SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER} 7.20 • UNSET.—This Evening, 7.17, - U v RIHK.—To-Morrow Morning, 4.19 M UN'S AGF.-Now Moon, Jaa. Ist, 1.35 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

to-day.

Araylc. b.b,, Crawford, from Whangaroi Waitaki, 8.5., Edie, from Wham-are! Golden Isle, sohojncr, Watts, for Russoll

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING. Gleneig, p.s., Faiqnhar, for Tauranga Clara Hargreavea, for Tauranga

VESSELS EXPECTED.

City of Sydnoy, P.M.-*.'-', from Sydney, Tuesday City of sew York, from San Franci-co, Jan. li Wolverine, H.M.S., from Sydney, shortly lady Jocelyn, ship (K.V.P.3.), Irom London; Margaret Gaibraith, ship (J.K.L.I'.), from Lon don; nailed Octobor 29 Oxford, siilp. from London; loading Loch Urr, barquo (W.Q.L.K.), Lorn London; Balled September 27 A C. do ifrietas, barquo (R.F.M.K.), from Lon don, sailed Octobor 21th. Sydenham, barquo (J.M.F.Q), from London; Loch De"',-arqus, from Ltnlon: loaMnjt Beatrice Havorner, barquo (J.Q..0.L), from New York, sailed Sept. 26

EXPORTS.

Por Midge, for Lovuka-35,000 feet timber

Tho brlgantini Aurora, whioh arrived from Sydnoy at a hue hour yesterday afternoon, left ou Saturday, ISth Inst,, and had lWht SW.anl N.W. winds till tho 26th. Hnce thon W.N.W. and N.W. winds.

The barqua Clara Hargreavos was towed down to Tauranga last night, in order to assyt at the raising of tho Taupo. Tho Martha will bo taken down noxt trip The brigantine Clansman from Kaipara, with timber, has arrived at Port Phillip Heads, Melbourne. •iho brigantine Seagull left Lyttelton for Manukau en the 20th instnnt. The cutter Anniois loading with breadstuffs at Lyttelton for thia port. The ss Argjlc.from Whangarei, brought 5U saoks gum 40 sacks fungus, 3 bales wool. 40 cases Si hork 6 hides, and 6 tons sundries. The Sybil i 3 transhipping her cirgo of copra .ntc the Di.nloe for conveyanco to London. The Auckland ketch Rollanoo arrivod at Kaiapoi on December 21. The barquentine Kstel'o left Dnncdin for Oamaru and Auokland on December ID. The schooner Kato MoGregor left Timaru for t bis port on the 20th inst. An accident happened to tho Kamo Coal Co - mint at whangarei on Monday, by whichißhe Toßt hor ergo of coals. *-ha was loaded at Limestone Island, awaiting the arrival of the Albion. There was a strong breeze blo™l. ng' and conasquently tho water was rough. VV hon the tide turned, the bargo turned broadside on, and she filled and sank. A man named Andrew Peterson was on board, and ho jumped into thei dingy towing astern. When tLo barge reaehei the boat she turned bottom. upwards and camo to the surface in that position the coals having in tha meantime been capsized Into thn river. Peterson cut the dlngy's painter and palled safely ashore.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Russell, this day,

Sailed: Fanoy, Ocomi. and lona, for Auck land Passengers per Iona: Messrs L. . Gotlo. H. Hlckton, Wilkinson, Cooper, McKenzio, and Wa'kins.

THE WEATHER.

(1) WIND ESTIMATED AS C —Calm I E- Br.—Fresh Breeze I--Light St.-Stormy Br.-breezi I G.-Galo (2.) ANEROID BAROMETER. (3.) WEATHER ESTIMATED AS P.-Blue eky, be the at- 0.-Ovcrcasf ,tho whole mosphoio clear or sky covered with heavy -.hick clouds C. — Clouds, passing P.—Passing Bhowe*. 'clouds Q.-Squally D.— Drizzling rain R. — Rain, continued F.-Foggy . , rnln G-. — Gloomy, dark 9.—Snow weather T.-Thunder . H.—Hail U.-Ugly, threatening L.-Lightninfr appearance

COMMERCIAL.

Evening! Star Office, Fr'day. Messrs Carbine? and Lusher had a good Bale to day, largely atte-i<ied in each ot tho several department. New potatoes brought Is Od to 3*; maize. 28 6d to3a : <a:s. 2s Id ; cheese. 2d to sd* (Inferio*),' hams and bacon, fd to od: flour, £11; oatmeal, l.d; wan, £110s; salt, os 6d; candles, 91 • bsef, 1i; kero-ene, 2s 2d; soap, pt box, i's Gd.' A considerable quantity ot furniture and clothing realised favourable prices. Mr Walter Dowden held his weekly general sale to day. New potatoes brought 4s per owt.; old is 6d per bag. Several lines of good bacon were quitted at 7d and 8!. Prices generally were satisfactory. ,__,,,. Mr R. Arthur s general sale of poultry, fruit, and provisions, was not over in time for a report in the pressnt issue.

AUCKLAND CATTLE MARKET.

MS ALFRBD BUOKLAND'S WEEKLY RurORT.

At the Haymarket, on Friday last, fo-lder waa slightly better worth, and ransted from 3s 3d to 4b 9d the cwt; maze, 2s 8d ; o-ts, 2a the bushel. Horaß stock waa dull of sale, and less than the usual number Bold. Prices for medium draught ranged from £15 to £26; tiding horses, £6 to £10. There ia an unsatisfied enquiry for qniot buggy horses. On Tuesday, in addition to the usual Bale of hides and skins, 56 bales of wool were sold, and the priceß of the previous wool sale maintained. Wool in grea3o ranged from 7Jdto B}d,- washed, Did to llfd the lb.; hides, 3d to Id per lb.; pelts, lid to 1b 3d; Bheep, Is to 4a 6d each. At Papakura, on Wednesday, a small sale of 69 head, generally well-bred cattle, of a good class, met with a brisk sab-, as improved P _t Remuera, on Thursday, dairy cattle wero in fab? inquiry, and maintained the improved value of mat week. Store cattle were some thing lower in price. Fat cattle in average number, 111 head sold to tha trade Bidding was dull and pricea ruling laat week wero barely sustained. Medium weight good quality steers were at 23"! cows and heavy weights, from 18s the lOOlbs. Sheep were in less than usual number, prices firm. Beat wethers, 2JI to 2Jd the lb Kat lambs were numerous, bnt in good inquiry; best quality, from 10s to 16s each. Figs scarce, and at low values. .

MESSRS HUNTBRAND NOLAN'S W-EK-Y RBPORT.

Horses.—Tbe Durham Yards were again filled. On Frid»y last, owing to the arrival of the Wanganni lot, there was a large attendance of buyers, and bidding was brian throughout the sale, and most in wore disposed of at very satisfactory price. There was no noteworthy alteration in last week's quotstiona. _C«ttle.-At Newnurker. on Tuesday, dairy cows were in limited numbers but belter en ouiry There were a few store cattle in, and sold well at last week's valuea. Fat cattle were yarded in average numbers; 30s per lOOlbs. was reached for some local cattle in top condi tion, but ahipborne cattle were from 20a up- Sheep. — Tho yards were well filled, and nrices advanced a shade on last weekly quota tions. Lambs: Very few yarded, and, conse quently, sold his-h. - Piga were in limited numbers, and fair prices were given.

THAMES CATTLE MARKET.

Banks & Co.'b report for week ending Thurs day December 30--Owing lo non-arrival of vessel e-pe-ted, the number of cattle we had to offer this week wos smaller than usual. Well-fatted Bteera sold at from £7 17s 6d to £3; cows, light weights and of .econdary quality. £1 7a Gd to £6 15a: Sheep were yearded rather in excess of require ments, and in some instances prices not being Pali-factory a few pers were withdrawn, the Napier wethers ruling from 11a to 133 3d; lambs were in fair enquiry at from 10s to lis each; beßt quality beef, 2«a per lOOlba; inferior, 22a 6d to 21s; muttoo, 2|d per lb.

