SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

n r-n v/ATfT!I™1 Evening, 7.20 EUN BKT,—Thla Kvorini.-. C.lO B'.'N KiSIC.-To-Morriw Morninß, 5.1C MOON'S AG3s.—Full Moon, 26th 2.1 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

IyAST EVENING. Transit, Echooner, Uairaway (put back) T.J-DA t. To Anau, s.s., Carey, from Kuescll

LAST EVENING. Kncrgy. echooner. s-ivory, for Bnssell Onward, soliooner, Panlsow, for Kusscll

TODAY. Fer^gl n, ship, Bubb. for London To Anau, s.s., Carey, for the South,

DEPARTURES.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Bfolbonnie, via South,—To Anau, Thursday London Fornglon, loading Tiiuranj;a—GloneU.?, Wednesday For New Plymouth and Southern Ports —

Wellington, Wednesday For Kns?oU—lona. Monday ; Wanaka, Monday For Tauranga and Southern Ports—Wanaksi,

Monday Whangarei—Argyle, Tuesdays and Fridays ; Anne Alilbauk, Mondays and Thursdays. Ijyltclton—British Kmpire. New Caledonia—Mary Anderson, early

VESSELS EXPECTED" Caledonia, sohoonar, from Tonga. Mazeppa, schooner, from Rarotonffa. Sovereign of tho Sea^, cutter, froni New Cale-

donia. Rona, schoonor, from Timari. | Bismarck, H.1.G.M.a., fram Samoa • Eatl Granville, ship, from London; sailed .No vombor 23 ! Asa to, barque, from Now Yo:lc;saUed Septem-

b.u-23id Elinor Vornon, Kirqne, from Now icrk; sail

10th November St'a athro, shin, from I.om'.o":; sailed Nov. 2i Trevclran, ship (V.N.H.S.), from Liondon ; loud-

Look Out, brigantias, from rydney. Coroner, fcboomr, fr-ni j\lars''ali Group. I'ubal Cain, achorner, from LevtiKa. Waiwcra, schooner, f.om Austral Group. Mnrion, ecliooner, from Norfolk Island, IVudijc, fc:iooner, from Ijtvuka. jUec. Merrilics, l>rigantir.o. from Levuka. Christ na, Echooner, from Lyttclton. Flirt, brigantino, from Timaru. Keliiinoo, ketch, from l.yt'elton. City of Quebec, barque, from Lundon. Unmide, biig, from New York Morola barque, from London ; sailed Dee. 30 Agne3 Donald, schooner, from Lovuka X- lie Brandon, schooner from Lino. lalnnds Ij'aiid Lily, brigantine, from Chatham Islands ..■\ct:vo, bri-;antino, from Sydney l jlrato, sohoonor, from Tahiti lochDca, barque, from London : loading. Mary Mildred, barque, from Xewcas'lo. Clara Hargrcaves, barque, from Newcastle.

EXPORTS.

Per To Anau for Poverty Bay : 8 balC3 tow. 1 bundle spades, 8 packege?, i wheels, tor Napier: 30 cases schnapps, iO packages. For Wellington: 7 packages fruit, IS trunks, i ■wheels, 5 cases. For Lyttcl'on : 1 t-unka boota, 2 parcels, 1 case. For Dunedin :C8 sacks flour, y cases tojs, 1 case looso ihot, 20 bars steel, 1 chair, 1 parcel. For Melbourne: 1 parcel ap parel. For Adelaide: 1 caeo pictures.

Tho sohooDcr Estollo commenced discharging her cargo of brcadstufls yesterday.

Tho schooner Ovalau ia discharging her cargo of Island produce into tho Myrtle.

The barque Loch Urr has completed her dis charge, and is now taking in b.llnst. Khe will sail early nsxt week, most, probab'y for a Soath Australian Port.

Tho schooner Saxon to-'Jay took in a p:rtion of t.ho cargo from tho schooner Estelle, with which she proceeds to tho Thames.

Tho barquo Elmiranda is fast loading tip and ■will sail during tho latter piu-t oE next week.

The barquentino Sophia was floated out of tho dock this mommar, ard tl'.o Enteiprise ho. S. taken in to rccoive a gcnoral overhaul.

Tho ship ITernslcii, Capta;n Bubb, cot away this morning. Sho stiils for London direct. Her cargo and pa3ierrjer list have already appeared in our Ja3t night's ies-c.

The schooner Energy left for Ru33Cll ys. tor day.

The Union Compiny'd 8.?. To Anau left, this Afternoon /or Melbourne, via Kast Coast and fc> nithern port.', with the following pnssongcra :— Uiaborno: W. W. Cnrdno, Banku.ll. Napier: MldsM, Hailett, Mrs Nicholls, J. K. Williams. Wellinßton : Mrs Lusk, Mr and Mrs Tcmpleton, It. K. Griffiths. J. Park. Williams, Mackay, A. MoPhcrson, Ridlnjrfl, Master P. Kuttook, Mnling, F. Samuel, G. P. Kerce, re. I), wilcox. I.yUle ton : FofUr, Wills, Captain Ohlson, Bennett, Id If, Tyerman. I Him din: Graham, J. Bilson. Hohartow.n: Colonel and Mra Shelton, Dff, Young, Jas. Coyle.

The topsail schooner Transit, which left for Tnhiti on Saturday la-.t. ran into harbour Hpjain this morMrig with hor main boom ppvung. Captain Garrawny r^port3 leaving harbour on Saturday at 1.30 si m., about an hour aftc-r the Sybil. On Punday morning saw the Sybil three or four milei ti leeward. On Monday morning experienced heavy gnlo from the eastward, witti thick heavy weather. Put into Kawau, nnd remained thcro till next day. Put into Aborcro-nbio Bay, Croat Barrier, yesterday morning, and s\ood out to fea ngUn At noon Kxp.-riuiced another strong Kale, and shipped a lKavy sea, which spru g tho n'ain boom '! hon 6'ood away for -Auckland, and dripped anchor oil' tho Worth Shore early this morning. The topsail echooaer Sybil ran into Whangarei for shelter.

KAIPARA SHIPPING.

Arrivals, Februa-y 22 a~d 23: —Schooners Nelson a Colonist, b:ig Visioa from Melbourne.

Departuro<>, February 21.—ScliooDer I{o?a-;nah for Dunedin, sihooner Annio Wilson for Lyttalton.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :— Tins Day. For Wnngarei Heads and Wangarei, pir Anno MUbank, at 1 p.m. Friday, 27th instant. For Thames, per liotomahana, at 12.30 p.m. For Wuihoke and Coroinundel, per Corouiandol, at 2.30 p.m. For lUusell and Kawakawa, per "YVanaka, at 3 p,m. For j hames, por K'nterpriee, at 5.30 p.m. For Whangarct Heads, and Wangarei, por Arßvlo, at i p.m. Saturday, 2Sth instant. For Wain-era, Muhurangi, Matakana, Manga wai, Wa'pu, and Alangapai, per Koso Casey, at 10 a.m. For Wahvcra, por lona or Glenclg, at 1 p.m. Tuesday. 2nd March. Per b.b. Australia as follows :— For Sandwich Inlands, United States Of America. Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, Japan, and China, including HongkoDg, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Contlnont of Europe, at 1 p.m. For money orders, and registered lottorp, at 11.30 a.m. Late letters bearing an extra fee of sixpence, In addition to the postage, will be reoelvod by the Mail Agent on board tho steamer up to the tiiuo of sailing. For Russell, Kaivakawa, and Australian Colonies, per Tararua, at 3 p.m. S. «. mss. Chiof Postmaster.

BIRTH.

SPKAGG.—On Saturday, February 21, at Wielr residnece, Flcct-strout, Duncdin, tho wlfa of Silas Spragg of a son.

MARRIAGE.

DKEIIAN-DKMPSBY.—On Fobrnary 2, at Pt. Patrick's Cathedra', by the Roy J. F. G'iJy wer. vv illinin Hoehan to Anuio Tresiu, second daughter of Mr James Dumpscy, Auckland.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

W.—We believe the property belongs to Lady llobson, whoso agent was Mr Outhwaito, now deceased. T.U. U. (Newton). —We cannot open our columns to a loii£ correspondence on the subject. The law provide* a certain form of procedure, and residents must comply with it.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1880.

Tor the came that lacks assistance. For the wiongjbat needs reslstanc*, For the fututo in the distance, And the good this wa c»n.do.

