SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

m«TT WATFRJ ™a Evoninc, — HIGH WATER i To -morrow horning, 0.23 BUN BKT.-Thlg Kveninp, 6.19 SUN" RtSH:.—To-Morrnw Monnni?, 5.38 MOON'S AGE.-First Quarter, IStb, 3.2jp.m,

ARRIVALS.

LAST EVENING. Jossio, sell. Bnshell, from Whangarei. TODAY. Rotoinahana, s,s,, Underwool from Sydney,

DEPARTURES.

LAST RVENIXG. Argylo, s.s. Crawford, for Whangarei. Golden Isle, sch., Watts, for Rdsscll.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Melbourne, via South,—Ttotomahano, Thursday London -Fernglen, loading Tnuranga—Glonelg, Monday For Now Plymouth and Southern Ports —

"Wellington, Wodnestlay For Russell—lona, Monday • Hawea. Friday For Tauranga and Southorn Ports — llawoa, Monday Whangoroi—Argyle, Tuesdays and Fridays ; Anno Milbank, Mondays and Thursdays.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Kismarck, H.1.G.M.5., from Samoa Earl Granville, ship, from London ; sailed No vember 29 Agate, barqus, from New York;sailed Septem ber 23rd Elinor Vernon, barque, from New York; sailed 10th November Stra:athro. ship, from London ; sailed Nov. 27 Treyelyan. ship (V.N.H.S.), from London ;load-

ing. City of Quebec, barque, from London. Mmiranda, barquo, from New York (.Jamille, brig, from New York Mercla barqno, from London ; sailed Dec. 30 Agnes Donald, schooner, from Lovuka Helle Brandon, schoaner from Lino Islands Island Lily, brigantine, from Chatham Islands Active, brigantine, from Sydney Pirate, schooner, from Tahiti Coronet, schooner, from Marshall Group Ethel, brigantine, from Wellington Energy, schooner, from Levuka Fiery Cross, schooner, from Oamaru Syren, brig, from Sydney; loading Tubal Coin, schooner, from Lovuka

IMPORTS.

Per Rotomahana from Sydney: 1520 mats and 110 gunnies sugar, 1512 ingots tin, G35 bales wool, 18 bigs bncon, 5 boxes butter, 10 casks corrants, 40 cases champagne, 100 cases brandy, 10 cases and 3 }-b3xes tobacco, 173 ingots copper, 2 boxes cartridge?, 3 boxes typo, 1 package printing inatorial, 1 bale leather, 20 cases beer, 210 bags birk, 10 ingots tin, 51 pieces iron bark. 30J chests tea, 400 boxes candles, 45 bags rice, 20 boxes fruit, and 237 packages suudrie3.

Per sa. Rotomanaiia: 210 sacks bark, 15 packages bacou.—T. H. Hall & Co,

Per Griffin, from New Caledonia: 3 cases and 1 cask wine, 1 case curios, 1 case coffee, 7 casks eof, and 7 tons passengers' luggage.

The ketch Reliance left Lyttelton for this port yesterday.

The brigantino Look Out ia on the berth at Sydney for this port.

The n.B. Glpnelor will arrive to-morrow from ussell and Northern ports.

The barque Mary Mildred left Newcastle for this port with a cargo of cattle on the 4th inst

The brigantine Flirt, from Auokland to Tiuiaru, put into Lyttelton wlndbound yester day.

The topsail sch. signalled when we went to press yesterday proved to be the Jessie from Whangarei.

The paddle-steamer Anne Milbank wil arrive to-night /rom Whangarei and Mangapai She returns to tho same ports to-morrow after coon.

Advices by the schooner Griffin state that the cutter Ness was ashore on tho North Coast of Now Culcdonia recently. A French man-o'-war went to her assistance and towed her off. No lives were lost.

The Union Company's s.s. Rototnabana arrived from Sydney via Rusaall, at G a.m. to day. Her report and passenger list appearad in our last evening's issue. She leaves for Melbourne, via Kast Coast and Southern ports, at 10 a.m. to-morrow.

The s.s. Waitaki sailed South to-day. Pas- Bengers: For New Plymouth—Miss L. Kearney, Miss Winthrop, Miss Gilmour, Mra bhaldera, MrsWalliß. Messrs J. U. Henderson, Watson, Vcnle, For Nolson-Measrs H. K. Hobbett and Jas. Lalrdley. Hanna.h Richards. For Picton— Mias Jield. For Danedin—Mr Murray. For Melbourne—Mr C, Moore and Missoa Moore (I).

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

DKPARTURHP. Waitakl, s.s. Kale, for tho South,

The schooner Griffin arrived here yesterday from New Caledonia. Her report and passenger list appears in another part of this evening's Issue.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Hokianga, this das- Arrived—Steamer Itowena at 12 o'clock, with et?ht paßsengers-

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Closb Aa Under :— This Day. For Mangawai and Waipu, per Kina, at 5 p.m. For Quarantine Station, at 5 p.m. For 'l names, per Knterprise, at 5.30 p.m. Thursday. 19th instant. For Gigborno. Nnpier, Southern provinces, and Australian Colonies.per Rotomahana.at 9 a.m. For Waiwera, Te Kapa, Craigieburn, and Warkworth, per Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For Tahiti, per Transit, at 3 p,m. For Wangarei Heads and Wangarei, per Anno Milbank, at 1 p.m. For Thames, per Kotomahana, at 0.30 p.m. Friday, 20th Instant. For Wniheko and Coromandel, per Coromandel, at 2.30 p.m. For Russell and Kawakawa, per Penguin, at 3 p.m. For Whitinngi, Tairna, Tauranga, and Opokikl, per Glenelg, at i p.m. Saturday. 21st instant. For Qisborne, Napier, Wellington, and Lyttel ton, per Southern Cross, at 4 p.m. Tuesday. 2nd March. Per s.s. Australia as follows :— For Sandwich Islands, United States Of America. Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, Japan, and China, inoluding Hongkong, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 1 p.m. For money orders, and registered letters, at 11.30 a.m. Late letters bearing an extra fee of sixpence. In addition to the postaga, will be received by the Mail Agent on board the steamer up to the time of sailing. S. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster.

DEATH.

KKDDKLTi.—On tho 18th instant, at Clydo, Otago, Mary, the beloved wife of Jackson Keddell: a^ed 35 years.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1880.

For the caaso tint lacks assistance. For the wrong tha needs resistance for tho future in tho distance,

And tho good that wi can do,

The infamous conduct of tlie French authorities at New Caledonia in ridding themselves of offenders by paying their passages to New Zealand will arouso the indignation of the colonists from the North Cape to tho Bluff. It ia true that the supinenoss of our Legis lature to the danger which has threatened the community, and from which tho Colonies on the Australian Continont havo suffered, is responsible in a mea sure for the mischief that has now arisen. But oven those who saw the necessity for prohibitive legislation, in view of our proximity to the convict settlement of New Caledonia, contem plated only the voluntary migration of the French Communists and convicts to the fields of labour near at hand. It was not in imagination to conceive that the Governor of New Caledonia would actually cause the deportation to a British Colony of men from the gaols of that settlement, who have by their crimes forfeited all civil rights in their native country. This unneigh bourly outrage, which the Govern ment of England dare not perpetrate on her colonies, must be vigorously x'esented. Are we relieved of liability to convict emigration from Great Britain only to become the resceptacle of the criminal scum of Europe 1 We trow not ; and even if it be true that the <lelay in passing preventafcive measures in New South Wales was caused by the disinclination of Sir Hercules Robinson to move deci sively in the matter, His Excellency will find that the colonists of these islands who have no past history of criminal taint, will not stand any obstruction of those measures which the people will insist upon the legislature passing. It is intolerable that tho state of the law should have made such a thing possiblej The French are by no means so benevo lent ; for if we desired to return the compliment by transporting the worst offenders in our gaols to New Cale donia, there is no chance of them being allowed to land. The Imperial Government are so careful, how ever, that we shall do nothing of the kind that they have inserted in the Governor's commis sion—a clause prohibiting him from giving his sanction to any pardon in criminal cases conditional upon exile. The consideration for other countries, contained in this clause, is of a kind that the authorities of New Caledonia cannot appreciate. The disgraceful act which they have now consummated, however, robs them of any claim to even common courtesy at the hands of this Government. We have simply to protect ourselves, and that may be done very easily. A fine of .£IOO for every criminal, recoverable summarily from the carjtains of vessels conveying them to our shores, would soon stop this traffic. Both captains and owners must be held responsible. When a master knows that by becoming an accomplice in such a transaction he renders his vessel liable to forfeiture he will think two or three times before he is tempted.

