SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

mmi \v ATIP'IJ Thlß Evening, 11.22 HIGH w &IKA\ To . mor row Morning, ll.iS SUN SKT.-Thls Kvoning, 6.51 B'JM RISiIC-To-Morrow Morning, 5.37 MOUNd AGE.—First Quarter, IStb, 3.25 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

LAST EVENING. Argy!c, s.s., Crawford, from Whangarei.

DEPARTURES.

LAST KVKNIN'G. Gleneig, R.S., Favquhar, for Tanranprs. Annie Milbank, p.s.. Anderson, for Whangarci. TO-DAY. Ben Nevi3. ship, Mnckic, for Lyttelton. lona, p.s., Stephonson. for Russell. Rotoiua. s.s., Tozer, for Sydney.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Melbourne, via South.—Rotomahann, Thursday London-Fernglcn, loading Tauranga—Glonclff, Monday For Now Plymouth and Southern Ports — Wellington, Wednesday For Russell—lona, Monday • Hawca. Friday For Tauranga aud Southern Ports — Hawca, Monday vVhangnrei—Argyle, Tuesdays and Friday 3 ; Anno Milbank, Mondays and Thursdays.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Bismarck, 11.1.G.M.5., from Samoa Kill Granville, ship, from London; sailed No vember 29 Agato, barque, from New York; sailed Septem bor23rd , ~ . Klinor Vernon, barque, from New York; tailed 10th November Stra athro, ship, from London ; sailed Nov. 27 Trovelyan. ship (V.N.H.S.), from London ;load inff. City of Quebec, barque, from London. Elmirancla. barquo. from New York Camllle, brig, from New York Mercui barque, from London ; sailed Dec. 30 Acmes Donald, schooner, from Lovuka IVlle Brandon, schooner from Line Islands Is'and Lily, brigantine, from Chatham Islands Active, brigantine, from Sydney Myrtle, hrtkantine, from Tonga Griffin, schooner, from New Caledonia Pirate, schooner, from Tahiti Coronet, schoonsr, from Marshall Group Kthel. briprantine, from Wellington Energy, schooner, from Lovuka Fiery Cross, schooner, from Onmaru Syren, brig, from Sydney; loading Tubal Cain, schooner, from Levnka

EXPORTS.

Per Kotom, for Sydney: 77 hales flax, 7 bales fungus, 1 Ijox apoconien*. IsiVAHW COASTWlsw.—Rhost, from• Omaha, with 23,000 feet timber, Zillah, from lhames, WOuTWAßl>s ecoT'TwisE.-Ghost, for Cabbago Bay, Golden I-le for Itu3sell. Tho topsail schooner Sybil is expected to leave for the islands on Saturday next. A topsail schooner or brigantino outside Tiri Tiri, was eignallcd when we went to prees, The Ship Ben Nevis sailed to-rlay for Lyttel ton, where she is to be loaded with grain for London- Captain Smith, formerly of tho Aratapu, has been appointed Chief Harbourmaster at Kaipara. Tha barque Clara Hargreaves is now on her way from Newcaatle to this port, with a cargo of coals. The barguentlne Elinor Vernon, arrived at P,>rt Chalmers from New York yesterday. She comes on to this port immediately after the discharge of the Southern portion ot her cargo, and will load here for New York. The departure of the a.s. lona for Russell an" Northern ports was postponed from last even ing, and she left at noon today. Tho brigantine Seagull bound from the Hanukau to Timaru put in to Lyttelton wind bound yesterday. One or th« crew, a Sirdinian named Peter Porlette became insane on tho passage down, and jumped over board on the 10th Inst. He was resoued by the mate of tho vessel. The three-masted schooner Estelle left Dune din for this port on the 11th instant, with the following carpto:—loo saoks oats, 610 sacks bran, 210 sacks pollard, 10S sacks wheat, 91 sacks bones 420 sacks and 8»i0 bags flour, 28 casks and 10 sacks bonedust, 101 sac&3 oatmeal. 17 pack azes. • The brigantine James A. Stewart arrived at Newcastle from this port on the 29th ult. The s s. Argylo arrived last night from Whan- Karei and Manffapai, with 80 sacks kauri gam, 40 boxes fruit, 7 casks tallow, 21 hides, 2 bundles sheepskins, 10 kegs butter. 2 boxes butier, 8 boxes eggs. PasseEgerst-Mra Jones. Mra and Mis 3 Bay, Mrs and Miss McGregor, Messrs McGregor (2|. Steward, Fairburn. Ray, Aitkin, Coutts, Brown, a;id four in the steerage. She returns to tho same ports to-night. DKPARTURE OF THE ROTORUA. The Union Company's Rotorua left for Sydney via Russell at a late hour this afternoon. Pas sengers :^ffor Russell: Mr and Mrs Shelton "lev. Hammond. For Sydney: Saloon-Mr ani Mrs Benjamin, Mrs Hoemer, Mrs Brownlie, Messrs Dowling Dutton. Bennett McGrowthor, Lamond Rhodos f hurchward, Wilson, C. Grey, Groinhill, Rose, Mowp.-o, Fittoek, Sumrnerneld, Watson, T. Forbes, Quirk, Rev. Bailhache, and Capt. Lamond. Steerage-Messrs W. Geddard, T. Young. John Hart, J. Kemp, Smallon, D. Jieckingham, and J. A. Call-in.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

RusseOi, this day. Sailed: Elainore. Tho Rotomahana sails at 4 p.m. Port Chalmirs, this day, Sailed—Wellinßton. Passenger for Auck land-Mr Heaton. Arrived—Barquo Hleanor Vernon from New York. AN UN3KAWORTHY SHIP. The barque Pleidoa, which left on Saturday, ostensibly for Liverpool, did fo without obtain intr a clearance from the Customs, and in defi ance of notice served on the master that the vessel was unseaworthy. Wellington, yesterday. Sailed: Ringarooma for Melbourne, via the South • Penguin for Auckland, via tho Coast. Passengers: — Mess'-rs Gray, Nancarrow, Cameron, Maitland, Evans, LawsOD, Harst, and Blarney. Houitika, this day. Tho s.s. Albion arrived in the roadstead from Molboui ne yesterday aiternoon. Littblton, yesterday. Arrived: Western Monarchfrom Wellington; Wave of Lifo from Kaipara; Marmion irom Kaipara. tailed : Wallabi for Dnnedin.

COMMERCIAL.

Kvening Star Office, Tuesday. MrR. C. Greenwood offered for sale to-day, at the yards. Freeman's Bay, the extensive pottery works of Mr William Dowden. The highest bid was £1,300, but the reserve was £1 500. The property was withdrawn, but 13 open for private Bale at reserve terms for a few days. The etock-in-trade realised fair prices.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Closk A3 Unukh:— This Day. For Wangarei Heads, Waipu, Waiigarel, aud Mangapai, per Argylo, at 1 p.m For Mangawai and Waipu, per Kina, at 5 p.m. For Thames, per Kotomahaim, at a p.m. Wednesday, ISth instant For Taranaki and Southern Provinces, per Waitaki, at 11 a.m. For Coromandei, per Coronr.andcl, at 11.30 a.m. For Thames, per rtnterpriso. at 5.30 p.m. Thursday, 19th instant. For Waiwera, To Kapa, Ciaigiebum, and Warkworth, per Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For Giaborno. Nupler, Southern provinces, and Australian Colonies.per Rntomahana.at 9 a.m For Wanptarci Heads aud Wungarel, per Anno Milbank, at 1 p.m. Tuesday. 2nd March. Per B.s. Australia as follows :— For Sandwich Iblunds, United States of America, Cauada, HritiHh Columbia, Central and South Amerina. and British and Foreign Weat Indies, Japan, and China, including Hongkong, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 1 p.m. For money orders, and registered lotterß, at 11.30 a.m. Late letters bearing an oxtra feo of sixpence, in addition to tho postage, will be received by the Mail Agont on board tho steamer up tc the time of sailing. B. B. BIS 3. Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

DIGNAN.—On tho 17th infant, at Mount St. Mnry, Ponsonby, Mrs A. M. Dignan of a son.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Resident, Upper Queen-street, Newton.— The neighbours should make complaint to the police.

