SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

mn; -vatorJ™ 3 Evenlnpf, 0.1.1 ""■! <VA ''" lit To-iv .iriwv iTloriiiiiK. V.I <->\\* :;:;;?.—TI-.iR V,voniuir. 6.22 SUM KTSK.—To-Viorrow Marninft, 5.6!) M(;;:N'il AGE.—Noiv Moon, nth, 0.26 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

TO-DAY. Maroiion, fch., Johnson, from Lytlelton Jessie 3ch,, Bushel!, frdm Kuiscll DKPART V R X S.

LAST EVENING.

Argylo, s.e., Ciawford, for Whangarei Ocean, schooner, Rnwlings, for Mercury Bay

EXPORTS.

Per Mtirmion from Lyttelton—l.4sS sacks oats,

Per Flmiranda, for Now York: 1,651 bales wool, 1,071 cases kauri gum, 1,512 ingots zinc, 2 cases.

Inwar'S Coastwise.—Paku, from Tairua, witti 26,856 feet timber; Perseverance, from Waiheke, with 300 bushels Bhlngle.

Outwards Coastwise.—Helena, for Russell; Atlantic, for Ruasoll; Perseverance, for Wai heko.

Tho s.B. A rawata will arrive early to-morrow morning from Russell. ho leaves for Uisbornc, Southern torts, and Melbourne, at noon to morrow.

Tho schooner Minnie Haro is advortised to leave for East Coast ports early next week.

The barquontinc Elinor Vornon loft Port Chalmers for Wellington yestorday. Sho comos on to this port after discharging a portion of her cargo at Wellington.

The s.g. Southern Cross may be expected from Kast Coast and Southern ports to-morrow morn ing. Sho is advertised to leavo ngain for Giahorm\ Napier, Wellington, and Lytielton on Friday next.

The barque Agato entered out at tho Customs to-day for Guam.

'i'lie barque Elmiratidn cleared at tho Customs to-day for New York, with a large and valuable cargo. Slie has on board 937 bales of wool, valued at £15,735, which weretakenin at Lyttel ton, and 635 bales wool and 1512 ingots zinc, transhipped ex Hotomahanafrom Sydnny. She haa also shipped at thin port 203 tons kauri gum, valned at £11,548, and 79 bales wool, valued at £1141. The following passengers proceeded by hen Mrs Staples, Messw. J. B. Louritz, and W. B. Dagnall,

The topsail schooner Marmlon arrived from Lyttelton this afternoon after a passage of six teen days. Sho left on the 24 th ult., with aN. ffi. breeze Northerly windg, s onetimes blowing stronglf, and accompanied -wiih heavy sea, were experienced during the whole or the passage. The schooner brought a cargo of oatg.

It is not very frequently that we hear of the p issage of an immigrant vessel from London to the Colony beins: made without some "troubles between the passengers themselves, or with the offlcera of tho ship. Another instance is afforded by the Padi3hah, a ship which recently arrived nt Dunedln from London. Tho "Morning Iteralrt" referring to the subject says:— 'Tho Padishah does not seem to have been a particu larly ill-behaved ship, but she has proved no exception to the rule. She too brought a am all cargo of grievances which had to bo hoard for the satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the parties, and tho amusement of tho public, before tho Port Chalmers Bench. First of all, W. Wro&t was charged by John VV ralton, surgeon of the ship, for assaulting his (John -Walton's) nose while on the voyage from London to Otago; then W. Frost charged John Walton for assault ing him (W. Frost) with a dipperful of water; and thirdly and lastly, \V. J. Minns, master of tho ship, was charged with assaulting Aubrey Harvey, tho alleged assault being a mera knock ing-down business; all of which cases wore after a patient hearing dismissed by tho worthy magistrates. It came out in the evidonce that Surgeon Walton and some ladies were BOlacing themselves on the poop with the very gentleman liko and ladylike pastime of throwing water at one another, when a dipperf nl was discharged on Mr Frost; whereupon the said Mr Frost, who hed been reading a book some threo or four yards off, got up and and struck the surgeon on the nose to the effusion of blood. The discharge, according to Mr Walton, was quite accidental, though he admitted that he had before this askedaMiss Cross, "not" accidentally, to throw a bucket of water at Mr Frost. As both tho casas arising out of the water-throwing were dismissed, wo may suppose the magistrates considered a broken noso sufficient punishment for tho erratic course taken by the content* of Surgeon Walton's dippor. They also held that " the doctor," who wa3 placed in a position of great trust and responsibility, should have been more careful of his conduct." It is toba hoped therefore, that Surgeon Walton will In his future voyages find some other way of amusing himsolf than " playing with ladies on tho poop and throwing water orer thorn."

THE MAIL STEAMER.

The mall steamer Zoalandia had not put in an appearance when we went to press. She may be expected to arrive to-night or early to morrow.

LAUNCH AT MECHANICS' BAY.

A fore-and-aft gchoonor war launched last evening from the yard of Messrs McCallum and McQnarrie, Mechanics' Bay. She will register about 52 tons, her dimensions being :—Length of keel, 62ft.; breadth of beam, 17ft. Bin.; depth of hold, 7ft. The new schooner, which was christened the Cutty Sark by Mrs jVicClemen. is a fine looking and strongly built vessel. Her masts have already been stepped, and she will be ready to sail in a day or two. She will be put into commission at once. Her maiden trip will bo to Hokianga, where she is expected to load with timber for the Manukau. Captain McClcmsn takes command.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

DEPARTURES. Rowena, s:s., Amodeo.for Waitara Hancah Mokan, s.s., McCarthy, for Waitara

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Russem,, this day. Arrivals • Fleetwing and Arawata. Gisborne, yesterday. Tho a.s. Southern Cross sailed at noon for Auckland. WEM.INGTOV, yesterday. Arrived: Barque Robia Hood, from Now eastlo; Alaator, barque, from London. The ln.ttn'- Vcoaoi uad an eventful passage of 100 days. »he brought 26 steerage passengers and a large cargo. Port Chalmsrs, yesterday. Sailed: Elinor Vernon, barquentine, for Auckland, via Wellington. Arrived—Rin«arooma from Elaff, and Roto rua from Lyttelton.

New Plymouth, this day. The b.b. Rantatira arrived from unehungaat S a.m. to-day,

Russbll, this day. Thes.B. Arawata arrived from Auckland at 0 a.m. to-day. The ?.s. Idas, barge, with goods fromjjlona is sank at D3rrick, through the heavy rain.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Stab Office, Wednesday. NBW ZffiALANB LOAN AND MEttCAN

TILK AGENCY COMPANY,

From the report of the directors of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited), which was ismed just before the fifteenth annual meeting, held on the 6th February, it appeara that the no1; profit fur the year 1879, inclusive of £3,821 Is 2d brought forward from the preceding financial year, after deduction of expenses, interest, commissions and income tax, writing off stationery and fur niture, and making ample provision for all bad and doubtful debts, shows a. sum of £53,215 Ua 2d, of which the directors recommend the following appropriation, namely :—To payment of a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, and interest on calls paid in advance on Old shares, £30,060 123 -Id; to payment of bonus at 5 per cent, £11,934 lls 8d; to ba carried forward, £8170 10s 2d : total, £53,215 lis 2d. In July last an ad interim dividend was paid at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, amounting, with interest on calls paid in ad vance, to £11,35:512s lOd, so that thore was left for distribution the sum of £30,G86 lla 2d. The commercial depression and financial stringency shown here twelve months ago have during the past year been extended to the Australian and New Zealand colonies, whore their effect on pastoral aad agricultural enterprise has bean aggravated by unfavourable seasons and low values. The director?, in order to meet the possibility of any contingent losses arising out of previous commitments, have placed in sus pense very ample provision for this purpose, and therefore do not, on this oseaaion, recom mend any addition being made to the reserve fund of the company, which remains at £160,000. Owing to the steady iDflovy of de bsnturo money, the limit of the borrowing powers, under tho Articles of Association, has been reached. 'J here has basn a satisfactory mi i crease in the amount of the guarantee mortgage j investments iv New Zaaland, which forms an important branch of the agency business of the ' OJmpaiiy. Tho consignments of wool and other ' produce have likewise, during the past year, been much augmented, and, notwithstanding the lower prices obtained for many colonial products, have proved the source of largo addi tions to the revenue of the company, a refer ence to the balance sheet will show that deben ■ tures issued and fixed deposits amount to £2,657,725: guaranteed moitgages, £107,191: • bills payable, bills received for collection, and sundry amounts payable in the colonies, amount to £697,75510s 3d. The credit side of the account shows among the investments £62,36G 8s Id; ! Colonial Governmentsecuritiesandsbareinvest-

