SHI PPING IN TELLIGENCE.

.w,. J Tins Evening, 1.17 U.-it- viAIAR) To-morrow Morning, 2.1 • HNoiiT.—This (tver.iiig.G.l UN RISK.—To-MOITOW Morning, 6.12 M X>N 18 AQX.-New Moon, 29ih, 10.11 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

LAST EVENING.

Aigylo, 8.5., Crawford, from Whangarei to-dat. Wellington, s.s., Anderson, from Russell

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Sydney-Zcaiandla. P.M. s a . 23th San Francisco- Australia, P.M. b.b ~ April Uh Tauranga - Glenclg, Wednesday; Wellington, Monday Russell—lona, Monday Inwards Coastwise.-ilaty Ann, from Mahurangi, with 400 bushels lime. Outwards Coastwise.---overeign of the Seas, for Tryphena; Mary Ann, for Mahurangi, with 40 yards scoria ash; Lagoon, far Mercury Bay, with 1000 bricks, and sundries; Adah, for Thames ; Chnaiina, ror Hu.-sell.

V, hon between Ba7 of Islands and Whangarei and just off tt angaruru, at 7 o'clock Ihi3 morn ing, the s.b. Wellington sighted a barquo ap parently bound for this port. She will probably prove io be the Loch Dee, now about W diys out from London.

We learn that .Mr C. Bailey has received an order for a small fore-and-aft schooner, from an island firm.

The schooner Matantu is now almost ready for tea. Two carrel and ono clinkor built boats were put on bonrd to-day. She will sail Trunin a weak for Samoa.

Tho 8.9. Argyie, from Whangarei and Manga pal. brought 25 sacks gum, 1 horse, 12 piga, 22 boxes fruit, 11 sacks fungii3, 3 sacks hides, about 1 ton sundries, and tho fallowing passenger* :- Mrs Davis nnd 2 children and servant, Miss McKerz'o.Sliss Nob'e, Mc-s-n Hollerton, Smith, North, T. .Mills, McKinnon, Fra-cr, Kelsey, C. McLean, McLellan, .lackfon, Clendon, Com, Reyburn, Rhodes, Pastlethwaite, J. Bailey and It. Watson.

Tho b.s. Wellington arrived from Northern ports o.irly this morning with 21 sacks gum, 5 boxea fruit. 1 bile wo',l, a quantity of sundries, and passengers as follow:—Hon Mr Rolleaton, Messrs Cook. Ornißdcn. Hutchison, Mr and Mra Hay, J. Harding, Nancarrow, Mrs O'Donoghue, Charley Eilioti. Airs McCready and thrco children, Mr Ogilvio, Hornsby, Mr and Mrs Scott and 3 children, Mr Cameron, R. Johnson, Cooper. Radcliffo, McGinn, Durrand, Wiseman, T. Boucher, Mareroft, E. C. Cooke, Major Mair, 2 natives, and 1 steerage.

Tho shipbuilding ami boatbuilding trade at the North Shore aro almost atastands'il', owing partially to the removal of ono or two builders to the Anc-land side, and partially to n natural dullnea.t r.t preterit prevalent all over the colony. Mr Niccol has two c :tters in hand—ono to order of Mr H. F. Anderson, and acoiher 03 a spccjlation. Thd former was commenced about v monih ago, and i? 45ft keel, lift beam, and 6ft depth of hold She i 3 intended to posfeia great carrying capacitj, and will be cuaer-iigged. The latter vessel has almost approached completion, and will be ready for launching in about a week or fortnight hence. She ia a handsomo looking craf. with dimensions aa follows :—keel, lift; beam 13 feet, and dep:h of hold 5 feet 6 inches. The only other work in progress i 3 in the hands Of Mr Holmes and M- Logan. Tho former gantlemin has mide considerable progress with the Ferry company's steamer, tho engines for which are now on the way out f-om home. Mr Logan has jir-t turned out a 23 feet clinker-built boat for the Pilot schooner, and Is now about to lay down the keel for a large yacht for an Ishnd chiof, particulars •! which we gave a few days tince, alter which he will commence the con struction ot a fishing yacht for an Auckland gentleman.

THE P.M.St. ZEALANDIA.

The Agent of the Pacific Mail Company has received advice o" rhe sailing of tho ss. Zealandia on tho 21th instant.from Sydney.with eighty saloon and thirty steerage passengers for San Krancisco. Tho following pa3?enger3 hivo already booked at Auckland :-Cabin, Major Teschmiker, Messrs James C. Cairne, Laidlow, Roberts, B. Tonks, A. G. liorton, W. A. Camp bell, Hon K. Campbell and Mrs Campbell, Charles K. Blake. Alexander Attenbury, and Bon, McClansen, V.'nrdrope. Johnson, Clarke. J. A. Haver, F. Nelson, laylor. H. I . St. Clair, Wright. Davidson, John McK. Gf>ddi3, Mrs Nation and family, J. Donald, Miss North. Steerage: Meß'rs J. Tatham, P, S. Whitcombe, Mrs Proops and two children.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

DEPARTURES. Samson, p.s, Harvey, for South Wallabi. s.s , Leys, for Wanganui Colonist, schooner, Bailey, for Grejmouth

Tho p s. Samson from tho South yesterday brought tho following passengers:—Messrs Edmonds, Salmon, Hicks, and Beaton.

IMPORTS.

Per Samson, from Wanganui: G packages, 5 horses. From Waitara: 1 cases butter, 7 horses.

IXPORTS.

Per Sampson, for s-'outh—l caso seed, 20 cases and i sacks fruit, 6 cases wine, 5 cases wh'sky. 2 ca=es brandy, 2 case 3 limejuico, 2 hair-chests tea. 2 heifer?, lOlpipes, 5 spurs, 2 cases boots, 15 cases and packages sundries.

Per Wallabt, for Wanganui—B rolls matting 105-boies soap, 1 picture cage, 127 package h sundry merchnndiie.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

RrssET/. this day.

Sailed: Eleanor; lona. Passengers: Rev. Mr Ashwelis, Messrs Jo-es. Hag. and three others, and six from the North.

Wellixgtox, yesterday,

Sailed: Hawea, s.s„ for Picton and Nelson"

Dunedin', yeserday. Sailed: Wakatipu, ss, for Sydney; Rin garooma, for Melbourne, via Bluff.

Port Chalmers, thi3 day. Sailed : Wai'ara, for London.

At the Beads: Wcstland, Bhip, from London; all well

THE WEATHER.

a3 obsbkved at telegraph stations March 24, 1831.

C—Calm J. Br.—Freah breeze L.-Light St.-Stormy Br.—Breeze G.—Oalo (2.) ANEROID BAROMETER. (3.) WEATHER ESTIMATED AS B.—Blue sky, bo the at- O.—Ovcrcast.the whole mosphero clear or sky covered with heavy thick clouds C. — Clouds, passing P.—Pa3ain< Bhowers clondß Q.—?qnally D.—Drizzling rain K. — Kaln, continued F.—Foggy rain G. — Gloomy, dark P.—Snow weather T.—Thunder H.—Hail U.— Ugly, threatening L.—Lightning appearance

COMMERCIAL.

KVKNIN'O Stah Oflico, Friday. AUCKLAND CATTLE MARKET. Mb AvmreD buckland's weekly report. At tne Haymarket, on Tuesday, hide 3 and Bkins were tetter represented than usual Hides ranged as high as 4 3-lCths tho lb.; pelts, Is 3d; sheepskins, 2a Id to Is 5d each; hair, 4Jd; wool, 6}dtoßd the lb. At Bemuera, yesterday, dairy cattlo were numerous, and in steady inquiry at an advance in values; store catile were fairly represented, grown cattle at low values, but young cattle in brißk inquiry. Fat cattle of good quality were in full number—lßohead yarded. At the openin . ofjthe sale prices were higher than laft week aljout sfl each, but fell to last week's value? aa the sale proceeded, varying with quality from 20s to 235, averaging about 22s the lOOlbs for Auckland fatted cattlo, but ship borne were at 18a tho 1001b?. Averages were :—l7 steors, A. Mien, £8 Is; 8 oxen, Wetherall, £716s 6d; 8 oxen, W. Taylor, £7 14s; 15 steers, A. and J. Anderson, £7 13s; 21 steer . Mcliean & Co.. £7 5s 9d: 41 steers. John Winks, £3 17s 6d; 8 steers. George Clarke, £. 15s; 8 steers, James Ramsay, £6 7a 6i; 15 cow?, Alex.Ramsay, £675; 8 steers, Hugh Ramsay, £5143 6d, respectively. A few pens of store sheep brought: For lambs, 4s 3d: long-woolled ewes, 7s each. Fat sheep were in less numbers than of late, and goon wethers were better worth, bringing 2iu the lb. Napier wethers of good quality, fairly fatted, brought from lis 6d to 13s 6d ; Auokland-bred wethers, 13s fid to 15s; aged ewes, 8s to 9s 6d. The long-wooll°d ewe hoggets, 10* 6d to lis: lambs, 10s to 14s each. A numerous market of fairly fatted store pigs were eagerly competed, and good prices obtained, and dairy-fed porkers brought nbont 4d the lb. MESSRS HONTER AND NOLAN'S WBEKLY REPORT. Horses.—There has been continued activity in tho market, and notwithstanding that above an average number have been brought forward, purchasers hßve beon found at fully the ore v ions week's rates. The Durham Yards were well flUed on Friday. The demand was steady throughout tho sale, and, with scarcely an exception, those in were disposed of at satisfactory prices. We quote hacks at £510e to £19 15s; light harness horses, £12 15s to £22 medium draught, £21 to £28. Cattle.—There has been a maraed improve-; ment in tho demand, and tbe supply not being quite so large, as a consequence prices advanced, and we hope the alteration may be sustained. Scarcely tne usual number were yarded, on Tuesday, at Newmarket. Competition was spirited throughout tbe sale. Dairy cows and fat beasts advanced fully £1 per head, but there was no perceptible difference in stores, Sheep.—The pens were fairly well filled at Newmarket, on Tuesday, and there was an upward tenflenoy In prices for beßt description of weathers, but indifferently fattod and stores - . . iomparatively neglected. Lambsi Very lew yarded, Prices ranged from 6s 6d to lis 3d. Pigs.—Very few yarded. Prices were high, and there Is an unsatisfied demand.

