SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER^^ t ? 0 6w n10r1g,8.17 ! UNBKT.—This Evening, 7.12. hDNRISE. —To-Morrow Morning, 4.48 .. DON'S AGE.-Full Moon, Uth, 3,15 B.m.

ARRIVALS.

TO-DAY. „ __, ~ Speedwell, ketch, MoLiver, from Norfolk Sovereign, schooner, Hoopar, from Russell Glenalg, s.s.. Farqeh'ar, from Tauranga. fctaffa, s.s., Baker, from Opotiki

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING. Waitaki, 8.5., Edie, for Whangarei

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

London—Wanganul, loading Tauranga-Glouelg, Thursday; Waitaki, Mon-

day Russell-lona, Monday Melbourne, via South—Tararua, Thursday Whangarei and Rnssell-Waitakl. Wednesday Now Plymouth and South-Penguin, Tuesday Whangarei—Argyle, Tuesdays ana Fridays Waitaki, Friday

The s.s.Staffe, from Opotiki, brought 34 Backs maize, 4 hides, and 2 passengers :-Miss Elliott, and Miss Vilooq. ~ „ Thos.s. Glenelg towed tbe brigantine Oamaru, bound for Auckland, out of Tauranga last night. Tho cutter Leah was the only veaael at Meroury Bay yesterday. The 8.8. Glenelg arrived to-day from Tau ranga with 100 sacks gum and.the following pas sengers :—Mrs Forgie and family, Mrs Campny, Misses Bartleman, Latimer, Wilson, and McCabe, Messrs Kensington, MoPherson, Paton, BloCraoKon, Williams, Cowan, Carlton, Smith, .Howard, MoLeod, Joycii Jones, Cripps, Barker, Pound, and 2 steerage. The s.s. Hero is expected from Sydney on Tuesday next.

The ss. Ringarooma, from the South, is ex pected to arrive on Monday next.

The ketch Speedwell arrived in harbour to day. She left Norfolk Island on the 10th, at, 6 p m.; dirty squally weather; wind from N. to N.W. till sighting the North Cape on 13th; from thence fine weather; wind from S.E. till arrived in Bay of Islands on 14th; left Russell on 15th, and arrived in Auokland on tho 18th, after a flue passage. She brings a cargo of fruit and produce and the following passengers:—Mrs McLiver and family, Mr Henderson, Miss Christian.

PORT OF KAIPARA.

Arrivals,—December 13 : Wave of Life; schooner, Herbert, from Lyttelton, with produce. Edith Reid, schooner, McColvilie, from Lyttel ; ton. with produca; December 15: Annie Wilson, schooner, Helgesen, from Auokland, general • December 16: Darcy Pratt, brigantine, Ohlson1 from Auokland, in ballast; December 17 : Syren' brig, Thomson, from Auckland, with 20 tons general. Departures, — December 11 : Marmion, sohooner, Johnson, for Dunedin, with sawn timber; Ada C. Owen, brigantine. McLeod, for Adelaide, with sawn timbor; December 16 : Pakoha, brig, Brewer, for uunedin, with baulk timber,

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Russell, this day. Sailed; Venus, Christina, and Waiwero- Sydney, December 17. Sailed: Hero, for Auckland. Wellington, yeßterday. Sailed: Ringarooma, ior Auckland, via Eaßt Coast. Passengers :—Mr and Mrs Lillirigton, Mesdames Chamberlain, Payao and Carrow, Misses Mahoney, Mcllroy. Wallace, and Taime, Dr, Bakewell, Master Carrow, Messrs Maroney, Campbell, Mcllwaln, Warden, Tabateau. Mala vey, Gray, Wilson, Williams, Snider, and Pollen.

Timaru, yesterday Cleared: Kate McGregor, for Auckland,

THE WEATHER.

AS OBSERVED AT TELEGRAPH STATIONS.

(1.) WIND ESTIMATED AS C—Calm I F. Br.—Fresh Breeze L.-Light St.-Stormy Br.—Breeze I G.—Gale (2.) aneroid barometer. (3.) WEATHER ESTIMATED AS B.—Blue eky, be tho at- o.—Overcast,the whole mosphere clear or sky covered with heavy thick clouds C. — Clouds, passing P.—Passing showers clouds Q.-Squally D.—Drizzling rain K. — Rain, continued F.—Foggy rain G. — Gloomy, dark S.—Snow weather T.—Thunder H.—Hail U.—Ugly, threatening li.—Lightning appearance

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Star Office, Thursday.

Mr R. Arthur reports of his general sale: Fowls, Is M to 2s 9d; chicks, 8d to Is sd; turkeys, 3a 9d to 4s 9d; ducks, Is Id to 2s Aylesbury cdtto, 2a 3d to 2a 9d; geeso, 3s 6d to 4s ; Berkshire pigs, 20s to 355; small pigs, 6s 6d to 12s; potatoes, 2s to 4s; oniono, Id to H ; oats, 2s 3d; wheat. 3a 4d; maize, 2s 9dto 3s; bran, lOd per buiihel: sharps, 5b per 1001b3; chaff, 2s 6d per hag; flour, £8 to £13; oatmeal, lid; cheese, 41 to fid; bacon, 4d to 9d; hams, 7d to 10J; butter, 2Jd to 6£; sugar, 3Jd to 4Jd; tea, b0x,203 to2ss; cnndles, 9Jd; soap. 16s per cwt; lemon peel, Is 2d; biscuits, 6d to 6Jd; coffee, Ib 3d; peanuts, 2d; white lead. 4J. Fruit, ex Tararua: Oranges, lis 9d to lGs 6d; apples, 10s 3d to 123 3d; pears, 8s t0.125; plu .s, ojd to 6d: apricots, 9a; Auckland plums, 3d to 5Jd; gooseberries, 4d to od ; American apples, 3id to 31d; banunas, 2Jd; pumpkins, 3s.

Messrs Carbines and Lusher reports :— Fowls, Is 6d to 2b; ducks, lssd; Produce: Maize (Coast., Us; (Sydney), 2s 9<l; bran, £1 10 i; oats, 2s 3Jd; tea, 20s per bos; half-chests, 2' 3d per Id. ; sugar (white), 4Jd; (brown), 3fd; candles, 9i ; tins biscuits. 12a; Wairoa cheese, od to 5Jd; hams and bacon, 7Jd; new potatoes, 2s 8d to 3a; kidneys, 3s 5d to 4b ; old potatoes, Is 6d per bag; flour, £1 ; soap, 143 per cwt.; starch, 4Jd; rice, 24s per cwt.; oatmeal l}d ncr lb.; salt, Ss 6d per owt

Mr L. W. Katon sold oranges from 15s to 16s 6d per case; second-class, 8s 6d to] 10s Gd; plums, sud to 6d per lb.; apples, 7s 6d to 98 6d per cose; pilars. 9s to 10a 6a por case; apricots, 10Jd per lb.; bananas, 2d to 2Jd ncr lb.

Mr W. Dowden's sale ot prodnce was well at tended. New potatoesruled low, being sold at Is 6d to is per cwt., the latter being an excellent, simple. CROWN LANDS SALE.

Yesterday, at eleven o'olook, a sale of Crown lands took place at the Crown Lands Office. Tho sale was a very small one. Owhetu block, near Hellensville, Kaipara surrey district, blook xiv., section 1, 203 acres, upset price £101 10s; sold to Mr. R. Hall for £150. Block xv,. section 2,278 acres; cold at the upaet price, £139, to Mr. R. Hall. 'J he following lands were leased for one year for the right to dig for and remove kauri gum :—Kalrara block, Hobaon County, Kaipara district, 25,700 acres, upset Iprice £150 ; lease Bold to Mr W. B. Jackson for £110. Manginangina block. Bay ot Islands County, 6,800 acres, upset price £30; bought by Henry Thomas Archer for £70.

AUCKLAND SHAREMAKKET.

December 17. Bank or iSew Zealand—£2l National Bank-68s: buyers, 65s Colonial Bank—Buyera, 47s N.Z. Insurance—7oß.7ls; buyers, 70s National Insurance—Sailers, 278 fid Colonial Insurance—Buyera, 9s 6d

Thames Gas—Buyers, 28s Union Sash & Door—Sellers, £6 N.Z. Loan and Mercantile—Sellers. 56s N.Z. Shipping-Bayers, 82b 6d Accident Inaurence—Sellers 2s 6d Moanataiari G.M.—3ss; buyers, 31s; sellers, 3a fid Alhurnia—Buyers, 32a Caledonian—Buyers, 163; sellers, 17 6d Karanni Hill-Sellers, 6s 3d North Devon—l7s; sellers, 16s 6d Tokatea—Buyers 2s Queen of Beauty—Buyers ss; sellers 63 Southern Cross-Sellers 3s 9d Bonanza—"oilers, 2s Aroha—Sellers 6s

CHIEF POST-OFFICE AUCKLAND.

Mails wiijl Close as Under i— Monday, 20th instant. For Coromandel, tier Coromandol, at 11.30 a.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 2 p.m. For Rusaell, Kawakawa, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per lona. at i p.m. For Tauranga and Opotiki, per Waitaki, at 4 p.m. For Thames, per Enterprise, at 5.30 p.m. Tuesday. 21st instant. For Taranaki and Southern ports, per Penguin, at 8 5 a.m. For Waiwera, Kawau, Omaha, and Matakana, per Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For Wangarei Heads, Walpu, Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Argyle, at i p.m. Thursday, 23rrt instant. For Gisborne, Napier, Southern ports, and Aua. tralian Colonies, per Kingarooma, at 9 a.m, Tuesoay, 4th January, 1881. Per 8.8. City of Sydney as follows :— For Sandwich Islands, United States ot America, Canada, British Columbia, Central ond South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, Japan, and China, including Hongkong, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Bui-ope, at 1 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 11.30 a.m. Late letters bearing an extra tee ot sixpence, in addition to the postage will bo received by the Mail Agent on board the steamer up to the time of sailing.

Tnia mail will be due ln London on Tuesday, February 15, 1881.

ROBT. KAYE, Aotlng Chief Postmaster.

Meetings, Entertainments, &c.

DKCEMnEitIIB, 1880.

Choral Hall—Mr Proctor's locturo on "Tho Moon." 8 p.m.

Y.M.C.A-Address by Boy. J. S. Hill, 7.30 p.m.

Newmarket Hall—Christmas Troo entortaln ment, 7 to 10 p.m. Bakers' Quarterly Meoting—British Hotel 7.30 p.m.

BIRTH.

BAKKR.—On December 13th, at the Parsonage, Te Kopuru, Kaipara, tho wife of the Rev. F. T. Baker, of a daughter. SANKKY.-On December 18. at her residence, Ponsonby, the wife ot 11. Sankey, of v daughter.

DEATH.

HANSON.-On the 17th instant, at Mount Eden, Anne, only daughter of the late John Hanson, Esq , of St. Catherine's County, Antrim, Ire, land.

The funeral will leavo her late residence to-morrow (Sunday), at 4 o'clook p.m.

RYAN On December 17th, Samuel Smyly Ryan; aged 35 years. The funeral will leave his late residence, Wood-street, Ponsonby, Sunday, at 3 p.m.

WHIR.—On the 17th at his residence Symond street, Archibald Weir, aged 47 years. The funeral will leave his late residence on Sunday, the 19th. inst., at 3 o'clock. Friends please accept this invitation- —Home papers please copy.

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

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1880.

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

There is sad trouble in store for the little bow-wows. On the first of January next there will come into operation throughout the colony an Act which has clearly not been drawn by anyone with an undue weakness f r the canine species. The new Act makes a dead set against the whole race of dogs, and many a "cur of low degree " will, unquestionably, fall a victim in its stringent provisions. In the first place, the fee for regis tration is raised to 10s a-year. Now taking the average of dogs, not one in a dozen is worth ten pennies, and it will be a sore strain on the affection borne for the animated pieces of door mat so commonly seen about, to have to pay half-a-soYereign on their behalf. And to keep a dog without register ing, is a still more injudicious pro ceeding, because the penalty is £5, and a premium is offered for the enforcement of the law, All the fees and fines are local revenue, and half the penalty may, if the con victing justices direct, be paid to the person laying the information. When an owner has taken the precaution to register, the dangers to his faith ful companion are by no means over, for a dog must not only have a collar, but he must wear it. Clause 13 pro vides, " Dogs without collars having the proper registration labels thereon shall prima facia be deemed to be unregistered, and any person or his agent upon whose land such dog may be found, or any person duly authorised by the local authority, may destroy any such dog." Dogs run ning at large and frightening horses, dangerous dogs left at large unmuzzled, or kept under insufficient control when not at large, expose their proprietors to the JJpains and penalties of the law, whether the dogs are registered or not. The adminstration of the Act is handed over to the local bodies, and perceiving in it no small source of revenue, a good deal of viligance is likely to cbaracterisejthe collection. In Great Britain the dog licenses, at 7s Cd each, yielded in 1876 the enormous sum of -£340,544. The law goes on the fair assumption that a man who can afford to keep a dog can afford to pay for it,and he must exercise his right so as not to annoy or endanger his neighbours. The number of savage snarling and neglected curs wandering the streets, or pouncing out upon persons passing along tlio public footpaths is so

large as to be a very serious public nuisance. There are streets which ib is positively dangerous to travel at night from this cause, aud if the new Actj succeeds in exterminating the dogs that; are not worth keeping, and in making' owners look better after those which are licensed, it will effect a decided change; for the bettor. j

Reports ot the distribution ot prizes at the Church of England Grammar School, and Mrs Clayton's school, with other matter, are crowded out by a press of advertise ments. Albert White, of Mercury Bay, was entered for the champion scullers race at the forthcoming regatta to-day.

Tho Rev. J. S. Hill held a, service tor children this afternoon ) this evening at 730 he will give an address in the V.M.C.A. Rooms; to-m'drrow (Sunday) he will address a meeting for men only, at three o'clock, and at the usual service in the Theatre Royal he will give hia last address.

The remains of Mr Gilchrist wero con signed to the grave yesterday, followed by a large number of mourners. The deceased was employed in the timber trade on the Breakwater Road, aud waß highly esteemed by all who knew him. The cause.of this sudden death was the breaking of a blood vessel.

A young man, named John Burke, was brought up this morning from Tairua by Constable Joyce, ova charge of uoglecting to support his wife.

A prisoner, Edward Williams, was j brought in by Constable Darrion from Tauranga, by the s.s. Glenelg, having bcou committed tor 3 months under the Vagrant Act, as a rogue and vagabond.

The membora of the newly-formed Satur day Afternoon Recreation Club mado their ittst excursion this afternoon, Vauxhall Gardens being the destination, and archery and croquet the principal sources of amuse ment. The party comprised a large number of ladies and gentlemen, and a pigeon dca patch informs us that tho greatest enjoy ment is being derived from tho trip.

John Brown met with an accident last night by falling outside the Greyhound Hotel, aud, being a cripple, waa unable to rise. Ho had been drinking considerably. Sergeant Clarke, suspecting that ho had broken his leg, sent him at once in a cab to the hospital, in chargo of Constable Rist,

The Rev. J. S. Hill, at the invitation of the incumbent of St. Paul's, will preach in that Church to-morrow evening. Mr Hill's stirring discourses addressed to thoughtful men have already produced good cil'ects iv this city.

The monthly inspection parade of tho Victoria Company takes place ou Tuesday next at 7,30 p.m. in the Drill-shed, As this is the Inst parade which counts for the capitation allowance from tho Government, a full muster ia absolutely necessary.

The annual entertainment of the Victoria Rifles takos place on Boxing night, and promises to he a decided success. Great preparations aro bein» made for it.

Tho first meeting of creditors in the estato of Daniel McAneny, a labourer, was to have been held this morning, but in the absence of a quorum the Registrar ap pointed Mr Thomas Macilhiiaue trustee.

The liabilities are set down at £95 18s 4d, aud the assets (furniture) at £10.

A correspondent writes : "Mr Hanna ford's remarks in your last eveninc's issue were uncalled for, inasmuch as ho believes tne words used by Mr Philips were Senior Mayor, and uuless Mr Hannaford was pro sent and heard the words ho ought not to bo so ready to infer something that was never intended. Whilo admitting that tbo late Mr Archibald Claik was Mayor for a short timo many years since, it must be remembered that the soJealled Municipal Go vernment, if over properly constituted by statute, had a very short life. While all admit that tho late lamented gentlemen served tho city aud colony faithfully for many years—to havo introduced any sub ject upon which a diflerence of opinion might have arisen, upon such an occasion, would have been very bad taste."

The Newmarket Hall bazaar, in aid of the funds of St. Luke's Presbyterinn Church, was largely attended last evening, aud a considerable amount of money taken in ex change for goods. Tho stalls wero iv pos session of the ladies of the church, who dis played business capacities. The entertain ment will be opened again this evening, when selections of music will be given, a few songs by ladies, and ono by Mr Claude Brook, A. A., which will add to tho interest of the bazaar. A band will also be in attendance.

There has been lately turned out at Milan a now kind of bread made with blood from raw flesh. It is said to be a preventive of scurvy, and to do away, among peasants, with all desire for alcoholic drinks. The difficulty of blood coagulation being over come, the " blood bread " will last for years. Twenty per cent, of its ingredients consist of blood, and it is more nutritious than the ordinary loaves of one cent each.

Mr Proctor must often be amused by the questions addressed to him through the newspapers; but probably he was never requested to answer a stupider question thau that asked by a correspondent in our morning contemporary. "Assuming" says the sapient querist, "Mr Proctor's theory of tho life aud death of planets to be correct (which I very much doubt)"—sad this for the lecturer—" will he explain the monstrous proposition of a dead world, (the moon) performing her part in our system with unerring exactness." Mr G. Tibbutt who then asks for au explanation of a " monstrous proposition," does uot show why the dying out of life on a planet should cause tho planet no longer to move as it had been wont to do. He might as reasonably have asked how if animals die (which he may doubt perhaps) their dead bodies can still remain subject to the law of gravity.

Wc iearn that a lady evaugelist from England (Mrs Hampsen), being on a visit to Auckland to recruit her health, has been requested to conduct a series of evangelistic services before leaving, A committee has been formed, representing the different de nominations, 'lhe St. James's Hall has boen hired, and arrangements made for a week's services, to commence on Sunday, tho 19th inst., at 8 o'clock p.m.; also, on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings following at 7.30 o'clock. Prayer meetings are to be held each morning at seven o'clock. Mrs Hampson has success fully laboured for many years in Liverpool and other large centres in England, holding misaions in churches of all denominations, drawing large crowds of people, that have increased each succeeding evening so much as to defy the capacity of the largest halls to accommodate the people before the close of the missions. The English newspapers describe Mrs Hampson as "eloquent and sympathetic in her appeals to both heads and hearts." Iv every case where Mrs Hampson has had her missions the result has been large additions to the membership ot the various churches.

The Committee of the Auckland Kifle Association met last evening, Captain Mahon in the chair. A letter from Mr J. M. Clark intimated his acceptance of the office of vice-president. It was agreed that matches be held on January 29th with the same ranges as in previous years. The sub scription fees were fixed. An all-comers' match was arranged, competitors to use any class of rifle. The matches will be con ducted according to the rules of the New Zealand Rifle As«ociation.

The shades of the great Irish orator Curran must have been severely exercisea yesterday when one of his 'degenerate descendants—or any rate a namesake, John Philpot Curran—was placed in durance vile for using obscene language. The great orator often used somewhat strong language, but there is no record in history of his ever haying been guilty of using words unfit for polite ears. But the times change, and men change with them.

The examination of the boys of St. Peter and St. Patrick's schools was held yester day afternoon in St. Patrick's hall, Hobson street. About 100 children were present, uuder tho care of|their teachers, Mrs Croniu and Mr Fisher. His Grace the Archbishop presided, accompanied by tbe Very Key. Father Fyues, V.C., and Father Walter McDonald, A number of the parents and friends of the pupils were present, and manifested much interest in the proceedings, which were opened by a song—"Little Drops ot Rain," prettiiy rendered by the children. An appropriate address was read to His Grace hy Master Daniel Kirby, to which the Archbishop replied in affectionate terms._ The pupils were exercised in tbe following subjects :—Catechism, reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic, geography, grammar, geometry, and mensuration, and acquitted themselves satisfactorily, Masters George Martin and James Mooney gave, in a spirited manner, Tennyson's " Charge of the Light Brigade." The prizes were then distributed to the scholars by the Arch bishop, who gave each recipient a kindly word, stating that the vacation would now commence, and would terminate on the Monday following the feast of the Epiphany, and recommended the children to enjoy their holidays in a profitable and becoming manner. The pupils then gave three hearty * cheers for His Grace, and separated. The room was suitably decorated, and over the school entrance were the words "A thousand .welcomes to our venerated Arch-1 bishop." *

The Committee of the Auckland Society j of Arts will offer prizes ranging from one j guinea to £5. J

The inquest at the Gaol yesterday on the body of the Maori prisoner terminated in the common verdict, " death from natural causes," in accordance with medical testi mcHiy.

To the Editor: Sir,—l see you take notice of the case Black v. Dunnett, for £9 13s 6d, which was tried at the R.M. Court yesterday. You say the amount was for goods supplied. As lam not in the habit of appearing in Court, and your report is greatly abridged, I would ask you for space to stats what those goods were. Mr Dunnett sent tor me to make a coffin for a Samuel Jerram, who die! in the Lunatic Asylum, ou the 31st September, 1870, and on the strength of his stating to me that, he had between £200 and £300 of Jerram's money locked up at the time in discounting billc, I undertook the job, as Mr Dunnett said some of the bills would be free in about three months from that time, and that he would pay me in that time. I have frequently applied for payment since, but I have always been put off. In the Court he claimed protection, not of infancy, but bankruptcy.—Youi-s, &c.-, A. Black.

Now that the Christmas holidays are approaching, and the Domain is likely to be hugely frequented for recreation and amusement, we would suggest that the Domain Board should take measures to prevent cricket matches being played in the open in front of the trees under which the public liud grateful shade from the sun's rays. During former holidays, this open ground has beeu monopolised by juvenile cricketers, to the imminent danger and in convenionco of holiday seekers, so that tho ground has not boen available for footraces, aud other sports. Thorc is no excuse whatever for this, as tho cricket ground has been enlarged, and alfords sullicient space for live matches at onco. Last year there were two or three serious accidents from UyiiiK ctiokot balls, through matches being played iv the open which ought to be available for holiday-makers. The Domain Board should proliibt cricket playing on the ground referred to during the holidays.

One of tho most simple and effective processes, it would appear, for preserving the dead, li'is recently been brought forward in Germany. By this method it is stated the dead bodies of human beings nnd animals fully rotain their form, color and flexibility continuously, and may be dis sected while decay and offensive smell arc completely prevented—the muscular flesh, upon incision, presenting the samo appear ance as iv the caso of a fresh dead body. Tho liquid used for this purpose is prepared aa follows: Three quarts bailing water, three and one-halt ounces alum, six drams common salt, threo drams salt peter, two ounces potash, and two and one half drains arsenic acid ; thoso salts are dissolved in water and then there are added two pints of glycerine, and one half pint of wood alcohol. The embalming is accom plished by simply saturating nnd impreg nating tho bodies with this composition, from ono and a half to flvo quarts boing used for a singlo body.

It is strange what scopo for Ingenuity there is even in these hard times. The following account may not bo without int'-i-est to some of our local auctioneers :— A lady called on a certain auctioneer and

wished him to sell a valuable picture for

her. It was an old family relic, but pecuniary circumstances compelled her to part with it. A reserve was accordingly settled at £40. The picture, in due time, was put up tor sale, when to the astonish ment of tho auctioneer au apparent enthusiast ran it up to a hundred pounds. This individual, who was acknowledged to bo a good judge of pictures, had strolled into tho auction mart aud resolved to go in for a big spec, and was totally indifferent as to how it should turn out. The picture was accordingly knocked dowu to our venturer, who walked up and down the mart exhibiting the utmost coolness and indifference. Presently and old son of Gaul mado his appearauca on the scene and accosted the buyer, when, after a good deal of bowing and scraping, the fol lowing conversation ensued :—" Sure, how much you vaut for zat picture ?" " Don't

want to sell it; it's a, valuablo one, aud I

want it myself." "Ecoutez! I vill give you yon huntret nnd twenty-five pounds vor it." "No; I won't sell it." Seeing that the irritable Frenchman was deter-

mined to have tho picture, the purchaser

kept him going until the old son of Gaul said, " Vote veil; I give you two huntrct.'1 Tlio scheme worked safely; and having settled with the auctioneer for the amount requiicu, the speculator walked out of the mart, chuckling over his success, and tho fact that he had not only done himself a good turn, together with the lady before mentioned and tho auctioneer, but found himself tho posssesor oE £100 to boot.— Gra

An excellent entertainment was given last evening in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, chief with the view of receivina the beautiful silk banner from Mrs Hendry Somervell, which was noticed in the STAR. The Rev. A. Carrick occupied the chair, and spoke the introductory words. Several friends of Sunday-schools were prcseut, in cluding Mr Bennett, superintendent of St. Andrew's Sunday-school, and Mr Earl and

his music class. Tho singing and pianoforte

performances by several of the scholars were worthy the laudation they received from the auditory. Several addresses were given by the chairman, Mr Larkins, Mr MactFarlane, and the superintendent. Mr Bennett pro posed a vote of thanks in graceful terms to Mrs Somervell for her excellent gift, to

which Mr McLaughlin replied on behalf of Mrs Somervell, and on the motion of Mr Sibbin, a vote was passed to the choir, and on the motion of Mr John Reid, thanks were accorded to the chairman, who briefly acknowledged the compliments.

Thanks are returned by the authorities ol tho Refuge for £1 from " Apology,"

The monthly inspection parade of Rifle Battalion will oome off on Tuesday next at 7.30 in tho Drill-shod.

The railway time-table for the Christmas holidays is advertised In another column. Tho goods shed will be closed on Christmas Day, on the 27th inst., and on January Ist and 2nd.

Anniversary services will be held in the Nowmarkct Primitive Churoh to-morrow. Roy. J. Long will preach at 2.30 in the attsrnooon, and Mrs Hampson and Mr G. Homtis at 6.30 in the evening. A tea-mooting will tako place on Tuesday.

Having acoumul .ted a store of pledges of mutual regard whioh were left uutil called for, and which the owners appoar dis posed to loave to thoir fate, Mr Neumegen has decided to realise, therefore a sale of unre deemed pledges will bo held by Mr G. Lewip, at hia stores next to Meßsra Owen and Graham, on Tuesday next at 12 o'olook. Hero is a chance for Christmas presents.—See advertisement,

The Accident at Tiritiri.

RECOVERY OF THE BODY.

The Customs1 launch and water police boat returned from Tiritiri last evening with the body of the boy Leitb, who fell over tho cliff thero on Monday last. They left en Thursday afternoon, but owing to the heavy surf were unable to land until yester day morning at 10 o'clock. Immediately they stepped on shore the body was ob served lying on the shingle beach, right under the place from which the boy was said to have fallen. The spot was a short dis tance abovo high water mark, and was covered in by a projecting piece ot rock. The corpse was placed on board the water police boat, and after considerable difficulty and some danger, she was pushed off the shore. Mrs Leith desired to see the body of her son, but as it was partially decom posed, her request was not granted. Steam was got up ou the Customs' launch, and it left for Auckland late in the afternoon with Mr Leith and one of his sons on board. On arrival here the corpse was conveyed to the dead-house, there to await an inquest. INQUEST ON THE BODY. An inquest was held this afternoon at tho Freeman's Hotel, beforo Dr Philsonll Coroner, and a jury, on the body of Alfred Arthur Leith, second son of Captain Leith, of tho Tiritiri lighthouse, who was drowned on tho 13th inst., full particulars of which appeared in the STAR ot Wednesday last. Sergeant Martin, ot the water police, re presented the force. The only witness examined in connection with the melancholy accident was the elder brother of deceased, whose evidence was simply a repetition of the before-published statement. He and his two brothers left their home on Monday afternoon for the purpose of gathering Christmas flowers when the accident oc curred.

Sergeant Henry Martin deposed to find ing the body, accompanied by Mr McKay and the constables, face downwards, close under the cliff, apparently at the spot where he fell. The body was much bruised, and decomposition had set in. They pulled for the launch, and the body was conveyed to Auckland wharf aud placed in the morgue. Much praise is due to Sergeant Martin, Mr McKay, and the Constables for the persevering efforts in quest of the body of the unfortunate lad.

Tho jury, having considered the evidence, returned a verdict of " Accidental Death."

Much sympathy is felt for Captain and Mrs Leitti in thoir bereavement.

Scintillations.

" Be brief; fcr it lS w ca words as with sun beams: the more they are condensed, the deeper they burn."—Soothey.

The women who do fancy work don't fancy work. Upwards of 3,500 are liable to the property tax in Wellington, Mr B. N. Garland, settler of Cambridge, has been committed for trial on a charge of sheep stealing. He was admitted to bail. Mr Perkins owns a reef at Temora four feet in width, and the test from unpicked stone gives a return of soz and a fraction to the ton.

The breaking-up party in connection with East Hamilton school on Thursday night was a great success. Mrs Canning pre sented the prizes. A nasty accident occurred to a lad named Smith, iv the employ of Mr F. Vialou, of Hamilton. A scythe which he was carry ing on his shoulders 'came across the calf of his leg, inflicting a Severe .Vound ou the muscle.

A public meeting at Greymouth passed a resolution in favour of constructing a rail way between tho East and West coasis of the" Middle Island, and urged the Govern ment to assist. We should like anyone to tell us where the money is to come from. Yah I—What is tht. really best of all sub stitutes for bad gas?-Why, good gas, of course. Two men named Samuel Jenkins and Alexander Waddell wero drowned by the capsize of a canoe near Weutport yesterday. " Nothing shall be dono hastily," cries a fellow who wants to be considered a philo sopher and a man has only to get hold of a hot poker to reahso that the philosopher is wrong. The three men who captured Andre were playing cards in the bushes ns he rode up. tlad they not come there to play cards he would have escaped, and onr country been lost. Let us tako the right bower of hearts, for our national ensign :—" Detroit Free Press."

—At -.Ctna Princo Alfred sat on

Tho edgo of tlie crater for fun. When a hornet stung him, And ho cried with a vim:

" Groat Scott, tho eruption's bsgun!'

How to turn people's heads—come to a concert late in a pair of squeaking boots.

An Ohio newspaper speaks of a man being bruised by the "omphalic gesture of a mule."

The painter Z. is ill. A journal an nounced tho thing in saying that his state caused great disquiet to his friends. " Sac risti I" cried 8.. a sceptic, " then ho owes them mohey, does he." Danbitry street lamps resemble people in love in that they are out on moonlight nights, A late minister of Biggar, 'who was a reader iv the pulpit, closed his discourse with tho words, "1 add no more." "Be cause ye canna," oxclaimed an old woman from her pew. If you drink too much Edinburgh ale it will 110 doubt play hop-Scotch with you.

A cockney who frequents a cheap res teraunt says he is like the Phoenix, because ho frequently rises from his hashes. An old minister recently asked a woman what could be dono to induco tho husband to attend church. " I don't know," she re plied, " uuless you wore to put a pipe and a jug of whiskey in the pow." At a recent wedding in Slawson the bride's father gave the young couple 500dols. A friend spoke to him of the magnitude of the gift. " You haven't got a marriageable daughter, and so don't know," answered the father, " but I think I got off cheap." Barney Bryan entered a tailor's shop, and, throwing a dilapidated garment on the counter, requested that it might be " done up." " Don't you think, sir," observed the snip, " that before having this coat done up it would bo as well for you to pay for it? You bought it here nearly six years ago." "And didn't I pay forit?" nskedß. 8., with a surprised air. "No, sir," "Then on second thoughts I don't think I'll havo itnt all. Good morning." "I never did like that old coat," he continued sovercly as he stepped into the outer air.

Garrard on the Stump.

THE meeting of unemployed convened tor ast evening at the Temperance Hall waa atteuded by between fifty and sixty respect able and orderly looking men. Mr Cutiey was voted to the|chair, and opened the pro ceedings in a brief speech. Garrard, the unemployed agitator, then mounted the rostrum, and during the two following hours tho audience was treated to ono of his illogical and ungramniatical harangues. The principal object of his stump oration ap peared to bo to induce tho electors to send him to Wellington to represent them in Parliament. He raved against the Municipal bodies and the employers of labour, and assured the audieuce that his blood "twinkled" for them. At various stages of the procecdins-s, numbers of men walked out of the room, and eventually tho agitator was compelled to sit down by cries of "time" and "shut up." Mr P. Neylon asked to be allowed to say a few words, and was received with cheers. He said if he had known that he was to have been bored with such a long .tirade, of villanous abuse and disgusting Billingsgate slang, he would not have attended the meeting. Re con sidered the uncomplimentary language which had been applied to the employers of labour was in the main unjust, and he thought that it would not be a very difficult matter to put the question in a different light altogether. It must be apparent to them that their interests were identical with those of the masters, but in asking for work they must adopt a different course from that pursued by Mr Garrard. He read extracts to show that on previous occasions the mayor had treated the un employed with extreme courtesy, and had done all in hia power to further their efforts to obtain employment. The majority of the councillors too had always been anxious to asiist them, but then they had made their re quests for work in a respectful and orderly manner, They should combine together in a properly organised body, and by acting rationally and sensibly in applications to the authorities they would receive courtesy and consideration in return, and their petition would be treated with a proper amount of attention. They required no out-pourings of Billingsgate, slang but sensible construction and energetic work. The speaker then expressed himself in favour of an act to provent contractors from working dangerous works, and limiting falls ot earth to twelve feet; while ho thought fines should bo inflicted for non completion of contracts on proper dates. The Government, too, should sco that the wages of the men were properly paid. The address was listened to with attention, and at the conclusion Mr Neylon was cheered. Mr Garrard then took up his position on the platform, and upbraided in no measured terms the interference of Mr Neylon, who, he said, had spoilt his nice comfortable meeting. That man had formed associa tions of his own, but the unemployed would not work with him ; they did not like him. Garrard then moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, but the audieuce did not appear to be inclined that way. The agitator then returned thanks on his behalf, aud the meeting dispersed.

(To the Editor.)

Auckland October 18 1880: Sir,— Will yeu be so kind as to faviour me and my brother working citizens by putting this letter in your papor i feel rather supprised of me ignornt leerned friend part of stepping in at the 11 hour and trying to upset the god cause of a number of Respecteblehard. working men by saying that they met him well praps so then and what he had done well he aud others did get up a socierty through his billinggite slang and crafty ways what did me friend and some of his friends say to me diffrent times when they gave me a heep of their rules and telling me that i could have funs out of the bank be longing to the socierty if it would only get the men back again to join but Mr Garrard weerent so mean to take their money but he strongly advised the men to join the anser as been to me by a great number that they should not it me friend is there in it and he and others also said tbat the working men of auckland werent worth luking after} that they be gruged tho money for ther contribution if this ignornt friend had working men at heart What dose he whant the poor men to craul after these kidglebed men for if he is a poor mans friend let him claim their rights manfuly and not beg it this friend must be jeleus i have no disregard to any sex i might take me friend to be a billinegibe bulloy as,tor meabbuseive languo me friend will not be inclined himself to it as action will soon follow—Mr G Garrard

[Our " whip " hand at interpreting manu script has tried his best with the above, but the copy in places was too much for him, and he leaves the reader to make out what it all means.—Ed. E.H.]

Messrs O'Brien and Glenn, who have recently taken the New Zealand Bakery, Par nell, call attention to their ihristmits Cakes and Minco Pies in another column, which will be ready on Christmas Eve.

The members of the Primitive Methodist Church, Alexandra-street, intend to have a Christmas tree aud concert on Monday after-

oon at 3 o'clock and in the evening at 7,80 They have secured the services of some of our best looal singers, bo that a pleasant aud enjoy able evening may be anticipated. The prices of admission is children, Od ; adults, Is. This not only secures admission to the concert, hut also a gilt off the tree.

CABLEGRAMS.

EUROPEAN.

[BBUTBB'S Till Hi' Git A MS, J

MONEY MARKET.

LONDON, December 16. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is £14,250,000. Consols have further declined and are now quoted at par. NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE. Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, 50s 6d. New Zealand wheat, ex ship, remains at 445. There is a fair demand for most de scriptions of Australian hides, and prices generally are Jd lower. THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

LONDON, December 17.

The arrival of the Orient steamship from Australia with a shipment of Australian fresh meat, was made, by the owners of the Orient Company, the occasion of a graud luncheon, on board the yes 631 to-day, when various dishes were served consisting of imported meat. A number of guests were invited* including many leading bolonist?. Sir Julius Vogel, Sir Arthur Blyth, Mr Stanton, and Sir Daniel Cooper were pre sent, and mado speeches on the occasion. Sir Daniel Cooper advised steps being taken to steadily develop a trade in fresh meat from tne colonies without attempting to force its sale in the London market.

MORE TROOPS FOR IRELAND. Notwithstanding the large addition which has recently been made to the forces in Ireland, the Imperial authorities in that country have asked for further reinforce ments in the disturbed districts, aud more troops have accordingly been ordered to proceed from England without delay. It is announced that Messrs Watson and Hughes will be knighted.

TH E RUSSO-CHINA DIFFERENCE. LONDON, December 16.

News has been received that the negotia tions which have been proceeding at Pekin between M. Buzou, the Russian Minister, and the Chineso Government, for tho settle ment of the questions in dispute in regard to the Kuldja territory, are progressing satisfactorily. The deliberations of the Rus sian and Chinese delegates have assumed the most peaceable phase, and it is consi dered that there is every prospect of a com plete understanding beiug arrived at by the two countries

ENGLISH SHIP IN DANGER,

LONDON, December 16.

Tho barque Melanesia, 1224 tons, which left Port Pirie, South Australia, on the 23rd of September, for England, has put into Pernambuco, Brazil, for the re-stowage of cargo, which had badly shifted. Owing to the danger she was in part of the cargo was thrown overboard before rcachins; Pernambuco.

AUSTRALIAN.

ADVERSE REPORTS ABOUT NEW ZEALAND.

SYDNEY, December 17.

A number of working men arriving at Newcastle from New Zealand by recent vessels, state that that colony is in a vory depressed condition, and that hundreds are waiting a chance to quit.

ADELAIDE MARKETS. ADELAIDE, December 17.

The price of wheat per bushel is 4s 6d for old Adelaide wheat; new is ?,s sd. The tone of the wheat market generally is quiet. Adclaido flour £10 15s; country, £9 10s, Freights to London by sailing vessels, 50s ; freights to the United Kingdom, 50s; freights to the United Kingdom from out ports, 52s 6d.

The Parihaka Meeting.

[BY TELEGRAPH, OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1

TE WHITI'S LATEST EXHORTATION.

PUNGAREHU, this day. The Parihaka meeting was largely attended, although perhaps not by quite so many as at the half-yearly meetiug, No allusion was made to the murderer Tuhi. At nine o'clock tho food was placed on the marae, and alter an hour and a quarter had been spent on its division aud partial consumption, the so-called prisoners—that is those who have been continually at the fences— men and women, marched to the marae in single file, aud when they had taken their seats Te Whiti commenced speaking. He exhorted his people to continue doing ex actly as they had been—to resist all piovo cation if it were a breach of tho peace, that all might see whose work was good and whose was bad. He characterised the ; works of the Government as eminently bad, ' but bade them to be long-suffering. If any persons of the two races inhabiting the island wished to judge which is rght and which wrong, let them come to Parihaka and see and hear for themselves. Let your behaviour be as of old, and look quietly on the evil which is being held. Are all bad and so are all things given to this generation of Maoris. The speech of Te Whiti lasted an hour, and so also did that of Tohu, after which Te Whiti again spoke for a few minutes. TOHU'S SPEECH. Tohu said it was correct that there were only two things to be said—the first was that they must continue in their present behaviour. And the other—that if any wished to judge of the conduct of the two nations, let them come to Parihaka and see. They were keeping quiet; tbey were not lazy, for a man had arisen who was working for them

Te AVhiti's final remarks were made in a voice of anger. At first he called them a deceitful and lying lot ot people, but said that Jehovah had taken them under His protection, and bade them to cease fearng for the result. In conclusion he said that those who had escaped prison were reposing quietly, and the land was lying in the same place as of old, and that when he lirst arose the latter would be returned to them.

Both Te Whiti and Tohu strongly depre cated die auctions of land, aud the latter spoke of them as equal in badness to a war. but bade them not interfere.

Tho Parikaka meeting has closed. Tito kowaru and his people return to the Plains for a few days to fetch corn to be taken back into the bush at the back of Parikaha, where extensive clearings are being made. The whele of the bush laud between Parihaka and the Mountain has been divided between the tribes inhabiting the AVest Coaßt and others resident at Parihaka. The lines have been cut and claimed by the natives, and the subdivision for the various hapus made systematically in proportion to the numbers composing each hapu. The block is in the shape of a triangle, of which Mount Egmont forms the base, and Parihaka tbe apex. The subdividing lines run trom the apex to the base, and the Ngatiruanui tribe takes the southern wing, Ngatiana the northern, and Taranaki tho centre.

The Parihaka natives say that Whareapa, who murdered his Europeon wife in the Chatham Islands, has always been a staunch Government mau, and they strongly deprecate the attempts mado to connect all Maori criminals with Te Whiti.

The Ngatiama tribe were returning this morning, but were detained by Te Whiti to fall bush.

Mr G. Dane writes that the price of a dinner at Mr Velth's dining-room is Si, not Is, and he urges working men and others to patronise Mr Voith.

The Theatre Royal will be re-opened on Tuesday evening next by thoLingards. who will perform the original oomeoy opera of "Stolen Kisses," Miss Lingard as "Jenny Temple," an heireßS, and Mr W. H. l.ingard as "Tom Spirit." Theea talented performers, it is hoped, will receive a hearty welcome from Auckland citizens.

Tho preparations for the New Year conoert and ball, to he held on the evening of Monday, 3rd January, in the Choral Hall, are progressing favourably. Tho proceeds of tho concert will go to the fund of No. '3 Company of Volunteers. The conoert will comprise two sections: the first, the refined chair perform anc, hy Dean's Minstrels, inoluding the comio and sentimental elements of song and colloquial humour; and the second part will ba sustained by ladles and gentlemen. The programme of tho whole will appear with the Christmas ever greens.

The Hobson corps are referred to an ad vertisement in another; column re Inspection Parade on Tuesday next, being the last parade in the capitation year. Every member is expected to attend.

The Catholic Bazaar will bo opened iv the Albert Hall, Darby-street, on Tuesday next at 3 p.m. Jndigng from the amount of activity displayed by the larties for|a considerable time past, and their well-known skill in preparing fanoy, ornamental, and useful nick-nacks, it ought to ho one of the best displays of the kind ever held in Auckland.

Announcements of Sunday services will be found in the usual column. Mrs Hampson will deliver the first ot her series of gospel addresses in St. James's Hall at 8 p,m. Rev. J. S. Hill will give a special address to young men at 3 o'clock, in the large room of the Young Men's Christian Association, Mr Geo. A. Brown will deliver a second lecture on " Spiritualism" in the evening in the Temperance Hall. H van gelical addresaes by ministers at tho Theatro Royal; a selected choir under dlreotlon of Mr Tudehope,

TE AROHA GOLDFIELDS.

(From Today's " advertiser," per STak Carrier PiGEdN.)

MorGantown, Friday. Since my last visit to the Smile t)f Fortune (Arnold and party), satisfactory progress has been made in the extension of the main tunnel. Forty feet have now been driven. The shareholders have abaudoned work on tbe leader which they followed up so long j and are driving ahead for the purpose of cutting the Morning Star lode, which they expect to cut in another 10 or 15 feet. When it is to hand they will drive north and south on it, and take out a crushing. Two tons of quartz from the leader are on hand, and it is the intention of the shareholders to have it crushed after the holidays. In the prospecting dtive operations have been sus pended pro. tern., and the men working there have been put on to cut a trench on the upper boundary, with a view to cut any leaders that may be situated at that point. I believe most of the party intend to work during the holidays!. In the Golden Gate the two prospecting drives are being rapidly pushed ahead, and in tho upper one the leader for which the shareholders are driving is expected to be intersected before Christmas. Steps are being taken to fornl the property into a company; The Directors of tbe Morning Star have decided not to let a contract for driving on the lode till after Christmas. Wagesmenare now conducting operations, and a trial crushing is being broken out. The reef this morning looks really well, although little gold is showing. Several of the proprietors are prospecting other portions ot the ground, and one of them yesterday picked up on tbe surface a very fair speci men stone.

Withiu the past week three leaders have been intersected iv the All Nations, but none are of a very promising character. /Vnother one is now making its appearance in the face, and from the quantity of water which is flowing out it is believed to be of large size. The tunnel in the Last Hope, situated on the south of the Hot Springs, has been driven a distance of 40 feet, through easy country. Two leaders have been cut, but they are of poor quality, and the share holders (Jennings, JCocbrane, and party) do not intend to follow them up. Although the claim is on the hillside water is oozing freely from the face of the drive. There is nothing fresh from the Pros pectors' nor the Bonanza. CHRISTMAS SPORTS. Steps are being taken to inaugurate Christmas sports here. The tender of Dennis Murphy, £35 10s, ] has beon accepted for forming the street to Lipseytown bridge site. Mr Wilson, draper, sustained a severe shaking by a fall from his horse, when crossing Komata Swamp. In the case ot Allen Christy v. Lindsay Jackson and others, a claim to a portion ol tho Omahu claim on the ground of illegal pegging and non-working, Mr Kenrick awarded the claim to plaintiff.

Sporting.

A.R.C. SUMMER MEETING.

The following are the general entries received by tho Secretary, Mr Percival, last night for the forthcoming races. Maiden Plate.—Bobbett's Woolbroker, Walmsley's Moonstone, McKinnon's Strathctd, Byer's Vortex, Lenuard's Kenilworth. Farmer's Florence, Smith's Tim Whiffler, McGee's Mother Bunch's Baby, McDonald's Edward James, Buckland's Princo Charlie, Walter's Rosnrina.

Handicap Hurdle Race.—Lunn's Lone Hand, Butler's Agent, Kelly's Mignonette, Gallagher's Harry Mount. Railway Plate.—Farmer's Paramena, Smith's Tim Whiffler, McDonald's Edward James, Buckland's Prince Charlie, Walter's Billingsgate, and blk f by Hippocampus, dam Slander, 2yrs. Derby Stakes.—Bobbett's Woolbroker, Walmsley's Moonstone, Byer's Vortex Lennard's Kenilworth, Farmer's Florence, Farmer's Rewi, Smith's Tim Whiffler, Buckland's . Prince uharhe, Walters' Kosarion.

Publicans' Purse. — Farmer's Para mena, Lance's Foul Play, Smith's Maid of Honour, McDonald's Edv.-.vd James, Walters' Billingsgate, Darrow's Ratcatcher, £100, Bates' Hilda, £200, Farmer's Paramena, £100, Vallance's Lara, McDonald's Edward James, £100, W. Walters' Billingsgate, W. Walters' by Hippocampus, dam Slander. Grand - Stand Handicap.—Bobbetts Woolbroker, Fraser's Betrayer, White's Matana, Darrow's Ratcatcher, Bates' Hilda, Byers' Vortex, Lennard's Kenilworth, Farmer's Paramena, Farmer's Florence, Mitchelson's Vampire, Lance's Foul Play, Horsfall's King Quail, smith's Maid of Honour, McDonald's Edward James, Buck land's Prince Charlie, Walters' Billingstrate, Walters' Grand Duchess, Walters' Libeller.

Auckland Plate.—Walmsley's Moon stone, Fraser's Betrayer, Edgar's Ariel, Lennard's Kenilworth, Lance's Foul Play, Smith's Maid of Honour, Walters Grand Duchess.

Stewards' Handicap.—White's Ma tana, Darrow's Ratcatcher, Lance's Foul Play, Hunt's Yatapa, Bates' Hilda, Len nard's Kenilworth, Farmer's Florence, Farmer's Rewi, Farmer's Paramena, Val lance's Lara, Mitchelson's Vampire, Smith's Maid of Honour, Smith's Tim Whiffler, McDonald's Edward James, Buckland's Prince Charlie, Walters' Billingsgate, Walters' Grand Duchess, Walters' Libeller, Walters' Venus Transit, Horsfalls' King Quail.

POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

(Before B.C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.)

DRUNKENNESS,

Edward Stritliog, and James Culbert, were charged with drunkenness, pleaded guilty, and lined 5s each. Mary Car, micbael,; second^ offence. The old lady said she supposed sho was drunk, but she could not remember. The case being proved, a fine of 10s was imposed. MATRIMONIAL JARS. Andrew Kirkwood, on warrant, was charged with wilfully and knowingly striking Anne Kirkwood in tho face on two occasions at Parnell, Defendant denied the charge. He simply pushed Anne out of doors for reasons best known-to himself.

Anne Kirkwood deposed that her hus band had recently been drinking very much. She had to work hard for her bread, and by her labour had supported her husband. She was married in February, 1844, and had travelled together nearly round the world. On the 16th and 17th of December he was very cruel, and beat and kicked her. He was very irritable when under the influence of drink, still she did not wish to punish her husband if it could be prevented.

His Worship said he was sorry to see a mau of prisoner's years in such a position, and, aa this was the third time he had been charged with cruelty to his wife, he must order him to find sureties to'keep the peace for three months, himself in £20, and another in the same amount, or be im prisoned in default. PICKING AND STEALING. Samuel Blair and ; James Holt, aged 9 and 11, were charged with stealing pieces of wood, value Is lOd, on the 17th inst, the property of Frederick Bugden, of Auck land. The boys pleaded guilty to taking tho wood. Mr Pardy explained that the wood was taken irom Barrack Hill, Mrs Holt said that she had always im pressed upon her boy the commandment " Thou shall not Steal," and she could not understand how James could have been so naughty.

Mrs Blair expressed her surprise. She looked upon Samuel as one of tho best of boys.

His Worship said he feared that the boys were encouraged at home in these practices. It was the duty of parents to make the boys go back with the wood at once.

Mr Pardy said theee practices were too common at places where buildings were iv progress. Mr Bugden. had suffered consider ably in consequence; still he did not wish to see the boys sent to prison. Mrs iHolt wished to say that she never encouraged James to bring home anything but chips and shavings. His Worship : Chips aud shavings lead, as in the present instance, to stealing timber ! However, as Ithe boys appeared respectable, well-fed, and well-clad,he would deal lightly with them, and allow them to return to their parents, but if they appeared iv Court again on a like charge, the Court would send them for three or four years to the Naval Training School. He hoped, however, that in future they would keep their bauds from picking and stealing, and learn that an honest coursejis the safest and most honourable for boys and men to pur sue.

The boys were discharged with tears shining iv their eyes, and were gratefully received by their anxious mothers.

THE PARNELL CANING CASE,

Mr Tyler informed the Couit that the in formant, in the charge against Mr De Lisle Hammond, was desirous o withdrawing it,

as his son had behaved very badly, and had transgressed to a far greater extent than Mr Heather had imagined. The castigatioa .Vas slight in comparison to the conduct of th b pupil. Withdrawn;

This was all the business,

Our Wellington Telegrams.

[BY TELEGRAPH, OWN CORRESPONDENT],

WELLINGTON, this dafr. The Government has decided not to fill up the vacancy caused by tbe resignation of Magiflnity, Secretary of the Telegraph Departmenti

A telegram reports the Parihaka meeting not very numerously attended. Te Whiti preached, continued patience and forbear ance. .. _

tuhi's Fate.

The Government only have ]ust received a cony of the judges notes on Tuhi's fcasfc so it is unceitoiiu ifrhen his fate will bo' decided.

Mr K. A. Proctor's Second Lecture.

"THE SUN."

MR. R. A. Proctor delivered last night to a crowded audience in the Choral Hall, tho second of his series of astronomical lectures the subject being " The Sun," He opened with a brief reference to the grandeur of the orb, which was tho centre and direc.or of our solar system—the source of life, and heat, and light, and the most glorious object which met our eyes. If the Creator could ever be forgotten in the creature, the Sun supplied that instance, and man might almost be forgiven for worshipping him as God. To compute the distance of our planet from this central orb of the system, was one of the hardest tasks that science had ever set human ingenuity and skill The problem had been attacked in ten or twelve different ways, and of course the te. suits had not altogether tallied one with another. The attempt might be compared to the endeavour of a surveyor to determine from a fixed base line the exact position of some inaccessible object. The operators would have to observe from either end of the base line the direction in which the ob ject was seen. The only base line, however, which the astronomer had in determining the sun's distance from us was the earth, which as compared with the sun, Was simply as a disc of an inch of diameter at a distance of 324 yards. And yet it was from the surface of such a diminutive globe that an object so far removed as the sun bad to be measured, and the intervening distance accurately calculated. To add still further to the difficulty of the work the little disc referred to was not stationary, but was for ever changing and rotating. After explaining the manner in which eclipses assisted the elucidation of the problem, the lecturer went on to say that thedistance had been computed so carefully that whatever variation from the fact there might be in the calculation it did not extend beyond 200,000 or 300,000 miles either way. The wonder was not that such an error should be made, but that such great exactitude should be attained with such slender means. It was almost certain tbat the sun's distance from the earth was something between 92,000,000 and 93,000,000 miles—probably 92,500,000 miles as nearly as could be stated. It was absolutely impossible for the mind of man to conceive of such a vast distance, but the idea might be so presented to us as to impress us with some slight conception of the immensity of the space which the figures represented, The railway trains which ran across the Ameri can Continent between New York and San Francisco travelled at the rate of 500 miles per day, occupying seven days to do the whole journey—3soo miles, which was only a small segment of the earth's surface. A train travelling at that rate from the earth towards the sun and maintaining it un slackened till the finish would be 300 years in traversing the distance. Again, a cannon ball fired from an Armstrong gun, and retaining its speed undimi. nished from the moment of propul sion, would be three years in winging its tremendous flight thither, and it would be half 'a year later ere the sound of the explosion caused by its discharge from the earth would reach the sun. To give a more striking illustration deduced from our know ledge of the rate at which sensation flashed along our nerves, he might ask them to sap pose the case of a child with an arm 92} millions of miles in length, which, on the day of its birth, stretched forth its fingers and touched the flaming sun. That child would have grown to manhood, and passed beyond the allotted span of human life would, in fact, h^ve to live to the age of 130 yeara before it could feel that it had burnt its fingers on the first day of . its existence. The size of the sun, its attractive power, heat, and light, were almost as inconceivable. It was 108 times larger than the earth in diameter, 11,750 times greater than it in surface, and ' 1,250,000 greater than it in volume, but only 324 times greater than it in mass. Its attractive force was so irresistably .potent that a mere half-ounce weight in falling through just one inch of space would acquire ' a force and velocity equal to a mass of tour 1 or five tons dashing along at the rate of 180 ' miles per hour — three times note quickly than an express train travelled. ' The sun was more wonderful still in respect 1 of the light which it poured oat. Every square inch upon the sun's surface gave oat 1 100 times more light than the elect..c, jet which vividly lit up an entire square in a 1 large city. The sun poured out as much ' light as millions of millions of millions of millions of electric lamps. If it ceased but for a single day to give out light, everythHl on the earth wouid be destroyed, The heat, too, which it gave out in a second was as much as that which could be produced by the burning of 11,750 millions of millions tons of coal. Yet the earth received only one in every 2000 million parts of the suns light, and the entire system only the 227 ---1 millioneth part of it. This enormous l body which ruled our system, and deter ' mined unerringly tbe motions of the planets, . was itself hut a speck as compared with the ' orbits described by Uranus and Neptune, while it was also but one of more than a hundred millions of suns each-like itself, the centre of a planetary system. Tho infinitude of space, and ' the multiplicity not merely of worlds, but of solar systems, were quite incomprehen sible—they far transcended the boldest efforts of the most powerful imagination. Fully one-half of the known suns so exceeded our own in size that they had been formed by astronomers into a separate class and named " Giant Suns." Each new discovery served but to disclose fresh ' and more subtle mysteries, and thus it had 1 been well said that as the circle of light widened the circle of darkness widened all round it. In that mysterious darkness might yet be found the answer to the perplexing question—a satisfactory explana tion of the mystery of death. The lecturer concluded by reciting the following lines of Blanco White :—

'■ Mysterious night I When our first parent knew Thte from report divine, and beard thy name, Did ho not tremble for this glorious frame, This wondrous canopy of light and blue? Yet neath a curtain of transluoent dew. Bath'd in the light of the great setting flame, Hesperus with the host of evening came: And lo 1 Creation widtned on man's view! Who could have thought such darkness lay

conceal'd ..S'i1 1 Within thy beams, oh sun 1 or who could nnd, While fly and leaf, and insect stood reveal d, That to such countless worlds thou madst ns Why do we then shun death with ceaseleM strife 1 II light may thus deceive, why may not life!"

A prominent feature in connection with the lecture was the exhibition, by means of the oxy-hydrogen light, of a series of enlarged views of the sun, which Mr Proctor most graphically explained. To-night will bo the only Saturday even ing on which people will have an opportu nity of hearing Mr Proctor, and the lecture happens to be one of tho most interesting ot the scries. Possibly it is because the moon is the nearest orb to us; but we have noticed that wherever the eminent astrono mer has appeared, his lecture on Our Companion Planet" has attracted special attention. In this discourse it will » shewn that of all the heavenly bodies the moon alone tells us of every stage ot a world's existence. In her there are trace' of fiery volcanic youth; in her there stm remain the vestiges of mid-life, though long since past ;) .vhile on] her arid and desert surface we see what no other oro exhibits to us-the airless desert scene which our earth>ill one day present. Towards the conclusion of the lecture am Proctor will deal with the questions involved in the apparent mystery of universal deatn. The illustrations to this l'cturo are also said to be especially beautiful. They .w include Nasmyth's pictures of lunar scenery, and the Melbourne Observatory photographs of the moon, the best ever taken of our companion planet. It win db obseived that, commencing with this even ing, course tickets can be purchased tor mo remaining four lectures of the course, anu tbat family tickets are issued for all pa"B of tbe hall.

Tho price of a wife in Siberia is; eight dogs. The Siberian wife worth her weigM in sausago must be an extraoidmaty WOISRU.

m&^MMtmmßiFmFsmmAt mmm m.



Sat urrday, Dei

1EMBER 18.

Station.

Manukau.... Thames Tauranga.... Napier Taranaki.... Wanganui... Wellington.. Nolsoo Greymoutb.. Lyttelton.... Timaru Oamaru Pt. Chalmert Bluff-

Win o o. £ a i/wT tf.W. s.w. S.W. N.W N.W N.W. 0. w. N.E. C. S.W, N.K. W.

id.

S* A LB Br. ir.B LB L.B F.B F.B

C- o a iiiib 30.04 28.62 29.95 29.95 29 93 29.79 29.78 29.9: 29 58 29 60 29.61 29.63 29.6C

4 a a C a a 158 66 151) .64 .63 161 165 61 61 63 62 59 60

n u o a *3 o _£_ o. B.C B. B. B. B.C B.C B.C K. 0G 0. B. a a.

State of Sea, Bar, or Rivors.

good

good slight swell moderate

3t. F.B L. U Br.

heavy

I smooth moderate



■VTEW pOOD_. _Vnd IyOVELTIES FOB TR -i TTOLIDAY OEASON AT RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMANS, A Choice Lot of LADIES' NEW LACE AND SILK CAPES SILK SQUARKS, Etc. LACIS FICHUS, A JOB UNE VEEY CHEAP. SUN SHADEd AND umbrellas. Ribbons, Gloves, &c. NEW AND SEASONABLE DRESS MATERIALS In Veey Great Variety. _ST SOME JOB LINES VERY CHEAP. -t_3 PRINTS, gATaKN? , pOMPADODKi GALATEA STRIPES. ETC. GENERAL AND FURNISHING DRAPERY OF EVERY DESCRIPI-lON. Summer Clothing For Boys' and Men's Wear. SILK DUST COATS, ALPACA and HOLLAND COATS, Full Stocks of WHITE SHIRTS. OXFORD SHIRTS, TIES SCAItVES, COLLARS, &C Straw, Leghorn and Rush Hats, of all hinds for Boys and Men. Is In the £ Discount allowed npon aix Cabh Purchases of HOs and Upwards. TOUSHBROOK & ORIDGMAN JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE lOppoßito the Army and Navy Hotel], UPPER QUEKN-STBEET, AUCKLAND.



[ Special Advertisements. THE COLONIAL BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. In aooordance with Clause 270f "Tho Bank and Bankers Aot, 1880," notioe is hereby given that MONDAY, the 27th Docemher, 1880, is appointed a Special Bank Holiday at the Auck land Branch of this Bank. GEORGE COWIB, General Manager. Dunedin, Docemher 18,1880. QUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SALE WIOL COMMENCE ON MONDAY, 20TH INST. THE GOODS WILL BE OFFERED AT pOST -pRICE! FOR A FEW WEEKS ONLY 1 In Order to Clear Heavy Stocks T {IQBGRAVE & QO., Importers of DRAPERY AND CLOTHING, queen-street, Auckland.



N.B,—No Goods'will be entered during the Sale. \ SHAKLAND'S BAKING POWDER. is made with GRAPE CRKAM TARTAR, Imported from tho Wine District of Franco. IT IS The Perfection of Baking Powdbk, Always PURE, WHOLESOME, AND UNIFORM. Testimonial i I havo chemically examined and tested the Baking Powdor manufactured hy Sharland & Co., and I have found it to be perfectly pure, and free from any substance that would be ohieo tlonable in the preparation of food. I uso the Bread made with it at my own table, and find it very satisfactory.—C. B. Haines, 8.A..M.D., M.Cn„ L.A.H., F.R.G.S., L.M. Proprietors : SHARLAND & CO., Wholesale Druggists & Manufacturing Chemists. Auckland. Sold by all Grocers and Storekeepers, in oanj iaters at Is 6d and 23 6d each. QPECI.IL NOTICE. O We.|the underslgned.frespo tl all Mnvite|tho Inspection of the Ladies ofgAuckland and the surrounding district to the fact).that] we are Opening up a A LARGE AND VARIED ASSORTMENT OF ENGLISH, FRENCH, & AMERICAN GOODS, in MILLINERY, HOSIERY GLOVES. FEATHERS FLOWERS, LACES fee, &c„ &0, DUNNE, HALL, & CO., 174, QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND Opposite the Thistle Hotel). XTf INKS & TTALL. HAVE REMOVED FROM SHORTLAND-STREET TO TEMPORARY PREMISES IN FORT STREET, OPPOSITE COCHRANE AND SON'S AUCTION MART, AND WILL CONTINUE THEIE CHEAP SALE FOR A FEW AVEEKS LONGER, TO CLEAR SURPLUS STOCK. THEY WILL REMAIN IN FORT-STREET DURING THE HE-BUILDING OF THEIR WARE HOUSE IN SHOBTLAND-STREET.



JVMAS TTOLIDAYS, 1880. TtTEW Y HAR' 3 JIOI-IDAYS, 1881. TQBGATTA TpXCURSIONS, 1881. A USTRALIAN riRICKETERS' VISIT, 1881 WE are Prepared to SUPPLY YOU with the MostSuitable|andFASHio.r able Clothing) Required for Holiday Gathering-, Picnics, Water Excursions, Lawn Tennis nnd Garden Parties. GARLICK & CRANWELL. SUN3H ..DBS, for Afternoon Übo — (1. SUNBHADKS,forPIonicB,Is upwords-fe SUNSHADES, for Carriage Use -C. POMPADOUR Dress Goods, New Pat. -G. SATRKN, New Lot, jast opened — & NOVELTIKS in Dress Goods eon- Btantly arriving — C. CHILDRKN'S Pompadour Dresses, Very Cheap — G. CHILDREN'S 2-Button Kid Gloves - & CHILDREN'S Hosiery—on Immense Variety , — C. HATS, i odies', Job Line, 1b 3d worth 2a6d— G. HATS and Bonnets Trimmed Cheap— tc HATS for Children from Ib upwards — C. GARLICK & CRANWELL would remind the Publio that they have SACRIFICED a Credit Trade for the sake of establish ing the r<ASH OYSTEM We Open no Now Accounts for Dra pery. We LOSE Customers who ask for Credit ; all we ask in return is a Liberal Support by Cash Buyere, to enable ns to continue what is a Publio Benefit. Our Goods are very Carefully Bought, and Marked at a Very Small Percentage over Cost, and we must do a L .bok Business to continue the System, and the .Larger our "Turn Over .the [more our Customers will Benefit by their Support LAWN TENNIS APRONS Z^jJ RIDING GLOVES, Silk Glovei - & KID GLOVES, 1,2,3,-.6, & 8 Button-C. FANCY BAGS and Boxes of Handkerchiefs for Presents , GOLD and OHENILLE Scarves and Collarettes — a, GOLD and SILVER Trimmings - & GOLD COLOURED Silk Fringes.&c- C. SILKS, we have tho Cheapest — G. SILKS, Special Lines, 2s 9d, Is 3d, _s 6d per yard — & SATINS and Fancy Goods for Trim- mlng — C. CRETONNES, on immense Assortment — g7 CRBTONNES, backed with lece, Curtain Pattern — & CRETONNES, New Styles, from 7d per yard — C.



ARTICLES of New Designs too numerous to mention in Hosiery, Underclothing, Millinery, Ladles' Nick Nacks, and Fancy Goods.



BANKRUPT STOCK of Men's and Boys Clothing and Mercery. Now being HOLD at Robinson's Cost, and Manu facturers' Prices I by GARLICK Sc CRANWELL. VERY CHEAP TABLE DAMASKS, from Is 6d per yard. A pURE riASH C YSTEM, / p\ ALL DRAPERY & CLOTHING \ L' /CO-OPERATIVE CASH V 9.0 ./ PRICES, \/ AT THE r.ITY TJALL A ROADS. GARLICK & CRANWELL, Proprietors. 1



Special Advertisements. mHE MERIDEN BRITANNIA CO. manufacturers of the l HIGHEST GRADE OF SILVER PLATED j WARE, OTH ON NICKEL SILVER AND WHITE METAL, j Sample Rooms and Offices-46, East Fourteenth I street, Union Square, Now York, Factories—West Meriden, Oonnootiout. Sole Agents oc:the North Island, "" *■• 8. MORRIN "oTirnrG TD O~W D E 11. HOW TO TEST IT?



Noarlyallßaking Powders are adulterated with something that increaaoa tho bulk and lowers the coat. Suoh as "Flour," "Rico Flour, " Cheap Arrowroot," or "PotatooStarch. 1 heso aro found in various proportions, from 20/ to oven 75% in tho low-pricod articlo. TRY your Baking Powder by putting a tea spoonful in a tumbler of clear water-it it con tains farina the water will bo milky and thick; stand the glaaa for an hour in a Bate placo and it will deposit the farina; pour off the water ; dry tho powder on blotting paper, and its naturo will be apparent. HUDSON'S New Zealand Baking Powder WUI STAND tho TEST. ' Manufactured SoLicr,Y by HUDSON (Late Hill and Hudson), CHEMIST, VICTORIA-STREET. Can bo Bought of tho Maker, and of any Gr ocr in Is Gd ond 2s 6d tins. JJ" E W OD S. T*J\EW /-IOODS! A. LINABURY & CO. Are Now Showing their NEW SPRING AND SUMMER GOODS. We hold tho Largest and Beat Stock of COSTUMES, MILLINERY FANCY* GOODS, DRESS GOODS FLOWERS, FEATBERS, tea., Sec. Special Line of Plain Dress Silks, only 33 lid per yard; worth 5s Gd. 5,000 Straw Hats, all now shapos. A Large Stook of Ladioa' and Children's Under clothing. Dress and Mancle-making on tho premises Costumes made in 24 hours' notico. A. LINABURY & CO., 201 and 206, Queen-street