SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

utra-CT OTATwn ) TWB Evening, 1.56 HIGH WATER -J To . morrow $ orning , 2 .36 SUN SET.—This Evening, 6.17 SUN RISK.—To-Morrow Morning, 5.10 I MOON'S AGE.-Full Moon, 26th 2.1 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

TO-DAY. Penguin, s.a., Malcolm, from the South Argyle, b.b. Crawford, from Whangarei

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING. Falcon, fch„ Hayward, for Ellice Group,

TO-DAY. Penguin, s.s., Malcolm, for Russell

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Melbourne, via South,—To Anau, Thursday London-FerngleD, loading Tauranga—Glenclg, Wednesday For New Plymouth and Southern Ports —

Wellington, Wednesday For Russell—lona, Monday • Hawea. Friday For Tauranga and Southern Ports — Hawea,

Monday Whangarei—Argyle, Tuesdays and Fridays Anne Milbank, Mondays and Thursdays.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Bismarck, H.1.G.M.5., from Samoa Earl Granville, ship, from London; sailed No-

vember 29 Agate, barque, from New York; sailed Septem-

ber 23rd ~ , Elinor Vernon, barque, from New York; sailed 10th November Stracathro, ship, from London; sailed Nov. -7 Trevelyan, ship (V.N.H.S.), from London ;load-

inc. City of Quebec, barque, from London. Elmiranda, barque, from New York Camille, brig, from New York Mercia barque, from London ; sailed Dead. Agnes Donald, schooner, from Lovuka Belle Brandon, schooner from Lino Islands Is'and Lily, brigantine, from Chatham Islands Active, brigantine, from Sydney Pirate, schooner, from Tahiti Energy, schooner, rom Levuka

IMPORTS.

Per Penguin from South: 4 boxes tobacco, 27 bars iron, 1 horse, 1 cask, 2 kegs, 20 cases, 1 truss, I trunk, 8 boxes, 6 bales, 6 packages.

EXPORTS.

Per Edith, for Tonga-3 cases bitters, 50 cases brandy, 10 cases whiskey, 12 cases wine, 5 cases salad oil, 20 boxes tea, 5 cases jams, 5 cases canned fruits, 3 qr.-casks ram, 2 cases sauce, 20 cases ginger wine, 85 cases geneva, 10 cases claret. 10 cases salmon, 5 cases potted fish, lo cases bottled beer, io mats rice, 60 mats and 20 packages sugar, 5 cases pickles, scases sardines, 5 cases milk, 150 tins bißonits, 5 coses salt, 15 cases preserved meats, 20 tons potatoes, 50 tins flour, 2 tons onions.

Per Sybil for 8010 8010, Society Group: 89 cases Geneva, 5 cases claret, 2 cases Australian wine, 5 cases salmon, 5 cases potted flsh, 5 cases bottled beer, 5 mats rice, 56 mats BUgar, 2 cases pickles, 5 cases sardines, 20 casks bottled beer, 1 ease bitters, 8 case 3 whiskey, 9 qr. tierces and 4 packages tobacco, 3 cases sarsaparllla, 25 castes korosene, 5 boxes tea, 10 cases hrandy, 5 cases canned fruits, 5 qr.-casks rum, 1 bole and 1 case cottons, 20 cases preserved vegetables, 1 case matches, 1 iron safe, 10 cases drapery, 2 cases hats, 1 case apparel, 3 cases clocks, 1 case hoots, 1 casebooks, 7 boxes machines, 1 case sauce, 16 cases preserved meats, 52 tins biscuits, 50 tins flour, I case cheese, 6 kegs butter, 20 tons pota tooa, 2 tons onions, and a quantity of drapery, oilmen's stores, and ironmongery.

Inwards Coastwise:.—South Carolina, from Barrier, with _5 tons firewood and 17 sacks kauri gum; Speedwell, from Whangarei, with 671 tons coal and 1 ton potatoes; Nancy, from Thames, with 15,000 feet sawn timber.

Outwards Coastwise.—South Carolina, for Barrier; Nancy, for Thames.

The pchooner Edith cleared at the Customs to-day for Tonga. She takes a full cargo, a_d one passenger, Mr K. N. Fordor.

Messrs L. D. Nathan & Co.'s new topsail schooner Sybil cleared at the Customs to-day for 8010 8010, Society Islands. She takes a general cargo, and ono passenger, Mr. H.Forder. The vessel will .all to-morrow.

Captain McKenzie, of the Kina, has been appointed to the command of the barque Caber feldb,

The s.s, Argyle arrived early this morning from Whangarei and Mangapai with 160 cases fruit, 14 sacks kauri gum, 2 bales wool, 6 ooxes eggs, 8 kegs butter, and 2 tons luggage. Pas sengers: Mefdames Carruth, Wallace, Miss Thompson, Messrs Marsden, Coleman, Lanni gan, Thompson, Hill, B. O'Netl, Masker, Breakell, Crawford, MoldeD, seD, and jun., J. Bennett, and Morrison.

The s.s. Penguin arrived from East Coast and Southern ports at 1.30 a.m. to-day. Passengers: Mrs Murray and child, Mrs Hip and child, Colonel Fraser, Father Chastagnon, Judge Wilson, Messrs Dickinson, Proctor, Hatton, Bennott, Brighton, Lawson, Rcece, Brackenrig, Collins, Mills, Greatheld, Lewis, and 9 in the steerage.

The s.s. lona will arrive to-morrow morning from Russell and Northern ports.

1 he schooner Christina left Lyttelton for this port with a cargo of grain and breadstuffs yeßterday.

The three-masted schooner Falcon sailod for Funafuti, Kllice Group, last evening, with a general cargo, and the following passengors :— Messrs 11. W. Henderson, Smith, J. Marshall, and Samuel.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Rowena, p.s., Amodeo, from Hokianga. Hannah Mokau, p.s., McCarthy, from Waitara^

The s.s. Rowena arrived to day from Hoki anga, with the following passengers: — Mrs Scott, Miss Coghill, Mr and Mrs Herbert, Messrs Jtykes and Edmonds. , ~ , xisjLEUKAPHIC SHIPPING. Russeia. Thursday. Arrived: Atlantic and Telegraph. A coal barge, laden with coal, ran into the schooner Atlantic aud did considerable damage. Sailed: Saxon. Sailed : Seabreeze and Policeman. Arrived: Golden Isle. The lona left for Auckland at 12.15 p.m. to day.!, Nelson, this day. The s.s. Waitaki arrived from New Plymouth at 3.30 a.m. to-day. Gisborne, this day. The s.s. Kotomahana arrived from Auckland at 11.15 a.m., to-day. Poet Chalmers, this day. Arrived: "Wild Wave, from Hobarton; G.K.L.. from Griffith River; Don, from Tasmania; Taiaroa, from Lyttelton.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Stab Office, Frid

Mr Sibbin sold the house and grounds at the North Shore yesterday, for the sum of £120. and the two adjoining allotments for 17s 6d per foot. The purchaser of both was Mr Duder. Mr Forgie bought the allotments in Gibraltar Crescent at 15s per foot. MR ALFRED BUCKLAND'S WEEKLY BEFORT. At the Haymarket, on Friday last, fodder was at lower values; meadow hay, from Is 9d to 2s; oaten hay. 2s 9d to 3s 3d tho cwt; damaged fenc ing wire, 6s 9d to 9s the cwt; bran, £17s 6d to £1 10s the ton; oats, varying with sample, from _s 2d to 2s lid; maize, 3s Id to 3s 3d the bushel. In horse stock more business was done than for several weeks past; all useful working animals were sold. The cab horses and harness brought £62. Heavy draught. £30 to £36; medium draught, suitable for farm work, £17 to' £30; riding horse stock, £8 to £2210s each. At the Pokeno sale, on Monday, about 60 cattle were yarded.'aged cows remained unsold, but for young stock there was fair competition At Drury. on "Wednesday, there was a large muster both of cattle and buyers, with good competition throughout. Young growing cattle were the description most in request, and those realised extreme prices. The hide and skin sale, on Tueßday, was fully attended andimproved prices obtained through out. Hides brought 3_d to 3£d; calf skins, 2 3 f d per lb,; pelts, 2d to 8d; skins, is Id to 3s 10S each; in grease, from 6d to 73d; lamb3WOol, 7£d the lb. At Remuera. on Thursday, dairy and store cattle were at late values. Fat cattle in usual number; 115 head sold. Prices were more regular than for the last fow weeks, and ranged from 23s to 26s the lOOlbs. Fat shepp in less number than average, an better worth about Jd par lb, Thoy broutfht from 2d to 2}d. Lambs fairly represented, and in good inquiry. Prices ranged from 8s to 11a each. Pigs, both fat and store, in limited number and steady demand. No fat calves brought forward.

