SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

H ffSTT watoh) Thia Evening, 0.20 HIUH WATEi^ To . lVlOrrow M' o V mng 0.37 SUN BUT.—This Hvo-.iing, 7.17 BUN RISK.—To-Mnrrow' Morning, 5.1 MOUN'H AGK—First (MviTtor, 13th, 3.25 p.m.

ARRIVALS. LAST EVENING.

Meg Merrilies, brigantfne, McKay, from Levuka TO-BAY. Midgo, schooner, Euiko, from Tonga. Anno Milbank. p.s,, Anderson, from Whanßarci

DEPARTURES. TO-DAY.

Rftotua, S.S., Tozcr, for Mclbonrno Aberdeen, barque, Fullford, for New York

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

.Melbourne via Fonth,—Albion. Thursday London -A' azi (loading) and Fornprlon to follow Tauranga—Glonelg, Monday For New Plymouth and Southern Porta — Taiaroa, Wednesday For Russell—lona, Monday. For Tauranga and Southern Ports — Wanaka, Monday Whangarei—Argyle, Tuesdays nnd Fridays Anno Milbauk, Mondays and Thursdays. VESSELS EXPECTED. Karl Granville, ship, from London ; sailed No vember 29 Agate, barque, from New York; sailed Septem ber 23rd Brli :sh Empire, ship, from London; sailed Bth November Bismarck, H.1.G.M.5., from Samoa Klinor Vornon.barquo, from New York; sailed 10th November Loco Urr, barque (W.Q.L X.), from London ; sailed October 23rd Stracathro, ship, from London; sailed Nov. 29 Trevelyan, ship (V.N.H.S.), from London loading Agnes Donald, schooner, from Lsvuka Energy, schooner, from Lcvuku Edith, schooner, from Raxotonga Falcon, barquentine, from the Islands Fiery Cross, schooner, from Oatnaru Gael, schooner (3.K.G.8) from Levuka Pirate, sohoonor, from tho Islands J'oarl, ketch, from Rarotonga Syren, brig, from Sydney ; loading Tubal Cain, schooner, from Lovuka Minnohaha, schooner, from Rarotonga Morcia. barque, from London, loading Island Lily, brigantinc, from Chatham Islands Ijoongana, barque, from Hobart Town Annio Wilson, schooner, from Lyttolton Glimpso, barque, from Timaru Amaranth, schoonor, from Lyttolton Jes<u<, schooner, from Oamaru oainnrn, brigantino, from Dtmedin Wftiwcro, schooner from Austral Group

IMPORTS.

Per Midge from Tonga-T tons copra and 2.000 cicoanuts. Per Meg Merrilios, from Lovuka: 2,831 mats sugar, 10 bags pcanu,ts, 331 tacks maize, 7 bait s wool.

EXPORTS.

Per Rotorua: For Gisborno— l boxes. For Napjor —42 boxes soap. For Wcllinßton —80 boxes soap, GO bags potatoes, 2 colls rope, 2 pkgs. For Lyttelton—l box. For Dunedin—Bl sacka potatoes, 1 pktf. For BlnlF—l box1. For Hobart Town—l box. For Melbourne—3 casks steel tips, 2 boxes printed papers, 1 case cigars.

Tho ss. Rotorua sailed for Melbourne, via Kant Coast, this morning. Passmigers :—For Gisborne—Miss Clayton, Mrs Caulton and four children. For Napier—Mr W. Brakenrig, Cnpt. Bowen and wifp, Mrs J. Crescott. Kor \V elling ton—Messrs. Barnard, J. Kothschild. W. J. Butler, Mr, Mrs and Miss Hauchcliff, Mrs Ral laehy and two children, Mrs Graham, Mrs Nicholson, Miss Owen. For Lyttclton—Messrs. T. Hoskinff, Church, Bryant, Edwards, Nnsh, Rev. H. Hull, Mr nnd Mrs A. Hill. For Mel bonrne—Mr Rolf, Mis 3 Monkman.

Tho P. 9. Argylo will arrive to-night from Whanttarei and Mangapai. She leaves again for the same ports to-morrow evening.

Tho brigantino Gaol was loading at Nandi, Fiji, for Auckland when the Meg Merrilios left.

The s.s. Rotomahana is to loavo for the Thames at noon to-morrow, instoad of 4.30 p.m., as previously advertised. Sha doc 3 not mako .ajny trip from tho Thames on Fridiy.

Tho s.B. Southern Cross, which left Gisborno for this port yoaterday morning, put back a?aln early in tho afternoon, in consequenco of tho strong north-east gala raging. She is adver tised to sail South again on Saturday.

Messrs Hewson and Melvil'o havo just finished a protty little yacht to the order of Mr Brace, of liOvuka. Her dimensions aro : Length, 27ft; beam, Bft Gin; and depth, 3(t Gin. They aro now engaged in tho construction ot a yaoht of fifteen or sixteen tons register for the same gentloraan. She will measnro 38ft on tho keel, 13ft 6in bsam, and ift 2in depth of hold.

Messrs J. Carr and Sons, boatbutiaors, have complete] two racing gigs.jbuilt to tho order of tho Wcstportißowing Ulub.

Wo aro requested to state that 4ho Jtotoma- hana has not been specially chartered to convey Pastor Chiniquy, but will convey passengers and cargo as usual, leaviDg at noon on Friday, instead of 1.30 in tho aftornoon.

Tho barque Aberdeen sailed at a lato hour this afternoon for Now York, with a cargo of gam, Valued at £16,500, and two passengers, viz., Mr and Mrs Manjon.

The a.a. Rotorua, which left today for Wel lington, took away the now half-decked yacht built by MrJ Bailey, of tho North Shore, to tho order of Mr W. Butler, of Wellington. She is a Ijatidsomo little carver bailt boar, with flno entrance, and good lines. Her dimensions a y „'. length of keel, 20 feet; overall. 21 feet • breadth of beam, 7feet 6 inches. She is c .nVwrpfl and copper-fastened throughout. F • Js%%£? Who ia now in Auckland, expr<- m t2 himself ass. pKdini\^e w2~S! The 8.8. Glehelg '^g been taken out of tne Braviu? jpctr, "^(tey having had her bottom P lolaed and r^p^g^ an( j, j,er machinery over hauled, one is now in good steaming trim, and bettor, ab!o to compete with the Kototnahana and Rose Casey than in her previously crippled state. She will resumo tho Tauraßga trade on Monday next.

The brlgantine Myrtle arrived at TOEga from port on the 4th January, after a passage of njno days from this port.

ARRIVAL OF THE MKG MERBILTES.

The news recently to hnnd by the Helena to tho effect that the brigantine Meg Mcrrilioa, seventeen daya out from Auckland, had not arrived wh?n she loft, caused some apprehension to be felt for the safety of that vessel. These doubts, however, were set at roit by tho appear ance of the vessel in harbour last eveninpr. Wo are indobted to Captain J. McKay for late files, &c, and the report of tho round trip :—The Meg MerriliO3 left Auckland December 1, with light breeze from N.E., which continued, with alter nate calms, throughout tho passage, taking a departuro from Cape Brett. On tho 9th she arrived at Lcvuka; on tho 21th December dis charged cargo alongside Queen's Wharf and loaded out of hulk Albion. Left Lovuka on Tuesday, 6th January, with moderate ea*t breeze, whioh was carried to 28deg. S., when the wind turned to the N.W., with rain, which waj carried to within five miles of the Coast. Made the Poor Knights at midnight on Tuesday, 13t.h She brought a fail cargo of sugar,, maise. wool, etc., and tho following passengers :—Mr and Mrs Blrley, Mis 3E. Dobi, Mrs Lazarus, Mr and Mrs Denstoph, Mr Peckham, Mr Spray, Mr McDonald, and oue steerage. The Sirrocco, barquentinc. and s.s. Ocaan were at Lcvuka from Sydney when the Meg Merrilics 10--t, also the schooners Mataatu and Gael from Satnoi. the latter being chartered to pro?eed to Nandi and load for Auckland. The Tubal Cain was to bo sold on the 9th inst.

ARRIVAL OF THE MIDGE.

" The schooner Midge arrived this morning from Tonga with a cargo of copra and cocoa nuts. Captain Burfco reports leaving Tonga on the sth instant and oxperiencinc; light easterly ■Winds till the llth. Then fresh north-castsrly breezes till the 12th, and soulh-wcst to north west winds to port, arriving early thismorniog. PaßSongers :—General Bartlott and Mr Lord.

FORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Amaranth, BCh., Norris, from I'oxton DEPARTURES. Kowena, S.S., Amodeo, for Waitata TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING. Whancsarici, this day. The 5.3, Argylo left for Auckland at 0 30 a.m. t0 day> Gisborne, this day. The s.b. Southern Cross, which sailed yester day morning for Auckland, put back a^ain at 1.30 p.m., in :consc([uonco of a s-rong north-east gale blowing. The s.s. Soathern Cross left again for Auck land last evening. WKLL] thi3 day . Tho schooner Julius Vogel sailed yesterday forKaipara. thla day. The s.s, Taiaroa sailed nt sis o'clock last even ing for Wellington. The ss. Waitaki arrived from Wellington ■with the 'Frisco mails, at seven o'clock this morniDg. Port C^ialmees, yesterday. Arrived: Ilingarooma, from Lyttclton. Sailed: Oreti, for the Bluff. Arawata, for Svdnoy. via East Coast. Passengers: For Auck land—Messrs Munro and Bruce. For Sydney- Mrs Nizeyand Mr Heron. This Salled-BrigantineProgMMj.teMßnnj.M./ Arrived- Snip Eastminstor, Bom London, 87 flays out, with immigrants. Tho d< ctor is now aboard. No communication has b^en held with tho shore yet.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening State Office, Thursday. Mr Alfred Buckland held a land and property sale at tho Haymarket today. Tho first pro perty consisted of 1,120 acres, known as '-Te Ihu * for wh:i ;h thero was no bid. The freehold of 253 acres in the district of Hauruki brought 17b per acre, and the adjoining leasehold of 970 aLres £115. Lot 21, in the parish of Kaiwaka 129 acre?, sold for 03 per acre. The farm at Waiuku was passed, tho bidding being below the reservo price.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mailh will Close as Unukk :— Tms Day. For Wangarei Heads; and Wangarei, per Anno Milbank, at 1 p.m. Fiuday, 16th Instant. For Thamos, per Rotomnhana, at 11.30 am. For Wanganui, por Wallabi, at 11 a.m. For Tarnnaki, Wan«anul, Wellington, and South, por Wanganul, at. 11 a.m. For NgunKuru, por Magic, at 1111.111 For Waihoko and Coromandol, por Coromandol at 2.30 p.m. For Whangarci Heads, and Wangarel, rer Arßvlo. at Ip.m. For Thames, per Enterprisa, at 5.30 p.m. Saturday, 17th lnßtant, For Giaborno, Napier, Wellington, and Lyttel ton, per Southern Cross, at 2 p.m. For Walwora, per Gleno'g or lona, at 1 p.m. For Waiwera, Mahurangi, Matakana, Manga wai, Walpu, and Mangapai, per Rose Casey at 10 a.m. Monday, 19th instant. For Tauranga, Gisborno, Napior, and Southern Provinces, por Wanaka, at 3 p.m. For Russell, Kavrakawa, Wai-garoa, and Mon gonui, per lona, at 1 p.m. Tuesday, 20th instant. For Russell, Kawakawa, and Australian Colonies, per Arawata, at 3 p.m. Tuesday. 3rd February. Per b.s. City of Sydney aa follows :— For Sandwich Islands, United States of America. Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Inriios, Japan, and China, at 1 p.m. Kor United Kingdom and Continent Of Kuropo, at 1 p.m. For money ordors, and registered letters, at 11.30 a.m. Lato letters boaring an oxtra feo of sixponco, In addition to tho pontage, will bo reooived by tho Mail Agent on board tho stoamer up to tho lime of sailing. S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTHS.

GLEKSON.—On tho llth instant, at her resi-

dence, Grafton Koad, tho wife of Mr P- Glee^on of a eon. PRITCHARD.— On January 15, at her residence, Union-street, the wlto of Wm. Pritohard of a

daugbtir. BLBWITT.—On January 11, at her residence, Inglewood Farm, Flat Buah, Mrs J. Blewitt of a daughter.

DEATH.

BONNAR.—On the llth instant, at his mother's residence, Trafal(?ar-streot,.Onehunga, Edward Bonnar; aged 19 years. Tho funeral will take place to-morrow (Fri day), 10th, at 1 p.m.

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 1880.

Tot the cause that Uclu assistance, For the wrong tha needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the eood thut^we con do.

The letter of our Samoan correspondent published to-day, announces the settle ment of the war, and the proclamation of a Native King with every likolihood of a permanent Government. A good deal of jealousy has beeu excited lately between the three Great Powers trading in the South Pacific by the rival schemes to gain ascendancy in Samoa. No doubt it was from a desire to avoid offence to the United States and Ger nmny that England refused the petition of the principal Samoan Chiefs for an nexation. Since then, Germany con cluded a treaty with the Government existing in Samoa, giving great advan tages to G orman traders. When the text reached the United States a strong feeling was excited, and the Department at Washington immediately took steps to protect American interests; The British Government also exacted from Samoa a treaty conferring equal rights. It was while matters were in this posi tion that a ijetifcion, supported by German interests in the South Pacific, was promoted urging the Berlin Govern ment to establish German supremacy by placing the Samoan King under German protection. Emanating from German subjects in the South Seas or in Germany no exception whatever can be taken to such a petition; it is a perfectly legitimate movement to ex tend national interests. But if, as stated by Mr De L'Eau in a letter published in another column, signatures are being obtained to the document in Australia and New Zealand, we have no hesitation in denouncing it as an unseemly proceeding, and an un pardonable outrage upon the colonists whose interests, and feelings and duty, as loyal subjects of Great Britain, lie in a wholly opposite direction, Such

conduct perpetrated by British sub jects in a German State* or Dependency would be equally reprehensible, and, if we mistake not the Bismarckian mode of repressing opposition, would be fol lowed by immediate dismissal from all public offices, if not expulsion from the country. However, such extreme measures are not congenial to English tastes or to the British Constitution, and are, moreover, in the majority of instances unnecessary. Public opinion is generally a sufficient corrective of any abuses of individual liberty, and we have no doubt that in this instance the good sense of our leading German residents will check the ill-advised action of their fellow countrymen, and cause the suppression of the petition. Whether or no, the agreement which, as we learn by special cablegram to-day, England, Germany, and the United States, have arrived at to support the new King Malietoa, and work under equitable treaties "with liimj -would probably obviate any bad influence which a petition of the kind is calculated to exercise. The Govern ments of the three Powers interested, aro too fully impressed with the im portance of avoiding anything that would disturb the harmony now ex isting and likely to continue between them, to make Samoa a bone of con tention. The erection of a Native Prince under joint agreement, appears a felicitous adjustment of international claims.

A eecent cable despatch announced the arrest ef Pretorious Kruger, one of the Boer leaders in the Transvaal, for inciting his fellow settlers to acts of lawlessness and resistance to British authority. Pretorious, after whom Kruger is named, was the Boer leader 35 years ago in the insurrection against the Uiitlsh. On that occasion Sir llnrry Smith, the military Governor, ofl'ercd a reward of £1,000 for tho head of the redoubtable rebel, and tho latter returned tho compliment by oU'eiing an equal amount for the head of Sir Harry Smith. Tho turbulent and truculent character of tho Boers is described by a correspondent of the London "Standard," who paid a visit to Middolbing, the head-quarters of the disaffection. A person named Hoer Jacobs, one of the Heidelberg convention appears to have been tho instigator of the rising. There is an old barbarous Boer law in tho Transvaal which permits a master to punish his servant with blows—a remnant of slavery—and of this Jacobs appears to have taken liberal advan tage. He was summoned tor tho olFence by the Public Prosecutor, and brought before the Landrost, a British officer discharg ing magisterial functions. Tho chargo was that Hocr Jacobs had suspended a Bushman to a beam by the wrists and other wise tortured him. Jacobs pleaded guilty to a common assault, resolutely refusing to compensate tho injured man. In the course of the proceedings a mob of armed Boers entered tho Court-house, and when Sir Garnet Wolesley's proclamation was read received it with cries of " Keep that to yourself" and behaved so uproariously that tho furtherhearingof thecasa wiisadjourned. Mcantimo tho Buera forcibly entered a number of stores, seized and divided the cartridges they contained, leaving money on tho connters in payment, in delianco of v law providing that ammunition shall not be sold without the production of a permit by the purchaser. Afterwards they assembled in tho street nnd uttered threats against the lives of the resident British authorities. On these facts being reported to Sir Garnet Wolsoley,hedispatchcdtroopstoMiddlebnr£. Tho repugnance of the Boers to annexation is indicated by the following statement of an old fanner :—" I camo from Natal because I did not want to bo interfered with. I fought against you at Bonn Plaats because you came after me, and insisted on govern ing me against my will. Then I camo here, and I was content to remain as I was, be cause our Government did not meddle with me, and let mo go my own way ; but now you come in after me with your Go vernment, and persecute me again ! Why can you not leave mo alone ? I don't want your Government. I don't need any Go vernment at all." It is not likely that men of this way of thinking will be much iniluenced by ideas of Imperial policy, or that they will appreciate tho motives which have led to tho annexation of the Transvaal. Trained up in a spirit of self-reliance, with those rudo notions of justice iv which tho rifle in tho most cogent argument, and imbued with strong hereditary prejudices against " Enplandcrs" whom they rurely men tion without prefixing n condemnatory adjective, they aro as difficult to manage as the Maori Kiugites, or tho fanatics of Parihakii. In their case, however, it is very hard that after building up homes in tho midst of savage wastes they should be continually followed up and annexed against their will simply because they havo not tho iullucnco of a great State to protect them.