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1880.

For tho causo that lacks asilstanco, For the wrong tha needs rcsista.net For the future in the dLstonco, And the ireud that we can do.

The United Friendly Societies' De monstration, which was brought to so satisfactory a conclusion on Friday evening, in tho division of £40 between city charities, ought to attract more attention to these societies among the industrial classes. Many of the cases of distress for which appeals are fre quently made through the press and by private canvass—the trials aud harass ments occasioned by illness associated with poverty — might havo been alleviated or prevented by tho simple and easily attainable precaution which the benefit provisions of any of the various Orders registered under the Friendly Societies Act offer to members. Though we would not aggravate the miseries of the wretched with re criminations for past imprudence, it is seasonable to remind those who are living from hand to mouth, and rolying solely upon continuance in health for their own support and the maintenance of others dependent upon them, that they are guilty of wilful negligence, almost criminal in its heinousness, if they neglect the provision against an evil day that id fairly within their reach. Among the papers laid before the House of Representatives last session was a report by the Registrar of Friendly (Societies, containing much very valuable information upon the working of the several Orders in New Zealand. Some of the facts brought out are curious and instructive. Into the more detailed statistics we shall not now enter, but a few of the broad general conclusions have interest be yond the members of the various Lodges. There are, it appears, 105 lodges on the Eegister, including 51 of the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows, 24 Courts of Ancient Order of Foresters, 2 Tents of Rechabites, and 5 branches of the Hibernian Aus tralasian Catholic Benefit Society. The number of benefit members had increased from 8,366 on January Ist, 1877, to 8,5G0 at the end of that year— a per centage that is anything but satis factory. The largest lodge in the colony is the Loyal Fountain of Friendship, Auckland, with 314 benefit members; the smallest the Loyal Alexandra, Wai kato, with four benefit members. To 8,560 members on 31st December, 1877, there were, approximately 4,800 regis tered wives—i.e., wives in respect of whom the societies would have been liable for a funeral benefit in the event of death. This amounts to 56*1 per cent. Taking the four orders separately, the percentages are,—Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows, about 50 per cent; Ancient Order of Foresters, about 58 per cent.; Independent Order of Recha bites, 30 per cent.; Hibernian Australa sian Catholic Benefit Society, 51 per cent. Mr Frankknd, the Actuary, who is responsible for these figures, in allu sion to the disparity in the totals, says ; —" The comparative paucity of registered wives in Rechabite Tents may be accounted for, I believe, by the practice of making the tptal abstinence pledge a condition of registration." In other words, that though the masculine portion of the followers of Rechab were ready to take jbHe vow, a large propor tion of their help-meets wore too partial to the creature comforts to make the sacrifice even upon the temptation of sick and funeral expenses defrayed by the Society. For the punishment of this ungallant insinuation we leave Mr Frankland to the tender mercies of the maligned sex. But a more notable fact in connection with these returns is the extraordinary high rate of sickness among the Rechabites. In the many elaborately compiled tables and general averages for which we are indebted to the zeal of advocates of total abstinence the results shewn arc bo invariably of an opposite character that some of those who hare these "awful examples" at their finger ends, would be beneficially employed in explaining why New Zealand offers a singular exception. Pending such elucidation we merely quote the figures compiled by Mr Frank land from the papers forwarded to him iby the .several Societies. Taking as a basis of calculation the total member- ;

ship of the lodges the average ages and proportion of sickness are thus stated : oS 8 | 111 I *4 sg > d S <*% Odd Fellows ... 33-3 6S 5-5 Foresters 31 "8 4-0 3 1 Kcchabites 331 49 SB ILA.C.B. Society 332 4-3 3"8 Mr Frankland makes no remark upon the high average of the Rechabites in IS7G, but lit; draws the following general conclusion from the tables as applied to the other societies:—"Taking into account the average age of mem bers, the rate of sickness paid for in New Zealand friendly societies is, on the whole, low for the earlier ages, as compared with that to be expected according to Ratcliffe'u tables, and it is considerably higher among the Odd fellows than among1 the Foresters and tho members of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society. This probably arises in the main from the circumstance that there are in cluded in the present statistics a number of Odd Fellows' lodges much older thun any branches of tho other orders, and that therefore, although the average ages in the four orders do not seem to differ much, there is o larger proportion of members at really ad vanced ages among the Odd Fellows." We may observe that the surmise with reference to the cause of tho higher mortality in long-established lodges, is borne out by the experience of tlu Victorian statistics for 1878, recently published, which make note of the steady growth of the death rate in these words : " The death rate of members lias been increasing for years past, a fact which can hardly be avoided, seeing that tho average age of members becomes greater year by year." The lesson to be learned is obvious. Those rates o^ subscription which are found ample to cover the liabilities in young lodges cannot be relied on as permanently sufficient as a provision for the guaranteed bene fits. '1 he Odd Fellows, with that fore sight which has been conspicuous in the history of tho Order, have taken a comprehensive view of tho re sponsibilities entailed by the growing age of the lodges. The Registrar observes : " This Society has altered the scale of contributions in a most satisfactory manner, the new sc-ile being such as to reasonably insure con fidence in the ultimate success of the society." His opinion on the contribu tions in the 11. A.0..13. Society is not so favourable. The roport says : " Tho amount of contribution to the Sick and Funeral Fund is left undecided by the rules, but the adoption of an under graduated scale is evident. This is most unsatisfactory. An undorgnulu ateil scale is generally, if not in all cases, insufficient to secure tho future payment of tho promised benefits, and is always a source of injustice, as pressing with undue heaviness on the members at tho younger ago-perioils, and reliev ing tho older members from legitimate payments at tho expense of the younger members. Tho minimum of Gd per week fixed by tho general laws of the Society is, having regard to the pro mised benefits, an utterly inadequate payment to be made even by mem bo is entering at the early age of 18, much more so by ohlei members." The ob jection of the Registrar rests upon the division of tho shilling contribution, which is the minimum contribution in the Society, into two halves—sixpence for sick and funeral and sixpence for management, tho former amount being, in his opinion, insufficient to cover the promised benefits. Similar objection is taken to thu scale of contributions in tho Kaiapoi Lodge of Sons of Temperance of Australasia, and in estimates given of the assets of three Odd Fellow Lodges on the West Coast gold fields, snub serious deficiencies are shewn that the Registrar says : " Lodges and Courts which havo charged contribu tions that are low iv amount and uni form at all ages will bo able to convineo themselves that there is grave reason for alarm as to their financial safety." In the lodges referred to, though appar ently possessing a good working capital, the deficiencies are reckoned at £1527, £GBi, and .£137, respectively. The ac tuaries have ovidcutly a strong objection to the ungraduated scale, and where it is adopted insist on the necessity of a high rate being adopted. From an elaborate table giving the results of the working of all the New Zealand lodges tho .Registrar proves irrefutably that " Among tho older lodges there is a greater total sickness, and also the sick ness experienced is on an average more protracted—results which are exactly in accordance with the predictions of the actuaries." On the question of management, the Eegistrareays : " The total expenses of management amounted to .£5,091 15s Sd, or 6-G73 (13s sd) per member. In 187G they amounted to, on an average .£-046 (12a lid) among tho societies then furnishing returns. Taking tho four chief orders separately we havo the following result: —Man- chester Unity of Odd Fellows, £710 (1-ts 2d) per member; Ancient Order of Foresters, £-506 (lla 2d) pet member ; Independent Order of Hecbabites,ii-614 (12s 3d) per member; Hibernian Australasian Catholic Bcnelit Society, £-816 (10s 4d) per member. These results point to the same conclusion us the corresponding results obtained from the statistics for 1876. The conclusion pointed at is that the Hibernian Society is more costly in its management than any of the other orders, and that the Foresters' clubs are, on an average, conducted more cheaply in this colony than those of the Oddfellows. The view given of the Ilechabite societies is a favourable one, but the number of tents furnishing returns was, in both instances, so small that no general conclusion can be drawn from the facts." There is altogether very much in the report that deserves the careful consideration of all who are interested iv the success of these societies, and as appended to it are the working statutes bearing upon friendly societies, and much statistical information, tho paper is one that ought to be more widely read than it is likely to be if consigned alone to the uninviting boards of blue-book literature. We do not know whether the Government havo distributed copies among the lodges of the colony, but if not they ought certainly to do so without delay. Latest cubic news in another column brings intelligence of the advance of Ayotd Khan, brother of tho late Ameer of Afghan istan, from Herat with a column of G,OOO men to join Mahomed Jan. The latter who is a determined opponent of the British' has been lately inciting the tribes be tween Gabiil and Uerat to fanaj)icjsm. his last exploit wa9 an attempt to intercept a convoy taking supplies to Cebul in which he was repulsed. The force which is coming to his* aid from Herat numbers G,OOO, and doubtle«3 consists of the Cabulese troops who recently occupied that city aud wete encaged in des perate i conflicts with the inhabitants General Stewart, of whose movements verj little haa been heard of late, now occupies a commanding position, aud will shortly be '