MESSRS HUNTER AND NOLAN'S WEEKLY REPORT.

Horses.—A «ood many have been offered for sj._e, and there has been an increased demand for horses of a really good stamp. On Friday, a large number were entered for disposal by auction. Competition was good, and, with some exceptions, lots were quitted at values satisfac tory to vendors. "We quote hacks from £515s to _EIG ss: light harness horses, from £12 to £19.

"Wool, hides, and skins were in rather short supply at the Durham Yards, on Tuesday. Hides sold at 31d per lb; skins, from Is 8d to 2s 2d; wool, in grease, from 5d to 7Jd. Cattle.—There has been an unusually large supply. Dairy and store stock maintained their value, bat fat beasls receded a little. The Newmarket yards were well filled on Tuesday. Buyers were in attendance, and for dairy and store stock, competition was spirited, bat, with tho exception of a few pens of well-fatted light weights, the demand for fat stock was slack, and prices ranged from 22s to 27s per lOOlbs. There was no noteworthy alteration In prices of dairy and store stock. Sheep.—There was a fair supply at New market, on Tuesday. Competition was spirited and prices had an upward tendency, Is _d per 81bs having been given. Lambs were yarded in moderate numbers. For good fit lambs, com petition was bri*k, and sold at from 7s to lis; store lambs, Is 9d to Cs.

Pigs.—But few were yarded. Tho demand was good, and prices were in favour of the venifors.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :— This Day. For Whitiangi, Talma, Tauranga, and Opotlki, per Glenelg, at i p.m. For Wangarei Heads, and Wangarei, por Annie MUbank, at 4 p.m. For Thames, per Knterprise, at 5.30 p.m. Saturday, 21st instant. ForWaiwera, Mahurangi, Matakana, Manga wai, Waipu, and Mangapai, per Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 9 a.m. For Whitiangi, per Venus, at 10 a.m. For Tahiti, per Transit, at 11 a.m. For Friendly Islands, per Edith, at 11 am. _ For New Plymouth and Wanganul, via Wai tara, perßowena, at 11a.m. S or Glsborne, Napier, Wellington, and Lyttel ton, per Southern Cross, at 2 p.m. For Waiwera, per lona, at 1 p.m. Monday, 23rd instant. For Waihoke and Coromandel, per Coromandel, at 2.30 p.m. Eor Tauranga, Glsborne, Napier, and Southern Provinces, per Penguin, at 3 p.m. For Russell, Kawakawa, Wai.garoa, and Mon gonui, per lona, at 4 p.m. }.or Thames, per Rotomahana, at 5.30 p.m. Wednesday, 25th instant. For Taranakl and Southern Provinces, per Wellington, at 5 a.m. Tuesday, 2nd March. Per s.s. Australia as follows :— For Sandwich Islands, United States Of America. Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, Japan, and China, including Hongkong, at I p.m. ,_._., . For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 1 p.m. For money orders, and registered letters, at 11.30 a.m. , m , Late letters bearing an extra fee of Blxponco, In addition, to the postage, will be received by the Mail Agent on board the steamer up to the time of sailing. S. «. RTSR. Chief Postmastor.

BIRTH.

NAU GHTON.-On February I,IBSO, at her resi dence. Darling-street, Bourko, N. 9. Wales, the wife ot Chas.C.Naughton of a son.

DEATH.

BROOKES.—Ou tho 20th instant, at her paronts residence North Shore, Auckland. Marion, infant daughter of Jamts and Eti_aboth Brookes, a od a months.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1880.

For tha causa that lacks assistance, For tha wrong tha needs reslstauc*, For the future in the distance,

And the eood that we can do,

TnE appointment of a Railway and Public Works Commission to report upon the best means of prosecuting future undertakings upon some equit able and uniform basis, comes oppor tunely. If any plan can be devised of reforming the system upon which the public works of tho Colony have been hitherto constructed, even at this late stage of the policy inaugurated by Sir Julius Vogel, it may not be too late to save the Colony from serious loss and embarrassment. Hitherto the votes of Parliament for railways have been allotted too much on the Walpolean principle of " All these men have their price," and the result has been log rolling, corruption, selfishness,injustice, and the aggrandisement of powerful and wealthy districts, to the starvation and hindrance of the weak or less cunning in the art of political finesse. We have many examples of this within a stones throw.

The appointment of Mr J. M. Clark as one of the members of the Com mission will give general satisfaction. Shrewd, practical, business-like, pos sessed of a special aptitude for analysis and unravelment of the complications and mysteries of our colonial finance, having made an arduous study of Auckland's claims, and withal devoted as he has always been to her best interests, no fitter person could have been selected to represent the North on the Commis sion. Mr Pearce, of Wellington, is a merchant of thorough business habits, large experience, liberal views, and unmercenary reputation. Mr Curtis, of Nelson is a practical man of long experience in politics, hut his views on public works questions are always seen from the standpoint of the Foxtail rail way, and the local interests of Sleepy Hollow. Mr E. Q. Wright, of Canter bury, is a member of the House of Representatives, aud during last session his utterances were generally character ised by strong common sense. The other Commissioner is Mr John Reid, of Otago.

What Auckland has to hope from this Commission does not appear just now, but " all things come to him who will but ivait," and Auckland has shewn a degree of patience altogether Job-like in longsuffering. Mr Oliver, the Minis ter of Works, lias been travelling up and down in the South like a political Fortunatus, scattering rail ways, bridges and roads with lavish hand, creating railway workshops at Addington and other places with the wave of a magician's wand, giving sub sidies to Kaiapoi, Rangiora, and other county councils, protecting the im mortalised Conyers from the rival clutches of his Canterbury and Otago admirers, providing sleeping oars for the luxurious squatocrats of the South, and generally heralding the milennium, while this end of tho colony has not only been neglected, but de spised. The reclamation works have been slipping into the sea, while a remonstrance from the Chamber of Commerce remained nearly a fortnight unanswered; and other works of almost equal importance have been at a standstill. Four months ago the various public bodies interested in removing the Stanley - street pollution, and preserving the public health, appointed delegates to consider the best means of conveying the sewage into the sea. The Government, which ought to contribute its share of the cost of the work, as that the drainage comes mainly from the Hospital, has been repeatedly invited to nomin ate a delegate, but up to the present has treated the request with supremo contempt, Again, tlje City Council '

has been desirous of effecting im provements in the street in front of the Government House gate, £,nd has made proposals to the Govern ment to lower the fence and alter the level of the drive into the ground in order to correspond with the altered level. But the Public Works Depart ment has the cool impudence to propose that the city shall carry out the entire work at the expense of the ratepayers, though the Government pays no rates on the property, the value of which would be materially enhanced by the proposed improvements. These and some other matters demand immediate attention, and if Mr Oliver, taking his leisurely tour through the South, will not come to Auckland—if Mahomet will not comet to the mountain—let us hope that, through the Commission, or the energetic representations of our public men, Mr Oliver will bo induced to do tardy justice to Auckland It is said that the constant dripping of water will wear away tho hardest stone, and perhaps a persistent, determined, and united insistence on our just rights to a fair share of the public expendi ture will yet be satisfied.

