SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

IO H WATER] S^^fetag, 5.31

-UN SKT.—This Kvoninsr, 4.16 ( UN RISK.—To-Morrow jMorninT. i.l' 2 MOON'S AGE.—New Moon, Bth, 9.31 a.m

ARRIVALS.

TO-DAY.

Glonelz, s.s., Farqubar, from Taurar.^a lons, s.s., Stephens m, f-om Whangarci Stella, Government s.s., .rom lauranga Rovor, schoonor, Dickson, from bamoa ElMnoro, pchoonor, Stephens, from lairua Sopha, schooner, Pae:cb, from Russe"..

DEPARTURES.

Golden Islo, Echooner, Watts, for Rus^il. Bluer Kato, schooner, MolConzio, for Kusscu X .Manes, kotoh, Law3on, for Whangapoua

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

New Plymouth and South-V/anaka, Tuesday ; Kantcatira, Monday . . _ . London-City or Quebac, loading; Loch Dee to

follow Sydney—Ringarooma, Tuesday Gisborne, Southera Ports aid Melbourne- Taraxua, Thursday Tauranga — Glenefe Monday ; Waitaki,

Whangarei—Argyle, Tue3'3ay3 and Fridays ; Waitaki, Thursday Ru3.ell—lona, every Monday; Waitiki, Fnd ay Ringarooma. Tuc:day For Haabai and Islands—Rover, Saturday Tiraaru—John Bu'>. Dunedin—Defiance, tonight

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Ringarooma, s.s , from tbo South, Tneiday Tararua, s.s., from Sydney, Wednesday Mary Ann Annison, barque (H.L.RI>,), from

Fairlio, three-maated schooner (H.F.W.T.),froin

Adelaide Seagall. brigantine, from 1 yttolton Meg Men-ilies, briguntino (-.R.G.L.), from

Levuka , ~ -, Sam Mendel,ship,(P.V.S.R.)from Londonjsailed

Maroh 13th „ , . ~ ,_ Famenoth, ship, from London ; sailed Aprs! 17 OamiUe, brig, from No" York; sailed Feb. 21 Loch Doon. barque, (^.H.G.V.) from London

sailed April 2*2 „. , Ohilo, barque, (K.H.N.V.) from London ; March

Cabarfeidh, haraoe (3.Q.M.J.), from Hongkong Ansdbll, birque (3.C.H.N.), £ vm■Jto™**'}* rm Ocean Ranner, barquentiae, (W.T.N.V.) from

Scottish Lassie, barque, (RBLM)f torn London

Langstono, chip, (JRBM) from London; loading MTmion, topsail schooner. fro:n Dauedm Eliza Mary, lu-igantice, froniTiuiaru Darcy Pratt, bni/rnt'ne, from DuneCm Grifßn, schooner, from Lyttelton Liongana, barqnc, from Hobart Town Clansman, brig:antine, from Melbourne, Bf 'lea Lapsing, brisantine, Irom J imaru Borealis. brigantine. /;om Levuka Island Lily, brigantine, from Levuka Myrtle, brigantine, from Tonga active. brJsantineO.B.F'.N ) from?amoi Bslla Brandon, echooner from Line Islands Ga3l, schooner (S.R.G.B ), from Samoa Transit.schooner, from Tahiti Sybil, schooner, from TahKi Ovolau. schooner, from the Islands. Day3prin<r, mission schooner (vV.N.B.M.), rum tho Islands Falcon, schooner (W.L H.R.), from tho Islands M ;rion, schoonor, from Norfolk Island. Coronet, ;obooner. from Marshall Group. Agnes Donald, schooner, from Rarotocga Caledonia, schooner, ijooi Tonga Kate McGregor. echooner/from.Timatu Jiona, schooner, from Lovuka Ryno, brigantine (W.L.G.V.).from the Islands Mazoppa, schoono r. from Rarotouga, Wild Wave, brig, from Newcastle Pearl, ketch, from New Caledonia LookOut, bris;antlne. from Sydney Flirt, brlgantini (\V.L.G.P.),from Lovuka Ada C. Owen, brigantine, from Lyttelton Saxon, schooner, Irom Lyttelton Pirate, echooner, from Tahiti Waiwera, schooner, from Aitutakl

IMPORTS.

Perßovor. from Samoa nnd Tonga.—Cloo oranges, 4000 coeoanu's, 150 bunches bananas, 1 bags funsU°, 2 case- criuoliircs, 2 curt wheels, 2 ca-esandl jar curio\

INWAKD3 Coastwisß.—'Join, from Tairua, with 25 CCO 'eec timber; Klsinor\ from Tairua, with 10 tons kauri gum and 21,00 feet timber.

On wards CoabTWIS Aim t'ipu, for Kaipara.

-Gem, for Tairua;

Tho Union Company's s.s. Waitaki v>i!l arrive from Huston tc-nurrow morning. She leave 3 again for Tduranga on Tuesday next.

Tho Government s.s. Stella, from Tauranga, arrive! olFKohiinarama this afternoon.

Tho s.s. lora arrived from Husiell and Nor thern ports this morniug, with 13 sacks kauri gam, 5 boskets fish, 23 gacUs oysters, end 3 cases fraii. the returns to tho same port 3on Monday next.

Tbo k.p. Gltnelg anived from Tauranga this morning with 550 sacks y/heat, 150 tacks maize, 1 bale wool, an^ six pig--. Paspanyprs:— Mia. Orace ani Aliases Grace (2), Mr and Mrs. Thomas, Mr and Mrs. H. Tapsell, Mrs. Head, JMisies Hayes, Miss Calligan, .Mies Steohenson, Miss Brown, Messrs. J. H". Grace, Gardiner, Bodm»n, Penny, McCarthy, and one in the Bteerago, The steamer wi'l return to tho samo ports on Monday afternoon,

The cutter Mercury was tho only vessel load ing at Tairua yesterday.

The following vessels wero loading at Mercury Bay yesterday :—Brigantines Roderick Dim and Linda Weber, schooner OceaD, barge Lako Superior, and cutter Wave.

Ihe barquo'Ansdell is loading ■with coals at Newcastle for this port.

Tho brigantino Arntapu cleared at tho Customa to-day for Kaipara, where sho will load with timber for a Southarn port.

ARRIVAL OF THE ROVER.

Tha schooner Rover arrived shortly before daybreak this morning from Navigators' aod Friendly Islands. Tho vessel, which was owned by Captain Dickson, was taken to the Islands about two months ago by him for the purpose Of being told, and we are glad to learn that be has found a good market for her. She has been purchased by the natives of tl aibai, and she will be handed over to them on her return there, which will be as foon as possible. Jber new owners intend to chan«e hor nemo, and she will ba known in future as the Halatonu, which is also the name of tho niece of the Governor at Haabai. We are indebted to Captain Dickson for the following report of the trip;— Left Auckland on the 21st March ; put into Matakana and lelt there on the 22nd for Apia, Navigator Islands. Arrived ia Apia on April Oth: left there for Vavau. friendly Islands, on May let, and arrived there on May 4th; left Vavau for Haabai on May 10th, arriving on May 11th ; left for Nenrakaoa Alay 15 A, arriving on May 16; left (or Tongatabu on May 17th, arriving May 18th ; left for Auckland on May 21st and sighted Cape Kar&kara on June 2ni : variable winds thunca to Auokland. Tho ttover brought a quantity of fruit aod the following passengers:—Mesrrs K. P. Gribbon, W. F. Jones, V/ . Gray, and Daniel.

ISLAND SHIPPING.

The fo'lov. Jug vessels wero in A via, Samoa, when the Rover left on May Ist:—Gael, brigan tine, of Auckland; Mana. brigantine, from Foonafooti (this vesrel went ashore last October at Foonafooti, and was bought by Mr DeWolf, oi Liverpool, and repaired, and juet arrived when the Rover loft); La Koche'le, barque, of Hamburg; La Waif, brig, of San Jfranoisco; Letitia, schoonor, of |3an Francisco.

The brijtantine Myrtle, of Auckland, and the brigantine Matautu, of Samoa, were in Vavau when the Rover left there on May 10th.

The bri^antino Myrtle was a ahoro on a reef al Eaabai, and lo'.t her fake keel.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Star Ofllce, Saturday.