With reference to the twenty-five ex-convicts landed yesterday, it is fair to mention that they are divided into two classes. One party consists of men exiled for purely political offences, who may be industrious, honest, useful citizens ; the others, numbering nine, we are informed, consist of ordinary criminals, guilty of common crimes. To tho political exiles we should not havo had any serious objec tion, though it is difficult to see how a law that is effective will be able to distinguish between the inmates of the convict establishments of New Cale donia. But this is quite certain, that the colonists will not submit to the importa tion of common criminals, whether natives of France or any o£her country. Criminals from New Caledonia haye already given .the New South Wales

police a good deal of trouble, and destitute refugees have fallen upon tho relief funds of that Colony. The criminal and pauper population of New Zealand is burden enough to the colonists without being swelled by the deliberate deportation of those belong ing to a foreign Power. We have no wish to be harsh upon the men who have landed, and, if the Government cannot find authority for conveying them back to the place from whence they came, we hope they will obtain employment and settle down quietly to industrial pursuits. Many •of them we know are -anxious to do so, and havo lost no time in seek ing employment, and not wholly with out success. Nevertheless, if the Go vernment sec their way to make an immediate example of those connected with, this first shipment and thus stay tho tide which, as will be seen by our report, is threatened, it is a duty they owe to the whole community to do so. The Attorney-General is fortunately in Auckland, the public will look to him to act promptly in the matter.

[Since the above was in type we have been informed of the steps taken by Mr Wliiraker, and his opinion on the subject, which we publish in another column].

We would draw general attention to the very able and exhaustive paper by Mr J. M. Clark on "Justice to Auckland." The writer reviews the return* submitted to the Assembly last session, and shows] its inaccuracy. We can really add nothing to the carefully reasoned propositions sub mitted by Mr Clark, which must be taken as a conclusive demonstration of the injustice which this part of the colony has suffered under the borrowing policy. The estimates made by Mr Clark, so far from erring on the side of exaggeration, are really considerably under what might reasonably have been claimed, since he has accepted the population basis of 1874, in stead of that of 1871, the starting point from which time Auckland continued to sink under the Southern inflation with Government money. Every man who takes au intelligent interest in politics should read Mr Clark's letter, and carefully con sider ite calculations.

By advertisement in another column, Mr Superintendent Thomson invites volunteers to assist in the capture of the Fijian who is charged with a diabolical outrage on a child. Application must be made to-night.

The following Justices of the Peace are on the rota of attendance for the Court of Petty Sessions, to Le held in the High street Court-house on the 24th iust.:— Mr J. M. Dargnwllc (chairman), Messrs J. Babcr, A. Bectham, H. Brett, J. McC. Clark, J. Cosgrave, W. C. Daldy, P. Da lian, J. Dilworth, C. F. Goldsbro', H. Graham, D. Hcan, G. Yon der Ileyde, W. J. Hurst.

A meeting of the Reception Committeo was held last evtning in the Cosmopolitan Hotel, for the purpose of deciding us to the disposal of the surplus funds. Mr McDonald occupied the chair. Tho subject having been thoroughly dis discussed, the following resolution was passed !—"That the surplus funds in con nection with the Reception Committee of the Christchurcli Team should be handed over to Mr Coatc, who, with Messrs Yates and Philson, shall expend the money in the erection of a suitable pavilion, which work is to be at once proceeded with,"

The homceopathiats of our city will be glad to leatu that Dr. J. Murray Mooro, who arriycd rccsntly from England expressly to tako up the practice of the late Dr. Mart iiiiiuu, is satisfied with tho large and extend ing interest in this system of medicine, and has purchased an excellent allotment in Symonds-strect, whereon to build, having resolved to make Auckland his permanent home.

A firand complimentary benefit is to be given on Thursday, February 19th, in the Masonic Hall, Onohunsa, to Mrs Burton and family. The progratumo of the concert, which has been courteously put beforo us, contains mauy items of interest. Amongst other selections, we notice pianoforte ducts from Don Giovanni and Obcrou, and over tures by the Jlobsou IJand, The songs are by Adams, lilockley, etc., and a most enjoyable evening may be anticipated. Among the vocalists are tho Misses Leahy, Moron, Swau, Vause, Hood, Donovan, Cofley, and Messrs reorder, Kyan, Vause, Littlowood, Stoddart, Lyons, and Kcluall.

A sailing race of £20 a side, between the Lala and Jessie Logan, will take placo at noon on Saturday next. Mr Tho?. Niccol will act as starter and referee. The courso will be from Queen-street wharf round a chequered buoy outside the North Head, thence round Drunken Bay buoy, and up the harbour, rounding boat off VVutchman and coming in between Queen-street wharf and umpire's boat.

Mr J. A. Tole, Hon. Secretary of tho Irish Relief Fund, announced at the meet ing last evening, that Mr Wallace and Mr DeLias had kindly offered an entertainment in the Theatre Royal, in aid of the fund, and were willing to give it on Friday evening. A grand bill is in preparation for the occasion, chielly of Irish character as most suitable, and most likeliest to attract a full house.

We have received the sum of £5 3s 6d from the Bricklayers' Society for the Irish Relief Fund, being the balance over the expenses of the Society's dinner and ball.

At the ordinary meeting of the Onehunga Council on Monday evening, tho Mayor (Mr Codlin) in the chair, the Mayor reported that the engineer had inspected the well in connection with the water-works, and was satisfied that there was a sufficiency of water for all purposes ; that he had given ordeis to stop further sinking, and to-finish the works as soon as possible. Respecting the hospital bill, the committee reported that they objected to the main principle of the bill, viz., that hospitals should be a local charge. The Council unanimously adopted this report, considering that as law aud j ustice, including gaols, lunatic asylum*, schools, &c, were supported from the general revenue, there was no reason why hospitals should be differently treated. The passing of the current accounts con cluded the busiucs?.

Archbishop Steins and Rev. Father Walter Macdonald visited tho Catholic Boys' School, Wellington-street, and the schools of St. Peter, St. Patrick, and Newton, yesterday. The Archbishop ad dressed the scholais at each of the schools!, after questioning them on their several studies in geometry, algebra, arithmetic, and other sections of knowledge. Hi? Grace expressed his satisfaction at the answers he received from the boys, and especially from those of the High School, under the direction of Father Downey, the principal. The cleanly appearance and good behaviour of the boys attracted the favourable notice of the Archbishop.

Mr T. W. Lewis, Under Secretary to the Native Department, has left for Wellington. He ha 9 been on a tour through the various norihem aud Waikato districts", with the view to making reductions in the Service. It is understood that Mr Bush, K. M. of Raglan, will proceed to Opotiki, and that Mr Williams, late K.M. and Returning Officer, Bay of Islands, and Mr Aubrey, Whangarei R.M., will retire. Mr Lewis in tends, if possible, to visit Tauranga, Opo tiki, Maketu, Whakatanc, and Gisborne before the next session of Parliament, with a view to effecting other chaupes.

