SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

riTfiu- watitt))™3 Evening, — JlIGn \\ A rKri -j To-morrow Morning, — > TIN nyv — T),is Kver.inpr, 5.27 t UN BISK.—To-Morrow MorninK, 6.52 KOUN'a AliiS.— First Quarter, 18th, C.53 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

TiST EVENING. Stag, barque, Thow, from Newcastle TO-DAY. lon3, s.s., Stephenson, from Russell

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING. Glenelf?, s.s., Farqunar, for Tauranga . Argyle, s.s , Crawford, for Whangarei Sophia, sohooner, Pacsch, for Kutsell Reliance, ketch, Lawson, for Whangapoua TO-DAY.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

London—Agate. loadirß Sydney—Hero, 27th Tauranga. Gisborne, Southern Ports, and Mel bourne—Penguin. Wednesday Ru3sell—lona. every Monday; Waitaki, Friday Tauranga—Gloaelsti Friday ; "Waitaki, 'luesday For New Plymouth, and Southern Ports — Ha we a, 20th. _ ~ Whangnroi—Arsyle, Tuesdays and Fridays ; Waitaki, Thursday New Ci'odorjia—J'earl, loading Eavotonga—-Mazeppa, Ato'.ehau New York—Ulinor Vernon

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Pengnin, s.s., from tho Kouth, Monday. . John Bull, barque, from London; sailed lob ruary 10 Wolverine, H.M.s.. from Sydney City of Quebec, barque, from London ; sailed January 2 Camille, brig, from Now York Clara Uargreaves, barque, from Newcastle. Loch Do-, barque, from London ; sailed Feb. 10. Mercia. barque, from London ; sailed Deo. iv Syren, brig, from Sydney Borealis, brigantino. from Lcvnfca Island Lily, briguntine, from Chatham Island Fslcon, schooner, from tho islands Edith, sehoonar. from Tonga Sybil, schooner, from Tahiti Transit,schooner, from Tahiti

IMPORTS.

Por Stag, from Newcastle: -110 tons coal, 700 Per A rnwata, ex Oamam at Duncdin—l bales, 1 case Cocoa Mattin?, Kidder and Stair Garget, Firemen's and Knginecrs" Flannel, Stripe Twine Matting. &C.-J. M. ileLachlan.

EXPORTS.

Per Pearl, for Noumea, 28 cases champagne ; SO cases biscuits; 270 bags potatoes; 9 parcels and 1 bag garlic; ICO boxes common soap; J,OOO feet undressed Umber, For Norfolk Island. 12 boxes tea; 10 gaunies refined sugar; 1 case drapery ; 10 cases biscuits; 160 bass Hour; 20 boxes common soap.

Inwahds Coastwise.-Ghost, from Mahu racgl, with 20,000 feet timber ; Lee, from Wai heke. with 16 tons llrowood: Persovcranco from Waiheke, with 300 bushels ihicgles ; Kauri, from Port Charles, with 2U.010 feet timbar.

Ootwirds Co^stwisk.—Ghost, for Omaha ; Lee, for Waiheko; Opotiki, for Opotiki, via Mercury Bay; Pcrs/.'veranco, for Waihose; Three Brothers, for 'J ryphena. »

Tho ihrce-masted toboocer Sophia proceeded to Russell yesterday in order to bring Cown a cargo of coal.

The Island schooner Atotchau was takou out of the Graving Dock t-j-d&y after having her bottom cleaned.

Tho briKantine Oanmru is loading wdh broad- Stufls, at Oamaru for ranran^a nnn Auckland. Tho Union Company's e.s. Waitaki will re turn from Russell to-morrow morning. She leaves again for Xauranga on Tusßday nest.

H.M.S. Cormorant is expected to leavo for Samoa about the end of nest week.

The barque Stag arrivod from Newcastlo with a larxo cargo of c^l laat night. Captain Diow recort9 having left Newcastle on tho 2itn ult. with lieht S.K. winds, which veered to tho IS. X. that night. Th 3 wind continued from this quarter until making the North Capo on Satur day last. Stroog S.K. winda wore espenencod down tho Coast til! aruval.

The schooner Mazeppa completed tho dis charge of her inward cargo to-dar- Sho will commence loading uo again for Harolonga, and wih sail about the end of next woct.

A barque, supposed to ba tho Clara Har crreavos from Newcastle with coal, was in com- Sany with tno SUg off Caps Brett lon Tuesday last.

Tho kotch Pearl cleared at tho Customs to day for Noumea, via Norfolk Island. Sho ia expected to sail to-night.

Tho Union Company's s.s. Penguin is expected to arrive from Tauranga, Fast Coast, and Southern ports on Monday next. She icave3 again for Melbourne, via tho (Joa,t, on Wednes day.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Seagull, brigantine, Marks, from the South Rowens, s s., Amodeo, from Hokiauga

DEPARTURES.

Kangatira, a.*., Harvey, for the South The 5.9. Hawoi will arrive from New Ply mouth unrt tlio South to-morrow morning. Sho leaves again for Southern ports on Tuc3f7ay next,

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Russell, this day.E The looa sailed1 at 7.30 a.m. Passengo: s:— Messrs White, Will?, Ratcliffe, Brighter, Young, asd otUors. The Waitaki sailed at 1 p.m. SaUcd : Ruby. Loading: Golden lale. BLuff, this day. Sailed—Rotomahaua, for Melbourne; Jasper, for fj-dnoj-, with oats; Uniily, lor Adelaide, with Gals. Evening Star Offlco, Saturday. Mr R. Arthur reports of hl3 weekly sale as follows :—Fowls, Is to 2s 3d ; turkeys. 2s 2d to 33 Id; ducks, 2s 6d to 23 2d ; Rouon, 3s 6d ; geese, 2s 8d to 3s 3d ; smnll pig', 8s to 16a 6d ; pigeons, Is; English hams sold at 12Jd to 13d per lb ; Now South Wales haoon, at Bid to 91; pie-molons, 23 to 2a 2d; pumpkins, 33 to 4b 9d ; carrots, Jd to Id; apples (HooartTovrn) Id to 31a, Auckland, 3d to id. ; Hobart Town pears, Jd to 2Jd, Auckland, 15 to 3d ; lemon?, la 2d !o 13 Id ; cheese, 4J4 to 64d ; bacon. Id to 91: butter, 7 to lOd ; honey, 4din kegs. In tln3 61d ; jams, 61 to 63 8d ; tea, halt-chests, la 9d to 2s 2d ; box tea, 22s to 265; sugar, 4d to 4Jd ; rice, 2Jdto 3d ; crushed lump sugar. Od ; coup loa to IS3 ; biscuits, Gd; oats, 2s 3d to 2s 61 ; maizo, 3s 3d ; flour. £8103 to £1110s ; bran Is per bashel; oatmeal, ljd ; coffee, Is 3d; peanuts, Id to 3d : tobacco, 4s to 43 od ; starch 4Jd. A fai-amount of bnisness was done in the furniture department and good prics3 obtained.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

HAILS WITJi CLOSB AS OOTJKB :— Tina Day. For WhitianEi, per Opotiki, at 1.30 p.m. !'"oi' Wuipu, per Kinu, at 5 p.m. Monday, 10th instant. For Thames, per Kotomahana, tit S a.m. ForJOoroinandol, por Coromnndol, at 11.30 o.nt. For Russell, Kawakawa, \Vau^avoa, nnd Mon gonui, per Jona, at i p.m. For Thames, por lintorpriso, at 5.30 p.m. Tuesday, 20th Inßtani. If or Thames, por Rotomahana, at 830 a.m. For Watwera, Kawau, Oniahu, and Matukana. por Rose Casoy, at 10 a.m. For 'iaranaki, VVcngnnui, nnd fcoutheru Pro vinces, per lluwea, at 1 p.m. For Tauranga and Opotiki, \kv Waitaki, rt ■1 p.m. , . For Wangarei Head 3, Walpu, Wangrtroi, aud Mansapai, por Arny.'o, at 1 p.m Wednesday, 21st instant. For Tauranga and Opotiki.pci- Glcnolg.at 1 p.m. For Tauranga, Giaborno, Kapior, and tiouthorn Provinces, per Penguin, at 1 p.m. Tuesday. 27th instant, Por h.b. Zoalandia t'.3 follov.-s :— For Sandwich lalaiuls, United States of America. Canada, iiritish Columbia, Contnil and South America, and Hril.mli anil l'on<it.t. Wost Indios, Japan, and China, including Hongkong, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Comment d: Europe, at 1 p.to. For money ordoru, nnd registered lettorn, at 11.30 lum. Late lottera bearing au oxtra feo of sixp(!:.c". in addition to the postage, will bo rocoived by tho Mail Agent on board tho stenmer up to tlio timoof sailing. For Russell, Kawakawa, and Atwtrallan Colonies, per To Anau, nt ;i p.m. B. B. l!ign. Chief Postmaster.

liigostion is simply tho reduction of food into a liquid form. Hotoro tho food iiaK:<cs into llic blood-veasols, as it nooosaarily must, before it can nourish Iho hy*tum. it ia essoutlal that it should bo einnlßiflecl. In tliis condition it is taken up by tbo absorbents, and by somo roys teriona process couvortol into blood. Thit) transmntaticn or conversion mint bo complotn, else follow, in uinni.^takabio train, dyapepsin, indigOßtion, heart-burn, nnd liko nihnrnts. 'I'o porfect tho process, ut-o L'dolpho Wolfo'a Kchio dnm /.romiitic Solinapps-

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1880.