In the eyes of our morning contem porary the sudden influx of a • hand ful of Frenchmen from New Caledonia is like the introduction of some deadly poison in the veins of the body politic, which cannot be cured by the constitutional means, but like all des perate diseases needs a desperate remedy. The prescription which our contemporary has written for the benefit of the patient is somewhat " mixed." In one place be recommends that the difficulty should be dealt with by amputa tion, while in another he prescribss a gentle soporific in the form of patience and rest. In a paragraph the people of Aucklnnd are advised to wait until the British Govern ment has made representations to the French Government, in order that a remedy may be obtained, and are told that "so long as we are a colony, aud not a Sovereign State, we cannot do otherwise." We are, told bow ever in the leading article that: ' Evils of great magnitude, for which the law pro vides no remedy, have before now been dealt with outside the law. Neither the people of the Cape nor of Melbourne had any law at their back when they said that they would not allow British convicts to be landed ; but they were as good as their word, and did not. The tea was not thrown into Boston Bay by any form of law, but it was thrown there notwithstanding." Briefly the law-abiding people of Auckland are advised to take the law into their own hands, and to disregard Imperial interests and treaty obligations, to "knock down" the " French invasion" just as we should summarily knock down a quarrelsome man in the street. Evi dently the two remedies which our couteiuporary prescribes are not suited to the same complaint. There has been a con sultation, and the doctors, as in the old pro verb, have differed as to the diagnosis and the cure. The practitioner ol the ancient school sticks to tho Bostoniau remedy of " kill or cure," but evidently be lias not thought it out to its logical conclusion. Seeing that we are not yet a " sovereign state," we can not unfurl the banner of revolution ami de clare war against the French Republic until we have first cut the Imperial paiutor, and tliere ate vat ions considerations, pecuniary and otherwise, which must be carefully weighed before wo take that des perate leap. Moreover, you cannot throw Frenchmen into the harbour iv the same off hand way as you would boxcH of tea. If our contemporary is as valiant as his language implies let him lay down his quill, don war-paint, and go forth to do or die, instead of writing inflammatory pbillipics from the recesses of bis sanctum. The idea of the Mayor of Auckland, as chief magis trate of the city, taking the lead in a move ment which would be nothing short of insurrectionary is too supremely absurd to deserve a moment's consideration ; nor is it to be expected that the Government of the colony, in the present state of its finances, will foolishly incur a score of actions for damages by directing the arrest of men who have lauded from New Caledonia, the majority of whom arc entitled to all the privileges of our free constitution, insomuch ns they arc atjiberty.if thej choseto reside tlie meu are here, and there aro admittedly no means of ridding ourselves of their pre sence snort of the Bostonian process which our contemporary advocates, to include the whole of those French refugees in ono sweeping condemnation. To hold them all up alike as fit subjects of popular obloquy and violence can otdy have the cllect of closing against them every avenue to earn ing an honest livelihood, and perhaps of driv ingsomeofthemat least into criminal courses. The men are here, and we must make the best of the circumstances by converting them into useful citizens, wildcat the same time we take measures to prevent a repeti tion of this exceedingly sharp practice on the part of our Gaelic neighbours at New Caledonia. A public meeting, leading to de clamatory orations aud indignant resolutions would not cure the evil. Of talk there is enough already, and unless it can be shown that there is wisdom in a multitude of councillors, and that a popular demonstra tion could discover some more effectual and speedier mode of dealing with the difficulty than the steps which have been taken by the constituted authorities, it would be a waste of time and a darkening of words without wisdom. We have the fullest con fidence in tho promptitude and discretion of His Worship the Mayor in all that concerns the welfare of the city, aud we learn that he has taken what steps were in his power at the earliest possible moment, by consulting the hon. the Attorney. General and the Superintendent of Police, both of whom were of opinion that the refugees could not be legally arrested, or molested. Mr Whitaker assured His Worship that the Government would do all in its power to prevent the further landing of Communists, by joining the neighbouring colonies of Australia in a strong remonstrance which we believe neither the British nor the French Govern ments can afford to despise. And if the combined representations ot the colonies do not produce the desired eflect,other and more effectual remedies can be applied. The Colo nial Legislatures have the power of passing laws imposing severe penalties upon owners aud masters of ships introducing undesir able immigrants, in the same manner as was proposed under the " Chinese Immigra tion Rill," aud is now done under the " Imbecile Passengers Act." It will be time enough to don war paint, to flourish our " Pigstickers," and write Quixotic non .sense al.ut the Boston tea business when these peaceable and constitutional measures have failed.

There is, we fear, no reasonable ground for doubting that pleuro-pncumonio, (the most-dreaded of all the diseases with which horned cattle are afflicted, has been introduced here from Australia. Messrs Ireland Brothers have lost two very valuable animals, and we are informed on good authority that the disease was observed among a number of atiimals recently brought from New South Wales for Waikato. Every farmer in the province, if he knows his own interests, will be actively on the watch to protect himself and others from this fatal malady. Ruin and devastation which can not be calculated will be the inevitable con sequence of neglect. Is it too much to expect the Government to act promptly in the matter ? Every animal that is known to have been landed ought to undergo inspection even at this late hour. Doubtful casc3 should be developed in quarantine, and where there is no reason for doubt the animals ought to be instantly destroyed. To owners who have imported beasts from Aus tralia for the purpose of dtocking their runs, the danger they aro incurring cannot be too strongly represented. For their own safety, they must see to it that their herds are not eradically infected. The disease is so fatal as to be considered virtually incur able. Iv the first outbreak in England, four-fifths of the cattle attacked died. Farmers are usually hard to arouse, aud slow to act in unison, but they will be ex traordinarily indifferent to their own ruin if they do not meet in every important centre of the province, and organise to stamp out the thicatened epizootic. The following letter and appended veterinary certificate speaks for itself, and shows that this is no imaginary scare :—

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —Enclosed herewith is a note from Mr Edward B. Kinloch, V.S., relative to the examination of a cow owned by us, pur chased from the shorthorn herd lately im ported by Mr Payne ; and as we have lost the young bull (her son) from, bo far as we are able to judge, the same disease, it really proves the necessity of the Government at tending to Mr Fantham's remarks in a late communication to yourselves. In justice to Mr Kinloch, if you remember, he strenu

ously advised quarantine long ago in your columns, aud states to us that any inspec tion is absolutely useless without it. Trust ing that you will find room for both these communications, and that they will also ap pear in your weekly paper for the informa tion ot farmers aud others Interested, —Wo arc, &c,

Ireland Bros. Panmure,

N.B.—The lungs of the above cow are at our works for any one to inspect.—1.8.

" Thursday morning, February 19th, ISSO. —Gentlemen, —ln accordance with instruc tions I have held a post mortem examina tion upon a cow of yours, and regret to state that it has been suffering from pleuro pneumonia in its worst form. In addition to very strong adhesion, I found the paren chyma of the lungs greatly affected. I need hardly advise complete"isolation of the remainder of the herd.—lam, &c, EDWARD B. Kinloch, V.S."

In order to meet the demands of numerous readers in the thriving disttict of Northcote, we have arranged for the regular delivery of the Star every evening by the 5 o'clock boat. Mr Denby, of tbe Post Oiliee store, has been appointed agent.

We regret to learn tbat Mr W. B. Lang bridge, is lying dangerously ill at his residence, and is temporarily incapacitated from active business. He is, however, under medical treatment, and with rest and skill, a speedy recovery is hoped for.

Mr Justice Gillies and Mrs Gillies enter tained a number of ladies and gentlemen at a garden party yesterday afternoon in the beautiful groundssurroundingtheir pleasant residence near Newmarket. Tbe gardens were in excellent order, Mr Gillies being a lover of flowers and trees, and everything was calculated to gratify the senses ot taste and sight.

We would call the attention of those desirous cf securing centrally situate dwell ings at moderate rentals to the nine dwell ing houses to be sold on Tuesday next at the sale-room 3of Mr A. G. Grant, Queen-street. The conditions are few and may be received at the auction-room, or at the office of the Town Clerk, Canada Buildings.

We learn from an English exchange that the liberated French political prisoners at present in New South Wales, and who are unable to obtain employment, are to be sent to Europe by the steamship Kent, at the ex pense of the French Government.

The following cases were disposed of at thcl-.M. Court yesterday after 4 o'clock. Kerwick v. McKeown, claim, £4 4s. Mr Armstrong for plaintiff and Mr E. Cooper for defendant. This was a claim for a fort night's wages in lieu of notice. Judgment for plaintiff, with costs. —Bartictt v. .Stephens. The plaintiff, John Bartictt, sought to recover the sum of £G 15s on an order signed by Ingham Stephens. Judg ment for plaintiff for £0, with costs.-* Several other cases were settled out of Court.

