SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIOH WATKR^f m K nfio 6rni K .6.59 • UNBKT.—Thte Evening, 5.54 f UNRIBK.—To-Morrow Morning, 6.16 MOON'S AOK.-Now Moon, 29th, 10.11 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

I-AST BVENINO.

Botoraa, s.s.. Tozer, fromMelbouino Argyle, s.s., Crawford, from Whangarei Speedwell, ketch, McLivcr, from Kussoll to-day. Southern Cross, as., Helandcr. from Fiji Zoalandia, mail steamer, Chevalier, f re m Sydney

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING.

Wellington, s.a., Anderson, for Tauranga Qtenclg, 8,8.. Farquhar, for Tauranga lona, a.8., StephoEßon, for Russell TO-DAY. Kotorua, e.g., Tozer, for Russell Matautu, schooner, Keeble, for Samoa

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Bydney-Zealandia, P.M. 8.8., 23th Ran Francisco-Australia, P.M. 8.8., April 4th Tauranga-Qlonelg, Wednesday; Wellington, Monday Russell—lona, Monday Now Plymouth and South-Hawen. Thursday Whangarei-Argyle, Tuesdays and Friday* ; Wellington, Friday Whangarel and HussoH-Wellington, Wednes day Samoa—Matautau Sydney—Heron

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Wolverine, H.M.S., from Sydney, shortly Merope, ship, from London Oxford, ship. (M.T.L.S.) from London; sailed Avona, barque, from London; to eail January Chile, barque, from London; sailf.d December 23 Orient, barque, from New York; to sail leb- Peru, barque, from London; sailed Jan. 12 Loch Dee, barque, from London; sailed Decem- Coronilla, barque, from London ; loading Jan. 6 Superior, barque, from Now lork; sailed Ootobar 23 Cabarfoldh, barque (S.Q.M.J.), from Hongkong Strasburg, barque, from New York ; loading, February 28 Orwell, brigantine. from the Islands Kthel, brigantine, from Dunedin Ryno, brigatitino, from Rotumah Look Out, brigantine. from Sydney Roderick Dhu, brigantine, from Dnnedin Clansman, brigantino, from Timaru Borealia. brigantine. from Aitutaki Flirt, brigantine. from Samoa Banockburn, brigantine, from Sydnoy Bachel Cohen, Bohooner, from Dunedin Atlantic, schooner, from Dunedin Knorgy. schooner, from Noumea Mazeppa, schooner, from Rarotongi Marion, schooner, from Noumea Policeman, schooner, from Noumea Agnea Donald, schooner, from Karotonga Oamaru, Bchooner, from Sydney Clyde, echooner, from Lyttelton Sybil, schooner, from Society Islands Transit, schooner, from Rarotonga Dayspring, mission schooner (W.N.8.M.), from

the Islands Gael, Bchooner, from Levuka Torea, schooner, from Lytteiton Winifred, sshooner, from Levuka Atotchau, schooner, from Rarotonga Sybil, schooner, from Tahiti Ovalau, schooner, from Rarotonga Kditn, schooner, for Tonga Waiwera, schooner, from Rarotonga Belle Brandon, schooner, from Samoa Caledonia, schooner, from Samoa Pearl, ketch, from Rarotonga

IMPORTS.

Per Rotorua.—From Melbourne: 1200 mats gogar. 300 packages sugar, 6 cases vestas. 60 bags rice, G2 J ohesta tea. 7 barrels coffee, 7 girder plates, 11 bags seed, and 45 package? sundry merchandise. From i'uneiin: 3 bundle 3 cop par. 100 sacks oats. 50 eacta flour, 6 lengths pipes, 5 hhda. alo, 11 rams, and 61 packages sun dry merchandise. From 1 yttelton : 5 Jcheats tea, 3 cases cheese, 153 sacks gra?s-seed, 4 bales oom sack 3, and 100 sacks oatß. From Welling ton : 100 bozos candles. 5 chaff-cutters, 10 cases meat, and 16 nackagea sundry merchandise. From Napier: 7 casks beef. 60 sheop, 2 horses, and i packages sundry merchuidipe. From Gisborne: IS hides, and 3 packages sundry roer chandi.-e.

Per Hawea. from Southern Ports—s2 sacks crass seed. 11 boxes butter, 6 kegs, 41 bales hops, 70 cases fruit, 50 sacks malt, 9 cases, 1 bale.

In-WARds Coastwise.—Four Sisters, from Maharangi, with 36 tons firewood; Beward, from Whangarei, with 60 tone coal. Outwards Coastwisu—Four 6i»ters, for Mahurangi; Sea Bird, for Hokianga; Ghost, for Orewa.

The mission schooner Southern Cross came alongside the Railway Pier to-day to load for Norfolk Island.

The schooner Atlantic, with 400 eack9 wheat, 35S Backs barley, and I oases bacon, cleared at Lyttelton for Auckland on the 23rd hint.

The schooners Saxon and Columbia h*d arrived at Lyttelton on March 23rd: the former from Auckland, and the latter from Tlmaru.

The (hip Famenoth from Auckland via Mel bourne arrived at London prior to March 7.

The S.S. Argrlo from Whangarei lost evening brought 50 cases fruit, a large quantity of Ban dries, and the following passengers :—Revs. M. -Mackay and Mackintosh, Messrs Joe, Standley, Aehdowu, Jeasop, and four Bteerage.

Mr D. Matthieson, of Omaha, builder of the Coquette, Ryno, and Saucy Lass, has now a vessel well advanced in construction the dimensions of which are as follow: length of keel S5 feet; beam. 22 feet; depth of h01d,9 feet 6 iii(mes. She is intended for the coasting trade.

The 8.9. Rotorua arrived from Melbourne and Southern Ports shortly after midnight. We are indebted to Mr T. C. Stanton, parser, {or flies, passenger list, etc, and ihe following ronort :— The 8 b. Rotorua left Port Chalmers i p.m , 23rd: arrived at Lyttelton 915a.m , 2(th ; sailed at 1.20 p.m.; arrived at Wellington 940 a.m., 25th ; failed at 5 p.m.; arrived at Napier 0.20 p.m., 26th; and left again at 10 p.m.; arrived at Gis borneS 30 a.m.. 27th, and Billed at noon; arrived at Taurangaat 7iuin.; entered the Heads at 9 a.m.; left again at 12.30 p.m.; arriving as above. She experienced light and variable winds till arrival at Tauraoga, from tbence moderate head winds and fine weather. Pas- Bongars-Misses Patterson. McKenzie, McLeod, Boyd and Bvinson. Mesdames McKenzie, Patterson, Lachman, O'Connell, Larchwortby and Gibba. Mcasra G reign ton, Qoldiberg. X, Porter, Teat. Lawry, Kendall, Carr, Patcrsoa, Jones. Larchwortby, Levy, Frazer, Boss, Gook, F. Wilson, Proffltt, Laidlow, Gibbs, Ulobsop, R. MasoD, Grcanleaf, Lachmann. Fitz- Rlmmons, Mair, Porter, Master Evinson and 32 in the steerage.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Kowena, s,s., Amodoo, from Wairara

The B.s. Hawea, Captain Kennedy. leftPoit Chalmers on the 21st March, at 1.30 p.m.. arrived at Lyttelton on the 22nd at 7 a.m.; Bailed for Wellington at 3 p.m., and arrived on the 23rd at 8,30 a.m,; sailed for Picton on the 21th at 1.30 p m., arrived at 6.5 p.m.; sailed for Nelson at 7.30 p.m, arrived on the 25th, at 4 a.m.: sailed for Wellington on the 26th at 3.30 p.m.. and arrived on tha 27th at 1.30 a.m.; Billed at 8 p.m. for Taranakl, and arrived on the 28th at 12 p.m.: sailed for Manakau at 6 p.m., and arrived on the 29th at 8 a.m. Experienced strong N.W. wind from Wellington to Cape Kgtnont, followed by fine weather to arrival. Passengers :—Hon. K. and Mrs Campbell, Mr Andrews (Mail Agent), Mesdames Dornweli, Stoney, Thompson, Galloway, child and infant, Messrs Carrow. Hill, Stoney, J. P. Maxwell, J. Russell, Wright, Blake, Stevonß, Graham, Wilson. R. K. Isaacs, Davidson, Capt, Halkott, Dr. Pollen *

RAROTONGA SHIPPING NOTES.

