SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATBK} To . morrow Morning, 8 11 I UNSET.—ThIB Evoning, 5.62 MJNHIBB.—To-Morrow Morning. 0.18 M <7 UN'S AGK.-Flrst Quarter, 7th, 3.33 a._).

ARRIVALS.

lAST RVENINQ. TO-DAY.

Rotorua, s.s., Tozer, from Russell Glonelg, s.s., Farquhar, from Tauranga

DEPARTURES.

DEPARTURES- Iast evening.

Fanny Thornton, ketch, Pu'lm .n, for Uoklanga

TO-D »Y. Sea Bird, brigantine. Smith, for Hoklanga.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Sydney-Tararua, Tuesday. sth Son Francisco—Australia, P.M. 5.8., April Ith Levuka—Southorn Cross Touranga — Gleuelg. Wednesday; Wellington, Monday Russoll—loan. Monday Now Plymouth and South—Hawea, Thursday Whangarei—Argylo, Tuesdays and Friday. J Wellington, Friday Whangarei and Russoll-Woliington, Wednes day Sydney—Heron

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Wolverine,H.M.S., from Sydney, shortly Meropo, ship, from London Oxford, ship, (M.T.L.S.) from London; sailed

Dee.! „ , Avono, barquo, from London; to sail January

IS Chile, barquo, from London ; sailed Decombor23 Orient, barquo, from Now York; to soil Fob-

ruary 11 Peru, barquo, from London ; sailed Jan. 12 Loch Deo. barque, from London; sailed Decern-

bar 28 Haloione, ship, from London; loading Loch Doon, barquo, from London; loading Coronilla, barque, from London ; loading Jon. 0 Suporior, barquo, from Now York; sailed Ootobar 23 Cabarfeldh, barque (3.Q.M.J.), from Hongkong Strosburg, barque, from Now York; loading, February 28 Orwell, brigantine, from tho Islands Kthcl, brigantine, from Dunedin Ryno, brigantine, from Rotumah Look Out, brigantine. from Sydney Roderick Dhu, brigantine, from Dunedin Clansman, brigantine, from Timaru Borealis, brigantine, from Aitutaki Flirt, brigantine from Samoa Banockburn, brigantine, from Sydney Rachel Cohen, schooner, from Dunodin Atlantic, schooner, from L. ttelton Energy, schooner, from Noumea Mazeppa, schoonor, from Rarotonga Marlon, schooner, from Noumea Polioeman, schooner, from Noumea *gnos Donald, schooner, from Rarotonga ">amaru, sohooner, from Sydney Clyde, schooner, from Lyttelt_n Sybil, schooner, from Society Islonda Tranait. schoonor, from Rarotonga Dayspring, mission schooner (W.N.8.M.), from tbe Islands Gael, eohooner, from Lcvuka Saxon, schooner, from Ly ttelton Torea, schoonor, from Lyttolton Winifred, sohooner, from Levuka Atotohau, schooner, from Rarotonga Sybil, schooner, from Tahiti Ovalau, schooner, from Rarotonga Edith, schooner, for Tonga Waiwera, Bchooner, from Rarotonga Belle Brandon, schooner, from Samoa Caledonia, schooner, from Samoa Pearl, ketch, from Rarotonga

EXPORTS.

Per Rotorua, for Poverty Bay—lo cas°s brandy, 6 boxes tobacco, 2 pookaKCS c'gars. 6 casea sauce, 32 packages sugar, 40 sacks flour. 10 packages furniture, 16 tons staple, 10 bars iron, 8 casks cement, 3 boxes soap, 9 jora. 3 casks, 22 oases sundries. For Naricr—sß packages sngar, 50 boxes soap, 20 cases bread, 3 casks oil. 33 coils rope, 1 boxtroes. 0 colonial ovens, 190 pock ages sundry merchandise- For Wellington—2lo boxes soap, 56empty casks, 25 socks cocoanuts, 12 sacks. I case varnish, 6 cases coffee. 111 bunches bananas, 5 ca. ks, 19 casea and pack ag««. For Dunedin—so bass. 5 bales, Sbox»s, and parcels. For Oamaru—l trunk. If or Bluff— 7 cases. For Melbourne- C. bales tea, 1 parcel, 1 case, 20 barrels coffee.

Inwards Coastwisb.—Mag'o. from Meroury Bay, with 21.C0D feet timber: Bessy, from Kennedy Bay, with 21.003 feet timber ; Kotorua. from Russell, with 2 0 ton coal; Rata, from Port Charles, with 33.000 feet timber.

Outward CoASTwis_.-Besay for Kennedy Bay; Mercury, for Talma, with 16 head of cattle, 3 cases vestas, 6 casks beef; Rata, for Port Charles; Fanny Thornton, for Hokianga, with full general cargo.

The brigantine Helena has completed her discharge at this port, and takes in ballast to day to loave for Oamaru to-morrow.

A number of the me» employed on the Taupo come to town by the Glenelg to-day, but Mr i>. Gouk proceeds to Tauraawa with _everal fresh honus to-morrow, and hoan'iclpatea no difficulty in ultimately bringing the vessel into the Auck land harbour.

The foreign shipping for the quarter is :— Inward 3, 51 vesse_.-3.165 tons and 14.7 men. Outwards, 17 vessels - 28008 tons, 12 8 men. March inwarda was 18 veaßels, outwards, 51.

The s.s. Rotorua loft for Melbourne via Southern porta about n oon to-d ay. She took th c following passengers :—Mrs Tnompaon, Miss Sinclair, S, Barker. Master M. 8. Carr, G. John stone, J. Law, wife and family, Mr and Mrs Carr and family, Mr Aimer, Mr and Mrs Donongh, Mr Uurrant, l)r and Mrs Sims, A. Bohimerberg, and Misses Brophy, King. Watt and Cell.

The s s. Glonelg, from Tauranga this morning, brought 170 sacks maize, 11 bales wool, 25 sack gum, 10 bides, 2CO sheepskins, 1 hale ditto. 4 caeks tallow, 1 horse, and 20 cbbos frnit. Pasaengers:—Mr and Mrs Clarke, Mr ana Mrs Brown. Mr and Mrs Brittle, Mrs McNeish. and Blo.rs.me, Messrs Cavanogh. Mclvor,Dowland, Southcote. Legg, J. Brown, Jirennnn. Robinson. Motion, Cram, Kelly, Quin, Smith, Ross. Henry, Parsons, Campbell, Ashford, DonovaD, Matthie- Bon, McDonald Webb, Clarke, and James.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

DEPARTURES'.

Rowena, s.s., Amodeo, for Waltara

EXPORTS.

Per Rowena. for Waitara—6 kegs and 1 ba z nails, 1 bale paper, _ cases drapery, 3 tins paintp and 6 packages sundries.

The s.s. Rowena, for Waitara, took two pas sengers—Messro Reid and Coleman.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Port Chalmers, yesterday. Arrived: Tararua, ..a., from Melbourne, via, Bluff; To Anau, s.s., from Sydney, vift North.

'New Plymou-H, yesterday, Arrived: Hawea, s.s., from Mannkau.

Waitara, this day. Arrived: Rowena, s.s,, from Onehunga.

RUSSELL, this day. Arrived: Wellington, at 9.20 a.m, from Auckland.

Whangarei, tblß_»y r Sailed: Argyla, b.s„ for Auckland.

PORT OF KAIPARA.

Abriv-IB.—March 25—Tauranga, schooner, Duncan, for Wellington, with cargo of produce. March 26—Torea, schooner, Gundry, Lyttelton, produce; Jane Anderßon, schooner. Ac.hoff. Duneclin. in ballaßt. March 27—Maude Graham, schooner. Jorgensen, Lyttelton, 500 sacks wheat. March 28^-Enith Reid, schooner, McColville, Patea, in ballast. Maroh 29—Wild Wave, brig, Hurby, South.

DBPART-t.H-_B.—March 20: Drover, brig. Hair, for Sydney, with sawn timber: Thomas and Henry, brig, Marks, Dunedin, baulk timber: Sarah Pile, brigantine. Komoril, Dunedin, sawn timber; Magellan Cloud, brigantine, McDonald, Lyttelton, sawn timber; Wave of Lite, schooner, Herbert, Lyttelton, Bawn limber; Mann'on. schooner, Johnson, 'iimarn, sawn timber; Telegraph, schooner, Heam, Waiters, sawn timber. '-Tjcssels Loaded.—George Thornton- brigan tine, J. A. Stewart's cargo of timber, tor Mel. bourne; Sarah and Mary, brigantine, baulk imber, Timaru.

