SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

tit.in mii ATira.l Tnla Kveninß, 3.3 H' H WATKKiTo-niorrow Morning, 3.38 BUNBKT.—This Kvoning. 4.52 BUMUBK.-To-Morrow Mornlnß, 7.1 M lON'S AGB.-Now Moon, 2S:h, 11.15 a.iD.

ARRIVALS.

TO-DAT. Albion, s.s , Anderson, from tho South Hero, s.s., i-O.?i.n, from Sydney BATURDAY EVENING. Atalanta, schooner, Donovan, from Whnngarel Kriemliilda, schooner, 13athur6t, from Wha ngaroa

DEPARTURES.

TO-DAY. Emporor, brig, Cloary, for Nowcaatlo YESTERDAY. Annio Wilaon, schooner, Hclgeson, for Kaipara Speedwell, ketch, Taylor, for Kuasell Christina, schooner, Smith, for Russell Sea Breeze, schoonor, Urquhort, for Westport

PROJECTED DEPARTURES

Ban Franoisoo—Australia, P.M. s.e., Tuesday London—Looh Deo and Peru, oarly Bydney—To Anau, 31st Molboumo via South-Albion, Thursday 26th. Taranakl and South -Penguin, to-morrow Rnssoll and Northern ports—lona, Monday Wbans;arei and| Man gapai—Argylj, Tdesday and Friday Tauranga—Glonelg, TceaJay and Thursday Manuawai- FiDgal, Thursday Moroury Bay—i'ingal, Monday

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Zoalandla, P.M. s.s., from San Francisco,

Monday. 30th Australia, P.M. b.b., from Sydney, Tuesday,

May 21 Hero, B.&, from Sydney, Monday Southern Cro s, e.s.,trom Fyi, Tuesday Halciono. nhip (J.N.M.rf.), oom London ; to sail March i Hakula, ship, from London Asbmore, ship, from London Loch Doon, barqno (L.H.G.V.), from London; to sail March 2 Avona. barqno (W.Q.J.N.), from Londoa ; sailed February 3 Orient, barque tK.C.J.N.), from New York; Balled February 11 Coronilla, barque (K.8.V.Q.), from London ; sailed Feb. 15 Kspooulador, bvqno, from Nawcasllo Chile, barque, from London; loading Dunkeld, barque, from London; loading CV.barfeidh, barque (S.Q.M.J.), from Sydney Camllle, brig, from New York; sailed April 2 Thomas and Henry, brig, from Dunouin via Kaipara Vision, biig. from Melbourne, sailed April 19 Bannockburn, brigantine, from Tlmora Orwell, brigantine, from thq Islands Myrtle, brigantins, from Friendly Jslanda Kthel, brigantino, from Dunodin Ryno, brltjaiitfne, from EotumaJi Flirt, brigantlne. from Samoa Oceola, brigantine, from New York Enterprise, brigantiue. from Tiroatu Defiance, brißantito. from LytMton Clansman, brigantine. from Newcastle Rhodorick Dhi, brigantine, from ■ unedin Ada 0. < 'Wen, brigantino from Mauritius Caledonia, schooner, from Samoa Mazeppa, schooner, from Karotonga Agnet Donald, schooner, from Rarotonga Coronet, schooner, from Aitutaki Cljde, Bchoonsr, from Lytteltan Gael, schooner, fro n Lovuka Jorea, schooner, from Lytteltou Winifred, sohooner, from New Hebrides Taviuni, schooner, from Taviuni Atotchaa, schooner, from lUrotonga Belle Brandon, schooner, from Samoa Norval, schoonor. from Norfolk leland Atlantic schooner, from Napier Taunuiga, schooner, from Dunodin Kara McGregor, schooner, from Lyttelton Onward, schooner, from Lyttelton Bonn, schooner, from Dunedin Sissy, schooner, from Suva Meg Morrileu, sonooncr, from Soloman Islands Norval, schooner, from Noumea Coronet, Bchooner, from the Islands Caledonia, schooner, from Apia Fairlie, schooner, from Oamara

EXPORTS.

Per Outty Sark, for Napier—3oo casks cement SO cases bisonit?, 30 casks soda crystals, 31 drams ehcop dip, 500 bricks. Per Thames, barque, for New York—37Bß oases and 116 bags k*uri gam, 8 bundels whale bone, 12 cases natural history specimens, 1 bag' wheat, 1 bag grass seed. Per Albion, from Sonthern ports—From Dunedln: 76 boxee tea, 6 cases tobacco. 110 sacks oate, 20 sacks oatmeal, 50 sacks malt, 21 cases meats, 455 bars and 50 bundles iron, 12 axle arms. 23 oases currants, 20 ca«es champagne, 201 . Bheep, 3 empty hogsheads, 88 packages, parcels, and oases sundry merchandize. Per Loch Dee, barque, for London—3l63 coses kauri gum. C 2 tons and 491 sacks copra, ICO cases pearl shell, 7 bales canvas. 4 bales rope, 38 bales cotton, 49 casks tallow, 173 bales and 31 pockets woil, 6 cases and 20 packages effeots, 2 cases fruit. 1 caao merchandize, -2 oases ' stationary, 119 cases pearl shell, 171 pieces timber, 5 casks tailing. 170 tons inanffanwo. 1 .case ferns, 52 bags bones, 18G5 horns. 8 bales leathnr, 4 bales rags, 1 case gum samples, 5 oases and packages sundries, Itrw* bd Coabtwiss.—Start, from Whangaroa, , with 25,399 feet timber; Magic, from Whan garoa, with 23,709 feet timber; Mana, from Tairua, with 26666 feet timber; Gem, from Tairna, with 24 300 feet timber; Bossy, from Kennedy Bay, with 21,000 feet timber; Lao, from Tamaki, with 1U tona potatoes; iilsinoro, from Tuiras, with 10.000 feet timber; Atalanta, from Whangarei, with 18 tona coa'. Outwabd Coastwise. — Kriemhilda, for Whangaroa; Jessie, for Thames, with 100 sacks sharps; Morning Light, for Cabbage Bay; Griffin, for Rusaoll; Start, for Whangaroa; M»na, for Tairna; Gem. for Tairua; Bessy, for Port Charles; Leo, for Matakana. Ihe barque Thames and Lech Dee hauled off Into the stream this afternoon. The Union Company's s.g. Hero, from Sydney and .Melbourne, wag coming up the harbour as wo wont to preßß. The schooner Cutcy Sark cleared at tho Cus toms for Napier to-day. The barque Thames has filled up very rapidly and to-day i* a full ship. Sho waa cleared at the Customs to-day for New York, with a caivo of over 3000 coses gum in addition to sundry smal er items of cargo, bhe will sail early this week. Tho barque Loch Dee cleared at the Customs for London direct this afternoon. Her cargo is a largo and valuable one comprising 3,163 cases kauri gum, and several large shipments of tallow, copra, pearl-shell, otc. The Loch Deo is expected to sail on Wednesday next.

ARRIVAL OF THE ALBION.

Tho s.B. Albion arrived from Southern ports at 2.30 p.m. Wo ar,i indebted to Mr O. J. Liggens, purser, for late files, imsacngor lists, etc., and tha following report:—The s.s. Albion, Captain J. Anderson, left Dnnedia on 18tb, arriving at Lyttalton at 10 a.m, VM, left Lytlel ton at 1 p.m. aid arrived at 9.30 a m. 20th, left again at 3.30 p.m. arriving at Napier noon 21st, left Napier at 5 p m. and went under easy steam arriving at Gisborne at 7 a.m. 220 d; left Gisborno atU.3oa.in. Experienced fine weather through out Passengers:—Mosdamei Clarke, Keeblo and 3 children, Mr and Mrs Nathan, 2 children, and servant, Air and Mrs Abbey and child. Misses Batter-worth (2), Masters Butter-worth (3), Judge O'Brien, Hr Bntterworth, child, and servant, Mosars C. Moore, York, PolUrd, Ca meron, Henderson, Reea, Clark, Brown, Cuff, Isaacs, Johnson, Moss, Mr and lira Fell, Misses Fox, Woddlngham, Fletcher, Douglas, and 25 steerage.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Lalla Kookh, a.i>,, Robinson, from Waitora Rowona, s.s., Amodeo, from Waitara

DEPARTURES.

Samson, p s.. Harvey, for the South

IMPORTS.

Per Lalla Rookh, from Waitara—22 bead cattle, 2 kegs and 2 oases batter. Per llowona, from Wal.tara: 22 head cattle, 75 sheep. • ■ ■'-~,..,,

EXPORTS.

Per Sameon, from the fr'oath : 2 oasen and 12 sheets boo, 5. boxes tea, 10 bags- salt, 20 spot us, 22,000 bricks, 20 cases sauce. 7 cases machinery, 180 pieces timber, 6>i packages snndriee.

The Lalla Rookh arrived from Waitara on Batniday Bight, at 11 o'clock. Passengers:— Mesars Gardner, Jones, Tindall, Gibbons, James, Williams, and Black.

The b,b. Rowena arrived from Waitara yes terday moraine, with the following passengers : Messrs Cameron, Fenn, Wire, WaUerß,Thomas, Lanigan, Brown, and Knaor,

The p.s, Samson left for the South, at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Passeogerß: Mrs Uaultain, Mr Glover, Mr Watta.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

WkUilnoton, yesterday. Sailed: Pengnin, 8.3., for Taranaki and Manukati, at 6 p.m.

