in January, with the view of adopting a system for notifying the sani tary condition of seaports. Australians v. All-England. LONDON, August 19. The Australian cricketers play against the All-England a three days match at Kensington, Oval, on September 2 or Sep- between the Australians and eighteen of Scarborough was commenced to-day. The homo team went in faint to the wickets, and were all disposed of fo ISO runs. The Australians then went m for the lirst innings, and when the stumps were drawn for the day, had lost 7 wickets for 33 (sic.) runs. Bank Eeserve. LONDON. August 19. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is £16,509,000. Commercial- LONDON. August 19. The five per cent. New Zealand 10-40 loan is 10413 New Zealand loan, 1889, is 104; the 4iper cent. New Zealand loan, 1879 to 1904, is 100. London Wool Market. LONDON. August 19. At the wool-sale to-day, 11,000 bales were offered, making a total of 28,500 bales cata logued since the openiug. The tone onto day's auction was animated. There is a steady demand for tanned skins and hides, and prices are Is 4d dearer.

AUSTRALIAN.

jREUTEIt'S SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS.]

Commercial

SYDNEY, August 20.

Hcnnessy's brandy (bulk) quarters, 10s ; kerosene (diamond) per gallon, Is 7d; Patna rice, £21 to £22 per ton ; New Zea land oats, per 401b5., 2a ; maize per 001 bs, 2s to 2s 2d ; tobacco (liaven's^wist), Is 6d j candles (D.lt.J.), 7id to 7Jd.

ADELAIDE, August 20.

Adelaide wheat, 3s 2d per bushel. The market is dull. Flour is £9 15s to £10 per ton.

ST. MATTHEWS' CHURCH CHOIR.

" When in doubt take the trick," Hoyle. Thus did Dr. Pangloas, LL.D. and A.S.S., by rote, instruct his garrulous (Sieve when, to drive away ennui and pass a mauvais quart d'heure, it was suggested that the dulcent sounds of music should be per mitted to creep into their ears.

Music, when soft voicos die. Vibrates in the momory. " Taking it all in all," as Buckstone often remarked after he had surveyed a thrice rejected MSS., the dream ot some stage struck starveling, the service of sacred song and organ recital at St. Matthew's Church, as an ensemble, was successful. The opening was a Te Deum Laudamus by the choir, Dr. Dykes, in which the tenors were scarcely heard, whilst two rich bass voices blended in evenly-balanced proportions with those of the ladies, who appeared to equally divide the treble and alto. As a composi tion, it is a broadly melodious, tuneful conception. In the Festal March, S. Clark, Mrs Tebbs was cllective. The time was somewhat catchy, but the passages were full of bold rhapsody. Critics will admit the music a little florid, yet it must ever bo borne in mind that the organ no less than the voice can declaim as well as sing. The sacred sonc, " Angels Ever Bright and Fair," wag rendered by Miss Halstead in a careful style. Slight nervousness at the onset provoked " tremolo." Her voice, however, is clear and resonant, but too much haste was made to reach the upper notes, and having done so, linger unnecessarily. With regard to the flute concerto (Rink) played by Miss Ger trude James, the work in a few of the " fra vura " passages resembled the " sempre- Libcra" of Verdi's latest success at La Scala Milan. Her technique refinement ot touch, and the force wihh which the few de clamatory utterauces were delivered, served only to heighten the eclat and classify it as a great performance. The recitative and air, " If With All Your Hearts," was popr, in fact the gentleman was heard with far greater pleasure in the quartette, " Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord" (Elijah), which as a specimen of vocalisation, was the gem of the evening, the ladies especially making a hit in their respective parts. The organ solo, Roberto toi que j'aime" (Meyerbeer), played by Mr Brown, who was hardly couvales cent, calls for no comment. We have heard it so many times. In the solo from Elijah, " Lord God ot Abraham," sung by a well-known gentleman, the singing was easy, natural, and graceful. The trio, "Lift Thine Eyes" (Mendelssohn), was a leading feature. The "Andante in F," Mrs Tebbs, was alao much admired. There was plenty of power and genre in the "War March " (" Athalie") played by Miss James, and in the " Allegro con fuoco," which ensues she treated the instrument to a splendid outburst. In the chorus, "He that Shall Endure" (Mendelssohn), the tenors were as predominating as they were previously silent. "Andante Sym. No. 3" (Mozart), would havo been much improved by the use of the vox huraana, if the organ has one. This is a fine stop, and requires judiciouH use. The " Nunc Dimittis " con cluded the programme, the choir doing this right well aud keeping together, but " aquila non captat muscas."

