SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

JfrrOH 'utatr't?) This Evening, 51 HIGH WATER} To . morrow Morning, 5.22 BUN HET.-Thla Evening, 5.5 BUN RISE.-To-Morrow Morninfc. 6.47 MOON'S AGE.-Now Moon, 9th, 5,55 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

TO-DAY. Ringarooma, s.s. Chattlelri, from Russell Woitaki, s.s. Edie, from Taurr.nga

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING. Bouthern Croso, s.s. Helander, for Lsvuka Glenelg, e.g. Farqubar, (or Taarangi

TODAY. Rlngaroomn, s.s. Cliatfleld, for the South Wairaki, b.b Kdio, for WhatiKaroi Woivorina, H.M.8., Bridges, for Sydnoy Glimpse, kot:h, Burril<, foi' jucvuka

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

London -City of Queboc, loaJing Sydnoy—Hero, to-ntorraiv Qiabonin, Southorr. Ports nad Melboifrne— Ringarocma, Thursday Timaru—llercia

Tauranpra—Glonols', Monday; Wnitaki, Tuesday Whan^'itroi—A-gyle, I'ucsJiiya and Fridays Waitaki, Thursday Russoll— loua. ofciy Monday; Waitiki, Friday Samoa—Nautilus, about May 2Uth; Cormoraut, to-morrow LcvtiUa-Somhcrn Croa.tg.g., and Meg Morrilics, brigautiao, about Wednesday

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Jolin Bu'.l. barquo, frcm London; sailed Feb runrj 10 Loch Du-.\ barque, from London ; Siilfd Feb. 10. Chile, b.arr-,113, from Ldii-no-.i ; March 8 Si),;:, ;>loiul :1, fchlp, fro;:i London; lf;adiis« >'iTncro;h, Khip, rrom Lo;«lon, loading Oamille, brig, fr0.71 No w York; siiilcd Feb. 21 Laok-Out, brig.mtiiic. from Sydney Cabarfeldh, barque, from Adelaide Loongana, barquo, from Hobart Town Rjua, sohconer, from Uunedin IJodf;;ick I)hu, brißontlnc, from Dancdin S-xon. schooner, from i.j"tt:'Hon Helena, bri»;iiniine, from iJamo.ru Day spring, mission schooner, from the Islands Fnlcon, £ciioi>ccr, (vc.m thu islnnds Marion, from Noifoii: Island. Coronot, schooner, from Marsnall Oroup. 89110 Brandon, schooner from Line Islands Island Lily, brfeaniino. from Chatham Island Myrtle, brlgantme, from Tonga Active, brigant.no from Samoa Gael, schooner, from Samoa Tranait.schooLer, from Tahiti Edith, schooner, from Tonga Lnpwing, brigantine, from Timaru Borualis, briiiantino. from Lf-vuka Midpr-!, schooner, from L'.'.yuka MO3: Merrilioß, brigantine, from Lovuka sybil, schooner, from Tahiti

EXPORTS.

Por Southern Cross for Lcvnka; 1033 pieces timber, 30J cißa kerosoce, 292 sheep, 15 sacks oysters 100 tins biscuits, 10 sacks bran, 70 sacks potatoes, 25 sacks and bdgs flour, 25 cages and avoks onions, 3 pigs, 1 horso, 35 cases and packages sundries. Por Rinsarooma, for Gi?borne: 20 oasks sulphur, JO bags su<ar and Bale, 2J boxes soap, 77 cip.ea and pa.-kages. For Napier: 28 coses baer, 2 h ;rses, SO caaka cement, i tacks oysters, 2i7 ca3C3, packago-', and raska. For Wellington: 13 b-aco pnoasants, 30sacks oyst-.-rs. 11 packages. For lyitelt-n: 22 rases iird packages, tfor Dtmodin: 50 cases dried apples, 500 cases kero -8 no, C tons plate iron, I packages. Por Glimpse, for Lavuka: 25,000 feet timber.

Inwards Coastwise. — Peraovorance from Sandspis with 200 boshels sand; Atlantio from Hussell with 2(0 tons coal; Lako gt. Ciair from Orowa with 10,000foote.iwn timber: KinKarooma from itus-ell with 320 tons caal, 100 bags oystors,

Ootwakds Coastwise. — Perseveranco for Waiheke; Atlantic for Knssoll; Lake St. Clair foe Mahurargi,

The Auckland Rt3amship Company's s.s. Southern Crosa took her doparturo for Levuka. Fiji, last night, with a considerable quantity of cargo, and the following passengers:—Mesdames Lodder and Holander; Messrs Thomas, Spragg, May, Wilson, Thompson, Drivor, and Loddor. Tho schooner Marion was loading at Norfolk Island for Noumea, whon tho Ephemy left.

Tho H.M.s. Wolveriuo left to-r'ay for Sydney, where she is to meet the relieving ship Ralolch. The Kaleigh biiuga a new crew for the Wol verine, ana takes tho present ona back to England.

The ketch Qlimp-io sailed to day for Ta'rus, where sho is to load with timbor for Lovuka. PThe Union Compnny's liingarroma left for tho Sonth thU afternoon with the followincr paesen gers:—For Gisborco: iWurray, Capt. Porter and vV. Martin. For Napier: Two native ladiep, C. C. Sommcr>, native and boy, J. Marshall. For Wellington : Misses liattham (2), Mrs War rmston, Messrs Izird. Graatroi, Gill and B-Mcher. For Lyttolcn: Miss Ha'lctt, Miss Go'dsbro', Mr and Mrs W. .J.Browne, MrandMrs Caygill, Messrs T. Bathgate, J. Haines. J. Wright and George. For Dunedin : Mrs Child, Mr, Mrs and Mi-s LovewoU, Messrs T. Barrott and D. W. Josoph,

l'he ronclad Invincibly Captain the Hoa. Edmund Fromantlo, C.b. was tho other day ordered from Alexandria to Aboukir Bay, a paa- Bi-wo wliioh leads acro-s llio Mlo mouths, in a Bhallow and of ton turbulent soa. Tlio fironclad was steaming about seven knots to tho hour, -when one of the leadsmen fell into Iho roILDK waves. At once tho cry of "man ovtrboard" rang through the Rhip, and a'l tho necessary moaauroa wero taken v?liieli f,'ood discipline on 1 maritime knowledge prescribe, 'iheeasiacs were Bt->p.-ci androvor^cd, Hiolife-buoys looped from bridsro and tafT-r.iil, wliilj tlio boats were called away, manm-d. "tid lowered w-fch the u'jno-tp-omptiindd. Hut the poor fel'ow who n ul siwwd overboard still liol/l, orhad managed to lay held of, th>-. load-line tho consequonco being that, although kept up in the Water, he was dragged below it' surface by tho vessel's motion, rtfter a very littlo while of this submersion, tho unlucky bluejacket became choked with the sea, auci, letting go his grgap, fioatod, insensible and a'rerdy half-dead, astern of t;io ship, with Irs hoad drooping under tho water. Captain Fremantlc, who was watching •what was going on from tho bridge, understood inamoment. that any delaj' must coat his poor soaman's life. Without any hesitation, therefore, tho giilant officer sprang into tho waves—just as h« stoo.l, in cap, coat, sea-boots, and all—and, striking out hard and straight for his Bobje t, reached, tho spot to fin.l his ma-.i slowly sinking away from sight. He "f.ugl,t?'imup,got. hiahead cloarof ths a»;i, and so, with great difficulty, liolfl the drowning blu-j-jackot during the interval occupied in the arrivial of assistance. Help, of course, toon camo. Sub-Lieut. Mooro and the blacksmith's nm fn, Cunningham, -were the first two vrlioao bra\c hearts sont:them over botivd to le:id tlio captain a, Laud. 'I'riosc gallant fellowa, covcrthelcs?, oaiy jnat swam up in time, for tho ciptain's boots and heavy clothes wove draKgins? him down, aud it wa3 a glad momoDt when the boat flow near and took all four tafe from the water.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

DEPARTURES. Hannah Mokau, s s. McCarthy, for Waitara

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Taubanoa, this day, Tho Glonelc arrived from Auckland at 7.30 a.m. to-day. Russell, this day. Tho S3. Southern Cross arrived from Auck land at noon to day. Ktjssell, this day. ■ Tho Southern Cross, bauod to Ifiji, arrived to-day to coal. Arrived —SJhs7. Sailed— Josephine, Julia Pries, and Sea Brsczo.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Closb as Uni;er :— ; This Day. For Altatakl, por Waiwera, at 1 p.m. Friday, 7th Instant. For Thames, per Hotomahana, at 10 a.m. For Waiheko and Coromandol, per CoromandoK at 2.30 p.m. i For Wangarei Heads, and Wangarei, per Argyie, at i p.m. For Russell and Kawakawa, per Waitaki, at 3p.m. ..... For Thames, por Enterprise, at 5.30 p.m. Saturday. Bth instant. For BWond'y Islands, per Edith, at 9 a.m, j For Waiwera, Maiufanai, Matakana, Manga wai, Walpu, and Mangapai, per Roso Casey, at 10 a.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 10.30 a.m. Monday, 10th instant. For Russell, Kawakawa, Wa^garoa, and Mon gonui, por lona, at i p.m. For Whitiangi, Tairoa, Tauranga, andJOpotlkl, per Glonolg, at i p.m. Tuesday. Hth Instant. For Taranakl and Southern provinces, per Hawea, atßam. For Ruesoll, Kawakawa, and Australian Colonies, per Rotoirahana, at 3 p.m. N.8.-The Post-offlco Savings Bank will be opon for tho receipt of deposits on Saturday, Bth instant, and ovory succeeding Saturday, from G. 30 to 7.15 p.m.

8. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

Meetings, Entertainments, &c.

MAY 6, 1880,

. African Wild Boast Show—loo.m, to 10 p.m. Arthur Skotonley'a Drawing-rcom entertain mont—Theatr« Royal, at 8 p.m.

Auckland Shipowners' Association—Thames Hotel, i p.m.

Devotional Meeting—V.M.C.A. Rooms, 7.30 P.m.

Court Nil Dosporandum, A.O.F.—Protestant Hall, Newton, 8 p.m.

DEATHS.

ELLI3.-On May 6th, 1880, at hor rosldenoo, Selwyn Torrac?. PnrnoU, Ilelon, tho doarly beloved wifo of William Kllia, af or a long ill ness, borno with Krcat patience; aged 5'J years. Tho funeral will leave hor lato residence on Friday at 3 p.m. Friends will kindly ucoopt this invitation. GKNTIU—On May 4, Edith Floronca Gentil, cldost daiiKhtor o( C. G. Gontll. Esq., Uank o( Now Zealand, Coromandel; agod 17years and 1 months. The funeral will lea>re tho rosldonco of Mrs "VVhittard, Hobson-Btroot, at i p.m. to morrow (Friday). MADDKN.-f'n May 6, at Nehon-stroet, lirally Mary, dourly boloved child of William ami Kinlly Madden; ujed 2 years aiullO muntlif. NEATK.—On May 5, at Onohuuga, Selinii Neato : agod 71 yoara. For 27 yoira the faith ful and valuedscrvantof tholateMraOhurton, 'I ho fuuunil will leave her lato roaklonco. at. Mr Oxenham's, to-morrow (Friday), at 3 o'clootf. Friends plcasoacooptth'sinvitation.

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

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 1880.

fjr the canse that lacks aulstanca, For the wro^g that needs resistanc*, For tha fntare in the distance,

Aud the good that wo c*n dc«

The accounts of the City Council for tho half-year ending 31st March last have been issued, and aa the rate payers will naturally desire to know something of tho working of the city government in its financial aspects we have compiled a return (omitting shil lings and pence1) shewing the leading heads of revonue and expenditure for the last -three half-yearly terms. For purposes of comparison the middle six months (30th September, 1879) may be left out of view, as we have not in cluded the corresponding six months, and tho rates, licenses and other sources of revenue which fall due at that period of the year differ essentially from those collected between the 30th September and 31st March. Contrasting, then, the two corresponding half-years, there is proof of substantial growth and pro gress. The revenues from ordinary sources show a steady inorease, amount ing—in rates to £916; endowment /rents, £1,225; abattoir fees, £116; water receipts from dwellings andships, £221. The amount expended from General Account on roads and foot paths was also much larger last year than in either of the preceding financial terms. Tho details with reference to tho other principal city services are given in the appended table :— GENERAL ACCOUNT. I- 1 f. <ooa GQCft cjg> oo £gg ■+■» *"• ,d -* -w* '•'■'■■ ,5 *■* 9 1 .Revenue— ct w ■£ -P -P Kates 5,084 1,462 6,000 Endowments 1,720 1,850 2,886 Abattoir Rents ... 131 90 196 Fees—Licenses ... 419 4,307 478 Other Licenses ... 247 263 242 Abattoir Fees ... 208 262 324 Contributions towards ) .„. OQA • Asphalting { 464 380 474 Insurance Co.'a to- j „_ „ wards Fire Brigade } 87 26- M Government Subsidy 2,904 2,127 4,704 Gross totals of Gene- )1O nrn „, „„„ „, „„ ral Account ... { 13,959 21,628 21,709 EXPENDITUEE— Office Charges ... 1,415 1,716 1,038 Streets and Footways 5,865 C,SCO 8,592 Trees 233 21 14 Draiuagc .. .. S8 74 452 Prevention Fares .. 479 344 4'JS Lighting 484 728 647 Abattoir 257 223 243 WATER REVENUE ACCOUNT. Receipts— £ £ £ Water to Shipping ... 383 364 418 ' Water to Dwellings... 1,271 1,280 1,457 2 Gross Receipts ... 1,798 1,507 1,983 ( Expenditure— ' Wagcj 639 632 701 Working Expenses... 295 399 451 l Coal 302 322 212 I Balance at end of half-| „.„ 11Q "» -* J year jn6 4XS JM ' Tliero- is one consideration which ■ must present itself very forcibly to those who consider these accounts. t< Pho stoppage of the Government sub- i' sidy will throw the Corporation entirely v )n its own resources, and if mainten- mcc of charitable institutions be added, a .ho case will becomo still worse. Now, © n the last six months, with £4,704 lf i'om the Government, the city has s j >een able only to devoto £S,5'J2 to tho brmation and maintenance of our S; horoughfares, what, then, will its £< ■osition bo for the future 1 So long as | v very improvement is followed by enor- ious claimsforoompensation, work must m Dme to a standstill. The era of pro- he ress that has marked the last four years co lay be considered at an end, unless )ine way cau be found through the Q,

maze in which one clause cf the Public Works Act, and its extravagant inter pretation by judges, has landed the Corporation. Already, 'we iinder-': stand, a proposal to permanently' form Union-street has boen aban doned through the threats of _ several small property-owners, who declared their intention to claim damages, not withstanding that the' cuttings in the street would be insignificant. The ordinary revenues of • the Council are too small to justify our city rulers in accepting engagements entailing indefinite responsibilities, and it is very rarely that any unanimity can Jbo ob tained among those directly concerned in the formation of a street, especially when by holding out, a monetary gain might perchanco be secured. The future improvement of Auckland, there tore, has become circumscribed by the doubtful elements of petty jealousies and private interests, which, added to mole limited resources, render it ex tremely improbable that tho economy and efficiency that have been attained heretofore will characterise' the operations of tho coming year. [

The improvement in the water ser vice is very satisfactory. On the 6th of May, 1579, there were only 442 con-r sinners—4oo by assessment and 42 by meter. Now there aro #26 consumers —702 by assessment and 6-i by moteri Our water supply is thus becoming every year more appreciated a by the ratepayers.

. From the general statement of assets and liabilities it appears that omitting the current rate, the arrears amount to £1,032, and the auditors append a noto advising " that irrecoverable ari roars be written of without delay, arid that those still considered good' be bvougut forward in such a manner a? they can be conveniently referredjjr.o.'? Wo do not exactly understand why moneys levied on the security of property should Jovcr bo irrecoverable, and specially to tho large amount stated. It seems advisablo, therefore, for the Council to consider whether its system of colleotion is the best for deal ing with dilatory payers and other de faulters, and whether theso gentlemon might not be stimulated by a vigilant collector. Tho system.of paying at tho office in all cases, though a satisfactory ouo in some ways, does not apparently achiovoj such a closo collection as it seems reasonable to expect.

The salaries and oflice expenses, con sidering tho number of departments and amount of work to be dono, aro mode rate, and generally tho management is crcditablo to tho Town Clerk and his oflico stall".

The liabilities of tho city under Loan Acts amount at prosonfc to £180,000 raised iv throo forms—tho special rtito loan, £20,000 ; tho endowments loan, £35,500 ; and waterworks, loan, £125,000. Thoro is itu addi tional liability of £1,471, overdraft at tho National Bank, and £015 con tractors' deposits. Tho ussota of tho Corporation, including waterworks.and endowments, arc valued at £1Ui),136. All tho balances standing to credit of various special accounts, amounting to £10,120, have boon absorbed in (ho general account to covor deficiencies created by an advance of £14,000 from tho gonornl account to carry out works authorised under tho Endowment Loan Act. Tho auditors tako exception to these- transfers from special to gen oral account as illegal, but tho Act permits loans from general account to special accounts. Debentures aro now being prepared for the consoli dation of all theso loans in ono of £250,000, which, after paying oif tho outstanding £180,000 will leavo £70,000 available for various purposes. The new Act limits the entuo rating of tho city to 20s in tho pound.