MrR. Aithurreportiof his weekly sale ai follows:—Kowis, Is 6d to 2s 3d; young fowls, lid to Is 31; turkeys, 33 Sd to 3j 9d; ducks, Is lid to 23 8d ; small Digs, Us Gl to 13s; pigesni, Is Id to lsod; canaries, BHo 123; carrots, 3s Id to 3s Gd; pumpkins, 3$ 6d to Is Gd; potatoos. Is lOd to 3i6d; onions, }to 3; stringed (fine), 2d per lb.; apples, la 6d to KM pr case ; oats, 2s 3d to 2a 61; maize, 4s; sharps, os Go.; bran, Is; oatmeal. 10s to 153: floor £12 to £11; cheese, 3d to 7d ; butter, 3}d to lod; bacon. 3Jd to lid ; beef, 2d; peanuts, 3d; tea -box, 22« to 265; qr.-chests, Is 9d per lb ; sugar, 3Jd to 4Jd ; rauati-rd, 9d; starch, 43d; soap, 16a; rice, 2d to 3d; jam, G3 to Gs 6d; lollies. 7jd; confectionery, lid.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

This Day. NX

Monday, 7th lastant.

For Taranaki,

Wonscanui, and Wellington,

por Rungatira, nt 8 a.m. For Coromandol, por Coromandel, at 11.30 a.m For Thames, por Kotomahann, at 12.30 p.m. For Ru soil, Kawiikawa, VVaugaroa,; and Alon

gonui, por lona, at 1 p.m. For Whitiangi, i'airua, Tauraiißa, and Opotiki,

Dor Glenelg, at i p.m. For Thamc j, por Enterprise, at 5,30 p.m,

TuF.snAY. Srli inatcnt.

For Tar.inaki aod Southern provinces, per Wnnaka, at 5 a.m. For Wuiworn, Kavvnu, Omaha, and Matakana,

per RO3O Casoy, at 10 n.m. For Taunwga and Opotiki, per Waitalu, at

i p.m. For Russell, Kawakmva, and Australian Colonies, per Ilingarooma, at 3 p,m.

TIIUH3DAY

lO'li Inatnt,

For Gisborno, Nanior, Southern provinco?, and Australian Colonies, per Tararua, at 7 a.m. S. 1$ Hiss, Chief Postmaster.

Meetings, Entertainments, &c.

Theatro Royal—"Our Girls," and "Tho Re publican of Brcat," S p.m.

Juke 4, ISBO.

Loine-streot Hall—" Convorsaziono," welcomo to Kcv. Win. Tobbs, by Parishioners of St. Matthew's 7.30 p.m.

Pittstreet Wesloyan Church — L:cturo on "Recont Kxploratioii'j ia Palestine," by ICcv. A. W. McCsllam.

Albert Hall—Complimentary entertainment to Jaine3 Elder, 8 p.m.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

J.n.—Tho verses are neither rbj .no nor reason. They have hoen ooneiguod to orr wcuto paper baskot. " Jacobus."—l—Yes ; 2—Shortland-street; 3— Yes, from 10 to 10 daily; 4—Opposite Pcotia Hotel, Hobaon-atreot: a—Yes; U—Superinten dent Thomson; 7—Polico-atation.

BIRTH.

SCHISCHKA—On Juno 3, tbo wife of John Schischka, Grorer, Quc3a-;tre3t, of a daughter.

DEATH.

BULL.—On June 4, at horo late rosidonce, Searboro' Tomico, I'arnoll, Klisa Ann, the be'oved wife of Henry Bull; as?cd 55 years.

The funeral will losvo to-morrow (Sunday) theG'hinst., at 2.30 p.m. Friends ploaseaccop this I'ivitation.

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

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1880.

For ths cau'.o that lacks asshtancs, For the wrong that needs reslstancs, Vox the future in the distance, Aud tha nood that w« can

The Czarina of All the Russias, whose death, after a protracted and painful illness, we chronicled yesterday, was in many rc specta a most unhappy woman. The re puted daughter of the Grand Duke of Hesse Darmstad', her earliest years were marred by the suspicion of illegitimacy. For this it is believed there was no actual foundation, but the couiticra round her father instilled him with the idea, and the unfortunate child became, in consequence, a kind of Royal Cinderella. As a girl, she was openly neglected, and eveu when she grew up, coarse jeers and palpable slights were her portion. This miserable .state of things the present Czar (then Uzarowitch), who hap pened to visit the Grand-Ducal Court, com pletely altered. He saw the Princes', and, passing over the more favoured sisters, like the Prince iv the fairy story, fell desperately in love with her. At first, a morganatic marriage was proposed, but a3 the Grand Duke would not hear of it the Czarwitsh eventually ollered ths ludy a share of his throne, aud in due course the two became man and wife. The married life of the Empress of Russia was wretchedly un happy. The Czar, though easily attracted by a pretty faco and passionately in earnest whilst the fancy lasts is yet notoriously in constant, in f ict his amours are. and have been,as numerous as they have usually been disreputable. So llagrauc were the scandals at tho Imperial Court that of late years the Empress fouud it impossihlo to reside there. On one excuse or another she was always away living usually with the present Czaro witch, whose side in the frequent quarrels with his father she invariably took. The autocrat of all the Russias and the father of his people is not a nice man ; some of us may think he is not even a gentleman. Hin conduct to his wife was uniformly scandalous. Three months ago when the poor lady who was staying at Monaco seemed to be dying, he declined to go near her. She then tried by messages to reconcile the Czar and Czaro witch, but instead of feeling thankful, both bitterly resented the interference. Finally, finding none of the family would stand be side her death-bed, she gave way altogether, and, more dead than alive, was conveyed Jack by rail to Russia. The character of the deceased Empress is described as being a strange mixture of petty faults and almost heroic virtues. She was, we are told, ter ribly peevish and irritable, making the lives of those around her a positive burden to them, and, whilst giving little, expecting much. To her husband and sou, however, she proved a loving wife aud mother, tor giving the former's faithlessness again and again, and always making excuses for the Czarowitch's imperious temper. Poor lady, she must have suffered much. Let us hope the peace denied her in this world has been discovered in the next.

" Chinese Gordon," the late excretory to the Viceroy of India, whose \-esiguatiou we chronicled last night, is a very famous personage. This nick-nanie -was gained whilst iv tho service of tlie Emperor of

China, on whose behalf ho conquered a vast track of couutiy. " Men of the Time" gives the following account of the affair. "After the Crimean War. in which he was conspicious for courage and daring, Colonel Gordon engaged in the expedition against Pekin. He con tinued on service in China after our difficulties with the Imperial Government had been arranged ; and at the close of the year 1861 made a long journey from that capital to the Chotow and Kalgau passes on the Great Wall, striking down from the latter place through Shonsi, and passing Tiayuen, the capital of that province, a rity before unvisited by foreigners, unless by Catholic priests in disguise. Next entering the service of the Empsror of China, he was appointed in March, 18G3, commander of the 'Kver Victorious Army,' and was mainly instrumental in suppressing tho formidable Tai-Ping rebellion in that and the succeeding year. The remit of his ope rations was this. He found the richest and most fertile districts of China in the hand* of the most savage brigands. The silk districts were the scenes of their cruelly and riot, and tho creat historical cities of fJangchow and Soochow were rapidly fol lowing tho fate of Nanking, and were be coming desolate ruins in their possession. Gordon cut the rebellion in half, recovered the great cities, isolated and utterly discou raged the fragments of the brigand power, aud left the marauders nothing but a few tracts of devastated country and their strong hold at Nankiug. All this he effected, first, by the power of his arms and afterwaid-i still more rapidly by the terror of hi^ name."

Accidents will happen in the best regula ted French duels, and though as a rule two Parisians may be placed twelve paces apart and allowed to blaze away at each other with perfect safety, it does occasionally chance that a bullet Hies either too high or too low and hits one of them. Some catas trophe of this kind appeals to have marked M. Henii Kocbefort's l;>st encounter. He bus, we hear, been wounded : whether seriously or only slightly is not stated. It may, however, be safely assumed that the latter hypothesis is the most probable. For our own part we should not be overwhelmed with grief to hear that the misguided bullet which hit M. Kochcfort had carried him oil' to another and possibly a warmer world. It is he and men like him who are the curse of Fiance. They hanker after a seusational publicity, and seem utterly reckless about the means they employ to gain it. Rochefort lias waded through a perfect sea of infamy to secure notoriety. Without it he feels himself, what he undoubtedly is, a nonentity, aud probably this fact as much as anything else accounts for the recent duel. The man knew his name wns sliding into oblivion, aud recognised the necessity for doing something unusual. Itochefort is quite an old hand at duelling. Before the Commune he had no less than four affairs of honour with brother journalists, not to mention meetings with a .'Spanish ollieer, Prince Achilla Murat, and M. Paul do Cassa;nac, besides a rather nasty bout in which he wounded M. Ernest Borschc. The 1 ist named encounter seems to have been the only one where blood was spilt. All the others were exciting, but harmless. This just shows what ridiculous bravado French duelling has become. Here is a man professing to I>j a murderous) shot, who. nevertheless, fights seven duals without turiiiug a hair himself or milling one of hia opponents.