AUCKLAND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Wholesale. Eetail. s. d. s.d. b d. s. d. Butter, fs,lb 0 10-0 0 Milk, quart 0 4-0 0 BestUalrles 10-0 0 Butter, Is, lb 1 0-1 3 Batter, sit, lb 0 0-0 0 Batter, salt 0 10-O 0 Cheese (new) 0 5-0 6 Cheese (coL.) 0 8-0 0 Do.. Cant. 0 6-0 0 Kggs,doz... 2 0-0 0 H»W. doz. 1 6-1 9 Lard, lb .. 0 0-010 lard,lb(tins)o 7-0 8 Fowls, eaoh 2 6-3 0 Bacon and Hams, Ducks, each 2 6-3 0 Provincial 0 7—o 101 Geese, eaoh 5 o—7 0 Canterbury Hams Turkeys .. S 0-7 0 and Bacon (in |Bacon,lb.. 010—1 0 cloth) .. 010H 01 Hams,lb.. 10-13 Bread, Id to ltd per 21b loaf Jams, per case, S doz, 32s Cd, to 35s Butter is firmer in price ; Is oan be obtained (or really first-class dairies. Eggs are very eoarce; is 9d can he obtained from several i Storekeepers. "'

Butcher's Meat. Retail. h. d. s. d. Roasting Beef 0 4 to 0 7 Boiling Beef 9 4 — 0 6 Mutton, hind-quarter .. .. _ 0 9—o i, „ fore-quarter 02i — 0 3 Lamb, fore-quarter ) n n _ 0 fl ~ hind-quarter ) 0 0- v o Pork and Veal 0 0 — 0 7 Steaks _ 0 6-0 8 Chops and Sausages 0 5 — 00 Tallow best (wholesalel-mutton, 32s 6d mixed, 255. Flour Market. vVholcsale. £ .. d Superfine Flour, silk dressed, por ton.. 12 0 0 Fino Flour, ditto, household .. .. 11 0 0 Sharps, per ton •■ o Jj Jj Adelaide, per ton .. .. £13 10a-1 0 0 Oamnru, per ton ji ~u X Duncdin, per ton |0 }» « Canterbury, per ton .. . .. 10 1« « Bran per ton (sacks Included) .. .. -o v Cabin Bread J? 0 0 Oatmeal !i S n Pearl Barley .. „ 18 0 0 Hay and Corn Market. Wholesale s. d. s. d. Re. £ -■ Maize (Syd.) none Hay, mo'dow „ (CaL) none ton pressed 5 0-O 0 „ (Kijn.l 0 0-3 3 Lucerne, do "Ono ~ (Coast) 3 3-3 C Straw (load) 0 18-1 10 Oats .. ..2 0-2 4 Chaff .. ..1 10-5 0 Wheat (fowli 3 G— 4 0 liny (oaten) o 10-6 0 Potatoes, £3 10?. Retail, s. d. 8. d. s. d. s. d. Maizo,bnahel3 6-3 91 Lncerne. cwt.7 6-8 0 Oats, ditto ..2 3-2 9 Oaten, ditto 0 0-7 0 Bran, IOOIbs 0 0-5 GI Straw ditto 3 0-1 0 Wheat (fowl) 3 3-3 fll Chaff, ditto 5 B-C 0 Hay. cwt. .5 0-0 o| Potafes.dittol 3-1 0 Fijian Maize 3 G-3 9 Seeds.—Retail. 8. d. p. d. B. d. s. d. Ryegrass ..6 0-7 0 Cocksfoot.bl.6 o—7 0 Italian, do. ..7 G-3 0 Trefoil, lb. 0 7-0 0 Redriovor.lbO 9-0 0 Ratatail, lb. 1 G-0 0 White Clover 1 1-1 3 Timothy, lb 0 7-0 0 Alsyk .lb ..1 2-1 3 Lucorno.lb. 1 0-0 0 ('owgrass, lb 1 o—l 2 Rape, lb .. C a 0 0 Woolpacks In qnantity, 3s 3d to 3s Od each corn sacks, 8s to 9s Cd per dozen. Fencing wlro Nos. G, 7 and 8. assorted, £16 10s to £17 per ton Coal and Firewood Market. CoAL.-Newcastlo (ship's sldo), cargo 31s per ton ; yard, 10s to 455. Bay of Islands, at yards. 25a 6d ; screened, 28? Od: ditto at the mine, 12s; ships side, 2356 d. Waikato, at mine, 5s ;in Auckland 17s Gd to 225; Taupiri. at mines. 6? Gd to 12s ;at yare, 18s to 21s: delivored, 25s to 2Sa. Wangarei. at mine, 8s 6d; yard (stenm). 17b ; household, 22a. Miranda, at yard (household). 18s; steam, 18s. Komo (household), 28s, 30s delivorod ; steam, 23b. FrREWOOD.—Uncut, at wharf (cargo), S3 to 9i per ton j delivered, 12s ; cut, lis to 16a. Kauri Gum asd Flax Market. Gum unchanged. Tho following pales have boon effected sinco last Friday :—Good ordinary Kaipara and Whangarei at £33 to £35. Wai kato. £30 io £33. East Coast, £40 to £12; receipts for March, ICO tons. Flax.—Finest quality ..19—£22 por ton Tow 6—B I?DNGUB Id. por lb Boildino Materials. Timrer.—Boards and Scantling. 100 ft., beatl2s 6d : second class. Si 6d ; best planed, tonguod and grooved, first-class, 14b ; Becond ditto. 10a. Mills: Cargo, best, Bs6d; sec-class,43Cd. Baulk, 5s 6d to Ga 6d. . ,„ , Now Zoaland Pa'.lnes, sft is._\ 10s; sft(heart) 13?; Gft, 13s Tl-troo Rails. £3 10a per 100; Furiri Posts. £6; Shingles, lis p?r 1,000: Hobart Town Palings, sft, 17s; 6ft, 19a; Hobart Town Rails, 90a. selling quotations. Bricks (at Whau,l4o? per 1,000; Town\ards, £2 15s: delivernd, £2 10i. Drain pipeß. per 100, 6 inches bore), 30s ; 4 inches. 14b: 3 inches 9s 2 inches. £2 10s per 1,000 socket glazed pipos, 18 Inches 2s Cd per foot; 15 Inches, 2a per foot; 12 Inches. Is Gd per foot; 9 Inches, Is per foot; 6 inches, Gd per foot: 4 inches. 4d por foot. Lime, slacked. Is per bushel; quick lime in sack, la Cd to 2s.

Mail Notice.

Mails will Close as U.nder.— Tmi Day. For Whangarei Heads, Parua, Walpu, Whan ui rel, and Tangihua, per Argyle, at I p.m. For Whangarei Heads, VVhaugarol and Mangapai, por Wellington, at 6 p.m. For Thames, por Enterprise, at 5.30 p.m. Saturday. 2G;h instant. For Thames, per Hotomahana. at 1).30 am, Kor Walwera, Mahuramri, .Matakana, Manga wai, etc, per Koso Casey, at 10 a.m. For Samoa, per Matautu, at 11 a.m. Monday, 28th instant. For Waitara Sec, per l.alla Kookh, at 8 a m. Kor Coromnndel por Coromandol, at 11.30 a.m. For Tauranga and Opotiki, per Wellington. at 1 p.m. For Tauranga and Opotiki, porGlonclg, at 1 p.m For Rußseli. Kawakawa, Wangu rou, and Mongonui, per lona, at 1 p.m. Tuksday, 29th instant. For Taranaki and Southern Porti, per Hawoa, at 8 a.m. Thursday, 3ist instant. Per s.s. Hotorua as follows :— For India, China, Japan,Mediterancan Ports, and Continent of Europe at 8 a.m. For Gisborne, Napi.-r. Southern port*, Australian Colonies, and United Kingdom, via Brinci.si, for letters specially co prepaid and addressed, at 9 a.m. Kor newspaper, at S a.m. Late lottors till 0.20 n.m. For monoy ordors, and registered lottors, the previous evoning nt 1 ojclock. Tuesday, 29th instant. Per s.s. Zealandia. ai follows :— For Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South Amorica. and British and Foreign West Indies, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 1 p.m. For money ordors. registered lottors, and newspapers, at 11.30 a.ra. Late letters bearing ac extra feo of slxponco, In addition to the postage, will be received by the Mail Agont ou board tho stoamer up to the lime of sailing. Tni* mail will bo duo In London on Tuesday. May 10, 1881. S. B. BI3S, Chief Postmaster. Chief Post-ofllcc. Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

March 23th. ISSI. Theatre Royal—"The Shaughraun," 8 p.m. Lorne-strcet Hall—Dr. Simms' Illustrnted Lecture on Practical and Scientific Physiognomy, 8 p.m.