AUCKLAND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Wholesale. Retail. s. rl. B. a. b a. s. a. nnrli-r _lb 0 7-0 8 Milk, quart 0 4—o 0 _S___ses 0 9-0 0 Butter.fa,lb 9 0-1 0 SSterWbO 0-0 0 Butter, salt 0 10-0 0 oh_Be(new)o 5-0 6 Cheese (col. 0 8-0 0 r-Tca-t. 0 6-0 0 Eggs,doz... 1 3-1 6 K^doz. 1 0-1 3 Lard, lb .. 0 0-0 10 ifS'lbltios) 0 7-0 8 Fowls,each 2 6-3 0 Bteona-dHama Ducks, each 2 6-3 0 PMvbioial 0 7-010 Geese, each 5 0-7 0 r___burrHams Turkeys .. 5 0-7 0 _mT Bacon (In B»Oon. lb .. 0 10-1 0 cloth) ° 010H 0 Hams.lb.. 1 0-1 3 d 0 ' Bread, id to 4}d per 21b loaf Jams, per case, 5 doz. 30s to 32s 6d. Batter continues plentiful. Eggs are much SOMcer, and some storekeepers aro giving is 3d. Butcher's Meat. Retail. Roasting Beef 0 6 to 6 7 Boiling Beef .. O oZ fl 4l Mutton, hind-quarter.. .. -»»-0 4* „ fore-quarter 02*— 0 A » ■ Lamb, fore-quarter 1 ..00 —60 „ hind-quarter f" PorkandVeal 0 6-0 7 Steaks -. -. — •• - 0 6-0 8 Chops and Sausages .. _.. •• »6— o o TaWvbeßt(wholeßale)-mutton, „s; mixed,; • • to 255. __o_b_u___.. .. -- - - Wholesale. .■; >H ■ .'' '_..«._. SnperflneKlonr, silkdresßea, perton.. 13 0 0 _Tlneffloui-,ditto,household .. .. l!f HbMw.perton '..'. .. ■.'.". ■-•■• *ig 2 Adelaide,jjerton :. .. «_los-U.O 0 _■ Oai-ftrUtPerton ■-" •• • - •■ 12 Q 0 : •"" i-.^H'ivj-crton!. .. .. £11—13 0,. 0i

Rotoil. b. d. s. d. b. d. s. d. Maize,bushel 3 0-3 6 Lncorno, cwt.7 6—B 0 Oats, ditto ..2 3-2 9 Oaten, ditto 6 0-7 0 Bran, lOOlbs 0 0-0 0 Straw, ditto 3 o—l 0 Wheat (fowl) 3 3-3 6 Chaff, ditto 5 o—6 0 Hay, owl, ..C 0-6 6 Fotat'es.ditto4 6-5 0 Fijian Maizs 2 6—3 0 Sbeds.—Retail. 8. d. b. d. s. d. s. d. Ryetrrasa .. 5 o—6 0 Cocksfoot, bl. 6 0-8 0 Italian, do. ..8 0-0 0 Trefoil, lb. 0 9-0 0 Rod Clover.lbO 9-0 0 Ratstall, lb. 16-00 White Clover 1 I—o 0 Timothy,lb. 0 6-0 Alsyke, lb ..12 0 0 Luoerne, lb. 1 6-0 0 rowgrass, lbl 0-0 0 Rape, lb ..0 5 0 0 Woolpachs In quantity, 3s 3d to 3s 6d each corn sacks, 8s to 9s 6d per dozen. Fencing wire Nos. 6, 7 and 8. assorted. £1G 10s to £17 per ton Building Materials. Timber.—Boards and Scantling. 100 ft., best lis fid ; second class, 7b fid ; best planed, tongued and grooved, 13s 6d ; second-class ditto, 9s 6d- Mills: Cargo, best, Bs6d; sec-class, 1-fid. Baulk, 5s 6d to 6s 6.. Now Ze»land Pa'inc-s, sft (sin', 10s; sft (heart 1 133; Oft, 13s Tl-tron Rails, £3 10s per 100; Puriri Posts, £6; Shingles, lis per 1,000; Hobart Town Palings, sft, 17s; 6ft, 19s; Hobart Town Rails, 90s, Balling quotation-!. Bricks (at Whau,) 40*por 1,000; Town Yards. £2 15s: dolivernd, £2 10s. Drain pipes, per 100, 6 inches bore), 30'; 4 inobes. Ms; 3 inches 9s 2 inches, £210s per 1,000 sooket glazod pipes, 18 inchea 2s 6d por foot; 15 inches, 2s por foot; 12 inches, Is 6d per foot; 9 inches, la per foot; ti inches, 6d por foot; 4 Inchon, 4d por foot. Lime, olaokod. Is per bushel; quiok limo in sack, la 6d to 2s. Coal and Firewood Market. Coal.—Nowcastle (ship's side), cargo 31s per ton ; yard, 10s to 15s. Bay of Islands, at yards, 25a 6d ; scroened, 28s Od; ditto at the mine, 12s; ship's side, 23s fid. Waikato, at mine, 5s ;in Auokland 17s fid to 225; Taupiri, at mines, 6s Od to 12s ;at yarc?, 18s to 21s; delivered, 25s t J 28s. "Wangarei, at mine, 8s 6d;!yard (Stettin). 17s; household, 225. Miranda, at yard (household), 18s; steam, 18a. Kamo (housohold), 28s, 30s delivorod ; steam, 235, Firewood.—Uncut, at wharf (cargo), 8s to 9s per ton; dolivered, 13s ; cut, Us to 16s. Kauri Gum and Flax Market. Gum rather easier. Tho following sales have been effected since last Friday :—Good ordinary Kaipara and Whangarei at £31 to £35, Wai kato, £28 10 £30. Host Coast, £10 to £11; recoipta for Dscembor, so far, 620 tons. Flax.—Finest quality £20—£23 por ton Flax.—Medium .. .. 17 ~ Tow 10 -12 „ Fungus Ud. por lb.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Uni-er :— This Day. For Wangarei Heads and Wangarei, per Areryle, at 1 p.m. For Wangarei Heads, Wangarei, and Manga pai, per Waitaki, at 5 p.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 7 p.m. For Waiwera, Kawau, Mahurangi, Matakana, Mangawai, Walpu, and Mangapai, per Rose Casey, at 7 p.m. Monday, 3rd January. 1831. For Tauranga and Opotiki, per Waitaki, at 5 pm. For Russell, Kawakawa, Wangaroa, and Mnngonui, per lona, at 4 p.m, ForTauranga. Gisborne, Napier, and Jrouthern ports, per Albion, at 5 p.m. For Coromandel, per Coromandel, at 5 p.m. Tuesoav, Ith January, 1831. For Taranaki and Southern ports, per Ha Wei, at 10.5 a.m. For Waiwera, Kawau, Omaha, and Matakana, per Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For Teuranga and Opotiki, per Glenelg, at 4 p.m. Per b.b. City of Sydney aa follows :— Por Sandwich Islands, United States of America. Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, Japan, and China, including Hongkong, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 1 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 11.30 a.m.

Late letters bearing an extra fee of sixpence, in addition to the postage, will be recoived by the Mall Agent on board the steamer up to the time of sailing. This mail will be due In London on Tuesday, February 15, 1881. Thursday, 6th January. Per s.s. Arawata an follows :— For India, China, Japan, Mediteranean Ports, a.d Continent of Enropo, at 8 a m. For Ghborne, Napier, Southern Ports, Australian Colonies, and United Kingdom, sia Brindisl, for letters specially co prepaid and a .dressed, at 9 a.m.

N.B.—Saturday, January I, being a Postal Ho'iday, the mails usually closed on that day will ba made up this day (Friday), 31st inst., at 7 p.m.

S. B. BIS 3, Chief Postmaster.

Meetings, Entertainments, &c.

December 31, 1880. Theatre Royal—" Our Boys." 8 p.m. Loyal Howick Lodge, Auniversary Dinner and Ball, at Wag*tafl"s Ball. Derby Sweep on Auckland Ruclng Club Handicap, United Service Hotel, 7.30 p.m. Northcote, Stokes' Point, Annual Hall, in District Hal. 8 p.m. Albert Ball, Darby-street—Brand Masquerade Ball, 10 p m.

BIRTH.

MoQUARRIE-On December 28, at York street, Parnell, the wife of Hector Mctjuarrie, ot twin sods. THOMSON.-on3lßt December instant, at he' residence. Upper Hobson-Btreet, the wife oc Superintendent Thomson, A.C, of a daughter.

DEATHS.

WEBLEY.-On December 31, Henry, the Infant son of John S. and Klizabcth Webley; agod 1 year and 3 months. The funeral will leave his father's residence, Dnke-street, Newton, at 10.30 a.m. to-morrow, Ist January, Friends will kindly accept this invitation.

JO HNSTuN.- Oa Decembor 30, at Roslyn Villa, Manukau Road, Parnell, Kathleen Jane, the only child of J, X, Johnston, aged 8 months.

NOTICE TO CORRRESEONDENTS.

T. J., Chapel Street.—You ara at sea. You version of the story is very plausib'o, but 1 lacks tha simple element of trutb. The facts are as stated in our paragraph.

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

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1880.

For c cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, rVnd tbe good that we can do.