[Fbom Oub Own Corrbbi-ondest.]

March 2nd, 1881. When it became known that the schooners Ovalao and Mezappa had loft Auckland within three days of each other, and both bound for this uort an interesting ocean race was anticipated, and moreover actually took place. The Mazeppa left Auckland on the 20th January and arrived at Rnrotong* on Thursday, 10th February, making tho run in 21 days. The Ovalau left Auckland on January 23rd, andacoordinu to the Captain's report, erparienced light southerly ana south-east winds for three days, then twenty-four hours' calm ; after -which, they got a fresh S.E. breeze with rain, which freshened into a gale, hauling to the d.B.K. and B. The vessel was hove-to for forty-eight hours under closa-reefed foresail and storm jib on tho fifth day From thence to arrival N.E. and northerly winds and continual rain. The Island was BlKhted on Thursday moraine the 10th, bearing N X distsnt 20 miles, and the harbour reached on Friday, the 11th February. The Ovalan, therefore, made the passage in two days less time than her companioo.

The schooner Oralao left for Raiatea, for a cruise, on the 19th Febraary.

The Bohoonw Mazeppa left for a cruise in the Group and thenhryn Islandou February 23rd.

The ketch Pearl arrived from Tahiti prior to March 1.

The schooner Walwera arrived from Auckland on February 25th, and left on the following day for a trading cruise in the group.

The BChooner Transit, Captain Qarraway, arrived from Tahiti, via Mangin, on the 27th February, and will cruise in the Group for the next few weeks before loading for Auckland.

The orange orop at Barotonga has proved a complete failure tnrough very heavy gales des troying the blosiora last July. Wo have no fcult fit to ship before June next, and very little than.

An enquiry has been held at Paputi, Tahiti, re tho mutiny on board of the echooner Hammonia, baforo the French Ordinateur, German and American Consuls, completely exonerating Captain Bllacott from all blame and highly com mending the native seamen for tholr courage in re capturing tho vessel and returning her to her owner.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

ARRIVAL OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS FROM LBVUKA. Russell, this day. SThel Southern Cross arrived from Fiji this morning, and took in seven tons of coal, and Boiled again at 8 a.m. for Auckland. She reports ieavlDK Levu&a on Tuesday, 22nd, and experienced strong S.E. gales and heavy sea up to arrival. Passed the mail steamer this morn ing bound South. Loaded: Golden Isle, Orpheus, and Ruby. Sailed : lona for North. Arrived: lona, b.b., from Auckland, at 8 a.m. Wbltington, yesterday. Balled: To Anau, s.s., for Melbourne, via South; Penguin, s.b,, for Picton and Nelson. Lyttelton, yesterday. Arrived: Espeoulador, from Newcastle. Port Chalmers, yesterday. Sailed: Wanaka, s.s., for the North. Br,uiF, yesterday. Arrived: Tararua, from Melboure, at 7 a.m. Passengers, for Auckland: Miss Cleyone, Miss Walker, and two steerage.

COMMERCIAL.

Kveninq Btab Office, Tuesday. Mr Layi W. Eaton held a Jarije fruit Bale to day which was well attended by the trade. Oranges brought Sid to lOti per dozen; cocoa nuto. 10b 6a; neannts, 2d; apples, 2Jd; pears, 2d:nnaquinorß,lM.

Mail Notice.

Mails will Close as Under .- This Day. For Wang&roa, par Krlemhilda, at 1 p.m. For Whanprarol Heads, Waipu, Whangarol. and Mangapai, per Argylo, at I p.m. Wednesday. 30th instant. For Taranaki and Southern Ports, cor Hawca, at 5.30 a.m. For Taranaki, per Kowena, at 8 a.m. For Coromandel per Coromandol, at 11.30 a.m. For Whanuarei Heads. Whangarei Russell and Kawakawa, per Wellington, at I p.m. For Thames, per Rotoinahana. at 1.30 p m. For Thames, ter Jtnterpriso, at 5.30 p.m.

TnoRSDAY. 31st instant. For Glsborne and Southern ports, per Kotoraa, at 9 a.m. For Waiwera, Te Kapa, Craipiebnrn, and Warkworth, per Rose Casey, at 10 a,m,

For Australian Colonies. India China Medi terranean Ports, Continent of Kuropo and United Kingdom, via Brindisi, for letters specially bo prepaid and a'tdresaed, per s.B. Australia, immediately after her arrival from Honolulu.

S. B. 8133, Chief Postmaster, Chief Poet-offlco. Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

Makch 29th, 1881,

Tho&tre Royal—"The Danitoa/'opanlDg night, 8 p.m.

Y.M.C.i Annual mooting. 7.30 p.m. Parneli WoaleyanChurch—Quarterly meeting of members, 6.30 p.m.

S. Sopnlohro'a Church — Special sarvic-j, Preacher, Itov. C. M. Pym, 7.30 p.m.

District Grand I/)3ge of Auckland—Krnor gcncy communication, Insuranoo Uuildings, 7.30 p.m. No. 3 Company and Volnntoor Parades—Drill shed, 7.30 p.m.

Death.

WASKKTT.-On 29th of March, at Mount Albert, Koscy May, infant daughter of John and Mary Woakett; aged 5 year a.

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1881.

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

In the cable news to-day, it is mentioned that Mr Gladstone's motion to enforce the " nrgency " provision in committee of supply was defeated by 84, in a full muster of the House of Commons. The fact might escape observation among the multitude of items of lesser note, but ai so much prominence has been given to the extra ordinary action of Parliament in cloning tho mouths of representatives by expulsion, it is right that the care which has marked every stage of this infiingmcnt of traditional privilege should receive equal attention. The House of Commons i% doubt! m pervaded by a consciousness that a dan-oroiH precedent has been established, and onß that must not bo repeated oa any frivolous or insufficient pretext, and tbe Gladstone Cabinet have suffered a merited defeat as the penalty for yielding to the temptation suggested by their first Bucceßeful exercise of arbitrary power. The motion adveise to the enforcement of do tare in supply was moved by Sir Stafiord Northcote, the Conservative leader in the House of Commons.

Though the House has thus given proof of a determination to guard its privileges and has shewn how reluctantly it yielded to the un-Englsh proceedure which the conduct of the Irish obstructionists forced upon it, the same senaitivoneas is not observable in foreign countries. In the Belguini legislature, five members of the Senate and ten of the Chamber may demand the cloture and it is decided by vote. In the Austro-Hungarian Reichsrath, the President may put the question that the debate be now closed at any time, and a bare majority decides it. The President may also silence a speaker for varioos offences. In Denmark, either the Presi dent or any fifteen members may propose the cloture, and it is put at once to the vote. In Germany, a motion to close a debate may be put by any member, but it requires thirty in support to sustain it. In France, the President con sults the House, and one member is heard against the enforcement betoro taking the vote. In the Netherlands, five members are heard against it. In Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland somewhat similar pro visions exist. Sweden, Norway, and Hungary appear to be the only European exceptions. In England, the order of the House of Commons has hitherto been main tained by the good cense of its members, and it is to be lamented that a country that has so long set an example to the world in great principles of constitu tional freedom should at last havo been compelled to imitate the expedients of con tinental legislatures which only exprtss very indifferently a representation of the will of the people.

By request of many inhabitants of the North Shore who are desirous of attending the Opera Season, Mr Smith will endeavour to get a boat delayed every night during the season.