I'jr tho caitso that lauk-s csskt.iuc«. For the vcroaij that needs rej.Utancn, For tho futaro ia the distanca,

Aud tlie cood that wo c:m de.

Ik tho official returns of railway receipts and expenditure for the colony, great adroitness bar; been displayed in concealing the gross misapplication of public money upon tho construction of branch lines in the South. Tho dis jointed section of sixteen miles, known as the Kaipara railway, always figures at a great disadvantage, ranking with the Taranaki, Westporfc, and Nelson lines, as a railway swallowing up in expenditure an amount nearly equal to its revenue. Tho causes that deprive tho Kaipara railway of any chance of paying fairly until the connection with Auckland is completed are understood. When tho contracts now in hand have been fin ished, wo hope for a very different re sult. But in tho South works have been pushed on in a different way, and the connections are so perfect that the whole network of railways which covers Canterbury and Otago is de sci'ibed in tho official return as one line. The pui*pose of this very general classifi cation for several hundreds of miles oJ railway, will appear on a moment's con sideration and scrutiny, and this examination is very much assisted by c return to hand of tlio railway receipt; of the four weeks ending March Gth which distinguishes the brancho; from the main trunk lines. Tin conclusions plainly taught by this re turn should open tho eyes of an] persons who still have a lingering belief that the railway extravagance iv the South Island and tho shabby treat ment of the North was partly justifiec by the better prospects of paying whicl: the Southern railways held out It if proved by this return that the mosl remunerative portions of the trunli railway from Chriatchurch to Invercar gill—namely, that from Christchurcli to Timaru, and the Dunedin and Inver cargill sections, have had to beitr and cover up the losses upon branches which do not pay and never ought to have been constructed. The return embraces the harvest period, and. is therefore most favourable to the South. What do we find then 1 That while tho ex penditure on the Christchurch-Timaru section of the trunk lino bears the pro portion of only 55.91 per cent;, to the receipts, the expenditure on the whole of tho Canterbury and Otago railways improperly clumped together under the heading before specified, amounts to 79.3 per cent, of its gross earnings —in the last return it was even worse. On the Waikato railway the expenditure is only 69-19 per cent, leaving a good working profit. Looking more closely still into the Southern returns, the rottenness, jobbery, and successful log-rolling of the past eight fears is still more plainly revealed. Leav ng the trunk line from Christchurch ihrough Canterbury and Otngoto Favor siirgil], portions of which give very fur roni satisfactory returns, wo conn? to an inspection of tho brandies. The expemli ure on those sections for tho last month •ore, according to a telegram through he United Press Association, the ful awing proportions to the receipts.-— )xford brand), 112-53 per cent. ; fyreton branch, 132-25 per cent.; Nga iara brand), 158'3G per cent.; Lawrence ranch, 106-49 per cont.j Walton Park ranch, 240-08 per cent.; and Shag ■

Point branch, 2<i3'o9 ! Unless wo have misinterpreted the telegraphic digest of this return, the.se railways are being worked at a fearful loss to the country, and ought to be closed. The Kaiparu railway leaves a small balance to the good over working expenses even now, but the railways named are only kept going by direct subsidy from the general railway revenue. Lines which involve an expenditure of a hundred and forty per cent, over and. above what they receive, to keep them running, should Ijc shut up. In tho face of those returns it is monstrous to commit the taxpayers of the colony to further liabilities on account of branch and district railways in the South, and a National League ought to be formed to save New Zealand from a course which must land it in hopeless national bankruptcy.

It is worthy of remark, in concluding, that tho per-centage of expenditure to receipts on the Waikato line is lower than that of any other main lino in the colony—a fact which mast be highly gratifying to Mr-A. V. Maoclonald, the general manager.

The extraordinary mortality among fish along our coasts is one of the most remark able occurrences that has been chronicled for many yeais. The scientific staff which the colony maintains at no inconsiderable expense, appears, however, supremely in different to the phenomenon. The fish are dying by millions. A settler who came iuto town yesterday informs us that at Orewa and Waiwcra the dead bodies drifted ashore have been used _as manure. Persons who have inquired into the matter state that the fish come gasping to the surface and die, apparently from poisoning. The settlor referred to -Am informs us that a neighbour, who lives by the seaside, lost three of his cats, which died from tho effects of eating the dead fish. The animals were perfectly well when they went out in the morning, but immediately after eating the fish they exhibited all the signs of poisoning, and died after a short struggle, Schnapper and kowai appear to bo princi pally affected, and some whapuka aud deep see fish. We cannot hear that any mullet or flat fish nave been observed among the dead. This would seen to point to poisoned food as the cau-'C of the mortality. It is also stated, though with what amount of authority we cannot say, thatsomefish which were examined had au ulcer in tho gullet ; and also that they were blind before death. The inquiry is one important enough to invite careful scientific investigation and to stimulate the ingenuity of all persons versed in piscatorial lore, and we should be glndUo receive the opinions of those who have had any oppor tunity oi forming a judgment on the sub ject.

Itf reminding the public of Madame Ur>v>" accond concert, which lakes place thi evening in the Chor.il Hall, we won!

strongly recommend those who have not heard the lady's marvellous iust.nimcn tatiou to seize the opportunity at once, a« performances uf .such rare merit have seldom been given in these colonies, ami n very Ion;;- period of time, indued, may elapsu before such another musical treat is placed before u-. Above and beyond this there are other and more cogent reasons for an united endeavour («> make this aeries of concerts an unequivocal success. They not only exorcise a potcut influence iv elevatiug the public taste by diffusing amongst the ])Coplo a love for the divine art, but they tervo rdse as the eriteiin. by which future local performances may lit: judged, Sluggish indeed must be the nature which cannot ba roused into responsive sympathy with the plaintively eloquent notes of som.> weird sclectiou from the great mastery, or whose soul cannot bo attuned to melody by any concord of sweet sound.-). Apart from (bin however, the reputation of Auckland, a- a nuibic-lovingcity, is at stake, fur the report of any public unconcern with respect to the great executive .skill of the jilted violinisjtc would bo tantamount to a confeasi m of inability to appreciate her nupcrla tivc worth, and consequently would deter other celebrated artistes from veutur ing near our shores. We have amongst us a vhtuosa of acknowledged excellence, and we trust that she will rcccivo the patronage which talent near akin to genius; should ever cotnmaud. The "Sydney Morning Herald'7 thus speaks ot her season in that city: ---" After a series of performances which, whether considered aa excellent entertain- Hlftiteu'Vhl p!ft§ltfry"of music in Sydney and of the colony, Madamo Camilla L'rso, mi. happily for us, has made her last public ap pearance in^mr city. Hitherto great vocal or instrumental stars have been coiaet-'ike iv their visits. 'I his distinguished artiste, who came amongst us unheralded by any of the flaming accounts which too often prove the trumpersof mediocrity,brought her artist laud with her, and quiet and diguiiiud iv arrival, aa she lia3 been in all her doings here, has accomplished what no concert artist has over done before. .She lias given us 27 concerts, ail of exceptional merit., and iv which we can fearlessly and faithfully assert the interest has night by night grown in intensity.