The quarterly meet ing ot tho Chamber of Commerce, convened for this afternoon, lapsed for want of a quorum. The chair man (Mr J. M. Clark) was the only member in attendance.

The final meeting of creditors in the Citato of Edward Boyle, labourer, of Awhitu, was to have been held to-dey, but as a quorum was not obtained it lapsed, The debtor will consequently apply under the 184 th section of the Act for his discharge.

To the Editor: Sir,—The public might infer from your local in yesterday evening's paper that Captain Cargill had admitted to me ho was to blamo for tho collision be tween his vessel aud the pilot schooner in charge of Captain James. What I stated at tho Harbour Board meeting was that Captain Cargill had wished me to inform the Board that Captain James might havo mistaken his vessol for a coastal steamer on the night of the collision, as ho had Jnot shown a blue light.—l remain, &c-, LAUR ence D. Nathan.

Tho Secretary to the United Friendly Societies Demonstration has received the following tenders for the right to erect re freshment booths at the Domain on the 29th instant. Messrs R. W. Lucas, T. Brister, Henry Hoag. J. Ball, J. W. Hunt, aud P. Doran. Iho committee will accept one out of these tenders to-morrow evening.

A petition, numerously signed, was re ceived yesterday at tho City Council from property-holders in Custom-llouse-strcet regarding the levels of Beach Road from Albert-street to Freeman's Bay, showing the Icycl as lixed by the Council will render useless for business purposes all the pro perties on the water side if carried out. The petitioners recommended the present level of roadway in preference, it being of easy grade, and iv every way accessible. The petition was referred to the Public Works' Committee for consideration,

MrE. Heakethhas been appointed Royal Commissioner, by the Government for the purpose of invcs'igatiug the claims to the Kuakaka block, being a part of the To Aroha lands. Wo underslaud these are a number of claimants who will be repre sented by counsel. The Commissioner will open the business at 10 o'clock in the ollices of Messrs Hcsketh and Richmond, Wynd ham-street.

We have inspected the new phonograph received yesterday by the proprietors Mrs E. Curzon, and Messrs. Chapmanaudßrecze. The new instrument is very superior to thp phonograph previously|in use, and respouds in clearer and more" distinct words. His Worship the Mayor, aad several members of the Council paid a visit to the rooms this morning and expressed themselves fully satisfied with the operations. The new in strument rests on a heavy iron stand for the purpose of steadiness, with a safety rests for producing exact imitations of the voice. A quotation from Shakespere was reproduced with line effect, also a stanza from Tennyson. The phonographs must be pronounced a success, and we should advise our readers to witness their operations and judge for them selves.

Wo have received advance sheets of a portion of tho handbook of estates in the Waikato, the introduction to which contains the following :—" Where the horrific war dauce was scon, and the screams of tortured captives added zest lo approaching hideous banquet 3, the great civilizer, the plough, now prepares the fertile soil to receive the seed which is to " bring forth abundance of fruit after its kind." JNo longer do its waters bear on it the war canoe, with its crew of demoniac savages bent on the ex tirpation of their enemies, or on the wa.y to scenes of tho most hideous orgies of unen lightened man • caters and of the_ most dreadful tortures, to which those attributed to the old races of North American Indians read but as tame and peaceful proceedings I Instead of it the steamer thrasbes along, carrying with it the means of civilisation and comfort! Tho mighty stream rolls along—majestic, bland, suave, and utterly unconscious of the Bhare it had in assisting invasion, rapine, murder, and the hideous after proceedings. It is still, the same river — Quoen of all the streams in the North Island,—but its waters now flow on errands iof peace, comfort, and mercy."

A public hall is to be erected at Waitangi, Bay of Islands, at a cost of £400.

, The Board of Education will meet at 2p'clock to-morrow afternoon. Detective Doolan, Waikato, who has rendered good service in connection with ttte Arms Act, has been promoted to the rank of second class detective.

A lecture will be delivered to-morrow (Friday) evening, in the Temperance Hall school-room, on " Lord John .Russell's Re form Bill, of 1532." The chair will be taken at 8 o'clock.

"We learn that Captain John McKenzie, Master of the barque Wellington, has been selected for the position of Harbour Pilot and Wharfinger, at an annual salary of £250. Mr F. J. Corbett has been appointed third clerk and messenger at the ii arbour Board Oilice.

Last evening Lecocq's opera "Girofld- Girofla" was again produced at the Theatre Royal. The performance was, as a whole, satisfactory, although several parts of this new adaptation were open to strong comment. The orchestra were oc casionally at fault, and some of the vocal ists had hard work to make themselves hoard. The piece will be again produced this evening. The " Sorcerer" is an nounced for to-morrow night.

At a meeting at Ballyghaderin, in connec tion with the agarian agitation in Ireland, 1000 pikeman hailiug from Sligo, Roscom mon, and Mayo surrounded the platform. Lists were read to the meeting during the proceedings, shewing that many landlords derived exhorbitant returns from their lands, in some cases as much as 150 to 200 per cent above the Government valuations.

In "Nicotines letter last night one or two typographical errors occurred. The corrected sentences should read :—(1) As at present proposed, &c, it ia not only un workable, but &c. ; (2) Whereas in many cases there are not more than three or four boxes that will not fall to pieces if you at tempt to remove, &c.

The Catholic High School, Wellington street, will be opened on Monday next, and parents desirous of sending their children to the school must apply to the Principal— Father Downey, O.S.li.—at the Presbytery, VVyndhain-street, on Friday or Saturday next, from 10 to 12 o'clock.

A Newmarket resident writes :—"Last evening the inhabitants about St. Mark's church, Jtemuera, were rather startled on hearing bullets Hying round their houses and heads. It appears that rifles aro put into the hands of boys by volunteer com panies, who evidently arc not capable of knowing their proper use. The Govern ment havo also provided a Rifle Range for these boys on a large piece of ground lyiujf wasto and unproductive in the neighbour hood of the Newmarket Railway station. Tho police should keep their eye on this locality, and take steps to prevent cither men or boys from Using ii rearms either for sporting or target practices iv this place. Thero were several narrow escapes last night, one bullet going within a few feet of the writer's heud. A resident constable is much needed in the district."

A lod^'e meeting of the Loyal Star of Auckland Lodge will b« held this eveuiug, for tho purpose of installing ollicers, consider ing tenders, and other busiuess.

Last evening while tho members of tho choir of St. Paul's wero at practice, a num ber of boys with tin whistles and kerosene tins made tho most discordant noises on the organ side of the church, with the view, no doubt, of disturbing the choir, Tho tones of the organ, however, were too much for the till whistles, and prevented interruption. Larrilunium of this type would be ail the better of a sound whipping.

Tho verdict of tho jury, at the coroner's inquest held yesterday, atPousouby, on tho body of William Mooney, was, "accidental drowning," the evidence being conclusive.

The following matters will be undertaken by the City Couucil : — Asphalt for St. James's Church, formation of Picton-street, at the earliest opportunity ; und the attcu tion to defective drainage to which attention was drawn by Messrs Garlick and Cranwell.