The Property Tax and the Chamber of Commerce.

Tine proceedings at the Chamber i>t Ci'in merco meeting yesterday nil'ord :i fair specimen of the troubles that beset ilic search for a poifectly satisfactory tax. Every member had his own particular speci fic, and after the ventilation of these views and recommendations in a multitude of motions and amendments without getting any nearer agreement, the members at Jast, iv 11 kind of desperation, ticked four of the principal proposals together, carried them without further deliberation, and now oiler them as v recommendation to the Colonial Treasurer. The Chamber cannot be com plimented upon this cud to its deliberations, but none other could be expected from the hurried assembling of a number of men holding different views to consider a groat question. It in a rule which may be s iftily reckoned upon with reference to all propo sals for additional taxation, tbftt popu larity will lie on the side of a vigorous de nunciation of the tax, whatever may be its character. As Lord Palmeratou once said, whether you hit a ma 1 high or hit him low he doesn't like it, and if you arc placed under the unpleasant necessity of hitting him at all, the only tiling to be seriously thought of is where you cuu get in on him best.

The True Basis of Taxation. Before attempting to pottle the character of taxation it would have been wise for the Chamber to s-.'ttlc its basis and lay down some clearly defined law upon which I > proceed. JNow, hitherto, our Chamber of Commerce has done absolutely nothing to educate the people, or reduce to definite shape the opinions of its own members on a question about which there is very little variation of opiuion among tlic greatest financiers and financial reformers of lite Horn<3 country. Many members do not seem to have been quite clear in their own minds on the subject, and oscillat d between an inclination to throw more up>n the Customs and a consciousness that such a procedure in present circumstances would be neither fair nor profitable. Mr J. M. Clark, the ex-President, whose views on financial questions appear to be always clear, decisive, and the product of thought and careful study, manifested a complete apprehension of the importance of laying down the preliminary doctrine that taxation should be in proportion to wealth and ability to pay, and not measured by the necessity to consume certain dutiable arti cles. While tacitly acknowledging this fundamental principle, members showed a disposition to shirk it by pressing sugges tions which render it practically abortive. The heterogenoas resolution which came from the Chamber consequently, is one which reflects little lustre upon that body, or its capacity to deal with the question it undertook.

A FRAUDULENT SYSTEM OF TAXATION. The Financial Keforin Association of England,which combines in it 3 membership the leading fiscal reformers and commercial men of the Kingdom, and which since 1848 has steadily pursued the work of cultivating sound ideas on the question ol national finance, aifoids in its method of pro cedure an example which a purely mercantile society like the Chamber of Commerce, might have followed with profit. The Reform Association by the publication of the very beat literature on fiscal questions, lays out as its primary object the cultivation of sound views, under the conviction that details are a secondary consideration. And iv its elaborate statis tical reviews of trade and taxation forISSO, we find the following matured opinions em phatically laid down. After giving the shocking statistics of poor and poor ratea in Great Britain for 31 years, it declares :— " Whence aiises this appalling mass of Pauperism ii the richest country, and amongst the most industrious people in the world? Primarily and mainly beyond a!l question, from a radically vicious and im provident fiscal system, under which out of a total gross revenue of £53,115,972, from all sources including post-oilices, Crown Lands, etc., raised in the last financial year, there was levied £47,534,085, i.e., nearly three-iifths of the whole amount, by means of Customs and Excise duties, ou articles of general consumption. * *Itis no exag geration to say that Customs and Excise Duties are the father and mother of British pauperism." Again : "The national re covery and the wonderful progress since IS4O date from the discovery by the late Sir Kobert Peel that Indirect Taxation had reached its limits, and his resort to DIkECT TAXATION as the only means of relieving the springs of industry and enterprise, and averting the national bankruptcy and social revolution which seemed to be impending." (Juoting the duties levied on tea, coll: o, tobacco, and other dutiable articles, the same authority points out what is we'l known to all business men, that the con sumer who pays the tax on dutiable goods is compelled to pay a very much larger amount than the Treasury receives, and therefore the system is wasteful and fraud ulent. After citing revenue returns bearing on this subject, it says: "These are only the per centages on the value of the goods which are actually received by the Government from wholesale dealers, who take them out of bond for consump tion ; and for prolit and risk of capital so advanced, as also for loss of time, labour, and other expenses consequent on the system, "wholesale dealers ami retailers must make additional charges, all of which arc concealed iv the selling price of the taxed goods, so that consumers arc made to pay in this unconscious manner very much more than the. Government receives. if (he people only knew how they are pillaged and in jured by this system of raising revenue, all the forces of the Government would not suffice to maintain it for a single

year." The Association proceeds 'o give specific examples of the pillage, showing that for every shilling's woith of tea bought retail, eightpence is for the tax ; while with tobacco the tax raises the shilling's worth to Gi S.fd. The tobacco duty.it shouli be observed, is 43 lOd in Great Britain, and 3s Gd here, so that the liguresarc proportionately applicable to this

colony. Hcviewing the results of the work ing of Dihect and Indirect taxa.tio<j for the lastcsntury the Association observes : " Direct taxes are raised at a comparatively model ate expense ; they do not necessitate armies of ollicers for their protection and collection ; and they exact no more from tax payers than the State receives, whilst with regard to indirect TAXKS, it is no ex aggeration to say that iv additional pay ments, expenses, and losses, they cost the community, at the very least, double the amount which leaches the National Exchequer, and probably a great deal more."

nlw

Zealand the Most Heavily

Taxed Country in the Would,

The opinions we have just quoted arc not those of tyros in iiscal science, but are the utterances of such experienced commercial meti as Thomas Brassey, M.P., A. J. Mundella, M.P., Jacob Bright, MR, S. Morley, M.F., Sir Charles Forster, M.P., and the very bes,t authorities England can produce. If the Chamber of Commerce, as a whole, had possessed a comprehensive grasp of the question they were dealing with, and the well-matured thought in Great Britain upon it, we cannot believe it would, in view of recent additious to an already heavy-- Customs tariff', have proposed further taxation through that channel for purely revenue purposes. For how stands the case between the Lnited Kingdom and this colouy? When Sir Robert Peel ditcovered '' that Indirect Taxa tion had reached its limits" and direct taxa tion was necessary to save the country from bankruptcy, the gross amount of Indirect Taxation, through Customs and Excise, was .61 Ss l^d per head of population, and ill ISSO when the Financial Reforgj Associa tion still insisted that Indirect Taxation was the father and mother of pauperism, the Indirect Taxation through Customs and Excise w.-s only £1 Os o^l per head. In Now Zealand, before the Colonial Treasntor added the £300,000 new duties, the taxa tion through Customs alone exceeded the enormous sum of £3 per head on the whole population. The total customs and excise taxation of Victoria, notwithstand ing its high protective tariff, is only £1 13s 7^5, and of New South Wales about the bame amount. We think, in view of these figures, that it may be said with some confi dence that the proper limit of Indirect Taxa tion iv New Zealand has been greatly ex ceeded, and whatever changes are made in the Customs tariit to alter its pressure none ctn be tolerated that will increase its gross volume. If the Reform Association e-t ---inato that a tax collected indirectly cost < tlic people, in percentages by wholesale and retail dealers and other charges, double the amount that it actually furnishes for State necessities— and wo believe thin in capable of mathematical proof — the lo: s to the people of this colony through the pernicious, wasteful, and fraudulent lineal system, is such that no country with less natural vitality and richer endowment, could have stood. We repeat, therefore, that the proposals of the Chamber of Commerce for the ro-impositiou of tea and sugar duties, aro not to ho entertained for one moment, and though the beer tax, as falling upon a highly protected luxury, would have been more fair and prudent, than the increased nil valorem duties impo-i-d last session on the necessaries of life, we cannot nccfipt it mm a substitute for the legitimate responsibility which should bo thrown upon Direct Taxa tion, adjusted to the ability of eajh person to pay his share. The collec tion of the whole public revenue through the Customs is unjust, and we bo'ioVß that, with New Zealand as with England in the days of Sir Kobert Peel, national bank ruptcy can only be averted by Direct Taxa ation. It is no use attempting to avoid the issue. The colony must face it.

l'noi'EKTY Tax v. Income Tax.