A special meeting of the Auckland Regatta Club was held last evening, at the club-room, Cosmopolitan Hotel, in order to consider the advisability of holding an inter colonial regatta on January 29th, 1881, and of devoting £100 of the balance in hand for a champion four-oared outrigger race. There were about twenty gentlemen present. JVii' G. Yon der Heyde was voted to the cbair. Some discussion took place on the subject of the disposal of the money, and several motions were made. Mr J. Hender son, juur., suggested that the intercolonial regatta should first be considered, and moved, " That an intercolonial regatta be held on January 29th, 1881, and that the management be left in the hands of tho committee elected at the last meeting. This was seconded by Mr H. J. Ellis, rind agreed to. Mr Marshall then moved a resolution to the effect that champion races for schooners and four-oared outrigges be placed on the programme for next year, the prize in each not to be less than £100. It was, however, considered that as the meet ing was a special one, for a specified purpose, it out was of place to decide anything in re gard to the schooner race. Mr Marshall with drew his resolution, and moved another leaving the matter to the discretion of the committee. An amendment, moved by Mr Ellis, " That in the opinion of this meeting it is advisable that the Committee set aside the sum of £100, for a prize for champion four-oared outrigger race," was adopted. Tha meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

POLICE COURT.— This Day.

{Before J. E. Macdonald, Esq... R.M.) DRUNK. James Ryau pleaded guilty to this offenco and was fiued ss, cost*?, 2s. Henry Malone was brought up on the same charge, but as he was unable to plead through delirium tremens, he was remanded for a week. UNDER THE VAORANT ACT. Herbert Vincent, alias Smith, was brought up under the Vagrant Act with having no visible means of support. Sergeant Gamble conducted on the part of the police, and asked for a remand. The prisoner had been loafing about, aud had got sums of money from benevolent persons on the pretence that he w anted to pay his passage to Sydney. Defendant said he had recently come up from the Thames and was searching for his brother, who had been employed In the tele graph office, either at Auckland or Welling ton.

Sergeant Gamble said this statement the police had reason to believe .was untrue. He would ask for a remand in order to in vesligate the truth of prisoner's statement. Remanded for a week. FIGHTING IN THE PUBLIC STREET.

Joseph Graham and John McKenzie were charged with committing a breach of the peace of the 17th inst.

Prisoners pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Fleming deposed that he was in Queen-street last night, and saw the two prisoners vigorously fighting and rolling over and over.

Graham said he was pretty nearly diunk, and McKenzie shoved against him; he retaliated.

McKenzie gave a difierent version of the affair. He was insulted by Graham. There were no blows struck.—A witness corrob orated.

His Worship considered that Graham was the agressor, aud ordered him to pay 5s and costs. McKenzie was discharged. CHIMNEYS ON FIRE. Hugh Calder was fined Is, costs 9s, for permitting his chimney to get on fire, in Cook-street, on the 7th inst. Ellen Moller, widow, was called in answer to a similar chargo, viz., for allow ing the chimney of the Queen* Head Hotel to take lire on the 10th inst.

Mrs Mollcr said she was not at home at the time. Her servant, Harry Palmer, was cooking pancakes, upset the fat, which caused thechimney to blaze up. (Laughter.) Fined Is and costs.

Palmer : Am I entitled to anything ? His Worship : Did you upset the frying pan and cause the fat to go into the fire ? Palmer : Verily, I did, Your Worship. His Worship : Then you will get nothing.

STONE THROWING. Cuthhert Lcathart was charged with throwing stones in Drake-street on the 2nd hist., aud injuring the head of John Knox. Sergeant Gamble said this was a. very bad case, and was reported iv tho papers at the time. The prisoner threw a heavy stone down tho cliff' by the old block-house, at Freeman's Bay, and struck the boy Kuox on the head. He had been under tho doc tor's hands ever since.

It wus not known for some time who the boy was, but he was ultimately discovered through the perseverance of Constable Her bert Jones.

The father of tho boy said he had paid the doctor's bill, and was prepared to pay future expenses.

Mia Worship gave young Loathurt a cau tii.n of) to his future conduct, and allowod him to bo discharged.

THE ROUBKKY AT SYDNEY,

Berthold Bodicuhumer, alias liele, wa» again brought up charged with (he larceny of .C"2S, the property of Eugoue Komge, at Sydney, on 21st January, also with forging and uttering a cheque for £5, with inteut to defraud at Sydney on the Bth January. .Superintendent Thomson conducted, and stated that the case was remanded fur the appearance of the detective officer from Sydney.

.John Boylaud, detective officer of tho police force of New South Wales, produced the two warrants, duly signod by the Justices of tho Peace, signed in his presence. Mr Yon der Ileyde was present; also, Mr Brown (llarrctt and Brown), but as the prisoner understood English, their services were not required.

The prisoner was remanded in custody of the police to Sydney.

ONEHUNGA R. M. COURT,

This Day.

[Uelorc R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.] CIVIL CASK.

Moss 11. Kecsing v. Kobert James.— Claim £2 9s, for articles supplied. Judgment for plaintiff' with costs. ALLEGED ATTKMI'TEI) lIAPE. Michael Breen, a youth of 19 years, was charged on remaun with having on tho 12ih istant, at Hillsboroutjh, crimiually assaulted a child named Bella McKay, with intent to commit a rape upon her.

Mr W. 'Phonic, who appeared to watch the caaojoo behalf of the accused, »aid that he (the acouset!) had formerly been au in mato ot the Industrial School, and as he had no parents lie asked that Mr Stickley, who had stood in loco parcntis towards him, might be allowed to remain in court.

The application wns granted,

In answer to a question from His Wor ship, Mr Stickley said that the prisonor had not been committed for the full term of his nonage.

Isabella McKay, a girl of about twelve years, was then sworn. She deposed that she was the daughter of William McKay, a resident of Hillsborough, but that she lived with her grandmother—Mrs Boyd—in the Bame district. On Thursday morning she was sent to turn back some cows that were going along the road towards tho Whau, in order that they might be prevented from straying upon Mn Daly's farm at Wai kawau. As she was following up the cattle she perceived h, horse and a dog amongst the ti-tree, and the prisoner lying beside them. When she had succeeded in turning tho cows, the prisoner arose, and mounting his horse rodo up to her. He inquired the time, and she answered "About naif-past ten." He then asked if she had seen any other cows on the read, aud she replied " No." The prisoner said something to her which sho did not understand, and immediately afterwards began to ride about after her. She dodged him for a tinio and then he dismounted and chased her. Having caught her he threw her down amidst the ti-tree, and at tempted the offence complained of. She attempted to scream, but ho prevented her from doing so ; and theu -when sho threat ened to tell her uncle of his conduct ho offered her a shilling not to do so. She re fused it, and as soon as she was liberated, she went home and told her grandmother of the assault.

The witness was examined at some length by Mr Thome, but her statement did not materially vary. Tho proceedings wero greatly protracted through the extreme reticence of the little girl to answer the questions addressed to ner. Her mother and grandfather remained in Court duriug tho hearing of the cast. Tho prisoner maintained an air of nonchalance.

Jerusalem Soup Kitchen.

The following subscriptions in aid of the above deserving cause has been collected up !o the present. Further subscriptions are solicited :—

L. IX Nathan aud Co,, £10 10s ; E. & A. Isaacs, £5 5s ; Dr. Kcnderdino, £2 ; S. E. Hughe?, £1 ; Captain McGregor, £1; Ballautinc and Cammell, 10s Gil ; VV. Anderson, 5s ; J. and D. Oxley, 10s ; It. Beardsley, £1 ; Friend, 10s ; Friend, ss; H. B. Morton, 53 ; John Lamb; 10s ; Friend, 10s; G. W. Owed, 10s 6d; T. Macky and Co., £1; John Hay, £1 la ; D. bean, 10s; Water, ss; H. P. Barber, 10s ; Dr. Goldsboio, 10s6d ;B. George, £1; C. A. Harris, jun., £1 • Chas. Stichbury, 10s; J. Craig, £1 ; George Leahy, 10s; D. Macgrcgor (Waitemata Hotel), £1 Is ; George Sibbin, ss; J. C. Firth, £3 3s; Mos3~M. Levy, 10s; Shera Bros., £1; Hull Bros., £1 ; Charity, 5s ; Hamilton Bros, 5b ; T. and H. Cooke, ss; King, 5s ; A Friend, £1; Snooks, ss; Jas. Wiseman, 10s; W. S. Jones, 10s; B. Levi, 53; II N., 5s ; DeLias, £1 Is; Little, 10s; Whitson and Sons, £1; Dennis, ss; B. N. Abbott, 10s ; F. Uewiu, ss; C. Brooks, 5s ; Friend, 5s ; James B. Francis, 10s ; J. Treawitk, 53 ; D. Bloom, 10s ; Whitehead, 10s; W. &A. Me Arthur, £1 Is ; J. C. Cosgrave, £1 Is.