i reinforced by General Roberts, preparatory to a vigorous spring campaign with a view to the complete subjugation of the couutry. Many complaints are heard of the growing impudence of a few larrikins, who infest certain parts of the city at night, and annoy pedestrians by till by remarks and conduct. On Saturday night, a gang of young black guards stationed themselves at the corner of Wellesley-street east, and insulted the passers by, amongst whom were seveval ladies and young girls. The police should make a few examples. Mr W. N. Searancke, of Waikato, is eriously ill with cholera. iAt a meeting of the members of the United Methodist Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society, held on the 14th inst., it was resolved to make an effort to resusci tate this society which had been so useful in the past. The election of oilicera re sulted as follows :—President, Rev, It. Taylor, Vice-Presidents, Messrs. Hemus, Tattersali, and Parker, Secretary, Mr Jas. Panders. The meeting was then"adjourned until Friday next, when it is hoped a goodly number of young men will attend, with the titles of their subjects for the programme in preparation. On Friday next Messrs Hunter and Nolan will submit to auction at Hamilton, Homo valuable property at Raglan, belong ing to ,V;rT. B. Bill. The property com prises town, suburban, and country lands, many of the lots having sea frontage, and containing valuable limestone. Now that Rnglan is connected by road with Waikato, and a bridge is to be at once erected over the river at Whata Whata, as well as the road continued to Hamilton station, we may expect brisk competition, as such a chance is not likely to occur again of getting a home by the sea side on such favourable terms, and at such a low price. In a very short time we may reasonably expect to see mails and passengers regularly conveyed daily between Kaglan and Hamilton, and Raglan will become a favourite place of resort for persons in search of health, spoit, or pleasure. The lots aie to be sold with out reserve. The editor of the " Northern Luminary " received the following curious cjii^t!.' the other day :—" Taumarere, Feb. 7, ISSO. Sir,' —Please send me my ac., and until you can find some more important iumm than low blackguardism and persona] abuse I shall require no mure 'Northern Lumin aries'— 1 am &c, G. GopDHUK. /■■ s you have a habit of publishing private com munications you are welcome to the above." The Editor retorts : " Overdue subscriptions have already been notified in our columns three times, and as Mr (Joudlilie has failed to come to the scratch, we make him a pre sent of the amount due, in consideration of the Good he has done us by discontinuing to run further into our debt " Return ot sick treated at the Provincial District Hospital for the week ending Feb ruary 14th, 1880:-Remained hibt return, 97 ; admitted since. 15 ; discharged, 17 ; died, 5j remaining, <)0 • males, 51 ; -feinak-H, 10. Arrangement of cases : Zymotic, 21!; constitutional, (>; local, 40 j developmental, 11; violent, S. Vivo, deaths occurred, viz : P. P., male, aged 50" years, on Bth, of para lysis ;A. 11., male, aged 49 years' on 11th, of cancer of t mguc; 11. P. 1)., mule, aged SUycaw, on 12th, of liver disease; G. H., male, aged 34, on 13th, of fever; M. M., fi'iiulc. aged 20' ycais .on 14th, of plithisis ptilnionaliM. Thanks aie returned to Mm Sopuott and Mrs 1 avis for purcoU of old linen. 'i he settlers of Wairon South were thrown into a state of alarm on .Sunday morning at day-break by eiies of lire, a very unusual alarm in thi.s district, it was at once dis covered that the Wairoa Hotel and adjoin ing store wero on lire, and before effective assistance could be obtained, the buildings were burnt to the ground. The preiuiiHS were occupied by Mr G. H. Martin, wi o lias made great improvement*, additions, See., and who was about to erect stabling on a larger anile, and make further improve ments. Mr and Mrs Martin, as well as tho servants and gue-ts, had not time t:> save a pair of boots, and bad a narrow escape of being burnt, in the llamos. Nothing of the furniture was suved owing to the sudden outbreak in the attached store and Post Ollice ; the lire getting full hold before the inmates wore aroused. There was no oue sleeping in the store, Mr Moore.the manager, being away in the country at the time. Groat sympathy is ft It for Mr and Mis Mai tin, win) are much liked in the neigh bourhood; he was insured for £1,300, but this amount of insurance is considerably below his loss. Mr Moore lost about £50. The " Thames Advertiser " expresses re gret at another evidences of the intention ot tho Government to abandon the Thames end of the Thames-Waikato railway, for * lie present, in tho fact that the engineer in charge, Mr U. Heeic, C.E., removed himself and li is belongings from Grahams to Hamilton on Natu'dny, under instructions from headquarters, The fact is Bays the "Advertiser," the Wnikato is to be tho scene of future operations, and his services have been transferred accordingly. The Shoitlaiid reclamation contract is rapidly approaching completion, and the Grahams town one has been completed soire time, so that the railway bridge will really bo the only work in connection with the lino in a few weeki' time, and that is making good progress. To the Editor : Sir, —Loud aro the ex pressions of abhorruncc, ancnt the I'iji demon, but not a foot amongst our young men is put forwnid to assist our over worked police in endeavouring to secure the miscreant, Now, lam an old man, but 1 willingly and cheerfully volunteer if tho police think my services would be of any good. Who is the next amongst the nncientH to come to the front?— Yours etc., T. 15. IIANNAFOKD. The lirst annual meeting of the members of Lodge Kemembraucc of tho Order of Loyal United Friends was bold in the largo room of the Insurance Buildings on Wed nesday evening last. From the balance sheet read by the Secretary (Hro. T. Bakowell) it was shown that notwithstand ing the very heavy expenses incurred during the past year for rrgalia, printing rules, rituals, and other incidental expense.', there was a balance of nearly £12 left, and that the number of members on tho roll was ninety. The election of oflicers for the ensuing term wa9 then procoeded with, and resulted as follows : —W.M., 13ro J, Petrie ; y.M., Hro J. G. Dorintgon; P.M., Bro G. Warburton ;.D.M., Bro 1' Christmas ; Secre tary, Bro Bakewell (re-elected) ; A.S., liro J. (i. Chappcll; Treasurer, IJro Ellis (re elected;. These and other minor olficoia were then installed in their respective ollices by the K.W.G.M. (Bro James Cox.) The newly-elected W.M. returned thanks in a very appropriate speech for the very high position to which the lodge had elevated him. A vote of thanks was given to the retiring W.M. ((Bro G. Warburton) for the very able manner in which he had dis charged his onerous duties during tho first twelve months of the lodge's existence. At the competition of the Thames Scottish Volunteers, in the District Prize Firing tho first, prize of £1 was won by Vol. A. Moore with a score of 46 points ; second prize, 17s Vol. J. Braniley, 44; third, 15s, Vol. F. Cock, 42 ; fourth, 10s, Vol. LitUcjolm, 3(J; fifth, 10-s, Vol T. Logan, 33. The sixth prize was a bottle of P. 1)., presented by Mi John Parrell, of Shortlaud; this was taken by Vol. John Quinn. A correspondent sends tho following fur ther contributions ou the question of Dickens' religion, from the writings of that eminent author-—"I have so strong an objection to mere professions of religion, and to the audacious interposition of vain and ignorant men between the sublime simplicity of tho New Testament, and the general human mind to which our Saviour addressed it, that I urge that objection us strongly and positively as I can. In my experience, true practical Christianity ban been very much obstructed by the conceit against which I protest." Again, " With a deep sense of my great responsibility always upon me when I exercise my art, one of my most constant and most earnest endeavours has been to exhibit in all my good people some faint reilections of the teachings of our great Master, and nnostentatiously to lead the reader up to those teachings as the great source of all moral goodnes*. All my strongest illustrations aro derived from the New Testament; all my social abuses are shown as departures from its spirit; all my good people are humble, charitable, faithful and forgiving. Over and over again [ claim them in express words as disciples of the fouuder of our religion, but I must admit that to a man (or wainan) they all arise and wash their faces, and do not appear unto men to fast. Furthermore, I devised a now kind of book for Christinas years ago (which hns been imilated all oycr Ki'gland, France, and America) absolutely impossible, I tbiuk, to be separated from the exemplification of the Christian virtues and the inculcation of the Christian precepts. In everyone of these books there is an ex press text preached on, and that text is taken from the lips of Christ." " I bold our Saviour to be the mode} of all goodness, aud I assume that in a Christian, country where the New Testament is accessible to all mod, aj.l goodness must be referred back to its influence. While I ask no man how lie settles for himself questions of theology (ou whign it is easy for any number pf men to say they are agreed, but very difficult for any two men to be really agreod), I should most certainly ask myself if I wronged anyone, how that default was to 'be reconciled with precepts of Christianity,"

