SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

. itv ■ mil j TIHB wvcnlnc, 10.5 »"'•' . •■■' A'^To-morrow Mnrnta* 10.30 S. -. ;!CT.—Thla Kvonlng, 1.51 S ' , ISK.—To-Morrow MurninK. G.SS M ''.'N'S AOK,-Last Qmrter, ?lst. 2.46 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

LAST EYRXtsa. Fairy, schooner. 8011. '™H?.j£;£{£ CS Adah, kotch, Jon«». tTO"' TO-DAY. . k(J toh. Jones, from Thames nnuiiiVh bdgantine, Fyson. from Chatham Islands jjotorua, s a., Tozor, from Sydnoy Arawata, s.s., Sinclair, from the South Ruby, schooner, Lambert, from Russell Fingal, s s., Morris, from .Mercury Bay

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING. Glenolg, 3.8., Farquhar, for Tauranga Argyle, s.s., Crawford, for Whanxaroi

TO-DAY. Ssa Bird, brigantine, Smith, for Hokianga Policeman, schooner, champion, for Russell Zillah, ketch, Jones, (or 1 names

IMPORTS.

P<?r Omaha, from Chatham Mandß-28 horses, 12 sheep, 3 tons parwa shells, 2 bales wool.

Per Ito tor mi, from Sydney—23 cases galvanised iron, 20 bags rise, S qr-casks port, 50 cases goneva, 3 caaes chairs, 76 half-cheats tea, 20 caaes cornfbur, 3 cases plant 3, 4t> kegs nails, 2 packa ges seed, 1 case ironmongery, 1 pair oars, 100 boxes tin plates, 5 cases drapsry, 31 bales paper, llu bags maize, 13 bags bacou, 3 casei whiskey. 2 horses, 2 sacks leather, 350 boxes tia plates. 1 surface planing machine, 10 cases oranges, 100 cases f run. 31 half-cases fruit, 1 case buttons, 65 bars iron, 1 case furniture, 1000 mats 05 gunnies and 301 bags sugar, 3 boxes toy?, 14 packages rope, 1 planing machine, 63 cases and packages sundries.

'. Per Arawata, from Molbourno—9 bales, 1 casks, 2J caSBS and parcels merchandize. From Hobart—2lo coses fruit, 1 box. From Dunedin -3 uaßea and 10 J-boxes tobacco, 1 packago oigars, 2 cases stationery, 10 hhds. ale, 150 sacks flour, 30 kegs, 12 casks, IUS sacks, 105 cases, parcels, bnloj, etc., sundry merchandize. From Lyttel ton—7 packages luggage, 2ti« sacks potatoes, 35 Bicks oats. 2 sacks wheat, 2 cases jullioh, 2 cases bacon. 21 kegs lard, 23 ca»es cheese, i cases sew ing machines, 6 trusaiis, 1 cases and packages sundries. From Wellington—l piano, 82 pack agea aunriiy morchai.dizo, 3 barrels, 25 ke^s. From rapier-1 tank seed. 200 saofcs maize, 200 sheep, 1 keg tongues, 6 packages. From Poverty Bay-40 hides, 2 bags, 5 parcels and packages.

Irrw*RDS Coastwisk.—Zillah, from Thames, with 24,000 feet timber; Pukapuku, from llahu rangi, w:th 21,500 shinglea: Kata, from Port Charles, with 29,700 feet timber; Kuby, from Knsiell, with 60 tons manganese; Adah, from Thames, with 2,300 feet timber; Fairy, from Thames, with 18,000 feet timber.

Outwards CoASTWi3E.-Zillah, for Thames; Ruby, for Rus3ell; Pukapuka, for Mahurangi, witn 7,00.) feet timber; Kata, for Port Charles.

The ship Halcione.from London for Auckland, was oft Salconibe on March 23.

The ship Ashmore, 1199 tons, was loading at London for this port on March 25.

-The barque Kspeculador left Newcastlo for this pore on the 10th instant.

Tho schooner Edith Keid, from this port, via Kaipara, arrived at Timaru yesterday.

The Orient steamer Cuzco sailed from Ply mouth on the 14th with SOU passenger*.

Tho schooner Saxon left Lyttelton for Tau ranga and Auckland on the 7th instant.

The brigantino Borealis ontered out atitho Customs today for Kaipara, where she loads timber for Dunedin.

The Rnssell passengers by tho s.s. Kotorua were—Messrs Paton and children, and Miss Smith.

The barqne Stag cleared at the Customs to day for Kaipara, where she loads timber for Sydney.

The Lich Boon, barque, for Auckland, passed Deal on the loth Marcn, and the Halcione three days later.

The brigantino Island Lily arrived at Lyttel ton from Kaipara with 100,000 ft timber on the Bth instant.

The schooner Kate McGregor arrived at Lyttelton from Kaipara with 59,199 feet timber on the 9th inst.

The barquette Bannockburn, of Auckland, has had the letters S.L. M.V. assigned to her in the International Code list.

Tbe brigantine Defiance arrived at Lyttelton from Kaipara, with 129,000 feet timber, on the 6th instant.

The tonnage loading on the berth at London on March 17 for India, rhina, and Cape of Good Hope, amounted to 36,412 tons, and for Australia and New Zealand, to -15,872 tons.

The brigantine Roderick Dhn is advertised to leave Dunedin for this port on the 35th instant.

Tho schooner Tauranga, which left Port Chalmers for Auckland on May 16. has a cargo comprising 80 sacks oatmeal and 739 sacks oats.

The schooner Onward arrivod at Ljttelton from this port via Hokianga on May 9, with 52,000 ft. timber.

Messrs Staley. Radford. & Co. quote freights to Auckland on March 25 as follows:—Rough measurement, 353; fine, 10j; liquids, 535; weight, 30s; cement, 53 per cask; beer, lOd per doz: salt. 30s.

The s.s. Glenelg left for Tauranga last even ing in plaoe of tbe Wellington, the latter vessel being laid up for a few days.

The schooner Policeman left for Noumea, via Hokianga, this afternoon in ballast.

EbThe s s. Arawata is {announced to leave for Sydney at 6 o'cock this evening. The following passengers have booked:—Mrs Leddle, General and Mra Mitchell, Mr and Mrs Snow, Mr and Mrs Stanier. Mr and Mra Were, Major ICecxb, Professor Renleaux. i'r. Seelhorst, Messrs Dunne, Borrow?, Samson, Freer, Girton, Wil son, Barlwain, H. H. Love, It. AT. Cross and Symonds.

The hrigantine Omaha arrived In harbonr from Chatham Islands this morning, after a remarkably smart passage of 4] days. Captain Fyson reports leaving tbe islancs on Friday, the 13th. at 4 o'clock. Experienced strong south winds until rounding Hast Cape at midnight en Sunday. Passed Mercuries on Monday night. Was off Tititiri all last night Anchored at the cattle gronnd at 7 a.m. this morning, and swam a number of horses and sheep ashore. The Omaha brings two passengers—Mr K. Sland and Mr P. Conway and 1 native.

The s.s. Rotorua arrived from Sydney, via Rußsell. at an early hour this morning. Her report and passenger list have already appeared ia our Russell telegrams The Rotorua left Russell at 5 p.m. yesterday, and after a fine weather passage arrived in harbour at 5 o'clock this morning. We are indebted to Mr D. M. Macfarlane for prompt delivery of press parcels, etc.

The " Morning Herald," dlscnssing the pro posal for a direct steam lino to England, Bays : ''Provided it can be shown that there is a reasonable prospect of a direct line of steamers being laid on, we think that there is little fear of Parliament refusing to abandon the San Francisco mail service with a view to sndsi dising tho new line of Bteamers. So far as postal communication is concerned the Colony's wants could bo fully supplied by other means. Auckland derives some slight material advantages from the service, and is also attached to it from a vain feeling that she Eralna some importance as being the only New Z'aland port of call. Auckland members would certainly oppose any attempt to abolish the san Francisco Hue, but we have every rea son to believe that in doing so they would, standalone. The Chamber of Commerse will certainly do well to carry out the idea of memoralising Parliament to abandon the San Francisco service and to either grant a subsidy to a direct line of steamers or guarantee 6 per cent on a certain amount; of tho capital to he invested, Fiom informationwhich we obtained some weeks ago we believe there is every probability the Union Company will be prepared to meet the view s of the Bnb com roiitee which has beenappointei to confer with the Directore, and we sincerely hope the busi ness men of the Colony will do their utmost to encourage the proposal.

ARRIVAL OF THE ARAWATA.