There is recorded somewhere in Plu tarch how tbe beginning of each year ■was.celebrated in a certain Grecian town. The whole of the populace assembled bee eath the shade of some mighty oak tree, where they divided themselves ini>p three groups. In one were the whjfce-h-ired seniors* those whom the incifeasing infirmities of*old age had cqiHpeJie^ to desist from activelaboiiri In t-'efreoood were th_

ren oomposed the third group. When the entire company had been gathered, a gi'-indsiro woull step forward, sup ported by his staff, and repeat a couplet which may be Englished thus : —

Wc were in the days of old, ,1 ust and generous, brave and bold,

Applause greeted the hcary veteran as he retook his place among his aged companions. Then a stalwart pater familias strode to the centre of the bands and spoke thus : —

That which in former days ye were,

We at the prcsont moment arc Still louder plaudits followed this man back to his place ; and, lastly, a repre sentative of the rising generation, the hope of tho coming years, repeated the following somewhat boastful verses :— Hereafter nt our country's call, We promise to surpass you all! Laughter, mingled with applause louder than before, succeeded, and then the groups broke up. Tho elders in dulged in talk, tho old men recounting the noble deeds they had performed in bygono days, the grandmothers proudly dilating on tho virtues and graces of their valiant sons and beautiful daughters. The younger portion of the community gave themselves up to athletic exercises, ran races, wrestled, boxed, threw tho discus, and hurled tho spear till night closed in. Whether old Plutarch's story hns any foundation in fact or not, thero is an air of naturalness about it which enlist; attention. Ho makes the old man speak, as old men have ever done, of tho distant past, of the famous achieve ments which once tl-ey were capablo of before decay and feebleness began. This characteristic of advanced age Tennyson has skilfully seized in his poem, " Tho Grandmother." Tho old lady still takes a deep interest in and loves to speak about tho events of 70 years ago ; whilo those which happened lust week are quite forgotten. It is the piesent, however, which engrosses the thoughts and energies of tho man in the primo of lifo. He Ims in tlio loom, as it were, a score of fabrics whose progrcs3 ho must watch. Ho has iv hand a hundred various schemes and plans all more or less advanced, and it is natural that he should bo anxious to direct each atop so as to bring thorn, ( if possible, to a successful issue Only once let him turn away or grow negli gent, and much evil may bo dono beyond remedy. But the thoughts of youth differ vory much from both. Thoy are, as Longfellow says, " Long, long, thought-," They stretch away into the future, picturing fanciful Uto pias, where justice shall bo dono, whoro right shall not be oppressed by might, whero golden koys shall not bo tho only ones to unlock the gates of ad vancement, where tho battle-flag will be furled and the war-drum will throb no longer. Ardent inexperienced youths dream of such a Golden Ago, aud imagine that their beautiful Ideals may someday, though not without much up hill lighting, he turned into Rculitios. Tho early songs of Sholley and Tenny son, and many another poet ancient and modern, encourage their hope, to which they cling until bitter experience sooner or later rudely awakens them, and, possibly, turns them into cynics and : misanthropes. The latter result is 1 deplorable, for tho fond imaginings are not merely harmless, they are oven useful. All must admit the utility of bringing to light tho defects of the existing state of things, antl of con triving reform. '1 he world will never grow better till present evils are re coguised and estimated rightly. The tendency of a complacent satisfaction with things as they are, which folds its hands and says, " Whatever is, is right," is towards stagnation aud death. If wo may bo allowed tho expression, to stand still is to retrogade; if wo are not going forwards we Are going back wards. Any reminders then, though they como from the lips of inexperienced youths, or poets who aro supposed to dream their days away, any reminders, we say, of a brighter futuro possible for mankind, of "sweeter manners, purer laws," of a coming ruco freer and more noble than the present, should not be churlishly sneered at, but hailed with enthusiasm. Such thoughts as these naturally rise to the surface as we watch " tho trailing garments of the departing year," aud though the stern actualities of life may disturb our reverie, it is not perhaps quite in vain that we have enquired

. . . When shall all men's good Be each man's rule, and universal peace Lie like a shaft of light across the land, And like a lane of beams athwart tho sea, Thro' all the circle of the golden year ?

EDUCATION BOARD ARROGANCE.

If tho Board of Education had deliberately conspired to destroy tho public school system, they could not have adopted a better way than that which is no.v being pursued with a determination and persist ency that is perfectly astounding. Com mittees are habitually treated with con tempt, their representations disregarded, and their proposals obstructed; radical changes are made iv the administration of schools under their control without a sem blance of consultation—the removal of city teachers reported last night is a case in point; money has been foolishly squandered iv ridiculous appointments such as an elocution master for the public schools, while the Government and parliament aro protesting against the extravagance of the education system ; and the3e acts of arro gance and folly have now culminated in au attempt to wrest from tlie local committee the largest city school for the purpose of creating another costly establishment ad ministered directly by the Board. " Whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad," and verily the conduct of the Board forces one to the conviction that some kind of magic glamour has been cast over them, which is leading them, and the system they administer, direct on the path of destruction. From our report of last night's meetiug of the City School Committee it will be soen that the policy of the Board has produced what sooner or later was inevitable, an open rupture with the representatives of the citizens. For nearly twelve months the City Committee have been thwarted in the desire to. exercise their powers under the Act for the enforce ment of the compulsory clauses. By diet of much persistency they succeeded at last in gaining their object, and after further negotiation obtained permission from the Boa-_ to utilize the limited capacity ot tho city schools to the utmost. But suddenly the Board have served ou the committee a peremptory notice that they inteud to take away from the control of the committee the largest school building in the city. Fortu nately the committee is composed of men who are not easily cowed by official bounce, and they have taken up a resolute attitude which will bring the matter to an issue at once. The committee are right iv protect ing the interests of the hundreds of city children who aro being educated iv this school, and iv resisting so outrageous an infringment of the rights of householders within the educational district. The Board iv attempting to seize the school without the consent of the committeo havo manifestly ex ceeded their powers.. The Regulations issued uudor tlie Education Act provide : - (5) Any Eilucalion Board having the control of a normal school or training college may establish or maintain, in connection with such school or college, a publio school to be used as a practising school;.or may agree with tbe committee of any school district for the use of any public school within such district as a.praclising school, subject to such condi tions as may be agreed upon with regard to the relations which shall in that case subsist between the principal officer of the training coHege and the head master of the public •fichiw-t, ," .: If thSßoard had made an j proper over tur<W tft' tlie committee fit the use of SHM^K-^rcet East School, giving dae 'y.i^'-Y^rnv^ -A '-j-ft^Won for the' 'r^t^^^^^^^r:.^-'^^^'

children of the city who have a claim to admission into the public schools, wo have no doubt the committee would have responded most readily and _ assisted the Board by every moans in their power. But the committee arc custodiaas for the citizens, and if they relinquish Wellesley-Btrcet school to the Board, they abandon the trust which has been placed in their bunds. The proposal of the Board to abolish local supervision in connection with Wellesley-street school, is an ufringmeutof the Education Act aud the regulations of the Governor-in-Council; aud the Committee, as representatives of the people, arc bound to resist. The centralis ing tendency of the Board must be checked at all hazards, and the Committee deserve public thanks for standing out boldly and (irmly against it. Mr Hewin sagaciously observed that the Committee hold the keys, and possession is nine point 3of the law. '1 hey may rely upou it tbat the householders will uphold them in holding possession at any cost. Their duty is plain. If the temperately-worded protest adopted last night fails to command the attention of tho Board aud secure for the committee that respect which is due to them as representatives of 14,000 people, then they havo ouly to appeal to the householders for support, and wo do not hesitate lo say that ample funds will bo forthcoming to light tho Board through every stage, and thus put an ell'ectual stop upon Us arrogance and centralising policy. Failing such support from the householders, any committee possessing a particle of self-respect would resign rather than occupy tho humiliating offico which the Board, by a habitual tone of impel ions ness and contemptuous indifference, aro undcavouring to thrust upon the local bodies.

The EvkninC! Stah will not bo issued to. morrow (New Year's Day.)

Captain Jacob wishes to thank tho ladies who proceeded iv the Southern Cross to Norfolk Island, for tho beautiful photograph presented to him.

A litttlo hoy, v boh of Mrs Cashel, of Harbour Viow House, Shortluiid-strcet, lost 2 £1 notes thia morning, whilst running across from home to Ucllahy's the butcher. It any honest person has found them, he will greatly oblige (and earn 10s reward) by returning them to the rightful owner.

Mr J. Waymouth, builder, of tho May tlcwer has received a telegram from Darga ville giving tho following as the result ot the ooc'ii-boat race under 20 foet;—Downiug's Mayflower, 1; D. Lynch's (Dargaville) Lottie, 2. Reynold's new boat was no wliero.

It will be seen on reference to our tele graphic columns that the Hon. Mr Bcor, who committed suicide 'ou board the Uotorua thn other day, was Attorney- Gcnetal of Queensland j Mr Pope Cooper is mentioned as his probable successor,

As tho Government have declined to re move the restrictions to the conveyance of cattle from the South to tho North of the Whau Portage, drovers aud owners of cattle will do well to guard themselves against a contravention of the law on the subject. For simply pel milling cattle from the south to stray upon the prohibited territory there is a penalty of £10, and for the graver offence of convoying by sea or land, or driv ing across, ono of £50. A little prudence may save a lot of trouble, for tho Inspector is on tho alert.

A very severe and heavy downpour, of rain took place about ei_ht o'clocic this morning, at the same time a hailstorm swept across from the direction of the Noith llcnd, and broke suddenly upon that part of iho city and suburbs lying between St. George's Bay on the one side, and Nowton on the other. Mechanics' Bay seomß to have received the brunt of the storm, for travellers found haiUtones to th** depth of several inches in Stanley-sticet and Gruftou Kca:l so long as three-quarters of an hour after thoy had fallen. Remuera and Pon sonby escaped the visitation, although ihey felt the full force of the rainstorm.

To the lulitor : 3ir, —In reading the account of the " Herald's " correspondent on Ilia visit to Norfolk Island, he says I'hillip Island is north-west of Norfolk (Bland. There is no island on that bearing nearer to Norfolk Island than New Caledonia. Droit's south Pacific Directory gives tho bearing of Phillip Island S 20degs _~ which is concct.—lam, &c, — Mkiscatok.

By an Ordcr-in-Uouncil all British pos sessions in North America not already in cluded in the Dominion, comprising all islands with the exception of Newfound laud and its dependencies, will ba consi dered as forming part of the Dominion of Cacada from September Ist last. So the policy of consolidation in the colonies, so strongly supported by Sir Bartle Frcre, is being pursued with success in the oldest colony wc possess.