We publish on the fourth puge of this issue two readable articles, describing "A Soldier's Thrilling Auventures," and a scene between Queen Victoria and the Lite Frinco Consort.

We understand that Sir George Grey will proceed South in the Te Anau, about tho 13tl), and will probably address meetings at Cluistehureh, Ihmediu, and InvpreargilL

Damp ground and an unpleasant un healthy odour have been found under Ihu Lytceltoti Orphanage where cases of diph theria wore lately dealt with. A new Lund Bill is to be introduced into the Victorian Parliament. Mr Seymour George, M.H.K., was a passenger by the Kingaroomn for the South to-day. Mr George will vi-it Uau terbury and Duuedin before the session we presume to guogo the political feelings of politicians and the constituencies. The social re-union last night at the Working Men's Club was successful. A large number of members aud their wives and daughters were present, aud dancing was kept up merrily until an early hour this morning. Tho dancing-room was decorated with green sprays, autumn flowero, and representative banners. A few

good songa were sung in the interval, and several musical selections given by the pianktt and violinist. An excellent spread was provided by Mr Wheeler with his usual liberality aud taste.

The Auckland Amateur Dramatic Club will give an entertainment this eveuing in the Masonic Hall, Dnehunga, in aid of the funds of the Unehunga Benevolent Society. A'first-class entertainment is expected.

Pastor Chiniquy delivered a free lecture on "Catholicism" at Honolulu on April 13th, on his way to Sau Francisco. Owing to the short notice, the lecture was not well attended. The warblers arc coming to the fore. A sweet singer sit a .church in Paris named Thomas Hohbcr captivated the Duche.°s of Newcastle* and the pair were married. Tom must have warbled to some purpose. The claim to Cardinal Autonclli's estate by his daughter will bs coming tip again, the Countess Lambertini having obtained proof of the baptismal register. A correspondent writing from Mauritius .describes a fearful cuttle epidemic which has carried off over 26,000 head of cattle in this island, but which is now showing signs of abatement. The mortality for this month (February) was only 854 head of cattlo and CO dear, as against 1,790 head of cattle and 80 deer for the previous month.

It will he sren on leference to our adver tising columns that the monthly pi aver meeting of the Auckland Sunday-school Union will be held in tho Wellealcy-strect Uaptist school-room to-morrow (Friday) evening at 7.30, when the address will he delivered by Frederick Larkius, Esq.

The Eastern and Australian Company having refused the subsidy of £35,000 to thelTorrcs Mail Service unless the steamers were allowed to proceed to Sydney, tho Premier therefore invited tenders in London. British ship-owners oiler a four-weekly service with a minimum of 120 knots daily for £55,000 subsidy for a term of seven years, Brisbane to be the terminus. The Government intend recommending Parlia ment to accept the offer.

A typographical error appeared in ou report of the meeting of Auckland grain merchants. The system as advocated by Mr Jakius waa not the "Central " .system, but the " Cental" system.

I. Mr "W. Kerr of Springfield, ltamarauiu, has perhaps the finest paddock of grass to be seen in the province. It is quite a treat to walk over the green velvety turf, which in this dry season, compares so favourably with oilier parched up lields. Mr Ken's property comprises IS9 acres, all fenced in, and is nioHly laid down in grass. Ilia ex cellent flock of sheep arc in line form and condition. One of the rams sheared an ISHi fleece (washed) last shearing. The maize grown on this farm is of astonishing size and quality.

Mr J. C. Youug arrived at Taaranca on Saturday per s.s. Glenelg, and received a hearty welcome after his lengthened stay iv Auckland. ' A large number of his friends nncl acquaintances were on the wharf to congratulate him ou hh return. A number of influential citizens met at Ellis's hotel in the afternoon for the purpose of congratulating Mr J. C. Young on his succoas in so completely clearing himself cf the accusations made against him by the Government.

An edition of the New Testament with mnps and illustrations is sold in London for a penny, and with protit to the pub lisher.

ft Gft-the gate leading to a house in the 'ruraPseetion of Philadelphia is the sugges itiVo vplacard : "Nothing wanted but milk ■and the paper." Marshal McMahon is said to have spent a.great deal; of his private income when he waa' presideiit, and ha is uo.w obliged to sell a part of hh mansion in Paris. A criminal in Russia is -punished with the knout upon his hare back, and tre qucntly goes into convulsions from the pain. ."Some of our worst tramps should be furnished with an knoutfit of this descrip tion and banished from the country.— " Boston Journal of Commprce.". At the Excelsior Lodge meeting of Good Templars last evening in the1 Franklin-road fchool-room the quarterly report was pre sented by the worthy secretary, which shewed that the Lodge was in a healthy and progressive condition, the past quarter especially having been a most successful one, many rifew members having been iui liated. The, library of useful knowledge is established and well patronised, and con tains C 3 volumes. The . following ofliceivs wero duly installed for the ensuing quarter : W.C.T., Bro. Laing ; V.T.,'Sis. Chambers; Sec, Bro. Gibb3 ; F.S., Bro. Warburton; T., Bro. Boyle; C., Bro. Spurgeon ; M., Bro. Lipscombej; 1.G., Bro. Edmunds; 0.G., Bro. Gammell; A.S., Bro. Moore; D.M., Sis. Huhn ; K.H'.S.,S!s. Adliugton ; L.11.5,, Sis. Carradus; P.W.C.T.y Bro. Adlington.

To the Editor : Sir,—lt may seem very envious and unphilosophical on my part, but I confess albeit with deep regret, that my " admirer " (?) is evidently destined ere long to outshine me entirely in historical re search. ~ His own. microscopic investigations in scriptural history have apparently re vealed a fact never before dreamt of.

What mind, but that of your correspondent (to quote bis own eloquent words with slight alterations) could hav.e. discovered, the astounding fact that many centuries of niahr kind—nay, even the Biblical historian hira : self, had mistaken the nationality of that amiable woman Jezebel. I was undur the impression that she was a Phoenician by birth and parentage. I sincerely thank my "ad mirer." for correcting this little mistake. I trust that he wiU devoutly pursue Mb scrip tural stiidiea with the marvellous acuteness and thoughtful care which so eminently dis tinguish him. In the presence of this new light Kitto,KadioyStanley,BDd n, host of other Biblical scholars will "hide their diminished heads."—l ara, &c, War. Coopeb. The quarterly meeting for the installation of oflicers lv connection with the Sir Henry llavelock No 1 Lodge, New Zealand Order of Good Templars, was held in the lodge loom Alexandra-street, on Tuesday evening. The pant olliceid preseutcd their reports, from which it appeared that 50 members had joined the lodge durin;.' the past quar ter. The rfeoeipts, including a small balance from last quarter, amounted U> £1!), after paying rent and voting a sum to a sick sis ter, and spending some £3 6< in connection wi'h Jiun.ry matte". The balance of £11 was handed-to the Executive of the New Zealand Order of Good Templars, as a loan to assist them in securing the nece-wuy printed mutter required in the working of the New Order. The. following olliciirf were then installed by Bio. 0. N. Parker, L.D., assisted by liio. Peace, sen., 1,5., and Kro. iliimniom!, I.N. :—Bro. Marstcr, W.0.T.; Jsro, Lyo. IWV.C.T. : Bro. Crouch, W. V.T. ; Uro. Brown, W.C. ; P»r.-. Lenorcl, W.1',8. ; Bro. Lawford, W.T. Hro. D. Goldio, W.«. ; Bro. Andoison, W.A.S. ; 11 o. .Scot!, W.M. ; Uro. Mnr shnll, W.I.Q. • }<m. Kvnns, W.0.0. r Sis. Cottinghain, W.Ii.H.H. ; SU Locldield, W.D.M.