The s.B, Arawats, Captain Sinclair, from Mel bourne, arrived in harbour at 12.30 p.m. to-day. She left Melbourne at 2.30 p.m. on 4th, and arrived at Hobart at 6 a.m. on 6th; left again at 4.30 p.m., and arrived at Bluff at 7 a.m. on 10th; left at I p.m., and arrived at Port Chalmers at 7.30 p.m. on 11th; left at 8 p.m. on 12th, and arrived at Lyttelton at 0.30 p.m. on 13th ; left Lyttelton at 11 p.m. on 13th; arrived at Welling ton at 2 p.m. on 14th; left Wellington at noon on 15th: arrived at Napier at 7 a.m. on 16ti; left at 8 pm. on 16th; arrived at Poverty Bay at 7 a.m. on 17th; left at noon on 17th, and arrived as above. Thick weather from Mel bourne to Bluff, and variable winds along the coast. Passengers: Mr and Mrs Maloney and 4 children, Mr Darner, Rev Frazer, Miss Camp bell, Mrs Carey, Mr Kussell, Mr Morris, Mr Glen, Mrs Home, Key Long, Mr Lone, Mr Ward, Major Carbyon and servant, Mr Wright, Mr Laley, Mr Chapman, Mr Robt. Smith, Mrs and Misa Lewis, Mrs and Miss Heal], Miss Bruce, Mr Fraser, Mr Schroder, Miss Sinclair, Mr Gladstone, Mr Guise, Master Jones, Itand mann i troupe. We are indebted to Mr D. Dagleisb, parser, for lato files, passenger list, etc.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Lalla Rookh, b.b., Campbell, from Waitara

DEPARTURES.

Wallabi, s.s., Leys, for We3tport Rowena, s.s., Amodeo, for Hokianga Oreti, 8.8., Fraser, for Waitara

EXPORTS.

Per Oretl, for Waitara: 50 sacks oats, 70 sacks flour, 60 sacks grass seed, 63 packages iron plates, 23 cases pikes, 10 kegs nails, 20 half-chests tea, 2 qr.-casks rum, 5 cases castor oil, 8 sheets Iron, 10 packages sundries.

The b.b. Rowena left for Hokianga yesterday afternoon with the following passenger* :-Mrs, Miss and Master Cookroft, Mrs Dick, and Mr B. C. Guilford.

The s.B. Oreti. for Waitara, took the following passengers :-Me?srs Moore, Burnett, Hoskins. Dnncan. Macdonald, McQueen, Mesdames. Duncan, Scott, Misses Burnett (2), Allen, and Adamson.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Lyttelton', yesterday. Sailed: Rotomahana, s.s.. for Pert Chalmers; Penguin, 5.8., for Well'ngton.

TiMißt;, yesterday. Cleared: Enterprise, brigantine, for Napier. Port Chalmers, yesterday. Sailed: Wakatipu, b.b,, for Sydney, via the North.

New Plymouth, this day, Arrived: Talroa, from Onehunga, at 6 a.m.

COMMERCIAL.

Evening Star Office, "Wednesday.

Messrs B. Tonks and Co. offered for sale to day the several privileges of the Papakura races to be held on the Queen's birthday. The grand stand brought £20; purchaser, Mr W. Adams. Cards, £7, Air J. Adams. The gates wera not sold, but are open for private sale, tne bidding only reaching £40, the amount require! being £60. 15 oases of oak and oniside varnish were sold, ranging from 7s to 13s 6d per gallon.

Messrs Cochrane and Son sold two old bnild- Ingi Bituated in West Queen-s;reet, for removaii for £12. The salvage of tobacco from the late fire in Q»een-street, very much damaged, was purchased by small traders chiefly, at prices ranging bom 2a Id to Is Id; clgais, from 2a Id to 3s, i

" The last act of tho play, second childhood loads tho wav," and it is in this senilo condition that tho muscles become relaxed, the norves Bonßitivo and delicately strung, the functions wnak, and the whole organism wearied and worn away with the fretting, tho strifes, the activities of lite. Then is it that the frame needs a grateful cordial, a gentlo stimulant, a mild restorative, and then it is that like tho stream the prophets wand evoked, Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps flows ont in talmy currents.

Mail Notice.

Mails will Close as Undeb.— This Day. For Thames, per Kotomahana, at 1 p.m. For Russell, Kawakawa, and Australian Colonies, per Arawata, at 5 p,m. For money ordors, registered letters, and newspapers, at 1 p.m. Lato letters for Kydnoy and Melbourne only, at 5.20 p.m. For Thames, per Enterprise, at 5.30 p.m. Thursday, 19th instant. For Waitara, per Lalla Rookh, at 8 a.m. Per s.s. Kotorua, aB follows :— For India, China, Japan,Meditoranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 8 a.m. For Gisborne, Napier. Southern ports, Aus tralian Colonies, and United Kingdom, via SU"Z and Urindlai, for letters specially bo pre paid and addressed, at 9 a.m. For newspapers, at 8 a.m. For monoy orders, and registered lottors, the previous evening at 1 o'clook. For Walwora, To Kapa, Craigiobum, and Warkworth, per Rose Casey, at 10 a.m. For Dargaville, per Orctl, at 11 a.in. Kor Tairua, per Rose, at 11 a.m. For Now Plymouth, Wanganul, and South, per Hamsun, at 1 p.m. 1 For Mangawai, per Fingal, at 4 p.m. Kor Tauranga, ohiDomutu, and Opotiki, per Wellington, at 1 p.m. For ThauiOß, per Kotoinahnna, at 130 p.m. Tuesday, 2Hh instant. Por b.b. Australia, aa follows :— For Sandwioh Islands, United States of America. Canada, British Columbia, Central and Houth Amorioa. and British and Foreign West Indies, at 1 p.m. Kor United Kingdom and Continent of Kuropo, at 1 p.m. Lato letters bearing an extra fee of slrponco, In addition to the postage, will be received by the Mall Agent on board tho steamer up to the timo of sailing. This mail will bo duo in London on Tuesday, July 5, 1881, S. B. 8138, Chief Postmaster. Chief Post-offlco. Auokland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

May bth, ISSI.

Choral Hall—Auckland Skating Club, 7.30 p.m. Albert Hall—Waxwork Exhibit on, 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Working Men's Club-Mectlng of Brioklayers' LabonMS, 7.30 p.m.

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

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1881.

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

In various settlements of the Auckland Provincial District meetings havo already been held, at which the County form of Government has been almost unanimously condemned as cumbersome, costly, and mis chievous. Other meetings are announced, and something like an organised league now exists in North Auckland to agitate for the abolitiou of the County Councils in that part of the colony, their placi to be supplied by enlarged powers to road boards. The new institutions are being weighed iv the balance, and it would appear from the expressions of feeling already given utter ance to, that they are found lamentably wauting. For the first years of their exist ence, the counties have been kept floating along by means of subsidies from the colo nial chest. In 1579, they enjoyed an aggre gate revenue of £469,239, of which ouly £29,319 was derived from taxation and £354,031 came direct from the Colonial Treasury. They have had, therefore, a good deal of " treasure trove" to spend withiu their borders, and the pressure of their maintenance has been felt but little, if at all, by the local tax payers. And yet they are unpopular. The withdrawal of tue subsidies now will throw the counties directly upon the rate payers for th.c means of subsistence. Their staffs and administrative paraphernalia are extensive and costly, and when the rate payers, already burdened with the business of local road-making, are asked to find all the money for this elaborate and complex system of Government, they will inquire more critically into its utility. If counties in the North, which have all kept their official staffs within moderate limits, are condemned, what shall be said of such counties aa that which has provided Mr Vincent Pyke with a comfortable salary of £400 a year in gratitude for the use of his Christian name. A telegram the other day described the finances of this celebrated county as in decidedly .a queer condition. rlhe bank declines to houour its cheques and asks that a very disagreeable overdraft shall be immediately paid up. Paying rates for prospective works is bad enough, but how will a shilling rate to pull up the dead arrears of MrPyke's salary be appreciated by the property owners of Vincent county ? We fear that all the jocular cajolery of the prince of political humbugs will fail to make the pill palatable.

It is now being asked what functions are there that make Counties or any body ap proximating to Counties, a necessity. The answer involves the whole subject of Local Government. Counties have been deemed to be requisite chiefly for the management of main roads, bridges, and other works that contribute to the wel fare of a larger area of country than could he governed under the highway system. In reality the sixty-three counties created in New Zealand were the clumsy expedient which their authors; hit upon to do a very small portion of the work which was before performed by nine Provincial Governments. It is rather significant to hear Mr Ormond, achief of the abolition party, coming before his constituents now and telling them that he has made a serious mistake, and the colony should come back to the old form of Government. Taking this as a sign of the times, we shall not be surprised to see ere long within the walls of the House of Repre sentatives new converts in unexpected quarters to the policy of constitutional re patriation a9 the best solution of the Local Government difficulty. If that policy should gain an ascendancy, a struggle will come as to the extent of the powers of the restored provincial institutions — whether they shall become merely enlarged Uounty Councils registering 3nd ad ministering the decrees of the central legislature ; whether they shall be re» established exactly on the old lines ; or shall become like the States of America, virtually supreme witbin their own borders, reducing the duties of the central authority to a few large and well-defined functions.

This is undoubtedly the great question of the future. Tho discontent with the existing Local Government, arising spontaneously from the settlers, added to failures like that in Vincent County, pioves that the subject must come uppermost soon, and its course will be watched with very deep interest, and will giveriße to many an animated strugple.