Under the head of "a slogging match the " Northern Luminary " gives an account of a pugDistic encounter at Ruapekapeka, the scene of many lights, between "Big Bob" alias " The. Tawai Stockpot," and " Cow," alias the " Chicken." The Stock pot is said to be an old hand at the business. The description of the ailair is not very creditable to the district. The amount of the stake is not mentioned. To the Editor : Sir,—The writer of the paragraph " Musical Notes," is respectfully requested to accept the kind thanks of those interested in the late conceit at St. Mary's, tor the instructive observations so Judici ously made ; they were received with the same bienveillance, in which we believe they were giveu. We may remark en passant that the carnival played on the occasion was by Bftche, a more brilliant arrangement, and partaking more of a revery, than the piece by Schoulhoft'. — Pro Bono Publico. Remarking on the absence of Mr Sheehan from the meeting of Sir George Grey with his constituents, the " Now Zealand Times" says:—Nobody wns in the least surprised at his absence : even Sir George Grey would have been rather embarrassed by the presence of Mr Sheehan in his new character as a Maori land-agent at his elbow." A meeting of the Cricket Reception Com mittee, in connection -with the last visit of the Christchurch team, is being held in the Thames Hotel as we go to press. The object of the meeting is to resolve as to the dis posal of the surplus fund. To the Editor: Sir,—ln your issue of Saturday evening last I read a paragraph soliciting donations towards defraying the cost of a passage to Sydney of a young man, a glass stainer by trade, and who is sadly afflicted in being entirely deaf and dumb. This brought to my recollection the follow ing facts :—On the 13th of last month a young man of respectable appearance, re presenting himself as a glass stainer, and deaf and dumb, applied to me for employ ment. This being out of my line, I could do nothing for him in that direction. He then produced a written paper, soliciting subscriptions towards obtaining a passage to Sydney, where, he stated, he had better prospects of employment. 1 gave him half a-crown, The following morning the same young man was playing billiards in the Vic toria Hotel, and two days afterwards 1 saw him call for drinks for himself and another in the private bar of an hotel in Queen street. Query—ls this where my half-crown went ? ' he cause that lacks assistance my self and the iirm to which I belong are ever ready to help, but the facts I have stated tend much to harden one's heart against what may prove very deserving cases, aud it is in the interest of such cases that I ask you to insert this letter.—Yours, &c, John L. Holland.

CABLE NEWS.

EUROPEAN. [UNITED PKKSB ASSOCIATION.] Accident to Princess Louise. LONDON. February IG. Princoss Louiso lias returned to Canada. While sleighing her sleigh was upset, and tho Princess was con siderably bruised and injured. The Afghan War. LONDON. February IG. Ayoob Khan, with G,O(JO men, has left Herat with the intention of joining Mahomed Jan's forces, and attacking the British. The British Advance. General Stewart is nt Lacko Ohulynee, and in a fortnight General Roborts will be reinforced and will co operate with General Stewart.

REUTERS SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS.

LONDON. February 10. Parnell, after his tour in America, will visit Sydney, Melbourne, and India. LONDON. February 16. Advice from Teheran state that Russia has protested against Porsia occupying Herat.

AUSTRALIAN.

[RKUTEIt'S SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS.]

Trial of Bank Directors.

MKLIJ JUKNE. Tuesday. The trial of the directors of the Provincial tmd Suburban Bank comos oil'on Thursday. Tiie Elections. Numerous election speeches are being de livered throughout the country. Arrived : Garronne, .■ ailed : Tararua for New Zealand. The Lost Classon. SYDNEY. Tuesday. At a meeting last night, preliminary stepu were taken to despatcli an expedition to seek corroboratiou of the receut state ment as to the half-caste (. lasson. Irish Relief Fund. The subscription to the Irish Relief Fund amounts to £5,000. English Manufactures and The Exhibition. MELBOURNE. Tuesday. It is reported that British manufacturers are disinclined to send exhibits to the Ex hibition, on account of the tarifl, which they declare excludes wares from thia market. New Governor of Western Australia. SYDNEY. February 16. The steamer has arrived at Cooktown with Sir C. F. Robinson, K.C.M.G., ex-Go vernor of the Straits Settlements, who goes to Perth, Western Australia, on a reduction of £3,000 in salary. Murderous Assault by Lar rikins. Fomc larrikins iv attempting to rescue some companions would probably have murdered two policemen, but for a grocer who defended them with a paling. Pcaice beat Laycock easily iv the sculling match.

Operations at Waimate.

* (FROM OUR SPKCIAL CORRESPONDENT).

THE ROYAL COMMISSION.

OPUNAKE, this day. A messenger was sent to Parihaka from Oeo yesterday carrying a letter from the Koyal Commission, saying that they would sit at Oco on 'Wednesday. To Whiti wns not to be teen, but Tohu sent word buck that they would be welcomo to Parihaka if they had any tiring to say. The Commission, it is now stated, will ait for investigation at Oco on Wednesday. There is only one queen the natives say, and her name is made u<o of alike by tho Government and the Commission. Honi Pchaoa has gone to Ilawora to con vey to H.uia the reply to the Commission. TROUBLES OF THE COMMISSION. If the Commissiou S o to Parihaka it will be in danger qf hearing subjects brought upward for discussiou on which it is under stood they have no power to treat, such as the logality of tho Treaty of Waitangi as applied tn Turanaki and Ngariherunauui; and, on the other baud, if they do not, they arc likely to get nq evidonco of a trust worthy character placed before them. To Whiti forbids 'the natives to attend. FEELING AMONGST THE NATIVES. The feeling is strong amongst the natives that the Government is acting in nn in consistent manner iv first sendiug word and proclaiming the sitting of the Commis sion, and a day or two afterwards before any sitting of the Commission had taken place, sending the Constabulary on to the Waimate plains. I have heard it stated that in the event of any Natives interviewing the Commission o\\ Wednesday these >yill form thp only points *alsed by them. Should tins lip so the Coinmissicm will have an opportunity of asserting their independence of, and superiority to the Govflvnmeut, anct it will give them a chance of asserting their dignity as a Koyal Com mission. I'he'-e can be no doubt that great difficulty will be experienced in explaining the status of the Commission as the Natives fail to see any difference iv tlio Native power,

TELEGRAPHIC.

«. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

GRAHAMSTOWN, this day. THE WAITOA VISITORS. The Waitoa cricketers returned to-day, after twelve days unchecked enjoyment at the Thames, and they express great obliga tions to Host Symangton, of the Governor Bowen Hotel, Major Murray, Messrs Garrick, Gillan, and others. The Waitoa visitors say the Thames men are the jollie3t they ever met with, and that they have enjoyed themselves immensely from the first day they landed here to the grand climax, alibrded by Bia Worship the Mayor's (Ehrenfried) ball of last night. THE WATCHMAN. The Watchman ground was sold by auc tion this morning for £105. The purchaser was Thomas bowler, who at one time Avasa tributcr in the ground. The Herald battery has heen connected with the new cast .iron 20in. mansjjust com. pleted from the irain race, and extended to the Waiotahi, under the auspices of the Comity authorities. Some of the steAvards of the late race meeting met last evening and drew up a programme of sports for St. Patrick's Day, intending to expend the balance of £00 which remained on hand after the last meet ing. THE ALBURNIA. Alburnia.—The sinking the winze from the 70 feet makes slow progress, and crush ing stuff from the lode is proportionately reduced in quantity. The stone from other parts of the mine is at, present not quite so good, and the yield for the month will be small unless more of the reef in the winze is opened out and broken down before the end of the mouth. At pre. ent the course of the lode seems by no means clearly defined, and some work remains to be done to prove its course correctly. The future of the mine is assured, but the current month is not en couraging in it. prospect.

RUSSELL,

this day.

The Union Company have decided to give an excursion by their line now steamer, Te Auan, (Jn plain Carey, so that visitors will now have an opportunity of visiting our regatta on the 25th, and not lose much time from their business. The natives are trying their best to make the regatta a success with a canoe race and a war dance. The lona will also bring doAvn about 70 excursionists from Northern ports, and we can safely predict that, should the A.eather prove fine, every one will enjoy themselves. «.

PER UNITED PIiESS ASSOCIATION.)

WELLINGTON, Monday. It is mentioned that Mr Walter Bishop, late collector of the "I\ew Zealand Sun," intends to commence a criminal action for libel against that paper, for publishing an advertisement in connection with him. Mr Johnson, Returning Officer, .has re ported to the Colonial Treasurer an approxi mate estimate of the unemployed in Wel lington, which Avas as follows : —Carpenters, saw-mill hands, &c., 112; iron-workers, 115; coaclibuilders, smiths, &c, 20; plumbers and gaafitters, 28 ; painters and paperhangei-, fiO ; printers, 12 ; labourer.", navvies, &c, 200 ; clerks qud drapers'assis tants, 30 : total, 577. Henry Adams, solicitor, who has been in practice many years, and held the position of Crown Prosecutor, has executed a deed of assignment. This day. At the inquiry at the Ilutt into tho circumstances connected with the recent fire at Deverill's butcher's shop, the jury returned a verdict of arson against some person unknown,and censured the insurance company for over insuring the building. The police have laid information against Kirkaildic and Staines (drapers), Charles Hall (hatter), CoL'au (tailor), and Mrs I 'o Laurie (dressmaker), for violation of the "Employment of Females Act," MX MOSLEY ON PASTOR CHIMQUY. At a lecture given last night in the Odd Fellows Hall, Mr Mosley refuted at length Pastor Chiniqny's assertions re the Irish famine, and r< ad extract- from pamphlets as to the disposal of morey collected by Chiniqny, and other matters connected with his life.

WESTPORT

, Monday.

At the B.M. Court, W. Stewart, for assaulting Mr McLean, Avas committed for trial at the District Court.

GRKYMOUTH,

, Monday.

In a case against Ah Hoy, for keeping a Chiuese gambling house, the Resident .Magistrate, Mr Mackay, to-day dismissed the case, on the grounds that there was nothing preventing a person keeping a gambling house in New Zealand.

I christoiiurh.

Monday.

Yesterday was by far the hotte.t this season. At 2 p.m. the thermometer reg istered 108 degrees, and the sun was 00 in the shade. A walking match for £25 a side has been arranged between W. Bent coat and C. Swan The match will com mence on Friday, March sth,and be walked In the Oddfellows Hall. ■ t a meeting of the Wanderers Ciickct Club, on Saturday evening, it was decided to send a team to Christchurch at Easter. One of Canterbury's oldest residents, Mr G. Day, died two days ago, at Sumner, aged S5 years. Mr Day arrived at Wel lington in IS4I, and nine years afterwaids came to Lyttelton, taking up his residence at Sumner, where he has lived ever since. Mr Barrett, the contractor for the tram way and drainage Avorks, was again fined on six informations with having neglected to keep lights burning on the obstructions. He snid he had two men watching, and it was after .. o'clock in the morning when the cases occurred. The other evening a young man Avas badly iujured through his horse getting into a hole on the tramway line, and he is going to sue Barrett for £500 damages iv conse quence.

TIMARU,

this day.

A plague of caterpillars has almost totally destroyed the flower gardens and orchards in mid around Timaru. Prayers are beilig offered up for the sparrow club", and the demand for poisoned Avheat has entirely ceased.

BALCLUTHA,

Monday,

By a violent gale, which continued yes terday afternoon and evening, an immense amount of damage has been done to the crops. The ripe oats uncut are freely threshed. A fire raged in the Kaihikeka bush, aud Messrs Potter and Joull's old sawmill buildings were destroyed. Tho house of Mr Moffatt, settler, had a narrow escape. Much fruit has been shaken down throughout the district.

DUNEDIN,

Monday.

His Excellency and Lady Kobidson arrived at Dun.din by special train at 4.45 o'clock this afternoon. At Palmerston they Avere joined hy the Commissioner for the Middle Island Railways, under Avhose charge the special Avas, About 350 bauds engaged or employed on sections of the Otago rail way will bo knocked ofl work immediately, by order of the Go vernment. This day. The Native Lands Claim Commission held a formal sitting, and adjourned till Wednesday, when judge Symonds, avlio surveyed the Otago Block, will be examined. The police have decided to take no further action in the King-streect affair. Over Sloven thousand ounces of gold were j sent down by the escort during the pasf ! two months. EDUCATION MATTERS. j Messrs Fulton Clark, and Fergusson are I certain to bo' elected to the Education Board. The Dunedin School Committee will biing the compulsory clauses into oper- I ation on April 15th. McLoughlan was committed for trial for the manslaughter of James Robinson near Roxburgh. THE HEATHEN CHINEE. Extensive frauds have been discovered iv connection with sales of opinions gold by Chinese at Cromwell. The Manager of the Colonial liable thcro detected a parcel of OOozs containing one-fourth spurious gold. Ah Kin was arrested at Naseby, through Chinese influence. The banks at other places have purchased small quantities. It is believed that an extensive spurious god manufactory exists. A bush hie at Kahihu destroyed Porter's old mill and 200 aoio_ of bush, recently purchased for £6,000, besides £500 woithof saAvn timber.

TIMARU,

this day.