Into the relative merits of tlie I'ropci ty Tax as against the Income and Land Tax approved l>y the Chamber of Commerce, our space will not permit us to cntor to-day. It is really a matter of choice with those who have to pay, and if an Income Tax, conjoined to a Land Tax, as in England, be '(referable to the clashes who fairly come witiiin thn range of Direct Taxation we think the balance must iv its favour. It is advisable to adopt the mo le of taxa tion that excites least hostility or irritation. In England for IS7O the Income Tax iea lis (I,' i' 8,865,491 ; tho Laud Tax, .€1,075,512; the House Duty, £1,605,140. The Laud Tax is t^trontcly protested against as a sham, inasmuch as it is assessed at the rate of 43 in the £, on the value of IGO2, and was oii^iually an actual rout payable by land owners to the Crown. The Uefoim Association strongly demand a new valua tion, which would gfeally increase the amount.

This Education System

In conclusion, wo must express our satis faction that Mr Lennox's motion to save Direct Taxation by tin: destruction of the national system °f education was sum marily dismissed by the Chamber, Mr Len nox's proponal for the imposition of fees would not icli-jvc the country of taxation, it would dimply iucrcrso its incidence on the class ler.st able to bear it, and would make no adequate return for the mischief thereby indicted, Now South Wales, a colony with a considerably larger population aud school attendance than this, lias maintaiird the system off "s, and the total amount realised from that source (in all department i of education) iv 1577 was only £05,549, whilst the expenditure on education wait upwards of £;j50,f1C3. The pn ible gain from fees is therefore comparatively small to the engagements wh'ch the colony has to iiioet, whilst their imposition would deter a. large number of c'li'dicn from attending school and brand others with the badge of pauperism,

Mr todder, manager of the A.S.P. Com pany, received the following telegram to day with reference to the Fiji service :— " The Government have agreed to place on the supplementary estimate! £2,500 for Fiji service, but it will require to be tendered for."

To the Editor : Sir, —As your telegram o^ the 2nd inst. re the " Bridge Trotting Case ' has created a wrong impression here, a few facts might not be out of place. The col lector was instructed to act in the matter on the 28th, aud on the 29th the offender in question was cautioned by the collector but took no notice, he going at a smart trot over the bridge. On the 30th the caution and the offeuce were repeated. The offender was not proceeded against (as your corres pondent puti it) because he was a stranger or a man of money, but because he was the lirst offender after n caution. By inserting the above you will oblige,—Yours, etc., The Tkutii. Hamilton.

A Toronto Alderman of the typical ample dimensions, wandered around for awhile on the Ist day of April with a placard on his back, inscribed, " Widened at the expense of the corporation."

"Another Victim" writes in support of ■'•Verdant New Chum," and says he has had to call twice at the post-oflice before he could get newspapers of which ho had received advices. Aud that two friends of his called twice before they could get letteis lying for them. With reference to these com plaint? we would observe that our corres pondents should make them specifically to the Chief Postmaster, and shew him the envelopes. He would thus bo enabled to saddle, the blame on the right shoulders, and prevent future laches. Mr Biss is always ready tohoarandinquiie into auvgrievance, but complaints made anonymously and with out the proofs requisite to sheet the offence home are valueless, and unfair to the oflicc.

The llev. C. Melville Pym will preach at All r-'aints Church, Pousonby, to-morrow evening. Many will regret to hear that he takes hi 3 departure from Auckland in a few days.

In our Grahamstown telegrams last night, some confusion was caused by the Alburuia and Golden .Crown telegrams getting mixed up together.

Some boys at a school at Lyons the other day were enacting a play in which occurs the death of the Due de Guise,! and the mimic murderers got so excite I in the great situa tion that they literally beat and trampled to death the poor little■fellow who enacted the Duke. This is realism with a vengeance.

Pursuant to announcement the Kcv. A. McCallum delivered hia promised lecture last night on " A trip to Palestine," to an audience in the Pitt-street Wesleyan School iioom. Tho chair was occupied by Mr McMaster, who appropria tely introduced the lecturer. The attendance was beneath what might have been ex pected from so large a section of the com munity as the Wesleyans. Those who came were appreciators of the theme, aud were not disappointed. For about an hour and a h"lf the rev. gentleman entertained his auditory with his reminiscences of his vhit to the Holy Land. The recital partook of the nature of a fireside free-and-easy description of what he had secu and heard. Tho lecture was worthy of a much larger audience, and Mr McCallum should be asked to re-deliver it, An efficient choir sang some good pieces during the evening. Vo!e3 of thanks were passed to the lecturer, chairman and choir, and carried with acclamation.

The meeting of the Labourers' Mutual "i id Socieiy will meet in future at the Thistle Hotel, in lieu of the Temperance Hall, on the first Friday evening in the mouth. The meeting last night was mostly of a conversational character, as there was little actual business for discussion. The society has been iv existence, eight months, and has a credit balance of £23 in the Auckland Savings Bank. The Chairman expressed a hope that labourer 3, in their own interest, would support the society, as the entrance fee was only 2-3 Cd, and the monthly subscription Is. Mr Madigan, the secretary, will be glad to satisfy enquiries os to the constitution and objects of the society.

There was a very poor attendance last evening in the Albert Hall, on iha occa sion of the benefit for James Elder. The entertainment was of a varied and vocal character, interspersed with music and dancing. Messrs Elder and Beake per formed on the horizontal bar with much success. Mr T. Maccabe was also sucess ful in his oiiginal comic song. Several Irish representation ballads by O'Hare won flattering applause. Mr R. Love's uiotto song also elicited the approbation of the auditory. " Villikins aud his Dinah," iv which Mrs Leonard appeared as the heroine, created quite a sensation. We notice that Mr Love takes his farewell benefit in the same place on Monday evening, for which a rare bill of fare has been carefully prepared.

The iiriug for Mrs. Clarke's cup will take place at the Mount Eden range on Saturday the 19th iust. The ranges are 200, 300, 400, 500, and COO yards, five shots at each range. Eight-inch bulls-eye at the twojshort ranges. Position : Standing at the two first ranges, kneeling at the 40 J yards' range, and any position at the others. Targets, through out, 6x4 feet. An entrance fee of Is Cd will be required,

Sunday ecrviccs are announced ia the usual column. The pulpit of All Saints' will be occupied in the morning by the Key. C. Bisphatu, and iv the evening by the ltev. C. M. Pym. Key. Fletcher Long will preach iv the morning at the church of the Holy Trinity, Devonport. The even ing service for the people at the Theatre! Itbyal at the usual hour.

A. laughable error occurred at the Tem plars' entertainment iv Franklin Koad the other evening. AMr Bellingham Htood up to warble "Angels arc Here," wheu the hannoniumist, Mr Carlaw, suddenly stopped, exclaiming rather loudly, "Not angels, but ' The Deil Han Awa'wi' the Exciseman." 1 The little mistake'produccda burst of merrimcut among the innocents.

An amusing scene occurred at Olrinomu.l last Monday. Some JNatives feeling an unaccountable and most unusual desire to wash themselves for once in a way attempted to break open the bath house of Mrs Uobcrtsou, proprietress of the principal hotel. That lady, however, who is no chicken and possesses a fully developed vocal organ, caught them iv the act, and raising up her voice like the prophet in the wilderness rated them .soundly. Tho Natives retorted with choice expletives, and but for the intervention of a constable a row would have ensued.

The Armed Constabulary engaged in road-making at Opuuaki find living in tents at this time of the year an uncommonly damp business. They arc therefore erecting c imfortahle whares, and propo»o to spend tin: winter a la Maori.

Mr J. K. Kees, Engineer to the INcw Plymouth Harbour Hoard, has got home again. Whilst in England lie purchased all tlie material for carrying out the works in accordance with Sir John Coode's plano. Mr Kecs presents his formal report to the Hoard on Tuesday next, when .some interesting revelations may be anticipated.

The secretary of the Admiralty states, _a telegram has been received from Captain Kast, commanding 11..M.5. Goraus, dated liatavia, April 10, reporting the arrival of the ship, all well,from the Urozets.Kerguc lou, aud St. I'aul's Islands, aud that there was no trace of shipwrecked crews.

A Dublin correspondent writes : " It has been stat"d that the celebrated Baj;ot will cast; will not come before the Courts a second time, a compromise having been agreed upon by the litigants. The terms of this arraugeraent are believed to be tiie pay ment of Mrs Boot's (now llobcrts) costs, and also £8,000, besides £25,000 foi the minor, William Neville Bagpt, she, on her and her sun's part,relinquishing all claim to the real estate and heirlooms.

A man in a Pullmau-cor made a great groaning with liis nose, when asleep, and tic man in the next berth, in the interests of pc cc and quiet, got up and kicked the offender ; and it took four hours for the conductor to get the car quiet again, and the man who touk co much trouble for the sake of quiet made an enemy of every pas senger in the train.