Timaru, yesterday. Arrived: Marmion. from Kaipara. Sailed Gazelle, barque, for Kaipara.

Sydnby, M&y 2 Arrived: The Wolverene, from New Zealand,

Blwfk, this day. Arrived: Te A nan. She sails at 5 p.m. Fasaenger—Mi Sandhurst.

Tho fear of death is an lnstinctiye principle of human lite, and its apprehonoion the perva ding idoa of human nature. Yet such is our inconsistency, that in the faoo of thes) dread alarms, wo are prone to neglect tho moans of warding off the inevitable issue men will suffer, and proorastinate from day today in availing themselves of tho means of rnlief. They will dovolope aoute symptoms of disease, and wait patiently until they become chronic Within their very graap, for instance, is U dolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic schnapps and often it is pormitted to elude their reach, until—too latol

Mail Notice.

Mails will Closk as Uudes.- Tnta Day. Fur Russoll, Kawakawa, Wanetaroa, and Mongonui, per lona, at 4 p.m. For Tairua, per Dream, at i p.m. For Whitlanai, por Fingal, at 4 p.m. For London direct, i>or Loch Dee, at 1 p.m, For Now Yotk, per Thames, at i p.m. For Thames, por Hnterpriso, at 5.30 p.m. For Whantfarei Heads and Whangarol, per Albion, at 4.30 p,m. Tuesday, 21th instant. For VYalwera, Kawau, Omaha, and Matakana, per Itoso Casey, at 10 a.m. For Thamoa, per Xlotomahana, at 9.30 a.m. For Kiirotunu'u, per Oavalu, at 10 a.m. For Taranakl and Souihorn i'orta, por Penguin, at 1 p.m. Por s.s. Australii, at follows :— For Sandwich Islands, United States ot America. Canada, British Colombia, Central and .Jouth America, and Dntiufi and Foreign W Te«t Indiua, at 1 p.m. For United lCim;d(wa a&d Costinont o! KuropA, at 1 p.m. Late lottera WrlnfC aa extra foo of sixpence, In addition to tho poKago, will be receivod by the Mail .Wmnt on board tiu Btsamor up to the time ot sailing. This mail will bo duo in London ou Tuesday, July 5. 18S1, For Tairua, per Klsinor, at 1 p,m. For Wuniaron, per ritart, at 1 p.m. For Tauranga, ohinomutu, and Opatiki, per Olenulg, at. 1 p.m. VVkdnksday. 25th instant. For Coromandel, por Ooromandol, at 11.30 a.m. For WhanKaroilleada, Waipu, Whangarei, and Ma gapai, par Artcyk, at 1 p.m. a B. 11133, Chief Postmastor. Chief I'oat-ulUce. Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments,

MAY 23rd, ISSI. Thofttre Royal—" Kicholiou," 8 p.m. Masonic Hotel.—Lodge St. Androw, at 7.30. Temporanco Kail—Soloot Ball, 8.30 p.m. Court City of Auckland, A.0.F., 7.30 p.m. Custom-house-Civil Service Football Club, 4.30 p.m.

Albert Hall-Waxwork Exhibition, 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Lornostroot nail—A Battory ot Artlllory Anniversary Ball.

Baptist Association (Wollesloyßtreot) Locturii —" Sdmund Murko—Orato, Author, and States man "-8.15 p.m.

St. James's Clas?. Dobato—" la tho Irißh Policy o( too Oladatono Cabinet worthy of support or confidence!"—7.3o p.m.

Birth.

TAYLOR. —On May 23rd, at hor rCßldenco Charl:tto Placo, oir Cook-stroct, tho wUo ol Joseph Taylor of a daughter.

Death.

PIKDER.—On tho 20th instant, at tho Provin. clal Hospital, Auckland, of heart diseaso, John Pinrtcr, uged 22 years. '1 he funeral will leave tho Hospital at 2.15 p.m. to-morrow, 54th instant. Friends pieaso accept tho intimation.

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

MONDAY, MAY 23, 1881.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance. And the good that we can dc.

A PAECELS Conveyance ;3ystem is, it ap pears, being elaborated by the ltailway Departmout. The iirat official intimation of this was contained in a circular uddresseJ by Mr Maxwell, General Manager of the New Zealand Railways, ta the various Harbour Boards. The object of tho circular was to elicit tho viows of the Harbour Boards on the subject of wharfage charges ; but incidentally three rery important points are mentioned, about which wo have some thing to say. Thejintention of the Govern ment is, if we understand Mr Maxwell's circular aright, to convey parcels between railway stations only ; the limit of weight is to be 14lbs ; the rato is to be depcudent on weight, but irrespective of distance. It may seem at a iirat glance as if there vriy nothing very novel about this ; but then it must be remembered that parcels are to be conveyed between all railway stations. At present, if anyone residing, say, at Mercer, wishes to send a parcel to, let us say, Mas terton, he has to send it first to Auckland. When it arrires there it has to go by steamer to Wellington, and it then completes its journey by rail The separate charges would not be likely to amount to less than six or seven shillings for a parcel weighing a fevr pounds. But under the p'opoied »y»tcm the charge would be all the same whether the parcel was sent to the next station, or to the mo.it dutaut, such as Kiverton or King«ton. It seems to us that no scale caa be devised that will work under these conditions. Suppose the rate to bs about 2-s for 141b. That would kill the short distance traffic, and be barely remunerative for long dis tances. If the system is to work it must have some elasticity about it, and conform to ordinary commercial principles. When people know, as they do, that no mode of conteyiuce, whether rail, steamer, or dray, costs more than about Is per cwt. for dis tances from fire to ten miles, they will not largely patronise a system charging sixteen times as much. Yet if we considor a lower uniform rate—say sixpence for 141b—we shall find that while it would pay very well all round for ihort distances, it would be simply so much dead loss on parcels that had to travel a long way. So much for rates that are "irrespective of distance."

Still stronger objections may be raised to the plan of receiving and delivering parcels at railway stations only. When the con venience of a general parcels conveyance system is undsntood by the public, a howl of indignation will b« heard from mch places as Grahamstown, Tauranga, and Giaborne. They hare no railway station, and will therefore be entirely left out in the cold. Again, what of th« flag station ? Out of thirty-two stations on tha Auckland- Te Awamutu line, tiftesa are flag stations, at which there t are no resident official*. We can imagine no way of getting otw the difficulties that present theraselres. The very object of a general parcels coaveyance system is to do away with all the correapon dttnee and liothar au present attaching to the despatch and receipt of small packages. But put the cam of a mau living naar Buck land who wants aomo tobacco from Auckland. The tobacco is sent and the parcel reaches Buckland. Now is it likely that tbe

consignee can possibly meet every train until his parcel appears ? And if he does not, what happens ? Tho parcel must simply trarel backwards and forwards un-

til ho happens to meet the train and claim it. Besides thw, there are in many places coach lines between station and station. A parcel sent from Mastorton to Waipawa would go through WoodTille, but, as thore is no railway station at Woodville, no parcels could be either received or delivered there, This applies to a great number of places, unimportant taken singly, but in the aggregate representing an important interest. Again, there are district? like those by Naseby and Cromwell, reached only by coach. Are they to be entirely excluded?

For all those latter objections there is but one remedy. A State Parcel Post is what we want. It should bounder the Postmaster General, and its benefits be extended at first to all Post-office;) ap proachable by rail, steamer, or coach. There would then be no trouble at all. No one would have to meet traias ; no one would be left out in the cold. In the mo3fc romote districts—say in Coromandel or Waiwera— a consignee could call at the Post-office at any hour when it was open and carry his parcel away. Besides, the C.O.D. system could be introduced, which would moan an amount of business for Auckland (and other) tradesmen that they little anticipate. This system, which works admirably in America, Switzerland, and, we believe, Germany, is alike a boon to the settler and the town shopman. A settler requires some seeds, drugs, stationery, or what you will. Ho sends a poet-card to any firm in the nearest large town. He sends no money, and therefore has no bother about Betting a money order; nor does he hare to send a " banker's reference "in lieu of coin. He merely says " send C.0.D." Accordingly, the shopman sends a parcel marked "Cash on delivery, £2 10s," or whatever the invoice comus to, and when the consignee calls tor it he has to hand over the amount, which is credited by the branch oilice to the sending office, and this latter pays it to tbe consignor whenever he demands it.