REMUERA BAND OF HOPE.

Last evening an entertainment in connec tion with the above was held in the New market Hall. The hall was crowded. The Rev. Mr Monro presided. The proceedings opened with the singing of a hymn, followed by prayer. After a few appropriate re mark*, the Chairman called on other gentle men to give addresses. The Rev. Mr Dunn, in his usual happy style, spoke on the temperance cause, illustrating his sub ject with anecdotes. Mr Newman addressed the mce'iug on the same subject, and com pared the wine mentioned in Scripture to the wine of the present day. There was, he said, 13 per cent, of nlcohol in the former, while tho latter doubled that per centage. In the time of our Saviour there was a third kind of wine, which was the most noxious of that day. The vinegar offered to our Saviour on the cross was the so-called third kind of wine. He strongly recommended all those present to read the works of scientific men on the subject The boy who could sing well, or who was continually sought after on account of some natural gift he possessed, was tho boy who was most exposed to tempt ation, and should bo doubly cautious. The following ladies and gentlemen con tributed to the amusement of the evening : — Pianoforte duet, Misses Rhodes and Pro bert; recitation, Audrew Tait; song, "Watching for Pa," sung by a number of little girls, whose ages ranged from three to nine years of age, Miss Tait accompatnying on the piano ; " The Governess," by three young ladies, very creditably performed ; recitation, " Charge of the Light Brigade," Mr Digwell—lacked lire and expression; recitation, R. Rowc ; song, "Please Give me a Penny, Sir," Mr and Miss Heron., The great event of the evening wan undoubtedly the "Spelling Bee." Three, prizes were offered : first, to thoßO under 12 years of age; second, between 12 and 15 ; third, from 15 to 20. Key. Mr Monro gave out tho words, while Messrs Dunn, Lennox, .Newman, and Farrell were elected as umpires. The words were taken from the " Illustrated National Dictionary." The spelling of many of the words by the youthful competitors caused much laughter. "Isle" was spelt "ile," " bawl" "barm," (an objection was raised by a gentleman in the audience to the word "bier,'1 as being too hard), "jostle" "jossel," "yawn" "yhan," "alien" " alion." One of the spellers,"' who had maintained his ground until the last oue, was compelled to quit tho field over the word "dactyl." The word "rhyme," the meaning of which was given by Rev. Mr Monro, met with some difficulty on the part of one of the umpires, who said it was spelt "Iiime(!)" also. This was evidently an oversight. The successful competitors were —Selina Worrall, a little girl, Mr Pounds, and Mr and Miss Tait. The "Bee" proved to bo both interesting and amusiug, and was enjoyed by young and old. One gen tleman in tho audience was evidently anxious to criticise, as ho was hoard to say in a loud tone, "The gentleman's. (Rev. Monro) pro-nowra-ciation is bad." The en tertainment closed with a hymn and the benediction, after which the meeting dis persed, well satisfied with the evening's amusement.

Modern Scepticism.