The fact is generally recognised that if this colony can bo saved from a period of severe depression during a temporary cessation of borrowing, and when tho pressure of heavy taxation will be aug mented by an abnormal competition in the labour market, caused by the with drawal of a large body of men from the public works now in process of completion, tho bost means of effecting that result will bo the timely inaugura tion of a liberal and comprehensive system for the settlement of our waste lands. Wo have repeatedly insisted upon the al solute necessity of this course, and shewn that for many years tho administration of the public estate in New Zealand was characterised by a great lack of foresight and prudence in the essential duty of settling a thrifty and produc tive population on the land. Before tho colonialization of the Land Fund, tho most beneficial achievement of the Grey Ministry,—tho lands under tho administration of tho Provincial Go vernments, were systematically frittered away to supply temporary necessities, to maintain an overgrown officialism, or in extravagant endowments and subsi dies to local bodies, which, being con stantly threatened with experimental legislation and oiganic changes, and having no guarantee of stability, en deavoured only to secure the largest possible subsidies and to spend them as rapidly as they could, or to gsasp the greatest possible endow ment beforo the colonialization of the Land Fund. The consequences of this vicious system was great extravagance, a most inequitable and unjust expenditure of tho proceeds of the public estate, aggrandisement of tho centres of population, while many cf the country districts were languishing, and the diversion of immense sums of money from their legitimate function, the settlement of the laud. Matters have not improved to any great extent since the abolition of Provincial institutions. Even the Grey administration, which professed that a liberal land system and the creation of moderate holdings were the cardinal poinls of its policy, achieved comparatively little success in that direction. From the outset that go vernment became involved in a struggle with capitalists and great land buyers, whose interests it openly menaced, thereby raising powerful class enmity, and arraying against it strenuous op position in Parliament. The best features in Sir George Grey's Laud Act were so nullified and ovor-ridden by adverse clauses that he endeavoured at the last momout to prevent itscoming into operation. Though the opposition which Sir George Grey encountered may have been the inevitable penalty of tho policy he pursued, it is none the less to be deplored that this collision of

interests lias occured. Much was ex pected from the system of deferred payments, but it is generally admitted that it lias not produced that measure of success that its most sanguine advo cates hoped for. 'lhe colony is still anxiously looking for that liberal laud policy and those facilities for settle ment which Mr llolleston promised to inaugurate, and which arc to solve a problem that has bullied Governments in all parts of the ■world, as well as successive Ministries in this and the neighbouring colonies, viz., that of initiating a system which shall prevent a permanent monopoly of enormous tracts of land iv few hands, while creat ing a largo class of small holders strongly attached to tho soil, Iv the United States tho means adopted were the grunting of enormous tracts of land in alternate l>locks to railway and other companies, the throwing opon of hun dreds of millions of acres at the almost

nominal price of a dollar and a quarter per acre, the remission of laud tax to settlers by some of the States for a period of five to tcu years, and many other methods of a kindred character by which the population of tho United States has increased in a single century from five to nearly fifty millions. The dominion of Canada by following the same example has attracted a mil lion and a quarter of immigrants, many of them capitalists, from the United Kingdom in a period of forty years, a larger number than all the Australasian Colonies have receivocl in an equal period. New South Wales has received only 1G7,53S immigrants, partly at the public expense, between IS3S and 1879 ; Victoria, iv tho same period, 167,350; while New Zealand has in a period of only eight years in troduced 157,740 Europeans at a cost of £1,038,179. But it is when we compare the number of immigrants in troduced with the receipts' from the sale of waste lands in tho colonies that we. discover how small a proportion of the land fund lias been applied to the introduction of population. In six years New South wales realised from land sales tho enormous sum of £11,815,591, while the number of assisted immigrants from tho United Kingdom in the same period was only 20,455, shewing thai; £40 were expended on the ordinary func tions of Government for every £ spent on immigration. In the eight years from IS7I to 1878, both inclusive, New Zealand derived from Land Revenue £6,924,404, and spent during the same period £1,038,179, on the introduction of 157,746 immigrants. This amount however, was wholly derived from tho " Immigration and Public Works" Loan, while the enormous sum received from Land Fund was partly spent in subsidies to local bodies, and partly ab sorbed in tho Consolidated Fund, and expended for the ordinary purposes of Government. The colony of Victoria has alienated during tho period from 1360 to IS7B, the vast area of 20,705,930 acres, 6,759,213 acres of whioh were sold by auction, and the remainder by selection and loasc. During the whole period she introduced 107,536 immigrants. We cannot at this moment Jind the amount realised from those sales or the amount cxponded on immigration. Some striking facts are brought out by Professor Pearson in an artielo in tho " Victorian Roviow," Though he ex presses sympathy with Home of the aims of tho Liberal party, ho contends that the foremost article in their creed, the settlement of tho people on tho land and Lhe bursting up of great monopo lies, has been frustrated by blundering and miscalculation of means to ends. Ho quotes from tho report of the Surveyor-General of Victoria in order to show that of nearly 2,000,000 acres alienated under the Laud Act of 1802 not '2 per cent, remains in tho occupa tion of tho original selectors, whilo of 1,500,000 acres acquired under lhe Act of 1865 not more than 25 per cent. have been settled in a bona fide man ner. Moreover, tho progressive laud tax, specially designed to provent monopoly of the public ostate and to disintegrate tho vast areas alroady acquired in low hands, has been a complete lailuro. In little moro than a year, during the operation of the tax, 400,000 acres were taken up in areas exceeding 1,000 acres, and 500,000 acres in blocks of 10,000. The system of free selection at £1 per acre, ho asserts, has led to a largo amount of mere speculation, while it has virtually oporatcd ttgainst U>ne ficial and permanent occupation of the soil, and though ho contends that Iho purchasing powers of landsharks should be limited, ho opposes any artificial system of forcing land into the market at anything below its intrinsic value. The plan he advocates for gradually breaking up the accumulated areas is not a "bursting up \;\x,'' but legislation providing for "settlements and assignments," coupled with tho establishment of Agricultural Banks, by the State grunting loans for long

terms to bona-fide settlers, similarly to tho Agricultural Banks of Prussia,

The success of the Struthleveu fro/.cu me.

experiment has suggested to the Corpora lion of Syducy the establishment of a metropolitan dead-meat market, by which meat of the bc^t quality, aud at a reduced price, would b'J supplied to the citizens. The advocates of the scheme urge that consumers have had to put up with the flesh of beasts that have suffered from long driviatr over hard roai's, and the knocking about iv railway trucks for considerable distances, that the animal* have been killed iv a more of less feveii-'h condition at the abattoirs under uncleanly conditions, and the carcases, after being tossed into dirty carts, have been suspended in shops exposed to heat, du:«t, and flies. Besides this the prevalence of very hot weather has rendered it necessary for the butchers to distribute amongst their customers the flc-sli of animals that had just been slaughtered, so that even if it had otherwise been in prime condition, it was necessarily tough, and in an unsuitable state tor food. Under theio circumstances tho consumers of Sydney claim that they ought to be allowed to share in the advantages of the Colemnu precees, so successfully demonstrated by the Strath leven shipment, by which tne choicest cattle can be slaughtered in tho neighbour hood of the pasture.9, sent to the metropolis In suitably cooled trucks, and kept for sale in cold storerooms provided by the muni cipal authorities. Tho City Council of Sydney proposes to establish a market for live stock b youd iti boundaries, and it is now urged to erect rooms with a moderate degree of cold, in which the meat could be kept !''-t;,' enough to ensure its tenderness", and to niCvt the -fluctuations of supply and demand.

Ahotiieu evidence of the dcsiro by the Pacific Mail Company to improve the Sai Francisco mail service h oilered iv tlio announcement telegraphed to in from Wellington yesterday that application has been made for permission to substitute the City of Fekiu, or City of Tokio, il desired, for the City of Sydney or City of New York. The two steamers uiimcd arc the finest in the Company's iloet. They will in fact, if placed on tlii.s trade, b:; the most magnificent ami powerful steamships that have ever visited the Australasian colonies. The Company are doiug their veiy utmost to reduce the time for the performance of the service; in order to compete in delivery at Sydney with the Suez time-tablo, which has bean much shortened. Everyone who feels interested in the permanency of the line will learn with satisfaction of the success of the Company's exertions in this direction, an undertaking which on their part is the more commendable because car ried out at considerable cost voluntarily, the terms of the contract making it optional for them to maintain a slower and less efficient service. It ha curious thing that the change which involves a la-ge unraproductive expenditure by the Company has aroused the ire of one or two grumblers, participated iv by our en lightened morning contemporary, us though the trifUngiucouvonicneeol twoor three local people should be a matter of consideration in a service established under heavy sub sidy simply for the mail delivery of two important colonies. In a mail service reduction of time of delivery is everything, and if the Company can make a permanent saving of three days, as expected, the value of the route for postal delivery will be materially enhanced. As a matter of fact the time must bo reduced at least three days if New South YValoa is to continue a co-partuer after the expiry of the current coutraet, because, otherwise, the Suez mail leaving Loud™ a day later that that via San Francisco will be delivered iv Sydney before the Pacific mails reach there. It is ucedleis to say that under such circum stances the trans-Pacifio route would fall into complete disuse an a postal ro.ute for our sister colony, which atfpreaent pays the biggest share of tho subsidy. People who

rush into print with trilling personal griev ances, uiusj remember that the interests at issue in a service of this character are not patty and local, but affect a neighbouring; colony, as weil as the whole of New Zealand. The performance of the Suez mail service last year something lik' a week under contract llmo was the subject of eulogy throughout Australia and New Zealand, and we arc convinced that any similar improvement in the San Francisco service will meet with similar appreciation.