We are inclined to think that most of our suggestions must have already presented themselves to Mr Maxwell. They are of an obvious character, and he will thank us for relieving him of responsibilities for which he lias little leisure. As a branch of the Post Office, the proposed system would not be any great strain on the powers of Mr Walter Johnston, as it would only necessitate an extension and adaptation of mail contracts which actually exist with railways, steamers, and coaches. It is,

perhaps, desirable to say a few words abaut the advantages likely to result from, an elastic and universal system, based on sonnd commercial principles. Very few people have any idea of tho extent to which j settlers obey Goethe's famous advice to " do' without." It is absolutely out of the power of county stores ti keep large assortedstocks. A list of articles that are continually re quired up country would till pages. Tools of all descriptions, books, drapery, family goods, tubacco, drugs, seeds, aud a hundrod other things, arc continually wanted. At present people do without thorn ; but did any facilities exist for sending parcels without trouble, there would, wa believe, soon be a trade of surprising dimensions, Norjis this all. In a youjg country, whore new industries score up daily, it is most important to atl'ord all natural facilities for their development. If, during, the last ton years, parcels of grain, wool, leather, string, candid*, ores, stones, jams, sauces, and the like had bee* convoyed cheaply and certainly from comer to ooruer of th« culony, we should by now hare attained to a real knowledge of our industrial powers. At present it may bo urged, such parcels actually pass through the Post ollico. Bet under what vexatious restric tions. No parce-1 may exceed 51bs. ; no writing miy bo enclosed, and. what is worst ot all, every package must admit of beiug readily opened for inspection by the Post-office. All these slupid forra»lities kill tho traffic, and we wish to s^e them entirely swept away. Wo shall hope to hear from practical men on this subject, Any settler who has suggestions to ofl'er will do woll to favour US with his views ; aud any town tradesman who sees his way to doing a large conutry buaiuosi will confer a favour on us if he will brictly state what in his opinion is the form the proposed Parcel Conveyance system ought to take.

The Zcalandia with tho London malls ot tho 21st ultimo, left San Francisco, for Auckland on Sunday the Bth, one day late Tho City of Sydney with colonial mails arrived at San Francisco on the lStti, one day in advance. But few excursions by water have boon announced for to-morrow (Quecu'a liirtli day) which stems a pity na tho day promises to bo exceptionally liao. Thcs.t). Hotomabana will males a special trip to the Thames leaving Aucklaud at 10 a-ni. to-morrow, and TharueH at 3.30. p.m. on Wednesday, return ticketß being issued for single fares. Tito residents of Mount Eden nro taking steps to prevent the- opening of another public house in that district. An adver tisement in another column requests all those intorestad in the provoution of public houses in Mount Edou district to moot at the local school-room on Weduosduy even ing. The biLsiucsfcs is uf an urgent nature. The evening service at tha Thoatro Uoyal was well attended. Addresses were de livered by Messrs. Marshall and Ewiugton. Mr. Buddie occupied tho cliair, and stated that the collection on behalf of expenses amounted to £2 10a. "Sufferer," Devouport, writes complain ing of tho nui*anee of stray cattle in that suburb, and hits :—" Thore appears to be a bond of symp*ihy botweeu tha ranger, pnundkeeper, and a certain cow-keoper, as evidenced today. A mob of fifteen uf this favoured individual* oows were grazing upon the public road not a hundred miles from the residence of tho ranger." fie insinta that tho law should bo enforced rigidly and with impartiality. This is a matter fur the district board to look after, and any complaints should be sent to it. The Rev. J. McKenzio Frazor, of Gce long, preached yesterday iv St. David'a Presbyterian Church, Symonds-streot; and made a favourable impression upon the congregation. In tho morning, the rev. gentleman preached from Philippine, c 1, v 21 ; and in the evcuing, from the Book of Judges, c7,v 7. Both services were fully attended. The weather yestordny nfteraoon was sunny and cheerful, consequently numbers of persons found their way to the lio.spital lawn to listou to the service of song in favour of the inmates of the several kindred institution*. The hymns were- chiefly selected fro'n Sankey and Moody, including Jackson's "Te Deum," by a select choir, under the direction of Mr llyan. The ren dering of the selections by an eilicient choir oE ladies and yentlemun wera pleasing and very acceptable to the old people of the Refuge. Mr Cheal lidded to the iuterest of the service by a briof, but intelligent address, which received due attention. Mr Lincoln infonuod the assemblage that the next monilily sorvico would bo given on tho 19th prox. Tno VVaxwork Exhibition in tho Albert Hall was well filled by visitors during the evening of Saturday. Many hundreds inspected the figures uudor the courteous guidance of tho proprietor, who is well informed on tho life-fnets of the originals, and has tho story of each at hand. The figures are very striking, and give as fair outlines ai it is possible for a modeller to give of features, while the hands are nearly perfect in iorm. Tho Exhibition is an interesting study, and will continue for mill; days to onui. Tho annual dinner in connection with the Victoria Kilie Company will be held at the Jnitcd Servic? Hotel on Queen's Birthday night, at 7.30 p.m. His Worship the Mayor has signified his intention of being present. Members and their friends cau procure tickets from any of the non-com missioned officers of the Company. Nearly 100 children received their first communion at the 9 o'clock Mass at St. Patrick's C-ithoiral yostorday. Key. Father Walter Macdonald delivered an im pressivo address to them ou the respon sibilities and duties connected with the step which they had just takou. It was announced by Father Macdonald that j Thursday next, being Ascension. Thursday, would be a day of obligation. Mass would therefore be calebratcd in the Cathedral at G. 30 and 7.30 a.m., aud high Mass at 10 !a.m., with vespcra and benediction in the evening. The funer»l of the late Mr Charles Sutherland was very largely attended by ' members of various lodges and filends of I deceased. Tha prooscsion started from the I Queen's Ferry Hotol at threo o'clock. The funeral was conducted by Mr McCulsky, who was entrusted with the arrangements. The following orders were largely repre sented in the line of mourn»rs :- United Service (Masons), American Comtit; tiou of Oddfellows (Siar Lodfl*), Lodjja Manukau, the LJcemed Victualing' Association. The body wa» nitpwuitud U a gravt in the Pioi byterian Cuaietery, and the Rev A. Carrick, of St. Anilrew'i, km tk« oliieiatiug mioisttr. The ritnaJ »f the Oadfellowi wa» psrformwi by J3ro John Hughan, D.D.G-M. Wo learn that the rumour that Mr Sutherland met with an accident was *.ntrue,, and that some months ago, when at the Wharf Hotel, he was suffering 'from illnssi. His death, therefore wai not tho mult of a fall. The adjourned meeting of the Epsom Mutual Improvement Association was held last Friday eveuinj?, when it was resolvod that the £psom Hall should be opened with an inaugural addresi and musical and literary entertainment nnder the auspices of the Society. Some ot tho junior members are, however, arranging independently for a dance to coueluda tho procesding.i. Mr Trollopc was thea allowed the privilogo of replying to tht critioiims made at the pro v:ous meeting on his paper. He contended that Ministers and others were allowed to road and teach from the Bible in public school.1, an1! it wai only their own neglect that prevented the book from being read to

the scholars. A motion was passed by the Association, deprecating any interference with the principles of education now operating in the State schools of New Zea-

land, and considering that the introduction of any religious element ia the schools by

the State must necessarily have an inharmonious and injurious effect. Mr Paton cent in the resignation of liis position ,-m Chairman owing to severe optical affliction, and it was accepted with thanks.

Messrs Mr.rgetts and Brabazon's enter tainment on Saturday evening was.success ful and unexceptionable, perhaps the best of the kind, which hare proceeded it. The songs and musical selections by the several vocalists and Professor Kamsey the accom panist, were calculated in » true sen»e to amuse and gratify the people, the pieces being above the average merit of compoM-

tions oll'ered to the working classes. 'The comic and sentimental ballads wore credit ably sustained by professors and amateurs, including Menrs Margetts, Howe, Wiliams, Campbell, Dalheim, and Hughes. '/he aon»s were for the most part new, and others original. We refer particularly to "Sir George and Mr George," bearing on political events, also, the "Barber's Sweep" an in cident connected with a recent sweep at Wellington, written by John Howe. Tom Margetts was effective in several comic lucubrations. The "Sailors Hornpipe" and "Mystic Skipper," by Mr Hughe's was provocative of cheering, Tom Wil liams was as lively a? ever, and Mr Camp bell warb led sweetly of "Meet mo at the gate," and " Goodbye, Sweetheart." Master Cullimore (his first appearance) was promising. Professor Fisher filled two intervals with his ventriloquial dialogues with sticcea.o. The entertainment being the third of the winter series, occupied two hours of a most agreeable character,abound ing iv wit, humour, and sentiment.

Mrs Drummond wishes to thank the I City C mncil labourers for £2 subscribed by I them on her behalf. )

District Court Judges are not likely to be very plentiful in Auckland for some time to come. At the sitting of the Court this morinug, His Honour Mr Judge Kenton referring to the subject said that if Mr Macdonald were to finish the list at the Taupo Native Lauds Court, he would not be here for some months. Regarding himself, His Honour said he was not sure that he would not have to go to Wau^anui before long.

The regular weekly meetings of St. James' Mutual Improvement Association and the Weliesley-street (Baptist) Mutual Improvement Association, take place to night. "The Irish Policy of the Gladstone Cabinet" is to fonn^the subject of debate at the meeting of the former body, Mr E. W. Bui ton having undertaken to prova that the treatment of Ireland by the present Govern ment is worthy of support and confidence, aud "Mr Jennings having elected to'com bat any such argument. Mr J. M. Geddi« will lecture before the Baptist Association ou "Edmund Burke—Orator, Author, and Statesman." Tlio meetings commence at ,7.30 aud 8.15 respectively.

It was incoiroctly stated recently that the Ganiaut brothers had been capsized oil' the Bastion in the open boat Aunes. The facU of the oaee are that ou the morning in question three boys, without consulting the owner*, took tho Agnos aud went out lidiiug, Being novices iv tlie art of sailing, the accident occurred, aud one of them nearly lost his life while attempting to swim anhore. We make the correction becauso tho accident may reiloct upon the skill of the Messrs Garnaut an regards their capabilities iv handling the boat. It is almost certain that had they been in the boat the accidcut would iut have havo occurred.