ments, loans on mortgage, £2,411,996 13s id; -i loans oa mortgage guaranteed, £167,191; ad vances on wool and produce, current accounts, &c, £591,289 9a lOd , sundry amounts receivable ; in the colonies, £268,978 03 id. Altogether the balance-sheet snows a very considerable amount • of trade done during the past year. WOOL IMPuRTKKS FOR 1879. For several years the New Zealand .Loan and 5 Mercantile Agency Company occupied an in ferior position in regard to the other exporters ; of Australian and New Zealand wools from the liondon market. Year by year the operations i of this company have been extended at a more ! rapid rate tnan those of their competitors, and tar the first time last year the local company • headed the list of exporters. This year the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company occupy the same proud position in even a more decided manner than they did last i year. Last year the difference between their trade and the company next ia importance was 13,170 bales, but this year the difference has in ; creased to 18,101 bales. During the year 1878, ; one local company exported to London 65,223 bales of wool, which was increased during 1879 t> 83,972 tales, while Meesra Dalgety, Da Croz and Company exported last year almost the same number of bale3as did the New Zealand Loan and .Mercantile Agency Company in 1878 Subjoined are the exports of the various coal panies engaged in the trade :— N.Z.Loan&Mer- N. Edwards &Co 4,815 cantile Agency 11. Campbell .. i 221 Co 83,972 K. Brooks & Co. 1,135 Dalgetylm Croz Bank of N.S W. i 008 icCo 05,308 Johnson & All- Austr.JVfortgage sup ... .. 3,817 Jiana&Fin'nej Jarnea Morrison Co 58,807 &Co 3,539 Sanderson, Alar- Richardson Bros jay & Co. ..37,711 &Co 2,810 Xotijjk, Ehiera & Bank Australasia 2,713 Co 33,869 Matheeon & Co. 2,221 A. I. Wider .. 29,95-i Kdward*,|Benuet F. Hath & Co. .. 20,910 Sc Co. .. 1 199 Leiahman.liig.ia Scales & Itogera 1,190 &Cg 13.81G V. Huth&Co. 1111 B. BraokaSc Co. 13,ec0 Thos. Anderson BG3 Dom'ercial Baltic Fen wick & Co. 766 Of Sydney -.18,610 K.T. Klworthy. 691 Redtera, Alex- Colonial Bank of . ander&Co. .. 17,133 New Zealand.. 684 Bank of New S. N.Z. Meat Pre- Waleg .. ..16,758 serving Co. .. 585 .National Mort- AtkimtcCo, ~ r,jo sane Si Agency Alexanderaclan- Co. ofN.Z. .. 16,730 dera&Co. .. 569 fftmea Morrison Sinclair Hamil "ScCo !{,>i2 ton&Co. ~ H\

Australian Joint OtagoundSouth- Stoekßank ..14,353 land Invest- R.Jowitfc&Sons 13,71<> went Co. .. 127 A. Barsdorf ..11.0S8 R. Cray .. .. 112 Miles, Bros., & S.Kcnuird&Co. 310 I Co 10,233 J. Farrat & Sons 300 I Jjlaine, Mactlon- iY.ort&Co. .. 3H) aid & Co. ..10,019 A.Fovetar .. 29S N.Z.&Australi'n P. Bealcy.. .. 292 Land Co. .. 9.G52 Donaldson, Lam- W. Grice&Co. 0,550 bert&Co. .. 2C7 Mort & Co. .. 5.630 J. Terry & Co. .. 255 Bank of Austral- J. Cruickuhank asia .. .. 8,500 and Co 251 E. Stavenhap;en 8,410 CargiM, Joachim Findla7,l>mhpm & Co 251 &Brodio .. 8.073 Henry Fulton .. 251 Peacock Bros. .. 7,931 H. Greenwood .. 221 A.Scott .. .. 7,70(5 Anderson,Ander- P. W. Flower & son & Co. .. 221 Son 3.. .. 7.J52 W. Batoman Sc Law* once. Son, Sons .. .. 211 &Co G. 512 Mannine & Co. 207 A. Forater .. 0,325 H. f^. Uovd &Co 203 Harroldßros. .. 6,261 C. J. Boatock .. 197 J. Terry & C 0... 5,959 Finlay, Campbell Jamea Searight &Co 195 &Co 5,721 Potter & Co. .. 192 Fenwick&Co. 5,617 Owen Graham.. 191 Atkins & Co. .. 5,5?fi D. P. McEwan.. 176 Bank of Victoria 5,118 W. S. Grahams IBS James Fisher .. 5 171 )■'. Jowilt &Sons 161 W.J.Browne.. 1,965 Chalmers, Guth- Johnson&Allsup 4,898 rie & Co. .. US N.Edwards&Co. 1,815 H.H.Beauchanip 138 3.Kennard&Co. 1,800 N. F. Robarts & Sinclair, Hamil- C 9 124 ton & Co. .. 4.698 Forbes, Forbes & R. Philpott .. 1.659 Co 123 J). &W. Murray 1,024 W. Grice & C 0... 116 Anatr'las.Agcncy L. D. Nathan and &Banking Co- Co 115 poration .. 1,353 Hose and Glen- Savage & Hill .. i,288 denning .. 100 W.Fanning&Co. 1,276 It. Richardson .. 103 R. Campbe;l .. 1,221 Frith, Bands and Q. & R. Wills & Co 97 Co 1193 R. Whittingham J. B. Watt & Co. 4,002 and. Co 83 N.Z.Loan&Mer- J. Ila.-snll.. .. 77 cantilo Agency A.Scott .. . 71 Co 45,180 J. Nathan & Co. 73 National MortßO. Stuart, :-'nelland & Agency Co. Co G" of N.Z 15,895 T. J. and T. Po- Dalgety, DaCroz well .. G6 ft; Co 11,009 A U Cochran Mi'es Bros & Co. 10,233 and Bros. .. G5 Redfern.Alexan- R. T. 'I'urnbull &Co 9,322 and Co G5 ?oiindor3on,Mnr- G.Gibson .. 61 ray & Co. .. S.GIO A. Laird .. .. 03 Australian Mort. J. Taylor.. .. 61 Land & Fi- \V. L. Crowe and nancoCo. .-. 8,235 Co 59 Young, Khlers & A. Dnrant & Co. 59 Co 7,517 H. &G. Ruswll 53 N.Z. & Austral. Geard & Son .. 52 Land Co. .. 7,411 Quantitiesbslow A. L. KWer .. 6,373 fifty balo3 .. 335

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Closis as Unuers— Tnia Day. For Whitiangi, Tairca, Tauranga, and Opotikl, per Glenelt;. at 4 p.m. For '.1 hames, per Kuterprise, at 5.30 p.m. Tjujhsday. 11th instant. For Waiwera, Te Kapa, Ciaigieburn, and Warkworth, per Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For Gi3borno. Southern provinces, and.3 Aus tralian Colonies, per Arawata, at 11 a.m. For Whitiangi, per Orpheus, at 11 a.m. For Thames, per (enterprise, at 4.30 p.m. For Tairua, per Paku, at 4.30 p.m. Friday, 12th instant. For Russell and Kawakawa, per Penguin, at 3 p.m. For Waiheke and Coromandol, per Coromandel, at 2.30 p.m. For Oisborne, Napier, WolJington, and Lyttel ton, per Southern Cross, at 4 p.m. For Australian Colonies, Batavla, Singapore, China, and Japan, via Torres Siraits, per Zsalandia, immediately after hor arrival from Honolulu Supplementary Wails for India, Continent of Kurop", and United Kingdom, via Brindiai, pjrZealandia, immediately after hor arrival from Honolulu. For Taranaki and Southern Provinces, per Waitaki, immediately after arrival of s.s. Zoulandia. S. B- ISS- Chief Postmaator.

BIRTH.

McCORMICK.—On tho 7th instant, at Prlnco of Wales Hotel, Ho'-son-stroet, Mrs IT. McCor rrjick of a daughter.

DEATHS.

LIVING STONE. On March G, at OuohunKn, Archibald Humphrey, infant son of '. rcbi bald and Elizabeth Livingstone; ajed flftoon months.

PITKRTHLEY.—On the 9th instant, at Aiicus tus-sticot, shortland, Thames, QoorKoPitkoth ley, in tho G Ith year of his age. The funural will leavo Quoen-streot wharf, Auckland, immediately on arrival of p.s. Kn terpriso (aboiu 'i p.m.), tomorrow, 11th fnstant, Frionds please accept this invlt Ltion.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1880.

for the cause that lacks assistance For tho wrong.that needs resistance, Tor the future in the distance,

Aud the £ood that we can do.

