SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

—tart wATim.! This Evening, 7.10 hiud w ATEK-j Tomorrow Morning 7.29 BUN BET.—This Evening, 7.12 8-IN mS?r..--To-Morrs-.v Morning, ft. 1G MOON'S AGE.-Full Moon, 27th, 9.51 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

LAST EVENING.

Ryno. brigantino, Fernandez, from Savage ißlands. Argyle, s.s., Crawford, from Whangarel. to-day. Glenelg, s.s.. Farqubar. from Tauranga. Oamaru, brigantino, Short, from Dunedin

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENINQ.

lonn, s.s., Stepherteon, for Riis«ell Aniie Milbank, p.s , Andor^oufor Whangarel TO-DAY. Anavi, barque. Hill, for London Meg Men-lies, biigantlno, Me ICay, for Levuka

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Melbourne, via South,—Tararua, Thursday Loudon-Fernglen, liwuUng Tauranga—Glonelg, Wednesday For Now Plymouth and Southern Ports — Waitaki, Wednesday For Russell—Xona, Monday ; Penguin, Friday For Tauranga and Southern Ports — Penguin, Monday Whangaroi—Argylo, Tuesdays and Fridays ; Anno Milbank, Mondays and Thursdays. VKSSEL3 EXPECTED. Rismarok, 11.1.G.M.5., from Samoa Hero, s s., from Sydney and Melbourne, 30th City of Sydney, from Sydnoy, February 3rd Earl Granville, ship, from 1 ondon; sailed No vember 29 Agate, barque, from New York; sailed Septem ber 23rd British Empire, ship, from London; sailed Bth November Elinor Vernon, barque, from Now York; sailed lOih November Sfracathro, ship, from London; sailed Nov. 27 Loch Urr, barquo (W.Q.LK.), from London; sailed October 23rd Trevelyan, ship (V.N.H.S.), from London; loading City of Quebec, barque, from London. Elmiranda, barquo, from New York Mercia, barque, from London, loading Ada O. Owen, brlgantino, from Dunedin. Camille, brig, from New York Sybil, schooi.or, from Kaipara Agnes Donald, schooner, from Levuka Energy, schooner, from Levuka Fiery Cross, schoonor, from Oamaru Syren, brig, from Sydney; loading Tubal Cain, schooner, from Levuka Inland Lily, brigantlno, from Chatham.lslandS Active, brigantino, from Sydney Waiwera, schooner, from Austral Islamts Stag, barque, from Adelaide Ovttlau, schoonor. from Samoa Myrtle, brigantino, from Tonga Griffin, schoonor, from Now Caledonia Kthel, brigantino, from Dunedin Pirate, schoonor, from Tahiti Coronet, schooner, from MarshalllGroup Belle Brandon, schooner from Line glands Gael, sohoonor, from Levuka Jessie, schoonor, from Oamaru

IMPORTS.

Per Ryno from Savago Island: 35 tons copra, 9 tons pearl shells, 30 bales cotton, 20 bales fungus, 1 ton bech-de-mer, 100 bunches bananas.

EXPORTS.

Per Hawea for Tauranga-1 box, 2 packages. For Poverty Bay—Bo bags flour, 5 bags salt, 1 package. For Napier— 4 casks spikes. For Wellington—2 cases, 1 box. For Byttelton—4o pieces timber, 9 boxes boots, 2 cases. For Dunedin—lo qr.-oasks brandy, 1 box, 1 pair boots. _>bi Meg Morrl'les for Levuka—l,l3s pieces timber, 100 cases kerosine, 117 cases potatoes, 58 sacks potatoes. 120 tins biscuits, 1 bales drapery, 1 bale cloth, 58 eases and bags onlOD, 1 case Hams, 2 cases ohceso, 1 cask ironmongery, 13 totara logs, 4 bales oftnvas, 2 casks beef, 1 case toots, 6 ohains, 11 pieces machinery, 2 cases pickles, I case furniture, 25 cases preserved lLh, Per Christina for Lyttelton: 211 tons doors and sashes, 32.0T0 feet timber, ISO kegs blasting powder, 2 cases blasting cartridges, 1 parcel caps, 1 caso detotato s. Inwards Coastwise. — Whangarei. from Walkawau. with 55 ton 3 firewood: Mary Ann from Mahurangi, with 560 bushels lime. Outwards Coastwisb.—Mana for Katlkati, with 13.000 feot Umber, 300 posts, 2 tons wire foncing, 1 tan iron : Kriemhilda for Wangaroa ; Mary Ann for Mahurangi; Ruby for Mercury Bay. Tho schoonor Energy is expected to leave Lsvuka for this port on Saturday neit. Tho s.s. Hero may bo expected from Sydn* and Melbourne on Thursday night, or early eta Fi Iday morning. Tbo B». Argylo arrived lust evening from Whangarel and Mangapai, with 10 srifflss gum, 8 kegs batter, 1 boxes eggs, and sundries. Pas- Hongois—Br. und Mrs Payne, Mrs Thomas Hen derson, Rev. M. Macintosh. Messrs McJuro, Edwards, Nathan, and 10 in the steerage. Bhe returns to tho same ports to-night. Tho brigantine Ryno arrived yesterday after noon from nn Island crulso, whioh has oxtonded over a period of throe months and a half. Cap tain Fernandez roports having left this port on October Bth, becalmed outsldo threo days, and arrlvod at Savage Island on Ootobor 2Cth. Cruised through the groupes till tho 15th inst., when tho vesssl loft Savago Island for Auok land. Fresh easterly breezes with rain were experienced till making Capo Karakara on Saturday laat. and north-eastorly winds till arrival. The Ryno brought a fall cargo of Island produce, and throe passengers, viz., Mossrs G. Dunnett, W. Trenchard, and Master Nlcholte. Tho barquo LOongana, from Hobort Town, is discharging her cargo alaDgslde the inner western tee of the Queen-street Wharf. Tho brigantine Meg Merrilles sailed this morning for Levuka with a full general cargo and tho following passengers :—Mr and Mrs Yates and chUd, Dr,, Bey. Mrs W. Thorpe, G- Wottbington, Alexander Hamilton, Dupra. Tho barque Anszi jailed to-day for London with a cargo of wool, gum, &c, valued at £25,000, and two passengers—Miss Nlccol and Mrs Smelt. Tho cnttor Sovereign of the Seas has been chartered to proceed to Noumea, Now Caledonia. She intered out at tho Customs to-day. Tho schoonor Christina cleared at the Customs to day for Lyttloton with a cargo of timber, powder, and sack", 4.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Port Chalmers, this day. The Canterbury, ship, from Glasgow withim migrants'is at tho Heads, Russell, this day. Arrivals: Tararua and lona. Sailed: Julia Price and Tararua—Passengers, Bishop Cowle, Masters Cowio (2). Mr R. Moody and family (1), Campbell, Moore, Trevase. Hokianga team are doing well with the bat, just out for Hi runs.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLi ND. Mails will Close as Under :— This Day. Far Whangaroa, per Kriemhilda, at 4. p.m. For Waipu and Mangawal, per Kina, at 5 p.m. For Wangarei Heads, Waipu, Wangorel, and Mangapai, per Argyle, ati p.m Wednesday, 28th instant. For Wanganui, por Wallabi, at 6 a.m. For Taranaki and Southern Provinces, per Waitu I. at 8 a.m. For Coromandel, per-Coromandel, at 11.30 a.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at noon For Thames, per Enterprise, at 10.30 a.m. For Noumea, per Sovereign of tho Seas.atSp.m. For Whitiangi, Tairna, Tauranga, oad Opotikt, , per Glenelg, at i p.m. Thursday, 28th instaDt. For Gisborne, Nauier, and Southern provinces, per Tararua, at 5 p.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 5.30 a.m. Tuesday, 3rd February. Per s.s. 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 I 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 ou board the steamer up te the time of sailing. For Russell, Ka^akawa, and Australian Colonies, per Rotomahana, at 3 p.m. S. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster. Electrical in its effect, accepted in its strictest sense, and applied to any remedial agent, is rather a prejudicial qualification. Common sense repudiates the idea of a cure that is in stantaneous, and electricity is a momentary flash, Comparatively speaking, it nirty be used wiih propi iety, and in this sense it is introduced in connection with Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps, which performs its various offices with remarkable promptitude.

MARRIAGE.

FLOWER—LOVELL.- On October G, 1869, at Funafuti, Ellice Group, Gerald Edward Flower, of Auckland, younget-t son of the late Mr Joseph Flower, of Bath, Somersetshire, England, to Clara, daughter of Mr Lovoll, Architect, Hobait Town.

DEATHS.

HARBISON—On January 21. at Devonport, Arthur Booth, infant son of Edward M. C. Harrison.

MAGINN.—On January 2G, at Albert-street, Auckland, VarODlea, the beloved wife of Richard Maginn, cordial manufacturer; aged 31 years.—Melbourne papers please copy. Oho funeral will tako place at 3 o'olook p.m. to-morrow (Wednesday), the 28th instant. Friends are respectfully invited to attend.

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1880.

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

And tho good thatjwo can do.

In what way are wo to view the melan choly fact that only some twenty to twenty-five householders were attracted to the annual meeting of tho Auokland City Educational District, in which tho three pre-existing districts havo been merged 1 Is it oonceivnblo that no more than twenty-fivo people, out of tho fourteen thousand in tho City, feel any interest in educational matters 1 "With 2000 children attending tho City schools, wo cannot think that parents are so wholly indifferent to the election of the men entrusted with tho management of educational affairs, as tho attendance would represent. Wo believe, therefore, that s&mo other cause must be sought for the singular lack of interest, and the only explana tion offered, is tho one givon at tho mooting, namely, that through tho par simony or negligenco of tho Board of Education in not properly advertising tho meetings, very fow people—and only those interested —were aware of tho time and place of holding them. If our school system is to maintain its popu larity, the sympathies and co-operation of the people must be fostered. An ad ministration which leads to indifference among the friends of tho system while the enemies are active and unflagging in their assaults, is one that must in the long run undermine, if it does not over turn the present policy of the country in educational matters. The spirit shown by the Board towards the school committee in fixing these meetings arbi trarily, without consulting those chiefly concerned and whose opinion as to the most convenient place of meeting ought to have been asked, as well as the failure to give due publicity after taking the matter out of the hands of the com mittees, is one that will not conduce to the good administration of educational affairs. We have heard complaints on the subject from various quarters, and though we believe the Board was not really actuated by any intentional disre spect to the committees, nor by a desire to burke discussion at the householders' meetings, the course it has pursued in the matter is none the less a mistaken one, and the complaints mado by the members of the late City School Com mittee and others present at last night's meeting were just. Before passing from this question of the relations between the Board of Education and tho Committeea we would say that as, a general principle, the Board should decentralise its functions as much as possible, and en courage the householders to actively engage in the management of local school affairs. It is not to be supposed that men, having any self respect, will do this, if their powers are continually usurped by an arbitrary authority ; and they are themselves liable to be snub bed, and their wishes overridden. Upon the efficient discharge of the duties by the Committees, depends even in a larger degree than on the Board of Education, the smooth working of the whole system, and tho members of the Board will act wisely in effectu ally sitting upon any attempt to centralise the offices and disgust the members of the committees, and in doing all they can not only to uphold and assist them, but also to enlarge their functions when they find committees capable and anxious to do their work in a painstaking way. In enforcing the compulsory clause of the Act which by law is made optional with the com mittees and left to their judgment, the Board might and ought to aid and encourage any committees that are willing to undertake the onerous, un pleasant, and costly duty which adopting the permissive clause entails. The city committee has been com pelled to abandon its first attempt at wojfkjog this important section through want of the necessary funds and support ; anil we have no hesitation in saying tlmt, s$ a conse quence, our public school system is an utter and unqualified failure in one of its most essential elements. If we believe that because education is free, po children are growing up in ignorance, and tlie vice that b comes from t not even knowing better, we are living. in a fool's paradise. This is not the fault of the system, but of the adminis tration, and we consider it to be the duty of the Board of Education to eucourago all committees to use thoiv utmost jex.ejrtjLon.B to pei»oye what is tho serious and evident fjiaw in what should, from its .costliness, be a system that is unassailable on the score of .efficiency. The proposal mad© lost night tp invito the suburban

committees to join the city in maintain ing an officer for the purpose of enforc ing these compulsory provisions is a very good one, and wo hope it will be carried out, and meet with a ready response from those populous suburban districts where the class whom the Act was specially meant to get at are no less utterly neglected and ignored than in the city. The police ought also to assist the committees in carrying out what is the statute law of the country.

The city meeting last night, though weak in numbers, was evidently toler ably strong in practical knowledge of the Act. Various excellent sugges tions other than those referred to above were made and discussed in an intelli gent way. Among these, the question of school holidays and the exclusion of children from public schools. The former matter we have' discussed in previous issues, and we see no reason to alter the opinion that three weeks or a month at the utmost is ample for the New Year holidays. If the health of the children required a few extra days at other times, it would be better to give them, but so long an interval which cannot but interfere with the studies and progress of the children, besides, entailing upon parents, much unnecessaiy trouble in keeping thoiv offspring from bad and idle asso ciates, has little in its favour. The ex clusion of children from schools except for the vicious practices specified in the Education Act. is simply throwing the Act to the winds. Children must be admitted, and if our schools are thereby overcrowded others must be built. No doubt certain schools from past success are favourites with parents, and applications press in beyond ; tho accommodation, but it is the business of the Committee to exercise a proper supervision and regulate matters of the kind, so as to fairly distribute the children in the various City schools. If any of the schools are below a proper standard of efliciency,and therefore properly shunned by parents, the faultoughttobo removed. Where parents, however, habitually interfere with the attendance of the children, and encourage irregularity, they cannot expect to receive equal attention with those whose attendance is regular. .Tho committee are quite justified in making tho irregular give placo to tho regular attonders iv filling in the schools. But it is an abuse of this Act not to bo tolerated under any circumstances, for boys or girls abovo school ago to bo allowed to continuo their studies at free schools, whether younger children are thereby excludod or not.

The Boers are growing bellicose and obstinate, the jnost prominent characteristic of tho'.Dutch, is being displayed, and a dog iv tho manger policy is to bo submitted at a meeting of the Volksraed. Tho plan of isolation, which is suggested very closely, resembles that of tho Maori Kiugites, when they established the aukati. The idea of refusing protection to Englishmen in Bocrland is supremely absurd. Tho pro bability is that the Hoers are more likely to need English sympathy and protection tjgainst the tribes on their frontier.

Wo hear that Mr Phcehan has definitely decided to go into business in Waikato, and specially to direct his attention to the open ing up and settling of the various blocks of nativo land which have for sonic years past been under negotiation by Europeans. It is said that all lands which he will deal with will bo otFcred for sale by public auction, and that a large area ot the best lands will bo opened for salo upon the deferred payment system. If this be correct tho movement will commend itself to the general public, lor while ft might bo better perhaps if the Government acquired native lands and sold them on public account, yet wo cannot afford to wait for another four or five years for a settlement of these questions. Time ia tho essonco of the contract. It will bo a bright day for the province of Auckland when the Waikato Valley is pro perly settled, and will add largely to our trade', and revenue, besides giving the pro vince a higher prcstagc and inlluence in the councils of the colony, through (lie enormous revenue of wealth and population which is sure to result.

The total number of prisoners in Mount Eden gaol, on Saturday last, was 125 males and 34 females.

Mr Riccardi's Company performed " Pinafore" for tho last tinio at tho Theatre Royal last evening. This evening " Tho Sorcerer " will bo reproduced, followed by the " Ro3o of Auvergnc " and on to-morrow evening "Maritana."

Mr T. V. Fitzpatrick, of Ngaruawahia has just received a supply ot New Zealand Insuranco Company twelvo inch rule, and has with his customary enorgy been distri buting them among the worthy people of Ngaruawahia and the surrounding country.

The Mammoth Minstrels were greeted again last night by a good house, and much good feeling was manifested by the audience. The programme was of a very pleasing character, the first part comprised a nunibor of good songs, comic and sentimental, in terspersed with wit »nd licmour, which touched the perceptions of the listeners into bursts of laughtei. The whole was plea sant and agreeable This w«ok will bo the last of the Minstrels, and as their enter tainments are lively, clover, and irroproaeh able, we recommend thoir performances to the public.

The half-yearly meeting of the Taupiri Coal Mining Company was held yeiterdoy afternoon, in the office of Mr Frank Schertt, Fort-street. Mr John Kobertson was in the chair. The Directors prcsentod their report and balance sheet; tho former shewing that recent operations had been successful. A scam of coal of superior quality, varying in thickness from 32 to 42 feet, has been struck, and it Is estimated to contain about 800,000 tons. To connect this seam with the pre sent workings and machinery, an outlay of some £200 only will be required. Tho balance shewed in the profit and loss account a credit balance of £1052 9s sd, out of which a dividend of Is per share had been declared. A balanco of £452 9s 5d was carried to the present year's account. Tho number of directors was increased to six, and tho fol lowing shareholders were elected:—Mess-s Buchanan, Byron, Chambers, Hammond, Kicli and Kobertson. The meeting closed with votes to the chairman and directors.

Tbo first races of the I'arnell Swimming Club took placo on Saturday last at the breakwater baths. They were a great success, and were conducted under the superintendence of W. llosscr (captain). The following were the events :—lst, The diving for tho saucer was won by A. Russell, four others also competed. 2nd. Second class swimming a dead heat between J. Lecky and T. Brown. 3rd. First-class swimming was a dead heat between C. Furber aud L. Skinner, 1; W. McConnell, 2; M. Kosser, 3. A. Russell though a champion diver is not a successful swimmer. 4th. Long dive was won by A. Russell; W. McConnell, 2. sth. A. raco for members over 16, was won by A. Furber; L. Skinuor, 2; M. Kosser, 3, This brought the meeting to a close. The two dead heats were decided to be divided by the wiuners. Great praise is duo to W- Kosser for his admirable super intendence. The events were very Interest ing, and have led to a number of new members joining the club.

The attempt on the part of some liberal minded landlords in England and Ireland to alleviate the existing distress by reduction in rents is being frustrated, as" the following paragraph from " Truth " will show :—" It is too had of tho Income-tax Commissioners to make tho Duke of Bedford pay on tho very large sum which he lately returned to his agricultural tenants. They contend that he received it, and then gave it away ; but this decision will come as a bitter blow to the bulk of landowners who have un willingly diminished their incomes by 10 and 20 per cent, and are feeling the effects the loss. Now insult, is added to injury by then having to pay tho tax on the full amount."

A few days ago we drew attention to a peculiar case which came before the Sydney Hospital* authorities. The gentlcmaa, whoso name is George Grinistone, was not an auctioneer, hut was a commercial traveller in the firm of Gardner and Co., general outfitted While in Auckland lie was several times lendpwa speechless Uy being seized with epileptic fits, anfl. \}S Was taken to the Hospital here and received mrtwl attendance. He was employed up to his departure from Auckland m the firm ot Messrs Garlick and Cranwell. While here lib stayed, at Mr bouse, Queen-street, and was there taken ill with fits from which he lost alj .control oyer his speech for seyeral days.

The presentation of prizes to the Sunday scholars, and choristeis of St. Paul's, and the exhibition certificates of merit, will be made this evening in tho Snnday school room at 7 o'clock. Parents and members of tho congregation file invited to be pre sent.

The death of Mrs Maginn, the wife of Mr Maginn, cordial manufacturer, of Albert street, appears in this days obituary. The deceased was much esteemed by those friends who knew her best iv her home. Mr Maginn, in consequence of his bereave ment, is compelled to suspend business for a few days.

The Union Bank of Australia announces a handsome dividend of one pound fifteen shillings a share, together with a bonus of five shillings for the half-year ending 31st December. This is the best testimony that the Bank continues to enjoy a large and lucrative business,

Several men were lately fined in Wan ganui for loitering on the footpath and obstructing pedestrians.

Steps aro beiug taken at the Thames to raise a fund to provide means of sending Mr Ensor, whose eyesight was injured through an accident in the Alburnia mine, to Sydney, in order that ho may have the benefit of the highest opthalmic skill.

A son of Mr Logic, post-master, of Hamilton, was severely scalded yesterday, by pulling a jug of hot water from a table upon himself. Dr Sandes applied the neces sary remedios, and the sufferer is doing well.

One of the writers in the " Sydney Morning Herald" who advocated remission of sentence of death on Scott and Logan, was a Mr William Kerr Nesbitt, who protects himself against any suspicion of his being related to the bushranger who was shot in the capture of the gang, by stating that the only relatives the writer ever had South of the line are at Gisborne, N.Z. He contends that Scott had many good as well as bad qualities. He also accuses Dr Carr of describing an interview with the bush ranger which never took place, and Rich mond Tnatcher of seeking an interview with Scott under the pretence that the latter desired to see him, when there was no such wish. The Wellington " Punch " haa boen giv ing illustrations and biographies, not always "couleur de rose," of leading New Zealand politicians. One of the members for City West had the honour of obtaining early notice, and iv tho last number to hand under the head of "Men of the Time " is a grotesque likeness of Major Atkinson—the Taranaki Major. The other cartoon is a modern rendering of ono .-Esop's Fables, called "Old Reynard's last transformation" with tho line "The eongrcgation sought of fowls." A fox, surmounted with the head of a well-known Rangitikei Knight, is repre sented standing on his hind legs, near a hen roost from which he is trying to o ntice two feathery occupants, over whom is printed " To Whiti's hen-house."

Tho "Wanganai Herald," which has lately distinguished itself by its open hos tility to Sir George Grey, speaks in ditl'erent terms of the late M ative Minister, It says—"Mr Moss's defence of MrSheehan is as chivalrous as it is true. Tho late Nativo Minister's faults were moat of them vicarious—ho boro the cms of others who havo posed as superior beings and he has not complained. There has never been any public man in New Zealand more personally disinterested than Mr Sheehan. He has never sought directly or indirectly to benefit himself by virtue of his position. He threw his whole soul into tho work of breaking up tho Kin" party, and succeeded in detaching Rewi, who bus remained a firm friend of the Government. If be did not gain equal triumphs in other quarters, it was more his misfortune than his fault."

Our Port Albert correspondent writes: The Annual Meeting ot tho Port Albert Agricultural Society was held at Mr J. Shepherds J.P., ou Wednesday February 21. An interesting paper was read by Mr Shepherd. Mr G. Dibble was elected President, Mr R. Cusforth Vice-Prosideut, aud Mr Clayson Secretary for tho ensuing year. It was decided to hold Society's Show on Thursday February 26. On Wednesduy tho Christian Brethern had a tea-meeting in the school-room. There was about a hundred persons present. After tea a public meeting was held. Bro. W. Pettet in the chair. The district Is fortunate in having a resident Medical gentleman. The members of the Medical Club wisely left it to Dr. Rosa to rciidein that part of the settle ment he considered most convenient for him. He has taken Linden Cottage as his rcxidence, and a more suitablo place could not lie found, as it is very accessible nnd centrally situated. The present season has been most favourable to cottiers generally. Those settlers owning dairies will do well Ibis summer, notwithstanding the low price obtained for butter. There is abundance of feed overywlioro tor stock, a good crop of potatoes, aud plenty of fruit, especially plums and apples. But gum digging seems to pay much better than farming, conse quently many of tho .settlers who looked down on gum digging when gum was selling for £25 per ton have changed views now gum is fetching £63 at tho local stores. The very favourable balance-sheet of the Poit Albert Co-opcrativo Society is good evidence not only proving tho advantages of co operation but also shows that the trade of tho district is steadily increasing. Goods are Hold ftrictly for cash only, and tho receipts have been nearly £5,000 for the pnst year. By last mail the manager of the store received returns for gum sent to Englaud, and the shareholders, who are chiefly residents in tho district, cau con gratulato themselves on a handsonao profit

The Good Templars are requested to wear official regalia on the 29th, and members who have no regalia, a ted, white, and blue rosette of tho Oidor, on tho right breast.

Tho bricklayers of Auckland will hold their anniversaiy supper and ball, in tho Choral Hall, instead of Loruo-street Hall, as previously advortised, in cousequence of the latter being iv the hands of the Mam moth Minstrels.

A soiree will be held on Friday next at Hcnd ersrm's Mill, which will be of a most interesting character. We understand that this is the first entertainment of the kind that has been hold in this rising district.

The friends of the newly organised early closing movement, will hold an adjourned meeting this evening, in the business de partment of the Workiug Mens' Club, for the purpose of hearing tho committee's re port of their progress in tho cause, and such business ns may be brought up by members. A conceit in celebration of tho opening of the new school buildings of tho Devon port District School, will be held in the boys' school-room, on Friday evening next, at 7.30; tho proceeds to bo given to tho school fund. The concort will include several readings by Reader Wood Esq. M.H.R. ; Rev. Joseph Bates, and Mr Thomas L. White.

Mr. Lamb's Ngaruawahia Flour Mills.

Mr Lamb has not lost much time iv. re building, having nearly completed the brick work of a four-storey brick building on the site of the old mill. Mr William Fauks, of Whatawhata, is the contractor, and ho expects to finish in about a fortnight, The uew mill is a substantial structure ; tho mortar is composed of Wilson's Mahurangi hydraulic ground stono lime, equal to cement. Tho bricks were mado by Mr JJootli, of Ngaruawahia, and are pronounced cqnal to any made in Auckland. The roof will be of iron. The machinery for the mill was imported from James Gimeson aud Son, of Leicester. The mill-stones were obtained from John Rcid and Son, Glasgow, and are now ou the ground. The engines will bo jot condensing, and are being made by Messrs. Price Bros., of the Thames. V{o aro informed by Mr Lamb that he is getting tho engines made as cheap as he could im port the samo from England. The ''smutter," imported from America, is the latest patent manufactured by Mossre. Nagle, McNeal and Co., Silver Creek, Now York. The mill is designed to work six pair of stones, but for tho present will be fitted up with four pair of stones, capable of grinding one hundred tons of flour por month. The new building is a credit to the enterprising proprietor, Mr Robert Lamb.

POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

(Beforo Messrs Dargaville and Prime, Justices.) TEMPORARY INSANITY. EdWnvd Scott, described as a labourer at Riverheud, was brought up on a charge of drunkenness, but was unable to plead, as he was suffering from delirium tremens. The unfortunate man stared wildly round the Court, and was remanded' for eight days. CRIMINAL ASSAULT. William Samuel Tidmarsh was charged wjth assaulting Harriet Shakespeare, 'with intent to commit a rape, Sub-Inspector Pardy said there were several other charges of a like character against the prisoner. Ho would therefor^ ask tor a remand until Friday next, when he hoped to have all the necessary witnesses in Court. Remanded accordingly. This was all the business.

CABLE NEWS.

EUROPEAN.

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

English Shipping.

LONDON,

January 24. Arrived : The Hudson, from Port Chalmers, and Cusco from Adelaide.

LONDON.

January 26. Germany "Warns Italy. Germany has warned Italy against hostility to Eussia.

The Afghan Insurrection. Aquib has joined Mahomed at Ghuzne.

The French will occupy Tankln,

(REUTERS SPKCIALfCABLEGRAMS. |

Occupation of Jellalabad.

LONJDOS.

January 26,

"With reference to the speech of the First Lord of the Admiralty at" Sutton last week it now transpires that it is proposed that tho British troops in Afghanistan shall retire from Cabul to Jellalabad, and the appointment of a British envoy at Cabul will probably be waived. The public belief in the rumours recently circulated, that a frontier province would be formed between the Khyber and the Kurrum, is strengthened now the above facts have transpired. Failure in Russian Wheat Crops. ST. PETERSBURG. January 26. There is a seriou3 deficiency in the Russian wheat crops, and the export-corn has so largely decreased that the expediency of importing American grain is being discussed.

AUSTRALIAN.

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION,

MELBOURNE. January 26,

The Queensland Loan.

The Queensland loan has been de ferred, probably with a view to issuing inscribed stock to tho amount required.

Melbourne Exhibition.

Numerous applications for space have been received from the leading British manufacturers. The decision to provide additional space at the Exhibition gives general satisfaction.

Murder will Out.

SYDNEY.

Tuesday.

[REUTKIT3 BPKCIAL CABLEGRAMS.]

A man named Coulthard, aged 28, has surrendered himself to the police, at Yass, stating that in IS7B, while he was a chemist, at Weston, England, ho poisoned his wife with prussic acid, weighted the body and threw it into the Mersey. Ho shortly afterwards emigrated to Australia, and now he asserts he is wretched and sees visions of his wife nightly.

Arrived : Arawata from Auckland.

MELBOURNE.

Tuesday. The dato on which tho adjournment and dissolution of the Assembly will take place is still uncertain, owing to tho slow progress which is being made with the consideration of the Estimates.

TELEGRAPHIC.

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.

GRAHAMSTOWN, this day. IMPORTANT SALE OF MINING

PROPERTY.

The most cxtensivo and important sale of mining property ever held here—or perhaps in New Zoaland—-took place this morning In tho Academy of Music ; among those present being several Auckland capitalists. Of tho property offered for sale was the re mainder of the Big Pump securities held by the County Council. The Caledonian mine was bought by W. Eowo fo' £3,000, the Imperial Crown, by Comer, for £175, and £1,300 was oll'cred for the Tookcy mine, but as it did not fcteli the reserve, it was not accepted. The Golden Crown mine was passed in, there being no bid. £250 was offered for tho Imperial Crown battery of 40 head stampers, but was not accepted. Tbo Tookey, Caledonian, and Golden Crown batteries were passed ia, as it -is likely that tho properties not sold to-day will bo olfered again shortly.

TE AWAMUTU, this day.

DROWNING AT ALEXANDRA

A boy named Albert Bay las, aged nine years, "was drowned at Alexandra yester day. Mr Graham, tho coroner, has ap pointed an inquest on tho body this after noon at four o clock.

DUNEDIN, this day,

The "Star" states that the Dunedin telegraph operators who went out on strike have been fined 50s.

TE KOOTI'S PROSELYTISM.

Wz loaru from an authontic source that ono of Te Kooti's wives is at To Kopuau, near Kawakawa, engaged iv making con verts to Te Kooti's new religion. She is expected to visit Marsh Brown's settlement at Waiomio, and much interest is taken in her movements.

Regatta Notes.

A private letter received in town yester day states that the Whito brothers are un able to come to Auckland to compete at the Annual Regatta this year, being too busy to come. The Champion Flag for the schooner race was on view, yesterday ar.d to-day, in tho window of tho store of Messrs J. and D. Oxley, by whom it was prcsentod. It is similar in design to tho others, but it is considerably larger. Tho open boat Sissy has been lengthened eight inches, and she is now within tho pre scribed measurement for the second-class Open Sidling Boat Raco. The Thames outrigger crew had a spin with the Rotomahana when she was leaving the Thames on Friday last. Tho steamer was going at tho rate of eight knots, and the outrigger kept up with her about a mile. The crew pulled well, aud appeared to be in good form. The brimiutiue Ryno, which arrived from the Islands last evening, will contest the Champion Schooner Race if she can obtain the use of the Graving Dock iv order to have her bottom cleanod. The cutters Lee, Wave, Tairua, Rose, Waratah, and Four Sisters, and barges Makarau and Lake Michigan have all returned to port. ENTRIES TO-NIGHT. The entries for the various events will he received by Mr J. Marshall, hon. secretary, at the club-room, Cosmopolitan Hotol, from 8 p.m. till 10 p.m. to-night.

Before Marriage a girl frequently calls her intended "her treasure" hut when he becomes her husband, she looks upon him as " her treasurer." • * Tho3 " Molbaurne Leader," referring to _\xa Now Zealand Property Ta*, -aftoi ex plaining some of its features, asks, ''Could any system of State espionage he more objec tionable than this? It seems difficult to understand how any people possessing the Instincts of Englishmen could submit to it? Official returns show that 3,065 French Communists have been amnestied, about 1,000 remaining excluded. In our columns will 1 c observed an advertisement from tho Now Zealand Accident Company, showing that they have fairly started business, and aro prepared to receive proposals for accident insurance. It is the intention of this Company to spread its ramifications like a net work throughout the colony, and from the serious claims it has on the community for supports shown by the numerous accidents that are continually happening, and the constant applications made on the public for relief. On examination of the pros pectus it will be seen that fo* £1 5,3 6d per annum the assured can secure £100 at death, and £1 per week for acciden tal in jury continuing for ,26 weeks. Also that for £4 per annnm the sum of £500 is payable at death, and £3 10s per week dur ing the continuance of the injury extending to 26 weeks. The adaptation of other tables, form an interesting' study; showing how for a given sum per annum an equiva lent can be obtained, covering the risk againat accidental injury or death |rom accident. We recommend all our readers to obtain an<} peruse a prospectus of this Cpmpany.

School Committee Meetings.

AUCKLAND (CITY).

THE annual meeting of householders in tho educational district of Auckland city was held last evening in the Nelson-street school room, rather more than 20 persons being present. Mr Chas. Wright was voted to the chair, and in response to his call Mr W Gorrie (chairman of the outgoing School Committee) presented the following

REPORT AND BALANCE SHEET. " 111 submitting a brief report of the year iust ended your committee has pleasure m noting the increasing popularity of the public schools system in this district, as shown by the large additions in the atten dance at the various schools.—There are six schools under the charge of the com mittee of this district, and the necessary attention to the various requirements of these has required a considerable amount of time and trouble on the part of your committee. A brief reference to each school will give what information may be desirable.— Wellesley-street.—The atten dance at this school has been more than full many having from time to time during the'year to be refused admittance for want of accommodation. On the recommendation of your committee some alterations were made in the early part of the year which afforded increased room, but ' the space at disposal is still inadequate to the demand. The adm tional building now in course of erection will no doubt, however, bo sufficient to meet requirements. As in previous years, this school has again been successful in carrying off a large proportion of the scholarship—five out of the eight having beeu obtained by Mr Worthington's pupils. Beresford-street.— This new aud commo dious building was opened in August, but unfortunately the head-master (Mr Ham son) was then seriously ill, and has beeu absent since on sick-leave. He has now happily recovered, and has.to-day resumed charge, and your committee has no doubt the school will soon attain efficiency under his care.—Nelson-street.—The attendance at this school, under tho charge of Mr Brabazon, has largely increased during the year, and is now fully up to tho number allowed according to the scale of space room. After repeated representation from your committee, the Board has at last purchased the allotment ad joining. This is a very necessary aud valuable addition.—Choral Hall, Symonds street (under the care of_! Mr Nicholson) : This school has also considerably increased in numbers. Some alterations have been made during the year, which have improved and increased the accommodation ; but the rooms in use are very unsuitable for school purposes.—High-street: The building in use at the beginning of the year, when the committee took office, was evidently quite unfitted for the requirements of thisdistiict, and the Board was strongly urged to obtain the old Congregational chapel instead. This has been done, and the alterations effected render it a very suitable school house. The school is under the charge of Miss Wann.—Howe street : This school is entirely for the benefit of the inmates of the Home for Neglected and Destitute Chil dren. Under the charge of Miss Baron,Etbe children appear to make considerable im provement in tho several branches taught. In conclusion, the committee would com mend to the attention of his successor the desirability of impressing upon the Board of Education the necessity existing for the appointment of a properly 'qualified officer to attend to the working of the [compulsory clauses of the Act. Duriog the year your committee took some action in this matter, and secured convictions in the two cases of prosecution instituted. The effect of /this was such as to largely increase the attend ance gat the various schools, but as, on account of the limited amount of funds at disposal, the committee was unable to con tinue the employment of a default officer, tho benelit derived will he soon lost, unless, further action is sustained. This matter has been fully represented to tho Board, as also the necessity of incicased grants to the committee, as, with every care and economy, it has been with the greatest difficulty that the expenditure has been kept within the amount at disposal." ACCOUNT. Statement of accounts of tho school fund for the year ending 31st. Decem ber 1879 :—lncome : Capitation allowance, £271 10s 2d ; special grant for payment of • rent Messrs Harrison and Potter, £40 6s 8d; receipts from late school committee, £54 8s 2d ; from Grammar School Board of Governors towards payments of cleaner's salary Wellesley-street public school, £4 17s 6d ; total income, £371 2s 6d. Expenditure: Cleaning schools and outbuildings, £159 5s Gd ; fuel for school use, £2 15s Gd ; water supply and apparatus, £37 12s 6d ; repairs to buildings or furniture, £21 19s lOd ; furniture, (including carriago of furniture), £19 Is Gd. Expenditure of special grant from Board — Rent to Messrs Harrison and Potter. £40 6s 8d ; salary of • clerk or treasurer, £55 Is Gd ; printing and advertising, £6 8s ; stationery, £18 15s ; miscellaneous, £G 10s; total expenditure, £364 16s Gd. Balance in bank nnd in hand to 31st December, 1879, £6 Gs : total, £371 2s 6d. On the motion of Mr G. K. McNab seconded by Mr Gaze, tho repott and balance-sheet were adopted. EXPULSION OK ABSENTEE PUPILS.. The chairman having signified his willingness to receive any questions that might bo addressed to him.' Mr Brearley enquired if a school toieher had the authority to expel a child from the school for irregular attendance. A case iv which such action was taken, had camo under his own notice, and it seemed to him a very anomalous procedure that while ou the one hand a gentleman was employe! to euforco the attendance of children at the schools, on the other teachers should bo allowed tho right of sending thorn home again. Iv the instance to which he referred, the child was detained at home for an afternoon, aud though ho went to school the next day with a written excuse, ho was dismissed by the head master. The Chairman said that no case of the kind alluded to bad been brought under tho notice of tho Committee. Mr Gorrio thought it a pity that persons with a grievance like this should not have communicated it to tho Committee, in order that a full investigation might have been made. Ho agreed with Mr Brcarley in thinking it rather anomalous that they should tako stops on the ono hand to com pel the attendance of children at school, and on the other allow them to bo dismis sed for irregularity in attendance. In ans wer to a quostion put by Mr Gazo, Mr Brcarley said, the^schoolto which ho referred was the Wellesloy-strcet one—Mr Worth ington's. It was his own child which had been dismissed. The Chairman remarked that Mr Worth ington had adopted a rule whereby child ren on absenting themselves for several occasions had their names struck oil tho roll. The salaries of tho tenchors wore regulated by tho averago attendance of the scholars, aim this was an expedient desigucd to ensure regular attendance. Mr Thwaites wished to know what authority Mr Worthiiigton had to turn children away from his school. The thing had occurred more thau once. Mr Brearloy cousiderod Mr Worth iiigton the sorvant of tho Committee aud not its legislator. If it was within his province to institute rules aud regulations there was no need for a Committee. Ho desired to know how long a pupil might remain away from school before the com pulsion clause of the act could be enforced against him. A voice : "Six months." NUMERICAL LIMITS. Mr Gorrio read a lcttor from tho Board of Education declaring that not more than 020 children could bo accomodated at the Wcllesloy-streot school, and not more than 410 at tho Nelson-street school, so that the teachers were desired to keep within thoso limits. Tho Chairman mentioned that that morn ing 120 children had to be donied admission at tho WcUo«loy-street school, 730 having applied. Mr Shearson asked how many pupils attended that Rchool who resided iv other districts. The chairman replied that he. did not know; the committee had not the power to refuse admission to any child when there was accomodation for it. Mr Brearley enquired how many children over the specified schsol age were amongst the pupils on tho beginuing of December. The Chahmau replied that he was equally uuable to give auy information ou this point. Mr Brearley believed that some of the candidates at the recent ex aminations who were successful in gaining scholarships wore 16 years, aud upwards, while the Act only provided for tbc educa tion of children up till the age of 15 year*. He knew of several cases in the Wellesley street school ot scholars being over the a^es of 15 and 16 years. They were really adults, and should not be allowed, to take up the accomodation intended for younger pupils. ' ° _ Mr Gome questioned whether it was de sirable to turn children over 15 years from school, when they displayed an anxiety to continue tho prosecution ot their studies. Such pupils were in greater need oi edu cation than the child of 5 or Q years. Mr F. llewin a3kod for t\_ words of the A.ct Rearing upon the matter. . Mr Qojrie said that the Act declared that go ctyld oyer the age of 15 years should be

allowed to attend school unless it was with the consent of the Committee. Mr Offer was of opinion that those parents who were able to allow their children to attend school after the ages of 15 and,l6, were in a position to bear the cost of their observed that only two cases had come under the notice of the committee, of pupils being over the school age. In both, the committee's assent was given. COMPULSORi' ATTENDANCE.^ Mrßrabazon expressed his opinion that the police should have the power of com pelling the attendance of our little warfs and strays at the public schools, the Com mittees being in this way relieved of the responsibility of incidental expense. Mr Monasters said that it was the wish of the old committee to secure the co-opera tion of the suburban committee ,in main taining an officer who would attend to tins matter. THE NEW COMMITTEE. _ The election of a school committee for the ensuing year was then proceeded with. The following gentlemen were nominated, viz: Messrs W. Gorrie, Chas. Wright, G. McMasters, J. D. Schmidt T. Thwaites, G. K. McNab.F. Hewin.W. Offer.andX. B. Andrews. Mr M. Brearley and Mr Robert French having been appointed scrutineers, a ballot was taken with this result :—gorrie, 24; Schmidt, 24 ; Andrews, 18 ; McMas ters, 17; Wright, 16; Hewm, 14; Thwaites, 14; Offer, 11 ; McNab, 8. Messrs Gorrie, Schmidt, Andrews, Mc- Masters, Wright, Hewin, and Pliwaitcs were therefore declared duly elected. DIVISION OF VOTING POWER. Mr Brearley pointed to the anomalous mode in which the Board of Education was elected-a mode that was fair iv no sense ot the term. Each school committee had only one vote in the election, so that a committee like that which they had just appointed, and which had fully 2,000 children under its control, only exercised the same power that was possessed by a committee which had only *20 children to provide for. He considered that some expression of opinion should be made on the subject. At the last election the city was represented by three committees, aud consequently exer cised three votes. But the subsequent amalgamation had deprived them of two of these votes, thus circumscribing their Mr Gorrie fully endorsed the remarks of the last speaker." The Committee had felt the Injustice of the thing so acutely that it refrained altogether from nominating. It was unfair that small and petty districts should have the opportunity of swamping cities whose population was fifty times greater. There was room for improvement here as there wa« also elswhere. The Committee was cramned in every way in tho discharge of its duties, and the share of power allotted it was quite insufficient. The members felt that the position was not one worthy of their acceptance, so much were they hampered, and they remained in office simply in order that they might help on any reform which was brought for ward. • . Mr Schmidt thought it a fitting oppor tunity for the people to give expression to their views on the subject, and he therefore moved, " That in the opinion of this meet ing that part of ihe Education Act which provides for the election of Education Boards should be so altered as to give the power of election to the householders of the various districts, instead of to the school committees.

Mr McMasters seconded the motion,

Mr French considered it a step in the wrong direction, inasmuch as the system proposed was hardly workable on account of the expense that it would involve. Mr Brearley was of opinion that the desired reform might be achieved if a vote were given to committees for each 100 children under their control. The system proposed by Mr Schmidt was a very cum brous one.

Mr French proposed as an amendment, " That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that each committee in the elec tion of members of the Board of Education should have votes in proportion to the number of schools under its care." At the suggestion of Mr Gorrie, the word •'schools" was substituted by "scholars." The amendment was then seconded by Mr Eaglesim, aud on being put to the meeting was carried. INSUFFICIENT ADVERTISING. Mr Staines referred to the paucity of the attendance at such an important meeting, aud attributed the tact to insufficient adver tising. It was a pity that the meeting had not been more generally notified, for in that case a better representation of the householders would have been obtained. Mr Brearley accepted the small attend ance as an indication of the general satis faction of tbo people with the manner iv which the committee's duties bad been per formed. They knew that the work was in good hands, and consequently they did not trouble themselves. Mr Gorrie said that the Committee had not the power of appointing the meetings, and the Board had not had the courtesy to ask what would bo the most convenient time and place. With regard to Mr Brearley's consolatory remarks, he might say that tho Committee would feel moro satisfied if they had a much larger number cf householders present. He hoped that next year tho advertising would be taken into their own hands. Mr F. He win concurred with this hope and in order that it might be realised he moved, " That in the opinion of this meet ing the annual meetings of the School Com mittee should be more tully advertised." The motion was seconded by Mr Staines and carried. SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. Mr French deemed it right that some al teration should be mado in the length of school holidays. The five weeks which were allowed at present during the Christ mas season should at least 'bo reduced to four week?. Mr Thwaites believed that thsy might judiciously be reduced to two weeks. Mr French was certain that five weeks at one stretch was too much altogether. Four weekß would bo ample. Many of us had to work harder than the teachers for a week's holiday. Mr F. Hewin said that some schools under the coutrol of the Board enjoyed as many as six or seven weeks' holidays. Mr Brearley was also in favour *of tho holidays being curtailed ix\ length, and he therefore moved, "That in tho opinion of this meeting, tho ingoing Committco should respectfully solicit the Board of Education to {reduce the number of holidays at present allowed tho schools," The teachers were allowed niuo week's holidays iv the course ot tho year, thus leaving 250 working days out of 365 while in addition to (these had fifteen special holidays per annum such as the saints' days', Easter holidays, and eventful days. In fact a crow could hardly fly ovor the oity without a holiday being declared for the schools. Every canceivahlc event was seizod upon as an excuse for a holiday. Tho teachers com plained of the examinations they had to uudergo as ouo had in that night's STAR, but if a comparison wcro instituted between their position and that of the members of the Civil Sorvico, it would be found that while the latter had to uudergo much severer examinations they had only one holiday to every five that the teacfeois en joyed. Then ou extraordinary occasions the tcacheis applied for and received v months' leave ot absence, while their s,iin,r. iea ran on just as usual. It was high time that reforms yverc made iv tUi^ direction. He had a s.liiwvd idea that if the teachers were paid by their pupila uuder the old system ouo week's holidays would content them.

M v McMastcrs seconded tho motion. Ho considered thrt tho midsummer holidays should be shortened, and the niiqwmter ouea done away with altogether, \t was a great annoyance for parents to have their ohild rcn running about the streets in winter time, aud coming home oovered with mud aud dirt,

Mr E. Hewin wa* sure that the public deemed tho holidays too numerous. The general impression was that if teachers wero paid by the pupils as under the old system there would bo far less holidays. Mr Erench thought that the five weeks' given at Christmas might well be divided into three weeks' at midsummer and two weeks at midwinter.

Mr McNab remarked that it was every, one s interest to do as little as possible for the money, and that therefore some leniency should be shown the teachers for obeying the universal iustinct. Two teachers had complained to him of the length of the holi days. They said that nfter such long vacations it took them tnlly a month to bring the pupils m> to thoir former standards. I he motion was then put and carried.

THANKS. Mr K. French proposed a vote of thanks to tbe out-gomg School Committee, and the proposition having been seconded, it was put and carried with acclamation. Mr Gorrie returned thanks. A similar compliment was paid the chair man^ gn<J the meeting dUaolved.

NEWTON EAST.

«.^^ b xh? mcetiug of the householders of this district was held last evening in the school-room tor the purpose of transacting tho usual business, as required by the present Act. Mr Cherry \ the chair! ADout forty persons wero present. Mr Jas McGregor, chairman of committee, read the report for the past year, and

__________________aa___m ——Pggjjgj referred to the improvements which had been effected in the school, and stated, that with the view of obtaining larger accomoda tion, the vacant allotment opposite had been purchased as a site for another school • t He expressed a desire that the committee which were to be elected for the ensuing term should he composed of men who wonl3 devote some little time and attention to the affairs connected with the school, and particularly, men who would attend' rech' larly the meetings of committee. His object in making this remark was to prevent the re-occurence of what had happened durino the past year, for on some occasions there were so few present that the business had to be transacted by three or four persons. Jj„ much regretted that the Education Act made no provision whereby members of If committee who would not attend the meet, ings could be replaced by others. jj» would also bring under the "notice of those present the advisability of establishing « savings hank in connection with the school and he would like to see a boolr on the subject of sobriety in general n- c The Treasurer's report showed that the expenditure for the past year up to 19th of : January was £135 Bs, with a credit balance ' in hand of £4 12, making a total of £140 while the income amounted to £140. number of scholars on the roll was • Wwtmi East, 480 ; Newton West, 220, with an average attendance of 330 for the former of 185 for the latter. On the motion ot '__, Garret, seconded by Mr O'Brieu, the report was adopted. The following resolution were then passed :—l. " That the chairman of new committee communicate with the Board of Education re the absence of mem bers from committee meetings, and that the chairman have power to declare vacant tho i se»t of any member absenting himself from 1 three consecutive meetings." 2. " That tho Board of Education be requested to provide a suitable playground for the children." . '■: " That the consideration of introducing '_ book on the subject of temperance should he deferred." 4. " That the thanks of the householders be conveyed to the late com. mittee for their exertions during tte patt |year*,"and 5, "'llia tho flunks of the house holders be awarded to the chairman (Mr Cherry) of the present meeliug."

GRAFTON ROAD.

The annual meeting of the houscholdersnf '■ the Grafton Road School l'i*tiict, was held last evening. Mr John Butger in the chair The meeting v. as fairly attended, and the annual report read by Mr (5. E. Hughes The report shewed that 356 scholars' names are on the roll; 197 hoys aud 159 gj r | c The report went on to give particulars of work dove in the way of improvements during the past year, and, that all liabilities had been paid, and that a credit balance at the Bank of New Zealand amounted to £31 3s Gd. The balance sheet which was also read and adopted, shewed receir.tr'from different sources £98 16s 6d ; expenditure £67-13s Mr Hughes and Mr Batgerde clinad to accept office again, and thought some other gentlemen might be put in their place.and experience the pleasures of office. Finally tho following honseholders were elected, Messrs Aicken, Chambers, Cooper George, Macffarlane, Pierce and Waite. a vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business.

PARNELL.

The usual annual meeting of the house holders of this Borough was held last evening. Mr Winks presided. THE REPORT. The chairman of the Committee (Mr Robinson) then read the report, which stated that through the space being con. fined, in which the scholars were taught, there had been a very small increase, although the attendance had been better than that of last year. The number on the roll for 1878 was 216, with an average attendance of 184.3; the number for 1879 was 218, with an average of 193.9, showing a better average that in the preceding year 1878. Atthe beginning of last year pressure was brought;to bear upon the Central Board to build a larger school. The Board recog. nised the necessity for better school accom modation in the district, hut could not'do anything on account of being short of cash. The committee then offered the Central Board £200 on condition that the Board supplement tho offer by £2,000. This the Board of Education agreed to, and in j short time the committee had received in cash £203 18s, of which £209' was paid over to the Board by M? Winks. Tenders were received, and that of Mr Connoly for £3,094 was accepted. Tho committee are in hopes of going into the new school in March. The following are entitled to certificates for their good attendance and punctuality :—F. Fowler, 428 marks, Ist class certificate ; W. Mcln tyre, 426 marks, 2nd class. The following scholars also deserve mention :—A. Jowler. 422 ; W. Smith, 420 ; J. Shearer, 419; X O'Neil, 413 ; M. Shearer, 413 ; E. Connor, 410; R. Forgie, 404 ; and K. Smith, 401, The balance of f undo granted by the Boaid was £48 7s, and the committee propose to use it for maps, gymnasium, and other! branches of healthy education. The report was adopted on the motion of Mr Clarke, seconded by Mr Fowler. * ELECTION OF COIBIITTEff. I The following gentlemen wore elected:- W. J. Speight (10), J. Winks (9), Captiiio McKenzie (8), J. F. Clarke (7), J. W; Robinson (7), C. Wood (7), E. J. Clark (6).^ Mr "Wood annonnoed his intention: to retire at the earliest opportunity, iv favour of Mr B. Ireland, Jh'i complimented Mr Winks and Captaii McKenzie on their untiring energy ia eol«* leoting money. If it had not been for thefi^ the district would not have had suchapritf mising future.—Mr Melton asked how ottaU the members of the Committee bad Sj tended.—Mr McKenzie said alt the mcnib&il attended except Mr Dargaville, wlir, haft! been elected, but who refused to take parfcf - The Chairman said Mr R. Inland n_\ been a very useful member of the Commit-? tee.—A vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman, and the meeting separated. ;

LAKE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

The annual meeting of tho Lake Takfr puua School Committee was held last oven-s mg iv the new school-rooru (Mr Wannellis^ tbe chair), the objoot being to go throng] the business of tho past year, and- to ma new members. Iho accounts were founfj to ho very satisfactory, having a balance in I hand of £3. Tho usual balloting for new members for tho ensuing year then took| plaoe, and the following gentlemen weri* elected ;—Mc»srs Warmell (chairnmsp Seaman (secretary), R. McKay,. Wallace,'; Campbell*, Sheriff, and Menary. THE PUBLIC MEETING. The public meeting, to take into coikl sidoralion tho advisability of having amnle teacher in the Lake Takapuna Highway District was held immediately after ihe. election of school committee, and was,; attended hy a goodly number of ladies and gentlemen. Tho chairman (Mr WarmeH)| thea said : —The meeting was convened fbti the purpose of eliciting an opinion wittf referauce to the obtaining of a qualified male teacher for the school. The movdg in the matter desire to disclaim any wish io.} censure or reflect in any way upon the; preseut teacher, a< sho was a lady for whom>; they entertained tho greatest respect .wri I esteem, but t>oy felt, nevertheless, that for? the wore • satisfactory educational managfrf went of the children a matter was required.^ He concluded by referring to a memorial I for that purpose which had been prepared I for tianstnission, hut which had been de-| tamed iv a moat unwarrantable manner.' H The Kov. Mr McCallum said that he alsoj was a snffbrer, aud had been put to greasy inoonvenience by sending bis children some 1 four miles away from home, much to i|icir| disadvantage. He wished to repudiate f«,t himself, and for those who had show *-t interest in the object of this meeting every-;I thing like a personal feeling or a personal motive. He also desired to say that tlmim* putation is not only untrue and without* : shadow of ground for it, but is as unworthyg and gratuitous as it is clever—as a service to prevent the attainment of WM praiseworthy object we have ia Jslß The only consideration is & mm for the interests of the children.:. One point of still greater importance tie ' rev. gentleman desired to mention, &3B that eduoation doe 3 not consist merelyl"■ giviug certain lessons iv different subjects; or in teeing that tbey are well learned; o^>; in teaching certaiu branches of learning; or in maintaining order in the' sMOOI.y These are, indeed, most important and tfj despensible duties of every public teacher, and if these duties are not: well 0&,;-. thoroughly performed, that teacher .l**". one of the most important qualifications'1 bis or her office. The work of a pr9Pe"L qualified teaoher is to educate, or draw "ni to develop tne mind and understanding rg the child, so as to train the mental m& moral faculties necessary to fit him? rJ,if. for active effort, for application, and » , control, for life's great work M*]£m responsibilities. A noble and high ter can be formed only by those vw_\% sufficient strength, firmness, authority.» skilled experience to keep the mastery, . to hold the affections of tbe child, son? .. form their manhood and womanhooa._ failure here is most injurious if not ruin -~-., He, the speaker, made no complainK^^g laid any charge against anyone; JWWU conjunction with all tbe resident* .<«" f(r to secure a competent male instruct .. their children.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1880.



OT 0 C K-TA XI N G ■YffllxxhlAM T3ATTRAY, In preparation for Stock-taking, has REDUCED tho PRICES of his Large Stock of SUMMER COSTUMES, SILK JACKETS, SUMMER SKIRTS, & PINAFORES, whioh ho is now offering at such prlcos as must effect a Speedy Clearance. SILK JACKETS. Rcducea from s__5 __ Mt _ Ditto Reduoed from £5 10s to £4 Is Ditto Reduced from £1010s to £7 SUMMER CO9TUMES, s,u man.* w Reduced from 17s Gd to 10s 0a Ditto Reduced from 27s Gd to 19s Gd Ditto Roduced from 4St to 30s Ditto Reduced from £5 to £3 7s Gd SUMMER SKIRT 3. ° Roduced f i om 7s 6d to 3s Ditto Reduced from 9s Gd to Gs Gd Ditto Reduced from 12s 6d to 8s Od PINAFORES, EeducedfroHlTa6dtoils Gd AT W. RATTRAY'S COSTUME, MANTLE, MILLINERY, AND GENERAL DIUrERY ESTABLISHMENT, NEW ZEALAND HOUSE, 66 Queen Street, Auckland '(Opposite the Bank of New Zealand). -VTEW TWEEDS! NEW TWEB DS IN ABRIVKD TER SHIP 'LEBU,' AND OPEN FOR INSPECTION, AT M, M U R C H I E ' S, SHORTLAND STREET, rgest and best selected Stook of CLOTHS AND TWEED 3 Ever shown in this Market, consisting of English and French Coatings and Fancy KnS and French Blue and Black Sbroes KnSish and Scotch Tweeds, direct from the manufactories at home TwFpn s a Bannockbu.n and Isle of Sky<3 Tweeds, a specialty. ALT. THE ABOVE OOOD3 ABE OF THE VERY LATEST STVTI.EAND FINISH. And, in addition to the abovo attractions, M." MURCHIE rrn.l boon so fortunate as to secure tho services of n. First-class Cutter, which enables him moie fnliv to merit a continuance of that liberal patronafro which has beon extended to him in tbo past. QUE Q.REAT gALE OB MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING, HATS, CAPS, AND SHIRTS, COMMENCES THIS EVENINB. All the Now Shipments recently received will bo sold at SALE T> RICES. ALK X RICKS. J. OOSGJRAVB & CO. •• rissciiop" gas Engine.-Tho Gas Company ha-Iir dwrcb ofrr^r»^ w^k? *Phe ZaTe is axed to work a drilling machine The gadvanta K cs claimwl for this °Sl „'m first tho small space it occupies, beS^seliioStoned. and requiring compara «,-™w no fixing; seeonnly, that it works with on"oil or grease to lubricate the piston; thirdly, npiM application to the secretary



Special Advertisements. T FEW GOOD REASONS FOR MAKING YOUR PURCHASES AT THE j^-EW r^EALAND pLOTHINft TjiACTORY. The Materials are manufactured In New Zealand. Tho Garments are made In New Zealand. Tho Money is expended in New Zealand. Tin stock to gelo-t from is the largestln Now Zealand. Tho Cut and Trimmings are equal to bespoke. TnhePrlces i con3lderlng thequality and ilnish. aro lower than thosqof any other house In New Zealand. And notwithstanding tho extra tariffjuat imposed in Now Zealand, there Is *3T NO ADVANCE IN PRICES 1 You can still purchaso A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE FROM THE INew X sal and Clothing Jb ACTORY. Auckland Retail Branch : QUEEN-S T R E iE T, Opposito Theatre Royal. "pi X A N A Z I. j JUST OPENED BY J^ INAB UR V & pa 1 Caso French MILLINERY, BONNETS, 1 Csuporb goods, to be sold cJicap 1 Case Ladies' TRIMMED HATS 1 Case Children's PINAFORES, DRES3KS, and BLOUSES, tho Largest and Choicest Stook in the City 1 Case Ladies* Galatea, Stripe, and Cold Lustre COSTUMES 1 Case Ladles' Cambric and Print Mourn ing Wrappers, from os 6ti each—so per cent cheaper than ever Bold in Auckland before 3 Cases FANCY GOODS, comprising all the Noveltioa of the Season. DRESSMAKING ON TBE PREMISES. I i , iA. LINA BU R V & CO., 201 AND 208. QUEEN-STREET. i —_ —— . —■ i /CLEARING OUr0 Ur QALE OF DRESS MATERIALS, SILKS, DRAPERY AND CLOTHING. H. ATKINS FINDS IT an imperative necessity to hold a CHEAP, GENUINE, CLEARING-OUT CASH SALE OiF HIS STOCK OF DRAPERY and pi l^ L O T II I.N G. A vory largo over stook (upwards of lour thousand pounds worth) of DRESS MATERIALS BLACK AND COLOURED SILKS IRISH POPLINS, Etc., Will bo offered at a REDUCTION OF 20 TO 50 PER CENT, Upwards of four thousand pounds worth of CLOTHING TWEEDS , SHIRTS AND OUTFITTING, | AT A REDUCTION OF 15 TO 25 PER CfCNT. MANCHESTER GOODS, 10 TO 15 PER CENT. REDUCTION. i FANCY GOODS, HOSIERY, Etc., AT REDUCED PRICES. The object of this Sale is to clear out a vory largo surplus Stock of DRESS MATERIALS, but to mako it a Genuine, Cheap 3alo. LARGE REDUCTIONS will bo made in all DEPART M.E NTS. H. A ~K r N s' XjIURNISH YOUR XTOUSE FROM THE CITY;HALL FURNISHING ARCADE. FURNITURE .. 5 por ct. Discount for Cash CARPETS .. .. 5 „ Discount „ ' LINOLEUM .. „ Discount „ OILCLOTH 3 ...6 „ Discount ~ BEDDING .. ..5 „ Discount „ BEDSTEADS ..5 „ Discount „ TOHjETWARE _ 5 „ Discount „ l TOILET & PIER 1 GLASSES- ..5 „ Discount „ FENDERS&IRONS 5 „ Discount „ , You are Invited TO INSPECT GARLICK fc CRANWELL'S Carpets GARLIOK & C RAN WELL'S Furniture GABLTCK fc CRANWELL'S Iron Bedstead^ GARLICK fe CRANWELL'S Bedding GARLTCK fc CRANWELL'S Floorcloths GARLICK & CRANWELL'S Toiletware GARLICK &J3RANWffLI/3 Toilet Glasses _ i OARLICK & CRANWELL'S Fenders & Irons , GARLICK fc CRANWBLI/SSpringMattrcsaeß ' GARLICK & CRANWKLL'S Drawing Room Suites GARLICK fe r.lt ANWELL'fI Cane Chairs. Book Catalogues Sent Free. DESIGNS AND ESTIMATES GIVEN. pARLICK & pRANWELL, CITY HALL ARCADE, Auckland. W. C. D I!NN,!S ' THE GREAT MACHINE IMPORTER, IS NOBODY'S AGKNT ! imports Direct the following Machines Singer, Genuine Arm and Platform Frister & Rossmaa Piincess of Wales Wertheim Home Companion, the New W heeler & Wilsoa Home Shuttle Co's New Grover & Baker latest and best Domestic Howe-A., B, and (J. And Other Good Makers, All of which are for Sale on Weekly Payments of 2/6. One Month'g Freo Trial, with option of changing without locs. Unlimited instruction at purchaser's house by the best Machinist in tho Colouy. Maehinos kept in order twelvo months free of charge. These are gome of tho advantages of Pur ohaslng at .the ■ . GREAT DEPOT, qV KEN-STREET,



Special Advertisements. T> A N X HOLIDAY. The Banks will be CLOSED on THURSDAY, 29th January.



TOWN EDITION. PUBLISHED AT i.BO.