The Outrage on a Child.

Sergeant-Major Mason and a number of constable are still endeavouring to secure the Fijian suspee'ed of having committed the offence, who escaped from the officer's warrant. A telegram was received this morning from Sergeant-Major Mason to the effect that the Fijian was seen last evening by a person in the bush at Orakei. The constables immediately went to tho spot and scoured that part of the bush, but without catching him. The belief is that he is still in the bush, and must ere long be in the hands of justice. Unfortunately, constables are few and.far between, as the town cannot be altogether neglected. It is rather singular considering the number of settlers round, and others with time heavy on their hands, do not proffer their assistance in the search for the ruffian, and hunt him out of the bush if he ia not already ' far beyond its confines,

CABLE NEWS.

ETJEOPEAN.

HJNITED PBESS ASSOCIATION.]

The Accident to the Chimborazo. LONDON.

February 16. The steamer Chimborazo has been repaired, and has gone to Plymouth prior to her departure for Melbourne. She carries the original mails.

[renter's special cablegrams.]

The Irish Belief Vote. LONDON,

February 10.

During to-day's sittiug, tbe House _of Commons went into Committee on the Irish Distress Relief Bill. An amendment was proposed that an advance should be made towards the relief fund from the Imperial Treasury, instead of from the Church sur plus, but it was defeated on division.

The Pope on Divorce ROME.

February, 1G

The Pope has issued an cucylical letter declaiming that the law of divorce has an immoral effect,

LONDON, February IG,

Consols, 97£. Total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britaiu is 1,700,000 quarters.

AUSTRALIAN.

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

The Melbourne Exhibition.

LONDON.

"February IC,

The Melbourne Exhibition has excited un agitation for the withdrawal o f. the Protective tariff in Victoria. It ia said that tho foreign exhibits are likely to compare unfavourably with those of Sydney.

English Exhibitors. LONDON.

February 16.

In the many articles of the " Times " is published a manufacturers memo randum from representatives of certain industries, who purpose meeting to con sider tho advisability of withdrawing their application for space, owing to the tariff, aud regret that the protective system cannot be modified, remarking, that, owing to the dissolution, fresh legislation must bo regarded as im possible, and that there cannot, there fore, be sufficient time for the advan tago of the exhibitors. The policy of Sydnoy is contrasted favourably.

"Wheat Market LONDON.

February 1G

Wheat is unchanged ; small purcha ses itro ponding. Tho collapse iv the American ring is expected.

[HKUTKK'S SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS. |

Censure on JLjord ILoftus Rejected. SYDNEY.

Wednesday,

In tho Legislative Assembly last night two motions were brought forward by Mi- David Buchanan that the Lieutenant Gover nor should not bo allowed to be a member of the Legislative Council, aud objecting to tho Governor's vac of the prerogative of mercy in the case of the two Wantabadgery bushrangers were rejected by a large majority.

The totat statistics for last year, which wore published today show that an un precedented increase in the population of the colony has taken place. BRISBANE. Wednesday. A BUSHRANGER SENTEMCED TO

DEATH

The bushranger who stuck up the National Bunk at Cummula in "Warregsj district l.ait month, has been firtdcud sentenced to death.

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of tho members of this Council was held thin afternoon in the office of Mr James, Shortland - street. Present: Mosbm J. W. Waller (chairman), Shea, Cantwell, Bond, Dilworth, Sinclair, Lamb, Aliton, and Seaman. Minutes.—Tho minutes of the previous mooting were continued.

Waitakerki East.—A letter was re ceived from tho Waitakerci East Highway Board, stating that as the railway was in progress near Swanson's Bridge, the Board felt that by opening up communication in connection with the lino for timber traffic, very great advantages would accrue to the province. The cost of making tho im provement would cost about £300. The Board, thereforo, requested the serious con- Hidaration of the Council, with the view to its realisation.—The letter was laid on the table for the use of tho Council.

Stokes' Point.—A request for £10 from the district was received towards improving tho road between Stokes' Point aud tho Lake.—lVir Alison said it was a very reason able request; the road was much broken and out of repair. Me thought it would cost £60 or £70, and tho expenso might bo divided.—Mr Lamb suggested that tho districts of Dovonport and the Lako pay £20 each, and tho balance be considered by the Board.—Mr Shea reminded the Council of its financial position.—Mr Waller said he would see Mr Tunny upon the subject, which was held over.

Hiverhead.— A letter was read from the settlers of this district with a sketch, sug gesting to tho Board the necessity of build ing a bridge over the creek, near Berry's Bridge, 5J miles from Riverhead. To this petition was appended a list of the names of settlers, who had continually to cross the creek from Kaipnra, with their cattle to Auckland. Mr Lowe, of Stichbury's Buildings, furnishing every information. —Mr Lamb said this was really a necesssry work and much needed.—The Council re solved to give this matter its earliest attention.

Applications. — Several applications from Waitakarie South and other dirtricta, for sum of money for district improvements were received, and held over for the Engineer to report upon.—The chairman said, that tho only amount at the Council's disposal was £500; and the applications wero so numerous, coming in thicker and faster, and the question was, will tho Council continue to meet, or take some steps towards meeting, a portion of tho demands upon it. The requirements from various districts far exceed the funds of the Council. If they attended to some applications and not others, there would be a feeling of envy excited in those districts which would appear to be neglected. A number of tenders had been sent in for different works ; should they bo opened. Stokes' Point Koad.— It was moved that tho tender of Mr Duder for 9s bo accepted, on condition that tho Stokes' Point Board find the fascines. An amend ment to tbe effect that tho matter bo left to tho engineer, was proposed by Mr Shea, seconded by Mr Dilworth, aud carried.

Appropriation of Fund.—The Chair man said since it was impossible for the Council to meet tho heavy demands upon it, ho would move that the balance in hand bo handed to tho following dis tricts as under:—Takapuna, £100; Wai takordi, £60; Mauukau, £75 ; Titirangi, £75 ; Awitu, £50 ;Te Ararimu, £75 ; th balance to be left in the hands of the Council for any urgent matter that might be brought beforo it. Mr Lamb said, with all respect to the Chairman, he thought it would not be wise to allocate the funds. He would move as au amendment, "That the Council keep the money, and do its best for the districts generally." Mr Sin clair seconded, feeling that the Coun cil would expend the money to better advantage with the local boards. Mr Bond appreciated the Chairman's re marks ; but would support the amendment. Mr Alison supported the resolution.—The amendment was carried.

(Left sitting),

Mr Kredk. Stephenson has been appointed travelling agent for the Noithern districts by the JNew Zealand Accident Insurance Company, No doubt this gentleman being well-known in the north will enhance tho business of (his newly formed Company,

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Pfill ROTOMAHANA),

NEW SOUTH WALES,

Sydney, February 12. The first blast in concluding the prin cipal tunnel in connection with the Nepean water supply to Sydney was fired on the 9tb, in the presence of an official party. Mr Moriarty, Chief Engineer, stated that when completed it would be the largest in the.world, four and a-half miles.

A meeting of doctors decided to form a New South Wales branch of the British Medical Association.