His Worship the Mayor lias been in com munication with tho hon. the Attorney- General and the Government with reference to tbo steps to bo taken to prevent the landing of a further shipment of colonists from Numca. Mr Peacock has also tabledtbe following notice of motion fortbenextmect ing of the City Council on Wednesday next : ■ —" That this Council desires emphatically to express the feeling of indignation which exists amongst the citizens of Auckland in reference to the action of the French authorities of New Caledonia in sending a vesst-1 with released convicts to our shores. The Council calls upon the Government to take immediate and decided steps to pro tect the citizens from a repetition of thi<* obnoxious form of eimnigration with which they are threatened. And further, that a copy of this motion be telegraphed to the lion. Colonial Secretary."

Al the mooting of the Waste Lauds Board yesterday afternoon, the Chairman amongst other things, announced the receipt of a letter from Mr J. W. Treadwell secretary of the Working Men's Association at Christchurcli, reciting the terms upon which they wished to take up land near Hamilton. One condition was that the settlers with their families should bo c m veyed to the laud free of cost, nnd that they should be provided with work for some time. Mr Tonks observed that the writer bad omitted a very essential condition, viz. that the settlers should be provided with comfortable houses,aud supplied with free rations for the first three years. Under terms like these lie would like to settle down himself. It is hardly necessary to add that Mr Tread well's overtures wero no accepted

_.. .......^i, iiiatcb will be played iv the Domain to-morrow, between the North Shore and the Carlton Cricket Club's. The following arc the teams :—Nortli Shine, Messrs Wynyard (.'!), J Sims, J. 1.1. Sibbiu, McLean, Pitts, Landers, J. Welistcr, Slattery, F. Hartley, C. Niccol. Carlton— Messrs Moginie, Ellis, Dufaur, Hill, IVlcCormick, Mears, Kiploy, Stone, Tulbot, Done, Holdship.

The Hamilton Borough Council is gaining an unenviable reputation for rowdyism and low personalities. The local paper says : Councillors, it would appear go to the Council Chamber primed with hatred, malice, and all uncliaritableness towards cacli other, and with the express set purpose of " showing up" the real or imaginary peccadilloes of their colleagues. It is extraordinary that in an intelligent community like that of the Borough of Hamilton tho burgesses should have suffered this continued exhibition of rowdy ism on the part of their representatives in the Council. We can only attribute this leniency on tho part of the bur gesses to a love of loug-snflering, and to the indulgence of a charitable hope that things would mend soon, and work take the place of personal abuso in tho Council Chamber. We confess we see no sign of improvement in the tone of tho proceedings of the Council ; and it seems to ns that for the si me reason that oil and water will not amalgamate, so will not the existing personel of the Hamilton Borough Council. It appears a question of the " Ins" and the " Cuts"—in othor words, of which Councillor, or set of Councillors, succeeds in obtaining a majority."

The Press Association Agent at Duuedin sends the following latest betting on the Duncdin Jockey Club Races .-Dunerlin Cup : 4 to 1 against Mata, 5 to 1 Titania, S to 1 Natator, 8 to 1 Libeller, 100 to 10 Betrayer, 100 to 10 Hornby, 100 to S Foul Hay, 100 to 8 Grip, 100 to 7 Norseman, 100 to 7 Cambello, 100 to G Volunteer, 100 to G Chancellor, 100 to 5 Templcton, 100 to 5 Longlands, 100 to 4 Piniire, 100 to 4 Hippo campus, 100 to 3 Luna, 100 to 2 Atlantic. Double bots—Cup and Publicans': 100 to 6 to 2on field. Cup aud St. Ledger : 100 to l0 to 3 on field. Treble event—Cup, Publicans', and Ledger : 100 to 1 on field. Cup, Publicans', and J.C. Handicap : 100 to 1 on field.

The usual inspection of the Artillery Battery was held last evening in the drill shed, under commaud of Captain Payne. There was a good muster of members, and the inspection passed otl satisfactorily. At the conclusion of the inspection, a subscrip tion was got up for the purpose of giving a slight token of esteem to their late drill instructor, Sergeant-Major Hyde, who has been ordered to Wellington.

To the Editor : Sir, —Your remarks in to night's Star arising from published returns are very erroneous concerning the Recha bites. Ist. Because correct returns were not sent to Government by all the Teuts but only from one from this district, consequently there was no ground on which to base such returns. 2nd. Although not conforming to the proposed scale of Mr Knight (actuary) tho 1.0. R. compare most favorable, with the societies, they (the 1.0.R ) having to their credit iv funeral fund £315s 10a per member, and an average of £5 per member in sick fund. 3rd. Re members' wives, the explanation of.bred is a libel as I think will be amply demon strated by the members being requested to forego their scruples and to allow their wives to ho registered in the funeral fund. Trusting the district officers will deem it within their province to set you right, I remain, &c, J. G. Carr. [It is the Regis trar under the Friendly Societies Act, not us the officers will have to set right. Our references, in all essential respects, were a mere transcription of the Registrar-General's report, which says: "The comparative paucity of registered wives in the Kechabite Tents may be accounted for, _ I believe, by the practice of making the abstinence pledge a condition of registration." And again, in another part of the report : "Among the Recha bites the practice too frequently obtains of crediting all interest to the management fund. The misappropriation which these 1 returns bring to light occurred, however, before the passing of the Amendment Act, or, indeed, of the principal Act." In a further reference, however, as wo mentioned in the article under notice, the report is complimentary to the Rechabites. Speak ing of the cost of management, it says : "The view given of the Rechahites 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." As we observed, therefore, it is with the Registrar that the lodges must settle accounts if they consider themselves aggrieved,—Ed, E.S.J

W. N. Searnncke, Esq., is recovering from his late illness, under the skilful treat ment of Dr Carey, and will in a few days be able to resume his business avocations.

The following cases are set down for hearing at the District Court on Monday next: — Earl v. Rees ; Roe v. Peek ; Graham v. Stodart ; McLaughlin v. Taiw hanga ; Harrison v. O'Mera ; Randerson v. Carrell; Marshall v. Foote ; Bank of Aus tralia v. Brett; Preece v. Cashmere.

The return match North Shore v. Auck land will take place in the Domain to-mor row afternoon. Wickets will be pitched at 2 p.m. sharp, and all players are requested to be on the ground at tbat time. North Shore will be represented by—Messrs Bur gess, Carter, Cook, McGechie, T. Sibbin, Sims, Swansou, Wynyard, Waterhouse and Webster (2).

The following are the entries and handi caps for the Hurdle Race to be run at Ellerslie Gardens to-morrow afternoon :— Jamieson's Marquis, lOst 12lbs ; McGee's No JName, 10st 71b; Turner's Wild Idyl, 9st 71b ; Robinson's Native, 9st; Harford's Greyhound, Bst 71b.

A youth named Edwin McGurncy was arrested this afternoon on a charge of picking a gentleman's pocket of £2 10s. ".

The members of the Doran Variety Troupe are preparing for a tour in country districts, and will appear in the Bay of Islands during regatla week, commencing on Tuesday, the 24th inst., at Kawakawa, and on Friday at Russell. The varied per formances and lively ballads of this Troupe will afford pleasure to the settlers of those romantic and historic localities.

Several fine samples of Epsom grown potatoes, snow flake, and American latest rose are on view in Mr Brewin's shop, from the garden of Mr Marks plumber, of Auckland.

As showing the severity of the times, at one of the collections at a country church, not far from Napier, a short time ago, the i hurchwarden, in the usual course, took round the bag, and after the service going to count it out found the total amount as fol lows :—Two matches. Perhaps this was the " widows mite,"

A German correspondent writes in order to inform his countrymen tbat under the English law they may make a solemn affirmation, which has all the legal effect of an oath. His object is to aid those of tho Fatherland who have conscientious scruples against being sworn in the usual form.

The following are the entries for the Pukekobe Handicap :—Lusk's Kavenshoe, 10st. 71bs. ; White's Barney, lOst. ; Wal ker's Ladybird, Bst. lOlbs. ; Miller's Flirt, 7st. ; Duplock's Unknown, 9st. ; Hulme's Butterfly, 7st. 71bs.