Shares in the Success Gold Mining Com. pany, Coromandel, which were almost valueless yesterday, were sold to-day at 5?. It will be seen from our telegram that very rich gold has been discovered.

The following tenders were received by Messrs E. Mahoney and Son for tho erec tion of a house at Otahuhu:—J, W. Hewson, £695 ; Kobert Kay, junr., £687; Hewson and McNaught, £662; William Colwell, £593; J, W. Jones, £590; Wm. Kosser, £570.

A special service will be held this evening I in tho church of S. Sepulchre, when a Bcrmon will bo preached by the Rev. Charles M. Pym, a Yorkshire clergyman, who has, by his active labours, since his stay in Auckland, established himself in the good opinion of citizens.

■\Ve notice that Major Withers has made satisfactory arrangements with Mr Mac donald, District Mauagcr of Railways, for the conveyance of Auckland Volunteers to the review to be held in the Waikato on Easier Monday. A special train will start from the Auckland station at.9 30 a.m. on the previous Sunday, returning from Te Awninutu on Monday night at the appointed hour.

Mis J. L)cvin, formerly of the Commercial Hotel, Auckland, died at Pc Awamutu yesterday from the effects of a fright sus tained in connection with the outbreak ot lire nt Lewis's Hotel in that place. The deceased was much respected. She leaves several children.

At the adjourned inquest on Miss Charlotte Fanny Bray, whose mutilated re mains were found on thn railway line, near Kedmyre station, N.S.W., the evidence of her sistor Alice showed that the deceased entertained an affection fora young gentle man who had not fpoken to her for a long time. Other evidence also showed that deceased was desponding from unrequited love. The jury returned a verdict that she committed suicide whilst of unsouud mind,

A rare act of self-denial is recorded in the " Times" by a gen 1 man, who.say ehis in formant is his brother, serving i:i the Horse Artillery at Candahar :—•' A gunner or the Horse Artillery, after Geueral Burrows'.) rout gave up his scat on iv limber to a woundid man, ami marched in on foot over that terrible descit of 52 miles. They had had no food nor water Bincc the day before, aud it is dillicult to exaggerate the suffering under that terrific heat. Tho gunner had had his own heel shot off, and had limped the whole of that dreary distance without uttering a sound or let ting n word escape him that ho too was wounded."

It will Ik) noticed in tho advertisement that tho Committee of the Society ot Art« finds it necessary to postpone tho opening of tho Exhibition till Tuesday, April sth. It is very gratifying to know that this is due to tho large number of exhibits, all of which, with the exception of the loan col lection, and seven pictures, arc the work of ladies and gentlemen in and around Auck land. The main object of the Society is to develop and encourago the talent in our midst, and we are delighted to olfer our congratulations in the very pronounced success that is certuin to crown the first year's efforts of the Committee.

The additions and alterations recently mado to the Episcopalian Church at the North Shore have increased tho sitting accommodation considerably, and nt the same timo made such iv wonderful improve ment in the appearnneo of the interior that it is now one of the prettiust places of worship in tho Auckland district. Promi nent amongst the decorations is tho stencilling ou the roof of tho chancel, which is very beautiful. It was douo at the suggestion of the Rev. Mr Bates by a young man who has recently arrived here from England. The wholo of the altera tions aud improvement wore cllected on desigus furnuhed by Mr Bartlcy, architect, aud under the drcction of that gentleman.

The first annual meeting of the Executive of the New Zealand Order of Good Templars, was held in the Lodge-room, Alexandra street, on Saturday 2Cth March, Brother 1). Goldie, president, in tho chair. The Secretary read a repoit of the condition of the Order in general, which showed that there arc now liro Lodges working under this Executive, with a membership of 400. A special feature in thcte lodges i« tho fact that they have all established libraries. During the ensuing year, it is the Intention of this Executive to form a choir from the taleut of the various lodges, for the purpose of introducing a service of song*, Rlees, and dramatic pieces of n temperance nature for winter evening's entertainments, co as to promote the good of the Order, the first of which will ba held in about six weeks. The election ot Officers for thn ensuing year resulted as follows : -President, D. Goldio ; Secretary, Wm. Wilcox; Treasurer, It. Adlington.

Return ot sick treated at the Provincial District Hospital, Auckland, for the week ending Saturday, March 2Gth, 1881: — Remained last return, 97: admitted since, 12 ; discharged, 11 ;died, 3 ; remaining, 95 ; males, 7-; females, 23. Arrangement of cases : Zymotic, 14 ; constitutional, 10 ; local, 39 ; developmental, IS ; violent 14, Three deaths occurred, viz , J. 8., 2Syrs , male, on 20th iust., of fever; A. A. X., 71yrs., female, on 23rd inst, of general debility ; C. Z., 4oyrH., male, ou 25th inst , of fracture of skull. Thanks are returned to Mr Shipley for a number of illustrated papers.

Last night ilia Grace Archbishop Steins presided at a meeting of the most influential Catholic gentlemen of the city and of Neivton. The object of the meeting was to make iinal arrangements for the building of a new Catholic 'Church In the parish of Newton. The Benedictine Fathers, who are in charge of this district, bnvo a large fielil for missionary enterprise, ;iud their zealous efforts in promoting religion qnioii" us deserve our encomiums and encourage ment. We have only to look at what their zeal has effected during the few months that they have been in our midst, and from the past wo may judge what the future will be, when that vitality, which is always to ba found in the grand order of tho Catholic Church, is fully developed. Civilization ami 1< am ing owe a debt of gratitude to the Boned if • tine monks which the greatest enemies of tnonatticism have been honest enough to acknowledge. We therefore hail the estab lishment ot the Fntbers in this dioci'B3 as a blessing ts the community at large, and to the district of Newton in particular. The energetic part which Archbishop Stuns took in last night's meeting is an caincst of the success which must attend the work of the Benedictines under such high patronage, and we congratulate His Grace upon tiiis additional step in the interest of religion and education. Tenders will be called for immediately, and we trust that the work will meet with sympathy and Biipport from all our fellow-citizcDs.— (Communicated.)

Mr J. Wright expresses his views on the "boarding-out" system. He fays: "Some thing must be done with increasing larrikinism, and the dissolute and depraved, and would suggest re boarding-out system,to iirstturnour though ts|inwardly on ourselves, not personally, but generally, und the ques tions naturally arise, who arc the suitable foster parents ? The rich will have none of our waifs, people hiving large families of their own (as most people here arc blessed with) would not be allowed the care of these children, and the class that could take them, would do so for the sake of the money, and are in that station in life only perhaps raised one step above the parentage of the waif they take the charge of, and would use very little moral force in influ encing their actions and directing their energy, and creating a desire to raise the individuals to a certain social status, and even if the live shillings per week would b« found barely sufficient in providing food, clothes, boots, etc., and the necessary labour, thoro would be still the desire for a little profit—philanthrophy! -Scire facias."

Bis Honor Mr Justice Richmond held the regular bi-weekly sitting in the Chambers tnis morning, and pot through a fair amount of business. Probate was granted in re H. M. Nation (deceased), and ad ministration in re Samuel Woolfidd (de ceased), An order was made appointing Charles Ilesketh one of the committees in re Samuel Dunkley (a lunatic), while directions were lought for and obtained as to the service of a petition in re W, H, Kissling (deceased). An application for probate in re Joshua Kowbottom was allowed to stand over, as the attestation was incomplete. Mr Alexander applied, on bebalf of Mr Laisblcy, for leave to appear and plead in the case of Fleming v. Waller, but as the necessary time had elapsed, the application was not granted. An order was made for the prosecution from public funds of John Purcell, for fraudulent bankruptcy, His Honor explaining that any hesitancy he had in the matter was not due to any duubt bs to the merits of the appli cation, but ratber to a disbelief that tucli a prosecution would be of any avail seeing that quito a number of charges of forgery were suspended over the mau. The issues were settled in the case of Tunny and another v. Brook, and the trial fixed for the next civil sittings of the Circuit Court. The action turns upon matters of account the plaintiffs contending that the defendant has not handed over all the moneys which he collected as rents on their proporty, while the defendant puts in as a set-off certain expenses which he alleges were incurred by Hum in the collection of the said rents. The Attorney- General appeared in support of an applica tion for an order compelling tbe Registrar to register a memo, of transfer by a native to F, A. Whitaker, the Registrar having refused to do so on the ground that the title of the native was not individualised—that it was held jointly with other natives. After bearing the arguments of the At torney-General and Mr Theo. Kissling, His Honor reserved judgment.