The true remody for over-stockod labour markets and want of employ ment is undoubtedly settlement on land. Of course there aro people wholly unfitted—physically, by mcli nation, and past life, from becoming successful cultivators, but no one pos sessing any acquaintance with tho history of colonial settlement would limit the number of capable farmers to pei'sons who have been trained from boyhood to tho business. Mr Macau drew stated in the House of Represen tatives last session that some- of the most successful settlers of his acquaintance wore once Paisley weavers, and tho same is almost literally truo of many pros perous landholders in this province. Tho Government must bear in mind that the expedient of employing some hundreds of men in road-work on tho Wai mate Plains at 28s a week for married meu, and 21s for single, with rations found at Is 3d a day, is only a temporary stop-gap. Its policy will bo a success or a failure exactly in projDortion to the number of these men who become permanently resident on the land, to which they and their families have been conveyed at the public cost. Under the Act of last session very liberal and comprehensive powers for promoting settlement were placed in the hands of the Government, and we hope to see them vigorously worked. In our last evening's issue appeared a public noti fication under the hand of the Com missioner of Crown Lands opening lands in the Te Aroha, Tuakau, and A.waroa Survey districts upon deferred j^ayrnents. We would draw very gene ral attention to this opportunity which is offered to men- of small means who desire land. The conditions are ex ceedingly liberal, the deposit being limited to l-20th of the price of the land, the balance payable in twenty equal instalments expending over ten years. The values placed on the lands do not appear to be extravagant. As this is unquestionably the best attempt yet made in the Province to give practical effect to a sound law we should like to see it thoroughly suc cessful. All the information needful to know may be obtained from the pro clamation published in our last even ing's issue, or on application to the Commissioner of Crown Lands.

The event which the Premier and a party of citizens went to Waikato to celebrate to-day should not pass with out some public comment. There are few instances in the colonies, no other, we believe, in New Zealand, in which a 2-irivate citizen has expended £7,442 out of his pocket for the public good. That, however, is the sum which Mr Firth has already spent in clearing the Upper Thames of snags, rocks, and rapids, for a distance of 45 miles South of the Ohinemuri river junction. No doubt the projector of this most im portant undertaking was influenced in commencing the work by a desire to obtain water communication to his splendid estate at Matamata. but it is observable that though the opening of the navigation confers equal or greater benefit upon extensive lands owned by the Government and private persons, Mr Firth has made no appeal to them for assistance, but has carried on the extensive operations requisite to clear the river alone and unaided. In stances of enterprise, energy, and pub lic spirit are so rare that we cannot afford to overlook this one, and we

have, therefore, very great pleasure in drawing attention to our reporter's votes on the proceedings to-duy and his account of the huge amount of work which has been carried on not only in the river, but be yond the frontier of civilisation on the Plains of Matamata.

Mr McDonald, engineer to the Auckland Harbour Board, is too clever by half. It was only natural to expect that he would come forward in defence of- his fellow Tite Barnacles, the two D.E.s, because ia the popular estimation they were " all tarred with the one brush," and a fellow feeling

in misfortune ia apt to make even uu en gineer wondrous kind, if not a little rash. Mr McDonald hns adopted the role of a pedagogue, in criticising the quantities given by our reporter iv his estimate of the silting up of the harbour from the railway reclamation contract, but, unfortunately for hirnaelf, " the school-master is abroad." Iv his report to the Harbour Board yester day Mr McDonald writes : "I beg to state' that it would require 62,941 cubic yards of earth to cover an area of 17 x 9 chains to a depth of three feet." We are informed that when this was read at the meeting it created some laughter. The Board was of course highly tickled at the homethruat which their erudite engineer had administered to a mere unprofessional reporter who had dared to venture into a hurried calculation of a mathematical problem that had taxed oil the learning of the regular dustmeu. But probably the Harbour Board and Mr McDonald will have reason to laugh on the other side of their mouths when they learn how hope lessly the engineer lias floundered in the slough of figures. We submitted the sum to one of our printer's devils, and the following is his solution : — ft. it. 17 chains x 66 = 1122 9 chains x 66 = 594 ft. ft. ft. fr. 1122 x 594 = GGG-ICi x 3 - 1,909,404 -^ 27 = 74,052 cube yards.

Mr McDonald's result of 02,941 cubic yards is therefore just 11,111 wrong ! Such a blunder is worthy of the engineer who could make au error of 3 feet S inches in the soundings which he took for the Railway Wharf, shewing a depth of 16ft. where there was actually only 12ft. 4in., and thus rendering virtually abortive an expenditure of £19,9-49 18s 6d. It will be thus patent to the merest schoolboy that the Harbour Board's engineer has not quite monopolised all the professional science in the country, and that he has yet a'good deal to learn.

That he is not altogether above taking a lesson, even from an unprofessional teacher, there is ample evidence iv the report which he laid before the Board yes terday. That report is a practical admis sion that for some years pa^t Mr McDonald has been quite as much in error on tho question of tho silting up of tho harbour as he was with regard to the souudiugs at the railway wharf. Alter strenuously and persistently denying that there was any serious silliug-up, even when proofs of the injury were repeatedly brought under his notice by flic Chief Harbour- Master, whose reports he ignored, Mr McDonald now cries peccavi, and is fain to confess that " tho low water lino has been rapidly driven further into the harbour," that in some places the depth has been re duced by as much us sft, tiiat the excava tions made by the dredge on the western side of tho breakwater, and also at the ,T used by the North Shore steamers have beeu almost Tilled up, and that silting ranging from 9iu to Ift Biu has taken place iv front of tho siewcrs discharging their contents from tho city into the harbour. Repentance, even at thu eleventh hour is always a source of joy, aud we find from an examination of the tracing which accom panies Mr McDonald's report that he has endeavoured to make a clean breast of it. At tho Railway Wharf a decrease of depth i.s shewn ranging from 3ft. to sft, and at the outer cud from 3ft. to 4ft., while at the western tee of (.ho Queen-street Wharf h decrease of Oft, 3iu. is .shewn, and <m the other side 2ft. Gin. But how does Mr McDonald arrive at the singular conclusion that only a small quantity of the earth from the railway reclamation works has boon washed outside tho line of the proposed sea-wall ? Does he possess some such occult power to control the in lluence of the tides, us ho evidently does to alter the inexorable logic of figures? Does he pretend to be able to pronounce the fiat "thus far shalt thou go, and no further," as the courtiers of Canute would have persuaded their royal master, or the traditional old woman with the besom fondly imagined she had power to do ?

The weakest part of the engineer's report i« that iv which he endeavours to explain the causes of the ailting. His explanations are iv fact a terics of self-condemnations. The first of these is the drainage from the city. He has, however, forgotten to inform the Board that it was he who designed and carried out those wonderful silt basins, which cost £5,033 12s Gd, and which since they came within the city boundary have never been emptied, because the work could only bo performed at a ruinous expense. The last contract for empty ing the silt basins, in 1877, was £'2'.)5, and they have not been touched since. Another cause of the silting up the engineer hag discovered iv the fact mat the Railway wharf is across the course of the tide. But here again. Mr McDonald has not beau entirely candid with thu Board and tho public. It mijjht have been of in terest to them to learn that it whs Mr McDonald who also designed and superintended the construction of that very wharf at a cost of £19,949, and that in addition to tho injury which it is now cluing to tho harbour by his own iid misHion, it has proved an abortive faihue in so far as it has not fill lilted tho expec tations which ho held out lit to the accommodation which it would afl'ord t > shipping, and this through a gross blunder iv In 3 owu soundings. But there ia yet another cause which the engineer assigns for the silting " the construction of tho reclamation works, extending from Free man's Bay to the Quueu-.strect wharf;" wonderful discovery 1 When we read the-e things wo rub our cyea iv astonishment and ask ourselves whether it can be possible that Mr McDonald's memory is oblivious of the fact that he wa< the Board's engi neer when those works were designed, and thai, they were coustructed undur his im mediate superintendence. If one fact is more prominent than another in Mr McDoi « aid's report it is the extraordinary advau tages of experience. Indeed, looking i.t the salutary effects which a few years ex poriments in harbour vvoi ks have had iv this case wo are sanguine enough to believe tint Auckland would turn out a perfect engineer who would astonish the civilised world by about the time the low water lino of the harbour had been driven into Rnugitotj Channel.

Another important fact which sticks out in the report uudcr notice is that the Harbour Board cannot much longer post pone tlie dealing with the whole question of dredging on a comprehensive plan without peninuieut and irreparable injury to the port. Mr. McDonald is now faiu to admit that the dredge which cost £G',slS 2- 2J (we like to bo accurate about figures) " U inadequate." It is to be regretted however, Wat he did not make this disco very years ago, before the di edge had bjen uselessly employed in removing some 30,000 cubic yards of :.-ilt which has since bceu washed buck :i;;ain ; and still bettor if he hud made it before the white elephant was purchased at aIL Capt. Burgess antici pated Mr McDonald's report as long as long ago as July, 1877, when ho reported that the dredge was not suitable, and that some comprehensive plan oE dredging wai necessary, but his report was stowed away iv a pigeon-hole and forgotten.