All inquest was held at Albury last even ing on the body of Thos, Adamaon, 11 years of age, who diqd ou Sunday at midnight, TJie evidenoc showed that deceased was dis covered insensible three milos from his father's residence at live in the after, noon, Subsequently he had several fits. A verdict of death from sunstroke was returned, Pastor Chiniquy arrived to-day, and was escorted by a poAverful body-guard of Pp<] testant clergymen and jM[q.-tejfs or Orange Lodges. He lectures to-nigtd in the Piesby terian Churc^,

I IN VERCARGILL,

this day. I

RAILWAY ACCIDENT. j Judgment Avas civen in the District Court yesterday against H. Mayo for £40 and costs. The evidence showed that the money which had been given to him to place in the bank had been used by defen dant for bis own purposes. Judge Harvey said this amounted to a breach of trust, but decided to treat it as a debt case. The plaintiff iv another action was sent to gaol for forty-eight hours for using strong terms to defendant Avhile in the witness box. Soon after the train left town for Clinton last evening the driver missed a fireman named John Lenard. The train was stopped, and lie was found alongside the line insen sible. It is supposed he had gone out on the stage aud missed his hold, falling back wards. He was removed to the Hospital, where he was faund to be sufferiner from concussion of the brain. He is still un conscious. He has a Avife and family at Clinton.

POLICE CO JRT.

—This Day.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.) MUDDLERS. Two men were subjected to 5s fines for drunkenness. BOUNCING MIKE. Michael Quiun Avas brought up on charges of drunkenness, using obscene language in Wyndham-street, and threatening to .hoi ten tbe tongue of. Ann Hanson with a sharp instrument. Mr Brock appeared for defendaut and pleaded not guilty. Sergeat-major Mason conducted on the pait of the police. Mrs Ann Hanson, of Wyndham-street, deposed that she was well acquainted with prisoner. Had known him a long time. He came to her door yesterday evening; wanted to get in, but she would not permit him to step over her door sill. Did not, howcA-er, wish to press the charge, lie was a very old friend. James Hyland Avas called, but disap peared from the Court. Constable Rist deposed to the horrid lan guage made use of by prisoner. To Mr Brock : Did not know the relation ship existing between them. Understood that Mrs Hanson was a married woman, and that her husband's name was John Hanson. Did not bear him threaten to take a bit off her tongue. Ann Tinsley, a friend of Mrs Hanson, also a mairied woman, gave very vague evid ence. She Avas a friend of both parties. Prisoner deposed that he had been on very intimate terms Avith complainant. He denied that he used the language implied to him. His Worship said there was evidence that he used the bad language. Mrs Hanson : I hope you will withdraw the charges, for I don t believe Mike meant what he said. Here Mrs Hanson burst Into a stream of teais.) Fined 2ds and costs or seven days. ALLEGED LARCENY. Mary Ann Scott, a married woman with young family, was charged with the larceny of a carpet bag, containing articles of Aveai ing apparel, viz., shirts, socks, shoes, etc., value £5, from a railway carriage at Helens ville on the 24th ult., the property of Mr James Salisbury. Prisoner pleaded guilty but hoped the Court would deal leniently Avith her, as it was her first offence of the kind, and she had a large fami'y of young children. Three months imprisonment with hard labour. BREACH OF CUSTOMS REGULATIONS. Fbenezer Hadrill and William Peck Avere charged with a breach of Customs Regula tions by evadiug the payment of duty on one box of tea, Avith intent to defraud H.M. Customs, on the 16th inst., thereby for feiting the sum of £100. Mr Brookfield appeared for the prosecu tion. William Peck, steward on board tho Fernglen, said he handed out tbe 201b box of tea to a man, and knew nothing further about it. The other defendant asked for an ad journment, in order to procure the appear ance of counsel. Thomas Hill, Collector of Customs, deposed that he laid the information iv accordance AA-ith his duty, and sued for the full penalty of £100. Henry Parker, Custom-House Officer, deposed that the box of tea was given out by the steward, upon Avhich duty bad not been paid. At first he denied the charge, but subsequently admitted that he gave out the box of tea. He knew that he had done Avrong. Th. steward said he was very sorry for the mishap. Fined £100, and £3 10s costs, but it would be mitigated to £25. Mr Hesketh appeared in defence of the accused Ebenezer Hadrill, and pleaded guilty. It was one of those cases in which he was constrained to plead guilty with the conviction that there was no inten tion to defraud. The defendant did receive the box of tea from the steward, and on landing it on the wharf, felt that the articles might be dutiable, and found himself in difficulty. He hoped, however, that the Court would give effect to these facts by imposing the smallest penalty. His Worship said it was necessary that persons should be very cautious in bringing goods ashore, as the Act was very stringent. He must fine defendant £100, Avhich would be reduced to £25, as in the previous case. Costs £3 10s. APPARENTLY HEARTLESS. John Springall was charged with desert ing his wife Emily, and two children iv AugU-1 last, aud leaving them in a state of destitution. Mr Wm. Coleman appeared for com plainant. Defendant was called, but did not al; first appear. He avas presently discovered in tho hotel opposite indulging in a retreßher. He pleaded not guilty. Emily Springall deposed that her husband held a farm in the Great Barrier, and fre quently decampod, leaving her and her family of six children without moans. Her husband oAvned property at Coromandel and at the Kaipara. Four of her children were abore the age of 14; two under. Had received nothing from him since August last. She had received £S 16s from produce of the farm, and Avas in receipt of annuity under £20. Mr Coleman suggested that defeudant should make au offer for the maintenance of his wife and younger children. An order was made for 20s per .week and costs. Mr Coleman asked for sureties, as Sprin gall was giving way to drink, and the allow ance might not be forthcoming, and the order not be obeyed. His AVorship said if the order was dis obeyed defendant Avouid be liable to six months imprisonment with or Avithout hard labour. This was all the business.

Pukekohe and Waiuku Railway.

Immediately after Cavalry parade on Saturday last, a public meeting of Waiuku settlers interested in the construction of the above line was held in the Commercial IJall, adjoining the Kentish Hotel. Captain W. J. Harris, J.P., presided, and in a few remarks pointed out how the Waiuku dis tiict was handicapped in relation to others which tiad railway communication. Among the speakers were Hanilin, Benf Brown, John Wallace, J. Kelchcr, Vjnoont Walters, Major Lnsk, Messrs Maunders, Buntel, and others. Several pointed out how unfairly Waiuku and Manku districts have been treated in the matter of Govern ment expenditure. In the first instance, at the first land sale of Waiuku Block land brought extraordinary pi ices in many in stances, £2aud £S per acre, ia ocmscquence of a distinct promise from the then Government that a canal to, connect Waikato would be constructed, that promise failed ; sv\bse queutly a tramway was promised, and further land sales took place, at which fancy prices ruled, and townships laid out and sold, but no tramway ever was made. The Government realised a very largo sum of nioi^oy from sales of Waiiikn lands, it being the most successful sale held in the pvoviuoe, and yet tho district has been overlooked by every Government since. Our member, Mr F. Hamlin, has on every occasion endeavoured to urge the claims of the di>tiict for railway communication, aud has hitherto failed in getting any substantial promise of \U beiug done, the meeting was most unanimous and enthusiastic, and a committee has been formed, who will arrange a deputation and write to the Minister of Public Works to visit the dis trict and ride over the proposed line, and point out the small cost at which it can be constructed in. comparison with others, and alsq ghow that the line when made will be a payable one and a ver,y important feeder for tho Auckland arjd Waikato main line. The settlers of the district are quite pre pared to assist the Government substantial in the matter, and will willingly assist in the matter of land and sites, and will, sub mit to a special rate tor, the purpose —Two leave here to-day tor the Nelson meeting, Barriball and C'.vvie.— (COJE4RESPONPENT. Feb. 14.) ' "Is it wrong to cheat a lawyer?' asks an exchange, No, not exactly; but it's rather reversing the order of things,

Auckland Institute.