The cinel custom of cock-lighting was re vived on Thursday last iv WcstQuccn-Htrcct by several men for £5 a side, and the battle was fought on a green patch of ground by Pollock's yard. Tho cocks wcic iv line trim, and spurred for the occa sion, attracting a large ciowd of spectators, among which appeared a number of women, some applauding, and others crying "shame." The cocks feathered up for the co test, and fought bravely for victory. The scene caused immense excitement, aud after a few rounds drew an increasing con course of people. Several women called loudly for " Walker," and when that con stable was seen hastening towards the »pot, the principals took to their heels and ran towards Freeman's Bay. Constable Walker was immedately in hot pursuit, but unfortunately iv leaping a fence met with a disaster which slightly impeded his pro gress, the point of a stake catching his breeches, and causing a considerable rend. In tho meantime the votaries of the light got clear out of sight while the cocks con tinued the battle. The pl'ieky birds wore taken into custody, one minus an eye, and tho other with a broken wing, and lodged in tho station. One of the owners is a baker, and the other a shoemaker, both well-known, so there is little probability of their escaping from the hands of justice. They will have to answer for their conduct in the course of a few days.

The London coirespondcnt of the "Sydney Morning Herald" gives the following illus tration of the jcaloavj Jwitli which the Com mons watch tiieii rights and prerogatives. I may mention a little incidcut that occurred with " Black Kod." That awful personage is the well-known General Knollys. His chief duties are to attire liimsetf in a court dress aiid carry a black wand, in order J to summon the faithful Commons whenever I they are wanted at the bar of the House of Lords. When Black Hod approaches the Commons, the door-keeper [immediately shuts the|doois in his face. Black Hod three loud knocks with the end of his wand, all business is immediately stopped, and he walks up to the table, bowing, and announces that the attendance of the Com mons is "desired" iv the House of Lords. He then retires back wards as gracefully as he can, very often making a fearful muddle of the process. One day last week instead of saying " de sired," Black Kod used the phrase that the attendance of the Commons was " re quired" in the other Chamber. At the first opportunity Sir George Bowyer called atten tion to Hits circumstance, and when next Black Kod caino to tho Commons he thun dered out tho proper formula iv tones which led to a suppressed titter, j

Thomas Henry Kowen, of the Suffolk Hotel, College Uoad, has filed his petition in bankruptcy ; the first meeting of credi tors to bo held in the Supreme Court Build ings on the 10th inst.

Mr A. Bettauy will be at his central stall iii the Market this evening, with a large supply of home cured bacon and hams, primo cheese,etc.

The Kov. Charles M. Pym will give a Bible-rcadiug this evening at the Young Men's Kooms; he will also give the address at the Theatre service to-morrow evening.

Turnbull's Minstrels will appear to-night in the Albeit Hall, with a new programme of vocal and musical varieties.

THEATRE ROYAL-TO-NIGHT.

Edwin Browne, a popular American character actor, -will make his first appear ance iv the colonies to-night iv the great sensational drama, entitled •' I he Phoonix." The play is said to possess a good deal of merit. The dialogue is torso, and tho situ ations are all very strong. Mr Browne assumes a number of parts, in all of which he is said to so thoroughly identify himself with the character as to be utterly unrecog nisable. The management have taken great pains iv casting the play, several members of the company having consented to assume roles that scarcely show their abilities, in order to make this engagement a success.

"Our Girls," and the " Republican of Brest," were repeated last night at the Theatre Royal. They were spiritedly played , and therefore it is a pity that the patronage of the public was not more liberal, To-night Mr Edwin Browne, an American character actor who is said to have achieved some celebrity, will make Uis first appearance in a sensational drama entitled the "Phcenix." He will sustain a dual role, and will be supported by a strong cast.

CABLEGRAMS.

EUROPEAN.

[REU TEE'S TELEGRAMS.]

The Burial Bill.

LONDON.

June 4.

In the House of Lords last night the new Burial Bill was introduced. It provides th .t ths burial of Dhienters shall bs per mitted to take place in the church yard cemetries without reciti'l of the Church of England service.

The Assassin of Comeroff

CONSTANTINOPLE.

June 4,

The question as to whether santenca of death pjpsed upon Mahomet Veli, the assassin of the Russian attache, Colonel Comeroff, should be carried out still re mains unsettled. The Sultan de~ircs that the sentence should be commuted, and has referred the matter to the Ulemas, who will decide upou the course to be pursued. Burmese Infringement of

Neutrality,

RANGOON,

June 4,

Information has been received that a party of Burmese rebels, who had been on a foraging expedition, but had been defeated iv an encounter with Burmese troop-, have crossed the frontier into Biitish territory. The Insurrection in Buimah-

Encounter with the Rebels

RANGOON,

June 4,

The insurrection in Independent Burmah is rapidly extending. Severe encounters arc taking place between a force of the Burmah Government troops, and a body of rebels. The former were defeated aud their com mander captured by the rebels and beheaded. Four companies of British regi ments which were ordered to the frontier of British Burmah have already started.

Mr Goschen's Mission CONSTANTINOPLE.

June 4.

The Right Hon. Mr Goschen, newly appointed special Ambassador to tho Porte, had an auuience to-day with tho Sultan. Mr Goschen expressed a hope that the Sultan would take '"peedy steps to bring about nec2Bsary reforms in Turkey so that the freedom of all races aud religion might be assured. It has not transpired what answer will be returned by the Sultan to Mr Goschen.

LONDON,

June 3,

Consols : 9Si|, ex dividend,

LONDON,

June 4.

In the House of Lords, the Bill which was introduced by the Lord Chancellor, for the purpo-e of permitted burial of dissenters in churchyard cemeteries, with out the reading of the Church of England service, has been rend a second time.

The Australians v. Burnley,

LONDON

June 3,

The match between the Australians aud eighteen of Burnley was commenced to-day. Tho attendance of the public at the match was large. The Australians, who went in first, were all out for 14S runs. Murdoch was run out for 57 runs. The home players followed, aud when the stumps were drawn for the (lay they had lost eight wickets for nineteen runs.

Bank of England Reserve

LONDON,

June 3. The toliil reserve in notes aud bullion in the Bank of England ia £15,375,000. .Friday's Wool Sales. LONDON.

June 4,

At the wool sales to-day, 5,5C3 bales were oflercd, making a total of 354,300 catalogued since the opening. The tone of the sale was stead if T. 1,300 bales have been withdrawn from sab

AUSTRALIAN

[RBUTER'S SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS.]

Reductions of Staff.

MELBOURNE,

Saturday,

The Government are making an extensive reduction iv tlie stall'of the Lands Depart ment.

Sugar. The Sugar Company has reduced its prices by from 20s to 40s all round. Attack on a Queensland

Station. BRISBANE,

June 4

Mr Mackinl.iy's station has bacu attacked by the blacks. A determined resistance was however made by the manager, mail man, and stockman till the arrival of the troopers, when tka usriilan*"! wore com pletely routed.

Commercia 1 SYDNEY.

June -i,

Dcvoc's kerosene, Is OAd per gallon; Patna rice, £1S per ton; New Zealand wheat, -is per bushel ; oats, Is lOd to 2s ."il per 401bs; Haven's twist tobacco, Is 4Jd per lb ; sugar (Company's No. 1, pieces) £35 ; caudles lD.lt J.), u'i'd to Sd per lb.

ADELAIDE,

June 4

Adelaide wheat, 4s 3d to 4s 4d per bushel : Hour £10 5?.

Shipping.

SYDNEY.

June 4

Arrived : The Union Company's steamer Wakatipu, from Wellington. Sailed : The Union Company's steamer Tararua, for New Zealand.

POLICE COURT.—'THIS DAY.

(Before K. C. Barstow, Esq., K.M.J

DRUNKENNESS.

Five persons were lined for drunkenness and subjected to the penalty.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.

Goo. Kemp was charged with drunkenness and disorderly conduct, and ordered to pay 10s, or iv default, 4Shrs.

THE ATTKRUUKV SCANDAL,

George Atterbury, alias Cormick, re presenting himself as a clergyman, of the Church of England, was again brought up under tho Vagrant Act, charged with obtaining niouey of private individuals by false statements.

Tho case of larceny as a bailee was first called.

Mr Ileskoth appeared to watch tho case for the prisoner.

Prisoner said ha was so startled by Mt Pardy's statements the other day, that he was paralysed, aud unablo to offer any defence. He vow asked for a remand in order to prepare a defence which he should be in a position to make. Ho would ask this iv justice to himself.

Sub-Inspector Pardy said he must object to any remand, as the prisoner had ample time to obtain a solicitor iv hi* favour, and all tho witnesses were present; tho three charges under the Vagrant Act might be taken as one case.