"Our readers already know from their own experience that to say a piece has been played by Camilla Urso in equivalent to lavishing tho strongest terms of panegyric which can bo applied to perfection of technique aad thorough artistic interpreta tion of a composer's ideas. Musically, we may indeed apply the line of Drydeu— ' Each change of many-coloured lifts he drew, Exhausted words .....,' for ; in every school the has exhibited her power ; and should (die in years to come ever revisit Australia's shores, sure we are the second line may be completed, ' and then imagine nev/ :' for, with true genius spirit, her motto is ' Excelsior.' "

IN view of the introduction of a Ke-Distri bution of Seats Bill at the next session of Parliament, and with a desire to avert the possible danger of the County of Eden losing one of its members thereby, a proposal has been made to reconstruct these electoral districts ova plan which will] doubtless be carried into cilect. It is as follows :—Tha Grafton Itcad district is to be separated from Farncll and added to tho Eden Terrace and Karangahape districts, which will then become entitled to a member of thoir nvn ; Ketnuera to be added to I'arneli in order to make up the compliment 'of population. in that district; Mount Albert, Mount RoskilJ, Whau, and Point Chevalier to be taken from Eden and joined to New ion, Arch Hill and Pousouby, ami the balance of Eden to be joined to Onehunga." This will so equalise the population in the four districts as to entitle each to a member under the new method of representation.

On our fourth page to-day appears an inter esting story entitled " Uncle Obed's Visit." In our report of the charge of larceny brought by Mr Clements of the Crown Hotel, Grey-street, at the Police Court, yesterday, a very annoying blunder occurred. The women nccused of the theft were Mary Welsh and Annie Hogan, but by some un- j accountable error the second name was mis printed " Annie Clements." We arc very sorry that the mistake occurred. The prisoners, it appeared, had come down from Kawakawa, and gone to the Crown Hotel, at which they are .-suspected of committing the oHcuce, and another woman, named Mary llogan i.<i accused of receiving part of the plunder. Tho case of the Queen v. J. ('. Young, will be opened on Monday morning at ton o'clock, before Mr Justice Richmond and a special jury. Tho annual public meeting of the British and Foreign Bible Society, will be held on Monday evening, the 19th inst., at the Young Men's rooms, Welleslcy-street. Josiah Martin, Esq, F.G.S., will deliver a lecture on Thursday evening the 22inst, in the Institute on "Chromatics, the new science of colour." To the Editor, Sir: I was pleased on noticing in your last STAK that Mr J. P. Soreusen purposes answering the charges which have been urged against tho Latter Day Saints ; especially on two matters : (1), the "angel business," and (2), " Brigham Young's Diary," which I understand is likely to take a place in the world's ibraries, besides those of John Evelyn, and that son of a tailor, Samuel Pepys. Perhaps Bro. Sorensen would ptute really whether there arc any grog-shops in the Utah tern tor.y. IiN'QUIJHOB. The anniversary services in connection ! with the Alexandra-street, I'simitive Metho- ! dist Church will bo held to-morrow. The i spnutMi will be preached in the morning by ! Mr lioiul, in the afternoon by Mr Taylor, ami in the evening by Mr Carrick. Tin: | public iea-meetinft will be held on the 1 following Wednesday. From the well known ability of the preachers who have agreed to officiate to-morrow, and the very great rcsr>cct entertained for the esteemed pastor (the licv. J. Long), we have no i doubt but that largo congregations will i assemble at the various services. •' (

Owners of race-horses are-reminded that entries for the Ellerslie Cup and Hurdle Race closo to-night at tho Ellerslie Hotel and Thistle Hotel at 9 o'clock p.m.

The poetic adage of the Twickenham poet, Alexander Pope, about great events arising from little causes, is often verified in actual life, and especially was it realised this morning in the police court. While the business was proceeding, a diminutive little mouse, seemingly half starved, came from some obscure corner into the centre of the court, and for the time was au object of general attraction. Tho elderly person who constantly occupied the corner by the reporters' box, rushed at the little creature with his hard hat, but missed his intended victim which escaped, as if by instinct, cowards the clerk's luncheon retreat. At the closing of the court, there was a regular hunt for the mouse, and presently it leaped out of the messengers jacket sieeve, and was finully captured by tlie assistant clerk and constable Strathern. i A few minutes attor, the poor mouse expired, but whether from flight or exhaustion could not be ascertained.

The members of tho Victoria, No, 3, Hobson and Scottish Companies, arc noti fied by Battalion advertisement, to attend " Monthly Inspection Parade," at the Drill-shed on Tuesday next, the 27th inst., at 7.30. p.m.; full musters are desirable.

The Kcv. H. Dowsbury, the newly ap pointed WesleyanMinister for the Auckland Circuit, will preach to-morrow morning at the North Shore, and in the evening at Pitt street Church. Mr Dewsbury ia a capital preacher, and no doubt his 'congregations will be large.

To the Editor : Sir,—The public have to thank you very much for the sharp look out you arc keeping after those two notable centlemeu on the llarbour Board. Depend upon it, as Ili3 Grace Duke Humphrey says, " they arc aiming at grinding their own little axes." Our waterworks., dry dock, &C, have been sufficiently botched by one of them, without letting him do further injury, and the other appears to bo tarred with tho name stick. Look sharply after them, as they act like moles. You can see where they go in, but you never know where they will come out. Their mental cuticle is like the skin of a rhinocer os, otherwise, the vivisections they have got would bury them in oblivion. Public opinion, however, must sometimes make these worthies chew the bitter cud of re flection. We want the reclamation badly, even if it were for nothing else than to cover the mud which emits such stink at low wilier.—Your:!, AMtCtfS.

The annual meeting of tho Ponsonby Skating Club way held last evening in the Fonsonby Hall. There was a fair attend ance, the chair being occupied by Mr T. T. Masofield. The report and balance-sheet

Hubmittcd by Mr W. Guilgcon, Se cretary, showed the Club to be in a gouil financial position, the receipts anil expendi ture for tho year being evenly balanced. It was decided that the first meeting of the Club should be held on May 20th, and thai the rinking auddancino; should beheld onul- Lcrniiti! Thursday uighta—instead of Friday as was the custom last year. It was aLo

agreed that members' tickets should be the same as last year. The following oilicera wen; then elected : —President: His Worshp tho Mayor (T. IV .trek, Esq ), vice-presi dents : Captain Harrison and Me I. ''• . Miwofiold. Committee : Messrs. D. Il'. Kvnns, ('. Macindoe, E. Lewis, \V. VV. Gudgeon, W. 1!. Taylor, W. Jouea, George Oruiokshauk, and Dr. Dawoou. Secretary : Mr W. VV. Uudgcoii. Treasurer: Mr \Y, K. Kvnns. The uicetiii" then Icrminntcd.

Some surprise was experienced by the by standers on the Quecu-street Wharf lar-t evening, when about fifty sailors belonging to tlie German man-o'-war, now lying in harbour, were seen Hunching <!o\vn the wharf in groups tf two and three,each armed with a bundle of smoked li«h wrapped in newspaper. In addition t<> this supply, each mim hail a smoked sehnappcr in his hand, which he was bu»ily engaged in de vouring on the way down to their )»>;\t, all appearing to bo will satisfied with their purchases. Thin i^ a specimen i>t' the way hi which AiH-kland tradesmen are benefited by the preeeiicn of these vessels in our port Thi'i run on the smoked lish caused a great scarcity in the market, but the fishmonger soon got in a fresh supply and was ready to iippcaao another boat-load of meu-o'-wnrs' mcn. An Interesting Kind of Hope meeting was held last evening in the Pitt-street school-room. The programme \va<i provided entirely by the students, chiolly native, of (ho Three Kings We.deyan Training Instil u lion. There win a good choir present, con sisting of Maoris and European*, who sang with excellent effect a number of : elected hymns and songs, among which were, " Do not be discouraged," and "Angry Word.?." Mr George Ucmiw occupied tho chair, and delivered one of bin characteristic and com mon fcienSO specclinf. , IFnuralri n ntflv* ~,,...m..ti0j-the forerunuera of civilis ation—had done in bringing aliment to the

soul, while their successors had done evil in bringing the waipirnu into t'ie?o island;!, which was bad for the head. The tpeech was ingenious and clever. Phillipi, another native, spoke in a similar, but varied strain on the evils of the British drinking habits. A native duet was sung by two

native students, Mr Griffiths presiding at

the harmonium. Messrs Jones and Slade also spoke to tho auditory. Tho meeting, being native, created n great amount of in terest, and elosedwith tho Doxology. The adjourned meeting in the estate of Charles Burton will be held ill the Supremo Court Buildings, on Monday next at eleven

o'clock. To the Editor : Sir, —Thanks ioryour cut direct. Without intending if you have rendered me a service, snubs being pabulum well suited to ray cynical soul. Ridicule, not argument, is the weapon best adapted for dispatching such a nebulous noodle as

the British Lion. My object in writing as I did was not to " throw li^ht," but to ex tinguish one—a light so dim as to be hardly disccrnablo in darkness. To engage in an intellectual conflict with such a nebulosity were descent into selt-abasemeut. Find mo a foemau worthy of my steel and I shall not decline an encounter. I know birds to be the friends not the foes of man. I don't counsel their extermination, but advocate their increase and preservation. Tlieir creation I don't consider an anachronism on the part of Deity. They were brought into being and alloted a place in the economy of natuie by a power incapable of error. Some years since the sub ject was discussed, and discussed exhaustively. It was by Turnip the farmer, and by others his equals in information, that the birds were then arraigned. The verdict when at length given was one of acquittal Even gramnivorou.3 and frutivorous buds do a deal moro good than harm. They are persecuted and "popped off" by a party who is mentally poverty-stricken by a lot of " ornery "elves, who know not what they do. Fanners, as a class, arc not remark-