Tlio inquest yesterday at the L'Vccindn's llolo), boFoi-6 Dr. I'uitson, coroner, nnd a jury, oil 1110 body of William Austin, other wise FitU, tarmiuatijj in a. verdict of "Death from natural cause." it turned out that tho young mau, who wan ouly 28 yours of age, had long resided in Parnoll', jind that Ills proper name was Filts; that lie has relations in the locality, ami was a butcher l>y trade. Sonio eight years ago he married a respectable, well-educated young woman, who has home him two children, but in consequence of his intemperate habit) :-he was obliged to leave him and return to her friends. Mr Caleb Wood, of Parnell, had known FiUs from his boyhood, and was very kind to him, using every means in hijj. power to retrain him from his cy.il habit*, but he appears to have boon wcakminded and unable to icist tho temp tation to evil. An order was found in his pocket for aduii-sion into (he Hospital, signed on Monday by Mr John Graham, the K-lieving Ollieer, but he was 110 weak to reach, the place, nnd while making an effort to got ;■, drink from the staudpipa in Kdcn Crescent fell dc.id iv the gutter, where he was found by Mr Rykers, of the steamer Kotukn. The evidence of Dr. Aiukcn, of ■Hobson-streefc, who made the p i.st-mortem examination, showed coijclu "ivcly that Pitts cliwl from physical ex haustion from diu'rrhcua, ' We understand tlmt Mr Caleb Wood ami a tew friends will hca' tho expense of the fuhernl, which took place this iifternoon. The quiet little town of Horsham his

iiccn agitated by a pauper's apron. It a pcar.s that the matter of the workhouse Iv

noticed a lar^'e hole iv the apron, and its wearer explained tlmt, when she wan par taking of the Sacrament, some of tho wine was spilt upon the garment, whereupon the Chaplain declared that the picco had booorao consecrated, and ho nnut cut it out and deposit it in a box in the church. The guardians expressed strong disapproval of the Chaplain's conduct. The Chaplain now explains that he did not lockup the stained fragment in a box, but, iv obedience to the direction ot the rubric, that any remains of the coiiHocratod elements shall be reverently consumed, he reverently consumed the fragment in the Jire. Clearly consumption by lire was not intended by'the iuL»ic; if t!ie Chaplain had cried at all, it was only an error of judgment, for even the most advanced Ritualist could hardly be expected to cat a pauper's apron.

A well-known Hartford gentleman was unable to attend the stile of the pews of his church, and he requested a friend to bid' in for him a pOw for which ho had for many years payed , §50, Later he met another friend, and.incidentally mentioning that he would hot bo'able to attend'tho auction, asked this friend also, to see to it, that ho had his old pow<as heretofore. The auction took place' and the pew was .jmt up. " Fifty dollars," said friend number otic. ."Fifty one," said number two. " Fifty three," " iifty-four," and so on till there had been thirty-eight bids, when one friend, thinking he had gone as far as discretion permitted, stopped, and the other took it triumphantly at igSS. "Pat it down for

Dr. ," he said, and the astonishment of tho other knew no bounds. They had been bidding against each other, both !n behalf of the same gentlemen, who had forgotten to tell number two that ho had also spoken to number one. The church is so much better oil. • n Young men who are anxious to know how much their inamoratas think of thenl should watch their action^ when they enter the parlour. If they Jcave .the curtains up they simply desire their company in oder to make the other girls envious; if they pull down the blinds the case is serious. "Kite-cutting," as it is called, is man aged iv China by glueing powdered glass upon the strings and. sawing those across each other uiitl one of thorn is cut through. But this is clumsy compared with the Mexi can and Cuban methods. In these, either a Hue splinter from a glass bottle or a piece of watch-spring, ground to a razor-edge, ia deftly attached to the tail of the kit, which then must be (town in such a way ns to draw the cutters accross the adversary's string. Kite-battles', with appliances of this kind, call out such skill, and are exciting without being dangerous. They may yet become a featuro of boy-life iv this country. It is announced that an illustrated descriptive article upon kite-cutting is to bo givonin tho forth-coming April number of " St. Nicholas"

A family of the writer's acquaintance lias o cat aud a dog, which have not only con quered their natural race antipathy sulli cieutly to live together without quarreling, but have developed a positive friendship. When they meet they usually salute each other by an affectionate rubbing of noses, and ordinarily they eat at the same time from the tamo dish. Sometimes the dog is cross or especially greedy, aud then he warns the cut away by placing bis paw on her head in an admonitory fashion and by growling slightly. The cat quickly takes the hiut and ictiref, but usually the dog allows her to cut with him without making any protest. Another singular thing con nected with their association is the disposi tion of the cat to imitate the dog's actions. Formerly she mewed when sho wanted a door open, but it is the do^'s habit to scratch at ii door which he wishes to get through, and now the cat expresses her desire to havo a door opened in the same manner. There are also a number ot other unfeline tricks or mannerisms of the dog as they may be called, that the cat has adopted.—" Bridge port Farmer."

The play was at its heigut in the card room cf a wcll-kuown club, and from a distant corner was heard, " We arc two to two." "By Jove 1 we are two to two, too," responded a player at an adjoining table. JSfo wonder that a German there present likened our language to a French horn.

■ Captain Thomas Murphy, late of tho 7th Royal Fusiliers, died at Waitekauri on May 2nd, aged 65 years. For the last two years the deceased had been employed as school master of the Waitekauri school, and in that capacity gave universal satisfaction.

The four1 electric light 3 which now illu minate the reading-room of the British Museum at evening have each a power equal to 5000 candles, aud yet cost only a shilling an hour.

The Pride of Manukau Lodge having given up their usual meeting night to enable the entertainment to take place for the Onehunga Ladies Benevolent Society's funds, the members of this Lodge and visiting members are notified by advertise ment that the meeting for tins week will be held on Saturday evening at tho usual time and place.

To the Editor : Sir,—The Rev. S. Edger in his letter of last night, seems to entirely ignore the bible. Allow me to ask him through the columns of your widely circu lated paper if he intended to convey such impression. Also if he denies the inspira tion of the Prophets Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah, &c. Does he deny the truth of the prophecies ofjEzekiel as contained in chapter 36", commencing at the Bth verse to the end of the 37th chapter, which says " Tho House of Israel (the British nation) and the House of Judah, are to be united again aud return to the land of their fathers, and dwell there, even they and their childrens' children for ever." Will he explain those two chapters, if they arc not to be understood to mean literary what they say ? I should also appreciate an explanation of Paul's Epistle to the Hebrew* Btti chapter, Bth verse to the end of the chapter.—Yours, &c, An Identity Student. P.S.—ls it; not a fact a person alllicted with mania is a maniac ? If so, according to Mr Edger's letter there are .supposed to be eight millions of the niO3t intellectual of the British nation so ailiicted, including her most Giacious Majesty the Queen, and Earl Beaconsfield.

At a mcctiug of the Thames Harbour Board on Tuesday, Mr Brown reported that in Company with Messrs Graham and Dean, he had intor.vicwed the manager of tho National Ban kin Auckland, but the " lamb ing-down" they received was so seycre that lie left. The manager was surprised at tho audacity of the Board in asking him to float a loau of £25,000 amongst the Bank's clients, and positively declined to have anything to do with the nutter.—A member suggested that the Chairman should apply to Sir George Grey for a loan of £25,000, tho securities to bo the debentures.—The Chairman ex pressed his willingness to interview the ex- Premier on the subject. He anticipated as favourable .1 result from tho interview as from any other source.

Virginia has copied after Delawa re, and established tho whipping-post. The Mayors of cities aro allowed to pronounce judgment under the new law, which the Mayor ot Manchester (U.S.), did iv lather an original manner, a few days ago. A whito man was convicted of stealing a cr>at. The Mayor of Manchester sentenced him to re ceive thirty lashes, fifteen to be given at once, and the other fifteen if he was ever caught iv the town again after leaving it. Evidently, t'icNcw Yoik "Tribune is not averse to the lash, for, noticing tbis in stance, it remarks :—" If there were a whipping post in the Toniln there would be less crowding in tho boarding houses on Blackwcll's Island, and New York would not be compelled to harbor more than its share of the vagabonds and petty thieves of the country.

Tho existence of gold iv tho ranges at Katikati bus long been a cherished belief with several of tho settlors. A lady in Taurang'i, however, has come upon three pieces of what ;ihc believes to be gold-bear mg stone. During a visit at Mr Killen'a, Mrs Carkocu occupied some of her tiruo iv prospecting for gold, and at length her patience was rewarded by coming upon three stones iv the Wairaka river, winch were speckled with fomc bright niiterial which looked like gold.

To the Editor: Sir,—lt ia high time that th<) Harbour Board took some steps to ren der the Queeu-strect wharf less exposed. I inn sorry to say I have been wailing to see if anything would be done since the last ac cident — before the drowning of Mr Lee— not thinking we should so soon have another wid affair. Leaving alone the insufficient light, I would suggest to the Harbour Hoard the admirability of framing some iron stan chions about four fort high with loops on ihe top, so as to run a chain right through, so that if a. vessel came alongside the chain could ea<ily lie unshipped. I was promena ding one night myself when it was blowing very hard, and my hat went off and blew to the edge. In trying to catch it I was very nearly blown over, whereas if rails wcro provided there would be something to catch hold of.—l am, &c, F. W. Harrison.