We must congratulate the Board of Grammar School Governors upon the good SJme and determination which they now display in bending themselves unitedly to the task of re-establishing the school upon a firm footing. The proposal to move the Government to take over the present school building for a Girls' High School in order that the College and Grammar School may procure a better site has our heartiest approval. Both institutions would benefit by the change. The ground attached to the Symonds-streetsite is utterly inadequate to the requirements of the day and boarding schools which must find conjoint accommo dation if the institution is to be made a thorough success. At the same time it will not do to remove the school too far fiora the city. A site on the open lands between the Hospital and Stanley-street would only iavolre a very short remoral from the present location, and might be suitable, especially if the idea of creating a branch school for junior pupils in PouScnhy be carried out.

We do not agree, however, with the pro posal to locate the school on a bare site in the vicinity of the only cricket ground Auckland h&s, in order that the boys may run riot there. The cricketers have spent about £300 in reclaiming that ground from a swamp, and the Board have no fright to reckon upon utilising this expenditure for the benefit of the school. The distance of Carlton Gore from any part of the city or suburbs (except Grafton Road and Parnell) also renders that site most unsuitable. The limited choice which is now offered to the Board owing to the rapid closing up of the open spaces in and around the city renders their task a somewhat onerous and troublesome one. Neverthe less, they at present display such excellent judgment in setting about the work that *ye are constrained to believe they will biing it to a successful issue. *

We arc glad to learn from our Melbourne telegrams to-day that Micro is a probability of the Detached Squadron with the two sons of H.K.H. the Prince of Wales coming on to Auckland after visiting Melbourne and Sydney.

Wo beg to acknowledge the rccceipt of £2 for Mrs Hedley from Mrs Hamley, Auckland Hotel. We also bog to acknow ledge the receipt of £1 from Dr. Kender dine ou behalf of Mrs Hedley.

Mrs Drummcnd,widow of the unfortunate man who waa drowned in the harbour, wishes to return thanks for £1 from Dr. Kenderdine, and 53 from an auonymous donor through the Stab.

Some line specimens of sulphate of pyrites (heavy spar) have been brought up by Mr Hall, manager of the Tokatea, also speei niena of metallic arsenic obtained from the Tokatea tunnel. It is proposed to give samples of these minerals to the Museum.

Dr Wallis announces his intention to address the constituency of City West in the Temperance Hall on Friday evening next, on " The Picsent Political Situation and the Policy of the Liberals."

A piece of golden stone, weighing n couple of ounces, was picked up in Mrs Kutt's garden on the Hape ltoad, l>y one of her children, on Sunday. The specimen, which is estimated to contain about lOdwts of gold, had been lying on the path for several mouths unnoticed, and was brought down from one of the Hape Creek mines amongst a load of mullock used by the late Captain Butt for the formation of the garden paths.—" Advertiser."

To the Editor: Sir,—Complnint3 have frequently been made regarding the en croachment of the Auckland Timber Com pany's aiateriiil upon the roadway in Cus tom House-street West, but hitherto both the City Council and the police hare appar ently winked at it. During the whole of last night two huge planks projected into the roadway breast-high for eleven feet, threatening instant death to uuy rider or driver passing the viciuity. Ilow long is this state of things to continue ?—Yours, &C, PONSONBY.

A good story is told of a great chief who resides not over one hundred miles from Puuui. He suU'ered from "hakihaki " and bronchitis. A sympathising pakcha friend sent him remedies for both these com plaints ; some ointment to bo applied externally and a bottle of Cod Liver oil to be taken internally. Somehow the direc tions got mixed up, and the chief in his untutored innocence reversed the order of tilings, eating the ointment and rubbing on the Cod Liver oil. The distinguished " Uaugatira" has since boon troubled with serious misgivings as to the ellicacy of pakcha " ronga," and has decided to let nature tako its course.—" Waikato Mail."

Mho members of the sovoral companies of volunteers forming the battalion inustorcd largely at the drill-shed last night for monthly inspection. The men presented a lively and attractive appearance, being in full dress. Major Derrom, in the absence of Major Withers, was in command, assisted by Sergeant-major Hatlam. The companies present were the Victoria, under Captain Mahon ; No. 3, Captain Robertson ; llobiou, Captain Dignau ; and Scottish, Captain Biruie; accompanied by their respective officers. Tho men wero put through a aeries of military exarciscs, and, on dismissal, marched as far as the Wnitc mata Hotel, headed jy the Hobsou Band, playing a uumbor of lively airs and national selections from choice compositions.

Among the items of information con corning the passengers of the Tararua, (says the Melbourne Age), is one to the effect that life assurance policies (o the number of 16, and amounting to £5600, are payable to surviving friends by the Australian Mutual Provident Socioty, and that on one life the sum of £1500 is payable by ono of the younger institutions. By its last report the Australian Mutual is shown to have assured iv ISSO no fewer than 6551 new members, while its deaths among 43,000 members for the same year were but 235. Considering how many of its mem bers are insured for large sums—up to £4000 in many instances—the society may be congratulated on the smallncss of the demand upon its three millions of accumu lated funds by this disaster.

To the Editor, Sir,—The action of the Weslcyan etinreb, iv inviting subscriptions from the public appears to me open to question. Theirjosa being but two of the 130, they might have been content with the contributions of their own people. A membership of about 4000, ought surely to yield ample to supplement the already made provision. And when we remember that the stocks to moot these premature assurance claims may not unreasonably be classed as a common fund (in view of the large number who avail themselves of life assurance); it is not the part of good grace to encroach upon what should bo left for a much larger number, entirely dependant on instant charity.—Yours, <&c, Suum Cuique.

The settlers of Kaipara are suffering very great inconvenience through the death of their Resident Magistrate, Mr Whitehoru. Several important cases have been indefi nitely postponed iv the hope that Mr Cleg horn would be able to come over and dis pose of them, and instances of great hard ship and injustice arc mentioned as having occurred in consequence. The Government appear to think that the local Justices can do the work, but under the existing law Justices have not the necessary jurisdiction for civil cases. A wish has been expressed by many Albertland residcuts that Mr Shepherd, who has for many years per formed, as Justice of the Peace, the prin ciple magisterial duties of his district, should be elevated permanently to the Bench. The office of a country J.P. is no sinecure. He is without a trained clerk to guide him, has to take the whole of the depositions himself, besides runaing the risk of actions, in the event of giving a decision outside the law.

To the Editor: Sir,—So long as a "Correspondent" continues to forward you reports of our School Commitee meetings, and confines himself to facts and to what actually took place, we shall be much obliged. In a report of one of our meetings iv your last evening's issue, ho has not inforrrud the public that a resolution whs passed asking for a separate school district for Pokeno Valley, and may 1 ask why this omission, if he proposes f,o give a correct report? And then, again, he goes out of his way to say that Mr Alelville resides at least eight miles from the boundary pro posed by the 23 householders, but he docs not say that the man that helped your correspondent to carry a resolution by his casting vote in favour of dividiug the district, lived 11 miles away at least from the boundary proposed by the 23 house holders. Of course, assumiog that Mr Melville does live eight miles away, the other person lives three miles beyond Mr Melville. "Correspondent" will find that misresprcsenting facts will not win him the day. More anon about the 23 householder?. —I am, &c, Pokeno.

Me3Srs Upton and Co. have issued circu lars in connection with the next presenta tion of works of art, in connection with the Royal Association for Promotion of Fine Arts in Scotland. The presentation work will consist of an important engraving by the eminent engraver Lnmb Stocke, It. A,, after one of the late Sam Bough's master pieces, "Cattle Crossing the Sol way." This beautiful picture was one of the most at tractive in the Royal Scottish Academy's Exhibition ot 1870, in which year it was purchased by the Association, and formed the principal prize painting. The engraviug which will be 20ia by 14£ in, is to be in line on steel. Every subscriber of one guinea to the funds of the Association for the ensuing year will be entitled to one print impression of the engraving, besides one chance in the distribution of paintings in July, 1831; every subscriber of two guineas will be entitled to one lettered proof impression, besides two chances in the distribution; and every subscriber of five guineas will be entitled to one proof before letters, besides live chancea at the distribution.

The regular meeting of the Otahuhu Mutual Improvement Association was held on Monday evening last. The programme, .which consisted of an experimental lecture on "Electricity," by Mr R. Sephton, was also a musical one, and the means of at tracting a very large audience. The musi cal portion was gone through first. Miss Hall opened with the Marohe "Aux Flam beaux." The Admiral's song from "Pina fore " was next given by Mr Hunt; a duet, "What Are The Wild Waves Saying," by Miss Fox audMr Fairburn. "The Guar dian Angel" was then contributed by Miss Wallace, followed by Mias Gould with "Killarney." Miss J. Wallace con cluded the musical portion with "She Wore a Wreath of Roses." Mr R. Sephton then proceeded to deliver his lecture, but owing to the unfavourable state of the atmosphere it was found im possible to work the apparatus, and the ecturer was compelled to postpone the lecture to a time when it is to be hoped that the weather will be more favourable. The business for the next meeeting, to be held on May 30th, will consist of a debate. That takinginto consideration the finances of the colony school fees ought to be impoaed. Affirmative, Mr I. F. Hunt; negative, Mr A. Stinges. |

J. C. Williamson has taken the Opera House, Melbourne for the production of "The Pirates."

At the weekly mer.ting of St. Andrew's Class to-morrow (Th'vsdny) evening, Mr Ernest W. Burton will deliver a lecture on " Our Ancestors as Cresar Found Them."