' able ft.r their intelligence. They are notable as ninnyhammcrs. Give the bucolic J brotherhood herds of boviues, dlocks of ' ovincs, droves of porcine.?, "mobs" of . equities, packs of canines, and bevies of , birds in tho poultry yard and they arc happy—happier than sandboys, merrier than grigs. Giles Turnip top is useful for the reason that he brings into town, eggs, ' butter, and bacon. So Mr Editor you cast my letter into tho corner where the basket •is ? In the opinion of your humble servant you did wrong. Why I think so I have, now, no time to explain.—CllAMl'lON. Referring to the statement made at the Board of Education, yesterday, that the school committee of the Mount Albert district are dividod on the question of the removal o£ the school, and that there is not a majority either way, Mr Walters, Chair man of the district, called nt our ollicc with the minute book. From thin it, appears that on the SOU) nl!. a meeting of tho school committee was) convened, its pnrrjeme—-tho consideration of school silo — bein.<^, Ifto chairman informs in, intimated to every member. Only four members attended. The following resolution appears on the minutes ax being carried unanimously, one member present abstaining from voting for or against it: —" That this committee seca no sufficient reason for removing the school, as it would be a great inconvenience to a great majority of the children attending the school, and tho proposed site being exposed to the full force of the westerly winds, and near a railway crossing, is an undesirable one tor the pur pose." Carried unanimously. Mr Walters contends, and we think rightly, that tho opinion of the committee can only be received by tlic Board of Eucation in the regular course, as determined at a duly-con vened meeting. Tho contest over the site appears to have got into rather a curious position, if the decision of the Board is to be accepted as a sound one. Their resolu tion is anything but satisfactory, leaving the householders and committee! in a mosi undesirable slate of uucerlainty ! with reference to the future of the school, j j Clearly, in a matter of this kind tho wishes j lof a majority of householders in the district | I should prevail,and that might be aacorUiimul .' !by a meeting specially I'onvevtcd at this !;■■ i oiicst of titf Bonn! in the District School- j j house. Better irchool-buildlng.s are wanted, i I ;»si<i while tho local )n;oi;iß aie wrangling i over the sites, the funds of the Board may become exhausted. If the Board fail to take further action, wo would advise the Chairman of the Committee to convene a meeting of householders, after full publicity, to bring the question to a moro satisfactory ajid definite issue. '

Constable Kaughtou, of Helensville, brought in four prisoners this morning from Kumeo, named Mulvany, West, Holland, and Jarvis, who were convicted for gum digging on private land a fe^y weeks ago. The mou were subjected to a line of Is with costs, and allowed a month to pay the fine. Having failed to satisfy justice they will undergo seven days imprisonmont at Mount Eden.

Tliero appears to be some doubt; existing I as to where the Laud Tax has to be paid, in consequence of the omission of the name of the receiver from the forms. The tax for the Boroughs of Auckland, Parnell, and Onchungo, County of Eden, is payable to Thomas Hill Esq., Collector of Customs, and, (as styled in tho forms) Receiver of Land Kevenues. A number of ratepayers complain that they have been wandering over the town, asking in vain for the Re ceiver of Land Revenues. The public of Auckland jdq not know the name of that functionary, and the Wellington officials neglected to insert the name of the re ceiver.

Wo notice that instalments of new books have been added to the library of the Young Men's Christian Association, some of them of special interest from the pliant pens of those prolific lady-writers, Mrs Oliphant aud Miss Yonge, which will meet with readers who seek for instruction through the pleasant avenues of fiction. The pro moters of this institution arc desirous of being useful to young men, aud the public generally, and especially to strangers, hence their dibits are praiseworthy and deserving of encouragement, The reading rooms are comfortably fitted up and suitably furnished, and on the tables are found the best publications aud reviews. A number of Roman Catholic priests have taken tho depositions of fourteen persons to whom the "Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist have- actually appeared," on three distinct occasions, of course, at a chapel near Claremonis. These cleiical authorities h;.ve not yet prououueed upon the evidence submitted to them,— • ■ Irish Gazette." This morning the Maori students o£ St. Stephen's College paid a visit to the Wild Boast Show in Wellcsley-street. One of the students presided at the barrel organ. The proprietor has kindly offered to allow the orphan children ot various Institutions to see the show free of charge. In another column he advertises for any wild animals which may be worth exhibiting. Unfor tunately New Zealand does not abound in quadrupedal monsters, and a wild pij,' ifl not up to the mark of excellence. _ Perhaps the most extraordinary tiling which could be produced would be Captain Somerville s sea serpent, which visited tho North Shorn about a year agf>.

A San Francisco paper, referring to the position of affairs in Ireland, says :—"lrish Jaiidownera arc taking precautionary measures again.it the adoption of the land policy advocated by Parnell and the land league. They arc getting into debt to the government as fast as possible, tho loans being secured upon their land. In one week the applications for new loans niunborcdpOO, representing an aggregate of $5,550,000. Since November the applications fur loans by Irish landowners aggregated $18,830,000. If they get their hands luto the national wallet in this way for a few months longer, the British government, in self-protection, will be compelled to sustain landlordism at the point p£ the bayonet."

The usual anuoucenunts of Sunday ser vices in the churches of Auckland, will be found in another column. Anniversary services will be. held in the Wellesley-strcet Baptist Church ; sermons, morning, Kov. Allan W. Webb, evening, by Ucv. Wm. Morley. An afternoon service for parents and children at 3 o'clock. Tea-meeting on Tuesday at the Youuir Men's Christian Association. Evening service at the Theatre Koyal at 8 o'clock, addresses and hymns.

The anniversary celebration of Otahuhu Orange Lodge will be held in the District Public hall, on Wednesday eveuing next. The entertainment will bo of an amusing and instinctive character, including ad dresses, songs, solos, duets, recitations, and ascetic from , " Pickwick." At the close df the enteitainment a select daneiui! party will be formed for the younger portion of t ho audit, uce.

The Early Closing Association'concert on Monday evening is duly announced. The Mayor will take the chair at 8 o'clock. The programme appears in another column. Among the lady vocalists appear the names ot Mrs Mitchell and Mia.-j McMillan. Mr Alx. Smith will contribute to the amuse ment of the evening by giving several of his humorous recitations.

Mr J. Tremain intimates that he will be in the city market-house this evening, with a large supply of liot Scotch pics, made after the famous Ayrshire manner, and hotenough to o.ui^>..«vr.r,i' >otehmaiij-tix,!'!l n:. tJ'^-"j;,','" with one of Ji'iijiiaiul's best novelists, 1; Dickens, how it Burn*."

Mr Doran's entertainment at tho Albert Hall to-night Will commence precisely at eight o'clock, and will lie specially interest ing. Pianoforte selections, new songs, Nelson's favourite hornpipe (Harry Bluil'i Love O'Hare, Simpson, comic and repre sentative Mottamie facial illustrations of plantation life, Elder Bros., the one-legged gymnast, Ilettio's ctherial studies iv quest of Hallcy's comet, concluding with a lively farce.

CABLE NEWS.

EUROPEAN.

, [UKUTKU'S SPECIAL OABLK OR ASIS,] 5 Homeward Suez Mail. I LONDON. ' April 15. 1 Tho homeward English mail, via Brindisi, , was delivered in London to-day. « Bank of England Reserve, LONDON. ; April 15. ' Tho total reserves in the Bank of Eng -1 land, in notes nud bullion, are £16,000,000. , Decorations by the .Retiring Ministry. LONDON April 15. Sir Stafford Northcoto and the Right Hon. Lord John Manners have been decorated with the Older of the Bath. The Loss of the Ship Calypso. LONDON. April 15. Tho ship Calypso, which sank in tho Channel yesterday, collided with the General Steam Navigation Company's steamship Hawk, near Margate. The Hawk procoeded on her voyage, and the extent of the injuries she received is there fore unknown. It ia stated that the Hawk's lights were not burning at tho time of the collision. In the collision which took place between the Calypso and the Hawk, it appears that the lights of the former vessel were not burning when the collision took place. LONDON. April 15. Consols are unchanged at 98|. Five per cent. New Zealand Loan, (1889) 110-4 i; New Zealand Loan (1879-1901) 99 J. Markets for breadstuff's unchanged; Australian tallow remains at last quotation.