At St. John's Catholic College Judge Fawcett's gold medals for proficiency in metaphysics were presented to Michael Higgins and Joseph Flynn, equal merit. Archbishop Vaughan delivered an eloquent address.

A meeting of the New Soutli Wales Com missioners of the Melbourne Exhibition re solved to apply for £7000 for necessary expenses for representation of this colony. John Bourkc was fined £10 or a month's imprisonment for false representations with a view to the insertion of his name on the Electoral Roll.

Some tradesmen, importeis of jewellery, interviewed the Attorney-General request ing him to withhold his sanction from the Art Union distribution of exhibits in the Belgian and Italian Courts of the Exhibi tion. They received an assurance that care would lie taken that the Jaw was not con travened.

The trial of threshing machines is pro ceeding at Orange. Numerous English and American makes are represented. At pre sent Robey's is defeated; Marshall and Son?, also Forster and Co , are still (o compete with Hornsby, Ruston Proctor, and BulFulo Company. A disgraceful scene occurred in Corora Police Court. A disappointed suitor, him self a Magistrate, grossly insulted the Bench, aud grimaced at the opposing attorney. He was not punished. A store at Myall station, near Inverell, was broken into, and arms and provisions stolen. The police are pursuing the per petrators. The Assembly rejected by 24 to 4 in Mr M'Elhone's resolution that the Government should not purchase any articles from mem bers of the Assembly. Special reference was made to the supply of horse 3 for the Telegraph Department, by Mr Brown a member.

The Government intend if possible to keep the Exhibition open during the Easter holidays, and depends upon the consent of foreign exhibitors. It is believed they are generally willing. Mr Lucas, member of the Assembly has erected extensive premises at the harbour terminus of the railway for the reception of chilling, storage, sale, aud shipment oi couutry-killed meat. The Hon. J. P. Bell's string of Queens land horses for the Randwick meeting, arrived per steamer. Whisker, Lothan, Elastic, Waterloo, and Elastic is considered well in for the cup. The Municipal Council, Sydney, resolved to apply to the Government for a bill, enabhug it to raise sixty thousand by de bentures, for the completion of the Town Hall.

Apparently a deliberate attempt to lire at Waugenheim's Hotel occurred on Tuesday night. This makes the fifth attempt on the same premises. A girl of twelve says she fired this and three previous ones, but her statement is not believed. The police are investigating the matter. The hotel was insured.

The Uarrabool and Maccelon belonging to the Melbourne Steamship Company, are laid up at Newcastle. The Alleged reason is inability of the A. & A. Company to sup ply coal according to contract, having already sold a quantity in excess of that permitted by the Vend. The Rodondo and Lenva of the same line are also taken off.

Owing to cloudy weather no important observations of the comet have yet been elfected. * The nucleus is unseen. The comet is visible from South Australia to Queensland. Contributions to the Irish Relief con tinue to How in from all parts of the colony. A gold rush of some promise has taken place to Tucker's Creek near Copeland. The discovery in the river of a bag of photo memos led to the identification of a headless body discovered at Wagga reserve some time ago as Robert Standish Clarke, a rnau of good family. If has transpired that a man heard about the time and place where the remains were found Homebody say, " What the devil aro you going to do to mo." The police are investigating, The production of the prohibited " Happy Land," by Kelly and Leon, proved a hit. The Government offered no interference.

'J he Education Act was further discussed in the Assembly on the eleventh. No im portant alterations were effected. A fire broke out in the full store occupied by Messrs J. Ritchie &Co., which was in sured in the New Zealand Insurance Com pany for £450. Fortunately it was extin guished witho it much damage being caused.

SODTH AUSTRALIA

February 12,

A patient in the Lunatic Asylum secreted matches and set herself on fire. She sub sequently died. The attendants were severely burned in trying to extinguish the fire.

A hundred thousand acres in South East are offered for selection in April, selectors themselves to drain the land.

News has been received that over a quarter million shares were applied for in four dajs, in London, in the Mortgage Com pany of South Australia. The Mariuc Board decided that the wreck of the Lady Kumaird was attributable to misconduct of the master, negligently navi gatiug.

A meeting of the shareholders of the Bank of Adelaide empowered the directors to issue 25,000 new shares, but it is not pro posed to issue them at present. The trial of a drop-steel boring drill, by horse-power, penetrated a six-inch shaft of soft clay five feet per hour. A trial with st»ne is iotouded shortly.

The examination of the ship Loch Mar nock, stranded at Foul Bay, shows she is uninjured.

QUEENSLAND.

February 12,

A Greek, being arrestod on a charge of stabbing a woman, stabbed tho constable twice near tho heart, the wounds being, it is feared, fatal.

Thirty-four tons from North Lady Mary, Gympie, have been crushed for seven hun dred ounces.

The Parihaka Meeting.

TE WHITI'S SPEECH.

OPUNAKE, this day. The Parihaka meeting concluded last night. About 800 adults were present. Te VVhiti had nothing much to tay, but told hi 9 hoarcrs that he rescrucd the principal part of his speech till March, the great mectiug of the yea. He said that the Government had acne a Commission to gather up the out siders, whom he spoke of as chad", in contra distinction to the wheat-, as metnphrieal of hia own people, who attend Parihaka. Parihaka. He told them the Government could form no permanent party, that dry clay would cling to iron, and the Maori would not cling to the Europeat this year, even though much mouey was given them. To Wliiti said Sir William Fox was a Government man. and the person to enquire into the wrong doing of the Government. Ho told his people that the Constabulary guns would not be fired, and that they were only play ing on the plains, and ho characterised the policy of tho Government as va cillating, .because they did not for bid anyone from resisting tho Commis sion, but leit everyone to to hia own tree will; but at the same time he spoke of the Commission with such contempt that there is very little liklihood of the natives attend ing.

TE WIIITI SAYS THERE WILL BE

NO FIGHTING.

He repeatedly said that no fighting would ensue, and the Government who wished to light would liud. no enemy to fight against. He advised all the natives to take no notice of any Commission, or the Constabulary, and said that no survey would be finished and no Land Court held this year, tor this is a day of rest for the natives, and the Govt. are drunk with tax ation. He concluded by saying that he had so little to say, as we were near the great meeting. He entirely repudiated all idea of fighting, and said that the Government were as a drunken man, who has no defi nite purpose in view.

It was decided at a meeting of the Reception Committee, elected in connection with the last visit of the Christchurch Cricket team, to expend the surplus funds, amounting to £40, in the erection of a pavilion on the Domain. Cricket ground The match on Saturday between the North Shoro and Otahuhu Cricket Clubs resulted in a victory to the North Shore by 8 runs and 3 wicket?. For Otahuhu Hall scoored 21, find Martin 15. Wynyard was the principal scorer for tho North Shore, he have 3Q to his credit when time was called,

Cyclone at New Caledonia.

DAMAGE TO SHIPPING AND DES TRUCTION OF PROPERTY.

Noumea, Feb. 7.