In an article on tho consequences of the Liberal victory the "Spectator" says : "It ia a severe- .blow to the Tory democracy. The next mai who professes faith in the monarch aud the multitude must appeal to the latter on Socialist urovnds, or under take enterprises requiring sacrifices that will speedily restore people to their senses. No other man will Over wave the bnnner of prostige as Lord li;aconsfield has done without striking a stroke for it. Iv tho second place we arc rid of a psr sonal government. It is, however, in its effect abroad that the Liberal victory will be most far-reaching. We do not believe there will be joy at St. Petersburg at all. Kussia dreads and distrusts certain views of the Liberal chi<--f», especially Mr Gladstone's, far more thnn she dreads a Ministry which can be coerced into secret compacts. But millions of Greeks, Arme nians, and Bulgarians will rejoice at the prospect of a new career made possible to them, and their rejoicing will be feeble compared with tho exultation of our own millions in ludia, no longer taxed to death in order that a Premier nny po^c as arbiter of the destinies of Central Asia. England can bear With equanimity that Prince Bis marck is sorrowful, and Baron Haymcrle worried, if throughout the world all treomen feel oa if, with tho Tory democratic Government of England a miasmatic cloud has been rolled away."

MEETING OF CENTRAL COM MITTEE.

A MttETlNdof the Central Committee was held at 2 o'clock this afternoon, Captain McKcnzic Iv the chair, when it was resolved to invite Sir George Grey to address a pub lic meeting in the Thoatro Koynl at half pastj 7 o'clock on Tuesday evening next. The drot-s-ciicle will be reserved for the ac commodation of ladies, and admittance to Iho platform will be by ticket.

Mining Matters.

rt£\Y WHAU.—The manager having connected the winze and rise has now put the men to strip the lode iv the bottom level, .'and to make ready tho winze previous to commencing breaking out tlio portion of tho lodo which was left standing. Good progress is bring made in bringing tip till rise from the Sons of Freedom level for a second pass, and it is expected the job will bo completed in about a fortnight. Tho contractors for cleaning out and repairing tho 90ft level have almost liuished. Tho following is tho mine manager's weekly report:—"lv furnishing you with my weekly report on tho work iv progress in your mine, it is as follows :—No. 1 winze has been sunk a depth of 47 feet, and at this depth it was connected with iho ii«e on Friday last. Tho rise had been put 41 foot from tho ICO feet level, making iv all 88 feet in sinking and rising. This will give us 150 foot of backs from the IGO foct level to tho Whan level Siuco breaking through I have been stripping down the reef from the bottom of the winze. This work will take a few days before any fuitlier breaking down takes place in the bottom of the wluze. The reef in this winze has improved con siderably during the week, nnd about 1 cwt. of picked stuff has conic to linnd. The 1(JO feet level has been diivcn about 40 feet from where the Alburnia Company drove up to the boundary, but none of the reef has been broken down. This drive has been put in en the foot-wall side of the reef. One of the Sons of Freedom passes was completed on Thursday last; it is 150 feet in depth. The second one is in progress. The con tract for repairing the 90 feet level will bo completed about tho middle of the week, wheu everything will be forwarded through our own pass.—l remain, yours respectfully, Francis Dakin. May 3rd, ISSO." Kueanui Hill Tribute. —LcMnnquis and party crushed 35 tons of general dirt at tho company's battery, for the return of 65ozs melted gold. This party's tribute term has now expired, but the manager has not yet decided whether he will again let the block of ground they have been work ing, orwoik it on the company's account. Peterson and party obtained llozs ldwt gold from S tons of general stuff, ISVEBHBSS TRIBUTE — Glasgow and party crushed a trial lot of 2 loads of quattz at the Herald battery, for the poor yield of 15dwts gold. Albujshia Tribute.—Manganand party banked an additional 4ozs of gold yester day, which, when added to the 1290zt 12d wts banked on Monday, gives the hand some return of 1330zs 12dwts gold from If loads of general dirt.—" Thames Adver tiser."

CABLE NEWS.

EUROPEAN.

[REUTEB'S SPECIAIj CABLEGRAMS.] Cost of Afghan War. LONDON. May 5. A despatch from tho Indian Government has been published which states that the cost of the Afghan war will probably exceed the estimate by at least four million pounds. The Command at Cabul. CALCUTTA. May 5. Latest news from Afghanistan reports that General Stewart has replaced General Sir Frederick Roberts in command of the British forces at Cabul. j University Honors. LONDON. : May 5. The University of Glasgow has conferred an honorary degree on the Hon. Thomas Mctlwraith, Colonial Secretory of Queens land. vVool Sales. LONDON. May 5. At the wool sales, to-day, 12,900 bales were offered, making a total of 151,5C0 bales' catalogued since the openiug. The tone, of the market was quieter. The washed (cross bred), 3d lower; and greasy (cross-bred), 2d lower. The New Ministry, LONDON. I April 27. ; Earl Derby, Lord Rosebery, and Mr G.: J. Goschun, have dccliucd ollicc in the new Ministry. The '"'Pall Mall Gazette " strongly con : demns the Service Ministry for continuing the injustice perpetrated by the dismissal!) of Black Wednesday. Frederick Uliiche Morrison has charged himself at the Liverpool Police Court with having embezzled £2,000 from Dougherty and Co., Melbourne. LONDON. April 27. Tho Great Powers require that Turkey should re-occupy tho territory ceded to Montenegro, ami transfer it to that Princi; polity. LONDON. April 28. The " Daily Telegraph " states that G. J. Goscheu will probably bo appointed Am bassadoi to the Poitc. China and Portugal. LONDON. April 28. A telegram from Lisbon pays the Chinese arc blockading Macao, and have captured seventeen vcssc/h. The Portuguese are sending a man-of-war to the Cbiucso seas. LONDON. April 28. Kusßia is preparing to attack the Chinese force in Kashgaria.

AUSTRALIAN.

[KEUTJiIt'S SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS.] TJie Meat-Preserving In dustry. MELBOUKNE. Thui'dday, Messrs William-i, Howard, Smith and Sous, owners of the large ilect of Ktcnmora trailing between Queensland, New South Walcp, Victoria, and South Australia, contcinplato having their boats fitted with refrigerating machinery fur the purpose of carrying shiprueuts of meat from Queensland to bo transhipped at Sydney to the Orient liners. Mauritius Freights. Freights at Mauritius by last advices bad little inquiry. The rate to Australia was was 32s 6'd to 37s 6d. Tonnage was scarce. MKLBOUKNE. Thursday. Mauritius advices to the 29ih April, report that inferior sugar is lower iv price, nnd a poor crop is expected. 1,400 tons of sugar have been cleared for Australia, and 200 for New Zcalaud. Anti-Chinese Meeting SYDNEY. Thursday. At an Anti-Chinese meeting last night, at which fully 800 persons wero present, Mr Niuian Melvill, the new Member for Northumberland, declared he would stone wall the Assembly on the Immigration and Chinese questions. Bich Quartz. SYDNEY, Thursday. News has been received from the Barring ton diggings that a crushing of two tons of quartz lias yielded 190 ouncoa of gold.

Arrival of Sir George Grey.

Sir Gko. Gkey, M.H.R., arrived from the Kawau in the s.s. Koso Ca?cy yesterday afternoon, and was received by several members of tho Central Committee. We are glad to observe that tho ex-premier has completely recovered in health, and from his present vigorous appearance there is every probability that he will initiate a lively campaign in the next session of Parliament.

The Alleged Fires on Board the Caroline.

One of the steerage pa<wcii{;or3 of tho Caro line, who came from Wellington to Anck land by the ltinnarooma, informs us that tho story respecting the three fires on board the Caroline, telegraphtd from Wellington yesterday, is incorrect, aud almost ontircly without foundation. It appears that on a single occasion a quantity of tnllow collected at the bottom of a laulorn caught lire, but was speedily extinguished. Some clothing was perhaps slightly burned, but no bertha or any other wood-work'were in any way damaged. Tho reports of the other two con flagrations teem to bs bas.d entirely upon imagination, Our informant says that if in stead of circulating false, sensational rumors, the_ steciugc pa?songeis had made com plaints about things which really had an existence, they would perhaps have dove some good. The rations and the cooking which tho steerage passengers had to put up with were disgraceful, and ho says that during the last fortuißbt of the passage they bad to go. without suet and butter. Tho ship was said to bo completely provisioned for 22 weeks, but the event proved that some of the stores rau short in 14.

Complimentary Dinner.