The annual general meeting of the niemW of the Institute was held last evening n Purchas (President) being in the chair ANNUAL BEI'ORT. The Secretary read the following renoi-t operations :—"ln accordance with" the stitution of the society, the Council of « Auckland Institute has now to rm^n' the members its report for the past v Twenty-two additional names have h placed on the register during the Year n the other hand, the losses by dei'th removal from the province have been'ov* W tionally heavy, so that there is but i^t increase in the total number of mi>mv! 8 It is satisfactory, hovever, to notice tt**' the society still holds the premier J£ among the various branches of the w Zealand Institutes so far as regards the IIT of membership. Six meetings have h held during the session. The attend^ 11 was fair, considering the difficulty exn • enced in obtaining a full supply of „„„ '" for reading. The Council hop?f? r ? £*» degree of activity among the working m.« bera of the Institute duriug the T session. A selection from the «Z! read will appear in the tWP m? volume of the "Transactions" now • the printer's hands. The Council is u Lu report that the number of visitors to ti Museum has largely increased duriiw I year. This is doubtless in some ir.ea«n clue to (he fine callection of plaster ort from the antique, presented by A" r T i> sell, C.M.G., and which now for'ni Lh* ornament to the Museum hall. j? u n D ' ■" culars of this valuable douation were hil in last year's report, and the Council h now only to stale that the public intemt theo evinced has coutinued without abat ment, and that the collection is ceitainl proving of great service to Auckland w only as affording a real basis for art cdocn tion, but also an grautiug. a means f rational enjoyment to all lovers of the beau tiful. In connection yith this subject t should be mentioned that the Free Seh'o 1 of Art established in the Institute builrf ings last year by Dr. Campbell, with th view of enabling the public to take full a 1 vantage of Mr Rucsell's donation, has bJ!i continued during the year solely at his eY pense. From 15 to 20 students have beenin attendance, and the instructor reports th t the progress made is most encourachu. Art students in Auckland arc certainly under great obligations to Dr. Campbell for his liberality in this matter. A full list of all additions to the ,Museum is appended but those of special importance inav bptir..' briefly alluded to. J oere Mammalia.—Some interesting marsu pials, from Mew Guinea, collected by Mr A* Goldie, have been added during the year' To Dr. Haast, of the Canterbury Museum' the Institute is indebted for a fine skeleton of a giraffe, shortly to be set up fbr exhibi tion. A valuable collection of skeletons,)! the smaller mammals (and also of other vertebrata), forwarded in exchange by Pio. fessor Flower, of the Museum of the fiovai College of Surgeons, has arrived iv Au"ck land, but is not yet landed. Birds.—-185 skins have been received during the year. The most interesting of these is a collection of 110 species, made bY Mr A. Goldie during his recent explorations in New Guinea, and which have been pn t . chased for the Museum, partly from the funds of the Institute, and paitly by private subscription. A number of New Zealand bird-skins have also been added, for the pat. pose of filling up blanks in the type collet tion, and for exchange. It should here be mentioned that the whole of the mammals and birds received during the last two years aie still packed away in cases, the funds of the Institute not beiug sufficient to defray the salary of a taxidermist. Fishes and Keptiles.—Thanks are again due to Mr Parsons for a large and valuable collection made by him on the Island of Vavau. iNVEhTEBRATA.—A very acceptable col. lection of South European land and frejh water shells, comprising nearly 300 species, has been received in exchange from iJr Yon Kobelt, of Frankfort-on-the-Maine, but has not yet been unpacked, there being no cases available in which to place it. Thanks are also due to Dr Haast for allowing an ex. tensive series of shells to be selected from the duplicates in the Canterbury Museum. Iv insects, an additional parcel of lepidop". tera, from New Britaiu, has been presented by the Key. G. Brown, and also some in. teresting Polynesian species by Mr W. H, Keynolds. Ethnology.—The Institute is indebted to M. J. T. Mackelvie for a la-ge and varied collection of weapons, implements, clothing etc., from the Niger Kiver and other local! ties in Western Africa. The collections purchased from Mr Goldie included a number of crania of Papuaus, aud also a series of articles illustrating their manners and customs ; these will be useful for com parison with Maori and Polynesian sped mens. Mr Justice Gillies lias placed the • Institute under further obligations by a second donation of Maori carvings from Hotorua, while Mr C. 0. Davis contributes a fine set of Maori flax mats, in .excellent preservation. Geology and Mineralogy.-There is nothing worthy of special mention under this heading, although several small con. tributions of New Zealand rocks aud minerals have been made. Fittings. -The question of new fittiugs for the Mmeum will be one of the liret matters for the consideration of the new Council. Not only has it been impossible to exhibit the many interesting articles rec.ived during the year, but there is even no adequate accommodation for storing them, so that in many cases valuable specimens have to be kept in their original packages, at great risk of injury. Through the liberality of a fuw gentlemen a sum of nearly £50 has been subscribed towards the cost of new table cases, the erection of which will be shortly proceeded with. This will in some measure relieve the difficulty, but to remove it altogether appears almost hopeless, unless assistance is grauted froia the public funds, « Libr.aKY. - The Provincial Council Library, so long in the care of the Institute, is now vested in the City Couucil, iv trust for the people of Auckland. The City Counoii have not yet stated their intentions with respect to the library, and in the meantime it is being kept open to the public as before. With regard to the library, of the lustitute, the Council have to acknow ledge the receipt of a grant of £45 lfe, uiidei the provisions of the Public Libraries Subsidies Act. This amount has been ex pended in the purchase of standard scien tific works. Some of these have been received, and the remainder are on their way from London. In this place the Coun cil has espeoial pleasure in drawing atten tion to the very welcome donation received from Mr J. T. Mackelvie of a complete set of: the publications of the Royal Geographical Society, some7s volumesinall. Toobtainthe publications of the chief" scientific societies has long been one of the objects of the In stitute, and Mr Mackelvie's donation is a most welcome move in this direction. The Council have now only to thank the members for the assistance and encourage ment they have given to tho objects ottbe Institute, and to express the hope that this will be again freely rendered during ths next and succeeding years." On the motion of Mr Moat, seconded by Mr Pond, the report was adopted unauh mou,sly, FINANCE. The yearly statemeut of accounts was as follows:— Dr. : Balance iv the Bank of New Zea« land, February 12,1579, £29 9s Id; enfarancfl fees and subscriptions, £276 3s; special subscriptions, £47 8s; grant to library under Public Libraries Subsidies Act, £45 10s; rents, &c. £56 5s : total £454 15s Id. Cr. : Books and periodicals, £89 6ssd; additions to Museum, £S5 10s 7d; Museum requisites, stationery, printing, advertise ments, postages, £37 4s 3d ; curator, £159; messenger, cleaning and attendauce,_ £60; miscellaneous, £15 5s 2d ; balance in, the Bank of New Zealand, February 10, 1880, £17 ISs 10: total, £454 15 Id. . ife Investment Fuud Account.—Cash m Savings Bank, February 12, 1879, £39 03 Id; interest to December 31, 1879, £1 19s: total, £40 19s Id. The President made complimentary re ference to the fact that six gentlemen dm. contributed £48 towards the cost of new table cases, Tho statement of accounts was unani mously adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS, me iouowiug gentlemen were elected, tho officers of the Institute for the ensuing year:—President, Mr F. D. Fenton; Council; Col. Haultain, :cv. J. Bates, Ut. Campbell, Dr Purchas, aud Messrs Stewart, Mackechnie, Poud, Firth, Percy Soutn, iN. Heath, and G. Aickiu. Mr Fenton was elected against his will, aud he therefore reserved to himself the right of considering his decision. SHALL THE MUSEUM BK OPENED OK :. SUNDAYS? , j The Rev. S. Edger thought the occasion a suitable one for throwing out asup&esu"" in connection with a subject in whictii ma"j people manifested a deep interest. «J* the opening of the Museum for two horn and a half each Sunday afternoon.- : l™ innovation had been introduced int»»" cities, and he believed had been follow* by good effects. It was a matter wortfiy."* consideration, and, if it could be .carnea out, those who we.re connected J!* 1!*;* charge of the. Institute should be »«*■"" venienced ap little as possible, '.;,;,

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 17, 1880.