On the whole, we have reason to be grateful to the Harbour Board's engineer for the able manner in which he has come forward at the eleventh hour to corroborate all that we have been contending for, not withstanding the little discrepancies in our respective figures, and if our combiucd efforts should have tho effect of arousing the Harbour Board aud the public to the pressing necessity of adopting an immediate aud effectual remedy, they will not have been in vain.

Our contemporary, the "Herald," blun ders when instates that the report of the Orakei meeting held last year was not priuted and circulated If our contem porary feels any curiosity on the subject he will find the report and tho speeches printed in full in a paper laid before Par liament last session.

It has transpired that the £390 paid to Mr Joshua Jones last session, about which there was a good deal of inquiry at the time, was for negotiating with the natives for the opening of the Mokau district.

One of the Wellington unemployed, who used to go in for a free lunch with his hulf piut of beer at an hotel, discovered the other day, to his intense horror, that the cheese was very " high," and he rushed out declaring that he distinctly saw a piece of cheese so lively as to run away with a piece of bread.

A correspondent having asked the " Hawkes Bay Herald" whether the borough of Napier could sport a coat of arms, that journal replies, " We are not aware of any, but it is about time wo had one. We suggest as appropriate the figure of a judge in wig and gown, seated under a canopy 'In bankruptcy' on a scroll underneath. The judge might be blindfolded, with a pair of scales in his hand, with ' liabilities ' on the lower scale aud ' assets' (very shadowy, on the one kicking the beam."

The Hobson Company of Volunteers decided last evening to hold a church parade on Sunday next. Tho members will assemble at the Grey-street firebell at 10.30 a.m. on that day.

The cab proprietors of Wellington, findiug they are unable to compete with the steam tramway, have reduced farsa from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to 3d,

A return compiled at Wellington shows that there arc 8,247 volunteers in the colony, and 1,901 cadets.

The lion, the Minister of Works is not likely to visit Auckland for some time to come. He ia now looking after the rail way interests of Marlborough aud Nelson, aud will afterwards make a tour on the West Coast of the Middle Island.

The battery ami bund of the New Zea land Regiment of Artillery, will meet at the Drill Shed to-morrow (Thursday) even ing, for parade. A full attendance is desired, as the question, " How shall we receivejour representatives will be settled."

It has been whispered abroad that there are a great many canine pets in the neigh bourhood of the North Shore, some of them owned by unmarried ladies. Constable Moor, with that peculiar keenness which distinguishes a constable's optics, has seen these unregistered darlings iv the sunny distance along the beach, aud warns the owners that dog collars must be obtained during the present month. Gold has been discovered in the Upper Wairau Valley, thirty miles from Blenheim, and about forty miners arc earning good wages. The ordinary meeting of the United Labourers Mutual Aid Society. will be held this evening in the Temperance Hall, for the election of officers for the coming half year, aud for other business.

The prompt settlement of Insurance claims was exempli lied by the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company to-day. Thomas Brown, one of the workmen at the Whatipu Mills, met with an accideut and iv a few hours after his arrival in Auckland, the Company's cheque for full satisfaction was presented to him.

We have received the following amounts on behalf of Mrs Forsemon : 11. Hardy, 10s ; D. Hardy, 10m.

Persons having business at the Kesident Magistrate's Court to-morow (Thursday) are reminded that this Court will sit at 10.30 in the building in Eden-street formerly used as the Supreme Court, and will con tinue to sit there until the necessary altera tions in the old Wesleyan chapel, High street, are completed.

The "Wanganui Herald" emphatically asserts that Sir George Grey was pi ivy to the defection of the four Auckland members before the fact was publicly known. The "Herald" adds :—" As the information, however, came from Mr Swanson, the Ministerial sido must have known it before we thought of mentioning it as a rumour.

A meeting of volunteer oiHcers was held last evening for the purpose of arranging for a suitable! reception of the Auckland aud Thames representatives at the N.Z.U. \. mectiuK on their return from Nelson next week. Major Derrom occupied the chair. It was .stilted that the Artillery and Naval Companies had arranged to accord them a welcome, and on the motion of Captain Dignau it was resolved that the lille battalion co-operate with the other com panies iv according a reception to the repre sentatives.

The Auckland correspondent of the "Adelaide Observer" writes :—" The Jews here aro tho most law-abiding of all religionists. They quarrel with no ono, and are as sincere in their grand old faith as the most modern of believers could be. They aro charitable, too, aud liberal in their donations to churches and charities alien to their own. I went with another a few weeks ago, making collections for an ex tension of au Kpiscopalian Church. We called upon a Juw, who was a sporting character. Wo made our solicitation. 'Well,' he said, '1 don't belong to jour set, and I never like transacting a certainty. I'll toll you what I'll do. 1 won't give tho guinea you ask, but I'll throw you whether I f^ivo two guineas or nothing. And I threw with him, when he lost, and [ got a cheque for the money without a word of regret Unit luck was against him. In our small country towns, where no synagogues exist, if theic Do only threo Jews they will assemble in a room and oneof them will read their service, and there will bo as strict an observance of a fust-day or a day of prayer as if there was a multitude gathered together."

Wu learn, on pretty good authority, that the Mormon .service on Sunday evening la>t was supplemented with an unexpected performance, viz., the public declaration by an intelligent and respectable citizen of his belief in t.ie tenets formulated into a creed by JoHcph Smith. The proselyte explained that he bad for a long tune been tiouuled with religious doubts, and that the only eflectivo means he could perceive whereby they might be Hatiafactorily settled was to accept the .scriptures iv their liteial interpretation. This was the (practice of the Latter Day Saints, and he thoroughly approved of it. Their other doctrines he considered equally defensible. A great dual of .surprise i.s expressed anent this con version, but it is apparently a genuine one.

To the Editor : Kir, —I was ploased to nmd in the paper this morning that Mr Hall went over the works at thu reclamation with Mr SwiuißOii, mid he could wee for himself by tho aid of one of his hciisoh that thu two Di-trict Engineers wero throwing duit in the ratepayers' eyes with all the knowledge they have. Had they their theodolite with them when they made out their report to Mr Whitaker, and where did they stand it to get their information ? I sic that " birds of a feather Hock together." The Harbour Board engineer has come to their rescue with au elaborate report to tho Board Ho speaks of the siiwtM lilling up the harbour. What wore the two stink-pots put at the bottom of Queen-street for ? They were constructed, I believe, by his* advice. There is tho rail way wharf, too, for which ho took tho soundings, aud when tho wharf had been put out the distance, it was found not to have the depth of water expected by three feet eight inches. We may, therefore, be permitted to tako his opinions with very considerable reservation.—Yours, &c, A Ratepayer.

Mr E. Hartley has received the following tenders for th's erection of a villa residence in yymouds-strcet:—Bunting, £90,3 ; Gray, £556 ; Gay, £79S ; Malcolm, £777 ; Pollnrd, £HX ; McConnochio & Flatt, £757 ; Con stable, £753 ; Rosser, £749 ; Hewson &]< '0., £724; Jones, £710; Heron, £590.

The schooners Opotiki and Advanco will be sold by Mr It. Arthur to-morrow Thursday, at 12 o'clock, at his mart Queen street.

A congregational mooting was held in the Presbyterian Church, Wairoa South, on Monday evening, to hear the report of a committee appointed at a previous meeting. The Rev. T. Norrie opened the meeting with prayer, and then stated the object of the meeting. Mr J. S. Wilson said :As convener of the committee appointed last meeting, I have to report that the com mittee, after careful inquiry and examina tion of those from whom certain rumours were supposed to originate, have come to the conclusion that the accusation againat a Presbyterian minister, appearing in the " Free I'ress " newspaper in its issues of the 21st and 22ml ultimo., is totally unfounded us far as the Hey, T. Norrie is coucorned. Mr D. Crawford proposed that the report be adopted, which was seconded by Mr J. Henderson, and carried. Mr Grandison proposed a vote of confidence in Mr Norrie, as their pastor, seconded by Mr Matheson, and carried unanimously. Mr Norrie briefly thanked the meeting for their cordial vote, and closed the meeting with prayer The ninth number of the " New Zealand Presbyterian," published by a company in Dunedin, promise? to take its place amongst the religious literature of the colony. It is full of information and wellselected extracts, and contains the seventh section of a con tinuous history of the Presbyterian church in New Zealand, including notices of the woikof its leading ministers. The follow ing is not without interest:—The current month (March) will witness the centenary of the birth of Thomas Chalmers, tho greatest Scotchman in the ecclesiastical world whom the nation has produced since the days of the heroes of the Reformation. There have been Scotchmen, great iv Scot laud, not a few; but Chalmers is ono of those who have been rccoguiscd as great over the wide world, and in whom Christen dom claims a heritage. A humble pious man, with a heart largo as tho sand by the sea shore, ami with a philosophic grasp of mind for ever reaching up to first principles ; a mighty preacher, an enthusiastic academic toachor, an ecclesitical statesman, wherever he put forth his might bowing under him the minds of men and thrilling their emotion-i: liia is a mime that stirs the blooii, and loosens the tongues to praises. Lot his name be honoured this mouth in every pulpit and on every platform. The founders of our colony brought with them his name as an heirloom, and testified it in naming the harbour where they first set foot, Port Chalmers