Tlio Thamos "Star" says: "The poor Borough! Another attempt to defraud it of revenue. It is staled that the Licensing Bench has expressed v determination to close up several public homes upon the Thamos, each of.which contribute £10 to tlio Borough rovouue. The houses men tioned in Graharmtowu am the Lady liowou, owuod by Mr Mahonoy, aud the Uraham«town, owned by Mr Kichards. Tlio excuse to bo given in that thoro in no necessity for so many licensed houses. We will have gomething more to say upon this subject if we lind the Commissioners disposed to play tho fuel as they did on a previous occasion. To ihu Editor: Sir. — The last Civil Service examination was a fraud. In the junior, six intelligent Auckland boys presented thcnuolvutt before comparatively easy papers. Five out of theie six wore plucked. Iv tuo «cuior, four Auckland boys worn examined. As each paper w»h linfchod, oic.U boy wag aatisfled with what he had dove. Threo of these boy* would every night icport progress to tlioir matter, who Was thoroughly confident of their success ; yet they all failed, and badly ton. Now, Mr Editor, liuvr was this? A spiteful parson might s-ay, " becatwu Auckland is a Urcyito country," but of couuo that is "bosh." Moro anon.—l am, &c., PLUCKED. Tin) police of Wellington havo been en gaged in a curious ia»esti)?»lion, namely the identification of the two m««—Frederick Seymour, alias William smith, and James Grunt, alias T. Harnett—irho committed several highway robberies in the neighbour hood ot Xdiuburgh. Seymour ihot himself dead before being arrested, but Grunt was captured. It was then understood that both men h»d come from Wow Zealand, and photos, oi these desperadoes wera sent here to bo identified. The police havo been successful in their cilurta as to idcutifica tiou, one of tbo men being recognised as that of the third officer of the barque Fern glen, which wan here iv 1879, and the o.'hoi to bo a seaman of the samo vessel. Mr 11. Driver delivered auothor of the series of lecturfs under the auspices of the Orange liintitutiou in the fTcwiou Hall Iswt evening, the subject being " Papal Infallibility." Mr John Uramc presided. Thospoaker contended that any assumption of infallibility by mortal m»» was grossly talse and arrogant, but they knew that papal infallibility was a shoe that would lit any foot. He pointed out that it was claimed by the l'opc, the Church and tlie Councils, while the Councils of the Uhutch claimed for its decrcoi a value and authority equal to the Scriptures. The speaker referred to instances where Popes had acted iv extreme opposition to the ''Infallible" acts of tliuir predecessor*, mentioning particularly Ariautam aud Jesuitism. Then, again, the bultiut'1 edition of the Scriptures issued by Tope ■Sixtlis V. (the proof sheets of which weio revised by His lloliueat) was found to be so ' defaced with blunders as to necessitate its being called in. When the vote of £14,15S in aid of local revenue in the colonies was bronght forward in the House of Commons the other night, the "Morning Post" informs us that Mr Uorot a<ked " wbother the High Commis sioner of the Western Pacific was to con tinue to be tlio Governor of Now Zealand." Commenting on this the "European Mini" says: —Of course tho hon. member for Chatham could have put no such question. What be ile-ired to know was whether the presont Governor of New Zealand was to contiuno to hold the High Commiaaioncr ship of the Western Pacific, and we aro glad to say that Mr Grant-Dull replied that the present arrangement was ouly tem porary. Wo hold that Sir Arthur Gordon has quite enough to do as Governor of New Zealand without interfering with the affairs ot the South Seas, aud Mr dcs Vcuux, who, we notice, has been appointed Deputy Commissioner, should at once be entrusted with the High Commiasiouership of the Western Pacific. Speaking of Sir Arthur Gordon reminds us that colonists at home had a hearty laugh when they read of the absurdly strict regu .tious at the levee held by him at Auck land. The poor Maoris could not appear before llin Excellency because they had no dress coats, although they were always prtsonted to Sir Hercules Robinson. The M»oris aro complimented for stopping away instead of going as they said, " to be laughed at ' Doubtless the wise decision of tke Maoii chief* will toach Sir Arthur a lesson which ho will not easily forget.

la Great Britain, candidates for Parlia ment, after the election, are required to re port the expenses they incurred to secure the coveted priztw. These reports are then nil published in. a parliamentary paper. The "one relating to the recent elections tb«ro has just appeared, and the " London Times" acknowledges that it niafctt "mournful reading." The roturns record only what are callod legitimate expendi tures, or what the candidates or their agents arc willing to disclose. There is uo pretence that the figures cover the whole amount of money trie candidates are actually out of pocket. But enough is revealed to show that elections cost, on the average, a scandalous sum among our JiritUh neighbours. In one of the two divisions of the country of Durham the total expenses of the candidates amounted to nearly £24,000—0ne of them making a return of nearly £13,000, or £210s a vote. The defeated candidate in the other division expended no lesi thau £10,CG4. The two successful candidates in the Lancashire district spent altogether £13,141, against £12,G40, the sum expended by the two men who were defeated. Uf coarse, none but themselves know how much more they shelled out of their pockets for the same' purpose. Tho "Times" aays that as a rule it is safs to add from 30 to 40 per cent, to the returns, in order to arrive at the real outlay. The reports are numerous in. which the expenses ranged from £s''oo to £10,000 a candidate. One man spent £1 17s 3d a vote; another, £i 3i 8d; still another, £3 Os lljd n. vota.

Yesterday, being one of the clearest days we have had for a long time, hundreds of pedestrians were tempted to take a ramble out to Auckland's favourite retreat—Mount Eden. In the afternoon the familiar moun tain seemed alive with spectator, all anxious to obtain the best view possible. Wandciors in search of the picturesque, and by-the-by there appears to be a good many amongst us at the present time, give out that the winding ascent to the summit of the mount would be rendered more agree able if the newly made carriage road were cleared of the large stones and scoria that lie abont in all directions. The views obtainablt from the summit are magnificent, and it is somewhat surprising that there are not more visitors to that de lightful spot. Looking ovor in the direction of the North Shore, the pretty suburbs of Pnrnell, Kemuera, etc , with, their various chinches and chapels standing prominently forth, were observed, while far away could be seen very distinctly Kangitoto, the Little and Great Barriers, and other islands adja cent. On the other side is spread out the Manukau, with some pretty little homesteads scattered about here and there in the foreground. Many other places of note, such as Onehmiga and various suburbs of Auckland, could be plainly seen and dis criminated. Thelarrrikius too, were there, committing their usual depredations. At the bottom of the crater a number of them had congregated, while Rome were sliding down the strep incline on one of the seats they had broken and carried away from its resting place. These yonug vandals should be taught, a lesson by the police.

Mr George Bowring, and not Mr Eady, was the violinist at the Pousonby "At Home "on Friday evening last. The mis take was quite inadvertaut on our part. Mr W. H. Marsden of the Mount Eden school is about to be promoted to the mastership of the Wangarei school, He has given great satisfaction at Mt. Eden and his departure will therefore be viewed with regret. A blacksmith named William Hawkins was admitted to the Hospital yesterday suffering from a bad attack of pneumonia. He is not expected to recover. Bishop Cowie preached an excellent and thoroughly practical discourse last evening, in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul's, from Ezekiel, C. 18. v 31. to a full.congregation. Mr H. Worthiugton was ordained an authorised lay-reader by tho Bishop in tho presence ot tho congregation. At a special meeting of tho City Council, held on Friday afternoon, to consider the eighty applications for the assistant clerk ship, a selection of eleven was made, and from theso one will be choien at a further mfiotiug, which is just commencing as we go to press. The custodianship of her Majesty's gold pantry at Windsor Castle, just rendored vacant by tho death of Mr Goring, is an office of creat trust, as may bo inferred from tho fact that when the Queen enter tained the Emperor of Unssia shortly after the marriage of the Duke and Ducheeß ot Edinburgh, gold plate to the Value of some £2,000,000 i« said to hare been used. At a rough gui'Bß tho royal gold and silver aervicos at Windsor Castlo aro probably worth about £3,000,000, and include boihh very precious specimens of art workman ship. "Mrs Gra" writes as follows :—" Those persons who were observed a few days ago, in a certain well-known dining-room in Queen-street, indulging iv loud and some what indeceut language, to the utter dis gust of a number of respectable ladie3 who wcro sitting within ear-«hot of them, would | perhapi learn something to their advantage if they porufiod the following lines :— " If you your lips wonld keep from slips, Vivo things obsorTO wllh caro : Of whom yoa upoalc, to whom you spook, Aud how, and when, and whore." A sitting of the District Court was held this morning before Mr Judge Foaton, but owing to a misapprehension under which Mr llesketh appears to have laboured, the principal cases wero adjourned. It was stated by several of the couusel that Mr. llc'Hketh had gone to Waiwera, Hot Springs, believing that if thero was any Hitting of the Court, no defended cases would bo taken. Consei|ueuUy all the cases iv which he had been rotainod to appear wero adjourned. His Honor ex pressed surprise that such an impression could havo got abroad. Mr Storey, clerk of the Court, said he had not told anyone that defended casos would not be taken. ThoHC who made enquiries regarding the sitting of the Court, hud been informed by him that Mr Macdouald would not be here, but that probably Mr Pcutou would sit. There wore twelve cases on tho cairn list, and no lest than nine of thine wcro adjourned. An agod man named David»on was found dead ou the Kaipara railway line between Waikomiti and Hendersou'u Mill on Saturday evening. The ballast train, comprising two engines and nine wagons, was returning to Mount Albert from Kurneu at dusk, A few miuutcß before six o'clock the driver of the leading engine saw by the light of tho head lamn a dark body lying ou tho track. He applied the brake and whistled, but the train passed over the objoct, jolting in doing so, beforo it could bo stopped, A number of persons returned to tho object, and found it to be the lifeless body of Davidson, who, witli his son, carried on the business of a shoomakot near the spot. The body was qnito cold, and it was ap parent tlial he had been dead some time beforo the train passed. One arm lay across the near rail, and was almost severed above tho elbow. The remainder of his body was off the track, and had not been touched by the tiaiu. He had been in the habit of walking along the line to Henderson's Mill, aud it is supposed that lie was seized with a fit of apoplexy in the iitternoon while on his way to that place, aud that he fell dead where he was found. An inquest was to have been held this afternoon. Apropos of tho cen«us in India, the " Darjecling News " of February 21 says : —" Thero was a regular stampede amongst the Nepaulese coolies in this district ou the night of tho 17th February. Thero is hardly a garden which has not lost nnm bers of the labourers employed, aud some thing like 2000 coolies bolted from the Toesta road w<>rks. A tort of unreasoning I and unreasonable panic seized the people. They had a vague apprehension of some impending anil inevitable calamity befall in» them if they remained in thoir houses ou the nifiht of the linal census being taken, and they deserted their houses in crowd", preferring to pass the liitjbt in the jungle to remaining in their houses. One very prevalent notion among the Nepaulcso was that a child would be taken from each house by order ot the Government, and that the children's beads should be cut off and placed under the foundations of the Tccsta-bridge. Another notion was that a child from each house was to be put on the tram for the engine to run over, and another idea was that a man ' fiom each houso was to have his right arm cut off. The pauic has now entirely sub sided, aud the pcoplo are returning to their houses.