Wc have received a copy of the Thames Diicctory for the cotniog year, being the lirst of the kind ever issued at the Thames, and will bo found extremely useful to rodents in the goldtield districts The Directory includes an almanac, an historic sketch of the Thames, a full directory of tradesmen and settlers, a summary of local events of the past year, gardening and other useful information. The Directory Is published by the proprietors of the " Thames Advertiser," and its price places it within tho reach of all.

Of his early experiences as a journalist, Mr Archibald Forbes says : I was running tho "Scotchman" at that time. I was sent to Metz and tho paper died. I lost £1000 and swore I'd have nothing more to do with running a newspaper. That oath cost me £4000 a year. When t dinund Yates slartcl tbe " World " on £500, he wauted mo to go in aud put up half, £250, I wouldn't, just on that account. To-day the " World " pays Edmund Yates £8000 a year. It was succo-sful from tho very start.

An ex-JudgeofthcNativo Lauds Court and thoroughly competent Maori scholar informs us thiitevenshould His Excellency the Gover nor be in any doubt as to Te Whiti's mean ing in the ambiguous sentence which he returned as a reply to the invitation to meet the Governor, there would bo no loss of dignity by sending a messenger to ask what is intended. The habit of speaking in metaphors and parables is common to the Maori tribes, and it is customary when a sentence iv obscure for the listener to observe respectfully "your words arc not clear, explaiu them." The statement in our morning contemporary, that Te Whiti's answer is insCiutable, is plain uouseuse.

On the night of the 27th December, about a quarter past eleven, nearly a socond fire took place at Mercer station. At tho end of the platform there is a coal shed with several tons of coal for the use of the engiues, and also the bags for the coal, and in some way the coal-man (Gordon) left his lighted lamp, which must havo fallen over and set the bags on lire. A man (R. Tregarth), living iv a small house near the statioD, saw a light and smoke rising from the station, and when lie got there to his astonishment he found (he coal bags in the shed on fire and the lamps destroyed. Tregarth extinguished the lire and saved the destruction of the station for the second time, In a few minutes more tho station buildings aud piobabJy tho township would have b-'en destroyed.

To the Editor -. Sir,—Will you permit me to draw the attention of the responsible persons to a grave defect iv the Panmure public hall, which on festive occasions causes much annoyance, and possibly physi cal injury, to those who may bo gathered within its walls. I allude to the almost total absence of the means of ventilation. All the windows are hermetically sealed. There is no roof ventilator, and the only means through which the air can find ingress arc the doors at either end, which in most cases must be kept closed in consequence of the keen draught which sweeps through them. I was pre sent at au "evening party in the hall on Tuesday evening, and with many others ex perienced the depressing effects of the fetid atmosphere, and could not but marvel at the rem-u-kable oversight which was the cause of the discomfort. I trust this re minder will be the means of rousing the authorities to take some action with a view of effecting the neceasary improvement,— Yours, &C, JUV-NIS.

The Wellington correspondent of the •' Lyttelton Times " repeats the following lumour :—"lt ia thought that Ministers will, immediately upon Pariiament as sembling, have to meet a direct motion of want-of-confidence i and it is whispered that already certain notorious differences leading last session to tlie pirclical disin tegration of the Opposition, have been settled, or at all events settled in so far as concerns united action-On a want-of confidenco motion, couched in general terms. I have reason to believe that this view of the position has already boen discussed by the "ins"; and that a good understanding has been arrived, to the effect that in the event of a defeat upon such a motion, Ministers will ask for a dissolution. Rumour likely to have something-substantial to go upon— furthermore says 4 that Sir Arthur Gordon would grant a dissolution if only with the object of ascertaining as early in his adjniniatration .as possible, . the . real preponderating (partyj^jeeling of the Colony." i store ior lue.*^clli^Lt_lnLr^^J__H^^^-^ :ig

The annual gathering of the Ponsonby Wesleyau Sunday-school will tako place to-morrow (Saturday) in the Domain. Chil dren and teachers are desired to meet at the church at 8.30 a.m. sharp, in order to fall in with the procession.

Eev. C. M. Nelson. M.A., will hold a religious service to-night at 11.30 in S. Paul s Cathedral Church for the purpose of afford ing the congregation another opportunity of seeing the old year out and the new one in. The service will be associated with season able hymns and an address. We under stand that the Rev. W. Tebbs will hold a similar service at St. Matthew's.

Special services will be held in St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, Remuera, on Sunday next and collections will be taken up both morniug and evening in aid of the recent improvements which have lent to the exterior as well as to the interior of the sacred edifice such a very tasteful appear auce. The Key. G. B. Monro (pastor loci), will preach in the forenoon, and the Ecv. A. Carrick (St. Andmv's) in the evening.

Bro. Barton the Right Worshipful Grand Master ot the Orange Institution, in New Zealand, met the S*ns of Ulster tio. 9, L.O.L. at the Victo*ia Hall, Hamilton, ou Tuesday eveniug. 7here was a large atten dance of the Brethren. Bro. Barton, who was introduced by tic Worshipful Master Bro. Gwynno, addressed the Lodge at some length, coniplimentiig them on their work ing, &c. This being his last official visit as Grand Master heiook leave of the Lodge and tiusted they would still progress. He aunounccd that he would visit No. 21, Cambridge on Thursday (this) evening. " Waikato Times."

The New Year seivice of sona in connec tion with the Hospital Fruit Mission will bo held on Sunday, ihe 2nd iust,, nt three o'clock in tho afternoon. A choir of singers will attend aud sing a number of hymns from the pew Wesleyau hymnal under tho directs of Mr John Ryan. Friends posscssim Wesley's hymns will bring their books it order to take part in the sinaing. A gentleman is expected to give a short address onthe religious prospects of the New Year. A new awning has been secured by the Mends of the mission, sufficiently largo ;o shield tho choir aud others from the leating influence of the summer sun. Attlie close of the service a collection towards defraying expenses will bo made.

A woman named Linklatcr, at Kaiapoi, cut her throat in siven places yesterday. She had boen in a desponding condition for some time, owing ti the loss of two children by diphtheria. It s doubtful whether she will get over tho lo» of blood.

The Loudon "Gitette"' announces that Mr C. M, Noiwoorl.Sir J. Stokes, K. C.8., K.E., Sir J. Reed X.C.8., Mr H. C. Rothcry, Mr T. Qrtv, Mr J. P. Corry, Mr R. Capper, Mr J. G^ver, MrT. D. Hornby, Mr W. Pearce, Mr ". 11. lioyden, and Mr Mrß. Wnymouth hae been appointed Com missioners lo enquro into tho present operation oi tho l.w for the measure ment of tonnage, ant to report whethor the piinciplo of present law is fully and pro peily carried into ell'cct; and whether, having regard to jus principles of taxation, to tho convenience urthcrance of trade, to international arrangments, and above all to safety, it is desirjblc to mako any and what alteration in sell law.

The receipts in cojneclion with the very successful Cntholicjßazaar held in the Albert Hall, Darby-treet, are now mado up, and the takings at tho different stalls aro ascertained to je as follow :— tin. 1, Mrs Greenwood, |125; No. 2, Mrs Ansentio, £112; No 3, Mrs Dignan, £154 15s; No. 4, Mra Dylan, £105; No. 5, Mrs O'Sullivan, £100; No. 0, Mrs Danaher, £122 ISs; refreshment stall, Mrs Lnnigan and Mrs Brophy, £0 ; flower stall, Mrs Lewisson, £20 2s; loor, £60; other sums coming in £G; toil, £845 15s. It is bolived that w^n the accounts have been finally made up. the total addition of tho (ithedral Fund will amount to nearly £JO, iv addition to tbe articles remaining or.hand. Tho art union in connection with Us Greenwood's stall, which comprised 200ubscribers, was drawn with the following reult:—l—l22; 2 -IS9; 3-0; 4-175; 5-121; G-162 ; 7-113; 8 -S2 j 9 -50; 10-173 11-71; 12 -133 ;13 -105; 14-198; lf-88. Tho Catholic Bazarr Committee reurn their best thanks to Captain Nearingnd Captain Wait, of t're ship Wanganui,for their kind assis tance iv lendiug flagifor the Bazaar.

Mrs Hampson dclicred hor last public address of the series Ist night in the Choral Hall, to a Urge and aientive congregation. The platform was ctwdod by tho lady's supporters, includingKcv, Allan Webb, Mr Geo. Llcmus, Mi-Parker, and leading members ol almost eery denomination of professed -ltislinus, Mrs Hampson pro nounced an exordiumouchiug her mission, and after the singingof a hymn, she read a few verses from tfc first epistle of St Peter, chapter 1. Sh then paused for 20 minutes, and called pon her auditory to coufess Ohiist, and exfess thoir thanks for special blessings reeived during the mission. One hundrci and nineteen per sons uttered words aiuitood up, and were subsequently asked to o into the enquiry loom. Mrs Hampsoi- then delivered a striking address to thos who wore "shiver ing out in tbe cold,"and urged them to come iuto tho fold ere i was too late. The sccno wa3 reaarkableduriDg this moviug address, tears ran dom many faces, and low moans \cre head in the crowd, re minding the spctators <f the historic scenes of Methodißmin the laj century.