To the Editor : Sir, —Your virtuously in dignant correspondent who writes on valua tion should act as he wants others to act, and give his own name. The matter lies in a nut shell; if the assessment was asked to Ijc raised from conscientious principles, well and Rood, tho applicant deserves credit, if it was done to obtain a qualification it was undoubtedly illegal. If a person's pro perty was valued at £5 and he wished it raised to £25 to give him a certain qualifica tion, would that be legal? As stated by your previous correspondent the principle is exactly the same, whether it be twenty pounds or twenty pence,—Yours, &c, Wipe Awake,

The annual meeting u£ the Acclimatisa tion Society, which was to have been held to-day, was postponed until Monday next, at two o'clock.

To the Editor: Sir,— "Charity " should try to better deserve his title, and not write ao quarrelsome. There is nothing to be gained by treating such au important sub ject otherwise than calmly, yet firm. All are supposed to desire only what is for the public welfare. For this reason it is that the British nation has hitherto adhered so steadfastly to the Divine Ten Command ments as needful to safety, happiness, and true prosperity, and we are certainly bigoted to tho whole of these Command ments, not one to be missing. It ia quite certain, too, that those who may have some wish to undermine the foundations of the fourth, will themselves be yet equally bigoted to maintaining the sixth. Now, in this thereliesinconsistency, because if wish ing to listen to man's voice in place of an allwise Creator concerning the national bul warks, they should surely abandon the whole! Space cannot better be occupied than with a single veise of George Her bert's inimitable ode on the day of rest :— " Sundays the pillars eve On wiiieh Heaven's pa ace arched lies ; The other days fill up tho spare And hollow room with vanities. They are the fruitful beds and borders In God's rich Rardcn ; that is bare Which parts their ranks and orders." —Yours, &c, Fouktii Commandment.

CABLE NEWS.

EUROPEAN.

Parliament Dissolves at Eascer. t r>wnr\xr

[RKU TEE'S TELEGRAMS.]

LONDON. March 8. It is announced to-day that Parliament will be dissolved at Easter. The general election takes place during Apiil, and the new Parliament will, it is expected, be summoned for dispatch of business in the beginuiug of May. Sfr Stafford Northcote, Chancellor of Exchequer, will submit the budget state ment to the House of Commons on Thurs day. Panama Canal. WASHINGTON. March 9. President Hayes in a message to the Senate has pointed out that it is necessary that the construction and working of the Panama Canal should be under tbo control of the United States. Earl Beacoasfield Appeals to Irish Patriotism. LONDON. March 9. Tho Premier (Karl Beaconslield) has issued a manifesto addressed to the Vice roy of Irelaud, iv which he invites the opinion of country on question of the maintenance of unity of the British Empire. His Lordship further usks Ireland to express its opinion as to the necessity or otherwise for predominence of English influence in the councils of Europe. LONDON. March 8. Three per cent, consols are £98. The market for Australian wheat is strong. Adelaide brands remain unchanged at 59a ; New Zealand at 47s 9d. Tallow market quiet. Best beef worth 35s Gd; best mutton, 37^. Wool Sales. At the wool sales to-day 7,4(10 bales were offered miking a total of 150,200 catalogued since tho opcuiug of the auction. There was a fair attendance and a good demand for cow South Wales fleece. Board of Trade Beturns. The Board of Trade returus of imports for tho past month amouut to £33,150,000, showing an increase of £4,500 compared i with la-.t year. Ihe returns of exports amounts to £75,426,000, being an increase of £2,881,250 on last .year's returus for the same month. /

AUSTRALIAN.

[REUTKU'S SFBCIAL CABLEGRAMS.

Eaid by Queensland Blacks

BRISBANE, Wednesday

A large number blucks made raid yester day, upon a station near Georgetown, and drove away a large mob of cattle.

Fall in Sugar. MELBOURNE.

This day. The sugar market is weak. Price, £1 per ton lower.

Tne Botomahana Got Off.

The Union Company's steamship ltnto mahana gut Kofely out of tho Yarra duriiig the night, and sailed to-day for New Zealand. ADELAIDE. This day. Wheat has declined, and 10-day is quoted at 4s Bd. Tasmania Council and Go vernment at Loggerheads. HO BART TOWN. This day. The Assembly last night passed resolu tions declaring the action of tho Legislative Council iv adjourning its Bitting for three mouths, lin consequence of alleged dis courtesy of the Government, to be unconsti tutional. SYDNEY. Tuesday. Arrived : Hero and Tararua, from Auck land, yesterday. Murder of two Children. A man has murdered his two children at Bathurst. He was suffering from the effects of delirium tremens at tho time. MELBOURNE. Tuesday. Tho Union Company's steamer Kotoma hana grounded on the banks of the Yarra, but it is expected she will float again at midnight.

OPEN REHEARSAL OF THE CHORAL SOCIETY.

Thb abovo Society gave an open rehearsal of Mendelssohn's St Paul, last evening, in the Choral Hall. There was a very good attendance. Among those present wore the Hon. J. Hall (Premier), and Hon. F. Whitaker (Attorney-General). Mr Rice conducted. Taken as a whole, the rehearsal was a bucccss, although in some places it was clear that tho music was beyond the rauge of the abilities of members of the Society. The overture was given with good effect by the orchestra, which mus tered in more than average uumbars, aud were very successful in their in terpretation of the music, which is remark able for elaborate contrapuntal qualities and rich combinations. The chorus, "Lord thou alone art God," was pleasingly sung by the members, aud although correctly given, served

to show tho waut of proper balance of the different calibre of voices Mrs Judson took the soprano recitatives and gavo them in good s yle. Messrs llnrker and Brett were the false witnesses, and the latter gentleman was on one occasion a trillo "out" in the time. Mr Dickson took the tenor solos mid recitatives, and succeeded, as ho invariably does, in charming his audieuco by the sweotnoss aud accuracy of his rendering and clear enuucitition. The chorus "Take Him Away " is presto, in order to afford a con trast to tlio recitative which immediately precedes it; but despite that fact it was very slow at tho commencement. Mrs Judson sang "Jerusalem, Thou That Killest the Prophets" in an effective manner. The chorus " Stone Him to Death " was very ineffectively rendered and required a great deal more energy and lire. Tho chorales wero all prettily sung. Tho chorus, "Oh Happy and Blcssod," showed that more attentiou was needed in bringing out tho delicate alternating harmonies and melodies con tained in it. The bass solo " Consume Thou thorn, oh Lord," by Mr Barker, lacked power of voice and correct in tonation. Miss Mauusell saug " But the Lord " very sweetly. The chorus, " Saul, why persccutest ?" was given in good style, although in some places it was open to strong comment. The chorus concluding the lir*t part was, as a whole, well sung. "The Nations are now the Lord's," tho clnius opening the second part, was good, although the tenors were weak in " For all the Gentile." The duct, Now we arc Ambassadors," between Mr Harkcr and Dickson, was well sung. The best-rendered chorus of the evening w;>s undoubtedly, "How Lovely are the Mes sengers,'' and the correct interpretation of it created a pleasant surprise. Mrs Judsou sang the solo, "I Will Sing of Thy Mer cies," in an effective manner. The allegro moto cborus, " It is he," required closer at tention. The duet, " For so hath the Lord,"between Messrs Dickson and Harker, was good. The concluding chorus yas well given. Tho orchestra wero_ in several places a great deal too loud, especially in the solos. As a whole, the concert was successful, and we hope the members will repeat it on Another occasion,

TELEGRAPHIC.

(PER UNITED PBE.SS ASSOCIATION.)

DAKGAVILLE, this day.

THE RACES POSTPONED. The rapes are postponed till to-morrow as it is raining heavily. It has rained heavily all night, and this morning the course is very heavy. The races are postponed. The township is crowded, and beds cannot be obtained for love or money.

DRURY, this day.

PLEURO PNEUMONIA. DIMINISH. ING.

As the Ministerial train arrived at Papa toitoi this morning, Mr Jame3 Wallace reported that Messrs Finnerty and Banks' cattle, which were reported as infected with pleuro pneumonia, are better.

RUSSELL, this day.