The Court considered that the prisoner should be allowed sufficient opportunity for meeting the charges. Sub-Inspector Pardy said that the Ecv. C. M. Pym, oue of the witnesses, would leave Auckland on Tuesday by the mail steamer, but ho could be iv attendance on that morning. The charges were not read over to the prisoner, but consisted iv imposiug upon two persons with a view to obtaining money ; in imposing upon his landlady, and obtain ing food aud lodging ; in representing him self as a single man to a young lady, and wishing her to become his wife; and lastly, he was charged with larceny as a bailee of a sum oi money, the property of a young married mai. The court was crowded by persons desir ous of hearing the case, and around the inner seats were several ministers aud respectable citizens.

The whole of the cases were adjourned until Tuesday next.

This was all the business,

In these days, wlieu there arc buyers in the market for every description of article crests, titles, ancestors, coats of arms, bad debts—it is refreshing to find, through the medium of the " Bradford Observer," a sportsman who offers the public a chance of a novel description :—The owner, about to leave Englaud, has for sale a family vault to hold six; oue interred ; with headstone and edgings. Dissenters' side, Scholemorc; cost new £13 ; no reasonable offer refused. Address B 13, " Observer " office.

A movement is on foot to prcs.s for a home postage of one halfpenny, an ocean penny postage, a sixpenny telegraph service, aud a universal money order system.

TELEGRAMS.

(FHOM ODll OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

COROMAKDKL, this day,

The Iloyal Oak Company had 401bs. ot specimen stone to hand last night, making in all about 2001bs. More gold is shewing.

At a meeting of the directors of the Tokatea Company it wa? resolved to forfeit shares on which calk were not paid.

GRAMAMSTOWN, this day, MIMNG NEWri.

The Moanatairi has got 335 ounce 3 from 334 tons.

The Alburnia is still getting good speci mens of stone near the Whau 70 feet level boundary.

The Golden Crown shares sold last night at a rise on former quotations, and on your correspondent visiting the mine this morning he was informed that strict orders have been given by the manager not to allow any person in on the press. That the manager h;>s gone to Auckland is the only information obtaiuable at the com pany's office. Nothing fresh in the Whau low level. Shares arc changing hands and something important may be expected in a few days. They will commence the intermediate on Monday.

CAMBRIDGE, Friday night. THE NATIVE DISTURBANCE.

A rumour circulated through the town ship last night to the effect that the Arawas intended a disturbance at the Court this morning in consequence of the late decision of the Kokako block. All liquor to the natives has bceu stopped throughout the day at the hotels, and no sitting of the Court has t.;ken place. The Ngaterakawas and Arawas have been talking noisily all day in front of the Public Hall, but there seems no prospect of anything like a peace ful settlement as yet. A dance was in dulged in by the Arawas in orthodox war paint.

THE LICENSING COMMISSION. The Licensing Commissioners sat and grauted licenses to each of the hotels.

ALLEGED FORGERY.

L. 11. Jilling.s was arrested to-day by Detective Doolaa for passing a cheque ot £G5 on Mr Carter, purporting to be signed by J. Abbott, Auckland.

(PES UNITED TOESS ASSOCIATION),

TIMARU, this day. THE PROPERTY TAX DENOUNCED.

The meeting to protest against the Pro perty Tax last evening, was most unani mous. The Queen's Hall was crowded by over six hundred, including many leading citizens. The Mayor, who presided, intro duced the proceedings by denouncing the Tax as a merciless whip, exercised by wealthy land owners, to avoid the necessity of pay ing for improvements from which they had derived benefit. Subsequent speakers vigorously protested against Pio perty being substituted for Land Tax on the ground that the latter /was fair and reason able, while the former was oppressive and dishonest. The following resolutions were passed :—'That in the opinion of this meeting the Property Tax ia unfair in prin ciple, as being instituted at p. most inoppor tune time, when the trade and commerce of the colony are .'-till in a very depressed condition, and will prove, not only oppressive, but exceedingly injurious to the progress of the Colony, and therefore should be repealed." " That a petition Is drawn up and signed a* largely as possible, embodying the resolution carried to-night at Timaru for presentation to the Government." An amendment in favour of the Property Tax was lost, and a resolution demanding the repeal of tax, and pledging the meeting not to comply with the Act, was withdrawn. .

INVERCAKGILL, this day,

SERIOUS FIRE.

The Sash and Door Factory of Robert Grey, formerly of Dunedin, was burned down this morning. The building was owned by Mr J. Thompson, and insnred in the London, Liverpool, atd Globe. All the furniture was saved, but a lot of timber of valuable quality was lost. Grey's stock was insured in tbe National for £6C3. The cause was a lire left in the engine's furnace overnight.

THE NEW RAILWAY TARIFF.

The farmers deprecate proposed increase in railway tariff. One states he was ollercd a shilling a bushel for oats delivered at the Jiluit', but refused it. lie iutends to throw them into his paddocks to feed sheep.

CONVERSAZIONE AT THE LORNE STREET HALL.

A LARGE gathering assembled last evening iv the Lome-street Hall for tlie purpose of welcoming the Rev. Mr Tebbs, the newly appoiuted lucninbant of St. Matthew's Church. The Bishop of the D;oce~c occu pied the chair, aud he was supported by several clergymen among whom were Dr. Muunscll, Dr. Purchas, ltcv. Messrs Pym, Nelsrin, Dudley, Burrows, and Bates. The Bishop in introducing Mr Tebb3, congratulated that gentleman on hav ing to work with such excellent ollicials as there were at St. Matthews, He al*o had to congratulate the congre gutiou of St. Matthews on having such a gentleman as Mr Tebbs for their pastor. That gentleman had had the benefit not only of a University education, but of a very varied experience since. The Bishop then proceeded to give a number of particulars respecting the constitution and work of the General Synod, from which some ot them had just returned. The Synod was the supreme governing body of the Church in New Zea'and, and differed from the Con vocation of the Church of England (which was little more than a clerical debating society) in that it could really legislate. After giving a number of details respect ing the legislation at the recent session, the Bishop introduced tfv Tebbs. The Rev. Mr Tebbs thauked the Bishop for coming among them that evening, aud introducing him. He could hardly express his feelings at meeting so niauy, and could only account for it by the coutideuce they placed in the judgment of those they had asked to choose au incumbent for them. He had himself uo responsibility in the matter, he had really exerted no choice, for when the proposition was made to him he had placed the matter in the hands of his Bishop, who said, " I would have you here ; but you will do good in New Zealand. Go." Ho was quite unknown to them, and j therefore he felt their kindness the more in coming in such numbers to meet him, and he considered it a great encouragement. All he asked was some confidence in him ; to be taken on trust for a long time to come for the sake of those that sent him. He desired them to give him their help and their prayers. He had their pood at heart, for lie had left the old country aud many friends in order to come among them, to make Now Zealand his home, aud eventu ally to lay his bones liere. He hoped, therefore, they would not judge him hastily, but would build up for him the same ailec tion that ho felt for them. What he wanted was the Englishman's birthright— fairplay. Mr Tebbs concluded amid loud applause. The Rev. Dr Maunsell congratulated Mr Tebbs on coming to a fine climate and a lino country, he (the speaker) left England five-aud-forty years ago he was glad to go abroad, as he got away at the same time from horrible controversies and bickerings, Here these things were a'most uuknowu. Each denomination looked upon the others as brethren—as common servants of Christ. He hoped for large and valuable sei vices to the church at the hands of Mr Tebbs.

The Rev. Mr Burrows gave some parti culars respecting tho pa*t history of St. Matthew's congregation, and recommended that bygones should be regarded as bygones. If Mr Tebbs thought he was going to please everyone he was mistaken.

Mr Doonin, senior churchwarden, also spoke.

Between cadi of the addresses there was some excellent music. Au elHeient choir, under the leadership of Mr Brown, the organist, sang several part songs. The Misses Mauusell gave one or two ducts in their well-known artistic manner, aud the Misses Hamilton and James performed pianoforte solos. Other musicians also assisted.

The death h announced of Lord liivers, who was best known to the public through his thick-aud-thin belief in the Claimant. That worthy probably feels as disappointed and disgusted at not being substantially re membered in his beuefactor's will as was Mr fc'tiggina on the demise of Mrs Weller.

A Philadelphia antiquarian who married a young widow says, she is the most inter eating relict he has ever found.

There is ;i scheme oa foot to found :i race in America that shall eclipac the Derby or any other mcc. It is being promoted by Mr Lorillard, and the idea is to add to the stake eight or ten thousand pounds.