Two men nanud James Connelly and Holder was employed cutting down trees in Jerffiyu-strect yesterday afternoon, when the former, who was in tho topmoßt branches, lost his hold and fell to the ground. Ho was taken to the Hospital, and ou examination ij was found that one of his legs was broken and several of his ribs injured. He is now undergoing treat ment there.

Mr S. Reid, of Ponsonby, complains of the Inspector of Nuisances not suppressing cer tain nuisances in that suburb. Complaint should bo made to the Board of any such grievances. A newspaper is not the proper place.

"Sport" writes with reference to the Golden Crown nll'air. He says :—" I find that tho races were run under the A.11.C. rules, therefore that body are called on to take come action to punish the owner of the horse, aud also those implicated in the matter. The following members of the A.B.C. were ou the ground on Saturday last: Messrs W. J. Marks, J. Kirkwood, W. I'ercivnl, and Major Walmslcy."

A native, named Wircmi) Ilira, was drowned in the Waikato river, at Cam bridge, on Sunday afternoon. He wa?scen to swim across tho river, in the neighbour hood of the falls, and in returning sank, being probably seized with cramp. Several natives at once plunged iv and dived for the body, which, however, they did not recover for lully halt-an-hour, when life appeared to be extinct. Means were adopted to restore animation, Moari fashion, by holding the deceased up by the heels in the smoke of n fire which was kindled; but without effect.—"Mail."

According to tho ' llawke's Bay Hcmld ' the expenses of the Governor's late trip through tho North Island were paid by him self, and wero not made a public charge.

The liujuest on tho body of Crcsnr Anthony Ziunbra yesterday afternoon in sulted in n verdict of "Accidental death, through fracture of the skull." The only witness examined after >ye went to proas yesterday was Frederick Augustus Yatcs, a seaman of the ketch Fanny Thornton. Ilia evidence was to tho ell'octthllt the crow weii! awakened by a noi»c on deck, and going there they found deceased lying there with a quantity of coagulated blood around him. He considered that it was vory caiy for anyone not looking carefully in front of him to trip against tho sido of the wharf aud go over.

Tho Her. Samuel Edyer writfH a letter in reply to one published by the Dunedin "Echo," under the heading "Philosophical Absurdities of the Incarnation." Mr Edger, in opening, says : " Being a believer in the Incarnation, and having given hoiiio attention to both religion aud philosophy, a letter under the above heading would naturally draw my attootion." After dis cussing his opponent's views, he coucludes: " My chief object in writing, however, was to *u»gi'-t to " K.G.," that if he would give some little study to Em. Swcdenborg ("True Chrittian Religion"), he would fee how ono of the greatest philosophers and »cienti»ta of auy ago can hold the doctrine of the Incarnation, without tho least trace of absurdity."

Tho meeting-room of St. James's Asso ciation was crowded to excess last nighl, the occHsiou boing the reading of two owiys on interesting subjects, viz., one on "Tho Testimonial Nuisance," by Mr A. S. Held, and ouo on " The Fancy Bazaar Nuisance," by Mr W. J. GcddiH. Both writers treated their subjects with much ability, aud in a humourous way hit oil'some of the foibles of social life. The popular craze for ihe making and obtaining of tes timouiala on every possible pretext was un sparingly douoiinced by Mr Reid, while Mr Geddis delivered a trenchant condemnation of the mcauß adopted at church bazaars of fleecing tho public for the eurichment of the sanctuary. An animated discusi-iou ensued, in tho course of which the literary merits of the papers were praised aud the views contained iv them subjected to keen criticism. A considerable number of ladies were present, nnd ihey evinced much interest in the pro ceedings. Next Monday evening short prepared speeches will bo delivered nn " Educational Centralism," by Messrs W. Gorrie, J. I). Schmidt, C. McMaster, G. K. Me Nab, and 11. G. Dorrington, and as this will opeu up tho whole giouud of the contention between the City School Com mittee and tho Board of Education, a vigorous and lively discussion is antici pated.

1 lie Ngatihauos at Cambridge came off so well iv tke recent mum businesi that having glutted their vengeance on the 'hapu' of the slayer of tho domestic peace of their kinsman, nnd huviii;; made SUCII a good haul in the way of plunder, deter mined to give tho people of the fair but frail Wairckeke a turn. The Indy in ques tion belongs to a ' linpu' of tho Ngatirau kawa, who wcro visited on Friday morning by the Ngatihauns and muru'd to the ex tent of a horso, a cow, two watches, and a few pounds in cash, besides sevotiil articles of clothing, &c.,—The mob on their return nlon;.' Duke-street, presented a pie turefquc appearance, a conspicuous figure being that of an elderly Maori gcutlcumn, attired iv an airy and elegant summer costume, coDSiitinjj of two pocket-hand kerchiefs.—" Wiiikato Mail.'1

A very interesting meeting of the mem bers of the bible clas-K, in connection with the Grefton Hoad Wesleyan Church, wai held Inst night, in tho school-room, the Key. G. Bond presiding. Tea was provided by a few friends, which, having been dis posed of, was succeeded by a pleasant social entertainment, consisting of .sacred music, recitatious and addresses, in which Mesdames Brown, Lavcr, Lincoln, Mcars, and Allier, with Messrs W. Burton, John Ko'c, W. Mears, E. Gatland, T. Wallic, and K. Wallis, took a part. This being the last occasion on which Mr Bond would meet the class the members took tho oppor tunity of expressing their appreciation of his work, and their esteem for him per sonally, by presenting him with a copy of Spurgeon's " Treasury of David." Mr Bond replied in suitable ternx, thanking the class for this second valuable present to himself during his three years' pleasant intercourse with them. The meetingclo;ed with singing and prayer.

To the Editor: Sir,—Your remarks in Saturday's issue regarding the wholesale adulteration of teas are much more cutting than correct, tho statements made, and the suggestion offered being too pronounced to be based on mere rumour. It is generally understood amongst the trade that the low qualities in China teas arc composed princi pally of thofe leaves which have been partly Bpailed in the drying process, and that to a certain extent leaves which have already been intuscd aro redried and thrown into the mixture : but this is done only because there is a demond for a very low class article, which demand cannot otherwise be met. There is no difficulty, however, in procunng a pure, wholesome China tea from any respectable grocer at a reasonable price ; and that Indian teas have been tampered with in the manner you state we have yet to learn,—Yours, &&, John EAULE.

A fearful case of hydrophobia terminated fatally at St. Thomas's Hospital, London, recently. The patient, a stationer named Taylor, had been Blightly bitten by his dog, but took no notice of the occurrence, and the wound healed, but five days afterwards the dog died with strong symptoms of hydrophobia. The fact had such an effect on Mr Taylor that he fell iuto a very nervous, depressed stalo, and was ulti mately admitted into St. Thomas's Hospital. Notwithstanding tho care and attention ho received, the patients of the same ward wore at five o'clock on Saturday morning awakened by heariog tearful noises, similar to those of a dog barking. The nurses then discovered Mr Taylor foaming at the mouth, and barking and struggling in a fearful manner. Mr Lunn and Mr Bal lana, house surgeons, wore immediately summoned, but after a ecodc of the most terrible nature the patient died in great agony.

Mr E. 13. Dickson reports on the weather for the week ending 26th March as follows : —" Fine, cool, and breezy, theu extremely hot and still. Rainfall nominal. Baro meter very high, showing an almost steady rise from 30 042 on Saturday night (20th), to 30-382 on Saturday morning (26th). Mean reading, 30 243. The actual maxi mum reading was that of Thursday (24tb) morning, viz., 30 402. Mean temperature of the four days (20th to 23rd), G4'6 ; of the remaining three days (24th to 2Gth), 70.0 ; ol the week, GG.9, the average of March (17 years) being 65.6. Extreme readings (on Saturday morning for Friday 25th) : In shade, 85*9; in sun, 960; warmest night, Monday 21st (60 4). Lowest readings : Fcr day (Monday), 704; for night (Saturday 19th) 55-3 in shade ; and Tuesday 22nd, 499 on grass. The range between day and night was unusually great on Thursday and Friday, being 268 and 274 respectively. A very little rain fell on Sunday night and early morning of Monday, in all about one twentieth ('045) of an inch. Heavy dews and light morning mists (heavier at Mount Albert) on three last days. The extreme height of the barometer answers to expec tation for this period. The times of greatest elevation arc the last week of March and first of April, and the last week of August and first of September. Tho sudden and extreme heat bo late in the summer is most unusual." .

The scroll [which is to be deposited under the Foundation Stone of Freemason's Hall, has been photographed by Bro. R. N. Bartlctt, and copies are for sale by Brothers M. Niccol and James Slater. The proceeds arising from this to be given to the Building Fund, as a donation from Bro. Bartlctt.

As we went to press this afternoon a com plimentary presentation was being made to Mr F. Macrae at the Grammar School.

It has been represented to us that Eome misapprehension may be created by the statement iv our lost issue that the Masonic Quadrille Party is to assume the character of a ball, and we have therefore been requested to mention that it is not intended to hold a dress ball. Though nominally n quadrille party, however, there will be a full programme of dances, and ample supply of refreshments and it is hoped a large attendance of ladies and gentleman.

To-morrow evening a meeting is to be held in the Deveonport Hall for the purpose of considering the beat means of utilizing tho recreation ground. We believo the Devonport Domain Toard wish to have nn expression of opinion froir the residents before they undertako nny work in connection with the recreation ground, so that it is hoped all those in terested in the formation of a ground for the use of the district will attend tho meeting, as thero is nothing that will attend more to the popularity of the place than an attractive, and suitable recreation ground, and as there is no ground in connection with tho district school whore the boys can play either cricket or| football without danger of acci dent It is to bo hoped that ere long the Devonport district will be able to boast of as good a ground bb any district in the colony.

We would remind those interested that tho tenders forifrazlnp; nt Mount Victoria, oloso ot 7 o'clock this evening.

Thomas Baker,of To Awamutu,Waikato, liv« mci) a d oolarnlion of his inability to moot hla onKiKi'inuntfl with \\U oiMditorv. Mr Grcabain, of To Awamutu, la Boltcltor for tho debtor.

Mr P. Down's variety troupe will shortly Klvo a scries of entorlaininonti of an InterentinK rliuractor, commoncinK at Onohunga and tho North Shore procoedliiK to the towns and oettlc montH of Wulkttto. Particulars will bo annoiincod a? soon as arrangements are com pleted.

Mchhs Reid and Duncan, of Duncdin, Civil KiiKlneora, advortleo that thoy nro pre pared to uonstruot cable tramways. Thoy hnvo n in i jilcii! I Ihi! lino from I tuned in to Koiilyn, nnd it hai proved a ureat success (lnanclallv.

I'can's Minstrel" aro preparing tor their two grand Koator ConcortH. with a ball to fol low in the Lorne-fltreot Hall, on Monday and Tuesday evoninit", April 18th and l!Kh. Wo learn lhit.no dibit will bo spared to mako tho Kmb'it conceitjua uttractlfo aa possible. Tho objects of tho mlnstrols aro—rational and innocent ainu<mnont for thn people, tho aldlni? of useful liutitutlotiß, nnd in tho proHODt Inntaiice. tho douhlo colobratlon of tho third year of tholr musical oxlatenco.

SCINTILLATIONS.

" 110 brlor; for it is wltn words as with nun beams: tho moro they uru condensed tho doui>ur thoy burn."—KOUTUKY.

Tho Wellington people are in earnest ab^ut tho Wellington-West Coast railway. £30,000 worth of shares have been sub scribed, and the dispute whether the ter minus U to bo at Palmerston or Foxtou is left in abeyance.

A smoker's pledge card h being circulated iv Auckland, emanating from Mackay's stationer1!) shop, Urey-strcct. It pledges to abstinence from tooacco, the evil influence of which on health, it says, is attested by the "sallow and pinched features" of youths who smoke. A new history of Ireland is being written by Canon Bourke. Mr Justice Gilließ opened the Weslland criminal sessions at Hokitika yesterday.

Mr Robert Stout, of Dunediu, announces a lecture on " The Irish Question, and the lessons it teaches the colonist."

Wendell Phillips says that no reform, moral or intellectual, ever came down from the upper classes of society. "Each aud all," Kiiys he, "conic up irom the protest of uiaityr and victim." A jockey named Daniel O'Brien fell from an express train in Canterbury yesterday, and tho wheel passing over tho toes of his riuht foot cut them off. He sustained other injuries. Sir George W. Cox calculates that tho English custom of horse-shoeing costs the nation every year on an average nearly nine million sterling in hard cash, every penny of which might be saved if horses were allowed to go unshod. He centenda that horses would live longer aud do more work if loft uwliod,

A blast of IOOOIbs colonial dynamite, and 2501bs colonial lcthofractonr, were lired in connection with Grcymouth harbour works yesterday, and displaced 9000 tons of rock.

The Chri.stchurch Drainage Board arc cutting down salaries ruthletsly. An extraordinary number of incendiary fires, in hay stacks, have been chronicled this year. Two oat stacks, and one wheat stack, belonging to Mr J. Lawrence, of Oamaru, were burned down on Saturday night, under circumstances pointing directly to arson.

The English Court of Exchequer ha* decided that only the Government can erect telephones in Great Britain. The Edison Company ngainct whom the decision was given mean to appeal. By a resolution of nine to three, it was resolved to open the Christchurch Public Library on Sunday, between the hours of 2 and 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

The firm of Kirkman and Son, piano makers, in Soho square, London, can claim nn antiquity shared by few business houses, as it was founded in the year 1730.

Earl lieaconsQcld's "Endymion" has been trandated into KusMan and published at 4s, at which price there isaertatiuu on it.

The library of 25,000 volumes at tho Villa Kugijuie, at Biarritz, has been presented by the ex-Empress to the asylum, of Notre Dame d'Anglet, at Bnyonne. The "Journal Official" of Paris has just become the sole property of the French Government, at a cost of £24,000. In future it will bo the official organ of tho State.

The " Athemuum" states that Canon Liddon will shortly publish four sermons preached in St. I'aul'n Cathedral during December, entitled " Thoughts on Prcscnl Church Troubles."

The Duncdin Freethinkers have formaljy resolved to declare themselves as such in (lie census return next Sunday. The resolution implies Hint they have hitherto concealed their opinion?.

There is no satisfying some people. A man the other day who found a piece of bnrk in his sausage promptly went round to tho butcher to know if he wasn't entitled to the rest of tho dog.

A few years ago Trnuyson attended a celebration of the college kind, and as he entered with his hair, as usual, all touded, » youth sang out from tho gallery, " Did your mother call you early!"

The " unemployed " held another meet iug in Chriatchurch yesterday, yet it is asserted by a local journal that eight swaggers rtfused 10a to 12s a day to feed a machine.

Mr Brookfield, Crown Prosecutor, is visiting Te Aroha m company with Mr Superintendent Thomson, for tho purpose of preparing for tho murder trial. Judge Macdonald jhas arrived at Cambridge from Kotonu, and the Waikato " Midi" says that he looks much better for liis trip.