Mr Ruskinin a ictr-r addressed to the Conservative student of Glasgow University, imnswer to a note addressed to him in tho **)nth of ally regarding his candidature is Lord Rector, says.- - " What in th Devil's mmc have you to do with either MDisraeli or Mr Gladstone? You aro stud-its at tbe University, and have no morcbusiness with politics than you have'witlratcatchirjg. Had you ever read tcu worqof mine with understanding, you would hee known that I care no more cither for Mrjisraeli or Mr Gladstone thau for two old bt|>ipes, with tlie drones going by steam, buthat I lute all Liberalism as I do Bcelzcbu; and that, with Carlyle, I stand we ti alone now in England — for God and « Queen." Naturally this finished Mr lfekiu's candidature, and Mr Irving was thiiext ou the list; but it was too much to tpect that the godly inhabi tants of the • canny •' town of Glasgow would toleratan aclor as Lord Rector of their Universr.

Gisborne isimous all over the colony for an amount oftigiousuess which is out of all proportion* its population. It arises from the kccnbmpetition for jMaori lands and the bickengs aud jealousies it gives rise to at accent sitting of the R.M. Court. Mr'. Gannon a well-known reporter and ttaori interpreter appeared with Kate tnnon, his wife, aud five natives to ",nsbr a charge of forcible entry iv tho premiscpf A. F. Hardy. Mr Rees appeared for ie prosecution. The affair arose out of aiairu to land owned by Mrs Gannon, widv of James Wyllie," and rented by Mr Judy. It appeared that the defendeuts wr| on tho land while in com plainant's oclpation, and commenced cutting the jass, causing him to fear violence and^loodshed. The defence alleged that H/dy had no right to use the grass by the ejenants of the lease, which the Bench reftsd to hear, Mrs Gannou was committe fur trial, and the charge against her hjiand dismissed.

"Civia," itho "Otago Daily Times,' has a humours paragraph with reference to a Warkwoij tea-meeting, at the conclu sion of which i number of young men and women held ajill agaiuat the wishes of the pastor. " Cfe " thinks that the Rev. Mr Law made aniake, and that "Be would then have cajd on the harmoniumist to "strike up," feed the haud and waist of his shepherdes and twirled hor off to tho strains of the] Blue Danube" or "Pop goes the weazf' The committee, noth ing loth, iuld have followed his example, an the tea-meeting, instead of breakin- up with an angry wrangle, miglhave been merged into a scene of healti amusement to the genuine and lasting sisfaction of all concerned. And thiuk of fe moral effect of such a tea meeting I If t| Rev. Mr Law had only recognised anj embraced the opportunity that came to li, the whole of the Wark worth districted probably, by this time havo been conrted to Christianity."

The Melbou of Victoria's gl all classes tog! Bagot, the see! Club, Bays of i

lie Cup is undoubtedly one itest institutions, It brings •per. Mark what Mr R. C. ijary of the Victorian Racing 1 In hia evidence before the

select commitl appointed to inquire into tho workiiigb ie totalisator he said:—" I 1 am of opinion ry strongly that the totali sator -Will be tl means of annihilating the biggest lot oi ;ues there are iv tho world —tbat is, ,„j mushroom bookmakers, who numbeftffl'ei 700 upon the hill of (he Melbourne r|cj mrse last Cup Day.- Did you hear of m uses of defaulters npon the hill ? Yes; a|y limber of the lowest class of tljieves, whofefte down to stand reserve when thoy f|t|fc money of the people on the hill. ThY tme below to try their hand and paid thdr I, The change ticket is 8s Having paiq 2 the chango ticket is 8s " Mr Bagot tifti. at least 200 totalisatbrs will be rc'issj-i to meet the speculative spirit on thai] uUay. T^te introduction will be the »M for a large number of the gentlemen no j letaliciansto take Jo work a little more m ous. - ';•--■

When Sir Arthur Gordon attended aVei Boso (Anglice Booze) at Fiji he was attired in the robes of his office with his orders on his breast, Tho spectacle is said to havo produced a deep impression in the minds of the untutored savages

Dean's Minstrels have established a creditable reputation in this city, and by their unique performance have materially assisted in sustaining libraries and adding to the funds of useful institutions. Their programmes are always characteristic of good taste, never descending to anything approaching to vulgarity. Their next en tertainment will be held on Mouday even ing iv the Choral Hall in aid of the funds of No. 3 Company of Volunteers, and will be uuder the distinguished patronage of the Mayor and oilicers and members of the Volunteer fores. The first part of the pro ceedings will be represented entirely by Dean's Minstrels, aud includes a number of the most popular ballads of tho time, inter liucated by flashes of wit aud tales of local humour. The second part will be supported by the talents of a number of the ladies who succeeded in winning sewing machines, viz.: Misses Gribble, May Hastings, Laivreuea, and Thompson. Mr Dean will sing a new national song.audatthe close ot the melodies the ball will be opened under the *J.i*.n,tion of an efficient master of ceremonies, Mr YV. Smith.

The " Northern Luminary " gives particu lars of tho poisouing of Mr Goffe's race horses. Iv order to give the animals a change and rest, Mr GolFe had been iv the habit of allowing them to go to Obaewai ou Saturday and stay till Monday. On Friday the 17th they were taken to Uhaewai. _ Ou going to tho stables, the trainers examined the feed boxes, and afterwards the hay racks, when doses were noticed amongst the hay in "Performer's" and " Taipo's " stalls, the arch-plotter or schctniug dogs evidently not thinking it worth while to dose " Wananga'a " feed. Fortunately the discovery was made in good time, or the hoiscs would be completely euchered in coining engagements. Whether the deed was done for the purpose of injuriug Mr Goffe financially, for petfy spite, or simply to lay the horses up so as to give others a better prospect of winniug, it is impossible to say.

Canada has recently lost so largely in population by emigration that she is looking abroad to make up lor the outflow. She is offering inducements to the French inhabi tants ol Alsace and Lorraine to settle with in her borders. M. De Lalonde, the French agricultural delegate, is now in Ottawa, negotiating with Sir John Mac Donald for a tract ot 150,000 acies in the northwest part of the Province, on which to found his colony. The land is reported good for agricultural purposes. His investigations induce M. Do Lalondo to believe that wheat can bo grown in the northwest at a cost of Aye francs per two hundred pounds, whereas it costs twenty-francs to produce the same quantity in France.

Special New Year services will be held in St. Luko'B Presbyterian Church on Sunday noxt. Rev G. H. Monro will prraeh in tho morning, and Key A. Ca'riok, of St. Andrew's, in ihe ovening.

Mr Peach announces that stabling for horsea can be obtaiued at his stables adjoining tho racecourse.

A United Watchnight Service in connec tion with aU tho J/etho'llstß of tho city and suburbs will bo held tills night at hal'-pasi. 10 o'clook In tho Mothodl't Free Church, Pitt street. Tho rtevs, 11. H. Dew.bury, J. Nixon, and A. W. Wobb, will doliyor appropriate addresses,

In our advertising columns will be fouud an Intimation requesting subscribers to return any hooks thoy may havo out to the Library of the Younu Men's Christian Association, which Is closed in or.er lo bo rii-arrangod.

A Grand Handball Match will be played at the BaU Alloy, (Doaßon'a Hoiol, at 9.33, To mo row (Saturday) morning, beween P. Hogan and T. O'Connor, and M. Murphy and Me- Sweeney, for £10 a side —[ _Dvr.]

Tne service ot song, "Jessica's Prayer,' a story fiby an nathoress and whion lb st appeared la a publication by tho " Pure I Jteraturo Society," was given la»t even ing In the United Free Mcthodkt Church. The niHlodics were by the choir, undor tho direction of Mr Robort Tu-ehopc, Mr Trigg accempany i-g on the harmonium. Tho selected parages of tho simple story wero road by Roy K. Taylor'

Me«srs B. Tonks Se Co. announce that they will offer for falo, oarly in February, 200 freehold building sit-B at Pro3pef.t Placo, Far roll, being the e»tato of J. C. BUckett, Esq., nn l comprlsl-g the Und between Moun'-street, Conquest Place Hoad, »nd St. George. Bay Itoad. Thero la a oonsldorablo water frontage to St George's B»y. Tin posi-ion of this pro porty i i sure to command for it a good price.

Scintillations.

"Ro brief; for it is wen worda as with sun beaniß: tho mor-i they ore condensed, the deepjr they burn."—Souths.,

A grand-stand to seat 200 people is being erected on the Whaugarei course.

" I'm cooked," says Tc Whiti in the old Victorian slang.

The Thames Firo Brigades give a grand pyrotechnic display to-night.

Hobson and Sons, Loudon, havo for warded a £20 cup to the New Zealand Rifle Association.

Thero are 23 criminal cases for trial at Christchurch, including 1 of murder aud 1 of manslaughter.

The first sheet alroana*- of the coming batch has reached us iv :ho "Northern Advocate." It is very neatly got up. Mr Alexander Brogdcn, of the well known firm of contractors, passed through Christchurch ye-terday. It is believed that Parliament will not be convened for despatch of business earlier than June next.

"Is your master iv?" "No, sir." "Oh I I ouly called to pay him some money." " Well theu, I'll run in and ask him if he hasn't got back." t Young Turkish women now have two' veils—a thick and a thin one. When an official comes iv eight they let down the thick veil.