Upon this theme the Rev. A. Carrick lectured last evening, in. the hall of th Young Men's Christian Association rooms to a large assemblage of people. D' Kenderdiue presided, and the choir of gt' > Andrew's Church contributed several selec tions of music in the course of the evenin " After a prefatory statement of his inteution ' '■■•I to speak largely upon the spur of the moment, and an apology f or ~ - little which he would be able to say on « ' vast a subject, the lecturer proceeded t deal in the Erst place with the doctrine of continuity and evolution. They saw he said, in every form of nature which met their gaze the process of development and the question not inappropriately arose' was it general—the ancients held to the opinion that every form of species was const! tutionally fixed, and that although there i might bo some slight departures from u» rule, yet, that they were not perpetuated Uf late years, however, high scientific men i'l had started the hypothesis that every form of ■■ * animated nature was correlated with each ! other, and that the higher forms Wcte derivable from tht, lower, a connected link 1 ' thus being traced from the most insignin - cent to the grandest and noblest—man him* self. Geology, in disclosing its treasures to 1 f its earnest students had seemed to afford ■ • evidence in support of the assumption that Ifc all liie had a common origin, but later " :W:' researches and a more carefnl consideration HI of them were found to sustain other and ' opposite conclusions. The Scriptural cos. inogony had been ridiculed from the days of Celsus down to those of the might* Strauss because it revealed the apparently r absurd fact that light was creator! ' before the sun. Yet the results of < modern science demonstrated most gplen. didly the principle laid down in the • ; Bible. Then, again, the Scriptural account I of the creation spoke of a rest after ths §< appearance of man upon the earth, and HI geology revealed not a tincture of anything <"'' p new iv the world of nature after that epoch, ' ' !r When it could be shown that lead waj I capable of being transmuted into silver .. » and brass into gold, and that oxygen waj I hydrogen, then, and not till then, would i if he be prepared to admit that matter under ■ any plastic natural principle whatever '- I could tiansform or develope itself into the : magnificent phenomena of reflective mind' f; or acquire the glorious attribute of speech. In the history of every movement or doctrine there were three periods.,], 1 prevailing scepticism ; 2, unscientific c«. dulity ; 3, the stace in which matter become '■■■ - f formulated, when limitations were intro. jr diioed and enforced and it appears in n clear " f" undistorted form. Darwinism at present ' was in the second stage. From this the ' Key. gentleman went on to refer to |}j '• materialistic philosopliy which waasopopi. lar iv Germany in years past. Matin - briefly indicated the peculiar tenots pffjl leading men of the various schools o(ibl{' general kind of thought, as well as referred shortly to Spinoza's system of Pantheism, Mr Carrick went on to observe that tin manner in which they assaulted the Scrip." turcH was to disregard their supernatural ; character and to throw doubt upon the !•' authenticity of the various books. (Jor- |. many, however, was now manifesting » I recoil from this extreme. The more ad- f ■ vanced positions iv that direction, taken* ' t up by a school of critics embracing the § most gifted intellects, and the shrewdest , if men conceivable, had been abandoned; JF The synoptical Gospels (by that ho meant 1 the three exclusive of John), whicli were >| formerly placed by those talented men lv - ■ jj> tlie second century, were now being brought ' S' into the first, and even the Gospel of John ; }; was being brought back very nearly to the - I beginning of the second century. Thi» ■ reaction unfortunately had not yet reached ! Great Britain and her colonies. That . ' which was icing rejected in Germany wr -■,•■..' just reaching England in translations, and • was being eagerly read by men in. every rank of society. The lecturer passed on lo ! indicate some of the answers which might | ~ be given iv a controversy with this negative i German criticism upon the authenticity of| i the Scriptures. Justin Martyr, who lived in the second century, had quoted largely ii ( his famous writngs from the Gospels so tbtfll they must-have bean extant in his davfflß Even St. John's Gospel could not have bedH i written by any pthexifaand or at a later dltflH i thgn that to which it assuredly related. JjSJjM instance, l'olycarp, a contemporary of Justin . • i Martyr, aud who was martyred in 166 AJ|jH| ! at the age of 00 yfears, was the intimndlN friend aud disciple -of John. Irendions WMtm t the friend because the pupil of Poly carp ariri^S I he gave the most ample and explicit tcsti-Jti] n mony not only to the credibility of the ]"■ n gospels, but to St. John's specifically. •" ii Could evjdence be clearer than that ? The ■ It fourth Grfspel had thus been tmcedupalmoat ?<§§ to the hand of its gfjthd and devour author, ~ ■■* while the others $tcre shewn to bate sn fo equal ao». That "Was oneargument wLicii 'TV It might bo adduced in confutation of the infidel j!' P1 reasoning. The reV. gentlemin. answered , M. tli the doubts which some writers caeteji J< upon the existence of such i" person '$18ff ni Jesus, by asking if it was coaeeivable iht > in on age so obscure, a character so trails- f. th cendantly lofty and eublims could kite . c: lii been merely imagined, or that meUjjßJifM^N; Hp° row, prejudiced and illiterate WmBM ' we followers should have depicted a n&wSHs I "v broad, and sympathetic,, and KioribnaffiHl ft\N< they were trutbfulJjr writing down wlinffl B_jal really manifest to ih&m. The lecturerSHj lia proceeded to institute a parallel betm' ■■- } Bosvvcll'a "Life of Johnson" and lie, '~.;_. Gospels. Bos well had pioved himselfaM ' prince of biographers, not for any skills^ "rJ peculiar talent on his own part, but mcrelHß!'' '" because after introducing his hero, tow:.. 11' "" n allowed him to talk and explain for himself j^ji ij n , so with the writers of the Gospel, s Thejriijffi B j^ faithfully reproduced the sayings of Jeaurag, jdj and carefully noted his doings, hence IU co j, inestimable value. Had his strength' p9 rac ; mitted he would like to have referred to tbe j j Qq { miracles of Jesus, and to have answertpffl },; n some of the objections which had advanctjtal rcCl against them. He would like to have shilßß \y c that the theories of Hume and Schleimacher ' y\ r \ were false, but he forebore from doing sat;' p or The life of Jesus Christ was the greatest , mal miracle of all; and if they admitted the htoffflM hut they surely could noU'refuso, to accept the Grc lesser. Endorse the character given by tbo Qo\ Evangelists of Jesus and there was no Brno , nmi who could have any difficulty in, endpriiag^ C every word the Saviour said, and w, mfc believing every deed that was recorde^^H pom him. After some remarks upon tfi«' ' «ex\ universality of law and its elasii- & city the lecturer proceeded' to''°?^B intc that according to Hume's theory for tbej|g S rejection ot miraclej, if he threw Mtblgß wos. into the air that would be, according to thatig lag! philosopher,a violation of nature, but iffwT' B^° not so. While the stone was ascending tUe j larp natural law was merely suspended, tut «' fi/tj soon as the force with which he - ntd'>]lH| BYE jected it had sufficiently dimimahed' ftj^B Ii law of gravitation acted upon it and it mm w6 to the earth. If, then, he could so fogflj '&?\ suspend a material law.'ernrolyl tae Gre^raH enl' could easily do so on a higher or grander . scale by the voluntary power of His 'wiUaHl *n'> Mr Carrick concluded with an elopenJHj * exhortation to his hearers to Presen'saH their own persons and lives the most en^^S: *• ; tive argument for the verities of "Wfflß,;;^^1 religion by becoming living apostles *yJHl';' w- The rev. gentleman resumed his seat,f-|j yAz' amidst loud and prolonged applaiise.= M 52?,' The Rev. R. Taylor in proposing a TO.^JHHK of thanks to the lecturer and choir l4Ssa| that any attempt on bis part to eulogiijiH HK, the discourse to which they had' 3>SM MX listened would be something analagous «. - r;-aH| Q an eftort to improve the rainbow. i\ The motion was seconded by tbe eT'.'"^M Blj, Bond, and carried by acclamation. '~ 8K... The Rev. Mr Carrick in^^^^K ledged the compliment, and .'ne? I j«|ii§' Doxology having been sung and the *fi| EHL diction pronounced the audience dispewed. ; ?'-*K 1 j l We must not omit to mention that pn<" : WB§c to the commencement of the ec'nre )) *aiH Mill Tait sang "Queen Mary's prayer^«w^|i Hxi that at its close Mr H. Culpsn rcnoew j the sacred selo " Lo.at thy feet. ■«