Dr. G. is one of the most fervent apostles of Materialism. In recalling certain souvenirs of his youth, he began an anecdote, in the most natural tone in the world, in thoso words:—" At that time I was in love with an agglomeration of molecules called Ernestine.

It was at the opera house. The per formance wa3 about to begin, when one of the two strangers looked all round and said, "Bill, where is the dress circle?'' Bill glanced up towards the third gallery and re plied, " I reckon it's up yonder, I see a fellow taking off his coat."

A lady recently visited a clairvoyant in order to hearsomething about her husband's life. The clairvoyant said :—" You must bring me somo of your husband's hair before I can go into the land of dreams;" "But," said tho lady, "my husband is baldheaded." "Still," said the clairvoyant, "You may pull a little more from the (ides."

A famous Arawa warrior named Petera, one of the most useful allies of the Govern ment during the East Coast campaign, was presented with v sword of honour by the Queen as a reward for his services m Cambridge. Petera was armed with a whalebone mere, on which was marked a row of black spots, indicating tbe number of men slain by Petera with the weapon.

The United States has not escaried pensions abuses. There are 250,000 pen sioners drawing £5,000,000 a-year from the Public Treasury, and it is said that tho country loses about £1,000,000 a-year by payment of fraudulent pensions. Vine culture is a most lucrative occupa tion in California. Vines in full bearing there yield 300 pounds of grapes, and at a recent exhibition at San Bernardino, a branch of a vine was exhibited from a vine 4£ years old, which had borne 651bs, of grapes. From four of these vines, besides grapes for table, 55 gallons of wine wore produced.

LECTURE ON LIFE ASSUR ANCE.

Mr J. Kennedy Bkown, Government Insurance Agent, delivered a very interest ing lecture last night iv the large hall of the Young Men's Christian Association on " Life Insurance as a Function of Govern, ment." The chair was occupied by the Rev A Curricle, of St. Andrew's Piesbytcrian Church, who made a few introductory remarks. Mr Brown then proceeded with his discourse, aud after some pre liminary observations divided his lecture into two parts : viz., That of the general question of life assurance; aud 2nd, Life assurance as a function of the Government, and, had time permitted he would have offered some remarks ou the religious obliga tions of life assurance. He shewed the well known fact, that life assurance is based upon averages of the duration of human life, and tables at interest; ho shewed further, that money accumulated with marvellous rapidity, instanciug the proverbial penny invested at the birth of Christ, and which actuaries said could, in 1574, be reckoned at a million golden globes, which if placed iv line would traverse 20 billions of miles. The skilled actuary by carefully adjusting the premiums payablo by policy-holdeis to the rate of mortality, was thus able to pro duce the most marvellous results. Insur ance in such hands was indeed the moderu miracle, and the skilled actuary was verily the great magician. The alchymist of old lived laborous days in their vain efforts to discover the philosophers' stone and the secret of transmutation. Lifo Insuiance was a great fact, and that breath, that vapour, that shadow, called life, was by its instru mentality transmuted in solid gold. It was thus the heads of families, the toiling breadwinners of this generation, by this beniliccnc contrivance, were able to provide for their families after they were dead and gone,—filling the cupboards, covering the table, and prolonging' the comforts of those e.o near and dear to them. He proceeded to speak of the benefits of life assurance generally, and in distinguis iDg Government Life Assurance from com panies, said that in the Goverumcnt scheme the whole of the profits were shared pro ratft amongst the policy holders. He, pointed out to young men, and especially to married meu, the obligation they were under to insure. He said that to the New Zealand Government bcloged the proud boast of being the first from which emanated the policy of life assurance as a function of Government, and when the miserable scramble which dis tinguished the public works policy was tor gotten the elevation of life insurance into a lunction of Government would remain an enduring monument of the genius aud patriotism of its originator. 'Itie lecturer then replied to the objection that it was nn improper interference with private enter prise. Political economy he taid was the science of natural wealth and human happi ness, but he would bo met with tho objec tion that the fuuetions of Government were limited to the protection nf life and pro perty. But what of State railways, or the Post Oilice, or State education ? Did they come within such a narrow definition . Anothar maxim in jolitics wai that no Government had any right to do that which could be douc as well or bctttr by private enterprise. He readily conceded the proposi tion and how had private en terpriie performed this junction for the people? Was not the early history of Life Insurance Companies a dismal and disheartening one ? What an array of failures hundreds of such Com panies coming ignominioualy to griet. The Bpeaker then quoted Mr Gladstones strictures on the occasion of his introducing the Post Office Insurance Scheme in the House of Commons, tho "Times" news paper, nnd the published opinions of some distinguished actuaries, who declared that there were numerous Companies doing a large business in a state of hopeless insol vency. Doiug a large business ! Trading ou broken hearts and blighted households, the tears of the widows and tho cries of the orphans 1 The lecturer thencombattcd the objections of a distinguished member o£ the present Parliament. They were cruelly urged against the patronage created, the responsi bility involved, and that they yielded no proht to the State. To these he replied seriatum. If patronage wai such an evil, every department of the State contributed in like manner to it. As a matter of fact, however, the patronage was insignificant, and no complaint had been made of its having been improperly employed. If there was any truth in actuarial science, the res ponsibility was nil, aud to extract a prolit after this fashion was surely no business of any Government. No prolit I He contended that ai un educated people wcro bettor citizens than an ignorant people, and amply justified our large ex penditure upon State schools, so State Insurance, in drying up the sources of poverty in contributing so largely to the welfare of the people, was profitable in a much higher and nobler sense, aud while education cost the State nearly half a million per annum, Life Insurance was absolutely self-supporting, costing the State not a single farthing. ' he s-peaker then glanced at the future, and anticipated the period when this department, which now placed nearly half a million at the disposal of the Government, the accumulated savings ot the people, would eventually cover our entire indcbtcdiics, aud the exhausting drain in payment of interest to foreign capitalists would be interested, kept circulating within the Colony, and such vaU scones be dovotcd to the pay ment of policies a? they became claims, contributing enormously to it to the comfort atd well being of the masses and arresting the growth of every for.n of pauperism. Tlicjtimc, he trusted, woold come when cases of poverty with mch a system of State Insurance would become as rare as men and women who can not write their own names shall become with State education free and compulsory. The lecturer sat down amidst applause. Finally, votes of thanks were accorded to the lecturer and the Rev. A. Carrick, and the meeting separated.

THE DANITES.- THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT.

This drama, in fire acts, Trill bo produced for the first time at the Theatre l{oyal this evening. Tho play was written by Joaquin Miller, a humorous poet of some distinction in America, and which treats of the de stroying angels of the Mormon church, "by whose agency whole families of Gen tiles wore swept uut of existeuce." These so-called angels, report saye, were organised by the lute Brigham Young, to avenge the destruction of their temple at Navoo and the murder of Joseph Smith, tho founder of Mormonism, The principal representa tives of the poet's drama will be Messrs Hamilton, Wallace, Grattan Kiggs, and J. O'Brien, on the masculiue side, and Misses Maggie Knight, Adele, Kaymoud, and other ladies. The ecenes open with a view of tbo valleys of the Sierra Nevada Moun tains, which form the great basin of Utah, a region surrounded on every side by Nature's formidable upheavings. In tho shelter of these mountains, lie the great Salt Lake, and the smaller lake of Utah, which are notorious in modern history, as the seat of Mormonism. Poets are not generally the most successful of dramatists, at least not in , these modern times, although in Shakes peare's age the Elizabetbian poets produced tho Quest dramas in the history of English literature. Miller, however, has been cminontly successful in tbo "Danitcs,"as will be seen to-night. The appropriate scenery has been painted from Nature by Frahm, and tho original music provided by Mollcnhancr, the German professor, of New York.

THE NEW BRIDGE OVER THE WAIPA.