TjISTABLISHED 185 5. oa CHEAPEST § BEST HOUSK £ QUALITY IN MACHINES TH E| O ONLY. TRADE. w . !z! W tit TTT- QHAEBSPEAK & QO., 246, QUEEN-STREET, Auckland. established 1855. >T\ H 1 S L I X U M. 100 DOZEN 2-BUTTON KID GLOVES (Quito sound), Ouly Is lid per pair. A Large Stock of FANCY GOODS, MILLINERY, COSTUMES, PINAFORES, DRESS GOODS, | &c, &c. i To bo Sold at Nctt Cash, for a Short Timo only. DJIESSMAKING ON THE PREMISES. | Costnmes mado in 21 hours' notice. I ■ __— A. LINABUKY & CO., 201 Aitd 206. QUEEN-STREKT.



The newP.C.S system now being initiated by G and C. will certainly prove a boneflt to the i public. It has been a great success in t-'ydnoy and Melbourne, and when strictly carried out tho customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marlred low to ensure a rapid sale must be a grrat gainer. G. and C, pell their drapery, millinery, and c'otbmg at such prices for cash as srives the buyer the advantages of a I aliureholdcr in a co-opoi ntivo Bociety, wjthout the risk of buinpr called upon to bear portion of i[ ■ the loss should tho year's business prove unsatis factory. G. and C. will aim to retaia tho con fidence which t c publi- have hitherto shown them aii(l are determined to giye the pure caeh : system a fair trial; whether they gain or loao 1 he firs', year. Country buyers on remittiigcash with order will be (-.applied with goods a t co ouerativepiice , just iho same as though laoy made a, personal selection, burnishing good?, mch as carp'-ta, floor cluths, bedstead? .beddm;/, and KOner.il 110U3R lurniture, tho largest portion of which ia turned out at our own fap'.ory, will bo marked at the lowest remunerative prices, ' and a discount of lUu per cent, will be allowed 10 those who vay at tho time of purchase. Hav ing realised tho untire value o£ tjio stock during tho late cash sale, tho present stock is new and vkky ciikaply bought. An - inspection is invited.—Gari.ici£ and Chanw 11, City HbII Furtuahlns: Aicade, Uueen-Btreet Auckland. Tbb Tbiumpu ov the Agk.— ln moderate! Brice and distinctive excellence the Wilcox and » White Organs eclipse all other styles. They are ! -capable of brilliant effects as well as of Bustaincd iiaraiony and the many varied and beautiful combinations adequate to tho performance of Classical, l.OKitimate Organ . Music—Sole Agency 1 Auckland Music Wabehouss,/. 1 E&feL Uuuea-atxee U . . : ■



Special Advertisements. alt EA T IJAKGAINS! R EAT DAKGAINB! GREAT BARGAI&SI GREAT BARGAINS! GREAT BARGAINS! JUST OPENED, A SPLENDID LINE OF ]yr EN ' S TWEED QV IT S, AT 27 s G D- W OUT II 459. ONE CASE jyjEN'S JTLAX gIURTS, With Collars, AT 4 s 6 D- Worth 63 Cd. ONE BALE "yyillTE gUPER, gLANKETS, 13 s 6 D' Worth 203. Inspection specially invited to OUR OWN MAKE CF BOYS' PLAITED TUNIC SUITS, From "J^OS. IW Note the Addtucks— J. B. EOI!I NS O N 1 A UCKLAND /CLOTHING T^ACTORY, NEXT MESSRS TONKS & Co.'3 AUCTION MART. •V/T IL N E & /1 II OY C E Have now on view a Complete * ssortmont of the most beautiful SPRING GOODS of every description, from tho best Home maiKets. MILLINKRY, in Paris and English nTrT , r> _, STRAW GOODS, FLOWERS, FtCATHERS VISITHS and MANTLES, in 211! c and Cash mere , , JACKETS, in Coloured Summer Cloth OLIVIAS, in Cashmere, Silk, 4k.0. CHILDREN'S HOS '', in Cotton, Lislo, and Silk LADIKS' HOiE, in Cotton, Lisle, and Silk PARACHUTES. UMBRELLAS, RIBBONS KID GLOVK3, Black, White, and Coloured, 1, 2, 1, and C button UNDRKSSED KID GLOVES, 2 and i button. An Immense Stock of DRHS3 GOODS.in all the newest and most lashionablo Btyles ami texiares, all marked exceedingly moderate. BABY LINKN, CHILDREN'S AND LADIES' UNDERCLOTHING, in groat variety. BOYS' [KNICKERBOCKERS, HOSIERY, HATS COLLARS, ETC. A Complete Assortment of Calicos, Flannels Linens, &o. dressQand mantle-making on the premises. F vo per Cent, Discount allowed for Cash. MILNE & :. C [H O V C E, CHEAPSIDE HOUSIC.



XpURNISH YOUR XTOUSE FROM THE CITY.HALL FURNISHING ARCADE. FURNITURE .. 5 porct. Discount for Cash CARPKTS .. „ 5 „ Discount „ LINOLKUM .. „ Discount „ OILCLOTHS ..5 „ Discount BKDDING .. ..5 „ Discount BEDSTEADS ..5 „ Discount TOILKTWARK „ 5 „ Discount „ TOILET & PIER GLASSES- ..5 „ Discount „ FHNDERS&IRONS 5 „ Discount „ You ace Invited TO INSPECT G-^J^2S.. 1 5:.,!:;,S GARLTCK fc 9RA^^ Ejjl^f.IRon Be!JsiSi^si GARLIOK. &. CR.VNWELL'3 Bedding GARLTCK feCßANWKLL'3Floo^.lothS ||Mj> GARLICK, & CRAN WELL'S Toiletware^^^^ GARLlCK^^CJ^N^W^L^^^t^GJasße^ GARLICKJj^ CjjAJEjWJ^^Fjm^ejia fcJronß GARLICK fe CRAN WELL'S SpringjTattresseg GARLICK & CRANWKLL'S Drawing Room Sultea GARr.iCK &: f'R AN WELL'S Cane Chairs. _ Book Catalogues Sent Free. DESIGNS AND ESTIMATES GIVEN. riABLICK & fiKAKWELL, city hall arcade, Auckland. 4 FEW GOOD REASONS FOR MAKING YOUR PURCHASES AT THUS TVTEW ZEALAND /CLOTHING IjiACTORY. Tho Materials are mannfaoMirgdJnNgw Zealand. Tho Garments arojrnarlo in New Zealand. The Monpy is expended in New Zealand. The Stock to gele' t from is the largest in Nnw Zealand. Tho Cut and Trimmings are equal to bespoke. The Prices, considering tho^qnaiity^ and finish, are lower than thoso of any other house in New Zealand. S i." m .HMMHii.il mmaum^^u^mM And notwithstanding the extra tariff just imposed in New Zealand, thcro is tar NO ADVANCK IN .PRICES! You can still purchase A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE. PRICK FROM THE ISTbw Zealand Clothing Factory. AuercLAup Retail BnANon: Q U JC ;K ,N • 8 T B X B T, Opposite Thcatroltov AUK /UEAT BALE8 ALE oy MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING, HATS, CAPS, AND SHIRTS, ' COMJJENCE'3 THIi.B EVENINO.i All tho New Shipments recently cscelvod will bo Eold at sale dricks, al;k Jlrickp. ~ j,, cosaOTE & .0.0. :



Special Advertisments. f\ N SALE, Kcaraloy'a Combined Reapera and Mowor Mangold and Turnip Drills Turnip SUcera Oilcake Breakers Winnowing Machines I^awn Mowers. Also, TO ARRIVE, PER 'INGLEWOOD,' Coulter's Corn, Mangold, Turnip, and Manure Drills, combined Aud Ploughs, doiiblo and'sintflo Harrows *tollors &c. &c. &c The>bove goods are imported directed from the mannfacturers, and will be sold cheap to makp room for further shipments. W. J. HURST & CO., 131. Uueon-streot.



TOWN EDITION. PUBLISHED AT 4.30.