Herr Bandmann, the famous tragedian, arrived from the South by the Arawata to-day. He will appear at the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening iv his great im personation of " Harulet," supported by a strong company,

A pair of oil paintings, by Mr Thomas Warner, his most recent productions, ap pears in the window of Mi Leech, of Shortland-street. The pictures are ol local interest, representing views of the Waikato River, from Pukekohe Hill, and looking towards Onehunga. The fallen timber, aud farms of settlers, with the sky, trees, and river in the distance, all dis tinctly defined, and very natural in the colourings, make a very pretty pair for a drawing-room.

" Truth " writes urging that the Rev. Mr Gulliver's sermon should be published for the benefit of the masses who are manifestly thirsting after knowledge. He also pitches into the "mean and degrading church bazaars, where the sweet kiss is sold for a shilling." "Amicus " commends the touchy ing up of " fossil sermons and sermonizers," but thinks that the pastor of Beresford street Church is an exception to the rule.

Lovers of tho fine art would do well to inspect the oil paintings at Messrs Tonks and Co.'a Mart, Queen-street, whore are to bo seen beautiful landscapes and river scenery; also a fow pictures of dogs, birds, &c. Wo understand they are to be sold under the hammer to-morrow, Thursday, at ll|o'clock.

Mr Tole, Chief Commissioner of the Waste Lauds Board held an auction sale of Uni vejsity Endowment lands, yesterday after noon, situated at Waimana, and Taupiri. The lands were at first intended to be sold on a term of 14 years, but by order of the minister of lauds were altered to half the original term. Two blockH in the Taupiri district, one containing 0300 acros, and tho other 900 acres, a coal resorro, tho upset price for which was £25 per annum, and, in addition, a royalty of Is per ton on all coal raised, there worn no bids. The block ot 10,000 acros at Waimana was finally pur by Mr W. W. Cruiekshank, for Mr Smith, at .C 75 per annum, tho leave as in other instances being reduced to 7 years. The bidding throughout, and especially in the lost instance was spirited.

t n Adelaido telegram given the following account of the fatal accident to Mrs Newton:—"A passenger ;ou board the Potosi was accidentally killed this morning. Her name was W. Margaret Newton, :i second-class passenger for New Zealand, where she was to meet her husband, who is in practice as an architect in New Zealand. She was struck dead by tho breaking of a derrick, having her skull fractured and neck dislocated. The wood of the derrick was to a great extent decayed. Tho deceased wa.s standing ou deck looking ovor the railing into the hold when tho accident happened. There was only a ton or ono and a half on tho derrick, and, if sound, it would havo carried three or four tons. Mrs Newton wns accompanied by two children, one 4 years, other 7 years [old. An inquest was hold this afternoon, and a verdict returned that death was caused by tho breaking of a derrick, no blame being attachable to any one."

Keferring to the departure of Mr Fitz gibbon Louch's settlers, the " Kuropcan Mail" fays: —"The llelciouo sailed on March l'J for Auckland, having on board the emigrants to whom I reforrcd in uiy last, for Mr Louch's settlement at Kuakaka. In Mr Louch's pamphlet something k said about that portion of theGrcatNorth Koad which is to pass through the estate and connect the principal northern settle ments with Auckland being finished in January. It is to be hoped that it will. Tho emigrants onboardtlio Ilclcione havo none out full of health and of enthu siasm for the enterprise they have en tered upon, and as they havo a fair amount of capital it is to be noped that they will succeed. flic work at (irst will of course be ot the roughest kind, as they will have to cut down trees, build up houses, turn tip the soil, plant seeds, fence, aud generally help themselves. If they prove strong enough aud patient enough to undergo all the initial work of pioneering, such as many a well-to-do man in the colony has done before them, one need have very little fear for their ultimate success, always assuming that the settlement is as good as it is des cribed to be."

A most discreditable scouce occurred at the conclusion of Sir George Grey's meeting on Monday evening. The assemble^ had risen iv order to leave tho building, when loud cries of "'Garrnrd" were heard. Tlic unemployed nt'itaior, who was on tho plat form, advanced to tho front of the stage with the evident intention of addressing the meeting, but his voice could not be heard admi.'t the hisses and applause. Nearly the whole of the audience had left the building when he mude another attempt, aud on this occasion he was not more sue cessful. He was about, to retire, when a tall strapping fellow, whose size was only surpassed by his cowardliness and disposi tion to bully those weaker than himself, cumo forward and hustled the old man him self. His conduct led to blown, and it appeared that Mr Garrard was about to be badly treated, when Mr P. Dorau interfered. A timely caution was sufficient for the bully, and after some bluster, he left the gallant Fat, who was about a head shorter than himself, the hero of the Bcenc. Indeed he made such rapid tracks that it was evident that he did not feel much regret at haviug got safely out of the neighbourhood of his cowardly exploits.

In the quiet little village of Cholsey, Berks, the following unusually interesting incident occurred. The circumstances arc bo romantic, nnd the personages brought forward rosemble Addison's "Theodosius and Constantia " so closely.th.it we give the particulars ''in toto." Miss Lovelock, a young lady of somewhat prepossessiug ap pearance, had fallen in love with the young curate of the village. Miss Lovelock's father had arranged that his daughter should marry another suitor who was pay. ing his devoirs to the envied spinster, and consequently the proposals of the poor young curate were rejected. He thereupon wrote a. desponding letter to the young lady, in which he stated that all his happi ness and tond hopes bad gone. Even the thoughts of the streams, the pleasant walk* they had enjoyed together by Old Father Thames through the fields and meadows all hart grown paiuful to him. Life was a burden, and was not worth living for. The young lady, on peruying his touching epistle, was so overcome by its gloomy fore bodings that she immediately determined to seek the quiet seclusion of a Roman Catholic Convent near Heading, fearing that her rejected lover contemplated committing suicide. She accordingly enterei the convent, resolving to chut herself from the world and all its pleasures for ever. The young curate meanwhile had made a like resolution, and retired to the same convent as a friar, little thinking that the cause of all his sorrows would be daily before him in the form of a virtuous penitent. Une morning, while she was kneeling before him, he made himself known to her, being unable to contain himself any longer. So overjoyed were they by this sudden reveal ment that they forgot the sacredness of their positions iv the convent, and the following eveniDg by the light of the moon they escaladed the walls and emerged once more into the world's busy strife, hating deter mined to be united without delay in the bonds of holy matrimony in spite of the wishes of the young lady's father.

Concerning the insolvency of Mr Mur doch, the captain of the last Australian eleven, the Sydney " Kveuing News " says : " We are told it is better to bs born lucky than rich, and doubtless Mr W. L. Mur doch, the worthy skipper of th 6 Australian eleven, believes there is some truth in that adage. With just a little bit of luck Mur doch might have made a name and a fortune as a South Sea trader, but fortune failed to simile on him, and consequently bis venture, instead of bringing him riches, compelled him to sequestrate his estate as an "insol vent, Mr Murdoch, it appears, entered with another person into a South Sea Island shipping speculation, and became part pro prietor of a vessel which wa-j fitted np with all the requirements necessary for South Sea trading, aud despatched on her voyage. Success at first seems to have attended the enterprise, but it was very short-lived, for soon the news reached Sydney of the total loss at Noumea, of the ship and her freight. Even this iIN success, disastrous as it was, might have been tided over but for the peculiar conduct of Mr Murdoch's partner, who, after realis ing the insurance on the ship and her freight, which amounted to a considerable sum, was seized with a sudden desire to visit America, and accordingly took bis departure thither, leaving Mr Murdoch to lament his defection, and—pay the partner ship bills. AHhough the ship and partner were got rid of so easily, creditors were still left, and, consequently, we find Mr Mur doch compelled to add his name to the list of insolvent?. However, the cause of the insolvency having been attributable to cir cumstances over which Murdoch could have no possible control, he does not appear to have had much difficulty in passing through the Insolvency Court, as on the 3rd inst. a certificate of conformity was granted him, no objections having been lodged by the creditors."

The most recent architectural addition to Albert-street is a neat block of brick build ings, which has ]ust been put up between the Star and Black Bull Hotels. The block is divided into three shops, and as two of them have already been rented, their opening will tend to improve the appearance of that end of the thoroughfare.

The only motion which so far appears on the City Council order paper for the meeting to-morrow evening is the following : " That a Committee to be called the Parks and Street Planting. Committee be appointed, to consist of the Mayor and Councillors Thompson, Goldie and, Aicken."

Mr A, B. Whitaker this morning made application to the Registrar of the Supreme Court (sitting in bankruptcy) for directions as to the service of a petition which he had liled for the adjudication of the firm of Robt. Maroh and Co., settlers, of Whan garei. An order was made directing that notices should bo inserted in the Star and "Herald," and that application may be made to the Court on Thursday week for an order of adjudication. There was no other business brought forward.