ON Thursday evening last a meeting of the settlers at Whata Whala and the surround ing districts was held for the purpose of taking steps to celebrate in a public manner the opening of the new bridge that is now nearly completed over the Waipa river, and connects the two counties of Waipa and Raglan. Mr Day was called to the chair, and a committee of gentlemen fiom all parts of the two counties was formed, It was resolved to have n. public diuner, which will be held in a large marquee erected for the occasion; a ball in the evening iv the schoolroom; a cricket match, and other public sports. The members for Waipa and Waikato and the County Councillors arc expected, as well as many visitors from Auckland, who will be met at the Ngaruawahia station and conveyed on to Whata Whata in time for the opening ceremony. The District Engineer, who is anxious to meet the wishes ot the settler?, is expected to be there, aud take over the bridge from Messrs McLean, tho contractors, on that clay, which is looked on as the harbinger of better days to come for the settlcw of both c unlit.". The committee meet again iv a few days tj definitely settle everything, and Tuesday, April 19th, is looked forward to as a red letter day for Whata Whata.

CABLEGRAMS.

[Keuteb's Telegrams.]

SIR HERCULES ROBINSON ON TRANSVAAL.

CAPE TOWN, March 28,

Sir Hercules Kobinson made a speech to day, in the course of which ho said there was every prospect of permanent peace being secured in the Transvaal. TURKEY CALLS ON THE KHEDIVE.

CONSTANTINOPLE, March 28,

In view of the possibility of hostilities breaking out between Turkey and Greece, the Sultan has asked the Khedive, that a contingent of Egyptian troops may be sent for seivice in Turkey, if war is declared.

A FIGHT WITH THE BASUTOS.

CAPETOWN, March 28,

News has been received to-day from Kasutoland reporting resumption of hostili ties between the liasutos and the colonial torccs. A severe battle has been fought be tween the latter under Colonel Carrington and the cneruy, but without decided success to either side. Colonel Cnrrington was somewhat severely wounded dunug the Ugllt" THE CZAH'S FUNERAL. ST. PETERSBURG, March 28. The funeral of the late Czar took place to-day. NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MER- C.INTILE AGENCY COMPANY. LONDON, March 25. The wool sale programme has been cur tailed by one day, and closed firmly. The total quantity sold during the sale was 260,000 bales. 160,000 bales have been takeu for export, 35,000 bales have been held over for future disposal.Medium and inferior greasy, fine and coarse greasy croks-bred, line washed and scoured cross-bred, have all declined id to Id per Ib. ; superior greasy, scoured, combing and clothing washed, aud coarse washed cross-bred have dccliued Id per lb., and superior clothing washed, has declined Id to ljd since close of last sales. The next sales will commence on the 10th of May, and will include 350,000 bales fresh arri vals, and 35,000 bales of old stock, Copra.—Market has receded ; present price, £15 per ton.

INQUIRY INTO QUEENSLAND RAIL CONTRACT.

LONDON, March H.

The Commission of Inquiry appointed at the iustance ot the Queensland Parliament to investigate the circumstances connected with contracts for the supply of steel rails to the Queensland Government, aud con eider charges in connection therewith made by Mr Hcnimant, ex Treasurer, against Premier Mcllwraith, has commenced its sittings. The Commission consists of Mr King, appointed by the Queensland Govern ment, and an English Barrister, appointed by the Secetary ot State ior the Colonies. The proceedings are private. LAND LEAGUE ARRESTS. Some members of the local Land League who were arrested and lodged at Kilmain ham gaol, County Meatli, were serenaded last night by a number of sympathisers. THE EARTHQUAKES IN ITALY. The frequency of earthquakes in Italy causes great alarm among the inhabitants. Another severe shock is reported from Pcringia, a city of central Italy, ten miles east of Lake l'cringia, on the south declivity. FREE TRADE IN CANADA. In the Parliament in the Dominion of Canada, a resolution has been submitted proposing abaudouing a protectionist tariff, and to revert to tree trade. After an animated debate the resolution was rejected 131 votes to 53. THE ACTION AGAINST BRADLAUGH Mr Yorst, member for Chatham, has withdrawn his motion tabled in the House of Commons, for the issue of a writ for Northampton, pending the final decision of the Law Courts whether Mr Bradlaugh is legally entitled to hold his seat. LONDON, March 15. Bradlaugh having determined to resign his seat for Northampton in view of the recent decision of the Law Courts, applied to the Crown to be appointed to the stewardship of Chillcrn Hundreds, the ordinary mode of vacating v, seat. The application was refused on the ground that the legal points involved in the case had not yet been definitely settled. THE SOCIALISES IN AMEKICA. A Socialist Association in Chicago has publicly avowed its approval of the assassi nation of the Czar, and has commended the act as one striking a fatal blow nt despotism.

RIOTS IN GALWAY. LONDON, March IG,

Serious riots, resulted in bloodshed, have occurred in Galway, one of the most disturbed districts of Ireland.

DEPLORABLE AFFAIRS IN TURKEY,

The condition of ailairs in Albania is most deplorable. Turkish rule lias been utterly thrown off, ami no settled authority exists. Outragea are of frequent occurrence. THREATENED FENIAN OUTRAGES.

LONDON, March 19,

Information has been received by the police of threatened outrages by Fenian emissaries. In consequence the police force iv charge of the Houses of Parliament has been doubled. The Lord Mayor of London, Alderman McArthur, M.P. for Lambeth, has received numerous threatening letters, which are supposed to have come from Fenians. The matter has been placed in the hands of the police, and precautions against any attempts of violence have been * "'CHINESE IMMIGRATION. Ciiuese immigration into the United States is reviving. The San Fraucisco papers strongly urge the President to put into operation the powers of restricting the inilux of Chinese conferred under the recent treaty concluded with China. A TOWN BURNED. Ihe town of Beldeu, situated m Carintha provinces, Austria, has been destroyed by lire. The place has actually been burnt to the ground. A subscription has been raised to relieve the distressed inhabitants. INDIAN MASSACRES. Tho Indian tribes in the territory of North Mexico, United States, are on the war path. They have attacked the white inhabitants and massacred 30 persons. THE "URGkNT" SUPPLY MOTION DEFEATED. LONDON, March 20. In the House of Commons a division has bean taken on Mr Gladstone's motion to declare the question of supply urgent. There was a full House, nnd the result showed 212 for tho motion and 29G against it, giving a majority of S4 against the Go vernment.

The Irish members of the House of Com mons have agreed not to obstruct supply, except as regards certain votes, THE ASSASSINATION OF THE CZAR. It is expected that the death of the Em peror Alexander will force a solution of the Eastern Question. Earl Granrille, in the House of Lords, and Mr Gladstone, iv the House of Com moDS, referred to the assassination of the Emperor of Eussia. They spoke in eulogistic terms cf his late Majesty. Both Houses have agreed to an address of con dolence to Her M«jesty the QueoD, and also to H.li.H. the Duchess of Edinburgh on tho death of their illustrious relative.

The Emperor of Russia has thanked the House of Lords and Commons for the ad dresses of condoleuce on the death ot his father, the late Emperor Alexander. A cir cular has been issued by the Russian Go vernment promising international develop ments with the view of ameliorating the political condition of the people, and advo cating a pacific foreign policy. This has favourably impressed the various European Government?.

The ceremony of removing the remains of the late Kmperor Alexander to the cathedral of St. Petersburg was performed with great pomp. The new Czar looked pale, but was cool and collected. Several important arrests ol Nihilists have been made. Great discoveries arc continually being made iv St. Petersburg of Nihilist plots, and of infernal machines laid down in various parts of the city. THE ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP THE NEW CZAR. A mine leading to the palace of the Czarcwitch, the present Emperor of Russia, has been found under the street in which the building is situated, and in a house close by a large quantity of explosives were discovered. The object in view was evidently the destruction of the Ozarewifcch's palace and the inmates. The Russian Pross advocates a great political chance in the Empire, in the direction of liberalising the form of Government. A decree has been issued by the Emperor of Russia which lessens the severity of the Siberian exile. RIOT AT ALDERSHOT. The celebration of St. Patrick's Day was attended by some rioting amongst the Irish soldiers quartered at Aldershot. Tha dis turbance touted three hours, and it was

found necessary to charge the rioters at tho point of tne bayonet. Some serious injuri,., were inflicted. J "M THE LEVY-LABOUCHERE LIBKL. Levy LawsoD, editor and proprietor of th» " Daily Telegraph," has brought action for libel in the Court of Queen's Bench aoain.f Mr Labouchere, M.P. for Northampton and the proprietor of " Truth." (; n ; e { Justice Coleridge's remarks during tho hearing of the case have been in favour of Mr liabouchere.

AUSTRALIAN.

THE REFORM BILL,

MELBOURNE, Tuesday. It has transpired that the Government has decided to proceed with business in the Legislative Assembly in expectation of the Legislative Council reversing the roli D g 0 « the President, by Chicli it was decided that tnc reform Jlill should not be received from tho Assembly far consideration. SYDNEY, Tuesday. Airived: Union Company's steamship Rotoinahana, fiom Auckland, yesterday ANOTHER MASSACRE AT NKYV GUINEA. V News comes to hand from New Guinea that four native teachers with their wives and families have been murdered by the natives.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

ENQUIRY INTO DR. PURCHAS1 CHARGES.

The Boaril of Governors met at fonr o'clock yesterday afternoon for the purpose of continuing this Enquiry. There were preEcnt: Sir G. M. O'Rorke (chairman), Colonel Uaultain, Judge Fenton, Rev. c! M. Nelson, Mesars Clark, Peacock, and Tole (governors), and Mr Macrae (head master).

Mr J. C. Firth was the first witness called in. Under examination by Mr Macrae he said that two of his Bons had been pupils of. that gentlemen both at the Highand at the grammar Schools. The master's duty towards them was discharged in a highly satisfactory manner, and he himself had had reason to congratulate himself upon the way in which they had been trained. The feelings of his sons to wards him had always bten highly respect ful, and he had no reason to suppose that they had been treated differently from the other pupih. Frjm the observations which he had made he would say that although many of the Grammar School hoys might not have been qualified for University honours, a very large number of them now occupied positions of great respectability and trust in the colony. He regarded that aa|a much more flattering proof of a teacher's value than the mere fact of two or three out of a hundred no trained as to carry off University honours. To Mr NeUon : Although he did not mean to say that an institution affiliated to a University ought not to train tor it, yet he felt that as the great majority of our young men would have to fill positions in the commercial world, it was more desir able that they should receive the training necessary to fit them for advancement ia that sphere, rather than trained merely to take University honour.". They should be trained to fulfil the duties expected of them in the business of life.

To Mr Tole : A great deal too much was being made of University honours. This was an age of " cram " and a good deal of University honour was the mere result of " cram."

To Mr Kelson : Some people had an idea that if a person took honours at the Uni versity he was therefore qualified for any position that might be offered him. He had found men tvlio had taken University honours who were great blackguards. To Mr Fenton : His elder son left school in 1873 or 1874, aud his \ounger son in 1875. One was now the manager of his estates at Matamata, and had the control of 100 men, while the other was with him in the flour mill here, and had the management of a fleet of steamers which witness was running.

To Mr Tole : He was not an advocate of that over-education either in' the primary or in the secondary schools, which was one of the curses of the age. Any attempt to over educate the masses wae a most serious mis take, and it was one ■which was being com mitted at present to some extent in our secondary schools. It was of vastly more importance to impart that instruction which wouid lit our youth to be good mechani cians, good merchants, and good tradesmen. One fault he had had to find with the Grammar School was that too muct homo work was given, the pupils to do. The effort to obtain a graduate for this school would cost a great deal, and as a parent and a citizen, he regretted the great cost of the enquiry, which would be drawn from the educational funds. He thought the Governors, by their course, had inflicted a very serious blow upon the cause of secon dary education.

Mr Firth qualified his statement, when it was explained to him that the charges preferred by Dr. Purchas had been made bo lona as six or seven montns ago.

Mr Murdoch, General Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, said that during the last ten years a great number of young men had joined the Bank, who had been trained at the Grammar School. They had proved efficient officers, and they had received pro motion. As a result of his experience he would be inclined to place great reliance upon Mr Macrae's recommendations, for ho did not think that in any one instance had he been deceived.

Mr C. C. McMillan, partner in the firm of Me Arthur and Co., said that in the course of the last few years he had received into his service a large number of lads from the Grammar School, and so well had they suited, that in many instances situa tions had been kept open for months for boys from that school. They compared very favourably indeed with lads from other schools. Quito recently a number of applications were re ceived for a situation iv their warehouses, and the preference was unhesitatingly given to a boy having a certificate from Mr Macrae. They were superior in tone and spirit to boys from other schools, and always seemed to entertain the greatest respect for their schoolmaster. Mr John Shera said he had been in bosk ness in Auckland for nearly 13 years, and in the course of that time several lads from the Auckland Grammar School had entered his employ. It had been his habit to sub mit applicants for situations to a prelimi nary examination, and he had invariably found the Grammar School boys fit for their work, while with one exception the reverse was the case with lads from other schools. | They seemed to have feelings ot great res i pect for their master. He would place much reliance upon Mr Macrae's recom mendation, and would dispense the boy bearing it from examination. . ■:. Mr Page said he had charge of a depart ment in the warehouse of Messrs Owen aud Graham. He had been there for five years, and during that time 9 or 10 boys from the Grammar School had come under his con trol. They compared very favourably with boys from other institutions, such as the Parnell Grammar School and English Schools, and they appeared to entertain the highest opinion of Mr Macrae. Mr Clayton said that he joined tho Grammar School in July 1872, and left in 1579. He was then in the first class. He had passed his matriculation examination hnd the first yearly examination aswelL Mr Macrae had always seemed to him to throw his whole heart in the work, and ha did not think that the prospect of greater pecuniary advantage could have increased his exertions. During the last few years Mr Macrae had been intimately acquainted with witness's studies in mathematics and Latin, and he had frequently gone over his work in detail. The boys of witness's class had regarded Mr Macrae as a more thorough master in mathematics than Mr Sloraan.

To Mr Nelson : The boys considered Mr Macrae more thorough also in classics than Mr Sloman. Mr Macrae did not so often take his class when he was in the first class as when he was in the the third class.

To the Chairman : Five of the boys went in with him for the junior scholarships examination, and failing to succeed in gain ing scholarships they yet had sufficient marks to entitle them to pass the matricu lation examination.

Mr Bell said that he was appointed jani tor of the Grammar School in November, 1877, and left in February, ISSO. During the midsummer vacation Mr Macrae was at the school every day and frequently at night. The same remark might be made of every vacation. He had never seen a man more assiduous to his duties, and lie had observed that Mr Macrao inspected every thing that witness did. Two or three nights every week Mr Macrae remained at the school, and he often came on the Sab bath Day. He was linn and yet courteous, and appeared to be thoroughly devoted to his work. He could not wish for a better master than Mr Macrae. At this stage the Enquiry was adjourned at Mr Macrae's request till 7 o'clock on Wednesday.

Moody and Sanky go from San Francisco to New Orleans, and thcnca back to Great Britain.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, TUESDAY. MARCH 29



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Whywomon an so soon, ia an interrogatory that anßwort itself in l oar knowledgo of their natural proclivity to neglect the moans of build ing up their frames, {entering into tho married slate, or habituated to domestic labours, thoy trudge and toil, and exhausting their powerß, grow callous to tho results, and fall into sedentary habita. Unused to buttot with tho world, they have nothing to call their activities into day, Bavo within tho narrow limiU of home, little recking that a persistent and judicious ueo of Udolpho Wolfo'a Schiedam Aromatio Schnapps will tone their sygtoms and fit them for evon'hi«her enterprises than thoy aro wont to espouse.