It is Interesting to watch the growth of our local industries, and to note the efforts made to compete successfully againit impor tations from other parts of the world. One branch of industry which has been making rapid strides in Auckland of late is that of coach and and carriage making. It has recoivid but slight encouragement fiom Uie Guverumeßl iv the past, the import duties on tome of the materials re quired in the manufacture of vehicles being heavy. American imported goods have therefore been introduced into this market, and Bold at a much cheaper rate thau locally manufactured productions. Therefore, it it gratifying to be able to state that Messrs Cousins and Atkin, a wcll-kiiown Auckland firm, are engaged in the preparation of appliances, which, wtrn completed, will enable them to construct and place in the market vehicles at lower prices than those charged for American goods. The rapid iucrcauo iv our population lias canned au increase in this branch of trade, and tin market has not been properly (applied of late. = Messrs Cousins and Atkin'i new arrangements are expected to enable tkcm jto fully aupply the demands mad* npon I then. They hart now parts of 200 or 300 vehicles manufactured and in stock, while the other portions are now bting niado. The costly appliances which they hare determined to add to their plant are partially completed, and will be in lull working order about four months benc*. They therefore anti cipite having au unuiually large supply of buggies and. singla and doable waggons in stock by the commencement of next Spring. Trade is usually dull at this time of the year, and the firm have hitherto been com pelled to discharge hands iv the winter. This foason, on the contrary, they hare added to their staff of workmen, and at the present time they havo 35 mm at work. But in addition to keeping a good supply of vehicles in tho market, Messrs. Cousins and Atkin are confident that they cau Bell under American prices, and at the same time shew a better class of workman ■hip, and this is especially the case with light wagons. On Friday la»t one of these was on view in front of Messrs T. and S. I Morrin's store in Queen-»trcet, and excited < considerable admiration. It was manufac tured on a pattern that made it suit able for timber, poßte, and rails, and the body was on springs, and suitable for pleasure purposes. The vehicle had been disposed of to a farmer but it was observed by another country settler, who had come to town to purchase a light wagon. After inspecting the American goods for sale, he law the locally manufactured article, and having inspocted it ho arraugod with the owner to purchase it from him, while the latter gentleman ordced another from Mcs«ra Cousins and Atkin. Several necessary alterations wore effected, and the wagon is to be sent to its destination immediately on completion. This affords ample evidence that light wagons for farm work can be manufactured here very cheaply, while the workmanship is admittedly superior to that of American importations.

The members of the Working Men's Friendly Aid ISociety will hold a loiroe to-mor row evening in tin Oddfellow's Hall, Parnell. Tea on tables at 6 30.: anauil business, report and balance «he«t at 7.30. A resnectabte pro gramma has also bosn prepared by the com mittee, including muaio. songs, and humorous readings by members and visitors,

Mr C. W. Goodson opened on Saturday eveuinz his magnificent new premises corner of Queon and Victoria streots. This position is one of the fincßt in the city. Mr Goodson has gono to great expense and has hart tho premises fitted up after the Btyle of tho London Arcade. Tho whole ii divided into departinnnti, and tho Kooda are okasifled, con*iatini{ of Stationary, Cutlery, Silver and Jilootroolatod Goods, China and Olas', Clocks, Watches and Jowellory., Perfumery. Brusliware, Tors and noodu in abun dunce of all sorts, eto.. etc. Tliero were hun dreds ot visitors during tho ni*ht, and It wna airnoßt impo3Sib!« totorre th°m. Indeed it iust rinionibloil a bii/.zur oE extensive dimeiibioiiß. '■Vo are suro Mr Goodson will bo well repaid in thus catering for tho publlo

BUGGY ACCIDENT AT NEW MARKET.

A SERIOUS accident happened last evening to Mr Alfred Wood, of tho survey office, son ot Dr Wood of Kiverhead. Mr Wood was returning homewards, accompanied by a friend, in one of Crowthcr's buggies, and just after passing Newmarket toll-bar the trap jolted heavily over a stone, and preci pitated the unfortunate gentleman into the road. What became of his fiiend does not appear, but it is said that he quickly made his departure from the scene. At any rate he did not remain to see what became of Mr Wood, who was carried back in an un conscious state to the Junction Hotel. Herehisidentity was discovered by the mark on his pocket-handkerchief. His filend, Mr Mark Donovan, of Epsom, was sent for, and tho assistance of Dr. Goldsbro' was also procured. The latter gentleman ex amined Mr Wood, who lay in a state of complete insensibility, and recommended his removal to the Hospital. Thither he was without delay conveyed iv a cab by Mr Donovan, who was most assiduous iv his attention to his injured friend, Tho insensibility of Mr Wood lasted some (We hours, when some degreo of conscious ness returned, aud he made a few incoherent remarks. Iv this cond.tiou, we understand, he still remains. His injuries consist of a contused bruise on the forehead; and had it not been for his hat, which was completely broken up by the force of the fall, they would probably have been even more serious. As it ii, Mr Wood lios in a dangerous state, though, we are happy to add, no doubts are at present entertained as to his recovery. Tho mauuer in which his clothes were disarranged and torn is an other indication of the forco with which he was shot out of the buggy on to the hard road. L'pon enquiry at the Hospital tins after uoou, we were informed that Mr Wood is not bo seriously injured as was at first supposed. No bones are broken, and tho patient is coußciom, although rather con fused.

SCINTILLATIONS.

"Ho brlot; lor it Is with words as with Bun boatr.s: tho moro they are oouduuy.:d tho deeper they burn."—Sou'riiKr.

No nun ia wine or wife but ho that is Jionost. Kind words are bald-headed. They can never <lyo. A great man's foolish sayings pass for wise ones. A handsome man and a fool may wear the same cnp. A handful of common senso is worth a buHliol of learning. Put no faith in tho remorse of a woman who talks about it. Nothing ia more dangerous than a friend without discretion. Nothing is ao good as it soems beforehand, He wbo cau plant courage ia a human i-oul U tho best physician. To pureha.s an umbrella means, "I am not smart, but honest." Fear, except from immediate conse quences, ho* but little influence. Frederick Sinou, a railway shunter, has fallen down and died in a few minutes. Latest Discovery. - A night-gown ia nothing but a nap-sack. An industrial aud art exhibition in Wan cranui is a success. It includes an original Turner—"The Martyrdom of Polycarp," It is notified that Mr William George McCann, ot Victoria-street, Cambridge, haa filed a declaration of insolvency. Professor Ha'clmaycr leaves Now Ply luonth for Auckland to-day, baring douo a splendid business, Mists Emma E Wily, of Waiuku, has been appointed teacher at the Hamilton Wrst Bchool, vice Miss Williams, roß^ncd. The statement in the " llerald " that the Gorton Estate, near Cambridge, has been amalgamated with the property of Maclean and Co., is untrue. Two delinquent paronts have becu brought before the Cambridge Bench under the compulsory clauses of tho .Education Act. The Returning Oflicer of Ouchitn«a noti fies an election of auditors on Thursday, the 2Gth of May. Nominations must be in by noon. Mr L. Foubert's house at Ohaupo has been burned down during the absence of Mr and Mrs l( 'oub:rt. The chimucy was a wooden one, aud a fi:c had been left burn ing on the hearth. Mdllc. Sarah Bernhardt'a share of the re ceipts at her first 100 performances in Ame rica amounted to £27,230, in addition to which all her expenses were paid. Mr Mooney, a swamp reclamation con tractor, aud two of his men, Galick and Duubar, came into Cambridge, nud having got rather elevated created a disturbance outside the National Hotel, for which they have been hauled np and lined. The Executive of the U.K. Alliance arc

nuking anangements for Dr. Wallia's lee-

ture on " Compensation " in relation to suppression of the liquor traflic. It will probably come olf' towards the end of this week.