Mr Rochfort applied to his Honor, Mr Justico Gillioc, yesterday on tho part of Thomas Bray, to be allowed to buo in forma pauperis, and having read an allidavit from applicaut as to the position of his all'uirs, His Honor refused the applic ation. Air Rochfort then moved for an order of appeal, against an order made on the 18th December, on the grounds that the order was inequitable. After hearing par ticulars, his Honor could not grant tho application.

The City Council has declined to enter tain for the present the petition for keibing and channelling Lower l,)iieen-street.

Dr. Lemon, Superintendent of ftow Zea land Telegraphs, lms received a cablo message; from iSir Roland Bill, Chairman of the Mansion House Committco, informing him that tho following telegram has been sent to every municipality which pan bo readied by telegraph in Great Britain, and requesting Dr Lemon to hand a copy to the Mayor of Wellington for distribution throughout New Zealand :—" London, January Bth. —To-day is the fortieth anni versary of the introduction ot tho penny postage system, founded by Sir Rowland Hill. A committee h now formed to com memorate the event by an international memorial. Looking at tho immense com mercial, intellectual, and social advantages derived by the world at lurgo through this reform, might I claim your hearty sympathy and support iv this movement, by placing it before our couutrymen ?" All responses to this message will be telegraphed free of wire charge.

Iv an article on the removal of the Maori prisoners to Dunodin and Invercargil, wo stated that one of the reasons for the step was the insecurity of the Wellington gaol. Tho "Post" commenting on tho same subject sitya :—" It has been notorious for some timo past that tho custody of tho Maori prisoners in Wellington was by no means a safe one, aud involved largo and unnecessary expense. A guard of eighty Armed Constabulary had to be kept in constant ward and readiness for action. The Mount Coak Barrack?, where tho prisoners wore kept, is not strong enough to prevent them breaking out if they deter mined to effect their escape. The only meana of restraint in such a case would have been for tho guard to shoot them down, a proceeding not to ba thought of in the case of untried prisoners. Wellington also had the further disadvnutage, asi their place of im prisonment,that in the event of their escap ing, either by force or by stratagem, acting under some sudden inspiration of To Whiti secretly communicated to them, they would have every facility for returning to their own districts, which would have a most disastrous effect on the Maori mind, as n, conclusive proof of our wcakucss aud their superior strength and skill. The Govern ment therefore came to the determination to removo the prisoners, not only from Wel lington but from this Island altogether. It was ascertained that safe-keeping and ac commodation could be found iv the gaols at Duncdin and Holdtika."

The following students at the Auckland Collegeand Grammar School gained scholar ships at the open scholarship examination under the Board of Education : Maximum number of marks, 1,125 : (1), Oliver Nichol son, 764; (2), Arthur D. McCorniick, 757 ; (3), Arthur Vivian Harrington, 687.

To the Editor : Sir,—Although I agreo with your correspondent " Nicotine" iv his strictures on the absurd provisions of the new Tobacco Act, I must contradict his assertion that no tobacco that "would commend itself to Virginia leaf smokers" has been grown and manufactured here. A gentleman of my acquaintance has for several years paat grown tobacco from im portod Virginia seed, and lms produced at a small cost cigars, which, in the opinion of myself and others, are equal to the best imported, and far superior to most of,,those which, for want of better, people here are obliged to smoke. Ido not deny that we have had articles manufactured here called cigars, which are not worthy of the name, though it is hard to conceive how even the worst "weeds" in creation would induce anyone to fear for tho crown of his hoad, as mentioned by your correspondent, unless the experimentalist happened to be a novice in the noblo art of smoking. I feel convinced that if an experienced manufacturer with a little capital started business here ho would be able to produce at a low price cigars quite equal to those imported, and we sliould ue able to inhale tho exquisite flavour, which is so dear to the memories of those who have lived in " old Virginia." —Yours, &c, Chaklbston.

Rev. Mr Talmage condescends at last to reply to tho charge made by Dr. Parker, that while professing to take a lively interest in tue cause of temperance, he drank wine at his .dinners in London. In his denial, Mr Talmage uses the form of expression which hus more than once brought reproach upon his name as a clergy man. He says :" I don't believe in deny ing slanders, as a rulo, for they spring up like dragon's teeth. Why, there's a factory right here in Brooklyn where they turn out lies about me of any kind as fast as a button factory can make buttons—lies round, square, and oblong, black, white, and yellow, single wraps and double and twisted, patent-lever, reciprocal balance, never need winding up but once to iun for ever. What's the use of denying 'em? Vet I don't mind telling you the facts about this one, you have taken so much pains about it,"

The railway employe's will hold their annual picnic on the 24th inst. at Papakura, when a series of athletic sports will be held. Mr J. G. Little will provide the dinner.

Mr Doran, with his old enterprise, has engaged the Fun and Frolic Troupe for a season of seven nights in the Albeit Hall, commencing on Saturday evening. The troupe, which has just returned from a successful tour iv the Waikato, includes one of the best female gymnasts in the Southern Hemisphere, and a great variety of burlesque and other talent. The treble trapeze performance is a wonderful exhibi tion of daring and skill.

The City Council adopted the report of the Public Works Comtnitte declining liabi lity in respect to the following claims :—Mr Carr, compensation for damages to a shed ; G. Akers and E. Ewen, compensation under the Public Works Act.

Mr A. B. Maston, from Indiana, U.S., will preach in the Christians' Meeting House, Cook-street, on Sunday evening, on "The Light of the Gospel." We are re quested to correct a mistaken impression that has got about to the effect that the Mormon service was held in the Meeting House, Cook-street. The service was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, near the Grey street junction.

The City Surveyor has beeu instructed to confer with property holders as to the levels of City Road.

A man named James Floyd was sentenced to one month's imprisonment at the One hunga Police Court yesterday for stealing a swag, value 50s, belonging to his mate, a bushman, named W. Baker. Mrs Cobb, for using obscene language, was lined 10s, in default 48 hours.

Mr Rochfort applied at the Supreme Court yesterday for leave to appeal against an order of the Court made on the 18th of December last on the ground that it was inequitable, and that plaintiff's means were exhausted by delays. Order re fused.

An application was made at the Supreme Court yesterday for dismissal of an action by Prince, a well-known turfite, and Kerr, described ns " the scion of a Scottish ducal houso," on the ground of non-prosecution. The action was originally brought to recover £200, which defendant pleaded had been won from him at cards. His Honor made on order requiring the case to be pro ceeded with in eight days, or struck oil the list.

The Thames Railway.

[FROM OUR OWH CORHESPOMDENT.]

GRAIIAMSTOWN, this day. The Mayor, County Chairman, Town Clerk, and Councillors Speight, AVilkinson, Thoburn, Deoble, and Porter, arc passengers per Rotomahaua to interview the Hon. Whitaker re the railway.

Regatta Notes.

The number of boats excluded from the first class open boat race by the new rules is even greater than we stated in our last evening's issue. On enquiring to-day, we learned that out of the fifteen that competed in the large open boat race last year, only two are now qualified to race in the iirst class racothis year, instead of four as stated in our last evening's issue. It now appears that since the last Regatta the Sis has been risen, and is now beyond the prescribed beam, while the Missing Link's measure ments last year were notexactly correct,and sheis an iuch ortwotoo long. Therefore,the only boats out of the fifteen qualified to enter this year aro tho Mabel (Daisy) and Margaret. So far as we are able to learn, there have been no new boats buiit since tho Regatta, and even should the race take place at all it is quite evident that it will be a very one-sided affair. It is very probable that a meeting of the owners of small open boats will bo hold before the end of the week in order to bring tho subject ot a race for all open boats under twenty feet before the committee. It is to be hoped tho committee will take the whole matter into consideration at its next mectiug, and endeavour to make some arrangement of this kiad, or tho dis appointment of those who take an interest in tho open boat contests will bo very con siderable.

A new yacht of about five tons re gister was launched to-day by J. Clare, Freeman's Bay Reclamation. It was tho intention of the builder to sail her in tho smaller yacht race, but it ia now said that she is not qualified to enter, for the reason that she has two centre-boards, one out of each bilge, in stead of the ordinary centre-board through the keel. This is a new improvement, and it is calculated to keep the veßsel up to the wind better than the old stylo of board. The rules for tho race, however, provide that all centre-boards shall be scaled down, and if this is carried out, the now yacht cannot take part in the contest, as one centre-board is down when the other is up and vice versa.