Tho Waitoki Block, 1500 acres, the pro perty of Mr John Gibbons, has changed hands, having been purchased by a Thames gentleman. Mr Bryce's constituents have lately been moving with a view of asking him for an account of bis stewardship. Tho " Wan ganui Herald " condemns the movement.

Tho Waste Lands Board having taken steps to secure the reservation of section 54a, near Lake Ngaroto, the Lake is likely to become a favourite place of public resort iv fine weatlier,

The word love in one of the Indian dia lects is chemlcndamoughkanagogager. Fancy a sweet forest maiden telling her copper-coloured brave that she chemlenda moughkauagogagers him.

Albert Gray, of Dallas, Texas, had lately been converted to Christianity, and there fore, when Young swore profanely in Ins presence, he was dreadfully shocked. He drew a revolver, implored the blasphemer to stop, and shot him dead.

" Would you know the sad lesson of my life ?" ho whispered confidentially. •' Well, then, it is this : Never to make love to any girl iv a village where there is an ice-cream saloon."

"My case is just here," said a citizen to a lawyer.the other day ; " the plaintiff will swear that I hit him, aud I will swoar that I did not. Now what can you lawyers make out of that if we go to trial ?" " Five dollars apiece," was the prompt reply. " What is tho first thing to be dono in case of fire?" asked Professor Steams. "Sue the insurance company," promptly auswored the boy at the foot of the clasa whose father had been burned out once or twice.

Pa, asked little Blodgers of his parent, ' what is paper made of " " Lies P roared the elder Blodgers, who is running for office. "Lies! Infernal, outrageous, villainous lies!" And the innocent boy wrote it down that way in his composi-

Are you guilty or not guilty?" was asked of a coloured prisouer. " Well, boss " ho replied, "I was in de na'ba'hood when dom hams was tooken, but doesn't look jis' right to beatdis rcspectant crowd outen de p easureaoleness of seeing a trial, do it ? Da fo I pleads ng" «■ "w»£ ntle_° a?> Js° cont»butes to the _._--„*_«!* ' Mudp°) "nder the norn de plume of Outsider," says, apologetically - Its too thundering hot to write, or at all events, to flunk • besides, " Outsider" has got a fine lift from a couple of good Samaritans this issue." b

Sentimental arithmetic calculates thus • Iwo glances make one look; two looks make one sigh; four sighs make one waltz: three waltzes make one palpitation; two palpitations make one call; two call? make one attention; two attentions make one fool (sometimes two); two fools make one flirta tion ; one flirtation plus two bouquets equal i to°ne engagement, equal to one marriage. English tourist: Well, Pat, what ao you consider the height of good breeding ? Pat • Excuse me for a minute, sir, (disappears in smoke withiu the door of hiscotKge and appears in a twinkling with his son). Hero T' i 8 !m* ** call tha height, ifc. He stands 6 feet 8 in his socks, weighs 16 atone has a diawl m bia speech, smokes, drinks swear-, and bets like a lord, and the youngest of 18. Now, sir | ' . During the discussion of the.Sunday open ■?*«- mufu e? ms -B»tio_;. on Monday, Mr wJ-* *™thbone > r of Liverpool, said he had been chairman of a picture gallery in Liver ___£! v „d_' ting tne ten y°ara *at that gallery had been opened there had not been a _ single picture destroyed. And why could &i%j_iS-^ta;^^s^ of%h* heprP3eedl,!g8 towards the close lmct e r Balon we o£avcry dUordorly

TELEGRAMS.

(FROM OUK OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

GRAHAMSTOWN, this day.

There was no foundation whatever for the suspicion of foul play at the late fire, but the police intend to proceed against the late owner for illegal storage of powder on the premises. The Alburnia have nearly 500 ounces for two months. ;

The Waiotahi District is greatly im proved. All spare ground taken up.

SHIPMENT OF GOLD.

The Bank of New Zealand ships to-day 4,240 ounces of gold to Aucklaud.

RUSSELL, this day. Races and sports will be held here to. monow.

I PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WEELINGTON, this day, Tuhi wrote several letters before his death, mostly to his fricuds aud relatives, all couched in very eccentric language, aud full of snaps of songs, etc., quite incompre hensible. European opinion is now train ing ground that he was insane. A man named Abbott was seriously injured this morniug. While driving bis horse he shied, which caused the vehicle to capsize, aud the occupants to bo precipitated over c bank, When picked up, Abbott was fouud to be seriously injured, and was con veyed to the Wellington Hospital, where he lies in a precaiious state. The other occupants escaped with slight injuries/

CHRISTCHURCH, thia day, HEAVY RAINSTORM.

Thero was a very heavy rainstorm las 1" night and this moruing. The weather is now line.

The Lyttleton regatta to-morrow pro mises to be a success. The entries received so far are satisfactory.

New Year Excursions.

With this, the last issue of the ST-R for the year 1880, we subjoin a list of sports, excursions, and pleasant arrangements for New Year's Day : —

SUNDAY SOHOOL PICNICS.

St. Stephen's.—The Sunday school children of the St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, with their minister, teachers, and friends, will take a trip to Riveihcaa by the s.a. City of Cork.

St. Andrew's.—The friend?, pastor, teachers, and children of St. Andrew's will spend New Year's Day at the North Shore, Vauxhall Gardens, See, where other schools will join them. WATER EXCURSIONS. . In the Harbouu.—The p.s. City of Cork is announced to cruise iv t_e harbour to-uight, this affording an excellent oppoitunity to see tho " old year out, and the new year in." She leaves the wharf at 7, 9, and 11 o'clock. There will be a band ou board, and a display of firfwß'kß, will lend eclat to the proceedings. Kawau.—The steamers Rose Casey aud Gleuclg are advertised to proceed to the Kawau on New Year's Day, at 10 a.m. The return fare by the Uose Casey ii 3.-, and by the Glenelg 5«. Tho Artillery Band has been engaged toaccompauy Ihe Rose Casey.

HOT SPRINGS. —The steamers lona and Waitaki will both leave on excursions to Waiwera; (Hot Springs) to-morrow at 10 a.m. The return faro by cither vessels is 3*. Passengers by the lona will leave with the option of returning ou Monday evening. The Waitaki will have the Hobson Band od board.

TuGTißi.—The Glenelg will make a special excursion to Tiritiri lighthouse on Monday, leaving the wharf at 10 a.m, Tho return fare has been fixed at ss.

KonTii Shore and Woodsidf. —The North Shore Ferry Company's steamers will make regular trips to these places (luring the day. There will bo plentiful supplies cf strawberries at Vauxhall and Willow drove Oardens.

Whangarbi.—Tlie Albion leaves at 8 o'clock to-uight for Whangarei, returning on Saturday night. The return fare is £1.

Cricket.—Nelson v. Welling ton.

(lIV TELF-RAPH, PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

WELLINGTON, this day. After lunch Balmain and Wigzell resumed their places at the wickets. la a second over Wigzell waa bowled by Lusford for a duck-egg, 5 tor 84. Greenfield filled the vacancy, and through a little bad fielding on the part of Wellington, Balmain was not run out. This gave the batsmen greater energy, Greenfield lifting Frances' next ball clean out of the boundary for 4. Both batsmen then let out and the score soon reached 97, when Wigzell was bowled by a pretty ball from Frances' for 10.— 6 for 97. K. Bmnington filled the vacancy, and off Frances' second ball was cleverly taken at the wickets by Knapp for o—7 for 97. Burns followed, and skied one into Lusford'a hands, which however, was not accepted, aad at the next ball he also had a nanow escape of being run out. This brought the score up to a ceutnry, of which Balmain. score was half. When seven more had been scored, Burns had his log where his bat Bhould have been, and had to retire for a good live. —8 for 107.— Naylor took up his position at the wicket, and immediately after lost hia partner, Bal main, who was caught at coverpoint by Salmou. After playing a magnificent inn ings for 50, Balmain who played the best iuniugs seen on the Wellington ground for a long timo was caught by Salmon—9 for 107. Naylor, the last wicket, has f.llen for 110.

At the lunch-time in the cricket match Nelson v. Welliugton—Nelson in the 2ad innings had made 73 for 1 wicket.

THEATRE ROYAL.

Gilbert's three-act oomedy "Engaged" was produced at the Theatre Royal last evening by the Lingard Company. There was a moderately good house notwith standing the inclement weather. Mr VV. Horace Lingard impersonated the character of Cheviot Hill, while Miss Liugard was exceedingly successful as Beliud. .reberne. The part of Belvawney was well sustained by Mr C. W. Craig.; Tho comedy was on the whole satisfactorily placed on the stage. To-night "Our Boys" will be presented, with Miss^Lingard as Mary Melrose, and Mr Lingard as Perkyn Middlewick. Wreck of the Pinafore. To-morrow night will be produced for the first time in Auckland :— "'lhe Wreck of the Pinafore," an entirely original comic opera in two acts and a hurricane, written by Mr Lingard, and composed by Mr Luscombc Searell. The Opera commences where " Pinafore " concludes. The whole party after the engagements of Josephine and Ralph, Buttercup aud the Captain, and Bebe and the Admiral, start for a pleasuro cruise in the " Pinafore " prior to their being mairied. The first act opens with H.M.S. "Pinafjre" in full sail When tho three engaged couples grow to know each other more iuliraatcly, they find themselves (as would be naturally the case) wholly unsuited; Josephine sees in Ralph not what she had expected, and begins to look ooTSir Joseph Porter with a favouring eye. Captain Corcoran cannot close his eyes to the vulgarity ot Buttercup, while Hebe is wildly jealous of the Admiral's attentions to Josephine. While all of them are playing at cross-purposes, tho ship suddenly strikes a rock, and Ralph displays so much cowardice on thia occasion that Josephine finally determines to give him up and give her heart to the Admiral. Evorybody is saved from the wreck, and the second act opens on a desert island, where the boats of the ship have landed them. Hebe catches Josephine nnd the Admiral plighting their troth to each other, and the Captaiu repu diates his engagement to Buttercup, asking Hebe to marry him. When Buttercup finds her cause with tho Captain hopeless, she confesses that the story she tola in " Pina fore" of her having changed Ralph and Corcoran at birth was a fabrication, and tells the real truth that Ralph is her own son, and that Captain Corcoran is in reality Captain Corcoran of the Royal Navy. A ship heaves in sight, and all the dramatis persona* aro rescued. Josephine having | given her heart to the Admiral, Hebe being betrothed; to the Captain, and Buttercup, consoling herself with her now acknow ledged son Ralph, marries the boatswain.