The Very Rev. Father Walter McDonald desires to return bis sincere thanks, and gratefully acknowledges the receipt of £14 3s 3d in aid of St. Mary's Orphanage, Ponsonby, from Mr Bakewell, Secretary of tbo late successful United Friendly Society's Demonstration.

The treasurer of the Home for Neglected aud Destitute Children, acknowledges with thanks the receipt of 114 3s 3d, from the Secretary of the United Friendly Societies Demonstration Committee. To the Editor : Sir,—ln your issue of the 18th inst., I notice a petition to the Rev. *S. Edgar, requesting him to deliver a lecture on the " Life and Writings of Charles Dickens." At the head of the petition ap pears tho name of G. W. Owen. I presume it is a printer's error as my father lias been away from Auckland for some time, aud consequently could not have signed the re quisition. Hoping you will refute the same as early as possible, I reniaim, Yours &c, Thomas C. Owen.—[Mr Coombes informs us that the error complained of by our cor respondent was a misprint, "W" being substituted for "B" in the initials. The mistake was in the printed copy supplied us from our morning contemporary.— Ed. E.S.] To tlio Editor : Sir, —In your issue of yes terday I see a letter from Dr Wallis with regard to the memorial be signed asking.Mr Edger to deliver a lecture on the life and writings of Dickens. lin reply would say, I was not very urgent in my request to Dr Wallis or any other person, but hn was simply asked if bo would like to sign it. 1 also stated to Dr Wallis that it was pro posed to give the lecture some Sunday even ing, as the memorial stated, and which the Doctor appeared to read before he signed it. Willi regard to my shop being dark, it is simply untrue, as the counter at which Dr Wallis signed tho memorial is directly uuder the skylight, wbero it is as light as in the street. In a conversation with the Doctor after he had signed the memorial, he volun teered the statement that ho had more than once "ftt- "l*-? •>"* j—*--— '•-]_ Hw> nl.l.liul.pa in .Scotland for advocating the reading of novels. I feel sorry the Doctor should re gret having done a sensible tiling, for we could have done very well without his name, ■—lam, etc., Samuel Ooomi.ks,

CADET PRIZE FIRING.

The district prize firing of the Cadet Com panies took place at the Rifle Range to day. There were fourteen competitors, Tho ranges were 200 yds., 300 yds., and 400 yds. The following are the scores :— Corporal Pitkothley, 22, Ist prize; Sergeant Twiname, 11. oth prize ; Serjeant Manor, 19, sth prize; Private Tat tersall, 12; Private Waddingham, 16", 9th prize; Private Colo, 17, Bth prize ; Sergeant Armstrong, 16, 10th prize ; Cor poral Murphy, 1 ; Sergennt Monloding, 12; Corporal Fcnton, 19, 7th prize; Corporal Lcnaban, 18, Gth prize ; Private Whiteside, 8 ; Sergeant Shaw, 20, 3rd prize : Private Bardwick, 19.

NIHILISM.

But Nihilism means much moro than this formidable secret society, which continues to hold its couueils and carry out its degrees in spite of every precaution of the Govern ment aided by the whole military and police force of tlio empire. It represents the un easiness nnd discontent of a great people held in cruel bondage, subjected to the rapacity or brutal tyranny of irresponsible officials, and possessing none of the rights of freemen. All over that vast empire tho middle classes, ns well as those |belo\v them in the social scale, are discontented, and impressed with a profound sense of the oppression to which they are subjected. This class, embracing merchants, students, a large number of the military and civil officers, cveu a consider able portion of tlio police revolt against the autocratic system. They are sutlicicntly intelligent to have a tolerable knowledge of what is going on in the world outside of "Holy Russia." They know what privileges are enjoyed in England, France and Germany by tho people of their own class. They know that even Motcnegro, Roumania, and Bulgaria have constitutions, and legisla tures in which the people have a repiesonta ti >n. They know that Russia is the ouly European nation in which the people have any voice iv the Governiont. This class are not Nihilists in the sense of being mem bers of the secret organizations, or sympa thizers in their projects of assassination. They^ approve the objects aimed at by the conspirators, though they would shrink from sanctioning their method. They aid the fanatics, not actively, but rather by their apathy. "When assassinations like those of Mezenzefl'and Krapotkiue take place, they do not get up much indignation or express any very sincere horror. Their feelings seems to bo that under tho circumstances such things are not unnatural, though inde fensible upon ethical grounds. But there is still another clement that outers into the composition of Nihilism ia its broadest and most comprehensive sense. It is a crude sentimental element, which embraces multitudes of sincere and amiable enthusi asts. It represents the vague aspirations of the young, the inexperienced and the hopeful, who cherish optimistic views of the possibilities of life aud society. These, while they would shrink from the stern method adopted by the men who planned the abortive attempts on the life of the Emperor, would at the same timo foci as if the success of sucli schemes were a national blessing aud M rould regard the murdered Czar not so much as the victim of assassin., as a sacrifice offored on tho shrine of patriotism.—" San Francisco Chrouicle."

HOT AND COOL.

Among the railway travelers eating dinner in a hotel in Baltimore, the other day, was a fellow fiom Fayette, Ohio, who swallowed meat, potatoes, and bread as if he had been a week without eating. _A second cup of coffee was brought to him, aud in his hurry he picked it up aud took a large swallow. It was considerably hotter than pepper, and in his excitement lie opened his mouth and shot the liquid across the table against a young man's shirt bosom. " Gosh—whoop—hot—beg pardon—aud blazes !" he exclaimed, reaching after water.

"You are a hog, sir !" replied the young man, " a regular hog !" " I am, eh 1" " Yes, sir." "And I've got bristles ?" " Yes, you have, " " And 1 gmnt ?' " Yes."

" Stranger," said the Ohio man, as he reached across after another slapjack, "stranger, I'm not a hog—l'm only a politi cian, bound for Washington."—' 'Exchange,'

The firing for the second set, medium rifles, took place yesterday, in the presence of Misjor Withers, and Major Derrom. The day was remarkably fine, sky clear, aud wind favourable. The following are the names of the successful competitors, at 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards, with amounts of prizes appended :—McLean, Engineers, 55, £2 15s ; J. MCLEOD, Victoria, 55, £2 10s Col.-Sergeant Self, Victoria. 54, £2 ss; Bugler Lee, Engineers, 53, £2 ; McEvoy, Engineers, 53, £1 15s; Wilson, Engineers, 52, £110s :R. Wilson, Scottish, 52, £1 5s ; A. Brown, No 3, 52, £1 ; L. Skinner, Vic toria, 52, 15s ; Waddington, Engineers, 50, 10s.

The Thames "Star" is responsible for tbe following little petite comedy :—" Time and place : Yesterday, 3 p.m., business room of one of the local banks. Enter individual with handful of money, which he hands to smart young teller. Latter looks over the money, and selecting a half sovereign, says, " Bad, I think," rings it on the counter, "Sounds right enough," bends it, and finds it as soft as lead. S.Y.T. : "Wait till I call the manager." (Calls). Enter manager, and is handed the susjiicious dime. Great excitement! Manager requests individual to vvait a few minutes, and rushes out hatless. Meets some of the Waitoa people and they take him to have a drink. Soon forgets all about the coin. Scene It In the hank, C p.m. Customer and S.Y.T. anathemising manager, who lias not returned. S.Y.T. says he's getting hungry. Relieves bis feelings with a good swear. We are not in possession of the concluding portion of the interesting little drama."

Tbe Melbourne "Herald ' has tbe follow ing :—That was a graphic speech which Mr Bent delivered at Maryborough last Satur day evening. When he came forward to speak some people iv the ball cried, " What is your name ?" and Mr Bent replied promptly, "Thomas Bent; I'm a cabhage grower, and proud to own it," at which there was great applause. Then Mr Bent said that the working man hid sent him to Parliament, and somebody ejaculated, " You are not true to them, whereupon Mi- Bent retorted, significantly, " Let that person say as much outside." So far the speech was really refreshing; and pre sently, when some one cried out, "Service is going to make a whip of you," and Mr Bent answered that he " threw back the vile assertion to the low miud tbat gave it utterance," it became most animating, and quite in the style of Mr Potts' editorials. We are told that this remark excited loud applause, which was increased when the honorable gentleman exclaimed that "If that man would but tell him the same thing outside, he would punch his head for him."