THE WEATHER.

AS OBSBRVED AT TELEGRAPH STATIONS March 31, 1831.

C—Calm i J.. Br.—Fresh Breeze I_.-__ight St.—Stormy Br.—Breeze I G.—Gale (2.) ANEROID BAROMETER. (3.) WEATHER ESTIMATED AS B.—Blue sky, be theat- O.—Overcast.the whole mosphere clear or sky covered with heavy thick clouds C. — Clouds, passing P.—Passing showers clouds Q.-Squally D.—Drizzling rain R. — Rain, continued F.—Foggy rain G>. — Gloomy, dark B.—Snow weather T.-Thnnder H.—Hail U.—Ugly, threatening L.—Lightning appearance

COMMERCIAL.

m Evening Star Office, Thursday. Mr A. Buckland reports :—At the Haymarket. en Tuesday last, there was a full supply of bides and skins. Hides were rather higher in price, and ranged from 3d to 4.d per lb.; skins, from Is 3d to Is 5d each; wool, 53d to 7i per lb. ; tallow. 22s per owt. At Papakura, on wednes day, about fifty head (mostly grown cattle) were yarded. There was a fall attendance, and all were sold at satisfactory prices. Messrs E. and A. Isaacs held a sale of un claimed Roods, by order of the manager of the Kaipara Steamship Company, consisting ot sugar, groceries, rope, iron piping, eta, which mot with a ready sale and gave general satis faction. The store goods were in excellent con dition, and tne sale was largely attended. The barque Sydenham life boatlwaa withdrawn, the bidding being below the reserve price.

Mail Notice.

Mails will Close as Under .— Tnis Day. For Noumea, por Hntrgy, at i p.m. Friday, Ist April. For Norfolk Island, nor Julia Prico, at 0 a.m. For Walhoko and Kapanga, por Coromandol, at 2.30 p.m. For Port Fitzroy, per Watorli'y, at 3 p.m. For Thames, per Rotomahana, at 3.3) p.m. For WhLiangi, Tairua, Tauranga, and Opotlkl, per Glonelg. Nt I p.m. For Whangarei Heads, Parua, Waipn, Wlinn izaroi, and Tangihua, per Ar^ylo, nt 1 p.m. For VVhangaroi Meads, Whangarei and Mnngapal, per Wellington, at 5 p.m. For Thames, per Enterprise, at 5.30 p.m. Saturday. 2nd April. For Walwora, Mahuroniri, Matakana, Manga wai, etc, por Rose Casoy, at 10 a.m. For Australian Colonies, India China Medi terranean Ports, Continent of Europe and United Kingdom, via Brindisi, for lottors specially co prepaid and a-drossod, por s.s. Australia, Immediately after hor airivul from Honolulu.

N.B.—The following aro tho datos for tho P, and O. and Orlont lino of stoaiuera looving Mel bourne :— l>. and o. steamehb. Maroh 30, April 13, April 27, May 11, May 25, Juno 7, Juno 21, and July 6th. ORIENT 8-EAMKU. . Maroh 29, April 12, April 20, May 10, May 21, Juno 6, Juno 20, and July 21. Mails for Continent of Eurono and Unltod Kingdom, via Brlndlsi and via Naples and Now Plymouth, will bo made up at Invorcarnill to arrive at Melbourne by the above dates, S. B. BI3S, Chiof Postmaster. Chlof Post-ofllco. Auckland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

March 31st. ISSI. _ hoatro Royal—"Tho Danitos,"B p.m. V.M.C.A. - Dovotionnl and Blblo Reading, 7.30 p.m. Ponsonby Baptist Chapel — Annual school soirco, 6 3. p.m. Lcrnostreot Hall—Lcoturo by Madamo Wil mott, " Courtship and Marriage," 8 p.m. Y.M.C.A.—Quortorly meeting ot Roohabitcs, 7.30 p.m. S. Sopnlchro's Church — Special service Proachor, Rev. C. M. Pym, 7.30 p.m. s. Androw's Improvement Class—" Capital Punishment, 8 p.m.

Death.

R_.DFKRN.-On Maroh 30, at tho Provincial Hospital, Alfred, Eocond son of Mr Junius Rodfern, Kaipora; aged 33 years. The funoral will loavo tho Hospital nt holf pa»t two to-morrow (Friday). Friends plonso accept this invitation.

WASKKTT.-On 29th March, at Mount Albort. Rosoy May, infant daughter of John and Mary Ann Wsa-ett; ugoi 5 weokß.

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1881.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For tho wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the di_t_.n c, And the ood that we can do

Wren Mr Rradlaugh drew the attention of the House of Commons to the breach of the liberty of the subject committed by New Zealand in detaining Maori prisoners without trial, he was, perhaps, covertly satirising the action of the Imperial Government in its dealings with tho agitation in Ireland. If this was not so, New Zealand may be excused for pointing the shaft which has been directed agaiust it, back upon tbe senders, so far na Mr IlraTi laugh's censure is approved by those members of tho House of Commons who assisted in passing the Irish Coercion Bill. Wo have now the full text of this bill, and it appears almost a plagiarism of the *ct which was passed iv New Zealand enabling the Government to suspend the trial of prisoners arrested for seditious agitation iv certain native districts. Tho lirat clause of the Coercion Act ia as follows : —

" Any person who is declared by warrant of the Lord-Lieutenant to be reasonably sua pectedkof having cither before or after the passing of this Act been guilty as principal or accessory of hiyh treason, treason-felony, or treasonable practices, wherever committed, or of any crime punishable by law committed in a prescri bed district, being an act of violence or intimidation, or the inciting to an 'act of violence or intimidation and tending to interfere with or disturb the maintenance of law and order, may be arrested in any part of Ireland and legally detained during the continnance of this Act in such prison in Ireland as may from time to time be directed by the Lord Lieu tenant without bail or mainprize, and shall not be discharged or tried by any court without the direction of the said Lieutenant and every such warrant shall be conclusive evidence for all matters therein contained, and of the jurisdiction to issue . and execute such warrant, and of- the lega lity of tbe arrest and detention of the person mentioned in such warrant." The other clauses of the bill provide that the prisoners so detained shall be kept as persons accused of crime, and not as con victed prisoners, and that a list of them shall be laid before Parliament within the first seven days of every month during which Parliament is sitting. The similarity of this measure, and the circumstances under which it has been adopted, with those which existed on the Waimate Plains when the Maori Prisoner's Detention Bill received the sanc tion of the Colonial Legislature, is so striking that no one can doubt that if the Coercion Bill is justified, the Act of tho New Zealand Legislature was equally prudent and defensible. That the Imperial Parliament should have followed so closely the policy adopted independently by New Zealand a year or two before to meet a parallel danger, reflects rather favour ably upin the judgment of the Colonial Parliaio i h.

Mr W. J. Speight, _f .H.E. for City East, announces in another column that he will address the electors at half.past seven o'clock to-morrow (Friday) in the Lome street Hall.

A visitor who ha. just returned from the Kawau says Sir George Grey is in first-rate health. He will probably come up to town in about ten days. The programme of his intended political tour is not filled up but he addresses his constituents at the Thames, and will nl.o deliver speeches in tbe leading centres of the colony. An address will probably be delivered in Auck land a_ well as at the Thames, but this, with other parts of the programme, docs not appear to be finally settled.

' The testimonial list tendered to the Headmaster of the Grammar School, Mr F. Macrae, was, by oversight, forgotten to be inserted in our issue of yesterday. It will be found to-day in our advertising columns.

Constable Hogan, of the Thames, brought in two prisoners this afternoon, viz., James Clune, committed for trial on a charge of forging and uttering, and Frederick O'Neill, a well-known thief, charged with larceny of a silver watch from the Good Hope Dining Room., op the Ist inst., and appear to-morrow before Mr Barstow, at the Police Court.

A public meeting was held in the Notth cote Public Hall last evening to arrange for athletic sports on Easter Monday. Sub scription lists were opened and the meeting adjourned until Wednesday, April 6th. There appears every prospect of a good day's sport. The inhabitants of this fashionable locality arc certainly go-a-head people.