Teacher—" Has fire any gender ?" Pnpil —"Yes; feminine." Teacher—" What makes you think so?'1 Pupil—Because 1 heard mamma tell papa not to hug the lire."

Messrs J. E. Fitzgerald, Comptroller- General, Chairman : District Judge Shaw ; K. C. Hamcrton, Secretary for Stamps ; and G. B. Davy, Kcgistrar of Deeds, arc to be appointed a commission to inquire into the working of the Stamp Act, so as to prevcut fraud.

At a meeting of Cavalry officers in Waikato, Major Jackson presiding, it was stated that tlie cost of the late review was £300, £75 had been subscribed by the public, leaving about £230 to be made up by the three troops, narue'y : £S5 by the Tc Awainutu, £75 by the Cambridge, and £65 by the Hamilton troop.

There was a large attendance of Free Masons at the opening of the new Lodge in Hamilton East. The following officers were appointed : Bro. Robert Harris, W.M. ; Bro. Daniel Henry, Deputy Master ; Bro Carson, Treasurer; Bro. Elluon, Secretary; Bro. Annette, F.C.

"I declare I'll nover go to another matinee as long as I live," said Mrs Guffoy the other day, throwing herself into a chair and fanning herself indignantly. " Wasu't the play good ?" asked GufTey. " Oh, good enough, I suppose ; but that disgusting, stuck-up Mrs Diffeuderfer set below me witk auch a lovely bonnet ou that I couldn't hear a word."

Our printer* addod an 0 to the prico paid Messrs Wilson for four aorss of land for the big dock lit*. Tho «■■> was £200 as acre or £800 in all, wkicu included the ex tinction of the riparian rights along the whole frontage to their propeity by a road leading to the dock. The gold yield from the Thames last month was 381 Sos 17dwt from 2,639 tons. The chief yields were : Albnrnia Company, Illoz4dwts; do. tribute, 52Soz; Kuranui, 3390z; do. tributes, 2460z; Moanataiari Company, 1750z ; tributes, 2530z; New Golden Crown, 4500z; New Whau, 1270z ; Dauntless tributes, 130oz.

Professor, examining a student: " What is a viigin forost ?" Student: " A forest where no one has over been." Professor : "Shall I never be able to induce you to express your ideas elegantly and classically ? Why couldn't you say, ' A forest where the hand of man has never left its footprint ?'" A coloured man applying for a marriage license in Cincinnati, was asked if he and the lady were related, "Yes, sah l" he replied. When asked how, he answered : "J. thought you deluded to de tender relashuns ob lub what prevails between us at de present moment."

The question as to the posture ia which a man may place himself in his pew has been recently before an American court. An American jury ha? recently decided that John Dick, of Warshaw, New York, had a riyht to sit ia his pew, in the German Lutheran Church, witb his feet elevated upoa the back of the seat in front of him.

Very many who have become acquainted with Dr dimming, cither through hearing him preach or reading his works, will regret to hear that that once popular preacher's mind has lost its vigour. The " Chrittian World " says :—" We regret to learn that Dr Cumming's mental condition is such that while physically well, he is practically dead to the world."

Cesare Oaleotti, a little boy nine years ot age, is causing a great sensation in Italy by his musical Rifts. He can play eighty or ninety of the most elaborate compositions o the classical composers by heart. In fact, it is said he has only to hear a melody oDce to learn it. Ho has played before the Pope and also to the Queen of Italy, and her Majesty intends to have this prococious chili educated at the Milan Conservatoire.

At the annual meeting of ths Canterbury Jockey Club it was shewn that thn Club have a balance of £800, after paying £246 overdraft from last year. A new crand stand costing £4400 or £4500 will be erected before next Spring Meeting. To meet this £800 is in hand, and £3100 have been arranged to be advanced by the Union.Bank, repayable in six annual instalments. W. B. Arnibton was elected a life member for services as architect.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

THE regular meeting of the Board of Governors was beld this moruing, there being present :-Sir G. ML O'Korke (Chair man), Colonel Haultain, Judge Fenton, Mr J. M. Clark (Mayor), and Mr Thomas Peacock.

School FEES.-Colonel Haultain sug gested the propriety of allowing to tlio nctdmutcr ef the school a capitation allowance of 10s per head upon all the pupils except free ones, this further charge to be additional to the present fets. _ A discussion arose upon the subject in the course of which it was stated that the fees for attendance at the upper part ot tne Christchurch School were as high as twelve guineas per annum, while at Nelson as much as fifteen guineas per annum was charged. Mr Peacock was indisposed to increase the fees of pupils attending the Lower classes seeing that they were already Belt supporting. The higher classes, however, were not and an addition to the fees charged in respect of them should certainly be made. Judge Fenton remarked that in no other scholastic institution of the kind in this colony were such low fees charged as in the Auckland Grammar School. After Borne further discussion it was agreed upon the motion of Mr Clark "that the head master be paid a bonus of 10s per aunum for e»ch of his pupils who rcularly atteuds school." He then proposed that the fee for tuition in the uppc-r school be raised from £8 to £10, and m cluing so he said that the real cost of iustructlou per head in the upper school was £25 10s per annum. The proposition was carried. Thb HKADMASTKESHIP.-It was decided to allow the Commissioners who might be appointed to ?elect a head-master to accept a canditate from any of the British universities, instead of beiug merely; con fined to graduates of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. It was also stipu lated that he should be between 30 and 45 years of age; that be should have had experience as a teacher in some large public school; that he should have a salary of £700 per annum ; that be should be ready to commence work not later than the begin ning of 1882; that should a boarding establishment bs set up, the master will be offered accommodation in it for himself and family if he should accept the management of it; that ho should be allowed £150 passage money, and be prohibited from taking private pupils; that in case of dis missal he should receive £350 in addition to what he might have already earned ; that, " Cioteri? paribus," a man not in holy orders would be preferred. l-'ONSONBY ;UALU— Mr Peacock men tioned that the proposal to obtain the Pon sonby llall from the Government with the ultimate dosigu of establishing a branch of tho Grammar School there, did not find favour with the residents in that suburb, the objection being rather to the diversiou of the llall from its present uses, than to the proposal to Bet up branches of the Grammar School. This project. had not been imported into the consideration of the matter. He therefore moved—"That aßtbe previous resolution of the Board, re the acquisition of the Ponsonby Hall does not meet with the approval of the Pon&onby people, the Board herewith rescinds it and informs the Minister of Lands of its deter mination."—The motion was agreed to.

ATTJSNDANCB Roll.—Upon the motion of Colonel Haultain, it was resolved that 1000 copies of tho roll of the boys who have attended the school wince 188(5 should bo printed, giving date of entrance, attendance, and providing columns for date of leaving school and "remarks," tho Secretary to .prepare the list for the printer. This was all the business.

DISTRICT COURT—This Day.

(Before R D. Fenton, Esq., District Judge.)

Thomas Ellison v. Adam Elliott; claim, £25 7s.—Judgment summons. There was no app-arance in this ease. It was stated that Messrs Hesketh and Richmond were solicitors for plainti/f. Mr Theo. Cooper said Mr Ilesketh had gone to Wai wera under the impression that all the cases would be adjourned. Ilia Honor, there fore, granted an adjournment ot the case. JOIIN It. RICUARDSOH V. JAS. CARNELL ; claim, £83 9.".—Judgment summons. There was no appearance in this case, and it was struck out.

SOMEUKIED AND LKCK V. WILLIAH ENG LISH ; claim £5610< (judgmentsummons). —Mr Lusk appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Thco. Cooper for defendant.—lt was stated by the counsel for the defence that an arrangomeut bad Leon conio to by which. 10s would be paid. Arthur Heaiher v. R. W. Priddle ; claim £35, damages.—Mr Whitaker ap peared for defendant, and said ho believed this was another of Messrs Hosketh and Richmond's cases. As it might spoil the enjoyment of Mr ilesketh at Hot Springs to know that the case had been adjourned, he would ask that the case be adjourned till next Court day.—Adjourned accordingly, tho plaintiff to pay the Court fee for adjournment. John B. Russell v. Thomas Craig ; claim, £60, money due —Mr Theo Cooper appeared for plaintiff,—The debt waß pro ved liy Hugh Campbell, cleric, and judg ment waa recorded for plaintiff.

John Lamb v. Benjamin Bern ; claim, £50, damages. —Mr Tyler appeared for defendant.—This was another of the cases in which Messrs Hesketh and Rich mond should have appeared.—Mr Tyler said he was fully entitled to have the case struck out.—He would not, however, take advantage of the absence of Mr Hesketh, but would ask for an adjournment for two months. —Adjourned accordingly. John Cash v. Maurice Kelly; claim £60, damages.—There was no appearance in this case owing to a misapprehension, and it was therefore adjourned till nest Couit day.