We have no sympathy with the squeamish ness and lachrymose telluurndss Hint has been wasted on the habitual truant Edwnrcl Gold ing. If the lad received a sound thrashing, he richly deserved it, and according to the evidence the strap appears to have formed a prominent feature in his domestic training, and the castigation was inflicted at the request of his mother. The school register shewed that young Gold iug had "played tho wag" SG times out of a possible 136 attendances, and that he was of a wilful and wayward disposition. If parent? nre too squeamish to sufFer their children to ho punished for persistent acts of insubordination,'' the school committees have tho remedy in their own hands by orderjng the offenders to be expelled from the school, thus throwing the responsibility upon tlicf.houldeVsof the parents themselves. To tolerate repeated act* of insubordination wou'd only have (ho effect of demoralising an entire school. Byron understood tho difficulties with which school masters have to contend when iic wrote :—

O, yo who teach tho Ingenious yonth of nations— irolla'id, Frnnc3, England, Gennanjr, or Spain,— I oray ye. /log thora upon all occinioni: It nuMids their iiiOi\i!o— ii'ivcr mind tho . pain."

It was latsly asserted by tho Lyttelton "Times," that General Davidson is to re ceive £700 a year as Commauder of the forces throughout the colony, but the fact appears to be that General Davidson and Uulonel Leckie, both retired army oilicers, "having recently settled in the colony—the one at Nelson, the other in Wellington— have been appointed inspectors for the South and North Islands respectively without any stated salary ; and next year it'is intended that they shall exchange districts.

The third annual public meeting of tho Auckland Scripture Gift Association will bo held to-morrow (Friday) evening in the lec ture room of tho Yoiiiif,' Men' a Christian Association, P. Larking E*<]. in the chair. Several friends of the movement will ad dress the meeting, and Air Itushbrook, tho secretary, will present the report of List years operations. A choir will assisi by giving several musical pieces, aud at the close a collection will ba made in aid of the funds.

Mr Alexander, jowcllor of Queen-street, has just received from London tho Lit-st novelties iv solitaires, containing fac-sinnlo impressions of the "Times," "Daily Tclu glliph," " Punch,"anil :i £.">!) ,li;mlc of En<< lan<l note. The impressions have been re duced from ipho'ci^r.iplis to the smallest pos aiblo i-i/.0-i, arc beautifully ornamented, and the letter proas of the /oiiiniils iv (|tiestiori, utoho distinct that they nuy bu read by persons with good cycsi^lii, through a magnifying ylasa.

The City Council resolved yes)erday upon tho motion of U'Uiicillor Crowtlur, that iv future tho ordinary lU'-ctiir.'.s and all com mittee meetings of thu whole Council shall commence at G. 30 p.m. instead <>f at '2 ,'iO p.m., a* h •uilofoio. iv consequence of this arrangement tin; ollices arc to !;■: provided with twelve lamp-1, and the Town Clerk Assistant Clerk, City Surveyor, aud Mcs seuiicr will require to bu in attendance on the nights fif meetings. Councillor W.uldels plaintive enquiry as to whether there was any intention of furnishing e.isy chairs and refreshment* met with no response.

The I'onsouby Kiyatt i have adopted the following rule for the measurement of yachts Multiply the length by tho breadth and the product or tho depth, raid divide this product by the depth, the length to bs measured from the extreme out .r edge of the stem to the outei edge of the stern post, the brcacth at tho widest part not including holts or mouldings, and tho depth from tho centre of a lino between the upper and outer edj»e of the covering board to the boom cduro of the keul at the midship section. Owners of yachts intending to compete, will do well to take the mea-urcmeata before the entry ni^iit.

The ollic:i's of the Auckland Infantry Battalion have invited Colonel Leckio to a dinner on Monday evening next at the Star Hotel, Albert-street. Major Wither?, and tho ollicers of the several companies of Auckland Volunteers will also bo present.

The rot urn match between the West Eud and Kpjom Uiieket (Tuba will he played on Saturday no: tin the* Domain cricket fji on ml, commencing i»t two o'clock. The mutch is aiiticio-Ucd with much interest, as the best men of both.Clubs hive been sele ted fo tho forthcoming contest. The following nrj the roprtsMitativts: — West tiinl: Messrs Lynch, T. Macky, Colonial!,, Cook, Ohoyce, Mil cliell, King, A. C. Lawric, Waymouth, Isaac, and lijiuna. K|><om : Mcmrn Wood hu.id, Laukhaui (-'), Meant, I. Dufaur, Ait ken, Urookfiuld, 15arstjw, Hoid, Itatlnvy, and Heskclli.

Michcal Brcsn, charged with attempting to commit, a rape on a little girl named Isabella McKay, at Uncliiinga, on the 12th hist,| t.ho evidence being conclusive, was committed for trial :it tin: .April criminal fittings of tin: Supreme Court. The prisoner, however, was admitted to bail, himself in £100, aud two sureties iu£*>o. The sureties were Mr Stickley, of the Industrial Home, who hail known lireen as an iuni'Ue of the Homo for three years, ami Mr Olney, who bail employed tho prisouor for some time.

To tho Editor : Sir, — I cannot undertake to remove tho "blot on 1 ho escutcheon " of writers of tho "Looker On" sort, iv la*t nights STAR. It would bo ;ts easy to make No. 7 bye-law decent and workable, honest and cqultible. Such an effusion as "Looker On " could have only emanated from one who-o life has been spent on tho waters, or on tlio gold-fluids of Australia or the Thames. The discussion on the mibject of sanitary matters is "new to him;" but it will not set the " Thames on Fire," even though, (should that event take place,) be does not despair of getting a contractor to take away the ashes.—Yours, etc., E. C. £.

The battery and band ot the New Zea land regiment of Artillery will meet for parade aud inspection this evening in tKe Drill-shod, under the superintendence of Col. Lcckie. Every member is requested to be in attendance, as important business will be introduced at the close of tho gun drill, viz., Hie election of non-commissioned ofli ceis, candidates to be selected for general oilioicncy, nnd regularity iv attendance.

An interesting entertainment will be given in connection with the distribution of prizes to-morrow (Friday) evening at the Noithcote school, Woodsido, Mr Demies will exhibit his new doublo-leus lime-light, lantern, and iotouues his new view* of the castles, cathedials, and abbeys of old Eng land, Scotland, and Wales. A choir will also bt> in attendance, and appropriate music rendered- ihe address will ba deli vered by Rev. Joseph Bate), who will dis tribute thu school prizes.

Pleuro-pneumonia has (irmly established itselt in South Australia., aud is rapidly spreading throughout that colony. The Chief Stock Inspector of that colony, sup. poitcdby a very large majority of stock owuoi'K, is ill favour of making inoculation compulsory. Iv his last report the Inspec tor quotes from tho highest veterinary authorities in England, where inoculation us a preventive moasuro is fast gaining friends. Scarcely a week passes, but ollicials report a few cases of plouro, and it is most prevalent in localities which aie on the route of travelling stock.

The second swimming competition of tho Paniell Swimming Club took place on Saturday List, and earned groat excitement amongst the onlookers. The following is a list of the winners : — Diving for saucer :1, McConnell ;2, T. Utway. Second class swimming, three times across baths :1; J. Olway ; 2, T. Biown ; I!, 11, Sanders, First class swim ming, (ivo times across baths-1, AY. Mc- Couucll; 2, A. P. Fubor. Loug dive—l, J. Utway; 2, A. Russell. Champion swim ming match—l, W. McCouucll; 2, A, P. Kubcr

Mr AHan McDonald, M.H.K., in his address to his constituents at Gisborne on Tuesday evening, spoke in favourable terms of tho present Government, but in reply to a question put he stated that lie stuck to the Grey party while it lasted. Ho also supported Mr Macaudrow, and while having the utmost confidence in Major Atkinson and one or two other members of the Ministry, of whom he spoke in the highest terms, he positively declined to declare him self an adherent of cither oue parly or the otuer. He assured the mooting ho had no intention of becoming a mere delegate. He had done the best he could for the district since he had represented it, and would con tinue to do bo as long as he enjoyed the honour, lie declined to be a blind follower of any warty, and was determined to act upon the most independent ground. A vote of confidence in Mr McDonald was carried unopposed.