A complimentary concert to Mrs Burton and family was given last evening iv the Masonic Hall, Onehunga, by the members of the Hobson Band, and ladies and gentle men, mostly from Auckland. The attend ance was good, and the vocal and musical renderings quite equal in merit, to the best of our amateur conceits. The Hobsons, according to custom, gave their services gratuitously; and their overtures were highly praised. The Misses Leahy aud Morali rendered, very creditably, the piano forte duct " Don Giovanui;" Misses Vause and Hood "What are the Wild Waves saying V" and the trio "Johnny Morgan," in which Mr J. P. Vause took part. Mr Fordcr was excellent, and was rewarded with encores in his songs "Ye gallants of England" and the comic song, "I always take it easy." Mr Lit.lowood's song--, "The Silver cup" and " Things that ought not to be," were given iv the singer's best style. Miss Donovan and Mr Ralph gave a pianoforte duet, " o boron,', Mr Lands, " The skipper aud bis boy " and Mr John ICelsall, a song in character, "The watercress girl," scarcely true to nature ; in fact, Mr Kelsall was to much of a man in style and tone of voice for vending water cress. Our critic says " The four jolly smiths," by Mr Ryan, was superior. Miss Swan was encored for her excelleut rendering of " She wore a wreath of roses," and gave " Old Ireland, you're my darlin'." She was also encored for "Gatheiing Shells." The trio, "The Flower Show," by the Misses Colley, was very pretty, and gained au encore ; in fact, the audience encored, not wisely, but too much all the evening.

An intoxicated woman attended a Wesleyau Chapel in Adelaide Road, Wel lington, a few days ago. At first it was thought she was affected by the service, but when she got out of tune aud sustained one noto of the hymn in an extraordinary manner, she threw the choir out, and created much confusion. A class-meeting was announced to take place after the service, and Christian, wilh an obvious ._..r„.,i„.. „_: iuc.v.*., o»ia -I— _« ,A ...„:* until the tea-nieotiug commenced. Atthis moment one of the members who had left the church returned with the sad intel ligence that a policeman Avas outside wait ing to arrest Christian for theft.

The following paragraph referring to an assault on Imogenc, a young actress, who made one appearance in Auckland, and was then withdrawn, is published by tho Sydney " Bulletin " :—News is to hand from Mel bourne of a very unmanly assault on the gifted young actress Imogeue, who was recently in this city. The assault, which was committed by an agent named Rogers, appears to have been the climax to a scries of insults offered to, and a species of terrorism practised by this man on the young artiste, and which, borne without murmur, no doubt depressed her spirits and tended to render her seasons in Sydney and Melbourne anything but successful. The assault in the present instance actually arose through Imogcne's declining to meet the agent's extravagant demauds for money. It appears that Miss Knowlton was staying at the Earl of Zetland, Hotel, Mclbourne,and that the defendant was boarding there. She had retired to her private sitting room to dine, but not being in the best of health, was reclining for a few moments. Rogers, uninvited, entered the room and sat himself at the table. He demanded that she should sit up, as he said he wished to renew his demands for fresh supplies of money. In addition to paying him'a good salary, she had lent him over £SO, and yet his fast living outside required more. She refused either to sit up or give him any more money, whereupon he seized one of the table knives and threatened to take her life. She was to weak to offer much resistance, but in tho struggle that did take place the knife fortunately fell on the floor. In the prose cution that followed at the Polieo Court the defendant would have been committed for tiial but for the fact this Miss Knowl ton must havo suffered in a pecuniary sense from the delay. A fine of £10 5s was im posed, and the offender was compelled to find securily for his future good- behaviour. Miss Knowlton, however, not desiring to leave him a stranger among strangers, paid his passage homeward, and he proceeded by the Orient to England, en route to America, by which vessel (in another part of the ship) the lady also took passage to meet an engagement in London.

A Royal Arch Purple meeting of Lord Eodcu's True Blues, L.0.L., will be held on Friday next.

A special meeting of Operative Masons will be held in the Working Men's Club to-morrow (Saturday) evening, at 7.30. The monthly inspection of the Auckland Naval Brigade will bo held this (Friday) evening, under command of Captain Leßoy.

Operations at Waimate.

(FROM OUR SriiClAL CORRESPONDENT),

MODEST NATIVE CLAIMANT.

HAWERA, this day. The Commission at Oeo was visited yester day by a few natives, aud I heard that four made a kind of formal appearance, viz , one native assessor, ono ditto policeman, aud two more Maoris from tho Kainihi tribe. One of these, whose land is principally bush, claimed, in an olf-haud manner, tbe whole ot Waimate plains, aud after making the assertion that it was all his, ho said he had nothing more to say.

RECALCITRANT NATIVES. I hear that a number of natives, who are starting from Rawer., to attend the Com mission at Oeo, left on Wednesday ; but the tribes coming from Parihaka did not call at Oco, and in consequence they turned back. This is no doubt owing to their fear of being called chaff and men of no account by the followers of Te Whiti.

Major Brown, the present Civil Com missioner, was at one time living on the Waimate Plains, among the natives, as a squatter and a trader, and if he has any influence at present it has taken nearly as many Commissioners, Assessors, and Naitve policemen to induce their attendance as is numbered by the visitors themselvs.

CHAFF HUNTERS.

It is rather a pitiable sight to see the whole Native Office staff " chaff hunting," as Te Whiti calls it, but they are as usefully employed in that as in anything else, and it keeps them from back-biting one another, an occupation in which they are very inde fatigible, and a proficiency in which is sure to be rewarded.

THE ARMED CONSTABULARY.

Meanwhile the A.C. Porco are still in their old camp, and are likely to be for some time, as, in consequence of fresh orders haying been received, the road is very greatly to he altered.

CABLE NEWS.

EUROPEAN.

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] LONDON. February 18. At the wool auctions during the past week, 9651 bales havo been catalogued. San Francisco Mail. The homeward mails, via San Fran cisco, were delivered in London on the 18 th instant. The steamship Tanjore sailed to-day. Turcoman Expedition. The Turcoman expedition, under Abdul Romp, is approaching Balkh without opposition, and is occasioning great excitement amongst the residents at C'abul. The Turkestan "War. LONDON. February 19. The chief of the Turcoman., who have been resisting the Russians, and who are now advancing on Balkh,^ has called upon his countrymen to raise a levy of GO,OOO men in order to form a compact army. Turkestan appeals for Aid. The Turcoman chiefs have drawn iip an appeal to India and Persia for aid in their defence of their country against the Russians. They are deficient in artillery and ask for a few batteries in order to successfully oppose the Russian column. . ♦

[REUTERS SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS,] Colonial Securities. LONDON. February 17. Three per cent consols remain unchanged at 98. Fve per cent New Zealand 10-40 loan has advanced one per ceut, and to-day are quoted at 104 J. Breadstuffs. Adelaide wheat (per 4061bs ex warehouse) has further advanced one shilling, to-day's quotations being 495. Adelaide flour is unchanged at last quotations ; best beef tallow, 3Cs ; best mutton tallow, 38s 6d per cwt. Attempted Assassination of tlie Czar. ST. PETERSBURG.

February, 18. On an examination being made at the Winter Palace, it was discovered tbat a mine, consis'ing of dynamite and gun cotton, had been laid. Tbe train was traced from the inner court to tbe fuel cellar. The escape of those in the palace is most providential.

AUSTRALIAN.

[REUTERS SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS. 1

Sir Gavin Duffy. MELBOURNE. Friday. Sir Chailes Gavin Duffy, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly during last Parlia ment, leaves for England by the out-going Suez mail steamer Assam. "Pinafore" Copyright. Mr Lingard, the actor, has been served with a writ, at the instance of Mr J. C. Williamson, for £2,000 damages, in connec tion with the performance of "Pinafore" by the Lingard troupe. Suburban Bank Trial. MELBOURNE. February 19. In the "trial of the Directors of the Su burban Bank, a long opening speech was made on behalf of the prosecution. MELBOURNE. February 19. The Svdncy Government have commis sioned Mr George Tollings, the artist from Melbourne, to paint the portrait of Sir Hercules Robinson. Five thousand bushels of New Zealand oats were sold by action at 2s 9d ; feeding, zs <_a. A Calcutta telegram advises woolpacks are suffering, and the price of jute is ad vancing rapidly.