Meeting of Dairymen—Kdon Vine Hotel, 8 p.m.

United Service Lodgo—Emorgeney Mooting, 7.30 p,m.

Choral Hall — Hcboarsil for Mr Gordon Gooch's Concert, 7 30 p.m. Thistle Hotel — I-resentation of Athletic Sports Prizes, 8 p.m.

Notice to Correspondents.

Subscriber (Ponsonby).—The Highways Act docs not provido for tho attendance of rate payers at a moating of trusteos. His, there fore, at tho discretion of tho Hoard.

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1881.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For tho wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the ood that we can do

The recent revelations in connection with the Wellington Asylum, followed by tho telegram yesterday that equally serious charges have been mado in con nection with Sunnyside Asylum, Christchurch, and an inquiry re fused, are calculated to create a very uneasy feeling in the public mind. Tho insane are peculiarly objects for human commiseration, and tho fact that they are virtually buried to the world should intensify the resentment with which the public regard abuses that are proved to exist within these tombs of the living. It was feelings of this kind that reconciled the General Assembly to tho appointment of Dr. Skae as Inspector when the bent of legislative mind was strongly towards retrench ment. But the results have neither realised public expectations nor justi fied confidence in tho conduct of these institutions, which entail a large expense on tho public revenue, and which certainly would be creditable if the wish of the people and the liberality of the Legislature could make them so.

The charges against the Sunnyside Asylum are not new. They have been ventilated before in tho Press, and apparently with disastrous conse quences to everyone who has attempted to institute a reform. It is oven said that Mr W. E. Payne, formorly chief attendent of the institution, was asked to resign his appointment after nearly sixteen years' service because he pro tested against and expressed his disap proval of the many cruelties and vicious treatment that had obtained in the institution. It is further alleged that on one occasion a report upon the management of the asylum was made to Dr. Skae by an attendant, the result of which was that Dr. Skae sat as judge, and the keeper as jury, and the attendant was so treated that he resigned, declaring that be would have no further con nexion with such a place.

Another of tbe allegations against tbe Cbristcburch institution is that one patient was placed on a table in a state of nudity, and trial by jury was held over him, the keeper being the in stigator, and the attendants, most of them, the jury and audience. This case the patient reported to Dr. Skae, but was discredited. Some time afterwards the patient appealed to the Supreme Court, and was released as being of sound mind, after having 'suffered seven years' incarceration without cause, the Asylum authorities doing all they possibly oould to prevent his liberation. He is now a respectable citizen, and employed in a Solicitor's office in Christchurch.

Now, assuming that such flagrant wrongs as these—which remind us of the treatment of lunatics in the Dark

0 s—do exist, we should expect Dr. Skae to be tho man to discover aud remedy them. But the Inspector apparently holds totally different views. According to his evidence before the Wellington Commission, he considers that he is in no way responsible for anything that may happen in a lunatic asylum. His appointment of Mr Whitelaw as Superintendent of the Asylum, with out any previous experience, was in itself a very extraordinary one, and the reasons ho gave for it much more extraordinary, lint if in making the appointment Dr. Slcae had relied upon his own presence in Wellington to make up for Mr Whitelaw's short comings—if, m feet, he had intended to take the Wellington Asylum virtually under his own care—the appointment would havo been more open to ex planation. From Di: Skae's own evidence, however (which wc quote), iho had no such intention : —

By the Bench : Are you aware that Hall lias "been kept in a straight jacket Bincc Christmas, day and night? ilr. Skac : Yes, but 1 objected to the patient being treated in this manuer. The Bench : Yes, hut Hall has been kept like this since August.

Dr. Skao : I do not believe iv keeping a man like this, but I would not under very exceptional circumstances order such treat ment. lam not responsible for tho treat ment of patients under any circumstances. By lite Bench : Don't you think it a very strange thing that male attendants should be allowed to carry a pass key to puss through the femalo courts when they liked. Dr. Skue : Yes, it ia a very foolish ar ruigemont.

Thorcforc, although some of tneso malpractices wero known to Dr. Skao, and ho had objoctod to tlioin, thoy wero permitted to continue until somo out side influonco compelled an investiga tion into tho whole manngoniont, and exposed to public horror its ghastly skeletons.

Wo think enough Ims beon shewn in this inquiry to satisfy tho Govern ment that the creation of a new and costly Central Department for Asylums has not been attended with such .success ns will warrant its continuance. When Dr. Skae was appointed, it was thought that tho Local Inspectors existing under tho Lunacy Act might be dispensed with, and for a timo their commissions wore cancelled. Biit this resulted in a breach of tho law, which requires an inspection every threo months, whereas after the local" inspectors cease.l to visit,thero was no inspection in some of tho Asylums for twelve months. Tlio ollice, therefore, hod to bo restored, and now tho Government aro paying twice over for one public service. To all practical ends, according to Dr Skae's owu testimony, tho management of tho asylums rests solely with tho Superin tendents, and it may vory veil bo in ferred that with local inspectors to re port independently, and to whom com plaints may be mado, tlio Central De partment is altogether unnecessary, and ono, therefore, which tlio Govern ment should lose no timo iv abolishing, Tho teudeucy to multiply thoso groat central spending machines really lies at the root of our Civil .Service ex travagance.

The officers of tbo Volunteer companies held a meeting last evening for tho purpose of making arrangements for the Easter Re view, when it was tesolvcd that Major Withers be requested to sco Mr A. V. Mac donald, the district railway manager, with a view of arranging for the conveyance of volunteers to the scene of action.

Iloucicault's drama, the "Shaughraun," was repeated at iho Theatre Hoyal last evening, before a moderately well-filled house. Tho representation was quite as good as those of previous evenings, and the audience testified their approval by culling Mr Grattan Kigga before the curtain seve-ul times. Tho "Shaughraun" will bo produced again this evening.

The fortnightly meeting of the Auckland School Committee, which was to have been held yesterday, lapaod tor want of a quorum.

We have received 5s from "A Friend" for tho distressed family.

To the Editor : Sir,—l think it would look better for the innocence of the trustees wero they not to go to such line points about the wording of tbe requisition, but at once come before the ratepayers who put them in trust of their funds.—Yours, Sec, A Ratepayer.

Purchasers of a packet of season tickets for either dress circle or stalls, for tho 20 nights subscription for Simousen's Opera Company, make a saving of 25 per cent, and the tickets are transferable and avail able to any person and for any night, and in any quantity. The stalls will be kept entirely select.

The residents of the lower part of Alton Road, and neighbourhood, are complaining of the bad smell that nightly greets their nasal organs, and which arises from the guano that is being deposited in a few unused sheds near tho Foundry. They think that, considering tho widespread population in that district, the objectionable matter should be taken farther afield.

A meeting of the creditors of Lawrence Teirnoy, fanner, of the Whau, was held this morning, when Mr Thos. Macffnrlane was elected trustee. Tho assets are stated at £13 13s, and tho liabilities at £154 14s Gd.

Mr Villeval intends to open his projected French classes, in the Nelson-street school, to-morrow. The class for juniors will be opened at 10] a.m., the ladies' class at 1 p.m., and the gentlcmens class at 2 15 p.m.

To tbo Editor : Sir,—To decide a wager would you be so kind as to state the dis tances which Libeller beat Foul Play, and name races, at our lato summer meeting at Ellerslie.—Yours, &a, Old Sport.— [Grandstand Handicap, 1£ miles ; Steward's Handicap, 1 mile and distance,—-Ed. E.S.]

At the meeting of St. Andrew's Mutual Improvement Association yesterday even ing, Mr C. J. Smyth delivered a very interesting lecture on " Rhetoric," divid ing his subject into trro parts, viz., literary and oratorical rhetoric. The lecturer treated each of these in an instructive and practical manner, inserting in the lattir part some useful observations on the best means of acquiring eloquence. After a very favourable discussion, a unanimous vote of thanks to the lecturer brought the meeting to a close. The attendance was exceptionally good, a large number of lady visitors being present.

The "Cologne Gazelteo" of December 3rd has a short; article on the recently published report of German trade in the Pacific. The trade, they say, is yet very undeveloped, and they strongly recommend further enterprise in that direction. Sydney, especially, they seem to consider worth cultivating as a mart for German goods, and New Zealand as of almost equal importance. The German spirit trade with Morocco has come to an end, they being undersold by Spain.

An outcry is being raised in different parts of the colonies about tho rapid increase of rabbits which many farmers regard as a pest, and no doubt rabbits do great damage in their percgrina ! tions among sundry crops. In the old country rabbits form a very important article of food among the poor, especially in London, where thousands of ostend rabbits are weekly imported by steamers and made into savoury puddings. The fecundity of these little animals is remarkable, and needs continued thinning. In England rabbits arc of the common colour, but in South Wales they are black, and scamper in large companies over the clovery hills. The Wolsh people frequently have stewed rabbits, duly seasoned, on their tables, but colonials almost invariably set their faces against rabbit pic.

At the last meeting of the contributors of the City of Glasgow Bank who have not assigned their stock in the Bank, Mr J. D. Milne, Aberdeen, referred to the satis factory state of the New Zealand Land Company, and suggested that the share holders should take up £300,000 of the ordin ary shares, and he believed in two years hence thy would be able to pay off the re* maining quarter of a million of liabilities, and leave still £800,000 of the New Zealand company to be rateably distributed among the contributories, and perfectly free of all ( burdens,

A service of song will be held on Sunday afternoon, ut throe o'clock, on the hospital lawn, in connection with tlio fruit mission in the interest of the inmates of the three kindred institutions. The choir of St- Andrew's church will give their musical services on this occasion, under the direction of Mr Culpap.

A man named Gcard was admitted iuto the Hospital on Tuesday last, suffering from a painful cue on his left foot. He stated in explanation that he was cutting wood at Mercury Ray last week, when fho axe slipped and struck his foot, almost severing the big toe. He came on to the Hospital at onco for treatment.

A mau named P. Donnelly, from Tau ranga, is now undergoing treatment at tho Hospital for a broken collar-bone. He was forking hay nt the Gate Pab, when by some means the fork broke. Donnelly fell to the ground,'aud his collar-bone was broken. It was set by Dr. Cooper on tbo man's arrival at the Hospital, aud he is now progressing most satisfactorily.

Mr Justice Ricbmonl sat in Chambers this morning and disposed of nn average amount of business, ['rotate was granted in re John Wm. Armstrong and Richard Bogcrs (deceased), an order for p. special jury wits made in tlio case of the National Bank v. Beedell and another, and tho is Mica were settled in Ihe cases of Merrick (action for breach of covenant in a lease), and Jenkins v. Elliott (account for gooda sold and delivered). Both enses will come before the Circuit Court at its approaching sitting .

The adjourned Assessment Court for the city was held to-day before Mr H. C. Bar stow, when the following cheques of mimes were made: Northward, William Miuiro to William Greenwood ; L 11. Neiimngcii to W"il 1 uiiu Greenwood. Knst ward, Patrick Hitman to James O'Brien, and Arthur Eady to truilees of W. A. Crombic. Mr Phillips, tswu clerk, rcpresanted tlie City Council, and pnitiuulars were given by Mr Wiule, surveyor.

The man Wells, who was dangerously injured ut the Carlton Goic Brewery soino timo ui,'o, is now progressing rapidly towards recovery.

I'.ihvard Slioitl, li lad (whoso parents re side in fewton, wns admitted to the Hospi tal this morning suffering from ;i severe cut in his foot, lie was playing with some companions oil Friday last, when he accidentally trod on v portion of n broken hollle, ami tlie result was a deep cut on the

sole of his foot. Tlio usual remedies! were applied, and il was believed the injury was healing up. This morning, however, the wound opened afresh and a profuse How of Id 1 followed, The parents of the boy becoming alarmed, had him taken; to Dr. I'liilsou, and that gentleman ordered his removal lo Hie Hospital, where he now is. II is believed thai one of the arteries of the fool has been severed.

The mean temperature in the Bliado at Auckland la.it month was 70 ;i; at Welling ton, 70 0; Christcliurch, 7:i'.'i ; Dunedin, GU'2. 'I he variation was much greater in the South than iv this city ;n shown by the following maximum figures which prove ili.it exceptionally hotter days were felt in Christchurch and Duucdiu than in the Noith. The figured are : Auckland maxi mum heat in shade, 812; Ch ristchuich, S'J'B ; Dunedin, S4'o; Wellington, 800. Miniinuin temperature: Auckland, 50.;"); Christchurch, 3GU; Duncdin, 42 0 ; Wei lington, 44 -1 The rainy days weic : Auckland, 7 ; Wellington, 8 ; ChriHtchurcl), (I ; Dunedin, 10.

The second meeting of Wade houao holders win held by order of the Hoard ol Education, Mr John Wutkinson was appointed chairman, and called uu Major Storing to rend his report for the past year. No report being at hand, ihe balance-sheet was requested and read, which caused many questions and inucli discussion to ensue. The election then took place, Mr Thomas Leigh and Mr Lord acting oh secretaries. It resulted : Major Storing, 49; Mr W. Manning, 44; Mr Robert llruutou, 29; I. Sidwell, 28 ;M. Kelly, jtin., 21 ;A. Hatlield, 21; M. Kelly, sen., •1. The Chairman received a vote of thanks. The new Committee then met and unanimously, without one dissenting voice, elected Mr W. Mr.nning Chairman of the Committee.

The total receipts on the colonial railways last month weic, North Island, £14,920; Middle Island, £51,-US. Percentage of receipts lo expenditure for bolh Inland . (J3'S(>, as follows*:—Whnngarei-Kaino, 54 20; Kaiparn, 89 18 ; AuckUud, O'S's2; Napier, (j'J--l7 ; Wellington, SU'iil ; Wnnga iiui, GS"-'; New Plymouth, 85*33 ; Ambcrley Kingston, 6131 j Grcynioutli, 4(i'sl ; Wcstport, lOti'ls ; Nel.iou, "O'S.'J; I'ieton, 79.73

We hear that shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday evening a powerful Maori named l'ikaka of the Ngntipawn tribe made a forcible entry into the private residence of Mr C. de Thierry in Howe street,offering no explanation for his extraordinary conduct, aud threatening to kill .Mr de Thierry. No amount of persuasion would induce the native lo move, aud as a last resort Mr de Thierry went upstairs aud brought down an unloaded revolver, which _o frightened the Maori and cooled his courage that he lied precipitately out of the house and down the Btreet much to the nmusc incut of several bystanders.

The journal of the "Society of Arts" of Jauuary "th says : "International Woollen Exhibition—At the request of several foreign States the time for receiving appli cations for space at this Exhibition, which will be held thin year at tho Crystal Palace, has been extended to April lot. The Go vernment of New Zealand has asked for 1,500 sq. feet of space, and articles that have been shown at the Sydney and Mel bourne Exhibition will be sent from New South Wales and Victoria. The applica tions to exhibit machinery in motion are stated to be so numerous that it is expected that a large portion of the main lloor of the building will bo assigned for this purpose."

The first party ot engineers nnd others, numbering 48 persons, sent out to com mence the work iv connection with the pro jected Panama Canal, left Paiis for Panama In January. M. de Lcsscps accompanied them to the St. Laz.ire station, where great enthusiasm prevailed. Cheers were given for M. de Lessens nnd for France. Tho parly embarked nt St. Nazairo ou Jan, 6 on board the steamer Lafayette. The Panama Canal is undonbtedly the most interesting engineering project of the year, if not tho most interesting the worla has yet seen. The future profit to America is hardly to be estimated. A writer in the " Engineer " maintains that it will bo of small benefit to England, as the journey to Sydney viH Panama, will be no shorter than viA Suez, but Fiji, and the Sandwich Islands, will derive incalculable benefits from direct and cheaper transit with the Eastern, American, and European mar kets.

An incident occurred Inst ovening about seven o'clock in Karangahape Road, near the reservoir, which might have been attended with serious consequences to some of the pedestrians in the vicinity at that hour. A large dray horse suddenly dashed out at a furious pace trom a stable-yard, tbe gate of which hud been left open, and after prancing about wildly for some seconds on tbe footpath, ran to the water trough some distance away. Au old gentle man, a lady, and a young man, who chanced to be passing the gate at tho timo the horse lushed forth, were iv great danger of being trampled down by tho bruio, nnd tho nerves of all were severely shaken. It was some minutes before the owner—a young and burly fel low-appeared on tho scone, and then instead of expressing sorrow for the jeopardy in which his carelessness had placed the lives or limbs of the passers-by, ho treated with sneers and ridicule the fears and remonstrances of the old gentleman, until severely rated by another of the OD-lookcrs. The fellow may thank his stars that infor mation has not been laid against him, and in future should learn to take greater care in securing his horse, and to have a little more respect for aged men.

The final rehearsal for MrGordon Gooch's grand concert will tu'te placo this ovening in the Choral Hall. The concert will ba given on Monday evening next, undor tho patronage ot His Worship, tho Mayor, and othor dis tinguished oittaons. The programme, which appears in the Stah, is vory choice, tho ballads, glees, and solos, being of a high order, selected from authors and composers ot universal famo. Mr Gooch s advanced pupils in tho pleasing art of singing will take a prominent part in tho choruses and glees.