Eve was the first aud only woman who did not gather up her dress in bath hands and yell at the sight of, a mouse.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

In our last issue thn report of the Chamber of Commerce's special meeting was carried up to the stage at which Mr Lennox moved his amendment or. M: McMillan's resolu. tion, and we now append an abstract of the remainder of the proceedings : — Mr J. M. Clark considered that the amendment embodied three debatable pro positions, which it would be as well to ex clude for the time. He would also recom mend the inseition of the word " real" be tween parentheses after " property." Mr I'iith apprehended that the elision of the words "iuuomo tax " would achieve the object in view. Otherwise it would appear as if those who objected to pay £1 wishei to have £2 levied upon them.

Mr Larkins thought the liability for the tax should extead to weekly wages. This would Ret rid of an inequality telt in Eagland, where a man in receipt of £5, £G or £7, par week was exempt, while the maa who received a set. tied salary of say £:!20 per annum, had to pay.

Mr J. P. King thought an endeavour should be mati'j io reach die owners of unim proved land.

Mr Shera quite agreed with the Dropoai. tion in the amendment that the Property Tax should be repealed, but lie did notat all agree with that which had been suggested a* its substitute. He did not think that an Income Tax would realise anything in proportion to the proposed Property Tax, and thus a deficiency would have to be met by some other means. It was true that if th(3 Property Tax were reasoned out and applied relatively to the Income Tax the latter would also appear very oppressive and unequal. Thus a man who derived an income of 5 per cent from invested property would have to pay a tax equal to Is Sd in tha £, while a man whodeiivedS per cent was only liable to a tax equal to Is in the £. lie would suggest that instead of Air Lonnox'a proposition of an lijcome and Property Tax, the difficulty could be met by the Land Tax, the machinery of which was already constructed. I* had been estimated that by moans of it £100,000 a year could bs got from a tax of {A in the £, while its collection would only involve an outlay of £50CD, that was 5 per cent. The Land Tax, however, without being oppressive, could be trebled, when it would yield the Colonial Treasurer a sum of £300,000, with a cost of collection of only 2 per cent. He also thought that the £500 exemption should be done away with. Any man, however, who had land worth merely £50 or less, should be regarded as having no land. In addition to this impost we could have an Income Tax if necessary, An Income Tax of 3d in the £ would give £100,000, and 6d in the £ (which was not excessive) £200,000. Un. !es3 the necessities of tha State were very extreme the subsidies should not bs done

away with. Such a measure would act very injuriously and greatly retard settle ment. If the exigency became very pres sing the subsidies might be reduced by one half, but they should not be wholly abol ished, for the balance of the land fund could be appropriated before that. He would therefore propose when oae of the standing propositions had been dig. posed of :—" Tliat in the opinion of this Chamber the Property Tax should be re pealed, and that a Land and an Income Tax should bo levied instead."

Mr McKenzie felt disposed to second this amendment,

Mr Lennox said that he would withdraw his own amendment in favour of it.

Mr Jakins thought that Joint Stock Com pauies should not be left out of view. He was prepared to move : (1) " That a tax bo levied on real estate without exemption; (2) That an income tax be imposed, £200 being the limit or exemption ; (3) 'Ihat Joint Stock Companies be taxed at • per cent, on paid dividends only."

Mr Graves Aickin seconded,

Mr McMillan was in favour of an Income and Property Tax. TbeJGovernment was ap parently committed to a property tax of some kind, and he therefore thought that they had a better chance of getting the exemp tion limit reduced and the "personal pro. perty " schedule struck out than they had of securing its abolition altogether. He would withdraw his motion.

Mr Larking apprehended that Mr Jakins' proposition would meet with more general approval than cither of the others. Both Government and Opposition seemed in favour of taxation, for Sir George Grey had said he was willing to support an Income Tax, and therefore, it was inevitable thai taxes of some sort would be imposed.

Mr Lenuorc said that he would withdraw his amendment in favour of Mr Jakins'.

Mr Shera pointed out that the gentleman had already withdrawn his proposition in favour of his (the speaker's) of which, there fore, he virtually became the seconder.

Mr Lennox said that he had since talked the matter over with his seconder, and they had decided to withdraw the amend ment in favour of Mr Jakins'.

Mr Uoldahiy contended that under Mr Jakins' suggested imposts, property would be twice taxed. Thus a man having pro perty worth £20,000, from which he derived iIOOO a year, would be taxed first on the property and then on the income. He would move, " That the property tax be re pealed ; that a laud tax be imposed ; aad that au income tax be levied, then payment on dividends." He thought also the salaries of Civil Servants should be reduced, other wise they would simply be taking money out of one hand to put into the other.

Mr J. M. Clark said that although the objection raised by Jttr Hold«hip to the first clause was as au abstract proposition sound, yet practically it amounted to noth ing, for in drawing out a man's income everything would be deducted from the schedule upon which he had paid as " real property." That was the custom.

Mr Holdship : " If that is so and clearly understood, I am satisfied."

Mr (/lark in continuation of hia remarks, said that ho was glad that no objection had been raised, but rather the reverse, to the taxation o£ wealth—that ia that a man should pay for government, for the security of his property according to the amount ho possessed. Ho had heard references made to the subject which induced him to sup pose that some objection of the kind would be made. However, there was nothing of this to speak against in the way of argu ment. He was not exactly satisfied vith the amendment of Mr Jakins as to the tax on real estate and income. He thought it would be to some extent unjust. If it meant the " unearned increment" of land about which they had heard so much, and they took incomo from all realised improve ments he would not object; that would bo simply uuimproved value, with income tax added.

Mr Stiera remarked that that was his proposition.

Mr Clark went on to say that the tax which was wanted was something like a Pro perty Tax with Income Tax added. A man ought not, he considered! to be taxed on his improvements, houses, buildings on lands, any more than on the capital which ho iiscd in his stock and trade. If the one were taxed, it would be ;u just to tax tho other. Keeping laud idle and taxing it goes on auotlier principle altogether. There ought not, it appeared to him, to be a '•special" tax on land. There ought to be no difference in faxing income derived from property upon Hie source of the income. But a man deriving income from bank shares, or mortgage, or any form of realised property, ought to ray more iv the pound than the man who derived his income from his hand or his head. Income derived from realised property remained to a man if he fell sick, ami to his family it ho died. A professional income ceased in illness or died with the professional man, whereas the property remained. The taxation, he thought, should bo upon real property, then upon personal property, and, if still found insufficient, upon income. The fairest way would be to tax real property and personal property, with an Income Tax at a lowered rate added. Still he would rather see the present tax amended iv two or three of its worst features and leave the question of Income Tax uutil we saw how the present system worked. Mr Aickin regarded the tax upon personal effects and household furniture as the great Haw in the present impost. (Applause.) Mr Clark obseivcd that this difficulty was only one of detail, and could easily be overcome by excluding "personal effects" from the operatitn of the tax. Personal property, however, rueaut something more than that.

Mr F. Larking said that he was prepared to more—"That this Chamber considers that in the present state of colonial finance an increased revenue is necessary to met existing requirements—that the property tax should be altered so as to exempt personal effects that the exemption should be reduced from £500 to £200, and that the mode of levying should be by declaration of value."

That was all he imagined they were likely to get, and if they discussed the Income Tax afterwards they would have a better chance ot being heard. Mr J. P. King would second this propo sition.

Mr Sliera held that this proposed amend ment would not get rid of the most objec tionable feature r>f the present tax, viz., its inquisitorial character. It was true that the assessors ami ihe other officials were sworn to socresy, but their superior officer —■ the Minister—was not. The member* oE the Hall Cabinet, of course, might be above the suspicion of availing themselves of the advantage thus presented ; but supposing a

:ME AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1880.



J. COSQBAVE <$- CO, Having WOUND-UP their ['Several BRANCHES in New yZealand, [and Removcdltlic Goods to Auckland, have resolved to CLEAR THEM OUT REGARDLESS OF COSI. TTjISTABLISHED 185 1. [go CHEAPEST I W BEST HOUSE 5 QUALIFY i ° IN THE |g MACHINES TRADE. £ mhYt S! M W.H.S"^SPEAE*CO- -246, QUEEN-BTBEET, AUCKLAND, ESTABLISHED 18 51.