A Russian lady who supplied translations of stoiles to Mr 15. L. Farjcu, has recovered f i oni him ;i sum of £70 for the M. S S, in an English Court.

Mr Marks, plumber aud gasfitter, has been appointed agent for Home's patent gas regulators, by which it is claimed fiom thirty to forty per cent of gas may besave.i. The regulator is now opeu for inspection at his premises.

The report presented to the City Council ytstenloy afternoon recommended in refer ence to the allotments in Hepburn-street, that they he leased|for thirty-three yc?rs, with a stipulation that each house bo valued at £300 ; that only one house erected on each allotment (with oue exception) ; that the committee aflix the reserve piiceto each; and that MrSibbiu be appointed auctioneer ; the new street from l'ietou to Hepburn street to be called Sehvyn-ftreot, The recommendations were approved.

Yesterday afternoon, when walking along Upper Queen-street, we noticed a child hanging between the heavens and the earth by the tips of his lingers from the upper verandah floor of a two storev house. Mamma at that particular moment did not happen to bs at hand, but somebody else's mother observed the danger, and gently cal'.c 1 out to the boy, "Holdon, Johnuy, that's a good boy, hold on," at the same time gutting beneath the boy, so as to catch him if he fell. Mani-ua: came out, and seeing the dangerous position of the child at once ranup-staiiM, and secured him in her mat raal grasp. Johnuy is a brick, and was quite uncoiiee-nod, but it id rather danger..v . f.ir n boy bi-i .vtcu t'vo and throe years of a;*; trying tiifse g.mi. a We never hear of gi'i:i m'isbchaivng in that way, but boys appnu' to tukc naturally to mischief.

At tho Sydney Exhibition there is a remarkable display of (lax exhibits, one sample of the best Belgian flax from Courtrai being valued at the extremely high price of £169 13s per ton. The durability of articles made from (lax is remarkable. The oldest known piece of woven fabric in the world is of ilax, being the linen lining of a sword sheath dug up by Dr. Schliemann from the tomb of Agamemnon at Mycente, where it had silently reposed undisturbed thousands of years, from a period anterior even to the days of Homer, a fact both in teresting and instructive iv these days of shoddy and sized cotton.

The members of the Engineer Company went through tli ir weekly parade last even ing, Lieut. Shillington in command! They were formed into four squads', and put through manual and bayonet cxciewe by their own non-commissioned oilicers. Major Withers and Colonel Lcckie were also present.

To the Editor : Sir,—Would you be kind enough to answer the following question iv your valuable journal :—A horse is to be shod at one farthing for the first nail, and every nail afterwards to be doubled in price. 'Ihere are 32 in the four shoes. What amount of money does it come to ?— I am, &c, J. F, RHODES. —Answer, £1,47.'!,924 5a 3,' d.-El). E.S.

A comedy from the prolific pen of Mr H. J. Byrou, and entitled " £100,000," was produced at the Theatre Koyal lust night to an indifferent house. Wo reserve our criticism till to-morrow.

Mr Maxwell of the Public Works Oineo, sent t ,c following report on tho harbour to tho lion, tho Altorney-Uenoral : —"I am directed by tho Kngincer-iii-Cbargo, North Island, to report to you re the supposed injury to tiio Auckland hnrbour by the ruilwny reclamation works, that having obtained a report on the matter from Mr J. Stewart, and having hud a further examina tion made by me, he is convinced that the fears of the Harbour Board aic unfounded, and that the evils are imaginary.—J. 1). Maxwell, D.E."

It was agreed yesterday on tho motion :>f Cr. Thompson at the City Council meeting, that the Surveyor should be instructed to have a portion of the west side of Upper Queen-Htreet, from nearly opposite liokeby strcot to Karangaliape lioa'i, laid with asphalt—say, from throe to four feet wide, at the kerb-udge of the footpath. The ollicer was also instructed to attend V> one or two dangerous places in this street. He was likewise dirocted, on the motion of Mr Oiler, to submit ;in estimate of the cost ot forming south side of Union-street, between Wellington-street and Freeman's Bay, also kerbing and channelling.

The report which the Library Committee presented to the Council at its meeting yes terday afternoon, was adopted, it was alt-0 agreed "That the Mayor be requested to take over tho property ot the Mechanics' Institute iv terms of the Act."

Speculators in landed property will be interested t>> learn that » number o£ allot ments with good fioutages to Ilobsou or Chapel-atrt'Cts, will be oilered for sale l>y auction at Mr Arthur's mart next Thurs day. The property is situated between tit. Matthew's Church, and tho comer of Couk strect.

An entertainment in aid of the funds of Trinity Church, North Shore, is announced t> take placo in tho Dcvonport Hall to morrow evening. A feature in the pio grammo will be the representation in character of a sccue from one of iShakc s.ieftr s plays.

Piofessor Frasor £»avo his lectnre on 1111 each and Facts" last evening in tho M-is-nic Hill, Onehiuiga, to a somewhat thin ho:iso, not more than 40 persons being prosent. The usual examinations followed, and much satisfaction was expressed at the result.

Mr Nicholson,of St George's Bay Koad } lias shown in a line specimen of apple, grown by him in uncultivated soil, each apple weigh 'jl'i and is known us tho " Kcutisli freo-basket" from Mr Thompson's stock Stoked Foint. if the above flourish bo well iii a place covered with Tilrec, what would they come to if carefully husbanded';

To the editor: Sir,—Why i* it that the Giis Company is ;-. grand payable success, tnd that the Water Company is a failure? Because one is put within tho reach of cvoiyonc that wishes to use it, and the other is not ; and sooner than lay pipes down, of which they have a quantity, they would allow them to lay and rot. There are hun dreds in I'onsonby who would be willing to pay for water if they could get it at a reasonable price.—1 am, &c, ONE Who Takes his Bath, Ponsokbv.

At tho usual weekly meeting of tho Star of Newton Lodge, No. 4, 1.0. U.T., held in the Newton Hall on Thursday ovcuinglnst, the following officers (previously olected) were installed by Bro Longbottom, L.D., assisted by liro. Simms, J.M., and Uio. Sweocman, J.D.M. : — Uio. Mclntyre, W.C.T.; Sis. J. Lightfoot, W.V.T. (re elected); Bro. Philpott, W.S. (re-elected); Bro. Masters, W.F.S.; Sis. E. Lightfoot W.T.i liro. Uriglit (sen.), W.C.; liro. W. Fairweather, W.M.; Bro. P. Fairweather, W.1.G.; liro. Purchase, W.0.G.; Bro. llavord, W.A.B.J liro. Haysou, W.D.M.; Sis. H. Smith, W.K.H.S.J Sin. M. Smith, W.L.U.S. The quarterly reports showed the Lodge to hi in a nourishing condition. A vote of thanks was tendered to tho re tiinji officers, and the meeting closed with the usual ceremonies.

The troubled state of the relations between China and Japan gives interest to ail estimate of the strength of tho land forces of tho former country con tributed to a German paper by a well informed writer. The! total strength of the Ghinesearmy amounts to o'b'2,ooo of all ranks only. Of these 87,000, in round numbers arc calvary ; 195,000 form tho " lield " infantry and artillery, while the remaining 320,000 Constitute tho garrison troops of the two latter arms of the service. Although, how ever, the Chinese army may have this strength on paper its actual numbers are much fewer. Again, in making any calcu lation of the armed strength of China, it must always bo remembered that such troops as roaly exist are dispersed over an immense area, onibi'noingßOino four millions of English square miles, which is traversed by very few good roads ; while there are no railways to facilitate the concentration of large masses of men.

In the course of bis speech at Ditnedinou the 12th iiwt, Mr Stowart, M.11.1t., for Diniclin, <(iiotcil the following humorous description, by Sydney Smith, of the tax ation in America in IS-18, as applicable to New Zealand in 18S0 : —" l'nxos upon every aiticlo which entorainto the mouth or cover"-? the back, or is placed under the foot; taxes upon everything which is ploisant to hear, feel, smell, or taste ; taxes upon warmth, h-_;ht, and locomotion ; taxes on everything on tho earth and the water under tho earth ; tuxes on evorythiuj? that comesfcoin abroad or is grown at homo ; taxes on the raw ■natciiiU ; taxes on every fresh value that is added to it by the industry of man ; taxes on tho sauco that pampers tho. rich man's appetite, and the drug that restores him to health ; oil the ermine which decorates tho judgo,and the i ope which hangs the criminal; on the poor man's salt and the rich man's spice; on the brims mails of the'coffin and the ribbons (>f the bride—at bed or board, conchant or levant, we must pay. The schoolboy whips his taxed top ; the beard less youth manages his taxed horse with a taxed bridle on a taxed road ; and the dying Englishman, pouring his medicine which has paid 7 per cent into a spoon that has paid 15 per cent, flings himself back upon his chintz bed which has paid '22 per cent, expires in the arms of an apothecary who has paid a license of £100 for the privilege of putting him to death. His whole pro pcity is then immediately taxed from 2 to 10 par cent. Eesides the probate, larc;e fees are deinauded for burying Mm in the chancel; his vi'taes are handed down to posterity on taxed marble ; and he is then gathered to his fathers to be taxed no more."

A queer tale relates how a, German regi mental surgeon, after the battle of Grave lotte, tried a bold experiment in dentistry. A brother ollior had long been suffering from toothache, hud, in fatit, only five or six worn-out stumps left in his hedd. The aurgoou was in the act of administering some temporary relief to his friend, when a young Arab soldier of one of the Algerian regiment was brought into the hospital mor tally wounded. The man was iuseusible, and had evidently only an hdnr or two at furthest to live. A brilliant idea occurred to|the surgeon. He rapidly pulled out the decayed grinders which had given the Prus sian major so much annoyance, and then completely refurnished the "bonelessgums" with "the teeth of a Turco." "The story is extant, and writ in choice—French." It will well repay the trouble of those who care to search for it.

The pleuro-pneumonia scare which was somewhat allayed by the published opinion of Mr Rust (Inspector) of Cattle) that he did not think the insidious pestilence had made its appearance at all, has now been fully revived by the confidant assurance of Mr Naden, M.R.C. V.S.L., that it has broken out. At the request of Messrs Ire land Brothers, Mr Naden proceeded yester day to the property of the linn at Panmure, and after critically examining the whole herd singled out a yearling shorthorn heifer which was killed at his direction. He then examined the lungs and found that the animal had been very badly affected indeed with the disease. Mr Kinloch's original opinion is now vindicated, and the authorities should certainly lose no time in guaniir.g against a most virulent cattle epidemic. The Messrs Ireland deserve high praise for the energy they have dis played in having the truth made known. Private enterprise having now done all that can bo expected of it, we trust that official vigilance will do the rest.

CABLE NEWS.

EUROPEAN.

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Afgliauistan. LONDON.

February 25

Tho latest news from Afghanistan states that several leading insurgent chief's manifest an apparent willingness to submit to British rule. The Pctroffsky Academy ut Moscow was destroyed by fire. Victorian Debentures. LONDON. February, 2-1. Victorian five por cent debentures, of 18'J1, are quoted at 05.

[BBOTBB'S SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS.]

The Wheat Market

LONDON. Fobruaiy "23. Adelaide wheat, piT49olbs, ex warehouse, si'H o'd. licit Australian beef tallow quoted, 'Ao.-i Gd ; best Australian mutton tallow, 38s Cd. The Wool Sales. At the woul auctions to-day 8,000 bales have been catalogued. Tliere has been a firm and active demand. LONDON. February 24. The P. and O. Company's steamship Hindus sailed for Ualle to-day. Three-pcr-cent consols 9s. Prices of Wool Maintained.. At tho wool sale-; to-day, 8,400 bales have been catalogued, prices being firmly maintained. Five Years' Parliaments. LONDON. February 2,">. In the House of Commons, motions were made to restrict the duration of Parliamuiit to live years, and also to abolish the immu nity of members of Parliament and Peers from arrest, both motions ware defeated. The Indian Finances. CALCUTTA. February 25. The Finance Minister made his financial statement in the Lcgislatuie to-day. It was very favourably received. The surplus showed an amount of £400,000. There will therefore be no increase of taxation on the new Joan floated.

AUSTRALIAN

[UNITED PKESS ASSOCIATION.] New Zealand Securities. MELBOURNE. February 25. New Zealand fives are quoted at 108-15. Wheat is advancing. MELBOURNE. February 20. .Sweetmeat, Durriwell, and S(marrow aro tlie favourites for the Australian C»ip. 10U lo 15 is offorcd.

IRKUTSK'S SI'KCIAIi CAHLEOItAMS. I

Liberal Mass Meeting. MELBOURNE.

Tliis day. A ma«B meeting of Liberals, was hold last ni'^ht, when »|icccliCJ were niaile by 11. T. Vale, Sir Brian O'Loghlan, and Mr Graham Bony. Lho proceedings were ot an ouUrly character. Adelaide: This day. Arrived : Orient steamship, aud John Elder, from Plymouth. Tlie Education Bill Passed. SYDNEY. This day. In the Legislative Assembly last night the Government Education Bill passed the third reading on a division by 42 to C. Sailed : ltotorua for New Zealand, ves tcrday. Governor Visits England. BRISBANE. This day, _ His Excellency Sir Arthur Kennedy, Governor of Queensland, proceeds to Eug. laud next mouth on private affairs,

The French Immigrants.

Tins lateness of the hour at which the motion ro the French immigrants came on for discussion at the City Council meeting yesterday afternoon, precluded usfromgiving more than tho Mayor's speech. We now append the remarks of the other speakers. Councillor Thompsou, in seconding the motion, said thut he could endorse every word uttered l>y His Worship. He could add that ho hail no sympathy waatorer with those who talked of acting outside the law when the law did nut sanction tho measures which they urged the public to take. Ho was only torry that His Wowhip had not put the resolution to a meeting of the citizens.

Councillor Waddcl would have been better pleased if the doporte's hud been placed under the sure category as the other passengers by the Grilliii. The criminals were old bints, and a watch could therefore bo kept upon them, but the others—the political agitators were the worst class in the community. They were like torches in a mine. We had quite cuough of these people in our midst, and we did not want any Communists to swell their numbers. They were worse thiin thieve.".

Councillor Crowther said that his feeling in the matter had hecn that the shipment by tlio Griffin was a kind of feeler put out by the French authorities in order to see if we would stand it, and, of course, if we made no outcry, further shipments would soon follow. The action taken here was a wise one, and when it was perceived that not only the Government, of New Zealand, but the Governments of neighbouring colo nies likewise acquiesced in steps being taken to prevent such importations, he had no doubt that they would cease.

Councillor Aickiu thought that the reso lution of a thoroughly representative body, such as the City Council, would carry more weight with it than one even from a'public meeting, foriu the latter case the feelings of half the people were carried away by a icw declamatory demagogues. The step which the Council was taking was a most commendable one. Like Councillor Thompson he could not agree with those who urged the Mayor to take the initiative in unlawful measures. Thai would bo set ting an extremely bad precedent and espec ially so when the people affected by it were subjects of a foreign power. The motion was then put and carried nem con.

In reply to the resolution telegraphed by His Worship the Mayor yesterday the following reply has been received from Mr G, S. Cooper, Umler-Sucretary :— " Id. reply

to your Worship's message expressing m dignafion at the action of the French authorities at New Caledonia in fending a vessel with released convicts to New Zeal and, Mr Hall directs me to say that the question is engaging the careful attention of the Government. If it should i;c estab lished that tho action oi the New Caledon« ian Government has been euch as to justify a remonstrance on tiio prirt of the Govern ment, the necessary steps will he taken for that purpose.—G. S. Coopek.

TELEGRAPHIC.

(PER UNITED PRtiSIS ASSOCIATION.)

HAMILTON, Wednesday-

Sydney Beetham was committed by Mr Nofthcroft, K.M., to take his trial at the next sc.-sfon of the Supreme Court, for breaking, entering, and stealing from the store of "Mr James Martin, Hamilton. Mr Beale appealed for the prisoner;

GRA.EAMSTOWN, this (lay

SHAREMAIIKET

Alburnia, 72s 6d; New Whau, 21s; North Devon, Ss 9a. Alburnia. —The roef on the 100 feet or low level is beintr l.ft, and the drive pushed on towards the iscw Whau boundary. Nearly 20 feet of the lode h left a'anding. and bicaking dowa will take placo on the return of the Manager from town. It is satisfactory to know that good gold has been frequently seen in the reef, which improves in quality as driviul. progresses. New Whau.—Sinking the winze will be commenced without delay in order that the work may be completed if possible by the time the reef ia the Albttriiia low level is left on the boundary, when opcfa'.ious will be conducted from thence. The ue of the levels and passes is secured to the company Tinder an agreement registered iv the Warden's OJlice, aud the Alburnia Di rectors have no power to refuse permission if they should desire to do so. It would be folly to pursue any other plan of working whilst one so profitable and economical presents itself, aud they are to be con gratulatee upon timely discovery of gold in the low level on the boundry of this claim by the adjoining company. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Government have engaged 150 men for road work on the Waimate Plains. Married men are to receive 28* aud single men 21s per week. They will be provided with a tent, and with their families will be sent free. They will be supplied with rations at Is 3d per day, aud can leave when more remunerative work oilers. This day. A SWINDLER. A man named John Connolly, ex-tele graph operator, was charged with imposing on the Relieving Officer by obtaining half a-crown and spending it iv beer, lie was sentenced to four weeks' hard labour ; and, on another charge of imposing on a trades man, he received a similar sentence. NELSON, Wednesday. It is understood that Mr Hodson, recently appointed sceietary of the Nelson Kduca tinn Boaid at. a salary of £350, has resigned. Thee has been some correspondence iv the puper.-i, from which it appears that the actton of the Boaid iv coating so expensive an oflice w;is disapproved, it being alleged that a smaller salary would bo sufficient, CHRISTCHUItUB, Wednesday. Two head of cattle have been imported from Sydney, per Wakatipu, for Mills and Co., out owing tc some informality iv the certificate, the cattle have been quarantined on board the hulk tor the present. This day. The leport from the Quarantine Station and the Waimate is tatisfactory. There are no fresh cuses of sickness. The four-oared boat race between the crews of the Otago and Canterbury Clubs taken place on the Avon to-morrow. A bycyclc race takes place on Saturday, lin which jJunedin .vi ll compete. The tonnage loading iv port for the United Kingdom is 0,060. The steward-; of vessels in harbour are prohibited from selling liquor to visitors. TIMAUU, Wednesday. The "Timaru Herald" has declined to apologise for the alleged libel on Captain Norria, of the barque Glimpse, and will defend the action. DUNEDIN, Wednesda}'. The captain and officers of 11.M.5. Cor morant, now in Lyttelton, are coming down to the races and will also attend the ball given by the Otago Rowing Club on Friday, for which Mis Excellency aud Lady Robin son have accepted an invitation. Mr Conyers has ordered all carnage doors on one niding to be unlocked.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.— This Day.

(Before J. E. Macdouald, Esq., li.M.) JUDGMNTS FOR PLAINTIFFS. E. «. Hill v. John Cal'der, claim £1S IS3 hoard, lodging, and drinks--. Judgment for £7 13s lid, but as the chief part of the claim was for drinks, the plaintiff could only recover JOs, being the b.ilauee on the account for board and lodging. Costs £2 3s. Agnoa Slater v. Gco. vesoy Stcwait, claim £12 12* Id, board and lodging (Mr Theo. Cooper for plaintiff) costs £2 Is. The debt was incurred by MrsSlcwart; C, l.angsloul v. Thos. Wrijiht, claim £5 14s, coat and trousers, costs £2 4s (Mr George for plaintiff) ; 11. McLean v. J. W. Waller, claim 12s, laud tax (Mr Brooklield for plaintifl') costs £1 is 6d ; Kate Moses v. AdolpliQ Davis, claim £7 4s, board and lodging, etc., nosta £1 14i (Mr Thco. Cooper for iilaintiir); Win. Bacon v. Jas, Noiris, claim ISs, rent, cosla £1 6d (Mr Brock for plaintifl".)—Defendant said liv was a shoe uirtker. Times were bad. Still ho was in dilliculty as to his lawful landlord. Bacon said "Pay me," and Parker said "Do if you dare."—Mr Brock explained that defendant must pay Bacon. Ho was the landlord.—Mr Bacon : " I'll guarantee that James shall bo safe in paying me " R W. Wright v, Alexander Johnson, claim £2 2s, medical attendance.—Mr Barker, collector, proved (Mr Hesketh for plaintiff) costs £16d. ADJOURNED CASES. Wm. Lochart v. VY. L. Kees, claim £7 j Jaggor and Parker v. Tho.=. Baker, claim £12 9s ; M. Slattoryjv, 11. Niccol, claim £10 16s.

Claims against Jajies Dempsey Con- TEACTOB.—John Kelly, claim £2 19s 6d ; costs 25s Gd, (Mr McKcchnic for plaintifl). Tliomas Heath, claim £2 12s 6d; costs 25s 6d, (Mr Counell for plaintill). Thomas Tutou claim £2 11s Gd ; costs 253 6d ; John McMeny, claim £2 10's 9d ; costs 25s 6J, (Mr Hesketh for plaintiff.) Q. McNoary, claim £3 Ss 6d; costs 25s Gd. Jame3 W. Craig, claim £27 2s, carting and material, (Mr Brock for plaintill). Blight Smile Gold Mining Co. v. John llansen.—Claim, £1S 15s—Mr Jas. liussell for pluiutiflk— l his was a claim for shares, which had been adjourned from time to time owing to an error in defendant's name. — James Holmes Hanson deposed that he was a farmer at the Whau, and that he signed iv the name of Joiin Han sell for another person, who had left the province lons ago. The shares were a "sill," and good-for-nothing. He wus responsible, lie supposed. —Judgment for the Company costs, £2 Us. Bright iSinile v. Jas. Kay. —Claim, £5, calls.-Mr James iiussell for plaintiffs.— James Brown, clerk, proved. —Judgment for plaintiffs, costs, £1 5s 6d. Tho other claims were settled out of Court. Sonicriicld and Leek v. llolmns.— Claim £45 10s. Mr Thome tor plaintiff, and Mr Theo. Cooper for defendant.—The plain tills in this case are diapers iv CJueeu strect, and tho defendant, James Holmes, a settler at the North Bhore.— According to the evidences of Mr John Lock, tho purchase whs made by Mrs Holmes for a [storekeeper in the Waikato, named Si aw, but foij which I'rj Holmes i-aid her husband would bo rosponsible, as thoiirin did not recognize fehaw as a cus iomer. £20 was paid on account, but since tbat payment was made some two years ago, uo second instalment had been made. Within the last six months. Mr Holmes had repudiated the balance altogether. — Frederick James Somerfield and Win. Joseph Napier gave evidence in rc-pect of the transaction. Tlie case had not concluded on our coins to press. b (Left Sitting.)

A_ soiree, for the purpose of coiumcm oratini; the opening of the new Uaptist Church at Ofcahuhu, will be held this even iug in the Otahuhu Public Hall. Ihe chair will be taken by Rev. Allan W. Webb, and several Ministeis will deliver addresses on the (ecasion. Mr Klomneld and his choir of vocalists wH be in attendance, and render pieces of sacred music.

" Show him an egg aud instantly ihe air is full of feathers," says Uob IngersolJ, defining a sanguine man.

Bees cell their honey. A well-informed man belongs to the tiue kuowbility.—" WhitehallJNews"

ASSESSMENT COURTS.-This Day.

(Before Messrs DargaviHe and MpMi. ' Justices of the Peacp) nm%, I DIIUNKF.KXtss Two persons were fined 53 each ' VAGKAHCY. William Campion was charged ~ j - Vagrant Act wiili misbehaving hi, % Custom-house-street on the 25tTi in t ''* *» Prisoner pleaded guilty, and w a , fL , and costs or 48 hours, ""^lo, LABCKNY OF A WATCH GcoTgc Teinplay was chariad' wra larceny of a silver watch, as aWi *c property of Henry Sealden. of K»" ef' '£ on the 20tk inst. , lUff*^ Prisoner pleaded guilty, and teuced *o 2 months imprisonment *uL& labour. mtl"liatj BREAKING AMD ENTEKINn Peter Morris was charged wi^ / and entering the shop of Mr M. lev stealing therefrom a quantity'of JRI,W value £10, on the 23rd mat. m\ Remanded until ihe 4th March ASSAULT. William Bishop, was charged ■ assanltiiift l'crdiuandPeltzor, ~?" n\ on the 20th February. Hi,, Mrßurtaa appeared for coniplaimnt Mr S. Hosketh fur defendant. nt'N; Ferdinand Peltzer deposed to the n of the assault. Ho went on boar//' Giiflin at Unohunga to meet iris ™ '* men. Ho requested that their kT* might be niven up to them hi acri J% witli the regulations of the Prench Go ment. Mr Bishop refn-ed, unless cT"^' charges were paid, which he did m^ aider i ust. Oh enquiring aboirt the » defendant ]>UHli3il mm aud painted t " ladder ordering him to Icavs «hj J"» As liv did not immediately comply- it? dant threatened to knock him oa the 1. j Cross-examined by Mr Hesketli, Henry Parker, Cnstom-Bfottac offic,., i posed that h-i was on duty that dil'" Oniiliuuga. Was examinin's; parcel, * saw prosecutor in a very excitd'kf 1 Hoard Mr Peltzcr abasing the captai^ mate, lie told the captain arid inatea* tliey -tfore rogues and wanted to ell the Frenchmen. Did not hear the l gu:i;;e used as stated in the »C ation. Ho ."poke iv French wl'i he did not understand ; ho asked pro* - tor to assist him it>. searching their lum,^' but he positively refused to do ao* standing on the off side of the hole• tl* mnst have heard the ianguage haditLr used. **

To the Bench : thcrj was noaß3anlt«» mitted, he was in a position to see all ty occurred.

Albin Vilvalle was next examined Mr Cunningham interpreted,; Witness deposed that ho was a passenm. by tiie veasel, and when M. pJt appeared on the wharf, an altercation tS ; piece ; he did not understand all that* said, there was a gre.it deal of talkin» U ' he did not know if they were tlireat'.'s!, Mr Bishop push Mons. Peltzer; hewn!! tween them ; the Custom-liome offiwpm '• Parker) requested M. Peli zer %* '■ away, h<: went away; mfajf j did not aggravate Mr Bishop. To Mr Burton :Mr Peltzer did Dottelilil, ' countrymen to refuse to allow their lam-,, ' to be examined, he made noauck temari This waa the evidence. Mr S. Heskcth addre-sed the B»ncli an! ? contended that no assault had bcen'c» '" mittcd, as thcevideuceof Alri'arkercleailt -' proved ; but, if the Bencli thought difir. ; eutly he would call Mr Bishop in defeat 5? The Bench wished to hear Jlr Bishop, $ AViliiam Bishnp depesed that he remta. '- bered complainant coming on board tii ' vessel and intetfenng witti the men. & | was obstructing the work, Jle toitt^ I him ou the shoulder, and asked himio™ ' ashore. He replied, "1 willnotgo.'4 Parker asked him to leave; also the cib tain. Complainant went ashore, mi looking down, threatened to boxwitoeai ears. He smiled at the remark. Sjjg assault him in any way. <

To Mr Bin tou : did not threaten tostrib complainant on the head. He^did say,« Mr Peltzer threatening to boxhiseau,'tilt retaliation would bo an easy matter, faj placed his hand on complainant's shoulfeto arrest his attention. Was perfectly ml under the circumstance?. He said nilaii charges had been made. The Bench, in reviewing the evidencecm. sidered that complainant had notn: established charge. The case was dismissed complainant ti • pay costs.

ASSESSMENT COURTS.

'Jneiiunga.— The Assessment Comtii this Borough was held yesterday befit);}! Baratow. Councillors Jackson, ani Hj Hutchiuson, Town Clerk, appearal Eo rcprcseot the Borough. Several objector were heard, and the following rednclia! made :—Mr Patrick Molloy's valuatioin reduced from £S to £6, he Jhaving eoHi portion of his property, and {.he pure* being rated. —Jonn Mactier's valuation* reduced from £12 to £IL—Mr'C. Gretnnj appealed against being rated for a schools; the rate of £10 per annum rateable vdif, an he was not entitled to be inserted pa fit assessment list in respect of such property, becaus-e Josiali Clifton Firth, HenryTijto, aud Chailcs Colvilly Fleming arc thelfiw of the s:>id property, and ought tobeuM instead of the appellant. Tho alts alion in the Asscfsnicnt; list n undo by inserting tho names of Moffl Firth, Taylor, and Fleming instead i! Hi Urcenway's.—The list was then siguetl,ail the Court rose,

Mount UosiaLL.—The ! Assess»t Court for tills district was held yosterdij ; in Mr Cleghoiu's house. Mr Clarke, ctat and valui'i',.was iv attendance. Noappali having been lodged tUc list was tignedij ■ tlie judgo, Mr Barstow, and the Courtis closed, Ponsonisv.—The Asses-uueut Court f« the Ponsouby Highway District vas Mi to-day iv the Ponsouby Hall, klk purpose of hearing any objections .tbil might be made to the valuations,: Si Barstow, K.M. presided, and MrStoaW appeared for tlio Board. The deciiiw arrived at iv the several cases which. W ; . brought forward are as follow? :—Lotj^ Win, Audcu, England-street, reduced DM £•20 10s to £16; 1012, Key. D- Bn« Wynjard and Brown-streets, assessed it £5, no deduction; 613, Mr Coawsf. Pompcllier Terrace, from £2010s to £171*; 111, 'Peter Devlin, Shelly Beach Rmj assessed at £12 10s, no reduction; %m- Dnce, f-t. Mary's Head, from "£67 lwj £60 ; 945, Andrew Graham, Brown« from £25 to £20; 974, J. H. Jones, B», ■- m jud Koad, from £22 10s to £18; 158, W B. Jones, Melford-stroet, from £30toW 729, Thomas Kelly, no reduction; m Patrick Long, GracJ-sireet, f«»nfcs» £50; 12, Thomas Masetfeld, from £s« . £17 10s; 23, Thomas Masefidd, Mil So* street, assessed at £10, no reduction ;lv Tliomas MaseUeld, from £7 10s to £S;JJ Thomas Maselield, Wallace-street, asses* at £20, no reduction; 60. Tliomas W* field, Grattau-strect, £7 10a to..*1 552, Georgo Leaning, . {Ma«held JjT , peals), Ponsouby Koad, from £25 to » , 553, Thos. Maselield, Pousonhy-road, m £23 to £20 ; 625, Tiios. Mascfielo, ises". at £40, uo ieduction; 663, Tli<*.. M* liold, Clarence-street, lrom £5 to £4;. <** Thos. Masclie'd, Bridge-street, fromflS' £10; 550, Mils. MasdbW, Pio<L»ccl-«iin cU, from £5 t. £4; 213, W Moir, Dublin-strcd, frum i'W Ws w«' ■ 193, Mich,u I Mc'Jormack, Coiege» from £30 to £25 ; 825, MichaelMcLornuvS, Grace-street, from £22 10s to fl6J»r 657-G7O, Walter MoCaul, Clarence-***1 assessed at £S, no reductiou ; S6l, J«J. McGuire, Norfolk-street, from £18 1» " £1C; 944, Michael Eoutledge, Broffn-stfM from £14 10s to £12 10s; 91, EdwrfJ* cox, Shelly Beach .Uoad, assessedali m no reduction ; 119, James Wilson, TO> Terrace, assessed at £40, no «dueM». 381-925, Joseph William?, Bnglwd^W from £25 to £23 10s; 10—450—568, *"»» Jones, not entertained by Board; W, « John Patterson, from £55 to £o0; --». . Company, assessed at £150. Mrßroffg appeared for the Gas Company, ana» mitted that £S0 was the outside vaJw" The Court reduced the valuation »«j, 291, lots 1 to S, Gas Company, ™? M1 t n h6 (!,j Mr Browning again appeared toi ■*« Companr, and submitted the outside^ to bi £SO.-Mr Hughes objected to «■ tf duction.-Mr Parsons, Secretary of")« Company, and Mr Herbsrt Ash on, » duly sworn, and deposed to the nit « properly.-Mr Parsons stated that"" Company paid £2,000 for theigroun* ■^ that £1,000 had been spent in ™ffi£&; up to the 15th January, so tnai » r perty was worth £3,000 at that^ His Honour remarked tbat the Courtw^, be guided by the actual selling; P"r>«(ft he would reduce the valuation w j, Applications was a'so made tor w» a this case, but were disallowed o"^^. that £150 had been agreed ta D'-||H pany last year. This concluded the business.

When two women with now to* J^ each other on the street there is "J^, | back stares made immediately. — """ Independent." . :*teth & I . The foolish virgin on the train «»• | mure and quietly on her seat b^ it | one flirteth with the conductor ana j, free of charge. rt $& An African proverb says the itUG V but cannot be buried,

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR TfIUBSDAT. FEBRUARY 26, 1880.



'Fl H I S L I X U M. L 100 DOZEN 2-BUTTON KID GLOVES (Quito sound), Only Is lid pcr'pair, A Largo Stock of FANCY GOODS, MILLINERY, COSTUMES, PINAFORES, DRESS GOODS, &c.,'&c. To bo Sold at Nett Cash, for a Short Time only. DRESSMAKING ON THE PREMISES, Costumes made in 21 lioura' notice. A. LINABUKY & CO.. 201 AtfD 208. QUKEN-STREKT. ■jV/T IL N E & nIIO YC E Have now on view n Complete Assortment of tho most beautiful SPRING GOODS of every description, from the best Ilomc markets. MILUNKRY, !n Pari3 nnd English STRVW GOODS, FLOWERS, FHIATIIKR3 VISITKS End MASTLEd, in Silk and Ca3h mero JACKETS, in Coloured Summer Cloth OLIVIAS, in Unahmf re, Siik, &<\ CHILDKUN'S HO-M, in Cotton, Li£»e, and Silk rAItASOL 5"., UMBRELLAS, RIBBONS KID GLOVflS—Black, White, aud Coloured; 1,2 4, and C bat ton UNDKSS3ED KIIJ GLOVES, 2 and I button. An Immense Stock of DRTCSS fiOOD3, in all tho newest nn-1 most fashionable styles and textures ; all marked exceediD{s:y moderate. HAUY LT^KN, CHH-D.-ICN'S AND XiADIBS' UNDKBOIiOTUINa, in great variety. BOYS' KNICKEIHWCKEES, HOSIEKY, HATS, COLLA.KS, I.TC. A Complete Acsortmont of Cjlicos, F.annel?, Linens, &c. Dnifn.i amii on Tilt P3BMISK3. Fivo pcf Cent. Discount iillowccl fur Cash. MILNE & C II O V C E, CIIEAPSIDE lIODSE.