"DIT ME OUT IF 'OO TAN."

There was once a dreadful accidentigH|j| BKom railroad. Under a heap of mine lay<*ijSgM ■seve boy, not able to speak plain, and nw r* { |- '.must little leg was broken and wedß&» "^ , Beset between pieces of timber,; Jp%OTH&HPh: worked steadily for hours, trymfi toj«(»' B^sta out, and all the time the feeble row-a. MMte 8s voice kept plaintively crying :- ,-: ,f§B|U|'1 * " Dit me out if'oo tan. "VU^off^' 'fftimc Dit out my mamma and me." ;t«" ci Alas! when at last they lifted tbapsß^.1 ;fi»r. sufFeriDK baby out, they found w""1*^:. liH^ 1 papa both, cold and dead beside him. •• iHUe werelgentle hearts to pity mi,^'sfim M one orphan, and tender, skilful hand* U> as" ol* W|e , to hi 3 needs. ~ ■ ...jibc 88n,,6- --over the sea, who have uo^'y.^itfwin ;MjJ of Jesus and His love. SUe b^ /-K^; little Indian children m he fur W«^ j « ip^' untaught, Poverty-stricken^and ''^ Jg1 h children all over this f »"*?,' : XtK t n '• Dit me out if 'oo tan," thWMj'j,latj9|Kr , Let us do what we can. A^ („»{ «| eho pray every single day for the cm J4»«|hiß ni they may be brought out.of ™"S n at light—" Giaudmamnla in CUrtfw»