It rained in torrents last night, and is still raining to-day.

TAURANGA, Tuesday,

THE NATIVE CASES.

Your correspondent's message from heie which appeared on Monday, is altogether wrong. The natives wt;re not brought to Tauranga by Inspector Emerson. He op posed any adjournment on the grounds of the expense. The natives themselves ap plied for an adjournment, and it was granted because Mr It. Graham persisted in sitting on the Bench. The 11. M. said ho could not sit with Mr Graham, who might himself be implicated, and consequently adjourned the case to Tauranga, when he said he would get an impartial justice from the justices sitting with him. The charge against Isaac Wilson for shoot ing at a native is now proceeding, and is being ably conducted by Inspector Emer son.

This day. WILSON COMMITTED FOR TRIAL,

The case against Isaac Wilson of Ohine mutu, for shoting at a native was concluded yesterday. Wilson was committed for trial at the Auckland session of the Supreme Court. Bail was accepted.

OHINEMUTU, this day.

NATIVE MEETING.

The natives have just returned from the grc.it Pneroa meeting. An investigation of tho title is to be made in April. The ltotorua committee nieetou the 23rd mat.

liongotoa Amahau, a promising young Ngatiwhakanc chief, died yesterday.

NEW PLYMOUTH, this day.

SUDDEN DEATH,

A gentleman named William Itodgera, known as a tanner at Opotiki, which place ho left for tlic purpose ot settling here, died after a day's illness at the Clareudon Board ing-house last night. He was apparently in good health on Sunday, and his death wa* very sudden. THE KOYAL COMMISSION. The Royal Native Commission concluded their sittings at Waitsira. They will re main another week, and then will return to Patea. RECEPTION OF THE RIFLE CHAMPIONS. This day. A largo meeting was held last night to make arrangements for the purpose of according a reception to Sergeant O'Key, the winner of the Champion Belt. On Saturday a committee was appointed, and subscriptions came in liberally. It has been deckled to iuvilo the Auckland repre sentatives ashore and to have all the volunteers paraded. O'Kcy is the third Tarauaki "boy" who lias won tlie belt— Hoskinfl, Paynter, and O'Key.

WELLINGTON, this day.

LOCAL INDUSTRIES COMMISSION,

Me-srs J. W. Bain, K. Wakeii-Id, and W. Murray, M.ll It's, have been appointed membsas of a Koyal Commission, to report on tho question of local industries. Two other members are yet to be appointed. FATAL ACCIDENT. Durlug the passage of the Barque Alastcr from London, a seaman named Win, Day fell from the maintop on to the deck, and suffered concussion of the brain, from which he died in tour hours after.

CHRISTCHUKCH, this day,

BEE-KEEPING.

Dr Irving, President of the Bee-keepers A.ssociation, gave a practical lesson in the Domain gardens yesterday, of the process of transfer ing a swarm of bees from au old hive to a modern bar-framed structure. A large number of country visitors were present, some from a.s far as Tiniaru. The City Council lias placed the old post oflico at the di-posal of the Review com mittee, to provide sleeping accommodation at Easter. An attempt was made at three o'clock yesterday moruiug to bum down Mau hestcr I>ro»'. store at Wahnate, the perpe trator is unknown. ACCIDENT ON A RAILWAY. A little girl named Elizabeth Gilpin, three and a half years old, was getting into the train yesterday at. Burnham with her parents,wnen she fell between the platform and the carriage. The train moved on at that moment before the child could be rescued. The left aim was smashed to pieces and a compound fiacture sustained in the left foot When brought tf> the hospital her arm was amputated imme diately below the shoulder. The little sulleror is doing fairly well. ESCAPED LUNATIC. A lunatic named Geo. Ford escaped from Suunyside Asylum on March 1, aud was captured on Sunday evening. He bad been out on tho West Coast Road. THE HARVEST.

A large quantity of grain is daily pouring into various stores. Complaints arc already being made that scarcely any trucks are available at the stations along the line. A man named Geo. Palmer had a very narrow escape of being run over by an ex press train, South of Kakaia. The train started from the station, when the driver observed the mau lying across the railway a little distance ahead. Every effort was made to stop tlio train, and succeeded with in six feet of the man. AYhen picked up lie was found to be in a state of drunkenness and fast asleep. .He waa given in custody. The child injured by the Burnhaiu traiu on Monday is [irogressiuy; favourably,

DUNKDIN this day

The lion. Air Oliver lias telegrapned offer ing the unemployed the same ternn as in force in the Noitli Island, and directions have boon given to enquire iato cases, and no time is to he lost in affording work. £1,G02, of which £576 came from country districts, has been subscribed in Diinedu suburbs towards the Itish Famine Puud.

The Harbour Board have instructed their homo agents to accept tenders for a hopper dredge which will havo a carrying capacity of 1 250 tons, the pdoo being £29,900. One of the cuiiditions of the contract m that the builders undertake the fitting up of the ma chinery in the colony.aud to superintend the working of the dredge hero for three months after handing her over in good working order.

WIFE DESERTION.

At the aunmil mee'ing of subscribe:s of the Benevolent Institnt'on yesterday it was resolved :1. That legislation is urgently nee-lid for t!ie pnrposo ot compelling husbands who have gonu to other colonies leaving their w tves and families destitute to contribute to their maintenance. Mr Fulton intends to take action in the matter ill Pa liament. The Minister of Justico has been commu nicated with onbclmlf of theladMcllhauey, sentenced to two mouths' imprisonment and 12 strokes with a cat-o'-niue-tails, on Monday, [t is now probable that the punishment will not be inflicted until the case receives further consideration. SCARCITY OF WATER.

The scarcity of water in the city has now reached such a point that the Coiporatiou have decided on cutting the supply ofF for machinery purpose*. Yesterday the depth of water iii the reservoir was only eight feet. There is loud grumbling on tne part of Councillors with regard to the Silverstreani scheme. Practical men have expressed an opinion that during the winter the slip will be so serious as

to bling the wholo hill bodily down at one portion of I he raco, and it was as serted that it! diy wca her, as at present, loss from leakage a'ono from the course of the race would 1> so great as t> necessitate largo 1( u,j;ths of piping ere any dependence could be placed upon the supply. Two councillors .said it would cost £130,000 to i make the scheme available. The Council oidered tenders for further work?, to cost £5,000. At the University meeting a letter was read from Professor Scott, stating that he was endeavouring to induce Traquair, one of the greatest authorities on fish fossils, to apply for the biological chair. At Tapauui, George Harvey, settler, was committed for trial for stealing wire. BAD TIMES.

The " Daily Times" Company declare no dividend this year, but carry forward £2,715. ■ ■

Grand Opening of the Navi gation of the Upper Thames.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER,

WAIKATO, this day. FAR away from European settlements and surrounded by the calm repose of the Thames Valley lie 3 Matamata, the great estate of J. C. Firth, Esq. Here in one property is 60,000 acres of land, most of it level as a board, and here for many years past Mr Firth has expended thousands of pounds yearly, in the attempt to convert waste lands into fruitful cornfields ; and in transforming fern land into rich pasturage for cattle, hundreds of miles of fencing have been erected, houses, barns, store rooms, aud stockyards have been built; miles of road have been formed between Cambridge and Stanley (the landing place), a traction engine lias been imported from England and brought into use. Thousands of pounds have been absorbed in the various great works carried on, and hundreds of men have been employed ; aud all this has been doneiu a quiet unostentatious manner. The public being unaware of the precise character of the operations earned en until the publication of the Auckland Almanac, 1880. The following extract from that work will be interesting : —

CULTIVATED LANDS OF THE ESTATE.

There are fully ten thousand acres of ploughed cultivated land, this being more than 15 per cent, of the entire area of Mr Firth's land, besides which there are some 7,000 acres of surface sown in grass and clover, which entices the cattle to wander over the landc, thereby crushing the fern and consolidating the ground. Every year the grass is improving at Matamata, and before the next issue of this work there will be another 3,000 acres added to the grass already laid down in good pasturage. WHEAT.

Mr Firth's wheat-growing operations are increasing yearly. Last season 550 acres were roughly planted as an experiment, which yielded an average of 16 bushels to the acre. The crops promised a heavier harvest, but in the month of .November 1878) the wheat was attacked by rust, redu cing the yield it is said to the extent of 10 bushels per acre lcs« than it otherwise would have been, leaving it as stated 16 bushels. We were shown a sample of the Tuscan variety of wheat from this 559 acre crop, which for weight and quality would be jdiilicult to surpass in any part of the world.