Special Adveroißements. •PRINCIPAL CARPKT WAREHOUSE.- X Tho Largest and Cheapest Stock of Tapes try. Brussels, Felt, Kidderminster. Jute and Hemp Carpets are to bo seen at the City Hall Arcade. Carpets made and fitted to any CRANWELL> Five per Cent. Discount for Cash at time of Purchase. IKON & BRASS!BBDSTEADS.— Upwards of 330 in stock to Select from, and all sizes— from 2jft. wide to sft. wide. Stump, French, Half-Tester, folding Stretchers, Invalid's Cliair-Beds. A Great Variety of Wood Bedsteads to suit every class of customer. Children's Bedsteads and Cots <TO rious ( |t 2 les,. cK&cßANWELL City Hall Arcade. Five per Cent. Discount for Cash at Vine of Purchase. H.DDINC* OF ALL SIZES kept ready for Delivery. All our Bedding iB made at our own Factory. Kapok Down and Feather Beds- Hair. Fibre, Flock and Max Mat trasses; Pillows and Bolsters of every kind- Spring Mattrasaes and Palliasses lor any size bedstead. Mattrasses re-mado withdes P atch. Rucß: & CKiNWELL> Five vcr Cent. Discount for Cash at time of Purchase. EDROOM FURNITUP.E-tho Plainest and Handsomest—to be seen at the City Hall Arcade, at Prices to suit the working man, the middle class, and the rich ; to suit board ing-house and hotel-koapers. Ward robes, Chest Drawers, Toilet Tables, Waßhstands, Commodes. .___- T GAKLICK & CRANWELL. Five per Cent. Discount for Cash at time of Purchase. rpOILET GLASSES and TOILET-WARE.— _L Wo study to keep such a Stock as to ba able to please evory taato. Every Size in Toilet Glasses, and a Splendid Variety of Toilel^ware; Pier Glasses —very pretty ChimneyGla^es^ußt opened.^^ City Hall Arcade. Five per Cent. Discount for Cash at time of Purchase. HAWING-ROOM ANO DINING-ROOM FURNITURK always on view and maflo to order on a short notice. Suites ready for dplivery, ani a Large Assortment ot Coverings to select from. Centre and Occasional Tables, Cheffioniers, Whatnots, Cornices, Fenders, and Fire-irons. ■OHUKCH FURNITURE, H \LL FU«NI \j TURK, Library and Office Furniture, Kitchen Furniture, Self-acting Kollor Blinds, Floor Cloth, all kinds o£ Furnish ing Goods. FURNISH YOUR HOUSE FBOM THK piTY TTALL ARCADS> GARLICK & CX AN WELL, Fjropkietors. Five per Cent. Discount for Cash at time 0 Purrchass. nHAMPTALOUP & COOPEIi, <O BOOKSELLERS. STATIONERS, AND NEWS AGENTS, Havo Received i NEW BRONZE GOODS, consisting of Card Receivers, Figures, Vases, Inkstands, Flower Stands, &c. SO, Quoen-stvect, Auckland. >J\ H ;I S L I X U M. 100 DOZKN 2-BUTTON KID GLOVES (Quite sound). Only Is lid per pair, A Largo Stock of FANCr GOODS, MILLINEKY, COSTUMES, PINAFORES, DRESS GOODS, (S.C., Sc. To bo Sold at Nett Cash, for a Short Tinio only. DRESSMAKING ON THE PREMISES. CostnmesJmade in 21 hours' notico. A. LINASUBY & CO., 201 and 200. QUKEN-STREKT A UCKLAND CLOTHING FACTORY. LOCAL IN DUST XV. TAILORING DEPARTMENT. J. B. Robinson has tha honour to an nounce that he has secured the services of an eminent fashionable Cutter from Sydney, and a competent staff of Tailors, and hag mado extensive pre parations for tho manufacture of colonial cloths; and is now in a position to (supply Men's, Youths's and Boy's Suits madn to measure, at Eng llshlslop prices on the shortest notice.' Suits made to order on twelve hours' notice. Colonial Tweed Trousers, made to measure at 13s 6d, on six hours'notice. All Tweeds guaranteed we"l shrunk. As it !s intended to devote the whole of tho resources of the Establishment solely to the manufacture of Men's Youths'and Boy's Clothing, the present Stock of Ready-made Goods will bo sold at pkime cost, to make room for those of our own manufacture. J. B. X O^B INS ON, AUCKLAND /~IU)THING "pACTORY, QUEEN-STREET (Two doors below B. Tonk's Auction Mart), THE "DOYAL INSURANCE COMPANY •*-*' (FIRE AND LIFB), Acknowledged to be the most SUCCESSFUL INSURANCE INSTITUTION in existence, For tho time it has been established, Namely, 35 years, And taking rank as ono of the LEADING BRITISH OFFICES, Has now carried on basine:s in this Colony for 16 years, During which period, in Auckland itself, no more honourable record exists of the dealings of any kindred institution than that of rrifiE "p OVAL Extending through all tho old days of fire unti b;ttcr time 3 came, when The Company was the First to Withdraw from Tariff Arrangements, And givo Auckland Insurers tho benefit of Reduced Rates. The underßigncd Agent continues to accept FIRE RISKS on every description of Insurable Property, at the LOWEST RATES obtainable. CLAIMS fo? LO3SE3 are Promptly and Liberally adjusted, without reference elsowhore, and immediately paid at the Company's Bankors in Auckland. GEO. W. JONES, Chief Agont for tho Province of Auckland. Office: Shortland street. May 22,1880. -M-OTIUJE! jj OTI C B NEW DRAPERY. NEW CLOTHING. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Beg to announce that thsir NKW STOCK for tho incoming Season's Trade ia Now to Hand, comprising— New Materials in Fancy Dress Goods, very cheap Satin Cloths, Serges, Reps Cashmeres, Kreneh Merinos, &c, new shades Waterproof Tweeds aud Ulster Cloths Ladies and Maids' Jackets, a choice assort ment New Fancy Woollen Goods in great variety Ladies' ana Maids' Ulsters, all quite now Hosiery in varlety,J&c. Also, AI Largo Stock of Flannels, various makers, and unusual good valao Blankets, all sizes, white and coloured Winceys, Wool Plaids, Shirtings, &c. A Very Choica Assortment of NEW [CLOTHING FOR BOYS AND MEN. Overcoats and Ulsters Boys' and Youths' ditto ditto Crimean Shirts, Oxford Shirts, White Shirteß Under-Flannels, L.W. Shirts and Pants Printed and Whlta Moleskin Trousers for Boys and Men Hats, Caps, &o. A Heavy Stock of Good Tweeds Cheap Tweed for Boys' wear, Blue SeiKe, Moleskins, &c. ■ tO" Fivo per cent, discount'ds in tho &) nl lowed upon a.'l Cash Purchasers of 20a and upwards. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, DKAM2KB AND CLOTHIKUS, )ppoaito tho Army and Navy Hotel,'UDDar Queen-street, Auckland. '-vyv* »



Special Advertisements. JJT ILNE & HHOYCE Are NOW SHOWING their AUTUMN ANDiWINTER GOODS, which will bo found to be Stylish, of Good Quality, and Very Moderate in Price. MILLINERY—the Latest Parisian Styles HATS in Beaver, Felt, Straw, &c. SffAL Turbans, Kealand Imitation, in Ladies' and Children's FLOWERS, FKATIIKRS, HEAD-DRESSES JACKETS and MAKTI/K3, in Black and Coloured Cloth, Silk, &c. Fur-Lined Cloaks, Ulsters Hosiery (both Ladies' and Children's) in Silk Lisle. Merino, C'ashmera, and Cotton GLOVES, in Kid, Cloth, Taffeta, &c. Undressed Kid ditto, 2 and i button. An Immense Stock of DKKSS MATERIALS, in every stylo and texturo, wita Trlmming3 to match All tho Pricas In Black Silks (j ast to hand in our ususil favourite makes) marked very low Ladies' and Children's Costumes iv great variety Special attention is drawn to the BABY LINENJand Children's and Ladies' UNDKR CLGTHING Department, every possible re quirement in which will bo fully supplied Boys' Knickerbockers, Ulsters, Hosiory, Hnts, Collars, &c. A Complete Assortment of Calicos, Flannels, Blankets, Linens, &c. Dress and Mantlc-ma'dny conduction the premises. Five per Cent Discount allowed for Cash. MILNE & OHOYCE, Auckland. HjILANWELS & 'OLANKETS ! JP X> WILLIAM RATTRAY 8C23 to notify tbatho HAS NOT RAISED THE PRICES on account of the advance in tho prlco of Wool end tho increased duty, but is Selling his FLANNELS & BLANKETS [at the OLD; PRICKS. A Large Assortment o" FLANNELS, all widths BLANKETS, all size?. Also, RUSSIAN DOWN QUILTS, WILLIAM RATTRAY'S Family Dbai'ery Establishment, 6C, Queen-strcot, Auckland Opposito Cank of New Zealand. "Tho last act of tho play, second childhood leads tho way." and it is in this senile condition that muse'es become relaxed, tho norves Eonei tivo nnd delicately strung, tho functions weak, tbo whole organism wearied and worn away with' tho frettioir, t"ne strifes, tho activities of life. Then is it that tho framo needs a grate ful cordial, n pentlo stimulant, a mild restora tive, and then is it liko tha stream tho prophet's wand evoked, Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps Hows outia balmy curronta,