Passengers by the p.s, City of Cork to Panmuro Kaces to-morrow aro r^questoi to bo on board punctually at one o'clock, that tho Bteamor may not bo delayed. It is intonded to delay tho Hurdle Race until nor arrival.

Mr J. Kennedy Brown, Government In surance agent, will deliver a leotura on Monday evening noxt at the hah of tho Young Men s Christian Association ; subject :—" Life Insur ance as a function of Government." Roy, a, Carriek, of at. Andrew's Church, will take the chair at eight o'clock.

NATIVE LANDS COURT.

(BY TELEGRAPH, OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

CAMBHIDGE, this day. At the Native Lands Court No. 2 Whaiti Kuranui was again brought before the Court to-day. Several witnesses have been examined as to c'a'uns, tilLs, &c. The case iv now being proceeded with. No. 4 subdivision was passed through yesterday

afternoon

SCINTILLATIONS.

"Ho brief; lor It is wltn words as with sun beams : the more thoy nre condensod tho deeper thoy born."—Soutiiky.

The mau who sits on a bent pin is apt to speak to the point. Paper is now used for car wheels, It has been used for tracts for a long time. It is very easy for a man to breakfast in bed if ho will be satisfied with a few rolls and a turnover.

The Governor laid the foundation stone of a Mechanic's Institute at Timarn yester day.

But few men can handle a hot lamp chimney and say there ia no place like home at the same time.

A "Gazette" notice reserves laud iv Gisborne for a school for secondary educa tion, and a site in I'apakura for a library.

When he sighs for her aud she sighs for him, tho sighin's of tbe times may be con sidered auspicious for a wedding.

He said her hair was dyed, and when she indignantly exclaimed, ■' Tis false," be said be presumed bo.

" Your intended is hideous," said a frank French friend, " True," says the iiancde, " but if you only knew how they notice me nhen he's along."

The Dunedin " Star " charges Captain Hume, the new Inspector of Prisons, with issuing dictatorial regulations. We presume the feelings of the pet gaoler at Dunedin have been hurt.

The native game season commences ou the Ist of April and ends on the 12th July. This applies to wild duck ot any species, bittern, pied stilt plover, wild geese, dotterel!, pigeon, teal, black stilt plover, and ouail,

'• Will your mother ever marry again ?'' he inquired. " Not with my approval," she answered, "such is my opinion thus far, and not a .''p-tatlier,'1 Mr and Mrs Khrenfried of the Thames, give a very enjoyable party on Wednesday night. About I.W couples wero present. A doctor went out for a day's hunting, and on coming borne complained that he hadn't killed anything, "That's because you didn't attend to your legitimate business," mid his wife, 'Ihe Whangarei-Knmo mine is still the most payable in the North Island, owing to the prohibitory rates charged to Mr J. Bennett, for the carriage of coal.

A sentimental young man thus feelingly expresses himself : " Even as nature benevolently guards the rose with thorns, so does she endow women with pins." A young lady who didn't admire the custom in vogue among her sisters of writing a letter, and then cross-writing it to illegibility,said she would prefer her epistles " without mi over-skirt."

Mr fl. P. l'icrce, as one of the trustees of St. Matthew's Church, sent a letter to the Rev. Mr Tcbbn, protesting agaiust the use of the Church for an Organ recital with a price charged for admission. The Incumbent replied that tho recital was given wfth the consent of the Bishop. The last analysis made by Mr Pond, of sugnr-bect grown in the Waikato, is very satisfactory. Some roots grown by Mr Lewis u'Neil at Claudelands, Hamilton, gave an average rct'iru ol 14J per cent, of sugar.

'Ihe Stewart family lias dispersed. Uichard himself is going to Adelaide to join the Comedy Company. Docy goes to the Melbourne Hoyal as cliimbcrmaid. Nellie has attached herself to Musgrove . Opera Boull'e Troupe, and Maggie will shortly attach li is -If, not to n troupe, but to a single individual. The troupe may come afterwards,

Tho Home Rule party in the Home of Commons is far from being a united family. Mr Shaw is re-asserting his leadership over the more moderate Land Leaguers, and expresses his. confidence that Mr Gladstone will hiiiigin aland law amply satisfying the Ulster tenant", and Mr Mitchell Henry follows on the same side.

At the time when the British annexed Transvaal, there was the handsome amount of eighteen pence in the Republican trea sury, all salaries in arrears, paper protested, and" government at a stand still.

Mi Maxwell's paper on " New Zealand Government Railwuvs ' ■ ill nttracts notice in the English technical Ingazincs.

Mr Fredrick MacCub-. the well-known iMiglish ventriloquist, i- Icely to visit the colonies. He if. immeuicly popular, and his popularity has been more enduring than that of most men who satirise thejfollies of the day. He will bring a new supply of comic songs.

Last month there were five deaths in Auckland from dysentery and diarrhoea, one from tcnrlet fever, one from whooping cough, one from typhoid fever, and three from phthisic

Les plus sa^c no lo sont pas toujour?.— A young mau becoming engaged recently wns dosirous of presenting his intended with a ring "luitably inscribed." He was un decided as to what should be engraved on it, and called up his father for advice. "Well," said tho old mm, "put on - ' When this yon sec, remember me.' " 'I ho young lady was horrified a few days after wards on receiving a beautiful ring with this inscription, "When this you see, remember lather."

MR. FORREST'S ORGAN RECITAL.

A . organ recital by Mr Angclo Forrest, combined with selections of sacred vocal music by a supplemented choir, was given in St. Matthew's church,last evening and wns largely attended. The Incumbent opeued the proceedings with prayer, and a hymn and the benediction ended the pro gramme. Mr Forrest was cminciilly suc cessful in all his selections. The organ, although the best iv Auckland (perhaps also in tbe colony), does not contain all the faci lities for solo playing, The want of a third manual was at timos evident, the player having frequently to suspend the tempo of tbe piece in order to gain time for the neces fary alteration of slops, Making allowance for Mr Forrest's short acquaintance with tho instrument—aud every instrument has its peculiar characteristics—we were exceedingly pleased at the very rich and varied effects produced under his hand?. The overture to " Egmont" was played with vigour, and, so far as its representa tion is possible on the organ, was completely successful. A charming contrast was afforded in the selection from Mcudelssohn which followed it. Thore was a fairly ellicient choir of about forty v»iccs, con ducted by Mr Brown. Their lirst effort was iv au adaptation ot the Kyrie and Gloiia from Mozart's Twelfth Mass. Tho solo parti were marred in their effect by the proximity of a largo unsightly wooden box, said to be a pulpit, behind which the soloists wero placed. The chorus was only mode rately successful. Mr Forrefit played a beautiful romaozafrom Beethoven, followed (but not equalled) by Rest's arrangement of Meyerbeer's celebiated Coronation March. Mr Rhodes sang the descriptive recitative and air, "Mow Heaveu," trom tho Crea tion, and produced a very favourable im pression. Next came the crucial teat of an organ player's nbility, a fugue by Bach, in which the resources of the instrument are less called into play than the skill of tbe performer. Mr Forrest's treatment of the fugue was masterly throughout, tho per formance being clear and distinct, and the pedalling rapid nnd smooth. Batista's UU'ettoria iv C minor, aud Sir W. S. Ben nett's Barcaroele, are of a lighter texture, nnd as such were moro generally appre ciated. The grand chorus, " The Heavens aro Tolling," from the Creation, was well and powerfully sung, though not with unanimous precision. Mr Forrest then gave one of his own compositions, an ingenious fugal treatment of au original but rather quaint theme. The adagio, from Haydn's No. 1 Symphony, was welcomed hb an old friend. The pathetic air, "It is Enough," from " Elijah," though coming late on the pro gramme, was very groatly appreciated. It was suug by Mr Rhodes with the fullest expression and feeling of which that eentle man's voice is capable; and Mr Forrest's accompaniment (violinccllo obligato repre sented by the oboe stop swell) was in excellent taste. Elvey's anthem, "Praise the Lord," bright and spirited, was sung with much better effect than the two pre ceding choruses. There can be but one opinion shared by all who were present at last night's recital, namely, that Mr Forrest's accomplishments include those of au able and experienced organist.

Dr. Simms will deliver the closing lecture of his course to-night at Lome-street Hall with a lecture on "Love, Courtship, and Marriage." The press in Britain and Americaspeakof thislecture as the funniest, ablest, and best lecture that Dr Simms delivers. It is, no doubt, a rare treat of instruction and amusement. All believe in love and marriage; then, is it not wise to learn all the natural laws governing attrac tion between tho sexes, and regarding the rearing of healthy and intelligent offspring ? To-night, old and young will attend at the hall, and the lecture will open a wide field of thought and mountains of fun and enjoyment. "A brilliant chemical experi ment will be performed, which consists of the burning of metal, and which will be as harmless as beautiful,"

CABLEGRAMS.

[Reuteu's Telegrams.]

THE GREEK PREMIER ON THE THREATENED WAR.

ATHENS, March 23,

M. Comouiidotiros, the Picmier, made a speech dealing with tbe present negotiations for the settlement of the frontier diibculty >\ ith Turkey. In the course of his remarks he expressed an opinion that, though there was every possibility that Greece would be compelled to go to war to exercise her right, au outbreak of hostilities with Turkey was not inevitable, and might be avoided by negotiations. A lIUNDHED LIVES LOST IN AN OPERA HOUSE FIRE. PARIS, March 23. The Opera House at Nice was totally destroyed by lire to-night. The conflagra tion broke out during a performance, aud nearly one hundred persons perished iv the tlames. COMMERCIAL. LONDON, March 23. Consols remain at par. New Zealand securities firm at last quotations. Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, 51s ; New Zealand, ex ship, 46's ; Adelaide Hour, ex warehouse, 345; Australian tallow, without quotable change. At the wool sales to-day, 7,500 bales were oll'ered, and the tone of tbe market remains firm. »

AUSTRALIAN.

THE VICTORIAN COUNCIL OBSTI NATE. MELBOURNE, March 24. The Legislative Council to-night passed a resolution dccliuing to receive the Reform Bill from the Assembly for consideration, on the ground that the qucstiou had already boen dealt with duriug the present sc-sion, and, moreover, because the House was of opinion that such a measure should have been initiated in tho Council, and not in the Assembly.

THE REFORM BILL.

MELBOURNE, Friday

The Legislative Assembly at its rising last night adjourned until Weducsdny next. 'the "Age" to-day in a leading article comments in angry terms upon the action of the Legislative Council in declining to consider the Reform Bill. The "Argus" also disapproves of the shelving of the reform question, and says that the country expects that the same should be decided on its merit.

MINING NEWS.

(By Telegraph.)

CORUMANDEL, this day. Tuk McMeil I'rotheis, now in occupation of the old Wuveiley Company'a ground, have four tons of stuff nt the Corby Battery for treatment, and intend bringing down v larger parcel of stuff next week from the big reef which intersects their ground. Tbe shew is a very good one, and, in conse quence, the ground adjoining on the same line of reef has beeu pegged off by tome of our old and experienced miners.

The Tokatea company trilmters (Thode) has returned 37 ozs. gold from his crushing at the Bismarck Battery.

Bismarck Company,—The mine is now dry, and mining operations to connect with So. 7 level will be resumed at once.

Blackmorc is breaking down the leader ; gold is .showing freely.

Stoddart's, next lllaekinore reef, is show' ing gold in the stone.

TokaTEA.—ln No. 7 tunnel the con tractors, by hand labour, have advanced 17 feet for the week. They are driving through a line channel of country, carrying :i splendid dig and a line body of stone. The llow of water increased on Monday last to such an extcut that no person could work iv the face. At the present rate of flow, however, the Bismarck winzes and stopes will soon drain. This will also have the effect of draining the Tokatea mine, so that the sinking of a winze to connect the Van with the No 7 level can be proceeded with.—Tributes : Thode's party arc doing very little; their stuff is in the battery, and" will be crushed this week if the water keeps up. Boswell's party have taken up Block A, 3, and started pro.-pecting. P.S.—The water having ceased to flow from the Van level necessitates the shifting of tho air box down below tho No. 7 level, to catch the necessary fall of water to drive fresh air into the level.

THAMES.

Southern Cross,—The following tele gram was received today :—" Crushing finished. Gfiozs. Gdwts. melted.

MR BRYCE ON THE NATIVE DEPARTMENT.

IN his speech at Wanganui Mr Brycc, tho late Native Minister, said :—" The Defence Department included tbe Police and the Armed Constabulary, although technically they were all Armed Constabulary. Cn the Sth of October, IS7O, when he took ollice, the total cost of tho service was fSo.OOO per annum. He had reduced it to £G5,901, or a saving of £20,000, without in any way destroying Its efticieucy. The popular idea of the strength of the Armed Constabulary was 1000. Well, it had been pretty near I hat number atone time—9oS— but he had icduced it to 770. Little had been said of this reduction, but still it had gone on. It could not go on, however, in definitely. Then, if the West Coast diffi culty was (settled, tbe colony would still require a force of at least 600 men, for there were mauy little difficulties iv other parts of the colony. The colony received a very severe lesson iv 18G7 of the folly of denuding itself of an armed force. He con sidered the cost of the West Coast dilliculty in ihe matter ot tbe constabulary was re presented by the difference between GOO men and 770 men, or £20,000 ncr annum. He thought that very shortly there would not bo any need for a Native Minister with a separate portfolio. There would always be nn Under-Secretary, but the need for a Native Department, as a distinct branch of the Government, would pass aw»y. When ho assumed office, he found Ihe contingency vote for nativo affairs was £20,000 per annum, but that really £10,400 had been spent by his predecessor. Kven that sum, however, did not represent tho whole amount, tor many sums that should have beeu put down to the vote had been put down to the land purchase, and paid out of the loan. Why, during the last quarter previous to his taking office, if the whole sum had been charged that should have been charged, the expenditure would havo been at the rate of £80,000 per annum, instead of £20,000 per annum. The native contingency now was somewhere between £1000 and £1,200 per annum, and a good deal of that was made up of liabilities that could not be avoided. The whole depart ment now cost about £1,500 ; but the great improvement of all was the doing away with tho mystery that had always been attached to the Native Department.

ENGLAND'S DESPOT.

(To the Editor.)

Sin,—lf Mr Oram had read my letter with more care and less prejudice, he would have seen that my analogy holds good—that if the Russiun Police Laws entailed the death of the Czar, our Licensing laws are far more destructive, for they entail the loss in the United Kingdom of sixty thousand people yearly, and tho average of loss in the colony is higher than in the home country. If men and women can be found to exert political men sufficient to exclude the drink from our midst, they caa afford to be called "fanatics." Mr Oram next promises to assist in improving the licensing laws. Well, if he will only run on the same lines as the temperance men they will be very glad of his assistance. Mr Oram next states that the licenses now issued are not issued for the benefit ot the license holder. Yes, when thoy confer no benefit on the publican and inflict a serious injury on the com munity, we may reasonably hope the whole system will soon come to an end, and I bonostly wish Mr Oram may find some more congenial occupation than hotel-keep ing—for he doscrves a better fate. Notwithstanding that Mr Oram questions my statement respecting hotel accommoda tion, facts will boar me out in repeating that tho other fiftr-six hotels and drink shops in Auckland will not on the average provide equal accommodation to the average of the eighteen in Queen-street. —I remain, &c, Joseph Newman.

We are requested to call attention to advortisomont stating time and place of em barkation of Mr and Mrs Webb's musio pupils on Saturday, 26th, when it is proposed to pro ceed up the harbour for a pleasant day's picnic and fishing, and to land on ono of tho beautiful bays for which the Waitamataissofamod, and, should the weather be fine, a moat agreeable day must be looked forward to.

ANOTHER SERIOUS FIRE.

(BY TKLKGKAPH, OWN (ORfiESPONDENT.)

HOKITIKA, this day. Eastgale's grocery, and Lindeinnnn's engine-smith's shops, Revell-streer, were burned down at three o'clock this morning. The insurance on Eastgale's is £250 in the New Zealand. Lindermann is insured, lne damage is estimated at £900.

THE PARIHAKA MEETING.

[From Our Own Correspondent.]

A BIG PILE OF MELONS.

The meeting on the 17th inst. was the largest but one your ccrrespoutleut has witnessed at Paiihaka, and had the men now in prison been present, the gathering would perhaps have surpassed, for numbers present, and previous assembly. The food was divided on the 16th, and con isted of the usual pork, flour, etc., besides in numerable melons. The pile ot the latter was a chain and a-half long, 4 feet high, and 5 fcot wide. The number ot Maoris present your correspondent estimates at •2 500 men, women aud children. The released prisoners were all present, aud these in company with those who were bold oil by Te Whiti to go to prison, but were not arrosted, uiarcied on to tbe "niarae," or mooting place, and took up there situation in the centre. Those who escaped arrest are considered prisoners because they were appointed for im prisonment, and therefore they are associated with those who were ac tually taken. All dressed in their best. The assembled natives presented a very picturesque and brilliant appearance in con sequence of tbe exceeding bright colours of every hue in which they were attired. AU were collected on the Marae by 9 o'clock, and the piles of rouud home-made loaves wore brought in, accompanied by somecooked pigs and a few " retes " of apples and many boilers of tea. Paunikius were fiist seived rouud, then junks of the bread and pieces of pork of vaiious weight were distributed. The latter were not consumed on the meet ing place, but after the bread and tea had Decn partaken of wero taken iuto the cook houses. As there were very few apples many were scrambled for, aud after all had been consumed the meeting place was swept, and the prisoners made their ap pearance at 15 minutes to 11 o'clock. Five minutes sufficed to settle everybody com fortably in their places after the lepast, and then Tc Whiti arose.

TE WHITI'S SFFEOII. Not a sound, not a murmur was heard as the orator was seen standing and a breath less silence reigned during his speech, of which the following is a synopsis :—" Lies and mistakes must not be said to have their origin with our gathering assembled here to-day, for these things were of old. The nations of the world are exceedingly numerous, and their cliiets are many in number, and all these have troubles of their own which they seek to tot at rest. This was the case of old even unto the present, io this generation must nut be charged with the blame of creating trouble. Suffering is the compensation tor all. Suf fering aud death was the payment made of old even lo the present. Let it not be said that wc alone are bad because we have imprisonment, anil that the great of the land are good because they have escaped ; it U not so, for the death is the lot of all whether good or bad. It is not riuht that fear of war and oppression should be left to rule, roaster of the men and the laud, so that the strongest shall take all without regard to right. If auger and ■ vexation were ihe moving agents which created the world, then it would be right to leave these things to finish what they began. By the love of Jehovah the world was created and all the things of Jehovah were erected out of love ; therefore, I allirm let love outiuue and finish what ihe embodiment of love began. Iv the beginning strength, dnrknees and auger ruled over all, and had power to conclude all things ; but I will not leave the power to these evil atttibutes this day. Death alone is the end of all, and through Adam we inherit suffering and strife which have reigned even until the present lime, and the quarrel in which we are eugaged is no exception, and has hitherto been carried on in anger, but this must cease. Therefore, I say unto this assembly let not fear be master of the world, ler. not war be master of the world, for these things are brought on by vexation and anger, but by love alone shall we arrive at peaceful (lays. Let not love die or evil days arise. Mine are not small and unimportant words ; they concern the whole world. On the day when you commenced your caieer of patience under suffering and oppression, the attain ment of the happy time of which I speak was initiated. The Governor of New Zea land shall conclude all things connected with the land in these days, and the land shall be held and suspended by ties of love and not of hate. In olden times the land was held by strength, might was right, but in these times love alone shall complete all that conctrns it. I am aware that this is a very novel thing of which I speak. By love were tbe heavens and the earth, man and beasts, fishes and all grow ing things, and it was mau who prompted by anger, envy aud vexation of spirit, who suspended the laud as a subject of dispute, to be determined by st.ength alone. By strength and swiftness of movement, the fish reach a peaceful haven of the sea, and by the same qualities man finds a fiesh home for himself on the land. Let all the great men of the island behold your preseut patient and peaceful attitude, as you are gathered here before us. Disbelief shall follow what I am saying bec»use of these things I sneak aud recommend which are new therefore shall they be despised. No good thing has ever been accomplished by strength of arms by war andstiife, from the ,time <of Babel even until the preseut time. "W»rc it a fact that such things have beeu, then there would be reasou of laughter against us for preserving our present patient aud peaceful attitude under oppression. There is only one good thing in the universe, and that is a God ; but who cau inquire into his attributes so that he can attain to his greatness. There is only one pre-eminently great thing ot the men of earth, and that is power to rule and dis tinction among the people, but who, having acquired these things, has escaped suffering aud death by their means. These are the two gieat things which have been called good by the people and who knows the good of them, for neither Godship nor chief tainship have ever attained perfect icst from the present even until now. Quarrels, strength, war, aud fear shall not be left to dominate over the land any more; but ihe final end of those things has not yet come. The lisher hooks a shark and drags it into his cauoo, and, beating it with his club, throws it to the bottom of his boat, thinkiug it to bo dead, but it is still alive, and only by a well-directed blow on tbe nose, which shall biing the froth from his lips, shall he be killed, which having received with a convulsive quiver of his tail, he expires. The men on the land shall not ba subject to streugth aud to war, but to love this day. God shall not be allowed to subject the men to war and strength, but a pure love •lone aha 1 reign over their deliverance. The great aud strong men arc nging, and full of passion this day with a rage which shall be resultless. The sword of the Governor is tbe strongest arm in the land, and by this were you struck so that no shame is attached to you for having beon imprisoned. Waikato quarrelled with Ngatimutunga and vanquished; it turned against Ngahuhi and again conquered. N'galikahungunu were attacked, and each tribe in its turn has returned homo and boasted of its victories over its enemies, but in the cad all were overcome by the sword of England. You were pressed down to the lowest by the very highest in theland—the Governor.

MAORI SONGS.

After the conclusion of his speech the returned prisoners recited some waiatas, ngeris, aud poas, which they had newly composed. These greatly delighted the assembled natives. On the completion of these an adjournment was made for dinner, and in the afternoon all again gathered on the marae to hoar Tohu, who spoke much to the same effect as Te Whiti. After speaking for over an hour he sat down and the meeting dispersed. The Rev Mr Grace, who has latoly taken charge of the Putiki Mission station, Whanganui, was present. He had an interview with Te Whiti on the 16th, and on the following day was busy taking notes ot the speech.

A MAORI WITH A WHITE WIFE,

One of the returned prisoners has picked up a European girl for a wife since his return. She is a New Plymouth girl, and was present at Parihaka.

Your correspoudcut notices that in the telegrams, which are supposed to be sup plied to tho press by the Govcinment that To Whiti is made to say that all shall be settled by the Government. Your corres pondent did not hear the orator say any thing of the kind, but he said (as will be seen by the epitome of the speech I send) " they should be settled by the Governor," which is a very different thing in his idea. The Government he has already mentioned as his enemy, whilst to the coming of the Governor on the contrary ho trusts for the settlement of his troubles.

EXPLOSION OF A RERO SENE LAMP.

(BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDEKT.)

DUNEDIN, this day. The dwelling ok 1 Mr P. il. Bailey, Watcu . maker, Canuongate, was totally destroyed last night owing to its inaccessibility. Ji,„ Bailey was in tbe act of retiring with a kerosene lampinherhand, when it exploded Bailey is insured for £100 in the Norwich Union. He estimates his loss at £300 above. The house, which belonged to Jam . Smellie, of North Taieri.was insured in th. Standard for £200. lac

CITY COUNCIL.

The fortnigbtly meeting of this body took place last night. Present:—The May or and Councillors Fleming, Heruus, Montague' Aickin, Goldie, Waddel, Crowther and Ofler.

Street Tramways.—A letter was re ceived from the Secretary of the Newmarket Road Board, stating that the city might count upon the co-operation of Newmarket in carrying out the scheme of proposed tramways. '

Fort-street.-Mr D. 11. McKenzie wrote asking that the footpath in front of his premises in Fort-street might be kerbed channelled, and asphalted upon the usual lerms.—The Surveyor reported (he cost would be about £25.—1t was agreed to complete the work from corner to corner Water.—The Secretary of the Union Sash and Door Company applied for infor maiion as to the terms upon which the Council would lay down a 4-inch water main for fire-extinguishing purposes opposite the mill in Mechanics' Bay.—MrErringtonesti mated the cost at £56 15s.—Referred to the Finance Committee. Debextukes.-a letter was read from Mr W. S. Cochrane, inquiring if the Conn cil had any 7 per cent hospital debentures for sale, and upon what terms they would sell them. —It was agreed to inform the ap plicant that the Council did not intend to sell at present. MB Shailer's Complaint.—Mr Shatter applied for permission to appear at the Council iv support of his complaint re hh property in Upper Union-street,-It was decided to hear the complainant.—He was then iutroduced, when lie stated that the cutting down of the street had left his property in a bad position. He bad pro posed £G3 as compensation, and £35 was his last offer, and the street to be put right. —After some discussion copies of letters binding the Council to form the streets when the residents should agree to the formation of the street were read, and it was pointed out to him that he was an objector.—Mr Shailer retired after declaring that he would continue to be an objector. Co-operation.—A circular was received from the Manawatu County Council i-olicitingco-operation in briuginginflnenceto bear upon members of Parliament to compel any Government that may be in power to assist tbe local bodies in opening up the country by subsidy, land fund, or endow ment, as might be most applicable to each special case. Masonic Ceremonial.—A request wa? received that the Mayor and Councillors would attend on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the proposed Masonic Hall.

A Contractor's Plaint.—Mr John Cotuwell wrote begging the Council to return him some proportion of his deposit of £70, which had been confiscated lor non com plelion of his baths' contract. —Refened to Finance Committee.

Packrt License.—The Chairman of the Coromandcl County Council applied for £10, the sum received for packet license of the s.s. Coromandel, as the company being a local one, the money belonged to the Coro mandel County.—Referred to Finance Com mittee.

Hydraulic Lime.—A letter *as re ceived from Messrs J. Wilson and Co., enquiring why their hydraulic lime was not beiug used iv the construction of the main sewer, seeing that it had beeu named in the specifications.—The Mayor explained that in the first specifications Wilson's lime W33 mentioned, but that it was subse quently altered to Mahurangi lime, which included Wilson's.—lt was agreed to for ward a, reply to this effect. Lower Queen-street.—A petition was received from occupiers of premises in Lower Queen-street praying that a footpath might be formed and asphalted, pending the settlement of the question of liability. —Keferred to Works Committee.