Narrow Escape from Drowning.

A narrow escape from drowning occurred this morning shortly after niue o'clock. At the time in question, a man named RichurJ Fcltuo, was observed to fall off the end of the Queen-street wharf into the wafer. He did not appear to be able to swim, and he sank helplessly. No attempt was made to res cue him by the spectators, and he rose and sank a second time. At this critical juncture, a young man named Evan Owens, a seaman on the Penguin, was attracted to the spot by the cries. He took in the situation at a glance, and bravely sprang into the water to the assistance of Feltus. He was a powerful swimmer, and in a few moments he brought the drowning man to the string ers ot the Queen-street wharf. Constable Kelly took charge of Feltus, and proceeded with him to the water-police station, where he was supplied with a change of clothing. Gieat praise is due to Owens for the brave manner iv which he went to the rescue. Had he been a few moments later, Feltus must certainly have been drowned,

DREADFUL EFFECTS OF DRINK.

A MOST shocking spectacle was presented last night on the New Noith Road, a little below Eden Terrace. It appears that a man named Mike'Loary, who is just out of goal, was found dead-drnnk and bleeding outside an hotel, in the vicinity of Kyber Pass. Some young men carried him inside, and bound up his wounds aud left him there. At about eleven o'clock, however, he was found lying on the road below Eden Ten ace, covered with blood from head to toot and insensible. The spectacle he presented was shockiug in the extreme. Some lads kept guard over him lest he should be run over, while Con stable AbramS was fetched. He at once got a cart, aud with the help of three or four men, dragged the poor, bleeding, and insensible mass of humanity to the Hos pital.

THEATRE ROYAL.—"RORY O'MORE."

Tins once popular drama, adapted to the stage over forty years ago by its versatile author, Samuel Lover, was produced last night at the Theatre Royal, before what may be termed, a good bouse. Owing to the distance of the time, many of the sly touches of satire and Hashes of wit were lost upon the younger portion of tho auditory, as the events which called them forth have died away, nnd ouly remembered by persons whose memories reach retrospectively over half a century. " Rory O'More," however, will always be a true impersonation, while the Irish character remains as it is. The hero is the best specimen of a generous, honest, impulsive paddy, ready to battle for his country, with ah"art full of national pride and patriotism, keenly susceptible of the light of Kathloen's dark eyes, and as hearty in love-making as reckless in his adveuturcs. This character was ably repre sented by Mr Wallace, and the love scene between Rory and Kathleen (Miss Wilson) was true au Irishman's nature. Several of the intervening sours were well sung, especially those by Kathleen and Mary O'More (Miss Leopold ) " The fine old Irish gentleman " by Mr Wallace brought forth a storm of enthusiasm. Mr J. B. Steele as Shan Dim, Mr 1 eopold as De Welskin, Mr O'Brien as Do Lacy, and Mr Love as Col. Thunder, were carefully performed. Miss Heath appeared as Widow O'More and Miss Jessie Raymoud as Betty, hut their situations were not prominent, consequently the representatives had not equal opportuni ties of display. On the whole, this once popular Irish romauce, was well sustained, and many of the incidents, and especially the story of the fox, given with gusto* and exhilarating to the spirits. The music was lively throughout, and the scenery illustra tive and suitable. This evening the much admired play of the " Irish Exile" in three acts will be performed for the " Benefit of the Distressed People in Ireland." This drama will be introduced by a prologue, and, the " Flowers of Autumn," a new un published waltz, by the pianist and com poser, Mr Cullimore. As the house is likely to he crowded to-night, the hint, " Be in time" may not be out of place.

'' Your intended is hideous," says a frank French friend. "True," says the fiancee, "but if you only knew how they notice me when he's along!"

TELEGRAPHIC.

(From Our Own Correspond»nt,)

RUSSELL, this d a y,

Arrangements are being made for a band to come from Auckland with the Te Anna excursion, to play at the regatta, which will add greatly to the attraction of the ex. cursion and the regatta. The Natives are commencing to arrivr> i_. tbe Regatta. lOr A great sale of kauri gum takes place to morrow at Waikare, the Natives requiring money to spend at the sports. ™

WELLINGTON, this day THE UNEMPLOYED.

A deputation from the unemployed waited on the Government this mornin« with reference to obtaining employment 1 The Minister of Works replied that the Go-' vernment intended opening several roads" which were to he let in small contracts, and would afford employment to a large num. her of men. An inquest on the body of the boy Eich ardson, who was drowned last evening is now proceeding. " FIRE. A fire occurred iii Egmont stables at Hawcra, and eight of Mr Young's horses had a narrow escape, being saved by a groom with great difficulty. The "room was badly kicked. At one time if was believed half the town would be destroyed but it was averted by tbe exertions of the townspeople. Te Whiti has declined saying anything re the Plains until March. (PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) GISBORNE, Thursday! ' The first day's racing of the annual racca took place to-day. The jockey, Thompson who rode Sylvia in tbe Country Stakes, and 8011, who rode Mama iv the Maiden Plate were both disqualified from ever riding again. In the latter case, the owner has been allowed one week to show whether or not he was a party to the transaction. The horses were pulled by the jockeys in ■ the most open manner. WELLINGTON, Thursday. A number of tbe Wellington Maoris are taking great interest in the West Coast Commissioners, and have applied to the Native Minister for passage to Taranaki for the purpose of giving evidence. This day. THE TE ANA.U. The steamer Te Anau did the passage from Lyttelton here, in the face of a strong head wind, in 14| hours. The passengers speak in high terms of her performance.. DISSENT FROM PASTOR CHINIQUY. At Timaru, at the close of Chiniquy'a, lecture, last night, Mr Granger, one of the committee, stated that, owing to certain! expressions used by Pastor Chiniquy, he would sever his connection with the com mittee, as he considered he was not further, ing the interests ol Protestantism by his « language. A boy named George Dennis Richardson, was drowned in the harbour, at the back of the railway station, this evening.

CHRIST CHURCH, Thursday.

The Minister for Public Works received several deputations to-day, and to-morrow will receive one about the delay in continu ing the Akaroa railway, and will visit Kaia poi. The efforts of the local Press on the sub jeefc of the export of fresh meat have borne some fruit. A deputation ot stock-growers ; to-day waited upon Mr Robert Wilkin and Co, to ascertain if it were possible to take immediate steps to get a vessel to New Zea land to load with meat, under the Bell and Coleman process, for England. The deputa. . tion were of the opinion that if such could be done stock-growers generally would be willing to subscribe towards the cost, with the view of testing how New Zealand meat ' would do in the London market, and how far it would relieve the local stock market in the future state of London prices. One ? of the directors of the Shipping Company who was present, stated that the subject hod been discussed by the directors of the company. They had already taken steps to ascertain the cost of the process, how far sailing vessels were suitable for the con veyance ot meat, and what advantage pro ducers in New Zealand would gain by it, Messrs Wilkin and Co. promised to lake immediate step 3to ascertain whether there was any chance of procuring a steamer; ' that they were of opinion there would be no chance of getting vessels to come to New '. Zealand till the company was floated, and the whole process more fully developed. The _icpntn.tio_L comprised men who are large producers of fat stock.

This day. ' The district meeting of Rechabites yester day, it was decided to hold the nest annual meeting at Taranaki, and a resolu tion was passed, asking the officers of the various tents to render assistance to Mr Matthew Burnett on his visit to New Zea land. The temperance "Herald" was appointed the official organ of the order. The newly elected officers were installed, and the proceedings closed. The Minister for education (Mr Rolleston) is expected to arrive to-day. The Acclimatisation Society have have re .olved that the duck shcotiug season will be from April Ist to July Ist, and the pheasant shooting season from Ist to 30lh of June, both days included ; and that hare will not be shot this season.

DUNEDIN, this day. The " Star" is authorised to state that the Union Company take volunteers [from any port to Nelson aud back at single fares. Gunuer Hendry of the Dunediu Naval Brigade, with 31 points, takes the £5' prize. At the cadet distribution of prizes there were 112 coniDetitors.