Commod3iie Wilson, of IT. M.S. Wolvo o ip, aud his olHcmv, and Captain Chudcu and ollicers of H.I.G.M.'s Nautilus, were en tertained at a banquet last evoning at ilio Northern Club. There were about 50 gentlemen present, including the following niombera of the Legislature :— The Speaker, Mr O'ltorke, Hoa. Jus. Williamson, Messrs J. A. ToIo,M.H.JR. Reader Wood. M.H.K.', Seymour Gtorgo, M.II It. Amongst the guests was also Mr D. M. Luckie, Com missioner of Annuities. Dr J. L. Camp bell occupied the chair, supported on his right by Commodore Wilson, aud on Iho lett by Captain Chudcu. After the customary loyal toast*, including that of the Emperor of Gcrmnnv,

Tho Chairman, in felicitous terms, pro posed the hoalth of Conimodoro Wilson, which was warmly responded to.

Conimo;lorc Wilson, in acknowledging the compliment, spoke in higli terms of ttic loyalty of the colonists of tho Australasian colonies. He considered that the loyalty of the colonists oven exceeded that exhibited in England. Tho gallant officer nho referred to the necessity of maintaining tho bond of sympathy and united action between the mother country aud her colonies, and spoke in terms of gratitude ot the courtly and kindnesi which ho and his officers had experienced from all clashes of aoc'oty in Auckland. With regard to the naval power of Great, Britain she maintained her lleets in sucn a 'high state of olliciency that they could defy all enemies, while they were a guarantee for the preser vation ot peace, lie thanked tho company for the warmth witU which his health had been drunk.

Captain Chuden, in responding to the toast of his health said the Gorman olliccrs who had visited Auckland had invariably experienced the utmost courtesy, and his countrymen were grateful for the kindness that had been shown to a German quarter master who died in this city. Ho was glad to inform the company that the capabilities of the splendid harbour of Auckland were becoming more generally kuowu, and that

it was admitted to b^ the best and mist convenient rendezvous for ships of war in the South Pacific.

Several other toasts followed, including that of the ladies, which was duly acknow ledged by a handsome young bachelor present.

For some of our readers the most religi ous part of this paper is its directions how to make the home happy by making the table attractive.—"Christian Union."

TELEGRAPHIC.

■ (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) HAMILTON, this day. ACCIDENT AT WAIKATO COAL MINE. John Paton, aged 47, a married man, met with a severe accident yesterday even ing while working. Two tons of rouud coal fell down st-iking him on the head and back, and severely bruising him. He was dug ouf, the coal having to be broken to extracatc him. Dr Saunders, who was ecnt for, stated that he was only severely bruised about the back and cbcsf. His light knee is- also badly cut. . ■ • .-.- TIMAKU, Wednesday. The Education Boaul of South Canter buryjhave decided to make an offer of the inspectorship and secretaryship, now com^ bined, in separate appointments, the in spector to receive a salary of £400 and travelling expenses, the secretary £300. i THE AFFILIATION CASE. The man Pound, arrested at Auckland oir warrant for affiliation, was remanded till Friday. lhe business in the Magistrate's Court has; taken up all the day in hearing seven assault summonses, the cases arising out of the row of Jonas Hart and Wilds over the salo of horses in a bankrupt citato, in which one of the horses underwent the tug-of-war process between the auction-room and the yard, and fire-irons wore used freely on the heads of the belligerents. «» .UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, this day. THE SHIP CAKOLINE. The statements made by several passen. gers regarding fires on board the Caroline are denied by the officere. They assert that the only accident which occurred wai through the falling of a candle, but no damage was done. CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Tlios. Price of Little River, was breaking a young horse yesterday, when he was thrown, fracturing his log. He was re ceived into the hospital. The Cunningham Co received a telegram on Tuesday, night, statin? that the Wew r castlo collieries have advanced the price of coal. DUNEDIN, this day. IRISH RELIEF FDND. The Mayor of Duncdin 'forwards by to day's mail a draft to Dublin for £205, mak ing the Duncdm total contribution to the Uelicf Fund. £1,805. Mr Watt has paid to the nativesintercsted a final payment of £2,000 in respect of, the Princes-street reserve. INVERCARGILL, this day. FIRE. This morning, a two-roomed cottage in South Invercargill, owned by Potcr Dunn and occupied by F. Hunter and family, was burned down. It was worth about £100. Nearly all the furniture was destroyed. So far ay is known there were no insurances.

Operations on Waimate.

(BY TELEGRAPH.) (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) OPUNAKE, yesterday. The Hon. Mr Bryce and Colonel Roberts arrived at the camp at the camp at Opua at noon. Two miles of road will be cleared liy this evening, and should the weather hold good, it is expected the two parties wi'l meet in tho course of a month. HEW PLYMOUTH, this day. CROMBIE BROWNE GETS NOTICE TO QUIT. The statement made by the Auckland "Herald's" Normauby correspondent that the Taranaki " Press" is muzzled is not correct. The special was obliged to leave tho A.C. camp at Werekino because he hwd made hiinstlf obnoxious there, and the oflicers told him his abencc at mess would oblige. The Taranaki " Ilerdld," referring tn tliis statement re muzzling the "Picss" says, we also deny that the Government have ever exercised any ind'rect censorship over the "Press" ia this district, but can confidently assert that the reports forwarded by the Aucklaud " Herald's " special were for the most part devoid of facts, thoroughly unreliable, and misleading to those who chanced to read them at a distance. His departure from Werekino camp will there fore be no loss to the public, whilst the oflicers will bo considerably relieved by his absence. NATIVE| AFFAIRS ON THE COAST. I have just returned from Patca. Nor. manby, and tho West Coast, and can safely pay that native matters are not in tho bad. state they arc represented to be. The natives are friendly but not flush with money, and storekeepers complain that the Maori trade is not brisk. The special's statement that the Taranaki settlers wisU to prolong the present state of affairs, is wrong. The camps are too far off to be of any benefit to the tradespeople here, and the men are supplied by a contractor who lives at Hawcra, who gets the whole of his stores from Wellington. The quicker the affair is settled, the better the settlers will be pleased.

Mr Ballance and his Consti tuents.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1

WANGANUI, Mny6. Mit J. Ballance, M. 11.11., for Wanganui, met his constituents last evening in the Princess Theatre, His Worship the Mayor occupying the chair. The Chairman having introduced Mr Ballance to the meeting, Mr Ballance after explaining the reason! of his not having addressed his constituents' at an earlier date, proceeded to deal with tho question of the secession of the "four Auckland rata" between whom and thu Ministry there had been a money compact in •writine. He considered that

the conscience of the colony ' should condemn such dishonest and immoral con duct, and against the practice of bribing constituents. He thought a dissolutioa would fohowthe passing of a Redistribution of Seats Bill. The Maoris should be com-

pelled to pay rates. If Government stoppei subsidies to local bodies the Govemrnen

would have to give up the laud fund to them. Waste Lands Boards should bo elective. The district railway scheme of the Hall Government was forced ou them by four of their supporters. Immigration had reached the limits of employment. The Government was endeavouring to foster protection. The speaker condemned the properly tax which taxed improvement-) and iudiiftrirs lie contended that an income and land tax wou'd hi leas oppressive, lesa inconvenient and inquisitorial. The Treasurer estimated tho dehcit to be £780,000, but he overlooked a sum of £56,000 from the preceding year, which brought it up to £S36 ; 000. He pro posed to meet this by Treasury bills, and pointed out that this might bo" reduced by striking oil £225,000 bogus votes, that would not be expended during the financial year. Mr Biillnnco criticised at length tho measures proposed to increase the revenue on ad valorem duties by £300,000 towards the proposed increase of £018,000, aud showed that so far only £901,000 had been got in, aqalntt £950,000 anticipated. He contended that tho present Government systematically evaded the carrying out of tho Liberal provisions of th'; land laws f ruined by their predecessor?. He regarded Tc Whitin-ia designing rogue who bad out witted the Commissioners, but it was neces sary to paw stringent laws, in order to pre vent the monoply of land by speculators. Population not sheep, should be eonxidered n any redistribution of the representation. He did not wish to say one word derogatory io Mr Bryee, who, he believed, was acting honestly, but he (Mr Batlancs) would rc° niiiin loyal to his party, and in determined aud active opposition to the present Go vcrnmenr. A vote of confidence was passed almost unanimously, aud an amendment by Mr It. Pharazyn, expressing regret at Mr Ballance's determination to oppose the Go vernment, rejected. Mr Ballance spjko for two hours and was mo.-t cordially received. The organised op position to him put up four speakers, the most prominent men opposed to Ballance and Bryce at the last election. The burden of their speeches was that if the consti tuency passed a vote of confidence

in Mr Ballancc it implied a vote of censure on Mr Uryce, aud this new championship of Mr Jlirycc by the opposite party to him at the last election caused considerable com ment. Mr Ballauce replied to his critics, and carried the audience with him. The amendment of no conlidence was rejected by five hundred. Three cheers were given for Mr liallance at the close of the meeting, which lasted till loi;g past midnight.