During the night of the 23rd January the weather became so threatening that the most experienced persons felt the approach of a storm or no ordinary character. On the morning of the 24th it blew from the S.E. At 10 a m., the wind, already very strong, increased progressively up to 2 p.m. The barometer then fell in half an hour from 29-95 to 29.15. The elements now seemed to be warriug with each other to such an extent that the appearance was like a thick fog. You could scarcely distinguish objects, however near, so heavy was the rain, and so strong the wind. The heat was extremely oppressive, the air close and damp, and the whole atmosphere full of electricity. At 3.20, the barometer had fallen to 2875 ; it then began to rise, and the wind and rain ceased tor a time. At halE-past 4 p.m. the wind changed from S.E. to N., accompanied by rain, though not with such force as before. At 6.30, the barometer fell to calm, the wind and rain gradually diminishing. At one time the storm raged so violently that washing-tubs and various articles were lifted right up, and seemed to be playing about in the air. On looking out, 1 saw a man who was exerting all his physical and mental force in order to sit upon two pieces of tin which still remained on the coiner of his roof,but threatened every moment to be carried away, takiug with them this hero of patience and perseverance under the most disadvantageous circumstances. The calm which foliowed'next morning can better be imagined than described. In Noumea and its suburbs the amount of damage done is incalculable. It is certi fied by old colonists that there was never so severe a hurricane in these regions, or onp which caused so much 103.5. The plantatios up the country are destroyed, and trees are uprooted or bereft of their branches. In many parts of the town, especially near the wharf, the eye is arreiteel in all directions by heaps of ruin. During the storm the harbour was completely invisible, owing to the thick fog caused by the rain, : and the spray of the wave 3 being dashed about by the" force of the wind. All the small boats were wrenched from their anchors and swept on the piers. At sea the disasters were numerous ; no less than 14 vessels disappeared, and either sank or were thrown on some distant coast. Up to the present time IS deaths have been_ re corded of those engaged on the various vessels, who had no time nor opportunity to make their escape. All of a sudden, in the midst of the storm, "signals of distress were heard,which proved to come from the French man-of-war the Caledonienne. A council of war was immediately held, and it was agreed that it would be certain death for any vessel to go to her rescue. So she was left to her fate, and, strange to relate, she li7ed through the storm. The lighthouse (brought from France) resisted the storm, although it b 180 feet in height; but all the adjoining buildings were completely destroyed. At the island Freycinet two immense stone buildings, destined for a lazarette (or for quarantine purposes) were rendered a complete wreck, and the stone wharf was also partly destroyed. The steamihip Agency was dreadfully knocked about. All the goods were more or less damaged ; nothing but the bare walls remained, and even they were not left whole. All the military and public building* suffered im mensely. Government horses were seen galloping through the towD, their stables being literally squashed. In letting the horses go, three men were severely wounded. The centre of the hurricane passed over the Loyalty Islands, leaving terrible des truction at Lifon, the Commodore's house and the Protestant mission being perfect wrecks. It is reported that in the Catholic Church at Kacho a statue of the Virgin Mary, weighing 9000 1b3., was transported from its pedestal to the interior of the church, uninjured. At Isle Eou, the place reserved for con demued criminals, the church,barracks,and workships were levelled to the grouud. The same thing happened at the Presqu'ile Ducos, where the Communists used to be kept. In the neighbouring districts the rivers rose to such a height that nearly all the bridges were carried away, as also were the telegraph posts and line in many parts. These accounts will produce a feeling of pity in all who read them in Australia ; but, balieve me, we are not to be pitied, for the Administration and municipality have come to the rescue in such a noble manner, that you see very little depression. A proclamation was immediately issued by the Governor, exhortiog the people to take courage in their present trials ; aud assurance was given that the home Govern ment would come forward to aid them in the most liberal manner. Meanwhile a subsidy of 100,000 francs was immediately voted for present urgent relief, 60.000 francs for the sufferers in. Noumea, aud 40,000 francs for the different districts. A public subscription was also started and headed in the most liberal manner by the Governor, and followed up generously by almost all the members of the Administration aud by others also. 400 soldiers were distributed amongst the people for 10 days, to help them to build up their damaged dwellings.

The following information is from the " Monitcur de la Nouvelle Caledonie " :— " The relief committee works without ceasing, and had by the 3rd instant distri buted the sum of 36,940 francs among the unfortunates of the Noumea district alone. The number of those who perished during the cyclone is not exactly known, but the principal losses are these :—On board the Gladiatour, pilot sailor.-! Lorrain and Luneau, a boy 12 years old, and three New Hebri dean natives; on the Dumbo's, three marines ;on the Esperanco, one sailor ; on the Bourak^ two Indians and four New Hebddeans. Several bodies have been recovered.

" The Gladiateur, pillot cutter, was one of the iirst of the craft in harbour to sink, and her crew of six, mentioned above, were all drowned. Tho schooner Dunibea then foundered, drowning three men; and the cutter Bourake disappeared in her turn, with her crew. The schooners L'Etoile dv Matin, Noumea, and L'Espreance, and tho cutters Ageuoria and PlanetP, sank or ran ashore, without there being any human possibility of helping them. Tho people of Noumea seemed to forget t'-ieir own ruin and their personal anxieties in wachiug these vessels hopelessly fighting the storm." —"S.M. Herald."

Irish Famine Relief.

The Mayor acknowledges the receip t of the following towards the Irish Relief Fund :— Friend, £1 Is; George Jobson, 10i ; Messrs L. D. Nathan, £10 10a.

Collected by Messrs Thompson and Eyre (second list) :—C. E., 10a ; Ebor, ss; Milk man, 10s ; Duuningham and King, £1 Is ; It. Itathbone, 10s; Frank, ss; J. Sheppard, 6s; Edwin Carr, ss; J. W. Carr and Sons, 10s; It. Hartley, 10$; Mrs Ross, ss; James Burke, 10s ; J. C. Vctlham, Is ; B. Giluior, £1 : total, £45 2«.

Collected by Mr A. Maguire: —A. Maguire, £1 Is ; Mr Ratßen, £1 Is ; Mr Clayton, J.P., 10* Gd ; J. 11.15 ,10s; P. Murphy, s*; W. Bowdon, os; T. Keid, 53; J. Smith, 2i ; Mr Shields, 10s ;Mr Mnyward, Ca; John McGuilc, s<; J. McMannin, 2s: J. Sullivan, 5s ; Edward Barry, 5s ; Mr J. Jenkins, £1; J. Weston, 7a Gd ; D. Klkin, 7s ; J. Wright, 10sGd;T. Lpain, Bs;J. Diiscoll, Ss; P. Follows, ss; —Fitzpatiick, 5s ; 11. Camp bell, ss; R. Council, 53 ; John Winks, 5s ; Thomas O'Conuor, ss; B. Thomas, ss; William McQuillion, ss; Thomas Connelly, 5s ; J. Foster, 5s ; R. Mitchell, 5s ; John Kolly, 5s ; J. McKinnistry, 5s ; Thomas Row, 5s ; L. Thorwally, 5s ; John Colley. 5s ;J. Colley, ss; J. Mclnnerney, 5s ;J. O'Rork, 5s ; Thos. Chaplin, 5s ; S. Pater son, 53 ; George McCullutt, 5s ; S. Teas, ss; A. Erwine, 10s Gd ; a friend, ss; A. McLeod, ss; Hancock add Co., £1 Is : W. J. Suiter, 10s Gd ; W. H. McLean, 10s 6d • John Burke, 10s 6d ; Reilly, 8s ; M. X., ss; J. M., 10s Gd: J. Graham, 103 Gd; C. S. Wright, 103 Gd; John Evcr3, £1; Thos. Kelly, £1; J. McGuiuness, ss; James Kelly, 10s; Patrick Council, ss; total, £23 6's.

Collected by Messrs Boylan and Shera (second list):—Mr A. G. Grant, £1 Is ; Mr F. Quick, £1 Is ; Messrs Potter and Co., £1 Is; Messrs Gittos and Sons, £1; Mr Percy, If s 6d : total, £4 13s (id.

Collected by Mr Smith :-S. Percy Smith, 10s; Wm. C. Kensington, 10s; A. M., 10s ; M.F.D., 7s Gd ; R.M.S., 10a ; W. J.P., 7s6d; E.A.R., 7s 6d ; H.H.M.2s6d; G.A.N., ss; R.W.W.8,, 2s 6d; two Scotchmen, £1 : total, £4 12s 6d. Collected by Mr Blewden ;—William Blewden, 10a; John Walsh, 10s; Dick Mears, 5s ; George Javies, 2s; Aze, 2s ; James Green, 3s ; Malloney, 3s; Wilson, 2s; M. Rice, 2s 6d; Gannon, 3s; Christopher, 2s ; Judge, 3s ; Logan, 4s ; Sullivan, 5s ; Mackcnnie, 4s; Moriarty, 2s; Martin, 4s ; Craig, 2s Gd; Neyiu, 2s ; Halley, 2s 6d ; Gannon, 2s ; Youug, Is; Scott, Is; O'BrieD, Is; Duckingfield, 2s; John Blewden, Is; total, £4 Is 6d.

