SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HfiiT-r watitr) This Evening, 0.10 '.' A™K 1 To-n.oi ro « Morning, 0.13 f'-Y SET.—This Evuning, G.O ■:\ •' HiSir.—To-Morrow Moriiing, G.B Mf UN'S AGE.—First Quarter, 19th, 0.15 p.m,

ARRIVALS.

LAST EVENING.

Wanaka, s.s., McßUllvray, from the South

DEPARTURES.

TO-DAY. Argyle, s.s., Crawford, from Whaugarei Annio Wilson, schooner, from Lyttolton

LAST EVENING. Medora, schooner, Ngra, for Awanui

TO-D \Y. Wanaka, s.s., McGiilivray, for Russe'l

IMPORTS.

IVr Wenaka from tbe South—ls packages and ca=e3,lG9 lengths piping, 27 hhds., 2 poc-.ets hops, 10 bundle* iron piping, 20 drums, 1 cask, 1<» ca=<es tobacco, 2 bales, 20 cases meats, 5 half chests tea, 3 crates. Per Annie Wilson, from Lyttelton—l37 sacks oats, order: 20 sacks flour, order ; 2 bales chad, order.—J. Reid, agent.

Inwards Coastwise Lake St. Clair, from Orewa, with 115,500 Rhinglea and 6.000 feet tim ber ; Janot, from Whangarei, with 600 bushels lime; Lagoon, from Mania, with 25,839 feet tim ber and 15 empty casks ; s?auoy Kate, from Hast Coast, with 23 pigs, 198 bag.-, grass aeed, -1 hides, 1 bale sheepaldng, 18 bags flour.

Outward 3 Coastwise.—Lake St. Clair, for Orewa. in ballast; Janet, for V\ hangarei Heads ; Lagoon, for Mania; sunbeam, for Russell; Mahurangi, for Ohore. Tho brigantine Clansman left Molbonrno for this port on the 10th irstant. The brigantino Myrtle entered out at too Customs to-day for Frindly Islands.

The brigantine Syren ia to leave Sydney for this port, on the 20th instant.

Tho s.s. Wanaka arrived at a late hour last night from East Coast and s.outharn ports. Pas sengers: Mes lames - ldinsr, Black, Reid, Harrington, and Kailey, Messrs Lamb, Harring ton. Russell, Oldberg, Oldlr.g, Kenny, Noble, Reid, Bailey, Paget, Dys.-n, Day, Green, Celhirani, and Masters Black (2). I he Wanaka lpft for Russell this afternoon. She will return on Sunday morning, and will leave amain for tho South on Monday afternoon. .

The schooner Aoba (better known in Auckland as the Peerle-s) was lost with her crew and a number of labour in a recent hurricane while on the way from New Caledonia to New Hebrides •with a cargo of expired labour.

R The Rover entered out at tho Cv toms to-day for Samoa.'

ARRIVAL OF THE ANNIE WILSON.

The Annio Wilson P.ft Lyttelton on Sunday, the 11th instant, with an easterly wind, and arrived in harbour this afternoon. Captain Helgeson reports passing Capo Palilser on the 15th. with the wind K.N.E.. and the KnstOape on ihe 17;h. Experienced light vari-ibl,. wines across tbo Bay el! P_eniy, and passed tape Ool ville this morning. Passengers— Mr and Mrs Buckhardt and family, JlraudMrsßristonfctoin and f-.imily, _Vle?sra Mears, J. Spenco and A, Chat.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Lyttelton, yesterday. Arrived—Jasper, from tort Louin, with 132 tons sugar for Lytt-dton and Fort Chalmers. .sailed—New Zealand Shipping Company.s ship Ette for London with ojr^o of wheat valued at £16.000. Rosssll, this day, Arrivals-lona and Fanny. H Loaded—Kenll worth. tiSailed—lona for Auckland. Passengers:— Messrs Allright, Sims, Fraser. Floworday, Brown, Mellon, Tahcre, Mrs Barker, Mis 3 Bentley. From North—Miss Campbell, Mrs Woolcott, Mr and Miss Buchanan. Messrs Wyles, Hogwood, Reid, Phillip^on, and Kysth.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Star Office, Friday, AUCKLAND- STOCK MARKET.

MR ALFRED AUCKLAND'S WEEKLY REPORT.

At the Haymarket, on Saturday Inst, a large quantity of oats wero quitted at 2s the bushi-,1 : choice quality hay brought extreme prions, 5s 3d to 6i tho owt.; medium, from 2* 9d, Tho thoroughbred maro, Lady Gertrude, £32; draught mare and foal, £11; medium draught gelding, £30; and a number of iuforior horses, from£2to£So!ioh. On Tuesday, at the Haymarket, hides, skins, and tallow were in full quantity, but many of tho hides damaged. Br-st quality brought 3Jd the lb.- inforior tallow, from 17s 6d to 20s Gd the owt.; pelts, from 2d to 2Jd ; sheepskins, Is 7d to Is 7d each ; greasy wool, 63d to 8d the lb. \t Drurv, on Wednesday, about 200 head of cattle, of all classes, found ready buyers; cows, near profit, £7 to £9; calves, 21s to -17s Cd ; IS months-olds, £3 to £1; 2 year-olds. £1 to £5 each ; fat ewes, lis to Us; lambs, 7s each. At Remuera, on Thursday, dairy cattle wero without alteration in value; fat cattle abundant Of good quality, and generally heavy weights ; 185 heaa sold. A few of very choico quality fetched 23s tho 1001b.., but the greater numb r were between 21s and 2Gs, and tho market wa3 steady throughout, t-heep worn also in full supply, with a steady demand at 2id the lb. Lambs were nnmerous.butmaintained thor prico and ranged from 7 toj-i each. Storo pigs lovrer in price; good porfc&rß in demand at extreme values.

MESSRS HUNTER AND NOLAN'S WEEKLY RFPORT'

Horses.—There has been a marked improve ment in the market, both as to the number brought forward and also as to tho demand. The enlrios for disposal by auction at the DmltßUfrdß, on Friday, showed a great In creaJEßa the previous week. There was good coraJCSition throughout tho sale, and almost without exception lots were cleared at fully last week's quotations. Cattle.—There has been a fair amount of ac tivity in tho market. At Newmarket, on Tues day, a limited number of stores were submitted, but sufficient dairy and store stocks wero sub mitted. Dairy stock maintained iheir value, as did also fat beaats, a few of which reached 30s per lOOlbs., but we quote 24s to 27s Gd as valuo ; dairy cows, from £3 to £11 : yearlings, from £2 to £3 7s 6d; two-year-old Bteers, from £3 17s Cd to £5: grown steers, £0. Sheep.—There was a largo supply at New market on Tuesday, but with few exceptions the description in the butchers' pens was not good. Competition was good throughout at from Is Id to Is 8d per 81b3. Lamb 3 were rather aearce, and prices ranged from 8s 3d to lis. Pigs.—Very few were again yarded, and thero remains an unsatlßfled demand for well-bred young pigs.

AUCKLAND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Friday. Wholesale. Retail. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Butter, fs, lb 0 0-1 0 Milk, quart 0 4-0 5 Best Dairies 0 o—l 3 Butter, fs, lb 13—16 Butter, sit, lb 0 7-0 9 Butter, salt 1 o—l 2 Cheese (local) 0 s—o 0 Cheese (col.) 0 8-0 9 Do., Cant. 0 G}-0 7 Eggs, doz. ..00-19 Heas. doz. 0 0-1 G Lard, lb .. 0 o—o 10 I_.vrd.lb(tins) 0 7—o 8 Fowls, each 2 6-3 0 Bacon and Hams, Ducks, each 2 6—3 G Provincial 0 o—o 0 Geese, each 5 o—7 0 Canterbury Hams Turkeys .. 5 0-7 0 aDd Bacon (In B^con, lb.. 1 o—l 2 Cloth) .. 0 10J-1 0 Hams, lb .. 1 1-1 3 Salt Butter, Canterbury and Wa-' ganui, lb, Bd, 9d Bread, Id to 4id per 21b loaf Jams, per caeo, 5 doz, 27s Gd to 32s 6d. Butcher's Meat. Retail. s. d. b. d. Roastiagßeef » >> to 0 7 Boiling Beef 0 *—0 o Mutton, hind-quarter 0 0 — 011 fore-quarter 0 0 — Od| Lamb, fore-quarter 0 v — o 5 „ hind-quarter \\ \\ — 0 b Pork and Veal >• ° °— » \\ Steaks .. ■• •• •■ _» U 6— 00 Chops and Sausages .. .. ..05 —00 Tallow (wholesale)—mutton, 30a; mixed, 203 to 255. Flour Market. "Wholesale. £ d. Superfine Flour, silk dressed, per ton.. 14 0 0 Fine Flour, ditto, household .. _ 13 0 0 Sharps, per ton 6 0 0 Adelaide, per ton }|W 0 Oamaru, per ton .. 13 0 0 Dunedin, per ton £12—13 10 0 Canterbury, per ton £12—13 0 0 Bran, per ton (sacks included ..£-1103—5 0 0 Cabin Bread .. 18 0 0 Oatmeal £11—lo 0 0 Pearl Barley £25—26 0 0 Hay and Corn. Market. Wholesale, s. d. s. d. £ s. & s, Maize (Syd.) 0 0-0 0 Hay, me'dow . (Cal.) 2 7—3 0 ton protsed 5 o—s 10 (Fijn.) 2 G-2 9 Lucerne, do 0 0-G 10 (Coast) 2 6-3 0 Straw (load) 0 18—1 10 Oats .. ..1 9-2 5 Chaff .. ..110-5 0 Wheat (fowl* 3 6—l 0 Bay (oaten) 5 o—s 10 Wheat (local) 1 3-1 9 Potatoes: Local, £3 to £3 5s per ton. Retail, s. d. s. d. c. d. s. d. Maize,bushel3 6-3 01 Lucerne, ewt.7 6—B 0 Oats, ditto ..2 3—3 3 Oaten, ditto 6 o—7 0 Bran, lOOibs 6 0-7 01 Straw, ditto 3 o—l 0 Wheat (fowl) 4 6-5 0 I Chaff, ditto 5 G—« 0 Hay, cwt. ..0 0-G 6| Potat'es,ditto3 G-4 0 Seeds,—Retail. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Ryegrass .-5 0-0 0 Cocksfoot.bl.6 o—7 0 Italian,do. ..8 0-0 0 Trefoil, lb. 0 0-0 9 Red Clover.lbO 9-0 0 Ratstail, lb. 16-00 WhiteCloverl I—o 0 Timothy.lb. 0 G-0 0 Alsyke, lb ..0 0-1 2 Lucerne, lb. 1 0-0 0 Cowgrass, lbl o—o 0 Rape, lb ..0 5 0 0 Woolpacks in quantity, 3s 3d to 3s 6d each; corn sacks, 8s to 9s Gd por dozen. Fencing wire, Nos. 6,7, and 8, assorted, £1610s to £17 per ton. Building Materials. Timber.—Boards and Scantling, 100 ft., best lis to 13s; second class, 7s 6d to 9s, best planed, tongued and grooved, 10s to lis. Mills: Cargo, bost,9s 6d to IBs 6cl,second class, 5s to 6s. Baulk, 5s 6d to 6s Gd. New Zealand Palings, sft, 103; 6ft, 13s Tl-tree Rails, £2 103 to £3 10s per 100; Puriri Posts, £6 to £7; Shingleo, 15s 6d per 1,000: Hobart Town Paling, sft, 18s j Oft, 20s ; Hobart Town Bails, 90a. Buying and selling ouotationti. Bricks (at Whau,) 103 per 1,000 j Town Yards £2 5s to £2 10s. Drain pipes, per 100 (6 inches bore,) 303; 4 inches, lis; 3 inches 9s; 2 inches, £2 5s per 1,000; socket glazed pipes, 18 inches, 3s per foot; 11 inches. 2s Gd per fno.; 12 inches, 2s per foot; 9 inches. Is 3d per foot; 6 inches, 8d per foot; 4 inches, 6d per foot. Lime, slacked. Is per bushel; quick lime in sack, Is 6d to 23. Kauri Gum and Flax Market. Gum is rather firmer. Tho following sales havo beou effected since last Thursday: —Good ordinary X lipara and Whangaroi at £10 to £43, Waikato £35 to £38; East Coast, £15 to £50; buyers indiffeient, aud receipts for Feb ruary, so far, 380 tons. Flax.—Finest quality .. £18-21 perton Flax.—Medium .. .. IGJ—I7 „ Tow 12—11 „ Fungus 2d. por lb. Coat, and Firewood Market. Coal.—Newcastle (ship's side,., cargo 313 per ton; yard, 10s to 15s. Bay of Islands, at yards, 25s ; screened, 28s; ditlo at tho mine, 133; ship's side, 235. Waikato, at mine, 5s ;in Auckland, 153 61 to 203 ; Taupiri, at mines, 63 6d to 12s ; at yard, 183 to 21s. Wangaroi, at mine, 83 6d; yai d (steam), 17s; household, 223, Miranda, at yard (household), 12s; steam, 18s. Kamo (household), 28s, 30s delivered; steam, 235. Firewood.—Uncut, at wharf (cargo), 8s 6d to fls 6d per ton; delivered, 13s ; cut, lis to 17s. Manures. , . Bonedust, £710s to £9 ; Peruvian, £18; Hu.pn Guano, small lots, £5, bags included; Mexican Guano, £5 to £10; Maiden Man Guano, £7 to $3 ; Supor-Phosphato £9 to £10.(1

CHIEF POST-OFFICE. AUCKLAND.

Mails will Closb as Under :— This Day. For Whitlangi, Tairua, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Glenelg, at 4 p.m. For Samoa, per Rover, at 4 p.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 5.30 p.m.' For Whangarei Heads, Wangarel, and Manga pai, per Argvle, at 4 p.m. Saturday, 20th Instant. For Walwora, MahuranKi, Matakana, Manga wai, Waipu, and Mangapai, per Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For Quarantine Station, per Ferry Steamer, at 8 a.m. Monday, 22nd instant. For Coromandel, por Coromandol, at 11.30 a.m. For Tauranga, Gisborne, Napior, and Southern Provinces, per Wanaka, at 3 p.m. For Russell, Kawakawa, Wangaroa, and Mon gonui, por lona, at -1 p.m. Wednesday, 21th Instant. For Taranaki and Southern Provinces, per Talama, at I p.m. Tuesday, 30th instant. Per s.B. City of New York as foUows: — For Sandwich Inlands, United States of America. Canada, Britißh Columbia, Central and South America, aud British and Foreign VVo3t Indies, Japan, and China, including Hongkong, at 1 juu. For United Kingdom and Continent; of Europe, at 1 p.m. For monoy ordors, and reglstorod lottors, at 11.30 a.m. Lato letters hearing an oxtra foo of sixponco, In addition to the postage, will bo recolvod hy tho Mail Agent ou board the stoamor up to the timo of sailing.

For Rusaoll, Kawakawa, nnd Australian Colonies, per Rotorua, at 3 p.m.

S. B. BI^S. Chief Postmaßter,

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

11.G.— 1 he charges maile in your letter arc so serious that we shall inquire into the matter before publishing tho communi-

BIRTHS.

DIIBBLK.—On March 17. at her rosldence' Hnvelock-strcet, Parnell, the wife of Charles Bubble of a daughtor. HANSON.—On March 18, at Ponsonby, tho

wifo of Mr T. Hanson of tison. STRONG.—On March 15, at Aratapu, tho wifo of Mr George Strong, of a daughter, still born.

DEATH.

CLAYTON.—On March 17, at Tauranga, Georgo Albert, youngest son of Honry Clayton, aged 4 years and 6 months.

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1880.

for the cause that lacks assistance. For the wrong.that needs resistance, For the future in the distance,

And the trood that wo can do,

We publish to-day the text of very threatening speeches delivered by Te Whiti and Toliu at Parihaka yesterday afternoon. Their utterances breathe nothing but defiance, and it would appear that they have given up all hope of solving the problem of the disputed ownership of the Waimate Plains by peaceable means. Te Whiti lias only to hold up his fingers to plunge the colony into a war, but whether lie will have the prudence to refrain lias yet to be seen. Should he be desperate enough to precipitate a conflict, we havo no fear of the result. The firm attitude of the Government throughout shows that they are prepared for ex tremities, and if war should unfortu nately arise they will li3ve the sym pathy and support of all the colonists except a few wretched Pakeha-Maori renegades. The present is no time for flinching from the position that has been taken up.

The "Sydney Morning Herald," in an article on the landing of Communists in Auckland, says it is worse than the action of M. Thiers, whose enormous proscriptions of Communists caused such an outflow of exiles to England as seriously to aggravate the difficulties of the poor law administra tion. The same paper considers some at least of the immigrants who came here a very undesirable class, and in the second place that the French Government seemed to be consciously employing Auckland as a convenient reservoir for a set of persons whom humanity and common decency for bid them any further ostensibly to punish, and yet of whose temperament —be it called insurrectionary, anarchial, or sim ply patriotic—the Government is nervously afraid. The "Sydney Morning Herald" further points out that deportation of convicts is likely to be a practice increas ingly favored by tbe oyerpopulated States of Europe, which for temporary social and political reasons are becoming 'staggered by the g: owing magnitude of their criminal and convict population. Attention is further drawn to the fact that Germany is about to establish a convict station in the South Pacific. Our Sydney contemporary argues that the transportation system was a lazy method of dealing with the criminal diffi culty, and that when the colonists strenu ously resisted the system Great Britain was forced to keep her criminals at home and to adopt means most calculated to secure their reformation, instead of banishing them to the colonies where the system "tended far more than any discipline at home to affix an indelible stigma on the crimiual himself, and even bis posterity, that the stigma attached to all alike and in an equal degree, and that by help of the confused process of thought which tbe haste of human action always seems to involve, the stigma extended iv an indefinite number of radiations far beyond the purely criminal centre in which ifc begajj. Jhe re medy advocated in the case of Prarico aud Germany, is that they should, "so alter their crimnial code as not to put in the same category the political offences committed by the best of men, and the vicious acts done only by the worst," and to reform their methods of punishment.

During last session of Parliament the Go vernment w£H u>'gcd to £C£uire by purchase from the natives tho land in the immediate neighbourhood pi ike Ohiflemutij ijot tykes^,

so that the beautiful aud valuable sana torium might be preserved Irom the rude hands of vandals and the monopoly of land speculators, but up to the present we have not heard of any steps being taken to give practical effect to the wish then expressed. Meanwhile the picturesque terraces of the wonderland of Now Zealand, that have delighted the eyes of tourists from all parts of the world, are being injured by vandals of that enterprising class who chipped off part of the nose of the Sphinx, and the Springs are in danger of being monopolised by speculators whose lovo of the beautiful iv nature is gauged by its value in hard cash.

Another reason why the land should be acquired by the Government is the necessity of providing a permanent site for an hotel, so that tourists, and especially invalids, may be assured of proper accommodation aud atteutiou. At present uo laud is available except that which is iv the hands of the native owners, whose capriciousness and exorbitant de mands render iuvestors chary of making permanent improvements on any con siderable scale. The tenancy is ouly oue of sufferance, occupants being liable to disposession at a moment's notice at the tint of some bumptious rangitira whose vanity is offended, or whose inordinate notion of the value ot the property is not realized. Our readers will remember many striking and ludicious examples of this in the demands made by Tukukiuo nud West Coast chiefs for millions of money as compensation for allow ing the construction of roads aud telegraphs through their lands. There is no doubt that the Ohiuemutu Springs will one day become the great Sauitorium of the Aus tralasian colonies, aud no time should be lost in acquiring the land and permanently reserving it for public purposes. Strong representations should be made to the Go vernment on the subject.

The members of the Auckland Fishing Club, will take another of their pleasant excursions from the wharf to-morrow after noon, starting at a quarter past oue o'clock. Members are requested to be puuctual to time so that there may be no delay. As this possibly will bo the last trip of the season, no doubt all the members will take advantage of the refreshing sea breezes, and the opportunity of catching an abundance of fish.

There was a large attendance last evening at the Young Men's Christiou Association rooms, and several excellent address wero given, especially one by Mi Court, of the Liverpool and Birkenhead Association, recently arrived in this colony.

With reference to Mr Warnstedt's com plaint against the Sanatory Inspector, for refusing to grant him a license as Porter, wc are informed that Mr Goldie refused to grant him another license without the consent of the City Council, owing to repeated little irregularities on the part of Mr Warnstedt, which we are informed oucc required to be settled by a beucvoleut gentleman iv High street.

We learn that the Newmarket branch line will be open for traffic on Kuster Mon day ; but the train only runs to Waikomiti, or perhaps a mile further, leaving passen gers about two miles to walk. Mr A. V. MacdonaUl, General Manager, propoica to start a special train for Henderson's Mill races, at half-past, ten o'clock iv the morn ing, leaving Waikomiti at G p.m. on the return trip. It is probable therefore that the stewards will arrange to start tho last race somewhat earlier than originally inten ded, in order that passengers may not miss, the train.

To the Editor : Sir,—l should like to know whether it is considered n part of gooil breeding in New Zealand for two young men, meeting a gen tie.nan at a cros sing iv the street to laugh impudently in his face, tho said young men being strangers to him. In my time in England, such milliners were considered the very reverse of decency, and were frequently resented in a salutary way. I may say, however, that I observed that the young men are shop men.—l am, &c, An Englishman.

It would be interesting to learn what reason our contemporary tlie " Herald " has i for the supposition it expresses this morning in its remarks ou (lie " Parihaka meeting" when it says :—"We believe the Govern ment wishes to cause a war." Is the the information derived from official sources?

The bequest of £100,000 to the University of Sydney, by the late Mr J. 11. Cliallis, in an extraordinary example of munificence. Mr Cliallis began life iv the earliest days of New South Wales as a clerk in the oilice of Flower and Marsdon, iv which ho became a partner in 1842, and iv 1855 ho went to England, where he resided subsequently, lie had accumulated enormous wealth. By the gift tlio funds of the Sydney University will bo increased to £10,000 a year, the Parliamentary giant amounting to only half that sum. When will any of the great capitalists in this colony be able to make proportionate grants to our great educational institutions —wo suppose they cannot yet bo designated "great scats of learning."

The good folks of Mount Albort, with laudable ambition, arc anxious to posse-,.-, a public hall of their own, in which thoy can have entertainments, concert.-*, &C.| without coming such a long way into town. For this purpose great pains have been taken to prepare this enter tainment. There will be an amateur entertainment this evening in the Choral Hall, the proceeds of which will go to the funds. Tho programme is an attractive oue, and comprises two laughable farces— "The Obstinate Family" aud " Borrowed Plume.*." There will also ho the screen scene from " The School for Scandal." No slight feature ot the performance will be the pianoforte duct, " Fairy Queen," and a pianoforte solo, "Andante and Hondo Cup priccioso" (Mendelssohn), by Miss Gertrude James. There will also be a pianoforte and violin duet, "Serenade" (Beethoven), be tween the same lady and Mr Bealc. The programme certainly deserves a good house,

We have received the first number of "Freethought,"a monthly journal of free and advanced thought, psychology, meta physics, spiritualism, &c., published in Sydney by E. Cyril Haviland, publisher and proprietor, Little George-streot. Tiie book contains a eood portrait of Dr. Henry Slade, a catalogue of frecthought works, a catalogue of the library of the Psychological Society of New South Wales, and 48 pages of reading matter, embracing articles on the following subjects :—" Freethought, what it is ?" by George Lacy ; " Spiritualism uot Supcrnaturalisiii," by Charles Bright; " Henry Slade," by E. Cyril Haviland; "Is Christianity a Success ?" by Lewis Arundul; " The Education Question of New South Wales," by J. Tyerman; "Natural, or Supernatural," by T.AL ; " Mesmerism and Curative Magnetism," " How I Becanio a Spiritualist, and why I remain one," P. E. S. Hewison ; "Inves tigation at Home," reviews, poetry for the use of circles, and memoranda, Sec. Tlio journal is published at 9d per copy, or 6s auuual subsciiptiou. Sometime ago paragraphs went the round of the colonial press, copied from American paper.-', dis cussing the question whether or not JL)r. Slade is a woman. The portrait in the journal under notice, however, appears to settle the point, as it depict-. him with a luxuriant moustache, and a type of physiognomy quite masculine. The introductory article says, " wc hope to represent both sides of an immensely important subject, and we shall publish essays by the best wiiters for and against spiri ualism, free and advanced thought, &c. We shall endeavour to make this magazine lirst-class in tone and character, excluding from its pages all nonsense, and our readers may rest assured that all reports of seances and manifestations published in our pages shall be verified, as far as possible, with tho names of responsible and well known people." Articles will be published bearing the names of tho writers, but good anony mous contributions will not be rejected, and prizes will be offered for the best essays for and against free-thought sub jects.

Thpy were looking at the hippopotamus at the aquarium', Sq,id she, '*! Augustus, dear, did you say that was a horse ?" " Yes, duckie, I did; a river horse," '' Well, isn't he made up wrong, or deformed, or something of that sort?" " Oh, no ; that's the only model of blood stock they have in Africa; he isn't very pretty, is he?" " Well, not very ; hut do you know he reminds mo. of you sometimes, Augustus, dear ?" " How, dearie ? Wheu he shuts his eyes aud drifts into those delicious phases of reverie?" "No, you old blessing; it's when he yawns."—American paper.

The "Troy Times" says mat Madame Modjeska, the well-known across, is writing a story for " Scribner's Monthly." It is a love story. The heroine's name is Griesl davitch Topplewatchkitzky, and the hero's Vladimir Tschezarotsh. Tho scene is laid in tho quiet little Polish village ot Stiiritu pitvisch, on the banks of the classic river Mudilioschky, in tho region of the Kotzebu titzelosky mountains. The following is an extract: —" Within her wan hands she had her face concealed, when to her Vladimir asked if she did truly Jove him. ' Yes, 1 do lofe thee f by yonder hale moon I adjure it.' ' Let us, thert,' said ho, 'flee ;' but she hesitated by reason of her trunks, which were still unpacked. Thp tears wandered from her eyes, but meanwhile Vladimir re peated what for she would not be ooming pretty soon, not having been aware of the gash the words of him made on the iuside o^he;lieart.r

To-day is the anniversary of the opening of the Working Men's Club in IB7S.

In our report of the City Council iv Wed nesday evening last under the head of Sub Finance Committee Report. The words " that all properties belonging to the Coun cil be insured with the New Zealand Insur ance Company," showed read, the various New Zealand Insurance Offices.

Major Withers, at the request of the officers commanding H.M.S. Comorant, has granted the use of the Rifle UaDge tor Rifle practice from the 22nd to the 2(!th inst. inclusive, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on each day named. A notice of the order appears at the Drill-shed.

Wo understand that many persons in the localities of Freeman's Bay have dogs with out collars, and that Constable Herbeit Jones is about to procure summonses against negligent owners to ascertain pub licly the "reason why."

We have been requested to direct atten tion to a nuisance of a most noxious char acter which for some time past has exercised the feeliugs aud assailed the nostrils of people who have occasion to pass by Free man's Bay morning and evening. It arises from thecarcascs of defunct animals washed in by the tide, being allowed to rot aud putrify above high water mark at the end of the seawall at th c foot of College Road. About a fortnight ago the atmosphere far and near was poisoned by the exhalations which arose from the decayiug bodies of a dog, a c:.t, an aged rooster, and a bundle of fish, and within the last few days the body of a large sheep has been added to the list. The stench has been positively sickening, and it is fortunate for the health of the community that there are no dwellings in the imme diate vicinity. A disgusted resident in forms us that he determined to have the deceased sheep removed for sepulture, and that with this cud in view he interviewed one of the Harbour Board officials. He was informed that the Harbour Board had nothing to do with the matter, aud by way of advice he was gravely cautioned not to molest the carcase lest he should lay himself open to an action at law. This, we should say, is characteristic official advice.

To the Editor : Sir, —Should tho type of Mr Edger's lecture uot be broken down, will you allow me to suggest to that gentle man the beueiit. that may be derived by putting it into pamphlet shape, for sale at Is each, for the same cause that the lecture was delivered. It will stand as auother monument to the memory of Dickeus. — Yours, &c., Oliver Twist.

The annual meeting of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, is iixed for the 9th April, iv the oiliccs Cjuccu-street.

Dornu's troupe of minstrels aud per formers will appear to-morrow evening iv the Theatre Royal, with a new portfolio of melody, fun, aud general amusement.

Iv our report of yesterday's meeting of tho Waste Lands Board the name of an applicant for a large portion of the To Aroha block was misprinted " Fitzgibbon Linch," whereas it should have read " Fitzgibbon Louch" ; while with singular perversity tlio printer, instead of chronicling the re fusal of the request, gave a rendering of his own, viz., that "it was decided to reform the request."

For readiness of retort and brilliancy of repartee, the Irishman is peculiar. In stances arc always acceptable, and wo have one at hand. Oil Wednesday a son of tho ould sod slightly exhilarated by tho ardour with which he had " drowned tho sham rock," was parading one of the walks of the Domain with a banner, and calling out irom timo to time, "Hurrah for Ireland," when uj w..a accosted by a gaunt Yankee, who, in a derisive tone, cried, out " Hurrah for"—well, for a region some what warmer than the Ton id zone. In no wise abashed by the uncivil exclamation, Paddy rejoined without a moment's hesi tation—"All right, my friend; uo harm done. Everyone for his own country." This sally was received with a shout of laughter by an appreciative crowd, and with a look of disgust, tho representative of the Great tlepublic incontinently girJcd up his loins and lied the scene.

Wc learn that there is a likelihood of some improvement being cllected in tho condition of the Admiralty Houso nt Wynyard Pier, the house beiug at present little better than a ruin. The Public Works Department are to examine and re port on the state of tiie building, but no arrangement has yet been come to as to any expenditure in the house and grounds, nor will the matter bo considered till the report referred to has beeu received. It is more over, considered by the Government to be doubtful if the Commodore will make use of the place if it be repaired.

At the meeting of the Waste Lands Board yesterday afternoon a claim ot £G0 in regard to sonic land was made by Sydney D. Tnwh.iiuga. It was agreed to forward it to the Government.— "our farmers, who arrived from l'_ii_'lati I by the ship British Empire, made application for certain lands in the Kaipara district, which they desired to take up under tiie Deferred Payment system. It was agreed to open up 4,003 aiucs for selection under this system. — _v±r 1!. Ireland, as Chaiunaii of the Mount VVel lington Road Hoard, applied for tho control of the Panmure metal reserve. It was decided to grant a right of occupation for live years.—Tho remainder of the business was possessed ot but slight interest for the general public.

A woman named Margaret Inch, who was staying nt the Servants' Homo, Lonsdale street, Melbourne, attempted to commit suicide on Tuesday night m a most extra ordinary manner. Having obtained a knife, she secreted herself iv the bathroom, and endeavoured to drown herself in the bath, while at the same time she tried to cut her throat. The knife was fortunately a very blunt one, and before she could accomplish her object in cither direction sho was detected by othors in the Home, and given into custody. On being examined in the watchhouso by two medical men, she was found to lie insane.

A well-known beauty in society occupied a stage-box at a theatre iv the Strand somo nights ago. Her white furs and diamonds wore tho admiration of the house. Shortly

lifter the beauty's departure .'in attendant found a star of brilliants in lh« lux, and, like an honest woii.au. gave the treasuro tiove into the hands of the management. No inquiries were made ucxt day at the theatre about the lost star, hut ultimatly it foundits way into the rightful owner's hands. Ihe oddest part of the story remains to bo told. The diamonds wore false.—World.

Some estimate may bo formed of the reck less waste that is the habit at Constantinople from the following fact. Abdul Modjid m sistod that all the ladies of his harem should be coveied with jewels, and that there should always be a fringe of diamonds round their wido trousers. When he died, the outstanding bills of the harem amounted to tin. modest sum of £25,000,000. Jt will possibly bo a consolation to the British bondholder to know how judiciously and right royally his monoy was C-pcndod, and to the British husband to compare his bills with those of the Caniiuandoi' of the Faithful.—Truth.

While athletic exercises arc always deser ving of encouragement on the ground of physical health, there is some danger of n love of sport being carried to excess and to the neglect of mental training, particularly in the young. The Ifon. E. lyttelton in an nriicle in a recent magazine makes some felicitous remarks ou this subject. The essay is "Athletics in Public Schools'" Tho writer points out with, sound discrimi nation the real dangers attending the exces sive popularity of successful uthletes, espec ially the complication that arises in school government when monitorial authority is practically second to the iiilluenco wielded by the leaders at cricket, rowing, or foot ball. The writer finds the best remedy for excessive athleticism in encouraging voluntary pursuits of a more intellectual character. He adds some just, If not new, remarks ou tho injustice of neglecting tho rank and file of the in order to push a few likely candidates for high honours. Our teachers would do w'pll to remember these poinds.'

The questiou of opening tho Mechanics School of Arts in Sydney, which was re cently submitted to a plebiscite and carried in ihe affirmative, was discussed at a meet ing of the Committee, which was attended by about 400 persous, who were very disor derly. One speaker remarked :" It h^d been argued that opening the rooiq ou Squ days would involve a certain amount of labour, but tho smallest ohurch in tho com munity required ten times as much labour as the reading-room required." The attendance of one man in the reading room would be sullicient, whose statioii at tho door would not iuvolve much work not half that required in pulling a church hell for half an hour. Many cried out against Sunday labour, yet they used labour in driving to churoh, and had the audacity to cry out against it, This was ouly a cloak for their bigotry. AMr E. A. Joues expressed his fear that the opening of the institution on Sunday would lead to the opening also of the theatres, as was done iv California. Another speaker, alter some remarks, announced that he was about tq tell the 'meeting a secret, bift apparently the aqdience did not care to hep it, for they drowned his voipe amidst groans andhiesps, Mr Charles Bright supported the proposal to open the institution on Sunday. Geneial uproar then ensued, and ultimately a motion was carried to refer the question to a plebiscite,

The immigrants per Earl Granville will come up to-morrow.

A match will be played on the Domaiu Ground to-morrow, between the Standard and Auckland Clubs. Players for Stan dard :—Mumford (captain) Ivens, Dufaur, Testro, Colgan, Lankham, George, W. Brooks, G. Fraser, Day, aud Grant.

Messrs Arneil, Coleman, Cook (2), Isaac, King, Lawry, Lynch, Macky, Mitchell and Stowman, will represent the West End to« morrow afternoon on the Domain ground, in the match against the North Shore Club, which will play with Burgess, Carter, McGechie, Swanson, Water ho use, Webster, Wyuyard, (3), Sibbin and Sims. A very evenly contested match is expected, and players are particularly requested to be on the"grounds at 2 o'clock sharp.

Last session the Assembly, made pro vision for an inspection of prisons and In spector, who will arrive in due course, but no definite i_teps will be taken until his arrival.

GABLE NEWS.

EUROPEAN

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] New Zealand Debentures. LONDON. March 17. Five per cent. New Lealand debentures 10-40 loan, 102J ; uew live per cent, 108. The Victorian School System. LONDON. March 8. The Ministry are sending complete edu cational exhibits to Melbourne, and also delegates to study the school system. Another Husso - Turkish Difficulty. ST. PETERSBURG. March 18. Russia ceases to hold diplomatic relations ycith Turkey utiles* the assassin of Comeroil' recoives sentence of death. LONDON. It is stated here that the New Zealand Railway Commission is desirous of securing the services of Thos. Higinbothani, foi« merly Eiigineer-iu-Chief for railways in Victoria. It is farther stated that Higin hot ha m is being communicated from New Zealand.

The Government contemplate making Important reductions iv the expenses for collecting the laud tax.

AUSTRALIAN.

[KBUTER'S SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS.]

Shipping Arrivals. MELBOURNE. Thursday. Arrived—Rotorua, from New Zealand; steamship Durham, from Plymouth (Janu ary 20). Importation of Freezed Foods. A meeting has been held, at which it was resolved to form a compuuy for the purpose of exportation of overy description of food under the treeiing process. Au influential committee has been formed. Mauritius Sugar Market. A telegram bai been received frjm Mau ritius, dated March 9, which states that suitable sugars are scarce. MELBOURNE. This day. The Hon. F. T. Sargood, M.L.C., who is visiting England, will represent Victoria on thi Colonial Defence Commission, and will further uct as member of Board of Agent- General for Victoria.

POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

(Before J, E. Macdonald, Esq., R.M.)

DRUNKENES3,

Three persons pleaded guilty to being drunk last night, aud were subjected to the penalty.

THE TALKING FIBH,

Sarah Salmon, who had been frequently •onvicted of druukeuess was sent to Mount Edeu for seven days with hard labour.

KATE UEFAUI/TirRS,

Janies Kelly was ordered to pay the sum of £1 6s on general rate, due Ist June, IS7'J. Andrew Scott, ditto, £2 10. C. O. Davis, adjourned for a fortnight. Mr Harrop, collector, proved tbat the rates had not been paid, and notices had been served.

Nine other cases wero settled out of Court.

A NOTORIOIM CHARACTER.

Alexunacr Lynch was again brought up on three charges : Ist, with being drunk and disorderly in Queen-stieet on the 16th inst.; 2nd, v ith resisting Constable MeGilp while iv the execution of his duty, and damaging his uniform; 3rd, with assaulting Henry Dubois, by knocking him down and kicking him, with intent to do him bodily harm. Mr Edward Cooper appeared for the prisoner, and pleaded guilty to the two first charges, but, iv respect of the third, he waa too drunk to know anything about it.

Sub-Inspector Pardy said that prisoner went into the " Metropolian" Hotel on the night of the 16th in a rowdy atito, and wanted to take pos session of the house, and assume the posi tion of landlord. Ho began kickiug and lighting everyone that came near him, and when the Constable interfered, he attacked him in the most ferocious manner.

Mr Cooper was instructed by prisoner's friends to say that Lynch was a quiet, in offensive bujhmau who would not hurt a worm. He camo into to town, and was in duced to take beer, which made him giddy, aud deprived him of his reason.

Sub-Inspector Hardy said the learned gentleman had been misinformed. Prisoner never worked. Ho wa. what is termed a

' bully," and one of the worst characters in Auckland.

Fined severally 25s and costs or 14 days, and seutenced to oue month's imprisonment for assaulting the Constable. ASSAULT BY A SKAMAN. Martin Wairnea, a German sailor, was charged with violently assaulting John Connolly, cook, on hoard the brigantine Flirt, on tho 17th inst. Mr Tyler appeared in defence, and pleadod not guiliy. John Connolly, whose head and face showed marks of yiolcnt treatment, deposed to the nature of the several assaults. Prisoner had knocked witness down several times, and threatened to chop his head oil with a tomahawk. Cross-examine^ by Mr Tyler. Charles Wilson and William IJuckley, seamen, gave evidence, hut saw nothing of the attack. The Court found prisoner guilty of an assault, and imposed a line of 20s, costs £1 Cs, or seven days. PITCHING lUCHAEL. Alexander Bowman, on warrant, was charged with assaulting his wife, Rachacl, by beating her about tho body and pinching her arms on the night of the 16th inst. As Mrs Bowman was not willing to prose cpte, her husband -\yas discharged PETTY LAIiCIiMKS, . Catherine Ryan, ou remand, was charged with the larceny of two petticoats and other articles of dress, value £2, on the 15th inst., and on tho 16th with the larceny of two petticoats, value 9s, the property of W. H. Dampier, of Wakefield aud Queen streets.

MrS. Hesketh appcred for prisoner and pleaded not guilty.

Sub-luspcctor Pardy stated the par ticulars.

James Balkc, manager for Mr Dampier, " Wonderful Bargain " store, was dressing the window on the morning of the 16th ; he missed a pieco of me.mo, aud the several petticoats the next morning ; believed the articles produced were the suing, _^.rthv|r O'Lp'ary, shopman, deposed to iflissiflg skirts qn t^kipg the things iv, but HQt tho scarlet ones. Know tho meriuo to be part of Mr Dampier' stock. Detective Brennan on receiving informa tion, went to prsioner's house to search for tho petticoats and pieces. While he waa searching for the petticoats, s|)o W)\s busy coupealjug something in a basket, which he fouud to. be a pjece of merjno. She said sho had it from her sister in Abercronilpp street, for 17s. He traced other goods to pawnbrokers. Elizabeth Ryan said sho did not sell the piece to her sister, prisoner. She knew nothing about the things.

James Rae, and Joseph Hart gave evi dence as to receiving some of the articles in pawn. Mr S, Hesketh addressed the Court, and argued that there was really no evidence to show tbat the goods alleged to havo been stolen were the property of Mr Dampier, and ho would respectively submit that the prosecution must fail in a conviction. His Worship commented, upon the evi dence, and as there was a doubt as to whether the goods werp fltolen ? h.e gave pr{ sqper the benefit of jibe dpuht aijd dis missed the case

MJCIJA.EL QUINN'B THREAT, Michael Quinn was charged with threaten ing to "do" for John Henson by choking him, on the 17th inst.

This case was adjourned until to-morrow. This woe all the business.

TELEGRAPHIC.

(PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION)

GRAHAMSTOWN, this day.

The Hon. Rolleston and Messrs Maginity and Percy Smith left this morning for Te Aroha, Ohinemuri, Katikati, and Tauiaaga. It is intended to place Ohinemuri in tele graphic communication with other districts. The New Whau started crushing this morning at the Moacatairi with oue stamper. They will break down to-morrow. The lode is not looking so well, but is expected to make again in a few ieet. Work will be commenced in the low level as soon as possible. Bears are still at work success fully. _:____

WELLINGTON, Thursday,

Dr. Lemon (General Manager of Tele graphs), Captain Johnston (head of the Marine Department), and Mr Oliver Wake field (Secretary for Mines and Goldfields), were examined to-day by the Civil Service Commissioners. The Commissioners leave for Invercargill on Monday.

The s.s. Hinemoa left for Napier this evening, for the purpose of bringing His Excelleucy and Lady Robinson back to Wellington.

DUNEDIN, this day. MORE FIRES.

A four-roomed cottage was burned down in North-east valley, on Wednesday. It was insured in the Standard for £150, and South British for £100. Ou the peninsular, two stacks of hay were destroyed. They were insured. At Moa Flat races, Atlantic won the principal events. CHBISTCHURCH, this day. The hearing of the criminal information for libel, brought by Mr Stead against the directors of the *' Daily Times," conies on for hearing this afternoon in the Magis trate's Court. SOUTHERN DISTRESS. An instance of cheap labour was shown yesterday iv the Amberloy Court. Two able-bodied, skilled blacksmiths were sum moned for a debt of £10, aud pleaded they were working merely for food and whatever the master pleased to allow them.

The Byciclc Club hold the champion ship races with two events of live and twenty miles on April 17th at Hagley Park. Ths barquentine Jasper, yesterday, from Mauritius reports passing a large dead whale ten miles south of East Snares.

The harbour Board's receipts for wharf age during the last fortnight amounted to £1,150, to March 12th, £1,321.

VOLUNTEER REVIEW.

The Volunteer visitors haye signified their intention to be present at tho Easter Review. CB4 will be billeted iv houses and 3,374 under canvass, and cater for them selves. Anderson's paddock, Cashel-street, and Rivors' Manchester-street, have been placed at the disposal of the committee during the week.

The nights and mornings are cold

TIMARU, this day.

Sixteen men have been arrested on a charge of riot and assault, in connection with a fight for possession of a mob of sheep, which occured at Pighineting creek, yesterday. Warrants are out for several others. Eleven are now being criminally prosecuted. The sheep in dispute belonged to Meek and Scott, of Oamarti. They were sold to ono McLeish, by Scott, aud subse quently seized by direction of Meok, who believed the sale to he fraudleut. The light for possession took place between McLeish and his men, and Meek's representatives, who had also received authority to retain the sheep, pending the decision of Supreme Court re partnership. The prosecuting counsel asks that the eleven men, including McLeish, should be committed for trial; tbe case will occupy the court all day.

The Dunedin Tragedy.

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

DUNEDIN, this day

The remains of the murdered Grant family were interred iv the Southern ceme tery yesterday. The procession was a large one. Tho inquest ou the bodies was re sumed, and further adjourned till to-day. Several witnesses were examined, but no thing was elicited in conuectiug the prisoner Butler with the murder.

Fire in Wellington Street.

The iirc-bclls of the city rang out an alarm shortly after eight o'clock this morning. The outbreak was ascertained to have occurred nt the residence of Mr Richard Davis, in Wellington-street. The shingles of the house near to the chimney were found to be on fire for a .space of three feet hy five. By the u-o of several buckets of wutcr the lire was extinguished before any ■ eal dr.umge had been done. Sergeant Clarke and Captain Butler were quickly on the sput, but fo'tunntely their services were not required. The chimney was on fire eariior iv tho morning, and the Sergeant believos that then some burning soot from the chimney fell ou the shingles and smoul dered until they were ignited. Mr Davis gircs the following version of the affair:— A quantity of dry light wood was placed in tho grate, aud when the match was applied, a sudden ignition was the result, aud the blaze suddenly rushed up the chimney, which had recently been swept. The burn ing sticks were at once removed by him into an adjoining room, and the fire subdued by several buckets of water.

Irish Belief Fund.

Thk Mayor acknowledges the receipt of the following sums ; —

C. Goodhue, 4s 6d ; Gerald 11. Supple. £1 ; C. Williams, 8s 3d ; Mrs Hill, £2 ; Ml Elain, £1 ; Or. Wright, £1.

Collected by the ohuirmau of the Maunga kaiatnea Highway Board :—James Walker, 10s; Henry S. Wilson, 10s; W. Crawford, Fn ; J. Crawford, ss; George Kerr, ss; Huoh Crawford, ss; Alfred Watsou, ss; Sclina Porter, ss; John Courtney, ss; George Wright, 5s ; James Miller, 5s ; Miss Davey, 5s ;C. E. Hay ward, 5s . William 11. Pooley, 5s ; Thomas Barry, 5s ; Duncan McLachlan, ss; Samuel Donaldson, 5s ; Nicholas Phillips, ss; C. Hawken, ss; James H. Murray, 5,3; William Cook, ss; Henry George Cook, 5s ; H. If. Cook, ss. Collected by the chairman ot the Newton- Kiclunoud Highway Board.—-Waruock Bros., 10s 6d; employees, lQs : total, £1 Gs Gd.

Cojlected by the chairman of the Raglan Town Road Board.-James Swan, settlor, lQs ; Richard Galvan, 10s j X, Gilmour and Sons, 10s : R. Graham, ss; R. Loane, 2s Gd ; William Johnstone, 2s Gd ; S A. McGilli vray, ss; Richard Philp, boatbuilder, 2s Gd ; John N. Pegler, 5s j Johu Galvan, settler, 2s 6d; William Robertson,' 10 : total, £3

The Parihaka Meeting

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION,)

PARIHAKA, Thursday

OMINOUS SPEECH BY TE WHITI,

To Whiti said : The laud is all covered with my blanket, and there is uo room for any judge or oouimissiou to stay upon it. Tho blanket is mine, and those who wa it to know more about it must como to me. The Government, instead of making roads, should have come to mo. Then everythiii" also might follow. They have tried to do without me, and therefore I shall do away with them, aud they shall bo as naught. The road has been commenced froi\i both ends, but there is a space between which belongs to me, and will not h/;. ma^o. per haps a s f.rbng mini will i^rise, who may make a difference, t(iat js' tq say, if he proves himself stronger thau 1. Ono of us holds iv lus hand au aggressive weapon, and the othor a staff, but thero is ono Lord over both. lam speaking the words of the Lord of Heaven. That is why the words spoken to-day are not held civev The Government wants to get afl the land iv its possesion, on as ta have strength, hut the laud is mine. The road-making is ft p i ece !of braggadocio on the part, of the Govern ment. VVh a t 1 tell you, I mean iv its entirety, Everything I have spoken this day will happen, and not pass. Govern ment are now outside shooting at ilax sticks. In olden times men took guns to shoot men, not llax. The people abroad (meaning the Coniniis-ion) who are looking a. this matter cauuot do anything. Go° vernment might as well havo senf sticks and stoiiQS us the great men they have. Be cause the pakohas arc rich mon, and great iv fancied wisdom, they assume the power of settling this question, but what I said this day will not be deferred. The meas ured ground shall not be trodden upou by others. I leave it now in the hands of Tohu and the Government to say who is right and who is wrong. The Government, iv the height of their pride, are saying, " There wa have dpne you," That ii. all I have to say,

ihe last speech of Te Whiti's is consi dered the most definite he has has ever given, and the surrender of the question tQ Tohu is significant for war. Tohu is looked upon as a man of action, and interference with the road parties is now expected,

Public Meeting at the Whau.

A POBLIC meeting of the ratepayers of the Whau district, convened in response to a numerously signed requisition, was held last night at the Whau Public Hall, for the purpose of taking into consideration the disgraceful condition of the Great North Road through the County of Eden. There was a large attendance. Mr John Bollard (Chairman of the local Road Board) presided. After opening the proceedings in the usual manner he gave an explanation of the busi ness for which the ratepayers had been called together. The County Council of Eden, as they were well aware, had.sus pended the Counties Act, and the question had arisen in consequence, " Who was responsible for the maintenance of the lead ing roads ?" It was a very pressing matter with the settlers, for while the Government had kept the Great South Road in a pas sable condition, no attention whatever had been paid to the Great North Road, and, as a natural result, it was now in a very had state indeed. He had invited the mem ber for the Whau Riding in the County Council (Mr J. Dignan) to be present, and as he saw the gentleman was there he would ask him to supply any information that he possessed.—Mr J. Dignan said that upon seeing in tho newspapers the announcement of the meeting, he had in his official capacity waited upon the Hon. Mr Whitaker and informed him ot the condition of the road, asking besides what provision the Govern ment had made for its maintenance. He told the hon. gentleman that although tolls had been collected for several years, only about £40 had been expended on the road. Mr Whitaker had expressed the opinion that if application were obtained for the balance of the toll revenue, it might be obtained. He had farther remarked that the Highway authorities wereendowea with the power of levying or abolishing tolls and that the matter, therefore, did not rest With the Government at all. He suggested the appointnieut of a deputation to prosecute the necessary enquiries on tbe Bubject.— The Chairman asked if, when the County Council decided to hang up the Act, they suggested to the Government the advisab ility of retaining sufficient of the subsidies to maintain the leading roads. -Mr Dignan replied, that he was not a member of the Council wheu they decided to suspend the Act, and that since his election, the ques tion had never arisen.—Mr Burke said that prior to the suspension of the Act, a dep utation, which waited upon the Hon. Mr Whitaker, was informed that the Govern ment would always reserve out of the subsides accruing to the Council, a sum sufficient to keep the North and South roads in repair. The repairs, however, had not been done, and the whole matter was conveniently for gotten. Mr Dignan affirmed that Mr Whitaker's statement wa3 that the Highway Boards would have to maiutain the roads, but that if application were made they might get the balance of money due for tolls. Mr Burke thought the best thing they could do was to take down the Act which they had hung up. It was time that they .should come to some understanding, and ascertain whether or not the Government would repair the North Road from Arch Hill to the Whau bridge. He urged the getting up of a strong petition on tne subject. After some further discussion Mr Jas. Owen moved, "That, as the County Council has suspended the Counties Act in the County of Eden, in the opinion of this meetiug the Government should retain sufficient county revenue for the mainte nance of main roads through the county, instead of dividing the whole of the money amongst the Highway Boards." Mr Aicken seconded the motion.

The Chairman declared that it was im possible for the Highway Board to keep the Great North Road in repair. It had never been in proper repair, and it would cost from £1,500 to £2,000 to make it so. Wheu the rates for the district were less than £100 a year, how were the roads to be maintained ? A rate of 5s in the £1 would not cover the cost.

Mr A. K. Taylor regretted that the opinions, which were being ennunciated that night had not been entertained some time ago. Over two years ago he had attempted in that hall to point out the iv judiciousness of suspending the Act, and now the accuracy of his remarks was being demonstrated to them. It was simply uonseusical to expect the Government to maintain the roads. He was at a loss to know who were the members of the deputa tion which had received the Ministerial promise that the Worth Road should be maintained out of money deducted from the subsidies. They would recollect that at the time this Act was brought into force there was a very strong feeling that the money should be handed over to the Highway Boatds. Why the Act should be brought into operation now he could not understand. Its revenue had disappeared. At first he estimated the revenue of the County Coun cil at from £6,000 to £7,000, but the manage ment ot the slaughterhouses and other sources of revenue had left them, and they had no chance of endowments, and now they were asked to keep the main road in repair. A meeting of tho Council for the election of a chairman aud distribution of funds should be held this mouth, and he was ast luiihed that no notice of it had beeu given. Mr Dignan said an adjourned meeting of the Council would be held to-morrow (this day) to alocate the distribution of subsi dies.

After some further expression of opinion, Mr Benjamin Johnson moved, " That in the opinion of this meeting, the Government should without further delay, put the Great North Road in a proper state of repair for traffic."

Mr Thomas .•ecomled the motion, and it was carrifd unauimoiisly.

Mr Aicken moved, " That a deputation, consisting of AJessra A. K. Taylur, J. Bol lard, and J. Dignan, be appointed to wait on the Hon. Mr Whitaker, and respectfully request him to giro effect to the foregoing resolutions passed at this meeting." This motion was n'so parried.

TIII meeting concluded af'cr parsing votes of thanks to the chairman aud Mr Dignan.

Conversazione in St. James' Hall.

The conversazione in connection with the General Assembly oi the Presbyterian church, was held last evening in St. James' Hall, Wellington-street. Thero was a large attendance. The chair was occupied by Roy R. F. Macniool, Moderator. The meeting commenced with the anthem " Let us now go even unto Bethlehem," hy the ohoir of St, James' church, under the leadership of Mrs Mitchell. The Chairman then brielly addressed tne meeting. He oxpressed his pleasure at seeing so many representatives from the South present. He would not detain them with any address as there was doubtless considerable eager ness ou the pait of the audience" to hear an account of tho work in the South from their brethern. The Rev. D, Bruce then load the report of the Chu-ch fc.x.ension Coiuiuittoe, which was prese-ited to the Assembly several days ago. The so'o "Oh. Thou that Killest the Pro phets," w(p aung by Mrs Mitchell. The Rev. Mr Riley (Otago) then add essed the meeting. Hes.iid this was ih. first visit he had paid to Auckland, an I he was pleased and giatitied at what he had seen, He did not expect to find Auckland .\ flourishing city, but such it was Thure was a tendency iv Otago to believe that that Province was the whole of New Zealand, but a visit to Auckland would speedily dispel the illusion. The speaker then went on to refer to the question of uuian of the Presbyterian Church qf New Zealand with that of Otago and Southland, aud said it would ho highly beneficial to both parties. He said the Otago Church was in a prosperous state, cud it could give assistance to the N^rth j a men and money. Referring to. the want of liberality ou the PA^ofNOrthern oongresa tions, \}e aa^d his. awn church iv Otago gave last year more for the support of missionaries than the whole of tho churches under the General Assembly had given towards the Churoh Extension Fund. He expressed himself in support of a hearty and genuine union. Mr J. McCoskrie then sang the solo " Comfort ye and Every Valley," after which thero was au interval for refresh ments. Mr A. Rennie (Otago) was the next speaker. He agreed with Mr Riley as to the desirability of a union between the two churches, and then referred to the necessity on the part of congregations of contributing more liberally towards the schemes of the church. His Worship the Mayor of Auckland then briefly addressed the meeting, after which Mrs Mitchell sang ' Consider the Lillies," Rev. Mr McKin ney moved a vo.e of thanks to the choir, and Rev. R. yiaser to the managers of the hall for the use of the building. The meet-

ing concluded with tho Benediction. Mr W, J, Revs presided at the harmonium during the evening.

Bishop Cowie's Lecture.

AFFGHANISTAN^AND CENTIl AL

The lecture-room of the Auckland Mm., and Institute, in Princes-street, was ctow 1 last evening by a highly respectable w; ence, for the purpose of listenim/ '„ lecture by the Right Rev. D r Cn • Bishop of Auckland on the above' subw' Dr. Purchas, president of the Instit... opened the proceedings with a few remart * expressing the pleasure he felt at seeing ' large a gathering of citizens before him W •aid that the Couucil were arranging .«» series of instructive lectures, hoping «, t would would prove the means of brin<nm • more members, and extendingtheueefur' U of the Institute. Since the annual meeff a gentleman had kindly given £25 f o .' ?,«' purposes indicated, and he trusted th * other friends would follow the laudable ample. Some persons thought the lustitm" was public, and so it was in some resneot as the public were admitted free of chart, ' and had the use of the library ; but th advantages were provided at the'expenses members alone. He hoped that th Council would be successful in arranging f another lecture, by a competent gentlemiY on some popular subject of equal intew./ Dr. Purchas then formerly introduced the Bishop to the auditory. ue On rising the Bishop was courteonslv received, and proceeded with his subieet illustrating his geographical descriptions l£ an excellent map of the cities and princini places connected with the present distn bances in Affghanistan.The Bishop said till his subject was one of great imporauce'S the present time, and it would be a mat! of reproach if it could be said of any sei-tin' of Her Majesty's subjects that they know nothing and cared less about it. H e then went on to say : It is as the paramount power in IndiathatGreat BritainissDcciallv interested in the condition of Alfghanista and Central Asia. The great problem with us is how to preserve in peace and prosperity the 241 millions of India, which by whatever means, have come to be tint' ject more or less absolutely to the rule f Queen Victoria, being more than one-sixth of the population of the globe. This vkt population may be divided into Hindoos who are idolators—and Mahomedans \i_Z hate not only idolators, hut, for the' most part, all who are not followers of their own prophet. Tbe Hindoos appreciate British justice, but they do not love Britons- and the Mohomedans—nearly 50 millions' i number—cannot on principle be oontent to be ruled by Christians, however i rre . proaehable their rule may he. 'fin. most important of these powers is *_,_> Afi'ghan nation, situated on the north-east frontier of India. Besides the inhabitante of the country known as Allghanistau proper, there are other tribes of Afghans living in the mountains of the north and north-west frontiers of India. All these people are Mahomedans, generally ignorant fanatical, and warlike, believing that the slaughter of an infidel—that is, Christian enemy is a passport to Heaven. The Cap}. tal of Affghanistan is Cabul, 150 miles $__[ tant (as the crow flies) from Peshawur the frontier city of British India. The otfier chief cities of Affghanistan are Candahar (a little less than 300 miles south-west inia direct line from Cabul), and Herat (ratter more than the same distance north-east from Candahar.) To understand what are thought to be now the respective positions of England and Russia with regard to Aff. ghanistan, it is essential to bear in mind the relative positions of these and other cities and the chief mountain ranges of those parts of Asia—namely, the Hindoo Kodah on the north, and the Suleiman range on the east. Herat has been fitly called " the gate of India," inasmuch as the armies that have invaded India from Central Asia have passed through it. All the principal roads from the north and the west leading to India converge there. From Herat the two least impracticable roads to India pass res. pectively tbiough Candahar aud the Bolan Pass.and through Cabul and the KhyberPass. The Bishop gave an intelligent description of tbe principal tribes, their social life and peculiarities. Referring to the Afghanis tan disturbances, he quoted a letter which he had very recently received from a dis tinguished Artillery officer, once engaged in India who affirmed that Russia is weak and distant. The lecturer felt that there was no fear whatever of a Russian invasion of ludia as things are at present, and went on to say : —But the discontended Mahomedans of India do not realise this, and, in their ignorance, are ever open to the intrigues of the enemies of Great Britain. However delusive we may know the hope of Russian support to be, the result to the British Go vernment and to the overburdened Indian taxpayer is the same. If the 'ttnseftle ment of mind produced among fifty millions of the population necessitates the perma nent increase of our Indian army, this would, necessarily, cause an increase iv the taxation of India, a thing which should be avoided, as ludia was sufficiently taxed al ready. It should be remembered, also, that India was a poor country—the people are poor, very poor, and often hail scarcely any clothing or homes to live in. Tbe following startling statement was made, which would seem almost incredible, were it not proved by statistics :—The people of India already pay some £17,0Q0,000-as the cost of the establishments iv England necessary for the Government of the country, and the item of exchange alone costs tne poor Indians somethiug like £3,000,000 per annum. In many places their money was shells, and to cause such a people to kar additional taxes by any timidity in not showing that Britain is the paramount power in Central Asia, would he a gjeat wrong on our part as the rulers of tiie country. So long as our tenure j'jjf ludia is wha,t it is, no other European power can be allowed to exert auy direct influence ou the affairs of Affghanistan. The Bishop, in the course of his very in structive lecture, gave personal recollections of eminent soldiers belonging to the British Army, who had distinguished themselves in several instances. Tho latest telegrams fram India stated that a desperate attempt is to be made duriug the present month jo drive General Roberts out of the Shirpur cantonments, and that a second British army is advancing from Candahar to lay siege to Ghuzni, where Mahomed Jan, the most formidable Affghan leader, is collect ing his forces. He was glad to say that the 1 days of moving war material into Affghaa istan hy the slow-going camels was nearly at an end. In a very short time the "iron horse" would connect British India with Candahar. The energy displayed by thfr Government of Bombay iv pushing on this important work was commendable. R& ccntly it was stated that the line was being completed at tho rate of one and a third miles every day. At that rate it would soon reach Candahar, and theu the British Indian army and all its war material, if necessary, could be moved to the southof Aflghanistan at the rate of at leasttento twelve miles per hour day and night. The Bishop concluded with an extract from a recent address delivered to the Afghans by the representative of the Queen, and assured the audience that "whatever temporary successes may be obtained by tens of thou sands of Afghans against small detsehed forces of the Queen's Indian army, there is no room for doubt as to the outcome of the present troubles—namely, the recognition by the people of Afghanistan and Persia and Central Asia of the paramount authority of Great Britain, and of her linn determination to retain her supremacy in those parts SO long as she coutinues to hold her Empire-fa India." (Cheers). A vote of thanks to the lecturer was oarried by acclamation.

(To the Editor)

SIR,—I havo a gre^ horror of betting, gambling, and b; jrso racing—always bad-: but for once I will do the first, and wager 5s that "• p r o Bono Publico " has not the mora"! courage to _»ive us his real name, that we might "behold the man" who has the audacity to say that the Sunday night "Yellers" at the street corners do more good than tho ministers of all the churches and chapels put together. That "P.B.P. is "one of them" (the Yellers I mean) I have not the ghost of a doubt. Take away from these open air spouters the use of such phrases as "believe in Christ," "cling to the cross," " behold the lamb of God," "he who believes shall be saved, and he who believeth not shall be damned," and half-a -dozen more I will not take up yquf space with. I say debar them front the use of these stock sayings and the chances are ten to one, the vast majority would cease altogether, and those who had the temerity to continue their Sabbath nigh* discourses would give utterance to such a jargon of unmitigated "rot," that the most earnest listener could make neither hea<J or tail of. That there may be a few earnest God-f earing men amongst the army of street? preachers I freely admit, but they are im measurably the exception—not the rule. Tne roll is mainly made up of those who frantically desire that the world might believe them holy, but the title to which their tricks ro trade during the week gives the downright U© to. One of these worthies now and then takes his stand near the firebeU (junction ot Grey and Queen-streets). Sir, I moss solemnly declare that from my own personal experience with that old fellow,that 1 shouKl be perfectly justified were I to say that D 9 would flay a dead relative if he could -00 assured of two things, via, that ae' j»gw sell his or her hide, and not be found op. Yours respectfully, T. B. Hannafobp.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR FETDAY. MARCH 19, 1880.



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TOWN EDITION, PUBLISHED AT 4.30.



. Testimonials are a prolifle sourea of Sceptic ism. The world has bioea bo often humbuvßed by unauthentic certificates tbat it li hard for it to atta9h credence to what it reads. The true merit of any article Is self-affirmative, and 1-a highest indorsement, its own 'elf-asserting virtues. The cures consummated by UdolphS Wolfe s Schiedam Aromatlo SohnajM.B tell tfielr own Btor^, and, vleafl tJjieJr o.w a awe,