Mr Firth having determined to help in the good work: ox enabling the province to supply the wants of i(s inhabitants, and so dispense with the large supplies imported, laid down at the commencement of the pre sent season 1,600 acres in another portion of the land. Every colonist will admire the enterprising spirit which has led ro such a grand tist, and all will hope the result will prove satisfactory. It should be remarked that Mr Firth is growing as much wheat as scores of ordinary farmers will attempt, and those who saw the amount of labour em ployed iv preparing the ground will admit that success is well deserved. Twenty-five double furrow ploughs were at work all the winter. Add to this the harrowing, sowing, rolling, dressing, the cuttiug and tieing up, carting, threshing, and freight, with the various ramifications of industry, stimulated by this one enterprise, and all classes of society will rejoice to hear of its complete success. It is simply one colonist ahead of his fellows, riskiug his money to show what the proviuce can produce. His success in this particular will give an impetus to wheat growing which it certainly needs, and many of our large laud-holders will pluck up courage to go and do likewise, and tickle their idle lands to make them smile with golden harvest. TUHNIPS, FOREST PLANTING ETC.

Last year, 2,000 acres of turnips were sown for winter food for cattle. 'J his year a similar amount of laud has been ploughed up, and will be laid down in turnips, grass, and clover. Oats, potatoes, and other crops receive fair attention. The planting of forest trees has been carefully attended to. Large areas of land are now covered with trees; each successive year contributes about 50 acre 3to the forest plantations. A large amount of fencing has been done, there being 43 miles of fencing at the preseut time in use. The style latterly adopted by Mr Firth is a five sod bank with double ditch, which is proved to be the cheapest and most durable of any kind, if the soil is suitable, as it is at Matamata. We have already referred to road-making operations, and will only add here, that the road first made through the. bush from Cambridge to Matamata was made at Mr Firth's expense, thus first opening, com*, munication with the extensive plains on the cast liank of Ihe Waikato. It was by means of this road that military operations were carried on against Te Kooti—without it nothing but pack-horses could have been used. LIVE STOCK. During last year 450 head of shorthorn cattle were fattened and sold at the Auck land market. There are running on Mtita mata about 1,500 head of cattle, about 3,000 sheep, and 75 horses; and it should be montioiicd that there are also scores of Maori horses enjoying the fruits of Mr Fiith'a labours. The latter's good natured system of allowing these horses to gras;e on his pastur. s offers some explanation for the good understanding which has ever existed between the members of his establishment and the natives. It may be mentioned that during all the trouble some time 9 through which we have passed since 1865 that no outrage or robbery has been committed by natives on this estate — property of every description has been just as safe as though it had been in the heart of a settled district. Notwithstanding this fact, great apprehensions of danger were felt through Matamata being a great high way for roving bands of marauders and war-parties, of which we will presently speak. Hrst of all, must be completed our description of the country. We are in vited by Mr Dibble to stay with him, and find a comfortable resting place f.r the night. Hearing that Mr Firth's steamer (the Kotuku) is at the landing place, we have arranged for horses to ride down early, as she is to leave first thing in the morning' 1 and we wish to see how she navigates the river. THE OPERATIONS ON THE UPPER THAMES The following is the report to the Hon. Mr Oliver, Minister of Public Works, on the clearance of the Upper Thames River from snags and rapids : '•Sir,—l havo the honour to report for your information, that the Upper Thames River, from the Ohinemuri Junction to Pakopako, vow called Stanley, a distance of about seventy miles by the river, was, before the commencement of snagging and blasting operations, only available for oauoes, the river being filled with logs and rocks.

. " I.—Seven years ago, suajjgine; opera tions wore conimcncod, and the worst ob structions removed between Ohiuemuri and Omahu. Further operations were aban doned owing to great excitement amongst the river natives, arising from the murder of Sullivan, in the Waikato district. " 2 —Two yoars ago operations were re commenced. A steam launch aud punt were built for the purpose. The work was proceeding when the river natives insisted ou the stoppage of operations. Negotiations with the natives, though somewhat difficult aud costly, were, at length, successful, and their objections to cleatiuir the river south of Omahu were finally removed. A second steam-launch wus purchased, and two more puuts were built.

"3.—Subsequently, a third iron steamer was built, of light draught and great power, luted with n steam winch and various mechanical appliances. The operations have been continued to the present time Large quantities of dynamite haye been used, with very good results, Groins, to narrow the stream and deep«n the channel at certain points, have been bailt; innumer able Bna»s have been removed, one of the largest being 120 feet long and 5 teet dia metov at the butt; shallows have beca dredged, and many impassable rapids and falls (formed by masses o,f conglomerate rocks) have been removed by dynamite "4—:, h<i °Vc' ations have been so' far successful that all serious impediments from Oniahu to Stanley, a distance of about 45 miles, have been cleared, and the river rendered navigable for steamers diawinc not wore than three feet. The steamer Kotuku, 82 teet long and 20 feet beam, now running ou tiie river, canios, on a thivse feet draught, 35 tons of cargo during six months in summer, and 50 tons duriu« the remaining six months of the year. , " s.—There Htill remain some obstructions between Omahu aud the Ohinemuri Juuctiou, which, as soon as the Maori opposition is removed, will be cleared." " 6.—The total cost to Ist January last, ot aU labour, material, and appliances amounts to the sum, of £7,442 4s 5,d." " 7.—The result of the operations is that the clearing of the navigation, of this beau tiful nyer has opened a vary targe' area of valuable la.nds, owned by Government and private individuals for advantageous bettle inent, a.nd provided a ohoap means of transit for agricultural and other produce, without transhipment, from Stanley, the head of,

the navigation, to the port of Auckland,"—.! have, &c, J. C. Firth. —Matamata, Auck land, February 24, 18S0. FORMER STATE OF THE RIVER. The writer visited the landiug-place and saw how the Kotuku navigated tho river ' she was at the time "poised on amonstrons snag," with two big hawsers attached to trees on the banks of the river. Captain Sullivan and his men having been trying f or hours in vain to get her off, and this we learnt was a specimen of the innmnerable snags -which in early days had prevented any vessel from coming up the Waihou river. Mr Firth was not to be stopped by the forests from making a good road from Cambridge, and when he first attempted to navigate the river he determined not to W stopped by Bnags, and cooly proceeded to blow them all out of the way with Noble's Dynamite. In this commendable undertaking jj. Firth had no Government subsidy to work on, only his own private exchequer. l tt6 work was howerer proceeding when the Maoris interfered on superstitious and other grounds. After years of labour, delays tedious cegociations, and expenditure, the important work of clearing the river'w tg accomplished. A grand highway has been opened for the colony, and opened by the enterprise of one man. THE FEAST. The Maories had been promised a feast when the work was done, and this feast is about to take place. And to still further celebrate the opening of the navigation of Thames Kiver, Mr Firth_ has invited aa many gentlemen aa possible to Stanley Matamata. :'■/ THE GUESTS. Guests are expected from various parts of the Provincial District of Auckland. By this morning's train from Auckland,arrived the Hon. John Hall (Premier of New Zea land), D. Maunsell, private secretary tn Hon. J. Hall, Hon. F. Whitaker (Attorney. General), Thos. Peacock, Esq. (Mayor of Auckland), Hon. Jas. Williamson, M L (V Hon. Dr Pollen, M.L.C., F. D. Fenton' Esq. (late Judge Native Lands Court)' Messrs Thos. Morrin, D. L. Murdoch Jaa Bailey, 0.8., S. J. Edmonds, J. Ccgrave W. Aitken, S. Patterson, T, MacHarlaue' Key J. Robertson, Ehrenfried (Mayor of' Thames) Chairman Thames County Council Messrs James Kussell, Adam Porter.

HAMILTON, this day, 1.30 p.m.': ; The Premier and other gentlemen holding ■ office are dining at Pearce's Hotel, civilians are dining at Gwynnes. During the trip" up in the train the Hon. Premier was noticing the improvements visible since lie • visited the district many years ago. To-day aided by au elaborate map from the Public Works Office and with Brett's Auckland Almanac in hand, he is enabled to dig. tinguish the principal districts and features'! of importance as he journeys along. The member for Bruce, Mr Murray, got in tW train at Mercer. Here also Mr Richard Hobb's came forward with a case of fruit. The peachea known as (Bobb's late) were especially good. Seven head of cattle were on the line, which had jumped out of the* early goods train through the waggon do#fe flying opeD. They were intended for Hunter and Nolan's ssle to-day at Pnke kohe. At Huntley the Hon. Hall inspected^ the coal, and expressed favouiable opinion as to its quality.

The following guests joined at Hamilton •* -F. A. Whitaker, Esq., M.H.R (Waipa)' J. B. Whyte, Esq., M.H.R. (Waikato)) Northcroft, Esq., R.M., and Mr Hume."! At Cambridge, the party will be further augmented by: Messrs Every Maclean, s E. B. Walker, Capt. Steole, Henry Reynolds, and W. L. Williams.

The Outbreak of Pleuro- Pneumonia.