Joseph Fclton v. Crawford Baillie ; claim £65 6s, damage*.—MrLusk appeared for plaintiff, and said that as the counsel for plaintiff (Mr Hesketb) was absent from town, he would agree to an adjournment. The plaintiff and his witnesses were present, and he would ask for their exepnses.—The cose was therefore adjourned till next Court day, and the expenses of the witnesses present allowed.

J. Niccol v. Archibald Cociirane ; claim £23 7s lid, goods.—This case was adjourned till the 27th June iv accordance with written application.

G. W. Owen and Co. v. Edward BaktleY; claim £51, goods.—Mr Theo. Cooper said he had arranged with Mr WhiUker that the case should stand ad journed nntil next Court day.—Adjourned accordingly. Rob/rt Johnston v. John Smith ; claim £100, damages.—ln this case, Mr Theo. Cooper appeared for the plaintiff, aud stated that Mr Hesketh had requested him on Thursday last to let the case stand adjourned until next Court day. He had agreed to do so, and now applied ior the adjournment, which was granted. This completed the list of the cases, and tho Court rose.

MINING NEWS.

The following reports were received to' day :—

New Golden Belt,—Havo been stop ing on a by reef since uiy last report, and have driven 20 feet. Are now close undnr where we got the gold on creek level. The contractors Btarted carting last week but owing to several mishaps the work has been much delayed and ao far only about 7 tons has been conveyed to the top of the hill. If the work does not progress better next week, I must make more satisfactory arrangements,—EDWlN Mihnis, M;\y 20th 1881.

Moakitiri, Point Kussell.- In driving east from creek level cross-cut, tne reef is 2J feet thick, well defined and com pact stone, containing a good deal of antimony, ten tons of stuff from here has been treated, but is not pay able.

Nonpakiel.— The No. 5 level, driving cast, has been suspended for the present, in order to clear out and repair a level in the hanging wall. In opening this old level we discovered a leader 8 iuches thick, con tainiog some good mineral. About a week's work will bo required before any quartz can be broken to ascertain iti value. Morn ing Star Section : At the 50 feet level there ' are a series of loaders and atiingers in the walls of old stopes. These will pay well to take out, and a large quantity of stuff from here can be forwarded to tho battery at little cost, which will loave a prolit. SO feet level: The south cross cut has intersected main slide, and we are now driving in the seaward side of it. Stoping on No. 1 leader is suspended, and a rise is being put up to' prospect this block of ground before any further stoping is done. A contract has been let to drive from Tunnel level to Central Italy shaft— 120 feet. Our gold return tin* time is very small in consequence of but little picked stone coming to hand. During the past four weeks 310 tons of shift' has been treated, yielding 81$ ounces of retorted goId.—KOBEET COMEK.

AfterJ the party.-Elderly Coquette: And Im sure you naughty gHs sat up ever »a late talking us over! How I should like to have hid myself hehiud a screen and heard it all!;' H orrid B oy : "No, you wouldn't!1' ' *

CABLEGRAMS.

[Keutkr's Telegrams.]

DIFFICULTY BETWEEN FRANCE AND ITALY.

France Defies the Sultan. CONSTANTINOPLE, May2l. THE Sultan has issued a decree deposing Bey Sidi Mahomed El Sadox from the Ke gency of the Tunisian principality. PARIS, May 21. The French Government has resolved to uphold the Bey in the possession of the Tuuisian throne against the edict whichhas been issued by the Porte for his deposition Despatches received by the Government from the Commander of the_ French portsia Tunis state that the opposition of the native tribes to the advance of the French troops has been entirely overcome, the Arabs hay. ing been everywhere repulsed. Bega and Mater have been captured and occupied. AKIitST OF A PRIEST. LONDON, May 21. Several important arrests hare beea lately made oi suspected persons in various parts of Ireland. Among those recently taken into custody is Father Sheeny J Roman Catholic priest. ' THE QUEEN AT BALMORAL. The Queen is now residing at Balmoral Castle, the Royal teat in the Highlands, ROME, May 21. Siguor Sella, who was charged with the fuimition of a new Italian Ministry, haß failed to accomplish the taßk laid upon him by His Majesty, King Humbert. AUSTRALIAN MAILS. LONDON, May 21. The Orient stoanwbip arrived at Plymouth to-day with the Australian mails of' April 6th.

COMMERCIAL. LONDON, May 20. Consols have risen £ per cent., and are quoted to-day at 102£. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 2,130,000 quarters. Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, has fallen to 46s per 4971b5; Adelaide flour, ax ware house, 33s Gd per 2801bs. Mew Zealand wheat remains at 445, Mew Zealand 5 per cent. 10-40 loan hag risen A per cent., and is quoted to-day at 105; JNew Zealand 5 per cent. 1880 loaii remains at 104 ex dividend; New Zealand 4J per cent. 1879-1904 loan, 102 J.

AUSTRALIAN.

SEIUOUS DAMAGE TO THE BAC CHANTE, MELBOURNE, Monday. The Cleopatra has been despatched to King George's Sound to escort the Bac chante to Melbourne. It is expected that the damage sustained by tho Bacchante will take months to repair. THE DETACHED SQUADRON. MELBOURNE, May 21. The detached squadron, including H.M. ships Inconstant, Carysford, and Tourma line, arrived ia Port Phillip to-day, .THE STiCAAIER POTOSI. Later. The Orient Co.'s steamship Potosi, which ran aground on Clark Island, wag examined by the direr to-day, and found to be undamaged. She has, therefore, proceeded on her voyage to London. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BETTING. ADELAIDE, May 21. Progress is the favourite in the betting for the Adelaide Birthday Cup at 2 to 1, and Mata second at 5 to 2.

ADDITIONAL CABLEGRAMS.

(PER S.S. TK AKATJ),

LONDON, April Bth.

Yesterday evening in the House of Commons, Mr Gladstone introduced the Irish Land Bill in a speech of two hours and a-half, considered as ranking among his greatest oratorical acheivements. The cardinal point of tbc plan is the establish ment of a Land Commission having partly administrative and partly judicial duties, which will supervise and carry out the provisions for the purchase of estates, and the ro-sale to occupying tenants. Aho advance public money for the reclamation of Waste Lands and emigration over popu lated districts. The Commission consitts of three members, one being always a judge or late judge of the Supreme Court, tbc Comuiissioneis to regulate the proceed ings of all local courts, to have power to ap point Assistant-Commissioners and Sub- Commissioners under its provisions, but an increase of rent is to be restrained by certain rules. Compensation for disturb ance, for the purpose of selling them, and tenants willing to buy may receive ad vances of three-fourths of the pnrchas money. Advances are also to be made on agricultural improvements including recla mation of Waste Land?, and to tenant Companies for the purpose of emi gration. There is to be no limit placed on the gross sum to be advanced, every Irish tenant to have the right to go before the Land Commission or Court to have judicial rent fixed for the holding, which would endure for fifteen years, daring which time no eviction of the tenant except for breach of certain covenants or of non payment of rent could be made. The tenants' right is recognised as a saleable interest. The bill has been warmly and hopefully received by the Liberal par although it provoked the Duke of Argyle resignation of office of Lord Privy Seal, as his economical principals prevent him from approving of the main provisions of the measures.

1 Lord Elcho gave notice to-day of an 1 amendment condemning the main principals ■ of the bill as economically unsound, UDJUBt, i and impolitic. ; LONDON, May 9. ' Cardinal Manning, Archbishop of West minster, has expressed his disapproval of the meetings of the Irish Land League. ' Mr Bright, speaking on the Irish Land , Question, argued that the Irish labonrer ' was better oil".than the English labourer. ) He went on to say that the only hope of Ireland was the development of industries, . which he thought, might be stimulated bj a Judicious application of water power, r. Owing to the hostile attitude shown by the native inhabitants of Transvaal toward* the Dutch Boers the latter are preparing lor , war. Parnell and the Home Rule Party peniit in their policy of opposiug the Irish Laud Bill In the Honse of Commons Mr Grant-Duff, ; Undersecretary for the Colonies, replying to a question put by Mr Summers, member for Stackbridge, said that when the atten tion of the Colonial Office had be«n directed to outrages on whites in the South Pacific the Secretary of State for the Colonies had asked for information/from missionary societies. He added that missionaries should report all outrages within their knowledge to the naval authorities on the Australian or the High Commissioner of the Pacific. THE MAILS. The Marquis of Hartington, Secretary of State for India, will probably accept a sug gestion, providing the Victorian Govern ment agree to it, that Melbourne mails should close on Monday night, and steamers start at daybreak on Tuesday, although the Indian mails will thereby be thrown back 12 hours. REBELLION IN SYRIA. LONDON, May 11. The Christian population, of Korilscha, Macedon, have rebelled. An engagement has taken place between the insurgents and Turks, in which the latter were de feated. . William Anderson Ugg, an Australian merchant prince, of the firm ot Ogg and Co., has been chosen Sheriff of London. REVIEW OF TROOPS BY THE QUEBN. Her Majesty has held a review of troops in the camp at Aldorshot. There was a larjre muster. Her Majesty w«s received by Sir Daniel Lysons, the General in com mand at the camp, who was attended by a brilliant staff. An election has taken place for Knares boro', Yorkshire, the seat for which has been vacant sinco July, 1880, when Sir Henry Thompson, who was elected in the Liberal interest, was unseated on petition. Ibc election has resulted in farour of the Conservative candidate. MrHeft'ernan, a prominent member of the Land League of Cork, and four others, have been lodged in gaol. SHOOTING IN IRELAND. Further agrarian outrages are reported in Ireland, and LordDunally's bailiff has been shot. MILITARY EXPEDITION IN INDIA. The Mahcud military expedition, under j Geneinl Kennedy, who was sent to punish the Waziri Hill tribe?, Northern India, is returning.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR. MONDAY. MAY 23,