AUSTRALIAN.

[KEUTKJI'S STKCIAT, CABLEGRAM!?.] Coinnierciel, . SYDNEY. April 16. Henncssy'a brandy, bulk, quarters, 11s 3d to lla 9d ; Patna rice, £1S per ton ; New Zealand oats, 2a 3d per 401 bs.; maize, 23 3d to 2s 9d per C'Olbs.; Raven's twist tobacco, Is 4Ad to Is 5d per lb.; sugar, per km, No. 1 Co.'s, £33; caudles, D.R.J., 7d to Sd per lb. SYDNEY. Saturday. The receipts at the Exhibition since' tho opening have amounted to £42,462. His Excellency the Governor has assented to the Education Bill, which was introduced by tho Government. MELBOURNE. April 16. Mauritius advices to the 6th instant state that sugar remains unchanged, but refiucd sorts are firmer. Freights to New Zealand are 5Ss to 57s 6d. MELBOURNE. j Saturday. Ucpmts arc gaining ground that Mr j ■ j Murray Smith will probably bo ollcred the i : Atjisut-Generalship. ADKLAFOE. I I April 10. j' Freights from Adelaide are 50a to 60s. ! ■ ADELAIDE. { 1 Saturday. Flour is worth £10 2s 6d per ton. " - ADELAIDE. 1 Saturday. t The Orient's steamship Cuzco has arrived fi from Plymouth, S

TELEGRAPHIC.

{FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

GISBOKNE, this day

NEW PETROLEUM COMPANY.

Private advices from Sydney by this day's mail state that a Company with 00,000 shares at £1 each has boon formed for working the petroleum spiags at Whirekoha block, Poverty Bay. The directors are William Fleming, William Clark, J. Kossitcr, G. C. Kvving, and F. McNeil. The Company have a lease of a block, G,054. acres for 36 years.in considera tion of giving the proprietors 15,000 fully paid-up shares. The remaining 45,000 have besn subscribed principally in Sydney, threepence per share being paid on application. It is anticipated that not more than one shilling per share will bo required before oil is procured in paying quantities. It is not intended to enter into any heavy work till the oil is obtained. The machinery is already purchased at a fraction of its value. It is proposed to call for tenders to sink a bore with the old machinery, and Mr Clark is expected here. The first-named directors were here two months ago, and after viewing ground leased it, and undertook the forma tion of the company, which is now named the South Pacific Petroleum Com pany. OUSTING A BAILIFF. William Teat, merchant, filed his declara tion of insolvency yesterday. Possession was taken under the bill ot sale, and the goods were intended to ha sold forthwith, but to-day [the bailiff v/as enticed out, and during his absence,the creditor's trustee put in the Court bailiiF, who affected an en trance through a trap door in the roof, and effectually barred all the doors and win dows. It is conjectured that the assets will about cover the liabilities HAWBRA, this day. THE WAIMATE PLAINS. The usual monthly Parahaka meeting takes place to-day. Titokowa.ro and a good many Natives have gone to be present. Surveys of Native reserves are going on favourably and without interruption. The constabulary arc going ou with road works but slowly, as they have instructions to clear through heavy flax country two chains wide. No one comprehends the object_ of delaying the progress of road work by doing all this extra and unnecessary land clearing on each side of the road.

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

PURSUIT OF A HORSE THIEF.

NAPIER, this day.

The policemen havo returned after an unsuccessful search for a horse stealer, who is supposed to have stolon twelve horses, lie was last heard of at Omaha, and than got to To Ante and stole another horse and rode to Seventy Mile Busb, All traces were then lost, liupccor Scully and Sergeaut Mahan returned this morning after a compulsory trip to Auckland on their way rto Poverty Bay. The lion M>§ Wilson and several Maoris left for Wellington in connection with Karaihami's c*ise. WELLINGTON, Friday. The Stella proceeded this morning to the rock on which she struck yesterday. Cap tain Johnson, of the Marino Department, made a survey of the rock, and found it to be a shallow patch, the centre of which had about sft. 9in. at ebb tide. The rock lies midway between the White Rock and Cape Komaro, and its position is marked with a buoy, painted red, with a black band. A contract for anew railway station has been accepted, conditionally that the con tractor agrees to an alteration of the site and locality previously specified. This day. DISBANDING OF FIRE BRIGADES. At a meeting of the Fire Brigades last evening, it was resolved to disband on Mon day, without giving the city council time to consider the question of subsidy. Gnly four chief oilieers and two others dissented. The meeting was very lively throughout. It is reported that a valuable discovery of copper has been made in the Manawatu raiige.J A prospecting party leaves to night to make an inspection. NELSON, Friday. Regarding the fraca3 outside the Club, last evening, the police have summoned Messrs. Percy, Adams, Laugley, Adams, Bunny, and Teschemaker for creating a brciicii of the peace. There is to be held to-uighr, a public meeting, called to consider the late charge against Mr Acton Adams, at the Mnvnr'e v"j?ma uucxuuuo, Mr Cuter Webb, late Local Manager of the New Zealand In surance Company, was charged, on remand, with tiie embezzlement of £6 17s, belonging to his employers. After some evidence, the accused admitted the charge, and was sentenced to six months'imprisonment,with hard labour. CHRISTCHURCII, this day. Yesterday, supposed wreckage was seen on the North-East of Lyttcltoii Heads. The tug was despatched, and on returning reported a dead whale about SOft. long. On Wednesday and Thursday, 28.579 bags of grain were carried oa the Ciiriat church section. A preliminary meeting of persons in terested in a railway from Christchurch to Sumuerwas hold yesterday. '

Meeting of Parliament.

(By Telecraph).

WELLINGTON, this day. AT a Cabinet meeting last evening it was decided to postpone the meeting of Parlia ment from the 20th to 23th May as Minis ters could not conveniently bo ready sooner.

The " Post" to-night says the Govern incut has approved sf the Native Commis sioner's interim report, and will promptly carry out all the recommendations that can be given effect to without special legisla tion.

The Dunedin Murder Case.

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

[from our own correspondent.]

DUNEDIN, Friday night.

Inspector Mallard was submitted to a rigid cross-examination by the prisoner, who animadverted strongly on him ques tioning him after ho was charged with the murder. The judge's remarks implied that whilst a certain amount of discretion was left with tho police, after cautioning the prisoner, it would have been better if Mr Mallard had refrained from questioning, but as ho made a memo.immediately after, tho evidence was admissible Mr Mallard said he bebatcd with himself for nearly two hours as to what course he should pursue, and ultimately decided to make a memo, leaving his superiors to cen sure him if they thought necessary. He, however, swore positively that prisoner began the questioning. Mr Mallard, iv his examination-in-chief, detailed several conversations ho had with prisoner in March, when he was seeking the Inspector's assistance in obtaining em ployment. Butler discussed all the recent great crimes, particularly Peace's and Moonlight'a, and observed how easy It was to destroy tho evidence of Peace's crime by arson, adding in conclusion, "If some great crime was committed here like this, i suppo.ii! you would blame me for it." Mr Mallard'replied, "No, I should look for suspicious circumstances. If they pointed to you [ should certainly be after you." The evidence given was much to the effect indicated iv the Crown Prosecutoa's opening address, and similar to that taken at the preliminary inquiry. The medical testimony with reference to the stains on prisoner's clothes spoke positively aa to its being human blood, The case for the Crown was closed, and the Court adjourned until next day (Satur day) when the prisoner, who does not intend to call any witnesses, will address the jury in his defence. This day. Butler is addressing the jury at great length. He explains that his reason for leaving Dunedin on Sunday morning (the morning of the murder) was a belief that his arrest for Stamper's burglary on tho previous morning had been planiud. The judge .sums up after the udjuuriuituut, A saloon-keeper, who having ( started I business in a [dace where trunks h;,d biui j made'asked a fii<:nd what he had belter do j with Hie old *ign "Trunk Factory." "Oh," said the friend, "just change the ' T to I) and it will you exactly." t Bismarck presented, in the Keiehstag, a paper on emigration from Germany during I 1879, showing that 33,327 persons, two^ thirds of whom were males, emigrated, by ( far the greater number going to the United ' States and British North America. f

The Urso Concerts.