(FEOM TUESDAY'S." WAIKATO TIMES ")

The statements made by Mr Burke, Mr": Storey and others at the last meeting ef the"- Cambridge Farmers if they prove anything; prove conclusively that the Government has i been guilty of the greatest supineness in' regard to the outbreak of pleuro. In allow-,, ing the report that the disease had broken* out in this district, to pass unheeded so far as the taking of any practical measures are*s concerned, is an act of the grossest injustice to the settlers, whosei ! anxiety upon so Berious '" a< subjeot it was surely the duty of those in authority to allay. With the appointment' of the Cattle Board, we may look for a better state of things, our only hape being, that the wretched policy of procrastinatioa' pursued by the Government, has not per. i mitted the evil effects of the disease to spread. If we are to look upon the utter ances of Mr B. Maclean as conveying the sentiments of the Attorney-General, we must confess we unwittingly wronged "Mr Jackson in our remarks on his extraordinary ' letter iv Thursday's issue ; fur notwith standing the repeated assurance of lie r Naden and others to the eflcct that the disease does exist, nud the indig nation expressed by them regard ing the letter above referred to, we Qud Mr Maclean calmly referring to the disease as something the existence of which remains to be proved, Surely the Govern ment ought by this time to be fully con vinced one way or the other. A want ot. decision is iv all persons and at all times barely excusable, but in a Government, ami at a time like the present when such '* important interests are involved, such a line ol conduct is dep'orable, nay, worse, it. is absolutely criminal. We hope tte' suggestion made by Mr Hicks will be acted * upon by the new Board as soon as it has been gaaetted, so that the settlers may know the full extent of the dancer, which ' they have to meet.

(FROM THB "SOUTH CANTERBURY •'

.TIMES.")

The Auckland Pastoral Association have shown good sense in deciding that the best way to stamp out the threatened cattle plague is to destroy the suspected animals. It is to be regretted, however, that they have not displayed sufficient promptitude and self-reliance to take the evil in hand without consulting the Government. They have passed a resolution requesting the Government to trace out and purchase tho cattle recently imported from Australia, in order to destroy them, and thus stamp out the disease, at a cost of £500; and we are told that tho local auctioneer, Mr Buckland, in the event of this being done offers to fnraish a list of purchasers aud prices given, and when sold' at his yards. This dilatory way of doing things is only trifling with an emergency that seriously compromises the position of every cattle-bieeder in New Zealand, While they are hesitating, negociating s and kuckstering, the disease may be spreading like wildfire. The Auckland Pastoral As sociation can have no adequate idea of the fearfully contagious nature of pleuro-pneu inonia, or such a sum of £500 would not be allowed to interfere with its suppiession for an instant. We can assure them that £50,00019 a mere bagatelle to tho value of" tihe damage that New Zealand stock-owners will realise should such an epidemic oncer obtain an established footing in this colony. Now Zealand has hitherto been fortunate as regards this viiuleut form of cattto plague, while the Australian colonies, during the past fifteen or sixteen years, have been subject to periodical visita tions. At a time when there is a prospoct of stock-raising becomiug amostHouiishing iudustry, and when the problem of sending fresh beef to Great iiritian has just been satisfactorily solved, i; is desirable in the? extreme that the prestigo of New Zealand for being exempt from the formidable epidemics that are incidental to stock in the othey colonies, should be maintained. Th,e> fact that no. cattle plague exists in New Zealand will tend to give the moat of this colony a,u additional value in the eyes of the British consumer, and no efforts should be spaced to preserve this reputation. The Auckland Pastoral Association, through their huckstering, are trifling with the best interests of every pastoral occupier and landowner in the colony.

OLD LAND CLAIMS.

The Court for hearing land claims was heti yesterday, before Major Heaphy, Coinmis* sioner, in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association. The claim of Mrs Elizabeth George was put in. Mr O'llorko, M.U.K., acting for Mrs George. The claim of Mrs George was stated by herself. She was the widow of Mr George of One hunga, who died in 1855 ; his health for a long time prevented him from attending to business. She was not aware that Sir F. D. liell had beeu appoiuted to investigate land claims, and consequently did not send in her claim. The land was originally purchased by Mr J. B. Wilkiusou, from liiul, the native chiet of Orakei, and Mr George, her late husband, purchased the same of Mr Wilkinson, gtving him in ex- < change a house and laud at Pamell, which was sold for £300. The transaction took piaoe about the year 1545. Several docu ments m proof of Mrs George's claim were pw in, and finally the case was adjourned in order that Major Heaphy might urocee* (to-day) to take the evidence of one' of the ; f original vendors.

The manufacture of im,itations.of preciona,3l stones in France lias increased enormously! of late, wad at present the supply cannot' keep ? acj w sth tlie (Jemand.

THE AIiCKLAFI) EYWUfm STAR WRDNESDAfritfitnCH 10, J.BRG.



Special Advertisements. 1 TtyfACINTOSII & Y\7ATEUPROOF pOATS. We are NOW SHOWING a Largo Assort ment of NSW GOODS in VULCANITE & DOUBLE TEXTURES, from 46in. to 56in. in length, with extra long fly at back, to opan for riding. Tho=c goods aro of superior quality, and GUARANTEED WATKKPROOF. SILK UMBRELLAS ALPACA UMBRELLAS ZANELLA UMBRELLAS GINGHAM UMBRELLAS In Groat Variety. Agents foe WERTHEIM'S SEWING MACHINES, NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, QUEEN-STREET, OPPOSITK '! lIEATRE ROYAL. J. FITZSIMONS, Manager. [ESTABLISHED A.D. 1853.1 V*T ILLIAM BATTRAY, DRAPER, CI OTHIER, SILK MERCEK, AND MERCHANT TAILOR, 66, Queen-street, Auckland, rllas Jnst Reoeivod a L"A RiG E SA|S S 08 R T M X N T OF CALICOS, LINENS, TABLE DAMASKS, DAMASK TABLE CLOTHS AND NAPKINS, HUCKABACK & TURKISH TOWELS, COUNTERPANES, AND OTHER T^URNISHING T) EQUISITES, Which wero bought during tho recent doprossior in English Trado, and will be offered at proportionately LOW PRICES. Note tho Address— 66, QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND (Opposite tho Bank of Now Zealand). GREAT I > A~R GAINS REATJL>A R G A I N £ GREAT BARGAINS! GREAT BARGAINS 1 GREAT BARGAINS JUST OPENED, A SPLENDID LINE OP ]y[EN'S rpWjEED qUITS '. " -AT 27 s 6 D- Worth 455. ONE CASK jy^EN'S pLAX gHIRTS With Collirs, *~ AT 4 s 6 D- Wokth 69 6d. ONE BALE ■^■HITE gUPER. J£LANKETS 13 s 6 D' Worth 20s. Inspection specially invited tc OUR OWN MAKE OF BOYS' PLAITED TUNIC SUITS From ioS, 42T Note the Address— J. B. KOBINSO N, AUCKLAND pfiOTIIING TpACTORY NEXT MESSRS TONKS & CO.'S AUCTION MART. nAIILICK & /^RAxs ,ELI HAVE JUST COMPLETED STOCK-TAKIAU we have a lar9k lot of rbmnants, We Shall Hold a WEEKLY SALE OF REMNANTS, FIRST SALE ON FRIDAY NEXT. FRIDAY in Each Week will bo Especlaly Set Apart for Sale of REMNANTS of oil kinds. CO-OPERATIVE PRICES FOR CASH ONLY. REMNANTS of Dress Material RWMNANTS „ Pompadour Material RKMNANT3 „ Prints REMNANTS „ Flannel RKMNANTS „ Calico REMNANTS „ Sheeting IiEMNANTS „ Ribbon RKMNANTS „ Carpots REMNANTS „ Floorcloth RKMNANTS „ fi'k REMNANTS „ Lustren REMNANTS „ Shirting REMNANTS „ Tweed REMNANTS „ Holland REMNANTS „ Uamask REMNANTS „ Crotonno RKM'NaNIS „ Window Hollands REMNANTS „ Serges. ALL AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES FOR CASH AT TIME OF PURCHASE. Call Early on FRIDAY. GARLIC X & C RAN WELL, City Hall Arcade,.' ' *



Special Advei woments. OK SALE, Kearrioy'a Combined Keapor3 and Mower -Mangold and Turnip Drills Turnip Sllcers Oilcake Broakers Winnowing Machines Lawn Mowers. Also, TO ARRIVE, PER 'INGLEWOOD,' Coulter's Corn, Mangold, Turnip, and Manure Drills, combined And Ploughs, double andSsingle Harrows Hollers &c. &c. «C Tho above goods are importod directed rom tho manafacturers, and will bo sold choap to mako room for furthor shipments. vV. J. HURST & CO., IHI. Queen-street.