Collected by Mrs McAnally : —Mrs E. J, Hill, 10s; Mrs E. Comrie, 10s; Mrs H. McAnally. 10s ; Mrs Sarah Hewson, ss; total, £1 15a.

In Rusßia the'favourjte comedy is "Mqcb. Ado About Nihil."

JUSTICE TO AUCKLAND.

(To the Editor),

Sir,—ln a paper with the ahov e title ioi,i before the Worth New Zealand A » v'tion and which appeared in your issue ofl* 25th October last, I submitted a statement of accounts as between the North and Middl? Islands, and also as between Auckland •mi the rest of the colony, in the matter of'thn expenditure of the Loan for Iramieratinn and Public Works. In the latter, ZftnS was shown to require an expenditure nf £410,248 to put her on an equality with tli rest of the colony, that is, cousiderine ai? the other parts of the colony as one. A similar, but more comprehensive and more detailed statement was laid on ti, table of the House of Representative* towards the close of last session, showing on a basis decided upon, the proportion nf the foregoing Loan to which each portion of the colony was entitled, and the amount actually expended in each. In that state ment the amount expended in Auckland' is made out only £144,118 less than her dnp proportion ; no reply having as yet appeared it may have been concluded that I accepted the correction, and by silence admitted that my account over-stated the claims of Auckland. Such, however, is not the case It was only recently that I received a codv of the Government return, and hay* only now been able togivethe question thaUtten tion which the importance of the subject required, and now I submit that my account although not correct in every item, will be found, on further investigation, to be much nearer being a true and correct statement than that put forward by authority. The two statements do not cover exactly the same ground, but this will not be found materially to affect the result. I dealt only with the amounts actually expended to 30th June, 1379, whereas the Government statement includes both the amount ex pended for quarter ending 30th September of that year and all liabilities— those to. gethcr amount respactively to £305 G2l for Auckland and £1,454,240 for the rest of the colony, on the basis of contribu. tions to revenue, and taking (he figures giv^n in the Government statement "with two alterations hereafter insisted upon, and in this instance assuming that all railways in progress will yield an equal per cental of profit, the amount, which in propottiod to the expenditure in the rest of the colony should have been expended in Auckland is £342,731, thus adding to the claim of Auckland the sum of £37,110.

The Government statement also includes expenditure on Public Buildings; Telegraph Extension; Public Works Departmental- Interest and Sinking Fund, and charges on raising Loans, these items I left out, the two former for the want of necessary details ! and t!ie latter for the same reason, and be' cause I thought they would bear, in each part of the colony, a similar proportion to the amount expended. The expenditure in Auckland, under tho3e heads, has been' in excess of her proportion, principally in the item of Telegraph Extension; taken together they, amount respectively to £360,945, for Auckland, and £1,344,081 for the rest of the colony. The share of Auckland in proportion is only £316,769 ' a sum of £44,17(3 has thus been expendedl in Auckland on those items in excess of her population, taking the two points in which additional ground is covered by the Go vernment statement, the balance between the excess and deficit, amounting to £7,066 is all the deduction to be made from the claim of Auckland.

One grave omission from the amount chargable to Auckland, I must admit, the £50,000 advanced to the Thames in con* nection with the "big pump;" that sum I was aware of, and it appears in tbe state*; ment of the Minister for Public Works to 30th June, 1879. My excuse is that.it only appears in the table of " Summary of Ex penditure," and my investigations were more directed to the tables with details.

Before taking up the points in the Go vernment statement, which appear to me to be thoroughly incorrect, I shall mention two or three conaiderations which should be' brought into the calculation if the question' was gone into strictly, if the account was now to be adjusted and settled " once and for all."

The basis which I laid down as that upon which to determine the proportion of expenditure in each part of the colony was that of contributions to consoli dated revenue by taxation, Customs daties; and stamps I credited to the Provincial Dis tricts in which they were collected, at the same time referring to various questions which prevented the absolute correctness of this method. The Government statement while not confined to revenue by taxation, which I contend is the only correct basis, of course—includes customs and stamps bat divides the total amount ra;sed from thosa sources between ths various Provincial Dis tricts in proportion to population. I accept the latter plan as the more correct of the two, particularly when the account is not merely a3 between one pa>t and the rest of the colony, but as between each and all the Provincial Districts. It is well known thai large sums are co'lected through the Cus toms in one district, the goods upon which duty was paid being consumed in other districts, aud the duty virtually paid by the residents in such district?, accepting then the principle of dividiug receipts from customs aad stamps in proportion to popu lation, why is no account taken of the natives ? They contribute largely to those sources of revenue, directly as consumers of goods upon which duty has been paid, and indirectly through their lands, the only source of wealth in this colony. The native population is estimated at" over 10,000. Take that number and assume that one half live in the Provincial District of Anck lank, make a calculation on the same principle as the Government return, even giving credit to the Provincial Districts for rents of Crown lands. But, stating the question so as to briug out what Auckland would require to plaoe her on an equality with the re9t of the colouy, the resultj ara that the sum of £30?,<>15 has to be added to the claims of Auckland ; or, if territorial revenue is left out of the calculation, the sum to be added becomes £331,443.

Again having accepted population as one of the elements forming the basis of dis tribution, it is manifestly unfair to Ancle, laud to calculate only upon the present population,not only has the population of the other portions of the colony been in« creased by Public Works in excess of a fair proportion, but directly something like 5000 immigrants have been introduced into" tfiia re9t of the colony at the expeuseof Auck land. I would not urge that the populatiou of the various Provincial Districts should be taken as they stood in 1870, when the present Public Works policy was inaugur« ated, but consider an average between 1870 and 1879 to be fair, or take -the statistics for 1874, the population of Auck land then stood at 67,451 as agaiust 299,385 for the rest of the colony, and making the calculation, as in the last case, we have another sum of £361,338, to add to the claims of Auckland, or omitting territorial revenue the sura to add mounts up to £394,562. }

Further, a considerable- portion of the large sums charged to the North Island for roads, was expended under the late Sir Donald McLean, and should pro perly have been made a general charge, being more for purposes of defence than for the ordinary development of tho resources of the country. For the latter purpose, the works now refoired to were never worth half their cost, on account of the time and manner in which they were carried out.

We now come to wh.it I consider the cardinal errors iv the Government state* ment, and which must be rectified before we can arrive ut any opinion aa to how t™]. ■ : account stands. In that statenient.althoußtt revenue from customs and stamps is divided between each provincial district in propor« tion to population, one portion of the terri torial revenue (the reveuue derived from rents of Crown lands, depasturing liceiwesi &c.) is credited to the district in which sucn lands are situated. We shall not now refer to the inequitous outcome of the so-called compact of 1856, which, happily, IS. "°J r amongst the things that were, with.tne exception of 20 per cent, reserved for local works, but not of the character now under consideiation.

The waste lands of the Crown are now, as they ought ever to have been, colonial pro perty, they belong to the colony as a whole, this "is admitted in the Government state" ment itself, for no credit is given W districts for the proceeds of lands sold, M«J it is diilicult to see upon what priocip» districts should get credit for rents for tne same lands, if entitled to credit in the one case they are entitled in both, they are, however.entitled to none, every colonist baa a proportionate interest in all Crown lanas in the colony irrespective of the dl9tn: ctJ" i which he lives or the lands are Bitaatesr f J.™ support of this argument a speech of we Hon E. W. Stafford might be quoted.«, which he contended that the only revenue upon which any just claiai could be maa fon local purposes in proportion to c°" tributions was that for which w» people put their hands in their P° cKe,"j receiving nothing directly in return-in w y words upon revenue by taxation. Another grave omission in the Govern* ment statement, is that no notice is ta»» of the cost of the Provincial »«1"22?«S Otago and Canterbury, "valued at £tfV^ and £731,759 respectively, for w&i"' " paid for out of the Immigration and ww Works Loans, they were takenin reauew of the Provincial debts." [See Pablio. TO > statement, June 30,1879, note *> -W" |" J3

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1880.