We observe in our advertising columns that Mr G. Sibbin has received instructions to sell by auction ou Thursday, the 14th April, at noon, all the wood and stone build ings on the Albert Park Reserve. This is worthy the attention of persons who have unoccupied allotments in or near the city.

At the meeting of St. Andrew's Mutual Improvement Association this evening a debate will take place on the question "Onght Capital Punishment to be Abol ished ?" Mr F.. W. Burton leading in the affirmative and Mr J. M, McLachlan in the negative. The meeting is open to visitors.

Mr H. Matthews gave an interesting lec ture on the 14th inst., before the members of the Waipa Literary Association, on, "One of the cave• dwellings of the first inhabitants of Ireland," in aid of the build ing fund. The lecturer, who was pre sent at the opening of the cave, spoke of what he saw in th_ cave, and succeeded in making a dry subject particularly instruc tive to his hearers. Mrs Scott, of the North river, presided at the pianoforte,

The Rodanow Watch Manufacturing Company which has been advertising in the colonies and Europe, turns out to boa myth. A swindler going under the name 0 f Alexander Rodnnow has been arrested . B t f wholesale frauds on persons who were induced by the advertisements, to scud monies for tlio Company s watches, There nre some victims in New Zealand. x"oro »™ su,uo Y1 . In tho recent hurricane in Western Australia which caused such serion.

damago to the pearl fisheries, Messrs Forrest, Burt and Co. lost upward of n thou sand sheen, many of which were blown over the sandhills. Morsrs and stockyards disappeared, and settlers were obliged to sit in the river day and night covered with blankets to prevent suffocation from dust. Several Europeans and natives, utter clinging for a time to trees nnd vessels, were wa.bcd out to sea nud drowned. Tho barometer fell from 30.. to '_(> in n few hours.

The construction of the buildings for the use of tho bath-keeper at the Public Ruths is being rapidly proceeded with, and they will bo ready for occupation shortly. Although the novelty of tho "baths" has had Bullicieut time to wear oil", tho at tendance docs not appear to have de creased ; indeed, the contrary appears to be the case. There arc still largo numbers of persons who have not availed themselves of the convenience afforded by the baths, and bathing on the open bench still appears to be practiced, notwithstanding the repeated warnings of sharks having been seen in the harbour.

A Paparata correspondent writes .browing doubt on the report sent by a correspond cut of the return match played between the Queen's Redoubt mid Paparata Cricket Clubs on Saturday, the 19th inst.—" Inas. much as we were not aware that we bad met, and had been defeated by such juvenile proficients until apprised of tho fact by your coriespondcut."

It is really surprising that something has not been done to mako the lower part of Alton" Road pas.iiblo for pedestrians. Several gentlemen whoso business calls them in that direction nftcr dark complain of tho bad stato of (ho road and pathway, the latter being simply intolerable on account of the ruts and boles which exist, causing much unpleasantness, particularly to ladies, who often get their tender feet cut and bruised by tho huge stones that still lie scattered about in all directions.

Mr James Service, tho ex-Promior of Vic toria, a hard-headed Scotchman, left by last mail for England, In the passenger-list, of the steamer appeared his name and that of Mrs S.rvico and family. Next day in the " Age" was publishedn letter from one ■Ulan, stating that his sister, Mrs James Service, was still in Mclbourno. Now is not this nico ? Victorians are very fortunate in the possession of premiers whose ways are peculiar ns regards the nuptial tie. Graham Berry can corroborate this.—" Sydney Bulletin."

A number of North Shore residents who wish to take season tickets for Siinonsen's op.ra, season, commencing next Monday, and are anxious to get tho tiino of tho night steamer's departure deferred fifteen minutes, namely till 11.15. Mr Smith, tho agent, wrote to the directors of the Com pany suggesting; the alteration, but has received an answer that the request must como direct from the North shore residents. We learn teat the directors aro quite ready to comply with the request if residents are desirous of such a change. But Hie Har bour Board lately havo been very strict, and when giving permission during l'roc tor's lectures, called attention to the fixed time-table, suggesting ns few deviations as possible. If, however, tliero is anything like a substantial representation to tho directors from residents, an application will be made to the Board for the requisite per mission. We would suggest, therefore, to those who wish to enjoy the opera season, some joint action in the matter.

Mr Thomas Spurgeon, a son of the popular London preacher, is attracting largo congregations iv the South, possibly, in a «reat measure, on the strength of his father's fame. Mr Spurgeon is a member of the family of preachers, his father, (.randfather and great grandfather, were ministers of dissenting chapel., and they all repudiated the prefix •' Rev.," especially the great Bantist preacher, who particularly desired that his friends would not address him in a style to which, in his own modest estimation, he had no legitimate claim, It is expected that Mr Thomas Spurueon will visit Auckland before he quits New Zealand.

The open sailing-boat Hattio May will uot compete in the second class rnco at the approaching Ponsonby Regatta. It appears she is about six inches outside the measure ment prescribed. She competed in this race at the last regatta held in connectiou with this district, but the rules have been alterel since then. Mr Ualstcad, her owner, com plains bitterly ot the manner in which he lias been treated by the Committee or some of the officers. Last year ho gave an order for a sailing boat to compete in one of tho races, aud when blic was nearly completed the rules were so altered that she was com pletely thrown out of the race. This year another alteration has been made, ami on this occasion Mr Rain lead's boat is com pletely disqualified. It is reported that the Hattic May will be decked over with canvas, and will sail against the yachts of three tons and under.

A meeting of ratepayers in Devouport was held iv the public Hall last evening, to take into consideration the best means of utilising the public recreation ground in that-district. There was a good attendance, Mr J. B. Russell occupying the chair. It was stated that the property was handed over to the Domain Board by the Govern ment, with consent of the Board of Education, the latter body having received an equivalent elsewhere in waste lands. It was then desirable to obtaiu funds, and also to purchase a leasehold hold by Mr R. Allison with 5 years to run. Mr Allison had been communicated with, but had returned no answer, and, in consequence, nothing lay before tbe meeting. It was ultimately resolved to see Mr Allison again with reference to the purchase of the un expired term of his lease, aud meet again that day week. Mr J. Brown moved, and Mr O. Mays seconded, "That a vote of thanks be passed to the gentlemen—Messrs Hurst, Wood, Tole and others—who had interested themselves on behalf of the district in securing the property." The motion was unanimously agreed to, and, after passing a vote of thanku to the Chair man, the meeting terminated.

A icturn, ot interest to wlnc-growing countries, has just appeared, giving a valuation of tho havoc caused by the phylloxera among the vineries of Prance. Before the appearance of this miscroaopic parasite 2,200,000 hectares—the hectare being nearly equal to two and a half square acres—wore planted with vines. Pive hundred thousand, or more than one-fifth, have since been utterly destroyed, and another 500,000, or together, nearly a half, bavebeenso attacked as to produce scarcely anything. The loss is stated at 4,000 francs per hectare, or 2,000,000,000 francs. The depreciation of the vineyards attacked is estimated at 1,000,000,000 francs, giving £120,000,000 loss of public fortune. The annual loss of vineyards destroyed is estimated at £22,000,000 to £24,000. This deficiency in the production has to be made up by the importation of wine from Italy, Spain, Hungary, &c, the total importation for the past year being taken as 7,500,000 hectolitres, worth nearly £11,000,000 which has gone abroad, not counting large quan tities of dried grapes which are also im ported for the manufacture of wine. Con sidering this national loss, it is a wonderful evidence of the prosperity of France that the Budget shows a surplus of 160,000,000 of francs.

Mr W. Galbraith, of the Melbourne Post Office Savings Banks, has not a very high opinion of Professor Fawcett's Postal savings Bank card. He states that when he visited tho General Post Office, England, in September last the novelty was very pop ular, but experieuced oflicers thought that in less than twelve months its popularity would De on the wane. They pointed out that it tempts office boys to steal stamps, as they havo now nn easy way of disposing of them; and tempts postmasters to increase their com mission on the sale of stamps by placing them on these slips as if they had received them for deposit. With regard to the in troduction of the scheme into this colony, Mr Galbraith observes, "Ido not think it is so necessary as in the old country, for the p.orest, if desirous of saving, can Boon gather together a shilling without the trouble of buying a penny stamp every time they save a penny, and sticking it on a piece of paper, which is liable to get lost, or get torn or dirty. Wc receive a very lanjc number of deposits from all classes of the community, and the shilling deposits bear a very small proportion. Thus, if we find from "experience that a shilling is considered too small to deposit, it i. not likely that, after the novelty has worn off, smaller deposits will find favour, Financially, the introduction of the scheme would entail a loss on tho department, as the average cost of each savings bank transaction is nine pence, which is rather too much to pay for the loan of a shilling, and the more success ful the new scheme is Hie greater would be the loss, unless the inculcation of thrifty habits is conaidercd an equivalent," '

Mr Harrison, boatbuildcr, of Breakwater Road, has received an order from tho Farndon (Hawkes'Ray) Rowing Club for two four-oarod batswings, which are to be completed within six weeks. Tho majority of the orders for work of this class have hitherto gone to Australia, and it is satis factory to bo able to state that the settle ment of a builder here 1n.3 already had the effect of attracting commissions from the South.

The Ponsonby Rowing Club have, it ap pears, repudiated tho decision of the con ference held to define the torm amateur, i ho following letter on the subject has been sent by the Captain of tlie Ponsonby Club to Mr Burgess, Captain of the North Shore Club:—Sir,—l beg to state that a meeting of tho Ponsonby Rowing Club was held last night, and I placed before the Committee the resolutions passed nt a meeting of the delegates of the throe Clubs hold this week, at which Mr Morpeth and myself represented the P.B.C. Tbe Committee have declined to confirm our action in the matter, and desire mo to inform you that they will only Sanc tion my signing an agreement which em bodies the first resolution deliuing nn amateur, omitting the lusts four words, "or in manual labour." I regret this has occurred. I expected to represent the P.R.C., but owing to our meeting (called previously to that on Tuesday) having lap.cd for want of a quorum, Mr Morpeth and myself were obliged to act indepen dently of tho Club, und I again express my regret at not being able to conform with tho resolutions passed on Tuesday.—l am, &c., Walter Brooke Taylor, Captain Pon sonby Rowing Club."

" Mr Samuel Motrin and party had n tv n over, which happily was not attended with any serious consequence, while driving n two horse trap over a somewhat too steep lull side on the Lockorly estate. Mr Motrin started on Thursday morning from Gwynno's Hotel, Hamilton, with two Auckland photographic artirts to tnke sketches of different parts of the property, having n two horso trap from Bon's in which was "Moses" v well known white quadruped of uncertain temper. The trap was completely turned over, and " Moso. " benan playing up iv a most unbecoming; manner. Fortunately tho black horse whs more amenable to reason than tlio white, or it is hard to say how many buckets full of fragments there would buvo been to pick up."- " Waikato Mail."

Wives are won in many ways (writes the " Nnmicoorte Herald," South Australia,) but it was left for Narracoorto to dispose of a wife by putting her up to auction with a tent and cookiuu utensils-all in ono lot. This was done a few days ago about two miles from Narracoorte. A man who had been working here for soino time was going away, and not to bo oncumbcred with any unnecessary hindrances, the most cumber some of which was his wife, he ollbrrd his cll'ecta, consisting of tent, cnoking thing.., and wife, for auction. The hiuhest bidder was a blacksmith, who paid £5, and tonic over the chattels as a job lot, without any objections from the livo stock. After the first feeling of strangeness has worn oil the only wonder nt this transaction is that in the present depressed stale of business so much us £5 should have been obtained at such a clearing-out sale.

Tho following story, had it como from A merica could easily havo been branded ou sight as a 80, and one of no mean mag nitude either. A gentlomau, whom wo call Captain Spanker Cram for tho occasion, went down to New Zealand tho other day, and when he came beak said he—" Oh I yes, I enjoyed my trip to NewZ-nland very much—very much indeed. Now Zealand iH a line country, a line country, Sir; and the hoi. springs are immense—immcn.o Sir; no other word describes it. Talk about cure for gout! why you have only got to bathe in the hot springs a few times, and it'll draw every particle of gout you have got in your hotly clean out—wont leave a rem nant. I was there. I saw it, and I tell you it was surprising. Round the sides of those pools were heaped piles and piles ot gout—all the gout that has been taken from the Fullering pernon. ol all tho Euro peans who have bathed there since New Zealand was colonised. There it is in masses like the rocks at Port Victor, and the Mnorics .aw it out in blocks and build lions'!, with it." When next Huron Mun chausen thinks of publishing n book ho should mako term, with tho gallant Cap tain Cram.—'" Adelaide Register."

Describing tho Waitangi meeting, tho " Nor.her n Luminary" saya :—"On Tues day, the 22ud, the most remarkable sight in the camp at Waitangi was a solid wall of potato kits, about three feet high and three feet wide, extending for nearly a quarter of a mile. The wall consisted of 2,756 kits of potatoes, aud on the top were about 500 dried sharks. Reclining in sweet repose, all unconscious of their approaching fate all of them fat—were 200 pigs. The build ings erected for the purposes of the meeting consist of a wooden ball, lofty and well lichtcd, which is t_ bo used for the purposes of discussinc in public tlio various measures on which opinions will be ventilated and resolutions adopted, and sundry places of humbler stylo ot con struction devoted to cookiug and eatiag. In front of the group of buildings is a strong and lofty flag-staff, from which floats

Tho flag that bravod a thousand years,

Tho battlo and tho breeze. While beneath is the blue ensign bearing the word ' Wnimo' and three stars, em blnmatic, I presume, of the three islands of New Zealand. The group of buildings arid the native camp are all situated ou the left bank of the Waitangi river, just where it enters the Bay. The camp ou Tuesday extended for a distance of somewhere about three-quarters of a mile. Marsh Brown's natives aro camped nearest to Paibia. During the morning about 200 Hokianga natives came in, and were received with a welcome war dance. About 360 natives, all armed with guns, assembled to greet the advancing tribe. It was a striking picturesque scene, aud when the herald advanced, runniug at the top of his speed, it brought home to me in a very striking manner, the descrip tions one has read of Maori warfare in the olden time. The costumes, the bran dishing of the guns, and the dance itself with the loud cries and ughs I of tho dan cers, arc nil familiar to us from pictures and descriptions, so much so, that though I had never seen a war dance before, nothing struck me as novel. The excitement, such as it was, was purely artificial, and many of the performers seemed much out of breath wheu they concluded their laborious 'gammon.''

The content list of to-morrow's " Ob server " will bo found in tho 7th column of tho 3rd page.

A meeting of the shareholders of the Golden Belt mine will bo hold to-morrow (Friday) In tho of)l-o of Mr Francis A. Whito, Shortland-Btroet, for the chief purpose of forming tho claim into a company and electing directors.

According to advertisement. Mr J. Wil liams, the well-known tailor, of Victoria-street, ia offering unusual advantages to customers and tho publio previous to removing to his new promisos, whioh are in course of oreotion near the Old House at Rome Hotol.

POLICE COURT.-This day.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.)

THE BARBER OF EDEN. John Thukaberry was again brought up on a charge of druukenncss. He was found by Constable Collis in Queen-street making a great noiso. The prisoner pleaded his old complaint, indigestion, and was linod 10s and costs, or a brief term of imprisonment. CITY ItATB DEFAULTERS. Msyor and Council v. Arthur Cash, claim for rates, £5 10s. Charles Filer, colloctor, proved on oath, that tbe notices had been served upon defendant at Lis residence, in Chapol-street, and applications made for tho amount due from the Ist of June list. Mayor and Council v. John Adams, claim £10 ss. These rates wore due on tho Ist Decem ber, but defendant had failed in satisfying tho claim. Judgment for plaintiffs in each case with costs.

About twelve cases were settled out of Court. This was all the business.

THE HOKITIKA MURDER.

[|BY TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

HOKITIKA, Wednosday. The trial of David Hutchinson for the murder of his wife was resumed at ten o'clock this morning at the Supreme Court. The evidence showed that the prisoner had saved a gun and bag of provisions from the burning house ; that he had hold of his wife's Jeg, but did not save her. The Judge summed up in favour of the prisoner. The jury retired at half-past seven, and were locked up at teu o'clock without agreeing.

David Hutchison was acquitted ot murder at 1 a.m. after a retirement of seven hours, A "nolle prosequi" was entered in the second indictment and prisoner was dis charged.

SCINTILLATIONS.

"Bo briof; tor it is witn words aa with sun beams : tho more they nro oondonsod the dooper they burn."-SoUT-iuv.

A capital thing—Cash. A sculling race-Phrenologists.

Man of the time—A watchmaker. The lap of luxury—The cat at the cream, A cord that grates on the esr—The hang man's.

We regret to hear that Mr Anderson, the City Surveyor, is very ill.

There is no sweetmeat so sweet na the meet of two lovers.

Timaru stores are choked.iip with grain though five bundled tons a day aro being shipped. Emily Soldcne's new company is pro nounced the poorest she has ever beeu associated with iv America.

The Hon. Mr Rolleston left for Waikato to-day with tho intention of going over l'uteterc, tlicncc going on to the Lakes, and returning to Auckland via Makctu and Tauranga, including a visit to Mr V. Stewart's settlement at Te Puke.

Miss Leaf and Mr Charles Uarding took a joint benelit at Kohlcr's Academy of Music in tho begining of March.

A lawyer, iv arguing a divorce suit re cently, held that a husband had a legenl right to mako his wife stand in a corner with a clothes-pin on her nose. A naturalist has satisfied himself beyond a doubt that the nvcrago cat travels a dis tance of eight miles cveiy night, when there is no earthly reason for her moving n rod- . , » What men do—what men dare do. — Their fellow-men, whenover they get a chance. A mini with a scolding wife, being nskctl what his occupation was, replied that ho kept n hothouse. The Sydney Presbyterian is carrying on a crusade against Terpsichore, and quotes from the " Southern Cross," which says :— "Lotus have lectures, concerts, penny readings, picnic., and social gatherings (tea meetings, eh?) but less ot this nbominabl dancing." The Liverpool correspondent of Iho Lou don "Daily telegraph " wires that a gentle man eating sausspes found a human linger in one. On inquiry, it turned out that tho machine boy had cut his linger off, and it bad been put on one side, and then care lessly mixed with the enueage-meat. Beautiful I , ~ i Professor 11. A. Ward, of Rochester Col lege, New York, who has been visiting the Lakes and White Island, expresses great pleasure with his examination of those wonder.. He has arranged with Mr Choo-.innu of our Museum for an' ex change of specimens, which will contribute urc.tly to the attructivoness of our Museum. Boyd and Shannon's boiling-down estab lishment, Temuku, wus burned yesterday. Uninsured.

Ketleu cleared £225 by v recent Saturday performance ut Mclbourno Town Hall. The gross result of his year's visit to tho colouicß is said to be £7,500. Tho Hon. Mr Robinson has replied to the letter of the Dunedin Jockey Club -nskinu an explanation of tho scratching of Natator -ilut the home was in charge of Mr 11. P. L.nee at the time, to whom tho Club's letter has been cent. His answer will be sent to the Club when received.

The house of Mr Sinclair Custlerock, near Invcrcargill, was burned down yester day, the inmates barely escaping, and losing everything even to their clothes. The estimated number of Baptist churches hroughout the woild is 26,505, pastors 17, 683, and members 3,473,088 Tho British Wc.leyan Thanksgiving Fuu.Mias reached nearly to £300,000. About £170,000 ot this has been paid. An Opera Company is playing at the Novelty Theatre, Melbourne, with a com pany including Misses Eva Davenport, i.. A. Lambert, and Bessie Royal, aud Messrs Vornou aud Templeton. Signor Z-lmun conducts.

The Government paid £300 at auction for Mr Cl..rl..ii'_ laud at Kawhia, and havo handed over to the Waste Lauds Board as a reserve.

A man nover looks so much like a red handed villain as when he ia told by the photographer to look pleasant. General regret will be felt at the intelli gence that Mr J. Goates lies in a very dan gerous condition of typhoid fever. Mr Dufaur, solicitor, is olao seriously ill with the same complaint. The Sydney "Bulletin " has the following paragraph :—" An eccentric lady has been lecturing at Grafton ou the identity of tne Uiitish with 'The Lost Tribes of Israel.' The Mayor of Grafton and one ot the local papers (the ' Argus ') are believers." Query : Dues this paragraph refer to Mrs Glenuy's labours.

Mr D. Tookcy purposes to erect a crushing mill on a claim which his party liuh taken up nt Otanui district between Karaka and Ilnpc Creeks. It is reported ;that SpolTorth, Bonnor, and Murdoch intend to settle permanently in Melbourne when the Australian Eleven is disbanded. This will boa loss to New South Wales cricket.

THE SYDNEY BALLOON ACCIDENT.

The explosion of Mr L'Estrange's balloon, at Sydney, has given rise to controversy.

The circumstances attending the accident havo already been published. It will be remembered tbat, Mr L'Estrango had been unable to obtain enough gas to carry up himscli and the car, and having failed on a former occason, he was fearful of violence at the hands of the large mob of Sydney larrikins who had assembled, and whose ruffianism is only too well known. He therefore determined to ascend at all risks, and lightened the balloon by cutting away the wicker car, and seatinsr himself in a rope. In this manner he started, and the balloon at once shot up in the clear moon light to an altitude of about half a mile. Then it floated slowly along southward, and descended towards Woolloomooloo, a thickly populated suburb. During his journey, ..'Estrange had been almost stilled with gas, and had hung for some time suspended by his hands. He had presence of mind enough to tic himself firmly to the network, and then tried to get out the grappling-irons. The balloon slowly passed over some of the houses, aud at last struck ono in Palmer-street. L'Estrango alighted safely ou the roof, aud reached tho earth by means of the balcony. Mr Tbiodnn and others of those who assisted L'Estrango in making his arrange ments had by this time arrived, and at tempted to get the balloon down to tho earth j safely. Just at this moment ono of the i windows of the house on which the balloon rested was opened, and the escaping gas communicated with the chandelier inside, and ignited in its turn, carrying tho flamo to the gas inside the balloon. There was a ru. hing sound, an immense flame shooting high in the air, lighting up everything fa. and near, and then all was <fark. Mr Thiodon was bruised n little, but nothing more. Conduced that the balloon had exploded and killed either the aeronaut or someone else, nnd excited by all sorts of rumour., crowds of people rushed across Hyde Park, while tho streets around the scene of the occurrence were packed with a surging and excited crowd. Several acci dents occurred, and one man was taken to the Infirmary suffering from seven cuts, one on tho knee-cap being of a serious nature. Other accidents occurred in the streets, which were filled with a surging crowd. The controversy which has since arisen turns upon the origin of tho accident. Mr J. Gallott, in writing to the '"Sydney Morning Herald" of the circumstances attending it, says that Mrs Hawke, one of the injured ladies, was not on her verandah when tbe accident occurr. d, but had retired for the night. _ Mrs Hare, her mother, was there, and seeing an immense crowd rushing up Palmer-street ran downstairs and locked the front door. She then proceeded to her daughter's room, and had just entered it I when the explosion took place and sent 1 flames through the doors with terrific force. The premises were rushed by men, and one , young man promptly took off his coat and wrapped it round Mrs HawJ.es, whose nightdress was on fire ; after which, he carried her to Mr Gallott's residence, near at hand. Mrs Hare was taken to the same place by her son, Edward. Both ladies were burned seriously, but Mrs Hawkes suffered must. Mr Gallott says Mrs Hare kopt a school and Mrs Hawkes taught music, and that the explosion has dispersed their means of subsistence for a comsider able time. A gentleman, who saw the ex plosion, writes to show tbat Mr L'Estrango was deterred from attending to tho baloon, and that it exploded in hia absence in consequence of the ill-considered action of other men. He says that when the aero naut reached the earth he was surrounded by a crowd of larrikins, carried to an hotel, and kept pri.oner there by them. He re peatedly desired to be released that he might discharge the gas from hi. balloon, but his desires were unheeded. In the meantime the balloon swayed against a street lamp, aud the pas escaping from it, it was ignited by a light in a room, the doors of which were incautiously opened. The writer believes Mr L'Estrange, who has tried to carry out everything he has at tempted in a public way, has lost his means by the unfortunate explosion,

CABLEGRAMS.

[Ri-uter's Telegrams.]

PROSECUTION OF A SOCIALISTIC ORGAN.

LONDON, March 20 ' The Government has instituted a prosecu tion agaiust a newspaper called " Die Frei heit" {"The Liberty"), an organ of the German Socialists, printed and issued in London, for publishing an article eulogis ing the act of the murderer of the Czar and urging the assassination of other crowned heads to gain tho ends of Socialism. THE GKEAT POWERS ACCEPT TURKEY'S PROPOSAL. LONDON, March 30. It is announced that ambassadors of the Powers at Constantinople, acting under authority from their Governments, have intimated to the Porte (heir acceptance of ita last proposal for the settlement of the Greek Frontier, namely, to cede to Greece a larger extent of territory in Tlicssaly than was previously ....red, but the dis trict of Epirus and the island of Crete to remain to Turkey. ATHENS, March 30. In accordance with the decision of the Powers to accept the Porto's proposal to cede territory in Thessaly alotie to Greece, envoys of the Powers in this city are etrongly urging the Hellenic Government to agree to the proposal, and thus arrive at a settlement ot tho Turco-Grcek diffi culty. LONDON, March 30. RARL REACONSI'TELD IMPROVING. Earl Beaconstiold continues to improve, and'will, it is expected, be soon restored to health. HOSTILE PREPARATIONS IN GREECE. ATHENS. March 29. An army corps is ordered for service against the Turks. Should war break out they will concentrate at Chalcis or Negro pout, a seaport eighteen miles north-cast of Thebes (Thiva), and an important stra tegical position near tho frontier. LORD BEACONSFIELD'S ILLNESS, LONDON, March 29th. The- latest bulletin isauod this evening, regarding the health ot Earl Bcaconsfield, reports his lordship to be progressing favourably towards rccovory.

AUSTRALIAN.

MELBOURNE, Wednesday uisht.

Tho Legislative Council this evening waived the objections previously made to tho consideration of tho Reform Bill, and read the incii.urc n first time. After a short debate the second reading is made an ordor of tho day for Tuesday next.

A PfiOBABLE COMPROMISE,

MELBOURNE, March 31

It has transpired that confidential com munications have passed between the Government and the leaders of the Opposi tion in tho Legislative Couucil, with a view to bring about harmony ou tho Reform question. ABRIVAL OF TnE LUSITANIA. Tho Orient Company's Lusitania, from Plymouth, is bringing a lurgc quantity of frozen fish to the colonies.

CRIMINAL CALENDER.

The following is tho Culcndar of prisouers for trial at the Supreme Court criminal sessions, commencing on Monday next :— Hugh Storey .inllictinggrievous bodily harm; Thomas Codlin, New Zealand, bushman, aged 30, married, no religion, rape; Jean Daprcniont, France, labourer,|2s, single, no religion, larceny ; Otto Biji Zuvanc, Italy, labourer, 24, single, Komau Catholic, larceny; PicoordPierre, Germany, labourer, 46, simile, Roman Catholic, larceny ; Francis Uallett Sheppard, England, warehouseman, IS, single, Roman Catholic, five charges of larceny j Edwin Hunt, Jaggar, New Zealand, clerk, 31, married, Church of England, three chargea of forgery; Benjamin Bennett, Eugland, sawyer, 47, single, Church of Em land, breaking and entering ; Jobu Prokolli, Russia, labourer, 30, single, Roman Catholic, wilful murder; James Forrest Bell, Scotland, clerk, 25, Bingle, Church of England, embezzlement (4charj;eß); Thomas Walsh, New Zealand, blacksmith, 19, siiigle, Roman Catholic, larceny from a dwelling; Alfred John Warner, alias Frederick or John Warner, alias Mark Tapley, Englaud, sailor, 18, single, Church of Enpland, horse - stealing; Samuel Brown, Prussia, dealer, 70, married, Jew, three charges' of breaking and enter ing andjlarc.ny from n dwelling.

LATEST CAPE NEWS.

(By tiie Steamer "Okient.";

The Transvaal War.

CArE Town, February 27. Although no fighting has been reported since the termination of the Transvaal armistice, the garrisons at Pretoria, Stand erton nnd Wakkerstroom still hold out. A successful sortie was made from Pretoria on the 6th January with 400 men on a Boer I a agar. News has been received from Standerton to 30th January, when all were well, Major Montagu, the commanding officer, stating that he could hold out for two months if necessary. The news from Wakkerstroom is not so satisfactory. In a letter dated tbe 13th i February it was stated that provisions were very scarce, and that it was thought the troops could only hold out for ten days. General Wood, with a squadron of Hussars and two companies of the 92nd Regiment, left camp at midnight on the 19th February, and made a reconnoissancc in the direction of Wakkerstroom, and succeeded in gcttiug within ten miles of i that placf. He returned to camp about 6 p.m. on the following day. On the 24th General Colley, with two guns and some cavalry, made a rcconnoi.sanco to Akapje, everlooking the I Boer camp at Laingsnek, but no fighting occurred.

Nearly all the reinforcements were at the front at last advices, and tho attack ou Laingsnek was expected to take place at any moment. A telegram just receivod from Newcastle says that General Colley. with six compan ies of soldiers, left camp in the middle of the night on the 2G',h February, and took possession of Spitzbok, at the left of Laiug snek. Firing had been heard at intervals since daybreak on the 27th February, and a considerable number of Boers were seen betweon Laingsnek aud the troops.

[FEOM THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF

THE "CArE IIMKS."]

Newcastle, 21st February.

General Colley reviewed the troops to day, and complimented them on being so fino a body of mon. He said if he had the choice of the whole army he would not have pretcrred any regiments to those under his command. Ho told them, however, that they must not hold the Boers too cheap, and that he should not probably move for some time—until, iv fact, further reinforce ments had arrived.

25 th February,

Tho Hottentot driver, who, with bis waggon, was captured by the Boers at Schuius Hoogte, has come in, having been kept prisoner in camp at Laingsnek for some time. He states that there are 7000 Boers there, and that they are building a very strong stone wall along the neck, and have two old guns in the fort close to the road. He said when they hoard the number of troops that were coming up, the Utrecht Boers wished to go home, but those from Zoutpaneberg would not allow it. He says there are no less than 500 wagons in the rear of the neck, which were all sent to Slangs Sprint when the columus was the other day in expectation of au attack.

Mr Webster.the Newcastle correspondent, says the Boors of the Dundu district are very much disaffected. They are constantly hold ing meetings and sending assistance to the Transvaal rebels, with who they are in con constant communication. It is believed they aro only waiting for a cood opportunity to throw off their allegiance to Natal, and opeuly join the rebels. The Free State Boers aro reported to bo much quietor of late. Tho "Witness's " corresoondent con firms the statement about the Dundu Boers, and says that open threat, are made of the extermination of the English directly the troops enter the Transvaal. M. Nunn, Oham's agent inZululand, in a letter to the "Mercury," denies that Ohara has joined tbe rebels ; and states that ho ia perfectly loyal. He, however, confirms the statement that the Boers have been tampering with the Zulus, though unsuccessfully.

The suites of furniture nightly offered are the great draws at the Confederate Diorama at the Thames.

GRAND MASONIC CEREMONIAL.

THE LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION

STONF,

The proceedings at the Masonic demonstra. tion yesterday afternoon, prior to the laying of the foundation stone, were so unduly protracted that we were precluded from giving any particulars concerning the closing ceremony. The brethren did not leave St. Paul's uhurch until 3 45, it was four o'clock before tho opening anthem was sung, and fully twenty minutes elapsed after that before the Hon. Mr Whitaker began his address. We now take the opportunity of supplement ing our yesterday's report with some further particulars, besides supplying an account of what, transpired after we had "one to press. In the church the lessons were read by the Revs. F. Gould (P. G. Chaplain,S. C. )and W. Tebbs, KP. G. (.., and the prayers by the Rev. C. M. Nelson (D.G. Chaplaiu, E.G.), while Dr. Kidd (P G. Chaplain, 1.C.) preached the sermon. The organist (Bro. Ant;clo Forrest), played the overture to "Egmont" (Beethoven), and also the overture to " Prometheus ' by the same composer. As the procession left the Church and marched slowly up to the site of the Hall, the Eugineer and City Band, which was stationed there, executed the " Gloria," from Mozart's Twelfth Mass. The brethren having taken the places appointed for them, the D.G. Masters being placed on the E., N. and S. sides of the stone, the choir, under Mr 11. Gordon Gooch's direction, sang to the tune " Old Hundredth," the anthem beginning

Master Supreme, to Thoe this day Our cornor stone with praise we lay, And resting on tho word fulfilled, To thoo, 0 Lord, our houso we build, and concluding—

In Faith wo toil, in Hope we climb, To Charity our arch sublimo, And evermore tho keystone see A "Master," Lord, in thee, in thoo.

Dr. Kidd (P.G. Chaplain, I.C„) read Genesis.chapter i,verses i, ii, iii, after which the Rev. C. M. Nelson [D.G. Chaplain, E.C.], offered up prayer, the D.G. Masters making the response " Glory be to God en High." The stone was next slowly hoisted into position, when Bro. I_. D. Nathan (Chairman of Trustee-) having read and deposited the scroll, Dr. Goldsbro' (D.G. Treasurer) placed the phial of coins end copies of the local daily papers. Tho cement was then spread by the D.G.M., E.G., Bro. G. S. Graham. The first verse of the anthem "Round the spot—Moriah's Hill," was sung, and then the stone was lowered some distance, when the second verse was sung, viz. :— Round this Bpot—thus choaen well— Brothora with fratornal hail. Uather in your myßtic ring, My.tlc words, and joyful sing. Lord, our hearts, our souls, are thine, On our labors doign to shine. The singing of the other verses alternated with the lowering of the stone until it had reached the place prepared for it. The D.G. Master, i_.C., Bro. Graham, addressed the D. D. G. Master, Bro. Lodder, according to ritual, and he, iv response, applied the square to the stone. The P.G. Ma.ter, 1.C., Bro. Pierce, asked his P.G. Senior Warden, Bro. Cliino, to apply the level, which he did. The P.G. Master, 5.0., Bro. F. Whitaker, then requested his P.G.J. W. Warden, Bro. Dcwar, to apply the plumb, and this having been done, each Grand Master struck three blows with the mallet, when tho D.G. Master, E.G., Bro. Graham, declared the stone well and truly laid.

The D.G. Director of Ceremonies (Bro. Wildman), introduced the Architect (Bro. Skinner), who presented the plans for the approval of the D.G. Master, by whom they were handed to the Brethren for general inspection. Tlio choir then sung to the tune Mel combe an anthem of which we give the first verse, viz. : —

" When oarth's foundation first waa laid By tho Almighty Artist's hand Twas then our porfect laws were made, Established by His strict command.

Chorus—Hail I mystic, hail, glorious Masonry, That makes ua ever great and free."

After it was finished the architect pre sented the working tools to the D.G. Master (Bro. Graham), who anointed aud returned them for the use of the craftsman.

The P.G. Chaplain, S.C. (Bro. Rev. F. Gould) read I Kings viii. v. 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 43, 60; after which the Worshipful Masters Bros. Munro, Rodney; Suiter, United Service; and Wilkinson, Lodge Sir Walter Scott, presented tbe vessels containing the corn, wine, and oil. The D.G. Master, E.C. (Bro. Graham), scattered corn and consecrated the hall to virtue; the P. G. Master, I.C. (Bro. Pierce) poured out the wine and consecrated it to universal benevolence; and the P. G. Master, S. C. (Bro. Whitaker) dropped oil and dedicated it to all the purposes of masonry. The choir after each part of this rite sang verses of the hymn "Genius ot Masonry, descend."

The R.W. Bro. F. Whitaker then mounted the foundation stone and delivered the following oration:—Right Worshipful Masters and Brethren :We have arrived at that stage ia the ceremonial in which it be comes the dnty of one of ourselves to ad dress you upou the subject of Freemasonry. It has* fallen to my lot to do so, and I trust to be able to discharge the duty to your satis faction. I do not presume to teach the brethren, nor do I presume to tell them what tlicy already know, but this is a proper occasion for reminding them of cer tain facts worthy to be remembered, and especially to take a view of our present position. In the first place I shall say a few words as to the origin of Freemasonry. No doubt there are many theories on this sub ject, but of this we may be perfectly satis tied—that the institution is of very great antiquity. Some date it as far back as the time of the patriarchs, but the far more general understanding is that it was insti tuted at the time of the building of Solo mon's Temple. Whatever the date of its birth, there is no question that iv some form it has existed through a long series of years. This is hardly the opportunity for prosecuting such an inquiry, seeing that it does not immediately concern us. It is no doubt an interesting question, and oue which will engage the sympathies of the brethren, but we must confine ourselves now to a narrower basis. It is not neces sary to go further back than the last cen tury, when the organisation now existing was adopted, and the foundation of the pre sent system laid. Freemasonry was then placed upou its present pedestal—put into the groove in which it now runs, It was then established upon a basis which has continued ever since. In the year 1717, the Grand Lodge of England was constituted, a worthy brother of the name of Anthony Sayer being the first Grand Master. This ran down from generation to generation, and many eminent men held the chief office until it came to the present Grand Master, the Prince of Wales. A fow years after wards, viz., in 1730, the Irish Freemasons constituted their Grand Lodge, and their first Grand Master was Viscouut Kingston. The office descended from one cruiueut man to another till it reached tho Duke of Leinster in 1813. I single him out especially, because for 61 years he held the position of Grand Master under the Irish constitution. The present Grand Master is the Duke of Abereonj. In 1736 the Scotch Freemasons began to follow suit. A Con gress was held in Edinburgh aud a large number of Masons attended there, and the craft at that time made rapid progress in Scotland. A peculiar institution existed there at that time, viz., tho hereditary head as created by James the Second. At that time William Sinclair, of liosslyn, was the Grand Master, but he surrended it as a hereditary office and was elected the first Grand Master. The present Graud Master is Sir Michael Shaw Stewart. I mention these things in order that you may understand how the question of precedence is settled, the lodges of the various constitutions being ranged according to seniority. The English lodges, therefore, take precedence of the others, and aro invariably followed by the Irish. One might remark that it was ago before honesty, but as we do not claim to be more honest than our fellows, we have placed the matter of precedence upon the basis of seniority. But it must not be inferred that there is practically any sharp line of distinction between the brethren of the different Constitutions. Indeed, so far from that, you will find iv most, if not in all the lodges, English, Irish, nnd Scotch Frtemasons mixed with out [distinction—all united in Jone brother; hood. The constitution of Freemasonry in New Zenland comprises Provincial or District Grand Lodges, under which there is a very large number of subordinate lodges. Freemasonry found a very early home in this colony. So long ago as 1842 Lodge Ara, probably the oldest lodge iv New Zealand, and certainly the oldest in this district, was created, and its first meetings were held in a small build ing which stood upou the site now occupied by the very handsome mill of the Messrs Bv croft, and as there was not a meeting place sufficiently large at thai time there being only a fow hundred people here—the brethren had to meet in the billiard-room. But since then the order has advanced by rapid degrees, until we see to-day a representation of something like 20 lodges. The organisation, there foie, so far as New Zealaud is concerned comprises the three several Graud Lodges', the three Provincial Grand Lodges, and

these subordinate lodges. It may be ex pressed as a matter of surprise that in this town—the centre of Freemasonry j a th ft North, and the home of three Provincitl Grand {Lodges —so much delay has taken place in providing a Mosonic Hall, eehec ially as many of tbe out-districts have done so. No doubt we may be accused of re missne-?, and probably we are open, to the" charge. At. any rate we are row endea vounng to make up the lee way—to do thai which wo should have done before, and in a way, too, more effectively than we could ever have done it before. Masons were few in numbers in the early times, and poor in pocKet. Now, however, we feel our. selves iv a pnsition to erect a ball which" will be a credit to Freemasonry, and an ornament to the town of Auckland. R_ B somewhat remarkable that Freemasons' Halls, that is buddings specially erected and set apart, for Freemasonry, are of com. paratively recent date, looking to the antiquity of the Order. The first hall ejc. clusively erected and dedicated to the pin-", poses of Masonry was built in Philadelphia" in 1754, the second in Marseilles in 1765 and the third in London in 177 G. This last hall was pulled down in 18C4, and the pre. scut handsome and commodious build_ D o ■put up in its place is a fitting home for Freemasonry. I have not been able to find any records of tin's kind concerning Scot land and Ireland, but now both at Dublin and - Edinburgh the Freemasons have halls in every way worthy of the Order while all the colonies are rapidly following in the same direction. I look upon-the erection of a Hall in Auckland aa a most important event. It i. highly objectionable that lodge meetings should be held at places of public entertainment That has been hitherto perhaps almost ii necessity, but it has no doubt given rise to scandal, which should be carefully avoided It may now be lairly asked for what object is there such an extensive organisation re quired ? and what is there to justify the expenditure of so much time, trouble, and money ? Let us consider what is Free masonry. One of the greatest writers upon Masonic jurisprudence, Dr. Oliver defines it as ''A system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols " but we shail be better able to understand it by what it does and what it teaches. Let us then consider what its objectß are—what it does and what it is intended to do. Firstly I shall say a few words as to the prepata tion and admission of candidates. We are no propagandists. It ia directly contrary to the principles nni rules ot Freemasonry that any man should be solicited to become a Mason, and before he ia allowed to be proposed ho has to sign a declaration that he has not been induced by improper solici tation to join, and that he ia not influenced by mercenary or unworthy motives, but that lie freely and voluntarily offers himself for initiation into the mysteries of tbe craft. The qualifications required of a candidate are few, but they are peremptory. He must be a believer in the one and Supreme God—the Father of all—the Great Architect of the Universe. That is essential, and no man who refuses that belief can be admitted into Freemasonry. It is absolutely essential that he should acknowledge the one God—the Supreme Architect of the Universe. You must recollect, however, that we are Univeraalists as regards reli gion. We do not exclude men on account of their peculiar denominational creeds. If they believe in a true and only God that, so far aa religion is concerned, is sufficient What do we find all over the world'J This, that not only Christians largely swell our ranks, but that even the Mahommedans and the Parso.a of India have availed themselves of the privileges of the order and have lodges of their own. The latter people indeed |have nearly a million Freemasons upon their roll. We all acknowledge the one true God, though of course eoparated by denominational beliefs. As regard outselvcs the Bible is the founda tion of our creed, our Society, and our institutions. In the lodges we hold it to be the corner-stone, our ceremon ies aie formed on that basis, and no lodge' can be properly held without it. When ever a lodge meets, the Bible is laid open in the midst, and is only closed when t.B lodge closes, That, however, could not be the case with the Mahommedans and Parsees. On their consciences the Bible would not be binding, and, therefore, the Koran and the Vedaa take its place so far as they are concerned. We loot: upon them for all that aa brothers holding the enme faith aa our-' selves iv a one true God—in the one Great Architect ot the Universe. Again, to be a Mason, the candidate must be a freeman, well recommended, and favourably vouched for, and he must have the confidence of those Freemasons who know him. We strictly exclude politics from our lodges— they have no share in our meetings. Wo exclude the subject entirely and absolutely, and the consequence has been and is that in every country Freemasonry is encouraged and is held in high esteem. The State in every such case know that we do not meddle in politics— that there is in our lodges no plotting or counter-plotting. In America especially has Freemasonry taken deep root, and indeed we have obtained the confidence of all the free governments under which we live. One meat remarkable fact, as shewing the favor with which we are regarded by the Govern ment of our own country, is that at a time when Europe was convulsed, and when thrones were being shaken—when the Bri tish Legislature thought it necessary to pass laws for putting down secret societies and unlawful oaths—a special exemption was made in favour ot Freemasons, whose loyalty and obedience to the law. of tho country have never been doubted. We have always enjoyed the confidence of the free governments under which we have lived, because they were satisfied that we meant no mischief to the State, and, therefore, unlike other Orders, we have been trusted withoutjany supervision whatever. The oaths ad ministered to a Freemason are principally intended to bind him to do good and eschew evil. Now let us examine the objects of Freemasonry and what it teaches. It teaches a code of morality and virtue, and its object is to improve man's moral nature. It inculcates all the virtues, and it reminds, its members from time to time of the duties they owe to God, to their fellow men, and especially to their families. It pays especial attention to this portion of man's duty, and Masons' wives may be "satisfied of this, that though the order calls their husbands some timea from home, and gives them a secret which they can never divulge, it does not neglect to compensate them by inculcating upon the husbands a strict at tention to their duties towards their families. Masonry demands tbat the Mason should not only provide for his family, but that to the best of his ability he should [administer to its happiness, spend ing a due portion of his time in it and that he should not waste bis time and substance in taverns or in selfishly seeking his own gratification. Therefore, it appears to me that the ladies may well set aside tho knowing of our secrets, resting satisfied that very diligent care ia taken of them. I might enlarge upon the duties of Freo masons, and probably I should have done so had the. ceremony not been so long, but I may now wind up with one word. A good i Freemason by no possibility can be a bad man. If he is a good Freemason he must be a good man. We do not take it upon ourselves to say that we are all good men, but we do say that if a Freemn-on falls short of hia duties it is through no fault of the institution, but simply because he fails to follow out or conform to its precepts. Perfection none of us can attain, but if the precepts of Freemasonry were faithfully carried out we would come as near it aa we can. If that is done no harm can accrue, and we should use our endea vours only for the inculcation of proper doctrines. Let us, then, amend our faults and seek in practice to act up to our profes sions, for the nearer we follow the require j ments ot Freemasonry we shall the better I contribute to our own happinets and to that of others.

Offerings to the amount of £3 9s 5d were then placed upon the stone. The D.G. Chaplain said the concluding prayer. The D.G.M. E.C., Bro. Graham, then took the opportunity to address a few remarks to the assemblage. He said that the lodges had contributed various amounts towards de fraying the cost of erecting the hall, but as these fell short of the sum required the balance would have to be derived from sub scriptions by the brethren. After having been made aware of the beneficent objects of Freemasonry, perhaps the ladies would not be disinclined to assist, and if they would therefore prepare and work for a bazaar he would pledge himself tbat they should have a grand ball in return. (Laughter and loud applause.) The Masonic version of the National Anthem was then sung, concluding with the words : —

" Come then ye Sons of Light In joyous strains unite, God save the Uueen. Long may Victoria reign Queen of tho azure main. M-sons, resound the strain, God save the Queen."

After this the procession was re formed and marched back to the Choral Hall, where the Grand Lodge resumed its sitting. The offerings laid upon the stone were awarded to the workmen who were engaged upon the hall, while a vote of thanks was passed to the ladies and gentle men of the choir. It was an nounced that towards the erection of tho ball, £1000 had been contributed by various lodges, while £800 had been subscribed privately by the brethren, malting a total so

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR THUBSUAf, MARCH 3i.



Station.

Mamiknu.... Thames Tauranga.... Napier Tmanaki.... Wanganul,.. WellinKton.. Nelson. .„... Grey mouth. Lyttelton.... Timaru Oamant Pt ChalmerB Bluff

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H 29.70 30.38 30.51 30 65 30.43 30.57 30.54 30.54 30.48 30.29 30.35 30.12 30.30 30.28

4 B a 0) a 50 59 59 55 54 53 61 58

i 9 _£_ I'.C B. B.C B. B. B. 0. a. B. B. B.C B.C

State of Sea, Bar. or Kivurs.

bar good

sea calm Blight swell aea smooth

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fe 156 :s7

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sea smooth noil smooth

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AO.F.-COURT PRIDE OF ONE HUNGA, No. 5261. The Sixth Anniversary of the above will be celebrated with a BALL on MONDAY, 18th April, 1881. Double Tickets, 7s; Single Tickets, 3a. Dancing to commence at 8 p.m. Tickets to be obtained of the following :—J. R. Hendry, J. Hewitt, J. Plowman, T. Brlerly, T. O'Keefe, W. Tapp, T. Kehy, M. Kelsall. and R-. A. England, Onehunga; and M. H. Keesing and i_2 -r^ nef- Auckland,-... R. H-cndhy, Chair-J man , r, a, Knoland, Secretary. »



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When Henry Taylor Wrote in his eminent work, " PMiip Van Arteveide," that■ " the world formed of the masterminds that would leave their "form and pressure" on tho times in which they live. Because groat men naturally SotVn hdori^nlku.TVheTo.ldßteXn hy°„ sufferer would have rejoiced, could it tiave boon known Sinticipativoly or prophotioally. that Udolpho Wolfe'a Sohlodam Aromatic Sohnapps was in embryo boforo it wive born to tho world.