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR SATURDAY, AUGUST 21,



GROCERY! riROCEEY! W M. HOGG, NKWMARKET, Begs to acquaint his friends and the general public that he has Now REMOVED to his NEW PREMISES. Be takes this opportunity to thank his Cus tomers for the past support given him for several years and guarantees that in the future, as in '■> the pant, the same oxortions shall be put north to supply THE VERY CHOICEST OV GOODS, and in every possible way please his patrons. His. Country Customers will havo hla best attention, and every order entrusted to him Will bo PROMPTLY KXBOUTm' FAMILIES WAITED UPON FOR ORDERS Ho also solicit* a trial from any who may not havo favoured him, and he is confident their i nterests will not ha ove looked. f ARGEST SHOW-ROOM in town for JLJ FURNITURE, CARPETS, and BKD DING, la at T. & B. Cookie's, 67, Queen-street, "IXTALNUT CARD TABLES,, Occa !l TT sionol Tables, Kidnoy-shaped Writing Tables, and Walr.nt Muslo titools, on sale at T. & H. Cooke'a, 67, Queen-street. iriEATHER BEDS, Kapok Down Beds, ■ r PuVa Beds, and alt. kinds of Mattrasseu, PaUiaBBRH, Bolsters, and Pillows for Sale at T, and H. Cooke's, S7, Queen-street. V / VNLY ESTABLISHMENT in Auckland V employing Bteam Powor in th» Manu : faotnre of Furniture ia T. & H, Cooke's, 67, Queen-street. GREAT REDUCTION in Prices of Dining-room Suites at T. & H. Cookb's, 67, Queen-street. XniVß Per Cunt. Discount allowed to JC Cash Purchasers at T. &H. Cookb's, ' Furniture and Carpet Warehouse 67, Queen : Streot. .;'';'.: '



Special Advertisements. T>OYAtj TNSUBANCK /^OMPANST (FIIIIC AND LlffK). CAPITAL ... ... ... £2,000,000 With Unlimited Liability op tiib Share holders. Accumulated FundJ Injhand EXCEED .. ■• £4,000,000. IIRVKNUK :— From Firo Premiums *? 6'^; From Life Premiums £216,000 Exclusive of Interest on Investments. This Company continues to accept; FIRE RIaKS on every description of Insurablo Pro perty AT THE LOWEST RATES OBTAINABLE CLAIMS FOR LOSSKS aro Promptly and Liberally Adjiutodl without roforonce else where, and immediately paid at tho Company s Bankers in Auckland. GEO, W.yONKS. Chlof Agont forJProvinco of. Auckland. Office: 9hort!ftnd-atreot. May 22,1580. Influential Agonts required for the Suburbs and throughout tho Province wbo:o tiro Com pany is not alroadv represented JUST OPENED AT A. LINABURY & CO.'S :— 2.1, AND 8 BUTTON BLACK KID GLOVKB LADIE3' PAPER CUFFS 50 DOZBN LADIKB' RINK COLLABS LADIES' BEADKU CAPK3 HEADED STOMACHKRB CHENILLTS SPOT NKTS NEW UMBRELLAS S'J Dozen Ladies' Indian OARyaa, BOWE, and Ruffles; quito now atylea. NEW COSTUMES, MILLINERY, BONNETS, AND HATS. An Early Inspsetion Invited. Dressmaking on tho promises. Dresses mado in 21 Hours' Nctico. A r INABURY & QO. M. MURC HI B, MERCHANT TAIIiDR AND IMPORTER. OUR STOCK 13 NOW COMPLETE. Tho Assortment will be found much LARGER and mork varied than heretofore. Tho Br/PicmoßiTY of the Clothing mado by us to that offorod by othor Tailors is ■well known. ■Wo also offor tho Advantage of the LARGEST STOCK IN THE TKADK. Wo are continually receiving all the noveltirs of the Season, and have always somo- Ithinu new to show you. M. M U R C H I E, Shortland Street. •JUST RECEIVED. 2, 4,10. and 12-BUTTON KID GLOVKS. m HE BALANCE OF Q.OODS STILL BBINa SOLD AT REDUCED PRICES Tl/NILNE 7.& riHOYCE, OHEAPSIDE HOUSE, QUEKN-STREET. OPECIAL TO FARMERS. CHEAP MANURES. FINE BONEDUST, from .. .. fi7 PER TON BONEFLOUR, „ .. •• *8 SUPERPHOSPHATE J39 „ GUANO of all descriptions. Special Quotations for Largo Quantities. W. J. HUJKST & CO., 101, QUBEN-STBEET. PRINCIPAL CARPET WARBHOUSE.- Tho Largest and Cheapest Stock of Tapes try, Brussels, Felt, Kidderminster. Jute end Hemp Carpets are to be seen at tho City Hall Arcade. Carpets mado and Jlttod to any pize room. GARLICK & CRANWBLL. JVw jier Cm . Discount for Cash at time of Pwchase. ; IKOvN & BRASS BKDBTEADB.—Upwards of 350 In Stock to Solect from, and all sizes— from 21ft. wide to sft. -wide. Stump, French, Half-Tester, Folding Stretchers, Invalid's Chair-Bods. A Groat Variety o Wood Bodsleads to suit every class of customer. Children's Bedsteads and Cots various styles). GARLICK & ORANWELL. City Hall Arcade. Urn per Cent. DUantnt for Cash at time of Pv/rchaM. BKDDIN» OF ALL SIZES kept ready for Delivery. All our BeddlDg is mado at our own Factory. Kapok Down and Feather Beds; Hair. Fibre, Flook and Flax Mat trasses; Pillows and Bolsters of every kind: Spring Mattrasses and Palliasses for any size bedstead. Mattrasaea re-mado ■with desPagsj luc , K & ORANWELL. Kne v* Cent. Discount for Oash at time of Purchase. BEDROOM FURNI t'URE-the Plainest and Handsomest—to be seen at tho City Hall Arcade, at Prices to suit the working man, the middle class, and the rich; to suit ■bosrfllnK-honaeanA hotel-kospers. Ward robes, Chost Drawers, Toilet Tables, ■Waahstands. Commodes. 6ABLICK & CRANWKLL. five jper Cent. Discount for Cash at time of Purchase. rpoiOKT GLASSKS and TOILET-WARK— A 'We study to koap such a Stock as to be ablo to please every taste. Every Size in Toilet Gftsaes, and a Splendid Variety of Toilet-warn ; Pior Glasses—very pretty ■Chimney Glassesjust opened. GABLIOK & CHAN WELL, City Hall Arcade. Five yer Cent. Discount for Cash at time of Purchase. RAWING-ROOM AND DINING-ROOM IFURNITURK always on view and mado to order on a short notice. Suites ready for delivery, and a Largo Assortment of Coverings to seloot from. Centre and Occasional Tables, Chefflonlers,Whatnots, Cornices, Fenders, and Flro-lrona. CHUKCII FURNITURE, HALL FUMNI ■rURK, Library nnd Office Furnlturo, Kitchen Furniture, Self-acting Rollor Blinds, Floor Cloth, all kinds of Famish ing Goods. FURNISH YOUR HOUSE FROM TIIB £JITV JJ.A.LL ARC LX GARLICK & CR AN WELL, PBOI7IHETORS. fit per Cent. Discount for Cash at time o'. I'urrchase. q-TOCK-TAKING BARGAINS. , 8V ____ In preparation lot Stock-taking, William Rttttray has REDUCED the PRICES of his Large and Well-asJiorted Stock of LADIES' COSTUMES, SKIRTS, and ULSTERS, in order to effect a Clearance. COSTUMES at 37s 6d Reduced to 25s COSTUMES at iOa Reduced to 25s COSTUMES at 45a Reduced to 27s 6d COSTUMES at 058 Reduced to 42s COSTUMES at 70s Reduced to 45a SKIRTS at 8s Cd Reduced to 5s Bd SKIRTB at 12s 6d Reduced to 8a 6d SKIRTS at 188 6d Reduced to 13s 6d SKIRTS at 25s Reduced to 15s A Splendid Line of ULSTBRS at 22s 6d (worth 25a) aro now Reduced to 18a Gd. rt ILLIAM RatTRAY, DRAPER, CLOTHIER. & SILK MERCEK, New Zealand Housir, 06, Quoen-Bteeet. Auckland.



Kvery notablo ovont notches Itself in Ilia calondar of timo. Tho splendid aohlovoments of milttu-y prowess, tho radical revolutions wrought in religions, the reformations oitootoc by soeiuli»tic or GClGDiiilc dovolopf^nts. /"*". luvenMans, great, original ideas, iJI stand one saliontlyby force o£ their own'marked otiarae ter, vital import and signiflcenca. bo in im, medical world, tho origination of Ud°lpau Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Hohnapps Bigiini izodan epoch, and will livo as long a? nun? Bn'[J is capable of. appreciating its miraculously curative powors. .