.. , o ¥*n3huttnel, r «oorß«J-al**Bta setting ann, it la ft very remarkable saying, to be found in limon of Athens," and one of the oracular utterances ot the great Bard of Avon. The ex •s_S-?f_- if, V 1 a Tho moment a thing declines, itie aVsmissod from publlo favour, let a man degenerate, and friendship cloßOa Its hand against bim, Boeiety;taboocs ,hi_, and ho is exorcised, as it wore, from ali _1» post atrsociations. Tbla oontrarv eonditlon of things KSf. el. t£S hi?'l esteem and ponnla-ity ot Udolpho Wolffs Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps. m» gates of all tbe mart- Qt the world arc open !olt- ' ' ~ ' ■-~_■____,

CABLEGRAMS.

EUROPEAN.

[B.KUT.B'_ ■r ß i,- cgBAM . ]

ANOTHER BOER SUCCESS LONDON, DecemSjO- The latest intelligence from „ „ states that tbe Boers bxTL^T P aP e court-house at Potchefstoo,-W 1*8 making extensive preDaraHnl _*d are sieging the fort. p cparatl°ns for be. A' CONTRADICTION ' ' * XERLIN. December 30 Ihe report curr,„t . fpw , ' *w* that^squadrou wi^^fe^ FRENCHIHOS^%fc_ED. . atriradßiche,ieu^ec_ed

AUSTRALIAN.

GKAND FLANEUR TflEFAVoTtiii-,, ■l MEL_OURN4__Kr Mr Mitchell's Mullyan has bee,V'_n_*fi! Y, I for tho Chtmpion Stakes. ■mJSSWv'* regarded asi- certainty for Grandlwl 1*1 * f and the betting is three to two ou fi£, ' - THE imf ATTORNEY GEN_W T • I BRISBANE, FridfcTV _ It is understood that MrJope ■Jmd will be appointed Attorney General oi '-■ (•ticensland vice Mr Boer deceated, ' SYDNEY. Friday. ' ' THE OUTWARD 'FRUSCO MAIL. i The City of Sydney with the outward * Kan Fiancifcc.) mail sailed for Attcklaai THE VICTORIAN ELEVEN; , MELBOURNE, Decembei3o.' The following team will play the Aug. tralian Eleven on Saturday i^-Mesßt. • Campbell, Cooper, Evans, isliott, Maek_v Tiudall, Garrett, D. Gregory,- Boron '-*"• Massie, and Midwinter. £mer_encv' A. Gregory. ft -''»

Fatal Accident at Sea.

irROM ova own correspond,***..]

INVERCARGILL, this day. Tuk whaling barque Sapphire has arrived at Stewart's Island. OIF the Solanders one of the crew lost hold whilo aloft and fell into tho sea, stiiking his head on a rail in his descent. He roso once but sank before assistance could he afforded.

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before R. C. Rarstow, Esq., R.M.)

DRUNKENNESS. James Walker Scott, found by Constable Ryan in a druuken condition, was fined 6s and costs,

SIMON GUNDY.

Thia eccentric person was brought np for being under the influence of liquor, and whilo in_ that state committing certain vagaries in Karangahape Road. constable Clark arrested the prisoner and reported the scene. Fined Bs and costs. A CHIEL OF CHANCERY LANE.

Martin Lcstrange, a well-known prison bird, was again brought up on a charge of stealing a silver watch, value £4, on tha 28th instant, the property of Zachatiah Vare, a contractor. Mr Edward Cooper appeared for prisoner and pleaded not guilty. Mr Pardy said there was a doubt whether Lestraugeor some other person stole the watch. The parties were all under the in fluence of drink, and Mr Rae said Les trange did not pawu the watch. Prisoner was discharged, CHARGE OF LARCENY.

Mary Machattie was charged with the larceny of a silver watch, value £3 10a, and £210s in money, the property of Frederick Moore, on the 17th instant. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Frederick Moore, engine driver, depoaed that he lodged with Mrs Haines, of Wel lington-street on the day In question. Iv the evening ho went to Mr Fraser. mechanical drawing class. Left a box in his hed-room containing the watch, guard, and money. Last saw them on the 15th instant. He knew Miss Machattie. Had seen her in tbe house, but not on the 17th. Gave £2 10a for the locket and guatd. Tha locket had a glass in it, and was in a good condition. The prisoner had no right to go into his bed-room.

Dorothy Haines, a married lady, deposed that she held a house in Wellington-street; prosecutor occupied a room with her son ti the upper floor; Mr Moore complained lo her thut he had lost his watch and locket, and ou making a further Bearch, he dis covered that he had lost £2 10s. She put an advertisement in the Star ou the Tuesday evening, offering a reward of £1; Miss De Thierry called with the locket; she told her to call tbe next day; prisoner had been in the habit of visiting at her houso, and knew where she kept the key. She informed tho poiice; never suspected the prisoner. Subsequently prisoner called to know if anything had been heard of the stolen articles ; she told her that a peraon had called with the locket, When Detectir. Brennan asked the prisonerabout the things, she at first denied all knowledge of them> but aftewards, on Christmas day, she ad mitted that she had found tho locket in Karangahape-road. j To Mr Mjtch.ttie : Tho detectives asked me to send for Miss Machattie. Did not attempt to deceive her.

Mr Pardy said there was no 'attempt.-!' deception, but on the other hand the greatest delicacy was used out of respect both to Mr Machattie and his daughter. " Isabella DeThierry deposed that she re sided at Mrs Ross's, in Hobson-Btreet Knew Miss Machattie, who called at the house on the 21st instant. She was standing at the back door at tbe time. Shesaid, "Hallo, stranger." She replied, ".'Witt to speak to you. I've fouud a locket Md guard." She then asked witness it: she would go with her to return the locket. Agreed to go: at 7 o'clock. She came back at 7; she sat down a little while; she took the things out of her pocket. Noticed that the glass of the locket was broken; told her that it was a gold locket She replied that her mother said it was only gilded, Having put the children to bed, she accompanied prisoner to Wellington-street Asked her,where she found the locket j she said near Grnbbs, in Karangahape Koad.. Went the back way to Mrs Haines' becansft prisoner said she might meet her brothers.. Sho wished witness to take the locket; to Mrs Haines, who expressed : her surprise that it was not returned before* She did not call the next morning aa requested by Mrs Raines, but persuaded Mary to send it back. She ropliedj ado would send it by her mother. While io Wellington street, prisoner said, "0 there's Mr Haines." Promised to keep the matter secret. She afterwards called and eaidebe had seen Mrs Haines. Still urged heriot to tell a soul. She said :"I think I will throw tho locket and guard away." Sbe persuaded her not to do that, but to taw them to Mrs Haines. She said she would sec in the morning. They patted and»)» went home. Knew of the advertisement in the Stab,

The Court complimented Mi-s DeThiewy on the clear and straightforward way fa which she had given her evidence. i Detective Brennan deposed that;;,*u receiving information he went to thefcOflM of Mrs Haines on the 20th inst. Sa* prisoner on the 25th (Christ&as i*ay) atU» , same place. She commenced crying atto , at Brstjdenied the robbery. She then con fessed that she took the articles' and W monoy, and that she had thrown thejmo'ney, locket, and guard away in BereafOi- street.

James Rogers, labourer, deposed to find* the locket and guard in Beresford-street The locket was broken, and ho tiw. I**1** together. On seeing the advertisemeß^ae: took the things to Mr Moore, subsequently gave them up to Detective Brennan,1 - |;, His Worship addressed the prisoner 10 ---feeling terms, and spoke on.the etiM^ folly of her conduct, even after she W* stolen the things. . Sentenced to three months' imprisonments with hard labour. 'I his was all the business.