Sensible men with grey heads are like ;ood works—they never die.

Resources of New Zealand.

A JOUKKEY INLAND.

By Rev. Joseph Beery,

In my last paper I referred to the Waikalo District, a pait of the North Island which has been .settled, more or less, for fourteen years, and is now intersected by a railway and settled byhundreds of fanners, many of whose beautitul homesteads bear witness to their happiness and success. Last week I accompanied the deputation of Lincolnshire fanners on a journey further inland to look at some very large properti«s outside the more settled district, between that and thn Maories. These properties have been p ar chased fiom the natives by wealthy and enterprising selt'.ers.some of whom are farm ing on a very large scale, but most of them" leave their lands idle and uncultivated knowing that, by the increase in value ef their land, they will ultimately reap a very large profit. Enormous sums of money are made in this way. The acquisition of native territory is very difficult. Each blockbelones to a very large number ot owners—of ten as many as a hundred. Some are willing to sell others unwilling. Some, kecner-witted than the rest, stand out for awhile, expecting that, by making a noise and giving trouble they will get the pakeha to buy them outat a higher price. The Maories, too, are se'dom in a hurry, and have no sympathy with our English ideas of the value of time Hence they delay the process of giving a title for months and years. To the impa. tient purchaser their only answer is '«wait a bit." And, as all this time they are con tinually receiving instalments of the pur chase money, they find waiting to be notitf all unpleasant. The process of buying Maori land needs a capitalist and an expert It is speculative, too, as in case the process breaks down at any stage, the payments made are all forfeited. Owing to the honesty of the natives this docs not happen as often as it might, and when once the matter is settled and the title complete the land is worth as much as five times more than its cost. The properties throufjli which we travelled had generally been acquired in this way, and in three or four days' drive we saw tens of thousands of acres of rich and fertile land which tha owners would be glad to cut up into farms and sell at from £3 to £6 per acre. Cambridge is tbe outside township oh the settled Waikato district. It has three or four hundred inhabitants, three pretty churches, each with a resident minister eleven store?, in one. of which £1,000 a year is paid in salaries, and several good hotels. All this shows that the township is tbe centre of a thriving agricultuial population. We left Cambridge in a strong four-wheel'd carriage, drawn by four horses, driven by one of the leading settlers, who was devot ing a few days to showing us round. On our left we passed twelve miles of wire fencing, being the road boundary of a M-agment of the estate of Maclean and Com pany, who own about 60,000 acres. One of the first paddocks we passcdjembraced 2 000 acres of rich clover aukle deep. The' fat Hereford cattle looked as if they enjoyed their pasturp. There arc four central home, steads on this property, each with its own manager, and group of workmen. Hound each homestead there are already three'br four thousand acres of cultivated land, and the plan is to spread out from each centre, year by year, until tbe cultivations touch. Most of the work upon these large pro perties is done by contract. Clearing costs 2s to 5s per acre, according to the density of the fern and fcrub, and. the facility with which it burns. Ploughing is let at an average of 10s per acre, the plough man finding his own plough and/team, and the settler providing horse feed. The soil is generally light, and the furro^ not more than three to four inches deep. Three horses easily work a double-furrow plough, and the ploughman, with a plant worthsloo, can earn £5 to £6 per week. Most of these ploughing contractors are small settlers, and by working from home a few months in the year, they can er m enough to keep them in ready money while they cultivate their own land. During a drive of 25 miles we were on the property of this company nearly all the time. It is very pleasant to see capital and enterprise redeeming such a tract of country fro:n a state of nature. Here were elementary roads, in some caies mere tracks, where the driver made for some familiar landmark, and kept a sharp look-out for hills and holes; but no vigilance on his part could keep us from a bump now and then. Embryo forests of pines and firs met the eye here and there. In very curious and unexpected places we met "with the farms of pioneer settlers, who, to secure land cheap, had not shrunk from pitching their tent (sometimes literally) on the very outposts of civilisation. By the way, some colonists decidedly prefer pioneer work. It is always easy to buy well-cultivated farms in settled districts, the owners preferring to soil out and move further away, to begin again at the beginning with n large block of land in the rough. There. i« a gocd deal that stirs a man's enthusiasm jibon-t gettinfr a tract of Jand as nature formed it, nnd laying off and planting just to your mind. But there is another reason for this tendency referred to. Many set tlers really do not understand farming. Tney can bring land ints grass, but.aftfr it ha? been grazed for a few years weeds ap pear, and the land requires proper manage ment Here the ordinary settler fails. 'Ho is impatient of detail work, and prefers .to out a ditch or hold a plough-handfr. There is great need in this part of New Zealand, at l»-ast, for the English farmer who knows his business, and scores of good farms aje for sale. We rested on Sunday on another large property—that of Mr Firth, at Matamata, The estate contains about 75,000 ocr«s, nnd is pituated about 150 miles from Auck land. Its owner, J. C. Firtb, Esq., is an enterprising coloniit of great ability and courage. He bca;an to acquire this properly when it. lay in the very heart of Maoridom, nnd when few would have faced the difficul ties and dangers cf such a position. Yet ha has held it with so much skill and fair deal ing, that f'oni the first ho has had no serious qunrrcl -«• itli the natoves and not a drop of blood has been spilt on the property. About 7,000 acres are already in oaltvation, 1,600 being in wheat. Some, idnam-iyba formed of the extent of Mr Firth's opera tions from the fact that a main road is being laid off tin ongh the property twenty five nrles long and two chains wide, which is to be planted on each side the whole distance, partly .with Iruit trees. 'There are many points of interest for the visitor which could be described had I spice. On the back-ground is a magnificent range of hills, from the eaminit of which springs a waterfall to a depth of 430 feet. The property is bounded on the one side by tbo River Thames, and close to the river bank is a hot mineral spring of whose healing virtues, especially ia casea of rheumatism, wonderful stories are told. Whatever may be tl'c virtues of the bath, it is undoubtly a great luxury. We gathered on the Sun day evening about fifty ' workmen'^ ib a quiet service, and found that there in tho very heart of New Zealand the hymns best known wore Sankoy'p. As we pursued our journey, one thought was uppermost with me. These vast tracts of land, situated in the finest climatein the world, ought to be peopled. Five hundred farmers with capital could boy good and cheap land now within forty miles of tho placo whoro I write this j nor would they, in changing that country for this, sacrifice anything of importance which an intelligent Christian Englishman holds dear.—English Paper.

MR BECK'S CUP.

(To the Editor.)

SlK,—Some of the ltiflc Association appear to be greatly exercised as to whether young Mr Shaw or Mr Allen should get the Cup. Now, to the mind!) of unprejudiced voluu. tccrs the young fellow is justly entitled to receive it, having shot for the ssme and won it honorably, because of the following reasons :—Shaw lips proved himself a most efficient volunteer in shooting, he has been four years in the Engineer Cadet Volunteers jtbe last two a scrgeaut), and earned his capitation regularly, which Captain White can prove, and has only lately been transferred to Captain Anderson's Company. If being well drilled, a Rood shot, and four years service don't make up an efficient Volunteer, what does ? That I believe was Mr Beck's intention when that geutlcniau presented the cup. It was to encourago our young mfcn in making themselves efficient. Besides, an engineer to bo efficient, must be an artizan. Youn^Shaw has fulfilled all those conditions, and if the committee of our association do not give him the cup, they will be giving Volunteer ing a knock on the head, which has been too often, done in Auckland.—l am., &c, Ax Efficient.

The "Danbury News " says that village has several old ladies who are ninety year 3 of age find older who do not use glasses. This will do to ollset the old gentlemen who use about six glasses per day.—" New York Graphic." On the ptanct Jupiter one year is nearly as long as twelve of our years. By the amount of time some people in this world take on their promissory notes, it is evident that they labour under the delusion that they are inhabitants of Jupiter. —" Home Sentinel."