The Aucklnnd correspondent of the "Jewish Herald" in a late number of that journal maks interalia the following remarks :—" We, like others, have, ultia orthodox members—generally foreigners— who will yield to no innovations, and are satisfied their children shall follow in their footsteps, forgetting they are unable to hava the good Hebrew teaching they got; the result being that, unless they are taught the duties, responsibilities and grandeur of our faith in good plain English, they grow up godless, shall Jews, of whom so many are known, and recognised as Jew* by birth, but who are prepared t" samificu the little they learnt of religion in the haste to be rich." The practice of allowing conversation in the synagogue is eoudemned, and dilution is made to the fact that tho Key. Mr Goldstein is erjgaged in establishing v choir.

Auckland received a small consignment from tho Flowery Laud this morning in the shape of a few mcek-oyed followers of Con fucious. They hare evidently learnt a liL'.li! of modern ways and customs since they shed their pigtails and wooden shoes, for after landing upon the wharf they lost no time in hiring a spring cart, into which a fair amount of luggajjO was soon stowed. Lastly they entered tho vehicle themselves, thereby obliging tho driver to stand, much to his uncoucoaled disgust. As they proceeded up the wharf they espied two compatriots following hurd behind, and in tho fullness of their hearts they desired to give them a " Ijft." The Jehu, however, objected to any additional Mongolian frctcht, and with disconslate faces therefore the pursuers were obliged to contiuuo their tramp.

Ladies who have not yet bought their Winter Jackets, Dressdß and Millinery, are ro mindod that T. iloMaator, has now a largo and choice soleotlon.—idUTT.]

SCINTILLATIONS.

"Ho brlot; tor it in witn worda aa with sun beams : the more Uioy are oondonacd tho deoper they burn."—SouTHKy.

" Court "—Caught. A cool head,—A numb-skull. Capital sky-light— the moon. A fiery brute.—Tho iron horse. A l're-Adamite Fiuhionuble.— A Swell of the Ocean.

J. L. Hall is playing Kip Van Winkle at the new theatre,Uriubnnc.

■Sorno friends are like a shadow. They're only with you in sunshine.

Tho coal output of the Kawakawa Colliery for tho mouth of April, 1881, was 3973 tons 4 cwt.

Mr W, A. Thomson has been lecturing to the miners ot Kawakawa ou accident insur ance.

The blood of Marie Stuart flows in the veins of every reigning family in Europe, except that of Turkey. The Sydney Transit Comuiinsioncrs are vigorously enforcing the rule that all vehicles keep ou the left side of thorough fares. Poisoned oats is said to be effective in dealiug wi*h the rabbit nuisance in Vic toria. It seems rather a dangerous resource. Messrs Hutkin and Seed are said to have reported in favour of £10,000 reduc tions in the judicial department, chiefly by making P.P's. dolt.Ms. work. M. Koche, a selector of 1000 acres, is declared to be tho first of the immigrants Messrs Grant and Foretcr are pledged to introduce. Tcniora papers allege that a Mrs Hall, who weighs a little under 19st, the other day fell down a 60ft shaft and received no injuries. " Have you a mother-in-law ?" asked a man of a disconsolate • looking person. "j\o."lifl replied, "but I've a father in gaol." The City Council will have the formation of the footpaths from the bottom of Frank lin Koad to Wellington-street carried out at once. Dr. Alexander 11. Neil, of Duncdin, has been selected for the appointment as resi dent medical superintendent of tho Well ington Lunatic Asylum. A gentleman at Christchurch has brought a successful suit against a coach proprietor for not retaining box seats which he had taken on the West Coast coach.

Mr Potter, the ex-director of the Glasgow Bank, is now in tho milk business, and accordiug to a Scotch paper has recently been charged with adulterating cream with skim milk.

Mr G. H. Dibbs, the Sydney merchant, mulcted in £2,000 damages for slaudering Mr Shepherd, a solicitor, in connection with a scandal about Mr Dibbs' wife, has com pleted- a year's imprisonment rather than pay the fine.

Beaumont Read has been "Touching it Gently " at the Exhibition, and Cora and her dog have all been there. John says : " If I touch a show it must be a big one." Well, hU is bie enough, in all conscience. Mr John Bright, in a lettor on Irish affairs, argues that the Irish labourers are hotter off at the present time than the labourers in England, and that the only hope for the latter was the development of industries.

An imperial decree has been issued by the Czar, directing the abolition of public executions in Russia. In future all crimi nals, political or otherwise, will be executed within the walls' of the prison, iv accord ance with the practice adopted in other civilised countries.

Messrs UDbert and Sullivan agreed to write "Pinafore" for DOyly Carte, for a nightly royalty of 10 guineas, with a guar anteed run of ope hundred nights. The London publishers' account of the " Pirates of Penzance " was 32,000 in seven weeks.

A burlesque on Tennyson's new play, " The Cup," has beon written by Uurnard, entitled "Hiccup." Tennyson feels hurt. Henry Hallam (husband of the late Hatlie Shepparde), in London—at liberty. The Coercion Bill. — Gallant Captain (stationed iti Dublin) : Of course you are coming to our faucy ball ?-Saucy daughter or Krin: Of course we are. By command of the colouel and officers, &c. I've got such a lovely dress—wotked all over with chains and fetters and things.

A STEAMER FOR MAN GAWAI.

A rußLio meeting was held here on the IKb, when it was expected that Captain McGregor would have met the Bottlers to consider the question of steamer com munication between here and Auckland. A good muster of settlers put in appear ance, but no steamer showing in sight at 12 o'clock, Mr A. Kelly was voted to the chair, when, after considerable discussion, the following was unanimously agreed to : " That this meeting, representing the settlers of Mangawai, Te Arai, North Albertland, Hakaru, and Kaiwaika, agree to give their support to Captain Me- Greeior if he will put & steamer on to run regular weekly trips between Mangawai and Auckland ; guarantee to keep on the 1 trade tor twelve months at 15s per ton freight, and 12s Cd per passpge, return tickets £1. Mr Wi'son, proprietor of the cutter 'lees and the hotel, agreed to take tbe cutter entirely off the trade if Captain McGregor would act on the resolution, and give a guarantee that he would run for twelve months. Should Captain McGregor decline to give a guarantee, the meeting decided not to support him, but try other owners of steamboats, as they have given support to several different steamers, but this unfortunato place has always been thrown in with some other, and has had to take the blame for all things happening. Mr Wilson has nearly completed the ad ditions to his hotel, and the wharf is now completed and taken over by the District Board ; a good store house is to be erected so that vessels can load and unload without any detention.

Counties v. Road Boards.—At the conclusion of the meeting re steamer, County Councils v. Road Boards was in troduced, when County Councils were tho roughly condemned, and a resolution was passed, to be circulated to the various Road Boards and M.G. A., asking for co-operation that County Councils be abolished, as they were expensive and useless, and that ex tended powers be given to Road Boards.— 13th May. A steamer this day arrived at Mangawai.—[Correspondent.]

CHANGE OF UNION CO.'S CAPTAINS.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

DUNEDIN, this day. Caftain Anderson takes temporary com. mand of the Albion in exchange with Captain McGee of the Taiaroa, Mr Webter, chief officer of the Te Anau, is appointed to command the Hero, Captain Logan going home.

THE PARIHAKA MEETING.

[Special Telegram to Star.]

A NEW DISPENSATION PRO

PHECIED,

PUNGAREHU, this day. Thews is an exceedingly full meeting at Parihaka, numbering in all over 2GOO.

Two hundred and seventy of the returned prisoners, decked in feathers, marched on in single file and established themselves in the centre of the meeting place. Food is plentiful and the speeches were short and pacific and yet confident of tho ultimate success ot their scheme.

There ia to be no more fighting, and God is to overcome evil in the world, which commences from to-day; the old world, under the leadership of Jehovah, being abolished, and a new one commenced under tho godship of Te Whiti and Tohu. An entire absence of the usual invective agaiust the Government was noticeable in the speeches. Te Whiti and Tohu both spoke again yesterday afternoon, and the meeting houses were over-crowded to hear them.

During the night nothing of much poli tical importance was said. The prisoners were recommended to stay at Parihaka, but Borne of them have left this morning on a visit to their houses, but are to return shortly. Most of the prisoners remain at Parihaka. Fencing, building houses, and sawing timber, engage the attention of all.

THE TARARUA DISASTER.

[BY TELEQRAPII.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

THE MATES TO BE CHARGED WITH LOSS OF THE SHIP.

DUNEDIN, Tuesday. The inquiry into tho loss of tho Tararua was resumed to-day. Mr Denniston ap peared Again, to represent the Crown, in tho person of tho Collector of Customs ; Mr Smith for the two mates. Mr Simpson, K.M., said that the Court wauted particularly to know about the charts used by the captain. Captain Cameron, Marine Superintend dent for the Union Steamship Compauy, said : 1 was on board the steamer Tararua on the afternoon of the 28th ultimo, the day on which she left Port Chalmers. .She had five boats. The boats were lifeboats. I think each of them iv ordinary weather could carry thirty-three people, including the crew. The two after boats were of tho same build, but were not fitted with cork. They carried about thirty people each. 1 would put the difference iv carrying capacity betweeu the fore and after boats at threo people. The great ndvan tugo in the cork in when the boats get full of water. The dingy would carry ton or twelve people. The other life taving ap paratus on board the ship were six life buoys nnd twelve life-belts, which were in the cell locker forward of the jteerage. When I laat saw them the twelve belts were cork packed. These wore all the life saving apparatus on board. Mie had the latest Admiralty charts. Ido not remenr bcr when the compasses woro last adjusted. Tho last time they were adjueted was iv Melbourne, perhaps a year ago. My atten tion aa superintendent wia never called to any irregularities in the compasses. Cap tain Garrard called my attention to the fact that the standard compass wns quite cor rect, Ido not think the cargo would have affected the compasses. Mr Simpson: It has been civen in evi dence that "the Tararua had 151 persons on board. Had she boats to carry all the persons on board? Taking your carrying capabilities aud everything into account, your figures make 136. What is your answer to thut ? \Yitnes9 : According to the carrying capa bilities that I have given of the boats on board the ship, and the number of them, the boats would not have carried all the people on board at the time of the accident. The Tararua was drawing 16 feet aft and 14 feet forwaid when leaving Port Chal mers.

By Captain Thompson: All the crew were engaged loading on the 28th. All the crew are expected to be at work at the different ports on the coast at which our vessels load. There is an arrangement by which the men who have to work immedia tely on going to sea get less Work than the reet of the crew. The shore hands relieve them at one watch. Mr Smith : I have one remark to make. I understand yeur Worship to assume there is conclusive proof that the Tararua had 151 passengers on board. Mr Simpson : His own personal know ledge culy amounts to 130. The excess be yond that i 3 gatheied from data and news paper paragraphs, which he looked upon a3 reliable, uf course Mr Mills cannot tell us the exsct number. Mr James Mills, recalled, said: I produce the telegram sent to us by Captain Garrard in reference to the chief officer. Mr Simpson said there would be nc more witnesses called, and the only point now was iv reference to Mr Smith's position, whether he wished to consider the evidence that had been laid before the Court. If Mr Smith thought that it might be suggested that a charge might be laid against any person, he should[be given an opportunity, in accordance with the Act, of making an explanation. After considerable discussion, Mr Smith said : I think I am reasonable in asking the Court to deliberately sny, firgt of all, whether they feel tbey can assume the power of dealing with the first and second officers, and calling them to answer a charge which is not yet made. When the Court comes to that definite conclusion, then it will be for me to see whether I shall address the Court on the evidence or not.

Mr Simpson : It is within the bounds of possibility that these men may be im plicated. Mr Smith : Implicated in what ? Mr Simpson : I do not kuow what these gentlemen's opinions are, and yet you are asking me to give a decision, which I cannot do yet. Mr Smith wanted to know whether it was intended to charge the officers with man ' slaughter. Mr Simpson : You know very well that this Court cannot make a charge of man slaughter. Mr Smith submitted that men should be called upon to answer a charge which was not made known to them was a cruel posi tion to place them in. He had made a reasonable request to the Court in asking them to determine first ot all whether they took upon themselves the extraordinary jurisdiction of putting those persons npou their defence to answer a charge which was not made. If the Court came to that decision, he should probably ask them to hear him on the evidence. To enable him to do this, he would ask for a reasonable adjournment. After considerable discus sion Mr Smith said: I require some definite charge to be made. Mr Thompson : There has been some wrongful act or default on the part of officers, which caused the wreck. Mr Smith : Is that the charge as made by the Court 1 Mr Simpson : We are going to treat ihe charao as niado.

Mr Smith : I sincerely wish to know what I have to meet. Am I to understand that the Court cousiders the first and second officers on their trial ? Mr Simpson : Not on their trial. Their certificates run the risk of being cancelled, because they, as officers of the ship, have [ been guilty of a wrongful act or default. Mr Smith : What I ask the Court clearly to understand is this, whether they regard these two officers as charged with an offence —with having cansed the loes of the Tararua by their wrongful act or default. Is that what you wish me to consider ? Mr Simpson : Yes ; We take the respon sibility of saying that without their being formally charged. That is what I intended to intimate. Possibly 1 failed to make my self clear. Mr Smith :. I understand that my learned friend is coming hero to support this charge.

Mr Dinniston : Is there any reason why I should now undergo a cross-examination. I most certainly intend to be here, and I can only say that I am very much surprised at the questions. The Court at a quarter to 5 o'clock ad journed until 2 p.m. on Thursday. PAYMENT OF INSURANCES. The following insurance companies have paid the amount of their policies on the Tararua: — Colonial, £3500; N.S.W. Marine, £500; United, of Sydney, £500.

HARBOUR BOARD.

(Yesterday Concluded.)

CORRESPONDEFCE. Mr Joseph Craig complained that the tender for supplying scoria ash was given to another person, and his right ignored by the Board. He therefore gave notice that he should claim compensation.—The letter was received. An application from Franz Joseph, mas ter ot the cutter Gipsy, requesting that poles mifht be fixed to mark the channel in the Whau Creek, was referred to the Works Committee; the Harbour Master to report thereon. A letter from Dunedin suggesting to ex hibitors at the Dunedin Industrial .Exhibi tion, the advisability of providing gold, -lher, Mini bronze medal*, by subscriptions, was referred to the Finance Committee. It was resolved on a letter from Mr W. W. Philson, on behalf of the resident? of Patnell, that a shed should be erected at Mechanic's Bay, for the she'ter of a boat or punt for conveying persons across the water towards the city. MESSERS JAGGAR AND PARKER S MILL. ] An application was received by Messrs Jaagar and Parker, stating that the erection of a new mill would cost £2,500, and hoping tlie Board would consider their great losses by the recent lire, and in view thereof urant an extension of ten years on their Mr Aickin moved and Mr VVaddel -econded "That the matter be referred to the Works and Endowment Committee." Mr iVlorrin moved as an amendment " That the lease be put up to auction/ and Mr Stone seconded.

After explanations from His Worship the Mayor and Mr Daldy, the amendment was withdrawn, aud the original motion carried. The Wild Wave.— Mi application from Messrs Stone Bros asking the Board to remit certain dues in the matter of the Wild Wave, particulars of which were fully discussed at the last meeting, was refused.

Brush Electric Light.—A letter was receired from Messrs OppeDheimer stating that, should the Board be disposed to use the Brush electric light, they would afl'ord every information respecting the same. Keferred to Finance Committee.

Fishing in Rivers.—a letter was re ceived from the hobson County Council, de«iriug to know if fishermen are permitted 10 fish in the Wairoa, and other rivers, without paying a licensing fee ; and whether such fess might not be paid to the Council. It was resolved that the Secretary of the Council be requested to furnish definite information.

Silting at the Dock.—Captain Bur gess, Chief Harbour Master and Dock master, reported that a large quantity of mud and silt had accummulated in the c;iißsou chamber of the dock and now |j i events the caisson properly shutting within i he chamber when vessels aro being docked. The mud had aUo risen even with the drain culvert leading from the rudder-well and pump well, and somewhat interferes with the pumping. It is, therefore, very neces sary that the mud should be removed from these places, but it could not be done with ordinary labour usually employed in clear ing out the dock.—The Board authorised the necessury money for the work, THE DOCK. Mr George Aicken, C.E., sent in the following letter respecting the proposed new dock, but m the letter wa3 lengthy, [the majority of members were of opinion that it was unnecessary to read it, excepting such paragraphs as were to the point.— His Worship the Mayor said, aa the letter was a censure on some fast proceed ing of the Board, he should not be inclined to sit and listen to it.—Mr Boylan said the letter should be received without comment. Mr McKenzie held a difforeut opinion, and thought that as Mr Aickeu was a profes sional man, his communication should be treated with courtesy, and the Board should listen to what he had to say.—Mr Boylau would not object to hear anything about tbe Dock, but not about secret influences."' "What does he want?"—Mr Biigham (Secretury) : That the letter may be placed among the archives of the Board.—Mr Mays moved, " That the letter be sent to the archives." (Laughter.)—Mr Clark hccrmded, and the majority were in favour of the motion.