Indigestion 1a necessarilly (ho oflfeprinK ot a Rristrlo disorder, while it is atmultanoouely the piront of moi-o physical disturbances than almost unyoilic: malady. Nervousness, irrita b'llly, impaired appeti c, nausea, licurt buro, restlessness;, clpudql vision, and v lioat of otlicr ailments', aro it 3 iineul inheritors, To destroy these, in to move the primal rourcu. and Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam /, romnlic Schnapps strikes at Hie very fountain heart, beinff at once an adju vunt, v tonic, a stimulant, and on appetizer. The new P. 0. S. sy stem now being initiated by (J. and C. will certainly prove v beneiit to tlio pubic. It bus been a great aucrces3 in Sydney and Melbourne, and whon strictly cariiod out th<> customer who buya at an establishment ■where the «ood* aro marked low to ensure a rapid Biile must be a urcat (jainc. G. and C. Bull their dianary, millinery and clothing at suc'ii pi'icuj for ca^haa gives tho buyer the advantage of a shareholder in a co-opcrutiY'Oß-cioty, witfi- O'it tlie loss bh'iuld tho year'u busiuuss provo nn g ir.i.-ifnotory. O. und C. Avill aim to retain th conllilenco which tho public hayo hitherto shown them, and are determined to k'1 c the pure cash system v (airtiial; whether Ihey Main or lose tho first year. Country buyers on remitting c&sh with order will b > B'jpplicd witli f<ouds at co operative prices, jut tha i-amo as tiiou«h they hud made a. pjisoual coleoUoa< Fnrn'a'iiiig kocklh, such uh carpets, fl )or cloths, bsdstoid", lj>:d(liii(f, find w:.nt:r\\ lioine furnituro, the Jbi'k cl. |j'j;tio i of wliiWi it tiinei out at our own factory, will bo marked at tho lowest romnnoro ti vo priuos, nnrl a dlicomit o£ five par cent, will be allowed to High ; who pay at the time of p r chase. Havinßroal z:d the entire value cf tho ntock ihirinK tho Into cash sal-, the i roseut stock io uKvr /iKf) vicnv ciijc&i-i.v HOUGHr. An in Bpcutiun i;i invltoil.—O*HLtOK AHDU'AKiraiA' VAV/ Hnll Furnishing Arcade, Quoun-strcct Auckland. Tub TfftuMi'ii ov iub Aui— In niodcrata tjue and distinctive excellence tlie Wilcox and Whltn Ortfuim col'pv all other f.tyksn. They ar.) citfulilo of brliiijviiteirur.ts »a well nu of sui-.tiined harmony, ascl tho many varied, nnd beantiful combination:) arti:r)iiiitu to the perfonnairoo of Ciii'jbicttl, J,fi(.'itl:iial.u Orxau Music—Solo Agency: AuCKtvMj Music v/AUEiioudK, 7-1, Quecii-B'rofct, Thfl noiit w a sort of brake which a wi^o Providence puts on a man* lc;,'B when he <s living ti>» taut.—" NewOrleaim Picayune. " 'I'm: .M.i'<'iacJiiif.i:Hi.Su|jixiiiu Cmi ft decides thiit ;i wiuiau i« tojiii'Ctciit t<) LcKlify as to her <twn ;i;:c, but it doo»u't toll how to make ih'tiu do it.



Special Advertisements. A FEW GOOD REASONS for MAKING YOUR PURCHASES AT THH! j^-EW gEAhXm) QLOTHINQ "PACTORY. Tlic^Ma^CT-ialß are mannfactnrcd In New Zanland. aro made in"Now Zealand. Thojtfoney is expended in Now Zealand. Thn Stock|to gel Q"tfro'» Jfj,l)2p liir KCBt i" Tho C.nt and Trimmings aro equal to bespoke. The Price 3, considering tho Q^iffi and finlßh. are lower thnn llio^e of any other house in New Zealand. ■A ml notwithstanding the extra tarilFjtist imposed in New Zealand, there is *®" NjO^ADV^. N OKI NT P RICES^ You can still pr.rchnsa A SINGLK GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICK FROM TUB New Zealand Clothing A 1 ACTORY. Auckland Retail Bkanch : Q U E X .|N - S T R E X T, Opposite Theatre Roval. r\ V R ri RE A T OA L E OF MEN'S AND 13OYS' CLOTHING, HATS, CAPS, AND SHIRTS, COMMENCE TIII.S EVSNING, AH tho New Ship-nonts rccontly received will bo sold at salk bricks, alb -Tricks. J. COBGRAYE & CC. [ESTABLISHED A.D. 1553.1 T^y ILL [A M T> ATTI! AY, DRAPER, CI OTHIER, SILK MERCER, AND MERCHANT TAILOR, 66, QUEEN-STEEET, AUCKLAND, llaa Jest RcceiY-od a LARGE A3SOKTMKNT OF CALICOS, LINENS, TABLE DAMASKS, DAMASK TABLE CLOTHS AND NAPKINS, HUCKABACK to TURKISH TOWELS, COUNTERPANES, AND OTHER •pUUNISUING -J3KQUISITKS. Which wore bought riurin pj tho recent dopresalou in Buglisli Trude, and will be offered at proportionately LOW PRICES. Noto tho Address- CC, QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND (Opposite tho Bank of Now Zealand). HARLICK & riRANWELI Have Just Added to their Stock 1O CASKS OF TVEDSTUADS ! Ex 'Loch Urb.' NOW OK VIEW THE LARGHST AND BEST ASSORTMENT OB i Brass and Iron Bedsteads IN AUCKLAND. Our Last Importations (IU3T OPENED) ar< Direct from the Manufacturkhs, and Despatched to us before tho Rise in tho Price of Iron. Wo shall SELL this Shipment at OLD RATHS Uandsomo Halt-teeter Bedstead 5Ct. wide (extra large) Handsome HalMeater Bedstead lift. „ 3Jfs. „ ~ French „ ivlltizas, up to JJft. wide COTS, with Open and Perforated Sidco, CHILDKKN'3 BKDSTKA.DS. &c, UPWARDS OF '^#|A BKDSTEADB TO SELECT FROM, AND VERY CHEAP TjiußNiaa ■youii ttousk FROM THE CITY.HALL FURNISHING ARCADE, FURNITURE .. 5 per ot. Discount for Casl CARPETS .. „ 5 „ Discount „ LINOLEUM ..5 „ Discount „ OILCLOTHS .. 5 „ Discount BEDDING .. ..5 „ Discount BEOSTEAD3 .. a „ Discount „ TOILKTWARE .. 5 „ Diacouut „ TOILET & PIER GLASSES- ..5 „ Discount FKNDERS&IRONS 5 .. Discount „ Book Catalogues Sbnt Free. DESIGNS AND ESTIMATES GIVEN. HAKLICK & /~IRANWELL, CITY HALL ARCADE, Auckland. HREAT DAKGAINS \JT R E A T -O A R G A I N S GREAT BARGAINS! GREAT BARGAINS! GREAT BARGAINS! JUST OPENED, A SPLENDID LINE OF jyjEN'S 'pVVEED gl/ITS, AT 27 s 6 D- W OUTII 153. ONE CASK jyjEN'S JTLAX gHIRTS, With Coll us, AT 4s 6D WOIITH Gi 61. O>JIC BALK WHITE gUPER. JJL&NKETS, 13 s G D- Worth 20s. InHDCction speeinily invited t3 OUIi OWN MAKE OF BOYS' PLAIIED TUNIC SUITS, From -| yS. Aif NOTICTIIK ADIHtKBd— J. 11. K0 15 1N«O N, AUCKIiIND pijOTUINO T^ACTORY, NitXT IVIKSC'ItS TuNKH & CO.'S AUCTION MART,



Special Advertisments. f\ N SALE, Kcarsloy'B Combined Keapors and Mower Mangold and Turnip Drills Turnip Sllcora Oilcako Breakers Winnowing Maohlnoa Lawn Mowers. Also, TO AItIUVE, PER 'INGLEWOOD,' Coulter's Corn, Mangold, Turnip, and Manure Drills, combined And Ploughs, double andfcinglo Harrows Hollers &c. &c. «c Tho'abovo goods, are imported dirocted rom tho nianafacturers, and will be sold cheap to maliP room for further shipments. \V. J. HURST & CO,, 181. Qneou-BtrcQt.



TOWN EDITION. PUBLISHED AT 4.30