¥EW MILLINERY, NSW BONNETS and HATS. LATEST FASHIONS FROM PARIS. > Also, ia COSTUMES, JACKETS and MANTLES. W.RAT T B A V will hold a GRAND SHOWS .. . 01 very Choico and i^hionablo Autumn and Winter Goods ON MONDAY, THE foTii APRIL. Tho attention of tho Ladies is specially invited to this Intondod Display of Now and Fashionable GOODS. W. RATIBA V, GG, QUEEN-STRKET Opposite Uankof Now Zoaland) "PSTABLISUED 18 5 1. Hi I go I CHEAPEST 3 Xl BEST HOUSE |g I QUALITY is i i THE g MACIIINES TItADE. Ig| ONLYi 1 W. H. s nAKESPEAE& C°" 24G, QUEEN-STHEET, V AUCKLAND. ESTABLISHED 185. Laugh and grow fat-grow fat and be f laughed at. It is a poor rule that will not work in all directions.—"Chicago Journal." The telephone is only about two years old, but some of the jokes about it sound aa though they were ragged when the pyramid? were young. ' *f



Special Advertisements. ■V-OTICEI -W-OTICBI NEW DRAPER*. NEW" CLOTHING. KUSHBKOOK & BRIDGMAN Beg to announce that thslr NEW STOCK for the incoming Season's Trade is Now to Hand, comprising— Now Materials in Fancy Dress Goods, very I cheap j ■ . Satin Cloths, Serge?, Repa Cashmeres, French Merinos, Sec, new shades Waterproof Tweeds and Ulster Cloths Ladies and Maids' Jackets, a 'choice assort ment *s» New Fancy Woollen Goods in great Variety Ladies' and Maids' Ulsters, all anite new Hosiery in variety, Sea. ■ - . Also, A Largo Stock of Flannels, various makers, - and unusual good value : ■- Blankets, all sizes, whito and coloured Winceys, Wool Plaide/Shirtlngs, &o. A Very Cholco Assortment of ■NEW CLOTHING FOR BOYS AND MEN.! Overcoats and Ulsters Boys' and Youths' ditto ditto -r Crimean Shirts, Oxford Shirts, Whito Shlrt3 Under-Flannels. L.W. Shirts and Pants Printed and Whtta Moleskin Trousers for BoysandMon ; Hats, Caps, &c. A He!»vy Stock of Good Tweeds Cheap Tweed for Boys* wear, Blue Sorce, ilolaskins, &c. tST Five per cent, discount (Is in the £) nl lowod upon all Cash Purchasers of 28a and upwards. |. RUSH BROOK & BRIDGMAN, Drapers and Clothiers, Oopo3lto the Army and Navy Hotel, Upper Queen-street. Auckland. ill H I S L I X U M. 100 DOZEN 2-BUTTON KID GLOVES (Quito sound), Only Is lid per pair. A LargolStook of ! FANCY GOODS, . MILLINERY* GO&TUMES, PINAFORES, ; :-,; r ■. r DRESS GOODS, ; &c, &c. To be Sold at Nett Cash, for a Short Time only. DRESSMAKING ON THE PREMISES, Costumes?mado In 21 hours' notice. A. LI N A BUR V & CO., 201 AND 206, QUEKN-STREKT fTIHE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING " ' FACTORY'S • GARMENTS FOR MEN'S AND BOYS', WEAR Fit Bbttes :: Are Better Cut . Look Better . :: Ark Bkttbr Made1 Weab Better :: Arb Better Shrunk And tlieroforo givo more satisfaction than any oilier goods offored to tho public. Testified to by their Thousands of Customers who purchase constantly at the NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY'S • BRANCHES Now Established In DUNEDIN WELLINGTON inveroarciili. nklson Oamaru Wanoanui TIMABU NfCW PIA'MOUTII ~ A sub orton Napier latt-helton Thames Ciikisxchukch Auckland A Single Garment at Wholesale Prigi. N. 8.: Oar New Winter Manufactures aro now Ready. ta. "TRY THE N.Z. OVERCOAT. Siiirts, Hats and Hosiery of every desorip tionat WHOX.KS4I.K Prices. AUCK LA N 6 B RANCH, Qucon-strcct (opposite Theatre Royal). J. FIIZSLVIONS, Manager. I ■ ; _ A UCKLAND CLOTHING ' FACTORY. LOCAL INDUSTRY. . TAILORING DEPARTMENT. J. B. Robinson has the honour to an nounce that he ha^ secured, tho services ; of an eminent fashlonablo Cutter from " Sydney, and a competent staff' of Tailors, and has made extensive pre- ■ paration3 for tho manufacture of ' colonial cloths; and is now in a \ . position to supply Men's, Youtha's and Boy's Suits madn to measure, at Eng lish slop prices on the shortest notice. SuHs mado to. order on twelve, hours' notice. Colonial Tweed Trousers, • made to measuro at 133 Gd, on six hours' notico. All Tweeds guaranteed wo:l shrunk. As it Is Intended to dovoto the whole of the resources of the Establishment solely to tho manufacture of Men's Youths' and Boy's Clothing, tho present Stock of Ready-made Goods will bo sold at prime cost, to mako room for those of our own manufacture. J. B. ROB IN S0 N, I ; AUCKLAND /CLOTHING "tiACTORY, QUEEN-BTREKT (Two doors below B. Tonk'a Auction Mart). T)RINCIPAL CARPRT WAREHOUSE.— J. Tho Largest and Cheapest Stock of Tapes try. Brussels, Felt, Kidderminster, Jute and Hemp Carpets are to bo Been at tho City Hall Arcade. Carpets made and fitted to any eize room.. ■ i GARLICK &.CRANWBLL. Five per Cent. Discount for Cash at time '.of Purchase. IRON & BRASS.'BEDSTEADS.-Upwardsof 350 in stock to Select from, and all sizes— from 2Jft. wide to sft. wide. Stump, French. Half-Tester, Folding Stretchers, Invalids Cbair-Beds, A Great Variety of Wood Bedsteads to suit every class of customer. Children's Bedsteads and Cots (various stylos). GARLICK & CRANWELL. City Hall Arcade. , Five per Cent. Discount for Cash 'at Uihe of , Purchase. ' BEDUIN'i Off ALL SIZE 3 kept roady for Delivery. All our Bedding is mado at onr •own- Factory. Kapok Down and Feather Beds; Hair. Fibre, Flock and Flax Mat- < trasses; Pillows and Bolsters of overy < kind; Spring Mattrasaes and Palliasses J for any size bedstead. Mattrassoa remade with despatch. ] GARLICK & CRANWELL. ] Five per Cent. Discount for Cash at time of J JWtgs':- i BEDROOM FURNII'URE-tho Plainest and Handsomest—to be seen at the City Hall Arcade, at Prices to suit the workingman, the middle class, and the rich ; to suit board ing-house and hotel-keepers. Ward- 1 robes, Chest Drawers, Toilet Tables, i Washatands, Commodes. J GARLICK & CRANWELL. ( Five per Cent. Discount for Cash at time of Purchase. \ mOIUIT GLASSES and TOILET-WARE.— A X We study to kesp such a Stock as to be r ablo to please every tasto. Every Size in Toilet G^saes, and a Splendid Variety of >- Toilet-ware; Pier Glasses —very protty Chimney Glasses junt opened. GARLICK & CKANWELL, City Hall Arcade. n five per Cent. Discount for Cash at time of , • Purchase. t; DRAWING-ROOM AND DINING-ROOM 1 FURNITURE always on view and mado o ; to order on a short notice. Suites ready for delivery, and a Large Assortment of o Coverings to select from. Contre and Occasio-al Tables, Cheflloniers, Whatnots a; Cornice?, Fenders, andFiro-ironß. fc] "fHUKCH FURNITURE, HALL FUHNI- ; T v .TURK, Library and Office Furniture Kitchen Furniture, Self-aotiDg Roller fl BlindH, Floor Cloth, all kinda o£ Famish- i ing Goods. D< fo FURNISH YOUR HOUSE *i FKOJI THE p( JITV JJALL e^ GARLICK & CRANWELL, ™ rHOPEIETOES. gr 'w per Cent, Discount for Cash at tins q P-urrchase. "



Special Advertisments. J. COSGBAVE $ CO., Having Wound-up their SEVERAL BRANCHES in New Zealand, and Removed the Goods to Auckland, have resolved to CLEAR THEM OUT REGARDLESS OF COST. [ 'See how the rascals use me. They will not let my play run, And yet they steal my thunder," petulantly exclaimed Mr. Denni?, the author of a drama called" Appius and Virginia," who introduced a species of thunder in the play, now in present ÜBO (which play Was unsuccessful however) and being in the tit at some ropresontalion of Macbeth heard bi3 own thunder mado uso of. And so it is with the purloinors of the' name of Udolpho Wolfo's Schiedam Aromatlo Schnapps. They not only uso all their efforts to drl 79 this great restorative and alterative oat of tho market, but resort to all tho means ol dnpliclty and fraud, to utilize, in a similiar cordial, its supposed chief ingredients.