Tho Chairman and Members of tho Harbour

Board, Auckland,

Gentlemen,—You havo now the report of the Colonial Marine Engineer re the dock Bite be fore you, and it is unfortunate for your Board and tr>e colony that be should havo been called upon in hn private capacity to advise upon a subject which must hereafter come before him in his official one, and which he vill feel bound to endorse, thus lowing the benefit of his ser vices in checking worka of others submitted to Government for approval, and for which duty alone he has bis appointment. It will bo borne in mind that several years ago t Mr Moriarty, an engineer who is said to ha*e cairied ;out buc cessfully ono or two docks, was supplied by your engineer with all the facts and data con nected with the harbour, and. by the harbour master, with those relating to tho winds, tides, and currents, decided upon tho present dock sue, on tho west of Queen-street wharf, as the beft available one io tho harbour, ignorine Callio.o Point While now, Mr Blacket—a very amiaule gentleman, but who has not, that I am aware, carried out successfully any dock—hav ing been furnished, by identically the same harbour officials, with the same stereotyped set of facts, but under different directing in fluences, has decided mat Calliope Point is the best dock tite, and •Kl\tthe others are nowheie. There is consequo^'ly a marked difference of opinion which renders the present report wanting in concluaiveness. As having had probably more experience than either of tho gentlemen in large dock work, though not a prominent actor 1 may bo per mitted to make a few remarks. The general practice in fixing tho axis oti a dock abutting uuon a river is to pkee it at risht angles to the Biream, and from an engineering point of view it is imperative it should be bo. that the scour of the river against the moat prominent feature should keep the entrance free from silt and open. I Tho placing the axis diagonally to the stream as proposed is a harbourmaster's idea, the more eusuy to dock a vessel under the difficulties of wind ami tide, but the result will be that a spit of shingle or mud will be found on a lino with tbe dec* face, which will in a abort time most surely bar tho Cock entrance, and eventually o.ose It up. Anyone observing the effect of the current upon the projecting points and the fore shores adjoining will see at once that I am pro pouuding no imaginary theory, but dealing with actual facts. Calliope Point is consequent ly un suitod as a dock site from the difficulty of docking a vesßol in adverse winds and tides, and from the certainty of the entrance silting up if the axis be inclined from a right angle. It is admitted by all that the harbour is silting up and will continue .to do so. so long as open work ietties are resorted to, and this will assuredly involve the necessity of carrying them out to the deep water, and further away Irotn business centres, and the expenditure upon these periodical extensions and repairs to existing structures will be a continual drain upon the Board's resources. In order to obviate this state of things, snd to provide shelter to the shipping, easy access to the dock in all weather and under every circumstance, induced me to propose the construction of the solid wharf in a line with Hobsqn-stroot aa being the first step towards unclosing a largo area oC water aa a tidal basin. The extension of the breakwater on tho east and a line of wall parallel to the stream completing tho enclosure, from what 1 havo stated it will be eaßily seen that the face of this outer wall would always be deep and clean in consequence of the scour, and suited for large Bteamors to berth alongside. The basin itself could bo permanently deepened to any required extent and available for merchant vasßels, and the buiidinus surrounding would Bupply trie bonding accommodation in a concentrate area as in the old oountry. The dock I propose would provide 500 feet of the enclosure, and considering the very few vessels, if any, linelj- to require the use of so'large a structure, I felt that while it might be desirable to provide trie accommodation, every possible means should bo adopted towork it eco nomically and utilise it in otoer directions, as already explained, otherwise a largo dock (specially at a distance) must prove another formidable white elephant. 1 ask you to place this letter in the archives of your Board, feeling that, although secret influences may now be at work to disparage and deprive me of a fair hearing, the time will come when your Board niid the public will discover, too late, that my views have been both comprehensive and feasible, and if carried out would conserve the best interests of the harbour and city of Auck land.-1 have tho honour, &c, Gko. Aickin, C.E.

New Dock Committee.—The report of this committee was brought up, recommen ding (1) That Calliope Point should be the site of the new dock ; (2) that the ofter of Messrs Wilsou should be considered : (3) that a surveyor should be employed to lay off thn requisite quantity of laud (3 acres 1 rood S perches) : (4) that the land should bo purchased subject to the conditions named (at the rate of £200 &n acre). Some discussion on the several suggestions ensued, and finally they were carried. It was also resolved thatacommunicationshouldbemade to the "Lords of the Admiralty," asking for information required for docking H.M. Ships ; also, that any information required should bo given to Professor Keuleaux, German Commissioner for the Melbourne Exhibition, now in Auckland collecting statistics.

Railway Parcels Delivery.—The request of the Traffic Manager, discussed at the last meeting of the Board, was approved.

Niccol's Slip.—lt was agreed that Mr Niccol be allowed to occupy this land as requested, subject to three months' notice. —It was agreed that the old Golden Crown tee be removed, also the old waterman's hold, the materials sold, and tenders called for.

A letter was received from Mr Thompson from the country, apologising for his non attendance, and asking that his motion might stand over until the next meeting — Granted.

On the motion of Mr Stone, the names of Messrs T. Morrin and O. Mays were added to the Dock Committee.

This closed the business,

We're prepared to print a kiss, and yet will ncvsr publish it.

Mr Hickson, Land Broker, notifies that he has removed to moro commodious offices in the premißes jnst vacated by_Mosara Hoffmann, at toe corner of Queen and victoria streets.

CABLEGRAMS.

[Keuter's Telegrams.]

THE GOVERNMENT ON THE IRISH LAND BILL.

LONDON, May 17,

In the House of Commons this evening the consideration of the Irish Lund Bill wag resumed. In the course of the debate, the KightHon. W. E. Gladstone made a speech in which he said the Government attached its fortnnes to the Bill, and would strenuously oppose any amendments which might be proposed nffecting the principles of the measure as introduced.

TURKISH SHUFFLING.

CONSTANTINOPLE, May 16.

The Ambassadors of the Powers have had under consideration the conditions now placed by the Porte upon the proposed transfer of territory in Thessaly and Kpirps to Greece. After deliberation the ambas sadors unanimously decided to reject the stipulations of the Porte, and the latter has been urped to withdraw them.

NEW RUSSIAN MINISTRY.

ST. PETERSBURG, May 16.

General Ignatieff has been appointed Hng. sian Minister of the Interior in place of General Loris Melikoff, resigned.

AUSTRALIAN.

The Squadron to Come to Auck land.

MELBOURNE, this day.

It is understood that the Detached Squadron, after visiting Melbourne and Sydney, will proceed to Auckland.

THE REFORM BILL.

It has transpired that a further meeting of the Cabinet has been held to consider the Reform Question, and that it was definitely decided to demand a reduction of qualification fee of occupiers to £10, instead of £20, as decided at Monday's meeting of the Cabinet, The Reform Bill was under consideration in the Legislative Assembly last night. The Council's amendments were discussed in a desultory manner, and without any decision being come to re garding them. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CENSUS. ADELAIDE, May 17. The census taken on the 3rd of April last shows the population of South Australia to be 285,000. MATA AGAIN TO THE FORE. MELBOURNE, May 17. Mat a is the favourite in the betting for the Adelaide Birthday Cup at 3 to 1.

ADDITIONAL CABLEGRAMS.

[Per Rotobua.]

LONJJON, May 4.

The intelligence of the destruction of H.M.S. Doterel, six guns, 1137 tons, in the Straits of Magellan, at Sandy Point, on the 26th and the almost total loss of the crew, has caused much regret. It is sup posed that the boiler burst, and exploded the magazine, but the official report from the commander, Richard Evans, who was among the saved, has not yet been received. It h announced that Mr John Dillon, the member for Tipperary, who has beea lodged in gaol on the charge of using seditious language, will resign his seat, in order that his constituents may not be deprived of representation in the Hoiice of Commons during his incarceration.

A smart shock of earthquake has been experienced at Volo, a seaport town in Thessaly, situated on the north side of the gulf of the same name. Much alarm was caused among the inhabitants of the district, who fear another shock.

The work of constructing the Panama Canal, promoted by Baron de Lesseps, baa been rapidly advanced. The first sod was turned on the Ist January, 1880, and the completion of the cut of the caual from the Atlantic to the Pacific has now been carried through. It is estimated that the work altogether will be finished in about fiTe or six years' time. LONDON, May 6. Considerable alarm was created by the explosion of a box of powder outside the Chester barracks. The explosion was the work of a miscreant, not, however, yet dis covered.

A deputation from the British and Inter colonial Trade Tariff UnioD, consisting of the Lord Mayor of London (the Bight Bon. William McArtanr), Mr Westgarth, and Mr Sargood, waited on Earl Kimberley, Secretary of State for the Colonies, to-day, and laid before him a number of important suggestions affecting the joint interests of the Mother Country and the colonies. The deputation suggested the enlargement of the constitution and the scope ot the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into and report upon the defence of the British possessions. It is suggested that the Com mission should also inquire into the ques tion of the British colonial commerce, taking evidence at all the important centres of population throughout the British dominions upon the operations of tbe various tariffs in force. Further, the depu tation represented it desirable that the Imperial Gorernment should leani the views of the inhabitants of the colonies beforehand in all cases were treaties were about to be entered into "with foreign countries—the case of the treaty with China being especially referred to as one upon which the colonies should have been heard, inasmuch as the the treaty was found to be a formidable ob stacle in Anstralia, as the colonies had to legislate for the restriction of Chinese immigration. The question of establishing a Customs.union for the colonies and the Mother Country was also represented as one which a Commission should enquire into and report upon, Earl Kimberley, m reply, said be was pleased to receite so Im portant a deputation, and assured the gentle men composing it that the Imperial Govern ment would always be glad to listen to any suggestions affecting the interests and wel fare of tbe colonies from gentlemen ac-, quainted with colonial affairs and identified' with colonial interests. He promised the deputation that their suggestions should have the most careful consideration of him self and colleagues. He traversed the sub jects introduced by the deputation at con siderable length. His speech, howeTef,. was mainly a recommendation for the free trade principle, under which he obserres that Australia was fast progressing.

LONDON, May 8.

Owing to the serious disturbances and violent demonstration of the Land Leagnns in the cities of Cork, Kilkenny, and Kin sale, those cities have been proclaimed uuder the Coercion Act, and a number of arrests will shortly be made.

MINING NEWS.