Pcrrott's Nellie is now in Carr's shed, where she is being built on to the extent of three inches. She is also getting a new counter, and other improvements arc being madr. It is expected that blio will enter for the smaller yacht race.

Knox's Flying Fish will compete iv this race, aud sho is now being prepared by Uatcliffe, boatbuilder, of Freeman's Bay. She is getting a new keel, and is also being generally overhauled. The yachts Hcrtha, now lying at Carr's yard, and Carrol's Who'd-Have-Thought-It are also likely to enter. The Pukuroko, built in November last by Messrs Carr for Mr Cato of the Thames is expected up from tho Thames, and should she conic she will mako another competi tor.

Mr Allison's cutter Henry is now being recoppored, and is getting a now round stern instead of the square ouo which she previously had. She will be entered for the smalt cutter race.

The Eupheiuia will also enter, for this event.

"GENTLEMAN THOMPSON."

Old settlers will remember a person who bore the abovo title, and who left Auckland many years ago for the purpose of securing possession of a large property which he owned in California. The San Francisco "Bulletin" givca the following particulars of his death :—" In the Almshouse, Tues day week, a poor and broken old man laid down his weary bones to rest. Every man ha* a history, but this old man—William Thompson—had a singular, if not an event ful one. Ho died in poverty, but a vast estate, worth something like $400,000, was almost within his grasp. It may be said of him that ho died of txcessivo and prolonged litigation, (something which many liti gants most heartily enjoy), as much as from old age aud its attendant infirmities. He won his case in Court, but new trials and vexatious delays defeated his pur pose to gain possession of the property which he claimed. lie is perhaps happily at the present time, beyond the jurisdiction of San Francisco Courts, and of course they cannot impose any more new trials on him. In 1850 the deceased went iuto possession of a large tract of land on Islas Creek, near the present site of St. Mary's College, it being a part of the Bernal Rancho. Ho enclosed a portion of the tract aud cultivated a garden. lie remained in possession of the land uutil 1563, whoa he was forcibly dispossessed by F.L.A. Piochc and others, who claimed the land under a Mexican grant patent. In September, 1868, Thomp son commenced an action in ejection against Pioche for the laud iv the Fourth District Court. Iv September, 1809, he recovered judgment, aud the following December the Court denied a new trial. The defendants appealed from this order to the Supreme Court, which tribunal, in 1872, reversed the judgment and remanded the cause for a, new trial. A new trial was granted by tho lower Court in January, 1874, and in March 1875, iho Supremo Court affirmed this order! In January, 1876, the cause was transferred to tho United States Circuit Court, but the following October, Judge Sawyer sent it, back to tho Fourth District. In January 1877, Thompson recovered a verdict against tho defendants, but in September 1878 Judge Moirison granted the defendants a new trial. Plaintiff appealed to the Sup reme Court from that order, but he did not live long enough to know the result of his appeal. Attorneys, litigants, and others who have had frequent business ia the Fourth Dwtnct Court, Avithin the past ten years, cannot have failed to notice the prominent featuros and genial Scotch oonntonanoe of William Thompson " The '< Chronicle " referring to the abovo aays —" It appears fro<n the papers of Wm Thompson, who died at the Almshouse recently, that he mortgaged a piece of property in New Zealand worth $75,000 to raise money to meet the expense of litiga tion in San Francisco. The • Bulletin • last Ihursday published an account of the old gentleman s struggle in court to retain possession of his estate in the suburbs of this city. His letters show that an offer of $75,000 was made for his Mew Zealand property, but believing it to be worth more than that sum he wrote to his agents declining to sell. Subsequently" the property depreciated in value and was taken to satisfy the mortgage. In New Zealand he was known as " gentleman Thompson " on account of his courtly bearing and politeness," H "

Primitive Methodist Con ference.

|UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CHRISTCHURCH, this day.

The Primitive Methodist conference has appointed the following stations of minis ters —Auckland, first, J. Long ; Auckland, second, W. Nixon ; Thames, T. W. Adam som : New Plymonth, J. Sharp ; Welling ton, D. Dutton and W. S. Potter ; Mana watu, P. W. Jones i>nd J. H. Luke; Christclrarch, J. Glover ; Guedale, J. Guy; Ashburton, A. J. Smith; Geraldine, I. Saddler ; Timaru, J. Dumbell; Oamaru, C. E. Bailey; Dunedin, first, J. Ward ; Dunedin, second, G. S. Smith; Invercargill, C. E. Ward ; General Superintendent, W. J. Dean. The Primitive Methodist Con ference Concluded its sittings this afternoon. The Rev. J. Ward, of Dunedin, is appointed Congessional Editor.and Revs. Dutton and D. Goldie, Esqs., Treasurers, The next conference is to be held in Dunedin in January, 1881.

COMPENSATION COURT.—This Day.

(Before Mr Justice Gillies (President) and Messrs J. Newman and P. Herapath (assessors.) W. BLANDON V. THE MAYOR, COUNCILLORS, AND BURGESSES OF THE CITY/ OF AUCK LAND.

Claim, £500, for injury done to certain property at the corner of Victoria^ and Graham-streets, of which the plaintiff is owner of the equity of redemption, by certain works commenced, and undertaken at the direction of the City Council. Mr Tyler appeared for the claimant and Mr J. B. Russell for the respondents. Mr Russell in stating the case said that some time ago he appeared in a similar suit on behalf of the Parnell Borough Council and on that occasion he raisedaseriesofargu ments for the purpose ot showing that the Public Works Act was wholly inapplic able to a case of that character where alterations had been made to a street under the 194 th section of the Municipal Corporation's Act. The argument -which lie urged then was that iintil a street was altered to its levels private individuals would have to sutler for the public benefit. His Honor at that time ruled, if he remem bered aright, that the intention of the Act was to give compensation only where the works were not of a public nature. He would not trouble the Court with any argument on the subject, as he believed Hid Honor still retained those views on the matter.

His Honor asked the learned gentleman to remind him of the previous contention. Mr Russell said it was that the Public Works Act had. been made part of the Municipal Corporations Act, section 181 of which gave the City Council the power of altering and. fixing the levels of streets under their control, aud so far as the public con venience was concerned, to make such other alterations as the exigencies might require until the levels were reached. That the Act made provision for giving compensation only in cases where tho levels were altered after the purchaser had bought hi 3 property, thus disturbing his calculations. (He referred to the 191 st section of the Act). But if the person built at his own risk after the levels had been fixed, and if he were damnified by the cutting down of the thoroughfare to those levels, he had no claim. That was the contention which he raised at the time referred to. The test with His Honor then was the value of tho property before the work was done, and its value subse quently. His Honor said that was the view which he held. Of course, if it was considered that his view was erroneous, there was the right to appeal to a higher Court. Mr Russell thought the decision of the Court was final.

His Honor replied that its decision was only final ns to the amount of the compen sation, but not as to the principle upon which it proceeded. If the asaessora were thought to be wrong as to the principle, the objecting party had tho right of appeal to the Supreme Court.

Mr Russell said he wan under the impres sion that His Honor was acting in his capacity as a Judge of the Supreme Court. His Honor replied in tho negative.

Mr Tyler said that as bad already been pointed out, the claim tor compensation was mado by William Blaadou, who was the owner of the equity of redemption of certain property situated at t&o corner of Victoria- Btreet West and Grahim-streets, known ns Asher'a Buildings. The section* under which |the claim was made were the 33rd and 34th of the Public Work* A<st of 18GG. The words, " Road Boards,"'nright be read, "The Mayor, Councillors, and Bur gesses of the City Corporation o£ Auck land," because that reading was aj'.owed by the Act alluded to. The owner or the re demption under those sections ' n!l d the right to claim compensation ifJiis land were in juriously afi'ected through i\ny works under taken by a public body, P.uch'as the Corpor ation of the city of Au^klaud. The claim was £500, and tine Co rporation hail taken notice ot it, and ho would be prepa-ed to show that it was r,, a( i o before tho works wcro completely executed. It would likewise be sho- , vn that the works in res poet of which t i, e c i a im was made were begun and carried O n under the authority of the Corpr ra ti O a, and that tho Corpora tion was r es p O nsible. During the last few months » number of these clauses had been made, Dud tho knowledge which had been gaiuoiL i n reference to them was such as to render it utterly useless for a plaintiff to jnak'c an exorbitant claim. Bearing that *n raind his client had assessed tho injury wViich his property has sustained at as reasonable a sum as possible. Wm. Blandon, the claimant, said the works authorised by the City Corporation had deprived his houses of their approaches to the street, and they had consequently to be let at a much lower rental. lie gave £450 for the property with the houses upon it, and its value before the works were commenced was £1,200. while now it was not worth more than £630.

To Mr Russell: An estimate based upon the rental would give £S'JO as the value before the works were begun, and £500 or £600 afterwards. The property iv Graham street fell iv value from £3 per foot to £2 5s or £2 10s per foot. The buildings were erected 20 years ago at a cost of £900, and they had depreciated about £300 since that time.

Mr Francis Hammond, surveyor, esti matod'the value ot the property bctore tha alterations wero made to the street at £1,160, and now it was not worth more than £525. The property had depreciated in value £634 through the Corporation Works. To put the property iv tuo same position as it was. beforejwould cost £591. Win. James. Dulton, architect and surveyor, estimated the value of the pro perty before the Corporation Works were inaugurated at £1,250, and since the works had been completed at £600. It would take £582 to lower the buildings to the level of the str»et.

Kobert. Greenwood, auctioneer aud land agent, oatimatcd tho value of the property before, the greets ou each side of it were cut down atJtl,2oo, and its present value :it £GOO. IV. would take £525 to lower the buildings to fJio^nUorcd level, while tho loss of rental, etc., would increase the expense to £((00.

To the Judge : At a forced sale before the street was cut down thoproporty would not have brought more than £900, but now it would not fetch more than £500.

_ Charles William tson, land agent, gave a similar estimate. The property had been depreciated iv value about £550 to £600. This was the case* for the plaiu tiff. 1?. G. Ewington was the lirst witness called for the defence. He said that he had acted as Mr Blaudon's agent for three years, and that coi lsequeutly he had an in timate knowledge concerning the property. Its value before tht j streets were cut down was £800, aud to-d 'ay its market value was £600, the dopreciat ion iv value being there fore £200.

G. W. Binney wl io had also examined the property said that it was worth £800 or £900 bofore ,the cu.iting of the streets and that it was worth: us much now. It had actually been improved, by the works, though the Graham-street property by itself might have "been depreciated to the extent of £150. T; iking- it as a whole how ever, it had nofc beeu depreciated at all.

B. Tonks who 'aad twenty years experi ence as a land agent, valued the property before the Corporation Works at £800 and now at £610.

William Anderson, City Surveyor, de posed that not more than three feet of cut ting was made in Graham-street, leaving Mr Blandon's, property 4 feet 10 inches above the level of the thoroughfare. In answer to His Honor Mr Russell said the property was rated by the City Council ™. a year as teing the total rentals. I his closed the ca«e, and the learned counsel having addressed the Court the 1 resident and assessors retired to consider tneir award.

After an hour's deliberation they re turned, when the President announced that oy a majority, they had agreed to award the claimant £400, which would he paid to him subject to the consent of his mortgagee together -with £25* as the costs of the in quiry.

This concluded Jthe proceedings.

CABLE NEWS.

PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

EUROPEAN.

South Australian Loan Postponed. LONDON/ January 14. The floating of the South Australian loan is deferred in consequence of a dispute as to the minimum. General Roberts "Wants More Reinforcements' LONDON. January 14. In consequence of the menacing attitude of the Afghans, General Roberts has tele graphed that he requires a large force to maintain British supremacy. The Samoan Kingdom. LONDON. January 14. An agreement has been made between Great Britain, the North German Con federation, and the Unitad States of America, to recognise and support Mahetoa, as King of all Samoa. Germany has appointed a Consul to represent her at|Apia. The Afghan Insurrection. LONDON. January 14. The Afghans, notwithstanding repeated defeats at the hands of the British, are again menacing an attack in force. Bet urn of Mr Childers. LONDON. January 13. The Right Hon. H. Childers has re turned from Canada, The Victorian Beform Question- LONDON. January 13. The "Globe" approves of the reforms submitted to the electors of Victoria, and hopes that a compromise will be effected, the Upper House having the power of re vising legislation. It deprecates a plebis cite. The Servian Question. LONDON. January 14. There are increasing indications of general action about .the Eastern Austro-Servia difficulty. Another Affghan Defeat. News from Affghanistan states that General Roberts routed the AfFghans at Ghuznee with heavy loss.

Gambettl President of Deputies. PARIS. January 14. Gambetti has been re-elected President of the French Chamber of Deputies by a small majority. ♦ [REUTEB'S SPECIAL CABLtSGBAMS.J LONDON. January 13. Three per cent consols are 7£. • The Empress Eugenic .embarks in the Unicn Company's Germanic for the Cape on March 26. The Bagot trial commences in Easter term. Franco - Bussian Alliance. LONDON. Januatry 14. It is officially known that Prince Bismarck has warned Russia to keep the pe^ .cc, and that he will not tolerate the Franco--^Russian alliance. G-erman Consuisin Australia. BERLIN. January 14. A German Consul-General is to be appointed for Australia, and probably hia residence will be at Melbourne. Consuls are to be appointed elsewhere in Australia.

AUSTRALIAN.

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Commercial* MELBOURNE. .Tianuary 14. Now Zealand five per cent, debentures, ninety-nine. Wheat market steady. The European Court. The affairs are adjusted of the Australian European Bank, and the shareholders re ceive 39.3, equivalent to the loss of 38s per share. The Bushrangers. SYDNEY. January 14 A deputation to-day waited on tho Go vernor, to urge the commutation ot the death sentence in the case of the bushranger Rogan. His Excellency promised to submit the matter to the Executive, but he held out no hopes of a commutation.

MELBOURNE.

[REUTEK'S SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS. J

January 14. Sailed : Tamrua for New Zealand.

Love and Suicide.

PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.

TIMAKU, th « day. A singular case of suicide was rt^Pol'^ this iv oruiug. William Willis, a farh/ an^ statiou labourer, arrived in Tiinaru ft<onl Albany last Friday, and took up quartei."* in trio ola Bank Hotel. Early on Monday eye'iiing, after drinking a glass of gin and bitters, he retired to his room, apparently ia excellent spirits. Nothing more was seen of him, and the landlord supposed he had loft the house, till last evening about midnight, when the landlord went to the room to get a bed for a • lodger, aud found the door blocked. The servant girl then stated that she bad been unable to get into the room for two days. The police were sent for and the door burst open, and Willis was found dead, resting of his knees, and leaning on the bed. An empty two-ounce bottle of chlorodyne was on the floor beside him, and an offenoive smell showed that decomposition had set in. The deceased wijs about thirty-eight years of age, very temperate in his habits and indus trious. It is supposed he committed suicide through some love affair.

The Whangarei Ghost Story.

Great sensation has been caused here during tho past week by certain authenti cated ghost stories. A gentleman who lately bought an estate near Whangarei has frequently been disturbed at night by all sorts of strange noises iv the house after everybody had retired to rest. At iirat he took no notice of it, thinking the noise was caused by rats, wind, or from some other ordinary origin j but it was re. marked that the horses in the stock-yard were found in the morning trembling and shaking most violently as if frightened ; yet there was no way of accounting for it Mr said nothing about the matter till a fresh manifestation was made known. This happened at the residence of the late ■Dr , in Whangarei. Mr R— and and Mr Ed. D , jun., wers sleeping alone in the house oue night last week, when suddenly the hed clothes wero pulled oft the bed. Mr R pulled them on again, thinking Mr D had pulled them off; but next time they Were pulled off, Mr D sang out to Mr R to desist, when the latter said he was not doing it. They both watched, and the clothes were again pulled off, and both saw tho ghost .of the late Mr pass through the room. He was dressed in gtey clothes, the same as of old. Mr D. Bays his hair stood on end and he was trans fixed to the spot, and Mr R was also powerless to move. The house was formerly occupied by a settler, but his wife al ways complained that there was something wrong about the house, as noises were frequently heard for which there was no accounting. Mr - —' 3 death was a sad one, and there are many things connected with his life that lead superstitions people to think it only natuial that his " ghost is doomed for a certain time to walk the earth." And there is another singular feature about the matter, and that is this—that it is only since the death of the late Mr (at the? Thames) that these disturbances have takem place. Dr. and Mr were in timate friends in Whangarei, and the doctor made out Mrs will, which some people say troubled the deceased. The con nection here is this: The late Mr r though a most respected and estimable man in every other way, was addicted to liquor, and, in fact, killed himself with it. His corpse was brought into Whangarei for burial, but the resident clergyman refusei it the rites of burial, and the corpes was taken back and buried on the

estate, not far from the house which is now said to be haunted. The doctor afterwards committed tuicide. He was a very clever man, but eccentric and lunacy ran in his family, and there was something the matter with Mr ' 3 will which has never been explained, though no blame is |cast on Dr. who was a most honourable man. Both their deaths were tragic, and both had led remarkable lives,aud the ghost stories are fully believed and testified to by the parties alluded to Mr intends building another house in consequence of the one he occupies being haunted.—(Whangarei Correspondent.)

TELEGRAPHIC.

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CAMBRIDGE, this day,

.: The news of Mr Peter Walker accidently shooting himself yesterday while after a doe with a loaded carbine, was received witE regret, Mr Walker having been a member of the Cavalry force, aud generally popular. GKAHAMSTOWN, Wednesday. 18,000 acres of land at the Upper Thames are to be thrown open in a few week 3. THE THAMES TRAGEDY. The Maoris came into IGrahamstown to demand the bodies of a half-caste and a native who had died violent deaths, having heard that the Government had authorised an inquest aud believing the bodies had been taken charge of. The Maori, it seems was jealous of his wife's fidelity, and killed her with a billet of wood, hanging himself next. The Native Office said it would" be injudicious to interfere, and no inquiry was held. FIRE AT WAIOTAHI. A Fire broke out in a two-roomed cottage in Waiotahi Creek, about 11 o'clock to. night, occupied by a miner named John French, his mother, and young brother The latter had gone to bed leaving a candle burning, and this is supposed to have caught the paper, and before anything coald ho saved the house and its contents were burned to a cinder. The mother was awny and the owner was just coming off his shift at a battery, when he saw the house in flames. SHAREMARKET. Sales : Old Whau, Goi ; Albnrnia, buyers * 85s ; Moanatairi, sellers, 50s. ' WELLINGTON, Wednesday, At the Appeal Court, leave to appeal to the Privy Council was granted in the cue Cleave v. King, but the Court took lime to consider the terms on which the appeal should be made. At the Police Court, the charge1 of per. jury against P. K. Watty, commission agent, for an alleged false declaratiou be. - fore the Commissioner ot Stamps, wasdis. missed. It is believed that Watty intendi to prosecute those who laid the information for false prosecution. This day. WORKING MEN'S CLUB. The half-yearly meeting of the Working Men's Club was held last night, when the report and balance-sheet showed a satisfcic. Tory result. Colonel Scratchley inspects the whole «| the Wellington volunteers to-night. The ship Zealandia cleared for London this moruins with a cargo valued at £71,382. NELSON, Wednesday. I;'' A young woman named Clara Palmer, i patient at the hospital, attempted to. strangle herself yesterday. She has beet examined by two medical men to-day, and committed to tho lunatic asylum. ' A heavy storm passe 1 over here lit; evening. OAMARU, Wednesday, LIFE INSURANCE CASE. 1 After two days' trial, the case of Ha Jane Thompson v, the A ustraliati Mnfal Provident Life Assurance Society came bi conclusion to-day. It was a claim for £2(4' being the amount of a policy on the lifrof the plaintiff's husband. The policy was its delivered, but the life had beea accepted and the receipts given for the half-year*! Eremium. The defence was, that the life ad been accepted through fraudulent e» cealment and untruthfulncss. The w was tried in the District Court, bete Judge Weston, and a special juryoffoti Thirty-seven issues were submitted to Ha jury, who, after four hours' deliberate returned a verdict for the plaintiff fori amount claimed. Notice of appeal n given, OAMAEU, this day; The heavy rain of yesterday has drii considerable damage to the crops, and k in many cases beaten them down to mi an extent as to make harvesting difficult Tho weather is still unsettled. DUNEDIN, Wednesday, At the Waste Lands Board it was* cided unanimously, on the motion of If Bashing, " That all deferred paymaii having been opened for three years, i not taken np, and any cancelled licens that have been re-opened and applied O, the necessary steps shall be taken to htn the same proclaimed open for sale by m tion, at 20s per acre." The Harbour Board to-day decided t increase the pilot duties twopence per tot making them the same as Lyttelton. . The Coroner's jury returned a vordieti " Incendiarism by some persons unknon,| in respect to the fire which desirajs Arthur O'NeiU's dwelling, Mopelu.&jf last month.

•;v> CHRISTCHURCH.thL* At the request of the Chairman jf i Chamber of Commerce the closing of 8 Suez mail has heen extended, to aWI answers being sent, via Suez,to the.S Francisco letters received this wM The Union Steamship Company hat w requested to postpone the EinguojHi departure, from the Bluff, until Saiwty. THE UNEMPLOYED, i Vox the post of office clerk to JW Son.>era B^ Board, nutftytwJ Dlicai^onß were recoived- CsptemoW l t the' Canterbury Yeon^ftj • • has resigned owing to the D™* declining to take any notice of tos rra* application for a driU Instructor fc* C°rPS* THE "RIFLE MEETING. At a meeting of the New ft*J« Association held l*>t eYcaiug,,M»J« j * in the chair, it was said that, ttm meeting at Nelson was no g"",^ was a°pity if Cant^ury ewH*{ tribute to the success oi^/"f^p|l in the same degree as he <?Jj|l During the evening the &'^o Artillery companies promised fit "^, each, and eventually a commute*^ pointed to solicit subscriptions in |M|| march meeting. THE WEATHER AND CRM^ The weather is warm this moriuM£ recent thirty-six hour*' rain basttw • tall crops in Northern districts.^ hoped a few days' sunshine will pntjW right. Though reaping in mfWj case will have a heavy task uiidealßtf the majority of crops in Ashleyjoff,

Fatal Gun Accident.

[FROM OUR OWX CORRESPOND^' HAMILTON, ttjjj Mr Peter Walker met «*•s fatal accident yesterday a"?™?0^ ing that a dog was hastened to the paddock with MMJ, intending to shoot the ""KJ&if «port was heard, and Mr w«* y, turning home, his wife went to loo* , only to find that in S^Oga fenco, he had exploded• WsJfs "bullet passing thhroujj-h hw W"^ Sm instantaneous death. *»,B^ jas-ing at the time render^"^ removing the body to the tow* . THE INQUBS.r At the inquest oa Mr PeUr S evidence went on show tbatoew^ ant to try io shoot a dog, *«*ja( ing his sheep. Two shots we«'3l shortly afterwards the decease hanging over a third wiw^, j oarbine resting agains* .^i ■■ t ■wire, which had evid«*L accidentally discharged, UW •while trying to get throagji W>^ toilet had entered his"«« *»!E£ out on the left side of toWfi' Death must have been instant^ jury, without deliberation .'J Mowing verdict i-'^f^M death through the accidental ° h , his carbine, while P*' SID« S* under the "a^f "In, * and Infantry ™u*fV and Oddfellows' innate accident to so weU^ $ liked a settler as the deceas^^ Quite a gloom over this pa« ; j

THE AUCKLAND EVEFING STAR, THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 1880.



THI X " A N A Z I. JUST OPENED DV t j^INABUEY & QO. 1 Case French MH-LINERY, BONNETS, 1 Csuporb goods, to be sold cheap and BLOUriKS, the Largest and Choicest 1 Caßo CLn<Hes' eGalatea, Stripe, and Cold Lustre COSTUMES 1 Caao ladies' Cambric and Print Mourn ing Wiur-PERS. from aa 6d each-50 per cent cheaper than ever Bold in Auckland <? CaBes^FANCY GOODS, comprising all the Noveltio3 of the Season. DRESSMAKING ON THE PREMISES. >..'t. TNABUBY & CO.,



Special Adv.y.'iMiGments. OIiGCESSFUX OPEN I N G i OF TIIK AUCKLAND FACTORY. CLOTHING Established for tho Manufacture and Sale of Colonial-made CLOTHING, situate two doors below Messrs. B. Tonks and Co.'s Auction Mart, Quecn atreet. J. X 11 0 B I N S O N, In connection with tho abovo, respectfully an nounces tho arrival of his second shipment of Geclonp; and Mossiol TWEttDS and Melbourno mudo CLOTHING, comprising all the latest Stylos and Shapes in MEN'S, YOUTHS' and IJOYS' CLOTHING, suitable for tho summer Eoason. Theso goods ho will guarantee of tho most superior quality anfi workmanship, being made from tho purest Colonial Wools, and manufactured to his own special contract. J. B. E.OBINSON Notifies with satisfaction tho unqualified success of his TAILORING DEPARTMENT, which, ho is glad to say, has exceeded his most saaguine expectations, and, with a view of fos tering and encouraging Now Zealand industries as much as lies in his power, ho has engaged an additional staff of hands for tho solo manufac turo of MOSGIEL TWEEDS, and with the continued support and appreciation ot tho public, ho trusts to be at least p rtly tho means of eventually keeping out of this market the shoddy manufactures of foreigners. J. B. ROBINSON Invites special attention to the following GOODS: ---250 pairs Men's Geelong Tweed Trousors and Vests at 21s ; the bast value in tho country 110 Hoys' and Youths' Fancy Choak Goolong Tweed f-'uitn: oxtra, quality 100 Meh'9 Tllack and I!luo Worsted I'a<?et Coats and Veals to match; very superior Also, 3 oases of Hoys' Knicker Suits, with Plaited Tunic and Belts; boautlful .'goods and vory cheap 5 cases China Silk Helmet?, of tho bc3t quality, Now being sold at Is fid Also, A parcel of T?oys\ Youths' anfl Men's Alpaca Jackets, from 5s 6d. J. B; ROBINSON Thanks his Friends and tho Public for tho generous and;liboral patronage accorded to him since opening tho Auckland Clothing Factory, and, as it will always be his prinoiplo in Busi ness to Soil tho BEST GOOD 3at tho smallest rOSSIBLK REMUNERATIVE PRICES, hODOS to retain tho confidence of his frionde and the inhabitants of tho Provincial District of Auck land in general.



w Please Note the Address— 4 UCKLAND /CLOTHING ST7IACTORY, (Noxt Messrs. Tonka & Co/a Auction Mart), qdien-sir k k t, Auckland. RiO-OPERATIVE 1> It IC E S FOR GASH. CO-OPERATIVE VII ICES AND QUICK SALE. CO-OPERATIVE PRICES A PUBLIC BENEFIT. Wo aro Selling tho Cheapest DRKSS GOODS Wo aro Soiling PRINTd and CALICOS at a Small Advanco on Cost MANCHESTER GOODS MILLINERY UNDERCLOTHING Men's and Boys' Clothing At Co-oporatlvo Prlcos. FOR CASH ONLY. ILLUSTRATIVE LINES OF PRICES BHOWINCt Advantages Gained by Supporting THE PURE CASH SYSTEM. GABLICK & CRANWELL Aro Selling Two, throe, and four-button Kid Gloves at 2a Gd, 2s 9a, 3s " Silver Boll" Glove Fitting Corsets, at 23 CdJ Wool Damasks, 3s 6d and 3b 9d per yard Silk Umbrellas (Paragon Frame), Gs Gd Fast-Colour Prints, GJd per yard Brown Hollands, from od upwards Cambric Handkerchiefs, Is per dozen Silk Embroidered Scarfs, Od, lOd, and Is 3d Bluo Diagonal Coats, 12a 6d (halt-price) Laeo Curtains, 3s Gd, -Is lid, Gs.lld, upwards, p. ~~ci~~ s. Wo. havo adopted tho Pure Cash System for tho following reasons :— I.—lt is fairest to both buyer and seller, be cause, by avoiding bai debts, our Cash Customers will not havo to mako good the losses occasioned by defaulters, and tho Quick Cash Returns will enable us, as Sellers, to buy moro extensively, and tako full advantage of cash discounts, in which gain our customers will parti cipate. 2. Theiocreased business which must follow consequent on selling goods at a small advance on cost, will give our customers the samo advantago as though they wero shareholders in a Co-oporativo Society. 3. Our patroDS will always have a largo, fresh, and well-assorted Stock to seleot from.



BUY YOUR DRAPERY AND CLOTHING FROM (jAKLICK & C/TvANWELL, CITY lIALL ARCADE, QUEEN STREET AND LORNE STREET. \ FEW GOOD SEASONS iron MAKING YOUE PURCHASES AT TnE AfKW rTEALAND /"ILOTHING TjiACTORY. Tho Materials are manufactured In New Zealand. The Garments are madc_in New^Zealand. The Moneyjs expended in New Zealand. Tho Stock to zetartjrom is the largest in New Zealand. Tho Cut and Trimmings are equal to bespoke. The_Prices,j:ongjdcring || the j quality and finish, arc lower than those of any otjicr hoßSOjn New Zealand. And notwithstanding tho extra tariff just imposed in New Zealand, there is KZT NO_ADVANCK IN PRICES! You can still purchase A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICK FROM THE JNew Clothing X 1 ACTORY. Auckland Retail Branch : QUEEN-STREET, Opposite Theatre Royal. I L N 15 & nHOYCE Have now on viow a Complete Assortment of the most beautiful SPRING GOODS of every description, fcom the best Home mat nets. MILLINERY, in Paris and English STRAW GOODS, FLOWERS, FKATHERS VISITHS and MANTLE?, in Silk and Cash mere JACKETS, in Coloured Summer Cloth OLIVIAS, in Cashmere, Silk, &,o. CHILDREN'S HOS ', in Cotton, Lisle, and Silk LADIKS' H0 -iE; in Cotton, Lislo, and Silk PARACHUTES. UMBRELLAS, RIBBONS KID GLOVES, Black, Whito, and Coloured, 1, 2, i, and 6 button UNDRESSED KID GLOVES, 2 and i button. An Immense Stock of DRHSS GOODS,in all the newest and most tashiunublo styles and texcures, all marked exceedingly moderate. BABY LINKN, CHILDREN'S AND LADIES' UNDERCLOTHING, in great variety. BOYS' KNICKERBOCKERS, HOSIERY, HATS, COLLARS, ETC. ASComplota" Assortment o£ Calico 3, Flannels, Linens, &o. DKESS AND MANTXB-MAKINO ON TnK PREMISES. F ye per Cent, Discount allowed for Cash. MILNE & CHOY CE,



Special Advertisements. Iji S TABLI SII E D 13 55. Li 1 CHEAPEST BEST HOUSH QUALITY O W MIACHINES T II E| | TRADE. g CO W TT Q HAKESPEAK&f ><0" 246, QUEEN-STREET, Auckland. established 185 5. AUR OALE OF MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING, HATS, CAPS, AND SHIRTS, COMMENCES THIS EVENING. All the Now Shipments recently received will be sold at SA L X pnICE 8. HLK 1 KICKS. J. CO3GKATE & CO. T O C X - T A X I N G. -(BARGAINS!}- XyiLLIAM Tl ATTRAY, In preparation for Stock-taking, has REDUCED tho PRICES of his Largo Stock of SUMMER COSTUMES, SILK JACKETS, SUMMER SKIRTS, & PINAFORES, ■which ho is now offering at such prices as must eftect ft Speedy Clearance.



SILK JACKETS, Roduood from 57s Gd to 35s Ditto Reduced from £5 10s to £-1 Is Ditto Reduced from £10 10a to £7 SUMMER COSTUMKS, Reduced from 17a Gd to 10s Gd Ditto Keduced from 27s Gd to 19s Gd Ditto Rcilucod from 12-j to 30a Ditto Iteduccd from £0 to £3 7s Gd SUMMER SKIRTS. Reduced f. om 7a Gd to 39 Ditto Reduced from l>3 Gd to Ga 6d Ditto Reduced from 12s lid to 8s Gd PINAFORES, Reduced from 7e Od to is Gd AT W. RATTRAY'S COSTUMB, MANTLW, MILLINKRY, AND General Drapkhy Fstaulisiimknt, NEW ZEALAND HOUSE, G6, Quken Steekt, Auckland (Opposito tho Bank of Now Zoaland).



Udoi.mo wolfk'B Pciiikdam Aromatic Schnapps is a beverage tint tlis most temperato and fastidious ladies can take with impunity, in the moderate riO36S proscribed to their cases, without any stomachic ill-offccts. It is so grate fully cxbilarant, bo «ently adjuvant, so mild a stimulant, so pu'e, 80 innocuous, that oven in fants might use it, in place of the carminatives that, to pacify and soothe them, are usually mixed with some narcotic, and are apt to under mine their tender systems.



TOWN EDITION. PUBLISHED AT 4.30.