POLICE COURT.— THIS DAT.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.) ; "WATERFORD CHARLIE." ' T George Burns, alias "WaterfordCharlie," was charged with being an habitual drunkard. The prisoner with a pleasant smile on his face, pleaded guilty. His mind had been disturbed by the anticipation of a fortune from the estates of his forefathers. This being his fourth offence within a few weeks, be was sentenced to seven days imprisonment. CITY RATE CASES. [ ''• \ A list of 19 city rate defaulters was intro duced by Mr Barrop, collector, who stated that 17 out of 19 were settled. Judgments for _ plaintiffs, with costs 7s each. James Wrigley, [on property inj Alton Road, of which he was trustee, £2 ; Richard Maginu, on property in St. George's Bay Koad, £4, including £2 8s water-rate. This was all the business.

SUNDAY AMUSEMENTS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The tendency of present days is fo secularise, which in plain words means to shut out the Divine Being as a personal God, as much as possible from overythiug, and the couutcr-part of this is to flatter and exalt man to a degree which is very liable to end in the climax of self-worship ! Even national education itself, which, under stated circumstances, may be such a boon, can he made by shutting out a personal God and responsibility to Him, the veriest curse to the couut y. Step by step thi»hlight of secularism would advance, and now that glory of Great Britain, tLe sacred day of rest aud worship, is to be undermined, and men's thoughts turned to toys and quiet (for the present ? \ amusements. Colonists, beware of what is but tho beginning of that end, which by turning your eye 3 else where you may plainly see. Do not be.be- ' fooled by wolVe3 in shceps' clothing, who endeavour to set aside what is a precious gift from the Creator j. reject not the iufinite wisdom and providence of the Divine Being to follow that of self-styled enlightened but deluded men. When indi viduals can trifle with one of the divine commandments, we may conclude that tbe nine remainder will by degrees be thong-* * hut lightly of. The cant talk of Auckland being behindother ci lies amounts to nothing- Let Auckland act what has been calmly considered right in the light of God's word, and for the real good of man, and she will then bo first, both in civilisation and morals.

—Yours, &c, F. U6.T-I COMMANDMENT.

TOBACCO DUTY V. TRADE.

(To the Editor.) SIR,—Now that the new tariff is being monetarily understood by traders I thins most grocers aud tobacconists will agree that the legal size of tobacco packages, viz., 601b., is not only very oppressive, dm somewhat injudicious, and scarcely intiie interest of the revenue. As a great' ™anJ packages of tobacco imported are2oi°',.„ 401b. boxes, it could surely be no hardsmp to the Government to reduce the Jegai package to 401b., and cigars say to f*"fcJY now. The duty on them is 6s per lb. Sbou™. * ; it require more hands to do the work, way. i employ them, and good would accrue.-? Yours, &_., Nicotine,

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1880.



W. C. D ENNES > THE GREAT MACHINE IMPORTER, IS NOBODY'S AGENT ! imports Direct the following Machines Singer, Genuine Arm and Platform Frister & Rossman Princess of Wales Wertheim Home Companion, tho New \v heeler & Wilson Home Shuttle Co's I New Grover & Baker latest and best Domestic Howe—A., B, and C. And Otheb Good Makers, I All of which are for Sale on Weekly Payments of 2/6. One Month's Free Trial, with option of changing without loss. Unlimited Instruction at purchaser's house by 1 the best Machinist in the Colony. Machines j kept in order twelve months free of charge. j: These are some of the advantages of Pur 1 chasing at tho I G.RE A T DEPOT, I • QUEEN-STREET Ths THiuMPn of the Age.—ln moderate price and distinctive excellence tho Wilcox ard i White Organs eclipse ab other styles. They aro : capable ot brilliant effects us well as of sustained. I harmony, and the many varied and beautiful i combinations adequate to the performance of j * Class-leal, JLcKinmate Oigan Music—Sole ■ AKcncy: AUCKLAND Music WABEHOUSE, 14, Quean-street, t "."> \i. . -.i -i* «



Special Advertisements. GREAT "OARGAINS! BEAT JL> A R G A I N S I GREAT BARGAINS 1 GREAT BARGAINS! GREAT BARGAINS 1 JUST OPENED, A SPLENDID LINE or MEN'S rpWEED qUITS, AT 27 s 6 D> WORTH 15s. ONE CASE ]y£EN'S ]?LAX gHIRTS, With Collars, AT 4s 6 D' Worth 6s 6d. ONE BALE WHITE gUPER. gLANKETS, 13 s 6 D- Worth 20s. Inspection specially invited to OUR OWN MAKE OF BOYS' PLAITED TUNIC SUITS, From T^gS. tar Note the Address— J. B. ROBINSON AUCKLAND /CLOTHING TjUtCTORY, NEXT MESSRS TONKS & CO.'S AUCTION MART. \ FEW GOOD REASONS FOR MAKING YOUR PURCHASES AT THE TM-EW 7EALAND £jLOTHING -riACTORY. The Materials are manufactured In New Zealand. The Garments are made in New Zealand. The Money is expended in New Zealand. The Stock to .elect from is the largest in New Zealand. The Cut and Trimmings are equal to bespoke. The Prices, oonsldering the quality and finish, are lower than those of any other house in New Zealand. And notwithstanding tho extra tariff j nst Imposed in New Zealand, there Is t_T NO ADVANCE IN PRICESI You can still purchase A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALES PRICE FROM THE .New Zealand Clothing Factory.l Auckland Retail Branch : Q U ___ [E iN - S T R IE E T. Opposite Theatre Roy QUR (Ti RE A T OALI MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING, HATS, CAPS, AND SHIRTS, COMMENCED THI.S EVENING All the New Shipments recently received -will be sold at SALE "DRICES. ALE -TRICES. J. COSGRAVE & CO. 'lIHISLIXUM 100 DOZEN 2-BUTTON KID GLOVE! (Quite sound), Only Is lid per pair. ; A Large Stock of FANCY GOODS, MILLINERY COSTUMES, PINAFORES, DRESS GOODS, &c, &c. To be Sold at Nett Cash, for a Short Time onlj DRESSMAKING ON THE PREMISES. Costumes made in 21 hours' notice. A. LINABURY & CO. 201 and 206. QUEEN-STREET. riO-OPERATIYE PRICES FOR CASH. CO-OPERATIVE PRICES AND QUICK SALE. CO-OPERATIVE PRICES A PUBLIC BENEFIT. We are Selling the Cheapest DRESS GOODS We are Selling PRINTS and CALICOS at a Small Ad van co on Cost. 1-ANCHESTBB GOODS MILLINERY UNDERCLOTHING Men's and BoyB 1 Clothing At Co-operative Prices. FOR CASH ONLY. JUST OPJIfK A lot of ~ . New Ip o m pa d o tr c PRINTS. We have adopted the Pure Cash System for the following reasons :— I.—lt is fairest to both buyer and seller, be cause, by avoiding bad debts, our Cash Customers will not have to make good the losses occasioned by defaulters, and the Quick Cash Returns will enable us, as Sellers, to buy more extensively, and take full advantage of cosh discounts, in ■which gain our customers will parti cipate. 2. The increased business whloh mußt follow consequent on selling goods at a small advance on cost, will give our customers the same advantage as though they were shareholders in a co-operative Society. 3. Our patrons will always have a large, fresh, and well-assorted Stock to select from, BUY YOUR DRAPERY AND CLOTHING FROM Garlick & Cranwell, CITY HALLJtARCADE, QUEEN STREET AND LORN STREET. •



Special Advertisments, Q N SALE, Kcarsloy's Combined Reapers and Mower Mangold and Turnip Drills Turnip Sllcers Oilcake Breakers Winnowing Machines Lawn Mowers. Also, TO ARRIVE, PER ' INGLEWOOD,' Coulter's Corn, Mangold, Turnip, and Manure Drills, combined And Ploughs, double andlslngle Harrows Rollers &c. &c. <xc The "above goods are imported directed rom the manufacturers, and will be sold choap to make room for further shipments. W. J. HURST & CO., 181, Queen-street.



The startling augmentation of cases of kidney diseases recently developed, ring out a toc»in of alarm to all who have ovon slightly suffered with these Insidious complaints. This signal should ho heeded, and precautions taken against their attack, by a speedy resort to purely diuretic and tonic remedies. Of these, nono are so ellec tivo, so safe, so certain, so generally reliable, as Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnappß.