SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

H«» WATER]™ mo^w^o^ggi9 BUN SET.—This Evening, 7.9 S JN KISK.—To-Morrow Morning, 5,15 MOON'S AGE.-Full Moon, 27th, 9.51 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

TO-DAY.

Glcnolg, 8.5.; Farqnhar, from Tauranga lona, 5.8., Stephenson, from Russell

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVKNINOi

Argylo, s.s., Crawford, for WTiangarei TO-DAY. Adamant, barque, Bowling, for Napier

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Melbourne, via South.-Tarama, Thursday London—Jfernglen, loading Tauranga—Glonclg, Wednesday For New Plymouth and Southern Ports — Waitaki, Wednesday For Russell—lona, Monday; Penguin, Friday For Tauranga and Southern Ports — Penguin, Monday __~ Whangaref—Argyle, Tuesdays and Fridays j Anno Milbank, Mondays and Thursdays. VESSELS EXPECTED. Bismarck, H.1.G.M.5., from Samoa Horo, s.s., from Sydney and Melbourne, 30th City o£ Sydney, from Sydney, February 3rd Karl GranviUe, ship, from london; tsalled No- Agate, barque, from New York; Bailed Septem her 23ra , ~ , „.. British Empire, ship, from London; sailed SStn Elinor Vornon, barque, from New York; Bailed 10th November „_ Stracathro, ship, from London: sailed Nov. 27 Loch Urr, barque (W.Q.L.K.), from London; Trcvelylin, Cship (V.N.H.S.), from London; City or Quebec, barque, from London. Elmiranda, barque, from New York Mercia, barque, from London, loading Ada O. Owen, brigantmo, from Dunedin. Comille, brig, from New York Agnes Donald, schooner, from LOTUka » Energy, schooner, from Levuka Fiery Cross, schooner, from Oamaru Syren, brig, from Sydney; loading Tubal Cain, schooner, from Levuka Waiwora, schooner, from Austral isianua Stag, barque, from Adelaide Ovalau, schooner, from Samoa Myrtle, brigantine, from Tonga Griffin, schooner, from New Caledonia Kthcl, brigantine, from Dunedin 3'irate, schooner, from Tahiti Coronet, schooner, from MarshalllGroup Hello Brandon, schooner from Line iwjn™ . Island Lily, brigantine, from Chatham Islands Active, brigantine, from Sydney Tfie barque Loongana is advertised to leave for Hobart Town direct on Thursday next. The s.s. Penguin will arrive from Russell and Northern ports to-morrow morning. She leaves a!,'uin for the South on Monday afternoon. The now brigantino Borealis has been placed on tho berth for Levuka. She is advertised to sail about the middle of next week. Tho barque Adamant sailed this morning for Napier, where she is to load with wool, Sc, lor London. Shotook 110 tons of manganese stiff ening from this port. Tho s s. Glenelg arrived this morning from Tauranga, with 3 bales wool, 1 bundle sheep skins, and s number of passengers. She returns to the samo ports on Monday next.

THE HERO.

Tho f>.s. Hero, from Sydney and Melbourne, soven days out, has just Doen signalled as we wont to press. ♦

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Russeli,, this day. PASSENGERS PER PENGUIN. Arrived—Penguin, and sailed at 4. Passen gers;— Judge Monro, Messrs Wilson. Anduze, lietts, Webb, Danlhanga, MacKenzie, Miss Morrison, and others. Wellington, Friday. Sailed: S.s. Rotomahana, for Sydney, via the Kaat Coast. Passengers: Misßes Coates. Rey nolds, Mesdames Percy, Drayson, Reynolds and children, Irons, Benjamins, Warren, Mr and Mrs Hutchison, Mr and Mrs Robertson, Mrs Dawson, Mr and Mrs Seccombe. Hon. Ppeneer Lyttelton, Messrs Percy. Davis, Ridings. White. L, Davies, Palsa, Newton. B. Atkin. Forayth, Golroyd, Long, Sladen. Benjamin, Hill, Mama. Cameron, Syme, Lawford. Heldar, Currio, Wil son, Tester, White, Litchfield, Wood, and Dray son. The Albion sailod at 7 p.m., for Melbourne, with Chiorini's circus troupe.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Stab Office, Saturday. Mr R. Arthur reports as follows of his general market-day sale of provisions, fruits, and pro duce. There was a fair show of poultry, and business was continued briskly through the tiny •—Fowls Is 6d to 39 Id each; turkeys, 3s 9d to 3s lid each; ducks, Is 9d to 2a 6d each; geese, ds to Is 3d; pigeons, Is Id eaoh; pigs, 7s to lls each; carrots, 3s per cwt: pumpkmg, Ito 2s per cwt: potatoes. Is 6d to is 6d per cwt; onions, Ja to 14d per lb; plums, ljd to 3J per lb; apples, lid to 2Jd per lb; peaches, Id to 3Jd per dozen, and lid to 2d per lb; grapoa, 4}d per lb ; nectarines, lid per lb; oats, 33 per buahel; maize, 3a 3d to 4s. In the furniture department good priceß were realised.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE. AUCK LAND.

mm&B will Close as Under :— \ This Day. Nil. Monday, ■2nd FetftTSaSy. ForiCoromandol, per Coromandel, at 11.30 a.m. For Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, and Southern Provinces, per Penguin, at 3 p.m. For Thames, <pfk Rotomahana, at i p.m. For Russell, KiS.'Svakawa, Waugaroa, and Mon gonui. t« lona, at i p.m.) For W*mgarei Headß, and Wangarel, per Attrttt Milbank, at i p.m. For Tauranga and Opotiki.per Glenelg,at i p.m. Tuesday. 3rd February. For Waiwera, Kawau, Omaha, and Matakana, per Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For Hok!ang?i, per Rowena, at 1 p.m. Per s.a. City of Sydney as follows :— For Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, Japan, and China, including Hongkong, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 1 p.m. For money orders, and registered letters, at 11.30 a.m. Late letters bearing an extra fee of sixpence, in addition to the postage, will be received by the Mail Agent on board the steamer up to the time of sailing. For Russell, Kawakawa, and Australian Colonies, per Rotomahana, at 3 p,m. Wednesday, 4th February. Per 8.8. Wellington as follows :— For India, China, Japan, Mediteranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 8 a.m. For Taranaki, Southern Provinces Aus tralian Colonies, ana United Kingdom, via Suez and Southampton, (for letters specially so addressed), at 8 a.m. For: United Kingdom, i via Brindisi, and lato letters for Southern Provinces, at 8.15 a.m. . For newspapers at 8 a.m. For money orders, and registered letters the previous evening at 4 o'clock. For Gisborne, Napiar, Wellington, and Lyttel ton, per Southern Cross, at 1 p.m. S. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster.

" A thing of beauty is a joy for ever," is simply the poetic investure, which the imaginative »nd tender-hearted Keats puts upon a very praotical idea. That idea is, that a thing of value lasts for over. In other words, that a real good is a permanent benefit, a livinebeneflcenoe, a death less virtue. On this grand principle were it not that Udolpno Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps was the tonic and invigorant that it was, it would long since have passed out of the public mind.

BIRTH.

RHODES.—On January 28, at her residence. Duke-Btreot, Cambridge, "VVaikato, the wife of James Rhodes of a daughter.

MARRIAGE.

REDFJtRN — WHITLOCK.-On January 28, 1880, at the. residence of the bride's father, Carmarthen Cottage, Newton, Riohard Red fern, youngest son of James Rodfern, Kaipara, to Kmuia Harriett Whitlock, eldest daughter of James Whitloot, of Nowton.

DEATH.

SMITH.—On Jannary 31, Henry Smith, Archi tect, formally of Prince Edward Island> Canada; aged 83. The funeral will leave his lato residence, Wellington-street, on Monday, 2nd February, at 3 o'clock. Friends are invited to attend.

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

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1880.

For the cause that lacks autstanca, For tho wrong tha needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that wo can do.

Our correspondent, Mr Bussell, of Waitakerei, last week, in vigorously denouncing successive Gove?mnents for their treatment of the jNorth Auckland district, but echoes/ >ire believe, the opinion of every porsi^ who has the slightest knowledge o.atoir interest in public affairs. Whetlig,?' or not the settlers would be justified in resisting the collection of the now tax or in opposing actively or passively its pay ment, is a horse of another colour. But it is not so much the taxation phase of this question which wo intend to touch upon, as that of the neglect of tbo North Auckland district. As a railway is already in course of construc tion from Newmarket to connect with the Helensville lino at Kumeo, wo will exclude the country proposed to bo tapped by it. This line, we believe, will be completed in the course of twelve months, when Mr Russell and his fellow-settlers will not have the same excuse as they have had hitherto of objecting to bo taxed for interest on borrowed money. In this respect those settlers residing northwards of this point have a substantial grievance. If the increased taxation to which we have recently been subjected, and which may be further increased, has been rendered necessary through the borrow ing of these millions for railway and immigration purposes, it is a most in equitable—we might say iniquitous— proceeding to lay these increased bur dens on the settlers occupying the peninsula from the North Shore to Bay of Islands and Mongonui. We opine that one of the main objects aimed at in a system of Colonial rail ways, is to open up the waste lands so as to facilitate settlement. In Great Britain and older countries, of course, tho purely, commercial idea prevails, and thus railways, for the most part, came into competition with well-made roads and canals in affording speedier and cheaper transit between centres of population. But in a new country, almost uninhabited, with millions of acres of land awaiting occupation and cultivation, and the success ful settlement of which consti tutes the development of the Colony, railways have a different function to perform. They have been proved to be in America by far the mosfc economical means and the most efficient in promoting the settle ment of .thousands of millions of acres. In this way the State reaps indirectly the benefit of its outlay. Undoubtedly, when a railway scheme is proposed and entered upon, the whole cost of which is. intended to be defrayed out of the consolidated revenue, it is absolutely imperative that those lines should be constructed first which will most speedily utilise the public estate, so as to spread population, stimulate and increase production. For the mostpart these principles have not been complied with in New Zealand. It appears, on looking closely into the extension of the scheme, that it has tended more to enrich a comparatively small class of ratherto well-to-do settlers, has caused an increase of speculation in land rather than an increase of settlement. We think that the North Auckland district offers an excellent opportunity for the development and extension of bona-fide settlement by an application on these principles. We estimate roughly the distance from Helensville to Whangarei at 80 miles, and from Whangarei to Hokianga at eighty more; and.webelive that a railway between those points would open up for profit able settlement an area of country hitherto practically inaccessible or un profitably cultivated, of nearly 2,500,000 acres, that is on an average of 13,000 acres to every mile of rail way. A large proportion of this area is heavily timbered, and consequently good • agricultural land, a number of extensive kauri forests would likewise be rendered available. The whole of it is well watered, and while some of it is rather broken, and some of it a poor clay, what with its magnificent climate and abundance of timber, a very small portion, indeed, would be found in time below the margin of profitable cultivation. Nearly a million acres of waste lands would become available for settlement, which in itself would largely recoup the expenditure. The best land which such a railway would intersect lies towards tho Northern end, between Hokianga and Mongonui, while the worst is towards the southern extremity, but by making slight devia tions here and there, the line would in no part whatever pass through a patch

of lahd which would not be 100 per cent better than that between River head and Helensville, and no part of the line need be cut through land that, could not be profitably cultivated. A./ very considerable acreage between Wa ngarei and Kaukapakapa iias been crown granted for the last fifteen years under the forty-acre system, and has never been occupied, probably about 50,000 altogether in Waikekie, Mar eretu, Paparoa, Maungaturoto, etc., but these would doubtless assume Occupa tion or sell. Otherwise a rate or tax on absentees would soon bring these acres into the market. It would seem indeed as if the isol ation of this beautiful region from the immediate neighbourhood of Auckland city, and the want of direct and easy communication had caused it to be nearly if not altogether forgotten ; but this was not always so. It appears as if it were but yesterday when the 40 acre scheme was launched forth under the mid-wifery of the late John Williamson, nil nisi de mortuis, <fee., but what a failure it wad. The idea of granting land in a perfectly inacces sible country, to people totally unpro vided with the means, for the most part, of helping themselves, was one of the crudest, and argued a very large faith indeed in the heroic. Let us hope the time will come, and that ere long, when the bright visions conjured up in the old "New Zealander" will be realized, and this magnificent country, tarrying so long for the ox and the plough, will become jocund with the lowing of cattle, the bleating of sheep, co-mingled with the human voice, and the melody of the Church going bell.

The object of yesterday's meeting in favour of aid to the distressed families in Ireland appeals at once to our humanity and national spirit. Though far removed by distance, we must not forget that we are members of a great Empire, and the cry for help which has elicited a generous response when raised by the starving operatives of Lancashire, or the famine-stricken]H.indoos, toilin" and dying beneath the torrid Asiatic sun, Bliall surely not fail when put forth by those who are endeared to the nation by the nearest ties of kinship, and associations linked with the greatest events of national history. Tho failure of crops and distress has proved to be more serious and wide spread than was anticipated, and the need for extraneous aid, proportionately greater. We cannot paint the horrors of such a visitation, and its claims to our sympathy in more eloquent language than that used by Archbishop Vaughau at the meeting to establish a relief fund, convened by tho Mayor of Sydney. He said: "The famine of 1847 afforded me ' pictures of heartrending distress. I recall the efforts of tho people in 1846 to make good tho losses of the previous year. I re member the iiorce energy with which they worked. (Cheers.) I recollect the blasting of their hopes, when in one single night the green crop over hill and in the fertile valley was shrivelled and blackened by the univer. sal blight. The population were literally driven into their graves. Their former energy bad turned to a stolid, silent despair. It was a common sight to sec the cotter and his family sitting on the fence of their little holding, looking silently and with a vacant stare upon the black crop of blighted pro mise, which they bad worked hard to plant, but which was rotten in the earth. You might address them, [and they would not speak to you. You might try to cheer them, but it was too Lite. They folt their hour had come, and they had to follow others to the grave. One might crawl away at night, and rest in some doorway out of the moonlight ; on opening the door in the morning, tho servant, or master, of the house, found v corpse. The spirit had departed to its everlasting rest. Others would lie down to dream of feasting and fullness, and wake up to starve and die. It seemed as if tho peasant work' of Ireland, that noble race, was absolutely coming to an end." I remember that all famines are much tnc same in their aspuois uf dis tress, and when I think how much the Irish people had suffered in the past, I feet all the more moved to assist them in their present necessity. (Choers.) lean see now, in imagination, a peasant family in Ireland. The old man and his wife, and his son and his wife, and tho little children. The early promise of a crop has ended in blight and rottenness; the little field of corn is under water; tho cot in which they live is soaked with the winter's rain; and shrieks with the winter wind. There is no smoke from tho big chimney—for there is no fire—the turf is soaked, and is melting into a black slime. They are all shivering in damp rags, huddled together—you can scarcely say they liavo any clothes. Look at the old man. He wears the Victoria Cross. He battled in the trenches in the Crimea, and his brothers and those before him— they were always to tho front where the British flag was (loud cheers)—always ready for the forlorn hope, to spill their lives for the glory of the Empire. (Cheers.) Look at the younger woman. She cannot last long. All her children are not with her. One fell in South Africa, and she wept as .bitter tears as any Empress wept over the corpse of her only son. (Cheers.) Another is in Australia free-selecting, active, energetic, and well to do; the rest are round her knee begging for food, which sho cannot give to them. I seem to see three hands stretched out towards Australia ; a child's, a woman's and a man's. The child's is not plump, like other children's, butmoro like a bird's claw; the woman's is so thin, her marriage ring is quite loose upon her finger, the man's hands arc stretched out and clasped. And I hear the younger woman cry out " O you, who live amidst flocks and herds, amidst cornfields and vineyards, in a land in whose bosom the gold dwells—ye English, for our family have fought in many a bloody fiold, send us some succour quickly. (Uheers). Ye Scotch, who belong to the same wide Empire—(cheers)—do not forget us; and you Irish, O you my countrymen I Misere mini raci miseremini mci, saltern vos amici mci, quia manus Domini tetiget mo—have mercy on me, have mercy on me, at least you my friends, for the hand of the Lord hath touched me." (Cheers). Your Wor ship, Ladies, and Gentlemen, let not a great peasantry perish ; no one can replace them j or in the sweet words of one of Ireland's sweetest poets :— •' Hard fares tho land to hastening hills a prey, Whore wealtti accumulates and men decay ; Princes and lords may flourish or may fade, A breath can make them, as a breath has made, But a bold peasantry, their country's prido, When once dostroyed can never be supplied." The response in Sydney and Melbourne has been worthy of the people and the cause, and we feel sure that the citizens of Auckland will not be one whit behind their fellow-colonists in the practical and liberal expression of their sympathy.

The electors of City West who have under taken the duty of calling Mr Hurst to account for his stewardship seem fated to allow their zeal to outrun their judgment. The meeting held during the session, at which Mr Hurst was formally hung, drawn, and quartered, in spite of his plea for a chance of making a defence, was unpre cedented and un-Euglish, and the deputa tion who waited on him to-day to present a requisition embodying the request that he shall address a meeting of his constituents have repeated more effectually the first blunder. The form of requisition itself was a mistake. Instead of stating iv three lines the request the deputation had to make, a wordy document,traversing Mr Hurst'spoliti cal action, had been prepared.anda letter was sent asking him to appoint a time for re ceiving a deputation on the subject. These preparations resulted in what might haveboen iuferrcd was tho desire of the deputation, Mr Hurst had prepared a written reply. At the appointed time this morning the deputation met their representative, in his office, and went through the ceremony of reading the address, which was followed by several questions and remarks. Mr Hurst then opened out a paper with, the intention of reading his reply to the document that had been presented to him, when he was abruptly told that the deputation would take no answer but a direct yes or no. Notwithstanding assurances given, in reply to questions, that the statement was neither iv defence of his conduct in Wel lington, nor in lieu of a public meeting, the spokesmen of the deputation persisted in refusing to hear any reply except in the form the deputation had chosen to dictate, and terminated tho interview by an abrupt withdrawal. We think there.can be no two opinions that, in this extraordinary proceeding, these gentlemen have misrepresented the constituency of City West, and |particularly those electors who had signed the requisition. If the whole thing was not concocted simply as a piece of bully-ragging, and with no bona tide intention to get the member to address

his constituents, the deputation have taken the most effectual way to give it that cpm plexip.a:\ It was fully within the province of ihefidoputation, or any member of it, to object cithpr t<stmv form or nature of the reply, and, if .lap^t;'. satisfied, to insist upon something mcjrev explicit after they had 7ieard^it\ but jhavinß»first of all leceived a courteous reception! and fair hearing for theft written request, good taste and common sense' equally required that the deputation should also have listened to the written |:eply before-taking exception to it.

An important Reuters telegram appears among our cable messages to-day. The losses sustained_ by the Russians in their recent reverses in Turkestan are said to be so heavy that operations are suspended, and the abandonment of the expedition is seriously contemplated. The mere loss of camels in a country where the chief diffi culty to be overcome is that of transport— which, indeed, is one of the fundamental conditions of success in all modern cam paigns, and more particularly in the east— must have been a severe blow to the expe dition. That it is temporarily crippled is probable, but we do not believe that the amour propre of the Russians will submit to a total abandonment of the project, though they may defer it until a more favourable opportunity. We have received a letter from a seaman of the barque Glimpse, detailing his experi ence of life in general on that vessel, which he endeavours to show was not of a very pleasant nature. ' The writer concludes by expressing the opinion that the captain of barque was reprehensible for not putting into some port, between Timaiu and Auck land, when the vessel was making water at such a rate that the crew never left the pumps. He also thinks they deserve some recognition from the Insurance Companies for their exertions. Signor Chiarini hit upon a novel method of drawing a big house at Dunedin. He offered to admit the Parihaka prisoners free of charge. The Government, however, did not see the propriety of the thing. The Premier, the Hon. John Hall, left Wellington yesterday on a visit to Canter bury. The winner of the prize in the baby show, for babies under twelve months, was Mrs Burko. Our reporter, ivho is a modest young man, and a believer withal in Shake speare's opinion that "a young man married is a man 'that's marred," has inspected the victorious infant, at a safe distance, and pronounced it a fearful and wonderful thing to look upon. He says ■whether that baby is destined to achieve greatness, he will not undertake to predict, but it has certainly been "born great." Another litterateur, upon whose head time has begun to lay its destructive hand, but who is a connoisseur in babies, says he remem bers the " Fat Boy," but that remarkable infant would have had to take a back seat at Thursday's Show. The winner ot the prize for babies under six months was Mrs Pitt. To the Editor:, Sir, —I wish to draw attention to the distributing of the Sunday school prizes at St. Pauls, on Tuesday evoning. The Sunday-school scholars who have to work hard all the year, attending school, saying lessons perfectly, behaving themselves well, were presented with paltry books, some in the second class not being worth a shilling. In contrast with this, let one of your subscribers just take a glance at the choristers' prizes, and he will sec the difference. One of them especially is worth nearly as much as all the Sunday school prizes put together. Tho names of the Sunday-school scholars were not men tioned in your paper of Tuesday; while all tho chorister's names were.—Yours, Fair Play. [Perhaps the difference was intended as a special reward for tho notoriously bad behaviour of the chorister boys in Chuich. — Ed. E.S.] Tho railway returusfor the month ended 13th December v\vc the following receipts : —Kaipara, £458 13s lid ; Auckland, £4,525 8s 4d ; Napier, £2,107 17s ; Wel lington, £2,3(54 14s 9d ; Wanganui, £2,836 5s Sd ; New Plymouth, £44S lO.s lid ; Christchurch, Oamaru, Dune din, and Invercnrgill, £«>,357. 16s 2d; Grcynumth, £711 12s fid; Westport, £32916a 2d ; Nelson, £(M 2 15s Id ; Pioton, £380 17s Sd. The English capitalist is not so verdant as somo colonists imagine. At Oamaru tho late Mayor, Mr Steward, conceived the brilliant idea of Bonding homo a photograph of the harbour and breakwater in order to convince the English money-lcuders that grout prof/ress had been made. Tho photo, graph went homo in due course, but the members of the Stock Exchange, while admiring the beauty of the scenery, the excel lence of the photograph, and the brilliancy of tho idea which prompted their transmission Home, cooly remarked, " We do not want photographs. Whero are your securities?" To the Editor : Sir, —Tho purely natural and innocent occupation of expert boat sail ing gives plea&uro to all lookers-on, but a regatta is much marred by that which any passer-by observed last evening, viz., a crowd of men aud youth assembled around the doorway of, a public drinkiug-houso, eager to learn results belonging to the former day'? recreation. It is simply a dis credit to the Regatta Committee (mer chants ?) that such premises should be chosen for transacting biisincsn when a larue oflice or room could easily be obtained, and thus in aomo degree at least associa tions of an evil kind, with that whiph is otherwise so pure a recreation, be avoided. Perfectly neutral ground should in every case be chosen for such matters, aud nd one can aflirm that a public house can be so called.—Yours, &c, S. Rout. A New Zealand "Gazette" published yesterday contains the following notifi cations: —The terms and conditions of the special settlement in To Puko block, Tau ranga, by Mr Vesey Stewart. The appoint ment of his Honor Judge Johnson aud Mr W. S. Reid, Solicitor-General,, as com missioners under the Revision of Statutes i Act, 1879, are gazetted. R. E. Thomas has been appointed cadet in the Resident Magistrate's Court, Auckland. Mr John Sperry has been appointed Property Tax Commissioner for the colony, under the Property Assessment Act, 1879. .The. following are the comparative returns of number of telegrams, forwarded, revenue received, and'value of Government tele grams transmitted during the quarters end ing September, 1878 and 1879. Telegrams forwarded, September quarter, 1878, 364,020 ; quarter, 1879. 327,248 ; cash re venue received, Septeruoor quarters, 1878, £20,903 0s 6d; 1879. £17,800 19s 9d ; value of Government telegrams, ; September quarter, 1878, £5916 15s 9d; 1879, £5961 12s Sd. .: i ;. •. A good-looking young man, who gave his name, Richard James Dunn, was rather surprised yesterday, on leaving the Police Court,by being arrestedby, two constables and taken before the sitting Magistrate. The young man was almost Bpecchless with astonishment, and espesially whon ordered to be kept in custody until the closing of the court. ' The chargo was contempt of court, viz. running dowi the stairs from Mr Cotter's oflice, and hinieriug the business of the police court. These disturbances by office lads, in running down stairs, are of daily occurrence, and becoming a nuisance. Mr Dunn acknowledged his fault, but ex pressed his regret; he vas in a great hurry and had on a new paii of boots of a vocal character. His Worship gave the young man a caution, and sail on the next inter ruption of the kind, the person so offending would certainly be punished for contempt of court. ■ A wish was expressed that the press would take notioo of the caution for the beneiit of young men who have occasion to visit the upstairs offices. AYe would re mark, however, that'itis almost impossible to go up or down these stairs without mak ing a noise, as the stain arc quite bare. At the offices in Wellington attached to the court, thick matting orshcets of leather are laid down, fastened on tho edge with strips of zinc. This prevents interruption by hasty footsteps, and if somefhing of the sort was used in this instance, the daily an noyance would cease, or be considerably reduced. < The new district school, at. Devonport, was opened last evenug with some eclat. Mr O. Maya, who presided, delivered a congratulatory address,in which ho referred to the excellence of the building ajid the efficiency of the teachers. The H ra. F. Whitaker, after complimenting the North Shore residents on the progress of the district, went on to say that Now Zealand had surpassed all the sister colonies, except Victoria, in the matter of provision for education, h e also pointed out. the ueces eity of education from a political aspect, the avenues for advancement which it opened up, and the satisfactory results which had attended the existing system. He was convinced that Auckland would soon be abreast of more fortunate Southern' pro vinces in the matter of educational facilities, Mr Reader Wood, M.H.R., contrasted \tho modern advantages offererd to studentswjth those of the last century, and paid a tribute to the services rendered to the cause .of education by James Watt, George Stephen son, and Thomas Faraday, who had sprung from the humblest ranks of tho people.— j Rev. Mr Bates said he aprroved of the1 existing system, and would disturb it only: to effect improvement. An apology was* received from Mr W. J. Hurst, absent I through indisposition. The Auckland Gleo ' Club and other vocalists gave soni<s choice j selections daring the evening, * I mimii—'i i ■■■n ii*'TilTllWihiT~iii . ,■. '

A man named Alexander Weeber, who war arrested at Christchurch for obtaining £3 17s 6d from Myers, a picture-frame maker in Wellington, by means of false pretences was committed for trial pretences Was committed for trial. Newmarket Hall was filled last night, oa the occasion of the first meeting of the Remuera Band of Hope, the Rev* G. B. Monn, the president of this Society, in the chair, The chairman addressed the meet ing, also Messrs Newman, Jenkin, Hogg* and Farrell, urging the claim of this Society on their sympathy and support, the inter vals being filled up with very choice and instrumental music, rendered by entirely local talent. Twenty-six new members were added to the members of this Society. To the Editor: Sir,—While Mrs Britten was here I sent a very few lines to the " Herald " asking the question whether the lady could legallychargeforadmissionto her lectures on {Sundays, but they condescended no reply, why, I cannot say. Seeing they have set their face against the minstrels on Sunday, I will ask you Mr Kditor the same question '! I have it from the best authority that Mrs Britten was stopped in Melbourne from charging admission on Sun days. I know that in London to evade the law by charging for a refreshment ticket. My 'own conviction is they cannot charge for admission. If I am wrong I want to know why they should be allowed to drive a trade on Sunday, while myself and others are debarred that privilege, and to prove that we are in that position it is not very long since a citizen of Auckland was fined for selling a few cigars on that day 1 Now, believing as I do that the Sunday was given to make life happy in this world, as will as a means to fit him for the next, I think we may be spared a pecuniary com petition by professionals for there is no doubt if one section make its pay—we shall have another in the field sharp.— Yours, etc., Chakles G. Hill.—[The question is a legal one which newspapers do not usually undertake to answer. If our correspondent; consulted five lawyers, be would probably get as many different replies.—Ed. E.S.] The Sunday-school choir of St. Matthews', under the direction of Mr T. H. Webb, had a very successful practice of a passage from the " Messiah " last evening, prepara tory to their concert to be held in the middle of February. The singing of the scholars was praiseworthy, showing the advantages of regulaiity and careful study. The prizes, won at the sports in sonnec tion with the United Friendly Societies' Demonstration, on Regatta day, will be presented to the'successful competitors at the farewell entertainment of the Mammoth Minstrels, on Monday night in the Lorne strcet Hall. The winners therefore of the different events (including tho womens', girls', and baby showj are requested to call for complimentary tickets at Mr Cobley'n Queen-street. To the Editor, Sir,—The members, or perhaps the Executive only of the Auck land Choral Society, were unwise in their lato trespass on the fourth commandment inasmuch as it offered a precedent which is now as might well be expected, quickly followed by a Sunday amusement of the same kind for gain, making the Sabbath a day which means work (to cabmen and other servants) business and profit. A heavy responsibility rents upon the chief movers of the above Society in thus publicly disre garding the scored commandment, and advocating by example a Parisian Sabbath. Let us hope there are yet to be found among the members some who will stand boldly out and "Dare to be a Daniel" in this matter.—Youra &c, FOURTH COMMAND MKNT. The " Battle of the Chairs" is the term which the'"Daily Times " applies to the recent warm discussion in the S.ynod of Otago, on the question of establishing a chair for moral Philosophy and political economy. One member informed the Rev. Dr Stuart that he was "disloyal" to his Church, and another delivered himself of an oration which Mr E. B. Cargill, with more truth than politeness, described as " miserable balderdash from beginning to end I" Rev. Mr Bannerman compared tho University Council to "a viper " which " a husbandman"—namely, the Synod—"had warmed in his bosom." A first instalment of £700 for the Irish Relief Fund was cabled home from Welling ton yesterday. Tho following gentlemen wore elected a committee of the Newton East school for the ensuing year:— Messrs McGregor, Downey, Garret, Marsdcn, Donald and Nesbitt. Tho monthly fruit mission "will bo held to-morrow afternoon on the greonsward in front ot the Provincial Hospital. As this will possibly be the last distribution of fruits for soycral months to the inmates, a service of song will bo given by Mr Charles Blsmficld and his pupils, forming the Evangelic choir. A collection will also be made for tho purpose of assisting in liquidating tho cost of the Iruit, amount ing to £12 10s. Several friends favourably entertained the idea of a monthly fruit mission at tho hospital, an idea due to Mr It. Lincoln who first suggested it. Tho handsomo addition latoly mado to St Andrcw'H Church, in the shape of a new organ galleiy is now completed, arid on Monday evening next it is to be opened with a concort which we hope to to see most liberally patronised. We must congratulate the membero of St. Andrew's on the vast improvement they have effectod in the now disposition of tho organ and choir. We can only speak in terms of the highest commendation of the simplicity and purity of taste displayed by the designer, who we learn is Mr P. Herapath, [architect, of this city. The gallery is 17 feet wide and occupies the entire width of the north end of tho church. The gallery front is formed of open ballustrading, supported by cix iron columns. The organ has now been erected in tho centre of the gallery. Mr Oliphant was the contractor for the gallery, and is^o be congratulated on the faithful carrying cut of tho work. Tho removal of the organ has been completed under the direction of Mr Culpan, sen.

Tho Sundayservices are announced in the usual column. A service for seamen, conducted by Dr Cowio, Bishop of Auck land, will be held iv the lower part of the Insurance Buildings at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The evening service for the people in tho Theatre JKoyal at 8 o'clock. Addresses by ministers and hymns by the There will be Divine Service conducted in the new school-room at Henderson's Mill, to-morrow, at half-past 2 o'clock (weather permitting). Tho residents will please announce to their friends. The service is in connection with tho Wesleyans who con template taking up the Sundays which are now vacaut by other congregations. The school-room is kindly lent by the new committee. This will be a great boon to havo regular worship every Lord's day. The Presbyterians one day, and the Wcs« loyaus the other.

TAURANGA RACES.

Merlin won tho Handicap, Vengeance, second. Doubtful won the Hurdle E.ice; Elsa ).ed until last hurdle at which she sworved. Vengeance won the Pony Race.

GRAND SUNDAY EVENING CON CERT.

A grand concert will be held in the Choral Hall by the Mammoth Minstrels to-morrow evening. This troupe, than whom a better cunuot be found in the Australasian colo nies, have held sacred concerto on Sundays at Wellington, and other cities of New Zealand. TTbe performancea in each case havo been highly commended by the Press. Tho programme for to-morrow evening is au excellent one, and our musical lovors will bo enabled to hear tho inspired conceptions of tho great masters rendered in the way they should be. The concert will commence at 8.15 with an overture by the orchestra, their selection being the "Gloria in Excelsis," from Mozart's sublime 12th Mass. Mr Beaumont Read will sing, " He was Depised," and his beautiful voice will doubt loss bo productive of a charming effect. He will also [sing in tho second ptfrt |" Sweet Bye and Bye." MrAmery will sing tho fine baas song "Pro Pecatis" from the " Stabat Mater" of Rossini, while Mr Camp bell will sing Gounod's " Nazareth." This last piece will uo doubt be a gem, as, when Nazareth is .correctly rendered 'with solo and chorus, a great treat is experienced by the audience. A trio from the Elijah, " Lift Thine Kyes," will be played by three cornuts. This jWill undoubtedly good, as well as being novel. The is the programme : — " Gloria" (Mozart), quar tette; "The Sabbath Day" (Kreutzer); "Consider The Lilies" (Glover); "If With All Your Hearts" (Mendelssohn); ''Pro Pecatis" (Stabat Marter), (Ros sini), violin solo (Bellini), "He Was Despised" (Handel), "Nazareth" (Gounod). Part ll.—Overture (Reyloff), quartette, "|Oli|Holy Night|"|(Kreuter), " EcceJDeus Salvator Meus" (Cliffton), "How Many Hired Servants" (Sullivan), trio, three cornets. Tickets for the entertainment can be obtained this evening at the Auckland Music Warehouse, Upton and Co., stationers, or of Mr Finch, Qneen-atreet, and to-morrow evening [at the doors. With such a pro gramme the Company deserves a good .bouso.

TELEGRAPHIC.

■^UNITED TRESS ASSOCIATION.] i ( GRAHAMSTOWN, this day. Up to floon there was ho sign of,the Naval Brigade and Cadet piniiaces -Which left Auckland for here yesterday morniDg. GOLD RETURNS. :; r/ The Moanatairi cleared up this morning for a fortnight, and obtained 4350zs frpm TluTamalgam obtained from the quartz crushed from the Alburnia for the past fort night was retorted this morning into a bar of gold weighing 575Jozs, making a retnra for the month 1,7090z9. ■ The North Devon tributers, Garvey ana party obtained 1240zs from 22 loads. SHAREMARKET. Sales this day : Alburnia, 97s 6d ; [Old Whau, 85s; Moanatairi, 555; Queen or Beauty, 6s 6d. WELLINGTON, Friday. At the Supreme Court to-day, in the action of J. S. Macfarlane and others v. Rees, claiming £1000 damages for slander of title in connection with the estate of Oaptian Read, of Poverty Bay, tne jury entered a verdict for the plaintiffs for £75 with costs. Young Scott, the pedestrian, arrived here to-day. He will essay to walk 112 miles in 24 hours, commencing on the sth insr. CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Rev. J. Berry delivered a very interesting lecture last evening on his trip to England. A farther conference of volunteer otficers and licensed victuallers was held last night., The question of billeting the men at the eastern review wa3 considered and eventu ally adjourned till Monday for nnal arrangements. In a paddock of wheat on Little Bros., Alendale's property, Waikari district, 152 grains were counted on one stem. _ &*«"• sheaf of these heads is to be exhibited in Waikari township. At a meeting of the Papanui sparrow club this week, it was suated that for the past six months upwards of 30,000 eggs, ond 5000 heads had been received. DUNEDIN, this day. The vital statistics for January show births, 182; marriages, 27 ; deaths, 52. Brooks has a good lead in the 24 honrs go in the As-You-Pleaso match with Delaney. The Wcsleyan Conference here has agreed to the following allocation for Ministers for the year 1880 :—Auckland district—Pitt atreet: William Morley, H. R. Dewsbury; J. Hobbs, J. Warren, supernumenes. Wesley College, Thomas Buddie: Home Mission and Churctt Extension Society, Thomas Buddie (general Secretary), Whakapuaka, Home Missionary; Mahu raugi, Home Missionary ; Auckland, Graf ton Road, and Famell, Gv Bond, J. Wallis; H. H. Lawry and J. Whewell, supcrnumaries ; Thames, W. G. Watkins ; Coromandel, Home Missionary; Upper Thames, one wanted; Mannkau, J. Law ; Waikato andPukekohc, L. Isitt; Waikato, H. Bull, C. Griffon; Raglan, Aotea, ana Kawhit, Cass, H. Schnackenberg; Wirerau Paore, native minister, Kakakawa; Hamiora Ngarope, native minister, Whata whata; Kaipara, William Gittos ; Ota matea, Adam Clark, Coughcy; Paparoa, Martin Luther; Waititi, native minister ; Wairoa, G. W. J. Spenco; Aratapu, Hokianga, G. Hammond; Wairu, Kami kaka, Waikerupuru (Naheke), Kawakau, Walter L. Salter; Whangaroa and Man conui, one wanted; Wirerau Pera (Kale Whangarei), C. Abernethy j William Mor ley, chairman of the district. Joseph Berry has leave of absence for one year to reside in Eudand. J. W. Isitt has permission to visit England.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Five persons pleaded guilty to drunken ness, and were subjected to the penalty. THE TWO MARYS. Mary Kennedy and Mary McKillarnay were severally charged with ;drunkcnnetss and riotous conduct last night in Chancery Lane. Constable MeGilp arrested the prisoners. Their conduct was not of a serious character. Fined 5s each. RUSTIC FELICITY, Robert Matthews, of Panmure, was charged with assaulting Mary Ann Mat thews, on the 27th inst. The defendant, it appeared, had been drinking excessively for some time, and was suffering from delirium tremens, and unable to plead. Prisoner was sent to a place of safety for eight days to complete his recovery. SABAH'S GIXGHAM. Sarah Korslakc, alias Crumpett, was charged with violently assaulting Mrs Jane Andrews by knocking her down with a gingham umbrella, on the evening of the 29th inst. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mrs Andrews, a married lady deposed that four years ago she took one of the prisonerh' little girls to train and educate en tirely out of good nature, with a view of saving the child from a life of infamy. Prisoner was in the habit of going to the Bank where the and her husband were employed, abusing her, and using language of the worst description. She went yester day, insulted her grossly, and struck her violently on the head with her umbrella. If the poor child went back to her mother, she would be ruined. The little girl, whose appearance did great credit to Mrs Andrews, avowed that she could not live with her mother, her way of living was so wickod. Ifsho km scut to her mother she would run away. Detective Jeffery said ho had known prisoner for some years as a bad character. She was not a person to have charge of the child. His AVorship said this was not the first time prisoner had been before the Court for assaulting Mrs Andrews for her kindness in taking care of the child ; but warnings had been useless in her case, and her promises of no avail. She must now now be punished for the assault, she must bo imprisoned with hard labour for one month ; aud at its .termination must find to sec are ties in £50, to keep the peace for six months. STABBING A BOY. Thomas McCarthy was brought up and charged with stabbing William Cain, and robbing him of money and clothes, on the 27th inst. at Mercury Bay. Sub-Inspector Pardy stated that the lad, Cain, was leaving Mercury Bay, where he had been employed, when he was stopped by McCarthcy,. who drew a clasp-knife, stabbed him, and then stripped him of every thing he possessed, leaving him apparently dying on the ground. The wounded youth was found, and information .given to Constable Rcillcy, who attended to the lad, and then arrested the prisoner. McCarthy, a rough-looking individual manifested the utmost indifference on hear ing the charge. As the wounded youth lies in the hos pital in a precarious condition, the heating of the case was held over until Monday. FAILING IN PAYMENT. Charles Johnson, was again charged with failing to pay, in accordance with an order of the court, towards the support of hia children in the- Industrial Home. I Defendant paid 7s 6d on account. Ij Remanded for a month. This was all the business.

MAMMOTH MINSTRELS.

The season of these talented Minstrels is drawing to a close iv the Lome-street Hall. These minstrel performances are unques tionably the best that have been represented before an Auckland public, and would not disgrace the boards of St James' Hall, The audience last night was large, fashion able, and critical. The first part was de voted to ballads, 'comic and sweet, witty sayings, and clever puus. The sketches of literary characters, the influence of echoes, and beforo and after marriage, were particu larly good. Bon's wife, for instance, was a flower of beauty and the cream of love in the hours of courtship, (but after tho mar riage (service she turned sour, and became flour iof sulpher and cream of tartar. Dickens was not a straight writer, because he wrote ." All-of-a Twist (Oliver Twist). . The songs were all good, aud highly com mendable. The burlesque of " Girofle- GiroflaJ" created great amusement; even Mr Riccardi laughed outright. The darkie sketches were full of fun, .md altogether it is a capital entertainment.

UNION STEAM SAW MOULDING SASH AND DOOR COMPANY (LIMITED).

The ordinary half-yearly meeting of this company was held to-day at their offices, Mechanics' Bay, at which a considerable number of shareholders attended. The company's operations for the past half-year show a profit of £3,135 15s 4d ; undivided, profits from 30th June, £3,236 3s lOd. Total, £6,371 193 2d, out of which it was decided to pay a dividend at the of 10 per cent., absorbing £4,171 4s 7d, and carrying balance to credit of profit and loss, new account. £2,200 14s 7d. Total, £6,371 19s 2d. Mr L, I>. ftathau was re-elected a director.

CABLE NEWS.

EUROPEAN.

' \ [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ' \rhe Adelaide Loan. N |> MELBOURNE Januaryj 31. ;;,'< The Adelaide Loan is v being | pladei^ >n the market*, without any pledge' by ,he colony that, no further Borrowing, vill be attempted for any definite' ieriod.' ■-.._ . ' . v: ' „' The Grape Disease. The phylloxera has been discovered n vines in the vicinity of Geelong, and ias caused a great dear of uneasiness imotag vine growers. • liib'an' Quotations.' '^;' LONDON. i • i"'-'' Tl' ; Januaty 30.. , The South Australian four-percent. loan of £3,250,000 is anpounced at a minimum of 92^. . ■ ■■■ _■ • ; The late native Governor of JellaLv bad: has joined the Afghan insurgents, whd are in strong force. ' ' ' , v; , ... Operations in Afghanistan. LONDON. , January 29. The latest from Afghanistan states bhat early hostilities maybe expected. General Roberts has been reviotualled and strengthened his lines of com munication; The " Standard" says that the .Bom bay division is expected to advance on Herat, and hand it over to Persia. Military operations, will be renewed at Cabul on 15th March, the Com mander-in-Chief in India, Sir C. F. Haines, commanding. LONDON. January 29. It is reported that Mahommed Jan died from recent wounds. . ♦

North Australian Loan.

LONDON.

[REUTBE'S SPECIAL CABIiEGBAMS.]

1 January 29. The South Australian four per cent loan of £3,250,000 is announced to-day, ■ the minimum being fixed at 92}. Tike Duckess of Marlboto'ugJl la Public. ■.'.'•. Alarge; meeting Was held In Dublin W day to consider the question of the relief of the distress. The wife of the Lord Lieu tenant of Ireland, ■ the Duchess of Marl boroufih, addressed .the meeting. She repudiated the assertions made by Mr Parnell in his recent gpeeches^n- America. Bank of England Beserve. '''«-' LONDON. '■ f <' '"• T'' ; J*BnarT ' ■ The total reserVo in note* and, bpllipn^in the Bank of England is £16,500,000.' , Obituary,r-Mr J ooke, member of Parlia ment for aouthwark. Heavy Bussian Xi6s3e's in Imrkestan. . ' LONDON. ; January 31. A report is current that the Kussian losses in camels and war material has been so great that they will be unable to 'continue their expedition in Turcoman country. Proposed Abandonment' of Expedition- . ;y It is further stated that the Russian Go vernment already contemplates abandoning the expedition. _, : :." :.- ,[/."

AUSTRALIAN.

[REUTEK'S SPECIAL CABLECIBAMS. | Mr Service at Malciom. MELBOURNE; Saturday. Mr Service addressed, the electors at Maklon last night, and said that bo would maintain intact his scheme of reform, in cluding the joint sitting on Norwegian system. lie severely criticised the .finan cial administration of the Government, and proposed that the railways should be placed bcyoud political influence. The Totalisator Bell. SYDNEY, Saturday. The Totalisator Bill was rejected in tho Assembly last night. £20,000 will be applied for the represen tation of New South Wales at the Melbourne Exhibition. SYDNEY. ' January 30. Hennessy's brandy, case, one star, 355; three star, 455; quarters, Is; kerosene, diamond, Is 8d; Devoe's, Is 9d>; rice, Patrm, £21 10s ; tobacco, raven's twist, Is 7d; sugar, Company's No. 1, pieces, £40; candles, DRJS, 8d to B£d ; maize, 2s 4d to 2s 6d; New Zealand oats, 2s 3d to 2s 6d ; New Zealand wheat, 4s to 4s fid ; Adelaide .wheat, 5s to 5s 7d; . Adelaide1 flour, £12 10s to £13. 1 ADELAIDE. ~ ~ January 30. Flour, £1010s, firm. ■< ! 1,- ■;• :• SYDNEY, - ~ ::.-:■ \ t January 30. Kelly and, Leon prodnco to-morrow a version of "Happy Land" prohibited in Melbourne. • t , i MELBOUKNE. .. , ■ ,; , , January -30.' .Arrived: S.s. Rotorua, from New Zea land. ,■■■■,-,■, ,;■;,.■■ ■~;■. ilv'lVl 1

Bank Prosecution Against a Merchant.

*.— — (From' our own Correspondent)/ TIM ABXJ, this day. ' F. A. SiM.s, a well-known merchant, was charged before ' the Magistrate's Court, on the information t>{ the manager .o{, the National Bank, with feloniously stealing twenty half-chests of tea, • 6,000 cigars, and aquapter-cjaWdf whiskey, the property'of the bank! The evidence for/the the pro secution, which i i now; on, shews that the goods were seized by the bank, Sims after wards offered to purchase them, the manager asserting;, that i SJms removed articles and sold them by auction, and then filled in his schedule, and when the manager wanted his • money, referred him to the1 creditors' trustee. V • ,

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST.- NORTHCOTE.

On la't Wednesday evening the Key J. Bates held a service ■tfhich was largely at tended, including mauy new residents of the district. The rev gentleman afterwards presided at a fully attended meeting. The annual statements having been passed, Showing a most favourable state of the Funds of over£3o to the credit of the church, and the building free from any incumben cies whatever, the Rev. Chairman ex pressed his pleasure for being able to form for the first time a Church Committee, and the following gentlemen were elected :— Major Benton, Messrs Matthews sen,, and jun., Roach, Thompson, Mayhew, and Bradney. Mr Hammond was appointed Minister's warden, and Mr Denby was re elected on behalf of the congregation Votes of thanks were cordially given to Mr and Mrs Matthews for their untiring zeal in supporting tne services of the Church. Also to Mi; Braduey in conducting the wofk of the Sunday-school, and to Mr Harcuurt the auditor. Votes were passed to defray the travelling expenses of Mr SmAllfield, the visiting Minister, also a sum of £2 to wards the purchase of a Mission . Horse to enatye Mr Bates, to pay more frequent visits, and for the use of any clergyman he might send to partially relieve Mr Mat thews of the duties he has for so long and faithfully maintained as lay-reader. Atten tion was drawn to the necessity of a more perfect mode of ventilating the building, which Mr Hammond was requested to carry out. This • meeting; the largest of any yet held, indicated a corresponding future of prosperity in the religious element.

Miss Lyon Hunter (to Herr Bogoluboffaki, the famous virtuoso, whose afternoon piano forte recitals are the wonder of the,world) " A—by, the-_by, Herr Bogolukoffski, we thought you might perhaps like to try the now piano ?" Chorus of ladies—" Oh, do, Herr Bogoluboffski ! Pray do !" . Herr 8., who has been asked to dine en famille, and spend the evening, "quite in a friendly way "—" Laties !If you vould berhaps yiah I should amuse ze gompany, kvite in a vriendly vay, I gan prcak ze boker on my arrm, I gan schwallow ze daple-schboons, and I gan schdick a lighted dallow-gandle in my mouse vizout pudding it out—but I gannotplay the piano after cUnne.r,—Punch.

Deputation to W. J. Hurst, Esq., M.H.R.

A , bEPUTATiW of City jWest elector*, headed by Mr T. Thomson; and comprising Messrs T. ffhwaitevM. Foley, C. J. Hill, Dunninghiun, Heming, Andrews, W. Leye, G. :Major,! Ford,! Knight, and Blade! waited upoh Mr J. Hitrst thismorniog at his office if or the,purpose' of presenting j>, requisition \ requesting.Mm to convene & meeting of (his constituents for the purpose of addressing, them on political matters. The deputation having been courteously received Mr T. Thompson (who acted as apokes-i man) said : We have been requested by ■ the electors oJL-Auckland pity West-toiiantl.,,^. you a requisition, the heading of which \ ■'■•' will, -with ybar/petfnission,- read, ■•-.{'tfje-'OV : gentleman then read the heading referred to). The requisition is signed by upward^**; of 300 of your constituents. : As I havo. nothing further I will hand it to you. , : • The'reqtiisition read as follows : " To' W. J.Hurst, Esq.; M.H.R.—jsir,~ " i We, the undersigned electors of City of-, i Auckland West, being anxious to hear your account of the proceedings of.the late session of Parliament, «nd more especially '■■ to be informed of the reasons which you ■ considered sufficient to justify you in traug. ':'I ferring your support from the Opposition, to the (Government party, beg to request that you will take an early opportunity of con vening and' addressing a meeting ofyonr constituents. The important stop which > yquideemed it necessary to take has been so ~,,. varibusly represented, that we are impatient /* to hear your personal1 explanation, and as ' members of yotir constituents, in accord- '•' ance with the request you forwarded from Wellington, have refrained from noticing ' their opinion in the matter, we hope you will at once call the electors together. ■-. ""Mr Thwaites : The signatures are all bona fide; Mr Foley: It is the public opinion of City West that we should wait upon you with 'i the: object of getting you to meet the ;' electors in order that they may consider § whether you have acted right or wrong. If sj the former, you will have their confidence, Mr Hurst: A reference is made in the re quisition to the City West meeting. Were> il you at that meeting, Mr Thompson ? - V;,i: " Mr Thompson :I do not thick that the ' requisition containsany such reference. Mr Hurst: Were you at the City West meeting? ■'■ 'J ..;: ■■'.?■■'■'•','['• ■ Mr Thompson : I was at several. - uwl' l Mr Hurst": Were you at the one held while I was at Wellington ? ••■.••■; ■ Mr Thompson : For what purpose was it J I held ? Mr Hurst-.The. one at which my conduct was condemned. '~7: ■ ]_■■ ~-,( , , ■!' • Tfhe question was then put to'severaL.. other members of the deputation, and; they acknowledged having been present. .■;;. 4w§| Mr|Hurst: If no gentleman wishes to put any questions to me, IwiUreadfoyoutha-V reply which I hare prepared^ •■' ma% :Mr Thompson : I must decline to Uatefi; T* to ariysuch replyj lor it is ha partot bnri'1.; business to do so, 'We will, with your per-. .t mission, retire. We did not come tolia^ to a statement Mr Fleming : We timply. ask a- reply fijjrg the request contained in the petition—that you will call a meeting. ./.'J" Mr. Hurst: X did not think th^t I .would, ■ bfe confined in this way. ' 1 prepared'sii t(v answer which I will give if you. .wiU^hgaj^, me. ,■. •■ I- ■'•!•!•■. i A member at the deputation desired to. ask a'question, but Mr Hurst remarkea '$$[ !,' heJhatf already inqnired if there "were anii™ questions, and that uoac were offered. Mr.W. Leys :" We wish to know if your written reply, is intended to.be in lieu orthe""' public mjeeting ? ; t ,/**■ "".'"■{-. ''-: Mr.Hurst': Hor,. but if ■.youwillhfarU, I' you will >e£ for [yourselves.1, ,'- . ~ Mr Fleming:1 T think'itch'an answer should be fi[iycn publicly, *and { ; not merely^, Mr Hurst: The answer which I'desire'ta make to yoii' contains no|expjanation of niy,,,. political conduct! and no, reference whatever/ to it.' If you' will nbt' hear it jli shall •$ | publish'if to" the- people through the Star. Mr'Tbompson : JWha.tever you like to - publish in the Star or " Herald "we ha^. nothing to do With, and it is no part of ont business to listen to any statement. We will receive only a simple "yes" or "no" ■. to'the request. ■' . Mr Hur»t: Well, as lam forced into the||'f.' position, I will have to give my answer through the press. To some extent there f has been an absence of the usual courtesy, '' biit that matters not. . You present an address embodying certain statements, and when I propose to n.akc an answer, you decline to take any other reply thaa a mere •/? "yes " or "no." Mr Thompson : We are a deputatioi^B simply to present the petition, and not,(Mß{ for the purpose of hearing any Bt»itf«nffl||p or answer. Messrs W. Leyg and Blade? Aaving reiW^-S; utedthestatementthat the jhly desire waslo knyv/ if the request would be acceded to/ - Mr Hurst repeaf<id that the answer - which he wisbs.^ io make was no defenca of bit conduct'at Wellington, but was a . simple anssvr to the request —one to wbicli ]■ he could jvteir : aX well give through the press.-* MiLathoaipE'tiu: We wish toavoid hearing ~ a stniement. vrhi«tii might be taken in lieu o t of qra aftdrofts personally to the electors. 'Ii | wgut so the plain with you, and I fiavb, tbctcfoifi told you.our rjeaaons for actingas;, ,i^eare. ,■• - :.-;::- '! -..■'■. -.j .. • ■• ;' .r.M Mr Hurat: You present a requisition to :i! which you require an answer, and yet whettj I propose to give that.answer, in my own : way you will not hear me. Mr Thompson: If you will say that-it^ states your willingness to call a public meeting we will have the statement, at . once. ' Mr Hurst: I conceive that to b? aa unfair i. thiug,to ask. Surely I have'the Überty.tq. -j giv'e'aii answer in my own form and way. | Mr Knight: I see nothing difficult in the way. 'of .answering straight: fprwatfMy, " Yes " or '"'* $0," the question if ybu%ju.',j '< address the electors. t ; >ii.. ■ « L Mr Hurst.—Your time is being wasted i^:i< djscussing the. matter.1 Ifih'nty'dwn way II am toot:'all6wed to reply I am-satufiej. that we need not take up further time, be* * catikemy 'answer, will1 be %qrea at anjr. rktO.' „,'•'..■.'., ,';.;,! I:'-'.''■■>'•;'.•','> •' ■■'';■; ' , "■Vff' j' i McThompson^Thero is something mora^ involved than'thiein'erc'^a^te of time:., Itz you/.floi:not wis"h;to-give a!ipoint blank ap.swer.'tft:the- questiou-iVWill-you call ypur, constituents together ?" ..wawwt tabs, oiii- leave, allowinß you ■to-publishin.tliß press what you wish to-say.; ° •■-■";.''';',:'; ( Mi; 6urst- repeated his .fornier^latenijait^ witk regard^ to the nature Hi his aris-^elf* W several members of the deputation scemett : inclined to'" hear "it whou Mr"' Thompson toojt;nj\fpr,m(«li leave and ..-'.iTOI? others tlien followed, aivd.the interview thus

ELLERSLIE SPORTS.

DESPITE the careful arrangements mafo&Ji a programme of sports at the Ellerslie (fife; d;cn§ this; afternoon, and .f&e InJl $$>m\i 'givfen', the'attendance is extremely'scsife Not more than a dozenpcrsonsxame front town by the" 2 o'clock train, and as the ■country visitors certainly do not number more the prospects of an adequate recom pense for the outlay incurred are siDgolwlp slight. The waiter at ; the refreshment booth is pensively proraenarding the pro* > cincts of his domain, ; while fevetwv venturous and sanguine gentlemen « speculative propensitias' are MM$W$: cursing their ill luck The gloom ottn^i sky overhead well consorts with the R\«o m of their feelings. Montague's Daintyv McDonald's Faritail, Williams' Polly,>"« McDonald's'. Akeake are doing sbme pre liminary spins. ' The spectators are S lß*"^ prepossessed in Akeake's favour*;.-J"-. 3.30 train has just brought a small accession to the numbers of the people. I flr.ru ■ ■^■>"'E°Mi

A minister who had been reproving ons^ (if his elders for bver-indulgence. obscrvea * (Sow go down to a stream, take a drink aqa then turn away1; " There," said he to dv>ji Offending elder, " is an example for■you-.. The cow has quenched its thirst, and. n» retired." " Yes " replied the other, th»t'?< very true. But suppose another cow » come !to the other side.of the stream.any had said, ' Here's to you,' there's no saymg now long.they might have gone on. .: " Bisschop" Gas Engine — TheGMOompjg;. have imported one of these nopel moror» >«■ jjgt. man power, which con be seen fYdriHMg Works. The engine is fixed to work a^ruuwj machine. The advantages claimed-iw.^ engine are, first, the small space it being self-contained, and requiringJ£ris#: tively no fixing; secondly, that it f^KS out, oil or grease to lubricate the Pi BS"i^n o«' it requires no water. It is related «£»*£«*■■ occasion one of these engines run "JjrLjjoitf. days and nights without stoppage attention. It will do the work of a BtroßS fltfi at a cost of Is per day. Further paraouw application to the secretary , , j^ Nobel's ' Patent DYNAMiTit.^BJ'_rei^ B ll experiments, and long and extensive w. the Australasian Colonies, and a" °Jifati!f i world, label's Patent has uncontroTe proved itself to bo about twenoiw-^jj. strotiger than every other brana.'"^^ mite is advantageously applied to.'JL'SaW quarrying basting in bardor soft.w^^doJ roska conifxaotion of tunnels. plearJrti,>clooi tree roots and; boulders, bresfaoK opW^rS' metal or stone, clearing away J^^ftj* " sunken rocks, torpedos, Btormin? strongs Some of its advantages are-unmen» .^ in labour, time and money. Ajn« r ßC** transit and storage, &c. with every five lb package. Buyers Bu^g sist in Retting "Nobel's." PrioM^^ ft duced.-N.8.-The company « -^i"Sve *.-. Btructor, now in Anrkland, t and wi» » pjitft information required.—Apply W /.*»_ ,j«| BndCo. l Aß6nts.:A» oldalul# •

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR SATURDAY. JANUARY 31. 1880.