Seldom have the music patron? of Anck

laud been gratified with such a treat as w.v provided by Madame Camilla Urao and her talented Company, in the Choral Hall last evening. It is to be regretted that a larger

audience did not assemble to do honour to the great violinistc cm her first appearance in this city, but we do not doubt that at the other "five conceits of the scries all lovers of high • art music will, in spite of counter attractions elsewheie, gather iv force, .but though their numbers were not bo great as might have been expected, the audience of last Dight made up [for any deficiency on that score by their appreciative and critical enthusiasm, which found vent aflet almost every effort in loud and prolonged applause. Madame Ur-io» coadjutors are Signora Agnes Palm a. Miss Jennie Sargent, and Mcssis Lauret •md Scherck, all of whom arc worthy as Bociates of the head of the Company. Last night's concert began with a "musical poom by Saint Saens, entitled '• Dance Macabre, and transcribed for two pianos by the author. Messrs Sauret and Seherek were the ex ponents of it, and they Rave expression to the weird music, which in supposed to represent a dance of skeletons and anon Is when the winter wind whistles shrill and chill among the bare forest trees at the witching hour of night, in a style to which must lie accorded nothing but praise, big nora Talma followed with the oavatma "0 mio Fernando," from Donizetti's popu lar opera, "LaFavorita." It was at once evident that no ordinary vocalist was ren dering this beautifully pathetic composition. Hero was a contralto voice of great power, richness, and compass, such as it has but now and again been our good fortune to listen to, controlled by an amount of art calculated to display it to its full advan tage. Its reception by the audience wa? unequivocal, and the lady aclmowletlgea it by returning to the footlights. Mr Auguste Saurct next gave as a pianoforte solo flic march from Wagner's " rann hauser," and though all the specimens of the " music of the future" may not iitia entirely with the public taste at present, there can bo no question about the popu larity of this excerpt. An old favourite "Lo ! Here the Gentle Lark," by Bishop, was the next item on the programme, and in it Miss Sargent's pure sweet soprano voice was heard to full advantage. She was able to imitate the song of the lark-which renders this piece go difficult—in a style which was simply faultless, and which wag listened to with the closest attention, and when finished applauded rapturously. As an encore Miss bargetlt charmed the audience with another old favourite, " Kobin Adair," her singing of which confirmed the newly-formed opin ion as to the sweetness of her voice, and her perfect command over it. Madame Urso herself followed, and if possible, more than maintained the high reputation which had preceded her from Australia. I lie niece chosen for her first appearance was one which even the most proficient and accomplished violinists consider of great difficulty, and as demanding executive talent of a very high order for its worthy performance, viz: Pagauiui'a "Le btreggbi or " The Witches' Dance." It would be pedantic affectation to attempt to criticise Madame Urso's rendering of it; we can only say that it was a triumph, and we cannot conceive o£ its being more perfectly dose. Her hearers were delighted, and it is needless to record that an encore was vigorously demanded, with which request Madame Urso gracefully complied. Her manner of playing is striking. Standing almost motionless, with her eyelids closed, she "ppears calmly unconscious to every thing hut the mv.sic, and utterly oblivious of the fact that the audience ia haugirjf, spell-bound upon the witching melody she is producing. The second part commenced with a "Hondo capriceioso" by Mendelssohn (Op 14.), which M. Sauret ex ecuted in the masterly manner he had displayed previously. Signora Palma cesayed, "Alas, those Chimes, from "Maritan:'.," and was again brought on the platform to acknowledge the enthusias tic plaudit* with a bow. What may be termed the event of the evening followed. Mo dame Urso's violin solo, " Russian Air-: " as arranged by Wieniawaki was of course encored, and the encore was itself encored, which is plain testimony to the hi.'h appreciation with which the audience regarded her efforts. The first encore was th" old but not antiquated. "Last Hose of Summer," aud a more perfect rendering of it would be impossible to imagine. Mdme. Urso almost made her violin speak. It was listened to with literally breathless atten tion, and at it t close deafeuingly ap plauded. The remaining pieces were Chopin's " Aime n.oi," sung by Miss itarLi. »»<i liiioiteu'a duet, " The Swal {„..".» :» wUvu uuLji me . x:.i. n t on y part. The former was encored, and both were received in a way which their bril liant execution demanded.

W c must not omit to congratulate Mr Lucr on the fact of his haviug brought to Auck land the most perfect and finished Company that has yet appeared here. There is not simply one star aud a number of Inferior urtistes to iill out a programme and make the star appear brighter by their compara tive dimness. Each member is pcrtcct in hia or her way. Uuder those circumstances all lovera of high-art music should make it a point to bp present at to-night's concert, after which, in consequence of the engage ment of the Choral Hall ou the eveuiugs of Monday aud Tuesday, there will not bo another till Wednesday evening uext. If they miss the feast which is now provided for them, it will be a long time before an other at all comparable with it will bo put before them iv this city.

Social Gathering.

The annual social gathering of the members of the Auckland branch of the Amalgamated Society of Eugiuccrs, their wives, sweet hearts, and friends, took place last evening ill tho Albert Hall, and passed .off in a highly agreeable manner. At 5.30 the company, which numbered over 200 ladies and gentlemen, sat down to an. excellent repast which had been laid out under the immediate direction of the caterer.Mr 11. N. Abbott, of the Waitemata Hotel. Mr F. Ryeroft (President of tho Branch) occupied the chair, supported on the right by Mr G. Leahy, and on the left by Mr \Y. Elliott, (Forcmau of the Railway Fittiug Shop.) The chairman opened the proceedings by read ing letters of apology fornon-atteudancafrora Mr James Me hi tyre of Onehunga, Mr T. S. F. Tinne (Fraser'and Tinne), aud Mr T. T. Masefield. He also took the opportunity to make a short introductory speech, in the course of which reference was made to the last anniversary, aud a few apropos remarks made with regard to the present one. Grace was then pronounced, aud the com pany addressed themselves to the refection. After the customary loyal and patriotic toasts had been proposed and drunk with brimming glasses, Mr Richard Porter pro posed " Our Employers/ He paid that he had been engaged in the iron,, trade in Auckland for the last 15 years, aud that during this long period he was glad to say that the relations between master aud men had been of the most cordial character. The last 18 months or two years had been characterised by gieat depression in all divisions of indus try, and every country had felt the weight of tho consequent hardship. It was pleasing to know, however, that a more prosperous period was now setting in, and that business of all kinds was beginning to show signs of improvement. Mr .S. McCwkiio briefly responded. ! Mr l\ye proposed " Health and happiness i to our visitors "in a flowing speech. He j ivfcrrcd lo the importance 'and be:idi( of ' such red letter occasions as the present oue, i and then went ou to dilate 'at some length upon the pleasure arising from social reunions like that which they were taking part in. He concluded by thai-king t'j'c visitors for their presence, and by wishing them every happiness that they could de™ sire. Mr W. Elliott replied on behalf of tho visitors. He felt assured that these periodical gatherings had a tendency to coment friendly relations between' cm- : ployers aud employed, and his only regret was that there was not a larger number of t the former class present. ' '. Mr George Leahy gave the toast of the • evening—"The Amalgamated Society of - Engineers." In doing so he said that he ■ was one of what might bo well termed the ; " Black Squad," viz., the blacksmiths, aad | he was not ashamed of it, for it the anvil ] were stopped he felt assured that the engine ■, could not be kept going. He then passed 1 on to epcalc of the iceent trade depression > and to lament the deplorable distress -; which they must have seen from the S; •,;;. ! " existed at Wellington, no regretted very I much that more: encouragement was noi j iiven to local itulustues, and les-> recourse i i luul i" tort.'igu manufacturers, ioi ii llutt \, were done there would bo very little dosti- s lutiui! amount thu artisan dais to complain I I lie toast was drunk with musical t honours. Mr I'yo responded. He felt obliged [ } .though reluctantly, he confessed) to make c ise of the stereotyped expressions of regret s or trade prostration, but it was a matter bo jf