OTOCK- TAKING -{ BARGAINS! }- xrriLLIAM TJATTRAY, In preparation for Stock-taking, has REDUCED the PRICES of his Large Stock of SUMMER COSTUMES, SILK JACKETS, SUMMER SKIRTS, & PINAFORES, ■which he ia now offering at such prices as must effect a Speedy Clearance. SILK JACKETS?, Reduced from 573 61 to 35s Ditto Reduced from £5 10a to &i 4s Ditto Reduced from £10 10a to £7 SUMMER COSTUMES, Reduced from 17s Grl to 10s 6d Ditto Reduced from 27s Gd to 19a Gd Ditto Reduced from 42a to 303 Ditto Reduced from £5 to £37s 6d SUMMER SKIRTS. Reduced from 7s Cd to 33 Ditto Reduced from 9s 6d to Gs 6d Ditto Reduced from 12s 6d to 8a 6d PINAFORES, Reduced from 7s 6d to 4s Gd Al W. KATTRAY'S COSTUME, MANTLE, MILLINERY, AND General Drapery Establishment, NEW ZEALAND HOUSE, C 6, Queen Street, Auckland (Opposite the Bank of Now Zealand). QPECIAL NOTICE. H. L. POSSENISKIE, MERCHANT TAILOR^ Exactly opposite tba South British Insurance Offices new buildings, Shovtland-street, Has pleasure in announcing that he has on hand and to arrive his FIRST SHIPMENT OF SUMMER GOODS, comprising English, Scotch, Bannockburn, Home spun, AND OTHER TWEEDS. tST Specialises in Blue and Broadcloth, Fancy Coatings, Mozella and other Vestings, &c, &c. N.B.—Every garment is made under the per sonal supervision of the advertiser, and he would particularly direct attention to the fact that no MACIIINK WOBK IS SENT OUT. Note the Address : Exactly opposite the South BritisJ* new offices Shohtland-stbket, /CLEARING O Ur <2 ALE OF DRESS MATERIALS, SILItS.s DRAPERY AND CLOTHING. 11. ATKINS* FINDS IT an imperative necessity to hold a CHEAP, GENUINE, CLEAMNG-OUT CASH SALE OP HIS STOCK OF DRAPERY and ri VyLOTHING. A very largo over stock (upwards of four thousand pounds worth) of DRESS MATERIALS BLACK AND COLOURED SILKS IRISH POPLINS, Etc., Will be offered at a REDUCTION OF 20 TO 50 PER CENT, Upwards of four thousand pounds worth of CLOTHING TWEEDS SHIRTS AND OUTFITTING, AT A DEDUCTION OF 15 to 25 PER CENT. MANCHESTER GOODS, 10 TO 25 PER CENT. REDUCTION. FANCY GOODS, HOSIERY, Etc., AT REDUCED PRICES. The object of this Sale is to clear out a very large surplus Stock of DRESS MATEEIIALS, but to make it a Genuine, Cheap Sale. LARGE REDUCTIONS will ba made in all DEPART M*E NTS. XT A T X I N 8



Special Advertisements. H E E A T "OARGAINS! \JC R E A T J-> A R G A I N 8 I GREAT BARGAINS! GREAT BARGAINS! GREAT BARGAINS! JUST OPENED, A SPLBNDID LINE OF ]\|EN'S rpwEED gl/ITS, AT 27 s 6"' * Woßin 453. ONE CASE ]y£ENJS pLAX gHIRTS, With Collars, AT 4s 6 D- Worxu G3 Gd. ONE BALE WHITE gUPER. JJLANKETS, 13 s 6 D- Worth 20a. Inspection specially invited to OUR OWN MAKE OF BOYS' PLAITED TUNIC SUITS, From I*" Note the Addhkhs— J. B. ROBINSON A UCKLANB /CLOTHING ipACTORY. NEXT MESSRS TONKS & CO.'S AUCTION MART. nO-;OPEBATIVE PRICES FOR CASH. CO-OPERATIVE PRICES AND QUICK SALE. CO-OPERATIVE PRICES A PUBLIC BENEFIT. We are Selling the Cheapest DRESS GOODS We are Soiling PRINTd and CALICOS at a Small advance on Cost. MANCHESTER GOODS MILLINERY UNDERCLOTHING Men's and Boys' Clothing At Co-operatlvo Prices. FOR CASH ONLY. JUST O P k E N E A lot of New POMPADOUR PRINTS. P. _C. S. We have adopted the Pure Cash System for tho following reasons :— I.—lt is fairest to both buyer ana seller, be cause, by avoiding bad debts, our Cash Customers will not have to make good the losses occasioned by defaulters, and tho Quick Cash Returns will enable us, as Sellers, to buy more extensively, and take full advantage of cash discounts, in which gain our customers will parti cipate. 2. .The increased business which mnat follow consequent on selling goods at a small advance on cost, will give our customers the same advantage as though they wero shareholders in a Co-operntivo Society. 3, Oar patrons will always havo a large, fresh, and well-assorted Stock to select from. BUY YOUR DRAPERY AND CLOTHING FROM GrARLICK & CRANWELL, CITY HALL ARCADE, QUEEN STRKET AND LORNE STREET. A FEW GOOD REASONS FOR MAKING YOUR PURCHASES AT THB ■J^EVV yK ALAND /CLOTHING ■pACTORY. Tho Materials are manufactured In Now Zealand. The Garments are made in New Zealand. The Money is expended in Now Zealand. Tho Stock to geiort from is the largest in New Zealand. The Cut and Trimmings are equal to bespoke. The Prices, considering the quality and finish, are lower than those of any other house in New Zealand. And notwithstanding the extra tariff just imposed in New Zealand, there ia *3" NO ADVANCE IN PRICES! You can still purchase A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE} PRICE FBOM THE New Zealand Clothing JU ACTORY. Auckland Retail Brancii : QUKKN-STREET, Opposite Theatre Hoy AUR pREAT QA L X OF MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING, HATS, CAPS, AND SHIRTS, COMMENCES THI.S EVENING. All tho New Shipments recently received will be sold at SALE T> RICKS. ALK JT KICKS. J. COBGEAVE & CO. •TIHISLIXU M. 100 DOZEN 2 - BUTTON KID GLOVES (Quite sonnd), Only Is lid per pair. A Large Stock of FANCY GOODS, MILLINERY, COSTUMES, PINAFORES, DRESS GOODS, &€., &C, To be Sold at Net*, Caah, for a Short Time only. DRESSMAKING ON THE PREMISES. Costnmos rnado in 24 hours' notice. A. LINA BU R V Ss C 0., , 201 Aim 208, QUBEN-STRBBT, '



Special Advertieinents. (Q N SALE, Kearsley's Combined Roapors and Mower Mangold and Turnip Drillfl Turnip Slicers Oilcake Breakers Winnowing Machines Lawn Mowers. Also, ' TO ARRIVE, PER 'INGLEWOOD,' Coulter's Corn, Mangold, Turnip, and Manure Drills, combined And Ploughs, doublo andisinglo Harrows Hollers &c. &c. «c The above goods are imported directed rom the manufacturers, and will be sold cheap to makP room for further shipments. vv\ J. HURST & CO., 181. Queen-street.



" Canst thou not minister to a mind Discaßed?" asks the groat master of Human Nature, little recking that to reach tho scat of mental malady, the physical organism imut be first put in a healthy condition. Tho poetry of tho thonght, however, is answered in the philosophy that teaches that a judicious use of Udolpho Wolfos Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps will not only produce a sound ennltary status, but leave the mind unaffected and unimpaired.



TOWN EDITION. PUBLISHED AT 4.30.