Golpkn Star G.M.U.—The following is the Mine Manager's report :—Gentlemen, — I have the honour to state that we have made very good progress in driving the main tunnel, 7 feet having beeen driven during the past week, and that through a tine sandstone formation easily worked. For some distance back we have carried in with us a. mullocky lode of some width, and when it came into the drive from the right , side, was about the position where we ex pected the lode we are in search of would cross the drive, the course of which in the old workings being N.W. I hate now to state that a considerable change has taken place in the mullocky leader store men -1 tioned, as on Friday knocking down, come excellent looking stone of a dark nature with plenty of bright minerals was taken down with more coining in from the sight of the drive on the floor. From the class of stono the colours of the minerals and the same underlay, I am convinced that this is the load expected—bnt changing her course from N.W to N.E.—if so, I shall look to get something good in this elbow with a few more feet of driving, and as it looks, I am conyinced we are taking out good payable dirt. One advantage we shall gain by following this lode will be that it brings us so that the distance to cross-cut to obtain Rice's leader will be considerably shortened. In knocking down the reef to-day, there is an im provement in the size of same, with colours showing. We have now a foot of nice-looking quartz.—E. K. EDWARDS.

The cutter Kose which arrived from Tairua this morning, brought to town a man named Murphy, suffering from delerram tremens. Murphy is a shoe maker by trade and has a nice little busi ness at Tairua. During the last few days, however, he has been roaming about the bush, scooping up clay with his hands under the impression that ho was digging for gold, and roaring the while in a most hideous manner. He was put on board the Kose and sent on to Auckland. Despite careful watching, he managed to jump OTer* board when just off the Lake, about 2 o'clock this morning, being as he stated under the impression that he was on the wharf, and that a man was chasing him with a knife. One of the hands who caw him jump into the water, held out a paddle, which, the man grasped, and was drawn on board. Murphy was brought up at the Court this morning charged with drunken ness, and remanded for eight days.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY. MAY 18,



Special .Advertisements. CJINGER'S" SEWIKM MACHINES! O An Economy in ovory Household. OINGEK'S SEWING MACHINES, j^ No w Improvomontß without extra coat. SINGER'S SEWING MACHINES Will last a lifetime in constant work. SINGER'S SEWING MACHINES. 10 per cent discount for cash. SINGER'S SEWING MACHINES Easy terms. Within thdmeansof the poorest SINGEK'S SEWING MACHINES. Kasy terms. No addition to tho price. CUNGER'S SEWING MACHINES >O Will earn their coal in a few months. CJINGER'S SEWING MACHINES. JO Best terms to Wholesale Buyers. SINGERS SEWING MACHINES. Write for address of nearest Agent. SINGER'S SEWIJNG MACHINES. Send for Prico List to SINGER Manufacturing Company) No. 166a, Queen-street, Auckland. SINGER'S SKWING MACHINES. Sales exceed half a million annually. The SINGER MANUFACTURING COMPANY have opened a Wholesale nnd Retail UepOt at lt6A. QueeL-sireet, Auokland. SINGER'S SEWING MaCBINES, Hand or Treadle, at will. SINGER'S SEWING MACHINES. Kstabh&hed over 30 years. CUNGKR'S SEWING MACHINES, O Tho most approved in all countries. CJINGER'S SEWING MACHINES k5 Have received 160 First-class Modola. SINGER'S SEWING MACHINES. The Best for the Family. Kaßiast to learn. SINGEK'S SEWING MACHINES, I he best for tho Dressmaker. Moat durable. SINGER'S SEWING MACHINES, BestforthoTailor. aowsßtrongostsoamß. SINGER'S SKWING MACHINES, Best for tho Bootmaker, light or heavy work SINGEK'S SEWING MACHINES Sew finest muslins and hoaviest cloths. Ti/J" R. H 1 C X S O W, SURVEYOR & L AND BROKER, Begs to notify that ho has REMOVED From the South British Chambers to more com modious offices in the premises just vacated by Mkssrs. Hoffmann & Sons, and that his addre99 for the futuro will bo as tinder : THE GREAT NORTHHRN LAND AGENCY CORNER OF Queen and Viotobia streets, auckland. (SPECIAL NOTICE. W. H. FENTON IS NOW OPENING NKW GOODS, AS UNDER!— Waterproof Coats—tho Patent Ventilating, Cbeaterfleld, and Ulster, for walking or . Tiding The New Cyprian Shirt in Coloured and White I Patont Soring and Fur-top Gloves ' Scarves and Bow sin all tho Now Colours Silk Half-hose. Pants and Undor-shirta j New Braces, Collars, and Mufflers Knitted Polo and Football Caps ; Now Kelt and Cloth Hats in endleßS variety 1 Umbrellas, Rags, and Gladstone Bags. ' W. H. F KNTONI S GENTLEMEN'S HATTER & MERCER 78, QUEKN-STREET [ (Opposite "Herald" Officb). i > Tt/TILNE AND riHoi',Cl ) HAVE NOW OPKNKD UP, ex Syden hamand Oxford, i 1 A Complete Assortment of J __utu_-N and Winter (jtoodi The following are Folly Stocked with al 1 tho Latsst Styles :— Millinery and Mantle Department 1 Costume Department r Underclothing and Baby Linen Department r Hosiery and Haberdashery Department 1 Fancy Dress and Trimming Department ' Sil_ and Satin Department { Linen, Calico, and Flannel Department Boys' Clothing Department. TROUSSEAUX AND LAYETTES SUPPLIED A' ; THE SHORTEST NOTICE. ; Tho above Goods are from the First Londoi i Houses, are the Latest Style?, of a very euperio i description and quality, and the I'uicks d&f: , COMPETITION. 1 5 % Discount for Prompt Cash. 1 MILNE & CHOYCE, QUEEN At.D WELLESLEY STREETS. r 1 ~~"~ ! A UTUMN A«_- yTTINTE] • DRAPERY AND CLOTHING. 3 __ - RUSHBROOK AND BRIDGMAI i Are now bringing forward their Stock of INEWG 0 0 D S | FOR THE SEASON, r ALL SELECTED WITH GREAT CARE AN] r WELL BOUGHT. | Splendid Value in Blankets and Rugs ' FUmnels, Shirtings, and all Plain Goods \ A Choice Lot of Now Dres3 Goods, Satl Cloth, Serge, Merino, Wincey, &c. 1 Trimmings and Buttons c Job Lines in Fanot Dress Goods, very ohea t Ladies' Jackets and Ulßtors , Girls' and Maids' Ul-ters } Umbrellas. Hosiery, Ribbons, &c. - A LARGE STOCK OF CLOTHING TO SELEC i FROM OP ALL KINDS, FOE BOYS AND MEN. 5 OVERCOATS, ULSTERS, & MACINTOSHES Large Selection' of . COLONIAL AND IMPORTED TWEED 3. i STRONG MATERIAL FOR BOYS' WEAH, t SERS-S, &c. f 5% Discount (Is in the £) aUowed off all CA3J > Purchasos of 203 and Upwards. ' ~RUSHBROOK & TSRIDGMAS ' [Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel], Upper Quebn-strbet, | auckland. ■ r^ARLICK AND URANWELI \Jf COMPLEIE HOUSE FURNISHERS CITY HALL ARCADE QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND. ■\ ( Garliok an: h" CRANWELL'SBtOc: " contains a vet; O ' extensive ehoic O hi of Furniture, o Z,<4 EngUßh, Amer KQ gs; can, Italian, am 1 O O^4 Colonial mannfac OsSqo"1 tnre, and is sold a _d> z&si tha lowestpossibl •z^a price consisten WB g ffl with durabilit; k.<fi n and good taste q M and they respect < h) fully invite an it aj spection of thei " Show Kooms froi P those about to fui ; Uiah. "\ (A Beautiful Lo of Drawing-roou CARPETS, jus W_f . landed ex Oxford .OESri most f_Bhionabl oOsJS&H 8 designs, and cci JCa-tnOj talnly very choice agr-QZ« The "Worcester »505a3S L pißpirTq J Stair Carpet has i pHSzl^f c-rpbts IpUe of horsehaii si-PHv-1 and is the mos W^X^q'3 durable Carpe , over made. Tapes hmS try Carpets fron EM 2slid. Handsomi Borders for Car pets, Hearth Rngi J ,< made to match. /^IARLICK & CJUNWELL keep i \JT Large Stock of Floor Cloths for Halls Rooms and Offices.' Linoleum, all widths, al lowest prices. (TiARLICK & CEANWELL keep a VT Great Variety of Austrian Bentwood Furniture, and American Cane Chairs. Whole sale and Retail. WE allow a DISCOUNT of FIVE PER Cent, on Furnitnre, Carpets, and Floor •cloths, for Cash Payments. BEDDIN G, all sizes, of our own manu facture, kept ready for Delivery. BTIURNITURE, and all other Geods, C delivered Free in Town, and Book Cata logues sent to intending Furnishers on ap plication. i^iARLICK & CRANWELL keep an \JT Immense assortment of Iron Bedsteads. FDRNISH YOUR HOUSE From the CITY HALL ARCADE, GARLIC— & CRANWELL, Proprietors. Oabinetmakkrs and Ufholst_rbbs