Works Commute .—The report of tbj. Committee recommended—(l) That pro viding the Bank o£ New Zealand are prepared to do half of the road in front oi their premises to satisfaction of City Surveyor, the Council assent to their ap. plication forthelaying down of a wood pave meut. (2) That Mr Kyan be asked to stive an answer re proposed work in Karangabape Road, as he is the only person who has not sent iv a reply. (3) That the Surveyor be authorised to obtain assistance in having the levels of the Park prepared for walks, patlts, aud fencing at as early s date as possible.—Tho Mayor moved the following amendment upon the first clause : —" That it is desirable that a portion of the street be paved with wood, as an experi ment to test its durability, economy, and comfort, and that the offer of the Bank of New Zealand be accepted, and that the ex periment be made in Queen-street opposite the Bank.—The amendment was negatived, and the report as it stood adopted. Finance Committee.—The report of this Committee contained the following recommendations : - (1) That the order given to Messrs Upton and Co., for books for the library, amounted to more than the Council authorised ; that some irregularity must have taken place in connection with such order, but the Committee recommend that no further action be taken in the matter, inasmuch as the order was prepared in a great hurry, and further that the books ordered are in themselves desirable books for the library. (2) That Mr Hughes be appointed to act as Inspector of Buildings under the Surveyor. (3) That with reference to Mrs Ryan's letter re arrears of rates that a judgment must, be recorded against the property for the debt, but that the matter be not pressed further at present. (4) That Garlick and Cranwell's application re build ing in Lome-street be declined. (5) That a 3-inch pipe be laid from Custom House street West into the dock-yard with fire plug attachment and connection for water supply hose; vessels to be supplied in samo manuer as shipping at Queen-street whsrf. (6) That a lamp be erected in Cbapel-Btreet, as requested, and that as soon as the signa tures of a majority of the resident* be obtained, the application re alteration oi name of street be considered. (7) That the expense of printing Mr Clark's drainage report be not incurred. Councillor Aickin moved as an amendment upon this last clause, *' That 50 copies of the report be printed, the cost not to exceed £11." This was carried, and the report, as amended, was carried. ;.

i Sundry Reports. —Reports of Tramway Committee (re advertisements), Libraries Committee, Baths Committee, and Leasing Committee were also read. They were adopted. Albkrt-STREEt. —Cr. Waddel com plained of the steep grade which was being made of the southern end ot the catting W Albert-street, just above Durham-street. As laid off it would almost be impassable tor heavy traffic. By oxtending the stone wall 18 feet the grade would be reduced from 1 in 7 to 1 iv 10, aud the extra cost would be about £85—It was agreed to refer the matter to the Works Committee with power to act in the event of Mr Andrews consenting to the alteration. Building Permits.—lt was agreed that a return of building permits should be hud regularly before the Council. Burgess Roll.—lt was decided that Mr Eller should prepare the burgess roll for the ensuing year. The question of whether it should be printed or written with the elec tric pen was discussed," and several Coun cillors expressed dissatisfaction with the electric pen production of last year.—The matter was referred to the Finance Com mittee.

Immigration Barracks.—The Mayor | niddo a verbal report he had had wiJh the Hon. Mr Rolleston touching the removal of the Immigration Barracks from the Albert Park. The hon. gentleman had admitted that it was iv the power of the Council to remove the building, but be asked them to consider what was best for the interests of the colony. Mr Rolleston stated that immigration would be required in this proviuce sooner than iv others^ and that barrack accommodation woula be required. If he put on the Esti mates a sum for the new barracks it would be struck off, and he asked that the Council would consent to allow the present barracks to remain for a year or two.—Mr Aickin pointed out that the buildiDg at present occupied as a female lunUtic asylum would be vacant in a month, now that the new asylum was completed.—After some discussion it was decided that the Counou conld not allow the building to remain. symonds-street.—lt was decided upon a report of the Surveyor that "The pro perty on the east side of Symonds-stre from Grafton Road to south end of Gram mar School, be formed, kerbed and chan nelled,—Tenders to be called forthwith.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, FRIDAY MARCH 25.



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Special Advertisements. T US T RECEIVED AMERICAN LAWN-SPRINKLERS, With Plated Arms. Also, LAWN EDGE-COTTERS, Quito New E. PORTER & CO., Queen and High streets A UTUMN OIASHIONS. AUTUMN RIBBONS, just opened AUTUMN DRESS GOODS, new styles AUTUMN MANTLES and CLOAKS AUTUMN FLOWERS and MILLINERY NEW FRINGES, ROUCHING, and GLOVES The "Magic" and "Removable" Covek UMBRELLAS BOYS', YOUTHS', and MEN'S CLOTHING. GARLICK & CRANWELL, City Hall Arcade.



LATEST NOVELTY Is tho "Hartz Moun tain Rug," first seen on thiß side of the world at the Sydney ExhlMtion. Tho under signed were so struck with tho handsome appearanco. beautiful finish, and durable con struction of theso RDfcs that thoy at once sent for a large shipment, wh'ch aro now finding ready sala, They aro Buitablo for Tonrists, Carnage Hugs, Golddiirgers, and Travellers by land and sea, as the warmth and comfort imparted surpass all other woollen Rugs. Only obtainable at the City Hall Arcade. GARLICK & CRANWELL, Proprietors. BLACK CILKS at Co-operative Prices, We study to sell the Cheapest Black SUkB in Town, commencing at 2s 9d up to lis Cd. Our 4s 6d quality commands a ready sale—splendid value. GARLICK & CRANWELL. END OF SEASON, Clearing out of Rem nants. A quantity of Remnants ore cleared off every Friday and Saturday, at Cheap Rates, by GARLICK & CRANWKLL. REMNANTS of Dress Goods and Trimmings RKMNANT3 of Prints and Sateens REMNANTS of Ribbons and Embroidery REMNANTS of Sheeting and Flannel REMNANTS of Tweeds and Moleskin REMNANTS of Damask and Cretonnes RKMNANT DAYS, Friday and Saturday at the CITY HALL ARCADE. GARLICK & CRANWELL A. T)RAPERr AND /.LOTHING / P.\ AT \ C£" )CO-OPERATIVE CASH \ 0.0. / V 7 PRICES, PURK n ASH OfSTIIM URK UASH OYSTEM AT TOE pi.TV TTALL *RCADE' Queen-Street, Auckland. GARLICK & CRANWELL. (JTRANGERS AND TRAVELLERS Visiting Auckland will find the LARGEST OUTFITTING STOCK IN THE COLON ST To Select from at THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. Thousands Of Customers testify to the Quperior /Quality & TpiTTiNQ Of the Garments made by them. The Stock of SHIRT 3, TIES, HATS, and HOSIERY, Is very large, and Includes a CHOICE ASSORTMENT OF NOVELTIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS. A special supply of PORTMANTEAUX BAGS, RUGS, and all Travelling Requisites for Tourists. AUCKLAND BRANCH: Queen-street (opposite Theatre Royal), And at Albert-streot, Thames. J. FHZSIMONB. Manaoeb TTT INKS& TTALL, HAVE REMOVED FROM SHOKTLAND-STBEET TO TEMPORARY PREMISES IN FORT STREET, OPPOSITE COCHRANE AND SON'S AUCTION MART, AND WILL CONTINUE THEIR CHEAP SALE FOR A FEW WEEKS LONGER, TO CLEAR BURPLUS STOCK. THEY WILL REMAIN IN FORT-STREET DURING THE RE-BUILDING OP TEEIB WARE. HOUSE IN SHOBTLAND'STREET.



Special Advertisements. _ POSITIVELY THE LAST WEEK OF K. B. SHALDERS & CO.'S GREAT CASH DRAPERY SALE!! Tho Promises will be Closed for a f >w days after Saturday, March 2 .for tho purpoaj of removing all Iho unsold balance of tho present stock. GREAT BARGAINS will br OFFERED DURING THE LAST WHK In addition to the FOUR SHILLINGS IN THE POUND DISCOUNT. Outstanding accounts arorejuea tod to bo paid 200 AND 202, QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND. m W. II 1 G X S O N, LICENSED SURVEYOR AND IAN'D IIROKER, UNDER LAND TRANSFER ACT, South British Chambers, Auckland. rmi E ''~CO ROMANCEL MAIL" x contains the Latest and Most Reliable Information Respecting tho TIKI and COROMANDKL OOLUFIELDS. P^rtlni desirous of securing cspica of the abovo Bhould givo in their names nt onco to the Auckland Agent—Mr. K. Wnytc, Bookseller, Queon-Btroet. Arrangomonta aro now completo for a regular dolivory every Saturday morning. J. 11. WITHE FORD. C'oromandol, March 2i, IS3I.



•w £1 Frkk Gifts!—Tho Proprietors ot Wolkk's Aromatic Schudam Sobnapps, to lnouco tho destruction and prevent tho im proper nso of thoir wrapper? nnd Lbela, nnd thus further protect the Public against fraud and doception, have enclosed In Ihe wrappers, or under tho lab . on tho quart bottles, giivo Ist Ootobor. IS7B, and continue toonolojo IS bvery DAV'B PACKING THROUOBOUT TUX YEAR T H R E X £1 O R 1) B R S, which i aro drawn upon the undersigned, and which will be cashed by them on presentation. To secure theso Gifta, Ho Publlo must bo careful to ask for, and accept nothing but, tho Genuine Udoipho Wot.fk h schnapps, with our namo upon tho top label, M. Moss & Co VVynyard Lano, Sydnoy.