Special Advertisements. ~f\ N SALE, Kcaraloy'fl Combined Keapera and Mowers Mangold and Turnip Drills Turnip SHoera Oilcake Breakers Winnowing Machines Lawn Mowers. Also, TO ARRIVE, PER 'INGLEWOOD/ Coulter's Corn, MangoW,1 Turnip, and Manure Drills, combined And Ploughs, double andlsingle Harrows Rollers &C. &c. &C The!abovo goods are imported directed from the manufacturers, and will be sold cheap to make room for further Bhipmente. V 7. J. HURST & CO., 181, Queen-street. T1 STABLISHED 185 5. s CHEAPEST £ BEST HOUSE £ QUALITY © IN M'AC|HINES THE! O ONLY. TRADE. g Vi V "W TT qhakespeaf*&o°" 246, QUEEN-STREET, Auckland. established 1855. CIOMMERUIAL H OTEL ' TK AWAMUTU, WA7.KATO. J. DEVIN Bega to inform the Auckland and Walkato Public that he has OPENED the NEW HOTE at To Awamutu, and will be happy the patronage and support Settler and tho Travelling Public. J D will spare no effort to make the COM MKKCIAL a First-class Family Hotel, and a popular resort for travellers. The Billiard Room is supplied with an Allcock Table, imported especially for the New Hotel. The best brands of Wines and Spirits. Good Stabling and Paddocks, J. DEVIN, Proprietor •TIFoTTINGHAM CASTLE HOTEL, J^ MORMNVILLE, PIAKO. JOHN WOOD . Begs to draw the attention of Tpurlsta and Travellers to the above Commodious and Ifondsomeiy furnished Hotel, in the cenge of SS^m^^tn'd SS%BS the colony for its exceUence, is always in stock. Good Stabling. Secure Paddocks. Buggy and Saddle Horses on Hire. j. WOOD. Proprietor. T B A T 15 S" HADDLBB AND HARNESS MAKER DUKE-STREET, CAMBRIDGE, ,IS NOW OFFERING: Good Strong Plough Harnessi from 45s per se Stock Saddles (a good comfortable article) £3 7s fid Stronß Stock Saddi.es (onr own make), £3 10 GENTS' ALL-OVKB HOQSKIN SADDLES, from Ladies' Saddles, from mOB. Bdgqy^l4bSs <s3ver-mo'unted), from £9. A Good Supply of Fancz Goods, Leggings, Courier Bagb Bio., Km, Bto. Kepairs executed with efflolenoy and dlspatoh by experienced workmen. 1.. B A"t E S,



Special Advertisements. TfIURNISH YOUR XrOIFSE FROM THE CITYIHALL FURNISHING AKCADE. FURNITURE .. sperct. Discount for Cash CARPETS .. _ 5 „ Discount „ LINOLEUM .. j, Discount , „ OILCLOTHS ..5 ~ Discount ~,. BUDDING .. ..5 „ Discount '■ „ ■ BEDSTEADS ..5 „ Discount „ TOILETWARE „ 5 ~ Discount „ TOILET & PIER GLASSES _ ..5 „ Discount „ FBNDERS&IRONS 5 „ Discount „ You are Invited to INSPECT GARLICK fc^RANWELL'S Carpets GARIJCK & CRANWELL'S Furniture GABLTCK & CRANWELL'S Iron Bedsteads GARLICK & CRANWELL'S Bedding GARLICK & CRANWELL'S Floorcloths GARLICK & CRANWELL'S Toiletware GARLICK fc CRANWKLI/Si Toilet Glasses GARLICK & CRANWELKS Fenaers fcjjons GARLICK & CRANWBLL'S Spring Mattresses GARLICK & CRANWELL'S Drawing Room Suites GARLICK & ORANWELL's Cane Chairs. Book Catalogues Sent Free. DESIGNS AND ESTIMATES GIVEN. /GARLICK & riRANWELL, CITY HALL ARCADE, Auckland. Q T O C K-TAK I N G -jBARGAINS!}- TI7ILLIAM T> ATTRAY, In preparation for Stock-taking, has REDUCED the PRICES of his Large Stock of SUMMER COSTUMES, SILK JACKETS, SUMMER SKIRTS, & PINAFORES, which he is now offering at such prices as must effect a Speedy Clearance. SILK JACKETS, Reduced from 57s 6d to 35s Ditto Reduced from £o 10s to SA -is Ditto Reduced from £1010a to £7 SUMMER COSTUMES, Reduced from 17s 6d to 10s 6d Ditto Reduced from 27s tid to 19s Gd Ditto Reduced from iit to 30s Ditto Reduced from £5 to £3 7a 6d BUMMER SKIRTS, Reduced from 7s 6d to 3s Ditto Rednced from 9s 6d to 6s Gd Ditto Reduced from 12s 6d to 8s Gd PINAFORES, Reduced from 7a Od to is Gd A1 W. RATTRAY'S COSTUME, MANTLB. MILLINKRY, AND General Drapery Establishment, NEW ZEALAND HOUSE, 66, Queen Stbeet, Auckland (Opposite the Bank of New Zealand). AUK riBEAT Q ALE OF MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING, HATS, CAPS, AND SHIRTS, COMMENCES fTHIS EVENING. All the New Shipments recently received will be sold at SALE "PRICES. AL X I KICKS. J. COB&KAVE & CO. A FEW GOOD REASONS FOR MAKING YOUR PURCHASES AT THE NEW rjTEALAND /CLOTHING Li \j ■CIACTORY. The Materials are manufactured In New Zealand. ' '. j The Garments are made in New Zealand. The Money is expended in New Zealand. The Stock to select fronvisjhelargegtjn New Zealand. The Cut and Trimmings are equal to bespoke. V ■ The Prices, considering the quality and finish, are lower than those of any other house in New Zealand. And notwithstanding the extra tariff just Imposed in Hew Zealand, there la ' £3T NO ADVANCE IN PRIOE3I You can still purchase . . A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE FBOM Tliß ■ ''■'•'• ''■ ■'■ '■ New i Zealand .Clothing , Factory. Auckland Retail Branch: QUEEN-STRIEIET. Opposite, Theatre Royal. im x a n a z i. JUST OPENED BY £ J^il NABURY & £10. 1 Case Frenchi MILLINERY. BONNETS, 1' Csuperb goodß, to be sold cheap 1 Case Ladies' TRIMMED HATS _ • __ 1 Case Children's PIN AFORKS, DRESSES, and liLOUSK3, the Largestand Choicest , Stock in the City : •„ 1 Case Ladies' Galatea, Stripe,, and Cold Lustre COSTUMKS 1 Case ladies' Cambric and Print Moctrn inq Wrappers, from 5a 6d each—so per cent cheaper than ever Bold in Auckland before 3 Cases FANCY GOODS, comprising all the Novelties of the Season. DBESSMAKING ON THE PREMISES. f A. LINABURY & CO., 204 AND 206, QUEEN-STREET. ; The hewP.C.S system nowbeing initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the. public. It has been a great success in Sydney ana Melbourne, and when strictly earned out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a^rapid Bale must be a great gainer. G. and C, sell their drapery, millinery, and clothing at such, prices for cash as gives the buyer .the advantagesi of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear portion of the loss Bhould the year's business prove unsatis factory. G. and C. will aim to retuin the con fidence which the publio have hitherto shown them, and are determined to give the pure caso. Byßtema fair trial; -whether they gain or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting casn. with order will be supplied with uoods at co onerative price?, just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furmuhing goods Buch as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding and general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own iaptory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative priceß. and a discount of five per cent. wil). be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. ttxr inir realised the entire value of me fltook durinj; the lato cash sale, the present stock is hew ahd VERY cheaply BOUGHT. An inspection te nvited.—Garuok and Cranwell, City Hall p.irntahing Arcado. aueen-Btroot, Auckland. '