. — "■ ' ."/.:;, lt Is a long while since tne pnoilo of Ant* land have had a. b_.S_-Pt Btook offered ttwn but the oiaappoaranceci'J. B, Robinson andtM selaure cf bis stook by tlio creditors has t_K_J th-j stook-of tho Ant-land Clothing Company » tbe markot. Tho-treda were In vited toUoMr... i for it, and Messrs Garlick and Cranweiljpur- , chased it at* largo di-count off the orl*BW" cost. They have removed It to their City nw» Aro>de premises, and as their warenptue.w hardly large enough for their ordinary __m thoy wiUsell this bankrupt stook at a smw advanoe on whattbey purchased it for, to*_"s an immediate clearance. They having pai-OW? down for it, arc naturally anxious to recoup W_» extra capital tbuslnvolved with all desOTtoo, turn offer Hat far leai-.than its value to eft-M* sneody clearance. __dlen and gentlemen are invite- to ;Bhop early in the day, as *» assistants are bo fully occupied attending ™. oustomeM^.theafteraopn. The goods we-J»« | removed to the Olty Hall Aroade. and t_o ■» ffi«_ikby GoJ*Uotet«id.,CranwelS, nrwrr ■ tjoing.BOin.^-r vnttm a^2u£Z_________m__t_m

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR. FRIDAf. DECEMBER 31,



_ obskrv:

ID AT Tl "KID AY, D.

:on.*i

:r31.

Station.

Thames ..... Tauranga.... Napier Taranaki — Wanganui... Wellington.. Manukau.... N-_*oa Greymouth.. Lyttelton Timaru Oamaru Pt. Chalmert

Win fl o _ g a N.W. S.W. KNK 3. S.W. S.W. S.L. E. s.W. S. s.rc. S.W. C.

id. |

Z7 c. L.*" U L. li. St.

- B o _. w 20.38i 29.50 2:1.50. 29 45 29.45 29 51 28 62 -.4r. '9.70 29.52 29.41 29 51 29.5j 29.60

3 - 3 - o a 6'J' 61 38 58 0: i ;54 .60

_ 1 5

0. a. o. d; 0. C.G iB. B.C O.P 0. IB. 10. ;o.R

State of Sea, Bar, or Rivers.

calm smooth slight swell

good

h. F. L. P. F. C.

117 GI 58 ■ ili! i IB

moderate moderate

Bluff_



Special Advertisements, q A L T. 1000 B -GS W. &W. FINK 1000 BAUS W. & W. COARSE UN II A in D AUD TO ARRIVE PER _OCII URR,' From London. In lots to suit purchasers. W. S. ~i7au RI E. 7, Wyndham-Btroet. ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SALE WILL COMMENCE ON MONDAY, 20th inst. \ THE GOOD 3 WILL BE OFFERED AT riOST pitlCEl FOR A FEW WEEKS ONLY I In Oeder to Clear Heavy Stocks T JIOSGR.AVE & r.0., Imporiers op DRAPERY AND CLOTHING, QUEEN STREBT, AUCKLAND. N.B.—No Goods will be entered'during the Sale.



pHRISTMAS AND NEW YE ill PRESE NT Q I RE S E N T -O ! Ladies* BLACK and COLOR-O COSTUMES adi E3' BONNETS and HAT_, In the Latest Paris Styles Ladies' SILK akd CASHMERE MAN-LBS, CAPES AND VI3ITKS LANGTREY HOODS Ladies' KlDavd TAFFETTASILK GLOVES in Endless Variety Ladies'SlLK", SATIN and TUSSORE PAIUSOLS. CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS AND AND NEW YEAR PRKSICNTS, NKW YttAR PRESENT?. AT TyiLLIAM "DATTRAY'S . drapery, mantle, and millinery establishment. New Zealand House, g6, queen-street, auckland. JVMAS TTOLIDAYS, 1880. •YEW Y EAR' 3 TJOLIDAYS, 1881. TOEGATTA p-XCURSIONS, 1881. A USTRALUN CRICKETERS' "yiSIT, 1881



WE aro Pre pared to SUPPLY YOU wirh tho MostSuitablelanflFASHioNAßL-cCroTHiNa Required for Holiday Gathering*, Picnics, Water Excursions, Lawn Tennis and Garden Parties. GARLICK & CRANWELL. SUNBH \DEB, for Afternoon Use —G. SUN3HAD_S,forPic_icß,lß upwards-* SUNSHADHS, for Carriage Use - 0. POMPADOUR Dress Goods, New Pat. - G BATRKN. New Lor, j B Bt opened — & NOVELTIBS In Dress Goods con- Btantly arriving — C. CHILDRKN'S Pompadour Dresses, Very Cheap — G. CHILDREN'S 2-Button Kid Gloves - & CHILDRKN'S Hosiery—an Immense Variety — C. HATS, La-lies'. JobLine,la3d worth 2s 6d— G. HATS and Bonnets Trimmed Cheap — & HATS for Children from la upwards— C. fi ARLICK & CRANWELL would remind MX the Publlo that tbey have S-CRIFICBD a Credit Trade for the sake of establish ing the (^.OPERATIVE P**-.?? SH!;™ We Opon no Nkw Accounts for Dra pery. We LOSE Customers who ask for Cbkdit ; all we ask in return is a Liberal Support by Cash Buyers, to enable us to oontlnuo what is a Publlo Benefit Our Goods are very Carefully Bought, and Marked at a Very Small Percentage over Cost, and we must do a L<bqb Bvsin-SS to continue the System, and the Larger our "Turn Over* the imore our Customers will Benefit by their Support. . LAWN TENNI3 APRONS ITgT RIDING GLOVES, Silk Glovei - & KID GLOVES, 1,2,3,1,6, & 8 Button — v. FANCY BAGS and Boxes of Handkerchiefs for Presents fiOLO and CHEND_L_ Scarves and vX Collarettes — g. GOLD and SILVER Trimmings — & GOLD COLOURED Silk Frlnges.&c.- C. QILKS, we have the Cheapest — G, O SILKS, Special Lines, 2 - Od, Is 3d, Is 6d per yard — „ SATINS and Fancy Goods for Trim ming — C. CRETONNES, on immense Assortment — g7 CRETONNES, backed with laoe, Curtain Pattern — & CRETONNES, New Slyles, from 7d per yard ' — C. ARTICLES of New Designs too numerous to mention in Hosiery, Underclothing, Millinery, Ladies' Nick Nacks, and *"" Fancy Quoda. BANKRUPT STOCK of Men's and Boys Clothing and Mercery. Now being HOLD at Robinson's Cost, and Manu facturers' Prices , .-. by GARLICK & CRANWELL. VERY CHEAP TABLE DAMASKS, from IB Gd per yard. ' A "P 17^ PAS H U*S_H_ /p \ ALL DRAPERY & CLOTHING



Special Advertisements. QTRANGERS AND TRAVELLERS Vis'ting Auckland will find the LARGEST OUTFITTING STOCK IN THK COLONY To Select from at TBE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. Thousands of Cuatomers testify to tho QUI'KHIOR /"VITALITY & TWITTING Of the Garments made by them. Tho Stock of SHIRTS, TIKS, HATS, a.d HOSIERY, Is very largo, and includes a CHOICE ASSORTMENT OF NOV|RLTJIES i-OR Tne HOLIDAYS. A Bpcclal supply of PORTMANTEAUX BAGS, RUG?, and all Travolllng Requisites for Tourists. AUCKLAND BRANCH: Queen-Btreet (opposito Theatre Royal), And at Albsrt Btreet, Thames. J, FIIZ3IMON3. MANAGER. M. MUR C H E MERCHANT TAILOR AND IMPORTER. FRESH ARRIVALS. English axd ScoTcn Tweeds--/ cases by 'Loohnaear' Serge Suitings in Bluo and Black, of a New Mako and Finish Something Ntw In Bannockburn Tweods, which was awarded Ist prizo at tho Sydnoy Exhibition j Saxo--y Twekdh in Bluo and Black, of Btiporior quality and now design. Another Consignment to arrivo by 'Fernglen. Samplos mailed to any address. The immonso quantity of Clothing wo ship to tho largo cities and towns in tho colony ia naufllciontf-uaranteo thottho QUALITY and MAKE of thoso Goods cannot bo equalled. Orders by mall will recoivo our best attontion. WANTED, four First-class Tailore, to whom constant employment will bo given pt iho ten ponny log.



M. MURCHIE, Opposito Arch. Clark & ion'B, Shortland Street. yy I N ~K~b~'&~ JLJ A L L. HAVE) REMOVED FROM SHORTLAND-STREET TO TEMPORARY (.PREMISES .IN FORT STREET, OPPOSITE COCHRANE AND SON'S AUCTION MART, AND WILL CONTINUE THEIR CHEAP SALE FOR A FEW WEEKS LONGER, TO CLEAR SURPLUS STOCK. THEY WILL REMAIN IN FORT-STREET DURING! THE RE--UILDIN- OF THEIR WARE HOUSE IN SHORTLAND STREET. w £11 FREf* (JiFrs l-Tho Froprleto-s ot Wolfe's Aromatic Scuiidam Schnapps, to lniueo the destruction and prevent the im proper uso ot Iheir wrapper* and Üb3ls, and Ihuß further protect tho Public against fraii-i aid deception, h»vo enclosed In ihe .wrapper.*, or under tho lab-1 on the quart bottleß, Binee Ist October. 1878, andjcontinuo toenclo-o im every day's packing thr.iuohout thk VKti», 1 H X E X £1 ORDERS, which aro drawn upon the underßi(*norl, and whidi will be cashed by thorn on presentation. To secure theso Gifts, tne Publin must bo careful to ask for, and accept no'hlng but, the Genuine Udoi imo Wolfe's Schnapps, with our name npon the top label, M. Moss & Co., Ws nyard Lano, Sydney.