rriHE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. Auckland Bbanch. THE Bnpply a Single Qar- NKW ZKALAND ment at tho Whole- CLOTHING FACTORY sala Price. ' THI Have Branch Jfstab- NKW ZEALAND lishments in every CLOTHING FACTORY town in Now Zealand TITlf ■ Ar" nOTr 'Isplaying NEW ZEALAND Manufactures CLOTHING FACTORY wfnter TUB ' Variety of atjlea pro- NEW ZKALAND noticed Unequalled CLOTHING FACTORY In tbe Marliet. TFTK NKW ZCAT.AIsm Competition dofled.Fit CLOTHIOT FACTORY "llalto *W*»- THK Wear -resisting Tweeds NEW ZEALAND in eTory variety of CLOTHING FACTORY Qarroe»t. Dally incw aelng trade cii?a z GBFkaY sMassr* CLOTHING FACTORY monte Weekly ms ~ — NKW ZKALAND BJi?» ud SeU f(« Cash CLOTHING FACTORY oD)y< mnn; Aro therefore patron vrw t: bat, an n Ised by Thousand a of CLOTHINGf FACTORY BtecenUng Custom- THE la the Premier Bstab- NKW ZKALAND lishmentinNewZea- OLOTHING FACTORY land. T^OTE THE BKANCH ADDRESS- J-\ QUBKN-BTBEKT, AUCKLAND. - r J. MTZSIMONS, A n datAlbe^tre 6 t,Thamr CllMailßKer' l



Special Advertisements. OANK HOLIDAY. Tho BANKS will bo CLOSED on TUESDAY, 21th inst. (Queen's Birthday). j^/JILNE AND QHOYiCE HAVB MOW OPKNKD UP, ox Syden ham and Oxford, A Complete Assortment of Autumn and Winter Goods The following aro Fdixy Stocked with all tho Latest Styles :— Millinery and 11 an tin Department Costume Department Underclothing and Baby Linen Department Hosiery and Haberdashory Department Fanoy Dreßs and Trimming Department SilK and Satin Department Linen, Calico, and Flannol Department Boys' Clcthing Department. TfiOUSSEAUX AND LAYETTES SOPPLDJD AT TIIE SnOKTEST NOTICE. Tho above Goods are from tha First London llousks, aro the Latest Svyio^, of a very Buporior description and quality, and tho PkIOKS DBl'Y COMPBTITIO.V. 6% Discount for Prompt Cash, , ■ MILNE & CHOYCE, QUEEN ASD WELLEBLEY STREETS. j-jif-R. HICKSOK, SURVEYOR & LAND BROKER, liogs to notify that ho has REMOVED 1 From the South British Chambers to more com modious offices in tho premises just vaoatcd by Mkssbs. Hoffmann & Sons, and that hla address for the future will be aa under: THE GREAT NORTHKRN LAND AGENCY CORNER OB1 Queen and Victobia stkket?, auckland.



aPBC IA I NOTICE. W. H. FENTON 13 NOW OPENING NKW GOODS, . - ." as uhdbk:— Waterproof Coats the Patent Ventilating, Chesterfield, and Ulster, lor waiting or riding The New Cyprian Shirt in Coloured and White Patsnt Spring aid Far-top Gloves goarvea and Boy s In all tho New Colours Silk Half-hose, Pants and Under-shirta New Brace 3, Collars, and Mufflers Knitted Polo and Football Caps New Felt and Cloth Hats In endless variety Umbrellas, Rugs, and Gladstone Bags. W. H. F ENTONt GENTLEMEN'S HATTER & MERCER, 78, QUKKN-STRKET (Opposite " Hbrald " Offios). /^ARLICK AND U RAN WELL, IjT COMPLETE HOUSK FURNISHSRSI CITY HALL ARCADE, queen-street, auckland. \ / Garliok and tf CRANWKLL'B Stock « contains a very O extensive ohoice ri hi ot Furniture, of w^ ■" English. Ameri £§ m^ can, Italian, and ■ q g Colonial mannfac .o OS a5 *> ture> and is sold at trrigelv the lowest possible "s^-sB price consistent MS H a with durability t>2s n and good taste; "a w aD(* tn6y reßpoct < j fully invite an in- spoction of their ""■ Show Kooms from O thnsn about to fur ) Uish. \ " /A Beautiful Lot of Drawing-room CARPBT3. ju*t Kj landed ex Oxford, cdr< most fashionable m -al^Ssa desiirn«, and cer -JCH 3'©'11 tainly very ohoice. aS^ QZK The "Worcester" 555c33 L PARPiTTq J Stair Carpet has a Swsz3° f CARPKT3 -j pile horeehair, S^S<M^ ftrld is tho mosC O<)m, 5^ durable Carpet aver made. Tapes bhj ■ try Carpels from £H 2a Ud. Handsome Bordors for Car pots, Hoarthßugs / Imado to match. piARLICK & CR4NWELL keep a \JT Lan?e Stock of Floor Cloths for Halls, Rooms and Offices. linoleum, all widths, at lowest ptioes. /■^IAKLICK & CRANWELL keep a IT Great Varioty of Austrian Bentwood Furniture, and Amerioan Cane Chairs. Whole sale and KotaiL WE allow a DISCOUNT of Five per Cent, on Furniture, Carpets, and Floor cloths, for Cash Payments. BEDDING, all sizes, of our own manu facture, kept ready for Delivery. FURNITURE, and all other Geods, delivered Jfree in Town, and Book Cata logues sent to intending Furnishers on ap plication. i"IAKLICK & CRANWELL keep an \JT ■ immense assortment o' Iron Bkdstbads. FURNISH YOUR HOUSE From the CITY HALL ARCADE, GARLICK & CRiNWKLL, Proprietors, Cabinetmakkbs and UI'HOLSTKBERa [— : \ UTUMN Anu y^INTER URAPERY AND CLOTHING. RUSHBROOK AND BRLDGMAN Are Eowbrlnglnfi; forward tholrStook of NEW GOODS FOR THE SEASON, XLh SELECTED WITH GREAT CAKK AND WELL BOUGHT. Splendid Value in Blankets and Ruga Flannels, Shirtings, and all Plain Goods A Choice Lot of New Dress Goods, Satin Cloth, Serge, Merino, Wincey, &c Trimmlnc;a and Buttons Job Lines in Fangz Drkss Goods, very cheap Ladies' Jackets and Ulsters Girls' and Maids' Ulttera Umbrellas, Hosiery, Ribbons, Sec A LARGE STOCK OF CLOTHING TO SILECT FROM OF ALL KINDS, FOR BOYS AND MEN. OVERCOATS, ULSTERS, & MACINTOSHES. Large Selection of COLONIAL AND IMPORTED XWEEDS. STRONG MATERIAL FOR BOYS' WEAR, SEKCiKS, &C. 5% Discount (Is in the £) allowed off all CASH Purchases of 203 and Upwards, "OUSHBROOK & "ORIDGMAN, [Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel], UPrHR QUEEN-STKEET, AUCKLAND. m «,tt nnmrv /^OUCHBS.BasyChairaand T'&H.COOKE, stuffed Chairs of all des 67,Qneen-st. orlptlonß . T ZirW PnOTvH! PARPXTS, HearthrDgß,"Li »"&.— ]♦ noleura, Floorcloth, Mat -67, Vneen-Bt. ting, Uoor M»ta, Bath Mats. nrVKL«BCOP£ Tables, OTal ~„ pnnjrw -*■ Tablei Round Tableß, m ni225 ' WriUig Tablefl, Oco»Bional e7,Queen-»t. T|tbleß) CoBeQ and Gipßy Tablei, &c. m b-u nnnvw /^IILT Chimn«y Glassefland ti o£%*lk '** Mahogany' Met Glasses 67,^neenst. j n great variety. t «rw rrinn-ip TR^N Bnd Wood Bedsteads I m o\i«m?«t •*• and Bedding of all des -1 67|tileenBt- criptions and best quality. /"IILT Cornices and Polished T.&H. COOKE, VX Cornice Poles, Venetian 67, Uneen-et. and Patent Spring Roller Blinds; ...„ Washstands, ToUet G7, Queen st. Ware, and all kinds of Bed- room Fnmilare. L__- IBBRAL DISCOUNT to Cash Purchasers. All 'jr.« jh. uwa«> goods deiivered brke in town 67. Queen-st, Catalogaes forwarded on ap-



To-morrow (Tuesday), the Queen's Birth day, the Noith Shore Steam Kerry Com; any will run steamers to the North Shore every twonty minutes, and to Northcoto ovory hour,— [Alvtl



Mr McGregor's eale of the "Home 'Institute," at the 'Jliame?, is postponed till Wednesday next.—Advt.