cogent as to command attcmon He Hip passed on to allude to the steady progress iff the Engineers' Society the incalculable amount of good that Masbeing done through its direct influence, and the effective wav in which it was binding together in tics of fellowship the workers in iron ti Society was founded, he said, upon a = O ur!rl financial bans, its members were to h numbered by thousands, while its now*, had never been exercised for any In purpose. It possessed a membership, «1 46,000, comprised in SOO branches 0 !; England had 291, Scotland 41, lift? the United States 30, Australia 8, CanaVr' New Zealand 3, Turkey 2, Malta'l, qgj land I, Ranee 1, and the East Indies ] £t would thus be seeu that they oceunip/' 1 pretty wide area on the earth's surf "" Turning to the question of finance lie °t*M that the income of the Society fnv two £123,831, and this too despife the g J" the year mentioned was one of extreme do pression in all industrial pursuits £75 (Jvj had been expended in donations, 'Z From the Sick land the lar«c 8 ,» , 624,000 had been disbursed during the S m period, and 111 accident relief the sum of £1,500 had been distributed, thus demnn starting pretty conclusively the benevolent nature of the Society's objects and work The speaker after entering very niinutr-lv into the statistical returns of 1878 wouni up a lengthy speech with a warm eulo RV upon the institution with which he Wn . connected. s Wa' Mr Goujrb proposed " Success to Kindred Societies. He was sorry tnat the task had not been entrusted to worthier hands bar though a stranger, he felt assured thn in Auckland no lengthened remarks \^ necessary to commend to those present the sentiment which he was called upon to propose. The value and importance ot the > Kindred Societies must be,he thought self I evident, and their beneficial influence wi* • ceitainly diffused in every direction Representatives of the Shipwrightsl ! Society, Typographical Association Brick r layers' Society, Carpenters' and Joiners'" ■ Society, and Journeymen Bakers' Associa tion, responded. s ; ]Tho other toasts 'were " The Ladies" ; proposed by Mr Porter, aad responded to by , the Chairman; "The Press," proposed by ■~ Mr Cornish, and responded to by the repre c seniatires of the Star and " Herald"■ and , » The Host," proposed by Mr Sim'pkins i and responded to by Mr Abbott. ci After the usual interval dancin» was a commenced, and under the zealous 'super. ii vision of the courteous Master of Cere* c monks (Mr S. D. Hanna), it was kept un h till near daylight. In the course of the it night and early morning, soDgs were given d by' Mrs Frearson, and Messrs R. McKay t Gough, Bates P. Smith, Hughe?, Simp. '1 kins, and others whose names we were g unable to obtain ; while Mr and Mis 3 Pye - rendered a duet, Mrs Frearson the love d scene from the " Lady of Lyons," and Mr c Pye the well-worn recitation, "The Charge c of the Light Brigade/ The instrumental h music was discoursed by Read's strino c band.

Re Opening of the Theatre Royal To-night.

The new dramat'c company recently'or gunned by Mr J. B. Steele will open to. night at the Theatre Koyal in the national drama '' British Born." The plot is founded on several sensational incidents connected with the career of a " New York Herald " correspondent during the Cuban insurrectionary movement. The play has been produced in England, America and Australia with, great success, bat this is its first production in New Zealand, and, as it has won popnla rity elsewhere, it should not fail to draw gord houses in tHiis city. The cast of characters includes a number of localfavbur ites, amongst whom are Messrs Steele, O'Brien, Haygarth, Love, Weightman, and Mieses Wilton and-Raymond. We under .stand that the Company intend producing " Flying Scud"' shortly.

Board of Education.

Concluded,

Patehakgi.—An application was re ceived from ithis district for the erection of a new school, which was declined. A request that the teacher's residence be cup. plied with water-tank and spouting v/as granted. i'OKiuo Hill.—The Board authorised the appointment of a teacher for the public school iv this district.

Raglan.—A grant of £50 was voted for the purchase of live acres of gtouud for the ercctiou of a school.

Waitakekei East.—The temporary ap pointment of a teacher for the school in the above district, as recommended by the com mittee, was ojrreed to. . Waiuku. —An application for an assist ant teacher was received from this district Granted.

WAiru.—A request was Biade by the teacher of this districtior a residence. The Board agreed to allow any improvements to be effected which would be paid for out of the school fund. - i?

Whangakei.— An application for the appointment of a sewing mistress and junior assistant, at a salary ot £40 a year, was granted.

Waiheke.—The appointment of Mrs Blackburn as sevying mistress for the school was agreed to.

Mahoabe.— An application to allow tho old school building to be used as a teachers' residence was granted. DBA wing.— Mr Trevithick applied for the use of a room in Wellesley-street school for a private drawing class. —Granted.

Shorthand.—-Mr Kretchmuir applied for the use of the Devouport School fora shorthand class.—Keferred to School Com> mittee.

Waiwera.— Mr Sullivan's case was de ferred.

Oidnemuri.—Offer of house for teacher at Maekaytown,—Deferred for further ia formation.

The Board then adjourned till Fiiday, the 30th inst.

Lecture on Music.

According to announcement Mr Martin Swallow delivered his lecture on "Music" last cvening'at the residence of Mrs Clayton, St. George's Bay Road. There were assem bled in the lecture-room about 100 persons, mostly young ladies and their parents. The professor prefaced his lecture by remarking that there were several ways in which music might he looked at, but on the pre sent occasion he would take "Musicfrom an educational point of view." Through out the lecture he dwelt much on the train ing of children, ond the be-it means to promote in them a love for the fine arts. He was much averse to pushing a child through a music lesson or compelling him to keep to certain fixed exercises. Some persons, ho said, had a wrong idea ns to the method of training their children in this respect, and, as a great deal depended upon the home teaching, ho made a few recommendations to parents on the subject. Instead*of giving a child set exercises to practise over it was much better to allow him to have the piano in his own hands for short periods now and again, when he could search fur pleasing chords. It was tbia more thsm anything that brought out the musical talent of Mozart, who, it is said, found out chords when only three years old. The lecturer then wont on to speak of rhythm and counting, and ia speaking of the latter, condemned the piactice of some teachera who attempted to give the pupil:* correct idea of time by clapping the hands and stamping of feet." In his opinion the best way was to count quietly, sharply, arid decisively. la speaking of the best way to train tha ear, the lecturer recommended the use of some stmige-.t instrument, such as tha violin, where ft person has to make his own notes. The Piofewor here called upon four young ladies—the Misses Skinner, Clayton, Tv-iks, .and Smith—who, said he, would perform some exercises. The young ladies then went through a number 01 exercises in a very skilful manner, all keep ing perfect time, and in their performance reflecting great credit on their teacher, Mr Swallow. ' The compositions he would re commend for study were those of the five great composers," Balfe, Handel, Hay<M, Mozart, and Beethoven—but principally Balfe and Beethoven. A pastoral symphony from Beethoven was then executed m 8 very skilful manner by Misses Simpson and Stevens, which was very loudiy ipplauded hy the audience. The professor ilso expressed his pleasure at the perfection irrived at by these two ladies, andremarlteo ■ ;hat they were two of the most clever pupus 10 had ever had. He then intimated that_ne .vould deliver the second portion of tne ectnre, a fortnight hence, when he wouw reat on "TV works of the great masters, iinl how to study them." Tin-/ .Tii! if a mn-.an-i.-: marriage in ilk-lii-isn wiieua.'O'.mle of the neighbQttis .■■■■,; ■fit Ik- bri,!(.', father in a hack room ana ■it on his,i ioi.ri'vout hi-' interrupting ana >i-vjsiking up the wedJiug. ■;•-■..• •■'■..,,-•.,...,, ~,. ~..,,- \.-; - In nia:ier«t'; , one ' dia-iuo'ivo oi-c^l«uoe the V, rilcox ao« -Vh Organs o-iiD3e all otner styles. «^X apabl of brillitn effectsas well as of sustain" larmony, and the many varied and "cauj;" ombinalions ado luute- to performance or w»» ical. Loaititnato Oraan Music-Sole Agf™ n . Auckland Music Warehouse, l<*. yUßt' treot.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAB, SATURDAY, APRIL IT, 1880.



■PSTABLISHED 185 5. IS CHEAPEST 1 X BEST I HOUSE I 5 Q-UALIT* o is : THE S MACHINES TRADE. g ONIiY . 21 W WTT QHAKESPEAR & |^0., 246, QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND. KSTABLISHKD 185 . MILNE & nE 0Y C E Are NOW SHOWING their AUTUMN AND WINTEK GOODS, which w.'U bo found to be Stylish, of Good Quality, and Very Moderate in Price. MILLINKRY—tho Latest Parisian Styles HATS in Beaver, Felt, Straw, &c. Sbal Tdkbans, Keal and Imitation, in Ladies' and Children's FLOWERS, FKATHKRS, HEAD-DRESSES JACKETS and MANTLES, in Black and Coloured Cloth, Silk, &c. Fur-JUned Cloaks. Ulstees Hosikry (boh J adies' and Childre'i's) In Sillr, L'slo, Merino. Cashmfre, and Cotton GLOVES, in Kid, Cloth, TaiPeta, &c. Undrcs;ed Kid ditto, 2 and 4 button. . An Immense Stock of DRWSS MATERIALS, In overy style and texture, with Trimming.} to match All the : ric*'3 i.i Black Silks (just to hand in onr uatul favourite makt-s) markod very low Ladies' ami ' Hiildren's Costumea in great variety Special attention is drawn to the BABY LIKEN aqd Children's and Ladies' UNDER CLOTHING Department, every possible re quiron'ent in which will be fnliy supplied Boys' Knickerbockers, Ulsters, Hosiery, Hats, Collars, &c. A Complete Assortment of Calicos, Flannels, Blanket?, Linens, &o. Dres3 and Mantle-maling conducted on the premises Five per Cent Discmint allowed for Cash. MILK IS & CHOYCE, Auckland. rjn i i is l i x v v. 100 DOZEN 2 - BUT TON KID GLOVES (Quito sound), (July Is lid per pair. fA. largelStoclc of FAN OYCGOODS, MILLINEE V, COSTUMES, PINAFORES, DRESS GOODS, ■Sc, &c. To be Sold at NettJCash, for a Short Tlme.'only. DHESSMAKINO ON THE PREMISES. Costumes made in 24 hours' notice. A. LINABUKY & CO., 2QJ AKD 206, QUEEN-STREBT



Special Adverciaements. XTOTICE! JJOTICKI NEW DRAPERY. NEW CLOTHING. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Beg to announce that thsir NEW STOCK for the incoming Season's Trade is Now to Hand, comprising— New Materials in Fancy Dresa Goods, very cheap Satin Clo'-ha, Serges. Reps , Cashmeres, French Merinos, Sec, now enades Waterproof Tweeds and Ulster Cloths Ladies' and Maida' Jackets, a choice assort- Now Fancy Woollen Goods in great variety Ladies' and Maids' Ulsters, all quite new Hosiery in variety, &o. Also, A Large Stock of Flannels, various makers, and unusual goad value. Blankets, all sizes, white and. coloured Winceys, Wool Plaids, Snirtlngs, Sc. A Very Choice Assortment of NEW CLOTHING FOR BOYS AND MEN. Overcoats and Ulsters Und^r-Flannels, L.W. Shirts and Panta Printed and Whito Moleskin Trousers for Boys and Men Hats, Caps, &c. A Hob,vy Stock of Good -Tweeds Cheap Tweed for Bdys' wear, Blue Sefgo, Moleskins, See. tar Five per osnt discount (la to tho £) al lowed upon a.l Cash Purchasers of 20a and upwards. 1 RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, Drapers and Clothiers, Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel, Upper Queen-3treet. Auckland. Great _JD ar g a i s GREAT BARGAINS ! GREAT BARGAINS! GREAT BAKGAINS.I JUST OPKNED, A SPLENDID LINE OF tyJEN'S rpwEED gUI/TS, AT 27 s 6 D> ' Worth 455. ONE CASK jy^EN'S pLAX glllitliS, IWilh Collars, AT 4 s 6 U WOKTH Ca Gd. ONK BALK ■^UITE gUPEK. JJLANKETS, 13 S 6 D' Wonin 20s. Inspection specially invited tc OUR OWN MAKE OF BOYS' PLAITED TUNIC SUITS, From i gS. £2T Note the Address— J. B. ROBINSO N, AUCKLAND QLOTHINQ JjiACTORV NEXT MESSRS TONKS & CO.'rf AUCTION MART



"Jfl'EW CLOTHING AND HOSIERY, SPECIALLY SELECTED Fon tub Auckland Mahkkt. PA GET SUITS, Single r<nd Double-breasted SAC SUITS, Single and Doublo-broastod BOYS' and YOUTHS' GALATEA SUITS 1 BOYS' NORFOLK SUITS, Now Patterns j BOYS' SAILOR SUITS, Now Patterns I BOYS' COSSACK SUITS, Now Patterns BOYS' KNICKER TROUSERS MKN'S and BOYS' NEW OVERCOATS. " The Ulsteb," " The CnissTnapiELD," " TIIK ROSEBERRY," In Pilot, Granite Cloth, Cheviot, Freizo, and other Tweeda. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, Queon-Etreot (opposite Theatre Royal), J. FITZSIJIONS, Managei>.



PRINCIPAL CARPET WAREHOUSE.— Tho Largest and Cheapest Stock of Tapes '.ry, Brussels, Felt, Kidderminster, Juto and Hemp Carpets aro to bo eesn at tho City Hall Arcade. Carpets mado and fitted to any size room. GARLICK & CRANWBLL. Five per Cent. Discount for Cash at time.of Purchase. IRON & BRASS BEDSTEADS.—Upwards of 350 in stock to Select from, and all B'zes— from 2}ft. wide to 6ft. wide. Stump, French, Half-Tester, Folding Stretchers, Invalid s Chair-Beda. A Great Variety of "Wood Bedsteads to suit every class of customer. Children's Bedsteads and Cots (various styles). GARLICK & CRANWBLL. City Hall Arcade. Five per Cent. Discount for Cash at time of Purchase. BDDINH OF ALL SIZES kept ready for Delivery. All our Bedding is made at oar own Factory. Kapok Down and Fcathe Beds; Hair. Fibre, Flock and Flax Ma trasses; Pillows and Bolsters of every kind; Spring Mattrosses and Palliasses for any size bedstead. Mattrasseß re-made with despatch. GARLICK & CRANWELL. Five per Cent. Discount for Cash at time of Purclw.se. EDROOM FURNII UP.E—tho Plainest and Handsomest —to be seen at tho City Hall Arcade, at Prices to suit the workingman, the middle claas, and tha rich; to suit boardinfj-houseand hotel-kenpere. Ward robes, Chest Drawers, Toilet Tables, Washstands, Commodes. GAKLICK & CR AN WELL. Five per Cent. Discount for Cash ai time of Purchase. rnOll-KT GLASSES and TOILET-WARE.- X We study to keep such a Stock as to be able to please overy taste. Every Sizo in Toilet Glisses, and a Splendid Variety of Toilet-wara ; Pier Glasses —very pretty Chimney Glasses just opened. GAKLICK. & CHAN WELL, City Hall Arcade. Five %ier Cent. Discount for Cash at time of Purchase. RAWING-ROOM AND DINING-ROOM FURNITURE always on vlow and made to order on a short notice. Suites ready for delivery, and a Largo Assortment o£ Coverings to select from. Centro and Occasional Tables, Cheffloniers, Whatnots, Cornices, Fenders, and Fire-irons. /CHURCH FURNITURE, HALL FU^NI- V/ TURK, Library and Office Furniture, Kitchen Furniture, Self-acting Roller Blinds, FJoor Cloth, all kinda o£ Furnish ing Goods, FURNISH YOUR HOUSE PHOM THE /-IITY TTALL ARCADB, GAKLICK & CRANWELL, Pr.OPBIETOHS. Five per Cent. Discount for Cash at time o Purrchnsi. "jVTEW MILLINERY, NEW BONNETS and HATS. LATEST FASHIONS FROM PARIS. Also, in'COSTUMES, JACKETS and MANTLES. W.RAT T R A V will hold a GRAND SHOW Of very Choice and Fashionable Autumn and Winter Goods ON MONDAY, THE sth APRIL, Tho attention of tho Ladies is specially i '■ invited (o tliia intended Display of h, Now and Fasuionablo t GOODS. 1 TJ W. R A T T R A jY, P G6, QUEEN-STBEET ' Opposito Bank of New Zoaland), < "



Special Advertisments. ON SALE, Kcarsloy's Combined Reapers and Mower Mangold and Turnip Drills Turnip SHoors Oilcake Broatcrs ' Winnowing Maohinoa Lawn Mowers, Also, TO ARRIVE, PER ' INGLEWOOD,1 Coulter' 3 Corn, Mangold, Turnip, and Maniiro Drills, combined And Ploughs, double ana Eingle Harrows Hollora &c, &c <zc The abovo goods are imported direct from the manufacturers, and will bo sold cheap to make room for further Ghipinent3. V 7. J. HURST & CO,, ISI. Queea-streat. TO T A L I S A T 0 E. Tho Totalisator will bo Worked THIS DAY, for the Autumn Handicap and Ilurdlo Kaco, at tho temporary office, Queen-street, adjoining the Albert Hotel. SIEGFRIED FRANCE, Patenteo of tho Totalizator for New Zealand. i*fs\V BOOKS ADDED~~TO~TIIIS lH LIBRARY' Off THIS YOUNG MEN o CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. WELMSSMSY STKEET. "Through tho Dark Continent" (Stanley), " Imprcssioiw of Theophrastus Such," " Nearto Nature's Heart," " Sunday at Home. "The Disturbing Element (IWisa Yqnge), "A Con stant Woman," "Off the Sfcenigs' (Ingelow), " George Mooro" (Smiles), "Within tho Pro clncts," "Sunday Magazine," "Kind Words, "A Yeav'rf HoruoUouping in Africa, bood Words." with several Works by Standard Terms": 2s 6d por quarter, Library ; 2d Gd per quarter, Reading lioom, Opeu from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.